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Fuel cell demonstrated on Cummins truck
Fuel Cells, May 14 2010 (The Hydrogen Journal)
- Cummins Power, a US generator manufacturer, reports that it has demonstrated running a solid oxide fuel cell to provide auxiliary power on a truck.
The fuel cell was not used to make the truck go (main propulsion power), but provide additional power - for example air conditioning and lighting during a 10 year rest period. It provided 1.26kW DC peak power and 1.1kAW average net DC power.
The fuel cell and associated electronics and controls were provided by Protonex Technology Corporation.
It also used a power electronics unit developed by Cummins, which was "derived" from a power system it develops for recreational vehicles. This provides load sharing between the fuel cell and a battery pack.
The fuel cell was powered directly by ultra low sulphur diesel, straight from a fuel pump.
The benefits of the fuel cell is it much quieter than a generator. Also fuel consumption can be reduced - a solid oxide fuel cell can be 60 per cent efficient, compared to around 55 per cent efficiency for a diesel engine generator.
