Shared Hydrogen Flow Path in Reversible Electrolysis Fuel Cell Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water electrolysis and electricity generating systems are bulky and costly due to the need for separate components and flow paths for water electrolysis and electricity generation modes.
Innovation Solution
A system with a shared lead-out flow path and gas-liquid separator for both modes, allowing for a compact configuration and reduced manufacturing costs by integrating the hydrogen gas supply and exhaust paths, and utilizing a common air pump for oxygen supply in both modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate components and flow paths are provided for water electrolysis mode and electricity generating mode, then the system can reliably perform both functions, but the system becomes larger in scale and more expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single lead-out flow path and gas-liquid separator that serve both water electrolysis mode and electricity generating mode. The lead-out flow path is configured to handle both product hydrogen gas from electrolysis and hydrogen exhaust gas from fuel cell operation, while the gas-liquid separator separates gases from liquids in both operational modes, eliminating the need for mode-specific components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges previously separate flow paths and separation systems into a unified configuration. The lead-out flow path integrates the hydrogen gas supply function for fuel cell mode with the product hydrogen discharge function from electrolysis mode. Similarly, the gas-liquid separator is combined to handle both modes' gas-liquid separation needs, reducing overall system complexity and volume.
2Reliability
If separate components and flow paths are provided for water electrolysis mode and electricity generating mode, then the system can reliably perform both functions, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single lead-out flow path and gas-liquid separator that serve both water electrolysis mode and electricity generating mode. The lead-out flow path is configured to handle both product hydrogen gas from electrolysis and hydrogen exhaust gas from fuel cell operation, while the gas-liquid separator separates gases from liquids in both operational modes, eliminating the need for mode-specific components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges previously separate flow paths and separation systems into a unified configuration. The lead-out flow path integrates the hydrogen gas supply function for fuel cell mode with the product hydrogen discharge function from electrolysis mode. Similarly, the gas-liquid separator is combined to handle both modes' gas-liquid separation needs, reducing overall system complexity and volume.
3Adaptability or versatility
If duplicate components are provided for both modes, then the system can operate independently in each mode, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single lead-out flow path and gas-liquid separator that serve both water electrolysis mode and electricity generating mode. The lead-out flow path is configured to handle both product hydrogen gas from electrolysis and hydrogen exhaust gas from fuel cell operation, while the gas-liquid separator separates gases from liquids in both operational modes, eliminating the need for mode-specific components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the system to switch between different operational configurations through valve control. The flow path switching mechanism allows the same physical infrastructure to dynamically adapt between water electrolysis mode (where the lead-out path discharges product hydrogen) and electricity generating mode (where the lead-out path supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell), maintaining mode independence without duplicate hardware.
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 a smaller, more cost-effective system design by eliminating the need for duplicate components and optimizing the use of shared resources, enhancing operational efficiency and scalability.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-liquid separator configured to separate into a gas and a liquid the product hydrogen gas and the hydrogen exhaust gas that are led out from the lead-out flow path
Implementation Method 2
In the water electrolysis mode, the water electrolysis and electricity generating system electrolyzes the water supplied to the first electrode, and thereby causes a product hydrogen gas to be generated at the second electrode
Implementation Method 3
In the electricity generating mode, electricity is generated by an electrochemical reaction that takes place between the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the first electrode and the hydrogen gas supplied to the second electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A water electrolysis and electricity generating system is equipped with a second supply flow path, a second lead-out flow path, a second gas-liquid separator, a hydrogen exhaust gas circulation flow path, and a storage flow path. In the second lead-out flow path, product hydrogen gas and hydrogen exhaust gas are led out from a cell member. The second gas-liquid separator separates into a gas and a liquid the product hydrogen gas and the hydrogen exhaust gas which have been led out from the second lead-out flow path. The second lead-out flow path and the second gas-liquid separator are shared in common by a water electrolysis mode and an electricity generating mode.