Analysis of hydrogen-powered propulsion system alternatives for diesel-electric regional trains

Advances in Hydrogen-Powered Trains: A Brief Report

“…Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs), on the other hand, are more efficient than any other type of FC but operate at higher temperatures between 600-1000 °C. The disadvantages of the fuel cells are the use of expensive metal catalysts, which drives up the cost of these products, and the poisoning effect of platinum catalysts [9]. The scientific community continues to search for cheaper alternative catalysts for fuel cells that can replace platinum, which is expensive.…”

“…Due to their many advantages over other FC types, including their relatively quick startup and shutdown times, PEMFCs are generally the most widely used FC technology. The use of expensive metal catalysts drives up the cost of these products, and the poisoning effect of platinum catalysts is one of their main disadvantages [9]. The AFC is another low-temperature FC technology that is less expensive than PEMFCs, but because of its sensitivity to CO 2 molecules, it performs significantly more poorly than PEMFCs [9].…”

“…The use of expensive metal catalysts drives up the cost of these products, and the poisoning effect of platinum catalysts is one of their main disadvantages [9]. The AFC is another low-temperature FC technology that is less expensive than PEMFCs, but because of its sensitivity to CO 2 molecules, it performs significantly more poorly than PEMFCs [9]. According to the US Department of Energy, due to lower efficiency and higher operating temperatures (200 °C) than earlier FCs, PAFCs have longer lifetimes and less platinum catalyst poisoning.…”

“…According to the US Department of Energy, due to lower efficiency and higher operating temperatures (200 °C) than earlier FCs, PAFCs have longer lifetimes and less platinum catalyst poisoning. They are primarily used in systems for stationary power and heat generation [9]. SOFCs operate on higher temperatures, allowing for high power output (up to 2 MW) and high efficiency but also resulting in low performance at lower temperatures, a lengthy start-up process, higher material costs, and complex design and assembly [10].…”

“…SOFCs operate on higher temperatures, allowing for high power output (up to 2 MW) and high efficiency but also resulting in low performance at lower temperatures, a lengthy start-up process, higher material costs, and complex design and assembly [10]. Another high-temperature FC, MCFCs, are used primarily in stationary power generation systems and have high output power (up to 3 MW) [9]. Hydrogen could reduce GHG emissions by 5 to 6 gigatons annually by the year 2050 [11].…”