Humidifier for fuel cell

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of humidifiers, and provides a humidifier for a fuel cell, the humidifier comprises a shell, a filler, a heating rod and a filter part, one end of the shell is provided with an air inlet, the filler is arranged in the shell and is located at a position far away from the air inlet, the heating rod is arranged between the filler and the air inlet, the side wall of the shell is provided with a water inlet, and the filter part is arranged in the water inlet. An air outlet is formed in the end, away from the air inlet, of the shell, and the filtering piece is arranged between the filler and the air outlet and communicates with the air outlet. On the basis, the humidity of the gas can be well controlled, and the battery performance is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of humidifiers, and more particularly to a humidifier for fuel cells. Background Technology

[0002] When a fuel cell is operating, the proton exchange membrane or other types of electrolyte inside it have specific requirements regarding the humidity of the gas. Excessively dry gas can cause dehydration of the electrolyte membrane, increasing internal resistance, reducing cell efficiency, and may even lead to membrane rupture, severely impacting the reliability and lifespan of the fuel cell. Conversely, excessively high gas humidity can cause additional water management problems, such as water accumulation clogging the gas diffusion layer, which also affects cell performance.

[0003] Therefore, fuel cells require humidification to ensure that the gas entering the fuel cell stack reaches a suitable humidity range. Humidifiers are typically located in the gas supply path of the fuel cell system. This application studies a humidifier for fuel cells that enables better control of gas humidity, thereby ensuring battery performance. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to better control the humidity of the gas and ensure battery performance, this application provides a humidifier for fuel cells.

[0005] This application provides a humidifier for fuel cells, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A humidifier for fuel cells includes a housing, packing material, a heating rod, and a filter element. One end of the housing has an air inlet. The packing material is disposed inside the housing and located away from the air inlet. The heating rod is disposed between the packing material and the air inlet. A water inlet is provided on the side wall of the housing, located on the side of the packing material opposite to the air inlet. An air outlet is provided at the end of the housing away from the air inlet. The filter element is disposed between the packing material and the air outlet and communicates with the air outlet.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, the bottom of the packing is filled with water. After the gas is introduced through the air inlet and separated, the heating rod heats the water to humidify the gas. This causes the humidified gas and water vapor to continuously rise. At the same time, water enters through the water inlet above and falls through the packing, mixing with the water vapor below the packing to further humidify the gas. The gas continues to rise into the packing, where the packing increases the contact area between the gas and the falling water, achieving better mixing and completing the humidification. The gas continues to rise and passes through the filter to filter out larger water droplets, ensuring that the humidified gas exiting the fuel cell from the air outlet is neither too high nor too low in humidity. This allows for better control of the gas humidity and ensures battery performance.

[0008] Optionally, at least two heating rods are provided, which are sealed and inserted into the interior of the housing along the outside of the housing.

[0009] Optionally, the heating rod may be inserted into the housing in different directions.

[0010] Optionally, it also includes a gas distribution component, which is connected to the air inlet. The gas distribution component includes a first gas distribution cylinder and a second gas distribution cylinder connected along the periphery of the first gas distribution cylinder. The side walls of the first gas distribution cylinder and the second gas distribution cylinder are provided with a plurality of air outlet holes.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the gas can be dispersed, ensuring that the gas can fully mix with water vapor for humidification.

[0012] Optionally, it also includes a water distribution component, which is connected to the water inlet. The water distribution component includes a first water distribution cylinder and a second water distribution cylinder connected along the periphery of the first water distribution cylinder. Both the first water distribution cylinder and the second water distribution cylinder have water outlet holes on the side facing the packing material.

[0013] Optionally, the housing includes a first housing, a second housing, and a top cover that are sequentially sealed and connected to each other. The air inlet is located at one end of the first housing, the heating rod is disposed inside the first housing, the packing is disposed inside the second housing, the water inlet is located on the side wall of the second housing, the filter element is disposed inside the top cover, and the air outlet is located on the top cover.

[0014] Optionally, a temperature sensor is also included, which is sealed and inserted inside the housing along the outer side of the housing.

[0015] Optionally, it also includes a liquid level sensor, which is sealed and inserted inside the housing along the outside of the housing.

[0016] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0017] 1. The bottom of the packing is filled with water. After the gas is introduced through the air inlet and separated, the heating rod heats the water to humidify the gas. The humidified gas and water vapor continue to rise. At the same time, water enters through the water inlet above and falls through the packing, mixing with the water vapor below the packing to further humidify the gas. The gas continues to rise into the packing, where the packing increases the contact area between the gas and the falling water, achieving better mixing and completing the humidification. The gas continues to rise and passes through the filter to filter out larger water droplets, ensuring that the humidified gas exiting the fuel cell from the air outlet is neither too high nor too low in humidity. This allows for better control of the gas humidity and ensures battery performance.

[0018] 2. It can disperse the gas, ensuring that the gas can fully mix with water vapor for humidification. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a humidifier for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a humidifier for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the gas distribution component in the fuel cell humidifier according to an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the water distribution component in the humidifier for fuel cells according to an embodiment of this application.

[0023] Reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Housing; 11. First housing; 12. Second housing; 13. Top cover; 2. Packing material; 3. Heating rod; 4. Filter element; 5. Air inlet; 6. Water inlet; 7. Gas distributor; 71. First gas distributor cylinder; 72. Second gas distributor cylinder; 73. Air outlet; 8. Water distributor; 81. First water distributor cylinder; 82. Second water distributor cylinder; 83. Water outlet; 9. Temperature sensor; 10. Liquid level sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-4 This application will be described in further detail.

[0025] This application discloses a humidifier for fuel cells. (Refer to...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The humidifier for fuel cells includes a housing 1, a packing 2, a heating rod 3, and a filter element 4. In this embodiment, the packing 2 is a perforated plate packing 2, which allows water and gas to fully contact each other in the packing 2, ensuring the humidity of the gas.

[0026] Continue to refer to Figure 2 One end of the housing 1 has an air inlet 5 for introducing gas. The packing 2 is placed inside the housing 1 and located away from the air inlet 5. The heating rod 3 is placed between the packing 2 and the air inlet 5. During operation, the housing 1 needs to be filled with water to a certain height and then continuously filled with water. The heating rod 3 heats the water to form water vapor. At the same time, the gas entering through the air inlet 5 is humidified after passing through the water. The water vapor and the humidified gas continue to rise.

[0027] A water inlet 6 is provided on the side wall of the shell 1. The water inlet 6 is used to introduce water and is located on the side of the packing 2 away from the air inlet 5. After the water enters, it disperses downward to further humidify the gas rising from the air inlet 5 below. Specifically, the water entering through the water inlet 6 is dispersed along the packing 2 to the bottom of the packing 2. The packing 2 and the water below make the first contact with the rising gas, humidifying the gas. The gas continues to enter the packing 2 and makes a second contact with the water inside the packing 2. Since the packing 2 can increase the contact area between the gas and the water, the gas inside the packing 2 can be fully humidified to meet the humidity requirements.

[0028] An air outlet is provided at the end of the housing 1 furthest from the air inlet 5. Gas continuously rises through the air outlet and enters the fuel cell to humidify it. A filter element 4 is disposed between the packing 2 and the air outlet and is connected to the air outlet. In this embodiment, the filter element 4 is a wire mesh demister. The filter element 4 can filter large water droplets, removing large water droplets from the water vapor before it enters the fuel cell. This prevents the gas from becoming too humid, as large water droplets can damage the fuel cell. Thus, the humidified gas for the fuel cell will not be too humid or too humid, thereby effectively controlling the humidity of the gas and ensuring battery performance.

[0029] In some embodiments, at least two heating rods 3 are provided, which are sealed and inserted into the interior of the housing 1 along the outside of the housing 1, that is, the heating rods 3 are sealed and connected to the housing 1 through the housing 1. In this embodiment, two heating rods are provided along the length of the housing 1, and the heating rods 3 are inserted into the interior of the housing 1 in different directions, so that the water in different areas can be heated more fully to form water vapor, while humidifying the gas.

[0030] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the fuel cell humidifier further includes a gas distributor 7, which disperses the gas to allow for more thorough contact with water for humidification. The gas distributor 7 is connected to the air inlet 5, through which gas enters and disperses. The gas distributor 7 includes a first gas distributor 71 and a second gas distributor 72 connected along the periphery of the first gas distributor 71. In this embodiment, three second gas distributors 72 are spaced apart on each of the left and right sides of the first gas distributor 71. The first gas distributor 71 is directly connected to the air inlet 5. Both the first gas distributor 71 and the second gas distributor 72 have several air outlets 73 on their sidewalls. These outlets are evenly spaced along the upper side of the first gas distributor 71 and obliquely upward along both sides of the central axis of the second gas distributor 72. After the gas enters from the first gas distributor 71, it can be dispersed out through the gas outlet 73 of the first gas distributor 71. At the same time, some of the gas disperses into the second gas distributor 72 and disperses out along the gas outlet 73, thereby increasing the dispersion area of ​​the gas and allowing it to come into contact with the water for humidification over a larger area.

[0031] Reference Figure 2and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the humidifier for fuel cells further includes a water distributor 8, which disperses water toward the packing material 2 to ensure sufficient contact with the packing material 2 and increase the contact area between water and gas. The water distributor 8 is connected to the inlet 6 and includes a first water distributor 81 and a second water distributor 82 connected along the periphery of the first water distributor. In this embodiment, the first water distributor 81 is connected to the inlet 6, and three second water distributors 82 are spaced apart on both sides of the first water distributor 81. Both the first water distributor 81 and the second water distributor 82 have outlet holes 83 on the side facing the packing material 2. In this embodiment, the outlet holes 83 on the side of the first water distributor 81 facing the packing material 2 are evenly spaced, and the outlet holes 83 on both sides of the central axis of the second water distributor 82 facing the packing material 2 are obliquely downwards. Water is dispersed from the outlet holes 83 through the first water distributor 81 and the second water distributor 82, allowing it to better enter the packing material 2 and fully contact the gas.

[0032] Refer again Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments, the housing 1 includes a first housing 11, a second housing 12, and a top cover 13 that are sequentially sealed and interconnected. The first housing 11 and the second housing 12, and the second housing 12 and the top cover 13, can be fixed by means of flange sealing or other methods, which facilitates the installation of the humidifier. The air inlet 5 is opened at one end of the first housing 11, the heating rod 3 is disposed inside the first housing 11, the packing 2 is disposed inside the second housing 12, the water inlet 6 is opened on the side wall of the second housing 12, the filter element 4 is disposed inside the top cover 13, and the air outlet is opened on the top cover 13. Therefore, the housing 1 can be assembled after the various parts are installed, which facilitates installation.

[0033] Refer again Figure 1 In some embodiments, the fuel cell humidifier further includes a temperature sensor 9, which is sealed inside the housing 1 along the outside of the housing 1, i.e., the temperature sensor 9 is sealed between the first housing 11 and the first housing 11. The temperature sensor 9 can monitor the heating temperature of the heating rod 3 inside the housing 1, better ensuring the heating of water and also better ensuring safety during operation.

[0034] In some embodiments, the humidifier for fuel cells further includes a liquid level sensor 10, which is sealed inside the housing 1 along the outside of the housing 1, i.e., the liquid level sensor 10 is sealed between the first housing 11 and the first housing 11. The liquid level sensor 10 can monitor the level of water added into the first housing 11 and can also replenish water in a timely manner.

[0035] The implementation principle of a humidifier for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of this application is as follows: the bottom of the packing 2 is filled with water. Gas is introduced through the air inlet 5 and separated. The heating rod 3 heats the water to humidify the gas, causing the humidified gas and water vapor to continuously move upward. At the same time, water enters through the water inlet 6 above and falls through the packing 2, mixing with the water vapor below the packing 2 to further humidify the gas. The gas continues to rise into the packing 2, where the packing 2 increases the contact area between the gas and the water falling from above, further achieving better mixing and completing the humidification of the gas. The gas continues to rise and passes through the filter element 4 to filter out larger water droplets, ensuring that the humidified gas exiting the gas outlet for the fuel cell is neither too high nor too low in humidity, thereby effectively controlling the humidity of the gas and ensuring battery performance.

[0036] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A humidifier for a fuel cell, characterized by: The utility model relates to a kind of water filter, including shell (1), filler (2), heating rod (3) and filter piece (4), the shell (1) is equipped with air inlet (5) in one end, the filler (2) is located in the shell (1) and is located at the position away from air inlet (5), the heating rod (3) is arranged between the filler (2) and air inlet (5), water inlet (6) is opened in the side wall of the shell (1), and is located at the side of filler (2) away from air inlet (5), the shell (1) is equipped with outlet in one end away from air inlet (5), the filter piece (4) is arranged between the filler (2) and outlet, and it is communicated with outlet;It further includes gas distributor (7), and the gas distributor (7) is communicated in air inlet (5), and the gas distributor (7) includes first gas cylinder (71) and second gas cylinder (72) communicated along the side of first gas cylinder (71), a plurality of air outlet holes (73) are opened in the side wall of first gas cylinder (71) and second gas cylinder (72);It further includes water distributor (8), and the water distributor (8) is communicated in water inlet (6), and the water distributor (8) includes first water cylinder (81) and second water cylinder (82) communicated along the side of first water cylinder, water outlet hole (83) is opened in the side of first water cylinder (81) and second water cylinder (82) towards filler (2);The shell (1) includes first shell (1), second shell (1) and top cover (13) that are sealedly connected in sequence and are communicated with each other, air inlet (5) is opened in one end of first shell (1), the heating rod (3) is arranged in first shell (1), the filler (2) is arranged in second shell (1), the water inlet (6) is opened in the side wall of second shell (1), the filter piece (4) is arranged in top cover (13), and the outlet is opened in top cover (13).

2. A humidifier for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized by: The heating rod (3) is arranged at least two, and is sealedly penetrated into the inside of the shell (1) along the outside of the shell (1).

3. A humidifier for a fuel cell according to claim 2, characterized by: The heating rod (3) is penetrated into the inside of the shell (1) along different directions.

4. The humidifier for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized by: It further includes temperature sensor (9), and the temperature sensor (9) is sealedly penetrated in the inside of the shell (1) along the outside of the shell (1).

5. The humidifier for a fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized by: It further includes liquid level sensor (10), and the liquid level sensor (10) is sealedly penetrated in the inside of the shell (1) along the outside of the shell (1).

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