Green power on wheels: Hybrid engines fueled by sunlight and saltwater

This study assesses the feasibility of a hybrid vehicle powered by solar energy, hydrogen fuel cells, and an internal combustion engine, integrating a chlor-alkali electrolyzer with a gas-liquid absorption system. Tested in Ciudad Real under extreme summer conditions (up to 38.6 °C), the setup inclu...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Requena Leal, Iñaki, García López, Miguel, Lobato Bajo, Justo, Rodrigo Rodrigo, Manuel Andrés
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha
Repositorio:RUIdeRA. Repositorio Institucional de la UCLM
OAI Identifier:oai:ruidera.uclm.es:10578/45423
Acceso en línea:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.152070
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360319925050736
https://hdl.handle.net/10578/45423
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Chloralkaline
Electrolyzer
Fuel cell
Hybrid engine
Transport
Descripción
Sumario:This study assesses the feasibility of a hybrid vehicle powered by solar energy, hydrogen fuel cells, and an internal combustion engine, integrating a chlor-alkali electrolyzer with a gas-liquid absorption system. Tested in Ciudad Real under extreme summer conditions (up to 38.6 °C), the setup included a hybrid electric (80 W)/combustion (2.5 cc) engine, 48 cm2 electrolyzer, 12 W fuel cell, four PV panels (10 W/240 cm2 × 2, 3.5 W/120 cm2 × 2), and a 1.0 L hydrogen tank. Charging used solar and grid electricity (5.83–72.23 Wh). Electrolyzer pressurization took 1–6 h, with chlorine/hydrogen evolution confirmed. Fast grid charging peaked at 132.7 mmol OH-. Five 30-min driving sessions showed energy use from 1.8 Wh (solar) to 13 Wh (combustion). Efficiency reached 6 % coulombic, 13 % energy. CO2 capture retained 35 mmol highlighting the hybrids potential for carbon reduction.