Fuel Cell Membrane Humidifier With Integrated Cooling and Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of a heat exchange device and a membrane humidifier in series for fuel cell systems increases system complexity and size, leading to pressure loss and hindered miniaturization due to the need for additional air coolers and coolant flow paths.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell membrane humidifier and system that integrates humidification and heat exchange functions within a single unit, utilizing a housing part with a partitioned space for separate humidification and heat exchange modules, and a flow control mechanism using bimetallic elements to manage fluid flow based on temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a heat exchange device and membrane humidifier are integrated in series, then humidification function is added, but system complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heat exchange device and membrane humidifier into a single integrated unit where the second fluid outlet of the heat exchange device is directly connected to the second fluid inlet of the membrane humidifier. This merging eliminates the need for separate devices and connections, reducing system complexity while maintaining both heat exchange and humidification functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions simultaneously: heat exchange through the heat exchange device and humidification through the membrane humidifier. The system uses the same fluid circulation pathway to achieve both thermal management and moisture supply to the fuel cell, making the system more versatile without requiring additional independent components.
2Temperature
If heat exchange device and membrane humidifier are integrated in series, then cooling function is added, but system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat exchange device and membrane humidifier into one compact integrated unit with shared housing and fluid pathways. This combination reduces the overall system volume compared to having separate devices, as the fluid circulation system is consolidated rather than duplicated.
3Temperature
If separate air cooler is added, then cooling function is improved, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design eliminates additional connection points and components between separate devices. The fluid flows continuously from the heat exchange device directly into the membrane humidifier without passing through additional valves, connectors, or intermediate chambers that would cause pressure drops.
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 integration simplifies the fuel cell system design and reduces its size, eliminating the need for separate air coolers and minimizing pressure loss, thereby enhancing miniaturization and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of hollow fiber membranes allowing a first fluid flowing thereinside to perform moisture exchange with a second fluid flowing thereoutside
Implementation Method 2
a flow control part configured to actively control a flow direction of the first fluid according to temperature change of the first fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed are a fuel cell membrane humidifier and a fuel cell system having the same in which humidification by moisture exchange and cooling by heat exchange are performed in one membrane humidifier such that the fuel cell system can be simplified and be miniaturized. The fuel cell membrane humidifier includes a housing part having a space divided by a partition, a humidification module formed in a first portion of the divided space and having a plurality of hollow fiber membranes allowing a first fluid flowing thereinside to perform moisture exchange with a second fluid flowing thereoutside, a heat exchange module formed in a second portion of the divided space and configured to cool a first fluid flowing inside the heat exchange module, and a flow control part configured to actively control a flow direction of the first fluid.