Performance analysis of an on-site hydrogen facility for fuel cell trains

Department of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy

Abstract

Fuel cell technologies and hydrogen can represent a potential and powerful enabler for replacing traditional diesel vehicles, especially in railways. In this train of thought, the present paper aims to investigate a fuel cell hybrid powertrain for a regional route. The main powertrain components are numerically modeled and the railway operations are simulated. The results achieved, in terms of power demand, efficiency and hydrogen consumption, are discussed and they are useful for properly sizing the refueling system. As a matter of fact, the train will be fueled with compressed hydrogen, produced on-site at a hydrogen central depot, where a hydrogen refueling station is thought to be installed. The hydrogen generation unit is considered to be a PEM unit, operating at 353 K and 20 bar. The produced hydrogen is then compressed by mean of a volumetric compressor and then stored in hydrogen tank type II, at 350 bar. The dispensing scheduling is based on the daily hydrogen demand required by the fuel cell-based train route, according to the railway timetable.

The system is indeed investigated from a technical point of view, proving the integration of such systems to represent a clean, sustainable, and flexible option.