GB2579081A - Hydrogen vehicle including heat capture system - Google Patents

Hydrogen vehicle including heat capture system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2579081A
GB2579081A GB1818845.8A GB201818845A GB2579081A GB 2579081 A GB2579081 A GB 2579081A GB 201818845 A GB201818845 A GB 201818845A GB 2579081 A GB2579081 A GB 2579081A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vehicle
coolant
component
heat
waste heat
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Granted
Application number
GB1818845.8A
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GB2579081B (en
GB201818845D0 (en
Inventor
Mullally Daniel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hydrogen Vehicle Systems Ltd
Original Assignee
HV Systems Ltd
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Publication date
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Priority to GB1818845.8A priority Critical patent/GB2579081B/en
Publication of GB201818845D0 publication Critical patent/GB201818845D0/en
Publication of GB2579081A publication Critical patent/GB2579081A/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
    • B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
    • B60L50/70—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by fuel cells
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L1/00—Supplying electric power to auxiliary equipment of vehicles
    • B60L1/20—Energy regeneration from auxiliary equipment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
    • B60L58/30—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling fuel cells
    • B60L58/32—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling fuel cells for controlling the temperature of fuel cells, e.g. by controlling the electric load
    • B60L58/33—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling fuel cells for controlling the temperature of fuel cells, e.g. by controlling the electric load by cooling
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/40—Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)
  • Electric Propulsion And Braking For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

A vehicle 10 comprises at least one component which, during operation, produces waste heat, such as a hydrogen fuel cell 20. A heat capture system 60 is thermally coupled to the component and adapted to capture waste heat and convert the waste heat to usable energy. The heat capture system comprises: a coolant circuit 62 for circulating a coolant such that waste heat from the component is transferred to the coolant, whereby the coolant is converted from a liquid state to a gaseous state; a turbine 70 having a rotor and coupled to the coolant circuit such that expansion of the coolant during conversion from a liquid state to a gaseous state causes rotation of the rotor; and energy conversion means, such as a generator 80, adapted to convert rotation of the rotor to electricity. The electricity produced may be stored in battery 50. The heat capture system may additionally be thermally coupled to a plurality of components, such as motor 30, power electronics 40, and battery, which, during operation, produce waste heat. The coolant may comprises a refrigerant, such as ammonia, HFC-134a, sulphur dioxide, propane or isobutane.

Description

Hydrogen Vehicle Including Heat Capture System The present invention relates to heat capture systems. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to hydrogen vehicles including a heat capture system.
It is known to provide hydrogen vehicles. Such a vehicle converts the chemical energy of hydrogen to mechanical energy either by burning hydrogen in an internal combustion engine, or by reacting hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell to run electric motors. In a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVI, the fuel cell converts the chemical energy from the fuel into electricity through an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen fuel with oxygen. In addition to electricity, fuel cells produce water and heat emissions. Therefore, FCEVs offer a solution to the issue of high emissions from road vehicles, especially the highly polluting commercial vehicles.
However, the traction motor, the power electronics and, in particular, the fuel cell all produce waste heat, significantly reducing their efficiency and maintaining the problem of waste energy. Fuel cells generally have efficiencies of between 40% and 60%. The vehicles also require a heating, ventilation and cooling system (HVAC) in order to keep the cabin and the occupant at a comfortable temperature. Currently, each component has its own subsystem (plumbing, pumps, valves and electronics) that is separate from the other systems and maintains the heat of each component individually. This adds both weight and cost to the manufacturing and the final vehicle.
It is desirable to provide an improved means of managing waste heat in a vehicle. It is desirable to provide a single heat recapture system in a vehicle.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising: at least one component which, during operation, produces waste heat; and a heat capture system thermally coupled to the component and adapted to capture waste heat and convert the waste heat to usable energy, wherein the heat capture system comprises: a coolant circuit for circulating a coolant such that waste heat from the component is transferred to the coolant, whereby the coolant is converted from a liquid state to a gaseous state; a turbine having a rotor and coupled to the coolant circuit such that expansion of the coolant during conversion from a liquid state to a gaseous state causes rotation of the rotor; and energy conversion means adapted to convert rotation of the rotor to electricity.
Optionally, the vehicle is a hydrogen vehicle. Optionally, the vehicle is a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle and the component comprises a fuel cell.
Optionally, the vehicle comprises a plurality of components which, during operation, produces waste heat. Optionally, the plurality of components includes an electric motor.
Alternatively, or in addition, the plurality of components may include power electronics for the vehicle.
Optionally, the heat capture system is thermally coupled to each component.
Optionally, the energy conversion means comprises an electrical generator.
Optionally, at least a portion of the electricity produced by the energy conversion means is used to power the electric motor.
Alternatively, or in addition, the vehicle may include a battery and wherein at least a portion of the electricity produced by the energy conversion means is stored in the battery.
Optionally, the coolant comprises a refrigerant. Optionally, the refrigerant comprises one of ammonia, HFC-134a, sulphur dioxide, propane and isobutane.
Optionally, the heat capture system includes a condenser adapted to convert the coolant from the gaseous state to a liquid state.
Optionally, the hydrogen vehicle includes a storage vessel for containing hydrogen fuel at high pressure.
Optionally, the storage vessel is adapted to deliver hydrogen fuel to the fuel cell such that the hydrogen fuel expands and cools during delivery.
Optionally, the storage vessel is fluidly coupled to the condenser such that heat from the coolant is transferred to the hydrogen fuel.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of capturing waste heat from at least one component, the method comprising: providing a coolant circuit for circulating a coolant; thermally coupling the coolant circuit to the component such that waste heat from the component is transferred to the coolant, whereby the coolant is converted from a liquid state to a gaseous state; coupling a turbine having a rotor to the coolant circuit such that expansion of the coolant during conversion from the liquid state to the gaseous state causes rotation of the rotor; and converting rotation of the rotor to electricity.
Optionally, the component is a component of a vehicle. Optionally, the vehicle is a hydrogen vehicle. Optionally, the vehicle is a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle and the component comprises a fuel cell.
Optionally, the vehicle comprises a plurality of components which, during operation, produces waste heat Optionally, the plurality of components includes an electric 30 motor.
Alternatively, or in addition, the plurality of components may include power electronics for the vehicle.
Optionally, the heat capture system is thermally coupled to each component.
Optionally, the method includes converting rotation of the rotor to electricity using an electrical generator.
Optionally, the method includes using at least a portion of the electricity produced to power the electric motor.
Alternatively, or in addition, the method includes storing at least a portion of the electricity produced by the energy conversion means in a battery.
Optionally, the method includes converting the coolant from the gaseous state to a liquid state using a condenser.
Optionally, the method includes storing hydrogen fuel in a storage vessel at high pressure.
Optionally, the method includes delivering hydrogen fuel from the storage vessel to the fuel cell such that the hydrogen fuel expands and cools during delivery.
Optionally, the method includes fluidly coupling the storage vessel to the condenser such that heat from the coolant is transferred to the hydrogen fuel.
The invention will be described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle.
Figure 1 shows a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle 10. The fuel cell 20 of the vehicle 10 comprises an anode 22, a cathode 24, and an electrolyte 26 that allows positively charged hydrogen ions to move between the two sides of the fuel cell 20. At the anode 22, a catalyst 24 causes the fuel to undergo oxidation reactions that generate positively charged hydrogen ions and electrons. The protons flow from the anode 22 to the cathode 24 through the electrolyte 26 after the reaction. At the same time, electrons are drawn from the anode 22 to the cathode 24 through an external circuit, producing direct current electricity. At the cathode 24, another catalyst causes hydrogen ions, electrons, and oxygen to react, forming water.
The vehicle 10 includes a traction motor 30, power electronics 40 and one or more batteries 50. The fuel cell 20 is electrically connected to the battery 50 and the electricity produced is stored in the battery SO. The battery provides power to the motor 30 and power electronics 40.
Significant heat is generated during the exothermic reaction process of the fuel cell 20. Furthermore, the traction motor 30, power electronics 40 and battery 50 also generate heat during operation.
The vehicle 10 includes a heat capture system 60 which is thermally coupled to the fuel cell 20, motor 30, power electronics 40 and battery SO components.
The heat capture system 60 comprises a coolant circuit 62 formed from various conduits which are connected to the components. A pump 64 circulates a coolant, such as ammonia, around the coolant circuit 62. This causes waste heat from the components to be transferred to the coolant The transferred heat causes the coolant to be converted from a liquid state to a gaseous state. Consequently, the coolant expands in volume and the pressure of the coolant locally increases.
A turbine 70 is positioned within the coolant circuit 62. The flow and expansion of the coolant causes the rotor of the turbine 70 to rotate. A generator 80 is electrically connected by wiring 82 to the turbine 70 and converts rotation of the rotor to electricity. The generator 80 is also electrically connected to the battery 50 and the electricity produced is stored in the battery 50.
In an alternative embodiment the electricity produced may be used directly to power the electric motor 30.
Coolant exiting the turbine 70 will have cooled due to expansion. However, the coolant is further reduced in temperature by passing it through a condenser 90.
Hydrogen fuel is stored in a storage vessel 100 at high pressure. This is delivered to the fuel cell 20 via pipework 102. The hydrogen received at the fuel cell 20 should be at atmospheric pressure. The hydrogen released from the storage vessel 100 rapidly expands and, consequently, reduces in pressure. As it does so, the gas cools.
The storage vessel 100 is coupled to the condenser 90 and the cool hydrogen gas passes through the condenser 90. Heat from the coolant is transferred to the hydrogen gas.
The gaseous coolant condenses back to a liquid state. It is then compressed using a compressor 66.
Liquid coolant then flows back to the fuel cell 20, specifically the cathode 24. The above process then repeats.
The present invention utilises the heat generated by a fuel cell which would otherwise be a waste product It has been found that significant improvements in efficiency have been gained by utilising the invention.
Various modifications and improvements can be made to the above without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (25)

  1. CLAIMS1. A vehicle comprising: at least one component which, during operation, produces waste heat; and a heat capture system thermally coupled to the component and adapted to capture waste heat and convert the waste heat to usable energy, wherein the heat capture system comprises: a coolant circuit for circulating a coolant such that waste heat from the component is transferred to the coolant, whereby the coolant is converted from a liquid state to a gaseous state; a turbine having a rotor and coupled to the coolant circuit such that expansion of the coolant during conversion from a liquid state to a gaseous state causes rotation of the rotor; and energy conversion means adapted to convert rotation of the rotor to electricity.
  2. 2. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle and the component comprises a fuel cell.
  3. 3. A vehicle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat capture system is thermally coupled to a plurality of components which, during operation, produce waste heat.
  4. 4. A vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of components includes an electric motor.
  5. 5. A vehicle as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the plurality of components includes power electronics for the vehicle.
  6. 6. A vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the energy conversion means comprises an electrical generator.
  7. 7. A vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the electricity produced by the energy conversion means is used to power the electric motor.
  8. 8. A vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle includes a battery and wherein at least a portion of the electricity produced by the energy conversion means is stored in the battery.
  9. 9. A vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the coolant comprises a refrigerant.
  10. 10. A vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the refrigerant comprises one of ammonia, HFC-134a, sulphur dioxide, propane and isobutane.
  11. 11. A vehicle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the heat capture system includes a condenser adapted to convert the coolant from the gaseous state to a liquid state.
  12. 12. A vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein, the hydrogen vehicle includes a storage vessel for containing hydrogen fuel at high pressure.
  13. 13. A vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the storage vessel is adapted to deliver 20 hydrogen fuel to the fuel cell such that the hydrogen fuel expands and cools during delivery.
  14. 14. A vehicle as claimed in claim 13, wherein the storage vessel is fluidly coupled to the condenser such that heat from the coolant is transferred to the hydrogen fuel.
  15. 15. A method of capturing waste heat from at least one component, the method comprising: providing a coolant circuit for circulating a coolant; thermally coupling the coolant circuit to the component such that waste heat 30 from the component is transferred to the coolant, whereby the coolant is converted from a liquid state to a gaseous state; coupling a turbine having a rotor to the coolant circuit such that expansion of the coolant during conversion from the liquid state to the gaseous state causes rotation of the rotor; and converting rotation of the rotor to electricity.
  16. 16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the component is a component of a vehicle.
  17. 17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the vehicle is a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle and the component comprises a fuel cell.
  18. 18. A method as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the vehicle comprises a plurality of components which, during operation, produces waste heat, and wherein the heat capture system is thermally coupled to each component.
  19. 19. A method as claimed in any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the method includes converting rotation of the rotor to electricity using an electrical generator.
  20. 20. A method as claimed in any of claims 15 to 19, wherein the method includes using at least a portion of the electricity produced to power the electric motor.
  21. 21. A method as claimed in any of claims 15 to 20, wherein the method includes storing at least a portion of the electricity produced by the energy conversion means in a battery.
  22. 22. A method as claimed in any of claims 15 to 21, wherein the method includes converting the coolant from the gaseous state to a liquid state using a condenser.
  23. 23. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the method includes storing hydrogen fuel in a storage vessel at high pressure.
  24. 24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the method includes delivering hydrogen fuel from the storage vessel to the fuel cell such that the hydrogen fuel expands and cools during delivery.
  25. 25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the method includes fluidly coupling the storage vessel to the condenser such that heat from the coolant is transferred to the hydrogen fuel.15 20 25
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Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
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Publications (3)

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GB201818845D0 GB201818845D0 (en) 2019-01-02
GB2579081A true GB2579081A (en) 2020-06-10
GB2579081B GB2579081B (en) 2021-06-23

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060010872A1 (en) * 2004-07-16 2006-01-19 Honeywell International Inc. Working fluids for thermal energy conversion of waste heat from fuel cells using rankine cycle systems
US20100156111A1 (en) * 2008-06-01 2010-06-24 John Pesce Thermo-Electric Engine
US20130263594A1 (en) * 2010-12-01 2013-10-10 Ola Hall Arrangement and method for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy
WO2014117156A1 (en) * 2013-01-28 2014-07-31 Eaton Corporation Organic rankine cycle system with lubrication circuit

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10252610B2 (en) * 2017-03-07 2019-04-09 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. Electric vehicle and fuel cell vehicle with rankine cycle

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060010872A1 (en) * 2004-07-16 2006-01-19 Honeywell International Inc. Working fluids for thermal energy conversion of waste heat from fuel cells using rankine cycle systems
US20100156111A1 (en) * 2008-06-01 2010-06-24 John Pesce Thermo-Electric Engine
US20130263594A1 (en) * 2010-12-01 2013-10-10 Ola Hall Arrangement and method for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy
WO2014117156A1 (en) * 2013-01-28 2014-07-31 Eaton Corporation Organic rankine cycle system with lubrication circuit

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GB2579081B (en) 2021-06-23
GB201818845D0 (en) 2019-01-02

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