Air cooling system of fuel cell testing device

Abstract

The utility model relates to an air cooling system of a fuel cell testing device, which belongs to the field of fuel cell testing and comprises an air inlet pipeline, an air heating device, a cooling device and an exhaust pipeline, the heat exchange device comprises a heat exchange shell and a heat exchange unit arranged in the heat exchange shell; the heat exchange unit comprises an exchange tank and metal inner pipes penetrating through the two ends of the exchange tank. The exchange tank is provided with a first gas inlet joint and a first gas outlet joint which are connected into the gas inlet pipeline; the metal inner pipe is provided with a second air inlet connector and a second air outlet connector which are connected into the air outlet pipeline, and the exchange tank is connected to the front end of the air heating device. The air cooling system of the fuel cell testing device has the effect of reducing energy waste of the air cooling system of the fuel cell testing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of fuel cell testing, and in particular to an air cooling system for a fuel cell testing apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Fuel cells, due to their efficient and clean energy conversion characteristics, are widely used in transportation, distributed power generation, and many other fields, playing a vital role in promoting the optimization of energy structure and sustainable development. Fuel cells can directly convert the chemical energy of fuel into electrical energy, greatly improving energy utilization efficiency and reducing dependence on traditional fossil fuels. During fuel cell testing, ovens and other insulation materials are typically used to maintain the fuel cell testing environment at a high temperature. However, to ensure the fuel cell is at a suitable reaction temperature, air is usually used for cooling. Existing fuel cell testing equipment's air cooling system mainly includes an intake pipe connected to the oven, a heating device arranged in the intake pipe, and an exhaust pipe. Air passes through the intake pipe and is heated to a certain temperature by the heating device before being introduced into the fuel cell stack. This portion of air is then discharged through the exhaust pipe.

[0003] The air discharged from the air cooling system of the aforementioned fuel cell test device is at a high temperature, possessing significant thermal energy and resulting in substantial energy waste. The inventors believe there is a need to provide an air cooling system for a fuel cell test device with lower energy waste. Utility Model Content

[0004] To reduce energy waste in the air cooling system of a fuel cell testing device, this application provides an air cooling system for a fuel cell testing device.

[0005] This application provides an air cooling system for a fuel cell testing device, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] An air cooling system for a fuel cell testing device includes an intake pipe, an air heating device, a cooling device arranged in an oven for cooling the fuel cell stack, and an exhaust pipe; it also includes a heat exchange device, which includes a heat exchange housing and a heat exchange unit arranged within the heat exchange housing; the heat exchange unit includes an exchange tank and a metal inner tube penetrating both ends of the exchange tank; the exchange tank has a first intake connector and a first exhaust connector connected to the intake pipe; the metal inner tube has a second intake connector and a second exhaust connector connected to the exhaust pipe, and the exchange tank is connected to the front end of the air heating device.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, a heat exchange device is installed in the air cooling system of the aforementioned fuel cell test device. This allows the air to be preheated before entering the air heating device, facilitating heat exchange between the air in the intake and exhaust pipes. This utilizes the heat from the high-temperature gas discharged from the air cooling system of the fuel cell test device, reducing energy waste and energy loss at the air heating device. The heat exchange unit includes an exchange tank and an inner metal tube. The higher-temperature gas in the inner metal tube heats the lower-temperature gas in the exchange tank, resulting in more uniform heating and an ideal heating effect.

[0008] Optionally, the outer wall of the metal inner tube is provided with a heat exchange assembly, which includes multiple heat exchange fins arranged circumferentially at intervals on the outer wall of the metal inner tube.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the contact area between the gas in the metal inner tube and the heat exchange tank is increased. The higher temperature gas in the metal inner tube not only heats the outer surface of the metal inner tube, but also heats the heat exchange fins, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange unit.

[0010] Optionally, the heat exchange fins are spirally arranged on the outer wall of the inner metal tube.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, a structure of heat exchange fins in a heat exchange assembly is disclosed. The spiral arrangement of the heat exchange fins can reduce the air velocity when flowing in the heat exchange tank and increase the contact time between the air and the heat exchange fins, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange unit.

[0012] Optionally, the heat exchange fins are parallel to the axial direction of the inner metal tube.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, another structure of the heat exchange fins in the heat exchange assembly is disclosed.

[0014] Optionally, the metal inner tube is provided with multiple sets of heat exchange components at intervals along its length, and the heat exchange fins in adjacent heat exchange components are arranged in a staggered manner.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution and setting up multiple sets of heat exchange components, the contact area between the metal inner tube and the gas in the heat exchange tank is further increased, thereby improving the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange unit.

[0016] Optionally, the number of heat exchange units is not less than two, and the heat exchange units are arranged in series.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the path length of air circulation in the heat exchange device is increased, the heat exchange effect of air in the heat exchange device is improved, and the energy waste of the air cooling system of the fuel cell test device is further reduced.

[0018] Optionally, the heat exchange units are arranged at intervals between each other; a first support base is provided at the bottom of the heat exchange housing to support the lowest heat exchange unit; a second support base is provided between adjacent heat exchange housings; and a third support base is provided at the top of the heat exchange housing to support the highest heat exchange unit.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the installation method of the heat exchange unit in the heat exchange shell of the heat exchange device is disclosed. The cooperation of the first support, the second support and the third support can limit the heat exchange unit arranged above and below, and make the installation of the heat exchange unit arranged above and below more stable and ideal.

[0020] Optionally, the exchange tank includes an outer exchange tube sleeved on the outside of the inner metal tube and two exchange end caps respectively installed at both ends of the outer exchange tube; the exchange end caps have end through holes for the inner metal tube to pass through in a sealed manner.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the specific structure of the exchange tank is disclosed. The structure of the exchange tank facilitates the assembly of the exchange tank and the metal inner tube.

[0022] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0023] 1. An air cooling system for a fuel cell testing device, wherein a heat exchange device is provided, the heat exchange device having a heat exchange unit, so that the air in the intake pipe and the air in the exhaust pipe can exchange heat, and the air in the intake pipe enters the air heating device for heating after heat exchange, thereby reducing energy waste in the air cooling system of the fuel cell testing device and also reducing energy loss at the air heating device.

[0024] 2. By setting a heat exchange component on the outside of the metal inner tube, and the heat exchange component is a heat exchange fin, the contact area between the metal inner tube and the air in the heat exchange tank is increased, which helps to improve the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchange unit.

[0025] 3. By configuring the exchange tank as an outer exchange tube and two exchange end caps, the assembly of the exchange tank and the metal inner tube is facilitated. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the air cooling system of the fuel cell test device in Example 1.

[0027] Figure 2This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the heat exchange device in Example 1.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the heat exchange unit in Example 1.

[0029] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the heat exchange unit in Example 2.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Intake pipe; 2. Air heating device; 21. Heating pipe; 3. Cooling device; 4. Exhaust pipe; 5. Heat exchange device; 51. Heat exchange housing; 511. First external connector; 512. Second external connector; 513. Third external connector; 514. Fourth external connector; 6. Heat exchange unit; 61. Exchange tank; 611. Exchange outer pipe; 6111. Threaded hole; 612. Exchange end cap; 6121. Threaded part; 6122. Mounting part; 613. ... 614. Sealing gasket; 6141. First sealing ring; 6142. End through hole; 615. First air inlet connector; 616. First exhaust connector; 62. Metal inner tube; 621. Second air inlet connector; 622. Second exhaust connector; 623. Heat exchange fin; 63. First support base; 631. First support arc surface; 64. Second support base; 641. Second support arc surface; 642. Third support arc surface; 65. Third support base; 651. Fourth support arc surface. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-5 This application will be described in further detail.

[0033] Example 1:

[0034] This application discloses an air cooling system for a fuel cell testing device. (Refer to...) Figure 1 An air cooling system for a fuel cell testing device includes an intake pipe 1, an air heating device 2, a cooling device 3, an exhaust pipe 4, and a heat exchange device 5. The air cooling system also includes a drive pump, which drives the air to circulate within the system.

[0035] Reference Figure 1Cooling device 3 is arranged inside the oven and is used to cool the fuel cell stack. Cooling device 3 has a cooling channel for air circulation. Inlet pipe 1 is connected to the inlet end of the cooling channel in cooling device 3, and exhaust pipe 4 is connected to the exhaust end of the cooling channel in cooling device 3. Air heating device 2 is an electric heating device. Heating pipe 21 that enters into inlet pipe 1 is arranged inside air heating device 2. Electric heating wire assembly is arranged inside air heating device 2, and the air in heating pipe 21 is heated by the electric heating wire.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 The heat exchange device 5 is used to exchange the heat of the air in the intake pipe 1 and the air in the exhaust pipe 4. Specifically, it is used to exchange the heat of the air that has not been heated by the air heating device 2 and the air discharged from the cooling channel. That is to say, the heat exchange device 5 needs to be connected to both the intake pipe 1 and the exhaust pipe 4 at the same time.

[0037] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The heat exchange device 5 includes a heat exchange housing 51 and a heat exchange unit 6 arranged within the heat exchange housing 51. The heat exchange unit 6 includes an exchange tank 61 and a metal inner tube 62 penetrating both ends of the exchange tank 61.

[0038] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The exchange tank 61 includes an outer exchange tube 611 fitted over the outer side of a metal inner tube 62, and two exchange end caps 612 respectively installed at both ends of the outer exchange tube 611. Each exchange end cap 612 has a threaded portion 6121 that threadedly engages with the outer exchange tube 611, and a mounting portion 6122 disposed on the outer side of the outer exchange tube 611. The outer exchange tube 611 has a threaded hole 6111 for engaging with the threaded portion 6121, and a first sealing gasket 613 for the threaded portion 6121 to abut against the bottom of the threaded hole 6111. A sealing sleeve 614 fitted over the outer side of the metal inner tube 62 is provided in the middle of the exchange end cap 612. The sealing sleeve 614 has an end through hole 6142 for the metal inner tube 62 to pass through. A sealing ring groove is circumferentially formed on the inner wall of the sealing sleeve 614, and a first sealing ring 6141 that seals with the metal inner tube 62 is provided within the sealing ring groove.

[0039] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The exchange tank 61 has a first air inlet connector 615 and a first exhaust connector 616 connected to the air inlet pipe 1. The first air inlet connector 615 and the first exhaust connector 616 are both located on the outer peripheral sidewall of the outer exchange pipe 611, and are respectively located at both ends of the outer peripheral sidewall of the outer exchange pipe 611. The two are 180° apart in the circumferential angle so that air enters the inner cavity of the exchange tank 61 from the first air inlet connector 615 and is discharged through the first exhaust connector 616, which can have a longer flow path.

[0040] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The metal inner tube 62 has a second air intake connector 621 and a second exhaust connector 622 at both ends, which are connected to the exhaust pipe 4. The second air intake connector 621 is located on the side closer to the first air intake connector 615, and the second exhaust connector 622 is located on the side closer to the first exhaust connector 616.

[0041] Reference Figure 3 To improve the heat exchange efficiency between the air inside the inner metal tube 62 and the air inside the heat exchange tank 61, multiple sets of heat exchange components are spaced along the length of the outer wall of the inner metal tube 62. Each heat exchange component includes multiple heat exchange fins 623 arranged circumferentially spaced on the outer wall of the inner metal tube 62. The heat exchange fins 623 are spirally arranged on the outer wall of the inner metal tube 62. In this embodiment, three sets of heat exchange components are provided on the outer wall of the inner metal tube 62, and each heat exchange component has six heat exchange fins 623, which are evenly spaced circumferentially on the outer wall of the inner metal tube 62.

[0042] Reference Figure 2 The heat exchange device 5 has two heat exchange units 6 arranged vertically spaced within the heat exchange housing 51. A first support 63 supporting the lowermost heat exchange unit 6 is located at the bottom of the heat exchange housing 51. The top surface of the first support 63 has a first supporting arc surface 631 supporting the outer surface of the heat exchange tank 61. A second support 64 is located between adjacent heat exchange units 6. The bottom of the second support 64 has a second supporting arc surface 641 supporting the upper surface of the lower heat exchange tank 61, and the top of the second support 64 has a third supporting arc surface 642 supporting the lower surface of the upper heat exchange tank 61. A third support 65 supporting the uppermost heat exchange unit 6 is also located at the top of the heat exchange housing 51. The bottom of the third support 65 has a fourth supporting arc surface 651 supporting the upper surface of the uppermost heat exchange tank 61. All three supports—the first support 63, the second support 64, and the third support 65—are made of heat-insulating rubber material.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2Two heat exchange units 6 are arranged in series. In this embodiment, in two adjacent heat exchange units 6, the first exhaust connector 616 of the upper heat exchange unit 6 is connected to the first air inlet connector 615 of the lower heat exchange unit 6; the second air inlet connector 621 of the upper heat exchange unit 6 is connected to the second exhaust connector 622 of the lower heat exchange unit 6. The first air inlet connector 615 of the uppermost heat exchange unit 6 is connected to the front end of the air intake pipe 1, and the first exhaust connector 616 of the lowermost heat exchange unit 6 is connected to the rear end of the air intake pipe 1. That is, the air in the air intake pipe 1 enters through the first air inlet connector 615 of the uppermost heat exchange unit 6, passes through the exchange tank 61 of the heat exchange unit 6 from top to bottom, and finally leaves the heat exchange device 5 from the first exhaust connector 616 of the lowermost heat exchange unit 6. The second exhaust connector 622 of the uppermost heat exchange unit 6 is connected to the rear end of the exhaust pipe 4, and the second intake connector 621 of the lowermost heat exchange unit 6 is connected to the front end of the exhaust pipe 4. That is to say, the air in the exhaust pipe 4 enters through the second intake connector 621 of the lowermost heat exchange unit 6, and passes through the metal inner tube 62 of the heat exchange unit 6 from bottom to top, and finally leaves the heat exchange device 5 through the second exhaust connector 622 of the uppermost heat exchange unit 6.

[0044] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The heat exchange housing 51 is also equipped with a first external connector 511 that is sealed and connected to the first air inlet connector 615 of the uppermost heat exchange unit 6 and is used for connecting to the air inlet pipe 1; a second external connector 512 that is sealed and connected to the first exhaust connector 616 of the lowermost heat exchange unit 6 and is used for connecting to the air inlet pipe 1; a third external connector 513 that is sealed and connected to the second exhaust connector 622 of the uppermost heat exchange unit 6 and is used for connecting to the exhaust pipe 4; and a fourth external connector 514 that is sealed and connected to the second air inlet connector 621 of the lowermost heat exchange unit 6 and is used for connecting to the exhaust pipe 4. The first support 63 has a through hole for the second external connector 512 to pass through, and the third support 65 has a through hole for the first external connector 511 to pass through.

[0045] Combination Figures 1 to 4The implementation principle of the air cooling system of a fuel cell testing device according to an embodiment of this application is as follows: the lower temperature air in the intake pipe 1 enters the heat exchange device 5, where it exchanges heat with the higher temperature air in the heat exchange device 5 in the exhaust pipe 4, raising the temperature of this air to a certain level. Then, this air enters the air heating device 2 for further heating to reach the desired temperature, and then enters the cooling device 3 in the oven to cool the fuel cell stack. Next, this air enters the heat exchange device 5 through the exhaust pipe 4, where it exchanges heat with the lower temperature air in the heat exchange device 5 in the intake pipe 1. Finally, this air is discharged through the exhaust pipe 4.

[0046] Example 2

[0047] Reference Figure 5 The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 lies in the structure of the heat exchange fins 623 in the heat exchange assembly. In this embodiment, three sets of heat exchange assemblies are arranged at intervals along the length of the outer surface of the inner metal tube 62. Each heat exchange assembly includes six heat exchange fins 623, which are evenly spaced circumferentially on the outer wall of the inner metal tube 62. The heat exchange fins 623 in the heat exchange assembly are arranged parallel to the axial direction of the inner metal tube 62, and the heat exchange fins 623 in adjacent heat exchange assemblies are staggered.

[0048] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An air cooling system for a fuel cell testing device, comprising an air inlet pipe (1), an air heating device (2), a cooling device (3) disposed in an oven for cooling the fuel cell stack, and an exhaust pipe (4); characterized in that, It also includes a heat exchange device (5), which includes a heat exchange housing (51) and a heat exchange unit (6) arranged in the heat exchange housing (51); the heat exchange unit (6) includes an exchange tank (61) and a metal inner tube (62) penetrating both ends of the exchange tank (61); the exchange tank (61) has a first air inlet connector (615) and a first exhaust connector (616) connected to the air inlet pipe (1); the metal inner tube (62) has a second air inlet connector (621) and a second exhaust connector (622) connected to the exhaust pipe (4); the exchange tank (61) is connected to the front end of the air heating device (2).

2. The air cooling system of a fuel cell testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the metal inner tube (62) is provided with a heat exchange assembly, which includes a plurality of heat exchange fins (623) arranged circumferentially at intervals on the outer wall of the metal inner tube (62).

3. The air cooling system of a fuel cell testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heat exchange fins (623) are spirally arranged on the outer side wall of the inner metal tube (62).

4. The air cooling system of a fuel cell testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heat exchange fins (623) are parallel to the axial direction of the inner metal tube (62).

5. The air cooling system of a fuel cell testing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The metal inner tube (62) is provided with multiple sets of heat exchange components at intervals along its length, and the heat exchange fins (623) in adjacent heat exchange components are arranged in a staggered manner.

6. The air cooling system of a fuel cell testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of heat exchange units (6) is not less than two, and the heat exchange units (6) are arranged in series.

7. The air cooling system of a fuel cell testing device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The heat exchange units (6) are arranged vertically at intervals; a first support base (63) supporting the lowest heat exchange unit (6) is provided at the bottom of the heat exchange housing (51); a second support base (64) is provided between adjacent heat exchange housings (51); and a third support base (65) supporting the highest heat exchange unit (6) is provided at the top of the heat exchange housing (51).

8. The air cooling system of a fuel cell testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The exchange tank (61) includes an exchange outer tube (611) sleeved on the outside of the metal inner tube (62) and two exchange end caps (612) respectively installed at both ends of the exchange outer tube (611); the exchange end caps (612) have end through holes (6142) for sealing through the metal inner tube (62).

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