Gas-water separator for PEM water electrolyser

Abstract

The utility model discloses a gas-water separator for a PEM water electrolyser, which comprises a barrel and a floating body, an upper cover is arranged at the top of the barrel, a lower cover is arranged at the bottom of the barrel, an inlet pipe and a gas outlet pipe are arranged at the top of the upper cover, a drain pipe is arranged on the lower cover, and a hollow raised thimble is arranged at the top of the lower cover; and the floating body is arranged in the cylinder body, the floating body is blocked on the convex ejector pin, a groove in which the convex ejector pin can be embedded is formed in the bottom of the floating body, and a fixed silica gel sealing gasket is arranged in the groove. The inlet pipe extends downwards into the barrel, so that the bottom of the inlet pipe is lower than the gas outlet pipe, gas mixed with water is prevented from being directly discharged from the gas outlet, and the gas-water separation effect is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of gas-water separation technology, specifically a gas-water separator for a PEM water electrolyzer. Background Technology

[0002] A gas-liquid separator is a device that separates gas and liquid mixtures and discharges the gas and liquid separately. It can be used for gas-liquid separation of various gases such as hydrogen and oxygen.

[0003] In the PEM water electrolysis hydrogen production process, the anode of the electrolyzer produces a mixture of oxygen and unelectrolyzed water, while the cathode produces a mixture of hydrogen and water. In actual production, the mixture usually needs to be separated in order to utilize the gas.

[0004] Therefore, this utility model provides a gas-water separator for a PEM water electrolyzer to solve the problems mentioned in the background art. Utility Model Content

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A gas-water separator for a PEM water electrolyzer includes a cylinder and a float. The top of the cylinder is provided with an upper cover and the bottom of the cylinder is provided with a lower cover. The top of the upper cover is provided with an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, and the bottom cover is provided with a drain pipe. The top of the lower cover is provided with a hollow protruding pin.

[0007] The float is located inside the cylinder and is plugged on the protruding pin. The bottom of the float has a groove into which the protruding pin can be embedded, and a fixed silicone sealing gasket is provided in the groove.

[0008] A further embodiment: the inlet pipe extends downward into the interior of the cylinder, and the bottom of the inlet pipe is lower than the outlet pipe.

[0009] A further embodiment: The top of the float is provided with a small tube, and the opening of the small tube is provided with a tube cap.

[0010] A further embodiment: the protruding pin is conical, with its diameter increasing from top to bottom.

[0011] A further embodiment: the cross-sectional shape of the cylinder is circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the float is one of a circle, a hexagon, or an octagon.

[0012] A further solution: Both the upper and lower covers are threadedly connected to the cylinder body, and sealing rings are provided at the connection points between the upper and lower covers and the cylinder body.

[0013] A further solution: The outer walls of the upper and lower covers are uniformly provided with multiple process grooves.

[0014] A further option: the outer diameter of the float is 90%-98% of the inner diameter of the cylinder.

[0015] A further option: the material of the float is one of PC, PE, PP, ABS, and PVC.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0017] 1. By extending the inlet pipe downwards into the cylinder, making the bottom of the inlet pipe lower than the outlet pipe, the gas mixed with moisture is prevented from being directly discharged from the outlet, which helps to improve the gas-water separation effect.

[0018] 2. The float is made of plastic (one of PC, PE, PP, ABS, or PVC), which has low density and light weight. However, it cannot be tightly pressed against the raised pin, and gas can easily escape from the gaps. By setting a small tube and a cap on the top of the hollow float, a certain amount of liquid can be added into the float through the small tube according to actual needs, and then the cap can be tightened to increase the weight of the float, thereby sealing the opening of the raised pin, preventing air leakage, and improving the separation effect. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 An exploded view of a gas-liquid separator for a PEM water electrolyzer;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the upper cover structure;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the lower cover.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Cylinder body; 2. Top cover; 3. Bottom cover; 4. Float; 5. Sealing ring; 21. Inlet pipe; 22. Outlet pipe; 31. Drain pipe; 32. Protruding pin; 41. Groove; 42. Silicone gasket; 43. Small tube; 44. Pipe cap. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model; that is, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0025] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] Please see Figures 1-3 In this embodiment of the present invention, a gas-water separator for a PEM water electrolyzer includes a cylinder 1 and a float 4. The top of the cylinder 1 is provided with an upper cover 2 and the bottom of the cylinder 1 is provided with a lower cover 3. The top of the upper cover 2 is provided with an inlet pipe 21 and an outlet pipe 22, and the bottom cover 3 is provided with a drain pipe 31. The top of the lower cover 3 is provided with a hollow protruding pin 32. The float 4 is located inside the cylinder 1 and is plugged on the protruding pin 32. The bottom of the float 4 is provided with a groove 41 into which the protruding pin 32 can be embedded, and a fixed silicone sealing gasket 42 is provided in the groove 41.

[0027] When gas mixed with moisture enters the cylinder 1 through inlet pipe 21, due to the density difference between the two, the moisture sinks and remains at the bottom of the cylinder 1, while the gas rises and is discharged through outlet pipe 22. Initially, float 4 is blocked on the protruding pin 32 by its own weight, preventing gas from escaping. As the moisture content inside the cylinder 1 increases, float 4 rises under the action of buoyancy. At this point, the liquid level exceeds the protruding pin 32, and the moisture enters the hollow tube of the protruding pin 32 and is then discharged through drain pipe 31. At this time, the liquid level inside the cylinder 1 drops, and float 4 blocks the pin again.

[0028] The float 4 rises and falls continuously to achieve automatic drainage, and the bottom of the cylinder 1 always maintains a certain amount of water to prevent gas from escaping from the drain outlet.

[0029] Furthermore, the inlet pipe 21 extends downward into the interior of the cylinder 1, so that the bottom of the inlet pipe 21 is lower than the outlet pipe 22, preventing the gas mixed with moisture from being directly discharged from the outlet, which is beneficial to improving the gas-water separation effect.

[0030] In one embodiment, the float 4 is made of PP material, which is not easily corroded. However, its light weight makes it difficult to press tightly against the raised pin 32, allowing gas to escape through the gaps. By installing a small tube 43 and a cap 44 on the top of the hollow float 4, adding water to the inside of the float 4 and then tightening the cap 44, the weight of the float 4 is increased, thereby sealing the opening of the raised pin 32, preventing air leakage, and improving the separation effect. By adding different volumes of water, the liquid level height when the float 4 floats can be changed, i.e., the height at which the water level is maintained at the bottom of the cylinder, improving the adaptability of the float.

[0031] Alternatively, the material of the float 4 can also be one of PC, PE, ABS, or PVC.

[0032] Preferably, the protruding pin 32 is conical, and its diameter increases from top to bottom.

[0033] Optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the cylinder 1 is circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the float 4 is one of circular, hexagonal, or octagonal.

[0034] Furthermore, both the upper cover 2 and the lower cover 3 are threadedly connected to the cylinder 1, and sealing rings 5 ​​are provided at the connection points between the upper cover 2 and the lower cover 3 and the cylinder 1 to prevent water leakage.

[0035] Preferably, the outer walls of the upper cover 2 and the lower cover 3 are evenly provided with multiple process grooves to facilitate tightening or disassembly.

[0036] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0037] The above description is merely an example and illustration of the structure of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or additions to the specific embodiments described or use similar methods to replace them, as long as they do not deviate from the structure of the utility model or exceed the scope defined in the claims, they should all fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A gas-liquid separator for a PEM water electrolyzer, comprising a cylindrical body (1) and a float (4), characterized in that: The top of the cylinder (1) is provided with an upper cover (2), and the bottom of the cylinder (1) is provided with a lower cover (3). The upper cover (2) has an inlet pipe (21) and an outlet pipe (22) at the top, and the lower cover (3) has a drain pipe (31) at the top. The lower cover (3) has a hollow protruding pin (32) at the top. The float (4) is located inside the cylinder (1). The float (4) is plugged on the protruding pin (32). The bottom of the float (4) is provided with a groove (41) into which the protruding pin (32) can be embedded. A fixed silicone sealing gasket (42) is provided in the groove (41).

2. The gas-water separator for a PEM water electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet pipe (21) extends downward into the interior of the cylinder (1), and the bottom of the inlet pipe (21) is lower than the outlet pipe (22).

3. The gas-water separator for a PEM water electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the float (4) is provided with a small tube (43), and the opening of the small tube (43) is provided with a tube cap (44).

4. A gas-water separator for a PEM water electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protruding pin (32) is conical, and its diameter increases from top to bottom.

5. A gas-water separator for a PEM water electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-sectional shape of the cylinder (1) is circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the float (4) is one of circular, hexagonal, or octagonal.

6. A gas-water separator for a PEM water electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper cover (2) and the lower cover (3) are both threadedly connected to the cylinder (1), and sealing rings (5) are provided at the connection between the upper cover (2) and the lower cover (3) and the cylinder (1).

7. A gas-liquid separator for a PEM water electrolyzer according to claim 6, characterized in that, The outer walls of the upper cover (2) and the lower cover (3) are uniformly provided with multiple process grooves.

8. A gas-water separator for a PEM water electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the float (4) is 90%-98% of the inner diameter of the cylinder (1).

9. A gas-water separator for a PEM water electrolyzer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material of the float (4) is one of PC, PE, PP, ABS and PVC.

Images