DE102016208891A1 - fuel cell module - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel cell module 20 having a cell stack and a module housing. The fuel cell module 20 further has a data memory 50 and a data processing device 60, wherein the data processing device 60 for detecting operating parameters and the data processing device 60 for storing the operating parameters on the data memory 50 are formed.

Description

The invention relates to a fuel cell module which has a cell stack and a module housing. The fuel cell module further has a data memory and a data processing device, wherein the data processing device for detecting operating parameters and the data processing device for storing the operating parameters are formed on the data memory.

A device for power generation based on fuel cell technology is regularly constructed from fuel cell modules. A fuel cell module contains a stack of fuel cells. The single cell in this case has anode and cathode, which are separated by a membrane, usually a proton-conducting membrane. Between the individual cells are so-called bipolar plates, which supply oxygen on one side and hydrogen in adjacent cells on the other side. The construction of the cells in a stack on the one hand allows a very compact design, on the other hand, the generated voltage can be increased by a series connection.

The fuel cell modules are exchanged on the one hand for maintenance purposes, on the other hand in the event of a defect or critical condition of a fuel cell module. However, it has proven to be problematic that the operating parameters can no longer be assigned to the individual fuel cell module. In addition, in a repair of the fuel cell module at a different location on the operating parameters are no longer accessible.

The object of the invention is to provide a fuel cell module, which allows a quick replacement and fast and efficient maintenance.

This object is achieved by a fuel cell module having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous developments emerge from the subclaims, the following description and the drawings.

The fuel cell module according to the invention has a cell stack, wherein the fuel cell module has a module housing. Typically, several of these fuel modules are used in a device for power generation and usually removed again as a function of operating parameters and replaced with other fuel cell modules. The fuel cell module has a data memory and a data processing device, wherein the data processing device is designed to detect operating parameters and the data processing device is designed to store the operating parameters on the data memory.

Compared to conventional systems, the fuel cell module according to the invention has the advantage that the operating parameters are not stored centrally, but decentrally on the fuel cell module. A central data storage can still be done optionally. The data are thus inseparably connected to the fuel cell module. As a result, the operating parameters are available even after removal for a fault analysis. Furthermore, these operating parameters can be taken over again from the data memory even after renewed installation by the overall system, as a result of which the entire system acquires knowledge of the operating characteristics of this fuel cell module. This will make the process of replacing the fuel cell modules more efficient and faster.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the fuel cell module has a first interface. The first in interface may be a BUS, preferably an Ethernet and / or EtherCAT interface. For safety reasons, a non-standardized interface is conceivable.

In a further embodiment of the invention, further data is received via the first interface and stored on the data memory. Preferably, at least the operating hours, the cell voltage and the temperature are stored over time. Particular preference is also the timing and the nature of certain events, such as voltage jumps, short circuits, media failure, startup and / or shutdown, stored. The further data may preferably be environmental parameters, such as cooling water temperature. These environmental parameters are preferably detected centrally for all fuel cell modules.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the fuel cell module has a second interface. The data processing device can preferably be addressed directly via the first interface and the data memory can be addressed directly via the second interface.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the fuel cell module has at least one first sensor. Preferably, the first sensor is a sensor for measuring voltage. Particularly preferably, the fuel cell module has one sensor per fuel cell. Alternatively or additionally, the Fuel cell module, a sensor for temperature measurement, such as a thermocouple having.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the module housing has at least one first air inlet. The first air inlet serves to dissipate heat to protect the data processing device and data storage operation from overheating.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the module housing is designed for exclusively passive air cooling of the data memory and of the data processing device. Due to the exclusively passive air cooling can be dispensed with a cooler in the form of a fan or a coolant circuit. As a result, a particularly compact, low-maintenance and robust construction is possible. Preferably, the data memory and the data processing device are thermally coupled to the module housing, so that their waste heat can be discharged through the module housing.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the data memory is designed to store operating parameters of at least 10,000 operating hours, more preferably at least 50,000 operating hours, particularly preferably at least 100,000 operating hours.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the data processing device and the data memory on a permissible operating temperature of at least 80 ° C. Although this for electronic components comparatively high temperature is negative for this particular in terms of acquisition costs, but it can be dispensed with a complex cooling and thermal stress on the fuel cell. The data processing device and the data memory preferably have at least one operating temperature sensor for their own operating temperature and a switch for switching off when a maximum operating temperature is exceeded.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the data memory is designed to store operating hours and time from the start of operation and the end of operation. Operating hours, in particular in conjunction with the times of start of operation and end of operation give important information, for example, if the fuel cell module was turned on and off very often. It also shows when very long operating times or extremely short operating times have occurred. From this, conclusions can be drawn about the expected service life of the fuel cell module.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the data memory is designed to store the time-dependent cell voltage and the time-dependent temperature. By capturing these parameters, especially when done for each individual cell, a precise analysis is possible.

In a further embodiment, the data memory is pluggable, preferably in the form of a so-called SD card (Secure Digital Memory Card). The use of this market standard component increases the compatibility and ease of maintenance. Furthermore, SD cards are available in different size and quality. Another advantage is that there is no voltage for data storage. The evaluation of the stored data can be carried out on another computer without having to interrupt the operation during the evaluation.

In particular, the fuel cell modules according to the invention are suitable for use in watercraft, especially in military vessels, especially in submarine. In the field of watercraft, in contrast to land vehicles, in particular, the required amount of energy is significantly larger, so that usually a plurality of fuel cell modules is used. This results in the problem of assigning the acquired data in central data acquisition to the individual fuel cell modules. In addition, in the case of vessels, maintenance and repair of vessels would also require water service. For this purpose, if necessary, fuel cell modules are replaced, whereby a data allocation in central data storage is practically no longer possible.

Below, the fuel cell module according to the invention is explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings.

1 Schematic sketch of a device for energy production

2 Schematic sketch of a first fuel cell module

3 Schematic sketch of a second fuel cell module

4 Schematic sketch of a third fuel cell module with interface

In 1 is a device for power generation 10 shown. The device for power generation 10 has two fuel cell modules 20 on. The fuel cell modules 20 individual can be exchanged.

A first fuel cell module 20 is in 2 shown enlarged. For simplicity, the fuel cell module 20 a stack of three fuel cells. The cells are covered by bipolar plates 30 separated and have an anode 31 , a membrane 32 and a cathode 33 on. About the bipolar plate 30 the anode side is supplied with hydrogen and the cathode side with oxygen. The supply of gases and the removal of excess gases and process water, monitoring of the cells and the like is carried out by the cell supply device 40 , The fuel cell module 20 has a data store 50 and a data processing device 60 on. The data processing device 60 It records operating data such as operating hours, start-up, shutdown, cell voltage and temperature and stores these in the data memory 50 over time.

In 3 is a second fuel cell module 20 shown. This is different from the one in 2 shown module in that the arrangement of the cells is alternating. So are cathodes 33 over a common cathode side 34 and anode 31 via a common anode side 35 connected with each other. As a result, the gas flow is simplified.

In 4 is a third fuel cell module 20 shown which differs from the first fuel cell module 20 according to 2 through an additional first interface 70 different. Through the first interface 70 Data can be sent and received.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Device for generating energy

20

fuel cell module

30

bipolar

31

anode

32

membrane

33

cathode

34

cathode plate

35

anode plate

40

Cell supply device

50

data storage

60

Data processing device

70

first interface

Claims (9)

Fuel cell module ( 20 ), wherein the fuel cell module ( 20 ) has a cell stack, the fuel cell module ( 20 ) has a module housing, characterized in that the fuel cell module ( 20 ) a data memory ( 50 ) and a data processing device ( 60 ), wherein the data processing device ( 60 ) is designed for recording operating parameters and the data processing device ( 60 ) for storing the operating parameters on the data memory ( 50 ) is trained. Fuel cell module ( 20 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fuel cell module ( 20 ) a first interface ( 70 ) having. Fuel cell module ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fuel cell module ( 20 ) has at least one first sensor. Fuel cell module ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module housing has at least one first air inlet. Fuel cell module ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module housing is designed for exclusively passive air cooling. Fuel cell module ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data memory ( 50 ) is designed for storing operating parameters of at least 10,000 operating hours. Fuel cell module ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data processing device ( 60 ) and the data memory ( 50 ) have an allowable operating temperature of at least 80 ° C. Fuel cell module ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data memory ( 50 ) is designed for the storage of operating hours and time from the start of operation and end of operation. Fuel cell module ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data memory ( 50 ) is designed for storing the time-dependent cell voltage and the time-dependent temperature.

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