Air system for low-temperature cold start of fuel cell

Abstract

The utility model relates to a low-temperature cold start air system of a fuel cell. The low-temperature cold start air system comprises an air filter, a flow meter, an air compressor, a first back pressure valve, an intercooler, a second back pressure valve, a humidifier, a first electromagnetic valve, a cathode, a second electromagnetic valve, a third back pressure valve and an anode, wherein the air filter is used for filtering inlet air, the flow meter is used for measuring gas flow, the air compressor is used for compressing air, the air is transmitted to the intercooler through the first back pressure valve to be cooled, and the cooled air is adjusted through the second back pressure valve, then flows to the humidifier to be subjected to humidity adjustment and is input to the cathode after being controlled by the first electromagnetic valve; and air discharged from the cathode is controlled by the second electromagnetic valve and the third back pressure valve and then is transmitted to the air. According to the utility model, the technical problem that a single air inlet pipeline in the prior art cannot simultaneously meet the requirements of temperature rise of an electric pile and humidity reduction of a cathode side is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of fuel cells, and in particular relates to an air system for low-temperature cold starting of a fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] The fuel cell stack cannot directly undergo electrochemical reactions to generate electricity. It must rely on the air supply system, hydrogen supply system, and water heat management system to provide it with oxides and fuels in appropriate conditions and maintain the water heat balance in the stack, as well as the control system that coordinates the above subsystems. This is the large subsystem that together constitutes the fuel cell system. Because its structure is similar to that of a traditional engine, it is also called a fuel cell engine. In a low-temperature environment, the entire fuel cell system is in a sub-zero environment, and the above subsystems may involve water during the operation of the fuel cell system, so normal operation in a low-temperature environment is very challenging.

[0003] However, the current fuel cell low-temperature start-up subsystem has the following problems when in use:

[0004] The air subsystem for low-temperature cold start of fuel cells usually adopts a single air intake pipeline, which cannot simultaneously meet the requirements of heating the fuel cell stack and reducing humidity on the cathode side. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the above situation, in order to overcome the defects of the prior art, the utility model provides an air system for low-temperature cold start of a fuel cell, which adopts two air intake pipes, which are controlled by two throttle valves respectively. On the one hand, it can use the high-temperature gas at the outlet of the air compressor to quickly heat up the fuel cell stack, and on the other hand, it can reduce the humidity of the air entering the stack to avoid flooding of the cathode of the fuel cell stack.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the utility model is as follows: the utility model provides an air system for low-temperature cold start of a fuel cell, the system comprising an air filter, a flow meter, an air compressor, a first back pressure valve, an intercooler, a second back pressure valve, a humidifier, a first solenoid valve, a cathode, a second solenoid valve, a third back pressure valve and an anode;

[0007] The air filter is used to filter the intake air, the flow meter is used to measure the gas flow, the air compressor is used to compress the air and transmit it to the intercooler for cooling through the first back pressure valve. The cooled air is regulated by the second back pressure valve and flows to the humidifier for humidity adjustment. It is input to the cathode after being controlled by the first solenoid valve, and the cathode exhaust is controlled by the second solenoid valve and the third back pressure valve and then transmitted to the air.

[0008] Furthermore, the system further includes a temperature sensor and a temperature-pressure integrated sensor to monitor and adjust the temperature and pressure of the gas.

[0009] Furthermore, the first back-pressure valve is located between the air compressor and the intercooler to control the pressure of the gas entering the intercooler.

[0010] Furthermore, the intercooler is located between the first back-pressure valve and the second back-pressure valve to cool the high-temperature gas at the outlet of the air compressor.

[0011] Furthermore, the second back pressure valve is located between the intercooler and the humidifier, and is used to adjust the pressure of the cooled gas.

[0012] Furthermore, the temperature sensor is located on the pipeline between the humidifier and the first solenoid valve, and the temperature and pressure integrated sensor is installed at the humidifier outlet for real-time monitoring and adjusting the temperature and pressure of the gas entering the cathode to ensure the optimal working state when the fuel cell is started.

[0013] Furthermore, the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve control the gas flow to the cathode and the anode respectively, and the third back pressure valve is located after the second solenoid valve and is used to adjust the gas pressure entering the anode, thereby ensuring that the fuel cell starts under low temperature conditions.

[0014] The beneficial effects achieved by the utility model using the above structure are as follows: the present scheme provides an air system for low-temperature cold start of a fuel cell, which adopts two air intake pipes, each of which is controlled by two throttle valves. On the one hand, it can use the high-temperature gas at the outlet of the air compressor to quickly heat up the fuel cell stack, and on the other hand, it can reduce the humidity of the air entering the stack to avoid flooding of the cathode of the fuel cell stack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the air system connection for a low-temperature cold start of a fuel cell provided by the utility model.

[0016] Among them, 1. air filter, 2. flow meter, 3. air compressor, 4. first back pressure valve, 5. second back pressure valve, 6. intercooler, 7. humidifier, 8. first solenoid valve, 9. second solenoid valve, 10. third back pressure valve, 11. temperature sensor, 12. temperature and pressure integrated sensor, 13. cathode, 14. fuel cell stack, 15. anode.

[0017] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to explain the present invention and do not constitute a limitation to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, rather than all of the embodiments; based on the embodiments of the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0019] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention. Specific embodiment:

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the utility model provides an air system for low-temperature cold start of a fuel cell, the system comprising an air filter (1), a flow meter (2), an air compressor (3), a first back pressure valve (4), an intercooler (6), a second back pressure valve (5), a humidifier (7), a first solenoid valve (8), a cathode (13), a second solenoid valve (9), a third back pressure valve (10) and an anode (15); wherein the air filter (1) is used to filter the intake air, the flow meter (2) is used to measure the gas flow, the air compressor (3) is used to compress the air and transmit it to the intercooler (6) through the first back pressure valve (4) for cooling, the cooled air is regulated by the second back pressure valve (5) and then flows to the humidifier (7) for humidity regulation, and is input to the cathode (13) after being controlled by the first solenoid valve (8), and the cathode (13) outlet gas is controlled by the second solenoid valve (9) and the third back pressure valve (10) and then transmitted to the air.

[0022] The system further comprises a temperature sensor (11) and a temperature-pressure integrated sensor (12) to monitor and adjust the temperature and pressure of the gas.

[0023] The first back pressure valve (4) is located between the air compressor (3) and the intercooler (6) to control the pressure of the gas entering the intercooler (6).

[0024] The intercooler (6) is located between the first back pressure valve (4) and the second back pressure valve (5) to cool the high temperature gas at the outlet of the air compressor (3).

[0025] The second back pressure valve (5) is located between the intercooler (6) and the humidifier (7) and is used to adjust the pressure of the cooled gas.

[0026] The temperature sensor (11) is located on the pipeline between the humidifier (7) and the first solenoid valve (8), and the temperature-pressure integrated sensor (12) is installed at the outlet of the humidifier (7) for real-time monitoring and adjusting the temperature and pressure of the gas entering the cathode (13) to ensure the optimal working state when the fuel cell is started.

[0027] The first solenoid valve (8) and the second solenoid valve (9) respectively control the gas flow to the cathode (13) and the anode (15); the third back pressure valve (10) is located after the second solenoid valve (9) and is used to adjust the gas pressure entering the anode (15), thereby ensuring that the fuel cell is started under low temperature conditions.

[0028] Working process:

[0029] The air first passes through the air filter (1), which removes suspended particles and impurities in the intake air to ensure that clean air flows into the system. The air is then measured by the flow meter (2) and flows to the air compressor (3), where it is compressed to increase the activity of the gas molecules, which helps to improve the speed and efficiency of the chemical reaction.

[0030] The compressed air then enters the first back pressure valve (4), which controls the pressure of the gas entering the intercooler (6). The function of the intercooler is to cool the compressed high temperature gas to prevent the fuel cell from overheating and maintain system efficiency and stability. After being processed by the intercooler, the air flows through the second back pressure valve (5), which further adjusts the gas pressure, and then flows into the humidifier (7), where the gas is humidified, as humidity has a significant impact on the performance of the fuel cell.

[0031] The humidity-adjusted air is controlled by the first solenoid valve (8) and enters the cathode (13). The gas discharged from the cathode is controlled by the second solenoid valve (9) and the third back pressure valve (10) and then transmitted to the anode (15), completing the closed loop of the entire gas supply system.

[0032] The temperature sensor (11) and the integrated temperature and pressure sensor (12) are located at key positions and are used to monitor and adjust the temperature and pressure of the gas to ensure that the fuel cell is in an optimal working state when started at a low temperature.

[0033] It should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first and second, etc. are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device.

[0034] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0035] The above description of the utility model and its implementation methods is not restrictive. The drawings show only one implementation method of the utility model, and the actual structure is not limited thereto. In short, if ordinary technicians in this field are inspired by it and design structural methods and embodiments similar to the technical solution without creativity without departing from the purpose of the invention of the utility model, they should all fall within the protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A fuel cell low temperature cold start air system, characterized in that: The system comprises an air filter (1), a flow meter (2), an air compressor (3), a first back pressure valve (4), an intercooler (6), a second back pressure valve (5), a humidifier (7), a first solenoid valve (8), a cathode (13), a second solenoid valve (9), a third back pressure valve (10) and an anode (15); The air filter (1) is used to filter the intake air, the flow meter (2) is used to measure the gas flow, the air compressor (3) is used to compress the air and transmit the air to the intercooler (6) for cooling through the first back pressure valve (4), the cooled air is regulated by the second back pressure valve (5) and flows to the humidifier (7) for humidity regulation, and is input to the cathode (13) after being controlled by the first solenoid valve (8), and the cathode (13) outlet air is transmitted to the air after being controlled by the second solenoid valve (9) and the third back pressure valve (10).

2. The air system for low temperature cold start of a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The system further comprises a temperature sensor (11) and a temperature-pressure integrated sensor (12) to monitor and adjust the temperature and pressure of the gas.

3. The air system for low temperature cold start of a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first back pressure valve (4) is located between the air compressor (3) and the intercooler (6) to control the pressure of the gas entering the intercooler (6).

4. The air system for low temperature cold start of a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intercooler (6) is located between the first back pressure valve (4) and the second back pressure valve (5) to cool the high temperature gas at the outlet of the air compressor (3).

5. The air system for low temperature cold start of a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second back pressure valve (5) is located between the intercooler (6) and the humidifier (7) and is used to adjust the pressure of the cooled gas.

6. The air system for low temperature cold start of a fuel cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The temperature sensor (11) is located on the pipeline between the humidifier (7) and the first solenoid valve (8), and the temperature-pressure integrated sensor (12) is installed at the outlet of the humidifier (7) for real-time monitoring and adjusting the temperature and pressure of the gas entering the cathode (13) to ensure the optimal working state when the fuel cell is started.

7. The air system for low temperature cold start of a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first solenoid valve (8) and the second solenoid valve (9) respectively control the gas flow to the cathode (13) and the anode (15); the third back pressure valve (10) is located after the second solenoid valve (9) and is used to adjust the gas pressure entering the anode (15), thereby ensuring that the fuel cell is started under low temperature conditions.

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