Fuel Cell Stack Power Distribution Under Irreversible Failure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell systems experience reduced total output when a fuel cell stack with irreversible failure occurs, as the failed stack outputs less power, leading to inefficient power distribution among the stacks.
Innovation Solution
A method of dynamically distributing power demand in a fuel cell system by determining the total system power demand and adjusting the operation of fuel cell stacks based on their state, including stopping operation of stacks with irreversible failure and redistributing their power demand to alternative stacks, while also adjusting the power demand of remaining stacks to maintain system output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If power demand is evenly distributed to all fuel cell stacks, then the system operation is simple, but the total system output decreases when a stack fails
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution method transitions from a static even distribution to a dynamic distribution that adapts to the operational status of each fuel cell stack. When a stack fails, the system dynamically recalculates and redistributes power demand to remaining functional stacks, maintaining total system output while simplifying operational complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the distribution parameters based on the operational state of fuel cell stacks. Instead of using a fixed equal distribution ratio, the controller adjusts the power demand allocation for each stack according to its current operational capacity, ensuring optimal total output while accounting for stack failures.
2Device complexity
If a failed fuel cell stack continues to operate, then the system structure remains unchanged, but the stack durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
When a fuel cell stack suffers irreversible failure, the system discards its operation by stopping power demand allocation to that stack. The power demand that would have been allocated to the failed stack is recovered and redistributed to functional stacks, preventing further degradation of the failed stack while maintaining system productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors the operational status of each fuel cell stack and provides feedback to adjust power distribution. When a stack's performance deteriorates below a threshold, the system detects this condition and modifies the power allocation accordingly, preventing further damage while maintaining overall system efficiency.
3Productivity
If power demand is increased to compensate for stack failure, then the total system output is maintained, but the remaining stacks experience higher stress
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the total power demand into portions allocated to individual functional stacks based on their specific operational capacities. Rather than uniformly increasing demand on remaining stacks, the controller divides and distributes the power demand proportionally according to each stack's available capacity, optimizing the balance between maintaining total output and preserving stack durability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of distributing power in a fuel cell system including a plurality of fuel cell stacks, includes determining, by a controller, a total system power demand, which is a power demand of the fuel cell system, determining an operation order of the fuel cell stacks based on a state of the fuel cell stacks, determining the number of operation fuel cell stacks among the plurality of fuel cell stacks based on the total system power demand and an average available power of the fuel cell stacks, determining operation target fuel cell stacks based on the operation order of the fuel cell stacks and the number of operation fuel cell stacks, and determining a power demand of each of the operation target fuel cell stacks based on the total system power demand and an effective catalyst reaction area ratio of each fuel cell stack included in the operation target fuel cell stacks.