A fuel cell air intake structure and molten carbonate fuel cell

Abstract

A fuel cell air intake structure and a molten carbonate fuel cell provided by the present invention belong to the field of power generation technology. The fuel cell air intake structure comprises: a plurality of groups of air intake assemblies; the air intake assemblies have multiple groups of graded pipelines; each group of the graded pipelines are connected by uniformly distributed pipes; each group of the graded pipelines has a plurality of air intake pipes arranged side by side; the number of air intake pipes of two adjacent groups of the graded pipelines gradually increases; the fuel cell air intake structure of the present invention disperses the gas through a plurality of air intake pipes so that the gas can evenly enter the main channel inside the battery stack, thereby ensuring uniform distribution of the gas inside the battery stack and improving the reaction balance and performance inside the fuel cell stack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of power generation, and in particular to a fuel cell air intake structure and a molten carbonate fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] The molten carbonate fuel cell is a high-temperature fuel cell that operates at 650°C. It has the advantages of not requiring precious metals as catalysts, a wide range of fuel sources, low noise, near-zero pollutant emissions, high power generation efficiency, and the ability to achieve cogeneration of heat and power. It is suitable for distributed power stations or fixed power stations in the hundreds of kilowatts to megawatts range, and has good development prospects.

[0003] The basic unit of a molten carbonate fuel cell stack is composed of a cathode end plate, electrolyte, cathode, anode, and anode end plate. The electrical energy generated by the working state of the fuel cell stack is generally generated by the electrochemical reaction of the fuel and oxidant introduced into the cathode flow field and the anode flow field inside the battery. Only when the fuel and oxidant are continuously introduced into the anode and cathode flow fields can a continuous current be generated.

[0004] In the prior art, improvements have been made in the design of the main gas channel and flow field inside the fuel cell. In these improvements, it is assumed that the gas enters the main channel evenly; however, for molten carbonate fuel cells, the area of ​​a single cell is relatively large, and thus the main channel will be relatively long. If the gas enters along a point in the main channel, the gas distribution in the entire main channel will be uneven, which will directly lead to uneven gas distribution in various flow channels in the battery stack. The uneven gas distribution will cause uneven temperature distribution inside the battery stack, thereby generating high-temperature stress and deformation, which will directly affect the battery performance and life. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defect in the prior art that gas enters along a point of the main channel, which will cause uneven gas distribution in the entire main channel, which will directly lead to uneven gas distribution in various flow channels in the battery stack. The uneven gas distribution will cause uneven temperature distribution inside the battery stack, thereby generating high-temperature stress and deformation, which directly affects the battery performance and life, thereby providing a fuel cell air intake structure.

[0006] The invention also provides a molten carbonate fuel cell.

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a fuel cell air intake structure, comprising a plurality of groups of air intake components;

[0008] The air intake assembly has multiple groups of graded pipelines; each group of graded pipelines is connected by uniformly distributed pipes; each group of graded pipelines has a plurality of intake pipes arranged side by side; the number of intake pipes in two adjacent groups of graded pipelines gradually increases.

[0009] As a preferred solution, the air intake components are connected to the air inlet via a main uniformly distributed pipe.

[0010] As a preferred solution, the grading pipeline includes:

[0011] A first-stage air intake pipe, one end of which is connected to the main uniform distribution pipe;

[0012] There are a plurality of second-stage air intake pipes; one end of the second-stage air intake pipe is connected to the first-stage air intake pipe through a first uniformly distributed pipe; the number of the second-stage air intake pipes is greater than the number of the first-stage air intake pipes;

[0013] There are multiple third-stage air intake pipes; one end of the third-stage air intake pipe is connected to the second-stage air intake pipe through a second uniformly distributed pipe, and the other end is connected to the main channel inside the battery stack; the number of the third-stage air intake pipes is greater than the number of the second-stage air intake pipes.

[0014] As a preferred solution, a plurality of the air inlet pipes are evenly spaced along the uniformly distributed pipe.

[0015] As a preferred solution, it also includes:

[0016] The baffle is arranged in the uniformly distributed tube near the battery stack; the baffle is arranged along the extension direction of the uniformly distributed tube; the baffle has a baffle for blocking the outlet of the air inlet pipe.

[0017] As a preferred solution, the baffle comprises:

[0018] A baffle plate is arranged at the outlet of the air inlet pipe;

[0019] The side panels are provided with two pieces; the two side panels are arranged on both sides of the baffle; and a plurality of exhaust holes are provided on the side panels.

[0020] As a preferred solution, the baffle is arranged at the center of the uniformly distributed tube; one end of the side plate is connected to the baffle, and the other end is connected to the inner wall of the uniformly distributed tube.

[0021] As a preferred solution, the surfaces of the two side panels that are close to each other are arranged at an obtuse angle to the baffle.

[0022] The present invention also provides a molten carbonate fuel cell, comprising: a cell stack end plate; a main channel is opened on the cell stack end plate; the main channel is connected to the air intake pipe of the fuel cell air intake structure described in any one of the above.

[0023] As a preferred solution, a plurality of flow channels are provided on the end plate of the battery stack; the flow channels are vertically connected to the main channel.

[0024] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0025] 1. The fuel cell air intake structure provided by the present invention comprises a plurality of groups of air intake assemblies; the air intake assemblies have a plurality of groups of graded pipelines; each group of the graded pipelines has a plurality of air intake pipes; the graded pipelines are arranged in a graded manner, and the gas enters a plurality of air intake pipes in each stage, and the gas is dispersed through the plurality of air intake pipes so that the gas can evenly enter the main channel inside the battery stack, thereby ensuring the uniform distribution of the gas inside the battery stack and improving the reaction balance and performance inside the fuel cell stack.

[0026] 2. The fuel cell air intake structure provided by the present invention, the graded pipeline includes: a first air intake pipe, a second air intake pipe and a third air intake pipe; the gas of the battery cathode or anode gas supply main pipeline enters the main uniformly distributed pipe through the air inlet, and is evenly distributed to the first air intake pipe by the main uniformly distributed pipe, the gas in the first air intake pipe is then evenly distributed to the second air intake pipe through the first uniformly distributed pipe, the gas in the second air intake pipe is then evenly dispersed to the third air intake pipe through the second uniformly distributed pipe, and multiple third air intake pipes evenly transport the gas to the main channel inside the battery stack, finally achieving uniform air intake distribution of the gas from the main air supply pipeline to the inside of the battery stack.

[0027] 3. The fuel cell air intake structure provided by the present invention also includes: a baffle plate; the baffle of the baffle plate is set at the outlet of the air intake pipe, and the gas is blocked and diffused to the left and right after flowing in perpendicular to the baffle plate. After deflection, the gas is evenly distributed to the rear of the baffle plate through the air outlet of the side plate, and the setting of multiple air outlet holes can make the gas more dispersed and evenly flow into the air intake pipe of the next level.

[0028] 4. In the fuel cell air intake structure provided by the present invention, the baffle and the side plate are arranged at an obtuse angle; the space between the baffle and the uniform distribution tube is increased to make the gas dispersion more uniform. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0030] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the molten carbonate fuel cell of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the air intake assembly of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the baffle of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the baffle and the uniformly distributed tube of the present invention.

[0034] Description of reference numerals:

[0035] 1. First-stage air intake pipe; 2. First uniformly distributed pipe; 3. Second-stage air intake pipe; 4. Second uniformly distributed pipe; 5. Third-stage air intake pipe; 6. Air inlet; 7. Baffle; 8. Side plate; 9. Exhaust hole; 10. End plate; 11. Main channel; 12. Flow channel; 13. Main uniformly distributed pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The technical solution of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc. indicate directions or positional relationships based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the present invention.

[0038] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0039] In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0040] Example 1

[0041] The present embodiment provides a fuel cell air intake structure, comprising a plurality of air intake assemblies; the specific number of air intake assemblies is determined according to the area of ​​a single cell of a molten carbonate fuel cell. The air intake assembly has a plurality of groups of graded pipelines, each group of graded pipelines is connected by a uniformly distributed pipe, each group of graded pipelines has a plurality of air intake pipes arranged side by side; and the number of air intake pipes between the plurality of groups of graded pipelines increases step by step.

[0042] By setting a gradually increasing number of intake pipes, the gas is dispersed into each intake pipe in turn. Finally, through the multiple intake pipes arranged side by side, the gas is evenly introduced into the main channel 11 in the battery stack from each intake pipe.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, in this solution, two groups of air intake assemblies are correspondingly arranged on one battery stack, and the two groups of air intake assemblies are arranged side by side; the two groups of air intake assemblies are connected to the air inlet 6 through the main uniformly distributed pipe 13;

[0044] Generally, the air intake assembly has three levels, and the air intake structure is divided into several groups of air intake assemblies. The air intake pipes in each group of air intake assemblies can be evenly distributed to the 2-3 air intake pipes around it. In the setting process, generally, the last group of air intake pipes is set to be less than 10 as much as possible.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the air intake assembly includes a first-stage air intake pipe 1, a second-stage air intake pipe 3 and a third-stage air intake pipe 5; one end of the first-stage air intake pipe 1 is connected to the air inlet 6 through the main uniformly distributed pipe 13, and the other end is connected to the second-stage air intake pipe 3 through the first uniformly distributed pipe 2; the first-stage air intake pipe 1 has one, which is vertically arranged at the middle position of the first uniformly distributed pipe 2, and is connected inside, so as to ensure that the gas evenly enters the second-stage air intake pipe 3;

[0046] There are two second-stage air intake pipes 3, and the two second-stage air intake pipes 3 are arranged at both ends of the first uniformly distributed pipe 2; the other end of the second-stage air intake pipe 3 is connected to the third-stage air intake pipe 5 through the second uniformly distributed pipe 4, and the two second-stage air intake pipes 3 evenly divide the second uniformly distributed pipe 4 into three sections; the two second-stage air intake pipes are vertically arranged to the first uniformly distributed pipe 2 and the second uniformly distributed pipe 4, which can ensure that the gas evenly enters the third-stage air intake pipe 5;

[0047] There are seven third-stage air intake pipes 5 , and the seven third-stage air intake pipes 5 are evenly arranged along the second evenly distributed pipes 4 and are perpendicular to the second evenly distributed pipes 4 .

[0048] Through the above structure, the gas is evenly diverted step by step, and the gas can be evenly delivered to the anode or cathode flow field flow channel 12 of each battery, ensuring the uniform distribution of the gas in the battery stack.

[0049] Furthermore, a baffle is provided in the second uniformly distributed tube 4; the baffle is extended along the extension direction of the second uniformly distributed tube 4; Figure 3 As shown, the baffle plate has a baffle 7, which is arranged at the center of the second uniformly distributed tube 4 and is blocked at the front end of the air outlet of the second-stage air inlet pipe 3. The baffle 7 is arranged perpendicular to the air inlet pipe, so that the baffle 7 is perpendicular to the incoming gas flow direction; side plates 8 are arranged on both sides of the baffle 7; one end of the side plate 8 is connected to the baffle 7, and the other end abuts against the inner wall of the second uniformly distributed tube 4; the side plate 8 is arranged at an obtuse angle to the baffle 7; and a plurality of exhaust holes 9 are arranged on the two side plates 8;

[0050] Specifically, Figure 4 As shown, the baffle 7 is a stainless steel plate, the side plate 8 is a perforated plate, and the baffle is welded by the stainless steel plate and the perforated plate; the width of the baffle 7 is the same as the radius of the second uniformly distributed tube 4, and the width of the side plate 8 is half of the radius of the second uniformly distributed tube 4; the aperture of the exhaust hole 9 is 2-4mm, and the hole spacing is 4-6mm. The baffle 7 and the side plate 8 are welded together at 120° and then welded as a whole to the tube wall of the second uniformly distributed tube 4. The length of the baffle is the same as the length of the second uniformly distributed tube 4.

[0051] During use, after the gas flows in vertically through the baffle plate 7, it is blocked and diffused to the left and right, and then deflected upward and downward. It is evenly distributed to the rear part of the second uniformly distributed tube 4 along the exhaust holes 9 on the side plate 8, and evenly flows into the third-stage air intake pipe 5. Then, it flows evenly from the third-stage air intake pipe 5 into the main channel 11 inside the battery stack, and then flows evenly from the main channel 11 inside the battery stack into the gas flow channel 12 of the end plate 10, thereby achieving uniform distribution of the gas.

[0052] Example 2

[0053] A molten carbonate fuel cell provided in this embodiment includes: an end plate 10; a main channel 11 is opened on the end plate 10, and the main channel 11 is connected to the fuel cell intake structure in embodiment 1; specifically, the main channel 11 is connected to the third-stage intake pipe 5;

[0054] A plurality of flow channels 12 are provided on the end plate 10 , and gas flows along the flow channels 12 ; the flow channels 12 are vertically connected to the main channel 11 .

[0055] Usage and principle

[0056] The gas from the cathode or anode gas supply main line of the molten carbonate fuel cell enters the main uniformly distributed pipe 13 through the air inlet 6, enters the first-stage air inlet pipe 1 of each group of recent components through the uniformly distributed pipe, and then is evenly distributed to the second-stage air inlet pipe 3 through the first uniformly distributed pipe 2, and then enters the second uniformly distributed pipe 4. At the same time, the baffle 7 and side plate 8 in the second uniformly distributed pipe 4 block and deflect the gas to evenly distribute the gas to the third-stage air inlet pipe 5. The third-stage air inlet pipe 5 evenly transports the gas to the main channel 11 inside the battery stack, and finally achieves uniform air intake distribution from the main air inlet pipe to the individual flow channels 12 in the battery stack, thereby ensuring uniform distribution of gas in the battery stack and improving the reaction balance and performance inside the fuel cell stack.

[0057] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for the purpose of clear explanation, and are not intended to limit the implementation methods. For those skilled in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the implementation methods here. The obvious changes or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell air intake structure, characterized in that: including a plurality of groups of air intake components; The air intake assembly has multiple groups of graded pipelines; each group of graded pipelines is connected by evenly distributed pipes; each group of graded pipelines has a plurality of air intake pipes arranged side by side; the number of air intake pipes in two adjacent groups of graded pipelines gradually increases; It also includes a baffle plate, which is arranged in the uniformly distributed tube near the battery stack; the baffle plate is arranged along the extension direction of the uniformly distributed tube; The baffle comprises: A baffle (7) disposed at the outlet of the air inlet pipe; The side panels (8) are provided in two pieces; the two side panels (8) are arranged on both sides of the baffle (7); a plurality of exhaust holes (9) are provided on the side panels (8); The width of the baffle (7) is the same as the radius of the uniformly distributed tube, and the width of the side plate (8) is half the radius of the uniformly distributed tube; The baffle (7) is arranged at the center of the uniformly distributed pipe; one end of the side plate (8) is connected to the baffle (7), and the other end is connected to the inner wall of the uniformly distributed pipe; The surfaces of the two side panels (8) that are close to each other are arranged at an obtuse angle to the baffle (7).

2. The fuel cell air intake structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air intake components are connected to the air intake port (6) via a main uniformly distributed pipe (13).

3. The fuel cell air intake structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The classification pipeline comprises: A first-stage air intake pipe (1), one end of which is connected to the main uniform distribution pipe (13); The second-stage air intake pipe (3) has a plurality of them; one end of the second-stage air intake pipe (3) is connected to the first-stage air intake pipe (1) via the first uniformly distributed pipe (2); the number of the second-stage air intake pipe (3) is greater than the number of the first-stage air intake pipe (1); There are a plurality of third-stage air intake pipes (5); one end of the third-stage air intake pipe (5) is connected to the second-stage air intake pipe (3) via a second uniformly distributed pipe (4), and the other end is connected to a main channel (11) inside the battery stack; the number of the third-stage air intake pipes (5) is greater than the number of the second-stage air intake pipes (3).

4. The fuel cell air intake structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of air inlet pipes are evenly spaced apart along the uniformly distributed pipe.

5. A molten carbonate fuel cell, characterized in that: include: A battery stack end plate (10); a main channel (11) is opened on the end plate (10) of the battery stack; the main channel (11) is connected to the air intake pipe of the fuel cell air intake structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The molten carbonate fuel cell according to claim 5, characterized in that: A plurality of flow channels (12) are provided on the end plate (10) of the battery stack; the flow channels (12) are vertically connected to the main channel (11).

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