Testing of a 1kW De Nora Solid Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell in Combination With a Lead Acid Battery (Het Testen van een 1 kW De Nora Vaste Polymeer Elektrolyt Brandstofcel in Combinatie Met een Loodzwavelzuuraccu; Eindrapport)

摘要

The development of fuel cells for traction accelerated the last years because of severe emission demands for road vehicles. Because of these rapid developments a commercial application in 5 to 10 years is feasible which means that the fuel cell can be used for the generation of electric energy on board of naval ships currently being developed. In the application of fuel cells and the integration in a ship's system, the combination with a battery is important. To get insight in the possible problems involved, TNO has carried out orientating tests with a fuel cell/battery combination. The underlying report describes the results. The tests carried out are related to charging of the battery with the fuel cell (at various initial states of charge of the battery) and taking a continuously increasing power out of the fuel cell/battery combination. No tests with a DC/DC converter have been carried out so far, because battery and fuel cell voltage were adapted to each other and because of the orientating character of the study. The tests show that this is possible without any problems. However, in practice, DC/DC converters will generally be required for various reasons. Therefore further development and testing of this combination, including DC/DC converters, control equipment etc. is advised.