Fuel Cell System Hydrogen Recirculation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell systems experience energy loss and reduced durability due to high electrical potential when not under load, leading to decreased performance and catalyst deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system with a hydrogen circulating pump and control means that recirculates unused hydrogen gas and discontinues oxidizing agent gas supply when hydrogen gas supply is stopped, using generated electrical energy to power the pump and consume residual oxygen, thereby reducing energy loss and maintaining optimal potential.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If hydrogen gas supply to the fuel cell is discontinued during idling or light load operation, then energy loss from consuming surplus electrical power is reduced, but the high electrical potential condition persists causing catalyst deterioration and reduced fuel cell durability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the oxidizing agent gas from the system when hydrogen supply is discontinued. By stopping oxidizing agent gas supply during idling or light load conditions, the system eliminates the chemical reaction that generates harmful high electrical potential, thereby preventing catalyst deterioration while avoiding energy loss from consuming surplus power.
2Reliability
If hydrogen supply pressure is increased to decrease cell voltage under low load, then fuel cell performance is maintained, but surplus electrical power is generated that must be converted to thermal energy causing energy loss when electrical storage device capacity is full
Solution Approach 1:
The invention takes preliminary action by stopping oxidizing agent gas supply before the high electrical potential condition can develop and cause damage. This preventive measure eliminates the need to generate and then dissipate surplus electrical power as thermal energy, directly preventing both performance degradation and energy loss.
3Reliability
If oxidizing agent gas supply is discontinued when hydrogen supply is stopped, then high electrical potential and catalyst deterioration are prevented, but unused hydrogen gas must be recirculated requiring additional system components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements self-service by using the fuel cell's own generated electrical power to drive the hydrogen circulating pump. This eliminates the need for external power sources or additional complex control systems, making the recirculation process self-sustaining and reducing overall system complexity despite the added pump component.
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 energy loss, prevents catalyst deterioration, and prolongs hydrogen gas tank refill intervals by utilizing residual electrical energy to operate the hydrogen circulating pump and manage electrical potential.
Implementation Method 1
electrical energy composed of direct current power is generated by allowing an oxidation-reduction reaction (electrochemical reaction) to proceed between the hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cells
Implementation Method 2
a hydrogen circulating pump provided in a hydrogen circulation path where hydrogen gas that has not been used in the fuel cell is recirculated to the fuel cell, the hydrogen circulating pump transferring hydrogen gas of the hydrogen circulation path to the fuel cell
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell which generates electrical energy by reacting a hydrogen gas from a hydrogen gas supply source and an oxidizing agent gas from an oxidizing agent gas supply source, a hydrogen circulating pump which is provided in a hydrogen circulation path and transfers hydrogen gas of the hydrogen circulation path to the fuel cell, and control means. When the supply of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas supply source to the fuel cell is discontinued, the control means discontinues the supply of oxidizing agent gas from the oxidizing agent gas supply source to the fuel cell and activates the hydrogen circulating pump such that electrical energy generated in the fuel cell is supplied to the hydrogen circulating pump.