KR-20260065308-A - Fuel cell system with position-changing heat exchanger

KR20260065308AKR 20260065308 AKR20260065308 AKR 20260065308AKR-20260065308-A

Abstract

A fuel cell system equipped with a position-changing heat exchanger is disclosed. A fuel cell system equipped with a position-changing heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a fuel cell body having a fuel cell stack embedded therein, an inlet line having one end connected to a fuel inlet formed on one side in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell body for introducing gaseous hydrogen into the fuel cell body, a cooling fan formed at the bottom of the fuel cell body for cooling the fuel cell body, and a heat exchange line through which gaseous hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen tank travels and which is connected to the other end of the inlet line, wherein the position of the heat exchange line is changed to be located below the cooling fan or above the fuel cell body.

Inventors

오창묵
김고운
박지환
정민호
김주환
캄강 블라이세 트취엠슈아
김서영

Assignees

하이리움산업(주)

Dates

Publication Date: 20260508
Application Date: 20241101

Claims (8)

Fuel cell body with an embedded fuel cell stack; An inlet line having one end connected to a fuel inlet formed on one side in the longitudinal direction of the above fuel cell body for introducing gaseous hydrogen into the fuel cell body; A cooling fan formed at the lower part of the fuel cell body to cool the fuel cell body; It is equipped with a heat exchange line through which gaseous hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen tank is transported and which is connected to the other end of the inlet line, and The above heat exchange line is, A fuel cell system equipped with a position-changing heat exchanger characterized by being positioned at the bottom of the cooling fan or at the top of the fuel cell body.
In claim 1, the fuel cell system equipped with the position change heat exchanger is, It further includes a fixing means formed to prevent deviation of the above heat exchange line in the downward or upward direction, and The above fixing means is, A fuel cell system equipped with a position-changing heat exchanger, characterized by optionally being coupled to the cooling fan or coupled to the fuel cell body to form a space in which the heat exchange line can be positioned between the lower part of the cooling fan and the fixing means or between the upper part of the fuel cell body and the fixing means.
In paragraph 2, the above fixing means is, A horizontal part having a predetermined length in the width direction of the above fuel cell body; A vertical part having a predetermined length in the vertical direction, bent upward or downward at both ends of a horizontal part; and It includes a bent part bent in the direction of the fuel cell body at the end of the above vertical part, A fuel cell system equipped with a position-changing heat exchanger, characterized in that the above-mentioned bending part is coupled to the above-mentioned cooling fan or the above-mentioned fuel cell body.
In paragraph 1, the heat exchange line is, A fuel cell system equipped with a position-changing heat exchanger characterized by being formed to have a zigzag shape in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell body.
In paragraph 1, the above-mentioned inlet line is, A fuel cell system equipped with a position-changing heat exchanger characterized by being optionally extendable in the lower direction or in the upper direction of the fuel cell body.
In paragraph 1, the other end of the inlet line is, A fuel cell system equipped with a position-changing heat exchanger, characterized by having a connecting means that allows the heat exchanger to be selectively connected to and disconnected from one end of the above-mentioned heat exchange line.
In paragraph 1, the heat exchange line is, A fuel cell system equipped with a position-changing heat exchanger characterized by being located at the bottom of the cooling fan when the external temperature is relatively low, and changing its position to be located at the top of the fuel cell body when the external temperature is relatively high.
Fuel cell body with an embedded fuel cell stack; A cooling fan formed at the lower part of the fuel cell body to cool the fuel cell body; A first heat exchange line located below the cooling fan and a second heat exchange line located above the fuel cell body, through which gaseous hydrogen supplied from the hydrogen tank is transported; and The fuel cell body is formed on one side in the longitudinal direction and has one end connected to a fuel inlet for introducing gaseous hydrogen into the fuel cell body, and has an inlet line connected to the first heat exchange line and the second heat exchange line, respectively. A fuel cell system characterized in that gaseous hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell body selectively moves through either the first heat exchange line or the second heat exchange line.

Description

Fuel cell system with position-changing heat exchanger The present invention relates to a fuel cell system for an aircraft that uses hydrogen as fuel. More specifically, it relates to a fuel cell system capable of increasing the efficiency of a hydrogen fuel cell by effectively utilizing the cold energy of liquid hydrogen and the waste heat of the fuel cell. There is a growing demand to extend operating time by applying eco-friendly fuels in aircraft (e.g., drones) and various other fields. As one means to achieve this, attempts to apply hydrogen-fueled fuel cells are also increasing. When a fuel cell is in operation, heat corresponding to the fuel cell output is generated, and the heat generated by the fuel cell is typically 50°C to 100°C. Conventionally, however, the waste heat generated during the operation of such fuel cells is only discharged using cooling fans or cooling water and is not effectively utilized. Meanwhile, hydrogen for a fuel cell can exist in a liquefied state in a hydrogen tank and then be vaporized and supplied to the fuel cell. Even vaporized hydrogen can travel through the supply pipe at a significantly low temperature (e.g., about -20°C to -40°C), but it must be heated to an appropriate temperature (e.g., 1°C or higher) before being supplied to the fuel cell; otherwise, fatal damage to the fuel cell may occur. This requires a significant amount of energy, and heating using only the ambient air may not be effective. Therefore, if the vaporization of liquid hydrogen can be performed using the waste heat generated during the operation of the fuel cell, it has the effect of enabling gaseous hydrogen to be supplied to the fuel cell more effectively. Meanwhile, hydrogen supplied to the fuel cell emits electrons at the negative electrode and oxygen gains electrons at the positive electrode, and an electric current is generated by the movement of electrons during this process. This reaction takes place in the electrode membrane assembly, and maintaining an appropriate temperature (e.g., 45 to 60 degrees) and moisture is essential for the fuel cell to operate smoothly. However, if an appropriate temperature is not maintained, it may not be suitable for the smooth operation of the fuel cell, or problems such as moisture condensation may occur in low-temperature environments. For example, fuel cells may not operate smoothly if water freezing occurs during winter or in low-temperature regions, and problems such as water condensation or pipe freezing also occur when flying to high altitudes. In addition, if the internal temperature of the fuel cell rises above a certain level in high-temperature summer environments, a problem may arise in which permanent damage occurs to the electrode membrane assembly. Therefore, it is essential to raise the temperature of the fuel cell when it is below the optimal temperature, and to lower the temperature when it is above the optimal temperature, in order to use the fuel cell efficiently. Therefore, a technical concept is required to efficiently operate the fuel cell by effectively utilizing the cold heat of the supply pipe through which liquid hydrogen is vaporized and supplied to the fuel cell, and the waste heat generated during fuel cell operation. A brief description of each drawing is provided to help to better understand the drawings cited in the detailed description of the invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the overall configuration of a fuel cell system equipped with a position-changing heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 are drawings for explaining a fuel cell system in which the position of the heat exchanger is changed according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5 and 6 are drawings for explaining the heat exchange method of a fuel cell system equipped with a position-changing heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is capable of various modifications and may have various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that it includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related prior art are omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may obscure the essence of the present invention. Terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. The terms used in this application are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates other