Hydrocarbon fuel reforming and power generation integrated uniform-temperature solid oxide fuel cell stack

Abstract

The invention discloses a hydrocarbon fuel reforming power generation integrated uniform-temperature solid oxide fuel cell stack which comprises a stack end plate and a plurality of layers of reforming power generation units stacked on the stack end plate, wherein the reforming power generation unit comprises a power generation unit and a hydrocarbon fuel reforming unit which are stacked with each other, and heat generated by the power generation unit is transferred to the hydrocarbon fuel reforming unit. By designing and embedding the built-in hydrocarbon fuel reforming units and alternately arranging the reforming units and the power generation units, a hydrocarbon fuel reforming technology and an SOFC power generation technology are ingeniously combined to be integrated into an SOFC reforming power generation unit, the internal temperature uniformity of an SOFC electric pile is improved, internal heat of the electric pile is efficiently utilized, and the power generation efficiency of the SOFC electric pile is improved. And high-efficiency reforming in the hydrocarbon fuel electric pile and temperature homogenization treatment in the electric pile are realized. The complexity of the SOFC power generation system is greatly simplified, the reliability of the electric pile is improved, the service life of the single battery piece is prolonged, and popularization and application of the electric pile are facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, and in particular to a uniform temperature solid oxide fuel cell stack integrating hydrocarbon fuel reforming and power generation. Background Art

[0002] SOFC single cell is a multilayer oxide ceramic thin film structure including anode / electrolyte / cathode. It is an energy conversion device that converts the chemical energy of fuel into electrical energy. At the same time, due to the polarization of single cell, it is also a heating element while generating electricity. In order to achieve large-scale application of SOFC, several single cells need to be stacked and combined to form a stack. The stack is the core component of the SOFC system. The performance of the SOFC system depends on the performance of the stack. In order to make the SOFC stack generate electricity, the SOFC stack usually uses synthesis gas (H2+CO) as fuel. For hydrocarbon fuel, it needs to be cracked and reformed into synthesis gas before it can be passed into the stack. Therefore, the traditional SOFC power generation system needs to be equipped with an additional hydrocarbon fuel cracking and reforming device outside the stack, and the system is complex. In addition, the heat generated by the stack itself causes the temperature field of the SOFC single cell to be uneven, resulting in large thermal stress, which is easy to cause damage to the single cell thin film ceramic structure and reduce the reliability and life of the stack. The above two problems lead to high manufacturing, use and maintenance costs of traditional stacks, limit their scope of use, and are not conducive to popularization and application. Based on this urgent need, a hydrocarbon fuel reforming / power generation integrated uniform temperature SOFC stack solution is provided to solve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an integrated temperature-averaged solid oxide fuel cell stack for hydrocarbon fuel reforming and power generation, which simplifies the complexity of the SOFC power generation system, improves the reliability of the stack and the life of the single cell, solves the application bottleneck of the SOFC power generation system with its bulky structure and high maintenance cost, and is conducive to the popularization and promotion of the stack.

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: The present invention provides a hydrocarbon fuel reforming and power generation integrated temperature-controlled solid oxide fuel cell stack, comprising a stack end plate, and a multi-layer reforming power generation unit stacked on the stack end plate; The reforming power generation unit comprises a power generation unit and a hydrocarbon fuel reforming unit stacked on each other, the heat generated by the power generation unit is transferred to the hydrocarbon fuel reforming unit, and the internal resistance heating power of the power generation unit is equal to the reforming heat absorption power of the hydrocarbon fuel reforming unit.

[0005] Further, the hydrocarbon fuel reforming unit includes a catalyst material plate, and a bipolar plate disposed above the catalyst material plate and isolated from the power generation unit; or / and, a reforming seal is provided between the catalyst plate and the bipolar plate; A catalyst sink cavity for filling catalyst is preset on the catalyst material plate; A left channel connected to the hydrocarbon fuel inlet of the stack end plate and an exhaust channel connected to the exhaust port of the stack end plate are provided on the catalyst plate and located on one side of the catalyst sink cavity; a plurality of distribution air guide pipes are provided between the left channel and the catalyst sink cavity; A right channel is provided on the catalyst plate and on a side opposite to the left channel, the right channel is connected to the catalyst sink cavity through a plurality of air guide pipes, and guides the reformed gas into the anode cavity of the power generation unit; Or / and, air channels are respectively arranged on the catalyst plate and on the other two sides of the catalyst cavity.

[0006] Furthermore, the power generation unit includes a battery support plate, which is arranged in the battery support plate and whose upper and lower layers are divided into a cathode cavity and an anode cavity by battery sheets; or / and, nickel foam is filled between the anode cavity and the bipolar plate; The air inlet end of the anode chamber is connected to the right channel, and the air outlet end of the anode chamber is connected to the exhaust channel; The cathode chamber is in communication with the air channel through a plurality of air pipelines.

[0007] Furthermore, a plurality of assembly holes for assembly are provided on the catalyst material plate.

[0008] Furthermore, the catalyst is a hydrocarbon fuel reforming catalyst.

[0009] Furthermore, reserved through holes are provided on the battery support plate and the bipolar plate, which are connected to the left channel, the exhaust channel, the right channel, and the air channel on the catalyst material plate.

[0010] Furthermore, reserved through holes are provided on the battery support plate and the bipolar plate, which are aligned with and connected to the left channel, the exhaust channel, the right channel, and the air channel on the catalyst material plate.

[0011] Furthermore, a reforming seal is provided between the catalyst plate and the bipolar plate; an anode seal is provided between the bipolar plate and the battery support plate; and a cathode seal is provided between the battery support plate and the catalyst plate on its upper layer.

[0012] Furthermore, during operation, hydrocarbon fuel enters the left channel of the stack through the air inlet of the stack end plate, is then distributed to each reforming power generation unit, and then enters the catalyst sink cavity inside through the distribution air duct on the catalyst plate; wherein the square sink cavity in the catalyst plate is filled with hydrocarbon fuel reforming catalyst, and under a high-temperature working environment, the hydrocarbon fuel is catalytically reformed into synthesis gas, which includes CO and H2, and then enters the right channel of the stack through the right air duct of the catalyst plate; wherein the SOFC cell is installed in the sink cavity of the cell support plate, and the cathode is above the cell The cathode cavity is used to introduce air, and the anode cavity is below it to introduce synthesis gas; the cathode cavity and the anode cavity are closed and isolated from each other; the synthesis gas that enters the right channel after catalytic reforming enters the anode cavity through the gap between the battery cell support plate and the bipolar plate, and undergoes an electrochemical reaction with the oxygen that enters the cathode cavity through the air pipeline inside the battery cell, and releases electrons to form an electric current; the water vapor, carbon dioxide and a small amount of excess synthesis gas that does not participate in the reaction produced by the electrochemical reaction enter the left side of the battery stack exhaust channel through the gap on the other side between the battery cell support plate and the bipolar plate and are discharged from the entire battery stack.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial technical effects of the present invention are as follows: This application realizes a hydrocarbon fuel reforming / power generation integrated temperature-averaged SOFC stack, which cleverly combines hydrocarbon fuel reforming technology with SOFC power generation technology by designing an embedded built-in hydrocarbon fuel reforming unit and alternating the arrangement of the reforming unit and the power generation unit, and integrates it into a SOFC reforming power generation unit. Compared with the prior art, it improves the internal temperature uniformity of the SOFC stack, makes efficient use of the internal heat of the stack, and realizes efficient reforming and temperature uniformization in the hydrocarbon fuel stack. This application greatly simplifies the complexity of the SOFC power generation system, improves the reliability of the stack and the life of the single cell, solves the application bottleneck of the SOFC power generation system with a large structure and high maintenance cost, and is conducive to the popularization and promotion of the stack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a temperature-controlled SOFC stack that integrates hydrocarbon fuel reforming / power generation; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the catalyst plate; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the temperature field distribution of a traditional fuel cell; Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the temperature field distribution of the fuel cell stack of the present invention.

[0016] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: 1. Catalyst plate; 101. Catalyst deposition cavity; 102. Left channel; 103. Exhaust channel; 1031. Distribution air duct; 104. Assembly hole; 105. Right channel; 1051. Air duct; 106. Air channel; 2. Reforming seal; 3. Bipolar plate; 4. Anode seal; 5. Nickel foam; 6. Battery support plate; 7. Battery cell; 8. Cathode seal; 9. Anode cavity; 10. Cathode cavity; 11. Catalyst; 12. Stack base; 13. Air line; 13-1. Air flow; 14. Hydrocarbon fuel intake channel; 15. Main exhaust channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present embodiment discloses an integrated temperature-uniform solid oxide fuel cell stack for hydrocarbon fuel reforming and power generation, comprising a stack end plate and a multi-layer reforming power generation unit stacked on the stack end plate; wherein the reforming power generation unit comprises a power generation unit and a hydrocarbon fuel reforming unit stacked on each other, the heat generated by the power generation unit is transferred to the hydrocarbon fuel reforming unit, and the internal resistance heating power of the power generation unit is equal to the reforming heat absorption power of the hydrocarbon fuel reforming unit.

[0018] The hydrocarbon fuel reforming unit includes a catalyst plate 1, and a bipolar plate 3 which is sealed and installed above the catalyst plate 1 through a reforming seal 2 and isolated from the power generation unit; in order to ensure that the internal resistance heating power of the power generation unit is equal to the reforming endothermic power of the hydrocarbon fuel reforming unit, the catalyst plate 1 can be designed to be stacked together for use.

[0019] A catalyst sinking cavity 101 for filling the catalyst 11 is preset on the catalyst material plate 1; A left channel 102 connected to the hydrocarbon fuel inlet of the stack end plate and an exhaust channel 103 connected to the exhaust port of the stack end plate are prefabricated on the catalyst plate 1 and located on one side of the catalyst sink cavity 101; a plurality of distribution air guide pipes 1031 are installed between the left channel 102 and the catalyst sink cavity 101, and the distribution air guide pipes 1031 pass through the exhaust channel 103; A right channel 105 is provided on the catalyst plate 1 and on a side opposite to the left channel 102. The right channel 105 is connected to the catalyst chamber 101 through a plurality of gas guide pipes 1051, and guides the reformed gas into the anode chamber 9 of the power generation unit. Specifically, air passages 106 are respectively opened on the catalyst material plate 1 and located on the other two sides of the catalyst sink cavity 101; in specific implementation, the air passages 106 are air intake passages for conveying air through.

[0020] In this embodiment, the power generation unit includes a battery support plate 6, which is installed in the battery support plate 6 and is divided into a cathode cavity 10 and an anode cavity 9 by a battery sheet 7. Specifically, the space between the anode cavity 9 and the bipolar plate 3 is filled with nickel foam 5; The air inlet end of the anode chamber 9 is connected to the right channel 105 , and the air outlet end thereof is connected to the exhaust channel 103 ; the cathode chamber 10 is connected to the air channel 106 via a plurality of air pipes 13 .

[0021] In this embodiment, a plurality of assembly holes 104 for assembly are further provided on the catalyst material plate 1 .

[0022] In this embodiment, the catalyst 11 is a hydrocarbon fuel reforming catalyst; this embodiment can be applied to different hydrocarbon fuels, and the reforming catalyst used can be preferably replaced; specifically, when the heat inside the fuel stack is insufficient, the reforming unit can add a self-heating catalyst, and introduce an appropriate amount of air to assist heat release while introducing fuel to maintain normal operation of the reforming unit.

[0023] In this embodiment, reserved through holes are provided on the battery support plate 6 and the bipolar plate 3, which are connected to the left channel 102, the exhaust channel 103, the right channel 105, and the air channel 106 on the catalyst material plate 1; For further optimization, reserved through holes are provided on the battery support plate 6 and the bipolar plate 3, which are aligned with and connected to the left channel 102, the exhaust channel 103, the right channel 105, and the air channel 106 on the catalyst plate 1; wherein the channel aligned with the left channel 102 is longitudinally connected to form a hydrocarbon fuel intake channel 14; and the channel aligned with the exhaust channel 103 is longitudinally connected to form a total exhaust channel 15.

[0024] In this embodiment, a reforming seal 2 is installed between the catalyst plate 1 and the bipolar plate 3; an anode seal 4 is installed between the bipolar plate 3 and the battery support plate 6; and a cathode seal 8 is installed between the battery support plate 6 and the catalyst plate 1 on the upper layer.

[0025] In this embodiment, during specific operation, hydrocarbon fuel enters the left channel 102 of the stack through the air inlet hole of the stack end plate, is then distributed to each reforming power generation unit, and then enters the catalyst sink cavity 101 inside it through the distribution air guide pipe 1031 on the catalyst material plate 1; wherein the square sink cavity in the catalyst material plate 1 is filled with hydrocarbon fuel reforming catalyst, and under a high-temperature working environment, the hydrocarbon fuel is catalytically reformed into synthesis gas, which includes CO and H2, and then enters the right channel 105 of the stack through the right air guide pipe 1051 of the catalyst material plate 1; wherein the SOFC cell is installed in the sink cavity of the cell support plate 6, and the cathode is above the cell. The cavity 10 is used to introduce air, and below it is the anode cavity 9, which is used to introduce synthesis gas; the cathode cavity 10 and the anode cavity 9 are closed and isolated from each other; the synthesis gas entering the right channel 105 after catalytic reforming enters the anode cavity 9 through the gap between the battery cell support plate 6 and the bipolar plate 3, and undergoes an electrochemical reaction with the oxygen entering the cathode cavity 10 through the air pipe 13 inside the battery cell, and releases electrons to form an electric current, and the water vapor, carbon dioxide and a small amount of excess synthesis gas that does not participate in the reaction generated by the electrochemical reaction enter the left side of the battery stack exhaust channel 106 through the other side gap between the battery cell support plate 6 and the bipolar plate 3 and are discharged from the entire battery stack.

[0026] In specific implementation, the rated working condition heat absorption power of the reforming unit and the rated working condition heat generation power of the power generation unit are measured. According to the principle that the internal resistance heat generation power of the power generation unit and the reforming heat absorption power of the reforming unit are equal under the rated working condition, the arrangement of the reforming unit (A) and the power generation unit (B) can also be optimized; ABAB... arrangement or A(B...B)A(B...B)... arrangement can be performed as needed. On this basis, the internal resistance heat generation and reforming heat absorption deviation caused by the actual working condition deviation are adjusted and compensated by the gas intake flow rate and the air intake flow rate.

[0027] The overall outline size is consistent with the size of the bipolar plate of the power generation unit, which is convenient for installation in combination with the power generation unit. The thickness is designed according to the catalyst loading amount. Figure 2As shown. There are two long waist holes in parallel on the left. The left one (left channel) is connected to the air inlet hole of the stack base. The long waist hole on the right (exhaust channel) is arranged with several circular ducts at intervals in the vertical direction. The square sink cavity in the middle is filled with hydrocarbon fuel reforming catalyst. A row of air guide holes is processed on the right side of the sink cavity, and the air guide holes are connected to the four short-sized long waist holes (right channel) adjacent to the right. The four short-sized long waist holes are the right channel of the stack mentioned above. There is a row of three short-sized long waist holes in front and behind the catalyst plate, which are the air inlet and outlet channels, and are isolated from the hydrocarbon fuel channels on the left and right sides by seals. After the hydrocarbon fuel comes in through the long waist hole (left channel) on the left, it is distributed between the circular ducts, and then enters the sink cavity in the middle through the circular duct, and is reformed into synthesis gas under the action of the catalyst, and enters the right channel through a row of air guide holes on the right. The catalyst involved in this application can be adjusted and optimized according to the specific fuel gas.

[0028] The above embodiments are only descriptions of the preferred methods of the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Without departing from the design spirit of the invention, various modifications and improvements made to the technical solutions of the invention by ordinary technicians in this field should fall within the protection scope of the claims of the invention.

Claims

1. A hydrocarbon fuel reforming and power generation integrated temperature-controlled solid oxide fuel cell stack, characterized in that: It includes a stack end plate and a multi-layer reforming power generation unit stacked on the stack end plate; The reforming power generation unit comprises a power generation unit and a hydrocarbon fuel reforming unit stacked on each other, the heat generated by the power generation unit is transferred to the hydrocarbon fuel reforming unit, and the internal resistance heating power of the power generation unit is equal to the reforming heat absorption power of the hydrocarbon fuel reforming unit.

2. The hydrocarbon fuel reforming and power generation integrated temperature-controlled solid oxide fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hydrocarbon fuel reforming unit comprises a catalyst plate (1), and a bipolar plate (3) arranged above the catalyst plate (1) and isolated from the power generation unit; Or / and, a reforming seal (2) is provided between the catalyst plate (1) and the bipolar plate (3); A catalyst sink cavity (101) for filling a catalyst (11) is preset on the catalyst material plate (1); A left channel (102) connected to the hydrocarbon fuel inlet of the stack end plate and an exhaust channel (103) connected to the exhaust port of the stack end plate are provided on the catalyst material plate (1) and located on one side of the catalyst sink cavity (101); a plurality of distribution air guide pipes (1031) are provided between the left channel (102) and the catalyst sink cavity (101); A right channel (105) is provided on the catalyst material plate (1) and is located on a side opposite to the left channel (102); the right channel (105) is connected to the catalyst precipitation cavity (101) through a plurality of gas guide pipes (1051) and guides the reformed gas into the anode cavity (9) of the power generation unit; Or / and, air channels (106) are respectively provided on the catalyst material plate (1) and on the other two sides of the catalyst precipitation cavity (101).

3. The hydrocarbon fuel reforming and power generation integrated temperature-controlled solid oxide fuel cell stack according to claim 2, characterized in that: The power generation unit comprises a battery support plate (6), which is arranged in the battery support plate (6) and whose upper and lower layers are divided into a cathode cavity (10) and an anode cavity (9) by a battery sheet (7); Or / and, nickel foam (5) is filled between the anode cavity (9) and the bipolar plate (3); An air inlet end of the anode chamber (9) is in communication with the right channel (105), and an air outlet end of the anode chamber (9) is in communication with the exhaust channel (103); The cathode chamber (10) is connected to the air channel (106) via a plurality of air pipelines (13).

4. The hydrocarbon fuel reforming and power generation integrated temperature-controlled solid oxide fuel cell stack according to claim 2, characterized in that: A plurality of assembly holes (104) for assembly are also provided on the catalyst material plate (1).

5. The hydrocarbon fuel reforming and power generation integrated temperature-controlled solid oxide fuel cell stack according to claim 2, characterized in that: The catalyst (11) is a hydrocarbon fuel reforming catalyst.

6. The hydrocarbon fuel reforming and power generation integrated temperature-controlled solid oxide fuel cell stack according to claim 3, characterized in that: Reserved through holes are provided on the battery support plate (6) and the bipolar plate (3), which are in communication with the left channel (102), the exhaust channel (103), the right channel (105), and the air channel (106) on the catalyst material plate (1).

7. The hydrocarbon fuel reforming and power generation integrated temperature-controlled solid oxide fuel cell stack according to claim 6, characterized in that: The battery support plate (6) and the bipolar plate (3) are provided with reserved through holes which are aligned with and communicated with the left channel (102), the exhaust channel (103), the right channel (105), and the air channel (106) on the catalyst material plate (1).

8. The hydrocarbon fuel reforming and power generation integrated temperature-controlled solid oxide fuel cell stack according to claim 7, characterized in that: A reforming seal (2) is provided between the catalyst plate (1) and the bipolar plate (3); an anode seal (4) is provided between the bipolar plate (3) and the battery support plate (6); and a cathode seal (8) is provided between the battery support plate (6) and the catalyst plate (1) on the upper layer thereof.

9. The hydrocarbon fuel reforming and power generation integrated temperature-controlled solid oxide fuel cell stack according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: During operation, hydrocarbon fuel enters the left channel (102) of the stack through the air inlet holes of the stack end plate, is then distributed to each reforming power generation unit, and then enters the catalyst sink cavity (101) inside the catalyst plate (1) through the distribution air guide pipe (1031); the square sink cavity inside the catalyst plate (1) is filled with hydrocarbon fuel reforming catalyst, and under a high-temperature working environment, the hydrocarbon fuel is catalytically reformed into synthesis gas, which includes CO and H2, and then enters the right channel (105) of the stack through the right air guide pipe (1051) of the catalyst plate (1); the SOFC cell sheet is installed in the sink cavity of the cell support plate (6), and the cathode cavity (10) is located above the cell sheet. The cathode chamber (10) and the anode chamber (9) are sealed and isolated from each other. The synthesis gas entering the right channel (105) after catalytic reforming enters the anode chamber (9) through the gap between the cell support plate (6) and the bipolar plate (3), and undergoes an electrochemical reaction with oxygen entering the cathode chamber (10) through the air pipe (13) inside the cell, and releases electrons to form an electric current. The water vapor, carbon dioxide and a small amount of excess synthesis gas that does not participate in the reaction generated by the electrochemical reaction enter the left side of the stack exhaust channel (106) through the gap on the other side between the cell support plate (6) and the bipolar plate (3) and are discharged from the entire stack.

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