Reversible Fuel Cell Closed-Loop Refueling Without External Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reversible fuel cell and electrolyzer systems require external resources for hydrogen, oxygen, and water, limiting their self-sustainability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A self-refueling power-generating system with reversible devices that operate in fuel cell and electrolyzer modes, utilizing closed circuits for hydrogen and oxygen supply and a combined water/oxygen circuit, and a controller to manage operation based on power requirements and availability, enabling self-sustaining operation without external resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reversible fuel cell and electrolyzer systems are designed to operate with external resource supply, then system operation is simplified and reliable, but self-sustainability capability is reduced and external dependency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fuel cell and electrolyzer systems into an integrated reversible system where the product streams from one process become the reactant feeds for the other. Specifically, hydrogen and oxygen produced during electrolysis are directly fed into the fuel cell, and water produced during fuel cell operation is recycled back to the electrolyzer, creating a closed-loop system that achieves self-sustainability while maintaining operational reliability through unified control.
Solution Approach 2:
The reversible system is designed to be self-sufficient by internally recycling all necessary reactants and products. The system generates its own hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis when external supply is unavailable, and produces water that is automatically recycled back to the electrolyzer feed, eliminating the need for external resource supply while maintaining continuous operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If closed circuit systems are implemented for hydrogen, oxygen, and water management, then self-sustainability is improved and external resource dependency is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reversible fuel cell-electrolyzer system serves multiple functions within a single integrated platform. The same core electrochemical device can operate as an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen and oxygen, or as a fuel cell to generate electricity, depending on external power availability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving self-sustainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates preliminary storage and management capabilities for hydrogen, oxygen, and water within the closed circuit. By pre-storing reactants and products in integrated tanks and recycling loops, the system is prepared to switch between operational modes without external intervention, simplifying the control architecture required to manage the closed circuit while maintaining self-sustainability.
3Productivity
If reversible devices operate alternately in fuel cell and electrolyzer modes, then energy storage and delivery efficiency is improved, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reversible system operates in periodic cycles, switching between electrolyzer mode (when external power is available and energy storage is needed) and fuel cell mode (when energy delivery is required). This periodic operation allows the system to efficiently store energy by producing and storing hydrogen during off-peak periods and deliver energy by consuming stored hydrogen during peak demand, while the control system manages transitions based on simple state conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses feedback from system state sensors (hydrogen level, oxygen level, power availability) to automatically determine operational mode. When hydrogen and oxygen levels are sufficient and external power is available, the system switches to electrolyzer mode for energy storage; when energy delivery is needed or reactants are depleted, it switches to fuel cell mode. This feedback-based control simplifies the decision-making process while maintaining high energy storage and delivery efficiency.
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
The system achieves self-refueling and self-sustaining energy generation by efficiently managing hydrogen, oxygen, and water supply, allowing for continuous operation with minimal external input, enhancing energy storage and delivery efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrogen-side catalyst layer configured to catalyze hydrogen oxidation in the fuel cell mode and to catalyze hydrogen formation in the electrolyzer mode and an oxidant-side catalyst layer configured to catalyze oxygen reduction in the fuel cell mode and to catalyze oxygen formation in the electrolyzer mode
Implementation Method 2
the reversible device configured to be operated alternately as a fuel cell in a fuel cell mode and as an electrolyzer in an electrolyzer mode
Implementation Method 3
the reversible device configured to be operated alternately as a fuel cell in a fuel cell mode and as an electrolyzer in an electrolyzer mode
Data Source
AI summary
Self-refueling power-generating systems and methods of configuring them are provided, which enable operation in a self-sustained manner, using no external resource for water, oxygen or hydrogen. The systems and methods determine the operation of reversible device(s) in fuel cell or electrolyzer mode according to power requirements and power availability, supply oxygen in a closed circuit, compressing received oxygen in the electrolyzer mode, and supplying water or dilute electrolyte in a closed circuit in conjunction with the closed oxygen supply circuit by separating oxygen produced by the reversible device(s) in the electrolyzer mode from the water or dilute electrolyte received from the reversible device(s). Membrane assemblies may comprise a binder and be hot-pressed to enhance their long-term performance and durability.