Fuel Cell Anode Circulation Pump Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell systems, prolonged low-load operation can lead to liquid water accumulation, causing abnormal noise due to water biting in the circulation pump, especially during high rotation, which affects system reliability and user comfort.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system with a controller that manages the circulation flow rate to prevent liquid water accumulation by restricting the increasing rate of the circulation flow rate when water exceeds a specified threshold, allowing for controlled discharge and reducing noise generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the circulation pump operates at high rotation speed to discharge liquid water, then the liquid water discharge efficiency is improved, but abnormal noise is generated due to water biting
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary detection of liquid water presence in the circulation pump before high-speed operation. When liquid water is detected, the controller restricts the increasing rate of circulation flow rate in advance, preventing water biting and abnormal noise before they occur during high-speed rotation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the circulation pump operates at low rotation speed for prolonged low-load operation, then energy consumption is reduced, but liquid water accumulates in the circulation system
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the circulation system for liquid water presence and uses this feedback to adjust the circulation flow rate. When liquid water is detected during low-load operation, the controller increases the circulation flow rate to discharge the water, creating a closed-loop control system that balances energy consumption with water discharge effectiveness.
3Speed
If the circulation flow rate is increased rapidly to discharge liquid water, then the water discharge speed is improved, but water biting occurs in the circulation pump
Solution Approach 1:
The controller detects liquid water presence before initiating high-speed discharge and restricts the increasing rate of circulation flow rate in advance. This preliminary restriction prevents water from being sucked into the circulation pump during the transition to high-speed operation, eliminating water biting while maintaining effective water discharge.
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 solution effectively suppresses abnormal noise and ensures reliable operation by preventing water biting in the circulation pump, maintaining system performance and user comfort during varying load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation device provided on the anode gas circulation flow path and serving for supplying the anode off gas to the anode gas supply flow path
Implementation Method 2
there are cases where liquid water resides as a result of condensation due to temperature differences between the fuel cell and the circulation pump
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell; an anode gas supply flow path for supplying an anode gas to the fuel cell; an anode gas discharge flow path for discharging an anode off gas from the fuel cell; an anode gas circulation flow path for connecting the anode gas supply flow path and the anode gas discharge flow path to each other; a circulation device provided on the anode gas circulation flow path and serving for supplying the anode off gas to the anode gas supply flow path; and a controller. When liquid water is residing in the circulation device, the controller controls a circulation flow rate of the circulation device to discharge the liquid water residing in the circulation device. The controller restricts an increasing rate of the circulation flow rate of the circulation device if it is decided that a quantity of the liquid water residing in the circulation device is equal to or more than a specified value.