DE102014003628A1 - Ion exchange arrangement for a fuel cell vehicle, ion exchange method and fuel cell vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses an ion exchange assembly (10) for a fuel cell vehicle having an ion exchange cartridge (1) with a solid ion housing resin filled housing (1 ') having at least two fluid ports (13) on an upper surface (O). The fluid connections (13) are connected by a fluid channel (11) running inside the housing (1 '), wherein the fluid connections (13) are each connected in a fluid-tight manner to a flow (3) and a return (4) of a fluid circuit. The ion exchange cartridge (1) is arranged upright and the fluid channel (11) has at least one riser section (111), a drop section (111) and a transition section (112) located on a housing bottom (U) between the riser (111) and the Case section (111). Further, an ion exchange method and a fuel cell vehicle are disclosed.

Description

The invention relates to an ion exchange arrangement for a fuel cell vehicle, an ion exchanger exchange method and the fuel cell vehicle itself.

For cooling of fuel cells is usually a coolant circuit with water as a heat transfer fluid used. When using non-deionized water, cooling channels of a fuel cell stack can calcify, which hampers the heat dissipation from the fuel cell and can cause the temperature in the fuel cell to rise dangerously. More important, however, is for the operation of fuel cells that the cooling water may only have a predetermined maximum conductivity, so that no cell short circuit arises. In order to prevent both deposits in the cooling channels, as well as to keep the conductivity of the cooling water permanently low, ion exchangers are provided in the cooling circuit. Typical ion exchangers use a resin that has to be replaced at regular intervals, which is carried out as part of routine maintenance.

Ion exchangers in fuel cell vehicles are usually flowed through either horizontally or vertically, the vertical flow is advantageous because can not form leaching by setting the ion exchange granules in gravity direction, through which the coolant can flow without contacting the ion exchange granules. With vertical flow, however, a maintenance-friendly housing of the ion exchanger is difficult to achieve, since for replacement ever a fluid connection must be solved top and bottom; this is unergonomic and time consuming.

In the DE 10 2011 009 923 A1 discloses an ion exchanger for the treatment of a fluid, in which within a ion exchanger housing, a flexible bag is arranged, which is filled with an ion exchange granules and which forms a meandering fluid channel, the ends of each with the inlet and the outlet of the ion exchanger housing are connected, which are arranged at the top of the ion exchanger housing. The exchangeability of the ion exchanger granules is achieved there by replacing the bag, the housing must be opened consuming, which makes it difficult especially in a tight installation situation in the engine compartment replacement.

In addition, the reveals JP 2011 083744 A an ion exchanger having a rotationally symmetrical housing, quasi an ion exchange cartridge having an inner and an outer chamber, which are arranged concentrically, fluidly connected and flowed through from the inside to the outside. The cartridge is connected via a centric screw connection with a coupling flange. When arranged in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle, the replacement of the cartridge is only possible unergonomically, since the cartridge must be grasped either laterally or from below. The ion exchanger described there can not be installed so that an ergonomic exchange from above is possible, otherwise the fluid content of the cartridge would leak when unscrewing from the coupling flange.

Starting from this prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ion exchanger assembly, which is characterized by a faster and more ergonomic exchangeability of the ion exchange cartridge and by a high efficiency.

This object is achieved by an ion exchanger assembly having the features of independent claim 1.

In addition, the object is to provide an ion exchange process, with which the replacement of an ion exchange cartridge faster, more ergonomic and with less loss of coolant is possible.

This object is achieved by an ion exchange process with the features of claim 6.

Finally, the object is still to provide a fuel cell vehicle that can be operated with lower maintenance costs than known fuel cell vehicles.

This object is achieved by a fuel cell vehicle having the features of claim 8.

Further developments of the devices and the method are each carried out in the subclaims.

The ion exchange arrangement according to the invention for a fuel cell vehicle has an ion exchange cartridge with a solid housing filled with ion exchange resin, which has at least two fluid connections on an upper side. The fluid connections are connected by a fluid channel running inside the housing and connected in each case in a fluid-tight manner to a supply line and a return line of a fluid circuit. The ion exchange cartridge is arranged upright. The fluid channel has at least one riser section, a drop section and a transition section on the housing bottom, which is present between the riser and the fall section.

The described arrangement of the fluid channel a comparatively long contact time of the fluid is achieved with the ion exchange resin.

The housing may be completely filled with the ion exchange resin. Alternatively, the ion exchange resin may also be present only in certain parts of the housing, for. B. only in the case section (or parts thereof) or only in the riser section (or parts thereof) or in parts of the fall section and parts of the riser section.

To keep the ion exchange resin in the designated area or section within the housing and z. B. to prevent carryover within a cooling circuit, corresponding retention means such. As filters, frits, sieves and the like may be provided.

Suitably, the climb and fall sections will be longer than the transition section. The riser and the fall portion can advantageously extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing, so be vertically arranged in an upright position arrangement of the ion exchange cartridge, while the transition portion normal to, that is horizontal. This results in a U-shaped flow through the ion exchanger, whereby a meandering flow through series connection of several U-flows can be provided. "Solid" housing means herein that the housing is not divisible at least in the longitudinal direction and that the fluid channel is formed by a corresponding design of the housing interior and in particular that no bag is inserted therein. According to the invention, the combination of vertical and horizontal flow both improves the efficiency of the ion exchange by increasing the contact time of the fluid with the ion exchange resin and prevents sedimentation due to the largely vertical flow. The ion exchange cartridge can be removed for replacement upwards, first the fluid connections must be separated from the flow and return of the fluid circuit; However, due to the upright arrangement, there is no danger that a residual amount of fluid will flow out of the ion exchange cartridge since the fluid channel runs upwards in the manner described as a single or multiple U-shape.

In another embodiment, the housing may include at least one mandrel extending away from a bottom of the housing of the ion exchange cartridge. The mandrel is intended to be detachably plugged into a corresponding receiving device, which is arranged undetachably on the fuel cell vehicle. The plug inserted into the receiving device serves to fix the ion exchange cartridge against displacement transversely to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel. The receiving device may be provided to the fuel cell vehicle, for example, by an eyelet or socket.

In yet another embodiment, the fluid ports can each have a quick coupling, wherein the use of sealing couplings is advantageous, as this the fluid loss can be prevented with decoupled quick coupling, as they close automatically during decoupling. In particular, it may be a VDA clutch, such couplings have been used successfully for the connection of cooling water lines in the automotive industry. Alternatively or additionally, the top of the ion exchange cartridge may be formed as a removable lid, wherein the fluid ports are present on the lid. The lid may in particular be a detachable lid, which is screwed to the housing, for example. As a result, the ion exchanger cartridge can be refurbished after removal, in which new ion exchange resin is filled or the used resin is regenerated.

The mandrel accommodation device provided on the fuel cell vehicle may be an elastic bearing, advantageously a rubber bushing, thereby providing elastic retention of the ion exchange cartridge and vibration damping. Such elastic bearings are known from the attachment of charge air coolers, air filters, etc. and are available as standard parts.

Further, one or more fasteners may be disposed at the top of the housing, which is intended to be connected to a corresponding attachment point of the fuel cell vehicle. The / the upper fastener (s) serve here for fixing the ion exchange module against rotation about its longitudinal axis, against tilting and against pulling out of the mandrel from the receiving device. In particular, the further fastening element (s) may be at least one clip, which may, for example, directly surround the housing of the ion exchanger cartridge or may be brought into engagement with a flange or tab which extends away from the housing.

• a) Bereitstellen einer neuen Ionentauscherkartusche,
• b) Lösen der fluiddichten Verbindung des Vorlaufs und Rücklaufs des Fluidkreises mit den Fluidanschlüssen der Ionentauscherkartusche,
• c) nach oben Entnehmen der Ionentauscherkartusche, dabei Herausziehen des Dorns aus der Aufnahmevorrichtung,
• d) Einsetzen der neuen Ionentauscherkartusche von oben mit dem Dorn voraus in die Aufnahmevorrichtung, danach Herstellen der fluiddichten Verbindung des Vorlaufs und des Rücklaufs des Fluidkreises mit den Fluidanschlüssen.

The ion exchange process of the invention of an ion exchanger arrangement according to the invention comprises the following steps:

• a) providing a new ion exchange cartridge,
• b) releasing the fluid-tight connection of the flow and return of the fluid circuit with the fluid connections of the ion exchange cartridge,
• c) top removal of the ion exchange cartridge, while pulling out the mandrel from the receiving device,
• d) inserting the new ion exchange cartridge from above with the mandrel ahead into the receiving device, then making the fluid tight connection of the flow and the return of the fluid circuit with the fluid ports.

Advantageously, the replacement of the ion exchange cartridge can be done completely above, since both the fluid connections are present at the top and in one embodiment, the other fasteners; a mechanic does not have to deal with it unergonomically and at risk of being injured, almost blindly, deep down in the engine compartment. As a result, the replacement of the ion exchange cartridge can be significantly accelerated, resulting in reduced maintenance costs.

It may be useful after performing step a) to perform the step a ') clamping the flow and return of the fluid circuit, preferably using a hose clamp and / or by closing the clutches.

The fuel cell vehicle according to the invention has an ion exchanger arrangement according to the invention and a fluid circuit, wherein in each case a flow and a return of the fluid circuit are fluid-tightly connected to a respective fluid connection of the ion exchanger arrangement.

The fuel cell vehicle may have an engine compartment, for example with a hinged hood, in which the ion exchanger arrangement is freely accessible from above. In this case, provision is made in particular for no other ancillary units, lines and / or cables to hinder access from above. The ion exchange cartridge can be replaced faster and without having to dismantle other aggregates or lines before, which makes the maintenance overall more cost effective or even for a customer feasible.

These and other advantages are set forth by the following description with reference to the accompanying figures. The reference to the figures in the description is to facilitate understanding of the subject matter. The figures are merely a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention.

Showing:

1 a longitudinal section of the ion exchanger assembly,

2 a side view of the ion exchanger assembly.

The ion exchanger arrangement 10 has an ion exchange cartridge 1, within its housing 1' a fluid channel 11 U-shaped, which is in the sectional view of the 1 is shown. The fluid channel 11 has a vertical fall section 111 (right) and a vertical riser section 111 (in the illustration on the left) and a transition section at the bottom 112 that has the two vertical sections 111 combines. It is formed a U-shaped fluid channel. The climbing section 111 and the fall section are each through a housing outer wall and an inner wall 113 educated; the transition section 112 through a window 114 the inner wall 113 , At its top O has the housing 1' two fluid connections 13 , each fluidically with the fluid channel 11 are connected and to the fluid-tight a flow 3 and a return 4 a fluid circuit leading to a traction battery and / or heat exchanger (s) is connected. On its underside U extends parallel to the housing longitudinal axis of the housing 1' a thorn 12 away, in a vehicle-mounted cradle 2 is plugged in to the ion exchange cartridge 1 against displacement in a direction across the mandrel 12 to secure. The cradle 2 has a rubber bushing, which has a certain elastic absorption of the ion exchange cartridge 1 allows and vibration damping acts. To the ion exchange cartridge 1 also to prevent tilting and against rotation about the longitudinal axis, has the housing 1' other fasteners 14 which are arranged on a top O and are detachably connected to corresponding attachment points of the fuel cell vehicle.

In the illustrated example have the case section 111 and the riser section 111 in about the same cross sections. In fact, both sections and in addition, the transition section 112 have the same cross sections. Alternatively, it is also possible that the cross sections are different. For example, it is possible that the riser section 111 has a larger cross-section than the case section 111 , The transition section 113 can do so from all the above sections 111 . 113 have the smallest cross-section.

In embodiments of the invention, in which the housing 1' is not completely filled with ion exchange resin, but the ion exchange resin only in certain parts of the case 1' is present, the cross section can be widened especially where the ion exchange resin is arranged. Is the ion exchange resin z. B. only in the case section 111 arranged, and not in the riser section 111 , so the cross section of the case section 111 be formed larger than the cross section of the riser section 111 ,

At the fluid connections 13 it is the male part of a quick connector, with the female part at the to the ion exchange cartridge 1 pointing end of the respective pipe or hose line of the flow 3 and the return 4 is arranged. Such quick couplings can be separated with a few simple steps, wherein in the male part and / or in the female part a shut-off device can be provided which blocks the passage of fluid after the separation of the two parts.

The ion exchange cartridge 1 can advantageously be replaced from the top O ago, the procedure based on the 2 is explained. First, to the quick couplings of fluid connections 13 solved and the piping of the flow 3 and rewind 4 lifted up and swung away if necessary. In one embodiment, not shown, the flow 3 and the return 4 also be arranged on a common coupling flange, which makes it possible to advance 3 and return 4 to decouple with a handle.

If no self-closing couplings are used, this must be the forerunner 3 and the return 4 the fluid circuit can be closed in another way, for example with a Abklemmzange or a stopcock. Thereafter, the fasteners 14 be separated from the corresponding vehicle-mounted attachment point here by being pivoted towards the ion exchange cartridge.

The ion exchanger arrangement according to the invention 10 is in particular intended to be installed in the engine compartment of a fuel cell vehicle, so that the top O of the ion exchange cartridge 1 to a freely accessible from the top side and in particular does not obstruct other accessories, control devices and / or hoses access. The ion exchange cartridge can be easily and quickly replaced as part of the routine maintenance.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102011009923 A1 [0004]
• JP 2011083744A [0005]

Claims (9)

Ion exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) for a fuel cell vehicle having an ion exchange cartridge ( 1 ) with a ion exchange resin filled solid housing ( 1' ), which at an upper side (O) at least two fluid connections ( 13 ), which is supported by an inside of the housing ( 1' ) extending fluid channel ( 11 ), the fluid connections ( 13 ) each fluid-tight with a flow ( 3 ) and a return ( 4 ) of a fluid circuit, characterized in that - the ion exchange cartridge ( 1 ) is arranged upright, and - the fluid channel ( 11 ) at least one riser section ( 111 ), a case section ( 111 ) and on a housing bottom (U) lying transition section ( 112 ) between the climb ( 111 ) and the case section ( 111 ) having. Ion exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing ( 1' ) at least one mandrel ( 12 ), which extends from a lower side (U) of the housing ( 1' ) of the ion exchange cartridge and - which is intended to be in a corresponding receiving device ( 2 ) to be detachably inserted, which is arranged undetachably on the fuel cell vehicle. Ion exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fluid connections ( 13 ) each have a quick coupling, preferably a closure coupling, more preferably a VDA coupling, and / or - the top (O) of the ion exchange cartridge ( 1 ) is designed as a removable lid, on which the fluid connections ( 13 ) are present. Ion exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the receiving device ( 2 ) for the thorn ( 12 ) is an elastic bearing, preferably a rubber bushing. Ion exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at the top (O) of the housing ( 1' ) at least one fastening element ( 14 ), preferably a clip, is arranged, which is intended to be detachably connected to a corresponding attachment point of the fuel cell vehicle. Ion exchange process of an ion exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) according to at least one of claims 2 to 5, comprising the steps of: a) providing a new ion exchange cartridge ( 1 ), b) releasing the fluid-tight connection of the flow ( 3 ) and return ( 4 ) of the fluid circuit with the fluid connections ( 13 ) of the ion exchange cartridge ( 1 ), c) top Removing the ion exchange cartridge ( 1 ), while pulling out the spine ( 12 ) from the receiving device ( 2 ), d) inserting the new ion exchange cartridge ( 1 ) from above with the thorn ( 12 ) ahead into the receiving device ( 2 ), then making the fluid-tight connection of the flow ( 3 ) and the return ( 4 ) of the fluid circuit with the fluid connections ( 13 ). Ion exchange exchange method according to claim 6, wherein after step a), the step a ') disconnecting the flow ( 3 ) and return ( 4 ) of the fluid circuit, preferably using a hose clamp and / or by closing the clutches, is executed. Fuel cell vehicle having an ion exchanger arrangement and a fluid circuit, wherein in each case a flow ( 3 ) and a return ( 4 ) of the fluid circuit, each with a fluid connection ( 13 ) of the ion exchanger arrangement is fluid-tightly connected, characterized in that the ion exchanger arrangement comprises an ion exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) according to at least one of claims 1 to 5. Fuel cell vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the fuel cell vehicle has an engine compartment in which the ion exchanger arrangement ( 10 ) is arranged freely accessible from above.

Images