Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel-cell prototype is now market-ready and will probably be totally demonstrated at Bauma Munich, setting it as much as turn out to be a standard-bearer for a development proper throughout the development automobile trade in direction of this zero-carbon gasoline
Hyundai Development Gear is to showcase its second-generation HW155H – a hydrogen gasoline cell-powered wheeled excavator prototype – at Bauma Munich. The primary model of the machine was displayed as a static exhibit at Bauma 2022, however it’s going to now be totally operational within the demonstration space all through the occasion, exhibiting how hydrogen know-how can contribute to emission-free building operations.
The HW155H has advanced since its preliminary presentation. “We’re not speaking a few idea anymore, however we’re prepared for mass manufacturing,” explains Peter Sebold, product supervisor at Hyundai. “Nonetheless, we aren’t launching the machine totally as a result of the market isn’t prepared for us or for hydrogen, when it comes to infrastructure and so forth.”
The automobile is powered by gasoline cells developed in partnership with Hyundai Motor Firm – a 30kW and a 50kW unit. The HW155H combines these to supply 70–100kW of energy, corresponding to a standard diesel-powered excavator of this measurement. This energy is used to drive electrical motors or electrically-driven hydraulic pumps.
Stable-state of thoughts
Maybe probably the most fascinating improvement within the newest iteration is the hydrogen storage system. “The most important change is the tank system that we have now. It’s now a solid-state tank storage system, which is predicated on a know-how referred to as steel hydride,” says Sebold. “This know-how has by no means been utilized in building equipment, so it’s a first-time improvement.”
The system works by having a strong construction as a substitute of getting a hole tank. “You must think about it like a sponge that’s absorbing the molecules of the hydrogen in gasoline type which allows extraordinarily excessive density,” says Sebold.
The solid-state storage answer operates at a considerably decrease strain than standard techniques – round 300 bar in comparison with 750 bar – whereas reaching a higher storage density. “You truly compress the hydrogen, so that you enhance the quantity of the tank, which has as a constructive consequence that the machine has extra fill, this implies it has longer autonomy,” says Sebold.
This improved storage capability permits for about 12 hours of runtime, with refueling taking simply 10 minutes. “There’s no charging, no batteries. You refill the machine in 10 minutes, like in the event you have been filling up your automotive on the gasoline station,” says Sebold.
Really zero-emissions
Whereas hydrogen combustion engines are being developed by some OEMs and have clear benefits when it comes to counting on established ICE know-how and structure, fuel-cells have a bonus when it comes to emissions.
“Another firms are working and creating combustion engines,” says Sebold. “The distinction is, with a combustion engine, it’s not totally zero emission. You haven’t any extra CO2, – that’s eradicated – however you continue to have NOx, so there are nonetheless some emissions. The great factor about utilizing the gasoline cells is that it’s hydrolysis in reverse, principally, and so the one emission that you’ve popping out is pure distilled water.”
Future considering
The second-generation HW155H fuel-cell excavator has gained the eye of Bauma’s organisers, as confirmed by its nomination for Bauma 2025’s Innovation Awards within the Local weather Safety class. Because the truthful in Munich will get underway Sebold anticipates vital curiosity from trade professionals: “It’s going to be fascinating and thrilling to see the reactions from the general public, prospects, contractors. I’m positive we are going to get requests to get the machine for testing functions in some job websites.”
As building firms face rising strain to cut back their environmental affect, hydrogen energy might symbolize a viable answer for reaching sustainable operations whereas sustaining the efficiency ranges required in demanding building environments.
This text first appeared within the March concern of iVT
