Improvement of Power Capacity of Electric-Assisted Bicycles Using Fuel Cells with Metal Hydride

Chiharu Misaki, Daisuke Hara, Noboru Katayama and Kiyoshi Dowaki
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Chiharu Misaki: Department of Industrial Administration, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Japan
Daisuke Hara: Department of Industrial Administration, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Japan
Noboru Katayama: Department of Electrical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Japan
Kiyoshi Dowaki: Department of Industrial Administration, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda 278-8510, Japan

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 23, 1-17

Abstract: Hydrogen is an alternative fuel that is currently being used in fuel cell (FC) applications. This study focuses on electric-assisted bicycles (electric bicycles) powered by FCs and aims to determine the configuration of an FC system based on power demand. Metal hydrides (MHs) were used in the investigation to facilitate the containment of FC systems with improved hydrogen storage capacity. The flow performance was evaluated in our previous study; thus, here we focused on understanding the hydrogen flow characteristics from storage and the weight gain of the cartridge. Through experiments performed on existing electric-assisted bicycles, the relationship between the load weight and the power demand was evaluated. Furthermore, the power capacity of Li-ion batteries and FC systems was compared. No loss in performance was observed up to an additional payload weight of 8 kg. Combining the FC unit with an auxiliary battery offers up to 6.81× benefits with a significant weight capacity (8 kg). It is inferred that the current MH tank design does not support the required amount of hydrogen. The hydrogen flow could be supported by the exhaust heat of the FC to the MH.

Keywords: electric bicycle; fuel cell; metal hydride; electric demand; weight; sizing power distribution; auxiliary power (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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