Hydrogen Pumping Cell With Integrated Shift Reactor for Fuel Exhaust Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell systems face inefficiencies in utilizing fuel exhaust, particularly in recovering hydrogen, which can lead to reduced overall system efficiency and increased energy costs.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an electrochemical pump separator with a water-gas shift (WGS) catalyst into the fuel cell system, allowing for the electrochemical separation of hydrogen from the fuel exhaust and its recycling back into the system, thereby enhancing fuel utilization and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fuel exhaust is directly discharged without hydrogen recovery, then system complexity is reduced, but fuel utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the WGS reactor and electrochemical pump separator into an integrated unit that processes fuel exhaust. The WGS reactor converts CO to H2, and the electrochemical pump separator simultaneously separates and recovers hydrogen from the exhaust stream, merging multiple functions into one device to improve fuel utilization without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers hydrogen from fuel exhaust that would otherwise be discarded. The electrochemical pump separator extracts hydrogen from the exhaust stream and returns it to the fuel inlet, transforming waste hydrogen into a useful resource and significantly improving overall fuel utilization efficiency.
2Productivity
If hydrogen is recovered and recycled from fuel exhaust, then fuel utilization efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochemical pump separator uses the fuel exhaust itself as the energy source to drive hydrogen separation. The system leverages the chemical energy already present in the exhaust to power the separation process, reducing the need for external energy input while maintaining high fuel utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the electrochemical pump separator to optimize energy efficiency. By adjusting temperature, pressure, and electrical potential conditions, the system achieves effective hydrogen separation with minimized energy consumption, balancing recovery efficiency against energy input requirements.
3Reliability
If carbon monoxide tolerant anodes are used, then hydrogen separation performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the anode material composition and operating parameters to achieve carbon monoxide tolerance. By adjusting the catalyst formulation and operating temperature, the system maintains high hydrogen separation performance while using materials and conditions that are more economically viable for manufacturing.
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 achieves a significant increase in fuel cell system efficiency by recycling separated hydrogen back into the fuel inlet, thereby improving fuel utilization and reducing the need for external steam generation, resulting in higher electrical efficiency and lower operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochemical pump separator that receives the fuel exhaust and separates at least a portion of the hydrogen contained therein
Implementation Method 2
a water-gas shift (WGS) catalyst integrated with the electrochemical pump separator
Implementation Method 3
a carbon monoxide tolerant anode
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a fuel inlet conduit configured to provide a fuel to a fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack, an electrochemical pump separator containing an electrolyte, a cathode, and a carbon monoxide tolerant anode, a fuel exhaust conduit that operatively connects a fuel exhaust outlet of the fuel cell stack to an anode inlet of the electrochemical pump separator, and a product conduit which operatively connects a cathode outlet of the electrochemical pump separator to the fuel inlet conduit.