Fuel Cell Auxiliary Equipment Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell systems, surplus power generated at low temperatures can lead to the deterioration of auxiliary equipment when intermittently turned on and off to consume this power, as existing control systems fail to effectively manage power consumption and equipment operation.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes a fuel cell, a power storage device, and auxiliary equipment, with a controller that adjusts the timing and degree of power consumption by auxiliary equipment based on its temperature and the power storage state, ensuring gradual power reduction before predicted shutdown temperatures to prevent equipment deterioration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If auxiliary equipment is turned on and off intermittently to consume surplus power, then power consumption is managed, but equipment deterioration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary action by predicting the future temperature of auxiliary equipment and adjusting power consumption before the equipment reaches its shutdown temperature. This prevents forced shutdowns and reduces deterioration by proactively managing power consumption based on predicted temperature trends rather than reacting after temperature limits are approached.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the power consumption of auxiliary equipment based on real-time temperature information and predicted temperature trends. Instead of fixed on/off control, the power consumption is continuously modulated to maintain equipment temperature within safe operating ranges, reducing thermal stress and deterioration.
2Reliability
If auxiliary equipment operates continuously to avoid deterioration, then equipment reliability improves, but surplus power cannot be consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The controller changes the operating parameters of auxiliary equipment by adjusting power consumption levels based on temperature conditions. When equipment temperature is within safe ranges and surplus power is available, power consumption is increased to utilize surplus energy. When temperature approaches limits, power consumption is reduced to prevent shutdown, thus maintaining continuous operation while managing energy utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring auxiliary equipment temperature and using this information to adjust power consumption. The controller receives temperature feedback, predicts future temperature trends, and modifies power consumption accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that balances equipment reliability with surplus power consumption.
3Reliability
If power consumption is reduced before predicted shutdown temperature, then equipment deterioration is minimized, but power utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary power reduction before the equipment reaches its shutdown temperature by predicting future temperature trends. This allows the system to utilize surplus power more effectively by consuming it during periods when equipment temperature will remain safe, rather than conserving power unnecessarily. The preliminary action optimizes both equipment protection and power utilization by acting in advance based on temperature predictions.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a control system includes a fuel cell configured to generate electric power using an anode and a cathode, a power storage device capable of storing the electric power generated by the fuel cell, auxiliary equipment to which the electric power is able to be supplied, and a controller configured to control operations of the fuel cell and the auxiliary equipment. The controller performs control so that the electric power is consumed by the auxiliary equipment in accordance with a power storage state of the power storage device at the time of power generation of the fuel cell and adjusts one or both of a timing and a degree at which electric power to be consumed by the auxiliary equipment is limited on the basis of temperature information associated with the auxiliary equipment.