Two New SAE International Technical Standards Help Harmonize Hydrogen Fueling Across the Globe
by SAE

Warrendale, PA (PRWEB) March 14, 2014

To support the impending roll-out of hydrogen fueling infrastructure and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV), SAE International's Fuel Cell Standards Taskforce has completed two technical standards:

The standards have been created to harmonize hydrogen fueling worldwide for both 35MPa and 70MPa. 

SAE J2601 defines parameters for a hydrogen fueling experience similar to conventional fueling and is considered one of the key Standards required for the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen stations. The SAE J2601 Standard enables safe, full hydrogen fast-fueling, 3-5 minutes, for all light duty FCEVs, including models with a range of 300 or more miles (500km+).Obtaining extended driving ranges with hydrogen fueling is accomplished by compressing hydrogen to 70MPa (or H70). 

The fueling protocol uses a look-up table approach and an average pressure ramp rate that has a consistent pressure rise regardless of tank size. The SAE J2601 Standard fueling tables allow a simple control where the dispenser pumps at a target pressure, giving a consistent hydrogen fueling. This protocol termed the "J2601 standard fueling" method has been validated in the laboratory with real automaker hydrogen storage tanks under extreme conditions and also in the field at public stations on two continents with multiple automaker FCEVs. The speed of hydrogen fueling is directly related to the amount of cooling that the dispenser allows, to offset the heat of compression. Therefore, a H70-T40 fueling dispenser enables this fast-fueling by providing hydrogen fuel at -40C to the fuel cell vehicle. SAE J2601 has a number of updates from the previous Technical Information Report including allowing "top-off fueling" and "Cold Dispenser fueling" as well as numerous improvements for robust operation at the hydrogen dispenser. 

SAE J2799 standardizes wireless communications between the FCEV and the hydrogen station. The advantage of using this optional communications standard, when coupled with J2601 fueling, is that the state of charge can be further improved to 95-100% SOC allowing for slightly more driving range than without communications. 

Recognizing innovation, SAE J2601 has a non-standard appendix describing the MC Default Fill Protocol. This development protocol is currently being tested in the field and may be included in future updates to SAE J2601. 

For questions on SAE International standards, please contact Pat Ebejer, Standards Specialist, at pebejer@sae.org. 

SAE International is a global association committed to being the ultimate knowledge source for the engineering profession. By uniting over 138,000 engineers and technical experts, we drive knowledge and expertise across a broad spectrum of industries. We act on two priorities: encouraging a lifetime of learning for mobility engineering professionals and setting the standards for industry engineering. We strive for a better world through the work of our philanthropic SAE Foundation, including programs like A World in Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series™. 

Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/03/prweb11672351.htm

NFPA 2 First Revision is Out for Public Comment
by Karen Hall, FCHEA

The first draft report for NFPA 2 has been posted on the NFPA web site. The document, which is on the Annual 2015 schedule, is now open for public comment. The deadline for public comment submitted via the paper forms is April 11th, 2014. The deadline for public comment to be submitted electronically online is May 16th, 2014. 

Note that no new material can be introduced at the second draft. All comments must be linked to a public input, a first revision, or a committee input. If a public input was "resolved" at the first draft meeting, it can be resubmitted. 

Only one First Revision failed ballot. This became a committee input and is open for Public Comment. 

Extracted material will be updated again at the second draft phase. Now that NFPA 2 is in the same cycle as NFPA 55, the extracted material will be updated concurrently. 

The Technical Committee responsible for maintaining NFPA 2 will hold their second draft meeting as a joint meeting with the NFPA 55 technical committee the week of July 14th in Colorado. 

The Annual 2015 documents are active and accepting Public Comment electronically through the Electronic Submission (e-PC) System. The system will automatically pull in the text and will show changes in track changes. It will even save your Comment. 

Interested stakeholders may submit Public Comments by selecting your document from the list at http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes, then Click on the "Next Edition" tab. You can submit comments or just start and save your work in progress. If you would like to review instructions on this process, please go to http://www.nfpa.org/submitcomment. 

A list of the Annual 2015 Revision Cycle documents can be found at:http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/document-information-pages?cycle=Annual%202015.

Future of Micro Fuel Cell Power Systems Document Being Considered
by Karen Hall, FCHEA

There have been some recent developments on project IEC 62282-6-400 "Fuel cell technologies - Part 6-400: Micro fuel cell power systems - Power and data interchangeability". 

In 2013, several industry experts participating in the development of International Standards for micro fuel cell power systems noted that the topic of micro fuel cell power systems - power and data interchangeability may not yet be mature enough for the publication of an International Standard. A question was raised with IEC as to whether the document might be better suited as a Technical Specification at the present time. 

As the approved work item was for the development of an International Standard, the IEC process required the document to be balloted as scheduled. If a document does not pass a ballot, participating countries could then be polled regarding how best to proceed. 

The Committee Draft for the above-mentioned project 62282-6-400 was indeed rejected, and the votes and comments received on 105/453/CDV were circulated. There were several similar comments indicating the document might be better suited as an IEC Technical Specification at this point in the technology development. 

As a result, the IEC TC 105 P-member countries have been invited to consider the results and indicate their preference with regard to the following three options:

  1. to take into account the comments in view of circulating a 2nd CDV and eventually publish the project as an IEC International Standard (in case of approval);
  2. to take into account the comments in view of circulating a DTS (Draft Technical Specification) and subsequently publish the project as an IEC Technical Specification (in case of approval);
  3. to put the project into the preliminary stage (PWI) (this would imply that the project can be restarted later by means of an NWIP, once the topic has matured).

The FCHEA Portable Power Working Group (PPWG) noted Option "b" is most consistent with the needs expressed in Working Group discussions last year, as well as the uncertainty in the industry regarding setting requirements for this topic. Development of a Technical Specification on the topic would allow industry access to state-of-the art knowledge while the technology matures, at which point a Draft International Standard could be developed. 

Responses from P-member countries are being solicited now. FCHEA will report the outcome when it is available.

Partners Sought for Hydrogen Dispenser Test Apparatus
by Ken Loewenthal, CSA Group

CSA Group has started the endeavor associated with the construction of the Hydrogen Dispenser Test Apparatus (HDTA). For the initial launch of the HDTA, CSA Group has elected to focus only on the dispenser performance per the CSA HGV4.3 and SAE J2601 Standards. Weights and measures and fuel quality modules which may be considered at a later date. 

In order to properly provide third party review of the dispenser, the HDTA will need to be validated across many different initial conditions and upset conditions of the refueling process. To be able to support this validation, CSA Group seeks a partner with refueling capabilities that can be controlled to the many different initial conditions and fueling upset conditions outlined in the standards. 

In the interim of finding support for the validation of the HDTA, CSA Group is prepared to develop an HDTA-lite device that incorporates a single 6.3kg fuel storage tank, which has been identified as representative of the 4-7kg fueling range in J2601. CSA Group proposes to work collaboratively with automotive OEMs and other interested parties to perform a series of fueling tests to further validate the assumptions in J2601, and to validate alternative fueling approaches. CSA Group could perform these fueling tests using our new Vancouver, BC test facility which is planned to be operational in October 2014. 

If you are interested in supporting the HDTA-lite testing and/or validation projects, please contact Ken Loewenthal, by E-mail atKen.Loewenthal@CSAGroup.org. 

Internationally-Harmonized FC 1 has been Published
by Karen Hall, FCHEA

CSA Group has recently announced that ANSI/ CSA FC 1-2014; Fuel cell technologies - Part 3-100: Stationary fuel cell power systems - Safety, has recently been republished. 

This revised document is now the new US standard, and it is harmonized with the international standard IEC 62282-3-100. It replaces the previous CSA FC1. 

Further international harmonization efforts are underway. It is anticipated that most of the world will be harmonized on this document by the end of 2014.

Internationally-Harmonized FC 1 has been Published
by Karen Hall, FCHEA

CSA Group has recently announced that ANSI/ CSA FC 1-2014; Fuel cell technologies - Part 3-100: Stationary fuel cell power systems - Safety, has recently been republished. 

This revised document is now the new US standard, and it is harmonized with the international standard IEC 62282-3-100. It replaces the previous CSA FC1. 

Further international harmonization efforts are underway. It is anticipated that most of the world will be harmonized on this document by the end of 2014.