HYDROGEN ON TRACK Andreas Hoffrichter Doctoral Researcher University of Birmingham 4 th of July 2012 Supervisors: Dr. Stuart Hillmansen, Prof. Clive Roberts Funded by the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Outline Brief overview of hydrail prototype development Railways and Energy Future direction of research to PhD completion
Vehicle Projects Inc Vehicles-1 Vehicle Projects Inc developed and built the first hydrogen-powered railway vehicle in 2002: A mining locomotive. PEM-FC metal hydride storage non-hybrid Superior to the battery vehicle in power, range, recharge time
Vehicle Projects Inc Vehicles-2 video 2009: Hydrogen-Hybrid Switcher. 240 kw PEM-FCs, 70 kg hydrogen storage, compressed gas 350 bar, 700 kwh leadacid battery, 1.5 MW maximum power. 2012: Road Switcher Currently the switcher is being upgraded to a road switcher, to be finished in September 2012. 500 kw net PEM-FCs, 70 kg hydrogen storage is upgraded to 400 kg by adding 21 cylinders and storing at 10 000 psi (685 bar), 168 kwh lithium-ion battery, 1.5 MW maximum power for 5-10 minutes duration.
Vehicle Projects Inc Vehicles-3 2012: 5 Hydrogen-Hybrid Mining Locomotives. First series of hydrogen powered rail vehicles rather than a single prototype. Each locomotive has: 17 kw PEM-FC; 3.5 kg hydrogen storage; metal hydride tank, 10-20 min refuelling; 8.8 kwh lithium-ion battery; 1.5 MW maximum power. Thank you to Vehicle Projects Inc for providing: photos, the video, and information about their hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Hydrail Vehicles in Japan 2006: JR East New Energy Train 2006/2008: Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI) railcars www.jreast.co.jp 410 litres hydrogen,350 bar 130 kw PEM FC Lithium-ion battery 19 kwh 18 kg hydrogen, 350 bar 100 kw PEM FC Lithium-ion battery 19 kwh
Hydrail Vehicles in Europe 2011: FEVE Tram 2012: University of Birmingham PEMFC Li-ion batteries Super capacitors 600 l hydrogen, compressed at 200 bar More information on this vehicle is given later also see the demonstration
Railways and Energy Main energy sources today: diesel and electricity Require large amounts of energy; often the largest single energy user of a country Whole energy supply chain has to be considered to make environmental assessment and give a meaningful efficiency figure
Well-to-wheel analysis Definition: Analysis of net efficiency or emissions from a primary energy to traction work of a vehicle Hypothetical Example: Compare net efficiency from a common primary energy: Electric loco: petroleum in ground refinery diesel fuel engine alternator transformer x 2 transmission x 2 traction motors wheel Diesel loco: petroleum in ground refinery diesel fuel engine alternator traction motors wheel
Low- and High Heating Value The difference is in the physical state of water in the reaction: H 2 + ½ O 2 H 2 O (gas), H = 142 MJ/kg Low Heating Value (LHV) H 2 + ½ O 2 H 2 O (liquid), H = 120 MJ/kg High Heating Value (HHV)
Hoffrichter, A., Miller, A., R., Hillmansen, S., & Roberts, C. (2012). Well-to- Wheel Analysis for Electric, Diesel and Hydrogen Traction for Railways. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 17(1), 28-34. doi: 10.1016/j.trd.2011.09.002
Well-to-wheel analysis - renewables *The solar case includes long distance transport of 3000 km Hoffrichter, A., Miller, A., R., Hillmansen, S., & Roberts, C. (2012). Wellto-Wheel Analysis for Electric, Diesel and Hydrogen Traction for Railways. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 17(1), 28-34. doi: 10.1016/j.trd.2011.09.002
Summary and Conclusion of Work Completed 1. Hydrogen as a power carrier has been demonstrated in several rail applications 2. All projects concluded that hydrogen is a feasible power carrier for railway applications 3. Hydrail can have lower CO 2 emissions 4. Well-to-wheel efficiency similar to existing systems http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ commons/c/c1/f59phi_458_at_sola na_beach.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.o rg/wikipedia/commons/1/ 1c/K_Tower_Amtrak_20 08b.jpg
To be done: Performance comparison between diesel and hydrogen locomotive Autumn 2012. Together with Vehicle Projects and a Railway Operator Establish: Vehicle Efficiencies Fuel consumption Other performance characteristics Will allow determination of operational cost benefits
Acknowledgements Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) for financial support Vehicle Projects for providing information, photos, and a video, as well as enabling a research trip to Los Angeles RTRI for information and a photo
THANK YOU! Further Information at: http://postgrad.eee.bham.ac.uk/axh955/website/index.htm