humidifier

Abstract

To provide a humidifier which maintains a seal performance between stacked flow distribution plates high while suppressing large-sizing.SOLUTION: In a flow distribution plate S, there are formed a hydrous gas supply passage 11 in which a hydrous gas is supplied to a lead-in port SWa and a discharge port SWb in which the hydrous gas is made confluent and exhausted to a hydrous gas exhaust passage 12. A case C includes: a hydrous gas supply port W1; a hydrous gas exhaust port W2 from which the hydrous gas is exhausted; a dry gas supply port from which a dry gas is supplied to a water exchange film 15 between stacked flow distribution plates S; and a dry gas exhaust port from which the dry gas is exhausted. In the flow distribution plate S, elastic materials 17 are disposed in a region enclosing the hydrous gas supply passage 11 and a region enclosing the hydrous gas exhaust passage 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a humidifier. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a flow distribution plate for a humidifier (called a fuel cell humidifier in Patent document 1) in which membrane sheets are bonded to both the front and back sides of a frame, a cavity is formed between the membrane sheets on both sides, and openings communicating with this cavity are formed on both ends of the frame.

[0003] In the humidifier of Patent Document 1, a membrane sheet formed on a flow distribution plate is called a unit cell, and when the unit cells are stacked, gap-like passages are formed between the membrane sheets of unit cells adjacent in the stacking direction, and ridges protruding outward on the front and back of the frame are disclosed to determine the positions of the unit cells.

[0004] With this configuration, a humidifier is constructed by stacking multiple unit cells, flowing gas between both ends of the frame, and flowing gas through the passages between the unit cells, which provides water vapor contained in one gas to the other gas via the membrane sheet.

[0005] Patent document 2 discloses a humidifier configured by stacking multiple flow distribution plates, each having a dry gas side water exchange section, a hydrous gas side water exchange section, and a water exchange membrane arranged at the boundary between them, and sandwiching the multiple flow distribution plates between an upper plate and a lower plate.

[0006] In the humidifier of Patent Document 2, humidification modules are made up of multiple flow distribution plates, and multiple humidification spaces are formed by placing partitions made of sealing material between the humidification modules. These multiple humidification spaces are compressed by the supply of pressurized gas, which applies a force to the multiple flow distribution plates to press them together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2023-545154 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-80966 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The humidifier described in Patent Document 1 has ridges protruding from the outer surface of the unit cells, and when stacked, the ridges determine the dimensions in the stacking direction, maintaining the spacing between the membrane sheets of adjacent unit cells and enabling the positioning of the membrane sheets of the unit cells.

[0009] In a configuration in which positioning is performed by the abutment of ridges, as in Patent Document 1, there were concerns that variations in the dimensions of the ridges or thermal expansion of the ridges could increase the spacing between unit cells, reducing sealing performance, or that vibrations transmitted from the outside could change the positional relationship between the unit cells, reducing sealing performance.

[0010] To address this problem, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which, for example, a spring force is applied in the stacking direction to press multiple unit cells together in the stacking direction. However, this not only increases the size of the humidifier, but also may result in excessive external force acting on the unit cells (distribution plates), causing deformation of the unit cells (distribution plates).

[0011] The humidifier described in Patent Document 2 is configured with partitions on the outer surfaces of multiple humidification modules, which form pressurized spaces, resulting in an increase in the dimensions of the humidifier in the stacking direction. In particular, the pressurized spaces in Patent Document 2 are spaces that do not directly contribute to humidification performance, which increases the overall volume of the humidifier and leads to an increase in the size of the humidifier.

[0012] For these reasons, there is a demand for a humidifier that maintains high sealing performance between stacked flow distribution plates while suppressing an increase in size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] A characteristic configuration of a humidifier according to the present invention comprises a pair of water exchange membranes arranged at opposing positions sandwiching a gas flow space, a plurality of flow distribution plates each having an inlet for introducing a water-containing gas into the gas flow space and an outlet for discharging the water-containing gas that has flowed into the gas flow space, and a case for accommodating the plurality of flow distribution plates in a stacked state, wherein the plurality of stacked flow distribution plates are formed with a water-containing gas supply flow path for distributing and supplying the water-containing gas to each of the inlets and a water-containing gas discharge flow path for merging the water-containing gas into each of the outlets and discharging the water-containing gas, and the case The gas distribution plate has a water-containing gas supply port that supplies the water-containing gas to the water-containing gas supply flow path, a water-containing gas discharge port that discharges the water-containing gas from the water-containing gas discharge flow path, a dry gas supply port that supplies dry gas to the gap between the water exchange membranes facing each other between each of the distribution plates adjacent in the stacking direction, and a dry gas discharge port that discharges the dry gas that has flowed through the gap, and elastic material is arranged in the area surrounding the water-containing gas supply flow path and the area surrounding the water-containing gas discharge flow path on the multiple distribution plates.

[0014] According to this configuration, when the flow distribution plates are stacked and housed in the case, the elastic bodies provided on each flow distribution plate are compressed while in contact with adjacent flow distribution plates. The elastic bodies are in close contact with adjacent flow distribution plates in the areas surrounding the water-containing gas supply flow channels and the areas surrounding the water-containing gas discharge flow channels, thereby ensuring seamless communication between the water-containing gas supply flow channels and the water-containing gas discharge flow channels in the stacking direction of the multiple flow distribution plates. This prevents water-containing gas from leaking into the internal space of the case or mixing with gas inside the case. Furthermore, this configuration eliminates problems such as damage caused by contact between flow distribution plates due to vibration by using the elastic materials, and even when the flow distribution plates have dimensional errors, the compression of the elastic materials absorbs the dimensional errors. As a result, the flow distribution plates can be maintained in the correct positional relationship in the stacking direction without the inconvenience of the multiple flow distribution plates being stacked non-parallel. Therefore, a humidifier was constructed that maintained high sealing performance between stacked flow distribution plates while suppressing an increase in size. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1]FIG. 3 is a flow path diagram showing the flow path from the humidifier to the fuel cell. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view of the humidifier. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a humidifier showing a water-containing gas supply channel; [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a dry gas supply path and a part of a flow distribution plate. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a humidifier using a flow distribution plate of another embodiment (a). [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a humidifier using a flow distribution plate of another embodiment (b). [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a humidifier using a flow distribution plate of another embodiment (c). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a humidifier according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a humidifier that supplies humidified gas to the cathode side of a fuel cell mounted on a vehicle will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0017] [Basic configuration] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the humidifier A houses a plurality of flow distribution plates S stacked in a case C. This humidifier A humidifies air that is supplied as cathode gas to a fuel cell FC mounted on a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). The humidifier A can be used in any position, but in this embodiment, the vertical and lateral positional relationships will be described based on the position shown in Figure 2.

[0018] The fuel cell FC generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction when oxygen-containing air is supplied as an oxidizing gas to the cathode side and hydrogen gas is supplied as a fuel gas to the anode side from a fuel gas supply unit B. The fuel cell FC maintains an efficient power generation state by keeping the cathode electrode in a wet state.

[0019] The fuel cell FC generates electricity and discharges cathode off-gas containing moisture (water vapor). Therefore, the humidifier A humidifies the moisture contained in the cathode off-gas in a manner similar to that given to air supplied from outside using a plurality of flow distribution plates S housed in a case C, and supplies the humidified moisture to the cathode side of the fuel cell FC, thereby maintaining the cathode side in a moist state.

[0020] In this embodiment, the air (cathode gas) may be referred to as a dry gas, and the gas discharged from the cathode side of the fuel cell FC (cathode off-gas) may be referred to as a water-containing gas.

[0021] The humidifier A has a dry gas supply port D1 to which pressurized dry gas (air) is supplied, a dry gas discharge port D2 from which the humidified dry gas (air) is discharged, a moisture-containing gas supply port W1 to which cathode off-gas, which is moisture-containing gas discharged from the cathode side of the fuel cell FC, is supplied, and a moisture-containing gas discharge port W2 from which the cathode off-gas from which moisture (water vapor) has been removed is discharged.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the humidifier A includes a case body 1 with a bottom and a lid-like body 2 that closes the upper opening of the case body 1 (the details of the humidifier A will be described later).

[0023] The dry gas supply port D1 and the dry gas discharge port D2 are formed as through-holes in two opposing side walls 1a of the case body 1, respectively.

[0024] The dry gas supply port D1 is provided with a dry gas supply guide D1G on the outer surface of the case C, and a dry gas supply passage DL1 is connected to this dry gas supply guide D1G. The dry gas discharge port D2 is provided with a dry gas discharge guide D2G on the outer surface of the case C, and a dry gas discharge passage D2L is formed between the dry gas discharge guide D2G and the cathode side of the fuel cell FC.

[0025] 2 and 4, the moisture-containing gas supply port W1 and the moisture-containing gas discharge port W2 are formed as through-holes in the lid-shaped body 2. The moisture-containing gas supply port W1 and the moisture-containing gas discharge port W2 can be formed not only in the lid-shaped body 2 but also in the case body 1. That is, the moisture-containing gas supply port W1 and the moisture-containing gas discharge port W2 can also be formed as holes penetrating the bottom wall 1b of the case body 1 and the sealing sheet 6.

[0026] 1, 3, and 4, the moisture-containing gas supply port W1 is provided with a moisture-containing gas supply guide W1G on the outer surface of the case C, and moisture-containing gas is supplied to this moisture-containing gas supply guide W1G from the cathode side of the fuel cell FC through a moisture-containing gas supply path W1L. The moisture-containing gas discharge port W2 is provided with a moisture-containing gas discharge guide W2G on the outer surface of the case C, and this moisture-containing gas discharge guide W2G discharges the moisture-containing gas from which moisture has been removed via the moisture-containing gas discharge path W2L.

[0027] [Humidifier] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the case C is rectangular in plan view (viewed from the top to bottom) and includes a case body 1 with a bottom and a lid-like body 2 that closes the top opening of the case body 1. The case body 1 and the lid-like body 2 are formed from a resin molded body. The case C is integrated by fastening the case body 1 and the lid-like body 2 together with a plurality of bolts 3.

[0028] In the case C, a plurality of flow distribution plates S are sandwiched between the bottom wall 1b of the case body 1 and the lid-like body 2, and the case body 1 and the lid-like body 2 are integrated by fastening them with a plurality of bolts 3 so as to maintain a pressure state. The case C further includes a sealing sheet 6 made of rubber, a flexibly deformable resin, or the like, which is disposed on the upper surface of the bottom wall 1b so as to prevent leakage of the water-containing gas from the water-containing gas supply flow path 11 and the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12 of the flow distribution plate S that is lowest in the stacking direction, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0029] 4 and 5, the case C is configured such that the sleeve-shaped portion 2a on the outer periphery of the lid-shaped body 2 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the top opening of the case main body 1, thereby sealing the internal space regardless of the vertical position of the lid-shaped body 2. To maintain this sealed state, the case C further includes a rectangular ring-shaped seal 4 that is flexibly deformable, such as made of rubber or resin, and the seal 4 is arranged on the outer periphery of the top opening of the case main body 1.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 3, the internal space of the case body 1 is formed with dimensions such that the outer peripheral surface of the flow distribution plate S can contact the internal space. The case body 1 also has a first guide space S1 formed inside the wall surface on which the dry gas supply port D1 is formed, and a second guide space S2 formed inside the wall surface on which the dry gas discharge port D2 is formed. The first guide space S1 is a buffer space for evenly supplying the dry gas supplied from the dry gas supply port D1 to the gaps SG formed between the multiple flow distribution plates S shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The second guide space S2 is a buffer space for smoothly flowing the dry gas discharged from the multiple gaps SG to the dry gas discharge port D2.

[0031] Additionally, engagement grooves Ca are formed in two vertical positions on the inner surface of the case body 1. These engagement grooves Ca engage with a plurality of engagement protrusions 10a for positioning that protrude outward from the outer periphery of the flow distribution plate S, thereby preventing the flow distribution plate S from being stored upside down.

[0032] The case body 1 has a structure in which four side walls 1a and a bottom wall 1b are integrally formed, and a dry gas supply port D1 and a dry gas discharge port D2 are formed as through holes in each of a pair of side walls 1a that form the long sides in a plan view.

[0033] The lid-like body 2 has a water-containing gas supply port W1 and a water-containing gas discharge port W2 formed as through holes at positions displaced in the longitudinal direction from the center position in a plan view.

[0034] [Distribution plate] 6, the flow distribution plate S has an overall rectangular, plate-like resin flow distribution frame 10. This flow distribution frame 10 has a water-containing gas supply passage 11 formed at one longitudinal end thereof, penetrating in the thickness direction, and a water-containing gas discharge passage 12 formed at the other longitudinal end thereof, penetrating in the thickness direction.

[0035] The flow distribution plate S is formed with a single inlet port SWa that supplies the moisture-containing gas flowing in the moisture-containing gas supply passage 11 to the gas flow space 14 of the flow distribution frame 10. The flow distribution plate S also is formed with a single outlet port SWb that sends the moisture-containing gas that has flowed into the gas flow space 14 to the moisture-containing gas discharge passage 12.

[0036] The moisture-containing gas supply flow path 11 is formed by stacking a plurality of flow distribution plates S to form a flow path through which the moisture-containing gas flows, and the moisture-containing gas supply flow path 11 distributes and supplies the moisture-containing gas to the inlet SWa. The moisture-containing gas discharge flow path 12 is formed by stacking a plurality of flow distribution plates S to form a flow path through which the moisture-containing gas flows, and the moisture-containing gas discharge flow path 12 joins and discharges the moisture-containing gas from the outlet SWb.

[0037] The upper side of the flow distribution frame 10 shown in Figure 6 is sometimes referred to as the front side, and the lower side is sometimes referred to as the back side. The flow distribution frame 10 is integrally formed with multiple (two in this embodiment) engaging projections 10a that protrude outward from the outer periphery.

[0038] The flow distribution frame 10 also has a thin-walled portion 13 formed by cutting out the back side of the central region sandwiched between the water-containing gas supply flow path 11 and the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12. This thin-walled portion 13 reduces the dimension in the thickness direction (stacking direction) across the entire width of the flow distribution frame 10, thereby forming a gap SG between adjacent flow distribution plates S when the flow distribution plates S are stacked (see FIG. 4).

[0039] The flow distribution frame 10 forms a gas flow space 14 in the region that overlaps with the thin-walled portion 13 when viewed along the stacking direction, and is equipped with water exchange membranes 15 on both the front and back sides of this gas flow space 14. The gas flow space 14 has a plurality of flow straightening ribs 14a that protrude from the middle position in the thickness direction of the thin-walled portion 13 to both the front and back sides, and are formed integrally with the flow distribution frame 10. The water exchange membrane 15 is a membrane that allows the permeation of water (water vapor) contained in the water-containing gas flowing through the gas flow space 14.

[0040] The plurality of flow straightening ribs 14a are formed in a linear manner along the longitudinal direction of the flow distribution frame 10 and in parallel with each other so as to direct the gas flowing from the water-containing gas supply passage 11 to the water-containing gas discharge passage 12 in a linear manner.

[0041] On the surface side of the opening edge of the water-containing gas supply flow path 11, a plurality of supply-side ribs 11a are formed in parallel with each other so as to direct the gas to the center of the flow distribution frame 10. The area formed by the plurality of supply-side ribs 11a in this manner is the inlet SWa.

[0042] Similarly, a plurality of discharge-side ribs 12a are formed parallel to one another on the surface side of the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12 to guide the gas supplied from the center side of the flow distribution frame 10. The area formed by these discharge-side ribs 12a is the discharge port SWb.

[0043] Furthermore, slits 10s are formed between the supply side rib 11a and the gas flow space 14, and between the discharge side rib 12a and the gas flow space 14.

[0044] 4, 6, and 7, the flow distribution plate S has a seal plate 16 fixed by adhesive or the like to the surface of the flow distribution frame 10. The seal plate 16 guides the water-containing gas from the area covering the supply-side ribs 11a (inlet SWa) to the area extending to the gas flow space 14. The seal plate 16 is arranged so as to straddle one of the slits 10s from the water-containing gas supply flow path 11. Similarly, a seal plate 16 is fixed by adhesive or the like to guide the water-containing gas to the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12. The seal plate 16 is arranged so as to straddle the other of the slits 10s from the area covering the discharge-side ribs 12a.

[0045] That is, the seal plate 16 covering the inlet SWa is fixed by adhesive or the like across the protruding ends (ends on the front surface side) of the plurality of supply-side ribs 11a and the surface of the outer edge portion on the long side of the flow distribution frame 10. Similarly, the seal plate 16 covering the outlet SWb is fixed by adhesive or the like across the protruding ends (ends on the front surface side) of the plurality of discharge-side ribs 12a and the surface of the outer edge portion on the long side of the flow distribution frame 10.

[0046] When viewed along the stacking direction, the elastic material 17 is arranged on the surface side of the flow distribution plate S so that it partially overlaps with the seal plate 16 on the side of the water-containing gas supply flow path 11. The elastic material 17 can also be adhesively fixed, or a recess can be formed in the flow distribution frame 10 and the elastic material 17 can be fitted into this recess. The water exchange membrane 15 on the surface side is adhesively fixed so that it partially overlaps with the region of this seal plate 16 that extends into the gas flow space 14. In other words, part of the elastic material 17 and part of the water exchange membrane 15 are arranged to overlap on one seal plate 16.

[0047] In addition, when viewed along the stacking direction, the flow distribution plate S has an elastic material 17 adhered and fixed to the surface side so that it partially overlaps with the seal plate 16 on the side of the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12, and a water exchange membrane 15 on the surface side is adhered and fixed to the seal plate 16 so that it partially overlaps with the area extending into the gas flow space 14.

[0048] 2, one elastic material 17 is arranged in the area surrounding the water-containing gas supply flow path 11, and the other elastic material 17 is arranged in the annular area surrounding the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12. These elastic materials 17 are made of rubber that is thicker than the water exchange membrane 15 or an elastically deformable resin, and when fixed to the flow distribution plate S by adhesive or the like, their protruding surfaces protrude above the water exchange membrane 15.

[0049] In addition, a water exchange membrane 15 is adhesively fixed to the flow distribution frame 10 in the area where the thin-walled portion 13 on the back surface covers the gas flow space 14.

[0050] In this way, the water exchange membrane 15, the seal plate 16, and a pair of elastic members 17 are fixed to the surface of the distribution frame 10 by adhesive or the like. In this embodiment, the elastic members 17 are fixed to the distribution frame 10 by adhesive or the like, but the elastic members 17 may also be fixed to the distribution frame 10 by an adhesive sheet 18 having adhesive films formed on both sides in the shape shown in Figure 9.

[0051] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the distribution plate S of the humidifier A is configured so that the water-containing gas from the water-containing gas supply flow path 11 flows from the inlet SWa along the gas flow space 14 of the distribution plate S and is discharged from the outlet SWb through the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12. Humidification is achieved by the flow of dry gas in a direction that intersects (orthogonal in this embodiment) the flow of water-containing gas in a planar view.

[0052] [Condition of the distribution plate inside the case] The flow distribution plate S has a water exchange membrane 15 disposed in the center of the front surface side and in the thin-walled portion 13 on the back surface side. The flow distribution plate S has elastic materials 17 disposed in the area surrounding the water-containing gas supply flow path 11 on the front surface side of the flow distribution frame 10 and in the area surrounding the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12.

[0053] The back side of the flow distribution frame 10 in the area surrounding the water-containing gas supply flow path 11 and the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12 of the flow distribution plate S functions as a convex portion (hereinafter referred to as convex portion 10b) that protrudes downward from the thin-walled portion 13. Note that the convex portions 10b (which may protrude slightly) may be formed by molding the areas on the back side of the flow distribution frame 10 corresponding to the area surrounding the water-containing gas supply flow path 11 and the area surrounding the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12 into a shape that protrudes downward.

[0054] The humidifier A houses multiple flow distribution plates S in a case body 1, attaches a cover 2, and fastens with multiple bolts 3, causing the elastic material 17 to come into contact with the back surface of the flow distribution frame 10 (the area that functions as the convex portion 10b) and be compressed in the stacking direction. By being compressed in this manner, the water-containing gas supply flow paths 11 of each flow distribution plate S communicate with each other without gaps in the stacking direction, and the water-containing gas discharge flow paths 12 of each flow distribution plate S communicate with each other without gaps in the stacking direction.

[0055] In addition, in the humidifier A, when the flow distribution plates S are housed in the case C, the moisture-containing gas supply passages 11 of the plurality of flow distribution plates S communicate with the moisture-containing gas supply port W1, and the moisture-containing gas discharge passages 12 of the plurality of flow distribution plates S communicate with the moisture-containing gas discharge port W2. In the humidifier A, the moisture-containing gas supply passages 11 of each of the plurality of flow distribution plates S communicate with the gas flow space 14 via the inlet port SWa, and this gas flow space 14 communicates with the moisture-containing gas discharge passage 12 via the outlet port SWb.

[0056] As a result, the water-containing gas supplied to the water-containing gas supply port W1 flows from the inlet ports SWa of each of the multiple distribution plates S into the gas flow space 14, then flows to the outlet port SWb while coming into contact with the water exchange membranes 15 on both the front and back sides of the gas flow space 14, and then flows from the outlet port SWb to the water-containing gas exhaust flow path 12 and is exhausted from the water-containing gas exhaust port W2.

[0057] As partially explained above, when multiple flow distribution plates S are housed in a stacked state in the internal space of the case body 1, the outer periphery of the flow distribution plate S comes into contact with the internal surface of the case body 1. By setting the size of the internal space of the case C in this manner, the phenomenon in which the dry gas supplied from the dry gas supply port D1 flows in a short-circuit manner to the dry gas discharge port D2 is suppressed. Note that, in order to prevent the dry gas from flowing in a short-circuit manner, a sealant that comes into contact with the outer periphery of the flow distribution plate S may be provided in the internal space of the case C.

[0058] When the humidifier A is housed with the flow distribution plate S, dry gas is supplied to the dry gas supply port D1, and the dry gas passes through the first guide space S1 and the multiple gaps SG created by the thin-walled portions 13 of the stacked flow distribution plates S.

[0059] As the dry gas flows through the gaps SG, it comes into contact with the water exchange membrane 15 of the flow distribution plate S, absorbing the water (water vapor) that has permeated the water exchange membrane 15 and becoming humidified. The dry gas thus humidified reaches the second guide space S2 and is discharged from the dry gas discharge port D2. In this way, the dry gas containing moisture is supplied from the dry gas discharge port D2 to the cathode side of the fuel cell FC.

[0060] [Effects of the embodiment] In this way, in the humidifier A, the elastic material 17 is provided on the surface side of each of the plurality of flow distribution plates S, and therefore, when the plurality of flow distribution plates S are stacked, the elastic material 17 and the flow distribution frame 10 are arranged alternately along the stacking direction. As a result, when the lid-like body 2 is closed with the plurality of bolts 3, the plurality of flow distribution plates S are sandwiched between the bottom wall 1b of the case body 1 and the lid-like body 2, the elastic material 17 is compressed, and the water-containing gas supply passage 11 and the water-containing gas discharge passage 12 are isolated from the internal space of the case C in a well-sealed state.

[0061] As a result, the water-containing gas supplied from the water-containing gas supply port W1 does not leak into the internal space of the case C through the flow path to the water-containing gas discharge port W2, and the dry gas in the internal space of the case C does not mix with the water-containing gas.

[0062] Furthermore, because the elastic material 17 is interposed between the multiple flow distribution plates S in the stacking direction, even if the flow distribution plates S are stacked in a non-parallel state, for example, when there is a dimensional error in the thickness of the flow distribution plates S at the longitudinal end positions, the elastic material 17 absorbs the dimensional error and prevents the multiple flow distribution plates S from being stacked in a non-parallel position. Also, when vibrations are applied from the outside, the elastic material 17 absorbs the vibrations, thereby preventing damage to the flow distribution plates S due to the vibrations and preventing a decrease in humidification performance.

[0063] This humidifier A is configured so that dry gas supplied from the dry gas supply port D1 of the case C passes through multiple gaps SG between multiple distribution plates S and is discharged from the dry gas discharge port D2 of the case C. Therefore, the case C functions as a manifold, and there is no need to provide a dedicated pipeline or other flow path for supplying and discharging dry gas to multiple distribution plates S.

[0064] Furthermore, the dry gas supplied to the internal space of the case body 1 passes through the plurality of gaps SG, and is humidified by removing moisture contained in the water-containing gas flowing in the gas flow space 14 of the flow distribution plate S via the water exchange membrane 15. As explained above, the flow path through which the water-containing gas flows is isolated from the space through which the dry gas flows by the elastic material 17, which prevents the dry gas from mixing with the water-containing gas and maintains good humidification performance.

[0065] [Another embodiment] The present invention may be configured as follows in addition to the above-described embodiments (common numbers and symbols are used to designate components having the same functions as those in the embodiments).

[0066] (a) As shown in Figure 10, a water-containing gas supply flow path 11 and a water-containing gas discharge flow path 12 that are triangular in plan view are allocated and arranged at two opposing corners of the four corners of a distribution plate S that is formed in a rectangular (or square) shape in a plan view, and a dry gas supply port D1 and a dry gas discharge port D2 are formed on the two side walls 1a of the case C.

[0067] This other embodiment (a), like the above-mentioned embodiment, has a ring-shaped elastic material 17 in the area surrounding the water-containing gas supply flow path 11 and the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12, and water exchange membranes 15 are formed on both the front and back surfaces of the water-containing gas supply flow path 11, the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12, and the intermediate gas flow space 14 of the flow distribution plate S, and gaps SG (see Figure 2, etc.) are formed between multiple stacked flow distribution plates S.

[0068] (b) As shown in Figure 11, a flow distribution plate S is placed in an area along the diagonal line between two corners inside the case C, and a water-containing gas supply flow path 11 and a water-containing gas discharge flow path 12 are allocated and placed at the ends of this flow distribution plate S. The water-containing gas supply flow path 11 and the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12 are triangular in plan view and are placed so as to fit into the two corners of the case C.

[0069] In this alternative embodiment (b), as in the above-described embodiment, a ring-shaped elastic material 17 is provided in the area surrounding the water-containing gas supply flow path 11 and the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12, and a water exchange membrane 15 is formed on both the front and back surfaces of the water-containing gas supply flow path 11, the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12, and the intermediate gas flow space 14 of the flow distribution plate S, and gaps SG (see Figure 2, etc.) are formed between multiple stacked flow distribution plates S.

[0070] 12, a flow distribution plate S is placed inside a case C, and a water-containing gas supply passage 11 and a water-containing gas discharge passage 12 are formed at one end of the flow distribution plate S. In this alternative embodiment (c), as in the above-described embodiment, an annular elastic material 17 is provided in the area surrounding the water-containing gas supply passage 11 and the water-containing gas discharge passage 12, and water exchange membranes 15 are formed on both the front and back sides of a gas flow space 14 formed from the end where the water-containing gas supply passage 11 and the water-containing gas discharge passage 12 are located to the opposite end, and gaps SG (see FIG. 2, etc.) are formed between the stacked flow distribution plates S.

[0071] In these configurations (a) to (c), a dry gas supply port D1 and a dry gas discharge port D2 are formed in the case C. The lid-shaped body 2 is formed with a water-containing gas supply port W1 and a water-containing gas discharge port W2 at positions corresponding to the water-containing gas supply channel 11 and the water-containing gas discharge channel 12 (see FIG. 2). With this configuration, the channels through which the water-containing gas flows are connected in a well-sealed state, as described in the above-mentioned embodiment. Furthermore, the dry gas supplied from the dry gas supply port D1 passes through the gaps SG between the multiple flow distribution plates S, is humidified during this passage, and is discharged from the dry gas discharge port D2.

[0072] (d) As partially explained in the embodiment, the adhesive sheet 18 shown in Figure 9 can be used to adhere the water exchange membrane 15, seal plate 16, elastic material 17, etc. to the distribution frame 10, and joining by thermal welding or the like is also possible.

[0073] Furthermore, even in a configuration using an adhesive sheet 18 as in this alternative embodiment (d), it is conceivable to use an adhesive or to overlap the adhesive sheet 18 in the area where the elastic material 17 is overlapped and adhered to the upper surface of the seal plate 16, for example.

[0074] Furthermore, the configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no contradictions arise. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are examples, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not deviate from the purpose of the present invention.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, the following configurations are envisioned. (1) A humidifier A comprises a pair of water exchange membranes 15 arranged at opposing positions sandwiching a gas flow space 14, a plurality of flow distribution plates S each having an inlet SWa for introducing a water-containing gas into the gas flow space 14 and an outlet SWb for discharging the water-containing gas that has flowed into the gas flow space 14, and a case C for accommodating the plurality of flow distribution plates S in a stacked state, and the plurality of stacked flow distribution plates S each having a water-containing gas supply flow path 11 for distributing and supplying the water-containing gas to each of the inlets SWa and a water-containing gas discharge flow path 12 for merging and discharging the water-containing gas to each of the outlets SWb, and the case C is The flow distribution plates S have a water-containing gas supply port W1 that supplies water-containing gas to the water-containing gas supply flow path 11, a water-containing gas discharge port W2 that discharges water-containing gas from the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12, a dry gas supply port D1 that supplies dry gas to the gap SG between the opposing water exchange membranes 15 between each of the distribution plates S adjacent in the stacking direction, and a dry gas discharge port D2 that discharges the dry gas that has flowed through the gap SG, and elastic materials 17 are arranged in the areas surrounding the water-containing gas supply flow path 11 and the areas surrounding the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12 on the multiple distribution plates S.

[0076] According to this, when the flow distribution plates S are stacked and housed in the case C, the elastic material 17 provided on each flow distribution plate S comes into contact with and is compressed by the adjacent flow distribution plate S. By being compressed, the elastic material 17 comes into close contact with the adjacent flow distribution plate S, and in the region surrounding the water-containing gas supply flow path 11 and the region surrounding the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12, the water-containing gas supply flow path 11 and the water-containing gas discharge flow path 12 are connected without gaps in the direction in which the multiple flow distribution plates S are stacked. Therefore, the water-containing gas does not leak into the internal space of the case C, and gas inside the case does not mix with the water-containing gas. In addition, this configuration allows the elastic material 17 to absorb vibrations, eliminating inconveniences such as the flow distribution plates S coming into contact with each other and being damaged due to vibrations, and even in situations where there are dimensional errors in multiple flow distribution plates S, the dimensional errors are absorbed by the compression of the elastic material 17.As a result, the multiple flow distribution plates S can be maintained in the appropriate positional relationship in the stacking direction without incurring the inconvenience of multiple flow distribution plates S being stacked non-parallel.

[0077] (2) In the humidifier A of (1), when multiple distribution plates S are housed in the case C, it is preferable that the elastic material 17 protruding in the stacking direction of the distribution plates S beyond the surface of the water exchange membrane 15 is compressed in the stacking direction.

[0078] As a result, the elastic material 17 protrudes in the stacking direction of the distribution plate S from the surface of the water exchange membrane 15, so when multiple distribution plates S are housed in the case C and the elastic material 17 is compressed in the stacking direction, a good adhesion state is created between the elastic material 17 and the adjacent distribution plate S.

[0079] (3) In the humidifier A of (1) or (2), it is preferable that an elastic material 17 is arranged on one side of the flow distribution plate S in the stacking direction, and a convex portion that compresses the elastic material 17 is formed on the other side of the multiple flow distribution plates S in the stacking direction.

[0080] In this way, the elastic material 17 comes into direct contact with the protrusions 10b of the flow distribution plate S, and the elastic material 17 elastically deforms in a state of close contact with the protrusions 10b, achieving a good sealing state. In addition, because the protrusions 10b are formed on the flow distribution plate S, the structure is simple.

[0081] (4) In any one of the humidifiers A of (1) to (3), it is preferable that at least one surface of the distribution plate S further comprises sealing plates 16 in an area where the water-containing gas is guided from the inlet SWa to the gas flow space 14 via the water-containing gas supply flow path 11 and in an area where the water-containing gas is guided from the gas flow space 14 to the water-containing gas exhaust flow path 12 via the exhaust port SWb, and that a pair of elastic materials 17 are arranged at positions where the outer ends of the pair of sealing plates 16 in the gas flow direction overlap, and that a water exchange membrane 15 is arranged at a position where the inner ends of the pair of sealing plates 16 in the gas flow direction overlap.

[0082] This allows one seal plate 16 to guide the water-containing gas supplied from the water-containing gas supply passage 11 to the exhaust port SWb into the gas flow space 14. The other seal plate 16 directs the water-containing gas discharged from the gas flow space 14 to the exhaust port SWb and discharges it from the water-containing gas discharge passage 12. Furthermore, since the pair of seal plates 16 are positioned such that a portion of the water exchange membrane 15 overlaps with a portion of each, the water-containing gas can be smoothly supplied to and discharged from the water exchange membrane 15. [Industrial Applicability]

[0083] The present invention can be used in a humidifier. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10: flow distribution frame, 10b: convex portion, 11: water-containing gas supply channel, 12: water-containing gas discharge channel, 14: gas flow space, 15: water exchange membrane, 16: seal plate, 17: elastic material, C: case, D1: dry gas supply port, D2: dry gas discharge port, S: flow distribution plate, SWa: inlet, SWb: outlet, W1: water-containing gas supply port, W2: water-containing gas discharge port

Claims

1. a pair of water exchange membranes arranged at opposing positions across a gas flow space; and a plurality of flow distribution plates each having an inlet for introducing a water-containing gas into the gas flow space and an outlet for discharging the water-containing gas that has flowed into the gas flow space; a case that houses a plurality of the flow distribution plates in a stacked state, The plurality of flow distribution plates in the stacked state are formed with a water-containing gas supply flow path that distributes and supplies the water-containing gas to each of the inlets, and a water-containing gas discharge flow path that merges and discharges the water-containing gas into each of the outlets, the case has a water-containing gas supply port for supplying the water-containing gas to the water-containing gas supply flow path, a water-containing gas discharge port for discharging the water-containing gas from the water-containing gas discharge flow path, a dry gas supply port for supplying dry gas to a gap between the water exchange membranes facing each other between the flow distribution plates adjacent in the stacking direction, and a dry gas discharge port for discharging the dry gas that has flowed through the gap, In the humidifier, elastic materials are arranged on the flow distribution plates in a region surrounding the water-containing gas supply flow path and in a region surrounding the water-containing gas discharge flow path.

2. A humidifier as described in claim 1, wherein when a plurality of the flow distribution plates are housed in the case, the elastic material that protrudes in the stacking direction of the flow distribution plates beyond the surface of the water exchange membrane is compressed in the stacking direction.

3. A humidifier as described in claim 2, wherein the elastic material is arranged on one side of the flow distribution plate in the stacking direction, and a convex portion that compresses the elastic material is formed on the other side of the plurality of flow distribution plates in the stacking direction.

4. At least one surface of the flow distribution plate is further provided with seal plates in an area where the water-containing gas is guided from the inlet to the gas flow space via the water-containing gas supply flow path and in an area where the water-containing gas is guided from the gas flow space to the water-containing gas discharge flow path via the discharge port, a pair of the elastic members are arranged at positions where outer end portions of the pair of the seal plates in the gas flow direction partially overlap; 4. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the water exchange membrane is disposed at a position where a portion of the inner end of each of the pair of seal plates in the gas flow direction overlaps with the other.

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