A fuel cell stack

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of fuel cell, and discloses a fuel cell stack, which comprises a gas port end plate, a stack core, a blind end plate, a power supply, a plasma pipeline and a main controller, the gas port end plate, the stack core and the blind end plate are stacked in sequence, a plurality of plasma working cavities are arranged in the gas port end plate and the blind end plate, a plurality of electrodes which are mutually insulated and independently work are arranged on the inner wall of the plasma working cavities, the electrodes are connected with the power supply, a pressure sensor is arranged on the inner wall of the plasma working cavities, a plurality of temperature sensors are arranged on the outer wall of the plasma working cavities, each plasma working cavity is connected with the plasma pipeline, the plasma pipeline is connected with a hydrogen outlet pipeline of the stack through a three-way valve, and the main controller controls the opening of the three-way valve, the opening of a flow controller, and the output voltage and current of the power supply. The present application solves the problem of poor low-temperature performance of single cell at the end plate and improves the hydrogen utilization rate.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Fuel cells are a type of highly efficient and clean power generation device. They work by directly converting the chemical energy of fuel, such as hydrogen, and oxidant into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction. The entire process involves no combustion, and the products are mostly water, producing almost no pollutants. Moreover, they have high energy conversion efficiency, so they are widely used in many fields such as transportation, aerospace, and distributed power generation.

[0003] A fuel cell stack is mainly assembled from core components such as end plates, current collectors, bipolar plates, and membrane electrode assemblies in a stacked manner. Temperature is one of the key factors affecting fuel cell performance during operation. Normally, coolant circulates within each cell to precisely regulate the stack temperature. The typical operating temperature range for a fuel cell is approximately 60-90°C. During operation, heated coolant flows into each cell, causing rapid temperature increases. However, cells near the end plates experience a drop in temperature due to heat dissipation to the outer end plates, resulting in relatively poorer performance in these cells and reducing the overall performance of the fuel cell. Furthermore, to improve stack output performance and prevent under-gas situations, excess hydrogen is typically supplied to the stack. However, this results in excess unreacted hydrogen being directly released into the atmosphere from the stack outlet, causing significant waste.

[0004] In view of the above problems, researching and designing a new type of fuel cell stack that can overcome these defects in the existing technology is undoubtedly of great practical significance and application value. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the problem of poor low-temperature performance of individual cells near the endplate in existing fuel cell stacks, and the waste of excessive hydrogen emissions from fuel cell supply, this invention provides a fuel cell stack.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to achieve the above objectives is as follows: a fuel cell stack, comprising a gas inlet end plate, a stack core, a blind end plate, a power supply, a plasma pipeline, and a main controller. The gas inlet end plate, the stack core, and the blind end plate are stacked sequentially. Multiple plasma working chambers are provided inside the gas inlet end plate and the blind end plate. Multiple mutually insulated and independently operating electrodes are provided on the inner wall of each plasma working chamber. The electrodes are connected to the power supply. A pressure sensor is provided on the inner wall of each plasma working chamber. Multiple temperature sensors are provided on the outer wall of each plasma working chamber. Each plasma working chamber is connected to the plasma pipeline. Each plasma working chamber is equipped with a flow controller at its connection point. The plasma pipeline is connected to the hydrogen outlet pipeline of the fuel cell stack via a three-way valve. The three-way valve is also connected to a hydrogen tailpipe pipeline. The hydrogen outlet pipeline is connected to the fuel cell stack hydrogen outlet. The main controller is connected to the temperature sensor, pressure sensor, three-way valve, flow controller, power supply, and electrodes respectively. The main controller is used to adjust the gas flow rate entering each plasma working chamber by controlling the opening of the three-way valve and the opening of the flow controller based on the monitoring results of the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor, and to adjust the voltage and current values ​​of the electrodes by controlling the output voltage and current values ​​of the power supply.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a fuel cell stack is formed by stacking multiple single cells.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a fuel cell stack has a gas port end plate provided with a stack oxidant inlet, a stack circulating liquid inlet, a stack hydrogen outlet, a stack oxidant outlet, a stack circulating liquid outlet, and a stack hydrogen inlet.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in a fuel cell stack, each plasma working chamber in the gas port end plate is arranged in parallel inside the gas port end plate, and each plasma working chamber is independent of the others.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in a fuel cell stack, each plasma working chamber in the blind end plate is arranged in parallel inside the blind end plate, and each plasma working chamber is independent of the others.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in a fuel cell stack, the outlet of the plasma working chamber is connected to a hydrogen exhaust pipeline.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in a fuel cell stack, the hydrogen exhaust pipeline is provided with a gate valve, which is connected to the main controller.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in a fuel cell stack, the plasma working chamber is corrugated.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in a fuel cell stack, the plasma working chamber is linear.

[0015] This invention addresses the problem of poor low-temperature performance of individual cells at the endplates of a fuel cell stack. By incorporating plasma working chambers within the gas inlet and blind endplates, the invention guides residual hydrogen from the stack reaction into these chambers. Under the influence of a power source, plasma is generated, providing zoned heating to the gas inlet and blind endplates. Utilizing the high-temperature heating characteristics of plasma, the temperature of each region within the gas inlet and blind endplates is precisely controlled, effectively increasing the temperature of individual cells near these endplates and significantly improving their performance, thus enhancing the overall performance of the stack. This invention also improves hydrogen utilization by innovatively reusing unreacted hydrogen. Unreacted hydrogen is no longer directly emitted but instead plays a role in the plasma working chamber, achieving secondary hydrogen utilization, reducing hydrogen waste, increasing fuel efficiency, and lowering operating costs. Furthermore, the overall performance and stability of this fuel cell stack are improved. Zoned temperature control of the gas inlet and blind endplates results in a more uniform temperature distribution throughout the stack, avoiding performance differences and potential failure risks caused by excessive local temperature variations. Improving the reliability and stability of fuel cell stacks and extending their service life plays a positive role in promoting the development of fuel cell technology. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell stack structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the blind end plate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the plasma working chamber structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] In the diagram: 1. Gas inlet end plate, 2. Stack core, 3. Blind end plate, 4. Plasma pipeline, 5. Plasma working chamber, 6. Electrode, 7. Pressure sensor, 8. Temperature sensor, 9. Flow controller, 10. Three-way valve, 11. Hydrogen outlet pipeline, 12. Hydrogen tailpipe pipeline, 13. Hydrogen exhaust pipeline, 14. Gate valve. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. The terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two elements. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances. Furthermore, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0022] One embodiment of this embodiment is a fuel cell stack, such as Figure 1 As shown, the system includes a gas port endplate 1, a fuel cell stack core 2, a blind endplate 3, a power supply, a plasma pipeline 4, and a main controller. The gas port endplate 1, the fuel cell stack core 2, and the blind endplate 3 are stacked sequentially, as shown. Figure 2 As shown, both the gas port end plate 1 and the blind end plate 3 are equipped with multiple plasma working chambers 5, such as... Figure 3 As shown, each plasma working chamber 5 has multiple mutually insulated and independently operating electrodes 6 on its inner wall. The electrodes 6 are connected to a power source, which provides current and voltage to the electrodes 6. Each plasma working chamber 5 has a pressure sensor 7 on its inner wall, which is used to monitor the gas pressure inside the plasma working chamber 5. Each plasma working chamber 5 has multiple temperature sensors 8 on its outer wall, which are used to monitor the temperature at various points in the gas port end plate 1 and the blind end plate 3. More preferably, the temperature sensors 8 are located near the electrodes 6. Each plasma working chamber 5 is connected to a plasma pipeline 4. A flow controller 9 is installed at the connection between the plasma pipeline 4 and each plasma working chamber 5. The gas flow rate of each plasma working chamber 5 can be controlled individually. The plasma pipeline 4 is connected to the hydrogen outlet pipeline 11 of the fuel cell stack through a three-way valve 10. The three-way valve 10 is also connected to a hydrogen tailpipeline 12. The hydrogen outlet pipeline 11 is connected to the fuel cell stack hydrogen outlet. The hydrogen remaining from the fuel cell stack reaction is discharged from the fuel cell stack through the fuel cell stack hydrogen outlet and then flows through the three-way valve 10. Part of the hydrogen is directly discharged into the upper atmosphere through the hydrogen tailpipeline 12, and part of the hydrogen enters the plasma pipeline 4. The hydrogen can enter the plasma working chamber 5 through each sub-pipeline of the plasma pipeline 4.

[0023] In this embodiment, the main controller is connected to temperature sensor 8, pressure sensor 7, three-way valve 10, flow controller 9, power supply, and electrode 6. Based on the monitoring results of temperature sensor 8 and pressure sensor 7, the main controller controls the opening of three-way valve 10 and the opening of flow controller 9 to regulate the gas flow rate entering each plasma working chamber 5. It also controls the output voltage and current values ​​of the power supply to regulate the voltage and current values ​​of electrode 6. The main controller can independently control the voltage and current values ​​of each electrode 6. The main controller can monitor the test results of each temperature sensor 8 and adjust the corresponding flow controller 9 based on the test results to control the gas flow rate entering the plasma working chamber 5. Simultaneously, the main controller controls the power supply based on the test results to adjust the voltage and current values ​​on each electrode 6. By controlling the gas flow rate, electrode voltage, and electrode current, the plasma intensity inside each plasma working chamber 5, as well as in different areas within the same plasma working chamber 5, can be controlled. The plasma heats the inner walls of the gas port end plate 1 and the blind end plate 3, thereby producing different heating effects in different areas. This allows for zoned temperature control within the plane of the air inlet end plate 1 and the blind end plate 3. By heating the inner walls of the air inlet end plate 1 and the blind end plate 3, the temperature of the individual cells near the air inlet end plate 1 and the blind end plate 3 is increased, thus solving the problem of poor performance of the end cells due to low temperature.

[0024] As a preferred embodiment, and more specifically, the fuel cell stack core 2 is composed of multiple single-cell batteries stacked together. The gas port end plate 1 is provided with a fuel cell oxidant inlet, a fuel cell circulating liquid inlet, a fuel cell hydrogen outlet, a fuel cell oxidant outlet, a fuel cell circulating liquid outlet, and a fuel cell hydrogen inlet. The positions of the fuel cell oxidant inlet, fuel cell circulating liquid inlet, fuel cell hydrogen outlet, fuel cell oxidant outlet, fuel cell circulating liquid outlet, and fuel cell hydrogen inlet on the gas port end plate 1 correspond to the positions of the fuel cell oxidant inlet, circulating liquid inlet, hydrogen outlet, oxidant outlet, circulating liquid outlet, and hydrogen inlet on each single cell. The fuel gas required for the fuel cell reactor reaction enters the fuel cell stack through the hydrogen inlet and exits through the hydrogen outlet. The oxidant required for the fuel cell reactor reaction, such as air or oxygen, enters the fuel cell stack through the oxidant inlet and exits through the oxidant outlet. The circulating liquid required for the fuel cell reactor reaction, such as deionized water or coolant, enters the fuel cell stack through the circulating liquid inlet and exits through the circulating liquid outlet.

[0025] As a preferred embodiment, and more specifically, each plasma working chamber 5 within the gas port end plate 1 is arranged in parallel inside the gas port end plate 1, and each plasma working chamber 5 is independent of each other. Similarly, each plasma working chamber 5 within the blind end plate 3 is arranged in parallel inside the blind end plate 3, and each plasma working chamber 5 is independent of each other. The plasma pipeline 4 is located on the outside of both the gas port end plate 1 and the blind end plate 3.

[0026] As a preferred embodiment, and more specifically, a hydrogen exhaust pipe 13 is connected to the outlet of the plasma working chamber 5. The hydrogen exhaust pipe 13 is equipped with a gate valve 14. When the pressure inside the plasma working chamber 5 exceeds the limit, the main controller can control the gate valve 14 to open and discharge the gas through the hydrogen exhaust pipe 13 to the outside of the plasma working chamber 5.

[0027] As a preferred embodiment, and more specifically, the plasma working chamber 5 can be corrugated to increase the contact area between the plasma working chamber 5 and the inner wall of the gas port end plate 1 and / or the blind end plate 3. The plasma working chamber 5 can also be straight. Other shapes of the plasma working chambers 5 are also possible. Each plasma working chamber 5 can have the same shape.

[0028] In this embodiment, the hydrogen gas remaining from the fuel cell reactor is discharged from the fuel cell and enters the plasma working chamber 5 through the plasma working pipeline. Under the action of the electrodes 6 on the inner wall of the plasma working chamber 5, the hydrogen gas generates plasma in the plasma working chamber 5. The plasma heats the gas port end plate 1 and / or the blind end plate 3 in sections inside the gas port end plate 1 and / or the blind end plate 3, effectively solving the problem of poor performance of single cells near the gas port end plate 1 and / or the blind end plate 3 due to low temperature. At the same time, hydrogen gas is reused, improving the utilization rate of hydrogen gas. This invention can be used in the manufacturing of components for new energy vehicle devices.

[0029] The embodiments of the present invention are given for illustrative and descriptive purposes only, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to better illustrate the principles and practical application of the invention, and to enable those skilled in the art to understand the invention and to design various embodiments with various modifications suitable for a particular purpose.

Claims

1. A fuel cell stack, characterized in that, The system includes a gas port end plate (1), a fuel cell stack core (2), a blind end plate (3), a power supply, a plasma pipeline (4), and a main controller. The gas port end plate (1), the fuel cell stack core (2), and the blind end plate (3) are stacked sequentially. Each of the gas port end plate (1) and the blind end plate (3) has multiple plasma working chambers (5). Each plasma working chamber (5) has multiple mutually insulated and independently operating electrodes (6) on its inner wall. The electrodes (6) are connected to the power supply. Each plasma working chamber (5) has a pressure sensor (7) on its inner wall and multiple temperature sensors (8) on its outer wall. Each plasma working chamber (5) is connected to the plasma pipeline (4), and the plasma pipeline (4) is connected to each plasma working chamber (5). Each connection is equipped with a flow controller (9). The plasma pipeline (4) is connected to the hydrogen outlet pipeline (11) of the fuel cell stack via a three-way valve (10). The three-way valve (10) is also connected to a hydrogen tailpipe pipeline (12). The hydrogen outlet pipeline (11) is connected to the fuel cell stack hydrogen outlet. The main controller is connected to the temperature sensor (8), pressure sensor (7), three-way valve (10), flow controller (9), power supply, and electrode (6) respectively. The main controller is used to control the opening of the three-way valve (10) and the opening of the flow controller (9) to adjust the gas flow rate entering each plasma working chamber (5) according to the monitoring results of the temperature sensor (8) and the pressure sensor (7). It also controls the output voltage and current values ​​of the power supply to adjust the voltage and current values ​​of the electrode (6).

2. A fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stack core (2) is composed of multiple single-cell batteries stacked together.

3. A fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas port end plate (1) is provided with a fuel cell oxidant inlet, a fuel cell circulating liquid inlet, a fuel cell hydrogen outlet, a fuel cell oxidant outlet, a fuel cell circulating liquid outlet, and a fuel cell hydrogen inlet.

4. A fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each plasma working chamber (5) in the gas port end plate (1) is arranged in parallel inside the gas port end plate (1), and each plasma working chamber (5) is independent of each other.

5. A fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each plasma working chamber (5) within the blind end plate (3) is arranged in parallel inside the blind end plate (3), and each plasma working chamber (5) is independent of each other.

6. A fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plasma working chamber (5) is connected to a hydrogen exhaust pipe (13) at its outlet.

7. A fuel cell stack according to claim 6, characterized in that, The hydrogen discharge pipeline (13) is equipped with a gate valve (14), which is connected to the main controller.

8. A fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plasma working chamber (5) is wave-shaped.

9. A fuel cell stack according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plasma working chamber (5) is linear.

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