Method for refueling a fuel cell system and fuel cell system composite structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for refueling a fuel cell system (Sys A, Sys B) and to a fuel cell system complex (10), which fuel system is operated in a complex (10) of a plurality of fuel cell systems (Sys A, Sys B). According to the invention a method is given, by which a load (100), which is operated from the complex (10), can continue to be operated during the execution of refueling on a tank device (20), which tank device is assigned to a fuel cell (FC 1, FC 2) of the fuel cell system (Sys A, Sys B).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for refueling a fuel cell system operating in a composite structure of multiple fuel cell systems, through which energy is supplied to at least one load. Each fuel cell system has at least one fuel cell, and the fuel cell system has multiple tank assemblies from which fuel is supplied to the fuel cells. Each tank assembly may be equipped with at least one fuel cell, and the fuel cell system has a control device by means of which the operation of the fuel cells and the tank assemblies is monitored and controlled. The invention also relates to a composite structure of a fuel cell system comprising multiple fuel cell systems, each having at least one fuel cell, arranged to supply energy to at least one load. Background Technology

[0002] Fuel cells, or fuel cell systems, are now being promoted and used. In the automotive field, this applies not only to their drive units but also to different compartments that require electrical power (such as cargo cooling).

[0003] In a fuel cell, an electric current is generated by a chemical reaction. Here, fuel and oxidant are converted into electrical energy and water as a reaction product. The fuel cell essentially consists of an anode, a membrane, and a cathode. Electrons released during the chemical reaction can be conducted as an electric current through a consumer (such as an electric motor in a car).

[0004] Such fuel cell systems can be found, for example, in DE10028331C2.

[0005] In other technological fields, such as fuel cells or fuel cell systems in server farms, their power can also be used for cooling tasks, and in shipping, auxiliary units for cruise ships or container ships can be considered.

[0006] If we consider a fuel cell system (such as one used in a vehicle), the system needs to be shut down during refueling for safety reasons. This means that the fuel cell system is not allowed or unable to output electrical power during refueling. However, in contrast, it should be ensured that the fuel cell system is supplied with electrical power during refueling to provide the necessary functions (such as monitoring the H2 concentration within the system), typically using batteries present in the vehicle, which are sometimes necessary or even decided upon for this purpose. In other configurations, the supply can also be ensured, for example, through the refueling station itself. The two variations mentioned here increase the cost of maintaining the supply equipment and its management and maintenance. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Advantageously, the present invention provides a method for refueling a fuel cell system and a composite structure for the fuel cell system, wherein the method enables the fuel supply to the fuel cell-assigned tank unit at low cost, while ensuring uninterrupted operation of the load operated by the fuel cell system.

[0008] According to the present invention, these advantages are achieved by a method having the features of the present invention.

[0009] Therefore, the idea behind this invention is to perform the following steps in the method of the type mentioned at the beginning:

[0010] a) The control device identifies the need for refueling at least one of the tank units based on sensor signals or predetermined values ​​of parameters;

[0011] b) Separate the power output of the fuel cell system from the composite structure of the fuel cell system: the fuel cell or fuel cell equipped with a tank for refueling belongs to the fuel cell system;

[0012] c) Refueling of the relevant tank unit is performed while the fuel cell system is operating through the remaining composite structure;

[0013] d) End the refueling process at the relevant refueling device;

[0014] e) Reconnect the previously separate fuel cell systems to the fuel cell system composite structure.

[0015] Accordingly, in the method according to the invention, during ongoing operation, i.e., during the operation of at least one load, the tank unit associated with the fuel cell system is continuously queried regarding its fill level, or continuously requested corresponding, continuously updated sensor signals from at least one sensor. When the consumption of the corresponding load is known and remains constant, the need to refuel the tank unit can also be simply generated by the expiration of a certain period. The control device can identify the need for refueling based on the parameters it is provided with. For example, this may also occur when a longer operation is planned for the load to be supplied, making refueling during this period inappropriate or impossible. In a subsequent step, the power output of the fuel cell system is separated from the composite structure of the fuel cell system: the fuel cell system has a fuel cell (fueled by the tank unit to be refueled), i.e., the tank unit to be refueled is associated with the fuel cell. Here, it is known that the relevant fuel cell system can have at least one fuel cell, but it can also have multiple fuel cells. Here, it is important to separate the power output of the corresponding fuel cell system, which has one or more fuel cells, from the power output of the composite structure. It is also conceivable, for example, that due to prevailing safety requirements, the corresponding fuel cell system used for the refueling process is completely shut down. In the next step, refueling is performed on the relevant tank unit, which is associated with the fuel cell system or its fuel cells that are separate from the power output on the load. The load continues to operate by the remaining composite structure of the fuel cell system, i.e., continues to be supplied with electrical energy (power). After the refueling process on the relevant tank unit is completed, in another step, the fuel cell system separated from the composite structure of the fuel cell system is reconnected to it.

[0016] The following description outlines advantageous configurations and modifications of the invention.

[0017] An advantageous variation of the method according to the invention for a tank unit used to continuously ensure adequate refueling can exist in the following method steps: in which the previously listed method steps are re-run under the following conditions, in the first step of these steps, the need for refueling of one of the tank units is re-identified. Here, in principle, this can apply to each tank unit in the composite structure of the fuel cell system. That is, from the perspective of the control device, it is advantageously and continuously inquired whether a refueling process is required in one of the tank units, so that the necessary measures can be introduced in a timely manner from the perspective of the system. This, for example, leads to the automatic sequential refueling of all tank units in the composite structure of the fuel cell system, or the simultaneous refueling of multiple tank units according to a pre-given pattern or scheme, or arbitrarily cumulatively, as long as the required power output is ensured simultaneously.

[0018] In a preferred extension of the method according to the invention, electrical power is continuously generated from the composite structure of the fuel cell system during the execution of the above-mentioned method steps and supplied to at least one load, thereby enabling the latter to operate in an uninterrupted, continuous manner.

[0019] In another advantageous variation of the method according to the invention (which is independent of any energy source that may be supplied externally), the functional devices of the fuel cell system and / or refueling station (associated with the refueling tank) can be supplied, in particular, by the electrical power provided by the composite structure of the fuel cell system during refueling. The functions to be covered by the aforementioned functional devices can involve, for example, monitoring of the H2 concentration within the corresponding fuel cell system, thereby eliminating the need for the batteries originally installed for this purpose. Furthermore, other, in principle arbitrary, electrically operated functional devices are also conceivable. Furthermore, it is also possible to supply / operate, by providing the electrical power, the corresponding refueling station that guides fuel to the tank.

[0020] A continuous supply of electrical power is ensured by means of another advantageous variation of the method according to the invention, in which at least one fuel cell system is not refueled during refueling of the tank assembly. Here, the task of the control device is to monitor the composite structure of the fuel cell system such that the power output of at least one fuel cell system in the composite structure of the fuel cell system is sustained, thereby ensuring a continuous power supply.

[0021] Also advantageously, the present invention provides a composite structure of the type of fuel cell system mentioned at the outset, in which a control device for refueling at least one fueling unit in the tank unit electrically separates and shuts off the fuel cell system associated with the tank unit from the composite structure of the fuel cell system if necessary, while at least a portion of the remaining fuel cell system as the remaining composite structure adequately supplies energy to the load.

[0022] In an advantageous configuration of the composite structure of the fuel cell system according to the invention, the housing units are respectively assigned to the fuel cell system consisting of at least two fuel cells. Even though the corresponding fuel cell system could theoretically be configured with only one fuel cell, it is practical to provide at least two fuel cells for this purpose in order to improve reliability.

[0023] A preferred embodiment of the composite structure of the fuel cell system according to the invention can be configured and arranged such that each fuel cell in the housing is assigned the same number of fuel cells. In this way, for example, a fuel cell system can be arranged with two fuel cells, which share a housing, and the composite structure is constructed from a large number of these fuel cell systems. The arrangement of the composite structure with multiple identical fuel cell systems promotes its scalability, which in turn improves the reliability of the entire system (composite structure).

[0024] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the composite structure of the fuel cell system according to the invention, it can be configured and arranged such that, depending on the intended use, one fuel cell system in the composite structure is sufficient to adequately supply the load. High reliability can be achieved in this configuration, coupled with the feasibility of simultaneously refueling the remaining fuel cells not associated with this fuel cell system.

[0025] In another advantageous embodiment of the fuel cell composite structure, the composite structure is configured and arranged to include a sensor device that detects and signals the presence of at least one fill level, at least one concentration, separation of the fuel cell system from the composite structure or its shutdown, or at least refueling of the tank units. That is, the sensor device, typically associated with a control device, is essentially configured to provide the control device with information that may be important for the refueling process of at least one of the tank units. As mentioned, this can relate to fill level or concentration information, which can be significant in determining refueling needs or for safety reasons. It can also relate to information related to the refueling process of at least one of the tank units, i.e., whether the relevant tank unit is as intended separated from the fuel cell system composite structure, or whether the refueling process is currently underway or has just ended. For example, this can be important for efficiently performing refueling of all tank units within the fuel cell system composite structure.

[0026] That is, by means of the previously described method according to the invention and the composite structure of the fuel cell system according to the invention, it is possible to supply the corresponding fuel to the tank unit associated with the fuel cell at low cost, while ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the load operated by the fuel cell system. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The following are shown in part, highly schematic diagrams:

[0028] Figure 1A simplified diagram of the composite structure of a fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell and a housing unit associated with the fuel cell;

[0029] Figure 2 A simplified diagram showing the method steps for performing the method according to the invention; and

[0030] Figure 3 Used to visually illustrate the situation from Figure 1 A simplified diagram of the refueling process on the tank unit, as from... Figure 2 The method part. Detailed Implementation

[0031] In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or functionally identical parts, unless otherwise stated.

[0032] exist Figure 1 According to an embodiment of the invention, the composite structure of fuel cell systems Sys A and Sys B, generally indicated by 10, is shown, wherein the two fuel cell systems Sys A and Sys B are arranged side by side but spaced apart from each other. Each of the two fuel cell systems Sys A and Sys B is equipped with a housing unit 20, each housing unit having a housing y (y = A, B) with an associated consumer BoP y, which in turn supplies fuel to its associated fuel cell FC x (x = 1, 2, 3, 4) having an associated consumer BoP x. The consumer BoP x can be, for example, a functional device of the fuel cell, which is associated with the fuel cell. It is readily apparent here that each fuel cell system Sys A and Sys B is equipped with two fuel cells FC x, which are supplied by the same housing unit 20; that is, for example, FC 1 and FC 2 are supplied by the housing unit 20 with housing A, while FC 3 and FC 4 are supplied by the housing unit 20 with housing B. Therefore, in this configuration, when the fuel cell systems Sys A and Sys B to be refueled are separated from the composite structure 10, the corresponding other fuel cell systems Sys B and Sys A, as the remaining composite structure 10, independently and fully bear the power supply to the load 100, while the fuel cell systems Sys A and Sys B to be refueled are separated from the power output to the load 100. That is, Figure 1The diagram shows a fuel cell system FC x with its corresponding consumer BoP x and a housing assemblies 20 having corresponding tanks y (along with their corresponding consumer BoP y). If fuel is added to the housing assembly 20 with tank A, the fuel cell system Sys A can be disconnected or shut off. That is, FC 1 and FC 2 can be shut off at this time. During refueling of fuel cell system Sys A, fuel cell system Sys B can continue to supply power to the load 100 as the remaining undisconnected portion of the combined structure 10 of fuel cell systems Sys A and Sys B.

[0033] at last, Figure 1 High-voltage battery 70 is also shown, which can be used to operate the corresponding separate fuel cell systems Sys A and Sys B (with fuel cell FC x that can be shut down when necessary) and their consumer BoP x. Of course, battery 70 can also be omitted, since the required power is provided by the corresponding separate, non-separate fuel cell systems B and A.

[0034] exist Figure 2 A simplified diagram is shown, intuitively illustrating the method according to the invention for refueling fuel cell systems Sys A and Sys B, which operate in a composite structure 10 of multiple fuel cell systems Sys A and Sys B, through which electrical energy is supplied to at least one load 100. Here, in step S1, a control device 50 (not shown further) identifies the need for refueling at least one of the tank units 20 based on predetermined values ​​of sensor signals or parameters. In step S2, the following fuel cell system A of the composite structure 10 of fuel cell systems Sys A and Sys B is separated from the power output: fuel cells FC 1 and FC 2, equipped with refueling tanks 20 (with corresponding tanks A), belong to fuel cell system A; when the load 100 is running through fuel cell system Sys B (as the remaining composite structure 10 of the fuel cell system), refueling of the corresponding tank 20 is performed in step S3; in step S4, the refueling process of the relevant tank 20 is ended, and accordingly, in step S5, the previously separated fuel cell system Sys A is reconnected to the fuel cell system composite structure 10. The dashed line indicates that after step S5, the process of recognizing the need for refueling is retried.

[0035] This also applies to the following situation: denying the existence of a need for the current moment in S1.

[0036] exist Figure 3 A schematic diagram can be seen, which further illustrates in more detail and visually the variation (used from...) Figure 1 (The composite structure of the fuel cell) comes from Figure 2In steps S2 to S5, in this variant, all tank units are refueled sequentially. For example, by means of a sensor device 60 (not shown in more detail in the diagram) and a control device 50 (also not shown in more detail), continuous scanning and signal notification as a result of step S1 indicate that tank unit 20 with tank A should be refueled first (as...). Figure 2 (Result of step S1). In step S21, the power output of fuel cell system A is separated from the composite structure 10, and in step S22, fuel cells FC 1 and FC 2 are turned off. In step S31, while the load 100 is maintained through the power output of another fuel cell system B in the composite structure 10, refueling is performed in step S32 by disconnecting the connection between tank A and a refueling station device (not shown). After the refueling process in step S41 is completed, in step S42, the previously disconnected connection to tank A is stopped again, so that in step S51, fuel cells FC 1 and FC 2 are first reconnected if necessary, so that in step S52, fuel cell system Sys A is reconnected to the composite structure 10 of fuel cell systems Sys A and Sys B. When tank Sys B of tank device 20 of fuel cell system B also needs refueling, the same process is performed with the other devices of the composite structure 10.

[0037] That is, if multiple fuel cell systems Sys A and Sys B operate in a composite structure 10, then during refueling, for example, one of the fuel cell systems Sys A and Sys B (which is part of the composite structure 10) with hydrogen, continuous operation and continuous generation of electrical power are possible. Therefore, batteries can be eliminated during refueling. Even the refueling station itself can be supplied with electrical power. In the example mentioned at the beginning, continuous power generation and the resulting continuous operation of the relevant load can, for example, mean that in the case of a vehicle, the vehicle can continue to drive during refueling, the vehicle compartment (e.g., cargo cooling) can continue to operate, in a server yard supplied by a fuel cell system, the composite structure of the fuel cell system can ensure reliability during refueling, and also, cruise ships or container ships in ports can continue to operate during refueling.

[0038] Although the invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited thereto and can be modified in a variety of ways.

Claims

1. A method for refueling a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system is operated in the form of a composite structure (10) of multiple fuel cell systems, and at least one load (100) is supplied with electrical power through the composite structure (10), wherein, The fuel cell system has at least one fuel cell (FC x) and a plurality of tank units (20) through which fuel is supplied to the fuel cells (FC x). Each of the tank units (20) is equipped with or has been equipped with at least one of the fuel cells (FC x). The fuel cell system has a control device (50) by means of which the operation of the fuel cells (FC x) and the tank units (20) is monitored and controlled. The method has the following steps: a) The control device (50) identifies the need for refueling at least one of the tank devices (20) based on a predetermined value of a sensor signal or parameter (S1). b) Separate the power output of the fuel cell system from the composite structure (10) of the fuel cell system: the fuel cell (FC x) equipped with the tank device (20) to be refueled belongs to the fuel cell system (S2). c) Refueling (S3) of the relevant corresponding tank unit (20) is performed while the load (100) is being operated through the remaining composite structure (10) of the fuel cell system. d) End the refueling process of the relevant tank device (20) (S4); e) Reconnect the previously separate fuel cell system with the fuel cell system composite structure (10) (S5).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, It has additional steps: f) If a need to refuel another tank unit (20) is identified when step a) is re-executed, then steps a) through e) are re-executed.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, During the implementation of steps a)-e), electrical power is continuously generated and supplied through the composite structure (10) of the fuel cell system.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein, During the implementation of steps a)-f), electrical power is continuously generated and supplied through the composite structure (10) of the fuel cell system.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The electrical power provided by the composite structure (10) of the fuel cell system during refueling is also supplied to the functional devices (BoP x) of the fuel cell system and / or the refueling station associated with the refueling tank unit (20).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, At least one fuel cell system is not refueled during refueling of the tank unit (20).

7. A fuel cell system composite structure (10) having a plurality of fuel cell systems, each having at least one fuel cell (FC x), the fuel cell system composite structure being configured and arranged to supply electrical power to at least one load (100), the fuel cell system composite structure having a plurality of tank units (20) that supply fuel to the fuel cells (FC x), wherein, Each of the housing units (20) can be equipped with or has been equipped with at least one of the fuel cells (FC x), and the fuel cell system composite structure has a control device (50) that monitors and controls the operation of the fuel cell system and the housing units (20), wherein, when fueling at least one of the housing units (20), the control device (50) electrically separates the fuel cell (FC x) of the relevant fuel cell system associated with the at least one housing unit from the fuel cell system composite structure (10), while at least a portion of the remaining fuel cell systems, as the remaining composite structure, supplies the load with sufficient electrical power.

8. The fuel cell system composite structure (10) according to claim 7, wherein, Each of the box units (20) is assigned to a fuel cell system consisting of at least two fuel cells (FC x).

9. The fuel cell system composite structure (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, Each of the box units (20) is associated with the same number of fuel cells (FC x).

10. The fuel cell system composite structure (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, Each fuel cell system in the fuel cell system of the fuel cell system composite structure (10) is configured and constructed such that each fuel cell system is sufficient to individually and adequately supply the load (100).

11. The fuel cell system composite structure (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The fuel cell system composite structure (10) is configured and arranged to have a sensor device (60) that detects and signals at least one fill level, at least one concentration, separation of the fuel cell system from the composite structure (10), or the shutdown of the fuel cell system or the presence of fueling in the tank device (20).

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