FC-AMS (Fuel Cell Air Management System) with improved Balance of Plant based on innovative turbo-compressor technology and integrated systems engineering

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The project will deliver an improved (optimised for life and efficiency), integrated balance of plant system for a sub-5kW off-grid PEM fuel cell power supply system. At the core of the improved Balance of Plant Fuel Cell Air Management System (FC-AMS) package will be the adaptation of a UK-based, innovative slow specific speed, highly forward swept turbo-compressor technology (as opposed to conventional backward swept designs). In addition, the lead partner (in collaboration with the consortium) will optimise the complete balance of plant gas/fuel management system (includes the air feed compressor, hydrogen recirculation pump, humidifier, with sensors integrated with the power conditioning feedback controls). The academic partner will perform basic research to improve performance characteristics of the low specific speed turbo-machine and transfer knowledge to the industry partners, thus enabling customer-specific, parametric design derivatives to be offered to new and different applications, developed within short development timescales and at low cost. A manufacturing partner is included to ensure we have an affordable supply chain for commercial exploitation of the FC-AMS package. Researched data and market assessment show sales in the wider fuel cell and auxillary power unit (APU) sectors of over 20,000 units by 2015 generating new jobs in the UK, over £25m revenue, with over 50% export sales. The lead partner (since EOI submission) has conducted further market research, and has established a strategic ambition to attain the position of fuel cell system integrator; this project is upheld as a lead programme towards that end.