Fuel Cell Stack Enclosure Ventilation Using Bypass Air Circulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell systems face challenges in effectively ventilating the separation space between the fuel cell stack and the enclosure, leading to condensate water accumulation, which can cause electrical connections and damage to components, and require additional fans for ventilation, complicating the structure and design.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system design that includes a bypass line and circulation line to ventilate the separation space, allowing air to be supplied to the enclosure before circulating back to the air supply line, bypassing the compressor, and incorporating a cooler to manage airflow and prevent component damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fan is added to ventilate the separation space, then ventilation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the air compressor itself to provide ventilation to the separation space through a bypass line, eliminating the need for a separate fan. The air compressor's output air is directed through the bypass line into the separation space, allowing the existing component to serve dual purposes: both compressing air for the fuel cell stack and ventilating the enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The air compressor is designed to perform multiple functions: it compresses air for the fuel cell stack through the main air supply line and simultaneously ventilates the separation space through the bypass line. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the system.
2Reliability
If air is circulated from the upstream side of the compressor, then ventilation is achieved, but compressor efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass line is positioned to receive air from the downstream side of the compressor (after compression), allowing the ventilation function to utilize already-compressed air. This prevents the compressor from working twice on the same air volume and maintains compressor efficiency while achieving effective ventilation.
3Productivity
If the bypass line is positioned before the cooler, then ventilation flow rate is increased, but air compressor efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler acts as an intermediary component between the bypass line and the circulation line. By positioning the bypass line before the cooler, the system achieves higher ventilation flow rates while the cooler manages the thermal aspects, and the circulation line returns air to the downstream side of the compressor, maintaining efficiency.
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
Effectively ventilates the separation space, maintains airflow efficiency, prevents component damage, simplifies the structure, and ensures reliable air supply without additional fans, while meeting waterproofing standards.
Implementation Method 1
a cooler disposed in the air supply line, positioned at a downstream side of the air compressor, and configured to cool the air having passed through the air compressor
Implementation Method 2
a bypass line having one end disposed between the air compressor and the cooler and connected to the air supply line, and the other end connected to a separation space between the fuel cell stack and the enclosure
Implementation Method 3
a circulation line having one end connected to the separation space, and the other end disposed at a downstream side of the cooler and connected to the air supply line
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack, an enclosure surrounding the fuel cell stack, an air supply line connected to the fuel cell stack and configured to supply air to the fuel cell stack, an air compressor disposed in the air supply line and configured to compress and supply air, a cooler disposed in the air supply line, positioned at a downstream side of the air compressor, and configured to cool the air having passed through the air compressor, a bypass line having one end disposed between the air compressor and the cooler and connected to the air supply line, the other end connected to a separation space between the fuel cell stack and the enclosure, and a circulation line having one end connected to the separation space, the other end disposed at a downstream side of the cooler and connected to the air supply line.