A fuel cell auxiliary power unit (FC-APU) is a
fuel cell
A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of a fuel (often hydrogen fuel, hydrogen) and an oxidizing agent (often oxygen) into electricity through a pair of redox reactions. Fuel cells are different from most bat ...
based
auxiliary power unit
An auxiliary power unit (APU) is a device on a vehicle that provides energy for functions other than propulsion. They are commonly found on large aircraft and naval ships as well as some large land vehicles. Aircraft APUs generally produce 115&n ...
on a
vehicle
A vehicle () is a machine designed for self-propulsion, usually to transport people, cargo, or both. The term "vehicle" typically refers to land vehicles such as human-powered land vehicle, human-powered vehicles (e.g. bicycles, tricycles, velo ...
that provides energy for functions other than propulsion. They are mainly used in trucking, aviation, marine and recreational vehicles.
Market
In 2010 there were globally 3,100 fuel cell APU shipments.
Trucks
Around 300,000
refrigerator truck
A refrigerator truck or chiller lorry (also called a reefer), is a van or truck designed to carry perishable freight at low temperatures. Most long-distance refrigerated transport by truck is done in articulated trucks pulling refrigerated hard ...
s with auxiliary power units are on the road in the United States, according to a 2013 estimate.
[Refrigerated trucks to keep their cool thanks to fuel cell technology]
/ref> In recent years, truck and fuel cell manufacturers have teamed up to create, test and demonstrate a fuel cell APU that eliminates nearly all emissions and uses diesel fuel more efficiently.solid oxide fuel cell
A solid oxide fuel cell (or SOFC) is an Electrochemistry, electrochemical conversion device that produces electricity directly from oxidizing a fuel. Fuel cells are characterized by their electrolyte material; the SOFC has a solid oxide or cera ...
can directly accept diesel using an integrated endothermic reformer. Delphi has said the 5 kW system for Class 8 trucks will be released in 2012, at an $8000–9000 price tag that would be competitive with other "midrange" two-cylinder diesel APUs, should they be able to meet those deadlines and cost estimates.[
]
Research
*RDSO started a project to develop fuel cell assisted Auxiliary power units in diesel-electric locomotives of Indian Railways
Indian Railways is a state-owned enterprise that is organised as a departmental undertaking of the Ministry of Railways (India), Ministry of Railways of the Government of India and operates India's national railway system. , it manages the fou ...
.
*PowerCell is testing an autothermal reformer and a PEM fuel cell stack to convert diesel fuel into electricity for trucks.PowerCell unveils 3kW PowerPac fuel cell APU that converts diesel into electricity
/ref>
See also
* Refrigerator car
A refrigerator car (or "reefer") is a Refrigeration, refrigerated boxcar (U.S.), a piece of railroad rolling stock designed to carry perishable freight at specific temperatures. Refrigerator cars differ from simple Thermal insulation, insulated b ...
* Refrigerated container
A refrigerated container or reefer is an intermodal container (shipping container) used in intermodal freight transport that is capable of refrigeration for the transportation of temperature-sensitive, perishable cargo such as fruits, vegetab ...
* Trailer refrigeration unit
References
{{reflist
Starting systems
Electrical generators
Aircraft auxiliary power units
Fuel cells