Diesel Powered Fuel Cell

That is a great news. And it looks like it well to wheel efficiency is much higher.

Biggest problem is the size and output. 3kW output with truck needed to carry will not work in cars

As is it is similar to Cube (when it arrives):
Redox Power Systems, LLC

 

There are so many better options to generate hydrogen in the car with much 'nicer' chemical and mechanical properties ... that is the way to go. The only problem with diesel (or any other fossil fuel) would be making sure the fuel-cell toxins are taken out of the stream. Still 10,000 hours is impressive.

Bob Wilson

 

Doesn't sound like cars are a target application at this time for it. I don't know if it is actually for an EV truck either. The article compared the CO2 emissions to an idling truck, so my guess is this is meant just for power generation on a sleeper truck parked over night. It can also provide power for the accessories on a plane or ship.

This system is reforming the diesel to get hydrogen for the the fuel cell. The size of the reformer and the fuel cell will keep it off cars for some time, but I don't see why it won't scale up to actually power an EV truck. Well, besides cost. There is work going one for onboard reforming of natural gas. Miniaturizing such a reformer might be easier than a diesel one, but CNG has many of the issues for storing on a car as hydrogen does.

The products page of the Redox site is blocked by my work's web filter.

 

Redox use iron-based FC which requires external heat, coming from burning natural gas. The efficiency is 70% if used for by-producing hot water. I wonder if the diesel based uses the same FC chemistry.

Problem with truck that it needs much more output, so it looks like it targets auxiliary applications (A/C, etc)

 

I'd rather deal with CNG over hydrogen any day. But propane or butane would be a joy.

Bob Wilson

 

Found an article with details, An Inexpensive Fuel-Cell Generator | MIT Technology Review. Their system is a solid oxide fuel cell, that is like what Bloom sells, but is cheaper and runs at lower temperatures. Low is still insanely hot, 400C, by a lay person's standards.

It appears Volvo's group is using a PEM fuel cell, Volvo Plans Hydrogen Generators for Boats Kiss Diesel and Gas | BoatTEST.com . That's the type used in current FCEVs.

Which is still an appreciated improvement. Sleeper trucks and large RVs are installing diesel generators in order to save fuel over idling the engine for power while parked. In addition to reduced consumption and emissions, the above boating article points out that it is quiet and low vibration.

Once tested and established for auxiliary power during times for when the main engine is shut down, the next step would be to design a truck using it to supply electric for all its needs; running and parked. Removing as many accessories as possible from the engine's crank will improve its efficiency. In theory, that could be everything. Along with the already electric components, others could be switched from mechanical to electric driven, like the coolant and oil pumps. Literally have the only thing spun by the ICE be the wheels. Maybe even add an electric supercharger to supplement the turbo, or perhaps it will have enough power for mild electric hybridization of the drivetrain.

The FCEV truck might have been the obvious next step, but cost of a fuel cell with enough output for that needs to be considered.

No disagreement, but they all need a heavy cylindrical tank, which is the main issue I see in regards to personal vehicles. You lose some of the advantage of being able to do long road trips, if you can't get your luggage into the trunk.