Teijin develops highly portable fuel cell and pressure vessel units
Teijin Limited announced today that it has developed a compact, lightweight and highly portable fuel cell unit and a companion pressure vessel unit that supplies hydrogen fuel from three lightweight cylinders.
The new solution for integrated fuel cell operation and easy fuel supply is expected to help expand the range and scope of fuel cell use. The units will be used for the first time from June 2023 in a demonstration with Tokyu Construction Co., Ltd., which is participating in a major redevelopment of the Shibuya Station area in Tokyo.
After verifying performance during the demonstration, Teijin expects to begin selling commercial versions of the fuel cell and pressure vessel in Japan from around the spring of 2024. The fuel cell unit is a portable generator that conveniently integrates the equipment necessary for fuel cell operation. Its compact and lightweight design incorporates the new IE-LIFTTM 1T fuel cell developed by British manufacturer Intelligent Energy Limited.
A large-capacity battery ensures about one hour of continued operation at the rated output if the hydrogen supply is temporarily depleted or the fuel cell fails for any reason.
A built-in communication terminal enables the level of remaining hydrogen as well as the unit’s operating status to be monitored remotely via a mobile device, reducing the burden of monitoring critical information and the risk of encountering potential problems. The fuel cell, which measures 450 (W) x 570 (D) x 910 (H) mm and weighs about 60kg, is rated for 700-800W continuous power and 1,500W maximum power.
The new pressure vessel unit is a portable hydrogen-fuel supply device equipped with three Ultressa® lightweight, corrosion-resistant composite pressure-cylinders developed by Teijin Engineering Limited, a subsidiary of Teijin. In addition to reducing the overall weight when transporting hydrogen fuel under high pressure, the cylinders feature an inner liner made of seamless gas-tight aluminum alloy wrapped in high-strength fibers in a multilayer structure impregnated with epoxy resin.
The new fuel cell unit and a companion pressure vessel unit will be showcased (Booth 1-40) at the FC Expo, which will take place at Tokyo Big Sight from March 15 to 17.
