A high-efficiency intelligent hydrogen supply system and method for hydrogen fuel cells

Abstract

A highly efficient and intelligent hydrogen supply system and method for a hydrogen fuel cell, belonging to the technical field of hydrogen fuel cells. A hydrogen storage bottle is connected to one end of a first solenoid valve, the other end of the first solenoid valve is connected to a pressure sensor and a hydrogen supply controller, the pressure sensor is respectively connected to a second solenoid valve and a hydrogen supply controller, the other end of the second solenoid valve is connected to a fuel cell and a hydrogen supply controller, the fuel cell is connected to a third solenoid valve, and the other end of the third solenoid valve is connected to a hydrogen supply controller. The present invention solves the problems of low efficiency, imprecise control and insufficient safety in existing hydrogen fuel cell hydrogen supply systems.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of hydrogen fuel cells and relates to a high-efficiency intelligent hydrogen supply system and method for hydrogen fuel cells. Background Art

[0002] In the existing hydrogen fuel cell technology, the efficiency and intelligence of the hydrogen supply system are one of the key factors. The traditional hydrogen fuel cell hydrogen supply system mainly relies on manual adjustment or simple automatic control system to manage the supply of hydrogen, which leads to several problems: first, manual control lacks real-time response capability and cannot adjust the hydrogen supply according to the immediate needs of the fuel cell, thus affecting the performance and life of the battery; second, simple automatic control systems often cannot accurately control the flow and pressure of hydrogen, resulting in low utilization of hydrogen, increased costs and energy waste. In addition, these systems often lack fault detection and early warning mechanisms. Once insufficient hydrogen supply occurs, it may damage the fuel cell or cause a safety accident.

[0003] In terms of prior patents, although there are some patents that attempt to improve the efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells by improving the hydrogen supply method, most of these patents still focus on traditional control methods and do not make full use of modern intelligent technology to achieve a more efficient and safer hydrogen supply system. Therefore, the existing technology still needs to improve the intelligence level of the hydrogen supply system, increase the utilization rate of hydrogen, and ensure the safe operation of the system. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a highly efficient and intelligent hydrogen supply system and method for a hydrogen fuel cell.

[0005] A high-efficiency intelligent hydrogen supply system for a hydrogen fuel cell, wherein a hydrogen storage bottle is connected to one end of a first solenoid valve, the other end of the first solenoid valve is connected to a pressure sensor and a hydrogen supply controller, the pressure sensor is respectively connected to a second solenoid valve and the hydrogen supply controller, the other end of the second solenoid valve is connected to a fuel cell and the hydrogen supply controller, the fuel cell is connected to a third solenoid valve, and the other end of the third solenoid valve is connected to the hydrogen supply controller.

[0006] A highly efficient and intelligent hydrogen supply method for a hydrogen fuel cell comprises the following steps:

[0007] Step 1. Startup phase: When the system starts, the controller instructs to open the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve and close the third solenoid valve, allowing the stored hydrogen to flow from the hydrogen storage bottle through the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve into the fuel cell, starting the operation of the fuel cell.

[0008] Step 2. Monitoring and adjustment phase: Using algorithms and logic during the operation of the fuel cell, the pressure sensor monitors the hydrogen pressure in the battery in real time. When the hydrogen pressure is lower than the set threshold, the controller first instructs the third solenoid valve to open to discharge the remaining gas, then closes the third solenoid valve, and reopens the first solenoid valve to replenish hydrogen until the hydrogen pressure returns to the normal operating range.

[0009] Step 3. Safety monitoring stage: The hydrogen pressure of the hydrogen storage bottle is monitored by regularly opening the first solenoid valve and closing the second solenoid valve. If the pressure is too low, the controller will sound an alarm through a buzzer to prompt the operator to take measures to avoid damage to the fuel cell due to low hydrogen pressure.

[0010] Intelligent control not only improves the utilization efficiency of hydrogen and the performance of fuel cells, but also ensures the high safety and reliability of the system through real-time monitoring and automatic adjustment mechanisms.

[0011] The present invention is based on the principle of fuel cells. During the operation of the fuel cell, the electrochemical reaction will produce water vapor. If water vapor accumulates too much inside the battery, it will affect the output performance of the battery. Excessive water vapor may also aggravate the corrosion problem of the battery components, interfere with normal thermal management, and even cause internal icing in low temperature environments, all of which will significantly reduce the working efficiency and life of the fuel cell. In order to prevent these problems from occurring, the fuel cell system needs to remove the accumulated water vapor through regular purging. In traditional fuel cell power systems, hydrogen purging is usually performed at a fixed frequency, but this method does not take into account the differences in hydrogen consumption and water vapor generation rates under different power outputs of the fuel cell. Too frequent purging may cause hydrogen that has not yet participated in the reaction to be discharged prematurely, resulting in a waste of resources; while too low a frequency may not be able to remove the internal water vapor in time, increasing the risk of damage to the fuel cell.

[0012] The stable operation of the fuel cell of the present invention is extremely dependent on the reasonable control of the hydrogen supply pressure. Excessive hydrogen pressure may not only damage the physical structure of the fuel cell, increase the risk of leakage and explosion, but also too low a pressure will make the fuel cell unable to effectively generate electricity, reduce system performance and may cause additional damage to the proton exchange membrane. However, in the design of existing fuel cell hydrogen supply systems, there is usually a lack of real-time monitoring and control mechanisms for the hydrogen supply pressure inside the fuel cell, or it is necessary to achieve pressure management through expensive modifications to the hydrogen supply pipeline or hydrogen storage device, which undoubtedly increases the complexity and cost of the system.

[0013] The intelligent hydrogen supply system proposed in the present invention solves several key problems existing in the existing hydrogen fuel cell hydrogen supply system through a series of innovative measures. The specific technical effects include the following points:

[0014] Dynamic purge management: The fixed-cycle purge method in the existing system cannot adapt to the changing needs of the fuel cell under different working conditions, which easily leads to hydrogen waste or water vapor accumulation. The present invention monitors the hydrogen pressure inside the fuel cell in real time and intelligently adjusts the purge frequency. This means that the purge process will only be activated when the hydrogen pressure is lower than the set threshold, effectively discharging water vapor and ensuring the optimization of the environment inside the fuel cell, which not only avoids unnecessary waste of hydrogen, but also ensures the efficient operation of the battery.

[0015] Precise hydrogen supply pressure control: Precise control of hydrogen pressure is crucial to the stability and safety of fuel cells. The present invention ensures that the hydrogen supply pressure is always maintained within the optimal range through real-time monitoring and intelligent regulation of the hydrogen supply system. This not only optimizes the performance of the fuel cell and extends its service life, but also significantly reduces the safety risks caused by abnormal pressure.

[0016] Dual optimization of cost and efficiency: Through intelligent hydrogen supply control strategy, the present invention not only improves the utilization efficiency of hydrogen and reduces energy waste, but also reduces the operation and maintenance cost of the system. The design of time-division multiplexing pressure sensor simplifies the structure of the system, reduces the dependence on additional hardware, and reduces the cost of the overall system. In addition, the intelligent system also reduces the need for manual intervention, further reducing the operating cost.

[0017] Improve the adaptability and stability of the system: The present invention can dynamically adjust the hydrogen supply strategy according to the actual operating state of the fuel cell, improving the adaptability of the system to different operating conditions. Whether under high load or low load, the system can automatically adjust to ensure the stable operation of the fuel cell. This high degree of adaptability further improves the performance and reliability of the fuel cell.

[0018] Significant improvement in safety: Through real-time monitoring and intelligent regulation, the present invention can promptly respond to any potential safety risks, such as excessive or low hydrogen pressure. The system can automatically adjust or issue an alarm to promptly notify operators to take measures, significantly improving the safety of the overall system.

[0019] In summary, the present invention improves the performance and safety of the hydrogen fuel cell system through intelligent control, while reducing the operating costs, demonstrating obvious technical advantages and practical value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the prior art descriptions. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work. As shown in the figure:

[0021] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 It is the electrical connection diagram of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] Example 1: Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a high-efficiency intelligent hydrogen supply system for a hydrogen fuel cell, a hydrogen storage bottle 1 is connected to one end of a first solenoid valve 2, the other end of the first solenoid valve 2 is connected to a pressure sensor 3 and a hydrogen supply controller 4, the pressure sensor 3 is respectively connected to a second solenoid valve 5 and a hydrogen supply controller 4, the other end of the second solenoid valve 5 is connected to a fuel cell 6 and a hydrogen supply controller 4, the fuel cell 6 is connected to a third solenoid valve 7, and the other end of the third solenoid valve 7 is connected to the hydrogen supply controller 4.

[0026] The hydrogen supply controller 4, as the core of the system, is responsible for the command scheduling, data processing and decision making of the entire hydrogen supply system. The controller receives sensor signals, monitors the changes in hydrogen pressure in real time, and controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve according to the preset algorithm and logic, thereby adjusting the supply of hydrogen.

[0027] The first solenoid valve 2, the second solenoid valve 5 and the third solenoid valve 7: these three solenoid valves control the entry, flow direction and discharge of hydrogen respectively.

[0028] Through the above-mentioned technical features and control logic, the intelligent hydrogen supply system realizes precise control of the hydrogen supply process of the hydrogen fuel cell, improves the utilization efficiency of hydrogen, and ensures the safe and stable operation of the system.

[0029] The connection sequence of the hydrogen pipeline is hydrogen storage bottle 1-first solenoid valve 2-pressure sensor 3-second solenoid valve 5-hydrogen fuel cell 6-third solenoid valve 7.

[0030] This configuration allows accurate measurement of the hydrogen pressure inside the fuel cell and at the supply end by controlling the opening and closing combination of the three solenoid valves. This not only realizes the intelligent hydrogen supply to the fuel cell, but also enhances the safety monitoring capability of the hydrogen pipeline system, ensuring the efficient and safe operation of the system.

[0031] The intelligent hydrogen supply system of the present invention is composed of a hydrogen supply controller 4, three solenoid valves (a first solenoid valve 2, a second solenoid valve 5, and a third solenoid valve 7), a pressure sensor 3, and necessary connecting components.

[0032] A highly efficient and intelligent hydrogen supply method for a hydrogen fuel cell, wherein a first solenoid valve 2 is responsible for controlling the main passage of hydrogen from a hydrogen storage bottle 1 to a fuel cell 6; a second solenoid valve 5 is located between a pressure sensor 4 and the fuel cell 6 and is used to be closed when necessary to measure the hydrogen supply pressure; and a third solenoid valve 7 controls the discharge of residual gas generated by the internal reaction of the fuel cell 6.

[0033] The pressure sensor 3 is installed in the hydrogen pipeline, between the first solenoid valve 2 and the second solenoid valve 5, for real-time monitoring of the hydrogen pressure. The sensor signal is sent to the hydrogen supply controller as a basis for adjusting the state of the solenoid valve.

[0034] Hydrogen pipeline connection: The connection order of the hydrogen pipeline is hydrogen storage bottle 1-first solenoid valve 2-air pressure sensor 3-second solenoid valve 5-hydrogen fuel cell 6-third solenoid valve 7, ensuring that hydrogen can be smoothly transported from the hydrogen storage device to the fuel cell and the remaining gas can be safely discharged when needed.

[0035] In actual operation, the control logic of the system is as follows: at startup, the first solenoid valve 2 and the second solenoid valve 5 are first opened to allow hydrogen to flow into the fuel cell to start the fuel cell. Subsequently, the controller closes the first solenoid valve 2, and the hydrogen pressure in the fuel cell is monitored by the pressure sensor. When the power output of the fuel cell changes and causes the internal hydrogen pressure to drop to a specific threshold, the controller first opens the third solenoid valve 7 to discharge the residual reaction gas and water vapor, and then closes the third solenoid valve 7 and reopens the first solenoid valve 2 to restore the normal working pressure. After completing this control cycle, the first solenoid valve 2 will be closed to cut off the hydrogen supply until the next control cycle is started.

[0036] The system also includes a safety monitoring function to detect the pressure of the supplied hydrogen by periodically opening the first solenoid valve 2 and closing the second solenoid valve 5. If the hydrogen pressure is detected to be lower than the minimum pressure required by the hydrogen fuel cell, the controller will send an alarm signal through a buzzer to prompt the operator to shut down the system to avoid damage to the fuel cell due to low hydrogen pressure.

[0037] Contains the following steps:

[0038] Step 1. Startup phase: When the system starts, the controller instructs to open the first solenoid valve 2 and the second solenoid valve 5, and close the third solenoid valve 7, allowing the stored hydrogen to flow from the hydrogen storage bottle through the first solenoid valve 2 and the second solenoid valve 5 into the fuel cell, thereby starting the operation of the fuel cell.

[0039] Step 2. Monitoring and adjustment stage: During the operation of the fuel cell, the pressure sensor monitors the hydrogen pressure in the battery in real time. When the hydrogen pressure is lower than the set threshold, the controller first instructs the third solenoid valve 7 to open to discharge the residual gas, then closes the third solenoid valve 7, and reopens the first solenoid valve 2 to replenish hydrogen until the hydrogen pressure returns to the normal working range.

[0040] Step 3. Safety monitoring stage: monitor the hydrogen pressure of the hydrogen storage bottle by regularly opening the first solenoid valve 2 and closing the second solenoid valve 5. If the pressure is too low, the controller will sound an alarm through a buzzer to prompt the operator to take measures to avoid damage to the fuel cell due to low hydrogen pressure.

[0041] Intelligent control not only improves the utilization efficiency of hydrogen and the performance of fuel cells, but also ensures the high safety and reliability of the system through real-time monitoring and automatic adjustment mechanisms.

[0042] Example 2: Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a highly efficient intelligent hydrogen supply system for a hydrogen fuel cell, Figure 3 This is the schematic diagram of the intelligent hydrogen supply system, which mainly shows the internal components of the hydrogen supply controller and its connection with peripheral devices. The hydrogen supply controller mainly includes four modules: the mainboard core CORE, DC-DC converter, power drive, and analog-to-digital converter ADC. The peripheral devices connected to the hydrogen supply controller include the DC power supply for the mainboard, three solenoid valves (the first solenoid valve, the second solenoid valve, and the third solenoid valve) and the pressure sensor.

[0043] Mainboard core CORE: The brain of the control board, which stores the operating code of the system, receives data from the pressure sensor, and issues control instructions to the three solenoid valves based on the algorithm and logic.

[0044] DC-DC converter: Efficiently converts the power supply voltage to meet the voltage requirements of the controller and its peripherals. This module can increase or decrease the input voltage to the required voltage level, ensuring that the controller system can obtain a stable power supply under different working conditions.

[0045] Power drive: The power drive receives appropriate power from the DC-DC converter and ensures that the power can drive the peripheral devices, namely the three solenoid valves. At the same time, the power drive also receives instructions from the CORE and controls the power supply and power failure of the solenoid valves according to these instructions, thereby accurately controlling the opening and closing states of the solenoid valves to respond to the system's operating requirements.

[0046] Analog-to-digital converter ADC: The function of ADC is to convert the analog voltage signal output by the pressure sensor into a digital signal, so that the core of the hydrogen supply control board can perform digital signal processing. It is a bridge between analog signals and digital control systems.

[0047] DC power supply: provides electrical energy for the entire hydrogen supply controller and is the energy source for system operation.

[0048] Pressure sensor: According to the detected pressure value, the corresponding voltage analog signal is output, and then converted into a pressure digital signal through the ADC module and transmitted to the core of the hydrogen supply control board as the decision basis for controlling the opening and closing of the three solenoid valves. By adjusting the opening and closing combination of the three solenoid valves, the same pressure sensor can measure the pressure inside the fuel cell or the supply of hydrogen. The time-sharing multiplexed pressure sensor simplifies the circuit connection of the system while improving the utilization rate of components, which can save the cost of the entire system.

[0049] The solenoid valve includes a first solenoid valve 2, a second solenoid valve 5 and a third solenoid valve 7: a normally closed solenoid valve, in the default no-power state, the solenoid valve is closed to block the gas path. When the solenoid valve is powered, the gas path of the solenoid valve is opened, and the control effect of the gas path passing through the solenoid valve can be achieved by controlling the power supply and power-off state of the solenoid valve.

[0050] Figure 2 This is the electrical connection diagram of the intelligent hydrogen supply system. It mainly includes two connections: gas circuit and circuit. The connection sequence of the hydrogen pipeline is hydrogen storage bottle 1-first solenoid valve 2-air pressure sensor 3-second solenoid valve 5-hydrogen fuel cell 6-third solenoid valve 7, ensuring that hydrogen can be smoothly transported from the hydrogen storage device to the fuel cell, and the remaining gas can be safely discharged when needed.

[0051] The circuit connection is the connection between the hydrogen supply controller and three solenoid valves and a pressure sensor. The hydrogen storage bottle continuously supplies hydrogen that meets the requirements of the fuel cell. The gas path passes through the pressure sensor and can send the real-time detected hydrogen pressure to the hydrogen supply controller.

[0052] When the first solenoid valve 2 and the second solenoid valve 5 are opened, and the third solenoid valve 7 is closed, the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen storage bottle can be passed into the fuel cell, so that the fuel cell can output electrical energy to the outside. When the third solenoid valve 7 is opened and the second solenoid valve 5 is closed, the water vapor generated by the reaction inside the fuel cell can be discharged to the atmosphere. When the second solenoid valve 5 is opened, and the first solenoid valve 2 and the third solenoid valve 7 are closed, the pressure detected by the pressure sensor at this time is the hydrogen pressure inside the fuel cell. When the first solenoid valve 2 is opened and the second solenoid valve 5 is closed, the pressure detected by the pressure sensor at this time is the pressure of the hydrogen supplied by the hydrogen storage bottle. Through the above combination of solenoid valve opening and closing, a pressure sensor can be used to obtain the hydrogen pressure inside the hydrogen fuel cell and the hydrogen supply pressure of the hydrogen storage bottle.

[0053] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A highly efficient and intelligent hydrogen supply method for a hydrogen fuel cell, characterized in that: The hydrogen storage bottle is connected to one end of the first solenoid valve, the other end of the first solenoid valve is connected to the pressure sensor and the hydrogen supply controller, the pressure sensor is connected to the second solenoid valve and the hydrogen supply controller respectively, the other end of the second solenoid valve is connected to the fuel cell and the hydrogen supply controller, the fuel cell is connected to the third solenoid valve, and the other end of the third solenoid valve is connected to the hydrogen supply controller, which includes the following steps: Step 1. Startup phase: When the system starts, the controller instructs to open the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve and close the third solenoid valve, allowing the stored hydrogen to flow from the hydrogen storage bottle through the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve into the fuel cell, thereby starting the operation of the fuel cell; Step 2. Monitoring and regulation phase: Algorithms and logic are used during the operation of the fuel cell. The algorithms and logic contain the following steps: During startup, the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve are first opened to allow hydrogen to flow into the fuel cell to start the fuel cell. The controller closes the first solenoid valve. At this time, the hydrogen pressure in the fuel cell is monitored by the pressure sensor. When the power output of the fuel cell changes and the internal hydrogen pressure drops to a specific threshold, the controller first opens the third solenoid valve to discharge the residual reaction gas and water vapor, and then closes the third solenoid valve and reopens the first solenoid valve to restore the normal working pressure. After completing this control cycle, the first solenoid valve is closed to cut off the hydrogen supply until the next round of control cycle is started; Step 3. Safety monitoring stage: The hydrogen pressure of the hydrogen storage bottle is monitored by periodically opening the first solenoid valve and closing the second solenoid valve. If the pressure is too low, the controller will sound an alarm through a buzzer to prompt the operator to take measures to avoid damage to the fuel cell due to low hydrogen pressure.

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