Fuel Cell Gas Liquid Separator Inclined Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fuel cell systems, the existing gas liquid separators face efficiency issues when inclined, as water accumulated in the reservoir can enter the off-gas outlet, reducing the separation efficiency of water from the off-gas.
Innovation Solution
A gas liquid separator configuration with a gas liquid separator-forming portion and a cover member, featuring a surrounding portion that protrudes to prevent water from entering the off-gas outlet, and a concave design to increase the flow path length for enhanced separation, is implemented. This configuration includes a first inner wall portion with an off-gas outlet and a surrounding portion that is inclined to maintain a distance from the accumulated water, ensuring efficient water separation even when the system is inclined.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the gas liquid separator is inclined during vehicle operation, then the structure adapts to the slope, but water accumulated in the reservoir enters the off-gas outlet, reducing separation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a new spatial dimension by forming a protrusion in the end plate that extends into the reservoir space. This three-dimensional structural feature creates a physical barrier that prevents water from reaching the off-gas outlet regardless of the separator's inclination angle, thereby maintaining separation efficiency while allowing the device to adapt to slope conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the water accumulation zone and the off-gas outlet. It serves as a protective barrier that intercepts water before it can enter the gas outlet, thus mediating the interaction between the liquid phase and gas phase flow paths to maintain effective separation under varying inclination conditions.
2Device complexity
If a conventional gas liquid separator design is used, then the structure is simple, but water enters the off-gas outlet when inclined, decreasing separation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the reservoir space by introducing a protrusion that divides the internal volume into distinct zones. This segmentation creates a water accumulation zone separated from the gas outlet zone, ensuring that water and gas follow different flow paths. The segmentation is achieved through a relatively simple structural modification rather than a completely complex redesign.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed configuration effectively suppresses water from entering the off-gas outlet, maintaining high separation efficiency of water from the off-gas, even during movement or inclinations, thus enhancing the overall performance of the fuel cell system.
Implementation Method 1
a surrounding portion that is protruded from the first inner wall portion along a first direction from the gas liquid separator-forming portion toward the cover member to surround the off-gas outlet
Data Source
AI summary
The gas liquid separator comprises a gas liquid separator-forming portion formed in an end plate of a fuel cell to have an opening at an end face of the end plate and that constitutes part of the gas liquid separator; and a cover member located to cover the opening and is combined with the gas liquid separator-forming portion to constitute the gas liquid separator. The gas liquid separator-forming portion includes a first inner wall portion provided to serve as a flow path of the off-gas and form part of a reservoir and that is configured to include an off-gas outlet, to be connected with the opening and to be formed concave in a thickness direction of the end plate; and a surrounding portion protruded from the first inner wall portion along a first direction from the gas liquid separator-forming portion toward the cover member to surround the off-gas outlet.