Fuel cell auxiliary power unit

A fuel cell auxiliary power unit (FC-APU) is a fuel cell based auxiliary power unit on a vehicle that provides energy for functions other than propulsion. They are mainly used in trucking, aviation, marine and recreational vehicles.[1]

Market

In 2010 there were globally 3,100 fuel cell APU shipments.[2]

Trucks

Around 300,000 refrigerator trucks with auxiliary power units are on the road in the United States, according to a 2013 estimate.[3] In recent years, truck and fuel cell manufacturers have teamed up to create, test and demonstrate a fuel cell APU that eliminates nearly all emissions [4] and uses diesel fuel more efficiently.[5]

In 2008, a DOE sponsored partnership between Delphi Electronics and Peterbilt demonstrated that a fuel cell could provide power to the electronics and air conditioning of a Peterbilt Model 386 under simulated "idling" conditions for 10 hours. This solid oxide fuel cell can directly accept diesel[6] using an integrated endothermic reformer.[7] Delphi has said the 5 kW system for Class 8 trucks will be released in 2012,[needs update] at an $8000–9000 price tag that would be competitive with other "midrange" two-cylinder diesel APUs, should they be able to meet those deadlines and cost estimates.[5] In 2013, DOE announced a similar project giving grants to Nuvera and Plug Power Inc., though this project is based on hydrogen-powered fuel cells.[3]

Research

  • RDSO started a project to develop fuel cell assisted Auxiliary power units in diesel-electric locomotives of Indian Railways.[8]
  • PowerCell is testing an autothermal reformer and a PEM fuel cell stack to convert diesel fuel into electricity for trucks.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ fuel cells for auxiliary power unit applications Archived 2013-12-03 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ "Investment in fuel cells for auxiliary power unit applications to reach $400 million by 2020, according to Pike research". Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2013-11-28.
  3. ^ a b Refrigerated trucks to keep their cool thanks to fuel cell technology
  4. ^ Broderick, Christie-Joy; Timothy Lipman; Mohammad Farshchi; Nicholas Lutsey; Harry Dwyer; Daniel Sperling; William Gouse; Bruce Harris; Foy King (2002). "Evaluation of Fuel Cell auxiliary Power Units for Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks" (PDF). Transportation Research Part D. Elsevier Sciences Ltd. pp. 303–315. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-03. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  5. ^ a b Weissler, Paul (2010-05-12). "Delphi truck fuel-cell APU to hit road in 2012". Vehicle Electrification. Archived from the original on 2016-05-28. Retrieved 2011-09-27. and Delphi says it will have a 5-kW APU on the market in 2012.
  6. ^ Jacobs, Mike (2009-03-19). "Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Successfully Powers Truck Cab and Sleeper in DOE-Sponsored Test". NETL: News Release. National Energy Technology Laboratory. Archived from the original on 2012-02-02. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  7. ^ "XII.4 Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Diesel Auxiliary Power Unit Demonstration" (PDF).
  8. ^ Fuel cell assisted APU system for diesel-electric locomotives
  9. ^ PowerCell unveils 3kW PowerPac fuel cell APU that converts diesel into electricity