Gas-liquid separator and drainage control method therefor

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of fuel cell vehicles, and provide a gas-liquid separator and a drainage control method therefor. The gas-liquid separator comprises: a gas-liquid separator body; a gas-liquid separation part and a liquid collecting part are provided in the gas-liquid separator body from top to bottom; at least two water baffles are arranged between the gas-liquid separation part and the liquid collecting part; the at least two water baffles are distributed in a staggered manner in the longitudinal direction to form a water passing gap, so that liquid separated by the gas-liquid separation part flows into the liquid collecting part from the water passing gap; and a common projection surface formed by downward projections of the water baffles covers the surface of the liquid collecting part. According to the technical solution of the present application, at least two water baffles distributed in a staggered manner in the longitudinal direction solve the problem of splashing of droplets in a liquid collecting part caused when an automobile drives on a bumpy road.

Description

A gas-liquid separator and drainage control method thereof

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202310940744.0 filed on July 28, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the technical field of fuel cell vehicles, and in particular to a gas-liquid separator and a drainage control method for the gas-liquid separator. Background Art

[0004] During the electrochemical reaction in a hydrogen fuel cell, water is generated at the cathode. This cathode product water is transferred to the anode via diffusion, saturating the hydrogen at the anode outlet and potentially carrying a small amount of water droplets. To improve hydrogen utilization, the remaining hydrogen after the reaction needs to be transported back to the fuel cell stack through a circulation device to continue the reaction. Water carried by the hydrogen at the anode outlet enters the hydrogen circulation loop, causing anode flooding, reducing fuel cell efficiency, shortening fuel cell life, and causing permanent performance degradation. Therefore, a gas-liquid separator is required to efficiently separate the liquid droplets in the hydrogen circuit to ensure the normal operation and longevity of the fuel cell.

[0005] When a car is driving on a bumpy road, the water baffle provided in the existing gas-liquid separator cannot effectively block the droplets splashing from the liquid collecting part. Therefore, designing a gas-liquid separator that can effectively block the droplets splashing from the liquid collecting part is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical solution of the present application provides a gas-liquid separator and a drainage control method for the gas-liquid separator to solve the problem of splashing of liquid droplets in the liquid collecting part when driving on a bumpy road.

[0008] The features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description, or in part may be learned by practice of the present application.

[0009] The gas-liquid separator of the present application can effectively shield the liquid droplets splashing from the liquid collecting part by means of two water baffles arranged crosswise up and down.

[0010] In a first aspect, the technical solution of the present application provides a gas-liquid separator, comprising:

[0011] A gas-liquid separator body, wherein a gas-liquid separation portion and a liquid collecting portion are provided in the gas-liquid separator body from top to bottom, and at least two water retaining plates are provided between the gas-liquid separation portion and the liquid collecting portion;

[0012] The at least two water baffles are staggered in the longitudinal direction to form a water gap, so that the liquid separated by the gas-liquid separation part flows into the liquid collecting part from the water gap;

[0013] Wherein, the common projection surface formed by the downward projection of each of the water retaining plates covers the surface of the liquid collecting portion.

[0014] Based on the above-mentioned scheme, some optimized technical schemes in this application include that the at least two water baffles include a first water baffle and a second water baffle, and the ends of the first water baffle and the second water baffle close to each other are tilted downward and staggered to form the water gap.

[0015] Based on the aforementioned scheme, some optimized technical schemes in the present application include at least one water dividing plate being provided in the gas-liquid separation part, and the at least one water dividing plate forming a connecting flow channel in the gas-liquid separation part, and the connecting flow channel is used to accelerate gas-liquid separation.

[0016] Based on the above-mentioned scheme, some optimized technical schemes in the present application include that the gas-liquid separation part is provided with a first water distribution plate, a second water distribution plate, a third water distribution plate and a fourth water distribution plate, the first water distribution plate is arranged longitudinally, and constitutes a longitudinal flow channel with the longitudinal inner wall of the gas-liquid separator body, the second water distribution plate, the third water distribution plate and the fourth water distribution plate are arranged transversely, the second water distribution plate and the at least two water retaining plates constitute a first transverse flow channel, the third water distribution plate and the second water distribution plate constitute a second transverse flow channel, the fourth water distribution plate and the third water distribution plate constitute a third transverse flow channel, the transverse inner wall of the gas-liquid separator body and the fourth water distribution plate constitute a fourth transverse flow channel, the longitudinal flow channel, the first transverse flow channel, the second transverse flow channel, the third transverse flow channel and the fourth transverse flow channel are connected in sequence to form the connecting flow channel.

[0017] Based on the above-mentioned solutions, some optimized technical solutions in the present application include that each of the water diversion plates is provided with a drag-reducing curved surface.

[0018] Based on the aforementioned solutions, some optimized technical solutions of the present application further include a liquid level detection device, which is at least arranged above at least one water baffle close to the liquid collecting portion.

[0019] Based on the above-mentioned scheme, some optimized technical schemes in the present application include that the liquid level detection device is at least arranged above the connection end of at least one water baffle plate close to the liquid collection part, and the connection end is one end connecting the at least one water baffle plate and the gas separator body.

[0020] Based on the above scheme, some optimized technical solutions of the present application include: a nitrogen exhaust port is opened on one side of the gas-liquid separation part, a nitrogen exhaust control component is provided on the nitrogen exhaust port, and the nitrogen exhaust control component at least includes a heated nitrogen exhaust valve.

[0021] Based on the above-mentioned scheme, some optimized technical schemes in the present application include: a drain port is opened on one side of the liquid collecting part, a drain control component is provided on the drain port, and the drain control component at least includes a heated drain valve.

[0022] In a second aspect, the technical solution of the present invention further provides a drainage control method for a gas-liquid separator, the method being used to control the gas-liquid separator as described in the first aspect above, the method comprising:

[0023] obtaining a liquid level signal in the gas-liquid separator body, and controlling the liquid collecting part to drain water if the liquid level in the gas-liquid separator body exceeds a preset liquid level;

[0024] A sudden drop signal of air pressure in the air-liquid separator body is obtained, and the liquid collecting part is controlled to stop draining water according to the sudden drop signal of air pressure.

[0025] The technical solution of the present application solves the problem of splashing of liquid droplets in the liquid collecting portion caused when the car is driving on a bumpy road by disposing at least two water baffles staggered in the longitudinal direction.

[0026] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, illustrating embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the specification, explaining the principles of the present application. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive effort. In the drawings:

[0028] FIG1 shows a schematic structural diagram of a gas-liquid separator according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG2 shows a schematic structural diagram of a gas-liquid separator with a single water baffle design according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG3 shows a schematic structural diagram of a gas-liquid separator with another single water baffle design according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG4 shows a gas flow diagram of a gas-liquid separator during gas-liquid separation according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG5 shows an architecture diagram of a hydrogen subsystem of a fuel cell vehicle according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Description of Reference Numerals

[0034] 101-gas-liquid separator body, 102-first water baffle, 103-second water baffle, 104-liquid level sensor, 105-first water distribution plate, 106-second water distribution plate, 107-third water distribution plate, 108-fourth water distribution plate, 109-nitrogen exhaust port, 110-heated nitrogen exhaust valve, 111-liquid drain port, 112-heated liquid drain valve, 113-inlet, 114-outlet, 2-mixing valve, 3-hydrogen inlet solenoid valve, 4-medium pressure sensor, 5-proportional valve, 6-ejector, 7-inlet low-pressure sensor, 8-check valve, 9-outlet low-pressure sensor, 10-fuel cell stack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, example embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this application will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concepts of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art.

[0036] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," and the like in the specification and claims of this application and the accompanying drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or precedence. It should be understood that the terms used in this manner are interchangeable where appropriate, such that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described.

[0037] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of this application more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0038] The following will describe some embodiments of the present application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features therein may be combined with each other.

[0039] The present invention provides a gas-liquid separator for use in fuel cell vehicles. The gas-liquid separator includes:

[0040] A gas-liquid separator body, wherein a gas-liquid separation portion and a liquid collecting portion are provided in the gas-liquid separator body from top to bottom, and at least two water retaining plates are provided between the gas-liquid separation portion and the liquid collecting portion;

[0041] The at least two water baffles are staggered in the longitudinal direction to form a water gap, so that the liquid separated by the gas-liquid separation part flows into the liquid collecting part from the water gap;

[0042] Wherein, the common projection surface formed by the downward projection of each of the water retaining plates covers the surface of the liquid collecting portion.

[0043] It can be understood that the gas-liquid separation part is used to separate the gas and liquid in the airflow entering the gas-liquid separator body. The principle is that when the airflow collides with an object, the liquid in the airflow will be separated from the airflow due to the contact and collision with the object.

[0044] It can be understood that the liquid collecting portion is used to collect the liquid separated from the air flow, and the water baffle is used to shield the liquid in the liquid collecting portion. Therefore, in this embodiment, the common projection formed by the downward projection of all the water baffles can completely cover the surface of the liquid collecting portion, ensuring that all the water baffles form a closed surface in the horizontal direction. When the car is driving on a bumpy road, the water baffle can effectively shield the droplets splashing from the liquid collecting portion.

[0045] It can be understood that the present embodiment is not limited to including only two water baffles, and may also have three, four, five, or more water baffles. In the present embodiment, the overall structure of the gas-liquid separator body is cylindrical. When only two water baffles are provided in the gas-liquid separator, the two water baffles can be arranged opposite to each other along the circumference of the gas-liquid separator body, for example, they can be respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the gas-liquid separator body; when three water baffles are provided in the gas-liquid separator, the three water baffles can be evenly distributed along the circumference of the gas-liquid separator body. Two adjacent water baffles among the three water baffles need to be staggered in the longitudinal direction to form a water-passing gap, and the common projection surface formed by the downward projection of the three water baffles needs to cover the surface of the liquid collection part; when four, five or more water baffles are set in the gas-liquid separator, the above-mentioned setting method can be referred to, and the water baffles can be set along the circumference of the gas-liquid separator body, and all water baffles need to ensure that a water-passing gap is formed during the setting process and the common projection formed by the downward projection of all water baffles can completely cover the surface of the liquid collection part.

[0046] In some feasible embodiments, the at least two water baffles include a first water baffle and a second water baffle, and the ends of the first water baffle and the second water baffle close to each other are tilted downward and staggered to form the water gap.

[0047] It is understandable that the purpose of setting the two baffles at an angle downward is to utilize the principle that liquid droplets will move downward due to their own gravity to collect the droplets separated from the gas-liquid separation part, thereby improving the liquid collection efficiency. If the baffles are set in parallel, although the droplets can also be collected, the collection efficiency is not as high as when the baffles are set downward. If the baffles are set upward, a small angle will be formed between the baffles and the inner wall of the gas-liquid separator. The dripping droplets will gather within this angle. Only when the gathered liquid overflows the other end of the baffle can water accumulate in the liquid collection part, which is very inefficient.

[0048] For example, referring to FIG1 , a schematic diagram of the structure of a gas-liquid separator according to one embodiment of the present application is shown. As shown in FIG1 , a first water baffle 102 and a second water baffle 103 are connected to the gas-liquid separator body 101, and the ends of the first water baffle 102 and the second water baffle 103 that are adjacent to each other are arranged in a vertically intersecting manner. The vertically intersecting arrangement of the first water baffle 102 and the second water baffle 103 ensures that the first water baffle 102 and the second water baffle 103 can block splashing liquid when the vehicle is traveling on a bumpy road. The vertically intersecting arrangement of the first water baffle 102 and the second water baffle 103 ensures that the first water baffle 102 and the second water baffle 103 form a closed surface in the horizontal direction while also creating a water-passing gap in the vertical direction.

[0049] It can be understood that the shielding effect achieved by the first water baffle 102 and the second water baffle 103 is better than the shielding effect of a single water baffle. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, Figures 2 and 3 respectively show a gas-liquid separator designed with a single water baffle. For the gas-liquid separator designed with a single water baffle, when the vehicle is traveling on an inclined road, the open end A of the single water baffle in Figure 2 or the open end B of the single water baffle in Figure 3 is prone to liquid droplet splashing, while the gas-liquid separator with a double baffle design is better at preventing liquid droplet splashing.

[0050] In some feasible embodiments, at least one water separation plate is provided in the gas-liquid separation portion, and the at least one water separation plate forms a connecting flow channel in the gas-liquid separation portion, and the connecting flow channel is used to accelerate gas-liquid separation.

[0051] It can be understood that the gas-liquid separation part realizes gas-liquid separation by airflow colliding with contact objects. The water dividing plate arranged in the gas-liquid separation part can make the airflow entering the gas-liquid separation part collide multiple times on the water dividing plate, thereby improving the separation efficiency.

[0052] It can be understood that when only one water-dividing plate is provided in the gas-liquid separation part, one water-dividing plate and the inner wall of the gas-liquid separator body form a connecting flow channel, and the airflow continuously collides and contacts with the water-dividing plate and the inner wall of the gas-liquid separator body in the connecting flow channel to achieve gas-liquid separation; when multiple water-dividing plates are provided in the gas-liquid separation part, each adjacent water-dividing plate among the multiple water-dividing plates forms a part of the connecting flow channel, and the other water-dividing plates and the inner wall of the gas-liquid separator body form another part of the connecting flow channel.

[0053] Of course, the gas-liquid separation part may not be provided with a water dividing plate, and the gas-liquid separation may be achieved through the inner wall of the gas-liquid separator body. However, the separation efficiency of the gas-liquid separation part of this structure is very low.

[0054] The gas-liquid separation part is not limited to being provided with four water-dividing plates. The specific number of plates is selected according to the needs of the gas-liquid separator. However, among the multiple water-dividing plates, water-dividing plates for forming separation flow channels in the vertical direction and water-dividing plates for forming separation flow channels in the horizontal direction must be included; for example, two water-dividing plates are arranged in the vertical direction, the two water-dividing plates are connected and arranged in sequence from top to bottom, four water-dividing plates are arranged in the horizontal direction, the four water-dividing plates are located on the left side of the two water-dividing plates arranged in the vertical direction, and are arranged in sequence from top to bottom, the water-dividing plates arranged in the vertical direction and the right inner wall of the gas-liquid separator body constitute the vertical separation flow channel, the water-dividing plates arranged in the horizontal direction either constitute the horizontal separation flow channel with the first water baffle plate and the second water baffle plate, or constitute the horizontal separation flow channel with the upper inner wall of the gas-liquid separator body, or constitute the horizontal separation flow channel with other adjacent water-dividing plates arranged in the horizontal direction.

[0055] In some feasible embodiments, the gas-liquid separation part is provided with a first water distribution plate, a second water distribution plate, a third water distribution plate and a fourth water distribution plate, the first water distribution plate is arranged longitudinally, and forms a longitudinal flow channel with the longitudinal inner wall of the gas-liquid separator body, the second water distribution plate, the third water distribution plate and the fourth water distribution plate are arranged transversely, the second water distribution plate and the at least two water retaining plates form a first transverse flow channel, the third water distribution plate and the second water distribution plate form a second transverse flow channel, the fourth water distribution plate and the third water distribution plate form a third transverse flow channel, the transverse inner wall of the gas-liquid separator body and the fourth water distribution plate form a fourth transverse flow channel, the longitudinal flow channel, the first transverse flow channel, the second transverse flow channel, the third transverse flow channel and the fourth transverse flow channel are connected in sequence to form the connecting flow channel.

[0056] Exemplarily, as shown in Figure 1, the first water distribution plate 105, the second water distribution plate 106, the third water distribution plate 107 and the fourth water distribution plate 108 are all welded on the front and rear end plates of the gas-liquid separator body 101. The first water distribution plate 105 is close to the inlet 13 of the gas-liquid separator body 101, and the fourth water distribution plate 108 is close to the outlet 14 of the gas-liquid separator body 101. The function of the four water distribution plates is to separate the hydrogen carrying water entering from the inlet 13. The separated liquid drips onto the first water baffle 102 and the second water baffle 103 and then falls into the liquid collecting part. The separated gas is output from the outlet 14.

[0057] Among the above-mentioned four water distribution plates, the first water distribution plate 105 is arranged in the vertical direction, and forms a longitudinal flow channel with the right inner wall of the gas-liquid separator body 1; the second water distribution plate 106 is arranged in the horizontal direction, located on the left side of the first water distribution plate 105, and forms a first transverse flow channel with the first water baffle plate 102 and the second water baffle plate 103 located below it; the third water distribution plate 107 is arranged in the horizontal direction, located on the left side of the first water distribution plate 105 and above the second water distribution plate 106, and forms a second transverse flow channel with the second water distribution plate 106; The fourth water distribution plate 108 is located on the left side of the first water distribution plate 105 and above the third water distribution plate 107. The fourth water distribution plate 108 and the third water distribution plate 107 located below it constitute a third transverse flow channel. Above the fourth water distribution plate 108 is the upper inner wall of the gas-liquid separator body 1. The fourth water distribution plate 108 and the upper inner wall of the gas-liquid separator body 1 constitute a fourth transverse flow channel; the longitudinal flow channel, the first transverse flow channel, the second transverse flow channel, the third transverse flow channel, and the fourth transverse flow channel are connected in sequence to form a connecting flow channel for separating the airflow.

[0058] For example, as shown in FIG4 , a gas streamline diagram of a gas-liquid separator provided in this embodiment when performing gas-liquid separation is shown.

[0059] The hydrogen that does not participate in the reaction at the anode of the fuel cell stack flows in from the inlet 13. The airflow makes a first turn at the first water diverter plate 105. A portion of the fluid moves upward, forms a vortex in the upper right corner, and then continues to flow downstream. A portion of the fluid flows directly downward after turning. The fluid then flows downstream along the flow channel formed by the second water diverter plate 106, the first water baffle 102, and the second water baffle 103, and makes a second turn at the wall. It then passes through the flow channel formed by the second water diverter plate 106 and the third water diverter plate 107, and makes a third turn at the first water diverter plate 105. It then passes through the flow channel formed by the third water diverter plate 107 and the fourth water diverter plate 108, and makes a fourth turn at the wall, and finally flows out through the outlet 14. Due to the effect of inertia, when the fluid turns, the droplets it carries will hit the wall. The droplets that hit the wall flow down in drops or streams, eventually reaching the liquid collection portion, and are discharged from the fuel cell system when the drain valve is opened, thereby achieving the purpose of gas-liquid separation.

[0060] In some feasible embodiments, each of the water diversion plates is provided with a drag-reducing curved surface.

[0061] For example, the first water distribution plate 105, the second water distribution plate 106, the third water distribution plate 107 and the fourth water distribution plate 108 all adopt a streamlined curve design to ensure that each water distribution plate has a drag reducing surface, which can reduce the flow resistance of the airflow through the gas-liquid separator and improve the separation efficiency.

[0062] In some feasible embodiments, the gas-liquid separator further includes a liquid level detection device, and the liquid level detection device is at least provided above at least one water baffle close to the liquid collecting portion.

[0063] It is understandable that when the liquid level in the gas-liquid separator body exceeds the set liquid level, the liquid collecting portion needs to be drained, so a liquid level detection device needs to be provided to monitor the liquid level in the gas-liquid separator body in real time.

[0064] Exemplarily, referring to FIG. 1 , the liquid level detection device may be a liquid level sensor 104 . The liquid level sensor 104 is disposed on the gas-liquid separator body 101 and is located above the first water baffle 102 or the second water baffle 103 .

[0065] It is understood that, in order to improve monitoring accuracy, the liquid level detection device can be composed of multiple liquid level sensors, and the multiple liquid level sensors can be respectively arranged above different water retaining plates. For example, in this embodiment, the liquid level detection device is composed of two liquid level sensors, and the two liquid level sensors are respectively located above the first water retaining plate 102 and the second water retaining plate 103.

[0066] In some feasible embodiments, the liquid level detection device is at least provided above a connection end of at least one water baffle plate close to the liquid collecting portion, and the connection end is an end where at least one water baffle plate is connected to the gas separator body.

[0067] For example, referring to Figure 1, in this embodiment, there is a liquid level sensor 104 and two water baffles 102 and 103; the liquid level sensor 104 is arranged above the connection end of the second water baffle 103 and is close to the connection end of the second water baffle 103. When the liquid in the liquid collection part slowly accumulates and the liquid level exceeds the liquid level sensor 104, the liquid level sensor 104 gives a liquid level signal, and the corresponding control system receives the signal to control the gas-liquid sensor to drain water.

[0068] It is understood that arranging the liquid level sensor 104 above the connection end of the water baffle can avoid misjudgment of the liquid level sensor. For example, as shown in Figure 2, if the liquid level sensor 104 is arranged below the water baffle, or at the connection end A of the water baffle, when the vehicle is driving on an inclined road or a bumpy road, the tilt and fluctuation of the liquid level in the liquid collecting part may cause misjudgment of the liquid level sensor. Arranging the liquid level sensor 3 above the closed end of the water baffle can avoid the occurrence of sensor misjudgment to a certain extent.

[0069] Specifically, the installation point of the liquid level sensor 104 is located above the connection end of the second water baffle 103 and is threadedly connected to the gas-liquid separator body 101. An axial sealing ring is provided at the connection to prevent hydrogen leakage.

[0070] In some feasible embodiments, a nitrogen exhaust port is provided on one side of the gas-liquid separation portion, and a nitrogen exhaust control component is provided on the nitrogen exhaust port, and the nitrogen exhaust control component at least includes a heated nitrogen exhaust valve.

[0071] As shown in FIG1 , a nitrogen exhaust port 109 is provided on the left side wall of the gas-liquid separator body 101 , and the nitrogen exhaust control assembly is installed on the nitrogen exhaust port 109 .

[0072] Specifically, in this embodiment, the nitrogen exhaust control assembly includes a heated nitrogen exhaust valve 110 , a heated nitrogen exhaust valve connector is installed on the nitrogen exhaust port 109 , and the heated nitrogen exhaust valve 110 and the heated nitrogen exhaust valve connector are threadedly connected.

[0073] It is understandable that the heated nitrogen exhaust valve connector adopts an internal thread, and an axial sealing ring is provided at the connection with the heated nitrogen exhaust valve 110 to prevent hydrogen leakage.

[0074] It is understandable that the heated nitrogen exhaust valve 110 is a switch valve. In order to prevent the condensed water at the nitrogen exhaust valve outlet from freezing when the fuel cell system is started at low temperature, causing the valve to be unable to open and the low-temperature start-up to fail, an annular electric heating ring is provided at the valve outlet.

[0075] It should be noted that the electric heating coil is a heating device made of electric heating alloy wire as the heating material and mica soft board (sometimes ceramic core) as the insulating material. The principle of the electric heating coil is as follows: a high-frequency high-current flows into a heating coil wound into a ring or other shape (usually made of copper tube), thereby generating a strong magnetic flux with instantaneous polarity change in the coil. When a metal or other heated object is placed in the coil, the magnetic flux will penetrate the entire heated object. In the opposite direction of the heating current, a corresponding large eddy current will be generated inside the heated object. Due to the resistance in the heated object, a lot of Joule heat will be generated, causing the object's temperature to rise rapidly, achieving the purpose of heating all metal materials.

[0076] In some feasible embodiments, a drain port is provided on one side of the liquid collecting portion, a drain control component is provided on the drain port, and the drain control component at least includes a heated drain valve.

[0077] For example, as shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the bottom of the liquid collection part is conical, so the drain port 111 is opened at the bottom of the liquid collection part to ensure that the liquid in the liquid collection part can be drained. If the bottom of the liquid collection part is a horizontal flat bottom, then the drain port can be opened on the left or right side near the bottom of the liquid collection part, so that the liquid in the liquid collection part can also be drained.

[0078] Specifically, in this embodiment, the drain control assembly is installed on the drain port 111, and the drain control assembly includes a heated drain valve 112. A heated drain valve connector is installed on the drain port 111, and the heated drain valve 112 and the heated drain valve connector are threadedly connected.

[0079] It can be understood that the heating drain valve connector adopts an internal thread, and an axial sealing ring is provided at the connection with the heating drain valve 112 to prevent hydrogen leakage.

[0080] It can be understood that the heated drain valve 112 is a switch valve. In order to prevent the fuel cell system from being unable to open due to water accumulating and freezing at the drain valve outlet when the fuel cell system is started at low temperature, resulting in failure of low-temperature startup, an annular electric heating ring is provided at the valve outlet.

[0081] It should be noted that the electric heating coil is a heating device made of electric heating alloy wire as the heating material and mica soft board (sometimes ceramic core) as the insulating material. The principle of the electric heating coil is as follows: a high-frequency high-current flows into a heating coil wound into a ring or other shape (usually made of copper tube), thereby generating a strong magnetic flux with instantaneous polarity change in the coil. When a metal or other heated object is placed in the coil, the magnetic flux will penetrate the entire heated object. In the opposite direction of the heating current, a corresponding large eddy current will be generated inside the heated object. Due to the resistance in the heated object, a lot of Joule heat will be generated, causing the object's temperature to rise rapidly, achieving the purpose of heating all metal materials.

[0082] As a second aspect, the present application further provides a drainage control method for a gas-liquid separator, the method being used to control the gas-liquid separator described in the embodiments of the present application, the method comprising:

[0083] obtaining a liquid level signal in the gas-liquid separator body, and controlling the liquid collecting part to drain water if the liquid level in the gas-liquid separator body exceeds a preset liquid level;

[0084] A sudden drop signal of air pressure in the air-liquid separator body is obtained, and the liquid collecting part is controlled to stop draining water according to the sudden drop signal of air pressure.

[0085] It can be understood that, in this embodiment, the liquid level signal of the liquid collecting portion is obtained by the liquid level sensor 104, and the air pressure sudden drop signal can be obtained by providing a pressure sensor.

[0086] For example, as shown in Figure 5, a hydrogen subsystem architecture diagram of a fuel cell vehicle used in the gas-liquid separator of this embodiment is shown, which specifically includes: a gas-liquid separator 1, a heated nitrogen exhaust valve 110, a heated liquid exhaust valve 112, a mixed exhaust valve 2, a hydrogen inlet solenoid valve 3, a medium pressure sensor 4, a proportional valve 5, an ejector 6, an inlet low-pressure sensor 7, a one-way valve 8, an outlet low-pressure sensor 9, and a fuel cell stack 10.

[0087] During fuel cell operation, hydrogen from the hydrogen storage tank enters the fuel cell stack 10 through the hydrogen inlet solenoid valve 9, proportional valve 5, and ejector 6. Unreacted hydrogen, mixed with water vapor and nitrogen, is discharged from the stack anode outlet and then enters the secondary inlet of the ejector 10 through the gas-liquid separator 1 and one-way valve 12, completing the hydrogen recycling process. The accumulated water in the liquid collection section of the gas-liquid separator 1 gradually increases over time. When the liquid level in the liquid collection section exceeds the liquid level sensor 104, the fuel cell system controller issues a drain signal, opening the heated drain valve 112 and entering the drain phase. When the water in the liquid collection section is completely drained, the hydrogen in the pipeline is discharged from the drain port 111, causing the gas pressure in the pipeline to drop suddenly. When the outlet low-pressure sensor 9, located at the stack outlet, detects a sudden drop in pipeline pressure, and the gas pressure drop exceeds 2.5 kPa, the fuel cell controller issues a signal to close the drain valve, closing the heated drain valve 112 and completing a drain cycle.

[0088] Traditional control methods that directly calibrate the drain cycle duration suffer from short drain cycles and low hydrogen utilization during dynamic fuel cell operation. However, a drain control method based on signals from liquid level and pressure sensors dynamically adjusts the drain cycle duration as operating conditions change, enabling adaptive control of the drain cycle. This offers the advantages of greater robustness and higher hydrogen conservation during dynamic fuel cell operation.

[0089] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present application after considering the specification and practicing the embodiments disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present application that follow the general principles of the present application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art that are not disclosed in this application. It should be understood that this application is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of this application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gas-liquid separator, comprising: A gas-liquid separator body, wherein a gas-liquid separation portion and a liquid collecting portion are arranged in the gas-liquid separator body from top to bottom, and at least two water retaining plates are arranged between the gas-liquid separation portion and the liquid collecting portion; The at least two water baffles are staggered in the longitudinal direction to form a water gap, so that the liquid separated by the gas-liquid separation part flows into the liquid collecting part from the water gap; Wherein, a common projection surface formed by the downward projection of each of the water retaining plates covers the surface of the liquid collecting portion.

2. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein: The at least two water baffles include a first water baffle and a second water baffle. The ends of the first water baffle and the second water baffle that are close to each other are tilted downward and staggered to form the water gap.

3. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, wherein: At least one water dividing plate is disposed in the gas-liquid separation part. The at least one water dividing plate forms a connecting flow channel in the gas-liquid separation part. The connecting flow channel is used to accelerate gas-liquid separation.

4. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 3, wherein: The gas-liquid separation part is provided with a first water-dividing plate, a second water-dividing plate, a third water-dividing plate and a fourth water-dividing plate. The first water-dividing plate is arranged in the longitudinal direction and forms a longitudinal flow channel with the longitudinal inner wall of the gas-liquid separator body. The second water-dividing plate, the third water-dividing plate and the fourth water-dividing plate are arranged in the transverse direction. The second water-dividing plate and at least two water-retaining plates form a first transverse flow channel, the third water-dividing plate and the second water-dividing plate form a second transverse flow channel, the fourth water-dividing plate and the third water-dividing plate form a third transverse flow channel, the transverse inner wall of the gas-liquid separator body and the fourth water-dividing plate form a fourth transverse flow channel, the longitudinal flow channel, the first transverse flow channel, the second transverse flow channel, the third transverse flow channel and the fourth transverse flow channel are connected in sequence to form the connecting flow channel.

5. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 3, wherein: Each of the water diversion plates is provided with a drag-reducing curved surface.

6. The gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: It also includes a liquid level detection device, which is at least arranged above at least one water baffle plate close to the liquid collecting part.

7. The gas-liquid separator according to claim 6, wherein: The liquid level detection device is at least arranged above the connection end of at least one water baffle plate close to the liquid collecting portion, and the connection end is one end of the at least one water baffle plate connected to the gas separator body.

8. The gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: A nitrogen exhaust port is provided on one side of the gas-liquid separation part. A nitrogen exhaust control component is provided on the nitrogen exhaust port. The nitrogen exhaust control component at least includes a heated nitrogen exhaust valve.

9. The gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: A liquid discharge port is provided on one side of the liquid collecting part, and a liquid discharge control component is provided on the liquid discharge port. The liquid discharge control component at least includes a heated liquid discharge valve.

10. A drainage control method, applied to the gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising: Acquire a liquid level signal in the gas-liquid separator body, and if the liquid level in the gas-liquid separator body exceeds a preset liquid level, control the liquid collecting part to drain water; A sudden drop signal of air pressure in the air-liquid separator body is obtained, and the liquid collecting part is controlled to stop draining water according to the sudden drop signal of air pressure.

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