Blower for a fuel cell assembly

Abstract

A blower (1) for a fuel cell assembly for recirculating a volume flow occurring during the operation of the fuel cell assembly is described, wherein the blower has a blower channel (2) with an outer wall (2a) which extends along a channel axis (A) between a blower channel inlet (2b) and a blower channel outlet (2c) of the blower channel (2), a motor shaft (3) which extends through an annular channel section (2d) of the blower channel, a flow guiding means (4) which is arranged adjacently to the blower channel inlet (2b) and is configured to impart a swirl to the entering volume flow, an outlet channel (5) with an outlet channel opening (5a) which is arranged in the outer wall (2a) and through which liquid can be discharged, and a pressure equalization channel (6) which is fluidically connected to the outlet channel (5) and has a pressure equalization channel opening (6a) which is arranged in the outer wall (2a) and is spaced apart from the outlet channel opening (5a) along the channel axis (A).

Description

[0001] Hanover, September 18, 2024 IP, Jauch, Wachenhausen / Ek SR 304580-DE-NP EM 304580

[0002] Blower for a fuel cell array

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to a blower for a fuel cell arrangement for recirculating a volume flow generated during the operation of the fuel cell arrangement. In particular, the present invention relates to a blower that enables the separation of water from the volume flow. The invention also relates to a fuel cell arrangement with such a blower.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Fuel cells of various designs are used particularly for mobile applications. These fuel cells can use hydrogen as an energy carrier, and there is a need to pump gaseous media. Specifically, fuel cells with an anode and a cathode are known, where hydrogen is recirculated from the anode. In the prior art, blowers are used for this purpose, designed to pump the required volume flow. The blower can be a pump driven by an electric motor, which can deliver the volume flow according to the requirements and operating points.

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a blower with which the function of the fuel cell can be improved. This object is achieved by the features of the claims.

[0008] Description of the invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it relates to a blower for a fuel cell arrangement, wherein the blower is designed to recirculate a volume flow generated during the operation of the fuel cell arrangement. The blower has a blower duct with an outer wall extending along a duct axis between a blower duct inlet and a blower duct outlet. The blower has a motor shaft extending through an annular section of the blower duct. Furthermore, the blower has a flow guide device arranged adjacent to the blower duct inlet and configured to impart a swirl to the incoming volume flow, in particular for separating liquid particles from the volume flow. The blower has a drain duct with a drain opening arranged in the outer wall through which liquid can be discharged.In addition, the blower has a pressure equalization channel which is fluidly connected to the drain channel and has a pressure equalization channel opening which is arranged in the outer wall and spaced apart from the drain channel opening along the channel axis.

[0010] Especially when the fuel cell assembly is operated with superstoichiometric hydrogen, hydrogen molecules should be recirculated back to the anode assembly. During operation, liquid particles can also be recirculated back to the anode assembly, and these should be separated through the drain channel. It is undesirable for hydrogen to escape into the environment. Therefore, the drain channel is not open to the environment; elevated pressure can occur within the drain channel, which can be detrimental to the removal of liquid particles. The pressure equalization channel allows the pressure in the drain channel to be influenced, and in particular reduced, so that liquid particles can be separated into the drain channel more reliably.

[0011] The following is an explanation of further training courses that can be advantageously combined with each other unless otherwise indicated.

[0012] In one embodiment, the pressure equalization channel opening can be connected in an area of ​​the blower channel where the static pressure during operation of the blower is lower than the static pressure at the drain channel opening.

[0013] In another embodiment, the drain channel opening can be arranged downstream of the pressure equalization channel opening. A further embodiment can include a blower impeller that is attached to an end section of the motor shaft and arranged adjacent to the blower channel outlet, with the pressure equalization channel opening being located adjacent to the blower impeller.

[0014] In another embodiment, the pressure equalization channel opening can be located in the area of ​​the blower channel inlet.

[0015] In one embodiment, the blower duct can have a cross-sectional constriction, with the pressure equalization duct opening being located in the region of the constriction. The cross-sectional constriction can be located upstream of the flow guide device.

[0016] It has been found during tests that the pressure in the area of ​​the blower impeller, the blower duct inlet or the cross-sectional narrowing can be lower than in the area of ​​the outlet duct opening.

[0017] In another embodiment, the flow guide device can be formed with blades which can extend radially at least partially with respect to the channel axis. Several of these blades can be part of a pre-guide grid.

[0018] In another embodiment, the flow guide device can be designed with inlet channels whose inlet channel axes can be oriented skew with respect to the channel axis.

[0019] One embodiment may have a feeder line to a collection container for receiving liquid particles, into which the drain channel may open.

[0020] In one embodiment, a pipe section can extend from the blower duct outlet to the blower impeller. Together with the outer wall, this pipe section can define an annular gap through which liquid particles can enter the outlet duct opening.

[0021] According to a second aspect, a fuel cell arrangement can include one of the aforementioned blowers and an anode arrangement, wherein the blower can be arranged to return the volume flow generated during operation to the anode arrangement.

[0022] Brief description of the characters

[0023] Figure 1 is a partial sectional view of an embodiment of a blower for a fuel cell arrangement for recirculating a volume flow generated during the operation of the fuel cell arrangement.

[0024] Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of a blower for a fuel cell arrangement for recirculating a volume flow generated during the operation of the fuel cell arrangement.

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a fuel cell arrangement with one embodiment of the blower.

[0026] Detailed description of execution forms

[0027] Figure 1 is a partial sectional view of an embodiment of a blower 1 for a fuel cell arrangement for recirculating a volume flow generated during operation of the fuel cell arrangement. The blower 1 has a blower duct 2 with an outer wall 2a extending along a duct axis A between a blower duct inlet 2b and a blower duct outlet 2c of the blower duct 2. The blower 1 has a motor shaft 3 extending through an annular duct section 2d of the blower duct 2, and a flow guide 4 arranged adjacent to the blower duct inlet 2b, configured to impart a swirl to the incoming volume flow. The blower 1 has a drain duct 5 with a drain opening 5a arranged in the outer wall 2a, through which liquid can be discharged.Furthermore, the blower 1 has a pressure equalization channel 6, which is fluidly connected to the drain channel 5 and has a pressure equalization channel opening 6a, which is arranged in the outer wall 2a and spaced apart from the drain channel opening 2c along the channel axis. The pressure equalization channel opening 6a is located in the area of ​​the flow guide device 4, and the drain channel opening is located in the area of ​​the blower channel outlet. A pipe section 10 extends from the blower channel outlet 2c to the blower impeller 7, which is attached to the left end section of the motor shaft 3. Together with the outer wall 2a, the pipe section 10 defines an annular gap 11 through which liquid particles can enter the drain channel opening 5a. The drain channel 5 can open into a supply line to a collection tank 9.

[0028] Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of a blower 1 for a fuel cell arrangement for recirculating a volume flow generated during operation of the fuel cell arrangement. The blower has a blower duct 2 with an outer wall 2a extending along a duct axis A between a blower duct inlet 2b and a blower duct outlet 2c of the blower duct. The blower has a motor shaft 3 extending through an annular duct section 2d of the blower duct, as well as a flow guide 4 arranged adjacent to the blower duct inlet 2b and configured to impart a swirl to the incoming volume flow. The blower 1 has a drain duct 5 with a drain opening 5a arranged in the outer wall 2a, through which liquid can be discharged.Furthermore, the blower 1 has a pressure equalization channel 6, which is fluidly connected to the drain channel 5 and has a pressure equalization channel opening 6a, which is arranged in the outer wall 2a and spaced apart from the drain channel opening 5a along the channel axis. A pipe section 10 extends from the...

[0029] The blower duct outlet 2c leads to the blower impeller 7, which is mounted at the left end of the motor shaft 3. Together with the outer wall 2a, the pipe section 10 defines an annular gap 11 through which liquid particles can enter the drain channel opening 5a. The drain channel opening 5a is located in the region of the blower duct outlet 2c. A cross-sectional constriction 8 of the blower duct 2 is located in the blower duct inlet 2b and upstream of the flow guide 4. The pressure equalization channel opening 6a is located in the region of the cross-sectional constriction. The drain channel 5 can open into a supply line to a collection tank 9.

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a fuel cell arrangement with one embodiment of the blower. The blower is arranged to return a volume flow generated during operation to an anode arrangement of the fuel cell arrangement. Reference numerals (part of the description)

[0031] 1 blower

[0032] 2 blower duct

[0033] 2a Outer wall

[0034] 2b Blower duct inlet

[0035] 2c Blower duct outlet

[0036] 2d ring channel section

[0037] 3 Motor shaft

[0038] 4 Flow guide device

[0039] 5 Drainage channel

[0040] 5a Drainage channel opening

[0041] 6 Pressure equalization channel

[0042] 6a Pressure equalization channel opening

[0043] 7 Blower impeller

[0044] 8 Cross-sectional narrowing

[0045] 9 collection containers

[0046] 10 Pipe section

[0047] 11 Annular gap

[0048] A axis of the blower duct (duct axis)

Claims

Patent claims 1. Blower (1) for a fuel cell arrangement for recirculating a volume flow generated during the operation of the fuel cell arrangement, the blower comprising: a blower duct (2) with an outer wall (2a) extending along a duct axis (A) between a blower duct inlet (2b) and a blower duct outlet (2c) of the blower duct, a motor shaft (3) extending through an annular duct section (2d) of the blower duct (2), a flow guide device (4) adjacent to the The blower duct inlet (2c) is arranged and is configured to impart a swirl to the incoming volume flow, a drain duct (5) with a drain duct opening (5a) arranged in the outer wall (2c) through which liquid can be discharged, a pressure equalization duct (6) which is fluidly connected to the drain duct (2) and has a pressure equalization duct opening (6a) arranged in the outer wall (2a) and spaced apart from the drain duct opening (5a) along the duct axis (A).

2. Blower (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the pressure equalization channel opening (6a) is connected in a region of the blower channel (2) in which the static pressure during operation of the blower (1) is lower than the static pressure at the discharge channel opening (5a).

3. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a blower impeller (7) which is attached to an end section of the motor shaft (3) and is arranged adjacent to the blower duct outlet (2c), wherein the pressure equalization duct opening (6a) is arranged adjacent to the blower impeller (7).

4. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure equalization channel opening (6a) is arranged in the area of ​​the blower channel inlet (2b).

5. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a cross-sectional narrowing (8) of the blower duct (2), wherein the pressure equalization duct opening (6a) is arranged in the area of ​​the cross-sectional narrowing (8).

6. Blower (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the cross-sectional narrowing (8) is arranged upstream of the flow guide device (4).

7. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow guide device (4) is formed with blades which extend at least sectionally radially with respect to the channel axis (A).

8. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow guide device (4) is designed with inlet channels whose inlet channel axes are oriented skew with respect to the channel axis (A).

9. Blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a feed line to a collection container (9) into which the drain channel opens.

10. Fuel cell arrangement with a blower (1) according to one of the preceding claims and with an anode arrangement, wherein the blower (1) is arranged to return the volume flow accruing during operation to the anode arrangement.

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