Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) powered by hydrogen are climate-friendly along with powerful. The growing demand for these zero-emission drives is currently focused first of all on commercial vehicles. In Switzerland for instance, the ? Break ?, 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 will have H2 in 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 a similar 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 necessary for batteries.
The capacity of a hydrogen tank is governed by its physical size but also by its storage pressure: The higher this figure (commonly 700 bar for cars and 350 bar for trucks and buses), the more fuel can be stored in the tank.
WIKA pressure sensor 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 have become stringent. They need to 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 instance, the WIKA portfolio also includes a suitable sensor for filling stations, designed with explosion protection.
Note
More info on Hydrogen, the model MH-3-HY and model IS-3 pressure sensors can be found on the WIKA website. Would you like to buy pressure sensors? In our WIKA online-shop you will discover a few of our standard designs. Should you have any questions, your contact will gladly assist you to.