DE102008022808A1 - Fuel cell system for lorry, has heat exchanger arranged downstream to another heat exchanger, over which thermal residual energy is partly conducted for heating interior of vehicle, and blower attached to former heat exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

The system (12) has a heat exchanger (16) arranged downstream to a heat exchanger (14), over which thermal residual energy is partly conducted for heating an interior of a vehicle. The exchanger (14) produces a heat-transferring contact between hot exhaust gas and a heat transfer medium for heating a cooling circuit (42) of an internal combustion engine (34). The exchanger (16) produces a warm-transferring contact between the hot exhaust gas and the air supplied to the interior. A blower (18) is attached to the exchanger (16) to control the heat transfer on the air supplied to the interior. An independent claim is also included for a method for operation of a fuel cell system for a vehicle.

Description

The The invention relates to a fuel cell system for a vehicle, especially for a truck or truck, wherein the fuel cell system in operation thermal energy for Can provide and a first heat exchanger includes, over which the thermal energy at least partially to dissipate heating of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle is.

Farther The invention relates to a method for operating a such fuel cell system.

Generic fuel cell systems are, for example, from the documents belonging to the prior art DE 100 07 244 A1 and DE 10 2004 008 133 A1 known.

In the from the DE 100 07 422 A1 known fuel cell system, the thermal energy of a fuel cell system for preheating an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is used. In particular, the fuel cell system according to the DE 100 07 422 A1 such that the thermal energy of a hot exhaust gas of the fuel cell system is used for heating the internal combustion engine of the vehicle. For this purpose, in particular, a heat exchanger is provided, which produces a heat-transferring relationship between the hot exhaust gas of the fuel cell system and a cooling liquid of a cooling circuit of the internal combustion engine.

In the from the DE 10 2004 008 133 A1 known fuel cell system, a fuel cell heat exchanger with a cooling circuit of a motor vehicle is directly coupled, whereby waste heat of the fuel cell stack is transferable to a cooling liquid of the cooling circuit. Furthermore, the cooling circuit of the internal combustion engine comprises an internal combustion engine associated with the engine heat exchanger and a heater associated with a heat exchanger, can be made possible by using the waste heat of the fuel cell system engine preheating and heating of an interior of the vehicle. Since the engine heat exchanger and the heater core according to DE 10 2004 008 133 A1 are connected in parallel via a plurality of valve devices, it is not possible to first ensure the preheating of the engine and at the same time supply heat to the interior of the vehicle.

Especially in climates, such as in Siberia, with extremely cold Winters, especially temperatures between -70 ° C and -50 ° C can prevail, at least in some cases a short-term engine preheating will be insufficient, because the internal combustion engine after preheating due the cold ambient conditions can cool quickly. Especially is it necessary in such climate zones with extremely cold winters, preheat the engine while maintaining a sufficient To allow heating of the interior of the vehicle if an occupant is in the vehicle.

Of the Invention is therefore based on the object, the generic Fuel cell systems and methods in such a way that the use of the thermal energy of the fuel cell system specifically for heating an internal combustion engine and a Vehicle interior can be dissipated.

These The object is achieved by the features of the independent claims solved.

advantageous Refinements and developments of the invention will become apparent the dependent claims.

The Fuel cell system according to the invention builds up the generic state of the art thereby on that a second heat exchanger the first Heat exchanger is connected, over the thermal residual energy at least partially for heating an interior of the vehicle is discharged. Especially the interior of the vehicle is formed by a cabin, For example, a sleeping cabin of a truck or truck. Because the second heat exchanger is the first Heat exchanger downstream or connected in series, can specifically the thermal residual energy the fuel cell system used to the interior of the To heat the vehicle. In particular, the adjustment of the heat input in the interior by means of the second heat exchanger Control of the second heat exchanger associated blower be made. In this case is the second heat exchanger then, for example intended to provide a heat transferring relationship between exhaust of the fuel cell system and the air, which For example, ambient air may be to produce. Likewise is However, also conceivable that for adjusting the heat input in the interior of the vehicle, the exhaust gas, which is the first heat exchanger has already flowed through, at least partially and metered passed by the second heat exchanger becomes.

The fuel cell system according to the invention can be developed in an advantageous manner such that the first heat exchanger, a heat transferring relationship between the hot exhaust gas of the fuel cell system and a Wärmeträ Produces germedium for heating a cooling circuit of the internal combustion engine and / or the second heat exchanger produces a heat transferring relationship between the hot exhaust gas of the fuel cell system and an air to be supplied to the interior. Preferably, the heat transfer medium is received in a separate heat transfer medium, which in turn is in a heat transferring relationship with the cooling circuit of the internal combustion engine via a further heat exchanger.

Farther can the fuel cell system according to the invention be configured so that the second heat exchanger associated blower is provided by its control the heat transfer to the interior to be supplied Air is adjustable. In particular, the heat input in the heat transfer medium in dependence from a heating power required for the interior be set. This allows, for example, to supply a quantity of heat to the cooling circuit of the vehicle, which is dimensioned so that a sufficient amount of heat for Heating the sleeping cabin via the second heat exchanger can be dissipated.

Further can the fuel cell system according to the invention be realized so that the heat transfer medium provided comprehensive heat transfer medium is the first heat exchanger and continue a heat exchanger partially includes, over a heat transferring relationship between the heat transfer medium and a cooling liquid of the cooling circuit can be produced. Of course but it is also possible, the first heat exchanger form so that the first heat exchanger a heat transferring relationship between the Exhaust gas of the fuel cell system and the cooling liquid produces, d. H. the heat carrier medium can also omitted. In this case, then to control the heat input in the cooling circuit instead of a pump of the heat transfer medium circuit to control a cooling circuit pump.

Of Further, the fuel cell system according to the invention be implemented so that the cooling circuit for heating of the internal combustion engine and to cool the internal combustion engine is operable.

In In this context, the inventive Fuel cell system can be formed in an advantageous manner so that the cooling circuit is a conveyor, the is operable to heat the internal combustion engine, and / or having a further conveyor, which is operable is to cool the engine.

The inventive method is based on the generic State of the art in that a second heat exchanger downstream of the first heat exchanger, via the thermal residual energy at least partially for heating an interior of the vehicle is discharged. Thereby arise in connection with the invention Fuel cell system explained properties and advantages in the same or similar way, why avoid it from repetitions to the appropriate executions in connection with the fuel cell system according to the invention is referenced.

The inventive method can in an advantageous Way be developed such that the heat dissipation over the first heat exchanger in dependence from a required heat dissipation over the second heat exchanger is set. Thereby can be ensured that sufficient heat energy be provided for heating the interior can be fed to the interior via the second heat exchanger is.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will be below explained by way of example with reference to the drawing.

It shows:

1 a highly schematic representation of a fuel cell system according to the invention.

1 shows a highly schematic representation of a fuel cell system according to the invention 12 , The one explained in more detail below arrangement 10 assigned. In this case, the fuel cell system 12 a fuel cell system known to those skilled in the art 12 comprising, in particular, a fuel cell arrangement with one or more high-temperature fuel cells, for example SOFC fuel cells, a reformer connected upstream of the fuel cell assembly and of no further interest, and an afterburner connected downstream of the fuel cell assembly and of no further interest. Exhaust pipes of the fuel cell system 12 , In particular, derived from the afterburner exhaust pipe of the fuel cell system 12 , lead through a heat exchanger 14 and then through another heat exchanger 16 , The heat exchanger 14 will continue from a heat transfer medium 44 flows through associated heat transfer medium, so that of the fuel cell system 12 derived exhaust gas and the heat transfer medium via the heat exchanger 14 in a heat transferring relationship. The heat exchanger 16 is a fan 18 assigned, via the ambient air be sucked and the heat exchanger 16 can be supplied, so that the ambient air and that of the fuel cell system 12 originating exhaust gas can be brought into a heat transferring relationship.

The through the heat exchanger 14 leading heat transfer medium circuit 44 in turn, includes another heat exchanger 22 via which a heat-transferring relationship between the heat transfer medium and a cooling liquid of a cooling circuit 42 an internal combustion engine 34 can be produced. For the circulation of the heat transfer medium, which may be any heat transfer fluid is a conveyor 20 , For example, a fluid pump known in the art, in the heat transfer medium circuit 44 intended.

The cooling circuit 42 of the internal combustion engine 34 is in this case for heating the internal combustion engine 34 and for cooling the internal combustion engine 34 educated. For this purpose, the cooling liquid of the cooling circuit 42 in at least two partial circuits to circulate. The first partial circuit serves in particular for cooling the internal combustion engine 34 and goes through in the illustrated case in this order, starting from a conveyor 32 , the internal combustion engine 34 , a thermostat downstream of the combustion engine 36 and an internal combustion engine radiator or radiator heat exchanger 40 which a blower 38 assigned.

The second partial circuit serves to heat the internal combustion engine 34 and traverses in this order, starting from a conveyor 26 , one in the direction of the conveyor 26 closing spring-loaded check valve 30 , the conveyor 32 , the internal combustion engine 34 , a valve device 28 , the heat exchanger 22 and a heating heat exchanger 24 , in turn, the conveyor 26 upstream. The valve device 28 can be switched so that the cooling liquid either the heat exchanger 22 can flow through or bypassing the heat exchanger 22 , the Heizungswärmeübertragers 24 and the conveyor 26 the check valve 30 can flow through.

The inventive method is as follows. For heating the internal combustion engine 34 in extremely cold ambient conditions, the fuel cell system 12 operated, its thermal energy through the heat exchanger 14 as well as by operating the conveyor 20 over the heat exchanger 22 the cooling circuit 42 of the internal combustion engine 34 is supplied. Furthermore, the conveyor 26 operated and the valve device 28 switched such that the cooling liquid of the cooling circuit, starting from the conveyor 26 the check valve 30 , the conveyor 32 , the internal combustion engine 34 (In particular, the cooling system of the internal combustion engine 34 ), the valve device 28 , the heat exchanger 22 and the heater core 24 flows through. In this case, the blower 38 the radiator 40 not operated, so on the radiator 40 no thermal energy of the cooling liquid is dissipated. This will be the internal combustion engine 34 heated until it reaches a certain minimum engine temperature, the starting or starting the internal combustion engine 34 at least necessary. The conveyor 26 becomes permanent during operation of the fuel cell system 12 operated, so that the cooling liquid of the internal combustion engine 34 at least a temperature of 0 ° C and the internal combustion engine 34 maintains its minimum combustion engine temperature. This will be the internal combustion engine 34 first heated over the coolant. In particular, the conveyor 26 permanently operated to maintain the minimum engine temperature. Indicates the internal combustion engine 34 its internal combustion engine minimum temperature and is started or started, then the conveyor 26 preferably switched off. However, it is also conceivable that the conveyor 26 continues to operate when the internal combustion engine 34 has reached its minimum engine temperature and is started when required by the environmental conditions of the vehicle.

Has the internal combustion engine 34 reaches its operating temperature and is a cooling of the internal combustion engine 34 despite the extremely cold environmental conditions required, so does the conveyor 26 shut off and the valve device 28 switched such that the cooling liquid by operating the conveyor 32 , from the conveyor 32 starting, the internal combustion engine 34 , the thermostat 36 and the radiator 40 flows through, in which case the blower 38 is operated by the internal combustion engine 34 provided thermal energy through the radiator 40 dissipate.

During engine preheating by the heat transfer circuit 44 and the cooling circuit 42 will continue to be the second heat exchanger 16 associated blower 18 operated to simultaneously heat the interior of the vehicle, which may be, for example, a sleeping cabin. In particular, a delivery rate of the conveyor 20 of the heat transfer medium circuit 44 set so that sufficient heat energy for heating the interior of the vehicle to the interior via the second heat exchanger 16 can be supplied. According to the flow rate, the blower 18 controlled, so that the blower power of the blower 18 depending on the capacity of the conveyor 20 is set.

The in the above description, in the drawings and in the Claims disclosed features of the invention can both individually and in any combination for the To be essential to the realization of the invention.

10

arrangement

12

The fuel cell system

14

Heat exchanger

16

Heat exchanger

18

fan

20

Conveyor

22

Heat exchanger

24

Heating heat exchanger

26

Conveyor

28

valve means

30

check valve

32

Conveyor

34

internal combustion engine

36

thermostat

38

fan

40

cooler

42

cooling circuit

44

Heat transfer circuit

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 10007244 A1 [0003]
• - DE 102004008133 A1 [0003, 0005, 0005]
• - DE 10007422 A1 [0004, 0004]

Claims (8)

Fuel cell system ( 10 ) for a vehicle, in particular for a truck, wherein the fuel cell system can provide thermal energy during operation and a first heat exchanger ( 14 ), over which the thermal energy at least partially for heating an internal combustion engine ( 34 ) of the vehicle is d, characterized in that a second heat exchanger ( 16 ) is connected downstream of the first heat exchanger, can be dissipated via the thermal residual energy at least partially for heating an interior of the vehicle. Fuel cell system ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first heat exchanger ( 14 ) a heat transferring relationship between hot exhaust gas of the fuel cell system ( 12 ) and a heat transfer medium for heating a cooling circuit of the internal combustion engine manufactures and / or the second heat exchanger ( 16 ) establishes a heat transferring relationship between the hot exhaust gas of the fuel cell system and an air to be supplied to the interior space. Fuel cell system ( 10 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that a second heat exchanger ( 16 ) associated blower ( 18 ), by the control of which the heat transfer to the air to be supplied to the interior is adjustable. Fuel cell system ( 10 ) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a heat transfer medium comprehensive heat transfer medium circuit is provided, which is the first heat exchanger ( 14 ) and also a heat exchanger ( 22 ) partially comprises, via which a heat-transferring relationship between the heat transfer medium and a cooling liquid of the cooling circuit can be produced. Fuel cell system according to one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the cooling circuit for Heating the internal combustion engine and for cooling the internal combustion engine is operable. Fuel cell system according to one of the claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the cooling circuit a Conveyor that is operable to the internal combustion engine to heat, and / or another conveyor which is operable to cool the internal combustion engine. Method for operating a fuel cell system ( 10 ) for a vehicle, in particular for a truck, wherein the fuel cell system during operation provides thermal energy and a first heat exchanger ( 14 ), via which the thermal energy at least teilwei se for heating an internal combustion engine ( 34 ) of the vehicle is discharged, characterized in that a second heat exchanger ( 16 ) is connected downstream of the first heat exchanger, is dissipated via the thermal residual energy at least partially for heating an interior of the vehicle. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the heat dissipation via the first heat exchanger ( 14 ) as a function of a required heat dissipation via the second heat exchanger ( 16 ) is set.