Fuel Cell Water Recovery Microorganism Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell systems face challenges in suppressing the propagation of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, particularly during power failures when temperature increasing processes are not executed, leading to potential clogging and impairment of water supply and purification functions.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell system that performs heat sterilization of microorganisms in the recovered water when power is supplied after a power failure, using a controller to activate the heater and water circulation unit to increase the temperature of the cooling and recovered water to predetermined levels, effectively preventing microbial propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the fuel cell system uses recovered water in a self-sustainable manner without external water supply, then water supply autonomy is improved, but the risk of microorganism propagation increases due to lack of bactericidal components
Solution Approach 1:
The system executes a temperature increasing process before water recovery operations to pre-heat the recovered water to a temperature that suppresses microorganism propagation. This preliminary heating action ensures that when water is recovered and stored, it is already at a safe temperature, preventing bacterial growth without requiring continuous external water supply with bactericidal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the recovered water from ambient temperature to a higher temperature (e.g., above 40°C) that is unfavorable for microorganism propagation. By controlling the temperature of the water throughout the system, the patent transforms the water quality parameter to achieve both self-sustainability and microorganism suppression without external chemical additives.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the temperature of cooling water is increased continuously to prevent microorganism propagation, then microorganism suppression is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously heating the cooling water, the system performs temperature increasing processes periodically or under specific conditions (e.g., when power failure is detected, during maintenance periods, or when microorganism risk is high). This periodic heating approach maintains microorganism suppression while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own generated heat from the fuel cell operation to heat the cooling water, rather than relying on external energy sources. The waste heat from the fuel cell electrochemical reaction is utilized to increase the temperature of the cooling water, making the heating process energy-efficient and self-sufficient.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the fuel cell system is stopped for a long period, then operational flexibility is improved, but microorganism propagation risk increases due to stagnant water
Solution Approach 1:
Before the fuel cell system is stopped for maintenance or long periods, the system executes a temperature increasing process to heat the water to a temperature that prevents microorganism propagation. This preliminary action ensures that even when the system is inactive and water becomes stagnant, the elevated temperature continues to suppress bacterial growth until the system is restarted and normal circulation resumes.
4Measurement precision
If conventional temperature detection methods are used during power failure, then temperature monitoring is improved, but the ability to detect and respond to power failure conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the controller as an intermediary that detects power failure conditions through alternative means (such as monitoring voltage, current, or system operational parameters) and then triggers the temperature increasing process accordingly. This intermediary approach allows the system to respond to power failure conditions and maintain temperature control even when conventional temperature detection systems may not be fully operational during power disruptions.
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 approach effectively suppresses the propagation of microorganisms, ensuring the integrity of water supply and purification functions by executing heat sterilization upon power restoration, thereby preventing clogging and maintaining system functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature of the cooling water and the recovered water is increased to a predetermined temperature or higher
Implementation Method 2
a water circulation unit configured to circulate water between the cooling water passage and the recovered water passage
Implementation Method 3
A fuel cell system is a system that generates electric power and heat by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas) and an oxidizing gas (for example, air) that are supplied to a fuel cell
Implementation Method 4
the heat produced by the electric power generation is recovered by the cooling water supplied to an interior of the fuel cell. This recovered heat is collected in the form of hot water by, for example, a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
An example of the method of recovering water inside of the fuel cell system is a method of condensing and recovering water by cooling the steam contained in the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas that are discharged from the fuel cell
Data Source
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AI summary
A fuel cell system of the present invention includes: a fuel cell (101); a cooling water passage (71) configured to allow cooling water for cooling the fuel cell (101) to flow therethrough; a cooling water tank (102) provided in the cooling water passage (71); a recovered water tank (104) configured to store water produced in the fuel cell system; a water circulating passage (72) configured to allow water circulating between the recovered water tank (104) and the cooling water tank (102) to flow therethrough; a power supply detection unit configured to detect electric power supply from a power supply utility to the fuel cell system; a temperature detector (118) provided in at least one of the cooling water passage (71), the cooling water tank (102), the recovered water tank (104), and the water circulating passage (72) and configured to detect a temperature of water; and a controller (110) configured to execute a temperature increasing process for increasing the temperature detected by the temperature detector (118) to a predetermined temperature or higher if the power supply detection unit detects a change from a state in which electric power is not supplied to a state in which the electric power is supplied.