Fuel Cell Dilution Unit Mixing Exhaust With Air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-vehicle fuel cell systems face challenges in efficiently diluting and managing exhaust gases, leading to reduced hydrogen concentration and potential system inefficiencies due to the lack of effective gas mixing and dilution mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The on-vehicle fuel cell system incorporates a dilution unit with a stirring chamber and an opening for air intake, connected to a mixed exhaust gas discharge pipe that mixes and dilutes oxidant and fuel exhaust gases with external air, enhancing gas mixing and dilution efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If exhaust gas is discharged directly without dilution, then hydrogen concentration is maintained, but harmful emissions increase and environmental compliance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dilution container as an intermediary device between the fuel cell exhaust and the external environment. This container mixes exhaust gas with oxidation gas (air) to dilute the hydrogen concentration before discharge, thereby reducing harmful emissions while maintaining environmental compliance. The dilution container acts as a mediator that reconciles the conflict between maintaining hydrogen concentration and reducing harmful emissions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a dilution container is introduced to mix exhaust gas with oxidation gas, then harmful emissions are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the dilution container with the existing exhaust discharge system by integrating it into the gas discharge path. The container is positioned to receive exhaust gas from the fuel cell and mix it with oxidation gas from the oxidation gas exhaust pipe, combining multiple functions (exhaust discharge, dilution, and mixing) into a unified system structure that reduces overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dilution container serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a mixing chamber for exhaust and oxidation gases, a dilution device for reducing hydrogen concentration, and a flow regulation element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby minimizing device complexity while achieving the desired emission reduction.
3Productivity
If oxidation gas is discharged through a discharge hole into the dilution container, then gas mixing is achieved, but noise and vibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the discharge hole at a specific location within the dilution container to cushion the impact of oxidation gas injection. The container design includes flow guidance features that soften the turbulent mixing process, reducing noise and vibration generated during gas mixing while maintaining effective dilution and mixing 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
This configuration effectively dilutes fuel exhaust gases with external air, improving system efficiency by maintaining hydrogen concentration and reducing noise and vibration, while also providing a robust structure to withstand external loads without increasing weight or complexity.
Implementation Method 1
fuel exhaust gas discharged from a fuel cell via an fuel gas exhaust pipe is introduced into a dilation container via an exhaust gas inlet pipe. Oxidation gas fed via an oxidation gas exhaust pipe is guided into the dilution container via a dilution gas inlet pipe, and is discharged into the dilution container through a discharge hole. The fuel exhaust gas introduced via the exhaust gas inlet pipe is mixed and diluted with the oxidation gas discharged through the discharge hole to generate mixed gas.
Implementation Method 2
The fuel exhaust gas introduced via the exhaust gas inlet pipe is mixed and diluted with the oxidation gas discharged through the discharge hole to generate mixed gas. Then, the mixed gas is sucked into a suction hole of the dilution gas inlet pipe, and is mixed with oxidation gas also in the dilution gas inlet pipe. The mixed gas is transported to the outside of the dilution container.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell includes a cathode side and an anode side. An oxidant gas is fed to the cathode side. In the cathode side, an oxidant exhaust gas is generated by using the oxidant gas. A fuel gas is fed to the anode side. In the anode side, a fuel exhaust gas is generated by using the fuel gas. The oxidant exhaust gas and the fuel exhaust gas are discharged from an outlet of a mixed exhaust gas discharge pipe as a mixed exhaust gas. The dilution apparatus is connected to the outlet of the mixed exhaust gas discharge pipe. The dilution apparatus includes a stirring chamber and an opening. The stirring chamber communicates with the mixed exhaust gas discharge pipe and expands from the outlet of the mixed exhaust gas discharge pipe. The opening is provided in the stirring chamber to take in air.