IEM MDP: Colloquium, Gijs Disselhorst

Title

Optimal Modular Product Architecture for the Hydrogen Refueling Full Size Station

Panel

1st supervisor: Dr. A.A. (Albert) Geertsema

2nd supervisor: Dr. A.J. (Albert) Bosch

Company supervisor: R. (René) Brinkman (Resato Hydrogen Technology)

Abstract

Resato Hydrogen Technology is a company that specializes in high-pressure systems and has been developing hydrogen refueling stations since 2017. The Full Size Station (FSS) is one of these stations and is still in development. To meet the growing demand for hydrogen refueling stations, Resato Hydrogen Technology aims to radically increase the production capacity of the FSS. However, the system modules are complex, leading to high production costs and the need for improvements to the product design. Therefore, the study seeks a conceptual modular product architecture for the FSS to reduce assembly times during production. A technically-oriented component-based Design Structure Matrix (DSM) approach is used in which system elements are represented in a matrix and clustered based on their interactions. The MDL-GA clustering algorithm is applied to find modules that consist of clustered components that have many interactions inside the clusters and few interactions between the clusters. The clustering algorithm consists of the Genetic Algorithm (GA) with an objective function based on the Minimum Description Length (MDL) principle. The study generated new insights into modular product architectures for the FSS. The results show that the proposed modular product architecture consists of smaller and less complex modules leading to a more manageable supply chain, promoting repetitive productions, and contributing to the reduction of assembly time and costs.

Additional Info.

Please confirm your participation to Betsy van Rooij-Oldenboom (j.e.van.rooijoldenboom@rug.nl). She will put your name on the attendance list (RED BOOK) after the colloquium is finished.