CN116544455A - Method for controlling an energy supply device - Google Patents

Method for controlling an energy supply device Download PDF

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Publication number
CN116544455A
CN116544455A CN202310085877.4A CN202310085877A CN116544455A CN 116544455 A CN116544455 A CN 116544455A CN 202310085877 A CN202310085877 A CN 202310085877A CN 116544455 A CN116544455 A CN 116544455A
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CN
China
Prior art keywords
fuel cell
branch
fuel
supply device
energy supply
Prior art date
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Pending
Application number
CN202310085877.4A
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Chinese (zh)
Inventor
J·沃尔夫
P·霍尔斯特曼
S·穆勒
T·丹尼
T·多尔德雷
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Robert Bosch GmbH
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Robert Bosch GmbH
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Publication of CN116544455A publication Critical patent/CN116544455A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04313—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by the detection or assessment of variables; characterised by the detection or assessment of failure or abnormal function
    • H01M8/04537—Electric variables
    • H01M8/04574—Current
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04097—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with recycling of the reactants
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
    • H01M8/04701—Temperature
    • H01M8/04708—Temperature of fuel cell reactants
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
    • H01M8/04746—Pressure; Flow
    • H01M8/04753—Pressure; Flow of fuel cell reactants
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04298—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
    • H01M8/04694—Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems characterised by variables to be controlled
    • H01M8/04858—Electric variables
    • H01M8/04895—Current
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
    • H01M8/249—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells comprising two or more groupings of fuel cells, e.g. modular assemblies
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for controlling an energy supply device (1), comprising at least two fuel cells (12) each for generating electrical energy, and wherein at least two branches (50, 60, 70) are formed, each having at least one fuel cell (12), and wherein the branches (50, 60, 70) are electrically connected in parallel to each other, comprising the following steps: -obtaining (110) at least one branch current; -adjusting (120) the delivery of fuel and/or the delivery of oxidizing medium and/or the heating of the delivered oxidizing medium and/or the heating and/or the recirculation rate of fuel of at least one of the fuel cell units (12) as a function of the at least one acquired branch current.

Description

Method for controlling an energy supply device
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method for controlling an energy supply device for energy supply.
Background
In order to be able to achieve a large power, it is known to connect a plurality of fuel cell units together. It is known to connect fuel cell units in a branch (Strang) to each other. It is also known that the branches are connected in parallel with each other. A single branch has a DC/DC converter that allows the same voltage to be generated across all branches. However, the DC/DC converter has efficiency losses.
Due to the parallel connection, omitting the DC/DC converter results in the voltage on all branches being still the same. At this time, the internal resistance of the individual fuel cell units may change due to aging and temperature effects, which in turn results in different branch currents. The result is an asymmetric current distribution, which in turn has an effect on the heat loss that occurs.
Disclosure of Invention
The invention relates to a method for controlling an energy supply device. The energy supply device has at least two fuel cell units. The fuel cell units are respectively constructed and arranged to generate electrical energy. The fuel cell unit converts fuel and an oxidizing medium into electrical energy.
The fuel cell unit has a fuel cell that converts chemical reaction energy of the continuously fed fuel and the oxidizing medium into electric energy. The energy supply device has two or more branches. Each branch has at least one, preferably a plurality of fuel cell units. Preferably, all the branches have the same number of fuel cell units. The branches are electrically connected in parallel with each other.
The method according to the invention comprises the following steps:
in a method step, at least one branch current is detected, in particular determined. In particular, all branch currents are detected.
In a further method step, the delivery of fuel and/or the delivery of oxidizing medium and/or the heating of the delivered oxidizing medium and/or the heating and/or recirculation rate of the fuel of at least one of the fuel cell units is/are regulated as a function of the detected bypass current. Preferably, a plurality of fuel cell units are regulated, in particular simultaneously and/or sequentially. Preferably, the fuel cells are regulated in groups.
It is advantageous to subject the aged fuel cell unit to a lower load, in particular by the method according to the invention and the use thereof. In particular, in the case of applying the present method, the load of the individual fuel cell unit is low. It is furthermore advantageous to reduce the number of electrical components, such as DC/DC converters, which are typically necessary in each branch.
Advantageous refinements and developments of the method specified in the independent claims can be achieved by the measures mentioned in the dependent claims.
An advantageous development of the invention provides that a plurality, in particular all, of the branch currents are detected. Preferably, a plurality of, in particular all, branch currents are acquired. In this case, the acquisition can be performed by means of measurement or calculation. The regulation is performed according to the obtained branch current.
An advantageous development is to adjust the individual branch currents in such a way that they are balanced with respect to one another. "equalization" is understood to mean, in particular, that the branch currents are substantially identical. "equalization" is understood to mean in particular a difference in the branch currents of less than 5%.
A particularly advantageous development provides that the detection of the branch current comprises detecting, in particular measuring, at least one branch current. Furthermore, at least one total current is detected, in particular measured. The total current can also be obtained by adding all branch currents. Based on the branch current and/or the total current, a further missing current can be determined accordingly. Advantageously, the measurement is carried out by means of a Shunt resistor (Shunt-Widerstand) which is arranged in the branch for measuring the branch current. The measurement of the total current can also be carried out by means of a shunt resistor, which is arranged after all branches are connected together. Other measuring methods are also conceivable, for example hall sensors based on magnetic fields.
An advantageous development of the method is characterized by the following steps:
in one method step, the branch having the smallest branch current is detected. This branch has in particular at least one fuel cell unit with an increased internal resistance.
In one method step, at least one fuel cell unit is selected from one of the other branches. The selected at least one fuel cell unit is not disposed in the leg having the smallest leg current.
In a further method step, the delivery of the fuel and/or the delivery of the oxidizing medium and/or the heating of the delivered oxidizing medium and/or the heating and/or the recirculation rate of the fuel of the selected fuel cell unit is/are adjusted in such a way that a substantially similar branch current is produced as in the branch taken with the smallest branch current. Preferably, the method is repeated for each additional leg until all legs have similar leg currents.
An advantageous development is that no regulation is performed if the deviation of the individual branch currents is within a defined range.
An advantageous development of the method is characterized by the following steps:
in one method step, the delivery of fuel and/or the delivery of oxidizing medium and/or the heating of the delivered oxidizing medium and/or the heating and/or the recirculation rate of the fuel of at least one fuel cell of the fuel cell units is/are regulated in such a way that the branch current of the individual branches is equalized to the nominal branch current. The nominal branch current is defined or determined in advance.
An advantageous development of the invention provides for at least one processor unit to be provided. The processor unit is associated with a plurality of, in particular all, fuel cell units of one and/or more branches. It is particularly useful for providing fuel cells with, for example, fuel or oxidizing medium. The control is preferably carried out by corresponding actuation of the processor unit, in particular of a plurality of processor units.
An advantageous development of the method provides that the oxidizing medium is air.
A particularly advantageous development provides for at least one diode to be arranged in each branch. This advantageously prevents equalization effects between the branches when the fuel cell is started or cooled.
Drawings
Embodiments of the invention are schematically illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the following description. Wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic circuit diagram of one embodiment of a fuel cell device;
fig. 2 schematically shows the circuit connections of the energy supply device; and is also provided with
Fig. 3 shows a method flow of the present method.
Detailed Description
The invention relates to a method 100 for controlling an energy supply device 1. The energy supply device 1 comprises at least one fuel cell device 10 and at least two fuel cell units 12. The structure of the fuel cell device 10 is exemplarily shown in fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows an exemplary structure of an energy supply device 1 having six fuel cell units 12. Fig. 2 is simplified such that only the circuit is schematically shown. Of course, the energy supply device 1 shown in fig. 2 has an additional processor unit 14 in addition to the fuel cell unit 12. The processor unit 14 is described in detail below in fig. 1. As explained below, the fuel cell unit 12 and the processor unit 14 can be arbitrarily combined into the fuel cell apparatus 10.
A schematic circuit diagram of one embodiment of a fuel cell device 10 is shown in fig. 1. The fuel cell device 10 illustratively includes two fuel cell units 12. Preferably, more than two fuel cell units 12 shown in fig. 1 can be constructed.
In the illustrated embodiment, the fuel cell unit 12 is configured as a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells, which in the present case are solid oxide fuel cells (English: solid oxide fuel cell, SOFC).
Further, the fuel cell device 10 includes a plurality of processor units 14. The number and scale of the processor units 14 depend on the number of fuel cell units 12 and on the construction and structure of the overall energy supply device 1.
In the context of the present invention, a "processor unit" 14 is understood to mean in particular a unit or component of the fuel cell device 10 or of the energy supply device 1 which is not a fuel cell unit 12. In the present case, the processor unit 14 is a unit for the chemical and/or thermal pretreatment and/or aftertreatment of at least one medium to be converted and/or converted in the fuel cell unit 12, for example an oxidizing medium, in particular air and/or oxygen, and/or exhaust gas and/or fuel, preferably a combustible gas, in particular natural gas or hydrogen.
One of the processor units 14 is a heat exchanger 18 arranged in the air conveying device 16 for heating the oxidation medium, in particular the oxygen-containing air L, of the fuel cell unit 12 being conveyed. In the present case, the oxidizing medium, in particular air L, is supplied, for example, in normal operation, to the cathode space 20 of the fuel cell unit 12, and the reformed fuel RB, in the present case hydrogen or natural gas, is supplied to the anode space 22, respectively. In the fuel cell unit 12, the reformed fuel RB is electrochemically converted by the cooperation of oxygen from the air L to generate electric current and heat. Thereby generating electric power.
The reformed fuel RB is produced by feeding fuel B, in particular natural gas or hydrogen or methane or coal gas, to the fuel cell device 10 via the fuel feed device 24, which fuel is reformed in the further processor unit 14, in the present case in the reformer 26.
Furthermore, the fuel cell unit 12 is connected on the exhaust gas side to a further processor unit 14, in the present case to an afterburner 28. The exhaust gases of the fuel cell unit 12 are fed to an afterburner 28, in the present case the cathode exhaust gas KA being fed through a cathode exhaust gas duct 30 and a portion of the anode exhaust gas AA being fed through an anode exhaust gas duct 32. The cathode exhaust gas KA contains unconsumed oxidizing medium, in particular air L, or unconsumed oxygen, while the anode exhaust gas AA contains possibly unconverted reformed fuel RB and/or possibly unreformed fuel B. By means of the afterburner 28, the anode exhaust gas AA or the unconverted reformed fuel RB possibly contained therein and/or the unconverted fuel B possibly contained therein are combusted in a mixture with the cathode exhaust gas KA or the oxidizing medium contained therein, in particular oxygen of the air L, whereby additional heat can be generated.
The hot exhaust gases a generated in the afterburner 28 during combustion are discharged from the afterburner 28 via an exhaust conduit 34 through the further processor unit 14, in the present case through a heat exchanger 36. In this case, the heat exchanger 36 is in turn fluidically connected to the reformer 26, so that heat is transferred from the hot exhaust gas a to the fuel B supplied to the reformer 26. Accordingly, the heat of the hot exhaust gas a can be used for reforming the transported fuel B in the reformer 26.
Downstream of the heat exchanger 36, a further processor unit 14, in the present case a heat exchanger 18, is present in the exhaust gas line 34, so that the remaining heat of the hot exhaust gas a can be transferred to the transported oxidation medium, in particular to the air L in the air transport device 16. Accordingly, the remaining heat of the hot exhaust gas can be used to preheat the transported oxidizing medium, in particular the air L in the air transport device 16.
The fuel cell device 10 furthermore has a return line 38, by means of which a portion of the anode exhaust gas AA can be branched off from the anode exhaust gas line 32 and fed to an anode recirculation circuit 40. The diverted anode exhaust gas AA is routed here through a further processor unit 14, in the present case a further heat exchanger 39.
By means of the anode recirculation loop 40, a diverted portion of the anode exhaust gas AA can be led back or re-fed to the respective anode space 22 and/or reformer 26 of the fuel cell unit 12, so that unconverted reformed fuel RB possibly contained in the diverted anode exhaust gas AA can subsequently be converted in the fuel cell unit 12 and/or so that unconverted fuel B possibly contained in the diverted anode exhaust gas AA can subsequently be reformed in the reformer 26. This can further improve the efficiency of the fuel cell device 10. Furthermore, fresh fuel B can be mixed with the split anode exhaust gas AA recirculated in the anode recirculation circuit 40 via the fuel supply line 24. Heat can then be transferred from the split anode exhaust gas AA from the return line 38 by means of a further heat exchanger 39 to the fuel mixture in the anode recirculation loop 40 produced by mixing the fresh fuel B for the purpose of heat treatment.
The delivery of an oxidizing medium, in particular a plurality of oxidizing media, preferably air L in air delivery device 16, the delivery of fuel B in fuel delivery device 24 and the recirculation rate of anode exhaust gas AA in anode recirculation circuit 40 can be regulated and/or coordinated with one another by compressors 42 in the respective lines.
Preferably, the fuel cell device has a heating element 44, which in the present case serves to additionally heat the oxidizing medium of the supplied fuel cell unit 12, in particular the air L in the bypass line 46, so that the operating efficiency of the fuel cell device 10 is increased.
The present invention is not limited to solid oxide fuel cells. More specifically, any fuel cell can be constructed. For example, the fuel cell may also be configured as an Alkaline Fuel Cell (AFC), a low temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell (NT-PEMFC), a high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC), a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC), a Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC), a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC). Accordingly, the fuel or oxidizing medium used is different. Examples of fuels are hydrogen, alcohols (ethanol, propanol, glycerol, methanol), methane, gas, ammonia reformate, in particular methanol; examples of oxidizing media are air, in particular air oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid or halogen.
The processor unit 14 is adapted according to the fuel cell used by the fuel cell unit 12.
Fig. 2 schematically shows the circuit connections of the energy supply device 1. The energy supply device 1 has, for example, three branches 50, 60, 70, each having two fuel cells 12. In this case, the number of the fuel cell units 12 is not limited to two per branch. Here, the fuel cells 12 of the branches are connected in series with each other, for example.
The branches 50, 60, 70 are electrically connected in parallel with each other. The number of branches 50, 60, 70 may be arbitrarily chosen according to the invention. The number of fuel cell units 12 per branch may also be arbitrarily selected.
According to the first embodiment, the fuel cell units 12 of the branches 50, 60, 70 constitute the fuel cell device 10. Accordingly, fig. 2 shows one fuel cell device 10 per branch, i.e. three fuel cell devices 10.
The fuel cell device 10 may also have more or less than the two fuel cell units 12 specified in fig. 1 relative to the example in fig. 1. Accordingly, the processor unit 14 required for the fuel cell unit is also adapted in terms of number, power and size. Preferably, each fuel cell unit 12 requires a plurality of processor units 14 corresponding to fig. 1.
The individual processor units of the processor unit 14 can be constructed and arranged such that they share a plurality of fuel cell units 12. For example, two fuel cell units 12 and a plurality of processor units 14 for their supply are shown in fig. 1.
According to a modification, a single processor unit 14 is capable of supplying a plurality of fuel cell units 12 simultaneously. Here too, a single processor unit 14 is able to supply the fuel cell units 12 of more than one branch 50, 60, 70. The compressor 42 can be provided in particular for two or more fuel cell units 12. The air delivery device 16 can also be used for a plurality of, in particular all, fuel cell units 12.
Preferably, the processor unit 14 for the regulation is configured separately for the individual fuel cell units 12 to be regulated or for the components formed by the fuel cell units 12.
The adjustment 120 is preferably carried out by a corresponding actuation 122 of the processor unit 14, in particular of a plurality of processor units 14. In fig. 3, the method 100 and its method steps are described in detail.
A forced voltage equalization occurs in the parallel circuit connection corresponding to fig. 2. The forced voltage equalization can lead to an asymmetric current distribution, in particular due to aging or temperature differences between the fuel cell units 12.
The current developed in the legs depends on the internal resistances of the fuel cell units 12 of the legs 50, 60, 70. The internal resistance depends, for example, on the temperature of the fuel cell 12, the aging of the fuel cell 12, the oxidizing medium supplied and the fuel supplied.
In particular, the fuel cell unit 12 having a plurality of locally adjacent fuel cell units 12 is additionally heated by these locally adjacent fuel cell units. The hotter fuel cell unit 12 has lower heat loss. The hot fuel cell unit 12 also has a low internal resistance. A low internal resistance results in an increased current, which in turn results in an increased temperature. A spiral rise (spiral) can be generated.
An optional transducer 98 is constructed in fig. 2. Here, the converter is preferably a DC/AC voltage converter that converts the direct-current voltage generated by the fuel cell unit 12 into an alternating-current voltage. In particular, public grids and most loads operate with ac voltages.
Preferably, a further voltage converter 96 is connected before the optional converter 98. The voltage converter 96 is a DC/DC converter. The voltage converter 96 is particularly necessary because a defined minimum voltage level is always required before the DC/AC converter 98, so that the DC/AC converter 98 can reasonably and efficiently convert to an alternating current.
The voltage converter 96 generates an intermediate circuit voltage 97 having a minimum necessary voltage level so that the voltage converter 98 can operate reasonably and/or efficiently.
An advantageous development is to combine the voltage converters 96 and 98 in one device. This advantageously allows cost optimization and space optimization. There is also a lower probability of failure due to the smaller number of individual components.
In fig. 3 a method 100 according to the invention is shown. The detection of the branch current takes place in a first method step 110. Preferably all branch currents are obtained.
The detection 110 is performed in particular by measuring individual currents, in particular the branch current and/or the total current. In particular, it is sufficient to measure only a small amount of branch current and total current. The unmeasured branch current can then be calculated from the current measured in the acquired frame.
Preferably, the branch current is obtained by means of a shunt resistor. For this purpose, a shunt resistor is arranged in the branch.
In a further method step 120, at least one fuel cell unit 12, in particular a plurality of fuel cell units 12, preferably all fuel cell units 12, is conditioned.
The adjustment 120 comprises a change in the delivery of fuel and/or the delivery of oxidizing medium in the fuel cell unit to be adjusted, in particular an increase or decrease and/or heating of the delivered oxidizing medium and/or heating and/or recirculation rate of the fuel. By adjusting 120, a change in current is achieved. Here, the response of the fuel cell unit 12 to a change in the delivery of fuel is more sensitive than to a change in the oxidation medium and/or recirculation rate.
Preferably, individual adjustments are made to each fuel cell unit 12. Preferably, the group of fuel cell units 12 is conditioned. In particular, a plurality of fuel cell units 12 can be combined into a group, which is then supplied by the processor unit 14. Preferably, the fuel cells 12 of the branches are regulated together.
In this way, the delivery of air L can be regulated, for example, by means of a compressor 42 in the air delivery device 16. The compressor 42 in the fuel delivery device 24 is capable of regulating the delivery of fuel B. The compressor 42 in the anode recirculation loop 40 can regulate the recirculation rate of the anode exhaust gas AA. In method step 120, individual or multiple fuel cells 12 can be regulated as a function of the branch current detected in method step 110.
The adjustment 120 in method step 120 is preferably performed in such a way that the branch currents of the individual branches are equalized to one another. In particular, the branch current is slightly different after the adjustment 120. Preferably, the branch current after regulation is substantially the same.
In an optional method step 122, a single or multiple processor units 14 are operated. Manipulation 122 is a sub-method step of method step 120.
In an optional method step 116, the fuel cell units 12 that were conditioned in the method step 120 are selected. The fuel cell units 12 belonging to the branch whose branch current deviates from the other branch currents, in particular with the tolerance being subtracted, are preferably selected.
Preferably, all fuel cell units 12 of the branch are conditioned.
According to an advantageous development, the aging of the individual fuel cell units 12 can also be determined. Then, a selection 116 is additionally made based on the aging of the fuel cell unit 12.
The selection 116 can also be made based on the position of the fuel cell 12 relative to other fuel cell 12. In particular, fuel cells 12 having a plurality of adjacent fuel cells 12 tend to be hotter and thus have lower internal resistances.
At least one, in particular all, of the fuel cells 12 of the branch having the greatest branch current is preferably regulated.
Preferably, the fuel cell unit 12 is selected to be conditioned, whose acquired branch current deviates from a defined nominal branch current.
Preferably, the nominal branch current is defined. Alternatively or additionally, the nominal branch current is derived from the total current. For this purpose, the total current is divided by the number of branches 50, 60, 70.
Optionally, some or all of the branches 50, 60, 70 have at least one diode 80.
During the warm-up phase of the energy supply device 10, in particular during the start-up operation, the individual fuel cell units 12 have different voltages. This results in the voltage of the fuel cell unit 12 of one branch being different from the voltage of the fuel cell unit 12 of the other branch in the case where it is not connected in parallel. However, since the voltages in the parallel connection are always the same, an equalization current flows, which may cause damage to the energy supply device 10. The diode 80 prevents such an equalizing current from flowing. The diode 80 can also prevent the occurrence of an equalization current during shutdown operation (Abfahrbetrieb).
Furthermore, electrical components, in particular adjustable resistors, thyristors or semiconductor switches, which additionally regulate the current in the branch, can be provided.

Claims (9)

1. A method (100) for controlling an energy supply device (1) having at least two fuel cell units (12) for generating electric energy, respectively, and wherein at least two branches (50, 60, 70) are configured, each having at least one fuel cell unit (12), and wherein the branches (50, 60, 70) are electrically connected in parallel to each other, the method comprising the steps of:
-obtaining (110) at least one branch current,
-adjusting (120) the delivery of fuel and/or the delivery of oxidizing medium and/or the heating of the delivered oxidizing medium and/or the heating and/or the recirculation rate of fuel of at least one of the fuel cell units (12) as a function of the at least one acquired branch current.
2. Method (100) for controlling an energy supply device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a plurality, in particular all, of the branch currents are acquired and the adjustment (120) is performed as a function of the acquired branch currents.
3. The method (100) for controlling an energy supply device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjustment (120) is performed such that the branch currents of the individual branches are balanced to each other.
4. Method (100) for controlling an energy supply device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection of the branch current (110) comprises a detection of a total current and/or at least one branch current, and wherein the further branch currents are detected in particular as a function of the detected currents.
5. Method (100) for controlling an energy supply device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the steps of:
acquiring (114) the branch having the smallest branch current,
-selecting (116) at least one fuel cell unit (12) from one of the other branches,
-the delivery of the fuel and/or the delivery of the oxidizing medium and/or the heating of the delivered oxidizing medium and/or the heating and/or the recirculation rate of the fuel to the selected fuel cell unit (12) is adjusted (120) such that a substantially similar branch current as the branch current in the branch having the smallest branch current obtained is generated.
6. Method (100) for controlling an energy supply device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the steps of:
-the delivery of fuel and/or delivery of oxidizing medium and/or heating of the delivered oxidizing medium and/or heating and/or recirculation rate of fuel to at least one of the fuel cells (12) is adjusted (120) such that the branch current of the individual branches is equalized to the nominal branch current.
7. Method (100) for controlling an energy supply device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one processor unit (14) is provided, wherein the processor unit (14) supplies a plurality of, in particular all, fuel cell units (12) of a branch (50, 60, 70).
8. The method (100) for controlling an energy supply device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the oxidizing medium is air.
9. Method (100) for controlling an energy supply device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one diode is arranged in each branch (50, 60, 70).
CN202310085877.4A 2022-02-01 2023-02-01 Method for controlling an energy supply device Pending CN116544455A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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DE102022201045.0 2022-02-01
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