Fuel Cell Hydrogen Supply Ratio Control for Heat Demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy management systems using fuel cells face inefficiencies in energy utilization, as either all heat energy must be converted from electrical energy when using renewable energy for hydrogen production or excess heat from methane reforming is wasted when demand is low.
Innovation Solution
An energy management system that dynamically controls the ratio of hydrogen supply from renewable energy-based water electrolysis and methane reforming, adjusting based on the percentage of heat energy and other energy types needed in a facility, and includes a control unit to optimize hydrogen supply from both sources for improved efficiency and heat reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If hydrogen is supplied to a fuel cell by causing a power generation apparatus that uses renewable energy to perform water electrolysis, then energy efficiency is improved when power is generated, but all heat energy used in the facility has to be provided by performing a conversion of electrical energy generated by the fuel cell
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two hydrogen supply systems (renewable energy-based water electrolysis and natural gas reforming) into a unified fuel cell energy supply system. The control unit dynamically adjusts the ratio of hydrogen from each source based on real-time heat and power demand, merging the advantages of both systems to simultaneously address energy efficiency and heat supply requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the hydrogen supply ratio from renewable energy and natural gas sources based on varying heat and power demand. The control unit continuously monitors facility needs and modifies the hydrogen mix in real-time, transitioning from static to dynamic operation to optimize both energy efficiency and heat utilization.
2Loss of energy
If hydrogen is supplied to a fuel cell by reforming methane contained in natural gas, then heat emitted in the reforming process can be used as heat energy used in the facility, but when demand for heat energy in the facility is low, the heat emitted in the reforming process is discharged without being used
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the natural gas reforming process by adjusting the hydrogen supply ratio from the reforming unit based on heat demand. When heat demand is high, the system increases reforming activity to maximize heat utilization; when heat demand is low, it reduces reforming and relies more on renewable energy-based hydrogen production, thereby adapting the parameter of heat emission to match demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit implements a feedback mechanism that monitors heat demand in the facility and adjusts the hydrogen supply ratio from the natural gas reforming process accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that heat emission from reforming is optimized to match actual heat demand, preventing waste while maintaining adaptability to varying conditions.
3Loss of energy
If the percentage of hydrogen supplied from the second hydrogen supply unit (natural gas reforming) is increased to reuse heat, then energy efficiency is improved, but reliability decreases when natural gas supply is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the hydrogen supply ratio parameter between the two sources based on both heat demand and supply reliability considerations. The control unit monitors natural gas supply status and adjusts the reforming hydrogen ratio accordingly, maintaining optimal heat utilization while ensuring continuous operation capability during supply disruptions.
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
Enhances energy efficiency by optimizing hydrogen supply from renewable energy when heat demand is low and reusing heat from methane reforming, and ensures continuous operation by switching to renewable energy during natural gas supply disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell configured to supply energy used in a facility
Implementation Method 2
a first hydrogen supply unit configured to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell by causing a power generation apparatus that uses renewable energy to perform water electrolysis
Implementation Method 3
a second hydrogen supply unit configured to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell by reforming natural gas supplied via a pipeline
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an energy management system capable of improving energy efficiency. The energy management system includes: a fuel cell configured to supply energy used in a facility; a first hydrogen supply unit configured to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell by causing a power generation apparatus that uses renewable energy to perform water electrolysis; a second hydrogen supply unit configured to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell by reforming natural gas supplied via a pipeline; and a control unit configured to determine a ratio between hydrogen supplied from the first hydrogen supply unit to the fuel cell and hydrogen supplied from the second hydrogen supply unit to the fuel cell. The control unit determines the ratio in accordance with a percentage of heat energy and energy other than the heat energy with respect to the energy used in the facility.