You will find below a part of the press release from Renault dated June 2006 and concerning the Reformer (it's a bit like an American film, right?).
16th World Hydrogen Energy Conference Lyon - June 13 to 16, 2006
Renault presents the progress of its research in fuel cells
On the occasion of the 16th World Hydrogen Energy Conference (Lyon from 13 to 16 June 2006), Renault presents the progress of its research work on the fuel cell. The elements presented illustrate the path chosen by Renault in terms of hydrogen applied to the automobile: a fuel cell vehicle with reformer. This technology makes it possible to produce hydrogen directly on board the vehicle, on request, thus eliminating the problem of storage under very high pressure or cryogenic. This solution, which Renault has been working on since 2002 as part of the Alliance with Nissan and its partnership with Nuvera Fuel Cells, also makes it possible to overcome the delay in setting up a hydrogen distribution network. The four elements exposed are:
- The reformer, which transforms liquid fuel into "reformate", a gas very rich in hydrogen, with which the fuel cell is capable of operating. The operation takes place in six stages. The first, "cracking", consists in breaking the long molecular chains of hydrocarbons into simpler molecules: hydrogen, water, carbon, etc. The next five steps are purification steps, intended to obtain a gas suitable for the fuel cell.
- The fuel cell, which produces electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen. This electrochemical reaction produces only water, returned in a closed circuit to the reformer which needs water to operate. It also releases water, which is reinjected into the circuit.
- The electric motor is powered by electricity produced by the fuel cell after conversion to the appropriate voltage by the power electronics.
- A multi-fuel tank. Since the reformer can operate with petrol as well as diesel or ethanol, the tank has also been designed to contain different types of fuels. This option was chosen in order to limit the questions linked to the availability of hydrocarbons in the future. It also allows the user to choose the fuel according to its availability or its price at the pump.
On February 9, 2006, when the "Renault Contract 2009" plan was announced, Renault confirmed the preparation of a full range of alternative technologies, including the fuel cell. Renault will thus test in France, during the plan, vehicles fitted with fuel cells, based on advanced Alliance technologies.
