Gas-liquid separator and fuel cell system

Abstract

The invention relates to a gas-liquid separator and a fuel cell system. The gas-liquid separator includes: a first pipe member; a second pipe member configured to communicate with the first pipe member and connected to an upper end of the first pipe member based on a gravity direction; and a gas-liquid separation member provided in the first pipe member and the second pipe member such that droplets contained in the air moving upward along the first pipe member and the second pipe member come into contact with the gas-liquid separation member, thereby advantageously and effectively capturing the droplets from the air discharged from the fuel cell stack.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0041283, filed on March 26, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a gas-liquid separator and a fuel cell system, and more particularly, to a gas-liquid separator and a fuel cell system capable of effectively capturing liquid droplets from air exhausted from a fuel cell stack. Background Art

[0004] A fuel cell vehicle (eg, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle) is configured to autonomously generate electricity through a chemical reaction between fuel (hydrogen) and air (oxygen), and travel by operating a motor.

[0005] Generally speaking, a fuel cell vehicle may include: a fuel cell stack configured to generate electricity through an oxidation-reduction reaction between hydrogen and oxygen; a fuel supply device configured to supply fuel (hydrogen) to the fuel cell stack; an air supply device configured to supply air (oxygen) as an oxidant required for the electrochemical reaction to the fuel cell stack; and a thermal management system (TMS) configured to discharge heat generated by the fuel cell stack and the vehicle's power electronic components to the outside of the system and to control the temperature of the fuel cell stack and the power electronic components.

[0006] In addition, exhaust water (condensed water) and exhaust gas (eg, air) generated during the operation of the fuel cell stack may be discharged to the outside through the exhaust pipe.

[0007] The air exhausted during fuel cell stack operation may contain liquid droplets. When the air containing liquid droplets is exhausted toward surrounding pedestrians or peripheral devices, the air containing liquid droplets may cause discomfort to the surrounding pedestrians or cause corrosion to the peripheral devices.

[0008] Furthermore, when air containing liquid droplets is discharged onto the ground (e.g., a road or the ground of an indoor workplace), the ground may be contaminated, and the risk of various types of accidents (e.g., slip and fall accidents, electric shock accidents, etc.) caused by liquid droplets on the ground may increase. Therefore, it is necessary to remove liquid droplets contained in the air discharged during fuel cell stack operation as much as possible.

[0009] Therefore, various types of research have recently been conducted for effectively removing liquid droplets from the air exhausted during fuel cell stack operation, but the research results are still insufficient. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a technology for effectively removing liquid droplets from the air exhausted during fuel cell stack operation. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present disclosure is directed to providing a gas-liquid separator and a fuel cell system capable of effectively capturing liquid droplets contained in air exhausted from a fuel cell stack.

[0011] The present disclosure also aims to ensure the performance of capturing liquid droplets contained in the air exhausted from the fuel cell stack and simplify the exhaust route of the air.

[0012] The present disclosure also aims to simplify the structure, contribute to miniaturization of the fuel cell system, and improve design freedom and space utilization.

[0013] The objectives to be achieved by the embodiments are not limited to the above objectives, but also include objectives or effects that can be understood from the schemes or embodiments described below.

[0014] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a gas-liquid separator, which includes: a first tube member; a second tube member, which is configured to communicate with the first tube member and is connected to the upper end of the first tube member based on the gravity direction; and a gas-liquid separation member, which is arranged in the first tube member and the second tube member, so that the liquid droplets contained in the air moving upward along the first tube member and the second tube member contact the gas-liquid separation member.

[0015] The gas-liquid separator can effectively capture liquid droplets contained in the air exhausted from the fuel cell stack.

[0016] In other words, the air discharged during the operation of the fuel cell stack may contain liquid droplets. When the air containing liquid droplets is discharged to the surrounding pedestrians or peripheral devices, the air containing liquid droplets may make the surrounding pedestrians uncomfortable or corrode the peripheral devices. In addition, when the air containing liquid droplets is discharged to the ground (for example, the ground of the road or the indoor workplace), the ground may be contaminated, and the risk of various types of accidents caused by liquid droplets on the ground (for example, slip accidents, electric shock accidents, etc.) may increase. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the liquid droplets contained in the air discharged during the operation of the fuel cell stack as much as possible.

[0017] In contrast, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the air discharged along the first and second pipe members passes through the gas-liquid separation member, minimizing the amount of liquid droplets contained in the air to be discharged to the outside. Therefore, the risk of pollution and accidents caused by the discharge of liquid droplets can be advantageously reduced.

[0018] Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, liquid droplets contained in the air exhausted from the fuel cell stack are stored in a storage component (e.g., a water trap) rather than being directly discharged to the outside. Liquid droplets are then discharged only at predetermined, specific locations. This advantageously prevents contamination caused by liquid droplets and reduces the risk of accidents (e.g., slip and fall accidents, electric shock accidents, etc.).

[0019] Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, air discharged along the first and second pipe members passes through the gas-liquid separation member, effectively capturing liquid droplets contained in the air discharged from the fuel cell stack and efficiently discharging the air without using a water trap. This advantageously simplifies the air discharge route, contributing to the miniaturization of the fuel cell system and improving design freedom and space utilization.

[0020] The gas-liquid separation member may have various structures capable of capturing liquid droplets contained in the air. For example, a mesh member having a plurality of meshes may be used as the gas-liquid separation member.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gas-liquid separation member may be disposed spaced apart from the inner surface of the first tube member and the inner surface of the second tube member. A falling flow path may be defined between the first tube member, the second tube member, and the gas-liquid separation member. Liquid droplets separated from the air by the gas-liquid separation member may fall through the falling flow path.

[0022] As described above, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the gas-liquid separation member is spaced apart from the inner surface of the first tube member and the inner surface of the second tube member. A falling flow path is defined between the first tube member, the second tube member, and the gas-liquid separation member, so that liquid droplets contained in the air can be captured by contact with the gas-liquid separation member as the air moves along the first and second tube members. The air, from which the liquid droplets have been separated, can move upward (toward the outlet of the second tube member) along the internal space of the gas-liquid separation member.

[0023] Furthermore, the liquid droplets captured by the inner surface of the first pipe member, the inner surface of the second pipe member, and the gas-liquid separation member aggregate, so that the weight of the liquid droplets can be increased. As the size (weight) of the liquid droplets increases, the gravitational force exerted by the weight becomes greater than the resistance, so that the liquid droplets can more easily fall in the downward direction (the direction opposite to the direction toward the outlet) along the falling flow path.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first tube member may be provided to have a first diameter, and the second tube member may be provided to have a second diameter greater than the first diameter.

[0025] In the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure, the diameter of the second pipe member, disposed downstream of the first pipe member, is larger than that of the first pipe member. Therefore, based on Bernoulli's principle, the flow rate (pressure drop) of air passing through the second pipe member can be reduced. Consequently, the likelihood of liquid droplets being discharged (or moving upward) in the second pipe member can be further reduced.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gas-liquid separator may include an exhaust duct connected to an upper end of the second pipe member and configured to discharge air to the outside.

[0027] The exhaust duct may have various structures capable of discharging the air moving along the second pipe member to the outside.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the exhaust duct may include: a duct housing connected to an upper end of a second pipe member, and a volume of the duct housing is larger than a volume of the second pipe member; and a discharge port provided in the duct housing and configured to discharge air to the outside of the duct housing.

[0029] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above, the volume of the duct housing is greater than the volume of the second pipe member. Therefore, based on the Bernoulli principle, the flow rate of the air discharged through the second pipe member can be reduced. Therefore, droplets contained in the air can be advantageously and more effectively captured on the inner surface of the duct housing.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second pipe member may be connected to one end of the duct housing. A discharge port may be provided at the other end of the duct housing and spaced apart from the outlet of the second pipe member. A horizontal flow path may be defined between the outlet of the second pipe member and the discharge port, through which air moves horizontally.

[0031] According to the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, the second pipe member is connected to one end of the duct housing, and the discharge port is provided at the other end of the duct housing. This allows the air's path through the duct housing to be further extended (increasing the contact area with liquid droplets). Consequently, the duct housing can advantageously improve the efficiency of capturing liquid droplets.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the discharge port may be configured to discharge air to the outside in a gravity direction.

[0033] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above, the discharge port discharges air in the direction of gravity, so that the air moving along the horizontal flow path in the duct housing can collide (contact) with the inner surface of the duct housing again and then be discharged through the discharge port. Therefore, the duct housing can further improve the capture efficiency of droplets.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gas-liquid separator may include a liquid droplet capturing member provided on an inner surface of the duct housing and configured to capture liquid droplets contained in the air discharged from the second pipe member.

[0035] According to the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, the droplet capturing member is provided on the inner surface of the duct housing, so that the contact area with the droplets can be further increased, thereby advantageously further improving the droplet capturing efficiency.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gas-liquid separator may include an inclined guide portion provided on a bottom portion of the duct housing and configured to guide liquid droplets captured in the duct housing to the second pipe member.

[0037] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above, the inclined guide portion is provided on the bottom of the duct housing so that droplets captured in the duct housing can naturally flow downward along the inclined guide portion and then be introduced into the second pipe member without stagnating in the duct housing.

[0038] In addition, the droplets introduced into the second pipe member along the inclined guide portion can be aggregated with other droplets in the second pipe member (or the first pipe member) to form droplets of large size. Therefore, the capture and discharge efficiency of the droplets can be further improved.

[0039] Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fuel cell system, which includes: a first fuel cell stack; a second fuel cell stack stacked on the first fuel cell stack; a first pipe member connected to the first fuel cell stack and configured to guide air discharged from the first fuel cell stack; a second pipe member connected to the second fuel cell stack and configured to communicate with the first pipe member, the second pipe member being connected to the upper end of the first pipe member based on the gravity direction and configured to guide air discharged from the second fuel cell stack; and a gas-liquid separation member arranged in the first pipe member and the second pipe member so that liquid droplets contained in the air moving upward along the first pipe member and the second pipe member contact the gas-liquid separation member.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gas-liquid separation member may be disposed spaced apart from the inner surface of the first tube member and the inner surface of the second tube member. A falling flow path may be defined between the first tube member, the second tube member, and the gas-liquid separation member. Liquid droplets separated from the air by the gas-liquid separation member may fall through the falling flow path.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first tube member may be provided to have a first diameter, and the second tube member may be provided to have a second diameter greater than the first diameter.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a fuel cell system may include an exhaust duct connected to an upper end of the second pipe member and configured to discharge air to the outside.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the exhaust duct may include: a duct housing connected to an upper end of the second pipe member, and the duct housing has a volume greater than that of the second pipe member; and a discharge port provided in the duct housing and configured to discharge air to the outside.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second pipe member may be connected to one end of the duct housing. A discharge port may be provided at the other end of the duct housing and spaced apart from the outlet of the second pipe member. A horizontal flow path may be defined between the outlet of the second pipe member and the discharge port, through which air moves horizontally.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a fuel cell system may include a liquid droplet catching member provided on an inner surface of a duct housing and configured to catch liquid droplets contained in air discharged from a second pipe member.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a fuel cell system may include an inclined guide portion provided on a bottom portion of the duct housing and configured to guide liquid droplets captured in the duct housing to the second pipe member.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a fuel cell system may include a housing provided to surround peripheries of a first fuel cell stack and a second fuel cell stack.

[0048] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first pipe member, the second pipe member, and the exhaust duct may be provided in the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Figure 1 is a diagram of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 2 is a view of a gas-liquid separator of a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 3 2 is a view of a pipe member and a gas-liquid separation member of a gas-liquid separator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the flow of air and liquid droplets in a gas-liquid separator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] Description of Reference Numerals

[0054] 10: Fuel cell system 20: First fuel cell stack

[0055] 30: Second fuel cell stack 40: Housing

[0056] 100: Gas-liquid separator 110: First pipe member

[0057] 120: Second pipe member 130: Gas-liquid separation member

[0058] 140: Downward flow path 150: Exhaust duct

[0059] 152: Pipe shell 152a: Horizontal movement flow path

[0060] 154: discharge port 160: droplet catching member

[0061] 170: Inclined guide 180: Water trap DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0063] However, the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but can be implemented in various forms. Within the scope of the technical spirit of the present disclosure, one or more of the constituent elements in the embodiments can be selectively combined and replaced for use.

[0064] In addition, unless otherwise specifically and clearly defined and explained, the terms (including technical terms and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be interpreted as the meanings that may be generally understood by ordinary technicians in the field to which the present disclosure belongs. The meanings of commonly used terms such as terms defined in dictionaries may be interpreted in consideration of the contextual meaning of the relevant technology.

[0065] In addition, the terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are for explaining the embodiments rather than for limiting the present disclosure.

[0066] In this specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, a singular form may also include a plural form. The expression "at least one (or one or more) of A, B, and C" may include one or more of all combinations that can be formed by combining A, B, and C.

[0067] In addition, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used to describe constituent elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0068] These terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one constituent element from another constituent element, and the nature, sequence or order of the constituent elements is not limited by these terms.

[0069] In addition, when a constituent element is described as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “attached” to another constituent element, the constituent element may be directly connected, coupled, or attached to the other constituent element, or connected, coupled, or attached to the other constituent element through another constituent element between the two constituent elements.

[0070] In addition, the expression "one component is disposed or arranged above (upper) or below (lower) another component" includes not only a case where two components are in direct contact with each other, but also a case where one or more other components are disposed or arranged between the two components. The expression "above (upper) or below (lower)" may refer to not only an upward direction based on one component, but also a downward direction based on one component.

[0071] Reference Figures 1 to 4 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gas-liquid separator 100 includes: a first pipe member 110; a second pipe member 120, which is configured to communicate with the first pipe member 110 and is connected to the upper end of the first pipe member 110 based on the gravity direction; and a gas-liquid separation member 130, which is arranged in the first pipe member 110 and the second pipe member 120, so that liquid droplets contained in the air moving upward along the first pipe member 110 and the second pipe member 120 can contact the gas-liquid separation member 130.

[0072] For reference, the gas-liquid separator 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be used to capture liquid droplets from air exhausted from a fuel cell stack. The present disclosure is not limited or constrained by the type and characteristics of an object to which a fuel cell stack is applied.

[0073] Hereinafter, an example is described in which the gas-liquid separator 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to the fuel cell system 10 applied to a mobile vehicle such as an automobile, a ship, and an airplane.

[0074] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fuel cell system 10 includes: a first fuel cell stack 20; a second fuel cell stack 30, stacked on the first fuel cell stack 20; a first pipe member 110, connected to the first fuel cell stack 20 and configured to guide air discharged from the first fuel cell stack 20; a second pipe member 120, connected to the second fuel cell stack 30 and configured to communicate with the first pipe member 110, the second pipe member 120 being connected to the upper end of the first pipe member 110 based on the gravity direction and configured to guide air discharged from the second fuel cell stack 30; and a gas-liquid separation member 130, arranged in the first pipe member 110 and the second pipe member 120, so that droplets contained in the air moving upward along the first pipe member 110 and the second pipe member 120 can contact the gas-liquid separation member 130.

[0075] The fuel cell system 10 may include a plurality of fuel cell stacks stacked in the direction of gravity (upward / downward direction). The present disclosure is not limited or restricted by the number of fuel cell stacks.

[0076] Hereinafter, an example is described in which the fuel cell system 10 includes the first fuel cell stack 20 and the second fuel cell stack 30 stacked in the gravity direction. For example, the second fuel cell stack 30 may be stacked on an upper portion of the first fuel cell stack 20.

[0077] The first fuel cell stack 20 and the second fuel cell stack 30 each refer to a power generation device that generates electrical energy through a chemical reaction of fuel (eg, hydrogen), and each fuel cell stack may be configured by stacking tens or hundreds of fuel cells (unit cells) in series.

[0078] The fuel cell may have various structures capable of generating electricity through an oxidation-reduction reaction between a fuel (eg, hydrogen) and an oxidant (eg, air).

[0079] For example, a fuel cell may include: a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) (not shown) having a catalyst electrode layer in which an electrochemical reaction occurs, the catalyst electrode layer being attached to two opposite sides of an electrolyte membrane through which hydrogen ions move; a gas diffusion layer (GDL) (not shown) configured to uniformly distribute the reaction gas and transmit the generated electrical energy; gaskets (not shown) and fasteners (not shown) configured to maintain a leak-proof seal for the reaction gas and coolant and maintain appropriate fastening pressure; and separators (bipolar plates) (not shown) configured to move the reaction gas and coolant.

[0080] More specifically, in a fuel cell, hydrogen as fuel and air (oxygen) as oxidant are supplied to the anode and cathode of a membrane electrode assembly through flow paths in a separator, respectively, so that hydrogen is supplied to the anode and air is supplied to the cathode.

[0081] The hydrogen supplied to the anode is decomposed into hydrogen ions (protons) and electrons by catalysts in the electrode layers located on opposite sides of the electrolyte membrane. Only hydrogen ions are selectively transported to the cathode through the electrolyte membrane, which acts as a cation exchange membrane, while electrons are transported to the cathode through the gas diffusion layer and separator, which act as conductors.

[0082] At the cathode, hydrogen ions supplied through the electrolyte membrane and electrons transferred through the separator meet oxygen in the air supplied to the cathode by the air supply device, causing a reaction that produces water. Due to the movement of hydrogen ions, electrons flow through the external conductive wire, and this flow of electrons generates an electric current.

[0083] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The first pipe member 110 is connected to the first fuel cell stack 20 and is configured to guide air exhausted from the first fuel cell stack 20 to the outside.

[0084] The first pipe member 110 may have various structures capable of guiding air exhausted from the first fuel cell stack 20 to the outside. The present disclosure is not limited or restricted by the structure and shape of the first pipe member 110 .

[0085] For example, a straight pipe or tube having a circular cross section may be used as the first pipe member 110. The first pipe member 110 may be provided with the outlet oriented upward (in an upward direction based on the direction of gravity).

[0086] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the first pipe member 110 may be formed in a curved shape or other shapes.

[0087] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The second pipe member 120 communicates with the first pipe member 110 and is connected to the upper end of the first pipe member 110 based on the gravity direction. The second pipe member 120 is configured to guide air moving along the first pipe member 110 to the outside together with air exhausted from the second fuel cell stack 30.

[0088] The second pipe member 120 may have various structures capable of guiding air moving along the first pipe member 110 to the outside together with air exhausted from the second fuel cell stack 30. The present disclosure is not limited or restricted by the structure and shape of the second pipe member 120.

[0089] For example, a straight pipe or a tube having a circular cross section may be used as the second pipe member 120. The second pipe member 120 may be provided with the outlet oriented upward (in an upward direction based on the direction of gravity).

[0090] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the second pipe member 120 may be formed in a curved shape or other shapes.

[0091] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The gas-liquid separation member 130 is configured to capture liquid droplets from the air moving upward along the first and second tube members 110 and 120 .

[0092] More specifically, the gas-liquid separation member 130 is provided in the first pipe member 110 and the second pipe member 120 so that liquid droplets contained in the air moving upward along the first pipe member 110 and the second pipe member 120 can come into contact with the gas-liquid separation member 130. The liquid droplets contained in the air moving upward along the first pipe member 110 and the second pipe member 120 can be captured when coming into contact with the gas-liquid separation member 130.

[0093] The gas-liquid separation member 130 may have various structures capable of capturing liquid droplets contained in the air. The present disclosure is not limited or restricted by the structure and shape of the gas-liquid separation member 130.

[0094] For example, a mesh member having a plurality of meshes (eg, a wire mesh) may be used as the gas-liquid separation member 130. In particular, the gas-liquid separation member 130 may be provided to have an approximately cylindrical hollow shape.

[0095] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the gas-liquid separation member 130 may have a structure such as a porous structure, metal foam, fins, a spiral structure, or an iron scouring pad.

[0096] The gas-liquid separation member 130 can be made of various materials according to the required conditions and design specifications. The present disclosure is not limited or restricted by the materials and properties of the gas-liquid separation member 130.

[0097] For example, the gas-liquid separation member 130 may be made of typical metal or synthetic resin (eg, PVC).

[0098] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gas-liquid separation member 130 is spaced apart from the inner surface of the first pipe member 110 and the inner surface of the second pipe member 120. A falling flow path 140 may be defined between the first pipe member 110, the second pipe member 120, and the gas-liquid separation member 130. Liquid droplets separated from the air by the gas-liquid separation member 130 may fall through the falling flow path 140.

[0099] As described above, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the gas-liquid separation member 130 (e.g., a mesh member) is provided to be spaced apart from the inner surface of the first pipe member 110 and the inner surface of the second pipe member 120, and the falling flow path 140 is defined between the first pipe member 110, the second pipe member 120, and the gas-liquid separation member 130, so that the liquid droplets D contained in the air can be captured by contacting the gas-liquid separation member 130 while moving along the first pipe member 110 and the second pipe member 120. The air A from which the liquid droplets D are separated can move upward (toward the outlet of the second pipe member 120) along the internal space of the gas-liquid separation member 130.

[0100] In addition, the liquid droplets D captured by the inner surface of the first pipe member 110, the inner surface of the second pipe member 120, and the gas-liquid separation member 130 are aggregated, so that the weight of the liquid droplets D can be increased. When the size (weight) of the liquid droplets D increases, the gravitational force exerted by the weight becomes greater than the resistance, so that the liquid droplets D can more easily fall in the downward direction (the direction opposite to the direction toward the outlet) along the falling flow path 140.

[0101] In addition, when the air exhausted from the first and second fuel cell stacks 20 and 30 is introduced into the first and second pipe members 110 and 120 , an air vortex having an approximately vortex shape is generated in the first and second pipe members 110 and 120 .

[0102] In this case, the liquid droplets D contained in the air are pushed toward the edge (outer periphery) of the first pipe member 110 and the edge (outer periphery) of the second pipe member 120 (inside the gas-liquid separation member 130) by the centrifugal force exerted by the specific gravity difference and the air vortex. The liquid droplets D are captured by the surface of the gas-liquid separation member 130 when moving toward the edge of the first pipe member 110 and the edge of the second pipe member 120 through the gas-liquid separation member 130. Only the air A from which the liquid droplets D have been removed can move (upward) along the approximate center of the first pipe member 110 and the approximate center of the second pipe member 120 (inside the gas-liquid separation member 130) (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 4 ).

[0103] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first tube member 110 may be provided to have a first diameter D1 (or a first cross-sectional area), and the second tube member 120 may be provided to have a second diameter D2 (or a second cross-sectional area) greater than the first diameter D1.

[0104] This is based on the fact that the droplets D are highly likely to be discharged (move upward) in the second pipe member 120 because the flow velocity increases due to the air discharged from the second fuel cell stack 30 and the air moving along the first pipe member 110 (air discharged from the first fuel cell stack 20) ​​merging with each other.

[0105] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the diameter (cross-sectional area) of the second pipe member 120, which is disposed downstream of the first pipe member 110, is larger than the diameter (cross-sectional area) of the first pipe member 110. Therefore, based on the Bernoulli principle, the flow rate (pressure drop) of air passing through the second pipe member 120 can be reduced. Therefore, the possibility of liquid droplets D being discharged (liquid droplets D moving upward) in the second pipe member 120 can be further reduced.

[0106] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fuel cell system 10 may include an exhaust duct 150 connected to an upper end of the second pipe member 120 and configured to discharge air to the outside.

[0107] The exhaust duct 150 may be configured to additionally capture liquid droplets D contained in the air (the air exhausted from the first fuel cell stack 20 and the air exhausted from the second fuel cell stack 30 ) moving along the second pipe member 120 .

[0108] The exhaust duct 150 may have various structures capable of discharging air (air exhausted from the first fuel cell stack 20 and air exhausted from the second fuel cell stack 30 ) moving along the second pipe member 120 to the outside. The present disclosure is not limited or constrained by the structure of the exhaust duct 150 .

[0109] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the exhaust duct 150 may include: a duct housing 152, which is connected to the upper end of the second pipe member 120, and the volume of the duct housing 152 is greater than the volume of the second pipe member 120; and a discharge port 154, which is provided in the duct housing 152 and is configured to discharge air to the outside of the duct housing 152.

[0110] The duct housing 152 may have various structures having a volume (or cross-sectional area) greater than that of the second pipe member 120. The present disclosure is not limited or restricted by the structure and shape of the duct housing 152.

[0111] For example, the duct housing 152 may have an approximately quadrangular prism box shape. Alternatively, the duct housing 152 may have a cylindrical shape or other shapes.

[0112] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above, the volume of the duct housing 152 is greater than the volume of the second pipe member 120. Therefore, based on the Bernoulli principle, the flow rate of the air discharged through the second pipe member 120 can be reduced. Therefore, the droplets D contained in the air can be advantageously and more effectively captured on the inner surface of the duct housing 152.

[0113] A discharge port 154 is provided in the duct housing 152 in order to finally discharge the air that has passed through the duct housing 152 .

[0114] The location of the exhaust port 154 may be varied in various ways depending on desired conditions and design specifications. The present disclosure is not limited or constrained by the location of the exhaust port 154 .

[0115] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second pipe member 120 may be connected to one end of the duct housing 152 (based on Figure 1 The right end of the pipe housing 152 is provided with a discharge port 154, and the discharge port 154 is provided at the other end of the pipe housing 152 (based on Figure 1 The left end of the second pipe member 120 is spaced apart from the outlet of the second pipe member 120. A horizontal movement flow path 152a may be defined between the outlet of the second pipe member 120 and the discharge port 154, and air may move in a horizontal direction through the horizontal movement flow path 152a.

[0116] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above, second pipe member 120 is connected to one end of duct housing 152, and discharge port 154 is provided at the other end of duct housing 152. This allows the air's movement path through duct housing 152 to be further extended (increasing the contact area with liquid droplets D). Therefore, duct housing 152 can advantageously improve the efficiency of capturing liquid droplets.

[0117] In particular, the discharge port 154 is provided at the other end of the duct housing 152 and is spaced apart from the outlet of the second pipe member 120. The discharge port 154 can be configured to discharge air to the outside in the direction of gravity. For example, the discharge port 154 can be provided on the upper surface of the other end of the duct housing 152. Alternatively, the discharge port 154 can be provided on the side surface or bottom surface of the duct housing 152.

[0118] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above, the discharge port 154 discharges air in the direction of gravity, so that the air moving along the horizontal moving flow path 152a in the duct housing 152 can collide (contact) with the inner surface of the duct housing 152 again and then be discharged through the discharge port 154. Therefore, the capture efficiency of the droplets can be further improved by the duct housing 152.

[0119] The air discharged through the discharge port 154 may be directly discharged to the outside or supplied again to the first fuel cell stack 20 or the second fuel cell stack 30 along an air supply line (not shown) that supplies air to the first fuel cell stack 20 or the second fuel cell stack 30 .

[0120] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fuel cell system 10 may include a liquid droplet catching member 160 provided on an inner surface of the duct housing 152 and configured to catch liquid droplets D contained in the air discharged from the second pipe member 120 .

[0121] The liquid droplet catching member 160 may have various structures capable of capturing liquid droplets D contained in the air. The present disclosure is not limited or restricted by the structure and shape of the liquid droplet catching member 160 .

[0122] For example, a mesh member having a plurality of meshes (eg, a wire mesh) may be used as the droplet catching member 160. For example, the droplet catching member 160 may have a plate shape having a cross-sectional area greater than that of the outlet of the second pipe member 120.

[0123] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the droplet catching member 160 may have a structure such as a porous structure, metal foam, fins, a spiral structure, or an iron scouring pad.

[0124] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above, the droplet catching member 160 is provided on the inner surface of the duct housing 152 , so that the contact area with the droplets D can be further increased. Therefore, the efficiency of catching the droplets D can be further improved.

[0125] The droplet catching member 160 can be disposed at various locations depending on desired conditions and design specifications. The present disclosure is not limited or constrained by the location of the droplet catching member 160 .

[0126] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the droplet catching member 160 may be provided on the inner surface of the duct housing 152 facing the outlet of the second pipe member 120 (based on the inner surface of the duct housing 152). Figure 2 On the inner surface of the upper portion of the pipe shell 152).

[0127] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above, the droplet catching member 160 is provided on the inner surface of the duct housing 152 facing the outlet of the second pipe member 120, so that the air discharged from the outlet of the second pipe member 120 can directly collide (contact) with the droplet catching member 160 and then move along the horizontal movement flow path 152a. Therefore, the droplet catching member 160 can further improve the capture efficiency of the droplets D.

[0128] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fuel cell system 10 may include an inclined guide portion 170 provided on the bottom of the duct housing 152 and configured to guide the liquid droplets D captured in the duct housing 152 to the second pipe member 120 .

[0129] According to the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure, the inclined guide portion 170 is provided on the bottom of the duct housing 152 , so that the droplets D captured in the duct housing 152 can naturally flow downward along the inclined guide portion 170 and then be introduced into the second pipe member 120 without stagnating in the duct housing 152 .

[0130] Furthermore, the droplets D introduced into the second pipe member 120 along the inclined guide portion 170 may aggregate with other droplets D in the second pipe member 120 (or the first pipe member 110 ) and form droplets D having a large size. Therefore, the capture and discharge efficiency of the droplets D may be further improved.

[0131] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fuel cell system 10 may include a water trap 180 connected to the lower end of the first pipe member 110 .

[0132] The water trap 180 may have various structures capable of storing the liquid droplets D flowing downward along the second pipe member 120 and the first pipe member 110 and selectively discharging the liquid droplets D. The present disclosure is not limited or restricted by the type and structure of the water trap 180. In particular, the water trap 180 may be configured to selectively discharge the liquid droplets D (condensed water) stored in the water trap 180 at a predetermined specific location.

[0133] In the embodiment of the present disclosure shown and described above, an example has been described in which the liquid droplets D captured in the duct housing 152 flow downward along the inclined guide portion 170 and are then introduced into the water trap 180 via the second pipe member 120. However, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a separate discharge line (not shown) for connecting the duct housing 152 and the water trap 180 may be provided, and the liquid droplets D captured in the duct housing 152 may be introduced into the water trap 180 along the discharge line.

[0134] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fuel cell system 10 may include a housing 40 disposed to surround peripheries of the first fuel cell stack 20 and the second fuel cell stack 30 .

[0135] The housing 40 may have various structures capable of surrounding the periphery of the first fuel cell stack 20 and the periphery of the second fuel cell stack 30. The present disclosure is not limited or restricted by the structure and shape of the housing 40.

[0136] In particular, the first pipe member 110 , the second pipe member 120 , and the exhaust duct 150 constituting the gas-liquid separator 100 may be disposed in the housing 40 .

[0137] More specifically, the exhaust duct 150 may be provided in a dead zone existing at the uppermost end of the housing 40 .

[0138] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure described above, the exhaust duct 150 is provided in the dead space in the housing 40 , so that sufficient available space in the housing 40 can be ensured and the housing 40 and the fuel cell system 10 can be configured more compactly.

[0139] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above, liquid droplets contained in the air exhausted from the fuel cell stack can be captured favorably and efficiently.

[0140] In particular, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to advantageously simplify the exhaust route of air while ensuring the performance of capturing liquid droplets contained in the air exhausted from the fuel cell stack.

[0141] In addition, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, liquid droplets contained in the air discharged from the fuel cell stack can be effectively captured without using a water trap. Therefore, the structure can be advantageously simplified, which helps to miniaturize the fuel cell system and improve design freedom and space utilization.

[0142] Although the embodiments are described above, these embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and applications not described above may be made to the present embodiment without departing from the inherent characteristics of the present embodiment. For example, the various constituent elements specifically described in the embodiment may be modified and then implemented. In addition, it should be interpreted that differences related to modifications and applications are included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gas-liquid separator, comprising: a first pipe member; a second pipe member communicating with the first pipe member and connected to an upper end of the first pipe member based on the direction of gravity; as well as The gas-liquid separation member is provided in the first pipe member and the second pipe member so that liquid droplets contained in the air moving upward along the first pipe member and the second pipe member come into contact with the gas-liquid separation member.

2. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein The gas-liquid separation member is spaced apart from the inner surface of the first pipe member and the inner surface of the second pipe member, A falling flow path is defined between the first pipe member, the second pipe member, and the gas-liquid separation member, and The liquid droplets separated from the air by the gas-liquid separation member fall through the falling flow path.

3. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein The first tubular member has a first diameter, and the second tubular member has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter.

4. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein The gas-liquid separation member includes a mesh member having meshes.

5. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, further comprising: An exhaust duct is connected to the upper end of the second pipe member and discharges the air to the outside. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 5 , wherein: The exhaust duct comprises: a duct housing connected to the upper end of the second pipe member, the duct housing having a volume greater than that of the second pipe member; and A discharge port is provided in the duct housing and discharges the air to the outside.

7. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 6, wherein: The second pipe member is connected to one end of the duct housing, the discharge port is provided at the other end of the duct housing and is spaced apart from the outlet of the second pipe member, and a horizontal movement flow path is defined between the outlet of the second pipe member and the discharge port, through which the air moves in the horizontal direction.

8. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 7, wherein: The discharge port discharges the air to the outside in the direction of gravity.

9. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 6, further comprising: The liquid droplet catching member is provided on the inner surface of the duct housing and catches liquid droplets contained in the air discharged from the second pipe member.

10. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 6, further comprising: An inclined guide portion is provided on the bottom of the duct housing and guides liquid droplets captured in the duct housing to the second pipe member.

11. A fuel cell system comprising: a first fuel cell stack; a second fuel cell stack, stacked on the first fuel cell stack; a first pipe member connected to the first fuel cell stack and guiding air exhausted from the first fuel cell stack; a second pipe member connected to the second fuel cell stack and communicating with the first pipe member, the second pipe member being connected to an upper end of the first pipe member based on a gravity direction and guiding air exhausted from the second fuel cell stack; as well as The gas-liquid separation member is provided in the first pipe member and the second pipe member so that liquid droplets contained in the air moving upward along the first pipe member and the second pipe member come into contact with the gas-liquid separation member.

12. The fuel cell system according to claim 11, wherein: The gas-liquid separation member is spaced apart from the inner surface of the first pipe member and the inner surface of the second pipe member, A falling flow path is defined between the first pipe member, the second pipe member, and the gas-liquid separation member, and The liquid droplets separated from the air by the gas-liquid separation member fall along the falling flow path.

13. The fuel cell system according to claim 11, wherein: The first tubular member has a first diameter, and the second tubular member has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter.

14. The fuel cell system according to claim 11, further comprising: An exhaust duct is connected to the upper end of the second pipe member and discharges the air to the outside.

15. The fuel cell system according to claim 14, wherein: The exhaust duct comprises: a duct housing connected to the upper end of the second pipe member, the duct housing having a volume greater than that of the second pipe member; and A discharge port is provided in the duct housing and discharges the air to the outside.

16. The fuel cell system according to claim 15, wherein: The second pipe member is connected to one end of the duct housing, the discharge port is provided at the other end of the duct housing and is spaced apart from the outlet of the second pipe member, and a horizontal movement flow path is defined between the outlet of the second pipe member and the discharge port, through which the air moves in the horizontal direction.

17. The fuel cell system according to claim 15, further comprising: The liquid droplet catching member is provided on the inner surface of the duct housing and catches liquid droplets contained in the air discharged from the second pipe member.

18. The fuel cell system according to claim 15, further comprising: An inclined guide portion is provided on the bottom of the duct housing and guides liquid droplets captured in the duct housing to the second pipe member.

19. The fuel cell system according to claim 14, further comprising: The housing is configured to surround the periphery of the first fuel cell stack and the periphery of the second fuel cell stack.

20. The fuel cell system according to claim 19, wherein: The first pipe member, the second pipe member, and the exhaust duct are disposed in the housing.

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