JP6861141B2 - Gas-liquid separator - Google Patents

Gas-liquid separator Download PDF

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JP6861141B2
JP6861141B2 JP2017226693A JP2017226693A JP6861141B2 JP 6861141 B2 JP6861141 B2 JP 6861141B2 JP 2017226693 A JP2017226693 A JP 2017226693A JP 2017226693 A JP2017226693 A JP 2017226693A JP 6861141 B2 JP6861141 B2 JP 6861141B2
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雄士 岡村
雄士 岡村
哲也 福田
哲也 福田
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Honda Motor Co Ltd
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    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
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Description

本発明は、気液分離器に関し、一層詳細には、燃料電池システムに組み込まれるものとして好適な気液分離器に関する。 The present invention relates to a gas-liquid separator, and more particularly to a gas-liquid separator suitable for incorporation into a fuel cell system.

周知の通り、燃料電池は、電解質（例えば、固体高分子膜）を挟んで対向するアノード電極とカソード電極を有し、アノード電極に水素等の燃料ガス、カソード電極に圧縮空気等の酸化剤ガスが供給されることで発電する。燃料ガス及び酸化剤ガスは、少なくとも一部が消費されるが、未反応分が燃料排ガス、酸化剤排ガスとしてアノード電極、カソード電極から、燃料排ガス排出流路、酸化剤排ガス排出流路にそれぞれ排出される。このように、燃料電池に対して反応ガスの供給機器、排出機器等が付設されることで、燃料電池システムが構成される。 As is well known, a fuel cell has an anode electrode and a cathode electrode facing each other across an electrolyte (for example, a solid polymer film), and the anode electrode is a fuel gas such as hydrogen, and the cathode electrode is an oxidizing agent gas such as compressed air. Is supplied to generate electricity. At least a part of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas is consumed, but the unreacted portion is discharged from the anode electrode and the cathode electrode as the fuel exhaust gas and the oxidant exhaust gas to the fuel exhaust gas discharge channel and the oxidant exhaust gas discharge channel, respectively. Will be done. In this way, the fuel cell system is configured by attaching the reaction gas supply device, the discharge device, and the like to the fuel cell.

燃料排ガスは、水分を含んだ気液二相流である。そこで、燃料排ガス排出流路に、燃料排ガスを水素と水分に分離するための気液分離器が設けられる。水分が分離された水素は、アノード電極に再供給される。一方、水分は液状水となり、ドレイン弁を介して気液分離器内から排出される。 The fuel exhaust gas is a gas-liquid two-phase flow containing water. Therefore, a gas-liquid separator for separating the fuel exhaust gas into hydrogen and water is provided in the fuel exhaust gas discharge flow path. The hydrogen from which the water has been separated is resupplied to the anode electrode. On the other hand, the water becomes liquid water and is discharged from the gas-liquid separator via the drain valve.

このような機能を営む気液分離器として、特許文献１に記載されたものが知られている。なお、この気液分離器では、エンジンの排気ガスからドレイン水を分離するようにしている。分離されたドレイン水は、一般的に、気液分離器の底部に設けられて液排出部を構成するドレイン口及びドレイン弁から排出される。 As a gas-liquid separator having such a function, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. In this gas-liquid separator, drain water is separated from the exhaust gas of the engine. The separated drain water is generally discharged from a drain port and a drain valve provided at the bottom of the gas-liquid separator and constituting the liquid discharge portion.

特開平７−２５９５４９号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-259549

例えば、寒冷地で燃料電池システムを起動する場合、気温が氷点下となっている可能性がある。上記したように、燃料電池スタックを運転する際には、気液分離器にて分離された液状水がドレイン弁を流通する。気温が氷点下である場合、ドレイン弁内で液状水が凍結し、ドレイン弁が動作不良を起こすことが想定される。このような事態が発生すると、気液分離器内から液状水を排出することが困難となり、ひいては燃料電池スタックの運転を継続することが容易でなくなる。 For example, when starting a fuel cell system in cold climates, the temperature may be below freezing. As described above, when operating the fuel cell stack, the liquid water separated by the gas-liquid separator flows through the drain valve. When the air temperature is below freezing point, it is assumed that the liquid water freezes in the drain valve and the drain valve malfunctions. When such a situation occurs, it becomes difficult to discharge the liquid water from the gas-liquid separator, and it becomes difficult to continue the operation of the fuel cell stack.

そこで、ドレイン弁を加温するためのヒータ等を設けることが想起される。しかしながら、この場合、燃料電池システムの構成要素の点数が多くなるので、燃料電池システムの小型化や簡素化を図ることが困難となる。 Therefore, it is recalled to provide a heater or the like for heating the drain valve. However, in this case, since the number of components of the fuel cell system increases, it becomes difficult to miniaturize or simplify the fuel cell system.

このような不都合を回避するべく、燃料電池スタックが十分な温度に上昇するまでの発電量を抑制し、これにより液状水の発生量を少なくすることが考えられる。しかしながら、この場合、アノード電極及びカソード電極での発電反応を抑制せざるを得ないので、燃料電池スタックが十分な温度に上昇するに至るまでの時間（暖機運転時間）が長くなってしまう。 In order to avoid such inconvenience, it is conceivable to suppress the amount of power generation until the fuel cell stack rises to a sufficient temperature, thereby reducing the amount of liquid water generated. However, in this case, since the power generation reaction at the anode electrode and the cathode electrode must be suppressed, the time until the fuel cell stack rises to a sufficient temperature (warm-up operation time) becomes long.

本発明は上記した問題を解決するためになされたもので、氷点下で燃料電池システム等の各種システムを起動する場合であってもドレイン弁から液相を排出することが可能であるために暖機運転時間の長期化を回避することができ、しかも、各種システムの小型化や簡素化を図ることが可能な気液分離器を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and warms up because the liquid phase can be discharged from the drain valve even when various systems such as a fuel cell system are started below freezing point. It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas-liquid separator capable of avoiding a long operation time and further miniaturizing and simplifying various systems.

前記の目的を達成するために、本発明は、気液二相流が供給される流入口と、前記流入口から導入された前記気液二相流を液相と気流とに分離する気液分離室と、前記気流を排出する流出口と、前記流入口及び前記流出口よりも下方に位置するドレイン口とが形成されたケーシングを有する気液分離器において、
前記ケーシング内の、前記ドレイン口よりも上流側に、前記液相を貯留する第１貯留部、第２貯留部及び第３貯留部が上流側から下流側に向かってこの順序で設けられ、
前記第１貯留部と前記第２貯留部を仕切る第１区画壁に、前記第１貯留部と前記第２貯留部を連通する第１連通孔が形成され、
前記第２貯留部と前記第３貯留部を仕切る第２区画壁に、前記第２貯留部と前記第３貯留部を連通する第２連通孔が形成され、
前記第３貯留部は、連通路を介して前記第１貯留部と直接連通し、
且つ前記第３貯留部と前記ドレイン口とを仕切る第３区画壁に、前記第３貯留部と前記ドレイン口とを連通する第３連通孔が形成されるとともに、前記連通路に指向して延在するダクトが設けられ、
前記第１連通孔及び前記第２連通孔が、前記液相の流通抵抗として作用することを特徴とする。
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention separates the inflow port to which the gas-liquid two-phase flow is supplied and the gas-liquid two-phase flow introduced from the inflow port into a liquid phase and an air flow. In a gas-liquid separator having a separation chamber, a casing in which an outlet for discharging the airflow, and a drain port located below the inlet and the outlet are formed.
A first storage portion, a second storage portion, and a third storage portion for storing the liquid phase are provided in the casing on the upstream side of the drain port in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side.
A first communication hole for communicating the first storage portion and the second storage portion is formed in the first partition wall that separates the first storage portion and the second storage portion.
Second partition wall that partitions the third reservoir and the second reservoir portion, a second communicating hole communicating the third reservoir and the second reservoir portion is formed,
The third storage unit directly communicates with the first storage unit via a communication passage.
In addition, a third communication hole for communicating the third storage portion and the drain port is formed in the third partition wall that separates the third storage portion and the drain port, and extends toward the communication passage. The existing duct is provided,
The first communication hole and the second communication hole act as a flow resistance of the liquid phase.

第１連通孔及び第２連通孔が液相の流通抵抗となるため、液相の、第１貯留部から第２貯留部への流入速度、第２貯留部から第３貯留部への流入速度が緩慢となる。すなわち、液相は、第１貯留部から第２貯留部に移動し難く、且つ第２貯留部から第３貯留部に移動し難い。換言すれば、第１貯留部ないし第２貯留部に容易に留まる。 Since the first communication hole and the second communication hole act as a flow resistance for the liquid phase, the inflow rate of the liquid phase from the first storage part to the second storage part and the inflow speed from the second storage part to the third storage part. Becomes slow. That is, the liquid phase is difficult to move from the first storage part to the second storage part, and is difficult to move from the second storage part to the third storage part. In other words, it easily stays in the first or second reservoir.

結局、液相は、第１貯留部ないし第２貯留部に一旦貯留される。このため、例えば、気液分離器を含んで構成された各種システムが極低温環境下（例えば、氷点下）で起動されたとき、気液分離器内で気液二相流から分離された低温の液相が即座にドレイン口に到達することが抑制される。従って、ドレイン口に設けられたドレイン弁内で液相が凍結することや、このことに起因してドレイン弁が作動不良を起こすことが回避される。 After all, the liquid phase is temporarily stored in the first storage part or the second storage part. Therefore, for example, when various systems including a gas-liquid separator are started in an extremely low temperature environment (for example, below freezing point), the low temperature separated from the gas-liquid two-phase flow in the gas-liquid separator. It is suppressed that the liquid phase reaches the drain port immediately. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid phase from freezing in the drain valve provided at the drain port and to prevent the drain valve from malfunctioning due to this.

このため、ドレイン弁を加温機構で加温する必要がない。すなわち、加温機構を含めて各種システム（例えば、燃料電池システム）を構成する必要がない。この分、各種システムの構成要素の点数が増加することが回避されるので、該各種システムの小型化や簡素化を図ることができる。 Therefore, it is not necessary to heat the drain valve with a heating mechanism. That is, it is not necessary to configure various systems (for example, a fuel cell system) including a heating mechanism. By this amount, it is possible to avoid an increase in the number of components of the various systems, so that the various systems can be miniaturized and simplified.

また、気液分離器内に液相を一旦貯留することができるので、気液分離器内での気液分離効率を制限する必要がない。このため、当該気液分離器を燃料電池システムに組み込んだ場合であれば、燃料電池スタックの発電量を制限しなくともよい。従って、暖機運転時間が長期化することを回避することができる。 Further, since the liquid phase can be temporarily stored in the gas-liquid separator, it is not necessary to limit the gas-liquid separation efficiency in the gas-liquid separator. Therefore, if the gas-liquid separator is incorporated into the fuel cell system, it is not necessary to limit the amount of power generated by the fuel cell stack. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a long warm-up operation time.

なお、第１貯留部内に気相の一部が進入した場合には、該気相は、第１貯留部から連通路を介して第３貯留部に流入し、さらに、該第３貯留部に設けられたダクトからドレイン口に排出される。このため、当該気液分離器によれば、その内部に液相を貯留しながら、気相を排出することが可能である。従って、気液分離器内で液相に気相の圧力の影響が及ぶことを回避することができる。 When a part of the gas phase has entered the first storage section, the gas phase flows from the first storage section into the third storage section via the communication passage, and further, the gas phase flows into the third storage section. It is discharged from the provided duct to the drain port. Therefore, according to the gas-liquid separator, it is possible to discharge the gas phase while storing the liquid phase inside the gas-liquid separator. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the influence of the pressure of the gas phase on the liquid phase in the gas-liquid separator.

ダクトの貫通孔の径方向断面積は、第１連通孔、第２連通孔及び第３連通孔の各々における径方向断面積の合計に比して大きいことが好ましい。すなわち、貫通孔の径方向断面積をＳ４、第１連通孔、第２連通孔及び第３連通孔の径方向断面積の合計をそれぞれＳ１、Ｓ２、Ｓ３とするとき、Ｓ４＞Ｓ１、Ｓ４＞Ｓ２、Ｓ４＞Ｓ３であるとよい。 The radial cross-sectional area of the through hole of the duct is preferably larger than the total radial cross-sectional area of each of the first communication hole, the second communication hole and the third communication hole. That is, when the radial cross-sectional area of the through hole is S4, and the sum of the radial cross-sectional areas of the first communication hole, the second communication hole, and the third communication hole is S1, S2, and S3, respectively, S4> S1, S4>. It is preferable that S2 and S4> S3.

この場合、貫通孔の圧損が第１連通孔〜第３連通孔に比して小さくなる。従って、気相がダクトを介してドレイン口に到達することが容易となるので、気相を速やかに排出しながら、液相を気液分離器内に一旦貯留することが容易となる。 In this case, the pressure loss of the through hole is smaller than that of the first communication hole to the third communication hole. Therefore, since the gas phase can easily reach the drain port through the duct, it becomes easy to temporarily store the liquid phase in the gas-liquid separator while quickly discharging the gas phase.

また、第３連通孔の径方向断面積の合計が、第１連通孔及び第２連通孔の各々における径方向断面積の合計に比して小さいことが好ましい。すなわち、Ｓ１＞Ｓ３、Ｓ２＞Ｓ３であるとよい。 Further, it is preferable that the total radial cross-sectional area of the third communication hole is smaller than the total radial cross-sectional area of each of the first communication hole and the second communication hole. That is, it is preferable that S1> S3 and S2> S3.

この構成では、第３貯留部の内圧が第１貯留部、第２貯留部に比して相対的に高くなる。このために第２連通孔から第３貯留部に液相が流出し難くなるので、液相が第１貯留部ないし第２貯留部に一層留まり易くなる。すなわち、気液分離器内に液相を一旦貯留することが一層容易となる。 In this configuration, the internal pressure of the third storage section is relatively higher than that of the first storage section and the second storage section. For this reason, the liquid phase is less likely to flow out from the second communication hole to the third storage portion, so that the liquid phase is more likely to stay in the first storage portion or the second storage portion. That is, it becomes easier to temporarily store the liquid phase in the gas-liquid separator.

さらに、第１連通孔の径方向断面積の合計が、第２連通孔の径方向断面積の合計に比して大きいことが好ましい。すなわち、Ｓ１＞Ｓ２であるとよい（なお、上記から諒解されるように、Ｓ４＞Ｓ１＞Ｓ２＞Ｓ３が成立することが好適である）。 Further, it is preferable that the total radial cross-sectional area of the first communication hole is larger than the total radial cross-sectional area of the second communication hole. That is, it is preferable that S1> S2 (as can be understood from the above, it is preferable that S4> S1> S2> S3 is satisfied).

これにより、液相の、第１貯留部から第２貯留部への流入速度が、第２貯留部から第３貯留部への流入速度に比して緩慢となる。従って、第１貯留部内で液相に十分な表面張力が発現するので、液相が第１連通孔に一層流入し難くなる。換言すれば、液相が第１貯留部に留まり易くなる。このため、液相を第１貯留部に貯留することがさらに一層容易となる。 As a result, the inflow rate of the liquid phase from the first storage section to the second storage section becomes slower than the inflow rate from the second storage section to the third storage section. Therefore, since a sufficient surface tension is developed in the liquid phase in the first storage portion, it becomes more difficult for the liquid phase to flow into the first communication hole. In other words, the liquid phase tends to stay in the first reservoir. Therefore, it becomes even easier to store the liquid phase in the first storage unit.

本発明によれば、第１区画壁、第２区画壁、第３区画壁によって第１貯留部、第２貯留部、第３貯留部を形成するとともに、第１区画壁に形成した第１連通孔と、第２区画壁に形成した第２連通孔とを、第１貯留部、第２貯留部内の液相の流通抵抗となるようにしている。このため、液相が第１貯留部から第２貯留部に移動することや、第２貯留部から第３貯留部に移動することは容易ではない。すなわち、液相を第１貯留部ないし第２貯留部に留めておくこと、換言すれば、第１貯留部ないし第２貯留部に一旦貯留することが容易である。 According to the present invention, the first compartment wall, the second compartment wall, and the third compartment wall form the first storage portion, the second storage portion, and the third storage portion, and the first communication formed on the first compartment wall. The hole and the second communication hole formed in the second partition wall are made to serve as a flow resistance of the liquid phase in the first storage portion and the second storage portion. Therefore, it is not easy for the liquid phase to move from the first storage part to the second storage part or from the second storage part to the third storage part. That is, it is easy to keep the liquid phase in the first storage part to the second storage part, in other words, to temporarily store the liquid phase in the first storage part to the second storage part.

このため、例えば、気液分離器を含んで構成された各種システムが極低温環境下で起動されたとき、気液分離器内で気液二相流から分離された低温の液相が即座にドレイン口に到達することを抑制することができる。従って、ドレイン口に設けられたドレイン弁内で液相が凍結したり、その結果としてドレイン弁が作動不良を起こしたりすることが回避される。 Therefore, for example, when various systems including a gas-liquid separator are started in an extremely low temperature environment, the low-temperature liquid phase separated from the gas-liquid two-phase flow in the gas-liquid separator is immediately generated. It is possible to suppress the arrival at the drain port. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid phase from freezing in the drain valve provided at the drain port, and as a result, the drain valve does not malfunction.

このような理由から、ドレイン弁を加温するための加温機構を含めて各種システム（例えば、燃料電池システム）を構成する必要がなくなる。この分、各種システムの構成要素の点数が増加することを回避して、該各種システムの小型化や簡素化を図ることができる。 For this reason, it is not necessary to configure various systems (for example, a fuel cell system) including a heating mechanism for heating the drain valve. By this amount, it is possible to avoid an increase in the number of components of the various systems and to reduce the size and simplification of the various systems.

また、気液分離器内に液相を一旦貯留することができることから、例えば、当該気液分離器を燃料電池システムに組み込んだ場合、燃料電池スタックの発電量を制限する必要がない。従って、燃料電池システム等の暖機運転時間が長期化することを回避することができる。 Further, since the liquid phase can be temporarily stored in the gas-liquid separator, for example, when the gas-liquid separator is incorporated into the fuel cell system, it is not necessary to limit the amount of power generated by the fuel cell stack. Therefore, it is possible to avoid prolonging the warm-up operation time of the fuel cell system or the like.

上記のようにして液相を貯留する過程で第１貯留部内に気相の一部が進入したときには、該気相は、第１貯留部から連通路を介して第３貯留部に流入し、さらに、該第３貯留部に設けられたダクトからドレイン口に排出される。このため、気液分離器内で液相に気相の圧力の影響が及ぶことを回避することができる。 When a part of the gas phase enters the first storage part in the process of storing the liquid phase as described above, the gas phase flows from the first storage part into the third storage part through the communication passage. Further, it is discharged to the drain port from the duct provided in the third storage portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid phase from being affected by the pressure of the gas phase in the gas-liquid separator.

本発明の実施の形態に係る気液分離器を含む燃料電池システムの要部概略構成図である。It is a schematic block diagram of the main part of the fuel cell system including the gas-liquid separator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態に係る気液分離器の要部概略斜視図である。It is a schematic perspective view of the main part of the gas-liquid separator according to the embodiment of the present invention. 図２の気液分離器の要部概略側面一部省略図である。It is a partially omitted view of the outline side surface of the main part of the gas-liquid separator of FIG. 図２の気液分離器の要部概略側面図である。It is a schematic side view of the main part of the gas-liquid separator of FIG. 図２中に示す貯留部形成部材の正面拡大図である。It is a front enlarged view of the storage part forming member shown in FIG. 図５の貯留部形成部材の全体概略斜視図である。It is an overall schematic perspective view of the storage part forming member of FIG. 図５の貯留部形成部材の第１貯留部に液相の貯留が開始された状態を示す正面拡大図である。FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view showing a state in which storage of the liquid phase is started in the first storage portion of the storage portion forming member of FIG. 図６の貯留部形成部材内において、第１連通孔と第３連通孔内で液相が凍結したときの液相の流通方向を示した要部概略正面図である。FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of a main part showing the flow direction of the liquid phase when the liquid phase freezes in the first communication hole and the third communication hole in the storage portion forming member of FIG.

以下、本発明に係る気液分離器につき好適な実施の形態を挙げ、添付の図面を参照して詳細に説明する。なお、この実施の形態では、気液分離器を燃料電池に付設して燃料電池システムを構成する場合を例示する。また、以下の説明における上下左右は、図２〜図４における上下左右に対応するが、これは理解を容易にするための便宜的なものである。特に、左右方向は、気液分離器を実使用する際の左右方向を特定するものではない。 Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the gas-liquid separator according to the present invention will be given and will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, a case where a gas-liquid separator is attached to the fuel cell to form a fuel cell system will be illustrated. Further, the top, bottom, left, and right in the following description correspond to the top, bottom, left, and right in FIGS. In particular, the left-right direction does not specify the left-right direction when the gas-liquid separator is actually used.

はじめに、燃料電池システムにつき図１を参照して概略説明する。燃料電池システム１０は、例えば、燃料電池電気自動車等の燃料電池車両（図示せず）に搭載される車載型である。 First, the fuel cell system will be outlined with reference to FIG. The fuel cell system 10 is an in-vehicle type mounted on a fuel cell vehicle (not shown) such as a fuel cell electric vehicle, for example.

燃料電池システム１０は、図示しない燃料電池が複数個積層されることで構成された燃料電池スタック１２を有する。個々の燃料電池は、例えば、固体高分子膜からなる電解質と、該電解質を挟んで対向するアノード電極及びカソード電極を有する電解質・電極構造体が一対のセパレータで挟持されることで構成される。なお、この構成は周知であり、従って、図示及び詳細な説明は省略する。 The fuel cell system 10 has a fuel cell stack 12 configured by stacking a plurality of fuel cells (not shown). Each fuel cell is composed of, for example, an electrolyte made of a solid polymer membrane and an electrolyte / electrode structure having an anode electrode and a cathode electrode facing each other with the electrolyte sandwiched between the pair of separators. It should be noted that this configuration is well known, and therefore, illustration and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

燃料電池システム１０は、さらに、燃料電池スタック１２に付設されてアノード電極に燃料ガスを供給するための水素供給流路１４（燃料ガス供給流路）と、アノード電極から燃料排ガスを排出するための水素排出流路１６（燃料排ガス排出流路）とを有する。この中、水素供給流路１４には、燃料ガスとしての高圧水素を貯留した水素タンク１８が接続される。 The fuel cell system 10 is further attached to the fuel cell stack 12 to supply a hydrogen supply flow path 14 (fuel gas supply flow path) for supplying fuel gas to the anode electrode, and to discharge fuel exhaust gas from the anode electrode. It has a hydrogen discharge flow path 16 (fuel exhaust gas discharge flow path). Among these, a hydrogen tank 18 storing high-pressure hydrogen as a fuel gas is connected to the hydrogen supply flow path 14.

水素供給流路１４は二叉に分岐しており、このため、水素供給流路１４は、第１分岐路２０、第２分岐路２２を含む。これら第１分岐路２０、第２分岐路２２には、それぞれ、第１インジェクタ２４、第２インジェクタ２６が設けられる。第１分岐路２０、第２分岐路２２は、第１インジェクタ２４、第２インジェクタ２６の下流側で合流して合流路２８となり、該合流路２８にエジェクタ３０が設けられる。 The hydrogen supply flow path 14 is bifurcated, and therefore, the hydrogen supply flow path 14 includes the first branch path 20 and the second branch path 22. A first injector 24 and a second injector 26 are provided on the first branch road 20 and the second branch road 22, respectively. The first branch road 20 and the second branch road 22 merge on the downstream side of the first injector 24 and the second injector 26 to form a merging flow path 28, and the ejector 30 is provided in the merging flow path 28.

一方の水素排出流路１６には、気液分離器３２が接続される。この気液分離器３２から出発する循環流路３４は、前記エジェクタ３０に接続される。また、気液分離器３２の底部には、ドレイン弁３６を介して液状水を排出する排水流路３８が設けられる。 A gas-liquid separator 32 is connected to one of the hydrogen discharge channels 16. The circulation flow path 34 starting from the gas-liquid separator 32 is connected to the ejector 30. Further, at the bottom of the gas-liquid separator 32, a drainage flow path 38 for discharging liquid water via a drain valve 36 is provided.

燃料電池システム１０は、さらに、カソード電極に酸化剤ガスとしての圧縮空気を供給するための空気供給流路４０（酸化剤ガス供給流路）と、カソード電極から排圧縮空気を排出するための空気排出流路４２（酸化剤排ガス排出流路）とを有する。この中の空気供給流路４０には、大気を圧縮して供給するエアポンプ４４（コンプレッサ）が設けられる。 The fuel cell system 10 further includes an air supply flow path 40 (oxidant gas supply flow path) for supplying compressed air as an oxidant gas to the cathode electrode, and air for discharging exhaust compressed air from the cathode electrode. It has a discharge flow path 42 (oxidant exhaust gas discharge flow path). An air pump 44 (compressor) that compresses and supplies the atmosphere is provided in the air supply flow path 40.

燃料電池スタック１２には、さらに、該燃料電池スタック１２に冷却媒体を供給する図示しない冷却媒体供給流路が設けられるとともに、全体の制御を行う制御部としてのＥＣＵ４６が付設される。以上により、燃料電池システム１０が構成される。 The fuel cell stack 12 is further provided with a cooling medium supply flow path (not shown) for supplying the cooling medium to the fuel cell stack 12, and is provided with an ECU 46 as a control unit for overall control. As described above, the fuel cell system 10 is configured.

次に、本実施の形態に係る気液分離器３２につき説明する。 Next, the gas-liquid separator 32 according to the present embodiment will be described.

図２〜図４は、それぞれ、本実施の形態に係る気液分離器３２の要部概略斜視図、要部概略側面一部省略図、要部概略側面図である。この気液分離器３２は、一端面で開口する内室５０が形成された本体部材５２と、前記一端面に取り付けられて内室５０を閉塞する閉塞部材５４とを有するケーシング５６を備える。本体部材５２と閉塞部材５４の間は、シール材５８によってシールされる。 2 to 4 are a schematic perspective view of a main part, a schematic side view of the main part, and a schematic side view of the main part of the gas-liquid separator 32 according to the present embodiment, respectively. The gas-liquid separator 32 includes a casing 56 having a main body member 52 formed with an inner chamber 50 opened at one end surface and a closing member 54 attached to the one end surface to close the inner chamber 50. The main body member 52 and the closing member 54 are sealed by the sealing material 58.

本体部材５２の他端面における左上方、左下方には、内室５０に連通する第１流入口６０、第２流入口６２がそれぞれ形成される。すなわち、第１流入口６０は、第２流入口６２に比して上方（高位置）である。また、右上方には流出口６４が形成される。従って、この気液分離器３２は、複数個（この場合、２個）の流入口６０、６２と、単一個の流出口６４とを有する。 A first inflow port 60 and a second inflow port 62 communicating with the inner chamber 50 are formed on the upper left and lower left sides of the other end surface of the main body member 52, respectively. That is, the first inflow port 60 is above (higher position) than the second inflow port 62. Further, an outlet 64 is formed on the upper right side. Therefore, the gas-liquid separator 32 has a plurality of (in this case, two) inlets 60 and 62 and a single outlet 64.

内室５０には、板材からなる隔壁６６が立設される。この隔壁６６により、内室５０内が、図２における紙面奥側の第１気液分離室７０、紙面手前側の第２気液分離室７２に区分される。閉塞部材５４、隔壁６６、第２案内部１０６及び貯留部形成部材１３０（いずれも後述）を省略した図３では第１気液分離室７０が示され、隔壁６６を図示した図４では第２気液分離室７２が示されている。 A partition wall 66 made of a plate material is erected in the inner chamber 50. The partition wall 66 divides the inside of the inner chamber 50 into a first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 on the back side of the paper surface and a second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 on the front side of the paper surface in FIG. The first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 is shown in FIG. 3 in which the closing member 54, the partition wall 66, the second guide portion 106, and the storage portion forming member 130 (all of which will be described later) are omitted, and the second partition wall 66 is shown in FIG. A gas-liquid separation chamber 72 is shown.

なお、隔壁６６の面積は、内室５０の平面視から求められる該内室５０の面積の略半分である（図３参照）。すなわち、内室５０には、排水素の流通方向上流側にのみ隔壁６６が存在する。内室５０内の、隔壁６６が存在しない空間は、第１気液分離室７０及び第２気液分離室７２よりも流通方向下流側であり、第１気液分離室７０を通過した排水素と、第２気液分離室７２を通過した排水素とが合流（集合）して集合流となる集合室７４である。 The area of the partition wall 66 is approximately half the area of the inner chamber 50 obtained from the plan view of the inner chamber 50 (see FIG. 3). That is, in the inner chamber 50, the partition wall 66 exists only on the upstream side in the flow direction of waste water. The space in the inner chamber 50 where the partition wall 66 does not exist is on the downstream side in the flow direction from the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 and the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72, and the drainage hydrogen that has passed through the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70. And the waste water that has passed through the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 merge (aggregate) to form an aggregate flow.

隔壁６６の紙面手前側の端面における左上方には、堰止板７６が設けられる。この堰止板７６は、第１流入口６０からケーシング５６内に導入された排水素が第２気液分離室７２に流入することを阻止するとともに、排水素の流通方向を変化させる役割を果たす。 A dammed plate 76 is provided on the upper left side of the end surface of the partition wall 66 on the front side of the paper surface. The dam plate 76 plays a role of preventing the waste water introduced into the casing 56 from the first inflow port 60 from flowing into the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 and changing the flow direction of the waste water. ..

また、隔壁６６には、２個の呼吸孔７８ａ、７８ｂが形成される。第１気液分離室７０と第２気液分離室７２は、これら呼吸孔７８ａ、７８ｂを介して連通する。 Further, two breathing holes 78a and 78b are formed in the partition wall 66. The first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 and the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 communicate with each other through the breathing holes 78a and 78b.

図２及び図３に示されるように、本体部材５２の、第１流入口６０、第２流入口６２及び流出口６４が形成された他端面には、内室５０内に突出するようにして第１規制部８０、第２規制部８２が設けられる。第１規制部８０は、鉛直方向に対して若干左下方に傾斜するように延在する。一方、第２規制部８２は、左下方から右上方に向かって傾斜する案内傾斜部８４と、該案内傾斜部８４に連なり鉛直上方に指向して延在する第１鉛直部８６と、該第１鉛直部８６に連なり左方に向かって水平に延在する第１水平部８８とからなる。これら第１規制部８０及び第２規制部８２により、第１気液分離室７０内で排水素の流通方向を変化させる（すなわち、第１気液分離室７０内の排水素の流通方向を所定方向に規制する）第１案内部９０が構成される。 As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the other end surface of the main body member 52 on which the first inflow port 60, the second inflow port 62, and the outflow port 64 are formed so as to project into the inner chamber 50. A first regulation unit 80 and a second regulation unit 82 are provided. The first regulation unit 80 extends so as to incline slightly downward to the left with respect to the vertical direction. On the other hand, the second regulation unit 82 includes a guide inclined portion 84 that inclines from the lower left to the upper right, a first vertical portion 86 that is connected to the guide inclined portion 84 and extends vertically upward, and the first vertical portion 86. 1 It is composed of a first horizontal portion 88 that is connected to the vertical portion 86 and extends horizontally toward the left. The first regulation unit 80 and the second regulation unit 82 change the flow direction of waste water in the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 (that is, determine the flow direction of waste water in the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70). The first guide unit 90 (regulating in the direction) is configured.

なお、隔壁６６は、第１規制部８０及び第２規制部８２の、紙面手前側の側面部に当接している。そして、隔壁６６の左下方には弧状切欠部９２が形成されるとともに、第２流入口６２から弧状切欠部９２にわたって導管９４（図２参照）が橋架される。このため、第２流入口６２は、導管９４を介して隔壁６６の第２気液分離室７２に臨む面で開口している。 The partition wall 66 is in contact with the side surface portions of the first regulating portion 80 and the second regulating portion 82 on the front side of the paper surface. An arc-shaped notch 92 is formed in the lower left of the partition wall 66, and a conduit 94 (see FIG. 2) is bridged from the second inflow port 62 to the arc-shaped notch 92. Therefore, the second inflow port 62 is opened on the surface of the partition wall 66 facing the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 via the conduit 94.

導管９４の開口、換言すれば、第２流入口６２の開口の近傍には、該開口から所定距離で離間した位置で該開口を覆う偏向部材９６が配設される。偏向部材９６は、導管９４（第２流入口６２）から流入した排水素の流通方向を変化させるためのものであり、右方の第３規制部９８側に臨むように開口している。 In the vicinity of the opening of the conduit 94, in other words, the opening of the second inflow port 62, a deflection member 96 covering the opening is arranged at a position separated from the opening by a predetermined distance. The deflection member 96 is for changing the flow direction of the waste water flowing in from the conduit 94 (second inflow port 62), and is open so as to face the third regulation portion 98 on the right side.

第３規制部９８は、支持台１００の斜面１０２に、隔壁６６の右方下端を挟持する挟持部１０４と一体的に突出形成されている。第３規制部９８は、前記堰止板７６とともに第２案内部１０６を構成し、第２気液分離室７２内で排水素の流通方向を変化させる。すなわち、第２気液分離室７２内の排水素の流通方向を所定方向に規制する。 The third regulating portion 98 is formed so as to project on the slope 102 of the support base 100 integrally with the sandwiching portion 104 that sandwiches the lower right end of the partition wall 66. The third regulation unit 98 constitutes the second guide unit 106 together with the dam plate 76, and changes the flow direction of waste water in the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72. That is, the flow direction of waste water in the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 is regulated in a predetermined direction.

第３規制部９８は、第１案内部９０を構成する第２規制部８２と平面視で略重なる位置に設けられる。すなわち、第３規制部９８は、第１鉛直部８６に略重なる第２鉛直部１０８と、該第２鉛直部１０８に連なるとともに左方に向かって水平に延在し、且つ第１水平部８８に略重なる第２水平部１１０とからなる。このことから諒解されるように、第１気液分離室７０、第２気液分離室７２の内部は、第１案内部９０、第２案内部１０６の各々により、クランク形状をなしている。 The third regulation unit 98 is provided at a position substantially overlapping with the second regulation unit 82 constituting the first guide unit 90 in a plan view. That is, the third regulation unit 98 is connected to the second vertical portion 108 that substantially overlaps the first vertical portion 86, and extends horizontally to the left while being connected to the second vertical portion 108, and the first horizontal portion 88. It is composed of a second horizontal portion 110 that substantially overlaps with the above. As can be understood from this, the inside of the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 and the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 is formed into a crank shape by each of the first guide portion 90 and the second guide portion 106.

支持台１００は、液滴となった液状水Ｌを案内する誘導路としての誘導傾斜部１１２を有する。また、前記斜面１０２と誘導傾斜部１１２との間には所定の段差が形成されており、この段差と第３規制部９８（第２鉛直部１０８）とで仮貯液部１１４が形成される。誘導傾斜部１１２に誘導された液状水Ｌは、この仮貯液部１１４に一旦貯留される。前記挟持部１０４には、仮貯液部１１４に貯留された水を第１気液分離室７０側に移すための移液孔１１６（図３及び図４参照）が形成されている。 The support base 100 has a guide inclined portion 112 as a guide path for guiding the liquid water L which has become droplets. Further, a predetermined step is formed between the slope 102 and the induction inclined portion 112, and the temporary liquid storage portion 114 is formed by this step and the third regulating portion 98 (second vertical portion 108). .. The liquid water L induced in the induction inclined portion 112 is temporarily stored in the temporary liquid storage portion 114. The sandwiching portion 104 is formed with a liquid transfer hole 116 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) for transferring the water stored in the temporary liquid storage portion 114 to the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 side.

第１気液分離室７０及び第２気液分離室７２の下方には、２つの傾斜壁同士が互いに接近することで、下方に指向して窪んだ凹部１２０が形成される。隔壁６６は凹部１２０には延在しておらず、このため、該凹部１２０は第１気液分離室７０及び第２気液分離室７２に連通する。 Below the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 and the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72, the two inclined walls approach each other to form a recess 120 that is recessed downward. The partition wall 66 does not extend into the recess 120, so that the recess 120 communicates with the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 and the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72.

凹部１２０の底部には、後述する貯留部形成部材１３０の内部を流通した液状水（液相）を排出するドレイン口１２２が設けられる。前記ドレイン弁３６は、ドレイン口１２２に接続され、開状態となったときに液状水Ｌ（図５参照）を排出する。一方、ドレイン弁３６が閉状態であるときには、液状水Ｌがドレイン口１２２から排出されることが阻止される。 At the bottom of the recess 120, a drain port 122 for discharging the liquid water (liquid phase) that has flowed inside the storage portion forming member 130, which will be described later, is provided. The drain valve 36 is connected to the drain port 122, and when the drain valve 36 is opened, the liquid water L (see FIG. 5) is discharged. On the other hand, when the drain valve 36 is in the closed state, the liquid water L is prevented from being discharged from the drain port 122.

そして、凹部１２０には、液状水Ｌの流通抵抗を生起する貯留部形成部材１３０が挿入される。図５及び図６に詳細を示すように、この貯留部形成部材１３０は、底壁１３２（第３区画壁）と、該底壁１３２から略垂直に立ち上がり、図５の紙面奥側に位置する第１気液分離室７０の内壁に当接する縦閉塞壁１３４と、縦閉塞壁１３４の上端から第２気液分離室７２側に向かって突出した水平隔壁１３６とを有する。なお、図５及び図６の紙面手前側の端面は開放された開端面であり、該開端面は、閉塞部材５４（図２参照）に閉塞される。 Then, a storage portion forming member 130 that causes a flow resistance of the liquid water L is inserted into the recess 120. As shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6, the storage portion forming member 130 rises substantially perpendicularly to the bottom wall 132 (third partition wall) and the bottom wall 132, and is located on the back side of the paper surface of FIG. It has a vertical closing wall 134 that abuts on the inner wall of the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70, and a horizontal partition wall 136 that protrudes from the upper end of the vertical closing wall 134 toward the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 side. The end faces on the front side of the paper surface of FIGS. 5 and 6 are open end faces, and the open end faces are closed by the closing member 54 (see FIG. 2).

貯留部形成部材１３０の内部、換言すれば、底壁１３２と水平隔壁１３６との間には、左第１区画壁１４０ａ、右第１区画壁１４０ｂ、左第２区画壁１４２ａ、右第２区画壁１４２ｂが設けられ、これらの区画壁１４０ａ、１４０ｂ、１４２ａ、１４２ｂと底壁１３２（第３区画壁）によって、左第１貯留部１４４ａ、右第１貯留部１４４ｂ、左第２貯留部１４６ａ、右第２貯留部１４６ｂ及び第３貯留部１４８が液状水Ｌの流通方向上流側からこの順序で形成される。以下、この構成につき詳述する。 Inside the storage portion forming member 130, in other words, between the bottom wall 132 and the horizontal partition wall 136, the left first partition wall 140a, the right first partition wall 140b, the left second partition wall 142a, and the right second partition A wall 142b is provided, and these partition walls 140a, 140b, 142a, 142b and a bottom wall 132 (third partition wall) provide a left first storage section 144a, a right first storage section 144b, and a left second storage section 146a. The right second storage section 146b and the third storage section 148 are formed in this order from the upstream side in the flow direction of the liquid water L. Hereinafter, this configuration will be described in detail.

先ず、底壁１３２は、第１気液分離室７０、第２気液分離室７２側が凸となる略逆Ｖ字状の山形状部位１５０と、該山形状部位１５０の裾から突出して凹部１２０を形成する２つの傾斜壁の傾斜角に対応する角度で傾斜した左傾斜部位１５２ａ、右傾斜部位１５２ｂとを含む。換言すれば、山形状部位１５０は、左傾斜部位１５２ａと右傾斜部位１５２ｂの間に介在する。山形状部位１５０の頂部は凹部１２０の底部から離間しており、このため、凹部１２０の底部と山形状部位１５０の頂部との間にドレイン通路１５４が形成される。このドレイン通路１５４は、ドレイン口１２２に連通する。 First, the bottom wall 132 has a substantially inverted V-shaped mountain-shaped portion 150 in which the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 and the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 side are convex, and a recess 120 protruding from the hem of the mountain-shaped portion 150. The left inclined portion 152a and the right inclined portion 152b inclined at an angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the two inclined walls forming the above are included. In other words, the mountain-shaped portion 150 is interposed between the left inclined portion 152a and the right inclined portion 152b. The top of the mountain-shaped portion 150 is separated from the bottom of the recess 120, so that a drain passage 154 is formed between the bottom of the recess 120 and the top of the mountain-shaped portion 150. The drain passage 154 communicates with the drain port 122.

また、左傾斜部位１５２ａ、右傾斜部位１５２ｂの端部は、第１気液分離室７０、第２気液分離室７２に向かうように略垂直に折曲されている。底壁１３２は、この折曲によって設けられた左縦壁部位１５５ａ、右縦壁部位１５５ｂをさらに含む。 Further, the ends of the left inclined portion 152a and the right inclined portion 152b are bent substantially vertically toward the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 and the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72. The bottom wall 132 further includes a left vertical wall portion 155a and a right vertical wall portion 155b provided by this bending.

左縦壁部位１５５ａ、右縦壁部位１５５ｂは、その上端が水平隔壁１３６よりも下方に位置し、このために水平隔壁１３６に対して離間する。この離間により、左縦壁部位１５５ａと水平隔壁１３６との間、水平隔壁１３６と右縦壁部位１５５ｂとの間に第１進入口１５６ａ、第２進入口１５６ｂがそれぞれ形成される。 The upper ends of the left vertical wall portion 155a and the right vertical wall portion 155b are located below the horizontal partition wall 136, and are therefore separated from the horizontal partition wall 136. Due to this separation, the first entrance 156a and the second entrance 156b are formed between the left vertical wall portion 155a and the horizontal partition wall 136, and between the horizontal partition wall 136 and the right vertical wall portion 155b, respectively.

左第２区画壁１４２ａ、右第２区画壁１４２ｂは、左傾斜部位１５２ａ、右傾斜部位１５２ｂから水平隔壁１３６に向かって突出するとともに、水平隔壁１３６に近接するに従って互いに接近するように傾斜する。左第１区画壁１４０ａ、右第１区画壁１４０ｂは水平隔壁１３６から離間しており、この離間により、左第１区画壁１４０ａと水平隔壁１３６との間、水平隔壁１３６と右第１区画壁１４０ｂとの間に第１連通口１５８ａ、第２連通口１５８ｂ（いずれも連通路）がそれぞれ形成される。 The left second partition wall 142a and the right second partition wall 142b project from the left inclined portion 152a and the right inclined portion 152b toward the horizontal partition wall 136, and incline so as to approach each other as they approach the horizontal partition wall 136. The left first partition wall 140a and the right first partition wall 140b are separated from the horizontal partition wall 136, and due to this separation, the horizontal partition wall 136 and the right first partition wall are separated from each other between the left first partition wall 140a and the horizontal partition wall 136. A first communication port 158a and a second communication port 158b (both are communication passages) are formed between the 140b and the first communication port 158a.

また、左第１区画壁１４０ａ、右第１区画壁１４０ｂは、左第２区画壁１４２ａ、右第２区画壁１４２ｂから突出して延在し、左縦壁部位１５５ａ、右縦壁部位１５５ｂの各々に連なる。左第２区画壁１４２ａ、右第２区画壁１４２ｂの傾斜角は、左傾斜部位１５２ａ、右傾斜部位１５２ｂの傾斜角に比して若干小さく設定されている。 Further, the left first partition wall 140a and the right first partition wall 140b project from the left second partition wall 142a and the right second partition wall 142b and extend, and each of the left vertical wall portion 155a and the right vertical wall portion 155b. To be connected to. The inclination angles of the left second partition wall 142a and the right second partition wall 142b are set to be slightly smaller than the inclination angles of the left inclined portion 152a and the right inclined portion 152b.

以上の構成において、左第１区画壁１４０ａ、左第２区画壁１４２ａの上部、左縦壁部位１５５ａの上部、縦閉塞壁１３４の左上部、水平隔壁１３６の左部に囲繞された空間が左第１貯留部１４４ａとなり、右第１区画壁１４０ｂ、右縦壁部位１５５ｂの上部、右第２区画壁１４２ｂの上部、縦閉塞壁１３４の右上部、水平隔壁１３６の右部に囲繞された空間が右第１貯留部１４４ｂとなる。また、左第２貯留部１４６ａは、左傾斜部位１５２ａ、左縦壁部位１５５ａの下部、左第２区画壁１４２ａの下部、縦閉塞壁１３４の左下部、左第１区画壁１４０ａに囲繞された空間であり、右第２貯留部１４６ｂは、右傾斜部位１５２ｂ、右縦壁部位１５５ｂの下部、右第２区画壁１４２ｂの下部、縦閉塞壁１３４の右下部、右第１区画壁１４０ｂに囲繞された空間である。さらに、貯留部形成部材１３０の内部には、山形状部位１５０、左傾斜部位１５２ａ及び右傾斜部位１５２ｂの各一部、左第２区画壁１４２ａ、右第２区画壁１４２ｂ、水平隔壁１３６の中央部に囲繞された空間が形成される。この空間が、第３貯留部１４８である。 In the above configuration, the space surrounded by the left first partition wall 140a, the upper part of the left second partition wall 142a, the upper part of the left vertical wall portion 155a, the upper left part of the vertical obstruction wall 134, and the left part of the horizontal partition wall 136 is on the left. It becomes the first storage part 144a, and is a space surrounded by the right first partition wall 140b, the upper part of the right vertical wall portion 155b, the upper part of the right second partition wall 142b, the upper right part of the vertical block wall 134, and the right part of the horizontal partition wall 136. Is the right first storage unit 144b. Further, the left second storage portion 146a is surrounded by a left inclined portion 152a, a lower portion of the left vertical wall portion 155a, a lower portion of the left second partition wall 142a, a lower left portion of the vertical obstruction wall 134, and a left first partition wall 140a. The right second storage portion 146b surrounds the right inclined portion 152b, the lower part of the right vertical wall portion 155b, the lower part of the right second partition wall 142b, the lower right part of the vertical obstruction wall 134, and the right first partition wall 140b. It is a space that has been created. Further, inside the storage portion forming member 130, each part of the mountain-shaped portion 150, the left inclined portion 152a and the right inclined portion 152b, the left second partition wall 142a, the right second partition wall 142b, and the center of the horizontal partition wall 136. A space surrounded by the part is formed. This space is the third storage unit 148.

左第１区画壁１４０ａ、右第１区画壁１４０ｂには、各々の厚み方向に沿って複数個の左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂが形成される。左第１貯留部１４４ａと左第２貯留部１４６ａは、これら複数個の左第１連通孔１６０ａを介して連通し、同様に、右第１貯留部１４４ｂと右第２貯留部１４６ｂは、複数個の右第１連通孔１６０ｂを介して連通する。なお、複数個の左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂは、図６を併せて参照して諒解されるように、図５の紙面に直交する方向に沿って並列されている。 A plurality of left first communication holes 160a and right first communication holes 160b are formed in the left first partition wall 140a and the right first partition wall 140b along the respective thickness directions. The left first storage unit 144a and the left second storage unit 146a communicate with each other through the plurality of left first communication holes 160a, and similarly, the right first storage unit 144b and the right second storage unit 146b are plural. It communicates through the right first communication holes 160b. The plurality of left first communication holes 160a and right first communication holes 160b are arranged in parallel along the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 5, as can be understood by referring to FIG. 6 together.

左第２区画壁１４２ａ、右第２区画壁１４２ｂにも、各々の厚み方向に沿って延在し且つ図５の紙面に直交する方向に沿って並列された複数個の左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂが形成される。左第２連通孔１６２ａによって左第２貯留部１４６ａと第３貯留部１４８が連通するとともに、右第２連通孔１６２ｂによって右第２貯留部１４６ｂと第３貯留部１４８が連通する。 A plurality of left second communication holes 162a extending along the thickness direction of each of the left second partition wall 142a and the right second partition wall 142b and arranged in parallel along the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. , The right second communication hole 162b is formed. The left second communication hole 162a communicates the left second storage unit 146a and the third storage unit 148, and the right second communication hole 162b communicates the right second storage unit 146b and the third storage unit 148.

上記したように、左第２区画壁１４２ａ、右第２区画壁１４２ｂと水平隔壁１３６との間には第１連通口１５８ａ、第２連通口１５８ｂが形成されている。このため、第１連通口１５８ａを介して左第１貯留部１４４ａと第３貯留部１４８が直接連通し、且つ第２連通口１５８ｂを介して右第１貯留部１４４ｂと第３貯留部１４８が直接連通する。 As described above, the first communication port 158a and the second communication port 158b are formed between the left second partition wall 142a, the right second partition wall 142b, and the horizontal partition wall 136. Therefore, the left first storage unit 144a and the third storage unit 148 are directly communicated with each other via the first communication port 158a, and the right first storage unit 144b and the third storage unit 148 are connected via the second communication port 158b. Communicate directly.

さらに、山形状部位１５０の各裾の近傍にも、各々の厚み方向に沿って延在し且つ図５の紙面に直交する方向に沿って並列された複数個の左第３連通孔１６４ａ、右第３連通孔１６４ｂが形成される。左第３連通孔１６４ａ、右第３連通孔１６４ｂは、ドレイン通路１５４を介してドレイン口１２２に連通する。 Further, a plurality of left third communication holes 164a, right, extending in the vicinity of each hem of the mountain-shaped portion 150 along the respective thickness directions and arranged in parallel along the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. The third communication hole 164b is formed. The left third communication hole 164a and the right third communication hole 164b communicate with the drain port 122 via the drain passage 154.

左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂ、左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂの孔径は、これら左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂ、左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂを覆った液状水Ｌが、その表面張力によって流入口側に留まり、内部に容易に進入しない程度に設定される。従って、液状水Ｌが、左第１貯留部１４４ａ（右第１貯留部１４４ｂ）から左第２貯留部１４６ａ（右第２貯留部１４６ｂ）、左第２貯留部１４６ａ（右第２貯留部１４６ｂ）から第３貯留部１４８に迅速に流通することが阻害される。すなわち、これらの連通孔１６０ａ、１６０ｂ、１６２ａ、１６２ｂは、液状水Ｌの流通抵抗となる。 The hole diameters of the left first communication hole 160a, the right first communication hole 160b, the left second communication hole 162a, and the right second communication hole 162b are the left first communication hole 160a, the right first communication hole 160b, and the left second communication hole. The liquid water L that covers the holes 162a and the right second communication hole 162b stays on the inflow port side due to its surface tension, and is set to such an extent that it does not easily enter the inside. Therefore, the liquid water L changes from the left first storage section 144a (right first storage section 144b) to the left second storage section 146a (right second storage section 146b) and left second storage section 146a (right second storage section 146b). ) To the third storage unit 148 is hindered from being rapidly distributed. That is, these communication holes 160a, 160b, 162a, 162b serve as a flow resistance of the liquid water L.

左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂの径方向断面積の合計は、左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂの径方向断面積の合計に比して大きく設定することが好ましい。また、左第３連通孔１６４ａ、右第３連通孔１６４ｂの径方向断面積の合計は、左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂ、左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂの径方向断面積の合計に比して小さく設定することが好ましい。すなわち、左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂの径方向断面積の合計をＳ１、左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂの径方向断面積の合計をＳ２、左第３連通孔１６４ａ、右第３連通孔１６４ｂの径方向断面積の合計をＳ３とするとき、Ｓ１＞Ｓ２＞Ｓ３の関係が成り立つとよい。この理由については後述する。 The total radial cross-sectional area of the left first communication hole 160a and the right first communication hole 160b should be set larger than the total radial cross-sectional area of the left second communication hole 162a and the right second communication hole 162b. Is preferable. The total radial cross-sectional areas of the left 3rd communication hole 164a and the right 3rd communication hole 164b are the left 1st communication hole 160a, the right 1st communication hole 160b, the left 2nd communication hole 162a, and the right 2nd communication hole. It is preferable to set it smaller than the total radial cross-sectional area of 162b. That is, the total radial cross-sectional area of the left first communication hole 160a and the right first communication hole 160b is S1, the total radial cross-sectional area of the left second communication hole 162a and the right second communication hole 162b is S2, and the left first communication hole 162b. When the total radial cross-sectional area of the three communication holes 164a and the right third communication hole 164b is S3, the relationship S1> S2> S3 may be established. The reason for this will be described later.

Ｓ１＞Ｓ２とするには、例えば、左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂ、左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂの個数を同一とするとともに、個々の左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂの径方向断面積を、個々の左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂの径方向断面積に比して大きくすればよい。又は、個々の左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂの径方向断面積と、個々の左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂの径方向断面積とを同一とし、且つ左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂの個数を、左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂの個数よりも多くすればよい。 In order to make S1> S2, for example, the number of the left first communication hole 160a, the right first communication hole 160b, the left second communication hole 162a, and the right second communication hole 162b are the same, and the number of each left first communication hole is the same. The radial cross-sectional area of the communication holes 160a and the right first communication hole 160b may be made larger than the radial cross-sectional areas of the individual left second communication holes 162a and right second communication holes 162b. Alternatively, the radial cross-sectional area of the individual left first communication hole 160a and the right first communication hole 160b and the radial cross-sectional area of the individual left second communication hole 162a and right second communication hole 162b are made the same, and The number of the left first communication hole 160a and the right first communication hole 160b may be larger than the number of the left second communication hole 162a and the right second communication hole 162b.

また、Ｓ２＞Ｓ３とするには、上記と同様に、例えば、左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂ、左第３連通孔１６４ａ、右第３連通孔１６４ｂの個数を同一とするとともに、個々の左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂの径方向断面積を、個々の左第３連通孔１６４ａ、右第３連通孔１６４ｂの径方向断面積に比して大きく設定する。又は、個々の左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂの径方向断面積と、個々の左第３連通孔１６４ａ、右第３連通孔１６４ｂの径方向断面積とを同一とし、且つ左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂの個数を、左第３連通孔１６４ａ、右第３連通孔１６４ｂの個数よりも多く設定する。 Further, in order to make S2> S3, for example, the number of the left second communication hole 162a, the right second communication hole 162b, the left third communication hole 164a, and the right third communication hole 164b are the same in the same manner as described above. At the same time, the radial cross-sectional area of each of the left second communication hole 162a and the right second communication hole 162b is set larger than the radial cross-sectional area of each of the left third communication hole 164a and the right third communication hole 164b. To do. Alternatively, the radial cross-sectional area of the individual left second communication hole 162a and the right second communication hole 162b and the radial cross-sectional area of the individual left third communication hole 164a and right third communication hole 164b are made the same, and The number of the left second communication hole 162a and the right second communication hole 162b is set to be larger than the number of the left third communication hole 164a and the right third communication hole 164b.

山形状部位１５０には、さらに、水平隔壁１３６に指向して突出したダクト１６８が立設される。該ダクト１６８は、その長手方向に沿って延在する貫通孔１７０を有する円筒形状体であり、該ダクト１６８を介して第３貯留部１４８とドレイン通路１５４が連通される。 Further, a duct 168 projecting toward the horizontal partition wall 136 is erected at the mountain-shaped portion 150. The duct 168 is a cylindrical body having a through hole 170 extending along the longitudinal direction thereof, and the third storage portion 148 and the drain passage 154 are communicated with each other through the duct 168.

ダクト１６８の貫通孔１７０の径方向断面積をＳ４とするとき、Ｓ４は、左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂの径方向断面積の合計Ｓ１、左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂの径方向断面積の合計Ｓ２、左第３連通孔１６４ａ、右第３連通孔１６４ｂの径方向断面積の合計Ｓ３に比して大きく設定することが好ましい。すなわち、Ｓ４＞Ｓ１＞Ｓ２＞Ｓ３の関係が成り立つことが好適である。この理由についても後述する。 When the radial cross-sectional area of the through hole 170 of the duct 168 is S4, S4 is the total of the radial cross-sectional areas of the left first communication hole 160a and the right first communication hole 160b S1, the left second communication hole 162a, and the right. It is preferable to set it larger than the total radial cross-sectional area S2 of the second communication hole 162b, the left third communication hole 164a, and the total radial cross-sectional area of the right third communication hole 164b. That is, it is preferable that the relationship of S4> S1> S2> S3 is established. The reason for this will also be described later.

本実施の形態に係る気液分離器３２は、基本的には以上のように構成されるものであり、次にその作用効果について説明する。 The gas-liquid separator 32 according to the present embodiment is basically configured as described above, and the effects thereof will be described next.

燃料電池システム１０は、例えば、自動車車体に搭載されて燃料電池車を構成する。燃料電池車は、例えば、寒冷地の冬季等で運転されることもある。このときには、氷点下で燃料電池システム１０を起動することがあり得る。以下、この場合を例示して説明する。 The fuel cell system 10 is mounted on an automobile body, for example, to form a fuel cell vehicle. The fuel cell vehicle may be operated, for example, in winter in a cold region. At this time, the fuel cell system 10 may be started below freezing point. Hereinafter, this case will be described as an example.

燃料電池スタック１２を起動するに際しては、水素タンク１８から水素供給流路１４に燃料ガスとしての水素が供給される。水素は、第１分岐路２０の第１インジェクタ２４、又は第２分岐路２２の第２インジェクタ２６のいずれかを通過した後、さらに合流路２８のエジェクタ３０を経由して、燃料電池スタック１２を構成する各燃料電池のアノード電極に供給される。 When starting the fuel cell stack 12, hydrogen as a fuel gas is supplied from the hydrogen tank 18 to the hydrogen supply flow path 14. Hydrogen passes through either the first injector 24 of the first branch path 20 or the second injector 26 of the second branch path 22, and then further passes through the ejector 30 of the junction 28 to pass through the fuel cell stack 12. It is supplied to the anode electrodes of each of the constituent fuel cells.

その一方で、エアポンプ４４を介して、空気供給流路４０に酸化剤ガスである圧縮空気が送られる。圧縮空気は、後述する排圧縮空気によって加湿された後、燃料電池スタック１２を構成する各燃料電池のカソード電極に供給される。 On the other hand, compressed air, which is an oxidant gas, is sent to the air supply flow path 40 via the air pump 44. The compressed air is humidified by the exhaust compressed air described later, and then supplied to the cathode electrodes of each fuel cell constituting the fuel cell stack 12.

以上のように反応ガスが供給されることにより、各燃料電池のアノード電極、カソード電極で電極反応がそれぞれ生起される。これにより、発電が行われる。なお、燃料電池スタック１２には冷却媒体流路が形成されており、該冷却媒体流路に、前記冷却媒体供給流路を介して供給された冷却媒体が流通される。 By supplying the reaction gas as described above, an electrode reaction occurs at the anode electrode and the cathode electrode of each fuel cell, respectively. As a result, power generation is performed. A cooling medium flow path is formed in the fuel cell stack 12, and the cooling medium supplied through the cooling medium supply flow path is circulated in the cooling medium flow path.

カソード電極に供給されて一部が消費された圧縮空気は、排圧縮空気として空気排出流路４２に排出される。排圧縮空気は、カソード電極での電極反応によって生成した水分を含む湿潤ガスである。この排圧縮空気は、図示しない加湿器において、カソード電極に新たに供給される圧縮空気を加湿する。 The compressed air supplied to the cathode electrode and partially consumed is discharged to the air discharge flow path 42 as exhaust compressed air. The decompressed air is a moist gas containing water generated by the electrode reaction at the cathode electrode. This exhaust compressed air humidifies the compressed air newly supplied to the cathode electrode in a humidifier (not shown).

一方、アノード電極に供給されて一部が消費された水素は、排水素として水素排出流路１６に排出される。排水素は、水素排出流路１６を流通する過程で気液分離器３２に流入し、第１気液分離室７０、第２気液分離室７２の各々にて水素（気相）と水分（液相）に分離される。 On the other hand, the hydrogen supplied to the anode electrode and partially consumed is discharged to the hydrogen discharge channel 16 as waste hydrogen. The exhaust hydrogen flows into the gas-liquid separator 32 in the process of flowing through the hydrogen discharge flow path 16, and hydrogen (gas phase) and water (gas phase) and water (gas phase) and water (gas phase) and water (gas phase) in each of the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 and the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72. Liquid phase).

一層具体的には、排水素は、図２に示す第１流入口６０と第２流入口６２から個別にケーシング５６内に導入される。上方の第１流入口６０から流入した排水素は、内室５０の内壁に沿って右下方に傾斜するように若干進行し、隔壁６６が存在することで図２の紙面奥側に形成された第１気液分離室７０に流入する。なお、第２気液分離室７２に進行しようとする排水素は、隔壁６６の紙面手前側の端面に設けられた堰止板７６で堰止される。このため、第１流入口６０から流入した排水素が第２気液分離室７２に流入することが阻止される。 More specifically, the waste water is introduced into the casing 56 individually from the first inflow port 60 and the second inflow port 62 shown in FIG. The waste water flowing in from the upper first inflow port 60 progresses slightly so as to incline downward to the right along the inner wall of the inner chamber 50, and is formed on the back side of the paper surface in FIG. 2 due to the presence of the partition wall 66. It flows into the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70. The waste water that is about to proceed to the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 is blocked by a dam plate 76 provided on the end surface of the partition wall 66 on the front side of the paper surface. Therefore, the exhaust hydrogen flowing from the first inflow port 60 is prevented from flowing into the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72.

第１気液分離室７０に流入した排水素は、第１規制部８０の延在方向に沿って流通する。このため、排水素の流通方向が、それまでの右下方向きから、鉛直下方よりも若干左方向きとなる。 The waste water flowing into the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 flows along the extending direction of the first regulation unit 80. For this reason, the flow direction of wastewater is slightly leftward from the vertical downward direction from the previous downward right direction.

排水素は、その後、第２規制部８２の案内傾斜部８４、第１鉛直部８６、第１水平部８８に沿って進行する。このため、排水素の流通方向は、左下方から右上方、右上方から水平方向（左方）の順序で変化する。排水素は、さらに、第１規制部８０の、第２規制部８２に臨む側の端面によって案内されることで上昇し、その後、流通方向が集合室７４側に偏向される。その結果、第１気液分離室７０から導出されて集合室７４に到達する。図３には、以上の流通過程を矢印で示している。 The wastewater then proceeds along the guide inclined portion 84, the first vertical portion 86, and the first horizontal portion 88 of the second regulating portion 82. Therefore, the flow direction of wastewater changes in the order of lower left to upper right and upper right to horizontal (left). The waste water is further increased by being guided by the end surface of the first regulation unit 80 on the side facing the second regulation unit 82, and then the distribution direction is deflected toward the collecting chamber 74 side. As a result, it is derived from the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 and reaches the gathering chamber 74. In FIG. 3, the above distribution process is indicated by arrows.

この流通過程で、排水素の流速が急速に低下する。さらに、第１気液分離室７０内に第１案内部９０（第１規制部８０、第２規制部８２）が形成され、該第１気液分離室７０内がクランク形状とされている。このため、排水素が、第１気液分離室７０内に比較的長時間滞在する。以上のような理由から、第１流入口６０から第１気液分離室７０内に供給された排水素（気液二相流）が、液相である水分と、気相である第１水素気流とに効率よく分離される。水分は凹部１２０内の貯留部形成部材１３０内に第１進入口１５６ａを介して進入し、第１水素気流は集合室７４に流入する。 In this distribution process, the flow velocity of wastewater drops rapidly. Further, a first guide unit 90 (first regulation unit 80, second regulation unit 82) is formed in the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70, and the inside of the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 has a crank shape. Therefore, the waste water stays in the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 for a relatively long time. For the above reasons, the waste water (gas-liquid two-phase flow) supplied from the first inflow port 60 into the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 is the water that is the liquid phase and the first hydrogen that is the gas phase. Efficiently separated from airflow. Moisture enters the storage portion forming member 130 in the recess 120 via the first inlet 156a, and the first hydrogen stream flows into the collecting chamber 74.

その一方で、下方の第２流入口６２側に回り込んだ排水素は、第１気液分離室７０内に配設された導管９４を経由し、該導管９４の、第２気液分離室７２内に臨む開口から導出される。このため、第２流入口６２から流入した排水素が第１気液分離室７０に流入することが阻止される。 On the other hand, the waste water that wraps around to the lower second gas-liquid inlet 62 side passes through the conduit 94 arranged in the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70, and the second gas-liquid separation chamber of the conduit 94. It is derived from the opening facing inside 72. Therefore, the exhaust hydrogen flowing from the second inflow port 62 is prevented from flowing into the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70.

前記開口の近傍には、上記したように、右方が開口した偏向部材９６が設けられている。このため、導管９４から導出された排水素の流通方向は、閉塞部材５４側から右方の第３規制部９８側に変化する。排水素は、その後、第３規制部９８の第２鉛直部１０８、第２水平部１１０に沿って進行する。このため、排水素の流通方向は、一旦左下方から右上方に向かい、その後、右上方から水平方向（左方）に向かうように変化する。排水素は、さらに、内室５０の内壁に案内されながら上昇し、さらに、堰止板７６の、第２気液分離室７２に臨む側の端面に案内されることで、流通方向が下方に偏向される。その結果、排水素は、第２気液分離室７２から導出されて集合室７４に到達する。図４には、以上の流通過程を矢印で示している。 As described above, a deflection member 96 having an opening on the right side is provided in the vicinity of the opening. Therefore, the flow direction of the waste water drawn out from the conduit 94 changes from the closing member 54 side to the right third regulating portion 98 side. The wastewater then proceeds along the second vertical portion 108 and the second horizontal portion 110 of the third regulation portion 98. Therefore, the flow direction of wastewater changes from the lower left to the upper right, and then from the upper right to the horizontal direction (left). The waste water rises while being guided by the inner wall of the inner chamber 50, and is further guided to the end surface of the dammed plate 76 on the side facing the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72, so that the distribution direction is downward. Be biased. As a result, the discharged hydrogen is derived from the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 and reaches the gathering chamber 74. In FIG. 4, the above distribution process is indicated by arrows.

第２気液分離室７２内でも同様に、上記の流通過程で、排水素の流速が急速に低下する。さらに、第２気液分離室７２内に第２案内部１０６（第３規制部９８、堰止板７６）が形成されているために、該第２気液分離室７２内がクランク形状とされている。このため、排水素が、第２気液分離室７２内に比較的長時間滞在する。従って、第２流入口６２（導管９４）から第２気液分離室７２内に供給された排水素（気液二相流）もまた、液相である水分と、気相である第２水素気流とに効率よく分離される。水分は、第１気液分離室７０で分離された水分と同じく凹部１２０内の貯留部形成部材１３０内に第２進入口１５６ｂ又は第１進入口１５６ａを介して進入し、第２水素気流は集合室７４に流入する。 Similarly, in the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72, the flow velocity of waste water rapidly decreases in the above distribution process. Further, since the second guide portion 106 (third regulating portion 98, dam plate 76) is formed in the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72, the inside of the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 has a crank shape. ing. Therefore, the waste water stays in the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 for a relatively long time. Therefore, the waste water (gas-liquid two-phase flow) supplied from the second inflow port 62 (conduit 94) into the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 is also the water that is the liquid phase and the second hydrogen that is the gas phase. Efficiently separated from airflow. Moisture enters the storage portion forming member 130 in the recess 120 through the second inlet 156b or the first inlet 156a in the same manner as the water separated in the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70, and the second hydrogen airflow is introduced. It flows into the meeting room 74.

仮に、第１気液分離室７０での気液分離効率が第２気液分離室７２に比して大きく、第１気液分離室７０で水分が多く分離されるような場合には、呼吸孔７８ａ、７８ｂを介して水分が第２気液分離室７２に移る。第２気液分離室７２での気液分離効率が第１気液分離室７０に比して大きいときには、これとは逆に、呼吸孔７８ａ、７８ｂを介して水分が第１気液分離室７０に移る。このため、第１気液分離室７０又は第２気液分離室７２に過度に多量の液相が貯留されることや、このことに起因して第１気液分離室７０又は第２気液分離室７２で気液分離が困難となることが回避される。 If the gas-liquid separation efficiency in the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 is higher than that in the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 and a large amount of water is separated in the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70, breathing is performed. Moisture is transferred to the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 through the holes 78a and 78b. When the gas-liquid separation efficiency in the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 is higher than that in the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70, on the contrary, water flows through the breathing holes 78a and 78b in the first gas-liquid separation chamber. Move to 70. Therefore, an excessively large amount of liquid phase is stored in the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 or the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72, and due to this, the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 or the second gas-liquid separation chamber 70 or the second gas-liquid. It is avoided that gas-liquid separation becomes difficult in the separation chamber 72.

燃料電池システム１０が氷点下で起動されているため、第１気液分離室７０、第２気液分離室７２にて排水素から分離された水分は、０℃近傍の低温である。 Since the fuel cell system 10 is started below the freezing point, the water content separated from the waste water in the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 and the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 is at a low temperature of around 0 ° C.

第１気液分離室７０から導出された第１水素気流と、第２気液分離室７２から導出された第２水素気流は、集合室７４で集合して集合流となる。すなわち、第１水素気流及び第２水素気流は、流通方向が互いに略平行となる。この集合流が、流出口６４を介して循環流路３４（図１参照）に流入する。集合流は、その後、循環流路３４からエジェクタ３０に吸引され、新たに供給された水素とともにアノード電極に再供給される。 The first hydrogen airflow derived from the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 and the second hydrogen airflow derived from the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 gather in the collecting chamber 74 to form a collecting flow. That is, the flow directions of the first hydrogen stream and the second hydrogen stream are substantially parallel to each other. This collective flow flows into the circulation flow path 34 (see FIG. 1) via the outflow port 64. The aggregated flow is then sucked into the ejector 30 from the circulation flow path 34 and resupplied to the anode electrode together with the newly supplied hydrogen.

排水素の一部や、カソード電極に供給された圧縮空気に含まれて電解質膜を透過した窒素は、第１進入口１５６ａ及び第２進入口１５６ｂを介して凹部１２０内の貯留部形成部材１３０内、すなわち、左第１貯留部１４４ａ、右第１貯留部１４４ｂに進入する。これらの気相は、図５に矢印で示すように、第１連通口１５８ａ、第２連通口１５８ｂを介して第３貯留部１４８に流通し、さらに、ダクト１６８（貫通孔１７０）を経由してドレイン通路１５４に流通する。ＥＣＵ４６の制御作用下にドレイン弁３６が開放されることに伴い、気相がドレイン口１２２を介して排出される。 A part of the waste water and nitrogen contained in the compressed air supplied to the cathode electrode and permeated through the electrolyte membrane are passed through the first inlet 156a and the second inlet 156b, and the storage portion forming member 130 in the recess 120 is provided. It enters the inside, that is, the left first storage unit 144a and the right first storage unit 144b. As shown by arrows in FIG. 5, these gas phases circulate to the third storage unit 148 via the first communication port 158a and the second communication port 158b, and further pass through the duct 168 (through hole 170). And circulates in the drain passage 154. As the drain valve 36 is opened under the control of the ECU 46, the gas phase is discharged through the drain port 122.

集合流（第１水素気流及び第２水素気流）には、未だ若干の水分が含まれる。このため、集合流が集合室７４の内壁に接触することに伴い、水分が液化して液滴の液状水Ｌとなり、集合室７４の内壁に付着する。 The aggregated flow (first hydrogen stream and second hydrogen stream) still contains some water. Therefore, as the collecting flow comes into contact with the inner wall of the collecting chamber 74, the water liquefies into liquid water L of droplets, which adheres to the inner wall of the collecting chamber 74.

液滴（液状水Ｌ）は、重力の作用下に下方、すなわち、集合室７４の底部に向かって流下する。ここで、集合室７４の底部には、支持台１００に設けられた誘導傾斜部１１２が位置する。液滴は、この誘導傾斜部１１２に誘導され、第３規制部９８の第２鉛直部１０８に堰止されることで前記仮貯液部１１４に一旦貯留される。仮貯液部１１４が流出口６４から大きく離間した位置にあるので、仮貯液部１１４に貯留された水分が集合流とともにエジェクタ３０に吸引されることが回避される。 The droplet (liquid water L) flows downward under the action of gravity, that is, toward the bottom of the gathering chamber 74. Here, the induction inclined portion 112 provided on the support base 100 is located at the bottom of the gathering chamber 74. The droplet is guided to the induction inclined portion 112 and is dammed by the second vertical portion 108 of the third regulating portion 98, so that the droplet is temporarily stored in the temporary liquid storage portion 114. Since the temporary liquid storage unit 114 is located at a position far away from the outlet 64, it is possible to prevent the water stored in the temporary liquid storage unit 114 from being sucked into the ejector 30 together with the collective flow.

支持台１００の挟持部１０４には、移液孔１１６が形成されている。従って、段差部に所定量の液滴が液状水Ｌとして貯留されると、該液状水Ｌは移液孔１１６からオーバーフローする。これにより、液状水Ｌが、凹部１２０内の貯留部形成部材１３０内に第２進入口１５６ｂを介して進入する。 A liquid transfer hole 116 is formed in the holding portion 104 of the support base 100. Therefore, when a predetermined amount of droplets are stored as liquid water L in the stepped portion, the liquid water L overflows from the liquid transfer hole 116. As a result, the liquid water L enters the storage portion forming member 130 in the recess 120 via the secondary inlet 156b.

第１進入口１５６ａから左第１貯留部１４４ａに進入した液状水Ｌは、乾燥した左第１区画壁１４０ａに沿って流下し、左第１区画壁１４０ａと左第２区画壁１４２ａの交点近傍に向かって移動する。同様に、第２進入口１５６ｂから右第１貯留部１４４ｂに進入した液状水Ｌは、乾燥した右第１区画壁１４０ｂに沿って流下し、右第１区画壁１４０ｂと右第２区画壁１４２ｂの交点近傍に向かって移動する。この過程で、液状水Ｌは、左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂを覆う。 The liquid water L that has entered the left first storage portion 144a from the first entrance 156a flows down along the dry left first compartment wall 140a, and is near the intersection of the left first compartment wall 140a and the left second compartment wall 142a. Move towards. Similarly, the liquid water L that has entered the right first storage portion 144b from the second entrance 156b flows down along the dry right first compartment wall 140b, and flows down along the dry right first compartment wall 140b, and the right first compartment wall 140b and the right second compartment wall 142b. Move toward the vicinity of the intersection of. In this process, the liquid water L covers the left first communication hole 160a and the right first communication hole 160b.

上記したように、本実施の形態では、左第１連通孔１６０ａ及び右第１連通孔１６０ｂの孔径が十分に小さく設定されている。従って、左第１連通孔１６０ａ及び右第１連通孔１６０ｂ上の液状水Ｌが左第１連通孔１６０ａ及び右第１連通孔１６０ｂに流入するに至るまで、比較的長時間を有する。左第１連通孔１６０ａ及び右第１連通孔１６０ｂ上の液状水Ｌに十分な表面張力が作用するからである。このように、左第１連通孔１６０ａ及び右第１連通孔１６０ｂが液状水Ｌの流通抵抗となるので、液状水Ｌは、図７に示すように、左第１貯留部１４４ａ、右第１貯留部１４４ｂに比較的長時間留まる。 As described above, in the present embodiment, the hole diameters of the left first communication hole 160a and the right first communication hole 160b are set sufficiently small. Therefore, it takes a relatively long time for the liquid water L on the left first communication hole 160a and the right first communication hole 160b to flow into the left first communication hole 160a and the right first communication hole 160b. This is because a sufficient surface tension acts on the liquid water L on the left first communication hole 160a and the right first communication hole 160b. As described above, since the left first communication hole 160a and the right first communication hole 160b serve as a flow resistance of the liquid water L, the liquid water L becomes the left first storage portion 144a and the right first communication hole 144a as shown in FIG. It stays in the reservoir 144b for a relatively long time.

燃料電池スタック１２の運転が継続されると、さらに液状水Ｌが発生する。運転継続に伴って燃料電池スタック１２の温度が上昇するため、この液状水Ｌは、燃料電池システム１０の起動初期に発生した液状水Ｌに比して高温である。高温の液状水Ｌが上記と同様にして貯留部形成部材１３０内に進入することにより、左第１貯留部１４４ａ、右第１貯留部１４４ｂ内に貯留された液状水Ｌが増加する。 When the operation of the fuel cell stack 12 is continued, liquid water L is further generated. Since the temperature of the fuel cell stack 12 rises as the operation continues, the liquid water L is higher than the liquid water L generated at the initial stage of starting the fuel cell system 10. When the high-temperature liquid water L enters the storage portion forming member 130 in the same manner as described above, the liquid water L stored in the left first storage portion 144a and the right first storage portion 144b increases.

増加した液状水Ｌの自重が表面張力を上回ると、液状水Ｌが左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂに進入して左第２貯留部１４６ａ、右第２貯留部１４６ｂに流入し始める。すなわち、左第２貯留部１４６ａ及び右第２貯留部１４６ｂにおける液状水Ｌの貯留が開始される。 When the increased own weight of the liquid water L exceeds the surface tension, the liquid water L enters the left first communication hole 160a and the right first communication hole 160b and flows into the left second storage portion 146a and the right second storage portion 146b. Begin to. That is, the storage of the liquid water L in the left second storage unit 146a and the right second storage unit 146b is started.

左第２貯留部１４６ａ及び右第２貯留部１４６ｂにある程度の液状水Ｌが貯留されると、該液状水Ｌは、左第１区画壁１４０ａ、右第１区画壁１４０ｂに形成された左第２連通孔１６２ａ及び右第２連通孔１６２ｂを覆う。左第２連通孔１６２ａ及び右第２連通孔１６２ｂの孔径も十分に小さく設定されているため、上記と同様に、液状水Ｌが表面張力に抗して左第２連通孔１６２ａ及び右第２連通孔１６２ｂに流入するに至るまで比較的長時間を有する。すなわち、左第２連通孔１６２ａ及び右第２連通孔１６２ｂも液状水Ｌの流通抵抗となり、液状水Ｌは、左第２貯留部１４６ａ、右第２貯留部１４６ｂにも比較的長時間留まる。 When a certain amount of liquid water L is stored in the left second storage portion 146a and the right second storage portion 146b, the liquid water L is formed in the left first compartment wall 140a and the right first compartment wall 140b. It covers the double communication hole 162a and the right second communication hole 162b. Since the hole diameters of the left second communication hole 162a and the right second communication hole 162b are also set sufficiently small, the liquid water L resists the surface tension and the left second communication hole 162a and the right second communication hole 162a are similarly set as described above. It takes a relatively long time to flow into the communication hole 162b. That is, the left second communication hole 162a and the right second communication hole 162b also serve as a flow resistance of the liquid water L, and the liquid water L stays in the left second storage portion 146a and the right second storage portion 146b for a relatively long time.

以上のようにして左第１貯留部１４４ａ、右第１貯留部１４４ｂ、左第２貯留部１４６ａ及び右第２貯留部１４６ｂに液状水Ｌが貯留される間も、気相（排水素の一部や窒素）が第１進入口１５６ａ、第２進入口１５６ｂから貯留部形成部材１３０内に進入する。ここで、左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂの径方向断面積の合計Ｓ１、左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂの径方向断面積の合計Ｓ２、左第３連通孔１６４ａ、右第３連通孔１６４ｂの径方向断面積の合計Ｓ３、ダクト１６８の貫通孔１７０の径方向断面積Ｓ４との間にＳ４＞Ｓ１、Ｓ４＞Ｓ２、Ｓ４＞Ｓ３の関係が成立していると、気相が、断面積が最大である貫通孔１７０を優先的に通過するようになる。すなわち、気相は、第１連通口１５８ａ、第２連通口１５８ｂから第３貯留部１４８に容易に進入し、その後、ダクト１６８及びドレイン通路１５４を通過してドレイン口１２２から排出される。 As described above, while the liquid water L is stored in the left first storage section 144a, the right first storage section 144b, the left second storage section 146a, and the right second storage section 146b, the gas phase (one of the exhausted hydrogen). The portion and nitrogen) enter the storage portion forming member 130 from the first entrance 156a and the second entrance 156b. Here, the total radial cross-sectional area of the left first communication hole 160a and the right first communication hole 160b is S1, the total radial cross-sectional area of the left second communication hole 162a and the right second communication hole 162b is S2, and the left third. The relationship of S4> S1, S4> S2, S4> S3 is established between the total radial cross-sectional area S3 of the communication hole 164a and the right third communication hole 164b and the radial cross-sectional area S4 of the through hole 170 of the duct 168. If so, the gas phase preferentially passes through the through hole 170 having the largest cross-sectional area. That is, the gas phase easily enters the third storage unit 148 from the first communication port 158a and the second communication port 158b, and then passes through the duct 168 and the drain passage 154 and is discharged from the drain port 122.

また、Ｓ１＞Ｓ３、Ｓ２＞Ｓ３の関係が成立していると、第３貯留部１４８の内圧が最も大きくなるので、液状水Ｌが左第２貯留部１４６ａ、右第２貯留部１４６ｂ内で堰き止められるようになる。加えて、Ｓ１＞Ｓ２の関係が成立していると、液状水Ｌの左第１貯留部１４４ａ、右第１貯留部１４４ｂから左第２貯留部１４６ａ、右第２貯留部１４６ｂへの流入速度が、左第２貯留部１４６ａ、右第２貯留部１４６ｂから第３貯留部１４８への流入速度に比して緩慢となる。 Further, when the relationship of S1> S3 and S2> S3 is established, the internal pressure of the third storage unit 148 becomes the largest, so that the liquid water L is contained in the left second storage unit 146a and the right second storage unit 146b. It will be blocked. In addition, when the relationship S1> S2 is established, the inflow velocity of the liquid water L from the left first storage section 144a and the right first storage section 144b to the left second storage section 146a and the right second storage section 146b. However, the inflow rate from the left second storage section 146a and the right second storage section 146b to the third storage section 148 is slower.

このように液状水Ｌの流入速度が緩慢となることから、液状水Ｌに十分な表面張力が発現する。従って、左第１貯留部１４４ａ、右第１貯留部１４４ｂ内の液状水Ｌが左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂに流入し難くなるとともに、左第２貯留部１４６ａ、右第２貯留部１４６ｂ内の液状水Ｌが左第２連通孔１６２ａ、右第２連通孔１６２ｂに流入し難くなる。以上のような理由が相俟って、液状水Ｌが、左第１貯留部１４４ａ、右第１貯留部１４４ｂ、左第２貯留部１４６ａ、右第２貯留部１４６ｂに留まり易くなる。 Since the inflow rate of the liquid water L becomes slow as described above, a sufficient surface tension is developed in the liquid water L. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the liquid water L in the left first storage unit 144a and the right first storage unit 144b to flow into the left first communication hole 160a and the right first communication hole 160b, and the left second storage unit 146a and the right first communication hole 160b are difficult to flow into. 2 It becomes difficult for the liquid water L in the storage portion 146b to flow into the left second communication hole 162a and the right second communication hole 162b. Combined with the above reasons, the liquid water L tends to stay in the left first storage section 144a, the right first storage section 144b, the left second storage section 146a, and the right second storage section 146b.

このように、本実施の形態によれば、気相がダクト１６８を介して速やかにケーシング５６外に排出される一方で、液状水Ｌ（液相）が貯留部形成部材１３０中の左第１貯留部１４４ａ、右第１貯留部１４４ｂ、左第２貯留部１４６ａ、右第２貯留部１４６ｂに貯留される。すなわち、気相を排出するためにドレイン口１２２を開放しているにも関わらず、低温の液状水Ｌを気液分離器３２の内部に留めておくことができる。 As described above, according to the present embodiment, the gas phase is rapidly discharged to the outside of the casing 56 through the duct 168, while the liquid water L (liquid phase) is left first in the storage portion forming member 130. It is stored in the storage unit 144a, the right first storage unit 144b, the left second storage unit 146a, and the right second storage unit 146b. That is, the low-temperature liquid water L can be retained inside the gas-liquid separator 32 even though the drain port 122 is opened to discharge the gas phase.

すなわち、低温の液状水Ｌがドレイン口１２２から排出されてドレイン弁３６に接触することを可及的に抑制することができる。これにより、低温の液状水Ｌがドレイン弁３６で凍結することを防止することが可能となり、その結果、凍結に起因してドレイン弁３６が動作不良を起こすことを回避することが可能となる。 That is, it is possible to prevent the low-temperature liquid water L from being discharged from the drain port 122 and coming into contact with the drain valve 36 as much as possible. This makes it possible to prevent the low-temperature liquid water L from freezing at the drain valve 36, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the drain valve 36 from malfunctioning due to freezing.

従って、ドレイン弁３６を加温するための加温機構、例えば、ヒータ等を付設する必要がない。このため、燃料電池システム１０の構成要素の点数が増加することが回避されるので、該燃料電池システム１０の小型化や簡素化を図ることが容易となる。 Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a heating mechanism for heating the drain valve 36, for example, a heater or the like. Therefore, since it is avoided that the number of components of the fuel cell system 10 increases, it becomes easy to miniaturize and simplify the fuel cell system 10.

しかも、気液分離器３２内で液状水Ｌを十分に貯留することができるので、液状水Ｌの発生量を抑制する必要、換言すれば、燃料電池スタック１２の発電量を制限する必要がない。このため、暖機運転時間が長期化することを回避することができる。 Moreover, since the liquid water L can be sufficiently stored in the gas-liquid separator 32, it is necessary to suppress the amount of the liquid water L generated, in other words, it is not necessary to limit the amount of power generation of the fuel cell stack 12. .. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a long warm-up operation time.

燃料電池スタック１２の運転がなおも継続されると、燃料電池スタック１２の温度が十分に上昇し、一層高温の液状水Ｌが発生する。高温の液状水Ｌが上記と同様にして左第１貯留部１４４ａ、右第１貯留部１４４ｂ内に進入することにより、左第１貯留部１４４ａ、右第１貯留部１４４ｂ内が略満水となる。この状況下では、左第１貯留部１４４ａ、右第１貯留部１４４ｂ内の液状水Ｌが自重によって左第２貯留部１４６ａ、右第２貯留部１４６ｂ内に比較的急速に流入し、左第２貯留部１４６ａ、右第２貯留部１４６ｂ内の液状水Ｌも自重によって第３貯留部１４８内に比較的急速に流入する。第３貯留部１４８に流入する液状水Ｌは、高温の液状水Ｌが混合しているために氷点下を十分に上回る温度となっている。 When the operation of the fuel cell stack 12 is still continued, the temperature of the fuel cell stack 12 rises sufficiently, and a higher temperature liquid water L is generated. When the high-temperature liquid water L enters the left first storage section 144a and the right first storage section 144b in the same manner as described above, the left first storage section 144a and the right first storage section 144b are substantially filled with water. .. Under this circumstance, the liquid water L in the left first storage section 144a and the right first storage section 144b flows into the left second storage section 146a and the right second storage section 146b relatively rapidly due to its own weight, and the left second reservoir. The liquid water L in the two storage units 146a and the right second storage unit 146b also flows into the third storage unit 148 relatively rapidly due to its own weight. The temperature of the liquid water L flowing into the third storage unit 148 is sufficiently higher than the freezing point because the high-temperature liquid water L is mixed.

第３貯留部１４８の内圧は、上記したように貯留部形成部材１３０中で最も大きい。この大きな内圧により、第３貯留部１４８に流入した液状水Ｌは、比較的短時間で貫通孔１７０に流入してドレイン通路１５４に排出され、さらに、ドレイン口１２２及びドレイン弁３６を介して排水流路３８に排出される。 As described above, the internal pressure of the third storage unit 148 is the largest among the storage unit forming members 130. Due to this large internal pressure, the liquid water L that has flowed into the third storage unit 148 flows into the through hole 170 in a relatively short time and is discharged into the drain passage 154, and further drains through the drain port 122 and the drain valve 36. It is discharged to the flow path 38.

ドレイン弁３６に接触する液状水Ｌは、上記したように氷点下を十分に上回る温度となっている。このため、ドレイン弁３６内で液状水Ｌが凍結することや、この凍結に起因してドレイン弁３６が動作不良を起こすことが回避される。 The temperature of the liquid water L in contact with the drain valve 36 is well above the freezing point as described above. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid water L from freezing in the drain valve 36 and to prevent the drain valve 36 from malfunctioning due to this freezing.

燃料電池スタック１２が定常運転となった後、第１気液分離室７０、第２気液分離室７２内で排水素から分離された水分は、液状水Ｌとして左第１貯留部１４４ａ、右第１貯留部１４４ｂ、左第２貯留部１４６ａ、右第２貯留部１４６ｂ、第３貯留部１４８を速やかに通過し、ドレイン通路１５４、ドレイン口１２２、ドレイン弁３６を介して排水流路３８に排出される。すなわち、ケーシング５６内に貯留部形成部材１３０を設けたことによって液状水Ｌの排出が妨げられることはない。 After the fuel cell stack 12 is in steady operation, the water separated from the waste water in the first gas-liquid separation chamber 70 and the second gas-liquid separation chamber 72 is regarded as liquid water L in the left first storage unit 144a and right. It quickly passes through the first storage section 144b, the left second storage section 146a, the right second storage section 146b, and the third storage section 148, and reaches the drainage flow path 38 via the drain passage 154, the drain port 122, and the drain valve 36. It is discharged. That is, the discharge of the liquid water L is not hindered by providing the storage portion forming member 130 in the casing 56.

なお、左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂに進入した低温の液状水Ｌが、該左第１連通孔１６０ａ、該右第１連通孔１６０ｂ内で凍結することが想定される。この場合、図８に示すように、液状水Ｌが第１連通口１５８ａ、第２連通口１５８ｂからオーバーフローし、第３貯留部１４８に流入する。ここで、左第３連通孔１６４ａ、右第３連通孔１６４ｂに進入した低温の液状水Ｌが、該左第３連通孔１６４ａ、該右第３連通孔１６４ｂ内で凍結する可能性もある。 It is assumed that the low-temperature liquid water L that has entered the left first communication hole 160a and the right first communication hole 160b freezes in the left first communication hole 160a and the right first communication hole 160b. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the liquid water L overflows from the first communication port 158a and the second communication port 158b and flows into the third storage unit 148. Here, the low-temperature liquid water L that has entered the left third communication hole 164a and the right third communication hole 164b may freeze in the left third communication hole 164a and the right third communication hole 164b.

このような状況となると、液状水Ｌが第３貯留部１４８に貯留される。燃料電池スタック１２の継続運転に伴って比較的高温の液状水Ｌが第１連通口１５８ａ、第２連通口１５８ｂから第３貯留部１４８に流入して液面がダクト１６８よりも高くなると、第３貯留部１４８内の液状水Ｌがオーバーフローしてダクト１６８からドレイン通路１５４に排出される。このように、本実施の形態では、第１連通口１５８ａ、第２連通口１５８ｂを設けて左第１貯留部１４４ａ、右第１貯留部１４４ｂを第３貯留部１４８に直接連通するとともに、第３貯留部１４８に、ドレイン通路１５４を介してドレイン口１２２に連通するダクト１６８を設けるようにしている。これにより、左第１連通孔１６０ａ、右第１連通孔１６０ｂ、左第３連通孔１６４ａ、右第３連通孔１６４ｂ内で液状水Ｌが凍結した場合であっても、貯留部形成部材１３０内で液状水Ｌを一旦貯留し、その後にドレイン口１２２から排出することが可能となる。 In such a situation, the liquid water L is stored in the third storage unit 148. When the relatively high temperature liquid water L flows into the third storage unit 148 from the first communication port 158a and the second communication port 158b with the continuous operation of the fuel cell stack 12, the liquid level becomes higher than that of the duct 168. 3 The liquid water L in the storage unit 148 overflows and is discharged from the duct 168 to the drain passage 154. As described above, in the present embodiment, the first communication port 158a and the second communication port 158b are provided to directly communicate the left first storage unit 144a and the right first storage unit 144b to the third storage unit 148, and at the same time, the first communication port 158a and the second communication port 158b are provided. 3 The storage unit 148 is provided with a duct 168 that communicates with the drain port 122 via the drain passage 154. As a result, even when the liquid water L freezes in the left first communication hole 160a, the right first communication hole 160b, the left third communication hole 164a, and the right third communication hole 164b, the inside of the storage portion forming member 130 It is possible to temporarily store the liquid water L and then discharge it from the drain port 122.

本発明は、上記した実施の形態に特に限定されるものではなく、本発明の主旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々の変更が可能である。 The present invention is not particularly limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

例えば、この実施の形態では、ケーシング５６とは別部材のものとして貯留部形成部材１３０を構成し、左第１貯留部１４４ａ、右第１貯留部１４４ｂ、左第２貯留部１４６ａ、右第２貯留部１４６ｂ及び第３貯留部１４８を設けるようにしているが、左第１区画壁１４０ａ、右第１区画壁１４０ｂ、左第２区画壁１４２ａ、右第２区画壁１４２ｂ等をケーシング５６と一体的に形成し、ケーシング５６内に貯留部形成部を設けるようにしてもよい。 For example, in this embodiment, the storage section forming member 130 is configured as a member separate from the casing 56, and the left first storage section 144a, the right first storage section 144b, the left second storage section 146a, and the right second storage section are formed. Although the storage section 146b and the third storage section 148 are provided, the left first section wall 140a, the right first section wall 140b, the left second section wall 142a, the right second section wall 142b, etc. are integrated with the casing 56. It is also possible to provide a storage portion forming portion in the casing 56.

また、この実施の形態では、第１貯留部として左第１貯留部１４４ａ、右第１貯留部１４４ｂの２個を設けるとともに、第２貯留部として左第２貯留部１４６ａ、右第２貯留部１４６ｂの２個を設けるようにしているが、第１貯留部及び第２貯留部の個数は１個であってもよい。さらに、流入口及び気液分離室も１個であってもよい。 Further, in this embodiment, two storage units, a left first storage unit 144a and a right first storage unit 144b, are provided as the first storage unit, and the left second storage unit 146a and the right second storage unit are provided as the second storage unit. Although two 146b units are provided, the number of the first storage unit and the second storage unit may be one. Further, there may be one inflow port and one gas-liquid separation chamber.

さらにまた、気液分離器３２を含む燃料電池システム１０は、車載型のものに特に限定されず、定置型のものであってもよい。 Furthermore, the fuel cell system 10 including the gas-liquid separator 32 is not particularly limited to the vehicle-mounted type, and may be a stationary type.

そして、気液分離器３２は、複数個の流入口から気液二相流をケーシング５６内に導入するものとして用いられるものであればよく、燃料電池システム１０を構成するものに特に限定されるものではない。気液二相流も、水分を含んだ水素以外のものであってもよい。 The gas-liquid separator 32 may be used as long as it is used to introduce a gas-liquid two-phase flow into the casing 56 from a plurality of inlets, and is particularly limited to those constituting the fuel cell system 10. It's not a thing. The gas-liquid two-phase flow may also be something other than hydrogen containing water.

１０…燃料電池システム １２…燃料電池スタック
１４…水素供給流路 １６…水素排出流路
１８…水素タンク ２４…第１インジェクタ
２６…第２インジェクタ ３０…エジェクタ
３２…気液分離器 ３４…循環流路
３６…ドレイン弁 ３８…排水流路
４０…空気供給流路 ４２…空気排出流路
５０…内室 ５２…本体部材
５６…ケーシング ６０…第１流入口
６２…第２流入口 ６４…流出口
６６…隔壁 ７０…第１気液分離室
７２…第２気液分離室 ７４…集合室
７６…堰止板 ７８ａ、７８ｂ…呼吸孔
８０…第１規制部 ８２…第２規制部
９０…第１案内部 ９４…導管
９６…偏向部材 ９８…第３規制部
１００…支持台 １０６…第２案内部
１１２…誘導傾斜部 １１４…仮貯液部
１１６…移液孔 １２０…凹部
１２２…ドレイン口 １３０…貯留部形成部材
１３２…底壁 １３６…水平隔壁
１４０ａ、１４０ｂ…第１区画壁 １４２ａ、１４２ｂ…第２区画壁
１４４ａ、１４４ｂ…第１貯留部 １４６ａ、１４６ｂ…第２貯留部
１４８…第３貯留部 １５４…ドレイン通路
１５６ａ、１５６ｂ…進入口 １５８ａ、１５８ｂ…連通口
１６０ａ、１６０ｂ…第１連通孔 １６２ａ、１６２ｂ…第２連通孔
１６４ａ、１６４ｂ…第３連通孔 １６８…ダクト
１７０…貫通孔 Ｌ…液状水 10 ... Fuel cell system 12 ... Fuel cell stack 14 ... Hydrogen supply flow path 16 ... Hydrogen discharge flow path 18 ... Hydrogen tank 24 ... First injector 26 ... Second injector 30 ... Ejector 32 ... Gas-liquid separator 34 ... Circulation flow path 36 ... Drain valve 38 ... Drainage flow path 40 ... Air supply flow path 42 ... Air discharge flow path 50 ... Inner chamber 52 ... Main body member 56 ... Casing 60 ... First inflow port 62 ... Second inflow port 64 ... Outlet 66 ... Partition 70 ... 1st gas-liquid separation chamber 72 ... 2nd gas-liquid separation chamber 74 ... Meeting room 76 ... Damping plates 78a, 78b ... Breathing holes 80 ... 1st regulation part 82 ... 2nd regulation part 90 ... 1st guide part 94 ... Conduit 96 ... Deflection member 98 ... Third regulation part 100 ... Support base 106 ... Second guide part 112 ... Induction inclined part 114 ... Temporary liquid storage part 116 ... Liquid transfer hole 120 ... Recession 122 ... Drain port 130 ... Storage part Forming member 132 ... Bottom wall 136 ... Horizontal partition wall 140a, 140b ... First partition wall 142a, 142b ... Second partition wall 144a, 144b ... First storage section 146a, 146b ... Second storage section 148 ... Third storage section 154 ... Drain passages 156a, 156b ... Entrances 158a, 158b ... Communication ports 160a, 160b ... First communication holes 162a, 162b ... Second communication holes 164a, 164b ... Third communication holes 168 ... Duct 170 ... Through holes L ... Liquid water

Claims (4)

気液二相流が供給される流入口と、前記流入口から導入された前記気液二相流を液相と気流とに分離する気液分離室と、前記気流を排出する流出口と、前記流入口及び前記流出口よりも下方に位置するドレイン口とが形成されたケーシングを有する気液分離器において、
前記ケーシング内の、前記ドレイン口よりも上流側に、前記液相を貯留する第１貯留部、第２貯留部及び第３貯留部が上流側から下流側に向かってこの順序で設けられ、
前記第１貯留部と前記第２貯留部を仕切る第１区画壁に、前記第１貯留部と前記第２貯留部を連通する第１連通孔が形成され、
前記第２貯留部と前記第３貯留部を仕切る第２区画壁に、前記第２貯留部と前記第３貯留部を連通する第２連通孔が形成され、
前記第３貯留部は、連通路を介して前記第１貯留部と直接連通し、
且つ前記第３貯留部と前記ドレイン口とを仕切る第３区画壁に、前記第３貯留部と前記ドレイン口とを連通する第３連通孔が形成されるとともに、前記連通路に指向して延在するダクトが設けられ、
前記第１連通孔及び前記第２連通孔が、前記液相の流通抵抗として作用することを特徴とする気液分離器。 An inflow port to which a gas-liquid two-phase flow is supplied, a gas-liquid separation chamber that separates the gas-liquid two-phase flow introduced from the inflow port into a liquid phase and an air flow, and an outlet for discharging the air flow. In a gas-liquid separator having a casing in which the inlet and the drain port located below the outlet are formed.
A first storage portion, a second storage portion, and a third storage portion for storing the liquid phase are provided in the casing on the upstream side of the drain port in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side.
A first communication hole for communicating the first storage portion and the second storage portion is formed in the first partition wall that separates the first storage portion and the second storage portion.
Second partition wall that partitions the third reservoir and the second reservoir portion, a second communicating hole communicating the third reservoir and the second reservoir portion is formed,
The third storage unit directly communicates with the first storage unit via a communication passage.
In addition, a third communication hole for communicating the third storage portion and the drain port is formed in the third partition wall that separates the third storage portion and the drain port, and extends toward the communication passage. The existing duct is provided,
A gas-liquid separator characterized in that the first communication hole and the second communication hole act as a flow resistance of the liquid phase. 請求項１記載の気液分離器において、前記ダクトの貫通孔の径方向断面積が、前記第１連通孔、前記第２連通孔及び前記第３連通孔の各々における径方向断面積の合計に比して大きいことを特徴とする気液分離器。 In the gas-liquid separator according to claim 1, the radial cross-sectional area of the through hole of the duct is the sum of the radial cross-sectional areas of each of the first communication hole, the second communication hole, and the third communication hole. A gas-liquid separator characterized by being relatively large. 請求項１又は２記載の気液分離器において、前記第３連通孔の径方向断面積の合計が、前記第１連通孔及び前記第２連通孔の各々における径方向断面積の合計に比して小さいことを特徴とする気液分離器。 In the gas-liquid separator according to claim 1 or 2, the total radial cross-sectional area of the third communication hole is compared with the total radial cross-sectional area of each of the first communication hole and the second communication hole. A gas-liquid separator characterized by being small. 請求項１〜３のいずれか１項に記載の気液分離器において、前記第１連通孔の径方向断面積の合計が、前記第２連通孔の径方向断面積の合計に比して大きいことを特徴とする気液分離器。 In the gas-liquid separator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the total radial cross-sectional area of the first communication hole is larger than the total radial cross-sectional area of the second communication hole. A gas-liquid separator characterized by that.
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