DESC:FIELD
The present invention relates to systems for facilitating thermal management of fuel cells.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
It is desired that the thermal profile and thermal gradient of a fuel cell and air feed to the cathode of a fuel cell is kept within a desired temperature limit. Consecutively, it is also desired that along with the management of the thermal profile and the thermal gradient, the electrical conductivity of a coolant, of the fuel cell, is also regulated to ensure that the voltage produced by the fuel cell is not relayed to other conducting surfaces.
There is therefore felt a need for a system that caters to the aforementioned requirements.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for facilitating thermal management of a fuel cell.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system which can sense conductivity, particularly in-situ conductivity of the fuel cell body.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system which can control flow, particularly in-situ flow of a coolant feed of the fuel cell.
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a system which helps prevent overheating of the fuel cell.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system which helps prevent damage to the fuel cell by debris.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system which allows operation of a fuel cell in cold conditions.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system which renders a coolant non-conductive.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system which can be used for low ambient temperature operations.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a system for facilitating thermal management of a fuel cell stack.
The system comprises a coolant configured to be circulated through the fuel cell stack to absorb heat generated by the fuel cell stack. The system further comprises a radiator, a deionizer, a coolant heater, an intercooler, and a set of flow diverter valves. The radiator is configured to fluidly communicate with the fuel cell stack. The radiator is configured to receive the heated coolant from the fuel cell stack. The radiator is further configured to dissipate heat from the heated coolant to the surroundings. The deionizer is configured to fluidly communicate with the radiator to receive the heat dissipated coolant from the radiator in an operative first configuration of the system. The deionizer is configured to facilitate removal of ions from the heat dissipated coolant. The coolant heater is configured to fluidly communicate with the radiator to receive the heat dissipated coolant from the radiator in an operative second configuration of the system, the coolant heater configured to heat the received coolant. The intercooler is configured to fluidly communicate with the radiator to receive the heat dissipated coolant from the radiator in an operative third configuration of the system, to facilitate cooling of ambient temperature air received air blower outlet. The set of flow diverter valves is configured to selectively orient the system in the operative first configuration, the operative second configuration, or the operative third configuration of the system.
In an embodiment, the system includes a radiator bypass line which is configured to divert the flow of the heated coolant from the radiator, in an operative configuration thereof, to the intercooler, the deionizer or the coolant heater in the operative first configuration, in the operative second configuration, and in the operative third configuration of the system, respectively.
In an embodiment, the set of flow diverter valves is configured to fluidly communicate with the radiator to receive the heat dissipated coolant therefrom. A first flow diverter valve, of the set of flow diverter valves, is configured to selectively regulate flow of the heated coolant between the radiator and the radiator bypass line, in an operative configuration thereof. A second flow diverter valve, of the set of flow diverter valves, is configured to selectively regulate flow of the heat dissipated coolant from the radiator to the deionizer, in an operative configuration thereof. A third flow diverter valve, of the set of flow diverter valves, is configured to selectively regulate flow of the heat dissipated coolant from the radiator to the coolant heater, in an operative configuration thereof. A fourth flow diverter valve, of the set of flow diverter valves, is configured to selectively regulate flow of the heat dissipated coolant from the radiator to the intercooler, in an operative configuration thereof.
In an embodiment, the system includes a coolant tank provided upstream of the radiator. The coolant tank is configured to receive the heat dissipated coolant from the radiator.
In another embodiment, the system includes a coolant pump provided in fluid communication with the coolant tank. The coolant pump is configured to pump the heat dissipated coolant to the second flow diverter valve, the third flow diverter valve or the fourth flow diverter valve.
In an embodiment, the deionizer is selected from the group consisting of resin bed based charge absorption, cathodic protection based charge neutralization, and artificial grounding.
In an embodiment, the system includes a filtering unit provided upstream of the fuel cell stack. The filtering unit is configured to capture debris flowing through the heat dissipated coolant before being passed to the fuel cell stack.
In an embodiment, the filtering unit includes a mesh filter.
In an embodiment, the system includes a plurality of temperature sensing units configured to be located downstream and upstream of the radiator, the coolant heater, the intercooler, and the fuel cell stack.
In an embodiment, each the temperature sensing unit is selected from the group consisting of thermocouples, thermistors, bi-metallic temperature gauge, pyrometers, IR cameras, or a combination thereof.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
10 fuel cell stack
100 system
105 radiator
110 deionizer
115 coolant heater
120 intercooler
122 first flow diverter valve
124 second flow diverter valve
126 third flow diverter valve
128 fourth flow diverter valve
130 radiator bypass line
132 coolant tank
134 coolant pump
136 coolant filtering unit
136A Fuel Cell Coolant Outlet Temperature
136B Fuel Cell Coolant Inlet Temperature
136C Coolant to Fuel Heat Exchanger
136D Radiator Outlet Temperature
136E Coolant Conductivity Sensor
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A system, of the present disclosure, for facilitating thermal management of a fuel cell will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram representing the working of the system of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart representing the system of the present disclosure and its modularization; and
Figure 3 illustrates a graphical representation of various functional parameters of the fuel cell having the system of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including”, “includes” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
A system (100), of the present disclosure, for facilitating thermal management of a fuel cell stack (10) will now be described in detail with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 3. The fuel cell stack (10) has an air blower outlet configured to receive ambient air therein for facilitating regulation of temperature of the air blower outlet temperature.
The system (100) comprises a coolant configured to be circulated through the fuel cell stack (10) to absorb heat generated by the fuel cell stack (10). The system (100) further comprises a radiator (105), a deionizer (110), a coolant heater (115), an intercooler (120), and a set of flow diverter valves (122, 124, 126, 128). The radiator (105) is configured to fluidly communicate with the fuel cell stack (10). The radiator (105) is configured to receive the heated coolant from the fuel cell stack (10). The radiator (105) is further configured to dissipate heat from the heated coolant to the surroundings. The deionizer (110) is configured to fluidly communicate with the radiator (105) to receive the heat dissipated coolant from the radiator (105) in an operative first configuration of the system (100). In an embodiment, deionizer (110) is configured to fluidly communicate with the radiator (105) conductively, convectively and/or radiatively. The deionizer (110) is configured to facilitate removal of ions from the heat dissipated coolant. The coolant heater (115) is configured to fluidly communicate with the radiator (105) to receive the heat dissipated coolant from the radiator (105) in an operative second configuration of the system (100), the coolant heater (115) configured to heat the received coolant. The intercooler (120) is configured to fluidly communicate with the radiator (105) to receive the heat dissipated coolant from the radiator (105) in an operative third configuration of the system (100), to facilitate cooling of ambient temperature air received at the air blower outlet, thus regulating the temperature of the air blower outlet temperature. The set of flow diverter valves (122, 124, 126, 128) is configured to selectively orient the system (100) in the operative first configuration, the operative second configuration, or the operative third configuration of the system (100).
In an embodiment, the system (100) includes a radiator bypass line (130) which is configured to divert the flow of the heated coolant from the radiator (105), in an operative configuration thereof, to the intercooler (120), the deionizer (110) or the coolant heater (115) in the operative first configuration, in the operative second configuration, and in the operative third configuration of the system (100), respectively.
In an embodiment, the set of flow diverter valves (122, 124, 126, 128) is configured to fluidly communicate with the radiator (105) to receive the heat dissipated coolant therefrom. A first flow diverter valve (122), of the set of flow diverter valves (122, 124, 126, 128), is configured to selectively regulate flow of the heated coolant between the radiator (105) and the radiator bypass line (130), in an operative configuration thereof. The first flow diverter valve (122) thus helps isolate the radiator (105) during system (100) fuel cell stack (10) startup and at extremely cold conditions to maintain the coolant temperature and system (100) temperature at optimal levels. A second flow diverter valve (124), of the set of flow diverter valves (122, 124, 126, 128), is configured to selectively regulate flow of the heat dissipated coolant from the radiator (105) to the deionizer (110), in an operative configuration thereof. The deionizer (110) comprises a deionizer bed which is configured to receive some portion of the coolant for removing ions contained in the coolant. Removal of ions is essential to prevent leakage of electric potential of the fuel cell into the body of the fuel cell. A third flow diverter valve (126), of the set of flow diverter valves (122, 124, 126, 128), is configured to selectively regulate flow of the heat dissipated coolant from the radiator (105) to the coolant heater (115), in an operative configuration thereof. The coolant heater (115) is configured to receive the coolant, and is further configured to heat the coolant during fuel cell stack (10) startup in cold ambient condition. More specifically, in order for the fuel cell stack (10) to work efficiently the fuel cell shall must achieve a temperature of approximately 40°C. However in certain geographical locations where the ambient temperature itself is very cold, the fuel cell stack (10) will take relatively longer time to heat up. In such a condition, the coolant heater (115) will help heat the coolant and make sure that the coolant achieves the desired operating temperature. A fourth flow diverter valve (128), of the set of flow diverter valves (122, 124, 126, 128), is configured to selectively regulate flow of the heat dissipated coolant from the radiator (105) to the intercooler (120), in an operative configuration thereof.
The first flow diverter valve (122) and circulation of the coolant is essential to overcome the risk of over pressuring of the fuel cell and uncontrolled heat up of the fuel cell stack (10).
In an embodiment, the deionizer (110) is selected from the group consisting of resin bed based charge absorption, cathodic protection based charge neutralization , artificial grounding etc.
In an embodiment, the flow diverters are any one selected from the group consisting of ball valve based flow diverters, gate assemble based actuators, and thermostat based actuators.
The radiator (105) size and the flow of the coolant therethrough is calculated as follows:
For the purpose of calculations, water glycol mixture is considered as a coolant.
Specific heat of EGlycol, CpEglycol: 2.43kJ/kgK
Specific heat of Water, CpWater: 4.19kJ/kgK
Water: Eglycol mixture ratio = 1:0
Therefore,
Specific heat of water= Specific heat of EGlycol
Specific heat of water-EGlycol mixture = X CpWater + g x CpEglycol
= 1x4.19kJ/kgK + 0 = 4.19kJ/kgK
Density of water = 1 kg/l
Density of EGlycol = 1.11 kg/l
Therefore,
Density of water-EGlycol mixture = 1 kg/l
Maximum coolant flow (F) = 275 l/min
Mass flow rate = F/Pweg = 275 /1 = 275 l/min
Mass flow rate (M) = 4.58 kg/sec
Required ?temperature = 10K considering drop in coolant temperature from 80°C to 100°C
Therefore,
Maximum heat load of fuel cell is Q =mCp?T
Where,
Q = heat load
Cp= specific heat of coolant
?T = required maximum reduction in temperature by the radiator (105)
Q=4.58 kg/s x 4.19 kJ/kgK x 10k = 191.90 KJ/sec

In an embodiment, the system (100) includes a coolant tank (132) provided upstream of the radiator (105). The coolant tank (132) is configured to receive the heat dissipated coolant from the radiator (105).
In another embodiment, the system (100) includes a coolant pump (134) provided in fluid communication with the coolant tank (132). The coolant pump (134) is configured to pump the heat dissipated coolant to the second flow diverter valve (124), the third flow diverter valve (126) or the fourth flow diverter valve (128).
In an embodiment, the deionizer (110) is selected from the group consisting of resin bed based charge absorption, cathodic protection based charge neutralization, and artificial grounding.
In an embodiment, the system (100) includes a coolant filtering unit (136) provided upstream of the fuel cell stack (10). The coolant filtering unit (136) is configured to capture debris flowing through the heat dissipated coolant before being passed to the fuel cell stack (10).
In an embodiment, the coolant filtering unit (136) includes a mesh filter configured to capture the debris from the flow of the coolant.
In an embodiment, the system (100) includes a plurality of temperature sensing units configured to be located downstream and upstream of the radiator (105), the coolant heater (115), the intercooler (120), and the fuel cell stack (10).
In an embodiment, each the temperature sensing unit is selected from the group consisting of resistance temperature detectors (RTD), thermo-resistive devices, thermocouples, thermistors, bi-metallic temperature gauge, pyrometers, IR cameras, or a combination thereof.
In another embodiment, the system (100) includes a plurality of pressure sensing units and a plurality of temperature sensing units configured to help regulate coolant’s pressure and flow, respectively, to make sure adequate and desired amount of the coolant is being flown from the fuel cell stack (10), thereby regulating the temperature profile of the fuel cell stack (10) and air intercooler (120).
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described hereinabove has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a system for facilitating thermal management of a fuel cell, which:
? can sense conductivity, particularly in-situ conductivity of the fuel cell body;
? can control flow, particularly in-situ flow of a coolant feed of the fuel cell;
? helps prevent overheating of the fuel cell;
? helps prevent damage to the fuel cell by debris;
? allows operation of a fuel cell in cold conditions;
? renders a coolant non-conductive; and
? can be used for low ambient temperature operations.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Any discussion of materials, implants, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM
1. A system (100) for facilitating thermal management of a fuel cell stack (10) having an air blower outlet configured to receive ambient air therein, said system (100) comprising:
• a coolant configured to be circulated through the fuel cell stack (10) to absorb heat generated by the fuel cell stack (10);
• a radiator (105) configured to fluidly communicate with the fuel cell stack (10), said radiator (105) configured to receive said heated coolant from the fuel cell stack (10), said radiator (105) further configured to dissipate heat from said heated coolant to the surroundings;
• a deionizer (110) configured to fluidly communicate with said radiator (105) to receive said heat dissipated coolant from said radiator (105) in an operative first configuration of said system (100), said deionizer (110) configured to facilitate removal of ions from said heat dissipated coolant;
• a coolant heater (115) configured to fluidly communicate with said radiator (105) to receive said heat dissipated coolant from said radiator (105) in an operative second configuration of said system (100), said coolant heater (115) configured to heat said received coolant;
• an intercooler (120) configured to fluidly communicate with said radiator (105) to receive said heat dissipated coolant from said radiator (105) in an operative third configuration of said system (100), to facilitate cooling of ambient temperature air received at the air blower outlet; and
• a set of flow diverter valves (122, 124, 126, 128) configured to selectively orient said system (100) in said operative first configuration, said operative second configuration, or said operative third configuration of said system (100).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a radiator bypass line (130) configured to divert flow of said heated coolant from said radiator (105), in an operative configuration thereof, to said intercooler (120), said deionizer (110) or said coolant heater (115) in said operative first configuration, said operative second configuration, and said operative third configuration of said system (100), respectively.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said set of flow diverter valves (122, 124, 126, 128) is configured to fluidly communicate with said radiator (105) to receive said heat dissipated coolant therefrom, wherein:
o a first flow diverter valve (122), of said set of flow diverter valves (122, 124, 126, 128), is configured to selectively regulate flow of said heated coolant between said radiator (105) and said radiator bypass line (130), in an operative configuration thereof;
o a second flow diverter valve (124), of said set of flow diverter valves (122, 124, 126, 128), is configured to selectively regulate flow of said heat dissipated coolant from said radiator (105) to said deionizer (110), in an operative configuration thereof;
o a third flow diverter valve (126), of said set of flow diverter valves (122, 124, 126, 128), is configured to selectively regulate flow of said heat dissipated coolant from said radiator (105) to said coolant heater (115), in an operative configuration thereof; and
o a fourth flow diverter valve (128), of said set of flow diverter valves (122, 124, 126, 128), is configured to selectively regulate flow of said heat dissipated coolant from said radiator (105) to said intercooler (120), in an operative configuration thereof.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a coolant tank (132) provided upstream of said radiator (105), said coolant tank (132) configured to receive said heat dissipated coolant from said radiator (105).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, which includes a coolant pump (134) provided in fluid communication with said coolant tank (132), said coolant pump (134) configured to pump said heat dissipated coolant to said second flow diverter valve (124), said third flow diverter valve (126) or said fourth flow diverter valve (128).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said deionizer (110) is selected from the group consisting of resin bed based charge absorption, cathodic protection based charge neutralization, and artificial grounding.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a coolant filtering unit (136) provided upstream of said fuel cell stack (10), said coolant filtering unit (136) configured to capture debris flowing through said heat dissipated coolant before being passed to the fuel cell stack (10).
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said coolant filtering unit (136) includes a mesh filter.
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a plurality of temperature sensing units configured to be located downstream and upstream of said radiator (105), said coolant heater (115), said intercooler (120), and said fuel cell stack (10).
10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein each said temperature sensing unit is selected from the group consisting of thermocouples, thermistors, bi-metallic temperature gauge, pyrometers, IR cameras, or a combination thereof.
Dated this 3rd day of June, 2024

_______________________________
MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA – 25
OF R. K. DEWAN & CO.
AUTHORIZED AGENT OF APPLICANT