Fuel Cell Gas-Liquid Separator for Water Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

In fuel cell systems, excessive liquid water from the oxygen-containing gas inlet can enter the fuel cell, leading to decreased proton ion conductivity and output, and high fuel exhaust gas concentration, especially during startup at low temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A fuel cell system incorporating a humidifier and a gas liquid separator in the oxygen-containing gas inlet channel, where the gas liquid separator separates both the humidified oxygen-containing gas and fuel exhaust gas containing liquid water, preventing excessive water entry and utilizing the heat from the fuel exhaust gas reaction to warm the fuel cell rapidly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a humidifier is provided in the oxygen-containing gas inlet channel to humidify the oxygen-containing gas, then the moisture of the electrolyte membrane is maintained, but excessive liquid water may flow into the fuel cell and decrease proton ion conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproton ion conductivityVSAvoidexcessive liquid water entry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A gas-liquid separator is introduced as an intermediary component between the humidifier and the fuel cell. This separator removes excessive liquid water from the humidified oxygen-containing gas while allowing the gas to pass through, thereby preventing water flooding in the fuel cell while maintaining the beneficial humidification effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system controls the humidity parameter of the oxygen-containing gas by adjusting the operation of the humidifier and utilizing the gas-liquid separator to maintain optimal water content. This ensures the electrolyte membrane remains properly humidified without excessive liquid water accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If fuel exhaust gas containing liquid water is supplied to the fuel cell to produce heat for warming up, then the fuel cell can be warmed up rapidly, but excessive liquid water may enter the fuel cell and decrease output

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel cell temperatureVSAvoidfuel cell output

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gas-liquid separator acts as a mediator that allows the fuel exhaust gas to be used for heating while removing excessive liquid water before the gas enters the fuel cell, thus enabling thermal management without compromising electrical output

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the potentially harmful liquid water in fuel exhaust gas into a beneficial heating source by removing only the excessive liquid portion while retaining the thermal energy, which is then used to warm up the fuel cell during cold startup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If fuel exhaust gas is supplied to induce chemical reaction at cathode catalyst, then exhaust fuel gas concentration is suppressed, but liquid water from fuel exhaust gas may enter the fuel cell

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust fuel gas concentrationVSAvoidliquid water entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gas-liquid separator serves as an intermediary that removes liquid water from the fuel exhaust gas while allowing the gaseous components to proceed to the cathode catalyst for chemical reaction, thus achieving both water removal and exhaust gas treatment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 suppresses excessive water entry into the fuel cell, enables rapid warming, and reduces fuel exhaust gas concentration by using the fuel exhaust gas in chemical reactions, thereby improving the fuel cell's performance and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the gas liquid separator is configured to perform gas liquid separation of both of the oxygen-containing gas humidified by the humidifier and the fuel exhaust gas containing the liquid water guided from the fuel exhaust gas inlet channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas liquid separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

heat is produced by reaction induced by a cathode catalyst to warm up the fuel cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

reaction induced by a cathode catalyst

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 4

a humidifier for humidifying an oxygen-containing gas is provided in an oxygen-containing gas inlet channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHumidification: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11251442B2Fuel cell system

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A fuel cell system includes a gas liquid separator provided downstream of a humidifier in an oxygen-containing gas inlet channel, a fuel exhaust gas inlet channel for guiding a fuel exhaust gas containing liquid water discharged from a fuel cell stack to the gas liquid separator. The gas liquid separator performs gas liquid separation of both of an oxygen-containing gas humidified by the humidifier and the fuel exhaust gas containing the liquid water guided from the fuel exhaust gas inlet channel.