Electric turbocharger for fuel cells - IHI´s contribution to sustainable mobility

Towards a carbon free society the IHI group is committed to provide products, technologies and services in line with ecological and economical sustainability. Storage and transportation of green energy are major challenges related to the global transition from fossil fuels towards 100% renewables. IHI is active in various areas ranging from SOFC technology via ammonia combustion to smart community demonstrator projects. With respect to mobility hydrogen fuel cell technology is identified as one major pillar for CO2-neutral vehicular propulsion – especially for higher payloads and extended driving distances. Since more than 20 years IHI is providing charging systems for stationary fuel cell applications and since 2004 also for mobile fuel cell applications. IHI´s oil free turbocharger for fuel cell applications is providing state-of-the-art boosting technology to enable emission free propulsion systems. It comprises a turbine, a compressor and, on the same shaft, an electric motor as well as air foil bearings to support the rotor. The turbine utilizes the enthalpy from the stack exhaust to lower the required electric power for driving the compressor. It can provide up to 40% of the needed compressor power and hence substantially increases the system efficiency. Compressor and turbine are optimized for operating conditions in fuel cell systems regarding specified airflow and pressure ratio, which is typically in the range of 3.0

Tailored Centrifugal Turbomachinery for Electric Fuel Cell Turbocharger

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is identified as one option for allowing efficient vehicular propulsion with the least environmental impact on the path to a carbon-free society. Since more than 20 years, IHI is providing charging systems for stationary fuel cell applications and since 2004 for mobile fuel cell applications. The power density of fuel cells substantially increases if the system is pressurized. However, contaminants from fuel cell system components like structural materials, lubricants, adhesives, sealants, and hoses have been shown to affect the performance and durability of fuel cells. Therefore, the charging system that increases the pressure and the power density of the stacks inevitably needs to be oil-free. For this reason, gas bearings are applied to support the rotor of a fuel cell turbocharger. It furthermore comprises a turbine, a compressor, and, on the same shaft, an electric motor. The turbine utilizes the exhaust energy of the stack to support the compressor and hence lower the required electric power of the air supply system. The presented paper provides an overview of the fuel cell turbocharger technology. Detailed performance investigations show that a single-stage compressor with turbine is more efficient compared to a two-stage compressor system with intercooler. The turbine can provide more than 30% of the required compressor power. Hence, it substantially increases the system efficiency. It is also shown that a fixed geometry turbine design is appropriate for most applications. The compressor is of a low specific speed type with a vaneless diffuser. It is optimized for operating conditions of fuel cell systems, which typically require pressure ratios in the range of 3.0

Electric turbocharger for fuel cells - IHI´s contribution to sustainable mobility

Towards a carbon free society the IHI group is committed to provide products, technologies and services in line with ecological and economical sustainability. Storage and transportation of green energy are major challenges related to the global transition from fossil fuels towards 100% renewables. IHI is active in various areas ranging from SOFC technology via ammonia combustion to smart community demonstrator projects. With respect to mobility hydrogen fuel cell technology is identified as one major pillar for CO2-neutral vehicular propulsion – especially for higher payloads and extended driving distances. Since more than 20 years IHI is providing charging systems for stationary fuel cell applications and since 2004 also for mobile fuel cell applications. IHI´s oil free turbocharger for fuel cell applications is providing state-of-the-art boosting technology to enable emission free propulsion systems. It comprises a turbine, a compressor and, on the same shaft, an electric motor as well as air foil bearings to support the rotor. The turbine utilizes the enthalpy from the stack exhaust to lower the required electric power for driving the compressor. It can provide up to 40% of the needed compressor power and hence substantially increases the system efficiency. Compressor and turbine are optimized for operating conditions in fuel cell systems regarding specified airflow and pressure ratio, which is typically in the range of 3.0

Neue Perspektiven auf die Verhaltensmuster früher moderner Menschen von den japanischen Inseln

This paper presents archaeological research of the Early Upper Paleolithic in the Japanese Islands, introducing the findings of recent research there into early modern humans. The authors provide background to the natural environment of the Upper Paleolithic while offering an overview of research in the area. Five important research topics, related to behavioral modernity of early modern humans, will be described. Based on them, new information and perspectives about the behavioral patterns of early modern humans are discussed with a focus on the Mt. Ashitaka area.Der vorliegende Aufsatz präsentiert die archäologischen Untersuchungen zum Frühen Jungpaläolithikum auf den japanischen Inseln und stellt die jüngsten Forschungsergebnisse über frühe moderne Menschen auf den Inseln vor. Der Beitrag bietet Hintergrundinformationen über die natürliche Umwelt auf den Inseln während des Jungpaläolithikums und gibt einen Überblick über den Forschungsstand zum Jungpaläolithikum in Japan. Anschließend werden im Zusammenhang mit der Erforschung des frühen Jungpaläolithikums auf den japanischen Inseln fünf wichtige Forschungsthemen vorgestellt, die sich auf die Auseinandersetzung mit der Verhaltensmodernität des frühen modernen Menschen beziehen. Als nächstes werden neue Informationen und Perspektiven zur Verhaltensmodernität präsentiert, indem der Fokus auf das Gebiet des Mt. Ashitaka gelegt wird. Schließlich erläutert der Aufsatz die Merkmale der archäologischen Materialien aus dem frühen Jungpaläolithikum, die auf den japanischen Inseln gefunden wurden, und diskutiert ihre Auswirkungen auf unser Verständnis der Verhaltensmodernität früher moderner Menschen

Electric turbocharger for fuel cells - IHI´s contribution to sustainable mobility

Towards a carbon free society the IHI group is committed to provide products, technologies and services in line with ecological and economical sustainability. Storage and transportation of green energy are major challenges related to the global transition from fossil fuels towards 100% renewables. IHI is active in various areas ranging from SOFC technology via ammonia combustion to smart community demonstrator projects. With respect to mobility hydrogen fuel cell technology is identified as one major pillar for CO2-neutral vehicular propulsion – especially for higher payloads and extended driving distances. Since more than 20 years IHI is providing charging systems for stationary fuel cell applications and since 2004 also for mobile fuel cell applications. IHI´s oil free turbocharger for fuel cell applications is providing state-of-the-art boosting technology to enable emission free propulsion systems. It comprises a turbine, a compressor and, on the same shaft, an electric motor as well as air foil bearings to support the rotor. The turbine utilizes the enthalpy from the stack exhaust to lower the required electric power for driving the compressor. It can provide up to 40% of the needed compressor power and hence substantially increases the system efficiency. Compressor and turbine are optimized for operating conditions in fuel cell systems regarding specified airflow and pressure ratio, which is typically in the range of 3.0