A heat and
humidity exchanger comprises a pleated membrane
cartridge disposed in a housing. The
cartridge comprises a pleated water-permeable membrane via which heat and
humidity can be transferred between
two fluid streams. A flow
field element is disposed within some or all of the folds of the pleated membrane, for directing the
stream over the inner surfaces of the folds. The flow field path defined by the flow
field element enhances flow distribution across one or both membrane surfaces, controlling the relative flow paths of the two streams on opposite sides of the membrane and reducing the pressure drop across the heat and
humidity exchanger. The flow field elements provide improved
water transfer and allow for a more compact device. The flow field elements can also assist in supporting the pleated membrane and controlling the
pleat spacing within the pleated membrane
cartridge. The heat and humidity exchanger is particularly suitable for fuel
cell and
energy recovery ventilator (ERV) applications.