Filter element for membrane humidifier and membrane humidifier comprising same

Abstract

The invention relates to a filter element for a membrane humidifier and the membrane humidifier comprising the filter element. The cartridge for a membrane humidifier comprises: a main body part having a space in which a plurality of hollow fiber membranes are accommodated; a first window formed on one side of the main body portion and through which wet gas is introduced; a second window formed on the other side of the main body portion and through which the wet gas is discharged; and a recessed portion provided on a bottom surface of the main body portion and recessed upward toward a center of the main body portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a filter element for a membrane humidifier and a membrane humidifier including the filter element, and more specifically, to a filter element for a membrane humidifier and a membrane humidifier including the filter element: the filter element reduces the pressure of humid gas introduced into the filter element containing the hollow fiber membrane to prevent damage to the hollow fiber membrane, and improves humidification efficiency by using the humid gas. Background Technology

[0002] Fuel cells use the chemical energy generated from a combination of hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. Research has been actively conducted on fuel cells as an environmentally friendly energy source that emits fewer pollutants.

[0003] Based on the type of electrolyte used, fuel cells can be broadly classified into polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC), molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC), solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), and alkaline fuel cells (AFC).

[0004] Each of the aforementioned types of fuel cells operates on essentially the same principle. However, the types of fuels used, operating temperatures, catalysts, electrolytes, etc., differ from one another. Among fuel cells, PEMFCs are considered the most promising for both small-scale stationary power systems and transportation systems, not only because they operate at lower temperatures compared to other fuel cells, but also because they can be miniaturized due to their high power density.

[0005] One of the most critical factors in improving the performance of PEMFCs is maintaining the hydration level of the polymer electrolyte membrane (or proton exchange membrane) (PEM) of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) by supplying a certain amount of moisture to the PEM. This is because power generation efficiency decreases sharply when the PEM dries out.

[0006] Methods for humidifying the PEM include: 1) a bubbling humidification method, in which water is filled into a pressure vessel and the target gas is passed through a diffuser to supply moisture; 2) a direct injection method, in which the amount of water required for the fuel cell reaction is calculated and moisture is directly supplied to the gas flow line via a solenoid valve; and 3) a membrane humidification method, which uses a polymer separation membrane to supply moisture to the gas flow layer. Among these methods, membrane humidification is advantageous because it allows for reductions in both the weight and size of the humidifier. In membrane humidification, the PEM is humidified by supplying water vapor to the air supplied to the PEM using a membrane that selectively permeates only water vapor contained in the exhaust gas.

[0007] In membrane humidification methods, hollow fiber membranes with a large permeable area per unit volume are preferred as selective permeable membranes for forming modules. When using hollow fiber membranes to manufacture humidifiers, sufficient humidification of fuel cells can be achieved even with a small amount of hollow fiber membrane, because the large contact surface area of ​​the hollow fiber membrane allows for high integration. Furthermore, the manufacturing cost is relatively low when using hollow fiber membranes, and the moisture and heat contained in the high-temperature exhaust gas from the fuel cell can be recovered and reused through the humidifier.

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic exploded perspective view of an existing membrane humidifier used in fuel cells. (Refer to...) Figure 1 Existing humidifiers of the membrane humidification type include a humidification module 110 and a first cover 120 and a second cover 130 respectively connected to both ends of the humidification module 110. In the humidification module 110, moisture exchange occurs between air supplied from the outside and exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack (not shown).

[0009] External air is introduced through the inlet 121 of the first cover 120 and delivered to the humidification module 110, and the air humidified by the humidification module 110 is delivered to the fuel cell stack through the outlet 131 of the second cover 130. The humidification module 110 includes a housing 111 and a filter element 100 disposed within the housing 111. The housing 111 includes a wet exhaust gas inlet 111a (through which wet gas is introduced) and a wet exhaust gas outlet 111b (through which wet exhaust gas is discharged).

[0010] Filter element 100 is connected to connection portion 112 of housing 111. Multiple filter elements 100 can be connected to connection portion 112. Filter element 100 can be filled with a hollow fiber membrane, and both ends of the hollow fiber membrane can be potted and fixed to both ends of filter element 100. The hollow fiber membrane can be potted by curing a liquid polymer such as liquid polyurethane resin.

[0011] Externally supplied air is introduced into the first cover 120 and flows through the hollow portion of the hollow fiber membrane. Exhaust gas introduced into the housing 111 through the wet exhaust gas inlet 111a is discharged from the housing 111 through the wet exhaust gas outlet 111b after contacting the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane. As the exhaust gas contacts the hollow fiber membrane, the air flowing through the hollow portion of the membrane is humidified as moisture contained in the exhaust gas passes through the membrane.

[0012] Humidification occurs when the wet gas introduced through the wet exhaust gas inlet 111a comes into contact with the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane 150 arranged inside the filter element 100, and when the filter elements 100 are arranged adjacent to each other and the wet gas flows through the space between them, the wet gas is introduced into the filter element 100 through the window formed in the filter element 100.

[0013] In this situation, there is a possibility that the hollow fiber membrane arranged inside the filter element 100 may be damaged by the pressure of the humid gas. Furthermore, as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the wet gas introduced through the wet exhaust gas inlet 111a flows downward along the space between the filter elements 100 arranged adjacent to each other, and the wet gas is concentrated on the lower part of the filter elements 100 adjacent to each other, thereby causing the pressure of the wet gas to increase further. Summary of the Invention

[0014] Technical issues

[0015] This disclosure is designed to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a filter element for a membrane humidifier that reduces the pressure of humid gas introduced into the filter element for containing a hollow fiber membrane to prevent damage to the hollow fiber membrane and improves humidification efficiency by using humid gas. This disclosure also provides a membrane humidifier including the filter element.

[0016] Technical solution

[0017] A filter element for a membrane humidifier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a body having a space for accommodating a plurality of hollow fiber membranes; a first window formed on one side of the body and through which humid gas is introduced; a second window formed on the other side of the body and through which humid gas is discharged; and a recess provided in the bottom surface of the body and recessed upward toward the center of the body.

[0018] In addition, the recess may include: a first inner wall portion; a second inner wall portion facing the first inner wall portion; and an upper surface that connects the upper portion of the first inner wall portion to the upper portion of the second inner wall portion, and a third window may be formed in the first inner wall portion and the second inner wall portion, through which humid gas is introduced.

[0019] In addition, the recess may include: a first inner wall portion; a second inner wall portion facing the first inner wall portion; and an upper surface that connects the upper portion of the first inner wall portion to the upper portion of the second inner wall portion, and a fourth window may be formed in the upper surface through which humid gas is introduced.

[0020] In addition, the upper surface may have an upwardly convex curved portion.

[0021] Furthermore, multiple third windows can be provided in the vertical direction of each of the first inner wall portion and the second inner wall portion, and the area of ​​each of the third windows in the first inner wall portion and the second inner wall portion can gradually decrease upwards.

[0022] In addition, the recess may include a first recess having a first width and a second recess extending from the first recess and having a width smaller than the first width.

[0023] Furthermore, the second recess can extend upward toward the center of the main body from the upper end of the first recess. As the width of the first inner wall portion and the second inner wall portion decreases, a step can be formed in the upper end of the first recess, and the second recess can extend upward from the step.

[0024] Furthermore, the second recess may include a left recess extending from the first inner wall portion and a right recess extending from the second inner wall portion. The left and right recesses may be arranged separately from each other, and the lower portions of the left and right recesses may be connected to each other by a connecting portion.

[0025] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a membrane humidifier includes a housing comprising a wet exhaust gas inlet on one side and a wet exhaust gas outlet on the other side, wherein humid gas is introduced through the wet exhaust gas inlet and the humid gas introduced through the wet exhaust gas inlet is discharged through the wet exhaust gas outlet. The filter element includes: a body detachably connected to a housing and having a space for accommodating a plurality of hollow fiber membranes; a first window formed in one side of the body and through which humid gas is introduced; a second window formed in the other side of the body and through which humid gas is discharged; and a recess disposed in the bottom surface of the body and recessed upward toward the center of the body. A first cover, which is attached to one side of the housing and through which external air is introduced, and The second cover, which is connected to the other side of the housing, allows outside air to be humidified and exhausted as it flows along multiple hollow fiber membranes.

[0026] Here, the recess may include: a first inner wall portion; a second inner wall portion facing the first inner wall portion; and an upper surface that connects the upper portion of the first inner wall portion to the upper portion of the second inner wall portion, and a third window may be formed in the first inner wall portion and the second inner wall portion, through which humid gas is introduced.

[0027] Here, the recess may include: a first inner wall portion; a second inner wall portion facing the first inner wall portion; and an upper surface that connects the upper portion of the first inner wall portion to the upper portion of the second inner wall portion, and a fourth window may be formed on the upper surface through which humid gas is introduced.

[0028] Here, the upper surface may have an upwardly convex curved portion.

[0029] Here, multiple third windows can be set in the vertical direction of each of the first inner wall portion and the second inner wall portion, and the area of ​​each of the third windows in the first inner wall portion and the second inner wall portion can gradually decrease upwards.

[0030] Here, the recess may include a first recess having a first width and a second recess extending from the first recess and having a width less than the first width.

[0031] Here, the second recess can extend upward toward the center of the main body from the upper end of the first recess. As the width of the first inner wall portion and the second inner wall portion decreases, a step can be formed on the upper end of the first recess, and the second recess can extend upward from the step.

[0032] Here, the second recess may include a left recess extending from the first inner wall portion and a right recess extending from the second inner wall portion. The left and right recesses may be arranged separately from each other, and the lower portions of the left and right recesses may be connected to each other by a connecting portion.

[0033] Beneficial effects

[0034] The humidification module for a membrane humidifier according to embodiments of the present disclosure provides the effect of increasing humidification efficiency as humidified gas flows from the fuel cell stack to the center of the humidification module. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is an exploded 3D view of an existing membrane humidifier.

[0036] Figure 2 It shows in Figure 1 The wet gas flowing between the filter elements shown.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a filter element for a membrane humidifier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of region A.

[0039] Figure 5 This is an enlarged view of the main part of a filter element according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 An enlarged view of region B shows a third window with an area that gradually decreases upwards.

[0041] Figure 7 A recess is shown in another embodiment of this disclosure.

[0042] Figure 8 A recess is shown in another embodiment of this disclosure.

[0043] Figure 9 A filter cartridge with a pivot cap is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0044] In the following description, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Because the present disclosure allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, specific embodiments will be shown in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the one or more embodiments of the present disclosure to a particular mode of practice, and it should be understood that all changes and / or equivalents and substitutions that do not depart from the spirit and technical scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure are included in this disclosure. Regarding the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

[0045] It should also be understood that the terms "comprising" and / or "including" as used in the various embodiments of this disclosure are intended to indicate the presence of the disclosed functions, steps, or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other functions, steps, or components. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments of this disclosure, it should be understood that terms such as "comprising," "having," and "including" are intended to indicate the presence of features, quantities, steps, actions, components, portions, or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to exclude the possibility that one or more other features, quantities, steps, actions, components, portions, or combinations thereof may be present or may be added.

[0046] It is understandable that when a component is described as being "connected to" another component, the component can be directly connected to the other component, but there may be intermediate components in between. Conversely, when a component is described as being "directly connected to" or "directly in contact with" another component, there are no intermediate components.

[0047] The terminology used in this specification is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” as used herein are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0048] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0049] It will also be understood that terms such as those defined in common dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant field, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined as such herein.

[0050] This disclosure relates to a filter element for a membrane humidifier that humidifies dry gas supplied from the outside by using moist gas discharged from a fuel cell stack. This disclosure also relates to a membrane humidifier employing a filter element. The filter element 1 according to this disclosure can be used for... Figure 1In a membrane humidifier, filter element 1 can be connected to housing 111. Housing 111 may include a connecting portion 112 to which filter element 1 is connected. A wet exhaust gas inlet 111a, through which humid gas is introduced, can be formed on one side of housing 111, and a wet exhaust gas outlet 111b, through which the humid gas introduced through wet exhaust gas inlet 111a is discharged, can be formed on the other side of housing 111. Figure 1 As shown, the first cover 120 and the second cover 130 can be connected to both ends of the housing 111, respectively. The first cover 120 is connected to one side of the housing 111, and external air is introduced through the first cover 120. The second cover 130 is connected to the other side of the housing 111, and the external air is humidified as it flows through the hollow fiber membrane and then discharged. The wet exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack is introduced into the filter element 1 of the housing 111, and the wet gas flows along the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane 2 as the external air flows along the hollow fiber membrane 2. When the wet gas contacts the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane 2, moisture can be transported into the interior of the hollow fiber membrane 2, and thus the external air can be humidified, and the humidified external air can be supplied to the fuel cell stack through the second cover 130.

[0051] In the following description, embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. A filter element 1 for a membrane humidifier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a body 10, a first window 20, a second window 30, and a recess 40.

[0052] First, the filter element 1 is configured to humidify external air flowing through a hollow fiber membrane 2 disposed inside the filter element 1 using moist gas. The hollow fiber membrane 2 is disposed inside the filter element 1, and both ends of the filter element 1 and both ends of the hollow fiber membrane 2 are potted to form a potting layer (not shown) and are fixed in place. The potting layer can be formed by curing a liquid polymer such as liquid polyurethane resin. The filter element 1 can be detachably connected to the connection portion 112 of the housing 111.

[0053] The main body 10 provides a space for accommodating the hollow fiber membrane 2. According to this embodiment, the main body 10 has an elongated cross-section, with its length in the vertical direction greater than its length in the horizontal direction. The main body 10 is substantially O-shaped. The main body 10 can extend along the longitudinal direction of the housing 111.

[0054] The hollow fiber membrane 2 can be housed within the body 10, and both ends of the hollow fiber membrane 2 can be sealed to both ends of the body 10. The hollow fiber membrane 2 may include a material that allows moisture in humid gases to permeate. For example, the hollow fiber membrane 2 may include a polymer membrane formed of polysulfone resin, polyethersulfone resin, sulfonated polysulfone resin, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resin, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) resin, polyimide resin, polyamide-imide resin, polyesterimide resin, or a mixture of two or more of these. Because the hollow fiber membrane 2 can be potted and fixed to the body 10, the filter element 1 can be detachably mounted on the housing 111 as an integral unit.

[0055] A first window 20 is formed on one side of the main body 10 to allow the introduction of humid gas. According to this embodiment, when the filter element 1 is installed on the housing 111, the first window 20 is arranged on the lower side of the humid exhaust gas inlet 111a of the housing 111.

[0056] According to this embodiment, a plurality of first windows 20 are disposed on each side of the main body 10. (Refer to...) Figure 3 The first window 20 is arranged in multiple columns in the vertical direction. The size or number of columns of the first window 20 can be varied.

[0057] Each of the first windows 20 can have a sufficient area to effectively transport humid gas toward the hollow fiber membrane 2, and when humid gas is introduced, the side surfaces of the main body 10 between the first window 20 and the adjacent first window 20 (i.e., the grid portion forming the main body 10) can impact the humid gas as it flows into the main body 10, thereby reducing the pressure of the humid gas and preventing damage to the hollow fiber membrane 2.

[0058] A second window 30 is formed on the other side of the main body 10 to discharge the humid gas introduced into the main body 10. According to this embodiment, when the filter element 1 is installed on the housing 111, the second window 30 is arranged below the humid exhaust gas outlet 111b of the housing 111.

[0059] According to this embodiment, a plurality of second windows 30 are disposed on each side of the main body 10. (See reference...) Figure 3 The second window 30 is formed into multiple columns in the vertical direction. The size or number of columns of the second window 30 can be varied.

[0060] The second windows 30 can each have sufficient area to effectively transport moist gas toward the hollow fiber membrane 2, and can be formed in substantially the same manner as the first window 20, so that the moist gas introduced into the body 10 can be smoothly discharged through the second windows 30. Based on Figure 3The humid gas introduced into the main body 10 through the first window 20 can flow toward the rear end of the main body 10 and then be discharged to the outside of the main body 10 through the second window 30. The humid gas can also be discharged to the outside of the main body 10 through the wet exhaust gas outlet 111b of the housing 111.

[0061] The recess 40 is formed by recessing upward from the bottom surface of the body 10 toward its center. The term "recess" refers to the state in which the outer surface of the body 10 is recessed inward. According to this embodiment, the recess 40 includes a first inner wall portion 41, a second inner wall portion 42, and an upper surface 43.

[0062] The first inner wall portion 41 and the second inner wall portion 42 are opposing side surfaces formed when the bottom surface of the main body 10 is recessed. The first inner wall portion 41 and the second inner wall portion 42 face each other, and according to this embodiment, the first inner wall portion 41 and the second inner wall portion 42 are arranged parallel to each other. The arrangement of the first inner wall portion 41 and the second inner wall portion 42 is not limited to being parallel, and the distance between them may gradually increase or decrease upwards.

[0063] According to this embodiment, a third window 44 is formed in the first inner wall portion 41 and the second inner wall portion 42 to introduce humid gas. Figure 4 As shown, the third window 44 can be formed in multiple columns in the first inner wall portion 41 and the second inner wall portion 42. The third window 44, together with the first window 20 formed in the two side surfaces of the body 10, forms a flow path through which moist gas is additionally introduced into the body 10, thereby increasing the permeability of the moist gas introduced into the body 10.

[0064] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, multiple third windows 44 can be arranged in the vertical direction of each of the first inner wall portion 41 and the second inner wall portion 42, and the area of ​​the third windows 44 in the first inner wall portion 41 and the second inner wall portion 42 can gradually decrease upwards. The third windows 44 can be arranged in multiple columns in the vertical direction, and the area of ​​each third window 44 in each column can gradually decrease upwards.

[0065] As the humid gas flowing toward the bottom surface of the body 10 moves into the recess 40, the third window 44 allows the humid gas to be additionally introduced into the body 10. In the lower region where the humid gas is introduced into the recess 40, the humid gas has a relatively higher pressure than in the upper region, and therefore, the pressure of the humid gas can be effectively reduced by increasing the area of ​​the third window 44 in the lower region.

[0066] The upper surface 43 connects the upper part of the first inner wall portion 41 and the upper part of the second inner wall portion 42. According to this embodiment, as... Figure 4 As shown, the upper surface 43 has an upwardly protruding curved portion. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As shown, according to another embodiment of this disclosure, a fourth window 45 for introducing humid gas is formed in the upper surface 43.

[0067] Multiple fourth windows 45 may be provided in the upper surface 43. The fourth windows 45 may form an additional flow path through which humid gas flowing between the first inner wall portion 41 and the second inner wall portion 42 is introduced into the body 10, and the fourth windows 45 may allow the humid gas to be effectively transported toward the hollow fiber membrane 2 arranged near the center of the body 10.

[0068] As described above, the third window 44 and the fourth window 45, together with the first window 20 and the second window 30, provide a flow path for humid gas to flow into the body 10, thereby ensuring sufficient flow of humid gas to the hollow fiber membrane 2 and also relieving the increased pressure of humid gas at the lower side of the filter element 1.

[0069] Figure 7 and Figure 8 A cross-section of a filter element according to another embodiment is shown. Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the implementation method, the structure and operation of the main body 10, the first window 20 and the second window 30 are the same as those of the main body 10. Figure 3 The structure and operation of filter element 1 are basically the same, and repeated descriptions are omitted. Figure 7 and Figure 8 In this embodiment, the structure of the recess 40 is different. Figure 3 The structure of the embodiment will be described in detail below, and the recess 40 will be described in detail below.

[0070] exist Figure 7 and Figure 8 In this embodiment, the recess 40 of the filter element 1 includes a first recess 401 and a second recess 402. The first recess 401 is disposed in the lower part of the bottom surface of the body 10 and has a first width. Having a first width means that the first inner wall portion 41 and the second inner wall portion 42 have a predetermined first width. The second recess 402 extends from the first recess 401 and has a second width that is smaller than the first width.

[0071] Reference Figure 7 The second recess 402 extends upward from the upper end of the first recess 401 toward the center of the main body 10. In this case, as the widths of the first inner wall portion 41 and the second inner wall portion 42 decrease, the upper end of the first recess 401 has a step 410. The second recess 402 extends upward from the step 410. Figure 7 As shown, a single second recess 402 extends from the first recess 401.

[0072] The third window 44 can be formed in the first inner wall portion 41 and the second inner wall portion 42 of the first recess 401 and the second recess 402, and the fourth window 45 can be formed in the upper surface 43 of the second recess 402.

[0073] Reference Figure 8 The second recess 402 includes a left recess 412 extending from the first inner wall portion 41 and a right recess 422 extending from the second inner wall portion 42. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the left recess 412 and the right recess 422 are arranged separately from each other, and their bottoms are connected to each other by the connecting part 420.

[0074] When the humid gas flowing upward through the first recess 401 impacts the connecting portion 420, the connecting portion 420 allows for a pressure reduction in the humid gas. Furthermore, the aforementioned third window 44 can be formed in the first inner wall portion 41 and the second inner wall portion 42 of the first recess 401, and can also be formed in the first inner wall portion 41 and the second inner wall portion 42 forming the left recess 412 and the right recess 422. Additionally, a fourth window 45 can be formed in the upper surface 43 of the left recess 412 and the right recess 422.

[0075] According to this embodiment, such as Figure 9 As shown, the main body 10 includes a pivot cover 50. The pivot cover 50 is positioned on the upper part of the main body 10. The pivot cover 50 is formed on the opposite side of the lower part of the main body 10 where the recess 40 is formed. The pivot cover 50 is formed to cover the upper part of the main body 10 with one side surface opposite to the main body 10. When the interior of the main body 10 is opened, the pivot cover 50 allows the hollow fiber membrane 2 to be loaded. Due to the pivot cover 50, the hollow fiber membrane 2 can be easily loaded into the main body 10.

[0076] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a membrane humidifier including the above-described filter element is provided.

[0077] A membrane humidifier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing 110, a first cover 120, a second cover 130, and a filter element 40.

[0078] Specifically, a wet exhaust gas inlet 111a, through which humid gas is introduced, is formed on one side of the housing 110, and a wet exhaust gas outlet 111b, through which the humid gas introduced through the wet exhaust gas inlet 111a is discharged, is formed on the other side of the housing 110. A first cover 120 is attached to one side of the housing 111 and introduces external air. A second cover 130 is attached to the other side of the housing 111, and the external air is humidified as it flows through the hollow fiber membrane 2 and then discharged. Since the housing 111, the first cover 120, and the second cover 130 have been described above, their description will not be repeated.

[0079] The filter element 1 can be detachably connected to the housing 111 and may include a body 10 having a space for accommodating the hollow fiber membrane 2; a first window 20 formed in one side of the body 10 and through which humid gas is introduced; a second window 30 formed in the other side of the body 10 and through which humid gas is discharged; and a recess 40 formed in the bottom surface of the body 10 and recessed upward toward the center of the body 10. The filter element 1 used in the membrane humidifier of this disclosure can substantially adopt the structure of the filter element 1 described above.

[0080] Specifically, the recess 40 may include: a first inner wall portion 41; a second inner wall portion 42 facing the first inner wall portion 41; and an upper surface 43 connecting the upper portion of the first inner wall portion 41 to the upper portion of the second inner wall portion 42. A third window 44 for introducing humid gas may be formed in the first inner wall portion 41 and the second inner wall portion 42. Furthermore, a fourth window 45 for introducing humid gas may be formed in the upper surface 43. The upper surface 43 may have an upwardly convex curved surface. A plurality of third windows 44 may be formed in the vertical direction of each of the first inner wall portions 41 and the second inner wall portions 42, and the area of ​​each of the third windows 44 formed in each of the first inner wall portions 41 and the second inner wall portions 42 may gradually decrease upward. Since the functions and effects of the first inner wall portion 41, the second inner wall portion 42, the third window 44, and the fourth window 45 have been described above, their description will not be repeated.

[0081] Alternatively, a membrane humidifier according to another embodiment of this disclosure may employ a filter element in which a different type of recess 40 is formed. Specifically, the recess 40 may include a first recess 401 having a first width and a second recess 402 extending from the first recess 401 and having a width smaller than the first width.

[0082] For example, such as Figure 7 As shown, the second recess 402 can extend upward from the upper end of the first recess 401 toward the center of the main body 10. As the width of the first inner wall portion 41 and the second inner wall portion 42 decreases, a step 410 can be formed on the upper end of the first recess 401, and the second recess 402 can extend upward from the step 410.

[0083] In addition, such as Figure 8 As shown, the second recess 402 may include a left recess 412 extending from the first inner wall portion 41 and a right recess 422 extending from the second inner wall portion 42. The left recess 412 and the right recess 422 may be arranged separately from each other, and their bottoms are connected to each other by a connecting portion 420.

[0084] The membrane humidifier according to the embodiments of this disclosure can provide the same function and effect as the filter element described above. Therefore, the description of the function and effect of the filter element will not be repeated.

[0085] Although this disclosure has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A filter element for use in a membrane humidifier, the filter element comprising: Body (10), the body having a space for accommodating a plurality of hollow fiber membranes; A first window (20) is formed in one side of the body (10), and humid gas is introduced through the first window; A second window (30) is formed on the other side of the main body (10), and the humid gas is discharged through the second window; and A recess (40) is provided in the bottom surface of the body (10) and is recessed upward toward the center of the body (10).

2. The filter element according to claim 1, wherein, The recess (40) includes: First inner wall portion (41); The second inner wall portion (42) faces the first inner wall portion (41); and The upper surface (43) connects the upper part of the first inner wall portion (41) to the upper part of the second inner wall portion (42), and A third window (44) is formed in the first inner wall portion (41) and the second inner wall portion (42), through which the humid gas is introduced.

3. The filter element according to claim 1, wherein, The recess (40) includes: First inner wall portion (41); The second inner wall portion (42) faces the first inner wall portion (41); and The upper surface (43) connects the upper part of the first inner wall portion (41) to the upper part of the second inner wall portion (42), and A fourth window (45) is formed in the upper surface (43), through which the humid gas is introduced.

4. The filter element according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, The upper surface (43) has an upwardly protruding curved portion.

5. The filter element according to claim 2, wherein, The third window (44) is provided in a plurality of vertical directions in each of the first inner wall portion (41) and the second inner wall portion (42), and the area of ​​each of the third windows (44) in the first inner wall portion (41) and the second inner wall portion (42) gradually decreases upward.

6. The filter element according to claim 1, wherein, The recess (40) includes a first recess (401) having a first width and a second recess (402) extending from the first recess (401) and having a width smaller than the second width.

7. The filter element according to claim 6, wherein, The second recess (402) extends upward from the upper end of the first recess (401) toward the center of the body (10). As the width of the first inner wall portion (41) and the second inner wall portion (42) decreases, a step (410) is formed on the upper end of the first recess (401), and the second recess (402) extends upward from the step (410).

8. The filter element according to claim 6, wherein, The second recess (402) includes a left recess (412) extending from the first inner wall portion (41) and a right recess (422) extending from the second inner wall portion (42). The left recess (412) and the right recess (422) are arranged separately from each other, and the lower part of the left recess (412) and the lower part of the right recess (422) are connected to each other by a connecting part (420).

9. A membrane humidifier, the membrane humidifier comprising: The housing (110) includes a wet exhaust gas inlet (111a) on one side and a wet exhaust gas outlet (111b) on the other side, wherein wet gas is introduced through the wet exhaust gas inlet (111a) and the wet gas introduced through the wet exhaust gas inlet (111a) is discharged through the wet exhaust gas outlet (111b); A filter element comprising: a body (10) detachably connected to the housing and having space for accommodating a plurality of hollow fiber membranes; a first window (20) formed in one side of the body through which humid gas is introduced; a second window (30) formed in the other side of the body through which humid gas is discharged; and a recess (40) disposed in the bottom surface of the body and recessed upward toward the center of the body (10). A first cover (120) is attached to one side of the housing and through which external air is introduced; and A second cover (130) is attached to the other side of the housing, such that the external air is humidified and discharged as it flows along the plurality of hollow fiber membranes.

10. The membrane humidifier according to claim 9, wherein, The recess (40) includes: First inner wall portion (41); The second inner wall portion (42) faces the first inner wall portion (41); and The upper surface (43) connects the upper part of the first inner wall portion (41) to the upper part of the second inner wall portion (42), and A third window (44) is formed in the first inner wall portion (41) and the second inner wall portion (42), through which the humid gas is introduced.

11. The membrane humidifier according to claim 9, wherein, The recess (40) includes: First inner wall portion (41); The second inner wall portion (42) faces the first inner wall portion (41); and The upper surface (43) connects the upper part of the first inner wall portion (41) to the upper part of the second inner wall portion (42), and A fourth window (45) is formed in the upper surface (43), through which the humid gas is introduced.

12. The membrane humidifier according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein, The upper surface (43) has an upwardly protruding curved portion.

13. The membrane humidifier according to claim 10, wherein, The third window (44) is provided in a plurality of vertical directions in each of the first inner wall portion (41) and the second inner wall portion (42), and the area of ​​each of the third windows (44) in the first inner wall portion (41) and the second inner wall portion (42) gradually decreases upward.

14. The membrane humidifier according to claim 9, wherein, The recess (40) includes a first recess (401) having a first width and a second recess (402) extending from the first recess (401) and having a width smaller than the second width.

15. The membrane humidifier according to claim 14, wherein, The second recess (402) extends upward from the upper end of the first recess (401) toward the center of the body (10). As the width of the first inner wall portion (41) and the second inner wall portion (42) decreases, a step (410) is formed on the upper end of the first recess (401), and the second recess (402) extends upward from the step (410).

16. The membrane humidifier according to claim 14, wherein, The second recess (402) includes a left recess (412) extending from the first inner wall portion (41) and a right recess (422) extending from the second inner wall portion (42). The left recess (412) and the right recess (422) are arranged separately from each other, and the lower part of the left recess (412) and the lower part of the right recess (422) are connected to each other by a connecting part (420).

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