A high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell composite leak detection tool and method

Abstract

The application provides a high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell composite leak detection tool and method. The leak detection tool comprises a reforming and evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate, an evaporation stack dual-purpose leak detection plate, a tail gas discharge leak detection plate and a plurality of interface pieces; the reforming and evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate, the evaporation stack dual-purpose leak detection plate and the tail gas discharge leak detection plate are assembled through the plurality of interface pieces to realize leak detection on the evaporator, the reformer and the stack. The application provides a mature and reliable leak detection scheme, which can realize leak detection on the methanol flow channel, the hydrogen flow channel, the heat conducting oil flow channel and the combustion tail gas flow channel of the evaporator, the methanol and hydrogen flow channel and the combustion tail gas flow channel of the reformer and the heat conducting oil, hydrogen and hole gas flow channel of the stack. The technical scheme of the application solves the problems of lack of mature leak detection tool and method for the reformer and the evaporator and narrow leak detection range of the stack tool in the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and more particularly to a composite leak detection tooling and method for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Background Technology

[0002] Fuel cells are energy conversion devices that directly convert the chemical energy of fuel into electrical energy. Due to the high specific energy of fuels and the simple structure of fuel cell systems, they have broad application prospects in power supplies, backup power supplies, and mobile power sources. Hydrogen is the preferred fuel for fuel cells, but its large-scale application is limited by numerous problems in its preparation, storage, and transportation. Using liquid fuels (methanol, ethanol, diesel, etc.) to reform hydrogen is an effective solution. In high-power fuel cell stack structures, forced air convection cooling is difficult to achieve good heat dissipation, while liquid cooling (oil cooling, etc.) is a reliable and effective heat dissipation method.

[0003] Currently, in high-power, high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells, the reforming hydrogen production and discharge structure, namely the reformer, evaporator, and stack, is its core component. However, there are no mature and reliable leak detection methods for the welded joints between the methanol and hydrogen chambers of the reformer and those of the methanol, hydrogen, and oil chambers of the evaporator. If methanol or hydrogen leaks during discharge, it can cause harm or even danger to testing personnel. If heat transfer oil leaks during discharge, it will reduce the heat exchange efficiency of the stack, potentially increasing internal friction within the system and even leading to stack overheating. If the heat transfer oil has a very low flash point, it can endanger the lives of testing personnel. While the stack has relatively mature leak detection methods and simple tooling, this tooling can only be used on the stack and cannot be used for leak detection of other core components. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues of the lack of mature leak detection tooling and methods for reformers and evaporators, and the narrow leak detection range of fuel cell stack tooling, this invention provides a composite leak detection tooling for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. This invention assembles a dual-purpose leak detection plate for reforming and evaporation, a dual-purpose leak detection plate for evaporation and fuel cell stack, and a tail gas emission leak detection plate using several interface components to achieve leak detection for the evaporator, reformer, and fuel cell stack.

[0005] The technical means employed in this invention are as follows:

[0006] A high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell composite leak detection tooling includes: a reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate, an evaporation-stacking dual-purpose leak detection plate, an exhaust gas emission leak detection plate, and several interface components; the reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate, the evaporation-stacking dual-purpose leak detection plate, and the exhaust gas emission leak detection plate are assembled through several interface components to achieve leak detection of the evaporator, reformer, and fuel cell stack.

[0007] Furthermore, the reformer hydrogen outlet connector side of the reformer of the dual-purpose reforming and evaporation leak detection plate is sealed with a gasket, and the reverse side is sealed with a sealing ring.

[0008] Furthermore, the reformer hydrogen outlet connector and the evaporator hydrogen inlet connector are pagoda connectors and are in a connected state. Either section can be used as an inlet or outlet. The evaporator hydrogen inlet connector is hidden inside, and the depth of hiding is set according to the reformer interface length and the distance between the connector and the baffle.

[0009] Furthermore, the hydrogen inlet connector of the evaporator is provided with a through hole. The diameter and depth of the through hole are set according to the reformer interface, and it is connected by bolts and nuts or single bolts.

[0010] Furthermore, both sides of the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporation stack are sealed with sealing gaskets, and the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporation stack has through holes that match the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the reforming evaporation stack.

[0011] Furthermore, the opposite side of the combustion exhaust gas outlet connector of the exhaust gas leak detection plate is sealed with a sealing gasket; the combustion exhaust gas outlet connector is a pagoda connector, and the exhaust gas leak detection plate is provided with through holes that match the reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate.

[0012] This invention also provides a leak detection method based on the above-mentioned high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell composite leak detection tooling, including an evaporator leak detection method, a reformer leak detection method, and a fuel cell stack leak detection method, wherein:

[0013] The evaporator leak detection method includes detecting the methanol flow channel, hydrogen flow channel, heat transfer oil flow channel, and combustion exhaust flow channel of the evaporator;

[0014] The reformer leak detection method includes detecting the methanol and hydrogen flow channels and the combustion exhaust flow channels of the reformer.

[0015] The fuel cell stack leak detection method includes detecting the heat transfer oil, hydrogen, and pore flow channels of the fuel cell stack.

[0016] Furthermore, the evaporator leak detection method specifically includes the following steps:

[0017] S1. Immerse the evaporator in water;

[0018] S2. Leak detection in the methanol flow channel of the evaporator:

[0019] The reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate is assembled with the evaporator via an interface component, allowing air to enter from the methanol inlet of the evaporator. If bubbles appear at the outer edge of the methanol flow channel of the evaporator, there is an external leak in the methanol flow channel; if bubbles appear at the hydrogen outlet of the evaporator, there is an internal leak in both the methanol and hydrogen flow channels; if bubbles appear at the heat transfer oil outlet of the evaporator, there is an internal leak in both the methanol and heat transfer oil flow channels; if bubbles appear at the combustion exhaust outlet of the evaporator, there is an internal leak in both the methanol and combustion exhaust flow channels; if there are no bubbles in the water, the methanol flow channel of the evaporator passes inspection.

[0020] S3, Evaporator hydrogen flow channel leak detection:

[0021] Based on step S2, the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporator stack is assembled on the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the reforming evaporator, so that air enters from the hydrogen inlet joint of the evaporator. If bubbles appear at the outer edge of the hydrogen flow channel of the evaporator, the hydrogen flow channel of the evaporator is leaking externally; if bubbles appear at the inlet of the heat transfer oil of the evaporator, the hydrogen flow channel and the heat transfer oil flow channel of the evaporator are leaking internally; if bubbles appear at the outlet of the combustion exhaust gas of the evaporator, the hydrogen flow channel and the combustion exhaust gas flow channel of the evaporator are leaking internally; if there are no bubbles in the water, the hydrogen flow channel of the evaporator passes the inspection.

[0022] S4. Leak detection in the evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel:

[0023] Based on step S3, the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporator stack is assembled with the evaporator heat transfer oil inlet connector, allowing air to enter from the evaporator heat transfer oil inlet connector. If bubbles appear at the outer edge of the evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel, the evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel leaks externally; if bubbles appear at the evaporator hydrogen inlet, the evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel and the evaporator hydrogen flow channel leak internally; if bubbles appear at the evaporator combustion exhaust gas inlet, the evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel and the evaporator combustion exhaust gas flow channel leak internally; if there are no bubbles in the water, the evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel passes inspection.

[0024] S5. Leak detection in the evaporator combustion exhaust channel:

[0025] Based on step S2, the exhaust gas leak detection plate is assembled on the reforming and evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate, so that air enters from the combustion exhaust gas outlet joint. If bubbles appear on the outer edge of the evaporator combustion exhaust gas passage, the evaporator combustion exhaust gas passage is leaking; if there are no bubbles in the water, the evaporator combustion exhaust gas passage is qualified.

[0026] Furthermore, the reformer leak detection method specifically includes the following steps:

[0027] H1. Soak the reformer without catalyst in water, or apply foam to the weld joints of the reformer with catalyst.

[0028] H2, methanol and hydrogen gas flow channel leak detection in the reformer:

[0029] The reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate is assembled with the reformer hydrogen outlet connector through the interface component, so that air enters from the reformer hydrogen outlet connector. If bubbles appear on the outer edge of the methanol and hydrogen flow channels of the reformer, the methanol and hydrogen flow channels of the evaporator are leaking. If there are no bubbles in the water, the methanol and hydrogen flow channels of the reformer are qualified.

[0030] H3. Leak detection in the reformer combustion exhaust channel:

[0031] The reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate is assembled with each plug of the reformer, so that air enters from the liquid methanol inlet of the reformer. If bubbles appear on the outer edge of the reformer combustion exhaust channel, the evaporator combustion exhaust channel is leaking; if there are no bubbles in the water, the reformer combustion exhaust channel is qualified.

[0032] Furthermore, the fuel cell pile leak detection method specifically includes the following steps:

[0033] F1. Place the entire fuel cell stack in a clean place at room temperature;

[0034] F2. Leak detection in the heat transfer oil flow channel of the fuel cell stack:

[0035] Assemble the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporation fuel cell stack with the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil inlet connector, allowing air to enter through the heat transfer oil inlet connector. Apply foam to the outer side of the fuel cell stack bipolar plate, the fuel cell stack air inlet connector, and the fuel cell stack hydrogen outlet connector. If bubbles appear at the outer edge of the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil channel, the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil channel is leaking externally; if bubbles appear at the fuel cell stack air inlet connector, the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil channel and fuel cell stack air channel are leaking internally; if bubbles appear at the fuel cell stack hydrogen outlet connector, the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil channel and fuel cell stack hydrogen channel are leaking internally; if there are no bubbles in the water, the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil channel has passed inspection.

[0036] F3. Leak detection of hydrogen gas flow path in fuel cell stack:

[0037] Assemble the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporation stack with the hydrogen outlet connector of the stack, so that air enters from the hydrogen outlet connector. Apply foam to the outside of the bipolar plate and the air inlet connector of the stack. If bubbles appear at the outer edge of the hydrogen flow channel, the hydrogen flow channel is leaking externally; if bubbles appear at the air inlet connector, the hydrogen flow channel and the air flow channel are leaking internally; if there are no bubbles in the water, the hydrogen flow channel of the stack passes the inspection.

[0038] F4. Leak detection in the fuel cell stack airflow channel:

[0039] Assemble the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporation stack with the air inlet connector of the stack, so that air enters from the air inlet connector of the stack. Apply foam to the outside of the bipolar plate of the stack. If bubbles appear at the outer edge of the air flow channel of the stack, the air flow channel of the stack is leaking. If there are no bubbles in the water, the air flow channel of the stack is qualified.

[0040] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0041] The high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell composite leak detection tooling and method provided by this invention offers a mature and reliable leak detection solution, capable of detecting leaks in the methanol flow channel, hydrogen flow channel, heat transfer oil flow channel, and combustion exhaust flow channel of the evaporator, the methanol and hydrogen flow channels and combustion exhaust flow channel of the reformer, and the heat transfer oil, hydrogen, and pore flow channels of the fuel cell stack.

[0042] Based on the above reasons, this invention can be widely applied in fields such as fuel cells. Attached Figure Description

[0043] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an evaporator provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 2 This is an isometric structural diagram of an evaporator in a certain direction provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 3 This is an isometric structural diagram of the evaporator from another direction, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the reformer provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the isometric structure of a reformer in a certain direction provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the isometric structure of the reformer in another direction provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fuel cell stack provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 8This is an isometric structural diagram of the fuel cell stack provided in an embodiment of the present invention in a certain direction.

[0052] Figure 9 This is an isometric structural diagram of the fuel cell stack from another direction, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 10 This is an isometric structural diagram of the reforming and evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate provided in an embodiment of the present invention in a certain direction.

[0054] Figure 11 This is an isometric structural diagram of the reforming and evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate provided in an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from another direction.

[0055] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the reforming and evaporation leak detection plate provided in an embodiment of the present invention in a certain direction.

[0056] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view of the reforming and evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate provided in an embodiment of the present invention from another direction.

[0057] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the dual-purpose leak detection plate for the evaporation stack provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the exhaust gas leak detection plate provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the tooling used for detecting the methanol flow channel in an evaporator, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the tooling used for detecting the hydrogen flow path of an evaporator, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Figure 18 A schematic diagram of the tooling used for detecting the heat transfer oil flow channel of an evaporator, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of the tooling used for detecting the exhaust gas flow path of an evaporator combustion chamber, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the tooling used for detecting methanol and hydrogen flow channels in a reformer, as provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Figure 21 A schematic diagram of the tooling used for detecting the combustion exhaust gas passage of a reformer, provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] Figure 22 A schematic diagram of the tooling used for detecting hydrogen, heat transfer oil, and air flow channels in a fuel cell stack, provided in this embodiment of the invention.

[0066] Figure 23 This is a schematic diagram of the evaporator methanol flow channel leak detection steps provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram of the leak detection steps for the hydrogen flow channel of the evaporator provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram of the leak detection steps for the evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Figure 26 A schematic diagram of the leak detection steps for the evaporator combustion exhaust channel provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Figure 27 This is a schematic diagram of the leak detection steps for the methanol and hydrogen gas flow channels in the reformer provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Figure 28 This is a schematic diagram of the leak detection steps for the reformer combustion exhaust channel provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Figure 29 This is a schematic diagram of the leak detection steps for the heat transfer oil flow channel of the fuel cell stack provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] Figure 30 This is a schematic diagram of the leak detection steps for the hydrogen gas flow channel of the fuel cell stack provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] In the diagram: 1. Evaporator combustion exhaust gas outlet; 2. Evaporator hydrogen chamber; 3. Methanol guide chamber; 4. Evaporator heat transfer oil chamber; 5. Evaporator heat transfer oil inlet; 6. Evaporator heat transfer oil outlet; 7. Evaporator methanol inlet; 8. Vaporized methanol chamber; 9. Evaporator combustion exhaust gas chamber; 10. Evaporator methanol outlet; 11. Evaporator hydrogen outlet; 12. Evaporator combustion exhaust gas inlet; 13. Evaporator hydrogen inlet; 14. Reformer A 15. Reformer combustion exhaust gas chamber; 16. Reformer liquid methanol inlet; 17. Reformer air inlet; 18. Reformer fuel cell stack exhaust gas inlet; 19. Reformer hydrogen chamber; 20. Reformer combustion exhaust gas outlet; 21. Reformer vaporized methanol inlet; 22. Reformer hydrogen outlet; 23. Fuel cell stack heat transfer oil inlet; 24. Fuel cell stack air inlet; 25. Fuel cell stack hydrogen outlet; 26. Fuel cell stack hydrogen inlet; 27. Fuel cell stack heat transfer oil inlet; 28. Oil outlet; 29. ​​Fuel cell stack air outlet; 30. Through hole for assembling reformer-evaporator dual-purpose leak detection plate; 31. Reformer vaporization methanol inlet tank; 32. Evaporator hydrogen inlet connector; 33. Reformer hydrogen outlet tank; 34. Reformer hydrogen outlet connector; 35. Evaporator methanol outlet plug; 36. Through hole for assembling evaporator-fuel cell stack dual-purpose leak detection plate; 37. Through hole for assembling exhaust gas leak detection plate; 38. Combustion exhaust gas outlet connector; 39. Evaporator heat transfer oil inlet connector (sealing with a sealing ring or rubber plug at the component interface is acceptable, as long as a sealing effect is achieved); 40. Plug (sealing with a sealing ring or rubber plug at the component interface is acceptable, as long as a sealing effect is achieved); 41. Fuel cell stack heat transfer oil inlet connector; 42. Fuel cell stack air inlet connector; 43. Fuel cell stack hydrogen outlet connector (sealing with a sealing ring or rubber plug is acceptable for all the above fuel cell stack connectors). Detailed Implementation

[0075] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present invention can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0076] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the present invention or its application or use. 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.

[0077] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of exemplary embodiments according to the invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0078] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps described in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention. It should also be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0079] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional terms such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" is generally based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. The directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0080] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "over," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation besides the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, a device described as "above" or "above" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0081] Furthermore, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to define components is merely for the purpose of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this invention.

[0082] To facilitate understanding of the specific function and significance of the leak detection fixture provided by this invention, the embodiments of this invention provide a brief description of the simplified fluid (methanol, hydrogen, and heat transfer oil) flow channels of the evaporator, reformer, and fuel cell stack that need to be detected:

[0083] like Figure 1-3 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of an evaporator. The evaporator includes a methanol flow channel, a hydrogen flow channel, a heat transfer oil flow channel, and a combustion exhaust flow channel. Specifically:

[0084] Evaporator methanol flow path: Methanol from Figure 3 In the evaporator, methanol inlet 7 enters the vaporization methanol chamber 8, and then flows to its back side, as shown in the image. Figure 2 The methanol guiding chamber 3 shown ultimately flows from... Figure 3 Methanol flows out of the evaporator outlet 10;

[0085] Evaporator hydrogen flow path: Hydrogen gas from Figure 3 Hydrogen inlet 13 enters the evaporator Figure 2 The hydrogen in the evaporator chamber 2 eventually comes from Figure 3 Hydrogen gas flows out from the evaporator outlet 11;

[0086] Evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel: heat transfer oil from Figure 2 The evaporator heat transfer oil inlet 5 enters the evaporator heat transfer oil chamber 4, and finally flows from... Figure 2 The heat transfer oil flows out from outlet 6 of the evaporator;

[0087] Evaporator combustion exhaust gas path: Combustion exhaust gas from Figure 3 The evaporator combustion exhaust gas inlet 12 enters Figure 3 The evaporator combustion exhaust chamber 9 ultimately from Figure 2 The exhaust gas from the evaporator combustion outlet 1 flows out.

[0088] like Figure 4-6 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a reformer, which includes methanol and hydrogen gas flow channels and a combustion exhaust gas flow channel. Specifically:

[0089] Reformer methanol and hydrogen flow channels: Methanol from Figure 6 The reformer vaporizes methanol at the inlet 21. Figure 5 The reformer methanol chamber 14, through Figure 6 The reformer hydrogen chamber 19 ultimately from Figure 6 Hydrogen flows out from the reformer outlet 22;

[0090] Reformer combustion exhaust channel: through Figure 5 The reformer liquid methanol inlet 16, reformer air inlet 17, and reformer fuel cell stack tail gas inlet 18 serve as gas inlets entering the reformer combustion tail gas chamber 15. The combustion tail gas generated from the reaction flows out... Figure 6 The reformer combustion exhaust gas flows out from outlet 20.

[0091] like Figure 7-9 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of the fuel cell stack. The stack includes heat transfer oil channels, hydrogen flow channels, and air flow channels. Specifically:

[0092] Heat transfer oil flow channel of fuel cell stack: heat transfer oil from Figure 8 The heat transfer oil enters the fuel cell stack through inlet 23. Figure 9 The heat transfer oil from the fuel cell stack flows out at outlet 27;

[0093] Hydrogen flow path in fuel cell stack: Hydrogen from Figure 9 Hydrogen enters the fuel cell stack through inlet 26. Figure 8 Hydrogen gas flows out from the fuel cell stack outlet 25;

[0094] fuel cell stack airflow path: air from Figure 8 The fuel cell air inlet 24 enters the fuel cell, from Figure 9 Air flows out of the fuel cell stack air outlet 28.

[0095] This invention provides a high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell composite leak detection tooling, comprising: a reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate, an evaporation-stacking dual-purpose leak detection plate, an exhaust gas emission leak detection plate, and several interface components; the reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate, the evaporation-stacking dual-purpose leak detection plate, and the exhaust gas emission leak detection plate are assembled through several interface components to achieve leak detection of the evaporator, reformer, and fuel cell stack.

[0096] In specific implementation, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 10-13 The diagram shows the structure of a dual-purpose reforming and evaporation leak detection plate. The reformer hydrogen outlet connector side is sealed with a gasket, while the reverse side is sealed with a sealing ring. The reformer hydrogen outlet connector 33 and the evaporator hydrogen inlet connector 31 are pagoda connectors and are connected; either section can serve as an inlet or outlet. The evaporator hydrogen inlet connector 31 is concealed internally, with the concealment depth determined by the reformer interface length and the distance between the connector and the baffle. A through hole 29 is provided on the evaporator hydrogen inlet connector 31 side. The diameter and depth of the through hole are determined by the reformer interface, and it is connected using bolts and nuts or single-use bolts.

[0097] In specific implementation, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 14 The diagram shows a structural schematic of a dual-purpose leak detection plate for an evaporation stack. Both sides of the dual-purpose leak detection plate for an evaporation stack are sealed with gaskets, and the dual-purpose leak detection plate for an evaporation stack has through holes 36 that match those of the reforming evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate.

[0098] In specific implementation, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 15 The diagram shows the structure of the exhaust gas leak detection plate. The opposite side of the combustion exhaust gas outlet connector of the exhaust gas leak detection plate is sealed with a sealing gasket. The combustion exhaust gas outlet connector is a pagoda connector, and the exhaust gas leak detection plate is provided with through holes 37 that match the reforming and evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate.

[0099] Based on the above-mentioned high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell composite leak detection tooling, this invention also provides a leak detection method, including an evaporator leak detection method, a reformer leak detection method, and a fuel cell stack leak detection method, wherein:

[0100] The evaporator leak detection method includes detecting the methanol flow channel, hydrogen flow channel, heat transfer oil flow channel, and combustion exhaust flow channel of the evaporator;

[0101] The reformer leak detection method includes detecting the methanol and hydrogen flow channels and the combustion exhaust flow channels of the reformer.

[0102] The fuel cell stack leak detection method includes detecting the heat transfer oil, hydrogen, and pore flow channels of the fuel cell stack.

[0103] In a specific implementation, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the evaporator leak detection method specifically includes the following steps:

[0104] S1. Immerse the evaporator in water;

[0105] S2. Leak detection in the methanol flow channel of the evaporator:

[0106] like Figure 16 As shown, the reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate is assembled with the evaporator via an interface component, as follows: Figure 23 As shown, air enters from the methanol inlet 7 of the evaporator. If bubbles appear at the outer edge of the methanol flow channel of the evaporator, the methanol flow channel of the evaporator is leaking externally; if bubbles appear at the hydrogen outlet 11 of the evaporator, the methanol flow channel and the hydrogen flow channel of the evaporator are leaking internally; if bubbles appear at the heat transfer oil outlet 6 of the evaporator, the methanol flow channel and the heat transfer oil flow channel of the evaporator are leaking internally; if bubbles appear at the combustion exhaust gas outlet 1 of the evaporator, the methanol flow channel and the combustion exhaust gas flow channel of the evaporator are leaking internally; if there are no bubbles in the water, the methanol flow channel of the evaporator passes inspection.

[0107] S3, Evaporator hydrogen flow channel leak detection:

[0108] like Figure 17 As shown, based on step S2, the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporation stack is assembled on the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the reforming evaporation stack, as follows. Figure 24 As shown, air enters from the hydrogen inlet connector 31 of the evaporator. If bubbles appear at the outer edge of the hydrogen flow channel of the evaporator, the hydrogen flow channel of the evaporator is leaking externally; if bubbles appear at the heat transfer oil inlet 5 of the evaporator, the hydrogen flow channel and the heat transfer oil flow channel of the evaporator are leaking internally; if bubbles appear at the combustion exhaust outlet 1 of the evaporator, the hydrogen flow channel and the combustion exhaust gas flow channel of the evaporator are leaking internally; if there are no bubbles in the water, the hydrogen flow channel of the evaporator passes the inspection.

[0109] S4. Leak detection in the evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel:

[0110] like Figure 18 As shown, based on step S3, the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporator stack is assembled with the evaporator heat transfer oil inlet connector, as follows: Figure 25 As shown, air enters from the evaporator heat transfer oil inlet joint 39. If air bubbles appear at the outer edge of the evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel, the evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel is leaking externally; if air bubbles appear at the evaporator hydrogen inlet 13, the evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel and the evaporator hydrogen flow channel are leaking internally; if air bubbles appear at the evaporator combustion exhaust gas inlet 12, the evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel and the evaporator combustion exhaust gas flow channel are leaking internally; if there are no air bubbles in the water, the evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel passes inspection.

[0111] S5. Leak detection in the evaporator combustion exhaust channel:

[0112] like Figure 19 As shown, based on step S2, the exhaust gas leak detection plate is assembled onto the reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate, as follows: Figure 26 As shown, air enters from the combustion exhaust outlet connector 38. If bubbles appear on the outer edge of the evaporator combustion exhaust channel, the evaporator combustion exhaust channel is leaking. If there are no bubbles in the water, the evaporator combustion exhaust channel is qualified.

[0113] In a specific implementation, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reformer leak detection method specifically includes the following steps:

[0114] H1. Immerse the reformer without catalyst in water, or apply foam to the weld joints of the reformer with catalyst. The steps for leak detection using the foam application method are the same as those for fuel cell pile leak detection, so they will not be repeated here. For details, please refer to the schematic diagram of fuel cell pile leak detection steps.

[0115] H2, methanol and hydrogen gas flow channel leak detection in the reformer:

[0116] like Figure 20 As shown, the reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate is assembled with the reformer hydrogen outlet connector 33 via an interface component, as follows: Figure 27 As shown, air enters from the hydrogen outlet connector 33 of the reformer. If bubbles appear at the outer edge of the methanol and hydrogen flow channels of the reformer, the methanol and hydrogen flow channels of the evaporator are leaking. If there are no bubbles in the water, the methanol and hydrogen flow channels of the reformer are qualified.

[0117] H3. Leak detection in the reformer combustion exhaust channel:

[0118] like Figure 21 As shown, the reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate is assembled with each plug 40 of the reformer, as follows: Figure 28 As shown, air enters from the liquid methanol inlet of the reformer. If bubbles appear on the outer edge of the reformer combustion exhaust channel, the evaporator combustion exhaust channel is leaking. If there are no bubbles in the water, the reformer combustion exhaust channel is qualified.

[0119] In a specific implementation, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fuel cell pile leak detection method specifically includes the following steps:

[0120] F1. Place the entire fuel cell stack in a clean place at room temperature;

[0121] F2. Leak detection in the heat transfer oil flow channel of the fuel cell stack:

[0122] like Figure 22 As shown, the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporator stack is assembled with the heat transfer oil inlet connector 41 of the stack, as follows. Figure 29 As shown, air enters through the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil inlet joint 41. Foam is applied to the outer side of the fuel cell stack bipolar plates, the fuel cell stack air inlet joint 41, and the fuel cell stack hydrogen outlet joint 43. If bubbles appear at the outer edge of the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil flow channel, the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil flow channel leaks externally; if bubbles appear at the fuel cell stack air inlet joint 41, the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil flow channel and the fuel cell stack air flow channel leak internally; if bubbles appear at the fuel cell stack hydrogen outlet joint 43, the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil flow channel and the fuel cell stack hydrogen flow channel leak internally; if there are no bubbles in the water, the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil flow channel passes inspection.

[0123] F3. Leak detection of hydrogen gas flow path in fuel cell stack:

[0124] like Figure 22 As shown, the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporation stack is assembled with the hydrogen outlet connector 43 of the stack, as follows. Figure 30 As shown, air enters from the hydrogen outlet connector 43 of the fuel cell stack. Foam is applied to the outer side of the bipolar plate and the air inlet connector 42 of the fuel cell stack. If bubbles appear at the outer edge of the hydrogen flow channel, the hydrogen flow channel is leaking externally. If bubbles appear at the air inlet connector 42, the hydrogen flow channel and the air flow channel are leaking internally. If there are no bubbles in the water, the hydrogen flow channel of the fuel cell stack passes the inspection.

[0125] F4. Leak detection in the fuel cell stack airflow channel:

[0126] like Figure 22 As shown, the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporation stack is assembled with the air inlet connector 42 of the stack, as follows. Figure 30 As shown, air enters from the fuel cell stack air inlet connector 42. Foam is applied to the outside of the fuel cell stack bipolar plates. If air bubbles appear at the outer edge of the fuel cell stack air flow channel, the fuel cell stack air flow channel is leaking. If there are no air bubbles in the water, the fuel cell stack air flow channel is qualified.

[0127] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell composite leak detection tool, characterized by, include: Dual-purpose leak detection plate for reforming and evaporation, dual-purpose leak detection plate for evaporation stack, exhaust gas leak detection plate, and several interface components; The reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate includes a reformer hydrogen outlet connector and an evaporator hydrogen inlet connector. The reformer hydrogen outlet connector and the evaporator hydrogen inlet connector are pagoda connectors and are connected. Either section can be used as an inlet or outlet. The evaporator hydrogen inlet connector is hidden inside, and the depth of hiding is set according to the length of the reformer interface and the distance between the connector and the baffle. The evaporator hydrogen inlet connector has a through hole on its side. The diameter and depth of the through hole are set according to the reformer interface, and it is connected by bolts and nuts or single bolts. The dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporation stack has through holes that match the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the reforming evaporation stack; The exhaust gas outlet connector of the exhaust gas leak detection plate adopts a pagoda connector, and the exhaust gas leak detection plate is provided with through holes that match the reforming and evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate. By assembling a reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate, an evaporator-fuel stack dual-purpose leak detection plate, and a tail gas emission leak detection plate using several interface components, leak detection of the evaporator, reformer, and fuel stack can be achieved. The leak detection methods for the evaporator include detecting the methanol flow channel, hydrogen flow channel, heat transfer oil flow channel, and combustion tail gas flow channel; the leak detection methods for the reformer include detecting the methanol and hydrogen flow channels and the combustion tail gas flow channel; and the leak detection methods for the fuel stack include detecting the heat transfer oil, hydrogen, and orifice flow channels.

2. The high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell composite leak detection tooling of claim 1, wherein, The reformer hydrogen outlet connector of the dual-purpose reforming and evaporation leak detection plate is sealed with a gasket on the reformer side and with a sealing ring on the other side.

3. The high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell composite leak detection fixture of claim 1, wherein, Both sides of the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporation stack are sealed with gaskets.

4. The high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell composite leak detection fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The opposite side of the combustion exhaust gas outlet connector of the exhaust gas leak detection plate is sealed with a sealing gasket.

5. A leak detection method based on the high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell composite leak detection tool according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, This includes methods for evaporator leak detection, reformer leak detection, and fuel cell stack leak detection, among which: The evaporator leak detection method includes detecting the methanol flow channel, hydrogen flow channel, heat transfer oil flow channel, and combustion exhaust flow channel of the evaporator; The reformer leak detection method includes detecting the methanol and hydrogen flow channels and the combustion exhaust flow channels of the reformer. The fuel cell stack leak detection method includes detecting the heat transfer oil, hydrogen, and pore flow channels of the fuel cell stack.

6. The leak detection method of claim 5, wherein, The evaporator leak detection method specifically includes the following steps: S1. Immerse the evaporator in water; S2. Leak detection in the methanol flow channel of the evaporator: The reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate is assembled with the evaporator via an interface component, allowing air to enter from the methanol inlet of the evaporator. If bubbles appear at the outer edge of the methanol flow channel of the evaporator, there is an external leak in the methanol flow channel; if bubbles appear at the hydrogen outlet of the evaporator, there is an internal leak in both the methanol and hydrogen flow channels; if bubbles appear at the heat transfer oil outlet of the evaporator, there is an internal leak in both the methanol and heat transfer oil flow channels; if bubbles appear at the combustion exhaust outlet of the evaporator, there is an internal leak in both the methanol and combustion exhaust flow channels; if there are no bubbles in the water, the methanol flow channel of the evaporator passes inspection. S3, Evaporator hydrogen flow channel leak detection: Based on step S2, the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporator stack is assembled on the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the reforming evaporator, so that air enters from the hydrogen inlet joint of the evaporator. If bubbles appear at the outer edge of the hydrogen flow channel of the evaporator, the hydrogen flow channel of the evaporator is leaking externally; if bubbles appear at the inlet of the heat transfer oil of the evaporator, the hydrogen flow channel and the heat transfer oil flow channel of the evaporator are leaking internally; if bubbles appear at the outlet of the combustion exhaust gas of the evaporator, the hydrogen flow channel and the combustion exhaust gas flow channel of the evaporator are leaking internally; if there are no bubbles in the water, the hydrogen flow channel of the evaporator passes the inspection. S4. Leak detection in the evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel: Based on step S3, the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporator stack is assembled with the evaporator heat transfer oil inlet connector, so that air enters from the evaporator heat transfer oil inlet connector. If air bubbles appear at the outer edge of the evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel, the evaporator heat transfer oil flow channel leaks. If bubbles appear at the hydrogen inlet of the evaporator, there is an internal leak in the heat transfer oil channel and the hydrogen channel of the evaporator; if bubbles appear at the combustion exhaust gas inlet of the evaporator, there is an internal leak in the heat transfer oil channel and the combustion exhaust gas channel of the evaporator; if there are no bubbles in the water, the heat transfer oil channel of the evaporator passes inspection. S5. Leak detection in the evaporator combustion exhaust channel: Based on step S2, the exhaust gas leak detection plate is assembled on the reforming and evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate, so that air enters from the combustion exhaust gas outlet joint. If bubbles appear on the outer edge of the evaporator combustion exhaust gas passage, the evaporator combustion exhaust gas passage is leaking; if there are no bubbles in the water, the evaporator combustion exhaust gas passage is qualified.

7. The leak detection method of claim 5, wherein, The reformer leak detection method specifically includes the following steps: H1. Soak the reformer without catalyst in water, or apply foam to the weld joints of the reformer with catalyst. H2, methanol and hydrogen gas flow channel leak detection in the reformer: The reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate is assembled with the reformer hydrogen outlet connector through the interface component, so that air enters from the reformer hydrogen outlet connector. If bubbles appear on the outer edge of the methanol and hydrogen flow channels of the reformer, the methanol and hydrogen flow channels of the evaporator are leaking. If there are no bubbles in the water, the methanol and hydrogen flow channels of the reformer are qualified. H3. Leak detection in the reformer combustion exhaust channel: The reforming-evaporation dual-purpose leak detection plate is assembled with each plug of the reformer, so that air enters from the liquid methanol inlet of the reformer. If bubbles appear on the outer edge of the reformer combustion exhaust channel, the evaporator combustion exhaust channel is leaking; if there are no bubbles in the water, the reformer combustion exhaust channel is qualified.

8. The leak detection method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fuel cell pile leak detection method specifically includes the following steps: F1. Place the entire fuel cell stack in a clean place at room temperature; F2. Leak detection in the heat transfer oil flow channel of the fuel cell stack: Assemble the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporation fuel cell stack with the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil inlet connector, allowing air to enter through the heat transfer oil inlet connector. Apply foam to the outer side of the fuel cell stack bipolar plate, the fuel cell stack air inlet connector, and the fuel cell stack hydrogen outlet connector. If bubbles appear at the outer edge of the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil channel, the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil channel is leaking externally; if bubbles appear at the fuel cell stack air inlet connector, the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil channel and fuel cell stack air channel are leaking internally; if bubbles appear at the fuel cell stack hydrogen outlet connector, the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil channel and fuel cell stack hydrogen channel are leaking internally; if there are no bubbles in the water, the fuel cell stack heat transfer oil channel has passed inspection. F3. Leak detection of hydrogen gas flow path in fuel cell stack: Assemble the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporation stack with the hydrogen outlet connector of the stack, so that air enters from the hydrogen outlet connector. Apply foam to the outside of the bipolar plate and the air inlet connector of the stack. If bubbles appear at the outer edge of the hydrogen flow channel, the hydrogen flow channel is leaking externally; if bubbles appear at the air inlet connector, the hydrogen flow channel and the air flow channel are leaking internally; if there are no bubbles in the water, the hydrogen flow channel of the stack passes the inspection. F4. Leak detection in the fuel cell stack airflow channel: Assemble the dual-purpose leak detection plate of the evaporation stack with the air inlet connector of the stack, so that air enters from the air inlet connector of the stack. Apply foam to the outside of the bipolar plate of the stack. If bubbles appear at the outer edge of the air flow channel of the stack, the air flow channel of the stack is leaking. If there are no bubbles in the water, the air flow channel of the stack is qualified.

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