Fuel cell hydrogen path integrated control device and control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention discloses a fuel cell hydrogen path integrated control device and a control method thereof, which relate to the technical field of fuel cell systems, and comprise a first device, a second device, and a third device stacked in sequence into a whole, wherein the first device is provided with an ejector nozzle and an air-water separation inlet, the ejector nozzle is provided with an ejector outlet and is connected to the fuel cell stack inlet through a section of intermediate contraction tube; the second device is provided with a semiconductor refrigeration and heating plate and a heat conducting plate, and an ejector reflux port is provided at the lower end of the ejector nozzle; the third device is provided with a hydrogen flow channel, the inlet end of the hydrogen flow channel is connected to an air intake control valve, and the outlet end of the hydrogen flow channel is connected to the ejector nozzle, the first device is further provided with a separation chamber, and at least two separation baffles are provided in the separation chamber; a fuel cell hydrogen path integrated control device in the present application integrates the functions of an ejector and a gas-water separator, reduces the volume of the equipment, avoids multiple complex pipeline connections, is easy to install and manage, reduces the risk of pipeline leakage, and improves the integration of the fuel cell system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cell systems, and in particular to a fuel cell hydrogen path integrated control device and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] The hydrogen ejector is one of the important components in the hydrogen circulation system of the fuel cell. Its main function is to circulate the hydrogen-containing ejector fluid back to the fuel cell for recycling and reuse.

[0003] The steam-water separator is an important component in the hydrogen fuel cell system. Since the hydrogen pipeline adopts a cyclic reaction design to improve fuel utilization, the unreacted hydrogen will bring in a large amount of reaction-generated water when it passes through the circulation loop and merges with the hydrogen inlet pipeline. It needs to be separated and removed in time to avoid entering the fuel cell stack and causing flooding.

[0004] Currently, hydrogen ejectors and separators are used and arranged separately, requiring a large space and complex water, electricity, and heat piping. This creates significant inconvenience for space-constrained applications, such as those in construction machinery, rail transit, and ships and yachts, where installation workspace is limited. This places higher demands on structural and functional integration. Furthermore, the hydrogen piping in fuel cells requires consideration of multiple factors, such as heating, dehumidification, and flow matching. Therefore, designing an integrated device that combines the functions of both the ejector and separator while simultaneously meeting the water and heat management requirements of the fuel cell system has become an urgent challenge. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the defects existing in the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell hydrogen circuit integrated control device and a control method thereof, aiming to solve the technical problems in the related art to a certain extent.

[0006] In order to achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0007] A fuel cell hydrogen path integrated control device is provided with an intake control valve and a purge valve, comprising a first device, a second device and a third device, the first device, the second device and the third device being superimposed in sequence into a whole, wherein the first device is provided with an ejector nozzle and an air-water separation inlet, the ejector nozzle is provided with an ejector outlet and is connected to the fuel cell inlet through a section of an intermediate contraction tube, and the air-water separation inlet and the ejector outlet are arranged side by side at one end; the second device is provided with a semiconductor cooling and heating plate and a heat conducting plate, which are arranged side by side and in parallel and respectively adhere to the first device and the third device, and an ejector reflux port is provided at the lower end of the ejector nozzle; the third device is provided with a hydrogen flow channel, the inlet end of the hydrogen flow channel is connected to the intake control valve, and the outlet end of the hydrogen flow channel is connected to the ejector nozzle, the first device is also provided with a separation chamber, at least two separation baffles are provided in the separation chamber, an air-water separation inlet is provided at one end of the separation chamber, the ejector reflux port is connected to the separation chamber, and an outlet end is provided at the lower end of the separation chamber and is connected to the purge valve.

[0008] Furthermore, the ejection nozzle and the separation chamber are separated and arranged in an upper and lower manner.

[0009] Furthermore, the hydrogen flow channel includes at least two capillary meander flow channels or S-shaped flow channels, and is evenly distributed on the third device.

[0010] Furthermore, a temperature sensor is provided between the hydrogen flow channel and the injection nozzle.

[0011] Furthermore, the heat conducting sheet is provided with a heat conducting channel switch, which can be turned on and off to control heat conduction.

[0012] Furthermore, a cyclone flow channel and / or a baffle and / or a filter screen is provided in the separation chamber, and the separation baffle is arranged in the separation chamber perpendicular to the direction of the air-water separation inlet.

[0013] Furthermore, the semiconductor cooling and heating plates are respectively connected to the hydrogen flow channel and the separation chamber through heat-conducting copper plates.

[0014] Furthermore, the heat conducting sheet is connected to the hydrogen flow channel and the separation chamber via a heat conducting copper sheet.

[0015] Furthermore, the intake control valve is an electromagnetic proportional valve or a hydrogen injector.

[0016] Furthermore, a control method for a fuel cell hydrogen circuit integrated control device is provided, the method comprising:

[0017] Step 1: When the fuel cell stack is started, the temperature sensor temperature feedback signal is read, and the control system is fitted to send a control signal to turn on the semiconductor cooling and heating plate. The heating surface heats the hydrogen flow channel of the third device to meet the reaction temperature requirement when the cold machine is started and improve the reaction efficiency; at the same time, the semiconductor cooling surface cools the gas-water separation side of the first device;

[0018] Step 2: When the fuel cell stack is in a low-temperature environment, the temperature sensor temperature feedback signal is read, and the control system is fitted to send a control signal to turn on the semiconductor cooling and heating plate. The heating surface heats the hydrogen flow channel of the third device to meet the reaction temperature requirement when the cold machine is started and improve the reaction efficiency; at the same time, the semiconductor cooling surface cools the gas-water separation side of the first device;

[0019] Step three: When the fuel cell stack enters medium and high power operation, the temperature sensor temperature feedback signal is read, the control system fits and matches the hydrogen temperature requirement entering the fuel cell stack, and sends a control signal to turn off the semiconductor cooling and heating plate and turn on the heat conduction function of the heat conducting plate. The first device and the third device realize heat exchange through the heat conducting plate, and the hydrogen flow channel is heated to an appropriate temperature by the heat conducting plate and then the heat conducting channel of the heat conducting plate is closed; at the same time, the gas-water separation side is cooled by the heat conducting plate to assist in gas-water separation.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are:

[0021] (1) Compared with the prior art, the fuel cell hydrogen circuit integrated control device in the present invention integrates the functions of the ejector and the steam-water separator, reduces the size of the equipment, avoids multiple complex pipeline connections, facilitates installation and management, reduces the risk of pipeline leakage, and improves the integration of the fuel cell system.

[0022] (2) The integrated control device for the hydrogen circuit of a fuel cell in the present invention utilizes the principle of semiconductor refrigeration and heating plates to achieve two-way control of heating and cooling, which not only ensures that the temperature of hydrogen entering the stack is not too low, but also assists in accelerating the separation of water vapor by the steam-water separator. By adjusting the structural layout, multiple functions can be achieved simultaneously to meet the various characteristic requirements of the hydrogen circuit of the fuel cell stack.

[0023] (3) The control method of the fuel cell hydrogen circuit integrated control device in the present invention has the characteristics of fast control response, good accuracy, and timely feedback. It can match and adapt to the full power range of the fuel cell and realize stable control of the hydrogen circuit of the fuel cell system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fuel cell hydrogen path integrated control device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a top view of a fuel cell hydrogen path integrated control device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a second device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4A schematic sectional view of the three-dimensional structure of a fuel cell hydrogen path integrated control device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a structural principle diagram of a fuel cell hydrogen circuit integrated control device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] In the figure: 1-first device, 2-second device, 21-semiconductor cooling and heating plate, 22-heat conducting plate, 3-third device, 31-hydrogen flow channel, 4-intake control valve, 5-Purge valve, 6-injection nozzle, 61-temperature sensor, 62-injection reflux port, 7-injection outlet, 8-gas-water separation inlet, 9-separation baffle, 10-separation chamber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The embodiments of the present invention are further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, with examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when referring to the drawings, identical numerals in different figures represent identical or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to represent all possible embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present disclosure, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0032] The terms used in this disclosure are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the disclosure. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "the," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0033] In the description of this application, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "set", "install", "connect", and "connect" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be internal communication between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise", or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or device that includes a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements that are not explicitly listed, or also includes elements that are inherent to such process, method, article, or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "including a..." do not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or device that includes the elements.

[0034] See also Figure 1 The figure shows a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of a fuel cell hydrogen path integrated control device in an embodiment of the present invention. The device is provided with an intake control valve 4 and a purge valve 5. The intake control valve 4 controls the flow rate of hydrogen intake, and the control of the purge valve 5 is: since nitrogen will penetrate from the oxygen side to the hydrogen side, the nitrogen concentration in the circuit will become higher and higher under the action of the circulation pump, which will reduce the hydrogen concentration in the mixed gas. Therefore, the purge valve will be opened from time to time to discharge the "waste gas" at the outlet end into the atmosphere. In this application, the purge valve 5 is open-loop controlled and opened and closed at regular intervals. A fuel cell hydrogen circuit integrated control device includes a first device 1, a second device 2 and a third device 3, wherein the first device 1, the second device 2 and the third device 3 are sequentially stacked into a whole, wherein the first device 1 is provided with an ejection nozzle 6 and a gas-water separation inlet 8, the ejection nozzle 6 is provided with an ejection outlet 7 and is connected to the fuel cell inlet through a section of an intermediate contraction tube, and the gas-water separation inlet 8 and the ejection outlet 7 are arranged side by side at one end; the second device 2 is provided with a semiconductor cooling and heating plate 21 and a heat conducting plate 22, the semiconductor cooling and heating plate 21 and the heat conducting plate 22 The first device 1 and the third device 3 are arranged side by side and in parallel and respectively adhered to each other, and an injection reflux port 62 is provided at the lower end of the injection nozzle 6; the third device 3 is provided with a hydrogen flow channel 31, the inlet end of the hydrogen flow channel 31 is connected to the intake control valve 4, and the outlet end of the hydrogen flow channel 31 is connected to the injection nozzle 6. The first device 1 is also provided with a separation chamber 10, at least two separation baffles 9 are provided in the separation chamber 10, an air-water separation inlet 8 is provided at one end of the separation chamber 10, the injection reflux port 62 is connected to the separation chamber 10, and an outlet end is provided at the lower end of the separation chamber 10 and is connected to the Purge valve 5.

[0035] In the present application, the ejection nozzle 6 and the separation chamber 10 are separated into upper and lower parts, so as to realize the upper and lower divisions of the hydrogen ejection function and the gas-water separation function, which is convenient for integrated management.

[0036] The hydrogen flow channel 31 includes at least two meandering channels, which are evenly distributed on the third device 3. The meandering channels are convenient for heat conduction contact area of hydrogen, which facilitates rapid preheating of hydrogen into the stack.

[0037] A temperature sensor 61 is provided between the hydrogen flow channel 31 and the injection nozzle 6. The temperature sensor 61 monitors the temperature of the hydrogen entering the injection nozzle 6 and provides signal feedback for preheating control.

[0038] The heat conducting sheet 22 is provided with a heat conducting channel switch, which can be turned on and off to control heat conduction.

[0039] The separation chamber 10 is provided with a cyclone flow channel and / or a baffle and / or a filter screen, corresponding to centrifugal separation, impact condensation and filtration separation, respectively. The separation baffle 9 is arranged in the separation chamber 10 perpendicular to the direction of the gas-water separation inlet 8. In the present application, a centrifugal separation structure and an adsorption structure can also be combined to perform a baffle centrifugal adsorption composite gas-water separation.

[0040] The semiconductor cooling and heating plate 21 is connected to the hydrogen flow channel 31 and the separation chamber 10 respectively through heat-conducting metal. The heat-conducting metal includes copper sheets, aluminum sheets, etc., and can also be thermal grease or brazing materials. The semiconductor cooling and heating plate 21, also known as a thermoelectric cooling plate, is a heat pump. Its advantage is that it has no sliding parts and is used in some places where space is limited, reliability is high, and there is no refrigerant pollution. Utilizing the Peltier effect of semiconductor materials, when direct current passes through a galvanic couple composed of two different semiconductor materials connected in series, heat is absorbed and released at both ends of the galvanic couple, respectively, to achieve the purpose of cooling. The semiconductor cooling and heating plate 21 is a refrigeration technology that produces negative thermal resistance. Typically, the temperature difference between the hot and cold ends of the semiconductor cooling plate can reach between 40 and 65 degrees. If the hot end temperature is lowered through active heat dissipation, the cold end temperature will also drop accordingly, thereby reaching a lower temperature.

[0041] The heat conducting sheet 22 is connected to the hydrogen flow channel 31 and the separation chamber 10 via heat conducting metal.

[0042] The intake control valve 4 is an electromagnetic proportional valve or a hydrogen injector.

[0043] A control method for a fuel cell hydrogen circuit integrated control device comprises the following steps:

[0044] Step 1: When the fuel cell stack starts up, the temperature feedback signal from the temperature sensor 61 is read, and the control system generates a control signal to activate the semiconductor cooling and heating plate. The heating surface heats the hydrogen flow channel 31 of the third device 3, meeting the reaction temperature requirement during cold start-up and improving reaction efficiency. Simultaneously, the semiconductor cooling surface cools the gas-water separation side of the first device 1. The fuel cell stack reaction requires a higher temperature than the ambient temperature, so heating is required when the stack is first started up or when the ambient temperature is low. The fuel cell stack generates a large amount of heat during reaction, and the hydrogen gas exiting the stack is very hot and rich in water vapor. Condensation facilitates the condensation of liquid water from the hydrogen exiting the stack, facilitating gas-water separation. The semiconductor cooling and heating plate 21 is characterized by heating on one side and cooling on the other side when powered on. Based on the feedback from the temperature sensor 61, the semiconductor cooling and heating plate 21 is activated when the fuel cell stack starts up and is at a low temperature. The heating surface heats the hydrogen, meeting the reaction temperature requirement during cold start-up and improving reaction efficiency. Simultaneously, the semiconductor cooling surface cools the mixed gas on the gas-water separation side, condensing more water droplets and facilitating gas-water separation.

[0045] Step 2: When the fuel cell stack is in a low-temperature environment, the temperature feedback signal of the temperature sensor 61 is read, and the control system is fitted to send a control signal to turn on the semiconductor cooling and heating plate. The heating surface heats the hydrogen flow channel 31 of the third device 3 to meet the reaction temperature requirement when the cold machine is started and improve the reaction efficiency; at the same time, the semiconductor cooling surface cools the gas-water separation side of the first device 1.

[0046] Step 3: When the fuel cell stack enters medium-to-high power operation, the temperature feedback signal of the temperature sensor 61 is read, and the control system matches the temperature requirement of the hydrogen entering the fuel cell stack. A control signal is sent to turn off the semiconductor cooling and heating plate, and the heat conduction function of the heat conducting plate 22 is turned on. The first device 1 and the third device 3 realize heat exchange through the heat conducting plate 22. The hydrogen flow channel 31 is heated to a suitable temperature by the heat conducting plate, and then the heat conducting channel of the heat conducting plate 22 is closed; at the same time, the gas-water separation side is cooled by the heat conducting plate to assist in gas-water separation. According to the temperature sensor feedback 61 and the temperature requirement of the hydrogen entering the fuel cell stack, the semiconductor cooling and heating plate 21 is turned off at medium-to-high power. In this process, the hydrogen in the hydrogen flow channel 31 is heated to a suitable temperature by the heat conducting plate, which improves the reaction efficiency; at the same time, the gas-water separation side is cooled by the heat conducting plate, and more water droplets are condensed to facilitate gas-water separation.

[0047] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Persons skilled in the art may make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of the present invention, and such improvements and modifications are deemed to be within the scope of protection of the present invention. Any matters not described in detail in this specification constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A fuel cell hydrogen circuit integrated control device, provided with an intake control valve (4) and a purge valve (5), characterized in that: The invention comprises a first device (1), a second device (2) and a third device (3), wherein the first device (1), the second device (2) and the third device (3) are sequentially stacked into a whole, wherein the first device (1) is provided with an ejection nozzle (6) and an air-water separation inlet (8), the ejection nozzle (6) is provided with an ejection outlet (7) and is connected to the stack inlet through a section of an intermediate contraction tube, and the air-water separation inlet (8) and the ejection outlet (7) are arranged side by side at one end; the second device (2) is provided with a semiconductor cooling and heating plate (21) and a heat conducting plate (22), and the semiconductor cooling and heating plate (21) and the heat conducting plate (22) are arranged side by side in parallel and are respectively attached to the stack inlet. The first device (1) and the third device (3) are combined, and the lower end of the ejector nozzle (6) is provided with an ejector reflux port (62); the third device (3) is provided with a hydrogen flow channel (31), the inlet end of the hydrogen flow channel (31) is connected to the air intake control valve (4), and the outlet end of the hydrogen flow channel (31) is connected to the ejector nozzle (6); the first device (1) is further provided with a separation chamber (10), at least two separation baffles (9) are provided in the separation chamber (10), an air-water separation inlet (8) is provided at one end of the separation chamber (10), the ejector reflux port (62) is connected to the separation chamber (10), and the lower end of the separation chamber (10) is provided with an outlet end and connected to the purge valve (5).

2. A fuel cell hydrogen circuit integrated control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The injection nozzle (6) and the separation chamber (10) are separated and arranged in an upper and lower manner.

3. A fuel cell hydrogen circuit integrated control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hydrogen flow channel (31) includes at least two capillary flow channels or S-shaped flow channels, and is evenly distributed on the third device (3).

4. A fuel cell hydrogen circuit integrated control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A temperature sensor (61) is provided between the hydrogen flow channel (31) and the injection nozzle (6).

5. A fuel cell hydrogen circuit integrated control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat conducting sheet (22) is provided with a heat conducting channel switch, which can be turned on and off to control heat conduction.

6. A fuel cell hydrogen circuit integrated control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A cyclone flow channel and / or a baffle and / or a filter screen are provided in the separation chamber (10), and the separation baffle (9) is arranged in the separation chamber (10) perpendicular to the direction of the air-water separation inlet (8).

7. A fuel cell hydrogen circuit integrated control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The semiconductor refrigeration and heating plate (21) is respectively connected to the hydrogen flow channel (31) and the separation chamber (10) via a heat-conducting copper plate.

8. The fuel cell hydrogen circuit integrated control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat conducting sheet (22), the hydrogen flow channel (31) and the separation chamber (10) are all connected via heat conducting copper sheets.

9. A fuel cell hydrogen circuit integrated control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air intake control valve (4) is an electromagnetic proportional valve or a hydrogen injector.

10. A control method based on the fuel cell hydrogen path integrated control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The method comprises: Step 1: When the fuel cell stack is started, the temperature feedback signal of the temperature sensor (61) is read, and the control system is fitted to send a control signal to turn on the semiconductor cooling and heating plate, so that the heating surface heats the hydrogen flow channel (31) of the third device (3), thereby meeting the reaction temperature requirement when the cold machine is started and improving the reaction efficiency; at the same time, the semiconductor cooling surface cools the gas-water separation side of the first device (1); Step 2: When the fuel cell stack is in a low-temperature environment, the temperature feedback signal of the temperature sensor (61) is read, and the control system is fitted to send a control signal to turn on the semiconductor cooling and heating plate, so that the heating surface heats the hydrogen flow channel (31) of the third device (3), thereby meeting the reaction temperature requirement when the cold machine is started and improving the reaction efficiency; at the same time, the semiconductor cooling surface cools the gas-water separation side of the first device (1); Step 3: When the fuel cell stack enters the medium-high power operation, the temperature feedback signal of the temperature sensor (61) is read, the control system is fitted to match the temperature requirement of the hydrogen entering the fuel cell stack, and a control signal is sent to turn off the semiconductor cooling and heating plate, and turn on the heat conduction function of the heat conducting plate (22). The first device (1) and the third device (3) realize heat exchange through the heat conducting plate (22), and the hydrogen flow channel (31) is heated to an appropriate temperature by the heat conducting plate, and then the heat conducting channel of the heat conducting plate (22) is closed; at the same time, the gas-water separation side is cooled by the heat conducting plate to assist in gas-water separation.

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