Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

Individual Assignment

Name:
C.M. Kallegoda 130262G

Department of Chemical & Process Engineering

University of Moratuwa
 1. How Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electrical Vehicle (HFCEV) Works?

The internal combustion engine runs on gasoline or diesel to rotate axially in conventional
vehicles. But fuel cell vehicles are driven through an electric motor which is powered by hydrogen
gas. Hydrogen fuel cell combines with H2 and O2 to generate electricity [1].

The same principle applied on HFCEV. Hydrogen and Oxygen combine and generate electricity
needed to drive motor fuel cell vehicles. Although, this technology does not include charging a
battery from external sources, HFCEV involves electricity. So that these vehicles considered as
electrical vehicles.
Air flow to the vehicle used as the oxygen source and hydrogen filled to the high-pressure
hydrogen cylinders mounted at the back. Air and hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell, as a result,
electricity, water and heat generated in the cell.

2. Advantages over battery electric vehicles

Both batteries and fuel cell are based on electrochemical reactions which produce zero emissions
virtually. The main difference between the two technologies is the method of storage of fuel. In a
battery, there is a finite amount of chemical compound or substance which undergo reversible
electrochemical reaction to generate electricity. When the substances are consumed battery needs
to be recharged which drives the chemical reaction to the other side of the reaction. In a fuel cell,
H2 which is the main compound in the electrochemical reaction, stored in a tank on-board the
vehicle. HFCEV can obtain following advantages over battery electric vehicles due to above
technology difference [2].

Long range (300-400 miles)

HFCEV have the feature that can last 300-400miles per fuel refill. But it depends on the size of
the fuel(H2) tank. But, battery charged vehicles can be used in 100-200miles. When comparing
battery electric vehicles and HFCEVs this is a huge advantage.

Short refueling time

HFCEVs only want 10mins to refill the hydrogen tanks while the battery electric vehicles need
around 1 hour of recharging.

Idle-off driving

Idle off is a special feature in HFCEVs which shuts the fuel cell and driven by energy recovered
by regenerative braking. This feature is more important in traffics or stop signs. Most battery
charged EVs and hybrid vehicles have the same option.
 3. Drawbacks of using hydrogen as a fuel

As an energy source hydrogen has many advantages and disadvantages. H2 can be produced by
water electrolysis or steam reforming of naphtha or natural gas.

Renewable and available in large quantities but expensive [3]

The H2 fuel cell gives H2O, electricity, and heat as outputs which are obviously renewable. H2 is
largely available in nature and can be produced by electrolysis and steam reforming. Both methods
are highly expensive and need large capital in producing hydrogen.

Storage complication

Hydrogen is a low-density gas which must be compressed and liquify at lower temperatures to
store. This is a complex process and far from feasible when comparing with fuel oil storage.

Non-toxic energy but not safe

Produce H2O is harmless for the environment. So that it is a clean energy source. But in producing
H2 through steam reforming or auto-thermal reforming processes environment pollution can
happen. The flammability of hydrogen cant be underestimated. Since hydrogen does not have an
odor or color, leakages cant be detected which may leads explosions [3].

Transportation complication

Hydrogen is a light gas (Low density). So that it need high pressure transportation method to carry
reasonable amount of hydrogen. Unlike other fuel oils and solid fuels, it is not safe to transport by
pipe line due to its explosiveness. Nowadays hydrogen is transported in small batches.

Far from sustainability

Unlike hydrogen energy, fossil fuel is a well-established industry. It takes years to well establish
such an industry as hydrogen energy which need high amount of capital. Although hydrogen
energy established well enough, the cost of hydrogen will be much higher than fossil fuel and also
normal car user wont be able to use hydrogen directly to vehicle.
 4. Hydrogen production methods

Electrolysis

Water electrolysis is a major method used in hydrogen production. Two electrodes split water into
H2 and O2 by supplying an external electric source [4]. Power plants split the demineralized water
to produce H2 which are needed in turbine cooling. Excess energy from renewable power plants
(wind, solar) can be used as the electric source for electrolysis.

Steam reforming of naphtha or natural gas

Generation of synthesis gas from naphtha or natural gas is an industrially used method for
production of H2 [4]. Naphtha or natural gas reacts with steam supplied to produce H2, CO, and
CO2 (Syngas) mixture. Following reactions happen in natural gas steam reformer,

4 + 2 + 32

+ 2 2 + 2

Other than steam reforming partially oxidation method is also used in syngas generation which is
called auto-thermal reforming. Steam reforming and auto-thermal reforming are cheapest, most
efficient, and commonly used method in hydrogen production.

Renewable liquid reforming

Renewable liquid reforming uses the same principle as the natural gas reforming. Renewable
liquids like ethanol allowed to react with steam and generate H2.
 Coal gasification [4]

Synthesis gas can be generated by reacting coal or biomass with high temperature steam and
oxygen in a pressurized gasifier.

Fermentation

Biologically convert biomass to sugar rich feedstock which can produce H2 by fermentation.

5. Hydrogen delivery pathway to vehicle

Gaseous hydrogen pathway

Compression, Storage, and transport by pipe lines is involved in gaseous hydrogen pathway to fuel
stations [5]. Multiple compression points are available in between end user and production facility.
According to figure showed H2 produced compressed and transmitted to the storage through pipe
lines. Geologic storages are connected to the same pipe line. Stored hydrogen can transport to the
fuel stations by tube trailers or distribution pipe lines. Storage, transmission, and distribution pipe
lines have a risk of leaking hydrogen and contamination of hydrogen flow by aging of construction
material. Although, developed countries like United states already using H2 gas distribution lines
to distribute produced H2 in hydrogen plants.
 Liquid hydrogen pathway

Unlike gaseous pathway using pipe lines is impractical in liquify hydrogen pathway. Produced
gaseous H2 from steam reforming, electrolysis or other method is liquified using liquefier and
pumped into cryogenic storage in order to load into trucks. In Liquification process hydrogen
gas cooled below -235oC using liquid nitrogen and series of compression and expansion stages
[5]. Liquification is not only a high cost but also a low energy efficient process.

Liquid hydrogen from liquefier stored and distributed to the fuel stations using liquid
trucks. Fuel stations mainly have cryogenic storage and a vaporizer. So that both cryo-
compressed and gaseous outlets are present at the end of the liquid pathway.

6. Future of HFCEV

Engineers trying various methods to replace fossil fuel by different methods. As a result, electrical
vehicles become a top global trend. Considering the electric many expertise predicts hydrogen fuel
cell electric vehicle has high potential for sustainability on long run than battery electric vehicles.
According to KPMGs Global Automotive Executive survey 2017 78% believe that fuel cell
electric vehicles would be the golden bullet of electric mobility [6].

Using electrical vehicles are relatively growing up, but the question is how much
environmental friendly using electrical vehicles. It seems like battery electric vehicles are
environmentally friendly. But different types of fuels (coal, fuel oil) are used to generate
electricity. So that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are recommended over battery electric vehicles
since hydrogen fuel cells are far less polluting [6]. Still hydrogen fuel cell energy is not well
stablished when comparing to gasoline. But large amount of money behind the HFCEV technology
since it seems like the replacement for fossil fuel. United state government also promote the fuel
cell vehicles by funding 23$ million for boost hydrogen fuel cell car manufacturing [8]. Major car
companies like Toyota, KIA, Ford, Honda etc. boosting the research and development on fuel cell
vehicles.
References

[1] U. o. C. Scientists, "How Do Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Work?," Union of Concerned
Scientists, 2014. [Online]. Available: http://www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/electric-
vehicles/how-do-hydrogen-fuel-cells-work#.WbjGyqjTTIU. [Accessed 13 09 2017].

[2] C. A. R. Board, "Hydrogen Fuel cell," California Air Resources Board , [Online]. Available:
https://www.driveclean.ca.gov/Search_and_Explore/Technologies_and_Fuel_Types/Hydroge
n_Fuel_Cell.php. [Accessed 13 09 2017].

[3] R. Kukreja, "conserve energy future," conserve energy future, 2017. [Online]. Available:
http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/advantages_disadvantages_hydrogenenergy.php.
[Accessed 16 09 2017].

[4] A. F. D. Center, "Alternative Fuels Data Center," U.S. Department of Energy, 18 05 2017.
[Online]. Available: https://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/hydrogen_production.html. [Accessed
17 09 2017].

[5] T. H. D. T. Team, "U.S. DRIVE technical," 06 2017. [Online]. Available:

https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2017/08/f36/hdtt_roadmap_July2017.pdf. [Accessed 17 09
2017].

[6] J. LeSage, "78-Percent of Auto Execs See Brighter Future For Hydrogen Vehicles Over Battery
Electrics," 05 01 2017. [Online]. Available: http://www.hybridcars.com/78-percent-of-auto-
execs-see-brighter-future-for-hydrogen-vehicles-over-battery-electrics/. [Accessed 17 09
2017].

[7] A. Coates, "Is there still a future for hydrogen power?," 22 01 2017. [Online]. Available:
http://www.cityam.com/257572/there-still-future-hydrogen-power. [Accessed 17 09 2017].

[8] J. Finnerty, "Hydrogen cars: new Government funding for fuel cell vehicles," 20 03 2017.
[Online]. Available: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/93180/hydrogen-cars-new-
government-funding-for-fuel-cell-vehicles. [Accessed 17 09 2017].