A fuel cell hot air cleaning maintenance system

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical fields of fuel cell power generation and maintenance, and particularly relates to a kind of fuel cell hot air cleaning maintenance system, including working pump, electrolyte tank, fuel cell reaction electric pile, tee joint, one-way control valve and cleaning maintenance device;Tee joint includes first joint, second joint and third joint, and first joint and second joint are arranged on the pipeline between working pump and fuel cell reaction electric pile;Third joint is connected with one-way control valve;One-way control valve is connected with cleaning maintenance device by pipeline;Cleaning maintenance device includes controller, temperature sensor, heating module and wind power control unit;Controller is electrically connected with temperature sensor, heating module, wind power control unit and one-way control valve respectively.This scheme can solve the problem that additional auxiliary pipeline is needed to realize the maintenance and cleaning function of fuel cell in the prior art, reduce the difficulty of cleaning and maintenance, and improve the efficiency of cleaning and maintenance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell power generation and maintenance technology, and specifically to a fuel cell hot air cleaning and maintenance system. Background Technology

[0002] Metal-air fuel cells are batteries that can directly convert the chemical energy formed by the chemical reaction of metals through an electrolyte into electrical energy. They have advantages such as low cost, environmental friendliness, and the ability to achieve sustainable output by replacing metal electrodes, and have attracted much attention in fields such as new energy vehicles, backup power, islanded power, and civilian products.

[0003] The power generation process of metal-air fuel cells, such as aluminum-air fuel cells, mainly involves injecting electrolyte into the fuel cell stack through an electrolyte circulation device. Inside the stack, the electrolyte reacts chemically with the aluminum anode and air electrode to generate electrical energy. The electrolyte carries the reaction products out of the stack with the electrolyte flow, and the electrolyte circulation device enables continuous circulation and reaction between the electrolyte and the inside of the stack until the aluminum anode is consumed.

[0004] If the battery is not cleaned and maintained in a timely manner after discharge or use, the residual liquid on the inner surface of the fuel cell air electrode will lose water and form solid residue. The formation of solid residue will affect the performance of the second use and damage the air electrode membrane, thus affecting the battery's lifespan. Therefore, the maintenance process of fuel cells is equally important.

[0005] Currently, the power generation and maintenance processes in aluminum-air fuel cell systems are two relatively independent management units. The power generation process primarily outputs electrical energy to meet electricity demand; the maintenance process involves servicing and maintaining the fuel cell stack after power generation to improve battery life and subsequent power generation performance. The maintenance process is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the cleaning and maintenance of the fuel cell stack is mainly carried out by traditional pumps and cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid tank. In order to achieve the above purpose, additional auxiliary pipelines are required. This will significantly affect the volume and weight of the entire aluminum-air fuel cell due to the addition of two management units for power generation and maintenance. In addition to the liquid tanks required for liquid storage in the power generation and maintenance management units, the repetition, mutual isolation and control of the power device and pipelines for liquid circulation are also indispensable, thereby reducing the energy density of the fuel cell and increasing the difficulty, development cost and production cost of the system. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a fuel cell hot air cleaning and maintenance system that can solve the problem that the existing technology requires additional auxiliary pipelines to realize the maintenance and cleaning function of fuel cells, reduce the difficulty of cleaning and maintenance, and improve the efficiency of cleaning and maintenance.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a fuel cell hot air cleaning and maintenance system, comprising a working pump, an electrolyte tank, a fuel cell reactor stack, a three-way connector, a one-way control valve, and a cleaning and maintenance device;

[0008] The working pump, fuel cell stack, and electrolyte tank are circulated and connected through pipelines; the three-way connector includes a first connector, a second connector, and a third connector, with the first and second connectors located on the pipeline between the working pump and the fuel cell stack; the third connector is connected to a one-way control valve; the one-way control valve is connected to a cleaning and maintenance device through a pipeline;

[0009] The cleaning and maintenance device includes a controller, a temperature sensor, a heating module, and a wind power control unit; the controller is electrically connected to the temperature sensor, the heating module, the wind power control unit, and a one-way control valve.

[0010] The principle and advantages of this solution are as follows: In this solution, after receiving a power supply signal, the controller is used to start the heating module and the separation control unit to work. The heating module is used to heat the flowing air generated by the wind power control unit. The wind power control unit is used to push the hot air towards the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is used to detect the temperature value of the incoming hot air and transmit the corresponding real-time temperature value to the controller. After receiving the corresponding real-time temperature value, the controller compares it with a preset temperature value. If the preset temperature value is reached, the heating module stops heating, the wind power control unit continues to operate, and the one-way control valve is opened. When the temperature is lower than the preset temperature value, the heating module restarts.

[0011] As hot air flows out from the one-way control valve, it flows into the fuel cell reactor stack, where it dries the surface of the air electrode and aluminum anode, and carries away the residual electrolyte, which then flows back into the electrolyte tank. This process achieves the cleaning and maintenance of the fuel cell reactor stack.

[0012] 1. Compared to existing aluminum-air fuel cell systems where power generation and maintenance are two relatively independent management units, this approach significantly impacts the overall size and weight of the fuel cell. Besides the liquid storage tanks required for both units, the repetitive, isolated, and controlled power supply and pipelines for liquid circulation are also essential, reducing the fuel cell's energy density and increasing system development difficulty, costs, and production costs. This solution integrates power generation and maintenance into a single management unit, replacing the traditional tank-cleaning method. The cleaning process is simple to operate and easy to assemble, greatly reducing system assembly difficulty and development costs. It eliminates the need for additional auxiliary piping systems to achieve cleaning and maintenance functions, thus reducing the difficulty and improving efficiency of cleaning and maintenance.

[0013] 2. Compared with existing methods that use traditional pumps and cleaning fluids to clean and maintain fuel cell stacks, this solution uses a hot air cleaning and maintenance method. This method uses hot air to dry and remove residual electrolyte from the fuel cell stack, enabling the system to perform routine maintenance under long-term standby conditions. This facilitates the normal testing of components. In the cleaning and maintenance mode, there is no electrolyte present or flowing inside the fuel cell, and the fuel cell does not discharge or generate low-current power, reducing the energy loss of the aluminum anode and thus extending the service life of the fuel cell stack in long-term standby mode.

[0014] Preferably, as an improvement, the cleaning and maintenance device further includes an installation pipe connected to a one-way control valve; the temperature sensor, heating module, and wind power control unit are sequentially arranged inside the installation pipe.

[0015] Beneficial effects: The installation pipe design allows hot air to flow more effectively to the one-way control valve, significantly improving hot air flow efficiency. It also provides better protection for the cleaning and maintenance equipment.

[0016] Preferably, as an improvement, the cleaning and maintenance device further includes a temperature protection device electrically connected to the controller, the temperature protection device being disposed between the one-way control valve and the temperature sensor.

[0017] Beneficial effects: The temperature protection device can forcibly cut off the heating module when the temperature sensor or heating module fails and the equipment continues to heat up, exceeding the preset threshold, thus greatly improving the safety of the device.

[0018] Preferably, as an improvement, the heating module is a heating tube, and the heating tube is spiral-shaped.

[0019] Beneficial effects: In this solution, the spiral heating tube can heat the air inside the installation tube better, faster and more comprehensively, greatly improving heating efficiency and enabling faster cleaning and maintenance.

[0020] Preferably, as an improvement, the heating element is made of nickel-chromium alloy.

[0021] Beneficial effects: The use of nickel-chromium alloy makes the heating element more durable and ensures that it will not deform over a long period of time. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a traditional fuel cell hot air cleaning and maintenance system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the fuel cell hot air cleaning and maintenance system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning and maintenance device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The following detailed description illustrates the specific implementation method:

[0026] The markings in the accompanying drawings include: working pump 1, electrolyte tank 2, fuel cell reactor stack 3, cleaning and maintenance device 4, temperature protection device 40, heating module 41, wind power control unit 42, tee connector 5, conventional pump 6, and cleaning fluid tank 7.

[0027] The basic implementation examples are as follows: Figure 2 As shown: A fuel cell hot air cleaning and maintenance system includes a working pump 1, an electrolyte tank 2, a fuel cell reactor stack 3, a three-way connector 5, a one-way control valve, and a cleaning and maintenance device 4;

[0028] The working pump 1, fuel cell stack 3, and electrolyte tank 2 are circulated together via pipelines. The tee connector 5 includes a first connector, a second connector, and a third connector. The first and second connectors are located on the pipeline between the working pump 1 and the fuel cell stack 3. The third connector is connected to a one-way control valve. The one-way control valve is connected to a cleaning and maintenance device 4 via a pipeline. In this embodiment, the first connector and the electrolyte outlet pipe corresponding to the working pump 1, the second connector and the electrolyte inlet pipe corresponding to the fuel cell stack 3, and the third connector and the one-way control valve are all connected by a clamp. The one-way control valve is set to a normally closed state. In this embodiment, the tee connector 5 is DN32, made of PPR, and the one-way control valve is an electric valve with a driving voltage of 24V and a feedback voltage of 5V.

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, the cleaning and maintenance device 4 includes an installation pipe, a controller, a temperature sensor, a heating module 41, a wind power control unit 42, and a temperature protection device 40. In this embodiment, the installation pipe is connected to a one-way control valve, and the connection between the installation pipe and the one-way control valve is a clamp connection. The temperature sensor, heating module 41, and wind power control unit 42 are all installed inside the installation pipe, specifically arranged sequentially along the direction away from the one-way control valve. In this embodiment, the temperature protection device 40 is a solenoid valve, electrically connected to the controller. In this embodiment, to ensure normal cleaning, an outlet is provided at the top of the electrolyte tank 2 for discharging the hot gas corresponding to the fuel cell reactor stack 3. During the cleaning process, the corresponding working pump 1 is not running, so the hot gas will not flow from the working pump 1 into the electrolyte tank 2.

[0030] The controller is electrically connected to the temperature sensor, heating module 41, wind power control unit 42, temperature protection device 40, and one-way control valve, respectively. Upon receiving a power supply signal, the controller activates the heating module 41 and the wind power control unit 42. The heating module 41 heats the airflow generated by the wind power control unit 42, which then pushes the hot air towards the temperature sensor. The controller controls the temperature sensor to monitor the temperature in real time and transmits the detected temperature value to the controller. The controller compares the real-time temperature value with preset minimum and maximum temperature values. If the real-time temperature value reaches the preset maximum temperature value, the controller stops heating the heating module 41, while the wind power control unit 42 continues to operate. The controller also opens the one-way control valve, allowing the generated hot air to flow into the fuel cell reactor stack 3. This dries the air and aluminum electrodes inside the fuel cell reactor stack 3 and carries away any residual electrolyte, ensuring the fuel cell reactor stack 3 remains dry. If the real-time temperature value is lower than the preset minimum temperature value, the controller continues heating the heating module 41 and closes the one-way control valve. In this embodiment, the preset maximum temperature value is 65°C, and the preset minimum temperature value is 50°C.

[0031] Traditional fuel cell hot air cleaning and maintenance systems, such as Figure 1As shown, cleaning fluid from the cleaning fluid tank 7 is typically transferred to the fuel cell reactor stack 3 via a conventional pump 6 for cleaning. The cleaning fluid in the fuel cell reactor stack 3 then returns to the cleaning fluid tank 7 via the conventional pump 6, thus achieving the recycling of the cleaning fluid and the cleaning of the fuel cell reactor stack 3. However, the cleaning principle of this application uses hot air to dry the fuel cell while simultaneously carrying out the corresponding electrolyte, which greatly improves the cleaning efficiency. At the same time, the cleaning process is more thorough and safer. Furthermore, the entire process integrates the power generation system and the cleaning system, which significantly reduces the footprint of the fuel cell, making it more adaptable to various installation environments and more versatile.

[0032] To better ensure the operation of the device, if the corresponding temperature sensor malfunctions or the heating module 41 malfunctions, causing the device to continuously heat up and exceed a preset threshold, the temperature protection device 40 will forcibly stop the device from supplying heat to the fuel cell reactor stack 3. Specifically, this involves closing the corresponding solenoid valve. In this embodiment, the preset threshold is 75°C.

[0033] The controller can be a microcontroller or a PLC. In this embodiment, an STM32 series microcontroller, specifically the STM32H7 high-performance series microcontroller, is used. The temperature sensor is a temperature sensor probe. The heating module 41 is a heating tube, which in this embodiment is spiral-shaped and made of nickel-chromium alloy. Its voltage range is 1-200V, and its power is 1-10000W. In this embodiment, the wind power control unit 42 is a fan, installed at the end of the mounting pipe. The fan's voltage range is 5-220V, and it can be powered by DC or AC. Its wind speed is 10-100000RPM, and its wind pressure is 100-10000PA. The one-way control valve can be made of ceramic, stainless steel, or plastic housing. In this embodiment, a stainless steel housing is used.

[0034] In this embodiment, the pipes connecting the working pump 1, electrolyte tank 2, fuel cell stack 3, tee connector 5, one-way control valve, and cleaning and maintenance device 4 are made of high-temperature resistant materials, such as PPR, stainless steel, or EPDM rubber tubing. To facilitate the flow of the internal liquid, right-angle elbows of corresponding diameters are used at the bends, and these elbows can also be made of PPR, PVC, or stainless steel, and vice versa. The connection method can be clamps, heat fusion, or mechanical screws; in this embodiment, clamps are used. The pipe diameters on each pipe range from DN5 to 50mm.

[0035] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention, and common knowledge such as specific technical solutions and / or characteristics are not described in detail here. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the technical solutions of the present invention, and these should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention. These modifications and improvements will not affect the effectiveness of the implementation of the present invention or the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection claimed in this application should be determined by the content of its claims, and the specific embodiments described in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A fuel cell hot air cleaning and maintenance system, characterized in that: Includes a working pump, electrolyte tank, metal-air fuel cell stack, tee connector, one-way control valve, and cleaning and maintenance device; The working pump, metal-air fuel cell stack, and electrolyte tank are circulated and connected through pipelines; the three-way connector includes a first connector, a second connector, and a third connector, with the first and second connectors located on the pipeline between the working pump and the metal-air fuel cell stack; the third connector is connected to a one-way control valve; the one-way control valve is connected to a cleaning and maintenance device through a pipeline; The cleaning and maintenance device includes a controller, a temperature sensor, a heating module, and a wind power control unit; the controller is electrically connected to the temperature sensor, the heating module, the wind power control unit, and a one-way control valve. Upon receiving a power supply signal, the controller activates the heating module and the wind power control unit. The heating module heats the airflow generated by the wind power control unit, allowing the generated hot air to flow into the metal-air fuel cell reactor stack. This dries the air and aluminum electrodes inside the metal-air fuel cell reactor stack and carries away the corresponding electrolyte residue through the gas flow.

2. The fuel cell hot air cleaning and maintenance system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cleaning and maintenance device also includes an installation pipe, which is connected to a one-way control valve; the temperature sensor, heating module and wind power control unit are sequentially installed inside the installation pipe.

3. The fuel cell hot air cleaning and maintenance system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cleaning and maintenance device also includes a temperature protection device electrically connected to the controller, which is located between the one-way control valve and the temperature sensor.

4. The fuel cell hot air cleaning and maintenance system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating module is a heating tube, and the heating tube is spiral-shaped.

5. A fuel cell hot air cleaning and maintenance system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The heating element is made of nickel-chromium alloy.

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