Fuel Cell Powered Vehicles A Game Changer for Fuel Cell Light Vehicles

摘要

Eiwa Corporation has been involved in the fuel cell field for 35 years. It was the start of delivery of PAFC test equipment in 1983. In February 2002, Eiwa Corporation got a license for PEFC standard cell (JARI cell). In December 2003, Eiwa Corporation established the fuel cell development support venture company which manufactures MEA and a cell for testing. Eiwa Corporation focused on the demonstration test of FC scooter equipped with APFCT's low pressure (less than 1 MPaG) canister type fuel cell system in Taiwan. Eiwa Corporation thought that the hydrogen society will be more accessible by implementing this trial in Japan. So, Eiwa Corporation got approval from APFCT and borrowed an FC scooter and are exhibiting at the hydrogen fuel cell related events in Japan. When we tried out the exhibition, there was a big reaction beyond our expectation. We would like to take a part for hydrogen society. In order to speed up hydrogen society realization, Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Technologies (APFCT) develop different approach to refuel hydrogen. APFCT designed PEM fuel cell system for light vehicle with simplicity and consumer convenience in mind. Instead of taking the path of nearly all fuel cell transportation devices that require the refilling of an onboard cylinder with highly compressed hydrogen, the APFCT units use small canisters that store hydrogen in metal hydride powder under low pressure (less than IMPa). Users simply take their empty canisters to a vendor who exchanges them for filled canisters, rather than driving light vehicle to a fueling station and waiting for a cylinder to be filled. By hydrogen storage canister located in stores, hydrogen infrastructure is easily built with cost-effective lower investment.