Electrolyser Water Recycling for Fuel Cell Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cells used in portable electronic devices face efficiency drops due to environmental factors like high humidity and low temperatures, leading to reduced power generation and longer time to reach peak power.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an electrolyser within the portable device to recycle waste water into hydrogen and oxygen, which can be reused as fuel and oxidant, thereby improving efficiency and power output, especially in adverse conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If fuel cell operates in high humidity environment, then continuous fuel flow is maintained, but efficiency drops significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of high humidity (which causes efficiency drop) into a beneficial effect by using the electrolyser to decompose excess water into hydrogen and oxygen. The generated hydrogen is fed back to the fuel cell, turning the harmful humidity condition into a source of additional fuel that restores efficiency while maintaining continuous operation.
2Ease of operation
If fuel cell operates in low temperature environment, then portable device functionality is maintained, but power generation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful low-temperature effect (reduced power generation) into a benefit by using the electrolyser to generate additional hydrogen from water. This supplementary hydrogen compensates for the reduced electrochemical reaction efficiency at low temperatures, maintaining power output while preserving portable device usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fuel composition parameter by dynamically adjusting the hydrogen supply through electrolysis based on temperature conditions. At low temperatures, the electrolyser activates to increase hydrogen concentration in the fuel mixture, optimizing power generation under varying thermal parameters.
3Ease of operation
If fuel cell operates in low temperature environment, then portable device functionality is maintained, but time to reach peak power increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the electrolyser pre-generate hydrogen that can be immediately fed to the fuel cell when power demand increases. This pre-prepared hydrogen supply eliminates waiting time for fuel processing, allowing the system to reach peak power faster while maintaining portable device usability in low temperature conditions.
4Loss of energy
If electrolyser is added to recycle water, then fuel cell efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrolyser with the existing fuel cell system, integrating water recycling functionality into the portable device's power management architecture. The electrolyser shares the fuel processing pathway with the fuel cell, creating a combined system where water decomposition and fuel generation occur within the same operational framework, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyser serves multiple functions: it recycles waste water, generates supplementary hydrogen fuel, and provides temperature compensation. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component addition, improving overall system efficiency without requiring separate systems for each function.
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 electrolyser enhances fuel cell efficiency, increases power generation at high humidity and low temperatures, and reduces the time to reach peak power, making fuel cells more reliable and efficient in portable devices.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating an electrolyser within the portable device to recycle waste water into hydrogen and oxygen
Implementation Method 2
Fuel cells tend to provide higher energy densities than conventional batteries and may maintain operation with a continuous flow of fuel
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is directed at a method and apparatus for controlling fuel cell operating conditions. The apparatus includes a set of sensors for monitoring the fuel cell operating conditions and a processing unit, in communication with the set of sensors for determining when the fuel cell operating conditions are outside of an acceptable range. When it is determined that the fuel cell operating conditions are outside of the acceptable range, an electrolyzer is activated to electrolyze waste liquid water or water vapor to assist in controlling the fuel cell operating conditions.