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实例探究 > The Forefront of Fuel Cell Technology

The Forefront of Fuel Cell Technology

技术
  • 功能应用 - 企业资产管理系统 (EAM)
  • 功能应用 - 远程监控系统
适用行业
  • 食品与饮料
  • 零售
适用功能
  • 仓库和库存管理
  • 物流运输
用例
  • 车队管理
  • 能源管理系统
  • 预测性维护
服务
  • 系统集成
  • 培训
挑战
UNFI, the largest wholesale distributor of natural, organic, and specialty foods in the U.S., sought to enhance its sustainability initiatives and reduce energy consumption. The company identified its lift truck fleet as a key area for improvement and began exploring hydrogen fuel cells as an alternative power source. The challenge was to ensure that the new technology could be integrated seamlessly into their existing operations, particularly in the Sarasota, Florida facility, which includes freezer, cooler, and dry storage areas. The transition required extensive planning and coordination among multiple stakeholders, including Raymond Corporation and Abel Womack Inc.
关于客户
United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) is the largest wholesale distributor of natural, organic, and specialty foods and related products in the United States. The company operates 28 distribution centers across the U.S. and Canada, providing value-added services such as marketing, merchandising, category management, and store support. UNFI is committed to environmental sustainability and continually seeks innovative technologies to enhance its operations. The company relies heavily on its lift truck fleet to move products efficiently through its distribution centers, making material handling a critical aspect of its business.
解决方案
UNFI collaborated with The Raymond Corporation and Abel Womack Inc. to convert its Sarasota facility's lift trucks to hydrogen fuel cell technology. The project involved retrofitting various models of Raymond lift trucks, including the Model 7400 Reach-Fork® trucks, Model 5500 orderpickers, Model 4200 stand-up counterbalanced lift trucks, and Model 8400 end rider pallet trucks. Significant engineering modifications were required to accommodate the larger hydrogen fuel cells, particularly for the orderpickers, which led to the development of the industry's first hydrogen fuel cell-compatible orderpicker. Extensive testing was conducted to ensure the fuel cells could withstand the facility's varying temperature conditions. The transition was completed in June 2010, with all Raymond trucks in the Sarasota facility converted to hydrogen fuel cell technology.
运营影响
  • The hydrogen fuel cell-powered lift trucks have shown consistent performance, maintaining constant voltage until the fuel is depleted, unlike lead-acid batteries whose voltage drops over time.
  • The refueling process for hydrogen fuel cells is significantly faster than changing lead-acid batteries, leading to increased productivity.
  • Operators at the Sarasota facility have provided positive feedback on the performance and efficiency of the hydrogen fuel cell-powered lift trucks.
数量效益
  • Reduced refueling time compared to battery changes, leading to increased operational efficiency.
  • Consistent voltage delivery from hydrogen fuel cells, ensuring lift trucks operate at full capacity throughout the shift.

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