Air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device and method

Abstract

The present invention provides an air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device and method, belonging to the field of new energy power generation technology. The device includes a blower, a humidity control module, a temperature control module, a gas diversion module, and an information acquisition and control module. Ambient air is introduced into the humidity control module by the blower. Based on the target temperature and relative humidity, the ambient air temperature and humidity, and the humidity of the gas at the humidity control module outlet, the gas path of the humidity control module is selected to control the amount of dry air or the temperature of deionized water in the bubbling humidifier to achieve the target relative humidity. The air then enters the temperature control module and controls the temperature of the temperature-controlled medium in the gas-liquid heat exchanger based on the target temperature and the gas temperature at the temperature control module outlet to achieve the target temperature. Finally, the air is introduced into the cathode of the fuel cell stack through the gas diversion module. Based on the relationship between temperature and relative humidity, the present invention precisely controls the humidity control module and the temperature control module to achieve accurate artificial regulation of the relative humidity and temperature of the air.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of new energy power generation, and in particular relates to an air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device and method. Background Art

[0002] As a clean energy source, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are a hot topic in the new energy field, characterized by high efficiency, zero pollutant emissions, long battery life, and low operating temperatures. Air-cooled PEMFCs eliminate auxiliary equipment for coolant circulation and reactant gas humidification. Compared to traditional fuel cells, they offer advantages such as light weight, high efficiency, and compact structure, making them considered an ideal future power source for small power systems.

[0003] Because the cathode of an air-cooled fuel cell is typically exposed to direct ambient air through a fan, its operation is closely related to its surroundings. The performance of the same air-cooled fuel cell can vary significantly in different regions or seasons. Conducting environmental adaptability research is key to achieving the industrialized application of air-cooled fuel cells. Environmental adaptability research involves artificially creating the environmental conditions for the operation of air-cooled fuel cells, specifically by creating specific ambient temperatures and humidity levels. This research explores the operation of air-cooled fuel cells under these varying environmental conditions, thereby facilitating the development of control strategies for these conditions.

[0004] The environmental adaptability of traditional water-cooled fuel cells can be studied by placing the fuel cells in an environmental test chamber for testing, which regulates the ambient temperature and humidity. However, the cathode of an air-cooled fuel cell is in direct contact with the ambient air, and during operation, a large amount of air must be continuously drawn from the surrounding environment through the cathode fan for electrochemical reactions and heat dissipation. Therefore, it cannot operate normally directly in a closed environmental test chamber. Based on the needs of environmental adaptability research for air-cooled fuel cells, this patent proposes an open air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device, which achieves environmental simulation by controlling the air intake temperature and humidity of the air-cooled fuel cell. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art, the present invention proposes an air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device and method, which solves the problem that air-cooled fuel cells cannot be used for environmental adaptability research using traditional closed environmental test chambers. Through this device, the impact of environmental conditions on air-cooled fuel cells can be conveniently explored.

[0006] The specific technical solutions of the present invention are as follows:

[0007] An air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device includes a blower, a humidity control module, a temperature control module, a gas diversion module, and an information acquisition and control module connected in sequence;

[0008] The humidity control module includes an inlet passage selector, a first gas passage, a second gas passage, and an outlet passage selector, wherein the first gas passage has a dry air input port and the second gas passage has a bubbling humidifier;

[0009] The main body of the temperature control module is a gas-liquid heat exchanger, including a liquid passage and a gas passage;

[0010] The gas guide module is arranged at the front end of the cathode of the air-cooled fuel cell stack, and is used to uniformly ensure the gas flow and pressure entering the cathode of the stack;

[0011] The information acquisition and control module includes a first temperature sensor and a first humidity sensor provided at the blower inlet, a second humidity sensor provided at the humidity control module outlet, a second temperature sensor provided at the temperature control module outlet, and a controller connected to the inlet passage selector, the outlet passage selector, the dry air input port, the bubbling humidifier, and the gas-liquid heat exchanger;

[0012] Ambient air is introduced into the inlet of the humidity control module by the blower. The controller controls the inlet path selector and the outlet path selector according to the preset target relative humidity, the preset target temperature, the ambient air temperature detected by the first temperature sensor, the ambient air humidity detected by the first humidity sensor and the gas humidity detected by the second humidity sensor to select the first gas path or the second gas path to be connected to the outlet of the humidity control module, and controls the amount of dry air input by the corresponding dry air input port, or the temperature of the deionized water in the corresponding bubbling humidifier, so that the gas humidity at the outlet of the temperature control module reaches the target relative humidity; the gas output from the outlet of the humidity control module enters the inlet of the temperature control module, and the controller controls the temperature of the temperature control medium of the liquid path in the gas-liquid heat exchanger according to the target temperature and the gas temperature detected by the second temperature sensor, so that the gas temperature in the gas path reaches the target temperature; the gas discharged from the outlet of the temperature control module is homogenized by the gas diversion module and then introduced into the cathode of the fuel cell stack.

[0013] Furthermore, the temperature of the temperature-control medium can be adjusted within a range of -40°C to 100°C.

[0014] Furthermore, the gas guide module is a guide grid whose size matches the cathode of the fuel cell stack.

[0015] Furthermore, the controller controls the relative humidity of the gas at the outlet of the humidity control module to reach the humidity control set value. Make the gas humidity at the outlet of the temperature control module reach the target relative humidity RH obj ; Among them, p sat,obj is the saturated vapor pressure of water corresponding to the target relative humidity; p sat,ambis the saturated vapor pressure of water in ambient air.

[0016] Furthermore, p sat,amb Affected by the ambient air temperature T amb The direct impact of sat,obj Subject to target temperature T obj The direct impact is expressed as:

[0017]

[0018]

[0019] The unit is Pa.

[0020] Furthermore, the controller achieves target control through control algorithms such as PID (Proportional Integral Derivative), ADRC (Active Disturbance Rejection Control), and MPC (Model Predictive Control).

[0021] Furthermore, a mass flow controller (MFC) is provided in the first gas passage, the second gas passage, the dry air input port and the gas passage of the gas-liquid heat exchanger, and the gas flow rate in the passage is controlled by the mass flow controller to control the gas flow rate introduced into the cathode of the fuel cell stack.

[0022] The present invention also proposes a method for simulating the operating environment of an air-cooled fuel cell, comprising the following steps:

[0023] Step 1: Obtain the actual operating environmental conditions, including the ambient air temperature T amb and ambient relative humidity RH amb ;

[0024] Step 2: Set the target temperature T according to the desired simulation environment obj and target relative humidity RH obj ;

[0025] Step 3: The ambient air is introduced into the humidity control module inlet through the blower, and the relative humidity is adjusted according to the target RH. obj , target temperature T obj And the humidity of the gas at the outlet of the humidity control module is detected, and the relative humidity of the gas at the outlet of the humidity control module is adjusted, specifically:

[0026] Step 3-1: According to the ambient air temperature T amb , target temperature T obj and target relative humidity RH obj , calculate the humidity control set value RH of the humidity control module set :

[0027]

[0028] Step 3-2: Determine the humidity control set value RH set Is it greater than the ambient relative humidity RH? amb If yes, go to step 3-3; otherwise, go to step 3-4;

[0029] Step 3-3: Select the first gas path that is connected to the humidity control module, and use the control algorithm to control the humidity set value RH according to the detected gas humidity at the outlet of the humidity control module. set To control the target, negative feedback control is performed on the deionized water temperature of the bubbling humidifier in the first gas path so that the relative humidity of the gas at the outlet of the humidity control module reaches the humidity control set value RH set ;

[0030] Step 3-4: Select the second gas path that connects to the humidity control module, and use the control algorithm to control the set value RH according to the detected gas humidity at the outlet of the humidity control module. set In order to control the target, the amount of dry air inputted from the dry air inlet in the second gas passage is negatively feedback controlled so that the relative humidity of the gas at the outlet of the humidity control module reaches the humidity control set value RH set ;

[0031] Step 4: The gas output from the humidity control module outlet enters the temperature control module inlet. According to the detected gas temperature at the temperature control module outlet, a control algorithm is used to control the target temperature T. obj In order to control the target, negative feedback control is performed on the temperature of the temperature control medium of the gas-liquid heat exchanger in the humidity control module so that the gas temperature at the outlet of the temperature control module reaches the target temperature T obj ;

[0032] Step 5: The gas discharged from the outlet of the temperature control module is homogenized by the gas guide module to complete the operating environment simulation of the air-cooled fuel cell and is then introduced into the cathode of the stack of the air-cooled fuel cell.

[0033] In summary, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0034] The present invention proposes an air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device and method, which passes ambient air through a pipeline through a humidity control module, a temperature control module and a gas diversion module in sequence, and coordinates and controls the modules through an information acquisition and control module, thereby realizing an open environmental simulation device; according to the relationship between temperature and relative humidity, the humidity control module and the temperature control module are precisely controlled to achieve accurate artificial regulation of the relative humidity and temperature of the air entering the cathode of the fuel cell stack; the environmental simulation device of the present invention has a simple structure, is easy to implement, and can be fully automatically controlled through programming, and the implementation process is simple and efficient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device proposed in Example 1;

[0036] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the humidity control module in Example 1;

[0037] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the temperature control module in Example 1;

[0038] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the gas diversion module in Example 1;

[0039] Figure 5 This is an overall flow chart of the air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation method proposed in Example 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clear, the present invention is further described in conjunction with the following specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] The following non-limiting embodiments may enable those skilled in the art to more fully understand the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention in any way.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] This embodiment provides an air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device, the overall structure of which is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, it includes a blower, a humidity control module, a temperature control module and a gas diversion module, as well as an information acquisition and control module connected in sequence;

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown, the humidity control module includes an inlet passage selector, a first gas passage, a second gas passage and an outlet passage selector, the first gas passage has a dry air input port, and the second gas passage has a bubbling humidifier;

[0045] like Figure 3 As shown, the main body of the temperature control module is a gas-liquid heat exchanger, including a liquid passage and a gas passage;

[0046] like Figure 4 As shown, the gas guide module is arranged at the front end of the cathode of the air-cooled fuel cell stack, and is used to uniformly ensure the gas flow and pressure entering the cathode of the stack;

[0047] The information acquisition and control module includes a first temperature sensor and a first humidity sensor arranged at the blower inlet, a second humidity sensor arranged at the humidity control module outlet, a second temperature sensor arranged at the temperature control module outlet, and a controller connected to the inlet channel selector, the outlet channel selector, the dry air input port, the bubbling humidifier and the gas-liquid heat exchanger.

[0048] Based on the above-mentioned environment simulation device, this embodiment also proposes a method for simulating the operating environment of an air-cooled fuel cell. The process is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, the specific steps include:

[0049] Step 1: Based on the first temperature sensor and the first humidity sensor, obtain the actual operating environmental conditions, including the ambient air temperature T amb and ambient relative humidity RH amb ;

[0050] in, p w,amb is the partial pressure of water vapor in the ambient air, p sat,amb is the saturated vapor pressure of water in ambient air, p sat,amb Affected by the ambient air temperature T amb The direct impact is expressed as:

[0051]

[0052] Step 2: The purpose of this embodiment is to explore the performance of air-cooled fuel cells under different environmental conditions by setting different simulation environments, and to provide an experimental basis for formulating control strategies under different environmental conditions in the next step. Therefore, it is necessary to set the target temperature T according to the required simulation environment. obj and target relative humidity RH obj ;

[0053] Step 3: The ambient air is introduced into the humidity control module inlet through the blower, and the controller adjusts the relative humidity according to the target RH. obj , target temperature T obj The relative humidity of the gas at the outlet of the humidity control module is adjusted by the second humidity sensor, specifically:

[0054] Step 3-1: Assume that the relative humidity of the ambient air after passing through the humidity control module is RH set , Since the principle of the humidity control module is a bubbling humidifier or mixed dry air, it essentially changes the water vapor partial pressure in the air without changing the saturated vapor pressure of water, so RH set It can be expressed as:

[0055]

[0056] Among them, p w,set is the water vapor partial pressure after passing through a bubbling humidifier or mixing with dry air; [-] indicates dimensionless;

[0057] The ambient air passes through the humidity control module and then enters the temperature control module. The relative humidity of the air at the outlet of the temperature control module should be the target relative humidity RH. obj , the temperature should be the target temperature T obj Since the principle of the temperature control module is a gas-liquid heat exchanger, it only changes the air temperature and does not change the water vapor partial pressure in the air, so RH obj Expressed as:

[0058]

[0059] Among them, p sat,obj is the saturated vapor pressure of water corresponding to the target relative humidity, subject to the target temperature T obj The direct impact is expressed as:

[0060]

[0061] The target humidity RH to be simulated is known obj and target temperature T obj , combined with the above formula, we can get the humidity control set value RH of the humidity controller set :

[0062]

[0063] Step 3-2: The controller determines the humidity control set value RH set Is it greater than the ambient relative humidity RH? amb If yes, go to step 3-3; otherwise, go to step 3-4;

[0064] Step 3-3: The controller controls the inlet channel selector and the outlet channel selector to select the first gas channel of the humidity control module, and uses the PID control algorithm to control the humidity set value RH according to the gas humidity at the outlet of the humidity control module detected by the second humidity sensor. set To control the target, negative feedback control is performed on the deionized water temperature of the bubbling humidifier in the first gas path. The bubbling humidifier is used to humidify the ambient air to increase the air humidity so that the relative humidity of the gas at the outlet of the humidity control module reaches the humidity control set value RH set ;

[0065] Step 3-4: The controller controls the inlet channel selector and the outlet channel selector to select the second gas channel of the humidity control module. According to the gas humidity at the outlet of the humidity control module detected by the second humidity sensor, the PID control algorithm is used to control the humidity to the set value RH. set To control the target, negative feedback control is performed on the amount of dry air input from the dry air inlet in the second gas path (using MFC3 to control the flow of dry air), and the dry air is mixed with the ambient air to reduce the air humidity, so that the relative humidity of the gas at the outlet of the humidity control module reaches the humidity control set value RH set ;

[0066] Step 4: The gas output from the humidity control module outlet enters the temperature control module inlet. The controller uses the PID control algorithm to control the gas temperature at the temperature control module outlet detected by the second temperature sensor to the target temperature T obj (temperature control set value of the temperature control module) is the control target, and negative feedback control is performed on the temperature of the temperature control medium in the liquid path of the gas-liquid heat exchanger in the humidity control module to make the gas temperature at the outlet of the temperature control module reach the target temperature T obj ; Among them, the adjustable range of the temperature of the temperature control medium is -40℃~100℃;

[0067] The controller Figure 3 The MFC shown sends a gas flow control signal to control the air velocity that ultimately enters the air-cooled fuel cell. The focus of the environmental condition simulation is temperature and relative humidity. However, for the rigor of the experiment and the diversity of research, this embodiment places MFCs at multiple locations throughout the environmental simulation device. By controlling the MFCs, the air velocity that ultimately enters the cathode of the air-cooled fuel cell can be effectively controlled.

[0068] Step 5: The gas exported from the outlet of the temperature control module is the air after humidity and temperature control, and then it is homogenized by the gas flow module to complete the operation environment simulation of the air-cooled fuel cell and then introduced into the cathode of the stack of the air-cooled fuel cell; wherein, the structure of the gas flow module is as follows: Figure 4 As shown, a dense grid-like flow guide structure is used. The actual flow guide structure can be varied to meet the needs. The external dimensions of the flow guide module need to match the specific air-cooled fuel cell cathode to ensure air tightness.

[0069] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not limiting. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present invention may be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the purpose and scope of the technical solutions, which should all be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device, characterized in that: It includes a blower, a humidity control module, a temperature control module and a gas diversion module connected in sequence, as well as an information collection and control module; The humidity control module includes an inlet passage selector, a first gas passage, a second gas passage, and an outlet passage selector, wherein the first gas passage has a dry air input port and the second gas passage has a bubbling humidifier; The main body of the temperature control module is a gas-liquid heat exchanger, including a liquid passage and a gas passage; The gas guide module is arranged at the front end of the cathode of the air-cooled fuel cell stack, and is used to uniformly ensure the gas flow and pressure entering the cathode of the stack; The information acquisition and control module includes a first temperature sensor and a first humidity sensor provided at the blower inlet, a second humidity sensor provided at the humidity control module outlet, a second temperature sensor provided at the temperature control module outlet, and a controller connected to the inlet passage selector, the outlet passage selector, the dry air input port, the bubbling humidifier, and the gas-liquid heat exchanger; Ambient air is introduced into the inlet of the humidity control module by a blower. The controller calculates a humidity control set value based on a preset target relative humidity, a preset target temperature, the ambient air temperature detected by the first temperature sensor, the ambient air humidity detected by the first humidity sensor, and the gas humidity detected by the second humidity sensor. The controller determines whether the humidity control set value is greater than the ambient relative humidity. If so, the inlet channel selector and the outlet channel selector are controlled to select the first gas channel to be connected to the outlet of the humidity control module and the temperature of the deionized water in the corresponding bubbling humidifier is controlled so that the gas humidity at the outlet of the temperature control module reaches the target relative humidity. Otherwise, the inlet channel selector and the outlet channel selector are controlled to select the second gas channel to be connected to the outlet of the humidity control module and the amount of dry air inputted into the corresponding dry air input port is controlled so that the gas humidity at the outlet of the temperature control module reaches the target relative humidity. The gas output from the outlet of the humidity control module enters the inlet of the temperature control module. The controller controls the temperature of the temperature control medium in the liquid channel of the gas-liquid heat exchanger based on the target temperature and the gas temperature detected by the second temperature sensor so that the gas temperature in the gas channel reaches the target temperature. The gas output from the outlet of the temperature control module is homogenized by the gas diversion module and then introduced into the cathode of the fuel cell stack.

2. The air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller controls the relative humidity of the gas at the outlet of the humidity control module to reach the humidity control set value. Make the gas humidity at the outlet of the temperature control module reach the target relative humidity RH obj ; Among them, p sat,obj is the saturated vapor pressure of water corresponding to the target relative humidity; p sat,amb is the saturated vapor pressure of water in ambient air.

3. The air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: p sat,amb Affected by the ambient air temperature T amb The direct impact of sat,obj Subject to target temperature T obj The direct impact is expressed as: The unit is Pa.

4. The air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature of the temperature-control medium can be adjusted in the range of -40°C to 100°C.

5. The air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas guide module is a guide grid whose size matches the cathode of the fuel cell stack.

6. The air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller achieves target control through PID, ADRC or MPC control algorithm.

7. The air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Mass flow controllers are provided in the first gas passage, the second gas passage, the dry air inlet and the gas passage of the gas-liquid heat exchanger, and the gas flow rates in the passages are controlled by the mass flow controllers to control the gas flow rate introduced into the cathode of the fuel cell stack.

8. A simulation method based on the air-cooled fuel cell operating environment simulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step 1: Obtain the actual operating environmental conditions, including the ambient air temperature T amb and ambient relative humidity RH amb ; Step 2: Set the target temperature T according to the desired simulation environment obj and target relative humidity RH obj ; Step 3: The ambient air is introduced into the humidity control module inlet through the blower, and the relative humidity is adjusted according to the target RH. obj , target temperature T obj And the humidity of the gas at the outlet of the humidity control module is detected, and the relative humidity of the gas at the outlet of the humidity control module is adjusted, specifically: Step 3-1: According to the ambient air temperature T amb , target temperature T obj and target relative humidity RH obj , calculate the humidity control set value RH of the humidity control module set : Step 3-2: Determine the humidity control set value RH set Is it greater than the ambient relative humidity RH? amb If yes, go to step 3-3; otherwise, go to step 3-4; Step 3-3: Select the first gas path that is connected to the humidity control module, and use the control algorithm to control the humidity set value RH according to the detected gas humidity at the outlet of the humidity control module. set To control the target, negative feedback control is performed on the deionized water temperature of the bubbling humidifier in the first gas path so that the relative humidity of the gas at the outlet of the humidity control module reaches the humidity control set value RH set ; Step 3-4: Select the second gas path that is connected to the humidity control module, and use the control algorithm to control the set value RH according to the detected gas humidity at the outlet of the humidity control module. set In order to control the target, the amount of dry air inputted from the dry air inlet in the second gas passage is negatively feedback controlled so that the relative humidity of the gas at the outlet of the humidity control module reaches the humidity control set value RH set ; Step 4: The gas output from the humidity control module outlet enters the temperature control module inlet. According to the detected gas temperature at the temperature control module outlet, a control algorithm is used to control the target temperature T. obj In order to control the target, negative feedback control is performed on the temperature of the temperature control medium of the gas-liquid heat exchanger in the humidity control module so that the gas temperature at the outlet of the temperature control module reaches the target temperature T obj ; Step 5: The gas discharged from the outlet of the temperature control module is homogenized by the gas flow module to complete the operating environment simulation of the air-cooled fuel cell and is then introduced into the cathode of the stack of the air-cooled fuel cell.

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