Direct Liquid Fuel Cell CO2 Bubble Suppression by Inert Gas Bubbling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Direct liquid fuel cells face reduced power generation efficiency due to carbon dioxide gas bubbles stagnating in the fuel electrode, hindering fuel diffusion and oxidation reactions, primarily caused by decreased solubility of carbon dioxide in the fuel at higher temperatures, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system that includes a bubbling device to reduce carbon dioxide concentration in the fuel by blowing an inert gas into the fuel tank, combined with a carbon dioxide removing device and a control system to adjust the inert gas flow rate, and pre-treating the fuel with heat to decrease its carbon dioxide solubility, thereby minimizing bubble formation and improving fuel flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the fuel temperature is increased to improve power generation efficiency, then the oxidation reaction rate increases, but the solubility of carbon dioxide in the fuel decreases causing bubble formation that hinders fuel diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the fuel before it enters the fuel electrode, and pre-introducing inert gas to displace carbon dioxide from the fuel in advance. This prevents bubble formation during the oxidation reaction by removing dissolved CO2 beforehand, allowing the fuel to be heated to optimal temperature without subsequent bubble stagnation issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an inert gas (nitrogen or argon) as an intermediary substance that displaces dissolved carbon dioxide from the fuel. The inert gas acts as a mediator that carries the released CO2 out of the fuel stream without reacting with the fuel or oxidation products, preventing bubble formation in the fuel electrode while allowing temperature increase for improved power generation.
2Ease of operation
If carbon dioxide concentration in the fuel is high, then the fuel can be stored and supplied easily, but carbon dioxide bubbles stagnate in the fuel electrode hindering oxidation reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts carbon dioxide from the fuel by introducing inert gas that displaces the dissolved CO2. The inert gas bubbles rise through the fuel, carrying dissolved CO2 with them to the surface where it is released into the atmosphere. This extraction process removes the harmful CO2 concentration while maintaining ease of fuel storage and supply operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of carbon dioxide in the fuel by introducing inert gas that reduces CO2 solubility and promotes its release. By controlling the flow rate and concentration of inert gas, the system optimizes the CO2 removal efficiency while maintaining proper fuel storage and supply conditions.
3Quantity of substance
If inert gas is blown into the fuel tank at high flow rate, then carbon dioxide concentration is reduced effectively, but the system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the inert gas flow rate adjustable rather than fixed. The flow rate can be dynamically changed based on operating conditions, fuel temperature, and CO2 concentration requirements. This allows optimization of CO2 removal efficiency while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption and system complexity during different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves self-service by using the heat generated from the fuel oxidation reaction itself to warm the incoming fuel, reducing the need for external heating energy. Additionally, the inert gas flow is optimized to use only the minimum required amount to achieve effective CO2 removal, reducing energy consumption and simplifying the control system.
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 reduces carbon dioxide concentration in the fuel, preventing bubble stagnation and enhancing power generation efficiency by ensuring continuous fuel diffusion and oxidation reactions, while also minimizing greenhouse gas discharge.
Implementation Method 1
the solubility of carbon dioxide with respect to the fuel decreases due to an increase in the temperature of the fuel due to the heat generation, so that the carbon dioxide dissolved in the fuel is not kept in the fuel in a dissolved condition and is generated from the fuel
Implementation Method 2
the solubility of carbon dioxide with respect to the fuel decreases due to an increase in the temperature of the fuel due to the heat generation
Implementation Method 3
pre-treating the fuel with heat to decrease its carbon dioxide solubility
Implementation Method 4
a fuel electrode that oxidizes a fuel
Implementation Method 5
direct liquid fuel cell in which a liquid fuel is directly supplied to a fuel electrode without being reformed
Implementation Method 6
an electrolyte membrane that performs ion conduction between the air electrode and the fuel electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system having a direct liquid fuel cell that uses a liquid containing a formic acid or an alcohol as a fuel includes: a fuel tank that stores the fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell; a fuel supply device that supplies the fuel in the fuel tank to the fuel cell; and a bubbling device that blows an inert gas into the fuel stored in the fuel tank.