Fuel cell condensate management device and method

Abstract

To provide an apparatus and a method for managing condensate of a fuel cell, capable of drying condensate produced in the fuel cell.SOLUTION: A apparatus for managing condensate of a fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention may include: a first heater (350) for applying heat to coolant of a fuel cell stack; a second heater (360) for applying heat to condensate produced in the fuel cell stack; and a controller (370) that controls driving of the second heater (360) using residual power based on whether at least some of functions of the first heater (350) are activated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a condensate water management device and method for a fuel cell.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), condensate water is generated in a hydrogen supply system (FPS). That is, water is generated at the air electrode by the movement of hydrogen ions, but due to the back-diffusion phenomenon, some water comes back from the air electrode to the hydrogen electrode again. The water that has left the electrode cannot enter the air electrode again, so it falls into the fuel water trap (FWT) of the hydrogen electrode, which is called condensate water.

[0003] When a certain amount or more of condensate water accumulates in the water trap, the water level sensor of the fuel drain valve (FDV) of the hydrogen electrode detects the water level, and the solenoid valve is opened to discharge the condensate water to the outside.

[0004] In the case of a fuel cell vehicle, since the vent is located at a position lower than the fuel cell, the discharge of condensate water is smooth, and the risk of water discharge during parking / stopping is small.

[0005] On the other hand, in the case of industrial vehicles (such as construction machinery), they often park / stop in an indoor work area, and there are many enclosed spaces without drainage facilities. Therefore, when the fuel cell is turned off, there are many problems where water accumulates at the bottom of the surrounding area. Thus, in the case of industrial vehicles, a technology for preventing accidents caused by water is necessary.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a condensate water management device and method for a fuel cell that can dry the condensate water generated in the fuel cell.

[0007] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A fuel cell condensate management device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first heater that heats the cooling water of the fuel cell stack, a second heater that heats the condensate generated in the fuel cell stack, and a control unit that controls the operation of the second heater using residual power based on whether at least some of the functions of the first heater are operational.

[0009] In one embodiment, the second heater may include a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater located inside a reservoir tank for storing condensed water. In one embodiment, the second heater may include a PTC heater that is cylindrical in shape and installed inside a pipe through which condensed water flows.

[0010] In one embodiment, the control unit can drive the first heater using the COD (Cathode Oxygen Depletion) function when the ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature while the fuel cell stack is being driven.

[0011] In one embodiment, the control unit can drive the second heater with a COD function when the ambient temperature is above a predetermined temperature while the fuel cell stack is being driven.

[0012] In one embodiment, when the control unit is charging the high-voltage battery with power generated during regenerative braking, if the charge level of the high-voltage battery exceeds a predetermined limit, the control unit can drive the second heater with the remaining power.

[0013] In one embodiment, the control unit selects relays connected according to the function of the first heater and controls the operation of the first heater according to its function, and when controlling the drive of the second heater using the remaining power based on whether at least some of the functions of the first heater can be operated, the control unit can deselect the first heater and then select and control the second heater.

[0014] A fuel cell condensate management method according to another embodiment of the present invention may include the steps of: driving a first heater to heat the cooling water of the fuel cell stack; controlling the driving of a second heater using residual power based on the operation status of at least some of the functions of the first heater; and driving the second heater to heat the condensate generated in the fuel cell stack.

[0015] In one embodiment, the condensate management method for the fuel cell may further include the step of driving the first heater with a COD (Cathode Oxygen Depletion) function when the ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature when the fuel cell stack is running.

[0016] In one embodiment, the condensate management method for the fuel cell may further include the step of driving the second heater with a COD function when the ambient temperature is above a predetermined temperature when the fuel cell stack is running.

[0017] In one embodiment, the condensate management method for the fuel cell may further include the step of driving the second heater with the remaining power when the amount of charge of the high-voltage battery exceeds a predetermined limit value while the power generated during regenerative braking is charging the high-voltage battery.

[0018] In one embodiment, the condensate water management method for the fuel cell includes a step of selecting a relay connected to the first heater according to the function thereof and controlling the operation of the first heater according to the function, and a step of selecting and controlling the second heater after canceling the selection of the first heater when controlling the driving of the second heater using the remaining power based on the operability of at least some of the functions of the first heater.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] This technology can improve the output stability by a stable hydrogen supply and increase the lifespan of the fuel cell by drying the condensate water generated in the fuel cell and discharging it to the outside, and can improve the driving stability of industrial vehicles through the management of condensate water.

[0020] In addition, various effects directly or indirectly understood from this document can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a condensate water management device for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing a condensate water management device for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of a condensate water management device for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining the operation of a condensate water management device for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining a condensate water heater constituting a condensate water management device for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining a condensate water heater constituting a condensate water management device for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]It is a flowchart for explaining a method for managing condensed water in a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] The various embodiments of this document and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and it should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0024] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of the noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in the relevant context.

[0025] In this document, phrases such as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may each include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0026] Terms such as “first,” “second,” or “first,” or “second” may be used merely to distinguish one component from other such components and not to limit it in any other respect (e.g., importance or order). When a component (e.g., the first) is referred to as “connected” or “linked” to another component (e.g., the second), with or without such terms, it means that the first component may be connected to the other component directly (e.g., by wire), wirelessly, or via the third component.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a fuel cell system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Referring to Figure 1, a fuel cell system according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a hydrogen supply unit (H2), a hydrogen shut-off valve 110, a hydrogen supply valve 120, an ejector 130, a fuel cell stack 140, a hydrogen purge valve 150, a water trap 160, a condensate valve 170, an air supply unit 180, a humidifier 190, an air shut-off valve 200, a pressure regulating valve 210, and a condensate management device 300.

[0029] The hydrogen supply unit (H2) supplies hydrogen, which is the fuel, to the fuel cell stack 140 and may include a hydrogen tank (not shown) and a regulator (not shown) in which the hydrogen is stored, and hydrogen can flow to the fuel cell stack 140 along the piping of the hydrogen supply system extending from the hydrogen tank.

[0030] A hydrogen tank can store high-pressure hydrogen gas at approximately 700 bar inside the container.

[0031] The regulator can reduce the pressure of the high-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank to approximately 17 bar and supply the reduced-pressure hydrogen to the rear end of the regulator.

[0032] A hydrogen shut-off valve 110 and a hydrogen supply valve 120 can be provided at the rear end of the regulator along the piping of the hydrogen supply system.

[0033] The hydrogen shut-off valve 110 may be an NC (Normally-closed) type valve. The hydrogen shut-off valve 110 may also be a valve for shutting off hydrogen that may be released from the hydrogen tank in an emergency.

[0034] The hydrogen supply valve 120 can regulate the hydrogen pressure supplied to the fuel cell stack 140. The hydrogen supply valve 120 may consist of a solenoid-type valve that can be driven by an electromagnet. The hydrogen supply valve 120 may be connected to the fuel cell stack 140 by piping formed at its rear end.

[0035] The ejector 130 can supply low-pressure hydrogen supplied via the hydrogen supply unit (H2) to the fuel cell stack 140.

[0036] The ejector 130 can mix the high-temperature, high-humidity hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen electrode of the fuel cell stack 140 with the dry hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen supply unit (H2) and supply it to the hydrogen electrode of the fuel cell stack 140.

[0037] The fuel cell stack 140 is capable of producing electricity using a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, and can consist of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with catalytic electrode layers attached to both sides of an electrolyte membrane where electrochemical reactions occur, a hydrogen electrode (anode) stacked on one side of the membrane electrode assembly to receive hydrogen as fuel, and an air electrode (cathode) stacked on the other side of the membrane electrode assembly to receive oxygen as an oxidizer.

[0038] The condensate generated by the electrochemical reaction in the fuel cell stack 140 is formed inside the fuel cell stack 140 and must be smoothly discharged to a vent via a condensate discharge path outside the fuel cell stack 140.

[0039] If condensed water is not properly discharged from inside the fuel cell stack 140, i.e., if flooding occurs, it can interfere with the supply of hydrogen fuel, reducing the power generation performance of the fuel cell stack 140, and in serious cases, potentially causing damage to the fuel cell stack 140.

[0040] In order to discharge the condensed water from the hydrogen electrode, the amount of hydrogen flowing inside the fuel cell stack 140 must be increased, and the flow velocity of the fluid (water-containing gas mixture) inside the fuel cell stack 140 must be increased.

[0041] In this case, the most commonly used method is periodic hydrogen purging. That is, when attempting to remove moisture from within the fuel cell stack 140, purging via the condensate valve 170 can temporarily increase the hydrogen flow rate within the fuel cell stack 140.

[0042] The hydrogen-containing gas discharged from the hydrogen electrode is recirculated back to the hydrogen electrode via the ejector 130, and the remainder can be discharged to the outside through the water trap 160 and condensate valve 170, etc.

[0043] The hydrogen purge valve 150 can release hydrogen that is not needed for the reaction in the fuel cell stack 140 into the atmosphere.

[0044] The water trap 160 can store condensed water.

[0045] The condensate valve 170 is a valve for discharging the condensate stored in the water trap 160 to the outside. The condensate valve 170 can be composed of a solenoid-type valve that can be driven by an electromagnet.

[0046] The air supply unit 180 rotates an air supply motor 191, which is a BLDC (Brushless Direct Current motor) 3-phase motor using high voltage, to generate compressed air, which can be controlled up to a maximum of 100,000 RPM via a BPCU (Blower Pump Control Unit). The compressed air generated by the air supply unit 180 can be supplied to the humidifier 190.

[0047] The humidifier 190 is installed between the air supply line and the air discharge line connected to the air electrode of the fuel cell stack 140, and can humidify the air supplied to the air electrode along the air supply line.

[0048] The humidifier 190 can humidify the air flowing through the air supply line by exchanging moisture between the air that flows in dry via the air supply unit 180 and flows along the air supply line, and the air that is discharged from the air electrode in a moist state and flows along the air discharge line.

[0049] The air shut-off valve 200 can be opened or closed to allow or shut off the air supplied from the humidifier 190 to flow into the fuel cell stack 140.

[0050] When the air shut-off valve 200 is open while the vehicle is running (IGN ON), it can either supply air from the humidifier 190 to the air electrode of the fuel cell stack 140, or discharge the air used in the fuel cell stack 140 back to the humidifier 190.

[0051] The air shut-off valve 200 closes when the vehicle is turned off (IGN Off), blocking the flow of air and preventing air from being supplied to the fuel cell stack 140. The operating range of the air shut-off valve 200 from the closed state to the open state can be 0 to 90 degrees.

[0052] The pressure regulating valve 210 is provided in the condensate discharge path and can regulate the pressure of the air discharged from the air electrode.

[0053] The condensate management device 300 is installed in the condensate discharge path, which is the rear end of the pressure regulating valve 210, and can dry the condensate passing through the condensate discharge path. According to various embodiments, the condensate management device 300 can be installed at the front end of the pressure regulating valve 210, but is not limited thereto, and may be installed at various positions along the condensate discharge path.

[0054] Figure 2 is a diagram showing a condensate management device for a fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a condensate management device for a fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a fuel cell condensate management device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a temperature sensor 310, a high-voltage battery 320, a motor management unit 330, a battery management unit 340, a COD heater 350, a condensate heater 360, and a control unit 370.

[0056] The temperature sensor 310 can measure the ambient temperature.

[0057] The high-voltage battery 320 can be charged with energy regenerated during braking of the fuel cell vehicle. That is, when the fuel cell vehicle is running, power is recovered from the motor through regenerative braking, and this energy can be charged into the high-voltage battery 320.

[0058] On the other hand, if the fuel cell vehicle continues to run, when the State of Charge (SOC) of the high-voltage battery 320 reaches a predetermined limit value (for example, SOC of 85% or more) due to regenerative braking, it can be determined that charging is complete. If the State of Charge (SOC) of the high-voltage battery exceeds the predetermined limit value, further charging is not possible, and regenerative braking becomes impossible.

[0059] For reference, in a typical fuel cell vehicle, both a fuel cell stack 140 and a high-voltage battery 320 are used as the main power source to drive the motor. Because there are two main power sources, if one power source malfunctions for some reason, the fuel cell vehicle is configured in a fail-safe manner so that it can either run using only the fuel cell stack 140 or only the high-voltage battery 320 to move to a safe location.

[0060] The motor management unit 330 consumes the necessary power in the high-voltage system to drive the motor (not shown) of the fuel cell vehicle, and during regenerative braking, sends the current generated from the motor of the fuel cell vehicle to the high-voltage system so that the high-voltage battery 320 is charged. The motor management unit 330 may include an MCU (Motor Control Unit) or a VCU (Vehicle Control Unit).

[0061] The battery management unit 340 provides State of Charge (SOC) information, which is information about the charge status of the high-voltage battery 320. The battery management unit 340 may include a Battery Management System (BMS).

[0062] The COD heater 350 can operate with four functions: COD (Cathode Oxygen Depletion), cold start, regenerative braking, and rapid high-voltage depletion.

[0063] According to the embodiment, when the fuel cell vehicle is turned off and the fuel cell stack 140 is shut down, residual hydrogen and oxygen may be present in the fuel cell stack 140, and such residual hydrogen and oxygen may reduce the durability of the fuel cell stack 140. In this case, the durability of the fuel cell stack 140 can be increased by using the COD heater 350 to consume the electricity generated by the reaction of the residual hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cell stack 140, and the function of such COD heater 350 can be defined as the COD (Cathode Oxygen Depletion) function.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, in order to facilitate power generation of the fuel cell stack 140 after starting the fuel cell vehicle at sub-zero ambient temperatures, the cooling water is heated via the heating element of the COD heater 350 to raise the temperature of the fuel cell stack 140, thereby normalizing the output performance of the fuel cell stack 140, and the function of such COD heater 350 can be defined as a cold start function.

[0065] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the power generated during regenerative braking of the fuel cell vehicle is charged into the high-voltage battery 320. However, if the State of Charge (SOC) of the high-voltage battery 320 is high, the regenerative energy can be forcibly consumed by the COD heater 350 through heat generation. The function of such COD heater 350 can be defined as a regenerative braking function.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, if the high-voltage battery 320 of a fuel cell vehicle is subjected to an impact due to an accident or other reason, and the dielectric breakdown of the high-voltage battery 320 occurs, the high voltage will flow through the chassis and frame of the fuel cell vehicle, posing a risk of electric shock. In this case, after the high-voltage system is shut off, the remaining power of the high-voltage battery 320 can be consumed by the COD heater 350 to prevent electric shock accidents, and the function of such COD heater 350 can be defined as a rapid high-voltage depletion function. For example, within 60 seconds after a collision of the fuel cell vehicle, the remaining power in the high-voltage battery 320 can be reduced to less than DC 60V and AC 30V.

[0067] The condensate heater 360 can dry the condensate generated in the fuel cell stack 140 by generating heat. For example, a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater can be used as the condensate heater 360. Using a PTC heater as the condensate heater 360 has the advantage of generating heat without additional power equipment or consumption of the fuel cell stack 140's output, thus reducing costs and making it easy to control.

[0068] The condensate heater 360 can be driven using power obtained from the remaining functions of the COD heater 350, excluding the cold start function (i.e., the COD function, regenerative braking function, and rapid high-voltage depletion function). For example, the condensate heater 360 can be driven using power that remains unused when the remaining functions, excluding the cold start function, are not in use.

[0069] In other words, the condensate heater 360 can be driven by receiving power transmitted from the reaction between residual hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cell stack 140 when the fuel cell vehicle is turned off and the fuel cell stack 140 is shut down. Also, when the state of charge (SOC) of the high-voltage battery 320 is high, the condensate heater 360 can be driven by receiving power transmitted from the regenerative braking of the fuel cell vehicle. Furthermore, when the high-voltage battery 320 is subjected to an impact due to an accident or other reason and its dielectric breakdown occurs, the condensate heater 360 can be driven by receiving residual power transmitted from the high-voltage battery 320.

[0070] The control unit 370 can process signals transmitted between the components of the fuel cell control device. The control unit 370 may include a Fuel Control Unit (FCU). The control unit 370 can receive status information of the fuel cell vehicle via the motor management unit 330 and the charge status of the high-voltage battery 320 via the battery management unit 340. The control unit 370 can control the condensate heater 360 to be driven using the remaining power that is not consumed when the COD heater 350's functions, excluding the cold start function, are not in use.

[0071] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the operation of a condensate management device for a fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the COD heater 350 can be connected to a relay circuit that is selectively classified as either NC (Normally Connected) type or NO (Normally Open) type in a high-voltage circuit. That is, the COD heater 350 in the NC type in Figure 4 operates with the COD function, and the COD heater 350 in the NO type in Figure 5 can operate with the cold start function, regenerative braking function, and rapid high-voltage depletion function.

[0073] The condensate heater 360 can be connected in parallel with the COD heater 350. That is, the condensate heater 360 can operate regardless of whether it is connected to an NC type relay circuit or an NO type relay circuit.

[0074] The control unit 370 can control the selection unit 375 to select whether to operate the COD heater 350 or the condensate heater 360. Therefore, if the COD heater 350 is selected and operated, the condensate will not dry out, and if the condensate heater 360 is selected and operated, the condensate will dry out.

[0075] The control unit 370 can control the condensate heater 360 so that an NC-type relay circuit is connected when there is no residual power, and so that an NO-type relay circuit is connected when residual power is generated. In other words, if a large amount of condensate is generated when no residual power is generated, the control unit 370 can control the condensate heater 360 so that an NC-type relay circuit is connected, causing the condensate heater 360 to generate heat.

[0076] When the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, the COD function can be performed by the condensate heater 360. For example, when the ambient temperature exceeds 15°C, the control unit 370 selects an NC type relay circuit, and then controls the selection unit 375 to select the condensate heater 360, thereby controlling the system so that the COD function is performed by the condensate heater 360.

[0077] On the other hand, if the ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature, the COD function can be performed by the COD heater 350. For example, if the ambient temperature is below 15°C, the control unit 370 can select an NC type relay circuit, and then control the selection unit 375 to select the COD heater 350, thereby controlling the COD function to be performed by the COD heater 350.

[0078] The control unit 370 can disable the COD function when cold start conditions are met, and enable the cold start function to be performed. For example, when the outside temperature is below freezing, the control unit 370 can select a NO-type relay circuit and then control the selection unit 375 to select the COD heater 350, thereby controlling the COD heater 350 to perform the cold start function.

[0079] The control unit 370 can drive the condensate heater 360 with the remaining power if the charge level of the high-voltage battery 320 exceeds a predetermined limit while the power generated during regenerative braking is charging the high-voltage battery 320. For example, if the charge level of the high-voltage battery 320 exceeds 85% while the power generated during regenerative braking is charging the high-voltage battery 320, the control unit 370 can select a relay circuit of type NO, and then control the selection unit 375 to select the condensate heater 360, thereby controlling the system so that the condensate heater 360 is driven with the remaining power.

[0080] In this way, when the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature and the COD function is performed by the condensate heater 360, and when the charge level of the high-voltage battery 320 exceeds a predetermined limit while the power generated during regenerative braking is charging the high-voltage battery 320, and the remaining power is used to drive the condensate heater 360, the condensate heater 360 can generate heat and dry the condensate.

[0081] Furthermore, the control unit 370 can control at least one other component (e.g., hardware or software component) of the fuel cell's condensate management device and perform various data processing or calculations.

[0082] According to one embodiment, as part of data processing or calculation, the control unit 370 can store instructions or data received from other components (e.g., sensors) in volatile memory, process the instructions or data stored in volatile memory, and store the resulting data in non-volatile memory.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the control unit 370 may include a main processor (e.g., a central processing unit or application processor) or an auxiliary processor (e.g., a graphics processing unit, an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor) that can operate independently or together with it. For example, if the control unit 370 includes a main processor and an auxiliary processor, the auxiliary processor may use less power than the main processor or be configured to specialize in a specified function. The auxiliary processor may be implemented separately from or as part of the main processor.

[0084] Although not shown in the illustration, according to the embodiment, the fuel cell condensate management device may further include a storage section.

[0085] The storage unit can store commands, control command codes, control data, or user data for controlling the condensate management device of a fuel cell. For example, the storage unit may include at least one of the following: an application program, an operating system, middleware, or a device driver.

[0086] The storage unit may include one or more volatile memory or non-volatile memory.

[0087] Volatile memory can include DRAM (dynamic random access memory), SRAM (static RAM), SDRAM (synchronous DRAM), PRAM (phase-change RAM), MRAM (magnetic RAM), RRAM (resistive RAM), and FeRAM (ferroelectric RAM), among others.

[0088] Non-volatile memory can include ROM (read-only memory), PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (electrically programmable ROM), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM), and flash memory.

[0089] The storage unit may further include non-volatile media such as hard disk drives (HDDs), solid state disks (SSDs), eMMCs (embedded multimedia cards), and UFS (universal flash storage).

[0090] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a condensate heater that constitutes a condensate management device for a fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] Referring to Figure 6, the condensate heater 360 can be installed as a plate-shaped PTC heater inside the reservoir tank 361 that stores condensate. Therefore, when condensate is stored in the reservoir tank 361, the condensate can be dried by the heat generated by the plate-shaped PTC heater.

[0092] Referring to Figure 7, the condensate heater 360 can be provided as a cylindrical PTC heater inside the pipe 362 through which the condensate flows. In this case, when the exhaust pipe is long, such as in an excavator or hydraulic shovel, the heat generated by the cylindrical PTC heater allows the condensate passing through the pipe to dry in contact with the PTC heater.

[0093] Hereinafter, with reference to Figure 8, a condensate management method for a fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described.

[0094] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a condensate management method for a fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] In the following, we assume that the condensate management device for the fuel cell shown in Figure 2 performs the process shown in Figure 8. First, when the high-voltage system is turned on (S110) and the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature (S120), the control unit 370 selects an NC-type relay circuit and then controls the selection unit 375 to select the condensate heater 360, thereby controlling the COD function to be performed by the condensate heater 360 (S130).

[0096] On the other hand, if the outside temperature is below a predetermined temperature (S120), the fuel cell system is turned on (S140), and the control unit 370 selects an NC type relay circuit and then controls the selection unit 375 to select the COD heater 350, thereby controlling the COD function to be performed by the COD heater 350 (S150).

[0097] When the cold start condition is met (S160), the control unit 370 selects a NO-type relay circuit and then controls the selection unit 375 to select the COD heater 350, thereby controlling the COD heater 350 to perform the cold start function (S170).

[0098] When the control unit 370 is charging the high-voltage battery 320 with power generated during regenerative braking (S180), if the charge amount of the high-voltage battery 320 exceeds a predetermined limit (S190), it can select an NO-type relay circuit and then control the selection unit 375 to select the condensate heater 360, thereby controlling the system so that the condensate heater 360 is driven by the remaining power (S200).

[0099] In this way, when the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature and the COD function is performed by the condensate heater 360, and when the charge level of the high-voltage battery 320 exceeds a predetermined limit while the power generated during regenerative braking is charging the high-voltage battery 320, and the remaining power is used to drive the condensate heater 360, the condensate heater 360 can generate heat and dry the condensate.

[0100] Various embodiments of this document may be implemented as software (e.g., a program) containing one or more instruction words stored in a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., internal memory or external memory). For example, the machine may invoke and execute at least one instruction from the one or more instruction words stored in the storage medium. This allows the machine to operate to perform at least one function in response to the invoked at least one instruction word. The one or more instruction words may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter.

[0101] The device-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, "non-transitory" simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and this term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored on the storage medium semi-permanently and cases where it is stored temporarily.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the methods of the various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a commodity between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or online (e.g., download or upload) via an application store or directly between two user devices. In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be at least temporarily stored or temporarily generated on a device-readable storage medium such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store server, or an intermediary server.

[0103] According to various embodiments, each of the components described above (for example, a module or a program) may include one or more individuals, and some of the individuals may be separated and arranged in other components.

[0104] In various embodiments, one or more of the aforementioned components or operations may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added.

[0105] Multiple components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component, either broadly or additionally. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the multiple components in the same or similar way as those previously performed by the components of the multiple components.

[0106] According to various embodiments, the operations performed by the module, program, or other components may be performed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be performed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0107] As explained above, according to the present invention, by drying the condensate generated in the fuel cell and discharging it to the outside, the output stability is improved by a stable hydrogen supply and the lifespan of the fuel cell is increased, and the driving stability of industrial vehicles can be improved through the management of condensate. Furthermore, dielectric breakdown in accordance with the SOC management of high-voltage batteries can be prevented, and if a reservoir tank is present, it is not necessary to forcibly lower the outside temperature with an excavator and supercharge air to increase blowdown to discharge condensate, thus reducing the waste of unnecessary control power.

[0108] The above description is merely illustrative of the technical concept of the present invention, and a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs can make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0109] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only, not to limit the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by such embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention must be interpreted in accordance with the claims described below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. A first heater that heats the cooling water of the fuel cell stack, A second heater that adds heat to the condensed water generated in the fuel cell stack, A control unit that controls the drive of the second heater using residual power based on whether at least some of the functions of the first heater are operational or not, and Includes, The residual power is the power that remains unused in the fuel cell system, including the fuel cell stack, the first heater, the second heater, and the control unit, when one of the functions of the first heater—the COD (Cathode Oxygen Depletion) function, the regenerative braking function, and the rapid high-voltage depletion function—is not performed, in a fuel cell condensate management device.

2. The fuel cell condensate management device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second heater includes a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater provided inside a reservoir tank for storing condensate.

3. The fuel cell condensate management device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second heater includes a PTC heater provided in a cylindrical shape inside a pipe through which condensate flows.

4. The fuel cell condensate management device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit drives the first heater with a COD (Cathode Oxygen Depletion) function when the ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature while the fuel cell stack is being driven.

5. The fuel cell condensate management device according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit drives the second heater with a COD function when the ambient temperature is above a predetermined temperature when the fuel cell stack is being driven.

6. The fuel cell condensate management device according to claim 1, characterized in that, while the control unit is charging the high-voltage battery with power generated during regenerative braking, if the charge amount of the high-voltage battery exceeds a predetermined limit value, it drives the second heater with the remaining power.

7. The control unit selects relays connected according to the function of the first heater and controls the first heater to perform its function-specific operation, and when controlling the drive of the second heater using residual power based on whether at least some of the functions of the first heater can be operated, it is characterized in that it deselects the first heater and then selects and controls the second heater, as described in claim 1.

8. The steps include driving the first heater to heat the cooling water of the fuel cell stack, A step of controlling the drive of the second heater using residual power based on whether at least some of the functions of the first heater are operational or not, The steps include driving the second heater to heat the condensate generated in the fuel cell stack, and Includes, A fuel cell condensate management method, wherein the residual power is the power that remains unconsumed in the fuel cell system, including the fuel cell stack, the first heater, and the second heater, when one of the functions of the first heater—the COD (Cathode Oxygen Depletion) function, the regenerative braking function, and the rapid high-voltage depletion function—is not performed.

9. The condensate management method for a fuel cell according to claim 8, further comprising the step of driving the first heater with a COD (Cathode Oxygen Depletion) function when the ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature when the fuel cell stack is being driven.

10. The fuel cell condensate management method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of driving the second heater with a COD function when the ambient temperature is above a predetermined temperature when the fuel cell stack is being driven.

11. The condensate management method for the fuel cell according to claim 8, further comprising the step of driving the second heater with residual power when the amount of charge of the high-voltage battery exceeds a predetermined limit value while the high-voltage battery is being charged with power generated during regenerative braking.

12. The condensate management method for the fuel cell is as follows: The steps include selecting relays connected according to the function of the first heater and controlling them so that the function-specific operation of the first heater is performed, The fuel cell condensate management method according to claim 8, characterized in that when controlling the drive of the second heater using residual power based on whether at least some of the functions of the first heater are operational, the method includes the step of deselecting the first heater and then selecting and controlling the second heater.

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