Hydrogen fuel cell system mainly consists of fuel cell stacks, air supply, hydrogen supply, heat management and water management etc. 5 subsystems. Among, air supply subsystem total cost is about 20% of fuel cell system cost, energy consumption is about 20~30% of fuel cell output power. Air supply subsystem mainly consists of air filter, air compressor, expander, electric motor and connecting pipelines etc. Among, output pressure and flow of air compressor directly influences stoichiometric ratio and humidifying characteristics of air of the fuel cell engines, and further influences voltage output of fuel cell stacks and power output of fuel cell engines. Common air compressor types are sliding-vane, scroll, screw and centrifugal turbine etc.
Air compressor used in fuel cell needs to meet requirements as below:
1) Oil free: Lubricating oil will make stacks poison, thus, air compressor needs to use water lubrication bearing or air bearing;
2) High efficiency: Parasitic power of air compressor is huge, its efficiency directly influences characteristics of fuel cell system;
3) Small scaled and low-cost: Fuel cell limited by power density and cost, small scaled and low-cost is benefit for localization of fuel cell vehicles;
4) Low noise: Air compressor is one of largest noise sources of fuel cell system, noise of air compressor must be controlled;
5) Surge line is at small flow area: Can realize fuel cell high efficiently operation under small flow high pressure ratio working condition;
6) Good dynamic responding capability: When required power changes, air flow and pressure need to dynamic adjusting in time to trace changes of output power.
Jan 2019, WAN Gang, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of MOST stated on 2019 China EV 100 that, enlarge R&D strength to fuel cell engines, conquer fundamental materials, core technologies and key parts, currently, mainly break industrialization of MEA, air compressors and hydrogen storage tanks. ASIACHEM believes that, China enterprises still need to enhance R&D of air compressors etc. key parts which needed by high-performance fuel cell systems, realize localization as soon as possible, so that industry healthy development can be guaranteed.
ASIACHEM <China Fuel Cell Industrial Chain Annual Report 2019> information shows that, from 2018 to 2019, China fuel cell air compressor industry 8 leading enterprises progresses are as below:
State Power Investment Corporation
Jan 2019, JIANG Yi, general manager of State Power Investment Corporation revealed that, the Corporation made great breakthrough on development of hydrogen fuel cell, completed independent R&D of related catalyst, diffusion layer, MEA, bipolar plate, stack assembly, system control and air compressor etc. system devices. Realizing fuel cell whole industrial chain completely independent, at the same time, part of characteristics reaches world leading level.
Weifang Fuyuan Turbochargers
Jan 2019, Zhongke Hechuang (Beijing) Science and Technology Achievement Evaluation Center organized experts to do science and technology achievement evaluation on ‘Fuel Cell Used Air Suspension Centrifugal Compressor Project’ completed by Weifang Fuyuan Turbochargers.
Expert team believes that, this project integrated innovation characteristics is outstanding, market prospect is wide and main technical performance indexes reach international advanced level. After fully examine and verify, experts agreed that, ‘Fuel Cell Used Air Suspension Centrifugal Compressor Project’ passed scientific and technology achievement evaluation.
Fujian Snowman
Jan 2019, Fujian Snowman stated that, the company has distributed 2 businesses on hydrogen energy and fuel cell industrial chains: 1. Hydrogen production and hydrogen refueling station construction and operation related devices; 2. Hydrogen fuel cell engine system integration, includes fuel cell stack, fuel cell air compressor and hydrogen circulating pump etc. Currently, the company has provided Yutong Bus and Dongfeng Motor etc. with air compressors.
Shanghai Hanbell Precise Machinery
Jan 2019, Shanghai Hanbell stated that, the company has R&D air compressor product which applies to fuel cell industry. Currently, the company is actively cooperating with downstream enterprises and the product is under testing stage.
Besides, the company stated that, fuel cell is one of development directions of new energy industry. At present, the company technology storage has completion, expects industry development will gradually stable and bring market requirement.
Jiangsu Jin Tong Ling Hydrogen Energy Machinery Technology
Oct 2018, Jiangsu Jin Tong Ling Fluid Machinery Technology released announcement, Jiangsu Jin Tong Ling Hydrogen Energy Machinery Technology, wholly owned subsidiary of the company, signed <Hydrogen Energy Industry Investment Project Cooperation Framework Agreement> with Jiangsu Rugao Economic and Development Zone.
According to the agreement, Jiangsu Jin Tong Ling Hydrogen Energy Machinery Technology planning to total invest CNY 450M, to invest and construct ‘R&D and Manufacture of Fuel Cell Air Compressor and Hydrogen Energy Back-up Power’, ‘Rugao Hydrogen Fuel Cell Industrial Park Smart Energy Island’, ‘Rugao Hydrogen Refueling Station’, ‘20Mm3/a Biomass to Hydrogen Project’ and ‘Compressed Air Station’ series projects in Rugao Economic and Development Zone.
Jiaxing D. R. Powerstrain System
Aug 2018, D. R. Powerstrain first released the company independently R&D two fuel cell special used air compressors in its Headquarters in Zhejiang Jiaxing, which are special used for vehicle used 15-50kW fuel cell engine system, and types are FAC-40-D and FAC-50-D, respectively.
D. R. Powerstrain has constructed 1000 sets level fuel cell special used air compressors completed manufacture and test ability, two types of products released this time have already applied to fuel cell engine system products R&D by D.R. Power and passed long term real vehicle verification of FCV.
Beijing Bolken New Energy Equipment
Jul 2018, Beijing Bolken and the US Bolken co-first displayed independently R&D world first classed high efficiency oil free and air suspension centrifugal air compressor product.
Guangdong Guangshun New Energy
Guangdong Guangshun New Energy was founded in 2010. Since founded, under support of SAIC Group, Sunrise Power, Tongji University and Tsinghua University etc., it has completed development of first and second generation products and now has launched R&D of third generation products. Among, the company second generation product has supported SAIC Roewe 750 and 950 fuel cell vehicles.
The company high efficiency air compressors realize technical indexes:
Response time≤2s, system efficiency≥55%, life≥6000h, -30℃ storage and start-up, pressure ratio≥2.0, overload 30% continuous working time≥30s, voltage application range is DC250-720V.
