Fuel Cell Humidifier Hollow Fiber Membrane Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell humidifiers face challenges in effectively cooling high-temperature exhaust gases, leading to insufficient condensation and reduced humidification performance, as condensate is often formed on the humidifier's walls rather than being utilized to humidify the intake gas.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell humidifier design incorporating a bundle of hollow fiber membranes and a guide member with a coolant passage to cool and condense exhaust gases, promoting condensation and maximizing the use of condensate for humidification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If exhaust gas is used to humidify intake gas without cooling, then humidification can occur, but the temperature remains high and condensation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust gas flow path is divided into multiple channels by partition walls, creating numerous small flow paths. This segmentation increases the surface area for heat exchange between the exhaust gas and coolant, enabling more effective cooling and condensation while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
A coolant is introduced as an intermediary substance to facilitate heat transfer from the exhaust gas. The coolant flows through channels formed by the partition walls, absorbing heat from the exhaust gas and enabling condensation without direct contact between the exhaust gas and cooling surfaces.
2Ease of manufacture
If the humidifier structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but cooling effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into a single integrated structure. The partition walls simultaneously serve to divide the exhaust gas flow path, form coolant channels, and provide structural support. This merging achieves complex cooling functionality while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls perform multiple functions: they divide the exhaust gas flow into multiple channels, create coolant flow paths, provide structural support, and facilitate heat exchange. This multi-functionality allows effective cooling without adding separate cooling components, maintaining ease of manufacture.
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 enhances humidification performance by effectively cooling and condensing exhaust gases within the humidifier, ensuring that the produced condensate is efficiently utilized to humidify the intake gas, thereby improving the overall performance of the fuel cell system.
Implementation Method 1
a guide member disposed in the housing to restrict a movement of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes inside the housing. Coolant flows through the guide member to cool the exhaust gas to promote condensation of the exhaust gas
Implementation Method 2
Coolant flows through the guide member to cool the exhaust gas to promote condensation of the exhaust gas
Implementation Method 3
a bundle of hollow fiber membranes disposed therein, such that an intake gas flows inside the bundle of hollow fiber membranes
Data Source
AI summary
A humidifier for a fuel cell includes: a bundle of hollow fiber membranes disposed therein, such that an intake gas flows inside the bundle of hollow fiber membranes; a housing configured to accommodate the bundle of hollow fiber membranes, such that an exhaust gas, which has a higher humidity than the intake gas, flows inside the housing; and a guide member disposed in the housing to restrict a movement of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes inside the housing. Coolant flows through the guide member to cool the exhaust gas to promote condensation of the exhaust gas.