Fuel Cell Test Chamber with Intermediary Oxygen Control Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current test chambers for fuel cell assemblies are inefficient and costly due to the need for extensive air conditioning and ventilation systems to maintain precise humidity and oxygen levels, leading to excessive energy consumption and equipment size.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize closed-loop control and a controller to measure and adjust oxygen concentration in the test space, reducing the amount of preconditioned air needed by introducing only the necessary oxygen and using a pressure electrolyzer to produce hydrogen and oxygen, thereby minimizing the size and energy requirements of the air conditioning and ventilation system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If extensive air conditioning and ventilation systems are used to maintain precise humidity and oxygen levels in the test chamber, then the control precision of test conditions is improved, but the energy consumption and equipment size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential function needed for testing by removing the fuel cell assembly from the complex air conditioning environment. The test chamber is used only as a containment space, while a separate test space with controlled atmosphere (humidifier, oxygen supply) directly interfaces with the fuel cell, eliminating the need for extensive air conditioning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary test space that mediates between the fuel cell assembly and the main test chamber. This intermediate chamber contains the humidifier and oxygen supply system, allowing precise control of test conditions without requiring the entire test chamber to be equipped with complex air conditioning and ventilation systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If extensive air conditioning and ventilation systems are used to maintain precise humidity and oxygen levels in the test chamber, then the control precision of test conditions is improved, but the equipment size increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential function needed for testing by removing the fuel cell assembly from the complex air conditioning environment. The test chamber is used only as a containment space, while a separate test space with controlled atmosphere (humidifier, oxygen supply) directly interfaces with the fuel cell, eliminating the need for extensive air conditioning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary test space that mediates between the fuel cell assembly and the main test chamber. This intermediate chamber contains the humidifier and oxygen supply system, allowing precise control of test conditions without requiring the entire test chamber to be equipped with complex air conditioning and ventilation systems.
3Measurement precision
If large amounts of preconditioned air are supplied to the test space, then the oxygen concentration control is improved, but the energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential function needed for testing by removing the fuel cell assembly from the complex air conditioning environment. The test chamber is used only as a containment space, while a separate test space with controlled atmosphere (humidifier, oxygen supply) directly interfaces with the fuel cell, eliminating the need for extensive air conditioning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the approach from controlling oxygen concentration through large-scale air conditioning to direct parameter control via oxygen supply and humidification systems in the test space. This allows precise control of oxygen concentration and humidity through targeted interventions rather than system-wide air conditioning.
4Temperature
If conventional air conditioning systems are used to control test conditions, then the temperature and humidity control is achieved, but the energy consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential function needed for testing by removing the fuel cell assembly from the complex air conditioning environment. The test chamber is used only as a containment space, while a separate test space with controlled atmosphere (humidifier, oxygen supply) directly interfaces with the fuel cell, eliminating the need for extensive air conditioning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the approach from controlling oxygen concentration through large-scale air conditioning to direct parameter control via oxygen supply and humidification systems in the test space. This allows precise control of oxygen concentration and humidity through targeted interventions rather than system-wide air conditioning.
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 approach reduces energy consumption and equipment size, allowing for more precise control of test conditions while simplifying the testing process and reducing costs, enabling more efficient and cost-effective testing of fuel cell assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
using a pressure electrolyzer to produce hydrogen and oxygen
Implementation Method 2
the test condition being set by open-loop and/or closed-loop control of an air temperature, an air pressure and a relative humidity in the test space
Implementation Method 3
the test space being supplied with conditioned supply air and exhaust air being discharged from the test space by means of an air conditioning and ventilation system
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a climate test chamber for conditioning air and a test chamber includes a fuel cell assembly exposed to at least one physical test condition in a test space. The fuel cell assembly includes at least one electrochemical fuel cell having an anode compartment and a cathode compartment each having a feed opening for introducing reactants and a discharge opening for discharging waste products of the fuel cell assembly. The fuel cell assembly is operated in the test space, and a fuel gas and an oxidation gas is fed to the fuel cell assembly as reactants. The test space is supplied with conditioned supply air and exhaust air is discharged from the test space by an air conditioning and ventilation system. An oxygen concentration is determined using a sensor and a controller controls the oxygen concentration.