Fuel Cell Solenoid Valve Anti-Freeze Control Strategy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cells face issues with gas leakage and solenoid valve freezing due to the typical operation of solenoid valves, which affects power generation efficiency and reliability, especially in low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system with multiple solenoid valves aligned in the discharge direction, where a temperature detection unit monitors the downstream solenoid valve's temperature, and if it falls below a certain value, the control unit energizes an upstream solenoid valve and closes others to prevent freezing and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solenoid valve is used to discharge gas or water from the power generation unit, then gas and water can be discharged to the outside, but the solenoid valve may freeze at low temperatures preventing operation or causing hydrogen leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary heating of the solenoid valve by energizing it before cold weather conditions cause freezing. When the ambient temperature is detected to be below a predetermined threshold, the control unit activates the solenoid valve in advance to generate heat, preventing moisture accumulation and freezing before they occur. This proactive approach ensures the valve remains operational during cold conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit employs periodic energization of the solenoid valve during cold weather operation. Instead of continuous energization, the valve is activated at regular intervals to maintain sufficient temperature and prevent freezing. This periodic action reduces energy consumption while ensuring the valve remains functional throughout cold periods.
2Reliability
If multiple solenoid valves are aligned in the discharge direction with selective energization, then gas leakage is suppressed and freezing is prevented, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge system is segmented into multiple solenoid valves arranged in series along the discharge path. Each valve can be independently controlled by the control unit based on its position and the ambient temperature conditions. This segmentation allows selective energization of specific valves to prevent freezing at critical locations while maintaining overall system reliability and enabling targeted heat application where most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit incorporates temperature sensing capability to monitor the ambient temperature and the thermal state of the solenoid valves. Based on this feedback information, the control unit dynamically adjusts which valves are energized and for how long, optimizing the prevention of freezing while minimizing energy consumption. The system responds to actual conditions rather than operating on fixed schedules.
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 suppresses gas leakage, prevents solenoid valve freezing, and ensures favorable power generation by alternately energizing solenoid valves and maintaining a heat-insulating environment.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid valve for discharging gas or water emitted from the power generation unit to the outside
Implementation Method 2
a temperature detection unit configured to detect a temperature of the solenoid valve
Implementation Method 3
if the temperature of the solenoid valve is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the control unit energizes a solenoid valve on a more upstream side
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell, a control method of the fuel cell, and a non-transitory computer readable recording medium recording a computer program capable of favorably generating power while suppressing leakage of gas and preventing the solenoid valve from being frozen with a simple configuration. The fuel cell includes a stack configure to generate electricity by reacting hydrogen and oxygen, an exhaust valve or a drain valve which is a solenoid valve discharging gas discharged from the stack to the outside, and a control unit configured to control energization of the exhaust valve. The exhaust valves are aligned in a gas discharging direction whereas the drain valves are aligned in a water discharging direction. If there is a risk of any solenoid valve being frozen, the control unit performs energization processing of energizing other solenoid valves in the state where at least one of the aligned solenoid valves is closed.