Fuel Cell Thermal Management with Phase Change Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircrafts face inefficiencies in utilizing electricity and byproducts generated by fuel cells, leading to increased fuel consumption and waste of thermal energy.
Innovation Solution
A heat transfer system utilizing heat pipes and a phase-change material thermal energy storage module to efficiently transfer and store heat produced by fuel cells, allowing for effective cooling and reuse of thermal energy for onboard electrical components and water purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If fuel cells are used to generate power for onboard electrical components, then electrical demand from engines is reduced, but thermal energy efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase change material (PCM) that undergoes phase transition between solid and liquid states to store and release thermal energy. The PCM absorbs excess heat from fuel cells during phase change, converting thermal energy into latent heat storage, and releases it when needed, thereby improving thermal energy efficiency while maintaining reduced electrical demand from engines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a thermal energy storage module with phase change material as an intermediary between fuel cells and the environment. This intermediary captures and stores thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted, and can release it when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing engine electrical demand and improving thermal energy efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If heat is stored in a thermal energy storage module, then thermal energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase change material that naturally undergoes phase transition at specific temperatures to store and release thermal energy. This passive phase transition mechanism eliminates the need for complex active thermal management systems, pumps, or control mechanisms, thereby improving thermal energy efficiency while minimizing increases in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase change material performs thermal energy storage and release automatically through its inherent phase transition properties without requiring external control systems or additional energy input. The system essentially manages its own thermal energy, reducing overall system complexity while improving thermal efficiency.
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
The system enhances fuel cell efficiency, reduces electrical demand on aircraft engines, and optimizes the use of thermal energy for powering electrical loads and water heating, thereby decreasing fuel consumption and waste.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of heat pipes are coupled to the fuel cell module and to the thermal energy storage module
Implementation Method 2
A thermal energy storage module is coupled to the heat pipes. The thermal energy storage module includes a phase-change material
Implementation Method 3
Heat is stored in the thermal energy storage module
Data Source
AI summary
A heat transfer system includes a fuel cell module that produces heat and water, and a thermal energy storage module that stores the heat produced by the fuel cell module. The thermal energy storage module includes a phase-change material. A conduit couples the fuel cell module to the thermal energy storage module. The conduit is oriented to channel the water produced by the fuel cell module through the thermal energy storage module.