High temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell test with air-cooled intermediate conversion module

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of proton exchange membrane fuel cell testing, and discloses a high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell detection intermediate conversion module with air cooling. The application uses an existing low-temperature test platform to control and process the flow and pressure of the oxidant and fuel fluid into the stack with the original function. The fluid is preliminarily controlled within the rated maximum temperature of the low-temperature test platform control. After passing through the conversion module, the fluid is heated to the high-temperature stack temperature and enters the high-temperature stack. The oxidant and fuel fluid from the high-temperature stack pass through the conversion module, are cooled to not higher than the rated maximum temperature that can be processed by the low-temperature test platform, and then enter the low-temperature test platform. The high-temperature cooling of the high-temperature stack is realized by the air cooling of the module, and the cooling system of the low-temperature test platform is closed and does not participate in processing the heat. The manufacturing complexity of a single device is reduced, the manufacturing cycle is shortened, the new equipment investment cost of the user is reduced, and the inspection and maintenance are convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of proton exchange membrane fuel cell testing technology, and relates to an air-cooled intermediate conversion module for testing high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Specifically, it is a testing device and method that adds a temperature conversion device between a low-temperature fuel cell stack test bench and the high-temperature battery under test. Background Technology

[0002] The research, development, production, testing, and processing of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) all require the use of test benches. Based on the stack's operating temperature, they can be divided into low-temperature (LT-PEMFC) and high-temperature (HT-PEMFC) stacks. The temperature boundary is generally defined by the boiling point of water at room temperature and pressure, which is 100°C. High-temperature stacks typically operate between 120 and 200°C, and their coolant media are either pure water, ethylene glycol-containing coolants, or heat transfer oil with a boiling point higher than the stack's operating temperature, respectively. Currently, there is limited testing equipment available for high-temperature stacks.

[0003] In addition, one of the characteristics of high-temperature fuel cell stacks is that water is generally not used to humidify the gases at the cathode and anode.

[0004] Since high-temperature fuel cell stack testing is relatively rare, establishing a complete test bench is prohibitively expensive. Low-temperature fuel cell stack testing equipment, on the other hand, is more readily available. Utilizing existing low-temperature fuel cell stack testing equipment and employing incremental modules to address this issue is a fast, effective, and cost-efficient method, especially when the laboratory already has a low-temperature test bench. This is particularly relevant since high-temperature fuel cell stacks generally have lower power outputs, and many low-power low-temperature test benches are often idle. Modifications that only require connection are more convenient, making reuse more meaningful. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the problems mentioned in the background art, the present invention aims to provide a testing technology for high-temperature hydrogen proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) stacks, particularly for small-power stacks. This technology involves inserting a fluid high-low temperature intermediate temperature conversion module between an existing low-temperature fuel cell (LT-PEMFC) testing device (i.e., a low-temperature test bench) and the HT-PEMFC under test. Specifically, the existing low-temperature stack testing device is used to initially process the temperature, flow rate, and pressure of the oxidant and fuel fluid entering the stack. The fluid is initially heated to the highest temperature that the low-temperature test bench can handle. After passing through the conversion module, it is heated to the high-temperature conditions of the high-temperature stack before entering the high-temperature stack. The oxidant and fuel fluid exiting the high-temperature stack are cooled to a temperature not exceeding the rated maximum temperature that the low-temperature test bench can handle before entering the low-temperature test bench. The high-temperature coolant of the high-temperature stack is located in this module. The high-temperature heat source is directly reduced to the target temperature of the stack by an air cooler. This heat does not enter the low-temperature test bench, thus not increasing the heat dissipation load of the low-temperature test bench. The module itself does not use external cooling circulating water.

[0006] This invention completes high-temperature fuel cell stack testing in an incremental modular manner based on existing technology and preparation. By utilizing existing equipment, the manufacturing complexity of a single device can be reduced, the manufacturing cycle can be shortened, the testing cost can be reduced, and inspection and maintenance are more convenient.

[0007] In this invention, the low-temperature test bench for controlling the pressure and flow of fuel and oxidant, gas humidification, emission control, and cooling cycle control are existing fuel cell stack test bench technologies. Specifically, it includes related flow detectors or controllers, temperature detectors, pressure detectors, humidity detectors, heaters, water replenishers, valves, water distributors, expansion tanks, insulation materials, etc.

[0008] The high-temperature heat transfer oil circulation pump uses a specific heat transfer coolant designated for the high-temperature fuel cell stack under test. This avoids the impact on the measurement of the actual performance of the fuel cell stack due to differences in the properties of the medium and the actual heat transfer coolant used in the high-temperature fuel cell stack. It also avoids problems such as pollution or corrosion caused by changes in the coolant.

[0009] The above-mentioned objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0010] The intermediate conversion module with air cooling for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell testing has a coolant air-cooled radiator (27) connected in sequence to the high-temperature circulating coolant pump front pipe (31), the high-temperature circulating coolant return pump (30), the high-temperature pump back pipe (29), and the coolant inlet heater (28) pipe, and connected in parallel with the cathode tail gas air-cooled radiator (23), the cathode gas heater (22), the anode tail gas air-cooled radiator (21), and the anode gas heater (20).

[0011] The high-temperature fuel cell stack test bench with the aforementioned intermediate conversion module has the following components connected sequentially: the anode gas outlet (07) of the test bench is connected to the anode gas supply pipe (16) of the module, the anode gas heater (20), the anode gas supply pipe (11) of the fuel cell stack, the high-temperature fuel cell stack (24), the anode gas tailpipe (10), the anode tail gas air-cooled radiator (21), the module return anode tailpipe (17), and the anode gas return port (06) of the test bench; the cathode gas outlet (05) of the test bench is connected sequentially to the cathode gas supply pipe (18) of the module and the cathode gas heater (22). The cathode gas supply pipe (09), high temperature fuel cell stack (24), cathode gas tailpipe (08), cathode tail gas air-cooled radiator (23), module return cathode tailpipe (19), and test stand cathode gas return port (04) are connected in sequence. At the same time, the high temperature circulating coolant delivery pump (30), high temperature pump post pipe (29), coolant in-stack heater (28), high temperature circulating coolant in-stack pipe (25), high temperature fuel cell stack (24), high temperature circulating coolant out-stack pipe (26), coolant air-cooled radiator (27), and high temperature circulating coolant pump front pipe (31) are connected in sequence.

[0012] Furthermore, the high-temperature circulating coolant delivery pump (30) is preferably a frequency-controlled centrifugal pump with controllable speed.

[0013] Furthermore, a temperature detector A (32) is provided on the high-temperature circulating coolant outlet pipe (26).

[0014] Furthermore, a temperature detector B (33) is provided on the inlet pipe (31) of the high-temperature circulating coolant pump.

[0015] Furthermore, a temperature detector C (34) is provided on the high-temperature circulating coolant inlet pipe (25).

[0016] Furthermore, the cathode gas tailpipe (08), cathode gas supply pipe (09), anode gas tailpipe (10), anode gas supply pipe (11), high-temperature circulating coolant inlet pipe (25), high-temperature circulating coolant outlet pipe (26), high-temperature pump outlet pipe (29), and high-temperature circulating coolant pump inlet pipe (31) are preferably stainless steel pipes, and each pipe preferably has a section of stainless steel thin-walled corrugated pipe, and all pipes are insulated.

[0017] The advantages of this invention compared to the prior art are:

[0018] 1) By utilizing existing equipment, the manufacturing complexity of a single device can be reduced, the manufacturing cycle can be shortened, and testing costs can be lowered;

[0019] 2) The device of the present invention adopts an incremental approach to the original device structure, which makes inspection and maintenance more convenient;

[0020] 3) After the conversion module is removed, the device can still be used normally for the testing of conventional cryogenic fuel cells, demonstrating strong versatility;

[0021] 4) Solve the testing problem of high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells at a relatively low cost. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the basic structure of a conventional cryogenic fuel cell stack test bench;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the basic structure of a high-temperature fuel cell stack test bench formed by inserting an intermediate conversion module.

[0025] In the diagram: 01, Low-temperature test bench; 02, Test bench coolant return port; 03, Test bench coolant outlet; 04, Test bench cathode gas return port; 05, Test bench cathode gas outlet; 06, Test bench anode gas return port; 07, Test bench anode gas outlet; 08, Fuel cell stack cathode gas tailpipe; 09, Fuel cell stack cathode gas supply pipe; 10, Fuel cell stack anode gas tailpipe; 11, Fuel cell stack anode gas supply pipe; 12, Low-temperature fuel cell stack; 13, Fuel cell stack coolant outlet pipe; 14, Fuel cell stack coolant inlet pipe; 15, Temperature conversion module; 16, Bench-in module anode gas supply pipe; 17, Module return to bench anode. 18. Cathode gas supply pipe for the module; 19. Cathode gas supply pipe for the module return; 20. Anode gas heater; 21. Anode tail gas air-cooled radiator; 22. Cathode gas heater; 23. Cathode tail gas air-cooled radiator; 24. High-temperature fuel cell stack; 25. High-temperature circulating coolant inlet pipe; 26. High-temperature circulating coolant outlet pipe; 27. Coolant air-cooled radiator; 28. Coolant inlet heater; 29. ​​High-temperature pump post-pipe; 30. High-temperature circulating coolant delivery pump; 31. High-temperature circulating coolant pump pre-pipe; 32. Temperature detector A; 33. Temperature detector B; 34. Temperature detector C. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To better understand this invention, the following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, including a schematic diagram of the basic structure of the original low-temperature fuel cell stack (LT-PEMFC) test bench as a reference example, serves as the basis for the present invention. The technical content is further illustrated through specific embodiments, but this does not limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] Reference Example

[0028] See Figure 1 .

[0029] The test bench management of a fuel cell includes fluid, power, and communication systems. This invention focuses on the temperature conversion technology of the fluid. The power and communication components, known in conventional technology, are omitted from the diagram to keep the invention concise and clear. The anode gas is the fuel, and the cathode gas is the oxidant.

[0030] Regarding the fluid component, the cryogenic test bench 01 used in this invention includes control over the temperature, humidity, pressure, and flow rate of the raw material hydrogen and the oxidant air, as well as control over the temperature, pressure, and flow rate of the coolant. These are known technologies and will not be elaborated here.

[0031] The fuel originates from a fuel gas source. After the fuel pressure and flow are controlled by the cryogenic test bench 01, and the fuel gas humidification is controlled (or not humidified), the fuel gas enters the cryogenic fuel cell stack 12 from the anode gas outlet 07 of the test bench, through the anode gas supply pipe 11. The fuel gas after reaction in the cryogenic fuel cell stack 12 returns to the cryogenic test bench 01 through the anode gas tailpipe 10 and the anode gas return port 06 of the test bench. Under the processing and control of the cryogenic test bench 01, the fuel gas is discharged, completing the fuel hydrogen process. The fuel hydrogen temperature is generally room temperature to 80°C, the pressure is generally 20~300 kPag, and the humidity is RH 0~100%.

[0032] The oxidant originates from an oxidant gas source. After the oxidant pressure and flow rate are controlled by the cryogenic test bench 01, and the oxidant gas humidification is controlled (or not humidified), it enters the cryogenic fuel cell stack 12 through the cathode gas outlet 05 and the cathode gas supply pipe 09. The oxidant gas after reaction in the cryogenic fuel cell stack 12 returns to the cryogenic test bench 01 through the cathode gas tailpipe 08, and is discharged under the processing and control of the cryogenic test bench 01, completing the oxidant air process. The oxidant air temperature is generally room temperature to 80℃, the pressure is generally 20~300kPag, and the humidity is RH 0~100%.

[0033] The cryogenic test bench 01 contains a heat exchanger that transfers heat from the cryogenic fuel cell stack 12 to the outside environment through external cold water circulation. This includes heat carried away by the cathode, anode, and coolant fluid exiting the stack. The cryogenic test bench 01 also contains a cooling water circulation pump that supplies coolant circulation to the cryogenic fuel cell stack 12 to control its temperature, which is typically between 50 and 80°C.

[0034] Example

[0035] See Figure 2Based on the reference example, that is, based on the original low temperature test bench 01, a temperature conversion module 15 is inserted between the low temperature test bench 01 and the high temperature fuel cell stack 24. The temperature conversion module 15 includes a fuel hydrogen line anode gas heater 20, an anode tail gas air-cooled radiator 21, an oxidant air line cathode gas heater 22, a cathode tail gas air-cooled radiator 23, a cooling line coolant air-cooled radiator 27, a high temperature circulating coolant delivery pump 30, and also includes a coolant inlet heater 28 for the start-up and heating of the high temperature fuel cell stack 24.

[0036] The cooling water circulation system of the fuel cell stack test bench 1 is shut down, including the test bench coolant return port 02 and the test bench coolant outlet 03. It does not participate in the high-temperature fuel cell stack 24 test and is not connected to the temperature conversion module 15.

[0037] The fuel hydrogen line originates from the cryogenic test bench 01, and flows from the test bench anode gas outlet 07 to the bench-entry module anode gas supply pipe 16, anode gas heater 20, fuel cell stack anode gas supply pipe 11, high-temperature fuel cell stack 24, fuel cell stack anode gas tailpipe 10, anode tail gas air-cooled radiator 21, module return anode tailpipe 17, and test bench anode gas return port 06, returning to the cryogenic test bench 01.

[0038] The oxidant air line originates from the low-temperature test bench 01 and returns to the low-temperature test bench 01 via the test bench cathode gas outlet 05, the bench-entry module cathode gas supply pipe 18, the cathode gas heater 22, the fuel cell stack cathode gas supply pipe 09, the fuel cell stack cathode gas tailpipe 08, the cathode tail gas air-cooled radiator 23, the module return cathode tailpipe 19, and the test bench cathode gas return port 04.

[0039] The cooling circuit for the high-temperature coolant in the temperature conversion module 15 is sequentially connected as follows: high-temperature circulating coolant delivery pump 30, high-temperature pump post-pipe 29, coolant in-reactor heater 28, high-temperature circulating coolant in-reactor pipe 25, high-temperature circulating coolant out-reactor pipe 26, coolant air-cooled radiator 27, and high-temperature circulating coolant pump pre-pipe 31, returning to the high-temperature circulating coolant delivery pump 30 to form a cycle. The high-temperature circulating coolant delivery pump 30 is preferably a frequency-controlled centrifugal pump with controllable speed.

[0040] When the high-temperature fuel cell stack 24 is started, the high-temperature heat transfer oil circulation pump and the power supply to the coolant inlet heater 28 are turned on for heating. The temperature conversion module 15 includes a temperature detector A32 on the high-temperature circulating coolant outlet pipe 26, a temperature detector B33 on the high-temperature circulating coolant pump inlet pipe 31 after the coolant air-cooled radiator 27, and a temperature detector C34 on the high-temperature circulating coolant inlet pipe 25. Once the temperatures at these three locations reach the set operating conditions for the fuel cell stack, the power supply to the coolant inlet heater 28 is turned off. During operation of the high-temperature fuel cell stack 24, the heat dissipation of the coolant air-cooled radiator 27 is controlled by adjusting the coolant air-cooled heat exchanger fan 27 based on the temperatures detected by the three temperature detectors, thereby controlling the temperature of the high-temperature fuel cell stack 24.

[0041] Once the above conditions are met, the power generation test of the high-temperature fuel cell stack 24 is initiated, including the control of fuel and oxidant by the low-temperature test bench 1 and the temperature conversion module 15.

[0042] For example, under the following conditions, the low-temperature test bench 01 controls the fuel pressure and flow rate, and the fuel hydrogen is controlled at a temperature of 80°C and a pressure of 200 kPag without humidification. It enters the temperature conversion module 15 from the anode gas outlet 07 of the test bench through the anode gas supply pipe 16 of the bench entry module. The anode gas heater 20 heats it to the anode gas inlet temperature of 150°C set for the operation of the high-temperature fuel cell stack 24, and then enters the high-temperature fuel cell stack 24 through the fuel cell stack anode gas supply pipe 11. The fuel gas after reaction in the high-temperature fuel cell stack 24 enters the temperature conversion module 15 through the fuel cell stack anode gas tailpipe 10, and is cooled to 50~80°C by the anode tail gas air-cooled radiator 21. It then returns to the low-temperature test bench 01 through the module return anode tailpipe 17 and the test bench anode gas return port 06. The low-temperature test bench 01 processes this cooled tail gas under its own conditions to complete the fuel hydrogen process.

[0043] The low-temperature test bench 01 controls the pressure and flow of the oxidant. The oxidant air is controlled at a temperature of 80°C and a pressure of 180 kPag without humidification. It enters the temperature conversion module 15 from the cathode gas outlet 05 of the test bench, through the cathode gas supply pipe 18 of the bench entry module, and is heated to the cathode gas inlet temperature of 150°C set by the cathode gas heater 22. It then enters the high-temperature fuel cell 24 through the cathode gas supply pipe 09. The cathode gas after the reaction in the high-temperature fuel cell 24 enters the temperature conversion module 15 through the cathode gas tailpipe 08 of the fuel cell 24. It is cooled to 50~80°C by the cathode tail gas air-cooled radiator 23, and then returns to the low-temperature test bench 01 through the cathode tail pipe 19 of the module and the cathode gas return port 04 of the test bench. The low-temperature test bench 01 processes this cooled tail gas under its own conditions to complete the oxidant air process.

[0044] The high-temperature fuel cell stack 24 includes the feed and discharge pipes for cathode gas (08), cathode gas supply (09), anode gas (10), and anode gas supply (11); the high-temperature circulating coolant feed pipe (25), the high-temperature circulating coolant discharge pipe (26); the high-temperature pump post-pipe (29); and the high-temperature circulating coolant pump pre-pipe (31). These are preferably made of stainless steel, with each pipe preferably having a section of thin-walled stainless steel corrugated pipe, and all pipes are insulated. Other pipes can actually use rubber hoses.

[0045] The embodiments described above are merely specific structures of the present invention and do not represent all feasible implementations of the present invention. Any obvious modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention should be considered to be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell testing intermediate conversion module with air cooling, characterized in that, The intermediate conversion module is located between the low-temperature test bench (01) and the high-temperature fuel cell stack (24). The oxidant and fuel fluid are initially heated to the highest temperature that the low-temperature test bench can handle. After passing through the intermediate conversion module, they are heated to the high-temperature conditions of the high-temperature fuel cell stack and enter the high-temperature fuel cell stack. The oxidant and fuel fluid exiting the high-temperature fuel cell stack are cooled to no higher than the rated maximum temperature that the low-temperature test bench can handle after passing through the intermediate conversion module, and then enter the low-temperature test bench. The temperature conversion module (15) includes the infeed anode gas heater (20) and anode tail gas air-cooled radiator (21) for the fuel hydrogen line, the cathode gas heater (22) and cathode tail gas air-cooled radiator (23) for the oxidant air line, the coolant air-cooled radiator (27) for the cooling line, and the high-temperature circulating coolant delivery pump (30). It also includes a coolant infeed heater (28) for the start-up heating of the high-temperature fuel cell stack (24). The coolant air-cooled radiator (27) of the cooling line is connected in sequence to the high-temperature circulating coolant pump front pipe (31), the high-temperature circulating coolant return pump (30), the high-temperature pump back pipe (29), and the coolant inlet heater (28) pipe. The above is a branch line, which is connected in parallel with four branches: cathode tail gas air-cooled radiator (23), cathode gas heater (22), anode tail gas air-cooled radiator (21), and anode gas heater (20). The anode gas outlet (07) of the test bench is connected in sequence to the anode gas supply pipe (16) of the test bench module, the anode gas heater (20), the anode gas supply pipe (11) of the fuel cell stack, the high-temperature fuel cell stack (24), the anode gas tailpipe (10) of the fuel cell stack, the anode tail gas air-cooled radiator (21), and the module return anode tailpipe (1). 7) Test bench anode gas return port (06); Test bench cathode gas outlet (05) sequentially connected to the module cathode gas supply pipe (18), cathode gas heater (22), fuel cell cathode gas supply pipe (09), high temperature fuel cell stack (24), fuel cell stack cathode gas tailpipe (08), cathode tail gas air-cooled radiator (23), module return cathode tailpipe (19), test bench cathode gas return port (04); At the same time, high temperature circulating coolant delivery pump (30), high temperature pump post pipe (29), coolant in-stack heater (28), high temperature circulating coolant in-stack pipe (25), high temperature fuel cell stack (24), high temperature circulating coolant out-stack pipe (26), coolant air-cooled radiator (27), high temperature circulating coolant pump front pipe (31) sequentially connected; In the intermediate conversion module, the high-temperature coolant of the high-temperature fuel cell stack directly reduces the high-temperature heat source to the target temperature of the stack through the coolant air-cooled radiator (27), and its heat does not enter the low-temperature test bench.

2. The air-cooled intermediate conversion module for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell detection as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The high-temperature circulating coolant delivery pump (30) is a frequency-controlled centrifugal pump with controllable speed.

3. The air-cooled intermediate conversion module for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell testing as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Temperature detector A (32) is installed on the high-temperature circulating coolant outlet pipe (26).

4. The air-cooled intermediate conversion module for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell detection as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A temperature detector B (33) is provided on the inlet pipe (31) of the high-temperature circulating coolant pump.

5. The air-cooled intermediate conversion module for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell detection as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The high-temperature circulating coolant inlet pipe (25) is equipped with a temperature detector C (34).

6. The air-cooled intermediate conversion module for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell detection as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cathode gas tailpipe (08), cathode gas supply pipe (09), anode gas tailpipe (10), anode gas supply pipe (11), high-temperature circulating coolant inlet pipe (25), high-temperature circulating coolant outlet pipe (26), high-temperature pump outlet pipe (29), and high-temperature circulating coolant pump inlet pipe (31) are all made of stainless steel.

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