EP2740175A1

EP2740175A1 - Fuel cell block

Info

Publication number: EP2740175A1
Application number: EP12783198.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frank Bärnreuther; Stefan Dörfler; Joachim Hoffmann; Arno Mattejat
Original assignee: Siemens AG
Current assignee: Siemens AG
Priority date: 2011-12-01
Filing date: 2012-11-02
Publication date: 2014-06-11
Also published as: WO2013079273A1; KR20140103104A; AU2012344200A1; EP2600453A1; IN2014KN00800A

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel cell block (1) with an operating medium supply unit (3) supplying the fuel cell block (1) with an operating medium (2), wherein the operating medium supply unit (3) has an integrated valve assembly (4) with at least a first valve (5) and a second valve (6). Both the first valve (5) and the second valve (6) are integrated into connection elements (7, 8) jointly used by both valves (5, 6). The invention further provides that the jointly used connection elements (7, 8) are two flange plates (7, 8), in each of which operating medium passages (9, 21, 22, 23) for the operating medium (2) are arranged, to which the first and second valves (5, 6) are connected.

Description

description

The invention relates to a fuel cell block with a supply unit supplying the fuel cell block with a resource

In the electrolysis of water, water molecules are decomposed by electric current into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (02).

In a fuel cell, among other things, this process takes place in the opposite direction. Electrochemical bonding of hydrogen and oxygen to water results in high-efficiency electrical power and, if so, as

Fuel gas is used pure hydrogen, without emission of pollutants and carbon dioxide (C02). To operate a fuel cell resources are supplied, such. B. operating gases.

The operating gases used are a hydrogen-containing fuel gas and an oxygen-containing oxidation gas. As fuel gases, for example, natural gas, coal gas or pure hydrogen can be used. As the oxidizing gas is usually air or pure oxygen use.

When such operating gases are supplied to a fuel cell, they are usually under pressure, for example up to about 4 bar - 6 bar.

A single fuel cell provides an operating voltage of at most about 1.1 V. Therefore, a plurality of fuel cells are combined to form a fuel cell stack, which is part of a fuel cell block. By switching the fuel cells in series, the operating Voltage of a fuel cell block 100 V and more.

A fuel cell block comprises not only at least one fuel cell stack but also a so-called operating part - also called supply part.

The utility unit houses a variety of separate units such as pumps and compressors, as well as a variety of individual devices such as valves, sensors, electronic monitors, and more. These components, which are distributed in part in the fuel cell block, are largely connected to one another via connections, such as pressure or other fluidic supply lines, as well as electrical connections.

Among other things, the supply part also serves to supply the fuel cell block and thus the fuel cell stack or fuel cells with the operating means, in particular the pressurized operating gases.

In the event of faults and / or failures of individual components of the supply part, in most cases the entire fuel cell block must be disassembled more or less completely in order to access the defective components and to replace them.

This also usually requires specially trained personnel and special tools, so that such repairs can not usually be carried out "on site" but must be carried out by a manufacturer of the fuel cell block or in a manufacturer's production facility. To send or transport the defective fuel cell block to the manufacturer .This is expensive, as well as expensive and time-consuming. The invention has for its object to provide a fuel cell block, in which repairs to defective components can be performed easily and inexpensively. This object is achieved by a fuel cell block having the features according to the independent claim.

The fuel cell block has a fuel supply unit that supplies the fuel cell block with a resource.

The resource supply unit has an integrated valve assembly with at least a first valve and a second valve. Both the first valve and the second valve are integrated in - shared by both valves - connection elements.

A resource supply unit is understood to mean a device with usually a plurality of components with the aid of which a resource, such as an operating gas, such as hydrogen or oxygen, can be supplied to the fuel cell block, in particular a fuel cell stack or a fuel cell of this fuel cell block.

In particular, such a resource supply unit ensures that the resources can be supplied to the fuel cell block influenced in terms of quantity and / or condition.

In this case, the influenceable state of the operating means may be a pressure of the operating medium, in particular an operating gas pressure. Such influencing resource supply unit has, for example, one or more valves, such as electric, electromagnetic, electric motor, pneumatically or hydraulically operated valves, by means of which or wel- An inflow of an operating gas to the fuel cell block can be influenced with regard to the inflow quantity and / or inflow pressure. Also, the influential resource supply unit may include a sensor, for example, a sensor such. Example, a temperature sensor, a transmitter, a pressure gauge or a level sensor, by means of which state parameters of the supplied equipment can be measured and / or influenced.

Also connection elements and / or connecting elements - both hereinafter referred to only as connection elements which connect the components of the equipment supply unit to each other and / or the equipment supply unit or its components with other components of the fuel cell block, such as plates, carriers, flanges, tubes, hoses and the like , can count to the resource supply unit.

Under integrated should be understood that this is a related, functioning as a whole module or assembly is formed. In particular, then such a module or assembly can be assembled / disassembled or installed or removed as a whole.

Thus, the integration of the two valves in the shared connection elements - and thus formation of the integrated valve group - mean that the two valves are arranged or mounted on or at the connection elements, wherein the connection elements - to the functionality of the module or the module manufacture as a whole (integration) - trained or designed accordingly. Connection elements, bushings or such other may be formed there. Optionally, further connection elements, feedthroughs or such other - for module or assembly formation - be arranged on the connection elements. The invention is based on the consideration that a repair effort in the fuel cell block is higher, the more individual and separately installed or to be installed components are present in the fuel cell block. This consideration plays an important role, in particular in the case of numerous, in some cases highly complex and error-prone components of the equipment supply unit of a fuel cell block. Based on this, the invention proceeds from the consideration that a combination of, in particular, technically, functionally, technically functional and / or organizationally related components to a component group or module considerably simplifies a structure of a generally operating part or of the fuel cell block.

In particular, highly integrated component groups can be "externally" - as a whole - easily accessible incorporated into an operating part or in the fuel cell block and in case of failure - even locally at a customer - be removed or changed with little effort.

This shortens, even because a return transport of the fuel cell block to the manufacturer can be omitted, a failure time of such a group of components.

In a clear and simplified form, in that in the invention both the first and the second valve are integrated into the same connection elements and use the same connection elements, this can result in an (integrated)

Valve assembly are formed, which can be as a complete, technically, functionally, technically functional and / or organizationally related and closed component group or module simply from the fuel cell block - as a whole - disassembled and replaced.

Preferred developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims. Particularly preferably, the first valve is a main valve, for example in the manner of a ball valve or a ball valve, and the second valve, in particular belonging to the main valve, by-pass valve, for example in the manner of an electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically or electromagnetically operable valve.

Here is the affiliation of the bypass valve to the

Main valve result in that the bypass valve in a bypass supply, just bypass, is arranged to a main supply of the same resource, which main feed then passes through the main valve.

Usually, the supply of an operating gas, such as hydrogen or oxygen, takes place in the fuel cell block under pressure, for example below about 4 bar-6 bar.

In order to realize different operating conditions, such as shutdowns, the media supply or operating gas supply through a valve (main valve), such as a ball valve, must be shut off. Is now in the fuel cell block before a lower pressure than in the feed before, z. B. because of an evacuation, it comes when (re) opening a large valve cross-section of the shut-off valve to a pressure surge in the fuel cell block. This stress can lead to damage.

To reduce this pressure difference in the operating gas - before and after the ball valve (main valve) - and thus the ball valve - without the risk of pressure damage to the

Fuel cell block - to be able to open again, you see a bypass with a, for example, solenoid-operated, bypass valve (secondary valve or bypass valve) for the operating gas before. This is closed during normal operation of the fuel cell block.

With this bypass - with the bypass valve open - a slow pressure equalization before and after the main valve can be achieved or be effected in the resource supply. For this purpose, it is expedient that a valve cross section of the bypass valve is smaller, in particular substantially smaller, than a valve cross section of the main valve, for example by a factor of 2 or a factor of 5 or by a factor of 10 or a factor of 15 is smaller. For example, it may be provided that with a main valve cross-section of about 15 mm - 25 mm, the bypass valve cross-section is realized with about 2 mm. If the pressure difference is reduced, then the ball valve can be safely operated again. The bypass valve is then closed again.

Alternatively, the bypass valve can also serve to supply very small volume flows of the operating gases.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that this main valve and this bypass valve in the common, i. of both, used connection elements are integrated. The thus realized integrated valve assembly can be easily, quickly and inexpensively mounted on the fuel cell block, disassembled and / or replaced. Furthermore, it can be preferred that the integrated valve assembly also has the main supply for the resource and the bypass for the resource, wherein the first valve or the main valve affects the resource supply of the main supply and the second valve or the bypass valve affects the resource supply in the bypass ,

The invention may also preferably provide for the first and the second valve, in particular the main valve and the bypass valve, to be delimited on both sides by the connecting elements, for example by two plate elements. Simplified and vividly expressed, the two valves are arranged between two such (connection) plates, which ne very compact design of such a valve assembly allows.

The arrangement of only one of the two valves between two such plate elements is possible, in which case preferably the other, i. the valve which is not arranged between the two plate elements is arranged directly outside the intermediate space and / or on one of the two plate elements, for example on an upper side of a plate element. Also, this arranged outside the gap other valve can be arranged laterally of the intermediate space and / or laterally of the two plate elements.

With particular preference, these plate elements can be flange plates. These can be made of metal or aluminum. Manufacturing processes and / or processing methods, such as machining or forming, in particular deep drawing, are known. According to a further preferred development it is provided that connections and / or feedthroughs and / or in such a plate element or such a flange plate connections and / or bushings for a resource or a service gas are attached to such a plate member or on such a flange plate , The valves may then be connected to or connected to the feeders, feedthroughs and / or connections.

Feedthroughs or feeds may be, for example

Equipment feeds / outlets, exhaust outlets, bushings for tapping the generated electrical current or measurement signals, for example in the form of bores,

Pipe pieces or hose pieces to be. According to a further preferred development, it is provided that the integrated valve assembly has a third valve, by means of which the first or the second valve can be actuated, for example via a pneumatic drive. Thus, for example, in the case of a ball valve, a pilot valve which actuates this ball valve pneumatically, for example in the manner of an electric or pneumatic valve-as the first valve-can be provided as this third valve.

The description of advantageous embodiments of the invention given hitherto contains numerous features which are reproduced in some detail in the individual subclaims. However, those skilled in the art will conveniently consider these features individually and summarize them to meaningful further combinations.

In particular, these features can be combined individually and in any suitable combination with the method according to the invention and / or with the device according to the respective independent claim.

In figures, embodiments of the invention are shown, which are explained in more detail below.

Show it

1 shows a valve assembly for a fuel cell block according to a first embodiment,

2 shows a simplified representation of the valve assembly according to the first embodiment,

3 shows a simplified representation of the valve assembly according to a second embodiment,

4 shows a simplified representation of the valve assembly according to a third embodiment.

Exemplary Embodiments: Integrated Valve Assemblies in a Fuel Cell Block (FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) Corresponding objects / elements or components are provided in the figures with the same reference numerals.

1 shows in a three-dimensional representation an integrated valve assembly 4 for the supply of a fuel cell block 1 (not shown) with a pressurized, for example, about 3.5 bar - 4 bar, stationary operating gas 2, here for example hydrogen. FIG 2 illustrates, in addition to FIG 1, the structure of this integrated valve assembly 4 and the operating gas inlet or feedthrough 18 through this integrated valve assembly 4 in a simplified detailed representation. The integrated valve assembly 4, like FIGS. 1 and 2, has as main components a main valve 5, i. here a pneumatically switchable ball valve 5 or a ball valve 5, with a pneumatic actuator 19 for the ball valve 5 having valve body 20, a bypass valve 6 in the manner of a solenoid valve 6, two flange plates 7, 8, i. a first, here in Figures 1 and 2 shown below flange 7 and a second, shown here in Figures 1 and 2 above flange plate 8, and a - visible in Figure 1 outwardly - Bypass tube 16.

In the two flange plates 7, 8 are different holes 9, i. two central through holes 21, 22 and diameter-smaller bypass holes 23, introduced, on the one hand, a main flow 15 for the operating gas 2 and on the other hand to the main flow 15 in parallel bypass flow 16, in short only bypass 16, for the operating gas 2 through the form integrated valve assembly 4. In this case, as the figures 1 and 2 show, the central

(Through) holes 21, 22 each approximately in the middle of a flange plate 7, 8 - and there as through the entire Thickness of the flange plate 7, 8 extending (through) bore 21, 22 introduced.

The bypass bores 23 extend on the one hand inside the flange plates 7, 8, there in each case approximately perpendicular to the central (through) bore 21, 22, and then leave the respective flange plate 7, 8 outwardly or upwardly approximately in the edge region of the respective Flange plate 7, 8. A further small bypass bore 23 is arranged as a through hole also approximately in the edge region of the upper flange plate 8.

As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ball valve 5 is arranged between the two flange plates 7, 8 such that inflow and outflow to and from the ball valve 5 directly to the central (through) bores 21, 22 in the flange plates 7, 8, whereby the main flow 15 through the integrated valve assembly 4 is formed. The bypass pipe 16 and the bypass valve 6 are, like the

FIGS. 1 and 2 likewise show such a relationship between or on the two flange plates 7, 8 that the bypass 16 is thereby formed by the integrated valve assembly 4.

The bypass valve 6, which as shown in FIG 1 shows electrical connections 12 for the drive, sits, as shown in FIGS 1 and 2, on the top of the second, upper flange 8 and is with the corresponding bypass holes 23 in the second, connected to the upper flange 8. The bypass pipe 16 is arranged between the two flange plates 7, 8 and is there with the bypass holes 23 in connection. Further, at the lower flange plate 7 a supply / discharge connection 17 - fluidly connected to the local central bore 21 - flanged, what the supply / discharge the operating gas 2 to or away from the integrated valve assembly 4 is used.

The integrated valve assembly 4 can, as illustrated by the arrows 11, are flowed through in two flow directions 11.

All components of the integrated valve assembly 4, which is also part of the equipment supply unit 3 are, as described, integrated into the two flange plates 7, 8 (and use them together), which is precisely this integrated assembly 4 is formed - and this so this as a whole "Handle-bar", ie mountable or dismountable, is or is.

The integrated valve assembly 4 has, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, various screw holes 14 in the two flange plates 7, 8 and a screw 13 on the valve body 20, via which the integrated valve assembly 4 on a plate (not shown) of the

Screw fuel cell block 1 (not shown) into place.

The integrated valve assembly 4, as described above the pure shut-off of the operating gas supply beyond the protection of the fuel cell block 1 from pressure-related damage at greater pressure differences between the operating gas supply and the fuel cell block 1. In normal operation is - with open main or ball valve 5 and closed Bypass valve 6 - the operating gas 2 via the local main flow 15 through the integrated valve assembly 4 - and from there into the fuel cell block 1 - out.

If, for example during pressure relief of the fuel cell block 1, a pressure difference to the operating gas supply is formed, the fuel cell block 1 threatens to open when it is opened the main valve 5, a pressure surge, which can lead to damage there.

If a sensor detects such a pressure difference, the main or ball valve 5 remains closed.

The bypass valve 6 is now opened, whereby the pressure difference before and after the integrated valve assembly 4 and the operating gas supply via the bypass 16 is gradually reduced.

If the pressure difference is reduced, the bypass valve 6 is closed again and the main or ball valve 5 is opened. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 each show the construction of a further integrated valve assembly 4 as well as the local operating gas supply or implementation in a correspondingly simplified detail representation as in FIG. 2. As FIG. 3 shows, here too, i. as well as the main or ball valve 5, the bypass valve 6 - at corresponding bypass holes 23 in the two flange plates 7, 8 - between the two flange plates 7, 8, there parallel to the Hauptbzw. Ball valve 5, arranged.

In this way, i. According to the embodiment of FIG 3, an even more compact design of the integrated valve assembly 4 can be achieved, as which is possible by the integrated valve assembly 4 according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

According to the embodiment of the integrated valve assembly 4 in FIG 4, the main or ball valve 5 is disposed between the two flange plates 7, 8, whereas the bypass valve 6 - with corresponding bypass holes 23 in the two

Flange plates 7, 8 and connected thereto Bypassschläu- 24 - is arranged laterally to the two flange plates 7, 8. As a result, that is, according to embodiment of the integrated valve assembly 4 according to FIG 4, a simple accessibility to the bypass valve can be made possible. In function and mode of action, all embodiments of valve assemblies 4 are identical.

The embodiments of integrated valve assemblies 4 in fuel cell blocks 1 are based on the consideration that a repair effort in the fuel cell block 1 is higher, the more individual and separately installed or components to be installed are present in the fuel cell block 1. Especially in the case of numerous, sometimes highly complex and error-prone components of the fuel supply unit 3 of a fuel cell block 1, this consideration plays an essential role.

Based on this, the configurations of valve assemblies 4 provide a summary of, in particular, technically, functionally, functionally and / or organisationally related components, such as here the main or bypass valves 5, 6, which cooperate for the operating gas supply and pressure protection a component group 4 or to a module 4 before.

These valve assembly groups 4 not only simplify a structure of the fuel cell block 1, but allow them "from the outside" - as a whole - easily accessible incorporated into an operating part or in the fuel cell block 1 and in case of failure - even on-site at a customer - with low Expenditure can be expanded or changed.

This shortens, even because a return transport of the fuel cell block 1 to the manufacturer can be omitted, a failure time of such a group of components 4, which saves time and money. While the invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

claims

1. fuel cell block (1) with a fuel cell block (1) with a resource (2) supplying operating medium supply unit (3),

which has an integrated valve assembly (4) with at least one first valve (5) and a second valve (6), wherein the first and the second valve (5, 6) are integrated into shared connection elements (7, 8), characterized that

- The shared connection elements (7, 8) two

Flange plates (7, 8) are, in each of which resource - (9, 21, 22, 23) for the resources (2) are arranged, and

- At the resource passages (9, 21, 22, 23), the first and the second valve (5, 6) are connected.

2. Fuel cell block (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the first valve (5) is a main valve (5) and the second valve (6) is a bypass valve (6) associated with the main valve (5).

3. Fuel cell block (1) according to at least the preceding claim,

characterized in that the main valve (5) is a ball valve and / or the bypass valve (6) is an electromagnetically operable valve.

4. Fuel cell block (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that between the two, shared flange plates (7, 8) at least one of the two valves (5, 6) is arranged.

5. Fuel cell block (1) according to at least the preceding claim,

characterized in that the first and second valves (5, 6) are disposed between the two shared flange plates (7, 8).

6. Fuel cell block (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the operating means (2) is a pressurized operating gas (2), in particular hydrogen or oxygen.

7. Fuel cell block (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the supply elements (24) for the operating means (2) are arranged on the connection elements (7, 8), wherein the first and / or the second valve (5, 6) are connected to the Betriebsmittelzuführungen (24).

8. Fuel cell block (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the valve assembly (4) comprises a main supply (15) for the operating medium (2) and a bypass (16) for the operating medium (2), the first valve (5) comprising an operating medium supply to the main supply (15). influenced and the second valve (6) influences a resource supply in the bypass (16).

9. fuel cell block (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

used to a, in particular slow, reduction of a pressure difference in a resource supply (18) before and after a closed first valve (5), wherein the second valve (6) is opened, in the closed first valve (5), the pressure difference in the resource supply (18), in particular slowly, via the opened second valve (6) is degraded and after the reduction of the pressure difference, the second valve (6) is closed again.