Parallel recovery device for hydrogen system of proton exchange membrane fuel cell engine

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of parallel recovery devices of proton exchange membrane fuel cell engine hydrogen system, comprising: outer shell, the outer shell top is equipped with opening and detachable protective cover, the inside of the outer shell is equipped with first installation box and second installation box arranged side by side, the utility model uses parallel dryer group to process electric pile tail gas, significantly improves drying efficiency and system stability. Two dryers work synchronously, double the water absorption capacity, cope with high-humidity large-flow condition;More provide operation redundancy, when single dryer saturation, another can still maintain operation, guarantee reliability. The middle section of the curved pipe connecting two dryers is embedded with a ball tube buffer cavity, when system pressure fluctuation may cause siphon, gas in the cavity forms a physical barrier, effectively prevents gas reflux impact on the stack, protects the safety of core components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a hydrogen diversion device based on an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, on the hydrogen side of the fuel cell engine's hydrogen stack, after the hydrogen reaction, impurities such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide are mixed in. The increased amount of impurities affects reaction efficiency, hence the addition of a tail gas outlet. However, directly emitting the tail gas results in a large amount of hydrogen being discharged along with the impurities, leading to low hydrogen utilization efficiency and resource waste. Furthermore, backflow occurs during tail gas discharge, where impurities flow back to the hydrogen side of the stack, causing incomplete reaction. To address these issues, we propose a parallel recovery device for the proton exchange membrane fuel cell engine's hydrogen system.

[0003] A search revealed a Chinese patent document disclosing a waterproof and dustproof multi-combination sealed agricultural machinery bearing [Application No.: 201810554615.7, Publication No.: CN108832157B], comprising a hydrogen storage tank, an ejector, a first preheater, a liquid level sensor, a signal processor, a solenoid valve, and a first liquid-gathering exhaust box. However, this device fails to address the backflow risk. The ejector relies on a stable pressure differential; pressure fluctuations during compressor start-up / shutdown or sudden load changes can cause reverse gas flow, leading to backflow. The liquid level sensor requires real-time monitoring and adjustment of the solenoid valve, and system response delays can cause localized flooding. While it can improve fuel efficiency, it exhibits significant deficiencies in backflow prevention, integrated drying, and system stability. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a parallel recovery device for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell engine hydrogen system.

[0005] A parallel recovery device for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell engine hydrogen system, characterized in that it includes: an outer shell, the top of which is provided with an opening and a removable protective cover, and the inner side of which is provided with a first mounting box and a second mounting box arranged in parallel. The first mounting box contains an electric stack, and the bottom of the second mounting box contains a dryer assembly. An air inlet pipe is provided through the side wall of the outer casing. One end of the air inlet pipe extends into the first mounting box and is connected to the air inlet end of the fuel cell stack through a slow-flow pipe. The exhaust end of the fuel cell stack is connected to the dryer assembly via a connecting pipe. The dryer assembly is connected to the bottom of the polymer separation tank via a discharge pipe. The top of the polymer separation tank is vertically connected to the exhaust pipe.

[0006] Preferably, the dryer group includes a first dryer and a second dryer connected in parallel, and the first dryer and the second dryer are connected by a curved tube.

[0007] The above technical solution effectively improves the moisture removal efficiency in hydrogen systems. The parallel configuration of the first and second dryers allows them to handle different moisture loads separately, ensuring good drying performance under various operating conditions. Simultaneously, the curved tube connection design improves fluid flow, reduces resistance, optimizes airflow distribution, and further enhances overall system performance. Furthermore, the spherical tube arrangement provides a more efficient airflow path within the curved tube, enhancing gas moisture exchange efficiency and enabling the dryer to adsorb moisture more quickly. This structure also helps extend the dryer's lifespan, preventing reduced drying efficiency or system failure due to excessive moisture.

[0008] Preferably, a ball tube is embedded in the middle wall of the curved tube, and the inner cavity of the ball tube is in communication with the inner cavity of the curved tube.

[0009] Through the aforementioned technical solution, the design of embedding a spherical tube within the middle wall of the curved tube effectively enhances the turbulence and flow stability of the airflow. The inner cavity of the spherical tube is interconnected with the inner cavity of the curved tube, generating a vortex effect as the airflow passes through, thereby increasing the contact time between the gas and the dryer surface and improving moisture removal efficiency. This improvement significantly enhances the system's drying performance, ensuring higher hydrogen recovery quality. The spherical tube arrangement also helps reduce dead zones in the airflow, ensuring uniform gas flow and reducing heat loss or energy waste caused by velocity differences. Furthermore, the spherical tube design makes the entire pipeline structure more compact, optimizing space utilization and simplifying production and maintenance processes.

[0010] Preferably, the X-ray tube and the curved tube are coaxially arranged, and the center of the X-ray tube is located on the central axis of the horizontal section of the curved tube.

[0011] Through the above technical solution, the X-ray tube and the curved tube are coaxially arranged, with the center of the X-ray tube located on the central axis of the horizontal section of the curved tube. This structural design further optimizes the airflow distribution and flow path. The coaxial arrangement of the X-ray tube ensures uniform airflow within the curved tube, reducing localized excessively fast or slow flow velocities, thus avoiding uneven airflow distribution and improving system efficiency. The precise alignment of the X-ray tube's center with the central axis of the curved tube ensures a stable flow direction and longer residence time for the airflow as it passes through the curved tube, which is crucial for moisture removal. This optimization allows the gas to fully exchange heat with the dryer inside the pipe, further enhancing the drying effect.

[0012] Preferably, the second mounting box has a mounting hole, and the discharge pipe matches the mounting hole.

[0013] Through the above technical solution, the mounting holes on the second mounting box match the discharge pipe, ensuring precise installation and fixation of the discharge pipe. This design not only simplifies the assembly process but also ensures the sealing and stability between the discharge pipe and the dryer assembly and separator tank, reducing the risk of gas leakage or performance degradation caused by poor connections. The precise fit of the mounting holes helps prevent pipe misalignment or displacement, ensuring that the discharge pipe maintains the correct position and orientation during operation, thereby improving the overall system's efficiency and stability. Furthermore, the reasonable mounting hole design makes subsequent maintenance and repair more convenient, allowing personnel to quickly locate problem areas, shorten repair time, and reduce maintenance costs.

[0014] Preferably, the slow-flow tube is positioned by a fixing plate, which is sleeved on the outer wall of the slow-flow tube.

[0015] Through the above technical solution, the flow-slowing tube is positioned by a fixing plate, which is sleeved on the outer wall of the tube. This design helps ensure that the flow-slowing tube maintains a stable position and is fixed during operation. The function of the fixing plate is to firmly fix the flow-slowing tube in the correct position, preventing displacement or vibration when high-velocity gas passes through, thereby avoiding flow disturbances or system failures caused by instability. This positioning method effectively reduces airflow turbulence within the flow-slowing tube, ensuring that the gas flows smoothly along the designed path, thus improving fluid flow efficiency and gas uniformity. The fixed design of the outer wall of the flow-slowing tube also enhances the overall structure's seismic and pressure resistance, enabling it to withstand higher operating pressures and ensuring the reliability of the equipment during long-term operation.

[0016] Preferably, a slot is provided on the top of the outer casing corresponding to its position, and the lower outer wall of the exhaust pipe is engaged in the slot.

[0017] Through the aforementioned technical solution, a corresponding slot is provided on the top of the outer casing, and the lower outer wall of the exhaust pipe is engaged within this slot. This design effectively enhances the fixation and stability of the exhaust pipe. The precise positioning of the slot and the engagement design of the exhaust pipe ensure that the exhaust pipe will not loosen or shift due to vibration or external impact during operation, thereby guaranteeing the sealing of the exhaust system and the smooth flow of air. This slot design not only simplifies the installation process of the exhaust pipe, making the connection faster and more convenient, but also avoids the leakage problems that may exist at the joints in traditional connection methods. The use of the slot also increases the seismic resistance and stability of the structure, especially in high-load or high-vibration environments, effectively preventing the exhaust pipe from loosening or being damaged, and improving the long-term stable operation of the system.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: 1. This utility model employs a parallel dryer array to treat fuel cell stack exhaust gas, significantly improving drying efficiency and system stability. The two dryers operate synchronously, doubling the water absorption capacity to handle high humidity and high flow rates; it also provides operational redundancy, allowing the other dryer to continue operating even when one is saturated, ensuring reliability. A ball-shaped buffer chamber is embedded in the middle section of the curved tube connecting the two dryers. When system pressure fluctuations may cause backflow, the gas inside the chamber forms a physical barrier, effectively preventing gas backflow from impacting the fuel cell stack and protecting the safety of core components.

[0019] 2. In this invention, the dried exhaust gas enters a polymer separator, where the selective permeation characteristics of the separation membrane are utilized to efficiently purify hydrogen. Small-molecule hydrogen preferentially permeates the membrane, while moisture and other gases are blocked. The separated high-purity hydrogen is then stably discharged and recovered through the exhaust pipe under the negative pressure suction of the return gas pump. This design significantly improves the purity and recovery rate of hydrogen recovery, reduces fuel waste, and ensures the quality of the recovered hydrogen, allowing for direct recycling or safe storage, thereby greatly improving the system's fuel utilization rate and operational economy. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the recycling mechanism of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the anti-backflow structure of this utility model; In the diagram: 1. Outer shell; 2. Protective cover; 3. Inlet pipe; 4. Polymer separator; 5. Exhaust pipe; 6. Return air pump; 7. Flow control pipe; 8. First mounting box; 9. Fuel cell stack; 10. Dryer assembly; 11. Second mounting box; 12. Curved tube; 13. Fixing plate; 14. Mounting hole; 15. Slot; 16. Connecting pipe; 17. Discharge pipe; 18. Ball tube. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0022] Please see Figures 1 to 5 This utility model provides a technical solution: A parallel recovery device for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell engine hydrogen system is characterized in that it includes: an outer shell 1, the top of which is provided with an opening and a removable protective cover 2, and the inner side of the outer shell 1 is provided with a first mounting box 8 and a second mounting box 11 arranged in parallel. The first mounting box 8 is equipped with an electric stack 9, and the bottom of the second mounting box 11 is equipped with a dryer assembly 10. An air inlet pipe 3 is provided through the side wall of the outer shell 1. One end of the air inlet pipe 3 extends into the first mounting box 8 and is connected to the air inlet end of the fuel cell stack 9 through the slow flow pipe 7. The exhaust end of the fuel cell stack 9 is connected to the dryer assembly 10 via a connecting pipe 16. The dryer assembly 10 is connected to the bottom of the polymer separation tank 4 via a discharge pipe 17. The top of the polymer separation tank 4 is vertically connected to the exhaust pipe 5.

[0023] Specifically, the dryer assembly 10 includes a first dryer and a second dryer connected in parallel, linked by a curved tube 12. This configuration effectively improves the moisture removal efficiency in the hydrogen system. The parallel configuration of the first and second dryers allows them to handle different moisture loads independently, ensuring good drying performance under various operating conditions. Furthermore, the curved tube 12's design enhances fluid flow, reduces resistance, optimizes airflow distribution, and further improves overall system performance. Additionally, the inclusion of the spherical tube 18 provides a more efficient airflow path within the curved tube 12, enhancing the gas's moisture exchange efficiency and enabling the dryer to adsorb moisture more quickly. This structure also helps extend the dryer's lifespan, preventing reduced drying performance or system failure due to excessive moisture.

[0024] The design of this recovery device not only achieves more efficient hydrogen drying, but also optimizes the entire hydrogen recovery process through precise component layout and reasonable pipeline connections, reducing energy consumption and improving the hydrogen recovery rate and system reliability.

[0025] Specifically, a spherical tube 18 is embedded within the middle wall of the curved tube 12, and the inner cavity of the spherical tube 18 is connected to the inner cavity of the curved tube 12. This design effectively enhances the turbulence and flow stability of the airflow. The connection between the inner cavity of the spherical tube 18 and the inner cavity of the curved tube 12 generates a vortex effect when the airflow passes through, thereby increasing the contact time between the gas and the surface of the dryer 10 and improving the moisture removal efficiency. This improvement significantly enhances the drying performance of the system, ensuring higher hydrogen recovery quality. The placement of the spherical tube 18 also helps reduce dead zones in the airflow, ensuring the uniformity of gas flow and reducing heat loss or energy waste caused by differences in flow velocity. Furthermore, the design of the spherical tube 18 makes the entire pipeline structure more compact, optimizing space utilization and simplifying the production and maintenance process.

[0026] The innovative design of this solution enables the hydrogen system to maintain a low moisture content under different operating conditions, improving the operating efficiency of the fuel cell, extending the service life of the equipment, and reducing maintenance costs.

[0027] Specifically, the X-ray tube 18 and the curved tube 12 are coaxially arranged, with the center of the X-ray tube 18 located on the central axis of the horizontal section of the curved tube 12. This structural design further optimizes the airflow distribution and flow path. The coaxial arrangement of the X-ray tube 18 ensures uniform airflow within the curved tube 12, reducing localized excessively fast or slow flow velocities and thus avoiding uneven airflow distribution, improving system efficiency. The precise alignment of the center of the X-ray tube 18 with the central axis of the curved tube 12 ensures a stable flow direction and longer residence time for the airflow as it passes through the curved tube 12, which is crucial for moisture removal. Through this optimization, the gas can fully exchange heat with the dryer 10 inside the pipe, further enhancing the drying effect.

[0028] This technical solution not only enhances the stability and uniformity of the airflow but also improves the processing capacity of the dryer 10, ensuring that the system maintains high-efficiency operation under various loads and conditions. This design also makes the entire hydrogen recovery system more compact and reliable, reducing the possibility of system failure and thus improving the overall performance and long-term operational stability of the fuel cell system.

[0029] Specifically, the second mounting box 11 has mounting holes 14, and the discharge pipe 17 matches the mounting holes 14. This matching of the mounting holes 14 on the second mounting box 11 ensures the precise installation and fixation of the discharge pipe 17. This design not only simplifies the assembly process but also ensures the sealing and stability between the discharge pipe 17 and the dryer assembly 10 and the separator tank 4, reducing the risk of gas leakage or performance degradation due to poor connections. The precise fit of the mounting holes 14 helps prevent pipe misalignment or displacement, ensuring that the discharge pipe 17 maintains the correct position and orientation during operation, thereby improving the overall system's efficiency and stability. Furthermore, the reasonable design of the mounting holes 14 makes later maintenance and repair more convenient, allowing staff to quickly locate problem areas, shorten repair time, and reduce maintenance costs.

[0030] This technical solution enhances the overall reliability of the system by optimizing the connection method, while also improving the durability of the hydrogen recovery system, ensuring that the fuel cell can maintain good performance and efficiency even under long-term, high-load operation.

[0031] Specifically, the slow-flow tube 7 is positioned by a fixing plate 13, which is sleeved on the outer wall of the slow-flow tube 7. This design helps ensure that the slow-flow tube 7 maintains a stable position and is fixed during operation. The function of the fixing plate 13 is to firmly fix the slow-flow tube 7 in the correct position, preventing displacement or vibration when high-velocity gas passes through, thereby avoiding flow disturbances or system failures caused by instability. This positioning method effectively reduces airflow turbulence within the slow-flow tube 7, ensuring that the gas flows smoothly along the designed path, thus improving fluid flow efficiency and gas uniformity. The fixed design of the outer wall of the slow-flow tube 7 also enhances the overall structure's seismic and compressive resistance, enabling it to withstand higher operating pressures and ensuring the reliability of the equipment during long-term operation.

[0032] Furthermore, the design of the fixing plate 13 makes the installation and disassembly of the slow-flow pipe 7 more convenient, allowing maintenance personnel to quickly replace and adjust it, thus improving the maintainability and reliability of the equipment. Overall, the positioning solution using the fixing plate 13 makes the fluid system of the recovery device more stable and efficient, improving the working performance and service life of the hydrogen system.

[0033] Specifically, a slot 15 is provided on the top of the outer casing 1 at a corresponding position. The lower outer wall of the exhaust pipe 5 is engaged within this slot 15. This design effectively enhances the fixation and stability of the exhaust pipe 5. The precise positioning of the slot 15 and the engagement design of the exhaust pipe 5 ensure that the exhaust pipe 5 will not loosen or shift due to vibration or external impact during operation, thereby guaranteeing the sealing of the exhaust system and the smooth flow of air. This slot 15 design not only simplifies the installation process of the exhaust pipe 5, making the connection of the exhaust pipe 5 faster and more convenient, but also avoids the leakage problems that may exist in traditional connection methods. The use of the slot 15 also increases the seismic resistance and stability of the structure, especially in high-load or high-vibration environments, effectively preventing the exhaust pipe 5 from loosening or being damaged, and improving the long-term stable operation of the system.

[0034] Furthermore, this design simplifies equipment maintenance. Workers can easily disassemble the exhaust pipe 5 for inspection or replacement, saving significant time and labor costs. Overall, this technical solution, through its well-designed slot 15, not only improves system performance and stability but also enhances equipment maintenance convenience and extends equipment lifespan.

[0035] Example

[0036] Reference Figure 1-5A parallel recovery device for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell engine hydrogen system includes an outer shell 1. The upper surface of the outer shell 1 is open. A protective cover 2 is installed at the upper end of the outer shell 1 corresponding to the opening. A first mounting box 8 is fixedly installed on one side of the bottom center of the inner side of the outer shell 1. A second mounting box 11 is fixedly installed on the side of the outer shell 1 near the first mounting box 8. A fuel cell stack 9 is stacked inside the first mounting box 8. A dryer group 10 is provided at the bottom of the second mounting box 11. The dryer group 10 includes a first dryer and a second dryer connected in parallel.

[0037] An air inlet pipe 3 is installed through the end of the outer casing 1 near the first mounting box 8. The air inlet pipe 3 is connected to the fuel cell stack 9. The fuel cell stack 9 is connected to the dryer assembly 10. A curved pipe 12 is connected between the first dryer and the second dryer of the dryer assembly 10. A polymer separation tank 4 is fixedly installed at the end of the dryer assembly 10 away from the fuel cell stack 9. An exhaust pipe 5 is fixedly connected to the middle of the upper surface of the polymer separation tank 4. A return air pump 6 is installed through the exhaust pipe 5.

[0038] A slow-flow pipe 7 is installed at one end of the intake pipe 3 that extends into the outer casing 1. The end of the slow-flow pipe 7 away from the intake pipe 3 is connected to the fuel cell stack 9. A fixed plate 13 is embedded in the first mounting box 8 at intervals. The end of the slow-flow pipe 7 corresponding to the fuel cell stack 9 matches the fixed plate 13. A ball tube 18 is embedded in the middle of the curved tube 12. The interior of the curved tube 12 and the ball tube 18 are connected. The setting of the ball tube 18 can effectively increase the gas filling volume in the middle section of the curved tube 12. If backflow occurs, the gas in the ball tube 18 can effectively block the backflow of gas, thus achieving the purpose of preventing backflow.

[0039] A connecting pipe 16 is provided between the fuel cell stack 9 and the dryer assembly 10. The end of the connecting pipe 16 away from the fuel cell stack 9 is connected to the dryer assembly 10. A discharge pipe 17 is provided between the dryer assembly 10 and the polymer separation tank 4. The discharge pipe 17 is connected to the polymer separation tank 4.

[0040] The second mounting box 11 has a mounting hole 14, the exhaust pipe 17 matches the mounting hole 14, the outer shell 1 has a slot 15 at the upper end of the exhaust pipe 5, and the lower end of the outer ring surface of the exhaust pipe 5 matches the slot 15.

[0041] In this invention, hydrogen enters the slow-flow pipe 7 through the inlet pipe 3, and then enters the fuel cell stack 9 to react. The reacted gas enters the dryer group 10 through the connecting pipe 16 in sequence. The drying and water absorption process takes place in the dryer group 10. When the gas flows in the curved pipe 12 between the first dryer and the second dryer, it passes through the ball pipe 18, which can effectively prevent backflow and avoid the gas in the dryer group 10 from flowing back into the fuel cell stack 9. The gas, after being dried by the dryer, is then separated by the polymer separator 4. Hydrogen is separated from the polymer separator 4 and discharged and recovered under the combined action of the exhaust pipe 5 and the return gas pump 6. In summary, this device can effectively recover and utilize hydrogen, and can avoid the phenomenon of incomplete hydrogen reaction caused by the backflow of impurity gases, which is beneficial to use.

[0042] In the description of this utility model, 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", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or component 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 utility model.

[0043] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0044] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A parallel recovery device for a hydrogen system in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell engine, characterized in that, include: The outer shell (1) has an opening and a removable protective cover (2) at the top, and the outer shell (1) has a first mounting box (8) and a second mounting box (11) arranged in parallel inside. The first mounting box (8) is equipped with an electric stack (9), and the bottom of the second mounting box (11) is equipped with a dryer assembly (10). The outer casing (1) has an air inlet pipe (3) extending through its side wall. One end of the air inlet pipe (3) extends into the first mounting box (8) and is connected to the air inlet of the fuel cell stack (9) through a slow-flow pipe (7). The exhaust end of the fuel cell stack (9) is connected to the dryer assembly (10) via a connecting pipe (16). The dryer assembly (10) is connected to the bottom of the polymer separation tank (4) via a discharge pipe (17). The top of the polymer separation tank (4) is vertically connected to the exhaust pipe (5).

2. The recycling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dryer assembly (10) comprises a first dryer and a second dryer connected in parallel, and the first dryer and the second dryer are connected by a curved tube (12).

3. The recycling device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The curved tube (12) has a ball tube (18) embedded in the middle of its wall, and the inner cavity of the ball tube (18) is connected to the inner cavity of the curved tube (12).

4. The recycling device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The ball tube (18) and the curved tube (12) are coaxially arranged, and the center of the ball tube (18) is located on the central axis of the horizontal section of the curved tube (12).

5. The recycling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second mounting box (11) is provided with a mounting hole (14), and the discharge pipe (17) is matched with the mounting hole (14).

6. The recycling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The slow-flow tube (7) is positioned by a fixing plate (13), which is sleeved on the outer wall of the slow-flow tube (7).

7. The recycling device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer shell (1) has a slot (15) on its top corresponding to its position, and the lower outer wall of the exhaust pipe (5) is engaged in the slot (15).

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