Fuel cell system and vehicle

CN119400894BActive Publication Date: 2026-08-11CHINA FAW CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-10-21
Publication Date
2026-08-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

[0002]相关技术中,燃料电池内通有空气和氢气,空气和氢气在燃料电池中反应产生水蒸气,空气中存在大量氮气,未完全反应的氢气与氮气混合,随着时间累积会导致氢气浓度下降,燃料电池电压降低,影响燃料电池输出功率,且氢气中还混有水蒸气

Benefits of technology

[0006]根据本申请实施例的燃料电池系统,吸附结构能够吸附混合气体中的氮气,挡片能够分离混合气体中的水蒸气,通过在气液分离装置中设置吸附结构以及挡片,能够分离混合气体中的氢气、氮气和水蒸气,能够实现回收利用经过气液分离装置过滤后的氢气的效果,从而提高氢气浓度,有利于提高氢气利用率,减少资源浪费。与现有技术相比,取消排氢阀、取消氢气混合稀释装置,减少了燃料电池系统的部件,降低成本,提高燃料电池系统的整机集成度。

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Abstract

This invention discloses a fuel cell system and a vehicle, relating to the field of fuel cell technology. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a hydrogen supply path, and a gas-liquid separation device. The hydrogen supply path is connected to a hydrogen inlet. The gas-liquid separation device includes a housing, baffles, and an adsorption structure. The housing has side walls and a top wall. The side walls have an air inlet and a liquid outlet, and the top wall has an exhaust outlet. The air inlet and hydrogen outlet are connected, and the exhaust outlet is connected to the hydrogen supply path. The adsorption structure is located inside the housing and is used to adsorb nitrogen. The adsorption structure covers the exhaust outlet. The baffles are located inside the housing and between the side walls of the adsorption structure and the side walls of the housing. The baffles are used to separate liquid from the gas. The fuel cell system according to the embodiments of this application is beneficial for improving hydrogen utilization, reducing resource waste, reducing the number of components in the fuel cell system, lowering costs, and improving the overall integration of the fuel cell system.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a fuel cell system and a vehicle having the fuel cell system. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, fuel cells contain air and hydrogen. The air and hydrogen react within the fuel cell to produce water vapor. The air contains a large amount of nitrogen, and unreacted hydrogen mixes with the nitrogen. Over time, this causes a decrease in hydrogen concentration, leading to a drop in fuel cell voltage and affecting the fuel cell's output power. Furthermore, the presence of water vapor in the hydrogen further complicates the process. Existing fuel cell systems use exhaust valves to periodically release nitrogen-containing hydrogen, thereby increasing the hydrogen concentration. However, this process releases excessive amounts of hydrogen, resulting in fuel resource waste. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. Therefore, one object of this invention is to provide a fuel cell system that improves hydrogen utilization, reduces resource waste, reduces the number of components in the fuel cell system, lowers costs, and improves the overall integration of the fuel cell system.

[0004] The present invention further proposes a vehicle using the above-described fuel cell system.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell, a hydrogen supply path, and a gas-liquid separation device. The fuel cell has a hydrogen inlet, an air inlet, a hydrogen outlet, and an air outlet. The hydrogen supply path is connected to the hydrogen inlet. The gas-liquid separation device includes a housing, a baffle, and an adsorption structure. The housing has a housing side wall and a housing top wall. The housing side wall forms an air inlet and a liquid outlet. The housing top wall forms an exhaust outlet. The air inlet is connected to the hydrogen outlet, and the exhaust outlet is connected to the hydrogen supply path. The adsorption structure is disposed within the housing and is used to adsorb nitrogen gas. The adsorption structure covers the exhaust outlet. The baffle is disposed within the housing and is located between the adsorption structure side wall of the adsorption structure and the housing side wall. The baffle is used to separate liquid from the gas.

[0006] According to the fuel cell system of this application embodiment, the adsorption structure can adsorb nitrogen in the mixed gas, and the baffle can separate water vapor in the mixed gas. By setting the adsorption structure and baffle in the gas-liquid separation device, hydrogen, nitrogen, and water vapor in the mixed gas can be separated, achieving the effect of recycling hydrogen filtered by the gas-liquid separation device, thereby increasing the hydrogen concentration, which is beneficial to improving hydrogen utilization and reducing resource waste. Compared with the prior art, the elimination of the hydrogen exhaust valve and the hydrogen mixing and dilution device reduces the number of components in the fuel cell system, lowers the cost, and improves the overall integration of the fuel cell system.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the box has a bottom wall, the bottom wall and the top wall are opposite to and spaced apart, the adsorption structure extends along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall and the top wall, and the adsorption structure abuts against both the bottom wall and the top wall.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the adsorption structure includes: a first adsorbent and a second adsorbent, the first adsorbent and the second adsorbent being connected and located between the second adsorbent and the top wall of the housing, the cross-sectional dimension of the first adsorbent being larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the second adsorbent, the second adsorbent and the side wall of the housing being spaced apart to form an installation space, and the baffle being disposed in the installation space.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the adsorption structure sidewall of the first adsorbent abuts against the sidewall of the box.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first adsorbent has a first central axis extending along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall and the top wall of the box, and the second adsorbent has a second central axis extending along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall and the top wall of the box, wherein the first central axis and the second central axis are collinear.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first adsorbent and the second adsorbent are integrally formed.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the baffle is fixed to the side wall of the box and spaced apart from the second adsorbent.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the baffle extends obliquely toward the second adsorbent from the top wall of the box to the bottom wall of the box.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, there are multiple baffles, which form a multi-layer baffle layer. The multi-layer baffle layer is arranged at intervals along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall and the top wall of the box. Each layer of the baffle layer has multiple baffles. The multiple baffles in each layer are arranged around the second adsorbent along the circumference of the second adsorbent. Any two adjacent baffles in the multiple baffles of each layer are spaced apart to form a flow gap between the two adjacent baffles.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the baffles of the baffle layer and the flow gaps of the adjacent baffle layers are opposite to each other along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall and the top wall of the box.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the side wall of the housing has a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to each other, the first side wall forming the air inlet and the second side wall forming the drain outlet, and both the air inlet and the drain outlet are adjacent to the bottom wall of the housing.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the adsorption structure is constructed as a molecular sieve.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the fuel cell system further includes a drain valve connected to the drain port.

[0019] A vehicle according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the fuel cell system described in the above embodiments.

[0020] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a gas-liquid separation device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure label:

[0025] Fuel cell system 1,

[0026] Fuel cell 10, hydrogen inlet 11, air inlet 12, hydrogen outlet 13, air outlet 14.

[0027] Hydrogen supply path 20, first pressure sensor 21, first temperature sensor 22, second pressure sensor 23, second temperature sensor 24, third pressure sensor 25, pressure reducing valve 26, hydrogen return assembly 27, first exhaust branch 28.

[0028] Gas-liquid separation device 30, housing 31, housing side wall 311, air inlet 3111, liquid outlet 3112, housing top wall 312, exhaust outlet 3121, housing bottom wall 313, installation space 314, baffle 32, adsorption structure 33, first adsorbent 331, second adsorbent 332.

[0029] Drain valve 40, drain flow path 41. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0031] The following is for reference. Figures 1-2 A fuel cell system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. The fuel cell system 1 includes a gas-liquid separation device 30.

[0032] According to a first aspect embodiment of the fuel cell system 1, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the fuel cell system 1 may include: a fuel cell 10, a hydrogen supply path 20, and a gas-liquid separation device 30. The fuel cell 10 has a hydrogen inlet 11, an air inlet 12, a hydrogen outlet 13, and an air outlet 14. The hydrogen supply path 20 is connected to the hydrogen inlet 11. The gas-liquid separation device 30 includes a housing 31, baffles 32, and an adsorption structure 33. The housing 31 has a housing side wall 311 and a housing top wall 312. An air inlet 311 is formed in the housing side wall 311. 111 and drain port 3112, the top wall 312 of the box body has an exhaust port 3121, the air inlet 3111 is connected to the hydrogen outlet 13, the exhaust port 3121 is connected to the hydrogen supply flow path 20, the adsorption structure 33 is located inside the box body 31 and is used to adsorb nitrogen, the adsorption structure 33 covers the exhaust port 3121, the baffle 32 is located inside the box body 31 and between the adsorption structure side wall of the adsorption structure 33 and the box body side wall 311, the baffle 32 is used to separate the liquid in the gas.

[0033] It should be noted that in related technologies, air and hydrogen are passed through the fuel cell. The air and hydrogen react within the fuel cell to produce water vapor. The air contains a large amount of nitrogen, and unreacted hydrogen mixes with the nitrogen. Over time, this causes a decrease in hydrogen concentration, leading to a drop in fuel cell voltage and affecting the fuel cell's output power. Furthermore, the hydrogen contains water vapor. Existing fuel cell systems use an exhaust valve to periodically release nitrogen-containing hydrogen, thereby increasing the hydrogen concentration. However, this process releases excessive amounts of hydrogen, resulting in fuel resource waste.

[0034] Based on this, this application proposes a fuel cell system 1. The fuel cell 10 may include an anode and a cathode. The fuel cell 10 has a hydrogen inlet 11, an air inlet 12, a hydrogen outlet 13, and an air outlet 14. The anode of the fuel cell 10 is connected to the hydrogen inlet 11 and the hydrogen outlet 13, allowing hydrogen to be introduced into the anode. The cathode of the fuel cell 10 is connected to the air inlet 12 and the air outlet 14, allowing air to be introduced into the cathode. A hydrogen supply path 20 is connected to the hydrogen inlet 11, allowing hydrogen to enter the fuel cell 10 through the hydrogen supply path 20 and the hydrogen inlet 11. As an example, a first pressure sensor 21 and a first temperature sensor 22 may be provided on the hydrogen supply path 20 near the hydrogen inlet 11. The first pressure sensor 21 can be used to detect the pressure of the hydrogen about to enter the fuel cell 10, and the first temperature sensor 22 can be used to detect the temperature of the hydrogen about to enter the fuel cell 10. Hydrogen reacts chemically with oxygen in the air within the fuel cell 10 to generate water vapor. Air contains a large amount of nitrogen. Unreacted hydrogen can mix with nitrogen, and over time, the increasing amount of nitrogen affects the hydrogen concentration within the fuel cell 10, leading to a decrease in hydrogen concentration, a reduction in the voltage of the fuel cell 10, and consequently, an impact on the output power of the fuel cell 10. The mixture of nitrogen, hydrogen, and water vapor can be discharged from the fuel cell 10 through the hydrogen outlet 13. The hydrogen outlet 13 can be connected to a first exhaust branch 28, which is equipped with a gas-liquid separator 30. The mixture can enter the gas-liquid separator 30. The gas-liquid separator 30 separates hydrogen from nitrogen and water vapor. Water vapor can condense into liquid water in the gas-liquid separator 30, which helps to increase the hydrogen concentration. The gas-liquid separator 30 is connected to the hydrogen supply flow path 20, and the separated hydrogen can flow back into the hydrogen supply flow path 20 to re-enter the fuel cell 10 for reaction.

[0035] The gas-liquid separator 30 may include a housing 31, baffles 32, and an adsorption structure 33. The housing 31 may include a side wall 311 and a top wall 312, and may be constructed as a columnar structure, etc. The gas-liquid separator 30 may have an inlet 3111 and a outlet 3112, both of which are located on the side wall 311. The inlet 3111 and outlet 3112 may be spaced apart circumferentially along the housing 31. The mixed gas can enter the gas-liquid separator 30 through the inlet 3111. The gas-liquid separator 30 may also include an exhaust port 3121, which may be located on the top wall 312. When the mixed gas is separated in the gas-liquid separator 30, the less dense hydrogen gas can flow upwards and thus be discharged from the exhaust port 3121 located on the top wall 312. The air inlet 3111 can be connected to the hydrogen outlet 13 via the first exhaust branch 28. The mixed gas can enter the gas-liquid separator 30 through the hydrogen outlet 13, the first exhaust branch 28, and the air inlet 3111. The exhaust port 3121 can be connected to the hydrogen supply flow path 20. The separated hydrogen can enter the hydrogen supply flow path 20 through the exhaust port 3121. The separated hydrogen can re-enter the fuel cell 10 to undergo a chemical reaction, thereby achieving the effect of recycling hydrogen. The drain port 3112 can be connected to the drain flow path 41. The liquid water separated in the gas-liquid separator 30 can be discharged from the fuel cell system 1 through the drain port 3112 and the drain flow path 41. As an example, a drain solenoid valve can be provided on the drain flow path 41. By controlling the opening and closing of the drain solenoid valve, the effect of periodically discharging liquid water can be achieved.

[0036] The adsorption structure 33 can be composed of substances capable of adsorbing nitrogen, such as molecular sieves and activated carbon. The adsorption structure 33 is located inside the housing 31 and can be connected to the housing 31 by means of snap-fitting, bonding, or other methods. The adsorption structure 33 can adsorb nitrogen, thereby achieving the effect of separating nitrogen and hydrogen. At least a portion of the adsorption structure 33 is in contact with the top wall 312 of the housing, and can cover the exhaust port 3121, thus preventing hydrogen mixed with nitrogen from escaping from the exhaust port 3121 and ensuring that nitrogen cannot escape from the exhaust port 3121. A baffle 32 is located inside the housing 31 and can be connected to the side wall 311 of the housing by means of snap-fitting, bolting, or other methods. The baffle 32 is located between the adsorption structure side wall of the adsorption structure 33 and the side wall 311 of the housing. The baffle 32 can cause water vapor in the mixed gas to condense into liquid water, thereby separating the water vapor from the hydrogen. The liquid water can flow along the baffle 32 and, under the action of gravity, deposit at the bottom of the housing 31.

[0037] As an example, a second pressure sensor 23 and a second temperature sensor 24 may be provided on the first exhaust branch 28. The second pressure sensor 23 and the second temperature sensor 24 may be both located between the hydrogen outlet 13 and the gas inlet 3111 of the gas-liquid separator 30. The second pressure sensor 23 can be used to detect the pressure value of hydrogen in the first exhaust branch 28, and the first temperature sensor 22 can be used to detect the temperature of hydrogen in the first exhaust branch 28. The hydrogen supply path 20 may also include a third pressure sensor 25, a pressure reducing valve 26, and a hydrogen return assembly 27. The hydrogen supply path 20 can be connected to a storage cylinder containing hydrogen. The third pressure sensor 25 can be located at the connection between the hydrogen supply path 20 and the storage cylinder. The third pressure sensor 25 can be used to detect the pressure value of the hydrogen just entering the hydrogen supply path 20. The third pressure sensor 25 can communicate with the controller in the fuel cell system 1. The controller controls the pressure reducing valve 26 to work based on the detection information of the third pressure sensor 25. The pressure reducing valve 26 can reduce the pressure value of the hydrogen in the hydrogen supply path 20, thereby regulating the pressure of the hydrogen in the hydrogen supply path 20 so that the pressure value of the hydrogen meets the requirements for reaction in the fuel cell 10. The exhaust port 3121 of the gas-liquid separator 30 can be connected to the hydrogen return assembly 27 in the hydrogen supply flow path 20. The hydrogen return assembly 27 can be used to recycle and reuse the hydrogen filtered by the gas-liquid separator 30. The hydrogen return assembly 27 can make the hydrogen flow back to the hydrogen inlet 11 and enter the fuel cell 10.

[0038] In this embodiment, the adsorption structure 33 adsorbs nitrogen from the mixed gas, and the baffle 32 separates water vapor from the mixed gas. By setting the adsorption structure 33 and the baffle 32 in the gas-liquid separation device 30, hydrogen, nitrogen, and water vapor in the mixed gas can be separated, achieving the effect of recycling hydrogen filtered by the gas-liquid separation device 30, thereby increasing the hydrogen concentration, improving hydrogen utilization, and reducing resource waste. Compared with the prior art, the elimination of the hydrogen discharge valve and the hydrogen mixing and dilution device reduces the number of components in the fuel cell system 1, lowers the cost, and improves the overall integration of the fuel cell system 1.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, the box 31 has a bottom wall 313, the bottom wall 313 and the top wall 312 are opposite to each other and spaced apart, the adsorption structure 33 extends along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall 313 and the top wall 312, and the adsorption structure 33 abuts against both the bottom wall 313 and the top wall 312.

[0040] Along the height direction of the housing 31, the top wall 312 and the bottom wall 313 of the housing are arranged opposite each other and spaced apart. The side wall 311 of the housing can be annular and is connected between the top wall 312 and the bottom wall 313. The adsorption structure 33 extends along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall 313 and the top wall 312 of the housing (i.e., the height direction of the housing 31). After the mixed gas enters the gas-liquid separator 30, it flows along the height direction of the housing 31. The mixed gas flows through the adsorption structure 33. Nitrogen is adsorbed by the adsorption structure 33, and hydrogen continues to flow upward until it is discharged from the gas-liquid separator 30, thereby achieving the separation of hydrogen and nitrogen. The adsorption structure 33 abuts against both the bottom wall 313 and the top wall 312 of the housing, which helps to increase the coverage area of ​​the adsorption structure 33, reduce the probability that the mixed gas is discharged from the gas-liquid separator 30 without being filtered by the adsorption structure 33, and effectively increase the concentration of hydrogen. Furthermore, the adsorption structure 33 abuts against the bottom wall 313 and the top wall 312 of the box, which helps to achieve the effect of fixing the adsorption structure 33.

[0041] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, the adsorption structure 33 includes: a first adsorbent 331 and a second adsorbent 332. The first adsorbent 331 and the second adsorbent 332 are connected and located between the second adsorbent 332 and the top wall 312 of the box. The cross-sectional dimension of the first adsorbent 331 is larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the second adsorbent 332. The second adsorbent 332 and the side wall 311 of the box are spaced apart to form an installation space 314. The baffle 32 is provided in the installation space 314.

[0042] The first adsorbent 331 and the second adsorbent 332 can be arranged sequentially along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall 313 and the top wall 312 of the housing. The first adsorbent 331 is located between the top wall 312 and the second adsorbent 332, and the second adsorbent 332 is located between the first adsorbent 331 and the bottom wall 313. The first adsorbent 331 abuts against the top wall 312, and the second adsorbent 332 abuts against the bottom wall 313. The first adsorbent 331 and the second adsorbent 332 can be constructed as an integral structure, connected together. The cross-sectional dimension of the first adsorbent 331 is larger than that of the second adsorbent 332, and the cross-sectional dimension of the first adsorbent 331 is larger than that of the exhaust port 3121. The first adsorbent 331 covers the exhaust port 3121. When the mixed gas enters the chamber 31, it first comes into contact with the second adsorbent 332. The second adsorbent 332 initially adsorbs nitrogen from the mixed gas, while the first adsorbent 331 further adsorbs the remaining nitrogen, thereby effectively improving the nitrogen adsorption efficiency of the adsorption structure 33 and enhancing the separation of nitrogen and hydrogen. The adsorption structure sidewall of the second adsorbent 332 is spaced apart from the chamber sidewall 311, forming an installation space 314 between the second adsorbent 332 and the chamber sidewall 311. A baffle 32 is disposed within the installation space 314 and fixed to the chamber sidewall 311. Water vapor can condense into liquid water on the baffle 32 and flow to the bottom of the chamber 31 under gravity.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, the adsorption structure sidewall of the first adsorbent 331 abuts against the box sidewall 311.

[0044] The adsorption structure sidewall of the first adsorbent 331 abuts and limits the box sidewall 311. The first adsorbent 331 can be snapped into the box 31, so that the first adsorbent 331 will not move along the height direction of the box 31, thereby achieving the effect of fixing the adsorbent structure 33 inside the box 31, and facilitating the disassembly and assembly of the adsorbent structure 33, so as to achieve the effect of periodically replacing the adsorbent structure 33.

[0045] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first adsorbent 331 has a first central axis extending along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall 313 and the top wall 312 of the box, and the second adsorbent 332 has a second central axis extending along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall 313 and the top wall 312 of the box, and the first central axis and the second central axis are collinear.

[0046] The first central axis extends along the height direction of the housing 31, and the second central axis extends along the height direction of the housing 31. The first central axis and the second central axis are collinear. The first adsorbent 331 and the second adsorbent 332 are coaxially arranged, so that the installation space 314 can be structurally uniform within the housing 31. This facilitates the placement of the baffle 32 within the installation space 314 and increases the contact area between the adsorption structure 33 and the gas, thereby improving the adsorption efficiency of the adsorption structure 33 in adsorbing nitrogen.

[0047] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first adsorbent 331 and the second adsorbent 332 are integrally formed.

[0048] The adsorption structure 33 needs to be replaced or cleaned periodically. The adsorption structure 33 can be detachably connected to the housing 31. When the side wall of the adsorption structure of the first adsorbent 331 abuts against the side wall 311 of the housing, the first adsorbent 331 is snapped into place with the housing 31. The first adsorbent 331 and the second adsorbent 332 are integrally formed. By fixing the first adsorbent 331, the second adsorbent 332 can be fixed simultaneously. Furthermore, by making the first adsorbent 331 and the second adsorbent 332 integrally formed, the gap between them can be reduced, which helps to ensure the adsorption capacity of the adsorption structure 33.

[0049] In some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, the baffle 32 is fixed to the side wall 311 of the box and spaced apart from the second adsorbent 332.

[0050] The baffle 32 can be fixed to the side wall 311 of the housing by means of snap-fit ​​or bolt connection. Water vapor can be condensed into liquid water in the installation space 314. When water vapor condenses into liquid water on the baffle 32 and flows towards the bottom of the housing 31, the condensate can flow from the gap between the baffle 32 and the second adsorbent 332 to the bottom of the housing 31, thereby achieving the effect of automatically collecting liquid water. The liquid water deposited at the bottom of the housing 31 can be discharged from the fuel cell system 1 through the drain flow path 41 by periodically opening the drain solenoid valve.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present invention, the baffle 32 extends obliquely toward the second adsorbent 332 from the top wall 312 of the box to the bottom wall 313 of the box.

[0052] The baffle 32 is fixedly connected to the side wall 311 of the box. Liquid water on the baffle 32 can fall through the gap between the baffle 32 and the second adsorbent 332. By setting the baffle 32 to extend obliquely towards the second adsorbent 332 from the top wall 312 to the bottom wall 313 of the box, the baffle 32 can play a guiding role, which can realize the effect of liquid water automatically falling to the bottom of the box 31 under the action of gravity, making the operation of collecting liquid water simple and improving the efficiency of collecting liquid water.

[0053] In some embodiments of the present invention, there are multiple baffles 32, which form a multi-layer baffle layer. The multi-layer baffle layer is arranged at intervals along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall 313 and the top wall 312 of the box. Each layer has multiple baffles 32. The multiple baffles 32 in each layer are arranged around the second adsorbent 332 along the circumference of the second adsorbent 332. Any two adjacent baffles 32 in each layer are spaced apart to form a flow gap between the two adjacent baffles 32.

[0054] There can be multiple baffles 32, which can be divided into multiple layers. These multiple layers can be arranged at intervals along the bottom wall 313 and top wall 312 of the housing, and the interval between any two adjacent layers can be equal. Each layer can have multiple baffles 32, and the number of baffles 32 in each layer can be the same. The multiple baffles 32 in each layer can be arranged around the second adsorbent 332 along its circumference, and each baffle 32 can be spaced apart from the second adsorbent 332. Any two adjacent baffles 32 in each layer can be spaced apart, and the interval between any two baffles 32 can be equal. A flow gap is formed between adjacent baffles 32, through which condensed liquid water in the installation space 314 can flow towards the bottom of the housing 31, and the mixed gas can flow through the flow gap in the installation space 314, allowing the mixed gas to flow towards the top wall 312 of the housing. By setting multiple baffles 32, it is beneficial to increase the condensation rate of water vapor and improve the working efficiency of the gas-liquid separation device 30.

[0055] In some embodiments of the present invention, the baffle 32 of the baffle layer and the flow gap of the adjacent baffle layer are opposite to each other along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall 313 and the top wall 312 of the box.

[0056] Along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall 313 and top wall 312 of the chamber, the baffles 32 of the baffle layer are staggered from those of the adjacent baffle layers, and the flow gaps between the baffles 32 and the adjacent baffle layers are arranged opposite each other. This reduces the flow rate of the mixed gas within the chamber 31, which helps to increase the contact time and heat exchange time between water vapor and the baffles 32, thereby improving the condensation efficiency of water vapor. It also helps to increase the contact time between nitrogen molecules and the adsorption structure 33, thereby improving the adsorption efficiency of nitrogen. Furthermore, the liquid water on the baffles 32 can flow through the corresponding flow gaps to the baffles 32 of the next baffle layer, thus buffering the falling liquid water and preventing it from directly impacting the bottom wall 313 of the chamber, which helps to extend the service life of the chamber 31.

[0057] In some embodiments of the present invention, the side wall 311 of the housing has a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to each other. The first side wall forms an air inlet 3111 and the second side wall forms a drain outlet 3112. Both the air inlet 3111 and the drain outlet 3112 are adjacent to the bottom wall 313 of the housing.

[0058] The side wall 311 of the housing may include a first side wall and a second side wall, which are arranged opposite to each other. An air inlet 3111 is formed on the first side wall, which can penetrate the first side wall along its thickness direction. A drain outlet 3112 is formed on the second side wall, which can penetrate the second side wall along its thickness direction. The air inlet 3111 and the drain outlet 3112 can be arranged opposite to each other. Gas can flow along the height direction of the housing 31 towards the top wall 312 of the housing. The air inlet 3111 can be adjacent to the bottom wall 313 of the housing. By setting the air inlet 3111 at the bottom of the side wall 311, the mixed gas can enter the housing 31 from the position of the side wall 311 near the bottom, which can effectively extend the upward flow path of the mixed gas and effectively increase the contact area between the mixed gas and the adsorption structure 33, thereby effectively improving the nitrogen adsorption rate and effectively improving the hydrogen concentration. The drain port 3112 can be adjacent to the bottom wall 313 of the tank. When water vapor condenses into liquid water, the liquid water flows downward due to gravity and settles at the bottom of the tank 31. The drain port 3112 located at the bottom of the tank 31 facilitates the discharge of liquid water.

[0059] In some embodiments of the present invention, the adsorption structure 33 is constructed as a molecular sieve.

[0060] Molecular sieves are artificially synthesized hydrated aluminosilicates (zeolites) or natural zeolites that have the function of filtering molecules. Molecular sieves have many channels with uniform pore size and neatly arranged pores. Molecular sieves with different pore sizes separate molecules of different sizes and shapes. Molecular sieves have the advantages of high adsorption capacity, strong selectivity, and high temperature resistance. Molecular sieves can be used to adsorb nitrogen gas. A gas-liquid separation device 30 equipped with molecular sieves can achieve the effect of adsorbing nitrogen gas, and the molecular sieves can be reused after cleaning, improving material utilization and greatly reducing material costs.

[0061] In some embodiments of the present invention, the fuel cell system 1 may further include: a drain valve 40, which is connected to a drain port 3112.

[0062] The fuel cell system 1 may also include a drain valve 40 (i.e., the drain solenoid valve in the above embodiment). The drain valve 40 can be installed on the drain flow path 41 and is connected to the drain port 3112. By controlling the opening and closing of the drain valve 40, the opening and closing of the drain port 3112 can be controlled. The drain valve 40 can be opened periodically to discharge the liquid water in the gas-liquid separator 30. The water vapor separated in the mixed gas condenses into liquid water and deposits at the bottom of the tank 31. When a certain amount of liquid water accumulates at the bottom of the tank 31, the drain valve 40 can be opened to allow the liquid water to flow out through the drain flow path 41.

[0063] A vehicle according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the fuel cell system 1 described in the above embodiments.

[0064] According to the embodiments of this application, the use of the fuel cell system 1 of the above embodiments in the vehicle is beneficial to improving the fuel utilization rate of the vehicle and can ensure that there is no hydrogen in the engine exhaust emissions, which is beneficial to improving the safety of the vehicle.

[0065] Other configurations and operations of the fuel cell system 1 according to embodiments of the present invention are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0066] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0067] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A fuel cell system, characterized in that, include: A fuel cell (10) having a hydrogen inlet (11), an air inlet (12), a hydrogen outlet (13), and an air outlet (14); Hydrogen supply path (20), which is connected to hydrogen inlet (11); A gas-liquid separation device (30) includes a housing (31), baffles (32), and an adsorption structure (33). The housing (31) has a side wall (311) and a top wall (312). The side wall (311) has an air inlet (3111) and a liquid outlet (3112). The top wall (312) has an exhaust outlet (3121). The air inlet (3111) and the hydrogen outlet (13) are connected. The exhaust port (3121) and the hydrogen supply path (20) are connected. The adsorption structure (33) is located inside the box (31) and is used to adsorb nitrogen. The adsorption structure (33) covers the exhaust port (3121). The baffle (32) is located inside the box (31) and is located between the adsorption structure sidewall of the adsorption structure (33) and the box sidewall (311). The baffle (32) is used to separate the liquid in the gas. The adsorption structure (33) includes: a first adsorbent (331) and a second adsorbent (332), the first adsorbent (331) and the second adsorbent (332) are connected and located between the second adsorbent (332) and the top wall (312) of the box, the cross-sectional dimension of the first adsorbent (331) is larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the second adsorbent (332), the second adsorbent (332) and the side wall (311) of the box are spaced apart to form an installation space (314), the baffle (32) is disposed in the installation space (314); the baffle (32) is fixed to the side wall (311) of the box and spaced apart from the second adsorbent (332); the adsorption structure (33) is constructed as a molecular sieve; the adsorption structure (33) is detachably connected to the box (31); From the top wall (312) to the bottom wall (313) of the box, the baffle (32) extends obliquely toward the second adsorbent (332); There are multiple baffles (32), and the multiple baffles (32) form a multi-layer baffle layer. The multi-layer baffle layer is arranged at intervals along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall (313) and the top wall (312) of the box. Each layer of the baffle layer has multiple baffles (32). The multiple baffles (32) of each layer are arranged around the second adsorbent (332) along the circumference of the second adsorbent (332). Any two adjacent baffles (32) in each layer are spaced apart to form a flow gap between the two adjacent baffles (32).

2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The box (31) has a bottom wall (313), the bottom wall (313) and the top wall (312) are opposite to each other and spaced apart, the adsorption structure (33) extends along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall (313) and the top wall (312), and the adsorption structure (33) abuts against both the bottom wall (313) and the top wall (312).

3. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adsorption structure sidewall of the first adsorbent (331) abuts against the sidewall (311) of the box.

4. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first adsorbent (331) has a first central axis extending along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall (313) and the top wall (312) of the box, and the second adsorbent (332) has a second central axis extending along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall (313) and the top wall (312) of the box, and the first central axis and the second central axis are collinear.

5. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first adsorbent (331) and the second adsorbent (332) are integrally formed.

6. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The baffles (32) of the baffle layer are opposite to the flow gaps of the adjacent baffle layers along the arrangement direction of the bottom wall (313) and the top wall (312) of the box.

7. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The side wall (311) of the box has a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to each other. The first side wall forms the air inlet (3111), and the second side wall forms the drain outlet (3112). Both the air inlet (3111) and the drain outlet (3112) are adjacent to the bottom wall (313) of the box.

8. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Also includes: A drain valve (40) is connected to the drain port (3112).

9. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the fuel cell system (1) according to any one of claims 1-8.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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