Hydrogen air pressure control method, fuel cell, storage medium, and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of fuel cell, in particular to a hydrogen-air pressure control method, a fuel cell, a storage medium and equipment, a fuel cell system is operated, and the pressure difference between the hydrogen inlet and the air outlet of the stack is monitored; the size of the pressure difference between the hydrogen inlet and the air outlet is judged; and the fuel cell system is controlled according to the judgment result. The present application controls the hydrogen-air pressure difference of the stack by controlling the pressure difference between the hydrogen outlet and the air inlet of the stack, so as to avoid the situation that the local air pressure is lower than the hydrogen pressure or the hydrogen-air pressure difference is too large; by monitoring the pressure of the hydrogen and air on both sides of the stack, the pressure difference between the hydrogen and air at the middle position of the stack is calculated by using a function relationship, so as to accurately reflect the hydrogen-air pressure difference between the membranes in the stack, improve the control accuracy of the parameters, and more reasonably control the hydrogen-air pressure difference.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a hydrogen-air pressure control method, a fuel cell, a storage medium, and an apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] In a fuel cell system, the stack is the core component for power generation. During the reaction, hydrogen ions move from the anode to the cathode to react and discharge. If the cathode pressure is higher than the anode pressure, the reaction will occur on the hydrogen side, causing damage to the stack. Therefore, it is generally required that the anode pressure be higher than the cathode pressure to improve the stack's lifespan. However, excessive pressure difference can also damage the proton exchange membrane, so appropriately increasing the anode pressure is beneficial for protecting the stack.

[0003] Existing technology uses a pre-set difference between hydrogen and air pressure. A pressure sensor is then installed at each of the fuel cell stack's air and hydrogen inlets. These sensors collect the air and hydrogen pressures at each inlet and calculate the difference, ensuring it matches the pre-set value. However, this solution fails to accurately reflect the actual hydrogen-air pressure difference, resulting in poor precision. This can lead to situations where the hydrogen pressure is lower than the air pressure or the hydrogen-air pressure difference is excessively large in certain areas of the fuel cell stack, potentially causing damage. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the problem that existing technologies cannot accurately reflect the hydrogen-air pressure difference, resulting in excessive hydrogen-air pressure difference that could damage the fuel cell stack, this invention provides a hydrogen-air pressure control method, a fuel cell, a storage medium, and equipment.

[0005] The technical content of this invention is as follows:

[0006] As one aspect of this invention, a hydrogen-air pressure control method is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0007] Operate the fuel cell system and monitor the pressure difference between the hydrogen inlet and air outlet of the fuel cell stack;

[0008] Determine the magnitude of the pressure difference between the hydrogen inlet and the air outlet compared to a first preset target value;

[0009] Control the fuel cell system based on the judgment results.

[0010] Furthermore, the pressure difference between the hydrogen inlet and the air outlet of the fuel cell stack is obtained by monitoring the hydrogen outlet pressure and the air inlet pressure and calculating the difference between the two.

[0011] Furthermore, the fuel cell system is controlled by the following judgments:

[0012] If the pressure difference is greater than the first preset target value, the fuel cell system will be controlled to reduce the hydrogen inlet pressure.

[0013] If the pressure difference is less than the first preset target value, the fuel cell system will be controlled to increase the hydrogen inlet pressure.

[0014] If the pressure difference equals the first preset target value, the fuel cell system will continue to operate.

[0015] Furthermore, the determination of the pressure difference between the hydrogen inlet and the air outlet and the first preset target value is replaced by determining the pressure difference between the hydrogen side and the air side inside the fuel cell stack and the second preset target value.

[0016] Furthermore, the fuel cell system is controlled by the following judgments:

[0017] If the pressure difference is greater than the second preset target value, the fuel cell system will be controlled to reduce the hydrogen inlet pressure.

[0018] If the pressure difference is less than the second preset target value, the fuel cell system will be controlled to increase the hydrogen inlet pressure.

[0019] If the pressure difference equals the second preset target value, the fuel cell system will continue to operate.

[0020] Furthermore, the hydrogen-side pressure is calculated through:

[0021] P 01 =P1'-λ1[f1(F1)+f2(P1')];

[0022] Wherein, P1' is the hydrogen inlet pressure, λ1 reflects the correction of the flow characteristics of the hydrogen path, and f1 and f2 represent functional relationships.

[0023] Furthermore, the air-side pressure is calculated by:

[0024] P 02 =P2'-λ2[f3(F2)+f4(P2')];

[0025] Where P2' is the air inlet pressure, λ2 reflects the correction of the air path flow characteristics, and f3 and f4 represent functional relationships.

[0026] As another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a fuel cell including a stack, the stack operating according to the hydrogen-air pressure control method described in any one of the above claims, wherein a pressure sensor is provided on each of the pipelines connecting the stack to the hydrogen inlet, hydrogen outlet, air inlet and air outlet, the hydrogen outlet is connected to the air inlet via a pipeline, and a differential pressure sensor is provided on the connecting pipeline between the hydrogen outlet and the air inlet.

[0027] As another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the hydrogen air pressure control method described in any one of the above embodiments.

[0028] As another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides an electronic device, including a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor implements the hydrogen air pressure control method described in any one of the above embodiments when executing the computer program in the memory.

[0029] The beneficial effects of the present invention include at least the following:

[0030] (1) The hydrogen-air pressure difference of the fuel cell stack is controlled by controlling the pressure difference between the hydrogen outlet and the air inlet of the fuel cell stack, so as to avoid the situation where the local air pressure is lower than the hydrogen pressure or the hydrogen-air pressure difference is too large.

[0031] (2) By monitoring the pressure on both sides of the hydrogen-air inside the stack, the pressure difference between the hydrogen-air inside the stack can be calculated using a functional relationship. This accurately reflects the hydrogen-air pressure difference between the membranes inside the stack, improves the control accuracy of the parameters, and allows for more reasonable control of the hydrogen-air pressure difference. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the hydrogen air pressure control method of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the hydrogen air pressure control method of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the hydrogen-air pressure structure of the fuel cell of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] Combination Figure 1-3 As shown, the present invention provides a hydrogen-air pressure control method, comprising the following steps:

[0038] Operate the fuel cell system and monitor the pressure difference between the hydrogen inlet and air outlet of the fuel cell stack;

[0039] Determine the magnitude of the pressure difference between the hydrogen inlet and the air outlet compared to a first preset target value;

[0040] Control the fuel cell system based on the judgment results.

[0041] Furthermore, the pressure difference between the hydrogen inlet and the air outlet of the fuel cell stack is obtained by monitoring the hydrogen outlet pressure and the air inlet pressure and calculating the difference between the two.

[0042] Furthermore, the fuel cell system is controlled by the following judgments:

[0043] If the pressure difference is greater than the first preset target value, the fuel cell system will be controlled to reduce the hydrogen inlet pressure.

[0044] If the pressure difference is less than the first preset target value, the fuel cell system will be controlled to increase the hydrogen inlet pressure.

[0045] If the pressure difference equals the first preset target value, the fuel cell system will continue to operate.

[0046] Example 2

[0047] A method for controlling hydrogen-air pressure includes the following steps:

[0048] Operate the fuel cell system and monitor the pressure difference between the hydrogen inlet and air outlet of the fuel cell stack;

[0049] Determine the magnitude of the pressure difference between the hydrogen inlet and the air outlet compared to a first preset target value;

[0050] Control the fuel cell system based on the judgment results.

[0051] Furthermore, the determination of the pressure difference between the hydrogen inlet and the air outlet and the first preset target value is replaced by determining the pressure difference between the hydrogen side and the air side inside the fuel cell stack and the second preset target value.

[0052] Furthermore, the fuel cell system is controlled by the following judgments:

[0053] If the pressure difference is greater than the second preset target value, the fuel cell system will be controlled to reduce the hydrogen inlet pressure.

[0054] If the pressure difference is less than the second preset target value, the fuel cell system will be controlled to increase the hydrogen inlet pressure.

[0055] If the pressure difference equals the second preset target value, the fuel cell system will continue to operate.

[0056] Furthermore, the hydrogen-side pressure is calculated through:

[0057] P 01 =P1'-λ1[f1(F1)+f2(P1')];

[0058] Wherein, P1' is the hydrogen inlet pressure, λ1 reflects the correction of the flow characteristics of the hydrogen path, and f1 and f2 represent functional relationships.

[0059] Furthermore, the air-side pressure is calculated by:

[0060] P 02 =P2'-λ2[f3(F2)+f4(P2')];

[0061] Where P2' is the air inlet pressure, λ2 reflects the correction of the air path flow characteristics, and f3 and f4 represent functional relationships.

[0062] Example 3

[0063] The present invention provides a fuel cell including a stack, the stack operating according to the hydrogen-air pressure control method described in any one of the above claims, wherein a pressure sensor is provided on each of the pipelines connecting the stack to the hydrogen inlet, hydrogen outlet, air inlet and air outlet, the hydrogen outlet is connected to the air inlet via a pipeline, and a differential pressure sensor is provided on the connecting pipeline between the hydrogen outlet and the air inlet.

[0064] Example 4

[0065] The present invention provides a storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the hydrogen air pressure control method described in any one of the above claims.

[0066] Example 5

[0067] The present invention provides an electronic device, including a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor implements the hydrogen air pressure control method described above when executing the computer program in the memory.

[0068] This invention is achieved through: (1) as Figure 1 As shown, the hydrogen-air pressure difference of the fuel cell stack is controlled by controlling the pressure difference between the hydrogen outlet and the air inlet, so as to avoid situations where the local air pressure is lower than the hydrogen pressure or the hydrogen-air pressure difference is too large.

[0069] A pressure sensor is installed at the hydrogen inlet and outlet of the fuel cell stack, and at the air inlet and outlet of the fuel cell stack, to monitor the pressure difference between the hydrogen inlet and the air outlet. Let the pressure difference be ΔP0, and let the hydrogen inlet pressure be P1, the hydrogen outlet pressure be P2, the air inlet pressure be P3, and the air outlet pressure be P4, i.e., ΔP0 = P2 - P3. During the operation of the fuel cell system, the air inlet pressure P3, the hydrogen inlet pressure P1, and the preset ΔP0 are monitored to achieve pressure control of the hydrogen and air paths of the fuel cell stack. Because the air path pressure response is relatively slow, a control logic is adopted where the hydrogen path responds to the air path. The preset ΔP0 = a (a > 0) is the first preset target value. When the actual pressure difference is greater than the first preset target value a, the fuel cell system is controlled to reduce the hydrogen inlet pressure P1; when the actual pressure difference is less than the first preset target value a, the fuel cell system is controlled to increase the hydrogen inlet pressure P1; when the actual pressure difference is equal to the first preset target value a, the fuel cell system is controlled to continue operating.

[0070] (2) Figure 2 As shown, by monitoring the pressure on both sides of the hydrogen-air layer inside the fuel cell stack, the pressure difference between the hydrogen-air layer at the middle position of the stack can be calculated using a functional relationship. This further accurately reflects the hydrogen-air pressure difference between the membranes inside the stack, improves the control accuracy of the parameters, and allows for more reasonable control of the hydrogen-air pressure difference.

[0071] By monitoring the pressure difference between the hydrogen and air sides of the membrane electrode located in the middle position inside the fuel cell stack, the obtained pressure difference value can more accurately reflect the hydrogen-air pressure difference. Considering that pressure sensors cannot be installed inside the fuel cell stack, the pressure difference at this position is measured in the following way to achieve more accurate control of the hydrogen-air pressure difference inside the fuel cell stack.

[0072] Let P be the pressure on the hydrogen side of the membrane electrode located at the middle position inside the fuel cell stack. 01 The pressure on the air side is P. 02 Then the hydrogen-air pressure difference ΔP = P 01 -P 02 ;

[0073] The flow resistances on the hydrogen side and air side of the fuel cell stack are R1 and R2, respectively.

[0074] The traffic volumes are F1 and F2, respectively;

[0075] The inlet pressures of the hydrogen circuit and the air circuit are P1' and P2', respectively;

[0076] The flow resistance is a function of the operating flow rate and the hydrogen air inlet pressure, and can be expressed as:

[0077] R1=f1(F1)+f2(P1'), R2=f3(F2)+f4(P2');

[0078] Then P 01=P1'-λ1R1,P 02 =P2'-λ2R2;

[0079] In the formula, f1, f2, f3, and f4 represent a functional relationship, and λ1 and λ2 reflect the correction of the flow characteristics of the hydrogen path and the air path, which can be obtained through simulation calculation;

[0080] That is: P 01 =P1'-λ1[f1(F1)+f2(P1')];P 02 =P2'-λ2[f3(F2)+f4(P2')];

[0081] Therefore P 01 P 02 The values ​​are related to the flow characteristics R1, R2, inlet pressures P1', P2', and operating flow rates F1, F2. Once the flow channel design is finalized, the pressure values ​​of the hydrogen side and air side of the membrane electrode at the middle position of the stack can be calculated based on the operating flow rate and the pressure value at the gas inlet. The hydrogen-air pressure difference ΔP = P 01 -P 02 =b (b>0) is the second preset target value. When the actual pressure difference is greater than the second preset target value, the fuel cell system is controlled to reduce the hydrogen inlet pressure P1'; when the actual pressure difference is less than the second preset target value, the fuel cell system is controlled to increase the hydrogen inlet pressure P1'; when the actual pressure difference is equal to the second preset target value, the fuel cell system is controlled to continue operating.

[0082] The hydrogen-air pressure control method of the present invention can avoid the local hydrogen path pressure from being lower than the air path pressure or the hydrogen-air pressure difference from being too large. It can also further optimize the implementation scheme, more accurately reflect the relationship between hydrogen and air pressure difference, and achieve more precise control of the pressure difference.

[0083] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the content of the present invention's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for controlling hydrogen-air pressure, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: Operate the fuel cell system and monitor the pressure difference between the hydrogen inlet and air outlet of the fuel cell stack; Determine the magnitude of the pressure difference between the hydrogen inlet and the air outlet compared to a first preset target value; Control the fuel cell system based on the judgment results; In this method, the determination of the pressure difference between the hydrogen inlet and the air outlet and the first preset target value is replaced by the determination of the pressure difference between the hydrogen side and the air side inside the fuel cell stack and the second preset target value. The fuel cell system is controlled by the following judgments: If the pressure difference is greater than the second preset target value, the fuel cell system will be controlled to reduce the hydrogen inlet pressure. If the pressure difference is less than the second preset target value, the fuel cell system will be controlled to increase the hydrogen inlet pressure. If the pressure difference equals the second preset target value, the fuel cell system will continue to operate. The hydrogen-side pressure is calculated as follows: P 01 =P1'-λ1[f1(F1)+f2(P1')]; Wherein, P1' is the hydrogen inlet pressure, λ1 reflects the correction of the flow characteristics of the hydrogen path, f1 and f2 represent the functional relationship, and F1 is the hydrogen side flow rate. The air-side pressure is calculated through: P 02 =P2'-λ2[f3(F2)+f4(P2')]; Where P2' is the air inlet pressure, λ2 reflects the correction of the air path flow characteristics, f3 and f4 represent functional relationships, and F2 is the air-side flow rate.

2. A fuel cell, comprising a stack, the stack operating according to the hydrogen-air pressure control method of claim 1, characterized in that: A pressure sensor is installed on each of the pipelines connecting the hydrogen inlet, hydrogen outlet, air inlet, and air outlet of the fuel cell stack. The hydrogen outlet is connected to the air inlet via a pipeline, and a differential pressure sensor is installed on the connecting pipeline between the hydrogen outlet and the air inlet.

3. A storage medium storing a computer program, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by the processor, it implements the hydrogen air pressure control method of claim 1.

4. An electronic device, comprising a processor and a memory, characterized in that: The memory stores a computer program, and the processor implements the hydrogen air pressure control method of claim 1 when executing the computer program in the memory.

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