Pile purging system, fuel cell system, vehicle and purging system control method
By using a humidity sensor and a controller in the purge system of the fuel cell stack, the conduction of the first and second purge branches is controlled, and the condensation problem caused by the purge gas carrying water vapor is solved, and the effect of reducing the humidity and temperature of the stack shell is achieved, and the safety of the fuel cell is improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510258941.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-05
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-06
AI Technical Summary
During the operation of the fuel cell stack, the purge gas carries water vapor, condensation forms on the surface of the stack shell after cooling, causing insulation reduction and safety hazards.
A purge system is designed, including an air compressor device, first and second purge branches, a humidity sensor and a controller. The humidity sensor obtains the humidity value in the stack housing, and the controller controls the conduction of the first and second purge branches according to the humidity value. The second purge branch has a dehumidification function to reduce the humidity of the purge gas.
The humidity and temperature of the purge gas are effectively reduced, and condensation is avoided on the surface of the stack housing, thereby preventing the insulation of the stack module from being reduced, and improving the safety of the fuel cell.
Smart Images
Figure CN120109228A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present application relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a purge system for a fuel cell stack, a fuel cell system, a vehicle, and a control method for the purge system. Background Art
[0002] At present, automotive fuel cell stacks are equipped with a stack shell for packaging to provide mechanical protection for the stack. A certain degree of hydrogen leakage is inevitable during the operation of the stack. In order to prevent the accumulation of hydrogen in the shell and cause possible safety hazards, the stack shell is usually purged with purge gas during the operation of the stack to discharge the residual hydrogen out of the shell.
[0003] Since the operating temperature of the fuel cell stack is usually within a relatively high temperature range, the purge gas will carry more water vapor when the temperature is high. Therefore, when the fuel cell stack is shut down to cool down, once the purge gas rich in water vapor contacts the fuel cell stack shell with a lower temperature, it is very easy to form condensation on the surface of the fuel cell stack shell, resulting in reduced insulation of the fuel cell module and even triggering the insulation fault alarm of the fuel cell. Summary of the invention
[0004] In view of this, the present application provides a purge system for a fuel cell stack, a fuel cell system, a vehicle, and a control method for the purge system. The technical solution of the present application is as follows: In a first aspect, the present application provides a purging system for a fuel cell stack, wherein the fuel cell stack comprises a fuel cell stack shell, the fuel cell stack shell comprises a purging inlet and a purging outlet, and the purging system comprises an air compressor, a first purging branch, a second purging branch, a humidity sensor and a controller; the air compressor is connected to the purging inlet through the first purging branch and the second purging branch, respectively, and is used to compress the air to form a purging gas and output it; the humidity sensor is arranged in the fuel cell stack shell, and is used to obtain the humidity value in the fuel cell stack shell; the first purging branch is used to input the purging gas into the purging inlet; the second purging branch is used to input the purging gas into the purging inlet after dehumidification treatment; the controller is used to control the first purging branch and / or the second purging branch to input the purging gas into the purging inlet according to the humidity value.
[0005] In one embodiment of the present application, the controller is also used to: when it is determined that the humidity value is greater than or equal to a first preset value, control the second purge branch to input the purge gas to the purge inlet; when it is determined that the humidity value is less than the first preset value and greater than a second preset value, control the first purge branch and the second purge branch to input the purge gas to the purge inlet; when it is determined that the humidity value is less than or equal to the second preset value, control the first purge branch to input the purge gas to the purge inlet.
[0006] In one embodiment of the present application, the first purge branch includes a first purge pipeline and a first solenoid valve, and the air compressor is connected to the purge inlet through the first purge pipeline and the first solenoid valve; the first solenoid valve is connected to the controller.
[0007] In one embodiment of the present application, the second purge branch includes a second purge pipeline, a second solenoid valve and a dehumidifier, and the air compressor is connected to the purge inlet through the second purge pipeline, the second solenoid valve and the dehumidifier; the second solenoid valve is connected to the controller.
[0008] In one embodiment of the present application, the air compression device includes a screw air compressor or a centrifugal air compressor.
[0009] In one embodiment of the present application, the purge system further includes an intercooler, and the air compressor is connected to the first purge branch and the second purge branch via the intercooler; the intercooler is used to adjust the purge gas to a preset temperature.
[0010] In one embodiment of the present application, the purge system further includes an air filter device, which is connected to the air compressor; the air filter device is used to filter out particulate matter in the air.
[0011] A second aspect of the present application provides a fuel cell system, including a fuel cell stack and the purge system.
[0012] A third aspect of the present application provides a vehicle including a fuel cell system.
[0013] A third aspect of the present application provides a control method for a purge system, wherein the purge system is connected to a fuel cell stack shell, the fuel cell stack shell includes a purge inlet and a purge outlet, the purge system includes an air compressor, a first purge branch, a second purge branch and a humidity sensor; the air compressor is connected to the purge inlet through the first purge branch and the second purge branch, respectively, and the humidity sensor is arranged in the fuel cell stack shell; the control method includes: obtaining the humidity value in the fuel cell stack shell through the humidity sensor; controlling the first purge branch and / or the second purge branch to input the purge gas to the purge inlet according to the humidity value; wherein the first purge branch is used to input the purge gas to the purge inlet, and the second purge branch is used to input the purge gas to the purge inlet after dehumidification treatment.
[0014] In one embodiment of the present application, controlling the first purge branch and / or the second purge branch to input the purge gas to the purge inlet according to the humidity value includes: when it is determined that the humidity value is greater than or equal to a first preset value, controlling the second purge branch to input the purge gas to the purge inlet; when it is determined that the humidity value is less than the first preset value and greater than a second preset value, controlling the first purge branch and the second purge branch to input the purge gas to the purge inlet; when it is determined that the humidity value is less than or equal to the second preset value, controlling the first purge branch to input the purge gas to the purge inlet.
[0015] It can be understood that the purge system in the embodiment of the present application obtains air outside the system through an air compressor, compresses the air to form a purge gas, and can effectively reduce the temperature and humidity of the purge gas to avoid condensation on the surface of the battery stack shell. By setting a humidity sensor in the battery stack shell to obtain the humidity value, the controller controls the first purge branch and / or the second purge branch for transmitting the purge gas to be turned on according to the humidity value. Since the second purge branch can dehumidify the purge gas, the humidity of the purge gas can be further reduced. When facing a higher humidity value in the battery stack shell, condensation can also be avoided on the surface of the battery stack shell, thereby avoiding the reduction of insulation of the battery stack module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Figure 1 It is a schematic block diagram of a purge system for a fuel cell stack provided in an embodiment of the present application.
[0017] Figure 2 It is a schematic block diagram of a second type of purge system for a fuel cell stack provided in an embodiment of the present application.
[0018] Figure 3 It is a schematic block diagram of a purge system for a third type of fuel cell stack provided in an embodiment of the present application.
[0019] Figure 4 It is a schematic block diagram of a fourth type of purge system for a fuel cell stack provided in an embodiment of the present application.
[0020] Figure 5 It is a schematic block diagram of a fuel cell system provided in an embodiment of the present application.
[0021] Figure 6 It is a flow chart of a control method of a purge system provided in an embodiment of the present application.
[0022] Figure 7 It is a flow chart of controlling a purge branch provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more than two. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: the existence of A alone, the existence of A and B at the same time, and the existence of B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. (if any) in the specification, claims and drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects, rather than to describe a specific order or sequence.
[0024] It should also be noted that the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application or the method shown in the flowchart includes one or more steps for implementing the method. Without departing from the scope of the claims, the execution order of multiple steps can be interchangeable with each other, and some of the steps can also be deleted.
[0025] At present, automotive fuel cell stacks are equipped with a stack shell for packaging to provide mechanical protection for the stack. A certain degree of hydrogen leakage is inevitable during the operation of the stack. In order to prevent the accumulation of hydrogen in the shell and cause possible safety hazards, the stack shell is usually purged with purge gas during the operation of the stack to discharge the residual hydrogen out of the shell.
[0026] Since the operating temperature of the fuel cell stack is usually within a relatively high temperature range, the purge gas will carry more water vapor when the temperature is high. Therefore, when the fuel cell stack is shut down to cool down, once the purge gas rich in water vapor contacts the fuel cell stack shell with a lower temperature, it is very easy to form condensation on the surface of the fuel cell stack shell, resulting in reduced insulation of the fuel cell module and even triggering the insulation fault alarm of the fuel cell.
[0027] The embodiments of the present application provide a purge system for a fuel cell stack, a fuel cell system, a vehicle, and a control method for the purge system, which are used to prevent condensation from forming on the surface of the fuel cell stack shell, thereby preventing the insulation of the fuel cell stack module from being reduced and improving the safety of the fuel cell.
[0028] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of a purge system for a fuel cell stack provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the fuel cell stack 100 includes a fuel cell stack housing 110, and the fuel cell stack housing 110 is used to encapsulate the fuel cell stack 100. The fuel cell stack housing 110 includes a purge inlet and a purge outlet.
[0029] In the embodiment of the present application, the purge system 200 includes an air compressor 210, a first purge branch 220, a second purge branch 230, a humidity sensor 240, and a controller 250. The air compressor 210 is connected to the purge inlet of the stack housing 110 through the first purge branch 220 and the second purge branch 230, respectively, and the humidity sensor 240 is disposed inside the stack housing 110. The controller 250 is connected to the air compressor 210, the first purge branch 220, the second purge branch 230, and the temperature and humidity sensor 240.
[0030] Among them, the air compressor 210 is used to obtain air outside the system, compress the air to form a purge gas and output it. In some embodiments, the air compressor 210 includes a screw air compressor or a centrifugal air compressor. The humidity sensor 240 is used to obtain the humidity value in the stack housing 110 and transmit the humidity value to the controller 250. The first purge branch 220 is used to input the purge gas output by the air compressor 210 to the purge inlet when the control signal of the controller 250 is received and turned on. The second purge branch 230 is used to dehumidify the purge gas output by the air compressor 210 and input it to the purge inlet when the control signal of the controller 250 is received and turned on.
[0031] The controller 250 is used to receive the humidity value of the humidity sensor 240, and input the purge gas to the purge inlet after controlling the first purge branch 220 and / or the second purge branch 230 to be turned on according to the humidity value. For example, when the controller 250 determines that the humidity inside the stack housing 110 is high according to the humidity value, the second purge branch 230 can be turned on and the first purge branch 220 can be turned off to input dry purge gas into the stack housing 110. When the humidity inside the stack housing 110 is low according to the humidity value, the first purge branch 220 can be controlled to be turned on and the second purge branch 230 can be turned off to transport the purge gas through the first purge branch 220.
[0032] It can be understood that the purge system 200 in the embodiment of the present application obtains air outside the system through the air compressor 210, compresses the air to form a purge gas, which can effectively reduce the temperature and humidity of the purge gas and avoid condensation on the surface of the stack shell 110. By setting a humidity sensor 240 in the stack shell 110 to obtain the humidity value, the controller 250 controls the first purge branch 220 and / or the second purge branch 230 for transmitting the purge gas to be turned on according to the humidity value. Since the second purge branch 230 can dehumidify the purge gas, the humidity of the purge gas can be further reduced. When facing a higher humidity value in the stack shell 110, condensation can also be avoided on the surface of the stack shell 110, thereby avoiding the reduction of insulation of the stack module.
[0033] In some embodiments, the controller 250 is also used to: when it is determined that the humidity value is greater than or equal to a first preset value, control the second purge branch 230 to input purge gas to the purge inlet; when it is determined that the humidity value is less than the first preset value and greater than the second preset value, control the first purge branch 220 and the second purge branch 230 to input purge gas to the purge inlet; when it is determined that the humidity value is less than or equal to the second preset value, control the first purge branch 220 to input purge gas to the purge inlet.
[0034] It can be understood that the embodiment of the present application controls the conduction of the first purge branch 220 and the second purge branch 230 with dehumidification capability by setting a first purge branch 220 and a second purge branch 230 individually or in combination to correspond to the three-level purge of the stack shell 110, that is, when the humidity value is greater than or equal to the first preset value, it is the first-level purge; when the humidity value is less than the first preset value and greater than the second preset value, it is the second-level purge; when the humidity value is less than or equal to the second preset value, it is the third-level purge.
[0035] In some embodiments, the first preset value may be a value within the range of 60% to 80% humidity, and the second preset value may be a value within the range of 40% to 60%.
[0036] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 A schematic block diagram of a second type of purge system for a fuel cell stack provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the purge system 200 includes an air compressor 210 , a first purge branch 220 , a second purge branch 230 , a humidity sensor 240 and a controller 250 .
[0037] The first purge branch 220 includes a first purge pipeline 221 and a first solenoid valve 222, and the air compressor 210 is connected to the purge inlet through the first purge pipeline 221 and the first solenoid valve 222. The first solenoid valve 222 is connected to the controller 250. The second purge branch 230 includes a second purge pipeline 231, a second solenoid valve 232 and a dehumidifier 233, and the air compressor 210 is connected to the purge inlet through the second purge pipeline 231, the second solenoid valve 232 and the dehumidifier 233. The second solenoid valve 232 is connected to the controller 250.
[0038] It can be understood that the controller 250 controls the conduction of the first purge branch 220 and / or the second purge branch 230 by transmitting a control signal to the first solenoid valve 222 and the second solenoid valve 232. For example, during the first-stage purge, the controller 250 transmits a conduction signal to the second solenoid valve 232, during the second-stage purge, the controller 250 transmits a conduction signal to the first solenoid valve 222 and the second solenoid valve 232, and during the third-stage purge, the controller 250 transmits a conduction signal to the second solenoid valve 232.
[0039] In some embodiments, the dehumidifier 233 may be cylindrical or square in shape, and may be composed of a shell encapsulating a desiccant, wherein the desiccant is made of a diluent material, such as silica gel, activated carbon, and calcium chloride.
[0040] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 A schematic block diagram of a purge system for a third type of battery stack provided in an embodiment of the present application, and Figure 2 Compared to the purge system 200 shown, Figure 3 The illustrated purge system 200 also includes an intercooler 260 .
[0041] In the embodiment of the present application, the air compressor 210 is connected to the first purge branch 220 and the second purge branch 230 via an intercooler 260. The intercooler 260 is used to adjust the purge gas to a preset temperature.
[0042] In some embodiments, the intercooler 260 includes a cooling core composed of multiple layers of heat sinks and pipes. The heat sinks and pipes are connected together by welding or brazing. The purge gas flows through the core to exchange heat with the heat sinks, thereby reducing the temperature.
[0043] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 A schematic block diagram of a fourth type of purge system for a fuel cell stack provided in an embodiment of the present application, and Figure 3 Compared to the purge system 200 shown, Figure 4 The illustrated purge system 200 also includes an air filtering device 270 .
[0044] In the embodiment of the present application, the air filter device 270 is connected to the air compressor 210. The air filter device 270 is used to filter out particulate matter in the air.
[0045] Among them, the air filter device 270 can be cylindrical in shape, consisting of a filter element encapsulated in a shell, and the filter element is protected by the shell. The filter element can be composed of multiple layers of materials, including filter paper, non-woven fabric, activated carbon, and chemical filter layers.
[0046] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 A schematic block diagram of a fuel cell system provided in an embodiment of the present application. The fuel cell system 10 includes a fuel cell stack 100 and a purge system 200 according to any of the above embodiments.
[0047] An embodiment of the present application also provides a vehicle, comprising the above-mentioned fuel cell system 10.
[0048] It can be understood that the beneficial effects of the vehicle and the fuel cell system 10 can refer to the beneficial effects of the purge system 200 in the aforementioned embodiment, which will not be repeated here.
[0049] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 A flow chart of a control method for a purge system provided in an embodiment of the present application. The control method is applied to the purge system of any of the above embodiments, and specifically includes the following steps: Step S61: Obtain the humidity value inside the battery stack shell through the humidity sensor.
[0050] Step S62: Control the first purge branch and / or the second purge branch to input purge gas to the purge inlet according to the humidity value.
[0051] The first purge branch is used to input the purge gas into the purge inlet, and the second purge branch is used to input the purge gas into the purge inlet after dehumidification treatment.
[0052] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 7 , the above step S62 may further include the following steps: Step S621: When it is determined that the humidity value is greater than or equal to the first preset value, the second purge branch is controlled to input purge gas to the purge inlet.
[0053] Step S622: When it is determined that the humidity value is less than the first preset value and greater than the second preset value, the first purge branch and the second purge branch are controlled to input purge gas to the purge inlet.
[0054] Step S623: When it is determined that the humidity value is less than or equal to the second preset value, the first purge branch is controlled to input purge gas to the purge inlet.
[0055] In the embodiment of the present application, the beneficial effects of the control method of the above-mentioned purge system can refer to the beneficial effects of the purge system in the aforementioned embodiment, which will not be repeated here.
[0056] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer storage medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the processor executes the control method of the purge system.
[0057] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer storage medium or transmitted through the computer storage medium. The computer instructions may be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a digital versatile disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).
[0058] Those skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the processes in the above-mentioned embodiments can be implemented by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program, and the program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above-mentioned methods. The aforementioned storage medium includes: ROM, RAM, magnetic disk or optical disk and other media that can store program codes. In the absence of conflict, the technical features in this embodiment and the implementation scheme can be combined arbitrarily.
[0059] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application. Without departing from the design spirit of the present application, various modifications and improvements made to the technical solutions of the present application by ordinary technicians in this field should fall within the protection scope determined by the claims of the present application.
Claims
1. A purge system for a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell stack comprising a fuel cell stack shell, the fuel cell stack shell comprising a purge inlet and a purge outlet, characterized in that: The purge system includes an air compressor, a first purge branch, a second purge branch, a humidity sensor and a controller; The air compressor is connected to the purge inlet through the first purge branch and the second purge branch respectively, and is used to compress the air to form purge gas and output it; The humidity sensor is arranged in the battery stack shell and is used to obtain the humidity value in the battery stack shell; The first purge branch is used to input the purge gas into the purge inlet; The second purge branch is used to input the purge gas into the purge inlet after dehumidification treatment; The controller is used for controlling the first purge branch and / or the second purge branch to input the purge gas to the purge inlet according to the humidity value.
2. The purge system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller is also used for: When it is determined that the humidity value is greater than or equal to a first preset value, controlling the second purge branch to input the purge gas to the purge inlet; When it is determined that the humidity value is less than the first preset value and greater than the second preset value, controlling the first purge branch and the second purge branch to input the purge gas to the purge inlet; When it is determined that the humidity value is less than or equal to the second preset value, the first purge branch is controlled to input the purge gas to the purge inlet.
3. The purge system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first purge branch includes a first purge pipeline and a first solenoid valve, and the air compressor is connected to the purge inlet through the first purge pipeline and the first solenoid valve; The first solenoid valve is connected to the controller.
4. The purge system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second purge branch includes a second purge pipeline, a second solenoid valve and a dehumidifier, and the air compressor is connected to the purge inlet through the second purge pipeline, the second solenoid valve and the dehumidifier; The second solenoid valve is connected to the controller.
5. The purge system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air compression device includes a screw air compressor or a centrifugal air compressor.
6. The purge system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an intercooler, and the air compressor is connected to the first purge branch and the second purge branch through the intercooler; The intercooler is used to adjust the purge gas to a preset temperature.
7. The purge system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an air filter device, which is connected to the air compressor; The air filter device is used to filter out particulate matter in the air.
8. A fuel cell system, characterized in that: It comprises a battery stack and a purge system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7.
9. A vehicle, characterized in that: Comprising the fuel cell system as claimed in claim 8.
10. A method for controlling a purge system, characterized in that: The purge system is connected to the stack shell, the stack shell includes a purge inlet and a purge outlet, and the purge system includes an air compressor, a first purge branch, a second purge branch, and a humidity sensor; The air compressor is connected to the purge inlet through the first purge branch and the second purge branch respectively, and the humidity sensor is arranged in the fuel cell stack housing; The control method comprises: Acquiring a humidity value in the battery stack shell by using the humidity sensor; Controlling the first purge branch and / or the second purge branch to input purge gas to the purge inlet according to the humidity value; The first purge branch is used to input the purge gas into the purge inlet, and the second purge branch is used to input the purge gas into the purge inlet after dehumidification treatment.