WO2012125116A1 - Degassing module - Google Patents

Degassing module Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012125116A1
WO2012125116A1 PCT/SE2012/050291 SE2012050291W WO2012125116A1 WO 2012125116 A1 WO2012125116 A1 WO 2012125116A1 SE 2012050291 W SE2012050291 W SE 2012050291W WO 2012125116 A1 WO2012125116 A1 WO 2012125116A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
air duct
supply air
exhaust air
degassing module
battery cabinet
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE2012/050291
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Krister Thour
Johan Kullberg
Original Assignee
Sitetel Sweden Ab
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 Sitetel Sweden Ab filed Critical Sitetel Sweden Ab
Publication of WO2012125116A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012125116A1/en

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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
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
    • H01M10/61—Types of temperature control
    • H01M10/613—Cooling or keeping cold
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
    • H01M10/65—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells
    • H01M10/655—Solid structures for heat exchange or heat conduction
    • H01M10/6556—Solid parts with flow channel passages or pipes for heat exchange
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/30—Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
    • H01M50/35—Gas exhaust passages comprising elongated, tortuous or labyrinth-shaped exhaust passages
    • H01M50/358—External gas exhaust passages located on the battery cover or case
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
    • H01M10/62—Heating or cooling; Temperature control specially adapted for specific applications
    • H01M10/627—Stationary installations, e.g. power plant buffering or backup power supplies
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
    • H01M10/65—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells
    • H01M10/656—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells characterised by the type of heat-exchange fluid
    • H01M10/6561—Gases
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
    • H01M10/65—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells
    • H01M10/656—Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells characterised by the type of heat-exchange fluid
    • H01M10/6561—Gases
    • H01M10/6563—Gases with forced flow, e.g. by blowers
    • H01M10/6565—Gases with forced flow, e.g. by blowers with recirculation or U-turn in the flow path, i.e. back and forth
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
    • H01M50/204—Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
    • H01M50/207—Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells characterised by their shape
    • H01M50/209—Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells characterised by their shape adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
    • H01M50/30—Arrangements for facilitating escape of gases
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
    • H05K7/20—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/42—Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
    • H01M10/52—Removing gases inside the secondary cell, e.g. by absorption
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/60—Heating or cooling; Temperature control
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2220/00—Batteries for particular applications
    • H01M2220/10—Batteries in stationary systems, e.g. emergency power source in plant
    • 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
    • Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to the field of degassing modules for battery cabinets.
  • batteries used for example as backup power for telecom sites, hospitals and data storage are kept in cabinets, sometimes together with other electronic equipment.
  • hydrogen gas H 2
  • Hydrogen gas mixed with air more specifically, with the oxygen in the air
  • degassing systems for ventilating the battery cabinet such that the battery generated gas is exhausted from the cabinet.
  • thermal conditioning (or air conditioning) unit may be provided in the battery cabinet for regulation of the temperature therein.
  • a device for degassing and stabilizing temperature of an accumulator in a battery space is disclosed in DE 3316512.
  • the device comprises an air feed line in which a heating device is arranged for providing an optimum
  • a directing device is provided for directing air through the air feed line provided with the heating device, or through another air feed line without any heating device.
  • the heating device and the directing device are controlled by a control device receiving information on the operation conditions of the accumulators.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an improved alternative to the above mentioned technique and prior art.
  • degassing module for a battery cabinet with improved efficiency. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a battery cabinet comprising such a degassing module.
  • a degassing module for a battery cabinet comprises a supply air duct adapted to supply the battery cabinet with ambient air (i.e. air from outside the battery cabinet), and an exhaust air duct adapted to exhaust air and battery generated gas (such as hydrogen gas) from the battery cabinet. Further, a portion of the supply air duct is arranged in thermal contact with a portion of the exhaust air duct for permitting heat exchange between exhaust air and supply air.
  • a battery cabinet comprises a degassing module according to the first aspect of the present invention.
  • the present invention is based on the insight that thermal conditioning (or treatment) of the air inside the battery cabinet may be deteriorated (or counteracted) if the cabinet is ventilated for exhaustion of the battery generated gas. For example, if the temperature outside the cabinet is high, the thermal conditioning unit will cool the air inside the cabinet. Such a cooling will be counteracted during ventilation, when warm ambient air is supplied to the cabinet and the cool air inside the cabinet is exhausted along with the battery generated gas.
  • the basic idea of the present invention is to combine degassing of the battery cabinet with thermal treatment of supply air by transmitting heat or cold from the exhaust air to the supply air. Accordingly, the temperature difference between the supply air entering the battery cabinet and the air inside the cabinet is decreased. Hence, sufficient degassing of the cabinet is obtained, thereby reducing the risk of arising explosive gas mixtures, while less energy is needed to keep the temperature inside the cabinet at a desired level compared to prior art techniques.
  • the degassing module according to the present invention can be used both when the ambient temperature outside the battery cabinet is high and it is desired to cool the supply air, and when the ambient temperature is low and it is desired to heat the supply air.
  • the present invention is advantageous in that it provides both degassing of battery generated gas and energy-efficient thermal treatment of the supply air since heat or cold is recycled from the exhaust air to the supply air.
  • the degassing module is energy-efficient.
  • the present invention is advantageous in that no additional equipment (such as e.g. temperature sensors and control units) for controlling the heat exchange between the supply air and the exhaust air is required, whereby it is less technically complex compared to prior art techniques.
  • the supply air duct and the exhaust air duct may be arranged to keep the supply air flow separate from the exhaust air flow.
  • the present embodiment is advantageous in that the battery generated gas comprised in the exhaust air is not mixed with the supply air and thereby prevented from entering the battery cabinet.
  • the supply air duct may be separate from the exhaust air duct to keep the supply air flow separate from the exhaust air flow.
  • the portion of the supply air duct and the portion of the exhaust air duct may be branched. Further, the branches of the supply air duct may be alternately arranged in thermal contact with the branches of the exhaust air duct.
  • the present embodiment is advantageous in that a greater area of thermal contact is provided compared to if the ducts are not branched and alternately arranged, whereby the heat exchange between the supply air and the exhaust air is enhanced.
  • the portion of the supply air duct and the portion of the exhaust air duct may provide a heat exchange body.
  • the heat exchange body may be pleat shaped, wave shaped and/or provided with fins. The present embodiments are advantageous in that the heat exchange between the supply air and the exhaust air is enhanced.
  • the supply air duct and the exhaust air duct may be arranged such that the heat exchange between the exhaust air and the supply air is a concurrent heat exchange or a countercurrent heat exchange.
  • the supply air and the exhaust air will flow in the same direction (concurrent) or in opposite directions (countercurrent).
  • the present embodiment is advantageous in that such parallel air flows allow a compact design of the degassing module.
  • a concurrent heat exchange allows a compact design of the degassing module while the supply air duct may be connected to the upper part of the battery cabinet and the exhaust air duct may be connected to the lower part of the battery cabinet, which is advantageous in that air circulation in and out of the battery cabinet may be enhanced since the air inside the battery cabinet is heated by the batteries, thereby rising to the upper part of the battery cabinet.
  • a concurrent heat exchange allows a compact design of the degassing module while the supply air duct may be connected to the upper part of the battery cabinet and the exhaust air duct may be connected to the lower part of the battery cabinet, which is advantageous in that air circulation in and out of the battery cabinet may be enhanced since the air inside the battery cabinet is heated by the batteries, thereby rising to the upper part of the battery cabinet.
  • a concurrent heat exchange allows a compact design of the degassing module while the supply air duct may be connected to the upper part of the battery cabinet and the exhaust air duct may be connected to the lower part of the battery cabinet, which is advantageous in that air circulation in and out
  • the supply air duct may be provided with a filter for filtering the supply air, which is advantageous if there are requirements on clean air inside the battery cabinet.
  • the battery cabinet according to the second aspect of the invention may further comprise a thermal conditioning unit (or an air-conditioning unit).
  • a thermal conditioning unit or an air-conditioning unit.
  • the temperature inside the battery cabinet may be controlled such that a temperature suitable for operation of the batteries can be provided.
  • the present embodiment is advantageous in that the performance of the batteries is improved and the life time of the batteries is extended.
  • Figure 1 shows a battery cabinet comprising a degassing module according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a degassing module according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a portion of the degassing module shown in Figure 2; and Figure 4 shows a cross section of the degassing module shown in Figure 3, taken along the line A - A.
  • a battery cabinet 10 comprising a degassing module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG 1 shows a battery cabinet 10, in which one or more batteries 1 1 are kept.
  • the batteries 1 1 may be used e.g. as backup power for applications requiring constant power and being sensitive for power failures. Such applications may e.g. be telecom sites, hospitals and data storage.
  • the batteries 1 1 may be used to backup any kind of power source, such as an AC power grid, a hybrid genset or renewable energy sources (e.g. solar energy sources).
  • the batteries 1 1 which are kept in the battery cabinet 10 may also be used as a main power source (i.e. not for backup) for any kind of application.
  • other kind of electronic equipment may be kept together with the batteries 1 1 in the battery cabinet 10.
  • a thermal conditioning unit 12 may be arranged in the battery cabinet 10.
  • the thermal conditioning unit 12 may be arranged to keep the temperature in the battery cabinet 10 at a level suitable for the operation of the batteries 1 1 , such as e.g. 20°C. If the temperature in the cabinet differs too much from the optimum operation temperature of the batteries 1 1 , the performance of the batteries 1 1 may be strongly affected and the life time of the batteries 1 1 may be greatly reduced. For example, for a certain kind of battery having an ideal operation temperature of 20°C, the life time may be halved every 10°C increasing from 20°C. Further, the thermal conditioning unit 12 may be an air conditioning unit, also conditioning the air in respect of e.g. humidity.
  • the battery cabinet 10 further comprises a degassing module 100 for degassing (or ventilating) the battery cabinet 10 to avoid gas generated by the batteries 1 1 (e.g. hydrogen gas) to get trapped inside the battery cabinet 10.
  • the degassing module 100 comprises a supply air duct 1 10 adapted to supply the battery cabinet 10 with ambient air. Further, the degassing module 100 comprises an exhaust air duct 120 adapted to exhaust air and battery generated gas from the battery cabinet 10.
  • a portion 1 1 1 of the supply air duct 1 10 is arranged in thermal contact with a portion 121 of the exhaust air duct 120 for permitting heat exchange between exhaust air and supply air.
  • the portion 1 1 1 of the supply air duct 1 10 may be arranged in abutment to (i.e. be in close contact to) the portion 121 of the exhaust air duct
  • the battery cabinet 10 may be provided with a fan 13 for circulating air in and out of the battery cabinet 10 through the degassing module 100.
  • the fan 13 may be arranged in the supply air duct 1 10 or the in the exhaust air duct 120.
  • the fan 13 will provide an air flow (i.e. the supply air flow and the exhaust air flow) for degassing the battery cabinet 10.
  • the degassing module 100 or the battery cabinet 10 may comprise more than one fan (e.g. two fans) for providing a sufficient air flow.
  • the air circulation may also be provided simply by the rising air heated by the batteries in the battery cabinet, thereby creating an air circulation, or by exploiting an internal air circulation system (or a fan in the internal air circulation system) used for circulating air around the batteries inside the battery cabinet 10. Further, the air flow provided by the fan 13, and the internal air circulation in the battery cabinet 10 may be combined and balanced to provide a proper air flow in the degassing module 100.
  • the supply air duct 1 10 and the exhaust air duct 120 may be arranged such that the heat exchange between the exhaust air and the supply air is a concurrent heat exchange (as shown in Figure 1 ) or a countercurrent heat exchange (not shown). Accordingly, the supply air flow and the exhaust air flow will be parallell (and preferably seperate) at least along the portions 1 1 1 ,
  • the supply air duct 121 of the supply air duct 1 10 and the exhaust air duct 120 being in thermal contact with each other.
  • the exhaust air duct 120 may be arranged such that the heat exchange between the exhaust air and the supply air is a cross-current heat exchange (not shown), wherein the exhaust air flow is substantially perpendicular with the supply air flow.
  • the heat exchange area may be extended by increasing the length of the portions 1 1 1 , 121 being in thermal contact with each other, which is
  • FIG. 2 shows a degassing module 200 comprising a supply air duct 210 having inlets 212 for taking in ambient air and an outlet 213 adapted to be connected to the battery cabinet 10 such that supply air (i.e. said ambient air) can enter the battery cabinet 10.
  • the degassing module 200 comprises an exhaust air duct 220 having an inlet 222 adapted to be connected to the battery cabinet 10 such that air and battery generated gas can leave the battery cabinet 10, and outlets 223 for exhausting the air and the battery generated gas to the surroundings, outside the battery cabinet 10.
  • the outlet 213 of the supply air duct 210 may be connected to an upper part of the battery cabinet and the inlet 222 of the of the exhaust air duct 220 may be connected to a lower part of the battery cabinet, whereby the air circulation in and out of the battery cabinet is enhanced.
  • the supply air duct 210 may be provided with a filter for filtering air supplied to the battery cabinet 10. Such a filter may e.g. be arranged at the inlets 212 of the supply air duct 210 or at the outlet 213 of the supply air duct.
  • a portion of the supply air duct 210 and a portion of the exhaust air duct 220 may be branched.
  • the branches 310 of the supply air duct 210 are alternately arranged in thermal contact with the branches 320 of the exhaust air duct 220.
  • one branch 310 of the supply air duct 210 is in thermal contact with two or three branches 320 of the exhaust air duct 220, and vice versa, as illustrated in Figure 4. It will be appreciated that the supply air duct 210 and the exhaust air duct 220 may be provided with any number of branches suitable for the design of the degassing module.
  • the portions of the supply air duct 210 being in thermal contact with the portions of the exhaust air duct 220 may provide a heat exchange body 302.
  • the contact surface (or interface) between the branches 310 of the supply air duct 210 and the branches 320 of the exhaust air duct 220 will provide the heat exchange body 302.
  • the heat exchange body 302 may preferably be fabricated in a material having high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or any other kind of metal, thereby enhancing the heat exchange between the supply air and the exhaust air.
  • the heat exchange body 302 may be provided with fins 303 to enhance the heat exchange even more.
  • the heat exchange body 302 may be pleat shaped (i.e. provided with pleats) or wave shaped to increase the thermal contact surface between the supply air duct and the exhaust air duct. It will be appreciated that the heat exchange body 302 may have any suitable shape facilitating the heat exchange.
  • the degassing module may comprise an outer cover 301 of the supply air duct 210 and the exhaust air duct 220, the outer cover 301 including the portions of the supply air duct 210 and the exhaust air duct 220 not providing thermal contact between the supply air duct 210 and the exhaust air duct 220 (i.e. the portions facing outwards).
  • the outer cover 301 may comprise a material having low thermal conductivity, such as e.g. plastics, thereby reducing heat exchange between the supply air 210 duct and the surroundings (i.e. ambient air), as well as between the exhaust air duct 220 and the surroundings. Hence, more thermal energy may be transferred between the supply air duct 210 and the exhaust air duct 220 (e.g. via the heat exchange body).
  • the ambient temperature outside the battery cabinet 10 is higher than the temperature inside the battery cabinet 10 which is cooled by the thermal conditioning unit 12.
  • the fan 13 is operated such that a degas air circulation is provided, causing ambient air to be drawn in through the supply air duct 1 10 into the battery cabinet 10 simultaneously as internal air and battery generated gas are drawn out from the battery cabinet 10 through the exhaust air duct 120.
  • the supply air passes the portion 1 1 1 of the supply air duct 1 10, heat will be transferred (heat exchanged) to exhaust air passing the portion 121 of the exhaust air duct 120.
  • the supply air will be cooled as it passes the portion 1 1 1 of the supply air duct 1 10 on its way into the battery cabinet 10.
  • the present invention may be applicable both for cooling and heating supply air to a battery cabinet, i.e. both if the ambient temperature is higher than the temperature inside the battery cabinet, and if the ambient temperature is lower than the temperature inside the battery cabinet.
  • the degassing module may be modular and possible to apply to different battery cabinet products.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Secondary Cells (AREA)
  • Battery Mounting, Suspending (AREA)

Abstract

A degassing module (100) and abattery cabinet(10)comprising such a degassing module areprovided. The degassing module (10) comprises a supply air duct(110)adapted to supply the battery cabinet(10)with ambient air,and an exhaust air duct (120) adapted to exhaust air and battery generated gas from the battery cabinet(10). Further, a portion (111) of the supply air duct (110) is arranged in thermal contact with a portion(121)of the exhaust air duct (120) for permitting heat exchange between exhaust air and supply air.The degassing module (10) according to the present invention is advantageous in that it is energy-efficientand less technically complex compared to prior art techniques.

Description

DEGASSING MODULE
Field of the invention
The present invention generally relates to the field of degassing modules for battery cabinets.
Background of the invention
In general, batteries used for example as backup power for telecom sites, hospitals and data storage, are kept in cabinets, sometimes together with other electronic equipment. When such batteries are used, i.e. if they are charged or discharged, hydrogen gas (H2) is generated and trapped inside the cabinet. Hydrogen gas mixed with air (more specifically, with the oxygen in the air) in certain proportions, is highly inflammable and explosive. To avoid giving rise to such an explosive gas mix, conventional battery cabinets are provided with degassing systems for ventilating the battery cabinet such that the battery generated gas is exhausted from the cabinet.
Further, battery performance is strongly affected by ambient temperatures. Therefore, a thermal conditioning (or air conditioning) unit may be provided in the battery cabinet for regulation of the temperature therein.
A device for degassing and stabilizing temperature of an accumulator in a battery space is disclosed in DE 3316512. The device comprises an air feed line in which a heating device is arranged for providing an optimum
temperature for the accumulators. Further, a directing device is provided for directing air through the air feed line provided with the heating device, or through another air feed line without any heating device. The heating device and the directing device are controlled by a control device receiving information on the operation conditions of the accumulators. A drawback with such a degassing and temperature stabilizing device is that it is relatively energy consuming.
Summary of the invention
Thus, there is a need for providing alternatives and/or new devices that would overcome, or at least alleviate or mitigate, at least some of the above mentioned drawbacks. It is with respect to the above considerations that the present invention has been made. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved alternative to the above mentioned technique and prior art.
More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a degassing module for a battery cabinet with improved efficiency. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a battery cabinet comprising such a degassing module.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by means of a degassing module and a battery cabinet having the features defined in the independent claims. Preferable embodiments of the invention are
characterized by the dependent claims.
Hence, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a degassing module for a battery cabinet is provided. The degassing module comprises a supply air duct adapted to supply the battery cabinet with ambient air (i.e. air from outside the battery cabinet), and an exhaust air duct adapted to exhaust air and battery generated gas (such as hydrogen gas) from the battery cabinet. Further, a portion of the supply air duct is arranged in thermal contact with a portion of the exhaust air duct for permitting heat exchange between exhaust air and supply air.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a battery cabinet is provided. The battery cabinet comprises a degassing module according to the first aspect of the present invention.
The present invention is based on the insight that thermal conditioning (or treatment) of the air inside the battery cabinet may be deteriorated (or counteracted) if the cabinet is ventilated for exhaustion of the battery generated gas. For example, if the temperature outside the cabinet is high, the thermal conditioning unit will cool the air inside the cabinet. Such a cooling will be counteracted during ventilation, when warm ambient air is supplied to the cabinet and the cool air inside the cabinet is exhausted along with the battery generated gas.
Hence, the basic idea of the present invention is to combine degassing of the battery cabinet with thermal treatment of supply air by transmitting heat or cold from the exhaust air to the supply air. Accordingly, the temperature difference between the supply air entering the battery cabinet and the air inside the cabinet is decreased. Hence, sufficient degassing of the cabinet is obtained, thereby reducing the risk of arising explosive gas mixtures, while less energy is needed to keep the temperature inside the cabinet at a desired level compared to prior art techniques.
It will be appreciated that the degassing module according to the present invention can be used both when the ambient temperature outside the battery cabinet is high and it is desired to cool the supply air, and when the ambient temperature is low and it is desired to heat the supply air.
The present invention is advantageous in that it provides both degassing of battery generated gas and energy-efficient thermal treatment of the supply air since heat or cold is recycled from the exhaust air to the supply air. Hence, the degassing module is energy-efficient. Further, the present invention is advantageous in that no additional equipment (such as e.g. temperature sensors and control units) for controlling the heat exchange between the supply air and the exhaust air is required, whereby it is less technically complex compared to prior art techniques.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the supply air duct and the exhaust air duct may be arranged to keep the supply air flow separate from the exhaust air flow. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the battery generated gas comprised in the exhaust air is not mixed with the supply air and thereby prevented from entering the battery cabinet. For example, the supply air duct may be separate from the exhaust air duct to keep the supply air flow separate from the exhaust air flow.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the portion of the supply air duct and the portion of the exhaust air duct (which portions are in thermal contact with each other) may be branched. Further, the branches of the supply air duct may be alternately arranged in thermal contact with the branches of the exhaust air duct. The present embodiment is advantageous in that a greater area of thermal contact is provided compared to if the ducts are not branched and alternately arranged, whereby the heat exchange between the supply air and the exhaust air is enhanced.
According to embodiments of the invention, the portion of the supply air duct and the portion of the exhaust air duct may provide a heat exchange body. Further, the heat exchange body may be pleat shaped, wave shaped and/or provided with fins. The present embodiments are advantageous in that the heat exchange between the supply air and the exhaust air is enhanced.
In an embodiment of the invention, the supply air duct and the exhaust air duct may be arranged such that the heat exchange between the exhaust air and the supply air is a concurrent heat exchange or a countercurrent heat exchange. Hence, the supply air and the exhaust air will flow in the same direction (concurrent) or in opposite directions (countercurrent). The present embodiment is advantageous in that such parallel air flows allow a compact design of the degassing module. Further, a concurrent heat exchange allows a compact design of the degassing module while the supply air duct may be connected to the upper part of the battery cabinet and the exhaust air duct may be connected to the lower part of the battery cabinet, which is advantageous in that air circulation in and out of the battery cabinet may be enhanced since the air inside the battery cabinet is heated by the batteries, thereby rising to the upper part of the battery cabinet. However, a
countercurrent heat exchange is advantageous in that it is a high-efficient heat exchange. According to an embodiment of the present invention the supply air duct may be provided with a filter for filtering the supply air, which is advantageous if there are requirements on clean air inside the battery cabinet.
In an embodiment of the invention, the battery cabinet according to the second aspect of the invention may further comprise a thermal conditioning unit (or an air-conditioning unit). Hence, the temperature inside the battery cabinet may be controlled such that a temperature suitable for operation of the batteries can be provided. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the performance of the batteries is improved and the life time of the batteries is extended.
Further objectives of, features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following. In particular, it will be appreciated that the various embodiments described for the degassing module are all combinable with the battery cabinet as defined in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention.
Brief description of the drawings
The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a battery cabinet comprising a degassing module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a degassing module according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a portion of the degassing module shown in Figure 2; and Figure 4 shows a cross section of the degassing module shown in Figure 3, taken along the line A - A.
Detailed description of embodiments
With reference to Figure 1 , there is shown a battery cabinet 10 comprising a degassing module 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 1 shows a battery cabinet 10, in which one or more batteries 1 1 are kept. The batteries 1 1 may be used e.g. as backup power for applications requiring constant power and being sensitive for power failures. Such applications may e.g. be telecom sites, hospitals and data storage. Moreover, the batteries 1 1 may be used to backup any kind of power source, such as an AC power grid, a hybrid genset or renewable energy sources (e.g. solar energy sources). However, the batteries 1 1 which are kept in the battery cabinet 10 may also be used as a main power source (i.e. not for backup) for any kind of application. Further, other kind of electronic equipment may be kept together with the batteries 1 1 in the battery cabinet 10.
In an embodiment of the invention, a thermal conditioning unit 12 may be arranged in the battery cabinet 10. The thermal conditioning unit 12 may be arranged to keep the temperature in the battery cabinet 10 at a level suitable for the operation of the batteries 1 1 , such as e.g. 20°C. If the temperature in the cabinet differs too much from the optimum operation temperature of the batteries 1 1 , the performance of the batteries 1 1 may be strongly affected and the life time of the batteries 1 1 may be greatly reduced. For example, for a certain kind of battery having an ideal operation temperature of 20°C, the life time may be halved every 10°C increasing from 20°C. Further, the thermal conditioning unit 12 may be an air conditioning unit, also conditioning the air in respect of e.g. humidity.
The battery cabinet 10 further comprises a degassing module 100 for degassing (or ventilating) the battery cabinet 10 to avoid gas generated by the batteries 1 1 (e.g. hydrogen gas) to get trapped inside the battery cabinet 10. The degassing module 100 comprises a supply air duct 1 10 adapted to supply the battery cabinet 10 with ambient air. Further, the degassing module 100 comprises an exhaust air duct 120 adapted to exhaust air and battery generated gas from the battery cabinet 10. A portion 1 1 1 of the supply air duct 1 10 is arranged in thermal contact with a portion 121 of the exhaust air duct 120 for permitting heat exchange between exhaust air and supply air. For example, the portion 1 1 1 of the supply air duct 1 10 may be arranged in abutment to (i.e. be in close contact to) the portion 121 of the exhaust air duct
120 such that heat may be transferred between the two ducts 1 10, 120.
Further, the battery cabinet 10 may be provided with a fan 13 for circulating air in and out of the battery cabinet 10 through the degassing module 100. Alternatively, the fan 13 may be arranged in the supply air duct 1 10 or the in the exhaust air duct 120. Hence, the fan 13 will provide an air flow (i.e. the supply air flow and the exhaust air flow) for degassing the battery cabinet 10. It will be appreciated that the degassing module 100 or the battery cabinet 10 may comprise more than one fan (e.g. two fans) for providing a sufficient air flow. However, the air circulation may also be provided simply by the rising air heated by the batteries in the battery cabinet, thereby creating an air circulation, or by exploiting an internal air circulation system (or a fan in the internal air circulation system) used for circulating air around the batteries inside the battery cabinet 10. Further, the air flow provided by the fan 13, and the internal air circulation in the battery cabinet 10 may be combined and balanced to provide a proper air flow in the degassing module 100.
The supply air duct 1 10 and the exhaust air duct 120 may be arranged such that the heat exchange between the exhaust air and the supply air is a concurrent heat exchange (as shown in Figure 1 ) or a countercurrent heat exchange (not shown). Accordingly, the supply air flow and the exhaust air flow will be parallell (and preferably seperate) at least along the portions 1 1 1 ,
121 of the supply air duct 1 10 and the exhaust air duct 120 being in thermal contact with each other. According to another alternative, the supply air duct
1 10 and the exhaust air duct 120 may be arranged such that the heat exchange between the exhaust air and the supply air is a cross-current heat exchange (not shown), wherein the exhaust air flow is substantially perpendicular with the supply air flow.
To increase the heat exchange between the exhaust air and the supply air, the heat exchange area may be extended by increasing the length of the portions 1 1 1 , 121 being in thermal contact with each other, which is
advantageous in that it is a cheap and easy way to affect the heat exchange of the degassing module 100.
With reference to Figure 2, a degassing module according to an embodiment of the invention will be described in more detail. Figure 2 shows a degassing module 200 comprising a supply air duct 210 having inlets 212 for taking in ambient air and an outlet 213 adapted to be connected to the battery cabinet 10 such that supply air (i.e. said ambient air) can enter the battery cabinet 10. Further, the degassing module 200 comprises an exhaust air duct 220 having an inlet 222 adapted to be connected to the battery cabinet 10 such that air and battery generated gas can leave the battery cabinet 10, and outlets 223 for exhausting the air and the battery generated gas to the surroundings, outside the battery cabinet 10. For example, the outlet 213 of the supply air duct 210 may be connected to an upper part of the battery cabinet and the inlet 222 of the of the exhaust air duct 220 may be connected to a lower part of the battery cabinet, whereby the air circulation in and out of the battery cabinet is enhanced. In an embodiment of the invention, the supply air duct 210 may be provided with a filter for filtering air supplied to the battery cabinet 10. Such a filter may e.g. be arranged at the inlets 212 of the supply air duct 210 or at the outlet 213 of the supply air duct.
The degassing module will now be further described with reference to Figure 3, showing an exploded view of a portion of the degassing module shown in figure 2, and Figure 4, showing a cross section of the degassing module taken along the line A - A in Figure 3. According to an embodiment of the invention, a portion of the supply air duct 210 and a portion of the exhaust air duct 220 may be branched. The branches 310 of the supply air duct 210 are alternately arranged in thermal contact with the branches 320 of the exhaust air duct 220. As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, may e.g. five branches 310 of the supply air duct 210 be alternately arranged in thermal contact with five branches 320 of the exhaust air duct 220. In the present example, one branch 310 of the supply air duct 210 is in thermal contact with two or three branches 320 of the exhaust air duct 220, and vice versa, as illustrated in Figure 4. It will be appreciated that the supply air duct 210 and the exhaust air duct 220 may be provided with any number of branches suitable for the design of the degassing module.
Further, the portions of the supply air duct 210 being in thermal contact with the portions of the exhaust air duct 220 may provide a heat exchange body 302. In the example illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the contact surface (or interface) between the branches 310 of the supply air duct 210 and the branches 320 of the exhaust air duct 220 will provide the heat exchange body 302. The heat exchange body 302 may preferably be fabricated in a material having high thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or any other kind of metal, thereby enhancing the heat exchange between the supply air and the exhaust air. Further, the heat exchange body 302 may be provided with fins 303 to enhance the heat exchange even more. As an alternative (or in addition to) the fins 303, the heat exchange body 302 may be pleat shaped (i.e. provided with pleats) or wave shaped to increase the thermal contact surface between the supply air duct and the exhaust air duct. It will be appreciated that the heat exchange body 302 may have any suitable shape facilitating the heat exchange.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the degassing module may comprise an outer cover 301 of the supply air duct 210 and the exhaust air duct 220, the outer cover 301 including the portions of the supply air duct 210 and the exhaust air duct 220 not providing thermal contact between the supply air duct 210 and the exhaust air duct 220 (i.e. the portions facing outwards). The outer cover 301 may comprise a material having low thermal conductivity, such as e.g. plastics, thereby reducing heat exchange between the supply air 210 duct and the surroundings (i.e. ambient air), as well as between the exhaust air duct 220 and the surroundings. Hence, more thermal energy may be transferred between the supply air duct 210 and the exhaust air duct 220 (e.g. via the heat exchange body).
Turning again back to Figure 1 , an illustrative example of the operation of the degassing module 100 according to an embodiment of the invention will be described. In the present example, the ambient temperature outside the battery cabinet 10 is higher than the temperature inside the battery cabinet 10 which is cooled by the thermal conditioning unit 12. The fan 13 is operated such that a degas air circulation is provided, causing ambient air to be drawn in through the supply air duct 1 10 into the battery cabinet 10 simultaneously as internal air and battery generated gas are drawn out from the battery cabinet 10 through the exhaust air duct 120. As the supply air passes the portion 1 1 1 of the supply air duct 1 10, heat will be transferred (heat exchanged) to exhaust air passing the portion 121 of the exhaust air duct 120. Hence, the supply air will be cooled as it passes the portion 1 1 1 of the supply air duct 1 10 on its way into the battery cabinet 10.
While specific embodiments have been described, the skilled person will understand that various modifications and alterations are conceivable within the scope as defined in the appended claims.
In particular, it is envisaged that the present invention may be applicable both for cooling and heating supply air to a battery cabinet, i.e. both if the ambient temperature is higher than the temperature inside the battery cabinet, and if the ambient temperature is lower than the temperature inside the battery cabinet.
Further, the degassing module may be modular and possible to apply to different battery cabinet products.

Claims

A degassing module (100, 200) for a battery cabinet (10), the degassing module comprising:
a supply air duct (1 10, 210) adapted to supply the battery cabinet with ambient air;
an exhaust air duct (120, 220) adapted to exhaust air and battery generated gas from the battery cabinet,
wherein a portion (1 1 1 ) of the supply air duct is arranged in thermal contact with a portion (121 ) of the exhaust air duct for permitting heat exchange between exhaust air and supply air.
A degassing module as defined in claim 1 , wherein the supply air duct and the exhaust air duct are arranged to keep a supply air flow separate from an exhaust air flow.
A degassing module as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein:
said portion of the supply air duct and said portion of the exhaust air duct are branched,
the branches (310) of the supply air duct being alternately arranged in thermal contact with the branches (320) of the exhaust air duct.
A degassing module as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said portion of the supply air duct and said portion of the exhaust air duct provide a heat exchange body (302).
A degassing module as defined in claim 4, wherein the heat exchange body is pleat shaped, wave shaped and/or provided with fins (303).
A degassing module as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply air duct and the exhaust air duct are arranged such that said heat exchange between the exhaust air and the supply air is a concurrent heat exchange or a countercurrent heat exchange.
A degassing module as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply air duct is provided with a filter for filtering the supply air.
A battery cabinet comprising a degassing module according to any one of claims 1 -7.
A battery cabinet as defined in claim 8, further comprising a thermal conditioning unit (12).
PCT/SE2012/050291 2011-03-17 2012-03-16 Degassing module WO2012125116A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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SE1150239A SE535903C2 (en) 2011-03-17 2011-03-17 Gas removal module for battery cabinets
SE1150239-0 2011-03-17

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WO2014029566A1 (en) * 2012-08-21 2014-02-27 Robert Bosch Gmbh Module cover for a battery module, battery module, thermal management system and motor vehicle
CN103796477A (en) * 2012-10-31 2014-05-14 北京创智信科科技有限公司 Equipment cabinet
CN104582441A (en) * 2014-12-26 2015-04-29 东莞展能信息科技有限公司 Intelligent cabinet
JP2016138403A (en) * 2015-01-28 2016-08-04 日立建機株式会社 Construction machine
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CN106659084A (en) * 2016-12-29 2017-05-10 安徽清水岩生态科技有限公司 Pollution prevention tool of communication case
CN106604612A (en) * 2017-02-24 2017-04-26 安徽清水岩生态科技有限公司 Communication cabinet heat dissipation apparatus
DE102017207691A1 (en) * 2017-05-08 2018-11-08 Fritz GmbH. & Co. KG Stationary storage system for batteries

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