Onboard Fuel Reformer for Hydrogen Generation in Fuel Cell Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The infrastructure for supplying hydrogen to fuel cell vehicles is complex and costly, and existing solutions, such as hydrogen buses, face limitations due to the need for high-pressure storage and transportation of ultrapure hydrogen, which is not practical for widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that generates ultrapure hydrogen on-demand using a fuel reformation system, which reacts liquid fuel and water to produce hydrogen gas, eliminating the need for external hydrogen infrastructure and allowing refueling at traditional gas stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen gas is stored and transported in high-pressure tanks, then hydrogen can be supplied to fuel cell vehicles, but the infrastructure becomes complex and costly requiring specialized tanker trucks and refill stations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the hydrogen production function from external infrastructure and places it within the vehicle itself. The fuel reformer system converts hydrocarbon fuel to hydrogen on-board, eliminating the need for external hydrogen production, storage, and distribution infrastructure while maintaining adequate hydrogen supply to the fuel cell
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle becomes self-sufficient in hydrogen production through the onboard fuel reformer system that converts standard hydrocarbon fuel into hydrogen. This self-service approach eliminates dependence on specialized external infrastructure for hydrogen supply, allowing the vehicle to refuel at conventional gas stations
2Power
If ultrapure hydrogen gas is used in PEM fuel cells, then electricity can be generated efficiently, but the refueling infrastructure must ensure ultra-high purity which increases system cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel reformer system performs preliminary conversion of hydrocarbon fuel to hydrogen before it reaches the fuel cell, and the integrated separator removes impurities in advance. This preliminary purification action ensures ultrapure hydrogen is supplied to the PEM fuel cell without requiring complex external purification infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the fuel reforming and hydrogen separation functions directly into the vehicle's hydrogen supply system. This integration of conversion and purification functions within the vehicle eliminates the need for separate external purification infrastructure while ensuring ultrapure hydrogen for efficient fuel cell operation
3Quantity of substance
If large volumes of hydrogen are produced at industrial sources and transported to refill stations, then fuel cell vehicles can be refueled, but the transportation infrastructure requires high-strength non-reactive materials and specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the hydrogen production function from industrial sources and relocates it to the vehicle. The onboard fuel reformer converts standard hydrocarbon fuel to hydrogen, eliminating the need for industrial hydrogen production facilities, specialized tanker trucks, and complex refill station infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle system uses standard hydrocarbon fuel infrastructure that already exists widely, making the system universal and compatible with existing gas stations. This multi-functionality approach allows the same infrastructure to serve both traditional combustion vehicles and fuel cell vehicles without requiring specialized hydrogen infrastructure
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 enables the practical use of fuel cell vehicles by producing hydrogen efficiently and reducing the need for specialized refueling infrastructure, making the technology more cost-effective and accessible.
Implementation Method 1
The fuel reformation system reacts water from the water tank with liquid fuel from the fuel tank to produce hydrogen gas and exhaust gases
Data Source
AI summary
An automobile assembly and a method of producing hydrogen gas within an automobile assembly. An automobile is provided that contains a fuel cell. The fuel cell produces electricity from purified hydrogen gas. The vehicle also has a standard fuel tank that holds liquid fuel and a water tank that holds water. A fuel reformation system is carried by the vehicle. The fuel reformation system reacts water with liquid fuel to produce hydrogen gas and exhaust gases. The hydrogen gas is separated and is supplied to the fuel cell as needed by the fuel cell. The fuel cell produces electricity that drives electric motors to power the wheel of the vehicle. The vehicle, therefore, uses traditional liquid fuel to produce the hydrogen needed to operate the fuel cell and power an otherwise electric vehicle.