Zero-emission heavy-duty trucks require significant improvements to efficiency and durability. To reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) and expand the applicability of fuel cell stacks/systems, making them competitive with heavy-duty diesel engines, fuel cell systems must operate more efficiently than the diesel engines and perform reliably in hotter and drier conditions than current technology. However, these operating conditions result in significant stress on the fuel cell components. State-of-the-art materials in commercial Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs) are challenged to provide the long-term durability and performance required to meet the operating conditions of heavy-duty applications.
Boosting hydrogen fuel cell efficiency, durability, and performance for zero-emission heavy-duty fuel cell electric vehicles to compete with diesel trucks.
Unilia’s NorthX-funded project will develop an engineered solution that can compete with diesel trucks. This involves a proprietary MEA concept that is targeted at high power applications with corresponding improvements to cost and durability. The innovative MEA technology integrates recent advancements in novel membranes, catalysts, and ionomers and applies design and process engineering expertise to mitigate degradation and increase efficiency.
The new MEA technology targets a 50% improvement in power density (at 95°C, 40% RH) over incumbent commercial MEAs. This advancement will allow heavy-duty fuel cell systems to generate gross power levels comparable to diesel engines, due to higher operating temperatures with minimal humidification requirements, which in turn supports broader market adoption.
