Can Hydrogen Storage Tech Like FLUXpac Solve the Fueling Challenge?

Pioneering Hydrogen Storage and Engine Innovations in the Trucking Industry

Advancements in hydrogen storage and engine technologies are paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable trucking industry. Two companies, Novadev and Verne, are leading innovation in this space with solutions aimed at addressing the challenges of hydrogen usage in transportation. Novadev’s FLUXpac technology introduces a new method for storing hydrogen, while Verne’s cryo-compressed hydrogen system demonstrates how hydrogen can integrate with existing diesel infrastructure. Here’s a detailed look at these developments.

Making Hydrogen Storage Smarter with Novadev’s FLUXpac

Hydrogen has long been viewed as a viable alternative fuel, but its storage and transport challenges have hindered broader adoption. Novadev’s FLUXpac offers a solution by tackling these obstacles with a fresh approach to cryogenic hydrogen storage.

• How FLUXpac Works:

  • The FLUXpac uses cryogenic technology to store liquid hydrogen.
  • Hydrogen molecules are absorbed under moderate pressure (116 pounds per square inch), minimizing risks associated with high-pressure systems.
  • Its design ensures that hydrogen remains securely held until a heat exchanger triggers its release, using waste heat from vehicle components such as fuel cells.

• Advantages of FLUXpac:

  • Improved safety due to reduced pressure compared to traditional systems.
  • Compact design that fits seamlessly into available truck space.
  • Adaptability for use in Class 8 sleeper cabs, accommodating long-haul routes with minimal disruption to existing powertrain setups.

• Potential Applications:

  • The system could address storage challenges for trucks, boats, and even airplanes.
  • Its integration into trucks between the front and rear wheels is especially promising for long-haul transportation, where range and space optimization are critical.

While FLUXpac is still undergoing testing, its potential to transform hydrogen adoption in trucking is notable. For now, the focus remains on achieving Department of Transportation certification before large-scale implementation.

Verne’s Cryo-Compressed Hydrogen Truck Breakthrough

On the operational side of hydrogen technology, Verne has built its first Class 8 truck equipped with a cryo-compressed hydrogen system. This system tackles some of the traditional barriers to hydrogen use, such as low fuel density and high storage costs.

• How Verne’s System Works:

  • Verne leverages cryogenic compression to maximize hydrogen storage density, reducing vehicle weight and increasing range.
  • The system includes a dual-fuel capability, allowing the truck to run on a blend of diesel and hydrogen.
  • By using Diesel Tech Industries’ Guardian Hydrogen Diesel System, Verne retrofits traditional diesel engines to work with this fuel blend.

• Advantages of the Cryo-Compressed System:

  • Increased fuel storage capacity enables greater range between refueling.
  • Reduced weight improves fuel efficiency without compromising load capacity.
  • Dual-fuel compatibility lets fleets transition to hydrogen gradually, avoiding the need for entirely new vehicles.

• Testing and Next Steps:

  • Verne is conducting driving tests to refine the system.
  • Commercial pilots are planned to evaluate real-world performance metrics.

Verne’s hydrogen trucks utilize a dual-fuel combustion engine capable of running on both diesel and hydrogen, seamlessly integrating with existing diesel infrastructure while reducing emissions by incorporating hydrogen as a cleaner fuel source. This design allows the engine to function like a traditional combustion engine, with the added advantage of burning hydrogen to further enhance sustainability.

This approach creates a bridge for fleets hesitant to fully commit to hydrogen technology, offering a practical and cost-effective entry point.

Advancements in Internal Combustion Hydrogen Technology

While hydrogen fuel cells often dominate the conversation, internal combustion engines running on hydrogen blends offer another innovative pathway. Recent advancements in internal combustion technology are making hydrogen more accessible:

• Hydrogen-diesel systems, like that used by Verne, reduce emissions without sacrificing performance.
• Retrofitting existing engines helps fleets adopt hydrogen without a complete fleet replacement.
• Technological improvements ensure smoother transitions between diesel and hydrogen fuel operation.

These developments expand the scope of hydrogen’s applicability in trucking, making the technology more inclusive for new and older vehicles alike.

Practical Applications of Hydrogen Technology Today

Hydrogen’s role in decarbonizing the transportation sector has become more tangible thanks to advancements like Novadev’s FLUXpac and Verne’s cryo-compressed systems. While these innovations are still in early stages, they offer clear value:

• Storage Solutions:

  • The FLUXpac demonstrates significant progress in addressing hydrogen’s storage challenges, with the potential to improve safety, efficiency, and usability in multiple industries.

• Operational Flexibility:

  • Verne’s dual-fuel hydrogen trucks offer a realistic stepping stone for fleet managers navigating the transition from diesel to alternative fuels.
  • Such flexibility will likely accelerate hydrogen adoption across diverse transportation needs.

Hydrogen technology, while not without its challenges, is one step closer to mainstream deployment. By focusing on practical solutions for existing infrastructure and addressing real-world constraints, these new developments show how hydrogen could revolutionize trucking—and beyond—within the next decade.

While we await full commercial deployment, solutions like these highlight the importance of aligning technology with user needs to drive meaningful change. By thoughtfully combining innovation with practicality, hydrogen could soon power the transportation of tomorrow.