Submarine Fuel Cell Cooling via Vacuum Degassing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Submarines with fuel cell systems experience undesirable noise and risk of cavitation in coolant circuits due to dissolved gases forming during heat absorption, which existing cooling systems fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a partial coolant flow being directed to a vacuum degasser to separate and remove dissolved gases, reducing noise and cavitation risk by creating negative pressure in accordance with Henry's law, and optionally passing the coolant through a bubble separator for pre-cleaning before degassing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a coolant is circulated through the fuel cell system to dissipate heat, then cooling efficiency is improved, but noise is generated in the coolant circuit and pump
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes dissolved gases from the coolant using a vacuum degasser. By continuously removing gas bubbles from the coolant, the system eliminates the source of noise generation in the coolant circuit and pump, while maintaining the cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum degasser is integrated into the coolant circuit to perform preliminary degassing of the coolant before it reaches the pump and other sensitive components. This preliminary removal of gases prevents noise generation downstream in the system.
2Temperature
If dissolved gases are present in the coolant during heat absorption, then cooling function is maintained, but cavitation damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum degasser continuously extracts dissolved gases from the coolant, removing the nuclei that would otherwise lead to cavitation formation. This eliminates the root cause of cavitation damage while preserving the coolant's thermal properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum degasser acts as an intermediary device in the coolant circuit, mediating between the heat-generating fuel cells and the cooling system. It processes the coolant by removing gases, thereby protecting downstream components from cavitation damage.
3Temperature
If the coolant absorbs heat from the fuel cells, then heat dissipation is achieved, but dissolved gases are released from the coolant
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum degasser operates continuously to remove dissolved gases from the coolant as it circulates through the system. This continuous action ensures that gases released during heat absorption are promptly removed, maintaining coolant quality throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a feedback loop where the vacuum degasser continuously monitors and removes gases from the coolant. The degassed coolant is then returned to the circuit, creating a self-regulating system that maintains optimal gas content levels.
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
Significantly reduces noise in the coolant circuit and pump, maintains a virtually gas-free coolant state, and minimizes the risk of cavitation damage by continuously removing dissolved gases, ensuring efficient cooling.
Implementation Method 1
A negative pressure is created in the vacuum degasser, which reduces the proportion of gas dissolved in the coolant by degassing in accordance with the principles of Henry's law.
Data Source
AI summary
The method involves guiding a coolant in a coolant circuit by the heat-generating device, such that a partial stream of coolant is derived from the coolant circuit in a liquid deaerator (10) and then returned to the coolant circuit. The supply of partial stream of coolant to liquid deaerator is repeated cyclically. The gas produced by venting of coolant per cycle is detected and supplied to coolant container (26). An independent claim is included for a cooling device.