Rheinmetall receives order for coolant control valves used in Fuel Cell truck

Dusseldorf, Germany- Rheinmetall AG., continues to successfully grow its business in fuel cell-related products. One of the international truckmakers has placed two first-ever orders with the Group for coolant control valves for use in fuel cell-powered trucks. The fuel cell is a crucially important CO2-neutral drive solution, especially for heavy transport trucks.

The combined order value is in the mid-two digit million euro level. For first installation in several hundred trucks, the first batch is scheduled to be delivered in 2024. The planned start date for full-scale manufacturing is 2028.

An electronic thermostatic valve (3/2-way valve) and an electronic coolant valve (2/2-way valve) were ordered for use in the cooling circuit of a fuel cell.
High coolant temperatures have a strongly negative impact on the longevity of a fuel cell. Representing a key improvement.

The newly created valves by Rheinmetall guarantee a highly dynamic yet extremely precise regulation of the coolant temperature. Hysteresis can cause expansion element thermostats that have been used before to become slow and inaccurate.

Additionally, fuel cells may suffer from too-low temperatures. Rheinmetall valves provide for the accurate, freely chosen setting of the required coolant flow in accordance with unique application requirements. An electronic actuator with an electronically commutated motor and CAN bus-capable electronics was employed in this application.

Additionally, the components' extremely low coolant pressure loss, minimal leakage, and novel valve design that allowed for an optimal installation space connection and compact packaging all played a role in the customer's decision.

Rheinmetall has developed an extensive array of fuel cell-related products. The Group has been actively involved in hydrogen technology for almost twenty years now and can thus draw on extensive experience.

About Rheinmetall

Rheinmetall is a foremost makers of advanced air defence systems. The company leads the global market in automatic cannon-based air defence, and is the sole system supplier able to offer fire control technology, automatic cannon, integrated guided missiles and Ahead airburst ammunition.

Air surveillance and tracking radars round off the portfolio. The company has more than fifty years experience in the design, development and manufacturing of radar systems.