Fuel Cell Membrane Deterioration Detection via Fluoride Emission Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring the deterioration of electrolyte membranes in fuel cell stacks, such as open circuit voltage measurement and ion chromatography, are either not suitable for real-time monitoring in vehicle operations or are expensive and impractical for widespread use, leading to challenges in detecting membrane degradation and preventing performance and durability issues.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising fluoride ion concentration and pH meters, flow velocity measuring devices, and a controller to calculate the fluoride emission rate from outflow water, allowing for real-time monitoring and warning of membrane deterioration, as well as controlling factors like operation voltage and humidity to prevent further degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open circuit voltage measurement is used to monitor electrolyte membrane deterioration, then the monitoring can be performed during vehicle operation, but it is not suitable for real-time monitoring and has limited detection capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electrical measurement methods (open circuit voltage) with a chemical sensing approach using fluoride ion concentration meters and pH meters to detect membrane deterioration through chemical changes in outflow water, enabling more accurate and real-time monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces outflow water as an intermediary medium that carries information about membrane deterioration. By analyzing fluoride ion concentration and pH levels in the water that has passed through the membrane, the system indirectly detects membrane degradation without directly measuring the membrane itself
2Measurement precision
If ion chromatography is used to detect fluoride ions, then accurate membrane deterioration detection is achieved, but the system becomes expensive and impractical for widespread use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex ion chromatography systems with simpler, more affordable fluoride ion concentration meters and pH meters. These simpler devices provide sufficient measurement precision for deterioration detection while being practical for widespread deployment in fuel cell vehicles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement function (fluoride ion and pH detection) from the complex ion chromatography system, using dedicated simple sensors that perform this single function efficiently without the overhead of the complete chromatography apparatus
3Reliability
If real-time monitoring of electrolyte membrane state is implemented, then membrane deterioration can be detected early, but additional measurement devices and system complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses outflow water analysis to simultaneously provide multiple pieces of information about membrane health through fluoride ion concentration and pH measurements. This multi-functional approach extracts maximum diagnostic value from a single sampling point, reducing the need for multiple separate measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the outflow water that is already present in the fuel cell operation as the measurement medium. This water naturally contains information about membrane deterioration, so no additional complex sampling or preparation systems are needed - the system essentially monitors itself through its own operational byproducts
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
Enables real-time detection and prevention of electrolyte membrane deterioration, improving the performance and durability of fuel cell stacks by effectively monitoring and managing conditions that affect membrane stability.
Implementation Method 1
measuring in real time the amount of dissolved fluoride ions due to the deterioration of the electrolyte membrane, or the change in pH of outflow water
Implementation Method 2
measuring in real time the amount of dissolved fluoride ions due to the deterioration of the electrolyte membrane
Implementation Method 3
measuring flow velocity of the outflow water from the fuel cell stack
Implementation Method 4
calculating a fluoride emission rate based on the measured fluoride ion concentration or pH value and flow velocity data
Implementation Method 5
The hydrogen ions are transmitted to the cathode through the electrolyte membrane, which is a cation exchange membrane
Implementation Method 6
The hydrogen supplied to the anode is dissociated into hydrogen ions (protons, H+) and electrons (e−) by a catalyst disposed in the electrode/catalyst layer
Implementation Method 7
The hydrogen supplied to the anode is dissociated into hydrogen ions (protons, H+) and electrons (e−) by a catalyst disposed in the electrode/catalyst layer
Implementation Method 8
transmit coolant to remove reaction heat
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for determining deterioration of a fuel cell, the method including measuring in real time fluoride ion concentration or pH value of outflow water from a fuel cell stack during operation in a fuel cell vehicle, calculating a fluoride emission rate from the measured value and, if the calculated fluoride emission rate is out of a predetermined normal range, determining deterioration of an electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell stack.