Ammonia Fuel Cell Control for Stable Cracker Hydrogen Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ammonia fuel cell systems in vehicles struggle to stabilize the ammonia decomposition rate and minimize residual ammonia, leading to inefficiencies and environmental concerns.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method for controlling a vehicle equipped with an ammonia fuel cell, which monitors minute changes in driving patterns and adjusts the ammonia fuel cell system based on real-time and historical driving data to stabilize the ammonia decomposition rate and minimize residual ammonia.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ammonia decomposition is performed in the cracker, then hydrogen is produced for the fuel cell, but the ammonia decomposition rate is unstable and residual ammonia remains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrogen production efficiencyVSAvoidammonia decomposition rate stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by predicting future hydrogen consumption amounts based on driving patterns before actually needing the hydrogen. The controller calculates predicted hydrogen consumption amounts at specific future time points and adjusts ammonia supply and cracker conditions in advance, ensuring stable decomposition rates are maintained before fluctuations occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters based on real-time conditions. The controller modifies ammonia supply amounts and cracker internal conditions (temperature, pressure) dynamically according to predicted hydrogen consumption patterns, allowing the decomposition rate to adapt continuously rather than remaining fixed, thereby maintaining stability across varying operational demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If real-time driving information and driving pattern information are used to predict hydrogen consumption, then ammonia supply can be optimized, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveammonia supply optimizationVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring real-time driving information and comparing it with stored driving pattern information. The controller uses this feedback loop to calculate predicted hydrogen consumption amounts and adjust ammonia supply accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes performance while managing complexity through systematic information processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The controller performs preliminary calculations of hydrogen consumption amounts based on analyzed driving patterns before actual hydrogen demand occurs. By pre-processing driving information and predicting future needs, the system reduces the complexity of real-time decision-making while maintaining optimized ammonia supply control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively stabilizes the ammonia decomposition rate and minimizes residual ammonia, contributing to environmental friendliness and efficient hydrogen production for clean energy.

Implementation Method 1

a cracker configured to decompose the ammonia supplied from the ammonia tank into hydrogen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

Hydrogen may be stored in the form of gaseous ammonia, which is absorbed or adsorbed on salts in a storage cartridge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

Hydrogen may be stored in the form of gaseous ammonia, which is absorbed or adsorbed on salts in a storage cartridge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP4509346A1Apparatus for controlling vehicle equipped with ammonia fuel cell, method for operating the same, and vehicle comprising the same
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 SK INNOVATION CO LTD
  • EP4509346A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4509346A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4509346A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An apparatus and a method for controlling a vehicle equipped with an ammonia fuel cell are disclosed. The apparatus of the present disclosure may include: an ammonia tank configured to store ammonia; a cracker configured to decompose the ammonia supplied from the ammonia tank into hydrogen; and a controller configured to calculate a predicted hydrogen consumption amount based on at least one of real-time driving information and driving pattern information, and control at least one of a supply amount of ammonia and internal conditions of the cracker based on the predicted hydrogen consumption amount.