A hydrogen circulation pump assembly and a fuel cell to which the same is applied

Abstract

The present invention discloses a hydrogen circulation pump assembly and a fuel cell to which the same is applied. The hydrogen circulation pump assembly includes a hydrogen circulation pump, which includes a motor, an impeller, and a pump housing. A pump chamber is provided inside the pump housing, and the impeller is installed inside the pump chamber. The motor drives the impeller to rotate. An air inlet and an air outlet are provided on the pump housing, and the pump chamber is communicated with the air inlet and the air outlet. The air inlet is connected to a heating device, and the air outlet is connected to a filtering device. The recycled gas first passes through the treatment of the heating device and then enters the hydrogen circulation pump, and reaches the filtering device from the air outlet of the hydrogen circulation pump, and is discharged after passing through the treatment of the filtering device, so as to solve the technical problem of water freezing in the hydrogen circulation system under low temperature conditions. At the same time, the additional power consumption of the whole system is reduced, the efficiency of the whole system is improved, energy is saved, and the cost is reduced. A filtering device is connected to the air outlet to prevent ice particles from being output to the fuel cell stack before being completely melted, and the safety and reliability are better.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen circulation pump assembly and a fuel cell to which the same is applied. Background Art

[0002] A fuel cell is an electro-chemical reaction device that uses hydrogen and oxygen in air as the reaction gases at the anode and cathode respectively, generates electric energy through a catalytic reaction, and produces water without any pollution. Fuel cells have the characteristics of being clean, efficient, pollution-free, high energy efficiency, and high reliability, and have broad application prospects in the fields of backup power supplies, small and medium-sized power stations, base station power supplies, new energy vehicles, etc. Especially in the aspect of new energy vehicles, electric vehicles powered by fuel cells are the key development targets of various countries in the world and are also one of the ultimate solutions to replace the power sources of fuel vehicles in the future.

[0003] With the development of the economy and the progress of technology, electric vehicles powered by fuel cells as vehicle power systems will gradually become popular and enter our lives one after another. The optimal operating temperature inside a fuel cell is 70 - 80°C, but the temperature in our living environment is not constant. Looking at geographical locations, there is a huge temperature difference between the north and the south, and looking at seasonal changes, there is a huge temperature difference between winter and summer. The temperature can vary from -50°C to +50°C. The fuel cell system generates pollution-free water through the electro-chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, which is its advantage, but from another perspective, it is also a disadvantage that water will quickly freeze in an environment below 0°C. This poses a great challenge to the fuel cell system operating in a low-temperature environment. How to solve the problem of normal startup and operation of a fuel cell at low temperature is an urgent problem to be solved. And as an important part of the fuel cell system, the hydrogen circulation system will also generate some water during operation. How to ensure that the water in the hydrogen circulation system does not freeze and can be quickly discharged under low-temperature conditions is also one of the urgent problems to be solved.

[0004] The hydrogen circulation system of a fuel cell mainly consists of components such as a hydrogen tank, a pressure reducing valve, a proportional valve, a hydrogen circulation pump, a fuel cell stack, a pressure sensor, etc. Currently, most of the methods on the market to solve the problem that the water generated by the hydrogen circulation system does not freeze under low-temperature conditions are to heat the hydrogen circulation pump. Although this method can achieve certain effects, due to the large volume of the hydrogen circulation pump, heating the hydrogen circulation pump requires a huge amount of additional energy.

[0005] In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy proposed specific technical indicators for the start-up process of fuel cells in sub-zero temperature environments in 2010: at a temperature of -20°C, the fuel cell reaches 90% of its rated power within 30 seconds after start-up. For rapid start-up at low temperatures, the hydrogen circulation system must be rapidly heated. At this time, the vehicle battery pack needs to supply power to heat the hydrogen circulation pump. However, at low temperatures, the performance of the vehicle battery pack will be greatly reduced. Heating the hydrogen circulation pump at this time will greatly increase the burden on the vehicle battery system. Moreover, most of the outer surfaces of hydrogen circulation pumps are designed with irregular shapes, making it difficult to arrange large-area heating elements on their surfaces. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen circulation pump and a fuel cell using the same, which solve the technical problem of ice formation in the hydrogen circulation system at low temperatures in the prior art, while reducing the additional power consumption of the entire system, improving the efficiency of the entire system, saving energy, and reducing costs.

[0007] The object of the present invention is achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0008] A hydrogen circulation pump assembly includes a hydrogen circulation pump. The hydrogen circulation pump includes a motor, a wind wheel, and a pump housing. A pump chamber is provided inside the pump housing, the wind wheel is installed inside the pump chamber, the motor drives the wind wheel to rotate, an air inlet and an air outlet are provided on the pump housing, the pump chamber is communicated with the air inlet and the air outlet. It is characterized in that: the air inlet is connected to a heating device, the air outlet is connected to a filtering device, the recycled gas first passes through the treatment of the heating device and then enters the hydrogen circulation pump, and reaches the filtering device from the air outlet of the hydrogen circulation pump, and is discharged after passing through the treatment of the filtering device.

[0009] The above-mentioned heating device is started when the temperature of the recycled gas is lower than a certain set value T1, and the heating device is shut down when the temperature of the recycled gas is higher than a certain set value T2.

[0010] The above-mentioned heating device includes an electric heating element and a housing. The housing is installed at the air inlet of the pump housing, the electric heating element is installed at the bottom of the housing, a cavity is provided inside the housing, an air inlet and a drain port are provided on the housing, the cavity is communicated with the air inlet and the drain port, and the cavity opening is communicated with the air inlet of the pump housing.

[0011] The above-mentioned cavity includes a water storage chamber and a gas storage chamber. The position of the water storage chamber is lower than the position of the gas storage chamber. The air inlet is connected to the gas storage chamber, and the drain port is connected to the water storage chamber.

[0012] The above-mentioned housing is provided with a sensor mounting hole, and a temperature sensor passes through the sensor mounting hole and extends into the gas storage chamber.

[0013] The above-mentioned pump housing is provided with a first mounting platform, and a number of second mounting holes are provided on the first mounting platform.

[0014] A number of first mounting holes corresponding to the second mounting holes are provided on the housing, and the housing is locked to the pump housing by screws passing through the first mounting holes and the second mounting holes.

[0015] A first sealing ring is installed between the above-mentioned housing and the pump housing. A first sealing groove is provided on the end face of the housing, and the first sealing ring is installed in the first sealing groove.

[0016] The above-mentioned filtering device includes a mounting base, a filter net and an air outlet part. A receiving cavity is provided on the mounting base. The filter net is installed in the receiving cavity. The air outlet part is installed on the mounting base, and an exhaust port communicating with the receiving cavity is provided on the air outlet part.

[0017] A second mounting platform is provided on the above-mentioned pump housing. A number of fourth mounting holes are provided on the second mounting platform. A number of third mounting holes corresponding to the fourth mounting holes are provided on the mounting base. The housing is locked to the pump housing by screws passing through the third mounting holes and the fourth mounting holes.

[0018] A second sealing ring is installed between the above-mentioned mounting base and the pump housing. A second sealing groove is provided on the end face of the mounting base, and the second sealing ring is installed in the second sealing groove.

[0019] A fuel cell includes a fuel cell controller, a hydrogen supply system, an air intake system, a stack module and a hydrogen circulation pump assembly. The hydrogen outlet of the stack module is connected to the air inlet of the hydrogen circulation pump, and the air outlet of the hydrogen circulation pump is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the stack module. It is characterized in that: the hydrogen circulation pump assembly is the above-mentioned hydrogen circulation pump assembly.

[0020] The above-mentioned heating device includes an electric heating element and a housing. The electric heating element is installed at the bottom of the housing. A temperature sensor is installed on the housing. The electric heating element and the temperature sensor are respectively connected to the fuel cell controller. When the temperature of the recycled gas is lower than a certain set value T1, the fuel cell controller controls the electric heating element to heat. When the temperature of the recycled gas is higher than a certain set value T2, the fuel cell controller controls the electric heating element to stop working.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following effects:

[0022] 1) The present invention includes a hydrogen circulation pump, which comprises a motor, a wind wheel and a pump housing. A pump chamber is arranged inside the pump housing, the wind wheel is installed inside the pump chamber, the motor drives the wind wheel to rotate, and the pump housing is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet. The pump chamber is communicated with the air inlet and the air outlet. It is characterized in that: the air inlet is connected to a heating device, and the air outlet is connected to a filtering device. The recycled gas first passes through the treatment of the heating device and then enters the hydrogen circulation pump, and reaches the filtering device from the air outlet of the hydrogen circulation pump, and is discharged after passing through the treatment of the filtering device. The technical solution of the present invention does not heat the entire hydrogen circulation pump, but connects a heating device to the air inlet. The heating device is small in volume, solves the technical problem of water freezing in the hydrogen circulation system under low temperature conditions, reduces the additional power consumption of the entire system at the same time, improves the efficiency of the entire system, saves energy and reduces costs. A filtering device is connected to the air outlet to prevent ice particles from being output to the fuel cell stack before being completely melted, and the safety and reliability are better.

[0023] 2) Other advantages of the present invention are described in detail in the embodiment part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 The three-dimensional view of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 The three-dimensional view of Embodiment 1 of the present invention from another angle;

[0026] Figure 3 The exploded view of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 The exploded view of Embodiment 1 of the present invention from another angle;

[0028] Figure 5 The three-dimensional view of the housing in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 The three-dimensional view of the mounting seat in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 The control circuit diagram of the hydrogen circulation pump assembly in the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 The block diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 9 The schematic principle diagram of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The present invention will be further described in detail below through specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Embodiment 1:

[0035] As Figures 1 to 8 shown, this embodiment provides a hydrogen circulation pump assembly, including a hydrogen circulation pump 100. The hydrogen circulation pump 100 includes a motor, a wind wheel and a pump housing 1. A pump chamber is arranged inside the pump housing 1. The wind wheel is installed inside the pump chamber. The motor drives the wind wheel to rotate. An air inlet 11 and an air outlet 12 are provided on the pump housing 1. The pump chamber is communicated with the air inlet 11 and the air outlet 12. It is characterized in that: the air inlet 11 is connected to a heating device 2, and the air outlet 12 is connected to a filtering device 3. The recycled gas first passes through the treatment of the heating device 2 and then enters the hydrogen circulation pump 100, and reaches the filtering device 3 from the air outlet 12 of the hydrogen circulation pump 100, and is discharged after passing through the treatment of the filtering device 3.

[0036] The technical solution of the present invention does not heat the entire hydrogen circulation pump, but connects a heating device at the air inlet. The heating device is small in volume, solves the technical problem of water freezing in the hydrogen circulation system under low temperature conditions, reduces the additional power consumption of the entire system at the same time, improves the efficiency of the entire system, saves energy, and reduces costs. Connect a filtering device at the air outlet to avoid ice particles being output to the fuel cell stack before being completely melted, and the safety and reliability are better.

[0037] The heating device 2 is started when the temperature of the recycled gas is lower than a certain set value T1, and the heating device 2 is shut down when the temperature of the recycled gas is higher than a certain set value T2. The control is fast and simple.

[0038] The heating device 2 includes an electric heating element 24 and a housing 25. The housing 25 is installed at the air inlet 11 of the pump housing 1. The electric heating element 24 is installed at the bottom of the housing 25. A cavity 250 is provided inside the housing 25. An air inlet 21 and a drain port 22 are provided on the housing 25. The cavity 250 is communicated with the air inlet 21 and the drain port 22. The cavity opening 2500 of the cavity 250 is communicated with the air inlet 21 of the pump housing 1. The structure is simple, the structural arrangement is reasonable, the integrated design has high integration, the structure is compact, the volume is small, the performance is excellent, the pressurization effect is good, the quality is lighter, and the cost is lower.

[0039] The cavity 250 includes a water storage cavity 2501 and a gas storage cavity 2502. The position of the water storage cavity 2501 is lower than the position of the gas storage cavity 2502. The air inlet 21 is connected to the gas storage cavity 2502, and the drain port 22 is connected to the water storage cavity 2501. The structural arrangement is reasonable and convenient for water-gas separation.

[0040] A sensor mounting hole 251 is provided on the housing 25. The temperature sensor 23 passes through the sensor mounting hole 251 and extends into the gas storage cavity 2502, which is convenient for the temperature sensor 23 to sense the temperature of the recycled gas.

[0041] The pump housing 1 is provided with a first mounting platform 130. A number of second mounting holes 13 are provided on the first mounting platform 130. A number of first mounting holes 28 corresponding to the second mounting holes are provided on the housing 25. The housing 25 is locked on the pump housing 1 by screws passing through the first mounting holes 28 and the second mounting holes 13. The installation structure is simple and the structure is compact.

[0042] A first sealing ring 26 is installed between the housing 25 and the pump housing 1. A first sealing groove 27 is provided on the end face of the housing 25. The first sealing ring 26 is installed in the first sealing groove 27, and the sealing effect is good.

[0043] The filtering device 3 includes a mounting seat 31, a filter net 32 and an air outlet part 33. A receiving cavity 311 is provided on the mounting seat 31. The filter net 32 is installed in the receiving cavity 311. The air outlet part 33 is installed on the mounting seat 31. An exhaust port 30 communicating with the receiving cavity 311 is provided on the air outlet part 33. The fine ice particles generated during low-temperature startup are filtered by the filter net, improving the reliability of the entire system, and having high integration, a compact structure and a small volume.

[0044] In a low-temperature state, there will be a small amount of icing in the hydrogen circulation pump or the pipeline before the system starts. At the moment of startup, the impeller in the hydrogen circulation pump rotates at a high speed, stirring the small amount of ice inside into fine particles. The filtering device intercepts and filters the fine particles, and hydrogen and gaseous moisture can pass through. After the fuel cell controller starts the heating device, the temperature in the hydrogen circulation pump rises, and the fine ice particles naturally vaporize into water vapor and enter the stack module, without causing blockage of the filtering device.

[0045] The pump housing 1 is provided with a second mounting platform 140. A number of fourth mounting holes 14 are provided on the second mounting platform. A number of third mounting holes 36 corresponding to the fourth mounting holes 14 are provided on the mounting seat 31. The housing 25 is locked on the pump housing 1 by screws passing through the third mounting holes 36 and the fourth mounting holes 14. The installation structure is simple and the structure is compact.

[0046] A second sealing ring 34 is installed between the mounting seat 31 and the pump housing 1. A second sealing groove 35 is provided on the end face of the mounting seat 31. The second sealing ring 34 is installed in the second sealing groove 35, and the sealing effect is good.

[0047] Embodiment 2:

[0048] As Figure 9As shown in the figure, a fuel cell includes a fuel cell controller, a hydrogen supply system, an air intake system, a stack module, and a hydrogen circulation pump assembly. It is characterized in that: the hydrogen circulation pump assembly is the hydrogen circulation pump assembly described in the first embodiment above. The hydrogen outlet of the stack module is connected to the air inlet 11 of the hydrogen circulation pump, and the air outlet 12 of the hydrogen circulation pump is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the stack module. The hydrogen circulation pump assembly has a simple structure, is compact in structure, small in volume, high in integration, and occupies less space in the overall layout of the fuel cell system; it is convenient for installation and maintenance, and reduces the cost of later maintenance.

[0049] The heating device 2 includes an electric heating element 24 and a housing 25. The electric heating element 24 is installed at the bottom of the housing 25, and a temperature sensor 23 is installed on the housing 25. The electric heating element and the temperature sensor are respectively connected to the fuel cell controller. When the temperature of the recovered gas is lower than a certain set value T1, the fuel cell controller controls the electric heating element 24 to heat. When the temperature of the recovered gas is higher than a certain set value T2, the fuel cell controller controls the electric heating element 24 to stop working. The hydrogen supply system includes a solenoid valve, a proportional pressure regulating valve, a pressure relief valve, and a drain valve. The hydrogen in the hydrogen supply system enters the stack module through the battery valve and the proportional regulating valve. Hydrogen reacts with oxygen entering from the air intake system in the stack module to generate electric energy and a small amount of water. The unreacted hydrogen and a small amount of water are discharged from the hydrogen outlet of the stack module, and then enter the hydrogen circulation pump assembly. The hydrogen and water are separated in the hydrogen circulation pump. The separated water passes through the drain valve and is discharged from the tail discharge outlet. The hydrogen is pressurized by the hydrogen circulation pump and then returns to the stack module to continue to participate in the reaction. A hydrogen concentration sensor is installed before the tail discharge outlet to monitor the hydrogen concentration at the end of the tail discharge. The discharged hydrogen is diluted to a safe concentration by the hydrogen dilution device and then directly discharged. In the low-temperature state, it is heated by the heating device to keep the water entering the hydrogen circulation pump above 0°C and not freeze. The fuel cell control system monitors the temperature in the heating device in real time through the temperature sensor and adjusts the temperature by controlling the heating device to increase or decrease the power.

[0050] The above embodiments are the preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. Any other changes, modifications, substitutions, combinations, and simplifications made without departing from the spirit and principle of the present invention are equivalent replacement methods and are all included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hydrogen circulation pump assembly, comprising a hydrogen circulation pump (100), the hydrogen circulation pump (100) including a motor, an impeller and a pump housing (1), a pump chamber being provided inside the pump housing (1), the impeller being installed inside the pump chamber, the motor driving the impeller to rotate, the pump housing (1) being provided with an air inlet (11) and an air outlet (12), the pump chamber being in communication with the air inlet (11) and the air outlet (12), characterized in that: The air inlet (11) is connected to a heating device (2), and the air outlet (12) is connected to a filtering device (3). The recycled gas first passes through the treatment of the heating device (2) and then enters the hydrogen circulation pump (100), and reaches the filtering device (3) from the air outlet (12) of the hydrogen circulation pump (100), and is discharged after passing through the treatment of the filtering device (3). The heating device (2) includes an electric heating element (24) and a housing (25). The housing (25) is installed at the air inlet (11) of the pump housing (1). The electric heating element (24) is installed at the bottom of the housing (25). A cavity (250) is provided in the housing (25). An air inlet (21) and a drain port (22) are provided on the housing (25). The cavity (250) is communicated with the air inlet (21) and the drain port (22). The orifice (2500) of the cavity (250) is communicated with the air inlet (21) of the pump housing (1). The cavity (250) includes a water storage cavity (2501) and a gas storage cavity (2502). The position of the water storage cavity (2501) is lower than that of the gas storage cavity (2502). The air inlet (21) is connected to the gas storage cavity (2502), and the drain port (22) is connected to the water storage cavity (2501).

2. The hydrogen circulation pump assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating device (2) is started when the temperature of the recycled gas is lower than a certain set value T1, and the heating device (2) is shut down when the temperature of the recycled gas is higher than a certain set value T2.

3. The hydrogen circulation pump assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A sensor mounting hole (251) is provided on the housing (25), and the temperature sensor (23) passes through the sensor mounting hole (251) and extends into the gas storage cavity (2502).

4. The hydrogen circulation pump assembly according to claim 3, wherein: A first mounting platform (130) is provided on the pump housing (1). A number of second mounting holes (13) are provided on the first mounting platform (130). A number of first mounting holes (28) corresponding to the second mounting holes are provided on the housing (25). The housing (25) is locked on the pump housing (1) by screws passing through the first mounting holes (28) and the second mounting holes (13).

5. The hydrogen circulation pump assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: A first sealing ring (26) is installed between the housing (25) and the pump housing (1). A first sealing groove (27) is provided on the end face of the housing (25). The first sealing ring (26) is installed in the first sealing groove (27).

6. The hydrogen circulation pump assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The filtering device (3) includes a mounting seat (31), a filter net (32) and an air outlet part (33). A receiving cavity (311) is provided on the mounting seat (31). The filter net (32) is installed in the receiving cavity (311). The air outlet part (33) is installed on the mounting seat (31). An exhaust port (30) communicated with the receiving cavity (311) is provided on the air outlet part (33).

7. A hydrogen circulation pump assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that: A second mounting platform (140) is provided on the pump housing (1). A number of fourth mounting holes (14) are provided on the second mounting platform. A number of third mounting holes (36) corresponding to the fourth mounting holes are provided on the mounting seat (31). The housing (25) is locked on the pump housing (1) by screws passing through the third mounting holes (36) and the fourth mounting holes (14).

8. The hydrogen circulation pump assembly according to claim 7, wherein: A second sealing ring (34) is installed between the mounting base (31) and the pump housing (1). A second sealing groove (35) is provided on the end face of the mounting base (31), and the second sealing ring (34) is installed in the second sealing groove (35).

9. A fuel cell, comprising a fuel cell controller, a hydrogen supply system, an air intake system, a stack module and a hydrogen circulation pump assembly. The hydrogen outlet of the stack module is connected to the gas inlet (11) of the hydrogen circulation pump, and the gas outlet (12) of the hydrogen circulation pump is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the stack module. It is characterized in that: The hydrogen circulation pump assembly is the hydrogen circulation pump assembly described in any one of claims 1 to 8 above.

10. A fuel cell according to claim 9, characterized in that: The heating device (2) includes an electric heating element (24) and a housing (25). The electric heating element (24) is installed at the bottom of the housing (25). A temperature sensor (23) is installed on the housing (25). The electric heating element and the temperature sensor are respectively connected to the fuel cell controller. When the temperature of the recycled gas is lower than a certain set value T1, the fuel cell controller controls the electric heating element (24) to heat. When the temperature of the recycled gas is higher than a certain set value T2, the fuel cell controller controls the electric heating element (24) to stop working.

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