A hydrogen fuel cell hydrogen subsystem
By using vortex tubes to cool and separate the recirculating hydrogen in the fuel cell system, the problem of water vapor in the circulating hydrogen that cannot be separated is solved, thus achieving flood protection and performance improvement of the fuel cell stack.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUANGDONG YUNTAO HYDROGEN ENERGY TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-26
AI Technical Summary
In existing fuel cell systems, water vapor carried by circulating hydrogen cannot be effectively separated, leading to flooding of the fuel cell stack, which affects performance and accelerates performance degradation.
A vortex tube is used to cool the reflux hydrogen. The hydrogen is separated into a high-temperature hot stream and a low-temperature cold stream through vortex separation. The cold stream condenses into liquid water and is then discharged to prevent the fuel cell stack from being flooded.
It effectively separates liquid water from the refluxed hydrogen, preventing the fuel cell stack from being flooded and improving the stack's performance and lifespan.
Smart Images
Figure CN224288264U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of fuel cells, and specifically relates to a hydrogen subsystem of a hydrogen fuel cell. Background Technology
[0002] A fuel cell is a device that directly converts chemical energy into electrical energy. Because the energy conversion is not limited by the Carnot cycle and the only byproduct is water, fuel cells are characterized by high energy conversion efficiency and environmental friendliness. Using fuel cells as a power source in automobiles not only achieves efficient energy utilization and significantly reduces harmful emissions, but also enables low noise and low vibration during vehicle operation. Therefore, fuel cell vehicles represent a significant future trend in automotive development, and fuel cell vehicle technology is becoming a key research focus in the automotive field.
[0003] In commonly used fuel cell engine systems, to improve hydrogen utilization efficiency, the hydrogen subsystem typically uses a hydrogen recirculation pump or ejector to recover and reuse excess hydrogen. Water management in the hydrogen recirculation loop has a significant impact on fuel cell performance and lifespan. Since the recirculated hydrogen carries a large amount of liquid water and water vapor, to prevent excessive moisture from entering the fuel cell stack and causing flooding, a gas-water separator is needed to separate the hydrogen from the water. Gas-water separators come in various types, typically using methods such as baffles or centrifugation to separate water. Liquid water flows downwards along the chamber wall, collects at the bottom of the gas-water separator, and is drained by periodically opening a drain valve. Due to the high temperature of the recirculated hydrogen and the high saturated vapor pressure of water, a large amount of water vapor cannot be separated by the gas-water separator. This water vapor, after mixing with hydrogen from the hydrogen cylinder, easily condenses to form liquid water, accumulating at the fuel cell stack inlet, causing flooding. This leads to localized insufficient hydrogen supply, affecting fuel cell performance, and in severe cases, causing reverse polarity and accelerating stack performance degradation. Utility Model Content
[0004] This invention overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings and provides a hydrogen subsystem for a hydrogen fuel cell. This invention directly cools the returning hydrogen gas using a vortex tube.
[0005] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows.
[0006] A hydrogen fuel cell hydrogen subsystem includes a hydrogen inlet pipeline, a proportional valve or hydrogen injector, a fuel cell stack, a vortex tube, a gas-liquid separator, and a hydrogen recirculation device. The hydrogen inlet pipeline is sequentially connected to the proportional valve or hydrogen injector and the fuel cell stack. The hydrogen outlet of the fuel cell stack is connected to the vortex tube. The vortex tube has two outlets, one of which is connected to the gas-liquid separator, and the other is connected to the hydrogen recirculation device. The gas outlet of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the hydrogen recirculation device. The hydrogen recirculation device is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the fuel cell stack.
[0007] Furthermore, the hydrogen circulation device is a hydrogen circulation pump or an ejector.
[0008] Furthermore, when the hydrogen circulation device is a hydrogen circulation pump, the outlet pipe of the hydrogen circulation pump is connected to the proportional valve or hydrogen injector and the pipeline between the fuel cell stack.
[0009] Furthermore, when the hydrogen recirculation device is an ejector, the ejector is connected to the pipeline between the proportional valve or hydrogen injector and the fuel cell stack.
[0010] Furthermore, the hydrogen inlet pipeline is connected to a hydrogen source.
[0011] Furthermore, a drain valve is installed on the drain outlet pipe of the gas-water separator.
[0012] Furthermore, the vortex tube includes three inlets or outlets, namely an air inlet, a cold flow outlet, and a hot flow outlet; the hydrogen outlet of the fuel cell stack is connected to the air inlet of the vortex tube; the cold flow outlet is connected to the inlet of the gas-water separator; and the hot flow outlet is connected to the hydrogen circulation device.
[0013] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:
[0014] 1. The vortex tube in this utility model has a simple structure, small size, light weight, is a passive component, does not consume additional power, and has a long service life.
[0015] 2. In this invention, the vortex tube cooling method allows the liquid water in the refluxed hydrogen to condense rapidly and generate more liquid water. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the hydrogen gas-water separation structure in Example 1;
[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the hydrogen gas-water separation structure in Example 2;
[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a vortex tube.
[0019] The components in the diagram are as follows: 1. Hydrogen inlet pipe; 2. Proportional valve or hydrogen injector; 3. Fuel cell stack; 4. Vortex tube; 5. Gas-water separator; 6. Hydrogen circulation pump; 7. Drain valve; 9. Ejector; 10. Vortex tube inlet; 11. Vortex tube cold outlet; 12. Vortex tube hot outlet. Detailed Implementation
[0020] This invention provides a hydrogen subsystem for a hydrogen fuel cell that can cool the return hydrogen, fully condense and separate the moisture in the gas, and prevent the moisture from condensing back into liquid water after mixing with new hydrogen due to cooling. This can prevent water flooding at the fuel cell inlet and effectively improve the lifespan of the fuel cell. Example 1
[0021] Please see the appendix Figure 1 , attached Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell hydrogen circulation structure according to this embodiment. The fuel cell system includes a hydrogen inlet pipeline 1, a proportional valve or hydrogen injector 2, a fuel cell stack 3, a vortex tube 4, a gas-water separator 5, a hydrogen circulation pump 6, and a drain valve 7.
[0022] The hydrogen inlet pipe 1 is connected to the inlet of the proportional valve or hydrogen injector 2, and the outlet of the proportional valve or hydrogen injector 2 is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the fuel cell stack 3; for example Figure 3 As shown, the vortex tube 4 includes three inlets or outlets: an air inlet 4-1, a cold flow outlet 4-2, and a hot flow outlet 4-3. The hydrogen outlet of the fuel cell stack 3 is connected to the air inlet 4-1 of the vortex tube 4. The cold flow outlet 4-2 of the vortex tube 4 is connected to the inlet of the gas-water separator, and the hot flow outlet 4-3 is connected to the inlet of the hydrogen circulation pump 6. The gas outlet of the gas-water separator 5 is connected to the inlet of the hydrogen circulation pump 6, and a drain valve 7 is installed at the drain outlet of the gas-water separator 5. The hydrogen circulation pump 6 is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the fuel cell stack 3.
[0023] During fuel cell operation, after hydrogen is consumed by the fuel cell stack, the remaining hydrogen enters the vortex tube 4 through the inlet 4-1. The vortex tube separates the returning hydrogen into two streams: a high-temperature hot stream and a low-temperature cold stream. The cold stream, after cooling, experiences a decrease in saturated vapor pressure, resulting in the condensation of more liquid water. This condensed liquid water is then separated from the system by the gas-liquid separator 5 and the drain valve 7. The separated cold stream mixes with the hot stream to form an unsaturated hydrogen stream, which is pressurized to the target pressure by the hydrogen circulation pump and mixed with hydrogen from the proportional valve or hydrogen injector before re-entering the fuel cell stack. Example 2
[0024] Please see the appendix Figure 2 , attached Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a fuel cell hydrogen cycle structure according to this embodiment. The fuel cell system includes a hydrogen inlet pipeline 1, a proportional valve or hydrogen injector 2, a fuel cell stack 3, a vortex tube 4, a gas-water separator 5, a drain valve 7, and an ejector 9.
[0025] The hydrogen inlet pipe 1 is connected to the inlet of the proportional valve or hydrogen injector 2, and the outlet of the proportional valve or hydrogen injector 2 is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the fuel cell stack 3; the hydrogen outlet of the fuel cell stack 3 is connected to the inlet 4-1 of the vortex tube 4; as Figure 3 As shown, the vortex tube 4 includes three inlets or outlets, namely an air inlet 4-1, a cold flow outlet 4-2, and a hot flow outlet 4-3. In this embodiment, the cold flow outlet 4-2 of the vortex tube 4 is connected to the inlet of the gas-water separator, and the hot flow outlet 4-3 is connected to the high-pressure air inlet of the ejector 9. The gas outlet of the gas-water separator 5 is connected to the ejector inlet of the ejector 9, and the drain outlet of the gas-water separator 5 is connected to the drain valve 7. The gas outlet of the ejector 9 is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the fuel cell stack 3.
[0026] During fuel cell operation, after hydrogen is consumed by the fuel cell stack, the remaining hydrogen enters the vortex tube 4 through the inlet 4-1. The vortex tube separates the returning hydrogen into two streams: a high-temperature hot stream and a low-temperature cold stream. The cold stream, after cooling, experiences a decrease in saturated vapor pressure, resulting in the condensation of more liquid water. This condensed liquid water is then separated from the system by the gas-liquid separator 5 and the drain valve 7. The separated cold stream mixes with the hot stream to form an unsaturated hydrogen stream, which is pressurized to the target pressure by the ejector and mixed with hydrogen from the proportional valve or hydrogen injector before re-entering the fuel cell stack.
Claims
1. A hydrogen fuel cell hydrogen subsystem, characterized in that, The system includes a hydrogen inlet pipeline (1), a proportional valve or hydrogen injector (2), a fuel cell stack (3), a vortex tube (4), a gas-water separator (5), and a hydrogen circulation device. The hydrogen inlet pipeline (1) is sequentially connected to the proportional valve or hydrogen injector (2) and the fuel cell stack (3). The hydrogen outlet of the fuel cell stack (3) is connected to the vortex tube (4). The vortex tube (4) has two outlets, one of which is connected to the gas-water separator (5), and the other outlet is connected to the hydrogen circulation device. The gas outlet of the gas-water separator (5) is connected to the hydrogen circulation device. The hydrogen circulation device is connected to the hydrogen inlet of the fuel cell stack (3).
2. The hydrogen fuel cell hydrogen subsystem as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen circulation device is a hydrogen circulation pump (6) or an ejector (9).
3. The hydrogen fuel cell hydrogen subsystem as described in claim 2, characterized in that, When the hydrogen circulation device is a hydrogen circulation pump (6), the outlet pipe of the hydrogen circulation pump (6) is connected to the pipe between the proportional valve or hydrogen injector (2) and the fuel cell stack (3).
4. The hydrogen fuel cell hydrogen subsystem as described in claim 2, characterized in that, When the hydrogen circulation device is an ejector (9); the ejector (9) is connected to the pipeline between the proportional valve or hydrogen injector (2) and the fuel cell stack (3).
5. The hydrogen fuel cell hydrogen subsystem as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen inlet pipeline (1) is connected to the hydrogen source.
6. The hydrogen subsystem of a hydrogen fuel cell as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A drain valve (7) is installed on the drain outlet pipe of the gas-water separator (5).
7. The hydrogen fuel cell hydrogen subsystem as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The vortex tube (4) includes three inlets or outlets, namely an air inlet (4-1), a cold flow outlet (4-2), and a hot flow outlet (4-3); the hydrogen outlet of the fuel cell stack (3) is connected to the air inlet (4-1) of the vortex tube (4); the cold flow outlet (4-2) is connected to the inlet of the gas-water separator (5); and the hot flow outlet (4-3) is connected to the hydrogen circulation device.