Membrane humidifier for cartridge fuel cells

Abstract

The present invention relates to a membrane humidifier for cartridge fuel cells, the membrane humidifier comprising: a housing that is provided with an exhaust gas inlet for receiving exhaust gas discharged from a fuel cell stack and an exhaust gas outlet for discharging the exhaust gas; and a cartridge that is disposed inside the housing and includes a plurality of humidification membranes. The cartridge includes: an inner case in which the plurality of humidification membranes are arranged; and a potting part for fixing the plurality of humidification membranes. The inner case is provided with: a first window portion that is disposed adjacent to the exhaust gas inlet and includes a plurality of windows; and a second window portion that is disposed adjacent to the exhaust gas outlet and includes a plurality of windows. The first window portion may include a plurality of windows of different sizes.

Description

Membrane humidifier for cartridge-type fuel cells

[0001] The present invention relates to a membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, and more particularly, to a membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell capable of reducing the entry resistance of a fluid flowing into a cartridge from an exhaust gas inlet by increasing the size of a plurality of windows provided in a first window portion disposed adjacent to an exhaust gas inlet from the center of an inner case toward the exhaust gas inlet.

[0002] A fuel cell is a power-generating battery that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. Unlike conventional chemical cells like batteries or accumulators, fuel cells can continuously produce electricity as long as hydrogen and oxygen are supplied. They also have the advantage of no heat loss, making them about twice as efficient as internal combustion engines.

[0003] A fuel cell system includes a stack, which is an electricity-generating assembly of unit fuel cells composed of an air electrode and a fuel electrode, an air supply device for supplying air to the air electrode of the fuel cell, and a hydrogen supply device for supplying hydrogen to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell.

[0004] In order for the ion exchange membrane of the membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) of the polymer fuel cell of the fuel cell system to function smoothly, an appropriate amount of moisture is required, and for this purpose, a humidifier is provided in the air supply device of the fuel cell system to humidify the air supplied to the fuel cell.

[0005] The humidifier uses moisture in the hot and humid air discharged from the cathode of the fuel cell to humidify the dry air supplied through the air compressor of the air supply device, and supplies the humidified air to the cathode of the fuel cell.

[0006] Fuel cell humidifiers utilize a membrane humidification method. Membrane humidifiers achieve membrane humidification through a gas-to-gas moisture exchange process between the high-temperature, humid exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell's cathode and the dry air supplied by the air compressor.

[0007] Membrane humidifiers exchange moisture between hot, humid exhaust gas and dry air through a hollow fiber membrane. To maximize the efficiency of this exchange, the hot, humid exhaust gas and dry air must pass through the membrane to allow moisture exchange.

[0008] A membrane humidifier can be manufactured using a cartridge having multiple hollow fiber membranes arranged therein. The cartridge can be a unit module having multiple hollow fiber membranes arranged therein, and multiple cartridges can be provided within the membrane humidifier housing.

[0009] The cartridge may be equipped with a window through which exhaust gas may be introduced or discharged. High-temperature, humid exhaust gas introduced through the exhaust gas inlet provided in the housing of the membrane humidifier passes through the cartridge window located adjacent to the exhaust gas inlet and moves to the hollow fiber membrane, where it exchanges moisture with dry air. The exhaust gas, which has undergone the exchange of dry air and moisture, passes through the cartridge window located adjacent to the exhaust gas outlet and is discharged outside the housing of the membrane humidifier.

[0010] However, membrane humidifiers using cartridges with windows have the following problems: The cartridge may be equipped with multiple windows of the same size, and the hot, humid exhaust gas entering through the exhaust gas inlet may be concentrated in the windows closer to the center of the cartridge.

[0011] Specifically, due to the pressure of the fluid moving from the exhaust gas inlet to the cartridge window, entry resistance may occur in the cartridge window positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet. As entry resistance occurs in the cartridge window positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet, the flow rate is concentrated in the window closer to the center of the cartridge than in the cartridge window positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet.

[0012] If the flow rate is concentrated toward the cartridge window closer to the center of the cartridge than toward the window closer to the exhaust gas inlet, the hollow fiber membrane located closer to the exhaust gas inlet cannot be fully utilized. Furthermore, the durability of the hollow fiber membrane located closer to the center of the cartridge is reduced due to the flow rate being concentrated toward the window closer to the center of the cartridge.

[0013] As the entire hollow fiber membrane placed inside the cartridge is not evenly used, the performance density of the hollow fiber membrane may be reduced, which may lead to a problem in that the durability of the membrane humidifier is reduced.

[0014] The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and more specifically, relates to a membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell capable of reducing the entry resistance of a fluid flowing into a cartridge from an exhaust gas inlet by increasing the size of a plurality of windows provided in a first window portion disposed adjacent to an exhaust gas inlet in the direction from the center of the inner case toward the exhaust gas inlet.

[0015] In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, which humidifies gas to be supplied to a fuel cell stack, comprising: a housing having an exhaust gas inlet for introducing exhaust gas discharged from a fuel cell stack and an exhaust gas outlet for discharging the exhaust gas; a cartridge disposed inside the housing and having a plurality of humidifying membranes; wherein the cartridge includes an inner case in which the plurality of humidifying membranes are disposed, and a potting part for fixing the plurality of humidifying membranes; and wherein the inner case is provided with a first window part disposed adjacent to the exhaust gas inlet and including a plurality of windows, and a second window part disposed adjacent to the exhaust gas outlet and including a plurality of windows, wherein the first window part is characterized by having a plurality of windows of different sizes.

[0016] In order to solve the above-described problem, the plurality of windows provided in the first window section of the cartridge-type fuel cell membrane humidifier of the present invention may have a cross-sectional area that increases as it moves from the center of the inner case toward the direction in which the exhaust gas inlet is arranged.

[0017] In order to solve the above-described problem, the first window section of the membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell of the present invention includes a 1-1 row in which a plurality of windows are arranged in parallel along a column direction, and a 1-2 row in which a plurality of windows are arranged in parallel along a column direction, and the plurality of windows arranged in the 1-1 row and the plurality of windows arranged in the 1-2 row can be arranged in a zigzag shape.

[0018] In order to solve the above-described problem, a plurality of windows provided in the first window section of the cartridge-type fuel cell membrane humidifier of the present invention form a trapezoidal shape, and the plurality of windows can be arranged inside the trapezoidal shape.

[0019] In order to solve the above-described problem, a plurality of windows provided in the first window section of the cartridge-type fuel cell membrane humidifier of the present invention form a triangular shape, and the plurality of windows can be arranged inside the triangular shape.

[0020] In order to solve the above-described problem, the second window section of the membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell of the present invention may be provided with windows of the same size.

[0021] In order to solve the above-described problem, the second window section of the membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell of the present invention may be provided with a plurality of windows of different sizes.

[0022] In order to solve the above-described problem, the plurality of windows provided in the second window section of the cartridge-type fuel cell membrane humidifier of the present invention may have a cross-sectional area that increases as it moves from the center of the inner case toward the direction in which the exhaust gas outlet is arranged.

[0023] The second window section of the membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell of the present invention for solving the above-described problem includes a 2-1 row in which a plurality of windows are arranged in parallel along the column direction, and a 2-2 row in which a plurality of windows are arranged in parallel along the column direction, and the plurality of windows arranged in the 2-1 row and the plurality of windows arranged in the 2-2 row can be arranged in a zigzag shape.

[0024] In order to solve the above-described problem, a plurality of windows provided in the second window section of the cartridge-type fuel cell membrane humidifier of the present invention form a trapezoidal shape, and the plurality of windows can be arranged inside the trapezoidal shape.

[0025] In order to solve the above-described problem, a plurality of windows provided in the second window section of the cartridge-type fuel cell membrane humidifier of the present invention form a triangular shape, and the plurality of windows can be arranged inside the triangular shape.

[0026] In order to solve the above-described problem, the plurality of windows provided in the first window portion and the plurality of windows provided in the second window portion of the cartridge-type fuel cell membrane humidifier of the present invention can be symmetrical with respect to the center of the inner case.

[0027] The present invention relates to a membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, and has the advantage of reducing the entry resistance of a fluid flowing into a cartridge from the exhaust gas inlet by increasing the size of a plurality of windows provided in a first window section disposed adjacent to an exhaust gas inlet from the center of the inner case toward the exhaust gas inlet.

[0028] The present invention has the advantage of reducing the resistance to the flow path generated in a window positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet by reducing the entry resistance of the cartridge and the fluid flowing into the exhaust gas inlet, thereby evenly distributing the flow rate inside the humidifying film.

[0029] The present invention has the advantage of improving the performance density of a humidifying film by evenly distributing the flow rate within the humidifying film and thereby evenly using the entire humidifying film, thereby improving the durability of the membrane humidifier.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a plurality of windows provided in a first window section of an inner case having a rectangular shape with round curves formed at the upper and lower portions according to an embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional area of ​​which increases as one moves from the center of the inner case toward the direction in which the exhaust gas inlet is arranged.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing that a plurality of windows provided in a first window section of an inner case having a cylindrical shape according to an embodiment of the present invention have a cross-sectional area that increases as one moves toward the direction in which the exhaust gas inlet is arranged from the center of the inner case.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a plurality of windows provided in a first window section and a second window section of an inner case having a rectangular shape with round curves formed at the upper and lower portions according to an embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional area of ​​which increases as one moves in the direction in which the exhaust gas inlet and exhaust gas outlet are arranged from the center of the inner case.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing that, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of windows provided in a first window section and a second window section of an inner case having a cylindrical shape have a cross-sectional area that increases as they move in the direction in which the exhaust gas inlet and exhaust gas outlet are arranged from the center of the inner case.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a plurality of windows provided in a first window section and a second window section forming a trapezoidal shape according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a plurality of windows provided in a first window section and a second window section forming a triangular shape according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] This specification clarifies the scope of the present invention and explains the principles of the invention and discloses embodiments thereof to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. The disclosed embodiments may be implemented in various forms.

[0038] 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.

[0039] When it is said that a component is "connected, coupled" to another component, it should be understood that while said component may be directly connected or coupled to said corresponding component, there may also be a new component between said component and said other component. Conversely, when it is said that a component is "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another component, it should be understood that no new component exists between said component and said other component.

[0040] The terms "first," "second," etc., used herein may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0041] The present invention relates to a membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, and more particularly, to a membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, wherein the size of a plurality of windows provided in a first window portion disposed adjacent to an exhaust gas inlet increases from the center of the inner case toward the exhaust gas inlet, thereby reducing the entry resistance of a fluid flowing into a cartridge from the exhaust gas inlet. Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0042] A membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing (110) and a cartridge (130).

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, the housing (110) may be a housing having an internal space, and a cartridge (130) having a plurality of humidifying membranes (131) arranged therein may be provided inside the housing (110). A membrane humidifier for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention can humidify gas to be supplied to a stack through a plurality of the humidifying membranes (131).

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the humidifying membrane (131) may be a hollow fiber membrane. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the humidifying membrane (131) may be formed of various types of humidifying membranes as long as they can humidify the gas to be supplied to the stack.

[0045] The above housing (110) may be provided with an exhaust gas inlet (111) through which high-temperature and humid exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack can be introduced, and an exhaust gas outlet (112) through which the exhaust gas can be discharged.

[0046] Referring to Fig. 1, an end cap (120) may be coupled to one side and the other side of the housing (110). The end cap (120) may be provided with an air inlet (121) capable of supplying dry air to the housing (110) and an air outlet (122) capable of discharging humidified air from the housing (110).

[0047] Specifically, the end cap (120) coupled to one side of the housing (110) may be provided with the air outlet (122), and the end cap (120) coupled to the other side of the housing (110) may be provided with the air inlet (121). The air outlet (122) is connected to a fuel cell stack, and humidified air discharged through the air outlet (122) may be supplied to the fuel cell stack.

[0048] High temperature and humid exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack can be introduced into the housing (110) through the exhaust gas inlet (111) provided in the housing (110). The exhaust gas introduced into the housing (110) supplies moisture to the dry air supplied to the housing (110) through the air inlet (121) of the end cap (120).

[0049] The exhaust gas that has supplied moisture to the dry air can be discharged to the outside through the exhaust gas discharge port (112) provided in the housing (110). The dry air humidified through the housing (110) is discharged through the air discharge port (122), and the humidified air is supplied to the fuel cell stack. A packing member (140) may be provided between the end cap (120) and the housing (110) to prevent air leakage.

[0050] The above cartridge (130) is placed inside the housing (110) and is provided with a plurality of the above humidifying films (131). The above cartridge (130) may be a unit module provided with a plurality of the above humidifying films (131).

[0051] One cartridge (130) may be placed in the housing (110). However, this is not limited to the above, and a plurality of cartridges (130) may be placed in the housing (110).

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cartridge (130) includes an inner case (132) in which a plurality of the humidifying films (131) are arranged, and a potting part (133) that fixes the plurality of the humidifying films (131) to the inner case (132).

[0053] The inner case (132) may be a housing of the cartridge (130), and a plurality of humidifying films (131) are arranged in the internal space of the inner case (132). The potting part (133) is for fixing the plurality of humidifying films (131) to the inner case (132), and a plurality of humidifying films (131) can be fixed to one side and the other side of the inner case (132) through the potting part (133).

[0054] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner case (132) of the cartridge (130) may be formed in a rectangular shape with round curves formed at the upper and lower portions, as shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the inner case (132) of the cartridge (130) may be formed in a cylindrical shape, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner case (132) may be provided with a first window portion (150) including a plurality of windows (10) and disposed adjacent to the exhaust gas inlet (111), and a second window portion (160) including a plurality of windows (10) and disposed adjacent to the exhaust gas outlet (112).

[0056] The above window (10) may be a hole penetrating the inner case (132), and exhaust gas moving inside the housing (110) can move into the inside of the inner case (132) through the window (10).

[0057] The window (10) provided in the first window portion (150) and the second window portion (160) may be formed in a circular shape, but is not limited thereto. The window (10) provided in the first window portion (150) and the second window portion (160) may be formed in a triangular, rectangular, or polygonal shape, and may also be formed in other shapes.

[0058] The first window portion (150) is a portion provided with a plurality of windows (10), and the first window portion (150) is arranged adjacent to the exhaust gas inlet (111). Specifically, the first window portion (150) may be provided below the exhaust gas inlet (111), and the exhaust gas introduced into the exhaust gas inlet (111) is introduced into the inner case (132) through the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150).

[0059] The second window part (160) is a part provided with a plurality of windows (10), and the second window part (160) is arranged adjacent to the exhaust gas outlet (112). Specifically, the second window part (160) may be provided below the exhaust gas outlet (112), and the exhaust gas introduced into the inner case (132) may pass through the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window part (160) and be discharged to the exhaust gas outlet (112).

[0060] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first window portion (150) may be provided with a plurality of windows of different sizes. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cross-sectional area of ​​the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150) may increase as they move from the center of the inner case (132) toward the direction in which the exhaust gas inlet (111) is arranged.

[0061] The pressure of the exhaust gas flowing into the inner case (132) through the exhaust gas inlet (111) may be greatest at a location closest to the exhaust gas inlet (111), and the pressure of the exhaust gas may decrease as it goes toward the center of the inner case (132).

[0062] When the pressure of the exhaust gas flowing into the inner case (132) increases, resistance to entry occurs in the window (10) due to the pressure of the exhaust gas, and a problem occurs in which the exhaust gas cannot smoothly flow into the inner case (132).

[0063] Specifically, since the pressure of the exhaust gas passing through the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet (111) is greater than the pressure of the exhaust gas passing through the window (10) positioned close to the center of the inner case (132), a problem occurs in which the exhaust gas cannot smoothly flow into the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet (111) due to the entry resistance generated in the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet (111).

[0064] Accordingly, when multiple windows (10) provided in the first window section (150) are all formed to have the same size, entry resistance occurs in the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet (111), and thus the flow rate is concentrated in the window (10) closer to the center of the inner case (132) than in the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet (111).

[0065] If a phenomenon occurs in which the flow rate is concentrated in the window (10) located closer to the center of the inner case (132) than in the window (10) located closer to the exhaust gas inlet (111), there is a problem in that the humidifying film (131) located closer to the exhaust gas inlet (111) cannot be sufficiently utilized.

[0066] In addition, there is a problem that the durability of the humidifying film (131) placed at the center of the inner case (132) is reduced as the flow rate is concentrated in the window (10) close to the center of the inner case (132).

[0067] In order to solve this problem, the membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention can have the cross-sectional area of ​​the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window section (150) increase from the center of the inner case (132) toward the direction in which the exhaust gas inlet (111) is arranged.

[0068] In this way, by increasing the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet (111), the entry resistance of the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet (111) can be reduced, and thereby the resistance to the flow path generated in the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet (111) can be reduced.

[0069] As the resistance to the flow path generated in the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet (111) is reduced, the exhaust gas can be smoothly introduced through the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet (111), thereby enabling the exhaust gas to be evenly distributed inside the humidifying film (131).

[0070] Figure 2 illustrates the cartridge (130) equipped with the inner case (132) having a rectangular shape with round curves formed at the top and bottom, and Figure 3 illustrates the cartridge (130) equipped with the inner case (132) having a cylindrical shape.

[0071] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in both the cartridge (130) having the inner case (132) formed in a rectangular shape with round curves formed at the upper and lower portions, and the cartridge (130) having the inner case (132) formed in a cylindrical shape, the cross-sectional area of ​​the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150) can be made to increase in the direction in which the exhaust gas inlet (111) is arranged from the center of the inner case (132).

[0072] The first window section (150) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first-first row (151) in which a plurality of windows (10) are arranged in parallel along the column direction, and a first-second row (152) in which a plurality of windows (10) are arranged in parallel along the column direction. Here, the column direction may be a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction) in which the inner case (132) of FIGS. 2 and 3 extends.

[0073] In the above 1-1 column (151), a plurality of windows (10) having the same size can be arranged along the column direction, and in the above 1-2 column (152), a plurality of windows (10) having the same size can be arranged along the column direction.

[0074] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the 1-1st row (151) may be arranged closer to the exhaust gas inlet (111) than the 1-2nd row (152), and the size of the window (10) provided in the 1-1st row (151) may be larger than the size of the window (10) provided in the 1-2nd row (152).

[0075] However, it is not limited thereto, and the size of the window (10) provided in the 1-1st column (151) may be the same as the size of the window (10) provided in the 1-2nd column (152). Specifically, after two columns (1-1st column, 1-2nd column) having windows (10) of the same size are arranged side by side, a column (1-3rd column) having windows (10) of different sizes from the two columns may be arranged.

[0076] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 1-1st column (151) and the plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 1-2nd column (152) may be arranged in a zigzag shape.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 1-1 column (151) and the plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 1-2 column (152) can be arranged alternately.

[0078] Specifically, the plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 1-1 column (151) and the plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 1-2 column (152) can be arranged in a zigzag shape so that the central axis of one window arranged in the 1-1 column (151) and the central axis of one window arranged in the 1-2 column (152) are not arranged on the same axis.

[0079] In this way, when the plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 1-1 column (151) and the plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 1-2 column (152) are arranged in a zigzag shape, the arrangement area of ​​the windows (10) provided in the inner case (132) can be increased.

[0080] When a plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 1-1st column (151) and a plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 1-2nd column (152) are arranged in parallel with each other, the center axis of the windows arranged in the 1-1st column (151) and the center axis of the windows arranged in the 1-2nd column (152) become distant from each other. Accordingly, it becomes difficult to increase the arrangement area of ​​the windows (10) provided in the inner case (132).

[0081] More specifically, when the central axis of one window arranged in the 1-1st column (151) and the central axis of one window arranged in the 1-2nd column (152) are not arranged on the same axis, the distance between the central axis of one window arranged in the 1-1st column (151) and the central axis of one window arranged in the 1-2nd column (152) can become closer than when the central axis of one window arranged in the 1-1st column (151) and the central axis of one window arranged in the 1-2nd column (152) are arranged on the same axis. Through this, the arrangement area of ​​the window (10) provided in the inner case (132) can be increased.

[0082] However, it is not limited thereto, and a plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 1-1 column (151) and a plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 1-2 column (152) may be arranged in parallel with each other, and the windows (10) arranged in the 1-1 column (151) and the windows (10) arranged in the 1-2 column (152) may be arranged in a single row.

[0083] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the second window portion (160) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be provided with windows (10) having the same size. Specifically, the cross-sectional area of ​​the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150) may increase from the center of the inner case (132) toward the direction in which the exhaust gas inlet (111) is arranged, but the sizes of the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) may be the same.

[0084] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the second window portion (160) according to another embodiment of the present invention may be provided with a plurality of windows (10) having different sizes. The plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) may have a cross-sectional area that increases as they move from the center of the inner case (132) toward the direction in which the exhaust gas outlet (112) is arranged.

[0085] The exhaust gas that flows into the inner case (132) through the exhaust gas inlet (111) exchanges moisture with dry air through the humidifying film (131) provided inside the inner case (132). Thereafter, the exhaust gas can be discharged to the outside of the housing (110) through the exhaust gas outlet (112).

[0086] In order to smoothly discharge exhaust gas, which has completed the exchange of dry air and moisture in the inner case (132), through the exhaust gas outlet (112), the cross-sectional area of ​​the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window section (160) may be made to increase in the direction from the center of the inner case (132) toward the exhaust gas outlet (112).

[0087] Specifically, in the center direction of the inner case (132), the size of the window (10) of the second window part (160) can be made small for sufficient moisture exchange, and in a point close to the exhaust gas outlet (112), the size of the window (10) can be made large for exhaust gas discharge.

[0088] Fig. 4 illustrates the cartridge (130) equipped with the inner case (132) having a rectangular shape with round curves formed at the top and bottom, and Fig. 5 illustrates the cartridge (130) equipped with the inner case (132) having a cylindrical shape.

[0089] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in both the cartridge (130) having the inner case (132) formed in a rectangular shape with round curves formed at the upper and lower portions, and the cartridge (130) having the inner case (132) formed in a cylindrical shape, the cross-sectional area of ​​the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) can be made to increase in the direction in which the exhaust gas discharge port (112) is arranged from the center of the inner case (132).

[0090] The second window section (160) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a second-first row (161) in which a plurality of windows (10) are arranged in parallel along the column direction, and a second-second row (162) in which a plurality of windows (10) are arranged in parallel along the column direction. Here, the column direction may be a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction) in which the inner case (132) of FIGS. 4 and 5 extends.

[0091] In the above 2-1 column (161), a plurality of windows (10) having the same size can be arranged along the column direction, and in the above 2-2 column (162), a plurality of windows (10) having the same size can be arranged along the column direction.

[0092] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the 2-1 row (161) may be arranged closer to the exhaust gas outlet (112) than the 2-2 row (162), and the size of the window (10) provided in the 2-1 row (161) may be larger than the size of the window (10) provided in the 2-2 row (162).

[0093] However, it is not limited thereto, and the size of the window (10) provided in the 2-1st column (161) may be the same as the size of the window (10) provided in the 2-2nd column (162). Specifically, after two columns (2-1st column, 2-2nd column) having windows (10) of the same size are arranged side by side, a column (2-3rd column) having windows (10) of different sizes from the two columns may be arranged.

[0094] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 2-1 column (161) and the plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 2-2 column (162) may be arranged in a zigzag shape.

[0095] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 2-1 column (161) and the plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 2-2 column (162) can be arranged alternately.

[0096] Specifically, the plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 2-1st column (161) and the plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 2-2nd column (162) can be arranged in a zigzag shape so that the central axis of one window arranged in the 2-1st column (161) and the central axis of one window arranged in the 2-2nd column (162) are not arranged on the same axis.

[0097] In this way, when the plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 2-1 column (161) and the plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 2-2 column (162) are arranged in a zigzag shape, the arrangement area of ​​the windows (10) provided in the inner case (132) can be increased.

[0098] When a plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 2-1st row (161) and a plurality of windows (10) arranged in the 2-2nd row (162) are arranged in parallel with each other, the center axis of the windows arranged in the 2-1st row (161) and the center axis of the windows arranged in the 2-2nd row (162) become distant from each other. Accordingly, it becomes difficult to increase the arrangement area of ​​the windows (10) provided in the inner case (132).

[0099] More specifically, when the central axis of one window arranged in the 2-1st column (161) and the central axis of one window arranged in the 2-2nd column (162) are not arranged on the same axis, the distance between the central axis of one window arranged in the 2-1st column (161) and the central axis of one window arranged in the 2-2nd column (162) can become closer than when the central axis of one window arranged in the 2-1st column (161) and the central axis of one window arranged in the 2-2nd column (162) are arranged on the same axis. Through this, the arrangement area of ​​the window (10) provided in the inner case (132) can be increased.

[0100] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150) and the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) according to an embodiment of the present invention can be symmetrical with respect to the center of the inner case (132).

[0101] Specifically, the first window portion (150) and the second window portion (160) may be formed in the same shape and be symmetrical with respect to the center of the inner case (132). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first window portion (150) and the second window portion (160) may be formed asymmetrically with respect to the center of the inner case (132).

[0102] Referring to FIG. 6, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150) according to an embodiment of the present invention may form a trapezoidal shape. Here, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150) forming a trapezoidal shape means that when the outermost plurality of windows (10) among the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150) are connected, the shape formed may be a trapezoid.

[0103] When a plurality of windows (10) located at the outermost side among the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150) are connected to form a trapezoidal shape, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150) can be arranged inside the trapezoidal shape.

[0104] In this way, when the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window section (150) according to the embodiment of the present invention are formed in a trapezoidal shape, the area of ​​the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet (111) can be made larger than the area of ​​the window (10) positioned close to the center of the inner case (132).

[0105] In this way, by increasing the area of ​​the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet (111), the entry resistance of the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet (111) can be reduced, and thereby the resistance to the flow path generated in the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet (111) can be reduced.

[0106] As the resistance to the flow path generated in the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet (111) is reduced, the exhaust gas can be smoothly introduced through the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet (111), thereby enabling the exhaust gas to be evenly distributed inside the humidifying film (131).

[0107] Referring to FIG. 7, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150) according to an embodiment of the present invention may form a triangular shape. Here, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150) forming a triangular shape means that the shape formed when the outermost plurality of windows (10) among the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150) are connected may be a triangle.

[0108] When the outermost plurality of windows (10) among the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150) are connected to form a triangle shape, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150) can be arranged inside the triangle shape.

[0109] In this way, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window section (150) according to the embodiment of the present invention can be arranged in various shapes as long as the area of ​​the window (10) arranged close to the exhaust gas inlet (111) can be made larger than the area of ​​the window (10) arranged close to the center of the inner case (132).

[0110] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window part (150) form a trapezoidal or triangular shape, the second window part (160) may be provided with windows (10) having the same size. Specifically, the cross-sectional area of ​​the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window part (150) may increase as it goes from the center of the inner case (132) toward the direction in which the exhaust gas inlet (111) is arranged, but the sizes of the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window part (160) may be the same.

[0111] In addition, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150) according to the embodiment of the present invention form a trapezoidal or triangular shape, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) can also form a trapezoidal or triangular shape.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 6, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) according to an embodiment of the present invention may form a trapezoidal shape. Here, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) forming a trapezoidal shape means that when the outermost plurality of windows (10) among the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) are connected, the shape formed may be a trapezoid.

[0113] When a plurality of windows (10) located at the outermost side among the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) are connected to form a trapezoidal shape, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) can be arranged inside the trapezoidal shape.

[0114] In this way, when the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) according to the embodiment of the present invention are formed in a trapezoidal shape, the area of ​​the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas discharge port (112) can be made larger than the area of ​​the window (10) positioned close to the center of the inner case (132).

[0115] In this way, by increasing the area of ​​the window (10) positioned close to the exhaust gas outlet (112), exhaust gas can be effectively discharged from the inner case (132) to the exhaust gas outlet (112).

[0116] Referring to FIG. 7, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) according to an embodiment of the present invention may form a triangular shape. Here, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) forming a triangular shape means that when the outermost plurality of windows (10) among the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) are connected, the shape formed may be a triangle.

[0117] When the outermost plurality of windows (10) among the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) are connected to form a triangle shape, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) can be arranged inside the triangle shape.

[0118] In this way, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window unit (160) according to the embodiment of the present invention can be arranged in various shapes as long as the area of ​​the window (10) arranged close to the exhaust gas discharge port (112) can be made larger than the area of ​​the window (10) arranged close to the center of the inner case (132).

[0119] According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the plurality of windows (10) provided in the first window portion (150) and the plurality of windows (10) provided in the second window portion (160) can be symmetrical with respect to the center of the inner case (132).

[0120] The membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell according to the embodiment of the present invention described above has the following effects.

[0121] A membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of reducing the entry resistance of a fluid flowing into a cartridge from the exhaust gas inlet by increasing the size of a plurality of windows provided in a first window portion disposed adjacent to an exhaust gas inlet from the center of the inner case toward the exhaust gas inlet.

[0122] A membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention can reduce the resistance to the flow path generated in a window positioned close to the exhaust gas inlet by reducing the entry resistance of the fluid flowing into the cartridge at the exhaust gas inlet, thereby having the advantage of evenly distributing the flow rate inside the humidifying membrane.

[0123] A membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of being able to improve the performance density of the humidifying membrane by evenly distributing the flow rate inside the humidifying membrane and thereby evenly using the entire humidifying membrane, thereby improving the durability of the membrane humidifier.

[0124] While the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, these are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations of the embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true scope of technical protection of the present invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. In a membrane humidifier for a fuel cell that humidifies gas to be supplied to a fuel cell stack, A housing having an exhaust gas inlet for introducing exhaust gas discharged from a fuel cell stack and an exhaust gas outlet for discharging the exhaust gas; A cartridge is disposed inside the housing and has a plurality of humidifying membranes; The above cartridge includes an inner case in which a plurality of humidifying membranes are arranged, and a potting part for fixing the plurality of humidifying membranes. The inner case is provided with a first window section including a plurality of windows and arranged adjacent to the exhaust gas inlet, and a second window section including a plurality of windows and arranged adjacent to the exhaust gas outlet. A membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, characterized in that the first window section is provided with a plurality of windows of different sizes.

2. In paragraph 1, The plurality of windows provided in the above first window section are: A membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, characterized in that the cross-sectional area increases in the direction in which the exhaust gas inlet is arranged from the center of the inner case.

3. In paragraph 2, The above first window section includes a first-first column in which a plurality of windows are arranged in a parallel manner along the column direction, and a first-second column in which a plurality of windows are arranged in a parallel manner along the column direction. A membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, characterized in that a plurality of windows arranged in the first-first column and a plurality of windows arranged in the first-second column are arranged in a zigzag shape.

4. In paragraph 2, The plurality of windows provided in the above first window portion form a trapezoidal shape, A membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, characterized in that a plurality of said windows are arranged inside the said trapezoidal shape.

5. In paragraph 2, The plurality of windows provided in the above first window portion form a triangular shape, A membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, characterized in that a plurality of said windows are arranged inside the said triangular shape.

6. In paragraph 1, A membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, characterized in that the second window section is provided with windows of the same size.

7. In paragraph 1, A membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, characterized in that the second window section is provided with a plurality of windows of different sizes.

8. In paragraph 7, The plurality of windows provided in the above second window section are: A membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, characterized in that the cross-sectional area increases in the direction in which the exhaust gas outlet is arranged from the center of the inner case.

9. In paragraph 8, The second window section includes a second-first column in which a plurality of windows are arranged in a parallel manner along the column direction, and a second-second column in which a plurality of windows are arranged in a parallel manner along the column direction. A membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, characterized in that a plurality of windows arranged in the 2-1 column and a plurality of windows arranged in the 2-2 column are arranged in a zigzag shape.

10. In paragraph 8, The plurality of windows provided in the above second window portion form a trapezoidal shape, A membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, characterized in that a plurality of said windows are arranged inside the said trapezoidal shape.

11. In paragraph 8, The plurality of windows provided in the above second window portion form a triangular shape, A membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, characterized in that a plurality of said windows are arranged inside the said triangular shape.

12. In paragraph 1, A membrane humidifier for a cartridge-type fuel cell, characterized in that a plurality of windows provided in the first window section and a plurality of windows provided in the second window section are symmetrical with respect to the center of the inner case.

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