Fuel Cell Air Cleaning for Dusty Work Machine Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In work sites with high dust levels, such as mines and construction sites, dust intrusion into fuel cells poses a challenge for fuel cell systems, as existing technologies struggle to effectively control dust ingress when large amounts of dust are present in the atmospheric space.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system equipped with an outside air introduction member, an air cleaner device that brings outside air into contact with liquid, and a fuel cell, where the cleaned air is supplied, effectively removing dust from the air before it reaches the fuel cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wet filter is arranged in the oxidant gas supply path of the fuel cell main body, then dust intrusion into the fuel cell is controlled, but the filtering effectiveness is insufficient when large amounts of dust exist in the atmospheric space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pre-filter as an intermediary component arranged between the air cleaner and the fuel cell. This pre-filter captures dust particles that pass through the air cleaner, providing an additional layer of protection. The pre-filter acts as a mediator that handles the harmful dust particles before they reach the fuel cell, thereby improving dust intrusion control effectiveness in high-dust environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a preliminary filtration stage using the pre-filter before the main fuel cell operation. By arranging the pre-filter in advance in the oxidant gas supply path, dust particles are captured preliminarily before entering the fuel cell. This preliminary action ensures that even when large amounts of dust exist in the atmospheric space, the fuel cell is protected from direct exposure to these particles.
2Reliability
If air cleaner devices are used to remove dust from air, then dust is captured before reaching the fuel cell, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air cleaning function into two distinct components: an air cleaner device and a pre-filter. The air cleaner device performs primary dust removal by bringing outside air into contact with liquid, while the pre-filter provides secondary filtration. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, maintaining dust removal effectiveness while making the overall system more manageable and less complex than a single monolithic device.
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 efficiently prevents dust from entering the fuel cell, ensuring reliable operation even in environments with high dust concentrations by utilizing a liquid-based air cleaner device that captures dust, thereby maintaining the fuel cell's performance and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
an air cleaner device that causes air outside the work machine, the air being introduced from the outside air introduction port, to come into contact with liquid
Implementation Method 2
causes air outside the work machine, the air being introduced from the outside air introduction port, to come into contact with liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system mounted on a work machine includes an outside air introduction member including an outside air introduction port, an air cleaner device that causes air outside the work machine, the air being introduced from the outside air introduction port, to come into contact with liquid, and a fuel cell to which the air after the contact with the liquid and fuel gas are supplied.