Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 4.35 PEM fuel cell stationary power module (Ballard Power Systems)
after treatment. BMW developed a hydrogen fuelled passenger car as have others.
Honda Motor Company has introduced PEM fuel cell powered passenger cars for
personal use and delivered five vehicles to the city of Los Angeles during 2002
(Figure 4.36).
Figure 4.36 Honda Motor Co. Fuel Cell passenger vehicle (2003 Detroit
Auto Show)
The under-hood compartment of the fuel cell vehicle houses the air intake for
the fuel cell stacks (packaged beneath the floor pan), the power electronics centre
and traction motor. Figure 4.37 illustrates the under-hood compartment packaging
in two views: (a) the driver side and (b) the passenger side.
What Figure 4.37 reveals is a completely redefined under-hood environment
for a fuel cell powered vehicle. There are virtually no moving parts and the interior
is taken up by air handling and thermal management systems.
Fuel cell power processing is performed in fuel cell stacks located beneath the
vehicles floor pan. Hydrogen from high pressure tanks (5,000 psi) located above
the rear axle is supplied to the stacks along with compressed air from the under-
hood inlet and filter. The fuel cell stacks provided by Ballard Power Systems for
this vehicle can be clearly identified in Figure 4.38 along with portions of the
passenger cabin compartment running board structure.
