Classifications

• • 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
  • H01M8/0438—Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow
  • H01M8/04395—Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow of cathode reactants at the inlet or inside the fuel cell
• • 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
• • 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
  • H01M8/04111—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants using a compressor turbine assembly
• • 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
  • H01M8/04201—Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
• • 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
  • H01M8/0432—Temperature; Ambient temperature
  • H01M8/04335—Temperature; Ambient temperature of cathode reactants at the inlet or inside the fuel cell
• • 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
  • H01M8/0432—Temperature; Ambient temperature
  • H01M8/04373—Temperature; Ambient temperature of auxiliary devices, e.g. reformers, compressors, burners
• • 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
  • H01M8/0438—Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow
  • H01M8/04425—Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow at auxiliary devices, e.g. reformers, compressors, burners
• • 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
  • H01M8/04604—Power, energy, capacity or load
  • H01M8/04619—Power, energy, capacity or load of fuel cell stacks
• • 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
  • H01M8/04746—Pressure; Flow
  • H01M8/04776—Pressure; Flow at auxiliary devices, e.g. reformer, compressor, burner
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M2250/00—Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
  • H01M2250/20—Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
  • H01M2250/00—Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
  • H01M2250/40—Combination of fuel cells with other energy production systems
  • H01M2250/407—Combination of fuel cells with mechanical energy generators
• • 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

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for supplying cathodes of a fuel cell system.
• the invention relates to a power supply device making it possible to pool the power supply of a plurality of fuel cell cathodes forming a fuel cell system.
• PAC fuel cell
• the fuel cell as such is therefore an electrical generator with two electrodes which makes it possible to produce electrical energy by oxidation on one electrode of a reducing fuel, such as hydrogen, coupled with a reduction on the another electrode of an oxidant, such as the oxygen in the air for example.
• a reducing fuel such as hydrogen
• an oxidant such as the oxygen in the air for example.
• the cell's redox reaction generates not only electricity, but also by-products such as water, heat, and oxygen-depleted air.
• the oxidation reaction at the anode makes it possible to decompose the hydrogen molecules in contact with a catalyst to release electrons and release heat.
• the reduction reaction at the cathode makes it possible to form oxygen ions by contact between the oxygen and the electrons released by the oxidation.
• hydrogen protons recombine with oxygen ions to form water.
• the oxygen supply to the cathode is done for example via pressurized air, containing enough oxygen to allow the reaction.
• pressurized air is supplied by a compressor supplied with air taken from the outside, for example via an outside air inlet.
• cathodes In a fuel cell system, several cathodes must be powered, these cathodes belonging to different fuel cell cells or to different fuel cells, for example connected in parallel or in series depending on the applications.
• the current practice is to feed each cathode by a dedicated compressor.
• the flow control is done via a back pressure valve located downstream of the stack.
• centrifugal compressor technology A technology optimized in terms of performance and cleanliness of the air sent to the fuel cell system for the compressor is centrifugal compressor technology.
• this technology has a critical point to take into account, which is the protection against the surge phenomenon that appears when the compressed flow is too low for a given pressure level.
• the inventors sought a solution for supplying a plurality of cathodes making it possible to limit the number of components and being able to be optimized for each cathode.
• the invention aims to provide a device for supplying cathodes of a fuel cell system.
• the invention aims in particular to provide, in at least one embodiment, a power supply device making it possible to limit the number of components used compared to the prior art.
• the invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, a reliable and controllable power supply device.
• the invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment of the invention, a supply device protected against the surge phenomenon. Disclosure of Invention
• the invention relates to a device for supplying pressurized air to a plurality of cathodes of a fuel cell system, characterized in that it comprises:
• a motorized compressor configured to supply a source of pressurized air to all the cathodes
• a proportional valve upstream or downstream of said cathode configured to regulate the pressurized air flow passing through said cathode
• - anti-pumping protection means configured to allow the circulation of a minimum flow of pressurized air at the compressor outlet
• control device configured to control the speed of the compressor and the opening or closing of each proportional valve and/or the operation of the anti-surge protection means, and in that at least one proportional valve comprises a section of minimum passage configured to allow the passage of a minimum flow of pressurized air when said proportional valve is in the closed position, each minimum passage section forming an anti-pumping protection means.
• a supply device therefore allows a common supply of all the cathodes by a motorized compressor.
• the power supply to each cathode can however be managed individually by the presence of proportional valves upstream or downstream of each cathode.
• a supply device can supply pressurized air to a number of cathodes ranging from two to several tens, preferably around ten cathodes.
• the proportional valve can be arranged upstream or downstream of the cathode of which it regulates the air supply under pressure.
• the proportional valve is arranged upstream, because the pressurized air is drier upstream of the cathode, which allows better speed and linearity of the regulation of the supply of pressurized air.
• the anti-pumping protection means make it possible to avoid the breakage of the compressor, in particular when the pressurized air requirements of the cathodes are low. Indeed, if a minimum flow rate does not circulate downstream of the compressor, pumping of the compressor can cause the fins of the latter to break.
• the anti-surge protection is in particular ensured at least by one or more proportional valves.
• the proportional valve(s) comprising the minimum passage section form the anti-surge protection means.
• Proportional valves provide sufficient permeability in the feeder and ensure minimum flow regardless of the cathode pressurized air flow requirement.
• all proportional valves are equipped with a minimum flow area.
• the anti-pumping protection means comprise a conduit for bypassing all of the cathodes, and a bypass valve configured to allow the circulation of none, part or all of the pressurized air in the bypass conduit, and in that the control device is configured to control the opening or closing of the bypass valve.
• the bypass circuit also allows protection against pumping of the compressor: the bypass valve allows the passage of a minimum flow rate in the bypass duct, in particular when the pressurized air requirements of the cathodes are weak.
• a supply device comprises means for measuring the pressure of the compressed air at the outlet of the compressor, and in that the control device is configured to control the speed of the compressor and the opening or closing of each proportional valve and the means of protection against pumping according to the data coming from the means for measuring the pressure of the compressed air at the outlet of the compressor.
• the pressure measurement makes it possible to anticipate a possible surge.
• a supply device comprises means for measuring the temperature of the compressed air at the outlet of the compressor and in that the control device is configured to control the speed of the compressor and the opening or the closing of each proportional valve and the anti-surge protection means according to the data coming from the means for measuring the temperature of the compressed air at the outlet of the compressor.
• the measurement of pressure and temperature can be used to calculate the compressed air flow at the compressor outlet.
• a supply device comprises means for measuring the flow rate of the compressed air at the outlet of the compressor, and in that the control device is configured to control the speed of the compressor and the opening or the closing of each proportional valve and the anti-surge protection means according to the data coming from the means for measuring the flow rate of the compressed air at the outlet of the compressor.
• the measurement of the pressure, the temperature and/or the flow rate of the pressurized air makes it possible to regulate the control of the proportional valves, of the bypass valve if present, and of the compressor speed as a function of the physical state of the pressurized air leaving the compressor.
• the measurement of one or more of these physical parameters also makes it possible to detect operating anomalies or to prevent the occurrence of failures of the power supply device.
• control device is configured to control the speed of the compressor and the opening or closing of each proportional valve and anti-surge protection means depending on the power to be supplied by the fuel cell system.
• the power demanded by the fuel cell system is taken into account in the regulation of the speed of the compressor and the control of the proportional valves and the anti-surge protection means.
• This taking into account of the power can be global (over the entire fuel cell system) and/or independently according to the fuel cell or the fuel cell cell, so as to independently manage the air supply under pressure of each cathode.
• control device is powered by at least one fuel cell of the fuel cell system.
• control device is integrated into the fuel cell system and does not require the installation of an external power supply.
• the supply device comprises at least one heat exchanger arranged downstream of the compressor and upstream of the cathodes, configured to cool the pressurized air.
• the heat exchanger makes it possible to adjust the temperature of the pressurized air.
• the heat exchanger makes it possible to cool the pressurized air intended for all the cathodes at once, which simplifies implementation and guarantees better uniformity of the temperature of the pressurized air at the inlet of each cathode, compared to the prior art.
• a supply device comprises an outlet turbine arranged downstream of the cathodes, configured to regulate the pressure of the pressurized air downstream of the cathodes.
• the outlet turbine makes it possible to control the pressure downstream of the cathodes, in particular to control the back pressure at the outlet of the cathodes.
• the turbine is for example a variable injection section turbine, or a turbine with a fixed injection section associated with a bypass valve of the turbine opening when the back pressure is too high.
• the invention also relates to a fuel cell system, comprising a plurality of fuel cells, each fuel cell comprising a cathode configured to receive pressurized air, characterized in that the fuel cell system comprises a device for power supply according to the invention, configured to supply pressurized air to at least two cathodes of said fuel cell system.
• the invention also relates to a power supply device and a fuel cell system, characterized in combination by all or some of the characteristics mentioned above or below.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a power supply device according to a first embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a power supply device according to a second embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a feed device according to a third embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a feed device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
• FIGS. 1 to 4 schematically illustrate a power supply device 10 respectively according to a first embodiment of the invention, a second embodiment of the invention, a third embodiment of the invention and a fourth embodiment of the invention.
• the supply device 10 is configured to supply pressurized air to a plurality of cathodes 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d of a fuel cell system, only four of which are shown here. In practice, several tens of cathodes can be supplied, preferably around ten cathodes.
• the supply device 10 comprises a compressor 12 powered by a motor 14 whose speed is controlled by a motor controller 16.
• Compressor 12 can be part of a motorized turbocharger and thus be associated with a turbine 18, intended for example to assist motor 14 by recovering energy by expansion of an air source.
• the air source may be the outlet of the supply device 10, as described below.
• the compressor 12 makes it possible to supply the cathodes 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d with pressurized air necessary for the operation of the fuel cell cells or of the fuel cells of the fuel cell system.
• the pressurized air is thus distributed to each of the cathodes 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d.
• the pressurized air can be cooled by one or more heat exchangers 19 arranged downstream of the compressor and upstream of the cathodes.
• the supply device 10 comprises, for each cathode, a proportional valve configured to regulate the flow of pressurized air passing through said cathode.
• the proportional valves 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d are arranged upstream of the cathode.
• the proportional valves 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d are arranged downstream of the cathode.
• the proportional valves are controlled by a control device 24.
• the control device 24 receives data from a sensor 26 disposed at the output of the compressor 12, and configured to measure the pressure, the temperature and/or the pressurized air flow at the outlet of the compressor 12.
• control device 24 regulates the pressurized air flow passing through each cathode using the proportional valves.
• Control device 24 is also configured to control the speed of compressor 12 by sending commands to controller 16 of motor 14.
• an outlet turbine 28 makes it possible to regulate the pressure of the pressurized air, in particular to regulate the phenomena of counterpressure.
• the turbine 28 and the turbine 18 assisting the motor 14 are one and the same turbine, part of the residual energy in the pressurized air leaving cathodes thus being recovered to assist the motor 14 driving the compressor 12, and thus reduce its electrical consumption.
• the supply device 10 also comprises anti-pumping protection means, which guarantee the circulation of a minimum flow rate of pressurized air at the outlet of the compressor.
• anti-surge protection means are integrated in the proportional valves which each comprise a section 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d of minimum passage configured to allow the passage of a minimum flow of pressurized air. when said proportional valve is in the closed position.
• the set of minimum flow rates for each proportional valve equipped with a minimum flow section makes it possible to ensure a minimum flow rate downstream of the compressor 12 to avoid surging.
• one, several or all of the proportional valves can include a minimum passage section, depending on the desired minimum air flow.
• the anti-pumping protection means also comprise a duct 30 for bypassing all of the cathodes, comprising a bypass valve 32 configured to allow the circulation of none, part or all of the pressurized air in the conduit 30 bypass.
• the opening or closing of the bypass valve 32 is controlled by the control device 24, so as to ensure the circulation of a minimum flow to avoid pumping of the compressor.
• the anti-pumping protection means are only integrated in the proportional valves 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d which each comprise a section 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d of minimum passage configured to allow the passage of a minimum flow of pressurized air when said proportional valve 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d is in the closed position.
• the anti-pumping protection means are only integrated in the proportional valves 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d which each comprise a section 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d of minimum passage configured to allow the passage of a minimum flow of pressurized air when said proportional valve 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d is in the closed position.
• the turbine 18 and the turbine 28 can be one and the same turbine or two different turbines in the different embodiments shown.

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

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• 2021
  • 2021-02-23 FR FR2101756A patent/FR3120163B1/fr active Active
• 2022
  • 2022-02-22 US US18/278,554 patent/US20240136553A1/en active Pending
  • 2022-02-22 CA CA3209541A patent/CA3209541A1/fr active Pending
  • 2022-02-22 EP EP22707164.4A patent/EP4298684A1/de active Pending
  • 2022-02-22 CN CN202280016508.3A patent/CN116964793A/zh active Pending
  • 2022-02-22 WO PCT/EP2022/054448 patent/WO2022180057A1/fr active Application Filing

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