DE102015008085A1 - Desulphurisation device for a fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

A desulfurization device for a fuel cell has a cartridge with an inner cartridge and a carrier pot and a connection part. The cartridge is closed by a lid which is connected to the carrier pot, wherein the connecting part is detachably connected to the lid.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a desulfurization device for a fuel cell according to the preamble of claim 1.

State of the art

The EP 2 248 875 A1 describes a desulfurization device which is arranged in the inflow region of a fuel cell and adsorbs sulfur constituents from a gas stream to be supplied to the fuel cell. The desulfurization device has a cartridge which is filled with adsorbent material and is flowed through by the gas. The cartridge is received in a carrier pot, which has a radially outwardly bent collar, on which the carrier pot is held via a connecting bracket to a connecting part with inflow and outflow sections. The inflow and outflow sections are fluidly connected to the raw and the clean side of the cartridge at their opposite, frontal ends. The cartridge with the support pot hangs on the underside of the connection part, wherein the uncleaned gas is passed from top to bottom through the cartridge and the purified gas derived at the bottom side of the cartridge and in the annular space between the cartridge and carrier pot back up to the outflow section in the connection part is directed.

The adsorbent in the cartridge is designed to hold a defined amount of sulfur compounds. When the adsorbent has reached its saturation level, the carrier pot must be released from the connector and the cartridge removed from the port and replaced with a new cartridge. Subsequently, the carrier pot is reconnected to the connection part. When loosening the carrier cup from the connector and replacing the cartridge, make sure that only the smallest possible amount of harmful substances can escape from the cartridge or the carrier cup.

Disclosure of the invention

The invention is based on the object with simple constructive measures to form a desulfurization device for a fuel cell in such a way that a simple replacement of the cartridge with low environmental impact is possible.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. The dependent claims indicate expedient developments.

The desulfurization device according to the invention is used for fuel cells to adsorb sulfur constituents in the energy carrier of the fuel cell. The energy carrier is in particular a gaseous fluid, for example natural gas. The desulfurization device comprises a cartridge comprising an inner cartridge with the adsorbent means and a carrier pot in which the inner cartridge is received. Furthermore, the desulfurization device comprises a connection part, which forms a filter head and into which an inflow section and an outflow section for the fluid are introduced. Via the inflow section, uncleaned fluid is introduced via the connection part into the cartridge and the inner cartridge, in which the adsorbent medium is received, through which the fluid flows preferably axially in the inner cartridge. Via the outflow section, the cleaned fluid exiting the inner cartridge is discharged from the desulfurization device or supplied to another part of the desulfurization device.

The filter head forming the connecting part of the desulfurization device and the cartridge are detachably connected to each other. This makes it possible to replace the cartridge without the need for dismantling the connecting part, in particular in the event that the adsorbent in the cartridge is saturated and can no longer adsorb more sulfur constituents from the gaseous fluid. The connection part is, for example, firmly received in a device to which possibly one or more fuel cells may belong. The cartridge with housing pot and inner cartridge only has to be connected to the connection part and can be replaced if necessary.

The cartridge is closed by a lid which is connected to the carrier pot. In the lid flow openings are introduced, which are flow-connected to the inflow portion and the outflow portion of the connection part, so that the unpurified, gaseous fluid supplied via the inflow portion and a flow opening in the lid of the cartridge and the purified fluid through a further flow opening in the lid and the outflow section is derived. The attachment of the cartridge to the connection part via the lid in a detachable manner, so that in the mounted state, the cartridge is connected via its lid to the connector.

This embodiment has the advantage that the cartridge with the carrier pot and the inner cartridge forms a replacement part, which can be easily connected to the connection part and replaced if necessary. The cartridge is attached in total to the connecting part, with the attachment at the same time the flow connection between Connection part and cartridge is given. The attachment takes place in particular in such a way that no additional fastening components are required, for example, in such a way that the cartridge is bolted with its lid to the connecting part or positively connected to the connection part in the manner of a bayonet closure. The lid is in this case both a connection function to the connector part and a sealing function to the interior of the cartridge. This ensures at the same time that when changing the cartridge no or only a small proportion of gas from the cartridge can escape into the environment. Optionally, the cartridge is closed in the region of the lid via a securing device as soon as the cartridge is detached from the connecting part. This securing device can be designed in the form of a cap which can be placed on the cover or as an automatically closing valve which, when the cartridge is released, is transferred to the closed position and opened when the cartridge is connected to the connecting part.

In particular, the lid forms a separate component from the carrier pot, which component is optionally firmly connected to the carrier pot. The lid is connected, for example by crimping on the front edge of the carrier pot with this. The inserted into the carrier pot inner cartridge is securely held in the pot by the attached lid.

According to an advantageous embodiment, a centric flow nozzle is arranged on the connecting part, which protrudes into a flow opening in the lid, wherein the flow opening is also arranged centrally. Purified fluid is preferably discharged via the centric opening in the cover and the centric flow connection at the connection part, although flow guidance in the opposite direction is also possible. The attachment between the cartridge and the connecting part advantageously takes place via the centric flow connection piece on the connection part and the cover, for example in such a way that an external thread on the flow connection piece is screwed into an internal thread in the cover in the region of the flow opening. The flow nozzle on the connector thus comes as well as the cover to the cartridge a flow-conducting and a holding function. In a preferred embodiment, the connection between the connection part and the cartridge takes place exclusively via the flow connection and the cover.

According to yet another expedient embodiment, the inner cartridge is supported by a spring element at the bottom of the carrier pot. The spring element pushes the inner cartridge axially - in relation to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge - in the direction of the opposite cover and, when connected to the connection part, ensures a fluid-tight connection. The inner cartridge is held axially displaceable in the receiving carrier pot, but it is preferably held in position in the radial direction by means of support elements, between the outer wall of the inner cartridge and the inner wall of the carrier pot, an annular gap is formed, which serves for the flow of the fluid. In an advantageous inflow of the inner cartridge over the axially opposite the connecting part and the lid end face the uncleaned fluid is first passed through the annular gap between the inner cartridge and carrier pot to Anström- or raw side, the fluid passed axially through the inner cartridge and the adsorber contained in the inner cartridge and finally axially over the cover and the connecting part facing end side, which forms the clean or outflow side, again derived from the cartridge and discharged in particular via the central flow nozzle on the connection part. In an alternative embodiment, the flow takes place in the opposite direction.

According to yet another expedient embodiment, a sealing ring is arranged on the lid on the outside of the lid, against which the facing side of the connecting part rests sealingly in the mounted state. As a result, incorrect air flows are avoided and a secure flow guidance in the inflow and / or outflow of the fluid is ensured.

According to yet another expedient embodiment, at least two different adsorbent agents are introduced into the inner cartridge. These are advantageously layered axially superimposed and arranged without mixing in the inner cartridge and differ in their adsorption capacity. It is possible, if appropriate, to introduce more than two different layered adsorbent agents into the inner cartridge. Furthermore, it may be sufficient to provide only a single adsorbent in the inner cartridge.

According to yet another expedient embodiment, at least two cartridges are connected in series in the desulfurization device, each cartridge having a connection part and the outflow section of the first connection part being flow-connected to the inflow section of the second connection part. In this way, a cascade cleaning with multiple cartridges in the desulfurization is possible, the cartridges may contain the same or different Adorbermittel. The cartridges are arranged independently of each other interchangeably at their respective connection part.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantages and expedient embodiments can be taken from the further claims, the description of the figures and the drawings. Show it:

1 a perspective view of a desulfurization device for a fuel cell, with a cylindrical cartridge and a filter head forming a connecting part to which the cartridge is connected,

2 the desulfurization device with cartridge and connector in a separate state,

3 the desulfurization with cartridge and connector in the assembled state.

In the figures, the same components are provided with the same reference numerals.

Embodiment (s) of the invention

The in the 1 to 3 illustrated desulfurization device 1 includes a cartouche 2 and a connector 3 , which forms a filter head and has connections for the supply and discharge of gas to be cleaned. The desulphurisation device 1 is used for fuel cells and serves to clean a gas to be supplied to the fuel cell gas such as natural gas of sulfur fractions. This is in the cartridge 2 introduced an adsorbent through which the gas is passed and at which the adsorption of the sulfur-containing compounds takes place in the gas.

The connection part 3 has an inflow section 4 and an outflow section 5 via which the supply of the unpurified gas or the discharge of the purified gas take place. The outer openings of inflow section 4 and outflow section 5 lie, based on the longitudinal axis 6 the cartouche 2 , in the radial direction, accordingly, the flow and the discharge of gas takes place in the connection part 3 into or out of this, as in the 2 and 3 represented by the arrows, in the radial direction.

As the sectional views according to the 2 and 3 can be seen, both the inflow section 4 as well as the outflow section 5 run at 90 ° angled and each have one of the cartridge 2 facing flow opening. The unpurified gas is radially in the arrow direction in the inflow section 4 of the connection part 3 introduced and flows axially down into the cartridge 2 into it (see 3 ), whereas the purified gas from the cartridge 2 axially upwards into the axial part of the outflow section 5 in the connection part 3 is guided and within the connection part 3 is deflected by 90 ° and radially the connection part 3 leaves. At the connection part 3 is on the cartouche 2 facing side, an axial flow nozzle 7 , the centric in the connection part 3 is arranged and a part of the outflow section 5 forms.

The cartouche 2 is constructed in several parts and includes an outer support pot 8th and an inside, in the carrier pot 8th recorded inner cartridge 9 in which the adsorbent agent 10 is included. The inner cartridge 9 has a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the receiving carrier pot 8th so that between the outside of the inner cartridge 9 and the inside of the carrier pot 8th an annular gap is formed which serves to flow the gaseous fluid to be purified. According to 3 the uncleaned gas is guided axially from top to bottom along the annular gap and flows axially into the interior of the inner cartridge via the lower end face, which forms the inflow side and the raw side, respectively 9 and is from the adsorbent 10 cleaned. Subsequently, the discharge takes place axially from the inner cartridge 9 over the flow pipe 7 and the outflow section 5 of the connection part 3 ,

Due to the smaller diameter of the inner cartridge 9 This can be axially in the carrier pot 8th move. The inner cartridge 9 is via a spring element 11 , which is located on the upstream side, at the bottom of the receiving carrier pot 8th supported. The spring element 11 pushes the inner cartridge 9 upwards towards a lid 12 pointing to the open end of the carrier pot 8th attached and firmly connected to this. The lid 12 is for example with the front side of the carrier pot 8th crimped.

In the radial direction, the inner cartridge 9 via support elements 13 in their position within the carrier pot 8th held. The support elements 13 are either on the inner cartridge 9 or on the carrier pot 8th formed and may each be integrally formed with the inner cartridge or the carrier pot. The support elements 13 hold the inner cartridge 9 radially in position within the carrier pot 8th , They also allow a flow of the fluid in the axial direction along the annular gap between the inner cartridge and carrier pot.

In the lid 12 are flow openings 14 and 15 introduced for the supply or discharge of the fluid to be cleaned. The flow opening 15 is centrally inserted into the lid and is with the flow nozzle 7 at the connection part 3 connected in the centric opening 15 protrudes. The flow opening 14 is located at a radial distance to the centric opening 15 on the lid 12 , above distributed around the circumference can be more such flow openings 14 in the lid 12 be introduced. The flow opening 14 is in the connected state with the inflow section 4 at the connection part 3 flow-connected. For sealing is in the connection part 3 facing lid outside an annular sealing element 16 in a circumferential groove in the lid 12 used. This sealing element 16 is in the assembled state of an associated, annular peripheral portion 17 of the connection part 3 acted upon axially. The section 17 limits a raw-sided space in the connection part 3 that with the inflow section 4 fluidly connected.

The connection between the cartridge 2 and the connector 3 takes place via the flow connection 7 at the connection part 3 and the lid 12 on the cartridge 2 , The flow connection 7 has an external thread, which can be screwed into an internal thread, which is located at the centric flow opening 15 in the lid 12 located. For this purpose, the lid 12 a threaded section 18 on, the one-piece with the lid 12 is formed or optionally performed separately, but firmly with the lid 12 connected is. The connection is made by the cartridge 2 from below to the flow pipe 7 is screwed until the facing lid outside with the sealing element 16 in contact with the section 17 at the connection part 3 arrives. To release the connection, the cartridge 2 accordingly unscrewed in the opposite direction.

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

• EP 2248875 A1 [0002]

Claims (10)

Desulphurisation device for a fuel cell, with a cartridge ( 2 ), which has an inner cartridge ( 9 ) and a carrier pot ( 8th ), in which the inner cartridge ( 9 ), wherein in the inner cartridge ( 9 ) at least one adsorbent agent ( 10 ) is introduced, and with a connection part ( 3 ) into which an inflow and an outflow section ( 4 . 5 ) are introduced, via which a gaseous fluid to be cleaned in the cartridge ( 2 ) can be inserted or derived from it, wherein the connecting part ( 3 ) detachable with the cartridge ( 2 ), characterized in that the cartridge ( 2 ) from a lid ( 12 ), which is closed with the carrier pot ( 8th ), wherein in the lid ( 12 ) Flow openings ( 14 . 15 ) are introduced, which with the inflow and the outflow section ( 4 . 5 ) of the connection part ( 3 ) are flow-connected, and that the connection part ( 3 ) and the lid ( 12 ) are releasably connected. Desulfurization device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid ( 12 ) with the carrier pot ( 8th ) is firmly connected. Desulfurization device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lid ( 12 ) and the connection part ( 3 ) are screwed together. Desulfurization device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connection part ( 3 ) a centric flow connection ( 7 ) arranged in a flow opening ( 14 . 15 ) in the lid ( 12 ) protrudes. Desulfurization device according to claim 4, characterized in that via the centric flow connection ( 7 ) purified fluid is derivable. Desulfurization device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the flow connection ( 7 ) with the lid ( 12 ), for example in the flow opening ( 14 . 15 ) in the lid ( 12 ) can be screwed. Desulfurization device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the inner cartridge ( 9 ) via a spring element ( 11 ) at the bottom of the carrier pot ( 8th ) is supported. Desulfurization device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that on the connecting part ( 3 ) facing the lid outside a sealing ring on the lid ( 12 ) is arranged. Desulfurization device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that in the inner cartridge ( 9 ) axially superimposed at least two different adsorbent ( 10 ) are introduced. Desulfurization device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least two cartridges ( 2 ) are connected in series, wherein the outflow section ( 5 ) of the connection part ( 3 ) of the first cartridge ( 2 ) with the inflow section ( 4 ) of the connection part ( 3 ) of the second cartridge ( 2 ) is fluidly connected.

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