CCCELL
Centrifugal Compressor for mobile fuel CELL applications
The project aims to develop a centrifugal compressor that is smaller in size than normal applications for the fuel cell mobility sector.
Such a compressor will consist of three main components: the centrifugal impeller, electric motor, and slotted air mounts, and will open up new market strands in the hydrogen sector as it represents a key technology for increasing overall fuel cell efficiency in mobile applications.
Contact:
Alessandro Chiesa, alessandro.c@apr.it
The design of compressor components is a technological challenge because of the high rotational speeds, tight tolerances required, and problems due to centrifugal actions and thermal deformations.
The innovation that the project proposes over the state of the art compressors consists mainly of the advantages that high-speed centrifugal compressors offer:
- small footprint,
- high power-to-weight ratio,
- high efficiency.
The project represents a national innovation, as there are no high-speed centrifugal compressor solutions in our country.
The benefits that end-users will have are mainly related to the following compressor characteristics: reduced footprint and weight, increased power density, and increased efficiency. These features are valued in the field of mobility as they reduce the weight and bulk of fuel cell auxiliaries and allow for an increase in overall fuel cell efficiency.