Kurimoto, Ltd., a major Japanese machinery manufacturer, has developed the nation's first fuel cell (FC) wheelchair powered by a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), in cooperation with Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Technologies, Ltd. (APFCT) of Taiwan. Kurimoto attracted a lot of attention at the 15th World Hydrogen Energy Conference held in June 2004 at Yokohama, Japan by demonstrating the FC wheelchair and allowing visitors to take a test ride.

The wheelchair is about 0.9 meters high, just over 0.6 meters wide and weighs about 80 kilograms. It can carry a maximum load of 100 kilograms. A power generator is built in under the seat to produce electricity through the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, and three steel cylinders of hydrogen-storing alloy are installed under the generator.

The FC wheelchair has a 250-watt PEFC stack and can attain a maximum speed of six kilometers per hour. The wheelchair can theoretically run for 10 hours on a full charge. To attain the same level of performance, a conventional battery would have to weigh over 50 kilograms. Kurimoto intends to develop a lighter, more sophisticated FC system which will actually allow for 10 hours of running time. The company aims to commercialize the FC wheelchair in FY 2005.

Technically affiliated with APFCT since 2003, Kurimoto has been working on research and development of small vehicles. Prototypes for an FC walker for the elderly and an FC scooter are expected to be completed by the end of 2004.

http://www.kurimoto.co.jp/
http://www.apfct.com/

Posted: 2004/11/01 03:41:45 PM
Japanese version

TAG Eco-product/Business , Energy , Manufacturing industry , Technology