Fuel Cell Anode Pressure Pulsation Control for Flooding Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Anode gas pressure pulsation in fuel cell stacks can exacerbate flooding, leading to a reduction in power generation capacity due to insufficient anode gas supply when the pressure is reduced to the lower limit pressure, especially when the fuel cell stack is flooded with generated water.
Innovation Solution
An operation control device for a fuel cell power plant that includes an anode gas supply mechanism, sensors to detect power generation conditions, and a programmable controller to adjust the anode gas pressure pulsation between upper and lower limits, with the ability to correct the lower limit pressure upward when the hydrogen supply amount is insufficient to generate the target power, ensuring adequate anode gas supply during power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If anode gas pressure pulsation is performed to promote water discharge, then water removal efficiency is improved, but power generation capacity deteriorates due to insufficient anode gas supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the lower limit pressure variable rather than fixed. The lower limit pressure is dynamically adjusted based on the relationship between power generation capacity and hydrogen supply amount. When power generation capacity is insufficient relative to hydrogen supply, the lower limit pressure is increased to maintain adequate anode gas supply during pressure pulsation, thereby resolving the contradiction between water removal and power generation maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of lower limit pressure from a fixed value to a variable that adapts to operating conditions. By modifying the lower limit pressure parameter based on the ratio of power generation capacity to hydrogen supply amount, the system optimizes the balance between water discharge effectiveness and power generation capacity, preventing the harmful effect of flooding while maintaining sufficient power output.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If lower limit pressure is reduced to enhance water discharge, then water removal efficiency is improved, but anode gas supply amount decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the lower limit pressure dynamic by linking it to the hydrogen supply amount and power generation capacity. When hydrogen supply is high relative to power generation needs, the lower limit pressure can be reduced to enhance water discharge. When hydrogen supply is limited, the lower limit pressure is increased to ensure sufficient anode gas supply, thus dynamically balancing water removal and gas supply requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the relationship between power generation capacity and hydrogen supply amount, and using this information to adjust the lower limit pressure. This feedback mechanism ensures that the lower limit pressure is optimized in real-time to maintain both effective water removal and adequate anode gas supply according to actual operating 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 solution allows for quick recovery of power generation in fuel cell stacks even when flooding occurs, maintaining power output by ensuring sufficient anode gas supply through controlled pressure pulsation and adjustment of pressure limits, thereby preventing power reduction.
Implementation Method 1
promote the discharge of water generated in the fuel cell stack along a pressure gradient formed as the pressure falls during the pressure pulsation operation
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell power plant stops anode gas supply to a fuel cell stack 1 by an anode gas supply mechanism 20 when an anode gas pressure in the fuel cell stack 1 reaches an upper limit pressure, and resumes supplying the anode gas by the anode gas supply mechanism 20 when the anode gas pressure in the fuel cell stack 1 lowers to a lower limit pressure. A sensor 52-54 detects if a hydrogen supply amount supplied to the fuel cell stack 1 satisfies a required amount to generate a target generated power, and a controller 51 corrects the lower limit pressure in an increasing direction when the hydrogen supply amount does not satisfy the required amount, thereby suppressing a generated power of the fuel cell stack 1 from reducing even when a flooding takes place in the fuel cell stack 1.