Fuel cell intercooler, air supply device, fuel cell stack device, power system, vehicle, ship and power generation facility

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of fuel cells, and specifically relates to a fuel cell intercooler, a fuel cell air supply device, a fuel cell stack device, a fuel cell power system, a vehicle, a ship, and a fuel cell power generation facility. The fuel cell intercooler includes a housing, and an air outlet for purging the outer shell of the stack is provided on the housing, and the air outlet for purging the outer shell of the stack is used to communicate with an air inlet for purging the outer shell of the stack. It solves the technical problem of excessive hydrogen concentration in the outer shell of the fuel cell stack, and achieves the technical effect of reducing the hydrogen concentration in the outer shell of the stack to reduce the explosion risk that the outer shell of the stack may bring due to the hydrogen concentration reaching the explosion limit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of fuel cells, and in particular, relates to a fuel cell intercooler, a fuel cell air supply device, a fuel cell stack device, a fuel cell power system, a vehicle, a ship and a fuel cell power generation facility. Background Art

[0002] With the introduction of policies such as energy conservation, emission reduction, and green environmental protection in my country, the market demand for efficient and clean energy is increasing. Hydrogen energy has the characteristics of zero carbon dioxide emissions, no pollution, sufficient reserves, recyclability, easy storage and transportation, and is regarded as the ultimate energy source in the 21st century. Therefore, hydrogen fuel cells are gradually being widely used.

[0003] In a hydrogen fuel cell, oxygen is fed into the cathode and hydrogen is fed into the anode. Hydrogen and oxygen react electrochemically under the catalysis of the stack catalyst to generate electricity. In the prior art, the fuel cell stack core only relies on improving the sealing of the stack core to avoid hydrogen leakage as much as possible, but it is impossible to completely eliminate hydrogen leakage. This leads to hydrogen accumulation in the shell of the stack, which puts the stack at risk of excessive hydrogen concentration. Summary of the invention

[0004] The first aspect of the present invention aims to provide a fuel cell intercooler that can solve the technical problem of excessively high hydrogen concentration in the fuel cell stack casing provided by the prior art.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a fuel cell intercooler, comprising a shell, on which a stack casing purge outlet is provided, and the stack casing purge outlet is used to communicate with a stack casing purge inlet.

[0006] The beneficial effects of the invention of this aspect are:

[0007] By arranging a stack casing purge outlet on the shell of the fuel cell intercooler so that it can be connected with the stack casing purge inlet, the air delivered by the air compressor in the fuel cell intercooler is delivered into the stack casing to blow away the excessively high concentration of hydrogen in the stack casing, thereby reducing the hydrogen concentration in the stack casing, thereby reducing the risk of explosion of the stack casing due to the hydrogen concentration reaching the explosion limit.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, a stack casing purge outlet pipe is provided on the shell, and the stack casing purge outlet port is provided in the stack casing purge outlet pipe.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, an air outlet chamber is formed in the shell, the air outlet chamber has an air outlet, and the air outlet chamber is connected to the purge outlet of the stack shell.

[0010] The object of the second aspect of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell air supply device, which solves the technical problem of excessive hydrogen concentration in the outer shell of the fuel cell stack provided by the prior art.

[0011] The fuel cell air supply device provided by the invention in this aspect includes an air compressor and the fuel cell intercooler described in any one of the foregoing embodiments. An air inlet is provided on the housing of the fuel cell intercooler, and the air inlet is communicated with the air compressor.

[0012] The beneficial effect of the invention in this aspect is:

[0013] Since the fuel cell air supply device provided in this aspect includes the fuel cell intercooler described in any one of the above, it has the technical effects of the fuel cell intercooler described in any one of the above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0014] The object of the third aspect of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell stack device, which solves the technical problem of excessive hydrogen concentration in the outer shell of the fuel cell stack provided by the prior art.

[0015] The fuel cell stack device provided by the invention in this aspect includes a stack assembly and the fuel cell intercooler described in any one of the foregoing embodiments. The stack assembly has a stack outer shell. A stack outer shell purge air inlet is provided on the stack outer shell. The stack outer shell purge air outlet is communicated with the stack outer shell purge air inlet. The stack outer shell is communicated with an exhaust system through a stack outer shell exhaust port.

[0016] The beneficial effect of the invention in this aspect is:

[0017] Since the fuel cell stack device provided in this aspect includes the fuel cell intercooler described in any one of the above, it has the technical effects of the fuel cell intercooler described in any one of the above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0018] In an optional embodiment, a connecting flange is provided around the air outlet, and the connecting flange is connected to the stack assembly through threaded fasteners.

[0019] The object of the fourth aspect of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell power system, which solves the technical problem of excessive hydrogen concentration in the outer shell of the fuel cell stack provided by the prior art.

[0020] The fuel cell power system provided by the invention in this aspect includes the fuel cell stack device described in the foregoing embodiment.

[0021] The beneficial effect of the invention in this aspect is:

[0022] Since the fuel cell power system provided in this aspect includes the fuel cell stack device of any one of the above, it thus has the technical effects of the fuel cell stack device of any one of the above, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0023] The purpose of the fifth aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle, solving the technical problem of excessive hydrogen concentration in the fuel cell stack housing provided by the prior art.

[0024] The vehicle provided by the invention in this aspect includes the fuel cell power system described in the foregoing embodiment.

[0025] The beneficial effects of the invention in this aspect are:

[0026] Since the vehicle provided in this aspect includes the fuel cell power system of any one of the above, it thus has the technical effects of the fuel cell power system of any one of the above, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0027] The purpose of the sixth aspect of the present invention is to provide a ship, solving the technical problem of excessive hydrogen concentration in the fuel cell stack housing provided by the prior art.

[0028] The ship provided by the invention in this aspect includes the fuel cell power system described in the foregoing embodiment.

[0029] The beneficial effects of the invention in this aspect are:

[0030] Since the ship provided in this aspect includes the fuel cell power system of any one of the above, it thus has the technical effects of the fuel cell power system of any one of the above, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0031] The purpose of the seventh aspect of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell power generation facility, solving the technical problem of excessive hydrogen concentration in the fuel cell stack housing provided by the prior art.

[0032] The fuel cell power generation facility provided by the invention in this aspect includes the fuel cell power system described in the foregoing embodiment.

[0033] The beneficial effects of the invention in this aspect are:

[0034] Since the fuel cell power generation facility provided in this aspect includes the fuel cell power system of any one of the above, it thus has the technical effects of the fuel cell power system of any one of the above, which will not be elaborated herein. Description of the Drawings

[0035] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the external shape of the fuel cell intercooler provided in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the external shape of the fuel cell intercooler in the first embodiment observed from another angle;

[0038] Figure 3 Fuel cell stack device for the third embodiment.

[0039] Icon: 10 - Fuel cell intercooler; 11 - Exhaust gas pipe for purging the stack housing; 12 - Air outlet; 13 - Water outlet; 14 - Water inlet; 15 - Air inlet; 16 - Cooling outlet of the air bearing of the air compressor; 17 - Air bypass outlet; 20 - Air compressor; 30 - Stack assembly; 40 - Exhaust system. Specific embodiments

[0040] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Usually, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0041] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed present invention, but merely represents the selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] It should be noted that: similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings. Therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent drawings.

[0043] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of the present invention is usually placed during use. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used for distinguishing descriptions and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. The terms "first type", "second type", "third type", etc. are only used for distinction, and components or features of the same type are uniformly described, which means that the number of such components or features can be multiple, but it does not deny that the number of such components or features can be one.

[0044] In addition, terms such as "horizontal", "vertical", "hanging" do not mean that the components are required to be absolutely horizontal or hanging, but can be slightly inclined. For example, "horizontal" only means that its direction is more horizontal relative to "vertical", and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly inclined.

[0045] In the description of the present invention, it should also be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "set", "installed", "connected", "coupled" 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 directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0046] The following will describe in detail some embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Without conflict, the following embodiments and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0047] Embodiment 1:

[0048] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, this embodiment provides a fuel cell intercooler 10, including a housing, and an outlet for purging the outer casing of the fuel cell stack is provided on the housing, and the outlet for purging the outer casing of the fuel cell stack is used to communicate with an inlet for purging the outer casing of the fuel cell stack.

[0049] By providing a purge air outlet for the stack housing on the housing of the cooler 10 in the fuel cell, enabling it to communicate with the purge air inlet for the stack housing, in the fuel cell cooler 10, the air sent by the air compressor 20 is sent into the stack housing to blow away the hydrogen with too high concentration in the stack housing, reducing the hydrogen concentration in the stack housing, thereby reducing the explosion risk that the stack housing may bring due to the hydrogen concentration reaching the explosion limit.

[0050] In an alternative embodiment, a purge air outlet pipe 11 for the stack housing is provided on the housing, and the purge air outlet for the stack housing is arranged in the purge air outlet pipe 11 for the stack housing.

[0051] By providing the purge air outlet pipe 11 for the stack housing on the housing of the fuel cell cooler, it is convenient to use a pipeline to connect the purge air outlet for the stack housing with the purge air inlet for the stack housing, improving the convenience of connection.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment, an air outlet chamber is formed in the housing. The air outlet chamber has an air outlet 12, and the air outlet chamber communicates with the purge air outlet for the stack housing. Specifically, a connecting flange is provided on the outer side of the air outlet 12, and the fuel cell cooler 10 is connected to the stack assembly 30 through the connecting flange and threaded fasteners.

[0053] At the same time, the purge air outlet for the stack housing also discharges air from the air outlet chamber together with the air outlet 12 of the fuel cell cooler 10 for supplying air to the fuel cell stack. Therefore, the air at the air outlet 12 of the fuel cell cooler 10 has the same temperature as the air used as the oxidant for the stack. Therefore, the air sent into the stack housing through the purge air outlet for the stack housing and the purge air inlet for the stack housing will not have an obvious temperature difference from the air already existing in the stack housing, and no condensate will be generated to affect the normal reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in the stack.

[0054] In addition, an air inlet 15, a water inlet 14, a water outlet 13, an air compressor air bearing cooling outlet 16, and an air bypass outlet 17 are also provided on the housing of the fuel cell cooler 10. The air inlet 15 is located on the opposite side of the air outlet 12, the water inlet 14 and the water outlet 13 are located on the bottom surface of the housing, and the air bypass outlet 17 and the air compressor air bearing cooling outlet are located on the side surface opposite to the purge air outlet for the stack housing. As for the pipeline arrangement between the water outlet 13 and the water inlet 14 in the fuel cell cooler 10, how to cool the air output by the air compressor 20 using water is already well-known technology in the art and will not be elaborated here.

[0055] Embodiment 2:

[0056] The fuel cell air supply device provided in this embodiment includes an air compressor 20 and the fuel cell intercooler 10 in any of the foregoing embodiments. An air inlet 15 is provided on the housing of the fuel cell intercooler 10, and the air inlet 15 is communicated with the air compressor 20.

[0057] Since the fuel cell air supply device provided in this embodiment includes the fuel cell intercooler 10 in any of the foregoing, it has the technical effects of the fuel cell intercooler 10 in any of the foregoing, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0058] Embodiment Three:

[0059] As Figure 3 shown, the fuel cell stack device provided in this embodiment includes a stack assembly 30 and the fuel cell intercooler 10 in any of the foregoing embodiments. The stack assembly 30 has a stack housing, and a stack housing purge air inlet is provided on the stack housing. A stack housing purge air outlet is communicated with the stack housing purge air inlet, and the stack housing is communicated with an exhaust system 40 through a stack housing exhaust port.

[0060] Since the fuel cell stack device provided in this embodiment includes the fuel cell intercooler 10 in any of the foregoing, it has the technical effects of the fuel cell intercooler 10 in any of the foregoing, which will not be elaborated herein. After the air cooled by the fuel cell intercooler 10 enters the stack housing, the hydrogen in the stack housing and the air for purging hydrogen are discharged through the stack housing exhaust port and the exhaust system 40 to maintain the normal pressure in the stack housing.

[0061] Of course, for a complete display, the air compressor 20 is also drawn in the drawings used in this embodiment.

[0062] Embodiment Four:

[0063] The fuel cell power system provided in this embodiment includes the fuel cell stack device of the foregoing embodiment.

[0064] Since the fuel cell power system provided in this embodiment includes the fuel cell stack device in any of the foregoing, it has the technical effects of the fuel cell stack device in any of the foregoing, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0065] Embodiment Five:

[0066] The vehicle provided in this embodiment includes the fuel cell power system of the foregoing embodiment.

[0067] Since the vehicle provided in this embodiment includes the fuel cell power system in any of the foregoing, it has the technical effects of the fuel cell power system in any of the foregoing, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0068] Specifically, in this embodiment, the vehicle can be a sedan, an off-road vehicle, a bus, an urban bus, a truck, or various special engineering machinery vehicles, etc. Among them, since vehicles such as buses, trucks, and urban buses have relatively ample space, fuel cell power systems can be preferentially used.

[0069] Embodiment Six:

[0070] The ship provided in this embodiment includes the fuel cell power system of the foregoing embodiment.

[0071] Since the ship provided in this embodiment includes the fuel cell power system of any of the above, it has the technical effects of the fuel cell power system of any of the above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0072] Specifically, in this embodiment, the ship can be a cruise ship, an oil tanker, or a cargo ship, or even a warship. Even a submarine that does not rely on air propulsion can also use this fuel cell power system. Of course, considering that the storage volume power density of hydrogen is not high, the fuel cell system can preferably be used in places where the demand for volume power density is not large, such as cruise ships, oil tankers, cargo ships, or container ships.

[0073] Embodiment Seven:

[0074] The fuel cell power generation facility provided in this embodiment includes the fuel cell power system of the foregoing embodiment.

[0075] Since the fuel cell power generation facility provided in this embodiment includes the fuel cell power system of any of the above, it has the technical effects of the fuel cell power system of any of the above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0076] Specifically, in this embodiment, the power generation facility can be a power plant similar to a thermal power plant or a nuclear power plant, or a mobile power generation vehicle used for road construction or various emergency repairs and disaster relief.

[0077] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some or all of the technical features;

[0078] And these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A charge air cooler (10) for a fuel cell, characterized in that, It includes a housing, on which there is a purge gas outlet of the stack housing, and the purge gas outlet of the stack housing is used to communicate with the purge gas inlet of the stack housing; An outlet pipe (11) for purging the stack housing is arranged on the housing, and the purge gas outlet of the stack housing is arranged in the outlet pipe (11) for purging the stack housing; An air outlet chamber is formed in the housing, the air outlet chamber has an air outlet (12), and the air outlet chamber communicates with the purge gas outlet of the stack housing; An air compressor air bearing cooling outlet (16) and an air bypass outlet (17) are also arranged on the housing, and the air bypass outlet (17) and the air compressor air bearing cooling outlet (16) are located on the side opposite to the purge gas outlet of the stack housing.

2. The intercooler (10) of the fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, A connecting flange is arranged around the air outlet (12), and the connecting flange is connected to the stack assembly (30) through threaded fasteners.

3. A fuel cell air supply device, characterized in that, It includes an air compressor (20) and the fuel cell intercooler (10) according to any one of claims 1-2. An air inlet (15) is arranged on the housing of the fuel cell intercooler (10), the air inlet (15) communicates with the air compressor (20), and the stack housing communicates with an exhaust system (40) through an exhaust port of the stack housing.

4. A fuel cell stack device, characterized in that, It includes a stack assembly (30) and the fuel cell intercooler (10) according to any one of claims 1-2. The stack assembly (30) has a stack housing, a purge gas inlet of the stack housing is arranged on the stack housing, and the purge gas outlet of the stack housing communicates with the purge gas inlet of the stack housing.

5. A fuel cell power system, characterized in that, It includes the fuel cell stack device according to claim 4.

6. A vehicle, characterized in that, It includes the fuel cell power system according to claim 5.

7. A ship, characterized in that, It includes the fuel cell power system according to claim 5.

8. A fuel cell power generation facility, characterized in that, It includes the fuel cell power system according to claim 5.

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