A fuel cell stack assembly

Abstract

The application provides a fuel cell stack device, belonging to the technical field of fuel cells, and solves the problem of the difference between the working states of single cells at different positions being too large to affect the service performance and service life of the stack. The device comprises a plurality of single cells stacked together, and a plurality of dummy cells, current collecting plates, insulating plates and end plates stacked in sequence and arranged outside the first and last single cells. The dummy cell adopts a sheet structure, comprising a bipolar plate, a membrane electrode without catalyst, a cathode and an anode gas flow channel. In the dummy cell, the membrane electrode is arranged at the middle position of the bipolar plate to separate the cathode and the anode gas flow channel at the two sides of the bipolar plate. The bipolar plate in the dummy cell is internally provided with a cathode gas flow channel, an anode gas flow channel and a water flow channel. The cathode gas flow channel, the anode gas flow channel or the water flow channel is internally provided with a state detection sensor for measuring the internal state of the dummy cell. The device can realize the integrated function design of condensate water removal and single cell working state difference adjustment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of fuel cell technology, in particular to a fuel cell stack device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Hydrogen energy fuel cell vehicle is a new energy vehicle with broad development prospects, which has many advantages such as short hydrogen refueling time and long driving range. The fuel cell engine generally includes fuel cell stack and peripheral hydrogen, air, cooling and other component systems. The stack includes proton exchange membrane, catalyst layer, gas diffusion layer, bipolar plate and the like. Since the theoretical voltage of a single cell is 1.23V, it usually realizes high-power output by several hundred parallel connections.

[0003] During the startup and operation of the fuel cell, the working state of the single cells at the head and tail positions may be quite different from that of the single cells at other positions. For example, during startup, although the temperature of the cooling liquid outlet of the stack is high, the temperature of the first and last cells is very low. In this case, the first and last cells may be single low or even reverse polarity during startup, resulting in startup failure. During operation, the first and last cells may sometimes have excess water vapor condensed into liquid water, which reduces the mass transfer of the stack and further affects the performance and service life of the stack.

[0004] Considering factors such as mass production and sealing, the current parameter measurement of the fuel cell system can only obtain the total input and output of the stack, and cannot measure the working state of the first and last cells in the stack. In the current design, the dummy cell only has the function of removing condensed water. SUMMARY

[0005] In view of the above analysis, the embodiments of the present application aim to provide a fuel cell stack device to solve the problem that the difference in the working state of single cells at different positions in the prior art is too large to affect the performance and service life of the stack.

[0006] The fuel cell stack device provided by the embodiments of the present application includes a plurality of single cells (44) stacked together, and a dummy cell (40), a current collector plate (43), an insulating plate (42) and an end plate (41) stacked in sequence on the outer side of the first cell and the last cell, respectively; wherein,

[0007] The dummy cell (40) adopts a sheet structure and further includes a bipolar plate (23), a membrane electrode (22) without catalyst, a cathode gas flow channel and an anode gas flow channel. Inside the dummy cell (40), the membrane electrode (22) is arranged at the middle position of the bipolar plate (23) to isolate the cathode gas flow channel and the anode gas flow channel on both sides thereof;

[0008] The bipolar plate (23) in the dummy cell (40) is internally provided with a cathode gas flow channel, an anode gas flow channel and a water flow channel (24); the cathode gas flow channel, the anode gas flow channel or the water flow channel (24) is internally provided with a state detection sensor (21) for measuring the internal state of the dummy cell (40).

[0009] The technical scheme has the beneficial effects that a fuel cell stack device with an online measurement function is provided. By changing the first cell and the last cell of a conventional fuel cell stack into dummy cells (40) and reserving state detection sensors (21) with measurement and control functions in the dummy cells (40), the internal state of the dummy cells (40) is accurately obtained, the working state of the first cell and the last cell is measured, the differences between the cells are obtained by combining the total input and output of the stack, and the integrated function design is realized. Moreover, the device has high structural integration, does not affect the batch production and sealing of the stack.

[0010] Based on the further improvement of the device, in addition to that the dummy cell (40) does not contain a catalyst and is provided with a state detection sensor (21), the structure and size of the dummy cell (40) and other parts of the single cell (44) are the same.

[0011] The state sensor includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas or liquid flow sensor and a pressure sensor.

[0012] Further, the temperature sensor includes an optical fiber temperature sensor; wherein,

[0013] The optical fiber temperature sensor is arranged in the water flow channel (24) of the dummy cell and is used for collecting temperature data of the bipolar plate (23) in the dummy cell (40) in real time; the inlet and outlet of the water flow channel (24) of the dummy cell adopt a sealing form.

[0014] Further, the fuel cell stack device further includes a heating mechanism; wherein,

[0015] The electrode of the heating mechanism is arranged between the current collecting plate 43 and the insulating plate 42 and is used for heating the dummy cell (40) and the single cell (44).

[0016] Further, the fuel cell stack device further includes a controller; wherein,

[0017] The controller is configured to, when the fuel cell is started, compare the temperature data collected by the temperature sensor with the outlet water temperature of the stack coolant to determine whether the single cell (44) near the dummy cell (40) has a possibility of single low or reverse polarity, and if so, control the heating mechanism to perform heating to increase the temperature of the single cell (44) near the dummy cell (40) until the outlet water temperature of the stack coolant reaches a set temperature, and control the heating mechanism to stop heating, otherwise, perform cold start or normal start of the fuel cell.

[0018] Further, the controller performs the following procedures:

[0019] Upon receiving a start command signal of the fuel cell, the outlet water temperature of the stack coolant at the current time is obtained.

[0020] All temperature data collected by the temperature sensor in the single cell (44) of the dummy cell (40) at the current time is obtained, and the effective value of all the temperature data is obtained.

[0021] The difference between the outlet water temperature of the stack coolant and the effective value of all the temperature data is determined to determine whether the single cell (44) near the dummy cell (40) has a possibility of single low or reverse polarity, and if the difference is greater than a preset temperature threshold, it is determined that the possibility exists, the heating mechanism is controlled to perform heating, and the next step is performed, otherwise, the fuel cell is cold started or normally started.

[0022] During the heating process, the outlet water temperature of the stack coolant is monitored in real time, and once the water temperature reaches a set temperature, it is determined that the possibility has been eliminated, the heating mechanism is controlled to stop heating, and the cold start or normal start of the fuel cell is continued.

[0023] Further, the humidity sensor is a common gas humidity sensor or an optical fiber humidity sensor; wherein,

[0024] The common gas humidity sensor is arranged on the inner wall of the cathode gas flow channel or the anode gas flow channel.

[0025] The optical fiber humidity sensor is arranged in the cathode gas flow channel or the anode gas flow channel.

[0026] Further, the controller further performs the following procedures:

[0027] During the operation of the fuel cell, all humidity data collected by the humidity sensor in the dummy cell (40) at the current time is obtained, and the effective value of all the humidity data is obtained.

[0028] The internal humidity state of the fuel cell is identified according to the comparison between the effective value of all the humidity data and the preset humidity standard value, and the following regulation is performed: if the effective value is greater than the preset humidity standard value, the cooling liquid temperature of the stack is controlled to be increased, or the flow rate of the gas into the stack is controlled to be increased, or the pressure of the gas into the stack is controlled to be decreased, or the excess coefficient of the anode gas is controlled to be decreased; if the effective value is less than the preset humidity standard value, the cooling liquid temperature of the stack is controlled to be decreased, or the flow rate of the gas into the stack is controlled to be decreased, or the pressure of the gas into the stack is controlled to be increased, or the excess coefficient of the anode gas is controlled to be increased.

[0029] In the above regulation process, all the humidity data collected by the humidity sensors in the dummy cell (40) are monitored in real time, and the above regulation process is ended once the effective value of all the humidity data reaches the preset humidity standard value.

[0030] Further, the controller further performs the following program:

[0031] After receiving the start command signal of the fuel cell, all the temperature data collected by the temperature sensors in the dummy cell (40) at the current time are obtained, and the effective value of all the temperature data is obtained;

[0032] The start state of the fuel cell is identified according to the difference between the effective value of all the temperature data and the preset cold start threshold value, if the difference is greater than the preset cold start threshold value, it is judged that the fuel cell is in a cold start state, heating is performed on the cooling liquid of the fuel cell, and the next step is performed, otherwise, the normal start of the fuel cell is performed.

[0033] In the heating process, the outlet water temperature of the stack cooling liquid is monitored in real time, and the normal start of the fuel cell is performed once the water temperature reaches the normal start temperature.

[0034] Further, the fuel cell stack device further comprises a water flow cutoff valve; wherein,

[0035] The water flow cutoff valve is arranged at the water outlet at the bottom of the dummy cell (40), and is used for controlling the discharge of the condensed water accumulated in the cathode gas flow channel or the anode gas flow channel in the dummy cell (40);

[0036] The controller further performs the following program:

[0037] During the operation of the fuel cell, the water flow cutoff valve is closed at a regular time, all the humidity data collected by the humidity sensors in the single cell (44) of the dummy cell (40) and the corresponding cathode gas or anode gas into the stack of the stack are obtained;

[0038] The effective value of the gas humidity in the dummy cell (40) is obtained according to all the humidity data collected by the above humidity sensors;

[0039] According to the difference between the cathode inlet gas humidity or the anode gas humidity and the effective value of the gas humidity in the pseudo battery (40), whether the single cell (44) near the pseudo battery (40) has the possibility of too large inter-sheet humidity difference is identified, if the difference is greater than a preset humidity threshold, it is determined that the possibility exists, the opening frequency of the water flow stop valve is increased to accelerate the discharge of the condensed water from the pseudo battery (40), otherwise, the opening frequency of the water flow stop valve is maintained unchanged.

[0040] Compared with the prior art, the present application can at least achieve one of the following beneficial effects:

[0041] 1. The first and last cells of the fuel cell stack are equivalent to the pseudo battery 40, and various sensors with measurement and control strategy functions are reserved in the pseudo battery 40, and water flow control valves are arranged at the inlet and outlet ends of the water flow channel, thereby realizing the integrated function design of condensed water removal and inter-sheet temperature and humidity difference representation.

[0042] 2. The structure of the pseudo battery matches the structure and size of the single cell of the fuel cell stack, and the manufacturing is simple and does not affect the batch consistency manufacturing and sealing of the cells.

[0043] 3. The temperature and humidity difference between the sheets can be effectively eliminated, the working state difference of the single cells (44) at different positions during the starting process is eliminated, and the use performance and service life of the stack can be effectively improved.

[0044] The summary section is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the disclosure, and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0045] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the figures, in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 1 A structure schematic diagram of the fuel cell stack device of Example 1 is shown;

[0047] Figure 2 A structure schematic diagram of the pseudo battery of Example 1 is shown;

[0048] Figure 3 A control principle schematic diagram of the fuel cell stack device of Example 2 is shown;

[0049] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the composition of the fuel cell engine system of Example 4 is shown.

[0050] Reference Signs:

[0051] 1 - hydrogen gas inlet control valve; 2 - hydrogen gas circulation device; 3 - purge solenoid valve; 4 - fuel cell stack device; 5 - pressure regulating valve; 6 - air compressor; 7 - water pump; 8 - radiator; 9 - thermostat; 10 - humidifier; 40 - dummy cell; 41 - end plate; 42 - insulation plate; 43 - current collector plate; 44 - single cell; 21 - state detection sensor; 22 - membrane electrode; 23 - bipolar plate; 24 - water flow channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0053] As used herein, the term "includes" and its variants are meant to be construed as encompassing rather than excluding other items. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "or" as used herein is intended to mean "and / or." The term "based on" means "based, at least in part, on." The term "one example embodiment" and "an embodiment" means "at least one example embodiment." The term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment." The terms "first," "second," and the like can refer to different or same objects. Other explicit or implicit definitions can also be included below.

[0054] Embodiment 1

[0055] One embodiment of the present disclosure discloses a fuel cell stack device, as shown in the accompanying drawings, comprising a plurality of single cells 44 stacked together, and a dummy cell 40, a current collector plate 43, an insulation plate 42 and an end plate 41 sequentially stacked outside the first and last single cells, respectively. Figures 1-2 As shown in the accompanying drawings, the fuel cell stack device comprises a plurality of single cells 44 stacked together, and a dummy cell 40, a current collector plate 43, an insulation plate 42 and an end plate 41 sequentially stacked outside the first and last single cells, respectively.

[0056] The dummy cell 40 has a sheet structure, further comprising a bipolar plate 23, a membrane electrode 22 without catalyst, a cathode gas flow channel and an anode gas flow channel. Inside the dummy cell 40, the membrane electrode 22 is arranged at the middle position of the bipolar plate 23 to separate the cathode gas flow channel and the anode gas flow channel on both sides. In addition, the single cell 44, the current collector plate 43, the insulation plate 42 and the end plate 41 can adopt the structure of the existing stack.

[0057] The bipolar plate 23 in the dummy cell 40 is internally provided with a cathode gas flow channel, an anode gas flow channel and a water flow channel 24. The cathode gas flow channel, the anode gas flow channel or the water flow channel 24 is internally provided with a state detection sensor 21 for measuring the internal state of the dummy cell 40.

[0058] Optionally, the state sensor comprises at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas or liquid flow sensor, and a pressure sensor.

[0059] Preferably, in addition to that the dummy cell 40 does not contain a catalyst and is provided with a state detection sensor 21, the dummy cell 40 is identical in structure and size to other parts of the single cell 44.

[0060] Compared with the prior art, the fuel cell stack device with online measurement function is provided. By changing the first cell and the last cell of the conventional fuel cell stack into the dummy cell 40, and reserving the state detection sensor 21 with measurement and control functions in the dummy cell 40, the internal state of the dummy cell 40 is accurately obtained to realize the measurement of the working state of the first cell and the last cell. Through the data combined with the total input and output of the stack, the difference between the cells can be obtained to realize the integrated function design. Moreover, the device has high structural integration and does not affect the batch production and sealing of the stack.

[0061] Embodiment 2

[0062] The embodiment 1 is improved. The temperature sensor comprises an optical fiber temperature sensor. The optical fiber temperature sensor is arranged in the water flow channel 24 of the dummy cell, and is used to collect the temperature data of the bipolar plate 23 in the dummy cell 40 in real time. The inlet and outlet of the water flow channel 24 of the dummy cell adopt a sealing form.

[0063] Preferably, the fuel cell stack device further comprises a heating mechanism.

[0064] The electrode of the heating mechanism is arranged between the current collecting plate 43 and the insulating plate 42, and is used to heat the dummy cell 40 and the single cell 44. Optionally, the heating mechanism can be a heating sheet. The end plate 41 is heated by the heating sheet, and then the single cell 44 close to the dummy cell 40 is heated to improve the temperature thereof.

[0065] Preferably, the fuel cell stack device further comprises a controller (which can also be referred to as a temperature controller).

[0066] The controller is used to compare the temperature data collected by the temperature sensor with the outlet water temperature of the stack coolant to identify whether the single cell 44 close to the dummy cell 40 has the possibility of single low or reverse polarity when the fuel cell is started, and if so, control the heating mechanism to perform heating to improve the temperature of the single cell 44 close to the dummy cell 40 until the outlet water temperature of the stack coolant reaches a set temperature, and then control the heating mechanism to stop heating, otherwise, perform cold start or normal start of the fuel cell.

[0067] The input end of the controller is connected with the output end of the temperature sensor, and the output end of the controller is connected with the control end of the heating mechanism.

[0068] Preferably, the controller performs the following procedures to complete the regulation function of the temperature difference within the cell:

[0069] S1. After receiving the start command signal of the fuel cell, the outlet water temperature of the stack coolant at the current time is obtained;

[0070] S2. Obtain all temperature data collected by the temperature sensor within the single cell 44 of the dummy cell 40 at the current time, and obtain the effective value of all temperature data;

[0071] S3. According to the difference between the outlet water temperature of the stack coolant and the effective value of all temperature data, it is identified whether there is a possibility of single low or reverse polarity near the single cell 44 of the dummy cell 40. If the difference is greater than the preset temperature threshold, it is determined that the above possibility exists, the heating mechanism is controlled to perform heating, and the next step is performed. Otherwise (on the contrary, if the difference between the outlet water temperature of the stack coolant and the effective value of all temperature data is less than the preset temperature threshold, it is considered that there is no possibility of single low or reverse polarity near the single cell 44 of the dummy cell 40), the cold start or normal start of the fuel cell is performed;

[0072] S4. During the heating process, the outlet water temperature of the stack coolant is monitored in real time. Once the water temperature reaches the set temperature, it is determined that the above possibility has been eliminated, the heating mechanism is controlled to stop heating, and the cold start or normal start of the fuel cell is continued.

[0073] The regulation principle of the temperature difference within the cell is as shown in Figure 3

[0074] Preferably, the controller also performs the following procedures to complete the cold start or normal start function:

[0075] S5. After receiving the start command signal of the fuel cell, all temperature data collected by the temperature sensor within the dummy cell 40 at the current time are obtained, and the effective value of all temperature data is obtained;

[0076] S6. According to the difference between the effective value of all temperature data and the preset cold start threshold, the start state of the fuel cell is identified. If the difference is greater than the preset cold start threshold, it is determined that the fuel cell is in a cold start state, the coolant of the fuel cell is heated, and the next step is performed. Otherwise, the normal start of the fuel cell is performed;

[0077] S7. During the heating process, the outlet water temperature of the stack coolant is monitored in real time. Once the water temperature reaches the normal start temperature, the normal start of the fuel cell is performed.

[0078] ​In implementation, the temperature sensor in the water flow channel 24 can measure the temperature of the bipolar plate in the dummy cell, which can represent the temperature of the bipolar plate of the first and last cell, by closing the inlet and outlet of the water flow channel 24. When the difference between the measured temperature of the bipolar plate and the temperature of the outlet of the stack cooling liquid (which is the average temperature of the cooling liquid of several hundred single cells and is obtained by the temperature sensor arranged at the outlet of the stack cooling liquid) exceeds the preset temperature threshold (for example, 10℃), it indicates that the average temperature is high, but the temperature of the single cells near the dummy cell (including the first and last cell) is low. In this case, the single cells near the dummy cell will be low or even reversed during the start-up process, resulting in the failure of the fuel cell start-up. After the temperature of the outlet of the stack cooling liquid reaches 0℃, the heating mechanism can be turned off.

[0079] Compared with the prior art, the device described in the embodiment has the following beneficial effects:

[0080] 1. The first and last cells of the fuel cell stack are modified into dummy cells 40, and temperature sensors with measurement and control strategy functions are reserved in the dummy cells 40, realizing the integrated function design of condensate removal and inter-cell temperature difference representation.

[0081] 2. The structure of the dummy cell matches the structure and size of the single cell of the fuel cell stack, which is simple to manufacture and does not affect the batch consistency manufacturing and sealing of the cells.

[0082] 3. The temperature difference between the cells can be effectively eliminated, and the phenomenon of excessive temperature difference between the single cells (44) at different positions during the start-up process can be eliminated, which can effectively improve the performance and life of the stack.

[0083] Embodiment 3

[0084] Based on the improvements of Embodiment 1 or 2, a temperature and humidity integrated sensor or a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor can be used.

[0085] Optionally, the humidity sensor is a general gas humidity sensor or a fiber humidity sensor.

[0086] For the general gas humidity sensor, it can be arranged on the inner wall of the cathode gas flow channel or the anode gas flow channel. The existing general gas humidity sensor includes a semiconductor gas sensor, an electrochemical gas sensor, a catalytic combustion gas sensor, a thermal conductivity gas sensor, an infrared gas sensor, and a solid electrolyte gas sensor.

[0087] For the fiber humidity sensor, it can be arranged in the cathode gas flow channel or the anode gas flow channel.

[0088] Preferably, the fuel cell stack device further comprises a controller (also referred to as humidity controller, which can be shared with Embodiment 2). The input end of the controller is connected with the output end of the humidity sensor, and the output end thereof is connected with the control end of the cooling liquid temperature regulating device or the hydrogen inlet stack control device or the air inlet stack control device outside the stack device.

[0089] Preferably, the controller performs the following program to complete the regulation function of the overall humidity of the fuel cell:

[0090] S8. During the operation of the fuel cell, all humidity data collected by the humidity sensor in the dummy cell (40) at the current time are obtained, and the effective value of all humidity data is obtained;

[0091] S9. The internal humidity state of the fuel cell is identified according to the comparison between the effective value of all humidity data and the preset humidity standard value, and the following regulation is performed; if the effective value is greater than the preset humidity standard value, the cooling liquid temperature of the stack is controlled to be increased or the flow of the inlet gas of the stack is controlled to be increased or the pressure of the inlet gas of the stack is controlled to be reduced or the excess coefficient of the anode gas is controlled to be reduced; if the effective value is less than the preset humidity standard value, the cooling liquid temperature of the stack is controlled to be reduced or the flow of the inlet gas of the stack is controlled to be reduced or the pressure of the inlet gas of the stack is controlled to be increased or the excess coefficient of the anode gas is controlled to be increased;

[0092] S10. During the above regulation process, all humidity data collected by the humidity sensor in the dummy cell (40) are monitored in real time, and once the effective value of all humidity data reaches the preset humidity standard value, the above regulation is ended.

[0093] The input end of the controller is connected with the output end of the humidity sensor, and the output end thereof is connected with the control end of the cooling liquid temperature regulating device or the hydrogen inlet stack control device or the air inlet stack control device outside the stack device.

[0094] The adjustment method of the excess coefficient of the gas is described in patent CN201910105639.9.

[0095] Preferably, the bottom of the dummy cell 40 is provided with a water outlet.

[0096] Preferably, the fuel cell stack device further comprises a water flow stop valve. The water flow stop valve is respectively arranged at the water outlet at the bottom of the dummy cell 40, and is used for controlling the discharge of the condensed water accumulated in the cathode gas flow channel or the anode gas flow channel in the dummy cell 40. The control end of the water flow stop valve is connected with the output end of the controller. The output end of the water flow stop valve is connected with the water outlet of the fuel cell.

[0097] Preferably, the controller further performs the following program to complete the regulation function of the humidity difference in the chip:

[0098] S11. During the operation of the fuel cell, the water flow cutoff valve is closed at a regular time interval, all humidity data collected by the humidity sensor in the single cell 44 of the dummy cell 40 are obtained, and the corresponding cathode inlet gas or anode inlet gas humidity of the stack is obtained;

[0099] S12. According to all the humidity data collected by the humidity sensor, the effective value of the gas humidity in the dummy cell 40 is obtained.

[0100] S13. According to the difference between the cathode inlet gas or anode gas humidity and the effective value of the gas humidity in the dummy cell 40, it is determined whether there is a possibility of excessive inter-sheet humidity difference near the single cell 44 of the dummy cell 40. If the difference is greater than a preset humidity threshold, it is determined that the possibility exists, and the opening frequency of the water flow cutoff valve is increased to accelerate the discharge of condensed water from the dummy cell 40. Otherwise (if the difference between the inlet gas humidity and the effective value of the gas humidity in the dummy cell 40 is less than the preset humidity threshold, it is considered that the inter-sheet humidity difference of the stack is not large), the opening frequency of the water flow cutoff valve is maintained unchanged.

[0101] Compared with the prior art, the device described in the embodiment has the following beneficial effects:

[0102] 1. The first and last cells of the fuel cell stack are equivalent to the dummy cell 40, and the humidity sensor with the measurement and control strategy function is reserved in the dummy cell 40. The water flow control valve is arranged at the inlet and outlet of the water flow channel, and the integrated function design of condensed water removal and inter-sheet humidity difference representation is realized.

[0103] 2. The structure of the dummy cell matches the structure and size of the single cell of the fuel cell stack, and the processing and manufacturing are simple, and do not affect the batch consistency manufacturing and sealing of each cell.

[0104] 3. The humidity difference between the sheets can be effectively eliminated, the working humidity state difference of the single cells (44) at different positions during the starting process is eliminated, and the use performance and service life of the stack can be effectively improved.

[0105] Embodiment 4

[0106] Another embodiment of the present application discloses a fuel cell engine system, which comprises any one of the fuel cell stack devices in embodiments 1-3, and an inlet hydrogen control device, an inlet air control device, and a cooling liquid temperature regulating device.

[0107] Preferably, the fuel cell engine system further comprises an outlet hydrogen control device and an outlet air control device.

[0108] The existing hydrogen inlet and outlet control device, air inlet and outlet control device, and cooling liquid temperature regulating device are various, and are commonly used devices, which can be applied to the engine system of the embodiment, and the connection modes are various, which can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0109] Specifically, the hydrogen inlet control device is arranged at the hydrogen inlet of the fuel cell stack device, and further comprises a hydrogen spraying device and a hydrogen inlet control valve 1 connected in sequence. It can also comprise other devices or adopt other connection modes.

[0110] The air inlet control device is arranged at the air inlet of the fuel cell stack device, and further comprises an air compressor 6. Preferably, the air inlet control device can further comprise a humidifier 10 arranged between the output end of the air compressor 6 and the air inlet of the stack, as shown in the figure. Figure 4 The output end of the air compressor 6 is connected to the air inlet of the stack through branch one of the humidifier 10. It can also comprise other devices or adopt other connection modes.

[0111] The cooling liquid temperature regulating device is arranged between the cooling liquid inlet and outlet of the fuel cell stack device, and further comprises a thermostat 9, a radiator 8, a heater, and a water pump 7. The stack cooling liquid outlet is divided into two routes after passing through the water pump 7, one route is connected to the input end one of the thermostat 9 through the heater, and the other route is connected to the input end two of the thermostat 9 through the radiator 8. The output end of the thermostat 9 is connected to the stack cooling liquid inlet. It can also comprise other devices or adopt other connection modes.

[0112] The hydrogen outlet control device is arranged at the hydrogen tail gas outlet of the fuel cell stack device, and further comprises a purge solenoid valve 3 and a hydrogen circulation device 2. The hydrogen tail gas outlet of the stack is connected to the purge solenoid valve 3 in one route, and is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the stack through the hydrogen circulation device 2 in the other route. It can also comprise other devices or adopt other connection modes.

[0113] The air outlet control device is arranged at the air tail gas outlet of the fuel cell stack device, and further comprises a pressure regulating valve 5. The air tail gas outlet of the stack is connected to the pressure regulating valve 5 through branch two of the humidifier 10.

[0114] The above has described the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the above description is exemplary, not exhaustive, and is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and changes are obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The selection of the terms used herein is intended to best explain the principles, practical applications, or improvements to the prior art of the embodiments, or to enable other ordinary skilled persons in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A fuel cell stack apparatus, characterized by comprising: The single piece cell (44) includes a plurality of layers stacked together, and a dummy cell (40), a current collector plate (43), an insulating plate (42) and an end plate (41) which are sequentially stacked outside the first and last piece cells, respectively. The dummy cell (40) adopts a sheet structure and further includes a bipolar plate (23), a membrane electrode (22) without catalyst, a cathode gas flow channel and an anode gas flow channel; in the dummy cell (40), the membrane electrode (22) is arranged at the middle position of the bipolar plate (23) to separate the cathode gas flow channel and the anode gas flow channel on both sides thereof; The dummy cell (40) is internally provided with a cathode gas flow channel, an anode gas flow channel and a water flow channel (24); the cathode gas flow channel, the anode gas flow channel or the water flow channel (24) is internally provided with a state detection sensor (21) for measuring the internal state of the dummy cell (40); Except that the dummy cell (40) does not contain catalyst and is provided with the state detection sensor (21), the dummy cell (40) is identical to other parts of the single piece cell (44) in structure and size; and The state detection sensor (21) includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas or liquid flow sensor and a pressure sensor; Further comprising a heating mechanism; wherein The electrode of the heating mechanism is arranged between the current collector plate (43) and the insulating plate (42) and is used for heating the dummy cell (40) and the single piece cell (44); Further comprising a controller; wherein The controller is used for, when the fuel cell is started, comparing the temperature data collected by the temperature sensor with the water temperature at the outlet of the stack coolant to identify whether the single piece cell (44) close to the dummy cell (40) has the possibility of single low or reverse polarity; and if yes, controlling the heating mechanism to perform heating to increase the temperature of the single piece cell (44) close to the dummy cell (40) until the water temperature at the outlet of the stack coolant reaches a set temperature, and then controlling the heating mechanism to stop heating, otherwise, performing cold start or normal start of the fuel cell; The humidity sensor is a common gas humidity sensor or an optical fiber humidity sensor; wherein The common gas humidity sensor is arranged on the inner wall of the cathode gas flow channel or the anode gas flow channel; The optical fiber humidity sensor is arranged in the cathode gas flow channel or the anode gas flow channel.

2. The fuel cell stack apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by The temperature sensor includes an optical fiber temperature sensor; wherein The optical fiber temperature sensor is arranged in the water flow channel (24) of the dummy cell and is used for collecting the temperature data of the bipolar plate (23) in the dummy cell (40) in real time; the inlet and outlet of the water flow channel (24) of the dummy cell adopt a sealing form.

3. The fuel cell stack apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by The controller further executes the following program: During the operation of the fuel cell, all humidity data collected by the humidity sensor in the dummy cell (40) at the current time are obtained to obtain the effective value of all humidity data; The internal humidity state of the fuel cell is identified according to a comparison between the effective value of all the humidity data and a preset humidity standard value, and the following regulation is performed: if the effective value is greater than the preset humidity standard value, the cooling liquid temperature of the stack is controlled to be increased, or the flow rate of the gas into the stack is controlled to be increased, or the pressure of the gas into the stack is controlled to be decreased, or the excess coefficient of the anode gas is controlled to be decreased; if the effective value is less than the preset humidity standard value, the cooling liquid temperature of the stack is controlled to be decreased, or the flow rate of the gas into the stack is controlled to be decreased, or the pressure of the gas into the stack is controlled to be increased, or the excess coefficient of the anode gas is controlled to be increased; In the above regulation process, all the humidity data collected by the humidity sensors in the dummy cell (40) are monitored in real time, and the above regulation is ended once the effective value of all the humidity data reaches the preset humidity standard value.

4. The fuel cell stack apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3, characterized by The controller further performs the following procedures: After receiving a start command signal of the fuel cell, all the temperature data collected by the temperature sensors in the dummy cell (40) at the current time are obtained, and the effective value of all the temperature data is derived; The start state of the fuel cell is identified according to a difference between the effective value of all the temperature data and a preset cold start threshold value, and if the difference is greater than the preset cold start threshold value, it is determined that the fuel cell is in a cold start state, heating of the cooling liquid of the fuel cell is performed, and the next step is performed, otherwise, the normal start of the fuel cell is performed; In the heating process, the outlet water temperature of the stack cooling liquid is monitored in real time, and the normal start of the fuel cell is performed once the water temperature reaches the normal start temperature.

5. The fuel cell stack apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3, characterized by Further comprising a water flow cutoff valve; wherein The water flow cutoff valve is arranged at the water outlet at the bottom of the dummy cell (40) and is used to control the discharge of the condensed water accumulated in the cathode gas flow channel or the anode gas flow channel in the dummy cell (40); The controller further performs the following procedures: During the operation of the fuel cell, the water flow cutoff valve is closed at a regular time, all the humidity data collected by the humidity sensors in the single cells (44) of the dummy cell (40) and the corresponding cathode gas into the stack or anode gas into the stack of the stack are obtained; The effective value of the gas humidity in the dummy cell (40) is derived according to all the humidity data collected by the above humidity sensors; Whether there is a possibility that the inter-sheet humidity difference of the single cells (44) close to the dummy cell (40) is too large is identified according to a difference between the above cathode gas into the stack or anode gas into the stack and the effective value of the gas humidity in the dummy cell (40), and if the difference is greater than a preset humidity threshold value, it is determined that the above possibility exists, the opening frequency of the water flow cutoff valve is controlled to be increased so that the condensed water is discharged from the dummy cell (40) at a higher speed, otherwise, the opening frequency of the water flow cutoff valve is maintained unchanged.

Images