Fuel Cell Device Heat Exchange Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell devices face challenges in effectively distributing heat to component units, leading to temperature imbalances and increased heat radiation, which affects power generation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The fuel cell device is configured with separate space areas for different component units, utilizing a first and second air heat exchanger to isolate heat exchange with the air for power generation, reducing external heat radiation and enabling precise temperature control of air and components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heat exchange is performed between combustion exhaust gas and air for power generation in existing fuel cell devices, then power generation efficiency is improved, but heat radiation to the outside increases and temperature control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The housing internal space is divided into a first space area and a second space area. The first space area contains the reformer and is covered by a first air supply path through which air flows. The second space area contains the fuel cell and is covered by a second air supply path through which air flows. This segmentation isolates heat exchange in each zone, allowing efficient heat utilization while reducing uncontrolled heat radiation to the outside.
2Use of energy by moving object
If heat exchange is performed between combustion exhaust gas and air for power generation, then energy utilization is improved, but temperature control of air and components becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Different air supply paths are provided for different space areas with different thermal requirements. The first air supply path heats air for the reformer zone using combustion exhaust gas, while the second air supply path heats air for the fuel cell zone using off-gas from the fuel cell. This localized heat exchange approach enables precise temperature control in each component zone while maximizing energy utilization from the exhaust gases.
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 reduces heat radiation to the outside, allows for accurate temperature control of air and components, and enhances power generation efficiency by effectively utilizing heat for maintaining appropriate temperatures within the fuel cell device.
Implementation Method 1
a first air heat exchanger that has a combustion exhaust gas path through which the combustion exhaust gas flows and a first air supply path through which the air for power generation flows, and that heats the air for power generation by heat exchange between the combustion exhaust gas and the air for power generation
Implementation Method 2
a second air heat exchanger that has a second air supply path which supplies the air for power generation, which has flowed through the first air supply path, to the fuel cell, and that heats the air for power generation by heat exchange between the off-gas of the air for power generation which flows in the fuel cell storage and the air for power generation which flows through the second air supply path
Implementation Method 3
a combustor that combusts both an off-gas of the reformed gas and an off-gas of the air for power generation discharged from the fuel cell, and generates a combustion exhaust gas which serves as a heat source of the reformer
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell device includes: a reformer that generates a reformed gas; a fuel cell; a combustor that combusts off-gas of the reformed gas and air for power generation, and generates a combustion exhaust gas; a first air heat exchanger that has a combustion exhaust gas path and a first air supply path, and that performs heat exchange between the combustion exhaust gas and the air for power generation; a fuel cell storage which stores the fuel cell; a second air heat exchanger that has a second air supply path that supplies the air for power generation to the fuel cell, and that performs heat exchange between the off-gas of the air for power generation and the air for power generation; and a housing that stores members. The first air supply path and the second air supply path are disposed to cover whole members stored in the housing.