KR100700548B1 - Heating/hot-water control device for fuel cell and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The heating / hot water control apparatus and method for a fuel cell according to the present invention include a stack unit including a fuel electrode and an air electrode to generate electricity by an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, and the entire system including the stack unit or the stack unit and heat transfer. The heat exchanger is provided with a water reservoir to circulate and supply the cooling water, and the heating / hot water line is connected to the water reservoir of the heat exchanger to heat and heat the cooled water while exchanging heat with the stack or the entire system including the stack. By including a heating / hot water supply unit to be utilized as hot water, and a water control unit installed in the heating / hot water supply unit to adjust the water for heating or hot water used as heating or hot water through a heating / hot water line to an appropriate temperature, fuel Cooling water heated during operation of the battery is used as heating and hot water to improve the overall efficiency of the fuel cell. It can reduce the heat loss and power consumption by the heater by providing the heating / hot water at the proper temperature all the time, and it is possible to supply the proper amount of water at all times, thus preventing the error of the heating and hot water system due to the lack of water. You can prevent it.

Description

Heating / hot water control device for fuel cell and method thereof {HEATING / HOT-WATER CONTROL DEVICE FOR FUEL CELL AND METHOD THEREOF}

1 is a system diagram showing an example of a conventional fuel cell;

2 is a system diagram showing an example of the fuel cell of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a heating / hot water control device of the present invention fuel cell,

4 is a flow chart showing a temperature estimation process of water for heating / hot water in the fuel cell of the present invention;

5 is a flow chart showing a water level control process of the water reservoir in the fuel cell of the present invention,

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing a modification to the water level control process of the water reservoir in the fuel cell of the present invention.

** Description of symbols for the main parts of the drawing **

110: reforming unit 120: stacking unit

130: electrical output unit 140: heat exchanger

143: radiator 150: heating / hot water supply

151: faucet 152: heating / hot water line

153: pressure sensor 154: water feed pump

160: water control unit 161: water temperature setting unit

162: heater 163: temperature sensor

164: flow sensor 165: water supply line

166: constant adjustment valve 167: water level sensor

170: control unit

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel cell, and in particular, a heating / hot water control apparatus and method for controlling a fuel cell to provide water for heating / hot water at an appropriate temperature when supplying water for heating / hot water using a fuel cell. It is about.

In general, a fuel cell system is a device that directly converts energy contained in a fuel into electrical energy. Such a fuel cell typically has an anode (ANODE) and a cathode (CATHODE) on both sides of a polymer electrolyte membrane. In the anode (anode or anode), electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen as a fuel, and at the cathode (reduction electrode or cathode), electrochemical reduction of oxygen, which is an oxidant, causes electrical energy to be generated. It is a kind of power generation device as a battery system.

1 is a hydrocarbon (CH-based) fuel such as LNG, LPG, CH ₃ OH (LNG in the drawing) through the desulfurization process → reforming reaction → hydrogen purification process in the reformer to use only hydrogen (H ₂ ) to refine the fuel PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell) is a schematic diagram showing a fuel cell.

As shown in the drawing, a conventional fuel cell includes a reforming unit 10 for purifying hydrogen from LNG, a fuel electrode 21 connected to the reforming unit 10 to receive purified hydrogen, and a hydrogen electrode receiving air ( 22) a stack unit 20 for producing electricity and heat by an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and air, and an electrical output unit 30 connected to the output side of the stack unit 20 to supply electricity to the load; A heat exchanger 40 for supplying water to the reforming unit 10 and the stack unit 20 to cool the reforming unit 10 and the stack unit 20, and a control unit electrically connected to each unit for control. City).

The heat exchange part 40 includes a water reservoir 41 for filling a predetermined amount of water, a coolant line 42 for circulating the water reservoir 41 and the stack 20, and delivers the coolant, and a coolant. The radiator 43 is installed in the middle of the line 42 to cool the water recovered from the stack 20 to the water reservoir 41 and the water of the water reservoir 41 is installed in the middle of the cooling water line 42. It consists of a circulation pump 44 for pumping and supplying the pumped water to the stack 20.

The conventional fuel cell as described above operates as follows.

That is, the reformer 10 reforms the hydrocarbon-based fuel to purify hydrogen, and supplies the hydrogen to the anode 21 of the stack 20, while supplying air to the cathode 22 of the stack 20. This causes an oxidation reaction at the anode 21 and a reduction reaction at the cathode 22. The electrons generated in this process generate electricity while moving from the anode 21 to the cathode 22, and the electricity is converted into alternating current electricity in the electrical output unit 30 and supplied to various electrical products.

In this case, since the heat is generated together with the electricity in the stack 20, the circulating pump 44 of the heat exchanger 40 is operated to stack the water filled in the water reservoir 41 through the coolant line 42. The stack 20 and the like were cooled while repeating a series of processes of supplying the water to 20 and recovering the water to the water reservoir 41.

However, in the conventional fuel cell as described above, there is no control device that can adjust the heating / hot water according to the user's needs properly, so that it is not possible to quickly respond to the user's demand, and of course, fuel is unnecessary due to unnecessary heat loss. There was a problem that the efficiency of the battery is lowered.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the conventional fuel cell, it is possible to quickly supply the heating / hot water for the user's required temperature to increase the convenience of use as well as to prevent unnecessary heat loss SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for heating / hot water control of a fuel cell and a method thereof capable of increasing the efficiency of the fuel cell.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, a stack having a fuel electrode and an air electrode to generate electricity by the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen; A water reservoir is provided to circulate and supply the cooling water by combining the stack unit or the entire system including the stack unit, and the water reservoir is provided to supply constant water to the water reservoir by the amount of water used for heating / hot water. A water supply sensor is installed in the middle of the water supply line so as to open and close the water supply line, and a water level sensor is installed in the water reservoir to detect the amount of water remaining in the water reservoir. A heat exchanger having a control unit electrically connecting the water level sensor and the constant control valve to automatically open and close the constant control valve according to the residual amount of water detected by the water level sensor; A heating / hot water supply unit which connects a heating / hot water line to the water storage container of the heat exchanger unit and utilizes the heated cooling water as heating or hot water while exchanging heat with the entire stack including the stack unit or the stack unit; And a water control unit installed in the heating / hot water supply unit to adjust water for heating / hot water utilized as heating or hot water through a heating / hot water line to an appropriate temperature. To provide.
In addition, the stack having a fuel electrode and an air electrode for generating electricity by the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen; A water reservoir is provided to circulate and supply the cooling water by combining the stack unit or the entire system including the stack unit, and the water reservoir is provided to supply constant water to the water reservoir by the amount of water used for heating / hot water. Connect a line, and install a constant control valve in the middle of the constant supply line to open and close the constant supply line, and according to the amount of water detected by the flow sensor installed in the heating / hot water line A heat exchanger having a control unit electrically connecting the constant control valve with a flow sensor to open and close automatically; A heating / hot water supply unit which connects a heating / hot water line to the water storage container of the heat exchanger unit and utilizes the heated cooling water as heating or hot water while exchanging heat with the entire stack including the stack unit or the stack unit; And a water control unit installed in the heating / hot water supply unit to adjust water for heating / hot water utilized as heating or hot water through a heating / hot water line to an appropriate temperature. To provide.

Hereinafter, a heating / hot water control apparatus and method thereof for a fuel cell according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the fuel cell of the present invention, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a heating / hot water control device of the fuel cell of the present invention, Figure 4 is a temperature estimation process of the heating / hot water in the fuel cell of the present invention 5 is a flow chart showing the water level control process of the water reservoir in the fuel cell of the present invention, Figure 6 is a flow chart showing a modification of the water level control process of the water reservoir in the fuel cell of the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, the fuel cell according to the present invention includes a reforming unit 110 for purifying hydrogen from LNG, a fuel electrode 121 connected to the reforming unit 110 to receive purified hydrogen, and an air electrode receiving air. And a stack unit 120 for producing electricity and heat by an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and air, and an electrical output unit 130 connected to an output side of the stack unit 120 to supply electricity to a load. A heat exchanger 140 for supplying water to the reforming unit 110 and the stack unit 120 to cool the reforming unit 110 and the stack unit 120, and a water reservoir 141 of the heat exchanger unit 140. Heating / hot water line 152 to connect the heating / hot water line 152 to heat or cool the heated water while heating the whole system including the stack unit 120 or the stack unit 120 or heating / hot water supply unit 150. And installed in the heating / hot water supply unit 150 to activate heating or hot water through the heating / hot water line 152. Which comprises the water adjusting unit 160 for adjusting the heating / hot water the water to the proper temperature, the controller 170 properly controls each component.

The stack part 120 includes a fuel electrode 121 and an air electrode 122 having an electrolyte membrane therebetween, and a separator plate having a fuel flow path and an air flow path on the outer surfaces of the fuel electrode 121 and the air electrode 122, respectively. H) is installed to form a unit cell, and the unit cells are stacked and stacked.

The heat exchanger 140 is made of a material having high heat resistance, and a water reservoir 141 for filling a predetermined amount of water, and a cooling water line for supplying cooling water by cyclically connecting the stack 120 and the water reservoir 141. 142 and a radiator 143 installed in the middle of the recovery side of the coolant line 142 to cool the water recovered from the stack 120 to the water reservoir 141, and installed in the middle of the coolant line 143. It consists of a circulation pump 144 for pumping the water of the water reservoir 141 and supplying the pumped water to the stack unit 120 and the like.

The heating / hot water supply unit 150 is a heating / hot water line 152 from the water reservoir 141 to the faucet 151 so as to utilize the cooling water recovered in the water reservoir 141 of the heat exchanger 140 as heating or hot water. Is done by connecting

Water control unit 160 is a water temperature setting unit 161 and the water temperature setting unit 161 provided on the wall of the normal building so as to arbitrarily set the temperature of the water for heating / hot water as shown in Figure 2 For heating / hot water in the heater 162 installed in the middle of the heating / hot water line 152 described above and the downstream heating / hot water line 152 of the heater 162 so as to increase the temperature of the heating / hot water. The temperature sensor 163 and the flow rate sensor 164 installed in the heating / hot water line 152 to detect the temperature and flow rate of the water and calculate the used heat amount, the water temperature setting unit 161 and the temperature sensor ( 163 and the control unit included in the control unit 170 to control whether the operation of the heater 162 according to the amount of heat of the heating / hot water used by electrically connecting the flow sensor 164 and the heater 162 (Not shown).

Here, the control unit (not shown) includes the radiator 143 and the circulation pump 144 to dissipate the water recovered to the water reservoir 141 when the temperature of the water used for heating / hot water is higher than the set temperature. Electrical connection.

In addition, the water reservoir 141 is always connected to the constant supply line 165 so as to maintain a predetermined amount or more, and detects the water level of the water reservoir 141 to regulate the supply of constant water or to detect the amount of water used for heating / hot water Adjust the supply of constants. For example, when the water level of the water reservoir 141 is detected to adjust the supply of water, the water reservoir 141 is provided to the water reservoir 141 by the amount of water used for heating / hot water as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The water supply line 165 is connected to supply water, and in the middle of the water supply line 165, a constant control valve 166 is installed to open and close the water supply line 165. ) Is installed in the water reservoir 141 to detect the amount of water remaining in the water level sensor 167, to automatically open and close the constant control valve 166 according to the residual amount of water detected through the water level sensor 167. The water level sensor 167 and the constant control valve 166 are electrically connected to the control unit. On the other hand, when the amount of water used for heating / hot water is adjusted to adjust the amount of supply of water, the water reservoir 141 has a constant in the water reservoir 141 as much as the amount of water used for heating / hot water as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. Connected to the constant supply line 165 to supply the supply, and in the middle of the constant supply line 165 is installed a constant control valve 166 to open and close the constant supply line 165, the heating / hot water The control unit described above with the flow sensor 164 to open and close the constant control valve 166 in accordance with the amount of water detected through the flow sensor 164 installed in the line 152. Electrically connected to

The heating / hot water line 152 is connected to the lower half of the water reservoir 141 so as to supply water for heating / hot water with the water pressure of the water reservoir 141, but as shown in FIG. The pressure sensor 153 and the water supply pump 154 are installed in the middle of the heating / hot water line 152 to compensate for the low pressure of the water passing through the). Here, the pressure sensor 153 is preferably installed on the wake side than the water supply pump 154.

The water supply line 165 is connected to the heating / hot water line 152 by branching the water supply line 165 in the middle of the water supply line 165, and the water supply line 165 is in the middle of the heating / hot water line 152 or Connect to the faucet 151 provided at the end. Here, the constant supply line 165 is preferably piped upstream than the constant control valve 166.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as in the prior art.

Effects of the fire extinguishing device of the fuel cell of the present invention as described above are as follows.

That is, when the control unit commands and the stack unit 120 reacts, heat is generated together with the electricity in the stack unit 120, and electricity is supplied to the electric energy required by the home or office through the electric output unit 130. On the other hand, heat is used as thermal energy in connection with heating or hot water systems. In this process, the circulation pump 144 is driven to pump the water in the water reservoir 141 into the cooling water line 142 and then circulate and supply the reforming unit or the stack unit 120 to the reforming unit 110 or the stack unit 120. It can be used as heating or hot water in the house or office by using the recovered heat.

In more detail, when the user sets the temperature of the water to be used using the water temperature setting unit 161, the control unit (not shown) reads the set temperature to operate the heater 162 accordingly or to heat the radiator 143. / Insulate the hot water to maintain the proper temperature. That is, the temperature and flow rate of the water currently used is detected by the temperature sensor 163 and the flow rate sensor 164 installed in the heating / hot water line 152 as shown in FIG. After determining whether to operate the heater 162 properly, when the temperature of the currently used water is low, the heater 162 is operated. When the heater 162 is operated, the water for heating / hot water discharged from the water reservoir 141 to the faucet 151 is heated to maintain an appropriate temperature. On the other hand, when the temperature of the water is high, the control unit operates the circulation pump 144 of the heat exchanger 140 to circulate the entire system including the stack 120 or the stack 120 of water in the water reservoir 141. While lowering the temperature of the water for heating / hot water in the radiator 143.

On the other hand, the amount of water used in the water reservoir 141 is used up to an appropriate amount using the water level sensor 167 provided in the water reservoir 141 or the flow sensor 164 provided in the heating / hot water line 152. It is determined whether or not, and based on this, the constant control valve 166 is opened or closed to supply water to the water reservoir 141. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the water remaining amount of the water reservoir 141 is detected through the water level sensor 167, and when the detected value is higher than the set value, the water supply line 165 is closed by closing the constant adjustment valve 166. While shielding the detection value is lower than the set value, the constant control valve 166 is opened to open the constant supply line 165 so that the constant can be replenished with the water reservoir (141). In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the cumulative amount of water used is detected through the flow sensor 164, and when the detected value is higher than or equal to the set value, the constant control valve 166 is opened to replenish the constant water with the water reservoir 141. On the other hand, when the detected value is lower than the set value, the constant control valve 166 is closed to prevent the constant from being replenished with the water reservoir 141.

In this way, by utilizing the cooling water heated during operation of the fuel cell as the heating or hot water of the building, not only can the overall efficiency of the fuel cell be improved, but also the temperature change of the heating / hot water water is carefully managed to always maintain the proper temperature. By allowing water to be provided, the heater is prevented from running unnecessarily, reducing heat loss and power consumption. In addition, the amount of water used can be managed at all times to prevent errors in heating and hot water systems due to lack of water.

The heating / hot water control device and method of the fuel cell according to the present invention can improve the overall efficiency of the fuel cell by utilizing the cooling water heated during operation of the fuel cell as heating and hot water, and the water for heating / hot water is always By providing the proper temperature, it is possible to reduce heat loss and power consumption by the heater, and it is possible to supply the proper amount of water at all times, thereby preventing errors in the heating and hot water system due to the lack of water.

Claims (11)

A stack unit including a fuel electrode and an air electrode to generate electricity by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen; A water reservoir is provided to circulate and supply the cooling water by combining the stack unit or the entire system including the stack unit, and the water reservoir is provided to supply constant water to the water reservoir by the amount of water used for heating / hot water. A water supply sensor is installed in the middle of the water supply line so as to open and close the water supply line, and a water level sensor is installed in the water reservoir to detect the amount of water remaining in the water reservoir. A heat exchanger having a control unit electrically connecting the water level sensor and the constant control valve to automatically open and close the constant control valve according to the residual amount of water detected by the water level sensor; A heating / hot water supply unit which connects a heating / hot water line to the water storage container of the heat exchanger unit and utilizes the heated cooling water as heating or hot water while exchanging heat with the entire stack including the stack unit or the stack unit; And And a water control unit installed in the heating / hot water supply unit to adjust water for heating / hot water utilized as heating or hot water through a heating / hot water line to an appropriate temperature. A stack unit including a fuel electrode and an air electrode to generate electricity by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen; A water reservoir is provided to circulate and supply the cooling water by combining the stack unit or the entire system including the stack unit, and the water reservoir is provided to supply constant water to the water reservoir by the amount of water used for heating / hot water. Connect a line, and install a constant control valve in the middle of the constant supply line to open and close the constant supply line, and according to the amount of water detected by the flow sensor installed in the heating / hot water line A heat exchanger having a control unit electrically connecting the constant control valve with a flow sensor to open and close automatically; A heating / hot water supply unit which connects a heating / hot water line to the water storage container of the heat exchanger unit and utilizes the heated cooling water as heating or hot water while exchanging heat with the entire stack including the stack unit or the stack unit; And And a water control unit installed in the heating / hot water supply unit to adjust water for heating / hot water utilized as heating or hot water through a heating / hot water line to an appropriate temperature. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The water control unit includes a water temperature setting unit provided to set the temperature of the water for heating / hot water arbitrarily, and the heating / hot water line of the heating / hot water line to increase the temperature of the water for heating / hot water by the temperature of the water set in the water temperature setting unit. A heater installed in the middle, and a temperature sensor and a flow sensor installed in the heating / hot water line so as to calculate the amount of heat by detecting the temperature and flow rate of the water for heating / hot water in the downstream heating / hot water line of the heater. and, A fuel cell configured to electrically connect the water temperature setting unit, the temperature sensor, the flow sensor, and the heater to the control unit to determine whether the heater is operated according to the heat amount of the heating / hot water currently used through the control unit. Heating / hot water control device. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The heat exchange unit is circulated between the stack unit or the entire system including the stack unit and the water reservoir in a coolant line, and installs a radiator in the middle of the coolant line to circulate the coolant while circulating the coolant. And a fuel cell, wherein the radiator and the circulating pump are electrically connected to the control unit to dissipate the water recovered to the water reservoir when the temperature of the heating / hot water is higher than a set temperature. Heating / hot water control device. delete The method according to claim 1 or 2, Heating / hot water control device for a fuel cell, characterized in that for connecting the heating / hot water line to the lower half of the water reservoir to supply water for heating / hot water at the water pressure of the water reservoir. The method of claim 6, A heating / hot water control device for a fuel cell, wherein a pressure sensor and a water supply pump are installed in the middle of the heating / hot water line to compensate the water supply pump when the pressure of the water passing through the heating / hot water line is low. The method according to claim 1 or 2, In the middle of the water supply line, the water supply line is connected to the heating / hot water line, and the water supply line is connected to a faucet provided at the middle or the end of the heating / hot water line. Heating / hot water control device. Continuously detecting the temperature of the heating / hot water set by the user and the amount of the heating / hot water used; Calculating a required amount of heat in the heater using the detected temperature and the amount of water used; The heating / hot water control method of the fuel cell, characterized in that for repeating the step of driving the heater by the calculated required heat amount. Continuously detecting the level of water filled in the water reservoir during operation of the fuel cell; Determining whether the water level is high, If the water level is high, the water supply line is closed by closing the constant control valve. If the water level is not high, the heating / hot water control of the fuel cell is repeated by opening the water supply line by opening the constant control valve. Way. Detecting the amount of water used for heating and hot water in claim 6 and calculating a cumulative amount thereof; Determining whether the cumulative usage is greater than the set amount; If the cumulative amount is greater than or equal to the set amount, the constant water supply valve is opened to open the water supply line. If the cumulative amount is less than the set amount, the fuel is characterized by repeating the steps of closing the water supply line by closing the water supply valve. Heating / hot water control method of battery.

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