A method and system for testing hydrogen content of a fuel cell

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of fuel cell hydrogen content test method and system.The method is applied to the low-pressure hydrogen control module of fuel cell, the low-pressure hydrogen control module includes hydrogen tank, hydrogen control valve, hydrogen circulating pump, electric pile anode inlet pipeline and electric pile anode outlet pipeline, electric pile anode outlet pipeline is communicated with electric pile anode inlet pipeline by hydrogen circulating pump.The above-mentioned test method includes: obtaining the content ratio of hydrogen and nitrogen in electric pile anode outlet pipeline, and is recorded as first ratio;Obtain the content ratio of hydrogen and nitrogen in electric pile anode inlet pipeline, and is recorded as second ratio;According to first ratio, second ratio and electric pile hydrogen consumption, the amount of hydrogen in electric pile anode outlet pipeline is calculated;According to the amount of hydrogen in electric pile anode outlet pipeline, the exhaust amount of electric pile anode outlet is controlled.The application can quantitatively measure the content of hydrogen in electric pile anode outlet pipeline (hydrogen circulating pipeline), and provide data support for the exhaust strategy of fuel cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cells, and in particular to a method and system for testing the hydrogen content of fuel cells. Background Technology

[0002] Different hydrogen contents can have a significant impact on the fuel cell stack reaction. In system testing, since the fuel cell stack outlet is a mixture of hydrogen, nitrogen, and water vapor, we cannot directly measure the hydrogen flow rate in the mixture. However, understanding the hydrogen content can help control the fuel cell exhaust, reduce hydrogen emissions, and improve hydrogen utilization.

[0003] In traditional methods, we cannot measure the hydrogen content in the mixed gas in the hydrogen circulation path connected to the fuel cell stack outlet. We can only try to vent the fuel cell stack based on the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen and experience, which cannot effectively control the venting volume at the fuel cell stack outlet. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method and system for testing the hydrogen content of fuel cells, so as to obtain the hydrogen content in the hydrogen circulation path at the fuel cell stack outlet.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0006] A method for testing the hydrogen content of a fuel cell is provided. The method is applied to a low-pressure hydrogen control module of a fuel cell. The low-pressure hydrogen control module includes a hydrogen tank, a hydrogen control valve, a hydrogen circulation pump, a stack anode inlet pipe, and a stack anode outlet pipe. The hydrogen tank is connected to the stack anode inlet pipe through the hydrogen control valve, and the stack anode outlet pipe is connected to the stack anode inlet pipe through the hydrogen circulation pump.

[0007] The method for testing the hydrogen content of the fuel cell includes:

[0008] The ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack is obtained and recorded as the first ratio. The first ratio is obtained by measuring a gas composition detector connected to the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack.

[0009] The ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack is obtained and recorded as the second ratio. The second ratio is obtained by measuring a gas composition detector connected to the anode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack.

[0010] Calculate hydrogen consumption based on the reactor power of the fuel cell stack.

[0011] The amount of hydrogen in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack is calculated based on the first ratio, the second ratio, and the hydrogen consumption.

[0012] The exhaust volume at the anode outlet of the fuel cell stack is controlled based on the amount of hydrogen in the anode outlet pipeline.

[0013] Optionally, calculating the amount of hydrogen in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack based on the first ratio, the second ratio, and the hydrogen consumption specifically includes:

[0014] according to Calculate the amount of hydrogen M1 in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack, where the amount of hydrogen M2 is in the anode inlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack, α represents the first ratio, β represents the second ratio, and M3 represents the amount of hydrogen consumed.

[0015] Optionally, before obtaining the first ratio, the following steps are also included:

[0016] The ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack was measured using a gas composition analyzer.

[0017] Optionally, before obtaining the second ratio, the following steps are also included:

[0018] The ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack was measured using a gas composition analyzer.

[0019] The present invention also provides a fuel cell hydrogen content testing system, which is applied to the low-pressure hydrogen control module of a fuel cell. The low-pressure hydrogen control module includes a hydrogen tank, a hydrogen control valve, a hydrogen circulation pump, a stack anode inlet pipeline, and a stack anode outlet pipeline. The hydrogen tank is connected to the stack anode inlet pipeline through the hydrogen control valve, and the stack anode outlet pipeline is connected to the stack anode inlet pipeline through the hydrogen circulation pump.

[0020] The fuel cell hydrogen content testing system includes:

[0021] The data acquisition module is used for:

[0022] The ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack is obtained and recorded as the first ratio. The first ratio is obtained by measuring a gas composition detector connected to the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack.

[0023] The ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack is obtained and recorded as the second ratio. The second ratio is obtained by measuring a gas composition detector connected to the anode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack.

[0024] The hydrogen consumption calculation module is used to calculate hydrogen consumption based on the reactor stack's reaction power.

[0025] The circulating hydrogen quantity calculation module is used to calculate the amount of hydrogen in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack based on the first ratio, the second ratio, and the hydrogen consumption.

[0026] The exhaust volume control module is used to control the exhaust volume at the anode outlet of the fuel cell stack based on the amount of hydrogen in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack.

[0027] Optionally, the circulating hydrogen quantity calculation module specifically includes:

[0028] The circulating hydrogen quantity calculation unit is used to calculate based on... Calculate the amount of hydrogen M1 in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack, where the amount of hydrogen M2 is in the anode inlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack, α represents the first ratio, β represents the second ratio, and M3 represents the amount of hydrogen consumed.

[0029] Optionally, the system further includes:

[0030] The first measurement module is used to measure the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack using a gas composition detector.

[0031] Optionally, the system further includes:

[0032] The second measurement module is used to measure the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack using a gas composition detector.

[0033] According to specific embodiments of the present invention, the following technical effects are disclosed: Based on the hydrogen consumption (calculated from the fuel cell stack reaction power), the hydrogen to nitrogen content ratio in the fuel cell stack anode outlet pipeline (hydrogen circulation pipeline), and the hydrogen to nitrogen content ratio in the fuel cell stack anode inlet pipeline, the amount of hydrogen in the fuel cell stack anode outlet pipeline (hydrogen circulation pipeline) is calculated, thus achieving quantitative measurement of hydrogen in the hydrogen circulation pipeline. Furthermore, the amount of dry hydrogen introduced can be controlled based on the amount of hydrogen in the hydrogen circulation pipeline and the amount of hydrogen consumed by the fuel cell stack reaction. Similarly, the fuel cell stack exhaust volume can be precisely controlled to improve hydrogen utilization. Attached Figure Description

[0034] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the low-pressure hydrogen control module in a fuel cell.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the fuel cell hydrogen content testing method provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fuel cell hydrogen content testing system provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0038] 1. Hydrogen tank; 2. Hydrogen control valve; 3. Fuel cell stack; 4. Hydrogen circulation pump; 5. Fuel cell stack anode inlet pipe; 6. Fuel cell stack anode outlet pipe; 7. Fuel cell stack anode exhaust channel. Detailed Implementation

[0039] 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, and 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.

[0040] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method and system for testing the hydrogen content of fuel cells, so as to obtain the hydrogen content in the hydrogen circulation path at the fuel cell stack outlet.

[0041] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] This embodiment provides a method for testing the hydrogen content of a fuel cell, which is applied to the low-pressure hydrogen control module of a fuel cell.

[0044] See Figure 1 The low-pressure hydrogen control module includes a hydrogen tank 1, a hydrogen control valve 2, a hydrogen circulation pump 4, a fuel cell stack anode inlet pipe 5, a fuel cell stack anode outlet pipe 6, and a fuel cell stack anode exhaust channel 7. The hydrogen tank 1 is connected to the fuel cell stack anode inlet pipe 5 through the hydrogen control valve 2, and the fuel cell stack anode outlet pipe 5 is connected to the fuel cell stack anode inlet pipe 5 through the hydrogen circulation pump 4.

[0045] See Figure 2 The fuel cell hydrogen content testing method provided in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0046] Step 101: Obtain the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode outlet pipe 6 of the fuel cell stack, and record it as the first ratio. The first ratio is obtained by measuring the gas composition detector connected to the anode outlet pipe 6 of the fuel cell stack.

[0047] Step 102: Obtain the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode inlet pipe 5 of the fuel cell stack, and record it as the second ratio. The second ratio is obtained by measuring the gas composition detector connected to the anode inlet pipe 5 of the fuel cell stack.

[0048] Step 103: Calculate hydrogen consumption based on the reactor stack's reaction power;

[0049] Step 104: Calculate the amount of hydrogen in the anode outlet pipe 6 of the fuel cell stack based on the first ratio, the second ratio, and the amount of hydrogen consumed;

[0050] Step 105: Control the exhaust volume at the anode outlet of the fuel cell stack according to the amount of hydrogen in the anode outlet pipeline 6.

[0051] Hydrogen gas enters the fuel cell stack 3 from hydrogen tank 1 via hydrogen control valve 2. After the fuel cell reaction in stack 3, some of the reacted gases and hydrogen are discharged from stack 3 and exited from the fuel cell system through stack anode exhaust channel 7. More gas enters stack anode outlet pipe 6 and enters stack anode inlet pipe 5 through hydrogen circulation pump 4. After mixing with hydrogen from hydrogen tank 1, it re-enters the fuel cell stack. During this process, we can use a gas composition detector connected to the anode outlet pipe 6 and the anode inlet pipe 5 of the fuel cell stack to test the hydrogen volume content (amount of substance) at both locations. The amount of nitrogen remains constant from the anode outlet pipe 6 to the anode inlet pipe 5. Furthermore, the hydrogen mass flow rate from the hydrogen tank 1 into the anode inlet pipe 5 can be calculated. By derivation, the amount of hydrogen in the anode outlet pipe 6 and the anode inlet pipe 5 can be calculated using the amount of nitrogen. The difference in the amount of hydrogen in the two pipes is the hydrogen mass flow rate provided by the hydrogen tank 1. Therefore, the mass flow rates of hydrogen and nitrogen in the anode outlet pipe 6 and the anode inlet pipe 5 can be calculated.

[0052] In this embodiment, step 104 is specifically implemented in the following way:

[0053] according to Calculate the amount of hydrogen M1 in the anode outlet pipe 6 of the fuel cell stack, where the amount of hydrogen M2 in the anode inlet pipe 5 of the fuel cell stack, α represents the first ratio, β represents the second ratio, and M3 represents the amount of hydrogen consumed, i.e., the amount of hydrogen substance passing through the hydrogen control valve 2.

[0054] α and β can be measured by a gas composition detector, and M3 can be calculated by the hydrogen consumption at the power of the fuel cell reactor. Thus, the values ​​of M1 and M2 can be obtained.

[0055] In one example, prior to steps 101 and 102, a step of measuring the hydrogen to nitrogen content ratio may also be included, namely:

[0056] The hydrogen to nitrogen content ratio in the anode outlet pipe 6 of the fuel cell stack was measured using a gas composition analyzer. The hydrogen to nitrogen content ratio in the anode inlet pipe 5 of the fuel cell stack was also measured using a gas composition analyzer.

[0057] Traditional methods cannot test the hydrogen content in the hydrogen recirculation path, lacking actual data support and failing to accurately match hydrogen exhaust strategies. They rely on exploratory testing through system trials to calibrate hydrogen software, requiring significant time and effort for verification testing. In contrast, this invention accurately measures the hydrogen content in the hydrogen recirculation path, allowing for more targeted testing and calibration, thus enabling better optimization of fuel cell hydrogen emission control strategies. For example, the amount of dry hydrogen introduced can be controlled based on the amount of hydrogen in the recirculation pipeline and the amount of hydrogen consumed by the fuel cell stack reaction. Similarly, this allows for precise control of the fuel cell stack's exhaust volume, improving hydrogen utilization.

[0058] Example 2

[0059] This embodiment provides a fuel cell hydrogen content testing system, which is applied to the low-pressure hydrogen control module of a fuel cell. See also... Figure 1 The low-pressure hydrogen control module includes a hydrogen tank, a hydrogen control valve, a hydrogen circulation pump, a fuel cell stack anode inlet pipeline, and a fuel cell stack anode outlet pipeline. The hydrogen tank is connected to the fuel cell stack anode inlet pipeline through the hydrogen control valve, and the fuel cell stack anode outlet pipeline is connected to the fuel cell stack anode inlet pipeline through the hydrogen circulation pump.

[0060] See Figure 3 The fuel cell hydrogen content testing system includes: a data acquisition module, a hydrogen consumption calculation module, a cycle hydrogen volume calculation module, and an exhaust volume control module.

[0061] The data acquisition module 201 is used to: acquire the hydrogen to nitrogen content ratio (first ratio) in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack and acquire the hydrogen to nitrogen content ratio (second ratio) in the anode inlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack. The first ratio is obtained by measuring a gas composition detector connected to the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack, and the second ratio is obtained by measuring a gas composition detector connected to the anode inlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack.

[0062] The hydrogen consumption calculation module 202 is used to calculate the hydrogen consumption based on the reactor stack reaction power.

[0063] The circulating hydrogen quantity calculation module 203 is used to calculate the amount of hydrogen in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack based on the first ratio, the second ratio, and the hydrogen consumption.

[0064] The exhaust volume control module 204 is used to control the exhaust volume at the anode outlet of the fuel cell stack based on the amount of hydrogen in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack.

[0065] The circulating hydrogen quantity calculation module 203 specifically includes:

[0066] The circulating hydrogen quantity calculation unit is used to calculate based on Calculate the amount of hydrogen M1 in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack, where the amount of hydrogen M2 is in the anode inlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack, α represents the first ratio, β represents the second ratio, and M3 represents the amount of hydrogen consumed.

[0067] In one example, the fuel cell hydrogen content testing system may also include: a first measurement module and a second measurement module.

[0068] The first measurement module is used to measure the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack using a gas composition detector.

[0069] The second measurement module is used to measure the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack using a gas composition detector.

[0070] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. For the systems disclosed in the embodiments, since they correspond to the methods disclosed in the embodiments, the descriptions are relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the method section.

[0071] This document uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for testing the hydrogen content of a fuel cell, characterized in that, The fuel cell hydrogen content testing method is applied to the low-pressure hydrogen control module of the fuel cell. The low-pressure hydrogen control module includes a hydrogen tank, a hydrogen control valve, a hydrogen circulation pump, a stack anode inlet pipeline, and a stack anode outlet pipeline. The hydrogen tank is connected to the stack anode inlet pipeline through the hydrogen control valve, and the stack anode outlet pipeline is connected to the stack anode inlet pipeline through the hydrogen circulation pump. The method for testing the hydrogen content of the fuel cell includes: The ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack is obtained and recorded as the first ratio. The first ratio is obtained by measuring a gas composition detector connected to the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack. The ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack is obtained and recorded as the second ratio. The second ratio is obtained by measuring a gas composition detector connected to the anode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack. Calculate hydrogen consumption based on the reactor power of the fuel cell stack. Based on the first ratio, the second ratio, and the hydrogen consumption, the amount of hydrogen in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack is calculated, specifically including: according to Calculate the amount of hydrogen in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack. ,in, This indicates the amount of nitrogen in the anode outlet pipe of the fuel cell stack. This represents the first ratio. This represents the second ratio. This indicates the amount of hydrogen consumed; The exhaust volume at the anode outlet of the fuel cell stack is controlled based on the amount of hydrogen in the anode outlet pipeline.

2. The method for testing hydrogen content in a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before obtaining the first ratio, the following steps are also included: The ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack was measured using a gas composition analyzer.

3. The method for testing hydrogen content in a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before obtaining the second ratio, the following steps are also included: The ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack was measured using a gas composition analyzer.

4. A fuel cell hydrogen content testing system, characterized in that, The fuel cell hydrogen content testing system is applied to the low-pressure hydrogen control module of the fuel cell. The low-pressure hydrogen control module includes a hydrogen tank, a hydrogen control valve, a hydrogen circulation pump, a stack anode inlet pipeline, and a stack anode outlet pipeline. The hydrogen tank is connected to the stack anode inlet pipeline through the hydrogen control valve, and the stack anode outlet pipeline is connected to the stack anode inlet pipeline through the hydrogen circulation pump. The fuel cell hydrogen content testing system includes: The data acquisition module is used for: The ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack is obtained and recorded as the first ratio. The first ratio is obtained by measuring a gas composition detector connected to the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack. The ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack is obtained and recorded as the second ratio. The second ratio is obtained by measuring a gas composition detector connected to the anode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack. The hydrogen consumption calculation module is used to calculate hydrogen consumption based on the reactor stack's reaction power. The circulating hydrogen quantity calculation module is used to calculate the amount of hydrogen in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack based on the first ratio, the second ratio, and the hydrogen consumption, specifically including: The circulating hydrogen quantity calculation unit is used to calculate based on... Calculate the amount of hydrogen in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack. ,in, This indicates the amount of nitrogen in the anode outlet pipe of the fuel cell stack. This represents the first ratio. This represents the second ratio. This indicates the amount of hydrogen consumed; The exhaust volume control module is used to control the exhaust volume at the anode outlet of the fuel cell stack based on the amount of hydrogen in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack.

5. The fuel cell hydrogen content testing system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The system also includes: The first measurement module is used to measure the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack using a gas composition detector.

6. The fuel cell hydrogen content testing system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The system also includes: The second measurement module is used to measure the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen content in the anode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack using a gas composition detector.

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