Hydrogen Recirculation Loop for Fuel Cell Turbine Thermal Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid fuel cell gas turbine systems face inefficiencies due to the need for cryogenic storage of hydrogen, which requires high compression or cooling, and subsequent heating challenges for effective fuel cell operation, leading to suboptimal energy conversion and emissions.
Innovation Solution
A recirculating hydrogen loop is implemented, utilizing the chill from stored hydrogen as a heat sink to manage thermal energy within the system, combining compressed or liquid hydrogen with cooled used hydrogen to optimize fuel cell operation and reduce energy losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is stored in compressed or liquid form for efficient storage, then storage density is improved, but the hydrogen requires heating to operational temperature which reduces system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful waste heat from the fuel cell into a beneficial resource by using it to preheat the cryogenic hydrogen before it enters the fuel cell. This heat recovery approach transforms the energy loss into a useful function, reducing the additional heating required and improving overall system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating of the hydrogen by passing it through a heat exchanger that recovers heat from the fuel cell's waste heat. This preheating action occurs before the hydrogen reaches the fuel cell, reducing the temperature differential that would otherwise need to be bridged and minimizing energy losses.
2Device complexity
If waste heat from the fuel cell is dissipated to the environment, then thermal management is simplified, but energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the waste heat dissipation function with the hydrogen preheating function by integrating a heat exchanger into the hydrogen supply system. This combination allows the waste heat to be recovered and utilized for preheating the hydrogen, transforming a simple dissipation system into a dual-function thermal management system that improves efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger component serves multiple functions: it acts as a heat recovery device to preheat hydrogen, functions as part of the thermal management system to control temperatures, and contributes to overall system efficiency. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
3Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is highly compressed or cryogenically cooled for storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but system weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the cold temperature of the stored hydrogen from a potential problem into a beneficial resource. By using the cold hydrogen as a heat sink to cool other system components, the system eliminates the need for separate cooling systems, reducing overall system weight and complexity while maintaining efficient storage.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the hydrogen storage temperature is maintained at cryogenic levels, then storage stability is improved, but additional heating requirements reduce system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the hydrogen by passing it through a heat exchanger that recovers heat from the fuel cell's waste heat. This preheating action occurs before the hydrogen reaches the fuel cell, reducing the temperature differential that would otherwise need to be bridged and minimizing energy losses.
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 enhances the efficiency of hydrogen fuel cell systems by fully utilizing stored hydrogen, reducing component size and weight, lowering emissions, and improving safety, while maintaining efficient energy conversion and propulsion.
Implementation Method 1
a recirculating hydrogen loop receiving hydrogen from the liquid or compressed hydrogen source and hydrogen used by the fuel cell to provide cooled used hydrogen
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
use compressed gas/air to drive a turbine to drive an aircraft propeller
Data Source
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AI summary
A fuel cell system comprising: a gas turbine (110) having a combustion chamber (114) and a turbine (116); a hydrogen fuel cell (102) 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 (102) and to the combustion chamber; and a closed hydrogen loop for providing hydrogen from a liquid or compressed hydrogen source (104) to the fuel cell and to the combustion chamber (114); the system further comprising: a hydrogen recirculation loop (30) receiving hydrogen from the liquid or compressed hydrogen source (104) and hydrogen used by the fuel cell to provide cooled used hydrogen, the hydrogen recirculation loop further combing the cooled used hydrogen with hydrogen from the liquid or compressed hydrogen source to provide to the fuel cell as the input hydrogen.