Hyundai Extends Fuel Cell Vehicle Range
With growing concern for the depletion of energy resources and increasing pollution of the atmosphere, automakers are not wasting time in finding alternative ways of powering their vehicles. Some solutions such as the electric motor and hybrid powerplants are already available and many others are under development.
The most promising seems to be the fuel cell, which uses technology that was first developed for spacecraft. Apart from high cost, practical issues have prevented development of fuel cells for cars from progressing at a faster pace. However, there has been much development in the past few years and fuel cells have also been reduced in size and weight sufficiently to fit into cars.
Companies like Ford, DaimlerChrysler and Toyota have indicated that they will begin selling vehicles with fuel cells by 2003 while others are hurrying along with their R&D. Even Korean automaker Hyundai is hard at work on a fuel cell vehicle (FCV), using the resources at their American technical centre in California and collaborating with Quantum Technologies Worldwide Inc.
Hyundai’s prototype FCV makes use of hydrogen and one of the significant developments in its project is the storage of the gas at 5,000 psi – a pressure never before achieved for such a purpose. Until now, storage tanks for FCVs have been filled at up to only 3,600 psi.
By storing at such a high pressure, it is possible to meet the challenging packaging requirements for fuel cell vehicles. More hydrogen can be carried meaning a greater distance can be travelled. This is an important factor in FCV development as there must be range that is acceptable to consumers, otherwise they will not buy such vehicles.
Hyundai is using its Santa Fe SUV as a testbed for the project, this vehicle having plenty of space for the fuel cell and storage tank. While increasing the travel distance with more hydrogen in the same space, the vehicle maintains maximum safety conditions and allows for minimal intrusion into the cargo and passenger areas. The hydrogen tank is tucked up, out of the way so the Santa Fe maintains its 206 mm of ground clearance.
The special high-pressure TriShield tank was developed by Quantum for Hyundai’s project. It is uniquely designed and manufactured with a one-piece permeation-resistant seamless liner, a carbon composite over-wrap for strength, and a tough impact-resistant but light shell. The ability to store large amounts of hydrogen in a small amount of space in a safe tank, even in the event of a collision, is what makes this technology so unique.
“Hyundai is very proud of the achievement it has made with Quantum Technologies in the way of fuel cell technology advancement,” said Dr. Young Woo Kim, president of the Hyundai R&D facility. “With the success of the Santa Fe, it made sense for Hyundai to adapt its hot-selling crossover SUV to the cutting edge world of energy-efficient fuel cell vehicles.”
Hyundai is participating in the California Fuel Cell Partnership, a joint venture of automakers, energy and fuel cell technology companies, and government agencies working together to advance the commercialization of fuel cell-powered vehicles. Over the next few years, this organization will test more than 60 fuel cell vehicles in real-world driving conditions.
