Bu Kil Kwon

Development of the Integrated Exhaust System and Techniques of Nitrogen and Condensate for Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

Abstract >> Proper discharge of nitrogen gas and water condensate is required in a conventional fuel cell systemfor performance, stability and durability of fuel cell stacks. Present study covers the development of integratedunit and its functioning logic for simultaneous nitrogen gas purge and water condensate drainage in a fuel cellvehicle system. Configuration of condensate drainage pipe, purge valve and level sensor is considered and optimizedin physical integration. As a key factor, discharge time is considered and optimized based on the test result ofconstant-current operation with various operating temperature in logic development. Consequently, derived optimalvalues are applied and verified in actual vehicle drive mode test.Increase of system design flexibility, weight reduction and cost reduction are anticipated with this study. Additional study for physical and logical improvement is currently being implemented. Key words : Nitrogen purge(질소 배출), Condensate drainage(응축수 배출), Electrochemical reaction(전기화학반응), Fuel cell(연료전지), Constant-current driving test(정전류 운전 시험)