Fuel Cell Membrane Humidifier With Pressure Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Humidification efficiency in fuel cell membrane humidifiers is reduced due to a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the membrane humidifier, leading to inefficient moisture exchange.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell membrane humidifier design that includes a middle case with a module insertion unit, a cap case, and a pressure buffer unit between the inner wall of the middle case and the module insertion unit, which maintains balanced pressure across partition walls to prevent deformation and maintain airtightness, ensuring efficient moisture exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a membrane humidifier operates under pressure difference between inside and outside, then humidification function is achieved, but humidification efficiency decreases due to partition wall deformation and fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure buffer unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the hollow fiber membrane cartridges and the partition walls. This buffer unit filled with fluid (water or air) absorbs and balances the pressure difference, preventing direct transmission of pressure to the partition walls and thereby preventing deformation and maintaining airtightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure buffer unit is pre-filled with fluid to provide cushioning against pressure differences before they can cause harmful effects. This beforehand cushioning prevents partition wall deformation and fluid leakage that would otherwise occur during operation under pressure differential conditions.
2Device complexity
If hollow fiber membrane cartridges are placed in direct contact with partition walls, then structural simplicity is achieved, but airtightness deteriorates due to partition wall deformation under pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure buffer unit serves as an intermediary layer between the hollow fiber membrane cartridges and the partition walls. This intermediate fluid layer maintains airtightness by preventing direct contact and potential leakage paths, while the buffer absorbs pressure effects to prevent partition wall deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure buffer unit provides beforehand cushioning to the partition walls, preventing deformation before it can occur during pressure differential operation. This ensures continuous airtightness between the hollow fiber membrane cartridges and partition walls throughout operation.
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
Prevents a decrease in humidification efficiency by maintaining balanced pressures and preventing fluid leakage between the hollow fiber membrane cartridges and partition walls, thereby enhancing moisture exchange efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane configured to selectively transmit only water vapor included in an exhaust gas
Implementation Method 2
a pressure buffer unit disposed between the inner wall of the middle case and the module insertion unit, which maintains balanced pressure across partition walls
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a membrane humidifier for a fuel cell, which can prevent a decrease in humidification efficiency due to a pressure difference between the inside and outside of a membrane humidifier, the membrane humidifier for a fuel cell, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising: a middle case having a module insertion part inside; a cap case coupled to the middle case; a hollow fiber membrane module inserted to the module insertion part; and a pressure buffer part between the inner wall of the middle case and the module insertion part.