Liquid Separator Design to Prevent Ice Formation in Fuel Cells
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Summary
Problems
Existing liquid separators in fuel cell systems require complex structures and additional electrical energy to prevent ice formation, which disrupts the energy balance and system functionality, especially at temperatures below freezing.
Innovation solutions
A liquid separator design featuring a heat-conducting element made of a good thermal conductor, such as a metal alloy, positioned in the collecting area below a baffle element made of a poorer conductor, like plastic, allowing for passive heating of the collected liquid without external heating sources, ensuring heat transfer into the collecting area and reducing ice formation.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If electrical heating elements are used to prevent ice formation in the liquid separator, then the functionality is ensured at temperatures below freezing, but the device complexity increases and additional electrical energy is consumed
Why choose this principle:
The liquid separator uses its own internal resources (the warmth of the gas stream and separated liquid droplets) to heat the collection area and prevent ice formation, without requiring external heating elements or additional energy input. The system serves itself by utilizing the thermal energy already present in the flow.
Principle concept:
If electrical heating elements are used to prevent ice formation in the liquid separator, then the functionality is ensured at temperatures below freezing, but the device complexity increases and additional electrical energy is consumed
Why choose this principle:
The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the collection area by using a material with good heat conduction, which allows efficient heat transfer from the gas stream and separated liquid to the collected liquid, preventing ice formation through passive thermal management.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A liquid separator design featuring a heat-conducting element made of a good thermal conductor, such as a metal alloy, positioned in the collecting area below a baffle element made of a poorer conductor, like plastic, allowing for passive heating of the collected liquid without external heating sources, ensuring heat transfer into the collecting area and reducing ice formation.
Abstract
The invention relates to a liquid separator (17) for a gas flow loaded with liquid, comprising an internal volume (21) having at least one impact element (23) and a collection region (24) for the separated liquid. The invention is characterised in that, a heat conductor element (30) made of a good heat-conducting material is arranged in the collection region (24), which projects into the gas flow (25) in the internal volume (21) in the direction of the at least one impact element (23), wherein the impact element (23) is made of a material that does not conduct the heat as well as the heat conductor element (30).