WO2024080610A1

WO2024080610A1 - Method and system for cooling fuel cell using ion filter

Info

Publication number: WO2024080610A1
Application number: PCT/KR2023/014239
Authority: WO
Inventors: 최훈
Original assignee: 에스케이이엔에스 주식회사
Priority date: 2022-10-12
Filing date: 2023-09-20
Publication date: 2024-04-18
Also published as: KR20240050931A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a system for cooling a fuel cell using an ion filter and, specifically, to a method for cooling a fuel cell using an ion filter and a system for cooling a fuel cell to which same is applied, the method comprising: a coolant circulation step of circulating a process in which, when high-temperature coolant is normally discharged from a fuel cell, a heat exchanger configured in a main circulation line cools the high-temperature coolant into the low-temperature coolant and supplies the coolant to the fuel cell; a heat load monitoring step of monitoring changes in heat load of the fuel cell; and a circulation line conversion step of converting a circulation line of the coolant from the main circulation line to an auxiliary circulation line which circulates a filter chamber so that the low-temperature coolant of the filter chamber configured with an ion filter is supplied to the fuel cell preferentially compared to the low-temperature coolant supplied from the heat exchanger to the fuel cell, when the heat load of the fuel cell rapidly increases compared to normal times.

Description

Fuel cell cooling method and system using ion filter

The present invention relates to a fuel cell cooling method and system using an ion filter, and more specifically, to enable stable use of the fuel cell by efficiently managing the heat load generated from the fuel cell.

In particular, the present invention rapidly increases the heat load of the fuel cell by preferentially supplying the coolant from the filter chamber equipped with the ion filter faster than the time when the coolant cooled in the heat exchanger is supplied to the fuel cell when the heat load of the fuel cell suddenly increases. It relates to a fuel cell cooling method and system using an ion filter that can reduce and efficiently manage heat load.

A fuel cell is a device that converts energy from chemical changes into electrical energy. It mainly uses hydrogen and oxygen to generate electrical energy, and water is produced as a by-product, so it is eco-friendly and does not produce pollutants. It is a power generation device and is one of the technologies attracting attention in the eco-friendly and renewable energy fields.

In these fuel cells, heat is generated at the cathode (anode) side where oxygen is supplied during the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. In order for the fuel cell to demonstrate optimal performance, this generated heat must be quickly discharged to the outside. And thermal management to maintain a stable temperature is more important than anything else.

As a method of cooling the heat generated from the fuel cell, coolant is mainly used, and the heat generated from the fuel cell is continuously cooled by circulating the coolant cooled in the heat exchanger (radiator) to the fuel cell. do.

Meanwhile, the heat exchanger for cooling the coolant supplied to the fuel cell mainly cools the coolant through heat exchange with atmospheric air. Due to the characteristics of this heat exchange method, the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger varies depending on the season when the outside temperature changes. This causes a problem in that thermal management of the fuel cell cannot be performed stably.

One of the technologies to solve this problem is the prior art document, Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1592652, 'Thermal management system and method for fuel cell vehicles' (hereinafter referred to as 'prior art').

The prior art is to increase the flow rate and heat dissipation of coolant passing through a radiator (heat exchanger), thereby reducing the frequency of entering the high-temperature current limit mode due to overheating of the fuel cell and enabling stable thermal management of the fuel cell.

Looking more specifically, the prior art blocks the path of the coolant circulating through the ion filter that makes up the fuel cell system, increases the flow rate of the coolant circulating through the radiator, and increases the heat dissipation amount of the coolant, thereby quickly dissipating the heat generated from the fuel cell. It was designed to be discharged properly.

In other words, the prior art blocks the supply of coolant to the ion filter and allows a greater amount of coolant to be supplied to the radiator, thereby allowing a greater amount of heat energy to be discharged from the radiator to the outside.

However, in this prior art, the time for which coolant cooled from the radiator is supplied to the fuel cell is kept constant, so from the point when the heat load of the fuel cell suddenly increases, the amount of heat radiation increases according to the sudden increase in heat load, and the cooled coolant is supplied to the fuel cell. It can be seen that the delay time until it is supplied does not change.

As a result, the heat load of the fuel cell rapidly increases and the fuel cell has no choice but to be exposed to a thermal overload state during the delay time, and it can be seen that the prior art has not been able to solve the problem that performance deterioration, damage, and damage to the fuel cell may occur due to this. there is.

In order to solve the above problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell cooling method and system using an ion filter that can enable stable use of the fuel cell by efficiently managing the heat load generated from the fuel cell. there is.

In particular, the present invention rapidly increases the heat load of the fuel cell by preferentially supplying the coolant from the filter chamber equipped with the ion filter faster than the time when the coolant cooled in the heat exchanger is supplied to the fuel cell when the heat load of the fuel cell suddenly increases. The purpose is to provide a fuel cell cooling method and system using an ion filter that can reduce the heat load and enable efficient heat load management.

In addition, in the present invention, when the priority supply time for preferentially supplying the coolant stored in the filter chamber has elapsed or the time for supplying the coolant cooled from the heat exchanger to the fuel cell has elapsed, the cycle is made to supply the coolant cooled from the heat exchanger again. The purpose is to provide a fuel cell cooling method and system using an ion filter that enables efficient supply of coolant by redirecting (returning) the line.

In order to achieve the above object, the fuel cell cooling method using an ion filter according to the present invention is that, when high-temperature coolant is normally discharged from the fuel cell, a heat exchanger configured in the main circulation line cools the high-temperature coolant into low-temperature coolant and supplies it to the fuel cell. A cooling water circulation step in which the process is circulated; A heat load monitoring step of monitoring changes in heat load of the fuel cell; And when the heat load of the fuel cell rapidly increases compared to normal times, the cooling water circulation line is connected to the main circulation line so that the low-temperature coolant from the filter chamber equipped with the ion filter is supplied to the fuel cell preferentially compared to the low-temperature coolant supplied from the heat exchanger to the fuel cell. It includes a circulation line conversion step of converting to an auxiliary circulation line that circulates the filter chamber.

In addition, in the cooling water circulation step, when the electrical conductivity of either the high-temperature coolant or the low-temperature coolant reaches a dangerous level or the set electrical conductivity reduction mode is activated, the circulation line is switched from the main circulation line to the auxiliary circulation line to generate electricity. It may include an electrical conductivity reduction step of reducing conductivity.

In addition, the circulation line switching step switches the circulation line from a main circulation line to an auxiliary circulation line that circulates the filter chamber when the heat load of the fuel cell suddenly increases, and after the circulation line switching step, a set priority supply time elapses. If so, a circulation line return step of reconverting the circulation line from the auxiliary circulation line to the main circulation line may be further included.

In addition, in the cooling water circulation step, when the heat load of the fuel cell is relatively low within the allowable range, low-high temperature coolant, which has a relatively low temperature among high-temperature coolants, is discharged from the fuel cell, and the heat exchanger exchanges heat with the low-high temperature coolant. It is cooled with high-low-temperature coolant, which has a relatively high temperature among low-temperature coolants. When the heat load of the fuel cell is relatively high within the allowable range, high-temperature coolant, which has a relatively high temperature among high-temperature coolants, is discharged from the fuel cell, and the heat exchanger By exchanging heat with high-temperature coolant, it can be cooled with low-temperature coolant, which has a relatively lower temperature among low-temperature coolants.

In addition, the filter chamber stores low-temperature coolant, which has a relatively low temperature among the low-temperature coolants, and the circulation line switching step is performed when the heat load of the fuel cell rapidly increases and exceeds the allowable range, the heat exchanged in the heat exchanger. The low-temperature coolant stored in the filter chamber can be supplied to the fuel cell preferentially rather than the low-temperature coolant.

In addition, the circulation line return step is performed when the low-temperature coolant stored in the filter chamber is preferentially supplied to the fuel cell in a set priority supply amount, or when the priority supply time elapses and the low-temperature coolant heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger is supplied to the fuel cell. , the circulation line can be re-converted from the auxiliary circulation line to the main circulation line.

In addition, a fuel cell cooling system using an ion filter according to the present invention includes a fuel cell; a heat exchanger configured to heat exchange the high-temperature coolant discharged from the fuel cell to lower the temperature of the coolant, and then supply the lowered temperature coolant to the fuel cell; a filter chamber configured with an ion filter that lowers the electrical conductivity of the coolant; and a control unit that controls to circulate and supply coolant heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger to the fuel cell under normal circumstances and to preferentially supply coolant in the filter chamber to the fuel cell when the heat load of the fuel cell suddenly increases.

Additionally, a main circulation line configured to move the low-temperature coolant heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger to the fuel cell; and an auxiliary circulation line configured to allow the low-temperature coolant heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger to move to the fuel cell through a filter chamber, wherein the control unit controls the coolant to circulate in the main circulation line at normal times, and when the heat load of the fuel cell increases. Coolant can be controlled to circulate through the auxiliary circulation line.

In addition, the control unit controls the low-temperature coolant to circulate in the auxiliary circulation line during the priority supply time during which at least a portion of the low-temperature coolant stored in the filter chamber is preferentially supplied to the fuel cell when the heat load of the fuel cell increases, and Once this has elapsed, the low-temperature cooling water heat exchanged in the heat exchanger can be controlled to circulate into the main circulation line.

In addition, when at least a portion of the low-temperature coolant stored in the filter chamber is discharged, a certain amount of high-temperature coolant recovered from the fuel cell flows into the filter chamber, or the temperature of the coolant inside the filter chamber reaches a certain temperature, It can be determined that the priority supply time has elapsed.

Through the above solution, the present invention has the advantage of enabling stable use of the fuel cell by efficiently managing the heat load generated from the fuel cell.

Specifically, the present invention reduces the heat load of the fuel cell by preferentially supplying the coolant from the filter chamber equipped with the ion filter faster than the time when the coolant cooled from the heat exchanger is supplied to the fuel cell when the heat load of the fuel cell suddenly increases. It has the advantage of being able to quickly reduce heat load and enable efficient heat load management.

Accordingly, the present invention has the advantage of minimizing performance degradation and damage to the fuel cell by minimizing the duration of the thermal overload state in which the heat load of the fuel cell suddenly increases, as well as maintaining stable operation of the fuel cell continuously. there is.

In addition, in the present invention, when the priority supply time for preferentially supplying the coolant stored in the filter chamber has elapsed or the time for supplying the coolant cooled from the heat exchanger to the fuel cell has elapsed, the cycle is made to supply the coolant cooled from the heat exchanger again. There is an advantage in that efficient supply of coolant is possible by redirecting (returning) the line.

Accordingly, the present invention can be easily applied to fuel cell cooling systems with various functions and configurations, as well as to various products such as vehicles using fuel cells, and can also be applied to various products in various fields. Therefore, it has the advantage of greatly improving usability and applicability.

1 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a fuel cell cooling method using an ion filter according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell cooling system using an ion filter for explaining FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of FIG. 1.

Figure 4 is a flowchart showing a specific embodiment of step 'S100' shown in Figure 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fuel cell cooling system using an ion filter for explaining FIG. 4.

Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a specific embodiment of step 'S300' shown in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a fuel cell cooling system using an ion filter according to the present invention.

Figures 8 and 9 are configuration diagrams showing other embodiments of Figure 7.

Examples of the fuel cell cooling method and system using an ion filter according to the present invention can be applied in various ways, and the most preferred embodiment will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a fuel cell cooling method using an ion filter according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fuel cell cooling system using an ion filter for explaining FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the fuel cell cooling method using an ion filter includes a coolant circulation step (S100), a heat load monitoring step (S200), and a circulation line switching step (S300).

First, looking at the schematic configuration of a cooling system to which the fuel cell cooling method using an ion filter of the present invention is applied with reference to FIG. 2, the fuel cell 100 and the heat exchanger 200 are shown in (a) of FIG. 2. As shown, the coolant may be configured to circulate through the main circulation line 410.

In addition, the filter chamber 300 equipped with the ion filter 310 may be configured to circulate cooling water through the auxiliary circulation line 420, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2.

In this way, the line through which the coolant circulates can be controlled by the operation of a valve (three-way valve) formed at the part where each line is connected.

Accordingly, in the coolant circulation step (S100), as shown in (a) of FIG. 2, when high-temperature coolant is normally discharged from the fuel cell 100, the heat exchanger 200 configured in the main circulation line 410 converts the high-temperature coolant into low-temperature coolant. The process of cooling and supplying it to the fuel cell 100 is cycled.

In the heat load monitoring step (S200), changes in the heat load of the fuel cell 100 are monitored while the coolant circulation step (S100) is in progress.

At this time, when the heat load of the fuel cell rapidly increases compared to usual, the circulation line switching step (S300) is performed.

In the circulation line switching step (S300), in the process of monitoring the change in heat load of the fuel cell 100, if the heat load of the fuel cell 100 increases rapidly compared to usual, the main circulation line as shown in (b) of FIG. 2 By switching the circulation line from 410 to the auxiliary circulation line 420, the low-temperature coolant stored in the filter chamber 300 is first supplied to the fuel cell 100.

In other words, in the circulation line switching step (S300), the low-temperature coolant stored in the filter chamber 300 is supplied to the fuel cell 100 at a faster time than the time at which the low-temperature coolant cooled in the heat exchanger 200 is supplied to the fuel cell 100. ) is supplied first.

And, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2, the amount of coolant supplied from the filter chamber 300 to the fuel cell 100 can be supplemented with coolant heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger 200.

As a result, the circulation line switching step (S300) circulates the circulation line of the coolant circulated between the fuel cell 100 and the heat exchanger 200 to the fuel cell 100, the heat exchanger 200, and the filter chamber 300. It can be converted as much as possible.

However, the amount of coolant supplied from the filter chamber 300 to the fuel cell 100 does not necessarily have to be supplemented with the coolant heat exchanged in the heat exchanger 200, and the flow rate of coolant passing through the fuel cell 100 As long as it is possible to keep constant, it is natural that various methods or configurations can be applied, and examples of some of them will be looked at below.

Additionally, the line through which the coolant moves is not limited to either the main circulation line 410 or the auxiliary circulation line 420, and the two lines can move simultaneously.

For example, some of the coolant recovered from the heat exchanger 200 may be circulated through the main circulation line 410, and the other portion may be circulated through the auxiliary circulation line 420.

For this purpose, the operation of the valve (3-way valve) shown in Figure 2 can be fully opened and fully closed, as well as controlling the degree of opening in various ways to control the flow rate of the coolant, and the type and configuration of the valve for this, and the connection with each line. Connection relationships, etc. can be applied in a variety of ways.

In addition, when the heat load of the fuel cell 100 suddenly increases, the auxiliary circulation line 420 is controlled to circulate during the priority supply time during which at least a portion of the low-temperature coolant stored in the filter chamber 300 is preferentially supplied to the fuel cell 100, When the priority supply time has elapsed, the coolant can be controlled to circulate through the main circulation line 420. Here, the priority supply time can be applied in various ways according to the needs of those skilled in the art, and the time required for specific conditions (for example, the time until the coolant heat exchanged in the heat exchanger is supplied to the fuel cell) is met. It can be included.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the fuel cell cooling method using an ion filter may further include a circulation line return step (S400).

First, in the coolant circulation step (S100), when the electrical conductivity of either the high-temperature coolant or the low-temperature coolant reaches a critical level or the set electrical conductivity reduction mode is activated, the circulation line is changed from the main circulation line 410 to the auxiliary circulation line 420. ) can be converted to an electrical conductivity reduction step (S110) to reduce electrical conductivity.

In other words, in the present invention, the conditions for circulating the coolant in the auxiliary circulation line 420 may include when the heat load of the fuel cell 100 rapidly increases and when the electrical conductivity of the coolant is dangerous.

In addition, in the case of a vehicle using a fuel cell, not only when the heat load of the fuel cell 100 increases rapidly, such as during daytime operation, but also when the heat load of the fuel cell 100 is ophthalmically managed, such as during night operation, every set time. Electrical conductivity can be lowered by repeatedly using the auxiliary circulation line 420.

As a result, when applying the fuel cell system of the present invention, the auxiliary circulation line 420 can be used to manage the thermal load of the fuel cell 100 as well as the electrical conductivity of the coolant.

As described above, the circulation line return step (S400) is a process of reconverting the circulation line from the auxiliary circulation line 420 to the main circulation line 410 when the set priority supply time has elapsed, as shown in (b) of Figure 2. This refers to the process of returning to (a).

In other words, the circulation line return step (S400) may mean returning to the normal coolant circulation process when the heat management problem caused by a sudden increase in the heat load of the fuel cell 100 is resolved.

Below, we will look in more detail at the technical features of each step shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a specific example of step 'S100' shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a fuel cell cooling system using an ion filter for explaining FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, the coolant circulation step (S100) is normally performed by circulating the coolant between the fuel cell 100 and the heat exchanger 200 according to the temperature of the coolant discharged from the fuel cell 100. ) By controlling the operation of the fuel cell 100, thermal management of the fuel cell 100 can be performed.

This process is performed when the heat load of the fuel cell 100 is within an allowable range, and the allowable range can be set based on the size of the heat load or the rate of increase of the heat load at the time of measurement.

In addition, the process may be performed by the control unit 500 as shown in FIG. 7, but it is not limited to this, and of course, other configurations or new configurations may be added according to the needs of those skilled in the art.

Looking at FIG. 4 in detail, in the process of normal cooling water circulating through the fuel cell 100 and the heat exchanger 200 (S110), the coolant temperature sensor 210 configured in the coolant recovery line 410 as shown in FIG. 5 The temperature of the coolant discharged from the fuel cell 100 can be measured (S120).

At this time, assuming that the heat load of the fuel cell 100 changes within the allowable range under the precondition, when the size of the heat load of the fuel cell 100 or the temperature of the coolant discharged from the fuel cell is relatively low (S130), When the low-high temperature coolant, which has a relatively low temperature among the high-temperature coolants, is discharged from the fuel cell 100 and flows into the heat exchanger 200 (S141), the heat exchanger 200 heat exchanges the low-temperature coolant with a relatively high temperature among the low-temperature coolants. It can be cooled with high or low temperature coolant.

At this time, since the heat exchanger 200 has relatively little heat energy to be released among the heat energy contained in the coolant, the operation of the coolant pump 220 and the cooling fan 230 shown in FIG. 5 is controlled to control the heat energy to flow into the heat exchanger 200. By reducing the flow rate of the coolant (S142), the amount of heat dissipation in the heat exchanger 200 can be lowered.

The high-low temperature coolant heat-exchanged through this process can be supplied back to the fuel cell 100 (S143).

If the heat load of the fuel cell 100 is relatively high within the allowable range (S130), and high-temperature coolant, which is a relatively high temperature among high-temperature coolants, is discharged from the fuel cell 100, the coolant pump 220 and the cooling By controlling the operation of the fan 230, the flow rate of coolant flowing into the heat exchanger 200 is increased (S512), and as the heat dissipation amount increases, the heat exchanger 200 exchanges heat with the high-temperature coolant to make it relatively low-temperature coolant. It can be cooled with low temperature coolant.

In other words, when relatively high temperature coolant flows in, the heat exchanger 200 controls the operation of the coolant pump 220 and the cooling fan 230 to increase the flow rate, thereby increasing the heat dissipation amount, thereby increasing the relatively low temperature. Cooling water at any temperature can be supplied to the fuel cell 100 (S153).

At this time, the operation of the coolant pump 220 and the cooling fan 230 may be operated linearly according to the temperature of the coolant flowing into the heat exchanger 200, and the degree of increase in the flow rate of the coolant according to the temperature of the coolant is corresponding to Of course, it can be applied in various ways depending on the operating characteristics of the fuel cell and the needs of those skilled in the art.

Additionally, the filter chamber 300 can store low-temperature coolant, which has a relatively low temperature among low-temperature coolants.

Accordingly, in the circulation line switching step (S300), when the heat load of the fuel cell 100 rapidly increases and exceeds the allowable range, the lower temperature stored in the filter chamber 300 is lower than the low temperature coolant heat exchanged in the heat exchanger 200. Cooling water may be preferentially supplied to the fuel cell 100.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the process of normal cooling water circulating between the fuel cell 100 and the heat exchanger 200 through the main circulation line 410 (S100), the heat load of the fuel cell 200 is checked (S200) and the heat load is If it is within the normal range (S310), the current circulation line can be maintained (S360).

If a sudden increase in heat load is confirmed (S310), the circulation line can be switched from the main circulation line 410 to the auxiliary circulation line 420 (S320).

Thereafter, the low-temperature coolant stored in the filter chamber 300 is preferentially supplied to the fuel cell 100 in a set priority supply amount (S330), or the low-temperature coolant heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger 200 after the priority supply time has elapsed is supplied to the fuel cell 100. When supplied to (100) (S340), the circulation line can be re-converted from the auxiliary circulation line 420 to the main circulation line 410 (S350).

Referring to FIG. 7, the fuel cell cooling system using an ion filter includes a fuel cell 100, a heat exchanger 200, a filter chamber 300, and a control unit 500.

The fuel cell 100 produces electrical energy using hydrogen as a fuel and oxygen in the air, and may include a PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell).

The heat exchanger 200 is configured to supply cooling water to the fuel cell 100, can be connected to the fuel cell 100 and the main circulation line 410, and can be formed to have a wide contact surface with air. For example, the heat exchanger 200 may have a shape and structure similar to a plate heat exchanger.

In addition, a coolant temperature sensor 210 that measures the temperature of the coolant flowing into the heat exchanger 200, a coolant pump 220 and a cooling fan 230 that adjust the flow rate and heat dissipation amount of the heat exchanger 200 according to the temperature of the coolant. ) can be configured.

It is natural that this heat exchanger 200 can be configured in various ways, such as the air-cooled type described above as well as the water-cooled type.

The filter chamber 300 is composed of an ion filter 310 that lowers the electrical conductivity of the coolant, and can be connected to the fuel cell 100 and the heat exchanger 200 through the auxiliary circulation line 420.

At this time, the filter chamber 300 is arranged closer to the fuel cell 100 than the heat exchanger 200, based on the time the coolant moves, so that it flows into the fuel cell 100 faster than the coolant of the heat exchanger 200. It may be configured to supply cooling water.

The control unit 500 receives and confirms the measured values detected by the heat load detection sensor 110 and the coolant temperature sensor 210 configured in the fuel cell 100, and operates a valve (unmarked) such as a three-way valve in response to the measured values. ) and the operation of the coolant pump 220 and cooling fan 230 can be controlled.

For example, the control unit 500 normally supplies coolant heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger 200 to the fuel cell 100, and when the heat load of the fuel cell 100 suddenly increases, the control unit 500 supplies the coolant stored in the filter chamber 300 to the fuel cell ( 100) can be controlled to provide priority.

In other words, the control unit 500 circulates and supplies the coolant heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger 200 to the fuel cell 100 at normal times, and when the heat load of the fuel cell 100 suddenly increases, the control unit 500 supplies the coolant in the filter chamber 300 to the fuel cell 100. ), valves, etc. can be controlled to supply priority.

First, referring to (a) of FIG. 8, when the heat load of the fuel cell 100 suddenly increases, the coolant cooled in the heat exchanger 200 according to the size of the heat load (coolant heat exchanged before detection of the heat load sudden increase and the filter chamber 300) The coolant stored in can be mixed at a certain ratio and supplied to the fuel cell 100. At this time, the mixing ratio of the two coolants can be determined in response to the size of the detected heat load.

Referring to (b) of FIG. 8, the main circulation line 420 may further include a bypass line 440 that allows coolant to circulate through the main circulation line 420 without passing through the heat exchanger 200.

Accordingly, when the heat load of the fuel cell 100 rapidly increases, the coolant stored in the filter chamber 300 can be supplied to the fuel cell 100, and the high-temperature coolant discharged from the fuel cell 100 can be supplied to the bypass line 400. It can be supplied to the filter chamber 300 through .

At this time, since the high-temperature coolant discharged from the fuel cell 100 is directly supplied to the ion filter 310, the ion filter 310 should not be damaged or deteriorated in function due to the high-temperature coolant.

In other words, (b) in FIG. 8 can be applied when the ion filter 310 can maintain normal performance even if high-temperature coolant flows into the ion filter 310, and this condition is the same in FIG. 9. It can be applied easily.

Afterwards, when the normal circulation mode is switched and the coolant heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger 200 is supplied to the fuel cell 100, the high-temperature coolant stored in the filter chamber 300 exchanges heat with the outside air through natural convection and becomes low-temperature coolant. It can be cooled.

Referring to FIG. 9, the filter chamber 300 may be arranged in parallel with the heat exchanger 200 and connected to the main circulation line 420.

Looking more specifically, the high-temperature coolant that has absorbed the heat generated in the fuel cell 100 is connected through the main circulation line 410 and the auxiliary circulation line 420 to move to at least one of the heat exchanger 200 and the filter chamber 300. Can be configured and connected.

Accordingly, the control unit 500 can control the coolant to circulate through the heat exchanger 200 as shown in (a) of FIG. 9 under normal circumstances, and as shown in (b) of FIG. 9 when the heat load of the fuel cell 100 rapidly increases. As shown, the filter chamber 300 can be controlled to circulate.

And, the control unit 500 operates when at least a portion of the low-temperature coolant stored in the filter chamber 300 is discharged, or when a certain amount of high-temperature coolant recovered from the fuel cell 100 flows into the filter chamber 300, or when the fuel cell When the coolant temperature inside the filter chamber 300 reaches a certain temperature due to the high-temperature coolant recovered from (100), it is determined that the priority supply time has elapsed, and the circulation line is closed as shown in (a) of Figure 9. It can be reconverted (returned).

Above, the fuel cell cooling method and system using the ion filter according to the present invention have been described. Those skilled in the art will understand that the technical configuration of the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential features of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

[Explanation of symbols]

100: fuel cell 110: heat load detection sensor

200: heat exchanger 210: coolant temperature sensor

220: Cooling water pump 230: Cooling fan

300: Filter chamber 310: Ion filter

410: Main circulation line 430: Auxiliary circulation line

440: bypass line

500: Control unit

The present invention can be used in the fuel cell field, fuel cell thermal management field, fuel cell cooling field, fuel cell cooling system field, fuel cell coolant control field, as well as similar or related fields, and can be used for products and systems in the field, etc. Reliability and competitiveness can be improved.

Claims

A cooling water circulation step in which, when high-temperature coolant is normally discharged from the fuel cell, a heat exchanger configured in the main circulation line cools the high-temperature coolant into low-temperature coolant and supplies it to the fuel cell;

A heat load monitoring step of monitoring changes in heat load of the fuel cell; and

When the heat load of the fuel cell rapidly increases compared to normal times, the coolant circulation line is connected to the main circulation line so that the low-temperature coolant from the filter chamber equipped with the ion filter is supplied to the fuel cell preferentially compared to the low-temperature coolant supplied from the heat exchanger to the fuel cell. Including a circulation line conversion step of converting the filter chamber into an auxiliary circulation line that circulates.

Fuel cell cooling method using ion filter.
According to clause 1,

The coolant circulation step is,

When the electrical conductivity of either the high-temperature coolant or the low-temperature coolant reaches a critical level or the set electrical conductivity reduction mode is activated, the electrical conductivity is reduced by switching the circulation line from the main circulation line to the auxiliary circulation line. Characterized by including ;

Fuel cell cooling method using ion filter.
According to clause 1,

The circulation line conversion step is,

When the heat load of the fuel cell suddenly increases, the circulation line is switched from the main circulation line to an auxiliary circulation line that circulates the filter chamber,

After the circulation line conversion step,

Characterized in that it further comprises a circulation line return step of re-converting the circulation line from the auxiliary circulation line to the main circulation line when the set priority supply time has elapsed,

Fuel cell cooling method using ion filter.
According to clause 3,

The coolant circulation step is,

Normally, when the heat load of the fuel cell is relatively low within the allowable range, low-high temperature coolant, which has a relatively low temperature among the high-temperature coolants, is discharged from the fuel cell, and the heat exchanger exchanges heat with the low-temperature coolant to produce relatively high temperature among the low-temperature coolants. Cooled with high-low temperature coolant,

When the heat load of the fuel cell is relatively high within the allowable range, high-temperature coolant, which has a relatively high temperature among the high-temperature coolants, is discharged from the fuel cell, and the heat exchanger exchanges heat with the high-temperature coolant to lower the temperature, which is relatively low among the low-temperature coolants. Characterized by cooling with low-temperature coolant,

Fuel cell cooling method using ion filter.
According to clause 4,

The filter chamber is,

Among the low-temperature coolants, low-temperature coolant with a relatively low temperature is stored,

The circulation line conversion step is,

When the heat load of the fuel cell rapidly increases and exceeds the allowable range, the low-temperature coolant stored in the filter chamber is preferentially supplied to the fuel cell rather than the low-temperature coolant exchanged in the heat exchanger.

Fuel cell cooling method using ion filter.
According to clause 5,

The circular line return step is,

When the low-temperature coolant stored in the filter chamber is preferentially supplied to the fuel cell according to the set priority supply amount, or when the priority supply time has elapsed and the low-temperature coolant heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger is supplied to the fuel cell, the circulation line is changed from the auxiliary circulation line to the main circulation line. Characterized by reconversion to the line,

Fuel cell cooling method using ion filter.
fuel cell;

a heat exchanger configured to heat exchange the high-temperature coolant discharged from the fuel cell to lower the temperature of the coolant, and then supply the lowered temperature coolant to the fuel cell;

a filter chamber configured with an ion filter that lowers the electrical conductivity of the coolant; and

A control unit that normally supplies the coolant heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger to the fuel cell in circulation, and controls the coolant in the filter chamber to be supplied preferentially to the fuel cell when the heat load of the fuel cell suddenly increases.

Fuel cell cooling system using ion filter.
According to clause 7,

a main circulation line configured to move the low-temperature coolant heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger to the fuel cell; and

It includes an auxiliary circulation line configured to move the low-temperature coolant heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger to the fuel cell through a filter chamber,

The control unit,

Characterized in that the coolant is controlled to circulate in the main circulation line in normal times, and the coolant is controlled to circulate in the auxiliary circulation line when the heat load of the fuel cell increases.

Fuel cell cooling system using ion filter.
According to clause 8,

The control unit,

When the heat load of the fuel cell increases, the low-temperature coolant is controlled to circulate through the auxiliary circulation line during the priority supply time during which at least a portion of the low-temperature coolant stored in the filter chamber is preferentially supplied to the fuel cell, and when the priority supply time elapses, the heat exchanger Characterized in that the heat exchanged low-temperature cooling water is controlled to circulate in the main circulation line.

Fuel cell cooling system using ion filter.
According to clause 9,

The control unit,

At least a portion of the low-temperature coolant stored in the filter chamber is discharged,

A certain amount of high-temperature coolant recovered from the fuel cell flows into the filter chamber,

When the coolant temperature inside the filter chamber reaches a certain temperature,

Characterized in that it is determined that the priority supply time has elapsed,

Fuel cell cooling system using ion filter.