Fuel Cell Membrane Humidifier Flow Deflection for Membrane Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell membrane humidifiers face damage due to the pressure of off-gas, which compromises the integrity of the humidification membranes used in the humidification process.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell membrane humidifier design incorporating a humidification module with a protection member inclined towards the cartridge and strategically positioned flow holes to deflect the off-gas, preventing direct contact with the membranes, along with a gasket assembly for airtight sealing and vibration absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If hollow fiber membranes are used for membrane humidification, then the contact surface area is increased and humidification efficiency is improved, but the membranes are damaged due to direct contact with high-pressure off-gas
Solution Approach 1:
A protection member is introduced as an intermediary component between the off-gas and the hollow fiber membranes. This protection member deflects the off-gas flow to prevent direct contact with the membranes while allowing the membranes to maintain their large contact surface area for effective humidification. The intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by shielding the membranes from pressure damage without reducing their functional surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal structure of the humidifier is segmented into distinct zones: an off-gas flow deflection zone with the protection member, and a membrane contact zone where humidification occurs. This segmentation allows the off-gas to be redirected away from the membranes while maintaining the membranes' exposure to air for humidification, thus protecting the membranes without compromising the contact surface area.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a protection member is added to prevent off-gas contact with membranes, then membrane durability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection member is designed as a thin-walled cylindrical structure that is simple in form but effective in function. This thin-cylinder design provides sufficient protection against off-gas pressure while minimizing the addition of structural complexity. The simple geometric form allows for easy manufacturing and integration without significantly complicating the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to make the membranes resistant to pressure damage, the design inverts the approach by protecting the membranes from exposure to pressure in the first place. The protection member is positioned to intercept and deflect off-gas before it can contact the membranes, simplifying the solution by avoiding the need for pressure-resistant membrane materials or complex reinforcement structures.
3Device complexity
If off-gas is allowed to contact membranes directly, then device simplicity is maintained, but membrane damage occurs reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The protection member serves as a mediator that maintains the simplicity of the overall device structure while reliably protecting the membranes. Its simple cylindrical geometry and straightforward installation preserve device simplicity, while its function as a flow-deflecting barrier ensures membrane integrity by preventing direct exposure to high-pressure off-gas.
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
The solution effectively prevents membrane damage from off-gas pressure, ensuring the longevity and efficiency of the humidification process while maintaining a compact and lightweight design.
Implementation Method 1
a selective permeable membrane used in the membrane humidification scheme is preferably a hollow fiber membrane... a membrane that selectively permeates only water vapor contained in an off-gas
Implementation Method 2
a humidification membrane protection member formed to be inclined toward the cartridge on an inner wall of the mid-case having the off-gas inlet formed therein, to prevent the off-gas from come into direct contact with the humidification membranes
Implementation Method 3
a gasket assembly for airtight sealing and vibration absorption
Implementation Method 4
an end of the cartridge being inserted into the hole, and come into close contact with the end of the cartridge inserted into the hole to absorb a vibration in a horizontal direction
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fuel cell membrane humidifier capable of preventing humidification membranes from being damaged by pressure of exhaust gas, and a fuel cell membrane humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a humidification module for humidifying air supplied from the outside by using water in exhaust gas discharged from a fuel cell stack; and caps coupled to opposite ends of the humidification module, respectively, wherein the humidification module comprises: a mid-case including an exhaust gas inlet through which the exhaust gas is introduced; at least one cartridge disposed in the mid-case to receive multiple humidification membranes; and a humidification membrane protection member formed on an inner wall of the mid-case through which the exhaust gas inlet is formed and inclined toward the cartridge to thus prevent the exhaust gas from coming into direct contact with the humidification membrane.