Hoffrichter, Andreas, Fisher, Peter, Tutcher, Jonathan, Hillmansen, Stuart and Roberts, Clive (2014) Performance evaluation of the hydrogen-powered prototype locomotive ‘Hydrogen Pioneer’. Journal of Power Sources, Volume 250 . pp. 120-127. doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2013.10.134

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Abstract

The narrow-gauge locomotive ‘Hydrogen Pioneer’, which was developed and constructed at the University of Birmingham, was employed to establish the performance of a hydrogen-hybrid railway traction vehicle. To achieve this several empirical tests were conducted. The locomotive utilises hydrogen gas in a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell power-plant to supply electricity to the traction motors or charge the on-board lead-acid batteries. First, the resistance to motion of the vehicle was determined, then operating tests were conducted for the speeds 2 km h−1, 6 km h−1, 7 km h−1, and 10 km h−1 on a 30 m straight, level alignment resembling light running. The power-plant and vehicle efficiency as well as the performance of the hybrid system were recorded. The observed overall duty cycle efficiency of the power-plant was from 28% to 40% and peak-power demand, such as during acceleration, was provided by the battery-pack, while average power during the duty cycle was met by the fuel cell stack, as designed. The tests establish the proof-of-concept for a hydrogen-hybrid railway traction vehicle and the results indicate that the traction system can be applied to full-scale locomotives.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	T Technology > TF Railroad engineering and operation
Divisions:	Faculty of Science > WMG (Formerly the Warwick Manufacturing Group)
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Fuel cells, Locomotives -- Energy consumption, Hydrogen as fuel
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Power Sources
Publisher:	Elsevier S.A.
ISSN:	0378-7753
Official Date:	15 March 2014
Dates:	Date Event 15 March 2014 Published 12 November 2013 Available 29 October 2013 Accepted 23 August 2013 Submitted
Volume:	Volume 250
Number of Pages:	8
Page Range:	pp. 120-127
DOI:	10.1016/j.jpowsour.2013.10.134
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access
Funder:	Science City Research Alliance, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), University of Birmingham, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

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