Fuel Cell End Plate Coolant Circulation for Uniform Stack Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell stacks experience non-uniform temperature distribution, leading to reduced performance and ion conductivity, especially when temperatures drop below freezing, due to coolant temperature decrease as it flows towards the end plate, causing a decrease in reaction activity and ion conductivity.
Innovation Solution
A heating device for the end plate of a fuel cell stack incorporates a coolant circulator within the end plate to circulate high temperature coolant from the coolant outlet manifold, transferring thermal energy to the end plate and adjacent unit cells, maintaining uniform temperature distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If coolant flows through the coolant outlet manifold to cool unit cells, then cooling effect is achieved, but temperature decreases towards the end plate causing non-uniform temperature distribution
Solution Approach 1:
A heating device is introduced as an intermediary component between the coolant outlet manifold and the end plate. This device receives high-temperature coolant from the outlet manifold and uses it to heat the end plate, preventing temperature drop and maintaining uniform temperature distribution in the unit cells adjacent to the end plate.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the coolant by introducing a heating device that utilizes high-temperature coolant from the outlet manifold. This parameter change transforms the coolant's thermal energy into heating capability, counteracting the temperature drop that would otherwise occur near the end plate.
2Temperature
If end plate is heated to maintain temperature, then temperature uniformity improves, but additional heating system complexity is required
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device serves multiple functions: it receives coolant from the outlet manifold, utilizes the coolant's thermal energy to heat the end plate, and maintains uniform temperature distribution. By integrating these functions into a single device, the system avoids the need for separate heating components, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating device utilizes the high-temperature coolant from the outlet manifold as a self-contained heat source. The coolant's own thermal energy is harnessed to heat the end plate, eliminating the need for external heating sources or additional energy input systems.
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 coolant circulator effectively reduces and prevents temperature decreases in unit cells adjacent to the end plate, ensuring a uniform temperature distribution and maintaining the performance of the fuel cell stack within a predetermined range.
Implementation Method 1
transferred to the end plate and unit cells adjacent to the end plate
Implementation Method 2
a coolant circulator provided within the end plate so that all or part of the high temperature coolant flowing through a coolant outlet manifold flows through the coolant circulator
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a heating device for an end plate of a fuel cell stack, which can prevent a decrease in temperature of unit cells around the ends of the fuel cell stack by providing a structure for circulating high temperature coolant discharged from the fuel cell stack in the end plate. Non-uniform temperature distribution in the fuel cell stack can thereby be prevented. In particular, a heating device for an end plate of a fuel cell stack is provided wherein high temperature coolant flowing from the upstream of a coolant outlet manifold to the downstream is allowed to circulate through the inside of the end plate and to be discharged to the outside such that the thermal energy of the coolant is supplied to the end plate and, at the same time, transferred to unit cells adjacent to the end plate.