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Every year, students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) participate in Eco-Marathon competitions globally. The goal is to engineer the world’s most energy efficient vehicles. 

For the Hydrogen fuel cell category, Spectronik has specially developed the Protium-375 Eco-Marathon Package – designed to eliminate the complexity of Hydrogen fuel cell system integration and help participants focus solely on breaking efficiency records. 

We have utilized the same materials, product architecture and component reliability as the ones used in our military and aerospace programs to ensure that all vehicles powered by Spectronik fuel cells achieve their utmost potential.

Let’s work together towards highly efficient Hydrogen powered future mobility!​​​​​​
 


 

FEATURES



High Efficiency
Up to 57% electrical efficiency



Integrated Leak Sensor
Increased user safety by early detection of stack leakage



User Programmable
Flexibility to change and optimize settings such as fan curve and purge frequency
 



Remote Technical Support
Live technical support during system integration phase and race days
 

High Power Density
1kg weight and 2.5L volume

Plug and play
No tools required for assembly

Hybrid Supercapacitors
For start-up power, peak acceleration and regenerative braking

Long Range Telemetry
10km+ radio modem transmission for pit-side crew to monitor and remotely control fuel cell during race



Low Purge Losses

<3% due to intelligent dynamic purge frequency



DC-DC Converter

Buck/boost voltage regulation to match various motor voltages and fixed operation at most optimal point

Remote Control
Ability to turn on/off the fuel cell via PC/android device without accessing hard-to-reach vehicle compartment

IOT Ready 
Live monitoring of fuel cell status and logging of data while driving by connecting to a PC/Android device


 

SUGGESTED BLOCK DIAGRAM
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Specifications


Rated/gross power
375/450W
Rated/gross current
12.5/15A
No. of cells
50
Voltage output
30-45VDC
Start-up time
<30s
Operating ambient temp.
[0,35]oC
Operating altitude
1500m AGL
System weight
1,100g
Max dimension
238 x 103 x 103mm

Fuel Supply


Hydrogen gas
Dry, 99.999% purity
Delivery pressure
0.4-0.5barg (6-7 psig)
Fuel consumption @ rated power
4.4L/min
Gas tubing
PTFE, 6 x 4
Supply & purge control
Solenoid valves with integrated pressure sensor
Stack leakage checks
Automated via integrated pressure sensors

Electronic Controller


Processor board
FEATHER V1.2
External power supply requirement
15-90V, 50W max
Weight (including casing)
680g
Output connector
XT-60 female (DC-DC regulated voltage) Harting D sub DA-7W2 (stack unregulated voltage)
Warning & protections
Low voltage, high/low temperature, high/low pressure, low external power supply, stack leakage
Communication
868MHz ultra long range radio modem
Data acquisition (DAQ) software GUI
PC app
Remote control
Fan speed, manual purge, remote on-off

What’s in the Box


  • 50-cells graphite plate fuel cell stack
  • 24-cells series (450F each) supercapacitors pack
  • Electronic controller with integrated DC-DC converter
  • Heat management system (cooling fans with pwm control)
  • Fuel supply system (Solenoid valves, gas pressure sensors, gas tubing and connector)
  • On-off push button with status LED
  • Power and signal cables
  • Fuse in the fuel cell power output line
  • Ultra long range radio modem transmitter and receiver
  • Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) report
  • Storage casing


FUEL CELL PERFORMANCE CURVE
 

 

Test Conditions

  •  Ambient temperature: 24°C
  • Relative humidity: 60% 
  • H2 supply pressure: 10psig 
  • Dead-ended operation 
  • Balance-of-plant powered by fuel cell 
  • Tcell at 375W: 54°C



HYDROGEN CONSUMPTION & EFFICIENCY CURVE
 

 

Notes

  • Hydrogen consumption is instantaneous reading taken from mass flowmeter at STP.
  • The fuel cell system is most efficient in the 100-250W range which is the typical nominal cruising power of Eco-Marathon vehicles.

 

 


TESTIMONIAL
 



HISTORICAL RESULTS OF ECO MARATHON WINNERS

 

Year Region Placing University Country Category Efficiency (km/m­3)
2019 Europe 1st  University of Twente Netherlands Urban 242.5
2019 Europe 2nd Aalborg University Denmark Urban 214.3
2019 Europe 3rd HAN University of Applied Sciences Netherlands Urban 211.5
2019 Asia 1st  Nanyang Technological University Singapore Urban 93.9
2019 Asia 2nd Institute Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember Indonesia Urban 89.9
2019 Asia 3rd University Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Malaysia Urban 44.9
2019 Americas 1st University of Alberta Canada Prototype 257.2
2019 Americas 2nd Wheat Ridge High School USA Prototype 209.2
2019 Americas 3rd Warren Tech Central USA Prototype 187.6

 

COMPARISON WITH SPECTRONIK PROTIUM-375