Fuel Cell Water Atomization via Venturi Exhaust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell systems using existing water atomizing devices require energy to drive a drain pump, occupy space, and have limited durability, leading to increased costs and potential floor wetting issues, especially in indoor operations.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system that atomizes and discharges water without using a drain pump by employing a venturi in the outlet pipe to create a pressure difference, drawing water from a tank and atomizing it with the gas mixture flowing through the system, thereby eliminating the need for a pump and reducing space and maintenance requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a drain pump is used to atomize and discharge water, then water can be effectively atomized and discharged into the atmosphere, but energy consumption increases, space requirements increase, and device durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the drain pump from the system entirely, replacing it with a passive atomization mechanism using the existing exhaust gas flow. The exhaust gas naturally draws water into the outlet pipe and atomizes it without requiring an active pumping mechanism, thereby eliminating energy consumption while maintaining effective water discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own exhaust gas flow to perform the atomization and discharge function that would otherwise require a separate drain pump. The exhaust gas serves dual purposes: maintaining fuel cell operation and naturally atomizing/discharge water through the venturi effect in the outlet pipe, eliminating the need for additional energy-consuming components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a drain pump is used to atomize and discharge water, then water can be effectively atomized and discharged into the atmosphere, but the device occupies more space and requires additional installation area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the water atomization and discharge function with the existing exhaust gas outlet system. The outlet pipe that was previously used only for gas discharge now also handles water atomization and discharge through the integrated venturi structure, eliminating the need for separate pump housing and associated space.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain pump component is completely removed from the system, eliminating the space it would occupy for housing, mounting, and associated piping. The exhaust gas flow itself performs the water removal function, requiring no additional installation space beyond the modified outlet pipe.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a drain pump is used to atomize and discharge water, then water can be effectively atomized and discharged into the atmosphere, but the device complexity increases and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pump, a complex mechanical component with moving parts, seals, and control systems, is completely removed from the system. The replacement passive atomization system uses only the existing exhaust gas flow and a simple venturi structure in the outlet pipe, dramatically reducing device complexity and eliminating maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical drain pump system is replaced with a fluid dynamic solution using the venturi effect. Instead of using mechanical force from a pump to move and atomize water, the system uses the kinetic energy and pressure differential of the exhaust gas flow, eliminating mechanical components and associated complexity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a drain pump is used to atomize and discharge water, then water can be effectively atomized and discharged into the atmosphere, but the device has limited durability due to movable components
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pump with its vulnerable movable components (impeller, seals, bearings) is completely removed from the system. The passive atomization system has no moving parts that can wear out or fail, consisting only of stationary piping and the venturi structure, thereby maximizing durability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the expensive, limited-lifetime drain pump with a simple, essentially indefinite-lifetime passive structure. The outlet pipe with venturi geometry and inlet pipe are durable stationary components that require no replacement, making the system more reliable over the long term.
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 solution effectively atomizes and discharges water into the atmosphere without using a drain pump, reducing energy consumption, space requirements, and maintenance needs, while preventing floor wetting in indoor operations.
Implementation Method 1
The outlet pipe includes a venturi. The inlet pipe draws the water contained in the tank into the venturi.
Implementation Method 2
The water contained in the tank is drawn through the inlet pipe into the venturi to be atomized and discharged as atomized water from the outlet pipe.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system including a fuel cell, a gas-liquid separator, a tank, an outlet pipe, and an inlet pipe is disclosed. The gas-liquid separator separates off-gas discharged from the fuel cell into water and gas. The tank is capable of containing water separated by the gas-liquid separator. The outlet pipe discharges gas, which is separated by the gas-liquid separator, from the gas-liquid separator. The outlet pipe has a venturi. The inlet pipe draws the water contained in the tank into the venturi. The water contained in the tank is drawn through the inlet pipe into the venturi to be atomized and discharged as atomized water from the outlet pipe.