Fuel cell alternatives to diesel engines.

[whole diary]

[grahame]

In the past, I have walked past lines of taxis without too much note ... but in St Albans this last week I couldn't help noticing a line of 8, all with their engines running, waiting to be hired in the town centre. A a faint odour that was probably doing me not good what so ever. Big lines of taxis waiting at the station and rush hour jams all over the place - thank goodness I live aways from this. It has me wondering just how much difference diesel trains versus other transport modes really make.



News, however, of several different hydrogen fuel cell proposals and experiments.   Could these be somethng we'll see in practical use on the railways in the next few years?

http://www.railway-technology.com/news/newsfuel-cell-systems-study-demonstrates-fuel-cell-technology-use-to-power-trains-in-uk-5763984

Fuel Cell Systems has demonstrated the feasibility of using hydrogen cells to power trains in a study conducted for the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) rail industry.

Performed in collaboration with the University of Birmingham and Hitachi Rail Europe, the six-month study indicated that hydrogen fuel cell technology can be retrofitted to increase the life of current rolling stock.

The study also showed that fuel cells are a clean alternative for the self-powered regional trains in the country.

Funded by Rail Safety and Standards Board ( RSSB^▸ (Rail Safety and Standards Board)) and Network Rail, the project established that using the technology could cut journey times, reduce emissions at the point of use and improve passenger comfort.

To examine the real-life applications, the study included mathematical modelling on known rail routes such as the Norwich to Sheringham.

Fuel Cell Systems managing director Tom Sperrey said: "Compared to traditional engines, fuel cell vehicles are cleaner, emitting no exhaust fumes, just a small quantity of pure water. They are going to be a major contributor in combatting atmospheric pollution.”

It is expected that the hydrogen fuel cell powered trains would complement the future electrification of the railway network, eliminate the interruption in services caused by installation of overhead wires, or modifications to bridges and tunnels during full electrification.

While the technology has already been tested in Japan in 2006, China has introduced a fully operational hydrogen-powered tram in Qingdao in 2015, and Germany is planning to electrify the 1,100km railway network in the Schleswig-Holstein region by 2025

https://www.theengineer.co.uk/alstom-tests-first-fuel-cell-powered-passenger-train/

Alstom has run the first tests of its Coradia iLint passenger train, claimed to be the first in the world to be run on electricity from a hydrogen fuel cell. The test, which took place at the company’s test track in Lower Saxony, Germany, saw the train running at 80km/h.

The test was the beginning of four weeks of trials of the iLint, which will check the stability of the energy supply system and the interface between pneumatic and electric brakes. Alstom claims that the train uses a combination of innovative technologies, such as clean energy conversion, flexible battery storage, and smart management of traction power and available electricity. While for its tests the train is running on hydrogen produced as a byproduct of industrial processes, Alstom envisages train services running on hydrogen produced by wind power.

Tests are also underway in Velim, Czech Republic, during which the train will run at its full-service speed of 140km/h. Static trials have already been completed, during which Alstom verified all the electrical and pneumatic functions, including the pressure tank that holds the hydrogen fuel, the battery and the fuel cell itself. Based on the company’s diesel train, the Coradia iLint is being targeted at non-electrified rail routes.

[froome]

In the past, I have walked past lines of taxis without too much note ... but in St Albans this last week I couldn't help noticing a line of 8, all with their engines running, waiting to be hired in the town centre. A a faint odour that was probably doing me not good what so ever. Big lines of taxis waiting at the station and rush hour jams all over the place - thank goodness I live aways from this. It has me wondering just how much difference diesel trains versus other transport modes really make.

I like the sketch Graham.

Many places now have 'switch'off' campaigns that encourage motorists stopped in queues to switch off their engines. Looks like St Albans needs one of these.

I have no knowledge of fuel cells but will watch with interest in how these experiments progress.

[ellendune]

The concern I have about fuel cells is the fuel storage in the event of an accident. Hydrogen if it mixes with oxygen is highly explosive, and being a gas is much more likely to mix!  I recall reading about accidents in the days of gas lights on trains.

[patch38]

Been to Amsterdam recently? Lots of Teslas in use as taxis...

[stuving]

Quite by coincidence, I came upon this snippet (from railway-technology.com):

CRRC subsidiary Qingdao Sifang has secured a contract to deliver eight hydrogen-powered tramcars.

Designed for a maximum speed of 70km/h, the trams can each carry 285 passengers. The trams will operate on the 17.4km Gaoming Line in Guangdong province, China, which will open for public use in 2018.

That doesn't say "fuel cell", but this (from Ballard Power Systems) explains that they are:

Dr. Kevin Colbow, Ballard Vice President – Technology and Product Development said, “We have worked very closely with CSR^▸ (Cab Secure Radio) Sifang over the past 18-months on the development of a 200 kilowatt fuel cell solution for light rail applications. We expect our collaboration with CSR Sifang will lead to the world’s first commercial deployment of a fuel cell-powered tram line, which should open opportunities globally.”

Each of the fuel cell trams on the Gaoming Line will have a capacity of 285 passengers and a maximum speed of 70 km/hour. The Gaoming Line will be 17.4 kilometers long, with 20 stops. In addition to delivering strong operating performance, the fuel cell trams will have a longer range and be more environmentally-friendly than traditional trams.

[simonw]

In the future, rail transport has two serious options, electric trains via overhead cables, or electric trains via either hydrogen or methane fuel cells.

Whilst I find the ideas of fuel cells appealing for cars/vans/buses the scale of storage required for a train is probably non viable. Just imagine each train pulling a steel large cylinder, or embedding multiple cylinders with gas tubing along a train. A recipe for disaster.

What I find depressing about Network Rail/DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) is the lack of long term planning. Why should this country not have a 25 year plan to electrify ALL track by overhead, or third rail if needed. At least Network Rail would be able to purchase the right equipment, and training, knowing the scale of work to deploy, maintain and upgrade a fully electric rail network.

[broadgage]

I doubt that we will see fuel cell powered trains in the foreseeable future.
Fuel cells of sufficient capacity to power a train are hugely expensive and very bulky, hydrogen fuel is expensive and costly to store and handle.

The future IMHO^▸ ('in my humble opinion') is largely electric. For those parts of the network that cant be readily electrified, then the near term future is bi-mode* electric/diesel* units as are presently being built.

The longer term future, perhaps when the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) are obsolete, is battery power for bits that cant realistically be electrified.

*I have previously been very critical of the new IETs, but that is due largely to the downgraded fit out such as no buffet, and should not be taken as a criticism of the principle of bi-mode operation.
Likewise I feel that underfloor engines are a backward step for long distance, high speed operation. Use of the underfloor engine for a few miles of a 200 mile journey would be more acceptable.

[grahame]

From BT's technology feed

World's first zero-emissions train that only emits steam completes its first test run

Good to hear about the first run.  A bit overplayed, though - aren't electric trains zero-emission already?

[John R]

Only if the electricity is generated by non-carbon emitting means.

[Rhydgaled]

Only if the electricity is generated by non-carbon emitting means.

Which equally applies to the electricity used to get the hydrogen for a fuel-cell vehicle (or has the research centre near Port Talbot got the bacteria working?)

[Red Squirrel]

One of the downsides of fuel cells - at least in cars - is that the hydrogen needs to be stored at 8000psi to make it practical. Notwithstanding the dodginess of this, is makes the handling rather expensive.

As a thought, though: what are the practical problems of connecting fuel cells or batteries to existing traction motors, replacing the existing diesel engine and generator sets?

[broadgage]

As a thought, though: what are the practical problems of connecting fuel cells or batteries to existing traction motors, replacing the existing diesel engine and generator sets?

Batteries, certainly, it has been done already for test or trial purposes.

Fuel cells are slightly more problematic since they do not react well to sudden load changes and would therefore need a battery as well. And of course the problems of hydrogen storage remain.