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Global Concepts (Part 2)
GM Precept FCEV
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General Motors Corp.'s fuel-cell-powered Precept features a hydride hydrogen storage system that could allow a range up to 800 km (500 mi). Electricity for the vehicle's electric drive system is provided by a 400-cell PEM fuel-cell stack operating at 260-340 V. The GM-designed and -built fuel-cell stack produces 100-kW (134-hp) peak and 75-kW (100-hp) continuous power and delivers power densities in excess of 1.0 kW/L (1.34 hp/L) and 1.0 kW/kg (0.6 hp/lb). The stack was developed to operate at low hydrogen and air pressures, which enables the use of a quiet and low-power air compressor. The car is designed to start and operate over the ambient temperature range required of modern vehicles. The company recently demonstrated repeated freeze and quick-startup performance of GM fuel-cell stacks down to -20°C (-4°F). Hydrogen is stored on board the vehicle in "solid material" form at relatively low temperature and pressure. The specially formulated chemical hydride material is engineered to release its stored hydrogen at the same temperature that the fuel-cell stack operates. This enables the car, with two hydrogen tanks having a total volume of 100 L (26 gal), to get nearly twice the range of a conventional car with a similar-size gasoline tank. Battery-powered electric heat delivered to a small section of the tank provides for fast starts. Hydrogen is delivered to the vehicle through a special hose/coupler/inlet interface system. It provides mechanical, electrical, and electronic safety interlocks and enables refueling from empty in 5 minutes.
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