Method for shutting down a generator unit having a fuel cell device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for shutting down a generator unit (1) comprising a fuel cell device (100) having the steps (a) shutdown of a current generation via a control unit (510); (b) detection of at least one anode temperature of an anode (122) of the fuel cell device (100), in particular during a cool-down process; (c) blocking of an escape of carbon monoxide from an anode chamber (120) in which the anode (122) is arranged at least partially, in particular, at least for the most part, completely, if the anode temperature is higher than the first limit temperature T.sub.1; (d) at least partial removal of carbon monoxide from an anode chamber (120) in which the anode (122) is arranged at least in part, in particular, at least for the most part, completely, if the anode temperature falls below a first limit temperature T.sub.1. The present invention further relates to a generator unit (1), a vehicle having this generator unit (1) and a use of this generator unit (1).

Claims

1. A method for shutting down a generator unit comprising a fuel cell device, having the following steps: (a) shutdown of current generation via a control unit; (b) detection of at least one anode temperature of an anode of the fuel cell device; (c) blocking of an escape of carbon monoxide from an anode chamber in which the anode is arranged at least in part if the anode temperature is higher than a first limit temperature T.sub.1; (d) At least partial removal of carbon monoxide from the anode chamber if the anode temperature falls below the first limit temperature T.sub.1.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least partial removal of carbon monoxide from the anode chamber occurs if the anode temperature is in a range between T.sub.1 and T.sub.2, wherein T.sub.2 is lower than T.sub.1.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step: (e) Stopping the at least partial removal of carbon monoxide at least if the anode temperature falls below a second limit temperature T.sub.2 or the carbon monoxide was at least partially removed from the anode chamber (120), wherein T.sub.2 is lower than T.sub.1.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least the first limit temperature T.sub.1 is, at, greater than or equal to a decomposition temperature or an upper temperature at which nickel tetracarbonyl (Ni(CO).sub.4) is formed or the second limit temperature T.sub.2 is, at, less than or equal to a lower temperature at which nickel tetracarbonyl (Ni(CO).sub.4) is formed.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least the first limit temperature T.sub.1 is, at, less than or equal to a lower temperature at which nickel oxide is formed or the second limit temperature T.sub.2 is, at, less than or equal to a decomposition temperature or upper temperature at which nickel tetracarbonyl (Ni(CO).sub.4) is formed or a lower temperature at which nickel tetracarbonyl (Ni(CO).sub.4) is formed.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least the first limit temperature T.sub.1 is than 400° C. or is higher than 250° C., or the second limit temperature T.sub.2 is than 125° C. or is higher than 50° C.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least partial removal comprises at least an evacuation of the anode chamber or a displacement of the carbon monoxide in the anode chamber by another gas.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the other gas has at least nitrogen or hydrogen or oxygen or ambient air.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the other gas is at least introduced in a reformer or in the direction of flow in front of the reformer.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step (b) has: (b1) detection of an inlet side anode temperature and (b2) detection of an outlet side anode temperature.

11. A generator unit, comprising: a fuel cell device having a cathode, which is arranged partially in a cathode chamber of the fuel cell device, and an anode, which is arranged at least partially, within an anode chamber of the fuel cell device; a gas supply line, wherein a downstream end of the gas supply line is connected to an inlet side of the anode chamber; a gas discharge line, which is connected to an outlet side of the anode chamber so as to conduct gas; at least one anode temperature sensor; a gas supply device, which is connected to an upstream region of the gas supply line so as to conduct gas; a control device, which is provided for this purpose; detecting at least one anode temperature of the anode; blocking an escape of carbon monoxide from an anode chamber if the anode temperature is higher than a first limit temperature T.sub.1; and removing carbon monoxide at least in part from the anode chamber if the anode temperature falls below the first limit temperature T.sub.1.

12. The generator unit according to claim 11, wherein the gas supply device has a fan.

13. The generator unit according to claim 11, wherein the gas supply device is supplied.

14. The generator unit according to claim 11, wherein the generator unit is provided for the purpose of carrying out a method for shutting down a generator unit comprising a fuel cell device, having the following steps: (a) shutdown of current generation via a control unit; (b) detection of at least one anode temperature of an anode of the fuel cell device; (c) blocking of an escape of carbon monoxide from an anode chamber in which the anode is arranged at least in part if the anode temperature is higher than a first limit temperature T.sub.1; (d) At least partial removal of carbon monoxide from the anode chamber if the anode temperature falls below the first limit temperature T.sub.1.

15. The generator unit according to claim 11, further comprising: a bypass line that connects the gas supply device (200) to the fuel cell device; and a further control device that drives the valve of the bypass line.

16. A vehicle having a generator unit, comprising: a fuel cell device having a cathode, which is arranged partially in a cathode chamber of the fuel cell device, and an anode, which is arranged at least partially, within an anode chamber of the fuel cell device; a gas supply line, wherein a downstream end of the gas supply line is connected to an inlet side of the anode chamber; a gas discharge line, which is connected to an outlet side of the anode chamber so as to conduct gas; at least one anode temperature sensor; a gas supply device, which is connected to an upstream region of the gas supply line so as to conduct gas; a control device, which is provided for this purpose; detecting at least one anode temperature of the anode; blocking an escape of carbon monoxide from an anode chamber if the anode temperature is higher than a first limit temperature T.sub.1; and removing carbon monoxide at least in part from the anode chamber if the anode temperature falls below the first limit temperature T.sub.1.

17. The vehicle according to claim 16, further comprising a fuel reserve for provision of fuel.

18. A use of a generator unit according to claim 11 comprising a fuel cell device at least for the reduction for the formation of nickel tetracarbonyl Ni(CO).sub.4 during the shutdown of the generator unit or for the reduction for of an oxidation of an anode during the shutdown of the generator unit.

19. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step (b) has: (b1) detection of an inlet side anode temperature and (b2) detection of an outlet side anode temperature; wherein the following step is performed: (b3) Introduction of the other gas in at least one region around the anode when the inlet side anode temperature is greater than T.sub.1 and the outlet side anode temperature is less than T.sub.2.

20. The vehicle according to claim 17, wherein the fuel reserve is at least of ethanol or water mixed with ethanol, wherein the fuel is supplied as reserve for the operation of the fuel cell device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further objectives, advantages, features and applications of the present invention arise from the following description of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the drawing:

(2) FIG. 1 An at least partial schematic representation of a generator unit according to one aspect of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(3) A fuel cell device 100 of a generator unit 1 according to the embodiment in FIG. 1 comprises an anode chamber 120 as well as a cathode chamber 130, which are separated from each other by an oxygen-ion permeable membrane 110. An anode 122 is arranged in anode chamber 120, in particular an anode comprising nickel. This is conductively connected via a control unit 810 and a consumer 800 to a cathode 132 in cathode chamber 130, in particular in the event of a closed control unit 810. On an inlet side 120a, anode chamber 120 is connected so as to conduct gas to a gas supply line 500. On an outlet side 120b of anode chamber 120, a gas supply line 600 is connected so as to conduct gas to anode chamber 120. A fuel reserve 400 is connected so as to conduct gas to a reformer 300, in which fuel from the fuel reserve is converted, in particular prepared, for use in the fuel cell, for example in that the hydrogen content of the fuel gas provided to the anode chamber via the gas supply line is converted, in particular increased.

(4) For the general workings of a fuel cell, in particular of fuel cell device 100, the aforementioned embodiments are referenced to avoid repetitions.

(5) A gas delivery device 200, in particular in the form of a fan, is connected so as to conduct gas to an outlet side 130a of cathode chamber 130 via a valve 210. Gas delivery device 200 is connected so as to conduct gas to inlet side 120a of anode chamber 120 via an additional valve 220 and a gas supply line 230. During operation of fuel cell device 100, gas delivery device 200 provides the necessary oxygen to the cathode in the form of ambient air. It is advantageous for the additional valve 220 to be closed during normal operation.

(6) According to an alternative embodiment, indicated in FIG. 1 as a dashed line, gas delivery device 200 is connected to reformer 300 so as to conduct gas via an additional gas supply line 230a in order to clean the reformer as of result of removing the carbon monoxide.

(7) Regarding the procedure for shutting down generator unit 1: If consumer 800 no longer needs power, control unit 810 is interrupted and with it the circuit connection between the cathode and the anode connected to it. The redox reaction described above can no longer take place. Anode 122, which has an operating temperature in a range between 600° C. and 1000° C. depending upon the embodiment, is monitored by an anode temperature sensor 124, which detects a temperature of the anode, in particular a surface temperature of anode 122, in particular of a region of the anode containing nickel. A control unit 700, which is electrically connected to anode temperature sensor 124, control unit 810 and additional valve 220, monitors the anode temperature, in particular if control unit 810 is opened, meaning during a cooling process. If the anode temperature falls below a first limit temperature T.sub.1, carbon monoxide is at least in part, in particular, at least for the most part, fully removed from anode chamber 120. According to the embodiment in FIG. 1, this takes place if valve 210 is closed and additional valve 220 is opened so that ambient air is supplied to anode chamber 120 via gas supply line 230. This at least partial removal of carbon monoxide is terminated if the anode temperature falls below a second limit temperature T.sub.2 and/or the carbon monoxide is at least partially removed from the anode chamber 120. Limit temperatures T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 are based on the decay and/or formation temperatures for nickel tetracarbonyl Ni(CO).sub.4. The gas to be removed from the anode chamber or the introduced and excess gas from gas supply device 200 is discharged from fuel cell device 100 via gas line 600.

(8) Although exemplary embodiments were discussed in the preceding description, it should be noted that a plurality of variations is possible. In addition, it should be noted that the exemplary embodiments are only examples, which should in no way limit the scope of protection, the applications or design in any way. Instead, the preceding description should give the person skilled in the art a guideline for the implementation of at least one exemplary embodiment, wherein various changes can be undertaken, in particular with respect to the function and arrangement of the components described, without leaving the scope of protection that arises from the claims and these equivalent combinations of features.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

(9) 100 Fuel cell device 110 Membrane 120 Anode chamber 120a Inlet side of the anode chamber 120 120b Outlet side of the anode chamber 120 122 Anode 124 Anode temperature sensor 130 Cathode chamber 130a Inlet side of the cathode chamber 130 130b Outlet side of the cathode chamber 130 132 Cathode 200 Gas supply device 210 Valve 220 Additional valve 230 Gas supply line 230a Expanded gas supply line 300 Reformer 400 Fuel reserve 500 Gas supply line 600 Gas discharge line 700 Control device 800 Consumer 810 Control unit