Power Turbines

​​​​​​​Air Handling in Commercial Vehicles

• Air handling involves managing and controlling airflow within engines and fuel cell systems. 
• It encompasses the intake of air, its compression and the exhaust of gases. In ICEs, air handling is critical for ensuring that clean air is available for fuel combustion to optimize performance and control emissions.
• In PEM FC systems, the air handling architecture and technology has evolved from low-pressure systems to high-pressure e-compressors. It is now advancing toward e-turbos. 
• These developments are driven by the need for efficient air supply to the fuel cell, ensuring increased power density and optimized system efficiency. 
• In PEM FC, the air (oxygen) pulls the proton through the PEM membrane, allowing the electron to do work. 
• The more air that’s moved, the more electrons (current) are generated, which results in more power. 

Evolution of Internal Combustion Engines (ICE)

• Internal combustion engines burn fuel with air inside an engine to create power. 
• The process involves drawing air and fuel into a combustion chamber and compressing and igniting the mixture to generate an explosion which drives a piston. 
• This movement is then translated into rotational force, powering everything from vehicles to generators with remarkable efficiency. 
• The system originally depended on the interplay of air and fossil fuels like gasoline or diesel, but now also includes alternative fuels like biofuels, ammonia and hydrogen. 
• ICE technology has advanced with improvements in fuel efficiency, reductions in emissions and the adaptation to renewable fuels. However, the quest for cleaner energy sources still requires exploring technologies like the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEM FC).

How Does a PEM FC Work?

• A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEM FC) generates power through electrochemical reactions.
• Hydrogen gas is fed into the anode side, and oxygen into
  the cathode.
• At the anode, hydrogen molecules are separated into protons and electrons.
• Electrons travel through an external circuit, creating electricity.
• Protons pass through the membrane to the cathode.
• At the cathode, protons reunite with electrons and react
  with oxygen.
• The only byproducts are water and heat. 
• PEM FCs enable long-range, heavy-duty operations with
  fast refueling for commercial vehicles, ensuring efficiency
  and reliability.

From ICE to PEM FC: The Evolution of Air Handling

• ICEs use waste energy from exhaust while PEM FCs require high-speed electric motors for air handling. High-pressure e-compressors and e-turbos were developed to improve efficiency and performance.
• With ICEs, some oil contamination is acceptable, however, PEM FCs need an oil-free air supply to avoid membrane degradation.
• E-turbos in PEM FCs harness waste energy to reduce motor size and parasitic load, enhancing fuel economy and power density. E-turbos also improve altitude capability by supplying air when compressor power demand and energy recovery potential are highest.
• Despite these differences, the basic air handling architecture in PEM FCs remains the same.