Self-humidifying fuel cell system

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of new energy equipment, and discloses a self-humidifying fuel cell system which comprises a galvanic pile, an air source and a hydrogen source, the air source and the hydrogen source are connected with the galvanic pile, a water temperature sensor is arranged at an inlet of the galvanic pile, an intercooler is connected between the galvanic pile and the air source, and a first temperature, humidity and pressure sensor is arranged between the intercooler and the galvanic pile. A flow meter is arranged between the air source and the air compressor, a humidifying assembly is connected between the air compressor and the intercooler, the humidifying assembly is electrically connected with a controller, the controller is electrically connected with the water temperature sensor, the first temperature, humidity and pressure sensor and the flow meter, and the cathode outlet end of the galvanic pile is connected with a cathode water segregator used for water vapor separation. One output end of the cathode water segregator is connected with a water storage tank, and the anode outlet end of the electric pile is connected with an anode water segregator for steam-water separation; water produced by the system is fully utilized to achieve the effects of circulating humidification and cooling, the situation that the humidity requirement of the system is met at the cost of sacrificing power is avoided, and the humidity is controllable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of new energy equipment, and specifically to a self-humidifying fuel cell system. Background Art

[0002] Currently, existing fuel cell systems basically use humidifiers to humidify the dry air entering the fuel cell stack, increasing the air humidity to meet the fuel cell stack operating conditions. As the system power increases, the size of the humidifier also increases, making system integration and layout difficult, providing reduced power density, and relatively high costs.

[0003] Although the self-humidification system does not have a humidifier, it will sacrifice performance to meet humidity requirements, resulting in poor vehicle dynamics.

[0004] Application Contents

[0005] The purpose of the present application is to provide a self-humidifying fuel cell system that fully utilizes the water generated by the system to achieve the effects of cyclic humidification and cooling, avoids satisfying the humidity requirements of the system at the expense of power, and has controllable humidity.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A self-humidifying fuel cell system of the present invention comprises a fuel cell stack and an air source and a hydrogen source connected to the fuel cell stack, a water temperature sensor is arranged at the inlet of the fuel cell stack, an intercooler is connected between the fuel cell stack and the air source, a first temperature, humidity and pressure sensor is arranged between the intercooler and the fuel cell stack, an input end of the intercooler is connected to the air source through an air compressor, a flow meter is arranged between the air source and the air compressor, a humidification component is connected between the air compressor and the intercooler, the humidification component is electrically connected to a controller, the controller is electrically connected to the water temperature sensor, the first temperature, humidity and pressure sensor and the flow meter respectively, a cathode outlet end of the fuel cell stack is connected to a cathode water separator for water vapor separation, one output end of the cathode water separator is connected to a water storage tank, the water storage tank is connected to the input end of the humidification component, an anode outlet end of the fuel cell stack is connected to an anode water separator for steam-water separation, one output end of the anode water separator is connected to the output end of the hydrogen source, and the other output end of the anode water separator is connected to the water storage tank.

[0008] Furthermore, the humidification component includes a high-pressure pump connected to the water storage tank, the output end of the high-pressure pump is connected to an injector, the output end of the injector is connected to the input end of the intercooler, and the injector is electrically connected to the controller.

[0009] Furthermore, a first drain valve is connected between the anode water separator and the water storage tank.

[0010] Furthermore, a second drain valve and a liquid level sensor for detecting the liquid level of liquid water in the tank are provided in the water storage tank, the second drain valve and the liquid level sensor are both electrically connected to the controller, and a water inlet for adding water is provided on the water storage tank.

[0011] A self-humidification control method for a self-humidification fuel cell system, comprising reading the system's intake pressure, intake temperature and humidity, and intake flow data, and calculating the actual water volume in real time;

[0012] Read the system's target humidity and the air temperature inside the stack to calculate the target water volume;

[0013] The required water volume is calculated based on the actual water volume and the target water volume;

[0014] According to the required water volume, the opening time of the humidification component is controlled and adjusted to complete the self-humidification control.

[0015] Furthermore, the method of reading the intake pressure, intake temperature and humidity, and intake flow data of the system and calculating the actual water content in real time includes: reading the intake pressure, intake temperature and humidity, and intake flow of the system, and calculating the water content entering the fuel cell stack by formula 1:

[0016] g1=18*Q / 29*0.61078*10^(7.5*T2 / (T2+237.3))*H2 / (P2*100-0.61078*10^(7.

[0017] 5*T2 / (T2+237.3))*H2) Formula 1;

[0018] Among them, g1 is the water content entering the fuel cell stack, that is, the actual water content, T2 is the air temperature entering the fuel cell stack, H2 is the air humidity entering the fuel cell stack, P2 is the air pressure entering the fuel cell stack, and Q is the intake flow rate.

[0019] Further, the target humidity of the system and the air temperature inside the stack are read to calculate the target water volume, including: According to the target humidity and the air input humidity, the target water volume is calculated by formula 2: g2 = 18*Q / 29*0.61078*10^(7.5*T3 / (T3+237.3))*H / (P2*100-0.61078*10^(7.5*T3

[0020] / (T3+237.3))*H)Formula 2;

[0021] Among them, H is the target humidity, T3 is the air temperature inside the fuel cell stack, and g2 is the target water volume.

[0022] Further, the method for controlling and adjusting the opening time of the humidification component according to the required water volume includes: reading the inlet and outlet pressure difference of the sprinkler of the humidification component;

[0023] According to the inlet and outlet pressure difference of the sprinkler of the humidifying component, the required water volume and the kv value of the sprinkler of the humidifying component, the opening time of the sprinkler of the humidifying component is calculated by formula 3:

[0024] t=dg*(ρ / 1000 / dp)^0.5 / Kv Formula 3;

[0025] Among them, t is the opening time of the sprinkler of the humidification component; dg is the required water volume; dp is the pressure difference before and after the adjustment of the sprinkler of the humidification component; Kv is the kv value of the sprinkler of the humidification component; ρ is the density of water.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are:

[0027] In actual applications, the air source is pressurized by the air compressor and then transmitted to the intercooler. Under the control of the controller, the humidification component injects the liquid water in the water storage tank into the intercooler, and then transmits it to the fuel cell stack after cooling by the intercooler. In this process, the controller collects the air flow data entering the fuel cell stack through the flow meter, and then collects the temperature, humidity and pressure data of the air entering the fuel cell stack through the first temperature, humidity and pressure sensor. The controller controls and adjusts the humidification component based on the data collected by the flow meter and the first temperature, humidity and pressure sensor and the internal air temperature data of the fuel cell stack collected by the water temperature sensor, so that the humidity is controllable; after the hydrogen from the hydrogen source enters the fuel cell stack, it enters the anode water separator from the anode outlet of the fuel cell stack, and the anode water separator separates the anode After the gas discharged from the outlet is separated from the steam and water, it is recycled to the inlet of the fuel cell stack through one output end, and the separated liquid water is discharged into the water storage tank through another output end; the high-temperature and high-humidity gas discharged from the cathode outlet of the fuel cell stack is separated from the water vapor by the cathode water separator, and the gas is discharged to the tail discharge through one output end, and the liquid water is discharged into the water storage tank through another output end; the water generated by the system itself is fully utilized to achieve the effect of cyclic humidification and cooling, avoiding sacrificing power to meet the humidity requirements of the system, and the humidity is controllable; the present application fully utilizes the water generated by the system itself to achieve the effect of cyclic humidification and cooling, avoiding sacrificing power to meet the humidity requirements of the system, and the humidity is controllable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the implementation methods of the present application, the drawings required for use in the implementation methods will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present application and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0029] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the electrical connection structure of the present application;

[0030] Figure 2 It is a flow chart of the method of this application.

[0031] Figure numerals: controller 1; air source 2; air compressor 3; intercooler 4; fuel cell stack 5; cathode water separator 6; hydrogen source 7; anode water separator 8; first drain valve 9; injector 10; water storage tank 11; second drain valve 12; high-pressure pump 13; liquid level sensor 14; water inlet 15; water temperature sensor 16; flow meter 17; first temperature, humidity and pressure sensor 18. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following describes the embodiments of the present invention by specific examples, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0033] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic illustrations of the basic concept of the present invention, and thus the drawings only show the layers related to the present invention rather than being drawn according to the number, shape and size of the layers in actual implementation. In actual implementation, the type, quantity and proportion of each layer may be changed arbitrarily, and the layer layout may also be more complicated.

[0034] In the following description, numerous details are discussed to provide a more thorough explanation of embodiments of the present invention; however, it is apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[0035] See also Figure 1A self-humidifying fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell stack 5 and an air source 2 and a hydrogen source 7 connected to the fuel cell stack 5, a water temperature sensor 16 is provided at the inlet of the fuel cell stack 5, an intercooler 4 is connected between the fuel cell stack 5 and the air source 2, a first temperature, humidity and pressure sensor 18 is provided between the intercooler 4 and the fuel cell stack 5, an input end of the intercooler 4 is connected to the air source 2 through an air compressor 3, a flow meter 17 is provided between the air source 2 and the air compressor 3, a humidification component is connected between the air compressor 3 and the intercooler 4, the humidification component is electrically connected to a controller 1, the The controller 1 is electrically connected to the water temperature sensor 16, the first temperature, humidity and pressure sensor 18 and the flow meter 17 respectively; the cathode outlet end of the fuel cell 5 is connected to a cathode water separator 6 for water vapor separation; one output end of the cathode water separator 6 is connected to a water storage tank 11; the water storage tank 11 is connected to the input end of the humidification component; the anode outlet end of the fuel cell 5 is connected to an anode water separator 8 for steam-water separation; one output end of the anode water separator 8 is connected to the output end of the hydrogen source 7; the other output end of the anode water separator 8 is connected to the water storage tank 11.

[0036] In actual application, the air source 2 is pressurized by the air compressor 3 and then transmitted to the intercooler 4. Under the control of the controller 1, the humidification component injects the liquid water in the water storage tank 11 into the intercooler 4, and then transmits it to the fuel cell stack 5 after cooling by the intercooler 4. In this process, the controller 1 collects the air flow data entering the fuel cell stack 5 through the flow meter 17, and then collects the temperature, humidity and pressure data of the air entering the fuel cell stack 5 through the first temperature, humidity and pressure sensor 18. The controller 1 controls and adjusts the humidification component based on the data collected by the flow meter 17 and the first temperature, humidity and pressure sensor 18 and the internal air temperature data of the fuel cell stack 5 collected by the water temperature sensor 16, so that the humidity is controllable; after the hydrogen from the hydrogen source 7 enters the fuel cell stack 5, it enters the anode water separator from the anode outlet of the fuel cell stack 5 8. The anode water separator 8 separates the steam and water in the gas discharged from the anode outlet, and recirculates it to the inlet of the fuel cell stack 5 through one output end, and discharges the separated liquid water into the water storage tank 11 through another output end; the high-temperature and high-humidity gas discharged from the cathode outlet of the fuel cell stack 5 passes through the cathode water separator 6 for water vapor separation, and the gas is discharged to the tail discharge through one output end, and the liquid water is discharged into the water storage tank 11 through another output end; the water generated by the system itself is fully utilized to achieve the effect of circulating humidification and cooling, avoiding sacrificing power to meet the humidity requirements of the system, and the humidity is controllable; the present application fully utilizes the water generated by the system itself to achieve the effect of circulating humidification and cooling, avoiding sacrificing power to meet the humidity requirements of the system, and the humidity is controllable.

[0037] See also Figure 1The humidification component includes a high-pressure pump 13 connected to the water storage tank 11, the output end of the high-pressure pump 13 is connected to an injector 10, the output end of the injector 10 is connected to the input end of the intercooler 4, and the injector 10 is electrically connected to the controller 1.

[0038] In this embodiment, the liquid water in the water tank 11 is pressurized by the high-pressure pump 13 and then injected into the front end of the inlet of the intercooler 4 through the injector 10. The controller 1 controls the different opening frequencies of the injector 10 according to the humidity requirements and actual humidity conditions under different system currents to make the system humidity reach the optimal state. The water mist sprayed by the injector 10 can further reduce the temperature of the pressurized air through gasification and heat absorption, thereby reducing the heat dissipation load of the intercooler 4, reducing the power consumption of accessories, and improving the system efficiency.

[0039] See also Figure 1 A first drain valve 9 is connected between the anode water separator 8 and the water storage tank 11 .

[0040] In this embodiment, the anode water separator discharges the separated liquid water into the water storage tank 11 regularly through the first drain valve 9 .

[0041] See also Figure 1 The water storage tank 11 is provided with a second drain valve 12 and a liquid level sensor 14 for detecting the liquid level of the liquid water in the tank. The second drain valve 12 and the liquid level sensor 14 are both electrically connected to the controller 1. The water storage tank 11 is provided with a water inlet 15 for adding water.

[0042] In this embodiment, the height of the liquid level in the water tank 11 is detected by the liquid level sensor 14 in the water tank. When the liquid level is too high, the controller 1 controls the opening of the second drain valve 12 to lower the liquid level to a safe position; when the liquid level is too low, the controller 1 issues a warning to remind the driver to add water to the water tank 11 through the water inlet 15; the water tank 11 can store the liquid water generated by the system and achieve fixed-point discharge to prevent the vehicle from draining water onto the road at any time and anywhere during the operation of the system, thereby avoiding the risk of ice and slipping on the road caused by drainage in winter.

[0043] See also Figure 2 , a self-humidification control method for a self-humidification fuel cell system, comprising reading the system's intake pressure, intake temperature and humidity, and intake flow data, and calculating the actual water volume in real time;

[0044] Read the system's target humidity and the air temperature inside the stack to calculate the target water volume;

[0045] The required water volume is calculated based on the actual water volume and the target water volume;

[0046] According to the required water volume, the opening time of the humidification component is controlled and adjusted to complete the self-humidification control.

[0047] During this process, the controller 1 collects the temperature, humidity and pressure data of the air entering the fuel cell stack 5 through the first temperature, humidity and pressure sensor 18 to obtain the intake pressure, intake temperature and humidity, collects the intake flow data entering the fuel cell stack 5 through the flow meter 17, and obtains the internal air temperature data of the fuel cell stack 5 through the water temperature sensor 16, and calculates the actual amount of water entering the fuel cell stack 5 in real time; reads the output current of the system to obtain the corresponding target humidity of the system, and calculates the target water volume based on the target humidity and the internal air temperature; the target water volume is subtracted from the actual water volume to obtain the required water volume; the controller controls and adjusts the opening time of the humidification component according to the required water volume to complete self-humidification control; the present application can control and adjust the battery humidity according to the humidity requirements under different currents and the actual humidity conditions.

[0048] The method of reading the intake pressure, intake temperature and humidity, and intake flow data of the system and calculating the actual water content in real time includes: reading the intake pressure, intake temperature and humidity, and intake flow data of the system, and calculating the water content entering the fuel cell stack by formula 1:

[0049] g1=18*Q / 29*0.61078*10^(7.5*T2 / (T2+237.3))*H2 / (P2*100-0.61078*10^(7.

[0050] 5*T2 / (T2+237.3))*H2) Formula 1;

[0051] Among them, g1 is the water content entering the fuel cell stack, that is, the actual water content, T2 is the air temperature entering the fuel cell stack, H2 is the air humidity entering the fuel cell stack, P2 is the air pressure entering the fuel cell stack, and Q is the intake air flow rate;

[0052] Read the target humidity of the system and the air temperature inside the stack, and calculate the target water volume, including: According to the target humidity and the air input humidity, the target water volume is calculated by formula 2: g2 = 18*Q / 29*0.61078*10^(7.5*T3 / (T3+237.3))*H / (P2*100-0.61078*10^(7.5*T3 / (T3+237.3))*H) Formula 2;

[0053] Among them, H is the target humidity, T3 is the air temperature inside the fuel cell stack, and g2 is the target water volume.

[0054] In this embodiment, the output current of the fuel cell system is different, and the humidity required by the fuel cell system is different, that is, the output current of the fuel cell system corresponds to the target humidity. This application obtains the target water volume according to the humidity requirements under different currents and the actual humidity conditions; the required water volume is obtained by subtracting the target water volume from the actual water volume; and the self-humidification component is controlled according to the required water volume to achieve a controllable humidity effect.

[0055] The method for controlling and adjusting the opening time of the humidification component according to the required water volume includes: reading the inlet and outlet pressure difference of the sprinkler of the humidification component;

[0056] According to the inlet and outlet pressure difference of the sprinkler of the humidifying component, the required water volume and the kv value of the sprinkler of the humidifying component, the opening time of the sprinkler of the humidifying component is calculated by formula 3:

[0057] t=dg*(ρ / 1000 / dp)^0.5 / Kv Formula 3;

[0058] Among them, t is the opening time of the sprinkler of the humidification component; dg is the required water volume; dp is the pressure difference before and after the adjustment of the sprinkler of the humidification component; Kv is the kv value of the sprinkler of the humidification component; ρ is the density of water.

[0059] In this embodiment, the opening time of the sprinkler of the humidification component is controlled and adjusted according to the required water volume to achieve humidity regulation control.

[0060] In the above-mentioned embodiments, although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments of the present invention, many replacements, modifications and variations of these embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art based on the foregoing description. The embodiments of the present invention are intended to cover all such replacements, modifications and variations falling within the broad scope of the appended claims.

[0061] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone familiar with the art may modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed by the present invention shall still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-humidifying fuel cell system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a fuel cell stack (5) and an air source (2) and a hydrogen source (7) connected to the fuel cell stack (5); a water temperature sensor (16) is arranged at the inlet of the fuel cell stack (5); an intercooler (4) is connected between the fuel cell stack (5) and the air source (2); a first temperature, humidity and pressure sensor (18) is arranged between the intercooler (4) and the fuel cell stack (5); an input end of the intercooler (4) is connected to the air source (2) via an air compressor (3); a flow meter (17) is arranged between the air source (2) and the air compressor (3); a humidification component is connected between the air compressor (3) and the intercooler (4); the humidification component is electrically connected to a controller (1); The controller (1) is electrically connected to the water temperature sensor (16), the first temperature, humidity and pressure sensor (18) and the flow meter (17) respectively; the cathode outlet end of the battery stack (5) is connected to a cathode water separator (6) for water vapor separation; one output end of the cathode water separator (6) is connected to a water storage tank (11); the water storage tank (11) is connected to the input end of the humidification component; the anode outlet end of the battery stack (5) is connected to an anode water separator (8) for steam-water separation; one output end of the anode water separator (8) is connected to the output end of the hydrogen source (7); and the other output end of the anode water separator (8) is connected to the water storage tank (11).

2. A self-humidifying fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The humidification component comprises a high-pressure pump (13) connected to the water storage tank (11), the output end of the high-pressure pump (13) is connected to an injector (10), the output end of the injector (10) is connected to the input end of the intercooler (4), and the injector (10) is electrically connected to the controller (1).

3. A self-humidifying fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first drain valve (9) is connected between the anode water distributor (8) and the water storage tank (11).

4. A self-humidifying fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water storage tank (11) is provided with a second drain valve (12) and a liquid level sensor (14) for detecting the liquid level of liquid water in the tank; the second drain valve (12) and the liquid level sensor (14) are both electrically connected to the controller (1); and the water storage tank (11) is provided with a water injection port (15) for adding water.

5. A self-humidification control method for a self-humidification fuel cell system, characterized in that: Including reading the system's intake pressure, intake temperature and humidity, and intake flow data, and calculating the actual water volume in real time; Read the system's target humidity and the air temperature inside the stack to calculate the target water volume; The required water volume is calculated based on the actual water volume and the target water volume; According to the required water volume, the opening time of the humidification component is controlled and adjusted to complete the self-humidification control.

6. The self-humidification control method of a self-humidification fuel cell system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The method of reading the intake pressure, intake temperature and humidity, and intake flow data of the system and calculating the actual water content in real time includes: reading the intake pressure, intake temperature and humidity, and intake flow data of the system, and calculating the water content entering the fuel cell stack by formula 1: g1=18*Q / 29*0.61078*10^(7.5*T2 / (T2+237.3))*H2 / (P2*100-0.61078*10^(7. 5*T2 / (T2+237.3))*H2) Formula 1; Among them, g1 is the water content entering the fuel cell stack, that is, the actual water content, T2 is the air temperature entering the fuel cell stack, H2 is the air humidity entering the fuel cell stack, P2 is the air pressure entering the fuel cell stack, and Q is the intake air flow rate.

7. The self-humidification control method of a self-humidification fuel cell system according to claim 6, characterized in that: Read the target humidity of the system and the air temperature inside the stack, and calculate the target water volume including: According to the target humidity and the air humidity, the target water volume is calculated by formula 2: g2 = 18*Q / 29*0.61078*10^(7.5*T3 / (T3+237.3))*H / (P2*100-0.61078*10^(7.5*T3 / (T3+237.3))*H) Formula 2; Among them, H is the target humidity, T3 is the air temperature inside the fuel cell stack, and g2 is the target water volume.

8. The self-humidification control method of a self-humidification fuel cell system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The method for controlling and adjusting the opening time of the humidification component according to the required water volume includes: reading the inlet and outlet pressure difference of the sprinkler of the humidification component; According to the inlet and outlet pressure difference of the sprinkler of the humidifying component, the required water volume and the kv value of the sprinkler of the humidifying component, the opening time of the sprinkler of the humidifying component is calculated by formula 3: t=dg*(ρ / 1000 / dp)^0.5 / Kv Formula 3; Among them, t is the opening time of the sprinkler of the humidification component; dg is the required water volume; dp is the pressure difference before and after the adjustment of the sprinkler of the humidification component; Kv is the kv value of the sprinkler of the humidification component; ρ is the density of water.

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