Fuel Cell Reactant Compression Using a Pressure Wave Supercharger
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell efficiency is limited by the energy required for reactant compression, with conventional systems requiring significant power that detracts from overall performance.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system incorporating a compressor and a pressure wave charger in the reactant feed stream, allowing for staged compression and efficient use of exhaust gas energy to reduce the power needed for compression, thereby increasing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a conventional compressor is used to compress the reactant, then the reactant pressure is increased, but the power consumption is high (at least 10% of fuel cell power)
Solution Approach 1:
The compression process is divided into two stages: a first compression stage using a conventional compressor to achieve a first pressure level, and a second compression stage using a pressure wave charger to achieve a second, higher pressure level. This segmentation allows each device to operate in its optimal efficiency range, reducing total power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure wave charger acts as an intermediary device between the conventional compressor and the fuel cell. It receives partially compressed reactant and further compresses it using pressure waves generated by a cellular wheel, thereby reducing the workload and power consumption of the conventional compressor.
2Productivity
If a single compressor is used for reactant compression, then the system structure is simple, but the efficiency is limited due to high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The compression system is segmented into two functional units: a conventional compressor for initial compression and a pressure wave charger for final compression. This segmentation improves overall efficiency by allowing each component to operate optimally while managing complexity through functional differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the compression process by introducing a pressure wave charger that operates at different pressure levels and uses wave dynamics rather than continuous mechanical compression, thereby improving efficiency despite increased system complexity.
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 achieves a significant reduction in power required for reactant compression, allowing the fuel cell to operate more efficiently with reduced power consumption and increased reactant pressure, enhancing overall fuel cell performance.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure wave charger is preferably designed to transfer pressure between the gas to be compressed and the working medium
Implementation Method 2
The pressure wave charger, sometimes also referred to as a Comprex, can be provided in addition to a turbocompressor
Implementation Method 3
A compressor is expediently designed as a turbocompressor, in which a rapidly rotating rotor adds energy to a gas flowing through the compressor, in particular increasing its density
Implementation Method 4
The hydrogen is oxidized at the electrode acting as the anode, while the oxygen is reduced at the electrode acting as the cathode. The electrical energy released in this process can be (temporarily) stored and/or fed into an electric drive
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fuel cell system (1) and an operating method (100) for a fuel cell (20). The system includes a fuel cell (20) that can be operated with a fuel (21) and a reactant (22). A compression arrangement (30) is also provided, which is configured to increase the reactant pressure of the reactant (22). The compression arrangement (30) comprises a compressor (31) arranged in a supply stream (23) of the reactant (22) to the fuel cell (20). According to the invention, the compression arrangement (30) additionally includes a pressure wave supercharger (32) arranged in the supply stream (23).