Compact, efficient, low-cost turbomachine compressor for automotive fuel cell systems

This project aims to make turbomachine compressors available to the fuel cell industry. This requires aerodynamic, electrical, and mechanical innovations, but if successful it will provide the most low-cost, compact, efficient, and scalable compressor for automotive fuel cell systems. The project will use an aluminium, turbomachine-type compressor with volume automotive manufacturing tolerances, direct-coupled to a variable high-speed motor with no transmission. This represents a step-change from roots and screw-type compressors. The project must also design the compressor to cope with a wide flow map to suit fuel cell requirements, as well as to operate without oil contamination to the fuel cell. Additionally, the electric motor must tolerate highly variable input voltage, reflecting the variations in fuel cell voltage, so that the motor can run directly from the fuel cell's terminals without the need for an additional load on the fuel cell's output DC/DC converter. The project will be led by Aeristech who will apply its proprietary and patented technology in variable high-speed motors for turbomachine direct drive to this unique, oil-adverse, variable-voltage application. Imperial College will provide a compressor design capable of constant boost across a range of mass flows. Intelligent Energy will integrate the electric booster into their fuel cell and fuel cell controller, then carry out performance tests. The project will conclude with a turbomachine compressor working on a fuel cell. Following completion of the project, the system will continue to be refined, improved, and exploited by the partners.