Full-air-cooled self-circulating fully-immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system and working method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a fully air-cooled self-circulating fully-immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system, which relates to the fields of clean energy application and transportation. It includes a first water-sealed container, a metal-sealed container, a fuel cell stack, a first water-sealed container and a hydrogen storage tank; the surfaces of the first water-sealed container and the metal-sealed container are both heat dissipation structures. In the present invention, the vehicle-mounted fuel cell stack is fully immersed in water through the metal-sealed container, completely isolating static electricity, so that the problem of static electricity protection during vehicle operation is effectively solved. The present invention also relates to a working method of this fully air-cooled self-circulating fully-immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of clean energy applications and transportation, and more specifically, it is a fully air-cooled self-circulating fully immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system. The present invention also relates to a working method of such a fully air-cooled self-circulating fully immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system. Background Art

[0002] Currently, most hydrogen fuel cell vehicles use 35Mpa or 70Mpa hydrogen storage tanks, with two or more (for heavy-duty trucks or large buses) connected in parallel and piped to the hydrogen input port of the fuel cell device. There is a possibility of hydrogen or oxygen leakage in the above vehicle-mounted fuel cells. When hydrogen leaks, it can only be quickly discharged into the atmosphere, so there are very high requirements for the layout of the fuel cell, anti-static, and open flames, etc. The specific limitations are as follows:

[0003] 1) For vehicle-mounted fuel cells, the main dangerous feature is that leakage causes a mixture of hydrogen and air to be explosive. For fuel cells, overpressure relief devices, collision sensors, overcurrent and over-temperature protection, etc. are all installed, aiming to fully ensure the safety of the fuel cell stack.

[0004] 2) Vehicle-mounted fuel cells need to be cooled during operation, should be arranged in a well-ventilated place or corresponding ventilation measures should be designed, and it is ensured that hydrogen can quickly diffuse into the atmospheric environment when leakage occurs. At the same time, the layout of the vehicle-mounted hydrogen system in the vehicle also needs to consider a certain safety distance between the fuel cell and the vehicle edge. The above features all pose high requirements for the storage of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and the layout of in-vehicle hydrogen equipment.

[0005] 3) In addition, to ensure safety in case of hydrogen leakage, the conductive outer shell of the fuel cell vehicle also needs to be reliably connected to the ground to prevent static electricity from igniting hydrogen.

[0006] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a fully air-cooled self-circulating fully immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system that ensures the safety of vehicle-mounted fuel cells in terms of explosion protection, leakage detection, and static electricity isolation, and greatly simplifies the corresponding equipment and facilities. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The first object of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the above background art and provide a fully air-cooled self-circulating fully immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system.

[0008] The second object of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the above background art and provide a working method of such a fully air-cooled self-circulating fully immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system.

[0009] To achieve the above first object, the technical solution of the present invention is: an all-air-cooled self-circulating fully-immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system, characterized in that it includes a first water-sealed container filled with water, a metal-sealed container located inside the first water-sealed container, a fuel cell stack located inside the metal-sealed container, and a hydrogen storage tank located outside the first water-sealed container and connected to the fuel cell stack through a hydrogen transmission pipeline that sequentially penetrates the first water-sealed container and the metal-sealed container;

[0010] The surfaces of the first water-sealed container and the metal-sealed container are both heat dissipation structures.

[0011] In the above technical solution, the side of the liquid level replenishment device is connected to the top of the first water-sealed container, the bottom of the liquid level replenishment device is connected to the upper part of the side of the first water-sealed container, and the side of the liquid level replenishment device is connected to the top of the first water-sealed container (1) through a self-circulating water replenishment valve.

[0012] In the above technical solution, there is a leakage collection and gas storage chamber at the top of the first water-sealed container; there is an exhaust valve at the top of the leakage collection and gas storage chamber.

[0013] In the above technical solution, there is an observation window on the leakage collection and gas storage chamber.

[0014] In the above technical solution, there are a hydrogen sensor and an oxygen sensor in the leakage collection and gas storage chamber.

[0015] In the above technical solution, there is a liquid level sensor at the connection between the bottom of the liquid level replenishment device and the upper part of the side of the first water-sealed container.

[0016] In the above technical solution, the hydrogen storage tank is located inside a second water-sealed container, and there is a water-sealed hydrogen transmission interface at the connection between the hydrogen transmission pipeline and the second water-sealed container; there are valves at the contacts between the hydrogen transmission pipeline and the first water-sealed container, the metal-sealed container, and the fuel cell stack.

[0017] To achieve the above second object, the technical solution of the present invention is: a working method of an all-air-cooled self-circulating fully-immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system, characterized by including the following steps:

[0018] Step 1: First, fill the first water-sealed container and the second water-sealed container with water through the self-circulating water replenishment valve. The water filling amount is based on filling the first water-sealed container and the second water-sealed container without overflowing the leakage collection and gas storage chamber; when the water filling work is completed, the entire device works stably;

[0019] Step 2: When hydrogen leaks from the metal-sealed container or the hydrogen pipeline inside the metal-sealed container, the leaked hydrogen forms bubbles. The leakage detection alarm discovers the movement track of the bubbles in the first instance and issues a yellow alarm. Subsequently, the leaked hydrogen will gather in the leakage collection and gas storage room. Since hydrogen is insoluble in water, the leaked hydrogen will gather in the leakage collection and gas storage room at this time. The pressure in the leakage collection and gas storage room gradually increases. Meanwhile, the hydrogen sensor installed in the leakage collection and gas storage room will issue an alarm for the hydrogen concentrated there.

[0020] When the pressure in the leakage collection and gas storage room is greater than 2 MPa, the exhaust valve opens at this time. Since the exhaust valve is located at the top of the leakage collection and gas storage room and the density of hydrogen is greater than that of air, the main gas to be dissipated is hydrogen. The signal that the exhaust valve opens is transmitted to the alarm system, and the system issues an orange alarm.

[0021] When hydrogen continues to leak and the hydrogen cannot be effectively dissipated through the exhaust valve and the pressure in the leakage collection and gas storage room is greater than 5 MPa, the drain valve opens at this time to drain the water in the first water-sealed container and issues a red alarm.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0023] 1) In the present invention, the vehicle-mounted fuel cell stack is fully immersed in water through a metal-sealed container, completely isolating static electricity, effectively solving the problem of static electricity protection during vehicle operation.

[0024] 2) Both the metal-sealed container and the water-sealed container of the present invention adopt a heat dissipation structure, thereby cooling the fuel cell stack through a full air-cooling method, greatly improving the safety, reliability, and economy of the vehicle-mounted fuel cell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The implementation of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, but they do not constitute a limitation to the present invention and are only for illustration purposes. At the same time, the advantages of the present invention will become clearer and easier to understand through the description.

[0027] Referring to the drawings, it can be seen that: a full air-cooling self-circulation fully immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system, characterized in that: it includes a first water-sealed container 1 filled with water, a metal-sealed container 2 located inside the first water-sealed container 1, a fuel cell stack 3 located inside the metal-sealed container 2, and a hydrogen storage tank 4 located outside the first water-sealed container 1 and connected to the fuel cell stack 3 through a hydrogen pipeline 41 that sequentially penetrates the first water-sealed container 1 and the metal-sealed container 2;

[0028] The surfaces of the first water-sealed container 1 and the metal-sealed container 2 are both heat dissipation structures 5.

[0029] The side of the liquid level replenishing device 6 is connected to the top of the first water-sealed container 1, the bottom of the liquid level replenishing device 6 is connected to the upper part of the side of the first water-sealed container 1, and the side of the liquid level replenishing device 6 is connected to the top of the first water-sealed container 1 through the self-circulating water replenishing valve 61.

[0030] There is a leakage collection gas storage chamber 11 at the top of the first water-sealed container 1; there is an exhaust valve 111 at the top of the leakage collection gas storage chamber 11.

[0031] There is an observation window 112 on the leakage collection gas storage chamber 11.

[0032] There is a hydrogen sensor 113 and an oxygen sensor 114 in the leakage collection gas storage chamber 11.

[0033] There is a liquid level sensor 12 at the connection between the bottom of the liquid level replenishing device 6 and the upper part of the side of the first water-sealed container 1.

[0034] The hydrogen storage tank 4 is located in the second water-sealed container 42, and there is a water-sealed hydrogen transmission interface 43 at the connection between the hydrogen transmission pipeline 41 and the second water-sealed container 42; there is a valve 44 at the contact between the hydrogen transmission pipeline 41 and the first water-sealed container 1, the metal-sealed container 2 and the fuel cell stack 3.

[0035] A working method of an all-air-cooled self-circulating fully-immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system, characterized by including the following steps:

[0036] Step 1: First, fill the first water-sealed container 1 and the second water-sealed container 42 with water through the self-circulating water replenishing valve 61. The water filling amount is based on filling the first water-sealed container 1 and the second water-sealed container 42 without overflowing the leakage collection gas storage chamber 11; during the water filling process, the exhaust valve 11 is opened to gradually evacuate the air in the first water-sealed container, leaving only a small amount of air in the leakage collection gas storage chamber 11; when the water filling work is completed, the whole device works stably.

[0037] Step 2: When hydrogen leaks from the metal-sealed container 2 or the hydrogen transmission pipeline 41 in the metal-sealed container 2, the leaked hydrogen forms bubbles. The leakage detection alarm discovers the movement track of the bubbles for the first time and issues a yellow alarm; subsequently, the leaked hydrogen will be concentrated in the leakage collection gas storage chamber 11. Since hydrogen is insoluble in water, at this time, the leaked hydrogen will be concentrated in the leakage collection gas storage chamber 11; the pressure in the leakage collection gas storage chamber 11 gradually increases, and at the same time, the hydrogen sensor 113 installed in the leakage collection gas storage chamber 11 will alarm for the hydrogen concentrated there.

[0038] When the pressure in the leakage collection gas storage room 11 is greater than 2 MPa, the exhaust valve 111 opens at this time; since the exhaust valve 111 is located at the top of the leakage collection gas storage room 11 and the density of hydrogen is greater than that of air, the mainly dissipated gas is hydrogen; the signal that the exhaust valve 111 opens is transmitted to the alarm system, and the system issues an orange alarm;

[0039] When hydrogen continues to leak and the hydrogen cannot be effectively dissipated through the exhaust valve 111 and the pressure in the leakage collection gas storage room 11 is greater than 5 MPa, the drain valve opens at this time to drain the water in the first water seal container 1 and issues a red alarm.

[0040] In the present invention, a ventilation groove or ventilation slot is longitudinally arranged on the vehicle. During the operation of the vehicle, natural cooling of the first water seal container 1 is achieved through air circulation; a liquid level replenishment device 6 is provided, and the liquid level replenishment device 6 can utilize the by-product water of the fuel cell stack 3 for self-circulation; on the premise of ensuring the safety in explosion prevention, leakage detection, and static electricity isolation, the corresponding equipment and facilities are greatly simplified.

[0041] The fuel cell stack 3 is used for the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity and water; various pipelines of the fuel cell stack 3 are led out through valves 44..

[0042] The metal seal container 2 is made of a metal material with high heat conduction, and the box body adopts a structure with cooling fins or heat sinks.

[0043] The first water seal container 1 is customized according to the shape of the metal seal container 2. The outer shell of the first water seal container 1 can be made of rust-proof metal materials such as stainless steel and pure aluminum, or can also be made of materials with high thermal conductivity and good tolerance to hydrogen. The shell has water-tight / air-tight conditions under normal air pressure. A transparent observation window (column) is provided on the first water seal container 1 for observing the internal gas leakage situation.

[0044] The valve 44 is used to control and open / close the flow rate in various gas and liquid pipelines.

[0045] The self-circulation water replenishing valve 61 is used to replenish water into the water seal container.

[0046] The exhaust valve 111 is used to discharge hydrogen to the outside to ensure the safe dissipation of hydrogen.

[0047] The observation window 112 is used to observe the gas leakage situation.

[0048] The leakage collection gas storage room 11 is used to store the leaked hydrogen for a short time.

[0049] The hydrogen pipeline 41 is used to input hydrogen to the fuel cell stack 3 under the protection of the water seal flange interface 43.

[0050] The hydrogen sensor 113 is used to monitor the hydrogen signal in the leakage collection gas storage room 11 so that gas leakage can be monitored.

[0051] The oxygen sensor 114 is used to monitor the oxygen signal in the leakage collection and gas storage chamber 11, so that gas leakage can be monitored.

[0052] The present invention takes a fuel cell vehicle as an example only. When it is used for a fuel cell stack in rail transit, the same principle and method of the present invention can be adopted.

[0053] Other parts not described belong to the prior art.

Claims

1. All-air-cooled self-circulating fully-immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system, Characterized in that: It includes a first water-sealed container (1) filled with water, a metal-sealed container (2) located inside the first water-sealed container (1), a fuel cell stack (3) located inside the metal-sealed container (2), and a hydrogen storage tank (4) located outside the first water-sealed container (1) and connected to the fuel cell stack (3) through a hydrogen transmission pipeline (41) that sequentially penetrates the first water-sealed container (1) and the metal-sealed container (2); The surfaces of the first water-sealed container (1) and the metal-sealed container (2) are both heat dissipation structures (5); The side of the liquid level replenishing device (6) is connected to the top of the first water-sealed container (1), the bottom of the liquid level replenishing device (6) is connected to the upper part of the side of the first water-sealed container (1), and the side of the liquid level replenishing device (6) is connected to the top of the first water-sealed container (1) through a self-circulating water replenishing valve (61); There is a leakage collection gas storage room (11) at the top of the first water-sealed container (1); there is an exhaust valve (111) at the top of the leakage collection gas storage room (11); The hydrogen storage tank (4) is located inside a second water-sealed container (42), and there is a water-sealed hydrogen transmission interface (43) at the connection of the hydrogen transmission pipeline (41) and the second water-sealed container (42); there are valves (44) at the contacts of the hydrogen transmission pipeline (41) with the first water-sealed container (1), the metal-sealed container (2), and the fuel cell stack (3); The working method of the all-air-cooled self-circulating fully-immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system includes the following steps: Step 1: First, fill the first water-sealed container (1) and the second water-sealed container (42) with water through the self-circulating water replenishing valve (61). The water filling amount is based on filling the first water-sealed container (1) and the second water-sealed container (42) without overflowing the leakage collection gas storage room (11); when the water filling work is completed, the entire device works stably; Step 2: When hydrogen leaks from the metal-sealed container (2) or the hydrogen transmission pipeline (41) inside the metal-sealed container (2), the leaked hydrogen forms bubbles. The leakage detection alarm discovers the movement track of the bubbles in the first time and issues a yellow alarm; subsequently, the leaked hydrogen will be concentrated in the leakage collection gas storage room (11). Since hydrogen is insoluble in water, at this time, the leaked hydrogen will be concentrated in the leakage collection gas storage room (11); the pressure in the leakage collection gas storage room (11) gradually increases, and at the same time, the hydrogen sensor (113) installed in the leakage collection gas storage room (11) will alarm the hydrogen concentrated there; When the pressure in the leakage collection gas storage room (11) is greater than 2 MPa, at this time, the exhaust valve (111) opens; since the exhaust valve (111) is located at the top of the leakage collection gas storage room (11) and the density of hydrogen is less than that of air, the mainly dissipated gas is hydrogen; the signal of the opening of the exhaust valve (111) is transmitted to the alarm system, and the system issues an orange alarm; When hydrogen continues to leak and the hydrogen cannot be effectively dissipated through the exhaust valve (111), and the pressure in the leakage collection gas storage room (11) is greater than 5 MPa, at this time, the water discharge valve opens, discharges the water in the first water-sealed container (1), and issues a red alarm.

2. The fully air-cooled self-circulating fully-immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that: the leakage collection and gas storage room (11) is provided with an observation window (112).

3. The fully air-cooled self-circulating fully-immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system according to claim 2, characterized in that: the leakage collection and gas storage room (11) is provided with a hydrogen sensor (113) and an oxygen sensor (114).

4. The fully air-cooled self-circulating fully-immersed mobile vehicle-mounted fuel cell system according to claim 3, characterized in that: a liquid level sensor (12) is provided at the connection between the bottom of the liquid level replenishing device (6) and the upper part of the side surface of the first water-sealed container (1).

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