Fuel cell humidifier with purification function

Abstract

A fuel cell humidifier with purification function includes an interconnected humidification component and a purification component. The humidification component contains first and second partitions and multiple hollow fiber membrane tubes. Dry air exchanges heat and moisture with the humid air inside the fiber membrane tubes and is then discharged through the exhaust port of the detection housing. The purification component consists of a supporting housing, a threaded lifting platform, and a quickly replaceable filter element. A handle drives the lifting platform to slide up and down, achieving sealing, locking, and removal of the filter element. The air inlet pipe is threadedly connected to the filter element, ensuring that the air undergoes oil mist adsorption and ultra-fine filtration before flowing into the element. A sensor built into the detection housing monitors the impurity concentration in real time and prompts for replacement. By adding a secondary purification and sealing device to the external filtration system, a clean and uniformly humidified air source is provided for the fuel cell, simplifying the maintenance process and improving system stability and reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology, specifically to a fuel cell humidifier with purification function. Background Technology

[0002] A fuel cell is a device that directly converts fuel and oxidant into electrical energy and water through an electrochemical reaction. It boasts advantages such as high energy conversion efficiency, low emissions, and fast start-up response. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), in particular, have attracted widespread attention in transportation and distributed power generation due to their low operating temperature and high power density. However, the proton exchange membrane in a PEMFC is extremely sensitive to moisture content: too little moisture leads to decreased proton conductivity, increased membrane resistance, and even membrane cracking; too much moisture can cause flooding, hindering gas diffusion and reducing electrode activity.

[0003] To maintain optimal water content in the membrane, a humidification system is an indispensable part of fuel cell operation. The humidification device replenishes the reaction gas stream with an appropriate amount of water, which can quickly wet the membrane surface during startup and at low temperatures, and regulate humidity balance during high power output, ensuring stable membrane conductivity and battery performance.

[0004] Although fuel cell systems have an external preliminary filtration system in the humidification assembly for initial purification of the intake air, unpurified dry gas can still directly enter the humidification assembly if this external filtration system is not maintained or replaced in a timely manner. This not only reduces humidification efficiency but also causes particulate matter to accumulate on the surface of the hollow fiber membrane. Furthermore, problems require the entire assembly to be disassembled and replaced, resulting in high costs. Therefore, to solve these problems, a fuel cell humidifier with purification capabilities is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This utility model addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies by proposing a fuel cell humidifier with purification function. The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0006] A fuel cell humidifier with purification function, characterized in that:

[0007] It includes a purification component and a humidification component, wherein the purification component is connected to the lower end of the humidification component, and the purification component and the humidification component are interconnected.

[0008] The purification assembly includes a supporting shell, a supporting plate, a lifting platform, and a filter element;

[0009] The supporting housing is connected to the lower end of the humidification component;

[0010] The support plate is fixedly connected to the bottom of the support housing, and a guide hole is provided in the middle of the support plate;

[0011] The lifting platform is threadedly installed in the guide hole;

[0012] The lifting platform is provided with an air flow hole. When the filter element is placed on the lifting platform, the air inlet of the filter element is aligned with the air flow hole, and the air outlet of the filter element is aligned with the dry air inlet of the humidification component.

[0013] The lifting platform can move the filter core upward, so that the air outlet of the filter core is inserted into the dry air inlet of the humidification component.

[0014] To better realize this utility model, it can be further made as follows:

[0015] The humidification assembly includes a humidification shell, a first partition, a second partition, and a fiber membrane tube;

[0016] The first partition and the second partition are arranged sequentially along the axial direction inside the humidification shell;

[0017] An air intake chamber is formed between the first partition and the bottom of the humidifying shell, and a dry air inlet is provided at the bottom of the air intake chamber;

[0018] A humidification chamber is formed between the first partition and the second partition. A moisture inlet is provided at the upper end of the humidification chamber, and a moisture outlet is provided at the lower end of the humidification chamber.

[0019] An air outlet chamber is formed between the second partition and the top of the humidifying shell, and a dry air outlet is provided at the top of the air outlet chamber;

[0020] The fiber membrane tubes are evenly arranged in the humidification chamber, and the two ends of the fiber membrane tubes extend into the air inlet chamber and the air outlet chamber, respectively.

[0021] Furthermore, the outer periphery of the lifting platform is threadedly engaged with the guide hole.

[0022] Furthermore, the bottom of the lifting platform is connected to a guide tube, and a handle is connected to the outer periphery of the free end of the guide tube.

[0023] Furthermore, the top of the lifting platform is provided with a positioning slot, and the bottom of the filter core is adapted to the positioning slot structure.

[0024] Furthermore: an air intake pipe is installed inside the guide tube;

[0025] The inner end of the air inlet pipe is inserted into the air inlet of the filter core;

[0026] The inner end of the air intake pipe is threaded into the air intake port of the filter core.

[0027] Furthermore, a sealing ring is provided at the edge of the dry gas inlet.

[0028] Furthermore, the detection housing is detachably connected to the upper end of the humidification housing, and a particle sensor is installed inside the detection housing.

[0029] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: The overall structure is simple and modular. By adding a secondary purification and sealing device to the external filtration system, a clean and uniformly humidified gas source is provided for the fuel cell. Through tight coupling of the purification and humidification components, the filter element can efficiently adsorb oil mist and perform ultra-fine filtration, ensuring that the gas entering the humidification chamber is clean and free of impurities. The 128 hollow fiber membrane tubes evenly distributed within the humidification chamber allow for sufficient heat and moisture exchange between the dry and wet gases, ensuring the stability and uniformity of the outlet humidity. A particle sensor inside the detection housing monitors the concentration of impurities in the humid gas in real time; if the impurities exceed the standard, it will remind the user to replace the filter element, ensuring stable operation. The filter element is precisely connected to the dry gas inlet via a threaded lifting platform, achieving sealing, clamping, and disassembly of the filter element, simplifying the maintenance process, reducing replacement difficulty, and preventing gas leakage. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 For Figure 1 AA section view;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the purification component.

[0033] The attached diagram shows the following components: 1. Support housing; 2. Support plate; 3. Guide hole; 4. Lifting platform; 5. Positioning slot; 6. Guide tube; 7. Handle; 8. Air inlet pipe; 9. Sealing ring; 10. Filter core; 11. Humidification housing; 12. First partition; 13. Second partition; 14. Fiber membrane tube; 15. Air inlet chamber; 16. Air outlet chamber; 17. Humidification chamber; 18. Moisture inlet; 19. Moisture outlet; 20. Detection housing. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0035] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "vertical," "upper," "lower," and "horizontal," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, "first," "second," "third," and "fourth" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown:

[0037] A fuel cell humidifier with purification function includes a purification component and a humidification component. The purification component is connected to the lower end of the humidification component, and the purification component and the humidification component are in communication with each other.

[0038] The humidification assembly includes a humidification housing 11, a first partition 12, a second partition 13, and a fiber membrane tube 14. The first partition 12 and the second partition 13 are arranged sequentially along the axial direction inside the humidification housing 11.

[0039] The detection housing 20 has an exhaust port and is detachably connected to the upper end of the humidification housing 11. A particle sensor is installed inside the detection housing 20.

[0040] An air intake chamber 15 is formed between the first partition 12 and the bottom of the humidifying housing 11, and a dry air inlet is provided at the bottom of the air intake chamber 15.

[0041] A humidification chamber 17 is formed between the first partition 12 and the second partition 13. A moisture inlet 18 is provided at the upper end of the humidification chamber 17, and a moisture outlet 19 is provided at the lower end of the humidification chamber 17.

[0042] An air outlet chamber 16 is formed between the second partition 13 and the top of the humidifying housing 11, and a dry air outlet is provided at the top of the air outlet chamber 16.

[0043] The fiber membrane tubes 14 are evenly arranged in the humidification chamber 17, and the two ends of the fiber membrane tubes 14 extend into the air inlet chamber 15 and the air outlet chamber 16, respectively.

[0044] The purification component includes a support housing 1, a support plate 2, a lifting platform 4, and a filter core 10. The support housing 1 is connected to the lower end of the humidification component.

[0045] The support plate 2 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the support housing 1. A guide hole 3 is provided in the middle of the support plate 2. The lifting platform 4 is threadedly installed in the guide hole 3. A positioning slot 5 is provided on the top of the lifting platform 4. The bottom of the filter element is adapted to the structure of the positioning slot 5. The positioning slot 5 facilitates the replacement of the filter element.

[0046] The lifting platform 4 is provided with an air passage hole. The bottom of the lifting platform 4 is connected to a guide pipe 6. The air passage hole is connected to the guide pipe 6. An air inlet pipe 8 is inserted through the guide pipe 6. The inner end of the air inlet pipe 8 is inserted into the air inlet of the filter core 10. The inner end of the air inlet pipe 8 is threadedly engaged with the air inlet of the filter core 10.

[0047] A handle 7 is connected to the outer periphery of the free end of the guide tube 6. When the filter element 10 is placed on the lifting platform 4, with the air inlet of the filter element 10 aligned with the airflow hole and the air outlet of the filter element 10 aligned with the dry air inlet of the humidification component, the lifting platform 4 can move the filter element 10 upward, so that the air outlet of the filter element 10 is inserted into the dry air inlet of the humidification component. By rotating the handle 7, the lifting platform 4 slides up and down along the guide hole 3. When assembling the filter element 10, the filter element 10 is placed on the positioning slot 5 on the lifting platform 4. By rotating the handle 7, the lifting platform 4 moves upward along the guide hole 3, and the air outlet of the filter element 10 is inserted into the dry air inlet of the humidification component. The lifting platform 4 clamps and seals the air outlet of the filter element 10 inside the dry air inlet. A sealing ring 9 is provided at the edge of the dry air inlet to prevent the gas from the filter element 10 from overflowing from the dry air inlet of the humidification component. By rotating the air intake pipe 8, the inner end of the air intake pipe 8 is tightened to the air inlet of the filter core 10.

[0048] The working process of this utility model is as follows: Dry gas is coarsely filtered by an external filtration system and then enters the filter core 10 through the air inlet pipe 8. The filter core 10 performs oil mist adsorption and ultra-fine filtration on the coarsely filtered gas. The purified gas enters the air inlet chamber 15 through the dry gas inlet. 128 hollow fiber membrane tubes 14 are evenly distributed in the humidification chamber 17. The purified dry gas enters the hollow fiber membrane tubes 14. At the same time, humid gas enters the humidification chamber 17 through the humid gas inlet 18 to exchange heat and moisture, thereby humidifying the dry gas. The humidified dry gas is discharged through the exhaust port of the detection housing 20 through the exhaust chamber 16. The particle sensor in the detection housing 20 is used to detect the concentration of impurities in the humid gas and indicate whether the filter core 10 needs to be replaced. When the filter element 10 needs to be replaced, first remove the air inlet pipe 8, then turn the handle 7 to lower the lifting platform 4, remove the old filter element 10, and place the new filter element 10 in the positioning slot 5 on the lifting platform 4 for positioning. Then turn the handle 7 to move the lifting platform 4 upward along the guide hole 3, causing the air outlet of the new filter element 10 to be inserted into the dry air inlet of the humidification component. The lifting platform 4 secures the air outlet of the new filter element 10 inside the dry air inlet. By rotating the air inlet pipe 8, the inner end of the air inlet pipe 8 is tightened to the air inlet of the filter element 10.

[0049] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0050] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A fuel cell humidifier with purification function, characterized in that: It includes a purification component and a humidification component, wherein the purification component is connected to the lower end of the humidification component, and the purification component and the humidification component are interconnected. The purification assembly includes a supporting shell, a supporting plate, a lifting platform, and a filter element; The supporting housing is connected to the lower end of the humidification component; The support plate is fixedly connected to the bottom of the support housing, and a guide hole is provided in the middle of the support plate; The lifting platform is threadedly installed in the guide hole; The lifting platform is provided with an air flow hole. When the filter element is placed on the lifting platform, the air inlet of the filter element is aligned with the air flow hole, and the air outlet of the filter element is aligned with the dry air inlet of the humidification component. The lifting platform can move the filter core upward, so that the air outlet of the filter core is inserted into the dry air inlet of the humidification component.

2. The fuel cell humidifier with purification function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The humidification assembly includes a humidification shell, a first partition, a second partition, and a fiber membrane tube; The first partition and the second partition are arranged sequentially along the axial direction inside the humidification shell; An air intake chamber is formed between the first partition and the bottom of the humidifying shell, and a dry air inlet is provided at the bottom of the air intake chamber; A humidification chamber is formed between the first partition and the second partition. A moisture inlet is provided at the upper end of the humidification chamber, and a moisture outlet is provided at the lower end of the humidification chamber. An air outlet chamber is formed between the second partition and the top of the humidifying shell, and a dry air outlet is provided at the top of the air outlet chamber; The fiber membrane tubes are evenly arranged in the humidification chamber, and the two ends of the fiber membrane tubes extend into the air inlet chamber and the air outlet chamber, respectively.

3. A fuel cell humidifier with purification function according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom of the lifting platform is connected to a guide tube, and a handle is connected to the outer periphery of the free end of the guide tube.

4. A fuel cell humidifier with purification function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The top of the lifting platform is provided with a positioning slot, and the bottom of the filter core is adapted to the positioning slot structure.

5. A fuel cell humidifier with purification function according to claim 4, characterized in that: An air inlet pipe is inserted inside the guide tube; The inner end of the air inlet pipe is inserted into the air inlet of the filter core; The inner end of the air intake pipe is threaded into the air intake port of the filter core.

6. A fuel cell humidifier with purification function according to claim 5, characterized in that: A sealing ring is provided at the edge of the dry gas inlet.

7. A fuel cell humidifier with purification function according to claim 6, characterized in that: The detection housing is detachably connected to the upper end of the humidification housing, and a particle sensor is installed inside the detection housing.

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