FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PURGING AND REMOVING WATER DURING START AND STOP PROCESS THEREOF

Abstract

A fuel cell system and a method for purge and removing water during its stop and start process, the system comprises a fuel cell stack, an air supply system connected to a cathode at a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, and a hydrogen supply system connected to an anode at an anode side of the fuel cell stack, the air supply system includes an air compressor, an air inlet tube, and an air outlet tube, the air outlet tube is connected to a low-oxygen gas storage tank through a manifold, and the low-oxygen gas storage tank is connected back to the hydrogen supply system through a circulating tube. The method expels standing water from the fuel cell stack using an air compressor to continuously supply air to both the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell stack, so as to further protect the stack.

Claims

1. A fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell stack, an air supply system connected to a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, and a hydrogen supply system connected to an anode side of the fuel cell stack, wherein the air supply system includes an air compressor, an air inlet tube, and an air outlet tube, while the hydrogen supply system includes a hydrogen storage tank, a hydrogen inlet tube, and a hydrogen outlet tube, wherein the air outlet tube is connected to a low-oxygen, gas storage tank through a manifold, and the low-oxygen gas storage tank is connected back to the hydrogen inlet tube through a circulating tube, whereby during stop of the fuel cell, air supply is reduced by stopping the air compressor or reducing a rotating speed of the air compressor, hydrogen remaining at the anode side of the fuel cell stack consumes or dilutes oxygen in air at the cathode side, and a low-oxygen gas so generated is partially used to purge the fuel cell stack and partially stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank, wherein before start of the fuel cell, the low-oxygen gas stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank fills and purges the anode side of the fuel cell stack, expels oxygen remaining at the anode side or reduce a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe.

2. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the air outlet tube is provided with a first solenoid valve, when the first solenoid valve is closed and the oxygen in air at the cathode side is consumed, the low-oxygen gas generated at the cathode side of the fuel cell is stored into the low-oxygen gas storage tank via the manifold.

3. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the manifold is provided with a second solenoid valve, the second solenoid vale is open when the fuel cell stops, so that the low-oxygen gas generated at the cathode side of the fuel cell is stored into the low-oxygen gas storage tank via the second solenoid valve.

4. The fuel cell system of claim 2, wherein the circulating tube is provided with a third solenoid valve and a check valve, when the third solenoid valve and the check valve are open, before the fuel cell starts, the low-oxygen gas stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank fills and purges the anode side of the fuel cell stack via the third solenoid valve and the check valve of the circulating tube, expels oxygen remaining at the anode side or reduce a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe, when the third solenoid valve and the check valve are closed, before the fuel cell stops, the low-oxygen gas generated at the cathode side of the fuel cell is stored into the low-oxygen gas storage tank via the second solenoid valve.

5. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen inlet tube is provided with a fourth solenoid valve, when the oxygen remaining therein is expelled from the anode side of the fuel cell stack or the content of oxygen at the anode side is reduced to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe, the fourth solenoid valve is opened to input hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell stack.

6. The fuel cell system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen outlet tube is provided with a sensor for measuring a content of hydrogen.

7. A method for purging the fuel cell system of claim 1 during its stop and start process, wherein the method uses the fuel cell system to produce low-oxygen gas, so that during stop of the fuel cell system, hydrogen remaining at the anode side of the fuel cell system is diluted and expelled by purging of the low-oxygen gas, and during start of the fuel cell system, the low-oxygen gas at the anode side of the fuel cell system is diluted and expelled by purging of the low-oxygen gas, the method comprises steps of: i) where there is a need of producing the low-oxygen gas or during stop of the fuel cell system, reducing air supply by stopping the air compressor or reducing a rotating speed of the air compressor, closing the first solenoid valve, opening the second solenoid valve, the third solenoid valve and the check valve, using hydrogen remaining or reserved according to needs at the anode side of the fuel cell stack to continuously generate electric power, so as to obtain the low-oxygen gas by way of consuming oxygen in air at the cathode side and, storing the low-oxygen gas into the low-oxygen gas storage tank through the manifold, and transferring the low-oxygen gas to the anode side of the fuel cell stack through the circulating tube to purge hydrogen remaining in a channel at the anode side so as to reduce a concentration of hydrogen to a level below 4%; and ii) before start of the fuel cell system, first opening the third solenoid valve and the check valve, the low-oxygen gas stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank filling and purging the anode side of the fuel cell stack via the circulating tube so as to expel oxygen potentially remaining therein or to reduce a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe, and opening the fourth solenoid valve to input hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell stack.

8. A fuel cell system, comprising a fuel cell stack, an air supply system connected to a cathode at a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, and a hydrogen supply system connected to an anode at an anode side of the fuel cell stack, wherein the air supply system includes an air compressor, an air inlet tube, and an air outlet tube, while the hydrogen supply system includes a hydrogen storage tank, a hydrogen inlet tube and a hydrogen outlet tube, in which the air outlet tube is connected to a low-oxygen gas storage tank through a manifold, and the low-oxygen gas storage tank is connected back to the hydrogen inlet tube through a circulating tube, while the air inlet tube and the hydrogen inlet tube are connected by a connecting tube that is provided with a first solenoid valve, so that during stop of the fuel cell, redundant hydrogen at the anode side of the fuel cell stack consumes oxygen in air remaining at the cathode side, when a low-oxygen gas generated expels hydrogen remaining at the anode side of the fuel cell stack, the air compressor supplies high pressure air to the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell stack at the same time so as to purge the produced water in the fuel cell stack.

9. The fuel cell system of claim 8, wherein the air outlet tube is provided with a second solenoid valve and the manifold is provided with a third solenoid valve while the circulating tube is provided with a fourth solenoid valve and a check valve, in which the hydrogen inlet tube is provided with a fifth solenoid valve and the hydrogen outlet tube is provided with a sensor for measuring a content of hydrogen.

10. A method for purging and removing water for the fuel cell system of claim 8 during its stop and start, which safely expels water standing in the fuel cell system during stop of the fuel cell system with low-oxygen gas, the method comprises steps of: i) where there is a need of producing low-oxygen gas or during stop of the fuel cell system, reducing air supply by stopping the air compressor or reducing a rotating speed of the air compressor, closing the second solenoid valve, opening the third solenoid valve, the fourth solenoid valve and the check valve, using hydrogen remaining or reserved according to needs at the anode side of the fuel cell stack to continuously generate electric power, so as obtain the low-oxygen gas by way of consuming oxygen in air at the cathode side, storing the low-oxygen gas into the low-oxygen gas storage tank through the manifold, and transferring the low-oxygen gas to the anode side of the fuel cell stack through the circulating tube to purge a channel at the anode side so as to reduce a concentration of hydrogen to a level below 4%; and ii) closing the fourth solenoid valve, storing the remaining low-oxygen gas into the low-oxygen gas storage tank, opening the first solenoid valve a and the air compressor to deliver high-pressure high-flow air to both the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell stack, so as to effectively purge water standing in the fuel cell stack as a product of reaction.

11. A purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell, at least comprising an air supply system and hydrogen supply system, wherein a connecting tube between an air inlet tube and a hydrogen inlet tube is provided with a first solenoid valve, during stop, after using low-oxygen gas to dilute and purge hydrogen in a fluid channel at an anode side, air is continuously supplied to anode sides and cathode sides of fuel cell stacks by air compressor to purge water standing in a fuel cell stack, so as to further protect the fuel cell stack.

12. The purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell of claim 11, wherein an air outlet tube is connected to a low-oxygen gas storage tank via a manifold, the low-oxygen gas storage tank is connected back to an hydrogen inlet tube via a circulating tube, wherein low-oxygen gas is used to purge fluid channel at the anode side to expel hydrogen, thereby forcing electrochemical reaction in a stack to stop in time so as to protect the stack; the produced low-oxygen gas is stored, during start, the low-oxygen gas is used to purge the anode side, expelling oxygen potentially remaining therein or reducing a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe, so as to improve safety and save energy.

13. The purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell of claim 12, wherein during stop of the fuel cell, hydrogen remaining at an anode side of a fuel cell stack consumes oxygen in air at an cathode side or reduces its concentration, low-oxygen gas generated is used to purge and dilute the fuel cell stack, a remaining portion is stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank.

14. The purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell of claim 11, wherein during stop or where there is a need of producing low-oxygen gas, a second solenoid valve on the air outlet tube is closed and a third solenoid valve on the manifold is open, the air compressor is stopped or a rotating speed of the air compressor is reduced to reduce air supply, hydrogen remaining or reserved according to needs at the anode side of the fuel cell stack is used to continuously generate electric power so as to obtain the low-oxygen gas by way of consuming oxygen in air at the cathode side.

15. The purging and water-evacuating system for a fuel cell of claim 14, wherein when a fourth solenoid valve on the circulating tube is closed and the first solenoid valve is open, the air compressor inputs high-pressure high-flow air to both the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell stack, so as to effectively purge water standing in the fuel cell stack as a product of reaction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fuel cell system of the present invention purging and expelling hydrogen and air; and

[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fuel cell system of the present invention evacuating water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The invention as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, a fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell stack 1, an air supply system connected to a cathode at a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, and a hydrogen supply system connected to an anode at an anode side of the fuel cell stack. The air supply system includes an air compressor 2, an air inlet tube 3, and an air outlet tube 4. The hydrogen supply system includes a hydrogen storage tank, a hydrogen inlet tube 5 and a hydrogen outlet tube. The air outlet tube 4 is connected to a low-oxygen gas storage tank 7 through a manifold 6, and the low-oxygen gas storage tank 7 is connected back to the hydrogen inlet tube 5 through a circulating tube 8. The air outlet tube 4 is provided with a solenoid valve b 11. The manifold 6 is provided with a solenoid valve c 12. The circulating tube 8 is provided with a solenoid valve d 13 and a check valve 14. The hydrogen inlet tube 5 is provided with a solenoid valve e 15. The hydrogen outlet tube is provided with a sensor for measuring a content of hydrogen.

[0023] The method for purging the foregoing fuel cell system during its stop and start process comprises the following steps:

where there is a need of producing the low-oxygen gas or during stop of the fuel cell system, closing the solenoid valve b 11, opening the solenoid valve c 12, the solenoid valve d 13 and the check valve 14, using hydrogen remaining or reserved according to needs at the anode side of the fuel cell stack 1 to continuously generate electric power, so as to consume oxygen in air at the cathode side and obtain the low-oxygen gas, storing the low-oxygen gas into the low-oxygen gas storage tank 7 through the manifold 6, and transferring the low-oxygen gas to the anode side of the fuel cell stack 1 through the circulating tube 8 to purge hydrogen remaining in a channel at the anode side so as to reduce a concentration of hydrogen to a level below 4%; and
ii. before start of the fuel cell system, first opening the solenoid valve d 13 and the check valve 14, using the low-oxygen gas stored in the low-oxygen gas storage tank 7 to fill and thereby purge the anode side of the fuel cell stack 1, so as to expel oxygen potentially remaining therein or to reduce a content of oxygen at the anode side to a level where filling of hydrogen is safe, and opening the solenoid valve e 15 to input hydrogen.

[0024] Since the oxidizing gas input at the cathode side of the fuel cell stack is air having a content of oxygen of 21%, and the fuel gas input at the anode side is high-purity hydrogen, during stop of the fuel cell system, a higher content of hydrogen remaining at the anode side and is sufficient to consume almost all the oxygen in the air at the cathode side. The resulting gas mainly containing low-oxygen gas and some rare gases can be partially used to purge hydrogen remaining in the cell stack and partially stored to be used later for purging oxygen at the anode side during start of the fuel cell system again.

Embodiment 2

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell stack 1, an air supply system connected to a cathode at a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, and a hydrogen supply system connected to an anode at an anode side of the fuel cell stack. The air supply system includes an air compressor 2, an air inlet tube 3, and an air outlet tube 4. The hydrogen supply system includes a hydrogen storage tank, a hydrogen inlet tube 5, and a hydrogen outlet tube. The air outlet tube 4 is connected to a low-oxygen gas storage tank 7 through a manifold 6, and the low-oxygen gas storage tank 7 is connected back to the hydrogen inlet tube 5 through a circulating tube 8. A connecting tube 9 is connected between the air inlet tube 3 and the hydrogen inlet tube 5. The connecting tube is provided with a solenoid valve a 10, and the air outlet tube 4 is provided with a solenoid valve b 11. The manifold 6 is provided with a solenoid valve c 12. The circulating tube 8 is provided with a solenoid valve d 13 and a check valve 14. The hydrogen inlet tube 5 is provided with a solenoid valve e 15. The hydrogen outlet tube is provided with a sensor for measuring a content of hydrogen.

[0026] The foregoing system serves to not only purge hydrogen and oxygen as described in Embodiment 1, but also safely expel standing water from the system when the system is stopped through the following steps:

where there is a need of producing the low-oxygen gas or during stop of the fuel cell system, stopping the air compressor 2 or reducing a rotating speed of the air compressor and reducing air supply, closing the solenoid valve b 11, opening the solenoid valve c 12, the solenoid valve d 13 and the check valve 14, using hydrogen remaining or reserved according to needs at the anode side of the fuel cell stack 1 to continuously generate electric power, so as to consume oxygen in air at the cathode side and obtain the low-oxygen gas (generally with a content of oxygen of 15% or below), storing the low-oxygen gas into the low-oxygen gas storage tank 7 through the manifold 6, and transferring the low-oxygen gas to the anode side of the fuel cell stack 1 through the circulating tube 8 to purge hydrogen remaining in a channel at the anode side so as to reduce a concentration of hydrogen to a level below 4%; and
ii. closing the solenoid valve d 13, storing the remaining low-oxygen gas into the low-oxygen gas storage tank 7, opening the solenoid valve a 10 and the air compressor 2 to deliver high-pressure high-flow air to both the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell stack 1, so as to effectively purge water standing in the fuel cell stack as a product of reaction.