A marine fuel cell with an emergency shutdown system (ESD) and a control method thereof

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of fuel cell safety systems, and discloses a marine fuel cell with an Emergency Shutdown (ESD) system and its control method. It includes a DC-DC converter, a DC-CL converter, a low-voltage power supply unit, a ship controller, and an ESD system. The ESD system consists of a contactor, a high-voltage DC contactor, a circuit breaker, and a fuse. This invention is designed to address situations where an emergency power cut-off of the fuel cell system is required due to a fault in the interaction path between the fuel cell system and the ship, or when the ship malfunctions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of fuel cell safety systems, specifically relating to a marine fuel cell with an emergency shutdown system (ESD) and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen fuel cell systems are one of the most effective devices for utilizing hydrogen. They are currently used in commercial vehicles, passenger cars, ships, and rail transportation. In marine applications, the fuel cell stack generates electricity, which is then regulated by a DC-DC converter and output to the marine busbar via the load output cable. However, the converter's load output lacks an emergency shutdown function, failing to meet the emergency shutdown (ESD) requirements of marine safety system design to promptly cut off power to the output. This means it cannot guarantee rapid protection of equipment and personnel in emergency situations.

[0003] Marine emergency shutdown systems are rapid shutdown systems that monitor the fulfillment of emergency shutdown conditions and the output of shutdown signals. When the system receives a shutdown signal, it automatically shuts down the system load output through interlocking logic. It can transmit signals and issue alarms, and can also be manually shut down. It protects equipment and personnel safety in emergency situations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a design method for an emergency shutdown (ESD) system for marine fuel cells, which incorporates an emergency load output cutoff system during the design process of a marine fuel cell system. It aims to address situations where a fault occurs during the interaction between the marine fuel cell system and the ship, or when the ship experiences a malfunction, necessitating an emergency shutdown of the fuel cell system's power supply.

[0005] A marine fuel cell with an emergency shutdown system (ESD) includes a DC-DC converter, a DC-CL converter, a low-voltage power supply unit, a ship controller, and an emergency shutdown system (ESD); the emergency shutdown system (ESD) consists of a contactor, a high-voltage DC contactor, a circuit breaker, and a fuse.

[0006] One of the DC-DC converters in the gas turbine power system is sequentially connected to the gas turbine power system's DC-CL, contactor, and low-voltage power supply unit. The high-voltage output from the DC-DC converter is sent to the DCL for step-down to 24V for low-voltage power supply. The other DC-DC converter is connected to the ship's system via a high-voltage busbar, which supplies power to the ship's system. The high-voltage busbar is equipped with a circuit breaker and a fuse. A high-voltage DC contactor is also installed on the high-voltage busbar, located on the low-voltage power supply line of the gas turbine power system. The positive, negative, and high-voltage DC contactor control terminals are all located on the normally open contacts of the contactor. The ship controller's control line is connected to the control line of the high-voltage DC contactor, which activates when the ship controller sends a command, cutting off the gas turbine power system's output.

[0007] In this invention, when an emergency occurs, the emergency cut-off control button is pressed; when the emergency is resolved, the reset control button is pressed.

[0008] Furthermore, the emergency shut-off control buttons include an ESD button, a ship send control signal button, and other emergency shutdown signal buttons; all buttons undergo an "OR" logical operation to achieve emergency shutdown control.

[0009] Furthermore, the reset control buttons include ESD button reset, ship control signal reset, and other emergency shutdown signal reset; all buttons undergo an "OR" logical operation to achieve reset control.

[0010] Furthermore, when the high-voltage DC contactor is closed, A1 and A2 inside the high-voltage DC contactor are in a connected state; when the contactor is open, A1 and A2 inside the high-voltage DC contactor are in a disconnected state.

[0011] The principle behind the above settings is as follows:

[0012] The high-voltage electricity output from the DC-DC converter of the gas-fired power system is distributed in two ways: one path is output to the DCL converter of the gas-fired power system for step-down to 24V, used for low-voltage power supply; the other path is output to the ship system via the high-voltage busbar for power supply. The contactor is located on the low-voltage 24V power supply line of the gas-fired power system, with the positive, negative, and high-voltage DC contactor control terminals all located on the normally open contacts. When the KM switch is closed, the normally open switch of the contactor is closed, energizing both the low-voltage power supply of the gas-fired power system and the coil K of the high-voltage DC contactor. The low-voltage power supply of the gas-fired power system is normal, and the high-voltage load output of the gas-fired power system to the busbar is normally powered.

[0013] A control method for a marine fuel cell emergency shutdown system includes one of the following methods:

[0014] 1. When the ship controller sends a signal, the coil K of the high-voltage DC contactor is de-energized, and the contacts of the high-voltage DC contactor A1 and A2 are disconnected, thus achieving the emergency cut-off function.

[0015] 2. When the ESD button is pressed, the KM switch in the contactor is opened, the coil K in the high-voltage DC contactor is de-energized, and the contacts A1 and A2 of the high-voltage DC contactor are disconnected, thus achieving the emergency cut-off function.

[0016] 3. When other emergency shutdown signals (other shutdown triggers, including shore-to-ship ESD, low pressure of hydraulic power unit, and other safety issues) are input, the high-voltage contactor is cut off to disconnect the power supply to the gas-electric system output circuit.

[0017] Method 1 is as follows: After the ship control signal input cut-off signal is received, the coil of the high-voltage DC contactor (2) is de-energized, and the high-voltage output load of the gas-fired power plant is quickly de-energized; when the high-voltage and low-voltage power supplies are quickly disconnected, the emergency shutdown is completed.

[0018] Method two is as follows:

[0019] After the ESD of the gas-electric system is cut off, the low-voltage 24V contactor disconnects, and then the low-voltage 24V power supply to the gas-electric system is disconnected. Subsequently, the high-voltage DC contactor coil is de-energized; the high-voltage output load of the gas-electric system is thus quickly de-energized, with the DC contactor successively undertaking the load discharge function; when the high-voltage and low-voltage power supplies are quickly disconnected, the emergency shutdown is completed.

[0020] Method three is as follows:

[0021] When other emergency shutdown signals are input, the low-voltage 24V contactor disconnects, thereby disconnecting the low-voltage 24V power supply to the gas turbine. Subsequently, the high-voltage DC contactor coil is de-energized; the high-voltage output load of the gas turbine is thus quickly de-energized, with the DC contactor successively undertaking the load discharge function. Once the high-voltage and low-voltage power supplies are quickly disconnected, the emergency shutdown is complete.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are:

[0023] (1) This invention can quickly disconnect the load output of the fuel cell system interacting with the ship; it can also quickly disconnect the low-voltage 24V power supply of the fuel cell system to meet the requirements of the ship safety disconnection system.

[0024] (2) The present invention monitors the output status of the gas-fired power system in real time: it can analyze the signals sent by the ship system controller and determine whether the gas-fired power system is running. If the components of the gas-fired power system stop sending signals, it indicates an emergency shutdown and power supply stoppage. If the power supply is normal and the system is sending signals, it indicates that the output path is not cut off.

[0025] (3) When the gas-fired power system fails, it can quickly protect the safety of other equipment and personnel; when the ship's system fails, the gas-fired power system can quickly cut off the power input source. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is the ESD emergency shutdown trigger and reset control logic diagram (S is set position, R is reset).

[0027] Figure 2 Connection diagram of ESD emergency shutdown device for gas-fired power systems;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the specific operation process;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a high-voltage DC contactor.

[0030] The components in the diagram are as follows:

[0031] Contactor 1 (controls the switching on and off of low-voltage lines), high-voltage DC contactor 2 (controls the switching on and off of high-voltage lines), circuit breaker 3 (load circuit protection), and fuse 4 (load overcurrent protection). Detailed Implementation

[0032] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, a marine fuel cell with an emergency shutdown system (ESD) includes a DC-DC power supply system, a DC-CL power supply system, a low-voltage power supply device for the power supply system, a ship controller, and an emergency shutdown system (ESD); the emergency shutdown system (ESD) consists of a contactor 1, a high-voltage DC contactor 2, a circuit breaker 3, and a fuse 4.

[0035] One of the DC-DC converters in the gas-fired power system is sequentially connected to the gas-fired power system's DC-CL, contactor 1, and the low-voltage power supply device. The high-voltage output from the DC-DC converter is sent to the DCL for step-down to 24V for low-voltage power supply. The other DC-DC converter is connected to the ship's system via a high-voltage busbar, which outputs power to the ship's system. The high-voltage busbar is equipped with a circuit breaker 3 and a fuse 4. A high-voltage DC contactor 2 is also installed on the high-voltage busbar. Contactor 1 is located on the low-voltage power supply line of the gas-fired power system, with the positive and negative terminals, as well as the control of contactor 2, all located on the normally open contacts of contactor 1. The ship controller's control line is connected to the control line of contactor 2, which activates when the ship controller sends a command, cutting off the gas-fired power system's output.

[0036] In case of emergency, press the emergency cut-off control button; when the emergency is over, press the reset control button. Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the emergency shutdown control buttons include an ESD button, a ship control signal sending button, and other emergency shutdown signal buttons; all buttons undergo an "OR" logical operation to achieve emergency shutdown control. The reset control buttons include an ESD button reset, a ship control signal reset, and other emergency shutdown signal reset; all buttons undergo an "OR" logical operation to achieve reset control.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, when contactor 1 is closed, A1 and A2 inside high-voltage DC contactor 2 are in a connected state; when contactor 1 is open, A1 and A2 inside high-voltage DC contactor 2 are in a disconnected state (e.g., Figure 4 (As shown).

[0038] Example 2

[0039] This invention discloses a design method for an emergency shutdown (ESD) system for marine fuel cells, which incorporates an emergency load output cutoff system during the design process of a marine fuel cell system. When a fault occurs on the interaction path between the marine fuel cell system and the ship, or when a fault occurs on the ship itself, it is necessary to perform tiered disconnection of the load and the fault.

[0040] 1. In the event of a malfunction in the hydrogen fuel cell system of a ship, the power supply must be safely disconnected. (See attached document.) Figure 1 The ESD emergency shutdown trigger reset control logic diagram is shown. The emergency shutdown control logic is as follows: pressing the ESD button, the ship sending a control signal, and other emergency shutdown signal inputs are subjected to an "OR" logic operation to achieve emergency shutdown control. Reset control is similarly achieved by performing an "OR" logic operation on ESD button reset, ship control signal reset, and other emergency shutdown signal reset to achieve reset control.

[0041] 2. The emergency shutdown principle during load fault disconnection is as follows: Figure 2 The connection diagram of the ESD emergency shutdown device for the gas-fired power system is shown, and its structural connection is as described in Example 1.

[0042] The high-voltage output from the DC-DC converter in the gas-fired power system is divided into two paths. One path goes to the DCL (Digital Current Chain) of the gas-fired power system for step-down to 24V, used for low-voltage power supply. The other path goes through the high-voltage busbar to the ship's power system. Contactor 1 is located on the low-voltage 24V power supply line of the gas-fired power system. The positive and negative terminals, as well as the control of the high-voltage DC contactor 2, are all located on the normally open contacts of contactor 1. When the coil is energized, switch KM closes, the normally open switch of contactor 1 closes, and the low-voltage power supply of the gas-fired power system and the coil K of the high-voltage DC contactor are energized. The low-voltage power supply of the gas-fired power system is normal, and the high-voltage load output of the gas-fired power system to the busbar is normally supplied with power.

[0043] When the ship controller sends a signal, the coil K in high-voltage DC contactor 2 is de-energized, and the contacts of high-voltage DC contactors A1 and A2 are disconnected, achieving the emergency cut-off function.

[0044] When the ESD button is pressed, the KM switch in contactor 1 is opened, the coil K in high-voltage DC contactor 2 is de-energized, and the contacts of high-voltage DC contactors A1 and A2 are disconnected, thus achieving the emergency cut-off function.

[0045] 3. For detailed procedures on Emergency Disconnection (ESD), please refer to the appendix. Figure 3 Detailed operation flowchart. After the ESD of the gas-fired power system is cut off, the low-voltage 24V contactor disconnects, thereby disconnecting the low-voltage 24V power supply to the gas-fired power system. Subsequently, the high-voltage DC contactor coil is de-energized. The high-voltage output load of the gas-fired power system is thus quickly de-energized, with the DC contactor successively undertaking the load discharge function. Once the high-voltage and low-voltage power supplies are quickly disconnected, the emergency shutdown is completed.

[0046] The same principle applies to other emergency shutdown signal inputs: the low-voltage 24V contactor disconnects, subsequently disconnecting the low-voltage 24V power supply to the gas turbine, followed by de-energizing the high-voltage DC contactor coil. The gas turbine's high-voltage output load is then quickly de-energized, with the DC contactor successively performing the load discharge function. Once the high-voltage and low-voltage power supplies are rapidly disconnected, the emergency shutdown is complete.

[0047] After the ship's control signal input is cut off, the high-voltage DC contactor coil is de-energized, thus quickly cutting off power to the high-voltage output load of the fuel-electric system. The emergency shutdown is completed once the high-voltage and low-voltage power supplies are rapidly disconnected.

[0048] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes can be made within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention and the features thereof can be combined with each other unless otherwise specified.

Claims

1. A control method for a marine fuel cell including an Emergency Shutdown (ESD) system, characterized in that, Marine fuel cells with an emergency shutdown system (ESD) include a DC-DC power supply system, a DC-CL power supply system, a low-voltage power supply unit for the power supply system, a ship controller, and an emergency shutdown system (ESD); the emergency shutdown system (ESD) consists of a contactor (1), a high-voltage DC contactor (2), a circuit breaker (3), and a fuse (4). One of the DC-DC converters of the gas-fired power system is connected in sequence to the DCL, contactor (1), and low-voltage power supply device of the gas-fired power system. The high-voltage electricity output by the DC-DC converter is output to the DCL and stepped down to 24V for low-voltage power supply of the gas-fired power system. The other DC-DC converter is connected to the ship system through a high-voltage busbar. The high-voltage busbar outputs to the ship system for power supply of the ship system. A circuit breaker (3) and a fuse (4) are installed on the high-voltage busbar. A high-voltage DC contactor (2) is installed on the high-voltage busbar. The contactor (1) is located on the power supply line of the low-voltage device of the gas-fired power system. The positive and negative poles and the control of the high-voltage DC contactor (2) are all located on the normally open contacts of the contactor (1). The control line of the ship controller is connected to the control line of the high-voltage DC contactor (2). When the ship controller sends a command, it is turned on to cut off the output line of the gas-fired power system. When the contactor (1) is closed, A1 and A2 inside the high-voltage DC contactor (2) are in a connected state; when the contactor (1) is open, A1 and A2 inside the high-voltage DC contactor (2) are in a disconnected state. The control method includes one of the following:

1. When the ship controller sends a signal, the coil K in the high-voltage DC contactor (2) is de-energized, and the contacts of the high-voltage DC contactors A1 and A2 are disconnected, thus achieving the emergency cut-off function; 2. When the ESD button is pressed, the KM switch in the contactor (1) is opened, the coil K in the high voltage DC contactor (2) is de-energized, and the contacts of the high voltage DC contactor A1 and A2 are disconnected, thus achieving the emergency cut-off function.

3. When other emergency shutdown signals are input, the high-voltage DC contactor (2) is cut off to disconnect the power supply to the output circuit of the gas-electric system.

2. The control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Method 1 is as follows: After the ship control signal input cut-off signal is received, the coil of the high-voltage DC contactor (2) is de-energized, and the high-voltage output load of the gas-fired power plant is quickly de-energized; when the high-voltage and low-voltage power supplies are quickly disconnected, the emergency shutdown is completed.

3. The control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Method two is as follows: After the ESD of the gas-electric system is cut off, the low-voltage 24V contactor (1) is disconnected, and then the low-voltage 24V power supply of the gas-electric system is disconnected. Subsequently, the coil of the high-voltage DC contactor (2) is de-energized. The high-voltage output load of the gas-fired power supply is quickly de-energized, with DC contactors successively undertaking the load discharge function; once the high-voltage and low-voltage power supplies are quickly disconnected, the emergency shutdown is completed.

4. The control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Method three is as follows: When other emergency shutdown signals are input, the low-voltage 24V contactor (1) is disconnected, and then the low-voltage 24V power supply of the gas generator is disconnected, and then the coil of the high-voltage DC contactor (2) is de-energized; The high-voltage output load of the gas-fired power supply is quickly de-energized, with DC contactors successively undertaking the load discharge function; once the high-voltage and low-voltage power supplies are quickly disconnected, the emergency shutdown is completed.

5. The control method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In case of an emergency, press the emergency cut-off control button; when the emergency is over, press the reset control button.

6. The control method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The emergency shutdown control buttons include an ESD button, a ship send control signal button, and other emergency shutdown signal buttons; all buttons perform an "OR" logical operation to achieve emergency shutdown control.

7. The control method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The reset control buttons include ESD button reset, ship control signal reset, and other emergency shutdown signal reset; all buttons perform an "OR" logical operation to achieve reset control.

Images