Air-liquid separation device

Abstract

To provide a gas-liquid separation device capable of preventing blockage due to freezing. [Solution] The gas-liquid separation device 1 includes a gas inlet 10 that opens into the housing H and into which gas from the stack is introduced; a gas-liquid separation unit 20 located in the housing H that separates water from the gas; a gas outlet 30 that opens into the housing H and discharges the separated gas after the water has been separated; an exhaust port 35 that opens into the housing H separately from the gas outlet 30 and can discharge a portion of the separated gas; an exhaust valve 40 located downstream of the exhaust port 35 in the flow direction of the separated gas; and a heating unit 50 that heats the separated gas flowing from inside the housing H to the exhaust port 35.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas-liquid separation device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a gas-liquid separator for separating the liquid contained in a gas has been used. As a technique related to such a gas-liquid separator, for example, there is one described in Patent Document 1 cited below.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a gas-liquid separator. In this gas-liquid separator, a gas-liquid separation section for separating water from the water-containing gas is disposed above a housing to which the water-containing gas is supplied, and a water storage section for storing the water separated from the water-containing gas is disposed below the housing. The water in the water storage section is discharged to the outside of the housing through an on-off valve. A heating section for heating the water in the water storage section is provided at the bottom of the water storage section. Thereby, even when the water remaining at the bottom of the water storage section is frozen, the outer surface of the heating case is heated by the heat of the heating section, and the frozen portion can be thawed in a short time.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The gas-liquid separator described in Patent Document 1, when configured as described above, can properly thaw frozen residual water in the drainage orifice passage that discharges water from the reservoir section by heating it in the heating section located at the bottom of the gas-liquid separator. However, some gas-liquid separators are provided with an exhaust orifice passage at the top for exhausting gas, but the gas-liquid separator described in Patent Document 1 does not have a heating section at the top. Therefore, if water (water vapor) contained in the gas condenses in the exhaust orifice passage, this water may freeze and block the exhaust orifice passage, and the gas-liquid separator described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement.

[0006] Therefore, a gas-liquid separation device capable of preventing blockage due to freezing is required. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The characteristic configuration of the gas-liquid separation apparatus according to the present invention is that it comprises a housing, a gas inlet opening in the housing into which gas from a stack is introduced, a gas-liquid separation unit arranged in the housing for separating water from the gas, a gas outlet opening in the housing for discharging the separated gas after the water has been separated, an exhaust port opening in the housing separately from the gas outlet for discharging a portion of the separated gas, an exhaust valve provided downstream of the exhaust port in the flow direction of the separated gas, and a heating unit for heating the separated gas flowing from inside the housing to the exhaust port.

[0008] With this configuration, the separated gas after water is separated is heated by a heating unit, thus preventing freezing in the exhaust port and the exhaust valve through which the separated gas flows. Therefore, the gas-liquid separation device makes it possible to prevent freezing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a gas-liquid separation device. [Figure 2]This is a perspective view of a gas-liquid separation device. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the gas flow within a gas-liquid separation device. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view of the heating unit. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the flow of gas discharged from the exhaust valve. [Figure 6] This diagram shows a heat transfer section according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] This diagram shows a heat transfer section according to another embodiment. [Figure 8] This diagram shows a heat transfer section according to another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The gas-liquid separation device according to the present invention is configured to prevent blockage due to freezing of the liquid separated from the gas. Hereinafter, the gas-liquid separation device 1 of this embodiment will be described using an example where the gas-liquid separation device 1 separates water contained in anode-off gas (an example of "gas") discharged from the anode side of a fuel cell mounted on a fuel cell vehicle (FCV). However, the gas-liquid separation device 1 is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0011] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of the gas-liquid separator 1. Figure 3 shows the flow of the anode-off gas introduced into the housing H of the gas-liquid separator 1 (the flow of the anode-off gas is shown by a dashed line). Figure 4 shows cross-sectional views of the exhaust valve 40 and heating unit 50 of the gas-liquid separator 1. In Figures 1-4, the upper side along the vertical Z direction is denoted as Z1, and the lower side along the vertical Z direction is denoted as Z2. One side along the X direction perpendicular to the vertical Z direction is denoted as X1, and the other side along the X direction is denoted as X2. One side along the Y direction perpendicular to both the X and Z directions is denoted as Y1, and the other side along the Y direction is denoted as Y2. Hereafter, these may also be referred to as "X1 side," "X2 side," "Y1 side," "Y2 side," "Z1 side," and "Z2 side," respectively. Figure 1 is a perspective view seen from between X1 and Y1, and Figure 2 is a perspective view seen from the opposite side (between X2 and Y2).

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the gas-liquid separation device 1 consists of a housing H, a gas inlet 10, a gas-liquid separation unit 20, a gas outlet 30, an exhaust port 35 (see Figure 4), an exhaust valve 40, and a heating unit 50.

[0013] A fuel cell generates electricity by supplying a fuel gas containing hydrogen gas to an anode gas channel (not shown) and an oxidizer gas (air containing oxygen) to a cathode gas channel (not shown). The anode off-gas discharged from the anode side during power generation contains unreacted hydrogen gas and water. The gas-liquid separator 1 separates the water contained in this anode off-gas and stores it inside the housing H. The anode off-gas (an example of "separated gas") with the water separated is returned to the anode side of the fuel cell, making it possible to utilize the unreacted hydrogen gas for power generation.

[0014] In the gas-liquid separation device 1, when the fuel cell power generation is stopped in a low-temperature environment and the fuel cell vehicle is parked, and then power generation is started again with the fuel cell, the water contained in the anode gas may freeze in the part through which the anode off-gas flows. If the water freezes, the frozen part needs to be thawed quickly before power generation can be started with the fuel cell.

[0015] The gas-liquid separator 1 is equipped with a heating unit (not shown) at the bottom to prevent the water stored inside (at the bottom) of the housing H from freezing when the fuel cell vehicle is running in a low-temperature environment. In this embodiment, a description of this heating unit is omitted.

[0016] Housing H comprises an upper housing HA made of resin and a lower housing HB made of resin. The upper flange HAF of the upper housing HA and the lower flange HBF of the lower housing HB are overlapped and fastened together with bolts (not shown).

[0017] The gas inlet 10 is provided at the central portion in the Z direction in the housing H. In the present embodiment, the gas inlet 10 is provided to open on the Y2 side in the lower housing HB. The gas inlet 10 is for introducing the anode off-gas from the stack. The stack is a fuel cell stack, which is an assembly of a plurality of cells. The anode off-gas is, as described above, a gas containing water.

[0018] The gas-liquid separation unit 20 is disposed in the housing H and separates water from the anode off-gas. The gas-liquid separation unit 20 functions to separate the water contained in the anode off-gas and cause it to fall downward by continuously bringing the anode off-gas introduced from the gas inlet 10 into contact with a plurality of collision walls provided inside the housing H.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the anode off-gas introduced from the gas inlet 10 is introduced into the gas-liquid separation unit 20 in the housing H and circulates inside the housing H. During this circulation, the anode off-gas is separated into gas and water, and the gas is导出 from the gas outlet 30 described later. The separated water is collected into a water collection unit 22 provided on the Z2 side of the foreign matter removal filter 21 through the foreign matter removal filter 21 provided below inside the housing H.

[0020] The gas outlet 30 is provided to open on the Y1 side in the upper housing HA. The gas outlet 30导出 the separated gas after the water is separated. The separated gas after the water is separated is the gas from which water has been separated in the gas-liquid separation unit 20. The gas outlet 30 is provided on the Z1 side in the housing H. The separated gas导出 from the gas outlet 30 contains hydrogen from the hydrogen tank and is introduced into the stack again.

[0021] As shown in Figure 4, the exhaust port 35 is provided in the upper housing HA, opening separately from the gas outlet 30. The anode off gas, which remains after water has been separated in the gas-liquid separation unit 20 provided in the housing H, flows through the exhaust port 35. As a result, the exhaust port 35 can discharge a portion of the anode off gas separately from the gas outlet 30. As described above, the separated gas, which remains after water has been separated from the anode off gas, is discharged from the gas outlet 30. The exhaust port 35 is configured to discharge a portion of this separated gas.

[0022] The exhaust valve 40 is located downstream of the exhaust port 35 in the flow direction of the separated gas. The exhaust valve 40 is configured to allow the separated gas from the exhaust port 35 to flow through it. As shown in Figure 4, the exhaust valve 40 comprises a plunger 41 made of a magnetic material, an electromagnetic solenoid 42 arranged to surround the plunger 41, a biasing member 43 that biases the plunger 41 in the protruding direction, and a valve body 45 made of a flexible, deformable membrane material such as rubber, which is positioned to close the downstream end of the orifice hole 44.

[0023] When the electromagnetic solenoid 42 is not energized, the exhaust valve 40, as shown in Figure 4, uses the biasing force of the biasing member 43 to cause the plunger 41 to protrude, and this protrusion causes the valve body 45 to close the orifice hole 44. Conversely, when the electromagnetic solenoid 42 is energized, the exhaust valve 40 moves the plunger 41 against the biasing force of the biasing member 43, causing the valve body 45 to separate from the orifice hole 44 and open, and the separated gas from the orifice hole 44 is discharged to the outside via the exhaust port 35. In this way, the exhaust valve 40 is configured to discharge the separated gas.

[0024] The heating unit 50 is located near the exhaust valve 40 and heats the separated gas flowing from the housing H to the exhaust port 35. The separated gas flowing from the housing H to the exhaust port 35 is the separated gas after water has been separated in the gas-liquid separation unit 20, as described above. This separated gas contains water vapor.

[0025] The heating unit 50 comprises a heating element 51 and a heat transfer section 52. The heating element 51 is provided on the base 50A of the heating unit 50. The heating unit 50 is covered on the base 50A side by a case 53, and the heating element 51 is housed within this case 53. The heating element 51 generates Joule heat in response to the application of electricity. This heat is transferred to the heat transfer section 52, which will be described later.

[0026] The heat transfer section 52 is constructed using a metal (for example, aluminum or copper). The heat transfer section 52 is positioned opposite the exhaust port 35. In this embodiment, the heat transfer section 52 is installed inserted into a resin case 56 provided in the housing H. The heat transfer section 52 transfers heat from the heating element 51. That is, the heat transfer section 52 transfers heat from the heating element 51 towards the end 50B opposite to the heating element 51 by heat conduction. As shown in Figure 4, the heating element 51 is installed with its Z2 side surface in contact with the heat transfer section 52. The heat transfer section 52 is provided with a passage 55 for the separated gas to flow to the exhaust port 35. As the separated gas flows through this passage 55, it is heated by the heat from the heating element 51 and flows to the exhaust port 35 in a heated state.

[0027] The heat transfer section 52 extends from the base 50A toward the Z2 side. In this embodiment, the heat transfer section 52 extends from the base 50A along the Z direction to a position further away (separated) from the exhaust port 35. Therefore, along the Z direction, the base 50A, the exhaust port 35, and the end section 50B are arranged in that order.

[0028] In this embodiment, a portion of the separated gas is introduced from the side opposite the base 50A of the heat transfer section 52. In this embodiment, the flow path 55 includes a first flow path 55A, a second flow path 55B, and a connecting passage 55C. An inlet 54 into which the separated gas flows is provided on the end 50B side of the heat transfer section 52, and the first flow path 55A communicates with this inlet 54. The first flow path 55A is provided along the Z direction from the end 50B side toward the base 50A side. Therefore, the separated gas that flows into the inlet 54 flows through this first flow path 55A toward the base 50A side, and is heated by the heat from the heat transfer section 52 during this time.

[0029] The second flow path 55B is provided along the Z direction from the base 50A side to a position facing the exhaust port 35 in the X direction. The Z1 end of the second flow path 55B and the Z1 end of the first flow path 55A are connected to each other by a connecting passage 55C. The X2 end of the connecting passage 55C is connected to the Z1 end of the first flow path 55A, and the X1 end is connected to the Z1 end of the second flow path 55B. In this way, the flow path 55 is provided so that a portion of the separated gas folds back at the base 50A side and flows to the exhaust port 35. Therefore, the gas is heated by heat from the heat transfer section 52 as it flows from the first flow path 55A through the connecting passage 55C and the second flow path 55B.

[0030] The exhaust port 35 is the opening on the upper housing HA side of the orifice hole 44. In this embodiment, the downstream end of the second flow path 55B is located opposite the exhaust port 35 in the X direction. As a result, when the valve body 45 is in the open state, the separated gas from the flow path 55 is discharged from the exhaust valve 40 through the orifice hole 44.

[0031] Here, the first flow path 55A is configured such that the flow path cross-sectional area perpendicular to the Z direction decreases as it approaches the base 50A side from the end 50B side. In this embodiment, the flow path cross-sectional area is uniform from the inlet 54 along a predetermined range in the Z direction (a range corresponding to approximately the length of the inlet 54 along the X direction), and the flow path cross-sectional area is configured to narrow as it approaches the base 50A side. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the inner wall on the X1 side of the first flow path 55A is tapered with respect to the Z direction, and the length along the X direction becomes shorter, and the flow path cross-sectional area decreases accordingly. That is, the upstream opening of the first flow path 55A is larger than the downstream opening. This reduces the flow resistance of the separated gas entering the heating unit 50, making it easier for the gas to flow in. It also makes it possible to sufficiently heat the separated gas flowing to the exhaust valve 40.

[0032] As described above, with this configuration, as shown in Figure 5, when the separated gas is discharged from the exhaust port 35 during the stage of separating the water from the anode off-gas, it can be heated in the heat transfer section 52, thereby preventing the water contained in these gases from freezing. Therefore, it becomes possible to properly discharge the separated gas from the exhaust port 35.

[0033] [Other Embodiments] Next, other embodiments of the gas-liquid separation device 1 will be described.

[0034] The heating unit 50 has been described as having a heating element 51 and a heat transfer section 52. However, one of the heating element 51 and the heat transfer section 52 may be provided in the heating unit 50, in which case the other of the heating element 51 and the heat transfer section 52 may be provided in a unit other than the heating unit 50.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the heating element 51 was described as being provided on the base 50A of the heating unit 50. However, the heating element 51 can also be provided at a location other than the base 50A of the heating unit 50, as long as heat transfer to the heat transfer section 52 is possible.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the heat transfer section 52 was described as extending from the base 50A along the Z direction (vertical direction). However, the heat transfer section 52 can also be provided extending laterally (in the X direction or Y direction) from the base 50A.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the flow path 55 was described as being configured so that a portion of the separated gas is introduced from the opposite side of the base 50A in the heat transfer section 52 (the end 50B side), turns back at the base 50A side, and flows to the exhaust port 35. However, it is also possible to configure the flow path 55 so that a portion of the separated gas is introduced from the base 50A side in the heat transfer section 52, or to configure it so that the gas flows to the exhaust port 35 without turning back at the base 50A side.

[0038] In the above embodiment, it was explained that the heat transfer section 52 has a first flow path 55A (flow path 55) formed therein, in which the flow path cross-sectional area gradually decreases along the Z direction from the end 50B side to the base 50A side. For example, as shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8, it is also possible to provide multiple flow paths 55 (multiple first flow paths 55A) in the heat transfer section 52 (four in the example of Figures 6-8). Here, the four flow paths 55 (four first flow paths 55A) are referred to as flow path 61, flow path 62, flow path 63, and flow path 64, respectively.

[0039] In the example shown in Figures 6-8, the flow paths 61 and 62 are provided inside the heat transfer section 52 along the Z direction. Similar to the embodiment described above, these flow paths 61 and 62 extend along the Z direction from the end 50B side toward the base 50A side and communicate with the communication passage 55C on the base 50A side. A second flow path 55B is formed in the communication passage 55C from the X2 side end toward the Z2 side to a position opposite the exhaust port 35 in the X direction.

[0040] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figures 6-8, the flow paths 63 and 64 are formed on the outer surface 57 of the heat transfer section 52. In the example shown in Figures 6-8, they are formed at the corners where the YZ plane on the X2 side and the XZ plane on the Y1 side of the heat transfer section 52 intersect, and at the corners where the YZ plane on the X2 side and the XZ plane on the Y2 side intersect. The flow paths 63 and 64 are composed of grooves formed on the outer surface 57. As a result, a portion of the separated gas flows along the outer surface 57 of the heat transfer section 52. In addition, in the example shown in Figures 6-8, a guide portion 58 is formed on the outer surface 57 of the heat transfer section 52 to guide a portion of the separated gas. The guide portion 58 is configured to lengthen the flow path length of the flow path 55, so that a portion of the separated gas flowing through the flow paths 63 and 64 flows along the X direction and flows toward the Z1 side at the X1 end. Even with this configuration, the separated gas can be heated by the heat from the heat transfer section 52 while flowing through the flow path 55.

[0041] [Summary of the above embodiment] The following describes the general overview of the gas-liquid separation apparatus 1 described above.

[0042] (1) The gas-liquid separation device 1 comprises a housing H, a gas inlet 10 opening into the housing H and into which gas from the stack is introduced, a gas-liquid separation unit 20 located in the housing H and separating water from the gas, a gas outlet 30 opening into the housing H and for discharging the separated gas after the water has been separated, an exhaust port 35 opening into the housing H separately from the gas outlet 30 and capable of discharging a portion of the separated gas, an exhaust valve 40 located downstream of the exhaust port 35 in the flow direction of the separated gas, and a heating unit 50 for heating the separated gas flowing from inside the housing H to the exhaust port 35.

[0043] With this configuration, the separated gas after the water has been separated is heated by the heating unit 50, which prevents freezing in the exhaust port 35 and in the exhaust valve 40 through which the separated gas from the exhaust port 35 flows. Therefore, the gas-liquid separation device 1 makes it possible to prevent freezing.

[0044] (2) In the gas-liquid separation apparatus 1 described in (1), the heating unit 50 preferably has a heating element 51 and a heat transfer section 52 positioned opposite the exhaust port 35 and transferring heat from the heating element 51, and the heat transfer section 52 is provided with a flow path 55 for the separated gas that flows to the exhaust port 35.

[0045] With this configuration, the separated gas can be heated while flowing through the flow path 55 provided in the heat transfer section 52. Therefore, compared to the case where the separated gas is heated by the heating element 51 alone, it is possible to heat the separated gas efficiently while miniaturizing the heating element.

[0046] In the gas-liquid separation apparatus 1 described in (3)(2), it is preferable that the heating element 51 is provided on the base 50A of the heating unit 50, the heat transfer section 52 extends from the base 50A, and the flow path 55 is provided such that a portion of the separated gas is introduced into the heat transfer section 52 from the side opposite to the base 50A, turns back on the base 50A side, and flows to the exhaust port 35.

[0047] This configuration allows for an increased length of the flow path 55 in the heat transfer section 52. Therefore, the time the separated gas spends flowing through the flow path 55 can be extended, enabling the separated gas to be sufficiently heated. Furthermore, since the separated gas, now sufficiently heated, flows through the exhaust valve 40, freezing at the exhaust valve 40 can be prevented.

[0048] In the gas-liquid separation apparatus 1 described in (4)(2) or (3), it is preferable that a portion of the separated gas flows along the outer surface 57 of the heat transfer section 52, and that a guide section 58 is formed on the outer surface 57 of the heat transfer section 52 to guide a portion of the separated gas.

[0049] This configuration allows for a longer flow time of the separated gas in the heat transfer unit 52. Therefore, it becomes possible to transfer heat from the heat transfer unit 52 to the separated gas and heat it appropriately. [Industrial applicability]

[0050] The technology described herein can be used in a gas-liquid separation apparatus. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1: Gas-liquid separation device, 10: Gas inlet, 20: Gas-liquid separation section, 30: Gas outlet, 35: Exhaust port, 40: Exhaust valve, 50: Heating unit, 50A: Base, 51: Heating element, 52: Heat transfer element, 55: Flow path, 57: Outer surface, 58: Guide section, H: Housing

Claims

1. Housing and The housing has an opening for a gas inlet into which gas from the stack is introduced, A gas-liquid separation unit is arranged in the housing and separates water from the gas, The housing has an opening and a gas outlet for discharging the separated gas after the water has been separated, In addition to the aforementioned gas outlet, there is an exhaust port that opens into the housing and allows a portion of the separated gas to be discharged, An exhaust valve provided downstream of the exhaust port in the flow direction of the separated gas, A heating unit that heats the separated gas flowing from the housing to the exhaust port, A gas-liquid separation device equipped with the following features.

2. The heating unit comprises a heating element and a heat transfer section positioned opposite the exhaust port and transferring heat from the heating element. The gas-liquid separation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer section is provided with a flow path for the separated gas that flows to the exhaust port.

3. The heating element is provided at the base of the heating unit. The heat transfer section is provided extending from the base, The gas-liquid separation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the flow path is provided such that a portion of the separated gas is introduced from the opposite side of the base in the heat transfer section, turns back on the base side, and flows to the exhaust port.

4. A portion of the separated gas flows along the outer surface of the heat transfer section. The gas-liquid separation apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a guide portion for guiding a portion of the separated gas is formed on the outer surface of the heat transfer portion.

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