Flow adjustable current distribution detection device and method

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of adjustable flow current distribution detection device and method, anode side and cathode side of fuel cell are equipped with several inlet subzone passage and outlet subzone passage, the device includes the mass flow regulating valve and pressure sensor being arranged on the inlet subzone passage, pressure sensor being arranged on the outlet subzone passage, and current detection component being arranged on the cathode side.Detection method includes the following steps: S1, into the reaction gas and coolant in fuel cell;S2, record the data on mass flow regulating valve and pressure sensor, thereby obtaining the gas flow distribution of different regions on anode plate and cathode plate;S3 respectively record the current density and temperature of current detection component, obtain the current and temperature distribution of different regions on test single cell.Compared with prior art, the present application has the function of reaction gas subzone control, adjustable flow, and truly reflects the influence of reaction gas flow distribution in fuel cell on current distribution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a flow-adjustable current distribution detection device and method. Background Technology

[0002] Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), as a fourth-generation power generation method, have attracted much attention and have broad development prospects due to their advantages such as cleanliness and high efficiency. However, uneven gas distribution exists within PEMFCs, especially in single cells. Uneven distribution of reactant gas flow rates leads to uneven temperature distribution, with localized overheating on the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) causing "hot spots," reducing the lifespan of the PEMFC, and decreasing the stability and durability of the fuel cell. Simultaneously, excessive local gas flow rates can cause more generated water to be carried away during purging, reducing the water content of the PEMFC and leading to membrane drying; conversely, insufficient local gas flow rates can cause gas shortages in the electrochemical reaction, exacerbating concentration polarization and reducing output voltage. These phenomena all contribute to uneven current distribution in the fuel cell, reducing output power. Therefore, regulating the gas flow rate entering the PEMFC and improving the uniformity of gas flow distribution is crucial for improving the internal current distribution and increasing output power of the fuel cell.

[0003] However, there is currently a lack of research on the effect of adjustable gas flow distribution on the current distribution inside fuel cells. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a detection device and method to adjust the gas flow distribution in order to improve the current distribution inside fuel cells. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, such as the lack of adjustable gas flow distribution for studying the current distribution inside a fuel cell, and to provide a current distribution detection device and method with adjustable flow.

[0005] The objective of this invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] One technical solution of the present invention is to provide a flow-adjustable current distribution detection device connected to a fuel cell. The fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, an anode side and a cathode side respectively disposed on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly, and both the anode side and the cathode side are provided with a plurality of inlet partition passages and outlet partition passages. The device includes a mass flow regulating valve, a pressure sensor and a current detection component.

[0007] The mass flow rate regulation includes an anode inlet mass flow rate regulating valve located on the inlet partition passage on the anode side and a cathode inlet mass flow rate regulating valve located on the inlet partition passage on the cathode side, for regulating the mass flow rate of the reactant gas in different partitions on the anode side and the cathode side;

[0008] The pressure sensor includes an anode inlet pressure sensor located in the inlet partition passage between the anode inlet mass flow regulating valve and the fuel cell, an anode outlet pressure sensor located in the outlet partition passage on the anode side, a cathode inlet pressure sensor located in the outlet partition passage between the cathode inlet mass flow regulating valve and the fuel cell, and a cathode outlet pressure sensor located in the outlet partition passage on the cathode side, for detecting the pressure of the reactant gas in different partitions on the anode side and the cathode side;

[0009] The current detection component is located inside the cathode side and is used to detect the current density in different zones of the fuel cell.

[0010] Furthermore, the anode side includes an anode plate and an anode end plate connected in sequence to one side of the membrane electrode assembly. The inlet partition passage of the anode side includes a first anode partition disposed on the anode plate and an anode inlet disposed on the anode end plate and communicating with the first anode partition. The outlet partition passage of the anode side is disposed on a second anode partition disposed on the anode plate and an anode outlet disposed on the anode end plate and communicating with the second anode partition.

[0011] Furthermore, an anode inlet pipe is connected to the anode inlet, and the anode inlet mass flow regulating valve and the anode inlet pressure sensor are sequentially installed on the anode inlet pipe; an anode outlet pipe is connected to the anode outlet, and the anode outlet pressure sensor is installed on the anode outlet pipe.

[0012] Furthermore, the cathode side includes a cathode plate and a cathode end plate connected sequentially to the other side of the membrane electrode assembly. The inlet partition passage of the cathode side includes a second cathode partition disposed on the cathode plate and a cathode inlet disposed on the cathode end plate and communicating with the second cathode partition. The outlet partition passage of the cathode side includes a first cathode partition disposed on the cathode plate and a cathode outlet disposed on the cathode end plate and communicating with the first cathode partition.

[0013] Furthermore, a cathode inlet pipe is connected to the cathode inlet, and the cathode inlet mass flow regulating valve and the cathode inlet pressure sensor are sequentially installed on the cathode inlet pipe; a cathode outlet pipe is connected to the cathode outlet, and the cathode outlet pressure sensor is installed on the cathode outlet pipe.

[0014] Furthermore, the current detection assembly includes a circuit board disposed between the cathode plate and the cathode end plate, a plurality of copper sheets disposed on the circuit board, and a detector connected to the circuit board.

[0015] The detector's method of detecting the copper sheets on the circuit board to obtain the current in the area where the copper sheets are located is common knowledge in the art, and the detection method is not an innovation of this invention. Based on this detection principle, the detector in this invention can simultaneously detect several copper sheets on the circuit board to obtain the current distribution in different areas of the copper sheets.

[0016] Furthermore, a temperature sensor is also provided on the copper sheet.

[0017] Furthermore, one end of the circuit board is provided with a connection bump for connecting the detector.

[0018] Furthermore, the area of ​​the circuit board is the same as the area of ​​the cathode plate.

[0019] The second technical solution of the present invention provides a current distribution detection method with adjustable flow rate, which is based on the device described in the first technical solution. The detection method includes the following steps:

[0020] S1. Introduce reactant gas and coolant into the fuel cell to operate it;

[0021] S2. Record the mass flow rate of the anode inlet mass flow regulating valve, the pressure of the anode inlet pressure sensor, the pressure of the anode outlet pressure sensor, the mass flow rate of the cathode inlet mass flow regulating valve, the pressure of the cathode inlet pressure sensor, and the pressure of the cathode outlet pressure sensor, respectively, so as to obtain the gas flow distribution of different zones on the anode plate and the cathode plate.

[0022] S3. Record the current density and temperature of the current detection component respectively, calculate the uniformity index of the current density distribution based on the current density, and draw the current density distribution cloud map to obtain the current distribution and temperature distribution of different zones on the fuel cell.

[0023] Furthermore, the uniformity index is γ, and its calculation formula is:

[0024] in This represents the average current density across n different partitions.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] (1) This invention has the functions of zoned control of reactant gas and adjustable flow rate, which more realistically reflects the influence of reactant gas flow distribution on current distribution in fuel cell, and also provides an experimental comparison for simulation study on reactant gas flow distribution and current distribution in proton exchange membrane fuel cell.

[0027] (2) The current detection component in this invention is not built into the cathode plate. Therefore, the anode plate and the cathode plate can be replaced according to actual needs to detect the flow distribution of the reaction gas and the current distribution under different plate structures, thereby saving costs and simplifying the detection steps.

[0028] (3) The present invention also includes a temperature sensor, which lays the foundation for subsequent research on the influence of the flow distribution and current distribution of the reaction gas in the fuel cell on the temperature distribution.

[0029] (4) This invention does not affect the operation of the fuel cell, ensuring both the safe operation of the fuel cell and the accuracy and reliability of the collected detection data. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the device of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the structure of a single cell used in the device of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the anode plate in the device of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cathode plate in the device of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the current detection component in the device of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cathode end plate in the device of the present invention.

[0036] The diagram is labeled as follows:

[0037] 1 is the anode inlet mass flow regulating valve; 2 is the anode inlet pipe; 3 is the anode inlet pressure sensor; 4 is the anode outlet pipe; 5 is the anode outlet pressure sensor; 6 is the coolant outlet; 7 is the cathode inlet mass flow regulating valve; 8 is the cathode inlet pipe; 9 is the cathode inlet pressure sensor; 10 is the cathode outlet pressure sensor; 11 is the cathode outlet pipe; 12 is the fuel cell; 13 is the coolant inlet; 14 is the anode inlet; 15 is the anode end plate; 16 is the anode outlet; 17 is the anode plate; 17-1 is the first anode section; 17-2 is the second anode section; 18 is the membrane electrode assembly; 19 is the cathode plate; 19-1 is the first cathode section; 19-2 is the second cathode section; 20 is the current detection assembly; 21 is the cathode inlet; 22 is the cathode end plate; 23 is the cathode outlet; 24 is the anode flow field; 25 is the cathode flow field; 26 is the copper sheet. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0039] In the following embodiments, unless otherwise specified, the functional components or structures are conventional components or structures used in the art to achieve the corresponding functions.

[0040] Example 1:

[0041] like Figure 1-6 As shown, a flow-adjustable current distribution detection device is connected to the fuel cell 12, as follows. Figure 2 The fuel cell 12 includes a membrane electrode assembly 18, an anode side and a cathode side respectively disposed on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly 18. Both the anode side and the cathode side have four inlet partition passages and four outlet partition passages. The device includes a mass flow regulating valve, pressure sensors, and a current detection assembly 20. The mass flow regulating includes an anode inlet mass flow regulating valve 1 disposed on each inlet partition passage on the anode side and a cathode inlet mass flow regulating valve 7 disposed on each inlet partition passage on the cathode side, used to regulate the mass flow rate of the reactant gas in different partitions on the anode and cathode sides. The pressure sensors include an anode inlet pressure sensor 3 disposed on the inlet partition passage between the anode inlet mass flow regulating valve 1 and the fuel cell 12, an anode outlet pressure sensor 5 disposed on the outlet partition passage on the anode side, a cathode inlet pressure sensor 9 disposed on the outlet partition passage between the cathode inlet mass flow regulating valve 7 and the fuel cell 12, and a cathode outlet pressure sensor 10 disposed on the outlet partition passage on the cathode side, used to detect the pressure of the reactant gas in different partitions on the anode and cathode sides. The current detection assembly 20 is disposed on the cathode side and used to detect the current density in different partitions of the fuel cell 12.

[0042] Specifically, the anode side includes an anode plate 17 and an anode end plate 15 sequentially connected to one side of the membrane electrode assembly 18. The inlet partition passage on the anode side includes a first anode partition 17-1 disposed on the anode plate 17, and an anode inlet 14 disposed on the anode end plate 15 and communicating with the first anode partition 17-1. The outlet partition passage on the anode side includes a second anode partition 17-2 disposed on the anode plate 17, and an anode outlet 16 disposed on the anode end plate 15 and communicating with the second anode partition 17-2. An anode inlet pipe 2 is connected to the anode inlet 14, and an anode inlet mass flow regulating valve 1 and an anode inlet pressure sensor 3 are sequentially disposed on the anode inlet pipe 2. An anode outlet pipe 4 is connected to the anode outlet 16, and an anode outlet pressure sensor 5 is disposed on the anode outlet pipe 4. Figure 3 The anode plate 17 shown has a coolant inlet 13 and a coolant outlet 6 on opposite sides, and an anode flow field 24 is also provided.

[0043] The cathode side includes a cathode plate 19 and a cathode end plate 22 sequentially connected to the other side of the membrane electrode assembly 18. The inlet partition passage on the cathode side includes a second cathode partition 19-2 disposed on the cathode plate 19, and a cathode inlet 21 disposed on the cathode end plate 22 and communicating with the second cathode partition 19-2. The outlet partition passage on the cathode side includes a first cathode partition 19-1 disposed on the cathode plate 19, and a cathode outlet 23 disposed on the cathode end plate 22 and communicating with the first cathode partition 19-1. A cathode inlet pipe 8 is connected to the cathode inlet 21, and a cathode inlet mass flow regulating valve 7 and a cathode inlet pressure sensor 9 are sequentially disposed on the cathode inlet pipe 8. A cathode outlet pipe 11 is connected to the cathode outlet 23, and a cathode outlet pressure sensor 10 is disposed on the cathode outlet pipe 11. Figure 4 The cathode plate 19 shown is also provided with a cathode flow field 25.

[0044] like Figure 5 The current detection assembly 20 shown includes a circuit board disposed between the cathode plate 19 and the cathode end plate 22, thirty copper plates 26 distributed in different areas of the circuit board, and a detector connected to the circuit board. Temperature sensors for detecting the temperature of the fuel cell 12 are also provided on the copper plates 26. A connecting bump for connecting the detector is also provided at one end of the circuit board. The area of ​​the circuit board is the same as the area of ​​the cathode plate 19.

[0045] Based on the above device, a method for detecting current distribution with adjustable flow rate is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0046] S1. Introduce reaction gas and coolant into fuel cell 12 to operate fuel cell 12;

[0047] S2. Record the mass flow rate of the anode inlet mass flow regulating valve 1, denoted as Q1. an-1 ~Q1 an-N The pressure of the anode inlet pressure sensor 3 is denoted as P1. an-in-1 ~P1 an-in-N The pressure of the anode outlet pressure sensor 5 is denoted as P1. an-out-1 ~P1 an-out-N The mass flow rate of the cathode inlet mass flow regulating valve 7 is denoted as Q1. ca-1 ~Q1 ca-N The pressure at the cathode inlet pressure sensor 9 is denoted as P1. ca-in-1 ~P1 ca-in-N The pressure at the cathode outlet pressure sensor 10 is denoted as P1. ca-out-1 ~P1 ca-out-N Here, N is 4, thus obtaining the gas flow distribution of four different inlet zones and four different outlet zones on the anode plate 17 and cathode plate 19;

[0048] S3. Record the current density and temperature of the current detection component 20 respectively. The current density is denoted as I11~I1 n Temperatures are denoted as T1 to T2. n Here, n is 30. The uniformity index γ of the current density distribution is calculated based on the current density, and a current density distribution cloud map is plotted to obtain the current distribution and temperature distribution of thirty different zones on the test single cell 12.

[0049] The formula for calculating the uniformity index γ is as follows: in Let n be the average current density of n different zones, where n is 30.

[0050] (4) Based on the current density distribution cloud map and uniformity index, adjust the anode inlet mass flow regulating valve 1 so that the mass flow rate of the reactant gas in the four anode inlet pipes 2 is the same, i.e., Q2. an-1 =Q2 an-2 =Q2 an-3 =Q2 an-4 Adjust the cathode inlet mass flow regulating valve 7 to ensure that the mass flow rate of the reactant gas in the four cathode inlet pipes 8 is the same, i.e., Q2. ca-1 =Q2 ca-2 =Q2 ca-3 =Q2 ca-4 Run fuel cell 12 again and repeat steps (2) and (3).

[0051] In summary, the first anode partition 17-1 and the second anode partition 17-2 on the anode plate 17 are not limited to four, and can be any integer greater than one. The first cathode partition 19-1 and the second cathode partition 19-2 on the cathode plate 19 are not limited to four, and can be any integer greater than one. The copper sheets 26 on the current detection assembly 20 are not limited to thirty, and can be any integer greater than one.

[0052] The above description of the embodiments is provided to enable those skilled in the art to understand and use the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to these embodiments, and the general principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without inventive effort. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and any improvements and modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention should be within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow-adjustable current distribution detection device, connected to a fuel cell (12), the fuel cell (12) comprising a membrane electrode assembly (18), an anode side and a cathode side respectively disposed on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly (18), characterized in that, Both the anode side and the cathode side are provided with several inlet partition passages and outlet partition passages. The device includes a mass flow regulating valve, a pressure sensor, and a current detection component (20). The mass flow rate regulation includes an anode inlet mass flow rate regulating valve (1) located on the inlet partition passage on the anode side and a cathode inlet mass flow rate regulating valve (7) located on the inlet partition passage on the cathode side, for regulating the mass flow rate of the reaction gas in different partitions on the anode side and the cathode side; The pressure sensors include an anode inlet pressure sensor (3) located in the inlet partition passage between the anode inlet mass flow regulating valve (1) and the fuel cell (12), an anode outlet pressure sensor (5) located in the outlet partition passage on the anode side, a cathode inlet pressure sensor (9) located in the outlet partition passage between the cathode inlet mass flow regulating valve (7) and the fuel cell (12), and a cathode outlet pressure sensor (10) located in the outlet partition passage on the cathode side, for detecting the pressure of the reaction gas in different partitions on the anode side and the cathode side; The current detection component (20) is located inside the cathode side and is used to detect the current density of different zones of the fuel cell (12); The anode side includes an anode plate (17) and an anode end plate (15) connected sequentially to one side of the membrane electrode assembly (18). The inlet partition passage of the anode side includes a first anode partition (17-1) disposed on the anode plate (17) and an anode inlet (14) disposed on the anode end plate (15) and communicating with the first anode partition (17-1). The outlet partition passage of the anode side includes a second anode partition (17-2) disposed on the anode plate (17) and an anode outlet (16) disposed on the anode end plate (15) and communicating with the second anode partition (17-2). An anode inlet pipe (2) is connected to the anode inlet (14), and the anode inlet mass flow regulating valve (1) and the anode inlet pressure sensor (3) are sequentially installed on the anode inlet pipe (2); an anode outlet pipe (4) is connected to the anode outlet (16), and the anode outlet pressure sensor (5) is installed on the anode outlet pipe (4); The cathode side includes a cathode plate (19) and a cathode end plate (22) connected sequentially to the other side of the membrane electrode assembly (18). The inlet partition passage of the cathode side includes a second cathode partition (19-2) disposed on the cathode plate (19) and a cathode inlet (21) disposed on the cathode end plate (22) and communicating with the second cathode partition (19-2). The outlet partition passage of the cathode side includes a first cathode partition (19-1) disposed on the cathode plate (19) and a cathode outlet (23) disposed on the cathode end plate (22) and communicating with the first cathode partition (19-1). A cathode inlet pipe (8) is connected to the cathode inlet (21), and the cathode inlet mass flow regulating valve (7) and the cathode inlet pressure sensor (9) are sequentially arranged on the cathode inlet pipe (8); a cathode outlet pipe (11) is connected to the cathode outlet (23), and the cathode outlet pressure sensor (10) is arranged on the cathode outlet pipe (11). The current detection assembly (20) includes a circuit board disposed between the cathode plate (19) and the cathode end plate (22), a plurality of copper sheets (26) disposed on the circuit board, and a detector connected to the circuit board; A temperature sensor is also provided on the copper sheet (26).

2. The adjustable current distribution detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the circuit board is provided with a connection bump for connecting the detector.

3. The adjustable current distribution detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The area of ​​the circuit board is the same as the area of ​​the cathode plate (19).

4. A method for detecting current distribution with adjustable flow rate, based on the device as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The detection method includes the following steps: S1. Introduce reaction gas and coolant into fuel cell (12) and run fuel cell (12). S2. Record the mass flow rate of the anode inlet mass flow regulating valve (1), the pressure of the anode inlet pressure sensor (3), the pressure of the anode outlet pressure sensor (5), the mass flow rate of the cathode inlet mass flow regulating valve (7), the pressure of the cathode inlet pressure sensor (9), and the pressure of the cathode outlet pressure sensor (10) respectively, thereby obtaining the gas flow distribution of different zones on the anode plate (17) and the cathode plate (19). S3. Record the current density and temperature of the current detection component (20) respectively, calculate the uniformity index of the current density distribution based on the current density, and draw the current density distribution cloud map to obtain the current distribution and temperature distribution of different zones on the fuel cell (12).

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