A method and apparatus for measuring the heat capacity of a fuel cell system

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of fuel cell system technology, and discloses a method, apparatus, computer equipment, and storage medium for measuring the heat capacity of a fuel cell system. The method involves cold purging the fuel cell system, measuring its heat capacity, obtaining measurement results, and selecting different low-temperature strategies for the fuel cell system by adjusting the measurement results. By measuring the heat capacity of the fuel cell stack, the sum of the heat capacities of the stack and coolant, and the sum of the heat capacities of the stack, coolant, and components, this invention can distinguish the components constituting the heat capacity value during the low-temperature start-up of the fuel cell system. Furthermore, it allows for adjusting the heat capacity of each component according to requirements, and then, based on the estimated heat capacity value during start-up, allows the fuel cell system to select different low-temperature strategies.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell system technology, and in particular to a method, apparatus, computer equipment, and storage medium for measuring the heat capacity of a fuel cell system. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are promising new energy vehicles with advantages such as short refueling time and long driving range. A fuel cell system typically includes a fuel cell stack and peripheral components for hydrogen, air, and cooling. The stack itself includes a proton exchange membrane, catalyst layer, gas diffusion layer, and bipolar plates. The heat capacity of the fuel cell stack and its components is a core parameter for the low-temperature start-up design and control of the fuel cell system. Existing testing methods calculate and accumulate the overall heat capacity by analyzing the heat capacity of each component and the constituent parts of the stack. However, this method cannot accurately measure the heat capacity of the entire fuel cell system and therefore cannot differentiate between the heat capacity of the stack and its components. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the problems of existing technologies being unable to accurately measure the heat capacity of fuel cell systems and unable to distinguish the heat capacity of the stack and components, this invention provides a method, apparatus, computer equipment, and storage medium for measuring the heat capacity of fuel cell systems. This allows for accurate measurement of the heat capacity of fuel cell systems, differentiation of the heat capacity of the stack and components, and acquisition of their coupling relationships, providing design and strategies for low-temperature adaptable fuel cell systems.

[0004] On one hand, the present invention provides a method for measuring the heat capacity of a fuel cell system, comprising the following steps:

[0005] Perform cold purging on the fuel cell system;

[0006] The heat capacity of the fuel cell system was measured, and the measurement results were obtained.

[0007] Different cryogenic strategies for fuel cell systems are selected by adjusting the measurement results.

[0008] Furthermore, the measurement of the heat capacity of the fuel cell system yields measurement results including:

[0009] The heat capacity value includes the heat capacity of the fuel cell stack, the heat capacity of the components, and the heat capacity of the coolant.

[0010] Furthermore, the measurement results include:

[0011] The heat capacity of the fuel cell stack and coolant was measured when the fuel cell system was rapidly cooled to below zero.

[0012] Furthermore, the measurement results include:

[0013] The heat capacity of the fuel cell stack was measured during the low-temperature startup of the fuel cell system.

[0014] Furthermore, the measurement results also include:

[0015] The heat capacity of the fuel cell stack, coolant, and components was measured when the fuel cell system was slowly cooled to below zero and started up at low temperature.

[0016] Furthermore, the selection of different cryogenic strategies for the fuel cell system by adjusting the measurement results includes:

[0017] Different cryogenic strategies for fuel cell systems are selected based on the adjusted heat capacity of the stack and / or the heat capacity of the components and / or the heat capacity of the coolant.

[0018] On the other hand, the present invention provides a heat capacity measurement device for a fuel cell system, comprising:

[0019] The first purging module is used for the first cold purging of the fuel cell system.

[0020] The first measurement module is used to measure the heat capacity of the fuel cell stack and coolant when the fuel cell system is rapidly cooled to below zero.

[0021] The second measurement module is used to measure the stack heat capacity during the low-temperature startup of the fuel cell system.

[0022] The second purging module is used for the second cold purging of the fuel cell system;

[0023] The third measurement module is used to measure the heat capacity of the fuel cell stack, coolant, and components when the fuel cell system is slowly cooled to below zero and started at low temperature.

[0024] Furthermore, it also includes an adjustment module for adjusting the size of the fuel cell stack heat capacity and / or component heat capacity and / or coolant heat capacity.

[0025] In another aspect, the present invention provides a computer device including a memory and a processor, the memory storing a computer program, and the processor executing the computer program to implement the steps of the heat capacity measurement method for the fuel cell system described in any of the above claims.

[0026] In another aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the heat capacity measurement method for the fuel cell system described in any of the above claims.

[0027] The beneficial effects of this invention include: by measuring the heat capacity of the fuel cell stack, the sum of the heat capacity of the fuel cell stack and coolant, and the sum of the heat capacity of the fuel cell stack, coolant, and components, the components constituting the heat capacity value during the low-temperature start-up of the fuel cell system can be distinguished. At the same time, the size of the heat capacity of each component can be adjusted according to the needs. Then, based on the estimated heat capacity value during the start-up process, different low-temperature strategies can be selected for the fuel cell system. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for measuring the heat capacity of a fuel cell system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating the implementation process of a method for measuring the heat capacity of a fuel cell system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a heat capacity measurement device for a fuel cell system provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a structural block diagram of a fuel cell system provided in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0032] in, Figure 4 The labels for the attached figures are as follows:

[0033] 1-Electric stack; 2-Water pump; 3-First thermostat; 4-Radiator; 5-Second thermostat; 6-Water tank; 7-Temperature sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] Example 1

[0036] Combination Figure 1-2 As shown, this embodiment provides a method for measuring the heat capacity of a fuel cell system, including the following steps:

[0037] Perform cold purging on the fuel cell system;

[0038] The heat capacity of the fuel cell system was measured, and the measurement results were obtained.

[0039] Different cryogenic strategies for fuel cell systems are selected by adjusting the measurement results.

[0040] Furthermore, the measurement of the heat capacity of the fuel cell system yields measurement results including:

[0041] The heat capacity value includes the heat capacity of the fuel cell stack, the heat capacity of the components, and the heat capacity of the coolant.

[0042] Furthermore, the selection of different cryogenic strategies for the fuel cell system by adjusting the measurement results includes:

[0043] Different cryogenic strategies for fuel cell systems are selected based on the adjusted heat capacity of the stack and / or the heat capacity of the components and / or the heat capacity of the coolant.

[0044] Implementation process of this embodiment:

[0045] S01: Start;

[0046] S02: The fuel cell system undergoes its first cold purging.

[0047] S03: The heat capacity of the fuel cell stack and coolant is measured when the fuel cell system is rapidly cooled to T0.

[0048] In this step, T0 refers to any value below 0°C. Rapid cooling is achieved through heat exchange between the high-temperature fuel cell stack and the coolant in the low-temperature water tank, and the heat capacity is calculated using the following formula:

[0049]

[0050] C1 is equivalent to the sum of the heat capacities of the fuel cell stack and the coolant.

[0051] Among them, C tank For the heat capacity of the water tank and piping, T tank T represents the initial temperature of the water tank. tank Typically the same as the ambient temperature, T stack T is the initial temperature of the fuel cell stack. stack The temperature at which the purging process ends.

[0052] S04: The heat capacity of the fuel cell stack is measured during the low-temperature startup of the fuel cell system;

[0053] Let the heat capacity of the fuel cell stack be S1, which is calculated using the following formula:

[0054]

[0055] Due to the rapid cooling in step S03, the components are still at a relatively high temperature, so the heat capacity at this point is less than the full heat capacity of the fuel cell system.

[0056] In equation (2), ΔP is the heat output of the fuel cell in time t, in kW, t is a time period in seconds, and ΔT is the temperature rise in time t in k.

[0057] S05: The fuel cell system undergoes a second cold purging;

[0058] S06: Slowly cool the fuel cell system to below zero. Slow cooling means immersing the system in a low-temperature environment for more than 12 hours in accordance with GB33979.

[0059] S07: During the low-temperature startup of the fuel cell system, the heat capacity of the stack, coolant, and components is measured;

[0060] Let the sum of the heat capacities of the fuel cell stack, coolant and components be S2, which is calculated using equation (2).

[0061] Since the cooling is slow at this time, the cooling rate of the stack and components is basically the same. Therefore, S2 is the overall heat capacity of the fuel cell system.

[0062] S08: End.

[0063] The heat capacity value is the basis for the design and strategy formulation of fuel cell cryogenic start-up systems. The key to successful cryogenic start-up is that the liquid water does not freeze before the stack temperature reaches 0°C. A larger heat capacity value leads to a slower temperature rise rate. The heat capacity value includes the stack heat capacity, component heat capacity, and coolant heat capacity. The heat capacity values ​​in the three states of the fuel cell system mentioned above are to distinguish the different components of the heat capacity value. In this embodiment, S1 is equivalent to the stack heat capacity, C1 is equivalent to the sum of the heat capacities of the stack and the coolant, and S2 is equivalent to the sum of the heat capacities of the stack, components, and coolant.

[0064] By measuring C1, S1, and S2, the components of heat capacity during low-temperature startup can be distinguished, and the heat capacity of each component can be adjusted according to requirements. For example, if the heat capacity of the coolant is too large, the heat capacity of the coolant can be adjusted by reducing the length of the coolant circuit at the fuel cell system design level. Based on the estimation of the heat capacity during startup, strategies for controlling the low-temperature startup of the fuel cell can be formulated, and different low-temperature strategies can be selected.

[0065] Example 2

[0066] According to Example 1 and Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a heat capacity measurement device for a fuel cell system, including:

[0067] The first purging module is used for the first cold purging of the fuel cell system.

[0068] The first measurement module is used to measure the heat capacity of the fuel cell stack and coolant when the fuel cell system is rapidly cooled to below zero.

[0069] The second measurement module is used to measure the stack heat capacity during the low-temperature startup of the fuel cell system.

[0070] The second purging module is used for the second cold purging of the fuel cell system;

[0071] The third measurement module is used to measure the heat capacity of the fuel cell stack, coolant, and components when the fuel cell system is slowly cooled to below zero and started at low temperature.

[0072] Furthermore, it also includes an adjustment module for adjusting the size of the fuel cell stack heat capacity and / or component heat capacity and / or coolant heat capacity.

[0073] Example 3

[0074] To achieve the goals of Embodiments 1 and 2, combined with Figure 4 This embodiment provides a fuel cell system, including: a fuel cell stack 1, a water pump 2, a first thermostat 3, a radiator 4, a second thermostat 5, and a water tank 6. The water pump 2, the first thermostat 3, the water tank 6, the second thermostat 5, and the fuel cell stack 1 form a rapid cooling circulation loop, which can achieve rapid cooling of the fuel cell stack in low-temperature environments. Since the rapid cooling circulation loop directly cools the fuel cell stack through coolant, it has little impact on the heat dissipation of components such as the air path and hydrogen path, so it can achieve decoupled measurement of the heat capacity values ​​of the fuel cell stack and components.

[0075] The two ends of the radiator 4 are connected to the coolant inlet and outlet of the fuel cell stack 1, respectively. The first thermostat 3 and the water pump 2 are installed on the coolant outlet pipe of the fuel cell stack 1. The first thermostat 3 is also connected to the fuel cell stack 1 and the water pump 2, respectively. The two ends of the radiator 3 are connected to the first thermostat 3 and the second thermostat 5.

[0076] The fuel cell system provided in this embodiment is also equipped with multiple temperature sensors 7 for monitoring the coolant temperature. A temperature sensor 7 is installed at the coolant inlet and outlet of the fuel cell stack 1, a temperature sensor 7 is installed at the coolant inlet of the radiator 4, and a temperature sensor 7 is also installed at the coolant inlet of the second thermostat 5.

[0077] The fuel cell system provided in this embodiment can realize the heat capacity measurement method of the fuel cell system in Embodiment 1. Embodiment 1 achieves rapid cooling by forming a rapid cooling circulation loop with the water pump 2, the first thermostat 3, the water tank 6, the second thermostat 5 and the fuel cell stack 1, thereby realizing heat exchange between the high-temperature fuel cell stack and the coolant in the low-temperature water tank.

[0078] The first thermostat 3 in this embodiment controls the fuel cell stack 1 to cool down or dissipate heat.

[0079] Example 4

[0080] This embodiment provides a computer device, including a memory and a processor. The memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program to implement the steps of the heat capacity measurement method for any of the fuel cell systems described in Embodiment 1.

[0081] Example 5

[0082] This embodiment provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the heat capacity measurement method for any of the fuel cell systems described in Embodiment 1.

[0083] This invention achieves heat exchange between a low-temperature water tank and a high-temperature fuel cell stack through a designed rapid cooling cycle loop, thereby obtaining the equivalent heat capacity value of the fuel cell stack. Furthermore, by using rapid cooling and slow cooling, it distinguishes the equivalent heat capacity values ​​of the fuel cell stack and the fuel cell system under different conditions, providing a basis for the design and strategy formulation of fuel cell systems adaptable to low-temperature environments.

[0084] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the content of the present invention's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for measuring the heat capacity of a fuel cell system, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: Perform cold purging on the fuel cell system; The heat capacity of the fuel cell system was measured, and the measurement results were obtained. Different cryogenic strategies for fuel cell systems are selected by adjusting the measurement results; The measurement results include: The heat capacity of the fuel cell stack and coolant was measured when the fuel cell system was rapidly cooled to below zero. The measurement results include: The heat capacity of the fuel cell stack was measured during the low-temperature startup of the fuel cell system. The selection of different cryogenic strategies for the fuel cell system by adjusting the measurement results includes: Different cryogenic strategies for fuel cell systems are selected based on the adjusted heat capacity of the stack and / or the heat capacity of the components and / or the heat capacity of the coolant.

2. The method for measuring the heat capacity of a fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The measurement results also include: The heat capacity of the fuel cell stack, coolant, and components was measured when the fuel cell system was slowly cooled to below zero and started up at low temperature.

3. A heat capacity measurement device for a fuel cell system, characterized in that: include: The first purging module is used for the first cold purging of the fuel cell system. The first measurement module is used to measure the heat capacity of the fuel cell stack and coolant when the fuel cell system is rapidly cooled to below zero. The second measurement module is used to measure the stack heat capacity during the low-temperature startup of the fuel cell system. The second purging module is used for the second cold purging of the fuel cell system; The third measurement module is used to measure the heat capacity of the fuel cell stack, coolant, and components when the fuel cell system is slowly cooled to below zero and started at low temperature.

4. The heat capacity measurement device for a fuel cell system according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes an adjustment module. The adjustment module is used to adjust the size of the fuel cell stack heat capacity and / or component heat capacity and / or coolant heat capacity.

5. A computer device comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, characterized in that: When the processor executes the computer program, it implements the steps of the heat capacity measurement method for the fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1-2.

6. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of the heat capacity measurement method for the fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1-2.

Images