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18-10-2006 |
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H2Expo presents fuel cells in the water and in the air |
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H2Yacht – world premiere of fuel cell vessel
HyFly3000 – the no-emissions lightweight aircraft
6th International Conference and Trade Fair on Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies in Hamburg, 25-26 October 2006
Externally, there seems to be nothing special about this boat. A typical traditional Hamburg boat, 6.75 long, with space for eight people. But in fact it is a very special vessel – it is powered by a fuel cell system. The H2Yacht will celebrate its world premiere during the 6th International Conference and Trade Fair on Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies in Hamburg, from 25 to 26 October 2006. And fuel cell technology can be used for propulsion not only on the water, but also in the air – as demonstrated by scientists and technologists in Hamburg, in the group headed by the physicist Frieder Herb, presenting the fuel cell aircraft HyFly3000.
“The H2Yacht combines tradition and innovation,” says Reinhard Steltzer. The fuel cell boat is built at AMS Marine Yacht, his shipyard in Hamburg, to a design by Dr. Ing. Walter Pelka. It looks very much like a conventional chug-chug vessel – except that it doesn’t chug! At most you can hear a quiet humming sound from the electric motors, which are supplied with power from a fuel cell. That makes the boat suitable for operating in waters where only sailing vessels are permitted.
The on-board hydrogen reserve needed to power the fuel cell is kept in six steel cylinders, housed in a small container. The power for the two electric motors for propulsion of the H2Yacht is delivered by a 1200 watt fuel cell from the German-Canadian manufacturer Ballard. The vessel has a maximum speed of five knots, that is about nine kilometres per hour. Its hydrogen reserve permits a range of about 60 kilometres. The first series-built boats are to leave the AMS Marine Yachten yard in 2007. Visitors to the H2Expo can view the boat in the exhibition hall of the CCH-Congress Center Hamburg.
There will also be a lightweight aircraft on show at the CCH-Congress Center Hamburg – the HyFly3000. The physicist Frieder Herb intends to demonstrate that fuel cell technology can also be used in aviation, and wants to set up a new record: “By 2008 at the latest, we aim to cover a flight distance of 3000 kilometres with the HyFly3000.”
But Frieder Herb and his team will have a lot of work to do before that is possible. The biggest problem is that the aircraft, a glider built by the Lange company from Zweibrücken, “has to fit in quite a lot of technology in quite a small space.” He explained that the fuel cell aircraft will need a lot of power for take-off, that is about 33 kilowatts, which the fuel cell alone is not able to deliver. That means batteries will have to be integrated in the system. The energy generated by the fuel cell is enough for horizontal flight. “Ten kilowatts are enough for that,” said Herb. The battery is recharged during flight.
Frieder Herb is currently negotiating with the German-Canadian manufacturer Ballard, who have developed an innovative new fuel cell. “This system would be ideal for our purposes, due to its small size and its technical characteristics,” he said. Another problem is hydrogen supply for the HyFly3000. “Here, too, we are currently in an exploratory phase.” He added that the problem could not be solved without the help of sponsors. Though the HyFly3000 project now has support from companies such as Lange Flugzeugbau, Lufthansa and Deutsche Airbus, further sponsors are still needed. Mr. Herb and his team will present the lightweight aircraft during the H2Expo. “We also hope to exhibit a model showing how the new Ballard fuel cell works.”
The manufacturers of fuel cell and hydrogen products will present their innovations in a wide range of applications during the H2Expo at the CCH-Congress Center Hamburg from 25 to 26 October. The scientific symposia will give researchers, technicians and engineers from Germany and abroad a platform for discussion of all aspects of hydrogen use. The programme also includes seminars, workshops such as “H2 for Students” and “H2 for contractors”, forums for exhibitors and sponsors, and excursions. The H2Expo, International Conference and Trade Fair on Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies, takes place at the CCH-Congress Center Hamburg from 9.00 to 17.00 hours on both days.
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Source: Hamburg Messe |
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Author: Jusrah Doorsry |
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NHA Hydrogen Conference Powered By Clean, Renewable Energy |
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Soaring gas prices make hydrogen cars attractive |
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www.H2fair.net wishes Merry Christmas! |
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Berlin to host 2005 globel Alternative Fuels Forum and Exhibition |
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