Gas-liquid separator for separating at least one liquid component from a gaseous component

Abstract

The invention relates to a gas-liquid separator (2) for separating at least one liquid component, in particular H.sub.2O, from a gaseous component, in particular H.sub.2, the separator comprising at least one container (6) which is supplied with a medium via an inlet (16), at least the liquid component of the medium being separated in at least one container (6) and the separated component of the medium being discharged from the at least one container (6) via a discharge valve (46) with the remaining gaseous component of the medium, in particular H.sub.2, being recirculated into an outflow line (5) via a first outlet (18). According to the invention, in addition to the liquid component, in particular H.sub.2O, a gaseous component N.sub.2 is separated from the medium by the gas-liquid separator (2).

Claims

1. A gas-liquid separator (2) for separating at least one liquid component from a gaseous component, the gas-liquid separator having at least one container (6) to which a medium is conveyed via an inlet (16), wherein a separation at least of the liquid component of the medium takes place in the at least one container (6), wherein the separated component of the medium is discharged from the at least one container (6) via a discharge valve (46) and the remaining gaseous component of the medium is guided back into an outflow line (5) via a first outlet (18), characterized in that, in addition to the liquid component, a gaseous component N.sub.2 is separated from the medium by the gas-liquid separator (2), characterized in that the at least one container (6) has a container wall (17), a separating wall (8), a separating edge (15), a stabilization chamber (12), a reservoir (14) and an outlet channel (20), wherein the separating wall (8) has a nozzle tip (13) on the side facing the container wall (17), and the container wall (17) has a curved region (23).

2. The gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid component is H.sub.2O and the gaseous component is H.sub.2, and wherein the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 are separated from the component H.sub.2 of the medium, by the centrifugal principle.

3. The gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the medium coming from the stabilization chamber (12), as the medium flows past the curved region (23) and/or the nozzle tip (13) in a flow direction V, experiences a deflection such that the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2, owing to their size, experience a less pronounced deflection and the light component H.sub.2, owing to its size, experiences a greater deflection.

4. The gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the medium, after flowing past the curved region (23) and/or the nozzle tip (13), meets the separating edge (15), wherein the light component H.sub.2 is deflected in a flow direction VII to the outlet channel (20) and the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 are deflected in a flow direction VI to the reservoir (14).

5. A gas-liquid separator (2) for separating at least one liquid component from a gaseous component, the gas-liquid separator having at least one container (6) to which a medium is conveyed via an inlet (16), wherein a separation at least of the liquid component of the medium takes place in the at least one container (6), wherein the separated component of the medium is discharged from the at least one container (6) via a discharge valve (46) and the remaining gaseous component of the medium is guided back into an outflow line (5) via a first outlet (18), characterized in that, in addition to the liquid component, a gaseous component N.sub.2 is separated from the medium by the gas-liquid separator (2), wherein the gas-liquid separator has multiple containers (6a, b), wherein a first container (6a) has the inlet (16), at least one pipe (35) and a stabilization chamber (12), wherein the pipe (35) is arranged inside the first container (6a), wherein a second container (6b) has a reservoir (14) and a sensor system (22), and wherein the pipe (35) is fluidically connected to the inlet (16) of the first container (6a) and to the reservoir (14) of the second container (6b), wherein the liquid component is H.sub.2O and the gaseous component is H.sub.2, wherein the pipe (35) forms a pipe wall (36), wherein the pipe wall (36) is in the form of a membrane (34), wherein the membrane (34) is permeable to the component H.sub.2 of the medium and wherein the membrane (34) is impermeable to the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 of the medium.

6. The gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that a movement of component H.sub.2 of the medium out of the pipe (35) into the stabilization chamber (12) takes place, while a movement of the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 of the medium out of the pipe (35) is prevented.

7. The gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that there is a pressure difference between the inner region and the outer region of the pipe (35), whereby a movement of the component H.sub.2 of the medium out of the pipe (35) into the stabilization chamber (12) is assisted.

8. The gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that at least two pipes (35) are combined to form a pipe bundle (37), wherein the pipes (35) are each fluidically connected to the inlet (16) of the first container (6a) and to the reservoir (14) of the second container (6b).

9. A fuel cell arrangement comprising a gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 1, for controlling a hydrogen supply to and/or hydrogen discharge from a fuel cell (30).

10. The gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid component is H.sub.2O and the gaseous component is H.sub.2.

11. The gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the liquid component is H.sub.2O and the gaseous component is H.sub.2, wherein the pipe (35) forms a pipe wall (36), wherein the pipe wall (36) is in the form of a semi-permeable membrane (34), wherein the membrane (34) is permeable to the component H.sub.2 of the medium and wherein the membrane (34) is impermeable to the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 of the medium owing to the molecule size of the respective component.

12. The gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that a movement of component H.sub.2 of the medium out of the pipe (35) through the pipe wall (36) and into the stabilization chamber (12) takes place, while a movement of the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 of the medium out of the pipe (35) through the pipe wall (36) is prevented.

13. The gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that there is a pressure difference between the inner region and the outer region of the pipe (35), whereby a movement of the component H.sub.2 of the medium out of the pipe (35) through the pipe wall (36) and into the stabilization chamber (12) is assisted.

14. A gas-liquid separator (2) for separating at least one liquid component from a gaseous component, the gas-liquid separator comprising at least one container (6), an inlet (16) for conveying a medium to the container, means for separating into a separated component at least the liquid component of the medium in the container (6), means for discharging the separated component of the medium from the at least one container (6) via a discharge valve (46), means for guiding a remaining gaseous component of the medium back into an outflow line (5) via a first outlet (18), and means for separating, in addition to the liquid component, a gaseous component N.sub.2 from the medium, characterized in that the at least one container (6) has a container wall (17), a separating wall (8), a separating edge (15), a stabilization chamber (12), a reservoir (14) and an outlet channel (20), wherein the separating wall (8) has a nozzle tip (13) on the side facing the container wall (17), and the container wall (17) has a curved region (23).

15. A method for operating the gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 14, the method comprising conveying the medium to the container (6), separating into the separated component at least the liquid component of the medium in the container (6), discharging the separated component of the medium from the container (6), guiding the remaining gaseous component of the medium back into the outflow line (5), and separating, in addition to the liquid component, the gaseous component N.sub.2 from the medium.

16. The gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the liquid component is H.sub.2O and the gaseous component is H.sub.2, and wherein the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 are separated from the component H.sub.2 of the medium, by the centrifugal principle.

17. The gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the medium coming from the stabilization chamber (12), as the medium flows past the curved region (23) and/or the nozzle tip (13) in a flow direction V, experiences a deflection such that the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2, owing to their size, experience a less pronounced deflection and the light component H.sub.2, owing to its size, experiences a greater deflection.

18. The gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the medium, after flowing past the curved region (23) and/or the nozzle tip (13), meets the separating edge (15), wherein the light component H.sub.2 is deflected in a flow direction VII to the outlet channel (20) and the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 are deflected in a flow direction VI to the reservoir (14).

19. A gas-liquid separator (2) for separating at least one liquid component from a gaseous component, the gas-liquid separator comprising at least one container (6), an inlet (16) for conveying a medium to the container, means for separating into a separated component at least the liquid component of the medium in the container (6), means for discharging the separated component of the medium from the at least one container (6) via a discharge valve (46), means for guiding a remaining gaseous component of the medium back into an outflow line (5) via a first outlet (18), and means for separating, in addition to the liquid component, a gaseous component N.sub.2 from the medium, wherein the gas-liquid separator has multiple containers (6a, b), wherein a first container (6a) has the inlet (16), at least one pipe (35) and a stabilization chamber (12), wherein the pipe (35) is arranged inside the first container (6a), wherein a second container (6b) has a reservoir (14) and a sensor system (22), and wherein the pipe (35) is fluidically connected to the inlet (16) of the first container (6a) and to the reservoir (14) of the second container (6b), wherein the liquid component is H.sub.2O and the gaseous component is H.sub.2, wherein the pipe (35) forms a pipe wall (36), wherein the pipe wall (36) is in the form of a membrane (34), wherein the membrane (34) is permeable to the component H.sub.2 of the medium and wherein the membrane (34) is impermeable to the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 of the medium.

20. The gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that a movement of component H.sub.2 of the medium out of the pipe (35) into the stabilization chamber (12) takes place, while a movement of the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 of the medium out of the pipe (35) is prevented.

21. The gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that there is a pressure difference between the inner region and the outer region of the pipe (35), whereby a movement of the component H.sub.2 of the medium out of the pipe (35) into the stabilization chamber (12) is assisted.

22. The gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that at least two pipes (35) are combined to form a pipe bundle (37), wherein the pipes (35) are each fluidically connected to the inlet (16) of the first container (6a) and to the reservoir (14) of the second container (6b).

23. A fuel cell arrangement comprising a gas-liquid separator (2) as claimed in claim 5, for controlling a hydrogen supply to and/or hydrogen discharge from a fuel cell (30).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in detail hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a fuel cell system with a gas-liquid separator according to the invention according to a first exemplary embodiment,

(3) FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a nozzle designated III in FIG. 1 of the gas-liquid separator,

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the fuel cell system with the gas-liquid separator according to the invention according to a second exemplary embodiment,

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective sectional view of a membrane of the gas-liquid separator,

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective sectional view of a pipe bundle designated IV in FIG. 3 of the gas-liquid separator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) The representation according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 shows a fuel cell system 1 having a first exemplary embodiment of a gas-liquid separator 2 according to the invention, wherein the gas-liquid separator 2 separates a gaseous component N.sub.2 from the medium in addition to the liquid component, in particular H.sub.2O. The components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 are thereby separated from the medium, in particular from the component H.sub.2 of the medium, by means of the gas-liquid separator 2 according to the invention by means of the centrifugal principle.

(8) In FIG. 1, the fuel system 1 is shown, in which a fuel cell 30, the gas-liquid separator 2 and an optional recirculation pump 9 are fluidically connected to one another by means of lines. The fuel cell 30 has an anode region 31 and a cathode region 32 and serves in particular in a vehicle to generate energy by means of a reaction of hydrogen, that is to say H.sub.2, and oxygen, that is to say O.sub.2. The energy can thereby be generated in the form of electrical energy. The gas-liquid separator 2 according to the invention is fluidically connected to the anode region 31 via a connecting line 4. A medium, which in particular is a recirculation medium from the anode region 31 of the fuel cell 30, is thereby conducted for recirculation at the gas-liquid separator 2. The recirculation medium consists almost entirely of unconsumed H.sub.2 that has not reacted chemically or electrically with oxygen in the fuel cell 30, as well as the waste products H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 from the process of energy production in the fuel cell 30. The medium thereby flows in a flow direction II on the anode side through the connecting line 4 into an inlet 16 of the gas-liquid separator 2. Alternatively, the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 can also be referred to as a non-active gas fraction, wherein the components cannot be used for energy production in the anode region 31 in the fuel cell 30. The efficiency of the overall operation of the fuel cell system 1 is thus reduced by the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 in the recirculation path, since the components, if they are not separated by means of the gas-liquid separator 2, must also be conveyed through the entire anode path, in particular through the connecting line 4, an outflow line 5, the recirculation pump 9, an integrated jet pump 10 which is optionally present, and through an inflow line 3. Lower amounts and/or volumes of the component H.sub.2 which is required for energy production in the fuel cell 30 can thus also be conveyed and/or recirculated.

(9) In addition to the inlet 16, the gas-liquid separator 2 has at least one container 6 and a first outlet 18. The at least one container 6 has a container wall 17, a separating wall 8, a separating edge 15, a stabilization chamber 12, a reservoir 14 and an outlet channel 20, wherein the separating wall 8 has a nozzle tip 13 on the side facing the container wall 17 and the container wall 17 has a curved region 23. In the at least one container 6, the medium coming from the stabilization chamber 12, as it flows past the curved region 23 and/or the nozzle tip 13 in a flow direction V, experiences a deflection such that the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2, owing to their size, experience a less pronounced deflection and the light component H.sub.2, owing to its size, experiences a greater deflection. As a result, the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 of the medium are conducted into the reservoir 14 while the component H.sub.2 of the medium is conducted into the region of the outlet channel 20 in the at least one container 6.

(10) It is further shown in FIG. 1 that the at least one container 6 has a sensor system 22 which measures a concentration of the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 and/or a pressure in the region of the reservoir 14 and is connected at least indirectly to a discharge valve 46. As soon as the sensor system 22 detects a specific value in respect of the concentration of the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 and/or a pressure, the discharge valve 46 is triggered and the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 are discharged and/or conducted out of the at least one container 6, in particular out of the region of the reservoir 14, by means of the discharge valve 46. Alternatively, the sensor system 22 responds at a defined proportion of H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 and opens the discharge valve 46. According to an exemplary embodiment of the gas-liquid separator 2, the discharge valve 46 can be arranged at the deepest point of the at least one container 6 in order to ensure almost complete emptying of the reservoir 14 by means of and/or assisted by gravity.

(11) The H.sub.2 in the region of the outlet channel 20 and separated from the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2, in particular separated by means of the curved region 23 and the nozzle tip 13, flows, after it has entered the outlet channel 20, further to the first outlet 18 of the at least one container 6 and, from there, in the flow direction II, via the outflow line 5, further to a recirculation pump 9, which can be provided as an optional component in the fuel cell system 1. The recirculation pump 9 serves to convey and/or compress the medium, in particular H.sub.2. The recirculation pump 9 is thereby to ensure a continuous feed stream of the medium into the fuel cell 30, in particular at operating points and/or under operating states of the fuel cell system 31 at which the feed stream of the medium could come to a standstill. After the medium has passed through the recirculation pump 9, it reaches a junction 7, wherein the junction can be in the form of the integrated jet pump 10 (shown in FIG. 3), wherein the medium flows from the junction 7 in the flow direction II and through the inflow line 3 to the fuel cell 30 and wherein the medium in particular flows from the inflow line 3 into the anode region 31 of the fuel cell 30.

(12) FIG. 2 shows a detail III of a nozzle 11, shown in FIG. 1, of the gas-liquid separator 2. After the medium has flowed past the curved region 23 and/or the nozzle tip 13 of the separating wall 8, it meets the separating edge 15 in the flow direction V, wherein the light component H.sub.2 is deflected in a flow direction VII to the outlet channel 20 and the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 are deflected in a flow direction VI to the reservoir 14. The curved region 23 is part of the container wall 17. Furthermore, the separating edge 15 has a pointed or wedge-shaped region which assists with the separation of the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 from the component H.sub.2, in particular by means of the centrifugal principle. The separation of the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 from the remainder of the medium, in particular from the H.sub.2, takes place on the basis of the different masses of the components, wherein the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 are heavier than the lighter component H.sub.2. As the components flow along the curved region 23 and pass the nozzle tip 13, a centrifugal force acts on the components, which in turn facilitates the separation of the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 from the lighter component H.sub.2, in particular by means of the centrifugal principle.

(13) It is additionally advantageous thereby that the flow channel tapers in the flow direction V between the separating wall 8 and the container wall 17, in particular between the nozzle tip 13 and the curved region 23, and/or the distance between the separating wall 8 and the container wall 17 becomes smaller in the flow direction V. As a result, the flow speed of the medium, which at this point in time still contains all the components H.sub.2O, N.sub.2 and H.sub.2, can be increased, whereby the centrifugal force can be increased and the separation can thus be facilitated. The arrangement of the separating edge 15 further has an advantageous effect on the separation process, which arrangement facilitates a division of the medium from a flow direction V into on the one hand a flow direction VI in the direction towards the reservoir 14 for the heavy components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 and on the other hand a flow direction VII in the direction towards the outlet channel 20 for the light component H.sub.2. Furthermore, it is additionally advantageous if the gas-liquid separator 2 and/or the at least one container 6 and/or the nozzle 11 are so oriented that the flow direction V of the medium and/or the flow direction VI of the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 extend at least approximately in the effective direction of gravity. The flow direction VII of the component H.sub.2 thereby extends, in particular after it has flowed past the separating edge 15, at least approximately contrary to the effective direction of gravity. As a result, the separation of the heavier components and of the lighter components by means of the centrifugal principle can additionally be assisted by the effect of gravity, and more efficient separation can thus be achieved.

(14) FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the fuel cell system 1 with the gas-liquid separator 2 according to the invention according to a second exemplary embodiment. In that figure it is shown that the fuel cell 30 has the anode region 31 and the cathode region 32. Air, in particular O.sub.2, is supplied to the cathode region 32 by means of an intake tract 29 in a flow direction IV on the cathode side. In FIG. 3 it is shown that the medium, which in particular is a recirculation medium from the anode region 31 of the fuel cell 30, is conducted from the anode region 31 in the flow direction II via the connecting line 4 to the gas-liquid separator 2. The gas-liquid separator 2 has multiple containers 6a, b, wherein a first container 6a has the inlet 16, at least one pipe 35 and the stabilization chamber 12, wherein the pipe 35 is arranged inside the first container 6a, wherein a second container 6b has the reservoir 14 and the sensor system 22 and wherein the pipe 35 is fluidically connected to the inlet 16 of the first container 6a and to the reservoir 14 of the second container 6b. In a further exemplary embodiment of the gas-liquid separator 2, at least two pipes 35 can be combined to form a pipe bundle 37, wherein the pipes 35 are each fluidically connected to the inlet 16 of the first container 6a and to the reservoir 14 of the second container 6b. Furthermore, the sensor system 22 continuously measures the proportion of H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 in the second container 6b and, as soon as a specific value in respect of the concentration of the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 and/or a pressure is exceeded, the discharge valve 46 is triggered and the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 are discharged and/or conducted out of the second container 6b, in particular from the region of the reservoir 14, by means of the discharge valve 46. After the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 have been conducted out of the second container 6b by means of the discharge valve 46, they pass via a return line 19 into an intake tract 29 of the fuel cell system 1. From there, the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 flow in a flow direction IV through the intake tract 29 further into the cathode region 32.

(15) In FIG. 3 it is shown that the medium coming from the anode region 31 of the fuel cell 30 flows via the inlet 16 into the first container 6a, wherein the medium flows in at least one pipe 35 or into a pipe bundle 37 of the gas-liquid separator 2. Separation of the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 from the remainder of the medium, in particular from the H.sub.2, then takes place via the pipe 35 or the pipe bundle 37. This is made possible by a permeability of a pipe wall 36 of the pipe 35 or of the pipe bundle 37, wherein the component H.sub.2, in particular owing to its smaller molecule size as compared with the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2, is able to diffuse through the pipe wall 36 into the stabilization chamber 12. The components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2, in particular owing to their larger molecule size as compared with the component H.sub.2, cannot diffuse through the pipe wall 36 and are therefore conducted through the entire length of the pipe 35 or of the pipe bundle 37 via a second outlet 24 into the second container 6b, where they are collected. In a possible embodiment of the gas-liquid separator 2, the second outlet 24 is in such a form that a backflow of the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 from the second container 6b via the second outlet 24 into the pipe 35 or the pipe bundle 37 is prevented.

(16) The medium collected in the stabilization chamber 12, in particular the component H.sub.2, finally flows in the flow direction II through the outflow line 6 to the recirculation pump 9, wherein the compression and acceleration process to which the medium is subjected by the recirculation pump 9 is explained in greater detail in the description of FIG. 1. From the recirculation pump 9, the medium, which in particular is almost entirely H.sub.2, flows further into the integrated jet pump 10. A so-called jet pump effect takes place inside the jet pump 10. For this purpose, a gaseous driving medium, in particular H.sub.2, flows from a tank 27, in particular a high-pressure tank 27, into the jet pump 10 through a tank line 21 from outside the jet pump 10. Furthermore, the recirculation medium is conveyed by the recirculation pump 9 into an intake region of the jet pump 10. The driving medium is then introduced into the intake region under high pressure. The gaseous driving medium thereby flows in the direction of the flow direction II. The H.sub.2 flowing from the high-pressure tank 27 into the intake region of the jet pump 10 and serving as the driving medium has a pressure difference with respect to the recirculation medium which flows into the intake region, wherein the driving medium in particular has a higher pressure of at least 10 bar. In order that the jet pump effect is established, the recirculation medium is conveyed into the intake region of the jet pump 10 at a low pressure and a low mass flow rate. The driving medium thereby flows with the described pressure difference and a high speed, which in particular is close to the speed of sound, into the intake region. The driving medium thereby meets the recirculation medium, which is already in the intake region. Owing to the high speed and/or pressure difference between the driving medium and the recirculation medium, internal friction and turbulence is generated between the media. A shear stress is thereby generated in the boundary layer between the fast driving medium and the substantially slower recirculation medium. This stress causes a transfer of momentum, whereby the recirculation medium is accelerated and carried along. Mixing occurs by the principle of conservation of momentum. The recirculation medium is thereby accelerated in the flow direction II, and a pressure drop is also produced for the recirculation medium, whereby a suction effect occurs and thus further recirculation medium is conveyed out of the region of the recirculation pump 9.

(17) After the recirculation medium has been accelerated in the jet pump 10 by the driving medium and the two media have mixed, the mixed medium flows through the inflow line 3 to the fuel cell 30, in particular to the anode region 31.

(18) FIG. 4 shows a membrane 34 of the pipe wall 36, wherein the membrane 34 is shown as a perspective sectional view. The membrane 34 is in the form of a semi-permeable membrane 34, wherein the membrane 34, as shown in FIG. 4, is permeable to the component H.sub.2 of the medium and wherein the membrane 34 is impermeable to the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 of the medium, in particular owing to the molecule size of the respective component. The components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 are too large to diffuse through the structure, in particular the lattice structure, of the membrane 34, while the component H.sub.2 of the medium is sufficiently small to diffuse through the structure of the membrane 34.

(19) FIG. 5 shows that the pipe 35 forms the pipe wall 36, wherein the pipe wall 36 is in the form of a membrane 34, wherein the membrane 34 is permeable to the component H.sub.2 of the medium and wherein the membrane 34 is impermeable to the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 of the medium, in particular owing to the molecule size of the respective component. In FIG. 5 it is shown that multiple pipes 35 can be combined to form a pipe bundle 37, wherein the pipes 35 in one possible embodiment of the gas-liquid separator 2 run parallel to one another. It is shown that a movement of component H.sub.2 of the medium out of the respective pipe 35, in particular through the pipe wall 36, into the stabilization chamber 12 takes place, while a movement of the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 of the medium out of the pipe 35, in particular through the pipe wall 36, is prevented. The components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 are therefore able to flow further only in the direction towards the second outlet 24, wherein the components H.sub.2O and N.sub.2 flow further through the second outlet 24 into the second container 6b (shown in FIG. 3). In an advantageous embodiment of the gas-liquid separator 2, there is a pressure difference between the inner region and the outer region of the pipe 35 or of the pipe bundle 37, whereby a movement of the component H.sub.2 of the medium out of the pipe 35 or the pipe bundle 37, in particular through the pipe wall 36, into the stabilization chamber 12 is assisted.

(20) The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein and the aspects given emphasis therein. Rather, a large number of modifications, within the scope defined by the claims, are possible.