Steam-water separator of hydrogen fuel cell
By designing a hydrogen fuel cell soda separator using rectangular spiral tube, lower baffle, upper baffle and spoiler, the temperature difference between hydrogen in and out of the stack is used to achieve efficient soda separation, and rapid drainage is achieved through arc-shaped drainage tanks and drain outlets, the rapid drainage problem during high-power operation in the prior art is solved, and the stack performance is improved and equipment costs are reduced.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421683739.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-20
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-07-17
AI Technical Summary
The existing hydrogen fuel cell soda separators are difficult to quickly and efficiently separate and drain water when operating at high power, resulting in the impact of stack performance, and the equipment cost is high and the manufacturing difficulty is high.
A hydrogen fuel cell soda separator is designed, using rectangular spiral tubes, lower baffle plates, upper baffle plates and spoilers to achieve efficient soda separation through the temperature difference between the inlet and out of the stack of hydrogen, and to achieve rapid drainage through arc-shaped drainage tanks and drain ports.
It realizes efficient soda separation, reduces equipment costs and manufacturing difficulty, solves the problem of rapid drainage during high-power operation, improves the stack performance, and reduces the adverse impact on the stack performance under low temperature conditions.
Smart Images
Figure CN223006788U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of steam-water separation equipment for fuel cell systems, and particularly relates to a steam-water separator for hydrogen fuel cells. Background Art
[0002] During the operation of a hydrogen fuel cell, a gas mixed with water vapor is generated. When there is a large amount of water vapor mixed in the gas, it is easy to cause water blockage in the fuel cell stack and abnormal operation of control valves and flow meters. Therefore, a steam-water separator is needed to perform steam-water separation on the generated gas.
[0003] At present, the existing separator is composed of many baffles, and the fluid changes its flow direction many times in the separator. Due to the large mass and inertia of the suspended water droplets, when the flow direction changes when encountering the baffle, the dry steam can bypass the baffle and continue to move forward, while the water droplets will accumulate on the baffle. The steam-water separator has a large flow area, reducing the kinetic energy of the water droplets, and most of them will condense and finally fall to the bottom of the separator and be discharged through the drain valve. However, it is found in actual use that when a certain amount of water accumulates on the baffle to form large water droplets, they can flow downward, and the complex separation blade structure increases the manufacturing cost and difficulty. On the other hand, during the high-power operation of the fuel cell, more water is generated, and faster and more efficient separation and drainage are required.
[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned related technical problems, the present application proposes a steam-water separator for hydrogen fuel cells. Summary of the Invention
[0005] Aiming at the defects existing in the prior art, the purpose of the utility model is to provide a steam-water separator for hydrogen fuel cells, aiming to solve the technical problems in the related art to a certain extent.
[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the utility model is as follows:
[0007] A steam-water separator for hydrogen fuel cells includes a housing and a cover plate. After the housing and the cover plate are assembled, a sealed separation cavity is formed. Inside the separation cavity, there are a rectangular spiral tube, a lower baffle plate, and an upper baffle plate. The lower baffle plate and the upper baffle plate are evenly and alternately arranged in the spiral gap of the rectangular spiral tube. The separation cavity is symmetrically provided with a hydrogen outlet and a hydrogen inlet, and an air inlet and an air outlet are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the housing. The hydrogen outlet and the hydrogen inlet are provided with special-shaped ferrule joints. An air inlet spoiler is arranged at one end of the separation cavity close to the air inlet, and an air outlet spoiler is arranged at one end of the separation cavity close to the air outlet; a drain port is arranged at the bottom of the separation cavity, and a fixed end is arranged outside the housing.
[0008] On the basis of the above technical solution, the bottom of the separation cavity is a downwardly convex arc surface, and the drain port is arranged at the lowest position of the bottom of the separation cavity.
[0009] On the basis of the above technical solution, the special-shaped ferrule joint is provided with a front joint, a connecting flange and a rear joint. The front joint and the rear joint are arranged at both ends of the connecting flange and their centers are on the same axis.
[0010] On the basis of the above technical solution, the housing is further provided with a hydrogen outlet interface mounting hole and a hydrogen inlet interface mounting hole.
[0011] On the basis of the above technical solution, the fixed ends are uniformly arranged on the edge of the housing, and the cover plate is provided with fastening holes corresponding to the fixed ends.
[0012] On the basis of the above technical solution, the rectangular spiral tube is provided with a hydrogen outlet end and a hydrogen inlet end, and the hydrogen outlet end and the hydrogen inlet end are respectively connected to the corresponding special-shaped ferrule joints.
[0013] On the basis of the above technical solution, the intake air spoiler is an L-shaped folding plate. The intake air spoiler is provided with a baffle one, a baffle two, baffle ventilation holes and baffle mounting holes. The baffle one and the baffle two form an angle not greater than 90 degrees. The baffle one is provided with baffle ventilation holes, and at least one baffle ventilation hole is arranged on the baffle one in a sieve-like pattern. The baffle two is provided with at least one baffle mounting hole.
[0014] On the basis of the above technical solution, the lower baffle is provided with an upper baffle, and the upper baffle and the lower baffle form an angle not less than 30 degrees. The lower baffle is provided with at least one threaded mounting hole.
[0015] On the basis of the above technical solution, the connecting flange is provided with four through holes and an O-ring sealing groove.
[0016] On the basis of the above technical solution, the inner bottom arc surface of the separation cavity is provided with a drainage groove with a depth of 2 mm, and the drainage groove is connected to a drainage port.
[0017] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present utility model are as follows:
[0018] Compared with the prior art, for a hydrogen fuel cell steam-water separator in the present utility model, the mixed wet and hot gas passes through the intake air spoiler, the rectangular spiral tube, the outlet air spoiler, as well as the lower baffle and the upper baffle. There is a temperature difference between the mixed wet and hot gas exiting the stack and the gas entering the stack in the rectangular spiral tube. On the one hand, the hydrogen entering the stack is heated, and on the other hand, the mixed wet and hot gas is condensed. The condensed water adheres to the baffle, the spoiler and the rectangular spiral tube, and then flows to the bottom of the separation cavity and through the drainage groove to the drainage port.
[0019] This application realizes efficient steam-water separation through the movement of the hydrogen entering and exiting the stack in the predetermined separation flow channel, and does not require electric drive, with low cost and strong reliability. It solves the influence of the steam-water separation not in time for a long time with high power on the performance of the fuel cell stack in the hydrogen fuel cell system. Further, it also has the function of heating the cold hydrogen entering the stack, and can reduce the adverse influence of the cold hydrogen entering the stack in low-temperature weather on the performance of the fuel cell stack.
[0020] All components of a hydrogen fuel cell steam-water separator in this application can be produced separately and can be completed merely through simple assembly work. It has good economy and maintainability, good interchangeability between the same components, is convenient for improvement and upgrading during long-term use, has a relatively low cost, and is suitable for rapid production and popularization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a hydrogen fuel cell steam-water separator in an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0022] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of the housing cavity of a hydrogen fuel cell steam-water separator in an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0023] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the cover plate in an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0024] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of a special-shaped ferrule joint in an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0025] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of a rectangular spiral tube in an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0026] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of an intake air spoiler in an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0027] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of a lower baffle in an embodiment of the present utility model.
[0028] In the figure: 1 - housing, 2 - hydrogen outlet, 3 - hydrogen inlet, 4 - intake air port, 5 - outlet, 6 - intake air spoiler, 7 - lower baffle, 8 - upper baffle, 9 - rectangular spiral tube, 10 - special-shaped ferrule joint, 11 - fixed end, 12 - drain port, 13 - outlet spoiler, 14 - cover plate, 15 - hydrogen outlet interface mounting hole, 16 - hydrogen inlet interface mounting hole, 17 - separation cavity, 18 - hydrogen outlet end, 19 - hydrogen inlet end, 61 - baffle one, 62 - baffle two, 63 - baffle ventilation hole, 64 - baffle mounting hole, 71 - upper folding plate, 72 - lower folding plate, 101 - front joint, 102 - connecting flange, 103 - rear joint. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0029] The following further elaborates on the embodiments of the present utility model with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0030] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, and examples thereof are shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. On the contrary, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.
[0031] In the description of the present application, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "arranged", "installed", "connected", and "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific situations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements not only includes those elements but also includes other elements not expressly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the statement "including one..." does not exclude the existence of another identical element in the process, method, article or device including the said element.
[0032] See, for example, Figure 2 is a schematic structural view of a hydrogen fuel cell steam-water separator housing cavity in an embodiment of the present invention, and see also Figure 3 is a schematic structural view of a cover plate in an embodiment of the present invention. A housing 1 and a cover plate 14 are provided. After the housing 1 and the cover plate 14 are assembled, a sealed separation cavity 17 is formed. The separation cavity 17 is symmetrically provided with a hydrogen outlet 2 and a hydrogen inlet 3, and an air inlet 4 and an air outlet 5 are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the housing 1.
[0033] See Figure 1 shown is a schematic structural view of a hydrogen fuel cell steam-water separator in an embodiment of the present invention. A rectangular spiral tube 9, a lower baffle 7, and an upper baffle 8 are arranged in the separation cavity 17. The lower baffle 7 and the upper baffle 8 are evenly and staggeredly arranged in the spiral gap of the rectangular spiral tube 9. The hydrogen outlet 2 and the hydrogen inlet 3 are provided with special-shaped ferrule joints 10. An air inlet spoiler 6 is arranged at one end of the separation cavity 17 close to the air inlet 4, and an air outlet spoiler 13 is arranged at one end of the separation cavity 17 close to the air outlet 5. A drain port 12 is arranged at the bottom of the separation cavity 17, and a fixed end 11 is arranged outside the housing 1.
[0034] The bottom of the separation cavity 17 is an arc surface protruding downward, and the drain port 12 is arranged at the lowest position of the bottom of the separation cavity 17. The protruding arc surface is beneficial to the drainage function and realizes the rapid guidance of liquid water into the drain port.
[0035] See, for example Figure 4 As shown in the structural schematic diagram of the special-shaped ferrule joint in the embodiment of the present invention, the special-shaped ferrule joint 10 is provided with a front joint 101, a connecting flange 102 and a rear joint 103. The front joint 101 and the rear joint 103 are arranged at both ends of the connecting flange 102 and the centers are on the same axis. The front and rear surfaces of the connecting flange 102 need to be provided with mating surfaces and have a sealing function to prevent gas leakage. In this embodiment, the connecting flange 102 is provided with an O-ring and a corresponding sealing groove. The hydrogen outlet interface mounting hole 15 and the hydrogen inlet interface mounting hole 16 are the same in size and shape, and the connecting flange 102 is adapted to the hydrogen outlet interface mounting hole 15 and the hydrogen inlet interface mounting hole 16.
[0036] The housing 1 is also provided with a hydrogen outlet interface mounting hole 15 and a hydrogen inlet interface mounting hole 16. The hydrogen outlet interface mounting hole 15 and the hydrogen inlet interface mounting hole 16 are matched with the connecting flange 102. The connecting flange 102 is provided with four through holes, and connecting bolts are respectively arranged in the four through holes. The connecting bolts fix the special-shaped ferrule joint 10 on the housing 1.
[0037] The fixed ends 11 are uniformly arranged on the edge of the housing 1, and the cover plate 14 is provided with fastening holes corresponding to the fixed ends 11. The cover plate 14 and the housing 1 are tightly connected into one body by arranging connecting bolts on the fastening holes. In this embodiment, in order to ensure airtightness, a sealing groove is further provided at the joint of the edge of the housing 1 and the cover plate 14, and a silica gel pad with corresponding size is arranged in the sealing groove for sealing.
[0038] See, for example Figure 5 As shown in the structural schematic diagram of the rectangular spiral tube in the embodiment of the present invention, the rectangular spiral tube 9 is provided with a hydrogen outlet end 18 and a hydrogen inlet end 19, and the hydrogen outlet end 18 and the hydrogen inlet end 19 are respectively connected to the corresponding special-shaped ferrule joints 10. In this embodiment, two special-shaped ferrule joints 10 are respectively installed at the hydrogen outlet end 18 and the hydrogen inlet end 19. The hydrogen outlet end 18 and the hydrogen inlet end 19 both need to be sealed to prevent gas leakage. In this application, the connecting flange 102 is provided with four through holes and an O-ring sealing groove. The O-ring sealing groove is matched with the hydrogen outlet end 18 and the hydrogen inlet end 19. During installation, the O-ring is placed in the O-ring sealing groove, and then sealed through the four through holes and bolt fastening.
[0039] See, for example Figure 6The following is a schematic structural diagram of the intake spoiler in the embodiment of the present utility model. The intake spoiler 6 is an L-shaped folding plate. The intake spoiler 6 is provided with a first baffle 61, a second baffle 62, baffle ventilation holes 63 and baffle mounting holes 64. The first baffle 61 and the second baffle 62 form an angle not greater than 90 degrees. The first baffle 61 is provided with baffle ventilation holes 63, and at least one baffle ventilation hole 63 is arranged on the first baffle 61 in a sieve mesh pattern. The second baffle 62 is provided with at least one baffle mounting hole 64 and is used to be fixed in the housing 1. The baffle ventilation holes 63 are used to disrupt the air flow, so that the hydrogen-containing water vapor moves more dispersedly and evenly in the separation cavity 17, which is beneficial to more complete water separation. The intake spoiler 6 is made of aluminum alloy material.
[0040] See as Figure 7 The following is a schematic structural diagram of the lower deflector in the embodiment of the present utility model. The lower deflector 7 is provided with an upper folding plate 71 and a lower folding plate 72, and the angle between the upper folding plate 71 and the lower folding plate 72 is not less than 30 degrees. The lower folding plate 72 is provided with at least one threaded mounting hole. The threaded mounting hole fixes the lower deflector 7 on the housing 1 through a bolt.
[0041] The inner bottom arc surface of the separation cavity 17 is provided with a drainage groove with a depth of 2 mm, and the drainage groove is connected to the drain port 12. The drainage groove speeds up the drainage rate, especially when there is more water at high power, and quickly discharges the separated liquid water out of the system through the drain port.
[0042] The present utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. For those of ordinary skill in the art of this technology, without departing from the principle of the present utility model, several improvements and refinements can be made, and these improvements and refinements are also regarded as within the protection scope of the present utility model. The content not described in detail in this specification belongs to the prior art well-known to those skilled in the art.
Claims
1. A hydrogen fuel cell steam-water separator, characterized in that: The invention comprises a shell (1) and a cover plate (14), wherein the shell (1) and the cover plate (14) are assembled to form a sealed separation chamber (17), wherein a rectangular spiral tube (9), a lower baffle plate (7), and an upper baffle plate (8) are arranged in the separation chamber (17), wherein the lower baffle plate (7) and the upper baffle plate (8) are evenly and alternately arranged in the spiral gap of the rectangular spiral tube (9), and the separation chamber (17) is symmetrically provided with a hydrogen outlet (2) and a hydrogen inlet (3), and a hydrogen inlet (4). The gas inlet (4) and the gas outlet (5) are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the shell (1); the hydrogen outlet (2) and the hydrogen inlet (3) are provided with special-shaped ferrule joints (10); an end of the separation chamber (17) close to the gas inlet (4) is provided with an inlet spoiler (6); an end of the separation chamber (17) close to the gas outlet (5) is provided with an outlet spoiler (13); a drainage outlet (12) is provided at the bottom of the separation chamber (17); and a fixed end (11) is provided outside the shell (1).
2. A hydrogen fuel cell steam-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the separation cavity (17) is a downwardly convex arc surface, and the drainage port (12) is arranged at the lowest position of the bottom of the separation cavity (17).
3. A hydrogen fuel cell steam-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The special-shaped ferrule joint (10) is provided with a front joint (101), a connecting flange (102) and a rear joint (103); the front joint (101) and the rear joint (103) are arranged at two ends of the connecting flange (102) and their centers are located on the same axis.
4. A hydrogen fuel cell steam-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (1) is also provided with a hydrogen outlet interface mounting hole (15) and a hydrogen inlet interface mounting hole (16).
5. The hydrogen fuel cell steam-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed ends (11) are evenly arranged on the edge of the shell (1), and the cover plate (14) is provided with fastening holes corresponding to the fixed ends (11).
6. A hydrogen fuel cell steam-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rectangular spiral tube (9) is provided with a hydrogen outlet end (18) and a hydrogen inlet end (19), and the hydrogen outlet end (18) and the hydrogen inlet end (19) are respectively connected to corresponding special-shaped ferrule joints (10).
7. A hydrogen fuel cell steam-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air intake spoiler (6) is an L-shaped folding plate. The air intake spoiler (6) is provided with a baffle plate 1 (61), a baffle plate 2 (62), a baffle plate vent hole (63) and a baffle plate mounting hole (64). The baffle plate 1 (61) and the baffle plate 2 (62) form an angle of no more than 90 degrees. The baffle plate 1 (61) is provided with a baffle plate vent hole (63). At least one baffle plate vent hole (63) is arranged on the baffle plate 1 (61) in a mesh shape. The baffle plate 2 (62) is provided with at least one baffle plate mounting hole (64).
8. The hydrogen fuel cell steam-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower baffle plate (7) is provided with an upper folding plate (71) and a lower folding plate (72) which form an angle of not less than 30 degrees, and the lower folding plate (72) is provided with at least one threaded mounting hole.
9. A hydrogen fuel cell steam-water separator according to claim 3, characterized in that: The connecting flange (102) is provided with four through holes and an O-ring sealing groove.
10. A hydrogen fuel cell steam-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that: A drainage groove with a depth of 2 mm is provided on the curved surface of the inner bottom of the separation cavity (17), and the drainage groove is connected to the drainage port (12).