Hydrogen fuel cell stack test system
By designing a hydrogen fuel cell testing system with an on-board system architecture, the problems of large size, high cost, and slow start-up of high-power testing systems have been solved, achieving compact, low-cost, and fast-start testing results, suitable for testing various power stacks.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-13
AI Technical Summary
Existing high-power hydrogen fuel cell testing systems are bulky, occupy a large area, have low equipment utilization, high cost, slow start-up speed, and inconvenient data processing, failing to meet the needs of efficient testing.
The hydrogen fuel cell test system, designed with an on-board system architecture, includes air supply, hydrogen supply and cooling modules. It is combined with a control module for data acquisition and anomaly detection. It utilizes a hydrogen circulation pump and ejector to achieve hydrogen recycling and adopts an on-board air filter and air compressor to achieve self-sufficiency. It is suitable for testing various power stacks.
It has achieved a compact, low-cost, and fast-start testing system, which reduces fuel costs, provides more comprehensive data acquisition, and produces test results that are closer to the real vehicle environment, making it suitable for various fuel cell stack tests.
Smart Images
Figure CN223993262U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model pertains to fuel cell testing technology, specifically relating to a hydrogen fuel cell stack testing system, and more particularly to a high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack testing system. Background Technology
[0002] During the production and research and development of hydrogen fuel cells, necessary tests are required on the hydrogen fuel cell stack to ensure that the performance of the hydrogen fuel cell meets expectations. The tests include loop detection of gases (hydrogen and oxygen), gas flow rate, gas pressure, pressure difference, and compression ratio.
[0003] In existing technologies, testing of hydrogen fuel cell stacks typically utilizes commercial stack test benches, the size of which increases with the required stack testing power. High-power stack test benches occupy a large area in the testing workshop, and due to the relatively low production capacity of high-power stacks, equipment utilization is low, leading to resource waste. Other drawbacks include: high system self-consumption, requiring additional plant substations; slow start-up speed due to the large size of the equipment; high cost; the inability to modify the output data format, hindering result analysis; and redundant gas pipelines leading to repeated and uncorrelated data testing, interfering with result processing and conclusion formation. Utility Model Content
[0004] Purpose of the utility model: This utility model provides a hydrogen fuel cell stack testing system, which is applicable to the testing of various fuel cell stacks, especially high-power fuel cell stacks.
[0005] Technical solution: A hydrogen fuel cell stack testing system, the system comprising:
[0006] An air supply module includes an air supply pipeline for supplying air to the cathode of the test stack, wherein the air supply pipeline includes a humidifier for increasing the humidity of the air at the inlet of the cathode of the test stack.
[0007] The hydrogen supply module includes a hydrogen supply pipeline for mixing and delivering hydrogen and nitrogen to the anode of the tested fuel cell stack, and the hydrogen supply pipeline is equipped with a hydrogen proportional valve for adjusting the hydrogen inlet pressure and inlet flow rate, and also includes a circulation loop for returning the reactant gas of the tested fuel cell stack anode to the anode inlet of the tested fuel cell stack.
[0008] The cooling module includes a cooling pipe that delivers coolant to the cooling inlet of the fuel cell stack under test, and a circuit that delivers coolant from the cooling outlet of the fuel cell stack under test back to the cooling inlet of the fuel cell stack. The circulation of coolant includes a large circulation and a small circulation. The large circulation achieves heat exchange through a heat exchange plate, and the small circulation is equipped with a heater for cold start heating of the fuel cell stack under test.
[0009] The control module acquires data from electronic components in the air supply module, hydrogen supply module, and cooling module, including temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, and flow meters, through the fuel cell controller, and performs anomaly detection and safety data judgment accordingly.
[0010] The air supply module includes an air compressor, and the outlet of the air compressor is connected to and returns to the air compressor through a bypass valve for air flow regulation and air compressor surge control.
[0011] The air supply module also includes an intercooler, the outlet of which is connected to a bypass valve and into the outlet of a humidifier, for adjusting the humidity of the air entering the cathode of the tested fuel cell stack.
[0012] Furthermore, in the air supply module, air is drawn in by an air compressor and pressurized before being supplied to the humidifier. The air passing through the air compressor also includes being returned to the air compressor's intake end, and also includes being connected to the intake end of the test stack, bypassing the humidifier. The humidifier includes an exhaust pipe, and the air supplied to the cathode of the test stack can also be returned to the humidifier through the pipe.
[0013] Furthermore, the air supply module includes at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, an electronic throttle, and / or an air flow meter on its piping.
[0014] Furthermore, in the hydrogen supply module, hydrogen and nitrogen are mixed and enter the ejector through a hydrogen shut-off valve and a hydrogen proportional valve, and then supplied to the anode inlet of the test stack. The outlet of the anode of the test stack is equipped with a water-gas separator. The gas after water-gas separation is connected to the tail outlet or connected to the inlet of the anode of the test stack through a one-way valve, and the water is connected to the tail outlet for collection or discharge.
[0015] In the hydrogen supply module, a hydrogen circulation pump is installed on the pipeline that returns the gas after water-gas separation to the anode of the tested fuel cell stack, and then it is connected to the anode of the tested fuel cell stack through a one-way valve.
[0016] The hydrogen supply module includes a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, and / or a humidity sensor.
[0017] Furthermore, the cooling module divides the cooling pipeline into a large loop and a small loop through an electronic thermostat; the large loop carries away the heat from the tested fuel cell stack through the cooling pipeline and achieves heat exchange and cooling through a heat exchange plate.
[0018] The small circulation system involves installing a heater on the coolant circulation pipeline of the tested fuel cell stack to heat the stack during cold start.
[0019] Furthermore, the cooling module includes a water pump. The water pump's inlet is connected to a water storage tank and an electronic thermostat. The coolant from the tested fuel cell stack flows through the electronic thermostat into the heater, and then returns to the tested fuel cell stack via the water pump, forming a small circulation. The coolant flowing out of the tested fuel cell stack flows through the electronic thermostat into the heat exchange plate, and after heat exchange, the coolant returns to the tested fuel cell stack via the water pump, forming a large circulation.
[0020] In both the small and large circulation cycles, the water pump can draw water from the storage tank.
[0021] Furthermore, the water tank is equipped with a hydrogen sensor and a conductivity sensor, which are connected to the fuel cell controller for hydrogen leakage detection.
[0022] Beneficial Effects: The hydrogen fuel cell testing system provided by this invention achieves hydrogen recycling through a hydrogen circulation pump and ejector, significantly reducing fuel costs during fuel cell testing. Furthermore, because the testing system adopts an on-board architecture, it can achieve self-sufficiency in air through its own air filter and air compressor, eliminating the dependence on external air sources found in traditional test benches. Simultaneously, the on-board architecture allows the test parameters of the fuel cell stack to more closely approximate the performance of the fuel cell stack in a real vehicle environment. Finally, this invention is applicable to fuel cell stack testing of various power ratings, employing unified testing standards and automating the collection of more comprehensive and useful data, facilitating the formation of test conclusions and results. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the air supply pipeline structure in the air supply module;
[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the hydrogen supply pipeline structure in the hydrogen supply module;
[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cooling pipe structure in the cooling module. Detailed Implementation
[0026] To provide a detailed explanation of the technical solution disclosed in this utility model, further details are provided below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0027] This invention provides a high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack testing system, which overcomes the shortcomings of the above-mentioned traditional commercial hydrogen fuel cell testing systems. Based on the vehicle-mounted hydrogen fuel cell system architecture and using the components of the vehicle-mounted system, a high-power fuel cell stack testing system with compact size, low cost, and fast start-up speed is designed. It is convenient for the stack to be tested before leaving the factory and for R&D performance testing. The design is more in line with the application scenarios and various types of fuel cells.
[0028] A high-power hydrogen fuel cell stack testing system, the system comprising:
[0029] An air supply module includes an air supply pipeline for supplying air to the cathode of the test stack, wherein the air supply pipeline includes a humidifier for increasing the humidity of the air at the inlet of the cathode of the test stack.
[0030] The hydrogen supply module includes a hydrogen supply pipeline for supplying hydrogen to the anode of the tested fuel cell stack. The hydrogen supply pipeline includes a hydrogen proportional valve connected to nitrogen and equipped with a hydrogen proportional valve for adjusting the inlet pressure and inlet flow rate. It also includes a circulation loop for returning the reactant gas of the tested fuel cell stack anode to the inlet of the tested fuel cell stack anode.
[0031] The cooling module includes a cooling pipe that delivers coolant to the cooling inlet of the fuel cell stack under test, and a circuit that delivers coolant from the cooling outlet of the fuel cell stack under test back to the cooling inlet of the fuel cell stack.
[0032] The control module acquires data from electronic components in the air supply module, hydrogen supply module, and temperature control module through the fuel cell controller, and uses this data to perform anomaly detection and safety data judgment.
[0033] Specifically, the piping structure of the air supply module is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, air is input at one end of air filter 101 and filtered through air filter 101. Following the air input direction to the test stack, air flow meter 103, air compressor 113, and intercooler 106 are sequentially arranged before entering humidifier 111. The air supply pipeline led out from intercooler 106 flows back to the output end of air flow meter 103 through bypass valve 104, and through bypass valve 2107 to the downstream section of electronic throttle valve 108. Electronic throttle valve 108 also controls the air output of humidifier 111. After passing through electronic throttle valve 108, the air enters the cathode of the test stack. The air supply pipeline also includes guiding the cathode air of the test stack back to humidifier 111. Humidifier 111 also includes a pipeline connected to the exhaust port. Electronic throttle valve 212 is provided on this connection to realize the control of residual air discharge or recovery. A temperature sensor 102 is installed at the air input end of the air supply line, a pressure sensor 105 is installed at the front end of the intercooler 106, a temperature and pressure sensor 109 and a humidity sensor 114 are installed after passing through the electronic throttle valve 108, and a temperature and pressure sensor 110 is also installed on the air supply line for the return air of the tested fuel cell stack.
[0034] Combination Figure 2 , Figure 2The hydrogen supply pipeline structure shown in the hydrogen supply module is used to deliver hydrogen to the anode of the fuel cell stack under test. In the hydrogen supply pipeline, the gas source includes a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen, which then passes sequentially through a hydrogen shut-off valve 201, a hydrogen proportional valve 203, and an ejector 205 before entering the anode of the fuel cell stack under test. This pipeline is equipped with a hydrogen pressure sensor 202, a hydrogen pressure sensor 204, and a hydrogen temperature and pressure sensor 206. The outlet of ejector 205 is connected to the tail outlet via a safety valve 211. The return gas pipeline of the anode of the tested fuel cell stack includes a hydrogen temperature and pressure sensor 207. The gas is then fed back to ejector 205 via water-gas separator 208. The pipeline is divided into two paths after passing through water-gas separator 208: one is a gas path and the other is a water path. The gas path includes the return gas to ejector 208 and the water path, which is connected to the tail outlet after passing through exhaust solenoid valve 204. The water path is connected to the tail outlet via drain solenoid valve 213.
[0035] Figure 3 The diagram shows the piping structure of the cooling module. The cooling module includes a heat exchange plate 302, which comprises cooling circulation pipes and coolant circulation pipes, and is equipped with a cold water inlet and outlet. The coolant originates from the fuel cell stack under test. A coolant temperature and pressure sensor 305 is installed at the coolant outlet of the fuel cell stack under test. A branch flows back to a water storage tank 310, which may be equipped with a level sensor. Another branch enters an electronic thermostat 306. The coolant passing through the water storage tank 310 is then connected to a water pump 303 via piping, and subsequently flows back to the fuel cell stack under test to remove heat. It is also connected to the heat exchange plate 302. A heater is installed on the pipe from the electronic thermostat 307 to the water pump 303. A conductivity sensor 308 and a hydrogen sensor 309 are also installed inside the water storage tank 310.
[0036] The hydrogen fuel cell stack testing system described in this utility model also includes a control module, which is executed by the fuel cell controller (FCU) and has the function of detecting component abnormalities and hydrogen leaks by acquiring data from the electronic components of the system.
Claims
1. A hydrogen fuel cell stack testing system characterized by, The system comprises: An air supply module comprising an air supply pipeline for delivering air to the cathode of the measured fuel cell, the air supply pipeline comprising a humidifier arranged to increase the humidity of the air at the inlet of the cathode of the measured fuel cell; A hydrogen supply module comprising a hydrogen supply pipeline for delivering a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen to the anode of the measured fuel cell, the hydrogen supply pipeline being provided with a hydrogen proportional valve for adjusting the hydrogen inlet pressure and flow rate, and further comprising a circulation loop for returning the anode reaction gas of the measured fuel cell to the inlet of the anode of the measured fuel cell; A cooling module comprising a cooling pipeline for delivering cooling liquid to the cooling inlet of the measured fuel cell, and further comprising a loop for returning the cooling liquid from the cooling outlet of the measured fuel cell to the cooling inlet of the measured fuel cell, the circulation of the cooling liquid comprising a large circulation and a small circulation, the large circulation being achieved by heat exchange through a heat exchange plate, and the small circulation being provided with a heater for cold start heating of the measured fuel cell; A control module comprising a fuel cell controller, the fuel cell controller being configured to acquire data of the electronic components in the air supply module, the hydrogen supply module and the cooling module, including temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors and flow meters, and to perform abnormality detection and safety data judgment based on the acquired data.
2. The hydrogen fuel cell stack test system of claim 1, wherein, The air supply module further comprises an air compressor (113), the outlet of the air compressor (113) being connected to the bypass valve and returning to the air compressor (113) for air flow adjustment and air compressor surge control; The air supply module further comprises an intercooler (106), the outlet of the intercooler (106) being connected to the bypass valve and entering the outlet of the humidifier (111) for adjusting the humidity of the inlet air of the cathode of the measured fuel cell.
3. The hydrogen fuel cell stack test system of claim 2, wherein, In the air supply module, the air is drawn into the air compressor (113) and then supplied to the humidifier (111) after being pressurized, the air passing through the air compressor (113) further includes air returning to the air inlet end of the air compressor (113), and air passing through the humidifier (111) further includes air being connected to the air inlet end of the measured fuel cell, the humidifier (111) comprising an exhaust pipeline, and the air delivered to the cathode of the measured fuel cell can also be returned to the humidifier (111) through the pipeline.
4. The hydrogen fuel cell stack test system of claim 3, wherein, The pipeline in the air supply module is provided with at least one of a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor, an electronic throttle valve and / or an air flow meter.
5. The hydrogen fuel cell stack test system of claim 1, wherein, In the hydrogen supply module, the mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen passes through the hydrogen stop valve (201) and the hydrogen proportional valve (203) into the ejector (205), and then is supplied to the anode inlet of the measured fuel cell, the outlet of the anode of the measured fuel cell being provided with a water-gas separator (208), the gas after water-gas separation including being connected to a tail discharge port or being connected to the air inlet end of the anode of the measured fuel cell through a one-way valve (210), and water being connected to the tail discharge port for collection or discharge.
6. The hydrogen fuel cell stack test system of claim 1, wherein, The cooling module divides the cooling pipeline into a large circulation and a small circulation through an electronic thermostat (306); The large circulation is achieved by the cooling pipeline bringing out the heat in the measured fuel cell and achieving heat exchange through a heat exchange plate (302). The small cycle is that a heater (307) is arranged on the cooling liquid circulating pipeline of the measured electric pile, and the cold start of the measured electric pile is heated by the heater (307).
7. The hydrogen fuel cell stack test system of claim 6, wherein, The cooling module comprises a water pump (303), the water inlet end of the water pump (303) comprises a connection water storage tank (310) and an electronic thermostat (306), the cooling liquid of the measured electric pile flows through the electronic thermostat (306) into the heater (307), and the cooling liquid flows back to the measured electric pile through the water pump (303), which is the small cycle; the cooling liquid flowing out of the measured electric pile flows through the electronic thermostat (306) into the heat exchange plate (302), and the cooled cooling liquid flows back to the measured electric pile through the water pump (303), which is the large cycle. In the small cycle and the large cycle, the water pump (303) can absorb water through the water storage tank (310).
8. The hydrogen fuel cell stack test system of claim 7, wherein, The water storage tank (310) is provided with a hydrogen sensor (309) and an electric conductivity sensor (308), and the hydrogen sensor (309) and the electric conductivity sensor (308) are connected to a fuel cell controller to detect hydrogen leakage.