DLR Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics’ Post

goal net zero FCCP energy efficiency last-mile delivery H2 -Abstract:"Cold start is still a major factor for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell degradation. Using a metal hydride-based preheater can significantly reduce the time to reach temperatures above 0 °C without consuming any extra energy due to two specific features of the fundamental thermochemical reaction: First, thermal energy provided during fuel cell operation as waste energy can be stored long-time and loss-free for the next cold start event. Second, providing a hydrogen pressure of 8 bar immediately triggers the exothermal absorption reaction to heat up a system from temperatures as low as −20 °C. The manuscript presents the first in time results of a system with a 1 kW PEM fuel cell starting from temperatures of −5 °C with and without an active preheating module at a hydrogen pressure of 6 bar. The experiments indicate that the single-cell voltage behavior is improved when the preheating module is active as the lowest values measured are in the range of 0.6 V in contrast to 0.45 V without a preheater. These findings are supported by simulation data of the modeled system, which indicates severe ice formation of up to 87 % in case of the cold start without a preheater in comparison to ¡1 % ice formation with a preheating module." "Highlights: •Metal hydride-based preheater without extra energy or H2 consumption developed. •Thermal energy can be provided immediately when hydrogen gas pressure is applied. •Experiments for 1 kW fuel cell performed at −5 °C with/without preheater. •Single-cell voltage significantly more stable with preheating module. •Additional simulation indicates severe icing at cold start without preheater." paper "Energy efficient cold start of a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell coupled to a thermochemical metal hydride preheater" https://lnkd.in/eCwAwkU9

#froststart of fuel cells is challenging. We combined a #PEM fuel cell with a #metalhydride as thermal booster and could prove a significantly improved behavior by experiments and simulation. It has been a great pleasure to perform this study with experts from different institutes, thanks to Daniel Melnik , Jens Mitzel, Patrick Sarkezi-Selsky, Thomas Jahnke, Julian Käß and Torsten Knöri!

Hydrogen as a marine fuel is still in its early stages. As the maritime industry moves towards low and zero-emission fuels due to stricter regulations, hydrogen must demonstrate its technical and commercial viability for future adoption. Building on previous assessments of HyForce, a hydrogen-fuelled harbour tug, researchers from A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), in collaboration with Seatrium, developed a digital twin of the tug. This virtual model allowed them to evaluate its performance using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations that mimic real-world conditions like wind, waves, and sea currents. The initial findings indicated that the tug would require between 93 kW to 1892 kW of power to achieve speeds of 5 to 12 knots under ideal conditions. The full article is featured in Science Direct - Energy Conversion and Management (impact factor: 7.1): https://lnkd.in/g3Yxutg2 IHPC: nguyen van bo Raymond Quek Chang Wei KANG Zhang Baili Seatrium: Vineeth Menon NTU: Prof Siew Hwa Chan #IHPC #CFD #computationalfluiddynamics #energy #digitaltwin

As the hydrogen economy gains momentum, prioritizing safety is crucial. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) plays a key role in minimizing the risks associated with unwanted flame propagation and explosions. In a recent CONVERGE simulation, a six-meter-long tube filled with a hydrogen and air mixture, with a 35% H2 volume fraction, underwent a fascinating transformation from deflagration to detonation. The simulation showcases intricate structures like shocks and Kelvin-Helmholtz type formations, evident in the temperature contours (middle view). Impressive work by Shuaishuai Liu, shedding light on the critical application of CFD in enhancing safety within the hydrogen industry. (Simulations are based on experiments from the paper: "Experimental study on combustion and explosion characteristics of hydrogen-air premixed gas in rectangular channels with large aspect ratio," Han et al., International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 57, 2024.) #cfd #convergecfd #hydrogen

Thanks to Southwest Research Institute-- great insights on the use of H2 in ICE as a great option for decarbonizing hard to decarbonize sectors.

In the evolving landscape of battery manufacturing, atmospheric plasma technology has emerged as a valuable tool, enhancing various aspects of the production process. This advanced technology involves the use of ionized gas (plasma) at atmospheric pressure to treat surfaces, which significantly improves adhesion, cleanliness, and the overall performance of batteries. The results? Batteries that are more reliable and efficient. It's a game-changer for energy storage solutions. 🔋 Discover the full benefits of atmospheric plasma in battery production in our latest release. #batterytech #materialsscience #ukmfg https://lnkd.in/gxVh6FD6

A week ago I gave a webinar on phase field fracture/fatigue and its application to hydrogen technologies, as part of the HyLINE II project. Vigdis Olden, who kindly invited me and arranged this event, asked to me to make it "as instructive as possible". Thus, I did my best to explain in an easy way the underlying fundamentals of phase field fracture, how it is connected with decades of well-established fracture mechanics theory (and engineering design) and how it can accelerate the deployment of a hydrogen energy infrastructure (with a particular focus on pipelines). The webinar was recorded so I hope that you find it useful: https://lnkd.in/dqAKJatF #hydrogen #phasefield #fracturemechanics

Exciting developments in Microwave Methane Pyrolysis (MMP) are revolutionizing hydrogen production! 🌟 Reactor designs like Fixed-Bed, Fluidized Bed, Rotating Bed, and Plasma-Enhanced Microwave Reactors are enhancing uniform heating and catalyst performance. Material properties and catalyst innovations play a crucial role in optimizing the process, including the use of microwave absorbers, bimetallic catalysts, and nanostructured materials. Process dynamics are key to efficiency, covering microwave parameters, temperature control, methane flow, pressure, and carbon management. Recent advances focus on catalyst advancements, plasma-microwave synergies, and simulation for optimal reactor design. Excited to see how these advancements in MMP pave the way for sustainable hydrogen production with minimal CO₂ emissions. 🌱 #MMP #HydrogenProduction #SustainableTechnology

🔥 New paper on lean hydrogen combustion in engines Understanding and controlling hydrogen combustion is critical to meeting the challenges of the energy transition. As recent work in generic configurations has shown, thermodiffusive instabilities, which can lead to increased reaction rates, complicate this task. But how do these instabilities behave in practical systems dominated by turbulent mixing, such as internal combustion engines? Our latest paper, published in the Proceedings of The Combustion Institute by our team including Cooper Welch addresses this very question through an experimental investigation of lean hydrogen flame instabilities in spark-ignited engines. Here are some highlights from the paper: 🔵 High-speed planar laser-induced fluorescence is used to visualize the flame front and investigate lean hydrogen flame propagation. 🔵 We compare hydrogen/air and methane/air flames, providing critical insight into flame surface density under different conditions. 🔵 The results suggest that while turbulence may counteract instabilities, extremely lean conditions highlight the cumulative effects of flame instabilities. Read the full article below and access the paper here: https://lnkd.in/eVBPeX-t #Research #HydrogenCombustion #EngineTechnology #Innovation #SustainableEnergy

🚀 Exciting News in Fuel Cell Technology! 🌐 Thrilled to announce the publication of our latest research article, "Enhancing the performance of ammonia-fed intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) through the application of Ni2MnGa Heusler alloy on the anode surface," in the prestigious "Journal of Power Sources"! In this groundbreaking study, we utilized the Radio Frequency (RF) sputtering process to deposit the Ni2MnGa Heusler alloy on the Ni-based Sm-doped CeO2 (Ni-SDC) anode surface. The strategic application of this alloy serves as a catalyst for NH3 dissociation, preventing Ni agglomeration and Ni3N formation on the anode surface. The results are outstanding – an optimal deposition of the Ni2MnGa Heusler alloy not only enhances the power density of the fuel cell but also ensures long-term stability. We are proud to contribute to the advancement of fuel cell technology with innovative solutions. Curious minds can access the full research paper through the link below. Feel free to download and explore the details. Don't miss out – the link is active until April 20, 2024! 📚 [Download Research Paper: https://lnkd.in/gjp9BudV] Let's continue pushing the boundaries of clean energy together! 💡 #FuelCell #CleanEnergy #ResearchInnovation #RenewableTech #ScienceBreakthroughs