Gas-liquid separator

Abstract

The present application relates to a gas-liquid separator. A gas-liquid separator is constructed, which can well discharge water even in the case of use in a low-temperature environment, and which prevents accumulation of water near an electromagnetic on-off valve after power generation stop of a fuel cell. The gas-liquid separator is provided with a gas-liquid separation section which separates water from water-containing gas at an upper portion of a housing; a first water storage section which is annular and which receives and stores water from the gas-liquid separation section at a lower portion of the housing; a second water storage section which is disposed at a lower side of the first water storage section; and a valve mechanism which opens and closes a water discharge flow path which communicates with a bottom portion of the second water storage section. The gas-liquid separator is provided with a cylindrical wall which is disposed at an inner side of the first water storage section and which guides water overflowing the first water storage section toward the second water storage section, and a cover-like member which covers an upper side of the cylindrical wall.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to gas-liquid separators. Background Technology

[0002] As a gas-liquid separator for separating water from gas, there are gas-liquid separators described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.

[0003] The gas-liquid separator described in Patent Document 1 is configured to separate water from anode gas in the upper part of the housing and recover it to a water storage section in the lower part of the housing. A drain flow path connected to the water storage section is opened by an electromagnetic on / off valve, thereby discharging the water stored in the water storage section.

[0004] Furthermore, the gas-liquid separator described in Patent Document 2 is configured to have a valve device at the bottom, which allows water to be discharged from the bottom of the gas-liquid separator by opening the valve device. In particular, the valve device is configured to have a heating device installed in the fluid inlet section that introduces fluid into the valve body, so that the valve device can be thawed by the heat of the heating device in the event of freezing.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-155334

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-139935

[0007] As described in Patent Document 1, in the gas-liquid separator that separates water from the cathode gas of the fuel cell in the vehicle, the vehicle is sometimes parked outdoors where the temperature drops below freezing. In such cases, if water remains at the bottom of the gas-liquid separator due to reasons such as water droplets falling after the fuel cell stops generating electricity, the water may freeze at the electromagnetic valve.

[0008] In such a situation, once the fuel cell has started generating electricity, it may become difficult to discharge the newly generated water.

[0009] While technologies such as those described in Patent Document 2, which involve installing a heating device in the gas-liquid separator to de-freeze the valve device and drain water, have been considered to address this issue, the addition of a heating device increases manufacturing costs and consumes more electricity, thus reducing the vehicle's driving range. Furthermore, there is the problem of water not being able to drain before the valve device de-freezes. Summary of the Invention

[0010] For this reason, a gas-liquid separator that can reliably drain water from the bottom is sought to prevent water from accumulating near the electromagnetic on / off valve after the fuel cell stops generating electricity.

[0011] The gas-liquid separator of the present invention is characterized by the following structure: a housing to which water-containing gas is supplied; a gas-liquid separation section disposed on the upper part of the housing and separating water from the water-containing gas; a first water storage section disposed on the lower part of the housing and receiving and storing the water separated by the gas-liquid separation section, which is annular in plan view; a second water storage section disposed at the bottom of the housing below the first water storage section and supplied with water from the first water storage section; a valve mechanism capable of discharging and stopping the discharge of water stored in the second water storage section by opening and closing a drainage passage communicating with the bottom of the second water storage section; a cylindrical wall disposed inside the first water storage section, storing water in the first water storage section until overflowing, and guiding the overflowing water to the second water storage section; and a cover-like member covering the upper side of the cylindrical wall.

[0012] According to this structural feature, the water separated from the water-containing gas by the gas-liquid separation section is first caught and stored in the first water storage section. As the water volume in the first water storage section increases, the water overflows from the upper end of the cylindrical wall and is supplied to the second water storage section. Furthermore, the water stored in the second water storage section can be discharged to the outside by opening the valve mechanism. In this gas-liquid separator, since the cover-like component covers the upper side of the cylindrical wall, it forms a structure that connects the lower part of the first water storage section and the upper part of the second water storage section by a flow path that restricts the entry and exit of external gas. Therefore, when water in the second water storage section is discharged by opening the valve mechanism, the pressure in the second water storage section decreases, and the pressure in the first water storage section relative to the second water storage section increases. Due to this pressure difference, the water in the first water storage section overflows from the upper end of the cylindrical wall and flows into the second water storage section, thus lowering the water level in the first water storage section. Moreover, the water flowing into the second water storage section can be discharged to the outside through the valve mechanism.

[0013] For example, assuming a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell and a gas-liquid separator, the gas-liquid separator with its characteristic structure allows for a significant reduction in the water level of the first water reservoir when the vehicle is parked in a cold region. This is achieved by simply opening the valve mechanism to drain water from the second water reservoir. Consequently, even if a small amount of water inside the fuel cell flows into the casing and drips from the inner surface of the casing after draining from the second water reservoir, this water is caught by the first water reservoir and will not flow into the second water reservoir. This eliminates the undesirable situation of freezing in the area from the drainage path to the valve mechanism.

[0014] This creates a gas-liquid separator that effectively drains water from the second water storage section, and prevents water from accumulating in the second water storage section after the fuel cell power generation stops.

[0015] Based on the above structure, the cap-shaped component may also have a longitudinal wall portion that is separate from the cylindrical wall.

[0016] Therefore, when the water level in the first water storage section is higher than the lower end of the longitudinal wall section, water enters the gap between the cylindrical wall and the longitudinal wall section, so it is possible to set up a structure that connects the lower part of the first water storage section and the upper part of the second water storage section by a flow path that restricts the entry and exit of external gas.

[0017] Based on the above structure, a plurality of ribs may be provided between the cylindrical wall and the longitudinal wall in such a way that water flows from the first water storage section to the second water storage section, and at least one of the outer wall surface of the cylindrical wall and the inner wall surface of the longitudinal wall may also be provided.

[0018] Thus, by forming multiple ribs, water can flow through the gap between the outer wall surface of the cylindrical wall and the inner wall surface of the longitudinal wall of the cover-shaped component, making it easier for water in the first water storage section to flow to the second water storage section.

[0019] Based on the above structure, the longitudinal wall portion of the cover-shaped component can also be externally embedded in the cylindrical wall. When viewed from the side in the externally embedded state, the longitudinal wall portion can also have a narrow slit that extends from the lower end of the longitudinal wall portion to the upper side of the upper end of the cylindrical wall.

[0020] Therefore, even when the water level in the first water storage section is near the upper end of the cylindrical wall, and the water in the first water storage section is frozen, since the upper part of the narrow slit is located above the frozen surface, even when water-containing gas is supplied to the gas-liquid separation section and the water separated from the water-containing gas is caught by the first water storage section, the water flowing into the second water storage section from the narrow slit can flow to the upper surface of the frozen surface, allowing the water to overflow the upper part of the cylindrical wall.

[0021] Based on the above structure, a drainage guide rib can also be formed on the inner circumference of the cylindrical wall to guide water overflowing from the upper end of the cylindrical wall to the second water storage section.

[0022] Thus, the water flowing from the upper end of the cylindrical wall along the inner wall surface can be guided by the drainage guide ribs and smoothly flowed to the second water storage section.

[0023] Based on the above structure, the cover-shaped component may also have a filter between the gas-liquid separation section and the first water storage section to remove dust contained in the water separated by the gas-liquid separation section.

[0024] Therefore, even if the water inside the housing contains dust, the dust can be removed by the filter, and for example, it will not cause adverse conditions such as the dust contained in the water inhibiting the proper operation of the valve mechanism. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1This is a 3D view of a gas-liquid separator.

[0026] Figure 2 This is an exploded 3D view of a gas-liquid separator.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the gas-liquid separator after a portion of it has been removed.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a partial sectional exploded three-dimensional view of the gas-liquid separator after a portion has been removed, viewed from above.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a partial sectional exploded three-dimensional view of the gas-liquid separator after a portion has been removed, viewed from below.

[0030] Figure 6 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first water storage section, etc., showing the state of water overflow.

[0031] Figure 7 This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the flow of water from the first water storage section to the second water storage section when the electromagnetic valve is opened.

[0032] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 Sectional view along line VIII-VIII. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] [Basic Structure]

[0035] exist Figures 1-5 The diagram shows a gas-liquid separator A that separates water from the anode exhaust gas (an example of water-containing gas) discharged from the anode side of a fuel cell vehicle (FCV). The gas-liquid separator A has an inlet 1 and an outlet 2 at the upper part of the housing H, an electromagnetic on / off valve 3 (an example of a valve mechanism) at the bottom, a gas-liquid separation section 4 arranged in the upper part of the internal space of the housing H, and a first water storage section 5 and a second water storage section 6 arranged in the lower part of the internal space.

[0036] A fuel cell generates electricity by supplying hydrogen-containing fuel gas to the anode side via the anode gas flow path and oxidant gas (oxygen-containing air) to the cathode side via the cathode gas flow path. The anode exhaust gas discharged from the anode side contains unreacted hydrogen and water. For this reason, a gas-liquid separator A is used to separate and discharge the water contained in the anode exhaust gas, recover the hydrogen contained in the anode gas, and return the recovered hydrogen to the anode gas flow path of the fuel cell.

[0037] 〔case〕

[0038] like Figures 1-5As shown, the housing H has an upper housing 10 and a lower housing 20, and is integrated by overlapping the upper flange 10f of the upper housing 10 with the lower flange 20f of the lower housing 20 and fastening them together with a plurality of fastening bolts 7.

[0039] The upper housing 10 has a cylindrical inlet portion 1 formed on its cylindrical upper sidewall 11, which protrudes laterally, and an outlet portion 2 formed on its flat upper endwall 12 at the upper end of the upper housing 10, which protrudes upward. Although the upper housing 10 and the lower housing 20 are made of resin, they can also be made of metals such as aluminum.

[0040] A gas-liquid separation section 4 is formed inside the upper housing 10. This gas-liquid separation section 4 is housed inside a plurality of plate-shaped collision walls 13 for separating water contained in the anode waste gas by contacting it with the anode waste gas supplied from the inlet section 1.

[0041] The gas-liquid separator 4 functions to separate water contained in the gas by continuously contacting the anode exhaust gas introduced from the inlet 1 with multiple collision walls 13, causing the gas to fall downwards. Additionally, the dried gas after water separation is discharged upwards from the outlet 2.

[0042] like Figures 3-5 As shown, the lower housing 20 has a lower side wall 21 that is cylindrical with the longitudinal axis Y as the center, a guide wall 22 that is connected to the lower side and guides water in a shape that gradually narrows from the lower side, and an inclined wall 23 that is connected to the lower side and narrows from the lower side in a funnel shape. It also has an integrally formed cylindrical wall 24 that is connected to the lower side and is cylindrical with the longitudinal axis Y as the center, and a bottom wall 25 that closes the lower end of the cylindrical wall 24.

[0043] Additionally, at the upper end of the inclined wall 23, and at the boundary portion connected to the guide wall 22, a longitudinal wall-shaped intermediate wall 23a is formed with the longitudinal axis Y as the center.

[0044] like Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, a cylindrical wall 24 is formed in the region extending from the boundary with the inclined wall 23 to the upper and lower sides. A water storage section 5 is first formed in the annular space between the outer side of the upper region 24a extending upward from the boundary with the inclined wall 23 and the inner side of the inclined wall 23 and the intermediate wall 23a within the cylindrical wall 24. Furthermore, a second water storage section 6 is formed in the cylindrical space enclosed by the cylindrical wall 24 and the bottom wall 25.

[0045] A drainage passage 26 communicating with the bottom space of the second water storage section 6 is formed in the lower housing 20, and an electromagnetic on / off valve 3 is provided on the outside of the lower end of the lower housing 20 so that the water discharge can be controlled by opening and closing the outer end of the drainage passage 26.

[0046] In addition, the drainage path 26 is formed with a small diameter like a hole so as to suppress the discharge of anode waste gas containing unreacted hydrogen when the electromagnetic valve 3 is opened and the water in the second water storage section 6 is discharged, and to discharge a constant amount of water.

[0047] In this gas-liquid separator A, the first water storage section 5 of the lower housing 20 receives and stores the water separated from the anode waste gas by the gas-liquid separation section 4, and, as Figure 6 As shown, the positional relationship between the first water storage section 5 and the second water storage section 6 is set so that water stored in the first water storage section 5 can be stored in the second water storage section 6 by allowing water to overflow from the upper end of the cylindrical wall 24 disposed inside the first water storage section 5. In particular, in this structure, a cover-shaped member 30 is provided to control the amount of water flowing from the first water storage section 5 to the second water storage section 6.

[0048] [Cover-shaped component]

[0049] like Figures 2-7 As shown, a cylindrical longitudinal wall portion 31, positioned outside the outer wall of the upper region 24a of the cylindrical wall 24 and overlapping the upper region 24a when viewed from the side (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Y), and a cover portion 32 that closes the upper end of the longitudinal wall portion 31, are integrally formed into a cover member 30. That is, the cover member 30 covers the upper side of the cylindrical wall 24. Thus, in the gas-liquid separator A, the longitudinal wall portion 31 of the cover member 30 covers the outside of the cylindrical wall 24, and the cover portion 32 closes the upper end of the longitudinal wall portion 31 of the cover member 30. Therefore, when the water level in the first water storage section 5 is higher than the lower end of the longitudinal wall portion 31, the structure connects the lower part of the first water storage section 5 and the upper part of the second water storage section 6 through a flow path that restricts the entry and exit of external gas. In addition, as will be described later, since a plurality of narrow slits 31a are formed in the longitudinal wall portion 31, some gas flow is allowed through these narrow slits 31a.

[0050] The cover-shaped member 30 includes a plurality of frames 33 extending radially outward from the outer surface of the upper end of the longitudinal wall portion 31 and from the outer edge of the cover-shaped portion 32, an annular portion 34 connected to the extended protruding ends of the plurality of frames 33, and a filter 35 disposed between the annular portion 34 and the cover-shaped portion 32.

[0051] The annular portion 34 is shaped to fit into the inner circumference of the intermediate wall 23a at the upper end of the inclined wall 23. The filter 35 functions to remove dust contained in the water separated by the gas-liquid separator 4 and supplied from the gas-liquid separator 4. That is, the filter 35 is located between the gas-liquid separator 4 and the first water storage portion 5. An O-ring 36 is installed on the outer circumference of the annular portion 34 to seal the gap between the annular portion 34 and the inner circumference of the intermediate wall 23a.

[0052] like Figure 6 , Figure 7 As shown, the lower end of the annular portion 34 is supported by the upper end of the inclined wall 23, and the lower surface of the cover portion 32 abuts against the upper end of the drainage guide rib 28 (described later). The cover portion 30 is supported in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the lower end of the longitudinal wall portion 31 is inclined relative to the wall surface in a manner parallel to the inclination of the inclined wall 23. Thus, by supporting the cover portion 30 in the appropriate position, a gap G is formed between the lower end of the longitudinal wall portion 31 and the inclined wall 23 in the vertical direction. Additionally, a radial gap T is formed between the outer wall surface of the upper region 24a of the cylindrical wall 24 and the inner wall surface of the longitudinal wall portion 31.

[0053] like Figure 8 As shown, longitudinally oriented ribs 27 are formed on the outer periphery of the upper region 24a, such that a gap T is formed between the outer wall surface of the upper region 24a and the inner wall surface of the longitudinal wall portion 31, which are evenly distributed around the entire circumference of the cylindrical wall 24 when viewed from above. Furthermore, to assist the flow of water overflowing from the upper end of the cylindrical wall 24, a plurality of drainage guide ribs 28 are formed in the region from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the cylindrical wall 24. These drainage guide ribs 28 are formed in a shape that protrudes upward from the upper end of the cylindrical wall 24 (the upper end of the upper region 24a).

[0054] Therefore, when the cap-shaped component 30 is installed inside the lower housing 20, the multiple ribs 27 restrict the displacement (radial displacement) of the longitudinal wall portion 31 of the cap-shaped component 30 toward the cylindrical wall 24, which can uniformly maintain the gap T around the entire circumference, maintain good flow, and eliminate the bias of water flow in the gap T.

[0055] Furthermore, by forming the drainage guide rib 28, water flowing on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 24 is smoothly guided. As described above, the upper end of the drainage guide rib 28 abuts against the lower surface of the cover portion 32 of the cover member 30, thereby determining the vertical position of the cover member 30.

[0056] like Figures 5-8 As shown, the longitudinal wall portion 31 has a narrow slit 31a that extends from the lower end to the upper end (upper end of the upper region 24a) of the cylindrical wall 24 when viewed from the side. In addition, the cutting end of the upward-facing narrow slit 31a is located lower than the filter 35 (on the side of the first water storage portion 5).

[0057] [The flow of water from the first water storage section to the second water storage section]

[0058] In this gas-liquid separator A, a portion of the water separated from the anode waste gas by the gas-liquid separation section 4 falls onto the upper surface of the cover-shaped component 30 and the upper surface of the filter 35, while the other portion flows along the inner surface of the guide wall 22 and the inclined wall 23 of the lower housing 20. As a result, it accumulates in the first water storage section 5 after being filtered by the filter 35.

[0059] While the fuel cell continues to generate electricity, water continuously separated from the anode exhaust gas by the gas-liquid separator 4 is supplied to the first water storage section 5. The water level in the first water storage section 5 rises from the upper end of the cylindrical wall 24, thereby... Figure 6 As shown, water from the first water storage section 5 overflows from the upper end of the cylindrical wall 24 and is supplied to the second water storage section 6.

[0060] The amount of water separated from the anode exhaust gas by the gas-liquid separator 4 can be estimated based on the power generation of the fuel cell. Therefore, whenever the estimated water volume reaches a preset value, the solenoid valve 3 is opened. In this gas-liquid separator A, the pressure inside the housing H is higher than the external air pressure. Therefore, when the solenoid valve 3 is opened, water from the second water storage section 6 is discharged through the drain path 26 due to the pressure difference between the second water storage section 6 and the external air.

[0061] Moreover, such as Figure 7 As shown, with the discharge of water from the second water storage section 6, the pressure in the second water storage section 6 is lower than the pressure in the first water storage section 5. Therefore, due to this pressure difference, the water in the gap T in the water stored in the first water storage section 5 overflows from the upper end of the cylindrical wall 24 and is supplied to the second water storage section 6. The water supplied to the second water storage section 6 is also discharged through the drainage path 26. At this time, the water level in the gap T is higher than the water level between the longitudinal wall section 31 and the inclined wall 23. Through this water flow, whenever the electromagnetic on / off valve 3 is opened, the water level in the first water storage section 5 drops to the lower end of the longitudinal wall section 31.

[0062] In addition, the time for opening the electromagnetic valve 3 to discharge water is set to a relatively short value. During this set time, the width of the multiple slits 31a (the circumferential width of the longitudinal wall portion 31) is set in such a way that the pressure difference does not change significantly (the pressure difference is not reduced) by limiting the amount of gas flowing from the upper end of the slit 31a to the second water storage portion 6.

[0063] That is, the upper end of the narrow slit 31a formed in the longitudinal wall portion 31 is formed at a position higher than the water storage level of the first water storage portion 5 (the height consistent with the upper end of the cylindrical wall 24). Therefore, although it is considered that when the electromagnetic valve 3 is opened and the pressure of the second water storage portion 6 decreases, a portion of the anode exhaust gas flows towards the second water storage portion 6 through the upper end of the narrow slit 31a to reduce the pressure difference, the opening time of the electromagnetic valve 3 is set to be relatively short, so that the width of the narrow slit 31a can be set in a way that restricts the flow of gas.

[0064] Here, when considering the situation where the fuel cell is shut down in a cold region and power generation is stopped, for example, if water remains in the area from the second water storage section 6 to the drainage path 26, the water may freeze, and even if the solenoid valve 3 is opened after the fuel cell has just started generating electricity, the water in the second water storage section 6 may not be able to drain. In order to eliminate such an adverse situation, the solenoid valve 3 is controlled to open when the fuel cell is shut down.

[0065] By controlling the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 3 when the vehicle is stopped, as described above, water in the second water storage section 6 is discharged through the drainage path 26. With the pressure difference accompanying the discharge, water in the first water storage section 5 overflows from the upper end of the cylindrical wall 24 and is supplied to the second water storage section 6. Thus, the supplied water is also discharged, so all the water in the second water storage section 6 can be discharged.

[0066] Additionally, after the electromagnetic on / off valve 3 is opened, a small amount of water remains in the first water storage section 5, dropping to the lower end of the longitudinal wall section 31. Although the small amount of water remaining inside the fuel cell after power generation stops is discharged, it sometimes flows into the first water storage section 5 of the gas-liquid separator A. However, since the amount of water remaining in the first water storage section 5 is small, it is stored in the first water storage section 5, thus preventing the undesirable situation of water flowing into the second water storage section 6.

[0067] Furthermore, when a small amount of water remaining in the first water storage section 5 is frozen, and new water from the gas-liquid separation section 4 is supplied to the first water storage section 5 to start power generation from the fuel cell, the water does not flow from the gap G into the gap T through the narrow slit 31a. Moreover, when water accumulates on the surface of the frozen water and the water level rises, if the water level rises to the upper end of the cylindrical wall 24, the water overflows from the upper end of the cylindrical wall 24 and is supplied to the second water storage section 6.

[0068] [Effects of the Implementation Method]

[0069] Thus, a gas-liquid separator A is constructed, which has a first water storage section 5 that directly receives water from the gas-liquid separation section 4, a cylindrical wall 24 through which water from the first water storage section 5 flows in an overflow manner, a second water storage section 6 that receives water supplied by overflowing from the cylindrical wall 24, and a cover-shaped member 30 that causes water to overflow due to the pressure difference between the first water storage section 5 and the second water storage section 6. Thus, all the water in the second water storage section 6 can be discharged by simply opening the electromagnetic on / off valve 3, and most of the water in the first water storage section 5 can also be discharged.

[0070] In this structure, for example, there is no need for a heater to prevent the water in the second water storage section 6 from freezing, so the structure is simple and energy consumption can be suppressed.

[0071] Furthermore, in this structure, when the water remaining in the first water storage section 5 is frozen, and the fuel cell is started and a new water supply is provided from the gas-liquid separation section 4, the water newly supplied to the first water storage section 5 can pass through the narrow slit 31a and be sent to the second water storage section 6 in the form of overflowing from the upper end of the cylindrical wall 24. For example, it is not necessary to install a heater or the like to eliminate the freezing of the water in the second water storage section 6, and energy consumption can be easily suppressed.

[0072] Furthermore, since multiple ribs 27 are formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical wall 24, water can overflow without any deviation in water volume along the entire circumference between the outer wall surface of the upper region 24a of the cylindrical wall 24 and the inner wall surface of the longitudinal wall portion 31. In addition, the vertical position of the cover member 30 can be determined by the drainage guide ribs 28 used to guide the overflowing water downward.

[0073] [Other Real Methods]

[0074] In addition to the embodiments described above, the present invention may also be configured as follows (components having the same functions as those in the embodiments are labeled with the same numbers and reference numerals as those in the embodiments).

[0075] (a) Instead of the narrow slit 31a formed in the longitudinal wall portion 31, a through hole is formed at a position higher than the upper end of the cylindrical wall 24 when viewed from the side. With the through hole formed in this way, when the water in the first water storage portion 5 is frozen, and water is supplied from the gas-liquid separation portion 4, the water supplied to the first water storage portion 5 can flow through the through hole to the gap T and be sent to the second water storage portion 6 in the form of overflowing the upper end of the cylindrical wall 24.

[0076] In the case of forming a through hole, the opening area of ​​the through hole is set in such a way that when the pressure of the second water storage section 6 decreases due to the opening of the electromagnetic on / off valve 3 and the discharge of the second water storage section 6, the water in the first water storage section 5 can overflow the upper end of the cylindrical wall 24 due to the pressure difference. (In the case of multiple through holes, it is the sum of the opening areas.)

[0077] (b) In the embodiment, although the rib 27 is formed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical wall 24, the rib 27 is also formed on the inner periphery of the longitudinal wall portion 31 of the cover member 30. Even with this structure of forming the rib 27, a radial gap T can be formed between the outer wall surface of the upper region 24a of the cylindrical wall 24 and the inner wall surface of the longitudinal wall portion 31.

[0078] (c) In order to form a gap G between the lower end of the longitudinal wall portion 31 and the inclined wall 23, a plurality of protrusions extending downward from the longitudinal wall portion 31 are integrally formed on the longitudinal wall portion 31. Even with this configuration, when water from the first water storage portion 5 is transported to the second water storage portion 6 using the effect of negative pressure, water can flow into the gap G.

[0079] Industrial applications

[0080] This invention can be used in gas-liquid separators.

[0081] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0082] 3…Solenoid on / off valve (valve mechanism)

[0083] 4…Gas-liquid separation section

[0084] 5…First Water Storage Section

[0085] 6…Second Water Storage Section

[0086] 24…cylindrical wall

[0087] 26…Drainage Flow Path

[0088] 27…rib

[0089] 28… Drainage guide ribs

[0090] 30…cap-shaped component

[0091] 31…Longitudinal wall section

[0092] 31a… Narrow slit

[0093] 32...Lap-shaped part

[0094] 35… filter

[0095] H…shell.

Claims

1. A gas-liquid separator, comprising: The shell, which is supplied with water-containing gas; A gas-liquid separation unit is provided at the upper part of the above-mentioned housing, and separates water from water-containing gas; The first water storage section is located at the lower part of the above-mentioned shell and receives and stores the water separated from the above-mentioned gas-liquid separation section. It is annular in top view. The second water storage section is disposed at the bottom of the shell below the first water storage section and is supplied with water from the first water storage section; The valve mechanism, by opening and closing the drainage passage connected to the bottom of the second water storage section, can discharge the water accumulated in the second water storage section and stop the discharge. A cylindrical wall, disposed inside the first water storage section, stores water in the first water storage section until it overflows, and guides the overflowing water to the second water storage section; and A cover-like component that covers the upper side of the aforementioned cylindrical wall, and is integrally formed of a cylindrical longitudinal wall portion disposed at a position separated from the outer wall surface of the aforementioned cylindrical wall and disposed opposite to the aforementioned cylindrical wall, and a cover-like portion that closes the upper end of the longitudinal wall portion.

2. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein, Between the cylindrical wall and the longitudinal wall, a plurality of ribs are disposed on at least one of the outer wall surface of the cylindrical wall and the inner wall surface of the longitudinal wall in such a manner that water flows from the first water storage section to the second water storage section.

3. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein, The longitudinal wall portion of the aforementioned cap-shaped component is externally fitted into the aforementioned cylindrical wall. When viewed from the side in the externally fitted state, the longitudinal wall portion has a narrow slit that extends from the lower end of the longitudinal wall portion to the upper side of the upper end of the aforementioned cylindrical wall.

4. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 2, wherein, The longitudinal wall portion of the aforementioned cap-shaped component is externally fitted into the aforementioned cylindrical wall. When viewed from the side in the externally fitted state, the longitudinal wall portion has a narrow slit that extends from the lower end of the longitudinal wall portion to the upper side of the upper end of the aforementioned cylindrical wall.

5. The gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, A drainage guide rib is formed on the inner circumference of the aforementioned cylindrical wall to guide water overflowing from the upper end of the aforementioned cylindrical wall to the aforementioned second water storage section.

6. The gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The aforementioned cover-shaped component has a filter between the aforementioned gas-liquid separation section and the aforementioned first water storage section to remove dust contained in the water separated by the aforementioned gas-liquid separation section.

7. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 5, wherein, The aforementioned cover-shaped component has a filter between the aforementioned gas-liquid separation section and the aforementioned first water storage section to remove dust contained in the water separated by the aforementioned gas-liquid separation section.

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