Miniaturized gas-water separator used in modularized AEM hydrogen production equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses a miniaturized gas-water separator used in modularized AEM hydrogen production equipment, which comprises a separator shell and a separator upper cover which are connected with each other, and further comprises a separator filter element positioned in the separator shell, the whole separator shell is a cylindrical shell, an opening is formed in the top of the separator shell, and a first internal thread is formed in the inner wall of the opening in the top of the separator shell; a drainage channel is formed in the center of the bottom of the separator shell; the separator upper cover comprises an upper cover main body part and a threaded connection part which are integrally formed, the threaded connection part extends into the separator shell, the outer wall of the threaded connection part is provided with a first external thread, and the first external thread is meshed with the first internal thread; the gas-liquid separator is small and exquisite in structure, meanwhile, a flange connection mode adopted in a traditional large gas-liquid separator is omitted, an unnecessary structure in the gas-liquid separator is simplified in a threaded connection mode, and the size of the whole structure is further reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of gas-liquid separators, specifically a miniaturized gas-liquid separator used inside a modular AEM hydrogen production device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the emerging anion exchange membrane electrolysis (AEM) technology for hydrogen production is attracting widespread attention due to its unique advantages. AEM technology consists of anion exchange membranes and two catalytic electrodes. It typically uses pure water or a low-concentration alkaline solution as the electrolyte and employs inexpensive, non-precious metal catalysts and hydrocarbon membranes. This process offers advantages such as low cost, rapid start-up and shutdown, and low energy consumption, while also providing ease of operation when coupled with renewable energy sources.

[0003] For example, our company's earlier patent application, authorized announcement number CN118345402B, discloses an integrated AEM water electrolysis hydrogen production device, which relates to the field of water electrolysis hydrogen production technology, including: a hydrogen production component, the hydrogen production component including a base plate, and two collection components arranged on the top of the base plate.

[0004] In the aforementioned patent, oxygen and hydrogen enter their respective collection bottles through two collection pipes and two inlet pipes, respectively, for collection. During hydrogen collection, a temperature sensor detects the temperature, allowing staff to monitor the hydrogen temperature on the control system's display. The hydrogen then enters a cooler, where a cooling medium removes heat, thus cooling the hydrogen. Next, the hydrogen passes through a heat pipe; insulation material absorbs residual heat, which is then transferred to the outside via the heat pipe, further reducing the hydrogen temperature and preventing overheating during collection, which could affect storage and processing. However, the patent has a drawback: the prepared hydrogen requires purification before use, and existing gas-liquid separators are relatively large, hindering miniaturization and modularization of the equipment.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to improve such a structure to overcome the above-mentioned defects. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a miniaturized gas-water separator for use inside a modular AEM hydrogen production device, in order to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0008] A miniaturized gas-water separator for use inside a modular AEM hydrogen production device includes a separator housing and a separator top cover connected to each other, and a separator filter element located inside the separator housing. The separator housing is cylindrical with an opening at the top, and the inner wall of the top opening of the separator housing has a first internal thread. A drainage channel is provided at the center of the bottom of the separator housing. The separator top cover includes an integrally formed top cover body and a threaded connection part, wherein the threaded connection part extends into the separator housing, and the outer wall of the threaded connection part has a first external thread, which meshes with the first internal thread. The separator top cover is connected via the first external thread. The separator housing is fixed to the top by the engagement of the threaded part with the first internal thread; an air intake channel is provided at the center of the top of the separator cover, and a second internal thread is provided on the inner wall of the lower end of the air intake channel. The top of the separator filter element is provided with a threaded connecting pipe, and a second external thread is provided on the outer wall of the threaded connecting pipe. The second internal thread and the second external thread engage with each other, and the separator filter element is fixed to the bottom of the separator cover by the engagement of the second internal thread and the second external thread; an exhaust channel is also provided on the side of the main body of the cover, and two exhaust grooves are provided at the bottom of the main body of the cover. The top inner side of the exhaust grooves is connected to the exhaust channel; the exhaust grooves are arc-shaped.

[0009] Furthermore, the overall height of the separator housing is 77mm, the outer diameter is 48mm, the inner diameter is 37mm, the overall height of the separator top cover is 34.5mm, and the height of the main body 201 of the top cover is 19.5mm.

[0010] Furthermore, a sealing ring mounting step is provided at the top opening of the separator housing. A first annular sealing ring is installed inside the gasket mounting step. The first annular sealing ring abuts against the inner wall of the sealing ring mounting step and the bottom of the upper cover body to ensure a seal between the separator housing and the separator upper cover.

[0011] Furthermore, a wave spring is provided between the separator filter element and the bottom of the inner cavity of the separator housing, wherein the top of the wave spring abuts against the bottom of the separator filter element, and the bottom of the wave spring abuts against or is welded to the bottom of the inner cavity of the separator housing.

[0012] Furthermore, an annular sealing ring mounting groove is provided at the bottom of the main body of the upper cover corresponding to the outer periphery of the air intake channel. A second sealing ring is installed in the sealing ring mounting groove. The second sealing ring abuts against the sealing ring mounting groove and the top of the separator filter element to ensure the seal between the separator filter element and the air intake channel.

[0013] Furthermore, the bottom of the separator housing has two symmetrically formed first arch-shaped notches, the top of the separator cover has two symmetrically formed second arch-shaped notches, and the bottom of the separator filter element has two symmetrically formed third arch-shaped notches.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0015] This utility model has a compact structure and eliminates the flange connection method used in traditional large gas-liquid separators. It adopts a threaded connection method to simplify the unnecessary structure in the gas-liquid separator and further reduce the overall size of the structure.

[0016] Meanwhile, in order to solve the problem that the separator filter element cannot provide sufficient preload when connected by threads due to its low structural strength (because the separator filter element cannot be turned with force), a wave spring is used to provide an upward elastic force to the separator filter element, thereby preventing the separator filter element from loosening and falling off. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a miniaturized gas-water separator used inside a modular AEM hydrogen production device.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a front view of a miniaturized gas-water separator used inside a modular AEM hydrogen production device.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a side view of a miniaturized gas-water separator used inside a modular AEM hydrogen production device.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a top view of a miniaturized gas-water separator used inside a modular AEM hydrogen production device.

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 2 Sectional view along the AA direction.

[0022] Figure 6 An exploded view of a miniaturized gas-water separator used inside a modular AEM hydrogen production device.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the separator cover in a miniaturized gas-water separator used inside a modular AEM hydrogen production device. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this utility model provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed utility model, but merely represents selected embodiments of the utility model. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0025] Please see Figure 1-7 A miniaturized gas-water separator for use inside a modular AEM hydrogen production device includes a separator housing 1 and a separator cover 2 connected to each other, and a separator filter element 3 located inside the separator housing.

[0026] The separator housing 1 is a cylindrical housing with an opening at the top. The inner wall of the opening at the top of the separator housing 1 is provided with a first internal thread 101. A drainage channel 102 is provided at the center of the bottom of the separator housing 1.

[0027] The separator housing 1 has an overall height of 77mm, an outer diameter of 48mm, and an inner diameter of 37mm.

[0028] The overall height of the separator cover 2 is 34.5 mm, and the height of the main body 201 of the cover is 19.5 mm; the overall structure is compact.

[0029] The separator cover 2 includes an integrally formed cover body 201 and a threaded connection 202, wherein the threaded connection 202 extends into the separator housing 1, and the outer wall of the threaded connection 202 is provided with a first external thread 203, which meshes with the first internal thread 101.

[0030] The separator cover 2 is fixed to the top of the separator housing 1 by the engagement of the first external thread 203 and the first internal thread 101;

[0031] In this design, a sealing ring mounting step 103 is provided at the top opening of the separator housing 1. A first annular sealing ring 4 is installed inside the gasket mounting step 103. The first annular sealing ring 4 abuts against the inner wall of the sealing ring mounting step 103 and the bottom of the upper cover body 201 to ensure a seal between the separator housing 1 and the separator upper cover 2.

[0032] An air intake channel 204 is provided at the top center of the separator cover 2, and a second internal thread 205 is provided on the lower inner wall of the air intake channel 204. At the same time, a threaded connecting pipe 301 is provided on the top of the separator filter element 3, and a second external thread 302 is provided on the outer wall of the threaded connecting pipe 301. The second internal thread 205 and the second external thread 302 mesh with each other, and the separator filter element 3 is fixed to the bottom of the separator cover 2 by meshing the second internal thread 205 and the second external thread 302.

[0033] During use, airflow enters the separator filter element 3 through the air intake channel 204, causing the separator filter element 3 to vibrate. The separator filter element 3 is connected to the separator cover 2 by a threaded connection. To prevent the threaded connection of the vibrating separator filter element 3 from loosening, a wave spring 5 is also provided between the separator filter element 3 and the bottom of the inner cavity of the separator housing 1. The top of the wave spring 5 abuts against the bottom of the separator filter element 3, and the bottom of the wave spring 5 abuts against or is welded to the bottom of the inner cavity of the separator housing 1.

[0034] In this solution, a wave spring 5 is used to provide an upward elastic force to the separator filter element 3, thereby preventing the separator filter element 3 from loosening and falling off;

[0035] Meanwhile, an annular sealing ring mounting groove 209 is provided at the bottom of the upper cover main body 201 corresponding to the outer periphery of the air intake channel 204. A second sealing ring 206 is installed in the sealing ring mounting groove 209. The second sealing ring 206 abuts against the sealing ring mounting groove 209 and the top of the separator filter element 3 to ensure the seal between the separator filter element 3 and the air intake channel 204.

[0036] The side of the main body 201 of the upper cover is also provided with an exhaust channel 207, and two exhaust grooves 208 are provided at the bottom of the main body 201 of the upper cover. The inner top of the exhaust grooves 208 is connected to the exhaust channel 207; the exhaust grooves 208 are generally arc-shaped.

[0037] In this design, the separator housing 1, separator top cover 2, and separator filter element 3 are all connected by threaded connections, and the separator housing 1, separator top cover 2, and separator filter element 3 are all roughly cylindrical in shape for easy screwing.

[0038] Two first arched notches 601 are symmetrically opened at the bottom of the separator housing 1.

[0039] Two second arched notches 602 are symmetrically opened on the top of the separator cover 2.

[0040] Two third arched notches 603 are symmetrically opened at the bottom of the separator filter element 3.

[0041] After the separator housing 1, separator top cover 2 and separator filter element 3 are made with two symmetrical bow-shaped notches, two parallel edges will be left. At this time, these two parallel edges can be locked with a wrench, making it easy to tighten.

[0042] When this utility model is in use, the airflow enters the separator filter element 3 through the air inlet channel 204. When the gas containing droplets enters the feed filter element, the gas first hits the support tube supporting the filter element. The larger droplets are initially separated and settle to the bottom of the filter element under the action of gravity, and then flow out of the filter element surface.

[0043] Next, the gas passes through the filter element from the outside to the inside, while the liquid particles gradually agglomerate and grow on the inner surface of the filter element due to the agglomeration function of the filter medium. When the droplets reach a certain size, they will fall off the inner surface due to the impact of the airflow and enter the internal flow channel of the filter element before flowing out of the filter element surface. After the droplets flow out of the filter element, the liquid droplets are discharged from the drain channel 102 by gravity (in use, the drain channel 102 is usually connected to a pipe and a valve is installed on the pipe).

[0044] Finally, the clean gas is discharged from the filter separator through exhaust channel 207.

[0045] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "left," and "right," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this utility model is in use, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly understood by those skilled in the art. They are used only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. In the description of this utility model, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, terms such as "set" and "connect" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

Claims

1. A miniaturized gas-water separator for use inside a modular AEM hydrogen production plant, comprising a separator housing and a separator upper cover connected to each other, and further comprising a separator filter cartridge located inside the separator housing; characterized in that, The separator shell is a cylindrical shell with an open top, and a first internal thread is formed on the inner wall of the open top of the separator shell; a drainage channel is formed at the center of the bottom of the separator shell; the separator upper cover includes an integrally formed upper cover main body and a threaded connection portion, wherein the threaded connection portion extends into the interior of the separator shell, and a first external thread is formed on the outer wall of the threaded connection portion, which is engaged with the first internal thread; the separator upper cover is fixed to the top of the separator shell by the engagement of the first external thread and the first internal thread; a gas inlet channel is formed at the center of the top of the separator upper cover, and a second internal thread is formed on the inner wall of the lower end of the gas inlet channel; a threaded connection tube is provided on the top of the separator filter element, and a second external thread is formed on the outer wall of the threaded connection tube, which is engaged with the second internal thread; the separator filter element is fixed to the bottom of the separator upper cover by the engagement of the second internal thread and the second external thread; an exhaust channel is formed on the side of the upper cover main body, and two exhaust grooves are provided on the bottom of the upper cover main body, which are in communication with the exhaust channel on the inner side of the top; the exhaust grooves are arc-shaped as a whole.

2. A miniaturized gas-water separator for use inside a modular AEM hydrogen generation plant according to claim 1, characterized in that, The overall height of the separator shell is 77 mm, the outer diameter is 48 mm, and the inner diameter is 37 mm; the overall height of the separator upper cover is 34.5 mm, and the height of the upper cover main body is 19.5 mm.

3. A miniaturized gas-water separator for use inside a modular AEM hydrogen generation plant according to claim 1, characterized in that, A gasket mounting step is further provided at the open top of the separator shell, a first annular gasket is mounted in the gasket mounting step, and the first annular gasket abuts against the inner wall of the gasket mounting step and the bottom of the upper cover main body to ensure the sealing between the separator shell and the separator upper cover.

4. A miniaturized gas-water separator for use inside a modular AEM hydrogen generation plant according to claim 1, characterized in that, A wave spring is further provided between the separator filter element and the bottom of the inner cavity of the separator shell, wherein the top of the wave spring abuts against the bottom of the separator filter element, and the bottom of the wave spring abuts against or is welded to the bottom of the inner cavity of the separator shell.

5. A miniaturized gas-water separator for use inside a modular AEM hydrogen generation plant according to claim 1, characterized in that, An annular gasket mounting groove is formed on the periphery of the gas inlet channel at the bottom of the upper cover main body, a second gasket is mounted in the gasket mounting groove, and the second gasket abuts against the gasket mounting groove and the top of the separator filter element to ensure the sealing between the separator filter element and the gas inlet channel.

6. A miniaturized gas-water separator for use inside a modular AEM hydrogen generation plant according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two first arc-shaped notches are symmetrically formed at the bottom of the separator shell, two second arc-shaped notches are symmetrically formed at the top of the separator upper cover, and two third arc-shaped notches are symmetrically formed at the bottom of the separator filter element.

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