ABSTRACT
Hydrogen powered fuel cell is considered a clean energy source for passenger cars. The cell uses the oxygen of air and hydrogen fuel to generate electricity to power the cars. A compressor is required to rise the air pressure to provide sufficient oxygen to the cell. This paper describes the aerodynamic design of a hydrogen fuel cell compressor for passenger car application by Great Wall Motors (GWM). The requirements for such a compressor are first given and discussed. One challenging requirement is that only single stage compressor is allowed for packaging reason. Because of the speed limit of the driving electric motor, compressor diameter must be increased and the compressor becomes a low specific speed one and works away from the ideal condition in the Cordier diagram. Aerodynamic implications of this and strategy and techniques employed in the design to overcome the difficulty are discussed, and CFD results are deliberated. Test results of the first prototype compressor are also shown. The compressor reaches required pressure ratio and has a good flow range, but its efficiency needs further improvements.
