Hydrogen Generator Reservoir Tank Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen generator and fuel cell systems have a large and complex water treatment system, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies due to unnecessary components and pressure differences between tanks, which can contaminate catalysts and clog channels.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen generator with a simplified water treatment system that uses a single reservoir tank divided into two compartments, where condensed water and circulating water flow separately, eliminating the need for a degassing mechanism and reducing the amount of ion exchange resin required, by maintaining equal pressure in both compartments and separating contaminated water from purified water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water treatment system with separate tanks for high CO2 concentration water and low CO2 concentration water is used, then water treatment effectiveness is improved, but system size and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the first water tank (for high CO2 concentration water) and the second water tank (for low CO2 concentration water) into a single integrated reservoir tank. This merging eliminates the need for separate tank structures while maintaining the functional separation of water streams through internal flow path design, thereby reducing system complexity and size while preserving water treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Within the single reservoir tank, the patent segments the flow paths into distinct channels: one for high CO2 concentration water and another for low CO2 concentration water. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the functional benefits of separate treatment zones without requiring physically separate tanks, thus resolving the contradiction between treatment effectiveness and structural complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a degassing mechanism is installed in the water treatment system, then CO2 removal capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the degassing function from the system by eliminating the need for a mechanical degassing mechanism. Instead, CO2 removal is achieved passively through the flow dynamics and pressure equalization between the high CO2 and low CO2 water channels within the reservoir tank, thereby removing harmful CO2 without adding complex mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural flow and pressure differences between the two water channels to achieve self-degassing. The high CO2 water flows into the low CO2 water region, and CO2 is removed through spontaneous outgassing driven by the concentration gradient and pressure equalization, without requiring external degassing equipment.
3Ease of operation
If pressure difference between water tanks is maintained, then water flow control is improved, but catalyst contamination and channel clogging increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent equalizes the pressure between the high CO2 water channel and the low CO2 water channel within the reservoir tank. By maintaining equipotential pressure conditions, the system prevents uncontrolled water flow that could carry contaminants to the catalyst, while still allowing effective water treatment through the concentration gradient-driven flow.
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 configuration reduces the size and cost of the water treatment system, minimizes contamination of catalysts, and prevents clogging, resulting in a more efficient and durable hydrogen generation process.
Implementation Method 1
a filter unit (14) that serves to deionize the sterilized water
Implementation Method 2
the pressure in an internal space S1 of the first reservoir (31) is equal to the pressure in an internal space S2 of the second reservoir (32)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A hydrogen generator (100) includes a reformer (11) that generates a hydrogen-containing gas from a source gas and reforming water, a condensed water channel (12) through which condensed water flows, a circulating water channel (13) through which circulating water flows, an ion exchange resin filter (14) which is provided to the circulating water channel (13) and deionizes the circulating water, a reservoir tank (30) including a first reservoir (31) provided to the condensed water channel (12) and a second reservoir (32) provided to the circulating water channel (13), a first communicator (37) through which the first and second reservoirs are in communication with each other, and a reforming water channel (16) that extends from a junction (15) of the circulating water channel (13) and supplies the circulating water as reforming water to the reformer (11). The pressure in the inner space of the first reservoir (31) is maintained to be the same as the pressure in the inner space of the second reservoir (32).