CN216537363U - Gas-liquid separation device and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a gas-liquid separation device and a vehicle. The gas-liquid separation device includes a housing, the housing including: a chamber, an inlet into which a gas-liquid mixture flows; a gas outlet for discharging gas; a liquid outlet for discharging liquid; first and second walls extending from different locations of the housing between the inlet and the gas outlet and into the chamber, and the first and second walls being spaced apart from each other; a third wall extending from the housing and into the chamber between the first wall and the second wall, and a gap exists between a free end of the third wall and the housing such that a gas-liquid mixture flowing between the first wall and the third wall can flow between the third wall and the second wall via the gap. The gas-liquid separation device and the vehicle with high gas-liquid separation efficiency and stable separation effect are obtained.

Description

Gas-liquid separation device and vehicle

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a gas-liquid separation device, and more particularly, to a gas-liquid separation device for a fuel cell vehicle.

Background

The hydrogen side of the fuel cell of a fuel cell vehicle is often provided with a hydrogen return system, i.e. the fuel cell stack-out hydrogen mixture is driven by a hydrogen circulation pump (or ejector) to return to the hydrogen stack-in line and mix with newly supplied hydrogen to re-enter the stack. The fuel cell hydrogen stack mixture mainly contains hydrogen, nitrogen, water and other components, wherein the water usually exists in a gas-liquid mixed mode, and simultaneously contains two modes of water vapor and liquid water. If liquid water in the pile-out mixture is not separated in time, the liquid water can be brought to the inlet of the galvanic pile again when the pile-out hydrogen mixture flows back, the operation humidity control of the galvanic pile can be influenced, and the internal water blockage of the galvanic pile can be caused in serious cases. In order to remove liquid water drops contained in the pile-out mixture on the hydrogen side of the fuel cell, a gas-liquid separation structure or a device is required to be arranged at the hydrogen outlet of the pile.

Conventional gas-liquid separation devices include centrifugal, inertial/gravity separation, cartridge type, and the like. The inertia force/gravity separation mode mainly utilizes the difference of density characteristics of gas phase and liquid phase in a separated gas-liquid mixture, and gas phase and liquid phase flow tracks are different after the gas-liquid separation device is subjected to the action of inertia force and gravity in the flow process to form a gas gathering area and a liquid gathering area. The inertia/gravity gas-liquid separation does not need additional driving energy, has small flow loss and high operation reliability. However, the design of the inertial force and gravity gas-liquid separation device mainly depends on the inertial force and gravity of the fluid to realize gas-liquid separation, and generally, the gas-liquid separation efficiency is low, and the space for gas-liquid separation is large.

The working condition load of the vehicle fuel cell system changes greatly, the vehicle running shaking amplitude is large, and the gas-liquid separation efficiency is greatly interfered by factors such as transient change of air flow, liquid level shaking and the like. Therefore, there is a need for an improved gas-liquid separation apparatus to improve separation efficiency and gas-liquid separation stability.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure provides an improved gas-liquid separation device to address, or at least partially address, the above-referenced problems or other potential problems.

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a gas-liquid separation device is provided. The gas-liquid separation device includes: a gas-liquid separation device comprising: a housing, the housing comprising: a chamber, an inlet into which a gas-liquid mixture flows; a gas outlet for discharging gas; and a liquid outlet for discharging liquid; first and second walls extending from different locations of the housing between the inlet and the gas outlet and into the chamber, and the first and second walls being spaced apart from one another; and a third wall extending from the housing and into the chamber between the first wall and the second wall, and having a gap between a free end of the third wall and the housing. The gap enables the gas-liquid mixture flowing between the first wall and the third wall to flow between the third wall and the second wall through the gap.

In some embodiments, the third wall extends from the housing between the liquid outlet and the gas outlet; or the third wall extends from the housing between the liquid outlet and the inlet.

In some embodiments, the third wall includes a reservoir chamber and a drain mechanism adapted to drain liquid in the reservoir chamber.

In some embodiments, the reservoir chamber is formed between the third wall and the housing; or the third wall comprises a first extension part and a second extension part, and the liquid storage cavity is formed between the first extension part and the second extension part.

In some embodiments, the drainage mechanism comprises: an opening formed on the third wall and configured to allow liquid in the reservoir chamber to flow out through the opening; a shutter pivotally connected to the third wall and including a first end adapted to close the opening.

In some embodiments, a second end of the baffle opposite the first end is provided with a counterweight.

In some embodiments, the first end of the baffle plate is provided with a magnet for attracting the baffle plate against the third wall to close the opening.

In some embodiments, further comprising an additional baffle extending from the housing or the third wall between the reservoir chamber and the gas outlet, and a gap exists between a free end of the additional baffle and the third wall.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a vehicle including: a fuel cell stack comprising: a hydrogen gas inlet; a gas discharge port for discharging a gas-liquid mixture, the gas-liquid separation device according to the first aspect; the gas outlet is in fluid communication with the inlet of the gas-liquid separation device; the hydrogen gas inflow port is in fluid communication with the gas outlet of the gas-liquid separation device.

In some embodiments, the gas supply supplies hydrogen gas.

It should be understood that this summary of the disclosure is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description.

Drawings

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in more detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which like reference numerals generally represent like parts throughout the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a fuel cell system to which a gas-liquid separation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a gas-liquid separation device according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged partial view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the partial view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a gas-liquid separation device according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged partial view of FIG. 5; and

fig. 7 shows a view of the baffle in fig. 6.

The same or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure will now be described with reference to several example embodiments. It should be understood that these examples are described only for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and thereby enable the present disclosure, and are not intended to set forth any limitations on the scope of the technical solutions of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the term "include" and its variants are to be read as open-ended terms meaning "including, but not limited to. The term "based on" will be read as "based at least in part on". The terms "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" should be understood as "at least one other embodiment". The terms "first," "second," and the like may refer to different or the same object. Other explicit and implicit definitions may be included below. The definitions of the terms are consistent throughout the specification unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a gas-liquid separation device and a vehicle capable of high gas-liquid separation efficiency and stable separation effect are provided. Some exemplary embodiments of a gas-liquid separation device and a vehicle according to the present disclosure will now be described with reference to fig. 1-7.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a fuel cell system to which a gas-liquid separation device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied. In the fuel cell system, gas is introduced from a gas supply source 1 (e.g., a hydrogen cylinder) into a stack 6 via a pressure reducing valve 2, a hydrogen control valve 3, and a circulation pump (or ejector) 4 in this order; air enters the stack 6 via the line 7; air is exhausted from the stack 6 via a pipe 8.

The gas-liquid mixture (for example, including hydrogen, water vapor and liquid water) leaving the galvanic pile 6 firstly enters a gas-liquid separation structure 9, and the separated gas mixture is driven by a circulating pump (or an ejector) 4, mixed with fresh hydrogen from a gas supply source 1 (for example, a hydrogen cylinder), and then supplied to the galvanic pile 6 again; the separated liquid water is stored in the liquid storage cavity of the separation structure 9. The liquid outlet of the gas-liquid separation device is connected with the tail drain valve 10, and when the tail drain valve 10 is opened, liquid water in the liquid storage cavity is discharged.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an improved gas-liquid separation device. As shown in fig. 2, the gas-liquid separating device generally includes a housing 90, a first wall 91, a second wall 92, and a third wall 9 d.

The housing 90 comprises a chamber 9e, an inlet 9a, a gas outlet 9b and a liquid outlet 9 c.

The chamber 9e serves as a chamber for separating gas and liquid, and the gas-liquid mixture flowing into the chamber 9e via the inlet 9a is separated into liquid and gas in the chamber 9e, and the liquid is received via the housing 90 and can be discharged via the liquid outlet 9c, for example, further from the tail valve 10. The gas exits the chamber 9e via the gas outlet 9 b.

As shown in fig. 2, the first wall 91 and the second wall 92 of the gas-liquid separation device extend from different positions of the casing 90 between the inlet 9a and the gas outlet 9 b. In some embodiments, the first wall 91 and the second wall 92 extend in substantially the same direction. In other embodiments, the first wall 91 and the second wall 92 extend from the housing 90 between the inlet 9a and the gas outlet 9b towards the chamber 9 e. As shown, the first wall 91 and the second wall 92 extend into said chamber 9e spaced apart from each other.

In some embodiments, the inlet 9a is disposed between the first wall 91 and the housing 90. In some embodiments, the gas outlet 9b is disposed between the second wall 92 and the housing 90.

The third wall 9d extends from the housing 90 and into the chamber 9e between the first wall 91 and the second wall 92, and there is a gap between the free end of the third wall 9d and the housing 90. Thereby, the gap enables the gas-liquid mixture flowing between the first wall 91 and the third wall 9d to flow between the third wall 9d and the second wall 92 via the gap. The flow direction of the gas-liquid mixture between the first wall 91 and the third wall 9d is opposite to the flow direction between the third wall 9d and the second wall 92.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, during the flow of the gas-liquid mixture from the inlet 9a to the gas outlet 9b, the flow directions on both sides of the first wall 91 are substantially opposite (or opposite), the flow directions on both sides of the second wall 92 are substantially opposite (or opposite), and the flow directions of the gas-liquid mixture on both sides of the third wall 9d are substantially opposite (or opposite). Thereby, a bent flow path of the gas-liquid mixture is formed. This contributes to improvement in gas-liquid separation efficiency and separation effect.

In some embodiments, the third wall 9d extends from the housing 90 between the liquid outlet 9c and the gas outlet 9 b. Alternatively, the third wall 9d extends from the housing 90 between the liquid outlet 9c and the inlet 9 a.

Referring to fig. 2, the gas-liquid mixture flows between the housing 90 and the first wall 91, further flows between the first wall 91 and the third wall 9d, further flows through a gap between the free end of the third wall 9d and the housing 90, further flows between the third wall 9d and the second wall 92, and finally flows between the second wall 92 and the housing 90, and flows out of the chamber 9e from the gas outlet 9 b.

According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, at least the secondary separation of gas and liquid can be achieved. The gas-liquid mixture turns at the free end of the first wall 91, i.e. the gas flow turns and rises towards the top, in the process, due to the difference of gas-liquid phase density characteristics, the flow direction of the liquid water deviates under the action of gravity and inertia force, the liquid water is separated from the gas for the first time, and the separated liquid water is converged to the bottom of the chamber 9e, so that the gas-liquid separation for the first time is realized. The gas-liquid mixture after the primary separation continues to flow, when the gas flow passes through the free end of the second wall 92, the gas flow turns and ascends towards the top, and liquid water is separated from the gas under the action of gravity and inertia force due to the difference of gas-liquid phase density characteristics, so that secondary separation of gas and liquid is realized. The secondary separation improves the separation efficiency and can ensure the separation effect.

In addition, when the gas-liquid mixture flows through the free end of the third wall 9d, the gas flow is turned and flows towards the bottom, and liquid water can be separated from gas under the action of gravity and inertia force due to the difference of gas-liquid phase density characteristics; also liquid water may be attached to the third wall 9d to assist in achieving separation of gas and liquid water.

Referring to fig. 2, the flow path of the gas-liquid mixture is located at the top of the chamber 9e, and the bottom of the chamber 9e is used for collecting liquid (water), so that the gas flow is less disturbed by the liquid level.

In some embodiments, the third wall 9d includes a reservoir 9 h. For example, the reservoir 9h may be formed between the third wall 9d and the housing 90, as shown in fig. 2-3. In some embodiments, the gas-liquid separation device may further include an additional baffle 9 f. The additional baffle 9f extends from the housing 90 or the third wall 9d between the reservoir 9h and the gas outlet 9b, and a gap exists between the free end of the additional baffle 9f and the third wall 9d, see fig. 2 and 5. Thereby, the influence of the liquid in the reservoir chamber 9h on the outflow gas can be avoided. Namely, the air flow is little disturbed by the liquid level, the gas-liquid separation effect can be ensured, and the separation efficiency can be improved.

In order to drain the liquid (or water) in the reservoir chamber 9h, the gas-liquid separation device may further include a drain mechanism 11, as shown in fig. 3. The drainage mechanism may be a gravity drainage mechanism 11. For example, the drain mechanism 11 includes an opening 205 and a baffle 206.

The opening 205 is formed on the third wall 9d, for example, on the bottom wall of the third wall 9 d. The opening 205 allows the liquid in the reservoir 9h to flow out (i.e., into the chamber 9 e) via the opening 205. As shown in fig. 4, the shutter 206 is pivotally connected to the third wall 9d, for example, via a pivot shaft 11a, and includes a first end adapted to close the opening 205.

Thus, a sub-reservoir (i.e., reservoir 9 h) is formed in the chamber 9e, which can be used to collect liquid and automatically drain when a certain amount of the collected liquid is reached. The liquid storage cavity is communicated with the liquid storage cavity at the bottom of the cavity 9e through a drainage mechanism 11, and when the drainage mechanism 11 is opened, liquid water in the liquid storage cavity 9h flows into the bottom of the cavity 9e and can be discharged through the opening of the tail discharge valve 10.

The gravity drainage mechanism works as shown in fig. 4. The shutter 206 is pivotally connected to the third wall 9d via a pivot shaft 11 a. The first end of the baffle 206 is located, for example, below the opening 205 and is adapted to close the opening 205. The other end of the baffle 206 may be provided with a counterweight. The pivot axis 11a is located between the first and second ends of the flapper.

The a state as shown in fig. 4 is the off state: the baffle 206 is horizontally installed, and due to the fact that the counterweight block is heavy, the counterweight block can generate upward acting force on the baffle 206 by utilizing the lever principle, interaction between the first end of the baffle 206 and the wall surface around the opening 205 is balanced, and the closing state of the opening 205 is achieved. When less liquid water exists in the liquid storage cavity 9h, the liquid level is lower, the generated pressure is smaller than the upward acting force of the baffle 206, and the baffle 206 is in a closed state; and effectively block bypass airflow carrying water to wash, prevent the liquid level from shaking down, and prevent liquid water in the cavity 9e from reversely flowing into the liquid storage cavity 9 h.

The B state shown in fig. 4 is the shutter 206 open state: when the liquid water in the liquid storage chamber 9h is accumulated continuously, the liquid level reaches a certain height, and the generated pressure (gravity of the liquid water) is enough to overcome the upward acting force of the baffle 206, the first end of the baffle 206 moves downward to realize the opening state of the opening 205, and the liquid water in the liquid storage chamber 9h flows into the chamber 9 e.

Thus, the opening and closing state of the opening 205 can be automatically switched according to the accumulated liquid level height of the liquid storage chamber 9 h. This structure has one-way function, can prevent effectively that the air current from carrying the water discharge, prevents that liquid water is palirrhea, and the gas-liquid separation effect is stable.

In some embodiments, the portion of the baffle 206 that contacts the wall around the opening 205 may be sealed by a gasket to ensure that the baffle is watertight in the closed state while blocking airflow.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a gas-liquid separation device according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The structure parts of the gas-liquid separator are similar to those in FIG. 2 and are not described in detail here, and the principle of gas-liquid separation is also not described in detail here. Here, only the structures of the reservoir chamber 9h and the drain mechanism will be described. In this embodiment, the third wall 9d may include a first extension 9d1 and a second extension 9d2, and a reservoir 9h is formed between the first extension 9d1 and the second extension 9d2, see fig. 6.

Further, in this embodiment, the opening 205 is provided on a side wall in the vertical direction of the third wall 9d, and the drainage mechanism is also provided in the vertical direction.

Referring to fig. 6-7, the baffle 206 is mounted in a vertical orientation at a corresponding location of the opening 205, and is horizontally unaffected by gravity. For example, the baffle 206 may be pivotably connected to the third wall 9d via a pivot hole 2061. In some embodiments, a first end of the baffle 206 is provided with a magnet 2060 (or magnetic core). A magnet 2060 (or magnetic core) is used to attract the shutter 206 against the third wall 9d to close the opening 205.

The a state shown in fig. 5 is a closed state of the shutter 206: the magnet 2060 of the shutter 206 and the wall surface part around the opening 205 (metal material, or corresponding magnet arranged around the opening 205) generate attracting magnetic force, and the shutter 206 closes the opening 205. When the liquid water in the liquid storage cavity 9h is less, the liquid level is lower, the generated pressure is smaller than the magnetic force, and the baffle 206 is in a closed state. This effectively blocks bypass air current and carries the water to dash, prevents that the liquid level from rocking down, and liquid water refluences and gets into the stock solution chamber.

The B state shown in fig. 5 is an open state of the shutter 206: when liquid water in the liquid storage cavity 9h is accumulated continuously, the liquid level reaches a certain height, and the generated pressure (gravity of the liquid water) is enough to overcome the magnetic force of the magnetic core, the movement of the baffle 206 and the opening state of the opening 205 are realized.

The opening and closing states of the drainage mechanism can be automatically switched according to the accumulated height of the liquid level in the liquid storage cavity 9 h. This drainage mechanism has one-way function, can prevent effectively that the air current from carrying the water discharge, prevents that liquid water is palirrhea, and the gas-liquid separation effect is stable.

In some embodiments, the portion of the baffle 206 that contacts the wall around the opening 205 may be sealed by a gasket to ensure that the baffle is watertight in the closed state while blocking airflow.

It should be understood that the opening 205 and the baffle 206 shown in fig. 6 to 7 can be applied to the gas-liquid separating apparatus shown in fig. 2 as well, and it is only necessary to provide both the opening 205 and the baffle 206 at the position of the side wall of the third wall 9 d. Also, the opening 205 and the baffle 206 shown in fig. 3 to 4 can be applied to the gas-liquid separating apparatus shown in fig. 5 as well, as long as both the opening 205 and the baffle 206 are provided on the horizontally extending wall of the third wall 9 d.

Referring to fig. 2 to 7, an open-close type drainage mechanism 11 is arranged at the liquid storage cavity 9h and the liquid storage cavity communication position at the bottom of the chamber 9 e. The open-close type drainage mechanism 11 can adopt two modes of gravity type and magnetic type: when the liquid level in the liquid storage cavity 9h is lower, the baffle 206 is in a closed state under the action of gravity or magnetic force; when the liquid level reaches a certain height, the draining mechanism 11 is opened against the gravity or magnetic force of the baffle 206. The automatic opening and closing function of the opening 205 is realized according to the accumulated height of the liquid level in the liquid storage cavity 9h, and liquid water in the liquid storage cavity 9h can be discharged in time; the drainage mechanism 11 has a one-way function, can effectively block airflow carrying water from rushing upwards, prevents liquid water from entering a secondary liquid storage cavity when the liquid level shakes, and has a stable gas-liquid separation effect; the water diversion structure has no introduction of complex parts and is simple in structure implementation.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is also provided a vehicle, such as a fuel cell vehicle. The vehicle includes a fuel cell stack 6 and a gas-liquid separation device as disclosed herein. The fuel cell stack 6 includes: a gas flow inlet in fluid communication with the gas supply 1; a gas outlet for discharging the gas-liquid mixture, wherein the gas outlet is in fluid communication with the inlet 9a of the gas-liquid separation device; and the gas inflow port is fluidly communicated with the gas outlet 9b of the gas-liquid separation device. In some embodiments, the gas supply 1 supplies hydrogen gas.

It is to be understood that the above detailed embodiments of the disclosure are merely illustrative of or explaining the principles of the disclosure and are not limiting of the disclosure. Therefore, any modification, equivalent replacement, and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present disclosure should be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure. Also, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the true scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

Claims (8)

1. A gas-liquid separation apparatus, comprising:

a housing (90), the housing (90) comprising:

a chamber (9 e);

an inlet (9 a) for the gas-liquid mixture to flow into the chamber (9 e);

a gas outlet (9 b) for discharging gas; and

a liquid outlet (9 c) for discharging liquid;

a first wall (91) and a second wall (92) extending from different locations of the housing (90) between the inlet (9 a) and the gas outlet (9 b) and into the chamber (9 e), and the first wall (91) and the second wall (92) being spaced apart from each other; and

a third wall (9 d) extending from the housing (90) and into the chamber (9 e) between the first wall (91) and the second wall (92), and a gap exists between a free end of the third wall (9 d) and the housing (90);

the third wall (9 d) comprises a reservoir (9 h) and a drainage mechanism adapted to drain liquid in the reservoir (9 h);

the drainage mechanism includes:

an opening (205) formed on the third wall (9 d) and configured to allow liquid in the reservoir chamber (9 h) to flow out through the opening (205);

a shutter (206) pivotally connected to the third wall (9 d) and comprising a first end adapted to close the opening (205).

2. A gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, wherein the third wall (9 d) extends from the housing (90) between the liquid outlet (9 c) and the gas outlet (9 b); or alternatively

The third wall (9 d) extends from the housing (90) between the liquid outlet (9 c) and the inlet (9 a).

3. The gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir chamber (9 h) is formed between the third wall (9 d) and the housing (90); or

The third wall (9 d) includes a first extension part (9 d 1) and a second extension part (9 d 2), and the first extension part (9 d 1) and the second extension part (9 d 2) form the reservoir chamber (9 h) therebetween.

4. The gas-liquid separation device of claim 1, wherein a second end of the baffle (206) opposite the first end is provided with a counterweight.

5. Gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the baffle plate (206) is provided with a magnet (2060) for attracting the baffle plate (206) against the third wall (9 d) to close the opening (205).

6. The gas-liquid separation device according to claim 1, further comprising an additional baffle (9 f) extending from the housing (90) or the third wall (9 d) between the reservoir chamber (9 h) and the gas outlet (9 b), and a gap exists between a free end of the additional baffle (9 f) and the third wall (9 d).

7. A vehicle, characterized by comprising:

fuel cell stack (6) comprising:

a gas flow inlet in fluid communication with the gas supply source (1); and

an exhaust port for discharging a gas-liquid mixture; and

the gas-liquid separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6;

wherein the gas outlet is in fluid communication with an inlet (9 a) of the gas-liquid separation device;

wherein the gas flow inlet is in fluid communication with a gas outlet (9 b) of the gas-liquid separation device.

8. A vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the gas supply source (1) supplies hydrogen.

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