Gas supply and discharge system

DE112016005853B4Active Publication Date: 2025-07-24REINZ DICHTUNGS G M B H
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE112016005853
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2015-12-21
Filing Date
2016-12-16
Publication Date
2025-07-24
Estimated Expiration
2036-12-16

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Abstract

Gas supply and discharge system (100; 100'; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600), comprising: a fuel cell arrangement (2) with at least one electrode (2a); a gas-gas heat exchanger (3) for transferring heat between a first gas (5) to be supplied to the electrode (2a) and a second gas (6) discharged or dischargeable from the electrode (2a); and a humidifier (4) for transferring moisture between the first gas (5) and the second gas (6); wherein the fuel cell arrangement (2), the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) and the humidifier (4) are designed and fluidly connected to one another in such a way, that the first gas (5) to be supplied to the electrode (2a) can be introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) before the first gas (5) is supplied to the electrode (2a), and that the second gas (6) for transferring heat between the first gas (5) and the second gas (6) in the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) can be introduced from the electrode (2a) into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3); that the first gas (5) and the second gas (6) can be introduced into the humidifier (4) from the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) for transferring moisture between the first gas (5) and the second gas (6) in the humidifier (4); and that the first gas (5) can be introduced from the humidifier (4) into the fuel cell arrangement (2) and can be fed to the electrode (2a); wherein the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) has a first volume (7) for guiding the first gas (5) and a second volume (8) for guiding the second gas (6), wherein the first and the second volume (8) are in thermal contact (9) for transferring heat between the first gas (5) that can be guided in the first volume (7) and the second gas (6) that can be guided in the second volume (8); wherein the humidifier (4) has a third volume (10) for guiding the first gas (5) and a fourth volume (11) for guiding the second gas (6), wherein the third and fourth volumes (11) are separated via a water exchange element (12) for transferring moisture between the first gas (5) that can be guided in the third volume (10) and the second gas (6) that can be guided in the fourth volume (11); wherein the first, second, third and fourth volumes (11) each have an inlet (7a, 8a, 10a, 11a) for introducing gas into the respective volume and an outlet (7b, 8b, 10b, 11b) for discharging gas from the respective volume; wherein the inlet (8a) of the second volume (8) and the outlet (10b) of the third volume (10) are each in fluid communication with the fuel cell arrangement (2); wherein the outlet (7b) of the first volume (7) is in fluid communication with the inlet (10a) of the third volume (10); and wherein the outlet (8b) of the second volume (8) is in fluid communication with the inlet (11a) of the fourth volume (11).
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Description

The invention relates to a gas supply and discharge system and to a method for supplying gas to at least one electrode of a fuel cell arrangement and for discharging gas from the electrode.To operate a fuel cell, a gaseous fuel and an oxidizing agent are typically supplied to the electrodes of the fuel cell. As the fuel, for example, molecular hydrogen or methanol can be used. Oxidizing agents usually used are oxygen-containing gases, for example air. The product of the reaction between the fuel and the oxidant must be discharged from the fuel cell. Furthermore, known fuel cell systems typically have a cooling system for removing the waste heat produced during the reaction and a humidifier for setting a moisture level of the gases supplied to the system. The moistening of the gases serves, for example, to maintain the function of an ion conductor arranged between the electrodes of the fuel cell.From document DE102012018874A1, a fuel cell system is known with an air delivery device for compressing supply air for a fuel cell and with a charge air cooler for cooling the supply air by exhaust air flowing out from the fuel cell. Air is supplied to a cathode chamber of the fuel cell via the air delivery device, the charge air cooler and via a humidifier. Exhaust air from the cathode chamber in turn reaches the environment via the humidifier, the charge air cooler and via a turbine. The cost of manufacturing and operating such a system is often critically determined by the design and mode of operation of the humidifier.Document DE102009051476A1 describes a fuel cell system. This has at least one fuel cell. An air supply device supplies supply air to a cathode chamber of the fuel cell. The fuel cell system is provided with a turbine for expanding an exhaust air flow from the region of the cathode chamber and a burner for heating the exhaust air flow upstream of the turbine. In this case, a heat exchanger is provided, through which the exhaust air of the turbine flows on the one hand and the exhaust air flow in the flow direction upstream of the burner on the other hand.The document DE102010001221A1 describes a method for conditioning an input material flow of at least one fuel cell of a fuel cell system. In this case, the input material stream is compressed with an electrically operated compressor, wherein the input material stream is compressible with a compression unit which is arranged fluidically in series with the compressor, wherein furthermore the compression unit can be driven by a turbine, and wherein in the normal case a starting material stream of the fuel cell drives the turbine, such that the compression unit compresses the input material stream.Proceeding from the prior art, the object of the present invention is thus to create a system which ensures improved efficiency and / or a longer service life of the humidifier.This object is achieved by a system according to claim 1 and by a method according to claim 10.A gas supply and discharge system is thus proposed, comprising:a fuel cell assembly having at least one electrode;a gas-gas heat exchanger for transferring heat between a first gas to be supplied to the electrode and a second gas to be discharged or discharged from the electrode; anda humidifier for transferring moisture between the first gas and the second gas.The fuel cell arrangement, the gas-gas heat exchanger and the humidifier are designed and are in fluid communication with one another in such a way that the first gas to be supplied to the electrode can be introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger before the first gas is conducted to the electrode, and that the second gas can be introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger starting from the electrode for the purposes of transferring heat between the first gas and the second gas in the gas-gas heat exchanger; that the first gas and the second gas can be introduced into the humidifier starting from the gas-gas heat exchanger for the purpose of transferring moisture between the first gas and the second gas in the humidifier after the heat transfer between the first gas and the second gas in the gas-gas heat exchanger; and in that the first gas can be introduced into the fuel cell arrangement starting from the humidifier and can be supplied to the electrode.A method for supplying a first gas to at least one electrode of a fuel cell arrangement and for discharging a second gas from the at least one electrode is also proposed, comprising the steps of:introducing the first gas to be supplied to the electrode into a gas-gas heat exchanger and introducing the second gas discharged from the electrode into the gas-gas heat exchanger for transferring heat between the first gas and the second gas in the gas-gas heat exchanger;starting from the gas-gas heat exchanger, introducing the first and second gases temperature-controlled in the gas-gas heat exchanger into a humidifier for transferring moisture between the first gas and the second gas in the humidifier; andleading the first gas moistened or dehumidified in the humidifier to the electrode.The system proposed here and the method proposed here differ from the prior art according to DE102012018874A1, in particular in that the first gas and the second gas can be introduced or are introduced into the humidifier after the heat transfer between the first gas and the second gas in the gas-gas heat exchanger starting from the gas-gas heat exchanger for transferring moisture between the first gas and the second gas in the humidifier.It has been found that both the efficiency and the service life of the humidifier are improved in this way. For example, the area of a water exchange membrane arranged in the humidifier in the system proposed here can be designed smaller than known systems in order to achieve a desired moisture transfer rate between the first and the second gas. This can significantly reduce the cost of manufacturing the humidifier. Likewise, the operating costs can be significantly reduced by the achieved lengthening of the service life of the humidifier. The moisture transfer in the humidifier is additionally improved in that, due to the heat transfer between the first and the second gas in the gas-gas heat exchanger, an undesired condensation of the moisture contained in the colder of the two gases in the humidifier can be reduced or prevented already before the introduction of the first and the second gas into the humidifier. Thus, the second gas discharged from the electrode normally has a lower temperature and a higher degree of humidity than the first gas to be supplied to the electrode. In the gas-gas heat exchanger, the moister second gas is then heated. In this case, the heating of the moister second gas by the warmer and drier first gas in the gas-gas heat exchanger reduces or prevents an undesired condensation of the water vapor carried along in the second gas in the humidifier.Preferably, the gas-gas heat exchanger and the fuel cell arrangement are in fluid connection in such a way that the second gas can be introduced or is introduced directly and directly into the gas-gas heat exchanger by the fuel cell arrangement. Thus, a temperature control of the second gas before the introduction of the second gas into the gas-gas heat exchanger can be prevented, so that a particularly large amount of heat can be transmitted or is transmitted between the first and the second gas in the gas-gas heat exchanger. For example, the temperature of the second gas when removing the second gas from the fuel cell arrangement is often lower than the temperature of the first gas when introducing the first gas into the gas-gas heat exchanger. By means of a direct connection between the fuel cell arrangement and the gas-gas heat exchanger for the direct introduction of the second gas from the fuel cell arrangement into the gas-gas heat exchanger, a particularly efficient cooling of the first gas then takes place in the gas-gas heat exchanger.In known gas supply and discharge systems for fuel cell arrangements, a heat transfer between the first gas to be supplied to the electrode and the second gas discharged from the electrode is usually effected via an additional circulating coolant, the temperature of which is typically lower than the temperature of the first gas and the temperature of the second gas. In the gas-gas heat exchanger proposed here, on the other hand, the heat exchange between the first and the second gas preferably does not take place via such an additional coolant. Instead, the thermal contact between the first gas and the second gas in the gas-gas heat exchanger proposed here is preferably effected only via solid bodies which are designed in such a way that they are configured for guiding the first gas and the second gas and for separating the first gas from the second gas. For example, the gas-gas heat exchanger can have a first volume for guiding the first gas and a second volume for guiding the second gas, wherein the first and the second volume are in thermal contact for transferring heat between the first gas guided or guidable in the first volume and the second gas guided or guidable in the second volume. The thermal contact between the first gas and the second gas can be realized, for example, via plates or lamellae. The gas-gas heat exchanger can thus be designed as a plate heat exchanger or as a plate heat exchanger.Compared to gas supply and discharge systems in which heat is transferred between the first and / or the second gas and an additional circulating coolant, the first gas and the second gas typically have a higher average temperature after the heat transfer between the first gas and the second gas in the gas-gas heat exchanger proposed here. It has been found that this can considerably improve the efficiency of moisture transfer between the first gas and the second gas in the humidifier.The humidifier usually has a volume for guiding the first gas and a volume for guiding the second gas. To distinguish between the above-mentioned first and second volumes of the gas-gas heat exchanger, the volume of the humidifier for guiding the first gas is referred to below as the third volume. The volume of the humidifier for guiding the second gas is referred to as a fourth volume below. The humidifier normally has a water exchange element which separates the third and the fourth volume in such a way that a moisture transfer takes place between the first gas which is or can be guided in the third volume and the second gas which is or can be guided in the fourth volume via the water exchange element of the humidifier. The water exchange element may comprise, for example, at least one water exchange membrane and / or capillaries for transferring moisture between the third volume and the fourth volume. The humidifier can also be designed as a tube humidifier. In the humidifier, a moisture transfer takes place from the moister of the two gases to the drier of the two gases. If the second gas is the moister of the two gases, a moisture transfer thus takes place in the humidifier from the second gas guided in the fourth volume to the first gas guided in the third volume.The first and the second volume of the gas-gas heat exchanger and the third and the fourth volume of the humidifier usually each have an inlet for introducing gas into the respective volume and an outlet for discharging gas from the respective volume. The inlet of the second volume and the outlet of the third volume are normally each in fluid communication with the fuel cell arrangement, in particular with the electrode. For example, the input of the second volume and the output of the third volume may each be directly in fluid communication with the fuel cell assembly. It is likewise conceivable for further system components to be arranged between the inlet of the second volume and / or the outlet of the third volume and the fuel cell arrangement, through which system components the first or the second gas flows.The output of the first volume is normally in fluid communication with the input of the third volume. For example, the output of the first volume may be directly and directly in fluid communication with the input of the third volume. It is likewise conceivable for further system components to be arranged between the outlet of the first volume and the inlet of the third volume, through which system components the first gas flows.The output of the second volume is normally in fluid communication with the input of the fourth volume. For example, the output of the second volume may be directly in fluid communication with the input of the fourth volume. It is likewise conceivable for further system components to be arranged between the outlet of the second volume and the inlet of the third volume, through which system components the second gas flows.As described above, the inlet of the second volume for the direct introduction of the second gas discharged from the fuel cell arrangement into the second volume is preferably connected directly and directly via a line to the fuel cell arrangement. This line then extends from the outlet of the fuel cell arrangement to the inlet of the second volume.The electrode may be a cathode of the fuel cell assembly. The first gas is then a reaction gas to be supplied to the cathode, and the second gas is then a cathode off-gas. The fuel cell assembly may be a hydrogen fuel cell assembly. For example, the first gas may comprise air, in particular oxygen, and the second gas may comprise water vapor.For improved setting of a desired temperature of the first gas and / or of the second gas before the introduction of the first gas and of the second gas into the humidifier, a gas-liquid heat exchanger can additionally be connected upstream and / or downstream of the gas-gas heat exchanger. The first gas and / or the second gas can thus be introduced into a gas-liquid heat exchanger for transferring heat between the first gas and / or the second gas and a liquid cooling medium. This results in improved heat dissipation from the overall system, so that the exchange surface of the gas-gas heat exchanger can be reduced.If the gas-liquid heat exchanger is connected upstream of the gas-gas heat exchanger, the first gas and / or the second gas are introduced into the gas-liquid heat exchanger before the introduction of the first gas and / or the second gas into the gas-gas heat exchanger. Starting from the gas-liquid heat exchanger, the first gas and / or the second gas are then introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger. If, on the other hand, the gas-liquid heat exchanger is arranged downstream of the gas-gas heat exchanger, the first gas and / or the second gas are only introduced into the gas-liquid heat exchanger after the heat transfer between the first and the second gas in the gas-gas heat exchanger starting from the gas-gas heat exchanger. Starting from the gas-liquid heat exchanger, the first and / or the second gas are then introduced into the humidifier. Of course, two gas-liquid heat exchangers can also be provided, of which a first is arranged upstream of the gas-gas heat exchanger and of which a second is arranged downstream of the gas-gas heat exchanger.The gas-liquid heat exchanger can be designed in such a way that a liquid cooling medium can be circulated therein or through it, so that heat can be transferred between the cooling medium and the first and / or the second gas. In particular, the gas-liquid heat exchanger can be designed for cooling the first and / or the second gas. The gas-liquid heat exchanger can have a volume for guiding the first gas and / or a volume for guiding the second gas. The volume of the gas-liquid heat exchanger for guiding the first gas is referred to below as the fifth volume. If a volume of the gas-liquid heat exchanger is also provided for guiding the second gas, this is referred to below as sixth volume. The fifth volume is typically in fluid communication with the previously described first volume of the gas-gas heat exchanger. The sixth volume may be in fluid communication with the second volume of the gas-gas heat exchanger. If the gas-liquid heat exchanger is connected upstream of the gas-gas heat exchanger, the sixth volume can furthermore be in fluid communication with the fuel cell arrangement. If, on the other hand, the gas-liquid heat exchanger is arranged downstream of the gas-gas heat exchanger, the fifth volume is typically additionally in fluid communication with the third volume of the humidifier. The sixth volume may in this case additionally be in fluid communication with the fourth volume of the humidifier.The system may include a compressor for compressing the first gas. The first gas can thus be compressed before the first gas is fed to the electrode. Thus, a reaction rate of the reaction between the first gas and the electrode can be increased and the efficiency of the fuel cell assembly can be improved. The compressor can be designed, for example, as a piston compressor or as a rotary compressor.The compressor can be in fluid communication with the gas-gas heat exchanger in such a way that the first gas can be introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger after the compression of the first gas in the compressor, in particular into the first volume of the gas-gas heat exchanger. The first gas can thus be compressed before the introduction of the first gas into the gas-gas heat exchanger.The compressor can also be in fluid communication with the humidifier and the fuel cell arrangement in such a way that the first gas can be introduced into the compressor starting from the humidifier after the moisture transfer between the first and the second gas in the humidifier and can be introduced into the fuel cell arrangement starting from the compressor after the compression of the first gas in the compressor and can be introduced into the electrode. It can thus be provided that the first gas is compressed after the moisture transfer between the first gas and the second gas has taken place in the humidifier. In this case, the compressor is therefore typically in fluid communication with the volume of the humidifier for carrying the first gas, that is to say with the third volume described above, and with the fuel cell arrangement. The first gas is usually heated in the compressor. If the compressor is connected upstream of the humidifier, this may possibly lead to damage to the water exchange element of the humidifier in the long term due to the temperature increase. This can be avoided by the last-described compression of the first gas only after the moisture transfer between the first gas and the second gas in the humidifier.The system may include an expander configured to convert at least a portion of the thermal energy of the second gas and / or the kinetic energy of the second gas into kinetic energy of the expander. The second gas can thus be supplied to an expander after the moisture transfer between the first gas and the second gas. The thermal energy of the second gas and / or the kinetic energy of the second gas may then be at least partially converted into kinetic energy of the expander. The expander may include, for example, a turbine or piston. The expander may be in fluid communication with the humidifier such that the second gas may be supplied to the expander from the humidifier. The expander can thus be in particular in fluid communication with the volume of the humidifier configured to carry the second gas, i.e. with the fourth volume described above.Alternatively or additionally to the expander, the system may include a thermoelectric generator configured to convert at least a portion of the thermal energy of the second gas into electrical energy. Such thermoelectric generators based on the thermoelectric effect (Seebeck effect) are generally known from the prior art. Preferably, the thermoelectric generator is in fluid communication with the humidifier such that the second gas can be supplied to the thermoelectric generator starting from the humidifier.The expander and the compressor and / or the expander and the further compressor can be coupled or can be coupled in such a way that the energy transferred from the second gas to the expander for compressing the first gas introduced into the compressor or the further compressor can be transferred at least partially from the expander to the compressor and / or to the further compressor. The energy transferred from the second gas to the expander can thus be transferred from the expander to the compressor and / or to the further compressor for compressing the first gas. For example, the compressor may include a compressor wheel drivable by a turbine or piston of the expander. Likewise, a generator can be provided which at least partially converts the energy of the second gas absorbed by the expander into electrical energy. This can then serve, for example, for driving an electric motor of the compressor or can be supplied to other consumers in the electrochemical system.If the system has a thermoelectric generator, the thermoelectric generator and the compressor and / or the thermoelectric generator and the further compressor can be electrically connected, so that the energy transferred from the second gas to the thermoelectric generator can be transferred at least partially from the thermoelectric generator to the compressor and / or to the further compressor for compressing the first gas. If appropriate, the electrical energy can be temporarily stored in a storage for electrical energy for this purpose before it is transmitted to the compressor or the further compressor.For improved adjustment of the humidity and / or temperature of the first and / or second gases, the system may further include one or more bypass lines.The system can have a first bypass line for carrying the first gas, via which the first gas can be introduced at least partially into an outlet of the humidifier before the introduction of the first gas into the gas-gas heat exchanger, bypassing the gas-gas heat exchanger and the humidifier; via this bypass line, the first gas can be at least partially directly diverted into an outlet of the humidifier, e.g. into an outlet of the fourth volume, before the introduction of the first gas into the gas-gas heat exchanger.The system can have a second bypass line for carrying the first gas, via which the first gas can be introduced into the fuel cell arrangement at least partially, bypassing the gas-gas heat exchanger and the humidifier, before the introduction of the first gas into the gas-gas heat exchanger; via this bypass line, the first gas can be at least partially directly diverted into the fuel cell arrangement before the introduction of the first gas into the gas-gas heat exchanger.The system can have a third bypass line for guiding the first gas, via which the first gas can be introduced at least partially into an outlet of the gas-gas heat exchanger before the introduction of the first gas into the gas-gas heat exchanger, bypassing the gas-gas heat exchanger; via this bypass line, the first gas can be at least partially directly diverted into an outlet of the gas-gas heat exchanger, e.g. into an outlet of the first volume, before the introduction of the first gas into the gas-gas heat exchanger.The system can have a fourth bypass line for carrying the first gas, via which the first gas can be introduced at least partially into the fuel cell arrangement, bypassing the humidifier, after the first gas is discharged from the gas-gas heat exchanger and before the first gas is introduced into the humidifier; via this bypass line, the first gas can be at least partially directly introduced into the fuel cell arrangement, after the first gas is discharged from the gas-gas heat exchanger and before the first gas is introduced into the humidifier.The system can have a fifth bypass line for carrying the first gas, via which the first gas can be introduced at least partially into a line emerging from the fuel cell arrangement after the first gas is discharged from the humidifier and before the first gas is introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger, bypassing the fuel cell arrangement; via this bypass line, the first gas can be at least partially diverted into the gas-gas heat exchanger before the first gas is introduced into the fuel cell arrangement.The system can have a first bypass line for carrying the second gas, via which the second gas can be introduced at least partially into an outlet of the humidifier after the second gas is discharged from the fuel cell arrangement and before the second gas is introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger, bypassing the gas-gas heat exchanger and the humidifier; via this bypass line, the second gas can be at least partially directly diverted into an outlet of the humidifier, e.g. into an outlet of the fourth volume, before the second gas is introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger.The system can have a second bypass line for carrying the second gas, via which the second gas can be introduced at least partially into an outlet of the gas-gas heat exchanger after the second gas is discharged from the fuel cell arrangement and before the second gas is introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger, bypassing the gas-gas heat exchanger; via this bypass line, the second gas can be at least partially directly diverted into an outlet of the gas-gas heat exchanger, e.g. into an outlet of the second volume, before the second gas is introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger.The system can have a third bypass line for guiding the second gas, via which the second gas can be introduced at least partially into an outlet of the humidifier after the second gas is discharged from the gas-gas heat exchanger and before the second gas is introduced into the humidifier, bypassing the humidifier; via this bypass line, the second gas can be at least partially directly diverted into an outlet of the humidifier, e.g. into an outlet of the fourth volume, after the second gas is discharged from the gas-gas heat exchanger and before the second gas is introduced into the humidifier.Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures and are explained in more detail on the basis of the following description. The following are shown: FIG. 1 aschematically illustrates a gas supply and discharge system according to the invention, comprising a fuel cell arrangement, a gas-gas heat exchanger and a humidifier; FIG. 1 bschematically illustrates the gas supply and discharge system according to FIG. 1 awith additional bypass lines; FIG. 2 schematically shows a further embodiment of the gas supply and discharge system according to FIG. 1 awith an additional gas-liquid heat exchanger; FIG. 3 schematically shows a further embodiment of the gas supply and discharge system according to FIG. 1 awith an additional gas-liquid heat exchanger; FIG. 4 schematically shows a further embodiment of the gas supply and discharge system according to FIG. 1 a, having a compressor and an expander; FIG. 5 schematically shows an embodiment of the gas supply and discharge system according to FIG. 1 awith an additional gas-liquid heat exchanger and with a compressor and an expander according to a first arrangement; and FIG. 6 schematically shows an embodiment of the gas supply and discharge system according to FIG. 1 awith an additional gas-liquid heat exchanger and with a compressor and an expander according to a third arrangement.FIG. 1 ashows a gas supply and discharge system 100 with a fuel cell arrangement 2, with a gas-gas heat exchanger 3 and with a humidifier 4. the fuel cell arrangement 2 comprises at least one electrode 2 aand a reaction volume 2 b. The electrode 2 ais arranged at least partially within the reaction volume 2 bor reaches the reaction volume 2 b. A first gas 5 is supplied to the electrode 2 avia the reaction volume 2 b. The arrows representing the first gas 5 represent lines in which the first gas 5 is conducted, wherein the arrow direction in each case indicates the flow direction of the first gas 5 in the respective line. Likewise, a second gas 6 is discharged from the electrode 2 avia the reaction volume 2 b. The arrows representing the second gas 6 again represent lines in which the second gas 6 is guided, wherein the arrow direction in each case indicates the flow direction of the second gas 6 in the respective line.Here, the electrode 2 ais a cathode of the fuel cell arrangement 2. the fuel cell arrangement 2 also comprises a plurality of further cathodes and anodes, which are not illustrated here and in the following only for the sake of simplicity. For example, the first gas 5 can be supplied to a plurality of cathodes at the same time via the reaction volume 2 b. Likewise, the second gas 6 can be discharged simultaneously from a plurality of cathodes via the reaction volume 2 b.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the fuel cell arrangement 2 is a hydrogen fuel cell arrangement. The first gas 5 contains air and / or oxygen. The oxygen contained in the first gas 5 absorbs electrons at the cathode 2 aand reacts in the reaction volume 2 bwith protons, which diffuse from an adjacent anode through a membrane into the reaction volume 2 b, to form water. The second gas 6 contains the water vapor formed during this reaction.The gas-gas heat exchanger 3 comprises a first volume 7 for guiding the first gas 5 and a second volume 8 for guiding the second gas 6. an inlet 7 aof the first volume 7 is connected via a line for guiding the first gas 5, for example, to a gas reservoir (not shown), so that the first gas 5 can be introduced or is introduced into the first volume 7 starting from the gas reservoir. An inlet 8 aof the second volume 8 is connected via a line for conducting the second gas 6 to an outlet 2 cof the fuel cell arrangement 2, in particular to an outlet 2 cof the reaction volume 2 b, such that the second gas 6 can be introduced or is introduced directly into the second volume 8 of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 starting from the fuel cell arrangement 2 or starting from the reaction volume 2 b.The first volume 7 and the second volume 8 of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 are physically separated from one another, so that no mixing of the first gas 5 and the second gas 6 takes place in the gas-gas heat exchanger 3. Heat is transferred via a thermal contact 9 of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 between the first gas 5 guided in the first volume 7 and the second gas 6 guided in the second volume 8. In the gas-gas heat exchanger 3, the temperatures of the gases 5 and 6 are thus at least partially adjusted, in which case the temperature of the first gas 5 when the first gas 5 is introduced into the first volume 7 is higher than the temperature of the second gas 6 when the second gas 6 is introduced into the second volume 8, so that heat is transferred from the first gas 5 to the second gas 6 in the gas-gas heat exchanger 3. For example, the first gas 5 has a temperature between 200° C. and 250° C. when introducing the first gas 5 into the first volume 7, and the second gas 6 has a temperature between 60° C. and 80° C. for example when introducing the second gas 6 into the volume 8, the thermal contact 9 between the first volume 7 and the second volume 8 is realized only by solid bodies, for example in the form of plates and / or lamellae. Due to the at least partial cooling of the first gas 5 to be supplied to the electrode 2 awith the aid of the second gas 6 discharged from the electrode 2 ain the gas-gas heat exchanger 3, a further cooling system, if present, for cooling the fuel cell arrangement 2 can be designed smaller.The humidifier 4 comprises a third volume 10 for guiding the first gas 5 and a fourth volume 11 for guiding the second gas 6. an outlet 7 bof the first volume 7 of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 is connected via a line to an inlet 10 aof the third volume 10 of the humidifier 4. Via this line, the first gas 5 is introduced directly into the third volume 10 of the humidifier 4 starting from the first volume 7 of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 after the heat transfer between the first gas 5 and the second gas 6 in the gas-gas heat exchanger 3. An outlet 8 bof the second volume 8 of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 is connected via a line to an inlet 11 aof the fourth volume 11 of the humidifier 4. Via this line, the second gas 6, after the heat transfer between the first gas 5 and the second gas 6 in the gas-gas heat exchanger 3, is introduced directly into the fourth volume 11 of the humidifier 4, starting from the second volume 8 of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3. Here and below, conduits depicted in the figures as intersecting conduits are not intended to be in fluid communication with each other at the intersection.The humidifier 4 further comprises a water exchange membrane 12 which is arranged between the third volume 10 and the fourth volume 12 and which separates the third volume 10 from the fourth volume 12. Alternatively or additionally, the humidifier 4 can also be designed as a tube humidifier or comprise capillaries for transferring moisture between the third volume 10 and the fourth volume 12. A moisture transfer can take place via the water exchange membrane 12 between the gases carried in the volumes 10 and 11 of the humidifier 4. In the present exemplary embodiment, the degree of humidity of the second gas 6 discharged from the electrode 2 awhen the second gas 6 is introduced into the fourth volume 11 of the humidifier 4 is higher than the degree of humidity of the first gas 5 to be supplied to the electrode 2 awhen the first gas 5 is introduced into the third volume 10 of the humidifier 4. humidity is therefore transferred from the second gas 6 in the fourth volume 11 to the first gas 5 in the third volume 10 in the humidifier 4. The water exchange membrane 12 is not permeable to gases, so that no mixing of the first gas 5 with the second gas 6 takes place in the humidifier 4.It has been found that the moisture transfer between the gases 5 and 6 in the humidifier 4 is particularly efficient due to the at least partial adaptation of the temperatures of the gases 5 and 6 in the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 before the introduction of the gases 5 and 6 into the humidifier 4. For transferring the same amount of water via the water exchange membrane 12, it can thus be made smaller. Furthermore, the service life of the water exchange membrane 12 of the humidifier 4 can be extended by the previous cooling of the warmer of the gases 5 and 6, due to the heating, resulting from the compression, usually of the gas 5, in the gas-gas heat exchanger 3. By heating the colder of the gases 5 and 6, i.e. mostly the gas 6, in the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 before introducing the gases 5 and 6 into the humidifier 4, an undesired condensation of the moisture contained in the colder of the gases 5 and 6 in the humidifier 4 can furthermore be prevented or reduced. This also contributes to more efficient moisture transfer via the water exchange membrane 12 of the humidifier 4.The second gas 6 is discharged from the humidifier 4 via an outlet 11 bof the volume 11 of the humidifier 4. An outlet 10 bof the volume 10 of the humidifier 4 is connected via a line to an inlet 2 dof the fuel cell arrangement 2, in particular to an inlet 2 dof the reaction volume 2 b. Via this line, after the moisture transfer between the first gas 5 and the second gas 6 in the humidifier 4, the first gas 5 is introduced into the fuel cell arrangement 2 starting from the humidifier 4 and is supplied to the electrode 2 avia the reaction volume 2 b. The moistening of the first gas 5 to be introduced into the fuel cell arrangement 2 in the humidifier 4 serves, among other things, to prevent the proton exchange membrane of the fuel cell arrangement 2, not shown here, from drying out, via which the proton exchange between the anode, not shown, and the cathode 2 aof the fuel cell arrangement 2 takes place.FIG. 1b shows a further gas supply and discharge system 100', which is a variant of the gas supply and discharge system 100 according to FIG. 1a. Here and in the following, recurring features are in each case denoted by the same reference numerals. For simplicity, only the differences between the systems 100 and 100' will therefore be explained in more detail.The system 100' according to FIG. 1 bdiffers from the system 100 according to FIG. 1 athrough a first bypass line 5.1 for guiding the first gas 5, via which the first gas 5 can be introduced at least partially, bypassing the gas-gas heat exchanger 3, the fuel cell arrangement 2 and the humidifier 4, into an outlet of the humidifier 4 before the introduction of the first gas 5 into the gas-gas heat exchanger 3, which outlet is in fluid communication with the fourth volume 11 of the humidifier 4. The flow of the first gas 5 in the line 5.1 is controllable by a valve 51. To prevent the gas flow in the line 5.1, the valve 51 can be completely closed.The system 100' according to FIG. 1 bfurther differs from the system 100 according to FIG. 1 a by-pass line 5.2 for guiding the first gas 5, via which the first gas 5 can be introduced into the fuel cell arrangement 2 at least partially, bypassing the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 and the humidifier 4, before the introduction of the first gas 5 into the gas-gas heat exchanger 3, in particular via the inlet 2 dof the fuel cell arrangement 2. To prevent the gas flow in the line 5.2, the valve 52 can be completely closed.The system 100' according to FIG. 1 bfurther differs from the system 100 according to FIG. 1 a by-pass line 5.3 for guiding the first gas 5, via which the first gas 5 can be introduced at least partially into an outlet of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 before the introduction of the first gas 5 into the gas-gas heat exchanger 3, bypassing the gas-gas heat exchanger 3, in particular into an outlet of the first volume 7. To prevent the gas flow in the line 5.3, the valve 53 can be completely closed.The system 100' according to FIG. 1 bfurther differs from the system 100 according to FIG. 1 a by-pass line 5.4 for guiding the first gas 5, via which the first gas 5 can be introduced into the fuel cell arrangement 2 at least partially, bypassing the humidifier 4, after the first gas 5 has been discharged from the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 and before the first gas 5 has been introduced into the humidifier 4, in particular via the inlet 2 dof the fuel cell arrangement 2. To prevent the gas flow in the line 5.4, the valve 54 can be completely closed.The system 100' according to FIG. 1 bfurther differs from the system 100 according to FIG. 1 a by-pass line 5.5 for guiding the first gas 5, via which the first gas 5 can be introduced at least partially into a line exiting from the fuel cell arrangement 2 after the first gas has been discharged from the humidifier 4 and before the first gas has been introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger 3, bypassing the fuel cell arrangement 2. The flow of the first gas 5 in the line 5.5 is controllable by a valve 55. To prevent the gas flow in the line 5.5, the valve 55 can be completely closed.The system 100' according to FIG. 1 bfurther differs from the system 100 according to FIG. 1 a by-pass line 6.1 for guiding the second gas 6, via which the second gas 6 can be introduced at least partially into an outlet of the humidifier 4, in particular into an outlet of the fourth volume 11, after the second gas 6 has been discharged from the fuel cell arrangement 2 and before the second gas 6 has been introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger 3, bypassing the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 and the humidifier 4, The flow of the second gas 6 in the line 6.1 can be controlled by a valve 61. To prevent the gas flow in the line 6.1, the valve 61 can be completely closed.The system 100' according to FIG. 1 bfurther differs from the system 100 according to FIG. 1 a by-pass line 6.2 for guiding the second gas 6, via which the second gas 6 can be introduced at least partially into an outlet of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3, in particular into an outlet of the second volume 8, after the second gas 6 has been discharged from the fuel cell arrangement 2 and before the second gas 6 has been introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 while by-passing the gas-gas heat exchanger 3, in particular into an outlet of the second volume 8. To prevent the gas flow in the line 6.2, the valve 62 can be completely closed.The system 100' according to FIG. 1 bfurther differs from the system 100 according to FIG. 1 a by-pass line 6.3 for guiding the second gas 6, via which the second gas 6 can be introduced at least partially into an outlet of the humidifier 4, in particular into an outlet of the fourth volume 11, after the second gas 6 has been discharged from the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 and before the second gas 6 has been introduced into the humidifier 4, by by-passing the humidifier 4, the flow of the second gas 6 in the line 6.3 being controllable by a valve 63. To prevent the gas flow in the line 6.3, the valve 63 can be completely closed.The system 100' of FIG. 1b may include one, more or all of the bypass lines 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3. In FIG. 1 b, mutually crossing lines, which are in fluid communication with one another at the respective crossover point, are explicitly marked by a black point at the crossover point. Intersecting conduits not marked with a black dot at the intersection are not in fluid communication with each other at the intersection.FIG. 2 shows another gas supply and discharge system 200. The system 200 according to FIG. 2 differs from the system 100 according to FIG. 1 ain that the system 200 has a gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 which is connected upstream of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3. The gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 of the system 200 serves for transferring heat between the first gas 5 and a liquid cooling medium 14 before the introduction of the first gas 5 into the gas-gas heat exchanger 3. Here, the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 of the system 200 serves for cooling the first gas 5 before the introduction of the first gas 5 into the gas-gas heat exchanger 3.The gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 comprises a volume 18 for guiding the first gas. Via an inlet 13 a, the first gas 5 is introduced into the volume 18, for example starting from the gas reservoir described above. An outlet 13 bof the volume 18 is connected via a line to the inlet 7 aof the first volume 7 of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3. A cooling medium 14 can be circulated in the volume 18 or through the volume 18, so that a heat transfer between the first gas 5 guided in the volume 18 and the cooling medium 14 takes place in the volume 18.In modified embodiments, the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 can additionally also be designed for transferring heat between the second gas 6 and the cooling medium 14. For this purpose, the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 can have, for example, a further volume for guiding the second gas 6, in or through which the cooling medium 14 can be circulated. The second gas can be introduced, for example, starting from the fuel cell arrangement 2 into this further volume of the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 and starting from this further volume of the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 can be introduced into the second volume 8 of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3, as described with reference to the system 100.The configuration of the fuel cell arrangement 2, the gas-gas heat transfer 3 and the humidifier 4 of the system 200 and their fluidic connections to one another correspond to those of the system 100 according to FIG. 1 a. In particular, the system 200 can optionally additionally have one, several or all of the bypass lines 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 shown in FIG. 1 b. Likewise, the method for supplying the first gas 5 to the electrode 2 aand for discharging the second gas 6 from the electrode 2 acan be carried out with the system 200 as described with reference to the system 100 according to FIG. 1 a.FIG. 3 shows another gas supply and discharge system 300. The gas supply and discharge system 300 according to FIG. 3 differs from the system 200 according to FIG. 2 in that the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 is connected between the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 and the humidifier 4. The outlet 7 bof the first volume 7 is connected via a line to the inlet 13 aof the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13. Via this line, the first gas 5 is introduced from the first volume 7 of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 into the volume 18 of the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 after the heat exchange between the first gas 5 and the second gas 6 in the gas-gas heat exchanger 3. The outlet 13 bof the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 is connected via a line to the inlet 10 aof the third volume 10 of the humidifier 4. Via this line, the first gas 5 is introduced from the volume 18 of the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 into the third volume 10 of the humidifier 4 after the heat exchange between the first gas 5 and the cooling medium 14 in the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13.The configuration of the fuel cell arrangement 2, the gas-gas heat transfer 3 and the humidifier 4 of the system 300 and their fluidic connections to one another otherwise correspond to those of the system 100 according to FIG. 1 a. In particular, the system 300 can optionally additionally have one, several or all of the bypass lines 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 shown in FIG. 1 b. In this case, the bypass line 5.3 can establish a fluid connection between the inlet 7 aof the first volume 7 and the outlet 13 bof the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13. The first gas 5 can thus be introduced at least partially directly into the humidifier 4, in particular into the third volume 10 of the humidifier 4, via the bypass line 5.3, before the introduction of the first gas 5 into the gas-gas heat exchanger 3, bypassing the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 and the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13.FIG. 4 shows another gas supply and discharge system 400. The gas supply and discharge system 400 according to FIG. 4 differs from the system 100 according to FIG. 1 a in that it includes a compressor 15 which compresses the first gas 5 before the introduction of the first gas 5 into the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 and an expander 16 which converts at least a part of the thermal energy of the second gas and / or the kinetic energy of the second gas into kinetic energy of the expander 16. By compressing the first gas 5 before introducing the first gas 5 into the fuel cell assembly 2 and supplying the first gas 5 to the electrode 2 a, a reaction rate of the reaction between the first gas 5 and the electrode 2 acan be increased. This may increase the efficiency of the fuel cell assembly 2 in converting chemical energy into electrical energy.An inlet 15a of the compressor may be connected, for example, to the gas reservoir described above. An outlet 15 bof the compressor is connected via a line to the inlet 7 aof the first volume 7 of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3. The first gas 5 is introduced from the compressor 15 into the first volume 7 of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3. The outlet 11 bof the fourth volume 11 of the humidifier 4 is connected via a line to an inlet 16 aof the expander 16. The second gas 6 is conducted to the expander 16 after moisture transfer between the first gas 5 and the second gas 6 in the humidifier 4.The compressor 15 can be designed as a rotary compressor with a compressor wheel. The expander may comprise a turbine driven by the second gas 6. Via a coupling 17 between the expander 16 and the compressor 15, the energy of the second gas 6 absorbed by the expander 16 is at least partially transmitted to the compressor 15 and is thus used for compressing the first gas 5 in the compressor. The coupling 17 may be a mechanical coupling, e.g., in the form of a belt connection between a turbine of the expander 16 and a compressor wheel of the compressor 15. the coupling 17 may also include a generator for converting kinetic energy of the expander 16 into electrical energy. This electrical energy can then drive, for example, an electric motor which in turn drives a compressor wheel of the compressor 15.Here and in the following, alternatively or additionally to the expander, a thermoelectric generator can also be provided which is configured to at least partially convert the thermal energy of the second gas 6 into electrical energy. The thermoelectric generator can then be connected to the compressor 15 via an electrical line, so that the electrical energy can be transmitted from the thermoelectric generator to the compressor 15. The compression of the first gas 5 by the compressor 15 can then be carried out at least partially with the aid of the electrical energy transmitted from the thermoelectric generator to the compressor 15.The configuration of the fuel cell arrangement 2, the gas-gas heat transfer 3 and the humidifier 4 of the system 400 and their fluidic connections to one another otherwise correspond to those of the system 100 according to FIG. 1 a. In particular, the system 400 can optionally additionally have one, several or all of the bypass lines 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 shown in FIG. 1 b. Likewise, the method for supplying the first gas 5 to the electrode 2 aand for discharging the second gas 6 from the electrode 2 acan be carried out with the system 400 as described with reference to the system 100 according to FIG. 1 a.FIG. 5 shows another gas supply and discharge system 500. The configuration of the compressor 15, the expander 16 and the coupling 17 and the fluidic connections of the compressor 15 and the expander 16 to the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 and to the humidifier 4 are realized as in the system 400 according to FIG. 4. The configuration of the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 and the fluidic connection of the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 to the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 and to the humidifier 4 are realized as in the system 300 according to FIG. 3.The configuration of the fuel cell arrangement 2, of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 and of the humidifier 4 of the system 500 and their fluidic connections to one another otherwise correspond to those of the system 100 according to FIG. 1 a. In particular, the system 500 can optionally additionally have one, more or all of the bypass lines 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 shown in FIG. 1 b. In this case, the bypass line 5.3 can establish a fluid connection between the inlet 7 aof the first volume 7 and the outlet 13 bof the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13. The first gas 5 can thus be introduced at least partially directly into the humidifier 4, in particular into the third volume 10 of the humidifier 4, via the bypass line 5.3, before the introduction of the first gas 5 into the gas-gas heat exchanger 3, bypassing the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 and the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13.FIG. 6 shows a further gas supply and discharge system 600. The configuration of the compressor 15, the expander 16 and the coupling 17 and the fluidic connection of the expander 16 to the humidifier 4 are realized as in the system 400 according to FIG. 4. The configuration of the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 and the fluidic connection of the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 to the gas-gas heat exchanger 3 are realized as in the system 200 according to FIG. 2. The outlet 15 bof the compressor 15 is connected via a line to the inlet 13 aof the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13, so that the first gas 5 compressed in the compressor 15 is introduced from the compressor 15 into the gas-liquid heat exchanger 13 and from there into the first volume 7 of the gas-gas heat exchanger 3.The configuration of the fuel cell arrangement 2, the gas-gas heat transfer 3 and the humidifier 4 of the system 600 and their fluidic connections to one another otherwise correspond to those of the system 100 according to FIG. 1 a. In particular, the system 600 can optionally additionally have one, several or all of the bypass lines 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 shown in FIG. 1 b. Likewise, the method for supplying the first gas 5 to the electrode 2 aand for discharging the second gas 6 from the electrode 2 acan be carried out with the system 600 as described with reference to the system 100 according to FIG. 1 a.

Claims

A gas supply and discharge system (100; 100'; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600) comprising: a fuel cell arrangement (2) having at least one electrode (2a); a gas-gas heat exchanger (3) for transferring heat between a first gas (5) to be supplied to the electrode (2a) and a second gas (6) discharged or dischargeable from the electrode (2a); and a humidifier (4) for transferring moisture between the first gas (5) and the second gas (6); wherein the fuel cell arrangement (2), the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) and the humidifier (4) are designed and are in fluid communication with one another in such a way that the first gas (5) to be supplied to the electrode (2a) can be introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) before the first gas (5) is conducted to the electrode (2a), and that the second gas (6) can be introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) starting from the electrode (2a) in order to transfer heat between the first gas (5) and the second gas (6) in the gas-gas heat exchanger (3); the first gas (5) and the second gas (6) can be introduced into the humidifier (4) starting from the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) for transferring moisture between the first gas (5) and the second gas (6) in the humidifier (4); and the first gas (5) can be introduced into the fuel cell arrangement (2) starting from the humidifier (4) and can be supplied to the electrode (2a); wherein the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) has a first volume (7) for guiding the first gas (5) and a second volume (8) for guiding the second gas (6), wherein the first and the second volume (8) for transferring heat between the first gas (5) guidable in the first volume (7) and the second gas (6) guidable in the second volume (8) are in thermal contact (9); wherein the humidifier (4) has a third volume (10) for guiding the first gas (5) and a fourth volume (11) for guiding the second gas (6), wherein the third and the fourth volume (11) for transferring moisture between the first gas (5) guidable in the third volume (10) and the second gas (6) guidable in the fourth volume (11) are separated via a water exchange element (12); wherein the first, second, third and fourth volumes (11) each have an inlet (7a, 8a, 10a, 11a) for introducing gas into the respective volume and an outlet (7b, 8b, 10b, 11b) for discharging gas from the respective volume; wherein the inlet (8a) of the second volume (8) and the outlet (10b) of the third volume (10) are each in fluid communication with the fuel cell arrangement (2); wherein the outlet (7b) of the first volume (7) is in fluid communication with the inlet (10a) of the third volume (10); and wherein the outlet (8b) of the second volume (8) is in fluid communication with the inlet (11a) of the fourth volume (11).The gas supply and discharge system (100; 100'; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600) according to claim 1, wherein the electrode (2a) is a cathode of the fuel cell assembly (2).Gas supply and discharge system (200; 300; 500; 600) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a gas-liquid heat exchanger (13) is arranged upstream and / or downstream of the gas-gas heat exchanger (3), in which heat can be transferred between the first gas (5) and / or the second gas (6) and a liquid cooling medium (14).Gas supply and discharge system (400; 500; 600) according to one of the preceding claims, having a compressor (15) for compressing the first gas (5).Gas supply and discharge system (400; 500; 600) according to claim 4, wherein the compressor (15) is in fluid communication with the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) in such a way that the first gas (5) can be introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) after the compression in the compressor (15).Gas supply and discharge system (400; 500; 600) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the compressor (15) or a further compressor is in fluid communication with the humidifier (4) and the fuel cell arrangement (2) in such a way that the first gas (5) can be introduced into the compressor (15) or into the further compressor starting from the humidifier (4) after the moisture transfer in the humidifier (4) and can be introduced into the fuel cell arrangement (2) starting from the humidifier (4) after the compression in the compressor (15) or in the further compressor starting from the compressor (15) or from the further compressor and can be introduced to the electrode (2a).Gas supply and discharge system (400; 500; 600) according to one of the preceding claims, having an expander (16) or a thermoelectric generator for converting at least part of the thermal energy of the second gas (6) and / or the kinetic energy of the second gas (6) into kinetic energy of the expander (16) or electrical energy, wherein the expander (16) or the thermoelectric generator is in fluid connection with the humidifier (4) in such a way that the second gas (6) can be supplied from the humidifier (4) to the expander (16) or the thermoelectric generator.Gas supply and discharge system (400; 500; 600) according to one of claims 4 to 6 and according to claim 7, wherein the expander (16) and the compressor (15) and / or the expander (16) and the further compressor are or can be coupled in such a way that the energy transferred from the second gas (6) to the expander (16) can be transferred at least partially for compressing the first gas (5) from the expander (16) to the compressor (15) and / or to the further compressor and / or wherein the thermoelectric generator and the compressor (15) and / or the thermoelectric generator and the further compressor are electrically connected such that the energy transferred from the second gas (6) to the thermoelectric generator can be transferred at least partially for compressing the first gas (5) from the thermoelectric generator to the compressor (15) and / or to the further compressor.Gas supply and discharge system (100, 100', 200, 300; 400; 500; 600) according to one of the preceding claims, which has one, more or all of the following bypass lines: a first bypass line (5.1) for guiding the first gas (5), via which the first gas (5) can be introduced at least partially into an outlet of the humidifier (4) before the introduction of the first gas (5) into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3), bypassing the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) and the humidifier (4); a second bypass line (5.2) for guiding the first gas (5), via which the first gas (5) can be introduced into the fuel cell arrangement (2) at least partially bypassing the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) and the humidifier (4) before the introduction of the first gas (5) into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3); a third bypass line (5.3) for guiding the first gas (5), via which the first gas (5) can be introduced into an outlet of the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) at least partially bypassing the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) before the introduction of the first gas (5) into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3); a fourth bypass line (5.4) for guiding the first gas (5), via which the first gas (5) can be introduced at least partially into the fuel cell arrangement (2) after the first gas (5) has been discharged from the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) and before the first gas (5) has been introduced into the humidifier (4) while bypassing the humidifier (4); a fifth bypass line (5.5) for guiding the first gas (5), via which the first gas (5) can be introduced at least partially into a line exiting from the fuel cell arrangement (2) after the first gas (5) has been discharged from the humidifier (4) and before the first gas is introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) while bypassing the fuel cell arrangement (2); a first bypass line (6.1) for guiding the second gas (6), via which the second gas (6) can be introduced at least partially into an outlet of the humidifier (4) after the second gas (6) has been discharged from the fuel cell arrangement (2) and before the second gas (6) is introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3), bypassing the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) and the humidifier (4); a second bypass line (6.2) for guiding the second gas (6), via which the second gas (6) can be introduced at least partially into an outlet of the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) after the second gas (6) has been discharged from the fuel cell arrangement (2) and before the second gas (6) is introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3), bypassing the gas-gas heat exchanger (3); and a third bypass line (6.3) for guiding the second gas (6), via which the second gas (6) can be introduced at least partially into an outlet of the humidifier (4) after the second gas (6) has been discharged from the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) and before the second gas (6) is introduced into the humidifier (4), bypassing the humidifier (4).Method for supplying a first gas (5) to at least one electrode (2a) of a fuel cell arrangement (2) of a gas supply and discharge system according to one of the preceding claims and for discharging a second gas (6) from the at least one electrode (2a), comprising the steps of: introducing the first gas (5) to be supplied to the electrode (2a) via the inlet (7a) of the first volume (7) of the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) into the first volume (7) and introducing the second gas (6) discharged from the electrode (2a) via the inlet (8a) of the second volume of the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) into the second volume (8) for transferring heat between the first gas (5) and the second gas (6) in the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) via the thermal contact (9) between the first volume (7) and the second volume (8); starting from the outlet (7b) of the first volume (7) of the gas-gas heat exchanger (3), introducing the first gas (5) tempered in the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) via the inlet (10a) of the third volume (10) of the humidifier (4) into the third volume (10), and starting from the outlet (8b) of the second volume (8) of the gas-gas heat exchanger (3), introducing the second gas (6) tempered in the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) via the inlet (11a) of the fourth volume (11) of the humidifier (4) into the fourth volume (11) for transferring moisture) between the first gas (5) and the second gas (6) in the humidifier (4) via the water exchange element (12; and starting from the outlet ( 10 b) of the third volume ( 10) of the humidifier ( 4), conducting the first gas ( 5) moistened or dehumidified in the humidifier ( 4) to the electrode ( 2 a).Method according to claim 10, wherein the first gas (5) and / or the second gas (6) are introduced into a gas-liquid heat exchanger (13), which transfers heat between the first gas (5) and / or the second gas (6) and a liquid cooling medium.Method according to Claim 11, wherein the first gas (5) and / or the second gas (6) are / is introduced into the gas-liquid heat exchanger (13) before being introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) and are / is introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) starting from the gas-liquid heat exchanger (13).Method according to claim 11, wherein the first gas (5) and / or the second gas (6) are / will be introduced into the gas-liquid heat exchanger (13) starting from the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) after the heat transfer in the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) and are / will be introduced into the humidifier (4) starting from the gas-gas heat exchanger (13).Method according to one of Claims 11 to 13, wherein the first gas (5) is compressed before the first gas (5) is fed to the electrode (2a) or before the first gas (5) is introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3).Method according to claim 14, wherein the first gas (5) is compressed after the moisture transfer between the first gas (5) and the second gas (6) has taken place in the humidifier (4).Method according to one of Claims 10 to 15, wherein the second gas (6) is supplied to an expander (16) or a thermoelectric generator in the humidifier (4) starting from the humidifier (4) after the moisture transfer between the first gas (5) and the second gas (6) and the thermal energy of the second gas (6) and / or the kinetic energy of the second gas (6) is at least partially converted into kinetic energy of the expander (16) or into electrical energy.Method according to Claim 16, wherein the energy transferred from the second gas (6) to the expander (16) or to the thermoelectric generator is transferred at least partially from the expander (16) or from the thermoelectric generator to the compressor (15) and / or to the further compressor for compressing the first gas (5).Method according to any one of claims 10 to 17, further comprising one or more of the following steps: before the introduction of the first gas (5) into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3), at least partially diverting the first gas (5) into an outlet of the humidifier (4); before the introduction of the first gas (5) into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3), at least partially diverting the first gas (5) into the fuel cell arrangement (2); before the introduction of the first gas (5) into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3), at least partially diverting the first gas (5) into an outlet of the gas-gas heat exchanger (3); after the first gas (5) is discharged from the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) and before the first gas (5) is introduced into the humidifier (4), at least partially diverting the first gas (5) into the fuel cell arrangement (2); after the first gas (5) is discharged from the humidifier (4) and before the first gas is introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3), at least partially diverting the first gas (5) into a line which is discharged from the fuel cell arrangement (2); before the second gas (6) is introduced into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3), at least partially diverting the second gas (6) into an outlet of the humidifier (4); before the introduction of the second gas (6) into the gas-gas heat exchanger (3), at least partially diverting the second gas (6) into an outlet of the gas-gas heat exchanger (3); and after the discharge of the second gas (6) from the gas-gas heat exchanger (3) and before the introduction of the second gas (6) into the humidifier (4), at least partially diverting the second gas (6) into an outlet of the humidifier (4).

Citation Information

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