Fuel Cell Stack Coolant Manifold Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell stacks, the end power generation cells tend to experience temperature decreases due to heat dissipation, leading to uneven temperature distribution and potential performance issues.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell stack design incorporating a coolant manifold system with independent coolant inlet and outlet manifolds and a coolant passage between insulation members and end plates, where the first coolant passage has a larger surface area and flow rate than the second, ensuring uniform coolant flow and temperature maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional cooling system with single inlet/outlet manifolds is used, then the structure is simple, but the temperature distribution becomes uneven and end power generation cells experience excessive heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent coolant passages (first coolant passage and second coolant passage) with separate inlet and outlet manifolds. This segmentation allows independent control of coolant flow to different regions of the fuel cell stack, enabling uniform temperature distribution across all power generation cells including end cells.
Solution Approach 2:
Different coolant flow rates are supplied to different regions through the first and second coolant passages. The system provides localized cooling control by adjusting coolant flow characteristics in specific areas, ensuring that end power generation cells receive appropriate cooling to maintain uniform temperature distribution.
2Temperature
If coolant flow rate is increased to compensate for heat dissipation, then temperature maintenance improves, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the coolant flow rate parameter differently for the first and second coolant passages. By optimizing the flow rate distribution across multiple passages, the system maintains temperature stability in all regions while minimizing overall coolant energy consumption compared to uniformly high flow rates.
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 design effectively suppresses temperature decreases in end power generation cells, maintaining a constant temperature and enhancing overall power generation performance by ensuring uniform coolant flow and temperature distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant channel through which a coolant flows in a direction along an electrode surface
Implementation Method 2
The fuel cell stack includes a coolant manifold that is connected to the coolant channel and through which the coolant flows in the stacking direction
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell stack includes a stacked body including a plurality of power generation cells stacked in a stacking direction. Insulation members and end plates are provided to sandwich the stacked body therebetween in the stacking direction. A coolant passage is provided between each of the insulation members and each of the end plates. The coolant passage includes a first coolant passage and a second coolant passage. A surface area of a region in which the first coolant passage is provided is larger than a surface area of a region in which the second coolant passage is provided. A flow rate of the coolant flowing through the first coolant passage is larger than a flow rate of the coolant flowing through the second coolant passage.