Cartridge for membrane humidifier and membrane humidifier comprising same

Abstract

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

Description

Cartridge for membrane humidifier and membrane humidifier equipped with same

[0001] The present invention relates to a cartridge for a membrane humidifier and a membrane humidifier having the same, and more particularly, to a cartridge for a membrane humidifier and a membrane humidifier having the same, which reduces the pressure of wet gas flowing into the interior of a cartridge containing a hollow fiber membrane, thereby preventing damage to the hollow fiber membrane and improving the humidification efficiency by the wet gas.

[0002] Fuel cells generate electrical energy using the chemical energy generated by the combination of hydrogen and oxygen. Fuel cells are actively being researched as an environmentally friendly energy source with minimal pollutant emissions.

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

[0004] While each of these fuel cells operates on fundamentally identical principles, they differ in the type of fuel used, operating temperature, catalyst, and electrolyte. Among these, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are known to be the most promising, not only for small-scale stationary power generation but also for transportation systems, due to their low-temperature operation and high power density, which allows for miniaturization.

[0005] One of the most important factors in improving the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is maintaining the moisture content of the polymer electrolyte membrane (or proton exchange membrane: PEM) of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) by supplying a certain amount of moisture or more. This is because power generation efficiency rapidly declines when the polymer electrolyte membrane dries.

[0006] Methods for humidifying a polymer electrolyte membrane include 1) a bubbler humidification method in which a pressure vessel is filled with water and the target gas is passed through a diffuser to supply moisture, 2) a direct injection method in which the amount of moisture required for the fuel cell reaction is calculated and moisture is directly supplied to the gas flow pipe through a solenoid valve, and 3) a humidification membrane method in which moisture is supplied to a gas fluidized bed using a polymer membrane. Among these, the membrane humidification method in which only water vapor contained in the exhaust gas is selectively transmitted and water vapor is supplied to the air supplied to the polymer electrolyte membrane to humidify the polymer electrolyte membrane is advantageous in that the humidifier can be made lighter and smaller.

[0007] The selectively permeable membrane used in membrane humidification is preferably a hollow fiber membrane with a large permeable area per unit volume when forming a module. Manufacturing a humidifier using hollow fiber membranes allows for high integration of the membranes with a large contact surface area, enabling sufficient humidification of fuel cells even with small capacities. Furthermore, the membranes are relatively inexpensive and can recover moisture and heat contained in the high-temperature off-gas discharged from the fuel cell for reuse in the humidifier.

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a conventional membrane humidifier for fuel cells. Referring to Figure 1, a conventional membrane humidifier includes a humidifying module (110) in which moisture exchange occurs between air supplied from the outside and exhaust gas discharged from a fuel cell stack (not shown), and first and second caps (120, 130) respectively connected to both ends of the humidifying module (110).

[0009] Outside air is introduced through the inlet (121) of the first cap (120) and delivered to the humidifying module (110), and air humidified by the humidifying module (110) is delivered to the fuel cell stack through the outlet (131) of the second cap (130). The humidifying module (110) includes a housing (111) having an off-gas inlet (111a) through which wet exhaust gas is introduced and an off-gas outlet (111b) through which the exhaust gas is discharged, and a cartridge (100) arranged within the housing (111).

[0010] The above cartridge (100) is fastened to the fastening portion (112) of the housing (111). A plurality of the above cartridges (100) can be fastened to the fastening portion (112). The interior of the cartridge (100) is filled with a hollow fiber membrane, and both ends of the hollow fiber membrane are potted and fixed to both ends of the cartridge (100). The hollow fiber membrane can be potted by curing a liquid polymer such as a liquid polyurethane resin.

[0011] Air supplied from the outside is introduced into the first cap (120) and flows along the hollow fiber membranes. The exhaust gas introduced into the housing (111) through the exhaust gas wet gas inlet (111a) comes into contact with the outer surface of the hollow fiber membranes and then flows out of the housing (111) through the exhaust gas wet gas outlet (111b). When the exhaust gas comes into contact with the outer surface of the hollow fiber membranes, moisture contained in the exhaust gas permeates the hollow fiber membranes, thereby humidifying the air flowing along the hollow fiber membranes.

[0012] Humidification is achieved through a process in which wet gas introduced through the wet gas inlet (111a) comes into contact with the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane (150) placed inside the cartridge (100). The cartridges (100) are arranged adjacent to each other in multiple numbers, and the wet gas is introduced between the cartridges (100) and is introduced into the interior through a window formed in the cartridge (100).

[0013] At this time, there is a risk that the hollow fiber membrane disposed inside the cartridge may be damaged by the pressure of the wet gas. In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wet gas flowing in through the inlet (111a) flows from top to bottom along the space between the cartridges (100) disposed adjacent to each other, which causes the wet gas to concentrate at the lower side of the adjacent cartridges (100), further increasing the pressure.

[0014] The present invention has been devised to improve the above-described problems, and its purpose is to provide a membrane humidifier cartridge and a membrane humidifier equipped with the same, which reduces the pressure of wet gas flowing into the interior of a cartridge containing a hollow fiber membrane, thereby preventing damage to the hollow fiber membrane and improving the humidification efficiency by the wet gas.

[0015] A cartridge for a membrane humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a main body having a space for accommodating a plurality of hollow fiber membranes; a first window formed on one side of the main body and through which a wet gas is introduced; a second window formed on the other side of the main body and through which the wet gas is discharged; and a recessed portion provided on a bottom surface of the main body and recessed upward toward the center of the main body.

[0016] In addition, the recessed portion includes a first inner wall portion; a second inner wall portion facing the first inner wall portion; and an upper surface portion connecting the upper sides of the first and second inner wall portions; and a third window through which the wet gas flows can be formed in the first and second inner wall portions.

[0017] In addition, the recessed portion includes a first inner wall portion; a second inner wall portion facing the first inner wall portion; and an upper surface portion connecting the upper sides of the first and second inner wall portions; and a fourth window through which the wet gas flows can be formed in the upper surface portion.

[0018] Additionally, the upper surface may have a convex curved surface facing upward.

[0019] In addition, the third window is provided in multiple numbers in the upper and lower directions of the first and second inner wall portions, and the area of ​​the third window provided in the first and second inner wall portions may become smaller as it goes upward.

[0020] Additionally, the recessed portion may include a first recessed portion having a first width, and a second recessed portion extending from the first recessed portion and having a width smaller than the second width.

[0021] In addition, the second recessed portion extends upward from the upper end of the first recessed portion toward the center of the main body portion, and a step is formed at the upper end of the first recessed portion as the width of the first and second inner wall portions becomes narrower, and the second recessed portion can be connected upward from the step.

[0022] In addition, the second recessed portion includes a left recessed portion extending from the first inner wall portion and a right recessed portion extending from the second inner wall portion, and the left recessed portion and the right recessed portion are spaced apart from each other, and their lower ends can be connected by a connecting portion.

[0023]

[0024] Meanwhile, a membrane humidifier according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a housing having a humid gas inlet formed on one side through which the humid gas is introduced and a humid gas outlet formed on the other side through which the humid gas introduced through the inlet is discharged;

[0025] A main body detachably coupled to the housing and having a space for accommodating a plurality of hollow fiber membranes; a first window formed on one side of the main body and through which wet gas flows in; a second window formed on the other side of the main body and through which the wet gas flows out; and a cartridge having a recessed portion formed on the bottom surface of the main body and recessed upward toward the center of the main body;

[0026] A first cap coupled to one side of the housing and through which external air is introduced; and

[0027] It is characterized by including a second cap coupled to the other side of the housing, and allowing the external air to flow along the hollow fiber membrane and be humidified and discharged.

[0028] Here, the recessed portion includes a first inner wall portion; a second inner wall portion facing the first inner wall portion; and an upper surface portion connecting the upper sides of the first and second inner wall portions; and a third window through which the wet gas flows can be formed in the first and second inner wall portions.

[0029] Here, the recessed portion (40) includes a first inner wall portion; a second inner wall portion facing the first inner wall portion; and an upper surface portion connecting the upper sides of the first and second inner wall portions; and a fourth window through which the wet gas flows can be formed in the upper surface portion.

[0030] Here, the upper surface may have a convex curved surface facing upward.

[0031] Here, the third window is provided in multiple numbers in the upper and lower directions of the first and second inner wall portions, and the area of ​​the third window provided in the first and second inner wall portions may become smaller as it goes upward.

[0032] Here, the recessed portion may include a first recessed portion having a first width, and a second recessed portion extending from the first recessed portion and having a width smaller than the second width.

[0033] Here, the second recessed portion extends upward from the upper end of the first recessed portion toward the center of the main body portion, and a step is formed at the upper end of the first recessed portion as the width of the first and second inner wall portions becomes narrower, and the second recessed portion can be connected upward from the step.

[0034] Here, the second recessed portion includes a left recessed portion extending from the first inner wall portion and a right recessed portion extending from the second inner wall portion, and the left recessed portion and the right recessed portion are spaced apart from each other, and their lower ends can be connected by a connecting portion.

[0035] A humidifying module for a membrane humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention provides an effect of improving humidifying efficiency by allowing humidified gas from a stack to flow to the center of the humidifying module in a humidifying module that supplies humidified gas to a fuel cell.

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional membrane humidifier.

[0037] Figure 2 is a drawing showing the wet gas flowing between cartridges in Figure 1.

[0038] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cartridge for a membrane humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 4 is an enlarged drawing of part A of Figure 3.

[0040] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of a cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of part B of Figure 4, showing a third window whose area decreases as it goes upward.

[0042] Figure 7 is a drawing showing a recessed portion employed in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 8 is a drawing showing a recessed portion employed in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 9 is a drawing showing a cartridge provided with a rotating cover.

[0045] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings. Various embodiments of the present invention may have various modifications and various embodiments, and thus specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and related detailed descriptions are provided. However, this is not intended to limit the various embodiments of the present invention to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include all modifications and / or equivalents or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the various embodiments of the present invention. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals have been used for similar components.

[0046] Expressions such as “includes” or “may include” that may be used in various embodiments of the present invention indicate the existence of the disclosed function, operation, or component, etc., and do not limit one or more additional functions, operations, or components, etc. In addition, in various embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that terms such as “includes” or “has” are intended to specify the existence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and do not exclude in advance the possibility of the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0047] When a component is referred to as being "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected to the other component, but that there may also be a new component between the component and the other component. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that no new component exists between the component and the other component.

[0048] The terms used in the various embodiments of the present invention are used solely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the various embodiments of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0049] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the various embodiments of the present invention belong.

[0050] Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in various embodiments of the present invention.

[0051]

[0052] The present invention relates to a cartridge used in a membrane humidifier that humidifies dry gas supplied from an external source using wet gas discharged from a fuel cell stack. In addition, the present invention relates to a membrane humidifier employing the cartridge. The cartridge (1) according to the present invention can be employed in the membrane humidifier according to FIG. 1. The cartridge (1) can be fastened to a housing (111). The housing (111) can be provided with a fastening portion (112) to which the cartridge (1) is fastened. The housing (111) has a wet gas inlet (111a) formed on one side through which wet gas is introduced, and a wet gas outlet (111b) formed on the other side through which wet gas introduced through the inlet (111a) is discharged. As illustrated in FIG. 1, first and second caps (120, 130) can be coupled to both ends of the housing (111), respectively. The first cap (120) is coupled to one side of the housing (111), and outside air is introduced through the first cap (120). The second cap (130) is coupled to the other side of the housing (111), and the outside air is humidified while flowing along the hollow fiber membrane and then discharged. Meanwhile, the wet exhaust gas discharged from the stack is introduced into the cartridge (1) inside the housing (111), and when the outside air flows through the hollow fiber membrane (2), the wet gas flows along the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane (2). When the wet gas comes into contact with the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane (20), moisture is transferred to the inside of the hollow fiber membrane (2), so that the outside air is humidified, and the humidified outside air can be supplied to the fuel cell stack through the second cap (130).

[0053]

[0054] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. A cartridge (1) for a membrane humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body (10), a first window (20), a second window (30), and a recessed portion (40).

[0055] First, the cartridge (1) is provided with a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (2) arranged inside to humidify external air flowing into the hollow fiber membranes (2) using the wet gas. The hollow fiber membranes (2) are arranged inside the cartridge (1), and both ends of the cartridge (40) and both ends of the hollow fiber membranes (2) are potted to form a potting layer (not shown) and are fixed. The potting layer can be formed by curing a liquid polymer such as a liquid polyurethane resin. The cartridge (1) can be detachably coupled to a fastening portion (112) of a housing (111).

[0056]

[0057] The main body (10) provides a space for accommodating a plurality of hollow fiber membranes. According to the present embodiment, the main body (10) is formed in the form of a long hole whose cross-section is longer in the vertical direction than in the left-right direction. The main body (10) is formed in a shape substantially like a "0". The main body (10) is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the housing (111).

[0058] The hollow fiber membrane (2) is accommodated inside the main body (10), and both ends of the hollow fiber membrane (2) are potted with both ends of the main body (10). The hollow fiber membrane (2) is formed of a material through which moisture of the wet gas can penetrate. For example, the hollow fiber membrane (2) may be formed of a polymer membrane formed of polysulfone resin, polyethersulfone resin, sulfonated polysulfone resin, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resin, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) resin, polyimide resin, polyamideimide resin, polyesterimide resin, or a mixture of two or more thereof. The hollow fiber membrane (2) is potted and fixed to the main body (10), so that the cartridge (1) can be integrally attached to and detached from the housing (111).

[0059]

[0060] The first window (20) is formed on one side of the main body (10) to introduce a wet gas. According to the present embodiment, when the cartridge (1) is mounted on the housing (111), the first window (20) is placed on the lower side of the inlet (111a) of the housing (111).

[0061] According to the present embodiment, a plurality of first windows (20) are provided on each side of the main body (10). Referring to Fig. 3, the first windows (20) are formed in a plurality of rows in the vertical direction. Of course, the size of each first window (20) and the number of rows may be varied.

[0062] The first window (20) is formed with a sufficient area to efficiently transfer the wet gas toward the hollow fiber membrane (2), and when the wet gas flows in, the side surface (a part of the main body in the form of a grid) between the first window (20) and the adjacent first window (20) collides with the wet gas as it flows into the main body (10), thereby reducing the pressure of the wet gas and preventing damage to the hollow fiber membrane (2).

[0063]

[0064] The second window (30) is formed on the other side of the main body (10) to discharge the wet gas that has entered the interior of the main body (10). According to the present embodiment, when the cartridge (1) is mounted on the housing (111), the second window (30) is placed on the lower side of the discharge port (111b) of the housing (111).

[0065] According to the present embodiment, a plurality of second windows (30) are provided on each side of the main body (10). Referring to Fig. 3, the second windows (30) are formed in a plurality of rows in the vertical direction. Of course, the size of each second window (30) and the number of rows may be varied.

[0066] The second window (30) is formed with a sufficient area to efficiently transfer the wet gas toward the hollow fiber membrane (2), and the second window (30) is formed substantially the same as the first window (20), so that the wet gas introduced into the main body (10) can be smoothly discharged through the second window (30). With reference to FIG. 3, the wet gas introduced into the main body (10) through the first window (20) can flow to the rear end of the main body (10) and then be discharged to the outside of the main body (10) through the second window (30). The wet gas discharged to the outside of the main body (10) can be discharged to the outside through the discharge hole (111b) of the housing (111).

[0067]

[0068] The above-mentioned recessed portion (40) is formed by recessing upward from the bottom surface of the main body portion (10) toward the center of the main body portion (10). When the main body portion (10) is said to be recessed, it means that the outer surface of the main body portion (10) is immersed inward. According to the present embodiment, the above-mentioned recessed portion (40) includes a first inner wall portion (41), a second inner wall portion (42), and an upper surface portion (43).

[0069] The first inner wall portion (41) and the second inner wall portion (42) are opposite sides formed when the bottom surface of the main body portion (10) is sunken. The first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) face each other, and according to the present embodiment, the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) are arranged parallel to each other. Of course, the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) are not limited to extending parallel to each other, and the distance between the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) may be formed so that the distance between them gradually increases or decreases as they go upward.

[0070] According to the present embodiment, a third window (44) through which a wet gas flows is formed in the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42). As illustrated in FIG. 4, the third window (44) may be formed in a plurality of rows in the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42). The third window (44), together with the first window (20) formed on both sides of the main body portion (10), forms a path through which a wet gas is additionally introduced into the interior of the main body portion (10), thereby increasing the penetration rate of the wet gas flowing into the interior of the main body portion (10).

[0071] In addition, according to the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a plurality of third windows (44) may be provided in the vertical directions of the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42), and the area of ​​the third windows (44) provided in the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) may be formed to decrease as they go upward. The third windows (44) may be provided in a plurality of rows in the vertical direction, and the area of ​​each third window (44) in each row may be formed to decrease as they go upward.

[0072] The third window (44) causes the wet gas flowing to the lower surface of the main body (10) to additionally flow into the main body (10) when the wet gas flows into the interior of the recessed portion (40). Since the pressure of the wet gas in the lower region where the wet gas flows into the recessed portion (40) is relatively greater than that in the upper region, the pressure of the wet gas can be effectively relieved by increasing the area of ​​the third window (44) in the lower region.

[0073] The upper surface portion (43) connects the upper sides of the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42). According to the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the upper surface portion (43) has a convex curved surface facing upward. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a fourth window (45) through which a wet gas flows is formed in the upper surface portion (43).

[0074] The fourth window (45) may be provided in multiple numbers on the upper surface (43). The fourth window (45) forms another path through which the wet gas flowing between the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) enters the interior of the main body (10), and the fourth window (45) allows the wet gas to be efficiently transferred toward the hollow fiber membrane (2) disposed at the center of the main body (10).

[0075] As described above, the third and fourth windows (44, 45) provide a path for the wet gas flowing into the interior of the main body (10) together with the first and second windows (20, 30), thereby sufficiently securing the flow rate of the wet gas delivered to the hollow fiber membrane (2), while also having the function of relieving the pressure of the wet gas increasing at the bottom of the cartridge (1).

[0076]

[0077] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate cross-sections of a cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of Figures 7 and 8, the configuration and operation of the main body (10) and the first and second windows (20, 30) are substantially the same as those of the cartridge (1) according to Figure 3, and a repeated description thereof will be omitted. The embodiment of Figures 7 and 8 differs from the embodiment of Figure 3 in the configuration of the recessed portion (40), and the following description will focus on the recessed portion (40).

[0078] In the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8, the cartridge (1) includes a first recessed portion (401) and a second recessed portion (402) in the recessed portion (400). The first recessed portion (401) is provided in a lower section of the bottom surface of the main body (10) and is formed to have a first width. Having the first width means that the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) have a predetermined first width. The second recessed portion (402) extends from the first recessed portion (401) and has a second width smaller than the first width.

[0079] Referring to Fig. 7, the second recessed portion (402) extends upward from the upper end of the first recessed portion (401) toward the center of the main body portion (10). At this time, the upper end of the first recessed portion (401) forms a step (410) as the width of the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) narrows. The second recessed portion (402) is connected upward from the step (410). In Fig. 7, one second recessed portion (402) extends from the first recessed portion (401).

[0080] The third window (44) described above may be formed on the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) of the first and second recessed portions (401, 402), and the fourth window (45) may be formed on the upper surface (43) of the second recessed portion (402).

[0081] Referring to Fig. 8, the second recessed portion (402) includes a left recessed portion (412) extending from the first inner wall portion (41) and a right recessed portion (422) extending from the second inner wall portion (42). As illustrated in Fig. 8, the left recessed portion (412) and the right recessed portion (422) are spaced apart from each other, and their lower ends are connected by a connecting portion (420).

[0082] The above connecting portion (420) can reduce the pressure of the wet gas flowing upward through the first recessed portion (401) by colliding with it. In addition, the third window (44) described above can be formed in the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) of the first recessed portion (401), and the third window (44) can also be formed in the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) forming the left recessed portion (412) and the right recessed portion (422). In addition, a fourth window (45) can be formed in the upper surface portion (43) of the left recessed portion (412) and the right recessed portion (422).

[0083] According to the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the main body (10) includes a rotation cover (50). The rotation cover (50) is provided on the upper portion of the main body (10). The rotation cover (50) is formed on the opposite side of the lower portion of the main body (10) where the recessed portion (40) is formed. The rotation cover (50) is formed to cover the upper portion of the main body (10) with one side of the main body (10) as the center. The hollow fiber membrane (2) can be filled in a state where the inside of the main body (10) is opened by the rotation cover (50). The hollow fiber membrane (2) can be easily filled in the main body (10) by the rotation cover (50).

[0084]

[0085] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a membrane humidifier having the above-described cartridge is provided.

[0086] A membrane humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a housing (110), a first cap (120), a second cap (130), and a cartridge (40).

[0087] Specifically, the housing (110) has a humid gas inlet (111a) formed on one side through which the humid gas is introduced, and a humid gas outlet (111b) formed on the other side through which the humid gas introduced through the inlet is discharged. The first cap (120) is coupled to one side of the housing (111), and external air is introduced. In addition, the second cap (130) is coupled to the other side of the housing (111), and the external air is humidified and discharged while flowing along the hollow fiber membrane (2). The housing (110) and the first and second caps (120, 130) have been described above, so a repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] The above cartridge (1) is detachably coupled to the housing (111), and may include a main body (10) having a space for accommodating a plurality of hollow fiber membranes (2), a first window (20) formed on one side of the main body and through which wet gas flows in, a second window (30) formed on the other side of the main body and through which the wet gas flows out, and a recessed portion (40) formed on the bottom surface of the main body and recessed upward toward the center of the main body. The cartridge (1) employed in the membrane humidifier according to the present invention may substantially employ the configuration of the cartridge (1) described above.

[0089] Specifically, the recessed portion (40) may include a first inner wall portion (41), a second inner wall portion (42) facing the first inner wall portion (41), and an upper surface portion (43) connecting the upper sides of the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42). In addition, a third window (44) through which the wet gas flows in may be formed in the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42). In addition, a fourth window (45) through which the wet gas flows in may be formed in the upper surface portion (43). The upper surface portion (43) may have a convex curved portion facing upward. The third window (44) may be provided in multiple numbers in the upper and lower directions of the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42), and the area of ​​the third window (44) provided in the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) may become smaller as it goes upward. The functions and effects of the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) and the third and fourth windows (44, 45) have been described above, so a repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0090]

[0091] In addition, a membrane humidifier according to another embodiment of the present invention may employ a cartridge in which a recessed portion (40) of a different shape is formed. Specifically, the recessed portion (40) may include a first recessed portion (401) having a first width, and a second recessed portion (402) extending from the first recessed portion (401) and having a width smaller than the second width.

[0092] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the second recessed portion (402) may be formed to extend upward from the upper end of the first recessed portion (401) toward the center of the main body portion (10), and a step (410) may be formed at the upper end of the first recessed portion (401) as the width of the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) becomes narrower, and the second recessed portion (402) may be formed to be connected upward from the step (410).

[0093] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the second recessed portion (402) may include a left recessed portion (412) extending from the first inner wall portion (41) and a right recessed portion (422) extending from the second inner wall portion (42). The left recessed portion (412) and the right recessed portion (422) may be spaced apart from each other, and their lower ends may be connected by a connecting portion (420).

[0094] The membrane humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention can provide the same functions and effects as the cartridge described above. Therefore, a repeated explanation of the functions and effects of the cartridge is omitted.

[0095] Above, the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and many modifications can be provided within a range that does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A main body (10) having a space for accommodating multiple hollow fiber membranes; A first window (20) formed on one side of the main body (10) and through which wet gas flows; A second window (30) formed on the other side of the main body (10) and through which the wet gas is discharged; A cartridge for a membrane humidifier, characterized in that a recessed portion (40) is provided on the lower surface of the main body (10) and is sunken upward toward the center of the main body (10).

2. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned depression (40) is First inner wall (41); A second inner wall portion (42) facing the first inner wall portion (41); and It includes an upper surface (43) connecting the upper sides of the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42); A cartridge for a membrane humidifier, characterized in that a third window (44) through which the wet gas flows is formed in the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42).

3. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned depression (40) is First inner wall (41); A second inner wall portion (42) facing the first inner wall portion (41); and It includes an upper surface (43) connecting the upper sides of the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42); A cartridge for a membrane humidifier, characterized in that a fourth window (45) is formed on the upper surface (43) through which the wet gas flows.

4. In paragraph 2 or 3, A cartridge for a membrane humidifier, characterized in that the upper surface (43) has a convex curved surface facing upward.

5. In paragraph 2, A cartridge for a membrane humidifier, characterized in that a plurality of the third windows (44) are provided in the upper and lower directions of the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42), and the area of ​​the third windows (44) provided in the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) becomes smaller as it goes upward.

6. In paragraph 1, A cartridge for a membrane humidifier, characterized in that the above-mentioned recessed portion (400) includes a first recessed portion (401) having a first width, and a second recessed portion (402) extending from the first recessed portion (401) and having a width smaller than the second width.

7. In paragraph 6, The second recessed portion (402) extends upward from the upper end of the first recessed portion (401) toward the center of the main body (10). A cartridge for a membrane humidifier, characterized in that a step (410) is formed at the upper end of the first recessed portion (401) as the width of the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) becomes narrower, and the second recessed portion (402) is connected upward from the step (410).

8. In paragraph 6, The second recessed portion (402) includes a left recessed portion (412) extending from the first inner wall portion (41) and a right recessed portion (422) extending from the second inner wall portion (42). A cartridge for a membrane humidifier, characterized in that the left recessed portion (412) and the right recessed portion (422) are spaced apart from each other and their lower ends are connected by a connecting portion (420).

9. A housing (110) having a wet gas inlet (111a) formed on one side through which the wet gas is introduced and a wet gas discharge port (111b) formed on the other side through which the wet gas introduced through the inlet is discharged; A cartridge comprising: a main body (10) detachably coupled to the housing and having a space for accommodating a plurality of hollow fiber membranes; a first window (20) formed on one side of the main body and through which a wet gas is introduced; a second window (30) formed on the other side of the main body and through which the wet gas is discharged; and a recessed portion (40) provided on the bottom surface of the main body and recessed upward toward the center of the main body; A first cap (120) coupled to one side of the housing and through which external air is introduced; A membrane humidifier characterized by including a second cap (130) coupled to the other side of the housing, wherein the external air flows along the hollow fiber membrane and is humidified and discharged.

10. In paragraph 9, The above-mentioned depression (40) is First inner wall (41); A second inner wall portion (42) facing the first inner wall portion (41); and It includes an upper surface (43) connecting the upper sides of the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42); A membrane humidifier characterized in that a third window (44) through which the wet gas flows is formed in the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42).

11. In paragraph 9, The above-mentioned depression (40) is First inner wall (41); A second inner wall portion (42) facing the first inner wall portion (41); and It includes an upper surface (43) connecting the upper sides of the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42); A membrane humidifier characterized in that a fourth window (45) is formed on the upper surface (43) through which the wet gas flows.

12. In paragraph 10 or 11, A membrane humidifier characterized in that the upper surface (43) has a convex curved surface facing upward.

13. In paragraph 10, A membrane humidifier characterized in that a plurality of the third windows (44) are provided in the upper and lower directions of the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42), and the area of ​​the third windows (44) provided in the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) becomes smaller as it goes upward.

14. In paragraph 9, A membrane humidifier characterized in that the above-mentioned recessed portion (40) includes a first recessed portion (401) having a first width, and a second recessed portion (402) extending from the first recessed portion (401) and having a width smaller than the second width.

15. In paragraph 14, The second recessed portion (402) extends upward from the upper end of the first recessed portion (401) toward the center of the main body (10). A membrane humidifier characterized in that a step (410) is formed at the upper end of the first recessed portion (401) as the width of the first and second inner wall portions (41, 42) becomes narrower, and the second recessed portion (402) is connected upward from the step (410).

16. In paragraph 14, The second recessed portion (402) includes a left recessed portion (412) extending from the first inner wall portion (41) and a right recessed portion (422) extending from the second inner wall portion (42). A membrane humidifier characterized in that the left recessed portion (412) and the right recessed portion (422) are spaced apart from each other and their lower ends are connected by a connecting portion (420).

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