Titan Hydrogen and the Queensland University of Technology have kicked off the independent validation process for the former’s ground-breaking fuel cell technology.

This work will determine if the company’s patent pending technology can increase the capacity of hydrogen fuel cells by up to 60% by facilitating a more efficient electrochemical reaction.

Low temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells have energy efficiencies that see them convert less than 40% of the energy within the supplied hydrogen into electricity, which requires vehicles to store more hydrogen to achieve reasonable ranges.

Chairman David Vinson says the company’s technology could allow fuel cells to deliver more energy from the same amount of hydrogen, which could be applied across global automotive, marine and heavy trucking industries.

“The Holy Grail for the hydrogen industry is to figure out a way to use less hydrogen to get the same output of energy. We think our fuel cell technology is on the verge of doing that,” he noted.

“Our technology improves the efficiency and reduces consumption of hydrogen of existing fuel cells, making their use much more viable.”

He added that interim results from the QUT testing were expected by the end of the year.

“We’re undertaking a proof of concept phase through an independent process and it is anticipated the results will validate the confidence we have in our technology,” Vinson explained.

“If the cells show that they can produce more efficient energy, this will validate our technology and be a great first step for Titan and its investors.”

Improving fuel cell efficiency

Improving the efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells will effectively increase the range of fuel cell electric vehicles, meaning that they would not need to carry as much hydrogen or not require as many refuelling stops (or possibly both).

This will also reduce the total cost of ownership, making it more competitive with internal combustion and battery electric vehicles.

Increasing range could also potentially reduce the need for refuelling infrastructure, which can be costly to build.

While this approach takes a different route the industry’s focus on reducing the cost of hydrogen, it does achieve the same objective of decreasing the cost of travel.

Combining the two approaches also serves to make the gas even more affordable.

Titan is also close to commercialising a hydrogen injection system that will allow existing petrol and diesel-powered vehicles to use hydrogen rather than those fuels with minimal installation and outlay as well as removing the need to replace the entire fuel system.

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Titan Hydrogen, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

 

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

Read MoreOil & Gas

You might be interested in