Use of hydrogen fuel in drive systems of rail vehicles

Abstract

The search for substitutes for modern fossil fuels incentivises the use of new propulsion systems (hybrid or electric) and the use of new fuels (gaseous, mainly hydrogen). The article discusses the basic issues related to hydrogen fuel: from its extraction, through the discussion of its properties to its use and applications. Analyzes of the energy consumption involved in its extraction or production were presented, classifying hydrogen in those terms. Great emphasis was placed on design solutions for the use of hydrogen in internal combustion engines, together with discussing the concept of its combustion. The methods of storing hydrogen in a condensed and compressed form were also presented, indicating at the same time the most modern solutions available, such as mixed systems – storage in cryo-compressed form. It has been shown that the combustion of hydrogen in internal combustion engines increases their efficiency, and at the same time significantly reduces the exhaust emissions of toxic gases – including the emission of nitrogen oxides.

Energy flow analysis based on a simulated drive of a hybrid locomotive powered by fuel cells

“…Using fuel cell systems to power locomotives is a fairly modern trend in their development. Low-temperature fuel cells are the ones most often used in transport means as a power source for electric motors [19]. In fuel cell (FC) systems, batteries are a necessary systems used for powering the fuel cells (in the first phase of their operation) and to generate supplementary power when driving in dynamic conditions, along with supercondensator (SC) due to their much higher power density values compared to batteries (BAT) [7,11].…”

Model of energy consumption by brake discs of rail vehicles

“…In terms of reducing the consumption of fuel or electricity [5] in rail vehicles, steels with increased strength properties [2,19] and carbon fiber composite materials described in the works [20] are introduced in the drive structure [10] and vehicle construction. At the InnoTrans international railway technology fair in Berlin in 2014, a Kawasaki bogie for a passenger vehicle with a rocker beam made of carbon fiber was presented for the first time, which reduced the weight of the bogie by approximately 40% compared to the traditional steel structure [23].…”

Hydrogen, the future of aviation

“…Anticipated cost reductions in the upcoming years are expected to occur much more rapidly for hydrogen than for batteries. This trend may lead to costs reaching approximately 30 times less than the current expenses by 2025, providing hydrogen with an even more substantial advantage [20]. Hydrogen can provide zero carbon dioxide emission.…”