India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Train

Syllabus: GS3/ Science & Technology

Context

• PM Modi flagged off India’s first Hydrogen powered train running between an 89-km stretch of Jind and Sonipat in Haryana, under the jurisdiction of Northern Railway’s Delhi Division.

India’s First Hydrogen-Powered Train

• Key Features of the train: 
  • The train was developed by Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF).
  • It is a 10-car hydrogen fuel cell-based train set, powered by a 1200 kW hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system.
  • The train consists of two Hydrogen Driving Power Cars (DPCs) and eight Trailer Coaches (TCs).
  • Approved to operate at a maximum speed of 75 kmph with a design speed of 110 kmph.

Major Components of the Train

• Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells that generate electricity.
• Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries that store surplus electricity and provide additional power during acceleration.
• High-pressure hydrogen storage cylinders for storing compressed hydrogen gas.
• Electric traction motors that convert electrical energy into mechanical motion.
• Safety Measures: 
  • Hydrogen leak detectors have been installed at the production, storage and dispensing facilities.
  • Flame detectors have also been installed for continuous monitoring.

How Does the Hydrogen Train Work?

• A hydrogen-powered train is a fuel-cell electric train that generates electricity onboard using hydrogen gas instead of diesel fuel or electricity supplied through overhead transmission lines.
• Hydrogen fuel cell technology produces electricity through a chemical reaction using hydrogen.
  • The primary energy source is a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC). 
  • The fuel cell generates electricity by reacting hydrogen and oxygen across a proton-conducting Perfluorosulfonic Acid (PFSA) polymer membrane. 
  • The process produces only water vapour and heat as byproducts.
  • Electricity powers the traction motors that drive the train.

Significance

• Sustainable mobility: The project is a big step towards decarbonising the transport sector of India through the replacement of diesel traction with a technology with zero tailpipe emission.
  • It provides a clean alternative for non-electrified routes.
• India’s climate commitments: It contributes to India’s promise of reaching Net Zero emissions by 2070.
• India’s technological leadership: India is now among the front-runners in the development of hydrogen-based railway transportation with the successful commissioning of one of the world’s most powerful hydrogen trainsets.

What are the Challenges?

• Hydrogen infrastructure: India has insufficient facilities for hydrogen generation, storage, transportation and refuelling, which restricts large scale adoption.
• High capital investment: Large capital outlay is required to set up hydrogen production plants, refuelling stations, fuel-cell systems and unique rolling stock.
• Safety concerns: Hydrogen is very flammable, requiring special storage facilities and strict operational safety procedures.

What is hydrogen?

• Hydrogen is a chemical element with chemical symbol H and atomic number 1.
• Hydrogen is the lightest of all elements and the most common chemical material in the universe, accounting for around 75% of all normal matter.
• It is a non-toxic, colourless, odourless, tasteless and extremely inflammable gas.

Source: TH, PIB