Nissan has independently developed its first in-house fuel cell stack, aimed at
improving the practicality of fuel cell stacks designed for vehicle application. The first
in-house fuel cell stack is featured on the 2005 model X-TRAIL FCV.
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| Features of Nissan's in-house fuel cell stack |
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Compact design with high power output. |
Nissan's fuel cell stack features a newly developed thin separator*1, a cell pitch*2 that is 40% narrower than before,
integrated parts in the air intake and exhaust systems and a built-in cell voltage monitor, all of which contribute to
its smaller size. Thanks to these and other improvements, the stack achieves exceptionally high power output for
its volume and weight.
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Long life |
Improvements made to the electrode materials more than double the service life compared with Nissan's previous
fuel cell stack.
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Improved drivability |
The polymer electrolyte membrane*3 and gas diffusion layer (GDL)*4 have been improved to provide quicker start-up and
shutdown response, while maintaining the power output characteristic required for vehicle use.
| *1 |
This component separates the hydrogen and oxygen gases supplied to the individual cells and transfers the electricity produced to the next cell. |
| *2 |
Pitch refers to the spacing between adjacent cells that are connected in series. A stack for vehicle application normally uses several hundred cells connected in series to obtain the necessary electrical voltage.
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| *3 |
This ion-exchange membrane made of a polymer material allows hydrogen ions (protons) produced in the cells to pass through the membrane to the other side.
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| *4 |
This porous material diffuses supplied hydrogen and air, and distributes them to the electrode layer homogeneously. |
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| Fuel cell unit configuration |
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| Specifications |
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| Type |
Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) FC |
| Output |
90kW |
| Other |
Waterproof and dustproof specification |
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