Fuel Cell Humidifier Port Structure for Condensate Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell humidifiers face issues with condensate accumulation and potential membrane damage due to temperature differences, leading to clogged channels and risk of freezing in winter, which affects the efficiency and durability of the humidification process.
Innovation Solution
A humidifier design that includes a condensate collection space between the humidifier port and connection hose, featuring a cylindrical shape with a gradual increase in area, catch members on the humidifier port, discharge holes, and a heat transfer member on the connection hose to evaporate condensate, preventing accumulation and potential freezing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If condensate is not collected, then the structure is simpler, but channel clogging and membrane damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The connection hose is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion, creating a stepped structure that forms a condensate collection space. This segmentation allows condensate to be collected and managed without adding separate collection devices, thus improving reliability while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The condensate collection space is created by utilizing the vertical dimension through the stepped structure formed by dividing the connection hose into upper and lower portions. This dimensional approach collects condensate effectively without increasing the horizontal footprint or adding complex components.
2Reliability
If condensate is not evaporated, then the structure is simpler, but freezing damage occurs in winter
Solution Approach 1:
The connection hose structure itself serves dual purposes: it conveys air and simultaneously evaporates condensate through its heated surface. The hose's own thermal energy from the fuel cell operation is utilized to evaporate condensate, preventing freezing without requiring external heating devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The condensate is evaporated by the heat transfer member, transitioning from liquid to vapor phase. This phase change prevents condensate accumulation and freezing, protecting the humidification membrane from damage during cold operation.
3Reliability
If condensate accumulates in humidifier, then no collection structure is needed, but membrane damage occurs due to volume expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The condensate collection function is extracted from the humidifier housing and integrated into the connection hose structure. By creating the condensate collection space in the lower portion of the connection hose, the humidifier housing is relieved of condensate accumulation responsibility, protecting the membrane without adding complexity to the humidifier itself.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively collects and manages condensate, preventing channel clogging and membrane damage, ensuring continuous operation and durability of the humidification system, especially during winter conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer member (320) coupled to an inner peripheral surface of the humidifier port part (310) to evaporate condensate which moves along the inner peripheral surface of the humidifier port part (310)
Data Source
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AI summary
A humidifier for a fuel cell includes a connection hose part connected to an air inlet of a fuel cell stack. A humidifier port part is coupled to an inner peripheral surface of the connection hose part and connects the connection hose part to an air outlet of a humidifier housing. A condensate collection part is coupled to an upper portion of the humidifier port part so that a condensate collection space is defined between an outer peripheral surface of the condensate collection part and the inner peripheral surface of the connection hose part.