Fuel Cell Air Supply Cooling for Temperature and Humidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell systems face inefficiencies in electric energy generation due to the need for precise temperature and humidity control of compressed air supplied to the fuel cell, which is not adequately addressed by current air supply systems.
Innovation Solution
An air supply system with an air supply device and indoor temperature adjustment device, utilizing heat exchange air and operation control information to regulate air temperature and humidity, including components like air compressors, coolers, humidifiers, and a controller to optimize air conditions for the fuel cell stack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external air is compressed and cooled using only conventional cooling methods, then the air temperature can be reduced, but the fuel cell power generation efficiency cannot be optimized due to inadequate temperature and humidity control
Solution Approach 1:
The air cooling process is divided into two distinct stages: first, the air cooler cools the compressed air using cooling water; second, the heat exchanger further cools the air using heat exchange air from the indoor temperature adjustment device. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its cooling function, achieving the target temperature range (60-70°C) required for fuel cell operation and thereby improving power generation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange air from the indoor temperature adjustment device serves as an intermediary cooling medium in the heat exchanger. This intermediary allows indirect cooling of the power generation air, enabling precise temperature control through heat transfer from the first cooling medium (cooling water) via the intermediary (heat exchange air) to the target medium (compressed air), thus optimizing both temperature and humidity control.
2Device complexity
If the air supply system uses simple cooling without humidity control, then the system complexity is reduced, but the fuel cell efficiency cannot be improved because both temperature and humidity must be maintained within specific ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The indoor temperature adjustment device is designed to perform multiple functions: it cools external air to generate heat exchange air for the heat exchanger, and it can also directly supply cooled air to the air supply device. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle both temperature control and humidity management, reducing the need for separate dedicated components while ensuring both temperature and humidity remain within optimal ranges for fuel cell operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The air supply device and indoor temperature adjustment device are integrated into a coordinated system where the heat exchanger combines the cooling effects of cooling water (from the air cooler) and heat exchange air (from the indoor temperature adjustment device). This merging of cooling mechanisms allows simultaneous control of temperature and humidity through a unified system architecture, improving fuel cell efficiency without requiring entirely separate control systems.
3Productivity
If the heat exchanger uses heat exchange air at ambient temperature, then the cooling capacity is sufficient under normal conditions, but when external air temperature exceeds a calculated threshold, the power generation air temperature cannot be reduced to the required level
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of the indoor temperature adjustment device based on external air temperature conditions. When the external air temperature exceeds the threshold value (T ACL,out -1/η*(T ACL,out - T AHF,in )), the controller activates the indoor temperature adjustment device to cool external air and supply it as heat exchange air. This dynamic response ensures the heat exchanger maintains sufficient cooling capacity under varying environmental conditions, keeping the power generation air temperature within the required range for optimal fuel cell performance.
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 system improves fuel cell power generation efficiency by maintaining optimal temperature and humidity levels of supplied air, enhancing energy production performance.
Implementation Method 1
an air cooler configured to cool the air compressed by the air compressor using cooling water
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger configured to cool the air cooled by the air cooler using the heat exchange air
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
There is provided an air supply system and method for a fuel cell, the air supply system includes an air supply device configured to reduce a temperature of compressed air using heat exchange air and to provide the cooled air as power generation air to a fuel cell stack, and an indoor temperature adjustment device configured to provide external air as the heat exchange air to the air supply device or to cool the external air to provide the cooled external air as the heat exchange air to the air supply device, based on operation control information.