A bubbling humidifier for preventing sudden boiling and accelerating the start-up of gas supply and a control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of fuel cell detection, and discloses a bubbling humidifier and a control method thereof for preventing sudden boiling and accelerating the startup of gas supply. The bubbling humidifier comprises a new gas supply system, a one-way valve A, a humidifying tank, a main bubbling tube, a water temperature detector, a heater, a main bubbler, a drain valve, an auxiliary bubbling valve, an auxiliary bubbler, an auxiliary bubbling tube, a liquid level detector, a gas outlet, a temperature, humidity and pressure detector, a one-way valve B, and an air pump. The bubbling humidifier and the control method thereof of the present invention can significantly reduce the occurrence of sudden boiling, which is beneficial to the normal startup of the equipment and the operation of variable working conditions, and can quickly eliminate the adverse effects of liquid water accumulated in the bubbler, and accelerate the response speed of gas supply.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of fuel cell detection, and in particular relates to a bubbling humidifier capable of preventing sudden boiling and accelerating the start-up of gas supply and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] The detection and activation of hydrogen proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) require the control of the temperature, humidity and pressure of the gas entering the fuel cell stack. Therefore, the equipment for detection or activation, that is, the test bench, needs to be designed with a matching humidifier. The commonly used ones are spray humidifiers and bubbling humidifiers, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. For bubbling humidifiers alone, there are still some important technical issues to be solved or improved, such as:

[0003] 1. During the start-up of the gas supply, there is often a large gap between the actual gas output and the target gas intake. Especially when the humidification temperature is set to be high, the gas intake is prone to sudden boiling and overflow from zero to sometimes, which endangers the fuel cell;

[0004] 2. For cold start, or hot start, when the gas supply is suspended and then resumed, a certain amount of liquid water often accumulates in the front end of the bubbler, that is, in the pipeline in the direction of the gas source. When supplying gas, this liquid water needs to pass through a fine bubbler, such as the commonly used sintered microporous aeration head, and be discharged into the humidification tank. However, the liquid water passes through the bubbler slowly, which delays the gas supply.

[0005] In view of the above problems, specific technical solutions need to be used to solve them in order to meet the needs of fuel cell testing. Summary of the invention

[0006] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a bubbling humidifier and a control method thereof that prevents sudden boiling and accelerates the startup of gas supply, which can reduce the occurrence of sudden boiling and facilitate the startup of equipment and normal operation under variable operating conditions.

[0007] The above-mentioned objective of the present invention is achieved through the following technical scheme: a bubbling humidifier which prevents sudden boiling and speeds up the startup of air supply, comprising a humidifying tank, a main bubbling tube passing through the humidifying tank is provided at the bottom of the humidifying tank, a main bubbler is provided on the main bubbling tube in the humidifying tank, a one-way valve A is provided on the part of the main bubbling tube passing through the humidifying tank, and its end is connected to a new air supply system, one end of a secondary bubbling tube is connected to the end of the main bubbling tube in the humidifying tank, the other end of the secondary bubbling tube is connected to the secondary bubbler at the bottom of the humidifying tank, a secondary bubbling valve is provided on the secondary bubbling tube, a drain pipe provided with a drain valve is also connected to the bottom of the humidifying tank, a heater is provided above the main bubbler, a water temperature detector and a liquid level detector are also provided on the humidifying tank, an air outlet pipeline is connected to the top of the humidifying tank, the air outlet pipeline is branched into two branches, one of which is provided with a one-way valve B and an air pump in sequence and the end of the branch is connected to the main bubbling tube, and the other branch is connected to the gas outlet and a temperature, humidity and pressure detector is provided on the branch.

[0008] Furthermore, the air pump is connected between the main bubbling tube of the fresh air supply system before humidification and the air outlet pipeline after humidification, and the air volume of the air pump is the flow rate of the humidification tank supply, that is, 0.1 to 2 times the lower limit of the fresh air supply system.

[0009] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air volume of the air pump is 0.5 to 1 times the lower limit of the air supply of the new air supply system.

[0010] Furthermore, the connecting portion between the end of the main bubbling tube and the auxiliary bubbling tube has a downward tilt, so that when there is liquid water inside the main bubbling tube, the liquid water is discharged downward from the end of the main bubbling tube to the connected auxiliary bubbling tube.

[0011] Furthermore, the inner cross-sectional area of ​​the auxiliary bubbling tube is 1 / 4 to 1 / 10 of the inner cross-sectional area of ​​the main bubbling tube.

[0012] Furthermore, the aperture of the auxiliary bubbler pore is 2-10 times the aperture of the main bubbler pore.

[0013] Furthermore, the bubbling humidifier prevents sudden boiling by the following steps: when the bubbling humidifier does not output humidification air to the fuel cell, the air pump and the auxiliary bubbling valve are turned on, and under the action of the air pump supply, if there is water in the main bubbling tube, it is discharged into the humidification tank through the auxiliary bubbler, and the gas from the air pump forms bubbles through the auxiliary bubbler, disturbing the water in the humidification tank to prevent sudden boiling.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to protect a control method for a bubbling humidifier that prevents sudden boiling and accelerates the start-up of gas supply, the steps of which are as follows:

[0015] Step S001: Determine whether a shutdown command from the main system is received. If yes, proceed to step S005; if no, proceed to step S002;

[0016] 1) When entering step S005, execute the following:

[0017] Turn off the air pump, close the auxiliary bubble valve, and end the control management of the bubbler humidifier

[0018] 2) When entering step S002, execute the following:

[0019] Step S002: judging whether it is the first startup according to the main system, if it is "yes", proceed to S006, if it is "no", proceed to step S003;

[0020] A) When entering step S006, the following contents are executed:

[0021] The air pump and the auxiliary bubbling valve are turned on. At this time, the air pump provides power to push the air above the humidification tank through the main bubbling tube, the auxiliary bubbling tube, the auxiliary bubbling valve, and the auxiliary bubbler in sequence, and push the liquid water accumulated in the air intake pipe at the time of startup and the refluxed gas into the humidification tank. The state continues and enters step S003;

[0022] B) When entering step S003, execute the following:

[0023] According to the main system instructions, the water level, temperature, pipeline pressure, etc. of the humidification tank made by the test bench for air supply have reached the control indicators, and the air supply preparation is completed. If it is "yes", enter S007, if it is "no", enter S004

[0024] B1) When entering step S004, execute the following:

[0025] Keep the air pump and the auxiliary bubbling valve open, return to S003, and continue to determine whether the startup is completed;

[0026] B2) When entering step S007, execute the following:

[0027] Turn off the air pump and the auxiliary bubbling valve, and then enter the standby state and proceed to step S008;

[0028] B21) Step S008: judging whether to start the humidification air supply instruction according to the main system, if it is "yes", then proceed to step S009, if it is "no", then proceed to step S012;

[0029] B211) Enter step S009 and execute the following contents:

[0030] Turn off the air pump, close the auxiliary bubbling valve, and then turn on the air supply of the main system to enter step S010;

[0031] Step S010: judging whether to stop supplying gas to the fuel cell stack according to the main system, if "yes", proceed to S011, if "no", return to S010 and continue supplying gas;

[0032] B2111) Enter step S011, turn on the air pump, open the auxiliary bubbling valve, and return to S008

[0033] B212) Step S012, execute the following contents:

[0034] According to the main system instruction, whether there is a change in pressure and temperature of the humidification tank to execute the instruction (at this time, no humidification gas supply is performed to the fuel cell), including the start-up heating action to maintain the water temperature of the tank body during standby. If the result is "yes", enter step S013, if the result is "no", return to step S008 (if it enters S012 next, the air pump and the auxiliary bubbling valve are kept open);

[0035] B2121) When entering step S013, execute the following:

[0036] Open the air pump and auxiliary bubbling valve, and return to step S012.

[0037] Furthermore, the main system includes a computer, a motor or manpower that can control the bubbling humidifier.

[0038] The beneficial effects of the present invention compared with the prior art are:

[0039] 1. Significantly reduce the occurrence of sudden boiling, which is conducive to the normal start-up of equipment and variable operating conditions;

[0040] 2. Quickly eliminate the adverse effects of liquid water accumulated in the bubbler and speed up the response of gas supply. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0042] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a bubbling humidifier for preventing sudden boiling and accelerating the start-up of gas supply according to the present invention;

[0043] Figure 2 The present invention is a flow chart of a bubbling humidifier control method for preventing sudden boiling and accelerating the start-up of gas supply.

[0044] In the figure, 1. fresh air supply system; 2. one-way valve A; 3. humidification tank; 4. main bubbling tube; 5. water temperature detector; 6. heater; 7. main bubbler; 8. drain valve; 9. auxiliary bubbling valve; 10. auxiliary bubbler; 11. auxiliary bubbling tube; 12. liquid level detector; 13. gas outlet; 14. temperature, humidity and pressure detector; 15. one-way valve B; 16. air pump. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] 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. Example

[0046] See also Figure 1 A bubbling humidification system comprises a fresh air supply system 1 for controlling air supply pressure and flow rate, a one-way valve A2 for preventing backflow, a humidification tank 3, a water temperature detector 5 required for humidification control of the humidification tank 3, a heater 6, a liquid level detector 12, a bubbler, i.e., the main bubbler 7 of the present invention, a drain valve 8 at the bottom of the tank, a temperature, humidity and pressure detector 14 for the outlet gas, etc., and also comprises an air pump 16, a one-way valve B15 of the circulation branch where the air pump 16 is located, an auxiliary bubbler 10 and its auxiliary bubble valve 9, and an auxiliary bubble tube 11.

[0047] The air pump 16 is connected between the main bubbling tube 4 of the air inlet pipeline before humidification and the gas pipeline after humidification. The gas volume of the air pump 16 is the flow rate of the air supplied by the humidification tank 3, that is, 0.1 to 2 times the lower limit of the air supply system 1, preferably 0.5 to 1.0 times;

[0048] The main bubbling tube 4 is tilted downward at the end of the gas supply. When there is liquid water inside, the liquid water can be discharged from the end downward to the connected auxiliary bubbling tube 11. The cross-sectional area of ​​the auxiliary bubbling tube 11 is 1 / 4 to 1 / 10 of the cross-sectional area of ​​the gas supply tube of the humidification tank 3; the auxiliary bubbler 10 has a larger pore opening diameter and smaller gas flow resistance than the main bubbler 7, and its aperture is 2 to 10 times the pore aperture of the main bubbler 7; when the humidification gas supply is not output to the fuel cell during startup or humidification operation, the air pump 16 and the auxiliary bubbling valve 9 are turned on. Under the action of the air pump 16, if there is water in the main bubbling tube 4, it is discharged into the humidification tank 3 through the auxiliary bubbler 10. The gas continued by the air pump 16 forms bubbles through the auxiliary bubbler 10, disturbing the water in the humidification tank 3 to prevent sudden boiling.

[0049] The above-mentioned reflux bubbling control method of the present system includes the following contents:

[0050] Step S001: Determine whether a shutdown command from the main system is received. If yes, proceed to step S005; if no, proceed to step S002;

[0051] 1) When entering step S005, execute the following:

[0052] Turn off the air pump 16, close the auxiliary bubbling valve 9, and end the control management of the bubbling humidifier

[0053] 2) When entering step S002, execute the following:

[0054] Step S002: judging whether it is the first startup according to the main system, if it is "yes", proceed to S006, if it is "no", proceed to step S003;

[0055] A) When entering step S006, the following contents are executed:

[0056] The air pump 16 and the auxiliary bubbling valve 9 are turned on. At this time, the air pump 16 provides power to push the air above the humidification tank 3 through the main bubbling tube 4, the auxiliary bubbling tube 11, the auxiliary bubbling valve 9, and the auxiliary bubbler 10 in sequence, and push the liquid water accumulated in the air intake pipe at the time of startup and the refluxed gas into the humidification tank 3. The state continues and enters step S003;

[0057] B) When entering step S003, execute the following:

[0058] According to the main system instruction, the water level, temperature, pipeline pressure, etc. of the humidification tank 3 made by the test bench for air supply have reached the control index, and the air supply preparation is completed. If it is "yes", enter S007, if it is "no", enter S004

[0059] B1) When entering step S004, execute the following:

[0060] Keep the air pump 16 and the auxiliary bubbling valve 9 open, return to S003, and continue to determine whether the startup is completed;

[0061] B2) When entering step S007, execute the following:

[0062] Turn off the air pump 16 and the auxiliary bubbling valve 9, and the system is in standby mode, and enters step S008;

[0063] B21) Step S008: judging whether to start the humidification air supply instruction according to the main system, if it is "yes", then proceed to step S009, if it is "no", then proceed to step S012;

[0064] B211) Enter step S009 and execute the following contents:

[0065] Turn off the air pump 16, close the auxiliary bubbling valve 9, and then turn on the air supply of the main system to enter step S010;

[0066] Step S010: judging whether to stop supplying gas to the fuel cell stack according to the main system, if "yes", proceed to S011, if "no", return to S010 and continue supplying gas;

[0067] B2111) Enter step S011, turn on the air pump 16, open the auxiliary bubbling valve 9, and return to S008

[0068] B212) Step S012, execute the following contents:

[0069] According to the main system instruction, whether there is a change in pressure and temperature of the humidification tank 3 to execute the instruction (at this time, no humidification gas supply is performed to the fuel cell), including the start-up heating action to maintain the water temperature of the tank body during standby. If the result is "yes", enter step S013, if the result is "no", return to step S008 (if the next step is to enter S012, the air pump 16 and the auxiliary bubbling valve 9 are kept open);

[0070] B2121) When entering step S013, execute the following:

[0071] Open the air pump 16 and the auxiliary bubbling valve 9, and return to step S012.

[0072] The main system includes a computer, a motor or a human power that can control the bubbler humidifier.

[0073] 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 bubbling humidifier for preventing sudden boiling and accelerating the start-up of gas supply, characterized in that: The invention comprises a humidifying tank (3), wherein a main bubbling pipe (4) passing through the humidifying tank (3) is provided at the bottom of the humidifying tank (3), a main bubbler (7) is provided on the main bubbling pipe (4) in the humidifying tank (3), a one-way valve A (2) is provided at the part of the main bubbling pipe (4) passing through the humidifying tank (3), the end of which is connected to a fresh air supply system (1), the end of the main bubbling pipe (4) in the humidifying tank (3) is connected to one end of a secondary bubbling pipe (11), the other end of the secondary bubbling pipe (11) is connected to a secondary bubbler (10) at the bottom of the humidifying tank (3), a secondary bubbling valve (9) is provided on the secondary bubbling pipe (11), a drain pipe provided with a drain valve (8) is also connected at the bottom of the humidifying tank (3), and a drain pipe above the main bubbler (7) is provided. A heater (6) is provided, and a water temperature detector (5) and a liquid level detector (12) are also provided on the humidification tank (3). The top of the humidification tank (3) is connected to an air outlet pipeline, and the air outlet pipeline is divided into two branches, one of which is provided with a one-way valve B (15) and an air pump (16) in sequence, and the end of the branch is connected to the main bubbling tube (4), and the other branch is connected to the gas outlet (13) and is provided with a temperature, humidity and pressure detector (14), wherein the connection portion between the end of the main bubbling tube (4) and the auxiliary bubbling tube (11) has a downwardly inclined angle, so that when there is liquid water in the main bubbling tube (4), the liquid water is discharged downward from the end of the main bubbling tube (4) to the connected auxiliary bubbling tube (11).

2. The bubbling humidifier for preventing sudden boiling and accelerating the start-up of gas supply according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air pump (16) is connected between the main bubbling pipe (4) of the fresh air supply system (1) before humidification and the air outlet pipeline after humidification. The air volume of the air pump (16) is the flow rate of the air supplied by the humidification tank (3), that is, 0.1 to 2 times the lower limit of the air supply of the fresh air supply system (1).

3. The bubbling humidifier for preventing sudden boiling and accelerating the start-up of gas supply according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gas volume of the air pump (16) is 0.5 to 1 times the lower limit of the gas supply of the new gas supply system (1).

4. The bubbling humidifier for preventing sudden boiling and accelerating the start-up of gas supply according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner cross-sectional area of ​​the auxiliary bubbling tube (11) is 1 / 4 to 1 / 10 of the inner cross-sectional area of ​​the main bubbling tube (4).

5. The bubbling humidifier for preventing sudden boiling and accelerating the start-up of gas supply according to claim 1, characterized in that: The diameter of the pores of the secondary bubbler (10) is 2 to 10 times the diameter of the pores of the primary bubbler (7).

6. The bubbling humidifier for preventing sudden boiling and accelerating the start-up of gas supply according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bubbling humidifier prevents sudden boiling by the following steps: when the bubbling humidifier does not output humidification gas to the fuel cell, the air pump (16) and the auxiliary bubbling valve (9) are turned on; under the action of the air pump (16), if there is water in the main bubbling tube (4), the water is discharged into the humidification tank (3) through the auxiliary bubbler (10); the gas from the air pump (16) forms bubbles through the auxiliary bubbler (10), disturbs the water in the humidification tank (3), and prevents sudden boiling.

7. The control method of a bubbling humidifier for preventing sudden boiling and accelerating the start-up of gas supply according to claim 1, characterized in that: Here are the steps: Step S001: Determine whether a shutdown command from the main system is received. If yes, proceed to step S005; if no, proceed to step S002; 1) When entering step S005, execute the following: Turn off the air pump (16), close the auxiliary bubbling valve (9), and end the control management of the bubbling humidifier; 2) When entering step S002, execute the following: Step S002: judging whether it is the first startup according to the main system, if it is "yes", proceed to step S006, if it is "no", proceed to step S003; A) When entering step S006, the following contents are executed: The air pump (16) and the auxiliary bubbling valve (9) are turned on. At this time, the air pump (16) provides power to push the air above the humidification tank (3) through the main bubbling tube (4), the auxiliary bubbling tube (11), the auxiliary bubbling valve (9), and the auxiliary bubbler (10) in sequence, and push the liquid water accumulated in the air intake pipe at the time of startup and the refluxed gas into the humidification tank (3). The state continues and the process enters step S003; B) When entering step S003, execute the following: According to the main system instruction, the water level, temperature and pipeline pressure of the humidification tank (3) made by the test bench for air supply reach the control index and the air supply preparation is completed. If it is "yes", it goes to S007, if it is "no", it goes to S004; B1) When entering step S004, execute the following: Keep the air pump (16) and the auxiliary bubbling valve (9) open, return to S003, and continue to determine whether the startup is completed; B2) When entering step S007, execute the following: Turn off the air pump (16) and the auxiliary bubbling valve (9), and the system is in standby mode, and enters step S008; B21) Step S008: Determine whether to start the humidification air supply instruction according to the main system. If the answer is "yes", proceed to step S009; if the answer is "no", proceed to step S012; B211) Enter step S009 and execute the following contents: Turn off the air pump (16), close the auxiliary bubbling valve (9), then turn on the air supply of the main system and enter step S010; Step S010: judging whether to stop supplying gas to the fuel cell stack according to the main system, if "yes" then proceed to S011, if "no" then return to S010 and continue supplying gas; B2111) Enter step S011, turn on the air pump (16), open the auxiliary bubbling valve (9), and return to S008; B212) Step S012, execute the following contents: According to the main system instruction, whether there is a change in pressure or temperature of the humidification tank (3) executes the instruction, including the start-up heating action to maintain the water temperature of the tank body during standby. If the result is "yes", then go to step S013; if the result is "no", then return to step S008. If step S008 is followed by step S012, keep the air pump (16) and the auxiliary bubbling valve (9) open; B2121) When entering step S013, execute the following: Turn on the air pump (16) and the auxiliary bubbling valve (9), and return to step S012; Wherein, the main system includes a computer, a motor or manpower that can control the bubbling humidifier.

Images