@inproceedings{SchopenShabaniEschetal.2022, author = {Schopen, Oliver and Shabani, Bahman and Esch, Thomas and Kemper, Hans and Shah, Neel}, title = {Quantitative evaluation of health management designs for fuel cell systems in transport vehicles}, series = {2nd UNITED-SAIG International Conference Proceedings}, booktitle = {2nd UNITED-SAIG International Conference Proceedings}, editor = {Rahim, S.A. and As'arry, A. and Zuhri, M.Y.M. and Harmin, M.Y. and Rezali, K.A.M. and Hairuddin, A.A.}, pages = {1 -- 3}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Focusing on transport vehicles, mainly with regard to aviation applications, this paper presents compilation and subsequent quantitative evaluation of methods aimed at building an optimum integrated health management solution for fuel cell systems. The methods are divided into two different main types and compiled in a related scheme. Furthermore, different methods are analysed and evaluated based on parameters specific to the aviation context of this study. Finally, the most suitable method for use in fuel cell health management systems is identified and its performance and suitability is quantified.}, language = {en} } @article{SchopenNarayanBeckmannetal.2024, author = {Schopen, Oliver and Narayan, Sriram and Beckmann, Marvin and Najmi, Aezid-Ul-Hassan and Esch, Thomas and Shabani, Bahman}, title = {An EIS approach to quantify the effects of inlet air relative humidity on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells: a pathway to developing a novel fault diagnostic method}, series = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, volume = {58}, journal = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, number = {8}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, isbn = {0360-3199 (print)}, issn = {1879-3487 (online)}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.01.218}, pages = {1302 -- 1315}, year = {2024}, abstract = {In this work, the effect of low air relative humidity on the operation of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is investigated. An innovative method through performing in situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is utilised to quantify the effect of inlet air relative humidity at the cathode side on internal ionic resistances and output voltage of the fuel cell. In addition, algorithms are developed to analyse the electrochemical characteristics of the fuel cell. For the specific fuel cell stack used in this study, the membrane resistance drops by over 39 \% and the cathode side charge transfer resistance decreases by 23 \% after increasing the humidity from 30 \% to 85 \%, while the results of static operation also show an increase of ∼2.2 \% in the voltage output after increasing the relative humidity from 30 \% to 85 \%. In dynamic operation, visible drying effects occur at < 50 \% relative humidity, whereby the increase of the air side stoichiometry increases the drying effects. Furthermore, other parameters, such as hydrogen humidification, internal stack structure, and operating parameters like stoichiometry, pressure, and temperature affect the overall water balance. Therefore, the optimal humidification range must be determined by considering all these parameters to maximise the fuel cell performance and durability. The results of this study are used to develop a health management system to ensure sufficient humidification by continuously monitoring the fuel cell polarisation data and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicators.}, language = {en} } @article{SchopenShahEschetal.2024, author = {Schopen, Oliver and Shah, Neel and Esch, Thomas and Shabani, Bahman}, title = {Critical quantitative evaluation of integrated health management methods for fuel cell applications}, series = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, volume = {70}, journal = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0360-3199}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.05.156}, pages = {370 -- 388}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Online fault diagnostics is a crucial consideration for fuel cell systems, particularly in mobile applications, to limit downtime and degradation, and to increase lifetime. Guided by a critical literature review, in this paper an overview of Health management systems classified in a scheme is presented, introducing commonly utilised methods to diagnose FCs in various applications. In this novel scheme, various Health management system methods are summarised and structured to provide an overview of existing systems including their associated tools. These systems are classified into four categories mainly focused on model-based and non-model-based systems. The individual methods are critically discussed when used individually or combined aimed at further understanding their functionality and suitability in different applications. Additionally, a tool is introduced to evaluate methods from each category based on the scheme presented. This tool applies the technique of matrix evaluation utilising several key parameters to identify the most appropriate methods for a given application. Based on this evaluation, the most suitable methods for each specific application are combined to build an integrated Health management system.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{StarkRiepingEsch2023, author = {Stark, Ralf and Rieping, Carla and Esch, Thomas}, title = {The impact of guide tubes on flow separation in rocket nozzles}, series = {Aerospace Europe Conference 2023 - 10th EUCASS - 9th CEAS}, booktitle = {Aerospace Europe Conference 2023 - 10th EUCASS - 9th CEAS}, pages = {8 Seiten}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Rocket engine test facilities and launch pads are typically equipped with a guide tube. Its purpose is to ensure the controlled and safe routing of the hot exhaust gases. In addition, the guide tube induces a suction that effects the nozzle flow, namely the flow separation during transient start-up and shut-down of the engine. A cold flow subscale nozzle in combination with a set of guide tubes was studied experimentally to determine the main influencing parameters.}, language = {en} } @misc{EickmannEschFunkeetal.2014, author = {Eickmann, Matthias and Esch, Thomas and Funke, Harald and Abanteriba, Sylvester and Roosen, Petra}, title = {Biofuels in Aviation - Safety Implications of Bio-Ethanol Usage in General Aviation Aircraft}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Up in the clouds and above fuels and construction materials must be very carefully selected to ensure a smooth flight and touchdown. Out of around 38,000 single and dual-engined propeller aeroplanes, roughly a third are affected by a new trend in the fuel sector that may lead to operating troubles or even emergency landings: The admixture of bio-ethanol to conventional gasoline. Experiences with these fuels may be projected to alternative mixtures containing new components.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KreyerEsch2017, author = {Kreyer, J{\"o}rg and Esch, Thomas}, title = {Simulation Tool for Predictive Control Strategies for an ORCSystem in Heavy Duty Vehicles}, series = {European GT Conference 2017}, booktitle = {European GT Conference 2017}, pages = {16 Seiten}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Scientific questions - How can a non-stationary heat offering in the commercial vehicle be used to reduce fuel consumption? - Which potentials offer route and environmental information among with predicted speed and load trajectories to increase the efficiency of a ORC-System? Methods - Desktop bound holistic simulation model for a heavy duty truck incl. an ORC System - Prediction of massflows, temperatures and mixture quality (AFR) of exhaust gas}, language = {en} } @techreport{EschFunkeRoosen2010, author = {Esch, Thomas and Funke, Harald and Roosen, Petra}, title = {SIoBiA - Safety Implications of Biofuels in Aviation}, publisher = {EASA}, address = {K{\"o}ln}, pages = {279 Seiten}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Biofuels potentially interesting also for aviation purposes are predominantly liquid fuels produced from biomass. The most common biofuels today are biodiesel and bioethanol. Since diesel engines are rather rare in aviation this survey is focusing on ethanol admixed to gasoline products. The Directive 2003/30/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of May 8th 2003 on the promotion of the use of biofuels or other renewable fuels for transport encourage a growing admixture of biogenic fuel components to fossil automotive gasoline. Some aircraft models equipped with spark ignited piston engines are approved for operation with automotive gasoline, frequently called "MOGAS" (motor gasoline). The majority of those approvals is limited to MOGAS compositions that do not contain methanol or ethanol beyond negligible amounts. In the past years (bio-)MTBE or (bio-)ETBE have been widely used as blending component of automotive gasoline whilst the usage of low-molecular alcohols like methanol or ethanol has been avoided due to the handling problems especially with regard to the strong affinity for water. With rising mandatory bio-admixtures the conversion of the basic biogenic ethanol to ETBE, causing a reduction of energetic payoff, becomes more and more unattractive. Therefore the direct ethanol admixture is accordingly favoured. Due to the national enforcements of the directive 2003/30/EC more oxygenates produced from organic materials like bioethanol have started to appear in automotive gasolines already. The current fuel specification EN 228 already allows up to 3 \% volume per volume (v/v) (bio-)methanol or up to 5 \% v/v (bio-)ethanol as fuel components. This is also roughly the amount of biogenic components to comply with the legal requirements to avoid monetary penalties for producers and distributors of fuels. Since automotive fuel is cheaper than the common aviation gasoline (AVGAS), creates less problems with lead deposits in the engine, and in general produces less pollutants it is strongly favoured by pilots. But being designed for a different set of usage scenarios the use of automotive fuel with low molecular alcohols for aircraft operation may have adverse effects in aviation operation. Increasing amounts of ethanol admixtures impose various changes in the gasoline's chemical and physical properties, some of them rather unexpected and not within the range of flight experiences even of long-term pilots.}, language = {en} } @article{Esch2010, author = {Esch, Thomas}, title = {Trends in commercial vehicle powertrains}, series = {ATZautotechnology}, volume = {2010}, journal = {ATZautotechnology}, number = {10}, publisher = {Vieweg \& Sohn}, address = {Wiesbaden}, issn = {2192-886X}, doi = {10.1007/BF03247185}, pages = {26 -- 31}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Low emission zones and truck bans, the rising price of diesel and increases in road tolls: all of these factors are putting serious pressure on the transport industry. Commercial vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers are in the process of identifying new solutions to these challenges as part of their efforts to meet the EEV (enhanced environmentally friendly vehicle) limits, which are currently the most robust European exhaust and emissions standards for trucks and buses.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KemperHellenbroichEsch2009, author = {Kemper, Hans and Hellenbroich, Gereon and Esch, Thomas}, title = {Concept of an innovative passenger-car hybrid drive for European driving conditions}, series = {Hybrid vehicles and energy management : 6th symposium ; 18th and 19th February 2009, Stadthalle Braunschweig}, booktitle = {Hybrid vehicles and energy management : 6th symposium ; 18th and 19th February 2009, Stadthalle Braunschweig}, publisher = {Gesamtzentrum f{\"u}r Verkehr (GZVB)}, address = {Braunschweig}, isbn = {978-3-937655-20-8}, pages = {264 -- 287}, year = {2009}, abstract = {The downsizing of spark ignition engines in conjunction with turbocharging is considered to be a promising method for reducing CO₂ emissions. Using this concept, FEV has developed a new, highly efficient drivetrain to demonstrate fuel consumption reduction and drivability in a vehicle based on the Ford Focus ST. The newly designed 1.8L turbocharged gasoline engine incorporates infinitely variable intake and outlet control timing and direct fuel injection utilizing piezo injectors centrally located. In addition, this engine uses a prototype FEV engine control system, with software that was developed and adapted entirely by FEV. The vehicle features a 160 kW engine with a maximum mean effective pressure of 22.4 bar and 34 \% savings in simulated fuel consumption. During the first stage, a new electrohydraulically actuated hybrid transmission with seven forward gears and one reverse gear and a single dry starting clutch will be integrated. The electric motor of the hybrid is directly connected to the gear set of the transmission. Utilizing the special gear set layout, the electric motor can provide boost during a change of gears, so that there is no interruption in traction. Therefore, the transmission system combines the advantages of a double clutch controlled gear change (gear change without an interruption in traction) with the efficient, cost-effective design of an automated manual transmission system. Additionally, the transmission provides a purely electric drive system and the operation of an air-conditioning compressor during the engine stop phases. One other alternative is through the use of CAI (Controlled Auto Ignition), which incorporates a process developed by FEV for controlled compression ignition.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{FunkeEschRoosen2009, author = {Funke, Harald and Esch, Thomas and Roosen, Peter}, title = {Using motor gasoline for aircrafts - coping with growing bio-fuel-caused risks by understanding cause-effect relationship}, series = {Fuels 2009 : mineral oil based and alternative fuels ; 7th international colloquium ; January 14 - 15, 2009}, booktitle = {Fuels 2009 : mineral oil based and alternative fuels ; 7th international colloquium ; January 14 - 15, 2009}, editor = {Bartz, Wilfried J.}, publisher = {Technische Akademie Esslingen (TAE)}, address = {Ostfildern}, isbn = {978-3-924813-75-8}, pages = {237 -- 244}, year = {2009}, abstract = {The utilisation of vehicle-oriented gasoline in general aviation is very desirable for both ecological and economical reasons, as well as for general considerations of availability. As of today vehicle fuels may be used if the respective engine and cell are certified for such an operation. For older planes a supplementary technical certificate is provided for gasoline mixtures with less than 1 \% v/v ethanol only, though. Larger admixtures of ethanol may lead to sudden engine malfunction and should be considered as considerable security risks. Major problems are caused by the partially ethanol non-withstanding materials, a necessarily changed stochiometric adjustment of the engine for varying ethanol shares and the tendency for phase separation in the presence of absorbed water. The concepts of the flexible fuel vehicles are only partially applicable in the view of air security.}, language = {en} }