Starting system for fuel cell

Abstract

The invention discloses a starting system for a fuel cell, the starting system for the fuel cell comprises a first control assembly, a heating assembly, a heat exchange assembly and a humidifying assembly, the first control assembly is suitable for being communicated with a fuel cell stack, so that the first control assembly controls the flow of cooling liquid flowing out of the fuel cell stack; compressed air is introduced into one end of the heat exchange assembly, and the humidifying assembly is communicated with the other end of the heat exchange assembly, so that the compressed air subjected to heat exchange by the heat exchange assembly flows into the humidifying assembly to increase the humidity of the compressed air flowing into the humidifying assembly, and the humidifying assembly is suitable for being communicated with a fuel cell stack; therefore, the compressed air humidified by the humidifying assembly flows into the fuel cell stack. The starting system for the fuel cell has the advantages of being simple in structure, capable of guaranteeing the temperature and humidity of air entering a stack and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of fuel cell systems, and in particular to a low-temperature starting system for fuel cells in a centralized gas supply mode. Background Art

[0002] At present, the power of a single fuel cell system is relatively low. For high-power application scenarios, multiple fuel cells are usually connected in parallel for output, but this method will lead to problems such as a large number of components, large size and complex control.

[0003] In the related technology, the integrated centralized air supply mode can effectively solve the above problems, but the centralized air supply mode cannot guarantee the temperature of compressed air entering the reactor, which is affected by many factors such as environment, season and distance. When starting or running at low temperature, the temperature of compressed air entering the reactor is too low, which will reduce the chemical reaction rate and cause voltage problems, thus affecting the output power and efficiency of the system. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention is based on the inventor's discovery and understanding of the following facts and problems:

[0005] In the related technology, patent number: CN116845274A, an air heating device for low-temperature start-up of a fuel cell. The heating device of this patent is an unconventional fuel cell component and needs to be customized and developed, which increases the cost. In addition, a temperature sensor needs to be set at the outlet of the heating device to determine the gas channel selection based on the air temperature threshold at the outlet of the heating device. Adding sensors increases the complexity of control.

[0006] Patent No.: CN218447983U, provides an air heating device, a fuel cell and a vehicle. The heating device of the patent mainly heats the air out of the stack, which affects the humidity of the air entering the stack, and does not achieve the purpose of heating the air entering the stack. In addition, the use of the heating device is limited. When the fuel cell is started or running at low power, the air compressor pressure ratio is low, resulting in a low air outlet temperature, which is not conducive to air heating. The heating effect of the air out of the stack is not obvious or the humidity of the air entering the stack is not significantly increased.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve one of the technical problems in the related art at least to a certain extent.

[0008] To this end, an embodiment of the present invention provides a fuel cell starting system which has a simple structure and can ensure the humidity and temperature of the air entering the stack.

[0009] The fuel cell startup system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first control component, the first control component is adapted to be connected to the fuel cell stack so that the first control component controls the flow of the coolant flowing out of the fuel cell stack; a heating component and a heat exchange component, one end of the heat exchange component is connected to compressed air, the startup system has a first working state and a second working state, in the first working state, the heating component is connected to the first control component so that the coolant flowing out of the first control component flows into the heating component for heating, the heating component is connected to one end of the heat exchange component so that the coolant heated by the heating component flows into the heating component, and the start-up system has a first working state and a second working state. The heat exchange component is connected to the first control component to heat the compressed air in the heat exchange component. In the second working state, one end of the heat exchange component is connected to the first control component so that the coolant flowing out of the first control component flows into the heat exchange component to heat the compressed air in the heat exchange component; a humidifying component is connected to the other end of the heat exchange component so that the compressed air after heat exchange by the heat exchange component flows into the humidifying component to increase the humidity of the compressed air flowing into the humidifying component. The humidifying component is suitable for being connected to a fuel cell stack so that the compressed air after humidification by the humidifying component flows into the fuel cell stack.

[0010] The starting system for a fuel cell in an embodiment of the present invention is arranged through a first control component, a heating component, a heat exchange component and a humidification component. Through the coordinated work of the heating component, the heat exchange component and the humidification component, the starting system for the fuel cell can take into account both the starting and operation modes of the fuel cell, ensure that the temperature of the compressed air meets the requirements of the fuel cell stack, improve the efficiency and reliability of the fuel cell stack, and reduce the operating cost of the starting system for the fuel cell.

[0011] In some embodiments, the fuel cell startup system also includes a second control component, one end of the second control component is suitable for introducing compressed air, the other end of the second control component is connected to one end of the heat exchange component, and the second control component is used to control the flow rate of compressed air flowing into the heat exchange component.

[0012] In some embodiments, the starting system also includes a third working state. In the third working state, the first control component is connected to one end of the heating component and the heat exchange component, so that the coolant flowing out through the first control component flows into the heating component and the heat exchange component respectively, and the coolant heated by the heating component and the coolant flowing out of the first control component are mixed and flow into the heat exchange component to heat the compressed air in the heat exchange component.

[0013] In some embodiments, the starting system for the fuel cell also includes a connecting piece, the connecting piece having a chamber, an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, the inlet, the first outlet and the second outlet are all connected to the chamber, the inlet is connected to the first control component so that the coolant flowing out of the first control component flows into the connecting piece through the inlet, in the first working state, the first outlet is connected to the heating component so that the coolant in the connecting piece flows into the heating component, in the second working state, the second outlet is connected to one end of the heat exchange component so that the coolant in the connecting piece flows into the heat exchange component, in the third working state, the heating component is respectively connected to the first outlet and one end of the heat exchange component so that the coolant in the connecting piece flows into the heating component for heating and flows into the heat exchange component through the heating component, and the second outlet is connected to one end of the heat exchange component so as to flow into the heat exchange component through the heat exchange component in the connecting piece.

[0014] In some embodiments, the starting system for the fuel cell also includes a connecting pipe. In the first working state, the connecting pipe is connected to one end of the heating component and the heat exchange component respectively, so that the coolant heated by the heating component flows into the heat exchange component through the connecting pipe. In the second working state, the connecting pipe is connected to the second outlet and one end of the heat exchange component respectively, so that the coolant flowing out through the connecting piece flows into the heat exchange component. In the third working state, one end of the connecting pipe is connected to the second outlet and the heating component respectively, so that the coolant flowing out of the second outlet and the heating component both flows into the connecting pipe, and the other end of the connecting pipe is connected to one end of the heat exchange component, so that the coolant flowing out through the connecting pipe flows into the heat exchange component.

[0015] In some embodiments, the fuel cell startup system also includes a delivery component. In the first working state and the third working state, the two ends of the delivery component are respectively connected to the heating component and the connecting pipe, and the delivery component is used to deliver the coolant heated by the heating component to the connecting pipe.

[0016] In some embodiments, the startup system for a fuel cell further includes a back pressure valve, wherein the back pressure valve is in communication with the humidification assembly so that the back pressure valve adjusts the pressure in the humidification assembly.

[0017] In some embodiments, the humidification assembly is adapted to communicate with the fuel cell stack so that the high-temperature and high-humidity gas flowing out of the fuel cell stack flows into the humidification assembly to humidify the compressed air in the humidification assembly.

[0018] In some embodiments, the heat exchange component includes a first channel and a second channel for heat exchange. In the first working state, the first channel is connected to the heating component so that the coolant flowing out of the heating component flows into the first channel. In the second working state, the first channel is connected to the first control component so that the coolant flowing out of the first control component flows into the first channel. In the first working state and the second working state, the second channel is suitable for passing compressed air so that the coolant in the first channel heats the compressed air through the second channel.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first channel is in communication with the fuel cell stack so that the coolant after heat exchange through the heat exchange component flows into the fuel cell stack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a fuel cell starting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] A starting system 100 for a fuel cell;

[0022] The first control component 1; the heating component 2; the heat exchange component 3; the humidification component 4; the connecting piece 5; the connecting pipe 6; the second control component 7; the conveying component 8; and the back pressure valve 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to be used to explain the present invention, but should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0024] Hereinafter, a starting system for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the starting system for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first control component 1 , a heating component 2 , a heat exchange component 3 and a humidification component 4 .

[0026] The first control assembly 1 is adapted to communicate with the fuel cell stack so that the first control assembly 1 controls the flow rate of the coolant flowing out of the fuel cell stack. Figure 1 As shown, the first control component 1 is a compressed air flow controller. The inlet of the first control component 1 is connected to the coolant outlet of the fuel cell stack, so that the heated coolant in the fuel cell stack flows into the first control component 1. The first control component 1 is used to control the flow of the coolant.

[0027] Compressed air is introduced into one end of the heat exchange component 3, and the starting system has a first working state and a second working state. In the first working state, the heating component 2 is connected with the first control component 1 so that the coolant flowing out of the first control component 1 flows into the heating component 2 for heating, and the heating component 2 is connected with one end of the heat exchange component 3 so that the coolant heated by the heating component 2 flows into the heat exchange component 3 to heat the compressed air in the heat exchange component 3. In the second working state, one end of the heat exchange component 3 is connected with the first control component 1 so that the coolant flowing out of the first control component 1 flows into the heat exchange component 3 to heat the compressed air in the heat exchange component 3.

[0028] Specifically, Figure 1 As shown, compressed air can be introduced into the inlet of the heat exchange component 3, and the heating component 2 can be but not limited to a PTC heater. When the fuel cell is started or operated at a low temperature, the starting system is in the first working state. Since the temperature of the coolant flowing out of the coolant outlet of the fuel cell stack is relatively low, the inlet of the heat exchange component 3 is connected with the outlet of the first control component 1, and the coolant flowing out of the first control component 1 flows into the heating component 2 to heat the coolant. The outlet of the heating component 2 is connected with the inlet of the heat exchange component 3, so that the heated coolant flows into the heat exchange component 3, so that the heated coolant in the heat exchange component 3 exchanges heat with the compressed air in the heat exchange component 3 to increase the temperature of the compressed air. When the fuel cell is running at a high power, the stack releases a large amount of heat due to the electrochemical reaction, and the waste heat generated is absorbed by the coolant. The starting system is in the first working state, the inlet of the heat exchange component 3 is connected with the outlet of the first control component 1, and the coolant flowing out of the coolant outlet of the fuel cell stack flows into the heat exchange component 3 through the first control component 1, so that the coolant in the heat exchange component 3 exchanges heat with the compressed air in the heat exchange component 3 to increase the temperature of the compressed air.

[0029] The humidification component 4 is connected to the other end of the heat exchange component 3, so that the compressed air after heat exchange by the heat exchange component 3 flows into the humidification component 4 to increase the humidity of the compressed air flowing into the humidification component 4. The humidification component 4 is suitable for communicating with the fuel cell stack, so that the compressed air after humidification by the humidification component 4 flows into the fuel cell stack. Specifically, Figure 1 As shown, the humidifying component 4 is a humidifier and the inlet of the humidifying component 4 is connected with the outlet of the heat exchange component 3, so that the compressed air heated by the heat exchange component 3 flows into the humidifying component 4, and the humidity of the compressed air is increased by the humidifying component 4. The outlet of the humidifying component 4 is connected with the fuel cell stack, so that the compressed air after heating and humidification flows into the fuel cell stack to ensure the reaction efficiency in the fuel cell stack.

[0030] The fuel cell starting system 100 of the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a first control component 1, a heating component 2 and a heat exchange component 3. Through the coordinated work of the heating component 2 and the heat exchange component 3, when the fuel cell is started or operated at a low temperature, the compressed air is heated by heating the coolant. When the fuel cell is operated at a high power, the waste heat generated by the fuel cell stack itself is used to heat the compressed air through the coolant. The fuel cell starting system 100 can take into account both the fuel cell starting and operation modes, ensure that the temperature of the compressed air meets the requirements of the fuel cell stack, and improve the efficiency and reliability of the fuel cell stack. Compared with the related art, there is no need to modify the heating component 2, effectively utilize the heat generated by the stack itself, reduce the consumption of electric power, and reduce the operating cost of the fuel cell starting system 100.

[0031] In some embodiments, the fuel cell startup system 100 further includes a second control component 7, one end of which is suitable for introducing compressed air, and the other end of the second control component 7 is connected to one end of the heat exchange component 3, and the second control component 7 is used to control the flow rate of compressed air flowing into the heat exchange component 3. Specifically, Figure 1 As shown, the second control component 7 is an air flow controller. One end of the second control component 7 can be connected to the centralized air supply system, so that the compressed gas generated by the centralized air supply system flows into the second control component 7. The outlet of the second control component 7 is connected to the inlet of the heat exchange component 3, and the compressed gas flowing into the heat exchange component 3 is controlled by the second control component 7.

[0032] In some embodiments, the startup system further includes a third working state, in which the first control component 1 is connected to the heating component 2 and the heat exchange component 3, so that the coolant flowing out of the first control component 1 flows into the heating component 2 and the heat exchange component 3 respectively, and the coolant heated by the heating component 2 and the coolant flowing out of the first control component 1 are mixed and flow into the heat exchange component 3 to heat the compressed air in the heat exchange component 3. Specifically, in the centralized gas supply mode, when the fuel cell is running at low power or in the middle power stage, the fuel cell stack itself can generate a part of heat, but the heat is insufficient to meet the temperature requirement of heating the compressed gas entering the stack, and the startup system is in the third working state. In the third working state, the outlet of the first control component 1 is connected to the inlet of the heating component 2 and the inlet of the heating component 2 respectively, so that the coolant flowing out of the first control component 1 is divided into two streams, one stream flows into the heating component 2 for heating, and the other stream flows into the heat exchange component 3, and the outlet of the heating component 2 is connected to the inlet of the heat exchange component 3, so that the two streams of coolant are mixed in the heat exchange component 3 to heat the compressed air, thereby reducing the power consumption of the heating component 2 and reducing the startup cost of the startup system.

[0033] In some embodiments, the fuel cell startup system 100 further includes a connecting piece 5, the connecting piece 5 having a chamber, an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, the inlet, the first outlet, and the second outlet are all connected to the chamber, the inlet is connected to the first control component 1, so that the coolant flowing out of the first control component 1 flows into the connecting piece 5 through the inlet, in the first working state, the first outlet is connected to the heating component 2, so that the coolant in the connecting piece 5 flows into the heating component 2, in the second working state, the second outlet is connected to one end of the heat exchange component 3, so that the coolant in the connecting piece 5 flows into the heat exchange component 3, in the third working state, the heating component 2 is respectively connected to the first outlet and one end of the heat exchange component 3, so that the coolant in the connecting piece 5 flows into the heating component 2 for heating and flows into the heat exchange component 3 through the heating component 2, and the second outlet is connected to one end of the heat exchange component 3, so that it flows into the heat exchange component 3 through the heat exchange component 3 in the connecting piece 5. Specifically, as Figure 1 As shown, the connecting piece 5 can be an electronic three-way valve, the inlet of the connecting piece 5 is connected with the outlet of the first control component 1, so that the coolant flowing out of the first control component 1 flows into the connecting piece 5, the first outlet is connected with the inlet of the heating component 2, so that the coolant flowing out of the first outlet flows into the heating component 2 for heating, and the second outlet is connected with the inlet of the heat exchange component 3, so that the coolant in the connecting piece 5 can flow into the heat exchange component 3. In the first working state, the inlet and the first outlet of the connecting piece 5 are opened, in the second working state, the inlet and the second outlet of the connecting piece 5 are opened, and in the third working state, the inlet, the first outlet and the second outlet of the connecting piece 5 are all opened. Therefore, the connecting piece 5 can be switched in different working states to ensure the stable operation of the fuel cell under different working conditions.

[0034] In some embodiments, the fuel cell startup system 100 further includes a connecting pipe 6. In a first working state, the connecting pipe 6 is connected to one end of the heating component 2 and the heat exchange component 3, respectively, so that the coolant heated by the heating component 2 flows into the heat exchange component 3 through the connecting pipe 6. In a second working state, the connecting pipe 6 is connected to the second outlet and one end of the heat exchange component 3, respectively, so that the coolant flowing out through the connecting piece 5 flows into the heat exchange component 3. In a third working state, one end of the connecting pipe 6 is connected to the second outlet and the heating component 2, respectively, so that the coolant flowing out of the second outlet and the heating component 2 flows into the connecting pipe 6. The other end of the connecting pipe 6 is connected to one end of the heat exchange component 3, so that the coolant flowing out through the connecting pipe 6 flows into the heat exchange component 3. Specifically, as Figure 1As shown, the inlet of the connecting pipe 6 is connected with the second outlet, the outlet of the connecting pipe 6 is connected with the inlet of the heat exchange component 3, and the outlet of the heating component 2 is connected with the middle part of the connecting pipe 6. Therefore, in the first working state, the coolant heated by the heating component 2 flows into the heat exchange component 3 through the connecting pipe 6. In the second working state, the coolant in the connecting piece 5 flows into the heat exchange component 3 through the connecting pipe 6. In the third working state, a part of the coolant in the connecting piece 5 flows into the heating component 2 for heating, and the other part flows into the connecting pipe 6. The coolant heated by the heating component 2 flows into the connecting pipe 6 to mix with the coolant in the connecting pipe 6, and then the mixed coolant flows into the heat exchange component 3. Therefore, the setting of the starting system 100 for the fuel cell is more reasonable.

[0035] In some embodiments, the fuel cell startup system 100 further includes a delivery component 8. In the first working state and the third working state, both ends of the delivery component 8 are connected to the heating component 2 and the connecting pipe 6 respectively, and the delivery component 8 is used to deliver the coolant heated by the heating component 2 to the connecting pipe 6. Specifically, Figure 1 As shown, the delivery component 8 can be a water pump, the inlet of the delivery component 8 is connected to the first outlet, and the outlet of the delivery component 8 is connected to the middle of the connecting pipe 6. In the first working state and the third working state, the delivery component 8 is opened, so that the coolant in the connecting piece 5 flows into the connecting pipe 6 through the delivery component, thereby providing a power basis for the delivery of the coolant.

[0036] In some embodiments, the fuel cell startup system 100 further includes a back pressure valve 9, which is connected to the humidification assembly 4 so that the back pressure valve 9 adjusts the pressure in the humidification assembly 4. Specifically, Figure 1 As shown, the back-pressure valve 9 is connected to the outlet of the humidifying component 4. The back-pressure valve 9 is used to maintain a constant pressure in the humidifying component 4. When the pressure in the humidifying component 4 exceeds a set value, the back-pressure valve 9 will open to release excess gas or liquid, thereby reducing the pressure in the humidifying component 4. When the pressure in the humidifying component 4 is lower than the set value, the back-pressure valve 9 will close to maintain the pressure in the humidifying component 4. The back-pressure valve 9 can ensure the stability of the gas or liquid flow in the humidifying component 4 and improve the overall efficiency of the system.

[0037] In some embodiments, the humidification assembly 4 is adapted to be in communication with the fuel cell stack so that the high-temperature and high-humidity gas flowing out of the fuel cell stack flows into the humidification assembly 4 to humidify the compressed air in the humidification assembly 4. Thus, the high-temperature and high-humidity exhaust gas generated by the fuel cell stack during operation is heat-exchanged and wet-exchanged with the compressed air, thereby increasing the humidity of the compressed air and ensuring that the humidity of the air entering the stack reaches an optimal level.

[0038] In some embodiments, the heat exchange component 3 includes a first channel (not shown in the figure) and a second channel (not shown in the figure) for heat exchange. In a first working state, the first channel is connected to the heating component 2 so that the coolant flowing out of the heating component 2 flows into the first channel. In a second working state, the first channel is connected to the first control component 1 so that the coolant flowing out of the first control component 1 flows into the first channel. In the first working state and the second working state, the second channel is suitable for passing compressed air so that the coolant in the first channel heats the compressed air through the second channel.

[0039] Specifically, the first channel is a liquid channel, the second channel is a gas channel, and the first channel and the second channel can perform heat exchange. The inlet of the first channel is connected to the outlet of the connecting pipe 6. In the first working state, the coolant flowing out of the heating component 2 flows into the first channel. In the second working state, the coolant flowing out of the first control component 1 flows into the first channel through the connecting piece 5. In the third working state, the coolant flowing out of the heating component 2 and the second outlet is mixed in the connecting pipe 6 and then flows into the first channel. The inlet of the second channel can be connected to the outlet of the second control component 7, so that the compressed air flowing out of the second control component 7 flows into the second channel, so that the compressed air and the coolant exchange heat in the first channel and the second channel to increase the temperature of the compressed air. The outlet of the second channel is connected to the humidification component 4, so that the heated compressed air flows into the humidification component 4 for humidification, thereby making the setting of the heat exchange component 3 more reasonable.

[0040] In some embodiments, the first channel is connected to the fuel cell stack so that the coolant after heat exchange by the heat exchange component 3 flows into the fuel cell stack. Figure 1 As shown, the outlet of the first passage is connected to the coolant inlet of the fuel cell stack, so that the cooled coolant flows into the fuel cell stack to cool the fuel cell stack, so that the coolant can be recycled, reducing the use of coolant and reducing the operating cost of the system.

[0041] The following is based on the attached Figure 1 , a fuel cell starting system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is specifically described.

[0042] Embodiment 1: In the centralized air supply mode, when the fuel cell is started at low temperature or at low power, compressed air passes through the second control component 7 to adjust the pipeline air flow according to the operating conditions of the fuel cell stack.

[0043] Optionally, it may be a proportional valve for controlling the opening, a second control component 7 or other components capable of adjusting the gas flow.

[0044] The heat exchange component 3 is a heat exchanger for gas-liquid exchange, which consists of a first channel and a second channel. When the fuel cell is started at low temperature or operated at low power, the coolant outlet of the stack enters the inlet of the connecting piece 5 after passing through the first control component 1, and is connected to the inlet of the heating component 2 after flowing out through the first outlet. After the coolant is heated, it enters the first channel of the heat exchange component 3 through the connecting pipe 6. The outlet of the first channel of the heat exchange component 3 is connected to the inlet of the stack coolant. The inlet of the second channel of the heat exchange component 3 is connected to the second control component 7, and the outlet of the second channel is connected to the inlet of the humidification component 4. The outlet of the humidification component 4 is connected to the cathode inlet of the stack, and the humidified heated air is input into the stack. The high-temperature and high-humidity gas at the outlet of the stack is connected to the wet inlet of the humidification component 4, which is the source of humidity of the humidification component 4. The wet side outlet of the humidification component 4 is connected to the back pressure valve 9. While the exhaust gas is discharged, the opening of the back pressure valve 9 is adjusted to adjust the air inlet pressure.

[0045] Optionally, when the stack air inlet temperature is lower or higher than the actual required temperature, precise control of the stack air temperature can be achieved by adjusting one or a combination of the opening of the first control component 1, the power of the heating component 2, and the rotation speed of the connecting pipe 6.

[0046] Optionally, the heating component 2 includes but is not limited to a PTC heating component 2, which can heat quickly after being powered on.

[0047] Compared with the related art, the starting system 100 for a fuel cell in an embodiment of the present invention mainly solves the problem of low-temperature starting of a fuel cell or too low temperature during low-power operation in a centralized gas supply mode. The heating component 2 can effectively heat the compressed air to achieve low-temperature rapid cold start, thereby ensuring high performance and high consistency of the fuel cell.

[0048] Example 2: In the centralized gas supply mode, when the fuel cell is running, especially at high power, the stack releases a large amount of heat due to the electrochemical reaction, and the waste heat generated is absorbed by the coolant. The high-temperature coolant outlet of the stack enters the inlet of the connecting piece 5 after passing through the first control component 1, flows out through the second outlet and enters the first channel of the heat exchange component 3, and the outlet of the first channel of the heat exchange component 3 is connected to the inlet of the stack coolant. The inlet of the second channel of the heat exchange component 3 is connected to the second control component 7, and the outlet of the second channel is connected to the inlet of the humidification component 4. After the heat generated by the stack itself is absorbed by the coolant, the heat absorbed by the coolant is absorbed by the pipeline air through the heat exchange component 3, thereby heating the air entering the stack.

[0049] Attached Figure 1 Only the direction of air or coolant intake into one type of heat exchange component 3 is illustrated, and the specific opening position and flow direction can be changed according to the type of heat exchange component 3.

[0050] Optionally, in addition to the heat exchange component 3 that can meet the heat exchange demand, the coolant inlet and outlet of the intercooler used in the traditional fuel cell are reversed, that is, the stack coolant outlet is connected to the intercooler coolant inlet, and the intercooler coolant outlet is connected to the stack coolant inlet, both of which can achieve the purpose of fuel cell air heating under centralized air supply.

[0051] Optionally, when the fuel cell is started or operated at low temperature, the first control component 1 can also be a proportional valve suitable for coolant or other components capable of adjusting the coolant flow rate. By controlling its opening or other adjustable parameters, the coolant flow rate is affected, thereby affecting the heat exchange efficiency, so as to meet the requirements of the air inlet temperature of the fuel cell under different working conditions.

[0052] The air heated by the heat exchange component 3 enters the dry side inlet of the humidification component 4 for humidification. The outlet of the humidification component 4 is connected to the air inlet of the fuel cell stack, and the humidified heated air is input into the fuel cell stack. The high temperature and high humidity gas at the fuel cell stack outlet is connected to the wet inlet of the humidification component 4, which is the source of humidity of the humidification component 4.

[0053] The wet side outlet of the humidifying assembly 4 is connected to the back pressure valve 9. When the exhaust gas is discharged, the opening of the back pressure valve 9 is adjusted to adjust the air inlet pressure.

[0054] Compared with the related art, the fuel cell starting system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention mainly solves the problem of low air inlet temperature when the fuel cell is operating at high power or stable high power in the centralized air supply mode, and heat is absorbed by the coolant to heat the fuel cell stack, thereby heating the pipeline air.

[0055] Embodiment 3: In the centralized gas supply mode, when the fuel cell is operating at low power or in the middle power range, the stack itself can generate some heat, but the heat is not enough to heat the compressed air to meet the stack temperature requirement, the compressed air passes through the second control component 7, and the compressed air flow is regulated according to the fuel cell stack operating conditions. Optionally, it can also be a proportional valve that controls the opening, an air mass flow controller, or other components that can adjust the gas flow.

[0056] The heat exchange component 3 is a gas-liquid exchange heat exchanger. When the fuel cell is running at low power or in the middle power stage, the coolant outlet of the stack enters the inlet of the connecting piece 5 after passing through the first control component 1. By adjusting the opening of the connecting piece 5, part of the coolant directly enters the first channel of the heat exchange component 3 through the second outlet, and part of the coolant flows to the heating component 2 and the connecting pipe 6 through the first outlet and then enters the first channel of the heat exchange component 3. The coolant transfers heat to the air by convection heat transfer and then flows out from the outlet of the second channel of the heat exchange component 3, and then enters the inlet of the coolant of the stack.

[0057] Optionally, when the air inlet temperature of the fuel cell stack is lower or higher than the actual required temperature, the precise control of the air temperature entering the stack can be achieved by adjusting one or a combination of the opening of the first control component 1, the opening of the connecting piece 5, the power of the heating component 2, and the rotation speed of the connecting pipe 6.

[0058] Compared with the related art, the starting system 100 for a fuel cell in the embodiment of the present invention mainly solves the problem of low air inlet temperature when the fuel cell is operating in a low power or intermediate power range in a centralized air supply mode. By adjusting the opening of the three-way valve, dual utilization of the heating component 2 and the heat of the coolant is achieved, thereby ensuring the temperature while reducing electricity consumption and improving the utilization of the heat of the coolant.

[0059] The starting system 100 for a fuel cell in an embodiment of the present invention adopts an integrated centralized air supply mode that is independent of the arrangement and number of fuel cell stacks for high-power application scenarios of fuel cells, which can effectively reduce the number and volume of components and simplify control. Because the temperature of compressed air transported by pipelines in the centralized air supply mode is affected by external factors such as the environment and distance, it has uncertainty. In order to ensure the air inlet temperature of the fuel cell, the starting system 100 for a fuel cell in an embodiment of the present invention achieves the purpose of preheating the air temperature before low-temperature startup and heating the air entering the stack during operation, and the temperature can be adjusted according to the fuel cell operating conditions.

[0060] In summary, the fuel cell starting system 100 of the embodiment of the present invention can, on the one hand, have an air supply mode that is independent of the arrangement and number of fuel cell stacks and can adapt to the use requirements of high-power power generation scenarios; on the other hand, it can meet the application requirements of heating the air inlet temperature under different operating conditions under the centralized air supply mode.

[0061] The starting system 100 for a fuel cell in an embodiment of the present invention can take into account both the starting and operating modes of the fuel cell. During startup, the coolant is heated by the electric heating component 2, and then the pipe air is heated by the heat exchange component 3, so that the air is quickly heated, ensuring the temperature requirement of the air entering the stack, thereby achieving the purpose of quickly starting the stack; during operation, the waste heat generated by the fuel cell itself is used to heat the air entering the stack through the heat exchange component 3, effectively utilizing the heat generated by the stack itself, avoiding the use of electric heating equipment, reducing the consumption of electric power, and achieving the purpose of heating the air entering the stack.

[0062] The fuel cell starting system 100 of the embodiment of the present invention can get rid of the limitation of pipeline compressed air temperature due to various factors such as environment, season and distance from the air compressor room, ensure the stack entry temperature, and guarantee the high performance and high consistency of the fuel cell.

[0063] The fuel cell starting system 100 of the embodiment of the present invention can achieve stack temperature regulation by controlling the coolant flow, the rotation speed of the connecting pipe 6, the opening of the connecting piece 5 or the power of the heating component 2, and can accurately control the air temperature entering the stack.

[0064] In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the terms “center”, “longitudinal”, “lateral”, “length”, “width”, “thickness”, “up”, “down”, “front”, “back”, “left”, “right”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “inside”, “outside”, “clockwise”, “counterclockwise”, “axial”, “radial”, “circumferential”, etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0065] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0066] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral one; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or communication with each other; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0067] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" or "above" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0068] In the present invention, the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the described specific features, structures, materials or characteristics may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0069] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is to be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and are not to be construed as limitations of the present invention. A person skilled in the art may change, modify, replace and vary the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell starting system, characterized in that: include: a first control assembly adapted to communicate with the fuel cell stack so that the first control assembly controls the flow of the coolant flowing out of the fuel cell stack; A heating component and a heat exchange component, one end of the heat exchange component is fed with compressed air, the starting system has a first working state and a second working state, in the first working state, the heating component is connected with the first control component so that the coolant flowing out of the first control component flows into the heating component for heating, the heating component is connected with one end of the heat exchange component so that the coolant heated by the heating component flows into the heat exchange component to heat the compressed air in the heat exchange component, in the second working state, in the second working state, one end of the heat exchange component is connected with the first control component so that the coolant flowing out of the first control component flows into the heat exchange component to heat the compressed air in the heat exchange component; A humidifying component, wherein the humidifying component is connected to the other end of the heat exchange component so that the compressed air after heat exchange by the heat exchange component flows into the humidifying component to increase the humidity of the compressed air flowing into the humidifying component. The humidifying component is suitable for being connected to a fuel cell stack so that the compressed air after humidification by the humidifying component flows into the fuel cell stack.

2. The fuel cell starting system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a second control component, one end of which is suitable for introducing compressed air, and the other end of the second control component is connected to one end of the heat exchange component, and the second control component is used to control the flow rate of compressed air flowing into the heat exchange component.

3. The fuel cell starting system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The starting system also includes a third working state. In the third working state, the first control component is connected to one end of the heating component and the heat exchange component, so that the coolant flowing out through the first control component flows into the heating component and the heat exchange component respectively, and the coolant heated by the heating component and the coolant flowing out of the first control component are mixed and flow into the heat exchange component to heat the compressed air in the heat exchange component.

4. The fuel cell starting system according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a connecting piece, which has a chamber, an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet, the inlet, the first outlet and the second outlet are all connected to the chamber, the inlet is connected to the first control component, so that the cooling liquid flowing out of the first control component flows into the connecting piece through the inlet, in the first working state, the first outlet is connected to the heating component, so that the cooling liquid in the connecting piece flows into the heating component, in the second working state, the second outlet is connected to one end of the heat exchange component, so that the cooling liquid in the connecting piece flows into the heat exchange component, in the third working state, the heating component is respectively connected to the first outlet and one end of the heat exchange component, so that the cooling liquid in the connecting piece flows into the heating component for heating and flows into the heat exchange component through the heating component, and the second outlet is connected to one end of the heat exchange component, so as to flow into the heat exchange component through the heat exchange component in the connecting piece.

5. The fuel cell starting system according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a connecting pipe, in the first working state, the connecting pipe is connected to one end of the heating component and the heat exchange component respectively, so that the coolant heated by the heating component flows into the heat exchange component through the connecting pipe, In the second working state, the connecting pipe is connected to the second outlet and one end of the heat exchange component respectively, so that the coolant flowing out through the connecting piece flows into the heat exchange component. In the third working state, one end of the connecting tube is connected to the second outlet and the heating component respectively, so that the coolant flowing out of the second outlet and the heating component flows into the connecting tube, and the other end of the connecting tube is connected to one end of the heat exchange component, so that the coolant flowing out through the connecting tube flows into the heat exchange component.

6. The fuel cell starting system according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a conveying component. In the first working state and the third working state, both ends of the conveying component are connected to the heating component and the connecting pipe respectively, and the conveying component is used to convey the coolant heated by the heating component to the connecting pipe.

7. The fuel cell starting system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A back pressure valve is also included, which is in communication with the humidification assembly so that the back pressure valve adjusts the pressure in the humidification assembly.

8. The fuel cell starting system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The humidification assembly is adapted to communicate with the fuel cell stack so that the gas flowing out of the fuel cell stack flows into the humidification assembly to humidify the compressed air in the humidification assembly.

9. The fuel cell starting system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat exchange component includes a first channel and a second channel for heat exchange. In the first working state, the first channel is connected to the heating component so that the coolant flowing out of the heating component flows into the first channel. In the second working state, the first channel is connected to the first control component so that the coolant flowing out of the first control component flows into the first channel. In the first working state and the second working state, the second passage is suitable for passing compressed air, so that the coolant in the first passage heats the compressed air through the second passage.

10. The fuel cell starting system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first channel is in communication with the fuel cell stack so that the coolant after heat exchange through the heat exchange component flows into the fuel cell stack.

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