FUEL CELL SYSTEM WATER SEPARATOR EFFICIENCY

A device for separating liquid water from a recirculation gas stream in a fuel cell system includes an outer cylindrical tank. This tank includes a sidewall with a gas inlet port, a top wall, and a bottom with a water outlet port. The gas inlet port is designed to receive an input stream from the anode side of the fuel cell system. Inside the outer cylindrical tank, an inner protection tube is in fluid communication with the gas outlet port. This inner protection tube allows separated gas to flow to the gas outlet port while preventing liquid water from entering the gas outlet. The inner protection tube has an entry opening for receiving the separated gas flow. The anode knockout device is modified to reduce the formation of water droplets that might be entrained in the recirculation gas steam.