Fuel Cell Module Cooling Using Condensed Water Evaporation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fuel cell cooling systems in vehicles face inefficiencies in high temperature/high load conditions, leading to high energy consumption by ventilation means, reducing the overall system efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a cooling system that utilizes condensed water from the fuel cell module to cool the heat exchanger and airflow via evaporation, optimizing the use of ventilation and pumping means through calculated water amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the cooling system uses a radiator with ventilation means to cool the fuel cell, then the cooling capacity is improved, but the energy consumption increases considerably in high temperature/high load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor (evaporation) to achieve cooling. Condensed water from the fuel cell is sprayed onto the radiator surface, where it evaporates and absorbs heat, thereby cooling the coolant without requiring high-energy ventilation means. This phase change cooling mechanism directly addresses the contradiction by providing effective cooling capacity while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the condensed water produced by the fuel cell itself to cool the radiator, creating a self-service cooling mechanism. The waste heat and condensed water from the fuel cell operation are reused for cooling purposes, reducing the need for external energy input and improving overall system efficiency.
2Temperature
If the cooling system increases ventilation to maintain cooling capacity in high temperature conditions, then the cooling performance is improved, but the global efficiency of the system decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing evaporative cooling through phase transition of water, the system achieves effective cooling performance without increasing ventilation intensity. The evaporation process occurs naturally at the radiator surface, providing sufficient cooling capacity in high temperature conditions while maintaining low energy consumption and high global system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the waste condensed water from the fuel cell into a useful cooling resource. This waste product, which would otherwise be discarded, is now utilized to cool the radiator through evaporation, turning a byproduct into a beneficial cooling medium that enhances overall system 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
Enhances cooling efficiency by reducing the energy required for ventilation, maintaining optimal fuel cell temperatures, and optimizing energy consumption across varying operational conditions.
Implementation Method 1
In order to cool the heat exchanger and the airflow impacting through the latter, the calculated amount of the condensed water is spilled on a surface of the heat exchanger or in an evaporative cooler interposed in the airflow between the ventilation means and the heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
AI summary
Vehicle (1) comprising a fuel cell traction system (2) provided with at least a fuel cell module (3) and a cooling system (10) configured to allow the circulation of a coolant to the fuel cell module (3) to maintain the latter in predetermined temperature range, such fuel cell module (3) being fluidly connected to a heat exchanger (11) via at least a conduit (14) configured to spill at least part of the condensed water generated from the fuel cell module (3) thereby collecting the condensed water to the heat exchanger (11) to cool this latter.