Fuel Cell Tank Thermal Management Prevents Liner Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fuel cell systems face challenges in preventing the formation of gaps between the liner and the reinforcement layer of fuel gas tanks due to differences in linear expansion coefficients, leading to deformation and increased load on the liner as the temperature decreases.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system is designed with a heating device and controller that manage the temperature of the fuel gas by switching the supply path and operating the heating device to maintain optimal temperature conditions, preventing gap formation between the liner and reinforcement layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the liner is made of resin and the temperature decreases, then the liner shrinks due to linear expansion coefficient difference, but a gap is formed between the liner and reinforcement layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing a heating device that pre-heats fuel gas before it enters the tank. This counteracts the cooling effect that causes the liner to shrink and form gaps, thereby preventing the harmful effect before it occurs. The heating device actively maintains the tank temperature to prevent liner-reinforcement layer separation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fuel gas is filled into the tank after gap formation, then the liner deforms to fill the gap, but load is applied to the liner
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device performs preliminary anti-action by maintaining the tank temperature and preventing gap formation in the first place. By keeping the liner and reinforcement layer in close contact through thermal management, the system avoids the subsequent deformation and loading that would occur if fuel gas were introduced after gap formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously or periodically heating the fuel gas and tank contents before conditions that cause gap formation develop. This proactive thermal management ensures the liner remains stable and prevents the need for deformation-based gap filling.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the heating device is operated to heat fuel gas, then temperature is maintained and gap formation is prevented, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device operates using periodic action rather than continuous operation. The control unit activates the heating device based on detected temperature conditions, heating the fuel gas only when the temperature drops below a predetermined threshold. This intermittent operation maintains the required temperature stability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control where a temperature detector monitors the fuel gas temperature and provides information to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit decides when to activate the heating device, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains temperature stability only when necessary, thereby optimizing energy usage.
4Device complexity
If a single tank is used, then the system is simple, but the duration of fuel cell operation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel storage system is segmented into multiple tanks instead of using a single large tank. Each tank is equipped with its own heating device and temperature detector, allowing independent thermal management. This segmentation enables extended operation duration by managing temperature and fuel distribution across multiple units while maintaining relatively simple individual tank designs.
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 effectively inhibits gap formation between the liner and reinforcement layer, reducing the load on the liner and extending the duration of fuel cell operation by maintaining consistent fuel gas temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device disposed in a passage connecting the first tank and the second tank; and a controller configured to bring the heating device into operation so that the fuel gas flowing from one of the first tank and the second tank to the other of the first tank and the second tank through the heating device is heated
Implementation Method 2
when the liner is made of resin, which is inexpensive, and the temperature of the tank decreases as the remaining amount of the fuel gas decreases, the liner shrinks, and a gap may be formed between the liner and the reinforcement layer due to the difference in linear expansion coefficient between the liner and the CFRP
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system includes: a first tank and a second tank each accumulating a fuel gas to be supplied to a fuel cell; a heating device disposed in a passage connecting the first tank and the second tank; and a controller configured to bring the heating device into operation so that the fuel gas flowing from one of the first tank and the second tank to the other of the first tank and the second tank through the heating device is heated when a condition for a temperature of the fuel gas in the first tank or a condition for a temperature of the fuel gas in the second tank is satisfied.