Pipeline system of hydrogen fuel cell activation testing device
By employing a pipeline design that separates hydrogen and nitrogen in the hydrogen fuel cell activation test device, the problem of catalyst corrosion caused by residual hydrogen was solved, the thoroughness of nitrogen purging and system stability were achieved, and the service life of the fuel cell was extended.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520002293.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-01-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing hydrogen fuel cell activation testing devices fail to effectively prevent residual hydrogen from forming hydrogen-air batteries, leading to reduced catalyst activity. Furthermore, the shared branch for hydrogen and nitrogen results in incomplete nitrogen purging.
A pipeline system for a hydrogen fuel cell activation test device was designed, which adopts a design that separates the hydrogen and nitrogen branches. By combining pressure sensors and miniature solenoid valves, the hydrogen and nitrogen are independently controlled, avoiding the mixing of residual hydrogen with cathode oxygen and ensuring thorough nitrogen purging.
It effectively prevents the formation of hydrogen-air batteries, avoids catalyst corrosion, extends the service life of fuel cells, ensures system stability in emergency situations, and improves the effect of nitrogen purging.
Smart Images
Figure CN223858152U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a pipeline system for a hydrogen fuel cell activation test device. Background Technology
[0002] In the initial stage of a PEMFC stack and system, the water vapor transport channels within the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) are not yet established. Alternatively, during long-term storage, internal moisture evaporation, impurity intrusion, or oxidation of the Pt catalyst can lead to a decrease in fuel cell activity. Therefore, MEA activation is a necessary step before a PEMFC stack and system can be put into use. This involves using an appropriate activation process to gradually improve the performance of the PEMFC to achieve the required performance and voltage. PEMFC activation is essentially MEA activation, which involves improving the MEA's performance to its nominal or maximum value and ensuring it reaches a stable state before leaving the factory – thus completing the fuel cell activation process.
[0003] However, after activation, mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell stacks are not used immediately but stored in warehouses. The residual hydrogen inside can cause hydrogen-air cells to form inside the fuel cell, leading to reverse polarity at the anode due to insufficient hydrogen. At this time, other substances in the anode catalyst layer (such as water and carbon) undergo oxidation, producing protons and releasing electrons. This process corrodes the anode catalyst, affecting battery performance. To solve these problems, nitrogen is often used for purging to prevent residual hydrogen from forming hydrogen-air cells. However, common activation stations do not separate hydrogen and nitrogen branches, allowing them to share a single branch. This results in residual hydrogen still reacting, reducing catalyst activity. Therefore, this invention provides a piping system for a hydrogen fuel cell activation test device that avoids electrochemical reactions caused by residual hydrogen mixing with cathode oxygen while still allowing for nitrogen purging. Utility Model Content
[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by this utility model is: how to provide a pipeline system for a hydrogen fuel cell activation test device that can both prevent residual hydrogen in the hydrogen fuel cell from forming a hydrogen-air battery and perform nitrogen purging.
[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0006] A piping system for a hydrogen fuel cell activation test device includes a piping system and a hydrogen fuel cell. The piping system includes a hydrogen branch L1, a nitrogen branch L2, and a fuel cell circuit L3. The hydrogen branch L1 and the nitrogen branch L2 are connected in parallel and converge into a main line Y1, which is then connected in series with the hydrogen fuel cell circuit L3. A pressure sensor P1 for displaying the hydrogen or nitrogen inlet pressure, a pressure regulating valve, and a pressure sensor P2 for displaying the internal pressure of the fuel cell stack are sequentially connected between the hydrogen branch L1 and the nitrogen branch L2 and the hydrogen fuel cell circuit L3.
[0007] The hydrogen branch L1 includes a hydrogen shut-off valve (128), a check valve, and a high-pressure solenoid valve connected in sequence; the nitrogen branch L2 includes a nitrogen shut-off valve (129), a check valve, and a high-pressure solenoid valve connected in sequence; the hydrogen fuel cell circuit L3 includes a micro solenoid valve group, which consists of four micro solenoid valves: SV1, SV2, SV3, and SV4. SV1 and SV2 are connected in parallel through a pipe and in series with SV3. SV2 is connected in series with SV4 through a pipe. The other end of SV3 and the other end of SV4 are connected to the exhaust pipe. SV1 and SV3 are connected to the hydrogen fuel cell inlet 1 through a pipe, and SV2 and SV4 are connected to the hydrogen fuel cell inlet 2 through a pipe.
[0008] Furthermore, the other ends of the hydrogen shut-off valve and the nitrogen shut-off valve are respectively connected to the test hydrogen inlet and the test nitrogen inlet on the fuel cell activation test device; the other end of the main line Y1 is divided into two branches, which are correspondingly connected to the fuel cell hydrogen inlet and the fuel cell nitrogen inlet on the fuel cell activation device, so that the other ends of SV1 and SV2 in the hydrogen fuel cell circuit L3 are correspondingly connected to the fuel cell hydrogen inlet and the fuel cell nitrogen inlet.
[0009] In summary, the advantages of this utility model are as follows:
[0010] By subdividing the hydrogen and nitrogen supply paths, reverse nitrogen purging in the non-hydrogen-supply path at the end of activation testing or fuel cell use is more effective in removing residual hydrogen from the hydrogen supply path, enabling rapid fuel cell shutdown. It also helps prevent residual hydrogen from mixing with cathode oxygen after shutdown, avoiding continued electrochemical reactions in the fuel cell's internal materials after shutdown. This avoids unnecessary reactions that could reduce catalyst activity and extend fuel cell lifespan.
[0011] On the other hand, if hydrogen and nitrogen share a single branch, in the event of an emergency, if hydrogen leaks, the hydrogen inlet will stop working, and nitrogen purging will be impossible. This will create a hydrogen-air cell inside the fuel cell, causing reverse polarity at the anode, reducing the activity of the anode catalyst and shortening the lifespan of the fuel cell. With a dual-channel system, even in an emergency, only the hydrogen inlet valve needs to be closed, while the nitrogen branch can operate independently. Pipeline maintenance can be performed after the fuel cell purging is completed. Therefore, using a dual-channel system for hydrogen and nitrogen in the fuel cell circuit can further increase the stability of the operation. Attached Figure Description
[0012] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the piping system for activating the testing device.
[0013] Figures 2-4 A schematic diagram of the overall or partial structure of the activation test device.
[0014] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A magnified view of a portion of the image.
[0015] Figure label:
[0016] 1. Activation test platform; 11. First test platform; 111. Test hydrogen inlet; 112. Test nitrogen inlet; 12. Second test platform; 121. Fuel cell hydrogen inlet; 122. Fuel cell nitrogen inlet; 123. Emergency shut-off button; 124. Start switch; 125. Shut-off switch; 126. Communication interface; 127. Pressure reducing valve; 128. Hydrogen shut-off valve; 129. Nitrogen shut-off valve; 13. Connecting plate; 2. Fuel cell testing mechanism; 21. Lateral limit guide rail; 22. Limiting rod; 23. Lead screw guide rail; 24. Probe fixing plate; 25. Inspection probe; 26. Probe guide plate; 3. Stepper motor; 4. Press-type terminal block; 5. Temperature display. Detailed Implementation
[0017] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.
[0018] A hydrogen fuel cell activation test apparatus employing the test method described above, such as... Figures 2-5As shown, the device includes an activation test platform 1 and a fuel cell testing mechanism 2 mounted on the activation test platform 1. The fuel cell testing mechanism 2 includes a transverse limiting guide rail 21 disposed on the upper surface of the activation test platform 1. The transverse limiting guide rail 21 is arranged parallel to the length direction of the activation test platform 1. Limiting rods 22 are connected to the two transverse limiting guide rails 21 by mutually cooperating sliders, so that the length direction of the limiting rods is perpendicular to the length direction of the limiting guide rails. Vertically arranged fixing plates are connected to both ends of the transverse limiting guide rail 21 along its length direction, and the middle of the fixing plates is vertically arranged. The platform includes a lead screw guide rail 23, with two lead screw guide rails facing each other and connected by a slider. A probe fixing plate 24 and a probe guide plate 26 are connected between the two lead screw guide rails 23. The probe fixing plate 24 and the probe guide plate 26 are parallel to the upper surface of the activation test platform 1, and the probe guide plate 26 is located below the probe fixing plate 24. The probe fixing plate 24 has probe fixing holes that extend through the thickness direction, and multiple probe fixing holes are evenly distributed on the surface of the probe fixing plate 24. Inspection probes 25 are inserted into the probe fixing holes. A stepper motor 3 is fixedly mounted on the upper end of the lead screw guide rail 23.
[0019] When implementing, such as Figure 2 As shown, the upper surface of the activation test platform 1 is stepped, dividing it into a first test platform 11 and a second test platform 12. A connecting plate 13 connects the first test platform 11 and the second test platform 12. The fuel cell testing mechanism 2 is located on the first test platform 11. A battery test support plate is provided between the two transverse limiting guide rails 21. The first test platform 11 is provided with a test hydrogen inlet 111 for connecting to a hydrogen storage device and a test nitrogen inlet 112 for connecting to a nitrogen storage device. The second test platform 12 is provided with a fuel cell hydrogen inlet 121 and a fuel cell nitrogen inlet 122 for connecting to a hydrogen fuel cell. The test hydrogen inlet 111 and the test nitrogen inlet 112 are connected to the corresponding fuel cell hydrogen inlet 121 and fuel cell nitrogen inlet 122 via pipes. A pressure gauge P1 for detecting hydrogen or nitrogen inlet and a pressure gauge P2 for detecting hydrogen or nitrogen outlet pressure are connected to each other. The pressure gauges P1 and P2 are embedded in the connecting plate 13. Figure 2As shown, the fixed plate has a push-button terminal 4 at one end facing the connecting plate 13, and the connecting plate also has a push-button terminal 4. It also includes a battery inspection module and a temperature display 5. The second test platform 12 has, along its length, an emergency stop button 123, a start switch 124, a stop switch 125, a communication interface 126, a pressure reducing valve 127, a hydrogen shut-off valve 128, and a nitrogen shut-off valve 129. The inspection probe 25 and the stepper motor 3 are connected sequentially to the push-button terminal 4 on the fixed plate, the push-button terminal 4 on the connecting plate 13, and the battery inspection module via wires. The battery inspection module includes a central control system and is connected in parallel with the emergency stop button 123, the start switch 124, the stop switch 125, and the communication interface 126 via wires. The hydrogen shut-off valve 128 and the nitrogen shut-off valve 129 are connected in parallel and connected in series with the pressure reducing valve 127 on their respective branches. In practical implementation, the hydrogen shut-off valve 128 is connected in series with the high-voltage battery valve of the hydrogen branch, and the hydrogen shut-off valve 128 is located between the hydrogen storage device and the high-voltage battery valve of the hydrogen branch; the nitrogen shut-off valve 129 is connected in series with the high-voltage battery valve of the nitrogen branch, and the nitrogen shut-off valve 129 is located between the nitrogen storage device and the high-voltage battery valve of the nitrogen branch. This avoids the need to manually shut off the supply of hydrogen or nitrogen through the hydrogen or nitrogen shut-off valve when the high-voltage battery valve of the hydrogen or nitrogen branch fails. Only one of the high-voltage solenoid valves of the hydrogen branch and the nitrogen branch can be opened at the same time, and they cannot be opened simultaneously. For example, during hydrogen fuel cell testing, the high-voltage solenoid valve of the hydrogen branch is opened. After the test is completed, the high-voltage solenoid valve of the hydrogen branch is closed, and the high-voltage solenoid valve of the nitrogen branch is opened to clean the fuel cell stack.
[0020] In specific implementation, such as Figure 1As shown, the pipeline system of the hydrogen fuel cell activation test device is as follows: it includes a hydrogen branch L1, a nitrogen branch L2, and a hydrogen fuel cell circuit L3; the hydrogen branch and the nitrogen branch are connected in parallel and converge into a main line Y1, which is then connected in series with the hydrogen fuel cell circuit; the hydrogen branch and the nitrogen branch are connected in sequence to the hydrogen fuel cell with a pressure sensor P1 for displaying the hydrogen or nitrogen inlet pressure, a pressure regulating valve, and a sensor P2 for displaying the internal pressure of the fuel cell stack; the hydrogen branch L1 includes a hydrogen shut-off valve 128, a check valve, and a high-pressure solenoid valve connected in sequence; the nitrogen branch L2 includes a nitrogen shut-off valve 129, a check valve, and a high-pressure solenoid valve connected in sequence; the hydrogen fuel cell circuit L3 includes a miniature solenoid valve group, which consists of four miniature solenoid valves: SV1, SV2, SV3, and SV4. SV2 is connected in parallel via a pipe and in series with SV3. SV2 is connected in series with SV4 via a pipe. The other end of SV3 and the other end of SV4 are connected to the exhaust pipe. SV1 and SV3 are connected to the hydrogen fuel cell inlet 1 via a pipe, and SV2 and SV4 are connected to the hydrogen fuel cell inlet 2 via a pipe. The test hydrogen inlet 111 and the test nitrogen inlet 112 are respectively connected to the other ends of the hydrogen shut-off valve of the hydrogen branch L1 and the nitrogen shut-off valve of the nitrogen branch L2. The other end of the main line Y1 is also divided into two branches, which are correspondingly connected to the fuel cell hydrogen inlet 121 and the fuel cell nitrogen inlet 122, so that the other ends of SV1 and SV2 in the hydrogen fuel cell circuit L3 are correspondingly connected to the fuel cell hydrogen inlet 121 and the fuel cell nitrogen inlet 122.
[0021] The definition of hydrogen purging action is as follows: First, shut down the electronic load discharge, close the high-pressure solenoid valve of the nitrogen branch, open the high-pressure solenoid valve of the hydrogen branch, SV1→SV4 are energized and continuously connected, and the miniature solenoid valve group of SV2→SV3 is closed. When the purging is completed, the gas circuit configuration is immediately restored to the state before purging.
[0022] Both the SV1→SV4 and SV2→SV3 paths can be used as venting branches for hydrogen and nitrogen in actual use. For ease of management, the SV1→SV4 path is used for hydrogen during testing, while the SV2→SV3 path is used for nitrogen during testing. During the final exhaust purging, cross-circulation exhaust is more conducive to removing residual hydrogen. When shutting down the stack to end the test, reverse nitrogen purging from the other non-hydrogen-passing path is more conducive to removing residual hydrogen in the hydrogen-passing path, achieving rapid stack shutdown. It also helps to prevent residual hydrogen from mixing with cathode oxygen after stack shutdown, preventing the internal materials of the stack from continuing electrochemical reactions after shutdown. This avoids the reduction in catalyst activity caused by these unnecessary reactions, which helps to extend the life of the fuel cell.
[0023] Definition of nitrogen purging: First, shut down the electronic load discharge, close the high-voltage solenoid valve of the hydrogen branch, open the high-voltage solenoid valve of the nitrogen branch, keep SV2→SV3 energized and continuously open, and close the miniature solenoid valve group of SV1→SV4. After purging, the gas path configuration is immediately restored to the state before purging. Whether before or after the fuel cell stack is put into use, nitrogen purging is performed before executing subsequent commands to avoid the formation of a hydrogen-oxygen interface by mixing hydrogen with oxygen in the air. The formation of this interface will cause high cathode potential, leading to carbon corrosion and platinum particle agglomeration reactions inside the cathode catalyst layer. This helps maintain the pressure and humidity balance inside the fuel cell stack.
[0024] like Figure 3 As shown, the lower part of the second test platform 12 is hollowed out and separated by a partition, dividing the area below the second test platform 12 into a power distribution area. The power distribution area is equipped with a power supply and distribution regulation module, a DC electronic load, and a DC power supply. The DC power supply is connected in series with the power supply and distribution regulation module and the battery inspection module. The electronic load is used to connect the output terminal of the hydrogen fuel cell under test and the central control system of the circuit inspection module. Thus, the central control system controls the operating power of the electronic load according to the test requirements, so that the electrical energy generated by the hydrogen fuel cell under test is consumed by the electronic load, allowing the fuel cell to operate under this power environment to observe the performance of the fuel cell stack.
[0025] Working Principle: The control program involved in the above activation test method is stored in a computer-readable storage medium in the form of computer code instructions. The fuel cell test device is connected to the computer through a communication interface. The parameters to be tested are input into the computer, and the computer transmits the corresponding instructions to the inspection module of the test device. The tester clicks the start switch and adjusts the inlet pressure according to the required pressure of the fuel cell. The test device can then perform the test according to the predetermined control instructions. In case of an emergency during the test, the emergency stop button can be pressed to stop the test to ensure test safety and avoid damage to the fuel cell and the test device. If the high-pressure solenoid valve of the hydrogen branch and the solenoid valve of the nitrogen branch fail to execute the predetermined instructions after pressing the emergency button, the hydrogen shut-off valve can be manually closed and the nitrogen shut-off valve can be opened to purge the residual hydrogen in the test stack and prevent the fuel cell from continuing to operate with residual hydrogen.
[0026] Before testing, the hydrogen fuel cell to be tested is placed on the battery test support plate. Then, the limiting rod is used to fix the fuel cell to be tested horizontally along the limiting guide rail. During the test, the stepper motor drives the lead screw guide rail to rotate, which in turn drives the probe guide plate and probe fixing plate on the slider on the lead screw guide rail to move downward. This can fix the fuel cell stack to be tested vertically and also facilitate the inspection probes on the probe fixing plate to pass through the probe guide plate and abut against the fuel cell stack to be tested. The real-time data of the fuel cell stack can be stably tested. The horizontally movable limiting rod and the vertically movable probe guide plate can clamp the fuel cell stack in both horizontal and vertical directions according to different models and sizes.
[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. A plumbing system for a hydrogen fuel cell activation test apparatus, characterized by, The system comprises a pipeline system and a hydrogen fuel cell, the pipeline system comprises a hydrogen branch L1 and a nitrogen branch L2 and a hydrogen fuel cell loop L3; the hydrogen branch L1 and the nitrogen branch L2 are connected in parallel and are connected in series with the hydrogen fuel cell loop L3 after converging into a main line Y1; the hydrogen branch L1 and the nitrogen branch L2 are connected with the pressure sensor P1 for displaying the hydrogen or nitrogen inlet pressure, the pressure regulating valve and the pressure sensor P2 for displaying the pressure in the stack in sequence between the hydrogen fuel cell loop L3. The hydrogen branch L1 comprises a hydrogen stop valve 128, a one-way valve and a hydrogen branch high-pressure electromagnetic valve connected in sequence; the nitrogen branch L2 comprises a nitrogen stop valve 129, a one-way valve and a nitrogen branch high-pressure electromagnetic valve connected in sequence; the hydrogen fuel cell loop L3 comprises a micro electromagnetic valve group composed of four micro electromagnetic valves SV1, SV2, SV3 and SV4, the SV1 and the SV2 are connected in parallel by a pipeline and are connected in series with the SV3, the SV2 is connected in series with the SV4 by a pipeline, and the other ends of the SV3 and the SV4 are connected to an exhaust pipe; the SV1 and the SV3 are connected to a hydrogen fuel cell air vent 1 by a pipeline, and the SV2 and the SV4 are connected to a hydrogen fuel cell air vent 2 by a pipeline.
2. The plumbing system for a hydrogen fuel cell activation test apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The other ends of the hydrogen stop valve and the nitrogen stop valve are respectively connected to a test hydrogen inlet and a test nitrogen inlet on the fuel cell activation test device; the other end of the main line Y1 is divided into two branches, and the two branches are respectively connected to a fuel cell hydrogen inlet and a fuel cell nitrogen inlet on the fuel cell activation device, so that the other ends of the SV1 and the SV2 in the hydrogen fuel cell loop L3 are respectively connected to the fuel cell hydrogen inlet and the fuel cell nitrogen inlet.