Partitioned measurement device for monitoring internal voltage and temperature of fuel cells

Abstract

A partitioned measurement device for monitoring an internal voltage and temperature of fuel cells. Said device comprises a fuel cell stack, a fuel cell measurement platform, a temperature data collector and a voltage data collector. The fuel cell stack comprises a front end plate and a rear end plate, and opposite sides of the front end plate and the rear end plate are respectively provided with a front current collector plate and a rear current collector plate. Single cells are evenly arranged between the front current collector plate and the rear current collector plate; the single cells are sealingly connected, and are successively distributed from the front current collector plate to the rear current collector plate; sealing plates are arranged between the front current collector plate and the rear current collector plate and the single cells; and a water flow channel is arranged between every two single cells, and a water flow channel is also arranged between each sealing plate and the single cells. While not changing plate shapes of electrode plates and not affecting the air tightness of a cell stack, the present application performs real-time measurement on the internal voltage and the temperature of the fuel cell stack, and the measurement results have guiding significance for improvement of raw materials, improvement of assembling conditions and improvement of operation conditions for fuel cells.

Description

A partition test device for monitoring the internal voltage and temperature of a fuel cell Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cell monitoring, in particular to a partition testing device for monitoring the internal voltage and temperature of a fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) use hydrogen as fuel and have the advantages of high energy density, high energy conversion efficiency, rapid response, and pollution-free and low-carbon development. They will become an important energy conversion device for hydrogen energy that will be widely used in the future. They have broad prospects in the fields of automotive energy, distributed power stations, and have also been a research hotspot at home and abroad in recent years.

[0003] Currently, one of the main factors hindering the commercialization of PEMFCs is still the battery lifespan. PEMFC lifespan requirements vary significantly depending on the application scenario. For example, automotive fuel cells are required to have a lifespan of 5,000 to 10,000 hours, while PEMFC-based distributed power stations require a lifespan of 80,000 hours. Therefore, research on the lifespan of PEMFCs remains a topic of concern and importance for researchers. Local temperature differences within the active region of a fuel cell can easily affect the electrochemical reaction rate. Unsuitable temperatures can lead to local voltage differences within the active region, and in severe cases, can even cause localized performance degradation in the cell, ultimately shortening the battery's lifespan. Therefore, real-time monitoring of the temperature and voltage within the fuel cell's internal compartments provides data support for the fuel cell's internal state, helping to optimize its operating conditions and thereby extend its lifespan.

[0004] Currently, as described in Chinese patents CN112229537B and CN114878865A, zoning testing primarily involves current and temperature detection. Zoning current monitoring typically utilizes PCBs, resistor grid technology, and electromagnetic induction technology. The latter two technologies are difficult to implement due to their technical complexity. PCBs can be divided into embedded resistors and external resistors. Currently, the accuracy and consistency of embedded resistor technology in China cannot be guaranteed, and calibration resistors must be added for testing, which is a complex operation. External resistors, while simple to manufacture, cannot guarantee contact consistency at each location, potentially leading to impedance deviations and distorted current measurements. Furthermore, differences in current distribution within the stack ultimately lead to voltage differences in the actual regions.

[0005] To this end, the present invention designs a partition monitoring system that can obtain the temperature and voltage distribution inside the fuel cell, which is of great significance for studying the temperature and voltage distribution inside the fuel cell, optimizing the operating conditions of the fuel cell stack, and improving the life of the fuel cell stack. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the existing defects and provide a partitioned testing device for monitoring the internal voltage and temperature of a fuel cell. The device can monitor the voltage and temperature distribution inside the fuel cell in real time, and measure the internal voltage and temperature of the fuel cell stack in real time without changing the plate shape and affecting the air tightness of the stack, thereby providing data support for the stack life test and analysis, and effectively solving the problems in the background technology.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: a partitioned test device for monitoring the internal voltage and temperature of a fuel cell, comprising a fuel cell stack, a fuel cell test platform, a temperature data collector and a voltage data collector, the fuel cell stack comprising a front end plate and a rear end plate, a front collecting plate and a rear collecting plate are respectively provided on opposite sides of the front end plate and the rear end plate, single cells are evenly arranged between the front collecting plate and the rear collecting plate, the single cells are sealed and connected, and the single cells are distributed in sequence from the front collecting plate to the rear collecting plate, and a closing plate is provided between the front collecting plate, the rear collecting plate and the single cells, a water flow channel is provided between the two single cells, and a water flow channel is also provided between the closing plate and the single cells, and the inlet of the water flow channel The inlet and outlet are connected to the fuel cell test platform through the water inlet pipe and the water outlet pipe respectively. An air flow channel and a hydrogen flow channel are respectively provided inside each single cell. The inlet and outlet of the hydrogen flow channel are connected to the fuel cell test platform through the hydrogen inlet pipe and the hydrogen outlet pipe respectively. The hydrogen inlet pipe and the hydrogen outlet pipe are connected to the fuel cell stack through a joint. The inlet and outlet of the air flow channel are connected to the fuel cell test platform through the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe. Copper foils for temperature and voltage detection are evenly provided on the slotted C plate of each single cell. The copper foil for temperature detection is connected to the temperature data collector through a thermocouple, and the copper foil for voltage detection is linked to the voltage data collector through a wire. The slotted C plate is provided with slots corresponding to the wires and thermocouples.

[0008] Furthermore, a front insulating plate is provided between the front current collecting plate and the front end plate, and a rear insulating plate is provided between the rear current collecting plate and the rear end plate.

[0009] Furthermore, the single cell includes a slotted C plate, a membrane electrode and an A plate, the membrane electrode is located between the membrane electrode and the A plate, and an air flow channel is provided between the slotted C plate and the membrane electrode, and a hydrogen flow channel is provided between the A plate and the membrane electrode.

[0010] Furthermore, the water outlet pipe is provided with a three-way joint, and the output ends of the thermocouple and the wire are led out through the three-way joint.

[0011] Furthermore, the slotted C-plate of the single cell is provided with a groove corresponding to the copper foil, and the copper foil is fixedly connected to the slotted C-plate via conductive silver glue.

[0012] Furthermore, the slotted C plate is a graphite plate, and the thickness of the graphite plate is 3 mm, the slotted C plate has a slot depth of 0.5 mm, and a slot width of 0.5 mm. The wires and thermocouples can be hidden by the slots on the slotted C plate.

[0013] Compared with the existing technology, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: the partitioned test device for monitoring the internal voltage and temperature of the fuel cell can monitor the voltage and temperature distribution inside the fuel cell in real time, provide data support for the stack life test and analysis, and measure the internal voltage and temperature of the fuel cell stack in real time without changing the plate shape and affecting the air tightness of the stack. The measurement results are of guiding significance for the improvement of raw materials, assembly conditions and operating conditions of the fuel cell. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of the present invention;

[0015] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fuel cell according to the present invention;

[0016] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the slotted C-plate of the present invention;

[0017] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of regional temperature distribution at various current densities of a three-section fuel cell stack according to the present invention;

[0018] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of regional voltage distribution at various current densities of a three-cell fuel cell stack according to the present invention.

[0019] In the figure: 1 fuel cell stack, 2 temperature data collector, 3 voltage data collector, 4 thermocouple, 5 wire, 6 hydrogen inlet pipe, 7 hydrogen outlet pipe, 8 air inlet pipe, 9 air outlet pipe, 10 water inlet pipe, 11 water outlet pipe, 12 tee joint, 13 joint, 14 front end plate, 15 front insulating plate, 16 front current collecting plate, 17 single cell, 18 A plate, 19 membrane electrode, 20 slotted C plate, 21 rear current collecting plate, 22 rear insulating plate, 23 rear end plate, 24 fuel cell stack, 25 closing plate. Implementation Method

[0020] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] Please refer to Figures 1-5. The present invention provides a technical solution: a partitioned test device for monitoring the internal voltage and temperature of a fuel cell, comprising a fuel cell stack 24, a fuel cell test platform 1, a temperature data collector 2, and a voltage data collector 3. The fuel cell stack 24 comprises a front end plate 14 and a rear end plate 23. A front collecting plate 16 and a rear collecting plate 21 are respectively provided on opposite sides of the front end plate 14 and the rear end plate 23. Single cells 17 are evenly arranged between the front collecting plate 16 and the rear collecting plate 21. The single cells 17 are sealed and distributed sequentially from the front collecting plate 16 to the rear collecting plate 21. A closing plate 25 is provided between the front collecting plate 16 and the rear collecting plate 21 and the single cells 17. A water flow channel is provided between the two single cells 17, and a water flow channel is also provided between the closing plate 25 and the single cell 17. The inlet and outlet of the water flow channel are connected to the fuel cell test platform 1 through the water inlet pipe 10 and the water outlet pipe 11 respectively. An air flow channel and a hydrogen flow channel are respectively provided inside each single cell 17. The inlet and outlet of the hydrogen flow channel are connected to the fuel cell test platform 1 through the hydrogen inlet pipe 6 and the hydrogen outlet pipe 7 respectively. The hydrogen inlet pipe 6 and the hydrogen outlet pipe 7 are connected to the fuel cell stack 24 through the joint 13. The inlet and outlet of the air flow channel are connected to the fuel cell test platform 1 through the air inlet pipe 8 and the air outlet pipe 9. Copper foil for temperature and voltage detection is evenly provided on the slotted C plate 20 of each single cell 17. The copper foil for temperature detection is connected to the temperature data collector 2 through the thermocouple 4, and the copper foil for voltage detection is connected to the voltage data collector 3 through the wire 5. The slotted C plate 20 is provided with slots corresponding to the wire 5 and the thermocouple 4.

[0022] Furthermore, a front insulating plate 15 is provided between the front current collecting plate 16 and the front end plate 14 , and a rear insulating plate 22 is provided between the rear current collecting plate 21 and the rear end plate 23 .

[0023] Furthermore, the single cell 17 includes a slotted C-plate 20, a membrane electrode 19 and an A-plate 18, the membrane electrode 19 is located between the membrane electrode 19 and the A-plate 18, and an air flow channel is provided between the slotted C-plate 20 and the membrane electrode 19, and a hydrogen flow channel is provided between the A-plate 18 and the membrane electrode 19.

[0024] Furthermore, a three-way joint 12 is provided on the water outlet pipe 11 , and the output ends of the thermocouple 4 and the wire 5 are led out through the three-way joint 12 .

[0025] Furthermore, the slotted C-plate 20 of the single cell 17 is provided with a groove corresponding to the copper foil, and the copper foil is fixedly connected to the slotted C-plate 20 via a conductive silver glue.

[0026] Furthermore, the slotted C plate 20 is a graphite plate, and the thickness of the graphite plate is 3 mm, and the slotted C plate 20 has a slot depth of 0.5 mm and a slot width of 0.5 mm. The wire 5 and the thermocouple 4 can be hidden by the slots on the slotted C plate 20. The partitioned test device for monitoring the internal voltage and temperature of the fuel cell can monitor the voltage and temperature distribution inside the fuel cell in real time, provide data support for the stack life test and analysis, and measure the internal voltage and temperature of the fuel cell stack in real time without changing the plate shape and affecting the airtightness of the stack. The measurement results are of guiding significance for the improvement of raw materials, assembly conditions, and operating conditions of the fuel cell.

[0027] During use: According to the design of the slotted C-plate 20 as shown in Figure 3, 21 monitoring point slots can be set on the slotted C-plate 20, and then the wire 5 and thermocouple 4 used for voltage collection are buried in the slots and fixed respectively, and then assembled according to the single cell 17. The thermocouple 4 and the voltage monitoring line need to go out of the water cavity outlet. After the fuel cell stack 24 is assembled, the fuel cell stack 24 is normally connected to the fuel cell test platform 1, and then the voltage data collector 3 and the temperature data collector 4 are connected. After the connection is completed, the fuel cell test platform is normally started to provide hydrogen, air and water to the stack to enable the stack to operate normally, and the voltage and temperature partition data under 200-400-600-800-1000-1200-1400-1600-1800-2000mAcm-2 are monitored respectively.

[0028] The fuel cell stack 24 internal temperature and voltage distribution monitoring device can monitor the internal voltage and temperature distribution during the operation of the fuel cell, analyze the parts with obvious defects in temperature or voltage distribution, adjust the design, and optimize the plates or MEAs. The fuel cell internal temperature and voltage distribution monitoring device can monitor the internal voltage and temperature distribution of the fuel cell in real time, facilitating performance comparison.

[0029] While the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and alterations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A partition test device for monitoring the internal voltage and temperature of a fuel cell, comprising a fuel cell stack (24), a fuel cell test platform (1), a temperature data collector (2) and a voltage data collector (3), characterized in that: The fuel cell stack (24) comprises a front end plate (14) and a rear end plate (23), wherein a front current collecting plate (16) and a rear current collecting plate (21) are respectively provided on opposite sides of the front end plate (14) and the rear end plate (23), and single cells (17) are evenly provided between the front current collecting plate (16) and the rear current collecting plate (21), and the single cells (17) are sealed and connected to each other, and the single cells (17) are sequentially distributed from the front current collecting plate (16) to the rear current collecting plate (21), and a closing plate (25) is provided between the front current collecting plate (16) and the rear current collecting plate (21) and the single cells (17), and a water flow channel is provided between the two single cells (17), and a water flow channel is also provided between the closing plate (25) and the single cells (17), and the inlet and outlet of the water flow channel are respectively connected to the fuel cell test platform (1) through a water inlet pipe (10) and a water outlet pipe (11). The invention relates to a fuel cell test platform (1) and a fuel cell test platform (24). The fuel cell test platform (24) is connected to the fuel cell test platform (24) through a joint (13). The inlet and outlet of the air flow channel are connected to the fuel cell test platform (1) through an air inlet pipe (8) and an air outlet pipe (9). The slotted C plate (20) of each single cell (17) is evenly provided with copper foil for temperature and voltage detection. The copper foil for temperature detection is connected to a temperature data collector (2) through a thermocouple (4). The copper foil for voltage detection is connected to a voltage data collector (3) through a wire (5). The slotted C plate (20) is provided with slots corresponding to the wire (5) and the thermocouple (4).

2. A partition test device for monitoring the internal voltage and temperature of a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: A front insulating plate (15) is provided between the front current collecting plate (16) and the front end plate (14), and a rear insulating plate (22) is provided between the rear current collecting plate (21) and the rear end plate (23).

3. A partition test device for monitoring the internal voltage and temperature of a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The single cell (17) comprises a slotted C plate (20), a membrane electrode (19) and an A plate (18), wherein the membrane electrode (19) is located between the membrane electrode (19) and the A plate (18), an air flow channel is provided between the slotted C plate (20) and the membrane electrode (19), and a hydrogen flow channel is provided between the A plate (18) and the membrane electrode (19).

4. A partition test device for monitoring the internal voltage and temperature of a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water outlet pipe (11) is provided with a three-way joint (12), and the output ends of the thermocouple (4) and the wire (5) are led out through the three-way joint (12).

5. A partition test device for monitoring the internal voltage and temperature of a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The slotted C-plate (20) of the single battery (17) is provided with a groove corresponding to the copper foil, and the copper foil is fixedly connected to the slotted C-plate (20) via conductive silver glue.

6. A partition test device for monitoring the internal voltage and temperature of a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The slotted C plate (20) is a graphite plate, and the thickness of the graphite plate is 3 mm. The slotted C plate (20) has a slot depth of 0.5 mm and a slot width of 0.5 mm.

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