Anode Recirculation Blower Cooling Using Dosed Process Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell systems face inefficiencies in cooling the anode recirculation blower (ARB) due to varying water volumes, requiring active cooling methods that increase complexity and cost, especially at low load conditions.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell device with an integrated water reservoir and dosing device that supplies a predetermined amount of water to the recirculation line for passive cooling of the blower, ensuring consistent cooling across varying load conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a fuel cell device is mounted in a vehicle, then power generation capability is improved, but vibration and noise are generated affecting vehicle interior
Solution Approach 1:
A vibration damping member is introduced as an intermediary component between the fuel cell device and the vehicle floor. This mediator absorbs and dampens vibrations generated by the fuel cell device, preventing them from transmitting to the vehicle interior where they would create noise. The vibration damping member specifically targets harmful vibrations in the horizontal direction while allowing necessary thermal and fluid management functions to pass through.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful vibration characteristics are extracted and isolated from the fuel cell device system by introducing a separate vibration damping member. This allows the fuel cell device to maintain its power generation function while the unwanted vibration and noise characteristics are separated and absorbed by the damping component, improving overall system performance by removing harmful effects.
2Temperature
If cooling plates are disposed above and below membrane electrode assemblies, then cooling efficiency is improved, but liquid cooling agent may leak between plates
Solution Approach 1:
A grommet made of elastic material is used to create a flexible seal between the cooling plates and the membrane electrode assembly. This flexible sealing structure prevents liquid cooling agent leakage while accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the components. The elastic grommet maintains sealing pressure without requiring rigid mechanical fastening, thus preventing leaks while preserving cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system uses composite construction combining rigid cooling plates with flexible elastic grommets. This composite approach allows the rigid plates to maintain structural integrity and cooling channels while the elastic grommet provides flexible sealing, creating a reliable joint that prevents liquid cooling agent leakage under varying thermal and pressure conditions.
3Strength
If bolts are used to fasten cooling plates to end plates, then structural strength is improved, but vibration is transmitted to vehicle interior
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration damping member serves as an intermediary between the bolted joint and the vehicle floor. While bolts provide the necessary structural strength to secure the cooling plates to end plates, the vibration damping member intercepts and absorbs the vibrations generated by this rigid connection, preventing them from propagating to the vehicle interior where they would be perceived as noise.
4Stability of the object's composition
If fuel cell device is fixed to vehicle floor, then stability is improved, but vibrations in horizontal direction affect vehicle interior
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration damping member is strategically positioned at specific locations where horizontal vibrations are most problematic. Rather than attempting to dampen all vibrations uniformly, the damping component is placed to target specific vibration modes and directions, allowing the fuel cell device to remain stably mounted while selectively reducing harmful horizontal vibrations that affect vehicle interior noise.
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
This approach eliminates the need for active cooling, reduces complexity and cost, and maintains effective blower cooling by utilizing process water for thermal management, even at low load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration damping member for damping vibrations generated by a fuel cell device
Implementation Method 2
a grommet for sealing a joint between the cooling plate and the membrane electrode assembly
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides a fuel cell device (10) for a vehicle (F), comprising: a fuel cell (BZ) having an anode side (A) and a cathode side (K); a hydrogen feed line (H) which is connected to the anode side (A) of the fuel cell (BZ); a recirculation line (RL) having a blower device (ARB), which is mounted on the anode side (A) of the fuel cell (BZ) and is connected to the anode side (A) and is designed to circulate a residual hydrogen content in a hydrogen return flow from the anode side back to the anode side; a water separator (WA) which is connected to the recirculation line (RL) and which is designed to divert water out of the hydrogen return flow from the anode side (A); a water reservoir (WR) which is connected to the water separator (WA) and which is designed to receive the water from the water separator (WA); and a metering device (DE) which is connected to the water reservoir (WR) and to the recirculation line (RL) and which is designed to introduce a predetermined water quantity from the water reservoir (WR) into the recirculation line (RL) and to the blower device (ARB).