A low-temperature heating structure for metal fuel cells

Abstract

The present invention provides a low-temperature heating structure for a metal fuel cell, comprising a fuel cell reactor stack 1, an electrolyte tank 2, an electrolyte circulation input pipeline 3, an electrolyte circulation output pipeline 4, a first temperature sensor 5, a controller 6, a heating component 7, an electric push rod component 8, and a stack fixing bracket 9; one or more grooves are arranged on the top of the electrolyte tank 2; the electric push rod component 8 is fixed to the bottom of the fuel cell reactor stack 1, and the end of the electric push rod component 8 is connected to the heating component 7, the electric push rod component 8 is located above the one or more grooves, and the electric push rod component 8 can enter and exit the one or more grooves; the first temperature sensor 5 is fixed to the outside of the electrolyte tank 2, and is used to collect a first temperature signal of the electrolyte tank 2; the controller 6 is fixed to the outside of the electrolyte tank 2, and is used to receive the first temperature signal, and control the electric push rod component 8 to rise or fall according to the first temperature signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of batteries, and in particular to a low-temperature heating structure for a metal fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] At present, the research direction of battery energy storage technology mainly focuses on reducing the mass of the energy storage system to achieve the purpose of improving the energy density of the power system. Metal fuel cells have become an important research direction in the field of new energy due to their light weight and high energy storage density. Metal aluminum is abundant in the earth's crust, and the material processing difficulty and processing cost of electrode aluminum plates are relatively low. It also has the characteristics of high specific energy. Therefore, fuel cells using metal aluminum, also known as aluminum-air batteries, have high research value. The anode of this battery uses an aluminum plate treated with a special process, the cathode is a porous air electrode, and the electrolyte is a strong alkaline solution or a salt solution, such as the more commonly used potassium hydroxide solution. Its discharge reaction is simply described as follows: an oxidation reaction occurs at the anode, and metal aluminum ions combine with hydroxide ions to generate aluminum hydroxide while losing electrons; an oxygen reduction reaction occurs at the cathode, and oxygen in the air, water in the electrolyte, and the obtained electrons combine to generate hydroxide ions, thereby completing the transfer of electrons and achieving the purpose of providing electrical energy.

[0003] From the above analysis, it can be seen that the electrolyte is the link between the air positive electrode and the aluminum negative electrode. It is used to transfer the cations and anions generated in the electrochemical reaction, and it is also a warehouse for storing the aluminum hydroxide produced during the battery discharge process. Therefore, the performance of the electrolyte will directly determine the performance of the battery. In a low temperature environment, the performance of the battery is mainly limited by several aspects, such as the influence of the conductivity of the electrode material, the influence of the ion diffusion coefficient, and the influence of the electrolyte conductivity. In particular, the decrease in electrolyte conductivity in a low temperature environment has a great impact on the performance of aluminum metal batteries. In addition, under low temperature conditions, since the flow performance of the air is also affected, the insufficient supply of oxygen in the oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode will also reduce the discharge effect of the battery.

[0004] There are many studies on organic additives for electrolytes in metal fuel cells, and many results have been achieved. However, there is less research progress on the low-temperature performance of batteries, which is an indispensable technical indicator of batteries.

[0005] In the prior art, no effective solution has been proposed for the problem that metal fuel cells have poor discharge performance in harsh low-temperature environments. Summary of the invention

[0006] In view of this, an embodiment of the present invention provides a low-temperature heating structure for a metal fuel cell to solve the problem in the prior art that the metal fuel cell has poor discharge effect in a low-temperature harsh environment.

[0007] The present invention provides a metal fuel cell low-temperature heating structure, comprising: a fuel cell reaction stack 1, an electrolyte tank 2, an electrolyte circulation input pipeline 3, an electrolyte circulation output pipeline 4, a first temperature sensor 5, a controller 6, a heating component 7, an electric push rod component 8, and a stack fixing bracket 9;

[0008] The fuel cell reactor stack 1 is fixed above the electrolyte tank 2 by the reactor stack fixing bracket 9;

[0009] The electrolyte tank 2 is connected to the interior of the fuel cell reactor stack 1 through the electrolyte circulation input pipeline 3 and the electrolyte circulation output pipeline 4;

[0010] The top of the electrolyte tank 2 is provided with one or more grooves;

[0011] The electric push rod assembly 8 is fixed to the bottom of the fuel cell reactor stack 1, the end of the electric push rod assembly 8 is connected to the heating assembly 7, the electric push rod assembly 8 is located above the one or more grooves, and the electric push rod assembly 8 can enter and exit the one or more grooves;

[0012] The first temperature sensor 5 is fixed outside the electrolyte tank 2 and is used to collect a first temperature signal of the electrolyte tank 2;

[0013] The controller 6 is fixed on the outside of the electrolyte tank 2, and is used to receive the first temperature signal and control the electric push rod assembly 8 to rise or fall according to the first temperature signal.

[0014] Optionally, when the first temperature signal is lower than a first set threshold, the controller 6 controls the electric push rod assembly 8 to descend, so that the heating assembly 7 descends to the corresponding groove, and controls the heating assembly 7 to start heating.

[0015] Optionally, the controller 6 is also used to obtain the heating time of the heating component 7. When the heating time is greater than a second set threshold, the electric push rod assembly 8 is controlled to move upward, pull the heating component 7 out of the one or more grooves, and stop heating the electrolyte tank 2.

[0016] Optionally, it further comprises a second temperature sensor 10, wherein the second temperature sensor 10 is fixed outside the fuel cell reactor stack 1 and is used to detect a second temperature signal of the electrolyte in the fuel cell reactor stack 1;

[0017] The controller 6 is used for controlling the start-up of the heat dissipation device when the second temperature signal is greater than a third set threshold.

[0018] Optionally, the external structure of the heating component 7 is a porous packaged shell, and when the heating component 7 is working, heat is transferred to the electrolyte tank 2 from the porous structure.

[0019] Optionally, the bottom of the electric push rod assembly 8 is connected to the top of the porous packaging shell of the heating assembly 7 through a suspension device.

[0020] Optionally, an oxygen candle is disposed inside the heating component 7, and the oxygen candle inside the heating component 7 releases oxygen while heating.

[0021] Optionally, an oxygen concentration sensor 11 is also included, which is fixed outside the fuel cell reactor stack 1 and is used to collect an oxygen concentration signal and input the oxygen concentration signal to the controller 6. The controller 6 is used to control the ventilation device to discharge oxygen when the oxygen concentration signal is greater than a fourth set threshold.

[0022] Optionally, the electric push rod assembly 8 is composed of a motor and a linear push rod, and the rotation direction of the motor is controlled by the controller 6, and the rotation direction of the motor controls the movement direction of the linear push rod.

[0023] Optionally, the metal fuel cell low-temperature heating structure also includes a circulation pump. The electrolyte circulation system is composed of the electrolyte circulation input pipeline 3, the electrolyte circulation output pipeline 4 and the circulation pump. The controller 6 controls the circulation pump to complete the circulation of the electrolyte in the metal fuel cell.

[0024] A metal fuel cell low-temperature heating structure provided in an embodiment of the present application includes a fuel cell reactor stack 1, an electrolyte tank 2, an electrolyte circulation input pipeline 3, an electrolyte circulation output pipeline 4, a first temperature sensor 5, a controller 6, a heating component 7, an electric push rod component 8, and a stack fixing bracket 9; the fuel cell reactor stack 1 is fixed above the electrolyte tank 2 by the stack fixing bracket 9; the electrolyte tank 2 is connected to the inside of the fuel cell reactor stack 1 through the electrolyte circulation input pipeline 3 and the electrolyte circulation output pipeline 4; one or more grooves are arranged on the top of the electrolyte tank 2; the electric push rod component 8 is fixed to the bottom of the fuel cell reactor stack 1, the end of the electric push rod component 8 is connected to the heating component 7, the electric push rod component 8 is located above the one or more grooves, and the electric push rod component 8 can enter and exit the one or more grooves; the first temperature sensor 5 is fixed to the outside of the electrolyte tank 2, and is used to collect the first temperature signal of the electrolyte tank 2; the controller 6 is fixed to the outside of the electrolyte tank 2, and is used to receive the first temperature signal, and control the electric push rod component 8 to rise or fall according to the first temperature signal. The invention solves the problem in the prior art that the metal fuel cell has poor discharge effect in a low-temperature harsh environment. The invention can quickly heat the electrolyte in a low-temperature environment, improve the conductivity of the electrolyte, and shorten the time when the battery works at full load. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Further details, features and advantages of the present disclosure are disclosed in the following description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a low-temperature heating structure of a metal fuel cell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0027] Figure 2 Another structural schematic diagram of a metal fuel cell low-temperature heating structure according to an exemplary optional example of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although certain embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein, which are instead provided for a more thorough and complete understanding of the present disclosure. It should be understood that the drawings and embodiments of the present disclosure are only for exemplary purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0029] It should be understood that the various steps described in the method embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed in different orders and / or in parallel. In addition, the method embodiments may include additional steps and / or omit the steps shown. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0030] The term "including" and its variations used in this document are open inclusions, that is, "including but not limited to". The term "based on" means "based at least in part". The term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment"; the term "another embodiment" means "at least one other embodiment"; the term "some embodiments" means "at least some embodiments". The relevant definitions of other terms will be given in the following description. It should be noted that the concepts of "first", "second", etc. mentioned in the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different devices, modules or units, and are not used to limit the order or interdependence of the functions performed by these devices, modules or units. It should be noted that the modifications of "one" and "multiple" mentioned in the present disclosure are illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art should understand that unless otherwise clearly indicated in the context, it should be understood as "one or more". The names of the messages or information exchanged between multiple devices in the embodiments of the present disclosure are for illustrative purposes only, and are not used to limit the scope of these messages or information.

[0031] The present invention provides a low-temperature heating structure for a metal fuel cell. Figure 1 FIG. 4 shows a schematic structural diagram of a low-temperature heating structure of a metal fuel cell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1As shown, the metal fuel cell low temperature heating structure includes: a fuel cell reactor stack 1, an electrolyte tank 2, an electrolyte circulation input pipeline 3, an electrolyte circulation output pipeline 4, a first temperature sensor 5, a controller 6, a heating component 7, an electric push rod component 8, and a stack fixing bracket 9. The fuel cell reactor stack 1 is fixed above the electrolyte tank 2 by the stack fixing bracket 9, for example, the stack fixing bracket 9 is installed on the electrolyte tank 2 by bolt connection, and the upper part of the stack fixing bracket 9 is connected to the fuel cell reactor stack 1. The electrolyte tank 2 is connected to the inside of the fuel cell reactor stack 1 through the electrolyte circulation input pipeline 3 and the electrolyte circulation output pipeline 4. One or more grooves are provided on the top of the electrolyte tank 2, for example, the shape of the groove matches the shape of the heating component 7, and the number of the grooves is the same as the number of the heating components 7, for example, the number of the grooves can be 1, 2 or 3, so that the heating component 7 can be completely placed in the groove on the top of the electrolyte tank 2. The electric push rod assembly 8 is fixed at the bottom of the fuel cell reactor stack 1, for example, the upper end of the electric push rod assembly 8 is connected to the lifting ring at the bottom of the fuel cell reactor stack 1 through a fixing device. The end of the electric push rod assembly 8 is connected to the heating assembly 7, for example, it is connected to the top of the heating assembly 7 through a connecting device fixed at the end of the electric push rod assembly 8. The electric push rod assembly 8 is vertically located above one or more grooves, and the electric push rod assembly 8 can enter and exit the one or more grooves. The first temperature sensor 5 is fixed to the outside of the electrolyte tank 2, for example, near the interface between the electrolyte tank 2 and the electrolyte circulation input pipeline 3. It is used to collect the first temperature signal of the electrolyte tank 2. The controller 6 is installed on the outside of the electrolyte tank 2. The controller 6 is the control core of the fuel cell, which is used to receive the first temperature signal and control the electric push rod assembly 8 to rise or fall according to the first temperature signal. For example, a single-chip microprocessor is used as a control system to receive the first temperature signal sent by the first temperature sensor 5 and judge whether the first temperature signal is greater than or less than the first set threshold value, and control the electric push rod assembly 8 to rise or fall.

[0032] Through the above embodiment, the controller 6 controls the electric push rod assembly 8 to move downward, and the heating assembly 7 is placed in the corresponding groove on the top of the electrolyte tank 2. The heating assembly 7 heats the electrolyte tank 2, thereby improving the conductivity of the electrolyte in the electrolyte tank 2, thereby solving the problem of low discharge efficiency of the metal fuel cell in a low temperature environment, achieving the effect of quickly increasing the electrolyte temperature at low temperature, enhancing the chemical reaction effect at low temperature, improving the power generation efficiency of the metal fuel cell, and expanding the environmental applicability of the metal fuel cell.

[0033] When the ambient temperature is low and heating is required, in some optional embodiments, the controller 6 receives a signal from the first temperature sensor 5. When the above-mentioned first temperature signal is lower than the first set threshold, the first set threshold can be flexibly selected according to actual conditions. After processing, two positive signals are output. The first one controls the electric push rod assembly 8 to descend, such as starting the motor to push the push rod downward so that the heating assembly 7 is completely placed in the groove at the top of the corresponding electrolyte tank 2. At this time, the limit switch signal is triggered, the motor stops rotating, and the electric push rod assembly 8 and the heating assembly 7 stop moving downward. The second positive signal controls the heating assembly 7 to power on and start heating. The heating speed of the electrolyte in the electrolyte tank 2 is further accelerated, and the starting speed and discharge efficiency of the metal fuel cell at low temperatures are improved.

[0034] When the discharge efficiency of the metal fuel cell can be achieved by heating the heating component 7 for a limited time, in some optional embodiments, the controller 6 is also used to obtain the heating time of the heating component 7. It can be seen from multiple heating experiments that the heat generated by the heating process, such as the combustion of oxygen candles, is mainly released within the first thirty minutes, especially within the first ten minutes, the heat can reach a peak value, and the electrolyte temperature can be increased by 20°C. At the same time, the chemical reaction inside the metal fuel cell will also release heat, which will heat the electrolyte. Therefore, when the heating time is greater than the second set threshold, the second set threshold can be flexibly selected according to actual conditions. For example, when the heating time is 30 minutes, the controller reverses the motor, controls the electric push rod assembly 8 to move upward, pulls the heating component 7 out of the one or more grooves, and stops heating the electrolyte tank 2. It can reduce the energy waste during the operation of the metal fuel cell and improve the stability and safety of the low-temperature heating structure of the metal fuel cell during operation.

[0035] When the temperature of the fuel cell reactor stack 1 is too high, in some optional embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, a second temperature sensor 10 is also included. The second temperature sensor 10 is fixed outside the fuel cell reactor stack 1 and is used to detect a second temperature signal of the electrolyte in the fuel cell reactor stack 1. The controller 6 is used to control the start of a heat dissipation device such as a fan to reduce the operating temperature when the second temperature signal is greater than a third set threshold value to avoid danger during the operation of the metal fuel cell.

[0036] When it is necessary to quickly increase the temperature in a short time and improve the heating efficiency, in some optional embodiments, the external structure of the heating component 7 is a porous encapsulated shell. When the heating component 7 is working, the heat generated is transferred from the porous structure to the electrolyte tank 2. For example, the porous encapsulated shell of the heating component 7 is barrel-shaped, and the heat generated during the working process heats the electrolyte tank 2 through the porous structure on the side of the cylinder. The porous encapsulated shell can transfer the heat generated inside the heating component 7 to the electrolyte more quickly, reduce the energy loss during the heating process, and improve the startup speed of the metal fuel cell at low temperatures.

[0037] In some optional embodiments, the bottom of the electric push rod assembly 8 is connected to the top of the porous packaging shell of the heating assembly 7 through a suspension device. For example, the bottom of the electric push rod assembly 8 is connected to the top of the heating assembly 7 through a metal bracket, and the shell of the heating assembly 7 is fixed to prevent it from shaking during movement, further improving the stability and safety of the low-temperature heating structure of the metal fuel cell during operation.

[0038] When the oxygen concentration in the working environment of the metal fuel cell is low and additional oxygen-assisting work is required, in some optional embodiments, oxygen candles are arranged inside the heating component 7, for example, the oxygen candles are evenly distributed inside the porous package shell, and the oxygen candles in the heating component 7 release oxygen while heating. When the controller 6 determines that the first temperature signal detected by the first temperature sensor 5 is greater than the first threshold, the electric push rod assembly 8 does not work, and only the oxygen candles in the heating component 7 are started to assist oxygen. The oxygen generated by the oxygen candles is used to provide oxygen reduction reaction to the air electrode. The metal fuel cell can work under low temperature and oxygen-deficient harsh conditions, further improving the environmental adaptability of the metal fuel cell and making the metal fuel cell have a wider range of use environments.

[0039] When the oxygen concentration in the working environment of the metal fuel cell is too high and needs to be reduced, in some optional embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, it also includes an oxygen concentration sensor 11, which is fixed to the outside of the fuel cell reactor stack 1, such as at the inlet of the electrolyte circulation input pipeline 3 on the fuel cell reactor stack 1, and is used to collect oxygen concentration signals and input the oxygen concentration signals to the controller 6. The controller 6 is used to control the ventilation device such as a fan to discharge oxygen when the oxygen concentration signal is greater than a fourth set threshold value, so as to ensure the safety and stability of the battery during operation.

[0040] When the metal fuel cell has higher requirements on environmental conditions, in some optional embodiments, the electric push rod assembly 8 is composed of a motor and a linear push rod. The rotation direction of the motor is controlled by the controller 6. The rotation direction of the motor controls the movement direction of the linear push rod. This structure runs smoothly, without noise, and works reliably, which can ensure the safety and operational stability of the battery.

[0041] In some optional embodiments, the metal fuel cell low temperature heating structure further includes a circulation pump, and the electrolyte circulation system is composed of the electrolyte circulation input pipeline 3, the electrolyte circulation output pipeline 4 and the circulation pump, and the controller 6 controls the circulation pump to complete the circulation of the electrolyte in the metal fuel cell. For example, when the battery is started, the circulation pump starts to work, and the electrolyte is transported to different stack cells through the electrolyte circulation input pipeline 3 for discharge reaction, and the metal aluminum anode undergoes oxidation reaction to generate aluminum hydroxide. The alkaline solution in the stack cell will also re-enter the electrolyte tank 2 through the electrolyte circulation output pipeline 4 to complete the cycle. During the operation of the battery, chemical energy is converted into electrical energy and provided to the external circuit.

[0042] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations are all within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A metal fuel cell low temperature heating structure, characterized in that: include: A fuel cell reactor stack (1), an electrolyte tank (2), an electrolyte circulation input pipeline (3), an electrolyte circulation output pipeline (4), a first temperature sensor (5), a controller (6), a heating component (7), an electric push rod component (8), and a stack fixing bracket (9); The fuel cell reaction stack (1) is fixed above the electrolyte tank (2) by the stack fixing bracket (9); The electrolyte tank (2) is connected to the interior of the fuel cell reactor stack (1) via the electrolyte circulation input pipeline (3) and the electrolyte circulation output pipeline (4); The top of the electrolyte tank (2) is provided with one or more grooves; The electric push rod assembly (8) is fixed to the bottom of the fuel cell reactor stack (1), the end of the electric push rod assembly (8) is connected to the heating assembly (7), the electric push rod assembly (8) is located above the one or more grooves, and the electric push rod assembly (8) can enter and exit the one or more grooves; The first temperature sensor (5) is fixed outside the electrolyte tank (2) and is used to collect a first temperature signal of the electrolyte tank (2); The controller (6) is fixed outside the electrolyte tank (2) and is used to receive the first temperature signal and control the electric push rod assembly (8) to rise or fall according to the first temperature signal.

2. The metal fuel cell low temperature heating structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the first temperature signal is lower than a first set threshold, the controller (6) controls the electric push rod assembly (8) to descend, so that the heating assembly (7) descends to the corresponding groove, and controls the heating assembly (7) to start heating.

3. The metal fuel cell low temperature heating structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller (6) is also used to obtain the heating time of the heating component (7), and when the heating time is greater than a second set threshold, control the electric push rod component (8) to move upward, pull the heating component (7) out of the one or more grooves, and stop heating the electrolyte tank (2).

4. The metal fuel cell low temperature heating structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a second temperature sensor (10), which is fixed outside the fuel cell reactor stack (1) and is used to detect a second temperature signal of the electrolyte in the fuel cell reactor stack (1); The controller (6) is used for controlling the start-up of the heat dissipation device when the second temperature signal is greater than a third set threshold.

5. The metal fuel cell low temperature heating structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The external structure of the heating component (7) is a porous encapsulated shell. When the heating component (7) is working, heat is transferred from the porous structure to the electrolyte tank (2).

6. The metal fuel cell low temperature heating structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the electric push rod assembly (8) is connected to the top of the porous packaging shell of the heating assembly (7) via a suspension device.

7. The metal fuel cell low temperature heating structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: An oxygen candle is arranged inside the heating component (7), and the oxygen candle inside the heating component (7) releases oxygen while heating.

8. The metal fuel cell low temperature heating structure according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that: It also includes an oxygen concentration sensor (11), which is fixed outside the fuel cell reactor stack (1) and is used to collect an oxygen concentration signal and input the oxygen concentration signal to the controller (6). The controller (6) is used to control the ventilation device to discharge oxygen when the oxygen concentration signal is greater than a fourth set threshold.

9. The metal fuel cell low temperature heating structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electric push rod assembly (8) is composed of a motor and a linear push rod. The rotation direction of the motor is controlled by the controller (6), and the rotation direction of the motor controls the movement direction of the linear push rod.

10. The metal fuel cell low temperature heating structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The metal fuel cell low-temperature heating structure also includes a circulation pump. The electrolyte circulation input pipeline (3), the electrolyte circulation output pipeline (4) and the circulation pump form an electrolyte circulation system. The controller (6) controls the circulation pump to complete the circulation of the electrolyte in the metal fuel cell.

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