Hydrogen
Our system
Fuelcell
This part generates electricity from hydrogen for the vehicle.
AirFilter
This part keeps the fuel cell’s air clean for efficient performance.
Hummidifier
This part adds moisture to the air for optimal system performance
This part cools the air before it enters the engine for better performance
Intercooler
accumulator
This part stores energy for the system
Compressor
This part increases air pressure to power tools or machines.
DC-DC converter
This part converts and supplies voltage to components
motor controller
This part controls the motor’s power and speed
Cathode
Oxygen (from ambient air, via filter and compressor) meets the protons and returning electrons. Together, they form water (H₂O) as the sole emission.
cathode side
Anode side:
Hydrogen molecules (H₂) are introduced here. At the anode, the molecules are split into protons (H⁺) and electrons (e⁻) via a catalyst.
anode side
hydrogen tank
Stores hydrogen gas at high pressure for the fuel cell system.
Pressure regulator
Reduces and stabilizes hydrogen pressure before it enters the fuel cell.
Pressure meter
Displays the current hydrogen pressure inside the system.
Recirculation pump
Circulates unused hydrogen back to the fuel cell to improve efficiency.
Fuel cell
We use a PEM fuel cell which is a stack of 215 cells. Every cell enables a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. With this, we produce water, heat and electricity. Water is released at the exhaust and heat is released with a specific cooling system.
Hydrogen tank
Our hydrogen tank is made of CFRP Carbon fibre reinforced polymer, that contains hydrogen at 350 bar. A pressure regulator is attached to the tank to ensure the fuel cell receives hydrogen at a maximum pressure of 2.7 bar.
DCDC
The DCDC is the link between the system of a general FS team and our hydrogen system, connecting the stack output to the general powertrain. The DCDC does this by boosting the fuel cell voltage to level of the powertrain voltage. In order to do so, the DCDC is connected parallel onto the batteries.
Energy Density
Hydrogen has the highest energy density of all fuels, which means it is very powerful and energy efficient! To illustrate: hydrogen can store more than 200 times as much energy per kilogram compared to current lithium-ion batteries and more than three times as much as diesel and petrol.
Fast refueling time
It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to pump the
high-pressure hydrogen gas into the tank to refuel a hydrogen-powered vehicle. In comparison, it takes 20 minutes up to multiple hours to fully charge an electric vehicle!
Proven Technology
Since the 1970’s fuel cells have become a developed technology, easily optimised to provide enough energy to drive cars. A hydrogen fuel cell has a much higher efficiency than conventional combustion engines.
Clean energy
Hydrogen can be produced anywhere across the planet in a sustainable and clean way. As a fuel source, hydrogen is very clean, as water is the only waste product.
Storage
Hydrogen storage technology has developed rapidly in recent years and is way safer than people think. Modern aluminum-composite tanks provide excellent storage being able to withstand point-blank gunshots without taking a dent.
Future prospects
Hydrogen’s applications are vast. It is promising as an energy carrier in future energy systems, for heating industries, for residential use, and as fuel for heavy-duty transport due to its high energy density.
Natural hydrogen
Natural hydrogen (also called white hydrogen) is hydrogen gas created naturally in the Earth's crust by water-stone reactions, which was first discovered in 1987. Recently geologists have discovered untapped reservoirs of natural hydrogen in the US, Australia and parts of Europe that have potential to provide clean energy to the world on a much larger scale.
Global energy transition
The market for green hydrogen is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years as governments and companies around the world are investing. Predictions show prices will decrease fast, but hydrogen needs urgent support to become economically viable.
Proving hydrogen
We apply hydrogen into the racing industry, as this the industry where innovation is born. However, hydrogen has much more potential in several other industries.
The potential of hydrogen is in its scaleability for distance. When it comes to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the volume and mass of batteries significantly increases as more energy storage is required to meet a bigger range and mass. On the other hand, the size and mass of a hydrogen system does not change significantly as this range grows. Thus, although a hydrogen system is relatively big for a passenger car, it remains about the same size for a transportation truck, as mainly the tank size changes.
On top of that, hydrogen has a very high energy density. Therefore, hydrogen can be stored in less space than a battery needs to produce the same amount of energy.
The image on the right illustrates the relation between vehicle mass and range of a battery-powered and a hydrogen-powered vehicle. As can be seen, with battery-powered vehicles the mass increases with increasing range, while the hydrogen-powered vehicles mass remains constant.
Hydrogens potential
Disciplines
We are the only team in the Formula Student competition on hydrogen. All teams are there to learn. Building an EV or combustion Formula Student car brings a team knowledge about mechanics and electric techniques. However, building a hydrogen-powered Formula Student car offers much more to learn about. Working on a hydrogen system brings knowledge and experience about the following disciplines;
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Mechanical Engineering
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Fluid dynamics
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Design Simulations
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Electrical Engineering
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Chemical Engineering
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Process Design
To support other Formula Student teams make the switch to hydrogen, we want to help. Reach out to us and together, we can make transition work!
tijn Minks
Hydrogen Engineer
