Electrochemical Hydrogen Pump Cell Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The efficiency of hydrogen compression operations in electrochemical hydrogen pumps is limited due to issues with hydrogen diffusivity and flooding, which are not adequately addressed by existing technologies, particularly in high-pressure conditions.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves controlling the temperature of the electrochemical hydrogen pump's cell by adjusting the cooling and heating processes in response to changes in cathode gas pressure, using a cooler to decrease cell temperature and a heater to manage temperature increases, thereby optimizing proton conductivity and reducing diffusion overvoltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cathode gas pressure is increased to improve hydrogen compression efficiency, then the compression efficiency improves, but the flooding increases and inhibits hydrogen diffusivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the cooling amount based on cathode gas pressure conditions. When cathode gas pressure increases, the controller increases the cooling amount to lower the cell temperature, which reduces flooding and maintains hydrogen diffusivity while allowing high-pressure compression to proceed efficiently
2Reliability
If the cell temperature is decreased to reduce flooding and improve hydrogen diffusivity, then hydrogen diffusivity improves, but the proton conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cooling amount adjustable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically changes the cooling amount based on real-time cathode gas pressure measurements, enabling the system to adapt temperature conditions to balance hydrogen diffusivity and proton conductivity requirements under varying operating conditions
3Reliability
If the cooling amount is increased to reduce cell temperature and minimize flooding, then hydrogen diffusivity is maintained, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback control by using the cathode gas pressure detector to monitor pressure conditions and feed this information to the controller, which then adjusts the cooling amount accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures cooling energy is applied only when necessary to maintain hydrogen diffusivity under high-pressure conditions
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 compression operations by minimizing the inhibition of hydrogen diffusivity due to flooding, maintaining high efficiency across varying pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a proton conductive electrolyte membrane (10) having a first main surface and a second main surface
Implementation Method 2
an electrochemical hydrogen pump including a cell (20) including a proton conductive electrolyte membrane
Implementation Method 3
a cooler (21B) that cools the cell (20)
Implementation Method 4
a voltage applier (14) that applies a voltage between the anode and the cathode
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochemical hydrogen pump includes: a cell including a proton conductive electrolyte membrane having a first main surface and a second main surface, a cathode disposed on the first main surface of the proton conductive electrolyte membrane, and an anode disposed on the second main surface of the proton conductive electrolyte membrane; a voltage applier that applies a voltage between the anode and the cathode; a cooler that cools the cell; and a controller that controls the cooler to increase an amount of cooling per unit time of the cell when a pressure of a cathode gas flow path on the cathode increases.