Fuel cell hydrothermal management test platform and test method thereof

By designing a fuel cell hydrothermal management test platform, and using components such as thermometers and solenoid valves to simulate the heating power of the fuel cell stack, the problem of heat exchanger and fan selection was solved. This enabled efficient selection of the fuel cell stack without its use, ensuring that the stack operates in optimal condition and improving the flexibility and accuracy of the test.

CN121769148APending Publication Date: 2026-03-31CEICLOUD DATA STORAGE TECH BEIJING
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-09-29
Publication Date
2026-03-31

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In the existing technology, the water-thermal management system of fuel cells lacks effective testing methods when selecting heat exchangers and fans, which prevents the fuel cell stack from operating in the best condition and affects system efficiency and reliability.

Method used

A fuel cell hydrothermal management test platform was designed, including a water tank, a water supply path, a drainage path, a water pump, a heating unit, a thermometer, a solenoid valve, and a heat exchanger. By simulating the heating power of the fuel cell stack, the selection of the heat exchanger and fan is determined using thermometer data. Combined with a deionizer, a conductivity meter, and a third pipeline, precise control and monitoring of the circulating water can be achieved.

Benefits of technology

Without using a fuel cell stack, it is possible to effectively select heat exchangers and fans, reduce losses during testing, ensure that the fuel cell stack operates under optimal conditions, and improve the flexibility and accuracy of testing.

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Abstract

The invention relates to the field of hydrothermal management test, in particular to a fuel cell hydrothermal management test platform and a test method thereof. The water tank, the water pump, the heating unit, the first thermometer and the inlet electromagnetic valve are sequentially connected through a first pipeline, the outlet electromagnetic valve, the second thermometer and the water tank are sequentially connected through a second pipeline, and the first pipeline and the second pipeline are connected with the heat exchanger. Thus, the heating unit simulates the heating power of an electric pile, the water pump, the inlet electromagnetic valve and the outlet electromagnetic valve are opened to enable heated circulating water to flow through the heat exchanger, and whether the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger meets the use environment or not can be judged through data display of the first thermometer and the second thermometer, so that model selection of the heat exchanger and the fan is determined; the heating unit is used for simulating the heating of the galvanic pile, so that the heat exchanger and the fan can be selected without using the galvanic pile, and the loss of the galvanic pile in the test process is effectively reduced.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hydrothermal management testing, and more particularly to a fuel cell hydrothermal management testing platform and its testing method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, with the rapid development of technology, the hydrothermal management system of fuel cells plays a crucial role in the overall performance of the fuel cell stack. The quality of the hydrothermal management system directly affects the efficiency and stability of the fuel cell. If the operating temperature of the fuel cell deviates from the ideal range, whether too high or too low, it will have a significant negative impact on its performance. This will prevent the fuel cell stack from operating at its optimal state, thus affecting the efficiency and reliability of the entire system.

[0003] Therefore, to ensure the stable operation of the fuel cell stack under optimal conditions, in-depth research and optimization of its hydrothermal management are essential. Currently, the industry standard is to precisely control and regulate external equipment, namely the Balance of Plant (BOP). This method enables efficient and automated hydrothermal management of the fuel cell stack. To ensure the stack operates at its optimal condition, it is necessary to explore how the external BOP can efficiently and automatically manage its hydrothermal system, and to select appropriate heat exchangers and fans. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a fuel cell hydrothermal management test platform and test method, and to solve the problem of heat exchanger and fan selection.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: A fuel cell hydrothermal management test platform includes a water tank, a water supply line, a water drainage line, a water pump, a heating unit, a first thermometer, an inlet solenoid valve, an outlet solenoid valve, and a second thermometer. The water tank, water pump, heating unit, first thermometer, and inlet solenoid valve are connected in sequence through a first pipeline, and the outlet solenoid valve, second thermometer, and water tank are connected in sequence through a second pipeline. The first pipeline and the second pipeline are respectively connected to heat exchangers.

[0006] Furthermore, it also includes a deionizer, a circulation solenoid valve, a conductivity meter, and a third pipeline. The deionizer is installed on the first pipeline, the conductivity meter is installed on the second pipeline, and the two ends of the third pipeline are respectively connected to the first pipeline and the second pipeline. The circulation solenoid valve is installed on the third pipeline.

[0007] Furthermore, a water inlet solenoid valve is installed on the first pipeline, and the first solenoid valve is located between the water tank and the water pump.

[0008] Furthermore, a liquid flow meter is installed on the first pipeline.

[0009] Furthermore, a level gauge is embedded in the water tank.

[0010] The technical solution of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: A fuel cell water thermal management test method, comprising the following steps:

[0011] S1: Water purification treatment;

[0012] S2: Open the water pump, inlet solenoid valve, and outlet solenoid valve;

[0013] S3: Observe the first thermometer and adjust the heating unit to simulate the heating temperature;

[0014] S4: Observe the second thermometer to determine the selection of heat exchanger and fan;

[0015] S5: Power off.

[0016] Furthermore, the water purification process in step S1 includes the following steps:

[0017] M1: Close the drain solenoid valve, open the inlet solenoid valve, the outlet solenoid valve, and the circulation solenoid valve.

[0018] M2: Open the water supply solenoid valve until the water level in the tank is greater than or equal to 90%;

[0019] M3: Close the water supply solenoid valve, turn on the water pump, deionize the circulating water through the deionizer, and observe the conductivity meter until the conductivity of the circulating water is less than or equal to 10 μS / cm.

[0020] M4: Turn off the water pump, inlet solenoid valve, outlet solenoid valve, and circulation solenoid valve, and prepare for testing.

[0021] Furthermore, the power-off step S5 includes the following steps:

[0022] N1: Turn off the heating unit;

[0023] N2: Determine whether the circulating water temperature is higher than the system preset value using a second thermometer.

[0024] When the circulating water temperature exceeds the system preset value, turn on the fan and adjust the duty cycle to lower the temperature;

[0025] When the circulating water temperature is lower than the system preset value, proceed directly to the next step;

[0026] N3: Turn off the water pump and open the drain solenoid valve.

[0027] This invention provides a fuel cell hydrothermal management test platform, including a water tank, a water supply line, a water drainage line, a water pump, a heating unit, a first thermometer, an inlet solenoid valve, an outlet solenoid valve, and a second thermometer. The water tank, water pump, heating unit, first thermometer, and inlet solenoid valve are sequentially connected via a first pipeline, and the outlet solenoid valve, second thermometer, and water tank are sequentially connected via a second pipeline. The first and second pipelines are respectively connected to a heat exchanger. In this way, the heating unit simulates the heating power of the fuel cell stack. By opening the water pump, inlet solenoid valve, and outlet solenoid valve, heated circulating water can flow through the heat exchanger. Data from the first and second thermometers can be used to determine whether the heat exchanger's heat exchange efficiency meets the operating environment, thereby determining the selection of the heat exchanger and fan. By simulating fuel cell stack heating with the heating unit, the heat exchanger and fan can be selected without using the fuel cell stack, effectively reducing fuel cell stack losses during testing.

[0028] The technical solution of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: A fuel cell water thermal management test method, comprising the following steps:

[0029] S1: Water purification treatment;

[0030] S2: Open the water pump, inlet solenoid valve, and outlet solenoid valve;

[0031] S3: Observe the first thermometer and adjust the heating unit to simulate the heating temperature;

[0032] S4: Observe the second thermometer to determine the selection of heat exchanger and fan;

[0033] S5: Power off.

[0034] Based on the optimal operating conditions and power of the fuel cell stack, the water temperature and flow rate are set, and the water pump is started and adjusted to reach the set value. Full-power cooling is simulated, with the heating unit running continuously at full power. Once the temperature reaches the set value, the fan is turned on, and its duty cycle is adjusted to stabilize the water temperature at the set value. At this point, different heat exchangers and fans can be replaced, allowing for component selection. The heating unit is selected based on the fuel cell stack's heating simulation. Cooling is then stopped by lowering the temperature setpoint, stopping heating, and restarting the fan. The water temperature is lowered to the required set cooling temperature, and the heat exchanger and fan are selected based on the required cooling time. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell hydrothermal management test platform system according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell hydrothermal management test method according to the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the water purification process for a fuel cell water thermal management testing method according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the shutdown process of a fuel cell hydrothermal management test method according to the present invention.

[0039] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:

[0040] 1. Water tank; 2. Water supply line; 3. Drainage line; 4. Water pump; 5. Heating unit; 6. First thermometer; 7. Inlet solenoid valve; 8. Outlet solenoid valve; 9. Second thermometer; 10. First pipeline; 11. Second pipeline; 12. Heat exchanger; 13. Deionizer; 14. Circulation solenoid valve; 15. Conductivity meter; 16. Third pipeline; 17. Inlet solenoid valve; 18. Liquid flow meter; 19. Liquid level gauge; 20. Water supply solenoid valve; 21. Drainage solenoid valve. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The principles and features of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The examples given are only for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0042] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "center", "inner", "outer", "top", "bottom", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and 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 this invention.

[0043] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" 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 components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0044] like Figures 1-4As shown, the present invention provides a fuel cell hydrothermal management test platform, including a water tank 1, a water supply line 2, a drainage line 3, a water pump 4, a heating unit 5, a first thermometer 6, an inlet solenoid valve 7, an outlet solenoid valve 8, and a second thermometer 9. The water tank 1, water pump 4, heating unit 5, first thermometer 6, and inlet solenoid valve 7 are connected sequentially through a first pipeline 10. The outlet solenoid valve 8, second thermometer 9, and water tank 1 are connected sequentially through a second pipeline 11. The first pipeline 10 and the second pipeline 11 are respectively connected to a heat exchanger 12. In this way, the heating unit 5 simulates the heating power of the fuel cell stack, and opens the water pump 4, the inlet solenoid valve 7, and the outlet solenoid valve 8 so that the heated circulating water can flow through the heat exchanger 12. By displaying the data of the first thermometer 6 and the second thermometer 9, it can be determined whether the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 12 meets the operating environment, thereby determining the selection of the heat exchanger 12 and the fan. By simulating the heating of the fuel cell stack through the heating unit 5, the heat exchanger 12 and the fan can be selected without using the fuel cell stack, effectively reducing the loss of the fuel cell stack during the testing process.

[0045] The fuel cell hydrothermal management test platform of the present invention, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, based on the previously described technical solution, it can also include a deionizer 13, a circulation solenoid valve 14, a conductivity meter 15, and a third pipeline 16. The deionizer 13 is installed on the first pipeline 10, the conductivity meter 15 is installed on the second pipeline 11, and the two ends of the third pipeline 16 are connected to the first pipeline 10 and the second pipeline 11, respectively. The circulation solenoid valve 14 is installed on the third pipeline 16. In this way, the test platform further incorporates key components such as the deionizer 13, the circulation solenoid valve 14, the conductivity meter 15, and the third pipeline 16, forming a more complete system architecture. Specifically, the deionizer 13 is installed on the first pipeline 10 and is responsible for strictly deionizing the circulating water before it enters the test system to ensure water purity and reduce the interference of impurities on the test results. The conductivity meter 15 is deployed on the second pipeline 11 to monitor the conductivity changes of the circulating water in real time, providing accurate data support for the test. The introduction of the third pipe 16 further enables flexible control of the circulating water flow. It cleverly connects the first pipe 10 and the second pipe 11, allowing the circulating water to bypass the heat exchanger 12 and flow directly back to the water tank 1 under specific conditions. This design greatly improves the flexibility and efficiency of the testing process.

[0046] The core advantages of this testing platform lie in its precise control capabilities and high testing efficiency. The application of deionizer 13 effectively removes ionic impurities from the circulating water, providing a cleaner working environment for the fuel cell system. Simultaneously, the real-time monitoring function of conductivity meter 15 allows testers to monitor changes in the conductivity of the circulating water at any time, enabling timely adjustments to test parameters and ensuring the accuracy of test results. Furthermore, the ingenious design of the third pipeline 16 makes the testing process more flexible and adaptable, meeting the needs of different testing scenarios. Before testing begins, testers can control the flow direction of the circulating water by adjusting the opening and closing state of circulation solenoid valve 14, thereby achieving precise control of test conditions.

[0047] The fuel cell hydrothermal management test platform of the present invention, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, based on the technical solution described above, it can also be: a water inlet solenoid valve 17 is provided on the first pipeline 10, and the first solenoid valve is located between the water tank 1 and the water pump 4. In this way, by providing the water inlet solenoid valve 17, the flow of circulating water in the water tank 1 into the water pump 4 can be controlled by the first solenoid valve, realizing the function of a master control switch.

[0048] The fuel cell hydrothermal management test platform of the present invention, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, based on the technical solution described above, another option is to install a liquid flow meter 18 on the first pipeline 10. In this way, by installing the liquid flow meter 18 on the first pipeline 10, the first flow meter collects the circulating water flow rate within the first pipeline 10. When the heating unit 5 simulates the heating of the fuel cell stack, the water circulation velocity also affects the selection of the heat exchanger 12 and the fan. Therefore, the power of the water pump 4 can be adjusted and determined using the first flow meter, ensuring that the entire test is conducted under suitable conditions.

[0049] The fuel cell hydrothermal management test platform of the present invention, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, based on the technical solution described above, another option is to embed a level gauge 19 on the water tank 1. In this way, since it is necessary to ensure sufficient circulating water in the water tank 1 during testing, but the water tank 1 is generally a closed cavity structure, making it difficult to observe the water level, a level gauge 19 is installed on the water tank 1 to achieve real-time observation of the water level inside the water tank 1.

[0050] like Figures 1-4 As shown, the technical solution of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: A fuel cell water thermal management test method, comprising the following steps:

[0051] S1: Water purification treatment;

[0052] S2: Open water pump 4, inlet solenoid valve 7, outlet solenoid valve 8;

[0053] S3: Observe the first thermometer 6 and adjust the heating unit 5 to simulate the heating temperature;

[0054] S4: Observe the second thermometer 9 to determine the selection of heat exchanger 12 and fan;

[0055] S5: Power off.

[0056] Thus, based on the optimal operating conditions and power of the fuel cell stack, the water temperature and flow rate are set, and water pump 4 is started and adjusted to reach the set value. Full-power cooling is simulated, with heating unit 5 running continuously at full power. Once the temperature reaches the set value, the fan is turned on, and the fan duty cycle is adjusted to stabilize the water temperature at the set value. At this point, different heat exchangers 12 and fans can be replaced to select components; heating unit 5 is selected based on the fuel cell stack heating simulation. Cooling is then stopped by lowering the temperature setpoint, stopping heating, and starting the fan. The water temperature is lowered to the required set cooling temperature, and the selection of heat exchanger 12 and fan is determined based on the required cooling time.

[0057] The fuel cell hydrothermal management test platform of the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, based on the technical solution described above, the water purification treatment in step S1 can also include the following steps: close the drain solenoid valve 21, open the inlet solenoid valve 17, the outlet solenoid valve 7, the circulation solenoid valve 8, and the water supply solenoid valve 14; open the water replenishment solenoid valve 20 until the water level in the water tank 1 is greater than or equal to 90%; close the water replenishment solenoid valve 20, turn on the water pump 4, deionize the circulating water through the deionizer 13, and observe the conductivity meter 15 until the conductivity of the circulating water is less than or equal to 10 μS / cm; close the water pump 4, the inlet solenoid valve 17, the outlet solenoid valve 7, the outlet solenoid valve 8, and the circulation solenoid valve 14, and prepare for testing.

[0058] Before initiating the water purification process, a series of precise valve operations are essential preparatory steps. First, the drain solenoid valve 21 is closed. This step ensures unidirectional water circulation during the test, avoiding unnecessary water waste and potential pollution risks. Next, the inlet solenoid valve 17, the outlet solenoid valve 7, and the circulation solenoid valve 8 are opened in preparation for water circulation treatment.

[0059] To ensure a sufficient and stable water supply during testing, the platform is equipped with an intelligent water replenishment system. When the water replenishment solenoid valve 20 is opened, clear water is slowly injected into the water tank 1 until the water level reaches or exceeds the preset 90% threshold. This ratio ensures the water demand during testing while avoiding overflow problems that may occur due to excessively high water levels.

[0060] Deionization is a core step in the water purification process, directly affecting the purity and stability of the fuel cell's internal environment. During this stage, water pump 4 is activated, and circulating water flows rapidly through the system. As this water flows through deionizer 13, impurities, ions, and other harmful substances are effectively removed, significantly reducing the conductivity of the circulating water. By monitoring the conductivity meter 15 in real time, when the conductivity of the circulating water decreases to less than or equal to 10 μS / cm, it indicates that the deionization treatment has achieved the expected effect. After deionization is complete, water pump 4, inlet solenoid valve 17, inlet solenoid valve 7, outlet solenoid valve 8, and circulation solenoid valve 14 are successively closed.

[0061] The fuel cell hydrothermal management test platform of the present invention, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, based on the technical solution described above, the shutdown step S5 can also include the following steps: turning off the heating unit 5; determining whether the circulating water temperature is greater than the system preset value by using the second thermometer 9; when the circulating water temperature is greater than the system preset value, turning on the fan to adjust the duty cycle and reduce the temperature; when the circulating water temperature is less than the system preset value, directly proceeding to the next step; turning off the water pump 4 and opening the drain solenoid valve 21.

[0062] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell water thermal management test platform, characterized by: The application relates to a water treatment device, which comprises a water tank (1), a water supplement path (2), a water drainage path (3), a water pump (4), a heating unit (5), a first thermometer (6), an inlet electromagnetic valve (7), an outlet electromagnetic valve (8) and a second thermometer (9), wherein the water tank (1), the water pump (4), the heating unit (5), the first thermometer (6) and the inlet electromagnetic valve (7) are sequentially connected through a first pipeline (10), the outlet electromagnetic valve (8), the second thermometer (9) and the water tank (1) are sequentially connected through a second pipeline (11), and the first pipeline (10) and the second pipeline (11) are respectively connected with a heat exchanger (12).

2. The fuel cell water thermal management test platform of claim 1, wherein: The application further comprises a deionizer (13), a circulating electromagnetic valve (14), a conductivity instrument (15) and a third pipeline (16), the deionizer (13) is arranged on the first pipeline (10), the conductivity instrument (15) is arranged on the second pipeline (11), the third pipeline (16) is communicated with the first pipeline (10) and the second pipeline (11) at two ends, and the circulating electromagnetic valve (14) is arranged on the third pipeline (16).

3. The fuel cell water thermal management test platform of claim 2, wherein: A water inlet electromagnetic valve (17) is arranged on the first pipeline (10), and the first electromagnetic valve is arranged between the water tank (1) and the water pump (4).

4. The fuel cell water thermal management test platform of claim 2, wherein: A liquid flowmeter (18) is arranged on the first pipeline (10).

5. The fuel cell water thermal management test platform of claim 1, wherein: A liquid level meter (19) is embedded on the water tank (1).

6. A method of testing a fuel cell water thermal management, characterized by, The application further comprises the following steps: S1: water purification treatment; S2: turning on the water pump (4), the inlet electromagnetic valve (7) and the outlet electromagnetic valve (8); S3: observing the first thermometer (6) to adjust the simulated heating temperature of the heating unit (5); S4: observing the second thermometer (9) to determine the selection of the heat exchanger (12) and a fan; S5: turning off the device.

7. The fuel cell water thermal management test method of claim 6, wherein, The water purification treatment of the step S1 comprises the following steps: M1: closing the water drainage electromagnetic valve (21), and turning on the water inlet electromagnetic valve (17), the inlet electromagnetic valve (7), the outlet electromagnetic valve (8) and the circulating electromagnetic valve (14); M2: opening the water supplement electromagnetic valve (20) until the water level in the water tank (1) is greater than or equal to 90%; M3: closing the water supplement electromagnetic valve (20), turning on the water pump (4), and deionizing the circulating water through the deionizer (13), and observing the conductivity of the circulating water to be less than or equal to 10 muS / cm through the conductivity instrument (15); M4: closing the water pump (4), the water inlet electromagnetic valve (17), the inlet electromagnetic valve (7), the outlet electromagnetic valve (8) and the circulating electromagnetic valve (14), and preparing for testing.

8. The fuel cell water and thermal management test method of claim 6, wherein, The turning-off of the step S5 comprises the following steps: N1: turning off the heating unit (5); N2: judging whether the circulating water temperature is greater than a system preset value through the second thermometer (9), when the circulating water temperature is greater than the system preset value, the fan is turned on to adjust the duty cycle and reduce the temperature; when the circulating water temperature is less than the system preset value, the next step is directly entered; N3: closing the water pump (4) and opening the water drainage electromagnetic valve (21).