Fuel Cell Capacitive Liquid Level Sensor CSW-50 Anti Foam Steam Interference High Reliability

Fuel Cell Capacitive Liquid Level Sensor CSW-50 for Water Separator Level Monitoring Anti-Foam and Steam Interference High Reliability

Quick Detail:

• Capacitive liquid level sensor developed for the water separator of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)
• Core function: monitors the liquid water level in the water separator in real time; when the level reaches the set value, it sends a signal to trigger the drain valve to open and drain
• Measuring principle: capacitive - using the probe and the container wall to form the two poles of a capacitor; a level change causes a capacitance change, and the internal circuit converts it into a switch or analog signal output
• No moving parts: no float or other moving elements, avoiding mechanical wear, with high long-term reliability
• Can detect conductive and non-conductive liquids, not affected by liquid color or transparency
• High temperature and pressure resistance, corrosion resistance, strong vibration resistance
• Not affected by foam or steam, suitable for the complex working conditions inside the water separator
• Compact structure, flexible installation; Material: SUS316 stainless steel (corrosion-resistant); Protection class: IP67

Description:

In a fuel cell system, after the hydrogen at the stack anode outlet is separated by the water separator, the liquid water accumulates at the bottom of the separator. The traditional solution estimates the liquid level by calibration and periodically opens the drain valve to empty the water. However, this method has obvious drawbacks: the instant emptying causes large fluctuations in hydrogen pressure, affecting stable system operation; if the water is not completely emptied each time, the liquid water continues to accumulate, and the separator may become full of water without being sensed by the system, eventually causing liquid water to enter the stack anode and triggering a flooding accident, resulting in degraded stack performance or even irreversible damage.

The liquid level sensor is the key component solving this pain point. By monitoring the liquid level in the water separator in real time, when the level reaches the set threshold the sensor sends a signal to trigger the drain valve to open, achieving precise drainage: neither emptying that causes pressure fluctuations nor insufficient drainage that causes flooding, ensuring the water separator always operates within the safe level range.

The CSW-50 uses the capacitive measurement principle: the sensor probe and the container wall form the two poles of a capacitor; a level change causes a capacitance change, and the internal circuit converts the capacitance change into a switch signal output. The product has no moving parts (no float or other mechanical structure), fundamentally avoiding mechanical wear and ensuring long-term reliability.

Under the complex working conditions of the fuel cell water separator (high temperature, high pressure, high humidity, presence of foam and steam), the CSW-50 can still maintain stable operation: it can detect conductive and non-conductive liquids, is not affected by liquid color or transparency, is high temperature and pressure resistant, corrosion resistant and strong vibration resistant, and is not affected by foam or steam. The product has a compact structure and flexible installation, is made of SUS316 stainless steel, and has a protection class of IP67.

Specifications:

Electrical / Optical Characteristics (Ta=25C +/-3C). See product specification image.

Applications:

This product is widely used in water separator level monitoring of fuel cell systems, specifically including:

• Hydrogen fuel commercial vehicles (heavy trucks, city buses, logistics vehicles)
• Hydrogen fuel passenger vehicles (sedans, SUVs)
• Stationary fuel cell power stations (backup power, distributed energy systems)
• Hydrogen fuel cell ships
• Fuel cell forklifts and construction machinery

Typical application position: installed on the side wall or top of the water separator, monitoring the liquid water level in the separator in real time, and triggering the drain valve to open when the level reaches the set value.

Company Advantages:

Shanghai Yibaijia Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd., as a professional hydrogen energy parts supply platform, distributes the CSW-50 series capacitive liquid level sensors dedicated to fuel cells. The CSW-50 uses the capacitive principle, has no moving parts, is not affected by foam or steam, is high temperature and pressure resistant and corrosion resistant, has a protection class of IP67, and is suitable for precise water separator level monitoring. The Shanghai Yibaijia team has more than 10 years of hydrogen energy industry experience and can provide full-process technical support from product selection and system matching to installation.

FAQ

Q1: Can you provide samples for testing?
A: Yes, we support sample orders for vehicle installation testing and performance verification, and also accept mixed-model sample orders.

Q2: What is the delivery lead time?
A: Sample orders usually take 5-7 working days; bulk orders (depending on order quantity) generally take 15-30 working days.

Q3: Is there a minimum order quantity (MOQ) limit?
A: 10-piece sample trial orders are supported, and bulk order prices are more favorable.

Q4: Why does the fuel cell water separator need a liquid level sensor?
A: The traditional solution estimates the liquid level by calibration and periodically drains, which has two problems: the instant emptying causes large fluctuations in hydrogen pressure; if the water is not emptied each time, the liquid water continues to accumulate, the separator may become full of water without being sensed, eventually causing liquid water to enter the stack and triggering a flooding accident. The liquid level sensor can monitor the level in real time and achieve precise drainage.

Q5: What is the working principle of the CSW-50?
A: The CSW-50 uses the capacitive measurement principle: the sensor probe and the container wall form the two poles of a capacitor; a level change causes a capacitance change, and the internal circuit converts the capacitance change into a switch signal output.

Q6: Can the CSW-50 work normally under the complex water separator conditions?
A: Yes. The CSW-50 is not affected by foam or steam, can detect conductive and non-conductive liquids, is not affected by liquid color or transparency, and is high temperature and pressure resistant, corrosion resistant and strong vibration resistant.

Q7: Why does the CSW-50 need a delayed alarm?
A: The delayed alarm is to prevent false alarms caused by liquid surface sloshing; the alarm duration is 0~25s (factory setting).

Q8: How to handle product failures?
A: We implement a strict quality control system, with an out-of-factory defect rate below 0.2%. During the warranty period, small batches of defective products will be replaced with new ones in the next order; batch quality problems will be negotiated for repair or replacement to ensure customer rights.