An activated fuel cell system, vehicle, and activation method

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of fuel cell, in particular to an activation fuel cell system, a vehicle and an activation method, the system comprises a stack, a nitrogen source, an air subsystem and a hydrogen subsystem, the stack comprises an air side inlet and a hydrogen side inlet; the air subsystem comprises a humidifier and an inlet three-way valve; the hydrogen subsystem comprises a hydrogen supply device; the inlet three-way valve is communicated with the outlet end of the hydrogen supply device through a second electromagnetic valve; the inlet three-way valve is connected between the air side inlet and the humidifier; the nitrogen source, the hydrogen supply device and the hydrogen side inlet are communicated in sequence; the present application can periodically purge and activate the fuel cell engine, and restore the performance of the stack; the nitrogen of the nitrogen source can be periodically supplemented, and the time required for supplementing nitrogen is only a few minutes, which greatly reduces the difficulty of activation and improves the efficiency.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of fuel cell, in particular to an activated fuel cell system, a vehicle and an activation method. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the influence of the emission of traditional automobiles on environmental pollution becoming more and more serious, new energy automobiles become an important way to solve automobile exhaust emission, among which fuel cell automobiles have more and more attention due to the advantages of high energy efficiency, short hydrogen filling time, long cruising range, air purification and the like.

[0003] The durability problem of fuel cell has always been a big factor restricting the rapid development of fuel cell automobile. With the increase of the running time of fuel cell engine, the performance of fuel cell stack will slowly decay, and when the fuel cell stack decays to 80% of the initial state, it is considered that the life ends. The factors causing the decay of fuel cell stack can be divided into two categories: one is irreversible decay, such as corrosion of carbon carrier, loss of catalyst, increase of platinum particle size, damage of proton exchange membrane and the like; the other is reversible decay, among which the most important reversible decay is that the catalyst is polluted by impurity gas, such as sulfide, nitride in air and reducing gas impurities in hydrogen and the like. The impurities will react on the surface of the catalyst, causing the surface of the catalyst to be covered, resulting in the reduction of reaction area, and the dust in the air will also be adsorbed on the gas diffusion layer, causing the gas diffusion layer to be blocked.

[0004] Activation is the main way to solve the damage of reversible decay, but generally the activation is in an offline manner, that is, the fuel cell engine is disassembled and placed on a test bench for operation. One activation manner is to introduce humid air into both sides of the engine to oxidize the impurities on the anode side by the oxidation of air, and to discharge the stack to solve the decay caused by impurity gas. The humid air can also desorb the impurities attached in the gas diffusion layer to restore the gas diffusion capacity of the stack. In the prior art, the engine is disassembled and placed on a test bench for operation, humid air is introduced into both sides of the stack to achieve the activation target, and finally the performance restoration effect is realized.

[0005] There is no online activation scheme in the prior art, and with the increase of the running time of fuel cell engine, the performance decay is serious; the maintenance way to restore the performance needs to disassemble the engine and place it on a test bench for activation, which has great work difficulty, consumes many resources and has poor user experience. SUMMARY

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present application is to provide an activated fuel cell system, a vehicle and an activation method to solve the problems of serious performance decay after long running time of engine, great maintenance difficulty and poor user experience.

[0007] To solve the above technical problems, the first technical solution of the present application is:

[0008] An activated fuel cell system, comprising an electric pile, a nitrogen source, an air subsystem and a hydrogen subsystem, the electric pile comprising an air-side inlet and a hydrogen-side inlet; the air subsystem comprising a humidifier and an inlet three-way valve; the hydrogen subsystem comprising a hydrogen supply device; the inlet three-way valve being in communication with an outlet end of the hydrogen supply device through a second electromagnetic valve; the inlet three-way valve being connected between the air-side inlet and the humidifier;

[0009] The nitrogen source, the hydrogen supply device and the hydrogen-side inlet are sequentially communicated.

[0010] To solve the above technical problems, the second technical solution of the present application is:

[0011] A vehicle comprising the activated fuel cell system described above.

[0012] To solve the above technical problems, the third technical solution of the present application is:

[0013] An activation method of the activated fuel cell system described above,

[0014] The activation countdown is started from the remaining time when the activated fuel cell system is running;

[0015] After the activated fuel cell system receives a shutdown instruction, the normal shutdown purge is executed;

[0016] After the purge is completed, it is judged whether the countdown is 0; if not, the remaining shutdown operation is executed, and the remaining time is written into the storage chip; if it is 0, and the system temperature during running reaches the normal working temperature, the system is controlled to reduce the temperature, otherwise the shutdown operation is executed;

[0017] After the temperature is reduced, the nitrogen of the nitrogen source is released;

[0018] The residual hydrogen in the electric pile is replaced;

[0019] After the replacement is completed, the hydrogen subsystem and the nitrogen source are closed, and the inlet three-way valve is adjusted to a preset opening degree;

[0020] Air purging of the air side and the hydrogen side is performed;

[0021] After the purging is completed, the activated fuel cell system is closed, the countdown time is written into the storage chip again, and the activation completion flag is set to 1.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the present application are that the fuel cell engine can be periodically purged and activated to restore the performance of the stack; the engine does not need to be disassembled and placed on a test bench for activation, but can be activated directly on the vehicle, greatly improving efficiency; the nitrogen in the nitrogen source can be periodically supplemented, and the time required for one nitrogen supplement is only a few minutes, overcoming the situation in the prior art that disassembling the engine and activating it takes several hours or even a day, greatly reducing the difficulty of activation and improving efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] Fig. 1 A structure block diagram of an activation fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Fig. 2 A flowchart of an activation method of an activation fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Fig. 3 A flowchart of a displacement method of an activation method of an activation fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Label explanation: 1, air filter; 2, air compressor; 3, intercooler; 4, humidifier; 5, inlet three-way valve; 6, second electromagnetic valve; 7, hydrogen supply device; 8, first electromagnetic valve; 9, bottle port valve; 10, nitrogen source; 11, normally open valve; 12, hydrogen circulation device; 13, hydrogen discharge valve; 14, throttle; 15, stack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] To explain the technical content, purposes and effects of the present application in detail, the following embodiments are combined with the drawings.

[0028] Please refer to Figs. 1 to 3 An activation fuel cell system, comprising a stack 15, a nitrogen source 10, an air subsystem and a hydrogen subsystem, the stack 15 comprising an air side inlet and a hydrogen side inlet; the air subsystem comprising a humidifier 4 and an inlet three-way valve 5; the inlet three-way valve 5 is in communication with the outlet end of a hydrogen supply device 7 through a second electromagnetic valve 6; the inlet three-way valve 5 is connected between the air side inlet and the humidifier 4;

[0029] The hydrogen subsystem comprises a hydrogen supply device 7; the nitrogen source 10, the hydrogen supply device 7 and the hydrogen side inlet are in sequence.

[0030] Working principle: the higher the temperature, the higher the amount of water vapor in the air, the fuel cell engine just after shutdown, the water content of the air side is high, close to 100%, if the temperature decreases, the water vapor will condense from the air, part of which will become liquid water, the remaining part still exists in the air, the air humidity at this time is 100%, which can be used to provide moist air for activation; The air and hydrogen on the same side of the electric pile 15 will cause permanent damage to the electric pile 15, so the role of nitrogen is to replace the hydrogen on the hydrogen side. The hydrogen on the hydrogen side is replaced during activation, and the air on the hydrogen side is replaced after the first start after activation.

[0031] From the above description, it can be seen that the technical scheme of the present application can periodically purge and activate the fuel cell engine to restore the performance of the electric pile 15; the nitrogen in the nitrogen source 10 can be periodically supplemented, and the time required for supplementing nitrogen is only a few minutes, which overcomes the situation that the existing technology needs to disassemble and activate the engine for several hours or even a day, greatly reducing the difficulty of activation and improving the efficiency.

[0032] Further, the air subsystem further comprises an air filter 1, an air compressor 2, an intercooler 3, and a throttle valve 14;

[0033] The humidifier 4 comprises an air path and an exhaust path, and the air filter 1, the air compressor 2, the intercooler 3, the air path, the inlet three-way valve, and the air inlet are sequentially communicated;

[0034] The electric pile 15 further comprises an air outlet, and the air outlet, the exhaust path, and the throttle valve 14 are sequentially communicated.

[0035] Further, the hydrogen subsystem comprises a first electromagnetic valve 8, a hydrogen circulation device 12, and a hydrogen discharge valve 13;

[0036] The first electromagnetic valve 8, the hydrogen supply device 7, and the hydrogen inlet are sequentially communicated; the nitrogen source 10 comprises a bottle opening valve 9, and the outlet of the bottle opening valve 9 is connected between the first electromagnetic valve 8 and the hydrogen supply device 7;

[0037] The electric pile 15 further comprises a hydrogen outlet, and the hydrogen outlet is respectively communicated with the hydrogen circulation device 12 and the hydrogen discharge valve 13; the hydrogen circulation device 12 is communicated with the hydrogen inlet.

[0038] Further, a normally open valve 11 is further arranged between the hydrogen supply device 7 and the hydrogen inlet.

[0039] A vehicle comprising the above-mentioned fuel cell activation system.

[0040] An activation method of the above-mentioned fuel cell activation system,

[0041] The activation fuel cell system starts an activation countdown from the remaining time when it is running;

[0042] The activation fuel cell system performs normal shutdown purge when it receives a shutdown instruction;

[0043] After the purge is completed, it is determined whether the countdown is 0; if not, the remaining shutdown operation is performed, and the remaining time is written into the storage chip; if it is 0, and the system temperature reaches the normal working temperature, the control system is cooled down, otherwise the shutdown operation is performed;

[0044] After the temperature is reduced, the nitrogen source 10 is released;

[0045] The residual hydrogen in the stack 15 is replaced;

[0046] After the replacement is completed, the hydrogen subsystem and the nitrogen source 10 are closed, and the inlet three-way valve 5 is adjusted to the preset opening;

[0047] Air purge is performed on the air side and the hydrogen side;

[0048] After the purge is completed, the activation fuel cell system is closed, the countdown time is written into the storage chip again, and the activation completion flag is set to 1.

[0049] Further, when the activation fuel cell is started, it is determined whether the activation flag in the storage chip is 1; if not, it is normally started, and if yes, it needs to be replaced before starting.

[0050] From the above description, it can be seen that during activation, air is introduced on both sides, and direct introduction of hydrogen during startup will cause damage to the stack 15, so the first startup after activation needs to replace the air on the hydrogen side with nitrogen before the startup process is performed.

[0051] Further, the replacement operation includes

[0052] The first electromagnetic valve 8 is kept closed, and the nitrogen source 10 is released;

[0053] The hydrogen supply device 7, the hydrogen circulation device, and the hydrogen exhaust valve 13 are opened, and the air on the hydrogen side is replaced with nitrogen;

[0054] After the replacement is completed, the activation flag is cleared;

[0055] The nitrogen source 10 is closed;

[0056] The subsequent startup process is performed.

[0057] Further, the replacement of the residual hydrogen in the stack 15 further includes:

[0058] Open the hydrogen supply device 7, hydrogen circulation device 12 and hydrogen exhaust valve 13, and replace the residual hydrogen in the stack 15.

[0059] Further, the air purging of the air side and the hydrogen side further comprises:

[0060] Open the air compressor 2, the second electromagnetic valve 6, the hydrogen exhaust valve 13 and the hydrogen circulation device 12, and perform the air purging of the air side and the hydrogen side.

[0061] Embodiment one

[0062] Reference Fig. 1 An activated fuel cell system, comprising a stack, a nitrogen source, an air subsystem and a hydrogen subsystem, the stack comprising an air side inlet and a hydrogen side inlet; the air subsystem comprising a humidifier and an inlet three-way valve; the hydrogen subsystem comprising a hydrogen supply device; the inlet three-way valve being in communication with the outlet end of the hydrogen supply device through a second electromagnetic valve; the inlet three-way valve being connected between the air side inlet and the humidifier;

[0063] The nitrogen source, the hydrogen supply device and the hydrogen side inlet are sequentially communicated.

[0064] The air subsystem further comprises an air filter, an air compressor, an intercooler and a throttle valve;

[0065] The humidifier comprises an air path and a waste gas path, and the air filter, the air compressor, the intercooler, the air path, the inlet three-way valve and the air side inlet are sequentially communicated.

[0066] The stack further comprises an air side outlet, and the air side outlet, the waste gas path and the throttle valve are sequentially communicated.

[0067] The hydrogen subsystem comprises a first electromagnetic valve, a hydrogen circulation device and a hydrogen exhaust valve;

[0068] The first electromagnetic valve, the hydrogen supply device and the hydrogen side inlet are sequentially communicated; the nitrogen source comprises a bottle port valve, and the outlet of the bottle port valve is connected between the first electromagnetic valve and the hydrogen supply device.

[0069] The stack further comprises a hydrogen side outlet, and the hydrogen side outlet is in communication with the hydrogen circulation device and the hydrogen exhaust valve respectively; and the hydrogen circulation device is in communication with the hydrogen side inlet.

[0070] A normally open valve is further arranged between the hydrogen supply device and the hydrogen side inlet.

[0071] The hydrogen supply device can be a hydrogen injector (hydrogen spray); the hydrogen circulation device can be a circulating pump; and the nitrogen source is stored by a nitrogen cylinder (tank).

[0072] Embodiment two

[0073] A vehicle comprising the activated fuel cell system of embodiment one.

[0074] Embodiment three

[0075] A method of activating the activated fuel cell system of embodiment one,

[0076] Step one, start the activation countdown from the remaining time when the activated fuel cell system is running;

[0077] Step two, execute the normal shutdown purge after the activated fuel cell system receives the shutdown instruction;

[0078] Step three, check if the countdown is 0 after the purge is completed;

[0079] Step four, if not, execute the remaining shutdown operation and write the remaining time into the storage chip;

[0080] Step five, if the countdown is 0 and the system temperature during running reaches the normal working temperature, control the system to cool down, otherwise return to step four to execute the shutdown process;

[0081] Step six, open the bottle port valve of the nitrogen source after the temperature is reduced by 10℃;

[0082] Step seven, open the hydrogen spray, hydrogen circulation device and hydrogen exhaust valve to replace the residual hydrogen in the stack;

[0083] Step eight, after the replacement is completed, close the hydrogen spray and the bottle port valve of the nitrogen source and set the three-way valve to the half-open position;

[0084] Step nine, open the air compressor, the second electromagnetic valve, the hydrogen exhaust valve and the circulation pump to perform air purge on both sides;

[0085] Step ten, after the purge is completed, close all devices, then re-write the countdown time into the storage chip and set the activation completion flag to 1;

[0086] Since air is introduced on both sides during activation, directly introducing hydrogen during startup will cause damage to the stack, therefore the first startup after activation needs to replace the air on the hydrogen side with nitrogen before executing the startup process, and the activation flag 1 is used to identify whether activation was executed during the last shutdown, if not, the normal startup is executed, otherwise the replacement is performed before startup. The replacement method includes the following (refer to Fig. 3 ):

[0087] Step twenty-one, keep the first electromagnetic valve closed and open the bottle port valve of the nitrogen storage bottle;

[0088] Step twenty-two, open the hydrogen sparger, hydrogen circulation device and hydrogen vent valve, and replace the air on the hydrogen side with nitrogen;

[0089] Step twenty-three, clear the activation flag after the replacement is complete;

[0090] Step twenty-four, close the cylinder valve of the nitrogen cylinder;

[0091] Step twenty-five, execute the subsequent normal startup procedure.

[0092] The above only describes the embodiments of the present application, and does not limit the patent scope of the present application, and any equivalent transformation or direct or indirect application in the related technical field using the content of the present application specification and drawings is also included in the patent protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An activated fuel cell system, characterized by, The system comprises a stack, a nitrogen source, an air subsystem and a hydrogen subsystem, the stack comprises an air-side inlet and a hydrogen-side inlet; the air subsystem comprises a humidifier and an inlet three-way valve; the hydrogen subsystem comprises a hydrogen supply device; the inlet three-way valve is communicated with the outlet end of the hydrogen supply device through a second electromagnetic valve; the inlet three-way valve is connected between the air-side inlet and the humidifier; The nitrogen source, the hydrogen supply device and the hydrogen-side inlet are sequentially communicated; The hydrogen subsystem comprises a first electromagnetic valve, a hydrogen circulation device and a hydrogen discharge valve; The first electromagnetic valve, the hydrogen supply device and the hydrogen-side inlet are sequentially communicated; the nitrogen source comprises a bottle mouth valve, the outlet of the bottle mouth valve is connected between the first electromagnetic valve and the hydrogen supply device; The stack further comprises a hydrogen-side outlet, the hydrogen-side outlet is communicated with the hydrogen circulation device and the hydrogen discharge valve respectively; the hydrogen circulation device is communicated with the hydrogen-side inlet; A normally open valve is further arranged between the hydrogen supply device and the hydrogen-side inlet; The activation method of the activated fuel cell system comprises: The activation countdown is started from the remaining time when the activated fuel cell system is running; After the activated fuel cell system receives a shutdown instruction, the normal shutdown purge is executed; After the purge is completed, it is judged whether the countdown is 0; if not, the remaining shutdown operation is executed, and the remaining time is written into the storage chip; if yes, and the system temperature reaches the normal working temperature, the system is controlled to be cooled down, otherwise, the shutdown operation is executed; After the temperature is reduced, the nitrogen in the nitrogen source is released; The residual hydrogen in the stack is replaced; After the replacement is completed, the hydrogen subsystem and the nitrogen source are closed, and the inlet three-way valve is adjusted to a preset opening degree; The air-side and the hydrogen-side are purged with air; After the purge is completed, the activated fuel cell system is closed, the countdown time is written into the storage chip again, and the activation completion flag is set to 1.

2. The activated fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein, The air subsystem further comprises an air filter, an air compressor, an intercooler and a throttle valve; The humidifier comprises an air path and a waste gas path, the air filter, the air compressor, the intercooler, the air path, the inlet three-way valve and the air-side inlet are sequentially communicated; The stack further comprises an air-side outlet, the air-side outlet, the waste gas path and the throttle valve are sequentially communicated.

3. The activated fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein, When the activated fuel cell system is started, it is judged whether the activation flag in the storage chip is 1; if not, the normal start is executed, if yes, the replacement operation is executed before the start.

4. The activated fuel cell system of claim 3, wherein, The replacement operation before the start comprises The first electromagnetic valve is kept in a closed state, and the nitrogen in the nitrogen source is released; The hydrogen supply device, the hydrogen circulation device and the hydrogen discharge valve are opened, and the air in the hydrogen-side is replaced with nitrogen; After the replacement is completed, the activation flag is cleared; The nitrogen source is closed; The subsequent start process is executed.

5. The activated fuel cell system of claim 4, wherein, The replacement of the residual hydrogen in the stack further comprises: The hydrogen supply device, the hydrogen circulation device and the hydrogen discharge valve are opened, and the residual hydrogen in the stack is replaced.

6. The activated fuel cell system of claim 5, wherein, The air purge of the air-side and the hydrogen-side further comprises: The air compressor, the second electromagnetic valve, the hydrogen discharge valve and the hydrogen circulation device are opened, and the air purge of the air-side and the hydrogen-side is executed.

7. A vehicle characterized by comprising: The activated fuel cell system comprises the system according to any one of claims 1-6.

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