Fuel cell apparatus and method for cleaning air filter without shutdown

Abstract

This invention discloses a fuel cell device for cleaning air filters without shutdown, comprising: a first fuel cell including a first air filter plate; a second fuel cell including a second air filter plate; a first purging assembly connected to the first and second fuel cells; a second purging assembly connected to the second and first fuel cells; a first supplementary assembly connected between the first purging assembly and the second fuel cell; a second supplementary assembly connected between the second purging assembly and the first fuel cell; and a cleaning method. The beneficial effects of this invention are: by setting up two sets of fuel cells and two sets of purging assemblies, with the purging assemblies of the two fuel cells purging each other, it is possible to achieve non-stop purging and cleaning of the fuel cell air filter plates, greatly reducing the impact of cleaning the air filter plates on production and improving production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cells, and more specifically to a fuel cell device and method for cleaning air filters without shutdown. Background Technology

[0002] A fuel cell is a power generation device that directly converts the chemical energy of fuel (such as hydrogen) and oxidant (such as oxygen in the air) into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction. During long-term operation, dust accumulates on the air filter of a fuel cell. Excessive dust accumulation can affect the air intake efficiency of the fuel cell, so the air filter of the fuel cell needs to be cleaned regularly.

[0003] Currently, cleaning the air filter of a traditional fuel cell requires shutting down the system, removing the filter, and using a high-pressure nozzle to blow off the dust. This process disrupts production, which is particularly problematic when the fuel cell is used for power generation (distributed power generation), as power generation requires a stable power output.

[0004] Therefore, we propose a fuel cell device and method for cleaning the air filter without shutting down the system. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned shortcomings of the prior art, this invention provides a fuel cell device and method for cleaning air filters without shutdown.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the technical solution adopted by this invention is as follows: A fuel cell device for cleaning air filters without shutdown includes: a first fuel cell including a first air filter plate; a second fuel cell including a second air filter plate; a first purging assembly connected to the first and second fuel cells for cleaning the second air filter plate; a second purging assembly connected to the second and first fuel cells for cleaning the first air filter plate; a first replenishment assembly connected between the first purging assembly and the second fuel cell for replenishing gas supply to the second fuel cell during purging; and a second replenishment assembly connected between the second purging assembly and the first fuel cell for replenishing gas supply to the first fuel cell during purging.

[0007] This configuration, consisting of two fuel cells, two purging assemblies, and two replenishment assemblies, allows for continuous purging of the second air filter plate via the first purging assembly and the first air filter plate via the second purging assembly. Meanwhile, the first replenishment assembly replenishes gas to the second fuel cell during purging, enabling continuous operation, and the second replenishment assembly replenishes gas to the first fuel cell during purging, ensuring continuous operation. This effectively cleans the air filters without shutting down the system, significantly reducing the impact of cleaning the air filters on production.

[0008] Further specifying, the first fuel cell also includes a first throttle valve, a first air compressor, and a first fuel cell stack; the outlet of the first air filter plate is connected to the inlet of the first throttle valve via a pipeline, the outlet of the first throttle valve is connected to the inlet of the first air compressor, and the outlet of the first air compressor is connected to the inlet of the first fuel cell stack.

[0009] Installing a first throttle valve between the first air compressor and the first air filter plate ensures that high-pressure gas is prevented from leaking into the first air compressor during the purging and cleaning of the first air filter plate, thus ensuring the efficiency and completeness of the cleaning process.

[0010] Further specifying, the second fuel cell also includes a second throttle valve, a second air compressor, and a second fuel cell stack; the outlet end of the second air filter plate is connected to the inlet end of the second throttle valve, the outlet end of the second throttle valve is connected to the inlet end of the second air compressor, and the outlet end of the second air compressor is connected to the inlet end of the second fuel cell stack.

[0011] Installing a second throttle valve between the second air compressor and the second air filter plate ensures that high-pressure gas is prevented from leaking into the second air compressor during the purging and cleaning of the second air filter plate, thus ensuring the efficiency and completeness of the cleaning process.

[0012] Further defining the first purging assembly, it includes a first three-way valve, a first high-pressure air tank, a first pulse valve, and a first exhaust pipe; the inlet end of the first three-way valve is connected to the outlet end of the first air compressor, the inlet end of the first high-pressure air tank is connected to one of the outlet ends of the first three-way valve, the first exhaust pipe is connected to the other outlet end of the first three-way valve, the inlet end of the first pulse valve is connected to the outlet end of the first high-pressure air tank, and the outlet end of the first pulse valve is connected between the second air filter plate and the second throttle valve.

[0013] By setting up a first high-pressure air tank and a first three-way valve, the first air compressor can replenish the first high-pressure air tank with air through the first three-way valve before purging. The first high-pressure air tank cleans the second air filter plate through the first pulse valve. At this time, the first pulse valve prevents the cleaning and purging gas from entering the second air compressor. When the second throttle valve is closed, it cooperates with the first replenishment component to replenish the second air compressor with air, so as to achieve non-stop purging and cleaning of the second air filter plate.

[0014] Further defining the second purging assembly, it includes a second three-way valve, a second high-pressure air tank, a second pulse valve, and a second exhaust pipe; the inlet end of the second three-way valve is connected to the outlet end of the second air compressor, the inlet end of the second high-pressure air tank is connected to one of the outlet ends of the second three-way valve, the second exhaust pipe is connected to the other outlet end of the second three-way valve, the inlet end of the second pulse valve is connected to the outlet end of the second high-pressure air tank, and the outlet end of the second pulse valve is connected between the first air filter plate and the first throttle valve.

[0015] By setting up a second high-pressure air tank and a second three-way valve, the second air compressor can replenish the second high-pressure air tank with air through the second three-way valve before purging. The second high-pressure air tank cleans the first air filter plate through the second pulse valve. At this time, the second pulse valve prevents the cleaning and purging gas from entering the first air compressor. When the first throttle valve is closed, it cooperates with the second replenishment component to replenish the first air compressor with air, so as to achieve non-stop purging and cleaning of the first air filter plate.

[0016] Further defined, the first supplementary component includes a first supplementary pipe, and the second supplementary component includes a second supplementary pipe; the two ends of the first supplementary pipe are respectively connected to the outlet end of the second high-pressure gas tank and the inlet end of the first air compressor, and the two ends of the second supplementary pipe are respectively connected to the outlet end of the first high-pressure gas tank and the inlet end of the second air compressor.

[0017] By setting up a first replenishment pipe and a second replenishment pipe, the first high-pressure air tank can replenish air to the second air compressor through the first replenishment pipe, preventing it from stopping during the purging process. The second high-pressure air tank can replenish air to the first air compressor through the second replenishment pipe, preventing it from stopping during the purging process. This effectively ensures the stability of the entire system during the purging and cleaning process.

[0018] A cleaning method for a fuel cell device employing the above-mentioned non-shutdown cleaning method for air filters includes the following steps: S1. Clean the first air filter plate and check whether the internal air pressure of the second high-pressure air tank meets the purging conditions: If not, increase the speed of the second air compressor to fill the second high-pressure air tank until the internal air pressure of the second high-pressure air tank meets the purging conditions, and then proceed to step S2. If so, proceed directly to step S2; S2. The speed of the second air compressor is increased and the power of the second fuel cell stack is increased. At the same time, the speed of the first air compressor is decreased and the power of the first fuel cell stack is decreased. Meanwhile, the excess gas generated by the second air compressor is discharged out of the system through the second three-way valve. The first throttle valve is closed, and the process proceeds to step S3. S3. The second high-pressure air tank replenishes air to the first air compressor and opens the second pulse valve to purge the first air filter plate, proceeding to step S4; S4. If the first air filter plate is purged, open the first throttle valve, close the second pulse valve and the second high-pressure gas tank, the power of the first fuel cell stack increases, the power of the second fuel cell stack decreases, and the purging ends. If the first air filter plate is not purged completely, return to step S3 until the first air filter plate is purged completely. S5. Repeat steps S1-S4 to purge and clean the second air filter plate using the first air compressor, the first three-way valve, the first high-pressure air tank, and the first pulse valve.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: by setting up two sets of fuel cells and two sets of purging components, and the purging components of the two sets of fuel cells purging each other, it is possible to achieve non-stop purging and cleaning of the fuel cell air filter plate, which greatly reduces the impact of cleaning the air filter plate on production and improves production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a connection diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning process of the present invention.

[0021] The symbols for each component are as follows: First fuel cell 1, first air filter plate 11, first throttle valve 12, first air compressor 13, first fuel cell stack 14, second fuel cell 2, second air filter plate 21, second throttle valve 22, second air compressor 23, second fuel cell stack 24, first purging assembly 3, first three-way valve 31, first high-pressure gas tank 32, first pulse valve 33, first exhaust pipe 34, second purging assembly 4, second three-way valve 41, second high-pressure gas tank 42, second pulse valve 43, second exhaust pipe 44, first replenishment assembly 5, second replenishment assembly 6. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The specific embodiments of the present invention are described below to enable those skilled in the art to understand the present invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the scope of the specific embodiments. For those skilled in the art, various changes are obvious as long as they are within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined and determined by the appended claims. All inventions utilizing the concept of the present invention are protected.

[0023] Example: like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a fuel cell device for cleaning air filters without shutdown includes a first fuel cell 1, a second fuel cell 2, a first purging assembly 3, a second purging assembly 4, a first replenishment assembly 5, and a second replenishment assembly 6. The first fuel cell 1 includes a first air filter plate 11, a first throttle valve 12, a first air compressor 13, and a first fuel cell stack 14; the outlet end of the first air filter plate 11 is connected to the inlet end of the first throttle valve 12 through a pipeline, the outlet end of the first throttle valve 12 is connected to the inlet end of the first air compressor 13, and the outlet end of the first air compressor 13 is connected to the inlet end of the first fuel cell stack 14. The second fuel cell 2 includes a second air filter plate 21, a second throttle valve 22, a second air compressor 23, and a second fuel cell stack 24; the outlet end of the second air filter plate 21 is connected to the inlet end of the second throttle valve 22, the outlet end of the second throttle valve 22 is connected to the inlet end of the second air compressor 23, and the outlet end of the second air compressor 23 is connected to the inlet end of the second fuel cell stack 24. The first purging assembly 3 is used to clean the second air filter plate 21. The first purging assembly 3 includes a first three-way valve 31, a first high-pressure air tank 32, a first pulse valve 33, and a first exhaust pipe 34. The inlet end of the first three-way valve 31 is connected to the outlet end of the first air compressor 13, the inlet end of the first high-pressure air tank 32 is connected to one of the outlet ends of the first three-way valve 31, the first exhaust pipe 34 is connected to the other outlet end of the first three-way valve 31, the inlet end of the first pulse valve 33 is connected to the outlet end of the first high-pressure air tank 32, and the outlet end of the first pulse valve 33 is connected between the second air filter plate 21 and the second throttle valve 22. The second purging assembly 4 is used to clean the first air filter plate 11. The second purging assembly 4 includes a second three-way valve 41, a second high-pressure air tank 42, a second pulse valve 43, and a second exhaust pipe 44. The inlet end of the second three-way valve 41 is connected to the outlet end of the second air compressor 23. The inlet end of the second high-pressure air tank 42 is connected to one of the outlet ends of the second three-way valve 41. The second exhaust pipe 44 is connected to the other outlet end of the second three-way valve 41. The inlet end of the second pulse valve 43 is connected to the outlet end of the second high-pressure air tank 42. The outlet end of the second pulse valve 43 is connected between the first air filter plate 11 and the first throttle valve 12. The first replenishment component 5 is used to replenish the gas supply to the second fuel cell 2 during purging; the first replenishment component 5 includes a first replenishment pipe, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the outlet end of the second high-pressure gas tank 42 and the inlet end of the first air compressor 13. The second replenishment component 6 is used to replenish the gas supply to the first fuel cell 1 during purging; the second replenishment component 6 includes a second replenishment pipe, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the outlet end of the first high-pressure gas tank 32 and the inlet end of the second air compressor 23.

[0024] This configuration, consisting of two fuel cells, two purging assemblies, and two replenishment assemblies, allows for continuous purging of the second air filter plate 21 via the first purging assembly 3, and the first air filter plate 11 via the second purging assembly 4. Meanwhile, the first replenishment assembly 5 replenishes gas to the second fuel cell 2 during purging, and the second replenishment assembly 6 replenishes gas to the first fuel cell 1 during purging, ensuring continuous operation. This effectively cleans the air filters without shutting down the system, significantly reducing the impact of air filter cleaning on production. (The first air compressor 13 and the first air filter...) A first throttle valve 12 is installed between the first air filter plates 11 to prevent high-pressure gas leakage into the first air compressor 13 during purging and cleaning of the first air filter plates 11, ensuring cleaning efficiency and completeness. A second throttle valve 22 is installed between the second air compressor 23 and the second air filter plates 21 to prevent high-pressure gas leakage into the second air compressor 23 during purging and cleaning of the second air filter plates 21, ensuring cleaning efficiency and completeness. By installing a first high-pressure gas tank 32 and a first three-way valve 31, the first air compressor 13 can replenish the first high-pressure gas tank 32 with gas before purging through the first three-way valve 31. A high-pressure air tank 32 cleans the second air filter plate 21 through a first pulse valve 33. During this process, the first pulse valve 33 prevents the cleaning gas from entering the second air compressor 23. When the second throttle valve 22 is closed, it works in conjunction with the first replenishment component 5 to replenish air to the second air compressor 23, achieving non-stop cleaning of the second air filter plate 21. By setting up a second high-pressure air tank 42 and a second three-way valve 41, the second air compressor 23 can replenish air to the second high-pressure air tank 42 through the second three-way valve 41 before cleaning. The second high-pressure air tank 42 then cleans the first air filter plate 11 through the second pulse valve 43. The second pulse valve 43 prevents the cleaning gas from entering the first air compressor 13. When the first throttle valve 12 is closed, it works with the second replenishment component 6 to replenish the first air compressor 13, thus achieving non-stop cleaning of the first air filter plate 11. By setting the first replenishment pipe and the second replenishment pipe, the first high-pressure gas tank 32 can replenish the second air compressor 23 through the first replenishment pipe to prevent it from stopping during the cleaning process. The second high-pressure gas tank 42 can replenish the first air compressor 13 through the second replenishment pipe to prevent it from stopping during the cleaning process, which can effectively ensure the stability of the entire system during the cleaning process.

[0025] A cleaning method for a fuel cell device employing the above-mentioned non-shutdown cleaning method for air filters includes the following steps: S1. Clean the first air filter plate 11 and check whether the internal air pressure of the second high-pressure air tank 42 meets the purging conditions: If not, increase the speed of the second air compressor 23 to fill the second high-pressure air tank 42 until the internal air pressure of the second high-pressure air tank 42 meets the purging conditions, and then proceed to step S2. If so, proceed directly to step S2; S2. The speed of the second air compressor 23 is increased and the power of the second fuel cell stack 24 is increased. At the same time, the speed of the first air compressor 13 is reduced and the power of the first fuel cell stack 14 is reduced. Meanwhile, the excess gas generated by the second air compressor 23 is discharged out of the system through the second three-way valve 41. The first throttle valve 12 is closed, and the process proceeds to step S3. S3. The second high-pressure air tank 42 replenishes air to the first air compressor 13 and opens the second pulse valve 43 to purge the first air filter plate 11, proceeding to step S4; S4. If the first air filter plate 11 is purged, open the first throttle valve 12, close the second pulse valve 43 and the second high-pressure gas tank 42, the power of the first fuel cell stack 14 increases, the power of the second fuel cell stack 24 decreases, and the purging ends. If the first air filter plate 11 is not purged completely, return to step S3 until the first air filter plate 11 is purged completely. S5. Repeat steps S1-S4 to purge and clean the second air filter plate 21 using the first air compressor 13, the first three-way valve 31, the first high-pressure air tank 32, and the first pulse valve 33.

Claims

1. A fuel cell device for cleaning air filters without shutdown, characterized in that, include: The first fuel cell (1) includes a first air filter plate (11); The second fuel cell (2) includes a second air filter plate (21); The first purging assembly (3) is connected to the first fuel cell (1) and the second fuel cell (2) to clean the second air filter plate (21); The second purging assembly (4) is connected to the second fuel cell (2) and the first fuel cell (1) to clean the first air filter plate (11); The first replenishment component (5) is connected between the first purging component (3) and the second fuel cell (2) and replenishes the gas supply to the second fuel cell (2) during purging. The second supplementary component (6) is connected between the second purging component (4) and the first fuel cell (1) and provides supplementary gas supply to the first fuel cell (1) during purging.

2. The fuel cell device for cleaning the air filter without shutdown according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first fuel cell (1) further includes a first throttle valve (12), a first air compressor (13), and a first fuel cell stack (14); the outlet of the first air filter plate (11) is connected to the inlet of the first throttle valve (12) through a pipeline, the outlet of the first throttle valve (12) is connected to the inlet of the first air compressor (13), and the outlet of the first air compressor (13) is connected to the inlet of the first fuel cell stack (14).

3. The fuel cell device for cleaning the air filter without shutdown according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second fuel cell (2) also includes a second throttle valve (22), a second air compressor (23), and a second fuel cell stack (24); the outlet end of the second air filter plate (21) is connected to the inlet end of the second throttle valve (22), the outlet end of the second throttle valve (22) is connected to the inlet end of the second air compressor (23), and the outlet end of the second air compressor (23) is connected to the inlet end of the second fuel cell stack (24).

4. The fuel cell device for cleaning the air filter without shutdown according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first purging assembly (3) includes a first three-way valve (31), a first high-pressure gas tank (32), a first pulse valve (33), a first throttle valve (12), and a first exhaust pipe (34). The inlet end of the first three-way valve (31) is connected to the outlet end of the first air compressor (13), the inlet end of the first high-pressure gas tank (32) is connected to one of the outlet ends of the first three-way valve (31), the first exhaust pipe (34) is connected to the other outlet end of the first three-way valve (31), the inlet end of the first pulse valve (33) is connected to the outlet end of the first high-pressure gas tank (32), and the outlet end of the first pulse valve (33) is connected between the second air filter plate (21) and the second throttle valve (22).

5. The fuel cell device for cleaning the air filter without shutdown according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second purging assembly (4) includes a second three-way valve (41), a second high-pressure gas tank (42), a second pulse valve (43), a second throttle valve (22), and a second exhaust pipe (44). The inlet end of the second three-way valve (41) is connected to the outlet end of the second air compressor (23), the inlet end of the second high-pressure gas tank (42) is connected to one of the outlet ends of the second three-way valve (41), the second exhaust pipe (44) is connected to the other outlet end of the second three-way valve (41), the inlet end of the second pulse valve (43) is connected to the outlet end of the second high-pressure gas tank (42), and the outlet end of the second pulse valve (43) is connected between the first air filter plate (11) and the first throttle valve (12).

6. The fuel cell device for cleaning the air filter without shutdown according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first supplementary component (5) includes a first supplementary pipe, and the second supplementary component (6) includes a second supplementary pipe; the two ends of the first supplementary pipe are respectively connected to the outlet end of the second high-pressure gas tank (42) and the inlet end of the first air compressor (13), and the two ends of the second supplementary pipe are respectively connected to the outlet end of the first high-pressure gas tank (32) and the inlet end of the second air compressor (23).

7. A cleaning method for a fuel cell device employing the non-stop air filter cleaning method of claim 6, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Clean the first air filter plate (11) and check whether the internal air pressure of the second high-pressure air tank (42) meets the purging conditions: If not, increase the speed of the second air compressor (23) to fill the second high-pressure air tank (42) until the internal air pressure of the second high-pressure air tank (42) meets the purging conditions and then proceed to step S2; If so, proceed directly to step S2; S2. The speed of the second air compressor (23) is increased and the power of the second fuel cell stack (24) is increased. At the same time, the speed of the first air compressor (13) is reduced and the power of the first fuel cell stack (14) is reduced. Meanwhile, the excess gas generated by the second air compressor (23) is discharged out of the system through the second three-way valve (41). The first throttle valve (12) is closed, and the process proceeds to step S3. S3. The second high-pressure air tank (42) replenishes air to the first air compressor (13) and opens the second pulse valve (43) to purge the first air filter plate (11), and proceeds to step S4; S4. If the first air filter plate (11) is purged, open the first throttle valve (12), close the second pulse valve (43) and the second high-pressure gas tank (42), the power of the first fuel cell stack (14) will increase, the power of the second fuel cell stack (24) will decrease, and the purging will end. If the first air filter plate (11) is not purged completely, return to step S3 until the first air filter plate (11) is purged completely; S5. Repeat steps S1-S4 to purge and clean the second air filter plate (21) using the first air compressor (13), the first three-way valve (31), the first high-pressure air tank (32), and the first pulse valve (33).

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