Humidifier, method for producing such humidifier and fuel cell system with such humidifier
By using support elements to mitigate pressure on the membrane stack and incorporating end plates with a clamping mechanism, the humidifier addresses delamination issues, ensuring reliable operation and extended lifespan.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024164389
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-09-26
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing humidifiers in fuel cell systems face issues with membrane stack delamination due to continuous pressure, leading to uncontrollable air mixing and power loss.
The introduction of support elements that mechanically receive the pressing force on the membrane stack, reducing pressure and preventing delamination, along with end plates and a specific clamping mechanism to stabilize the membrane stack.
This solution effectively reduces pressure on the membrane stack, prevents delamination, and ensures reliable air separation, enhancing the robustness and lifespan of the humidifier.
Smart Images
Figure 2025056767000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a humidifier according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention relates in particular to a method for manufacturing such a humidifier and more in particular to a fuel cell system comprising at least one such humidifier.
[0002] A humidifier of the type mentioned at the outset is described in DE 102021207424 A1. It is provided for humidifying dry cathode feed air in a fuel cell system with moist cathode exhaust air and is characterized by a housing and a membrane stack inserted into the housing, which has a number of membranes successive in the stack direction. The membrane stack further has longitudinal faces through which air can flow and two oppositely located end faces through which air cannot flow. The humidifier further comprises two "sealing frames" which are arranged on two oppositely located longitudinal faces of the membrane stack and are fluidically tightly connected to two first air-guiding air-guiding pieces provided in the housing, so that the dry cathode feed air can flow through the membrane stack along a first flow path. The housing further has two second air pipe pieces for guiding air, which correspond to two other longitudinal faces of the membrane stack located opposite each other, so that the wet cathode exhaust air can be guided through the membrane stack along a second flow path. The membranes define between each other alternately supply air channels through which the cathode supply air can flow and exhaust air channels through which the cathode exhaust air can flow. In this case, the membranes are made airtight and water vapor permeable, so that the cathode supply air and the cathode exhaust air flow through the membrane stack without mixing, and water is transferred from the cathode exhaust air to the cathode supply air through the membrane. This makes it possible to adjust the moisture content of the dry cathode supply air relatively reliably.
[0003] A disadvantage of this known humidifier is that during operation of the humidifier, both the cathode feed air and the cathode exhaust air are guided through the feed air and exhaust air channels of the membrane stack at an elevated pressure, for example, compared to the atmosphere surrounding the humidifier. This causes the membrane stack to be continuously pressurized, which leads, for example, to an expansion of the feed air and exhaust air channels, which in turn is manifested in particular in the form of a longitudinal extension of the membrane stack. Since the longitudinal extension of the membrane stack in the stack direction is then essentially limited only by the mechanical binding of the membranes to one another, delamination may occur, especially after a certain operating time, in the region of the membranes of the membrane stack. This leads, in particular, to non-sealing between the channels, which may lead, for example, to uncontrollable mixing of the cathode exhaust air and the cathode feed air as well as power losses. This is undesirable.
[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved embodiment or at least one alternative embodiment for a humidifier, in particular a method for producing such a humidifier and more particularly a fuel cell system comprising such a humidifier.
[0005] According to the invention, this problem is solved in particular by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description.
[0006] According to the invention, it has been found that the overpressure occurring in the membrane stack during operation of the humidifier or the resulting longitudinal extension of the membrane stack in the stack direction can be prevented or at least significantly reduced by means of support elements which mechanically absorb the compressive forces acting on the membrane stack during operation of the humidifier, thus eliminating or at least significantly reducing the risk of delamination and non-sealing.
[0007] According to the invention, a humidifier for humidifying dry cathode feed air with moist cathode exhaust air for a fuel cell system is proposed, which comprises a housing and a membrane stack consisting of a number of membranes successive in the stack direction. The membrane stack has two first longitudinal faces through which flow is permitted and located opposite each other, two second longitudinal faces through which flow is permitted and located opposite each other, and two end faces through which flow is not permitted and located opposite each other, where the first and second longitudinal faces are oriented parallel to the stack direction and the end faces are oriented perpendicular to the stack direction. It is important that the humidifier has two end plates, which are arranged in such a way that they are in particular in contact with each one of the end faces. It is furthermore important that the humidifier has support elements adapted to withstand forces, in particular compressive forces, acting substantially along the stack direction, arranged in pairs facing each other on the first and / or second longitudinal sides and attached to the end plates, in particular only to the end plates, whereby the support elements and / or the end plates are preferably made of a thermoplastic, for example polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE).
[0008] The support elements together with the end plates form a stack band that surrounds the membrane stack in a manner similar to a belt, which stack band absorbs the pressing forces acting on the membrane stack during operation of the humidifier, particularly in the stack direction. As a result, the support elements are subjected to a tensile load. This can reduce the pressure on the membrane stack and the longitudinal elongation of the membrane stack, particularly in the stack direction, that occurs during operation of the humidifier, and can achieve a mechanical stabilization of the membrane stack. This has the advantage that damage to the membrane stack, in particular the aforementioned delamination of the membranes and / or peeling of the membrane stack from the end plates, is prevented. This makes the proposed humidifier relatively robust and has an improved product life.
[0009] In particular, it may be provided that the membranes of the membrane stack are clamped to one another in the stack direction by means of support elements, so that the membrane stack is compressed to a certain extent in the stack direction and preloaded, thereby preventing compressive forces that arise during operation of the humidifier. However, clamping the membranes of the membrane stack by means of support elements is not necessarily necessary if the components of the humidifier are designed geometrically well, i.e., for example, if narrow tolerances are set.
[0010] It may be expediently provided that the support elements are clamped or clipped onto the end plate, either detachably or non-detachably, respectively. This allows in particular a quick and simple assembly of the support elements, in which case the support elements are clamped or clipped onto the end plate, which can be achieved, for example, manually or in an automated manner. In this case, the clamping connection formed in each case is designed to be releasable or non-releasable, so that the support elements can be removed from the end plate if necessary or that undestructive removal of the support elements can be prevented.
[0011] It may further be provided that the support elements are fastened to the end plates releasably or non-releasably by means of clamping or clipping connections, respectively, and that the clamping or clipping connections are realized as a connection based on a positive or form- and frictional connection between the respective support plate and the end plate, in particular a connection based only on such a positive or form- and frictional connection. In other words, the support elements are attached to the end plates by two or more clamping or clipping connections, respectively. This makes the proposed humidifier cheaper overall to manufacture, in particular since mounting screws or the like can be dispensed with.
[0012] It may be expedient to provide that the support elements are formed by or have plates each extending parallel to the stacking direction, with the plates each having clamping edge regions located on opposite sides in the stacking direction, which are arranged in such a way that each support element can be clamped releasably or non-releasably to the end plates by means of its clamping edge region, so that each support element can be clamped or locked to the constructional assembly consisting of the membrane stack and the end plates. The clamping function is provided by the clamping edge regions on the plates of the support elements.
[0013] The clamping area on the plate is expediently formed as an integral component of the plate, i.e. the plate and the clamping area are a single-piece component. This can be achieved, for example, by producing the support element or the plate together with the clamping area within the scope of an injection or casting process, i.e. a single component made of an injection or casting part is obtained in each case. This allows the plate to be provided relatively inexpensively and in large quantities.
[0014] It may further be expedient if the clamping edge regions on the plates each project over at least a certain area over an end plate in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction. In this case, it is expedient if the end plates each have an outer surface facing away from the membrane stack and the clamping edge regions on the plates each project over at least a certain area over an outer surface of the end plate in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction and are supported on this outer surface at least over a certain area. In this way, the support element is able to clamp the assembly consisting of the membrane stack and the end plate in an encircling manner. The mobility of the end plate and the membrane stack in the stacking direction is thereby locked in a form-locking and / or friction-locking manner.
[0015] It may be expediently provided that the end plates each have an outer surface facing away from the membrane stack. It is further provided that the clamping edge regions each have at least one protrusion or are formed by at least one protrusion or by a number of protrusions on the plates, which protrude over the outer surface of the end plate in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction. It is then provided that the protrusions on the plates are supported on the outer surface of the end plate in each case and / or cooperate with a complementary corresponding protrusion or a complementary recess on the respective end plate to achieve the clamping or clipping connection. It is conceivable that the protrusions each form a hook or the like, which is hooked and locked onto the outer surface of the end plate. The plates of the support element are thus adapted in such a way that the support element can be fastened releasably or non-releasably to the two end plates by means of its clamping edge regions.
[0016] It can furthermore be expediently provided that the support elements are formed by or have plates each extending parallel to the stack direction, the plates of the support elements being pierced by, in particular by, a central opening through which air can flow perpendicularly to the stack direction, through which the opening in the plate is expediently passed by dry cathode feed air during operation of the humidifier, so that the opening in the support element forms, so to speak, an air passage.
[0017] It may furthermore be expedient to provide that the plates each have a plate outer surface facing away from the membrane stack, on which a sealing assembly is provided, which extends completely around the opening of each plate. In this case, the sealing assembly is formed by a sealing groove, each adapted to receive a sealing means, and a sealing means, which is fitted into the sealing groove, for sealing the opening of each plate against the housing of the humidifier. The sealing groove may be defined or formed, for example, between two adjacent parallel ribs arranged on the plate outer surface of the plate, and the sealing means may be arranged on these ribs. The corresponding ribs can be produced inexpensively and at the same time contribute to stiffening the respective plate. The sealing means may be realized, for example, by a sealing ring, a sealing cord or another suitable sealing element.
[0018] It may further be provided that the plates each have an inner plate surface facing the membrane stack. The inner plate surfaces may each be provided with an inner seal assembly, which extends to completely surround the opening of the respective plate. Via the inner seal assembly, each plate may be tightly pressed against the first longitudinal side and / or the second longitudinal side. This allows a first air flow, in particular consisting of cathode feed air or cathode exhaust air, to flow along a first flow path through the opening of the plate to the membrane stack and then through this membrane stack and downstream of the membrane stack through the opening of another plate, while a second air flow, in particular consisting of cathode exhaust air or cathode feed air, can flow through the membrane stack along a second flow path that is airtight separated from the first flow path.
[0019] It may be expedient to provide that the end plates are designed to be non-flowable, i.e. in other words to be airtight, for which the end plates in particular do not have openings or through-holes that pass completely through the respective end plates, so that an undesired escape of the cathode feed air and / or the cathode exhaust air through the end faces of the membrane stack can be reliably prevented.
[0020] It may furthermore be expedient to provide that the end plates and / or the support elements, i.e. in particular the plates, are designed to be flexurally rigid, i.e. they are resistant to mechanical loads and flexurally rigid, so that the membrane stack can be stabilized, i.e. the membrane stack has no inherent mobility or only a small inherent mobility.
[0021] It may be expedient to provide that the support elements are formed by or have plates each extending parallel to the stacking direction, each having a plate outer surface facing away from the membrane stack, and that stiffening ribs are arranged on the plate outer surfaces of the plates for stiffening each plate. In this case, the stiffening ribs may preferably be oriented parallel to the stacking direction, in which case they may form longitudinal stiffening ribs. Of course, instead or additionally, the stiffening ribs may be oriented perpendicular to the stacking direction, in which case they may form transverse stiffening ribs. By means of corresponding stiffening ribs, the mechanical load-bearing capacity of the plates, in particular the bending stiffness of the plates, may be increased. This allows for better mechanical stabilization of the membrane stack.
[0022] It may furthermore be expedient to provide that the end plates and / or the support elements, i.e. in particular the plates, are manufactured from a metal material, a plastic material or a composite material, which ensures a high bending stiffness while at the same time allowing an inexpensive production of the end plates.
[0023] The proposed humidifier expediently has exactly two support elements, which are arranged in pairs facing each other on the first longitudinal side or on the second longitudinal side and are attached to end plates.
[0024] Of course, the proposed humidifier can also have two further support elements in addition to the two aforementioned support elements, i.e. in this case the humidifier has exactly four support elements overall, which are attached to the two end plates and arranged in pairs facing each other on the first or second longitudinal side, which in particular allows for a better mechanical stabilization of the membrane stack and also for better absorption of pressure forces occurring on the membrane stack during operation of the humidifier, in particular pressure forces acting in the stack direction.
[0025] The support elements are expediently embodied as one part. The end plates may also be embodied as one part.
[0026] According to another basic idea of the invention, a method for manufacturing a humidifier according to the previous description is provided. Within the framework of the proposed manufacturing method, the successive steps are: -Prepare the housing, - providing a membrane stack consisting of a plurality of membranes successive in a stacking direction; - preparing two end plates and positioning them in particular in contact with the oppositely located non-permeable end faces of the membrane stack, - compressing the assembly formed by the membrane stack and the end plate in the stack direction; - preparing the support elements and attaching them to the end plates, in particular by clamping or clipping them on, It is stipulated that:
[0027] This provides a method for manufacturing a humidifier that is easy to assemble and at the same time inexpensive. By compressing the assembly consisting of the membrane stack and the end plate and then clamping the support element to this assembly, the membranes are or remain clamped to one another in the stack direction. Appropriately, in a subsequent step, the assembly consisting of the membrane stack, the end plate and the support element can then be inserted into the housing of the humidifier.
[0028] According to another basic idea of the present invention, a fuel cell system, in particular an automotive fuel cell system or a stationary fuel cell system, is provided having at least one humidifier or humidifiers for humidifying dry cathode supply air with moist cathode exhaust air, which is formed according to the above description or manufactured according to the above described manufacturing method. This provides an advantageous fuel cell system with at least one humidifier having a relatively long life. This allows the proposed fuel cell system to be operated without maintenance for a relatively long period of time, which is desirable, in particular in the automotive field.
[0029] In summary: the invention relates to a humidifier for humidifying preferably dry cathode feed air with moist cathode exhaust air, the humidifier comprising a housing and a membrane stack consisting of a plurality of membranes successive in the stack direction. It is essential for the invention that the humidifier has two end plates, each of which is arranged on one end face of the membrane stack, and that the humidifier has support elements, each of which is arranged on a longitudinal face of the membrane stack through which flow can pass and which are attached to the end plates. The invention relates in particular to a method for manufacturing the humidifier and more in particular to a fuel cell system comprising at least one humidifier.
[0030] Further important features and advantages of the invention are evident from the respective dependent claims, the drawings and the corresponding description of the drawings.
[0031] Of course, the features mentioned above and those further described below can not only be used in the respective combinations described, but can also be used in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar or functionally identical components, and the preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in detail in the following description. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0033] [Figure 1] 1 shows a perspective view of an advantageous embodiment of a humidifier according to the invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a plan view of a portion of the humidifier shown in FIG. 1, as viewed in the direction of arrow II shown in FIG.
[0034] 1 shows an advantageous embodiment of a humidifier for a fuel cell system (not shown), generally designated by the reference numeral 1. The humidifier 1 is provided for humidifying dry cathode supply air 2, indicated by the arrows, forming a first air flow, with moist cathode exhaust air 3, also indicated by the arrows, of a second air flow.
[0035] For this purpose, the humidifier 1 has a housing 4 (only partially shown) and a membrane stack 5 consisting of a number of membranes successive in a stack direction 6. In FIG. 1, only some of these membranes are shown together with the reference number 7 in order to make the drawing easier to understand. The membrane stack 5 can be inserted completely into the housing 4 in the stack direction 6 and has first longitudinal faces 8a, 8b lying opposite each other, second longitudinal faces 9a, 9b lying opposite each other and two end faces 10a, 10b, which are not permeable and lying opposite each other. The first longitudinal faces 8a, 8b and the second longitudinal faces 9a, 9b are each oriented parallel to the stack direction 6 and are positioned at right angles to each other. The end faces 10a, 10b are each oriented perpendicular to the stack direction 6 and together with the first longitudinal faces 8a, 8b and the second longitudinal faces 9a, 9b form a rectangular parallelepiped. The membranes 7 define between each other, in alternating order, supply air channels through which the cathode supply air 2 can flow and exhaust air channels through which the cathode exhaust air 3 can flow. The membranes 7 are in this case constructed airtight and water vapor permeable, so that during operation of the humidifier 1, the membrane stack 5 is passed without mixing along a first flow path by a first air flow consisting of the cathode supply air 2 and along a second flow path by a second air flow consisting of the cathode exhaust air 3. However, water vapor can pass through the membranes 7, so that water can be transferred from the cathode exhaust air 3 to the cathode supply air 2.
[0036] As can be seen from Fig. 1, the proposed humidifier 1 furthermore has end plates 11a, 11b, which are arranged on the aforementioned end faces 10a, 10b of the membrane stack 5. Both end plates 11a, 11b are constructed to be flexurally rigid and for this purpose have in this case in particular stiffening ribs 11c which project above the outer faces 16a, 16b of each one of the end plates 11a, 11b facing away from the membrane stack 5 and stiffen the respective end plate 11a, 11b.
[0037] As can further be seen from Fig. 1, the proposed humidifier 1 has two separate support elements 12a, 12b of identical design, which are in this case arranged in pairs facing each other in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction 6 on both first longitudinal sides 8a, 8b and are attached to end plates 11a, 11b. The support elements 12a, 12b are adapted to take up forces which act essentially in the stacking direction 6 during operation of the humidifier 1 and which are due in particular to pressure on the membrane stack 5 and / or to changes in the length of the membrane stack 5. In this case, the support elements 12a, 12b are formed by frame-like flat plates 14a, 14b, respectively, which run parallel to the stacking direction 6. The plates 14a, 14b of the support elements 12a, 12b each have clamping edge regions 15a, 15b located opposite each other in the stacking direction 6, which are adapted to form a clamping or clip connection 13 between the respective plate 14a, 14b and the end plate 11a, 11b. The clamping or clip connection 13 is preferably designed in this case to be releasable or non-releasable and is based only on a positive or positive-friction connection, so that the support elements 12a, 12b can be easily clamped to the end plates 11a, 11b and, if necessary, removed again.
[0038] The plates 14a, 14b of the support elements 12a, 12b are each pierced by a central, approximately rectangular opening 18. Each opening 18 opens on the one hand to an outer plate surface 19a, 19b of the respective plate 14a, 14b facing away from the membrane stack 5, and on the other hand to an inner plate surface 19c of the respective plate 14a, 14b, so that the support elements 12a, 12b can be passed by air through each opening 18. Each plate 14a, 14b furthermore has a respective seal assembly 21 which extends completely around each opening 18 on the outside. By means of this seal assembly 21, the support elements 12a, 12b can be arranged tightly in the housing 4 of the humidifier 1. The seal assembly 21 has associated seal grooves 22 for receiving sealing means 23 used to seal each opening 18 against the housing 4. The support element 12a, 12b furthermore has a number of stiffening ribs 25 on its plates 14a, 14b, which are provided for stiffening the respective plates 14a, 14b. The stiffening ribs 25 in this case protrude beyond the plate outer faces 19a, 19b of the respective plates 14a, 14b in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction 6 and each of their main directions of extension run along the stacking direction 6, so that the stiffening ribs 25 form longitudinal stiffening ribs. Of course, in other embodiments of the invention (not shown), the support elements 12a, 12b can also be formed without stiffening ribs or with longitudinal stiffening ribs and / or with transverse stiffening ribs extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal stiffening ribs, without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0039] 2, the aforementioned clamping edge regions 15a, 15b of the plates 14a, 14b each have, for example, at least one projection 17a, 17b, which projects transversely to the stacking direction 6 over the outer faces 16a, 16b of the end plates 11a, 11b, respectively, is clamped against said outer faces 16a, 16b, respectively, and expediently cooperates with a corresponding projection 26a on the respective end plate 11a, 11b, thereby forming the clamp or clip connection 13.
Claims
1. A humidifier (1) for a fuel cell system, which humidifies dry cathode supply air (2) with moist cathode exhaust air (3), comprising: The present invention comprises a housing (4) and a membrane stack (5) consisting of a plurality of membranes (7) successively arranged in a stack direction (6), The membrane stack (5) has two first longitudinal faces (8a, 8b) through which flow can pass and which are located opposite each other, The membrane stack (5) has two second longitudinal faces (9a, 9b) through which the flow can pass and which are located opposite each other, The membrane stack (5) has two end faces (10a, 10b) which are not permeable and which are located opposite each other, the first longitudinal faces (8a, 8b) and the second longitudinal faces (9a, 9b) are oriented parallel to a stacking direction (6), and the end faces (10a, 10b) are oriented perpendicular to the stacking direction (6); In the humidifier (1), The humidifier (1) has two end plates (11a, 11b), each of which is disposed on one end surface (10a, 10b); the humidifier (1) has support elements (12a, 12b) adapted to receive forces acting substantially along the stack direction (6), the support elements (12a, 12b) being arranged in pairs on the first longitudinal side (8a, 8b) and / or on the second longitudinal side (9a, 9b) in a facing relationship and attached to the end plates (11a, 11b); A humidifier (1).
2. the membranes (7) are clamped together in the stack direction (6) by the support elements (12a, 12b); Humidifier (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that
3. the support elements (12a, 12b) are fastened to the end plates (11a, 11b) either detachably or non-detachably, A humidifier (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that
4. the support elements (12a, 12b) are fastened to the end plates (11a, 11b) either detachably or non-detachably by means of a clamp or clip connection (13), the clamp or clip connection (13) being based on a form-lock or a form-friction lock between each support plate (12a, 12b) and the end plate (11a, 11b), respectively; Humidifier (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that
5. said support elements (12a, 12b) are formed by or have plates (14a, 14b) each extending parallel to the stacking direction (6), The plates (14a, 14b) each have clamping edge regions (15a, 15b) located on opposite sides in the stacking direction (6), the clamping edge areas (15a, 15b) of the plates (14a, 14b) are adapted in such a way that each support element (12a, 12b) can be fastened releasably or non-releasably to the end plate (11a, 11b) by means of its clamping edge area (15a, 15b); A humidifier (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it is
6. the clamping edge regions (15a, 15b) of the plates (14a, 14b) each protrude over at least a predetermined area over the end plates (11a, 11b) in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction (6); Humidifier (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that
7. The end plates (11a, 11b) each have an outer surface (16a, 16b) facing away from the membrane stack (5); said clamping edge regions (15a, 15b) each having or being formed by at least one protrusion (17a, 17b), The protrusions (17a, 17b) provided on the plates (14a, 14b) protrude so as to cover the outer surfaces (16a, 16b) of the end plates (11a, 11b) in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction (6), said projections (17a, 17b) on the plates (14a, 14b) are supported on the outer faces (16a, 16b) of the end plates (11a, 11b), respectively, and / or cooperate with complementary corresponding projections (26a) on each end plate (11a, 11b) to achieve a clamping or clipping connection (13a, 13b), respectively; Humidifier (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that
8. said support elements (12a, 12b) are formed by or have plates (14a, 14b) each extending parallel to the stacking direction (6), The plates (14a, 14b) are each pierced by an opening (18) through which flow can pass in a direction perpendicular to the stack direction (6). Humidifier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is
9. The plates (14a, 14b) each have an outer plate surface (19a, 19b) facing away from the membrane stack (5), and each opening (18) opens into the outer plate surface (19a, 19b); Each of the plates (14a, 14b) has a seal assembly (21) extending completely around each of the openings (18); Each of the seal assemblies (21) has a seal groove (22) for receiving a seal means (23), and the seal means (23) is fitted into the seal groove (22) for sealing each of the openings (18) against the housing (4) of the humidifier (1). Humidifier (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that
10. The plates (14a, 14b) each have a stiffening rib (25) for stiffening each plate (14a, 14b). Humidifier (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that
11. The end plates (11a, 11b) and / or the support elements (12a, 12b) are the end plates (11a, 11b) and / or the support elements (12a, 12b) are flexurally rigid; the end plates (11a, 11b) and / or the support elements (12a, 12b) are made of a metal material, a plastic material or a composite material; A humidifier (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has at least one of the following features:
12. A method for producing a humidifier (1), in particular a humidifier (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of: Providing a housing (4); Providing a membrane stack (5) consisting of a plurality of membranes (7) successive in a stacking direction (6); providing two end plates (11a, 11b) and placing them on the opposing non-flowable end faces (10a, 10b) of the membrane stack (5); compressing the assembly formed by the membrane stack (5) and the end plates (11a, 11b) in a stack direction (6); providing two support elements (12a, 12b) which are attached to the two end plates (11a, 11b) respectively, in particular by clamping or clipping; A method for manufacturing a humidifier (1).
13. A fuel cell system, in particular an automotive fuel cell system or a stationary fuel cell system, comprising at least one humidifier (1) formed according to any one of the configurations of claims 1 to 11 relating to the preceding device or produced according to the method of claim 12.