Fuel Cell Anode Circuit With Selectable Nozzles for Gas Recirculation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anode circuits for fuel cells face inefficiencies in recirculating anode exhaust gas due to complex and costly configurations involving movable nozzle needles and multiple gas jet pumps in parallel, which are prone to freezing and require extensive piping and valve systems.
Innovation Solution
An anode circuit with a shared nozzle body containing multiple nozzles of different geometries, actuated by a linear or rotational mechanism to select the appropriate nozzle based on current fuel gas flow, allowing for efficient and compact recirculation of anode exhaust gas without the need for movable nozzle needles or complex valve systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If movable nozzle needles are used inside the gas jet pump nozzle to adjust flow cross sections, then the recirculation efficiency can be optimized for different volume flows, but the device becomes complex and susceptible to freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle body is divided into multiple discrete nozzles with different geometries arranged in a circular pattern. Instead of using a single adjustable nozzle, the system segments the flow control function across multiple fixed nozzles, each optimized for specific flow conditions. This eliminates the need for movable parts while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle body is made rotatable around the fuel gas line, allowing dynamic selection of different nozzles based on the required fuel gas flow rate. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the system to adapt to varying operating conditions without using movable nozzle needles inside the nozzle itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple gas jet pumps are arranged in parallel with sophisticated valves and lines, then the system can flexibly use one or multiple pumps, but the configuration becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
A single gas jet pump is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating multiple nozzles with different geometries in one nozzle body. This multi-functional design replaces the need for multiple separate pumps and their associated complex valve and piping systems, while maintaining the flexibility to handle different flow requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple nozzles that would traditionally require separate pump units are merged into a single integrated nozzle body. This consolidation reduces the number of independent components, valves, and connection lines, simplifying the overall system architecture while preserving operational flexibility.
3Area of stationary object
If a single nozzle body with multiple nozzles is used, then the installation space is reduced, but the nozzle body must be movable relative to the fuel gas line to select appropriate nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle body is designed to be rotatable around the fuel gas line, providing a simple dynamic mechanism for nozzle selection. This rotational movement is mechanically simpler than linear actuation and requires less space, enabling compact installation while maintaining the ability to select appropriate nozzles for different operating conditions.
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 configuration enables efficient recirculation of anode exhaust gas with ideal flow velocities, reducing installation space and operational complexity while maintaining high recirculation efficiency across varying hydrogen dosing conditions, achieving flow velocities of more than Mach 1 for optimal hydrogen utilization.
Implementation Method 1
at least one gas jet pump for recirculating of anode exhaust gas... the fuel gas serves as a fuel gas flow which flows through the nozzle of the at least one gas jet pump and takes in anode exhaust gas from a recirculation line
Implementation Method 2
achieve for the intake of the anode exhaust gas from the recirculation line, typically with flow velocities of more than Mach 1
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an anode circuit (8) for a fuel cell (3) having at least one gas jet pump (6) for recirculating anode exhaust gas, which has at least one nozzle (18) through which the fuel gas (H 2) may flow as a fuel gas flow, and which has a fuel gas line (14), a recirculation line (7), and an outflow line (15). The anode circuit according to the invention is characterized in that a plurality of nozzles (18) with different geometries are arranged in a nozzle body (16), which is movable relative to the fuel gas line (14) in such a manner that in each case one of the nozzles (18) is selectively usable.