Stack anode simulation device and fuel cell test system

Abstract

The utility model provides a galvanic pile anode simulation device. The galvanic pile anode simulation device can be suitable for using humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixed gas as a working medium and comprises an internal pipeline, an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet and the outlet are respectively connected with the internal pipeline; a hydrogen concentration sensor configured to be connected to the internal pipe and capable of detecting a hydrogen concentration of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture flowing through the internal pipe; the humidity sensor is configured to be connected to the inner pipeline and can detect the humidity of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixed gas flowing through the inner pipeline; wherein the galvanic pile anode simulation device is configured to be capable of discharging the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixed gas from the first bypass opening in the internal pipeline according to the hydrogen concentration, detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor, of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixed gas; and the galvanic pile anode simulation device is configured to be capable of supplying humidified nitrogen from the second bypass opening in the internal pipeline according to the humidity of the hydrogen-nitrogen mixed gas detected by the humidity sensor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to an anode simulation device for a stack. Additionally, this application also relates to a fuel cell test system, which includes an anode simulation device for a stack. Background Art

[0002] A hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is a new energy battery that generates electrical energy by utilizing the chemical process of combining hydrogen and oxygen (usually oxygen in the air) to form water. Due to its clean products and stable and quiet reaction process, it has become a new technology that is highly favored.

[0003] In order to further understand hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells, especially for the anode subsystem of hydrogen, the prior art often uses simulation methods to simulate the working conditions of the stack anode. However, the anode simulation devices adopted by the prior art still have deficiencies. For example, they can only perform the most basic and simple simulations on the flow resistance and hydrogen consumption of the stack anode. Unfortunately, this simple simulation cannot represent the complex actual working conditions of the stack anode. In particular, this simulation cannot accurately reflect the actual situation of the changes in relevant media during the working process of the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell.

[0004] For example, during the working process of an actual stack anode, due to the consumption of hydrogen, impurity gases (usually nitrogen) will be relatively enriched in the anode structure. When the relative content of this impurity gas rises to a certain proportion, it will affect the working efficiency of the fuel cell. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the enrichment situation of the impurity gas.

[0005] Another possibility is that in actual situations, there will also be an interaction between the stack anode and the stack cathode. For example, the water generated during the chemical process often penetrates from the stack cathode to the stack anode. This will cause a change in the water content of the gas in the stack anode. Understanding this change in water content also has a positive effect.

[0006] Considering but not limited to the above situations, it is desirable to provide a new type of anode simulation device for a stack to at least alleviate the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0007] This application aims to provide an anode simulation device for a stack, which is advantageous over the prior art in at least one aspect.

[0008] To this end, the present application provides an anode simulation device for a fuel cell stack in one aspect, characterized in that the anode simulation device for the fuel cell stack is configured to be applicable to humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture as a working medium and includes: an internal pipeline, an inlet and an outlet respectively connected to the internal pipeline; a hydrogen concentration sensor configured to be connected to the internal pipeline and capable of detecting the hydrogen concentration of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture flowing through the internal pipeline; and a humidity sensor configured to be connected to the internal pipeline and capable of detecting the humidity of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture flowing through the internal pipeline; wherein the anode simulation device for the fuel cell stack is configured to be able to discharge the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture from a first bypass opening on the internal pipeline according to the hydrogen concentration of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor; and wherein the anode simulation device for the fuel cell stack is configured to be able to supply humidified nitrogen from a second bypass opening on the internal pipeline according to the humidity of the hydrogen-nitrogen mixture detected by the humidity sensor.

[0009] In a feasible exemplary embodiment, the anode simulation device for the fuel cell stack further includes: a throttle valve connected to the first bypass opening, wherein the anode simulation device for the fuel cell stack is configured to discharge the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture from the first bypass opening on the internal pipeline by controlling the opening degree of the throttle valve according to the hydrogen concentration of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor, so that the hydrogen concentration in the internal pipeline is consistent with the hydrogen concentration in the actual working state of the anode of the fuel cell stack.

[0010] In a feasible exemplary embodiment, the hydrogen concentration sensor is configured to be able to determine whether the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture in the anode simulation device for the fuel cell stack reaches a target hydrogen concentration, wherein the target hydrogen concentration corresponds to the hydrogen concentration when a hydrogen-oxygen reaction occurs in the actual anode of the fuel cell stack.

[0011] In a feasible exemplary embodiment, when the hydrogen concentration sensor detects that the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture is higher than the target hydrogen concentration, the throttle valve is adjusted to control the bypass discharge of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture from the first bypass opening.

[0012] In a feasible exemplary embodiment, the anode simulation device for the fuel cell stack further includes: a flow meter connected to the throttle valve and configured to measure the flow rate of the discharged humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture.

[0013] In a feasible exemplary embodiment, when the humidity sensor detects that the water content in the internal pipeline is lower than a water content threshold, humidified nitrogen is supplied to the internal pipeline so that the water content in the internal pipeline conforms to the water content in the actual hydrogen-oxygen reaction process of the anode of the fuel cell stack.

[0014] In a feasible exemplary embodiment, the second bypass opening is positioned downstream of the first bypass opening.

[0015] In a feasible exemplary embodiment, the fuel cell stack anode simulation device further includes a temperature sensor configured to be connected to the internal pipeline and capable of detecting the temperature of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture flowing through the internal pipeline.

[0016] In a feasible exemplary embodiment, the fuel cell stack anode simulation device further includes a pressure sensor configured to be able to detect the gas pressure in the internal pipeline to control the speed of injecting the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture into the inlet.

[0017] In addition, in another aspect, the present application provides a fuel cell test system, characterized by including the fuel cell stack anode simulation device as described above; and components functionally coupled to the fuel cell stack anode simulation device, wherein the components include an anode subsystem for supplying the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture, or its simulation device, and / or a fuel cell stack cathode that cooperates with the fuel cell stack anode to form a hydrogen-oxygen reaction, or its simulation device.

[0018] As can be seen from the above, the fuel cell stack anode simulation device disclosed in the present application can at least more realistically restore the actual working condition process of the fuel cell stack anode. For example, not only the hydrogen consumption of the fuel cell stack anode is considered, but also the enrichment process of impurity gases can be simulated, as well as the change process of the water content of the fuel cell stack anode caused by the permeation of product water from the fuel cell stack cathode to the fuel cell stack anode. Description of the Drawings

[0019] Figure 1 Shows a fuel cell stack anode simulation device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 2 Shows a fuel cell stack anode simulation device according to another embodiment of the present application. Detailed Embodiments

[0021] Some feasible embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are not drawn to scale. Some details may be enlarged for clear display, and some non-essential details are omitted.

[0022] As Figure 1 shown, a fuel cell stack anode simulation device 100 according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. The fuel cell stack anode simulation device 100 is configured to be able to simulate the actual working conditions of the fuel cell stack anode of a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell, especially the change of various parameters related to the working medium.

[0023] The fuel cell anode simulation device 100 includes an internal pipeline 101, an inlet 102 and an outlet 103 respectively connected to the internal pipeline 101. The fuel cell anode simulation device 100 is configured to be applicable to a humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture as the working medium. During use, the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture is injected from the inlet 102, and then the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture flows in the internal pipeline 101 and is finally discharged via the outlet 103. For example, the water content of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture entering the inlet 102 can correspond to the water content of the fuel cell anode in its initial state during actual use. In this way, the actual working condition of the fuel cell anode can be restored more realistically. Another example is that the relative ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen in this hydrogen-nitrogen mixture can be substantially the same as the relative ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen in actual air (e.g., the same).

[0024] The fuel cell anode simulation device 100 may further include a hydrogen concentration sensor 2. The hydrogen concentration sensor 2 can be configured to be connected to the internal pipeline 101 and detect the hydrogen concentration of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture flowing through the internal pipeline 101.

[0025] The hydrogen concentration sensor 2 can be configured to at least determine whether the hydrogen-nitrogen mixture entering the fuel cell anode simulation device 100 is correctly injected. For example, the hydrogen concentration sensor 2 can be configured to determine that the hydrogen-nitrogen mixer is not correctly injected when the detected value of the hydrogen concentration (e.g., within a first time range) is lower than a first threshold. Additionally, correspondingly, the hydrogen concentration sensor 2 can be configured to determine that the hydrogen-nitrogen mixer is correctly injected when the detected value of the hydrogen concentration is not lower than the first threshold.

[0026] The hydrogen concentration sensor 2 can be configured to at least determine whether the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture in the fuel cell anode simulation device 100 is working properly. For example, the hydrogen concentration sensor 2 can be configured to determine that the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture in the fuel cell anode simulation device 100 is working properly when the detected value of the hydrogen concentration is higher than a second threshold and lower than a third threshold (where the third threshold is higher than the second threshold). Additionally, correspondingly, the hydrogen concentration sensor 2 can be configured to determine that the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture in the fuel cell anode simulation device 100 is not working properly when the detected value of the hydrogen concentration (e.g., within a second time range) is lower than the second threshold and / or (e.g., within a third time range) higher than the third threshold.

[0027] The hydrogen concentration sensor 2 can be configured to determine whether the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture in the fuel cell anode simulation device 100 reaches the target hydrogen concentration. The target hydrogen concentration can correspond to the hydrogen concentration when the actual fuel cell anode undergoes a hydrogen-oxygen reaction.

[0028] For example, the fuel cell anode simulation device 100 can be configured such that when the hydrogen concentration sensor 2 detects that the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture has a hydrogen concentration higher than the target hydrogen concentration, for example, via a controller (not shown), the throttle valve 3 is adjusted (e.g., opened) to control (open or promote) the bypass discharge of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture from the first bypass opening 104 of the fuel cell anode simulation device 100. At the same time, the flow rate of the discharged humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture can be measured by a flow meter F connected to the throttle valve 3.

[0029] The discharged flow rate can be calculated by the following formula: Flow rate of the discharged hydrogen-nitrogen mixture = Theoretical hydrogen consumption / Hydrogen concentration of the hydrogen-nitrogen mixture. The theoretical hydrogen consumption can be calculated by the following formula: Theoretical hydrogen consumption = Hydrogen consumption of the actual fuel cell anode during the hydrogen-oxygen chemical reaction.

[0030] For another example, the fuel cell anode simulation device 100 can be configured such that when the hydrogen concentration sensor 2 detects that the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture reaches the target hydrogen concentration, for example, via a controller (not shown), the throttle valve 3 is adjusted (e.g., closed) to control (prevent) the discharge of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture from the fuel cell anode simulation device 100.

[0031] In this way, the fuel cell anode simulation device 100 can simulate the hydrogen content of the actual fuel cell anode.

[0032] It can be understood that the hydrogen concentration sensor 2 can be configured, for example, to continuously detect the hydrogen concentration over time. In this way, the relative content of hydrogen in the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture in the internal pipe 101 can be obtained in real time (thus achieving high precision).

[0033] It can also be understood that the hydrogen concentration sensor 2 can be configured, for example, to detect the hydrogen concentration at regular time intervals. In this way, the relative content of hydrogen in the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture in the internal pipe 101 can be obtained in a way that saves computing power (thus achieving cost efficiency).

[0034] The number of hydrogen concentration sensors can be one or more. In the case of multiple hydrogen concentration sensors, a second hydrogen concentration sensor 2' and / or a third hydrogen sensor 2'' can be further arranged at the inlet 102 and / or the outlet 103 (as Figure 2 shown). Thus, by comparing the values of the two hydrogen concentration sensors, the change characteristics and / or trends of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture during the flow in the internal pipe 101 can be obtained.

[0035] The fuel cell stack anode simulation device 100 may further include a humidity sensor 4. The humidity sensor 4 can be configured to be connected to the internal pipeline 101 and detect the humidity of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture flowing through the internal pipeline 101. In Figure 1 as shown, the humidity sensor 4 is positioned downstream of the hydrogen concentration sensor 2. It can be understood that, according to various different situations, the humidity sensor 4 can be positioned at any suitable position relative to the hydrogen concentration sensor 2.

[0036] The humidity sensor 4 can be configured to determine the water content of the hydrogen-nitrogen mixture in the fuel cell stack anode simulation device 100.

[0037] For example, the fuel cell stack anode simulation device 100 can be configured to: in the case where the humidity sensor 4 detects that the water content in the internal pipeline 101 is lower than the water content threshold, supply humidified nitrogen to the internal pipeline 101 (e.g., through the second bypass opening 105) (e.g., through a controller).

[0038] The water content rate in the humidified nitrogen can be, for example, greater than the water content rate in the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture. In this way, on the one hand, the water content carried by the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture discharged from the throttle valve 3 can be supplemented to the internal pipeline 101, and on the other hand, the water content in the internal pipeline 101 can be further increased to conform to the actual situation of the increased water content in the actual fuel cell stack anode during the hydrogen-oxygen reaction process.

[0039] The fuel cell stack anode simulation device 100 can be configured to supply humidified nitrogen to the internal pipeline 101 downstream of the throttle valve 3 for discharging the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture. In this way, the process of hydrogen being consumed at the fuel cell stack anode and the generated water permeating from the fuel cell stack cathode to and enriching at the fuel cell stack anode can be more realistically simulated.

[0040] Again, for example, the fuel cell stack anode simulation device 100 can be configured to stop supplying humidified nitrogen to the internal pipeline 101 (e.g., through a controller) in the case where the humidity sensor 4 detects that the water content in the internal pipeline 101 reaches the water content threshold.

[0041] The humidity sensor 4 can be configured to be used in cooperation with the hydrogen concentration sensor 2. For example, in the case where it is determined by the hydrogen concentration sensor 2 that the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture in the fuel cell stack anode simulation device 100 is operating normally, the humidity sensor 4 starts to detect the water content in the internal pipeline 101. Again, for example, in the case where it is determined by the hydrogen concentration sensor 2 that the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture in the fuel cell stack anode simulation device 100 reaches the target hydrogen concentration, the humidity sensor 4 starts to detect the water content in the internal pipeline 101.

[0042] The fuel cell stack anode simulation device 100 may further include a temperature sensor 5. The temperature sensor 5 can be configured to connect to the internal pipeline 101 and detect the temperature of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture flowing through the internal pipeline 101. As shown in the figure, the temperature sensor 5 is positioned upstream of the hydrogen concentration sensor 2. It can be understood that in various specific cases, the temperature sensor 5 can be positioned at any suitable location.

[0043] The temperature sensor 5 can be configured to determine the temperature of the hydrogen-nitrogen mixture in the fuel cell stack anode simulation device 100.

[0044] For example, the fuel cell stack anode simulation device 100 can be configured to: when the temperature sensor 5 detects that the temperature in the internal pipeline 101 is lower than the temperature threshold, heat the internal pipeline 101 using a heater (not shown), heat the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture to be introduced into the inlet 102, and / or stop the simulation process and / or recording. Correspondingly, when the temperature sensor 5 detects that the temperature in the internal pipeline 101 reaches the temperature threshold, stop heating the internal pipeline 101, stop heating the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture to be introduced into the inlet 102, and / or start (or continue) the simulation process and / or recording. In this way, the temperature of the fuel cell stack anode (especially the outlet 103) can be simulated.

[0045] The temperature threshold can be associated with the water content threshold. Optionally or additionally, the temperature threshold can be associated with the water content of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture. Optionally or additionally, the temperature threshold can be associated with the water content of the humidified nitrogen.

[0046] The fuel cell stack anode simulation device 100 may further include the throttle valve 3 mentioned above, and a flow meter F arranged upstream of the throttle valve 3 and used in cooperation with the throttle valve 3. As Figure 1 shown, the combined arrangement of the flow meter F and the throttle valve 3 is at the first bypass opening 104, that is, arranged downstream of the hydrogen concentration sensor 2, the humidity sensor 4, and the temperature sensor 5, and upstream of the second bypass opening 105. It can be understood that in various specific cases, the flow meter F and / or the throttle valve 3 can be arranged at any other suitable location.

[0047] The fuel cell stack anode simulation device 100 further includes a pressure sensor 6. The pressure sensor 6 can be configured to detect the gas pressure in the internal pipeline 101 to control the injection speed of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture (at the opening 102). In this way, the actual working state of the fuel cell stack anode can be simulated better. In Figure 1Among them, the pressure sensor 6 is disposed between the first bypass opening 104 and the second bypass opening 105. It can be understood that the pressure sensor can be disposed at any other suitable position.

[0048] This application may also relate to a fuel cell test system. The fuel cell test system includes the stack anode simulation device 100 as involved in this application, and components that are functionally coupled to the stack anode simulation device. The functionally coupled components may be an anode subsystem (or its simulation device) that supplies the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture and / or a stack cathode (or its simulation device) that cooperates with the stack anode to form a hydrogen-oxygen reaction.

[0049] As used herein, the term "comprising" is open-ended and includes one or more stated features, elements, components, or functions, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, functions, or combinations thereof.

[0050] Within the scope of this application, it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, and alternatives set forth in the foregoing paragraphs, claims, and / or in the following description and drawings, particularly their respective features, can be carried out independently or in any combination. That is, the features of all embodiments and / or any embodiment can be combined in any way and / or combination, unless these features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including modifying any originally filed claim to depend on and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim, even though it was not originally claimed in such a way.

[0051] Although this application is described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the scope of this application is not limited to the details shown. Various modifications can be made to these details without departing from the basic principles of this application.

Claims

1. A stack anode simulation device, characterized in that: The stack anode simulation device (100) is configured to be suitable for using a humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixed gas as a working medium and comprises: An internal pipe (101), an inlet (102) and an outlet (103) respectively connected to the internal pipe (101); a hydrogen concentration sensor (2) configured to be connected to the internal pipe (101) and capable of detecting the hydrogen concentration of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixed gas flowing through the internal pipe (101); and a humidity sensor (4), the humidity sensor (4) being configured to be connected to the internal pipe (101) and capable of detecting the humidity of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixed gas flowing through the internal pipe (101); The stack anode simulation device (100) is configured to discharge the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture from a first bypass opening (104) on an internal pipe (101) according to the hydrogen concentration of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture detected by a hydrogen concentration sensor (2); and the stack anode simulation device (100) is configured to supply humidified nitrogen from a second bypass opening (105) on an internal pipe (101) according to the humidity of the hydrogen-nitrogen mixture detected by a humidity sensor (4).

2. The stack anode simulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: A throttle valve (3) connected to the first bypass opening (104), wherein the stack anode simulation device is configured to discharge the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixed gas from the first bypass opening (104) on the internal pipe (101) by controlling the degree of opening and closing of the throttle valve (3) according to the hydrogen concentration of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixed gas detected by the hydrogen concentration sensor (2), so that the hydrogen concentration in the internal pipe (101) is consistent with the hydrogen concentration in the actual working state of the stack anode.

3. The stack anode simulation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The hydrogen concentration sensor (2) is configured to determine whether the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixed gas in the stack anode simulation device (100) reaches a target hydrogen concentration, wherein the target hydrogen concentration corresponds to the hydrogen concentration when the hydrogen-oxygen reaction occurs at the actual stack anode.

4. The stack anode simulation device according to claim 3, characterized in that: When the hydrogen concentration sensor (2) detects that the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixed gas has a hydrogen concentration higher than a target concentration, the throttle valve (3) is adjusted to control the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixed gas to bypass and discharge from the first bypass opening (104).

5. The stack anode simulation device according to claim 4, characterized in that: Also includes: A flow meter (F) is connected to the throttle valve (3) and is configured to measure the flow rate of the exhausted humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixed gas.

6. The stack anode simulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: When the humidity sensor (4) detects that the water content in the internal pipe (101) is lower than the water content threshold, humidified nitrogen is supplied to the internal pipe (101) so that the water content in the internal pipe (101) meets the water content of the anode of the stack during the actual hydrogen-oxygen reaction process.

7. The stack anode simulation device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second bypass opening (105) is located downstream of the first bypass opening (104).

8. The stack anode simulation device according to claim 7, characterized in that: Also includes: A temperature sensor (5) is configured to be connected to the internal pipe (101) and is capable of detecting the temperature of the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixed gas flowing through the internal pipe (101).

9. The stack anode simulation device according to claim 8, characterized in that: Also includes: A pressure sensor (6) is configured to detect the gas pressure in the internal pipe (101) to control the speed of injecting the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixed gas into the inlet (102).

10. A fuel cell testing system, characterized in that: include: The stack anode simulation device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and A component functionally coupled to the stack anode simulation device, wherein the component includes an anode subsystem for supplying the humidified hydrogen-nitrogen mixture, or a simulation device thereof, and / or a stack cathode for cooperating with the stack anode to form a hydrogen-oxygen reaction, or a simulation device thereof.

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