Multi-Stage Compressor for Independent Fuel Cell Stack Pressures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi stack fuel cell systems face challenges in achieving energy efficient and lifetime optimal operation due to varying air supply conditions across individual stacks, with existing solutions either requiring expensive independent compressors or compromising system complexity by providing uniform pressurized air.
Innovation Solution
A compressor system with two compressor stages, driven by a common source, where each stage can produce different pressures, allowing for independent adjustment of air pressure to individual fuel cell stacks, and incorporating an expander turbine for energy recuperation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two independent compressors are used to provide adjusted air supply to each fuel cell stack, then energy efficiency and lifetime optimization for each stack is improved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The single compressor is segmented into multiple compressor stages (first compressor stage, second compressor stage), where each stage can independently adjust its output pressure. This allows different pressure levels to be delivered to different fuel cell stacks while sharing a common drive source, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining the ability to optimize each stack's operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each compressor stage is equipped with adjustable means (such as adjustable vanes or variable geometry components) that enable dynamic adjustment of the output pressure. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to varying operational requirements of different fuel cell stacks, maintaining energy efficiency and optimal lifetime performance while using a single compressor unit.
2Device complexity
If a single common compressor is used to supply both fuel cell stacks, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide individually optimized air supply conditions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor is divided into multiple independent compressor stages, each capable of delivering compressed air at different pressure levels to different fuel cell stacks. This segmentation maintains system simplicity through a single drive source while restoring the adaptability to individually adjust air supply conditions for each stack.
Solution Approach 2:
Each compressor stage is equipped with its own adjusting means that allows independent control of output pressure and flow characteristics. This local adjustment capability ensures that each fuel cell stack receives air supply conditions specifically optimized for its operational requirements, even though both stacks are served by a single compressor unit.
3Reliability
If multiple independent compressors are deployed, then individual stack optimization is achieved, but manufacturing cost and system maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple compressor stages are merged into a single integrated compressor unit that shares a common drive source, housing, and control system. This merging reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the capability to individually optimize air supply to each fuel cell stack through the adjustable means on each stage.
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
Enables energy efficient and lifetime optimal operation of multi stack fuel cell systems while maintaining low system complexity by allowing adjustable pressurized air supply to each stack, reducing energy consumption and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first compressor stage that is configured to take in an intake fluid, compress the intake fluid to a compressed fluid and output the compressed fluid as an output fluid at a first pressure, a second compressor stage that is configured to take in an intake fluid, compress the intake fluid to a compressed fluid and output the compressed fluid as an output fluid at a second pressure
Implementation Method 2
incorporating an expander turbine for energy recuperation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a compressor and a multi stack fuel cell and in particular relates to a compressor and a multi stack fuel cell with adjustable pressurized fluid inputs. Disclosed is a compressor comprising a first compressor stage that is configured to take in an intake fluid, compress the intake fluid to a compressed fluid and output the compressed fluid as an output fluid at a first pressure, a second compressor stage that is configured to take in an intake fluid, compress the intake fluid to a compressed fluid and output the compressed fluid as an output fluid at a second pressure.