R-34
10-21-2003, 09:48 PM
Honda Motor Co announces the development of the Honda FC Stack - a remarkably compact, next-generation fuel cell stack that delivers high performance, yet operates at temperatures as low as -20ºC.
It is the world's first fuel stack to feature a stamped metal separator structure and newly developed electrolyte membranes. The FCX equipped with the Honda FC Stack was certified 24 September by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Honda will begin public testing of the vehicle's cold start and driving performance capabilities to advance more widespread use of fuel cell vehicles. Honda FC Stack-equipped FCX will take the role of a lead car in the 80th Tokyo-Hakone Ekiden relay race in January 2004.
Conventional fuel cell stacks have a complex structure in which carbon separators are fastened together with bolts. The Honda FC Stack, however, has a simplified structure composed of stamped metal separators, with rubber seals that are attached in a unique moulding process and enclosed by panels. This reduces the number of components by almost 50 per cent (compared to a conventional unit*１) and more than doubles the output density*２, for world-leading performance. Use of newly- developed aromatic electrolyte membranes greatly improves durability and allows for power generation at temperatures ranging from -20ºC (-4ºF) to +95ºC (+203 ºF) - a difficult achievement for stacks that employ conventional fluorine electrolyte membranes. The driving range of the FCX with a Honda FC Stack also has increased by 40 km*3 - from 355 km to 395 km - while fuel economy has improved by more than 10 per cent*4.
Honda began fuel cell technology research in the 1980s. Tests of Honda fuel cell stacks were carried out under a range of driving conditions using the 1999 FCX-V2 and the 2001 FCX-V3. Developed with a view to volume production and the ultimate need to recycle fuel cell vehicles, this next generation Honda FC Stack significantly reduces the use of special materials and offers excellent driving performance and low-temperature starts.
Key Features of the Honda FC Stack
1. Compact, high output
The number of components is reduced by almost 50 per cent through use of the world's first stamped metal separators and a panel-type structure, while the output density is almost double that of a conventional fuel cell stack.
2. Low-temperature starts
Ion conductivity at low temperatures is double that of a conventional stack thanks to use of aromatic electrolyte membranes.
Use of stamped metal separators improves conductivity.
Thermal capacity is reduced because the unit is more compact. Warm-up time is 20 per cent of a conventional stack.
3. Durable even at high temperatures
Power can be generated at up to +95ºC (203ºF).
4. Next-generation fuel cell stack developed in consideration of mass production and recycling.
Some special materials have been replaced by more readily-available materials.
*1 Honda fuel cell stack on the FCX-V3.
*2 Output/volume, output/weight.
*3 LA4 mode Honda in-house calculations.
*4 Compared with an FCX equipped with a Ballard fuel cell stack.
http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/news/aw/hnd0310131amg.jpg
http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/news/aw/hnd0310131bmg.jpg
autoweb.com.au
It is the world's first fuel stack to feature a stamped metal separator structure and newly developed electrolyte membranes. The FCX equipped with the Honda FC Stack was certified 24 September by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Honda will begin public testing of the vehicle's cold start and driving performance capabilities to advance more widespread use of fuel cell vehicles. Honda FC Stack-equipped FCX will take the role of a lead car in the 80th Tokyo-Hakone Ekiden relay race in January 2004.
Conventional fuel cell stacks have a complex structure in which carbon separators are fastened together with bolts. The Honda FC Stack, however, has a simplified structure composed of stamped metal separators, with rubber seals that are attached in a unique moulding process and enclosed by panels. This reduces the number of components by almost 50 per cent (compared to a conventional unit*１) and more than doubles the output density*２, for world-leading performance. Use of newly- developed aromatic electrolyte membranes greatly improves durability and allows for power generation at temperatures ranging from -20ºC (-4ºF) to +95ºC (+203 ºF) - a difficult achievement for stacks that employ conventional fluorine electrolyte membranes. The driving range of the FCX with a Honda FC Stack also has increased by 40 km*3 - from 355 km to 395 km - while fuel economy has improved by more than 10 per cent*4.
Honda began fuel cell technology research in the 1980s. Tests of Honda fuel cell stacks were carried out under a range of driving conditions using the 1999 FCX-V2 and the 2001 FCX-V3. Developed with a view to volume production and the ultimate need to recycle fuel cell vehicles, this next generation Honda FC Stack significantly reduces the use of special materials and offers excellent driving performance and low-temperature starts.
Key Features of the Honda FC Stack
1. Compact, high output
The number of components is reduced by almost 50 per cent through use of the world's first stamped metal separators and a panel-type structure, while the output density is almost double that of a conventional fuel cell stack.
2. Low-temperature starts
Ion conductivity at low temperatures is double that of a conventional stack thanks to use of aromatic electrolyte membranes.
Use of stamped metal separators improves conductivity.
Thermal capacity is reduced because the unit is more compact. Warm-up time is 20 per cent of a conventional stack.
3. Durable even at high temperatures
Power can be generated at up to +95ºC (203ºF).
4. Next-generation fuel cell stack developed in consideration of mass production and recycling.
Some special materials have been replaced by more readily-available materials.
*1 Honda fuel cell stack on the FCX-V3.
*2 Output/volume, output/weight.
*3 LA4 mode Honda in-house calculations.
*4 Compared with an FCX equipped with a Ballard fuel cell stack.
http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/news/aw/hnd0310131amg.jpg
http://us1.webpublications.com.au/static/images/news/aw/hnd0310131bmg.jpg
autoweb.com.au