Heat exchange device to which phase-change working fluid is applied and fuel cell cooling system including same

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides a heat exchange device to which a phase-change working fluid is applied, and a fuel cell cooling system including same, wherein the heat exchange device has a simple configuration and excellent heat exchange performance, and thus can be miniaturized and made lighter. Here, the heat exchange device to which a phase-change working fluid is applied comprises: a vacuum housing; a first pipe; a second pipe; a plurality of first plates; a third pipe; a fourth pipe; and a plurality of second plates. The vacuum housing accommodates the phase-change working fluid therein. The first to fourth pipes are provided to pass through the vacuum housing. The first pipe and the third pipe are arranged to pass through a condensation region of the working fluid, and a low-temperature first fluid is introduced into and moves in the first pipe, and a low-temperature third fluid is introduced into and moves in the third pipe. The second pipe and the fourth pipe are arranged to pass through an evaporation region of the working fluid. A high-temperature second fluid is introduced into and moves in the second pipe, and a high-temperature fourth fluid is introduced into and moves in the fourth pipe. The plurality of first plates and the plurality of second plates are spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals, and are arranged over the condensation region and the evaporation region, respectively. The plurality of first plates are connected to the first pipe and the second pipe, and the plurality of second plates are connected to the third pipe and the fourth pipe. The plurality of first plates and the plurality of second plates have one end in contact with the working fluid to move the working fluid in the other direction by capillary force.

Description

Heat exchanger using phase change working fluid and cooling system of fuel cell including same

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat exchange device using a phase change working fluid and a cooling system for a fuel cell including the same, and more specifically, to a heat exchange device using a phase change working fluid having a simple configuration and excellent heat exchange performance, which enables miniaturization and weight reduction, and a cooling system for a fuel cell including the same.

[0002] A fuel cell is an electrochemical power generation system that directly converts the chemical energy contained in gaseous hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels such as natural gas or liquid methanol or ethanol into electrical energy.

[0003] Among fuel cells, low-temperature fuel cells include polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEMFCs) that directly supply gaseous hydrogen fuel to the fuel cell stack, direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) that directly supply fuel such as methanol to the fuel cell stack, and polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) that use hydrogen as fuel.

[0004] In polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), the hydrogen and air supplied to the fuel cell stack must be humidified to maintain the conductivity of the polymer membrane. Humidification requires water, and this water is recovered and used as generated water at the cathode.

[0005] Meanwhile, maintaining a temperature below 60°C is crucial for the smooth operation of hydrogen fuel cells. While current technology can maintain the temperature of a hydrogen fuel cell stack below 60°C, the problem lies in the large size and weight of both the air electrode heat exchanger and the fuel electrode heat exchanger.

[0006] Accordingly, it is difficult to apply hydrogen fuel cell systems beyond installation in facilities such as factories to other industrial fields.

[0007] For example, installing conventional hydrogen fuel cell systems into vehicles like forklifts requires a size reduction of at least 50%. Installing them into aerial vehicles like drones requires a size reduction of at least 70%. Furthermore, heat exchange systems in vehicles are typically used independently for interior and battery cooling, complicating the system configuration.

[0008] Prior art documents include Korean Patent Publication No. 2014-0075250 (published on June 19, 2014), entitled "Fuel mixing tank for direct methanol fuel cell system having a flow prevention plate of honeycomb structure and direct methanol fuel cell system including the same."

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the technical task of the present invention is to provide a heat exchange device using a phase change working fluid that has a simple configuration, excellent heat exchange performance, and can be miniaturized and lightweight, and a cooling system for a fuel cell including the same.

[0010] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0011] In order to achieve the above technical task, one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a vacuum housing in which a phase-changing working fluid is accommodated; a first tube provided through the vacuum housing and arranged to pass through a condensation region of the working fluid, through which a low-temperature first fluid flows and moves; a second tube provided through the vacuum housing and arranged to pass through an evaporation region of the working fluid, through which a high-temperature second fluid flows and moves; a plurality of first plates arranged across the condensation region and the evaporation region, connected to the first tube and the second tube, and spaced apart at a preset interval; a third tube provided through the vacuum housing and arranged to pass through the condensation region, through which a low-temperature third fluid flows and moves; a fourth tube provided through the vacuum housing and arranged to pass through the evaporation region, through which a high-temperature fourth fluid flows and moves; And a heat exchange device using a phase change working fluid is provided, which comprises a plurality of second plates arranged across the condensation region and the evaporation region, connected to the third pipe and the fourth pipe, and spaced apart at a preset interval, wherein one end of the plurality of first plates and the plurality of second plates is in contact with the working fluid and moves the working fluid in the other direction by capillary force.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, in the evaporation region, the liquid-state working fluid moving between the first plates by capillary force is heat-exchanged with the high-temperature second fluid moving in the second tube to change into a gaseous state, and the second fluid can be cooled.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, in the evaporation region, the liquid-state working fluid moving between the second plates by capillary force is heat-exchanged with the high-temperature fourth fluid moving in the fourth tube to change into a gaseous state, and the fourth fluid can be cooled.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, in the condensation region, the working fluid in a gaseous state moving between the first plates is condensed through heat exchange with the low-temperature first fluid moving in the first pipe, and the first fluid can be heated.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, in the condensation region, the working fluid in a gaseous state moving between the second plates is condensed through heat exchange with the low-temperature third fluid moving in the third tube, and the third fluid can be heated.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, even if the vacuum housing is tilted, one end of the first plate and the second plate can always be in contact with the working fluid in a liquid state.

[0017] Meanwhile, in order to achieve the above technical problem, one embodiment of the present invention provides a cooling system for a fuel cell, including: a heat exchange device using a phase change working fluid; a fuel supply unit that supplies low-temperature fuel as the third fluid to the third pipe; a fuel mixing unit connected to the third pipe and into which fuel heated in the heat exchange device using the phase change working fluid flows; a fuel cell unit that produces electricity by a chemical reaction between the fuel supplied from the fuel mixing unit and water; and a compression unit that supplies a refrigerant as the first fluid to the first pipe, wherein the second pipe and the fourth pipe are each connected to the fuel cell unit, and high-temperature fuel discharged from the fuel cell unit is supplied to the second pipe as the second fluid, and high-temperature molar discharged from the fuel cell unit is supplied to the fourth pipe as the fourth fluid.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the high-temperature fuel discharged from the fuel cell unit and moving in the second pipe and the high-temperature water moving in the fourth pipe can be cooled in a heat exchange device using the phase change working fluid and moved to the fuel mixing unit.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, a heat dissipation unit connected to the first pipe and allowing heat to be released from a heated refrigerant that is discharged after heat exchange with the evaporated working fluid in a heat exchange device using the phase change working fluid; and a recovery pipe connecting the heat dissipation unit and the compression unit and guiding the refrigerant discharged from the heat dissipation unit to the compression unit may be included.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the low-temperature fuel supplied from the fuel supply unit may be liquefied hydrogen, and the fuel cell unit may be a hydrogen fuel cell unit.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the working fluid can be widely distributed by moving through the capillary force in the plurality of first plates and second plates provided in the heat exchange device, the phase change efficiency can be greatly increased, and through this, cooling or heating of the fuel can be performed quickly and effectively.

[0022] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, one end of the first plate and one end of the second plate can be maintained in constant contact with the liquid working fluid. Therefore, even if the heat exchanger is tilted, the cooling and heating effects on the fuel can always be achieved, thereby ensuring that the heat exchanger can function reliably even when installed on an aircraft such as a drone.

[0023] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, low-temperature fuel supplied from a fuel supply unit can be first supplied to a heat exchange device to be heated and then supplied to a fuel cell unit, thereby allowing the fuel to be quickly vaporized in the fuel cell unit, thereby increasing efficiency.

[0024] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling system of the fuel cell cools cold fuel less and cools hot fuel and hot water before supplying them to the fuel cell unit. Through this, the heat exchanger can perform the same or better function even if its size is reduced by more than 70% compared to a conventional heat exchanger. In addition, even with the reduced size of the heat exchanger, the temperature of the fuel cell unit can be lowered to 40°C, which is below 60°C, so that the fuel cell unit can stably produce electricity.

[0025] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the detailed description of the present invention or the composition of the invention described in the claims.

[0026] Figure 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a heat exchange device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram showing a heat exchange device according to one embodiment of the present invention, centered on the first tube, the second tube, and the first plate.

[0028] Figure 3 is an exemplary diagram for explaining the phase change and heat transfer process of the working fluid in Figure 2.

[0029] FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram showing a heat exchange device according to one embodiment of the present invention, centered on the third tube, the fourth tube, and the second plate.

[0030] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a cooling system of a fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in various different forms and is therefore not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, irrelevant parts have been omitted for clarity of description, and similar parts have been designated with similar reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0032] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected (connected, contacted, or coupled)" to another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly connected," but also cases where it is "indirectly connected" with another part in between. Furthermore, when a part is said to "include" a component, this does not exclude other components, but rather implies that it may include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0033] The terminology used herein is merely used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "has" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0035] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a heat exchange device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram showing a first tube, a second tube, and a first plate in a heat exchange device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram for explaining the phase change and heat transfer process of the working fluid in FIG. 2.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the heat exchange device (1000) may include a vacuum housing (100), a first tube (200), a second tube (300), a first plate (400), a third tube (500), a fourth tube (600), and a second plate (700).

[0037] The vacuum housing (100) can accommodate a phase-changing working fluid (90) inside. As the working fluid (90), water (distilled water), alcohol, etc. can be appropriately selected and used.

[0038] An evaporation region (S1) and a condensation region (S2) can be formed inside the vacuum housing (100) depending on the phase change state of the working fluid (90).

[0039] The evaporation region (S1) may be a region where a phase change occurs in which a liquid-state working fluid (90) vaporizes. In the evaporation region (S1), both a liquid-state working fluid and a gas-state working fluid may exist.

[0040] In addition, the condensation region (S2) may be a region where a phase change occurs in which a gaseous working fluid (90) condenses. In the condensation region (S2), both a gaseous working fluid and a condensed working fluid may exist.

[0041] The first tube (200) may be provided to penetrate the vacuum housing (100). In addition, the first tube (200) may be arranged to pass through the condensation region (S2) inside the vacuum housing (100). A low-temperature first fluid (10) may be introduced and moved through the first tube (200).

[0042] The second tube (300) may also be provided to penetrate the vacuum housing (100). However, the second tube (300) may be positioned so as to pass through the evaporation region (S1) inside the vacuum housing (100). A high-temperature second fluid (20) may be introduced and moved through the second tube (300).

[0043] The first plate (400) can be arranged across the evaporation region (S1) and the condensation region (S2), and can be connected to the first pipe (200) and the second pipe (300). The first plates (400) can be provided in multiples, and can be provided spaced apart at preset intervals.

[0044] It is preferable that the first plate (400) be formed so that one end (410) can always be sufficiently immersed in the liquid-state working fluid (90) contained in the vacuum housing (100). Through this, even if the heat exchange device (1000) operates and the working fluid (90) continues to undergo phase changes of evaporation and condensation, one end (410) of the first plate (400) can continue to be in contact with the liquid-state working fluid (90).

[0045] A plurality of first plates (400) may be arranged at intervals such that one end (410) is always in contact with the liquid-state working fluid (90) while being spaced apart from each other, and the liquid-state working fluid (90) can be moved upward by capillary force. Accordingly, the working fluid (90) can be moved in the other direction, i.e., in the upward direction, by the capillary force in the narrow gap between the first plates (400) that are spaced apart from each other.

[0046] Typically, in heat exchangers comprised of heat sinks and tubes, the heat sinks exchange heat by contact with the gas, so there's no technical consideration for arranging the heat sinks at intervals that would allow capillary forces to occur. Of course, if such a heat exchanger were immersed in a liquid, the heat sinks would exchange heat with the liquid. However, in this type of heat exchanger, the entire heat sink is immersed in the liquid. Therefore, the technical concept of the heat sinks using capillary forces to move the liquid is completely ignored.

[0047] However, in the present invention, only one end (410) of the first plates (400) that are spaced apart from each other is immersed in the working fluid (90), and the working fluid (90) is moved in the space between the first plates (400) by capillary force.

[0048] As described above, a high-temperature second fluid (20) flows into the second pipe (300) and moves. The liquid-state working fluid (90a) that fills the space between each of the first plates (400) by moving by capillary force can be heated by the high-temperature second fluid (20) and change into a gaseous state.

[0049] And, as the liquid-state working fluid (90a) vaporizes and absorbs the surrounding heat, the high-temperature second fluid (20) is cooled and can be discharged as a low-temperature second fluid (20a). That is, in the evaporation region (S1), the working fluid (90a) and the high-temperature second fluid (20) exchange heat with each other, so that the liquid-state working fluid (90a) changes phase into a gaseous working fluid (91), and at the same time, the high-temperature second fluid (20) can become a low-temperature second fluid (20a).

[0050] Since vaporization of the working fluid (90a) can occur in the region through which the second pipe (300) passes, the vaporization region (S1) can be defined as this region. In the vaporization region (S1), the working fluid (90a) in a liquid state and the working fluid (91) in a gaseous state can exist simultaneously.

[0051] Since the working fluid (90a) filled between each first plate (400) is distributed over a wide area, vaporization and heat absorption phenomena can increase dramatically. Accordingly, the cooling efficiency of the high-temperature second fluid (20) can be significantly improved.

[0052] And, the gaseous working fluid (91) passes through the area where the first pipe (200) is located, and as described above, the low-temperature first fluid (10) flows in and moves through the first pipe (200). Accordingly, the gaseous working fluid (91) can be cooled and condensed by the low-temperature first fluid (10). The gaseous working fluid (91) releases heat while condensing, and the low-temperature first fluid (10) can be heated by the released heat and discharged as the high-temperature first fluid (10a). Condensation of the gaseous working fluid (91) can occur in the area where the first pipe (200) passes, and the condensation area (S2) can correspond to this area.

[0053] In the condensation region (S2), the gaseous working fluid (91) is condensed and undergoes a phase change into a liquid working fluid (92), so the gaseous working fluid (91) and the liquid working fluid (92) can exist simultaneously.

[0054] Since the gaseous working fluid (91) filled between the first plates (400) exchanges heat over a wide area, condensation and heat dissipation phenomena can increase dramatically. Accordingly, the heating efficiency of the low-temperature first fluid (10) can be significantly improved.

[0055] The condensed working fluid (92) can be combined with the liquid working fluid (90) by moving along the surface of the first plate (400) or by moving along the inner surface of the vacuum housing (100).

[0056] FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram showing a heat exchange device according to one embodiment of the present invention, centered on the third tube, the fourth tube, and the second plate.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 4, the third tube (500) may be provided to penetrate the vacuum housing (100). In addition, the third tube (500) may be arranged to pass through the condensation region (S2) inside the vacuum housing (100). A low-temperature third fluid (30) may be introduced and moved through the third tube (500).

[0058] A fourth tube (600) may also be provided to penetrate the vacuum housing (100). In addition, the fourth tube (600) may be positioned so as to pass through the evaporation region (S1) inside the vacuum housing (100). A high-temperature fourth fluid (40) may be introduced and moved through the fourth tube (600).

[0059] The second plate (700) can be arranged across the evaporation region (S1) and the condensation region (S2), and can be connected to the third pipe (500) and the fourth pipe (600). The second plates (700) can be provided in multiples, and can be provided spaced apart at preset intervals.

[0060] It is also preferable that the second plate (700) be formed so that one end (710) can always be sufficiently immersed in the working fluid (90) in a liquid state accommodated in the vacuum housing (100). Through this, even if the heat exchange device (1000) operates and the working fluid (90) continues to undergo phase changes of evaporation and condensation, one end (710) of the second plate (700) can continue to be in contact with the working fluid (90) remaining in a liquid state.

[0061] A plurality of second plates (700) are arranged spaced apart from each other, and one end (710) is in contact with a liquid-state working fluid (90), and the working fluid (90) can move in the other direction, i.e., in the upward direction, by capillary force in the narrow space between the second plates (700).

[0062] In general, the third tube (500), the fourth tube (600) and the second plate (700) can be configured to correspond to the first tube (200), the second tube (300) and the first plate (400) described above, and can implement corresponding effects.

[0063] That is, a high-temperature fourth fluid (40) flows into the fourth pipe (600) and moves, and the liquid-state working fluid (90a) that moves by capillary force and fills the space between each of the second plates (700) can exchange heat with the high-temperature fourth fluid (40) and change into a gas. Then, as the liquid-state working fluid (90a) vaporizes and absorbs heat from the surroundings, the high-temperature fourth fluid (40) is cooled and can be discharged as a low-temperature fourth fluid (40a).

[0064] Even at this time, since the working fluid (90a) filled between each of the second plates (700) is distributed over a wide area and vaporized, the heat absorption efficiency increases dramatically, and the cooling efficiency of the high-temperature fourth fluid (40) can be greatly improved.

[0065] And, the gaseous working fluid (91) can be cooled and condensed as it passes through the area where the third pipe (500) is located, into which the low-temperature third fluid (30) flows. And, when the gaseous working fluid (91) condenses and releases heat, the low-temperature third fluid (30) can be heated and discharged as the high-temperature third fluid (30a).

[0066] Even at this time, the working fluid (91) filled between the second plates (700) condenses while exchanging heat with the second plates (700) over a wide area, so the heat dissipation efficiency increases dramatically. Accordingly, the heating efficiency of the low-temperature third fluid (30) can be significantly improved.

[0067] Meanwhile, even if the heat exchange device (1000) according to the present invention is tilted, one end (410) of the first plate (400) and one end (710) of the second plate (700) can always be maintained in contact with the liquid-state working fluid (90). Accordingly, even if the heat exchange device (1000) is tilted, the aforementioned cooling and heating effects can always be implemented. Accordingly, even if the heat exchange device (1000) is installed on an aircraft such as a drone, its function can be stably implemented.

[0068] Below, a cooling system of a fuel cell including the aforementioned heat exchange device (1000) is described.

[0069] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a cooling system of a fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 5, the cooling system of the fuel cell may include a heat exchange device (1000), a fuel supply unit (2000), a fuel mixing unit (3000), a fuel cell unit (4000), and a compression unit (5000).

[0071] Since the heat exchange device (1000) has been described above, explanation of repetitive content will be omitted as much as possible.

[0072] The fuel supply unit (2000) can supply low-temperature fuel (2001) to the third pipe (500). The low-temperature fuel (2001) may correspond to the third fluid described above. A first pump (2100) may be provided to move the low-temperature fuel (2001) from the fuel supply unit (2000) to the heat exchange device (1000).

[0073] In addition, the fuel mixing unit (3000) can be connected to the third pipe (500), and the fuel (2002) heated in the heat exchange device (1000) can be introduced into the fuel mixing unit (3000). The fuel mixing unit (3000) can supply fuel and water (3001) to the fuel cell unit (4000). A second pump (3100) can be provided to move the fuel and water (3001) from the fuel mixing unit (3000) to the fuel cell unit (4000).

[0074] The fuel cell unit (4000) generates electricity through a chemical reaction between the supplied fuel and water. In order to increase the efficiency of the fuel cell unit (4000), the fuel supplied to the fuel cell unit (4000) must be quickly vaporized in the fuel cell unit (4000). Meanwhile, since the fuel (2001) supplied from the fuel supply unit (2000) is low-temperature, if this low-temperature fuel (2001) is directly supplied to the fuel cell unit (4000), it takes time for the fuel cell unit (4000) to heat up the low-temperature fuel (2001), which may be one of the causes of lowering the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell unit (4000).

[0075] To solve this problem, in the present invention, low-temperature fuel (2001) supplied from the fuel supply unit (2000) can be first supplied to the heat exchanger (1000) along the third pipe (500). Accordingly, the low-temperature fuel (2001) can be heated in the heat exchanger (1000), and the heated fuel (2002) coming out of the heat exchanger (1000) can be introduced into the fuel mixing unit (3000). The fuel mixing unit (3000) can supply the heated fuel (2002) to the fuel cell unit (4000), and therefore, the fuel (2002) can be quickly vaporized in the fuel cell unit (4000), thereby increasing efficiency.

[0076] The compression unit (5000) can supply refrigerant (5001) to the first pipe (200). The refrigerant (5001) can correspond to the first fluid described above. The refrigerant (5001) can cause the vaporized working fluid to be condensed in the heat exchange device (1000), thereby helping to ensure a stable phase change of the working fluid.

[0077] And, the cooling system of the fuel cell may include a heat dissipation unit (6000) and a recovery pipe (6100). The heat dissipation unit (6000) may be connected to the first pipe (200). In the heat exchange device, the heated refrigerant (5002) that is heated and then discharged while cooling the vaporized working fluid may be moved to the heat dissipation unit (6000). The heat dissipation unit (6000) may allow heat to be released from the heated refrigerant (5002). The recovery pipe (6100) may guide the heat-dissipated refrigerant (5003) discharged from the heat dissipation unit (6000) to the compression unit (5000).

[0078] Meanwhile, high-temperature fuel (4001) generated as a result of the electricity production process of the fuel cell unit (4000) may move to the heat exchange device (1000) through the second pipe (300), and high-temperature water (4011) generated as a result of the electricity production process of the fuel cell unit (4000) may move to the heat exchange device (1000) through the fourth pipe (600). The high-temperature fuel (4001) may correspond to the above-mentioned second fluid, and the high-temperature water (4011) may correspond to the above-mentioned fourth fluid.

[0079] High-temperature fuel (4001) moving to the heat exchange device (1000) through the second pipe (300) and high-temperature water (4011) moving to the heat exchange device (1000) through the fourth pipe (600) are cooled in the heat exchange device (1000) and become low-temperature fuel (4002) and low-temperature water (4012), respectively, and can move to the fuel mixing unit (3000).

[0080] Typically, in a fuel cell stack, the water in the air electrode and the fuel in the fuel electrode circulate back to the fuel cell stack. However, if the temperature of the circulated water is high, the temperature of the fuel cell stack also rises. Normally, the temperature of the fuel cell stack should not exceed 60℃, so the circulated water must be cooled to prevent this. Of course, even with current technology, the temperature of the hydrogen fuel cell stack can be maintained below 60℃, but the problem is that not only the air electrode heat exchanger that can maintain this performance, but also the fuel electrode heat exchanger are too large and heavy.

[0081] However, in the cooling system of the fuel cell according to the present invention, the high-temperature fuel (4001) and high-temperature water (4011) discharged from the fuel cell unit (4000) and introduced into the heat exchange device (1000) can be quickly cooled. Here, the fuel (4002) and water (4012) cooled and discharged from the heat exchange device (1000) mean that the temperature is lowered compared to the fuel (4001) and water (4011) discharged from the fuel cell unit (4000), but it does not mean that the temperature is lowered to the level of the fuel (2001) supplied from the fuel supply unit (2000).

[0082] In the present invention, high-temperature fuel (4001) and high-temperature water (4011) discharged from a fuel cell unit (4000) are moved to a heat exchange device (1000) to be cooled and heated, and the cooled fuel (4002) and water (4012) are moved to a fuel mixing unit (3000) and then supplied to the fuel cell unit (4000).

[0083] In this way, the cooling system of the fuel cell according to the present invention makes cold fuel less cold and cools hot fuel and hot water and supplies them to the fuel cell unit (4000). Through this, the heat exchange device (1000) can implement the same or better function even if the size is reduced by more than 70% compared to the current conventional heat exchange device. In addition, it was confirmed that the temperature of the fuel cell unit (4000) is lowered to 40°C, which is less than 60°C, even in a state where the size of the heat exchange device (1000) is reduced in this way.

[0084] The cooling system of the fuel cell may further include a concentration sensor unit (7000) that is connected to the fuel mixing unit (3000) and senses the concentration of the fuel in the fuel mixing unit (3000). In addition, a third pump (7100) may be provided to move the fuel from the concentration sensor unit (7000) to the fuel mixing unit (3000).

[0085] Meanwhile, the low-temperature fuel (2001) supplied from the fuel supply unit (2000) may be liquefied hydrogen. In addition, the fuel cell unit (4000) may be a hydrogen fuel cell unit, and the cooling system of the fuel cell according to the present invention may be a cooling system of the hydrogen fuel cell.

[0086] The foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention can be readily modified into other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single entity may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined manner.

[0087] The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims set forth below, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

[0088] The present invention provides a heat exchange device that can be miniaturized and lightweight along with excellent heat exchange performance by applying a phase-changing working fluid, and can be widely used in the field of technology for managing the temperature of fuel cell systems installed in facilities as well as drones and vehicles.

Claims

1. A vacuum housing in which a phase-changing working fluid is accommodated inside; A first pipe which is provided to penetrate the vacuum housing and is arranged to pass through a condensation region of the working fluid, and through which a low-temperature first fluid is introduced and moved; A second pipe which is provided to penetrate the vacuum housing and is arranged to pass through an evaporation region of the working fluid, and through which a high-temperature second fluid is introduced and moved; A plurality of first plates arranged across the condensation area and the evaporation area, connected to the first pipe and the second pipe, and spaced apart at a preset interval; A third pipe which is provided to penetrate the vacuum housing and is arranged to pass through the condensation region, and through which a low-temperature third fluid is introduced and moved; A fourth tube is provided to penetrate the vacuum housing and is arranged to pass through the evaporation region, through which a high-temperature fourth fluid is introduced and moved; and It comprises a plurality of second plates arranged across the condensation area and the evaporation area, connected to the third pipe and the fourth pipe, and spaced apart at a preset interval; A heat exchange device using a phase change working fluid, wherein a plurality of the first plates and a plurality of the second plates have one end in contact with the working fluid and move the working fluid in the other direction by capillary force.

2. In paragraph 1, A heat exchange device applying a phase-change working fluid, characterized in that, in the above evaporation region, the liquid-state working fluid moving between the first plates by capillary force is heat-exchanged with the high-temperature second fluid moving in the second tube and changes into a gaseous state, and the second fluid is cooled.

3. In paragraph 1, A heat exchange device applying a phase-change working fluid, characterized in that, in the above evaporation region, the liquid-state working fluid moving between the second plates by capillary force is heat-exchanged with the high-temperature fourth fluid moving in the fourth tube and changes into a gaseous state, and the fourth fluid is cooled.

4. In paragraph 1, A heat exchange device applying a phase-change working fluid, characterized in that, in the condensation region, the working fluid in a gaseous state moving between the first plates is condensed through heat exchange with the low-temperature first fluid moving in the first tube, and the first fluid is heated.

5. In paragraph 1, A heat exchange device applying a phase-change working fluid, characterized in that, in the condensation region, the gaseous working fluid moving between the second plates is condensed through heat exchange with the low-temperature third fluid moving in the third tube, and the third fluid is heated.

6. In paragraph 1, A heat exchange device using a phase change working fluid, characterized in that even when the vacuum housing is tilted, one end of the first plate and the second plate is always in contact with the working fluid in a liquid state.

7. A heat exchange device using a phase change working fluid described in any one of clauses 1 to 6; A fuel supply unit for supplying low-temperature fuel as the third fluid to the third tube; A fuel mixing unit connected to the third pipe and into which heated fuel is introduced in a heat exchange device applying the phase change working fluid; A fuel cell unit that produces electricity through a chemical reaction of the fuel and water supplied from the fuel mixing unit; and Including a compression unit that supplies refrigerant as the first fluid to the first pipe, The above second pipe and the above fourth pipe are each connected to the fuel cell unit, The high temperature fuel discharged from the above fuel cell unit is supplied to the second pipe as the second fluid, A cooling system for a fuel cell, characterized in that the high temperature molar discharged from the fuel cell section is supplied to the fourth pipe as the fourth fluid.

8. In paragraph 7, A cooling system for a fuel cell, characterized in that the high-temperature fuel discharged from the fuel cell unit and moving through the second pipe and the high-temperature water moving through the fourth pipe are cooled in a heat exchange device using the phase change working fluid and move to the fuel mixing unit.

9. In paragraph 7, A heat dissipation unit connected to the first pipe and configured to release heat from the heated refrigerant that is discharged after heat exchange with the evaporated working fluid in the heat exchange device to which the phase change working fluid is applied; and A cooling system for a fuel cell, characterized by including a recovery pipe connecting the heat dissipation unit and the compression unit and guiding refrigerant discharged from the heat dissipation unit to the compression unit.

10. In paragraph 7, The low-temperature fuel supplied from the above fuel supply unit is liquefied hydrogen, A cooling system for a fuel cell, characterized in that the fuel cell section is a hydrogen fuel cell section.

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