Fuel Cell Humidifier Bypass Line Integration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Fuel cell vehicles face challenges with the membrane-type humidifier due to space constraints, inefficient packaging, and increased power consumption caused by water condensation and ice formation in cold weather, which affects humidifying performance and fuel efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a bypass line within the humidifier, connected to the membrane module and air compressor, allows for hydrogen dilution without additional space and enables the discharge of water condensate, reducing pressure and power consumption, and improving humidifying efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate bypass line is provided to dilute hydrogen in discharged gas, then hydrogen dilution is achieved, but package space increases and efficient packaging is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen dilutionVSAvoidpackage space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The bypass line is merged with the existing air supplying line that connects the air compressor and humidifier. The bypass line utilizes the same spatial pathway and structural space as the main air supply line, eliminating the need for separate additional space for hydrogen dilution functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The air supplying line serves dual functions: it supplies air to the humidifier for humidification and simultaneously serves as a bypass line for diluting hydrogen in discharged gas. This multi-functional design allows hydrogen dilution without requiring dedicated additional space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Use of energy by stationary object

If water condensate is discharged from the humidifier, then pressure and power consumption are reduced, but additional discharge path space is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddischarge path space

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The water condensate discharge path is merged with the existing bypass line structure. The bypass line serves dual purposes: supplying air for hydrogen dilution and providing a discharge path for water condensate removal, eliminating the need for separate discharge path space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass line acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates both air supply for dilution and water condensate discharge. By using the bypass line as a shared pathway, the system achieves condensate removal functionality without requiring additional dedicated space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If membrane-type humidifier is used to reduce volume, then packing space is improved, but water condensation and ice formation still occur affecting performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehumidifier volumeVSAvoidhumidifying performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Water condensate and ice are extracted and removed from the humidifier system through the integrated bypass line discharge path. By actively removing condensate and preventing ice accumulation, the humidifier maintains its compact design while preserving reliable humidifying performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bypass line, initially intended only for hydrogen dilution, is utilized to also remove harmful water condensate and prevent ice formation. This converts a potential harm (condensate accumulation) into a beneficial discharge mechanism, maintaining performance in cold conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 the package size of the fuel cell system, enhances humidifying performance, and improves fuel efficiency by eliminating the need for additional space and minimizing the burden on the air compressor, while preventing ice formation and maintaining efficient operation in cold conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The membrane-type humidifier may use membrane for humidifying by exchanging moisture from a gas to gas such as between discharged gas at the elevated temperature and humidity from the cathode of the fuel cell and dry air supplied through the air compressor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMoisture exchange through membrane: Permeation

Data Source

PatentUS9461318B2Humidifier for fuel cell and fuel cell system comprising the same

Publication Date: 2016.10.04 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A humidifier for a fuel cell is provided. The humidifier is configured to humidify discharged gas from a cathode of the fuel cell and dry air supplied via an air compressor using membrane, and supply humidified air to the cathode. The humidifier includes: a membrane module having bundles of hollow fiber membranes disposed therein and manifolds each of which is connected to both sides of the membrane module, configured to inject the discharge gas and the dry air into an interior of the membrane module, and discharge the discharged gas from which moisture is removed and the humidified air from the interior of the membrane module. At least one bypass line is inserted into interiors of the manifolds and is connected to the interior of the membrane module, and is selectively connected to a supplying path of the dry air supplied from the air compressor.