A coolant filtration module and filtration method for a hydrogen fuel cell system

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of hydrogen fuel cells, and relates to a coolant filter module and a filtering method applied to a hydrogen fuel cell system. The filter module housing is designed with two axially parallel cavities, namely a particle filter element cavity and a deionizing filter element cavity. The two cavities are connected by a connecting flow channel between cavities. The particle filter element cavity has a particle filter element inlet at the rear end, a coolant inlet at the bottom, and a coolant outlet at the front end, and the particle filter element is placed therein; the deionizing filter element cavity has a deionizing filter element inlet at the rear end, a coolant branch outlet at the bottom, and an inter-cavity connecting flow channel connected to the particle filter element cavity at the front end, and the deionizing filter element is placed therein. The present invention integrates the particle filtering function and the deionizing function into an independent module, realizes multi-level comprehensive filtering of a single component, reduces the sealing nodes of the previous multiple filter component pipeline connections, and improves the stability and reliability of the system for long-term operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of hydrogen fuel cells and relates to a coolant filter module and a filtering method applied to a hydrogen fuel cell system. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of my country's new energy industry, hydrogen fuel cell technology has been increasingly used in a wide range of fields. The thermal management subsystem is a component of the hydrogen fuel cell assembly system, which plays an important role in regulating the operating temperature of the hydrogen fuel cell and ensuring the operating conditions of the hydrogen fuel cell.

[0003] During the filling and use of the coolant in the thermal management subsystem, some tiny particulate impurities will enter, and as the use time increases, the ion concentration in the coolant in the pipeline will also increase. Particulate impurities and high-concentration ions will affect the performance of the functional components of the hydrogen fuel cell and the service life of the hydrogen fuel cell core. The thermal management subsystem of the hydrogen fuel cell is usually equipped with coarse filters and deionizers to continuously filter the coolant and replace them regularly.

[0004] At present, the coarse filter and deionizer used in hydrogen fuel cell systems are all arranged independently, that is, the filter with particle filtering function and the deionizer are arranged in different positions of the thermal management subsystem and connected with pipelines. This mode inevitably occupies more system space, and also leads to more pipeline sealing nodes and poor stability.

[0005] The existing deionizer is basically a tube barrel type, with coolant inlet and outlet on both sides. When the replacement time comes, the coolant in the hydrogen fuel cell system can only be completely drained, the whole system can be disassembled and replaced, and then the coolant can be refilled. This mode has high replacement and maintenance costs, is easy to cause coolant pollution and waste, and is extremely difficult to operate manually.

[0006] When existing deionizers and filters are used in different power systems, due to the different flow and flow resistance matching requirements of the main and branch pipelines of different systems, and because the pipeline cut-off diameter cannot be controlled and adjusted, the system pipeline cut-off structure needs to be redesigned, which is not conducive to reducing the overall cost. Summary of the invention

[0007] In order to solve the problems of existing hydrogen fuel cell filtering devices, the present invention integrates the particle filtering function and the deionization function into an independent module, realizes multi-level comprehensive filtration of a single component, reduces the sealing nodes of the previous pipeline connections of multiple filtering components, and improves the stability and reliability of the system during long-term operation.

[0008] Through structural design and the addition of an electrically controlled stop valve, the particle filter and deionizer filter can be replaced independently. The filter element can be reused, avoiding the overall replacement of the filter and deionizer components in the past, and reducing the maintenance and replacement costs of parts.

[0009] The filter module can realize the electronically controlled sealing of the internal pipelines, and the filter element can be replaced without draining the coolant in the hydrogen fuel cell system, which reduces the impact of maintenance operations on the system pipelines, reduces manual operation costs, and saves coolant replacement costs.

[0010] The filter module is equipped with an electronically controlled flow regulating valve on the deionization branch, which enables the assembly system to regulate the flow of the deionization branch of the filter module, thereby realizing a filter module that can be applied to hydrogen fuel cell systems of different powers, improving the versatility of the product and reducing the design cost of the filter structure of different power systems.

[0011] The above object of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0012] A coolant filter module for a hydrogen fuel cell system, wherein the filter module housing is designed with two axially parallel cavities, namely a particle filter element cavity and a deionizing filter element cavity, the two cavities are connected by an inter-cavity connecting flow channel, the particle filter element cavity is provided with a particle filter element inlet at the rear end, a coolant inlet at the bottom, and a coolant outlet at the front end, wherein the particle filter element is placed; the deionizing filter element cavity is provided with a deionizing filter element inlet at the rear end, a coolant branch outlet at the bottom, and an inter-cavity connecting channel connected to the particle filter element cavity at the front end. The coolant inlet valve is connected to the coolant inlet and sealed by an O-ring, and the filter module inlet connector is connected to the coolant inlet valve through an O-ring; the coolant outlet valve is connected to the coolant outlet and sealed by an O-ring, and the filter module outlet connector is connected to the coolant outlet valve through an O-ring; the coolant branch outlet is connected to the electric control flow regulating valve, the electric control flow regulating valve outlet connector is connected to the electric control flow regulating valve outlet, and the conductivity sensor is connected to the deionizing filter element cavity.

[0013] Furthermore, the coolant inlet valve is an electrically controlled coolant inlet stop valve, and the coolant outlet valve is an electrically controlled coolant outlet stop valve.

[0014] Furthermore, the coolant inlet valve and the coolant outlet valve are flange-face manual ball valves.

[0015] Furthermore, the structure of the particle filter element includes: the filter element sealing flange and the flange on the stainless steel filter screen are both provided with a sealing ring groove A; an O-ring is installed inside the sealing ring groove A and is sealed and connected to the filter module housing; an oblong hole is opened around the filter element support frame, and the filter element support frame and the stainless steel filter screen are welded.

[0016] Furthermore, the structure of the deionizing filter element includes: a sealing flange of the deionizing filter element and a flange on the inlet of the deionizing filter element are both provided with a sealing ring groove B; an O-ring is installed inside the sealing ring groove B and is sealed and connected to the filter module housing; a deionizing filter element outlet is opened around the bottom of the stainless steel tube wall, and a stainless steel filter screen is welded inside the outlet of the deionizing filter element in each direction; a stainless steel filter screen is welded on the top of the inlet of the deionizing filter element; the inlet of the deionizing filter element and the end cover of the deionizing filter element are fixedly connected by welding; the end cover of the deionizing filter element is threadedly connected to the stainless steel tube wall and is detachable, and a deionizing resin is installed inside the deionizing filter element.

[0017] Furthermore, the filter module housing is made of stainless steel or a glass fiber composite material.

[0018] Furthermore, the particle filter element and the deionizing filter element are made entirely of stainless steel.

[0019] A coolant filtering method applied to a hydrogen fuel cell system, wherein the coolant enters the particle filter element cavity inside the filter module through the filter module inlet joint, thereby entering the particle filter element, flowing out through the filter module outlet joint, entering the hydrogen fuel cell coolant inlet, and adjusting the operating temperature of the hydrogen fuel cell, and fine particles in the coolant are filtered inside the stainless steel filter to avoid circulation into the hydrogen fuel cell stack and various functional components; after the coolant is filtered by the particle filter element, a part of the coolant will enter the deionizing filter element cavity through the cavity connecting flow channel at the front end of the particle filter element cavity, thereby entering the deionizing filter element, and after the branch coolant flows through the deionizing filter element, it plays a role of deionizing filtration and purification.

[0020] Furthermore, the branch coolant purified by deionization filtration passes through the flow channel at the bottom of the deionization filter element cavity, and flows through the electric control flow control valve outlet connector on the electric control flow control valve to enter the system heater branch inlet. After passing through the heater, the branch coolant will enter the radiator again, so that the coolant forms a continuous deionization filtration purification loop.

[0021] Furthermore, the conductivity sensor detects the ion concentration of the coolant inside the module. When the ion concentration of the coolant exceeds the alarm value, the system controller sends a signal to remind the deionizing filter element to enter the replacement cycle.

[0022] When the replacement cycle of the particle filter element and the deionizing filter element is reached, the coolant inlet electrically controlled stop valve and the coolant outlet electrically controlled stop valve arranged at both ends of the filter module cavity, and the electrically controlled flow regulating valve arranged at the branch outlet are electrically closed by the system controller, so that the particle filter element cavity and the deionizing filter element cavity inside the filter module form a closed space independent of the system pipeline. At this time, the particle filter element and the deionizing filter element are replaced individually or in full.

[0023] The beneficial effects of the present invention compared with the prior art are:

[0024] 1. The present invention integrates the particle filtering function and the deionization function into an independent module, realizes multi-level comprehensive filtration of a single component, reduces the sealing nodes of the pipeline connection of multiple filtering components in the past, and improves the stability and reliability of the system in long-term operation;

[0025] 2. The particle filter element and the deionizer element can be replaced independently through structural design and the addition of an electric control stop valve. After the deionizer element end cap on the deionizer element is removed, the deionizer resin particles inside can be replaced, and the filter element can be reused, avoiding the replacement of the entire filter and deionizer components in the past, and reducing the maintenance and replacement costs of components;

[0026] 3. The filter module can realize the electronically controlled sealing of the internal cavity, and the filter element can be replaced without draining the coolant in the hydrogen fuel cell system, which reduces the impact of maintenance operations on the system pipelines, reduces the manual operation cost, and saves the cost of coolant replacement;

[0027] 4. The filter module is equipped with an electronically controlled flow control valve on the deionization branch, which enables the assembly system to control the flow of the deionization branch of the filter module, thereby realizing a filter module that can be applied to hydrogen fuel cell systems of different powers, improving the versatility of the product and reducing the design cost of the filter structure of different power systems.

[0028] 5. The structure is compact and occupies little space. The structural design of the filter module housing can be processed in one piece, with a simple manufacturing process and low cost. No welding is required, the molding precision is high, and there is no risk of rust after long-term use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0030] Figure 1 It is an axonometric view of the bottom of the filter module;

[0031] Figure 2 It is the axonometric view of the top of the filter module;

[0032] Figure 3 It is the main view of the filter module;

[0033] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the filter module;

[0034] Figure 5 This is the left view of the filter module;

[0035] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the module's internal cavity, i.e. Figure 3 Middle AA section view;

[0036] Figure 7 is the cross-sectional view of the coolant inlet and outlet, that is Figure 3 Middle BB section view;

[0037] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the coolant branch, i.e. Figure 4 Middle CC section view;

[0038] Fig. 9 is an axonometric view of the rear of the filter module housing;

[0039] Fig.10 is an axonometric view of the front of the filter module housing;

[0040] Fig.11 It is a schematic diagram of the location of the particle filter element and the deionizing filter element;

[0041] Fig.12 It is a diagram of the internal structure of the particle filter element;

[0042] Fig.13 It is an axial view of a particle filter element;

[0043] Fig.14 This is the internal structure diagram of the deionizing filter element;

[0044] Fig.15 It is an axial view of a deionizing filter element;

[0045] Fig.16 This is the working principle diagram of the filtering module.

[0046] In the figure: 1. Filter module housing; 1.1. Particle filter element inlet; 1.2. Deionizing filter element inlet; 1.3. Coolant outlet; 1.4. Coolant inlet; 1.5. Coolant branch outlet; 1.6. Particle filter element cavity; 1.7. Deionizing filter element cavity; 1.8. Inter-cavity connecting flow channel; 2. Coolant inlet electrically controlled stop valve; 2.1. Filter module inlet connector; 3. Coolant outlet electrically controlled stop valve; 3.1. Filter module outlet connector; 4. Particle filter element; 4.1. Filter element sealing flange; 4.2. Filter element support frame; 4.3. Stainless steel filter screen; 4.4. Sealing ring groove A; 5. Deionizing filter element; 5.1. Deionizing filter element sealing flange; 5.2. Stainless steel pipe wall; 5.3. Deionizing filter element outlet; 5.4. Deionizing filter element inlet; 5.5. Sealing ring groove B; 5.6. Deionizing filter element end cover; 6. Electrically controlled flow control valve; 6.1. Electrically controlled flow control valve outlet connector; 7. Conductivity sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The present invention is described in detail below by specific examples, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited. Unless otherwise specified, the experimental methods used in the present invention are all conventional methods, and the experimental equipment, materials, reagents, etc. used can be obtained from commercial channels.

[0048] Example 1

[0049] like Figure 1-15 As shown, in this module, the filter module housing 1 is made of 316L stainless steel. Two axially parallel cavities are designed inside, namely the particle filter element cavity 1.6 and the deionizing filter element cavity 1.7, and the two cavities are connected by an inter-cavity connecting flow channel 1.8. The particle filter element cavity 1.6 has a particle filter element inlet 1.1 at the rear end, a coolant inlet 1.4 at the bottom, and a coolant outlet 1.3 at the front end; the deionizing filter element cavity 1.7 has a deionizing filter element inlet 1.2 at the rear end, a coolant branch outlet 1.5 at the bottom, and an inter-cavity connecting flow channel 1.8 connected to the particle filter element cavity 1.6 at the front end. The coolant inlet electric control stop valve 2 is connected to the coolant inlet 1.4 at the bottom of the filter module housing 1 and is sealed by an O-ring. The filter module inlet connector 2.1 is sealed and connected to the coolant inlet electric control stop valve 2 through an O-ring. The coolant outlet electric control stop valve 3 is connected to the coolant outlet 1.3 at the front end of the filter module housing 1 and is sealed by an O-ring. The filter module outlet connector 3.1 is sealed and connected to the coolant outlet electric control stop valve 3 through an O-ring. The coolant branch outlet 1.5 at the bottom of the filter module housing 1 is connected to the electric control flow control valve 6, and the electric control flow control valve outlet connector 6.1 is connected to the outlet of the electric control flow control valve 6. The conductivity sensor 7 is connected to the cavity of the deionizing filter element 5 in the filter module housing 1.

[0050] The particle filter element 4 is made of 316L stainless steel. The filter element sealing flange 4.1 and the flange on the stainless steel filter screen 4.3 are both provided with a sealing ring groove A4.4; an O-ring is installed inside the sealing ring groove A4.4, which is sealed and connected to the filter module housing 1; the filter element support frame 4.2 is provided with oblong holes around it, so that the coolant can enter the filter element support frame 4.2 from all directions, and then enter the stainless steel filter screen 4.3. The filter element support frame 4.2 and the stainless steel filter screen 4.3 are fixedly connected by welding.

[0051] The deionizing filter element 5 is made of 316L stainless steel. The deionizing filter element sealing flange 5.1 and the flange on the deionizing filter element inlet 5.4 are both provided with a sealing ring groove B5.5; an O-ring is installed inside the sealing ring groove B5.5, which is sealed and connected to the filter module housing 1; a deionizing filter element outlet 5.3 is opened around the bottom of the stainless steel pipe wall 5.2, and a stainless steel filter mesh is welded inside the outlet 5.3 in each direction of the deionizing filter element; a stainless steel filter mesh is also welded on the top of the deionizing filter element inlet 5.4; the deionizing filter element inlet 5.4 and the deionizing filter element end cover 5.6 are welded and fixed The end cap 5.6 of the deionizing filter element is connected to the stainless steel pipe wall 5.2 by threads and is detachable. The deionizing filter element 5 is filled with deionizing resin particles. After the end cap 5.6 of the deionizing filter element is removed, the deionizing resin particles are replaced regularly and can be reused. The flange on the ionizing filter element inlet 5.4 and the internal structure of the deionizing filter element inlet 1.2 form a closed cavity, so that the coolant can only enter the deionizing filter element 5 from the deionizing filter element inlet 5.4, and be discharged from the deionizing filter element outlet 5.3 after passing through the deionizing resin particles.

[0052] The two electrically controlled stop valves in the filter module can be replaced by two flange-face manual ball valves, which can be manually controlled if the operating space permits, further reducing costs.

[0053] The filter module housing 1 can be changed from 316L stainless steel to a composite material of PA66 plus glass fiber to further reduce weight.

[0054] Example 2

[0055] like Fig.16As shown, in actual application, after the coolant is cooled down inside the radiator in the hydrogen fuel cell system, it enters the filter module through the pipeline. The coolant enters the particle filter element cavity 1.6 inside the filter module through the filter module inlet connector 2.1; the coolant can enter the particle filter element 4 from all directions through the oblong holes opened around the filter element support frame 4.2. Since the flange on the stainless steel filter screen 4.3 is sealed with the step end face inside the cavity, the coolant can only flow out of the filter module outlet connector 3.1 through the stainless steel filter screen 4.3 around the circle and the end face, and enter the hydrogen fuel cell coolant inlet to adjust the operating temperature of the hydrogen fuel cell. The fine particles in the coolant are filtered inside the stainless steel filter screen 4.3 to avoid circulating into the hydrogen fuel cell stack and various functional components.

[0056] After the coolant is filtered by the particle filter element 4, a portion of the coolant will enter the deion filter element cavity 1.7 through the cavity connecting flow channel 1.8 at the front end of the particle filter element cavity 1.6. Since the flange on the ion filter element inlet 5.4 is sealed with the step end face inside the cavity, the branch coolant can only enter the deion filter element 5 through the deion filter element inlet 5.4. After the branch coolant flows through the resin particles inside the deion filter element 5, the ions in the branch coolant will be adsorbed by the resin particles, which plays a role in deion filtration and purification. The branch coolant after deion filtration passes through the flow channel at the bottom of the deion filter element 5 cavity, and flows through the electric control flow control valve outlet connector 6.1 on the electric control flow control valve 6 to enter the system heater branch inlet. After passing through the heater, the branch coolant will enter the radiator again, so that the coolant forms a continuous deion filtration and purification loop. The conductivity sensor 7 can detect the coolant ion concentration inside the module. When the coolant ion concentration exceeds the alarm value, the system controller sends a signal to remind you to enter the filter element replacement cycle.

[0057] Since different power systems have different flow requirements for the heater branch, when the filter module is applied to different power systems, the electronically controlled flow regulating valve 6 on the coolant branch can electronically adjust the flow to achieve universality for systems with multiple power ranges.

[0058] When the filter element replacement cycle is reached, the coolant inlet electrically controlled stop valve 2 and the coolant outlet electrically controlled stop valve 3 set at both ends of the filter module cavity, as well as the electrically controlled flow regulating valve 6 set at the branch outlet can be electrically closed by the system controller, so that the two filter element cavities inside the filter module form a closed space independent of the system pipeline. At this time, the particle filter element 4 and the deionizing filter element 5 can be replaced individually or in full.

[0059] The present invention can realize multi-stage filtering functions such as coolant particle filtering and deionization with one functional component. The closure of two electrically controlled stop valves and one electrically controlled flow regulating valve is used to isolate and seal the flow channel of the internal cavity of the filter module, and the independent replacement of the reusable particle filter element and the deionizing filter element can be realized. The filter module is equipped with an electrically controlled flow regulating valve on the deionizing branch, which realizes the flow regulation control of the deionizing branch of the filter module by the assembly system, and can be applied to hydrogen fuel cell systems of different powers.

[0060] The above-described embodiments are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, but not all feasible embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, any obvious changes made thereto without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention should be considered to be included in the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A coolant filter module for a hydrogen fuel cell system, characterized in that: The filter module housing (1) is internally designed with two axially parallel cavities, namely a particle filter element cavity (1.6) and a deionizing filter element cavity (1.7); the two cavities are connected by an inter-cavity connecting flow channel (1.8); the particle filter element cavity (1.6) has a particle filter element inlet (1.1) at the rear end, a coolant inlet (1.4) at the bottom, and a coolant outlet (1.3) at the front end, and the particle filter element (4) is placed therein; The deionizing filter element cavity (1.7) has a deionizing filter element inlet (1.2) at the rear end, a coolant branch outlet (1.5) at the bottom, and an inter-cavity communication channel (1.8) communicating with the particle filter element cavity (1.6) at the front end, wherein the deionizing filter element (5) is disposed; the coolant inlet valve is connected to the coolant inlet (1.4) and sealed by an O-type sealing ring, and the filter module inlet connector (2.1) is sealed and connected to the coolant inlet valve by an O-type sealing ring; the coolant outlet valve is connected to the coolant outlet (1.3) and sealed by an O-type sealing ring, and the filter module outlet connector (3.1) is sealed and connected to the coolant outlet valve by an O-type sealing ring; the coolant branch outlet (1.5) is connected to the electrically controlled flow regulating valve (6), the electrically controlled flow regulating valve outlet connector (6.1) is connected to the outlet of the electrically controlled flow regulating valve (6), and the conductivity sensor (7) is connected and connected to the deionizing filter element (5) cavity.

2. The coolant filter module for a hydrogen fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coolant inlet valve is a coolant inlet electrically controlled stop valve (2), and the coolant outlet valve is a coolant outlet electrically controlled stop valve (3).

3. The coolant filter module for a hydrogen fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coolant inlet valve and coolant outlet valve are flange-face manual ball valves.

4. The coolant filter module for a hydrogen fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The structure of the particle filter element (4) comprises: a filter element sealing flange (4.1) and a flange on a stainless steel filter screen (4.3) are both provided with a sealing ring groove A (4.4); an O-ring is installed inside the sealing ring groove A (4.4) and is sealedly connected to a filter module housing (1); a filter element support frame (4.2) is provided with oblong holes around its periphery, and the filter element support frame (4.2) and the stainless steel filter screen (4.3) are welded.

5. The coolant filter module for a hydrogen fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The structure of the deionizing filter element (5) comprises: the deionizing filter element sealing flange (5.1) and the flange on the deionizing filter element inlet (5.4) are both provided with a sealing ring groove B (5.5); an O-type sealing ring is installed inside the sealing ring groove B (5.5) and is sealed and connected to the filter module housing (1); a deionizing filter element outlet (5.3) is opened around the bottom of the stainless steel tube wall (5.2), and a stainless steel filter screen is welded inside the outlet (5.3) in each direction of the deionizing filter element; a stainless steel filter screen is welded on the top of the deionizing filter element inlet (5.4); the deionizing filter element inlet (5.4) and the deionizing filter element end cover (5.6) are welded and fixedly connected; the deionizing filter element end cover (5.6) and the stainless steel tube wall (5.2) are threadedly connected and can be disassembled, and the deionizing filter element (5) is filled with a deionizing resin.

6. The coolant filter module for a hydrogen fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter module housing (1) is made of stainless steel or a glass fiber composite material.

7. The coolant filter module for a hydrogen fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The particle filter element (4) and the deionizing filter element (5) are made entirely of stainless steel.

8. The filtering method of a coolant filtering module applied to a hydrogen fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filtering method comprises the following steps: the coolant enters the particle filter element cavity (1.6) inside the filter module through the filter module inlet joint (2.1), thereby entering the particle filter element (4), flowing out through the filter module outlet joint (3.1), entering the coolant inlet of the hydrogen fuel cell, adjusting the operating temperature of the hydrogen fuel cell, and the fine particles in the coolant are filtered inside the stainless steel filter (4.3) to avoid circulating into the hydrogen fuel cell stack and various functional components; after the coolant is filtered by the particle filter element (4), a part of the coolant enters the deionizing filter element cavity (1.7) through the cavity inter-connecting flow channel (1.8) at the front end of the particle filter element cavity (1.6), thereby entering the deionizing filter element (5), and after the branch coolant flows through the deionizing filter element (5), it plays a role of deionizing filtration and purification.

9. The filtering method of a coolant filtering module applied to a hydrogen fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The branch coolant purified by deionization filtration passes through the flow channel at the bottom of the deionization filter (5) cavity and flows through the electric control flow control valve outlet connector (6.1) on the electric control flow control valve (6) to enter the system heater branch inlet. After passing through the heater, the branch coolant will enter the radiator again, so that the coolant forms a continuous deionization filtration purification loop.

10. The filtering method of a coolant filtering module applied to a hydrogen fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductivity sensor (7) detects the ion concentration of the coolant inside the module. When the ion concentration of the coolant exceeds the alarm value, the system controller sends a signal to remind the system to enter the replacement cycle of the deionizing filter element (5).

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