The objective of this project is to develop a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell powered scooter with a designed digital controller to regulate the air supply to PEM fuel cell stack. A 500-Watt (W) electric power train was chosen as a platform for the scooter. Two 300 W PEM fuel cell systems, each containing 63 cells, were used to charge 48-Volt batteries that powered an electric motor. The energy carrier (hydrogen) was stored in two metal hydride tanks, each one containing 85 gs of hydrogen pressurized to 250 psig. The output hydrogen pressure from each tank was maintained at 5.8 psi by a two-stage pressure regulator, and then delivered to each fuel cell stack. To regulate the voltage of each PEM fuel cell under different load conditions, two step down DC/DC converters were used. These converters were connected in series to power the motor controller and charge the batteries. The batteries then supplied power to the 500 W brushless motor mounted to the hub of the rear wheel to save space. After all modifications were completed, most of the parts of the scooter stayed the same except for the panel under the seat—where larger space is needed for accommodating the hydrogen tanks. The weight of the scooter did not change significantly, because the weight of the hydrogen tanks (6.5 kg each) and fuel cell stacks (1.7 kg each) was partially compensated by replacing the batteries from the old ones that weighed 17.5 kg to new ones that weighed 9 kg.
Skip Nav Destination
e-mail: hutapea@temple.edu
Article navigation
June 2012
This article was originally published in
Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology
Technical Briefs
Development of a Proof-of-Concept Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Powered Scooter
Georgiy Diloyan,
Georgiy Diloyan
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Temple University, 1947 N 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA
Search for other works by this author on:
Luis Breziner,
Luis Breziner
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Temple University, 1947 N 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA
Search for other works by this author on:
Parsaoran Hutapea
Parsaoran Hutapea
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Temple University, 1947 N 12th Street
e-mail: hutapea@temple.edu
Philadelphia, PA
Search for other works by this author on:
Georgiy Diloyan
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Temple University, 1947 N 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA
Luis Breziner
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Temple University, 1947 N 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA
Parsaoran Hutapea
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Temple University, 1947 N 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA
e-mail: hutapea@temple.edu
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol. Jun 2012, 9(3): 034502 (6 pages)
Published Online: April 20, 2012
Article history
Received:
November 14, 2011
Revised:
December 2, 2011
Published:
April 19, 2012
Online:
April 20, 2012
Citation
Diloyan, G., Breziner, L., and Hutapea, P. (April 20, 2012). "Development of a Proof-of-Concept Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Powered Scooter." ASME. J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol. June 2012; 9(3): 034502. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4006055
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
Mechanical degradation on defective lithium-ion batteries
J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor
Online Measurement of Impedance Spectroscopy of Lithium-ion Batteries Based on Equalised Current Harmonic Injection
J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor
Improving the Discharge Characteristics of Nonaqueous Lithium Oxygen Batteries by Constructing Microchannels
J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor
Related Articles
Thermal and Air Management of an Open Cathode Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Using Sliding Mode Control
J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor (May,2024)
A Model for the Freeze Start Behavior of a PEM Fuel Cell Stack
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (June,2011)
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Air Management in Automotive Applications
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol (August,2010)
Robust Passivity-Based Control Scheme for 1.26 KW Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Under Temperature and Load Variations
J. Electrochem. En. Conv. Stor (November,2021)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Rationale for Human-Powered Vehicle Design and Use
Design of Human Powered Vehicles
Compressive Deformation of Hot-Applied Rubberized Asphalt Waterproofing
Roofing Research and Standards Development: 10th Volume
Outlook
Closed-Cycle Gas Turbines: Operating Experience and Future Potential