U.S. patent application number 12/792760 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-03 for system for recycling thermal energy generated from a fuel cell module.
This patent application is currently assigned to Chung-Hsin Electric and Machinery Manufacturing Corp.. Invention is credited to Yu-Jen Chen, Zong-Ji Chen, Ting-Kuan Li, Zhan-Yi Lin, Chi-Bin Wu.
Application Number | 20110265981 12/792760 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42340382 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110265981 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Zong-Ji ; et
al. |
November 3, 2011 |
SYSTEM FOR RECYCLING THERMAL ENERGY GENERATED FROM A FUEL CELL
MODULE
Abstract
The present invention discloses a system for recycling thermal
energy generated from a fuel cell module. The system includes the
fuel cell module, a thermal module, a heat-recycle module, and a
control module. The thermal module includes a heat transfer
apparatus. In addition, the thermal module connects with the fuel
cell module, and the heat-recycle module connects with the heat
transfer apparatus. The control module detects a starting signal of
the fuel cell module and controls the thermal module and the
heat-recycle module. Thereby, the thermal energy generated from the
fuel cell module is transferred to the heat-recycle module.
Inventors: |
Chen; Zong-Ji; (Kwei Shan
Township, TW) ; Li; Ting-Kuan; (Kwei Shan Township,
TW) ; Chen; Yu-Jen; (Kwei Shan Township, TW) ;
Lin; Zhan-Yi; (Kwei Shan Township, TW) ; Wu;
Chi-Bin; (Kwei Shan Township, TW) |
Assignee: |
Chung-Hsin Electric and Machinery
Manufacturing Corp.
Jhonghe City
TW
|
Family ID: |
42340382 |
Appl. No.: |
12/792760 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/200 ;
165/104.19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 8/04029 20130101;
H01M 2250/405 20130101; Y02B 90/10 20130101; Y02E 60/50 20130101;
H01M 8/04723 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/200 ;
165/104.19 |
International
Class: |
F28F 27/00 20060101
F28F027/00; F28D 15/00 20060101 F28D015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 28, 2010 |
TW |
099113575 |
Claims
1. A system for recycling thermal energy generated from a fuel cell
module, the system comprising: the fuel cell module composed of at
least one fuel cell; a thermal module having: a first heat transfer
duct being connected between a first output end and a first input
end of a water channel of the fuel cell module, wherein there are a
cooling motor, a first flow sensor, a first three-way valve, a
second flow sensor, a first side of a heat transfer apparatus and a
first temperature sensor connected in series along a flow direction
of the first heat transfer duct; and a thermal reflux duct being
routed from one end of the first three-way valve to the first heat
transfer duct between the cooling motor and the first output end; a
heat-recycle module having: an insulation device including a
chamber that has a second output end, a second input end and a
plurality of openings; and a second temperature sensor coupled to
the insulation device for sensing a water temperature in the
chamber; a second heat transfer duct being connected between the
second output end and the second input end, wherein there are a
heat-recycle motor, a third flow sensor, a second three-way valve
and a second side of the heat transfer apparatus connected in
series along a flow direction of the second heat transfer duct; and
a heat-storage reflux duct being routed from one end of the second
three-way valve to the second heat transfer duct between the heat
transfer apparatus and the second input end; and a control module
being configured to perform steps of: detecting a starting signal
of the fuel cell module; starting the thermal module; starting the
heat-recycle module; and starting a heat transfer process that
makes the water in the first heat transfer duct and the water in
the second heat transfer duct perform heat exchange in the heat
transfer apparatus; wherein, during the heat transfer process,
there is no transfer of substance between the water in the fuel
cell module and the water in the insulation device.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the openings include a heater
water supplying opening, a heater backwater opening, a water
make-up opening, and a water supply opening
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first heat transfer duct
further has a deionized water filter deposited between the first
temperature sensor and the first input end.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein starting the thermal module
comprises steps of: starting the cooling motor and detecting a
first flow rate in the first heat transfer duct by the second flow
sensor; when the first flow rate is equal to 0, controlling the
first three-way valve to communicate the first three-way valve with
the thermal reflux duct; and when the first flow rate is greater
than 0, fixing the first flow rate by the cooling motor.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein when the first flow rate is not
equal to a first standard value, the control module further
performs a first warning mechanism, in which the first standard
value is a minimal value required by the first flow rate when the
heat transfer process is started.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein starting the heat-recycle module
comprises steps of: starting the heat-recycle motor and detecting a
second flow rate in the second heat transfer duct by the third flow
sensor; and fixing the second flow rate by the heat-recycle
motor.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein when the second flow rate is not
equal to a second standard value, the control module further
performs a second warning mechanism, in which the second standard
value is a minimal value required by the second flow rate when the
heat transfer process is started.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein when the second flow sensor
detects that a first flow rate in the first heat transfer duct is
not equal to zero and the third flow sensor detects that a second
flow rate in the second heat transfer duct is not equal to zero,
temperature readings detected by the first temperature sensor and
the second temperature sensor are read and the heat transfer
process is started, in which the heat transfer process comprises
steps of: when a first temperature detected by the first
temperature sensor is smaller than a first critical temperature,
and a second temperature detected by the second temperature sensor
is smaller than a second critical temperature, performing heat
exchange; when the second temperature is greater than the second
critical temperature, controlling the second three-way valve to
communicate the second three-way valve with the heat-storage reflux
duct, and when the first temperature is greater than a third
critical temperature, stopping the fuel cell module; and after the
fuel cell module stops, when the second temperature is smaller than
a fourth critical temperature, and the first temperature is not
greater than the third critical temperature, restarting the fuel
cell module.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the control module is configured
to perform steps of: presetting a time period; and when the first
flow rate and the second flow rate are both equal to zero, after
the time period, if the first flow rate and the second flow rate
are still equal to zero, performing a third warning mechanism.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein when the first temperature is
greater than the first critical temperature, the control module
further performs a fourth warning mechanism.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the first critical temperature
is an operational temperature of the fuel cell module when the heat
transfer apparatus reaches a maximum heat transfer efficiency.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein the second critical temperature
is an operational temperature of the fuel cell module when the heat
transfer apparatus reaches a maximum heat transfer efficiency.
13. The system of claim 8, wherein the third critical temperature
is a highest tolerable temperature of the fuel cell module.
14. The system of claim 8, wherein the fourth critical temperature
is a highest temperature required by starting the heat-recycle
module.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to thermal recycling
technologies, and, relates more particularly to a system for
recycling thermal energy generated from a fuel cell module.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] In view of the limitation of traditional energy resources,
all the governments are preparing for the coming era of hydrogen
energy. As an application of hydrogen energy, fuel cells have
recently drawn much attention as an emerging energy technology with
advantageous of cleanness, high efficiency, and wide adaptability
to vehicles, distributed power generation, consumer electronic
products and so on. In a fuel cell, a certain catalyst is employed
to prompt the reaction between fuel and oxygen so as to generate
electric power and H.sub.2O. As it requires no turbine or other
power generating devices, and it needs not to heat water to stream
that later turns back to water after emitting heat, excellent
efficiency of energy conversion can be achieved. Besides, fuel
cells have carbon emission lower than that of other power
generating apparatuses while the reaction product, water, is
harmless, thus being regarded as a low-pollution energy source.
[0005] However, when generating power, fuel cells also produce
heat. For removing such heat for protecting the fuel cells and
stabilizing the chemical reaction thereof, a thermal module is
recognized as an important element. In view of the increasingly
worrisome global warming and weather anomaly, how to effectively
use energy without bring about pollution to the environment would
be an issue to be taken seriously by the entire world.
[0006] Currently, heat dissipation is achieved by a conductor, e.g.
water, which carries thermal energy out of fuel cells so as to
allow the thermal energy to be distributed in the air directly.
However, this traditional approach is somehow blamable because the
thermal energy is totally wasted and becomes a reason of the
increasing environmental temperature. In addition, in case of
incomplete or poor heat dissipation, the thermal energy accumulated
in the fuel cells can affect electric energy conversion and in turn
lead to unstable output voltage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is a system for recycling thermal
energy generated from a fuel cell module, and serves to recycle the
thermal energy generated by the fuel cell module for reuse while
optimizing heat dissipation efficiency, monitoring temperatures,
and ensuring heat transfer efficiency, so as to allow the fuel cell
module to perform electric-chemical reaction under the most
suitable temperature, and thereby achieve the optimal efficiency of
electrical energy conversion.
[0008] To achieve the above effects, the present invention provides
a system for recycling thermal energy generated from a fuel cell
module. The system comprises: a fuel cell module composed of at
least one fuel cell; a thermal module having: a first heat transfer
duct being connected between a first output end and a first input
end of a water channel of the fuel cell module, wherein there are a
cooling motor, a first flow sensor, a first three-way valve, a
second flow sensor, a first side of a heat transfer apparatus and a
first temperature sensor connected in series along a flow direction
of the first heat transfer duct; and a thermal reflux duct being
routed from one end of the first three-way valve to the first heat
transfer duct between the cooling motor and the first output end; a
heat-recycle module having: an insulation device including a
chamber that has a second output end, a second input end and a
plurality of openings; and a second temperature sensor coupled to
the insulation device for sensing a water temperature in the
chamber; a second heat transfer duct being connected between the
second output end and the second input end, wherein there are a
heat-recycle motor, a third flow sensor, a second three-way valve
and a second side of the heat transfer apparatus connected in
series along a flow direction of the second heat transfer duct; and
a heat-storage reflux duct being routed from one end of the second
three-way valve to the second heat transfer duct between the heat
transfer apparatus and the second input end; and a control module
being configured to perform steps of: detecting a starting signal
of the fuel cell module; starting the thermal module; starting the
heat-recycle module; and starting a heat transfer process that
makes the water in the first heat transfer duct and the water in
the second heat transfer duct perform heat exchange in the heat
transfer apparatus; wherein, during the heat transfer process,
there is no transfer of substance between the water in the fuel
cell module and the water in the insulation device.
[0009] By implementing the present embodiment, at least the
following progressive effects can be achieved:
[0010] 1. Recycling and reusing the thermal energy generated by the
fuel cell module to, for example, a heater;
[0011] 2. Improving efficiency of heat dissipation; and
[0012] 3. Allowing the fuel cell module to perform
electric-chemical reaction under the most suitable temperature,
thereby ensuring optimal electric energy conversion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] 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 acquire in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for recycling
thermal energy generated from a fuel cell module according to the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of starting a control module in the
system of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of operation of a thermal module in
the system of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of operation of a heat-recycle module
in the system of FIG. 1; and
[0018] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a heat transfer process of the
system of FIG. 1 according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a system for recycling thermal
energy generated from a fuel cell module according to the present
invention. The system comprises: a fuel cell module 10, a thermal
module 20, a heat-recycle module 30 and a control module 40.
[0020] The fuel cell module 10 is composed of at lest one fuel cell
11 and configured to generate electric power.
[0021] The thermal module 20 has a first heat transfer duct 21 and
a thermal reflux duct 22, for facilitating heat dissipation of the
fuel cell module 10, so as to prevent heat accumulation in and
consequently degraded energy conversion efficiency of the fuel cell
module 10.
[0022] The said first heat transfer duct 21 is connected between a
first output end 12 and a first input end 13 of a water channel in
the fuel cell module 10. In the first heat transfer duct 21, there
are a cooling motor 211, a first flow sensor 212, a first three-way
valve 213, a second flow sensor 214, a first side 215a of a heat
transfer apparatus 215 and a first temperature sensor 216 connected
in series along the flow direction, for performing heat dissipation
plus temperature monitoring of the water in first heat transfer
duct 21 by the first temperature sensor 216.
[0023] Therein, the thermal reflux duct 22 is routed from one end
of the first three-way valve 213 to the first heat transfer duct 21
between the cooling motor 211 and the first output end 12. Thereby,
when the water in the first heat transfer duct 21 is cooler than a
preset temperature or than the temperature inside the heat-recycle
module 30, the first three-way valve 213 is operated to allow the
water in the first heat transfer duct 21 to flow into the thermal
reflux duct 22, so as to prevent heat transfer from the
heat-recycle module 30 to the first heat transfer duct 21.
[0024] The heat-recycle module 30 includes an insulation device 31,
a second heat transfer duct 32, and a heat-storage reflux duct 33.
In virtue of the heat transfer apparatus 215, thermal energy
contained in the thermal module 20 can be transferred to the
heat-recycle module 30 for storage and reuse. Therein, the
insulation device 31 includes a chamber 311 and a second
temperature sensor 312. The said chamber 311 has a second output
end 311a, a second input end 311b and plural openings 311c. The
second temperature sensor 312 is coupled to the insulation device
31 for sensing the water temperature in the chamber. The second
heat transfer duct 32 is connected between the second output end
311a and the second input end 311b. Additionally, in the second
heat transfer duct 32, there are a heat-recycle motor 321, a third
flow sensor 322, a second three-way valve 323 and a second side
215b of the heat transfer apparatus 215 connected in series along
the flow direction.
[0025] The heat-storage reflux duct 33 is routed from one end of
the second three-way valve 323 to the second heat transfer duct 32
between the heat transfer apparatus 215 and the second input end
311b. The heat-storage reflux duct 33 serves to, when the
heat-recycle module 30 is hotter than the thermal module 20,
introduce water from the second heat transfer duct 32 to the
heat-storage reflux duct 33 through the second three-way valve 323,
so as to prevent heat transfer from the heat-recycle module 30 to
the thermal module 20.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 2 also, the control module 40 is
configured to perform the following steps: detecting a starting
signal of the fuel cell module (S41), starting the thermal module
(S42), starting the heat-recycle module (S43), and starting the
heat transfer process (S44). This makes the water in the first heat
transfer duct 21 and the water in the second heat transfer duct 32
perform a heat transfer process in the heat transfer apparatus 215.
Therein, during the heat transfer process, there is no transfer of
substance between the water in the fuel cell module 10 and the
water in the insulation device 31. Furthermore, the control module
40 serves to, compare detected results of the first temperature
sensor 216 and the second temperature sensor 312, and determine
whether to start the heat transfer process. By such means, the fuel
cell module 10 can be protected from damage caused by hot reflux
otherwise happening when the heat-recycle module 30 surpasses the
thermal module 20 in thermal energy.
[0027] Moreover, the openings 311c of the heat-recycle module 30
may includes a heater water supplying opening A, a heater backwater
opening B, a water make-up opening C and a water supply opening D,
for the use of back-end equipment. Further, the first heat transfer
duct 21 has a deionized water filter 217 connected between the
first temperature sensor 216 and the first input end 13, for
filtering water entering the first input end 13, so as to block
impurities and maintain the fuel cell module 10 intact as well as
efficient.
[0028] Also seeing FIG. 3, to start the heat transfer process, the
following steps are to be performed: starting the cooling motor and
detecting a first flow rate (S50); when the first flow rate is
equal to 0 lpm, controlling the first three-way valve (S51); and
when the first flow rate is greater than 0 lpm, fixing the first
flow rate (S52).
[0029] In the step of starting the cooling motor and detecting the
first flow rate (S50), the cooling motor 211 is started and the
first flow rate in the first heat transfer duct 21 is detected by
the second flow sensor 214.
[0030] In the step of controlling the first three-way valve when
the first flow rate is equal to 0 lpm (S51), the first three-way
valve 213 is operated to make water flow to the thermal reflux duct
22 when the first flow rate is equal to 0 lpm.
[0031] In the step of fixing the first flow rate when the first
flow rate is greater than 0 lpm (S52), the first flow rate is fixed
by the cooling motor 211 when the first flow rate is greater than 0
lpm.
[0032] In addition, when the first flow rate is not equal to a
first standard value, the control module 40 further performs a
first warning mechanism. Therein, when the heat transfer process is
started, the minimal flow rate value required by the first flow
rate is the first standard value. By this, an operator is enabled
to ensure heat dissipation.
[0033] Referring also to FIG. 4, to start the heat-recycle module,
the following steps are to be performed: starting the heat-recycle
motor and detecting the second flow rate (S60); and fixing the
second flow rate (S61). Therein, the heat-recycle motor 321 is
started and the second flow rate in the second heat transfer duct
32 is detected by the third flow sensor 322 and fixed by the
heat-recycle motor 321. When the second flow rate is not equal to a
second standard value, the control module 40 further performs a
second warning mechanism. Therein, when the heat transfer process
is started, the minimal flow rate value required by the second flow
rate is the second standard value. By using this to control thermal
accumulation in the heat-recycle module 30, heat transfer to the
thermal module 20 can be eliminated.
[0034] When the second flow sensor 214 detects that the first flow
rate in the first heat transfer duct 21 is not equal to zero and
the third flow sensor 322 detects that the second flow rate in the
second heat transfer duct 32 is not equal to zero, the temperature
readings obtained by the first temperature sensor 216 and the
second temperature sensor 312 are read and the heat transfer
process is started.
[0035] Seeing FIG. 5, the heat transfer process comprises the
following steps: when the first temperature is smaller than a first
critical temperature, and the second temperature is smaller than a
second critical temperature, performing heat transfer (S70); when
the second temperature is greater than the second critical
temperature, controlling the second three-way valve and, when the
first temperature is greater than a third critical temperature,
stopping the fuel cell module (S71); and after the fuel cell module
stops, when the second temperature is smaller than a fourth
critical temperature and the first temperature is smaller than the
third critical temperature, restarting the fuel cell module
(S72).
[0036] Therein, the first temperature is measured by the first
temperature sensor 216 and the second temperature is measured by
the second temperature sensor 312.
[0037] In the step of performing heat transfer when the first
temperature is smaller than the first critical temperature, and the
second temperature is smaller than the second critical temperature
(S70), thermal energy is transferred to the heat-recycle module 30
from the thermal module 20.
[0038] The step of controlling the second three-way valve 323 to
communicate the second three-way valve 323 and the heat-storage
reflux duct 33 when the second temperature is greater than the
second critical temperature, and stopping the fuel cell module when
the first temperature is greater than the third critical
temperature (S71) serves to protect the fuel cell module 10 from
damage or degradation in efficiency.
[0039] The step of after the fuel cell module stops, when the
second temperature is smaller than the fourth critical temperature
and the first temperature is smaller than the third critical
temperature, restarting the fuel cell module (S72) is to restart
the fuel cell module 10 to supply power after the fuel cell module
10 is secured from any risk of damage.
[0040] In addition, the control module 40 may further perform the
following steps: presetting a time period; and when the first flow
rate and the second flow rate are both equal to zero, after the
preset time period, if the first flow rate and the second flow rate
are still equal to zero, performing a third warning mechanism. This
is to prevent any problem from happening to the fuel cell module 10
due to stationary water. Further, when the first temperature is
greater than the first critical temperature, the control module may
further perform a fourth warning mechanism. Therein, the first
critical temperature and the second critical temperature are both
the operational temperature measured by the fuel cell module 10
when the heat transfer apparatus 215 reaches the maximum heat
transfer efficiency. The third critical temperature is the highest
tolerable temperature of the fuel cell module 10 and the fourth
critical temperature is the maximum temperature required by
starting the heat-recycle module 30.
[0041] Since the present embodiment helps to achieve both the
optimal heat dissipation and the optimal heat storage, the fuel
cell module 10 can operate to the utmost in both power generation
and thermal energy usage, thus contributing significantly to
environmental protection. By implementing the present embodiment,
at least the following progressive effects can be achieved:
applying the thermal energy generated by the fuel cell module 10
to, for example, a heater or other devices requiring thermal
energy; improving heat dissipation of the fuel cell module 10; and
allowing the fuel cell module 10 to perform electric-chemical
reaction under the most suitable temperature, thereby ensuring
optimal electric energy conversion.
[0042] The present invention has been described with reference to
the preferred embodiments and it is understood that the embodiments
are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Moreover, as the contents disclosed herein should be readily
understood and can be implemented by a person skilled in the art,
all equivalent changes or modifications which do not depart from
the concept of the present invention should be encompassed by the
appended claims.
* * * * *