WO2004082053A1 - 燃料電池システム - Google Patents
燃料電池システム Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2004082053A1 WO2004082053A1 PCT/JP2004/003142 JP2004003142W WO2004082053A1 WO 2004082053 A1 WO2004082053 A1 WO 2004082053A1 JP 2004003142 W JP2004003142 W JP 2004003142W WO 2004082053 A1 WO2004082053 A1 WO 2004082053A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- gas
- liquid separator
- fuel cell
- freezing
- cell system
- Prior art date
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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
- H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
- H01M8/04253—Means for solving freezing problems
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L58/00—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles
- B60L58/30—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling fuel cells
- B60L58/32—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling fuel cells for controlling the temperature of fuel cells, e.g. by controlling the electric load
- B60L58/34—Methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells, specially adapted for electric vehicles for monitoring or controlling fuel cells for controlling the temperature of fuel cells, e.g. by controlling the electric load by heating
-
- 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
- H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
-
- 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
- H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
- H01M8/04225—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells during start-up
-
- 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
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/241—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
-
- 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
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/2457—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with both reactants being gaseous or vaporised
-
- 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
-
- 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
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02T90/40—Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells
Definitions
- the present invention relates to determination of freezing of a fuel cell system that generates power by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.
- the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to suppress or avoid adverse effects that can occur in a fuel cell system due to freezing of water in a gas-liquid separator.
- the fuel cell system according to the present invention includes: a fuel cell; a gas supply pipe that supplies gas used for power generation to the fuel cell; a gas discharge pipe that discharges gas discharged from the fuel cell; Pipe and / or the gas exhaust pipe.
- the gist comprises a gas-liquid separator that collects water in the gas, and a freeze determination device that determines freezing of the water collected in the gas-liquid separator.
- the freezing of the water in a gas-liquid separator can be detected. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the adverse effects of the gas-liquid separator during freezing. Freezing can be determined at various times.For example, if the determination of freezing is made when the fuel cell system is started, if the freezing of water in the gas-liquid separator is detected, the fuel The activation of the battery system can be prohibited. Therefore, deterioration of the fuel cell due to forced operation of the fuel cell at the time of freezing can be suppressed, and occurrence of an abnormality in the system can be avoided. If freezing is detected, the fuel cell system may be activated by operating a light source using a power source such as a battery to perform thawing, and if thawing is detected, the fuel cell system may be started.
- a power source such as a battery to perform thawing
- the determination of freezing by the freeze determining device is performed based on a difference in flow characteristics of water collected in the gas-liquid separator between a frozen state and a non-frozen state. Freezing of the water recovered in the vessel may be determined. In this case, it is possible to easily determine the freezing of the water in the gas-liquid separator.
- the determination of freezing based on the flow characteristics includes, for example, a movable member operable in water collected in the gas-liquid separator, an operating device for operating the movable member, and an operation state of the movable member.
- An operation detector for detecting, and the freeze determination device can determine the freezing of the water collected in the gas-liquid separator based on a detection result by the operation detector. This makes it possible to determine the freezing relatively easily.
- the magnet may be brought close to the metal at the time of freezing determination to detect an operation state such as whether or not the metal has moved due to floating or the like.
- the motion detector may be provided with a sensor between the movable member provided at a predetermined position on the bottom surface and the bottom surface, and the floating sensor of the movable member may be confirmed by such a sensor.
- the state of the movable member is determined by the operating device to be frozen. It may be determined whether there is a difference between before and after the determination.
- a contact whose conduction state changes by the operation of the movable member may be provided, and the operation detector may detect a change in the conduction state of the contact. For example, during non-freezing, the movable member moves and comes into contact with the contact, so that the non-conductive contact becomes conductive, and when freezing, the movable member comes into contact with the contact because ice exists. Since there is no such condition, it may be determined that freezing has occurred by remaining non-conductive.
- the contact may be a switch separate from the movable member, and the movable member may be moved to be ON when the movable member moves, and the switch may be in a conductive state.
- the movable member may be separated from the contact by moving and may be determined to be frozen by being in a non-conductive state.
- a freeze determination can be applied to the above-described switch configuration.
- the present invention is not limited to these examples, and it suffices if the operation of the movable member changes the conduction state of the contact and can detect the change.
- the gas supply pipe includes a fuel gas supply pipe that supplies a fuel gas to the fuel cell, and the gas supply pipe supplies a fuel gas to the fuel cell.
- the fuel cell system further includes a connection bypass pipe branched from the anode off-gas discharge pipe and communicated below the water surface in the gas-liquid separator, and a fuel gas path formed by the anode off-gas discharge pipe and the connection pipe path pipe.
- the switching device can be easily realized by, for example, switching by a valve.
- a pressure measuring device is, for example, having a pressure sensor on the anode offgas exhaust pipe. It may be.
- the pressure sensor may be provided between the gas-liquid separator and the fuel cell stack, that is, on the upstream side of the gas-liquid separator, or may be provided on the downstream side.
- the pressure change may be higher than a predetermined value or lower than a predetermined value depending on a part where the pressure sensor is installed. In any case, if the determination is made based on the upper and lower limits of the pressure value measured at the time of normal startup of the fuel cell system, freezing can be determined with a simple configuration.
- the hydrogen gas used for the determination of freezing may be supplied from a hydrogen tank that supplies the fuel gas to the fuel cell via a fuel gas supply pipe, or may be supplied during the previous operation of the fuel cell system. In the fuel cell system of the present invention, it is possible to use hydrogen gas. Freezing of the water collected in the separator may be determined.
- Such a freeze determination device includes a pressure measuring device that measures a pressure below a water surface in the gas-liquid separator, and determines the freezing based on the measured pressure value. It is preferable that freezing can be determined. In such a case, for example, it can be easily realized by installing a pressure measuring device, for example, a pressure sensor somewhere below the water surface of the gas-liquid separator.
- An elastic member that is deformed by pressure may be provided, and the freeze determination device may determine the freeze based on a deformed state of the elastic member.
- the present invention also provides a freeze determination device for determining freezing in a gas-liquid separator.
- a freeze determination device of the present invention includes a gas pipe through which gas flows, a gas-liquid separator connected to the gas pipe, and separating and recovering water contained in the gas flowing through the gas pipe.
- a freeze determination device that determines whether the water recovered in the gas-liquid separator is frozen based on a difference in flow characteristics between the time of freezing and the time of non-freezing of the water recovered in the gas-liquid separator. It is characterized by having.
- the freeze determination device of the present invention can be realized in various modes in the same manner as the fuel cell system of the present invention.
- the various features described above can be applied as appropriate in combination or with some parts omitted.
- the present invention is not limited to the configuration as the fuel cell system described above, but can be configured in various modes such as a control device that determines whether the fuel cell system is frozen and controls the activation, a control method, and a freeze determination method.
- the various features described above can be applied as appropriate.
- FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a fuel cell system as an embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a control unit for controlling the operation of the fuel cell system.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the gas-liquid separator according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the freeze determination process in the first embodiment.
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a gas-liquid separator according to a modification of the first embodiment.
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a gas-liquid separator according to a second embodiment.
- FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the freeze determination process in the second embodiment.
- FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a gas-liquid separator according to a modification of the second embodiment.
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the gas-liquid separator according to the third embodiment.
- FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a gas-liquid separator according to a modification of the third embodiment.
- FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a fuel cell system as an example.
- the fuel cell system according to the embodiment is mounted as a power source on an electric vehicle driven by a motor. Electric power is generated according to the driver's accelerator operation, and the vehicle can run using the generated electric power.
- the fuel cell system of the embodiment does not need to be mounted on a vehicle, and can have various configurations such as a stationary type.
- the fuel cell stack 10 is a stacked body in which a plurality of single cells that generate electric power by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen are stacked.
- Each unit cell has a configuration in which a hydrogen electrode (hereinafter, referred to as an anode) and an oxygen electrode (hereinafter, referred to as a force sword) are arranged with an electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween.
- a hydrogen electrode hereinafter, referred to as an anode
- an oxygen electrode hereinafter, referred to as a force sword
- a solid polymer type cell using a solid polymer membrane such as Naphion (registered trademark) as an electrolyte membrane is used.
- the present invention is not limited to this, and various types can be used. .
- Compressed air is supplied to the power source of the fuel cell stack 10 as a gas containing oxygen.
- the air is sucked from the filter 40, compressed by the compressor 41, humidified by the humidifier 42, and supplied to the fuel cell stack 10 from the pipe 35.
- the pipe 35 is provided with a temperature sensor 202 for detecting the intake air temperature.
- Exhaust from the power sword (hereinafter referred to as power sword off-gas) is exhausted to the outside through piping 36 and muffler 43.
- the air supply pressure is controlled by the pressure
- the pressure is detected by the sensor 53 and is controlled by the opening of the pressure regulating valve 27.
- Hydrogen is supplied to the anode of the fuel cell stack 10 from the high-pressure hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 20 via a pipe 32.
- hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing gas may be generated by a reforming reaction using alcohol, hydrocarbon, aldehyde, or the like as a raw material, and supplied to the anode.
- the pressure and supply amount of hydrogen stored in the hydrogen tank 20 at high pressure is regulated by the shutoff valve 21, regiureya 22, high pressure valve 23, and low pressure valve 24 provided at the outlet. It is supplied to the anode. Exhaust gas from the anode (hereinafter, referred to as anode off-gas) flows out to the pipe 33. At the outlet of the anode, a pressure sensor 51 and a valve 25 are provided, which are used for controlling the pressure and amount of supply to the anode.
- the pipe 33 branches into two parts on the way, one of which is connected to a discharge pipe 37 for discharging the anode off-gas to the outside, and the other of which is connected to the pipe 32 via a check valve 28. Connected. Since hydrogen is consumed by the power generation in the fuel cell stack 10, the pressure of the anode off-gas is relatively low. Therefore, a hydrogen pump 4 5 for pressurizing the anode off-gas is provided in the pipe 33. Is provided.
- the gas-liquid separator 60 has a function of cooling the passing anode off-gas, thereby separating water contained in the anode off-gas into water vapor (gas) and water (liquid), and recovering water.
- the recovered water is used for humidification of hydrogen or oxygen supplied to the fuel cell.
- a heater 47 for thawing when the gas-liquid separator 60 is frozen is provided in the vicinity of the gas-liquid separator 60. The heater 47 thaws using the electric power generated by the fuel cell stack 10, the heat generated by the electric power generation, and the electric power of the battery.
- the fuel cell stack 10 is supplied with cooling water in addition to hydrogen and oxygen.
- the cooling water flows through a cooling discharge pipe 37 by a pump 46, is cooled by a laser generator 38, and is supplied to the fuel cell stack 10.
- a temperature sensor 203 for detecting the temperature of the cooling water is provided.
- FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a control unit 200 for controlling the operation of the fuel cell system.
- the control unit 200 is configured as a microphone computer including a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM therein, and controls the operation of the system according to a program stored in the ROM.
- the control unit 200 functions as a freeze determination device.
- FIG. 2 an example of a signal input / output to / from the control unit 200 for realizing this control is shown by a solid line.
- the input includes, for example, detection signals from the temperature sensor 202, the pressure sensor 51, the pressure sensor 53, the gas-liquid separator 60, and the accelerator opening sensor 201. Electric power is generated in accordance with the accelerator operation amount detected by the accelerator opening sensor 2.01, and the vehicle can run using the electric power.
- Outputs include, for example, control signals for the gas-liquid separator 60, the hydrogen pump 45, the heater 47, and the display 210.
- the display 210 displays the user's notification information such as the prohibition of the start of the fuel cell system and the thawing process during the freezing process.
- Gas-liquid separator structure :
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the gas-liquid separator according to the first embodiment.
- the gas-liquid separator 60 includes a drainage mechanism and a mechanism for determining whether or not the collected water Wa is frozen.
- the drainage mechanism includes a float 103, a support 104 movably supporting the float 103, and a nozzle 105 extending from the support 104 and opening and closing the drainage port 106. I have.
- the float 103 rises, whereby the support 104 and the nozzle 105 extending from the support 104 are lifted.
- the drain port 106 is opened, and the water accumulated above a predetermined value is discharged to the outside.
- the electrodes 100a and 100b, the iron core 101 disposed between the electrodes 100a and 100b, and the water below the iron core 101 The magnet attracting object 110a is provided, and guides 102a and 102b for regulating the operation of the magnet attracting object 110a are provided.
- the electrodes 100a and 100b are connected to the control unit 200 by connection lines 200a and 200b, and constitute an electric circuit. Even if a voltage is applied to electrodes 100a and 100b, current flows in such circuits because contacts A and B at the underwater end of electrodes 100a and 100b are open. Absent. When a conductive object comes into contact with the contacts A and B and each contact closes, the electric circuit becomes a closed circuit, and the conduction state, that is, the current flows.
- the control unit 2000 detects such a conductive state and makes a freezing determination.
- the control unit 200 applies a voltage to the electrodes 100a and 100b, a magnetic field is generated between the electrodes 100a and 100b, and the iron core 101 It changes to an electromagnet under the influence of a magnetic field.
- the iron core 101 in such a state is referred to as an electromagnet 101.
- the magnet attracted object 110a attracts the electromagnet 101 and follows the guides 102a and 102b. And rises to the position of the magnetically attracted object 110b shown by the broken line, and contacts the contacts A and B at the underwater side ends of the electrodes 100a and 100b.
- Control unit 2 In the case of 0, when the magnetically attracted object 110a comes into contact with the contacts A and B, the above-mentioned electric circuit becomes a closed circuit, a current flows, and the conduction state is detected. That is, if the control unit 200 can detect the conduction state, it determines that the water Wa in the gas-liquid separator is not frozen.
- the control unit 200 returns to the water W in the gas-liquid separator 60. a is determined to be frozen.
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the freeze determination process.
- the freeze determination process is a process in which the control unit 200 controls and executes each function block in accordance with a start-up operation of the fuel cell system performed by the driver.
- it is determined whether or not the water collected in the gas-liquid separator 60 is frozen using the flow characteristics of water.
- the flow characteristic means the behavior of a fluid that changes according to the conditions at each time. For example, when water stored in a container is not frozen, if the container is tilted, it will respond to the movement. When the container is not frozen, it does not flow in the container even if the container is tilted. That is, it can be said that water has the property of flowing when not frozen, and has the property of not flowing when frozen.
- the control unit 200 reads the outside air temperature from the temperature sensor 202 (step S11). Outside air temperature measured by temperature sensor 202 If the value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (step S12), it is determined that the gas-liquid separator 60 is not frozen, and normal system startup processing is performed (step S18). Further, the determination of freezing may be performed with reference to the history of the outside air temperature measured by the temperature sensor 202.
- the predetermined value is a temperature that is at least higher than the freezing point of water and that may be frozen.
- step S12 If the outside air temperature is not equal to or higher than the predetermined value (step S12), it is determined that there is a high possibility that the water inside the gas-liquid separator 60 is frozen, and freeze determination processing is performed.
- the control unit 200 applies a voltage to the electrodes 100a and 100b installed in the gas-liquid separator 60 (step S13), and the electrodes 100a and 100b The iron core 101 is changed to the electromagnet 101 by generating a magnetic field around the object (step S14).
- the control unit 2000 determines whether or not conduction has been detected after a predetermined time has elapsed after voltage application to the electrodes 100a and 100b (step S15). If the continuity is detected, it is determined that the water in the gas-liquid separator 60 is not frozen, and the system is started (step S18). If conduction cannot be detected, the control unit 200 determines that the water in the gas-liquid separator 60 is frozen, activates the heater (step S16), and sets the gas-liquid separator 6 Thaw the ice in 0.
- the thawing process may be, for example, by supplying power from a battery and activating the heater 47.
- the control unit 200 informs the user via the display 210 that the thawing process is being performed as shown in the figure (step S17).
- the fuel cell system of the first embodiment described above it is possible to determine the freezing of the water in the gas-liquid separator with a simple configuration, and control the activation of the system based on the result of the freezing determination. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the gas from being supplied to the fuel cell satisfactorily, and to prevent the deterioration of the system.
- a magnetic field is generated between the two electrodes, and the iron provided between The core is an electromagnet, and the determination of freezing is made based on the movable state of the magnet attracted object in water.
- the determination of freezing may be performed by the configuration shown in FIG.
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a gas-liquid separator according to a modification of the first embodiment.
- the gas-liquid separator 60 of this modified example includes a rod-shaped member 1 2 1 that can move in water, and a support 1 2 2 that supports the rod-shaped member 1 2 1 at a predetermined position. It is provided with a fulcrum 120 for rotating as indicated by an arrow and a contact point 123 that comes into contact when the rod-shaped member 121 is rotated along the arrow.
- a sensor connected to the control unit 200 is installed at the contact 123, and when the rod-shaped member 121 comes into contact, a signal is sent to the control unit 200.
- the control unit 200 rotates the bar-shaped member 121 along the arrow, for example, by rotating the fulcrum 120 with a motor.
- the rod-shaped member 121 contacts the contact 123 as shown by the broken line (indicated by a circle C in the figure).
- the control unit 200 determines that the ice is not frozen.
- the control unit 200 rotates the fulcrum 120 by a motor, and if a signal is not notified from the sensor after a predetermined time has passed, the control unit 200 freezes. May be determined. The freeze may be determined by detecting that the fulcrum 120 does not rotate.
- the determination may be made based on the water flow when the gas-liquid separator 60 is tilted or vibrated, or may be vibrated. The determination may be made based on the vibration frequency in the case.
- the freezing of the water in the gas-liquid separator 6OA is determined based on the operation state of the movable member arranged in the gas-liquid separator.
- a bypass pipe was installed so that hydrogen gas branched from the anode off-gas pipe and flowed into the water of the gas-liquid separator, and the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor installed in the pipe was Base Therefore, it was determined that the water in the gas-liquid separator 6 OA was frozen.
- FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the gas-liquid separator according to the second embodiment.
- the anode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 10 flows out to the pipe 33.
- the pipe 33 is provided with a valve 25 for adjusting the flow rate of the anode off-gas.
- bypass pipe 70 is installed so that anode off-gas flows from pipe 33, and the gas-liquid separator side end of bypass pipe 70 is placed below the water surface of gas-liquid separator 6OA. I decided to do it.
- the bypass pipe 70 is provided with a valve 71 for adjusting the amount of the anode off-gas flowing out.
- the control unit 200 controls the pulp 25 and the pulp 25 when determining whether the water in the gas-liquid separator 60 A is frozen.
- the opening and closing of the valve 71 is controlled so that the anode off-gas flows out to either the pipe 33 or the bypass pipe 70.
- a switching valve may be provided at a branch point.
- the anode off-gas that has passed through the gas-liquid separator 6 O A flows into the pipe 34.
- a hydrogen pump 45 that pressurizes the anode off-gas, a pressure sensor 55 that measures the pressure on the upstream side of the hydrogen pump 45, and a pressure sensor 56 that measures the pressure on the downstream side are installed in the piping 34. Have been.
- the control unit 200 determines freezing based on the measured values of the pressure sensors 55 and 56.
- the valve 25 is closed in advance because the system is not started.
- the control unit 200 opens the valve 71 and controls the anode off-gas flowing out of the fuel cell stack 10 to flow to the bypass pipe 70. Since the gas-liquid separator 6 OA side end of the bypass pipe 70 is located in the water, water also flows into the bypass pipe 70, and the water surface sf is the same as the water surface of the gas-liquid separator 6 OA. Position.
- the anode off-gas passes through the water in the bypass pipe 70, and is released from the water as bubbles bub from the outlet of the bypass pipe 70 shown by a circle D in the figure, Flow into piping 34.
- the anode off-gas is pressurized by the hydrogen pump 45 and flows through the piping.
- the pressure values measured by the pressure sensors 55 and 56 are not different from those at the time of normal startup of the fuel cell system.
- the control unit 200 operates when the difference between the pressure value and the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 55 during normal operation is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. Then, it is determined that the water in the gas-liquid separator 60A is frozen.
- FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a freeze determination process according to the second embodiment. This process is a process executed by the control unit 200 by controlling each functional block. Step S11 to step S12 and step S16 to step S18 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.
- the control unit 200 performs a freezing determination process.
- the shut valve 21 is opened (Step S30), and hydrogen gas is supplied from the hydrogen tank 20 to the fuel cell stack 10 (Step S31).
- the valve 71 is opened to allow the anode off-gas discharged from the fuel cell stack 10 to flow into the bypass pipe 70 (step S32).
- it is a determination of freezing before the system is started, and the valve 25 installed in the pipe 33 is closed in advance.
- the control unit 200 determines whether or not the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 55 is equal to or less than the predetermined value (step S33). If the pressure value is equal to or less than the predetermined value, it is determined that the water in the gas-liquid separator 60A is frozen, and the freezing process of Steps S16 to S17 is performed. If the pressure value is not lower than the predetermined value, it is determined to be non-freezing, and the system is started (step 18).
- the fuel cell system of the second embodiment described above similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to easily detect freezing of a mechanical device, such as a gas-liquid separator, which is difficult to detect freezing, Since the start of the system is prohibited during freezing, it is possible to avoid the adverse effects of starting the fuel cell system and to prevent the twisted cell system from deteriorating. In addition, since the heater is activated and thawed during freezing, the fuel cell system can be started immediately if thawing is detected.
- a mechanical device such as a gas-liquid separator
- the hydrogen gas is supplied from the hydrogen tank 20.
- the remaining hydrogen from the previous operation of the fuel cell system may be used.
- FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a gas-liquid separator according to a modification of the second embodiment.
- the bypass pipe 70 branches off from the downstream side of the hydrogen pump 45, and the other end of the bypass pipe 70 is installed below the water surface of the gas-liquid separator 6 OA.
- a valve 71 for adjusting the inflow of the anode off-gas is installed.
- the water surface s f is at the same position as the water surface of the gas-liquid separator 6OA.
- the control unit 200 opens the valve 71 and starts the hydrogen pump 45.
- the hydrogen pump 45 pressurizes residual hydrogen remaining in the pipes 33, 34 and the gas-liquid separator 6 OA during the previous operation of the fuel cell system, and flows the hydrogen to the bypass pipe 70.
- various valves are closed in advance.
- the anode off-gas passes through the bypass pipe 70, is discharged from the water as bubbles bub from the outlet of the bypass pipe 70 indicated by a circle E in the figure, and flows into the pipe 34. Since the various valves other than the valve 71 are closed, the anode gas is circulating through the closed path of piping 34 ⁇ bypass piping 70 ⁇ gas-liquid separator 6 OA. Measured by pressure sensors 55, 56 during freezing judgment The specified pressure value is a value within a predetermined range.
- the hydrogen pump 45 operates without releasing the anode off-gas that has flowed into the bypass pipe 70 from the water in the gas-liquid separator 60 A, so that the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 55 becomes a predetermined value. It becomes lower than the value.
- the control unit 200 determines that the water in the gas-liquid separator 60A is frozen.
- freezing is determined based on the operation state of the movable member provided in the gas-liquid separator 60B.
- a bypass pipe was provided from the pipe into the water of the gas-liquid separator 60B, and freezing was determined based on a pressure value measured by a pressure sensor.
- the determination of freezing is made based on the difference in the volume of water between the time of freezing and the time of non-freezing, based on the expansion of the volume in the process of freezing and turning into ice. did.
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a gas-liquid separator 60B according to the third embodiment.
- the gas-liquid separator 60B is provided with a rubber thin film 80a on a side surface, and a movable member 81a supported by a spring 82 is arranged so as to be in contact with the thin film 80a. I have.
- the other end of the panel 82 is provided with a fixed pressure sensor 83.
- the thin film 80a expands outside the gas-liquid separator 60B as shown by the broken thin film 80b as the water Wa freezes and the volume expands.
- the movable member 81a is pressed by the thin film 80b as shown by an arrow, and moves to the position of the movable member 81b shown by the broken line while pressing the panel 82 accordingly.
- the pressure sensor 83 measures the pressure applied to the panel 82, and based on the measured pressure value and the pressure value measured at the end of the previous operation of the fuel cell system, detects the gas-liquid separator 60B. Determine the freezing of water Wa. That is, when the fuel cell system is not frozen, the difference between the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 83 and the pressure value measured at the end of the previous operation of the fuel cell system at the time of determining whether the fuel cell system is frozen is equal to or more than a predetermined value. Does not appear.
- the control unit 200 freezes. It is determined that there is.
- step S 30 is “pressure measurement”
- step S 31 is “reading of pressure value at the end of previous operation”
- step S 32 Can be explained as “comparison of pressure values” and step S33 as “Is there a difference between pressure values equal to or greater than a predetermined value?”.
- the determination of freezing can be performed based on the difference in the volume of water between the time of freezing and the time of non-freezing, it is possible to determine the freezing of the gas-liquid separator with a simple configuration. it can. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the off-gas from being unable to be satisfactorily supplied to the fuel cell stack, and to suppress the deterioration of the fuel cell system.
- the determination of freezing was made based on the expansion of the thin film provided below the water surface of the gas-liquid separator, but a pressure sensor was provided below the water surface instead of the thin film. Is also good.
- FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a gas-liquid separator according to a modification of the third embodiment. is there.
- the gas-liquid separator 6 OB has a pressure sensor 90 below the water surface. Below the surface of the gas-liquid separator 600B, water pressure is applied by water Wa as shown by an arrow, and the control unit 200 judges freezing based on the water pressure measured by the pressure sensor 90.
- a difference greater than a predetermined value does not appear between the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 90 and the pressure value measured at the end of the previous operation of the fuel cell system.
- the volume expands in the process of changing from water to ice, so that the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor 90 is higher than the pressure value measured at the end of the previous operation of the fuel cell system.
- expansion of the volume of water in the gas-liquid separator, that is, freezing can be determined with a simple configuration, which is preferable.
- the determination of the freezing is made based on the pressure value measured at the time of the freeze determination performed before the start of the fuel cell system and the pressure value measured at the end of the previous operation of the fuel cell system. However, regardless of the pressure value measured at the end of the previous operation, if the pressure value is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it may be determined that the frozen state is present.
- a switch may be provided instead of the movable member. With this configuration, it is possible to determine the freezing based on the ONZOFF of the switch due to the expansion of the thin film, and it is possible to realize the freezing determination with a simple configuration.
- rubber is used for the thin film.
- the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be realized as long as the elastic member is deformed at a predetermined pressure value or more.
- the “predetermined pressure value” may be, for example, a value within a predetermined range from a pressure value detected when water in the gas-liquid separator 60B is frozen, or may be calculated from a volume expansion rate. It may be a value to be performed.
- the elastic member may be, for example, a thin film of a resin material, rubber, or the like.
- the determination of freezing is performed, for example, by using an elastic member outside the gas-liquid separator.
- a movable member may be provided so as to be in contact with the elastic member, and the elastic member may expand outward due to volume expansion due to freezing of water in the gas-liquid separator, and detect an operation state of the movable member due to the expansion.
- a cylinder may be provided with a nozzle or the like at the frozen screening portion.
- various methods other than the above-described methods may be used, such as, for example, sound propagation, reflection, light reflection, transmission, and refraction in the gas-liquid separator.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
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- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
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- Fuel Cell (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE112004000413.6T DE112004000413B4 (de) | 2003-03-12 | 2004-03-10 | Brennstoffzellensystem |
US11/223,012 US7781107B2 (en) | 2003-03-12 | 2005-09-12 | Fuel cell system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2003066679A JP4725002B2 (ja) | 2003-03-12 | 2003-03-12 | 燃料電池システム |
JP2003-066679 | 2003-03-12 |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/223,012 Continuation US7781107B2 (en) | 2003-03-12 | 2005-09-12 | Fuel cell system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2004082053A1 true WO2004082053A1 (ja) | 2004-09-23 |
Family
ID=32984543
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2004/003142 WO2004082053A1 (ja) | 2003-03-12 | 2004-03-10 | 燃料電池システム |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7781107B2 (ja) |
JP (1) | JP4725002B2 (ja) |
CN (1) | CN1759495A (ja) |
DE (1) | DE112004000413B4 (ja) |
WO (1) | WO2004082053A1 (ja) |
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JP4673604B2 (ja) * | 2004-11-08 | 2011-04-20 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | 燃料電池システム |
DE102004056952A1 (de) * | 2004-11-25 | 2006-06-08 | Nucellsys Gmbh | Brennstoffzellensystem mit Flüssigkeitsabscheider |
JP2007027078A (ja) * | 2005-06-13 | 2007-02-01 | Nissan Motor Co Ltd | 燃料電池システム |
JP2012054249A (ja) * | 2005-06-13 | 2012-03-15 | Nissan Motor Co Ltd | 燃料電池システム |
JP4961698B2 (ja) * | 2005-09-01 | 2012-06-27 | 株式会社日立製作所 | 燃料電池システム |
JP5152614B2 (ja) * | 2006-05-23 | 2013-02-27 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | 燃料電池システム |
JP2008108449A (ja) * | 2006-10-23 | 2008-05-08 | Aisin Seiki Co Ltd | 燃料電池システムの凍結防止装置 |
DE102006054056B4 (de) * | 2006-11-16 | 2009-06-25 | Siemens Ag | Brennstoffzellenvorrichtung mit einer Entwässerungseinrichtung |
WO2008090430A1 (en) * | 2007-01-22 | 2008-07-31 | Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. | Drainage apparatus for fuel cell system generation water |
JP4618294B2 (ja) | 2007-10-25 | 2011-01-26 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | 燃料電池システム |
DE102007061959A1 (de) | 2007-12-21 | 2009-06-25 | Daimler Ag | Brennstoffzellensystem mit verbessertem Wärmemanagement |
KR101113643B1 (ko) | 2009-08-14 | 2012-02-14 | 현대자동차주식회사 | 연료전지 시스템의 배기관 장착용 물배출 장치 |
WO2013153789A1 (ja) | 2012-04-10 | 2013-10-17 | パナソニック株式会社 | 燃料電池システム及びその運転方法 |
CN105317784B (zh) * | 2015-10-27 | 2018-01-23 | 山东钢铁股份有限公司 | 一种液压系统油液铁粉在线监测装置及使用方法 |
JP6729348B2 (ja) * | 2016-12-21 | 2020-07-22 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | 燃料電池システム |
JP6547770B2 (ja) * | 2017-01-18 | 2019-07-24 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | 燃料電池システム |
GB2568893B (en) * | 2017-11-29 | 2020-03-25 | Intelligent Energy Ltd | A cooling module for a fuel cell system |
EP3573158B1 (en) * | 2018-05-23 | 2024-07-03 | Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. | Fuel cell system |
JP7063724B2 (ja) * | 2018-05-25 | 2022-05-09 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | 燃料電池システム用の排気排水ユニット |
DE102021211691A1 (de) * | 2021-10-15 | 2023-04-20 | Vitesco Technologies GmbH | Wasserabscheidevorrichtung für eine Brennstoffzelle mit beweglichem Volumenausgleichskörper als Gefrierschutzeinrichtung |
CN114335626B (zh) * | 2021-12-29 | 2024-06-14 | 山东国创燃料电池技术创新中心有限公司 | 一种燃料电池氢气循环系统及排氢排水方法 |
JP2024052032A (ja) * | 2022-09-30 | 2024-04-11 | 株式会社アイシン | 燃料電池移動体及び燃料電池車 |
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- 2004-03-10 DE DE112004000413.6T patent/DE112004000413B4/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-03-10 CN CNA2004800065388A patent/CN1759495A/zh active Pending
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE112004000413T5 (de) | 2005-12-29 |
JP4725002B2 (ja) | 2011-07-13 |
DE112004000413B4 (de) | 2019-07-11 |
CN1759495A (zh) | 2006-04-12 |
US20060063049A1 (en) | 2006-03-23 |
JP2004281069A (ja) | 2004-10-07 |
US7781107B2 (en) | 2010-08-24 |
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