For the last time the consortium of »WaVe« met on June 20th 2024 at the Institut für Oberflächen und Schichttechnik GmbH (IFOS) in Kaiserslautern.
The event began with the introduction of the institute by the CEO Dr. L’huillier. Since the beginning of 2024 IFOS has combined the research activities of (previous) Photonik-Zentrum Kaiserslautern e. V. and the Institut of Oberflächen und Schichtanalytik GmbH under the company name Institut für Oberflächen und Schichttechnik GmbH. The new institute offers its clients analyses in the micro and nano range. With those analyses IFOS is capable of characterizing surfaces, internal interfaces, thin layers and solids, which enables case-specific material-, product- and process development in regard to failures and damages or quality assurance.
Additional to the introduction the attendees received a tour of the building, including the laboratories of the institute. Before lunch break the consortium also attended the presentation of the project sponsor TÜV Rheinland Consulting GmbH, which included requirements for the final report which is due next.
During the event partners of the consortium exhibited several of the developed demonstrators of »WaVe«:
- H2-UNIMOG (Daimler Truck AG)
- UNIMOG system carrier (comlet Verteilte Systeme GmbH)
- tank system (Leibniz-Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe)
The final results of the optimization of air path and exhaust aftertreatment for medium-duty hydrogen engines were presented by IAV GmbH Ingenieurgesellschaft Auto und Verkehr. The next presentation of the agenda was given by the team of Robert Bosch GmbH discussing the significant impact the PFI mounting position and GGP design has on achieving full load, especially when injection windows are wide. Following the LAF (RPTU Kaiserslautern) presented their test bench results and the IFOS team gave attendees an insight into the effects the hydrogen had on the components and its material properties during usage of the drive system on the test bench.
The final presentation of the joint project »WaVe« was given by Mörtlbauer Baumaschinenvertriebs GmbH, recounting the construction and test drives of the hydrogen-powered tracked vehicle “MULY” and the challenges of implementing a mobile hydrogen refueling station in Germany.
The joint project »WaVe«, which ends June 30th, proved that hydrogen combustion engines in the medium-duty segment are technologically, economically and ecologically beneficial and also achievable. Nevertheless, further research and development is necessary to reach the goal of an affordable and at the same time efficient zero-emissions vehicle.
We graciously thank our host the Institut für Oberflächen und Schichttechnik GmbH for hosting the fifth and last consortium meeting. We also thank all our partners for the outstanding collaboration within the joint project »WaVe«.