Fuel Cell Nitrogen Capture Using Regenerative Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell vehicles face inefficiencies in managing nitrogen gas byproducts, which are typically released into the environment, rather than being captured and reused, leading to wasted energy and potential industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell vehicle system that determines when the battery's state of charge meets a maximum threshold, using excess energy from regenerative braking to compress and store nitrogen gas in a dedicated tank, allowing for later use and isolation from hydrogen storage tanks to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If nitrogen gas byproduct is released into the environment, then the system operation is simple, but energy is wasted and potential industrial applications are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts nitrogen gas from the fuel cell byproduct stream and separates it for dedicated storage. A nitrogen storage tank is introduced to capture and hold the nitrogen gas, preventing its release into the environment and enabling future utilization while maintaining relatively simple system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The nitrogen storage tank serves multiple functions: it stores nitrogen gas for potential industrial applications, prevents energy waste by capturing the byproduct, and can be integrated with existing fuel cell vehicle systems. The system enables both energy conservation and resource recovery through a single storage component
2Device complexity
If nitrogen gas is stored in hydrogen storage tanks, then the storage system is simplified, but hydrogen storage tanks may be contaminated and durability reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage function by introducing a dedicated nitrogen storage tank separate from hydrogen storage tanks. This physical separation prevents contamination of hydrogen storage systems while allowing independent management of nitrogen and hydrogen storage operations
Solution Approach 2:
The nitrogen storage tank acts as an intermediary component between the fuel cell nitrogen output and any potential nitrogen utilization systems. It provides a dedicated interface for nitrogen handling that protects the hydrogen storage system from direct exposure to nitrogen byproducts
3Use of energy by moving object
If excess energy from regenerative braking is not utilized, then the system operation is simple, but energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements energy feedback by capturing excess energy from regenerative braking and redirecting it to power the nitrogen gas compression process. The system monitors energy availability and utilizes surplus energy that would otherwise be wasted, creating a feedback loop that improves overall energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own excess energy output from regenerative braking to service the nitrogen compression and storage process. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external energy sources and maximizes the utilization of energy already generated by the vehicle's braking system
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 enables the efficient capture and storage of nitrogen gas, reducing energy waste and providing a valuable industrial gas, while maintaining system balance and extending hydrogen storage tank durability.
Implementation Method 1
A fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell stack operable to generate electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
compress and store the nitrogen gas byproduct in a storage tank using regenerated energy
Implementation Method 3
the regenerated energy in excess of the maximum battery SOC threshold comprises energy generated through regenerative braking
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for capturing gas byproducts of a fuel cell system, such as nitrogen. Instead of dispelling the gas byproducts, a byproduct management system can engage in selective isolation, compression, and storage of the gas byproducts in various storage tanks. The compression and storage of the gas byproducts can be effectuated using excess energy, e.g., regenerative energy.