Fuel Cell Anode Flow Plates with Variable Condensation Zone Capacities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell assemblies experience uneven cooling, leading to differing temperatures among cells, which results in higher acid loss rates in hotter cells and potential flooding in colder cells, limiting efficiency and lifespan.
Innovation Solution
The anode flow plates in a fuel cell assembly have varying flow channel capacities, cross-sectional areas, and surface roughness depending on their proximity to coolers, allowing for differential cooling and reducing acid transfer between cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If coolers are introduced to manage temperature in fuel cell assemblies, then temperature management is improved, but uneven cooling occurs causing higher acid loss in hotter cells and potential flooding in colder cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the flow channel characteristics (cross-sectional area, number of channels, surface roughness) in different zones of the anode flow plate according to the local temperature conditions. Cells closer to coolers have different flow channel configurations compared to cells farther away, creating locally optimized flow resistance that compensates for temperature differences and reduces acid loss in hotter cells.
2Temperature
If the number of coolers is increased to provide more uniform cooling, then temperature uniformity is improved, but device complexity and space utilization worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the flow channels (cross-sectional area, number of channels, surface roughness) in the anode flow plate to compensate for temperature non-uniformity. Instead of adding more coolers, the system modifies the flow resistance parameters locally to achieve more uniform acid distribution and reduce acid loss without increasing device complexity.
3Loss of substance
If flow channel capacity is increased in colder cells, then acid loss from hotter cells is reduced, but flooding risk in colder cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different flow channel configurations in different zones. Colder cells have flow channels with greater cross-sectional area or higher surface roughness to increase flow resistance and reduce flooding risk, while hotter cells have flow channels with smaller cross-sectional area or lower surface roughness to reduce flow resistance and minimize acid loss. Each zone is locally optimized for its specific temperature conditions.
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 configuration minimizes acid loss from hotter cells and prevents flooding in colder cells, enhancing overall fuel cell efficiency and extending the assembly's useful life.
Implementation Method 1
The flow channels of the anode flow plate in the condensation zone of the first one of the cells have a first flow capacity. The flow channels of the anode flow plate of the second one of the cells that are in the condensation zone have a second flow capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative example fuel cell assembly includes a plurality of cells respectively including at least an electrolyte layer, an anode flow plate on one side of the electrolyte layer, and a cathode flow plate on an opposite side of the electrolyte layer. At least one cooler is situated adjacent a first one of the cells. The cooler is closer to that first one of the cells than it is to a second one of the cells. The cathode flow plates respectively include a plurality of flow channels and the anode flow plates respectively include a plurality of flow channels. The anode flow plates respectively include some of the flow channels in a condensation zone of the fuel cell assembly. The flow channels of the anode flow plate in the condensation zone of the first one of the cells have a first flow capacity. The flow channels of the anode flow plate of the second one of the cells that are in the condensation zone have a second flow capacity. The second flow capacity is greater than the first flow capacity.