Electrochemical device, electrochemical system, peripheral fluid module and electrochemical module
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2024-08-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-17
Smart Images
Figure EP2024072393_13022025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Description
[0002] Electrochemical electrochemical and electrochemical module
[0003] State of the art
[0004] An electrochemical device with at least one electrochemical module, which comprises a first cell unit and at least one further cell unit for electrochemically converting at least one reactant into at least one product, and with at least one fluid peripheral module for supplying the at least one electrochemical module with the reactant and / or for disposing of the product has already been proposed.
[0005] Disclosure of the invention
[0006] The invention is based on an electrochemical device with at least one electrochemical module, which comprises a first cell unit and at least one further cell unit for an electrochemical conversion of at least one reactant to at least one product, and with at least one fluid peripheral module for supplying the at least one electrochemical module with the reactant and / or for disposing of the product.
[0007] It is proposed that a total number of electrochemical modules be different from a total number of fluid peripheral modules of the same type. The cell units preferably each comprise at least one electrochemical cell, in particular at least one fuel cell or one electrolysis cell. The at least one fuel cell / electrolysis cell is designed, for example, as a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) / electrolysis cell (SOEC), as a molten carbonate fuel cell / electrolysis cell, as a direct methanol fuel cell / electrolysis cell, as a polymer electrolyte fuel cell / electrolysis cell, or the like. The cell units preferably each have a plurality of, preferably more than 100, particularly preferably at least 200, in particular at least 300, electrochemical cells, which are electrically connected in series and are intended for joint operation.The cell units are particularly preferably designed as a stack or as a stack assembly, in particular a double stack, triple stack, quadruple stack, or the like, of electrochemical cells. A stack assembly is understood to mean, in particular, at least two stacks that have common structural elements, such as a common carrier plate, common interconnectors, common fluid distribution plates, or the like. The cell units are preferably each designed as a finished part for pre-assembly. The electrochemical module particularly preferably comprises a plurality of, for example, at least three, preferably at least seven, particularly preferably at least eleven, further cell units. The cell units are preferably structurally identical.Alternatively, the electrochemical module comprises differently designed cell units, in particular cell units with a different number of electrochemical cells, in particular of the same type, and / or cell units with different types of electrochemical cells. The electrochemical module is intended, for example, to convert a preferably hydrogen-containing, methane-containing and / or ammonia-containing fuel, in particular natural gas, biogas or hydrogen, and an oxygen-containing fluid, in particular air, as reactants to generate electrical power, wherein the product is, for example, a carbon dioxide-containing and / or water-containing exhaust gas. Alternatively, the electrochemical module is intended to provide, for example, hydrogen and / or oxygen as a product, which is obtained by electrolysis of water as a reactant.
[0008] The electrochemical device can have up to four different basic types of fluid peripheral modules. For example, the electrochemical device comprises a cathode supply module as a fluid peripheral module for supplying cathodes of the electrochemical device with a cathode reactant. For example, the electrochemical device comprises an anode supply module as a fluid peripheral module for supplying anodes of the electrochemical device with an anode reactant. For example, the electrochemical device comprises a cathode disposal module as a fluid peripheral module for disposing of a cathode product. For example, the electrochemical device comprises an anode disposal module as a fluid peripheral module for disposing of an anode product. The basic types can be designed separately from one another or at least partially integrated with one another.For example, when using fuel cells, the cathode disposal module and the anode disposal module can be designed as a single exhaust gas disposal module, which is intended for disposing of a mixture of the anode product and the cathode product. For example, when using electrolysis cells, the cathode supply module and the anode supply module can be designed as a single supply module if the same substance is provided as the cathode reactant and the anode reactant. Particularly preferably, the total number of fluid peripheral modules of at least one basic type, preferably several, in particular all basic types, is different from the total number of electrochemical modules. The total number of fluid peripheral modules of the same type, in particular basic type, can be different from or equal to a total number of fluid peripheral modules of a different type, in particular different basic type, from this type.Depending on the application, the electrochemical device can have further special types of fluid peripheral modules, for example, a steam feed module for steam reforming a fuel, a recirculation module for feeding the at least one product, in particular the anode product, back into the at least one reactant, in particular the anode reactant, or the like. The number of fluid peripheral modules of the special type preferably depends on the type of the fluid peripheral module of the basic type to which they are connected or into which they are integrated. The fluid peripheral modules and the at least one electrochemical module are preferably each designed as a prefabricated part.
[0009] The fluid peripheral modules and the at least one electrochemical module are preferably arranged in a common housing. The housing preferably has fluid connections for connecting the fluid peripheral modules to an external central reactant supply and / or central product disposal of a higher-level electrochemical system, in particular with at least one further electrochemical device. "Provided" is to be understood in particular as specifically programmed, designed, and / or equipped. The fact that an object is provided for a specific function is to be understood in particular as meaning that the object fulfills and / or executes this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.
[0010] The design according to the invention allows the nominal power of the electrochemical device to be scaled advantageously easily and reliably. In particular, an advantageously uniform fluid supply to the cell units can be achieved.
[0011] It is further proposed that the electrochemical device comprise at least one further fluid peripheral module which is of the same type, in particular of the basic type, as the at least one fluid peripheral module, wherein the at least one fluid peripheral module and the at least one further fluid peripheral module are connected to the same electrochemical module. Particularly preferably, the fluid peripheral modules are designed for fewer cell units than the at least one electrochemical module comprises. For example, the at least one electrochemical module is fluidically connected, in particular in parallel, to at least two, in particular necessary, anode supply modules, to at least two, in particular necessary, cathode supply modules, to at least two, in particular necessary, anode disposal modules and / or to at least two, in particular necessary, cathode disposal modules.A "necessary" module should be understood in particular as a module that must be operated to provide a rated output of the electrochemical device. A necessary module is preferably different from a redundant secondary fluid peripheral module, which is provided as failure protection and is activated, for example, in the event of a failure of a primary fluid peripheral module. Fluid peripheral modules of the same type can be designed completely separately from one another or have at least one common component, for example a common fluid conveying unit, in particular a fan, a blower, a compressor or the like, for conveying the at least one reactant and / or the at least one product through the electrochemical device. The design according to the invention makes it possible to achieve an advantageously uniform fluid flow through all cell units of the electrochemical module.
[0012] It is further proposed that the electrochemical device comprise at least one additional fluid peripheral module of a further type, in particular a basic type, wherein the at least one fluid peripheral module has a first type, in particular a first basic type, different from the further type, and wherein a total number of fluid peripheral modules of the further type differs from a total number of fluid peripheral modules of the first type. For example, the electrochemical device has a total number of anode supply modules that differs from a total number of cathode supply modules of the electrochemical device. Alternatively, the total number of all fluid peripheral modules of the same type is identical for all basic types of the electrochemical device. The configuration according to the invention advantageously allows the electrochemical device to be flexibly scaled and designed.For example, a relatively low total number may be used if a type of fluid peripheral module includes a maintenance-intensive, cost-intensive, and / or bulky component. For example, a relatively high total number may be used to achieve advantageously high fluid flow homogeneity.
[0013] It is further proposed that the electrochemical device comprise at least one further electrochemical module, wherein the at least one electrochemical module and the at least one further electrochemical module are connected to the same fluid peripheral module. The fluid peripheral modules are designed in particular for more cell units than the at least one electrochemical module comprises. For example, the fluid peripheral modules are designed for all cell units of all electrochemical modules of the electrochemical device. For example, the at least one electrochemical module and at least one further electrochemical module of the electrochemical device are fluidically connected, in particular in parallel, to a common anode supply module, to a common cathode supply module, to a common anode disposal module and / or to a common cathode disposal module.Due to the design according to the invention, the electrochemical device can be kept advantageously compact and advantageously with few components.
[0014] It is further proposed that the electrochemical device comprise at least one fluid control unit for adjusting individual fluid flows between the electrochemical modules and the at least one fluid peripheral module. The electrochemical device preferably comprises at least one distributor for distributing the at least one reactant to the electrochemical modules. The distributor is particularly preferably integrated into the at least one fluid peripheral module. Alternatively, the distributor is fluidically arranged between the at least one fluid peripheral module and the electrochemical module. The distributor preferably comprises a plurality of reactant outlets for transferring the at least one reactant to at least one, in particular to exactly one, of the electrochemical modules.The fluid control unit preferably comprises at least one, in particular at least one, control element at one, preferably at the majority, particularly preferably at each, of the reactant outlets. The control elements can be designed, for example, as a valve, particularly preferably as a continuous valve, as a throttle valve, or the like. Particularly preferably, the fluid control unit is integrated into the at least one fluid peripheral module, for example, arranged with other components of the fluid peripheral module, in particular the distributor, in a common module housing, on a common module frame, on a common module mounting plate of the fluid peripheral module, or the like.Alternatively, at least one, in particular exactly one, of the actuating elements is integrated into each of the electrochemical modules, for example, arranged with other components of the electrochemical module in a common module housing, on a common module frame, on a common module mounting plate of the fluid peripheral module, or the like. Alternatively, the fluid actuating unit is formed separately from the fluid peripheral module. The inventive design allows a flow parameter of the at least one reactant to be advantageously adjusted in a module-specific manner.
[0015] It is further proposed that the electrochemical device comprise at least one module control or regulating unit for individually monitoring the operation of the electrochemical modules. A "control or regulating unit" is to be understood in particular as a unit with at least one control electronics unit. A "control electronics unit" is to be understood in particular as a unit with a processor unit and with a memory unit as well as with an operating program stored in the memory unit. The module control or regulating unit is preferably provided for controlling the fluid control unit. Particularly preferably, the control or regulating unit is provided for regulating an operating parameter of the electrochemical modules by means of the fluid control unit.The operating parameter is, for example, an operating temperature of the electrochemical modules, a reactant flow rate of one of the reactants through the electrochemical modules, a pressure or pressure drop of the reactant within or across the electrochemical module, or the like. The module control or regulating unit preferably comprises at least one, in particular hardware-based, control or regulating element for specifically monitoring the operation of the electrochemical module, in particular as a function of a specific operating parameter of this electrochemical module. Preferably, the electrochemical device comprises at least one, in particular one, further module control or regulating unit for specifically monitoring the operation of the, in particular each, further electrochemical module, in particular as a function of a specific operating parameter of this, in particular of the respective, further electrochemical module.The module control or regulating units can be designed separately in terms of hardware or implemented in terms of software on a common hardware of the module control or regulating units. Preferably, at least one of the actuating elements of the fluid actuating unit, in particular at least one cathode actuating element and one anode actuating element, is assigned to each module control or regulating unit, which can be adjusted by the respective module control or regulating unit for the specific operational control of at least one of the electrochemical modules. The design according to the invention allows an advantageously homogeneous fluid distribution to be flexibly adjusted across the various electrochemical modules. In particular, different rates of aging processes in the electrochemical modules can advantageously be taken into account when distributing the reactants.It is further proposed that the electrochemical device comprise at least one central control or regulating unit for synchronizing the operation of the various electrochemical modules and the at least one fluid peripheral module. The central control or regulating unit and the module control or regulating unit can be at least partially integrated with one another, for example, comprise the same processor unit and / or be arranged on a common circuit board or be designed separately in terms of hardware. The control or regulating unit and the module control or regulating unit are preferably connected via data technology, in particular for wired and / or wireless communication. The central control or regulating unit is preferably provided for global operational monitoring of the electrochemical device.The central control or regulating unit is configured, for example, to control or regulate an electrical power input or output of the electrochemical device, a change in operating state, in particular a start-up, a shutdown or the like, of the electrochemical device, an operation of an afterburner and / or preheater of the electrochemical device, a total fluid flow and / or an inlet temperature of the at least one reactant, a recirculation rate of the at least one product, a steam supply to one of the reactants or the like.The central control or regulating unit preferably comprises at least one interface with the module control or regulating unit, which is intended to transfer a setpoint and / or a permissible value range of the operating parameter of the electrochemical modules, which was determined by the central control or regulating unit, in particular within the framework of one of the above-mentioned control or regulating processes, to the module control or regulating unit. The module control or regulating unit preferably comprises at least one interface, which is intended to transfer sensor data, in particular an actual value of the operating parameter, in particular of all electrochemical modules, a setting of the fluid control unit, in particular of all actuating elements, or the like, to the central control or regulating unit. The design according to the invention advantageously allows the electrochemical device to be monitored and adjusted in detail.
[0016] It is further proposed that the cell units of the at least one electrochemical module be distributed across a plurality of submodules of the electrochemical module, with a thermal insulation element arranged between each two of the submodules. Preferably, the submodules comprise at least two of the cell units. The submodules preferably each comprise the same number of cell units. Alternatively, at least one of the submodules comprises a different number of cell units than another of the submodules.
[0017] Preferably, the cell units within a submodule are electrically connected in series. The electrochemical module preferably comprises at least, in particular per submodule, one stack DC-DC converter which is connected to the cell units, in particular of the submodule, of the electrochemical module. The electrochemical device preferably comprises a central DC-DC converter to which the stack DC-DC converters are connected, in particular electrically in parallel. Preferably, each submodule is assigned at least one, in particular exactly one, fluid peripheral module of each type. The fluid peripheral modules can be provided for connection to exactly one of the submodules or for parallel connection to several of the submodules. In particular, the different types of fluid peripheral modules can be designed for connection to different numbers of submodules.The submodules preferably each comprise at least two, preferably at least four, particularly preferably at least six, in particular at least eight, cell units. The submodules preferably each comprise up to 32, preferably up to 24, particularly preferably up to 16, in particular up to eight, cell units.
[0018] The submodules are preferably arranged one behind the other along at least one, in particular exactly one, submodule stacking direction. Alternatively, the submodules are arranged in at least two rows at least substantially parallel to the submodule stacking direction. The submodule stacking direction can be straight or curved, in particular circular, oval, or elliptical. “Substantially parallel” is to be understood here as meaning, in particular, an alignment of a direction relative to a reference direction, in particular in a plane, wherein the direction has a deviation from the reference direction of, in particular, less than 8°, advantageously less than 5°, and particularly advantageously less than 2°. Preferably, within one, in particular each, of the submodules, at least two of the cell units are arranged along a first cell unit stacking direction.The first cell unit stacking direction preferably runs at least substantially parallel to the sub-module stacking direction. Alternatively, the first cell unit stacking direction runs transversely to the sub-module stacking direction. Preferably, within one, in particular each, of the sub-modules, at least two of the cell units are arranged along at least one, in particular exactly one, further cell unit stacking direction. Preferably, the further cell unit stacking direction runs at least substantially perpendicular to the first cell unit stacking direction. Alternatively, the further cell unit stacking direction runs transversely to the first cell unit stacking direction. Preferably, one, in particular each, of the sub-modules comprises exactly two cell units along the first cell unit stacking direction, in particular such that two cell units are arranged between each two of the thermal insulation elements.
[0019] Preferably, the cell units are arranged in a grid pattern within one, in particular each, of the submodules. For example, four of the cell units that are arranged directly adjacent within a submodule are arranged in different corners of an imaginary convex quadrilateral, in particular a parallelogram, preferably a rectangle, in particular a square, or alternatively a rhombus. The first cell unit stacking direction and the further cell unit stacking direction span a plane that preferably runs at least substantially perpendicular or at least substantially parallel to a cell unit stacking direction of the electrochemical cells within the cell units.
[0020] The inventive design allows for an advantageously homogeneous temperature distribution within the electrochemical module. In particular, a temperature gradient from the cell units located inside the electrochemical module to the cell units located outside the same electrochemical module can be advantageously kept small.
[0021] It is further proposed that the thermal insulation element be designed depending on an internal temperature profile of the cell units. Particularly preferably, the electrochemical device comprises at least one first end insulation element and at least one further end insulation element, which are arranged along the submodule stacking direction. Preferably, all submodules of the at least one electrochemical module and in particular the already mentioned insulation elements, hereinafter referred to as inter-submodule insulation elements for differentiation, are arranged between the at least one end insulation element and the at least one further end insulation element with respect to the submodule stacking direction. The end insulation elements can be formed separately or in one piece and, for example, be formed as part of an insulation receiving unit, in particular an insulation housing, in which the submodules are arranged.The end insulating elements preferably have a greater material thickness parallel to the sub-module stacking direction than the inter-submodule insulating elements. The inter-submodule insulating elements can all have the same material thickness or gradually become thinner from the outside to the inside along the sub-module stacking direction. The material thickness of the insulating elements, i.e., the end insulating elements and / or the inter-submodule insulating elements, is preferably selected such that the temperature profile is as flat as possible along the sub-module stacking direction during uniform operation, in particular at full load, of all cell units. The configuration according to the invention advantageously allows a deviation between an operating temperature of the outer cell units and an operating temperature of the inner cell units to be kept small.
[0022] Furthermore, an electrochemical system is proposed with at least one electrochemical device according to the invention, in particular a plurality of electrochemical devices according to the invention, and with at least one central fluid supply unit for supplying the at least one electrochemical device with the at least one product. The electrochemical system preferably comprises a central reactant supply, to which the at least one electrochemical device, in particular the electrochemical devices, are fluidically connected. The central reactant supply comprises, for example, at least one fluid conveying unit, in particular a compressor, for transferring the at least one reactant to the at least one electrochemical device at a defined pre-pressure.The central reactant supply preferably comprises at least one reactant pretreatment unit, for example, a desulfurizer, a dehumidifier, a preheater, or the like. The electrochemical system preferably comprises a central product disposal unit, to which the at least one electrochemical device, in particular the electrochemical devices, are fluidically connected. The central product supply comprises, for example, a central product heat exchanger for cooling the product. The central product heat exchanger is, for example, integrated into a heating circuit, in particular for heating a location where the electrochemical system is used, for controlling the temperature of process water and / or drinking water, or the like.The central product supply includes, for example, a chimney for discharging the product into the environment, a transfer station for transferring the product to an external supply line, a filling station for filling the product into transport containers, or the like. The inventive design makes it possible to provide a modular electrochemical system whose nominal power is advantageously easily scalable, particularly since undesirable side effects of scaling, such as inhomogeneous fluid distribution, inhomogeneous temperature distribution, or the like, can be advantageously kept to a minimum.
[0023] Furthermore, a fluid peripheral module for use in an electrochemical device according to the invention is proposed. The fluid peripheral module preferably comprises at least one fluid inlet for receiving a fluid, in particular the at least one reactant from the central reactant supply or the at least one product from the at least one electrochemical module. The fluid peripheral module preferably comprises at least one fluid outlet for discharging the fluid, in particular for transferring the at least one reactant to the at least one electrochemical module or for transferring the product to the central product disposal or the environment. The fluid peripheral module preferably comprises at least one module component for pretreatment, posttreatment, and / or control of the fluid.The fluid peripheral module preferably comprises at least one receiving unit in which the at least one module component is arranged, for example, a module housing, a module frame, a module mounting plate, or the like. The at least one module component is designed, for example, as a fluid conveying unit, in particular as a fan, a blower, a compressor, a valve, a preheater, a reformer, a heat exchanger, an afterburner, or the like. The configuration according to the invention makes it possible to provide an advantageously standardized fluid peripheral module that is designed, in particular, independently of the rated power of the electrochemical system.
[0024] Furthermore, an electrochemical module for use in an electrochemical device according to the invention is proposed. The electrochemical module preferably comprises at least one cathode inlet for connection to at least one cathode supply module. The electrochemical module preferably comprises at least one anode inlet for connection to at least one anode supply module. The electrochemical module preferably comprises at least one anode outlet for connection to an anode disposal module. The electrochemical module preferably comprises a cathode outlet for connection to a cathode disposal module. The electrochemical module preferably comprises a plurality of cell units fluidly connected to the at least one cathode inlet, the at least one anode inlet, the cathode outlet, and the at least one anode outlet.The design according to the invention makes it possible to provide an advantageously compact, powerful and easily connectable electrochemical module.
[0025] The electrochemical device, electrochemical system, fluid peripheral module, and / or electrochemical module according to the invention are not intended to be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the electrochemical device, electrochemical system, fluid peripheral module, and / or electrochemical module according to the invention may, in order to fulfill a functionality described herein, have a number of individual elements, components, and units that differs from the number stated herein. Furthermore, in the value ranges specified in this disclosure, values within the stated limits are also to be considered disclosed and can be used arbitrarily. Drawings
[0026] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate six exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.
[0027] They show:
[0028] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an electrochemical system according to the invention,
[0029] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of an electrochemical device according to the invention,
[0030] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a submodule as the smallest repeatable unit of an electrochemical module according to the invention,
[0031] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the electrochemical module according to the invention with several submodules,
[0032] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of an electrochemical device according to the invention,
[0033] Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a control or regulation architecture of the electrochemical device according to the invention from Fig. 4,
[0034] Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a further alternative embodiment of an electrochemical device according to the invention,
[0035] Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of an electrochemical module according to the invention of the electrochemical device of Figure 7,
[0036] Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of a further alternative embodiment of an electrochemical device according to the invention, Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of a further alternative embodiment of an electrochemical device according to the invention and
[0037] Fig. 11 is a schematic representation of an alternative submodule as the smallest repeatable unit of an electrochemical module according to the invention.
[0038] Description of the embodiments
[0039] Figure 1 shows an electrochemical system 42a. The electrochemical system 42a comprises at least one electrochemical device 10a. The electrochemical device 10a comprises at least one electrochemical module 12a. The electrochemical module 12a comprises at least one first cell unit 16a and at least one further cell unit 18a, 20a, 22a for an electrochemical conversion of at least one reactant to at least one product (cf. Fig. 4). The cell units 16a, 18a, 20, 22a preferably each comprise a plurality, in particular a three-digit number, of electrochemical cells. The electrochemical system 42a is designed here, by way of example, for the operation of fuel cells, in particular with an oxygen-conducting electrolyte, such as solid oxide fuel cells, as the electrochemical cells of the cell units 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a.
[0040] The electrochemical device 10a comprises at least one fluid peripheral module 24a. The fluid peripheral module 24a is preferably provided as an anode supply module for supplying the at least one electrochemical module 12a with a fuel 48a as a reactant.
[0041] The electrochemical device 10a comprises at least one additional fluid peripheral module 26a. The additional fluid peripheral module 26a is preferably provided as a cathode supply module for supplying the at least one electrochemical module 12a with oxygen 50a, in particular ambient air. The electrochemical module 12a is provided to electrochemically convert the fuel 48a and the oxygen 50a, thereby producing a cathode-side exhaust gas and an anode-side exhaust gas as products. The electrochemical device 10a comprises, for example, an exhaust gas disposal module 52a for jointly disposing of the cathode-side exhaust gas and the anode-side exhaust gas.
[0042] The electrochemical device 10a comprises at least one further fluid peripheral module 24a', which is of the same type as the at least one fluid peripheral module 24a, i.e. here is also designed as an anode supply module. The at least one fluid peripheral module 24a and the at least one further fluid peripheral module 24a' are connected to the same electrochemical module 12a. The electrochemical device 10a comprises at least one further additional fluid peripheral module 26a', which is of the same type as the at least one additional fluid peripheral module 26a, i.e. here is also designed as a cathode supply module. The at least one additional fluid peripheral module 26a and the at least one further additional fluid peripheral module 26a' are connected to the same electrochemical module 12a. The fluid peripheral module 24a, 24a' or26a, 26a' of the same type are preferably provided to supply different individual cell units 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a or different groups of cell units 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a of the electrochemical module 12a.
[0043] A total number of electrochemical modules 12a of the electrochemical device 10a differs from a total number of fluid peripheral modules 24a, 26a of the same type. A total number of additional fluid peripheral modules 26a differs from a total number of fluid peripheral modules 24a. For example, the electrochemical device 10a comprises exactly one electrochemical module 12a. For example, the electrochemical device 10a comprises more, in particular three times as many, cathode supply modules as electrochemical modules 12a. For example, the electrochemical device 10a comprises more, in particular six times as many, anode supply modules as electrochemical modules 12a. For example, the electrochemical device 10a comprises more, in particular twice as many, anode supply modules as cathode supply modules.
[0044] The electrochemical system 42a comprises at least one electrochemical device 44a, in particular one structurally identical to the electrochemical device 10a. The electrochemical system 42a comprises at least one central fluid supply unit 46a for supplying the electrochemical devices 10a, 44a with the fuel 48a. The central fluid supply unit 46a is preferably connected to a respective fluid inlet of the anode supply modules. The central fluid supply unit 46a comprises, for example, a compressor for subjecting the fuel 48a to a defined pre-pressure and / or a purification unit, in particular a desulfurizer, for separating pollutants from the fuel 48a. The electrochemical system 42a comprises, for example, a central product disposal 56a, which is connected to a respective fluid outlet of the exhaust gas disposal modules 52a.The central product disposal 56a comprises, for example, a central exhaust heat exchanger for recovering heat from the exhaust gas and / or a chimney for discharging exhaust gas 54a exiting from the exhaust gas disposal modules 52a to the environment. The electrochemical system 42a may comprise a further central fluid supply unit connected to the cathode supply modules. Alternatively, as shown here, the cathode supply modules are each provided to individually draw in ambient air to supply the electrochemical module 12a with oxygen 50a.
[0045] Figure 2 shows details of the fluid peripheral modules 24a, 26a. The fluid peripheral module 24a, designed as an anode supply system, preferably comprises a fuel inlet 58a for inlet of the fuel 48a into the anode supply module. The fuel inlet 58a of the anode supply module is preferably connected to the central fluid supply unit 46a of the electrochemical system 42a. The anode supply module comprises, for example, a fuel feed unit 60a, which is arranged downstream of the fuel inlet 58a. The anode supply module comprises, for example, a reformer 64a, which is arranged downstream of the fuel feed unit 60a. The anode supply module preferably comprises a fluid outlet downstream of the reformer 64a, which is provided for connection to an anode inlet of the electrochemical module 12a.The anode supply module preferably comprises a fuel preheater 74a for transferring heat to the fuel 48a, which is preferably arranged fluidically between the fuel feed unit 60a and the reformer 64a. The anode supply module preferably comprises an exhaust gas inlet for feeding the anode-side exhaust gas back into the fuel 48a, in particular upstream of the fuel feed unit 60a. The anode supply module comprises, for example, a recuperator 62a for transferring heat from the anode-side exhaust gas to the fuel 48a located downstream of the fuel feed unit 60a. The recuperator 62a is preferably arranged upstream of the fuel preheater 74a with respect to the fuel 48a.
[0046] The fluid peripheral module 26a, designed as a cathode supply module, preferably comprises an air inlet 66a for admitting ambient air into the cathode supply module. The air inlet 66a is preferably equipped with an air filter. The cathode supply module comprises, for example, an air conveying unit 68a, which is arranged downstream of the air inlet 66a. The cathode supply module preferably comprises an air preheater 76a, which is arranged in particular downstream of the air conveying unit 68a. The cathode supply module preferably comprises an air outlet downstream of the air preheater 76a for transferring heat to the air, which is provided for connection to a cathode inlet of the electrochemical module 12a. The cathode supply module comprises, for example, a bypass for bypassing the air preheater 76a and a bypass valve 70a arranged in the bypass.The bypass valve 70a is preferably designed as a continuous valve in order to regulate a temperature of the air.
[0047] The exhaust gas disposal module 52a preferably includes an afterburner 72a connected to a cathode outlet and an anode outlet of the electrochemical module 12a. An outlet of the afterburner 72a is preferably fluidly connected to the fuel preheater 74a and / or the air preheater 76a for providing heat from an afterburner exhaust gas of the afterburner 72a.
[0048] Figure 3 shows a submodule 36a as the smallest repeatable unit of the electrochemical module 12a. The submodule 36a preferably comprises a plurality of the cell units 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a. The cell units 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a are preferably arranged in a grid pattern within the submodule 36a, in particular along a first cell unit stacking direction 84a and along a further cell unit stacking direction 86a. Preferably, exactly two of the cell units 16a, 18a and 20a, 22a are arranged in the first cell unit stacking direction 84a. At least two or more of the cell units 16a, 20a and 18a, 22a are arranged in the further cell unit stacking direction 86a. Preferably, the cell units 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a of the submodule 36a are electrically connected in series, for example by means of an electrical line 118a of this submodule 36a, 38a.The number of rows of cell units 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a connected in series by the same electrical line 118a is preferably limited, in particular in order to be able to use an electrical current through the cell units 16a as a controlled variable. The number of rows preferably depends on the design of the cell units 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a, in particular on the number of electrochemical cells per cell unit 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a. For example, the number of rows, as shown here, is 4, with the cell units 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a comprising, for example, 225 electrochemical cells. However, the number of rows can also be less than 4, in particular 3 or 2, or greater than 4. The submodule 36a, for example, has an electrical output of 30 kW as the smallest repeatable unit.For example, two fluid peripheral modules 24a configured as an anode supply module and a further fluid peripheral module 26a configured as a cathode supply module are assigned to the submodule 36a. A distributor 120a, 122a of the electrochemical device 10a, in particular a respective distributor, for connecting the fluid peripheral modules 24a, 24a', 26a, 26a' to the cell units 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a can, as shown here by way of example, be connected to the submodule 36a in a plane that is at least substantially perpendicular to the further cell unit stacking direction 86a or in a plane spanned by the cell unit stacking directions 84a, 86a. Alternatively, the distributors 120a, 122a are integrated into the submodule 36a, wherein a main supply connection of the distributors 120a, 122a is arranged in one of the said levels.
[0049] Figure 4 shows the electrochemical module 12a. The electrochemical module 12a preferably comprises a plurality of, in particular identically constructed, submodules 36a, 38a. The cell units 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a of the at least one electrochemical module 12a are distributed among a plurality of the submodules 36a, 38a of the electrochemical module 12a. The submodules 36a, 38a are preferably arranged one behind the other along a submodule stacking direction 82a. Preferably, the first cell unit stacking direction 84a is at least substantially parallel to the submodule stacking direction 82a.
[0050] A thermal insulation element 40a of the electrochemical module 12a is arranged between each two of the submodules 36a, 38a. The electrochemical module 12a preferably comprises at least two end insulation elements 78a, 80a, which are arranged on both sides along the submodule stacking direction 82a on the respective outermost cell units 16a, 20a. The thermal insulation elements 40a, 78a, 80a are designed depending on an internal temperature profile of the cell units 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a. In particular, the end insulation elements 78a, 80a are thicker than the insulation elements 40a between two of the submodules 36a, 38a.
[0051] Further exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in Figures 5 to 11. The following descriptions and the drawings are essentially limited to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, whereby with regard to components with the same designation, in particular with regard to components with the same reference numerals, reference can in principle also be made to the drawings and / or the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular Figures 1 to 4. To distinguish the exemplary embodiments, the letter a is placed after the reference numerals of the exemplary embodiment in Figures 1 to 4. In the exemplary embodiments in Figures 4 to 8, the letter a is replaced by the letters b to f.
[0052] Figure 5 shows an electrochemical device 10b. The electrochemical device 10b comprises at least one electrochemical module 12b and at least one further electrochemical module 14b, each of which comprises a first cell unit and at least one further cell unit for electrochemically converting at least one reactant into at least one product. The electrochemical device 10b comprises at least one fluid peripheral module 24b, which is designed as an anode supply module, for supplying the electrochemical modules 12b, 14b with fuel. The electrochemical device 10b comprises at least one fluid peripheral module 26b, which is designed as a cathode supply module and is provided for supplying the electrochemical modules 12b, 14b with oxygen, in particular air. The at least one electrochemical module 12b and the at least one further electrochemical module 14b are connected to the same fluid peripheral modules 24b, 26b.
[0053] A total number of electrochemical modules 12b, 14b differs from a total number of fluid peripheral modules 24b, 26b of the same type. Preferably, the electrochemical device 10b has fewer fluid peripheral modules 24b, 26b of the same type than electrochemical modules 12b, 14b. For example, the electrochemical device 10b has exactly one anode supply module. For example, the electrochemical device 10b has exactly one cathode supply module.
[0054] The electrochemical device 10b comprises at least one fluid control unit 28b for adjusting individual fluid flows between the electrochemical modules 12b, 14b and the at least one fluid peripheral module 24b, 26b. The fluid control unit 28b preferably comprises an air control element 90b (see Fig. 6) for adjusting an air flow from the cathode supply module to the electrochemical module 12b. The fluid control unit 28b preferably comprises a fuel control element 88b (see Fig. 6) for adjusting a fuel flow from the anode supply module to the electrochemical module 12b. The fluid control unit 28b preferably comprises at least, in particular each, one further air control element for adjusting an air flow from the cathode supply module to the, in particular each, further electrochemical module 14b of the electrochemical device 10b.The fluid control unit 28b preferably comprises at least, in particular each, one further fuel control element for adjusting a fuel flow from the anode supply module to the, in particular each, further electrochemical module 14b of the electrochemical device 10b.
[0055] Figure 6 shows a control or regulation architecture of the electrochemical device 10b. The electrochemical device 10b preferably comprises a module control or regulation unit 30b for individual operational monitoring of the electrochemical module 12b. The module control or regulation unit 30b preferably comprises a data interface 99b for reading sensors 92b, in particular temperature sensors, pressure sensors, or the like, of the electrochemical module 12b. The data interface 99b is preferably designed to control the air control element 90b and / or the fuel control element 88b assigned to the electrochemical module 12b.
[0056] The module control or regulation unit 30b comprises, for example, a temperature control unit 96b. The temperature control unit 96b is preferably provided to determine a temperature setpoint of an operating temperature of the electrochemical module 12b. The temperature control unit 96b is preferably provided to adjust, in particular to regulate, the operating temperature of the electrochemical module 12b. The temperature control unit 96b is preferably provided to protect the electrochemical module 12b against overheating.
[0057] The module control or regulation unit 30b comprises, for example, a conversion control unit 94b for controlling the electrochemical conversion performed by the electrochemical module 12b. The conversion control unit 94b is provided, for example, to set a target value for fuel utilization by the electrochemical module 12b and / or for an electrical current produced by the electrochemical module 12b. The conversion control unit 94b is preferably provided to adjust, in particular to regulate, the fuel utilization of the electrochemical module 12b. The conversion control unit 94b is preferably provided to counteract fuel depletion within the electrochemical module 12b.
[0058] The module control or regulation unit 30b comprises, for example, a monitoring unit 98b. The monitoring unit 98b is intended, for example, to monitor characteristics of the cell units, for example, a degradation state of the cell units. The monitoring unit 98b is preferably intended to monitor operating states of the electrochemical device 10b, for example, an air temperature of air provided by the cathode supply module. The monitoring unit 98b is preferably intended to monitor compliance with a limit value of an operating efficiency of the electrochemical module 12b. The monitoring unit 98b is preferably intended to monitor processes with a fast dynamic of the electrochemical module 12b.The electrochemical device 10b preferably comprises one, in particular one, further module control or regulating unit 32b for individual operational control of the, in particular each, further electrochemical module 14b of the electrochemical device 10b. The further module control or regulating unit 32b is preferably constructed identically to the module control or regulating unit 30b.
[0059] The electrochemical device 10b comprises at least one central control or regulating unit 34b for adjusting the operation of the different electrochemical modules 12b, 14b and the fluid peripheral modules 24b, 26b.
[0060] The central control or regulating unit 34b comprises, for example, an operating state control unit 100b for controlling a start-up and / or a shutdown process of the electrochemical device 10b.
[0061] The central control or regulating unit 34b comprises, for example, a power control unit 102b for coordinating an electrical power provided, in particular expected, by the electrochemical device 10b with an external consumption of the electrical power.
[0062] The central control or regulating unit 34b comprises, for example, a burner control unit 104b for monitoring an afterburner of the electrochemical device 10b, in particular a temperature of the afterburner and / or a residual fuel content of the anode-side exhaust gas.
[0063] The central control or regulating unit 34b comprises, for example, a steam control unit 106b for controlling a steam feed, in particular a steam temperature and / or a steam mass flow, into the fuel.
[0064] The central control or regulating unit 34b comprises, for example, an air control unit 108b for controlling an air supply by means of the cathode supply module, in particular the air temperature, an air volume flow, and / or a bypass rate of a bypass valve of the cathode supply module. The central control or regulating unit 34b comprises, for example, a fuel control unit 110b for controlling a fuel supply by means of the anode supply module, in particular a feed rate of fresh fuel and / or a recirculation rate of the anode-side exhaust gas.
[0065] The central control or regulating unit 34b preferably comprises a module data interface 114b for transmitting sensor data from the module control or regulating units 30b, 32b and / or for transmitting setpoints to the module control or regulating units 30b, 32b.
[0066] The central control or regulating unit 34b preferably comprises a system interface 116b for receiving sensor data from a higher-level electrochemical system, in particular from a central fluid supply unit 46b of the electrochemical system.
[0067] The central control or regulating unit 34b preferably comprises a metadata interface 112b for exchanging metadata with the module control or regulating units 30b, 32b. The module control or regulating units 30b, 32b are preferably provided to provide data for control at the level of the electrochemical device 10b, such as an internal system state, a fuel quality, at least one volume flow of the fuel and / or the oxygen, at least one temperature of the fuel, the oxygen, one of the exhaust gases, a component of the electrochemical modules 12b, 14b or the like, and / or at least one setpoint.The central control or regulating unit 34b is preferably provided to provide data for control at the level of the electrochemical modules 12b, 14b, such as an internal system state, fuel usage, an electrical voltage and / or an electrical current of the electrochemical modules 12b, 14b, at least one temperature of the fuel, the oxygen, one of the exhaust gases, a component of the electrochemical modules 12b, 14b, at least one volume flow of the fuel and / or the oxygen, at least one limit value, at least one alarm, or the like. For further features of the electrochemical device 10b, reference is made to Figures 1 to 4 and their description.
[0068] Figure 7 shows an electrochemical device 10c. The electrochemical device 10c comprises an electrochemical module 12c. The electrochemical module 12c comprises, for example, in particular an integer multiple of, twelve cell units 16c, 18c, 20c, 22c (see Fig. 8). The electrochemical module 12c has, for example, a nominal power of, in particular an integer multiple of, at least 120 kW. For example, the cell units 16c, 18c, 20c, 22c each comprise 300 electrochemical cells. The electrochemical device 10c comprises a plurality of fluid peripheral modules 24c, which are designed as anode supply modules, for supplying the electrochemical module 12c with fuel. The electrochemical device 10b comprises a plurality of fluid peripheral modules 26c, which are designed as cathode supply modules and are intended to supply the electrochemical module 12c with oxygen, in particular air.The electrochemical device 10c comprises the same number of cathode supply modules and anode supply modules, here, for example, one per two cell units 16c, 18c, 20c, 22c of the electrochemical module 12c.
[0069] Figure 8 shows the electrochemical module 12c with a first submodule 36c and with at least one further submodule 38c. The first submodule 36c and the at least one further submodule 38c have at least one common electrical line 118c, along which at least one of the cell units 16c, 18c of the first submodule 36c and at least one cell unit of the further submodule are electrically connected in series. For example, a total of three, in particular three each, of the cell units 16c, 18c are connected in series along the at least one, in particular along one each, electrical line 118c of the electrochemical module 12c. The electrochemical module 12c comprises, in particular, an integer multiple of two, in particular an integer multiple of four, electrical line 118c, each with the same number of cell units 16c, 18c.The smallest repeatable unit, which here comprises, for example, 12 cell units 16c, 18c, results in particular as the product of the number, here 2, of cell units in a further submodule stacking direction 86c of the submodules 36c, 38c and the lowest common multiple of a row number, here 3, of cell units per electrical line 118c, and a number, here 2, of cell units in a submodule stacking direction 82c of the submodules 36c, 38c. For further features of the electrochemical device 10c, reference is made to Figures 1 to 6 and their description.
[0070] Figure 9 shows an electrochemical device 10d. The electrochemical device 10d comprises an electrochemical module 12d. The electrochemical device 10d comprises a plurality of fluid peripheral modules 24d, which are designed as anode supply modules for supplying the electrochemical module 12d with fuel. The electrochemical device 10d comprises precisely one fluid peripheral module 26d, which is designed as a cathode supply module and is provided for supplying the electrochemical module 12d with oxygen, in particular air. For further features of the electrochemical device 10d, reference is made to Figures 1 to 8 and their descriptions.
[0071] Figure 10 shows an electrochemical device 10e. The electrochemical device 10e comprises an electrochemical module 12e. The electrochemical device 10e comprises a plurality of fluid peripheral modules 24e, which are designed as anode supply modules for supplying the electrochemical module 12e with fuel. The electrochemical device 10e comprises precisely one fluid peripheral module 26e, which is designed as a cathode supply module and is provided for supplying the electrochemical module 12e with oxygen, in particular air. For example, the electrochemical device 10e comprises one anode supply module for every four cell units of the electrochemical module 12e. For further features of the electrochemical device 10e, reference is made to Figures 1 to 9 and their description.
[0072] Figure 11 shows an alternative embodiment of a submodule 36f for an electrochemical module of an electrochemical device. The submodule 36f comprises distributors 120f, 122f for fluidically connecting fluid peripheral modules 24f, 26f of the electrochemical device to cell units 16f, 18f, 20f, 22f of the submodule 36f. The distributors 120f, 122f are preferably arranged between the cell units 16f, 18f, 20f, 22f. For further features of the submodule 36f, reference is made to Figures 1 to 10 and their descriptions.
Claims
Claims 1 . Electrochemical device (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d; 10e) with at least one electrochemical module (12a; 12b, 14b; 12c; 12d; 12e), which comprises a first cell unit (16a) and at least one further cell unit (18a, 20a, 22a) for an electrochemical conversion of at least one reactant to at least one product, and with at least one fluid peripheral module (24a, 26a; 24b, 26b; 24c, 26c; 24d, 26d; 24e, 26e) for supplying the at least one electrochemical module (12a; 12b, 14b; 12c; 12d; 12e) with the reactant and / or for disposing of the product, characterized in that a total number of electrochemical modules (12a; 12b, 14b; 12c; 12d; 12e) is different from a total number of fluid peripheral modules (24a, 26a; 24b, 26b; 24c, 26c; 24d, 26d; 24e, 26e) of the same type 2. Electrochemical device (10a; 10c; 10d; 10e) according to claim 1, characterized by at least one further fluid peripheral module (24a', 26a'; 24c', 26c'; 24d', 26d'; 24e', 26e'), which is of the same type as the at least one fluid peripheral module (24a, 26a; 24c, 26c; 24d, 26d; 24e, 26e), wherein the at least one fluid peripheral module (24a, 26a; 24c, 26c; 24d, 26d; 24e, 26e) and the at least one further fluid peripheral module (24a', 26a'; 24c', 26c'; 24d', 26d'; 24e', 26e') are connected to the same electrochemical module (12a; 12c; 12d; 12e).
3. Electrochemical device (10a; 10c; 10d; 10e) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by at least one additional fluid peripheral module (26a; 26d; 26e) of a further type, wherein the at least one fluid peripheral module (24a; 24d; 24e) has a first type different from the further type and wherein a total number of additional fluid peripheral modules (26a; 26d; 26e) of the further type differs from a total number of fluid peripheral modules (24a; 24d; 24e) of the first type.
4. Electrochemical device (10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one further electrochemical module (14b), wherein the at least one electrochemical module (12b) and at least one further electrochemical module (14b) are connected to the same fluid peripheral module (24b, 26b).
5. Electrochemical device (10b) according to claim 4, characterized by at least one fluid control unit (28b) for adjusting individual fluid flows between the electrochemical modules (12b, 14b) and the at least one fluid peripheral module (24b, 26b).
6. Electrochemical device (10b) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by at least one module control or regulating unit (30b, 32b) for individual operational control of the electrochemical modules (12b, 14b).
7. Electrochemical device (10b) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by at least one central control or regulating unit (34b) for an operational adjustment of the different electrochemical modules (12b, 14b) and the at least one fluid peripheral module (24b, 26b).
8. Electrochemical device (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d; 10e) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cell units (16a, 18a, 20a, 22a) of the at least one electrochemical module (12a; 12b, 14b; 12c; 12d; 12e) are distributed over a plurality of submodules (36a, 38a) of the electrochemical module (12a; 12b, 14b; 12c; 12d; 12e), wherein a thermal insulating element (40a) is arranged between each two of the submodules (36a, 38a).
9. Electrochemical device (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d; 10e) according to claim 8, characterized in that the thermal insulation element (40a) is dependent on an internal temperature profile of the cell units (16a. 18a, 20a, 22a).
10. Electrochemical system (42a) with at least one electrochemical device (10a, 44a), in particular a plurality of electrochemical devices, according to one of the preceding claims and with at least one central fluid supply unit (46a) for supplying the at least one electrochemical device (10a, 44a) with the at least one reactant.
11. A fluid peripheral module (24a, 26a; 24b, 26b; 24c, 26c; 24d, 26d; 24e, 26e) for use in an electrochemical device (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d; 10e) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
12. An electrochemical module (12a; 12b, 14b; 12c; 12d; 12e) for use in an electrochemical device (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d; 10e) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.