Gas liquid phase separator with improved pressure control
AssigneeProton Energy Systems, Inc.
InventorsA. John Speranza, Andrzej E. Stanek, Angelo A. Morson, Justin D. Baltrucki
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Abstract
A gas/liquid phase separator includes a fluid inlet, a vapor outlet, a liquid outlet, and first and second valves disposed in fluid communication with the liquid outlet. Both valves are controllable in response to a system pressure and a fluid level in the gas/liquid phase separator. Both valves are further disposed in parallel fluid communication with each other. A method of controlling a liquid level in the phase separator includes sensing an amount of liquid in the phase separator, sensing a system pressure, and selectively opening a valve disposed in fluid communication with the phase separator to drain the liquid.
Claims13
A gas producing system, comprising:
- an electrochemical cell;
- a liquid feed in fluid communication with said electrochemical cell;
- an energy source in electrical communication with said electrochemical cell;
- and
- a gas/liquid phase separator in fluid communication with said electrochemical cell, said gas/liquid phase separator comprising a valve arrangement disposed in fluid communication with a liquid outlet of said gas/liquid phase separator, said valve arrangement comprising at least two valves controllable over varying ranges of flow rate.
A gas/liquid phase separator, comprising:
- a fluid inlet;
- a vapor outlet;
- a liquid outlet;
- a first valve disposed in fluid communication with said liquid outlet, said first valve being controllable in response to a hydrogen system pressure and a liquid level in said gas/liquid phase separator;
- and
- a second valve disposed in fluid communication with said liquid outlet, said second valve being controllable in response to a hydrogen system pressure and a liquid level in said gas/liquid phase separator, said second valve being disposed in a parallel flow configuration with said first valve.
A valve assembly for a gas/liquid phase separator of an electrochemical cell system, said valve assembly comprising:
- a first valve controllable in response to a system pressure and a fluid level in said gas/liquid phase separator;
- and
- a second valve disposed in fluid communication with said first valve in a parallel configuration, said second valve being controllable in response to a system pressure and a fluid level in said gas/liquid phase separator.
A method of controlling a liquid level in a gas/liquid phase separator, the method comprising;
- sensing an amount of liquid in said gas/liquid phase separator;
- sensing a pressure of said gas;
- and
- selectively opening a valve disposed in fluid communication with said gas/liquid phase separator to drain the liquid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.