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.

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.