Fuel Cell Filter Gas-Water Separation Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel cell generator systems face challenges in efficiently storing hydrogen and separating water from discharged fluids, leading to high costs and low capacity, especially in water electrolysis-based methods.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell generator system incorporating a fuel cell filter with a gas-water separating membrane and water absorbent, along with a hydrogen tank, water tank, and water electrolysis device, which separates and stores hydrogen effectively, using electric energy from the fuel cell stack to generate hydrogen for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If water electrolysis-based hydrogen generating method is used, then hydrogen storage capability is improved, but installation cost increases and capacity/efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous hollow fiber membrane as the gas-water separating membrane. The porous structure enables selective permeation where hydrogen gas passes through while liquid water is blocked, achieving efficient hydrogen-water separation without requiring complex additional separation equipment, thus reducing installation cost while maintaining hydrogen storage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow fiber membrane utilizes a thin film structure that provides high surface area to volume ratio, enabling effective separation in a compact configuration. This thin film approach reduces the overall device complexity and installation cost while maintaining efficient hydrogen storage and separation functionality
2Quantity of substance
If water electrolysis-based hydrogen generating method is used, then hydrogen storage capability is improved, but capacity and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the hollow fiber membrane structure: hydrogen production from electrolysis, hydrogen-water separation, and hydrogen storage all occur within an integrated system. The membrane simultaneously separates hydrogen gas from liquid water while allowing efficient hydrogen storage, improving overall system capacity and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and separates only the necessary components - using the hollow fiber membrane to specifically separate hydrogen gas from the electrolyte solution. This selective extraction approach improves efficiency by focusing on the critical separation function without requiring additional complex processing steps
3Device complexity
If conventional fuel cell system is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but water separation efficiency from discharged fluid decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous hollow fiber membrane provides efficient water-gas separation through its porous structure that allows selective permeation. The pore size and structure are optimized to block liquid water while allowing hydrogen gas to pass through, achieving high separation efficiency without adding significant system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow fiber membrane acts as an intermediary component between the fuel cell stack and the storage system. It mediates the separation of hydrogen gas from liquid water in the discharged fluid, enabling efficient water separation while maintaining overall system simplicity through this single intermediate component
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 separates water from discharged fluids, improves hydrogen storage efficiency, and reduces the overall size of the generator system while maintaining compactness and efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-water separating membrane disposed in the internal space and configured to block a liquid fluid included in the fluid absorbed in the inlet port from flowing upwards
Implementation Method 2
a water absorbent disposed in the internal space and configured to absorb water included in a gaseous fluid passing through the gas-water separating membrane
Implementation Method 3
a water electrolysis device configured to supply, to the hydrogen tank, hydrogen generated by electrolyzing water transferred from the water tank
Implementation Method 4
A fuel cell generates electricity while forming water through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a fuel cell filter including a body including therein an internal space in which a fluid flows, an inlet port provided in the body and configured to receive a fluid discharged from a fuel cell stack, a gas-water separating membrane disposed in the internal space and configured to block a liquid fluid included in a fluid absorbed in the inlet port from flowing upwards, a discharge port provided in the body and configured to externally discharge the liquid fluid blocked in the gas-water separating membrane, a water absorbent disposed in the internal space and configured to absorb water included in a gaseous fluid passing through the gas-water separating membrane, and a gas outlet port provided in the body and configured to externally discharge gas separated in the gas-water separating membrane.