Hydrogen
Our system
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, and contains hydrogen under 350 bar pressure. A pressure regulator is attached to the tank to ensure the fuel cell receives hydrogen on a managable pressure (4bar)
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.
Hydrogens potential
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.
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;
​
-
Mechanical Engineering
-
Fluid dynamics
-
Design Simulations
-
Electrical Engineering
-
Chemical Engineering
-
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!
Harm van Mierlo
Hydrogen Engineer
