FUELING AND MAINTENANCE FACILITIES FOR THE HYDROGEN FUEL CELL BUS

In September of 1995 the Chicago Transit Authority decided to enter into an agreement with Ballard Power Systems of Vancouver, B.C. to purchase and test three prototype busses powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Ballard Power Systems is one of the world's recognized leaders in fuel cell technology. They have spent the last fifteen years developing the Proton Exchange Membrane type fuel cell for commercial applications. In 1993, they produced the world's first fuel cell engine and installed it in a 20-passenger mini-bus. The fuel cell is an energy conversion device that produces electricity without combustion. The fuel cell unlike a battery will continue to produce electricity as long as it has a supply of fuel. Ballard's fuel cell technology is called the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM). In simple terms, hydrogen gas and oxygen from air react in the PEM fuel cell to produce electricity and water vapor. The gaseous hydrogen is supplied from a group of storage tanks mounted on the roof of the Ballard bus. The on-board fuel supply is enough to power the bus for over 200 miles. When they are refilled, the tanks are filled with hydrogen gas compressed to 3600 PSI.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Public Transportation Association

  1201 New York Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC    20005
• Authors:
  • Malec, R
• Conference:
  • Proceedings of the 1997 APTA Bus Operations, Technology & Management Conference
  • Location: Miami, Florida
  • Date: 1997-5-4 to 1997-5-7
• Publication Date: 1997-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 49-53

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bus transportation; Combustion; Electricity; Energy conversion; Fuel conservation; Fuel systems; Hydrogen fuels; Maintenance facilities; Oxygen; Water vapor
• Old TRIS Terms: Fueling systems
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Energy; Highways; Motor Carriers; Public Transportation; Terminals and Facilities; Vehicles and Equipment; I96: Vehicle Operating Costs;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00740343
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 12 1997 12:00AM