Anhydrous Coolant Composition for Electrically Safe Battery Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling agents used in combustion engines are not suitable for fuel cells and batteries due to high electrical conductivity, which can short-circuit the fuel cell or battery, and the risk of hydrogen gas development in accidents. Additionally, these agents are not effective at high temperatures and have limited heat capacity.
Innovation Solution
An essentially water-free coolant composition is developed, comprising at least one alkylene glycol derivative and a corrosion inhibitor, such as ortho-silica esters, azolderivats, or alkoxylated amines, to maintain low electrical conductivity and high heat capacity without the need for further dilution with water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional monoalkylene glycol-based coolants are used in fuel cells and batteries, then the cooling function is achieved, but the electrical conductivity becomes excessive causing short-circuit risks and hydrogen gas evolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes water from the coolant composition, creating an essentially anhydrous formulation. This extraction of the problematic component (water that enables ionization and conductivity) directly resolves the contradiction by eliminating the source of electrical conductivity while preserving the cooling function through alternative heat transfer mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the compositional parameters of the coolant by using alkylene glycol derivatives with specific molecular structures (formula I) that inherently provide low electrical conductivity. The parameter change from conventional water-based compositions to anhydrous organic compositions transforms the electrical properties while maintaining thermal properties needed for cooling.
2Quantity of substance
If water-based coolants are used to achieve high heat capacity, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the operating temperature is limited to the boiling point of water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the coolant by selecting alkylene glycol derivatives with higher boiling points than water. These compounds maintain adequate heat capacity while allowing operation at elevated temperatures, thus resolving the contradiction between heat capacity and temperature limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite formulations combining different alkylene glycol derivatives (formula I and formula II) with complementary properties. This composite approach optimizes both heat capacity and thermal stability, enabling high-temperature operation while maintaining effective heat transfer capabilities.
3Reliability
If conventional coolants are used to achieve adequate freezing protection, then the low-temperature operation is enabled, but the composition requires complete electrical insulation of cooling channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the source of electrical conductivity (water and ionizable compounds) from the coolant formulation. By creating an inherently non-conductive anhydrous composition, the need for additional electrical insulation measures in the cooling channels is eliminated, thus resolving the contradiction between freezing protection and device complexity.
4Reliability
If corrosion inhibitors and additives are added to conventional coolants to improve protection, then the corrosion resistance is improved, but the electrical conductivity increases due to salts and ionizable compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical environment by using anhydrous conditions and selecting corrosion inhibitors that do not ionize in organic media. This parameter change allows effective corrosion protection without the formation of conductive salts, thus resolving the contradiction between corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity.
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 water-free coolant composition effectively maintains low electrical conductivity and high heat capacity, making it suitable for use in fuel cells, batteries, and hybrid vehicles, while also being compatible with various sealing materials and retaining stability against thermal stress and oxidation.
Implementation Method 1
when batteries are quickly charged, temperatures of over 100 °C are reached, so that the heat must be dissipated
Implementation Method 2
at least one corrosion inhibitor selected from the group consisting of (Ba) ortho-silicic acid esters and/or alkoxyalkylsilanes (Bb) azole derivatives
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to new, substantially anhydrous antifreeze agents for cooling systems, which can be used as such, i.e., without diluting them with water, as coolants and antifreeze agents.