Hydrogen water separator

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of fuel cells, and discloses a hydrogen-water separator. The hydrogen-water separator comprises an upper shell, a lower shell, an inner baffle and a cyclone tube. The upper shell is surrounded to form a first chamber. Gas outlet holes and gas inlet holes are formed in the upper shell, and the gas inlet holes are communicated with the first chamber. The lower shell is surrounded to form a second chamber, and the first chamber is communicated with the second chamber. The inner baffle is arranged in the first chamber, and the outer wall of the inner baffle is provided with a first water blocking part. The inner baffle is surrounded to form a separation chamber, and the separation chamber is communicated with the first chamber. The cyclone tube is arranged in the separation chamber, the gas outlet holes are communicated with the second chamber through the cyclone tube, the outer wall of the cyclone tube is provided with a second water blocking part, and the end of the cyclone tube away from the gas outlet holes is connected with a third water blocking part. Water and hydrogen gas pass through the first water blocking part, the second water blocking part and the third water blocking part in sequence, so that the hydrogen gas is discharged from the gas outlet holes, and the water flows into the second chamber. The application has compact structure, small volume and high separation rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and more particularly to hydrogen-water separators. Background Technology

[0002] When hydrogen on the anode side of a fuel cell undergoes an electrochemical reaction in the stack, water generated on the cathode side permeates through the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) to the anode side, resulting in a high water content in the hydrogen gas that did not participate in the electrochemical reaction at the anode outlet. To improve the utilization efficiency of hydrogen in the fuel cell stack, the unreacted hydrogen needs to be recycled back into the stack.

[0003] Because the circulating hydrogen has a high water content, the water needs to be separated by a hydrogen-water separator and discharged into the tailpipe system to prevent flooding of the fuel cell stack and the impact of water on the hydrogen injectors or hydrogen circulation pumps. It can also avoid blockage problems caused by water freezing in low-temperature environments.

[0004] In existing technologies, condensation technology is often used to separate hydrogen and water. However, condensation equipment requires a large refrigeration system to operate in a cycle, which makes the overall hydrogen-water separator large in size. In addition, the separation method of condensation is singular, and the separation rate of hydrogen and water is relatively low. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a hydrogen-water separator that is compact, small in size, and has a high separation rate.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] Hydrogen-water separator, including:

[0008] The upper shell surrounds and forms a first chamber. The upper shell has an air outlet and an air inlet, and the air inlet is connected to the first chamber.

[0009] The lower housing encloses and forms a second chamber, and the first chamber is connected to the second chamber.

[0010] An inner baffle is disposed in the first chamber, and the outer wall of the inner baffle is provided with a first water-blocking part; the inner baffle surrounds and forms a separation cavity, and the separation cavity is connected to the first chamber.

[0011] A cyclone tube is inserted into the separation chamber. The air outlet is connected to the second chamber through the cyclone tube. A second water-blocking part is provided on the outer wall of the cyclone tube. The end of the cyclone tube away from the air outlet is connected to a third water-blocking part.

[0012] Water and hydrogen enter the air inlet and pass through the first water-blocking part, the second water-blocking part and the third water-blocking part in sequence, so that the hydrogen passes through the first chamber, the separation chamber and the vortex tube in sequence and is discharged from the air outlet, while the water flows into the second chamber.

[0013] As an alternative to the hydrogen-water separator, the first water-blocking part includes a rib that is circumferentially disposed on the outer wall of the inner baffle, and a plurality of the ribs are arranged at intervals along the extending direction of the inner baffle.

[0014] As an alternative to a hydrogen-water separator, the inner baffle is drum-shaped along its extension direction.

[0015] As an alternative to a hydrogen-water separator, the inner baffle is provided with a through hole and a water guide groove connected to the through hole, and the first chamber and the second chamber are connected through the through hole and the water guide groove.

[0016] The inner baffle is provided with a through hole, and the first chamber and the second chamber are connected through the through hole.

[0017] As an alternative to the hydrogen-water separator, the second water-blocking part includes a baffle plate protruding from the outer wall of the cyclone tube, and a plurality of the baffle plates are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the cyclone tube.

[0018] As an alternative to the hydrogen-water separator, the baffle is inclined along the extension direction of the cyclone tube.

[0019] As an alternative to the hydrogen-water separator, the third water-blocking part is a throttling tube, which is frustum-shaped and has multiple throttling holes. The second chamber is connected to the inner cavity of the cyclone tube through the throttling tube.

[0020] As an alternative to the hydrogen-water separator, the bottom of the lower housing is equipped with a solenoid valve, a controller, and a liquid level sensor. The liquid level sensor can sense the water level in the second chamber. The liquid level sensor is signal-connected to the controller, and the controller can control the operation of the solenoid valve according to the water level signal from the liquid level sensor. The solenoid valve can control the opening and closing of the switch.

[0021] As an alternative to the hydrogen-water separator, the upper housing and the lower housing are connected by flange bolts.

[0022] As an alternative to the hydrogen-water separator, a sealing ring is provided between the upper housing and the lower housing.

[0023] Beneficial effects:

[0024] In this invention, a mixture of hydrogen and water enters the first chamber through an inlet. Separated hydrogen is discharged through an outlet. The mixture undergoes initial separation by passing through an inner baffle within the first chamber, with a first water-blocking component on the outer wall of the baffle. A portion of the water is stored in a second chamber connected to the first chamber, while the remaining water and hydrogen enter a separation chamber connected to the first chamber. Inside the separation chamber, the hydrogen and water are further separated by a second water-blocking component on the outer wall of a cyclone separator. Water flows directly into the bottom of the second chamber for storage due to the action of the second water-blocking section, while most of the hydrogen gas, being denser than air, disperses at the top of the second chamber, completing the second separation of the hydrogen and water mixture. Further, through the action of the third water-blocking section connected to the end of the cyclone tube away from the outlet, water is blocked and flows back into the bottom of the second chamber for storage, while most of the hydrogen gas passes through the third water-blocking section into the cyclone tube and exits from the outlet, thus completing the third separation of the hydrogen and water mixture. This invention employs physical separation methods, avoiding the condensation separation method used in existing technologies, resulting in a more compact and smaller hydrogen-water separator. Furthermore, the third separation process leads to a higher separation rate. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is an isometric view of the hydrogen-water separator provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the hydrogen-water separator provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the fluid flow direction inside the hydrogen-water separator provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] In the picture:

[0029] 1. Upper shell; 11. First chamber; 12. Air outlet; 13. Air inlet;

[0030] 2. Lower shell; 21. Second chamber;

[0031] 3. Inner baffle; 31. Separation chamber; 32. Rib; 33. Through hole; 34. Water guide groove;

[0032] 4. Swirl tube; 41. Baffle plate; 42. Throttling tube; 421. Throttling orifice;

[0033] 5. Solenoid valve;

[0034] 6. Liquid level sensor;

[0035] 7. Flange;

[0036] 8. Sealing ring;

[0037] 9. Nitrogen venting valve. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0039] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0040] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0041] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0042] Please see the appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 3This embodiment relates to a hydrogen-water separator (hereinafter referred to as "separator"), which includes an upper shell 1, a lower shell 2, an inner baffle 3, and a cyclone tube 4. The upper shell 1 forms a first chamber 11, and has an outlet 12 and an inlet 13, which are connected to the first chamber 11. The lower shell 2 forms a second chamber 21, which is connected to the first chamber 11. The inner baffle 3 is disposed in the first chamber 11, and its outer wall has a first water-blocking part. The inner baffle 3 forms a separation chamber. 31. The separation chamber 31 is connected to the first chamber 11; the cyclone tube 4 passes through the separation chamber 31, and the air outlet 12 is connected to the second chamber 21 through the cyclone tube 4. The outer wall of the cyclone tube 4 is provided with a second water-blocking part, and the end of the cyclone tube 4 away from the air outlet 12 is connected to the third water-blocking part; water and hydrogen enter the air inlet 13, and pass through the first water-blocking part, the second water-blocking part and the third water-blocking part in sequence, so that the hydrogen passes through the first chamber 11, the separation chamber 31 and the cyclone tube 4 in sequence, and is discharged from the air outlet 12, so that the water flows into the second chamber 21.

[0043] In this embodiment, the air inlet 13 is located on the side wall of the upper housing 1, and the air outlet 12 is located on the top of the upper housing 1. The mixture of hydrogen and water enters the first chamber 11 through the air inlet 13. The separated hydrogen (since the separation rate of hydrogen cannot be increased to 100%, that is, the hydrogen discharged from the air outlet 12 still contains water vapor) is discharged from the air outlet 12. Under the action of the inner baffle 3 located in the first chamber 11 and the first water-blocking part provided on the outer wall of the inner baffle 3, the first separation of the mixture of hydrogen and water is completed. Part of the water enters the second chamber 21 connected to the first chamber 11 for storage, and the other part of the water and hydrogen enters the separation chamber 31 connected to the first chamber 11. Inside the separation chamber 31, hydrogen and water are further separated by the second water-blocking part on the outer wall of the cyclone tube 4. At this point, water flows directly into the bottom of the second chamber 21 for storage due to the second water-blocking part, while most of the hydrogen, being less dense than air, disperses at the top of the second chamber 21, completing the second separation of the hydrogen-water mixture. Further, by the third water-blocking part connected to the end of the cyclone tube 4 away from the outlet 12, water is blocked and flows back into the bottom of the second chamber 21 for storage, while most of the hydrogen enters the cyclone tube 4 through the third water-blocking part and exits from the outlet 12, thus completing the third separation of the hydrogen-water mixture. The entire process employs physical separation, avoiding the condensation separation method used in existing technologies, making the separator more compact and smaller in size. Furthermore, the third separation process results in a higher separation rate.

[0044] Optionally, the first water-blocking part includes ribs 32 arranged around the outer wall of the inner baffle 3, with multiple ribs 32 spaced apart along the extending direction of the inner baffle 3. By spaced out multiple ribs 32 along the extending direction of the inner baffle 3, water particles are initially intercepted. Some water particles enter the separator at high speed with hydrogen gas and fall after touching the ribs 32.

[0045] Optionally, the inner baffle 3 is drum-shaped along its extension direction. According to the Venturi effect, the flow velocity of the fluid is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area. The drum-shaped design of the inner baffle 3 gradually increases the flow velocity of the hydrogen and water mixture entering the first chamber 11. As the flow velocity gradually increases, the water and hydrogen are forced to gradually separate.

[0046] Optionally, the inner baffle 3 is provided with a through hole 33 and a water guide groove 34 connected to the through hole 33, and the first chamber 11 and the second chamber 21 are connected through the through hole 33 and the water guide groove 34. The inner baffle 3 is provided with a through hole 33 and a water guide groove 34. The water guide groove 34 is connected to the through hole 33. The first chamber 11 and the second chamber 21 are connected through the through hole 33 and the water guide groove 34. After the separation effect of the first water blocking part, the separated liquid water will first collect through the water guide groove 34, and then flow into the second chamber 21 for storage through the through hole 33. Due to gravity, the liquid water will flow downward into the second chamber 21 through the through hole 33 and the water guide groove 34, forming a liquid seal to prevent hydrogen from passing through. This facilitates the flow of liquid water from the first chamber 11 to the second chamber 21 and effectively prevents hydrogen from leaking from the second chamber 21 into the first chamber 11 through the through hole 33. In this embodiment, multiple through holes 33 and water guide grooves 34 can be evenly distributed along the circumference of the inner baffle 3 at the bottom of the inner baffle 3 so that liquid water can quickly flow into the second chamber 21 through the water guide groove 34 and the through hole 33.

[0047] Optionally, the second water-blocking section includes a baffle plate 41 protruding from the outer wall of the cyclone tube 4, with multiple baffle plates 41 arranged at intervals along the circumference of the cyclone tube 4. After the first separation, hydrogen and water still have a certain proportion of mixture. The mixed fluid of hydrogen and water enters the separation chamber 31, and water particles touch the baffle plate 41 and are forced to separate from the hydrogen. Most of the water particles enter the second chamber 21 for storage through the separation chamber 31. By setting multiple baffle plates 41 around the circumference of the cyclone tube 4, the separation efficiency can be improved.

[0048] Optionally, the baffle plate 41 is inclined along the extension direction of the cyclone tube 4. By making the baffle plate 41 inclined along the extension direction of the cyclone tube 4, the contact and collision between the baffle plate 41 and the water particles are more obvious, effectively improving the separation efficiency.

[0049] Optionally, the third water-blocking part is a throttling pipe 42, which is frustum-shaped and has multiple throttling orifices 421. The second chamber 21 is connected to the inner cavity of the cyclone tube 4 through the throttling pipe 42. Through the throttling orifices 421 on the throttling pipe 42, the mixture of hydrogen and water in the separation chamber 31 is blocked from passing through water particles. However, due to its low density, hydrogen can effectively pass through the throttling orifices 421 into the throttling pipe 42 and further into the inner cavity of the cyclone tube 4, and is discharged through the outlet 12. The number of throttling orifices 421 can be adjusted according to the drainage volume and the hydrogen flow rate. At the same time, the throttling orifices 421 can also play a role in noise reduction during drainage.

[0050] Preferably, the throttling orifices 421 are arranged evenly along the conical surface.

[0051] Preferably, the orifice diameter of the throttling orifice 421 is in the range of 1-3 mm.

[0052] Optionally, the bottom of the lower housing 2 is equipped with a solenoid valve 5, a controller, and a liquid level sensor 6. The liquid level sensor 6 can sense the water level in the second chamber 21. The liquid level sensor 6 is signal-connected to the controller, and the controller can control the solenoid valve 5 to operate based on the water level signal from the liquid level sensor 6. The solenoid valve 5 can control the opening and closing of the switch. After the separator has been working for a period of time, when the water level of the liquid water stored in the second chamber 21 has reached the maximum water level as sensed by the liquid level sensor 6, it will transmit the water level signal to the controller, and the controller will further control the solenoid valve 5 to operate, causing the solenoid valve 5 to open the switch to drain water. Furthermore, after draining water for a period of time, when the liquid level sensor 6 senses that the minimum water level has been reached, it will transmit the water level signal to the controller, and the controller will further control the solenoid valve 5 to operate in the opposite direction, causing the solenoid valve 5 to close the switch.

[0053] Optionally, the upper housing 1 is provided with a nitrogen venting valve 9, which can be used to vent part of the nitrogen mixed in the hydrogen, thereby further improving the hydrogen separation rate.

[0054] Optionally, the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 are screwed together by a flange 7. In this embodiment, the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 are connected by threaded fasteners passing through the mounting holes of the flange 7; in other embodiments, the flange 7 can be omitted, and threaded structures can be directly machined on the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2, so that the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 are directly threaded together, making the connection simpler and more convenient.

[0055] Optionally, a sealing ring 8 is provided between the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2. By providing the sealing ring 8, hydrogen gas can be prevented from leaking from the connection between the upper housing 1 and the lower housing 2 to the outside of the separator, thereby reducing the overflow loss of the hydrogen gas to be separated.

[0056] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will be able to make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hydrogen-water separator, characterized in that, include: The upper shell (1) surrounds and forms a first chamber (11). The upper shell (1) is provided with an air outlet (12) and an air inlet (13), and the air inlet (13) is connected to the first chamber (11). The lower housing (2) surrounds and forms a second chamber (21), and the first chamber (11) is connected to the second chamber (21); An inner baffle (3) is provided in the first chamber (11), and the outer wall of the inner baffle (3) is provided with a first water-blocking part; the inner baffle (3) surrounds and forms a separation chamber (31), and the separation chamber (31) is connected to the first chamber (11); A cyclone tube (4) is inserted into the separation chamber (31). The air outlet (12) is connected to the second chamber (21) through the cyclone tube (4). A second water-blocking part is provided on the outer wall of the cyclone tube (4). The end of the cyclone tube (4) away from the air outlet (12) is connected to a third water-blocking part. Water and hydrogen enter the air inlet (13) and pass through the first water blocking part, the second water blocking part and the third water blocking part in sequence, so that the hydrogen passes through the first chamber (11), the separation chamber (31) and the vortex tube (4) in sequence and is discharged from the air outlet (12), so that the water flows into the second chamber (21).

2. The hydrogen-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first water-blocking part includes a rib (32) circumferentially disposed on the outer wall of the inner baffle (3), and a plurality of the ribs (32) are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the inner baffle (3).

3. The hydrogen-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner baffle (3) is drum-shaped along its extension direction.

4. The hydrogen-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner baffle (3) is provided with a through hole (33) and a water guide groove (34) connected to the through hole (33). The first chamber (11) and the second chamber (21) are connected through the through hole (33) and the water guide groove (34).

5. The hydrogen-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second water-blocking part includes a baffle plate (41) protruding from the outer wall of the vortex tube (4), and a plurality of baffle plates (41) are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the vortex tube (4).

6. The hydrogen-water separator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The spoiler (41) is inclined along the extension direction of the swirl tube (4).

7. The hydrogen-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third water-blocking part is a throttling pipe (42), which is frustum-shaped and has multiple throttling holes (421). The second chamber (21) is connected to the inner cavity of the vortex tube (4) through the throttling pipe (42).

8. The hydrogen-water separator according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The bottom of the lower housing (2) is provided with a solenoid valve (5), a controller and a liquid level sensor (6). The liquid level sensor (6) can sense the water level in the second chamber (21). The liquid level sensor (6) is connected to the controller. The controller can control the solenoid valve (5) to operate according to the water level signal of the liquid level sensor (6). The solenoid valve (5) can control the opening and closing of the switch.

9. The hydrogen-water separator according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The upper housing (1) and the lower housing (2) are bolted together by a flange (7).

10. The hydrogen-water separator according to claim 9, characterized in that, A sealing ring (8) is provided between the upper housing (1) and the lower housing (2).

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