Hybrid Hydrogen Loop Architecture for Fuel Cell Turbine Thermal Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid fuel cell gas turbine systems face inefficiencies and high emissions due to the need for very low temperatures for hydrogen storage, which are not suitable for system operation, and there is a need to maximize fuel cell efficiency and reduce weight and volume for aircraft applications.
Innovation Solution
A recirculating hydrogen loop is used to leverage the chill from stored hydrogen as a heat sink, combining cooled used hydrogen with fresh hydrogen to optimize temperature for the fuel cell and reduce energy losses, while also utilizing the hydrogen as a heat source in the combustion chamber to enhance efficiency and reduce component size and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored in liquid or compressed form at very low temperatures, then sufficient hydrogen can be stored for aircraft applications, but the hydrogen must be heated to higher temperatures for fuel cell operation, resulting in energy losses and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful waste heat generated by the fuel cell into a beneficial resource by using it to preheat the liquid hydrogen before it enters the fuel cell. This heat exchange process eliminates the need for separate heating systems and converts energy that would otherwise be wasted into useful thermal energy for hydrogen temperature conditioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a heat exchanger as an intermediary component between the fuel cell and the liquid hydrogen storage system. This heat exchanger mediates thermal energy transfer, allowing waste heat from the fuel cell to be transferred to the cold hydrogen, thereby reducing the thermal shock and energy requirements for hydrogen temperature management.
2Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored at very low temperatures, then efficient storage is achieved, but additional heating systems and components are required, increasing system weight and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the waste heat from the fuel cell serve multiple functions: it cools the fuel cell stack during operation and simultaneously preheats the liquid hydrogen before injection. This multi-functional use of thermal energy reduces the need for separate cooling and heating systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own internally generated waste heat to service the thermal conditioning needs of the hydrogen storage and delivery system. The fuel cell's waste heat automatically preheats the hydrogen and cools the fuel cell stack, creating a self-regulating thermal management system that reduces dependency on external active cooling and heating components.
3Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored at very low temperatures, then storage capacity is improved, but thermal management systems are required to handle temperature differences, increasing weight
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful waste heat that needs to be dissipated into a beneficial resource for preheating the liquid hydrogen. This eliminates the need for separate heating systems and reduces the weight associated with thermal management components while maintaining efficient hydrogen storage at low temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the waste heat recovery system with the hydrogen thermal conditioning system into a single integrated heat exchange process. By combining these functions, the system eliminates redundant components and reduces overall weight while maintaining both hydrogen storage capacity and fuel cell operational requirements.
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 improves the efficiency and safety of the system by fully utilizing hydrogen, reducing component size and weight, and minimizing heat losses, resulting in a more reliable, cost-effective, and efficient hybrid fuel cell gas turbine system for aircraft.
Implementation Method 1
uses the chill with a recirculating hydrogen loop such that compressed or liquid hydrogen on board an aircraft can be used as an additional heat sink to effectively manage heat produced during system operation
Implementation Method 2
a hydrogen fuel cell configured to generate electrical energy from input air and input hydrogen
Implementation Method 3
a gas turbine having a combustion chamber and a turbine
Implementation Method 4
a gas turbine having a combustion chamber and a turbine
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system includes: a gas turbine having a combustion chamber and a turbine; a hydrogen fuel cell configured to generate electrical energy from input air and input hydrogen; an air flow path for providing air from a source of fresh air as input air to the fuel cell and to the combustion chamber; and a closed hydrogen loop for providing hydrogen from a liquid or compressed hydrogen source to the fuel cell and to the combustion chamber. The system further includes: a hydrogen recirculation loop receiving hydrogen from the liquid or compressed hydrogen source and hydrogen used by the fuel cell to provide cooled used hydrogen, The hydrogen recirculation loop combines the cooled used hydrogen with hydrogen from the liquid or compressed hydrogen source to provide to the fuel cell as the input hydrogen.