Integrated Air Conditioner for Fuel Cell Cathode Cooling and Humidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell systems, the limited space within vehicles poses a challenge for installing separate devices like air coolers and humidifiers to cool and humidify high-pressure air supplied to the cathode, which is essential for efficient operation at temperatures below 100°C.
Innovation Solution
An integrated air conditioner device that uses a body with tubes for heat exchange to cool and humidify air, incorporating a two-fluid nozzle for mixing air and water, and a recovery pipe to recirculate humidified air back to the air compressor, eliminating the need for separate cooling and humidification devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate air cooler and humidifier devices are installed to cool and humidify high-pressure air, then the air can be properly conditioned for the cathode, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air cooling function and humidification function into a single integrated device. The air conditioner includes both cooling elements (heat exchanger) and humidification elements (water injection device) within one unit, allowing simultaneous cooling and humidification of the air supplied to the cathode, thereby reducing device complexity and space requirements while maintaining proper air conditioning
2Temperature
If separate air cooler and humidifier devices are installed, then the air can be properly conditioned, but the installation space within the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air cooler and humidifier into a single integrated air conditioner unit, significantly reducing the installation space required within the vehicle. The combined device performs both cooling and humidification functions in one location, eliminating the need for separate device installations and reducing overall space occupation in the confined vehicle environment
3Device complexity
If high-pressure air is supplied directly to the cathode without cooling, then the system is simpler, but the fuel cell operation temperature exceeds the required 100°C limit
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated air conditioner combines cooling and humidification functions to properly condition the high-pressure air before it reaches the cathode. The heat exchanger cools the compressed air while the water injection device adds moisture, ensuring the air temperature is reduced below 100°C and humidity is increased to appropriate levels for optimal fuel cell operation
4Device complexity
If high-pressure air is supplied directly to the cathode without humidification, then the device complexity is reduced, but the polymer electrolyte membrane cannot maintain moderate moisture levels
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated air conditioner combines cooling and humidification functions to properly condition the high-pressure air before it reaches the cathode. The heat exchanger cools the compressed air while the water injection device adds moisture, ensuring the air temperature is reduced below 100°C and humidity is increased to appropriate levels for optimal fuel cell operation
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
Effectively cools and humidifies air to the required temperature and humidity levels for the cathode, enhancing fuel cell system operation without additional space requirements, thereby improving efficiency and reducing installation constraints.
Implementation Method 1
a two-fluid nozzle provided on one side of the inlet manifold and configured to eject compressed air and water to the space of the inlet manifold by supplying the compressed air, and the compressed air and the water are mixed with each other by the two-fluid nozzle or in the space of the inlet manifold, to form the fluid
Implementation Method 2
While the air supplied through the air inlet passes through the inner space, the air is cooled through heat exchange with the fluid flowing along the hollows of the tubes
Implementation Method 3
the air is cooled through heat exchange with the fluid flowing along the hollows of the tubes
Implementation Method 4
a portion of the air passing through the inner space of the body is introduced into the hollows of the tubes through the micro holes to heat the fluid within the hollows to evaporate water in the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner includes a body including an air inlet configured to receive air from an air compressor configured to press and transfer the air to provide the air to a cathode of a fuel cell stack. An air element is configured to supply the air to the cathode, and an inner space allows the air inlet and the air outlet to communicate with each other. A plurality of tubes is provided in the inner space of the body and through which fluid flows along hollows holes of the tubes. While the air supplied through the air inlet passes through the inner space, the air is cooled through heat exchange with the fluid flowing along the hollows of the tubes.