Robot fuels hydrogen-powered trains

HOHHOT — As a heavy-haul train entered a hydrogen fueling station, an automatic robot extended its arm, took out the hydrogenation nozzle and began refueling.

The hydrogen fueling station for CHN Energy's heavy-haul trains recently started commercial operation in Batuta, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, North China.

The station is equipped with a low-temperature resistant automated hydrogenation robot and a high-flow hydrogenation machine, independently developed and manufactured in China.

The robot can refuel a hydrogen-powered train within 30 minutes, which will power the train for eight hours, according to CHN Energy, adding that the train boasts a range of 800 kilometers before it needs refueling.

The robot can not only achieve all-weather continuous operation and large-flow automated hydrogenation at temperatures as low as-25 C, but also ensure safe and stable operation, effectively reduce personnel errors, control safety risks and save operational costs.

Boasting explosion-proofing, electronic and air control systems, the robot's anti-interference 3D cameras can conduct visual positioning on moving targets.

In natural outdoor lighting, it can automatically complete visual identification and fueling without manual intervention, said Zhang Kai, a technician at the hydrogen fueling station.

The fault self-diagnosis and alarm functions can monitor the operating environment of trains and the robot in real time and ensure a reliable, stable and safe hydrogen fueling service.

The robot has passed strict explosion-proof tests and achieved certification in this regard, said Zhang.

Research and development on the automated hydrogenation robot, which was designed to serve high-power hydrogen trains, started in 2022.

CHN Energy, one of the robot's developers, has said it will continue promoting the application of intelligent robot technology and to extend the research on automated petrol refueling robots and non-petrol service robots.

From 2015 to 2022, China's annual production of industrial robots soared from 33,000 to 443,000 units. The latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that the production volume in the first quarter of this year reached 120,000 units.

After rapid development in recent years, China's industrial robot industry has made significant strides in both product technology and practical application.

Xinhua