A large flow and low flow resistance humidifier

Abstract

The present invention discloses a large-flow, low-resistance humidifier, comprising a humidifier body, wherein the humidifier body is respectively provided with a wet inlet pipe port and a wet outlet pipe port connected to the interior of the humidifier body, and the connection between the wet outlet pipe port and the humidifier body is connected by a flared port, and the flared port corresponds to the membrane tube in the humidifier body. A large-flow, low-resistance humidifier optimizes the flow field to make the flow field uniformly distributed, reduces the flow resistance, improves the drainage effect, and reduces the impact and damage to the membrane tube in the fuel cell system. Most of the liquid water in the present application will flow into the humidifier body along the streamlined tube wall of the flared port, rather than directly impacting the membrane tube in the module, thereby reducing damage to the membrane tube and increasing the durability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of new energy technology, and in particular to a large-flow, low-flow-resistance humidifier in a fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] Fuel cell systems can be used for energy storage, power generation, driving power, or auxiliary power. They convert the chemical energy of reactants into electrical and thermal energy through electrochemical reactions. A fuel cell is a power generation system that converts the chemical energy of a fuel into electrical energy through a chemical reaction with oxygen or other oxidants. Hydrogen is the most common fuel, but hydrocarbons such as natural gas and alcohols like methanol are also sometimes used. A fuel cell system typically includes a cell stack, which comprises multiple individual fuel cells forming a power generation assembly. Each cell has a cathode and an anode that allow charge to flow between the two sides of the fuel cell. The fuel cell system also includes an air supply system that supplies air to the cathode of the fuel cell and a hydrogen supply system that supplies hydrogen to the anode of the fuel cell. The air supply system primarily filters, pressurizes, and humidifies the air entering the fuel cell, ensuring that the temperature, pressure, humidity, and flow rate on the cathode side of the fuel cell stack are within a suitable range. Conventional air supply systems primarily consist of an air filter, an air compressor, an intercooler, a humidifier, and an electronic throttle.

[0003] During the reaction process of the fuel cell stack, the proton exchange membrane needs to maintain a certain humidity to ensure that the proton exchange membrane is in a suitable water saturation state, maintain a high electrical conductivity, and maintain a high reaction efficiency. Therefore, the reaction medium is required to carry a certain amount of water vapor into the stack. This step usually requires a humidifier to achieve this.

[0004] The function of a humidifier is to humidify the air to improve the output performance of the fuel cell and increase the efficiency of the fuel cell. However, a type of humidifier widely used in the prior art is called a membrane humidifier. Traditional membrane humidifiers are divided into a dry side and a wet side. The air exhausted from the cathode of the fuel cell enters the wet side of the humidifier. The humid air passes through the membrane material, transferring moisture to the dry side, thereby humidifying the air coming out of the air supply device and supplying it to the cathode. Generally, the membrane humidifier in the membrane humidifier is installed in the humidifier body and integrated with the main shell. Dry gas circulates inside the membrane tube, and humid gas circulates outside.

[0005] The inlet of the existing humidifier is a right-angle structure, which has the following problems:

[0006] First, when the humid air enters, the accumulated water droplets will drip along the tube wall onto the module and impact the membrane tube. Figure 1As shown in the figure, the wet-side inlet of the existing membrane humidifier is connected to the humidifier body at a 90-degree angle. After the gas enters the humidifier body, most of the airflow is concentrated directly below the nozzle. This results in a larger airflow in the center module and a smaller airflow in the modules on the sides. Furthermore, the right-angle connection causes the nozzle to suddenly widen, which also causes a sudden change in the gas flow direction, resulting in significant pressure loss.

[0007] Second, since the incoming wet gas often contains a certain amount of liquid water, when a right-angle connection is used, this liquid water will be directly carried into each module along with the airflow, causing a certain impact on the membrane tubes. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In order to overcome the defects of the prior art, the present invention proposes a large-flow, low-resistance humidifier, which optimizes the flow field, makes the flow field distribution uniform, reduces the flow resistance, improves the drainage effect, and reduces the impact and damage to the modules in the fuel cell system.

[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a large-flow, low-flow-resistance humidifier, including a humidifier body, on which a wet inlet and a wet outlet connected to the inside of the humidifier body are respectively provided, and the connection between the wet outlet and the humidifier body is connected through a flared port, and the flared port corresponds to the module in the humidifier body.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flaring adopts a streamlined flaring.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the expansion is formed by an inclined surface, and the inner angle between the inclined surface and the inner wall of the wet inlet pipe opening is α, 200°≤α≤260°.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner diameter of the wet inlet is a, the inner diameter of the expanded outlet is b; and 1.9

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the height of the flared opening is c; and 0.4 <c / a<0.6。

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner diameter of the wet inlet is a, the height of the flared opening is c; the inner diameter of the flared outlet is b; and the ratio b / a is 2, and the ratio c / a is 0.5.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the central angle of the arc of the streamlined flared opening is 80° to 100°; the radius of the concentric circle corresponding to the arc of the streamlined flared opening is d, 0.5c≤d≤1.5c, and c is the height of the flared opening.

[0016] ​In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the radius of the concentric circle corresponding to the arc of the streamlined flared opening is d, 0.85c≤d≤1.25c, and c is the height of the flared opening.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, end covers are provided at both ends of the humidifier body, and the end covers at both ends are respectively provided with a dry inlet and a dry outlet connected to the humidifier body; and the dry inlet and the dry outlet as well as the wet inlet and the wet outlet form a dry flow channel and a wet flow channel on the humidifier body.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner wall where the streamlined expansion port is connected to the humidifier body is a streamlined tube wall.

[0019] The advantages of the present invention based on a large flow and low flow resistance humidifier are as follows:

[0020] The present invention incorporates a flare at the junction of the wet inlet and the humidifier body. This flare allows moisture to expand gently as it enters the wet side of the humidifier, resulting in a more gradual pressure change and significantly improved flow resistance. The flare also allows moisture to directly cover the majority of the membrane tubes in the modules as it flows through the wet side of the humidifier, rather than restricting airflow to a small portion of the membrane tubes. This reduces the impact of airflow on the membrane tubes and achieves improved durability.

[0021] Since the moisture at the wet inlet pipe contains a certain amount of liquid water, the flare at the connection adopts a streamlined flare structure. Most of the liquid water will flow along the streamlined pipe wall into the humidifier body, reducing the direct impact on the membrane tube inside the module in the humidifier body, reducing damage to the membrane tube, and improving the durability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the connection between the wet side inlet of the membrane humidifier and the humidifier body in the prior art;

[0023] Figure 2 2. It is a schematic structural diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the expansion adopts an inclined surface;

[0024] Figure 3 The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a schematic diagram of a streamlined expansion structure. Figure 1 ;

[0025] Figure 4 The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a schematic diagram of a streamlined expansion structure. Figure 2 (The wet inlet pipe is connected to the humidifier body through flaring);

[0026] Figure 5 The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a schematic diagram of a streamlined expansion structure. Figure 3 ;

[0027] The figures are marked as follows: 1-humidifier body, 2-end cover, 31-wet inlet, 32-wet outlet, 41-dry inlet, 42-dry outlet, 5-expansion, 6-module, 7-airflow. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to have a clearer understanding of the technical features, purposes and effects of the present invention, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] The following is a clear and complete description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, in the prior art, the wet inlet pipe 31 of the original membrane humidifier is connected to the humidifier body 1 at a right angle of 90 degrees. In this case, after the airflow 7 enters the humidifier body 1, most of the airflow 7 will be concentrated directly below the wet inlet pipe 31, so that the airflow 7 of the module 6 facing or adjacent to the inside of the humidifier body 1 is larger, while the airflow 7 of the modules 6 on both sides is smaller. Moreover, the right-angle connection will cause the mouth of the wet inlet pipe 31 to suddenly increase, so that the direction of gas flow will also suddenly change, resulting in a large pressure loss. In view of the above technical problems, the improved technical solution of the present invention is as follows.

[0031] Example 1

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the present invention provides a large flow rate and low flow resistance humidifier, including a humidifier body 1, end caps 2 are provided at both ends of the humidifier body 1, and the end caps 2 at both ends are respectively provided with a dry inlet pipe port 41 and a dry outlet pipe port 42 connected to the humidifier body 1; the humidifier body 1 is respectively provided with a wet inlet pipe port 31 and a wet outlet pipe port 32 connected to the inside of the humidifier body 1, and the dry inlet pipe port 41 and the dry outlet pipe port 42 as well as the wet inlet pipe port 31 and the wet outlet pipe port 32 form a dry flow channel and a wet flow channel on the humidifier body 1. The connection between the wet outlet pipe port 32 and the humidifier body 1 is connected by a flare 5, and the flare 5 corresponds to the membrane tube in the humidifier body 1. The flare 5 adopts an inclined surface, and the inner angle between the inclined surface and the inner wall of the wet inlet pipe port 31 is α, 200°≤α≤260°. The inner diameter of the wet inlet 31 is a, the inner diameter of the outlet of the flare 5 is b; the height of the flare 5 is c; and 1.9

[0033] ​The internal angle α between the inclined surface and the inner wall of the wet inlet pipe opening 31 is within the range of 200°≤α≤260°, which satisfies the flare 5's guidance of the airflow 7 and simultaneously guides the liquid water contained in the airflow 7, facilitating the liquid water to flow along the inclined surface to the inner wall of the humidifier body 1, thereby reducing the liquid water in the airflow 7 from being retained at the junction of the wet inlet pipe opening 31 and the humidifier body 1 and dripping onto the modules in the humidifier body 1, thereby impacting the modules. The inner diameter of the wet inlet pipe opening 31 is a, the inner diameter of the outlet of the flare 5 is b; the height of the flare 5 is c; and 1.9 Figure 1 The flow resistance when the wet inlet pipe 31 of the middle right-angle structure is introduced into the humidifier body 1 is reduced by 40%-50%.

[0034] Example 2

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the present invention provides a large flow rate and low flow resistance humidifier, including a humidifier body 1, end caps 2 are provided at both ends of the humidifier body 1, and the end caps 2 at both ends are respectively provided with a dry inlet pipe port 41 and a dry outlet pipe port 42 connected to the humidifier body 1; the humidifier body 1 is respectively provided with a wet inlet pipe port 31 and a wet outlet pipe port 32 connected to the inside of the humidifier body 1, and the dry inlet pipe port 41 and the dry outlet pipe port 42 as well as the wet inlet pipe port 31 and the wet outlet pipe port 32 form a dry flow channel and a wet flow channel on the humidifier body 1. The connection between the wet outlet pipe port 32 and the humidifier body 1 is connected by a flare 5, and the flare 5 corresponds to the membrane tube in the humidifier body 1. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the wet inlet pipe port 31 is a, the height of the flare 5 is c; the inner diameter of the outlet of the flare 5 is b; and the ratio of b / a is 2, and the ratio of c / a is 0.5. The flared opening 5 is in the form of an inclined surface, and the inner angle between the inclined surface and the inner wall of the wet inlet pipe opening 31 is α, 215°≤α≤245°.

[0036] ​In the dimensions of the flare 5, the ratio of b / a is 2, and the ratio of c / a is 0.5. And the inner angle α between the slope and the inner wall of the wet inlet pipe 31 is 215°≤α≤245°. The angle of the slope must not only meet the needs of diversion but also achieve the smooth connection between the slope and the inner wall of the wet inlet pipe 31 and the inner wall of the humidifier body 1. However, the ratio of b / a is 2, and the ratio of c / a is 0.5, which improves the connection performance of the flare 5 with the wet inlet pipe 31 and the humidifier body 1. The airflow 7 is pre-diffused when entering the wet inlet pipe 31 to the interior of the humidifier body 1, and the diffused diversion adopts a gradually expanding structure, and the expansion angle of the flare solves the problem of sudden change in the direction of gas flow after the airflow 7 enters, thereby reducing pressure loss. Compared with the prior art, this embodiment Figure 1 The flow resistance when the wet inlet pipe 31 of the middle right-angle structure is introduced into the humidifier body 1 is reduced by 45%-50%.

[0037] Example 3

[0038] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the present invention provides a large flow rate and low flow resistance humidifier, including a humidifier body 1, end covers 2 are provided at both ends of the humidifier body 1, and the end covers 2 at both ends are respectively provided with a dry inlet pipe port 41 and a dry outlet pipe port 42 connected to the humidifier body 1; the humidifier body 1 is respectively provided with a wet inlet pipe port 31 and a wet outlet pipe port 32 connected to the inside of the humidifier body 1, and the dry inlet pipe port 41 and the dry outlet pipe port 42 as well as the wet inlet pipe port 31 and the wet outlet pipe port 32 form a dry flow channel loop and a wet flow channel loop on the humidifier body 1. The connection between the wet outlet pipe port 32 and the humidifier body 1 is connected through a flare 5, and the flare 5 corresponds to the membrane tube in the humidifier body 1. The flare 5 adopts a streamlined flare. The inner wall where the streamlined flare 5 is connected to the humidifier body 1 is a streamlined pipe wall. The inner diameter of the wet inlet 31 is a, the inner diameter of the outlet of the flare 5 is b; the height of the flare 5 is c; and 1.9

[0039] The streamlined structure of the flared opening 5 provides smoother flow guidance than a beveled connection structure and better directs liquid water in the airflow 7. The streamlined inner wall provides better coordination with the walls of the wet inlet pipe 31 and the inner wall of the humidifier body 1. This reduces the smoothness of the flow guidance between the flared opening 5, the wet inlet pipe 31, and the humidifier body 1, reducing stagnation at the connection and facilitating the drainage of liquid water in the airflow 7. The streamlined flared opening 5 reduces flow resistance by approximately 20% compared to a beveled flared opening 5 of the same size.

[0040] Example 4

[0041] like Figures 3 to 5 ​As shown, the present invention is a large flow and low flow resistance humidifier, including a humidifier body 1, end covers 2 are provided at both ends of the humidifier body 1, and the end covers 2 at both ends are respectively provided with a dry inlet pipe port 41 and a dry outlet pipe port 42 connected to the humidifier body 1; the humidifier body 1 is respectively provided with a wet inlet pipe port 31 and a wet outlet pipe port 32 connected to the inside of the humidifier body 1, and the dry inlet pipe port 41 and the dry outlet pipe port 42 as well as the wet inlet pipe port 31 and the wet outlet pipe port 32 form a dry flow channel loop and a wet flow channel loop on the humidifier body 1. The connection between the wet outlet pipe port 32 and the humidifier body 1 is connected through a flare 5, and the flare 5 corresponds to the membrane tube in the humidifier body 1. The inner diameter of the wet inlet pipe port 31 is a, the inner diameter of the outlet of the flare 5 is b; the height of the flare 5 is c; and 1.9

[0042] The flare 5 adopts a streamlined structure, which makes the flow smoother and better for guiding the liquid water in the air flow 7 compared to the inclined structure. The inner diameter of the wet inlet pipe 31 is a, the inner diameter of the outlet of the flare 5 is b; the height of the flare 5 is c; and 1.9

[0043] Working principle:

[0044] ​​Due to the limitation of system layout, the inner diameter a of the wet inlet pipe 31 of the humidifier is often a fixed value. Under this condition, the wet inlet pipe 31 is adjusted to the connection part between the pipe and the humidifier body 1, and the flared shape 5 is added to it, such as Figure 2 As shown, when the size of the flare 5 meets the setting of embodiment 1 or embodiment 2, the flow resistance is better than that in the prior art. Figure 1 In the third and fourth embodiments, the structure of the flared opening 5 is changed to a streamline tangent to the wet inlet pipe opening 31 and the humidifier body 1, and the flow resistance can be further reduced by about 20% based on the first or second embodiment.

[0045] After improvement, the present invention optimizes the structure of the connection between the wet inlet pipe 31 and the humidifier body 1, so that the condition of the airflow 7 after entering the humidifier body 1 is improved. Figure 5 As shown, the airflow 7 will enter the humidifier body 1 along the streamline shape of the connection of the flare 5. The airflow 7 will be evenly distributed throughout the body, and the amount of airflow 7 obtained by each module 6 will be more balanced, rather than concentrated in a certain area. The impact force of the airflow 7 on the membrane tubes in each module 6 can be more uniform, improving the situation where the local membrane tubes are subjected to greater force. Since the wet airflow 7 is obtained from the outlet of the battery stack, it contains a certain amount of liquid water. When a right-angle connection is adopted, these liquid waters will be directly brought into each module 6 along with the airflow 7, causing an impact on the membrane tubes in the module 6. Most of the liquid water in this application will flow along the streamlined tube wall of the flare 5 into the humidifier body 1, rather than directly impacting the membrane tubes in the module 6, thereby reducing damage to the membrane tubes and increasing their durability.

[0046] The present invention is described by means of several specific embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent substitutions may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, various modifications may be made to the present invention for specific situations or circumstances without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but is intended to include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-flow, low-resistance humidifier, comprising a humidifier body, wherein the humidifier body is provided with a wet inlet and a wet outlet connected to the interior of the humidifier body, characterized in that: The connection between the wet inlet pipe and the humidifier body is connected through a flared opening, and the flared opening corresponds to the module in the humidifier body; The flaring is a streamlined flaring; or the flaring is an inclined surface, and the inner angle between the inclined surface and the inner wall of the wet inlet pipe is α, 200°≤α≤260°; The inner diameter of the wet inlet is a, the inner diameter of the expanded outlet is b; and 1.9 < b / a < 2.1; The height of the flared opening is c; and 0.4<c / a<0.

6.

2. The high flow rate and low flow resistance humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the wet inlet is a, the height of the flared port is c; the inner diameter of the outlet of the flared port is b; the ratio b / a is 2, and the ratio c / a is 0.

5.

3. The high flow rate and low flow resistance humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central angle of the streamlined arc of the expanded opening is 80° to 100°; the radius of the concentric circle corresponding to the streamlined arc of the expanded opening is d, 0.5c≤d≤1.5c, and c is the height of the expanded opening.

4. The high flow rate and low flow resistance humidifier according to claim 3, characterized in that: The radius of the concentric circle corresponding to the arc of the streamlined expansion is d, 0.85c≤d≤1.25c, and c is the height of the expansion.

5. The high flow rate and low flow resistance humidifier according to claim 1, characterized in that: End covers are provided at both ends of the humidifier body, and the end covers at both ends are respectively provided with a dry inlet and a dry outlet connected to the humidifier body; and the dry inlet and dry outlet as well as the wet inlet and wet outlet form a dry flow channel and a wet flow channel on the humidifier body.

6. The high flow rate and low flow resistance humidifier according to claim 5, characterized in that: The inner wall where the streamlined expansion port is connected to the humidifier body is a streamlined tube wall.

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