The Florence HBUS Project: an approach to reliability and safety analysis for a fuel cell system

During the design of the fuel cell system of an hybrid bus for public transport, a reliability analysis was carried out, as one of the activities to prove the vehicle viable and safe. In this paper, some of the most interesting results of this analysis are presented, and the methodology used is discussed. The methods applied are the usual ones for this kind of studies, and are highly recommended by both established and upcoming standards for hydrogen systems being developed worldwide. The design of the system is shown and explained, indicating its working range, and the consequences of exceeding it. Provisions are taken on the basis of this analysis to enhance overall reliability and to set future guidelines for inspection and maintenance of the bus.