JP5297278B2 - Ion exchanger - Google Patents

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 an ion exchanger with a simple structure and a suitable sustainable ion recovery function.

  As means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is an ion exchanger provided in a refrigerant circuit for circulating a refrigerant so as to pass through a fuel cell, adsorbing ions in the refrigerant and reducing the ion concentration. An ion exchange resin aggregate formed by aggregating granular ion exchange resins that adsorb ions, a rubber hose containing the ion exchange resin aggregate, and an outflow of the ion exchange resin provided on both ends of the rubber hose, respectively. And the rubber hose has a contraction force that contracts radially inward, and even if the volume of the ion exchange resin is reduced, the rubber hose having contraction force contracts, The rubber hose and the ion exchange resin aggregate are in close contact with each other.

According to such an ion exchanger, even if the volume of the granular ion exchange resin is reduced, the rubber hose having a shrinkage force is contracted inward in the radial direction, so that the rubber hose and the ion exchange resin assembly The body is in close contact, and no gap is formed between the ion exchange resin assembly and the rubber hose, and the ion exchange resin does not float in the rubber hose.
Since no gap is formed in this way, the refrigerant flows through the ion exchange resin assembly and 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 sustained.

In addition, since the filters are provided on both ends of the rubber hose, the ion exchange resin does not flow out to the outside in the axial direction of the rubber hose (the refrigerant flow direction) and is restrained in the rubber hose.
Further, since the contraction force of the rubber hose itself is used without using the pressing means for pressing the rubber hose such as the contraction tube and the contraction band inward in the radial direction, the number of parts is reduced and the configuration is simplified and the manufacture is facilitated. .

  Further, in the ion exchanger, provided at both ends of the rubber hose, connecting the rubber hose and other equipment, provided with a joint having rigidity higher than that of the rubber hose, and each filter provided at each joint. It is characterized by being.

  According to such an ion exchanger, each filter is provided at a joint having higher rigidity than the rubber hose, so that each filter does not move in the axial direction of the rubber hose. In other words, even if the ion exchange resin assembly is pushed radially inward by the contraction force that shrinks inward in the radial direction of the rubber hose and tries to extend outward in the axial direction, the ion exchange resin assembly is restrained by the filter, and the ion exchange The resin never flows out.

  In the ion exchanger, the rubber hose is cylindrical.

According to such an ion exchanger, since the rubber hose is cylindrical, the contraction force of the rubber hose is uniform in the circumferential direction, and the ion exchange resin aggregate is entirely pushed radially inward from the rubber hose. Therefore, the ion exchange resin aggregate is substantially cylindrical, and the rubber hose and the ion exchange resin aggregate are more likely to be in close contact with each other, making it difficult for the refrigerant to bypass the ion exchange resin aggregate.
In addition, since the ion exchange resin aggregate has a substantially cylindrical shape, the granular heat exchange resin is likely to be evenly distributed in the ring cross section direction, and the density of the heat exchange resin in the ring cross section direction is less likely to vary.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ion exchanger that can suitably maintain an ion recovery function with a simple configuration.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the fuel cell system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a side view of the ion exchanger which concerns on this embodiment. It is a sectional side view of the ion exchanger which concerns on this embodiment, (a) is before shrinkage | contraction of ion exchange resin, (b) shows after shrinkage | contraction. It is a ring sectional view of the ion exchanger concerning this embodiment, (a) is a X1-X1 line sectional view of Drawing 3 (a), (b) is a X2-X2 line sectional view of Drawing 3 (b). It is. It is a sectional side view of the ion exchanger which concerns on this embodiment, and has shown the filling condition of ion exchange resin. It is a principal part of the sectional side view of the ion exchanger which concerns on a modification.

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

≪Configuration of fuel cell system≫
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).

<Fuel cell stack>
The fuel cell stack 110 is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), and a plurality of single cells are formed by sandwiching a MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) between separators (not shown). 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 channel 111, and air containing oxygen is supplied from the compressor (not shown) that sucks outside air to the cathode via the cathode channel 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. In this way, the fuel cell stack 110 in a state in which power can be generated and the external load (for example, a traveling motor) 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.

<Refrigerant circuit>
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.

<Configuration of ion exchanger>
Next, a specific configuration of the ion exchanger 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
In FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, 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.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the ion exchanger 1 includes an ion exchange resin assembly 10, a rubber hose 20 that houses the ion exchange resin assembly 10, and joints 30 provided at both ends of the rubber hose 20. , 30 and a filter 40 formed integrally with each joint 30 and provided at each joint 30.
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. .

[Ion exchange resin assembly]
The ion exchange resin assembly 10 is configured by a collection of a plurality of ion exchange resins 11 (cation exchange resin, anion exchange resin), and contraction force toward the radially inner side of the cylindrical rubber hose 20 (see arrow A1). ) To form a substantially cylindrical shape.
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. In addition, such an ion exchange resin 11 becomes volume with time and shrinks with use (refer FIG.3 (b)).

[Rubber hose]
The rubber hose 20 has a cylindrical shape (see FIG. 4 (a)) and accommodates the ion exchange resin assembly 10 in a state slightly stretched radially outward, that is, in a slightly expanded state. The rubber hose 20 itself has a contraction force that contracts radially inward (see arrow A1). However, the rubber hose 20 may be a regular hexagonal cylinder, for example.
Further, such a rubber hose 20 is formed of, for example, a silicone blade in order to prevent ion elution from the rubber hose 20 itself.

  Thereby, the rubber hose 20 is in close contact with the ion exchange resin assembly 10 while compressing the ion exchange resin assembly 10 radially inward and forming the outer shape of the ion exchange resin assembly 10 in a cylindrical shape. That is, no gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the rubber hose 20 and the outer peripheral surface of the ion exchange resin assembly 10. Therefore, the refrigerant that circulates in the rubber hose 20 does not bypass the ion exchange resin aggregate 10, but circulates in the ion exchange resin aggregate 10 and is suitably deionized by the ion exchange resin 11. It has become.

  Further, since the rubber hose 20 is cylindrical, the contraction force of the rubber hose 20 is uniform in the circumferential direction, and the ion exchange resin assembly 10 is entirely pushed radially inward from the rubber hose. Therefore, the ion exchange resin aggregate 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape as described above, and the rubber hose 20 and the ion exchange resin aggregate 10 are in good contact.

  At the same time, since the ion exchange resin aggregate 10 is uniformly compressed radially inward in the circumferential direction, the density of the ion exchange resin 11 in the ring cross-sectional direction of the ion exchange resin aggregate 10 becomes substantially equal, and the refrigerant However, it becomes easy to distribute | circulate the whole in the ion exchange resin assembly 10, and it deionizes efficiently.

  And even if the volume of the ion exchange resin 11 decreases with use, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B, the rubber hose 20 having the contraction force contracts radially inward. By doing so (see arrow A2), the ion exchange resin 11 having a reduced volume is compressed and assembled to form the ion exchange resin assembly 10, and the rubber hose 20 and the ion exchange resin assembly 10 come into close contact with each other. ing.

  That is, even if the ion exchange resin 11 shrinks in volume, no gap is formed between the rubber hose 20 and the ion exchange resin assembly 10, and the refrigerant flows through the ion exchange resin assembly 10. Deionized. That is, even if the ion exchange resin 11 shrinks in volume, the ion recovery function of the ion exchanger 1 is designed to be suitably maintained.

Here, one method of applying the radially inner contractive force to the rubber hose 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the left joint 30 is removed from the rubber hose 20, and a nozzle 51 that discharges air at a predetermined pressure is inserted into the left end of the rubber hose 20. Then, after the opening of the right joint 30 is closed with an appropriate jig (not shown) so that air does not leak, the air is discharged from the nozzle 51, the rubber hose 20 is inflated to a predetermined extent, and is expanded radially outward. (See arrow A3).

  Thereafter, the ion exchange resin 11 is poured from the nozzle 51 into the bulging rubber hose 20 to fill the rubber hose 20 with the ion exchange resin 11. After filling the ion exchange resin 11 in a predetermined amount, the nozzle 51 is removed, and the left joint 30 is inserted into the left end of the rubber hose 20.

[Joint]
Returning to FIG. 3, the description will be continued.
The joints 30 and 30 are for connecting the rubber hose 20 (ion exchanger 1) and the pipes 123b and 123c (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.

[filter]
The filter 40 prevents the ion exchange resin 11 from flowing out to the outside in the axial direction of the rubber hose 20 (the direction in which the refrigerant flows), and is provided in the joint 30 by insert molding and is integrally molded with the joint 30. Yes. Such a filter 40 has a disk shape, and the filter 40 is formed with a plurality of communication holes 41 that allow the refrigerant to flow and do not allow the passage of the ion exchange resin 11 even if the volume contracts. ing.

Such a filter 40 is provided integrally with the highly rigid joint 30 as described above. That is, the filter 40 is fixed to the joint 30 and does not move in the axial direction of the rubber hose 20, thereby compressing radially inward. Thus, the ion exchange resin assembly 10 that is to be extended in the axial direction is preferably restrained between the filters 40 and 40.
That is, it is desirable that the rigidity based on the thickness of the filter 40 is set to such an extent that the rigidity is not deformed by the pressure of the ion exchange resin assembly 10 that is to extend outward in the axial direction.

<Operation and effect of ion exchanger>
According to such an ion exchanger 1, the following effects are obtained.
Even if the volume of the ion exchange resin 11 decreases with use, correspondingly, the rubber hose 20 contracts radially inward, and no gap is formed between the ion exchange resin assembly 10 and the rubber hose 20. . Thereby, a refrigerant | coolant distribute | circulates the inside of the ion exchange resin assembly 10, and the ion collection | recovery function of the ion exchanger 1 maintains suitably.

Moreover, since it is a simple structure using the contraction force of the rubber hose 20 itself without a rubber contraction tube or the like, it can be easily manufactured without increasing the number of parts.
However, for example, a rubber band may be wound around the outer peripheral surface of the rubber hose 20 at a predetermined interval in order to ensure the contraction of the rubber hose 20 corresponding to the contraction of the ion exchange resin 11.

Furthermore, since the filter 40 is fixed to the highly rigid joint 30, the ion exchange resin assembly 10 that is going to extend outward in the axial direction by compression can be suitably restrained.
Furthermore, since the rubber hose 20 is cylindrical, the density of the ion exchange resin 11 in the direction of the cross section of the ring can be made uniform, and the refrigerant can flow through the entire cross section of the ring and can efficiently adsorb and collect ions from the refrigerant.

As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to this, For example, it can change as follows in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the joint 30 and the filter 40 may be separate components. In this case, it is preferable that the filter 40 is provided to be slidable in the axial direction with respect to the joint 30 and further includes a plurality of disc springs 42 (biasing springs) that urge the filter 40 toward the rubber hose 20 side. The filter 40 is prevented from dropping from the joint 30 by the ring plate 43 attached to the joint 30.

  With such a configuration, the filter 40 slides in response to the axially outward pressure of the ion exchange resin assembly 10 that is to be expanded outward in the axial direction by compression inward in the radial direction. Therefore, the density of the ion exchange resin 11 before and after contraction can be made substantially constant by appropriately setting the spring force of the plurality of disc springs 42.

  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 11 Ion exchange resin 20 Rubber hose 30 Joint 40 Filter 110 Fuel cell stack (fuel cell)

Claims (3)

An ion exchanger that is provided in a refrigerant circuit that circulates a refrigerant so as to pass through a fuel cell, adsorbs ions in the refrigerant, and reduces ion concentration,
An ion exchange resin aggregate formed by aggregating granular ion exchange resins that adsorb ions;
A rubber hose containing the ion exchange resin assembly;
A filter that is provided at each end of the rubber hose, and prevents the outflow of the ion exchange resin;
With
The rubber hose has a contraction force that contracts radially inward,
Even if the volume of the ion exchange resin is reduced, the rubber hose having a contracting force contracts, and the rubber hose and the ion exchange resin aggregate are in close contact with each other. Provided at both ends of the rubber hose, connecting the rubber hose and other equipment, equipped with a joint that is more rigid than the rubber hose,
The ion exchanger according to claim 1, wherein each of the filters is provided in each of the joints. The ion exchanger according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rubber hose is cylindrical.

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