Fuel cell gas supply device

Abstract

The invention discloses a fuel cell gas supply device, and relates to the technical field of fuel cells, the fuel cell gas supply device comprises a box body and a cell assembly, a closed space is arranged in the box body, the cell assembly is arranged in the closed space, and the cell assembly comprises a fuel cell, a first exhaust valve, a flow controller, a hydrogen elimination device and a hydrogen concentration sensor which are connected in sequence; the flow controller is connected with the hydrogen concentration sensor and can automatically control the flow controller to reduce circulating hydrogen when the hydrogen concentration sensed by the hydrogen concentration sensor is higher than a preset value. When the hydrogen concentration sensed by the hydrogen concentration sensor is higher than a preset value, the hydrogen concentration sensor automatically controls the flow controller to reduce the circulating hydrogen, so that the hydrogen passing through the hydrogen elimination device in unit time is reduced; the hydrogen elimination device can eliminate hydrogen within a fixed elimination speed, so that the concentration of hydrogen finally discharged into the closed space can be controlled within a preset range, and the safety risk is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, and in particular to a fuel cell gas supply device. Background Art

[0002] At present, most fuel cell systems used in closed spaces use hydrogen-oxygen proton exchange membrane fuel cells and systems. In order to ensure battery performance and cycle life, this type of fuel cell will inevitably emit a certain amount of nitrogen into the cabin during startup, shutdown, and storage. The above nitrogen emission will cause the closed cabin pressure to increase. However, in order to ensure the safety and normal operation of equipment in a closed environment, most closed environments have strict requirements on the upper limit of cabin pressure, that is, the equipment in the closed cabin is required not to discharge or discharge less gas into the cabin during operation to keep the cabin pressure stable.

[0003] The prior art with the announcement number CN110474075A discloses a hydrogen fuel cell power supply system, including an external load, a storage battery and a system body, wherein the system body includes a control system and a hydrogen fuel cell power generation device, a hydrogen storage system and a hydrogen elimination device electrically connected to the control system respectively, wherein the hydrogen fuel cell power generation device and the hydrogen storage system are connected by a pipeline, the storage battery is electrically connected to the control system, and the storage battery, the external load and the hydrogen fuel cell power generation device are electrically connected. The hydrogen fuel cell power supply system provided by the present invention is provided with a hydrogen elimination device. When the hydrogen concentration in the enclosed space exceeds the emission standard, the hydrogen elimination device will subject the mixed gas containing hydrogen to hydrogen elimination treatment, thereby reducing the concentration of hydrogen in the enclosed space, thereby ensuring the safety of the system when used in the enclosed space.

[0004] However, the prior art still has defects. For example, after the hydrogen is generated by the fuel cell, it is transmitted to the hydrogen elimination device for elimination. Since the hydrogen elimination speed of the hydrogen elimination device is limited per unit time, if the speed at which the fuel cell discharges hydrogen to the hydrogen elimination device is too fast, the hydrogen elimination device cannot eliminate too much hydrogen, resulting in an increase in the hydrogen concentration in the enclosed space, which poses a high safety risk. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned technical deficiencies and propose a fuel cell gas supply device to solve the technical problem that in the prior art, hydrogen after power generation by a fuel cell is transmitted to a hydrogen elimination device for hydrogen elimination. Since the hydrogen elimination speed of the hydrogen elimination device is limited per unit time, if the speed at which the fuel cell discharges hydrogen to the hydrogen elimination device is too fast, the hydrogen elimination device cannot eliminate too much hydrogen, resulting in an increase in the hydrogen concentration in the enclosed space and a high safety risk.

[0006] In order to achieve the above technical objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: The present invention provides a fuel cell gas supply device, comprising: a box body having a closed space therein; and A battery assembly is arranged in the closed space, and the battery assembly includes a fuel cell, a first tail exhaust valve, a flow controller, a hydrogen eliminator and a hydrogen concentration sensor connected in sequence. The flow controller is connected to the hydrogen concentration sensor and can automatically control the flow controller to reduce the circulating hydrogen when the hydrogen concentration sensed by the hydrogen concentration sensor is higher than a preset value.

[0007] In some embodiments, the battery assembly further includes a second tail exhaust valve, one end of the second tail exhaust valve is connected between the fuel cell and the first tail exhaust valve, and the other end of the second tail exhaust valve is connected between the flow controller and the hydrogen remover.

[0008] In some embodiments, the battery assembly further includes a hydrogen inlet pipe and a hydrogen recovery pipe, wherein the hydrogen inlet pipe is connected to the hydrogen inlet end of the fuel cell, one end of the hydrogen recovery pipe is connected to the outlet end of the hydrogen concentration sensor, and the other end of the hydrogen recovery pipe is connected to the hydrogen inlet pipe.

[0009] In some embodiments, the battery assembly further includes a first switch valve and a first one-way valve, both of which are disposed in the hydrogen recovery pipe, and the first one-way valve is used to allow hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen concentration sensor to flow to the hydrogen inlet pipe.

[0010] In some embodiments, the battery assembly further includes an oxygen inlet pipe, an oxygen outlet pipe and a third tail exhaust valve, wherein the oxygen inlet pipe is connected to the oxygen inlet end of the fuel cell, the oxygen outlet pipe is connected to the oxygen outlet end of the fuel cell, and the third tail exhaust valve is arranged on the oxygen outlet pipe.

[0011] In some embodiments, the battery assembly also includes a deoxidizer, an oxygen concentration sensor, a fourth tail exhaust valve and a fifth tail exhaust valve, the third tail exhaust valve, the deoxidizer, the oxygen concentration sensor and the fourth tail exhaust valve are connected in sequence, one end of the fifth tail exhaust valve is connected to the outlet end of the oxygen concentration sensor, and the other end of the fifth tail exhaust valve is connected to the deoxidizer.

[0012] In some embodiments, the battery assembly further includes an oxygen inlet pipe and an oxygen recovery pipe, wherein the oxygen inlet pipe is connected to the oxygen inlet end of the fuel cell, one end of the oxygen recovery pipe is connected to the outlet end of the oxygen concentration sensor, and the other end of the oxygen recovery pipe is connected to the fourth tail exhaust valve.

[0013] In some embodiments, the battery assembly further includes a second switch valve and a second one-way valve, wherein the second switch valve and the second one-way valve are both disposed in the oxygen recovery pipe, and the second one-way valve is used to allow the oxygen discharged from the oxygen concentration sensor to flow to the oxygen inlet pipe.

[0014] In some embodiments, the hydrogen remover includes a first shell and copper oxide and a heating element disposed inside the first shell, the air inlet end of the first shell is connected to the flow controller, and the air outlet end of the first shell is connected to the hydrogen concentration sensor.

[0015] In some embodiments, the deoxidizer includes a second shell and iron powder disposed in the second shell, the air inlet end of the second shell is connected to the third tail exhaust valve, and the air outlet end of the second shell is connected to the oxygen concentration sensor.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the fuel cell gas supply device provided by the present invention includes a fuel cell, and the residual hydrogen generated after operation flows through the first tail exhaust valve, a flow controller, a hydrogen eliminator and a hydrogen concentration sensor in sequence. When the hydrogen concentration sensed by the hydrogen concentration sensor is higher than a preset value, the hydrogen concentration sensor automatically controls the flow controller to reduce the circulating hydrogen, so that the hydrogen passing through the hydrogen eliminator per unit time is reduced, and the hydrogen eliminator can eliminate hydrogen within a fixed elimination speed; when the hydrogen concentration sensed by the hydrogen concentration sensor is not higher than a preset value, the hydrogen concentration sensor suspends the control of the flow controller to reduce the circulating air. Through the technical solution of the present application, the concentration of hydrogen finally discharged into the enclosed space can be controlled within a preset range, and the safety risk is low. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a fuel cell gas supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a fuel cell gas supply device according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a hydrogen remover according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0019] In order to solve the technical problem that in the prior art, hydrogen after power generation by a fuel cell is transmitted to a hydrogen elimination device for elimination, since the hydrogen elimination speed of the hydrogen elimination device is limited per unit time, if the speed at which the fuel cell discharges hydrogen to the hydrogen elimination device is too fast, the hydrogen elimination device cannot eliminate too much hydrogen, resulting in an increase in the hydrogen concentration in the closed space and a high safety risk, the present invention provides a fuel cell gas supply device, which can limit the flow of the discharged hydrogen when the fuel cell discharges excessive hydrogen, so that the hydrogen elimination device can eliminate the hydrogen in time, avoiding the safety risk caused by excessive hydrogen content in the closed space.

[0020] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a fuel cell gas supply device in an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell gas supply device includes a battery assembly 1 and a box body 2. A closed space 21 is provided in the box body 2. The battery assembly 1 is arranged in the closed space 21. The battery assembly 1 includes a fuel cell 11, a first tail exhaust valve 12, a flow controller 13, a hydrogen remover 14 and a hydrogen concentration sensor 15 connected in sequence. The flow controller 13 is connected to the hydrogen concentration sensor 15, and can automatically control the flow controller 13 to reduce the circulating hydrogen when the hydrogen concentration sensed by the hydrogen concentration sensor 15 is higher than a preset value.

[0021] In this embodiment, the gas supply device also includes a main controller (not shown in the figure), which is wirelessly connected to the first tail exhaust valve 12, the flow controller 13 and the hydrogen concentration sensor 15. When the hydrogen concentration detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor 15 exceeds a preset value, the main controller generates a sensing signal and controls the flow controller 13 to reduce the flow rate of hydrogen, so as to control the flow controller 13 to adjust the speed of the circulating hydrogen, so that the hydrogen remover 14 can fully eliminate the hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell 11 per unit time, thereby avoiding excessive hydrogen content in the enclosed space 21 and causing safety risks.

[0022] In one embodiment, see Figure 2The battery assembly 1 also includes a second tail exhaust valve 16, one end of which is connected between the fuel cell 11 and the first tail exhaust valve 12, and the other end of the second tail exhaust valve 16 is connected between the flow controller 13 and the hydrogen remover 14. When the fuel cell 11 is working normally, the second tail exhaust valve 16 can be closed, and the first tail exhaust valve 12 can be opened. The hydrogen normally discharged from the fuel cell 11 flows through the flow controller 13, the hydrogen remover 14 and the hydrogen concentration sensor 15 in sequence; in this process, the hydrogen concentration sensor 15 monitors the hydrogen concentration discharged from the fuel cell 11 in real time. When the hydrogen concentration exceeds the preset value, the main controller generates a sensing signal and controls the flow controller 13 to reduce the flow of hydrogen until the hydrogen concentration detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor 15 does not exceed the preset value, and then controls the flow controller 13 to restore the flow of hydrogen. The hydrogen concentration sensor 15 can be set to detect once every short period of time, such as three minutes or five minutes. When the fuel cell 11 just finishes working, the first tail exhaust valve 12 can be controlled to close, and the second tail exhaust valve 16 can be opened intermittently, for example, once every five seconds, and each opening time is ten seconds, so that the remaining hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell 11 can be fully eliminated by the hydrogen remover 14.

[0023] In one embodiment, see Figure 2 The battery assembly 1 further includes a hydrogen inlet pipe 17 and a hydrogen recovery pipe 18. The hydrogen inlet pipe 17 is connected to the hydrogen inlet end of the fuel cell 11. One end of the hydrogen recovery pipe 18 is connected to the outlet end of the hydrogen concentration sensor 15. The other end of the hydrogen recovery pipe 18 is connected to the hydrogen inlet pipe 17. In this embodiment, one end of the hydrogen inlet pipe 17 away from the hydrogen recovery pipe 18 is used to connect to a hydrogen source. The hydrogen source is used to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell 11 through the hydrogen inlet pipe 17, providing a source of hydrogen required for the fuel cell 11 to work. The hydrogen inlet pipe 17 can be connected to the hydrogen source through the first inlet valve 183. The hydrogen recovery pipe 18 is connected in parallel to the outlet end of the hydrogen concentration sensor 15. The hydrogen passing through the hydrogen concentration sensor 15 can flow back from the hydrogen recovery pipe 18 to the hydrogen inlet pipe 17, and then re-enter the fuel cell 11, so as to reuse the hydrogen and save hydrogen.

[0024] In one embodiment, see Figure 2The battery assembly 1 also includes a first switch valve 181 and a first one-way valve 182. The first switch valve 181 and the first one-way valve 182 are both arranged in the hydrogen recovery pipe 18. The first one-way valve 182 is used to supply the hydrogen discharged by the hydrogen concentration sensor 15 to flow to the hydrogen intake pipe 17. The first one-way valve 182 can also prevent the hydrogen recovery pipe 18 from flowing in the reverse direction to prevent the hydrogen from being discharged before being used by the fuel cell 11. The first switch valve 181 can also be connected to the main controller. When the hydrogen concentration detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor 15 is higher than the preset value, the first switch valve 181 can be opened by the main controller to allow part of the discharged hydrogen to flow back to the hydrogen intake pipe 17 for reuse. When the hydrogen concentration detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor 15 is not higher than the preset value, the first switch valve 181 can be closed by the main controller.

[0025] In one embodiment, see Figure 2 The battery assembly 1 also includes an oxygen inlet pipe 31, an oxygen outlet pipe 32 and a third tail exhaust valve 33. The oxygen inlet pipe 31 is connected to the oxygen inlet end of the fuel cell 11, the oxygen outlet pipe 32 is connected to the oxygen outlet end of the fuel cell 11, and the third tail exhaust valve 33 is arranged on the oxygen outlet pipe. The oxygen inlet pipe 31 is also connected to the oxygen source through the second inlet valve 34, and the second inlet valve 34 can control the oxygen source to deliver oxygen to the fuel cell 11 or not. The residual oxygen after the fuel cell 11 works can be discharged through the oxygen outlet pipe 32, and when the third tail exhaust valve 33 is opened, the oxygen can continue to flow backward.

[0026] In one embodiment, see Figure 2 , the battery assembly 1 also includes a deoxidizer 35, an oxygen concentration sensor 36, a fourth tail exhaust valve 37 and a fifth tail exhaust valve 38, the third tail exhaust valve 33, the deoxidizer 35, the oxygen concentration sensor 36 and the fourth tail exhaust valve 37 are connected in sequence, one end of the fifth tail exhaust valve 38 is connected to the outlet end of the oxygen concentration sensor 36, and the other end of the fifth tail exhaust valve 38 is connected to the deoxidizer 35, in addition, the oxygen concentration sensor 36, the fourth tail exhaust valve 37 and the fifth tail exhaust valve 38 are all connected to the master controller. In this embodiment, the oxygen discharged from the oxygen outlet pipe 32 is eliminated by the deoxidizer 35 and then detected by the oxygen concentration sensor 36. When the oxygen concentration detected by the oxygen concentration sensor 36 exceeds the standard, the master controller controls the fifth tail exhaust valve 38 to open, and controls the fourth tail exhaust valve 37 to close, and the oxygen flows back to the deoxidizer 35 to continue to be eliminated, until the oxygen concentration detected by the oxygen concentration sensor 36 does not exceed the standard, the master controller controls the fifth tail exhaust valve 38 to close, and the fourth tail exhaust valve 37 to open.

[0027] In one embodiment, see Figure 2The battery assembly 1 further includes a second switch valve 41, a second one-way valve 42 and an oxygen recovery pipe 40, one end of the oxygen recovery pipe 40 is connected to the fourth tail valve 37, and the other end of the oxygen recovery pipe 40 is connected to the oxygen intake pipe 31. When the fifth tail valve 38 is closed and the second switch valve 41 is opened, the oxygen discharged through the oxygen concentration sensor 36 can flow to the oxygen intake pipe 31 through the oxygen recovery pipe 40, and then flow into the oxygen intake end of the fuel cell 11 together with the new oxygen, and continue to supply oxygen for the operation of the fuel cell 11, which is conducive to saving energy. When it is not necessary to recycle oxygen, the second switch valve 41 can be closed.

[0028] Further, the main controller is connected to the second switch valve 41, the oxygen concentration sensor 36 and the fourth tail exhaust valve 37. The main controller can be provided with an actuator and a program control method. The actuator can execute the program control method when working. The program control method includes oxygen concentration preset values ​​X and Y, and X is less than Y. The oxygen concentration detected by the oxygen concentration sensor 36 is defined as S. When S is less than X, the fourth tail exhaust valve 37 is controlled to be opened, and the fifth tail exhaust valve 38 and the second switch valve 41 are both closed. At this time, the oxygen concentration is very small and can be directly discharged into the closed space. When S is greater than or equal to X and less than Y, it means that the oxygen concentration at this time is general, and the fourth tail exhaust valve 37 can be controlled to be closed, and the fifth tail exhaust valve 38 can be opened, and the oxygen is refluxed to the deoxidizer 35 to further absorb and process the oxygen. When S is greater than or equal to Y, it means that the oxygen concentration at this time is high, and the fifth tail exhaust valve 38 is controlled to be closed, and the fourth tail exhaust valve 37 and the second switch valve 41 are both opened. Oxygen can flow into the oxygen intake pipe 31 through the oxygen recovery pipe 40, and flow into the oxygen intake end of the fuel cell 11 together with new oxygen for recycling. Through this program control method, oxygen can be used more reasonably, which not only saves energy, but also controls the oxygen content in the closed space and reduces safety risks.

[0029] The enclosed space may also be provided with a hydrogen-oxygen composite assembly, which includes a third shell, a suction pump and a catalyst. The catalyst is arranged inside the third shell. The suction pump is connected to the third shell and is used to suck the gas in the enclosed space into the third shell to contact and react with the catalyst. The catalyst may be a platinum-based or palladium-based hydrogen-oxygen reaction catalyst. The chemical reaction formula is: It is helpful to remove oxygen and hydrogen in the closed space and reduce the risk. The suction pump can be set to work once at a certain time, and the working time can be set to ten minutes.

[0030] In one embodiment, see Figure 2The hydrogen remover includes a first shell 101, copper oxide 102 and a heating element 103 disposed inside the first shell 101, the air inlet end of the first shell 101 is connected to a flow controller, and the air outlet end of the first shell 101 is connected to a hydrogen concentration sensor. When hydrogen enters the first shell 101, it can react chemically with the copper oxide 102 in a high temperature state to remove hydrogen. The chemical formula is: Finally, copper and water are generated inside the first shell 101, wherein the water is mostly in the form of water vapor. The heating element 103 may be a heating wire, and its heating temperature may be controlled by itself. The heating temperature is generally controlled at 300°C ± 10°C.

[0031] In one embodiment, see Figure 2 The deoxidizer includes a second shell (not shown) and iron powder disposed in the second shell, the air inlet end of the second shell is connected to the third tail exhaust valve 33, and the air outlet end of the second shell is connected to the oxygen concentration sensor 36. When the third tail exhaust valve 33 is opened, oxygen can flow into the second shell, contact with the iron powder and undergo a redox reaction to consume the oxygen, and no additional new gas or harmful substances will be generated after the reaction.

[0032] The specific implementation of the present invention described above does not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of the present invention. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made based on the technical concept of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell gas supply device, characterized in that: include: A box body having a closed space therein; as well as A battery assembly is arranged in the enclosed space, and the battery assembly includes a fuel cell, a first tail exhaust valve, a flow controller, a hydrogen eliminator and a hydrogen concentration sensor connected in sequence. The flow controller is connected to the hydrogen concentration sensor and can control the flow controller to reduce the hydrogen flowing through when the hydrogen concentration sensed by the hydrogen concentration sensor is higher than a preset value.

2. The fuel cell gas supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery assembly further includes a second tail exhaust valve, one end of which is connected between the fuel cell and the first tail exhaust valve, and the other end of which is connected between the flow controller and the hydrogen remover.

3. The fuel cell gas supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery assembly also includes a hydrogen inlet pipe and a hydrogen recovery pipe, wherein the hydrogen inlet pipe is connected to the hydrogen inlet end of the fuel cell, one end of the hydrogen recovery pipe is connected to the outlet end of the hydrogen concentration sensor, and the other end of the hydrogen recovery pipe is connected to the hydrogen inlet pipe.

4. The fuel cell gas supply device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The battery assembly also includes a first switch valve and a first one-way valve, both of which are arranged on the hydrogen recovery pipe, and the first one-way valve is used to allow the hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen concentration sensor to flow to the hydrogen intake pipe.

5. The fuel cell gas supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The battery assembly also includes an oxygen inlet pipe, an oxygen outlet pipe and a third tail exhaust valve, wherein the oxygen inlet pipe is connected to the oxygen inlet end of the fuel cell, the oxygen outlet pipe is connected to the oxygen outlet end of the fuel cell, and the third tail exhaust valve is arranged on the oxygen outlet pipe.

6. The fuel cell gas supply device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The battery assembly also includes a deoxidizer, an oxygen concentration sensor, a fourth tail exhaust valve and a fifth tail exhaust valve. The third tail exhaust valve, the deoxidizer, the oxygen concentration sensor and the fourth tail exhaust valve are connected in sequence, one end of the fifth tail exhaust valve is connected to the outlet end of the oxygen concentration sensor, and the other end of the fifth tail exhaust valve is connected to the deoxidizer.

7. The fuel cell gas supply device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The battery assembly also includes an oxygen inlet pipe and an oxygen recovery pipe, wherein the oxygen inlet pipe is connected to the oxygen inlet end of the fuel cell, one end of the oxygen recovery pipe is connected to the outlet end of the oxygen concentration sensor, and the other end of the oxygen recovery pipe is connected to the fourth tail exhaust valve.

8. The fuel cell gas supply device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The battery assembly also includes a second switch valve and a second one-way valve, the second switch valve and the second one-way valve are both arranged on the oxygen recovery pipe, and the second one-way valve is used to allow the oxygen discharged by the oxygen concentration sensor to flow to the oxygen intake pipe.

9. The fuel cell gas supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hydrogen remover comprises a first shell and copper oxide and a heating element arranged inside the first shell. The air inlet end of the first shell is connected to the flow controller, and the air outlet end of the first shell is connected to the hydrogen concentration sensor.

10. The fuel cell gas supply device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The deoxidizer includes a second shell and iron powder arranged in the second shell, the air inlet end of the second shell is connected to the third tail exhaust valve, and the air outlet end of the second shell is connected to the oxygen concentration sensor.

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