Catalytic Bipolar Plate Heating for Rapid Fuel Cell Start-Up
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high temperature proton exchange fuel cells face challenges in achieving efficient and uniform heating without increasing size and mass, particularly for on-board use in vehicles like aircraft, as existing heating solutions either require large energy sources or suffer from thermal losses.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a heating module within the fuel cell stack using a catalytic chemical element to generate heat through the reaction of oxidizing and reducing fluids, eliminating the need for external heating devices and reducing heat loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an independent heating device (electrical resistor) is provided to heat the fuel cell during start-up, then the fuel cell can be heated above 100°C to avoid liquid water, but the energy consumption is very high and requires a large, expensive power battery
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged with the existing fuel cell structure by integrating a catalytic heating element into the bipolar plate. This eliminates the need for independent heating devices and external power batteries, as the fuel cell itself generates the heat through catalytic reaction of hydrogen and oxygen.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel cell performs self-heating through an integrated catalytic converter that directly reacts hydrogen and oxygen to generate heat within the fuel cell structure. This self-service heating mechanism eliminates dependency on external energy sources during start-up.
2Temperature
If an independent catalytic reactor is used to heat the heat transfer fluid circulation channel, then electrical resistance heating is avoided, but heat losses occur during fluid circulation and the size and mass increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The catalytic heating function is merged directly into the fuel cell's bipolar plate structure, positioning the heat generation source at the exact location where heat is needed. This eliminates separate heating devices and reduces heat loss by minimizing the distance heat must travel to reach the reaction zones.
3Temperature
If an independent catalytic reactor or heating device is added to the fuel cell, then heating capability is achieved, but the size and mass of the fuel cell increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The heating functionality is merged into the existing bipolar plate structure of the fuel cell. By integrating the catalytic converter within the bipolar plate, no additional external heating devices or power batteries are required, thus avoiding significant increases in size and mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The bipolar plate serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural component, a fluid distribution channel, and now also as a catalytic heating element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated heating components, reducing overall system mass.
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 solution allows for rapid, uniform heating of the fuel cell without additional equipment or energy sources, reducing size and mass, enabling efficient start-up and operation while maintaining a footprint similar to traditional fuel cells.
Implementation Method 1
EP 2061113 A1, EP 1351330A2 and US 2008/118788 A1 describe fuel cell stacks comprising bipolar plates which are equipped with a catalyst-covered portion, said catalyst being configured to promote the exothermic reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in order to contribute to the preheating of the stack.
Implementation Method 2
the catalyst being configured to promote the exothermic reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in order to contribute to the preheating of the stack
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a fuel cell (1) comprising alternating bipolar modules (Mb) and membrane-electrode assemblies (A) so as to form a stack (2) comprising at least one electrochemical cell (CE), each bipolar module (Mb) comprising at least a first main channel for the circulation of an oxidising fluid (Co), a second main channel for the circulation of a reducing fluid (Cr) and a third main channel for the circulation of a heat-transfer fluid (Ce). The fuel cell (1) comprises at least one heating module (Mc), comprising at least one auxiliary channel (Ca) comprising a catalyst chemical element (7), the auxiliary channel (Ca) being configured to circulate a mixture of oxidising fluid and reducing fluid so as to generate heat upon reaction of the oxidising fluid, the reducing fluid and the catalyst chemical element. The auxiliary channel (Ca) is formed by positioning a spacer plate (6) between two plates (8A, 8B).