Fuel Cell Humidifier Cartridge with Pressure-Driven Bypass Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional humidifiers for fuel cells suffer from reduced efficiency due to a high flow rate of off-gas bypassing the hollow fiber membranes without contact, leading to insufficient humidification of the air supplied to the fuel cell stack, which in turn lowers power generation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A humidifier design that includes a blocking member and interlocking mechanism to reduce the flow rate of wet gas bypassing the hollow fiber membranes by ensuring the blocking member and inner case move in an interlocked state with the pressure of the wet gas, using a cartridge with hollow fiber membranes and a mid-case configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional humidifier design is used with hollow fiber membranes, then the humidifier structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but a high flow rate of off-gas bypasses the membranes without contact, reducing humidification efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is designed to move dynamically in response to pressure changes. When wet gas pressure increases, the blocking member is pushed to contact the inner case, reducing the bypass flow path. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to varying flow conditions and maximize humidification efficiency without complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member acts as an intermediary element between the wet gas flow and the hollow fiber membranes. By positioning and moving this intermediate component, the system controls the interaction between wet gas and membranes, ensuring sufficient contact time for moisture transfer while managing the bypass flow
2Productivity
If the blocking member is fixed in position, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot adapt to pressure changes and fails to effectively reduce bypass flow
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is designed to self-adjust based on the pressure of wet gas without requiring external control systems. The interlocking mechanism with the inner case allows automatic movement in response to pressure changes, enabling the system to self-regulate and optimize humidification performance under varying operating conditions
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
This design enhances the humidification process efficiency by reducing gas bypass, ensuring sufficient humidification of the dry gas supplied to the fuel cell stack, thereby improving power generation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane humidification method of supplying moisture to a gas fluid bed using a polymer separation membrane
Implementation Method 2
a membrane configured to selectively transmit only water vapor included in off-gas
Implementation Method 3
an interlocking member configured to connect the inner case to the blocking member such that the blocking member and the inner case are moved in an interlocked state depending on pressure of wet gas
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a cartridge of a fuel cell humidifier and the fuel cell humidifier, the cartridge comprising: an inner case to be inserted into a middle case of the fuel cell humidifier for humidifying dry gas supplied from the outside by using wet gas discharged from a fuel cell stack; a plurality of hollow-fiber membranes accommodated inside the inner case; a first potting part which is coupled to the inner case and which fixes one side of each of the hollow-fiber membranes; a second potting part which is coupled to the inner case and which fixes the other sides of the hollow-fiber membranes; and a link member for connecting the inner case to the middle case so that the middle case and the inner case are linked so as to move according to the pressure of the wet gas positioned inside the middle case.