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CHEMICAL SOURCES OF CURRENT. POWER STORAGE BATTERIES AND ACCUMULATORS
INVENTION
Patent of the Russian Federation RU2280924

ELECTROCHEMICAL GENERATOR BASED ON HYDROGEN-OXYGEN FUEL ELEMENTS

ELECTROCHEMICAL GENERATOR BASED ON HYDROGEN-OXYGEN
FUEL CELLS

The name of the inventor: Karichev Ziya Ramizovich (RU)
The name of the patent holder: Karichev Ziya Ramizovich (RU)
Address for correspondence: 129626, Moscow, Kuchin per., 12, ap. 1, Z.R. Karichevu
Date of commencement of the patent: 2005.01.31

(EN) The invention relates to the field of electrical engineering, in particular to the peculiarity of performing electrochemical generators (ECG) based on fuel cells (FCs) with an alkaline electrolyte, and can be used in the production of these generators. According to the invention, the ECG comprises a fuel cell stack (BTE), a hydrogen and oxygen supply and purge system, an electrolyte circulation loop with a pump, a heat exchanger, a heater and an electrolyte tank with an electrolyte level sensor located under the BTE, the BTE being made up of two units, each Which consists of a set of TE modules of a filter design with internal collectors of hydrogen, oxygen and electrolyte, while on the mains of connecting blocks for hydrogen and oxygen, moisture separators with drain valves are installed, the outputs of which are connected to the electrolyte tank. The technical result of the invention is to increase the reliability of ECG operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of electrochemical generators (ECG) based on fuel cells (TEs) with an alkaline electrolyte and can be used in the production of these generators.

An ECG based on hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells is known , containing a fuel cell stack, hydrogen and oxygen supply and purge systems, an electrolyte circulation loop with a pump, a heat exchanger, an electrolyte tank with temperature sensors and an electrolyte level (see US Pat. No. 3935028, class N 01M 8/04, 1976) .

The disadvantage of this ECG is the complexity of its operation at start-up and shutdown, associated with draining, refueling and heating up the electrolyte.

Of the known ECG, the most similar in terms of the totality of essential features and the technical result achieved is the ECG based on hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells, containing a battery of fuel cells, a system for supplying and purging hydrogen and oxygen, an electrolyte circulation loop with a pump, heat exchanger, heater and electrolyte capacity from the electrolyte level , Located under the battery of fuel cells (see RF patent No. 2.2455594, class H 01 M 8/04, 27.01.2005) .

The disadvantage of this ECG is the complexity of its operation, associated with the removal and collection of a dropping liquid from the gas mains of the fuel cell stack.

The object of the invention is to provide a reliable ECG that is free from these drawbacks.

This technical result is achieved by the fact that the ECG based on hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells contains a fuel cell stack (BTE), hydrogen and oxygen supply and purge systems, an electrolyte circulation loop with a pump, a heat exchanger, a heater and an electrolyte tank with an electrolyte level sensor located under the BTE , In accordance with the invention, the BTE is made of two units, each of which consists of a set of TE modules of a filter-press structure with internal collectors of hydrogen, oxygen and electrolyte, with the moisture separators on the manifolds connecting hydrogen and oxygen to drainage valves, the outputs of which Are connected to the electrolyte tank.

Such execution of the BTE and the presence of moisture separators and drainage valves between the units makes it possible to increase the reliability of ECG operation by reducing the hydraulic resistance in hydrogen and oxygen, and by separating and removing moisture from the connecting lines between the blocks.

It is advisable that the TEs in the modules be connected in hydrogen and oxygen in parallel, and the modules in the blocks are connected in series along hydrogen and oxygen.

Such a combination of TE on hydrogen and oxygen makes it possible to reduce the hydraulic resistance, to increase the reliability of ECG operation.

It is advisable that the TE modules in the battery are connected along the electrolyte in parallel, while the electrolyte inlet is made into the lower electrolyte collectors of the BTE, and the output of the electrolyte is made from the upper electrolyte collectors of the BTE.

The supply of electrolyte to the lower collectors of the BTE, and the output from the upper collectors allows to ensure the removal of gas bubbles from the electrolyte cavities of fuel cells, which increases the reliability of ECG operation.

It is advisable that the loop of electrolyte circulation through the drain valve be connected to the electrolyte tank.

The presence of a drain valve connected to the electrolyte tank simplifies the charging and discharge of the electrolyte at the start and stop of the ECG.

It is advisable that the BTE be equipped with a temperature sensor located at the outlet of the electrolyte from the BTE.

The presence of a temperature sensor at the outlet of the electrolyte allows you to monitor and maintain the operating temperature in the specified range, which increases the reliability of ECG operation.

It is advisable that the hydrogen and oxygen supply system for reversible supply includes two oxygen and two hydrogen valves, with one hydrogen and oxygen valves connected to one BTE unit, and the other connected to another BTE unit.

It is advisable that the hydrogen and oxygen purge system includes two oxygen and two hydrogen valves, with one hydrogen and oxygen valves connected to one BTE unit, and the other connected to another BTE unit.

This performance of the systems for supplying and purging hydrogen and oxygen increases the reliability of ECG operation due to the reversal of the supply of reagents and the reliable removal of inert impurities from the gas cavities of fuel cells.

It is expedient that, in the initial state, the free volume V of the electrolyte capacitance of the electrolyte circulation circuit, intended for the accumulation of water formed in the TE, is determined by the expression

V c = V n (C H N- C K ) / C k K , where V is the free volume of the electrolyte capacity, (n), V n , V k is the initial and final volumes of the electrolyte in the tank, respectively, (n), С н , С к is the initial and final concentration (%) of the electrolyte in the tank, Located under the battery of fuel cells, N , K is the initial and final density of the electrolyte in the tank (kg / l).

The correct choice of the free volume of the electrolyte capacity ensures the accumulation of water formed in the fuel cell with a change in the electrolyte concentration within the permissible range and the preservation of electrical characteristics.

It is advisable that the electrolyte capacity be made in the form of two vessels of equal volume, communicating in the lower part along the electrolyte.

This performance of electrolyte capacity simplifies the arrangement of ECG and reduces its size.

It is advisable that the outlet of the drain valve on the highway connecting the BTE blocks to hydrogen be connected to one vessel of electrolyte capacity, and the outlet of the drain valve on the connection line of the BTE blocks in oxygen is connected to another vessel.

The connection of drain valves to different vessels of electrolyte capacity prevents the mixing of hydrogen and oxygen in the tank and the formation of an explosive gas mixture. This prevents the explosion and increases the operational reliability of ECG.

The conducted analysis of the prior art showed that the claimed set of essential features set forth in the claims is not known. This allows us to conclude that it corresponds to the criterion of "novelty."

To check the conformity of the claimed invention, the criterion "inventive step" was carried out an additional search of known technical solutions in order to identify features that coincide with the features of the claimed technical solution that are distinct from the prototype. It was found that the claimed technical solution does not explicitly follow from the prior art. Consequently, the claimed invention corresponds to the criterion of "inventive step".

The essence of the invention is illustrated by a drawing and description of the operation of the claimed ECG.

ELECTROCHEMICAL GENERATOR BASED ON HYDROGEN-OXYGEN FUEL ELEMENTS

The drawing shows the principle pneumohydraulic scheme of the claimed ECG.

The claimed ECG contains a BTE consisting of two units 1.1 and 1.2, each consisting of a set of TE modules 2, a hydrogen supply system 3 with valves 3.1 and 3.2, an oxygen supply system 4 with valves 4.1 and 4.2, a hydrogen purge system with valves 5.1 and 5.2, an oxygen purge system with valves 6.1 and 6.2, an electrolyte circulation circuit with a pump 17, a heat exchanger 7, a heater 8, a temperature sensor 9, an electrolyte tank with an electrolyte level sensor 11. The electrolyte capacity can be made from two vessels 10.1 and 10.2 of equal volume, Connected by electrolyte. The temperature sensor 9 is located at the outlet of the electrolyte from the BTE, which allows controlling the temperature of the BTE. The water separators 13 and 14 are installed on the block connecting the hydrogen and oxygen lines, respectively. The dehumidifiers 13 and 14 are connected to the drain valves 15 and 16, respectively. The drain valve 15 is connected to one vessel 10.1, the drain valve 16 is connected to a vessel 10.2 of electrolyte capacity. The electrolyte circulation circuit may further comprise a mechanical filter 12. The electrolyte is supplied by the pump 17 to the BTE from below, and the discharge from the battery to the electrolyte vessel 10 is made from above. The electrolyte is drained from the circuit through the drain valve 18.

Information confirming the possibility of implementing the invention.

ECG works as follows. The system for supplying hydrogen 3 and oxygen 4 periodically through valves 3.1 and 4.1 or through valves 3.2 and 4.2 ensures the supply of reagents to fuel cells, which are consumed by the reaction and provide current generation. The evolving heat is discharged by the circulating electrolyte and discharged in the heat exchanger 7. The TE is purged from the inert impurities contained in the working gases periodically by means of a system for purging hydrogen and oxygen through the valves 5.1 and 6.1 or through the valves 5.2 and 6.2. The water-separators 13 and 14, respectively, are installed on the mains for connecting the blocks to hydrogen and oxygen. The dehumidifiers 13 and 14 are connected to the drain valves 15 and 16, respectively. The drain valve 15 is connected to the vessel 10.1, the drain valve 16 is connected to the vessel 10.2. The dehumidifiers provide removal of the liquid phase from the hydrogen and oxygen streams, which are discharged through the drain valves 15 and 16 into the vessels 10.1 and 10.2, respectively. Hydrogen and oxygen, together with the drainage liquid, enter different vessels of electrolyte capacity, which prevents mixing of gases and the formation of an explosive mixture. Level sensor 11 provides monitoring of the electrolyte level, which provides control of the volume and concentration of electrolyte in the circulation circuit. The heater 8 is used when starting ECG from the ambient temperature and maintaining the set temperature of the BTE at low loads. The temperature sensor 9 is designed to control the temperature of the electrolyte and is used to keep it in the specified range. Drain valve 18 is designed to drain the electrolyte from the BTE at long stops ECG.

Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded that the declared ECG can be realized in practice with the achievement of the declared technical result, i.e. It corresponds to the criterion of "industrial applicability".

CLAIM

  1. An electrochemical generator based on hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells comprising a fuel cell stack, a hydrogen and oxygen supply and purge system, an electrolyte circulation circuit with a pump, a heat exchanger, a heater and an electrolyte tank with an electrolyte level sensor located under the fuel cell stack, characterized in that The fuel cell stack is made up of two units, each of which consists of a set of fuel cell modules of a filter-type design with internal collectors of hydrogen, oxygen and electrolyte, with moisture separators on the manifolds connecting hydrogen and oxygen blocks with drain valves whose outputs are connected to an electrolyte tank .
  2. The electrochemical generator of claim 1, wherein the fuel cells in the modules are connected in hydrogen and oxygen in parallel, and the modules in the blocks are connected in series in hydrogen and oxygen.
  3. The electrochemical generator of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell modules in the battery are connected along the electrolyte in parallel, wherein the electrolyte inlet is formed in the lower electrolyte collectors of the battery, and the outlet of the electrolyte is made from the upper electrolyte collectors of the battery.
  4. The electrochemical generator of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte circulation circuit is connected to the electrolyte tank via a drain valve.
  5. The electrochemical generator of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell stack is provided with a temperature sensor located at the outlet of the electrolyte from the fuel cell stack.
  6. The electrochemical generator of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen and oxygen supply system for reversible supply includes two oxygen and two hydrogen valves, one of the hydrogen and oxygen valves being connected to one battery unit and the other connected to another battery unit.
  7. The electrochemical generator of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen and oxygen purge system comprises two oxygen and two hydrogen valves, one of the hydrogen and oxygen valves being connected to one battery unit and the other connected to another battery unit.
  8. The electrochemical generator according to claim 1, characterized in that in the initial state, the free volume V of the electrolyte capacity of the electrolyte circulation circuit for storing the generated water is given by the expression V c = V n (C n N- C to K ) / С н н K , where V is the free volume of the electrolyte capacity, (V), VH, VH is the initial and final volumes of the electrolyte in the tank, respectively, (L), С н , С н is the initial and final electrolyte concentrations in the tank (%), N , K is the initial and final density of the electrolyte in the tank (kg / l).
  9. The electrochemical generator according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that the electrolyte capacity is made in the form of two vessels of equal volume, communicating in the lower part along the electrolyte.
  10. An electrochemical generator according to claim 9, characterized in that the outlet of the drain valve on the connection line of the blocks along the hydrogen is connected to one vessel, and the outlet of the drain valve on the block connecting line to oxygen is connected to another vessel.

print version
Date of publication 23.12.2006гг