Fuel Cell Cathode Pressure Control for Low Power Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to control the electric power output of fuel cells to less than a minimum level in environments where ambient air is thin or absent, such as in space and undersea industries, to ensure efficient operation and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system for controlling a fuel cell that includes a processor and memory to adjust the internal pressure of the cathode by regulating the supply of oxygen from an oxygen tank using an air compressor, allowing the fuel cell to operate at preset power levels below its reference value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the fuel cell operates at minimum reference power output, then the fuel cell maintains stable operation, but the electric power output cannot be reduced below this minimum level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the oxygen supply system into two independent paths: (1) oxygen from the oxygen tank through the air compressor, and (2) oxygen from the ambient environment through the cathode. This segmentation allows the system to control the total oxygen supply by adjusting the ratio between these two paths, enabling power output below the traditional minimum reference level while maintaining stable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by introducing an oxygen tank as an additional oxygen source and using an air compressor to regulate the oxygen flow rate from the tank. By adjusting the oxygen flow rate parameter from the tank independently of the ambient air intake, the system can achieve finer control over the total oxygen supply to the cathode, thereby enabling continuous power adjustment below the minimum reference power level.
2Power
If the oxygen supply is reduced to decrease electric power output, then the power consumption is reduced, but the internal pressure of the cathode becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the internal pressure of the cathode and adjusts the oxygen flow rate from the oxygen tank through the air compressor accordingly. When the internal pressure deviates from the preset pressure range, the controller modifies the oxygen supply from the tank to restore pressure stability, enabling independent control of power output and pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The air compressor acts as an intermediary device between the oxygen tank and the cathode. It provides precise control over the oxygen flow rate from the tank, allowing the system to adjust oxygen supply in a controlled manner while maintaining stable internal pressure in the cathode. The compressor's ability to regulate flow rate makes it an effective mediator in decoupling power output control from pressure instability.
3Power
If the air compressor is driven at high speed to increase oxygen supply, then the electric power output increases, but the energy consumption of the air compressor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using the air compressor only to supply a portion of the oxygen needed by the cathode, with the remaining oxygen coming from the ambient environment. The air compressor operates at reduced speed compared to conventional systems that rely solely on compressor-driven oxygen supply. This partial action approach reduces the energy consumption of the air compressor while still achieving the desired power output through the combined oxygen supply from both the tank and environment.
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 system effectively manages fuel cell output by adjusting oxygen supply and pressure to maintain efficient energy generation even in environments with limited air, enhancing energy efficiency and operational stability.
Implementation Method 1
adjusting, while driving an air compressor associated with the fuel cell, an amount of oxygen supplied from an oxygen tank to the cathode
Implementation Method 2
a fuel cell directly converts the energy of a fuel into electrical energy, and an electrolyte may be disposed between a cathode and an anode to oxidize hydrogen in an anode and reduce oxygen in a cathode
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling a fuel cell includes a fuel cell with an anode and a cathode, an oxygen tank that supplies oxygen to the cathode, and a processor. The processor enables the fuel cell, in response to a request to enable the fuel cell with preset electric power being less than a reference value of a stack included in the fuel cell, adjusts an internal pressure of a cathode to a preset pressure by adjusting an amount of oxygen supplied from the oxygen tank to the cathode while driving an air compressor included in the fuel cell, based on enabling of the fuel cell, and controls at least one of driving of the air compressor or a pressure of oxygen based on that the electric power being less than the reference value and more than the preset electric power while the fuel cell outputs the electric power by the preset pressure.