Electrochemical reaction power generation system and device suitable for low-temperature environment

Abstract

The utility model discloses an electrochemical reaction power generation system suitable for a low-temperature environment. The electrochemical reaction power generation system comprises a fuel cell reactor, a fuel supply unit, an air supply unit and a power management unit, the air blower, an air inlet of the fuel cell reactor, an air outlet of the fuel cell reactor, the air condenser and the gas-liquid separator are sequentially connected through guide pipes to form an air circulation branch; the liquid storage tank, the micro high-pressure pump, the gas-liquid separator, the liquid circulating pump, the fuel cell reactor and the gas-liquid separator are sequentially connected through guide pipes to form a liquid fuel supply circulating branch; a fuel concentration sensor and a miniature liquid circulating pump are sequentially connected through a pipeline, and are finally connected to the bottom of the gas-liquid separator to form a solution concentration detection branch; the fuel concentration sensor is integrated with a semiconductor heating temperature control module; the power management unit comprises a central control unit and a lithium battery, and the central control unit is connected with the lithium battery. The utility model has the advantages of simple structure and the like, and is beneficial to low-temperature starting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrochemical technology, and in particular to an electrochemical reaction power generation system and device suitable for low-temperature environments. Background Technology

[0002] Electrochemical reaction power generation is a technology that directly converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Its core is the energy conversion achieved through electrochemical reactions. It boasts advantages such as high energy density, zero pollution, low noise, small equipment footprint, and long service life, making it a major trend in the development of a green and environmentally friendly economy.

[0003] Currently, fuels commonly used in electrochemical reactions are mainly divided into two types: liquid fuels and gaseous fuels. In practical applications, although gaseous fuels (such as hydrogen and methane) have high energy density, they are difficult to store and occupy a large volume. They often need to be stored in specially designed high-pressure resistant storage devices and then installed in corresponding equipment or devices for use as fuel. This results in low gaseous fuel storage capacity, and the gas cylinders used to store gaseous fuel occupy a lot of space and weight, making them inconvenient to use. Therefore, in existing technologies, most industrial fields often use liquid fuels as raw materials for electrochemical reaction power generation. This not only solves the energy density problem but also makes it easy to store in containers of various shapes, allowing for greater storage capacity.

[0004] Electrochemical power generation devices using liquid fuels typically employ diluted, low-concentration fuels for internal reactions. However, the freezing point of low-concentration liquid fuel solutions is very high, generally close to 0°C. Therefore, starting and storing power generation devices at low temperatures present challenges. This invention provides an electrochemical reaction power generation system and device suitable for storage and startup in low-temperature environments. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by this utility model is: how to provide an electrochemical reaction power generation system and device suitable for starting or storing in a low-temperature environment.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] An electrochemical reaction power generation system suitable for low-temperature environments includes a fuel cell reactor, a fuel supply unit, an air supply unit, a power management unit, and an ambient temperature sensor. The fuel supply unit includes a gas-liquid separator, a liquid circulation pump, a fuel concentration sensor, a liquid level sensor, a storage tank, a fluid sensor, and a miniature high-pressure pump. The air supply unit includes a blower and an air condenser. The blower, the air inlet of the fuel cell reactor, the air outlet of the fuel cell reactor, the air condenser, and the gas-liquid separator are sequentially connected by conduits to form an air circulation path. The storage tank, fluid sensor, miniature high-pressure pump, gas-liquid separator, liquid circulation pump, fuel inlet of the fuel cell reactor, and ambient temperature sensor are all included. The fuel outlet of the fuel cell reactor and the gas-liquid separator are connected sequentially via conduits to form a liquid fuel supply circulation branch. A fuel concentration sensor and a miniature liquid circulation pump are sequentially connected to the bottom of the gas-liquid separator via pipes, and finally connected back to the bottom of the gas-liquid separator to form a solution concentration detection branch. A semiconductor heating and temperature control module is integrated within the fuel concentration sensor. The power management unit includes a central control unit and a lithium battery, with the central control unit connected to the lithium battery. The central control unit is connected to the blower, liquid level sensor, fuel concentration sensor, liquid circulation pump, miniature high-pressure pump, valves at the air inlet and outlet of the fuel cell reactor, valves at the fuel inlet and outlet of the fuel cell reactor, and an ambient temperature sensor.

[0008] Using the above structure, the central control unit controls the liquid circulation pump to draw mixed fuel from the bottom of the gas-liquid separator. Trace cations in the solution are removed by an ion filter before being fed into the fuel inlet side (i.e., the anode) of the fuel cell reactor. The fuel is oxidized at the anode of the electrochemical reactor, producing water, carbon dioxide, and electrons. The reaction products and unreacted fuel enter the gas-liquid separator from the reactor anode outlet for gas-liquid separation. Water and unreacted fuel enter the bottom of the gas-liquid separator through the waste liquid return port, while carbon dioxide and some water vapor are discharged from the system through the through-holes in the liquid return pipe and the exhaust port at the top of the gas-liquid separator. Meanwhile, the blower provides oxygen to the fuel cell reactor for the internal reaction. The hot air generated by the reaction is cooled by an air condenser and enters the upper part of the gas-liquid separator. Upon encountering the liquid return pipe, it further forms small water droplets that are drawn into the gas... The bottom of the liquid separator is used to dilute the fuel concentration, and some hot air such as water vapor is discharged from the system through the exhaust pipe at the top. When the concentration detection branch detects that the concentration in the gas-liquid separator mixing chamber is too low, the high-concentration fuel in the storage tank will enter the mixing chamber through a micro high-pressure pump to supplement the mixing zone of the internal circulation loop with a certain concentration of fuel to maintain the fuel concentration entering the electrochemical reactor in the internal circulation loop to meet the requirements. When the system is shut down, the lithium battery circuit does not turn off, but continues to supply power to the central control unit to keep it in an extremely low power consumption working state, and periodically monitors the ambient temperature and adjusts the solution concentration in the mixing chamber. When the ambient temperature decreases, if the freezing point of the diluted fuel solution in the mixing chamber at that concentration is higher than the ambient temperature, the central control unit controls a micro high-pressure pump to input high-concentration fuel to increase the concentration of the diluted fuel solution in the mixing chamber until the freezing point of the fuel solution at that concentration is 1-5°C lower than the ambient temperature, preventing freezing. When the ambient temperature increases, if the freezing point of the diluted fuel solution in the mixing chamber at that concentration is more than 5°C lower than the ambient temperature, the electrochemical system is automatically activated, with all power used to charge the hybrid lithium battery and dilute the fuel solution until its freezing point is controlled within 1-5°C lower than the ambient temperature, preventing damage to the membrane electrode from solution concentrations exceeding the corresponding ambient temperature. Furthermore, the fuel concentration sensor at the bottom of the gas-liquid separator integrates a semiconductor heating and temperature control module, which can further heat the corresponding fuel during the detection of the concentration cycle. This self-circulation, without requiring external auxiliary heating, solves both the problems of limited gaseous fuel storage and the difficulty of low-temperature start-up with liquid fuel.

[0009] Furthermore, the gas-liquid separator is cylindrical or prismatic in shape. An exhaust port and a waste gas return port are provided through the top of the gas-liquid separator. A funnel-shaped liquid return pipe is arranged circumferentially inside the gas-liquid separator, dividing it into a mixing chamber and a gas-liquid separation chamber. A gap exists between the bottom of the liquid return pipe and the bottom of the gas-liquid separator. A through-hole is provided on the inclined sidewall of the liquid return pipe. From top to bottom, the sidewall of the gas-liquid separator is provided with a waste liquid return port, a high-concentration fuel inlet, a concentration detection outlet, a concentration detection return port, and a low-concentration fuel outlet. The concentration detection outlet and the concentration detection return port are connected in series in a solution concentration detection branch. The high-concentration fuel inlet is connected to the micro high-pressure pump, and the low-concentration fuel outlet is connected to the liquid circulation pump. The waste liquid return port is connected to the fuel outlet of the fuel cell reactor via a pipe.

[0010] Furthermore, the liquid level sensor includes a central electrode and two measuring electrodes, one of which has its tip higher than the bottom of the liquid return pipe, and the other of which has its tip lower than the bottom of the liquid return pipe.

[0011] In this way, two measuring electrodes, one low and one high, are completely immersed in the fuel solution. The two liquid levels are measured by detecting the resistance between the two electrodes and the center electrode, so as to determine whether there is more or less solution in the mixing chamber, and thus adjust the supply and demand dilution of the solution.

[0012] Furthermore, an ion filter is provided between the low-concentration fuel outlet and the liquid circulation pump, and an air filter is provided on the side away from the blower outlet.

[0013] This filters out ions from the solution and impurities from the air, preventing short circuits in the fuel cell stack caused by these contaminants and thus extending its lifespan.

[0014] Furthermore, the concentration detection value of the fuel concentration sensor is set to 0–30 mol / L, and the liquid flow rate of the liquid circulation pump is set to 1–10 mL / min.

[0015] This allows for better control of fuel supply and demand, enabling fuel cells to better convert the energy in the fuel.

[0016] An electrochemical reaction power generation device suitable for low-temperature environments includes the electrochemical reaction power generation device as described above.

[0017] In summary, this utility model has the advantages of simple structure, saving space and cost, and facilitating low-temperature start-up. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell electrochemical reaction power generation system. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0020] An electrochemical reaction power generation system suitable for low-temperature environments, such as Figures 1-2 As shown, the system includes a fuel cell reactor 1, a fuel supply unit 2, an air supply unit 3, a power management unit 4, and an ambient temperature sensor 8. The fuel supply unit 2 includes a gas-liquid separator 21, a liquid circulation pump 23, a fuel concentration sensor 27, a liquid level sensor 24, a liquid storage tank 25, a fluid sensor, and a miniature high-pressure pump 26. The air supply unit 3 includes a blower 31 and an air condenser 32.

[0021] The blower 31, the air inlet of the fuel cell reactor 1, the air outlet of the fuel cell reactor 1, the air condenser 32, and the gas-liquid separator 21 are sequentially connected by conduits to form an air circulation branch. The liquid storage tank 25, the fluid sensor, the micro high-pressure pump 26, the gas-liquid separator 21, the liquid circulation pump 23, the fuel inlet of the fuel cell reactor 1, the fuel outlet of the fuel cell reactor 1, and the gas-liquid separator 21 are sequentially connected by conduits to form a liquid fuel supply circulation branch. The bottom of the gas-liquid separator 21 is sequentially connected by pipes to a fuel concentration sensor 27 and a micro liquid circulation pump, and finally connected back to the bottom of the gas-liquid separator 21 to form a solution concentration detection branch. The gas-liquid separator 21 is cylindrical or prismatic in shape. The top of the gas-liquid separator 21 has an exhaust port 211 and a waste gas return port 212. The internal circumference of the gas-liquid separator 21 is provided with a funnel-shaped liquid return pipe 5, which divides the gas-liquid separator 21 into a mixing chamber. The gas-liquid separation chamber has a gap between the bottom of the liquid return pipe 5 and the bottom of the gas-liquid separator 21. The inclined sidewall of the liquid return pipe 5 has a through hole 51. The sidewall of the gas-liquid separator 21 has, from top to bottom, a waste liquid return port 213, a high-concentration fuel inlet 214, a concentration detection outlet 215, a concentration detection return port 216, and a low-concentration fuel outlet 217. The concentration detection outlet 215 and the concentration detection return port 216 are connected in series in the solution concentration detection branch. The high-concentration fuel inlet 214 is connected to the micro high-pressure pump 26, the low-concentration fuel outlet 217 is connected to the liquid circulation pump 23, and the waste liquid return port 213 is connected to the fuel outlet of the fuel cell reactor 1 through a pipe; the fuel concentration sensor 27 has a semiconductor heating and temperature control module integrated inside; an ion filter 22 is also provided between the low-concentration fuel outlet 217 and the liquid circulation pump 23, and an air filter 7 is also provided on the side away from the air outlet of the blower 31.

[0022] The power management unit 4 includes a central control unit 41 and a lithium battery 42. The central control unit 41 is connected to the lithium battery. The central control unit 41 is connected to the blower 31, the liquid level sensor 24, the fuel concentration sensor 27, the liquid circulation pump 23, the micro high pressure pump 26, the valves of the air inlet and outlet of the fuel cell reactor 1, the valves of the fuel inlet and outlet of the fuel cell reactor 1, and the ambient temperature sensor 8.

[0023] Working Principle: During the system startup phase, the electrochemical reactor is not yet operational. The lithium battery serves as the system's startup power source and briefly bears the main power output, enabling the entire discharge system to respond quickly to loads. The power generation system's output is connected to a high-efficiency synchronous rectifier DC / DC converter to achieve adjustable and regulated output. The central control unit collects parameters such as voltage, current, temperature, liquid level, and fuel concentration from the reactor system through acquisition circuits, enabling programmed control of the operation of pumps, valves, fans, and other components, adjustment of internal fuel concentration, and charging of the lithium battery. For example, the central control unit controls the liquid circulation pump to draw mixed fuel from the bottom of the gas-liquid separator, removes trace cations from the solution through an ion filter, and then inputs it into the fuel inlet side (i.e., the anode) of the fuel cell reactor. Fuel is oxidized at the anode of the electrochemical reactor, producing water, carbon dioxide, and electrons. The reaction products and unreacted fuel enter a gas-liquid separator from the reactor anode outlet for gas-liquid separation. Water and unreacted fuel enter the bottom of the gas-liquid separator through the waste liquid return port, while carbon dioxide and some water vapor are discharged from the system through the through-holes in the liquid return pipe and the exhaust port at the top of the gas-liquid separator. A blower provides oxygen to the fuel cell reactor for the internal reaction. The hot air generated by the reaction is cooled by an air condenser and enters the upper part of the gas-liquid separator. Upon encountering the liquid return pipe, it further forms small water droplets that flow into the bottom of the gas-liquid separator to dilute the fuel. For material concentration, some hot air such as water vapor is discharged outside the system through the exhaust pipe at the top. When the concentration detection branch detects that the concentration in the gas-liquid separator mixing chamber is too low, the high-concentration fuel in the storage tank will enter the mixing chamber through a micro high-pressure pump to replenish the mixing chamber of the internal circulation loop with fuel of ≥60% to 100% purity, so as to maintain the fuel concentration entering the electrochemical reactor from the internal circulation loop between 0.3 mol / L and 20 mol / L to meet the requirements. When the system is shut down, the lithium battery circuit does not shut down, but continues to supply power to the central control unit to keep it in an extremely low power consumption working state, and periodically monitors the ambient temperature and adjusts the solution concentration in the mixing chamber. When the ambient temperature decreases, if the freezing point of the diluted fuel solution in the mixing chamber at that concentration is higher than the ambient temperature, the central control unit controls the micro high-pressure pump to input high-concentration fuel to increase the concentration of the diluted fuel solution in the mixing chamber until the freezing point of the fuel solution at that concentration is 1-5°C lower than the ambient temperature, preventing freezing. When the ambient temperature increases, if the freezing point of the diluted fuel solution in the mixing chamber at that concentration is more than 5°C lower than the ambient temperature, the electrochemical system is automatically activated, with all power used to charge the hybrid lithium battery and dilute the fuel solution until the freezing point of the fuel solution at that concentration is controlled within 1-5°C lower than the ambient temperature, preventing damage to the membrane electrode from solution concentrations exceeding the corresponding ambient temperature. Furthermore, the fuel concentration sensor at the bottom of the gas-liquid separator has an integrated semiconductor heating temperature control module that can further heat the corresponding fuel during the detection cycle.

[0024] In addition, during implementation, the air condenser is also equipped with a cooling fan; the start and stop of the cooling fan is controlled by the liquid level in the mixing chamber of the gas-liquid separator and the air temperature at the condenser outlet. When the air temperature at the condenser outlet is lower than the set value, between 35 and 65°C, the cooling fan does not work; when the air temperature at the condenser outlet is higher than the set value and the liquid level in the mixing chamber is lower than the high liquid level, the fan starts to cool and recycle water; when the liquid level is higher than the high liquid level, the fan stops, and excess water is discharged through water vapor to keep the liquid level in the mixing chamber stable.

[0025] In practice, to better regulate supply and demand, the liquid level sensor 24 includes a central electrode and two measuring electrodes 241, one of which has its top end higher than the bottom of the liquid return pipe 5, and the other has its top end lower than the bottom of the liquid return pipe 5; the concentration detection value of the fuel concentration sensor 27 is set to 0-30 mol / L, and the liquid flow rate of the liquid circulation pump 23 is set to 1-10 mL / min.

[0026] An electrochemical reaction power generation device suitable for low-temperature environments includes the aforementioned electrochemical reaction power generation device.

[0027] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An electrochemical reaction power generation system suitable for low-temperature environments, characterized in that, It includes a fuel cell reactor (1), a fuel supply unit (2), an air supply unit (3), a power management unit (4), and an ambient temperature sensor (8); the fuel supply unit (2) includes a gas-liquid separator (21), a liquid circulation pump (23), a fuel concentration sensor (27), a liquid level sensor (24), a liquid storage tank (25), a fluid sensor, and a micro high-pressure pump (26); the air supply unit (3) includes a blower (31) and an air condenser (32); The blower (31), the air inlet of the fuel cell reactor (1), the air outlet of the fuel cell reactor (1), the air condenser (32), and the gas-liquid separator (21) are connected in sequence through conduits to form an air circulation branch. The liquid storage tank (25), fluid sensor, micro high-pressure pump (26), gas-liquid separator (21), liquid circulation pump (23), fuel inlet of fuel cell reactor (1), fuel outlet of fuel cell reactor (1), and gas-liquid separator (21) are connected in sequence through conduits to form a liquid fuel supply circulation branch; the bottom of the gas-liquid separator (21) is connected in sequence through pipes to a fuel concentration sensor (27) and a micro liquid circulation pump, and finally connected back to the bottom of the gas-liquid separator (21) to form a solution concentration detection branch; the fuel concentration sensor (27) has a semiconductor heating temperature control module integrated inside; The power management unit (4) includes a central control unit (41) and a lithium battery (42). The central control unit (41) is connected to the lithium battery. The central control unit (41) is connected to the blower (31), the liquid level sensor (24), the fuel concentration sensor (27), the liquid circulation pump (23), the micro high pressure pump (26), the valves of the air inlet and outlet of the fuel cell reactor (1), the valves of the fuel inlet and outlet of the fuel cell reactor (1), and the ambient temperature sensor (8).

2. The electrochemical reaction power generation system suitable for low-temperature environments as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The gas-liquid separator (21) is cylindrical or prismatic in shape. An exhaust port (211) and a waste gas return port (212) are provided at the top of the gas-liquid separator (21). A funnel-shaped liquid return pipe (5) is provided circumferentially inside the gas-liquid separator (21), dividing it into a mixing chamber and a gas-liquid separation chamber. A gap exists between the bottom of the liquid return pipe (5) and the bottom of the gas-liquid separator (21). A through hole (51) is provided on the inclined sidewall of the liquid return pipe (5). The sidewall of the gas-liquid separator (21) is arranged from top to bottom as follows: The system is equipped with a waste liquid return port (213), a high-concentration fuel inlet (214), a concentration detection outlet (215), a concentration detection return port (216), and a low-concentration fuel outlet (217). The concentration detection outlet (215) and the concentration detection return port (216) are connected in series in the solution concentration detection branch. The high-concentration fuel inlet (214) is connected to the micro high-pressure pump (26), and the low-concentration fuel outlet (217) is connected to the liquid circulation pump (23). The waste liquid return port (213) is connected to the fuel outlet of the fuel cell reactor (1) through a pipeline.

3. The electrochemical reaction power generation system suitable for low-temperature environments as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The liquid level sensor (24) includes a central electrode and two measuring electrodes (241), one of which has its top end higher than the bottom of the liquid return pipe (5), and the other of which has its top end lower than the bottom of the liquid return pipe (5).

4. The electrochemical reaction power generation system suitable for low-temperature environments as described in claim 2, characterized in that, An ion filter (22) is also provided between the low-concentration fuel outlet (217) and the liquid circulation pump (23), and an air filter (7) is also provided on the side away from the air outlet of the blower (31).

5. The electrochemical reaction power generation system suitable for low-temperature environments as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The concentration detection value of the fuel concentration sensor (27) is set to 0-30 mol / l, and the liquid flow rate of the liquid circulation pump (23) is set to 1-10 mL / min.

6. An electrochemical reaction power generation device suitable for low-temperature environments, characterized in that, The device for generating electricity by electrochemical reaction as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

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