Fuel Cell Fluid Circulator Anti-Stick Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell systems face operational failures due to freezing of fluid circulating devices, which can lead to sticking and non-operation, especially during prolonged non-use or low temperatures, and this issue is not adequately addressed by existing solutions designed for temperature control devices.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system with a forcible drive mechanism that periodically activates the fluid circulating device during operation trips, detects temperature and impedance conditions to prevent forced driving when high, and measures background noise to determine suitable driving times, thereby preventing sticking and maintaining system functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fluid circulating device is not operated during prolonged non-use, then the operation time of the fuel cell system is reduced, but the device becomes frozen or stuck due to freezing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs preliminary action by forcibly driving the fluid circulating device during steady operation to prevent freezing and sticking before the problem occurs. This is done by detecting steady operation states and activating the fluid circulating device in advance, rather than waiting for freezing to occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid circulating device is operated periodically during steady operation trips rather than continuously. The control device counts operation trips and forcibly drives the device at predetermined intervals, providing periodic maintenance operation that prevents freezing while minimizing impact on overall system operation time.
2Reliability
If the fluid circulating device is forcibly driven continuously, then the device remains unfrozen and operational, but the operation time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the fluid circulating device is operated periodically at predetermined intervals during steady operation trips. The control device manages the number of operation trips and forcibly drives the device only when needed, reducing overall operation time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating parameters of the fluid circulating device are changed based on system conditions. The control device adjusts the driving frequency and timing according to the number of operation trips and steady operation states, optimizing the balance between reliability and operation time loss.
3Reliability
If the fluid circulating device is forcibly driven during operation, then sticking is prevented, but noise is generated and fuel cells may dry out
Solution Approach 1:
The control device uses feedback from detecting steady operation states and operation trip counts to determine when to forcibly drive the fluid circulating device. This feedback mechanism ensures driving occurs only under appropriate conditions that minimize noise impact and prevent fuel cell drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device changes operational parameters by selecting specific timing for forced driving based on steady operation detection. This parameter adjustment ensures the fluid circulating device is driven when system conditions are favorable, minimizing harmful effects while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
In a fuel cell system, it is possible to suppress fixation of a fluid circulating device arranged in a fluid passage connected to a fuel cell main body. The fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell stack, a system main body having respective elements for supplying a fuel gas and respective elements for supplying an oxidizing gas, and a control device. The control device includes a fluid circulating device drive processing unit having a function to forcibly drive the fluid circulating device after determining, based on a judgment related to one or more of a non-use time, an operation state of the system main body, a membrane impedance state of a fuel cell, a temperature of the fuel cell stack, and a background noise, whether or not forced driving to suppress sticking of the fluid circulating device is preferable at that time.