Fuel cell air path subsystem part testing device and testing method

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel cell air path subsystem part testing device and method, and belongs to the technical field of fuel cells. In the device, a flow meter, a filter, a mass flow meter, an air blower and a temperature and pressure sensor are sequentially connected in series through a pipeline; the clamp current meter and the voltmeter are connected in series to the blower and are used for respectively detecting current and voltage of the blower so as to monitor output power of the blower; and the back pressure valve is connected in series to the output end of the air blower through a pipeline and is used for adjusting the flow resistance in the pipeline so as to simulate the sum of the flow resistance of the membrane humidifier and the flow resistance of the fuel cell stack. Before the system is integrated, parts required by the air path subsystem are connected in advance, the parts of the air path subsystem are tested offline, and offline simulation test is realized by simulating the required air flow and the flow resistance needing to be overcome during actual system operation, so that problems can be found as early as possible before the system is integrated, and the test efficiency is improved. And the test cost of the air path subsystem is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of fuel cells, and in particular relates to a testing device and a testing method for components of a fuel cell air path system. Background Art

[0002] As a key part of the fuel cell backup power system, the fuel cell air circuit system mainly provides air for the fuel cell and filters, humidifies, and regulates the pressure of the air entering the fuel cell.

[0003] Since there is a certain flow resistance in the fuel cell stack and air path system components, the selection of aerodynamic components is particularly critical to overcome the resistance and continuously provide the stack with stable and sufficient air so that the fuel cell stack can maintain efficient operation. Fuel cells and other fixed power products use a normal pressure mode to supply the fuel cell stack. Their application scenarios usually tend to be small power sources within 10kw. Blowers can be used for aerodynamic components, which are low-cost and can meet the use requirements.

[0004] Due to the high integration and small space of the fuel cell system, the air circuit system is fully integrated into the system for system testing. When unqualified parts are found, they need to be disassembled and replaced, which increases the testing cost and time. Therefore, a fuel cell air circuit system component testing device and testing method are needed to improve the testing efficiency and reduce the testing cost. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the above problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a fuel cell air circuit system component testing device and testing method. The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] The present invention provides a fuel cell air circuit system component testing device, including: an Alicat flow meter, a filter, a mass flow meter, a blower, a temperature and pressure sensor, a clamp flow meter, a voltmeter and a back pressure valve;

[0007] Wherein, the flow meter, the filter, the mass flow meter, the blower and the temperature and pressure sensor are sequentially connected in series through pipelines;

[0008] The clamp meter and the voltmeter are connected in series to the blower, and are used to detect the current and voltage of the blower respectively to monitor the output power of the blower;

[0009] The back pressure valve is connected in series to the output end of the blower through a pipeline, and is used to adjust the flow resistance in the pipeline to simulate the sum of the flow resistances of the membrane humidifier and the fuel cell stack.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the test flow rate of the Alicat flowmeter is a volume flow rate, which is used to calibrate the mass flowmeter.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the filter is used to filter impurities in the air, and the flow resistance of the filter is 0 to 1 kPa.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the mass flow meter is used to test the mass flow of the air path system.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature and pressure sensor is used to test the temperature and pressure of the air path system, and to test the air temperature and pressure at the output end of the blower.

[0014] The present invention also provides a fuel cell air path system component testing method, using the fuel cell air path system component testing device, the testing method includes:

[0015] Step 1: Connect the Alicat flow meter, filter, mass flow meter, blower, temperature and pressure sensor, clamp flow meter, voltmeter and back pressure valve in series through pipelines;

[0016] Step 2: Conduct flow rate, flow resistance and response time tests under multiple operating conditions of different air path subsystems to obtain test results.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, step 2 comprises:

[0018] Step 2.1: Fully open the back pressure valve, adjust the blower speed and the flow resistance of the back pressure valve so that the blower head pressure is equal to the total flow resistance of the corresponding operating condition, and record the test demand flow and ambient temperature;

[0019] Step 2.2: Keep the flow resistance of the back pressure valve unchanged, stop the blower, adjust the blower speed, and record the response time required for the blower flow to reach stability;

[0020] Step 2.3: Adjust the parameters and repeat steps 2.1 and 2.2 to respectively conduct flow rate, flow resistance and response time tests under the operating conditions of multiple different air path subsystems to obtain test results.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] The fuel cell air circuit system component testing device of the present invention connects the components required by the air circuit system in advance before system integration, and implements offline simulation testing by simulating the gas volume required and the flow resistance to be overcome during actual system operation, thereby saving the testing cost of the air circuit system by examining whether the air circuit system components meet the use requirements.

[0023] The fuel cell air circuit subsystem component testing method of the present invention connects the components of the air circuit subsystem in series before assembling them in the system, uses a back pressure valve instead of a membrane humidifier, and performs off-line testing of the air circuit subsystem components. This method is efficient and accurate, and is convenient for discovering problems as early as possible before integrating the system.

[0024] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present invention, it can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the following specifically cites a preferred embodiment and describes it in detail with the accompanying drawings as follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a structural block diagram of a fuel cell air path system component testing device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 It is a flow chart of a method for testing components of a fuel cell air circuit subsystem provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 It is a flow chart of step 2 in the fuel cell air circuit system component testing method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Icons: 1-Alicat flowmeter; 2-filter; 3-mass flowmeter; 4-blower; 5-temperature and pressure sensor; 10-clamp flowmeter; 20-voltmeter; 30-back pressure valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to further explain the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the predetermined purpose of the invention, a fuel cell air circuit system component testing device and testing method proposed in accordance with the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0030] The above and other technical contents, features and effects of the present invention are clearly presented in the following detailed description of the specific implementation modes in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Through the description of the specific implementation modes, the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the predetermined purpose can be more deeply and specifically understood. However, the attached drawings are only for reference and explanation purposes and are not used to limit the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0031] Embodiment 1

[0032] Since the fuel cell system is highly integrated and takes up little space, the air path system is fully integrated into the system for system testing. When unqualified components are found, they must be disassembled and replaced, increasing the testing cost. In view of this, a fuel cell air path system component testing device is provided in the first aspect of this embodiment.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the fuel cell air path system component testing device of this embodiment includes: an Alicat flow meter 1, a filter 2, a mass flow meter 3, a blower 4, a temperature and pressure sensor 5, a clamp flow meter 10, a voltmeter 20 and a back pressure valve 30;

[0034] Among them, the flow meter 1, the filter 2, the mass flow meter 3, the blower 4 and the temperature and pressure sensor 5 are sequentially connected in series through pipelines;

[0035] The clamp meter 10 and the voltmeter 20 are connected in series to the blower 4, and are used to detect the current and voltage of the blower 4 respectively to monitor the output power of the blower 4;

[0036] The back pressure valve 30 is connected in series to the output end of the blower 4 through a pipeline, and is used to adjust the flow resistance in the pipeline to simulate the sum of the flow resistances of the membrane humidifier and the fuel cell stack.

[0037] In an optional embodiment, the test flow rate of the Alicat flowmeter 1 is a volume flow rate, which is used to calibrate the mass flowmeter 3 .

[0038] In an optional embodiment, the filter 2 is used to filter impurities in the air, and the flow resistance of the filter 2 is 0 to 1 kPa.

[0039] In an optional embodiment, the mass flow meter 3 is used to test the mass flow of the air path system.

[0040] In an optional embodiment, the blower 4 serves as a core component of the fuel cell air path system, that is, the component mainly tested by the fuel cell air path system component testing device of this embodiment. It is controlled by a voltage signal, and the operating voltage is 0 to 10V. The speed can be adjusted according to the output requirements of different systems, and the air flow is controlled by the speed to output the required air volume to the fuel cell stack, thereby providing power for the air path system.

[0041] In an optional embodiment, the temperature and pressure sensor 5 is used to test the temperature and pressure of the air path system, and to test the air temperature and pressure at the output end of the blower 4 .

[0042] It is worth noting that the opening of the back pressure valve 30 can be adjusted. By adjusting the opening of the back pressure valve 30, the flow resistance in the pipeline is adjusted to simulate the sum of the flow resistance of the membrane humidifier and the fuel cell stack, thereby solving the problem of the inconvenience of disassembly and replacement of the air path subsystem fully integrated into the system for system testing. Specifically, the back pressure valve 30 makes the contribution of the membrane humidifier and the fuel cell stack to the system flow resistance, without the need to connect the membrane humidifier and the fuel cell stack to the air path subsystem for actual working condition testing.

[0043] Exemplarily, the flow resistance of the fuel cell stack is set through preliminary testing or experience, and the flow resistance of the membrane humidifier may be the sum of the dry gas path and the wet gas path.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the working principle of the fuel cell air circuit system component test device of this embodiment is that the amount of air required for each working condition of the system is measured by the Alicat flowmeter 1, the mass flowmeter 3 tests the flow rate of the air circuit system to be L2, the wind head pressure of the blower 4 is P1, which is tested by the temperature and pressure sensor 5, and the temperature and pressure sensor 5 also tests the temperature T1 of the air circuit system, that is, the ambient temperature. The clamp meter 10 tests the current I1 on the blower 4, and the voltmeter 20 tests the voltage U1 on the blower 4. The real-time working power of the blower 4 can be obtained through I1 and U1.

[0045] On the basis of the above-mentioned measured values, by adjusting the rotation speed of the blower 4 and controlling the opening of the back pressure valve 30, various working conditions of the air path system are simulated, thereby realizing the test of the blower 4.

[0046] It should be noted that other air path system components may also be connected in series in the air path system to implement testing of the air path system components, and this is not limited in the present embodiment.

[0047] The fuel cell air path system component testing device of the present embodiment connects the components required for the air path system in advance before system integration, and implements offline simulation testing by simulating the amount of gas required and the flow resistance to be overcome during actual system operation, thereby saving the testing cost of the air path system by examining whether the air path system components meet the usage requirements.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, in the second aspect of this embodiment, a fuel cell air path subsystem component testing method is provided, which can use the fuel cell air path subsystem component testing device provided in the first aspect of this embodiment, including the steps of:

[0049] Step 1: Connect the Alicat flow meter, filter, mass flow meter, blower, temperature and pressure sensor, clamp meter, voltmeter and back pressure valve in series through pipelines.

[0050] In an optional embodiment, a test bench can be selected or built according to the test requirements, and then the Alicat flow meter, filter, mass flow meter, blower, temperature and pressure sensor, clamp flow meter, voltmeter and back pressure valve are connected in series through pipelines and connected to the test bench to facilitate adjustment of test parameters and recording of test results.

[0051] Furthermore, the test bench can establish communication and control relationships with the above-mentioned components, and can send them to remote processing equipment via wired or wireless transmission to achieve synchronous processing.

[0052] In an optional embodiment, the Alicat flow meter needs to be calibrated first, and the mass flow meter is calibrated based on the calibrated Alicat flow meter.

[0053] Step 2: Conduct flow rate, flow resistance and response time tests under multiple operating conditions of different air path subsystems to obtain test results.

[0054] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, step 2 includes:

[0055] Step 2.1: Fully open the back pressure valve, adjust the blower speed and the flow resistance of the back pressure valve so that the blower head pressure is equal to the total flow resistance of the corresponding operating condition, and record the test demand flow and ambient temperature;

[0056] Step 2.2: Keep the flow resistance of the back pressure valve unchanged, stop the blower, adjust the blower speed, and record the response time required for the blower flow to reach stability;

[0057] Step 2.3: Adjust the parameters and repeat steps 2.1 and 2.2 to respectively conduct flow rate, flow resistance and response time tests under the operating conditions of multiple different air path subsystems to obtain test results.

[0058] It should be noted that this test method simulates the gas volume required and the flow resistance to be overcome when the actual system is running, realizes offline simulation testing, and solves the problem that due to the high integration and small space of the fuel cell system, the air path system is fully integrated into the system for system testing, and after unqualified parts are found, they will face the problem of disassembly and replacement. Among them, for the technical details not disclosed in the embodiment of the test method of the present invention, please refer to the description of the device embodiment for understanding.

[0059] The fuel cell air circuit subsystem component testing method of this embodiment connects the components of the air circuit subsystem in series before assembling them in the system, uses a back pressure valve instead of a membrane humidifier, and performs offline testing of the air circuit subsystem components. This is efficient and accurate, and facilitates early detection of problems before system integration.

[0060] It should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply that there is any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the term "include", "comprise" or any other variant is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that the article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements that are not explicitly listed. In the absence of more restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "including one..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the article or device including the elements. "Connect" or "connected" and similar words are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. The orientation or position relationship indicated by "up", "down", "left", "right", etc. is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention.

[0061] The above contents are further detailed descriptions of the present invention in combination with specific preferred embodiments, and it cannot be determined that the specific implementation of the present invention is limited to these descriptions. For ordinary technicians in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, several simple deductions or substitutions can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, which should be regarded as falling within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell air circuit system component testing device, characterized in that: include: Alicat flow meter (1), filter (2), mass flow meter (3), blower (4), temperature and pressure sensor (5), clamp flow meter (10), voltmeter (20) and back pressure valve (30); The flow meter (1), the filter (2), the mass flow meter (3), the blower (4) and the temperature and pressure sensor (5) are sequentially connected in series through pipelines; The clamp meter (10) and the voltmeter (20) are connected in series to the blower (4) and are used to respectively detect the current and voltage of the blower (4) to monitor the output power of the blower (4); The back pressure valve (30) is connected in series to the output end of the blower (4) through a pipeline, and is used to adjust the flow resistance in the pipeline to simulate the sum of the flow resistances of the membrane humidifier and the fuel cell stack.

2. The fuel cell air circuit system component testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The test flow rate of the Alicat flowmeter (1) is a volume flow rate, which is used to calibrate the mass flowmeter (3).

3. The fuel cell air circuit system component testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter (2) is used to filter impurities in the air, and the flow resistance of the filter (2) is 0 to 1 kPa.

4. The fuel cell air circuit system component testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mass flow meter (3) is used to test the mass flow of the air path system.

5. The fuel cell air circuit system component testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature and pressure sensor (5) is used to test the temperature and pressure of the air path system, and to test the air temperature and pressure at the output end of the blower (4).

6. A method for testing components of a fuel cell air circuit system, characterized in that: Using the fuel cell air path subsystem component testing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, the testing method comprises: Step 1: Connect the Alicat flow meter, filter, mass flow meter, blower, temperature and pressure sensor, clamp flow meter, voltmeter and back pressure valve in series through pipelines; Step 2: Conduct flow rate, flow resistance and response time tests under multiple operating conditions of different air path subsystems to obtain test results.

7. The fuel cell air circuit system component testing method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The step 2 comprises: Step 2.1: Fully open the back pressure valve, adjust the blower speed and the flow resistance of the back pressure valve so that the blower head pressure is equal to the total flow resistance of the corresponding operating condition, and record the test demand flow and ambient temperature; Step 2.2: Keep the flow resistance of the back pressure valve unchanged, stop the blower, adjust the blower speed, and record the response time required for the blower flow to reach stability; Step 2.3: Adjust the parameters and repeat steps 2.1 and 2.2 to respectively conduct flow rate, flow resistance and response time tests under the operating conditions of multiple different air path subsystems to obtain test results.

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