Control system and method for improving pressure fluctuation of electrochemical hydrogen pump

Abstract

The invention relates to a control system for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump. The control system comprises water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment, a first direct-current power supply, a first proportional valve, the electrochemical hydrogen pump, a second direct-current power supply, a second proportional valve, a first pressure sensor, a solid hydrogen storage device, a cooling-water machine and a first three-way valve. The water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment, the first proportional valve, the electrochemical hydrogen pump, the second proportional valve, the first pressure sensor and the solid hydrogen storage device are connected in sequence; the first direct-current power supply is connected with the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment; the second direct-current power supply is connected with the electrochemical hydrogen pump; the first three-way valve is respectively connected with the cooling-water machine, the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment and the solid hydrogen storage device. The invention further provides a control method for improving the pressure fluctuation of the electrochemical hydrogen pump. The electrochemical hydrogen pump inlet and outlet pressure can be stabilized, the pressure fluctuation when the electrochemical hydrogen pump works is improved, and the possibility is provided for commercialization of the electrochemical hydrogen pump.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a control system and method for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump. Background Art

[0002] Fuel cells are power generation devices that convert chemical energy in fuel directly into electrical energy through electrochemical reactions. With the continuous development of the hydrogen energy industry, the process of hydrogen purification has received continuous attention. Using an electrochemical hydrogen pump to purify hydrogen is a low-cost method. At present, when the electrochemical hydrogen pump is in operation, it is easily affected by the outlet pressure of the front-end hydrogen supply equipment, the inlet pressure of the back-end hydrogen equipment, and its own load current, resulting in excessive fluctuations in the outlet pressure of the electrochemical hydrogen pump, which seriously limits the use of the electrochemical hydrogen pump, making it difficult to commercialize the electrochemical hydrogen pump and making it difficult to apply the electrochemical hydrogen pump. Summary of the invention

[0003] Based on this, the embodiment of the present invention provides a control system and method for improving the pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump, aiming to solve the technical problems of electrochemical hydrogen pumps on the market, such as excessive pressure fluctuations and difficulty in stable operation during operation. Through this application, it can be used for purification and pressurization of hydrogen after production and for charging hydrogen storage devices.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, on the one hand, an embodiment of the present invention proposes the following technical scheme: a control system for improving the pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump, comprising a water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment, a first DC power supply, a first proportional valve, an electrochemical hydrogen pump, a second DC power supply, a second proportional valve, a first pressure sensor, a solid-state hydrogen storage device, a chiller and a first three-way valve; the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment, the first proportional valve, the electrochemical hydrogen pump, the second proportional valve, the first pressure sensor and the solid-state hydrogen storage device are connected in sequence; the first DC power supply is connected to the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment; the second DC power supply is connected to the electrochemical hydrogen pump; the first three-way valve is respectively connected to the chiller, the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment and the solid-state hydrogen storage device.

[0005] As a preferred embodiment, the control system for improving pressure fluctuation of the electrochemical hydrogen pump further includes a second three-way valve, and the second three-way valve is respectively connected to the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment, the chiller, and the solid-state hydrogen storage device.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment, a gas drying device is provided between the second proportional valve and the first pressure sensor, and the gas drying device is connected to the second proportional valve and the first pressure sensor respectively.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment, a second pressure sensor is provided between the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment and the first proportional valve, and the second pressure sensor is connected to the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment and the first proportional valve respectively.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, a third pressure sensor is provided between the first proportional valve and the electrochemical hydrogen pump, and the third pressure sensor is connected to the electrochemical hydrogen pump and the first proportional valve respectively.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, a fourth pressure sensor is provided between the second proportional valve and the electrochemical hydrogen pump, and the fourth pressure sensor is connected to the electrochemical hydrogen pump and the second proportional valve respectively.

[0010] As a preferred implementation, the load current of the first DC power supply is I1, the load current of the second DC power supply is I2, I1=ε×I2, and ε is a current conversion coefficient.

[0011] As a preferred implementation, when I1=ε×I2, the first proportional valve and the second proportional valve implement closed-loop control.

[0012] On the other hand, the present application also provides a control method for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump, and the control method is implemented by the control system for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, the control method for improving the pressure fluctuation of the electrochemical hydrogen pump comprises the following steps:

[0014] S01, start the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment and the chiller, and adjust the opening of the first three-way valve (to distribute the flow of the tributary);

[0015] S02, starting the first DC power supply to make it pull the current to the rated current; when the second pressure sensor reaches the set value, opening the first proportional valve;

[0016] S03, controlling the opening of the first proportional valve in a closed loop, and adjusting the opening of the first proportional valve until the third pressure sensor reaches a set value;

[0017] S04, start the second DC power supply and load current, and the outlet of the electrochemical hydrogen pump produces hydrogen; when the fourth pressure sensor reaches the set value, open the second proportional valve and perform closed-loop control until the first pressure sensor reaches the set value;

[0018] S05. Continuously charge the solid-state hydrogen storage device with hydrogen, and dynamically adjust the pressure and load current of each pressure sensor until the solid-state hydrogen storage device is filled with hydrogen.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the embodiments of the present application have the following technical effects: the present application sets a first proportional valve at the inlet of the electrochemical hydrogen pump and sets a second proportional valve at the outlet of the electrochemical hydrogen pump. Through the dual closed-loop control of the first proportional valve and the second proportional valve, the inlet and outlet pressures of the electrochemical hydrogen pump can be effectively stabilized, thereby effectively improving the pressure fluctuations during the operation of the electrochemical hydrogen pump, and providing the possibility for the commercialization of the electrochemical hydrogen pump. By changing the pressure at the inlet of the solid-state hydrogen storage device and dynamically adjusting the load current of the electrochemical hydrogen pump and the electrolytic water hydrogen production equipment, the hydrogen production and hydrogen charging amount are dynamically balanced, effectively improving the stability of the entire system. Temperature control is performed when charging solid-state hydrogen storage with hydrogen through a chiller, saving material costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a control system for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 To adopt Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the working process of the control method for improving the control system of the pressure fluctuation of the electrochemical hydrogen pump.

[0023] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, top, bottom...), the directional indications are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0026] In this application, 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 connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; 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 this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0027] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time.

[0028] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present invention, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or suggesting their 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 addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but they must be based on the ability of ordinary technicians in the field to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0029] Specifically, on the one hand, Figure 1 As shown, the embodiment of the present invention proposes the following technical solution: a control system for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump, comprising a water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment 10, a first DC power supply 20, a first proportional valve 30, an electrochemical hydrogen pump 40, a second DC power supply 50, a second proportional valve 60, a first pressure sensor 70, a solid-state hydrogen storage device 80, a chiller 90 and a first three-way valve 100; the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment 10, the first proportional valve 30, the electrochemical hydrogen pump 40, the second proportional valve 60, the first pressure sensor 70 and the solid-state hydrogen storage device 80 are connected in sequence; the first DC power supply 20 is connected to the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment 10; the second DC power supply 50 is connected to the electrochemical hydrogen pump 40; the first three-way valve 100 is respectively connected to the chiller 90, the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment 10, and the solid-state hydrogen storage device 80.

[0030] In the embodiment of the present application, the inlet of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 40 is connected to the first proportional valve 30, and the outlet of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 40 is connected to the second proportional valve 60. In this way, through the dual closed-loop control of the first proportional valve 30 and the second proportional valve 60, the inlet and outlet pressures of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 40 can be effectively stabilized, thereby effectively improving the pressure fluctuation of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 40 during operation, providing the possibility for the commercialization of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 40.

[0031] By setting a first pressure sensor at the inlet of the solid-state hydrogen storage device and connecting the first pressure sensor to the second proportional valve, the pressure at the inlet of the solid-state hydrogen storage device can be adjusted; at the same time, the load current of the electrochemical hydrogen pump and the electrolytic water hydrogen production equipment is dynamically adjusted so that the hydrogen production and hydrogen charging amount are dynamically balanced, effectively improving the stability of the entire system. The temperature is controlled when the solid-state hydrogen storage is charged through a chiller, saving material costs.

[0032] As a preferred embodiment, the control system for improving pressure fluctuation of the electrochemical hydrogen pump further includes a second three-way valve 110, which is respectively connected to the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment 10, the water chiller 90, and the solid-state hydrogen storage device 80. The second three-way valve can be used for the circulation water confluence of the solid-state hydrogen storage water circulation circuit, effectively improving the water circulation efficiency, saving costs, and improving energy utilization.

[0033] As a preferred embodiment, a gas drying device 120 is provided between the second proportional valve 60 and the first pressure sensor 70, and the gas drying device 120 is respectively connected to the second proportional valve 60 and the first pressure sensor 70. The gas drying device 120 is used to dry the gas at the outlet of the electrochemical hydrogen pump.

[0034] As a preferred embodiment, a second pressure sensor 130 is provided between the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment 10 and the first proportional valve 30 , and the second pressure sensor 130 is connected to the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment 10 and the first proportional valve 30 , respectively.

[0035] As a preferred embodiment, a third pressure sensor 140 is provided between the first proportional valve 30 and the electrochemical hydrogen pump 40 , and the third pressure sensor 140 is connected to the electrochemical hydrogen pump 40 and the first proportional valve 30 , respectively.

[0036] As a preferred embodiment, a fourth pressure sensor 150 is provided between the second proportional valve 60 and the electrochemical hydrogen pump 40 , and the fourth pressure sensor 150 is connected to the electrochemical hydrogen pump 40 and the second proportional valve 60 , respectively.

[0037] As a preferred embodiment, the load current of the first DC power supply 20 is I1, and the load current of the second DC power supply 50 is I2, I1=ε×I2, and ε is a current conversion coefficient.

[0038] As a preferred embodiment, when I1=ε×I2, the first proportional valve 30 and the second proportional valve 60 perform closed-loop control.

[0039] The working process of the control system for improving the pressure fluctuation of the electrochemical hydrogen pump is specifically described as follows:

[0040] First, the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment (i.e., PEM hydrogen production device) 10 and the chiller 90 are started, the water pump inside the PEM hydrogen production device rotates, the pure water in the water tank is pressurized by the water pump, and flows through the deionizer and the heat exchanger to the PEM electrolyzer; the chiller 90 is started, a part of the cold water flows to the heat exchanger inside the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment 10, thereby controlling the PEM electrolyzer to operate at the rated temperature; the other part of the cold water flows to the heat exchanger inside the solid-state hydrogen storage device 80, thereby controlling the solid-state hydrogen storage device 80 to operate at the rated hydrogen filling temperature, and the flow distribution on both sides is controlled by controlling the opening of the first three-way valve 100.

[0041] After the water flow in the water pipe of the PEM electrolyzer stabilizes, the first DC power supply 20 starts to draw the current I1, and the first DC power supply 20 adopts a step-by-step current drawing method to the rated current of the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment 10; at this time, the PEM electrolyzer begins to stably produce hydrogen, and as time goes by, the pressure inside the pipeline monitored by the second pressure sensor 130 will continue to increase. After reaching the target pressure P2, the first proportional valve 30 is opened, and the first proportional valve 30 adopts closed-loop control; by monitoring the pressure of the third pressure sensor 140, the opening of the first proportional valve 30 is continuously adjusted, and finally a dynamic balance is reached, and the pressure of the third pressure sensor 140 reaches the target set pressure P3.

[0042] After the pressure P3 is reached, the electrochemical hydrogen pump 40 starts to work, the second DC power supply 50 starts to draw the current I2, and hydrogen starts to be generated at the outlet of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 40. As time goes by, the pressure inside the pipeline monitored by the fourth pressure sensor 150 will continue to increase. After reaching the target pressure P4, the second proportional valve 60 opens. The second proportional valve 60 adopts closed-loop control and continuously adjusts the opening of the second proportional valve 60 by monitoring the pressure of the first pressure sensor 70. The final pressure reaches the solid-state hydrogen storage inlet set pressure P1, and then continues to charge the solid-state hydrogen storage device 80 with hydrogen.

[0043] As the internal SOC of the solid-state hydrogen storage device 80 gradually increases, the target pressure P1 set for the inlet pressure will continue to change. According to the target setting pressure of P1, the positive or negative adjustment will be made along with the reference pressure, and the amount of hydrogen produced by the electrochemical hydrogen pump 40 will also increase or decrease. At this time, the electrochemical hydrogen pump load current I2 is dynamically adjusted, and the PEM electrolyzer load current I1 is adjusted at the same time; I1=ε×I2; ε is the current conversion coefficient; after the two current adjustments are completed, the first proportional valve 30 and the second proportional valve 60 perform closed-loop control to adjust the inlet pressure of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 40 and the inlet pressure of the solid-state hydrogen storage device 80 to the new target pressures respectively; in the process of the SOC of the solid-state hydrogen storage device 80 continuously increasing, the above-mentioned target pressure adjustment, target current adjustment and proportional valve opening adjustment are repeated, and finally, the electrochemical hydrogen pump purification, pressurization and filling of the solid-state hydrogen storage device with hydrogen are completed under a continuous dynamic equilibrium state.

[0044] On the other hand, the present application also provides a control method for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump, and the control method is implemented by the control system for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump.

[0045] As a preferred embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, the control method for improving the pressure fluctuation of the electrochemical hydrogen pump includes the following steps:

[0046] S01, start the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment and the chiller, and adjust the opening of the first three-way valve (to distribute the flow of the tributary);

[0047] S02, starting the first DC power supply to make it pull the current to the rated current; when the second pressure sensor reaches the set value, opening the first proportional valve;

[0048] S03, controlling the opening of the first proportional valve in a closed loop, and adjusting the opening of the first proportional valve until the third pressure sensor reaches a set value;

[0049] S04, start the second DC power supply and load current, and the outlet of the electrochemical hydrogen pump produces hydrogen; when the fourth pressure sensor reaches the set value, open the second proportional valve and perform closed-loop control until the first pressure sensor reaches the set value;

[0050] S05. Continuously charge the solid-state hydrogen storage device with hydrogen, and dynamically adjust the pressure and load current of each pressure sensor until the solid-state hydrogen storage device is filled with hydrogen.

[0051] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "an embodiment", "example", etc. means 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 representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

[0052] In addition, it should be understood that although this specification is described according to implementation methods, not every implementation method contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment may also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0053] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural changes made by using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or directly / indirectly applied in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control system for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump, characterized in that: It includes water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment, a first DC power supply, a first proportional valve, an electrochemical hydrogen pump, a second DC power supply, a second proportional valve, a first pressure sensor, a solid-state hydrogen storage device, a chiller and a first three-way valve; the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment, the first proportional valve, the electrochemical hydrogen pump, the second proportional valve, the first pressure sensor and the solid-state hydrogen storage device are connected in sequence; the first DC power supply is connected to the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment; the second DC power supply is connected to the electrochemical hydrogen pump; the first three-way valve is respectively connected to the chiller, the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment and the solid-state hydrogen storage device.

2. The control system for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control system for improving pressure fluctuation of the electrochemical hydrogen pump also includes a second three-way valve, which is connected to the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment, the chiller, and the solid-state hydrogen storage device respectively.

3. The control system for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: A gas drying device is provided between the second proportional valve and the first pressure sensor, and the gas drying device is connected to the second proportional valve and the first pressure sensor respectively.

4. The control system for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second pressure sensor is provided between the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment and the first proportional valve, and the second pressure sensor is connected to the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment and the first proportional valve respectively.

5. The control system for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: A third pressure sensor is provided between the first proportional valve and the electrochemical hydrogen pump, and the third pressure sensor is connected to the electrochemical hydrogen pump and the first proportional valve respectively.

6. The control system for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: A fourth pressure sensor is provided between the second proportional valve and the electrochemical hydrogen pump, and the fourth pressure sensor is connected to the electrochemical hydrogen pump and the second proportional valve respectively.

7. The control system for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The load current of the first DC power supply is I1, and the load current of the second DC power supply is I2, I1=ε×I2, where ε is a current conversion coefficient.

8. The control system for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump according to claim 7, characterized in that: When I1=ε×I2, the first proportional valve and the second proportional valve implement closed-loop control.

9. A control method for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump, characterized in that: The control method is realized by the control system for improving the pressure fluctuation of the electrochemical hydrogen pump.

10. The control method for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump according to claim 9, characterized in that: The control method for improving pressure fluctuation of an electrochemical hydrogen pump comprises the following steps: S01, start the water electrolysis hydrogen production equipment and the chiller, and adjust the opening of the first three-way valve; S02, starting the first DC power supply to make it pull the current to the rated current; when the second pressure sensor reaches the set value, opening the first proportional valve; S03, controlling the opening of the first proportional valve in a closed loop, and adjusting the opening of the first proportional valve until the third pressure sensor reaches a set value; S04, start the second DC power supply and pull the current, and the outlet of the electrochemical hydrogen pump produces hydrogen; when the fourth pressure sensor reaches the set value, open the second proportional valve and perform closed-loop control until the first pressure sensor reaches the set value; S05. Continuously charge the solid-state hydrogen storage device with hydrogen, and dynamically adjust the pressure and load current of each pressure sensor until the solid-state hydrogen storage device is filled with hydrogen.

Images