Backup power supply device and control method thereof

Abstract

The application provides a backup power supply device and a control method thereof. The backup power supply device comprises a solid oxide electrolytic cell, an integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage unit, a solid oxide fuel cell and a heat management unit; a hydrogen outlet of the solid oxide electrolytic cell is connected with a hydrogen inlet of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage unit; a hydrogen outlet of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage unit is connected with a hydrogen inlet of the solid oxide fuel cell; the heat management unit is connected with the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage unit, the solid oxide electrolytic cell and the solid oxide fuel cell respectively; and the heat management unit is configured to: in an energy storage mode, transport at least part of waste heat generated by hydrogenation reaction in the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage unit to the solid oxide electrolytic cell, for heating water into water vapor for electrolysis of the solid oxide electrolytic cell; and in a discharging mode, transport at least part of waste heat generated by power generation of the solid oxide fuel cell to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to mobile backup power supplies, and more particularly to a backup power supply device and its control method. Background Technology

[0002] In industrial production, medical facilities, emergency rescue, outdoor operations, power supply in remote areas, and other applications requiring high power reliability, backup power supplies are crucial for ensuring the continuous operation of critical loads when the main power supply is interrupted. As emergency, outdoor, and mobile operations increasingly demand higher standards from backup power supplies in terms of portability, long-term power supply capability, safety, and environmental friendliness.

[0003] Existing backup power supplies mainly fall into two categories: battery backup power supplies and diesel generator backup power supplies. Battery backup power supplies store electrical energy in battery packs through chemical energy storage. While their structure is relatively simple and initial investment is low, their energy storage density is limited, and for the same storage capacity, the equipment is large in size and weight, making them inconvenient for mobile deployment. They also suffer from self-discharge, requiring regular charging and maintenance during long standby periods, resulting in high operating costs. Furthermore, overcharging and over-discharging of batteries can easily lead to thermal runaway, fire, and other safety issues, limiting their lifespan and posing environmental pollution risks upon disposal. Diesel generator backup power supplies rely on diesel internal combustion engines to drive generators to produce electricity. They have a relatively large single-unit power output and are suitable for high-power, long-term emergency power supply scenarios. However, they generate significant exhaust fumes and noise during operation, rely on diesel fuel for replenishment, and are prone to incomplete combustion and power attenuation in special environments such as high altitudes and extreme cold. Their environmental adaptability and environmental friendliness are both insufficient.

[0004] Among the various existing hydrogen storage methods, high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage requires high-pressure containers, posing safety hazards such as leakage and hydrogen embrittlement; cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage requires maintaining an extremely low temperature environment, resulting in high liquefaction energy consumption and evaporation losses; solid-state hydrogen storage has relatively low hydrogen storage density and high core material costs. In contrast, liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) hydrogen storage technology utilizes unsaturated organic compounds as hydrogen carriers, achieving hydrogen storage and release through reversible hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions. It can be safely stored and transported at ambient temperature and pressure, the carrier is recyclable, and it possesses high hydrogen storage density and safety.

[0005] However, when existing hydrogen energy storage systems based on liquid organic hydrogen carrier hydrogen storage technology are applied to mobile backup power scenarios, the heat released by the hydrogenation reaction in the hydrogenation reactor and the heat required for the dehydrogenation reaction in the dehydrogenation reactor are usually locally temperature-controlled by independent cooling and heating devices. The heat released by the hydrogenation reaction cannot be recovered and utilized across units within the system, and the heat required for the dehydrogenation reaction needs to be supplied by external energy. This results in low overall energy utilization efficiency, high operating costs, and difficulty in adapting to the requirements of compact integration and long-term power supply on mobile carriers. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a backup power supply device and its control method.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a backup power device, comprising a solid oxide electrolyzer, an integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit, a solid oxide fuel cell, and a thermal management unit; the hydrogen outlet of the solid oxide electrolyzer is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit; the hydrogen outlet of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the solid oxide fuel cell; the thermal management unit is connected to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit, the solid oxide electrolyzer, and the solid oxide fuel cell respectively; the thermal management unit is configured to: in energy storage mode, transfer at least a portion of the waste heat generated by the hydrogenation reaction in the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit to the solid oxide electrolyzer for heating water into water vapor for use in the electrolysis of the solid oxide electrolyzer; in discharge mode, transfer at least a portion of the waste heat generated by the power generation of the solid oxide fuel cell to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit for supplying the heat required for the dehydrogenation reaction in the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit.

[0008] In some embodiments, a storage tank is also included; the storage tank is connected to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit, and the storage tank is used to store the hydrogen-containing organic liquid generated by the hydrogenation reaction and the dehydrogenated organic liquid generated by the dehydrogenation reaction in the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit.

[0009] In some embodiments, the liquid storage tank includes a shell and a flexible diaphragm; the flexible diaphragm is disposed inside the shell and divides the interior of the shell into a first liquid storage space and a second liquid storage space with variable volume; wherein, the first liquid storage space is used to store the hydrogen-containing organic liquid; and the second liquid storage space is used to store the dehydrogenated organic liquid.

[0010] In some embodiments, the liquid storage tank further includes a pressure balancing valve; the pressure balancing valve is disposed on the housing and is used to balance the pressure difference between the first liquid storage space and the second liquid storage space.

[0011] In some embodiments, the thermal management unit includes a heat transfer oil circulation loop, a hydrogenation waste heat exchanger, and a dehydrogenation heat supply heat exchanger; the hydrogenation waste heat exchanger is connected to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit and the solid oxide electrolyzer, respectively, and the dehydrogenation heat supply heat exchanger is connected to the solid oxide fuel cell and the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit, respectively; the heat transfer oil circulation loop is used to distribute heat between the hydrogenation waste heat exchanger and the dehydrogenation heat supply heat exchanger.

[0012] In some embodiments, a power management unit is further included; the power management unit is connected to an external power interface, the solid oxide electrolyzer, the solid oxide fuel cell, and an external load interface, respectively; the power management unit is configured to: in energy storage mode, regulate the electrical energy connected to the external power interface and supply it to the solid oxide electrolyzer; in discharge mode, regulate the electrical energy generated by the solid oxide fuel cell and output it to an external load through the external load interface.

[0013] In some embodiments, the power management unit includes a DC-DC converter module and an inverter module, and the power management unit outputs at least one AC voltage level and at least one DC voltage level in the discharge mode.

[0014] In some embodiments, the hydrogenation reaction temperature of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit is 150°C to 250°C.

[0015] In some embodiments, a movable carrier is further included, wherein the solid oxide electrolyzer, the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit, the solid oxide fuel cell and the thermal management unit are integrated on the movable carrier, and the movable carrier is a trailer chassis or a container; and / or the organic liquid in the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit is at least one of dibenzyltoluene, benzyltoluene, N-ethylcarbazole, toluene, and naphthalene derivatives.

[0016] Another aspect of the present invention provides a control method for a backup power supply device, wherein the backup power supply device is as described in any of the above embodiments; the control method includes: determining whether to enter an energy storage mode or a discharge mode based on the external power supply connection status and external load demand; when entering the energy storage mode, starting the solid oxide electrolyzer, causing the solid oxide electrolyzer to electrolyze water using an external power supply and a water source to generate hydrogen; controlling the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and discharge unit to receive the hydrogen generated by the solid oxide electrolyzer, causing the hydrogen to react with the dehydrogenated organic liquid to generate a hydrogen-containing organic liquid; in the energy storage mode, when the storage volume of the hydrogen-containing organic liquid reaches When the preset upper limit is reached, the solid oxide electrolyzer is shut down, and the backup power supply enters standby mode. When entering the discharge mode, the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit is controlled to cause a dehydrogenation reaction in the hydrogen-containing organic liquid to release hydrogen and the dehydrogenated organic liquid. The solid oxide fuel cell is controlled to receive the hydrogen released by the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit, convert the hydrogen into electrical energy, and output it to an external load. In the discharge mode, when the amount of hydrogen-containing organic liquid is lower than the preset lower limit, or when the external load demand ends, the dehydrogenation reaction and the power generation process of the solid oxide fuel cell are stopped, and the backup power supply enters standby mode.

[0017] The backup power device of this invention fundamentally eliminates the aforementioned energy mismatch by establishing two cross-unit waste heat recovery paths within the system: In energy storage mode, the medium-to-high temperature waste heat generated by the hydrogenation reaction in the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit is transported to the solid oxide electrolyzer via the thermal management unit to heat water into steam for electrolysis. This perfectly matches the temperature grade of the solid oxide electrolyzer, which uses steam as the electrolysis feedstock, allowing the hydrogenation waste heat to handle the steam production process that would normally require external electrical energy. In discharge mode, the high temperature waste heat generated by the solid oxide fuel cell is transported to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit via the thermal management unit to supply the endothermic reaction required for dehydrogenation. The operating temperature of the solid oxide fuel cell is naturally higher than the temperature required for the dehydrogenation reaction, allowing the fuel cell waste heat to be used directly as a dehydrogenation heat source without the need for external energy to upgrade the heat grade, thus achieving internal self-sufficiency in dehydrogenation heating. By combining hydrogen storage and release with SOEC and SOFC, the heat generated in each stage is fully utilized, improving system efficiency and integrating the hydrogen storage and release modules into one, reducing system complexity. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and other features, properties and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a backup power supply device according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Currently, the mainstream products in the backup power field are mainly divided into two categories: battery backup power and diesel generator backup power. Among them, battery backup power is widely used in small emergency scenarios due to its advantages of simple structure and low initial investment. Its core principle is to store electrical energy in batteries and release electrical energy to supply the load when the mains power is interrupted. Diesel generator backup power relies on a diesel internal combustion engine to drive a generator to generate electricity and is suitable for high-power, long-term emergency power supply scenarios, such as industrial plants, large buildings, and outdoor operations.

[0020] In addition, existing hydrogen storage technologies mainly include four categories: high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage, cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage, organic liquid hydrogen storage, and solid-state hydrogen storage. Among them, organic liquid hydrogen storage is based on reversible hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions, using unsaturated liquid organic matter as a hydrogen carrier, and achieving hydrogen storage and release through the action of catalysts. It can achieve safe storage and transportation at normal temperature and pressure, and has the characteristics of moderate hydrogen storage density and recyclable carrier. It has been gradually applied to hydrogen energy storage-related fields, but it has not yet been deeply integrated with mobile backup power to form a mature product solution.

[0021] Existing backup power products have many insurmountable defects in practical applications, as follows: 1. Battery backup power: Low energy density, large size and heavy weight for the same energy storage capacity, which is not conducive to mobile deployment; there is a serious self-discharge phenomenon, which will consume electrical energy even if it is not used for a long time, requiring regular charging and maintenance, resulting in high maintenance costs; overcharging and over-discharging of batteries can easily cause fire, explosion and other safety hazards, resulting in poor safety, and the battery has a limited lifespan, which can easily cause environmental pollution after disposal.

[0022] 2. Backup power for diesel generator sets: During operation, diesel fuel is burned, which produces a large amount of exhaust gas (such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, etc.), polluting the environment and not in line with the development trend of energy conservation and environmental protection; the noise level during operation is relatively high, usually above 70dB, causing noise interference to the surrounding environment and people; diesel fuel needs to be replenished regularly, making maintenance cumbersome, and the price of diesel fuel is greatly affected by market fluctuations, resulting in high operating costs; in special environments such as high altitudes and extreme cold, incomplete combustion and power reduction are likely to occur, making it less adaptable.

[0023] 3. Limitations of existing hydrogen storage technologies: High-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage poses safety risks such as high-pressure leakage and hydrogen embrittlement, and has low hydrogen storage density, requiring dedicated high-pressure containers, which is not conducive to mobile deployment; Cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage requires maintaining an ultra-low temperature environment below -253℃, making container manufacturing difficult and costly, and also has problems such as high liquefaction energy consumption and evaporation loss, making it unsuitable for mobile backup power scenarios; Solid-state hydrogen storage has high safety, but the core material development cost is high, the hydrogen storage density is low, and the hydrogen charging and discharging technology still needs optimization, so it has not yet achieved large-scale application in the backup power field.

[0024] In summary, existing backup power products cannot simultaneously meet the requirements of mobility, security, long-term energy storage, environmental friendliness, and low maintenance costs. There is an urgent need for a new backup power technology solution to address these issues.

[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided to explain the invention and not to limit it. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For example, a feature shown or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. Therefore, the invention is intended to cover these modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0026] As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” are used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to indicate the location or importance of individual components. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative directions of fluid flow within a fluid path.

[0027] The term "Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell" (SOEC) refers to an electrolysis device that uses dense oxygen-ion conducting ceramic as the electrolyte to electrolyze water vapor at high temperatures of 600°C to 1000°C to produce hydrogen and oxygen. SOEC uses water vapor as the electrolytic feedstock, unlike polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis cells (PEMs) which use liquid water.

[0028] The term "solid oxide fuel cell" (SOFC) refers to a fuel cell that uses dense oxygen-ion conducting ceramic as an electrolyte and generates electricity, water, and heat by electrochemically reacting hydrogen and oxygen at high temperatures of 600°C to 1000°C.

[0029] Figure 1The structure of an embodiment of the backup power supply device of the present invention is shown. For example... Figure 1 As shown, one embodiment of the present invention provides a backup power device 100, including a solid oxide electrolyzer 1, an integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2, a solid oxide fuel cell 3, and a thermal management unit 4. The integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 can alternately perform hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions within the same reaction unit through mode switching.

[0030] The hydrogen outlet 11 of the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 is connected to the hydrogen inlet 21 of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 via a hydrogen pipeline; the hydrogen outlet 22 of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 is connected to the hydrogen inlet 31 of the solid oxide fuel cell 3 via a hydrogen pipeline.

[0031] The thermal management unit 4 is connected to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2, the solid oxide electrolyzer 1, and the solid oxide fuel cell 3, respectively. The thermal management unit 4 is configured to distribute heat among the different units according to the operating mode of the backup power unit 100.

[0032] The energy storage mode refers to the operating mode in which the backup power supply unit 100 receives electrical energy from an external power source and stores it in a hydrogen-containing organic liquid in the form of hydrogen chemical energy. The discharge mode refers to the operating mode in which the backup power supply unit 100 releases the hydrogen chemical energy stored in the hydrogen-containing organic liquid and converts it into electrical energy for output to an external load.

[0033] In energy storage mode, the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 uses electricity from an external power source and water to electrolyze and generate hydrogen. The hydrogen is then transported to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 via hydrogen outlet 11. Within the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2, hydrogenation occurs with the dehydrogenated organic liquid, generating a hydrogen-containing organic liquid. This hydrogenation reaction is exothermic, producing a large amount of waste heat. During this process, the thermal management unit 4 transfers at least a portion of the waste heat generated by the hydrogenation reaction to the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 to heat water into steam for use in the electrolysis of the solid oxide electrolyzer 1. The steam enters the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 via steam inlet 12.

[0034] In discharge mode, the hydrogen-containing organic liquid in the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 undergoes a dehydrogenation reaction, releasing hydrogen and the dehydrogenated organic liquid. The hydrogen is transported to the solid oxide fuel cell 3 via hydrogen outlet 22, where it undergoes an electrochemical reaction with oxygen to generate electricity, water, and heat. The electricity is output via power output terminal 32. The solid oxide fuel cell 3 generates waste heat at an operating temperature of 600°C to 800°C during power generation. During this process, the thermal management unit 4 transports at least a portion of the waste heat generated by the solid oxide fuel cell 3 to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 to supply the heat required for the dehydrogenation reaction.

[0035] In this embodiment, the hydrogenation reaction is usually carried out in the presence of a hydrogenation reaction catalyst, which may be one or more of the platinum-based, nickel-based, palladium-based, and other hydrogenation reaction catalysts known in the art; the dehydrogenation reaction is usually carried out in the presence of a dehydrogenation reaction catalyst, which may be one or more of the platinum-based, platinum-palladium-based, and other dehydrogenation reaction catalysts known in the art.

[0036] This invention recovers the waste heat generated by the hydrogenation reaction and uses it for steam production in the solid oxide electrolyzer 1. In energy storage mode, this reduces the consumption of external electrical energy for water heating and improves the overall electrolysis efficiency of the solid oxide electrolyzer 1. It also recovers the waste heat generated by the solid oxide fuel cell 3 for heating the dehydrogenation reaction. In discharge mode, this reduces the consumption of external energy for heating the dehydrogenation reaction, so that the heat required for the dehydrogenation reaction of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 is mainly provided by the waste heat inside the system. The solid oxide electrolyzer 1 is adapted to use steam as an electrolysis feedstock, and its temperature and grade match the waste heat from the hydrogenation reaction. The operating temperature of the solid oxide fuel cell 3 forms a natural temperature gradient with the temperature required for the dehydrogenation reaction, making the two waste heat recovery paths physically easy to implement.

[0037] In some embodiments, the backup power supply device 100 further includes a liquid storage tank 5. The liquid storage tank 5 is connected to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2. Specifically, the liquid storage tank 5 is connected to the hydrogen-containing organic liquid port of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 through a hydrogen-containing organic liquid pipeline, and is connected to the dehydrogenated organic liquid port of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 through a dehydrogenated organic liquid pipeline.

[0038] In energy storage mode, the hydrogen-containing organic liquid generated by the hydrogenation reaction in the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 is transported to the storage tank 5 for storage through the hydrogen-containing organic liquid port; after the dehydrogenated organic liquid is consumed by the hydrogenation reaction, it can be replenished to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 by the storage tank 5.

[0039] In discharge mode, the hydrogen-containing organic liquid stored in the storage tank 5 is replenished to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 through the hydrogen-containing organic liquid port. A dehydrogenation reaction occurs in the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2, and the generated dehydrogenated organic liquid is transported to the storage tank 5 for storage through the dehydrogenated organic liquid port.

[0040] The storage tank 5 provides storage space for hydrogen-containing organic liquids and dehydrogenated organic liquids, making the reaction process of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 independent of the organic liquid storage process. This eliminates the need to store large amounts of organic liquid in the reaction unit and ensures a continuous supply of organic liquid in both energy storage and discharge modes, thereby improving the overall material operation continuity of the device.

[0041] In some embodiments, the liquid storage tank 5 includes a shell and a flexible diaphragm.

[0042] The shell is a sealed container, and its shape can be cylindrical, elliptical, or square. This embodiment does not limit the geometry of the shell. The shell is made of a material resistant to organic liquid corrosion, such as high-density polyethylene or a metal container lined with polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0043] A flexible diaphragm is disposed inside the housing, dividing the interior into a first liquid storage space and a second liquid storage space. The flexible diaphragm is made of a flexible material that is elastic and resistant to organic liquid corrosion, such as fluororubber film, polyimide film, or multilayer composite flexible material. The edges of the flexible diaphragm are fixed to the inner wall of the housing in a sealed manner, ensuring that the first liquid storage space and the second liquid storage space are not interconnected.

[0044] The first liquid storage space is connected to the hydrogen-containing organic liquid port of the integrated organic liquid storage and release unit 2 via a hydrogen-containing organic liquid pipeline, and is used to store hydrogen-containing organic liquid; the second liquid storage space is connected to the dehydrogenated organic liquid port of the integrated organic liquid storage and release unit 2 via a dehydrogenated organic liquid pipeline, and is used to store dehydrogenated organic liquid.

[0045] The sum of the volumes of the first and second liquid storage spaces equals the total internal volume of the shell, which remains constant. The volumes of the first and second liquid storage spaces change complementaryly with the deformation of the flexible diaphragm: when the hydrogen-containing organic liquid enters the first liquid storage space, the flexible diaphragm deforms towards the second liquid storage space, increasing the volume of the first liquid storage space and decreasing the volume of the second liquid storage space; and vice versa.

[0046] In the initial state of the backup power unit 100 (which can be understood as the energy storage state), the second liquid storage space is filled with dehydrogenated organic liquid, and the flexible diaphragm is tightly attached to the first liquid storage space of the shell. At this time, the volume of the second liquid storage space reaches its maximum, and the volume of the first liquid storage space is close to zero. During the energy storage mode, the dehydrogenated organic liquid is gradually transported from the second liquid storage space to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 to participate in the hydrogenation reaction. The generated hydrogen-containing organic liquid is gradually transported to the first liquid storage space, and the flexible diaphragm gradually deforms towards the second liquid storage space until the first liquid storage space is filled with hydrogen-containing organic liquid (which can be understood as the energy storage completed state). During the discharge mode, this deformation process is reversed, and the flexible diaphragm gradually deforms towards the first liquid storage space until it returns to its initial state.

[0047] The liquid storage tank 5 adopts a structure in which a single shell is divided into two complementary liquid storage spaces by a flexible diaphragm. Compared with the scheme of using two independent storage tanks to store hydrogen-containing organic liquid and dehydrogenated organic liquid respectively, the total external volume of the liquid storage tank 5 can be reduced to about 50% of the independent dual-tank scheme, which significantly reduces the volume and weight of the entire backup power unit 100 and facilitates compact integration.

[0048] Furthermore, the liquid storage tank 5 also includes a pressure balancing valve. The pressure balancing valve is mounted on the housing, specifically on the top or side of the housing. The pressure balancing valve contains a pressure sensing element and an electronic control switch. The pressure sensing element collects the pressure in the first and second liquid storage spaces, respectively. When the pressure difference between the first and second liquid storage spaces exceeds a preset threshold, the electronic control switch connects the gas phase spaces of the two liquid storage spaces to balance the pressure difference.

[0049] During the changes in the volume of hydrogen-containing and dehydrogenated organic liquids, pressure differences may arise on both sides of the flexible diaphragm due to factors such as the escape of dissolved gases from the organic liquid, volume expansion caused by temperature changes in the organic liquid, and inconsistent inflow and outflow rates of the organic liquid. If this pressure difference accumulates to an excessive level, it may hinder the deformation of the flexible diaphragm, cause diaphragm instability, or even diaphragm rupture, affecting the normal operation of the storage tank 5. The pressure balancing valve ensures smooth deformation of the flexible diaphragm by monitoring and balancing the pressure difference on both sides in real time.

[0050] The pressure balancing valve balances the pressure difference across the flexible diaphragm, ensuring that the flexible diaphragm can deform smoothly during the input and output of hydrogen-containing organic liquids and dehydrogenated organic liquids, thus preventing diaphragm deformation, instability, or damage, and improving the operational stability and service life of the liquid storage tank 5.

[0051] Furthermore, the thermal management unit 4 includes a heat transfer oil circulation loop, a hydrogenation waste heat exchanger, and a dehydrogenation heat supply heat exchanger.

[0052] The hydrogenation waste heat exchanger is a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. Its shell side is connected to the heat transfer oil circulation loop via a heat transfer oil pipeline, and its tube side is connected to the steam inlet 12 of the solid oxide electrolysis cell 1 via a water pipeline. The water inlet end of the tube side is connected to a water source via a water pipeline. The hydrogenation waste heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2. Specifically, this can be achieved by covering the shell side of the hydrogenation waste heat exchanger with the outer wall of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2, or by passing a section of the heat transfer oil pipeline of the heat transfer oil circulation loop through the internal jacket of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 to absorb the waste heat from the hydrogenation reaction.

[0053] The dehydrogenation heating heat exchanger is a shell-and-tube type. Its shell side is connected to the heat transfer oil circulation loop via a heat transfer oil pipeline, and its tube side is connected to the high-temperature exhaust gas outlet of the solid oxide fuel cell 3 via a flue gas pipeline, or the tube side is thermally coupled to the outer shell of the solid oxide fuel cell 3 to absorb waste heat from power generation. The shell-side outlet of the dehydrogenation heating heat exchanger is connected to the heating jacket of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 via a heat transfer oil pipeline to supply the absorbed heat to the dehydrogenation reaction.

[0054] The heat transfer oil circulation loop includes a circulation pump, a temperature sensor, a flow regulating valve, and a heat transfer oil storage tank. The heat transfer oil is a commonly used medium-high temperature heat transfer oil in this field, such as dibenzyltoluene heat transfer oil or synthetic aromatic heat transfer oil.

[0055] In energy storage mode, such as Figure 1 As shown, the heat transfer oil in the heat transfer oil circulation loop is driven by the circulation pump and flows through the hydrogenation waste heat exchanger to absorb the waste heat generated by the hydrogenation reaction of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2, and the temperature rises. The heated heat transfer oil flows into the outer space of the tube side of the hydrogenation waste heat exchanger and transfers heat to the water flowing in the tube side. The water is heated and evaporated into water vapor. The water vapor enters the solid oxide electrolysis cell 1 through the water vapor inlet 12 and is used as an electrolysis raw material.

[0056] In discharge mode, the heat transfer oil in the heat transfer oil circulation loop is driven by the circulation pump and flows through the dehydrogenation heating heat exchanger to absorb the waste heat generated by the solid oxide fuel cell 3, raising the temperature to a level that can supply the dehydrogenation reaction; the heated heat transfer oil flows into the heating jacket of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2, transferring heat to the organic liquid where the dehydrogenation reaction occurs, so as to maintain the temperature required for the dehydrogenation reaction.

[0057] The heat transfer oil circulation loop serves as the heat medium. Through two heat exchange nodes—the hydrogenation waste heat exchanger and the dehydrogenation heat supply heat exchanger—it establishes a transmission path for the hydrogenation waste heat to the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 and a transmission path for the solid oxide fuel cell 3 waste heat to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 under different operating modes. This enables the two cross-unit waste heat recovery paths to be realized in a closed loop in terms of physical structure. Furthermore, the heat transfer oil, as a heat medium, has the characteristics of high thermal stability, good heat transfer efficiency, and low leakage, making it suitable for the operating temperature range of this device.

[0058] In some embodiments, the backup power supply device of the present invention further includes a power management unit 6. The power management unit 6 is connected to an external power interface, a solid oxide electrolyzer 1, a solid oxide fuel cell 3, and an external load interface, respectively. The external power interface is used to connect to an external power source (such as mains power or a renewable energy interface); the external load interface is used to connect to an external load (such as industrial equipment, outdoor work equipment, emergency lighting, etc.).

[0059] Power management unit 6 is configured to regulate and distribute electrical energy in a bidirectional operating mode according to the operating mode of backup power supply unit 100. In energy storage mode, the power management unit 6 regulates the voltage and current of the electrical energy connected to the external power interface (including AC / DC conversion, voltage level conversion, etc.), and then supplies it to the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 as the electrical energy input for producing hydrogen by electrolyzing water vapor.

[0060] In discharge mode, the power management unit 6 regulates the voltage and current of the electrical energy output from the power output terminal 32 of the solid oxide fuel cell 3, and then outputs it to the external load through the external load interface to meet the power supply requirements of the external load.

[0061] The power management unit 6 operates in two modes: energy storage mode and discharge mode. It regulates and distributes the power output from the external power source and the fuel cell, respectively. This enables the backup power unit 100 to adapt to various types of external power sources and output power that meets the needs of external loads, thereby improving the device's adaptability to external power sources and loads.

[0062] Furthermore, the power management unit 6 includes a DC-DC converter module and an inverter module. The DC-DC converter module is used to convert between different DC voltage levels. The inverter module is used to convert DC power into AC power. The two modules are electrically connected to form the internal topology of the power management unit 6.

[0063] In discharge mode, the power management unit 6 can output at least one AC voltage level and at least one DC voltage level. For example, in one embodiment, the power management unit 6 can simultaneously output two or more of 380V AC, 220V AC, 48V DC, and 12V DC to adapt to different types of external loads.

[0064] The combination of the DC-DC converter module and the inverter module enables the power management unit 6 to have multi-voltage output capability, allowing the backup power supply unit 100 to simultaneously adapt to various types of external loads such as industrial equipment, household equipment, and outdoor work equipment, thus broadening the application scenarios of the device.

[0065] In this embodiment, the hydrogenation reaction temperature of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 is controlled between 150°C and 250°C. Within this temperature range, the hydrogenation reaction in the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 can proceed stably, and the residual heat generated by the hydrogenation reaction is in the medium-high temperature range, forming a considerable temperature difference with the atmospheric boiling point (100°C) and pressurized boiling temperature of water, thus providing sufficient thermal driving force for the water evaporation process.

[0066] The steam temperature at the steam inlet 12 of the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 is not lower than 150°C. Under this temperature condition, the water entering the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 exists in the form of steam and can be directly used as the electrolysis raw material of the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 without the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 consuming additional electrical energy to heat the water into steam.

[0067] Solid oxide electrolytic cell 1 is a high-temperature electrolysis device with a working temperature of over 600℃. When the temperature of the water vapor entering the solid oxide electrolytic cell 1 is not lower than 150℃, the solid oxide electrolytic cell 1 only needs to further heat the water vapor to its own working temperature to complete the electrolysis. There is no need to consume additional electrical energy to heat and evaporate the liquid water, which significantly reduces the total electrical energy consumption of the solid oxide electrolytic cell 1.

[0068] In related technologies, polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers (PEM) are used. Specifically, PEM electrolyzers use liquid water as the electrolytic feedstock, and the operating temperature is typically between 60°C and 80°C. Due to its low-temperature operating characteristics, PEM electrolyzers cannot utilize the medium-to-high temperature waste heat (150°C to 250°C). The waste heat generated by the hydrogenation reaction can only be discharged into the environment or used for other low-grade heat applications, significantly reducing the value of waste heat recovery. Under normal operating conditions, the electrolysis efficiency of PEM electrolyzers is approximately 70% to 75%.

[0069] In contrast, in this invention, the steam generation in the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 is handled by the waste heat from the hydrogenation reaction, eliminating the need for external electrical energy for water heating. Calculations show that the overall electrolysis efficiency of the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 under this invention's technical solution can reach over 90%.

[0070] The hydrogenation reaction temperature range (150℃ to 250℃) matches the water vapor temperature required by the solid oxide electrolyzer 1, satisfying the inherent requirement of the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 for water vapor as an electrolysis raw material. There is a natural temperature gradient between the hydrogenation reaction temperature range of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 and the natural exothermic temperature range of the hydrogenation reaction, so that the waste heat of the hydrogenation reaction can be accurately utilized for water vapor production, realizing the recovery of waste heat.

[0071] In some embodiments, the backup power supply device of the present invention further includes a movable carrier 8. The solid oxide electrolyzer 1, the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2, the solid oxide fuel cell 3, and the thermal management unit 4 are integrated on the movable carrier 8. The movable carrier 8 can be a trailer chassis or a container.

[0072] Optionally, the mobile carrier 8 can be a trailer chassis, which can be towed to the required emergency power supply location by a tractor, while the containerized backup power unit 100 can be deployed to construction sites, outdoor campsites, emergency rescue sites and other locations by hoisting.

[0073] The movable carrier 8 can be further equipped with a protective structure of no less than IP54 level to meet the dustproof and waterproof requirements of complex environments such as outdoors and construction sites.

[0074] The organic liquid in the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 can be selected from at least one of dibenzyltoluene, benzyltoluene, N-ethylcarbazole, toluene, and naphthalene derivatives. These organic compounds are all unsaturated aromatic compounds with the following characteristics: they can react with hydrogen to produce the corresponding hydrogen-saturated form under the action of a hydrogenation catalyst, and can release hydrogen and return to the unsaturated form under the action of a dehydrogenation catalyst; the mass hydrogen storage density is usually between 5% and 10%; they are liquid at room temperature and pressure, which is convenient for storage and transportation; they are chemically stable and can be recycled.

[0075] Specifically, dibenzyltoluene (H0-DBT) is converted to fully hydrogenated dibenzyltoluene (H18-DBT) in a hydrogenation reaction, and then converted back to dibenzyltoluene in a dehydrogenation reaction, thus achieving reversible storage and release of hydrogen; N-ethylcarbazole (H0-NEC) is converted to fully hydrogenated N-ethylcarbazole (H12-NEC) in a hydrogenation reaction, and then releases hydrogen in a dehydrogenation reaction.

[0076] By integrating each unit into the mobile carrier 8, the backup power device 100 is equipped with mobile deployment capability, which can be adapted to various usage scenarios such as emergency rescue, outdoor operation, temporary power supply, and power supply in remote areas. The diversity of organic liquid selection allows the backup power device 100 of the present invention to flexibly select different liquid organic hydrogen carriers according to specific working conditions (such as reaction temperature, operating cost, hydrogen storage density requirements, etc.).

[0077] This invention provides a control method for a backup power supply device 100, which is applied to the backup power supply device 100 described in the above embodiments. The control method of this invention includes the following steps: Based on the external power supply connection status and external load demand, determine whether to enter energy storage mode or discharge mode.

[0078] Specifically, when the backup power supply device 100 detects that the external power interface is connected to an external power source and the external load interface has no external load demand, it enters the energy storage mode; when the backup power supply device 100 detects that the external load interface is connected to an external load and issues a power supply demand, it enters the discharge mode.

[0079] When entering the energy storage mode, the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 is started, so that the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 uses an external power source and water source to electrolyze water to generate hydrogen; the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 is controlled to receive the hydrogen generated by the solid oxide electrolyzer 1, so that the hydrogen reacts with the dehydrogenated organic liquid to generate hydrogen-containing organic liquid.

[0080] During the execution of this step, the thermal management unit 4 is activated simultaneously, and at least a portion of the waste heat generated by the hydrogenation reaction of the integrated organic liquid storage and hydrogen release unit 2 is transported to the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 for heating water into steam for electrolysis. The hydrogen-containing organic liquid generated by the hydrogenation reaction is transported to the first storage space of the storage tank 5 through the hydrogen-containing organic liquid port for storage.

[0081] In energy storage mode, when the amount of hydrogen-containing organic liquid reaches the preset upper limit, the solid oxide electrolyzer 1 is shut down and the backup power supply device 100 enters standby mode.

[0082] The amount of hydrogen-containing organic liquid can be measured by a level sensor, mass sensor, or volume sensor inside the storage tank 5. The specific measurement method shall be selected by those skilled in the art based on the actual structure of the storage tank 5. The preset upper limit can be 80% to 95% of the total volume of the storage tank 5. After energy storage is completed, the backup power supply unit 100 enters standby mode, waiting for external load demand to occur before entering discharge mode.

[0083] When entering the discharge mode, the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 is controlled to cause the hydrogen-containing organic liquid to undergo a dehydrogenation reaction to release hydrogen and dehydrogenated organic liquid; the solid oxide fuel cell 3 is controlled to receive the hydrogen released by the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2, convert the hydrogen into electrical energy and output it to the external load.

[0084] During the execution of this step, the thermal management unit 4 is activated simultaneously, and at least a portion of the waste heat generated by the solid oxide fuel cell 3 is transported to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2 to supply the heat required for the dehydrogenation reaction; the dehydrogenated organic liquid generated by the dehydrogenation reaction is transported to the second storage space of the storage tank 5 through the dehydrogenated organic liquid port for storage.

[0085] In discharge mode, when the amount of hydrogen-containing organic liquid is lower than the preset lower limit, or when the external load demand ends, the dehydrogenation reaction and the power generation process of the solid oxide fuel cell 3 are stopped, and the backup power supply unit 100 enters the standby state.

[0086] The criterion that the hydrogen-containing organic liquid level is below a preset lower limit is used to prevent damage caused by continued operation after the hydrogen-containing organic liquid in the integrated organic liquid storage and release unit 2 and the storage tank 5 is depleted. The preset lower limit can be 5% to 15% of the total volume of the storage tank 5. After the discharge is completed, the backup power supply device 100 enters the standby state, waiting for the next external power supply to be connected before re-entering the energy storage mode, thus completing the "energy storage-discharge" closed loop.

[0087] The control method in this embodiment can be executed by the control unit 7 installed in the backup power supply device 100. The control unit 7 can be implemented using industrial control devices commonly used in the art, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC), an industrial control computer, or a microcontroller. The control unit 7 is connected to the sensors of the solid oxide electrolyzer 1, the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit 2, the solid oxide fuel cell 3, the thermal management unit 4, the liquid storage tank 5, and the power management unit 6, respectively, and receives the operating parameters of each unit and issues control commands.

[0088] By automatically judging and switching control processes based on the external power supply connection status and external load demand, the backup power supply device 100 achieves automatic closed-loop operation between energy storage mode and discharge mode. This allows the device to automatically complete the entire energy storage-discharge process according to the external power supply / load conditions without relying on manual intervention, adapting to the usage needs of emergency, outdoor, and unattended scenarios.

[0089] While the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. Any variations and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention, without departing from the scope of the invention, fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A backup power supply device, characterized in that, It includes a solid oxide electrolyzer, an integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit, a solid oxide fuel cell, and a thermal management unit; among which, The hydrogen outlet of the solid oxide electrolyzer is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit. The hydrogen outlet of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the solid oxide fuel cell. The thermal management unit is connected to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit, the solid oxide electrolyzer, and the solid oxide fuel cell, respectively. The thermal management unit is configured to: in energy storage mode, transfer at least a portion of the waste heat generated by the hydrogenation reaction in the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit to the solid oxide electrolyzer for heating water into steam for use in the solid oxide electrolyzer for electrolysis; and in discharge mode, transfer at least a portion of the waste heat generated by the solid oxide fuel cell for power generation to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit for supplying the heat required for the dehydrogenation reaction in the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit.

2. The backup power supply device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a liquid storage tank; The storage tank is connected to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit. The storage tank is used to store the hydrogen-containing organic liquid generated by the hydrogenation reaction and the dehydrogenated organic liquid generated by the dehydrogenation reaction in the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit.

3. The backup power supply device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The liquid storage tank includes a shell and a flexible diaphragm; The flexible diaphragm is disposed inside the housing and divides the interior of the housing into a first liquid storage space and a second liquid storage space with variable volumes; wherein... The first liquid storage space is used to store the hydrogen-containing organic liquid; The second liquid storage space is used to store the dehydrogenated organic liquid.

4. The backup power supply device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The liquid storage tank also includes a pressure balancing valve; The pressure balancing valve is installed on the housing and is used to balance the pressure difference between the first liquid storage space and the second liquid storage space.

5. The backup power supply device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The thermal management unit includes a heat transfer oil circulation loop, a hydrogenation waste heat exchanger, and a dehydrogenation heat supply heat exchanger. The hydrogenation waste heat exchanger is connected to the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit and the solid oxide electrolyzer, respectively; the dehydrogenation heat supply heat exchanger is connected to the solid oxide fuel cell and the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit, respectively. The heat transfer oil circulation loop is used to distribute heat between the hydrogenation waste heat exchanger and the dehydrogenation heat supply heat exchanger.

6. The backup power supply device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a power management unit; The power management unit is connected to an external power interface, the solid oxide electrolyzer, the solid oxide fuel cell, and an external load interface. The power management unit is configured to: in energy storage mode, regulate the electrical energy connected to the external power interface and supply it to the solid oxide electrolyzer; in discharge mode, regulate the electrical energy generated by the solid oxide fuel cell and output it to the external load through the external load interface.

7. The backup power supply device as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The power management unit includes a DC-DC conversion module and an inverter module, and in the discharge mode, the power management unit outputs at least one AC voltage level and at least one DC voltage level.

8. The backup power supply device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogenation reaction temperature of the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit is 150°C to 250°C.

9. The backup power supply device as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, It also includes a mobile carrier, on which the solid oxide electrolyzer, the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit, the solid oxide fuel cell, and the thermal management unit are integrated, wherein the mobile carrier is a trailer chassis or a container; and / or The organic liquid in the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit is at least one of dibenzyltoluene, benzyltoluene, N-ethylcarbazole, toluene, and naphthalene derivatives.

10. A control method for a backup power supply device, characterized in that, The backup power supply device is the backup power supply device as described in any one of claims 1-9; The control method includes: Determine whether to enter energy storage mode or discharge mode based on the external power supply connection status and external load demand. When entering the energy storage mode, the solid oxide electrolyzer is started, and the solid oxide electrolyzer uses an external power source and water source to electrolyze water to generate hydrogen; the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit is controlled to receive the hydrogen generated by the solid oxide electrolyzer, and the hydrogen reacts with the dehydrogenated organic liquid to generate hydrogen-containing organic liquid. In the energy storage mode, when the amount of hydrogen-containing organic liquid reaches a preset upper limit, the solid oxide electrolytic cell is shut down and the backup power supply device enters standby mode. When entering the discharge mode, the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit is controlled to cause the hydrogen-containing organic liquid to undergo a dehydrogenation reaction to release hydrogen and the dehydrogenated organic liquid; the solid oxide fuel cell is controlled to receive the hydrogen released by the integrated organic liquid hydrogen storage and release unit, convert the hydrogen into electrical energy and output it to an external load; In the discharge mode, when the amount of the hydrogen-containing organic liquid is lower than a preset lower limit, or when the external load demand ends, the dehydrogenation reaction and the power generation process of the solid oxide fuel cell are stopped, and the backup power supply device enters the standby state.

Images