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WO2010004093A1 - Procédé et agencement pour améliorer le rendement thermique d’un système de piles à combustible - Google Patents

Procédé et agencement pour améliorer le rendement thermique d’un système de piles à combustible Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010004093A1
WO2010004093A1 PCT/FI2009/050621 FI2009050621W WO2010004093A1 WO 2010004093 A1 WO2010004093 A1 WO 2010004093A1 FI 2009050621 W FI2009050621 W FI 2009050621W WO 2010004093 A1 WO2010004093 A1 WO 2010004093A1
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Prior art keywords
temperature
device group
fuel cell
insulation
terms
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Application number
PCT/FI2009/050621
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English (en)
Inventor
Outi Korhonen
Peik Jansson
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Wartsila Finland Oy
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Wartsila Finland Oy
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Publication of WO2010004093A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010004093A1/fr
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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
    • H01M8/04007—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
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/12—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
    • 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
    • H01M8/04067—Heat exchange or temperature measuring elements, thermal insulation, e.g. heat pipes, heat pumps, fins
    • 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
    • H01M8/06—Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants or for treatment of residues
    • H01M8/0662—Treatment of gaseous reactants or gaseous residues, e.g. cleaning
    • 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
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/12—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
    • H01M2008/1293—Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Definitions

  • An object of the present invention is a method to improve the thermal efficiency of an SOFC type fuel cell system.
  • Another object of the invention is a fuel cell arrangement applying the method.
  • the invention relates to fuel cell systems operating at a high temperature, a typical feature of which is the high working temperature required for their operation.
  • the present invention lends itself particularly well to SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) type fuel cell systems, the operating temperatures of which, at their highest, are typically within the range of 500-1000 0 C.
  • An essential aspect in fuel cell systems operating at a high temperature is good control over temperature levels and heat flows.
  • the high temperatures in a fuel cell system are problematic e.g. from the standpoint of thermal insulation and thereby set their specific structural standards for the assembly. In these systems, the question of insulation is not only about thermal conductivity and convection.
  • the dominating heat transfer mechanism turns out to be heat transfer by radiation.
  • the price-friendly insulation materials such as e.g. mineral wool
  • the SOFC systems require ceramic, microporous or other high-temperature insulation materials.
  • the insulation materials good for high temperatures are expensive and hence the cost-effective insulation is of primary importance as regards the commercialization of SOFC systems.
  • An essential idea of the invention is that devices, assemblies or assembly components, which in terms of their working temperatures operate within a substantially common temperature range, be accommodated in one or several common volumes, in sort of insulated packages, thermally insulated from their surroundings for providing each device with a working environment as optimal as possible in terms of thermal efficiency.
  • the amount of heat released or received by a device included in each group set- ties naturally at a value as appropriate as possible and the possible heating or cooling demand is minimized.
  • the amount of insulation and the insulating costs can be reduced.
  • the es- sential idea is to place insulations as close to a heat source as possible. This applies particularly to insulations intended for a high temperature level. This results especially in reducing the insulation area of equipment components most expensive in terms of their insulation costs or in reducing otherwise the amount of insulation.
  • Various devices or assembly components of a fuel cell system are thus arranged in equipment groups divided according to temperature ranges on the basis of their inherent operating temperatures.
  • the devices are divided into three or more groups, which are each preferably in line with a certain temperature zone.
  • the system layout is designed on this basis with an objective that the devices operating within a common temperature range, i.e. a heat zone, be each accommodated in a single thermodynamic assembly, which is thermally insulated to a desired degree from the rest of the environment.
  • the devices which are placed in a common space, are compatible in thermodynamic sense, and operate at a temperature level as common as possible, find themselves in mutual interaction as balanced as possible in terms of thermal efficiency in a space which is thermally insulated with respect to their surroundings and also each other.
  • the physical heat zones i.e. the established equipment groups
  • the devices, included in an equipment group corresponding to each heat zone are all accommodated in a jointly insulated space, which is always surrounded by an equipment group of the next lower temperature along with devices included therein.
  • the devices accommodated in a common temperature zone can also be isolated for two or more thermally insulated areas, thus providing two discrete equipment groups. Even in this case, all these isolated device groups are nevertheless located within an equipment group in line with the next lower temperature range, thus more specifically, inside an insulated space common to this equipment group. Hence, the relative concentricity of various equipment groups is still maintained.
  • a few preferred substitutions will be described more specifically in connection with exemplary embodiments of the invention.
  • the invention is capable of providing several major benefits.
  • the system layout optimization according to the invention targeted at thermodynamic effi- ciency, provides distinctive savings in terms of both energy efficiency and insulation costs. Likewise, regarding the entire group of components, the overall demand of insulation is diminished.
  • Fig. 1 shows a fuel cell system of the prior art, in which is also sketched a zone-wise equipment layout and thermal insulation consistent with an arrangement of the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows schematically a fuel cell arrangement of the prior art and insulations therein
  • Fig. 3 illustrates the operating principle for a solution of the invention by means of a layout of heat zones and temperature levels
  • Fig. 4 shows the same way as fig. 3 a basic arrangement of the inven- tion
  • Figs. 5-8 show optional ways of distributing the devices in various heat zones either for a purely nested configuration or by using two or more device group entities independently insulated with regard to a single heat zone.
  • Fig. 1 shows schematically a fuel cell system 1 per se consistent with the prior art as far as its operating principle and circuitry are concerned.
  • two separate fuel cell units 5 These are provided with series-connected fuel cells, featuring an anode side 7, a cathode side 8 and an electrolyte 9 therebetween, as well as a connecting plate, a so-called interconnect (not shown), set between individual fuel cells.
  • interconnect not shown
  • Fuel is supplied to the anode side 7 by means of a pump or compressor 26 for treatment in a desulphurizer or another suchlike possible gas scrubbing device or pretreatment device 3 and further to a prereformer 4, conducted along a line 10 to a heat exchanger 21 for heating and further to the anode side inlet.
  • the gas mixture discharging from the anode 7 and still containing fuel, is conducted along a line 11 to the heat exchanger 21 for heating the incoming anode side gas mixture.
  • the gas mixture discharging from the fuel cell units is in turn generally conducted to a steam separator 52 and then to a burner 51. What is typically used is a catalytic afterburner. Therein, the components still remaining in the gas mixture are burned away.
  • the cathode side air is supplied by means of a pump or com- pressor 27 along a line 14 and heated by a heat exchanger 28 prior to being delivered to the cathode side.
  • the possible other cathode side heat transfer devices are here represented by just a single heat exchanger 28.
  • the air discharging from the cathode side is conducted along a line 15 to the heat exchanger 28 for heating the inlet air.
  • the cooled air is conducted fur- ther to the afterburner 51. Thermal energy can still be recovered from combustion gases in a heat exchanger 22 before the combustion gases are expelled.
  • the voltage produced across the fuel cells is carried along conductors 61 to a transformer 60 and further to service.
  • a line 12 possibly used in connection with the recirculation of a safety gas during a preheating cycle of the fuel cell system, along which the safety gas is conducted to a treatment device 23 to effect for example de- moisturization and further, for heating purposes, to a heat exchanger 24 and by way of boosters 25, such as pumps, back into the supply line 10, generally upstream of the desulphurizer or prereformer 3, 4.
  • boosters 25, such as pumps back into the supply line 10
  • upstream of the desulphurizer or prereformer 3 is effected the delivery of steam coming from the steam separator 52 along a line 16.
  • Fig. 2 shows in a highly schematic fashion a fuel cell system configured according to the prior art.
  • the arrangement and thermal insulation of the system equipment are organized principally on a functional basis.
  • the insulation of equipment is generally performed as per device or at least based on a device-specific temperature observation. Considerable amounts of heat are lost in the arrangement, because some of the devices are inevitably located in an environment clearly foreign with regard to their operating temperatures or because the insulation, regarding for example a device 90 or regarding for example a device group 100, is inadequate or nonexistent as indicated by reference numeral 50.
  • Providing insulation individually for each device both increases the total amount of insulation and leads to the use of unnecessarily expensive insulation solutions.
  • the lack of insulation or an otherwise poorly compatible ambient temperature may lead to an unnecessary ventilation demand for each device or to the like measures in order to prevent an excessive rise of temperature.
  • the devices are now clustered, on the basis of their operating temperature, for device groups which at the same time define a heat zone area in which they are located on the basis of their operating temperature.
  • the distribution of the operating temperatures of devices is used as a basis for defining for each device group a temperature level, which is at least approximately where the temperature desirably settles in a space to be defined by means of thermal insulation common to the device group.
  • the operating temperature of a device refers, in the case of each individual device, to that temperature or temperature range at or within which the device settles or desirably at least approximately settles after acquiring its normal operating mode. This is preferably a temperature at which the device functions optimally.
  • This temperature can be pursued both by the design of insulation, by the selection of ambient temperature, i.e. a device group, by the temperature and rate of incoming flows and by other regulation measures as well. It should also be noted that the operating temperature may also depend on a degree of loading.
  • the corresponding temperature of each heat zone or the devices of a device group defining the same be selected with a view of achieving a compromise as favorable as possible between the heating/cooling demand of devices included in the zone, insulation materials, thickness and costs, as well as possible limitations caused by a layout. Determined at the same time is the number of heat zones.
  • the underlying principle of the invention is specified schematically in connection with a T-diagram in fig. 3.
  • the devices are arranged for device groups Gl, G2, G3 which are preferably matched by heat zones HZl, HZ2, HZ3.
  • the operating temperatures of devices included in the device groups settle within a temperature range which is matched by each appropriate heat zone.
  • Tl T1-T2.
  • T1-T2 T1-T2.
  • HZ4 HZ4
  • T4 fourth zone HZ4
  • the layout of de- vices can be based on the distribution of devices according to heat zones, i.e. the devices are sorted out for groups defined by the heat zones.
  • the temperature for each heat zone can be selected from within a given limited range of temperatures. However, this temperature range does not extend to the upper limit of a respective temperature range selected for the next lower heat zone, but, instead, the insulation always provides quite a substantial heat gap between the "threshold values' of two successive heat zones.
  • the temperature level of each particular heat zone depends, among others, on devices included in a particular group and on the normal operating temperatures thereof.
  • the temperature level chosen for a heat zone lies preferably around the average of these temperature values.
  • the heat zones can be roughly categorized for hot (HZl), intermediate (HZ2), cool (HZ3) and cold (HZ4) zones.
  • HZl hot
  • HZ2 intermediate
  • HZ3 cool
  • HZ4 zones cold zones.
  • fig. 4 An implementation similar to fig. 3, regarding a method of the invention, is revealed in fig. 4 in which the heat zones HZl, HZ2 and HZ3, and device groups Gl, G2, G3 relevant thereto, are set also physically within each other for an onion-like configuration.
  • the device groups isolated by substantially unbroken insulation entities are clearly nested within each other.
  • the devices, included in each device group relevant to a heat zone are all accommodated in a single, common, thermally defined space, and a hotter device group, included in the heat space, is always surrounded by the next device group entity present at a lower temperature level.
  • the meaning of this is, most preferably, that the higher group is totally encircled by the lower group, i.e. the higher group is nested within the lower one and preferably the lower group extends at least around the higher group.
  • the number of thermally insulated volumes is minimized.
  • each device group Gl, ...,Gn is provided with a joint thermal insulation, such that the devices included in each particular device group Gl,...,Gn operate at a temperature substantially equal to each other.
  • a nested layout be applied for the device groups corresponding to the heat zones. What is particularly important is that at least those device groups, whose internal temperature settles above +600 0 C, become surrounded by at least one of the device groups G,...,Gn-I matching a lower heat zone.
  • the device groups Gl, ...,Gn defined by thermal insulations, can be nested relative to each other in such a way that each particular device group Gl,...,Gn with a higher temperature is encircled by another device group Gl,...,Gn-I with a lower temperature Tl,...,Tn-I.
  • Another option is such an arrangement that, for an individual heat zone HZl,...,HZn and a device group Gl,...,Gn relevant thereto, be established one relevant unbroken thermally insulated space. Thereby, the result is a purely onion-like configuration of heat zones and device groups relevant thereto.
  • the intermediate heat zone for example HZ2
  • This temperature carries a major significance particularly from the standpoint of an effort to maintain the most essential of so-called BoP components (Balance of Plant) at their operating temperatures as subsequently described more specifically.
  • BoP components BoP components
  • the arrangement of insulations designable in a controlled manner by means of a method of the invention makes it easier to set up the insulations and reduces costs especially in the sense that the use of expensive insulation materials can now be more effectively minimized, particularly in terms of the hottest devices. It enables, among other things, to only deploy such insulations exactly where most urgently needed and at the same time to minimize the amount and thickness thereof.
  • reference numeral 201 there is marked in fig. 3, by reference numeral 201, at least a two-component composition for the insulation regarding the zone HZl, wherein the insulation used in connection with top high temperatures is of a type appropriate therefor and the insulation used outside the boundary surface 201 is already allowed to consist of an insulation material for a slightly lower temperature.
  • the number of layers can naturally be more than that and such layers can be applied also for lower heat zones and device groups.
  • the insulations are illustrated in a highly simplified fashion in the figures of this application.
  • the arrangement can be such that the devices included in an individual heat zone are organized in one or more device groups, said device groups being each provided with a joint thermal insulation in such a way that the devices included in each particular device group operate at temperatures substantially equal to each other.
  • the volumes, which are defined by thermal insulations and which correspond to the device groups are organized in a substantially nested configuration relative to each other, such that the devices located in a heat zone higher in terms of its temperature become positioned inside the next lower heat zone.
  • This embodiment is further represented in the subsequently described figure 5.
  • the distribution of a fuel cell system's main compo- nents may take place or at least begin directly with a classification into device groups for example as follows, in the case of using a device group Gl, G2, G3 relevant to three different heat zones (heat zones 1, 2, 3):
  • the first or highest device group Gl encompasses devices of the highest operating temperatures, such as the actual fuel cell units 5 as well as the burners 51.
  • a corresponding insulation 81 for the group Gl is also marked in fig. 1.
  • the next lower group preferably comprises, among others, a desulphurizer, a prereformer, both anode side and cathode side heat exchangers, as well as frame members and the like in engagement with hot devices.
  • this is represented by insulations 82 for the group G2.
  • next further (lowest) device group are preferably included devices of the lowest operating temperatures, such as low temperature frame members, fans, possible circulation equipment, a transformer and other electrical equipment, automation devices, regulating devices and power electronics.
  • devices of the lowest operating temperatures such as low temperature frame members, fans, possible circulation equipment, a transformer and other electrical equipment, automation devices, regulating devices and power electronics.
  • the device groups, and each of the temperature zones or ranges relevant thereto can be in a partially overlapping relation- ship with each other.
  • the hottest devices of the first group are at par with the coolest devices of the second group in terms of their temperatures.
  • two selected heat zones can be matched by two different device groups, which operate at the same temperature level but which constitute two mutually independent device groups and insulated spaces provided therefor. The most straightforward configuration is achieved if the heat zones, corresponding to device groups, are arranged successively relative to each other without unnecessary overlap.
  • the boosters or drivers included in an individual device say for example in the prereformer 4 - can be discussed as separate devices.
  • Notable representatives of such boosters are for example valves and the like regulating elements, stems etc. for operating the same, as well as actuators performing the operation,
  • a unit device to be adjusted, as well as a valve associated therewith for adjusting the unit device are included in the device group G2 existing at a temperature level which is higher when compared to that of a very actuator of the valve used for adjusting the unit device.
  • Being substantially "colder" in terms of its normal or accepted operating temperature said actuator is included in the next device group G3.
  • the actuator is connected to the actual valve by way of a stem extended through an insulation wall between the device groups G2 and G3.
  • the insulation of pipe systems can be carried out, as appropriate, within the framework of the same principles.
  • the flows with substantially equal temperatures can be provided with a joint insulation.
  • the air and fuel streaming into fuel cells must be conducted to a fuel cell unit with separating insulation.
  • the advantage gained by an insulation arrangement of the invention becomes even more obvious.
  • the pipe-specific insulation of a pipe with a circular cross-section leads to a total amount of insulation which clearly exceeds the amount needed for insulating the pipes as a group within the confines of a joint insulation.
  • the device groups are provided with an unbroken insulation to establish a substantially equal ambient temperature for devices included therein, it is nevertheless possible to provide an individual device with an additional insulation of its own as called for by particular circumstances.
  • the temperature level existing inside such a device covers a large temperature gap be- tween the incoming cold flow as well as the incoming warm flow.
  • the heat exchanger can have its "hot" end provided with an additional insulation or with insulation thicker than that on the rest of the device in case the hot end temperature differs from that of the discussed insulated space.
  • a similar arrangement can be provided for the "cold" end.
  • the heat exchangers can also be located in a method of the invention within the confines of a space insulated for a device group matching two different heat zones, i.e. to extend through an insulated wall present therebetween.
  • the definition of a normal operating temperature for a heat exchanger is namely different from other devices because of major temperature differences occurring in process flows streaming therein.
  • a very rough estimate for the operating temperature can be assumed to be for example an average temperature common to the flows streaming therein.
  • the layout can be arranged for example in such a way that the heat exchanger has its "cold" end located in a space insulated for a device group relevant to a lower heat zone and its "hot" end in a space for a device group relevant to the next heat zone.
  • this preferably serves to ensure the disruption of potential heat bridges, such that the migration of heat from hot side to cold side, especially along the surface of a heat exchanger, is denied.
  • This is illustrated by way of example in fig. 1.
  • a line 85 has been used to demonstrate how the hottest corner of a heat exchanger is delimited to lie inside the zone HZ2 while the rest of the heat exchanger is delimited to lie inside the zone HZ3. Particularly in the case of air-to-air heat exchangers, as well as electric heat exchangers, such an arrangement is plausible.
  • Parameters which are particularly important in terms of the selection and definition of actual heat zones, include, among others, the maximum temperatures of a fuel cell system's various components, the ambient temperature inside and outside an SOFC system, the surface temperature of each relevant unit and the prices of various insulation materials.
  • the optimization of a heat zone is conducted, according to the invention, preferably for each functional unit or each device separately.
  • the price-friendly thermal insulations are usually designed for lower temperatures and, as a result, are not very effective in terms of blocking radiation heat transfer.
  • the use of such materials leads to major insulation thicknesses.
  • the ad- vantages of a low price range disappear while the surface areas of hot and medium-hot temperatures increase.
  • the heat losses increase as well.
  • the correct intermediate temperature (T2) also enables the use of a low-cost steel material at a boundary surface between the hottest device group (Gl) and the intermediate device group (G2) as high-temperature steels are not needed.
  • the thickness of an insulation layer should be selected in view of complying with other requirements set by an SOFC system.
  • the optimal insulation thickness improves the function of an SOFC system, because this way the peripheral equipment of a fuel cell system, so-called BoP devices (Balance of Plant), operate within an optimal, sufficiently low temperature range.
  • these devices can be accommodated, as previously planned, in the lowest or second lowest, i.e. in the "cool” or "cold” device group Gl, G2.
  • several BoP devices require active cooling or heating in order to be functional.
  • BoP these devices either receive or release enough heat to from or to the environment.
  • Typical representatives of BoP devices are, among others, heating or cooling devices for the system, including fans, a desulphurizer and a prereformer, pumps and many other boosters.
  • the method comprises sorting out unit devices included in a fuel cell system, as well as their optimal or normal operating temperatures as well as potential limitations, especially as regards the maximum temperature. -Outlining practical options of distributing the devices into device groups. As to how the devices are distributed for various device groups and how the possible heat zones are selected can be based on a variety of factors. The selection of device groups is influenced e.g. by -how the operating temperatures of unit devices are distributed along the temperature axis
  • Rg. 5 depicts an embodiment of the invention, wherein the devices included in a first, hottest heat zone HZl are accommodated in two spaced-apart insulated spaces 31, 32, comprising device groups Gl and G3.
  • the devices accommodated in one insulation space 31 comprise anode side devices
  • the devices accommodated in the insulation space 32 comprise cathode side devices
  • the question is about two discrete fuel cell units with their burners and possible other devices included in the zone HZl.
  • the use of two mutually independent insulated spaces within the same temperature range may provide advantages in terms of facilitating the implementation of a practical layout and, for example, in terms of avoiding extra pipe systems.
  • the principal idea of the invention is still effectively realized, i.e. the spaces 31, 32 shall nevertheless be located inside the next lower heat zone HZ2. What is especially achieved in this case is a minimization of the amount of costly insulations for the hottest temperature-level zone HZl.
  • Fig. 6 shows schematically yet another exemplary embodiment for a solution of the invention, wherein the devices included in a device group relevant to the intermediate heat zone HZ2 are accommodated in two mutually inde- pendent insulated spaces.
  • the devices included in a device group relevant to the intermediate heat zone HZ2 are accommodated in two mutually inde- pendent insulated spaces.
  • the lower the temperature levels that are encountered the more it is basically possible to 'allow' for such a controlled division of a single heat zone into a plurality of device groups without said division unacceptably deteriorating the overall result in comparison with a purely onion-like zone configuration.
  • the important aspect is that the inventive mutual nesting of device groups is maintained, as it is in this embodiment as well.
  • each device group-specific insulated space need not be constant but can be adjusted as necessary, for example as required by a load condition. It is possible to use for example a default value, which is employed immediately after activating the operation and which can be subjected to adjustment modifications later during the operation. In any case, temperature differences within each device group remain small.
  • groups G2, G3, G4 are close to each other in terms of their temperatures and could well be imagined to establish a single heat zone.
  • the devices have been divided into three discrete groups, which are provided at the same time with device group-specific optimized temperatures.
  • the temperatures are marked directly in numerals for each device group or zone.
  • the figure is marked with a device group G4b, which is positioned, contrary to the main principle of the invention, to be directly encircled by the sealed space of a 'cool' device group G6.
  • such individual device group-specific variations are still acceptable.
  • the group Gl relevant to the hottest heat zone HZl is set in engagement with almost the entire system, and thus with a wall W of the fuel cell system 1.
  • the aspect of how much space shall remain between the insulation of the device group Gl and the external wall surface, is not essential for the principal concept of the invention. According to the principal concept of the invention, it is reasonable to consider that one of the lower device groups G2-G7 provides a full circle also around the hottest device group Gl. At least along the wall W, the insulation of the device group Gl experiences, in a direction perpendicular thereto, the temperature drop to a level matching one or more of the groups G2-G7, i.e.
  • fig. 8 there is shown yet another exemplary embodiment implemented within a method of the invention.
  • a device group Gl operating at higher than +600 0 C is again encircled by a device group G2 of the next lower temperature level.
  • device groups G3-G5 relevant to 'cool' and 'cold' heat zones HZ4 and HZ5 are placed successively at the ends of the entire system.
  • the role of insulation costs is not of such a major importance as in the case of high temperatures in terms of whether applying a purely nested configuration or some other, controllably different pattern.
  • Another benefit in this embodiment is an in- creased boundary surface with the zone HZ2 and thereby better possibilities of making penetrations through the insulation wall as required, for example, by actuators and the like accessories.
  • the invention also enables, for example, a more profound consideration of issues relating to safety with regard to the so-called ATEX directive.
  • the solution according to the invention provides clear advantages also in this respect.
  • Many devices and components can now be allocated for spaces cooler than the so-called traditional layout of an SOFC unit.
  • the surface tem- peratures of components can be brought to a lower level, which also contributes to lessening the explosion hazard associated with hydrogen and other such gas components.
  • a further beneficial aspect comes in the form of fire safety improved by a lesser-than-before ventilation demand. When the components find themselves at temperatures as correct as possible, there is less demand for ventilation, whereby, in potential accident situations, the fire is not able to spread as effectively as in forcefully ventilated spaces. This contributes to reducing the extent of resulting damage.
  • HZ2 intermediate heat zone

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Abstract

L’invention concerne un procédé pour améliorer le préchauffage d’un système de piles à combustible (1), ledit système de piles à combustible (1) comprenant au moins une unité de piles à combustible (5) dont les piles à combustible (2) sont pourvues d’un côté anode (7), d’un côté cathode (8) et d’un électrolyte (9) disposé entre les deux, ainsi que d’une plaque de connexion (6) placée entre chacune des piles à combustible (2). Dans le procédé, un gaz de protection circulant sur le côté anode (7) est chauffé, au moins pour la majeure partie, dans l’unité de piles à combustible (5) au moyen de l’énergie thermique contenue dans un gaz s’écoulant sur le côté cathode (8). L’invention concerne également un système de piles à combustible mettant en œuvre le procédé.
PCT/FI2009/050621 2008-07-10 2009-07-09 Procédé et agencement pour améliorer le rendement thermique d’un système de piles à combustible Ceased WO2010004093A1 (fr)

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FI20085721A FI20085721L (fi) 2008-07-10 2008-07-10 Menetelmä ja järjestely polttokennojärjestelmän lämpöteknisen tehokkuuden parantamiseksi

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WO2016044835A1 (fr) * 2014-09-19 2016-03-24 Watt Fuel Cell Corp. Gestion thermique d'unités et de systèmes de pile à combustible
WO2018024628A1 (fr) 2016-08-03 2018-02-08 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives Systeme de regulation de temperature et de pression d'un electrolyseur a haute temperature (soec) fonctionnant de maniere reversible en pile a combustible (sofc)

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WO2007110587A2 (fr) * 2006-03-24 2007-10-04 Ceres Intellectual Property Company Limited ENSEMBLE système d'empilement de piles à combustible
DE102007007605A1 (de) * 2007-02-13 2008-08-14 J. Eberspächer GmbH & Co. KG Brennstoffzellensystem
EP2073298A1 (fr) * 2007-12-17 2009-06-24 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Dispositif de réaction et équipement électronique

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007110587A2 (fr) * 2006-03-24 2007-10-04 Ceres Intellectual Property Company Limited ENSEMBLE système d'empilement de piles à combustible
DE102007007605A1 (de) * 2007-02-13 2008-08-14 J. Eberspächer GmbH & Co. KG Brennstoffzellensystem
EP2073298A1 (fr) * 2007-12-17 2009-06-24 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Dispositif de réaction et équipement électronique

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2016044835A1 (fr) * 2014-09-19 2016-03-24 Watt Fuel Cell Corp. Gestion thermique d'unités et de systèmes de pile à combustible
US11018359B2 (en) 2014-09-19 2021-05-25 Watt Fuel Cell Corp. Thermal management of fuel cell units and systems
AU2015317298B2 (en) * 2014-09-19 2021-06-24 Watt Fuel Cell Corp. Thermal management of fuel cell units and systems
EP3933992A1 (fr) * 2014-09-19 2022-01-05 Watt Fuel Cell Corp. Gestion thermique d'unités et de systèmes de pile à combustible
CN113921854A (zh) * 2014-09-19 2022-01-11 瓦特燃料电池公司 燃料电池单元及系统的热管理
US11495808B2 (en) 2014-09-19 2022-11-08 Watt Fuel Cell Corp. Thermal management of fuel cell units and systems
AU2021236514B2 (en) * 2014-09-19 2023-02-23 Watt Fuel Cell Corp. Thermal management of fuel cell units and systems
US11831053B2 (en) 2014-09-19 2023-11-28 Watt Fuel Cell Corp. Thermal management of fuel cell units and systems
CN113921854B (zh) * 2014-09-19 2024-08-02 瓦特燃料电池公司 燃料电池单元及系统的热管理
WO2018024628A1 (fr) 2016-08-03 2018-02-08 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives Systeme de regulation de temperature et de pression d'un electrolyseur a haute temperature (soec) fonctionnant de maniere reversible en pile a combustible (sofc)
US11171342B2 (en) 2016-08-03 2021-11-09 Commissariat A L'energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives System for regulating the temperature and pressure of a high-temperature electrolyser (SOEC) reversibly operating as a fuel cell stack (SOFC)

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FI20085721A0 (fi) 2008-07-10
FI20085721L (fi) 2010-01-11

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