FUEL CELL SYSTEM

Abstract

A fuel cell system includes a power generation unit, a fuel supply source, gas-liquid separator, and a circulating circuit. The gas-liquid separator includes a lyophobic tube, a lyophilic tube which communicates with the lyophobic tube, and a lyophilic member provided to clog a passage of the lyophobic tube or a lyophobic member provided to clog a passage of the lyophilic tube.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a fuel cell according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing another fuel cell according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a fuel cell according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing gas-liquid separator assembled in the fuel cell of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4B is a cross sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing gas-liquid separator assembled in a fuel cell according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 5B is a cross sectional view taken along the line I-I in FIG. 5A; and

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing gas-liquid separator assembled in a fuel cell according to a fourth embodiment.

Claims

1. A fuel cell system comprising: a power generation unit;a fuel supply source which supplies fuel to the power generation unit;gas-liquid separator for separating a liquid-gas mixture discharged from the power generation unit into gas and liquid; anda circulating circuit which communicates with the gas-liquid separator and the power generation unit, the circulating circuit feeding the liquid-gas mixture from the power generation unit to the gas-liquid separator, and feeding the separated liquid from the gas-liquid separator to the power generation unit,wherein the gas-liquid separator comprises:a lyophobic tube;a lyophilic tube which communicates with the lyophobic tube; anda lyophilic member provided to clog a passage of the lyophobic tube or a lyophobic member provided to clog a passage of the lyophilic tube.

2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising: a mixing tank to mix the liquid separated by the gas-liquid separator and fuel, wherein the lyophilic tube is housed in the mixing tank.

3. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the lyophobic tube and the lyophobic member has a lyophobic porous material.

4. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the lyophilic tube and the lyophilic member has a lyophilic porous material.

5. A fuel cell system comprising: a power generation unit;a fuel supply source which supplies fuel to the power generation unit;gas-liquid separator for separating a liquid-gas mixture discharged from the power generation unit into gas and liquid; anda circulating circuit which communicates with the gas-liquid separator and the power generation unit, the circulating circuit feeding the liquid-gas mixture from the power generation unit to the gas-liquid separator, and feeding the separated liquid from the gas-liquid separator to the power generation unit,wherein the gas-liquid separator comprises:a tube lyophilic to the liquid; anda tube lyophobic to the liquid, the tube being inserted into the lyophilic tube and having a closed end; anda partition wall provided between an outer wall of the lyophobic tube and an inner wall of the lyophilic tube.

6. The fuel cell system according to claim 5, further comprising: a mixing tank to mix the liquid separated by the gas-liquid separator and fuel, wherein the gas-liquid separator is housed in the mixing tank.

7. The fuel cell system according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the lyophobic tube and the lyophobic member has a lyophobic porous material.

8. The fuel cell system according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the lyophilic tube and the lyophilic member has a lyophilic porous material.

9. A fuel cell system comprising: a power generation unit;a fuel supply source which supplies fuel to the power generation unit;gas-liquid separator for separating a liquid-gas mixture discharged from the power generation unit into gas and liquid; anda circulating circuit which communicates with the gas-liquid separator and the power generation unit, the circulating circuit feeding the liquid-gas mixture from the power generation unit to the gas-liquid separator, and feeding the separated liquid from the gas-liquid separator to the power generation unit,wherein the gas-liquid separator comprises:a main flow passage having a closed end;a first passage provided in one of surfaces of the main flow passage;a second first passage provided in the surface of the main flow passage, which is opposite to the surface including the first passage;a first lyophobic member provided in an opening which allows the main flow passage to communicate with the first passage;a first lyophilic member provided in an opening which allows the main flow passage to communicate with the first passage;a second lyophilic member provided in an opening which allows the main flow passage to communicate with the second first passage, while facing the opening in which the first lyophobic member is provided;a second lyophobic member provided in an opening which allows the main flow passage to communicate with the second first passage, while facing the opening in which the first lyophilic member is provided;a first partition wall to partition the first passage into an upstream section and a downstream section between the first lyophobic member and the first lyophilic member; anda second partition wall to partition the second passage into an upstream section and a downstream section between the second lyophobic member and the second lyophilic member.

10. The fuel cell system according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the lyophobic tube and the lyophobic member has a lyophobic porous material.

11. The fuel cell system according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the lyophilic tube and the lyophilic member has a lyophilic porous material.

12. A fuel cell system comprising: a power generation unit;a fuel supply source which supplies fuel to the power generation unit;gas-liquid separator for separating a liquid-gas mixture discharged from the power generation unit into gas and liquid; anda circulating circuit which communicates with the gas-liquid separator and the power generation unit, the circulating circuit feeding the liquid-gas mixture from the power generation unit to the gas-liquid separator, and feeding the separated liquid from the gas-liquid separator to the power generation unit,wherein the gas-liquid separator comprises:a case;a lyophilic member stretched to divide the inner space of the case into a first space and a second space;a lyophobic tube which communicates with the first space; anda lyophobic member provided in an opening formed in a wall surface of the case in the first space.

13. The fuel cell system according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the lyophobic tube and the lyophobic member has a lyophobic porous material.

14. The fuel cell system according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the lyophilic tube and the lyophilic member has a lyophilic porous material.

15. A fuel cell system comprising: a power generation unit;a fuel supply source which supplies fuel to the power generation unit;gas-liquid separator for separating a liquid-gas mixture discharged from the power generation unit into gas and liquid; anda circulating circuit which communicates with the gas-liquid separator and the power generation unit, the circulating circuit feeding the liquid-gas mixture from the power generation unit to the gas-liquid separator, and feeding the separated liquid from the gas-liquid separator to the power generation unit,wherein the gas-liquid separator comprises:a case;a lyophilic member stretched to divide the inner space of the case into a first space and a second space;a lyophilic tube which communicates with the first space; anda lyophilic member provided in an opening formed in a wall surface of the case in the first space.

16. The fuel cell system according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the lyophobic tube and the lyophobic member has a lyophobic porous material.

17. The fuel cell system according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the lyophilic tube and the lyophilic member has a lyophilic porous material.