Fuel Cell System with Gastight Container for Cryogenic Hydrogen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel cell systems using cryogenic working fluids, such as liquid hydrogen, face high energy requirements and safety concerns due to gas release during refilling, and the low density of hydrogen makes storage challenging, necessitating high pressures or volumes, which complicates safe and efficient power supply, especially in large-scale applications like ship or train refueling.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system comprising a gastight outer container with a storage vessel, a gasification device (such as a vaporizer or gas heater), and a control unit to manage the flow of liquefied cryogenic fluids, ensuring the system is sealed to prevent leaks, and incorporating a fuel cell arrangement, power cable, and sensors to monitor and control operational parameters, allowing for efficient energy generation and safe handling of hydrogen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If liquid hydrogen is stored in tanks and released multiple times with compression, then power can be supplied to vehicles, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-gasifies liquid hydrogen in a gasification chamber before storage, converting it to gaseous form in advance. This eliminates the need for repeated compression and gasification during power supply cycles, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining continuous power capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains a continuous supply of gaseous hydrogen in the storage chamber through preliminary gasification, enabling uninterrupted power generation without cyclic compression and release operations, thereby reducing overall energy demand
2Quantity of substance
If liquid hydrogen is released during refilling process, then storage can be replenished, but gas release creates safety risks in regulated environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the refilling operation from the point-of-use location by incorporating a complete refilling system within the vehicle. Liquid hydrogen is refilled directly into the storage chamber through the gasification chamber, eliminating the need for external gas release and compression operations at refilling stations
Solution Approach 2:
The gasification chamber serves as an intermediary between the liquid hydrogen storage and gaseous hydrogen supply. It enables direct liquid-to-gas conversion within the system, eliminating the need for external gas handling and compression infrastructure that creates safety risks
3Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored as gas at high pressure or volume, then storage capacity is achieved, but system complexity and safety requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state parameter of hydrogen from liquid to gas through controlled gasification, and maintains gaseous hydrogen at manageable pressure levels in the storage chamber. This approach achieves adequate storage density without requiring extreme compression ratios or excessive volume, simplifying the overall storage 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 system reduces energy consumption, minimizes gas release risks, and provides a safe, efficient power supply by converting liquefied hydrogen into vapor for fuel cells, ensuring consistent power delivery while eliminating the need for dangerous gas handling and complex safety measures, suitable for various applications from vehicles to remote locations.
Implementation Method 1
a gasification device coupled to the storage vessel... converting a liquefied gas into at least a flow of vapourised gas
Implementation Method 2
a fuel cell arrangement coupled to the vapouriser... generating electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising an outer container, defining an enclosed chamber. Inside the enclosed chamber are provided: a storage vessel for storing a cryogenically liquefied working fluid, a gasification device coupled to the storage vessel, a fuel cell arrangement coupled to the gasification device, and a control unit configured to control flow between the components within the enclosed chamber. A power cable is provided which is coupled at one end to the fuel cell arrangement and extending through an exterior wall of the outer chamber such that a second end of the cable extends outside the chamber. The enclosed chamber is substantially sealed such that in use, leaking of the working fluid is substantially prevented.