Hydrogen as a fuel for fuel cell vehicles: A technical and economic comparison
- Princeton Univ., NJ (United States). Center for Energy and Environmental Studies
All fuel cells currently being developed for near term use in vehicles require hydrogen as a fuel. Hydrogen can be stored directly or produced onboard the vehicle by reforming methanol, ethanol or hydrocarbon fuels derived from crude oil (e.g., Diesel, gasoline or middle distillates). The vehicle design is simpler with direct hydrogen storage, but requires developing a more complex refueling infrastructure. In this paper, the authors compare three leading options for fuel storage onboard fuel cell vehicles: compressed gas hydrogen storage; onboard steam reforming of methanol; onboard partial oxidation (POX) of hydrocarbon fuels derived from crude oil. Equilibrium, kinetic and heat integrated system (ASPEN) models have been developed to estimate the performance of onboard steam reforming and POX fuel processors. These results have been incorporated into a fuel cell vehicle model, allowing us to compare the vehicle performance, fuel economy, weight, and cost for various fuel storage choices and driving cycles. A range of technical and economic parameters were considered. The infrastructure requirements are also compared for gaseous hydrogen, methanol and hydrocarbon fuels from crude oil, including the added costs of fuel production, storage, distribution and refueling stations. Considering both vehicle and infrastructure issues, the authors compare hydrogen to other fuel cell vehicle fuels. Technical and economic goals for fuel cell vehicle and hydrogen technologies are discussed. Potential roles for hydrogen in the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles are sketched.
- Research Organization:
- National Hydrogen Association, Washington, DC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 330663
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970385-PROC.; ON: DE99001002; TRN: IM9915%%179
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 8. annual U.S. National Hydrogen Association meeting, Alexandria, VA (United States), 11-13 Mar 1997; Other Information: PBD: 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of 8. annual U.S. hydrogen meeting: Proceedings; PB: 546 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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