Fuel Cell Humidifier Cartridge Packing Density for Low Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current humidifiers for fuel cells face challenges in achieving high humidification efficiency, which is crucial for improving fuel cell performance, particularly in applications such as hydrogen electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a humidifier module with a cartridge that utilizes a hollow fiber membrane bundle and a specific packing density ratio of 0.405 to 0.625, allowing for efficient humidification of dry gas using wet gas discharged from the fuel cell stack, optimizing the arrangement of the hollow fiber membrane bundle within the inner case to enhance gas passage and reduce differential pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the hollow fiber membrane bundle is densely packed to increase transmission area, then humidification efficiency is improved, but differential pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the packing density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle within a specific range (0.405 to 0.625). This quantitative parameter adjustment balances the transmission area for humidification efficiency against the pressure differential across the membrane, resolving the contradiction between productivity and pressure stress.
2Productivity
If the hollow fiber membrane bundle occupies more space to increase contact surface area, then humidification rate is improved, but gas flow passage is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by defining an optimal packing density range (0.405 to 0.625) that quantifies the balance between membrane contact surface area and gas flow passage. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient humidification rate while maintaining adequate gas flow velocity through the system.
3Reliability
If the packing density is increased to improve humidification performance, then fuel cell performance is improved, but total differential pressure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing a specific packing density range (0.405 to 0.625) that optimizes fuel cell performance through improved humidification while constraining the total differential pressure increase to acceptable levels. This quantitative approach resolves the contradiction between reliability and pressure stress.
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 improves the humidification efficiency of the fuel cell, contributing to better fuel cell performance by optimizing the packing density and reducing total differential pressure, thereby increasing the humidification rate of gas supplied to the fuel cell stack.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane configured to selectively transmit only water vapor included in off-gas in order to humidify the polymer electrolyte membrane or the proton exchange membrane
Implementation Method 2
a hollow fiber membrane bundle received in the inner case... at least one cartridge disposed in the mid-case... packing density based on a potting sectional area and a membrane sectional area
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cartridge for a fuel cell humidifier, and a fuel cell humidifier, the cartridge comprising: an inner case having both ends opened; a hollow fiber membrane bundle received in the inner case; an inner inlet and an inner outlet formed on the inner case so as to be spaced along a first axial direction; a first potting layer for fixing one end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle at one end of the inner case; and a second potting layer for fixing the other end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle at the other end of the inner case, wherein the packing density is 0.405 to 0.625 inclusive, the packing density being based on, with respect to a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction, the potting cross-section of the inside of the one end of the inner case where the first potting layer is potted, and the membrane cross-section of the hollow fiber membrane bundle.