A test device for high temperature high humidity fuel cells

Abstract

The application relates to a testing device for high-temperature and high-humidity fuel cells. The device comprises a sample to be tested, a high-temperature control unit and a high-humidity control unit. In the high-temperature control unit, the sample to be tested is connected to a liquid outlet pipeline, a first pressure adjusting mechanism is arranged on a first gas outlet pipeline, a first electric heating mechanism is arranged on the outer wall of a liquid storage tank, a first heat preservation mechanism and a first temperature sensor are arranged on the liquid outlet pipeline. In the high-humidity control unit, a second electric heating mechanism is arranged on the outer wall of a humidifying mechanism, a second heat preservation mechanism is arranged on a second gas outlet pipeline, and a second pressure adjusting mechanism is arranged on a third gas outlet pipeline. Compared with the prior art, the application has the advantages of realizing the performance and durability test of fuel cells under high-temperature and high-humidity environments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a testing device for high-temperature and high-humidity fuel cells. Background Technology

[0002] A fuel cell is a device that directly converts chemical energy into electrical energy, offering advantages such as high efficiency and environmental friendliness. Increased temperature accelerates electrochemical reactions, improves single-cell performance, reduces activation overpotential, minimizes energy loss, and increases energy conversion efficiency; it also reduces heat dissipation requirements. Therefore, high-temperature fuel cells have become an important direction for next-generation fuel cells, aiming to improve fuel cell performance and fuel efficiency.

[0003] However, existing fuel cell test benches are mostly designed for ambient or low-temperature environments. For example, Chinese patent CN112363062A discloses a fuel cell test bench capable of rapid humidity switching, including an anode and cathode gas supply system, a cooling system, a humidification system, a back pressure control system, an electronic load, an electrochemical workstation, and a test object. The anode and cathode gas supply system includes one or more anode and cathode gas supply subsystems, the cooling system includes one or more cooling subsystems, the humidification system includes one or more humidification subsystems, and the back pressure control subsystem includes one or more back pressure control subsystems. The anode and cathode gas supply subsystems, the humidification subsystem, the test object, and the back pressure control subsystem are connected sequentially. The cooling subsystem is independently connected to the test object, the electronic load is independently connected to the test object, and the electrochemical workstation is independently connected to the test object. However, under high temperature (≥100℃) and high humidity (dew point temperature ≥100℃) conditions, existing temperature control modules (generally using cooling water) and humidification modules (generally using bubble humidification) are insufficient to meet testing requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a testing device for high-temperature and high-humidity fuel cells, which can realize the performance and durability testing of fuel cells under high temperature (≥100℃) and high humidity (dew point temperature ≥100℃) conditions, and plays an important role in the testing and verification of fuel cells.

[0005] The objective of this invention can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] This invention provides a testing device for high-temperature and high-humidity fuel cells, comprising a sample to be tested, a high-temperature control unit, and a high-humidity control unit. The high-humidity control unit is connected to the sample to be tested. The high-temperature control unit includes a liquid inlet pipe, a first air inlet pipe, a liquid storage tank, a liquid outlet pipe, and a first air outlet pipe. One side of the liquid storage tank is connected to the liquid inlet pipe and the first air inlet pipe, and the other side is connected to one end of the liquid outlet pipe and the first air outlet pipe. The sample to be tested is connected to the liquid outlet pipe. The first air outlet pipe is provided with a first pressure regulating mechanism. The outer wall of the liquid storage tank is provided with a first electric heating mechanism. The liquid outlet pipe is provided with a first heat preservation mechanism and a first temperature sensor.

[0007] As a preferred technical solution, the other end of the liquid outlet pipeline is connected to the liquid outlet and the liquid inlet pipeline respectively through a three-way valve.

[0008] As a preferred technical solution, the inlet pipe is equipped with a coolant delivery mechanism.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution, the coolant delivery mechanism is a water pump.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, a gas flow meter is provided on the first air intake pipe.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, the high humidity control unit includes a second air inlet pipe, a humidification mechanism, a second air outlet pipe, and a third air outlet pipe. One end of the second air inlet pipe, the humidification mechanism, and the second air outlet pipe are connected in sequence. One side of the sample to be tested is connected to the other end of the second air outlet pipe, and the other side is connected to the third air outlet pipe. The outer wall of the humidification mechanism is provided with a second electric heating mechanism. The second air outlet pipe is provided with a second heat preservation mechanism, and the third air outlet pipe is provided with a second pressure regulating mechanism.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, a gas mass flow meter is installed on the second air intake pipe.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, a second temperature sensor and a pressure sensor are respectively provided on the second air outlet pipe and the third air outlet pipe.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution, the humidification mechanism is a bubble humidifier.

[0015] As a preferred technical solution, both the first pressure regulating mechanism and the second pressure regulating mechanism are gas back pressure valves.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] 1. The high-temperature control unit of the present invention includes a coolant circuit and a gas circuit. The coolant circuit consists of an inlet pipe, a storage tank, and an outlet pipe. The gas circuit consists of a first inlet pipe, a storage tank, and a first outlet pipe. By adding a gas circuit to the coolant circuit and providing a first pressure regulating mechanism on the first outlet pipe, when the temperature sensor on the outlet pipe detects that the operating temperature of the test sample is higher than 100°C, the first inlet pipe is opened. The sample temperature is regulated by the coolant circuit and the gas circuit. Specifically, the gas pressure can be regulated by the first pressure regulating mechanism. Since the two circuits share the storage tank, the coolant circuit is pressurized, increasing the boiling point of the coolant, so that the temperature of the coolant circuit can exceed 100°C without vaporization, thereby supplementing the sample with heat to reach the set temperature and meeting the operating requirements of the sample under high temperature (≥100°C) conditions.

[0018] 2. In the high humidity control unit of this invention, the humidification circuit consists of a second inlet pipe, a humidification mechanism, a second outlet pipe, and a third outlet pipe. During operation, when the dew point temperature is higher than 100°C, gas is introduced into the sample to be tested through the humidification circuit. The gas pressure is increased to a suitable value by adjusting the second pressure regulating mechanism on the third outlet pipe (e.g., adjusting the opening of the gas back pressure valve). Subsequently, the second electric heating mechanism is activated to raise the temperature of the humidification mechanism to the target temperature. Based on the feedback from the temperature sensor, the heating power is adjusted until the target humidity is reached. When shutting down, heating is stopped first, and then the pressure is gradually released. High-power heating is achieved through the second electric heating mechanism, and effective heat preservation is achieved before the sample enters through the heat preservation mechanism. All pipes are designed to withstand high temperatures, thereby meeting the operating requirements of the sample under high temperature (≥100°C) and high humidity (dew point temperature ≥100°C) conditions.

[0019] 3. The high-temperature control unit of this invention adopts a high-temperature resistant water pump, a high-power electric heating mechanism, and a good insulation mechanism. At the same time, the high-humidity control unit selects high-temperature resistant pipelines, a high-power electric heating mechanism, and a good insulation mechanism. In practical applications, it is used in conjunction with an automated control system, such as using high-precision temperature sensors, pressure sensors, PID controllers, and safety valves, to ensure safety and precise control, and can fully meet the operating requirements of samples under high temperature (≥100℃) and high humidity (dew point temperature ≥100℃) conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of the testing device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the high-temperature control unit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the high humidity control unit in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the testing device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Wherein: 100, Sample to be tested; 200, High-temperature control unit; 300, High-humidity control unit; 201, Liquid inlet pipe; 202, First air inlet pipe; 203, Liquid storage tank; 204, Liquid outlet pipe; 205, First air outlet pipe; 206, First pressure regulating mechanism; 2061, First air outlet; 207, First electric heating mechanism; 208, First heat preservation mechanism; 209, First temperature sensor; 210, Three-way valve; 211 1. Liquid outlet; 2011. Coolant delivery mechanism; 2021. Gas flow meter; 301. Second air inlet pipe; 302. Humidification mechanism; 303. Second air outlet pipe; 304. Third air outlet pipe; 305. Second electric heating mechanism; 306. Second heat preservation mechanism; 307. Second pressure regulating mechanism; 3071. Second air outlet; 3011. Gas mass flow meter; 308. Second temperature sensor; 309. Pressure sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. These embodiments are based on the technical solution of the present invention and provide detailed implementation methods and specific operating procedures. However, the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0026] Example

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a testing device for high-temperature and high-humidity fuel cells. The device includes a test sample 100, a high-temperature control unit 200, and a high-humidity control unit 300. The high-temperature control unit 200 and the high-humidity control unit 300 are respectively connected to the test sample 100 of the fuel cell.

[0028] like Figure 2As shown, the high-temperature control unit 200 includes a liquid inlet pipe 201, a first air inlet pipe 202, a liquid storage tank 203, a liquid outlet pipe 204, and a first air outlet pipe 205. One side of the liquid storage tank 203 is connected to the liquid inlet pipe 201 and the first air inlet pipe 202, and the other side is connected to one end of the liquid outlet pipe 204 and the first air outlet pipe 205. The sample 100 to be tested is connected to the liquid outlet pipe 204. The first air outlet pipe 205 is provided with a first pressure regulating mechanism 206, which is connected to a first air outlet 2061. The outer wall of the liquid storage tank 203 is provided with a first electric heating mechanism 207. The liquid outlet pipe 204 is provided with a first heat preservation mechanism 208 and a first temperature sensor 209. In this embodiment, water is used as the coolant, the liquid storage tank 203 is a water tank, the first air inlet pipe 202 can input nitrogen or air, and the first pressure regulating mechanism 206 is a gas back pressure valve. In other embodiments, the first pressure regulating mechanism 206 may also employ other control valves to regulate the pressure in the gas circuit, thereby regulating the pressure in the coolant circuit. In this embodiment, the first electric heating mechanism 207 employs an electric heating winding tape, and the first heat preservation mechanism 208 employs a heat preservation winding tape, which are respectively tightly wrapped around the outer wall of the liquid outlet pipe 204 in front of the liquid storage tank 203 and the sample to be tested 100, to improve the heating and heat preservation effects and ensure that the sample to be tested 100 can be tested in a high-temperature environment.

[0029] Furthermore, the other end of the outlet pipe 204 is connected to the outlet port 211 and the inlet pipe 201 respectively via a three-way valve 210, forming a three-way loop to allow the coolant to be recycled. The inlet pipe 201 is also equipped with a coolant delivery mechanism 2011. Optionally, the coolant delivery mechanism 2011 is a high-temperature resistant water pump. The first air inlet pipe 202 is also equipped with a gas flow meter 2021.

[0030] In the high-temperature control unit 200 provided in this embodiment, the coolant circuit consists of an inlet pipe 201, a storage tank 203, and an outlet pipe 204, and the gas circuit consists of a first inlet pipe 202, a storage tank 203, and a first outlet pipe 205. Based on this, the operating principle of the high-temperature control unit 200 includes:

[0031] (1) If the operating temperature of the sample 100 to be tested (based on the sample outlet temperature, i.e., the temperature data collected by the first temperature sensor 209 on the side near the liquid outlet 211) is lower than 100°C, the first air inlet pipe 202 is closed, and the sample temperature is regulated only by the coolant circuit. For example, when the sample itself generates insufficient heat (the sample temperature raised by the heat generation does not reach the sample's set operating temperature), the first electric heating mechanism 207 is activated for rapid heating, and the coolant circuit is used to supplement the heat. When the sample itself generates a high amount of heat (the sample temperature raised by the heat generation has reached the sample's set operating temperature), the coolant circuit is used to remove excess heat to ensure that the sample temperature is stable at the set value.

[0032] (2) If the operating temperature of the sample 100 to be tested is higher than 100°C, the first air inlet pipe 202 is opened, and the sample temperature is adjusted by the cooling liquid circuit and the gas circuit. For example, when the sample itself does not generate enough heat, the first air inlet pipe 202 is opened to pressurize the storage tank 203 and the cooling liquid circuit, thereby increasing the boiling point of the cooling liquid (water in this embodiment) so that the water temperature can exceed 100°C without vaporization, thus supplementing the sample with heat to reach the set temperature.

[0033] The high-temperature control unit 200 provided in this embodiment adds a gas circuit to the coolant circuit, enabling the coolant circuit temperature to be increased to over 100°C. Furthermore, the high-temperature control unit 200 employs a high-temperature resistant water pump, a high-power heating mechanism, and a robust insulation system. In practical applications, when combined with an automated control system, it can meet the operational requirements of samples under high-temperature (≥100°C) conditions.

[0034] like Figure 3As shown, the high humidity control unit 300 includes a second air inlet pipe 301, a humidification mechanism 302, a second air outlet pipe 303, and a third air outlet pipe 304. One end of the second air inlet pipe 301, the humidification mechanism 302, and the second air outlet pipe 303 are connected sequentially. One side of the sample 100 to be tested is connected to the other end of the second air outlet pipe 303, and the other side is connected to the third air outlet pipe 304. The outer wall of the humidification mechanism 302 is provided with a second electric heating mechanism 305. The second air outlet pipe 303 is provided with a second heat preservation mechanism 306. The third air outlet pipe 304 is provided with a second pressure regulating mechanism 307, which is connected to a second air outlet 3071. In this embodiment, the second air inlet pipe 301 can input nitrogen, air, or hydrogen. Optionally, the humidification mechanism 302 is a bubble humidifier, and the second pressure regulating mechanism 307 is a gas back pressure valve. In some other embodiments, the second pressure regulating mechanism 307 may also employ other control valves to regulate the pressure in the humidification circuit. In this embodiment, the second electric heating mechanism 305 uses an electric heating wrapping tape, and the second heat preservation mechanism 306 uses a heat preservation wrapping tape, which are respectively tightly wrapped around the outer walls of the humidification mechanism 302 and the second air outlet pipe 303 to improve the heating and heat preservation effects, ensuring that the sample 100 to be tested can be tested in a high temperature and high humidity environment.

[0035] Furthermore, a gas mass flow meter 3011 is also installed on the second inlet pipe 301. A second temperature sensor 308 and a pressure sensor 309 are respectively installed on the second outlet pipe 303 and the third outlet pipe 304; that is, the two second temperature sensors 308 and the two pressure sensors 309 are located on both sides of the sample 100 to be tested. Optionally, the positions of each sensor are as follows: Figure 3 As shown, on the second vent pipe 303, the pressure sensor 309 is closer to one side of the sample 100 to be tested, and on the third vent pipe 304, the second temperature sensor 308 is closer to the other side of the sample 100 to be tested.

[0036] In the high humidity control unit 300 provided in this embodiment, the humidification circuit consists of a second air inlet pipe 301, a humidification mechanism 302, a second air outlet pipe 303, and a third air outlet pipe 304. Based on this, the operating principle of the high humidity control unit 300 includes:

[0037] Based on the operating temperature of the sample 100 to be tested (which can be determined by the temperature data collected by the second temperature sensor 308 on the third outlet pipe 304) and the preset relative humidity, the dew point temperature of the temperature data collected in the testing device is calculated. When the dew point temperature is higher than 100℃, gas is introduced into the sample 100 to be tested through the humidification circuit, and the gas pressure is increased to a suitable value by adjusting the opening of the gas back pressure valve before the second outlet 3071. Then, the second electric heating mechanism 305 is started to raise the temperature of the humidification mechanism 302 to the target temperature. According to the feedback from the second temperature sensor 308, the heating power is adjusted until the target humidity is reached. When shutting down, heating is stopped first, and then the pressure is gradually released.

[0038] In the high humidity control unit 300, high-temperature resistant pipelines (such as stainless steel, titanium alloy or other high-temperature resistant materials) and valves (high-temperature resistant ball valves, back pressure valves, etc.) are selected, and all connections are ensured to be well sealed. A high-power heating mechanism (using electric heating to meet the heating requirements of the bubbling humidifier above 100℃) and a good insulation mechanism (using high-temperature resistant insulation materials to fully insulate the bubbling humidifier and the pipeline before entering the sample) are used. In practical applications, in conjunction with an automated control system (for example, using high-precision temperature sensors, pressure sensors, PID controllers and safety valves to ensure safety and humidity control), it can meet the operating requirements of samples under high temperature (≥100℃) and high humidity (dew point temperature ≥100℃) conditions.

[0039] Figure 4 The overall structure of the high-temperature control unit 200 and the high-humidity control unit 300 connected to the sample 100 under test is shown. In summary, the fuel cell testing device provided in this embodiment includes two units: a high-temperature control unit and a high-humidity control unit. These units control the temperature of the coolant circuit and the temperature and humidity of the humidification circuit of the fuel cell sample under test, respectively, ultimately meeting the requirements for sample testing temperature and inlet air humidity. Simultaneously, automated control and multiple safety protection measures improve the reliability and safety of the testing device, thereby meeting the operational requirements of the sample under high-temperature (≥100℃) and high-humidity (dew point temperature ≥100℃) conditions.

[0040] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations based on the concept of the present invention without creative effort. Therefore, all technical solutions that can be obtained by those skilled in the art based on the concept of the present invention through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation on the basis of existing technology should be within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A testing device for high-temperature and high-humidity fuel cells, characterized in that, The device includes a sample to be tested, a high-temperature control unit, and a high-humidity control unit. The high-humidity control unit is connected to the sample to be tested. The high-temperature control unit includes a liquid inlet pipe, a first air inlet pipe, a storage tank, a liquid outlet pipe, and a first air outlet pipe. One side of the storage tank is connected to the liquid inlet pipe and the first air inlet pipe, and the other side is connected to one end of the liquid outlet pipe and the first air outlet pipe. The sample to be tested is connected to the liquid outlet pipe. The first air outlet pipe is equipped with a first pressure regulating mechanism. The outer wall of the storage tank is equipped with a first electric heating mechanism. The liquid outlet pipe is equipped with a first heat preservation mechanism and a first temperature sensor.

2. The testing apparatus for high-temperature and high-humidity fuel cells according to claim 1, characterized in that, The other end of the outlet pipeline is connected to the outlet and the inlet pipeline respectively via a three-way valve.

3. The testing apparatus for high-temperature and high-humidity fuel cells according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet pipe is equipped with a coolant delivery mechanism.

4. The testing apparatus for high-temperature and high-humidity fuel cells according to claim 3, characterized in that, The coolant delivery mechanism is a water pump.

5. The testing apparatus for high-temperature and high-humidity fuel cells according to claim 1, characterized in that, A gas flow meter is installed on the first air intake pipe.

6. The testing apparatus for high-temperature and high-humidity fuel cells according to claim 1, characterized in that, The high humidity control unit includes a second air inlet pipe, a humidification mechanism, a second air outlet pipe, and a third air outlet pipe. One end of the second air inlet pipe, the humidification mechanism, and the second air outlet pipe are connected in sequence. One side of the sample to be tested is connected to the other end of the second air outlet pipe, and the other side is connected to the third air outlet pipe. The outer wall of the humidification mechanism is provided with a second electric heating mechanism. The second air outlet pipe is provided with a second heat preservation mechanism, and the third air outlet pipe is provided with a second pressure regulating mechanism.

7. The testing apparatus for high-temperature and high-humidity fuel cells according to claim 6, characterized in that, A gas mass flow meter is installed on the second air intake pipe.

8. The testing apparatus for high-temperature and high-humidity fuel cells according to claim 6, characterized in that, A second temperature sensor and a pressure sensor are respectively installed on the second and third air outlet pipes.

9. The testing apparatus for high-temperature and high-humidity fuel cells according to claim 6, characterized in that, The humidification mechanism is a bubble humidifier.

10. The testing apparatus for high-temperature and high-humidity fuel cells according to claim 6, characterized in that, Both the first pressure regulating mechanism and the second pressure regulating mechanism are gas back pressure valves.

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