Regenerative Fuel Cell Gas Routing Through Generated Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of alkaline water in the electrolysis process for fuel cells can lead to a reduction in the durability of the fuel cell due to the presence of alkaline water in the generated gas.
Innovation Solution
A regenerative fuel cell system is designed with a storage container to store generated water, which neutralizes alkaline water in the generated gas, and a gas flow path to guide the gas through this stored water, preventing alkaline water from reaching the fuel cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If alkaline water is supplied to the water electrolysis device, then electrolysis efficiency is improved, but the durability of the fuel cell deteriorates due to alkaline water contamination in the generated gas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces generated water as an intermediary substance between the water electrolysis device and the fuel cell. The gas flow path guides the generated gas through the generated water stored in the storage container, allowing the generated water to neutralize alkaline water vapor in the gas. This intermediary approach enables the use of alkaline water electrolysis while protecting the fuel cell from alkaline contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful alkaline water vapor in the generated gas into a beneficial neutralization process. By guiding the gas through generated water, the harmful alkaline components are neutralized, transforming a detrimental effect into a protective mechanism that extends fuel cell durability while maintaining electrolysis efficiency.
2Reliability
If a gas flow path through generated water is introduced, then fuel cell durability is protected from alkaline water, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The generated water serves multiple functions: it acts as a neutralizing agent for alkaline water vapor, serves as a liquid seal to prevent backflow, and functions as a buffer volume storage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while effectively protecting the fuel cell.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses generated water (a byproduct of fuel cell operation) to protect the fuel cell from alkaline contamination. The generated water automatically neutralizes alkaline water vapor in the gas flow path without requiring external intervention or additional chemical agents, making the protection mechanism self-sustaining and simplifying the overall system design.
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 durability of the fuel cell is maintained by neutralizing alkaline water, thereby preventing deterioration of the fuel cell components.
Implementation Method 1
the alkaline water can be neutralized by the generated water stored in the storage container
Implementation Method 2
a water electrolysis device configured to perform electrolysis of alkaline water
Data Source
AI summary
A regenerative fuel cell system includes a water electrolysis device for performing electrolysis of alkaline water, a fuel cell for performing power generation by using a generated gas that is a gas generated by the electrolysis, a storage container for storing generated water that is water generated by the power generation, and a gas flow path for guiding the generated gas to the fuel cell through the generated water stored in the storage container.