Methods and apparatus for improving the start-up performance of solid oxide fuel cell systems for vehicles

Abstract

This invention discloses a method and apparatus for improving the start-up performance of a vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system. The method receives a vehicle start-up command and, through the reformer electronic control valve group, increases the intake air volume of the small reformer to a first preset intake air volume, increases the power of the electric heating element to a first preset power, and increases the flow rate of the electronically controlled flow unit to a first preset flow rate, thereby controlling the blower to start. It also receives the composition and concentration of the anode intake air detected by a gas composition analyzer and the temperature of the anode intake air detected by a first temperature sensor, determines the cathode intake air volume based on the composition, concentration, and temperature, and increases the intake air volume of the cathode electronic control valve to the cathode intake air volume. In this invention, heating the small reformer through electric heating elements avoids temperature fluctuations, improves the system's start-up speed, ensures safe system startup, reduces energy consumption, improves system efficiency, and further enhances the start-up performance of the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of solid oxide fuel cell technology, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for improving the start-up performance of a vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system. Background Technology

[0002] With the further development of the "dual-carbon" strategy and the increasing standards for energy conservation and emission reduction in automobiles, high-efficiency, zero-emission fuel cells have attracted widespread attention in the transportation power sector. Among them, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have advantages such as wide fuel adaptability, high energy conversion efficiency, and no need for precious metals, making them suitable for widespread adoption as vehicle power and crucial for promoting the transformation and upgrading of my country's automotive industry. However, the poor dynamic response characteristics and long start-up time of SOFC stacks limit their further application in the transportation sector. Currently, the start-up time of first-generation electrolyte-supported SOFC stacks and second-generation anode-supported SOFC stacks is several hours, while the start-up time of third-generation metal-supported SOFC stacks is tens of minutes, which is insufficient to meet the needs of transportation applications.

[0003] Currently, automotive solid oxide fuel cell systems require an integrated external reformer for startup. During startup, the solid oxide fuel cell stack and the external reformer are primarily heated by an external heat source. Existing external heat sources mainly include burners and electric heaters.

[0004] The following problems exist when heating using the above two external heat sources:

[0005] 1. Due to the unstable temperature of the burner, heating the solid oxide fuel cell stack and external reformer through the burner can easily cause temperature fluctuations, resulting in the solid oxide fuel cell stack not being able to heat up quickly. This further leads to a slow start-up speed of the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system. In addition, temperature fluctuations may also damage the stack structure, causing the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system to fail to start safely.

[0006] 2. Because the electric heater needs to heat both the solid oxide fuel cell stack and the external reformer, the energy consumption is large, resulting in low efficiency of the solid oxide fuel cell system for vehicles.

[0007] In summary, current automotive solid oxide fuel cell systems suffer from slow start-up speed, inability to start safely, and low system efficiency, resulting in poor start-up performance. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention provides a method and apparatus for improving the start-up performance of a vehicle-mounted solid oxide fuel cell system, thereby enhancing the start-up performance of the system. The specific technical solution is as follows.

[0009] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for improving the start-up performance of a vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system, the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system comprising a fuel tank, a water tank, a heat exchange ejector assembly, a dual rectifier, a solid oxide fuel cell stack, a cathode heat exchanger, a blower, a rectifier electronically controlled valve group, an electronically controlled flow unit, a gas composition analyzer, a first temperature sensor, and a cathode electronically controlled valve.

[0010] The dual reformer includes a small reformer and a large reformer. The small reformer includes an electric heating element, and the large reformer includes a heating tube. The fuel tank is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly. The water tank is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly via the electronically controlled flow unit. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the dual reformer via the reformer's electronically controlled valve group. The outlets of both the large and small reformers are connected to the anode inlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. The anode outlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack is connected to both the inlet of the heating tube and the heat exchange ejector assembly. The outlet of the heating tube is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly. The blower is located at the inlet end of the cathode heat exchanger, and the outlet end of the cathode heat exchanger is connected to the cathode inlet end of the solid oxide fuel cell stack via the cathode electronically controlled valve. The gas composition analyzer and the first temperature sensor are both located at the anode inlet end of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. The electric heating element, the blower, the reformer electronically controlled valve group, the electronically controlled flow unit, the gas composition analyzer, the first temperature sensor, and the cathode electronically controlled valve are all communicatively connected to the vehicle controller. The inlet end of the dual reformer at least includes the inlet end of the small reformer. The method is applied to the vehicle controller, and the method includes:

[0011] Upon receiving a vehicle start command, the system increases the air intake of the small reformer to a first preset air intake, increases the power of the electric heating element to a first preset power, and increases the flow rate of the electronically controlled flow unit to a first preset flow rate via the reformer electronically controlled valve group, thereby controlling the blower to start.

[0012] The gas analyzer receives the composition and concentration of the anode intake gas detected by the gas composition analyzer and the temperature of the anode intake gas detected by the first temperature sensor. Based on the composition, concentration and temperature, the cathode intake gas volume is determined, and the intake gas volume of the cathode solenoid valve is increased to the cathode intake gas volume.

[0013] Optionally, the dual reformer is a parallel dual reformer, and the reformer electronic control valve group includes a first electronic control valve and a second electronic control valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the small reformer through the first electronic control valve and to the inlet of the large reformer through the second electronic control valve. The step of increasing the intake volume of the small reformer to a first preset intake volume through the reformer electronic control valve group includes:

[0014] Increase the air intake of the first electronically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

[0015] Optionally, the dual reformer is a series dual reformer, the reformer electronic control valve group includes a third electronic control valve, the heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet end of the small reformer through the third electronic control valve, the outlet end of the small reformer is connected to the inlet end of the large reformer, and the step of increasing the intake volume of the small reformer to a first preset intake volume through the reformer electronic control valve group includes:

[0016] Increase the air intake of the third electrically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

[0017] Optionally, the dual reformer is a series dual reformer, the reformer electronic control valve group includes a fourth electronic control valve, the heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet end of the large reformer through the fourth electronic control valve, the outlet end of the large reformer is connected to the inlet end of the small reformer, and the step of increasing the intake volume of the small reformer to a first preset intake volume through the reformer electronic control valve group includes:

[0018] Increase the air intake of the fourth electrically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

[0019] Optionally, the dual reformer is an embedded dual reformer, with the smaller reformer embedded within the larger reformer. The reformer's electronically controlled valve assembly includes a fifth electronically controlled valve and a sixth electronically controlled valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the smaller reformer via the fifth electronically controlled valve and to the inlet of the larger reformer via the sixth electronically controlled valve. The step of increasing the intake volume of the smaller reformer to a first preset intake volume via the reformer's electronically controlled valve assembly includes:

[0020] Increase the air intake of the fifth electrically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

[0021] Optionally, after the step of increasing the air intake of the cathode electronically controlled valve to the cathode air intake, the above-mentioned method for improving the start-up performance of a vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system further includes:

[0022] When the vehicle is in a deceleration condition, the intake volume of the small reformer and the intake volume of the large reformer are reduced by the reformer electronic control valve group.

[0023] When the vehicle is accelerating, the intake volume of the small reformer and the intake volume of the large reformer are increased through the reformer electronic control valve group.

[0024] Optionally, the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system further includes a second temperature sensor, which is disposed at the anode outlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. After the step of increasing the air intake of the cathode electronic control valve to the cathode air intake, the above-mentioned method for improving the start-up performance of the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system further includes:

[0025] The system receives the anode exhaust gas temperature detected by the second temperature sensor. When the change in the anode exhaust gas temperature within a preset time period is less than a preset change threshold, the system reduces the intake volume of the small reformer to the intake volume corresponding to the stable state, reduces the power of the electric heating element to the power corresponding to the stable state, and reduces the flow rate of the electronically controlled flow unit to the second preset flow rate through the reformer electronically controlled valve group.

[0026] Secondly, the present invention provides an apparatus for improving the start-up performance of a vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system, the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system comprising a fuel tank, a water tank, a heat exchange ejector assembly, a dual reformer, a solid oxide fuel cell stack, a cathode heat exchanger, a blower, a reformer electronically controlled valve group, an electronically controlled flow unit, a gas composition analyzer, a first temperature sensor, and a cathode electronically controlled valve.

[0027] The dual reformer includes a small reformer and a large reformer. The small reformer includes an electric heating element, and the large reformer includes a heating tube. The fuel tank is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly. The water tank is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly via the electronically controlled flow unit. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the dual reformer via the reformer's electronically controlled valve group. The outlets of both the large and small reformers are connected to the anode inlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. The anode outlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack is connected to both the inlet of the heating tube and the heat exchange ejector assembly. The outlet of the heating tube is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly. The blower is located at the inlet end of the cathode heat exchanger, and the outlet end of the cathode heat exchanger is connected to the cathode inlet end of the solid oxide fuel cell stack via the cathode electronically controlled valve. The gas composition analyzer and the first temperature sensor are both located at the anode inlet end of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. The electric heating element, the blower, the reformer electronically controlled valve group, the electronically controlled flow unit, the gas composition analyzer, the first temperature sensor, and the cathode electronically controlled valve are all communicatively connected to the vehicle controller. The inlet end of the dual reformer includes at least the inlet end of the small reformer. The device is applied to the vehicle controller and includes:

[0028] The first receiving module is used to receive the vehicle start command, and through the reformer electronic control valve group, increase the air intake of the small reformer to a first preset air intake, increase the power of the electric heating element to a first preset power, and increase the flow rate of the electronic control flow unit to a first preset flow rate, thereby controlling the blower to start.

[0029] The second receiving module is used to receive the composition and concentration of the anode intake gas detected by the gas composition analyzer and the temperature of the anode intake gas detected by the first temperature sensor, determine the cathode intake gas volume based on the composition, the concentration and the temperature, and increase the intake gas volume of the cathode solenoid valve to the cathode intake gas volume.

[0030] Optionally, the dual reformer is a parallel dual reformer, and the reformer's electronically controlled valve group includes a first electronically controlled valve and a second electronically controlled valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the small reformer through the first electronically controlled valve and to the inlet of the large reformer through the second electronically controlled valve. The first receiving module is specifically used for:

[0031] Increase the air intake of the first electronically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

[0032] Optionally, the dual reformer is a series dual reformer, the reformer electronically controlled valve group includes a third electronically controlled valve, the heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet end of the small reformer through the third electronically controlled valve, the outlet end of the small reformer is connected to the inlet end of the large reformer, and the first receiving module is specifically used for:

[0033] Increase the air intake of the third electrically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

[0034] Optionally, the dual reformer is a series dual reformer, the reformer electronic control valve group includes a fourth electronic control valve, the heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the large reformer through the fourth electronic control valve, the outlet of the large reformer is connected to the inlet of the small reformer, and the first receiving module is specifically used for:

[0035] Increase the air intake of the fourth electrically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

[0036] Optionally, the dual reformer is an embedded dual reformer, with the smaller reformer embedded within the larger reformer. The reformer's electronically controlled valve group includes a fifth electronically controlled valve and a sixth electronically controlled valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the smaller reformer via the fifth electronically controlled valve and to the inlet of the larger reformer via the sixth electronically controlled valve. The first receiving module is specifically used for:

[0037] Increase the air intake of the fifth electrically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

[0038] Optionally, the above-mentioned devices for improving the start-up performance of automotive solid oxide fuel cell systems further include:

[0039] The deceleration module is used to reduce the air intake of the small reformer and the air intake of the large reformer through the reformer electronic control valve group when the vehicle is in a deceleration condition after the air intake of the cathode electronic control valve is increased to the cathode air intake.

[0040] An acceleration module is used to increase the air intake of the small reformer and the air intake of the large reformer through the reformer electronic control valve group when the vehicle is in acceleration condition, after the air intake volume of the cathode electronic control valve is increased to the cathode air intake volume.

[0041] Optionally, the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system further includes a second temperature sensor, which is disposed at the anode outlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. The aforementioned device for improving the start-up performance of the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system further includes:

[0042] The reduction module is used to receive the anode exhaust gas temperature detected by the second temperature sensor after the intake volume of the cathode solenoid valve is increased to the cathode intake volume. When the change in the anode exhaust gas temperature within a preset time period is less than a preset change threshold, the module reduces the intake volume of the small reformer to the intake volume corresponding to the stable state, reduces the power of the electric heating element to the power corresponding to the stable state, and reduces the flow rate of the electrically controlled flow unit to the second preset flow rate through the reformer solenoid valve group.

[0043] As can be seen from the above, the method and apparatus for improving the start-up performance of a vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system provided by the embodiments of the present invention can receive a vehicle start-up command, increase the air intake of the small reformer to a first preset air intake, increase the power of the electric heating element to a first preset power, and increase the flow rate of the electronically controlled flow unit to a first preset flow rate through the reformer electronically controlled valve group, and control the blower to start; receive the composition and concentration of the anode air intake detected by the gas composition analyzer and the temperature of the anode air intake detected by the first temperature sensor, determine the cathode air intake based on the composition, concentration, and temperature, and increase the air intake of the cathode electronically controlled valve to the cathode air intake. In this invention, by increasing the intake air volume of the small reformer, increasing the power of the electric heating element, and increasing the flow rate of the electronically controlled flow unit, the small reformer is rapidly heated and started to generate reformed gas, which enters the anode of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. Then, the cathode intake air volume is determined based on the composition, concentration, and temperature of the anode intake gas. This causes an electrochemical reaction between the reformed gas and the cathode intake gas in the solid oxide fuel cell stack, releasing heat and rapidly heating the stack to generate anode exhaust gas. This anode exhaust gas then heats the large reformer, causing it to rapidly heat and start. Because this invention utilizes electric heating... The heating element heats the small reformer without causing temperature fluctuations, enabling rapid startup of the small reformer, solid oxide fuel cell stack, and large reformer. This improves the startup speed of automotive solid oxide fuel cell systems without damaging the internal structure of the solid oxide fuel cell stack, ensuring safe startup. Furthermore, the heating element only heats the small reformer, eliminating the need to heat the solid oxide fuel cell stack, resulting in lower energy consumption and improved efficiency and startup performance. Of course, implementing any product or method of this invention does not necessarily require achieving all of the above advantages simultaneously.

[0044] The innovative aspects of this invention include:

[0045] 1. In this invention, the small reformer is heated by an electric heating element, which does not produce temperature fluctuations. This allows the small reformer, the solid oxide fuel cell stack, and the large reformer to start up quickly, improving the start-up speed of the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system. Furthermore, it does not damage the internal structure of the solid oxide fuel cell stack, ensuring safe start-up of the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system. The electric heating element only needs to heat the small reformer, without needing to heat the solid oxide fuel cell stack, resulting in lower energy consumption and improved efficiency of the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system, further enhancing its start-up performance.

[0046] 2. By setting the small reformer and the large reformer side by side, the dual reformers are connected in parallel. The parallel dual reformer has a simple structure and is suitable for vehicles with a small vehicle length.

[0047] 3. By connecting the small and large reformers in series, a series dual-reformer configuration is formed. Since the small reformer precedes the large reformer, unreacted fuel from the small reformer can still enter the large reformer for further reaction after the large reformer starts, improving fuel efficiency. This series dual-reformer configuration is suitable for vehicles with a longer interior space.

[0048] 4. By connecting the small reformer and the large reformer in series, a series dual reformer is formed. Since the small reformer is in front and the large reformer is behind, the fuel that has not been fully reacted in the small reformer can still enter the large reformer for reaction after the large reformer is started, which improves fuel utilization. The series dual reformer is suitable for vehicles with a large vehicle space.

[0049] 5. By connecting the small reformer and the large reformer in series, a series dual reformer is formed. Since the large reformer is in front and the small reformer is behind, the fuel that has not been fully reacted in the large reformer can still enter the small reformer for reaction after the large reformer starts, which improves fuel utilization. The series dual reformer is suitable for vehicles with a large vehicle space length.

[0050] 6. By connecting the small reformer and the large reformer in series, a series dual reformer is formed. Since the large reformer is in front and the small reformer is behind, the fuel that has not been fully reacted in the large reformer can still enter the small reformer to react after the large reformer starts, which improves fuel utilization. The series dual reformer is suitable for vehicles with a large vehicle space length.

[0051] 7. By embedding the small reformer into the large reformer, the dual reformers are formed into an embedded dual reformer, allowing the electric heating element to heat both the small and large reformers simultaneously. This reduces heat waste, lowers energy consumption, and improves the efficiency of automotive solid oxide fuel cell systems, making them suitable for vehicles with limited space.

[0052] 8. During vehicle operation, when the vehicle is decelerating, the intake air volume of both the small and large reformers is reduced via the reformer electronic control valve group. When the vehicle is accelerating, the intake air volume of both the small and large reformers is increased via the reformer electronic control valve group. This achieves the purpose of adjusting the dual reformers according to different vehicle driving conditions, thereby regulating the automotive solid oxide fuel cell system.

[0053] 9. When the change in anode exhaust gas temperature within a preset time period is less than the preset change threshold, the system service life and efficiency can be ensured by reducing the intake volume of the small reformer to the intake volume corresponding to the stable state, reducing the power of the electric heating element to the power corresponding to the stable state, and reducing the flow rate of the electric control flow unit to the second preset flow rate through the reformer electronic control valve group. Attached Figure Description

[0054] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0055] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating a method for improving the start-up performance of a vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system, provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the parallel dual rectifier provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a series dual rectifier provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the embedded dual oscillator provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0060] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a device for improving the start-up performance of a vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system, provided as an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0061] 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 a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0062] It should be noted that the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the embodiments and drawings of this invention are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0063] This invention discloses a method and apparatus for improving the start-up performance of a vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system. The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of this invention.

[0064] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for improving the start-up performance of a vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system, as provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] See Figure 2 The vehicle-mounted solid oxide fuel cell system includes a fuel tank 1, a water tank 2, a heat exchange ejector assembly 3, a dual rectifier 4, a solid oxide fuel cell stack 5, a cathode heat exchanger 6, a blower 7, a rectifier electronically controlled valve group, an electronically controlled flow unit, a gas composition analyzer, a first temperature sensor, and a cathode electronically controlled valve.

[0066] The dual reformer 4 includes a small reformer 41 and a large reformer 42. The small reformer 41 includes an electric heating element 411, and the large reformer 42 includes a heating tube 421. The fuel tank 1 is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly 3. The water tank 2 is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly 3 through an electronically controlled flow unit. The heat exchange ejector assembly 3 is connected to the air inlet of the dual reformer 4 through a reformer electronically controlled valve group. The air outlets of the large reformer 42 and the small reformer 41 are both connected to the anode air inlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack 5. The anode air outlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack 5 is connected to the air inlet of the heating tube 421 and the heat exchange ejector assembly 3, respectively. The air outlet of the heating tube 421 is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly 3. The air inlet of the dual reformer 4 includes at least the air inlet of the small reformer 41.

[0067] The blower 7 is located at the inlet end of the cathode heat exchanger 6. The outlet end of the cathode heat exchanger 6 is connected to the cathode inlet end of the solid oxide fuel cell stack 5 through the cathode electronic control valve. The gas composition analyzer and the first temperature sensor are both located at the anode inlet end of the solid oxide fuel cell stack 5. The electric heating element 411, the blower 7, the reformer electronic control valve group, the electronic flow control unit, the gas composition analyzer, the first temperature sensor, and the cathode electronic control valve are all connected to the vehicle controller.

[0068] This method is applied to a vehicle controller and specifically includes the following steps.

[0069] S110: Receives the vehicle start command, increases the air intake of the small reformer to the first preset air intake, increases the power of the electric heating element to the first preset power, and increases the flow rate of the electronically controlled flow unit to the first preset flow rate through the reformer electronically controlled valve group, and controls the blower to start.

[0070] When the vehicle needs to be started, the driver issues a vehicle start command, which is received by the vehicle controller. At this time, in order to start the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system, fuel needs to be supplied to the small reformer 41, that is, the air intake of the small reformer 41 is increased to a first preset air intake volume through the reformer electronic control valve group. The first preset air intake volume is the air intake volume corresponding to the fuel type in the fuel tank 1 when the small reformer 41 is started.

[0071] Then, the small reformer 41 needs to be heated. Since different fuels require different starting temperatures, when heating the small reformer 41, the power of the electric heating element 411 needs to be increased to a first preset power, where the first preset power is the power corresponding to the type of fuel in the fuel tank 1 when the small reformer 41 is started.

[0072] Since the water in the water tank 2 will be heated and turn into water vapor after entering the heat exchange ejector assembly 3, the heat exchange ejector assembly 3 will mix the water vapor with the fuel in the fuel tank 1 and then enter the dual concentrator 4 together. Since a large amount of water vapor helps the fuel to undergo a chemical reaction, it is necessary to increase the amount of water vapor, that is, increase the flow rate of the electronically controlled flow unit to the first preset flow rate, wherein the first preset flow rate is determined based on experience.

[0073] See Figure 2 Fuel in fuel tank 1 enters heat exchange ejector assembly 3 through fuel path. Water in water tank 2 enters heat exchange ejector assembly 3 through deionized water path and is heated to become water vapor. Then, heat exchange ejector assembly 3 mixes water vapor with fuel in fuel tank 1 and enters dual reformer 4 together. Since the air inlet of dual reformer 4 includes at least the air inlet of small reformer 41, water vapor and fuel in fuel tank 1 are mixed and enter at least small reformer 41. Small reformer 41 is heated by electric heating element 411, so that small reformer 41 heats up rapidly to generate reformed gas.

[0074] Fuel tank 1 includes a nitrogen-source fuel tank and a carbon-containing fuel-source fuel tank. The nitrogen in the nitrogen-source fuel tank is mainly used for purging, while the carbon-containing fuel-source fuel tank 1 contains methane, methanol, and / or ammonia. The types of gases contained in the generated reformed gas depend on the completeness of combustion. If combustion is complete, it includes only hydrogen and carbon dioxide; if combustion is incomplete, it may include hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, methanol, and / or ammonia.

[0075] The reformed gas generated by the small reformer 41 enters the anode inlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack 5. At this time, in order to make the solid oxide fuel cell stack 5 undergo an electrochemical reaction, the blower 7 needs to be started.

[0076] S120: Receives the composition and concentration of the anode intake gas detected by the gas composition analyzer and the temperature of the anode intake gas detected by the first temperature sensor, determines the cathode intake gas volume based on the composition, concentration and temperature, and increases the intake gas volume of the cathode solenoid valve to the cathode intake gas volume.

[0077] Since the reformed gas generated by the small reformer 41 enters the anode inlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack 5, and the gas composition analyzer and the first temperature sensor are both located at the anode inlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack 5, the gas composition analyzer sends the detected composition and concentration of the anode inlet gas, i.e., the reformed gas, to the vehicle controller, and the first temperature sensor sends the detected temperature of the anode inlet gas to the vehicle controller.

[0078] The vehicle controller receives the composition and concentration of the anode intake air detected by the gas composition analyzer and the temperature of the anode intake air detected by the first temperature sensor, and determines the cathode intake air volume based on the composition, concentration and temperature.

[0079] The cathode gas inlet volume can be determined based on the composition, concentration, and temperature as follows:

[0080] The cathode intake rate is determined based on the composition, concentration, temperature, and the exothermic formula of the electrochemical reaction.

[0081] Since the composition, concentration, and temperature of the anode gas are known, substituting these parameters into the electrochemical reaction exothermic formula yields the required cathode gas volume for an electrochemical reaction to occur.

[0082] Once the cathode air intake is obtained, the air intake of the cathode solenoid valve can be increased to match the cathode air intake.

[0083] After the blower 7 is started, the blower 7 blows air to the inlet of the cathode heat exchanger 6 and enters the cathode heat exchanger 6. The gas in the cathode heat exchanger 6 then enters the cathode inlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack 5 through the cathode electronic control valve.

[0084] Since the reforming gas contains hydrogen and the gas in the cathode heat exchanger 6 contains oxygen, the two undergo an electrochemical reaction and release heat within the solid oxide fuel cell stack 5, thereby driving the solid oxide fuel cell stack 5 to start. The cathode exhaust gas generated by the solid oxide fuel cell stack 5 is discharged through the cathode outlet, and the anode exhaust gas generated by the solid oxide fuel cell stack 5 enters the inlet of the heating tube 421 of the large reformer 42 through the anode outlet, and then enters the heat exchange ejector assembly 3 through the outlet of the heating tube 421. Since the temperature of the anode exhaust gas is extremely high, much higher than the start-up temperature required by the large reformer 42, the large reformer 42 can be heated by the anode exhaust gas.

[0085] At this time, the small reformer 41, the large reformer 42, and the solid oxide fuel cell stack 5 have all been started, meaning that the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system has been started.

[0086] See also Figure 2 Since the anode outlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack 5 is also connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly 3, the anode exhaust gas also enters the heat exchange ejector assembly 3. This is so that the incompletely burned fuel can enter the small reformer 41 for combustion through the heat exchange ejector assembly 3.

[0087] See also Figure 2 Since the outlet of the large reformer 42 is also connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly 3, the anode exhaust gas enters the large reformer 42 for cooling before entering the heat exchange ejector assembly 3. The residual heat from the anode exhaust gas can also heat the heat exchange ejector assembly 3, thereby improving system efficiency. Furthermore, the exhaust gas generated by the heat exchange ejector assembly 3 can also be combusted to release heat and generate energy for use by other components, i.e., exhaust gas combustion.

[0088] As can be seen from the above, this embodiment can receive a vehicle start command, increase the air intake of the small reformer to a first preset air intake, increase the power of the electric heating element to a first preset power, and increase the flow rate of the electronically controlled flow unit to a first preset flow rate through the reformer electronically controlled valve group, thereby controlling the blower to start; receive the composition and concentration of the anode air intake detected by the gas composition analyzer and the temperature of the anode air intake detected by the first temperature sensor, determine the cathode air intake based on the composition, concentration, and temperature, and increase the air intake of the cathode electronically controlled valve to the cathode air intake. In this invention, by increasing the intake air volume of the small reformer, increasing the power of the electric heating element, and increasing the flow rate of the electronically controlled flow unit, the small reformer is rapidly heated and started to generate reformed gas, which enters the anode of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. Then, the cathode intake air volume is determined based on the composition, concentration, and temperature of the anode intake gas. This causes an electrochemical reaction between the reformed gas and the cathode intake gas in the solid oxide fuel cell stack, releasing heat and rapidly heating the stack to generate anode exhaust gas. This anode exhaust gas then heats the large reformer, causing it to rapidly heat and start. Because this invention utilizes electric heating... The heating element heats the small reformer without causing temperature fluctuations, enabling rapid startup of the small reformer, solid oxide fuel cell stack, and large reformer. This improves the startup speed of automotive solid oxide fuel cell systems without damaging the internal structure of the solid oxide fuel cell stack, ensuring safe startup. Furthermore, the heating element only heats the small reformer, eliminating the need to heat the solid oxide fuel cell stack, resulting in lower energy consumption and improved efficiency. This further enhances the startup performance of automotive solid oxide fuel cell systems.

[0089] In this embodiment of the invention, three integration methods for the dual-integrator 4 are proposed based on the space constraints of different vehicles:

[0090] The first integration method: parallel connection.

[0091] To facilitate understanding, the structures of the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 will be described below:

[0092] Small reformer 41 is a reformer that produces enough hydrogen to power a 300-watt battery stack during normal operation; it is a small-scale reformer. Large reformer is a reformer that produces enough hydrogen to power a 600-700-watt battery stack during normal operation; it is a large-scale reformer.

[0093] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the parallel dual rectifier provided in an embodiment of the present invention. See also: Figure 3The small reformer 41 includes an electric heating element 411, a first jacket 412, and a first porous media catalytic bed 413. The electric heating element 411 is disposed on the outside of the first jacket 412, and the first porous media catalytic bed 413 is disposed inside the first jacket 412. Generally speaking, the gas inlet and gas outlet of the small reformer 41 refer to the gas inlet and gas outlet of the first porous media catalytic bed 413.

[0094] The electric heating element 411 is used to quickly increase the internal temperature of the small reformer 41. Alternatively, the large reformer 42 can be heated via air heat transfer. Because the small reformer 41 is small in scale and has limited applications, the material for the first porous media catalytic bed 413 can be a noble metal catalyst with good catalytic performance.

[0095] See also Figure 3 The large reformer 42 includes a heating tube 421, a second jacket 422, and a second porous media catalytic bed 423. The second jacket 422 houses the second porous media catalytic bed 423, and the heating tube 421 is disposed within the second porous media catalytic bed 423. Generally, the inlet and outlet of the large reformer 42 refer to the inlet and outlet of the second porous media catalytic bed 423.

[0096] The number of heating tubes 421 can be multiple, and the multiple heating tubes 421 are arranged in a ring within the second porous medium catalyst bed 423, such as... Figure 3 As shown.

[0097] Since the large reformer 42 is large in scale and has many applications, the material of the second porous media catalyst bed 423 can be a low-cost nickel-based catalyst.

[0098] See Figure 3 The dual reformer 4 is a parallel dual reformer, with the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 arranged side by side. The reformer electronic control valve group includes a first electronic control valve and a second electronic control valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly 3 is connected to the air inlet of the dual reformer 4 through the reformer electronic control valve group. The heat exchange ejector assembly 3 can be connected to the air inlet of the small reformer 41 through the first electronic control valve and to the air inlet of the large reformer 42 through the second electronic control valve. It can be seen that when the dual reformer 4 is a parallel dual reformer, the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 independently perform air intake and exhaust.

[0099] The above-mentioned method of increasing the intake air volume of the small reformer to the first preset intake air volume through the reformer electronically controlled valve group may include:

[0100] Increase the air intake of the first electronically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

[0101] Since the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 are independently inlet and outlet when the dual reformer 4 is a parallel dual reformer, the intake volume of the small reformer 41 can be controlled by a separate first electronic control valve.

[0102] Since the gas entering the large reformer 42, i.e. the second porous medium catalytic bed 423, does not react when the large reformer 42 is not started, there is no need to control the gas intake of the large reformer. After the large reformer 42 is started, the gas intake of the large reformer 42 can be controlled by the second electronic control valve.

[0103] Therefore, by arranging the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 side by side, the dual reformers 4 form a parallel dual reformer. The parallel dual reformer has a simple structure and is suitable for vehicles with a small vehicle space length.

[0104] The second integration method: series integration.

[0105] There are two ways to connect the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 in series:

[0106] First type of series connection:

[0107] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a series dual rectifier provided in an embodiment of the present invention. See also... Figure 4 The dual rectifier 4 is a series dual rectifier, with the small rectifier 41 in front and the large rectifier 42 behind, and the small rectifier 41 and the large rectifier 42 are connected in series.

[0108] Series configuration 1:

[0109] The reformer electronic control valve group includes a third electronic control valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly 3 is connected to the inlet end of the dual reformer 4 through the reformer electronic control valve group. This connection can be as follows: the heat exchange ejector assembly 3 is connected to the inlet end of the small reformer 41 through the third electronic control valve, and the outlet end of the small reformer 41 is connected to the inlet end of the large reformer 42. Therefore, when the dual reformer 4 is a series dual reformer with the small reformer 41 preceding the large reformer 42, the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 do not independently perform intake and exhaust; instead, the exhaust end of the small reformer 41 is connected to the inlet end of the large reformer 42.

[0110] Since the porous media catalytic bed is used for gas inlet and outlet, the gas outlet of the small reformer 41 and the gas inlet of the large reformer 42 can be connected by connecting the gas outlet of the first porous media catalytic bed 413 to the gas inlet of the second porous media catalytic bed 423 through a conical tube.

[0111] The above-mentioned method of increasing the intake air volume of the small reformer to the first preset intake air volume through the reformer electronically controlled valve group may include:

[0112] Increase the air intake of the third electronically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

[0113] Although the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 are not independently intake and exhaust when the dual reformer 4 is a series dual reformer with the small reformer 41 in front and the large reformer 42 behind, the intake volume of the small reformer 41 can still be controlled by a separate third electronic control valve because the small reformer 41 is in front.

[0114] Therefore, by connecting the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 in series, the dual reformers 4 form a series dual reformer. Since the small reformer 41 is in front and the large reformer 42 is behind, the fuel that has not been fully reacted in the small reformer 41 can still enter the large reformer 42 for reaction after the large reformer 42 is started, which improves fuel utilization. The series dual reformer is suitable for vehicles with a large vehicle space length.

[0115] Series configuration two:

[0116] The reformer electronically controlled valve group includes a seventh electronically controlled valve and an eighth electronically controlled valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly 3 is connected to the inlet of the dual reformer 4 through the reformer electronically controlled valve group in the following manner: the heat exchange ejector assembly 3 is connected to the inlet of the small reformer 41 through the seventh electronically controlled valve, and the outlet of the small reformer 41 is connected to the inlet of the large reformer 42 through the eighth electronically controlled valve. It can be seen that when the dual reformer 4 is a series dual reformer with the small reformer 41 in front and the large reformer 42 behind, the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 do not independently perform intake and exhaust, but rather the exhaust end of the small reformer 41 is connected to the inlet end of the large reformer 42.

[0117] Since the porous media catalytic bed is used for gas inlet and outlet, the gas outlet of the small reformer 41 and the gas inlet of the large reformer 42 can be connected by the gas outlet of the first porous media catalytic bed 413 being connected to the gas inlet of the second porous media catalytic bed 423 through a conical tube, and the eighth electronically controlled valve is located in the conical tube.

[0118] The above-mentioned method of increasing the intake air volume of the small reformer to the first preset intake air volume through the reformer electronically controlled valve group may include:

[0119] Increase the air intake of the seventh solenoid valve to the first preset air intake.

[0120] Although the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 are not independently operated for intake and exhaust when the dual reformer 4 is a series dual reformer with the small reformer 41 in front and the large reformer 42 behind, the intake volume of the small reformer 41 can still be controlled by a separate seventh electronic control valve because the small reformer 41 is in front.

[0121] Since the gas entering the large reformer 42 does not react when the large reformer 42 is not started, there is no need to control the gas intake of the large reformer. After the large reformer 42 is started, the gas intake of the large reformer 42 can be controlled by the eighth electronic control valve.

[0122] Therefore, by connecting the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 in series, the dual reformers 4 form a series dual reformer. Since the small reformer 41 is in front and the large reformer 42 is behind, the fuel that has not been fully reacted in the small reformer 41 can still enter the large reformer 42 for reaction after the large reformer 42 is started, which improves fuel utilization. The series dual reformer is suitable for vehicles with a large vehicle space length.

[0123] The second series connection method:

[0124] The dual rectifier 4 is a series dual rectifier, with the large rectifier 42 in front and the small rectifier 41 behind, and the large rectifier 42 and the small rectifier 41 are connected in series.

[0125] Series configuration 3:

[0126] The reformer electronic control valve group includes a fourth electronic control valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly 3 is connected to the inlet end of the dual reformer 4 through the reformer electronic control valve group. This connection can be as follows: the heat exchange ejector assembly 3 is connected to the inlet end of the large reformer 42 through the fourth electronic control valve, and the outlet end of the large reformer 42 is connected to the inlet end of the small reformer 41. Therefore, when the dual reformer 4 is a series dual reformer with the large reformer 42 preceding the small reformer 41, the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 do not independently perform intake and exhaust; instead, the exhaust end of the large reformer 42 is connected to the inlet end of the small reformer 41.

[0127] Since the porous media catalytic bed is used for gas inlet and outlet, the gas outlet of the large reformer 42 and the gas inlet of the small reformer 41 can be connected by connecting the gas outlet of the second porous media catalytic bed 423 to the gas inlet of the first porous media catalytic bed 413 through a conical tube.

[0128] The above-mentioned method of increasing the intake air volume of the small reformer to the first preset intake air volume through the reformer electronically controlled valve group may include:

[0129] Increase the air intake of the fourth electronically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

[0130] Although the dual reformers 4 are a series dual reformer with the large reformer 42 in front and the small reformer 41 behind, the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 do not independently perform intake and exhaust. However, controlling the intake volume of the large reformer 42 is equivalent to controlling the intake volume of the small reformer 41. Therefore, the intake volume of the large reformer 42 can still be controlled by a separate fourth electronic control valve, thereby controlling the intake volume of the small reformer 41.

[0131] Therefore, by connecting the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 in series, the dual reformers 4 form a series dual reformer. Since the large reformer 42 is in front and the small reformer 41 is behind, the fuel that has not been fully reacted in the large reformer 42 can still enter the small reformer 41 for reaction after the large reformer 42 is started, which improves fuel utilization. The series dual reformer is suitable for vehicles with a large vehicle space length.

[0132] Series configuration four:

[0133] The reformer electronically controlled valve assembly includes a ninth electronically controlled valve and a tenth electronically controlled valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly 3 is connected to the inlet of the dual reformer 4 via the reformer electronically controlled valve assembly in the following manner: the heat exchange ejector assembly 3 is connected to the inlet of the large reformer 42 via the ninth electronically controlled valve, and the outlet of the large reformer 42 is connected to the inlet of the small reformer 41 via the tenth electronically controlled valve. Therefore, when the dual reformer 4 is a series dual reformer with the large reformer 42 preceding the small reformer 41, the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 do not independently perform intake and exhaust; instead, the exhaust end of the large reformer 42 is connected to the inlet end of the small reformer 41.

[0134] Since the porous media catalytic bed is used for gas inlet and outlet, the gas outlet of the large reformer 42 and the gas inlet of the small reformer 41 can be connected to the gas outlet of the second porous media catalytic bed 423 through a conical tube to the gas inlet of the first porous media catalytic bed 413, and the tenth electric control valve is set in the conical tube.

[0135] The above-mentioned method of increasing the intake air volume of the small reformer to the first preset intake air volume through the reformer electronically controlled valve group may include:

[0136] Increase the air intake of the tenth solenoid valve to the first preset air intake.

[0137] Although the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 are in series and the small reformer 41 is in front, the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 do not independently carry out intake and exhaust. However, the intake volume of the small reformer 41 can still be controlled separately through the tenth electronic control valve.

[0138] Since the gas entering the large reformer 42 does not react when the large reformer 42 is not started, there is no need to control the gas intake of the large reformer. After the large reformer 42 is started, the gas intake of the large reformer 42 can be controlled by the ninth electronic control valve.

[0139] Therefore, by connecting the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 in series, the dual reformers 4 form a series dual reformer. Since the large reformer 42 is in front and the small reformer 41 is behind, the fuel that has not been fully reacted in the large reformer 42 can still enter the small reformer 41 for reaction after the large reformer 42 is started, which improves fuel utilization. The series dual reformer is suitable for vehicles with a large vehicle space length.

[0140] The third integration method: embedded systems.

[0141] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the embedded dual oscillator provided in an embodiment of the present invention. See also: Figure 5 The dual reformer 4 is an embedded dual reformer, with the smaller reformer 41 embedded within the larger reformer 42. Specifically, the smaller reformer 41 is embedded within the second porous medium catalytic bed 423 of the larger reformer 42. The electric heating element 411 can simultaneously heat both the smaller reformer 41 and the larger reformer 42.

[0142] The reformer electronic control valve group includes a fifth electronic control valve and a sixth electronic control valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly 3 is connected to the intake end of the dual reformer 4 through the reformer electronic control valve group. The heat exchange ejector assembly 3 is connected to the intake end of the small reformer 41 through the fifth electronic control valve and to the intake end of the large reformer 42 through the sixth electronic control valve. It can be seen that when the dual reformer 4 is an embedded dual reformer, the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 are independently inlet and outlet.

[0143] The above-mentioned method of increasing the intake air volume of the small reformer to the first preset intake air volume through the reformer electronically controlled valve group may include:

[0144] Increase the air intake of the fifth solenoid valve to the first preset air intake.

[0145] Since the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 are independently operated for intake and exhaust when the dual reformer 4 is an embedded dual reformer, the intake volume of the small reformer 41 can be controlled by a separate fifth electronic control valve.

[0146] Since the gas entering the large reformer 42 does not react when the large reformer 42 is not started, there is no need to control the gas intake of the large reformer. After the large reformer 42 is started, the gas intake of the large reformer 42 can be controlled by the sixth electronic control valve.

[0147] Therefore, by embedding the small reformer 41 into the large reformer 42, the dual reformer 4 forms an embedded dual reformer, which allows the electric heating element 411 to heat both the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 simultaneously, reducing heat waste, lowering energy consumption, and improving the efficiency of the automotive solid oxide fuel cell system, making it suitable for vehicles with limited space.

[0148] In one implementation, after step S120, the method for improving the start-up performance of a vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system further includes:

[0149] When the vehicle is decelerating, the intake volume of the small reformer and the intake volume of the large reformer are reduced by the reformer electronic control valve group.

[0150] When the vehicle is accelerating, the intake volume of the small reformer and the large reformer are increased through the reformer electronic control valve group.

[0151] Since the vehicle requires less power when it is decelerating, the intake volume of the small reformer 41 and the intake volume of the large reformer 42 can be reduced by the reformer electronic control valve group.

[0152] For different dual-reformer integration methods, the methods for reducing the intake volume of the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 through the reformer electronic control valve group are different, as detailed below:

[0153] When the integration method is parallel, the reduction of the air intake of the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 through the reformer electronically controlled valve group can be achieved as follows:

[0154] Reduce the air intake of the first solenoid valve and the air intake of the second solenoid valve.

[0155] When the integration method is a series configuration, the reduction of the air intake of the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 by the reformer electronically controlled valve group can be achieved as follows:

[0156] Reduce the air intake of the third solenoid valve.

[0157] When the integration method is the second series configuration, the reduction of the air intake of the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 through the reformer electronically controlled valve group can be achieved as follows:

[0158] Reduce the air intake of the seventh solenoid valve and the air intake of the eighth solenoid valve.

[0159] When the integration method is the third series configuration, the reduction of the air intake of the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 through the reformer electronically controlled valve group can be achieved as follows:

[0160] Reduce the air intake of the fourth solenoid valve.

[0161] When the integration method is the fourth series configuration, the reduction of the air intake of the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 through the reformer electronically controlled valve group can be achieved as follows:

[0162] Reduce the air intake of the ninth solenoid valve and the air intake of the tenth solenoid valve.

[0163] When the integration method is embedded, the reduction of the air intake of the small reformer 41 and the air intake of the large reformer 42 by the reformer electronic control valve group can be as follows:

[0164] Reduce the air intake of the fifth solenoid valve and the air intake of the sixth solenoid valve.

[0165] Since the vehicle requires more power when accelerating, the intake volume of the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 can be increased by using the reformer electronic control valve group.

[0166] For different dual-reformer integration methods, the methods of increasing the air intake volume of the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 through the reformer electronic control valve group are different, as detailed below:

[0167] When the integration method is parallel, the above-mentioned increase in the air intake of the small reformer 41 and the air intake of the large reformer 42 through the reformer electronic control valve group can be:

[0168] Increase the air intake of the first solenoid valve and the air intake of the second solenoid valve.

[0169] When the integration method is a series configuration, the above-mentioned increase in the air intake of the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 via the reformer electronically controlled valve group can be:

[0170] Increase the air intake of the third solenoid valve.

[0171] When the integration method is the second series configuration, the above-mentioned increase in the air intake of the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 through the reformer electronically controlled valve group can be:

[0172] Increase the air intake of the seventh solenoid valve and the air intake of the eighth solenoid valve.

[0173] When the integration method is the third series configuration, the above-mentioned increase in the air intake of the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 through the reformer electronically controlled valve group can be:

[0174] Increase the air intake of the fourth solenoid valve.

[0175] When the integration method is the fourth type of series connection, the above-mentioned increase in the air intake of the small reformer 41 and the air intake of the large reformer 42 through the reformer electronically controlled valve group can be:

[0176] Increase the air intake of the ninth solenoid valve and the air intake of the tenth solenoid valve.

[0177] When the integration method is embedded, the above-mentioned increase in the air intake of the small reformer 41 and the air intake of the large reformer 42 through the reformer electronically controlled valve group can be:

[0178] Increase the air intake of the fifth solenoid valve and the air intake of the sixth solenoid valve.

[0179] Therefore, during vehicle operation, when the vehicle is decelerating, the intake air volume of the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 is reduced through the reformer electronic control valve group; when the vehicle is accelerating, the intake air volume of the small reformer 41 and the large reformer 42 is increased through the reformer electronic control valve group. This achieves the purpose of adjusting the dual reformers according to different vehicle driving conditions, thereby regulating the automotive solid oxide fuel cell system.

[0180] In another implementation, the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system further includes a second temperature sensor, which is located at the anode outlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. After step S120, the method for improving the start-up performance of the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system further includes:

[0181] The anode exhaust gas temperature is received by the second temperature sensor. When the change in the anode exhaust gas temperature within a preset time period is less than a preset change threshold, the intake air volume of the small reformer 41 is reduced to the intake air volume corresponding to the stable state through the reformer electronic control valve group, the power of the electric heating element 411 is reduced to the power corresponding to the stable state, and the flow rate of the electronic control flow unit is reduced to the second preset flow rate.

[0182] Since the solid oxide fuel cell system for vehicles will enter a stable state after starting for a period of time, this can be determined by whether the anode exhaust gas temperature is stable. Specifically, the anode exhaust gas temperature is received by the second temperature sensor. When the change in the anode exhaust gas temperature within a preset time period is less than a preset change threshold, it indicates that the solid oxide fuel cell system for vehicles has entered a stable state.

[0183] To ensure system lifespan and efficiency, the intake air volume of the small reformer 41 can be reduced to the intake air volume corresponding to the stable state via the reformer electronic control valve group; the power of the electric heating element can be reduced to the power corresponding to the stable state; and the flow rate of the electronically controlled flow unit can be reduced to the second preset flow rate. The second preset flow rate is determined empirically.

[0184] Therefore, when the change in anode exhaust gas temperature within a preset time period is less than a preset change threshold, the system service life and efficiency can be ensured by reducing the intake volume of the small reformer 41 to the intake volume corresponding to the stable state, reducing the power of the electric heating element to the power corresponding to the stable state, and reducing the flow rate of the electric control flow unit to the second preset flow rate through the reformer electronic control valve group.

[0185] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a device for improving the start-up performance of a vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system, provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system includes a fuel tank, a water tank, a heat exchange ejector assembly, a dual reformer, a solid oxide fuel cell stack, a cathode heat exchanger, a blower, a reformer electronically controlled valve group, an electronically controlled flow unit, a gas composition analyzer, a first temperature sensor, and a cathode electronically controlled valve.

[0186] The dual reformer includes a small reformer and a large reformer. The small reformer includes an electric heating element, and the large reformer includes a heating tube. The fuel tank is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly. The water tank is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly via the electronically controlled flow unit. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the dual reformer via the reformer's electronically controlled valve group. The outlets of both the large and small reformers are connected to the anode inlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. The anode outlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack is connected to both the inlet of the heating tube and the heat exchange ejector assembly. The outlet of the heating tube is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly. The device is connected to the cathode heat exchanger, with the blower positioned at the inlet end. The outlet end of the cathode heat exchanger is connected to the cathode inlet end of the solid oxide fuel cell stack via the cathode electronically controlled valve. The gas composition analyzer and the first temperature sensor are both positioned at the anode inlet end of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. The electric heating element, the blower, the reformer electronically controlled valve group, the electronically controlled flow unit, the gas composition analyzer, the first temperature sensor, and the cathode electronically controlled valve are all communicatively connected to the vehicle controller. The inlet end of the dual reformer includes at least the inlet end of the small reformer. The device is applied to the vehicle controller. (See also...) Figure 6 The device includes:

[0187] The first receiving module 601 is used to receive a vehicle start command and increase the air intake of the small reformer to a first preset air intake, increase the power of the electric heating element to a first preset power, and increase the flow rate of the electronically controlled flow unit to a first preset flow rate through the reformer electronically controlled valve group, thereby controlling the blower to start.

[0188] The second receiving module 602 is used to receive the composition and concentration of the anode intake gas detected by the gas composition analyzer and the temperature of the anode intake gas detected by the first temperature sensor, determine the cathode intake gas volume based on the composition, the concentration and the temperature, and increase the intake gas volume of the cathode solenoid valve to the cathode intake gas volume.

[0189] This invention provides a device for improving the start-up performance of a vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system. It can receive a vehicle start-up command and, through a reformer electronic control valve group, increase the intake air volume of the small reformer to a first preset intake air volume, increase the power of the electric heating element to a first preset power, and increase the flow rate of the electronically controlled flow unit to a first preset flow rate, thereby controlling the blower to start. It also receives the composition and concentration of the anode intake air detected by a gas composition analyzer and the temperature of the anode intake air detected by a first temperature sensor, determines the cathode intake air volume based on the composition, concentration, and temperature, and increases the intake air volume of the cathode electronic control valve to the cathode intake air volume. In this invention, by increasing the intake air volume of the small reformer, increasing the power of the electric heating element, and increasing the flow rate of the electronically controlled flow unit, the small reformer is rapidly heated and started to generate reformed gas, which enters the anode of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. Then, the cathode intake air volume is determined based on the composition, concentration, and temperature of the anode intake gas. This causes an electrochemical reaction between the reformed gas and the cathode intake gas in the solid oxide fuel cell stack, releasing heat and rapidly heating the stack to generate anode exhaust gas. This anode exhaust gas then heats the large reformer, causing it to rapidly heat and start. Because this invention utilizes electric heating... The heating element heats the small reformer without causing temperature fluctuations, enabling rapid startup of the small reformer, solid oxide fuel cell stack, and large reformer. This improves the startup speed of automotive solid oxide fuel cell systems without damaging the internal structure of the solid oxide fuel cell stack, ensuring safe startup. Furthermore, the heating element only heats the small reformer, eliminating the need to heat the solid oxide fuel cell stack, resulting in lower energy consumption and improved efficiency. This further enhances the startup performance of automotive solid oxide fuel cell systems.

[0190] Optionally, the dual reformer is a parallel dual reformer, and the reformer electronic control valve group includes a first electronic control valve and a second electronic control valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the small reformer through the first electronic control valve and to the inlet of the large reformer through the second electronic control valve. The first receiving module 601 can be specifically used for:

[0191] Increase the air intake of the first electronically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

[0192] Optionally, the dual reformer is a series dual reformer, the reformer electronically controlled valve group includes a third electronically controlled valve, the heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet end of the small reformer through the third electronically controlled valve, the outlet end of the small reformer is connected to the inlet end of the large reformer, and the first receiving module 601 can be specifically used for:

[0193] Increase the air intake of the third electrically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

[0194] Optionally, the dual reformer is a series dual reformer, the reformer electronic control valve group includes a fourth electronic control valve, the heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the large reformer through the fourth electronic control valve, the outlet of the large reformer is connected to the inlet of the small reformer, and the first receiving module 601 can be specifically used for:

[0195] Increase the air intake of the fourth electrically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

[0196] Optionally, the dual reformer is an embedded dual reformer, with the smaller reformer embedded within the larger reformer. The reformer's electronically controlled valve group includes a fifth electronically controlled valve and a sixth electronically controlled valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the smaller reformer via the fifth electronically controlled valve and to the inlet of the larger reformer via the sixth electronically controlled valve. The first receiving module 601 can be specifically used for:

[0197] Increase the air intake of the fifth electrically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

[0198] Optionally, the above-mentioned devices for improving the start-up performance of automotive solid oxide fuel cell systems further include:

[0199] The deceleration module is used to reduce the air intake of the small reformer and the air intake of the large reformer through the reformer electronic control valve group when the vehicle is in a deceleration condition after the air intake of the cathode electronic control valve is increased to the cathode air intake.

[0200] An acceleration module is used to increase the air intake of the small reformer and the air intake of the large reformer through the reformer electronic control valve group when the vehicle is in acceleration condition, after the air intake volume of the cathode electronic control valve is increased to the cathode air intake volume.

[0201] Optionally, the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system further includes a second temperature sensor, which is disposed at the anode outlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. The aforementioned device for improving the start-up performance of the vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system further includes:

[0202] The reduction module is used to receive the anode exhaust gas temperature detected by the second temperature sensor after the intake volume of the cathode solenoid valve is increased to the cathode intake volume. When the change in the anode exhaust gas temperature within a preset time period is less than a preset change threshold, the module reduces the intake volume of the small reformer to the intake volume corresponding to the stable state, reduces the power of the electric heating element to the power corresponding to the stable state, and reduces the flow rate of the electrically controlled flow unit to the second preset flow rate through the reformer solenoid valve group.

[0203] The above-described apparatus embodiments correspond to the method embodiments and have the same technical effects. For detailed explanations, please refer to the method embodiments. The apparatus embodiments are derived from the method embodiments; detailed explanations can be found in the method embodiments section, and will not be repeated here.

[0204] Those skilled in the art will understand that the accompanying drawings are merely schematic diagrams of one embodiment, and the modules or processes shown in the drawings are not necessarily essential for implementing the present invention.

[0205] Those skilled in the art will understand that the modules in the apparatus of the embodiments can be distributed in the apparatus of the embodiments as described in the embodiments, or they can be located in one or more devices different from this embodiment with corresponding changes. The modules of the above embodiments can be combined into one module, or they can be further divided into multiple sub-modules.

[0206] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for improving the start-up performance of a vehicle-mounted solid oxide fuel cell system, characterized in that, The vehicle-mounted solid oxide fuel cell system includes a fuel tank, a water tank, a heat exchange ejector assembly, a dual rectifier, a solid oxide fuel cell stack, a cathode heat exchanger, a blower, a rectifier electronically controlled valve group, an electronically controlled flow unit, a gas composition analyzer, a first temperature sensor, and a cathode electronically controlled valve. The dual reformer includes a small reformer and a large reformer. The small reformer includes an electric heating element, and the large reformer includes a heating tube. The fuel tank is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly. The water tank is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly via the electronically controlled flow unit. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the dual reformer via the reformer's electronically controlled valve group. The outlets of both the large and small reformers are connected to the anode inlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. The anode outlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack is connected to both the inlet of the heating tube and the heat exchange ejector assembly. The outlet of the heating tube is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly. The blower is located at the inlet end of the cathode heat exchanger, and the outlet end of the cathode heat exchanger is connected to the cathode inlet end of the solid oxide fuel cell stack via the cathode electronically controlled valve. The gas composition analyzer and the first temperature sensor are both located at the anode inlet end of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. The electric heating element, the blower, the reformer electronically controlled valve group, the electronically controlled flow unit, the gas composition analyzer, the first temperature sensor, and the cathode electronically controlled valve are all communicatively connected to the vehicle controller. The inlet end of the dual reformer at least includes the inlet end of the small reformer. The method is applied to the vehicle controller, and the method includes: Upon receiving a vehicle start command, the system increases the air intake of the small reformer to a first preset air intake, increases the power of the electric heating element to a first preset power, and increases the flow rate of the electronically controlled flow unit to a first preset flow rate via the reformer electronically controlled valve group, thereby controlling the blower to start. The gas analyzer receives the composition and concentration of the anode intake gas detected by the gas composition analyzer and the temperature of the anode intake gas detected by the first temperature sensor. Based on the composition, concentration and temperature, the cathode intake gas volume is determined, and the intake gas volume of the cathode solenoid valve is increased to the cathode intake gas volume.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The dual reformer is a parallel dual reformer. The reformer's electronically controlled valve group includes a first electronically controlled valve and a second electronically controlled valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the small reformer via the first electronically controlled valve and to the inlet of the large reformer via the second electronically controlled valve. The step of increasing the intake volume of the small reformer to a first preset intake volume through the reformer's electronically controlled valve group includes: Increase the air intake of the first electronically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

3. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The dual reformer is a series dual reformer. The reformer's electronically controlled valve group includes a third electronically controlled valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the small reformer through the third electronically controlled valve. The outlet of the small reformer is connected to the inlet of the large reformer. The step of increasing the intake volume of the small reformer to a first preset intake volume through the reformer's electronically controlled valve group includes: Increase the air intake of the third electrically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

4. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The dual reformer is a series dual reformer. The reformer's electronically controlled valve group includes a fourth electronically controlled valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the large reformer through the fourth electronically controlled valve. The outlet of the large reformer is connected to the inlet of the small reformer. The step of increasing the intake volume of the small reformer to a first preset intake volume through the reformer's electronically controlled valve group includes: Increase the air intake of the fourth electrically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

5. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The dual reformer is an embedded dual reformer, with the smaller reformer embedded within the larger reformer. The reformer's electronically controlled valve assembly includes a fifth electronically controlled valve and a sixth electronically controlled valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the smaller reformer via the fifth electronically controlled valve and to the inlet of the larger reformer via the sixth electronically controlled valve. The step of increasing the intake volume of the smaller reformer to a first preset intake volume via the reformer's electronically controlled valve assembly includes: Increase the air intake of the fifth electrically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

6. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, After the step of increasing the air intake of the cathode solenoid valve to the cathode air intake, the method further includes: When the vehicle is in a deceleration condition, the intake volume of the small reformer and the intake volume of the large reformer are reduced by the reformer electronic control valve group. When the vehicle is accelerating, the intake volume of the small reformer and the intake volume of the large reformer are increased through the reformer electronic control valve group.

7. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle-mounted solid oxide fuel cell system further includes a second temperature sensor, which is disposed at the anode outlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. After the step of increasing the air intake of the cathode electronically controlled valve to the cathode air intake, the method further includes: The system receives the anode exhaust gas temperature detected by the second temperature sensor. When the change in the anode exhaust gas temperature within a preset time period is less than a preset change threshold, the system reduces the intake volume of the small reformer to the intake volume corresponding to the stable state, reduces the power of the electric heating element to the power corresponding to the stable state, and reduces the flow rate of the electronically controlled flow unit to the second preset flow rate through the reformer electronically controlled valve group.

8. A device for improving the start-up performance of a vehicle solid oxide fuel cell system, characterized in that, The vehicle-mounted solid oxide fuel cell system includes a fuel tank, a water tank, a heat exchange ejector assembly, a dual rectifier, a solid oxide fuel cell stack, a cathode heat exchanger, a blower, a rectifier electronically controlled valve group, an electronically controlled flow unit, a gas composition analyzer, a first temperature sensor, and a cathode electronically controlled valve. The dual reformer includes a small reformer and a large reformer. The small reformer includes an electric heating element, and the large reformer includes a heating tube. The fuel tank is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly. The water tank is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly via the electronically controlled flow unit. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the dual reformer via the reformer's electronically controlled valve group. The outlets of both the large and small reformers are connected to the anode inlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. The anode outlet of the solid oxide fuel cell stack is connected to both the inlet of the heating tube and the heat exchange ejector assembly. The outlet of the heating tube is connected to the heat exchange ejector assembly. The blower is located at the inlet end of the cathode heat exchanger, and the outlet end of the cathode heat exchanger is connected to the cathode inlet end of the solid oxide fuel cell stack via the cathode electronically controlled valve. The gas composition analyzer and the first temperature sensor are both located at the anode inlet end of the solid oxide fuel cell stack. The electric heating element, the blower, the reformer electronically controlled valve group, the electronically controlled flow unit, the gas composition analyzer, the first temperature sensor, and the cathode electronically controlled valve are all communicatively connected to the vehicle controller. The inlet end of the dual reformer includes at least the inlet end of the small reformer. The device is applied to the vehicle controller and includes: The first receiving module is used to receive the vehicle start command, and through the reformer electronic control valve group, increase the air intake of the small reformer to a first preset air intake, increase the power of the electric heating element to a first preset power, and increase the flow rate of the electronic control flow unit to a first preset flow rate, thereby controlling the blower to start. The second receiving module is used to receive the composition and concentration of the anode intake gas detected by the gas composition analyzer and the temperature of the anode intake gas detected by the first temperature sensor, determine the cathode intake gas volume based on the composition, the concentration and the temperature, and increase the intake gas volume of the cathode solenoid valve to the cathode intake gas volume.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The dual reformer is a parallel dual reformer. The reformer's electronically controlled valve group includes a first electronically controlled valve and a second electronically controlled valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the small reformer via the first electronically controlled valve and to the inlet of the large reformer via the second electronically controlled valve. The first receiving module is specifically used for: Increase the air intake of the first electronically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The dual reformer is a series dual reformer. The reformer's electronically controlled valve group includes a third electronically controlled valve. The heat exchange ejector assembly is connected to the inlet of the small reformer through the third electronically controlled valve. The outlet of the small reformer is connected to the inlet of the large reformer. The first receiving module is specifically used for: Increase the air intake of the third electrically controlled valve to the first preset air intake.

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