Characterization of Hydrogen Gas Flow Rate on Efficiency and Specific Fuel Consumption in a Fuel Cell-Based Electric Vehicle

The significant increase in carbon emissions from the transportation sector, which has risen by 108% in under five years, has intensified the need for sustainable alternative energy sources. Hydrogen energy, utilized through fuel cells in electric vehicles, presents a promising solution for achieving environmentally friendly transportation. This technology facilitates an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to produce electrical energy, with heat and water as the only byproducts. This research aims to characterize the effect of varying hydrogen gas flow rates on the efficiency and Specific Fuel Consumption (SFC) of a fuel cell-based electric vehicle. The study was conducted by integrating a fuel cell system into an electric car equipped with a 96 V, 50 Ah battery for energy storage. The primary investigation involved testing the system at three distinct hydrogen gas flow rates: 1 l/min, 1.5 l/min, and 2 l/min. Data on the fuel cell’s power output was collected to calculate the resulting efficiency and SFC. The results demonstrate a clear and significant correlation between the hydrogen flow rate, efficiency, and SFC. It was established that a greater hydrogen gas flow rate leads to lower SFC values and consequently higher fuel cell efficiency. Specifically, at a flow rate of 1 l/min, the fuel cell’s efficiency increased by 52.37% with a corresponding SFC decrease of 34.25%. Increasing the flow rate to 1.5 l/min resulted in a more substantial efficiency gain of 58.76% and an SFC reduction of 38.3%. At the highest tested flow rate of 2 l/min, the efficiency saw an increase of 59%, while the SFC value decreased by 14.17%. This data proves that the SFC value is inversely proportional to the fuel cell’s efficiency. In conclusion, this research confirms that optimizing the hydrogen gas flow rate is a critical factor in maximizing the performance of fuel cell electric vehicles, reinforcing the potential of hydrogen as a viable and efficient energy source for future transportation.