Fuel Cell Power Plant Water Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicles with internal combustion engines inefficiently use water resources and generate harmful emissions, particularly in applications requiring fresh water for operation, such as agricultural sprayers and concrete mixers, where water conservation and reduced emissions are crucial.

Innovation Solution

Replacing the internal combustion engine with a fuel cell power plant that combines hydrogen fuel with atmospheric oxygen to produce electricity, thermal energy, and fresh water, which can be reused for vehicle operations, while reducing emissions through the integration of a fuel reformer and electric motors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If an internal combustion engine is used to power the vehicle, then the vehicle can operate and provide propulsion, but water is consumed inefficiently and harmful emissions are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveemissionsVSAvoidwater consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental chemical reaction parameters by replacing combustion with electrochemical conversion. The fuel cell system converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity and water through electrochemical reactions, fundamentally altering the energy conversion process to eliminate harmful emissions and transform water from a consumed resource into a produced byproduct

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the previously harmful combustion process into a beneficial electrochemical process. The fuel cell system transforms what would be waste materials (hydrogen and oxygen) into useful products (electricity and water), turning the traditional harmful emissions problem into a water production solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Loss of substance

If a fuel cell power plant is used to generate electricity and produce water, then water consumption is reduced and emissions are minimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater conservationVSAvoidpower plant system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel cell power plant performs multiple functions simultaneously: it generates electricity for propulsion, produces fresh water as a byproduct, and eliminates harmful emissions. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated power plant, managing the complexity through functional integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the power generation system and water production system into a single fuel cell power plant. The electrochemical reactions that generate electricity simultaneously produce water, combining two previously separate functions into one unified system that reduces overall system complexity through integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Use of energy by moving object

If conventional internal combustion engines are used, then the system is simple and easy to manufacture, but energy efficiency is low and water resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidsystem manufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical combustion system with an electrochemical fuel cell system. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical components such as pistons, valves, and combustion chambers, replacing them with electrochemical cells that convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy, thereby improving energy efficiency while maintaining manufacturability through standardized modular components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 significantly improves energy efficiency, reduces emissions, and conserves water by utilizing the fuel cell's byproduct water for vehicle operations, making it more cost-effective and environmentally friendly, especially in applications where water usage and emissions are critical.

Implementation Method 1

A reaction within the fuel cell may convert a hydrogen fuel into the byproducts of electricity, thermal energy (e.g., heat) and water/water vapor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFuel cell electrochemical reaction: Fuel Cell

Data Source

PatentUS11491894B2Vehicle power plant to conserve water

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 ANDERSON IND LLC

AI summary

A vehicle powered by a fuel cell power plant to conserve water includes a fuel cell to generate electricity and at least one of water or water vapor. The vehicle further includes one or more electric motors operatively coupled to the fuel cell to receive the electricity and propel the vehicle and an auxiliary system operatively coupled to the fuel cell to utilize the at least one of the water or water vapor generated by the fuel cell.