Spray evaporation chamber, fuel cell, power plant and vehicle

Abstract

The application provides a spray evaporation cavity, a fuel cell, a power device and a vehicle. The spray evaporation cavity comprises a shell and a wick module. An inlet and an outlet are arranged on the shell, the outlet is arranged above the inlet, a baffle is arranged in the shell, the baffle divides the evaporation cavity into two layers, a high-pressure nozzle is arranged on the shell, and the wick module is arranged in the shell. After air enters the evaporation cavity through the inlet, the air is mixed with mist droplets sprayed by the high-pressure nozzle in the evaporation cavity, the mist droplets are evaporated through heat exchange with high-temperature air, the air passes through the wick module after heat exchange and evaporation, the air absorbs water vapor in the wick module, and then the air enters the second layer through the baffle, and the air is cooled and humidified through droplet evaporation in the second layer, so that the air cooled and humidified at the outlet. The purpose of preventing liquid droplet residue and improving heat exchange efficiency is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular relates to a spray evaporation chamber, a fuel cell, a power unit, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is a chemical reactor in which hydrogen gas is decomposed into electrons and protons in the cathode catalyst layer. The protons are transported across the membrane to the cathode as hydrated hydrogen ions, reacting with oxygen to produce water, which is then discharged from the flow channel. Proton transport across the membrane requires the PEMFC to maintain a certain level of humidity; otherwise, it will introduce significant proton transfer resistance, affecting power generation efficiency. Therefore, the reactant gases entering the fuel cell stack must have a certain level of humidity.

[0003] Currently, the membrane humidifiers used in fuel cell systems are mainly perfluorosulfonic acid resin membrane humidifiers. Although this humidifier can adjust the temperature and humidity of the inlet air, it is bulky, significantly reducing the volumetric energy density of the fuel cell engine system. Furthermore, in practical engineering applications, it suffers from problems such as poor stability, poor humidity controllability, high performance degradation rate, and high cost.

[0004] Spray cooling and humidification technology is generally used in heat exchangers and factory humidification, but its application in fuel cell engine systems is rare. Existing spray evaporation chambers for fuel cells have simple structures, poor humidification effects, and low heat exchange efficiency. Especially under low power conditions, problems such as droplet adhesion and residue, and a small range of temperature and humidity variations are prone to occur. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a spray evaporation chamber, a fuel cell, a power unit and a vehicle, which at least partially solves the problems of droplet adhesion residue and low heat exchange efficiency existing in the prior art.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a spray evaporation chamber, comprising: a shell and a liquid-absorbing core module; the shell is provided with an inlet and an outlet, the outlet being disposed above the inlet, a baffle is provided inside the shell, the baffle dividing the evaporation chamber into two layers, a high-pressure nozzle is provided on the shell, and the liquid-absorbing core module is disposed inside the shell;

[0007] After air enters the evaporation chamber through the inlet, it mixes with the mist droplets sprayed from the high-pressure nozzle. The mist droplets exchange heat with the high-temperature air and evaporate. After heat exchange and evaporation, the air passes through the liquid-absorbing core module, where it absorbs water vapor. Then, the air passes through the baffle and enters the second layer, where it is cooled and humidified by the evaporation of liquid droplets. Thus, cooled and humidified air is obtained at the outlet.

[0008] Optionally, the baffle is inclined toward the bottom of the housing along the direction of inlet airflow.

[0009] Optionally, the liquid-absorbing core module includes a liquid-absorbing core, a bottom support frame, and a top support frame;

[0010] The liquid suction core is positioned between the bottom support frame and the top support frame.

[0011] Optionally, there are multiple absorbent cores, which are arranged alternately between the bottom support frame and the top support frame.

[0012] Optionally, the liquid-absorbing core module further includes a liquid-absorbing plate, which is mounted on the bottom support frame.

[0013] Optionally, the liquid-absorbing plate is a titanium felt or a metal plate with micropores.

[0014] Optionally, the cross-section of the liquid-absorbing core is elliptical.

[0015] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a fuel cell that uses the spray evaporation chamber described in any of the first aspects.

[0016] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a power device that uses the spray evaporation chamber described in any of the first aspects.

[0017] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a vehicle that uses the spray evaporation chamber described in any of the first aspects.

[0018] This invention provides a spray evaporation chamber, a fuel cell, a power unit, and a vehicle. The spray evaporation chamber, by incorporating a liquid-absorbing core module, absorbs residual liquid droplets within the evaporation chamber and transports them upwards via capillary action. Since the central part of the liquid-absorbing core module is the main flow zone for high-temperature gas, where the temperature is high and humidity is low, the upwardly transported liquid water will evaporate under the strong convection of the high-temperature gas, increasing the evaporation rate and thus achieving the goals of preventing droplet residue and improving heat exchange efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals generally denote like parts.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the spray evaporation chamber provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the high-pressure nozzle in the spray evaporation chamber provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0022] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the liquid absorption core module provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0023] Among them, 1-inlet; 2-outlet; 3-baffle; 4-liquid suction core module; 5-high pressure nozzle; 6-liquid suction core; 7-liquid suction plate; 8-bottom support frame; 9-top support frame. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] It should be understood that the following specific examples illustrate the implementation of this disclosure, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this disclosure from the content disclosed in this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this disclosure, and not all of them. This disclosure can also be implemented or applied through other different specific implementation methods, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. Based on the embodiments in this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0026] It should be noted that various aspects of embodiments within the scope of the appended claims are described below. It will be apparent that the aspects described herein can be embodied in a wide variety of forms, and any particular structure and / or function described herein is merely illustrative. Based on this disclosure, those skilled in the art will understand that one aspect described herein can be implemented independently of any other aspect, and two or more of these aspects can be combined in various ways. For example, any number of aspects set forth herein can be used to implement the device and / or practice the method. Additionally, this device and / or method can be implemented using structures and / or functionalities other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein.

[0027] It should also be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic representations of the basic concept of this disclosure. The illustrations only show the components related to this disclosure and are not drawn according to the number, shape and size of the components in actual implementation. In actual implementation, the form, quantity and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0028] Furthermore, specific details are provided in the following description to facilitate a thorough understanding of the examples. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the described aspects can be practiced without these specific details.

[0029] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, this embodiment discloses a spray evaporation chamber, including: a shell and a liquid-absorbing core module; the shell is provided with an inlet and an outlet, the outlet is provided above the inlet, a baffle is provided inside the shell to divide the evaporation chamber into two layers, a high-pressure nozzle is provided on the shell, and the liquid-absorbing core module is provided inside the shell;

[0030] After air enters the evaporation chamber through the inlet, it mixes with the mist droplets sprayed from the high-pressure nozzle. The mist droplets exchange heat with the high-temperature air and evaporate. After heat exchange and evaporation, the air passes through the liquid-absorbing core module, where it absorbs water vapor. Then, the air passes through the baffle and enters the second layer, where it is cooled and humidified by the evaporation of liquid droplets. Thus, cooled and humidified air is obtained at the outlet.

[0031] Optionally, the baffle is inclined toward the bottom of the housing along the direction of inlet airflow. Figure 1 The direction of the middle arrow indicates the direction of airflow at the inlet.

[0032] Air enters through the inlet and mixes with droplets ejected from the high-pressure nozzle. The droplets exchange heat with the high-temperature gas, causing evaporation and lowering the gas temperature. Then, it passes through the liquid-absorbing core array, absorbing water vapor within the cores. After passing through the inclined baffle, it enters the second layer, where the droplets evaporate further, further reducing the air temperature. Finally, cooled and humidified air is obtained at the outlet.

[0033] Optional, such as Figure 3 The liquid absorption core module includes a liquid absorption core, a bottom support frame, and a top support frame;

[0034] The liquid suction core is positioned between the bottom support frame and the top support frame.

[0035] Optional, such as Figure 4 As shown, there are multiple absorbent cores, which are arranged alternately between the bottom support frame and the top support frame.

[0036] Optionally, the liquid-absorbing core module further includes a liquid-absorbing plate, which is mounted on the bottom support frame.

[0037] Optionally, the liquid-absorbing plate is a titanium felt or a metal plate with micropores.

[0038] Optionally, the cross-section of the liquid-absorbing core is elliptical.

[0039] In this embodiment, a liquid-absorbing core module is arranged inside the evaporation chamber. If the spray droplets are large, they may adhere to the inner surface of the evaporation chamber before complete evaporation, forming an accumulation. This reduces the amount of liquid water evaporation and heat exchange. By arranging the liquid-absorbing core module inside the evaporation chamber, residual droplets can be absorbed and transported upwards by capillary action. Since the central part of the liquid-absorbing core is the main flow zone of high-temperature gas, the high temperature and low humidity here cause the upwardly transported liquid water to evaporate under the strong convection of the high-temperature gas, thereby achieving the purpose of preventing droplet residue and increasing the evaporation rate.

[0040] The wicks are arranged in an alternating pattern. This enhances convective heat transfer and ensures efficient evaporation of liquid water within the wicks.

[0041] A liquid-absorbing plate is horizontally arranged below the liquid-absorbing core. The plate can be made of typical hydrophilic titanium felt or sintered metal plate with micropores, which can increase the overall water absorption area. The droplets are first absorbed by the liquid-absorbing plate, then capillarily diffuse to the liquid-absorbing core, and then diffuse upward from the liquid-absorbing core.

[0042] The design features a two-layer inclined baffle. If large droplets remain after evaporation in the first layer, the inclined design causes them to flow downwards against the flow direction due to gravity, further enhancing convective heat transfer. Upon reaching the lower layer, they are absorbed by the wick and re-enter evaporation.

[0043] The above measures improved the range of liquid water evaporation and the temperature and humidity variation at the evaporation chamber outlet.

[0044] To achieve the technical objective of low flow resistance, an elliptical cross-section design for the liquid suction core was adopted.

[0045] Two support frames, a bottom support frame and a top support frame, are used to prevent the risk of breakage of the liquid suction core array under the scouring of high-speed air.

[0046] The evaporation chamber in this embodiment is a purely mechanical structure, without the use of perfluorosulfonic acid resin, which improves stability while reducing costs.

[0047] The evaporation chamber in this embodiment has reduced cost and improved stability: it replaces the expensive perfluorosulfonic acid resin membrane humidifier.

[0048] The array design of the liquid suction core in this embodiment reduces the amount of residual droplets and increases the evaporation efficiency of the spray evaporation chamber;

[0049] The elliptical cross-section design of the liquid suction core in this embodiment reduces the flow resistance of the evaporation chamber.

[0050] The fuel cells, power units, or vehicles disclosed in this embodiment all use the spray evaporation chamber disclosed in this embodiment.

[0051] The power unit can be an engine, a power source, or other similar devices.

[0052] The basic principles of this disclosure have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it should be noted that the advantages, benefits, and effects mentioned in this disclosure are merely examples and not limitations, and should not be considered as essential features of each embodiment of this disclosure. Furthermore, the specific details disclosed above are for illustrative and facilitative purposes only, and are not limitations. These details do not limit the scope of this disclosure to the necessity of employing the aforementioned specific details for implementation.

[0053] In this disclosure, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Words such as "including," "comprising," "having," etc., are open-ended terms meaning "including but not limited to," and are used interchangeably with them. The terms "or" and "and" as used herein refer to the terms "and / or," and are used interchangeably with them unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. The term "such as" as used herein refers to the phrase "such as but not limited to," and is used interchangeably with it.

[0054] Additionally, as used herein, the “or” used in a list of items beginning with “at least one” indicates a separate list, such that a list of, for example, “at least one of A, B, or C” means A or B or C, or AB or AC or BC, or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Furthermore, the word “exemplary” does not imply that the described example is preferred or better than other examples.

[0055] It should also be noted that in the systems and methods of this disclosure, the components or steps can be decomposed and / or recombined. These decompositions and / or recombinations should be considered as equivalent solutions to this disclosure.

[0056] Various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made to the technology described herein without departing from the teachings defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, the scope of the claims of this disclosure is not limited to the specific aspects of the processes, machines, manufactures, events, means, methods, and actions described above. Currently existing or later-developed processes, machines, manufactures, events, means, methods, or actions that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding aspects described herein can be utilized. Therefore, the appended claims include such processes, machines, manufactures, events, means, methods, or actions within their scope.

[0057] The above description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use this disclosure. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but rather to be carried out within the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0058] The above description has been given for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, this description is not intended to limit the embodiments of this disclosure to the forms disclosed herein. Although numerous exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those skilled in the art will recognize certain variations, modifications, alterations, additions, and sub-combinations therein.

Claims

1. A spray evaporation chamber characterized by, The application relates to a spray evaporation cavity. High-temperature air enters a first evaporation cavity through an inlet, mixes with water mist sprayed by a high-pressure nozzle in the first evaporation cavity, and is evaporated by the water mist, then the air passes through a wick module, absorbs water vapor in the wick module, and then enters a second evaporation cavity through a baffle, is cooled and humidified by water droplets in the second evaporation cavity, and finally obtains cooled and humidified air at an outlet. The wick module comprises a wick, a bottom support frame and a top support frame. The wick is arranged between the bottom support frame and the top support frame. The wick module absorbs residual water droplets in the evaporation cavity and transports the water droplets upward under capillary action, and when the air after heat exchange and evaporation passes through the wick module, the liquid water in the wick module is evaporated into water vapor under the strong convection of the high-temperature air. The baffle is inclined to the bottom of the cavity along the air flow direction of the inlet.

2. The spray vaporization chamber of claim 1, wherein, The wick is a plurality of wicks, and the plurality of wicks are staggered between the bottom support frame and the top support frame.

3. The spray vaporization chamber of claim 1, wherein, The wick module further comprises a wick plate arranged on the bottom support frame.

4. The spray vaporization chamber of claim 1, wherein, The wick plate is a titanium felt or a metal plate with micropores.

5. The spray vaporization chamber of claim 4, wherein, The cross section of the wick is an ellipse.

6. The spray vaporization chamber of claim 1, wherein, The spray evaporation cavity of any one of claims 1 to 6 is used.

7. A fuel cell characterized by comprising: The spray evaporation cavity of any one of claims 1 to 6 is used.

8. A power plant characterized by The spray evaporation cavity of any one of claims 1 to 6 is used. ​ 9. A vehicle characterized by comprising: ​

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