Centrifugal water separator for a fuel cell system

摘要

A separator for a fuel cell includes first and second ends connected by a side wall to define a separation chamber. The first end has a protrusion extending into the chamber to form a channel with the wall. An inlet conduit is tangentially connected to the wall. An outlet conduit connected to the wall between the inlet conduit and the first end. A liquid drain is connected to the second end. A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a separator. The separator has first and second portions forming a chamber and a divider. The first portion has a continuous inner wall, an end wall forming a central convex projection, an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit. The second portion has a continuous inner wall, an end wall, and a liquid drain.

主权项

1. A fuel cell system comprising:
a fuel cell stack; and a separator in fluid communication with the fuel cell stack, and having: first and second end walls connected by a side wall thereby forming a separation chamber, the first end wall forming a protrusion extending into the chamber to form a channel with the side wall, the protrusion formed by a cylindrical section and an end cap, a first end of the cylindrical section connected to the first end wall, the end cap extending across and covering a second free end of the cylindrical section, an inlet conduit tangentially connected to the side wall, a gas and vapor outlet conduit connected to the side wall between the inlet conduit and the first end wall, and a liquid drain connected to the second end wall.