Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) powered by hydrogen are climate-friendly as well as powerful. The growing demand for these zero-emission drives is currently focused first and foremost on commercial vehicles. In Switzerland for example, the ?H2 Mobility Initiative?, in collaboration with a significant automobile manufacturer, aims to introduce 1,600 hydrogen-powered trucks to its roads by 2025. By 2040, 30,000 trucks, 40,000 buses and 80,000 taxis in South Korea could have H2 within their fuel tanks.
When compared to now widespread electric motors with batteries, the much more expensive hydrogen fuel cells facilitate a much greater range, with an identical power rating to a petrol or a diesel engine. Also, H2 vehicles could be refuelled in minimal time at all, when compared to the charging times needed for batteries.
The capability of a hydrogen tank is governed by its physical size but additionally by its storage pressure: The higher this figure (commonly 700 bar for cars and 350 bar for trucks and buses), the more fuel could be stored in the tank.
pressure gauge octa MH-3-HY
To monitor this pressure, also for other pressure measurement tasks within an H2 drive system, WIKA has designed the sensor model MH-3-HY. The safety requirements for sensors of the kind are very stringent. They must be certified as hydrogen-compatible and must also have been designed for use in vehicles. The latter primarily affects the mechanical construction in respect of shock and vibration resistance, together with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
To crank up the sales of hydrogen-fuelled commercial vehicles and cars, the appropriate network of filling stations has to be expanded. With the model IS-3, for example, the WIKA portfolio also contains a suitable sensor for filling stations, made with explosion protection.
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More info on Hydrogen, the model MH-3-HY and model IS-3 pressure sensors are available on the WIKA website. Would you like to buy pressure sensors? Inside our WIKA online-shop you will discover some of our standard designs. In case you have any questions, your contact will gladly help you.