Making the case for direct hydrogen storage in fuel cell vehicles

Conference · Wed Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:330661

James, B D; Thomas, C E; Baum, G N; Lomas, Jr, F D; Kuhn, Jr, I F ^[1]

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1. Directed Technologies, Inc., Arlington, VA (United States)

Three obstacles to the introduction of direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are often states: (1) inadequate onboard hydrogen storage leading to limited vehicle range; (2) lack of an hydrogen infrastructure, and (3) cost of the entire fuel cell system. This paper will address the first point with analysis of the problem/proposed solutions for the remaining two obstacles addressed in other papers. Results of a recent study conducted by Directed Technologies Inc. will be briefly presented. The study, as part of Ford Motor Company/DOE PEM Fuel Cell Program, examines multiple pure hydrogen onboard storage systems on the basis of weight, volume, cost, and complexity. Compressed gas, liquid, carbon adsorption, and metal hydride storage are all examined with compressed hydrogen storage at 5,000 psia being judged the lowest-risk, highest benefit, near-term option. These results are combined with recent fuel cell vehicle drive cycle simulations to estimate the onboard hydrogen storage requirement for full vehicle range (380 miles on the combined Federal driving schedule). The results indicate that a PNGV-like vehicle using powertrain weights and performance realistically available by the 2004 PNGV target data can achieve approximate fuel economy equivalent to 100 mpg on gasoline (100 mpg{sub eq}) and requires storage of approximately 3.6 kg hydrogen for full vehicle storage quantity allows 5,000 psia onboard storage without altering the vehicle exterior lines or appreciably encroaching on the passenger or trunk compartments.

• Research Organization: National Hydrogen Association, Washington, DC (United States)
• OSTI ID: 330661
• Report Number(s): CONF-970385--PROC.; ON: DE99001002
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
CARBON
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPRESSED GASES
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
FUEL CONSUMPTION
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
HYDROGEN STORAGE
LIQUEFACTION
STORAGE FACILITIES