System for managing energy storage device

Abstract

An energy storage device management system is provided to manage energy storage devices, such as battery modules, so as not to cause fires. The energy storage device management system comprises: an energy storage device for storing electricity; a housing in which the energy storage device is installed; a gas supply unit for supplying inert gas to the interior of the housing; and an off-gas intake unit for sucking in off-gas discharged from the energy storage device and discharging it to the outside through an off-gas discharge pipe connected to the energy storage device.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for managing an energy storage device. More specifically, it relates to a system for managing an energy storage device installed on a ship. Background Technology

[0002] Since ships are located at sea, it is difficult to receive power from land. Therefore, they are equipped with independent power systems within the hull, including generation, transmission, and distribution, to produce necessary electricity or efficiently manage the generated power.

[0003] Ships are equipped with battery systems within a battery room to efficiently store and manage generated electricity. In addition, ships are equipped with Energy Management Systems (EMS) and Battery Management Systems (BMS) to control the charging and discharging of the battery systems. Prior art literature

[0004] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0092521 (Publication Date: August 20, 2018) The problem to be solved

[0005] Lithium-ion batteries have a longer operating time and lifespan compared to other batteries, and they are also lightweight. For this reason, lithium-ion batteries are commonly used to build battery systems on ships.

[0006] However, lithium-ion batteries can emit toxic off-gas in the event of a fire.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an energy storage device management system that manages an energy storage device (e.g., a battery module) to prevent fire from occurring.

[0008] The problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0009] An aspect of an energy storage device management system of the present invention for achieving the above objective comprises: an energy storage device for storing power; a housing in which the energy storage device is installed; a gas supply unit for supplying an inert gas to the interior of the housing; and an off-gas intake unit for sucking in off-gas discharged from the energy storage device and discharging it to the outside through an off-gas discharge pipe connected to the energy storage device.

[0010] The interior of the above housing can be formed hermetically.

[0011] The above-mentioned off-gas exhaust piping can be opened if a fire occurs in the energy storage device.

[0012] The energy storage device management system may further include an air circulation unit that circulates air inside the housing; and an air cooling unit that cools the air circulating inside the housing.

[0013] The energy storage device management system described above further comprises at least one of an air conditioning unit that air-conditions the interior of the housing; and a ventilation device that ventilates the interior of the housing, wherein the air conditioning unit and / or the ventilation device may operate when there is entry into or exit from the interior of the housing.

[0014] The energy storage device management system may further include: a double access device provided on one side of the housing; a first door installed on a passage leading from the housing to the double access device; and a second door installed on a passage leading from the double access device to the outside.

[0015] The first door above can be locked when the second door is opened and unlocked when the second door is closed.

[0016] The energy storage device management system may further include a gas analysis unit that analyzes the oxygen concentration inside the housing; and a control unit that controls the operation of the gas supply unit based on the result of comparing the oxygen concentration and a reference value.

[0017] The energy storage device management system may further include: a first detection unit that detects heat or smoke when heat or smoke is generated inside the housing; a second detection unit that acquires an image of the inside of the housing; and a control unit that determines whether a fire has occurred inside the housing based on at least one of the detection result of the first detection unit and the detection result of the second detection unit, and controls the charging and / or discharging of the energy storage device.

[0018] Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal structure of an energy storage device management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal structure of an energy storage device management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a reference diagram for further explaining a ventilation device constituting an energy storage device management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal structure of an energy storage device management system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal structure of an energy storage device management system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0020] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but can be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0021] The present invention relates to an energy storage device management system for managing an energy storage device (e.g., a battery module) to prevent fire from occurring. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to drawings and the like.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal structure of an energy storage device management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] According to FIG. 1, an energy storage device management system (100) may be configured to include a housing (110), an energy storage device (120), a gas supply unit (130), an off-gas intake unit (140), and a pipe for off-gas discharge (150).

[0024] The energy storage device management system (100) manages the energy storage device (120) to prevent fire from occurring. To this end, the energy storage device management system (100) fills the interior of the housing (110) where the energy storage device (120) is installed with an inert gas, thereby preventing fire from occurring in the energy storage device (120).

[0025] The housing (110) accommodates a plurality of energy storage devices (120) inside it. The housing (110) can be configured to be gas-tight so that gas introduced inside it is not easily discharged to the outside. The housing (110) can be implemented, for example, as a battery room.

[0026] The housing (110) is designed with a Gas Tight condition so that internal gas can be discharged only through a ventilation port or a toxic gas pipe. If the Gas Tight condition is not present, a sensor capable of detecting inert gas may be installed around the housing (110) to monitor for leaks.

[0027] The energy storage device (120) stores power produced by a generator within the vessel. Multiple such energy storage devices (120) (120a, 120b, …, 120k, …, 120n) may be installed inside the housing (110). The energy storage device (120) may be implemented, for example, as a battery module.

[0028] Meanwhile, the energy storage device (120) may also be installed inside the vessel in a charged state in advance (e.g., before the vessel departs).

[0029] The gas supply unit (130) supplies gas capable of preventing a fire from occurring inside the housing (110). The gas supply unit (130) can, for example, supply inert gas to the inside of the housing (110). The energy storage device management system (100) can minimize the occurrence of a fire in the energy storage device (120) by filling the inside of the housing (110) with inert gas through the gas supply unit (130).

[0030] The gas supply unit (130) can supply nitrogen gas (N2), carbon dioxide gas (CO2), etc. as an inert gas. The gas supply unit (130) can be implemented, for example, as an IGG (Inert Gas Generator) or an IGS (Inert Gas System).

[0031] The gas supply unit (130) can be operated as follows in normal and emergency situations (e.g., in the event of a fire). First, the normal operation method will be explained.

[0032] The gas supply unit (130) can generate an inert gas (e.g., 85% N2, 15% CO2) under normal operating conditions. The gas supply unit (130) can fill the interior of the housing (110) with an inert gas to maintain an oxygen concentration of 10% or less, thereby reducing the risk of fire.

[0033] The gas supply unit (130) continuously supplies inert gas corresponding to 2 ACH (Air Change per Hour) to the housing (110), and can cause the inert gas previously inside the housing (110) to be discharged to the outside through the ventilation port.

[0034] Next, the operation method in case of emergency is explained.

[0035] In the event that toxic gas is generated due to a fire or other causes in the energy storage device (120), the toxic gas can be discharged to the outside through a separate pipe. Air with a raised temperature inside the housing (110) due to the fire can be discharged to the outside through a ventilation port, and since the toxic gas generated by the fire is mixed with the inert gas inside the housing (110), it can be discharged to the outside through the ventilation port. Meanwhile, toxic gas remaining inside the energy storage device (120) can be discharged to the outside through an off-gas discharge pipe (150).

[0036] The gas supply unit (130) can generate inert gas at maximum capacity and supply it to the interior of the housing (110). Here, the maximum capacity may be calculated based on 6 ACH of the housing (110) or a predetermined extinguishing capacity of 2 or more times, but the present embodiment is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0037] Inert gas can be continuously supplied into the housing (110) at least twice according to the regulations, and then switched to seawater. Since the regulations specify a minimum of two extinguishing times, inert gas can be supplied additionally three to four times, and then switched to seawater. When switching to seawater to extinguish a fire, a warning that the water will be switched to seawater can be given in advance as specified in the regulations. The switch from inert gas to seawater supply can be configured to be automatic after a prior warning is given.

[0038] The off-gas suction unit (140) sucks in off-gas generated from the energy storage device (120) in the event of a fire in the energy storage device (120). This off-gas suction unit (140) can be connected to each energy storage device (120) through an off-gas exhaust pipe (150). The off-gas suction unit (140) can be implemented, for example, as a suction fan for exhausting off-gas.

[0039] Meanwhile, the off-gas exhaust pipe (150) is normally closed, but can be opened when it is determined that a fire has occurred in the energy storage device (120). However, this embodiment is not limited thereto. It is also possible for the off-gas exhaust pipe (150) to be open at all times.

[0040] The energy storage device management system (100) described above with reference to FIG. 1 can significantly reduce the risk of fire in the energy storage device (120) by setting the internal boundary surface of the housing (110) to be airtight and filling the interior of the housing (110) with an inert gas generated by the gas supply unit (130) to maintain the oxygen concentration inside the housing (110) at 10% or less.

[0041] Meanwhile, the energy storage device management system (100) may further include an air circulation unit (210), an air cooling unit (220), an air conditioning unit (230), a ventilation device (240), a double entry / exit device (250), etc., in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1. This will be explained below.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal structure of an energy storage device management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] According to FIG. 2, the energy storage device management system (100) may be configured to include a housing (110), an energy storage device (120), a gas supply unit (130), an off-gas intake unit (140), and a pipe for off-gas discharge (150), and may further be configured to include at least one of an air circulation unit (210), an air cooling unit (220), an air conditioning unit (230), a ventilation device (240), and a double entry / exit device (250).

[0044] As the housing (110), energy storage device (120), gas supply unit (130), off-gas suction unit (140), off-gas discharge piping (150), etc. have been described above with reference to FIG. 1, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

[0045] The air circulation unit (210) circulates air inside the housing (110). The gas supply unit (130) can introduce inert gas into the interior of the housing (110). However, if this inert gas does not spread throughout the interior of the housing (110) but is concentrated in one side, it cannot prevent a fire from occurring in the energy storage device (120).

[0046] The air circulation unit (210) can circulate the air inside the housing (110) so that when an inert gas is introduced into the interior of the housing (110) by the gas supply unit (130), the inert gas spreads evenly throughout the interior of the housing (110). The air circulation unit (210) can be installed on the interior ceiling of the housing (110) and can be implemented, for example, as a circulator.

[0047] The air cooling unit (220) cools the air inside the housing (110). The energy storage device (120) can generate heat while supplying power to various load equipment within the ship. Therefore, in order to prevent a fire from occurring in the energy storage device (120), it is necessary to lower the temperature of the energy storage device (120).

[0048] The air cooling unit (220) can cool the air circulating inside the housing (110) by the air circulation unit (210). The air cooling unit (220) can lower the temperature of the energy storage device (120) through this function.

[0049] The air cooling unit (220) can cool the air inside the housing (110) using a heat exchange method. The air cooling unit (220) can be implemented, for example, as an air conditioner (A / C).

[0050] The air conditioning unit (230) air-conditions the interior of the housing (110). This air conditioning unit (230) can air-condition not only the interior of the housing (110) but also the interior of the double entry / exit device (250). The air conditioning unit (230) can be implemented, for example, as an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system.

[0051] The air conditioning unit (230) can perform the functions performed by the air cooling unit (220) or the ventilation unit (240). In this case, the air cooling unit (220), the ventilation unit (240), etc., do not need to be provided within the energy storage device management system (100) shown in FIG. 2.

[0052] Meanwhile, if an air cooling unit (220), a ventilation device (240), etc. are provided separately from the air conditioning unit (230) within the energy storage device management system (100) shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioning unit (230) may also control the operation of the air cooling unit (220) and / or the ventilation device (240).

[0053] The ventilation device (240) ventilates the interior of the housing (110). A person may enter the interior of the housing (110) to perform maintenance on various facilities (e.g., energy storage device (120)) within the housing (110). However, the interior of the housing (110) is filled with an inert gas to prevent fire in the energy storage device (120). Therefore, if a person enters the interior of the housing (110), it may cause injury to the person, such as difficulty breathing.

[0054] The ventilation device (240) can ventilate the interior of the housing (110) to discharge inert gas to the outside before a person enters the interior of the housing (110) in consideration of the above problem.

[0055] The air conditioning unit (230) and the ventilation device (240) may be operated, for example, as follows. When personnel need to enter the housing (110) for maintenance, etc., personnel may wait at the double entry device (250). While waiting, the housing (110) supplies fresh air through the air conditioning unit (230), and the inert gas previously inside the housing (110) is discharged to the outside through the ventilation port. Personnel may be allowed to enter after the interior of the housing (110) has been replaced with fresh air.

[0056] Meanwhile, the energy storage device management system (100) may further include a first gas analysis unit (310) and a first control unit (320) as shown in FIG. 3 to control the operation of the ventilation device (240).

[0057] FIG. 3 is a reference diagram for further explaining a ventilation device constituting an energy storage device management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The following description refers to FIG. 3.

[0058] The first gas analysis unit (310) analyzes the distribution (e.g., volume) of inert gas in the air filled inside the housing (110).

[0059] The first control unit (320) controls the operation of the ventilation device (240) based on the analysis results of the first gas analysis unit (310). If the analysis results of the first gas analysis unit (310) determine that the distribution of inert gas in the entire air is less than the first reference value, the first control unit (320) can control the ventilation device (240) so that it does not operate, and if the distribution of inert gas in the entire air is determined to be greater than or equal to the first reference value, the first control unit (320) can control the ventilation device (240) so that it operates.

[0060] Referring again to Fig. 2, the explanation will be provided.

[0061] Although a person may enter the interior of the housing (110) to perform maintenance on various facilities within the housing (110), considering that the interior of the housing (110) is filled with inert gas, it is also possible for a robot or the like to enter the interior of the housing (110) to perform maintenance on various facilities within the housing (110) instead of a person.

[0062] However, when a door that opens and closes one side of the housing (110) is opened for a robot or the like to enter and exit the housing (110), the inert gas filled inside the housing (110) for fire prevention purposes is discharged to the outside, making it difficult to maintain the oxygen concentration inside the housing (110). To solve this problem, the energy storage device management system (100) may further include a double entry / exit device (250).

[0063] The housing (110) and the double access device (250) may each be equipped with a first door (260) and a second door (270). The first door (260) may be installed on a passageway for accessing the double access device (250) from the housing (110), and the second door (270) may be installed on a passageway for accessing the double access device (250) to the outside.

[0064] In this embodiment, to minimize the outflow of inert gas inside the housing (110), the second door (270) is controlled to be locked when the first door (260) is opened, and the second door (270) is controlled to be unlocked only when the first door (260) is closed.

[0065] Meanwhile, the gas supply unit (130) can supply an inert gas to the interior of the housing (110) according to the oxygen concentration inside the housing (110). This will be explained below.

[0066] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal structure of an energy storage device management system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] According to FIG. 4, the energy storage device management system (100) may be configured to include a housing (110), an energy storage device (120), a gas supply unit (130), a second gas analysis unit (410), and a second control unit (420).

[0068] The housing (110), energy storage device (120), gas supply unit (130), etc. have been described above with reference to FIG. 1, so a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

[0069] The second gas analysis unit (410) analyzes the concentration of oxygen inside the housing (110).

[0070] The second control unit (420) controls the operation of the gas supply unit (130) according to the oxygen concentration inside the housing (110). The second control unit (420) can control the gas supply unit (130) not to supply inert gas to the inside of the housing (110) if it is determined that the oxygen concentration inside the housing (110) is less than or equal to a second reference value (e.g., 10%), and can control the gas supply unit (130) to supply inert gas to the inside of the housing (110) if it is determined that the oxygen concentration inside the housing (110) exceeds the second reference value.

[0071] The energy storage device management system (100) can achieve the effect of preventing a fire from occurring in the energy storage device (120) by maintaining a constant oxygen concentration in the housing (110) through the second gas analysis unit (410) and the second control unit (420).

[0072] Meanwhile, the energy storage device management system (100) described with reference to FIG. 4 may also be configured to further include at least one of the following components: an off-gas intake unit (140), an off-gas exhaust pipe (150), an air circulation unit (210), an air cooling unit (220), an air conditioning unit (230), a ventilation device (240), a double entry / exit device (250), a first gas analysis unit (310), and a first control unit (320).

[0073] Meanwhile, the energy storage device management system (100) can also detect whether a fire has occurred in the energy storage device (120). This will be explained below.

[0074] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal structure of an energy storage device management system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] According to FIG. 5, an energy storage device management system (100) may be configured to include a housing (110), an energy storage device (120), a first sensing unit (510), a second sensing unit (520), and a third control unit (530).

[0076] As the housing (110), energy storage device (120), etc. have been described above with reference to FIG. 1, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

[0077] The first detection unit (510) and the second detection unit (520) monitor the temperature distribution of the energy storage device (120) in real time. Specifically, the first detection unit (510) detects heat. Multiple such first detection units (510) may be installed inside the housing (110) to perform the above role and may be implemented as heat detection sensors.

[0078] The first detection unit (510) can also perform the role of detecting smoke. In this case, the first detection unit (510) can be implemented as a smoke detection sensor.

[0079] The second detection unit (520) photographs the interior of the housing (110) to analyze whether a fire has occurred inside the housing (110). This second detection unit (520) may be configured to include an image acquisition sensor (521) and an image processing module (522).

[0080] Multiple image acquisition sensors (521) may be installed inside the housing (110). Multiple image acquisition sensors (521) may be installed on three sides, such as the top, front, and rear. The image acquisition sensors (521) may be implemented, for example, as an infrared CCTV system.

[0081] The third control unit (530) determines whether a fire has occurred inside the housing (110) based on the detection results of the first detection unit (510) and / or the second detection unit (520). The third control unit (530) can control the charging or discharging of the energy storage device (120) according to the above determination result.

[0082] The control unit (530) can measure the voltage output from the energy storage device (120) using a voltage measurement module (not shown) before controlling the charging or discharging of the energy storage device (120). The control unit (530) can utilize the voltage measurement value for charging or discharging the energy storage device (120) and can assist in balancing based on the voltage measurement value.

[0083] The energy storage device management system (100) described above with reference to FIG. 5 can be used for fire monitoring in a battery room. The energy storage device management system (100) has the advantage of being able to detect fires before detection by diffusion.

[0084] Meanwhile, the energy storage device management system (100) described with reference to FIG. 5 may also be configured to further include at least one of the following components: a gas supply unit (130), an off-gas intake unit (140), an off-gas discharge pipe (150), an air circulation unit (210), an air cooling unit (220), an air conditioning unit (230), a ventilation device (240), a double entry / exit device (250), a first gas analysis unit (310), a first control unit (320), a second gas analysis unit (410), and a second control unit (420).

[0085] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be implemented in other specific forms without changing its technical concept or essential features. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. Explanation of the symbols

[0086] 100: Energy storage device management system 110: Housing 120: Energy storage device 130: Gas supply unit 140: Off-gas suction section 150: Piping for off-gas discharge 210: Air circulation unit 220: Air cooling unit 230: Air conditioning unit 240: Ventilation unit 250: Double access device 260: First door 270: Door 2 310: Gas Analysis Unit 1 320: 1st control unit 410: 2nd gas analysis unit 420: Second control unit 510: First detection unit 520: Second detection unit 530: Third control unit

Claims

Claim 1 An energy storage device management system comprising: an energy storage device for storing power; a housing having an internally hermetically formed interior in which the energy storage device is installed; a gas supply unit for supplying inert gas to the interior of the housing; a ventilation device for ventilating the interior of the housing; a first gas analysis unit for analyzing the distribution of inert gas within the interior of the housing; a first control unit for controlling the operation of the ventilation device based on the analysis results of the first gas analysis unit; a second gas analysis unit for analyzing the oxygen concentration within the interior of the housing; a second control unit for controlling the operation of the gas supply unit based on the comparison results between the oxygen concentration and a reference value; and an off-gas intake unit for sucking in off-gas discharged from the energy storage device through an off-gas discharge pipe connected to the energy storage device and discharging it to the outside. Claim 2 In claim 1, the off-gas discharge pipe is an energy storage device management system that opens when a fire occurs in the energy storage device. Claim 3 An energy storage device management system according to claim 1, further comprising: an air circulation unit for circulating air inside the housing; and an air cooling unit for cooling the air circulating inside the housing. Claim 4 An energy storage device management system according to claim 1, further comprising an air conditioning unit for air conditioning the interior of the housing, wherein the air conditioning unit and / or the ventilation device operate when there is entry into or exit from the interior of the housing. Claim 5 An energy storage device management system according to claim 1, comprising: a double access device provided on one side of the housing; a first door installed on a passage leading from the housing to the double access device; and a second door installed on a passage leading from the double access device to the outside. Claim 6 delete Claim 7 An energy storage device management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a first detection unit for detecting heat or smoke when heat or smoke is generated inside the housing; a second detection unit for acquiring an image of the inside of the housing; and a control unit for determining whether a fire has occurred inside the housing based on at least one of the detection result of the first detection unit and the detection result of the second detection unit, and controlling the charging and / or discharging of the energy storage device.

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