· ZF expands its full-flex e-mobility portfolio with the Hydrogen Recirculation Blower for fuel cell powered commercial vehicles
· Efficiency and Performance: The Hydrogen Recirculation Blower improves efficiency and longevity of the Fuel Cell Stack
· The Hydrogen Recirculation Blower works in conjunction with ZF’s Fuel Cell Air Compressor to optimise the efficient operation of fuel cell systems
Hanover (Germany). At the IAA Transportation 2024, ZF Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division unveiled its latest addition to its e-mobility portfolio, a new Hydrogen Recirculation Blower. Designed to optimise hydrogen levels for fuel cell-powered vehicles, ZF’s Hydrogen Recirculation Blower recirculates unused hydrogen to improve hydrogen consumption and performance. Highly efficient, the system draws minimum power from the fuel cell system to reduce hydrogen usage.
The Hydrogen Recirculation Blower works in conjunction with ZF’s Fuel Cell Air Compressor, which was announced in April 2023. The compressor supplies air to the fuel cell stack, facilitating the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, and uses turbo technologies for improved efficiency. Together, these products form part of ZF’s growing Balance of Plant (BoP) portfolio, supporting the efficient operation of fuel cell systems in commercial vehicles. Similar to the Fuel Cell Air Compressor, the Hydrogen Recirculation Blower is built to be durable, throughout the lifetime of the commercial vehicle, helping to reduce its Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
“ZF has applied its extensive expertise in system integration and air bearing systems to develop these innovative products,” says Dr. Christian Brenneke, Head of Innovation & Development at ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions Division. “The newly unveiled Hydrogen Recirculation Blower, combined with our fuel cell air compressor, is part of our expanding full-flex e-mobility portfolio. These innovations demonstrate how our products for fuel cell systems are driving decarbonisation in a technologically open manner alongside our growing range of decarbonised technologies.“
The Hydrogen Recirculation Blower, based on the turbomachinery concept, is compact, lightweight and optimised for efficiency. Its ultra high-speed electrical motor can reach up to 100,000 RPM, using air bearing technology to eliminate the need for lubrication and prevent contamination of the fuel cell stack. This ensures optimal efficiency and high media mass flows. Additionally, the system also includes an integrated inverter that supports 800 V high voltage systems.
Hydrogen recirculation is vital for the longevity and efficiency of the fuel stack. Leading in the industry, ZF’s Hydrogen Recirculation Blower solution efficiently manages water and inert gases in the anode path. Thanks to the use of the patented electric media-gap motor technology, the water separator will be integrated directly in the device, and the need for active cooling is eliminated. This offers great advantages in packaging and less complexity in the system assembly.
Captions:
1. World premiere at the IAA Transportation 2024: ZF presents its Hydrogen Recirculation Blower, which recirculates unused hydrogen to boost the fuel efficiency of a fuel cell powered drivetrain.
2. The Hydrogen Recirculation Blower works in conjunction with ZF’s Electric Air Compressor, which together form part of ZF’s expansive portfolio supporting the efficient operation of fuel cell systems in commercial vehicles.
Images: ZF
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About ZF
ZF is a global technology company supplying advanced mobility products and systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology. Its comprehensive product range is primarily aimed at vehicle manufacturers, mobility providers and start-up companies in the fields of transportation and mobility. ZF electrifies a wide range of vehicle types. With its products, the company contributes to reducing emissions, protecting the climate as well as enhancing safe mobility. Alongside the automotive sector – passenger cars and commercial vehicles – ZF also serves market segments such as construction and agricultural machinery, wind power, marine propulsion, rail drives and test systems.
With some 168,700 employees worldwide, ZF reported sales of €46.6 billion in fiscal 2023. The company operates 162 production locations in 31 countries.
For further press information and photos, please visit: www.zf.com
About CVS Division
ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division is helping shape the future of commercial transportation ecosystems. Our mission is to be the preferred global technology partner to the commercial vehicle industry. Powerfully combining ZF’s commercial vehicle systems expertise, extensive technology portfolio and global operations, the division serves the full commercial vehicle industry value chain. As the automotive industry progresses towards an increasingly autonomous, connected, and electrified (ACE) future, ZF’s CVS division innovates, integrates and supplies components and advanced control systems that help make commercial vehicles and fleets operate more safely and sustainably. CVS unites ZF’s former Commercial Vehicle Technology and Commercial Vehicle Control Systems divisions, the latter being formed following ZF’s acquisition of WABCO in Spring 2020.