WO2008071402A1 - Test de fuite dans un système de pile à combustible - Google Patents

Test de fuite dans un système de pile à combustible Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008071402A1
WO2008071402A1 PCT/EP2007/010837 EP2007010837W WO2008071402A1 WO 2008071402 A1 WO2008071402 A1 WO 2008071402A1 EP 2007010837 W EP2007010837 W EP 2007010837W WO 2008071402 A1 WO2008071402 A1 WO 2008071402A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pressure
fuel cell
circuit
cell system
anode
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2007/010837
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Thorsten Tüxen
Klaus Weigele
Holger Richter
Armin Warm
Valerie Jordan Booden
Monika Derflinger
Milos Milacic
Stefan Reiff.
William Sanderson
Fred Thomas
Original Assignee
Daimler Ag
Ford Global Technologies, Llc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Daimler Ag, Ford Global Technologies, Llc filed Critical Daimler Ag
Publication of WO2008071402A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008071402A1/fr

Links

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
    • H01M8/04082—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
    • H01M8/04104—Regulation of differential pressures
    • 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
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M2008/1095—Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
    • 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 method for leakage testing of the anode circuit in a fuel cell system having a fuel cell stack in which the fuel is circulated during operation of the fuel cell system and fuel from a reservoir is supplied to the circuit via a valve.
  • fuel cell systems are used in motor vehicles as an alternative without any exhaust gas emissions to internal combustion engines that use fossil fuels.
  • any emergence of the fuel from the anode circuit of a fuel cell system is, in particular, also a safety problem since this fuel can be oxidized and emerging fuel can therefore lead to undesirable, exothermic to explosive reactions.
  • Undesirable emergence of fuel such as this can take place, for example, in the case of motor- vehicle fuel cell systems in particular as a result of leakages which disadvantageous circumstances can occur at the pipe joints or as a consequence of component failure, as a result of vibration and bumps during driving operation.
  • JP 2004-108809 discloses an ultrasound-based flowmeter for a fuel cell system, in which the ultrasound sensors are used for detecting the typical flow noises when a leak occurs .
  • WO 2004/112179 A2 discloses a fuel cell system and a method for finding leakages in the hydrogen circuit. Valves for closing the circuit as well as pressure measurement devices in the circuit are provided for this purpose, with the rate of pressure change in the circuit being determined and being analyzed against a predetermined curve in order to identify leakages .
  • the present invention is based on the problem of designing a simple method, which can also be used during operation of the fuel cell system, for identification of a leak in the anode circuit .
  • a method is proposed in which the input and output lines of the fuel circuit are closed in its filled state when a minimum pressure is present, and the pressure in the circuit is determined at at least two different times, with the pressure difference between the at least two measurement times being determined and being compared with at least one reference value when no leak is present.
  • the pressure loss in the fuel circuit without any leak being present may be determined, for example, in a calibration process of each fuel cell system and, for example, may be stored in a processor unit.
  • the actually determined measured values are compared with reference values, in which case the presence of a leak may be deduced from a corresponding discrepancy.
  • the minimum pressure is set during filling of the fuel cell circuit, before the start of the fuel cell reaction. The leakage test is thus integrated in the process of starting the fuel cell system, with the capability to stop the starting process of the fuel cell reaction if a leak is detected.
  • a threshold value is advantageously defined for the difference between the measured pressure difference in the fuel circuit and the at least one reference value and, if this threshold value is exceeded, the fuel cell reaction is not started.
  • the appropriate data is in this case stored and processed in a central processor unit.
  • the minimum pressure is set while the fuel cell reaction is taking place during operation of the fuel cell system, wherein the pressure loss resulting from the fuel cell reaction during the measurement interval is also taken into account when defining the reference value.
  • the pressure loss resulting from the fuel cell reaction during the measurement interval is also taken into account when defining the reference value.
  • the pressure in the cathode area is first of all increased during operation of the fuel cell system, with the pressure in the anode area being automatically slaved to the desired difference pressure with respect to the cathode area by means of a control system which acts in one direction, the pressure in the cathode area is then reduced again, and the rematching of the pressure in the anode area is detected by determining the pressure value over at least one time period.
  • the single-sided control system is advantageously a pneumatic pressure control valve by means of which the pressure in the anode area can be set directly and without any electronic signal transmitter.
  • FIG. 1 shows a fuel cell system, illustrated schematically,
  • Figure 2 shows a layout of a test procedure
  • Figure 3 shows examples of the profile of the pressure without any leaks in the anode circuit (Kl) , with a leak in the anode circuit (K2), and with the valve
  • the fuel cell system 10 illustrated schematically in Figure 1 has a fuel cell stack 20 which comprises a plurality of individual fuel cells, which each have an anode 22a and a cathode 24a, at which the electricity-generating fuel cell reaction takes place.
  • a fuel cell stack 20 which comprises a plurality of individual fuel cells, which each have an anode 22a and a cathode 24a, at which the electricity-generating fuel cell reaction takes place.
  • hydrogen that is supplied as fuel is oxidized at the anode and oxygen is at the same time reduced at the cathode, with the resultant ions combining to form water molecules.
  • the anode 22a is adjacent to an anode gas area 22 to which hydrogen is supplied via a line 30, while the cathode 24a is adjacent to a cathode gas area 24, which is supplied with environmental air, and therefore also with oxygen, via a line 40.
  • the unconsumed oxygen as well as the inert components of the air are carried out of the cathode area via a line 42, and are admitted to the surrounding area via a moisturizer and/or heat exchanger 44.
  • Environmental air is supplied to the cathode area via a fan 46 and the moisturizer/heat exchanger 44, and the line 40.
  • the hydrogen in the anode circuit is circulated so that the line 32 which carries the hydrogen out of the anode area 22 is passed via a fan 38 again into the line 30 which opens into the anode area.
  • Hydrogen consumed by the fuel cell reaction is supplied to the hydrogen circuit again from a reservoir tank 50 via a valve 52.
  • a method as illustrated in Figure 2 is proposed, by means of which it is possible to test for leaks in the anode circuit before the fuel cell reaction starts.
  • the anode circuit that is to say the hydrogen circuit
  • the hydrogen circuit is filled with hydrogen up to the desired pressure by means of the lines 30, 32 and the anode area 22. This is done by means of the valve 52 ( Figure 1) .
  • the hydrogen circuit is closed in a second step S2 by closing the valves 52, 36 and all further valves in the hydrogen circuit.
  • the pressure in the hydrogen circuit is determined by means of a pressure sensor 34.
  • the data from the pressure sensor 34 is passed to a central processor unit, which is not illustrated.
  • a difference pressure «p is determined in the processor unit, which is not illustrated, corresponding to the difference between two pressure values in the hydrogen circuit, determined by the pressure sensor at different, defined times tl and t2.
  • the pressure loss value which is assumed in the hydrogen circuit where no leaks are present is stored as a reference value in the processor unit. Hydrogen emerges from the hydrogen circuit even when no leaks are present, in particular, via the membranes of the individual fuel cells.
  • step S4 the difference pressure determined in the test procedure is compared in the processor unit with the stored reference value and, if the pressure loss is less than or equal to the reference value, the fuel cell system can be started in the next step S5a. If, however in contrast, the pressure loss is greater than the stored reference value, the test can either be repeated, starting at step Sl, or the fuel cell system is not started, in accordance with step S5b, because of the suspicion that a leak has occurred.
  • the method which is in principle the same, is used in an alternative embodiment during operation of the fuel cell system.
  • the hydrogen circuit has already been filled by operation (Sl).
  • the difference in this alternative embodiment is the pressure loss in the closed hydrogen circuit resulting from the fuel cell reaction as it continues to take place.
  • This hydrogen consumption caused by the fuel cell reaction and which leads to an additional pressure loss in the circuit, must be taken into account when determining the reference value for the pressure measurement.
  • the method for testing for leaks in the hydrogen circuit is likewise carried out during operation of the fuel cell system.
  • the pressure in the cathode circuit is increased by increasing the fan power 46 ( Figure 1) , with the cathode circuit being connected to the anode circuit via a control valve which acts in one direction that is not shown, such that the pressure increase in the lines 40 and 42 and the anode area 24 leads to a corresponding pressure increase in the anode circuit with the lines 30, 32 and the anode area 22.
  • the pressure within the cathode circuit is reduced within as short a time interval as possible, so that matching of the anode pressure via the control valve which acts in only one direction is not possible because of this valve.
  • a reduction in the pressure in the anode is in this embodiment of the invention also carried out regularly just by means of the consumption of hydrogen in the fuel cell reaction and the diffusion which normally takes place, in particular through the membranes.
  • the appropriate reference values are stored over time for this purpose in the processor unit, which is not illustrated. If the difference pressure measured at two times tl and t2 is greater than the stored reference value (step 4 in Figure 2), this is an indication of a leakage in the hydrogen circuit, since hydrogen is apparently escaping from the hydrogen circuit not just in the fuel cell reaction and through normal diffusion in the system.
  • Figure 3 shows examples of the profile of the pressure measured by means of the pressure sensor 34, with the anode circuit sealed (Kl), with a leak in the anode circuit (K2) and with the valve 36 open (K3) .
  • the pressure in the anode circuit is set within 3 s to a minimum pressure of 0.7 bar gauge (bar gauge for short) .
  • the pressure setting is detected with the aid of the pressure sensor 34, and is monitored by means of the processor unit.
  • the curve Kl shows the pressure profile when the anode circuit is sealed without any leakage: the pressure in the anode circuit decreases only slightly. This is because, for example, of fuel (H 2 ) passing through the membranes (PEM) of the fuel cells in the fuel cell stack into the cathode circuit. A pressure drop such as this is classified by the processor unit as being acceptable, so that it allows continued operation of the fuel cell system and continuation of the starting process of the fuel cell system, without emitting any warning or the like. The determined measured values can be used as reference values .
  • the curve K2 shows a pressure profile for an anode circuit which is not sealed, and has a minor leakage current.
  • the pressure in the anode circuit decreases considerably; the pressures in the anode circuit 30, 22, 32 as measured with the aid of the pressure sensor 34 at the at least two times result in a pressure difference which is greater than the reference value.
  • the processor unit could allow continued operation of the fuel cell system and continuation of the starting process of the fuel cell system, but only with a warning being emitted, informing the user of the presence of a leakage and, possibly, of its extent .
  • the curve K3 shows a pressure profile with an anode circuit which is not sealed and has an unacceptably bad leakage, such as that which occurs with an open valve 36 when this valve 36 has, for example, a malfunction or is defective: the pressure in the anode circuit 30, 22, 32 falls below a minimum pressure of 0.1 bar gauge within the measurement interval.
  • the processor unit could initiate disconnection of the fuel cell system without the operation of restarting, or termination of the starting process of the fuel cell system. In addition, appropriate information relating to this could be emitted to the user.
  • the present invention therefore makes it possible to use a method for detection of leakages in the hydrogen circuit of a fuel cell system both during starting of the fuel cell system and during operation of the fuel cell system. While conventional methods for leakage testing are carried out only at irregular intervals, for example within the course of the normal servicing intervals, and experts as well as specific equipment are required, thus resulting in corresponding costs, the method according to the invention can be carried out automatically and regularly, and does not require any specific equipment or experts.

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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)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé pour détecter des fuites dans le circuit d'anode d'un système de pile à combustible, dans lequel le circuit d'anode est fermé en fermant toutes les lignes d'entrée et de sortie en cas de pression minimum définie et la pression du circuit d'anode est déterminée au moyen d'un capteur de pression au moins deux fois. La différence de pression sur ces deux instants de mesure est comparée à une valeur de référence, sans aucune fuite.
PCT/EP2007/010837 2006-12-14 2007-12-11 Test de fuite dans un système de pile à combustible WO2008071402A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102006059030A DE102006059030A1 (de) 2006-12-14 2006-12-14 Leckageprüfung in einem Brennstoffzellensystem
DE102006059030.9 2006-12-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008071402A1 true WO2008071402A1 (fr) 2008-06-19

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Family Applications (1)

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PCT/EP2007/010837 WO2008071402A1 (fr) 2006-12-14 2007-12-11 Test de fuite dans un système de pile à combustible

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DE (1) DE102006059030A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008071402A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009065520A1 (fr) * 2007-11-21 2009-05-28 Daimler Ag Procédé de détection d'une fuite dans un système à pile à combustible
DE102015224333A1 (de) 2014-12-12 2016-06-16 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Verfahren zum Bestimmen der Anodenintegrität während eines Brennstoffzellenfahrzeugbetriebs
US11404710B2 (en) * 2018-12-17 2022-08-02 Cummins Enterprise Llc Assembled portion of a solid oxide fuel cell and methods for inspecting the same
US11894587B2 (en) 2018-12-20 2024-02-06 Hps Home Power Solutions Gmbh Energy system and method for line pressure monitoring

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8387441B2 (en) * 2009-12-11 2013-03-05 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Injector flow measurement for fuel cell applications
DE102019125554A1 (de) * 2019-09-23 2021-03-25 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Verfahren zur Überprüfung der Dichtheit eines Brennstoffzellensystems sowie Kraftfahrzeug

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030077495A1 (en) * 2001-10-19 2003-04-24 Scartozzi John P. Fuel cell system, and method of testing a fuel cell for a gas leak
WO2006033425A1 (fr) * 2004-09-22 2006-03-30 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Systeme de pile a combustible et procede d’evaluation des pannes d’un tel systeme
US7127937B1 (en) * 2005-06-01 2006-10-31 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Method for leak detection in gas feeding systems with redundant valves
WO2007018132A1 (fr) * 2005-08-09 2007-02-15 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Système de pile à combustible et procédé d'évaluation de fuite de gaz dans le système

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030077495A1 (en) * 2001-10-19 2003-04-24 Scartozzi John P. Fuel cell system, and method of testing a fuel cell for a gas leak
WO2006033425A1 (fr) * 2004-09-22 2006-03-30 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Systeme de pile a combustible et procede d’evaluation des pannes d’un tel systeme
US20070202367A1 (en) * 2004-09-22 2007-08-30 Naohiro Yoshida Fuel Cell System And Fuel Cell System Failure Judgment Method
US7127937B1 (en) * 2005-06-01 2006-10-31 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Method for leak detection in gas feeding systems with redundant valves
WO2007018132A1 (fr) * 2005-08-09 2007-02-15 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Système de pile à combustible et procédé d'évaluation de fuite de gaz dans le système

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2009065520A1 (fr) * 2007-11-21 2009-05-28 Daimler Ag Procédé de détection d'une fuite dans un système à pile à combustible
DE102015224333A1 (de) 2014-12-12 2016-06-16 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Verfahren zum Bestimmen der Anodenintegrität während eines Brennstoffzellenfahrzeugbetriebs
US11404710B2 (en) * 2018-12-17 2022-08-02 Cummins Enterprise Llc Assembled portion of a solid oxide fuel cell and methods for inspecting the same
US11894587B2 (en) 2018-12-20 2024-02-06 Hps Home Power Solutions Gmbh Energy system and method for line pressure monitoring

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Publication number Publication date
DE102006059030A1 (de) 2008-06-19

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