Regenerative Fuel Cell Venting for Vacuum Dew Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
In regenerative fuel cell systems, dew condensation in gas pipes can impair sensors and devices, and existing methods for removing water, such as heating and using dehumidifiers, consume energy and require frequent replacement of adsorbents.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates external relief valves connecting gas paths to a vacuum space to remove dew condensation water by communicating these paths with a vacuum space, thereby vaporizing the water without energy consumption or adsorbent replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If warming and drying by heater is performed to remove water in the pipe, then dew condensation water can be removed, but electric energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through vacuum evaporation. By connecting the pipe to a vacuum space and reducing the pressure, the dew condensation water evaporates at lower temperatures without requiring external heating, thus removing the harmful liquid water while consuming minimal energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a vacuum environment (inert atmosphere) to facilitate water removal. By establishing a vacuum space connected to the pipe through a valve, the system eliminates the need for thermal energy input that would otherwise be required to evaporate the condensed water.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If dehumidifier or adsorbent is used to adsorb water, then dew condensation water can be removed, but adsorbent needs to be replaced when saturated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using adsorbent materials that require replacement, the patent employs vacuum evaporation to directly transform liquid water into vapor that can be evacuated. This eliminates the need for consumable adsorbents and their associated replacement maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the water removal function from complex adsorbent-based systems and simplifies it to a direct vacuum evaporation process. By taking out the intermediary adsorbent layer, the system achieves water removal through phase transition alone, reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If heater and dehumidifier are used to remove water, then dew condensation can be prevented, but electric energy is consumed in the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vacuum-induced phase transition to evaporate and remove condensed water without thermal heating. This approach prevents recurring dew condensation by actively removing moisture through pressure reduction, eliminating the need for continuous energy-consuming heating or dehumidification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service water removal by utilizing the vacuum environment already present in the fuel cell system. The vacuum space and valve configuration enable automatic evaporation and evacuation of condensed water without requiring external power input for dedicated heating or dehumidification equipment.
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 configuration effectively removes dew condensation without energy consumption or adsorbent replacement, maintaining sensor and device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
causing the oxygen supply path, the first hydrogen supply path, a hydrogen discharge path for the hydrogen gas that has not been pressurized by the hydrogen compression device, and the second hydrogen supply path, to communicate with a vacuum space, and thereby vaporizing dew condensation water remaining in the oxygen supply path, the first hydrogen supply path, the hydrogen discharge path, and the second hydrogen supply path
Data Source
AI summary
A regenerative fuel cell system includes a water electrolysis device, a hydrogen compression device, and a fuel cell. The regenerative fuel cell system further includes external relief valves including a first one between an oxygen supply path for supplying oxygen gas from the water electrolysis device to the fuel cell and a vacuum space, a second one between a second hydrogen supply path for supplying hydrogen gas from the hydrogen compression device to the fuel cell and a vacuum space, a third one between a hydrogen discharge path through which hydrogen gas not pressurized in the hydrogen compression device flows and a vacuum space, and a fourth one between a first hydrogen supply path through which hydrogen gas supplied from the water electrolysis device to the hydrogen compression device flows and a vacuum space.