World’s First Automotive Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Based System

Figure 1: Nissan solid oxide fuel cell

Nissan Motor Company engineers recently revealed about a research that is being done on world’s first automotive Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) powered system. The system utilizes bioethanol electric power and thus sports an e-Bio Fuel Cell accompanied by a SOFC-based generator.

The Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) works through reaction between multiple fuels which includes natural gas and ethanol. In presence of oxygen, these fuel cells generate power with exceptional efficiency. The e-Bio Fuel-Cell makes use of bioethanol in generation of electricity via the SOFC-powered generator. The power needed for driving the vehicle is generated when the vehicle uses hydrogen formed from a reformer and atmospheric oxygen present in fuel of vehicle.

Thus, SOFC serves as the power source of the e-Bio Fuel-Cell and offer better power efficiency increasing the driving range of the vehicle as compared to the gasoline based vehicles. It is one of the most amazing systems that offers the best from all other worlds. The e-Bio Fuel Cell contains a number of electric drive features that includes linear start, swift acceleration and silent driving capability.

A large part of bioethanol used in these fuel cells come from Asia and America. The system is a highly eco-friendly transportation mode that offers both support and economic growth opportunity to the buyers. In a normal fuel cell system carbon dioxide is emitted as a by-product of power generation process.

Bioethanol, however, follows a carbon neutral cycle which means no further addition of carbon dioxide in atmosphere. It is a direct benefit for the user in terms of savings, performance, and power output. Also, bioethanol based fuel is lighter and easy to handle. Cherry on the cake, it will remove all restrictions from infrastructure development in every possible manner.