Cathode closed air-cooled fuel cell humidity conditioning system
By using a closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system with cathode, the integrated design of water distributor, spray pump and air filter solves the problem of uncontrollable humidity in traditional air-cooled fuel cells, realizes system miniaturization and cost reduction, and extends battery life.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHUOZHOU WENJING ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-24
AI Technical Summary
The uncontrollable humidity at the cathode of a traditional air-cooled fuel cell leads to a decrease in proton conductivity and a shortened battery life. Furthermore, traditional humidifier solutions increase system size and cost.
A cathode-closed air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system is adopted. Through the integrated design of water distributor, spray pump and air filter, a miniaturized, low-power passive humidification system is constructed to achieve intelligent humidity control and eliminate the need for traditional humidifiers.
This significantly reduces the system's volume and cost while extending battery life.
Smart Images
Figure CN224554345U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a humidity control system for a cathode-closed air-cooled fuel cell. Background Technology
[0002] Traditional air-cooled fuel cell cathodes require a relative humidity of 40-60% to prevent the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) from drying out. This often involves either a humidifier-free or humidifier-equipped design. With a humidifier-free design, ambient air is directly drawn in, making humidity uncontrollable. When humidity falls below 30%, proton conductivity decreases by 50%, shortening battery life to below 2000 hours. With a humidifier design, hollow membrane humidifiers are used, occupying 30%-50% of the system volume, increasing costs by over 25%, and lacking active humidity control, requiring regular maintenance. Utility Model Content
[0003] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this utility model provides a cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system, which eliminates the need for a traditional humidifier and can intelligently regulate humidity, thereby significantly reducing the system's volume ratio and cost, and increasing battery life.
[0004] This invention proposes a cathode-closed air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system. The output end of a hydrogen storage tank is connected to the anode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack. The system includes a blower, an air filter, a water distributor, a water tank, and a spray pump. The output end of the blower is connected to the anode inlet pipe and the cathode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack through pipes. The air filter is connected to the input end of the blower, and a humidity sensor is connected to the input end of the air filter. The water distributor is connected to the cathode outlet pipe of the fuel cell stack. The water distributor, water tank, spray pump, and air filter are connected sequentially through pipes.
[0005] Preferably, the humidity control system for a cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell provided by this utility model uses a gas-liquid cyclone separator as the water distributor.
[0006] Preferably, the humidity control system for a cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell provided by this utility model has an air filter membrane with a gradient pore size structure.
[0007] Preferably, the humidity control system for a cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell provided by this utility model has a first control valve connected to the output end of the hydrogen storage tank.
[0008] Preferably, in the cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system provided by this utility model, one end of the first control valve is connected to a pressure sensor.
[0009] Preferably, the present invention provides a cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system, wherein the hydrogen discharge port of the fuel cell stack is connected to a second control valve.
[0010] Preferably, the present invention provides a cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system, wherein the cathode outlet pipe of the fuel cell stack is connected to a cathode tail drain valve, and the cathode tail drain valve is connected to a water distributor through a pipe.
[0011] Preferably, the cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system provided by this utility model has a cooling fan installed above the fuel cell stack.
[0012] As can be seen, the cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system provided by this utility model achieves closed-loop utilization of reaction water through the integrated design of water distributor, spray pump and air filter. It eliminates the need for traditional humidifiers and can also intelligently regulate humidity, thereby significantly reducing the system volume ratio and cost, and increasing battery life. Attached Figure Description
[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0014] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic frame of a cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system according to an embodiment of this utility model.
[0015] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are as follows:
[0016] 1. Hydrogen storage tank; 2. Fuel cell stack; 3. Blower; 4. Air filter; 5. Water distributor; 6. Water tank; 7. Spray pump; 8. Humidity sensor; 9. First control valve; 10. Pressure sensor; 11. Second control valve; 12. Cathode exhaust valve; 13. Cooling fan. Detailed Implementation
[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0018] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. In this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.
[0019] In existing technologies, traditional air-cooled fuel cell cathodes require a relative humidity of 40-60% to prevent the membrane electrode assembly from drying out. This is often achieved through either a humidifier-free or humidifier-equipped approach. With a humidifier-free approach, ambient air is directly drawn in, making humidity uncontrollable. When humidity falls below 30%, proton conductivity decreases by 50%, shortening battery life to below 2000 hours. With a humidifier approach, hollow membrane humidifiers are used, occupying 30%-50% of the system volume, increasing costs by over 25%, and lacking active humidity control, requiring regular maintenance. This embodiment provides the following solution:
[0020] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a cathode-closed air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system. The output end of the hydrogen storage tank 1 is connected to the anode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack 2. The system includes a blower 3, an air filter 4, a water distributor 5, a water reservoir 6, and a spray pump 7. The output end of the blower 3 is connected to both the anode inlet pipe and the cathode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack 2 via pipes. The air filter 4 is connected to the input end of the blower 3, and a humidity sensor 8 is connected to the input end of the air filter 4. The water distributor 5 is connected to the cathode outlet pipe of the fuel cell stack 2. The water distributor 5, water reservoir 6, spray pump 7, and air filter 4 are connected sequentially via pipes.
[0021] It should be noted that the high flow rate of the blower 3 is utilized to use hydrogen from the hydrogen storage tank 1 to perform high-pressure purging of the anode of the fuel cell stack 2, thereby drying the anode. When the cathode of the fuel cell stack 2 discharges reaction water, the water separator 5 separates liquid water from the humid air and collects it into the water storage chamber 6. The water is then transported to the windward side of the air filter 4 by the spray pump 7 (power consumption <0.5W). The air filter 4 is water-resistant and forms a 0.1-0.3mm thick water film. When the intake airflow penetrates the water film, it carries water molecules, increasing the humidity to 50±5%. During the above process, the spray pump 7 is activated when the humidity sensor 8 detects that the intake air humidity is less than 40%; it is shut off when the humidity sensor 8 detects that the intake air humidity is greater than 60%, maintaining the optimal humidity window. This constructs a miniaturized, low-power passive humidification system suitable for small devices in the <1kW class.
[0022] In some embodiments, the water separator 5 is a gas-liquid cyclone separator that uses centrifugal force to separate liquid water in humid air, thereby achieving an efficiency of more than 90% and a droplet size of more than 5 μm.
[0023] In some embodiments, the filter membrane of the air filter 4 adopts a gradient pore size structure, with a surface pore size of 10 μm and a bottom pore size of 1 μm. The surface layer quickly adsorbs sprayed water, while the bottom layer slowly releases water vapor, preventing liquid water from entering the fuel cell stack and thus improving the stability of the intake air humidity.
[0024] In some embodiments, the output end of the hydrogen storage tank 1 is connected to a first control valve 9, thereby allowing for better control of the amount of hydrogen output.
[0025] In some embodiments, a pressure sensor 10 is connected to one end of the first control valve 9, thereby enabling real-time monitoring of the output hydrogen pressure and improving the reliability of the entire system.
[0026] In some embodiments, the hydrogen discharge port of the fuel cell stack 2 is connected to a second control valve 11, thereby allowing for better control of the amount of hydrogen emitted.
[0027] In some embodiments, the cathode outlet pipe of the fuel cell stack 2 is connected to a cathode tail drain valve 12, which is connected to a water distributor 5 via a pipe, thereby enabling better control of the amount of reaction water.
[0028] In some embodiments, a cooling fan 13 is provided above the fuel cell stack 2 to provide auxiliary cooling for the fuel cell stack 2.
[0029] Table 1 shows a comparison of the technical specifications of the traditional humidifier-free solution, the traditional humidifier-equipped solution, and this system solution based on actual measurements.
[0030] Table 1
[0031] System volume percentage 0％ 30-50％ <5％ Humidity control accuracy ±25％ ±10％ ±5％ Power attenuation rate 8％ 5％ 3％
[0032] In summary, the embodiments of this utility model provide a cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system. Through the integrated design of a water distributor, a spray pump, and an air filter, the system achieves closed-loop utilization of reaction water, eliminating the need for a traditional humidifier while intelligently regulating humidity. This significantly reduces the system's volume and cost, and increases battery life.
[0033] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, and the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can make changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and all such changes or substitutions should be within the scope of protection of this application.
[0034] Those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments described herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not others, combinations of features from different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of this invention and form different embodiments.
[0035] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A cathode-closed air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system, wherein the output end of a hydrogen storage tank (1) is connected to the anode inlet pipe of a fuel cell stack (2), characterized in that, The system includes a blower (3), an air filter (4), a water distributor (5), a water tank (6), and a spray pump (7). The output end of the blower (3) is connected to the anode inlet pipe and the cathode inlet pipe of the fuel cell stack (2) through pipelines. The air filter (4) is connected to the input end of the blower (3), and a humidity sensor (8) is connected to the input end of the air filter (4). The water distributor (5) is connected to the cathode outlet pipe of the fuel cell stack (2). The water distributor (5), the water tank (6), the spray pump (7), and the air filter (4) are connected in sequence through pipelines.
2. The cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water separator (5) is a gas-liquid cyclone separator.
3. The cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air filter (4) has a gradient pore size structure for its filter membrane.
4. The cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The output end of the hydrogen storage tank (1) is connected to a first control valve (9).
5. The cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system according to claim 4, characterized in that, A pressure sensor (10) is connected to one end of the first control valve (9).
6. The cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen vent of the fuel cell stack (2) is connected to a second control valve (11).
7. The cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cathode outlet pipe of the fuel cell stack (2) is connected to a cathode tail drain valve (12), which is connected to the water distributor (5) through a pipe.
8. The cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell humidity control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A cooling fan (13) is provided above the fuel cell stack (2).