Solid oxide fuel cell system thermal management component testing apparatus and test method

Abstract

The present application refers to a testing device and testing method for solid oxide fuel cell system thermal management components. The testing device comprises a gas supply module, a stack module, a combustion module, a heat pipe module, a monitoring module and a control module. The gas supply module, the stack module and the combustion module are connected in sequence. The gas supply module is used to regulate the flow of fuel and air. The stack module is used to simulate the actual stack anode and cathode outlet gas composition and temperature. The combustion module is used to burn the stack module outlet gas. The heat pipe module is configured to exchange heat with the combustion module outlet flue gas, inlet fuel and air to regulate the temperature distribution and heat recovery of the stack module. The monitoring module is used to detect the temperature and pressure of the heat pipe module inlet and outlet ports and the internal temperature and pressure. The control module determines the heat exchange performance, pressure loss performance and temperature rise performance of the thermal management components according to the feedback signal of the monitoring module. The testing device has the characteristics of testing working conditions and environment close to the real system, low risk of separation from the stack, energy efficient use, energy saving and environmental protection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of solid oxide fuel cell power generation systems, and specifically relates to a testing device and test method for thermal management components of a solid oxide fuel cell system. Background Technology

[0002] The thermal management components of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) power generation system are responsible for the thermal balance of the entire SOFC power generation module. They need to ensure that the temperature and composition of the input materials to the fuel cell stack are within a certain range to ensure stable, reliable, and efficient power generation.

[0003] The main thermal management components of an SOFC include a reformer, burner, heat exchangers (gas heat exchanger, steam generator, steam superheater, air preheater, waste heat recovery unit), and a start-up steam generator. The reformer pre-treats the fuel, utilizes system waste heat to increase its calorific value, controls the fuel composition at the stack inlet and the internal self-reforming rate, thereby meeting the stack's thermal balance requirements. Whether the reforming rate meets the requirements under all operating conditions has a significant impact on system efficiency and stack robustness. The burner releases the residual chemical energy in the anode gas at the stack outlet through combustion, and achieves energy transfer and efficient utilization through the heat exchanger. The combustion process is highly nonlinear, and the operating parameter range under all conditions is very wide. Its reliability and efficiency have a significant impact on system robustness, lifespan, and emissions. The heat exchanger must balance compactness, pressure loss, and the reliability of materials and structure under high-temperature operation; these are key factors determining the performance and lifespan of the thermal management system.

[0004] Typically, SOFC stacks undergo comprehensive performance testing before system commissioning, using methods similar to those described in standard NB / T 10821-2021, "Test Methods for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stacks." Given the crucial role of thermal management components in SOFC power generation systems, and their high degree of customization and technical complexity, performance verification is necessary before stack commissioning to ensure the safe operation of the stack and system during commissioning.

[0005] A testing apparatus and method for thermal components of a solid oxide fuel cell system (CN

[0006] Patent 113540525 introduces a testing apparatus and method for burners and heat exchangers, wherein the burner inlet gas is heated electrically; a reformer testing apparatus and method for a solid oxide fuel cell system (CN 113607841) investigates reforming performance under different inlet conditions; and a combined electrical and thermal testing apparatus for a solid oxide fuel cell stack, BOP components, and system hot zone (CN 112968196) provides a flexibly expandable thermal-electrical combined testing platform for SOFC stacks and BOP systems, using a real stack and preferably employing electric heating for the air preheating module. These patents all focus on testing all or part of the SOFC thermal management components, with less attention paid to testing system energy consumption and full-condition performance methods.

[0007] The requirements for the development of thermal management components in high-power SOFC systems are also increasing. It is necessary to develop a performance testing system and method for thermal management components to conduct full-condition, high-fidelity, and low-cost testing. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In one aspect, the present invention provides a testing device for thermal management components of a solid oxide fuel cell system, which has the characteristics of closely approximating the test conditions and environment of the real system; being independent of the fuel cell stack and having low risk; and being energy-efficient, energy-saving and environmentally friendly.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0010] A testing apparatus for thermal management components of a solid oxide fuel cell system includes: a gas supply module, a stack module, a combustion module, a heat pipe module, a monitoring module, and a control module.

[0011] The gas supply module, fuel cell stack module, and combustion module are connected in sequence. The gas supply module is used to regulate the flow rate of fuel and air. The fuel cell stack module is used to simulate the composition and temperature of the gas exiting the anode and cathode of an actual fuel cell stack. The combustion module is used to burn the gas exiting the fuel cell stack module.

[0012] The heat pipe module is configured to regulate the temperature distribution and heat recovery of the fuel cell module by exchanging heat between the flue gas at the outlet of the combustion module and the fuel and air at the inlet; the monitoring module is used to detect the temperature and pressure at the inlet and outlet ports and inside the heat pipe module in real time; the control module determines the heat exchange performance, pressure loss performance and heating performance of the thermal management components based on the temperature and pressure signals fed back by the monitoring module.

[0013] In some technical solutions, the fuel cell stack module includes a fuel cell stack anode simulation device and a fuel cell stack cathode simulation device.

[0014] The fuel cell stack anode simulation device has a material simulation section and a temperature simulation section. The material simulation section simulates the chemical reaction inside the fuel cell stack anode to produce gas with the same composition as the actual fuel cell stack anode outlet. The temperature simulation section controls the temperature of the fuel cell stack outlet gas by adjusting the flow rate of the cooling water used for heat exchange, so as to achieve the same temperature as the actual fuel cell stack anode outlet gas.

[0015] The cathode simulation device simulates the temperature rise inside the fuel cell stack and provides a certain amount of heat supplementation for power generation through electric heating, so as to achieve the same temperature as the gas outlet temperature of the actual fuel cell stack cathode.

[0016] In some technical solutions, the gas supply module includes a fuel gas mixing device and a cathode gas mixing device;

[0017] The heat pipe module includes an anode gas preheater, a cathode gas preheater, and an exhaust gas cooler.

[0018] The combustion module includes a burner;

[0019] The fuel gas mixing device, anode gas preheater, stack anode simulation device, and burner are connected in sequence via pipelines; the cathode gas mixing device, cathode gas preheater, stack cathode simulation device, and burner are connected in sequence via pipelines; the exhaust gas from the burner recovers waste heat through the anode gas preheater, cathode gas preheater, and exhaust gas cooler.

[0020] In some technical solutions, the heat pipe module also includes a reformer, a steam superheater, and a water evaporator;

[0021] The reformer is connected in series between the fuel gas mixing device and the anode gas preheater. A fuel gas-water vapor mixing device is provided on the connecting pipeline between the reformer and the fuel gas mixing device. The water vapor inlet end of the fuel gas-water vapor mixing device is provided with a deionized water tank, a water evaporator and a water vapor superheater in sequence along the gas generation direction. The exhaust gas from the burner recovers waste heat through the anode gas preheater, the water vapor superheater, the cathode gas preheater, the water evaporator and the tail gas cooler.

[0022] In some technical solutions, the anode gas preheater, steam superheater, cathode gas preheater, water evaporator, and tail gas cooler are all heat exchangers, and temperature and pressure sensors are installed at the cold side inlet and outlet of each heat exchanger to test the heat exchange and pressure loss performance of the heat exchanger; and / or,

[0023] The reformer is equipped with temperature and pressure sensors at its inlet and outlet, as well as inside, to monitor its status and pressure loss performance; and / or,

[0024] Temperature sensors are installed at both the inlet and outlet ends of the burner to test its heating performance; micro differential pressure sensors are installed between the anode gas inlet and the burner outlet and between the cathode gas inlet and the burner outlet to test its pressure loss performance.

[0025] In some technical solutions, a reforming gas sampling path is arranged on the outlet pipeline of the reformer, and a manual ball valve is installed on the reforming gas sampling path. When opened, the gas outlet gas of the reformer is sampled, bagged, and sent for testing or its composition is analyzed by the user to test the reforming rate performance of the reformer; and / or,

[0026] An exhaust gas sampling line is arranged on the outlet pipe of the exhaust gas cooler. A ball valve is arranged on the exhaust gas sampling line. When the ball valve is opened, the flue gas at the burner outlet is sampled, bagged, and sent for testing or tested by the manufacturer to determine its composition. This is used to test the burner's combustion completeness and emission performance.

[0027] In some technical solutions, the gas supply module also includes multiple gas distribution branches that are respectively connected to the fuel gas mixing device and the cathode gas mixing device. Each of the gas distribution branches includes a gas cylinder, a pressure reducing valve, a pressure sensor, a gas mass flow controller 3, and a solenoid valve arranged sequentially in the gas flow direction.

[0028] In some technical solutions, the gas supply module also includes an oxygen supply pipeline connected to the air inlet of the fuel cell anode simulation device, and an oxygen cylinder, an oxygen pressure reducing valve, an oxygen pressure sensor, an oxygen gas mass flow controller and an oxygen solenoid valve are arranged sequentially along the gas flow direction on the oxygen supply pipeline.

[0029] The gas distribution branch connected to the cathode gas mixing device includes a nitrogen supply pipeline and an air supply pipeline. The nitrogen supply pipeline has a nitrogen branch pipeline connected to the fuel gas mixing device for purging the system. The air supply pipeline is equipped with a fan and an air flow meter.

[0030] The thermal management components tested include one or more of the following: reformer, anode gas preheater, burner, steam superheater, cathode gas preheater, water evaporator, and exhaust gas cooler. When the thermal management component test includes the reformer, only CH4 is introduced into the fuel gas mixing device.

[0031] On the other hand, the present invention provides a test method for a test device of thermal management components of a solid oxide fuel cell system. It has the advantages of closely approximating the test conditions and environment of the real system, allowing for joint testing of thermal management components, low test risk, complete test conditions, energy saving and environmental protection. It can better ensure that the performance of thermal management components of the solid oxide fuel cell system is fully verified before joint commissioning of the fuel cell stack.

[0032] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0033] A test method for a test device for a thermal management component of a solid oxide fuel cell system includes performing cold ignition test, low stress heating test, water supply test, reforming test, stable operation test, aging operation test, and emergency shutdown and re-ignition test on the test device.

[0034] In some technical solutions, the cold ignition condition test is used to determine the maximum and minimum fuel flow rates for successful ignition of the burner in a cold state;

[0035] The low-stress heating condition test is used to determine the minimum fuel flow rate required to achieve low-stress heating after successful cold ignition of the burner, and to record the temperature rise curve of the thermal management component during the start-up heating process, in order to determine the time lag characteristics of the temperature rise of the thermal management component.

[0036] The water flow test is used to determine the maximum initial water flow rate and the maximum water flow rate that the system can withstand when entering the pre-reforming stage of steam flow.

[0037] The reforming condition test is used to determine the performance of the reformer from water supply to stable operation, and at the same time to test the combustion stability of the burner due to changes in composition during the reforming stage.

[0038] The stable operating condition test is used to comprehensively test the performance of thermal management components under stable operating conditions.

[0039] The aging operation condition test is used to comprehensively test the performance of thermal management components under aging operation conditions. The aging operation condition is defined as the condition in which the power generation system battery stack is in the final stage of aging, when the performance of the battery stack has degraded to the tolerable limit.

[0040] The emergency flameout and re-ignition test is used to test the flameout and re-ignition performance, and to assess the re-ignition capability after the burner has been shut down due to an emergency.

[0041] The present invention, by employing the above technical solution, has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0042] 1. The test conditions and environment closely approximate the real system, and the inlet and outlet parameters of all thermal management components, including composition and temperature, are consistent with the real system;

[0043] 2. The thermal management components under test can be tested together. The thermal management components in the solid oxide fuel cell system have large time delay differences and complex coupling responses. Compared with the performance testing of individual thermal management components, the effectiveness of joint testing is much higher.

[0044] 3. The test risks are controllable. While ensuring that the test conditions and environment are close to the real system, the fuel cell stack is disconnected and replaced with fuel cell stack anode simulation devices and fuel cell stack cathode simulation devices to avoid fuel cell stack damage caused by performance deviation of thermal management components.

[0045] 4. The test conditions are fully covered, and test data under all conditions can be obtained in a relatively comprehensive manner. In addition, the test also focuses on the water vapor impact under water supply conditions and the performance of thermal management components during emergency flameout and re-ignition. These performance characteristics are related to the actual system performance, and the test data provides a basis for the formulation of system control strategies.

[0046] 5. Energy-saving and environmentally friendly: Because the test conditions and environment are close to those of the real system, the waste heat of the flue gas at the burner outlet is fully recovered. Attached Figure Description

[0047] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings and their markings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0048] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a test device for a thermal management component of a solid oxide fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] The meanings of the symbols marked in the figure are as follows:

[0050] 1. Gas cylinder pressure reducing valve; 3. Gas mass flow controller; 4. Solenoid valve; 5. Fuel gas mixing device; 6. Fuel gas-water vapor mixing device; 8. Reformer; 9. Reformer gas sampling port; 11. Anode gas preheater; 12. Micro differential pressure sensor; 13. Burner; 14. Fuel cell stack anode simulation device; 15. Fuel cell stack cathode simulation device; 16. Cooling water inlet; 17. Cooling water outlet; 18. Superheated steam outlet; 19. Water vapor superheater; 20. Exhaust gas sampling port; 21. Cathode gas preheater; 22. Water evaporator; 23. Exhaust gas cooler; 24. Exhaust gas outlet; 25. Start-up water-electric evaporator; 26. Cathode gas mixing device; 27. Electric three-way valve; 28. Water metering pump; 29. ​​Air flow meter; 30. Variable frequency fan; 31. Deionized water tank. Detailed Implementation

[0051] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of the present invention, the specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "multi-level" or "multi-layer" means at least two levels / layers, such as two levels / layers, three levels / layers, etc.; and the term "and / or" refers to any and all combinations including one or more of the related listed items.

[0053] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

[0054] Please see Figure 1 This paper illustrates a test apparatus for the thermal management components of a solid oxide fuel cell system, comprising: a gas supply module, a fuel cell stack module, a combustion module, a heat pipe module, a monitoring module, and a control module. The gas supply module, fuel cell stack module, and combustion module are connected sequentially. The gas supply module regulates the flow rates of fuel and air; the fuel cell stack module simulates the composition and temperature of the gas exiting the anode and cathode of an actual fuel cell stack; the combustion module combusts the gas exiting the fuel cell stack module; the heat pipe module is configured to regulate the temperature distribution and heat recovery of the fuel cell stack module by exchanging heat between the flue gas exiting the combustion module and the inlet fuel and air; the monitoring module monitors the temperature and pressure at the inlet and outlet ports and inside the heat pipe module in real time; and the control module determines the heat exchange performance, pressure loss performance, and temperature rise performance of the thermal management components based on the temperature and pressure signals fed back from the monitoring module.

[0055] The gas supply module includes a fuel gas mixing device 5, a cathode gas mixing device 26, and multiple gas distribution branches connected to them. Each gas distribution branch includes a gas cylinder, a gas cylinder pressure reducing valve 1, a pressure sensor, a gas mass flow controller 3, and a solenoid valve 4 arranged sequentially in the gas flow direction.

[0056] In one specific embodiment, the gas distribution branch includes a CO2 supply pipeline, a CO supply pipeline, a H2 supply pipeline, a CH4 supply pipeline, and an N2 supply pipeline connected to the fuel gas mixing device 5; an N2 supply pipeline and an air supply pipeline connected to the cathode gas mixing device 26; and an O2 supply pipeline connected to the anode of the fuel cell stack module. The N2 cylinder is connected to the cylinder pressure reducing valve 1 and the pressure sensor via pipelines and connectors. A tee connector is connected after the pressure sensor, with one end connected to a mass flow controller and a solenoid valve 4 via pipelines and connectors, leading to the cathode gas mixing device 26. The other end is connected to the solenoid valve 4 via pipelines and connectors, leading to the fuel gas mixing device 5 for purging the system. A variable frequency fan 30 and an air flow meter 29 are sequentially installed on the air supply pipeline. The amounts of air and nitrogen entering the cathode gas mixing device 26 can be controlled separately to simulate the cathode gas flow rate and composition at the fuel cell stack cathode outlet during power generation.

[0057] It should be noted that the types of fuel gas mixtures involving CO2, CO, H2, and CH4 in this application may be appropriately changed, depending on the fuel used in the system. Since the solid oxide fuel cell system is decoupled from the fuel stack, the thermal management component testing system is highly adaptable to the fuel.

[0058] The fuel cell stack module includes a fuel cell anode simulation device 14 and a fuel cell cathode simulation device 15. The fuel cell anode simulation device 14 has a material simulation section and a temperature simulation section. The material simulation section simulates the chemical reaction inside the fuel cell anode to produce gas with the same composition as the actual fuel cell anode outlet. The temperature simulation section is connected to a cooling water inlet pipe with a cooling water inlet 16 at the inlet and a cooling water outlet pipe with a cooling water outlet 17 at the outlet. The temperature of the fuel cell outlet gas is controlled by adjusting the cooling water flow rate to achieve the same temperature as the actual fuel cell anode outlet gas. The fuel cell cathode simulation device 15 simulates the temperature rise inside the fuel cell and provides a certain amount of heat supplementation for the power generation operation through electric heating to achieve the same temperature as the actual fuel cell cathode outlet gas.

[0059] The combustion module includes a burner 13, with temperature sensors arranged at its two inlets and one outlet to test its heating performance. Micro-differential pressure sensors 12 are arranged at the anode gas inlet-burner outlet and the cathode gas inlet-burner outlet to test its pressure loss performance. Preferably, multiple temperature sensors are arranged at the burner outlet, with 3-6 sensors arranged using an equal toroidal method. Preferably, temperature sensors are arranged at the flame shoulder and flame tube sidewall to monitor the flame state and surface temperature of the burner 13. The burner 13 in the thermal management component of the solid oxide fuel cell system under test includes an ignition device, not limited to spark ignition or glow plugs.

[0060] The heat pipe module includes an anode gas preheater 11, a cathode gas preheater 21, and an exhaust gas cooler 23. The fuel gas mixing device 5, the anode gas preheater 11, the fuel cell stack anode simulation device 14, and the burner 13 are connected in sequence through pipelines. The cathode gas mixing device 26, the cathode gas preheater 21, the fuel cell stack cathode simulation device 15, and the burner 13 are connected in sequence through pipelines. The exhaust gas from the burner 13 recovers waste heat through the anode gas preheater 11, the cathode gas preheater 21, and the exhaust gas cooler 23.

[0061] In one specific embodiment, the heat pipe module further includes a reformer 8, a steam superheater 19, and a water evaporator 22. The reformer 8 is connected in series between the fuel gas mixing device 5 and the anode gas preheater 11. A fuel gas-steam mixing device 6 is provided on the connecting pipeline between the reformer 8 and the fuel gas mixing device 5. The steam inlet end of the fuel gas-steam mixing device 6 is connected to a steam supply pipeline. The steam supply pipeline is sequentially provided with a deionized water tank 31, a water metering pump 28, a pressure sensor, an electric three-way valve 27, a water evaporator 22, and a steam superheater 19. A start-up electric evaporator 25 is provided in parallel at the inlet end of the electric three-way valve 27 and the steam superheater 19.

[0062] After passing through the electric three-way valve 27, the deionized water is connected to the cold side inlet of the water vapor superheater 19, regardless of whether it enters the start-up water-electric evaporator 25 or the water evaporator 22. The cold side outlet of the water vapor superheater 19, which is also the superheated steam outlet 18, is connected to the fuel gas-water vapor mixing device 6.

[0063] Anode gas preheater 11 is a gas-to-gas heat exchanger. Its cold-side inlet is connected to the outlet pipeline of reformer 8, its cold-side outlet is connected to the inlet pipeline of fuel cell anode simulation device 14, its hot-side inlet is connected to the burner outlet pipeline, and its hot-side outlet is connected to the hot-side inlet pipeline of steam superheater 19. Cathode gas preheater 21 is a gas-to-gas heat exchanger. Its cold-side inlet is connected to the outlet pipeline of cathode gas mixing device 26, its cold-side outlet is connected to the inlet pipeline of fuel cell cathode simulation device 15, its hot-side inlet is connected to the hot-side outlet pipeline of steam superheater 19, and its hot-side outlet is connected to the hot-side inlet pipeline of water evaporator 22. The hot-side outlet of water evaporator 22 is connected to the hot-side inlet pipeline of tail gas cooler 23, and the tail gas cooler 23 outlet pipeline is equipped with tail gas outlet 24. The flue gas from the outlet of the burner 13 flows through the anode gas preheater 11, the steam superheater 19, the cathode gas preheater 21, the water evaporator 22, and the tail gas cooler 23. The flow through each heat exchanger can be in series, in parallel, or in partial parallel. The order can also be modified according to the system flow design.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the anode gas preheater 11, the steam superheater 19, the cathode gas preheater 21, the water evaporator 22, and the tail gas cooler 23 are all heat exchangers. The heat exchanger structure can be either a split type or an integrated type.

[0065] The monitoring module includes temperature and pressure sensors arranged at the cold inlet and outlet of each heat exchanger to test the heat exchange and pressure loss performance of the heat exchangers; temperature and pressure sensors installed at the inlet and outlet and inside of the reformer 8 to monitor the state and pressure loss performance of the reformer 8; temperature sensors arranged at the inlet and outlet of the burner 13 to test the heating performance of the burner 13; and micro differential pressure sensors 12 arranged between the anode gas inlet and burner outlet and between the cathode gas inlet and burner outlet of the burner to test the pressure loss performance of the burner; and in the... A reforming gas sampling path is arranged on the outlet pipe of reformer 8. A manual ball valve is installed on the reforming gas sampling path. When opened, the gas at the outlet of reformer 8 is collected through the reformer sampling port 9. After being bagged, it is sent for testing or its composition is tested by the user. This is used to test the reforming rate performance of reformer 8. An exhaust gas sampling path is arranged on the outlet pipe of exhaust gas cooler 23. A manual ball valve is installed on the exhaust gas sampling path. When opened, the flue gas at the outlet of burner 13 is collected through the exhaust gas sampling port 20. After being bagged, it is sent for testing or its composition is tested by the user. This is used to test the combustion completeness and emission performance of burner 13.

[0066] In this case, the reformer 8, anode gas preheater 11, burner 13, steam superheater 19, cathode gas preheater 21, water evaporator 22, and exhaust gas cooler 23 can be partially or entirely used as thermal management components of the solid oxide fuel cell system under test. The gas flow rate and composition in the fuel gas mixing device 5 can be adjusted according to the operating conditions. When the thermal management component test includes the reformer 8, only CH4 is supplied; when the thermal management component test does not include the reformer 8, the gas is mixed according to different operating conditions.

[0067] The test apparatus of this application uses an anode simulation device 14 for fuel cell stacks, supplemented by a temperature regulating function of an anode gas preheater 11, to generate anode tail gas with the same composition and temperature as the actual fuel cell stack. A cathode simulation device 15 for fuel cell stacks is used, and an electric heating auxiliary method is used to provide cathode tail gas at a suitable temperature. Then, combustion gas is used to burn the outlet gas of the fuel cell stack module and utilize the waste heat. The test apparatus for the thermal management components of the solid oxide fuel cell system obtained in this way has the characteristics of close approximation of the test conditions and environment to the real system, being independent of the fuel cell stack, low risk, high energy efficiency, and energy saving and environmental protection.

[0068] According to another aspect of the present invention, a test method for a thermal management component of a solid oxide fuel cell system is provided, specifically including test contents under the following operating conditions:

[0069] I. Cold Ignition Condition Test

[0070] The test was used to determine the maximum and minimum fuel flow rates for successful ignition of burner 13 in a cold state.

[0071] Flow CH4 through the system at a predetermined initial ignition fuel flow rate and perform an ignition test. If successful, reduce the CH4 flow rate, ensuring the reduction does not exceed 5% of the initial ignition fuel flow rate, until ignition fails. Purge the system and record this flow rate as the minimum cold-state ignition fuel flow rate.

[0072] If ignition fails at the initial ignition fuel flow rate, purge the system and increase the CH4 flow rate. The increase should not exceed 5% of the initial ignition fuel flow rate until ignition is successful. Record this flow rate as the minimum cold-state ignition fuel flow rate. If ignition still fails even when the fuel flow rate reaches the maximum design ignition fuel flow rate, the burner 13 ignition design is considered to have a defect.

[0073] After determining the minimum flow rate of the cold-state ignition fuel, gradually increase the CH4 flow rate, with the increase not exceeding 5% of the initial ignition fuel flow rate, until ignition fails. Record this flow rate as the maximum flow rate of the cold-state ignition fuel. If ignition is still successful even when the fuel flow rate is increased to 3 times the minimum flow rate of the cold-state ignition fuel, stop the test and record 3 times the minimum flow rate of the cold-state ignition fuel as the maximum flow rate of the cold-state ignition fuel.

[0074] By repeatedly igniting the fuel at the minimum and maximum flow rates under cold ignition conditions, and succeeding three times, the range of fuel flow rates under cold ignition conditions can be determined.

[0075] The method for determining successful and failed ignition is as follows: Ignition is successful if the temperature rise rate (TTR) calculated via the thermocouple at the center of the burner outlet is positive for 7 seconds within the ignition time window and can continue burning for 5 minutes; otherwise, it is considered a failed ignition. The values ​​related to the time intervals mentioned above can be adjusted appropriately according to the actual system conditions.

[0076] The method for calculating the temperature rise rate is as follows:

[0077] TTR=(T t0+Δt -T t0 ) / Δt

[0078] Where: TTR is the temperature rise rate, in °C / s; Δt is the sampling interval, in s; t0 is the current time, in s; T t0 The temperature value collected by the thermocouple at time t0 is the flame temperature, in °C.

[0079] The method for determining successful and unsuccessful ignition can also be used to determine combustion and flameout under other operating conditions.

[0080] II. Low-stress heating condition test

[0081] The test was used to determine the minimum fuel flow rate required to achieve low-stress temperature rise after successful cold ignition of burner 13, and to record the temperature rise curve of the thermal management component during the start-up and temperature rise process, in order to determine the time-delay characteristics of the temperature rise of the thermal management component.

[0082] Using the minimum cold-ignition fuel flow rate as the initial fuel flow rate, ignite and start the burner 13, then reduce the fuel flow rate. During the reduction of the fuel flow rate, it can be done quickly at first and then slowly. If flameout occurs at a certain flow rate, purge the system, re-ignite, and reduce the fuel flow rate to one or two similar unflashed fuel flows before the flameout flow rate. Let it burn for 5 minutes. If it does not extinguish, then set this flow rate as the minimum fuel flow rate after successful ignition.

[0083] If flameout occurs within 5 minutes of combustion, purge the system and slightly increase the fuel flow rate until successful ignition. The final determined flow rate will be set as the minimum fuel flow rate after successful ignition.

[0084] Using the minimum fuel flow rate after successful ignition as the low-stress heating fuel flow rate, combustion is continued, and the inlet and outlet temperature rise curves of the thermal management component are recorded.

[0085] By monitoring the inlet temperatures of the anode simulation device 14 and the cathode simulation device 15 of the fuel cell stack, the fuel flow rate during the low-stress heating process can be appropriately increased, provided that the requirements of the fuel cell stack for the temperature rise rate are met.

[0086] III. Water Circulation Test

[0087] The test was used to determine the maximum initial flow rate and maximum flow rate that the system could withstand when entering the pre-reforming stage of steam injection.

[0088] After the start-up of the water-electric evaporator 25 for preheating, and the flow rates of the anode gas and cathode gas at the inlet of the burner 13 reach the water flow conditions, the initial water flow rate is set, and the water metering pump 28 is started. The initial water flow rate can be determined as 100% of the system design water flow rate for this operating condition. If successful and stable combustion lasts for 5 minutes, then 100% of the system design water flow rate is determined as the initial water flow rate.

[0089] If flameout occurs when the initial water flow rate is set to 100% of the system's design flow rate for this operating condition, purging and re-ignition should be performed, and the fuel flow rate adjusted to the required test range. The water flow rate should then be reduced, and the test repeated until successful. This water flow rate should then be set as the maximum initial flow rate. The water flow rate should be gradually increased, with the single increase and adjustment interval determined by the user and not necessarily fixed. If flameout occurs during the process, the single increase or adjustment interval should be appropriately reduced after purging until the water flow rate reaches 100% of the system's design flow rate for this operating condition.

[0090] Continue to increase the water flow rate, the amount of which can be set according to the situation, until the flame is extinguished. Record the water flow rate corresponding to the flameout as the maximum water flow rate.

[0091] If, after a series of adjustments, the water flow rate cannot reach the system's design flow rate for this operating condition, subsequent tests cannot be completed. Record the water flow rate, stop the performance testing of the thermal management components, and analyze the cause.

[0092] During water flow testing, pressure data at all measuring points in the thermal management components should be recorded to analyze the response characteristics of the thermal management components to material changes during water flow.

[0093] IV. Reforming Condition Test

[0094] The test is mainly used to determine the performance of reformer 8 from water supply to stable operation, and at the same time to test the combustion stability of burner 13 due to changes in composition during the reforming stage.

[0095] Monitor the inlet temperatures of the fuel cell stack anode simulation device 14 and the fuel cell stack cathode simulation device 15. While meeting the fuel cell stack's temperature rise rate requirements, adjust the fuel flow rate and water-to-carbon ratio during the low-stress heating process. Collect reformer gas from the reformer outlet in segments based on the reformer 8 inlet temperature, bag them, and send them for testing.

[0096] During reforming operation testing, temperature and pressure data at all measuring points in the thermal management components should be recorded to analyze the matching characteristics of the reforming reaction with other thermal management components in the system.

[0097] V. Stable Operation Condition Test

[0098] The test is used to comprehensively evaluate the performance of thermal management components under stable operating conditions.

[0099] By controlling the mass flow controllers for O2, CO2, CO, H2, CH4, and N2 gases, the variable frequency fan 30, and the water metering pump 28, the materials entering the fuel cell stack anode simulation device 14 and the fuel cell stack cathode simulation device 15 are configured to be close to the design values ​​at the fuel cell stack inlet. The cooling water flow rate of the fuel cell stack anode simulation device 14 and the electric heater power of the fuel cell stack cathode simulation device 15 are controlled to ensure that the anode gas and cathode gas temperatures entering the burner 13 are close to the design temperature at the fuel cell stack outlet.

[0100] The stable operating condition test should be maintained for more than 30 minutes. Record the temperature and pressure data of all measuring points in the thermal management components, collect the composition of the reformer outlet reformed gas, and collect the composition of the burner outlet flue gas.

[0101] The pressure loss performance of each thermal management component is determined by the inlet and outlet pressure loss; the heat exchange performance of each heat exchanger is determined by the inlet and outlet temperatures; and the pre-reformation rate of reformer 8 is determined by the reformed gas composition. The reliability, pressure loss, combustion completeness, stability, and emissions of burner 13 are determined by the burner outlet temperature and distribution, wall temperature, burner anode gas inlet-burner outlet pressure difference, burner cathode gas inlet-burner outlet pressure difference, and burner outlet flue gas composition.

[0102] VI. Aging Operation Condition Test

[0103] The test is used to comprehensively test the performance of thermal management components under aging operating conditions. Aging operating conditions are defined as the conditions under which the power generation system battery stack is in the final stage of aging, when the performance of the battery stack has degraded to the tolerable limit.

[0104] The testing method is the same as that for Test 5, Stable Operating Condition Test.

[0105] VII. Emergency Re-ignition Test

[0106] Test the flameout and re-ignition performance to determine whether the burner can be re-ignited after a sudden flameout.

[0107] Flameout is achieved by actively controlling the fuel supply by shutting off the fuel circuit with a solenoid valve, and controlling the flame's dwell time after extinguishing to within 30 seconds. Flameout is determined by monitoring the thermocouples located at the burner outlet center; if the 10-second TTR (temperature rise rate over 15 seconds) calculated by the thermocouples is negative, the flameout is considered complete. Subsequently, fuel gas is introduced at the required rate for the current operating conditions, and ignition is performed within the flame's dwell time. Successful ignition is defined as 7-second positive TTR (temperature rise rate over 10 seconds) within the ignition time window, followed by sustained combustion for 5 minutes; otherwise, ignition fails. The time interval values ​​mentioned above can be adjusted appropriately based on the actual system conditions. In the later stages of reforming operation, stable power generation operation, and extreme power generation operation, due to the presence of hydrogen in the anode exhaust gas at a high temperature, there is a high probability of spontaneous combustion after mixing with the cathode exhaust gas within the burner; this situation is considered a successful ignition after flameout.

[0108] This application enables testing under various operating conditions, including cold ignition, low-stress heating, water reforming, stable operation, aging operation, and emergency shutdown and re-ignition. It features test conditions and environments that closely approximate the real system, joint testing of thermal management components, low test risk, complete test conditions, and energy saving and environmental protection. It can effectively ensure that the performance of thermal management components of solid oxide fuel cell systems is fully verified before joint commissioning of the fuel cell stack.

[0109] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims.

[0110] Those skilled in the art should understand that although the present invention has been described with reference to multiple embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This description is provided merely for clarity; those skilled in the art should understand the specification as a whole and consider the technical solutions involved in each embodiment as being able to be combined with each other to form different embodiments to understand the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A test device for a solid oxide fuel cell system thermal management component, characterized by, The device comprises: a gas supply module, a stack module, a combustion module, a heat pipe module, a monitoring module and a control module, the gas supply module, the stack module and the combustion module are connected in sequence, the gas supply module is used to regulate the flow of fuel and air, the stack module is used to simulate the composition and temperature of the outlet gas of the actual stack anode and cathode, and the combustion module is used to burn the outlet gas of the stack module; the stack module comprises a stack anode simulation device and a stack cathode simulation device, the stack anode simulation device has a material simulation part and a temperature simulation part, the material simulation part simulates the chemical reaction in the stack anode to produce gas with the same composition as the actual stack anode outlet, the temperature simulation part controls the temperature of the stack outlet gas by adjusting the flow of cooling water for heat exchange to achieve the same temperature as the actual stack anode outlet gas, and the stack cathode simulation device simulates the temperature rise in the stack to provide a certain amount of heat supplement for power generation conditions by electric heating to achieve the same temperature as the actual stack cathode outlet gas; the gas supply module comprises a fuel gas mixing device and a cathode gas mixing device, the heat pipe module comprises a reformer, an anode gas preheater, a cathode gas preheater and a tail gas cooler, the combustion module comprises a burner, the fuel gas mixing device, the reformer, the anode gas preheater, the stack anode simulation device and the burner are connected in sequence by pipelines, the cathode gas mixing device, the cathode gas preheater, the stack cathode simulation device and the burner are connected in sequence by pipelines, and the outlet flue gas of the burner is recycled for waste heat through the anode gas preheater, the cathode gas preheater and the tail gas cooler; the anode gas preheater, the cathode gas preheater and the tail gas cooler are heat exchangers, temperature and pressure sensors are arranged at the inlet and outlet of each heat exchanger to test the heat exchange and pressure loss performance of the heat exchanger, temperature and pressure sensors are arranged at the inlet and outlet of the reformer to monitor the state and pressure loss performance of the reformer, temperature sensors are arranged at the inlet and outlet of the burner to test the temperature rise performance of the burner, micro-pressure difference sensors are arranged between the anode gas inlet and the burner outlet and between the cathode gas inlet and the burner outlet of the burner to test the pressure loss performance of the burner, a reforming gas sampling path is arranged on the outlet pipeline of the reformer to test the reforming rate performance of the reformer, and a tail gas sampling path is arranged on the outlet pipeline of the tail gas cooler to test the combustion completeness and emission performance of the burner; the heat pipe module is configured to adjust the temperature distribution and heat recovery of the stack module by heat exchange between the outlet flue gas of the combustion module and the inlet fuel and air, the monitoring module is used to detect the temperature and pressure at the inlet and outlet of the heat pipe module in real time, and the control module determines the heat exchange performance, pressure loss performance, temperature rise performance, reforming rate, combustion completeness and emission performance of the heat management components according to the temperature and pressure difference signals and sampling results fed back by the monitoring module.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heat pipe module further comprises a water vapor superheater and a water evaporator. The connecting pipeline between the reformer and the fuel gas mixing device is provided with a fuel gas-water vapor mixing device, a deionized water tank, a water evaporator and a water vapor superheater are sequentially arranged along the gas generation direction at the water vapor inlet end of the fuel gas-water vapor mixing device; the outlet flue gas of the combustor passes through an anode gas preheater, a water vapor superheater, a cathode gas preheater, a water evaporator and a tail gas cooler to recover waste heat.

3. The testing device for a thermal management component of a solid oxide fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein, The anode gas preheater, the water vapor superheater, the cathode gas preheater, the water evaporator and the tail gas cooler are heat exchangers, and temperature and pressure sensors are arranged at the inlet and outlet of the cold side of each heat exchanger to test the heat exchange and pressure loss performance of the heat exchanger.

4. The testing device for a thermal management component of a solid oxide fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein, A manual ball valve is arranged on the reforming gas sampling path, which is opened to sample the outlet gas of the reformer, and the sampled gas is bagged and then sent for inspection or self-inspected for its composition; and / or, A ball valve is arranged on the tail gas sampling path, which is opened to sample the outlet flue gas of the combustor, and the sampled flue gas is bagged and then sent for inspection or self-inspected for its composition.

5. The testing device for a thermal management component of a solid oxide fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The gas supply module further comprises a plurality of gas distribution branches in communication with the fuel gas mixing device and the cathode gas mixing device, respectively, and each gas distribution branch comprises, in sequence along the gas flow direction, a gas cylinder, a pressure reducing valve, a pressure sensor, a gas mass flow controller and an electromagnetic valve.

6. The testing device for a thermal management component of a solid oxide fuel cell system according to claim 5, wherein, The gas supply module further comprises an oxygen supply pipeline connected to the gas inlet of the anode simulation device of the stack, and the oxygen supply pipeline sequentially comprises, along the gas flow direction, an oxygen cylinder, an oxygen pressure reducing valve, an oxygen pressure sensor, an oxygen gas mass flow controller and an oxygen electromagnetic valve; The gas distribution branch in communication with the cathode gas mixing device comprises a nitrogen supply pipeline and an air supply pipeline, the nitrogen supply pipeline has a nitrogen branch pipeline connected to the fuel gas mixing device for purging the system, and the air supply pipeline is provided with a fan and an air flow meter; and The thermal management components involved in the test are one or more of a reformer, an anode gas preheater, a combustor, a water vapor superheater, a cathode gas preheater, a water evaporator and a tail gas cooler, and when the thermal management component tested is a reformer, only CH4 is introduced into the fuel gas mixing device.

7. A test method for a test device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The testing device is subjected to cold ignition condition test, low stress heating condition test, water passing condition test, reforming condition test, stable operation condition test, aging operation condition test and emergency shutdown and re-ignition test.

8. The test method according to claim 7, wherein, The cold ignition condition test is used to determine the maximum fuel flow rate and the minimum fuel flow rate for successful ignition of the combustor under cold state. The low stress warming test is used to determine the minimum flow of fuel to achieve low stress warming after successful cold start ignition of the combustor and record the temperature rise curve of the thermal management components to determine the time lag characteristics of the thermal management components; The water passage test is used to determine the maximum initial water passage flow and the maximum water passage flow that the system can withstand when the incoming water passage vapor is about to enter the pre-reforming stage; The reforming test is used to determine the performance of the reformer in the water passage to stable operation condition stage, while testing the combustion stability of the combustor due to changes in composition during the reforming stage; The stable operation condition test is used to test the performance of the thermal management components in all aspects during the stable operation condition; The aging operation condition test is used to test the performance of the thermal management components in all aspects during the aging operation condition, which is defined as the condition when the cell stack of the power generation system is in the end of life state, and the performance of the cell stack has decreased to the tolerable limit; The emergency shutdown and re-ignition test is used to test the shutdown and re-ignition performance to deal with the re-ignition ability after the combustor is extinguished due to unexpected situations.

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