Water distributor and battery system for fuel cells

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology and discloses a water distributor and battery system for fuel cells. The water distributor for fuel cells includes a housing, a first baffle, a second baffle, and a third baffle. The housing has a water distribution chamber, an air inlet, and an air outlet. The first baffle is located between the air inlet and the air outlet, and the second baffle is located between the first baffle and the air outlet, dividing the water distribution chamber into a first sub-chamber, a second sub-chamber, and a third sub-chamber. The first baffle has a first connecting hole, and the second baffle has a second connecting hole. The third baffle is located in the second sub-chamber. The water vapor in the gas is condensed and separated sequentially by the first, second, and third baffles, improving the water-gas separation effect. The first and second baffles divide the water distribution chamber into the first, second, and third sub-chambers, and the gas needs to pass through the first and second baffles during its movement, ensuring sufficient contact between the gas and the first and second baffles, further improving the water-gas separation effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular to a water distributor and battery system for fuel cells. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen fuel cells use hydrogen as fuel, directly converting the chemical energy of the fuel into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction. The anode is where the hydrogen undergoes an oxidation reaction. Excessive water content at the anode is a major factor contributing to low fuel cell performance. The effectiveness of waste hydrogen separation at the anode outlet directly affects the performance of the fuel cell stack. Currently, a water separator is generally used to separate water and gas in the waste hydrogen, allowing as much hydrogen as possible to flow back to the hydrogen inlet of the fuel cell stack. However, water separators suffer from poor water-gas separation efficiency and high cost in related technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is that the existing water separators do not have a good water-air separation effect.

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the present invention provides a water distributor for a fuel cell, comprising:

[0005] The housing has a water distribution chamber, an air inlet and an air outlet, the air inlet and the air outlet are spaced apart, and both the air inlet and the air outlet are connected to the water distribution chamber;

[0006] The first baffle is disposed in the water distribution chamber and located between the air inlet and the air outlet;

[0007] The second baffle is disposed within the water distribution chamber and located between the first baffle and the air outlet.

[0008] The first baffle and the second baffle divide the water distribution chamber into a first sub-chamber, a second sub-chamber and a third sub-chamber. The first sub-chamber is connected to the air inlet. The second sub-chamber is located between the first sub-chamber and the third sub-chamber. The third sub-chamber is connected to the air outlet. The first baffle is provided with at least one first connecting hole, and the second baffle is provided with at least one second connecting hole.

[0009] A third baffle is disposed inside the second sub-cavity, and the third baffle forms an angle with the first baffle.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the housing is configured to have an air outlet, the air outlet is located on the air outlet, and the air outlet passes through the first baffle and the second baffle.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second baffle is flared, and the third baffle is connected to the peripheral wall of the second baffle.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the first end of the second baffle is smaller than the diameter of its second end, the first end of the second baffle is closer to the first baffle than its second end, and the air outlet pipe passes through the first end of the second baffle.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the air outlet pipe passes through the first sub-cavity, and the air inlet is located on the peripheral wall of the housing and is opposite to the peripheral wall of the air outlet pipe.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first baffle, the second baffle, and the third baffle are an integral structure.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the housing is configured to form an air inlet pipe, the air inlet is located on the air inlet pipe, and the extension direction of the air inlet pipe is perpendicular to the radial direction of the first sub-cavity.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the housing is further provided with a water collection cavity, which is located below the water distribution cavity and communicates with the water distribution cavity.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one splash guard is provided in the water collection cavity, and the splash guard extends in a vertical direction.

[0018] The present invention also provides a battery system including a fuel cell and a water distributor for the fuel cell as described above, wherein the air inlet of the water distributor for the fuel cell is connected to the hydrogen outlet of the fuel cell.

[0019] The water separator for fuel cells in this invention sequentially separates water vapor in the gas using a first baffle, a second baffle, and a third baffle. This multiple separation of water vapor within a limited space improves the water vapor separation efficiency. Furthermore, the first and second baffles divide the water separation chamber into a first sub-chamber, a second sub-chamber, and a third sub-chamber, ensuring that the gas passes through both baffles during movement. This allows for sufficient contact between the gas and the surfaces of the first and second baffles, further enhancing the water vapor separation effect. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a water distributor for a fuel cell provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is one of the cross-sectional views of a water distributor for a fuel cell provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of a water distributor for a fuel cell provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the gas flow direction inside the water distributor for a fuel cell provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a second cross-sectional view of a water distributor for a fuel cell provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure label:

[0026] 100. Water distributor for fuel cells;

[0027] 110. Shell; 1101. First half-shell; 1102. Second half-shell; 111. First sub-cavity; 112. Second sub-cavity; 113. Third sub-cavity; 114. Air inlet pipe; 115. Air inlet; 116. Air outlet pipe; 117. Air outlet; 118. Water collection chamber;

[0028] 120. First baffle; 121. First connecting hole;

[0029] 130. Second baffle; 131. Second connecting hole; 132. Return angle; 133. Flanged edge; 140. Third baffle; 141. Splash baffle. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0031] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0032] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0033] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present 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. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, a water distributor 100 for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 110, a first baffle 120, a second baffle 130 and a third baffle 140.

[0035] Specifically, the housing 110 is provided with a water distribution chamber, an air inlet 115, and an air outlet 117. The air inlet 115 and the air outlet 117 are spaced apart and are both connected to the water distribution chamber. A first baffle 120 is disposed in the water distribution chamber and is located between the air inlet 115 and the air outlet 117. A second baffle 130 is disposed in the water distribution chamber and is located between the first baffle 120 and the air outlet 117. The first baffle 120 and the second baffle 130 divide the water distribution chamber into a first sub-chamber 111, a second sub-chamber 112, and a third sub-chamber 113. The first sub-chamber 111 is connected to the air inlet 115, the second sub-chamber 112 is located between the first sub-chamber 111 and the third sub-chamber 113, and the third sub-chamber 113 is connected to the air outlet 117. The first baffle 120 is provided with at least one first connecting hole 121 to connect the first sub-cavity 111 and the second sub-cavity 112. The second baffle 130 is provided with at least one second connecting hole 131 to connect the second sub-cavity 112 and the third sub-cavity 113. Gas enters the first sub-cavity 111 from the air inlet 115 and enters the second sub-cavity 112 through the first connecting hole 121 on the first baffle 120. Gas in the second sub-cavity 112 enters the third sub-cavity 113 through the second connecting hole 131 on the second baffle 130 and finally flows out from the air outlet 117.

[0036] The third baffle 140 is disposed within the second sub-cavity 112, and the third baffle 140 forms an angle with the first baffle 120, such as Figure 2 As shown, the third baffle 140 is located between the first baffle 120 and the second baffle 130. The third baffle 140 is not parallel to the first baffle 120, in order to maximize the area of ​​the third baffle 140 within the limited space of the second sub-cavity 112 and increase the water vapor condensation rate. Figure 2In the example, the third baffle 140 is set perpendicular to the first baffle 120. There can be multiple third baffles 140, which are set at intervals.

[0037] Gas enters the first sub-cavity 111 through the inlet 115 and flows toward the outlet 117. When the gas flows from the first sub-cavity 111 to the second sub-cavity 112, it impacts the first baffle 120, causing water vapor in the gas to condense on the first baffle 120. The gas then flows into the second sub-cavity 112 through the first connecting hole 121. Inside the second sub-cavity 112, the gas comes into contact with the third baffle 140, and water vapor condenses on the third baffle 140. The gas in the second sub-cavity 112 continues to flow toward the outlet 117, where it impacts the second baffle 130, causing further condensation of water vapor. The gas then flows into the third sub-cavity 113 through the second connecting hole 131 on the second baffle 130. Finally, the gas flows out of the water distribution chamber from the outlet 117.

[0038] In this way, as the gas flows from the inlet 115 to the outlet 117, it impacts the first baffle 120, causing initial condensation of the water vapor. In the second sub-cavity 112, the gas contacts the third baffle 140, further condensing the water vapor. Finally, the gas impacts the second baffle 130, causing any remaining water vapor to condense. The gas undergoes water-gas separation through three baffles within the water-separating chamber, improving the separation efficiency. Furthermore, due to the placement of the first baffle 120 and the second baffle 130, the gas flowing from the inlet 115 to the outlet 117 must pass through both baffles, ensuring sufficient contact between the gas and the surfaces of the baffles, further enhancing the condensation effect.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the water separator 100 for a fuel cell sequentially separates water vapor in the gas through a first baffle 120, a second baffle 130, and a third baffle 140. This multiple separation of water vapor within a limited space improves the water vapor separation efficiency. Furthermore, the first baffle 120 and the second baffle 130 divide the water separation chamber into a first sub-chamber 111, a second sub-chamber 112, and a third sub-chamber 113, ensuring that the gas passes through the first baffle 120 and the second baffle 130 during its movement. This allows for sufficient contact between the gas and the surfaces of the first baffle 120 and the second baffle 130, further enhancing the water vapor separation effect.

[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the housing 110 is configured with an outlet pipe 116, an outlet 117 is located on the outlet pipe 116, the outlet pipe 116 passes through the first baffle 120 and the second baffle 130, the first end of the outlet pipe 116 is located in the third sub-cavity 113, the outlet 117 is located at the first end of the outlet pipe 116, and the second end of the outlet pipe 116 is located outside the housing 110, so as to lengthen the gas flow path, and water vapor can be further condensed in the outlet pipe 116, thereby reducing the water vapor content in the gas output by the water separator 100 for the fuel cell.

[0041] See Figure 2 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the second baffle 130 is funnel-shaped to increase the contact area between the second baffle 130 and the gas, thereby improving the water separation efficiency. The third baffle 140 is connected to the peripheral wall of the second baffle 130; specifically, the side of the third baffle 140 is connected to the peripheral wall of the second baffle 130. Thus, by setting the second baffle 130 as a funnel shape with a spatial structure and setting the third baffle 140 at an angle to the first baffle 120, the space of the water separation chamber is fully utilized, the water separation efficiency is improved, and the miniaturization design of the water separator 100 for fuel cells is facilitated. Multiple third baffles 140 can be provided, with the multiple third baffles 140 spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the second baffle 130, thereby increasing the contact area between the third baffle 140 and the gas.

[0042] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the diameter of the first end of the second baffle 130 is smaller than the diameter of its second end, the first end of the second baffle 130 is closer to the first baffle 120 relative to its second end, and the air outlet pipe 116 passes through the first end of the second baffle 130. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the second baffle 130, which is horn-shaped, has its opening facing downwards, and the air outlet pipe 116 runs from top to bottom (as shown). Figure 2 The direction shown in the diagram) passes through the second baffle 130. Thus, a backflow angle 132 is formed between the inner peripheral wall of the second baffle 130 and the peripheral wall of the outlet pipe 116. When the gas flows from the third sub-cavity 113 to the outlet 117 located on the outlet pipe 116, part of the gas flows towards the backflow angle 132 and then flows to the outlet 117, causing the water vapor in the gas to further condense and separate.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the exhaust pipe 116 passes through the first sub-cavity 111, and the air inlet 115 is located on the peripheral wall of the housing 110 and is opposite to the peripheral wall of the exhaust pipe 116, which is conducive to water vapor separation. When the gas enters the first sub-cavity 111 from the air inlet 115, it comes into contact with the exhaust pipe 116, causing the water vapor in it to condense on the pipe wall of the exhaust pipe 116.

[0044] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first baffle 120, the second baffle 130, and the third baffle 140 are integral structures to save processes, reduce costs, and facilitate installation and replacement. The first baffle 120, the second baffle 130, and the third baffle 140 can be integrally die-cast or integrally cast.

[0045] like Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the housing 110 is configured with an air inlet pipe 114, and an air inlet 115 is located on the air inlet pipe 114. The extension direction of the air inlet pipe 114 is perpendicular to the radial direction of the first sub-cavity 111. One end of the air inlet pipe 114 is connected to the peripheral wall of the housing 110, and the air inlet 115 is located at the connection between the air inlet pipe 114 and the housing 110. The air inlet pipe 114 extends outward from the housing 110 along a radial direction perpendicular to the first sub-cavity 111. This reduces the velocity loss of the input gas. When the gas enters the first sub-cavity 111 from the air inlet pipe 114, it has a high tangential velocity. Under the action of centrifugal force, larger droplets in the gas are separated. After the gas passes through the first baffle 120 and enters the second sub-cavity 112, it still has a certain tangential velocity. The gas in the second sub-cavity 112 impacts the third baffle 140, causing the water vapor in it to condense rapidly, thereby increasing the water separation rate.

[0046] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the housing 110 is generally cylindrical. A first baffle 120 and a second baffle 130 are spaced apart from top to bottom, dividing the water distribution chamber into a first sub-cavity 111, a second sub-cavity 112, and a third sub-cavity 113. The axis of the exhaust pipe 116 is collinear with the axis of the housing 110. The exhaust pipe 116 passes through the top wall of the housing 110, the first baffle 120, and the second baffle 130 from top to bottom. The first end of the exhaust pipe 116 is located inside the third sub-cavity 113, and the second end is located outside the housing 110. Since the extension direction of the intake pipe 114 is perpendicular to the radial direction of the first sub-cavity 111, the gas enters the first sub-cavity 111 from the intake pipe 114 and rotates around the exhaust pipe 116. Larger droplets in the gas are separated and adhere to the inner wall of the housing 110.

[0047] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the housing 110 is further provided with a water collecting cavity 118, which is located below and communicates with the water distributing cavity to collect the separated water. Figure 2As shown, the water collection chamber 118 is located below the third sub-chamber 113. Liquid water adhering to the inner wall of the housing 110, the first baffle 120, the second baffle 130, the third baffle 140, and the vent pipe 116 falls into the water collection chamber 118. In some embodiments, the first end of the vent pipe 116 is located inside the flared second baffle 130, which defines the third sub-chamber 113, so that the vent 117 is far away from the water collection chamber 118. This prevents the negative pressure formed when gas flows out of the vent 117 from splashing water in the water collection chamber 118 and being sucked into the vent pipe 116, thus increasing the water content in the output gas.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, at least one splash guard 141 is provided in the water collecting cavity 118. The splash guard 141 extends vertically and is connected to the inner wall of the housing 110. On the one hand, it reduces the amplitude of water oscillation during movement in the water collecting cavity 118; on the other hand, it prevents gas from impacting the water in the water collecting cavity 118 and prevents water from splashing up under negative pressure and being sucked into the air outlet 116. Figure 2 As shown, the housing 110 includes a first half-shell 1101 and a second half-shell 1102. A water distribution chamber is located in the first half-shell 1101. An air inlet pipe 114 and an air outlet pipe 116 are constructed on the first half-shell 1101. A water collection chamber 118 is located in the second half-shell 1102. The first half-shell 1101 and the second half-shell 1102 are detachably connected, and a sealing element is provided at the connection between the first half-shell 1101 and the second half-shell 1102. The edge of the second baffle 130 is provided with a flange 133, which is clamped at the connection between the first half-shell 1101 and the second half-shell 1102 for fixation. When the first baffle 120, the second baffle 130, and the third baffle 140 are integrated, the first baffle 120, the second baffle 130, and the third baffle 140 can be fixed by the flange 133 on the second baffle 130 in conjunction with the air outlet pipe 116, which simplifies the internal structure of the water distributor 100 used in fuel cells and makes installation and disassembly convenient.

[0049] A battery system according to the present invention includes a fuel cell and a water separator 100 for the fuel cell as described above. The air inlet 115 of the water separator 100 is connected to the hydrogen outlet of the fuel cell to separate water and gas from waste hydrogen, allowing more hydrogen to be recovered and reused. The battery system also includes a circulation pipeline, one end of which is connected to the air outlet 117 of the water separator 100 and the other end of which is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the fuel cell to transport the water-separated hydrogen to the anode of the fuel cell for utilization.

[0050] The working process of this invention is as follows:

[0051] like Figure 4As shown in the diagram, the arrows indicate the direction of gas flow. Gas with a high water content enters the first sub-cavity 111 from the inlet pipe 114 through the inlet port 115. The gas rotates around the outlet pipe 116, and larger droplets in the gas are separated by centrifugal force. Some of the gas contacts the outer wall of the outlet pipe 116, causing water vapor to condense on its surface. The gas in the first sub-cavity 111 flows towards the outlet port 117 and impacts the first baffle 120, where water vapor condenses. The gas in the first sub-cavity 111 flows into the second sub-cavity 112 through the first connecting hole 121 on the first baffle 120. Because the gas still has a certain tangential velocity, it flows around the outlet pipe 116 in the second sub-cavity 112. Since the third baffle 140 is set at an angle to the first baffle 120, the gas impacts the third baffle 140 during its movement, causing the remaining water vapor to condense on its surface.

[0052] As the gas in the second sub-cavity 112 flows towards the outlet 117, it impacts the second baffle 130, causing any remaining water vapor in the gas to condense on the second baffle 130. The gas then flows into the third sub-cavity 113 through the second connecting hole 131 on the second baffle 130, and is subsequently output through the outlet 117 and the outlet pipe 116. In the third sub-cavity 113, as the gas flows into the outlet pipe 116, a portion of the gas flows towards the backflow angle 132 formed between the outlet pipe 116 and the second baffle 130, which promotes the condensation of any remaining water vapor in that portion of the gas, further reducing the water vapor content in the output gas. The liquid water separated in the water separation chamber flows into the water collection chamber 118 under the influence of gravity for collection.

[0053] In summary, the embodiments of the present invention provide a water distributor 100 for fuel cells, which has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0054] 1. The water-gas separation effect is improved by setting the first baffle, the second baffle 130 and the third baffle 140, which is beneficial to the miniaturization design of the water separator 100 used in fuel cells.

[0055] 2. The water distributor 100 used in fuel cells has a simple internal structure and low production cost;

[0056] 3. The arrangement of the air inlet pipe 114 allows the input gas to have a large tangential velocity, which is beneficial for the initial separation of liquid droplets in the gas and keeps the gas at a tangential velocity to collide with the third baffle 140, thereby improving the water-gas separation effect.

[0057] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only for illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. It should be pointed out that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and substitutions without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and substitutions should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water distributor (100) for a fuel cell, characterized in that, include: The housing (110) is provided with a water distribution chamber, an air inlet (115) and an air outlet (117). The air inlet (115) and the air outlet (117) are spaced apart and are connected to the water distribution chamber. The first baffle (120) is disposed in the water distribution chamber and is located between the air inlet (115) and the air outlet (117); The second baffle (130) is disposed within the water distribution chamber and is located between the first baffle (120) and the air outlet (117). The first baffle (120) and the second baffle (130) divide the water distribution chamber into a first sub-chamber (111), a second sub-chamber (112), and a third sub-chamber (113). The first sub-chamber (111) is connected to the air inlet (115). The second sub-chamber (112) is located between the first sub-chamber (111) and the third sub-chamber (113). The third sub-chamber (113) is connected to the air outlet (117). The first baffle (120) is provided with at least one first connecting hole (121), and the second baffle (130) is provided with at least one second connecting hole (131). A third baffle (140) is disposed in the second sub-cavity (112), and the third baffle (140) forms an angle with the first baffle (120); The housing (110) forms an air outlet (116), the air outlet (117) is located on the air outlet (116), and the air outlet (116) passes through the first baffle (120) and the second baffle (130). The second baffle (130) is flared, and the third baffle (140) is connected to the peripheral wall of the second baffle (130); The diameter of the first end of the second baffle (130) is smaller than the diameter of its second end, and the first end of the second baffle (130) is closer to the first baffle (120) than its second end. The air outlet pipe (116) passes through the first end of the second baffle (130). The air outlet (116) passes through the first sub-cavity (111), and the air inlet (115) is located on the peripheral wall of the housing (110) and is opposite to the peripheral wall of the air outlet (116).

2. The water distributor (100) for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first baffle (120), the second baffle (130) and the third baffle (140) are an integral structure.

3. The water distributor (100) for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (110) forms an air intake pipe (114), and the air inlet (115) is located on the air intake pipe (114). The extension direction of the air intake pipe (114) is perpendicular to the radial direction of the first sub-cavity (111).

4. The water distributor (100) for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (110) is also provided with a water collection cavity (118), which is located below the water distribution cavity and communicates with the water distribution cavity.

5. The water distributor (100) for a fuel cell according to claim 4, characterized in that, The water collection cavity (118) is provided with at least one splash guard (141), which extends in the vertical direction.

6. A battery system, characterized in that, The invention includes a fuel cell and a water distributor (100) for the fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the air inlet (115) of the water distributor (100) for the fuel cell is connected to the hydrogen outlet of the fuel cell.

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