Design and performance analysis of air blower system operated with BLDC motor for PEM FC vehicle

Abstract

Blower as an air supply system is one of the most important BOP (Balance of Plant) system for FCV(Fuel Cell Vehicle). For generating and blowing compressed air, the motor of air blower consume maximum 25% of net power. So, when the efficiency of whole FCV is to be considered the optimal design of impeller and low friction lubrication of high speed rotor. Especially, for the purpose of reducing electrical power used by blower motor, oil-free air foil bearing is applied at the each side of brushless motor (BLDC) as journal bearings which diameter is 50mm. The normal power of driving motor has 2 kW with the 30,000 rpm operating range and the flow rate of air has maximum 163 SCFM. The impeller of blower was adopted mixed type of centrifugal and axial. So, it has several advantages for variable operating condition. The performance of smart blower and parameters of air foil bearings was investigated analytically. Pressure sensor installed at the each side of blower, flow-meter was located at the front of blower for measuring of flow rate.