Steam-water separator, fuel cell and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model discloses a steam-water separator, a fuel cell and a vehicle. The steam-water separator comprises a separator body, and a first gas outlet and a second gas outlet are formed in the separator body; the first air outlet is communicated to an inlet of the first equipment, and the second air outlet is communicated to an outlet of the first equipment, so that the pressure loss of the steam-water separator is reduced. Therefore, when the steam-water separator discharges a medium, lower pressure loss can be kept, so that the working performance of the steam-water separator is improved, and a system provided with the steam-water separator can keep a good working state. Moreover, the gas discharged from the plurality of gas outlets of the steam-water separator is finally collected to the outlet of the first equipment and then is conveyed, so that the total amount of the gas needing to be discharged by the first equipment can be kept while the pressure loss is reduced by shunting of the steam-water separator, the working condition of a system provided with the steam-water separator and the equipment is met, and the system stably runs.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of steam-water separators, in particular to a steam-water separator, a fuel cell and a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the related art, steam-water separators widely used at present can be divided into centrifugal separation, inertial separation, filter core separation and the like according to principles and structures. The cyclone centrifugal separation separates liquid water by centrifugal action; the inertial separation mainly relies on the potential energy difference of gravity to realize separation; and the filter core separation separates small liquid droplets into large liquid droplets by surface tension, viscosity and other factors of liquid water.

[0003] However, the steam-water separator separates the gas-liquid mixed medium entering therein into gas and liquid, and finally discharges the gas and the liquid respectively. In the process of discharging the gas, there is a technical problem of large pressure loss. CONTENT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present application aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, one object of the present application is to provide a steam-water separator, a fuel cell and a vehicle, wherein the steam-water separator has low pressure loss when discharging medium.

[0005] In a first aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a steam-water separator, comprising a separator body, wherein a first gas outlet and a second gas outlet are formed on the separator body; the first gas outlet is connected to an inlet of a first device, and the second gas outlet is connected to an outlet of the first device, so as to reduce the pressure loss of the steam-water separator.

[0006] According to the steam-water separator of the embodiments of the present application, when discharging medium, the steam-water separator can maintain low pressure loss, thereby improving the working performance of the steam-water separator, and further enabling the system provided with the steam-water separator to maintain a good working state. Moreover, the gas discharged from the multiple gas outlets of the steam-water separator is finally collected and transported after being discharged from the outlet of the first device, which can reduce the pressure loss of the steam-water separator while maintaining the total amount of gas required to be discharged by the first device, so as to meet the working conditions of the system provided with the steam-water separator and the device, and enable the system to operate stably.

[0007] According to further embodiments of the present application, a one-way valve is arranged between the second gas outlet and the outlet of the first device, and the one-way valve is used to control the gas discharged from the second gas outlet to enter the outlet in one direction.

[0008] According to further embodiments of the present application, the separator body comprises an upper shell, a lower shell and a partition, the upper shell and the lower shell define a separation cavity, the partition is arranged in the separation cavity and is used to divide the separation cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber in communication, and an air inlet channel of the steam-water separator is in communication with the second chamber.

[0009] Further, the partition includes a flange portion for connecting with the upper shell and / or the lower shell, and a cylinder portion located on the side of the flange portion facing the second cavity.

[0010] Further, a plurality of sealing grooves are arranged on the flange portion, and a sealing member is arranged in each of the sealing grooves.

[0011] Further, a water baffle is arranged at the end of the second cavity away from the first cavity.

[0012] Further, a small hole is arranged on the water baffle.

[0013] Further, the water baffle is configured as a conical plate.

[0014] In a second aspect, the application provides a fuel cell comprising the steam-water separator in the above embodiments, the first device is configured as a hydrogen pump, and the first gas outlet of the steam-water separator is in communication with the inlet of the hydrogen pump, and the second gas outlet is in communication with the outlet of the hydrogen pump.

[0015] In a third aspect, the application provides a vehicle comprising the fuel cell in the above embodiments.

[0016] Additional aspects and advantages of the application will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following and / or by practice of the application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the application will become apparent and be readily understood by considering the following detailed description, including the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a steam-water separator structure according to some embodiments of the application;

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a cross-sectional structure of a steam-water separator according to some embodiments of the application;

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an upper shell structure according to some embodiments of the application;

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a partition structure according to some embodiments of the application;

[0022] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a water baffle structure according to some embodiments of the application.

[0023] REFERENCE NUMERALS:

[0024] 100 - steam-water separator;

[0025] 110-Separator body, 120-Inlet passage, 130-Check valve, 140-Pressure sensor, 150-Exhaust valve, 160-Drain valve;

[0026] 111-Upper shell, 112-Lower shell, 113-Separator, 114-Water baffle, 161-Drainage channel;

[0027] 1111-First air outlet, 1112-Second air outlet, 1113-Pressure sensor mounting hole, 1114-Exhaust port;

[0028] 1131 - Flange portion, 1132 - Cylindrical body portion;

[0029] 1141 - Fixed post, 1142 - Small hole;

[0030] 11121 - Pipeline section;

[0031] 11311 - First sealing groove, 11312 - Second sealing groove;

[0032] a1 - First chamber, a2 - Second chamber;

[0033] b-First Channel. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0035] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0036] In the description of this application, "first feature" and "second feature" may include one or more of the features.

[0037] In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more.

[0038] In the description of this application, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or the first and second features being in contact through another feature between them.

[0039] In the description of this application, the terms "above," "over," and "on top" for the first feature and the second feature include the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicate that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature.

[0040] The following is for reference. Figures 1-5 This application describes a gas-water separator 100, a fuel cell, and a vehicle according to embodiments thereof.

[0041] According to an embodiment of this application, a steam-water separator 100 includes a separator body 110 defining a steam-water separation chamber, with reference to... Figure 1 As shown, the separator body 110 can be constructed as a cubic structure, thereby defining a cubic gas-water separation chamber inside the cube, and is provided with an air inlet channel 120 connected to the gas-water separator 100 for introducing a mixing medium (such as a gas-liquid mixing medium).

[0042] The separator body 110 has a first air outlet 1111 and a second air outlet 1112, and both the first air outlet 1111 and the second air outlet 1112 are constructed in the top region of the separator body 110, so that the gas in the gas-water separation chamber is discharged through the first air outlet 1111 and the second air outlet 1112 provided at the top.

[0043] Of course, the positions of the first air outlet 1111 and the second air outlet 1112 are not limited to the top area of ​​the separator body 110.

[0044] The first air outlet 1111 can be used to connect to the inlet of the first device (not shown in the figure), and the second air outlet 1112 can be used to connect to the outlet of the first device, so that the gas discharged from the first air outlet 1111 and the second air outlet 1112 can be collected at the outlet of the first device.

[0045] In other words, the first outlet 1111 can discharge at least part of the gas after gas-liquid separation in the separator body 110 through the inlet of the first device to the first device, and the second outlet 1112 can discharge another part of the gas directly to the outlet of the first device. The two parts of the gas can merge at the outlet of the first device and then be discharged further backward.

[0046] Therefore, since both the first outlet 1111 and the second outlet 1112 are used for exhaust, the gas to be discharged from the gas-water separation chamber can be diverted, that is, the gas medium is discharged through the first outlet 1111 and the second outlet 1112 respectively. The gas to be discharged from the gas-water separation chamber is dispersed into two channels, thereby reducing the gas flow rate through both the first outlet 1111 and the second outlet 1112.

[0047] Furthermore, without changing the cross-sectional area of ​​the pipes at the first and second outlets 1111 and 1112, the gas flow rate through them both decreases, resulting in a corresponding decrease in the gas velocity. Consequently, the reduced gas velocity decreases the frequency and force of gas molecule collisions with the pipe wall, leading to reduced friction between the gas passing through the first and second outlets 1111 and 1112 and the inner wall of the pipe. This reduces eddies and turbulence formed by friction within the gas fluid, significantly lowering pressure loss in the corresponding areas. In other words, when the velocity decreases, the friction and pressure loss generated when the gas passes through the first and second outlets 1111 and 1112 are smaller, allowing the regions connected to both sides of the first and second outlets 1111 and 1112 to maintain relatively stable pressure without significant fluctuations due to pressure loss. This enables the steam-water separator 100 to effectively reduce pressure loss at the outlet, thereby improving the efficiency and performance of the entire system.

[0048] In other words, compared to a steam-water separator 100 with only a single exhaust outlet, the configuration with dual exhaust outlets, including a first exhaust outlet 1111 and a second exhaust outlet 1112, can avoid high pressure loss in the local area where the steam-water separator 100 is venting due to high-speed airflow. This ensures that the system equipped with the steam-water separator 100 can maintain a low pressure loss level, thereby improving the overall system efficiency and performance.

[0049] Furthermore, the gas discharged from the first outlet 1111 is directly introduced into the first device, flowing along a predetermined path within the device before being discharged to its outlet. Correspondingly, the gas discharged from the second outlet 1112 can pass through a bypass pipe or similar pathway to the outlet of the first device, ultimately merging with the gas discharged from the first outlet 1111 and flowing through the first device at the outlet, before being transported to the next device. This ensures that the gaseous medium discharged through the first outlet 1111 and the second outlet 1112, and converging at the outlet of the first device via different flow paths, maintains a consistent total flow rate of the output gaseous medium.

[0050] Therefore, by constructing the first gas outlet 1111 and the second gas outlet 1112, the gas can be diverted from the steam-water separator 100 to reduce pressure loss, while also ensuring that the total amount of gas output by the first device does not decrease, so as to ensure that the system containing the steam-water separator and the first device can continuously and stably receive the required gas flow rate to meet its working requirements.

[0051] It is worth noting that, in this embodiment, the steam-water separator 100 is described using the case of having two exhaust ports, namely a first exhaust port 1111 and a second exhaust port 1112. However, those skilled in the art can conceive of having three or even more exhaust ports based on the content disclosed in this application. Similarly, this embodiment uses the steam-water separator 100 with two exhaust ports as an example, but those skilled in the art can also easily conceive of replacing the exhaust ports with liquid drain ports based on the content disclosed in this embodiment, thereby achieving a structure for diverting the discharged liquid; details will not be elaborated here.

[0052] According to the embodiments of this application, the steam-water separator 100 can maintain a low pressure loss level when discharging the medium, thereby improving the working performance of the steam-water separator 100 and enabling the system equipped with the steam-water separator 100 to maintain a good working condition. Furthermore, the gas discharged from the multiple exhaust ports of the steam-water separator 100 is ultimately collected at the outlet of the first device and then transported. This allows the steam-water separator 100 to divert and reduce pressure loss while maintaining the total amount of gas required to be discharged by the first device, thus meeting the working conditions of the system equipped with the steam-water separator 100 and the first device, and ensuring stable system operation.

[0053] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, a one-way valve 130 is provided between the second air outlet 1112 and the outlet of the first device. The one-way valve 130 is used to control the gas discharged from the second air outlet 1112 to flow into the outlet in one direction, so as to ensure the unidirectional flow of gas. This can prevent the gas at the outlet of the first device from flowing back into the steam-water separation chamber under certain circumstances; for example, if the pressure at the outlet of the first device is too high, the gas may flow back into the steam-water separation chamber.

[0054] Furthermore, it can prevent the gas that should be delivered from the outlet of the first device to the next device from flowing into the gas-liquid separation chamber due to gas backflow at the outlet of the first device. This would result in insufficient total gas volume to be delivered from the outlet of the first device to the next device, and would also affect the circulation of gas in the gas-liquid separation chamber.

[0055] Furthermore, if the gas flows back to the second outlet 1112, the flow direction of the backflowing gas is opposite to that of the gas discharged from the second outlet 1112, which may reduce the gas flow rate from the second outlet 1112 to the outlet of the first device, thus affecting the diversion effect of the second outlet 1112. Therefore, the one-way valve 130 is provided to maintain unidirectional gas discharge from the second outlet 1112, so that the second outlet 1112 can continuously discharge gas medium, thereby maintaining the exhaust flow rate of the second outlet 1112 and achieving a stable diversion effect.

[0056] Understandably, under the action of the one-way valve 130, the medium at the outlet of the first device will not flow back into the steam-water separation chamber and affect the normal operation of the steam-water separator 100. Furthermore, it ensures a stable discharge of gas medium from the second outlet 1112, achieving a stable and continuous diversion effect.

[0057] In some examples, the separator body 110 includes an upper shell 111 and a lower shell 112 joined together along the height direction, as well as a separator 113.

[0058] Continue to refer to Figure 2 and combined Figure 3 It is understood that the top wall of the upper shell 111 has a first air outlet 1111 and a second air outlet 1112, and the first air outlet 1111 is a through hole; the second air outlet 1112 also includes a pipe section 11121 integrally connected thereto, and the pipe section 11121 is provided with a one-way valve 130 to control the gas to be transported from the gas-water separation chamber to the first air outlet 1111.

[0059] In addition, the upper shell 111 is also provided with a pressure sensor mounting hole 1113 for mounting a pressure sensor 140. The pressure sensor 140 is used to detect the pressure in the area near the first air outlet 1111 and the second air outlet 1112. The upper shell 111 is also provided with an exhaust port 1114, which is connected to an exhaust valve 150. The exhaust valve 150 is electrically connected to the pressure sensor 140. When the pressure near the first air outlet 1111 and the second air outlet 1112 is too high, the exhaust valve 150 opens to release excess gas.

[0060] like Figure 2As shown, the upper shell 111 has an opening at the bottom, and the lower shell 112 has an opening at the top. The upper shell 111 and the lower shell 112 are connected through the opening to define a separation chamber. A separator 113 is disposed within the separation chamber and is used to divide the separation chamber into a first chamber a1 and a second chamber a2 that are connected. The air inlet channel 120 of the gas-water separator 100 is connected to the second chamber a2. Therefore, the mixed medium introduced through the air inlet channel 120 will enter from the second chamber a2. Subsequently, the liquid in the mixed medium will remain in the second chamber a2, while the gas in the mixed medium will flow from the second chamber a2 to the first chamber a1, and then be discharged from the first air outlet 1111 and the second air outlet 1112 at the top of the first chamber a1.

[0061] Furthermore, the bottom region of the lower shell 112 is configured as an inverted cone to collect the liquid collected in the lower shell 112 within the cone-shaped structure. A drainage channel 161 is formed at the lowest point of the cone-shaped structure, and the drainage channel 161 is connected to a drain valve 160 to periodically discharge the liquid deposited in the second chamber a2.

[0062] In other words, both the first air outlet 1111 and the second air outlet 1112 are located at the top of the separator body 110 in the height direction, while the mixing medium enters the second chamber a2 located below through the air inlet channel 120. Due to gravity, the liquid component in the mixing medium tends to sink downward and remain in the second chamber a2 or flow along the separator 113 to the conical bottom of the lower shell 112, while the gas continues to rise.

[0063] Furthermore, since the first chamber a1 forms the space between the second chamber a2 and the first and second air outlets 1111 and 1112, the gas medium entering from the inlet channel 120, after entering the second chamber a2, still needs to pass through the first chamber a1 before entering the first and second air outlets 1111 and 1112. This increases the path length of the liquid from the inlet channel 120 to the first and second air outlets 1111 and 1112, thus increasing the difficulty of its entry.

[0064] Furthermore, in some examples, reference Figure 2The intake channel 120 is configured as a turbine-shaped pipe, extending from the outside of the gas-water separation chamber to the inside. The turbine pipe within the gas-water separation chamber is located in the second chamber a2. The gas-liquid mixture enters the second chamber a2 of the separator through the inlet of the intake channel 120, forming a rotating airflow within the vortex structure. This causes most of the liquid in the mixture to adhere to the inner wall of the lower shell 112 under centrifugal force. The droplets adhering to the inner wall of the lower shell 112 then form liquid water under gravity and are collected at the bottom of the lower shell 112. However, a small portion of liquid remains unseparated. This portion of liquid continues to flow with the gas through the first channel b into the first chamber a1. Since this portion of liquid is fed into the second chamber a2 through the intake channel 120 of the turbine structure, it continues to splash towards the inner wall of the upper shell 111 under inertial force, eventually adhering to the inner surface of the upper shell 111, thus forming secondary gas-liquid separation.

[0065] Therefore, the separator 113 divides the gas-water separation chamber into a first chamber a1 and a second chamber a2, which increases the distance between the mixed medium flowing into the air inlet channel 120 and the first air outlet 1111 and the second air outlet 1112, thereby increasing the difficulty for the liquid medium to enter the exhaust port; it can also increase the area of ​​the inner wall surface used for attaching and separating the liquid by having some liquid adhere to it, thereby improving the separation effect of liquid and gas.

[0066] It is understandable that a gas-water separator 100 with two or more chambers along the height direction can better separate the gas and liquid in the mixed medium, thereby improving the separation effect of the gas-water separator 100.

[0067] In some examples, continue to refer to Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the separator 113 includes a disc-shaped flange portion 1131 and a cylindrical portion 1132 located on the flange portion 1131 and extending toward the second chamber a2. The flange portion 1131 is connected to both the upper shell 111 and the lower shell 112. The flange portion 1131 and the cylindrical portion 1132 together define a first channel b for connecting the first chamber a1 and the second chamber a2, and the diameter of the cylindrical portion 1132 is smaller than the diameter of the flange portion 1131. The cylindrical portion 1132 is adapted to prevent the liquid separated into the second chamber a2 from being re-entrained in the airflow and transported back to the first chamber a1 due to airflow disturbances or overall shaking of the air-water separator 100 during the steam-water separation process.

[0068] Specifically, such as Figure 2As shown, the turbine-shaped air intake channel 120 is tangential to the cylinder portion 1132, so that when the mixed medium enters the second chamber a2 from the air intake channel 120, most of the droplets will separate from the gas under the action of gravity, centrifugal force, etc., and flow along the outer wall of the cylinder portion 1132 to the bottom of the second chamber a2. At this time, the inner wall of the cylinder portion 1132 can prevent the liquid that has been separated under the action of centrifugal force from re-entering the airflow. In addition, the cylinder portion 1132 can also serve as a water-blocking structure between the first chamber a1 and the second chamber a2, to prevent liquid from being drawn from the second chamber a2 into the first chamber a1 when the steam-water separator 100 is shaken.

[0069] It is understandable that by setting a cylindrical structure on the separator 113, it is possible to effectively prevent the liquid deposited in the second chamber a2 from being re-entrained into the first chamber a1, thereby preventing excess liquid from being entrained into the first chamber a1 and then entering the first air outlet 1111 or the second air outlet 1112, thus effectively improving the separation effect of the steam-water separator 100.

[0070] Of course, in other examples, the flange 1131 may be connected only to the upper shell 111; or the flange 1131 may be connected only to the lower shell 112. The specific structure will not be described in detail here.

[0071] Based on any of the above examples, multiple sealing grooves can be provided on the flange 1131, and a sealing element (not shown in the figure) is provided in the sealing groove. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the sealing groove includes a first sealing groove 11311 and a second sealing groove 11312. Correspondingly, the first sealing groove 11311 is provided with a matching first sealing element, and the first sealing groove 11311 is used to cooperate with the upper shell 111; the second sealing groove 11312 is provided with a matching second sealing element, and the second sealing element is used to cooperate with the lower shell 112. The sealing element can be any type such as an O-ring or a rubber gasket.

[0072] The sealing groove 11311 and the first sealing element form a continuous and reliable sealing surface, which effectively seals the assembly gap between the first chamber a1 and / or the second chamber a2 and the partition 113. The sealing groove and the sealing element can completely separate the first chamber a1 and the second chamber a2 to prevent gas or liquid from flowing between the two chambers.

[0073] Furthermore, in Figure 2 In the example shown, the flange 1131 is sealed to both the upper shell 111 and the lower shell 112, and is located at the gap between the upper shell 111 and the lower shell 112. Thus, the flange 1131 separates the gap between the upper shell 111 and the lower shell 112 from the steam-water separation chamber, thereby ensuring the sealing of the steam-water separation chamber relative to the outside.

[0074] Understandably, the tight fit between the sealing groove and the sealing strip prevents liquid leakage at the gap between the separator 113 and the upper shell 111 and / or the lower shell 112, thereby preventing secondary mixing of liquid and gas due to liquid leakage, thus preventing liquid from entering the second chamber a2 and improving the separation effect of the steam-water separator 100.

[0075] Further reference Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, a baffle plate 114 is also provided at the end of the second chamber a2 away from the first chamber a1. A fixing post 1141 is provided at the center of the baffle plate 114, and the fixing post 1141 is embedded in the lower shell 112 to fix the baffle plate 114. The baffle plate 114 can prevent the liquid water that has been separated by gravity, centrifugal force, etc., from shaking violently in the second chamber a2, thereby preventing it from being drawn into the first chamber a1.

[0076] For example, when the vapor separator 100 is installed in a vehicle, the vehicle is in motion, especially when traveling on uneven roads. As part of the vehicle system, the vapor separator 100 will also be subject to vibration and shaking. In this dynamic environment, without the presence of the baffle 114, the liquid water that has settled at the bottom of the second chamber a2 may fluctuate significantly due to inertia. This will not only interfere with the stability of the vapor separation process, but may also cause some liquid to be re-entered into the first channel b, and then into the first chamber a1, thereby reducing the separation efficiency of the vapor separator 100.

[0077] Therefore, when liquid surface fluctuations occur in the second chamber a2 due to liquid deposition, the baffle plate 114 can reduce the amplitude of liquid surface fluctuations to prevent the liquid from being re-entered into the first chamber a1, thereby improving the separation effect of the steam-water separator 100.

[0078] refer to Figure 5 The baffle plate 114 has a small hole 1142, and the baffle plate 114 faces the cylinder portion 1132 along its height direction. After the gas is delivered to the second chamber a2 through the turbine-shaped air inlet pipe 120, it flows along the inner wall of the lower shell 112. Some of the gas flows through the gap between the baffle plate 114 and the inner wall of the lower shell 112 to the area below the baffle plate 114. At this time, the small hole 1142 allows the gas flowing to the area below the baffle plate 114 to flow to the area above the baffle plate 114 under the action of inertia, and then flow to the first chamber a1 through the first channel b. Furthermore, the small hole 1142 is adapted to guide the liquid dripping from the lower edge of the cylinder portion 1132 into the bottom of the second chamber a2 through the small hole 1142.

[0079] It is understandable that by providing several small holes 1142 on the baffle plate 114, the gas medium and the liquid medium can flow effectively between the two sides of the baffle plate 114, thereby maintaining the normal operation of the gas-liquid separator 100 to separate the mixed medium into gas and liquid.

[0080] In some examples, reference Figure 2 As shown, the baffle plate 114 is constructed as a conical plate. Because the top of the conical baffle plate 114 is narrower and the bottom is wider, this shape allows liquid falling from above to flow smoothly along its inclined surface upon contact with the baffle plate 114, guiding it to the bottom region of the second chamber a2. Furthermore, liquid dripping from the cylinder portion 1132, upon impacting the conical surface of the baffle plate 114, will splash towards the inner wall of the lower shell 112 instead of directly splashing into the first channel b, thereby reducing the amount of liquid splashed into the first chamber a1.

[0081] Understandably, the conical baffle plate 114, through its flow guiding characteristics and structural features, guides the liquid into the bottom of the second chamber a2 while effectively preventing the liquid from splashing directly into the first chamber a1, thereby improving the separation efficiency of the steam-water separator 100.

[0082] Next, the gas-water separator 100 in the fuel cell will be described.

[0083] Taking a proton exchange membrane fuel cell hydrogen recirculation system as an example, the gas-liquid mixture (mainly composed of hydrogen, nitrogen, water vapor, and liquid water) discharged from the anode outlet of the fuel cell stack needs to be returned to the stack for secondary circulation. If the liquid water at the anode outlet is not separated in time and enters the anode inlet, excessive liquid water will cause blockage of the internal flow channels of the stack, resulting in insufficient power of the fuel cell system. To maintain the normal operation of the fuel cell system, a gas-liquid separator 100 needs to be installed at the anode outlet of the stack to separate the gas and liquid mixture, discharge excess liquid water, and return the gaseous medium to the stack for secondary circulation.

[0084] However, in cases where the fuel cell has a high power output, a large flow rate of mixed medium is introduced into the gas-water separator 100 from the anode outlet of the fuel cell stack, resulting in an increase in both the flow rate and velocity of the gas to be discharged from the outlet of the gas-water separator 100. In this case, if the gas-water separator 100 uses only a single outlet, the gas velocity at the outlet will be relatively high, leading to a significant increase in pressure loss in that area. The specific principle behind this significant increase in pressure loss is basically the same as that described in the above embodiments and will not be repeated here. Therefore, according to the fuel cell of this application embodiment, including the gas-water separator 100 in the above embodiments, the first device is constructed as a hydrogen pump, and the first outlet 1111 of the gas-water separator 100 is connected to the inlet of the hydrogen pump, and the second outlet 1112 is connected to the outlet of the hydrogen pump.

[0085] Specifically, the gas-water separator 100 is equipped with a first outlet 1111 and a second outlet 1112, which allows for the diversion of the discharged gas. The first outlet 1111 directly enters the hydrogen pump of the fuel cell stack, while the second outlet 1112 is connected to the vicinity of the hydrogen pump outlet through a bypass pipe or other pathway. The hydrogen pump outlet is connected to an ejector, and the ejector ultimately delivers the gas discharged from both the first outlet 1111 and the second outlet 1112 to the fuel cell stack.

[0086] Therefore, in this example, the gas medium can be transported through two channels to reduce the gas flow rate between the gas-liquid separator 100 and the hydrogen pump, thereby reducing the pressure loss between them. Furthermore, compared to a single outlet structure, the gas flow rate entering the hydrogen pump through the first outlet 1111 is less than the total flow rate, which also reduces the operating pressure of the hydrogen pump. This allows the fuel cell to operate more efficiently under high-power conditions.

[0087] The vehicle according to the embodiments of this application includes the fuel cell described in the above embodiments.

[0088] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0089] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A steam-water separator, characterized in that, include: A separator body (110) having a first air outlet (1111) and a second air outlet (1112) formed thereon; wherein The first air outlet (1111) is connected to the inlet of the first device, and the second air outlet (1112) is connected to the outlet of the first device to reduce the pressure loss of the steam-water separator.

2. The steam-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, A one-way valve (130) is provided between the second air outlet (1112) and the outlet of the first device. The one-way valve (130) is used to control the gas discharged from the second air outlet (1112) to flow into the air outlet in one direction.

3. The steam-water separator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The separator body (110) includes an upper shell (111), a lower shell (112), and a separator (113). The upper shell (111) and the lower shell (112) define a separation chamber. The separator (113) is disposed in the separation chamber and is used to divide the separation chamber into a first chamber (a1) and a second chamber (a2) that are connected. The air inlet channel (120) of the steam-water separator is connected to the second chamber (a2).

4. The steam-water separator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The partition (113) includes a flange (1131) and a cylindrical portion (1132) located on the side of the flange (1131) facing the second chamber (a2), the flange (1131) being used to connect with the upper shell (111) and / or the lower shell (112).

5. The steam-water separator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The flange portion (1131) is provided with a plurality of sealing grooves, and a sealing element is provided in the sealing groove.

6. The steam-water separator according to claim 3, characterized in that, A baffle plate (114) is also provided at the end of the second chamber (a2) away from the first chamber (a1).

7. The steam-water separator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The water baffle (114) has a small hole (1142).

8. The steam-water separator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The water baffle (114) is constructed as a conical plate.

9. A fuel cell, characterized in that, include: According to any one of claims 1-8, the first device is configured as a hydrogen pump, and the first outlet (1111) of the gas-water separator is connected to the inlet of the hydrogen pump, and the second outlet (1112) is connected to the outlet of the hydrogen pump.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, include: The fuel cell according to claim 9.

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