Hydrogen-water separator applied to fuel cell

Abstract

The utility model relates to a hydrogen-water separator applied to a fuel cell. The hydrogen-water separator comprises an upper shell, a first cover plate, a middle shell, a second cover plate, a lower shell and a bypass valve, two exhaust pipes, namely a low-water-content mixed gas outlet and an exhaust port, are arranged on the upper shell; the first cover plate is used for isolating the air inlet cavity from the exhaust cavity; the second cover plate is used for isolating the air inlet cavity from the water drainage cavity; a mixed gas inlet and a cyclone are arranged on the middle shell; a drainage pipe is arranged on the lower shell and is used for draining water separated from the cyclone; the bypass valve is arranged below the first cover plate and used for controlling and adjusting flow and pressure, and system resistance is reduced. Compared with the prior art, the hydrogen-water separator has the advantages that the bypass valve is mounted on the hydrogen-water separator with an original structure, so that a gas flowing path is simplified, and the purging process is smoother; the purging efficiency is improved; the operation is simple; the bypass valve assists in adjusting flow and pressure, it is ensured that the hydrogen-water separator operates in the optimal state, and therefore the overall efficiency of the system is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a bypass valve, especially a hydrogen water separator applied to a fuel cell. BACKGROUND

[0002] The hydrogen water separator is one of the key components in the hydrogen fuel cell stack, and its main function is to separate liquid water and mixed gas (hydrogen, nitrogen and water vapor) to prevent excessive water from blocking the electrodes and other components in the fuel cell, and to ensure the efficient operation of the fuel cell.

[0003] The basic working principle of the hydrogen water separator is to separate the mixed gas and water by physical or chemical methods. Specific methods include membrane separation, condensation separation, gravity separation, etc. Gravity separation technology is an important technical path for hydrogen water separators. By utilizing the difference in density between water and mixed gas, liquid water and mixed gas are separated by gravity, avoiding the accumulation of water, improving the stability of the fuel cell system output power, and prolonging the life of the stack. However, the hydrogen water separator in the prior art has a complex gas flow path, and hydrogen and impurities are not easy to be discharged, and the purging efficiency is low. SUMMARY

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to overcome the defects of the prior art and provide a hydrogen water separator applied to a fuel cell. A bypass valve is installed on the original structure of the hydrogen water separator, which simplifies the gas flow path, makes the purging process smoother, and makes it easier for hydrogen and impurities to be discharged. The purging efficiency is improved, the operation is simple, the bypass valve helps to adjust the flow and pressure, ensures that the hydrogen water separator operates in the best state, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the system, reducing the system resistance, and improving the safety.

[0005] The purpose of the utility model can be achieved by the following technical solutions:

[0006] The utility model provides a hydrogen water separator applied to a fuel cell, comprising: an upper shell, a first cover plate, a middle shell, a second cover plate, a lower shell and a bypass valve.

[0007] Two exhaust pipes are provided on the upper shell: a low water content mixed gas outlet and an exhaust port.

[0008] The first cover plate is used to isolate the air inlet cavity and the exhaust cavity; the second cover plate is used to isolate the air inlet cavity and the water outlet cavity.

[0009] The middle shell is provided with a mixed gas inlet, a cyclone.

[0010] The lower shell is provided with a water outlet pipe for discharging water separated in the cyclone.

[0011] The bypass valve is arranged below the first cover plate, and is used for controlling and regulating flow and pressure, reducing system resistance, improving product safety, and improving pre-experiment and post-experiment stack purging.

[0012] Further, the low-water-content mixed gas reenters the stack through the low-water-content mixed gas outlet;

[0013] Further, the low-water-content mixed gas outlet is connected with a hydrogen circulating pump, and the low-water-content mixed gas reenters the stack through the hydrogen circulating pump after passing through the low-water-content mixed gas outlet.

[0014] Further, when the hydrogen mixed gas is excessive, the excessive mixed gas is directly discharged through the exhaust port.

[0015] Further, the cyclone in the middle shell comprises an air inlet, a cylinder and a cone.

[0016] Further, the exhaust pipe containing the cyclone in the first cover plate covers the cylinder on the cyclone in the middle shell.

[0017] Further, the cyclone is provided with a tangential inlet, the mixed gas containing liquid water droplets enters the hydrogen-water separator from the mixed gas inlet, and then enters the cylinder from the tangential inlet of the cyclone to form a rotating gas flow.

[0018] Further, when the flow is small, the bypass valve is closed, at this time, the cyclone normally works, so that the water in the mixed gas is effectively separated, and the high-efficiency operation of the hydrogen-water separator is maintained.

[0019] When the flow is large, the bypass valve is opened, the resistance when the large flow passes through the cyclone is reduced, and thus the pressure drop is reduced. This helps to maintain the flow stability and efficiency of the system. In the case of large flow, the shunt through the bypass valve can reduce the burden of the cyclone and reduce the pressure drop. This will help to reduce the energy consumption of the whole system and improve the overall efficiency of the hydrogen fuel cell.

[0020] Further, in an emergency (such as sudden pressure increase), the bypass valve plays a role of shunt, and the bypass valve is timely opened to prevent the hydrogen-water separator from being too high in pressure and causing a safety accident.

[0021] Further, the fuel cell stack is purged with inert gas (such as nitrogen). Inert gas purging can effectively remove residual hydrogen and other impurities inside the battery, prevent unnecessary chemical reactions during the start-up or shutdown process of the fuel cell, and thus protect the service life and performance of the fuel cell, and ensure the safety of the system.

[0022] The working principle of the utility model is as follows:

[0023] The mixed gas containing liquid water droplets enters the hydrogen water separator from the mixed gas inlet, and then enters the cylinder at a high speed from the tangential inlet of the cyclone to form a rotating gas flow. The gas flow rotates inside the cylinder, and due to the action of centrifugal force, the liquid water droplets in the gas flow move to the outer wall of the cylinder, and finally lose kinetic energy after colliding with the cylinder wall and slide down the cylinder wall to the drain cavity. The low water content mixed gas after separation forms an upward rotating gas flow in the central area of the cyclone, and is discharged through the exhaust pipe at the top of the cyclone and the low water content mixed gas outlet or exhaust port of the upper shell.

[0024] The bypass valve can adjust the flow and pressure, thereby optimizing the working state of the hydrogen water separator, ensuring its operation in the best state, and improving the operation efficiency of the system. In the case of large flow, the shunt through the bypass valve can reduce the burden of the cyclone and reduce the pressure drop. This will help to reduce the energy consumption of the whole system and improve the overall efficiency of the hydrogen fuel cell. In emergency situations (such as sudden pressure increase), the bypass valve can shunt for large flow, and the timely opening of the bypass valve prevents the hydrogen water separator from being too high in pressure and causing a safety accident. The installation of the bypass valve on the hydrogen water separator greatly improves the efficiency of the inert gas purge in the hydrogen water separator.

[0025] The bypass valve simplifies the operation process and makes the purge process more convenient and controllable.

[0026] Pre-start purge: Before starting the hydrogen fuel stack, open the bypass valve to remove air and impurities in the system, ensure the purity of hydrogen in the fuel cell stack, and prevent oxidation or other adverse reactions that may occur during the start-up process.

[0027] Post-shutdown purge: After the hydrogen fuel stack is shut down, open the bypass valve to more efficiently remove impurities and accumulated gas in the system, avoid hydrogen accumulation, and prevent hydrogen combustion or explosion.

[0028] Uniform purge: The hydrogen water separator commonly seen in the market does not have a dedicated purge pipe or purge hole, resulting in uneven air purge, and some places are not completely purged. The bypass valve functions as a purge pipe / purge hole, avoiding the problem of uneven purge.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the following advantages:

[0030] (1) The bypass valve is installed on the originally structured hydrogen water separator, simplifying the gas flow path, making the purge process smoother, and making it easier for hydrogen and impurities to be discharged.

[0031] (2) Improved purge efficiency: The bypass valve provides an additional discharge channel, allowing nitrogen to enter and exit the system more directly, improving purge efficiency.

[0032] (3) Residual material removal: Optimizing the flow path allows nitrogen to more easily carry away residual hydrogen, air, and impurities, improving the purity and safety of the hydrogen water separator.

[0033] (4) Easy operation: The use of a bypass valve simplifies the operation process, making the purging process more convenient and controllable.

[0034] (5) Control and regulation: The bypass valve helps regulate flow and pressure, ensuring that the hydrogen water separator operates at its best, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the system. At low flow rates, the bypass valve is closed, and the cyclone works normally, effectively separating moisture from the air, maintaining high efficiency. At high flow rates, the bypass valve is opened, reducing resistance through the cyclone, reducing pressure drop, and maintaining the stability and efficiency of system flow.

[0035] (6) Reduce system resistance: In high flow conditions, bypass through the bypass valve reduces the burden on the main flow path, reducing pressure drop, thereby reducing system energy consumption and improving the overall efficiency of the hydrogen fuel cell.

[0036] (7) Improve safety: In emergency situations, the bypass valve can be quickly opened to prevent system pressure from rising too high and causing safety accidents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 Structure diagram of a hydrogen water separator for fuel cells;

[0038] Figure 2 Working principle diagram of a hydrogen water separator for fuel cells;

[0039] Figure 3 Structure diagram of a bypass valve.

[0040] Reference numerals: 1 - upper housing; 2 - first cover plate; 3 - tangential inlet; 4 - mixed gas inlet; 5 - second cover plate; 6 - lower housing; 7 - drain pipe; 8 - cyclone; 9 - middle housing; 10 - bypass valve; 11 - exhaust port; 12 - low moisture content mixed gas outlet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present utility model will be described in detail below in combination with the drawings and specific embodiments. In this technical solution, if the component model, material name, connection structure, control method, algorithm, and other features are not explicitly stated, they are considered as common technical features disclosed in the prior art.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] This embodiment provides a hydrogen water separator for fuel cells, as shown in Figure 1 , 2 , 3, which includes an upper housing 1, a first cover plate 2, a middle housing 9, a second cover plate 5, a lower housing 6, and a bypass valve 10.

[0044] The upper shell 1 is provided with two exhaust pipes: a low water content mixed gas outlet 12 and an exhaust port 11;

[0045] The first cover plate 2 is used to isolate the air inlet cavity and the exhaust cavity; the second cover plate 5 is used to isolate the air inlet cavity and the water drainage cavity;

[0046] The middle shell 9 is provided with a mixed gas inlet 4 and a cyclone 8;

[0047] The lower shell 6 is provided with a water drainage pipe 7 for draining water separated from the cyclone 8;

[0048] The bypass valve 10 is arranged below the first cover plate 2, and the bypass valve 10 is used for flow and pressure control and adjustment, and reduces system resistance; improves product safety, and improves pre-experiment and post-experiment stack purging.

[0049] In a specific embodiment, the low water content mixed gas reenters the stack through the low water content mixed gas outlet 12;

[0050] In a specific embodiment, the low water content mixed gas outlet 12 is connected to a hydrogen circulation pump, and after the low water content mixed gas passes through the low water content mixed gas outlet 12, it reenters the stack through the hydrogen circulation pump.

[0051] In a specific embodiment, when the hydrogen mixed gas is excessive, the excess mixed gas is directly discharged through the exhaust port 11.

[0052] In a specific embodiment, the cyclone 8 in the middle shell 9 includes an air inlet, a cylinder and a cone.

[0053] In a specific embodiment, the first cover plate 2 contains an exhaust pipe of the cyclone 8, which covers the cylinder on the cyclone 8 in the middle shell 9.

[0054] In a specific embodiment, the cyclone 8 is provided with a tangential inlet 3, and the mixed gas containing liquid water droplets enters the hydrogen water separator from the mixed gas inlet 4, and then enters the cylinder of the cyclone 8 from the tangential inlet 3, forming a rotating gas flow.

[0055] In a specific embodiment, at low flow, the bypass valve 10 is closed, at which time the cyclone 8 normally works, so that the water in the mixed gas is effectively separated, maintaining the high efficiency of the hydrogen water separator;

[0056] At high flow, the bypass valve 10 is opened, reducing the resistance when high flow passes through the cyclone 8, thereby reducing the pressure drop. This helps to maintain the flow stability and efficiency of the system. In the case of high flow, the shunt through the bypass valve 10 can reduce the burden of the cyclone 8 and reduce the pressure drop. This will help to reduce the energy consumption of the entire system and improve the overall efficiency of the hydrogen fuel cell.

[0057] In the specific embodiment, in the case of an emergency (such as a sudden pressure increase), the bypass valve 10 functions as a shunt, and the bypass valve 10 opens in time to prevent the hydrogen-water separator from having a pressure that is too high, which could cause a safety accident.

[0058] In the specific embodiment, the fuel cell stack is purged with inert gas (such as nitrogen). Inert gas purging can effectively remove residual hydrogen and other impurities inside the cell, prevent unnecessary chemical reactions during startup or shutdown of the fuel cell, thereby protecting the life and performance of the fuel cell, and ensuring system safety.

[0059] The working principle of the utility model is as follows:

[0060] The mixed gas containing liquid water droplets enters the hydrogen-water separator from the mixed gas inlet 4, and then enters the cylinder at a high speed from the tangential inlet 3 of the cyclone 8, forming a rotating gas flow. The gas flow rotates inside the cylinder, and due to the centrifugal force, the liquid water droplets in the gas flow move towards the outer wall of the cylinder, and finally lose kinetic energy after colliding with the cylinder wall and slide down the cylinder wall to the drain cavity. The low water content mixed gas after separation forms an upward rotating gas flow in the central area of the cyclone 8, and is discharged through the exhaust pipe at the top of the cyclone 8 and the low water content mixed gas outlet 12 or the exhaust port 11 of the upper shell 1.

[0061] The bypass valve 10 can adjust the flow and pressure, thereby optimizing the working state of the hydrogen-water separator, ensuring that it operates in the best state, and improving the operating efficiency of the system. In the case of large flow, the shunt through the bypass valve 10 can reduce the burden of the cyclone 8 and reduce the pressure drop. This will help to reduce the energy consumption of the entire system and improve the overall efficiency of the hydrogen fuel cell. In the case of an emergency (such as a sudden pressure increase), the bypass valve 10 can shunt in the case of large flow, and the timely opening of the bypass valve 10 prevents the hydrogen-water separator from having a pressure that is too high, which could cause a safety accident. The installation of the bypass valve 10 on the hydrogen-water separator greatly improves the efficiency of inert gas purging in the hydrogen-water separator.

[0062] The bypass valve simplifies the operation process, making the purging process more convenient and controllable.

[0063] Pre-startup purging: Before starting the hydrogen fuel stack, open the bypass valve to remove air and impurities in the system, ensure the purity of hydrogen in the fuel cell stack, and prevent oxidation or other adverse reactions that may occur during startup.

[0064] Post-shutdown purging: After the hydrogen fuel stack is shut down, open the bypass valve to more efficiently remove impurities and accumulated gas in the system, avoid hydrogen accumulation, and prevent hydrogen combustion or explosion.

[0065] Uniform blowing: the hydrogen water separator commonly seen in the current market does not have a dedicated blowing pipe or blowing hole, resulting in uneven air blowing, and some places are not completely blown clean. The bypass valve plays the role of the blowing pipe / blowing hole, avoiding the problem of uneven blowing.

[0066] The components not described in detail in the embodiments are existing components that can be purchased in the public channel.

[0067] The above description of the embodiments is for the purpose of enabling and using the utility model by those of ordinary skill in the art. Those skilled in the art can obviously make various modifications to these embodiments, and apply the general principles described herein to other embodiments without having to go through creative labor. Therefore, the utility model is not limited to the above embodiments, and improvements and modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the utility model should be within the scope of protection of the utility model.

Claims

1. A hydrogen-water separator for a fuel cell, characterized in that: include: An upper shell (1), a first cover plate (2), a middle shell (9), a second cover plate (5), a lower shell (6), and a bypass valve (10); The upper shell (1) is provided with two exhaust pipes: a low-water content mixed gas outlet (12) and an exhaust port (11); The first cover plate (2) is used to isolate the air intake cavity and the exhaust cavity; the second cover plate (5) is used to isolate the air intake cavity and the drainage cavity; The middle shell (9) is provided with a mixed gas inlet (4) and a cyclone (8); The lower shell (6) is provided with a drain pipe (7) for discharging water separated from the cyclone (8); The bypass valve (10) is provided below the first cover plate (2), and the bypass valve (10) is used to control and regulate flow and pressure and reduce system resistance.

2. A hydrogen-water separator for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The low-water-content mixed gas outlet (12) is connected to a hydrogen circulation pump, and the low-water-content mixed gas passes through the low-water-content mixed gas outlet (12) and then re-enters the fuel cell stack through the hydrogen circulation pump.

3. The hydrogen-water separator for fuel cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cyclone (8) in the middle shell (9) comprises an air inlet, a cylinder and a cone.

4. The hydrogen-water separator for fuel cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first cover plate (2) contains an exhaust pipe of the cyclone (8), which covers the cylinder on the cyclone (8) in the middle shell (9).

5. The hydrogen-water separator for fuel cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cyclone (8) is provided with a tangential inlet (3), and the mixed gas containing liquid water droplets enters the hydrogen-water separator from the mixed gas inlet (4), and then enters the cylinder from the tangential inlet (3) of the cyclone (8), forming a rotating airflow.

6. The hydrogen-water separator for fuel cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fuel cell stack is purged with an inert gas.

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