Fuel Cell System Low-Temperature Start Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell systems face challenges in starting efficiently under low-temperature environments due to moisture accumulation and reduced power supply capability of storage devices, leading to inadequate scavenging operations and deteriorated performance.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system with control means that sets operating conditions, such as temperature and power generation levels, to maintain a moisture content below a target level based on the power storage device's state, and includes heating means to quickly recover power supply capability, ensuring efficient starting even at low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a scavenging operation is performed by driving a compressor or motor using power from a power storage device under low-temperature conditions, then moisture can be discharged from the fuel cell, but the power supply capability of the power storage device deteriorates, resulting in insufficient scavenging operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control means performs preliminary action by setting the operating condition of the fuel cell before the scavenging operation to ensure moisture content is below the target level. This anticipates the reduced power availability and prepares the system in advance, allowing the scavenging operation to succeed even with limited power from the cold power storage device.
Solution Approach 2:
The control means changes operating parameters (temperature, power generation amount) of the fuel cell to maintain moisture content below the target level. By adjusting these parameters, the system adapts to the reduced scavenging capability caused by low-temperature power storage device performance, ensuring sufficient moisture removal during operation stop.
2Productivity
If the operating condition of the fuel cell is maintained at high power generation levels, then efficient power production is achieved, but moisture accumulates in the fuel cell, causing starting performance deterioration under low-temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control means dynamically adjusts the operating condition of the fuel cell based on real-time moisture content monitoring and power storage device state. This allows the system to optimize between power generation efficiency and moisture management, changing operating parameters as needed to maintain both productivity and starting performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The control means uses feedback from moisture content estimation and power storage device state to continuously adjust the fuel cell operating condition. This closed-loop control ensures that power generation efficiency is maintained while preventing excessive moisture accumulation that would harm starting performance under low-temperature conditions.
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 enables efficient starting of fuel cells under low-temperature conditions by adjusting operating conditions and heating the power storage device, thereby maintaining optimal moisture levels and restoring power supply capability.
Implementation Method 1
a power storage device 12, and control means 4 for setting an operating condition of the fuel cell 10
Implementation Method 2
heating means to quickly recover power supply capability
Implementation Method 3
a fuel cell 10 for generating electric power by a reaction of a fuel gas with an oxidation gas
Implementation Method 4
moisture is generated in the fuel cell by the electrochemical reaction
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a fuel cell system including a fuel cell for generating electric power by a reaction of a fuel gas an oxidation gas, and a power storage device, and being configured to perform a scavenging operation when an operation of the fuel cell is stopped for discharging a moisture from the fuel cell by supplying a gas into the fuel cell by using the power supplied from the power storage device. The fuel cell system further includes control means for setting an operating condition of the fuel cell so that a moisture content of the fuel cell when it is in operation is less than a target moisture content set in accordance with a state of the power storage device.