A fuel cell stack water removal structure and a fuel cell system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of fuel cell stack water removal structure and fuel cell system, including stack and the fixed support for supporting the stack, characterized by: the stack is installed on the fixed support by elastic damping device, vibration generator is installed on the stack, the vibration generator is connected with the end plate or shell of the stack by mounting seat, for applying mechanical vibration to the stack.The utility model has can destroy fuel cell flow channel inside condensate water adhesion balance and promote condensate water discharge, to effectively avoid flow channel blockage, guarantee the operating stability and power output performance of fuel cell and the advantages such as power output performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a fuel cell stack water removal structure and fuel cell system. Background Technology

[0002] A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that directly converts the chemical energy of fuel into electrical energy. Its core principle is that fuel (such as hydrogen) reacts with an oxidant (such as air) at the electrodes to produce water, releasing both electrical and thermal energy. Compared to traditional combustion power generation methods, fuel cells offer advantages such as high energy conversion efficiency, low pollutant emissions, and strong sustainability, thus holding broad application prospects in transportation, distributed energy, and portable power supplies.

[0003] To achieve this efficient energy conversion, fuel cells typically employ a stack structure, consisting of multiple individual cells stacked together. Each individual cell includes an anode channel for guiding fuel and a cathode channel for guiding oxidant, separated by an electrolyte membrane. During operation, to maintain the proton conductivity of the electrolyte membrane and prevent it from becoming excessively dry, the input fuel or oxidant is usually humidified to maintain appropriate membrane wettability.

[0004] In practical applications, air is readily available and requires no storage, so fuel cells typically use air as the oxidant, and the air is humidified before being fed into the fuel cell. The humidified air contains a certain amount of water vapor, some of which condenses on the pipe walls during transport. This condensate, carried by the airflow into the cathode channel, can cause partial or complete blockage. Some of this condensate can be gradually carried away or evaporated by the airflow and the heat generated inside the fuel cell stack. However, some condensate, due to factors such as channel structure, surface tension, and airflow distribution, forms a stable adhesion equilibrium within the channel, making it difficult to be carried away by the airflow. This ultimately causes localized blockage, affecting gas distribution and reaction efficiency, and reducing the overall performance of the fuel cell. 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 a fuel cell stack water removal structure and fuel cell system that can disrupt the balance of condensate adhesion in the fuel cell flow channel and promote the discharge of condensate, so as to effectively avoid flow channel blockage and ensure the operational stability and power output performance of the fuel cell.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A water removal structure for a fuel cell stack includes a fuel cell stack and a fixed support for supporting the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack is mounted on the fixed support via an elastic damping device. A vibration generator is mounted on the fuel cell stack and is connected to the end plate or shell of the fuel cell stack via a mounting base for applying mechanical vibration to the fuel cell stack.

[0007] In the aforementioned structure, a vibration generator is installed on the fuel cell stack, and the stack is mounted on a fixed support via an elastic damping device, enabling the stack to vibrate within a controlled range. When the vibration generator operates, it applies mechanical vibration to the stack, transferring vibrational energy to the internal flow channel structure. This disrupts the equilibrium of condensate adhering to the inner wall of the flow channels, causing water droplets to slide, break up, or detach, and subsequently be carried out by the airflow or rapidly evaporated and discharged under the influence of heat within the stack. This structure effectively alleviates flow channel blockage problems, improves gas flow, and ensures the operational stability and power output performance of the fuel cell without altering the original gas supply and drainage system.

[0008] Furthermore, the vibration generator is one of a linear electromagnetic vibrator, an eccentric rotary vibrator, a piezoelectric vibrator, or an ultrasonic vibrator.

[0009] Furthermore, at least two vibration generators are provided, and the vibration directions of each vibration generator are different from each other.

[0010] Under unidirectional vibration, condensate in some parts of the flow channel may be difficult to detach due to different adhesion directions. To address this, at least two vibration generators are installed with different vibration directions, causing the fuel cell stack to vibrate in multiple directions. This enhances the transmission of vibration energy within the flow channel and improves the desorption and discharge efficiency of condensate.

[0011] Furthermore, the elastic shock-absorbing device is a rubber foot pad.

[0012] Furthermore, an air inlet valve is installed at the cathode flow channel air inlet of the fuel cell stack. The air inlet valve includes a valve body, on which an air inlet channel for connecting to an air inlet pipe and an air outlet channel for connecting to the fuel cell stack are provided. The air inlet channel is vertically arranged on the valve body, and its upper end is open to form an air inlet. The air outlet channel is horizontally arranged on the valve body, and one end is open to form an air outlet, while the other end is connected to the air inlet channel. An atomizer for atomizing liquid water is provided at the lower end of the air inlet channel and / or the air outlet channel.

[0013] In this way, the air intake channel is vertically positioned on the valve body, allowing air to be blown in from top to bottom. Water droplets condensed inside the pipes, under the combined action of airflow and gravity, will enter the bottom of the air intake and / or exhaust channels. After being atomized by an atomizer, the liquid water is then carried into the fuel cell stack by the airflow. This ensures that the air humidity meets the humidification requirements of the electrolyte membrane while preventing large streams of liquid water from clogging the flow channels and affecting battery performance, thus guaranteeing the performance of the fuel cell. As for the water vapor entering with the airflow and the water produced after the reaction, due to the heat generated inside the fuel cell stack during operation, neither the water vapor entering with the airflow nor the water produced after the reaction can form accumulated liquid water in the flow channels and is ultimately carried out of the fuel cell stack by the airflow.

[0014] Furthermore, the lower end of the air inlet channel is lower than the air outlet channel, forming a relatively recessed liquid accumulation chamber, and the atomizer is disposed in the liquid accumulation chamber.

[0015] In this way, the liquid accumulation chamber, which is recessed relative to the air outlet channel, can collect condensed water droplets into the liquid accumulation chamber, preventing occasionally larger water droplets from exceeding the atomization speed of the atomizer and flowing directly into the fuel cell stack, thus affecting fuel cell formation. The collection in the liquid accumulation chamber allows condensed water droplets to be more reliably atomized into the airflow.

[0016] Furthermore, the air outlet is inclined downward at one end facing the air inlet.

[0017] In this way, some of the water droplets that fall into the air outlet can be collected and flow into the liquid accumulation chamber, and finally atomized by the atomizer, thus minimizing the direct entry of liquid water droplets into the fuel cell stack.

[0018] Furthermore, the valve body has a horizontally arranged detection hole, the inner end of which is connected to the air inlet or air outlet; a gas pressure sensor is installed on the detection hole.

[0019] Furthermore, the atomizer is an ultrasonic atomizer, a mesh atomizer, or an electrostatic atomizer.

[0020] A fuel cell system, characterized in that it includes a fuel cell stack water removal structure as described above.

[0021] In summary, this invention has the advantages of disrupting the condensate adhesion balance in the fuel cell flow channel and promoting condensate discharge, thereby effectively avoiding flow channel blockage and ensuring the operational stability and power output performance of the fuel cell. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell intake valve. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments.

[0025] In practical implementation: such as Figures 1-4 As shown, a fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack 3, a humidifier 5, and a fixed support 6 for supporting the fuel cell stack 3. The fuel cell stack 3 is mounted on the fixed support 6 via an elastic damping device. A vibration generator 7 is mounted on the fuel cell stack 3 and is connected to the end plate or shell of the fuel cell stack 3 via a mounting base, for applying mechanical vibration to the fuel cell stack 3. In this embodiment, the elastic damping device is a rubber foot pad; the vibration generator is an eccentric rotary vibrator.

[0026] A fuel cell inlet valve is installed at the cathode flow channel inlet of the fuel cell stack 3. The inlet of the fuel cell inlet valve is connected to the humidifier 5 via a pipe. The fuel cell inlet valve includes a valve body 1, which has an inlet channel 11 for connecting to the inlet pipe and an outlet channel 12 for connecting to the fuel cell stack. The inlet channel 11 is vertically arranged on the valve body 1, and its upper end forms an inlet. The outlet channel 12 is horizontally arranged on the valve body 1, with one end forming an outlet and the other end connected to the inlet channel 11. An atomizer 4 for atomizing liquid water is provided at the lower end of the inlet channel 11 and / or the outlet channel 12. The valve body 1 has a horizontally arranged detection hole, the inner end of which is connected to the outlet channel 12. A gas pressure sensor 2 is installed on the detection hole.

[0027] In this embodiment, the lower end of the air inlet channel 11 is lower than the air outlet channel 12, forming a relatively concave liquid accumulation chamber 15. The atomizer 4 is an ultrasonic atomizer and is disposed within the liquid accumulation chamber 15. In specific implementations, the atomizer can also be a mesh atomizer or an electrostatic atomizer.

[0028] To minimize the accumulation of liquid water flowing into the fuel cell stack, the outlet channel 12 is angled downwards at one end facing the inlet channel 11. This allows some water droplets that fall into the outlet channel to accumulate and flow into the liquid accumulation chamber, where they are ultimately atomized by the atomizer, thus preventing liquid water droplets from directly entering the fuel cell stack.

[0029] To improve the vibration effect, at least two vibration generators 7 are provided, and the vibration directions of each vibration generator 7 are different from each other. For example... Figure 2 As shown, there are two vibration generators 7, arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions respectively.

[0030] During the operation of the fuel cell system, the humidifier 5 humidifies the air entering the stack 3 to maintain the electrolyte membrane in a suitable humid state. During transport, the water vapor contained in the humidified air condenses on the wall of the intake pipe, accumulates inside the fuel cell intake valve, and flows into the liquid accumulation chamber 15. The atomizer 4 then atomizes the liquid water, converting it back into fine water vapor particles, which are then carried into the stack by the airflow. This significantly reduces the probability of liquid water directly entering the cathode flow channel. In this way, the system effectively reduces the risk of flow channel blockage caused by condensate retention.

[0031] Considering that a small amount of condensate may still enter the fuel cell stack and adhere to the inner wall of the flow channel under complex operating conditions, this embodiment provides a vibration generator 7 on the fuel cell stack 3 and mounts the fuel cell stack to the fixed bracket 6 through an elastic damping device. By causing the fuel cell stack 3 to vibrate through the vibration generator 7, the condensate in the flow channel can become unbalanced and detach from the inner wall, and be carried out or evaporated under the action of airflow shear and heat.

[0032] By combining atomization and vibration in the structural design, on the one hand, the condensate can be pretreated before it enters the fuel cell stack, reducing the probability of flow channel blockage; on the other hand, even if some condensate enters the flow channel, it can be quickly discharged under the action of vibration, thereby ensuring the stability and continuous power output of the fuel cell stack during long-term operation.

[0033] In different implementations, the vibration generator can be started and stopped at preset intervals, or triggered by the control system based on operating parameters (such as power decrease, flow rate change, or pressure difference increase). The vibration frequency, amplitude, or duration can also be adjusted according to changes in ambient temperature, humidity, and load to balance water removal efficiency and energy consumption. These control methods can be used individually or in combination to adapt to different application scenarios.

[0034] 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 fuel cell stack water removal structure, comprising a fuel cell stack (3) and a fixing bracket (6) for supporting the fuel cell stack (3), characterized in that: The fuel cell stack (3) is mounted on the fixed bracket (6) by an elastic damping device. A vibration generator (7) is installed on the fuel cell stack (3). The vibration generator (7) is connected to the end plate or shell of the fuel cell stack (3) through a mounting base and is used to apply mechanical vibration to the fuel cell stack (3).

2. The fuel cell stack water removal structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The vibration generator (7) is one of a linear electromagnetic vibrator, an eccentric rotary vibrator, a piezoelectric vibrator, or an ultrasonic vibrator.

3. The fuel cell stack water removal structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, At least two vibration generators (7) are provided, and the vibration directions of each vibration generator (7) are different from each other.

4. The fuel cell stack water removal structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic shock absorption device is a rubber foot pad.

5. The fuel cell stack water removal structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, An air inlet valve is installed at the cathode flow channel air inlet of the fuel cell stack (3). The air inlet valve includes a valve body (1). The valve body (1) is provided with an air inlet channel (11) for connecting to the air inlet pipe and an air outlet channel (12) for connecting to the fuel cell stack. The air inlet channel (11) is vertically arranged on the valve body (1) and has an air inlet formed through the upper end. The air outlet channel (12) is horizontally arranged on the valve body (1) and has an air outlet formed through one end, and the other end is connected to the air inlet channel (11). An atomizer (4) for atomizing liquid water is provided at the lower end of the air inlet channel (11) and / or the air outlet channel (12).

6. The fuel cell stack water removal structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The lower end of the air inlet channel (11) is lower than the air outlet channel (12) and forms a relatively concave liquid accumulation chamber (15), and the atomizer (4) is disposed in the liquid accumulation chamber (15).

7. The fuel cell stack water removal structure as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The air outlet (12) is inclined downward at one end facing the air inlet (11).

8. The fuel cell stack water removal structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The valve body (1) has a horizontally arranged detection hole, the inner end of which is connected to the air inlet channel (11) or the air outlet channel (12); a gas pressure sensor (2) is installed on the detection hole.

9. The fuel cell stack water removal structure as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The atomizer is an ultrasonic atomizer, a mesh atomizer, or an electrostatic atomizer.

10. A fuel cell system, characterized in that, Includes the fuel cell stack water removal structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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