Exhaust assembly for hydrogen production device and hydrogen production device

Abstract

The exhaust assembly for hydrogen production device and the hydrogen production device of the present disclosure comprise a flue gas pipeline and an automatic water drainage device. The flue gas pipeline is communicated with a flue gas exhaust outlet of the hydrogen production device, and the flue gas exhaust outlet is used for exhausting flue gas containing water vapor. The automatic water drainage device comprises a shell and a blocking piece. A water storage cavity is formed in the shell, a water storage inlet which is located below the flue gas pipeline and can be communicated with the water storage cavity and the flue gas pipeline is formed, and a water storage outlet which is communicated with the water storage cavity is formed. The blocking piece is floatably arranged in the water storage cavity, and can automatically move between a position of blocking the water storage outlet and a position of being floated to open the water storage outlet. The exhaust assembly for hydrogen production device and the hydrogen production device of the present disclosure can automatically drain the condensed water while exhausting the flue gas to the outside, which is beneficial to guarantee the service life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of hydrogen production, and more particularly to exhaust components for hydrogen production apparatuses and hydrogen production apparatuses. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen production units utilize water or water vapor reactions to produce hydrogen, especially natural gas-based hydrogen production units which use natural gas and water vapor reactions to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide. However, when the flue gas containing water vapor produced after hydrogen production is discharged through the flue gas duct, the water vapor in the flue gas will condense due to temperature changes. This condensate will accumulate in the flue gas duct, affecting its service life. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One advantage of this disclosure is that it provides an exhaust assembly and a hydrogen production device that can automatically discharge condensate while emitting flue gas to the outside, which helps to ensure service life.

[0004] To achieve at least one of the advantages of this disclosure, this disclosure provides an exhaust assembly for a hydrogen production apparatus, comprising: a flue gas duct connected to a flue gas outlet of the hydrogen production apparatus, the flue gas outlet being used to discharge water vapor-containing flue gas; and an automatic drainage component comprising: a housing forming a water storage chamber and forming a water inlet located below the flue gas duct and communicating with the water storage chamber and the flue gas duct, and forming a water outlet communicating with the water storage chamber; and a sealing component buoyantly disposed within the water storage chamber to automatically move between a position sealing the water outlet and a position buoyant to open the water outlet.

[0005] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the sealing member includes a spherical body and a sealing portion disposed on the spherical body for closing the water storage outlet.

[0006] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the automatic drainage component is located at the bend where the flue gas duct extends upward.

[0007] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, it further includes: a first pipe connected to the flue gas outlet and horizontally arranged; a second pipe connected above the first pipe and vertically arranged and connected to the first pipe to form a bend, wherein the automatic drainage component is arranged at the bend.

[0008] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, it further includes: a drainage pipe connected below the exhaust gas pipe, and the automatic drainage component is disposed in the drainage pipe.

[0009] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the drainage pipe is located at the bend where the flue gas pipe extends upward.

[0010] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, it further includes: an on / off valve disposed in the drainage pipe and positioned closer to the flue gas pipe than the automatic drainage component.

[0011] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the on / off valve includes a shut-off valve.

[0012] This disclosure also provides a hydrogen production apparatus, including: a hydrogen production device for producing hydrogen using water or water vapor, forming a flue gas outlet for discharging flue gas containing water vapor; and an exhaust assembly for the hydrogen production device as described above, connected to the flue gas outlet.

[0013] Beneficial effects:

[0014] (1) The exhaust assembly and hydrogen production device disclosed herein can automatically discharge condensate while discharging flue gas to the outside, which is beneficial to ensuring service life.

[0015] (2) The exhaust assembly and hydrogen production device disclosed herein have an on / off valve that can cut off the condensate when the automatic drain component needs to be repaired or replaced, which facilitates the replacement and repair of the automatic drain component. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the exhaust assembly for a hydrogen production device according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the automatic drainage component 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] 10. Exhaust gas duct; 11. First duct; 12. Second duct; 13. Turning point;

[0019] 20. Automatic drainage component; 21. Outer shell; 2101. Water storage chamber; 2102. Water inlet; 2103. Water outlet; 22. Sealing component; 221. Spherical body; 222. Sealing part;

[0020] 30. Drainage pipes;

[0021] 40. Tee fittings;

[0022] 50. On / off valve;

[0023] 900, Hydrogen production unit; 901, Flue gas outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The following description is intended to disclose this disclosure so that those skilled in the art can implement it. The preferred embodiments described below are merely examples, and other obvious variations will occur to those skilled in the art. The basic principles of this disclosure defined in the following description can be applied to other embodiments, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and other technical solutions that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0025] Those skilled in the art should understand that, in the disclosure of this document, the terms “longitudinal,” “lateral,” “up,” “down,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” and “outer,” etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this disclosure 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. Therefore, the above terms should not be construed as limitations on this disclosure.

[0026] It is understood that the term "a" should be understood as "at least one" or "one or more", that is, in one embodiment, the number of an element can be one, while in another embodiment, the number of the element can be multiple, and the term "a" should not be understood as a limitation on the number.

[0027] In this disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this disclosure according to the specific circumstances.

[0028] In hydrogen production devices, especially natural gas hydrogen production devices, when water vapor-containing flue gas is discharged to the outside through the flue gas duct, the condensate formed by the water vapor condensation is prone to accumulating in the flue gas duct, affecting the service life of the flue gas duct.

[0029] In view of this, the present disclosure provides an exhaust assembly for a hydrogen production device. When the exhaust assembly discharges the water vapor-containing flue gas discharged after hydrogen production, it can automatically discharge the condensate formed by the condensation of water vapor, which is convenient for discharge and helps to ensure the service life of the flue gas duct.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of the exhaust assembly for a hydrogen production apparatus according to an embodiment of this disclosure. See also... Figure 1The exhaust assembly for a hydrogen production device according to embodiments of this disclosure includes an exhaust gas duct 10 and an automatic drainage component 20.

[0031] The exhaust gas pipe 10 is connected to the exhaust gas outlet 901 of the hydrogen production device 900, and the exhaust gas outlet 901 is used to discharge flue gas containing water vapor. The hydrogen production device 900 is a device for producing hydrogen using water or water vapor. Optionally, the hydrogen production device 900 can be a natural gas hydrogen production device. After producing hydrogen, the hydrogen production device 900 will generate flue gas containing water vapor, and the flue gas containing water vapor will be discharged to the outside through the exhaust gas outlet 901.

[0032] The exhaust gas duct 10 is connected to the exhaust gas outlet 901 of the hydrogen production device 900, thereby enabling the exhaust gas duct 10 to discharge water vapor-containing flue gas from the exhaust gas outlet 901 to a location away from the exhaust gas outlet 901.

[0033] Optionally, the exhaust gas duct 10 is connected to the atmospheric environment, thereby directly discharging the flue gas generated after hydrogen production into the external atmosphere. Of course, it is understood that the exhaust gas duct 10 can also be connected to other gas collection devices, thereby uniformly collecting and reusing the flue gas discharged from the exhaust gas duct 10.

[0034] Optionally, the exhaust duct 10 extends upwards, specifically, the upper end of the exhaust duct 10 is higher than a predetermined height and bends downwards, thereby discharging the exhaust gas into the high atmosphere.

[0035] Optionally, the exhaust gas duct 10 includes a first duct 11 and a second duct 12. The first duct 11 is connected to the exhaust gas outlet 901 and is horizontally arranged. The second duct 12 is vertically arranged and connected above the first duct 11, and the second duct 12 and the first duct 11 are connected to form a bend 13. Thus, when the exhaust gas is discharged through the exhaust gas duct 10, the exhaust gas will flow along the first duct 11, the bend 13 and the second duct 12 in sequence and be discharged into the high atmosphere.

[0036] Optionally, the first pipe 11 extends in a horizontal straight line, and the second pipe 12 extends at least partially in a vertical straight line, thereby allowing flue gas to be discharged through the horizontally extending first pipe 11 to the second pipe 12, and then discharged into the upper atmosphere through the at least partially vertically extending second pipe 12. However, it is understood that the extension arrangement of the first pipe 11 and the second pipe 12 in the embodiments of this disclosure includes, but is not limited to, this. For example, the first pipe 11 may be extended in a horizontal plane with a bend for practical application scenarios and obstacle avoidance, and the second pipe 12 may be inclined relative to the vertical direction or extended in a vertical plane for practical application scenarios and obstacle avoidance, all of which are within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0037] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the automatic drainage component 20 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. See also... Figure 2 The automatic drainage component 20 includes a housing 21 and a sealing component 22.

[0038] The outer casing 21 forms a water storage cavity 2101. The outer casing 21 forms a water inlet 2102 and a water outlet 2103 that communicate with the water storage cavity 2101. The water inlet 2102 is located above the water outlet 2103 and below the exhaust gas duct 10, and the water inlet 2102 can communicate with the exhaust gas duct 10.

[0039] As an example, the water inlet 2102 can be located at the top of the outer casing 21 or on the side wall. The water outlet 2103 can be located on the side wall of the outer casing 21 near the bottom, but may not be located at the bottom. It is understood that the high and low positions of the water inlet 2102 and the water outlet 2103 on the wall of the outer casing 21 determine the amount of water stored when the sealing member 22 in the water storage cavity 2101 opens the water outlet 2103. Therefore, the positions of the water inlet 2102 and the water outlet 2103 can be adjusted according to the required water storage volume.

[0040] As an example, the water inlet 2102 can be located at the top of the outer casing 21 or on the side wall. The water outlet 2103 can be located on the side wall of the outer casing 21 near the bottom, but may not be located at the bottom. It is understood that the high and low positions of the water inlet 2102 and the water outlet 2103 on the wall of the outer casing 21 determine the amount of water stored when the sealing member 22 in the water storage cavity 2101 opens the water outlet 2103. Therefore, the positions of the water inlet 2102 and the water outlet 2103 can be adjusted according to the required water storage volume.

[0041] As an example, the water storage cavity 2101 includes a first cavity 21011 and a second cavity 21012 that are connected to each other. The first cavity 21011 is used to receive the sealing member 22, and a water outlet 2103 is formed on the side wall of the first cavity 21011. The second cavity 21012 is located above the first cavity 21011, and the height of the second cavity 21012 is greater than that of the first cavity 21011, thereby providing sufficient floating space for the sealing member 22 to float.

[0042] The sealing member 22 is floatably disposed within the water storage cavity 2101, so as to automatically move between a position that blocks the water storage outlet 2103 and a position that is floated upward to open the water storage outlet 2103.

[0043] Optionally, the sealing member 22 includes a spherical body 221 and a sealing portion 222 disposed on the spherical body 221 for sealing the water storage outlet 2103. Thus, when the automatic drainage member 20 is not draining, the sealing portion 222 on the sealing member 22 is positioned to close the water storage outlet 2103. When the sealing portion 222 of the sealing member 22 is raised above the water storage outlet 2103 due to the rise in the condensate water level in the water storage chamber 2101, the condensate water can be automatically discharged through the water storage outlet 2103, thereby achieving the effect of automatic drainage. Furthermore, the spherical body 221 has good buoyancy characteristics, enabling it to sensitively respond to changes in the water level within the water storage chamber 2101, and the spherical structure is also easy to manufacture and install.

[0044] In addition, it is worth mentioning that when the sealing member 22 is in the above shape, the inner bottom wall of the first cavity 21011 is an arc shape that can fit with the spherical body 221, so that the inner bottom wall of the first cavity 21011 can stably support the spherical body 221 when it fits with the spherical body 221.

[0045] In other words, when the flue gas containing water vapor does not flow through the flue gas duct 10 and the condensate formed by the condensation of water vapor does not enter the water storage inlet 2102, the sealing component 22 is located at the position of sealing the water storage outlet 2103.

[0046] When water vapor-containing flue gas flows through the exhaust gas duct 10, the condensate formed by the condensation of water vapor will continuously accumulate at the bottom of the exhaust gas duct 10 under the action of gravity, and enter the water storage chamber 2101 through the water storage inlet 2102. This causes the water level in the water storage chamber 2101 to rise, thereby causing the sealing member 22 to float up and rise above the water storage outlet 2103. This allows the sealing member 22 to open the water storage outlet 2103, thus automatically discharging the condensate to the outside through the water storage outlet 2103. After the condensate is automatically discharged, the sealing member 22 will fall again under the action of gravity, returning to its original position blocking the water storage outlet 2103.

[0047] Therefore, the exhaust assembly for the hydrogen production device described in this embodiment can automatically discharge condensate in the exhaust gas pipe 10 while discharging flue gas to the outside. The discharge of condensate is convenient and helps to ensure the service life of the exhaust gas pipe 10.

[0048] Optionally, the automatic drainage component 20 is located at the turning point 13, so that the flue gas turns upward along the extension direction of the flue gas duct 10, so that when a lot of condensate accumulates at the turning point 13, the automatic drainage component 20 can automatically discharge the large amount of condensate that has accumulated at the turning point 13 to the outside, resulting in good drainage effect.

[0049] Optionally, the exhaust assembly for the hydrogen production unit further includes a drain pipe 30. The drain pipe 30 is connected to the lower part of the flue gas duct 10, and the automatic draining device 20 is disposed on the drain pipe 30. Thus, when the flue gas containing water vapor flows through the flue gas duct 10 and accumulates at the bottom of the flue gas duct 10 under the action of gravity, the condensate will flow to the drain pipe 30 under the action of gravity, so that the automatic draining device 20 disposed on the drain pipe 30 can discharge it outward. The drain pipe 30 helps to ensure that the condensate can flow sufficiently to the automatic draining device 20.

[0050] Optionally, the drainage pipe 30 is connected to the bend 13 where the flue gas pipe 10 turns upward, so that the condensate accumulated at the bend 13 of the flue gas pipe 10 can flow fully into the drainage pipe 30 and be fully discharged through the automatic drainage component 20 on the drainage pipe 30.

[0051] Optionally, the drain pipe 30 extends vertically in a straight line downwards, thereby allowing condensate to be smoothly discharged outwards through the drain pipe 30 under the action of gravity.

[0052] Optionally, the exhaust assembly for the hydrogen production device further includes a tee fitting 40. The tee fitting 40 is connected to the first pipe 11, the second pipe 12, and the drainage pipe 30, respectively, thereby achieving interconnection between the first pipe 11, the second pipe 12, and the drainage pipe 30, and facilitating easy connection and disassembly. Of course, it is understood that the connection methods of the pipes in this embodiment are not limited to this; for example, the first pipe 11, the second pipe 12, and the drainage pipe 30 can also be connected by integral molding or other methods.

[0053] Optionally, the exhaust assembly for the hydrogen production unit further includes an on / off valve 50. The on / off valve 50 is located on the drain pipe 30 and is positioned closer to the flue gas duct 10 than the automatic drain component 20, for controlling the connection and disconnection between the flue gas duct 10 and the automatic drain component 20.

[0054] Therefore, when the automatic drain component 20 is damaged or malfunctions and needs to be replaced or repaired, the on / off valve 50 can be closed, thereby isolating the flue gas duct 10 from the automatic drain component 20, making it difficult for condensate to enter the automatic drain component 20, thus facilitating its replacement and repair. Conversely, when the automatic drain component 20 is operating, the on / off valve 50 can be opened, thereby connecting the flue gas duct 10 and the automatic drain component 20, allowing condensate to smoothly enter the automatic drain component 20.

[0055] Optionally, the on / off valve 50 is configured as a one-way valve, thereby enabling unidirectional flow between the exhaust gas duct 10 and the automatic drain component 20. This allows condensate from the exhaust gas duct 10 to enter the automatic drain component 20 through the one-way valve, and also helps to ensure that even if the automatic drain component 20 is damaged and the drainage rate decreases sharply, the condensate in the automatic drain component 20 cannot flow back into the exhaust gas duct 10. Specifically, the one-way valve is configured as a shut-off valve, providing good shut-off performance. However, it is understood that the on / off valve of this disclosure can also be a two-way valve, and two-way valves are also within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0056] This disclosure also provides a hydrogen production apparatus, which includes a hydrogen production device 900 and an exhaust assembly as described above. The hydrogen production device 900 is used to produce hydrogen using water or water vapor, and has a flue gas outlet 901 for discharging flue gas containing water vapor. The exhaust assembly is connected to the flue gas outlet 901 and is used to discharge the flue gas containing water vapor to the outside.

[0057] As can be seen from the foregoing analysis, when the hydrogen production device 900 of the present disclosure discharges flue gas containing water vapor, the condensate formed by the condensation of water vapor can be automatically discharged through the automatic drainage component 20, thereby making it difficult for the condensate to remain in the flue gas duct 10, which is beneficial to ensuring the service life of the flue gas duct 10.

[0058] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of this disclosure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. The advantages of this disclosure have been fully and effectively implemented. The functional and structural principles of this disclosure have been demonstrated and illustrated in the embodiments, and any variations or modifications may be made to the implementation of this disclosure without departing from the stated principles.

Claims

1. An exhaust assembly for a hydrogen production unit, characterized in that, include: A flue gas duct is connected to the flue gas outlet of the hydrogen production unit, the flue gas outlet being used to discharge flue gas containing water vapor; Automatic drainage components, including: The outer shell forms a water storage cavity, and forms a water inlet located below the flue gas duct and communicating with the water storage cavity and the flue gas duct, and forms a water outlet communicating with the water storage cavity; The sealing element is floatably disposed within the water storage cavity to automatically move between a position that blocks the water storage outlet and a position that is floated to open the water storage outlet.

2. The exhaust assembly for a hydrogen production unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing component includes a spherical body and a sealing part disposed on the spherical body for closing the water storage outlet.

3. The exhaust assembly for a hydrogen production unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The automatic drainage component is located at the bend where the flue gas duct extends upwards.

4. The exhaust assembly for a hydrogen production unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The first pipe is connected to the flue gas outlet and is horizontally arranged; The second pipe is connected above the first pipe and is vertically installed, forming a bend with the first pipe. The automatic drainage component is located at the bend.

5. The exhaust assembly for a hydrogen production unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A drainage pipe is connected below the exhaust gas pipe, and the automatic drainage device is installed in the drainage pipe.

6. The exhaust assembly for a hydrogen production unit according to claim 5, characterized in that, The drainage pipe extends in a straight line along the vertical direction.

7. The exhaust assembly for a hydrogen production unit according to claim 5, characterized in that, The drainage pipe is located at the bend where the flue gas pipe extends upwards.

8. The exhaust assembly for a hydrogen production unit according to claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: An on / off valve is installed in the drainage pipe and is positioned closer to the flue gas duct than the automatic drainage component.

9. The exhaust assembly for a hydrogen production unit according to claim 8, characterized in that, The on / off valve includes a shut-off valve.

10. A hydrogen production device, characterized in that, include: A hydrogen production device used to produce hydrogen using water or water vapor, with a flue gas outlet for discharging flue gas containing water vapor; The exhaust assembly for a hydrogen production device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 is connected to the flue gas outlet.

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