Rotating Bipolar Cell Pack for Water Removal and Reversible DC Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel cells operate at near atmospheric pressure, leading to water vapor production instead of liquid water, which blocks gas access and reduces efficiency, and are difficult to reverse for water electrolysis due to size and heat management issues, especially at high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable bipolar cell pack that adapts to pressure and temperature, allowing continuous removal of liquid water from electrodes and facilitating gas access, enabling higher efficiency and compactness, and easy conversion between fuel cell and water electrolyser modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fuel cells operate at near atmospheric pressure, then the device structure is simple, but water vapor blocks gas access and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating pressure parameter from near atmospheric pressure to elevated pressure (e.g., 2-10 bar). This parameter change causes water to form as liquid rather than vapor, preventing gas blocking and improving efficiency while maintaining relatively simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from vapor to liquid by operating at elevated pressure. This phase transition fundamentally changes water's behavior in the fuel cell, allowing it to be easily removed from electrode surfaces and preventing it from blocking gas access, thereby resolving the efficiency problem
2Ease of operation
If static fuel cells operate at 1G gravity, then the device is simple to operate, but produced water remains on electrodes and blocks gas supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rotation as a dynamic element, transforming the static fuel cell into a rotating system. This dynamic operation uses centrifugal force generated during rotation to continuously remove water from electrode surfaces, preventing gas blocking while maintaining operational simplicity through automated rotational motion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes centrifugal force (a hydraulic principle) generated by rotation to move water away from electrodes. This hydraulic mechanism automatically removes water without complex mechanical components, maintaining ease of operation while improving gas access
3Adaptability or versatility
If SOC operate at high temperature and low pressure, then the cells can work in both fuel cell and electrolyser modes, but heat dissipation is difficult and causes degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rotation as a dynamic mechanism that enhances convective heat and mass transfer. This dynamic operation improves heat dissipation and distributes temperature more evenly throughout the cell, enabling high-temperature reversible operation without the degradation problems associated with static high-temperature systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses continuous rotation to maintain continuous convective flow throughout the cell. This continuous action ensures constant heat dissipation and uniform temperature distribution, preventing localized overheating and catalyst degradation while enabling sustained high-temperature reversible operation
4Volume of moving object
If fuel cells are made compact, then the device volume is reduced, but heat distribution and water vapor convection are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses rotation to create dynamic convective currents that efficiently distribute heat and water vapor throughout the compact cell volume. This dynamic convection overcomes the limitations of compact design by maintaining effective heat and mass transfer despite reduced dimensions
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 solution increases efficiency, power density, and compactness of fuel cells, improves temperature balance, and allows for efficient reversal to water electrolysis, setting a new standard for safety and performance.
Implementation Method 1
the cell pack, which during constant rotation will be continuously hurled outward towards the periphery
Implementation Method 2
When H2 and O2 come into contact with their respective catalytic electrodes in the cells, the reaction with a proton-conducting electrolyte produces water vapor
Implementation Method 3
Fuel cells are available for both low temperature (LT) and high temperature (HT) fuel cells
Implementation Method 4
The rotation of the cell pack provides a high G and better convection in the cells
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a device for producing DC electricity and water with supplied hydrogen and oxygen, as well as where the device is arranged to be reversed to produce hydrogen and oxygen by supply of water and DC current.