WO2023011803A1 - Procédé et dispositif pour séparer l'eau d'un circuit d'anode d'un système de pile à combustible, et système de pile à combustible - Google Patents

Procédé et dispositif pour séparer l'eau d'un circuit d'anode d'un système de pile à combustible, et système de pile à combustible Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2023011803A1
WO2023011803A1 PCT/EP2022/067590 EP2022067590W WO2023011803A1 WO 2023011803 A1 WO2023011803 A1 WO 2023011803A1 EP 2022067590 W EP2022067590 W EP 2022067590W WO 2023011803 A1 WO2023011803 A1 WO 2023011803A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
water
drain valve
fuel cell
cell system
collection container
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2022/067590
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Martin Katz
Jochen Wessner
Benedikt Leibssle
Original Assignee
Robert Bosch Gmbh
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 Robert Bosch Gmbh filed Critical Robert Bosch Gmbh
Publication of WO2023011803A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023011803A1/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
    • H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H01M8/04156—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal
    • 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
    • H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
    • 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
    • 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
    • H01M8/04291—Arrangements for managing water in solid electrolyte fuel cell systems

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and a device for separating water from an anode circuit of a fuel cell system.
  • the invention relates to a fuel cell system with a device according to the invention.
  • a fuel cell has an electrolyte membrane sandwiched between an anode and a cathode. With the help of the fuel cell, hydrogen, which is supplied to the anode, and oxygen, which is supplied to the cathode in the form of air, can be converted into electrical energy, heat and water. In order to increase the electrical voltage generated, several fuel cells are combined to form a fuel cell stack, also known as a "stack".
  • anode gas escaping from a fuel cell usually still contains unused hydrogen, it is recirculated and fed back to the anode.
  • the recirculation can be implemented passively using a jet pump and/or actively using a recirculation fan. Over time, however, the recirculated anode gas is enriched with nitrogen and water, since the electrolyte membrane is partially permeable to these substances, so that they diffuse through the membrane from the cathode side to the anode side. This reduces the hydrogen concentration of the anode gas, so that the anode circuit has to be purged from time to time.
  • a valve the so-called purge valve, is opened, through which anode gas is discharged from the anode circuit.
  • the discharged amount is replaced by fresh hydrogen from a tank.
  • Integrated water separator with collection tank To remove liquid water from the anode circuit is usually in the anode circuit Integrated water separator with collection tank. The collection container is emptied into a line by opening a valve, the so-called drain valve, and discharged via the line.
  • the present invention is concerned with the task of better protecting the drain valve from residual water running back and thus from ice pressure damage and/or leaks.
  • a method for separating water from an anode circuit of a fuel cell system is proposed.
  • anode gas from the anode circuit is fed to a water separator for separating water.
  • the separated water is collected in a collection tank.
  • the collection container is also emptied into a line by opening a drain valve from time to time.
  • a barrier is created which prevents or at least impedes a backflow of water from the line to the drain valve.
  • the barrier effect is due to the capillary forces in the capillaries of the structure having at least one capillary. They cause the water in the capillaries to be held in the capillaries so that - ideally - it does not get beyond the barrier, especially not back to the drain valve. This means that in the event of a shutdown, after the system has been blown out via the drain valve, any water remaining in the line cannot flow back to the drain valve.
  • the drain valve thus remains free of water, so that no water can freeze at low outside temperatures and the drain valve cannot accidentally open and/or be damaged by ice pressure.
  • the capillaries are dimensioned in such a way that the barrier effect achieved by means of the capillary forces can be overcome at a specific filling level in the collection container, ie at a specific hydrostatic pressure. This ensures that the collection container can still be emptied via the drain valve.
  • a barrier be created with the aid of at least one further structure having capillaries, which is arranged between an outlet of the collecting container and an inlet of the drain valve.
  • the additional barrier can be designed analogously to the first barrier, so that—particularly when it is parked—after the collection container has been blown out and/or emptied, the hydrostatic pressure is no longer sufficient to overcome the barrier. In this way, residual water remaining in the collection container or water that subsequently accumulates in the collection container, for example due to condensation, can be kept away from the drain valve.
  • the structures having capillaries before and after the drain valve can thus be used to ensure that no water reaches the drain valve in the event of a shutdown. As a result, no water can freeze and unintentionally open or damage the drain valve due to ice pressure. Since capillaries have very small diameters due to the principle of operation, the water in the capillaries can easily freeze at low outside temperatures. In order to thaw the ice as quickly as possible when freezing starts, it is proposed as a further development measure that the structure having at least one capillary is heated. If the line connected to the drain valve is heated, which is preferably the case, the same heating device can be used to heat the capillary. For this purpose, the heating device is preferably extended to the structure having at least one capillary.
  • the water present in the collection container is fed to the outlet of the collection container via at least one inclined surface.
  • the at least one sloping surface can form a type of funnel that tapers downwards or in the direction of the outlet, so that—in mobile applications—in every position of the vehicle it is ensured that water present in the collection container is fed to the outlet.
  • the outlet is preferably arranged at the bottom, so that the water is fed to the outlet by gravity. This makes it easier to empty the collection container.
  • a device for separating water from an anode circuit of a fuel cell system comprises a water separator for separating the water, a collecting container for collecting the separated water, a drain valve for emptying the collecting container and a line connected to the drain valve for draining the water.
  • at least one structure having a capillary is arranged between an outlet of the drain valve and an inlet of the line.
  • the proposed device is particularly suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention described above, so that the same advantages described above can be achieved with it.
  • a backflow of water from the line to the drain valve can be prevented since the capillary forces acting in the capillaries hold the water.
  • a barrier is created which, in the event of a shutdown, prevents water from reaching the drain valve from the line.
  • no water can freeze and the drain valve - due to ice pressure - can open unintentionally or even be damaged.
  • the diameters and/or lengths of the capillaries are dimensioned such that the barrier effect of the structure having at least one capillary can be overcome via the hydrostatic pressure in the collection container, so that the container can continue to be emptied into the line via the drain valve.
  • At least one further structure having capillaries is preferably arranged between an outlet of the collection container and an inlet of the drain valve.
  • the collection container can be emptied by opening the drain valve to such an extent that the hydrostatic pressure is no longer sufficient to overcome the barrier effect of the structures having capillaries. This allows the drain valve to be “drained” on both the outlet and inlet sides to prevent damage and/or leakage due to ice pressure.
  • the structure having at least one capillary can be, for example, a disk penetrated by a large number of bores, a grid, a mesh and/or a fabric.
  • the number of bores or the total free cross-sectional area can depend in particular on the pressure loss that is still permissible.
  • the diameter of the bores and/or openings is preferably selected in such a way that the capillary forces are somewhat greater than the field forces due to gravity, but are always significantly less than the dynamic pressure forces that are available.
  • the length of the bores is dimensioned in such a way that the desired capillary forces can form.
  • the structure having at least one capillary can advantageously be heated. In this way, freezing of water in the capillaries can be prevented. During a freeze start, ice that has formed during the shutdown phase can be thawed quickly.
  • the collection container of the device preferably has at least one surface which delimits the container volume and runs obliquely.
  • a type of funnel can be formed over the at least one sloping surface, which guides the water in the direction of the outlet of the collection container.
  • the at least one surface therefore preferably runs obliquely in the direction of the outlet.
  • the collection container preferably tapers in Direction of the outlet, so that the residue remaining in the collection container when emptying is as small as possible.
  • the outlet of the collection container is ideally located at the bottom.
  • the proposed device is preferably used in a fuel cell system, a fuel cell system with an anode circuit and a device according to the invention is also proposed.
  • the water separator of the device is integrated into the Andes circle.
  • Anode gas can then be fed to the water separator via the anode circuit in order to free it from water.
  • the advantages of the device contribute to increasing the robustness of the fuel cell system, in particular with regard to ice pressure.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for separating water
  • FIG. 2 shows an enlarged section of FIG. 1 in the area of a first structure having a capillary
  • FIG. 3 shows an enlarged section of FIG. 1 in the region of a second structure having a capillary
  • FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a fuel cell system with a device according to the invention for separating water.
  • the device according to the invention shown in Figure 1 for separating water 1 from an anode circuit 2 of a fuel cell system 3 comprises a water separator 4 with an integrated collecting tank 5 bottom outlet 12 runs obliquely. Water 1 in the collection container 5 is accordingly supplied to the outlet 12 via the surface 14 .
  • the outlet 12 of the collection container 5 is connected to an inlet 13 of a drain valve 6 via a connecting line 20 .
  • a structure 9 having a capillary 8 is integrated into the connection line 20, so that when the drain valve 6 is open, water 1 flows out of the collection container 5 through the capillary 8, provided that the hydrostatic pressure in the collection container 5 is sufficient to overcome the capillary forces acting in the capillaries 8 . This is always the case when the collection container s is full. However, if the filling level in the collection container 5 falls below a predetermined minimum, the structure 9 having the capillary 8 forms a barrier which prevents water 1 from reaching the drain valve 6 from the collection container 5 (see FIG. 2).
  • a structure 9 having a further capillary 8 is arranged in a connection line 21 between an outlet 10 of the drain valve 6 and an inlet 11 of a line 7 . Similar to the first structure 9 in the connection line 20, this also forms a barrier for water due to the capillary forces acting in the capillaries 8, so that no water 1, which was previously introduced into the line 7 via the drain valve 6, back out of the line 7 reaches the drain valve 6 (see Figure 3).
  • the water separator 4 of the device can be integrated into an anode circuit 2 of the fuel cell system 3 in order to integrate the device according to the invention into a fuel cell system 3 .
  • the anode gas of the anode circuit 2 can then be dehumidified with the aid of the water separator 4 before it is recirculated and fed back to a fuel cell stack 18 .
  • the recirculation can be effected passively by means of the ejector pump 15 shown and/or actively with the aid of the blower 17 shown.
  • Fresh anode gas, preferably fresh hydrogen, can be taken from a tank (not shown) and introduced into the anode circuit 2 via a metering valve 16 .
  • a purge valve 19 for flushing or purging the anode circuit 2 is also provided.
  • the amount of gas discharged via the purge valve 19 and the amount of water discharged via the drain valve 6 and the line 7 can be combined.

Landscapes

  • 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

L'invention concerne un procédé pour séparer de l'eau (1) d'un circuit d'anode (2) d'un système de pile à combustible (3), dans lequel procédé un gaz d'anode provenant du circuit d'anode (2) est introduit dans un séparateur d'eau (4) pour séparer l'eau (1), l'eau séparée (1) est collectée dans un récipient de collecte (5), et le récipient de collecte (5) est vidé par ouverture occasionnelle d'une vanne de purge (6) dans une conduite (7). Selon l'invention, une structure (9) qui comprend au moins un tube capillaire (8) et est située entre une sortie (10) de la vanne de purge (6) et une entrée (11) de la conduite (7) est utilisée pour produire une barrière qui empêche ou au moins gêne le reflux de l'eau hors de la conduite (7) vers la vanne de purge (6). L'invention concerne également un dispositif de séparation d'eau (1) d'un circuit d'anode (2) d'un système de pile à combustible (3) et un système de pile à combustible (3) comportant un dispositif selon l'invention.
PCT/EP2022/067590 2021-08-04 2022-06-27 Procédé et dispositif pour séparer l'eau d'un circuit d'anode d'un système de pile à combustible, et système de pile à combustible WO2023011803A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102021208461.3A DE102021208461A1 (de) 2021-08-04 2021-08-04 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Abscheiden von Wasser aus einem Anodenkreis eines Brennstoffzellensystems sowie Brennstoffzellensystem
DE102021208461.3 2021-08-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2023011803A1 true WO2023011803A1 (fr) 2023-02-09

Family

ID=82403662

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2022/067590 WO2023011803A1 (fr) 2021-08-04 2022-06-27 Procédé et dispositif pour séparer l'eau d'un circuit d'anode d'un système de pile à combustible, et système de pile à combustible

Country Status (2)

Country Link
DE (1) DE102021208461A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2023011803A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110053011A1 (en) * 2009-09-01 2011-03-03 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Pem fuel cell stack inlet water regulation system
US20130330643A1 (en) * 2011-03-02 2013-12-12 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives Fuel-cell stack comprising an anode chamber comprising in the anode chamber an area for condensing and removing water and method for condensing and removing water formed in said chamber
US20190363375A1 (en) * 2018-05-25 2019-11-28 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Gas and water discharge unit for fuel cell system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110053011A1 (en) * 2009-09-01 2011-03-03 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Pem fuel cell stack inlet water regulation system
US20130330643A1 (en) * 2011-03-02 2013-12-12 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives Fuel-cell stack comprising an anode chamber comprising in the anode chamber an area for condensing and removing water and method for condensing and removing water formed in said chamber
US20190363375A1 (en) * 2018-05-25 2019-11-28 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Gas and water discharge unit for fuel cell system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE102021208461A1 (de) 2023-02-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
DE10201668B4 (de) On-Board-Brennstoffzellensystem und Verfahren zum Abgeben von Wasserstoffabgas sowie seine Verwendung in einem Fahrzeug
DE112006003136B4 (de) Brennstoffzellensystem und Verfahren zu seiner Abschaltung
EP1325531B1 (fr) Procede servant a surveiller les fuites de substances d'une pile a combustible et installation a piles a combustible
WO2011057722A1 (fr) Système de piles à combustible avec un séparateur de liquide dans le circuit d'anode
WO2020224860A1 (fr) Plaque de champ d'écoulement
DE102004056952A1 (de) Brennstoffzellensystem mit Flüssigkeitsabscheider
DE102017202526B4 (de) Verfahren zum Ablassen von Flüssigkeit aus einem Anodensubsystem sowie Brennstoffzellensystem
WO2023011803A1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif pour séparer l'eau d'un circuit d'anode d'un système de pile à combustible, et système de pile à combustible
DE112007002560T5 (de) Brennstoffzellensystem
DE102016010450A1 (de) Flüssigkeitsabscheider und seine Verwendung
DE102011114799A1 (de) Gasstrahlpumpe zur Förderung eines Gasstroms
DE102021209881A1 (de) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Abscheiden von Wasser aus einem Anodenkreis eines Brennstoffzellensystems, Brennstoffzellensystem
DE102020208834A1 (de) Anodensubsystem für ein Brennstoffzellensystem, Brennstoffzellensystem
DE102021202857A1 (de) Vorrichtung zum Abscheiden und Sammeln von Wasser aus einem Gasstrom, Brennstoffzellensystem sowie Verfahren zum Betreiben eines Brennstoffzellensystems
DE19903103C1 (de) Spülbare Filteranlage sowie Verfahren zum Betrieb derselben
DE102020113104A1 (de) Wasserabscheider für eine Brennstoffzellenvorrichtung und Brennstoffzellenvorrichtung mit einem solchen
DE2610427A1 (de) Wasserabtrennungszelle zur entfernung des reaktionswassers aus dem elektrolyten von brennstoffelementen und brennstoffbatterien
DE102022200108A1 (de) Verfahren zum Betreiben eines Brennstoffzellensystems sowie Brennstoffzellensystem
DE102021118047A1 (de) Brennstoffzellensystem und Verfahren zum Austragen von Wasser aus einem Brennstoffzellensystem
DE102016011135A1 (de) Flüssigkeitsabscheider für ein Brennstoffzellensystem
WO2019081216A1 (fr) Procédé de suppression d'eau produite d'une pile à combustible
DE102012017933A1 (de) Brennstoffzellensystem
DE102018201703A1 (de) Brennstoffzellensystem sowie Kraftfahrzeug mit einem Brennstoffzellensystem
EP1616335B1 (fr) Installation nucleaire et procede d'exploitation d'une installation nucleaire
DE102014016963A1 (de) Wasserabscheider in Zentrifugalbauweise

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 22737875

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE