Distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cell

Abstract

The invention discloses a distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cells. The distributed power generation system comprises a plurality of distributed power generation subsystems; each distributed power generation subsystem comprises a methanol fuel cell module, a working parameter control module, a waste heat recovery management module, a cell cooling module and an energy storage management module; the methanol fuel cell module is electrically connected with the working parameter control module and the energy storage management module, and the methanol fuel cell module is further connected with the waste heat recovery management module and the cell cooling module through pipelines. The methanol fuel cell module is subjected to waste heat recovery and cooling temperature control through the waste heat recovery management module and the cell cooling module, so that the temperature control reliability and the cell operation stability are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of power generation systems, and in particular to a distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cells. Background Art

[0002] As the global energy crisis and environmental problems become increasingly severe, the development and application of clean energy technology has become an important way to solve energy problems. Methanol fuel cells have become a potential candidate in the field of distributed power generation due to their advantages such as wide fuel sources, convenient storage and transportation, high energy density and clean emissions. Therefore, it is necessary to study the distributed power generation system of methanol fuel cells.

[0003] In the prior art, Chinese patent CN114069000A discloses a hydrogen energy distributed power generation system and operation method, the system includes: an external liquid storage tank module, a hydrogen energy distributed power source host and a power output control module connected in sequence, the hydrogen energy distributed power source host includes: an internal liquid storage tank module, which is connected to the external liquid storage tank module pipeline; a methanol reforming hydrogen production module, which is connected to the internal liquid storage tank module pipeline; a hydrogen fuel cell power generation module, which is connected to the methanol reforming hydrogen production module pipeline, hydrogen is input from the methanol reforming hydrogen production module, and the hydrogen fuel cell power generation module is connected to the power output control module line; a system control module, which is connected between the hydrogen fuel cell power generation module and the power output control module, and is communicatively connected with the methanol reforming hydrogen production module, the internal liquid storage tank module, and the external liquid storage tank module.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned prior art only realizes heat recovery through a heat exchanger, but does not study the overheating conditions that may exist during the operation of the battery. The temperature control reliability is poor and the battery operation stability is poor. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application provides a distributed power generation system based on a methanol fuel cell, which is used to solve the problems of poor temperature control reliability and poor battery operation stability in the existing methanol fuel cell power generation technology.

[0006] On the one hand, the present application provides a distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cells, including: a plurality of distributed power generation subsystems.

[0007] Each distributed power generation subsystem includes: a methanol fuel cell module, an operating parameter control module, a waste heat recovery management module, a battery cooling module and an energy storage management module.

[0008] The methanol fuel cell module is electrically connected to the working parameter control module and the energy storage management module respectively, and the methanol fuel cell module is also connected to the waste heat recovery management module and the battery cooling module by pipeline respectively.

[0009] The methanol fuel cell module is used to generate electricity using methanol aqueous solution.

[0010] The operating parameter control module is used to control the operating parameters of the methanol fuel cell module during the power generation process.

[0011] The waste heat recovery management module is used to recover and manage the waste heat generated during the power generation process of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0012] The battery cooling module is used to cool and control the temperature of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0013] The energy storage management module is used to perform energy storage management on the electric energy generated during the power generation process of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the methanol fuel cell module includes: a methanol storage tank, a water storage tank, a mixing tank, a gasification chamber, a reformer and a fuel cell stack.

[0015] The methanol storage tank and the water storage tank are both connected to the mixing tank pipeline, and the mixing tank, the gasification chamber, the reformer, and the fuel cell stack are connected in sequence by pipelines.

[0016] The methanol storage tank and the water storage tank are used to respectively introduce methanol and water into the mixing tank.

[0017] The mixing tank is used to mix methanol and water to obtain a methanol aqueous solution and pass it into the gasification chamber.

[0018] The gasification chamber is used to gasify the methanol aqueous solution to obtain methanol water vapor and pass it into the reformer.

[0019] The reformer is used to reform methanol and water vapor to obtain hydrogen and carbon dioxide and to pass the separated hydrogen into the fuel cell stack.

[0020] The fuel cell stack is used to utilize hydrogen and oxygen in the air to perform electrochemical reactions to generate electrical energy and waste heat.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the reformer and the fuel cell stack also form an integrated power generation unit structure.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the working parameter control module includes: a control unit and a sensor group.

[0023] The control unit is electrically connected to the sensor group and the methanol fuel cell module respectively, and the sensor group is arranged in the pipeline of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0024] The sensor group is used to monitor environmental parameters in the pipeline of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0025] The control unit is used to control the operating parameters of the methanol fuel cell module during the power generation process according to the environmental parameters.

[0026] The environmental parameters include: temperature, pressure, flow rate and concentration.

[0027] The working parameters include: the opening and closing degrees of each valve in the pipeline of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cells also includes: a remote management platform.

[0029] The remote management platform is in communication connection with the working parameter control module of each distributed power generation subsystem.

[0030] The working parameter control module is also used to send a warning signal to the remote management platform and start a fault handling algorithm when the environmental parameter exceeds a preset safety threshold range.

[0031] The remote management platform is used to store and update the control algorithm and fault handling algorithm of the control unit.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the waste heat recovery management module includes: a waste heat recovery unit and a waste heat management unit.

[0033] The waste heat recovery unit is connected to the methanol fuel cell module pipeline, and the waste heat management unit is electrically connected to the waste heat recovery unit.

[0034] The waste heat recovery unit is used to recover waste heat generated during the power generation process of the methanol fuel cell module, and is also used to connect to the pipeline of the heat demanding equipment.

[0035] The waste heat management unit is used to control the on-off of the pipeline between the waste heat recovery unit and the heat demanding equipment.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the battery cooling module uses closed-loop water cooling or phase change material cooling to cool and control the temperature of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the energy storage management module includes: an energy storage unit and a charge and discharge control unit.

[0038] The energy storage unit is electrically connected to the methanol fuel cell module and the charge and discharge control unit respectively.

[0039] The energy storage unit is used to store the electric energy generated during the power generation process of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0040] The charge and discharge control unit is used to adjust the charge and discharge state of the energy storage unit.

[0041] The distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cells in this application has the following advantages: The waste heat recovery and cooling temperature control of the methanol fuel cell module are carried out through the waste heat recovery management module and the battery cooling module, which improves the temperature control reliability and battery operation stability.

[0042] The proposed reformer and fuel cell stack also form an integrated power generation unit structure, which reduces gas transmission losses and improves the operating efficiency of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0043] The proposed sensor group monitors the environmental parameters in the pipeline of the methanol fuel cell module, and the control unit controls the working parameters of the methanol fuel cell module during the power generation process according to the environmental parameters, thereby improving the system control reliability and system operation stability.

[0044] The proposed working parameter control module sends a warning signal to the remote management platform and starts the fault handling algorithm when the environmental parameters exceed the preset safety threshold range. The remote management platform stores and updates the control algorithm and fault handling algorithm of the control unit, thereby improving the system operation safety and system control scalability.

[0045] The proposed waste heat management unit controls the on-off of the pipeline between the waste heat recovery unit and the heat demand equipment, thereby improving the selectivity and flexibility of waste heat utilization.

[0046] The proposed charge and discharge control unit adjusts the charge and discharge state of the energy storage unit, thereby achieving power supply balance of the power generation system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application 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 application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0048] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a module of a distributed power generation system based on a methanol fuel cell provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a distributed power generation system based on a methanol fuel cell, including: a plurality of distributed power generation subsystems.

[0051] Each distributed power generation subsystem includes: a methanol fuel cell module, an operating parameter control module, a waste heat recovery management module, a battery cooling module and an energy storage management module.

[0052] The methanol fuel cell module is electrically connected to the working parameter control module and the energy storage management module respectively, and the methanol fuel cell module is also connected to the waste heat recovery management module and the battery cooling module by pipeline respectively.

[0053] The methanol fuel cell module is used to generate electricity using methanol aqueous solution.

[0054] The operating parameter control module is used to control the operating parameters of the methanol fuel cell module during the power generation process.

[0055] The waste heat recovery management module is used to recover and manage the waste heat generated during the power generation process of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0056] The battery cooling module is used to cool and control the temperature of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0057] The energy storage management module is used to perform energy storage management on the electric energy generated during the power generation process of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0058] Exemplarily, the methanol fuel cell module includes: a methanol storage tank, a water storage tank, a mixing tank, a gasification chamber, a reformer and a fuel cell stack.

[0059] The methanol storage tank and the water storage tank are both connected to the mixing tank pipeline, and the mixing tank, the gasification chamber, the reformer, and the fuel cell stack are connected in sequence by pipelines.

[0060] The methanol storage tank and the water storage tank are used to respectively introduce methanol and water into the mixing tank.

[0061] The mixing tank is used to mix methanol and water to obtain a methanol aqueous solution and pass it into the gasification chamber.

[0062] The gasification chamber is used to gasify the methanol aqueous solution to obtain methanol water vapor and pass it into the reformer.

[0063] The reformer is used to reform methanol and water vapor to obtain hydrogen and carbon dioxide and to pass the separated hydrogen into the fuel cell stack.

[0064] The fuel cell stack is used to utilize hydrogen and oxygen in the air to perform electrochemical reactions to generate electrical energy and waste heat.

[0065] Specifically, in this embodiment, the fuel cell stack adopts a high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack (HT-PEMFC); the reformer is filled with a catalyst bed to ensure that methanol vapor is efficiently converted into hydrogen and carbon dioxide under suitable temperature and pressure conditions.

[0066] Exemplarily, the reformer and the fuel cell stack also form an integrated power generation unit structure.

[0067] Specifically, the integrated power generation unit structure makes the reformer and the fuel cell stack compact and tightly connected, reducing gas transmission losses and improving the operating efficiency of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0068] Exemplarily, the working parameter control module includes: a control unit and a sensor group.

[0069] The control unit is electrically connected to the sensor group and the methanol fuel cell module respectively, and the sensor group is arranged in the pipeline of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0070] The sensor group is used to monitor environmental parameters in the pipeline of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0071] The control unit is used to control the operating parameters of the methanol fuel cell module during the power generation process according to the environmental parameters.

[0072] The environmental parameters include: temperature, pressure, flow rate and concentration.

[0073] The working parameters include: the opening and closing degrees of each valve in the pipeline of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0074] Specifically, in this embodiment, the sensor group includes a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a flow sensor and a gas concentration sensor; the sensor group is arranged in the pipeline of the methanol fuel cell module, including the outlets of the methanol storage tank and the water storage tank, the inlet and outlet of the mixing tank, the gasification chamber, the reformer and the fuel cell stack, etc. Valves are arranged at the pipeline positions corresponding to the sensor group. The control unit is arranged with a corresponding threshold range for each sensor of the sensor group. Whenever a sensor detects that the corresponding environmental parameter exceeds the corresponding threshold range, the control unit controls the opening and closing degree of the corresponding valve so that the corresponding environmental parameter falls back into the corresponding threshold range.

[0075] Exemplarily, the distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cells also includes: a remote management platform.

[0076] The remote management platform is in communication connection with the working parameter control module of each distributed power generation subsystem.

[0077] The working parameter control module is also used to send a warning signal to the remote management platform and start a fault handling algorithm when the environmental parameter exceeds a preset safety threshold range.

[0078] The remote management platform is used to store and update the control algorithm and fault handling algorithm of the control unit.

[0079] Specifically, in this embodiment, each environmental parameter corresponds to a safety threshold range, and the threshold range corresponding to each sensor of the sensor group by the control unit is included in the safety threshold range corresponding to the corresponding environmental parameter. The control algorithm is an algorithm for controlling the working parameters of the methanol fuel cell module during the power generation process according to the environmental parameters, and is implemented based on PID control in this embodiment; in this embodiment, the fault handling algorithm includes: when a sensor detects that the corresponding environmental parameter exceeds the corresponding safety threshold range, the control unit controls the corresponding valve to close.

[0080] Exemplarily, the waste heat recovery management module includes: a waste heat recovery unit and a waste heat management unit.

[0081] The waste heat recovery unit is connected to the methanol fuel cell module pipeline, and the waste heat management unit is electrically connected to the waste heat recovery unit.

[0082] The waste heat recovery unit is used to recover waste heat generated during the power generation process of the methanol fuel cell module, and is also used to connect to the pipeline of the heat demanding equipment.

[0083] The waste heat management unit is used to control the on-off of the pipeline between the waste heat recovery unit and the heat demanding equipment.

[0084] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the waste heat recovery unit adopts a heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger adopts a high thermal conductivity material. The methanol fuel cell module also includes: a burner; the burner is connected to the fuel cell stack pipeline; the burner is used to burn the unreacted gas in the fuel cell stack and discharge water and carbon dioxide. In the present embodiment, the waste heat recovery unit is connected to the fuel cell stack and the burner pipeline respectively to recover the waste heat generated by the fuel cell stack and the burner. Heat demand equipment includes: other heat demand equipment such as gasification chamber, reformer and domestic water heating equipment. The waste heat recovery unit recovers the waste heat of the fuel cell stack and the burner, thereby improving the energy utilization rate; through the setting of multiple heat demand equipment, multi-stage utilization of waste heat is realized; the waste heat management unit controls the on-off of the pipeline between the waste heat recovery unit and the heat demand equipment, thereby improving the selectivity and flexibility of waste heat utilization.

[0085] Exemplarily, the battery cooling module uses closed-loop water cooling or phase change material cooling to cool and control the temperature of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0086] Specifically, in this embodiment, the battery cooling module adopts closed-loop water cooling, and the battery cooling module starts to operate only when the temperature of the methanol fuel cell module exceeds a preset overheat warning threshold.

[0087] Exemplarily, the energy storage management module includes: an energy storage unit and a charge and discharge control unit.

[0088] The energy storage unit is electrically connected to the methanol fuel cell module and the charge and discharge control unit respectively.

[0089] The energy storage unit is used to store the electric energy generated during the power generation process of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0090] The charge and discharge control unit is used to adjust the charge and discharge state of the energy storage unit.

[0091] Specifically, in this embodiment, lithium-ion batteries with high energy density and long cycle life are selected as energy storage units. The charge and discharge control unit uses an inverter and a transformer to convert the direct current generated by the fuel cell stack into alternating current suitable for the grid or user needs, and adjusts the charge and discharge state of the energy storage unit according to the load of the grid to ensure balanced and stable power supply.

[0092] Specifically, in this embodiment, the operation process of the distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cells is as follows: Power generation reaction stage: After the system self-check is completed, open the valves in the pipeline of the methanol fuel cell module, start the supply pumps of the methanol storage tank and the water storage tank, and introduce methanol and water into the mixing tank respectively. The mixing tank mixes the methanol and water to obtain a methanol-water solution and introduces it into the vaporization chamber. The vaporization chamber vaporizes the methanol-water solution to obtain methanol-water vapor and introduces it into the reformer. The reformer reforms the methanol-water vapor to obtain hydrogen and carbon dioxide and introduces the separated hydrogen into the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack uses hydrogen and oxygen in the air to undergo an electrochemical reaction to generate electricity and waste heat. The unreacted gas in the fuel cell stack enters the burner for combustion treatment to discharge water and carbon dioxide.

[0093] Control and early warning stage: The sensor group monitors the environmental parameters in the pipeline of the methanol fuel cell module, and the control unit controls the working parameters of the methanol fuel cell module during the power generation process according to the environmental parameters, including controlling the opening and closing degree of the valve; when the environmental parameters exceed the preset safety threshold range, the control unit sends a warning signal to the remote management platform and starts the fault handling algorithm.

[0094] Waste heat recovery stage: The waste heat recovery unit recovers the waste heat generated by the fuel cell stack and the burner, and distributes the heat to the heat demand equipment under the management of the waste heat management unit.

[0095] Battery cooling stage: The methanol fuel cell module is cooled and temperature controlled. In this embodiment, closed-loop water cooling is used.

[0096] Energy storage management stage: The energy storage unit stores the electrical energy generated by the methanol fuel cell module during the power generation process. The charge and discharge control unit converts the direct current generated by the fuel cell stack into alternating current suitable for the grid or user needs, and adjusts the charge and discharge status of the energy storage unit according to the load conditions of the grid.

[0097] In this embodiment, the control warning stage, the waste heat recovery stage, the battery cooling stage, and the energy storage management stage are all performed simultaneously with the power generation reaction stage.

[0098] In a possible embodiment, various components of the distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cells are also regularly inspected to ensure that the components are not damaged or leaking.

[0099] In a possible embodiment, the fuel cell stack is also cleaned regularly to remove carbon deposits and impurities and maintain electrode activity.

[0100] In a possible embodiment, each sensor of the sensor group is also calibrated regularly to ensure the accuracy of the monitoring data.

[0101] In a possible embodiment, the control algorithm and fault handling algorithm stored in the remote management platform are also regularly upgraded and sent to the control unit of the working parameter control module for updating.

[0102] The embodiment of the present application recovers waste heat and performs cooling temperature control on the methanol fuel cell module through a waste heat recovery management module and a battery cooling module, thereby improving temperature control reliability and battery operation stability.

[0103] The proposed reformer and fuel cell stack also form an integrated power generation unit structure, which reduces gas transmission losses and improves the operating efficiency of the methanol fuel cell module.

[0104] The proposed sensor group monitors the environmental parameters in the pipeline of the methanol fuel cell module, and the control unit controls the working parameters of the methanol fuel cell module during the power generation process according to the environmental parameters, thereby improving the system control reliability and system operation stability.

[0105] The proposed working parameter control module sends a warning signal to the remote management platform and starts the fault handling algorithm when the environmental parameters exceed the preset safety threshold range. The remote management platform stores and updates the control algorithm and fault handling algorithm of the control unit, thereby improving the system operation safety and system control scalability.

[0106] The proposed waste heat management unit controls the on-off of the pipeline between the waste heat recovery unit and the heat demand equipment, thereby improving the selectivity and flexibility of waste heat utilization.

[0107] The proposed charge and discharge control unit adjusts the charge and discharge state of the energy storage unit, thereby achieving power supply balance of the power generation system.

[0108] Although the preferred embodiments of the present application have been described, those skilled in the art may make other changes and modifications to these embodiments once they have learned the basic creative concept. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the present application.

[0109] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cells, characterized in that: include: Several distributed generation subsystems; Each distributed power generation subsystem includes: methanol fuel cell module, working parameter control module, waste heat recovery management module, battery cooling module and energy storage management module; The methanol fuel cell module is electrically connected to the working parameter control module and the energy storage management module respectively, and the methanol fuel cell module is also connected to the waste heat recovery management module and the battery cooling module pipeline respectively; The methanol fuel cell module is used to generate electricity using methanol aqueous solution; The operating parameter control module is used to control the operating parameters of the methanol fuel cell module during the power generation process; The waste heat recovery management module is used to recover and manage the waste heat generated during the power generation process of the methanol fuel cell module; The battery cooling module is used to cool and control the temperature of the methanol fuel cell module; The energy storage management module is used to perform energy storage management on the electric energy generated during the power generation process of the methanol fuel cell module.

2. The distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cell according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The methanol fuel cell module comprises: a methanol storage tank, a water storage tank, a mixing tank, a gasification chamber, a reformer and a fuel cell stack; The methanol storage tank and the water storage tank are both connected to the mixing tank pipeline, and the mixing tank, the gasification chamber, the reformer, and the fuel cell stack are connected in sequence by pipelines; The methanol storage tank and the water storage tank are used to respectively introduce methanol and water into the mixing tank; The mixing tank is used to mix methanol and water to obtain a methanol-water solution and pass it into the vaporization chamber; The vaporization chamber is used to vaporize methanol aqueous solution to obtain methanol water vapor and pass it into the reformer; The reformer is used to reform methanol and water vapor to obtain hydrogen and carbon dioxide and pass the separated hydrogen into the fuel cell stack; The fuel cell stack is used to utilize hydrogen and oxygen in the air to perform electrochemical reactions to generate electrical energy and waste heat.

3. The distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cell according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The reformer and the fuel cell stack also form an integrated power generation unit structure.

4. The distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cell according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The working parameter control module includes: a control unit and a sensor group; The control unit is electrically connected to the sensor group and the methanol fuel cell module respectively, and the sensor group is arranged in the pipeline of the methanol fuel cell module; The sensor group is used to monitor environmental parameters in the pipeline of the methanol fuel cell module; The control unit is used to control the operating parameters of the methanol fuel cell module during the power generation process according to the environmental parameters; The environmental parameters include: temperature, pressure, flow rate and concentration; The working parameters include: the opening and closing degrees of each valve in the pipeline of the methanol fuel cell module.

5. The distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cell according to claim 4 is characterized in that: Also includes: Remote management platform; The remote management platform is in communication connection with the working parameter control module of each distributed power generation subsystem; The working parameter control module is also used to send a warning signal to the remote management platform and start a fault processing algorithm when the environmental parameter exceeds a preset safety threshold range; The remote management platform is used to store and update the control algorithm and fault handling algorithm of the control unit.

6. The distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cell according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The waste heat recovery management module includes: a waste heat recovery unit and a waste heat management unit; The waste heat recovery unit is connected to the methanol fuel cell module pipeline, and the waste heat management unit is electrically connected to the waste heat recovery unit; The waste heat recovery unit is used to recover waste heat generated during the power generation process of the methanol fuel cell module, and is also used to connect to the pipeline of the heat demand equipment; The waste heat management unit is used to control the on-off of the pipeline between the waste heat recovery unit and the heat demanding equipment.

7. The distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cell according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The battery cooling module uses closed-loop water cooling or phase change material cooling to cool and control the temperature of the methanol fuel cell module.

8. The distributed power generation system based on methanol fuel cell according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The energy storage management module includes: an energy storage unit and a charge and discharge control unit; The energy storage unit is electrically connected to the methanol fuel cell module and the charge and discharge control unit respectively; The energy storage unit is used to store the electric energy generated during the power generation process of the methanol fuel cell module; The charge and discharge control unit is used to adjust the charge and discharge state of the energy storage unit.

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