A device for rapid heat exchange based on heat conduction and medium phase change

Abstract

The application provides a device for rapid heat exchange based on heat conduction and medium phase change, which comprises at least one set of heat exchange components, a hydrogen heat exchange part, an air heat exchange part and an integrated device shell; the hydrogen heat exchange part is arranged in the integrated device shell along a first direction, the air heat exchange part is arranged in the integrated device shell along a second direction, the first direction intersects with the second direction; the hydrogen heat exchange part is located above the air heat exchange part, high-temperature gas after heat exchange of the air heat exchange part rises and exchanges heat with low-temperature hydrogen gas of the hydrogen heat exchange part above, low-temperature gas after heat exchange of the hydrogen heat exchange part descends based on gravity and exchanges heat with the air heat exchange part below again, and the air and the hydrogen are reciprocally circulated, high-temperature air is cooled, low-temperature hydrogen is heated, and rapid heat exchange is realized. The application effectively improves the integration degree of the whole machine, reduces the capacity of the cooling liquid in the heat management system, improves the response speed of the system temperature control, and improves the robustness of the heat management system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of fuel cell technology, and particularly relates to a device for rapid heat exchange based on thermal conduction and medium phase change. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing severity of energy and environmental pollution issues, new energy vehicles, as a substitute for traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, are receiving growing attention. Among them, electric vehicles powered by lithium-ion batteries have become a research hotspot for various automakers and research institutions. Similar to traditional engines, lithium-ion batteries generate heat during operation. Without a suitable thermal management solution, thermal runaway can easily occur, leading to battery fires, combustion, or even explosions, posing a serious threat to the safety of drivers and passengers. Currently, in electric vehicle models, battery cooling primarily relies on air convection and liquid convection. Liquid media, due to their higher thermal conductivity, offer advantages such as better temperature uniformity in battery modules and are considered the future direction for power battery thermal management systems. However, in addition to heat dissipation during normal operation, power batteries require preheating at low temperatures, especially below 0°C. Research shows that when power batteries discharge below 0°C, their internal resistance increases sharply, affecting battery life.

[0003] The heat transfer path of the temperature control device provided by the relevant technology is that the intercooler and the hydrogen heat exchanger are connected in series and then connected in parallel with the main circuit of the thermal management system. It is necessary to arrange the pipelines connecting each component for the branch circuit of the intercooler and the hydrogen heat exchanger.

[0004] However, the temperature control methods provided by related technologies have a high temperature control delay, a large specific heat capacity of the coolant, and a branch connecting the intercooler and the hydrogen heat exchanger in series in parallel on the main circuit of the thermal management system, which increases the system coolant capacity. This is not conducive to improving the system's temperature control delay and reducing the robustness of the thermal management system's temperature control; it also leads to a large water pump load and high development difficulty. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a method for preparing metal-supported monomers using a co-casting method, which can solve the problem that metal-supported monomers prepared by the impregnation method will experience grain growth and coarsening after long-term operation, resulting in battery performance degradation and affecting stability.

[0006] The technical solution provided by this invention is as follows:

[0007] A device for rapid heat exchange based on thermal conduction and medium phase change, the device comprising:

[0008] At least one set of heat exchange components, including a hydrogen heat exchange section, an air heat exchange section, and an integrated device housing;

[0009] The hydrogen heat exchanger is disposed within the integrated device housing along a first direction, and the air heat exchanger is disposed within the integrated device housing along a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction intersect.

[0010] The hydrogen heat exchange section is located above the air heat exchange section. The high-temperature gas after heat exchange in the air heat exchange section rises and exchanges heat with the low-temperature hydrogen in the hydrogen heat exchange section above. The low-temperature gas after heat exchange in the hydrogen heat exchange section falls due to gravity and exchanges heat with the air heat exchange section below again. This cycle repeats, cooling the high-temperature air and heating the low-temperature hydrogen to achieve rapid heat exchange.

[0011] In one optional embodiment, the angle α between the first direction and the second direction is in the range of 0° < α < 90°, 90° < α < 180°.

[0012] In one alternative embodiment, the heat exchange assembly further includes a phase change material filled within the integrated device housing, the phase change material being capable of undergoing a phase change when absorbing or releasing heat.

[0013] In one alternative embodiment, the phase change material is filled in the housing of the integrated device to a height not higher than the bottom of the hydrogen heat exchange section and not lower than the top of the air heat exchange section.

[0014] In one optional embodiment, the heat exchange assembly further includes a heat exchange tube disposed circumferentially around the hydrogen heat exchange section and the air heat exchange section.

[0015] In one alternative embodiment, the diameter of the heat exchange tube is greater than the distance between two adjacent heat exchange tubes, and all heat exchange tubes have the same diameter.

[0016] In one optional embodiment, the hydrogen heat exchange section includes a hydrogen heat exchanger having a hydrogen chamber extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the heat exchange tube.

[0017] In one optional embodiment, the air heat exchange section includes an intercooler having an air cavity whose extension direction is perpendicular to the direction of the heat exchange tube and intersects but is not perpendicular to the extension direction of the hydrogen cavity.

[0018] In one optional embodiment, the hydrogen heat exchange section and the air heat exchange section are spaced apart by a preset distance, the preset distance being half the length of the hydrogen heat exchange section or the air heat exchange section.

[0019] In one optional embodiment, the flow direction of hydrogen in the hydrogen heat exchange section is opposite to the flow direction of air in the air heat exchange section.

[0020] The apparatus provided in this embodiment of the invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0021] The device provided in this embodiment of the invention exchanges heat with hydrogen entering the fuel cell stack through a hydrogen heat exchanger. The hydrogen heat exchanger is disposed within the integrated device housing along a first direction, and an air heat exchanger is disposed within the integrated device housing along a second direction, with the first and second directions intersecting. The high-temperature gas after heat exchange in the air heat exchanger rises upwards to exchange heat with the low-temperature hydrogen in the hydrogen heat exchanger. The low-temperature gas after heat exchange in the hydrogen heat exchanger then descends due to gravity and exchanges heat again with the lower air heat exchanger, repeating this cycle to cool the high-temperature air and heat the low-temperature hydrogen, achieving rapid heat exchange. The device provided in this embodiment of the invention shortens the heat transfer path by integrating the hydrogen heat exchanger and the air heat exchanger within the integrated device housing, making them independent of the thermal management system. This eliminates the original piping connecting various components, reducing the number of components and effectively improving the overall integration. Furthermore, by eliminating the original piping connecting various components, the coolant capacity in the thermal management system is reduced, improving the response speed of system temperature control and enhancing the robustness of the thermal management system. Furthermore, the hydrogen heat exchanger and the air heat exchanger are integrated together and kept separate from the thermal management system. They effectively exchange heat by using the high-temperature air and low-temperature or room-temperature hydrogen in the engine system, thus avoiding the need for coolant flow in the hydrogen heat exchanger and the air heat exchanger, thereby reducing the development requirements and difficulty of the water pump. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals generally denote like parts.

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the heat exchange device structure used in the prior art is shown;

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the heat exchange device used in the prior art is shown;

[0025] Figure 3 A detailed structural schematic diagram of the heat exchange device provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0026] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the heat exchange device structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Side view;

[0028] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the device structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0029] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0030] 1-Hydrogen heat exchanger, 2-Intercooler, 3-Integrated device housing, 4-Phase change material, 5-Heat exchange tube, 6-Hydrogen cylinder, 7-Pressure reducing valve, 8-Fuel cell stack, 9-Water distribution component, 10-Air filter, 11-Air compressor, 12-Humidifier. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0032] The term "comprising" and its variations as used herein signify open inclusion, i.e., "including but not limited to". Unless otherwise stated, the term "or" means "and / or". The term "based on" means "at least partially based on". The terms "one example embodiment" and "one embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment". The term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc., may refer to different or the same objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions may also be included below.

[0033] During the operation of a hydrogen fuel cell engine, the hydrogen system serves as the fuel supply system, and the air system serves as the oxidant supply system. To control the inlet temperature or condensate content of both hydrogen and air, related technologies use air and hydrogen heat exchangers to exchange heat between the high-temperature air entering the fuel cell stack 8 and the low-temperature hydrogen entering the fuel cell stack 8. However, existing technologies often connect the air and hydrogen heat exchangers in series, and then connect them in parallel with the thermal management system to form the entire thermal management system. Details are as follows... Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, connecting the air heat exchanger and the hydrogen heat exchanger in series and then in parallel with the main circuit of the thermal management system requires piping connecting the various components to the branch circuit of the intercooler 2 and the hydrogen heat exchanger 1. Furthermore, the coolant has a large specific heat capacity, and connecting the air heat exchanger and the hydrogen heat exchanger in series in parallel with the main circuit of the thermal management system increases the system coolant capacity, which is detrimental to improving the system's temperature control lag and reducing the robustness of the thermal management system's temperature control. With the industry focusing on high-power hydrogen fuel cell engines, heat dissipation has surged, and the layout of vehicle radiators is quite limited. Connecting the air heat exchanger and the hydrogen heat exchanger in parallel with the main circuit of the thermal management system increases the water pump load, which is detrimental to maintaining the water pump's reliability throughout its lifespan. The increased water pump power demand is also detrimental to increasing the rated power of the engine system. Therefore, this embodiment of the invention provides a device for rapid heat exchange based on heat conduction and medium phase change, which can solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0034] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 , Figure 3 This is a detailed structural diagram of the device for rapid heat exchange based on thermal conduction and medium phase change provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the device structure for rapid heat exchange based on thermal conduction and medium phase change, provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 for Figure 4 Side view.

[0035] A device for rapid heat exchange based on thermal conduction and medium phase change, the device comprising:

[0036] At least one heat exchange assembly, including a hydrogen heat exchange section, an air heat exchange section, and an integrated device housing 3;

[0037] The hydrogen heat exchange section is arranged in the integrated device housing 3 along the first direction, and the air heat exchange section is arranged in the integrated device housing 3 along the second direction, with the first direction and the second direction intersecting.

[0038] The hydrogen heat exchanger is located above the air heat exchanger. The high-temperature gas after heat exchange in the air heat exchanger rises and exchanges heat with the low-temperature hydrogen in the hydrogen heat exchanger above. The low-temperature gas after heat exchange in the hydrogen heat exchanger falls due to gravity and exchanges heat with the air heat exchanger below again. This cycle repeats, cooling the high-temperature air and heating the low-temperature hydrogen to achieve rapid heat exchange.

[0039] The apparatus provided in this embodiment of the invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0040] The device provided in this embodiment of the invention exchanges heat with hydrogen entering the fuel cell stack 8 through a hydrogen heat exchanger. The hydrogen heat exchanger is disposed within the integrated device housing 3 along a first direction, and the air heat exchanger is disposed within the integrated device housing 3 along a second direction, with the first and second directions intersecting. The high-temperature gas after heat exchange in the air heat exchanger can rise to the upper part to exchange heat with the low-temperature hydrogen in the hydrogen heat exchanger. The low-temperature gas after heat exchange in the hydrogen heat exchanger falls due to gravity and exchanges heat again with the lower air heat exchanger, repeating this cycle to cool the high-temperature air and heat the low-temperature hydrogen, achieving rapid heat exchange. The device provided in this embodiment of the invention shortens the heat transfer path by integrating the hydrogen heat exchanger and the air heat exchanger within the integrated device housing 3, making them independent of the thermal management system. This eliminates the original piping connecting various components, reducing the number of components and effectively improving the overall integration. Furthermore, by eliminating the original piping connecting various components, the coolant capacity in the thermal management system is reduced, improving the response speed of system temperature control and enhancing the robustness of the thermal management system. Furthermore, the hydrogen heat exchanger and the air heat exchanger are integrated together and kept separate from the thermal management system. They effectively exchange heat by using the high-temperature air and low-temperature or room-temperature hydrogen in the engine system, thus avoiding the need for coolant flow in the hydrogen heat exchanger and the air heat exchanger, thereby reducing the development requirements and difficulty of the water pump.

[0041] The apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present invention will be further explained and described below through optional examples.

[0042] It should be noted that the heat exchange components provided in the embodiments of the present invention can be one set, or two, three or four sets, depending on the use of the fuel cell. The number of heat exchange components in the embodiments of the present invention is not limited to this.

[0043] Furthermore, multiple heat exchange components can be arranged side-by-side at intervals.

[0044] In one optional embodiment, the angle α between the first direction and the second direction is in the range of 0° < α < 90°, 90° < α < 180°.

[0045] When the air heat exchanger and the hydrogen heat exchanger are vertically positioned, gravity will affect the transfer of the working fluid inside both sections, thus limiting heat transfer. When they are horizontally positioned, the phase change medium outside the air and hydrogen heat exchangers cannot effectively utilize the low temperature or ambient temperature of the air and hydrogen heat exchangers for liquid-gas-liquid circulation.

[0046] Furthermore, the first direction intersects the second direction but is neither perpendicular nor parallel.

[0047] Furthermore, the angle between the first direction and the second direction can be 30°, 60°, 80°, 100°, 120°, etc. The angle between the first direction and the second direction is not limited to these in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0048] In an optional embodiment, the heat exchange assembly further includes a phase change material 4, which is filled inside the integrated device housing 3 and can undergo a phase change when absorbing or releasing heat.

[0049] The main working principle of phase change heat exchange is to utilize the latent heat changes of liquid-gas or solid-liquid phase changes for effective heat exchange. The phase change material 4 provided in this embodiment of the invention primarily utilizes liquid-gas phase change for heat exchange. Furthermore, the phase change material 4 can be a material that enables liquid-gas phase change; its evaporation temperature should not exceed 80°C, and its condensation temperature should be close to room temperature. Specifically, the phase change material can be R134A.

[0050] In one optional embodiment, the phase change material 4 is filled within the integrated device housing 3 to a height not higher than the bottom of the hydrogen heat exchange section and not lower than the top of the air heat exchange section. The filling position of the phase change material 4 should be determined according to the operating environment, but should not exceed 3 / 4 of the height of the lower intercooler 2.

[0051] It should be noted that the phase change material 4 undergoes a phase change after absorbing or releasing heat. As an example, when the phase change material 4 provided in this embodiment of the invention absorbs heat in the air heat exchange section, it changes from a liquid phase to a gas phase. The material after the phase change rises to exchange heat with the low-temperature hydrogen located above. Therefore, by setting the height of the phase change material 4 filled in the integrated device housing 3 to be no higher than the bottom of the hydrogen heat exchange section and no lower than the top of the air heat exchange section, a certain space is reserved for the phase change material 4 to rise and fall after the phase change, thereby improving the efficiency of the heat exchange cycle.

[0052] Furthermore, experiments have shown that the heat exchange effect is optimal when the phase change material 4 is filled to a height within the integrated device housing 3 that is no higher than the bottom of the hydrogen heat exchange section and no lower than the top of the air heat exchange section. As an example, the filling height of the phase change material 4 within the integrated device housing 3 can also be determined based on the specific application; this embodiment of the invention does not impose any limitations on this.

[0053] In one optional embodiment, the heat exchange assembly further includes a heat exchange tube 5, which is arranged circumferentially around the hydrogen heat exchange section and the air heat exchange section.

[0054] It is understood that the heat exchange via heat exchange tube 5 provided in this embodiment of the invention is, strictly speaking, an evolution of phase change heat exchange, primarily utilizing liquid-gas phase change for heat exchange. However, it requires an environment with effective heat absorption and release conditions, which can be achieved by utilizing the high-temperature air and low-temperature or room-temperature hydrogen in the hydrogen fuel cell engine system for heat absorption and release. Using heat exchange tube 5 can effectively utilize the high and low temperatures generated within the fuel cell system itself for heat exchange, improving the operating environment of the fuel cell system.

[0055] Furthermore, the heat exchange tube 5 provided in this embodiment of the invention can be in multiple sets, with multiple sets of heat exchange tubes 5 surrounding the hydrogen heat exchanger 1.

[0056] In one alternative embodiment, the diameter of the heat exchange tube 5 is greater than the distance between two adjacent heat exchange tubes 5, and all heat exchange tubes 5 have the same diameter.

[0057] In this embodiment of the invention, phase change material 4 is also filled between the heat exchange tubes 5. By setting the diameter of the heat exchange tubes 5 to be greater than the distance between the two heat exchange tubes 5, the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange tubes 5, which are the main heat exchange pathways, can be improved.

[0058] In one optional embodiment, the hydrogen heat exchange section includes a hydrogen heat exchanger 1, which has a hydrogen chamber extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the heat exchange tube 5.

[0059] In one optional embodiment, the air heat exchange section includes an intercooler 2, which has an air cavity. The direction of extension of the air cavity is perpendicular to the direction of the heat exchange tube 5 and intersects but is not perpendicular to the direction of extension of the hydrogen cavity.

[0060] To control the inlet temperature and condensate levels of both hydrogen and air, this embodiment of the invention includes an intercooler 2 in the air path and a hydrogen heat exchanger 1 in the hydrogen path. At room temperature, the inlet air temperature of the intercooler 2 is relatively high, exceeding 150°C. The purpose of arranging the intercooler 2 is to exchange heat with the coolant and lower the inlet air temperature. The inlet hydrogen temperature of the hydrogen heat exchanger 1 is close to room temperature. The purpose of arranging the hydrogen heat exchanger 1 is to exchange heat with the coolant to increase its temperature and reduce the condensate generated by the convergence of hydrogen in the main path and the return path.

[0061] In one optional embodiment, a preset distance is spaced between the hydrogen heat exchange section and the air heat exchange section, the preset distance being half the length of either the hydrogen heat exchange section or the air heat exchange section.

[0062] The hydrogen heat exchange section and the air heat exchange section are spaced at a predetermined distance, which can provide phase change space for the phase change material 4 and improve the heat exchange efficiency.

[0063] In one optional embodiment, the flow direction of hydrogen in the hydrogen heat exchange section and the air heat exchange section is opposite to the flow direction of air.

[0064] Please see Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the device structure provided in the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 6 As can be seen, the hydrogen cylinder 6 is connected to the temperature control device provided in this embodiment of the invention through the pressure reducing valve 7. The temperature control device is connected to the fuel cell stack 8 through the gas injection device. The gas outlet of the fuel cell stack 8 is provided with a water separator 9, which is used to separate the gas-liquid mixture coming out of the fuel cell stack 8. The air filter 10 is connected to the temperature control device provided in this embodiment of the invention through the air compressor 11. The air outlet of the temperature control device is connected to the fuel cell stack 8 in sequence through the intercooler 2 and the humidifier 12.

[0065] The various embodiments of this disclosure have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, nor are they limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein is chosen to best explain the principles, practical application, or technical improvements to the embodiments in the market, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A device for rapid heat exchange based on thermal conduction and medium phase change, characterized in that, The device includes: At least one set of heat exchange components, including a hydrogen heat exchange section, an air heat exchange section, and an integrated device housing; The hydrogen heat exchanger is disposed within the integrated device housing along a first direction, and the air heat exchanger is disposed within the integrated device housing along a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction intersect. The hydrogen heat exchange section is located above the air heat exchange section. The high-temperature gas after heat exchange in the air heat exchange section rises and exchanges heat with the low-temperature hydrogen in the hydrogen heat exchange section above. The low-temperature gas after heat exchange in the hydrogen heat exchange section falls due to gravity and exchanges heat with the air heat exchange section below again. This cycle repeats to cool the high-temperature air and heat the low-temperature hydrogen to achieve rapid heat exchange. The angle α between the first direction and the second direction is in the range of 0° < α < 90°, 90° < α < 180°; The heat exchange component also includes a phase change material, which is filled inside the integrated device housing. The phase change material can undergo a phase change when absorbing or releasing heat. The phase change material is filled in the housing of the integrated device to a height that is not higher than the bottom of the hydrogen heat exchange section and not lower than the top of the air heat exchange section. The heat exchange assembly also includes heat exchange tubes, which are arranged circumferentially around the hydrogen heat exchange section and the air heat exchange section.

2. The device for rapid heat exchange based on thermal conduction and medium phase change according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the heat exchange tube is greater than the distance between two adjacent heat exchange tubes, and all heat exchange tubes have the same diameter.

3. The device for rapid heat exchange based on thermal conduction and medium phase change according to claim 2, characterized in that, The hydrogen heat exchange section includes a hydrogen heat exchanger, which has a hydrogen chamber inside, and the extension direction of the hydrogen chamber is perpendicular to the direction of the heat exchange tube.

4. The device for rapid heat exchange based on thermal conduction and medium phase change according to claim 3, characterized in that, The air heat exchange section includes an intercooler, which has an air cavity. The air cavity extends perpendicularly to the direction of the heat exchange tube and intersects but is not perpendicular to the extension direction of the hydrogen cavity.

5. The device for rapid heat exchange based on thermal conduction and medium phase change according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen heat exchange section and the air heat exchange section are spaced at a preset distance, which is half the length of the hydrogen heat exchange section or the air heat exchange section.

6. The device for rapid heat exchange based on thermal conduction and medium phase change according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen flow direction in the hydrogen heat exchange section is opposite to the air flow direction in the air heat exchange section.

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