Fuel Cell Ice Blocking Solution with Metal Hydride
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Summary
Problems
Fuel cells experience performance degradation due to insufficient hydrogen supply during cold starts, caused by ice blocking in the reaction channels of the separators, which occurs at low temperatures.
Innovation solutions
Incorporating a hydrogen adsorption layer made of metal hydride on the anode separator's hydrogen reaction channel, which generates heat through exothermic reactions to melt ice and ensure hydrogen flow, and a controller to manage hydrogen pressure based on temperature conditions.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If conventional separators are used in low temperature conditions, then the structure is simple, but ice blocks the reaction channel causing insufficient hydrogen supply
Why choose this principle:
The patent applies porous metal hydride material in the hydrogen reaction channel of the separator. This porous material can adsorb hydrogen and generate exothermic reactions to melt ice, while maintaining the flow path open for hydrogen supply. The porous structure allows hydrogen to pass through while the material's thermal reaction prevents ice blocking, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Principle concept:
If conventional separators are used in low temperature conditions, then the structure is simple, but ice blocks the reaction channel causing insufficient hydrogen supply
Why choose this principle:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the separator by incorporating metal hydride material that undergoes exothermic reactions when exposed to hydrogen. This parameter change (temperature increase through chemical reaction) directly addresses the ice blocking problem in cold start conditions, ensuring reliable hydrogen supply while maintaining a relatively simple separator structure.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
Incorporating a hydrogen adsorption layer made of metal hydride on the anode separator's hydrogen reaction channel, which generates heat through exothermic reactions to melt ice and ensure hydrogen flow, and a controller to manage hydrogen pressure based on temperature conditions.
Abstract
A fuel cell includes a membrane-electrode assembly, an anode separator and a cathode separator disposed at both sides of the membrane-electrode assembly, wherein the anode separator includes a hydrogen adsorption portion formed in a hydrogen reaction channel in which hydrogen flows.