Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has made strides in hydrogen technology with their latest patent, “A fuel cell power-source management device and a fuel cell power-source management method.” Filed on June 6, 2024, this invention aims to optimize the usage cost of fuel cell power sources by effectively utilizing boil-off gas. The patent lists Honda’s own engineers as the primary inventors.
Unique Features and Improvements
This patented technology has several innovative features that distinguish it from existing solutions. The device includes a liquid hydrogen tank coupled with a recovery device designed specifically to collect boil-off gas—the vaporized hydrogen that escapes from the liquid state under normal conditions. One of the unique aspects of this innovation is the boil-off gas recovery amount recognition unit, which accurately tracks the quantity of hydrogen gas being recovered.
Moreover, the usage cost setting unit is another critical feature. This unit adjusts the user’s cost based on the amount of boil-off gas recovered, making the system both efficient and economical. These features collectively enhance overall efficiency and significantly reduce operational costs compared to existing fuel cell management systems that don’t optimally utilize boil-off gas.
Potential Applications
The primary application of this technology is in hydrogen fuel cells used in various sectors. These include:
– Automotive: Enhancing the efficiency and reducing the operational costs of hydrogen-powered vehicles.
– Stationary Power Generation
