Fuel Cell Electric Heater Coolant Circulation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing control method for fuel cell systems fails to adequately consume surplus power generated during regenerative operations or warming-up, as it aggressively reduces power consumption at temperatures below the coolant's decomposition temperature, leading to a lack of a secure power destination for the electric heater.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system with a controller that circulates coolant from the fuel cell cooling system to the heater cooling system when the coolant temperature falls within a range where power consumption of the electric heater changes abruptly, thereby preventing abrupt decreases in power consumption and securing a power destination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power to the electric heater is aggressively suppressed in a temperature range not lower than a predetermined set temperature (to protect associated parts), then the temperature control reliability is improved, but the power consumption of the electric heater decreases abruptly causing surplus power to cannot be sufficiently consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cooling water circulation path configurable and adjustable based on operating conditions. The system dynamically switches between different circulation modes (bypass mode for temperature protection, consumption mode for power utilization) depending on the heater temperature and power consumption characteristics, allowing the system to adapt to varying operational requirements rather than using a fixed control strategy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of cooling water circulation configuration based on temperature and power consumption conditions. By monitoring the heater temperature and power consumption, the system adjusts the circulation path configuration (bypassing the heater vs. circulating through the heater) to optimize both temperature control and power utilization, effectively managing the trade-off between reliability and energy consumption
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the temperature of cooling water is controlled to be 100°C or lower (decomposition temperature), then the safety of associated parts is improved, but surplus power from regenerative operation or warming-up cannot be sufficiently consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the cooling water circulation configuration based on real-time temperature and power consumption conditions. When the heater temperature is below the set temperature and power consumption is in the abrupt decrease range, the system switches to a mode that allows circulating cooling water through the heater to maximize power consumption, thereby dynamically optimizing both safety and energy utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of cooling water circulation path based on temperature thresholds and power consumption characteristics. By adjusting the circulation configuration (bypass vs. through-heater) according to monitored parameters, the system enables sufficient consumption of surplus power while maintaining cooling water temperature below decomposition temperature
3Measurement precision
If coolant is circulated from fuel cell cooling system to heater cooling system to cool the electric heater, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the cooling water circulation system to serve multiple functions through a single integrated configuration. The same cooling water circulation path and control mechanism are used for both temperature protection (bypass mode) and power consumption optimization (through-heater mode), eliminating the need for separate cooling systems and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise temperature control
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 approach ensures that the electric heater is not driven in a temperature range where power consumption decreases abruptly, effectively securing a power-consuming destination for the fuel cell system by managing coolant circulation based on predetermined temperature thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
when the temperature of the coolant in the heater cooling system falls within a temperature range where the power consumption of the electric heater changes abruptly, the coolant is circulated from the fuel cell cooling system into the heater cooling system to cool the electric heater
Implementation Method 2
A fuel cell system is a power generation system which oxidizes fuel by an electrochemical process to directly convert, into electric energy, energy discharged with the oxidizing reaction
Implementation Method 3
a polymer electrolyte membrane for selectively transporting hydrogen ions
Implementation Method 4
operating an electric heater to consume surplus power of a fuel cell
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to prevent the temperature of an electric heater from being higher than or equal to a temperature at which control to reduce power consumption is started to prevent an abrupt decrease in the power consumption of the electric heater in order to secure a power consuming destination of a fuel cell. A fuel cell system 10 includes: a fuel cell 20 that receives the supply of reactant gas to generate power; a fuel cell cooling system 30 for circulating a coolant through the fuel cell 20 to cool the fuel cell 20; an electric heater 40 operated to consume power of the fuel cell 20 and driven to decrease power consumption abruptly at a temperature lower than a decomposition temperature of the coolant; and a heater cooling system 50 for circulating the coolant around the electric heater 40 to cool the electric heater 40. In a control method therefor, when the temperature of the coolant in the heater cooling system 50 falls within a temperature range where the power consumption of the electric heater 40 changes abruptly, the coolant is circulated from the fuel cell cooling system 30 into the heater cooling system 50 to cool the electric heater 40.