Hydrogen-powered train technology is a promising solution for decarbonising non-electrified railway lines that currently rely on diesel. This study focuses on the development and evaluation of integrated on-board energy systems for hydrogen production and utilization in railway applications. The system combines an on-board reactor with a high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) to efficiently generate electricity from alternative fuels such as methanol, ethanol, glycerol and ammonia. Process simulations in AspenPlus® assess the energy balance, heat integration and self-sustainability under real operating conditions on the Brescia-Edolo railway line. In addition, a quantitative risk analysis (QRA) using empirical models and PHAST evaluates the hazards associated with the storage and handling of these fuels. Results showed that ethanol has the lowest risk (10−6yr−1) while ammonia the lowest volume (21 m3). The final ranking of the different solutions strongly depends on the production source (fossil or renewable).
Design and risk assessment of integrated H2 fuel cell systems for rail transportation / Portarapillo, M.; Di Benedetto, A.. - In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY. - ISSN 0360-3199. - 223:(2026). [10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.154382]
Design and risk assessment of integrated H2 fuel cell systems for rail transportation
Portarapillo M.;Di Benedetto A.
2026
Abstract
Hydrogen-powered train technology is a promising solution for decarbonising non-electrified railway lines that currently rely on diesel. This study focuses on the development and evaluation of integrated on-board energy systems for hydrogen production and utilization in railway applications. The system combines an on-board reactor with a high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) to efficiently generate electricity from alternative fuels such as methanol, ethanol, glycerol and ammonia. Process simulations in AspenPlus® assess the energy balance, heat integration and self-sustainability under real operating conditions on the Brescia-Edolo railway line. In addition, a quantitative risk analysis (QRA) using empirical models and PHAST evaluates the hazards associated with the storage and handling of these fuels. Results showed that ethanol has the lowest risk (10−6yr−1) while ammonia the lowest volume (21 m3). The final ranking of the different solutions strongly depends on the production source (fossil or renewable).I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
