Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - August 2022 - 6

TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS
is specifically designed for pressure
control onboard hydrogen FCEVs.
Suitable for inlet pressures up to 70
MPa, the regulator also includes an integrated
10-micron filter that prevents
installation contamination.
In addition to regulators, proportional
The short stroke of the ASCO Series 238
Pilot General Service Solenoid Valve from
Emerson increases cycle life, while its compact
construction reportedly reduces installation
time and simplifies service.
regulation and reliable flow control.
Systems also should be designed with
optimal performance and easy manufacturability
as concerns. High pressure
fluctuations, especially during vehicle
starts and stops, result in reduced performance
of fuel cell systems. Pressurereducing
regulators, such as Emerson's
TESCOM HV-3500 Series hydrogen onboard
regulator or the TESCOM 20-1200
Series hydrogen pressure regulator, can
help maximize fuel cell efficiency by controlling
that high pressure. With high
leak integrity, a dual-stage, positive seal
design can stabilize outlet pressure to
prevent decaying inlet characteristic and
leakage, which improves fuel cell operation
and maximizes overall energy efficiency.
A specially designed rectangular
shape and mounting holes also simplify
installation and enable OEMs to quickly
secure the regulator to existing panels
and frames in the fuel cell system.
Long service life also is important for
regulators. The 20-1200 Series with a piston-sensing
design, for example, has been
successfully implemented into systems
that have received EC-79 certification and
6 August 2022
valves are key to hydrogen fuel cell system
designs. It's beneficial to look for
proportional valves that can precisely
control hydrogen fuel flow rates while
remaining lightweight and easy to install.
Some suppliers also offer flexible
engineering services to supply customized
manifold solutions for the fuel cell
inlet module, such as a shutoff valve
with proportional valve to accompany
the pressure regulator or drain modules,
such as a drain valve with a water separator
and check valve. This level of partnership
allows OEMs to obtain highreliability
flow control, pressure regulators,
safety junction boxes and flameproof
cable glands, as well as educational
services and support from a single
source, simplifying the supply chain.
Collaborative engineering
Well over 800,000 hydrogen fuel-cell
trucks and goods-carrying commercial
vehicles will be sold by 2035, according
to a September 2021 report by
Research and Markets. While this rapid
growth makes it a lucrative time to be
in the FCEV truck market, it can also
make it difficult to scale designs and
capacity to meet demand.
To produce enough hydrogen fuel cell
systems to supply fleets, manufacturers
need to quickly scale up in terms of
resources, factory extension and procurement
efficiency. One way OEMs can
achieve this is by working closely with
supplier partners that have successfully
adapted their products as needs have
grown or changed.
OEMs of all sizes and capabilities are
emerging in the hydrogen market.
Some may understand all aspects of
their unique design process, while others
may need help to optimize their
current solutions. Educational resources,
such as a collaborative engineering
workshop, can help OEMs integrate
emerging hydrogen technology and
design best practices to develop costsaving
strategies and accelerate their
new technologies. In such workshops,
OEMs work with engineers and product
experts to identify performance metrics
and requirement definitions, create
strategies that integrate findings, learn
about application-specific technology
options, pilots, and more.
Hydrogen fuel cell systems and FCEV
trucks have the potential for exponential
growth in carbon-neutral transport.
Scalability depends on safe and efficient
operation that complies with high
regulatory standards while providing
long fuel-cell life and reduced downtime.
While the transition to alternative
fuels will not be instantaneous, a scalable
approach will reduce risk while
making meaningful progress. Selecting
the right technologies, processes and
partners is critical as hydrogen fuel cell
technology and FCEV truck providers
help launch the fleets of the future now.
Akilah Doyle, product marketing manager,
TESCOM, at Emerson, wrote this article
Emerson's TESCOM HV-3500 Series hydrogen
onboard regulator is specially designed to
maximize fuel cell efficiency in commercial
fuel-cell vehicles.
for TOHE. She holds a bachelor's degree
in electrical engineering from the Georgia
Institute of Technology and an MBA from
Emory University.
TRUCK & OFF-HIGHWAY ENGINEERING
BOTH IMAGES: EMERSON
Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - August 2022

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