JP2011009034A - Ion exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ion exchanger capable of sustaining an ion recovery function appropriately.SOLUTION: The ion exchanger 1 is installed in a coolant circuit which circulates coolant so as to go through a fuel cell and has an ion exchange resin which adsorbs ions in the coolant and reduces ion concentration, and is provided with a tubular mesh filter 15 which is arranged in a rubber hose 20 in which the coolant passes and is filled with the ion exchange resin. The mesh filter 15 gives a contraction force to the ion exchange resin by the contraction force in a diameter direction, and the mesh filter 15 is formed in a spiral form, and both end parts 15a, 15b of the mesh filter 15 formed in spiral form are locked with an entrance S1 and an exit S2 of the coolant in the rubber hose 20.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ion exchanger.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, fuel cell stacks that are attracting attention as power sources for fuel cell vehicles and the like generate heat when they generate power. Therefore, a refrigerant is circulated through the fuel cell stack to appropriately cool the fuel cell stack. In such circulating refrigerant, it is required to reduce the ion concentration of the refrigerant in order to prevent liquid junction in the fuel cell stack. Therefore, a technique is known in which an ion exchanger is attached to a refrigerant circuit in which the refrigerant circulates, and ions are adsorbed and collected by the ion exchanger to reduce the ion concentration of the refrigerant, that is, deionization (Patent Document 1). 2).

JP 2007-122906 A JP 2004-160366 A

  However, the granular ion exchange resin (cation exchange resin, anion exchange resin) filled in the ion exchanger shrinks in volume over time. Therefore, a gap is formed between the ion exchange resin and the case that accommodates the ion exchange resin and is generally formed of polypropylene or the like. If the refrigerant flows with the gap formed in this way, the ion exchange resin not only floats in the case, but also the refrigerant flows preferentially through the gap, so that the ions in the refrigerant pass through the ion exchange resin. There is a risk that the ion exchanger will not perform the ion recovery function without being adsorbed and recovered.

  Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the ion exchanger which can maintain an ion collection | recovery function suitably.

  The present invention is an ion exchanger that is provided in a refrigerant circuit that circulates a refrigerant so as to pass through a fuel cell, and that includes an ion exchange resin that adsorbs ions in the refrigerant and reduces the ion concentration. A tubular mesh filter disposed in a refrigerant pipe passing through and filled with the ion exchange resin, wherein the mesh filter imparts a contraction force to the ion exchange resin by a contraction force in a radial direction; The mesh filter has a spiral shape filled with the ion-exchange resin, and both ends of the spiral mesh filter are locked to the refrigerant inlet and outlet in the refrigerant pipe. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, a tubular mesh filter is formed in a spiral shape, an ion exchange resin is filled in the spiral mesh filter, and the mesh filter is disposed (inserted) in the refrigerant pipe. The exchange resin is held by the contraction force of the mesh filter. Thereby, even when the ion exchange resin shrinks in volume over time, the mesh filter having a shrinkage force shrinks radially inward, so that the adhesion between the mesh filter and the ion exchange resin is maintained, and the ion exchange resin and the mesh filter are maintained. No gap is formed between the two and the ion exchange resin does not float in the mesh filter. Since no gap is formed in this way, the refrigerant flows through the ion exchange resin, makes good contact with the ion exchange resin, and the ions in the refrigerant are adsorbed and collected by the ion exchange resin. Therefore, the ion recovery function of the ion exchanger is preferably maintained.

  Furthermore, since the mesh filter is formed in a spiral shape, a reaction force is generated by the mesh filter filled with the ion exchange resin, that is, a pressing force is generated so that the mesh filter filled with the ion exchange resin spreads in the refrigerant pipe. Thus, the position of the mesh filter is fixed in the refrigerant pipe.

  Further, since the mesh filter is formed in a spiral shape, a spiral swirling flow is generated when the refrigerant flows in the refrigerant pipe, and a centrifugal force is generated on the refrigerant. Since it passes through the inside positively, the ion exchange performance can be improved.

  Furthermore, by changing the pipe diameter of the spiral mesh filter, the magnitude of the pressure loss in the refrigerant pipe can be made variable, so that it is possible to have a function for adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant pipe. Become. That is, by changing the diameter of the mesh filter tube, it is possible to arbitrarily determine the flow rate of the refrigerant, that is, the rate at which ions in the refrigerant should be removed. .

  Moreover, the said both ends are latched by the piping connection member connected to the said refrigerant | coolant piping.

  According to this, the end of the pipe connection member (joint) for connecting the refrigerant pipe to another pipe is inserted into the end of the refrigerant pipe, so that the pipe connection member inserted into the refrigerant pipe Since the end of the mesh filter comes into contact with and is locked to the end (end surface), the mesh filter can be easily locked in the refrigerant pipe.

  Further, the refrigerant pipe is formed of a cylindrical rubber hose.

  According to this, since the rubber hose is cylindrical, a uniform contractive force in the radial direction acts on the mesh filter filled with the ion exchange resin, and the mesh filter can be stably held. Furthermore, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of shape and the degree of freedom of installation, for example, by placing the ion exchanger in a curved shape.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, an ion exchanger with a suitably sustainable ion recovery function can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the fuel cell system which concerns on this embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows the ion exchanger of this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a mesh filter. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 2. The expanded sectional view of the A section of FIG. 4 is shown, (a) is the state before contraction, (b) is the state after contraction.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a fuel cell stack 110 (fuel cell), a refrigerant circuit 120 that circulates refrigerant so as to pass through the fuel cell stack 110, and a refrigerant circuit 120. And an ion exchanger 1 provided. In the present embodiment, the fuel cell system 100 is mounted on a fuel cell vehicle (moving body).

  The fuel cell stack 110 is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), and a plurality of single cells formed by sandwiching MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) with separators (not shown) are stacked. Has been configured. The MEA includes an electrolyte membrane (solid polymer membrane) and a cathode and an anode that sandwich the membrane. Each separator is formed with an anode flow path 111 and a cathode flow path 112 formed of grooves and through holes.

  Then, hydrogen is supplied from a hydrogen tank (not shown) to the anode via the anode flow path 111, and air containing oxygen is supplied from the compressor (not shown) that sucks outside air to the cathode via the cathode flow path 112. , The electrode reaction occurs on the catalyst (Pt or the like) contained in the anode and cathode, and the fuel cell stack 110 is in a state capable of generating power. The fuel cell stack 110 and the external load (for example, a traveling motor) in a state where power can be generated in this way are electrically connected, and when the current is extracted, the fuel cell stack 110 generates power.

  Each separator is formed with grooves and through holes through which refrigerant flows to appropriately cool the cells, and these grooves and through holes function as the refrigerant flow path 113 of the fuel cell stack 110. . When the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant flow path 113, the fuel cell stack 110 that self-heats with power generation is appropriately cooled, so that the fuel cell stack 110 does not overheat.

  The refrigerant circuit 120 is a circuit that circulates refrigerant so as to pass through the refrigerant flow path 113 of the fuel cell stack 110, and includes a refrigerant pump 121, a radiator 122, and a normally closed shut-off valve 123. In some cases. In addition, a refrigerant | coolant consists of a liquid mixture of ethylene glycol, water, and the additive which adjusts electrical conductivity or improves corrosion resistance, for example.

  The outlet of the refrigerant channel 113 is connected to the inlet of the refrigerant channel 113 through the pipe 122a, the radiator 122, the pipe 122b, the refrigerant pump 121, and the pipe 121a. The refrigerant pump 121 uses the fuel cell stack 110 and / or a battery (not shown) as a power source, and operates according to a command from an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) (not shown). It is supposed to circulate between.

  The middle of the pipe 121a is connected to the middle of the pipe 122a via the pipe 123a, the shutoff valve 123, the pipe 123b, the ion exchanger 1, and the pipe 123c. That is, the ion exchanger 1 includes a pipe 123a, a pipe 123b, and a pipe 123c, and is provided in a bypass passage (a part of the refrigerant circuit 120) that bypasses the refrigerant passage 113. That is, in the present embodiment, the ion exchanger 1 and the fuel cell stack 110 are arranged in parallel with the refrigerant flow. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and may be a configuration arranged in series, for example, a configuration in which the ion exchanger 1 is provided in the pipe 122 a or a configuration in which a radiator bypass pipe (not shown) that bypasses the radiator 122 is provided.

  Next, a specific configuration of the ion exchanger 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 5, the ion exchange resin 11 and the like are greatly illustrated for easy understanding.

  The ion exchanger 1 has a columnar shape as shown in FIG. 2 and is disposed, for example, in a substantially horizontal position on a fuel cell vehicle, that is, in a state substantially parallel to a floor panel (not shown). Yes. However, it is not limited to horizontal placement, and even vertical placement can be appropriately changed according to the layout of the fuel cell system 100 such as oblique placement.

  The ion exchanger 1 includes a mesh filter 15 filled with a granular ion exchange resin 11 (see FIG. 5A), a rubber hose 20 containing the mesh filter 15 filled with the ion exchange resin 11, and a rubber hose. 20, joints 30 and 30 (piping connection members) provided at both ends, respectively. That is, the joints 30 and 30 are respectively inserted into the opening at both ends of the rubber hose 20, and the rubber hose 20 is not detached from the joint 30 by the band 21 that winds the outer peripheral surface of the rubber hose 20. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the mesh filter 15 is formed in a mesh shape on the entire peripheral surface of the tube, and is formed in a spiral shape with a constant pitch P (see FIG. 4). Further, the mesh filter 15 is formed of a material having a shrinking force radially inward, and examples thereof include a rubber material such as ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). Note that EPDM is a rubber that has little ion elution in the refrigerant. Moreover, it is not limited to rubber | gum, such as EPDM, Meshes, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or SUS (stainless steel), may be sufficient.

  In addition, the size of one mesh (lattice) of the mesh filter 15 is set to a size (opening) in which a granular ion exchange resin 11 described later does not flow out from the mesh, and the ion exchange resin is changed over time. Even if the volume contracts due to the change, it is set to a size (opening) that does not flow out of the mesh. The end face of the mesh filter 15 is closed so that the ion exchange resin 11 does not flow out.

  Thereby, the mesh filter 15 compresses the ion exchange resin 11 (ion exchange resin aggregate 10) radially inward, so that the adhesion between the ion exchange resin aggregate 10 and the mesh filter 15 can be maintained. That is, a gap (space) is not formed between the inner peripheral surface of the mesh filter 15 and the outer peripheral surface of the ion exchange resin assembly 10, and the ion exchange resin 11 does not float in the mesh filter 15.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the ion exchange resin aggregate (ion exchange resin aggregate) 10 is configured by a plurality of ion exchange resins 11 (cation exchange resin, anion exchange resin) being aggregated, The mesh filter 15 formed in a spiral shape is filled (see FIG. 5).

  The ion exchange resin 11 has a granular shape, and the cation exchange resin and the anion exchange resin are mixed at a predetermined blending ratio corresponding to the ion species (cation, anion) to be deionized. Is.

  Such an ion exchange resin 11 shrinks in volume and shrinks with use (see FIG. 5 (a) → FIG. 5 (b)), but the contraction force F1 (see FIG. 5) that the mesh filter 15 has. 5 (a)), even if the volume of the ion exchange resin 11 is reduced, no gap is formed between the ion exchange resin assembly 10 and the inner peripheral surface of the mesh filter 15.

  Note that the mesh filter 15 is not limited to the one that is originally formed in a spiral shape and is filled with the ion exchange resin 11. For example, the mesh filter 15 that is formed of a straight tube and filled with the ion exchange resin 11 is used. It may be formed by spirally winding.

  The rubber hose 20 has a cylindrical shape and accommodates a spiral mesh filter 15 filled with the ion exchange resin 11, and the rubber hose 20 itself contracts radially inward in the radial direction (see FIG. 5A). )have. However, the rubber hose 20 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a regular hexagonal cylindrical shape. Further, such a rubber hose 20 is formed of a rubber material such as EPDM similar to the mesh filter 15 in order to prevent ion elution from the rubber hose 20 itself.

  As a result, the rubber hose 20 has a contraction force F2 that compresses the mesh filter 15 filled with the ion exchange resin 11 radially inward, and the inner peripheral surface of the rubber hose 20 and the mesh filter 15 are in close contact with each other. 15 is stably held in the rubber hose 20. Further, since the rubber hose 20 is cylindrical, the peripheral surface of the mesh filter 15 is evenly pressed by the contraction force of the rubber hose 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the joints 30 and 30 are for connecting the rubber hose 20 and the pipes 123 b and 123 c (other devices). Such a joint 30 is made of, for example, PP (polypropylene), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), ABS (acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene), and the like. Is designed to be higher than the rigidity of the rubber hose 20.

  Each joint 30 has a connection portion 30a inserted into an end portion in the rubber hose 20, and a connection portion 30b formed on the opposite side of the connection portion 30a and inserted into a pipe 123b (123c). By inserting each joint 30 into the refrigerant inlet S1 and outlet S2 (see FIG. 4) at both ends of the rubber hose 20, the ends 15a and 15b (see FIG. 4) of the mesh filter 15 filled with the ion exchange resin 11 are formed. The mesh filter 15 is held in the rubber hose 20 without moving in the axial direction by coming into contact with the end portion (end surface) 30a1 of the tubular connecting portion 30a.

According to such an ion exchanger 1, the following effects are obtained.
Even if the volume of the ion exchange resin 11 becomes smaller with use, the mesh filter 15 contracts radially inward correspondingly, so that the adhesion between the ion exchange resin assembly 10 and the mesh filter 15 is improved. The gap is not formed between the ion exchange resin assembly 10 and the mesh filter 15, and the ion exchange resin 11 does not float in the mesh filter 15. Thereby, when the refrigerant flows through each ion exchange resin 11 in the mesh filter 15, the ion exchange resin 11 is satisfactorily contacted and the ions in the refrigerant are adsorbed and collected by the ion exchange resin 11. Therefore, the ion recovery function of the ion exchanger 1 can be suitably maintained.

  Further, since the mesh filter 15 is formed in a spiral shape, the mesh filter 15 filled with the ion exchange resin 11 is the reaction force F3 (see FIG. 5A), that is, the mesh filter filled with the ion exchange resin 11. A pressing force is generated so that 15 pushes the inside of the rubber hose 20, and the position of the mesh filter 15 in the rubber hose 20 is fixed.

  Further, since the mesh filter 15 is formed in a spiral shape, when the refrigerant flows through the rubber hose 20, a spiral swirl flow is generated, and centrifugal force is generated in the refrigerant, so that the refrigerant flows into the mesh filter 15. Since the ion exchange resin 11 is positively passed, the ion exchange performance can be improved.

  Furthermore, the magnitude of the pressure loss in the rubber hose 20 can be varied by changing the pipe diameter R (see FIG. 4) of the spiral mesh filter 15. That is, by increasing the diameter (diameter) R, the pressure loss in the rubber hose 20 can be increased, and by reducing the diameter R, the pressure loss can be reduced, so that the function of adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant passing through the rubber hose 20 is provided. Is possible. In other words, the removal ratio of ions in the refrigerant can be arbitrarily determined by changing the diameter R of the tube of the mesh filter 15.

  Further, by inserting each joint 30 into the inlet S1 and the outlet S2 at both ends of the rubber hose 20, both ends 15a and 15b of the mesh filter 15 are brought into contact with and locked to the end 30a1 of the joint 30, so that the mesh filter 15 can be easily locked in the rubber hose 20. In addition, a protrusion may be provided at a position where the mesh filter 15 of the end portion 30a1 of the joint 30 abuts so that the mesh filter 15 can be more reliably locked.

  Further, by forming the rubber hose 20 in a cylindrical shape, a uniform contraction force F2 (see FIG. 5A) inward in the radial direction acts on the peripheral surface of the mesh filter 15 filled with the ion exchange resin 11. The mesh filter 15 can be stably held.

  Furthermore, it becomes possible to arrange the ion exchanger 1 in a curved manner, and the degree of freedom of shape and installation of the ion exchanger 1 can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, the rubber hose 20 that applies a contracting force to the mesh filter 15 has been described as an example. However, in order to ensure the retention of the mesh filter 15 in the rubber hose 20, for example, The rubber band may be wound at a predetermined interval.

  Moreover, the mounting amount of the ion exchange resin 11 can be changed by changing the pitch P of the mesh filter 15. Thereby, the mounting amount of the ion exchange resin 11 necessary for the fuel cell system 100 can be accommodated in the layout by changing the pitch P. The same can be said by changing the cross-sectional area (diameter R) of the pipe of the mesh filter 15.

  Further, by changing the pitch P of the mesh filter 15, it is possible to adjust the pitch P so as to match the degree of purification (ion removal efficiency) at the outlet of the ion exchanger 1 required in the fuel cell system 100. The same can be said by changing the cross-sectional area of the pipe of the mesh filter 15.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, In the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention, it can change as follows. For example, an urging spring that urges the end portions 15 a and 15 b of the mesh filter 15 inward in the axial direction may be provided in the rubber hose 20. Thereby, even if the mesh filter is contracted in the axial direction due to the volume contraction of the ion exchange resin, the end portions 15a and 15b are pressed in the opposing directions by the biasing spring, so that the mesh filter 15 moves in the rubber hose 20. Can be prevented.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the fuel cell system 100 is mounted on a fuel cell vehicle is illustrated, but a fuel cell system mounted on another mobile body such as a motorcycle, a train, or a ship may be used. Further, the present invention may be applied to a stationary fuel cell system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ion exchanger 10 Ion exchange resin aggregate | assembly 11 Ion exchange resin 15 Mesh filter 15a, 15b End part 20 Rubber hose (refrigerant piping)
30 Joint (Piping connection member)
30a1 End 110 Fuel cell stack (fuel cell)
120 Refrigerant circuit S1 inlet S2 outlet

Claims (3)

An ion exchanger that is provided in a refrigerant circuit that circulates a refrigerant so as to pass through a fuel cell, includes an ion exchange resin that adsorbs ions in the refrigerant and reduces ion concentration,
A tubular mesh filter disposed in a refrigerant pipe through which the refrigerant passes and filled with the ion exchange resin;
The mesh filter imparts a shrinkage force to the ion exchange resin by a radial shrinkage force,
The mesh filter has a spiral shape filled with the ion-exchange resin, and both ends of the mesh filter having the spiral shape are locked to the refrigerant inlet and outlet in the refrigerant pipe. An ion exchanger characterized by that.   The ion exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the both end portions are locked to a pipe connection member connected to the refrigerant pipe.   The ion exchanger according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerant pipe is formed of a cylindrical rubber hose.

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