Test chamber and system for electrochemical generator system of fuel cell or electrolyzer type

Abstract

The present invention relates to a test chamber (100) for an electrochemical generator system (1) of the fuel cell or electrolyzer type, the test chamber comprising a power supply system (2), a gas management system (22) and a ventilation system (3), the test chamber (100) being intended to be arranged on a horizontal floor. According to the invention, the test chamber (100) comprises vertical walls (5), a ceiling (6) and an ambient air extraction outlet (8), the ceiling (6) being connected in a continuous and airtight manner to the vertical walls (5), the ceiling (6) being inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, the ambient air extraction outlet (8) being arranged in an area (7) of the ceiling close to a top of the inclined ceiling and the ambient air extraction outlet (8) passing through the ceiling (6). Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Test chamber and system for an electrochemical generator system of the fuel cell or electrolyzer type Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of metrology and testing devices. This invention is applicable to any testing equipment handling hydrogen, in particular any electrochemical generator system of the fuel cell or electrolyzer type.

[0002] It relates in particular to a secure test chamber. State of the art

[0003] In the above field, it is known to carry out measurements on a test bench.

[0004] However, gas management systems are generally complex and raise safety issues. In particular, the use of dihydrogen (H2) to power a fuel cell or generated at the output of an electrolyser involves risks in the event of a leak due to the explosiveness of dihydrogen.

[0005] It is desirable to have a secure environment for testing the operation of electrochemical generator systems of the fuel cell or electrolyzer type, under optimal safety conditions. Presentation of the invention

[0006] In this context, the present invention provides a test chamber for an electrochemical generator system of the fuel cell or electrolyser type, the test chamber comprising an electrical power supply system, a gas management system and a ventilation system, the test chamber being intended to be arranged on a horizontal floor.

[0007] According to the invention, the test chamber comprises vertical walls, a ceiling and an ambient air extraction outlet, the ceiling being continuously and airtightly connected to the vertical walls, the ceiling being inclined relative to a horizontal plane, the ambient air extraction outlet being arranged in an area of the ceiling near a top of the inclined ceiling and the ambient air extraction outlet passing through the ceiling.

[0008] Thus, being lighter than air, the dihydrogen likely to escape from the electrochemical generator system or the gas pipes rises naturally towards the inclined ceiling and then towards the ambient air extraction outlet. This passively prevents the accumulation of dihydrogen in the test chamber and thus increases the safety of the installation.

[0009] According to a particular and interesting aspect, the ceiling extends along an inclined plane forming an angle ALPHA with the horizontal plane.

[0010] Advantageously, the angle ALPHA is between 2 and 4 degrees and preferably equal to 3 degrees.

[0011] According to another particular and interesting aspect, the test chamber comprises a gas detection system connected to the ambient air extraction outlet, the gas detection system being capable of measuring a concentration of hydrogen circulating in the ambient air extraction outlet.

[0012] Advantageously, the test chamber comprises a control system adapted to compare the dihydrogen concentration measured by the gas detection system with a first threshold and a second threshold, the first threshold corresponding to a first predetermined percentage of a lower explosive limit of dihydrogen and the second threshold corresponding to a second predetermined percentage of the lower explosive limit of dihydrogen, the control system being configured to trigger an alarm and activate the ventilation system of the test chamber when the detected concentration is greater than the first threshold and the control system being configured to cut off the electrical power supply system of the electrochemical generator system when the detected concentration is greater than the second threshold.

[0013] According to a particular aspect, the test chamber comprises a floor continuously and airtightly connected to the vertical walls.

[0014] Advantageously, the test chamber comprises at least one airtight opening in one of the vertical walls.

[0015] According to yet another particular and interesting aspect, the test chamber comprises an air conditioning system adapted to maintain the test chamber at a set temperature.

[0016] The invention also relates to a test system comprising an intermodal container and a test chamber according to one of the described embodiments, the test chamber being arranged inside the intermodal container.

[0017] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] Furthermore, various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the appended description given with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting forms of embodiment of the invention and where:

[0019] [Fig-1] is a perspective view in partial section of a test chamber according to the invention, arranged in an intermodal container;

[0020] [Fig.2] is another perspective view in partial section of the test chamber according to the invention;

[0021] [Fig.3] is an exterior view of an intermodal container according to the invention inside which a test chamber is arranged.

[0022] It should be noted that in these figures the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references. Detailed description

[0023] Figures 1 and 2 show an orthonormal XYZ reference frame, in which the Z axis is vertical and the XY axes are horizontal. The test chamber 100 is described in connection with Figures 1 and 2.

[0024] The test chamber is understood here as being a portable test chamber placed inside a room, or is understood here as being the test chamber itself. In Figures 1 and 2, a test chamber 100 according to the invention is shown in partial sectional view installed inside an intermodal container 200. However, the test chamber 100 can also be installed directly inside a room in a building.

[0025] The test chamber 100 comprises four vertical walls 5 forming a quadrilateral on the ground, for example a rectangle or a square.

[0026] In Figures 1 and 2, only two vertical walls 5 are shown to allow the interior of the test chamber 100 to be viewed. However, the test chamber generally comprises four walls 5 assembled to form a closed quadrilateral. As illustrated in this example, the test chamber 100 comprises one or more openings formed in one of the walls 5. For example, the test chamber comprises a door 9 and a window 19. The openings, when closed, are advantageously airtight. For this purpose, the door 9 and the window 19 are provided with seals. The door 9 allows an operator to intervene inside the test chamber 100, for example to install an electrochemical generator system 1 to be tested.The fenestron 19 allows the operator to visually monitor the proper functioning of the electrochemical generator system 1 and the various devices and apparatuses placed inside the test chamber 100 without being directly exposed to the gases present inside the test chamber 100.

[0027] Advantageously, the test chamber comprises a ventilation system 3 and / or an air conditioning system 13 adapted to maintain the test chamber at a set temperature.

[0028] The test chamber is adapted to receive an electrochemical generator system 1 of the fuel cell or electrolyzer type on a test bench. In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the test bench is modular and comprises three modules mounted on wheels: a cooling module, an auxiliary module comprising a housing 14 and a module on which the electrochemical generator system 1 is installed with the hydrogen, air inlet and air outlet pipes; the cooling circuit pipes and the electrical connections. For this purpose, the test chamber is equipped with an electrical power supply system 2 and a gas management system 22. The gas management system 22 comprises, for example, a hydrogen supply for powering a fuel cell 1. For example, the electrical power supply system 2 is arranged partly on the outside of one of the walls 5 and connected to the inside of the test chamber via an electrical wiring device to power the electrochemical generator system 1 and the various control devices and / or measuring instruments.The input / output box 14 (I / O box in English) allows the acquisition of signals coming from all the test bench sensors. Similarly, the gas management system 22 is arranged partly on the outside of one of the walls 5 and connected to the inside of the test chamber via a set of tubes and fluidic fittings connected at the inlet and / or outlet to the electrochemical generator system 1. In this way, it is easy to replace only the electrochemical generator system 1 in order to test it without having to redo the electrical wiring or the fluid connection.

[0029] The test chamber 100 is arranged on a floor 4, for example here on the floor of a multimodal container 200. Alternatively, the test chamber comprises an independent floor 4. The floor 4 is connected in a continuous and airtight manner to the vertical walls 5. The floor 4 is here horizontal, that is to say in a plane parallel to the XY plane.

[0030] The test chamber 100 comprises a ceiling 6 which is connected in a continuous and airtight manner to the vertical walls 5. More specifically, the walls 5 and the ceiling 6 are connected at their joints in a continuous and airtight manner. Similarly, the walls are assembled two by two at their joints in a continuous and airtight manner. More particularly, the ceiling 6 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane XY. In this way, the inclined ceiling has a zone 7 near a top of the ceiling. For example, the ceiling is flat and inclined at an angle ALPHA relative to the horizontal plane XY. Advantageously, the angle ALPHA is between 2 degrees and 4 degrees and, preferably, equal to 3 degrees.

[0031] In addition, the test chamber 100 comprises an ambient air extraction outlet 8 arranged in the zone 7 near the top of the ceiling. The ambient air extraction outlet 8 passes through the ceiling 6. In other words, the lighter-than-air gases inside the test chamber can escape from the test chamber 100 via the ambient air extraction outlet 8.

[0032] Particularly advantageously, the test chamber comprises a system of gas detection 10 comprising at least one sensor arranged inside the test chamber 100, under the ceiling 7 and close to the ambient air extraction outlet 8. The gas detection system 10 is configured to measure at least the concentration of hydrogen circulating at the ambient air extraction 8. For example, the gas detection system 10 is based on an MX 16 analog and digital control unit from the company ADS, the control unit being intended for measuring gases in the atmosphere. In particular, the gas detection system 10 makes it possible to measure the gas concentration in real time, at an acquisition rate. For example, an OLCT10N detector is used to detect hydrogen.

[0033] The gas detection system 10 is connected to a control system 11. The gas detection system 10 provides an analog or digital electronic signal which is transmitted to the control system 11. Here, the term control system means any electronic processor or computer configured to process the electronic signals coming from the gas detection system 10. For example, an analog and digital control unit as described above is adapted to process the signals coming from one or more detectors.

[0034] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the control system 11 is arranged outside the test chamber 100. The control system comprises, for example, one or more computers which make it possible to monitor all the systems operating inside the test chamber 100.

[0035] In particular, the control system 11 is configured to compare the dihydrogen concentration measured at the ambient air extraction outlet 8 with a lower explosive limit of dihydrogen. More precisely, a first threshold is defined corresponding to a first predetermined percentage of a lower explosive limit (LEL) of dihydrogen. For example, the first threshold corresponds to 10% of the lower explosive limit of dihydrogen. In addition, the control system 11 is configured to trigger an alarm and shut off the dihydrogen supply when the measured dihydrogen concentration at the ambient air extraction outlet 8 is greater than the first threshold. In addition, a second threshold is defined corresponding to a second predetermined percentage of a lower explosive limit (LEL) of dihydrogen. For example, the second threshold corresponds to 20% of the lower explosive limit of dihydrogen.The control system 11 is configured to cut off the electrical power supply system of the entire test bench, and in particular of the electrochemical generator system, when the measured concentration of dihydrogen at the ambient air extraction outlet 8 is greater than the second threshold.

[0036] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the test chamber 100 may be arranged and fitted inside an intermodal container 200. For example, the dimensions The internal dimensions of the test chamber 100 are approximately 5.1 m in length by 2.4 m in width and approximately 2.6 m in height. The container 200 has external dimensions of approximately 6.05 m in length by 2.43 m in width and 2.89 m in height. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vertical walls 5 and the inclined ceiling 6 of the test chamber are located inside the external walls and ceiling of the container 200. Advantageously, the power supply system 2 and the gas management system 22 are located in a compartment of the container formed between an external wall of the container and a vertical wall of the test chamber 100. This arrangement makes it possible to isolate the power supply system 2 and the gas management system 22 from the apparatus and instruments placed inside the test chamber 100.For example, the ventilation system 3 and / or the air conditioning system 13 are placed partly outside the container 200 and connected to the inside of the test chamber 100 via suitable conduits. Advantageously, the container 200 comprises another outlet 18 which passes through the ceiling of the container 100. This other outlet 18 makes it possible to collect exhaust gases.

[0037] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the openings 9, 19 are inserted into the vertical walls of the container 200.

[0038] [Fig. 3] shows an external view of an example of container 200. Container 200 is easily transportable. The container includes all the apparatus, installations and devices necessary for testing an electrochemical generator system 1. The container allows safety tests to be carried out under controlled ventilation, pressure and temperature conditions.

Claims

Claims

1. Test chamber (100) for an electrochemical generator system (1) of the fuel cell or electrolyzer type, the test chamber comprising a power supply system (2), a gas management system (22) and a ventilation system (3), the test chamber (100) being intended to be arranged on a horizontal floor, characterized in that: the test chamber (100) comprises vertical walls (5), a ceiling (6) and an ambient air extraction outlet (8), the ceiling (6) being connected in a continuous and airtight manner to the vertical walls (5), the ceiling (6) being inclined relative to a horizontal plane, the ambient air extraction outlet (8) being arranged in an area (7) of the ceiling near a top of the inclined ceiling and the ambient air extraction outlet (8) passing through the ceiling (6).

2. Room according to claim 1 in which the ceiling (6) extends along an inclined plane forming an angle ALPHA with a horizontal plane.

3. Chamber according to claim 2 in which the angle ALPHA is equal to 3 degrees.

4. Chamber according to one of claims 1 to 3 comprising a gas detection system (10) connected to the ambient air extraction outlet (8), the gas detection system (10) being capable of measuring a concentration of dihydrogen circulating in the ambient air extraction outlet.

5. Chamber according to claim 4 comprising a control system (11) adapted to compare the dihydrogen concentration measured by the gas detection system (10) with a first threshold and a second threshold, the first threshold corresponding to a first predetermined percentage of a lower explosive limit of dihydrogen and the second threshold corresponding to a second predetermined percentage of the lower explosive limit of dihydrogen, the control system (11) being configured to trigger an alarm and actuate the ventilation system (3) of the test chamber (100) when the detected concentration is greater than the first threshold and the control system being configured to cut off the electrical power supply system of the electrochemical generator system when the detected concentration is greater than the second threshold.

6. Room according to one of claims 1 to 5 comprising a floor (4) continuously and airtightly connected to the vertical walls (5).

7. Chamber according to one of claims 1 to 6 comprising at least one airtight opening (9, 19) in one of the vertical walls (5).

8. Chamber according to one of claims 1 to 8 comprising an air conditioning system (13) adapted to maintain the test chamber at a set temperature.

9. A test system comprising an intermodal container (200) and a test chamber (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, the test chamber (100) being arranged inside the intermodal container (200).

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