Weltpremiere auf der IAA Transportation 2024: ZF präsentiert sein Wasserstoff-Rezirkulationsgebläse, das ungenutzten Wasserstoff zurückführt, um die Kraftstoffeffizienz eines Brennstoffzellen-Antriebsstrangs zu erhöhen.
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World premiere at the IAA Transportation 2024: ZF presents its Hydrogen Recirculation Blower, which recirculates unused hydrogen to boost the fuel efficiency of a fuel cell powered drivetrain.
ZF‘s Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division has introduced a hydrogen recirculation blower. The product was developed by ZF to optimize the hydrogen content of fuel cell vehicles and thus improve consumption and performance. The highly efficient system removes excess hydrogen from the fuel cell system and reintroduces it into the cycle.
The hydrogen recirculation blower works in conjunction with ZF’s high-speed air compressor. The latter supplies air to the fuel cell stack to optimize the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. It uses high-speed technologies for improved efficiency. Together, these products form part of ZF’s growing portfolio that supports the efficient operation of fuel cell systems in commercial vehicles. Similar to the fuel cell air compressor, the recirculation blower is designed for durability and matches the life expectancy of the commercial vehicle, which in turn helps reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO).
The hydrogen recirculation blower is compact, lightweight and optimized for efficiency. Its high-speed turbo can reach up to 100,000 revolutions per minute and uses air bearing technology. This in turn reduces the need for lubrication and prevents contamination of the fuel cell stack. This ensures optimal efficiency and high mass flows over the long term. The system also has an integrated inverter that supports 800 V high-voltage systems.
Hydrogen recirculation is crucial for the longevity and efficiency of the fuel cell stack. ZF’s industry-leading recirculation solution ensures efficient management of water and inert gases in the anode path. It uses the technology of so-called media gap electric motors, integrates water cooling, enables variable gas compositions and eliminates the need for active cooling. This results in advantages in terms of component count and reduced assembly complexity.
