A fuel cell gas supply device

Abstract

This invention discloses a fuel cell gas supply device, relating to the field of fuel cell technology. It includes a housing and a battery assembly. The housing has a closed space, and the battery assembly is located within this closed space. The battery assembly includes a fuel cell, a first 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 flow of 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 the preset value, the hydrogen concentration sensor automatically controls the flow controller to reduce the flow of hydrogen, thereby reducing the amount of hydrogen passing through the hydrogen eliminator per unit time. The hydrogen eliminator can eliminate hydrogen within a fixed elimination rate, ensuring that the final hydrogen concentration discharged into the closed space is controlled within a preset range, resulting in low safety risk.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and more specifically to a fuel cell gas supply device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most fuel cell systems used in enclosed spaces employ hydrogen-oxygen proton exchange membrane fuel cells. To ensure battery performance and cycle life, this type of fuel cell inevitably releases a certain amount of nitrogen into the chamber during startup, shutdown, and storage after shutdown. This nitrogen release leads to an increase in pressure within the enclosed chamber. However, to ensure the safety and normal operation of equipment within the enclosed environment, most enclosed environments have strict requirements on the upper limit of chamber pressure, requiring that equipment within the enclosed chamber release little or no gas into the chamber during operation to maintain stable chamber pressure.

[0003] Prior art, disclosed in publication CN110474075A, is a hydrogen fuel cell power system including an external load, a battery, and a system body. The system body includes a control system and a hydrogen fuel cell power generation device, a hydrogen storage system, and a hydrogen removal device, all electrically connected to the control system. The hydrogen fuel cell power generation device and the hydrogen storage system are connected by a pipeline. The battery is electrically connected to the control system. The battery, the external load, and the hydrogen fuel cell power generation device are all electrically connected. The hydrogen fuel cell power system provided by this invention, by incorporating a hydrogen removal device, reduces the hydrogen concentration in the enclosed space when the hydrogen concentration exceeds emission standards, thereby ensuring the safety of the system when used in enclosed spaces.

[0004] However, this existing technology still has drawbacks. For example, after the hydrogen is generated by the fuel cell, it is transported to the hydrogen elimination device for elimination. Since the hydrogen elimination device has a limited elimination rate per unit time, if the hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell 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. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this 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, after hydrogen is generated by fuel cell power generation, it is transported to a hydrogen elimination device for hydrogen elimination. However, since the hydrogen elimination device has a limited hydrogen elimination rate per unit time, if the hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell 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] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] This invention provides a fuel cell gas supply device, comprising:

[0008] The enclosure contains a closed space; and

[0009] A battery assembly is located in the enclosed space. The battery assembly includes a fuel cell, a first 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 flow of hydrogen when the hydrogen concentration sensed by the hydrogen concentration sensor is higher than a preset value.

[0010] In some embodiments, the battery assembly further includes a second exhaust valve, one end of which is connected between the fuel cell and the first exhaust valve, and the other end of which is connected between the flow controller and the hydrogen eliminator.

[0011] 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.

[0012] In some embodiments, the battery assembly further includes a first switching valve and a first one-way valve, both of which are located in the hydrogen recovery pipe. The first one-way valve is used to direct the hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen concentration sensor to the hydrogen inlet pipe.

[0013] In some embodiments, the battery assembly further includes an oxygen inlet pipe, an oxygen outlet pipe, and a third exhaust valve. 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 exhaust valve is located on the oxygen outlet pipe.

[0014] In some embodiments, the battery assembly further includes an oxygen deaerator, an oxygen concentration sensor, a fourth exhaust valve, and a fifth exhaust valve. The third exhaust valve, the oxygen deaerator, the oxygen concentration sensor, and the fourth exhaust valve are connected in sequence. One end of the fifth exhaust valve is connected to the outlet of the oxygen concentration sensor, and the other end of the fifth exhaust valve is connected to the oxygen deaerator.

[0015] In some embodiments, the battery assembly further includes an oxygen inlet pipe and an oxygen recovery pipe. 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 valve.

[0016] In some embodiments, the battery assembly further includes a second switching valve and a second one-way valve, both of which are located in the oxygen recovery pipe. The second one-way valve is used to allow oxygen discharged from the oxygen concentration sensor to flow to the oxygen inlet pipe.

[0017] In some embodiments, the hydrogen elimination device includes a first housing and copper oxide and a heating element disposed inside the first housing. The inlet end of the first housing is connected to the flow controller, and the outlet end of the first housing is connected to the hydrogen concentration sensor.

[0018] In some embodiments, the deaerator includes a second housing and iron powder disposed in the second housing, the air inlet of the second housing is connected to the third tail valve, and the air outlet of the second housing is connected to the oxygen concentration sensor.

[0019] Compared with existing technologies, the fuel cell gas supply device provided by this invention includes residual hydrogen generated by the fuel cell after operation, which flows sequentially through a first tail valve, a flow controller, a hydrogen eliminator, and a hydrogen concentration sensor. 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 flow of hydrogen, thereby reducing the amount of hydrogen passing through the hydrogen eliminator per unit time. The hydrogen eliminator can eliminate hydrogen within a fixed elimination rate. When the hydrogen concentration sensed by the hydrogen concentration sensor is not higher than the preset value, the hydrogen concentration sensor stops controlling the flow controller to reduce the flow of air. Through the technical solution of this application, the hydrogen concentration finally discharged into the enclosed space can be controlled within a preset range, resulting in low safety risk. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fuel cell gas supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fuel cell gas supply device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a hydrogen elimination device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0024] To address the technical problem in existing technologies where hydrogen generated by fuel cells is transported to a hydrogen elimination device for elimination, but the elimination rate of the device is limited per unit time, and if the hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell to the elimination device is too fast, the device cannot eliminate enough hydrogen, leading to an increase in hydrogen concentration in the enclosed space and a high safety risk, this invention provides a fuel cell gas supply device that can limit the flow of discharged hydrogen when the fuel cell discharges excessive amounts, so that the hydrogen elimination device can eliminate hydrogen in a timely manner and avoid the safety risks caused by excessive hydrogen content in the enclosed space.

[0025] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fuel cell gas supply device in one embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell gas supply device includes a battery assembly 1 and a housing 2. The housing 2 has a closed space 21. The battery assembly 1 is located in the closed space 21. The battery assembly 1 includes a fuel cell 11, a first exhaust valve 12, a flow controller 13, a hydrogen eliminator 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 flow of hydrogen when the hydrogen concentration sensed by the hydrogen concentration sensor 15 is higher than a preset value.

[0026] In this embodiment, the gas supply device also includes a main controller (not shown in the figure). The main controller is wirelessly connected to the first tail valve 12, the flow controller 13 and the hydrogen concentration sensor 15. When the hydrogen concentration detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor 15 exceeds the 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 flow rate of hydrogen. Thus, the hydrogen eliminator 14 can fully eliminate the hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell 11 within a unit time, avoiding the safety risk caused by excessive hydrogen content in the enclosed space 21.

[0027] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2The battery assembly 1 also includes a second tail valve 16. One end of the second tail valve 16 is connected between the fuel cell 11 and the first tail valve 12, and the other end is connected between the flow controller 13 and the hydrogen eliminator 14. When the fuel cell 11 is operating normally, the second tail valve 16 can be closed and the first tail valve 12 can be opened. The hydrogen normally discharged from the fuel cell 11 flows sequentially through the flow controller 13, the hydrogen eliminator 14, and the hydrogen concentration sensor 15. During 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 a preset value, the main controller generates a sensing signal and controls the flow controller 13 to reduce the hydrogen flow rate until the hydrogen concentration detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor 15 does not exceed the preset value, at which point the flow controller 13 is controlled to restore the hydrogen flow rate. The hydrogen concentration sensor 15 can be set to detect at short intervals, such as every three or five minutes. When the fuel cell 11 has just finished working, the first tail exhaust valve 12 can be closed and the second tail exhaust valve 16 can be opened intermittently, for example, once every five seconds, and each time it is opened for ten seconds, so that the remaining hydrogen discharged by the fuel cell 11 can be fully eliminated by the hydrogen eliminator 14.

[0028] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 The battery assembly 1 also 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, and one end of the hydrogen recovery pipe 18 is connected to the outlet end of the hydrogen concentration sensor 15, while the other end of the hydrogen recovery pipe 18 is connected to the hydrogen inlet pipe 17. In this embodiment, the 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 supplies hydrogen to the fuel cell 11 through the hydrogen inlet pipe 17, providing the hydrogen source required for the operation of the fuel cell 11. The hydrogen inlet pipe 17 can be connected to the hydrogen source through a first inlet valve 183, and 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, facilitating the reuse of hydrogen and saving hydrogen.

[0029] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2The battery assembly 1 also includes a first switching valve 181 and a first one-way valve 182. Both the first switching valve 181 and the first one-way valve 182 are located in the hydrogen recovery pipe 18. The first one-way valve 182 is used to allow the hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen concentration sensor 15 to flow to the hydrogen inlet pipe 17. The first one-way valve 182 can also prevent reverse flow in the hydrogen recovery pipe 18, preventing hydrogen from being discharged before being utilized by the fuel cell 11. The first switching valve 181 can also be connected to a main controller. When the hydrogen concentration detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor 15 is higher than a preset value, the first switching valve 181 can be opened by the main controller to allow part of the discharged hydrogen to flow back to the hydrogen inlet pipe 17 for reuse. When the hydrogen concentration detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor 15 is not higher than the preset value, the first switching valve 181 can be closed by the main controller.

[0030] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 The battery assembly 1 also includes an oxygen inlet pipe 31, an oxygen outlet pipe 32, and a third 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 exhaust valve 33 is located on the oxygen outlet pipe. The oxygen inlet pipe 31 is also connected to an oxygen source through a second inlet valve 34, which can control whether the oxygen source supplies oxygen to the fuel cell 11 or not. Residual oxygen after the fuel cell 11 has worked can be discharged through the oxygen outlet pipe 32, and when the third exhaust valve 33 is open, oxygen can continue to flow backward.

[0031] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 The battery assembly 1 also includes an oxygen deaerator 35, an oxygen concentration sensor 36, a fourth exhaust valve 37, and a fifth exhaust valve 38. The third exhaust valve 33, oxygen deaerator 35, oxygen concentration sensor 36, and fourth exhaust valve 37 are connected sequentially. One end of the fifth exhaust valve 38 is connected to the outlet of the oxygen concentration sensor 36, and the other end is connected to the oxygen deaerator 35. Furthermore, the oxygen concentration sensor 36, fourth exhaust valve 37, and fifth exhaust valve 38 are all connected to the main controller. In this embodiment, the oxygen discharged from the oxygen outlet pipe 32 is eliminated by the oxygen deaerator 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 main controller controls the fifth exhaust valve 38 to open and the fourth exhaust valve 37 to close, allowing the oxygen to flow back to the oxygen deaerator 35 for further elimination until the oxygen concentration detected by the oxygen concentration sensor 36 is no longer exceeding the standard. Then, the main controller controls the fifth exhaust valve 38 to close and the fourth exhaust valve 37 to open.

[0032] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2The battery assembly 1 also includes a second switching 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 exhaust valve 37, and the other end is connected to the oxygen inlet pipe 31. When the fifth tail exhaust valve 38 is closed and the second switching valve 41 is open, the oxygen discharged through the oxygen concentration sensor 36 can flow through the oxygen recovery pipe 40 to the oxygen inlet pipe 31, and then flow into the oxygen inlet of the fuel cell 11 together with fresh oxygen, continuing to supply oxygen for the operation of the fuel cell 11, which helps to save energy. When oxygen recycling is not required, the second switching valve 41 can be closed.

[0033] Furthermore, the main controller connects to the second switching valve 41, the oxygen concentration sensor 36, and the fourth tail exhaust valve 37. The main controller can be configured with actuators and a program control method. When the actuators are working, they execute this program control method, which includes preset oxygen concentration values ​​X and Y, where 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 opened, and both the fifth tail exhaust valve 38 and the second switching valve 41 are closed. At this time, the oxygen concentration is very low and can be directly discharged into the enclosed space. When S is greater than or equal to X and less than Y, it indicates that the oxygen concentration is moderate. The fourth tail exhaust valve 37 is closed, and the fifth tail exhaust valve 38 is opened, allowing oxygen to flow back to the deaerator 35 for further absorption. When S is greater than or equal to Y, it indicates that the oxygen concentration is high. The fifth tail exhaust valve 38 is closed, and both the fourth tail exhaust valve 37 and the second switching valve 41 are opened, allowing oxygen to flow through the oxygen recovery pipe 40 into the oxygen inlet pipe 31 and, together with fresh oxygen, into the oxygen inlet of the fuel cell 11 for recycling. This program control method allows for more rational use of oxygen, saving energy and controlling the oxygen content in enclosed spaces, thus reducing safety risks.

[0034] The enclosed space can also be equipped with a hydrogen-oxygen reaction assembly, which includes a third housing, a suction pump, and a catalyst. The catalyst is located inside the third housing. The suction pump is connected to the third housing and is used to draw gas from the enclosed space into the third housing to react with the catalyst. The catalyst can be a platinum-based or palladium-based hydrogen-oxygen reaction catalyst. The chemical reaction formula is as follows: It helps remove oxygen and hydrogen from enclosed spaces, reducing risks. The suction pump can be set to operate at intervals, with each operation lasting up to ten minutes.

[0035] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2The hydrogen removal device includes a first housing 101, a copper oxide 102 disposed inside the first housing 101, and a heating element 103. The inlet of the first housing 101 is connected to a flow controller, and the outlet of the first housing 101 is connected to a hydrogen concentration sensor. When hydrogen enters the first housing 101, it can chemically react with the high-temperature copper oxide 102 to remove hydrogen. The chemical formula is: Ultimately, copper and water are generated inside the first housing 101, with the water primarily present as water vapor. The heating element 103 can be a heating wire, and its heating temperature can be controlled independently, typically within 300℃±10℃.

[0036] In one embodiment, please refer to Figure 2 The deaerator includes a second housing (not shown in the figure) and iron powder disposed in the second housing. The air inlet of the second housing is connected to a third exhaust valve 33, and the air outlet of the second housing is connected to an oxygen concentration sensor 36. When the third exhaust valve 33 is opened, oxygen can flow into the second housing, come into contact with the iron powder, and undergo an oxidation-reduction reaction to consume the oxygen. After the reaction, no additional new gas or harmful substances are produced.

[0037] The specific embodiments of the present invention described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made in accordance with the technical concept of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell gas supply device, characterized in that, include: The box contains a closed space. as well as A battery assembly is located in the enclosed space. The battery assembly includes a fuel cell, a first exhaust valve, a flow controller, a hydrogen depletor, 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 flow of hydrogen when the hydrogen concentration sensed by the hydrogen concentration sensor is higher than a preset value. The battery assembly also includes a hydrogen inlet pipe and a hydrogen recovery pipe. 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. The battery assembly further includes a first switching valve and a first one-way valve, both of which are located in the hydrogen recovery pipe. The first one-way valve is used to direct the hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen concentration sensor to the hydrogen inlet pipe.

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

3. 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 valve. 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 valve is located on the oxygen outlet pipe.

4. The fuel cell gas supply device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The battery assembly also includes an oxygen deaerator, an oxygen concentration sensor, a fourth tail exhaust valve, and a fifth tail exhaust valve. The third tail exhaust valve, the oxygen deaerator, 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 of the oxygen concentration sensor, and the other end of the fifth tail exhaust valve is connected to the oxygen deaerator.

5. The fuel cell gas supply device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The battery assembly also includes an oxygen inlet pipe and an oxygen recovery pipe. 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 valve.

6. The fuel cell gas supply device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The battery assembly also includes a second switching valve and a second one-way valve, both of which are located in the oxygen recovery pipe. The second one-way valve is used to allow the oxygen discharged from the oxygen concentration sensor to flow to the oxygen inlet pipe.

7. The fuel cell gas supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen elimination device includes a first housing and copper oxide and a heating element disposed inside the first housing. The inlet end of the first housing is connected to the flow controller, and the outlet end of the first housing is connected to the hydrogen concentration sensor.

8. The fuel cell gas supply device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The deaerator includes a second housing and iron powder disposed in the second housing. The air inlet of the second housing is connected to the third tail valve, and the air outlet of the second housing is connected to the oxygen concentration sensor.

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