Test chamber and test system for a fuel-cell or electrolyser-type electrochemical generator system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a test chamber (100) for a fuel-cell or electrolyser-type electrochemical generator system (1), wherein the test chamber comprises a power supply system (2), a gas management system (22) and a ventilation system (3), and wherein the test chamber (100) is intended to be arranged on horizontal ground; according to the invention, the test chamber (100) comprises vertical walls (5), a ceiling (6) and an ambient air extraction outlet (8), wherein the ceiling (6) is continuously and hermetically connected to the vertical walls (5), wherein the ceiling (6) is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, wherein the ambient air extraction outlet (8) is arranged in a region (7) of the ceiling near an apex of the inclined ceiling, and wherein the ambient air extraction outlet (8) passes through the ceiling (6).

Description

Test chamber and system for electrochemical generator system of 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 test equipment handling hydrogen, in particular any electrochemical generator system of the fuel cell or electrolyzer type.

[0002] In particular, it concerns a secure test chamber. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] In the above field, it is known to perform 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 explosive nature of dihydrogen.

[0005] It is desirable to have a secure environment for testing the operation of electrochemical generator systems such as fuel cells or electrolysers, 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, an ambient air extraction outlet, a gas detection system connected to the ambient air extraction outlet, the gas detection system being capable of measuring a concentration of dihydrogen circulating in the 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 sloping ceiling and the ambient air extraction outlet passing through the ceiling.

[0008] Thus, being lighter than air, any hydrogen that may escape from the electrochemical generator system or gas pipes naturally rises towards the sloping ceiling and then towards the ambient air extraction outlet. This passively prevents the accumulation of hydrogen 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 a non-zero angle ALPHA with the horizontal plane.

[0010] Advantageously, the angle ALPHA is less than or equal to 20 degrees, for example between 2 degrees and 20 degrees, or between 2 degrees and 10 degrees, or between 2 degrees and 4 degrees and in a particular example equal to 3 degrees.

[0011] Advantageously, the test chamber comprises a test bench, the electrochemical generator system being mounted on the test bench and a control system adapted to compare the hydrogen 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 hydrogen and the second threshold corresponding to a second predetermined percentage of the lower explosive limit of hydrogen, the control system being configured to trigger an alarm and shut off the hydrogen supply 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 entire test bench, and in particular of the electrochemical generator system, when the detected concentration is greater than the second threshold.

[0012] In a particular aspect, the test chamber comprises a floor continuously and airtightly connected to the vertical walls.

[0013] Advantageously, the test chamber comprises at least one airtight opening in one of the vertical walls.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] Advantageously, the container being of rectangular parallelepiped shape and comprising a door capable of opening and closing a short side of the container, the test chamber is arranged so that the area of the ceiling near a peak of the inclined ceiling is arranged on the side of the container door.

[0017] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

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

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

[0021] Figure 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] As is known, an intermodal container comprises a box of standardized dimensions, stackable and whose metal frame is equipped with parts designed to facilitate the transfer from one mode of transport to another (road, rail, sea, air), without unloading the goods. The container (also called a "shelter" in English) comprises a base formed of metal beams 230 on which is fixed a floor 240, side walls 250, four uprights 260 to hold the side walls and a ceiling 220. The side walls and a ceiling 220 are for example made of corrugated iron. The intermodal container also comprises a single-leaf or double-leaf door 210 which allows one of the short sides of the container to be opened and closed. Advantageously, the double door allows the short side of the container to be completely opened. The container generally has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. Thus, the ceiling 220 is parallel to the floor 240 of the container 200.There are containers of different sizes. The standard external dimensions for containers are 40, 20 or 10 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8 feet 6 inches high (or 9 feet 6 inches high for high cubes). In a first example, the container is of the 20 feet high cube type, with external dimensions of approximately 6.05 m in length L, by 2.43 m in width W, and 2.89 m in height H. In a second example, the container is of the 40 feet high cube type, with external dimensions of approximately 12.19 m in length L, by 2.43 m in width W, and 2.89 m in height H. In other examples, the container is of the standard 20 feet type, or respectively 40 feet standard, with external dimensions LxWxH of L=6.06m, W=2.43m and H=2.59m and, respectively L=12.19m, W=2.43m and H=2.59m.

[0026] The test chamber 100 comprises four vertical walls 5 forming a quadrilateral on the ground, for example a rectangle or a square.

[0027] 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. The test chamber 100 comprises at least one door arranged on one of the vertical walls. In the case where the test chamber is arranged inside an intermodal container having a double-leaf door opening outwards, the test chamber advantageously comprises a door allowing the short side facing the container door to be completely opened to allow the installation of the test chamber and the various equipment inside the test chamber.The electrochemical generator system 1 of the fuel cell or electrolyzer type mounted on a test bench having casters is thus easily installed or extracted from the test chamber. For this purpose, an inclined ramp 270 is arranged facing the opening of the container and the chamber. For example, the test chamber also comprises a door 9 on a large side of the container and a fenestron 19. The openings, when closed, are advantageously airtight. For this purpose, the door 9 and the fenestron 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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 casters: a cooling module, an auxiliary module comprising a housing 14 and a module on which the electrochemical generator system 1 is installed with the dihydrogen supply lines. air, air outlet; 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 dihydrogen 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 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 for testing without having to redo the electrical wiring or the fluid connection. Thus, the container contains, inside, all the gas management systems, electrical systems, motors, etc., with only the control system, for example a computer, being arranged outside the container.

[0030] In general, the container has a floor covered with a checkered sheet. The test chamber 100 is arranged on this floor, for example here fixed or placed on the floor 240 of the multimodal container 200. Alternatively, the container is fitted with a floor, called a false floor, to provide a space for the passage of cables, the test chamber then being arranged on this false floor. The floor 4 of the test chamber 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.

[0031] 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. The test chamber 100 thus comprises an airtight compartment, this compartment being delimited by the floor 4, the walls 5 and the ceiling 6. As illustrated in Figures 1-2, the gas management system 22 and the power supply system 2 are arranged inside the container and outside the sealed compartment of the test chamber. The gas conduits and electrical wires connected to the electrochemical generator system pass through the wall 5 via airtight bulkhead penetrations.

[0032] More particularly, the ceiling 6 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane XY. In this way, the inclined ceiling 6 has a zone 7 near a peak of the ceiling 6. For example, the ceiling 6 is flat and inclined at an angle ALPHA relative to the horizontal plane XY. The ceiling 6 is here mono-sloped, that is to say that it has a single slope oriented along the length, the width or relative to a corner of the test chamber. In the example illustrated in figures 1-2, the slope of the ceiling 6 is oriented in the length direction, that is to say towards the small side of the container which has a double-leaf door, which makes it possible to preserve a maximum opening of this door. Alternatively, the slope of the ceiling of the ceiling 6 is oriented in the width direction, that is to say towards a large side of the container. According to yet another alternative, the slope of the ceiling 6 is oriented towards a high point located near an upright 260 of the container.Advantageously, the angle ALPHA of the slope of the ceiling 6 is between 2 degrees and 20 degrees, or between 2 degrees and 10 degrees, or between 2 degrees and 4 degrees and for example equal to 3 degrees. This low slope makes it possible to maintain a high height inside the test chamber, under the ceiling 6, over practically the entire surface of the test chamber.

[0033] In addition, the test chamber 100 comprises at least one ambient air extraction outlet 8 arranged in the zone 7 near the top of the ceiling 6 of the test chamber. For example, since the slope is oriented in the direction of the length of the container, the test chamber comprises several air extraction outlets 8 arranged in line in the zone 7, in the direction of the width of the container. The or each ambient air extraction outlet 8 passes through the ceiling 6 and through the ceiling 220 of the container 200. In other words, the gases lighter than air inside the test chamber can escape from the test chamber 100 via the ambient air extraction outlet 8.

[0034] Particularly advantageously, the test chamber comprises a gas detection system 10 comprising at least one sensor arranged at inside the test chamber 100, under the ceiling 6 and near 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 MX16 analog and digital central unit from the company ADS, the central 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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 specifically, 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 power supply system of the entire bench. test, 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.

[0038] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the test chamber 100 may be arranged and arranged inside an intermodal container 200. For example, 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. In this example, 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 Figures 1 and 2, the vertical walls 5 and the inclined ceiling 6 of the test chamber are placed inside the external walls and the ceiling of the container 200. Advantageously, the electrical power 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.

[0039] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the openings 9, 19 are inserted into the vertical walls of the container 200.

[0040] Figure 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 an electrical 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), an ambient air extraction outlet (8) and 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, 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 a non-zero angle ALPHA with a horizontal plane.

3. Chamber according to claim 2 in which the angle ALPHA is less than or equal to 20 degrees.

4. Chamber according to claim 3 comprising a test bench, the electrochemical generator system (1) being mounted on the test bench, and 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 close the dihydrogen supply 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 test bench when the detected concentration is greater than the second threshold.

5. Chamber according to one of claims 1 to 4 comprising a floor (4) connected in a continuous and airtight manner to the vertical walls (5).

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

7. Chamber according to one of claims 1 to 6 comprising an air conditioning system (13) adapted to maintain the test chamber at a set temperature.

8. A test system comprising an intermodal container (200) and a test chamber (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, the test chamber (100) being arranged inside the intermodal container (200).

9. A test system according to claim 8, the container being of rectangular parallelepiped shape and comprising a door (210) capable of opening and closing a short side of the container, wherein the test chamber (100) is arranged such that the area (7) of the ceiling near a top of the inclined ceiling is arranged on the side of the door (210).

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