A sedimentation and drainage type gas-liquid separation device

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, and specifically discloses a sedimentation and drainage type gas-liquid separation device, which includes an upper box body and a lower box body. The upper box body and the lower box body are connected to each other to form a chamber. The side wall of the upper box body is provided with a gas-liquid inlet, the top of the upper box body is provided with a gas outlet, and the bottom of the lower box body is provided with a drainage port; a fixed baffle is arranged inside the upper box body and divides the inside of the upper box body into an independent first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is communicated with the gas-liquid inlet, and the second chamber is communicated with the gas outlet; a first separation device is arranged inside the first chamber, and the lower end of the first separation device extends out of the first chamber and is connected to the inside of the lower box body; a second separation device is arranged inside the second chamber; a flow stabilizing device is arranged inside the lower box body; the gas-liquid mixture enters the device through the gas-liquid inlet, passes through the first separation device, the flow stabilizing device and the second separation device, and the separated hydrogen is discharged through the gas outlet, and the water is discharged through the drainage port. This device has high separation efficiency and good effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, and particularly relates to a sedimentation and drainage type gas-liquid separation device. Background Art

[0002] A fuel cell is a power generation device that directly converts the chemical energy in fuel and oxidant into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction, and has the advantages of high energy conversion efficiency, no pollution, and low noise. When a fuel cell works, hydrogen reacts chemically with oxygen through a stack, and water is generated during this process. The water will be discharged from the stack together with the unconsumed hydrogen. In order to improve the utilization rate of hydrogen, the unconsumed hydrogen needs to be re-injected into the stack. At this time, in order to control the humidity in the stack and avoid affecting the performance of the stack, a gas-liquid separation device is required to separate the water in the unconsumed hydrogen. However, the existing gas-liquid separation devices have low separation efficiency, poor separation effect, large flow resistance, and complex internal structures. In view of the above problems, it is very necessary to research and design a new type of sedimentation and drainage type gas-liquid separation device to overcome the problems existing in the existing fuel cell gas-liquid separation devices. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to solve the problems of low gas-liquid separation efficiency, poor separation effect, large flow resistance, and complex structure existing in the existing fuel cell gas-liquid separation devices, the present invention provides a sedimentation and drainage type gas-liquid separation device.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to achieve the above object is: a sedimentation and drainage type gas-liquid separation device for separating hydrogen and water in the gas-liquid mixture discharged from a fuel cell stack, comprising:

[0005] A box body, including an upper box body and a lower box body, the upper box body and the lower box body are connected to each other to form a chamber, a gas-liquid inlet is provided on the side wall of the upper box body, a gas outlet is provided at the top of the upper box body, and a drain outlet is provided at the bottom of the lower box body;

[0006] A fixed baffle is arranged inside the upper box body and divides the inside of the upper box body into an independent first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is communicated with the gas-liquid inlet, and the second chamber is communicated with the gas outlet;

[0007] A first separation device is arranged inside the first chamber, and the lower end of the first separation device extends out of the first chamber and is connected to the inside of the lower box body;

[0008] A second separation device is arranged inside the second chamber;

[0009] A flow stabilizing device is arranged inside the lower box body;

[0010] The gas-liquid mixture enters the device through the gas-liquid inlet, and successively passes through the first separation device, the flow stabilizing device, and the second separation device for gas-liquid separation. The separated hydrogen gas is discharged through the gas outlet, and the separated water is discharged through the drain port.

[0011] Further, the first separation device includes an inner separation box and an outer separation box. The inner separation box is sleeved inside the outer separation box, and mesh holes are provided on the peripheral side walls of both the inner separation box and the outer separation box.

[0012] Further, a limit seat is provided inside the lower box body. The lower end of the limit seat is connected to the bottom plate of the lower box body, and the outer separation box is arranged on the upper end of the limit seat.

[0013] Further, the second separation device includes a middle ridge, limit columns, a labyrinth baffle assembly, a fine pore mesh plate, and a coarse pore mesh plate. The middle ridge is vertically fixed inside the upper box body through the limit columns. The labyrinth baffle assembly, the coarse pore mesh plate, and the fine pore mesh plate are all connected to the middle ridge. The labyrinth baffle assembly includes multiple horizontal plates, T-shaped plates, and L-shaped plates. The multiple horizontal plates, T-shaped plates, and L-shaped plates are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the middle ridge and are arranged in a vertically staggered manner to form a labyrinth-shaped gas flow channel with multiple bends. The fine pore mesh plate is arranged below the gas outlet, and the coarse pore mesh plate is arranged below the fine pore mesh plate.

[0014] Further, the flow stabilizing device includes a first baffle, two second baffles, and a third baffle arranged in parallel in sequence. The upper end of the first baffle is connected to the lower end of the fixed baffle, the lower end of the first baffle is connected to the bottom plate of the lower box body, and water flow channels are provided between the left and right ends of the first baffle and the side walls of the lower box body. The second baffle and the third baffle are both arranged below the second separation device. The two second baffles are respectively connected to the side wall and the bottom plate of the lower box body. The two second baffles are symmetrically arranged and a water flow channel is provided between the two second baffles. The lower end of the third baffle is connected to the bottom plate of the lower box body, and water flow channels are provided between the left and right ends of the third baffle and the side walls of the lower box body.

[0015] Further, the lower end of the fixed baffle is connected to the first baffle.

[0016] Further, the inlet opening width of the gas-liquid inlet is greater than the outlet opening width of the gas-liquid inlet.

[0017] Further, a pressure test port is provided on the side wall of the upper box body. The pressure test port is used to connect a pressure sensor to monitor the pressure.

[0018] Further, an exhaust port is also provided on the side wall of the upper box body. The exhaust port is arranged at the first chamber and is used to connect an exhaust solenoid valve to exhaust and relieve pressure.

[0019] Further, a drain solenoid valve is provided at the drain port, and the drain solenoid valve is used to control drainage.

[0020] A sedimentation and liquid drainage type gas-liquid separation device of the present invention is used to separate hydrogen and water in the gas-liquid mixture discharged from a fuel cell stack. By providing an outer separation box and an inner separation box and opening mesh holes on the peripheral side walls of the outer separation box and the inner separation box, while guiding and separating the gas-liquid mixture, the flow resistance of the gas-liquid mixture passing through is also reduced; by providing a maze baffle assembly, a coarse pore mesh plate and a fine pore mesh plate to form a maze-type gas flow channel with multiple bends, it can not only evenly disperse the gas-liquid mixture, but also extend the passing time and passing distance of the gas-liquid mixture, which can not only improve the separation effect, but also improve the separation efficiency; a quick gas guiding structure with an inclined variable diameter and a closed end is provided at the gas-liquid inlet, which can increase the flow rate of the gas-liquid mixture, so as to actively introduce the gas-liquid mixture formed in the stack into the device faster; an exhaust solenoid valve can be installed at the drain port to control timed drainage, a pressure sensor can be installed at the pressure test port to monitor the pressure in real time, and an exhaust solenoid valve can be installed at the exhaust port to execute exhaust pressure relief. Through the coordinated work of the above components, the gas-liquid mixture at the outlet of the fuel cell stack can be quickly introduced into the gas-liquid separation device, and the liquid water in the gas-liquid mixture can be sedimented and separated, and the separation efficiency is high and the separation effect is good. Description of the Drawings

[0021] Figure 1 is the front view three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is the side view three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 is the internal structure schematic diagram of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 is the structure schematic diagram of the second separation device of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 is the internal structure schematic diagram of the lower box body of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] In the figure: 1. Upper box body, 2. Lower box body, 3. Outer separation box, 4. Inner separation box, 5. Maze baffle assembly, 5-1. Horizontal plate, 5-2. T-shaped plate, 5-3. L-shaped plate, 6. Limit post, 7. Coarse pore mesh plate, 8. Fine pore mesh plate, 9. Gas-liquid inlet, 10. Gas outlet, 11. Exhaust port, 12. Pressure test port, 13. Fixed baffle, 14. Drain port, 15. First baffle, 16. Second baffle, 17. Third baffle, 18. Limit seat, 19. Middle ridge, 20. Drain solenoid valve, 21. Pressure sensor, 22. Exhaust solenoid valve. Detailed implementation mode

[0027] The following further describes the implementation mode of the present invention in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but cannot be used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0028] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, so it cannot be understood as a limitation to the present invention. The terms "installation", "connection" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations. In addition, in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "multiple pieces" is two or more. It should be noted that the use of words such as "first" and "second" to limit components is only for the convenience of distinguishing the corresponding components. Without additional declaration, the above words have no special meaning, so it cannot be understood as a limitation to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0029] A gas-liquid separation device of the sedimentation and drainage type in this embodiment is used to separate hydrogen and water in the gas-liquid mixture discharged from the fuel cell stack, and the structure is as Figures 1-3As shown in the figure, it includes an upper box body 1, a lower box body 2, a fixed baffle 13, a first separation device, a second separation device and a flow stabilizing device. The upper box body 1 and the lower box body 2 are connected to each other to form a chamber. The side wall of the upper box body 1 is provided with a gas-liquid inlet 9, and the top end of the upper box body 1 is provided with a gas outlet 10. The fixed baffle 13 is arranged inside the upper box body 1 and divides the interior of the upper box body 1 into an independent first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is communicated with the gas-liquid inlet 9, and the second chamber is communicated with the gas outlet 10. The first separation device is arranged in the first chamber, and the lower end of the first separation device extends out of the first chamber and is connected to the interior of the lower box body 2. The second separation device is arranged inside the second chamber, and the flow stabilizing device is arranged inside the lower box body 2. The bottom plate of the lower box body 2 is provided with a drain port 14. The gas-liquid mixture enters the device through the gas-liquid inlet 9 and undergoes gas-liquid separation successively through the first separation device, the flow stabilizing device and the second separation device. By setting the fixed baffle 13, the first separation device, the second separation device and the flow stabilizing device, multi-stage separation of the two-phase flow of the gas-liquid mixture is realized. The separated hydrogen is discharged through the gas outlet 10, and the separated water is discharged through the drain port 14. Preferably, the gas-liquid inlet 9 can be arranged at the upper position of the side wall of the upper box body 1, so as to increase the flow path of the gas-liquid mixture in the device.

[0030] The first separation device includes an inner separation box 4 and an outer separation box 3. The inner separation box 4 is sleeved inside the outer separation box 3. Mesh holes are opened on the side walls around the inner separation box 4 and the outer separation box 3. Setting the mesh holes can not only guide and separate the liquid in the gas-liquid mixture, but also reduce the flow resistance of the gas-liquid mixture passing through. The gas-liquid mixture enters the gas-liquid separation device through the gas-liquid inlet 9. The fixed baffle 13 blocks the gas-liquid mixture in the first chamber. The gas-liquid mixture is cooled by the porous structure of the outer separation box 3 and the inner separation box 4, and then part of the liquid water settles to the bottom of the lower box body 2 in the first chamber. A limit seat 18 is arranged inside the lower box body 2. The lower end of the limit seat 18 is connected to the bottom plate of the lower box body 2. The outer separation box 3 is arranged at the upper end of the limit seat 18 and is limited and positioned through the internal space of the first chamber in the upper box body 1 and the lower box body 2.

[0031] As Figure 5As shown, the steady flow device includes a first baffle 15, a second baffle 16, and a third baffle 17 that are arranged in parallel in sequence. Preferably, the first baffle 15 can be one piece, the second baffle 16 can be two pieces, and the third baffle 17 can be one piece. The upper end of the first baffle 15 is connected to the lower end of the fixed baffle 13, and the lower end of the first baffle 15 is connected to the bottom plate of the lower box body 2. There are water flow channels between the left and right ends of the first baffle 15 and the side walls of the lower box body 2. Both the second baffle 16 and the third baffle 17 are arranged below the second separation device. The two second baffles 16 are respectively connected to the side wall and the bottom plate of the lower box body 2. The two second baffles 16 are symmetrically arranged and there is a water flow channel between the two second baffles 16. The lower end of the third baffle 17 is connected to the bottom plate of the lower box body 2, and there are water flow channels between the left and right ends of the third baffle 17 and the side walls of the lower box body 2. The inner part of the lower box body 2 is provided with a limit seat 18, the first baffle 15, the second baffle 16, and the third baffle 17, which can not only play a role in maze diversion, disperse the gas-liquid mixture, and increase the passing time of the gas-liquid mixture, but also steady the flow of the liquid water at the bottom of the lower box body 2, avoid the situation of turbulent flow caused by the intermittent falling and continuous increase of the settled liquid water, and prevent the turbulent liquid water from damaging the device. As a more preferred option, the distances between the first baffle 15, the second baffle 16, and the third baffle 17 can be equal. The lower end of the fixed baffle 13 can be connected to the first baffle 15 of the steady flow device, which can not only increase the fixing strength of the fixed baffle 13 but also limit the area through which the gas-liquid mixture flows.

[0032] As Figure 4As shown in the figure, the second separation device may include a middle ridge 19, a limit post 6, a labyrinth baffle assembly 5, a fine pore mesh plate 8, and a coarse pore mesh plate 7. The middle ridge 19 is vertically fixed inside the upper box body 1 through the limit post 6. The labyrinth baffle assembly 5, the coarse pore mesh plate 7, and the fine pore mesh plate 8 are all connected to the middle ridge 19. The labyrinth baffle assembly 5 may include multiple horizontal plates 5-1, a T-shaped plate 5-2, and an L-shaped plate 5-3. The multiple horizontal plates 5-1, the T-shaped plate 5-2, and the L-shaped plate 5-3 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the middle ridge 19 and are arranged in a vertically staggered manner to form a labyrinth-type gas flow channel with multiple bends. The labyrinth-type gas flow channel structure composed of the horizontally staggered horizontal plates 5-1, the T-shaped plate 5-2, and the L-shaped plate 5-3 is divided into multiple small partitions, which can not only evenly disperse the gas-liquid mixture, but also extend the passing time and passing distance of the gas-liquid mixture. In this way, the hydrogen and liquid water in the gas-liquid mixture can be better separated, and the separation efficiency can also be improved. Preferably, the left and right ends of the middle ridge 19 are connected to the left and right side walls of the first chamber, and the multiple horizontal plates 5-1 are arranged in layers and are respectively connected to the left and right side walls of the first chamber. The fine pore mesh plate 8 is arranged below the gas outlet 10, and the coarse pore mesh plate 7 is arranged below the fine pore mesh plate 8. The fine pore mesh plate 8 and the coarse pore mesh plate 7 are arranged in upper and lower layers and are arranged near the gas outlet 10, which can further prevent water mist or liquid water from passing through and ensure the purity of the separated hydrogen. The gas-liquid mixture passes through the horizontal plates 5-1, the T-shaped plate 5-2, the L-shaped plate 5-3, the coarse pore mesh plate 7, and the fine pore mesh plate 8, and the passing time of the gas-liquid mixture is extended through the labyrinth-type gas flow channel. The moisture will continuously settle to the bottom of the lower box body 2. When a certain amount of liquid water accumulates at the bottom of the lower box body 2, it can be discharged from the device through the drain port 14. The separation structure inside the device can effectively condense and settle and separate the liquid water, and has high separation efficiency, good effect, and simple structure.

[0033] The inlet opening width of the gas-liquid inlet 9 is greater than the outlet opening width of the gas-liquid inlet 9, forming a rapid gas-conducting structure with an inclined variable-diameter and converging opening. Since the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening through which the gas-liquid mixture flows is smaller than that of the outlet opening, the flow rate of the gas-liquid mixture can be increased through the variable-diameter and converging opening, thereby actively guiding the gas-liquid mixture formed in the fuel cell stack into the device faster. A pressure test port 12 is provided on the side wall of the upper box body 1. The pressure test port 12 is used to connect a pressure sensor 21 to monitor the pressure. Preferably, the pressure sensor 21 can monitor the pressure inside the device in real time. A drain solenoid valve 20 is provided at the drain port 14. The drain solenoid valve 20 is used to control drainage. The drain solenoid valve 20 can control the opening and closing at a fixed time for drainage, or can also determine the opening and closing according to the pressure data transmitted by the pressure sensor 21. An exhaust port 11 is also provided on the side wall of the upper box body 1. The exhaust port 11 is arranged at the first chamber. The exhaust port 11 is used to connect an exhaust solenoid valve 22 for exhaust and pressure relief. Due to the accumulation of gas inside the device, air may enter the device. By providing the exhaust port 11, the entered air can be discharged in time. In addition, by connecting the exhaust solenoid valve 22 at the exhaust port 11, not only can the exhaust be carried out by timing the opening and closing, but also the exhaust can be carried out in a timely manner according to the pressure data transmitted by the pressure sensor 21, effectively preventing the device from being damaged due to excessive internal pressure.

[0034] The embodiments of the present invention are given for purposes of illustration and description, and are not exhaustive or limit the invention to the disclosed form. Many modifications and variations are obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments are selected and described to better illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention and design various embodiments with various modifications suitable for a particular purpose.

Claims

1. A sedimentation and drainage type gas-liquid separation device for separating hydrogen and water in the gas-liquid mixture discharged from a fuel cell stack, characterized in that, it includes: a box body, including an upper box body (1) and a lower box body (2), the upper box body (1) and the lower box body (2) are connected to each other to form a chamber, a gas-liquid inlet (9) is provided on the side wall of the upper box body (1), a gas outlet (10) is provided at the top of the upper box body (1), and a drain port (14) is provided at the bottom of the lower box body (2); a fixed baffle (13), arranged inside the upper box body (1) and dividing the inside of the upper box body (1) into an independent first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber is communicated with the gas-liquid inlet (9), and the second chamber is communicated with the gas outlet (10); a first separation device, arranged inside the first chamber, and the lower end of the first separation device extends out of the first chamber and is connected to the inside of the lower box body (2); a second separation device, arranged inside the second chamber; a flow stabilizing device, arranged inside the lower box body (2); the gas-liquid mixture enters the device through the gas-liquid inlet (9), and successively passes through the first separation device, the flow stabilizing device and the second separation device for gas-liquid separation. The separated hydrogen is discharged through the gas outlet (10), and the separated water is discharged through the drain port (14); the first separation device includes an inner separation box (4) and an outer separation box (3), the inner separation box (4) is sleeved inside the outer separation box (3), and mesh holes are provided on the side walls around the inner separation box (4) and the outer separation box (3); the second separation device includes a middle ridge (19), a limiting column (6), a labyrinth baffle assembly (5), a fine pore mesh plate (8) and a coarse pore mesh plate (7). The middle ridge (19) is vertically fixed inside the upper box body (1) through the limiting column (6), the labyrinth baffle assembly (5), the coarse pore mesh plate (7) and the fine pore mesh plate (8) are all connected to the middle ridge (19). The labyrinth baffle assembly (5) includes a plurality of horizontal plates (5-1), T-shaped plates (5-2) and L-shaped plates (5-3). The plurality of horizontal plates (5-1), T-shaped plates (5-2) and L-shaped plates (5-3) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the middle ridge (19) and are arranged in a vertically staggered manner to form a labyrinth-type gas flow channel with multiple bends. The fine pore mesh plate (8) is arranged below the gas outlet (10), and the coarse pore mesh plate (7) is arranged below the fine pore mesh plate (8); The flow stabilizer includes a first baffle (15), two second baffles (16), and a third baffle (17) arranged in parallel in sequence. The upper end of the first baffle (15) is connected to the lower end of the fixed baffle (13), and the lower end of the first baffle (15) is connected to the bottom plate of the lower box body (2). There are water flow channels between the left and right ends of the first baffle (15) and the side walls of the lower box body (2). Both the second baffle (16) and the third baffle (17) are arranged below the second separation device. The two second baffles (16) are respectively connected to the side wall and the bottom plate of the lower box body (2). The two second baffles (16) are symmetrically arranged and there is a water flow channel between the two second baffles (16).

2. The sedimentation and drainage type gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, a limit seat (18) is arranged inside the lower box body (2). The lower end of the limit seat (18) is connected to the bottom plate of the lower box body (2), and the outer separation box (3) is arranged on the upper end of the limit seat (18).

3. The sedimentation and drainage type gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the lower end of the third baffle (17) is connected to the bottom plate of the lower box body (2), and there are water flow channels between the left and right ends of the third baffle (17) and the side walls of the lower box body (2).

4. The sedimentation and drainage type gas-liquid separation device according to claim 3, characterized in that, the lower end of the fixed baffle (13) is connected to the first baffle (15).

5. The sedimentation and drainage type gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the inlet opening width of the gas-liquid inlet (9) is greater than the outlet opening width of the gas-liquid inlet (9).

6. The sedimentation and drainage type gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, a pressure test port (12) is arranged on the side wall of the upper box body (1). The pressure test port (12) is used to connect a pressure sensor (21) to monitor the pressure.

7. The sedimentation and drainage type gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, an exhaust port (11) is further arranged on the side wall of the upper box body (1). The exhaust port (11) is arranged at the first chamber. The exhaust port (11) is used to connect an exhaust solenoid valve (22) for exhausting and relieving pressure.

8. The sedimentation and drainage type gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, a drain solenoid valve (20) is arranged at the drain port (14). The drain solenoid valve (20) is used to control drainage.

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