Fuel Cell Humidification Device Segmentation and Cooling

Solution Overview

Problem

Fuel cell vehicles face inefficiencies due to the freezing of condensation water in humidification devices, leading to increased air compressor power consumption and potential damage to membrane modules, as well as suboptimal humidification performance and package size constraints.

Innovation Solution

A humidification device with a main membrane module and a sub-membrane module, where humidified air is circulated back to the air compressor and separately supplied to the fuel cell cathodes, utilizing hollow-fiber membranes to improve humidification efficiency and reduce temperature and size requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a membrane-type humidification device is used to reduce volume, then the package size is improved, but condensation water freezes in cold weather causing air channel decrease and increased air compressor power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidification device volumeVSAvoidair compressor power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the single membrane module into two separate membrane modules: a first membrane module for humidification and a second membrane module for cooling. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function, preventing the freezing issue while maintaining compact size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second membrane module acts as an intermediary cooling device that uses cold air from the air compressor to cool the humidified air from the first membrane module, preventing condensation water freezing and reducing air compressor power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If a membrane-type humidification device is used to reduce volume, then the package size is improved, but the membrane module may be damaged by volume expansion of frozen condensation water

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidification device volumeVSAvoidmembrane module reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the single membrane module into two separate membrane modules: a first membrane module for humidification and a second membrane module for cooling. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function, preventing the freezing issue while maintaining compact size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second membrane module acts as an intermediary cooling device that uses cold air from the air compressor to cool the humidified air from the first membrane module, preventing condensation water freezing and reducing air compressor power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If compressed air at high temperature (100-150°C) is supplied to the humidification device, then high power operation is achieved, but humidification efficiency and stack operation efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestack power outputVSAvoidhumidification efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The second membrane module acts as an intermediary cooling device that uses cold air from the air compressor to cool the humidified air from the first membrane module, preventing condensation water freezing and reducing air compressor power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the temperature parameter of the compressed air by introducing a cooling function through the second membrane module, reducing the temperature from 100-150°C to a suitable range for humidification, thereby improving humidification efficiency while maintaining high power output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration reduces air compressor temperature, enhances humidification performance, decreases the humidification device's size, and eliminates the need for additional cooling units, thereby improving fuel cell vehicle efficiency and packaging.

Implementation Method 1

humidification is performed by exchange moisture between a gas to gas, such as between high temperature and high humidity exhaust gas exhausted from the cathode of the fuel cell and dried air supplied through the air compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas-to-gas moisture exchange: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

the temperature of air compressed by the air compressor at the time of high power operation of the stack increases to about 100 to 150° C. due to high compression ratio and a substantial amount of air. Since the temperature of the compressed air as described above is greater than a normal operation temperature of about 60 to 80° C. of the stack, the temperature acts as a disadvantageous condition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS9620798B2Humidification device for fuel cell and fuel cell system comprising the same

Publication Date: 2017.04.11 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a humidification device for a fuel cell. The humidification device for a fuel cell, which performs membrane humidification of exhaust gas exhausted from a cathode of a fuel cell and dried air supplied through an air compressor and supplies the humidified air to the cathode, includes: a main membrane module including several bundles of first hollow-fiber membranes disposed in the main membrane module and a sub-membrane module connected to the main membrane module and including several bundles of second hollow fiber membranes disposed in the sub-membrane module.