SOFC Desulfurization Unit With Water Cavity for Faster Heat-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional desulfurization units in SOFC systems experience slow temperature rise of the desulfurizing agent due to inefficient heat exchange, resulting in larger size and increased space requirements, making installation and maintenance cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A desulfurization unit design featuring a container with a water cavity and double threaded bush, where circulating water from the vehicle heats the desulfurizing agent, facilitating quick temperature rise and easy replacement of the desulfurizing agent through a nested threaded connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional heating method using natural gas thermal cycle is used, then the desulfurization unit can maintain the temperature of desulfurizing agent, but the temperature rise is slow and heat exchange efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat exchanger as an intermediary device between the SOFC system and the desulfurization unit. This heat exchanger transfers thermal energy from the SOFC system to rapidly heat the desulfurizing agent, solving the slow temperature rise problem without requiring the desulfurization unit to rely on its own natural gas thermal cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-heats the desulfurizing agent using waste heat from the SOFC system before the desulfurization process begins. This preliminary heating action reduces the time required to reach operating temperature and improves overall system efficiency by utilizing otherwise wasted thermal energy
2Quantity of substance
If conventional desulfurization unit design is used, then the unit can store desulfurizing agent, but the unit is large in size and takes up large space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the desulfurization unit within the SOFC system structure, nesting the desulfurizing agent storage container within the overall system architecture. This nested design allows the desulfurization unit to share space with other system components, reducing the total volume required while maintaining adequate storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The desulfurization unit is designed to serve multiple functions within the SOFC system - storing desulfurizing agent, facilitating rapid heating through integrated heat exchange, and enabling easy maintenance access. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby reducing overall system volume
3Quantity of substance
If conventional desulfurization unit design is used, then the unit can store desulfurizing agent, but installation and maintenance are cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The desulfurization unit is designed as a segmented, modular component that can be easily detached and replaced. The desulfurizing agent storage is separated into replaceable modules that can be quickly swapped during maintenance without requiring complex disassembly of the entire SOFC system, significantly improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates quick-connect interfaces and movable components in the desulfurization unit design, allowing for dynamic and rapid installation/maintenance operations. The unit can be quickly connected or disconnected from the SOFC system without requiring extensive manual intervention or specialized tools
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 design enhances heat exchange efficiency, allowing for rapid temperature increase of the desulfurizing agent and simplifies the replacement process, reducing the size and complexity of the desulfurization unit.
Implementation Method 1
a water cavity is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall, a water inlet and a water outlet in communication with the water cavity are arranged on the outer wall... circulating water can enter the water cavity from the water inlet, circulate inside the water cavity and then be discharged out of the water cavity from the water outlet
Implementation Method 2
a double threaded bush arranged at the gas outlet, wherein the double threaded bush comprises an inner bush and an outer bush that adopt a threaded connection
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention discloses a desulfurization unit, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system and a vehicle, the desulfurization unit comprises a container for holding a desulfurizing agent, wherein the container comprises: an inner wall and an outer wall, a water cavity is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall, a water inlet and a water outlet in communication with the water cavity are arranged on the outer wall, the top of the container is provided with a gas outlet and the bottom of the container is provided with a gas inlet; and a double threaded bush arranged at the gas outlet, wherein the double threaded bush comprises an inner bush and an outer bush that adopt threaded connection, the outer wall of the outer bush is connected to the hole wall of the gas outlet in a threaded manner, and the inner wall of the inner bush is connected to an adapter in a threaded manner. The structural design of the desulfurization unit of the SOFC system can effectively solve the problem of slow temperature rise of the desulfurizing agent in the desulfurization unit of the SOFC system.