Delphi Technology Powers New Levels of Comfort and Convenience on the Road
17 October 2000
Delphi Technology Powers New Levels of Comfort and Convenience on the Road
DETROIT, Oct. 17 Delphi Automotive Systems is
developing an innovative new alternative power source to provide safe, clean
and low-cost energy to power the increasing number of electrical devices
placed on current and future vehicles.
The Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) will supply up to 6 kilowatts of power,
enough to run heating, air conditioning, navigation systems, mobile offices,
sound systems, heated seats, telecommunications and more without the need to
turn on the engine or draw power from the battery.
"On average, automobiles currently require about 1200 watts of electrical
power. Based on growing consumer demand for in-vehicle electronics, and the
conversion of mechanical and hydraulic actuators to electrical and electronic
controls, this number could rise to more than 5 kilowatts for a
conventionally-powered vehicle in the next decade," said R. Scott Bailey,
director of engineering for Delphi Energy & Chassis Systems. "One of Delphi's
solutions is the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. By anticipating the future demand for
onboard electrical power, we are planning ahead to provide new levels of
comfort and convenience on the road that are affordable, while simultaneously
reducing total vehicle emissions and fuel consumption."
The SOFC works by creating a chemical reaction between air and fuel that
creates electricity and heat. The SOFC is contained in a thermally-insulated
structure that reaches temperatures higher than 800 degrees Celsius on the
inside, while microporous insulation technology keeps the outside of the unit
at a safe 40 degrees Celsius. Multiple fuel cells can be stacked together
within the structure to provide additional electricity, depending on power
needs. The unit can be located nearly anywhere on the vehicle where there is
room, typically in such locations as a trunk, wheel well or on the vehicle's
underside.
SOFC technology has many advantages. The process is environmentally
friendly because fuel cells chemically combine the fuel and oxidant, producing
electricity, heat and water. Unlike other fuel cell technologies, SOFC has
the ability to use carbon monoxide along with hydrogen as fuel. Using an on-
board reformer, fuel cells can operate on gasoline or diesel fuel, directly
from the vehicle's tank.
Delphi is working with both BMW and Renault to apply Delphi fuel cell
technology for use in their products. Initial applications are likely to be
on luxury vehicles with high electrical demands, adding the ability to pre-
heat or cool the vehicle interior for immediate passenger comfort or operate
many convenience and communication accessories, even with the engine off.
Fuel cells also have applications for worksite, military or recreational
vehicles that frequently need a stand-alone electrical power source.
Multi-national Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy,
Mich., USA, Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a world leader in mobile
electronics and transportation components and systems technology. Delphi's
three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical
Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communication -- provide comprehensive
product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has approximately 216,000
employees and operates 184 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 44 joint
ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices and 31 technical centers in 40
countries. Delphi can be found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com .
FUEL CELL FAQ'S
(Answers are attributable to Delphi Automotive Systems)
1. Q. How big would a typical passenger vehicle fuel cell be? How much
weight would it add to the vehicle?
A. At this stage of our development efforts, we consider information
concerning our size and weight targets for production fuel cell systems to be
proprietary and restricted to Delphi and our development partners.
2. Q. What will a typical fuel cell add to the price of the vehicle?
A. Once in production, we anticipate the cost will be competitive with
alternative technologies offering similar capabilities.
3. Q. How much noise does a fuel cell make when it is operating?
A. One of the advantages of fuel cells is that they make very little
noise. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells require only a low pressure blower to operate.
The remaining functions are performed without generating noise.
4. Q. What is the fuel cell's life expectancy? Will it require regular
owner maintenance?
A. Fuel cells for passenger vehicles will be designed to last for the
life of the vehicle. Essentially there will be no major service required;
however there may be periodic preventative maintenance requirements such as
filter cleaning or changes. These would most likely be handled by the vehicle
owner/operator.
5. Q. Fuel cells operate at very high temperatures. Do they increase
the potential for fire or injury in the event of an accident?
A. Vehicles equipped with fuel cells will meet all applicable safety
standards and do not create temperatures higher than components on current
cars and trucks. For example, temperatures within catalytic converters are
similar to those within the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell.
6. Q. When do you expect to introduce fuel cells in a commercially-
available vehicle?
A. Our customers have requested that we do not disclose their future
product plans. In general, we expect to see applications become commercially
available toward the middle of this decade.
7. Q. You said that your SOFC had the ability to use carbon monoxide as
a fuel. Does this mean that the SOFC could run on an internal combustion
engine's exhaust?
A. No. With today's stringent emissions standards, the amount of carbon
monoxide at the tailpipe is already at extremely low levels.
8. Q. Will Solid Oxide Fuel Cells replace internal combustion engines
for vehicle propulsion, or are they intended strictly to provide auxiliary
power?
A. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells will not replace internal combustion engines,
but they could be used on electrically-driven vehicles to recharge or
supplement a battery power source. Future development in this area will be
driven by customer demand.