Fuel Cell Air Intake Thermochemical Humidity and Heat Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell systems face challenges in managing the operating environment of the fuel cell stack due to temperature fluctuations and moisture issues caused by air compressor operation, which can lead to overheating and drying in high-output power sections and excessive condensate water generation in low-temperature sections, limiting output power.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system with a heat energy storage part that utilizes a thermochemical reaction to absorb and store heat, releasing moisture into the air intake and coolant, and a controller to manage valve states based on compressor speed and coolant temperature to optimize the thermochemical process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the air compressor is controlled at a relatively high driving speed to supply more oxygen to the fuel cell stack in a high-output power section, then the oxygen supply to the fuel cell stack is improved, but heat is generated during the air compressor operation which affects the temperature of air supplied to the fuel cell stack causing overheating and drying
Solution Approach 1:
A heat energy storage part is introduced as an intermediary component between the air compressor and the fuel cell stack. This heat energy storage part absorbs excess heat from the compressed air through a thermochemical reaction, thereby mediating the temperature rise caused by the air compressor while still delivering the required oxygen supply to the fuel cell stack.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the supplied air by utilizing a thermochemical reaction in the heat energy storage part. This reaction dynamically adjusts the air temperature by absorbing heat when the air compressor operates at high speed, thus preventing overheating while maintaining adequate oxygen supply.
2Temperature
If the air compressor is controlled at a relatively low driving speed in a low-output power section, then the heat generation is reduced, but condensate water is excessively generated in the fuel cell stack due to low temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The heat energy storage part acts as an intermediary that releases stored heat into the air stream when the air compressor operates at low speed. This prevents excessive cooling of the supplied air, thereby reducing condensate water generation in the fuel cell stack while still meeting the reduced oxygen supply requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the temperature parameter of the supplied air based on the operating conditions. When the air compressor runs at low speed, the heat energy storage part releases heat to maintain the air temperature above the dew point, preventing condensate water formation while still providing adequate oxygen for low-output operation.
3Temperature
If a heat exchanger is used to cool the air from the air compressor, then the temperature of air supplied to the fuel cell stack is reduced, but moisture is removed from the air causing drying in the fuel cell stack
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter through a thermochemical reaction rather than through conventional heat exchange. The heat energy storage part absorbs or releases heat through chemical bond formation or breaking, which cools or heats the air without the phase change and moisture removal associated with traditional heat exchangers. This maintains the moisture content while still controlling the air temperature.
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 alleviates overheating and drying in high-output power sections and reduces condensate water generation in low-temperature sections, enhancing the fuel cell stack's performance and output power by managing temperature and humidity through thermochemical reactions.
Implementation Method 1
configured to absorb and store heat from the air on the intake line through a thermochemical reaction and release moisture into the air on the intake line
Implementation Method 2
the heat energy storage part may be connected to the exhaust line, may be provided on a coolant line through which a coolant for cooling the fuel cell stack flows, and may absorb moisture from the air on the exhaust line through the thermochemical reaction and release the stored heat into the coolant
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is a fuel cell system, including a fuel cell stack connected to an intake line and an exhaust line, an air compressor connected to the intake line, and a heat energy storage part provided between the fuel cell stack and the air compressor on the intake line and absorbing and storing heat from the air on the intake line through a thermochemical reaction and releasing moisture into the air on the intake line.