The Emitech Group participates in the development and validation of various mobility solutions with its test benches dedicated to powertrains and its engineering and testing capabilities in environment (climatic, mechanical, physico-chemical), electromagnetic compatibility, acoustics and more.
Testing vehicle components in operation is an important area of development for the Emitech Group.
The Group already has innovative test facilities in this field, such as the EMCEM installation, which aims to characterize an electric vehicle motor in operation from the point of view of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
In the same vein, the Group is progressively equipping its test centers with H₂ facilities to carry out development, validation or qualification tests with H₂-powered components in operation..

Hydrogen activities: EMC, electrical, mechanical, climatic and fire tests

Tests on hydrogen fuel cells in operation require complex installations that integrate a large number of servitudes. These must be safe because hydrogen (H₂) is a potentially explosive gas when it reaches a concentration of 4% in air. In addition, a power equivalent to 50% of the electrical production of the hydrogen cell is also dissipated as heat. This is why Emitech, after having selected a hydrogen supplier and installed supply systems, fitted out its laboratories to secure its installations with sensors and equipped them with cooling units. 

The Emitech Group currently has two laboratories in France adapted to test high power hydrogen fuel cells in operation.

The first is an EMC test laboratory with a semi-anechoic Faraday cage and dedicated hydrogen facilities: a H₂ supply unit connected to 4 V18 cylinder racks (4x158m3 of H₂ compressed at 200 bars / 15°C), hydrogen detection sensors, an ATEX fume hood for any vapors and a 45kW cooling unit.
 
The second is a mechanical and climatic test laboratory where a climatic chamber has been fully adapted and secured to receive a complete fuel cell system with an H₂ supply unit connected to 2 V18 racks of cylinders (H₂ compressed to 200 bars at 15°C) and detection sensors. 

A third test center dedicated to the development and validation of internal combustion engines based on hydrogen H₂ is currently being set up with an H₂ power plant connected to 2 x 5 V18 cylinder racks and associated detection sensors.

Finally, a fourth test center specialized in fire tests and with the capacity to test tanks (hydraulic and pneumatic tests: endurance, pressure resistance, bursting, piercing, impacts, overload), is being adapted to become a test center for type IV H₂ tanks. 

For more information, please contact Mr. Julien Floch, Hydrogen Coordinator, Emitech Group j.floch@emitech-group.com.