Process medium guiding apparatus for a recombination system

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a process medium guide device for a recombination system with a recombination device for the catalytic recombination of hydrogen and oxygen produced in accumulators to form water.

[0002] Batteries are widely used and serve as rechargeable storage devices for electrical energy on an electrochemical basis. The application range of lead-acid technology is very broad, from simple starter batteries for vehicle electrical systems and starter motors to uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) in standby parallel operation for power outages, photovoltaic systems, and traction systems for industrial trucks in cyclic operation.

[0003] A characteristic of sealed lead-acid batteries is water loss. Due to its electrochemical properties, the water in the battery's electrolyte decomposes into oxygen and hydrogen, causing the electrolyte level in each sealed cell to drop and making battery compartment ventilation mandatory. This water decomposition occurs partly due to the low decomposition voltage of water (1.223 V), and partly due to electrolysis within the lead-acid battery. Exceeding the gassing voltage of 2.40 V per cell leads to water decomposition and the rising of gas bubbles.

[0004] Hydrogen, a flammable but non-combustible gas, is produced at the negative electrode. At the positive electrode, oxygen is formed in a stoichiometric ratio of 1:2. These gas bubbles escape from the system through the filler and vent plugs due to the low solubility of both gases in the electrolyte.

[0005] Both inside and outside the battery casing, the two gases can recombine. Oxygen and hydrogen combine to form water even at room temperature. However, this occurs at such a slow, barely measurable rate that a hydrogen-oxygen mixture can be stored for months without any detectable reaction.

[0006] Overall, the disadvantages of water decomposition and the associated maintenance costs of the lead-acid battery, as well as those of other battery technologies such as nickel-iron or nickel-cadmium (i.e., many battery technologies based on an aqueous electrolyte), were recognized very early on (for example, in 1904 by Mr. Edison), and attempts were made through various development stages to compensate for these disadvantages.

[0007] It has been found that the recombination process of hydrogen and oxygen gas can be accelerated with the aid of catalysts (e.g., platinum). Generally speaking, catalysts are substances that can increase or decrease the rate of a chemical reaction. Since they are not consumed in the process, catalysts remain unchanged at the end of the reaction and therefore do not appear in the reaction equations. This acceleration is achieved by lowering the activation energy. Thus, the inhibited reaction of oxygen and hydrogen can be accelerated.

[0008] The freely moving hydrogen molecules contact the surface of the catalyst material. Electrons attached to this surface break the bonds, bond with the individual hydrogen atoms, and allow them to move freely on the surface. The equally free oxygen molecules land on the platinum surface and, as individual atoms, form bonds with two hydrogen atoms each. As a result, two water molecules are formed from one oxygen molecule and two hydrogen molecules through recombination.

[0009] When oxygen and hydrogen recombine to form water, energy is released, manifested as a high heat output (193 kJ / mol), which enables the water molecules to leave the platinum catalyst. The separated substances have been reunited through recombination with the aid of a catalyst.

[0010] This effect has also led to the development of external catalytic plugs for recombination. When using the recombination system, the hydrogen and oxygen gases produced during water decomposition in the battery are directed into the recombiner, which is mounted on the lead-acid battery.

[0011] An integrated precious metal catalyst, contained within a gas-permeable ceramic, recombines these gases, producing water vapor. The water vapor condenses on the walls of the plug. The resulting water droplets flow downwards and are returned to the battery.

[0012] The problem with the water drainage is that condensing water droplets can also settle in the upper part of the dome after condensation. There is a possibility that these water droplets will form in the upper part of the dome. If the droplets detach from the upper part of the dome and wet the gas-permeable ceramic with the integrated precious metal capacitor, the pores of the ceramic become saturated and clogged, thus preventing gas transport. The reduced gas permeability caused by the clogged pores significantly reduces the efficiency of these plugs.

[0013] This problem is already known and various solutions have been proposed in the prior art.

[0014] A recombinator with a recombination device for the catalytic recombination of hydrogen and oxygen produced in accumulators to form water is described in EP 1 807 191 B1. This device features a shielding element positioned above the recombination device, designed to prevent water from forming on the recombinator's container wall and thus addressing the aforementioned problem. Various shielding elements are proposed for this purpose, which are inserted between the condensation walls and the gas-permeable ceramic. Disadvantages of these solutions include the need to purchase an additional element, resulting in additional costs. Furthermore, the clamping mechanism within the cylinder must be designed accordingly, leading to increased assembly effort.

[0015] Furthermore, a gas recombination cap is described as known in publication EP 2 936 585 B1. For the aforementioned problem, a drip cap is proposed, located in the upper part of a condensation cylinder of the gas recombination cap to collect condensation. Disadvantages could include the additional cost of an extra component and the need for design modifications to the overall concept.

[0016] DE 20 2018 100 892 U1 discloses a recombinator for the catalytic recombination of hydrogen and oxygen produced in energy converters, in particular accumulators, to form water. A recombination unit is arranged within a tubular separation device. A rod-shaped centering aid is provided for aligning the recombination unit.

[0017] WO 2017 / 191848 A1 discloses a recombinator in which a guide plate is arranged below a recombination device, by means of which the resulting condensate can be returned to an accumulator.

[0018] The invention is based on the objective of creating a cost-effective and practical device for a recombination system that ensures the safe operation of process media in the system.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a process medium guide device for a recombination system with a recombination unit for the catalytic recombination of hydrogen and oxygen generated in accumulators to form water is provided. The process medium guide device is designed to externally delimit the recombination system and comprises at least one guide element arranged above the recombination unit, such that a process medium, in particular water, is guided from the process medium guide device to at least a partial area of ​​an internal region of the recombination system. The presented device is particularly simple to implement and therefore not particularly cost-intensive to manufacture.The process medium, especially water, is reliably guided in such a way that unintentional wetting of the recombination device, which includes, for example, a ceramic, is prevented, thus ensuring the maintenance of recombination efficiency.

[0020] Further preferred embodiments of the invention result from the other features mentioned in the dependent claims.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the process medium guide device is formed integrally with at least one part of the interior of the recombination system, or it is designed as a detachable component unit that can be connected to at least one part of the interior of the recombination system. Both variants reduce assembly effort, thus enabling the simple provision of a practical device for a recombination system that ensures the safe operation of process media within the system. The component unit and the part of the interior of the recombination system can be connected by means of a plug connection or by means of a screw, plug, or bayonet fitting. A combination of different connection types is also conceivable.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the component unit essentially has the form of a closure element, wherein the guide element is provided on an underside of the component unit, and wherein the component unit can be mechanically attached or screwed onto the recombination system or attached using a bayonet closure, so that at least a partial area of ​​the guide element can be connected to at least a partial area of ​​an inner area of ​​the recombination system.

[0023] The sealing element can, for example, take the form of a plug. However, other shapes and designs are also conceivable. The plug-in system reduces assembly effort, ensuring a simple and practical device.

[0024] The closing element may include a sealing element (molden-on sealing lip).

[0025] Furthermore, according to the invention, the guide element has a circular cone, elliptical cone, or pyramidal (rectangular) shape, wherein the shape is located at least partially on at least one part of the interior of the recombination system at an edge region with a maximum radius of the shape. By means of such a conical superstructure above the recombination device, it is reliably and simply prevented that a process medium, in particular water, reaches underlying components of the recombination device, for example, a porous ceramic. The conical superstructure can be considered a drain for the medium, for example, condensate, thereby facilitating lateral drainage of the medium and thus reliably preventing, for example, condensate from falling onto a component, such as a ceramic.

[0026] A design with a meandering structure on the inner surface of the cylinder is also conceivable. According to the invention, by creating a circular cone shape for the upper part of the recombination system, which can also be referred to as a dome, condensation dome, or condensation cylinder, significant cost advantages can be achieved, as assembly effort is minimized.

[0027] In a special version, a cap plug can be used in the upper part of the recombination system instead of a partial dome opening, sealing it at the top. The plug has a correspondingly pronounced conical cutout on its underside, which facilitates the drainage of condensate. While the cap plug represents an additional component for the recombination system, it is significantly easier to install than previously known solutions. The conical cap plug is thus better suited for the improved drainage of condensate, which then flows, for example, along the inner edge of the dome, which is also designed for condensation. This sealing element, or plug, can also be described as a circular cone plug for a recombination system.

[0028] Furthermore, according to the invention, one tip of the circular cone-shaped formation is aligned essentially centrally above and centrally over the recombination device. The aforementioned advantages can thus be achieved even more effectively.

[0029] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one part of the interior of the recombination system is at least partially an interior of a condensation cylinder. This allows the condensed medium to be easily directed to a peripheral area where it ultimately cannot interfere with the reliable and efficient operation of the system.

[0030] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the guide element comprises at least one retaining element designed to hold the recombination device. This eliminates the need for additional fixing elements, thus ensuring even simpler assembly.

[0031] Furthermore, in another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cone angle can be adjusted from 5° to 45°. This allows the aforementioned advantages to be achieved even more effectively. In all presented embodiments, the angle of the cone can be varied to optimize the drainage of the medium, for example, condensate.

[0032] Furthermore, in another preferred embodiment of the invention, the guide element is provided to have at least one ribbed element. The aforementioned advantages can thus be achieved even more effectively. In other words, the interior of the circular cylinder can be shaped with ribs or ribbed elements in such a way that both the condensation itself and the drainage of, for example, condensate are further facilitated. This design is possible both with the additional plug and in the one-piece version, for example, in a special dome design. Both designs have in common that the cone—whether formed in the dome or as an additional plug attachment—is always located above the recombination device or its components, for example, a gas-permeable ceramic. This effectively prevents the gas-permeable ceramic from becoming wetted.

[0033] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the process medium guide device also includes at least one area designed to accommodate at least one backfire protection element. This allows further assembly steps to be combined, resulting in an even simpler design of the presented device.

[0034] Finally, in a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the process medium guide device comprises at least one labyrinthine opening designed to functionally connect the at least one backfire protection element with the recombination device. In other words, in a particular embodiment of the invention, the device can include a plug opening which has a meandering channel for pressure equalization, delaying the gas outflow and allowing more time for the hydrogen / oxygen mixture to penetrate, for example, a porous ceramic tube with a precious metal condenser. Furthermore, the plug can have the aforementioned backfire protection area at its outlet.A backfire protection device may also be provided to prevent or minimize the risk of backfire in the recombination plug caused by external sparks or open flames.

[0035] Unless otherwise stated in individual cases, the various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another.

[0036] The invention is explained below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Figure 1 is a sectional view of a recombination system; Figure 2 is a sectional view of a recombination system with a one-piece process medium guide device; Figure 3 is a sectional view of a recombination system with a detachably connectable process medium guide device.

[0037] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a recombination system 10, as it might be represented according to the prior art. The recombination system 10 comprises a dome 20 and a recombination device 30. The dome 20 is shown here as an example of a substantially rectangular, hollow, and cylindrical geometry. The dome 20 has an outer wall 40 and an inner wall 50. Relative to the plane of the image, the dome 20 has rounded corners at the top, so that a ceiling area 60 curves into the side walls 70. Again relative to the plane of the image, the dome has an opening 80 at the bottom, into which the gases O₂ and H₂ flow. These gas flows are schematically represented by different dashed lines, with arrows indicating that these gases flow from below into the interior of the dome 20.

[0038] Above the opening area 80, a holder 90 is visible. The recombination device 30 is held upright in the holder 90, which can also be referred to as a fixation. Two jaw elements 100 of the holder 90 hold the recombination device 30 in an upright position. The recombination device 30 has a substantially cylindrical geometry. All geometries, dimensions, and proportions shown are for illustrative purposes only and should be understood as a schematic arrangement. The recombination device 30 is shown here as an example of a gas-permeable ceramic with an integrated precious metal catalyst and can also be referred to as a ceramic tube. The two different dashed lines representing the two gases are shown circularly inside the dome and point with their arrowheads toward the ceramic tube.Block arrows point away from the ceramic tube and visualize the resulting water vapor 110. The water vapor 110 condenses on the inner wall 50 to form condensed water 120. Therefore, the dome 20 is designed for the condensation of the water vapor 110. In the upper area of ​​the dome 20, water vapor 110 also condenses in the ceiling area 60. According to the principle of gravity, it is possible for condensed water 110 to fall in the form of water droplets 130 towards the recombination device 30. Water stains 140 can therefore form on the recombination device 30.

[0039] In other words, the ceramic is wetted with condensate 120, thus reducing the efficiency of the recombination device 30. Instead of flowing downwards over the inner wall 50 and out over the funnel-shaped base area 150 of the recombination system 10, it is possible that some of the condensate 120 drips onto or from the recombination device 30, thereby reducing its efficiency.

[0040] Figure 2 Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a recombination system 10 with a one-piece process medium guide device 160. The recombination system 10 has a similar structure in its lower region, relative to the image plane, to the recombination system 10 shown in the figure. Figure 1Here, too, a recombination device 30 can be seen, which is held upright in a holder 90 with two jaw elements 100. In the lower area, an opening 80 can also be seen, through which the two gases O₂ and H₂ flow (again shown with two different dashed lines). The two gases flow around the recombination device 30, indicated by the circular dashed lines, whereby the recombination device 30 again comprises a ceramic tube or a gas-permeable ceramic with an integrated precious metal catalyst.

[0041] The recombination unit 30 is also in the Figure 2 designed to combine the two gases so that water vapor 110 is produced (again represented by block arrows). The recombination system 10 also includes in the Figure 2a dome 20. The dome 20 is again shown here as an example of an essentially rectangular, hollow, and cylindrical geometry. The dome 20 has an outer wall 40 and an inner wall 50. The dome 20 also has side walls 70. All geometries, dimensions, and proportions shown are only examples and should be understood as a schematic arrangement. As already mentioned, block arrows point away from the ceramic tube and visualize the resulting water vapor 110. The water vapor 110 condenses on the inner wall 50 to form condensed water 120. In this respect, the dome 20 is intended for the condensation of the water vapor 110. With respect to the plane of the image, the process medium guide device 160 connects seamlessly and integrally to the side walls 70 of the dome 20. The process medium guiding device 160 comprises a guiding element 170, which is aligned towards an interior of the dome 20.The guide element 170 has a conical geometry, oriented such that one apex is positioned essentially centrally above the recombination device 30. Condensed water is visible on the inner walls 180 of the guide element 170. The inner walls 180 of the guide element 170 transition seamlessly into the inner wall 50 of the side walls 70 of the dome 20.

[0042] In other words, the process medium guide device 160 is formed integrally with the dome 20, with the guide element 170 being designed in the form of a conical geometry to guide the condensing water vapor 120 to the inner walls 50 of the dome 20 according to the principle of gravity. These inner walls 50 of the dome 20 can also be referred to as a sub-area of ​​an interior region of the recombination system 10. The water 120 or the water vapor 110 can also be referred to as the process medium. The process medium guide device 160 appears externally as an extension of the outer walls 40 of the dome 20, with a substantially rectangular geometry visible in the upper region. This external geometry can be adapted as desired to a specific application.

[0043] Figure 3Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a recombination system 10 with a detachably connectable process medium guide device 160. The recombination system 10 has a similar structure in its lower region relative to the image plane as the recombination system 10 shown in the figure. Figure 1 . Here too, a recombination device 30 can be seen, which is held upright in a holder 90 with two jaw elements 100.

[0044] In the lower section, an opening 80 is also visible, through which the two gases O₂ and H₂ flow (again shown with two different dashed lines). The two gases flow around the recombination device 30, indicated by the circular dashed lines, where the recombination device 30 again comprises a ceramic tube or a gas-permeable ceramic with an integrated precious metal catalyst.

[0045] The recombination unit 30 is also in the Figure 3 designed to combine the two gases so that water vapor 110 is produced (again represented by block arrows). The recombination system 10 also includes in the Figure 3a dome 20. The dome 20 is again shown here as an example of an essentially rectangular, hollow, and cylindrical geometry. The dome 20 has an outer wall 40 and an inner wall 50. The dome 20 also has side walls 70. All geometries, dimensions, and proportions shown are only examples and should be understood as a schematic arrangement. As already mentioned, block arrows point away from the ceramic tube and visualize the resulting water vapor 110. The water vapor 110 condenses on the inner wall 50 to form condensed water 120. In this respect, the dome 20 is intended for the condensation of the water vapor 110. The process medium guide device 160 comprises a separate component unit 190, which, when in place, seamlessly transitions into the side walls 70 of the dome 20.The process medium guide device 160 comprises a guide element 170, which is aligned within the interior of the dome 20. The guide element 170 has a conical geometry, oriented such that one apex is positioned essentially centrally above the recombination device 30. Condensed water is visible on the inner walls 180 of the guide element 170. The inner walls 180 of the guide element 170 transition seamlessly into the inner walls 50 of the side walls 70 of the dome 20. In its removable version, the process medium guide device 160 can also be described as a conical plug for improved drainage of the condensed water. Reference sign

[0046] 10 Recombination system 20 Dome 30 Recombination device 40 Outer wall 50 Inner wall 60 Ceiling area 70 Side wall 80 Opening area 90 Bracket 100 Jaw element 110 Water vapor 120 Water 130 Water droplets 140 Water stains 150 Bottom area 160 Process medium guide device 170 Guide element 180 Inner wall 190 Component unit

Claims

1. A process medium guiding apparatus (160) for a recombination system (10) having a recombination device (30) for catalytically recombining hydrogen and oxygen created in accumulators to form water (110), characterized in that the process medium guiding apparatus (160) is designed to limit the recombination system (10) towards the outside and comprises at least one guiding element (170) which is arranged above the recombination device (30), so that the water (110), as the process medium, is guided by the process medium guiding apparatus (160) to at least one subregion of an inner region of the recombination system (10), and the guiding element (170) has a circular conical, elliptical or pyramidal formed part, wherein the formed part is arranged on an edge region having a largest radius of the formed part at least partially on the at least one subregion of the inner region of the recombination system (10), and wherein a tip of the circular conical formed part is aligned substantially centered over and above the recombination device (30).

2. The process medium guiding apparatus (160) according to Claim 1, wherein the process medium guiding apparatus (160) is configured as a single piece with the at least one subregion of the inner region of the recombination system (10), or is configured as a detachable component unit (190) which can be connected to the at least one subregion of the inner region of the recombination system (10).

3. The process medium guiding apparatus (160) according to Claim 2, wherein the component unit (190) substantially has the form of a locking element, wherein the guiding element (170) is provided on a bottom side of the component unit (190) and wherein the component unit (190) can be mechanically fitted or screwed onto the recombination system (10), so that at least one subregion of the guiding element (170) can be connected to the at least one subregion of an inner region of the recombination system (10).

4. The process medium guiding apparatus (160) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one subregion of the inner region of the recombination system (10) is at least partially an inner region of a condensation cylinder.

5. The process medium guiding apparatus (160) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guiding element (170) comprises at least one holding element which is designed to hold the recombination device (30).

6. The process medium guiding apparatus (160) according to Claims 1 to 5, wherein an embodiment of a conical angle is from 5° to 45°.

7. The process medium guiding apparatus (160) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guiding element (170) has at least one rib element.

8. The process medium guiding apparatus (160) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the process medium guiding apparatus (160) has at least one region which is designed to receive at least one backfire safety element.

9. The process medium guiding apparatus (160) according to Claim 8, wherein the process medium guiding apparatus (160) comprises at least one labyrinth-like opening which is designed to functionally connect the at least one backfire safety element to the recombination device (30).