DE102007023619A1 - Mixer with integrated gas separator device for direct methanol-fuel cell systems, has container, which has gas fuel mixture inlet, two fluid inlets and hollow, closed structure for receiving fluid - Google Patents

Abstract

The mixer has a container (20), which has a gas fuel mixture inlet (120) and two fluid inlets. The container has a hollow, closed structure for receiving a fluid. Multiple gas selective membranes made of polytetrafluoroethylene are provided for elimination of a gas from the interior of the container. The multiple gas selective membranes are formed partially outside the end surfaces of a basis part (142) and double stand. The hydrophilic membrane is made of a nylon grid.

Description

The The invention relates to a mixer with integrated gas separation device and a gas / liquid separator for direct methanol fuel cell systems (DMFC).

Technical background and State of the art

A Fuel cell is a galvanic cell, which is the chemical reaction energy a continuously supplied fuel and a Oxidizing agent converts into electrical energy. A fuel cell usually consists of two electrodes passing through a membrane or an electrolyte are separated from each other. The anode will with the fuel, for example hydrogen, methane or methanol, lapped and the fuel is oxidized there. The cathode is lapped with the oxidizing agent, for example oxygen, Hydrogen peroxide or potassium thiocyanate, which reduces at the electrode becomes. The ones used to realize the individual components Materials vary depending on the fuel cell type choose.

Compact Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) systems are currently the focus of development in many electronics companies. They are expected to replace or modify the power supply of mobile electronic devices, as they allow for longer service lives and faster recharge. Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) are low temperature fuel cells that operate at temperatures in the range of approximately 60-120 ° C. As the electrolyte, this cell type uses a polymer membrane. Methanol (CH ₃ OH) is fed without prior reforming together with water directly to the anode and oxidized there. At the anode carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) is produced as exhaust gas. The oxygen supplied to the cathode as the oxidizing agent reacts with H ⁺ ions and electrodes to form water. The advantage of the DMFC lies in the use of a liquid, very easily storable and extremely cheap energy carrier, which can be disseminated for example in plastic cartridges. In addition, a widely branched infrastructure for methanol already exists in many areas, for example by the use as antifreeze additive in windscreen wiper water for motor vehicles. Depending on the design, this type of fuel cell can deliver outputs in the range from a few mW to a few 100 kW. DMFCs are particularly suitable for portable use in electronic devices as a replacement and supplement to conventional accumulators. Typical fields of application are the telecommunication and the power supply of notebooks.

The oxidation of the methanol at the catalyst of the anode takes place stepwise, wherein several reaction paths with different intermediates are under discussion. To keep the efficiency of the fuel cell high, it is necessary to rapidly remove the reaction products from the vicinity of the electrode. Due to the prevailing temperatures and the underlying chemistry creates a liquid / gas mixture of CO ₂ , water, water vapor and unreacted methanol. From this liquid / gas mixture, the CO ₂ must be separated in order to adjust the liquid fuel mixture to the anode again after adjustment of the methanol concentration. The separation of the gases takes place with the aid of a CO ₂ separator.

At the cathode is formed from unused air, water and water Water vapor also a liquid / gas mixture. To one To achieve long autarky of the system, one must as possible much of the water is separated from the air and into the Anodenkreislauf be returned. To this The purpose is a heat exchanger behind the cathode outlet the fuel cell arranged to cool the mixture and to achieve a condensation of the water vapor.

the Downstream heat exchanger is arranged an air separator, which separates the air flow from the liquid water to the Return water back to the anode circuit.

The separators are therefore primarily for water management and the removal of CO ₂ from the equilibrium. They are usually realized as separate facilities, which are connected to the actual fuel cell in each case via a common for the liquid / gas mixture supply line. This spatial distance also causes a temperature gradient and from the slowly cooling liquid / gas mixture condenses water. Conventional separators separate the phase mixture from liquid and gas or vapor components, whereby the gaseous or vaporous components are released to the environment. The present invention also starts here.

Known is a separator for separating the liquid / gas mixture equipped with a porous membrane. The porous one Membrane is with its inside the liquid / gas mixture facing and its outside communicates with the environment in Contact. Furthermore, such membranes are usually hydrophobic Materials coated or consist of these. From the inside the membrane extend diffusion channels to the outside, which are dimensioned so that on the inside (liquid) Water does not penetrate, but diffuse gas to the outside can.

In the separators of the prior Tech nik the liquid / gas mixture is spent in a cavity adjacent to the gas-permeable membrane. A volume of the cavity and a relative position of the membrane depend on the orientation of the separator in operation and the expected volumes of liquid / gas mixture. The volume of the cavity is predetermined so that the liquid / gas mixture can separate after entering the cavity into a gas and liquid phase and these are then separated from each other over the entire volume of the cavity. The membrane is arranged to abut an upper surface of the cavity which is in gas phase contact during controlled operation. At the bottom, the liquid phase is discharged. However, sufficient functionality of such separators is only ensured if the orientation of the separator in space is taken into account. At most, the separator may be pivoted a few degrees out of its upright position, so that the gas phase continues to rest against the membrane. However, this fact is limited, especially for the mobile use of fuel cells.

A possible embodiment of a combined CO2 and Wasserabscheidevorrichtung is in the US 6,110,613 shown. The fuel outlet stream of the stack, consisting of a fuel mixture and CO ₂ , and the air outlet stream of the stack, consisting of air and water are fed into a single separation chamber. The liquid components of both streams leave the separation chamber at the bottom and are fed into the fuel inlet of the stack after being mixed with concentrated fuel. The gas components are directed to a recovery device which transfers water and fuel residues from the exhaust gas stream to the inlet air stream through a permeable unit.

Of the The disadvantage of this solution is that it is not orientation-independent is because liquid passes through the gas outlet of the separation chamber would be lost if it were turned upside down. Further, the structure is very complicated, being a fuel / water recovery device needed downstream, so that a water high and a loss of fuel of the system can be avoided.

Another embodiment of a combined CO ₂ and Wasserabscheidevorrichtung is in the EP 1383191 disclosed. Here, CO ₂ separation is achieved in a space portion filled with a fuel mixture and having an inlet connected to a liquid outlet of the stack and an outlet connected to a circulation pump. The CO ₂ bubbles are separated from the fuel mixture by gravity during the residence time in the interior of the room. At the top of the separation chamber, a water separator is attached. There are openings between the CO ₂ separation chamber and the water separator, which lead to a supply of separated CO ₂ to the vent outlet and of separated water to the CO ₂ separation device (back into the anode circuit), both by the action of gravity. The main disadvantage of this embodiment is the strong dependence on the orientation of the device, ie the device operates substantially only in an upright position. This also leads to problems when the separation device is to be integrated into a flat system structure, as z. B. is required at notebook charging stations.

Summary of the invention

The basic object of the invention is to overcome the above-described disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a separator, which can operate independently of the spatial position, which can be used for separation or separation of air from the cathode water and / or the separation of CO ₂ from the anode circuit, specified in a preferably compact and robust type of construction become.

These Tasks are performed by the mixer according to the invention with integrated gas separation device for direct methanol fuel cell systems (DMFC) solved according to claim 1. Other aspects The invention are part of the dependent claims.

Accordingly, there is provided a mixer with integrated gas separation apparatus for direct methanol fuel cell systems (DMFC) comprising a vessel which introduces a gas / fuel mixture inlet 120 , a first liquid inlet and a second liquid inlet, said container having a hollow, closed structure for receiving a liquid, the structure comprising a base part and at least two leg parts extending from said base part and communicate therewith, wherein a liquid mixture Outlet opening is arranged in said base part and wherein a plurality of gas-selective membranes for removing a gas from the interior of the container is provided, the plurality of gas-selective membranes at least partially outer end surfaces of said base part and said at least two legs respectively.

The base part of the said container comprises an inner base plate, disposed opposite to the outer end surface of the base part and kom communicating with an internal space formed by the base part and the at least two legs. Accordingly, the container has a hollow U-shape, which in a preferred embodiment is turned upside down, with the hollow "U" containing the liquid. "U" comprises three parts, a base part of a certain height and two legs, which are arranged perpendicular to the base part and extend from the base part and communicate with it. The two hollow leg portions communicate with the hollow base portion of the hollow, inverted U-shaped container. Since the container is turned upside down in its preferred embodiment, that is, has an inverted u-shape, the base part of the "U" is the top side, with the inverted legs extending from the bottom to the base part of the "U". The space formed between the legs and the base part has a U-shape with an open side communicating with the environment. The hollow legs and the hollow base support the fluid, not the space formed between the legs, defined by the inner walls of the legs and the inner wall of the base, the inner base.

advantageously, the base part consists at least partially of gas-selective membranes. Also the bottoms of the inverted legs of the "U", ie the the top opposite sides, at least exist partly from gas-selective membranes. As a result, at least three gas-selective membranes provided. The arrangement of gas-selective Allow membranes in conjunction with the U-shape of the container it into the mixer, with integrated gas separation device in each Direction to be turned while the liquid in the interior further in contact with at least one of the three gas-selective Membranes is what the separation or separation of the liquid and allows the gas phase in any orientation. The Gas-selective membranes can be porous, hydrophobic Be membranes. They can be made of PTFE. The membranes can be glued to the case of the container be or may be on the case by a frame or a flange attached.

The liquid provided by the liquid inlet may be condensed water, said liquid inlet may be a concentrated fuel inlet providing concentrated methanol to the device, or said fuel inlet may be an inlet for a methanol-water mixture and said gas, which is to be removed can be CO ₂ .

In In one embodiment, the fuel mixture outlet is arranged in the base plate in the center of the base plate. The fuel mixture outlet opening can represent a hole in the inner base plate. however the fuel mixture outlet opening can also be near the Center of the inner base plate, but away from the inner Base plate, located in the base part, be arranged.

The Inlets can be in an upper area of the side surface be provided of the container.

Prefers has the first part, the base part, the largest Volume of the three parts of the container. The volume of both legs can be the same. The sum of the volumes the two legs can be the same as the volume of the base part. This advantageously ensures that the minimum required Amount of liquid through the volume of the first or Base part of the U-shape is given, d. H. the liquid remains in contact with the outlet hole in each orientation of the Container.

A Circulation pump of a DMFC system may be in the free space of the U-shaped Container arranged between the three parts and the inner base plate be.

In An alternative embodiment is a liquid guide block provided in the space between the two legs and between the Circulation pump and the inner base plate arranged, wherein the liquid guide block is a fuel mixture outlet for guiding the fuel mixture to the circulation pump and an anode inlet conduit for guiding the fuel mixture from the circulation pump to the anode inlet of the stack. The fluid guide block may preferably include the inlets.

A hydrophilic membrane may be the fuel mixture outlet cover. The hydrophilic membrane may consist of a nylon mesh. This membrane advantageously prevents gas from entering the circulation pump is sucked when the liquid level is below the minimum lies.

Similarly, a gas liquid separator for direct methanol fuel cell systems (DMFC) is disclosed, comprising a container having a gas / fuel mixture inlet, the container having a hollow, closed structure for receiving a liquid, the structure comprising a base part and at least two legs communicating with said base member, wherein a fuel mixture outlet port is disposed in said base member, and wherein a plurality of gas-selective membranes for removing a gas from the interior of the container are provided, wherein the plurality of gas-selective membranes at least partially outer end surfaces of said form the base part and the said at least two legs.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are part of the dependent Claims that are individual or, possibly, can be implemented in combination.

Brief description of the drawings

With Reference to the embodiments of the invention and the Related drawings, the invention is hereinafter will be described in detail.

1 Figure 1 shows a prior art DMFC system;

2 1 shows an embodiment of the mixer with integrated gas separation device according to the invention;

3a to d: Demonstrate the operation of the mixer with integrated Gasabscheidevorrichtung according to the invention in different orientations;

4 Figure 1 shows an alternative embodiment of the mixer with integrated gas separation device according to the invention;

5 shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Detailed description the invention

1 serves to illustrate a conventional DMFC system. A DMFC system is as in 1 shown constructed. A fuel cell stack 10 has an air inlet 11 and an air outlet 13 on. An air pump or a fan 12 Lead reaction air of the stack cathode through the air inlet 11 to. A heat exchanger 50 is arranged in the outlet stream of the fuel cell cathode. A fan 55 is used to cool the heat exchanger, resulting in cooling of the outlet stream and condensation of water. This two-phase flow exits the heat exchanger at the outlet 52 , Downstream of the heat exchanger is a water separator 60 arranged for the separation of liquid water from the air flow. The separated water is introduced into the anode cycle of the fuel cell system through an optional condensation pump 70 returned back, the remaining air is through a vent 61 drained into the environment.

An indispensable function of the system is the removal of CO ₂ from the outlet stream from the anode outlet 16 the stack comes. This outlet stream comprises a mixture of methanol, water and CO _2, the dilute fuel mixture. For a reasonable fuel cell function, the CO ₂ must be separated from the fuel mixture stream prior to the backflow of the stream back into the stack.

An anode circuit for a fuel mixture consisting of a CO ₂ separator / mixer device located downstream of the fuel outlet 16 of the stack removes CO ₂ from the reaction stream. The CO ₂ fuel mixture flows into the CO ₂ separator / mixer device through a CO ₂ fuel mixture inlet 120 , Inside the device CO _{2 is} deposited and to the surroundings through the vent 21 issued. In addition, the CO ₂ separator / mixer device receives condensed water from the water separator 60 / the condensation pump 70 through the inlet 121 for condensed water. The CO ₂ separator / mixer also receives concentrated fuel from the fuel tank 30 over the fuel pump 31 through the concentrated fuel inlet 122 , These fluids are mixed into the dilute fuel mixture to provide a regenerated fuel mixture. A fuel pump 23 removes the regenerated fuel mixture from the CO ₂ separator / mixer device through the fuel mixture outlet 123 and feeds it to the anode inlet 15 the stack again.

The basic idea of the invention is in 2 which shows an embodiment of the mixer with integrated Gasabscheidevorrichtung according to the invention. The combined CO ₂ separator / mixer device consists of three room sections A 140 'A' 141 and B 142 that are interconnected. The room section B 142 , which is the largest of the three, extends from the top 133 the device to the inner base plate 130 , The area of the inner base plate 130 corresponds to a part of the surface of the top 133 , The room sections A 140 and A ' 141 determine the remaining cross section of the device and extend to the bottom A. 131 'A' 132 ,

The room sections A 140 'A' 141 and B 142 are arranged so that the combined CO ₂ separator / mixer device is substantially a U-shape. The room section or part B 140 can be considered the base of the "U" of the U-shaped container 20 are designated, wherein the space sections or parts A 140 and A ' 141 the legs of the "U" of the U-shaped container 20 correspond. The three sections communicate with each other or more precisely, the first leg 140 communicates with the base part 142 at a lateral end of the base part 142 and the second leg 141 communicates with the base part 142 at the opposite lateral end of the Ba sisteils 142 , The legs 140 . 141 are perpendicular to the base part 142 arranged. An inner space becomes surrounded on two sides by the legs 140 . 141 and on a third vertical side of the base part 142 , respectively through the inner base plate 130 , educated. The inner open space communicates with the environment via its fourth side, in 2 the lower side. In 2 are the legs 140 . 141 on the left and right side of the base area 142 arranged. However, legs can also be on all four sides of the base part 142 be arranged, that is, so also in the front and rear of the container as in 2 shown. Consequently, the free space would be a cubic shape with an open lid or bottom. The fuel mixture outlet 123 would be within the said free space, formed by the hollow, closed structure of the container 20 , be provided.

Both the base part 142 as well as the at least two legs 140 . 141 have a hollow tubular structure, that is, they extend in three dimensions to receive a liquid inside. It has a height, a width and a length depending on the specification of the system. It is important to note that the container 20 is not formed as a U-shaped bowl with a bottom wall and two side walls, wherein the liquid is contained in the bowl, but instead has a hollow, closed structure with inlets and outlets. The hollow and tubular structure is preferably in a U-shape with a clearance formed between the legs 140 . 141 and the base part 142 shaped. The hollow legs 140 . 141 and the hollow base part 142 include the fluid and not the space between the two legs 140 . 141 passing through the inner walls of the legs and the inner wall of the base, the inner base plate 130 , is trained.

The liquids are introduced into the device through a CO ₂ fuel mixture inlet 120 , a water inlet 121 , preferably an inlet 121 for condensed water, and a fuel inlet 122 , preferably an inlet 122 for concentrated fuel, introduced. The regenerated fuel mixture exits the device through a fuel mixture outlet port 125 into a fuel mixture outlet 123 , According to the idea of the invention, the fuel mixture outlet is 125 near the center of the inner base plate 130 classified. In the embodiment shown, it is a bore in the inner base plate 130 , placed in or near the center of the inner base plate 130 ,

To obtain CO ₂ from the dilute fuel mixture received through the fuel mixture inlet 120 , to separate, are CO ₂ separation membranes 115 . 116 . 117 at the top 133 and the two subpages or end pages 131 . 132 arranged and form parts of these. The CO ₂ separation membranes are preferably formed of a porous, hydrophobic material such as PTFE. The hydrophobic property of PTFE keeps the liquid inside the CO ₂ separator / mixer device. Small pores in the membrane material allow CO ₂ to diffuse to be released to the environment. The membranes 115 . 116 . 117 can also form the complete end surfaces of the base part and the legs. These end faces are in 2 the upper surface 133 of the base part 142 and the bottoms 131 . 132 the legs 115 . 116 , corresponding. The membranes 115 . 116 . 117 can to the container 20 be glued on.

Accordingly, a mixer with integrated gas separation device for direct methanol fuel cell systems (DMFC) is provided, comprising a gas fuel mixture inlet 120 ; a liquid inlet 121 ; a fuel inlet 122 ; a container 20 for receiving a liquid, wherein the container has an inverted U-shape, the U-shape consisting of: a first part 142 , which is the base part of the U-shape of the inverted U-shaped container 20 corresponds, the first part of the upper part 133 up to a parallel arranged internal base plate 130 extends, the area of the internal base plate 130 smaller than the surface of the shell 133 is; a second part 140 , the one leg of the U-shape of the inverted U-shaped container 20 corresponds, with a floor 131 and communicating with said first part 142 ; a third part 141 , the second leg of the U-shape of the inverted U-shaped container 20 corresponds, with a floor 131 and communicating with said first part 142 ; a fuel mixture outlet opening 125 arranged in the first part 142 , and a variety of gas-selective membranes 117 . 115 . 116 for removing a gas from inside the container 20 , a first gas-selective membrane 117 that are at the surface 133 is arranged, a second and a third gas-selective membrane 115 . 116 corresponding to said second floor surfaces 131 . 132 are arranged, wherein the gas-selective membranes 117 . 115 . 116 at least partially the surfaces 131 . 132 . 133 train or represent.

The operation of the CO ₂ separator / mixer device in different orientations is in 3 demonstrated. In the upright orientation, as in 3A shown, CO ₂ gas from the CO ₂ fuel mixture 110 separated by the action of gravity. The CO ₂ leaves the device through the separation membrane B 117 as indicated by the hollow outlined arrow. The leftover liquid fuel mixture leaves the device through the fuel mixture outlet opening 25 as indicated by the massive arrow.

In the upside down orientation, see 3B , is the inner base plate 130 due to the smaller volume of the space section A. 140 and A ' 141 Furthermore, covered by liquid, that is, the fuel mixture is further capable of the device through the Brennstoffauslassöffnung 125 to leave. The separated CO ₂ leaves the device through the separation membrane A. 115 and A ' 116 ,

In a tilted orientation, as in 3C CO ₂ passes through the separation membrane B 117 and one of the separation membranes A 115 or A ' 116 from. In another inclined orientation ( 3D ), the CO ₂ gas through all three separation membranes 115 . 116 . 117 depart.

Due to the U-shaped shape of the device, the three separation membranes 115 . 116 . 117 and positioning the fuel mixture outlet 125 near or in the inner base plate 130 is a covering of the fuel mixture outlet 125 with liquid (ie an undisturbed liquid flow into the circulation pump 23 and a CO ₂ gas exit path through at least one of the separation membranes in each orientation. The minimum amount of liquid ever in the container 20 may be contained, is determined by the condition that the liquid outlet 125 should be in contact with the liquid. This can be ensured for example by an additional liquid level sensor or by a separate control mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, wherein the volume of the space portion 142 , the base part, equal to the sum of the volumes of the room sections 141 . 142 , that is, of the two legs, is equivalent to the minimum required liquid level for use in about 50% of the volume of the container 20 ,

An alternative embodiment is in 4 shown. The fuel mixture outlet opening 125 could not be inside the inner base plate 130 be positioned, but near the center of the inner base plate 130 , for example, within the space portion B of the base part. Optionally, one or more of the liquid inlets 120 . 121 . 122 in the inner base plate 130 be arranged. By definition, the inner base plate forms 130 a part of the base part 142 ,

A preferred embodiment is in 5 shown. In order to maintain the liquid level constant in each orientation, the volumes of the space sections A 140 'A' 141 essentially the same. The volume of the space section B 142 is essentially the same as the sums of the volumes of the room sections A 140 'A' 141 ie, A and A 'each comprise one quarter of the total internal volume of the device and B half the total internal volume of the device.

To save space in the arrangement of the entire fuel cell system is the circulation pump 23 between the room sections A 140 and A ' 141 below the base plate 130 arranged. This leads to an exceptionally compact construction of the CO ₂ / mixer device together with the circulation pump 23 , As a result of the very short fluid connections, the pressure drop in the fluid connections is additionally low, which advantageously leads to a reduced power consumption of the circulation pump 23 leads.

In the open space, determined by the two legs 140 . 141 and the base part 142 , a liquid guide block may be provided. The fluid guide block 150 is next to the inner base plate 130 arranged and takes the Brennstoffgemischauslass 123 and the anode inlet line 127 on which the fuel mixture from the circulation pump 23 to the stack anode inlet 16 leads. The fluid guide block 150 also makes the connection of the liquid lines to the circulation pump 23 by seals, seals or the like, and could also include one or more of the liquid inlets 120 . 121 . 122 include.

Preferably, a hydrophilic membrane separates 118 the fuel mixture outlet port 125 from the room section B 142 , It is on the inner base plate 130 above the fuel mixture outlet opening 125 arranged. The hydrophilic membrane, which may be a fine nylon mesh, passes liquid fuel mixture but retains any CO ₂ bubbles, ie the hydrophilic membrane 118 Ensures complete separation of CO ₂ gas from the fuel mixture before leaving the CO ₂ separator / mixer device.

If you take all in 5 indicated features together, a highly compact CO ₂ separation / mixing device is achieved with a complete CO ₂ -Gastrennung and a secure function at each orientation. However, the inner base plate can 130 have any other embodiment shown, most importantly without the pump 23 arranged in the inner space.

It It should be clear that the features presented in one alternative embodiment, not with features from other embodiments collide, in this Embodiments can be installed.

Likewise, the invention also includes a gas liquid separator for direct methanol fuel cell systems (DMFC) comprising a container 20 containing a gas / fuel mixture inlet 120 having, wherein the container 20 a hollow, closed structure for receiving a liquid, the structure has a base part 142 and at least two legs 140 . 141 includes, with said base part 142 communicate, with a fuel mixture outlet opening 125 in said base part 142 is arranged and wherein a plurality of gas-selective membranes 117 . 115 . 116 for removing a gas from inside the container 20 are provided, wherein the plurality of gas-selective membranes at least partially outer end surfaces 133 . 131 . 132 of the said base part 142 and said at least two legs 115 . 116 form. As a result, the difference between the integrated gas separation apparatus mixer and the separator is the lack of a concentrated water inlet 121 and a concentrated fuel inlet 122 , In comparison to the separator, the mixer additionally mixes condensed water, concentrated fuel and separated fuel. Otherwise, all features previously described for the integrated gas separation device mixer remain unchanged for the separator and therefore will not be repeated.

To summarize, an orientation-free CO ₂ separator / mixer device for direct methanol fuel cell systems is provided, which comprises two first space sections and a second space section, which are preferably arranged to form an inverted U-shape, the two first space sections form the angles or legs of the "U" and wherein CO ₂ separation membranes are attached to the underside of the two first space portions and a CO ₂ membrane at the top of the second space portion in the arrangement of 2 is appropriate. The fuel mixture outlet opening 125 is near the center of the inner base plate 130 positioned or in the inner base plate 130 , The fuel circulation pump 23 is arranged at the CO ₂ separator / mixer device between the first two room sections, whereby a very compact setup is achieved. A fluid connection block 150 is between the inner base plate 130 and the circulation pump 23 arranged to the fuel mixture leaving the device to the circulation pump 23 respectively.

The fluid routing or connection block 150 Optionally, the anode inlet line 127 include the fuel mixture from the circulation pump 23 to the anode inlet 16 of the stack, and / or one or more of the CO ₂ / fuel mixture inlets 120 the condensed water inlet 121 or the concentrated fuel inlet 122 , The fuel mixture outlet 125 can through a hydrophilic membrane 118 be covered, which in the inner base plate 130 is attached to safely hold CO ₂ bubbles from leaving the device.

10

fuel cell stack

11

cathode inlet of the pile

12

air pump

13

cathode outlet of the pile

15

Anode (fuel) inlet of the pile

16

Anode (fuel) outlet of the pile

20

container

21

CO ₂ outlet

23

circulation pump

30

fuel tank

31

fuel pump

50

heat exchangers

52

Heat exchanger outlet

55

Fan

60

water

61

Luftabscheiderauslass

62

Water return connection

70

Water recycling pump

80

combined separators

110

CO ₂ / fuel mixture

115

CO ₂ separator membrane A

116

CO ₂ separator membrane A '

117

CO ₂ separator membrane B

118

Hydrophilic membrane

120

Fuel mixture / CO ₂ inlet

121

Air / water inlet

122

Concentrated fuel inlet

123

Brennstoffgemischauslass

125

Fuel mixture outlet port

127

Anode inlet conduit

130

Inner baseplate

131

bottom A

132

bottom A '

133

top B

140

space section A - first leg part

141

space section A '- second leg part

142

space section B - base part

150

Fluid communication block

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 6110613 [0010]
• - EP 1383191 [0012]

Claims (20)

Mixer with integrated gas separation device for direct methanol fuel cell systems (DMFC), comprising a container ( 20 ) containing a gas fuel mixture inlet ( 120 ), a liquid inlet ( 121 ) and a liquid inlet ( 122 ), wherein the container ( 20 ) has a hollow, closed structure for receiving a liquid, the structure comprising a base part ( 142 ) and at least two leg parts ( 140 . 141 ) extending from said base part ( 142 ) and communicate with it, with a liquid mixture outlet ( 125 ) in said base part ( 142 ) and wherein a plurality of gas-selective membranes ( 117 . 115 . 116 ) for removing a gas from the interior of the container ( 20 ), the plurality of gas-selective membranes ( 117 . 115 . 116 ) at least partially outer end surfaces ( 133 . 131 . 132 ) of said base part ( 142 ) and said at least two legs ( 115 . 116 ) train accordingly. Mixer with integrated gas separation device according to claim 1, wherein the container ( 20 ) a U-shaped hollow, closed structure with a first leg ( 140 ) and a second leg ( 141 ) perpendicular to the base part ( 142 ) are arranged. Mixer with integrated gas separation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base part ( 142 ) of said U-shaped container ( 20 ) an inner base plate ( 130 ) arranged opposite the outer end surface of the base part ( 142 ) and communicating with an internal free space, formed by the base part ( 142 ) and the at least two legs ( 140 . 141 ). Mixer with integrated gas separation device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said liquid passing through the liquid inlet ( 121 ) is condensed water, said liquid inlet ( 121 ) a concentrated fuel inlet ( 122 ), which provides concentrated methanol to the device, or said fuel inlet ( 122 ) is an inlet for a methanol-water mixture and wherein said gas to be removed is CO ₂ . Mixer with integrated gas separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the base part ( 142 ) the largest volume of the three parts ( 140 . 141 . 142 ) of the container ( 20 ) having. Mixer with integrated gas separation device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the fuel mixture outlet opening ( 125 ) in the base plate ( 130 ) in the center of the base plate ( 130 ) is arranged. Mixer with integrated gas separation device according at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the fuel mixture outlet opening ( 125 ) a hole in the inner base plate ( 130 ). Mixer with integrated gas separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the fuel mixture outlet opening ( 125 ) near the center of the inner base plate ( 130 ), but away from the inner base plate ( 130 ), located in the base part ( 142 ) is arranged. Mixer with integrated gas separation device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas-selective membranes ( 115 . 116 . 117 ) are porous hydrophobic membranes. Mixer with integrated gas separation device according to claim 9, wherein the gas-selective membranes ( 115 . 116 . 117 ) are made of PTFE. Mixer with integrated gas separation device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlets ( 120 . 121 . 122 ) in an upper region of the side surface of the container ( 20 ) are provided. Mixer with integrated gas separation device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one of the liquid inlets ( 120 . 121 . 122 ) in the inner base plate ( 130 ) is provided. Mixer with integrated Gasabscheidevorrichtung according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the volume of the two legs ( 140 . 141 ) are the same. Mixer with integrated gas separation device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the sum of the volumes of the two legs ( 140 . 141 ) is the same as the volume of the base part ( 142 ). Mixer with integrated gas separation device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a circulation pump ( 23 ) of a DMFC system in the free space of the U-shaped container ( 20 ) between the legs ( 140 . 141 ) and the base part ( 142 ) is arranged. Mixer with integrated gas separation device according to claim 15, wherein a liquid guide block ( 150 ) in the space between the two legs ( 140 . 141 ) and between the circulation pump ( 23 ) and the inner base plate ( 130 ), wherein the liquid guide block ( 150 ) a fuel mixture outlet ( 123 ) for guiding the fuel mixture to the circulation pump ( 23 ) and one Anode inlet line ( 127 ) for guiding the fuel mixture from the circulation pump ( 23 ) to the anode inlet ( 15 ) of the stack. Mixer with integrated gas separation device according to claim 16, wherein the liquid guide block ( 150 ) the inlets ( 120 . 121 . 122 ). Mixer with integrated gas separation device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a hydrophilic membrane ( 118 ) the fuel mixture outlet opening ( 125 ) covered. Mixer with integrated gas separation device according to claim 18, wherein the hydrophilic membrane consists of a nylon mesh. A gas liquid separator for direct methanol fuel cell systems (DMFC) comprising a container ( 20 ) containing a gas / fuel mixture inlet ( 120 ), wherein the container ( 20 ) has a hollow, closed structure for receiving a liquid, the structure has a base part ( 142 ) and at least two legs ( 140 . 141 ) associated with said base part ( 142 ), wherein a fuel mixture outlet ( 125 ) in said base part ( 142 ) and wherein a plurality of gas-selective membranes ( 117 . 115 . 116 ) for removing a gas from the interior of the container ( 20 ) are provided, wherein the plurality of gas-selective membranes at least partially outer end surfaces ( 133 . 131 . 132 ) of said base part ( 142 ) and said at least two legs ( 115 . 116 ) train.