LAGUNA - FEVER
During the process of investigation of an ideal car with
"zero level of emissions" and great staying power Renault company inclined to
the exploration all of the possible ways. Due to FEVER project, which started in 1994, the
company was focussing first of all on the possibility of fuel cell. This project got
support of the European Commission thanks to involvement of other european partners - De
Nora (Italy), Ansaldo (Italy, Volvo TD (Sweden), Ecole des mines de Paris (France) and Air
Liguide (France).
Knowledge about integration and use of the fuel cell in a car was the main aim of this
project. For Renault and its partners the results were of a high importance. FEVER project
was finished by a presentation of an experimental car to the European Commission in June
1998. This model, based on Renault Laguna Nevada, powered by fuel cell, is a car of
"zero level of emission" and its staying power reaches 400 km.
FEVER is a car powered by electric energy, which is produced by the fuel cell in the car.
Fuel cell fed by hydrogen treats the aerial oxygen. Electric current is produced due to
electrochemical reaction within these two elements, the rest - water and nitrogen - are
released. 135 cells in the fuel cell gives under the voltage 90 V output of 30 kWh.
Engineers were not focussing only on the best performance but also on real possibilities
of the production. Afterwords convertor turns voltage to 250 V. Specific design of this
convertor allows to get 92 % effectivity on the most of functional area. Electic current
operates the engine with rotor, which powers the wheels. The engine is incorporated into
gear fixed ratio. This combination allows to get high output, approx. 90 - 92% on a big
part of functional area.
Function and control of the systems is operated by a
revision unit. It is a specific central computer, which also gives instructions to the
subsystems with regard to the energy economy.
Digital simulations were used during the process of
creation and specification of function strategies. Set of batteries NiMH placed in front
controls putting the auxiliary devices of the cell in operation and collects energy during
braking. During acceleration and going up enlarges the performance.
The cell would hardly work without necessary 8 kg of
hydrogene. It is stored in liquid state in temperature -253°C in cryogene box.
(TEXT &foto Renault Club) |
