Fuel Cell Water Atomization Apparatus Preventing Droplet Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell systems face challenges in maintaining adequate humidity, particularly during startup and in dry environmental conditions, leading to droplet formation and potential blockages in the fuel cell stack, which can reduce efficiency and cause unnecessary shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
A water atomization apparatus with a supply tank, pressure pump, pressure regulating valve, and controllable injection valves ensures consistent pressure and fine atomization of deionized water, allowing for precise humidification of both the anode and cathode sides of the fuel cell stack, preventing droplet formation and improving system reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a pressure pump is used to supply deionized water to nozzles for humidification, then water can be delivered to the fuel cell stack, but droplet formation occurs due to sudden pressure loading which blocks flow passages and reduces system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-filling a reservoir with deionized water before operation. This reservoir acts as a buffer that gradually supplies water to the nozzles, preventing sudden pressure loading that causes droplet formation. The reservoir ensures water is always available while maintaining stable pressure conditions for proper atomization.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir serves as a cushioning element between the pressure pump and the nozzles. It absorbs pressure fluctuations and prevents sudden pressure changes from reaching the nozzles, thereby preventing droplet formation while ensuring continuous water supply for humidification.
2Device complexity
If simple nozzles are used for water injection, then the system is simpler, but droplet formation occurs and fine atomization cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir acts as an intermediary between the pressure pump and the nozzles. It stabilizes the water supply pressure and ensures water is always available at the nozzle inlet, enabling fine atomization without requiring complex nozzle designs or additional control mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If water is injected without adequate pressure regulation, then the system is simpler to operate, but droplet formation occurs and humidification precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is pre-filled with water before operation begins. This preliminary preparation ensures that water is always available in the reservoir during operation, maintaining constant pressure at the nozzle inlet and enabling precise atomization and humidification control throughout the fuel cell system operation.
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 apparatus effectively prevents droplet formation and ensures accurate water injection, enhancing fuel cell system efficiency and reliability by maintaining optimal humidity levels and avoiding unnecessary shutdowns.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure pump connected to said supply tank
Implementation Method 2
a pressure regulating valve having an inlet connected to said reservoir and determining a predetermined pressure level which prevails in said reservoir
Implementation Method 3
at least one controllable injection valve connected to said reservoir for the delivery of atomized water
Data Source
AI summary
A water atomization apparatus for a fuel cell system, comprising a plurality of fuel cells connected together to form a fuel cell stack and each having an anode, a cathode and a membrane, with the fuel cell stack having an anode side with an inlet for a fuel and an outlet for non-consumed fuel and exhaust gases which arise at the anode side, a cathode side with an inlet for a gaseous oxidation agent such as air and an outlet for exhaust gases arising at the cathode side, and a compressor connected upstream of the cathode side inlet, is characterized in that the water atomizing apparatus comprises a supply tank for deionized water, a pressure pump which is connected to the supply tank, a reservoir which is fed by the pressure pump and contains deionized water under pressure in operation, a pressure regulating valve having an inlet connected to the reservoir and determining the operating pressure which prevails in the reservoir and also at least one controllable injection valve which injects atomized water into the cathode side and or into the anode side of the fuel cell stack.