Fuel-cell power generation system

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Solution Overview

Problem

FF-type fuel-cell power generation systems face challenges in maintaining a consistent ventilation air volume due to varying duct lengths and increasing pressure loss, leading to unstable ventilation, especially when exhaust gases from boilers are merged with the air exhaust duct, causing excessive power consumption and potential adverse effects on boiler burning and fuel cell performance.

Innovation Solution

A control device is implemented to adjust the operation quantity of the air ventilation fan based on real-time pressure measurements, ensuring the ventilation air volume meets a predetermined threshold by increasing the operation quantity when necessary and decreasing it when excessive, using an air-volume orifice and pressure gauge to measure and regulate the air volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the air ventilation fan operates at constant output, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ventilation air volume becomes unstable due to varying duct length and pressure loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair ventilation device complexityVSAvoidventilation air volume stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air ventilation fan operates dynamically by adjusting its rotation speed based on real-time pressure detection. The control device receives pressure information from the pressure gauge and adjusts the fan's operation accordingly, transitioning from constant output to variable output to maintain stable ventilation air volume despite varying duct lengths and pressure losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback mechanism is implemented where the pressure gauge continuously monitors the pressure in the duct, and this information is fed back to the control device. The control device then adjusts the air ventilation fan's rotation speed based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains stable ventilation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the air ventilation fan operation quantity is increased with sufficient margin, then the ventilation air volume is ensured to be sufficient, but the power consumption increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation air volume assuranceVSAvoidair ventilation fan power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air ventilation fan operates dynamically by adjusting its rotation speed based on real-time pressure detection. The control device receives pressure information from the pressure gauge and adjusts the fan's operation accordingly, transitioning from constant output to variable output to maintain stable ventilation air volume despite varying duct lengths and pressure losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The operation quantity parameters of the air ventilation fan (rotation speed, airflow volume) are changed dynamically based on detected pressure conditions. The control device adjusts these parameters in real-time to maintain adequate ventilation while minimizing power consumption, avoiding the need to operate with excessive margin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the exhaust gas from the boiler is merged with the air exhaust duct, then the system complexity is reduced, but the ventilation air volume becomes unstable due to changing fuel burning status

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust system complexityVSAvoidventilation air volume stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A feedback mechanism is implemented where the pressure gauge continuously monitors the pressure in the duct, and this information is fed back to the control device. The control device then adjusts the air ventilation fan's rotation speed based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains stable ventilation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control device acts as an intermediary that mediates between the boiler exhaust gas flow variations and the air ventilation fan operation. By detecting pressure changes caused by boiler burning status changes and adjusting the fan accordingly, the control device compensates for the instability introduced by the merged exhaust system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution ensures a consistent ventilation air volume greater than or equal to a certain value, reducing power consumption and preventing adverse effects on the boiler and fuel cell performance, while maintaining system reliability and preventing excessive ventilation.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure gauge that measures the pressure in the duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure measurement:

Implementation Method 2

an air-volume orifice that obtains the ventilation air volume by the air ventilation fan based on the pressure difference between before and after

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference measurement for flow detection:

Implementation Method 3

an air ventilation fan that is actuated to ventilate the interior of the FC unit, and the control device increases or decreases the operation quantity given to the air ventilation fan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3291346B1Fuel-cell power generation system
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 TOSHIBA ENERGY SYST & SOLUTIONS CORP
  • EP3291346B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3291346B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3291346B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is a fuel-cell power generation system capable of ensuring a ventilation air volume equal to or greater than a certain value by storing an operation quantity of an air ventilation device causing the ventilation air volume to be a predetermined threshold. A fuel-cell power generation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an air ventilation device 7 capable of changing a ventilation air volume in a casing, and a control device 8 giving a requisite operation quantity to the air ventilation device 7 to set the ventilation air volume to be equal to or greater than a preset requisite air volume.