H2HANDLER - Hydrogen powered telescopic handler - concept study

Project: Research project

Project Details

Description

Telehandlers are versatile, powerful and off-highway construction machines that have become increasingly popular in recent years. They are powered by diesel engines, which together with a hydrostatic drive train have excellent operating characteristics. A reduction of emissions is desired with telehandlers (CO2, pollutants, noise). Due to the frequent use in closed rooms, low or no emissions at all are particularly advantageous and represent a high customer benefit. Therefore, alternative drive concepts are investigated. It has been shown that battery electric drives are not very suitable due to the high average load requirement. A sufficiently large battery would be too expensive. Therefore, the feasibility of a hydrogen-based drive is investigated in this project. Hydrogen as an energy source is also emission-free, but promises longer operating times and shorter refuelling times. Either an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell can serve as energy converters, both offering specific advantages and disadvantages. A FC has a higher efficiency, but an IC is more robust and cheaper. In addition to the energy converter, the powertrain is also important. The hydrostatic system can be replaced by more efficient and flexible electrical or semi-electric systems. These allow, for example, hybridization and recuperation. The powertrain is included in the consideration. The investigations are of theoretical and numerical nature. A selected product of the exploitation partner represents the basis. Different measured load and usage profiles are derived therefrom. An energy balance of the system represents the core topic of the investigations. It is supplemented with a heat balance. The calculations are carried out using common platforms and simulation tools. The operating strategy is particular importance. The assessment is mainly based on the parameters efficiency, range and thermal management. Higher-level topics such as costs, packaging and infrastructure are also included in the assessment. The project idea was initiated by the scientific partner and then developed together. Origins are former discussions on the topic of the battery-electric telescopic handler. If the feasibility of the H2-powered telescopic handler can be proven, the consortium will need further research. The cooperation can also be extended to other products of the industrial partner.
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date2/03/2031/05/22

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