Hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system for engine-off operation including PEM regenerative hydrogen production

• US 8,347,645 B1
• Filed: 02/05/2010
• Issued: 01/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marz Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Marz Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Edward N.
• Primary Examiner(s): ALI, MOHAMMAD M
• Application Number:
  US12/658,286
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 622/36, 622/387, 623/241, 621/60, 165/163, 165/DIG.108, 165/DIG.206, 429/400, 429/407, 429/413, 602/86
• US Class Current: 62/236
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00428 electric
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 15/00 Operating or servicing cells
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/19 with diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 27/00 Machines, plants or systems, using particular sources of energy F25B30/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 16/003 of fuel cells with other electrochemical devices, e.g. capacitors, electrolysers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2008/1095 Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04029 Heat exchange using liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04067 Heat exchange or temperature measuring elements, thermal insulation, e.g. heat pipes, heat pumps, fins
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04089 of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04097 with recycling of the reactants H01M8/04119, H01M8/04104 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04149 by diffusion, e.g. making use of membranes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04231 Purging of the reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0656 by electrochemical means H01M8/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/129 Energy recovery, e.g. by cogeneration, H2recovery or pressure recovery turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system for powering a vehicle during engine-off time. The system includes a power storage and fuel cell conversion unit integrated with a high efficiency reverse cycle heat pump to provide cab comfort and auxiliary power to a vehicle when the engine is off. Hydrogen gas is generated from vehicle wasted energy during coasting, braking and at times of engine peak performance and is safely stored in metal hydride storage containers at low pressure. During engine-off time, a fuel cell draws from the stored hydrogen and works in conjunction with the heat pump to heat and cool and provide electrical power to the vehicle. The system is a green energy solution to anti-idling regulations as it produces no harmful EPA emissions as it provides air conditioning and power to the vehicle during engine-off time.

Claims

1. A hydrogen fuel cell driven heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) and power system, comprising:

a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer configured to convert water into hydrogen gas and oxygen;

at least one hydrogen storage tank configured to store the hydrogen gas generated by the PEM electrolyzer;

a PEM fuel cell configured to combine hydrogen from the at least one hydrogen storage tank with oxygen in the air; and

a multistage dryer and an automatic drain valve configured to remove moisture from the hydrogen gas to 10 parts per million (ppm) H₂O or less before the hydrogen gas enters the at least one hydrogen storage tank.

2. The hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system of claim 1, further comprising:

an electrolyzer coolant loop configured to control a temperature of the PEM electrolyzer;

a fuel cell coolant loop configured to control a temperature of the PEM fuel cell; and

a multi coil heat exchanger configured to recapture heat from the electrolyzer and the fuel cell coolant loops for use in a heat pump.

3. The hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system of claim 2, wherein a source of DC voltage configured to power the electrolyzer is selected from the group consisting of a transmission mounted DC generator, a solar panel, a wind turbine, and an external power source.

4. The hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system of claim 3, wherein

the PEM electrolyzer comprises four PEM cells, and

each of the PEM cells comprises a 6-cell polymer electrolytic membrane electrolysis unit rated for 14.5 Volts direct current (VDC) at 75 amps and produces at least 6.3 liters/minute of hydrogen gas.

5. The hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system of claim 4, wherein loading of the PEM electrolyzer is controlled by enabling or disabling the PEM cells in conjunction with varying output of a source of DC voltage.

6. The hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system of claim 1, wherein the at least one hydrogen storage tank comprises metal hydride storage canisters configured to store at least 900 liters of hydrogen per canister.

7. The hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system of claim 1, wherein

the PEM fuel cell comprises a liquid-cooled hydrogen fueled proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack, and

the fuel cell is configured to generate at least 4.5 kilowatts (kW) of power at 15.5 Volts direct current (VDC) and 300 amps.

8. The hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system of claim 1, further comprising a voltage converter, wherein the voltage converter comprises:

a DC/DC power converter configured to covert the electrical output of the PEM fuel cell to a constant 14.6 Volts direct current (VDC) at 200 amps maximum; and

a DC/AC inverter configured to supply AC power.

9. The hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system of claim 1, further comprising a controller, wherein the controller comprises:

a fuel cell controller;

an electrolyzer controller; and

a heat pump controller.

10. The hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system of claim 1, further comprising an air supply to the PEM fuel cell, wherein the air supply comprises an air membrane humidifier configured to humidify incoming air to the PEM fuel cell.

11. The hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system of claim 1, wherein

the PEM fuel cell comprises a hydrogen fuel supply and a hydrogen pressure control valve configured to control output pressure of hydrogen fuel from the PEM fuel cell, and

the hydrogen pressure control valve is configured to control the output pressure from 0-17 pounds per square inch (psi).

12. The hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system of claim 1, further comprising an air supply to the PEM fuel cell, wherein the air supply comprises a pulse width modulated (PWM) variable speed blower, the blower configured to control air pressure from 0-14.5 pounds per square inch (psi) and to control air flow from 0-200 liters/minute.

13. The hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system of claim 1, wherein

the PEM fuel cell comprises a hydrogen recirculation loop, and

the hydrogen recirculation loop comprises a hydrogen recirculation pump and a solenoid operated purge valve configured to purge stale gas and excess moisture from the hydrogen recirculation loop.

14. The hydrogen fuel cell driven HVAC and power system of claim 1, further comprising a heat pump comprising:

a refrigerant cooling loop comprising refrigerant;

a heat exchanger;

a reversing valve in the refrigerant cooling loop; and

a heat pump controller configured to cycle a reversing valve to switch the heat pump from a cooling mode to a heating mode as called for by a controller.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

a fuel cell coolant loop, the fuel cell coolant loop comprising

a pulse width modulated (PWM) variable speed coolant circulating pump configured to circulate cooling water between a PEM fuel cell and a multi-coil heat exchanger; and

a cooling loop thermostatic control valve in the fuel cell cooling loop configured to enable bypassing of the multi coil heat exchanger until an operating temperature of the PEM fuel cell reaches 141°

F.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a multistage dryer and an automatic drain valve configured to remove moisture from hydrogen gas to 10 parts per million (ppm) H₂O or less before the hydrogen gas enters at least one hydrogen storage tank.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

a fuel cell coolant loop comprising a hydrogen storage cooling valve, wherein

the hydrogen storage cooling valve is configured to enable bypassing of a cooling loop thermostatic control valve and a PEM fuel cell to enable coolant to cool at least one hydrogen storage tank.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

a multistage dryer and an automatic drain valve configured to remove moisture from hydrogen gas to 10 parts per million (ppm) H₂O or less before the hydrogen gas enters the at least one hydrogen storage tank.

19. An apparatus, comprising:

an electrolyzer coolant loop comprising a pulse width modulated (PWM) direct current (DC) volt pump and a multi coil heat exchanger, wherein

the electrolyzer coolant loop is configured to circulate distilled water through PEM cells to maintain a temperature of 130°

F. in the PEM cells.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a multistage dryer and an automatic drain valve configured to remove moisture from hydrogen gas to 10 parts per million (ppm) H₂O or less before the hydrogen gas enters at least one hydrogen storage tank.