Corrugated Humidifier Flow Plate for Membrane Support and Low Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current humidifiers for fuel cell systems face inefficiencies in moisture exchange due to the design of flow plates, which can lead to suboptimal pressure differences and membrane support, resulting in reduced moisture transfer efficiency and potential membrane buckling.
Innovation Solution
The proposed flow plate design features a corrugated surface with support elements arranged in lines and rows, offset from each other, providing a matrix-like structure that optimizes fluid flow guidance and membrane support, while allowing for different orientations and shapes to accommodate varying pressure conditions, thereby enhancing moisture transfer and reducing pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional flow plate design is used, then manufacturing and assembly are simpler, but moisture transfer efficiency is reduced and membrane support is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flow plate is segmented into multiple support elements arranged in lines and rows, creating a matrix-like structure that provides distributed support to the membrane while maintaining efficient fluid flow paths for moisture transfer
Solution Approach 2:
Support elements protrude from the base plane in the third dimension, creating a corrugated surface that provides membrane support without blocking fluid flow in the planar dimensions, thus resolving the conflict between structural support and flow efficiency
2Stress or pressure
If support elements are added to the flow plate, then membrane support against fluid pressure is improved, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
Support elements are strategically positioned at specific locations where membrane support is most needed, rather than providing uniform support across the entire surface, allowing optimized pressure distribution with minimal flow resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated surface created by protruding support elements provides curved pathways for fluid flow that reduce turbulence and pressure loss while maintaining effective membrane support at the peaks of the corrugations
3Ease of operation
If offset arrangement of support elements is used, then fluid flow guidance is optimized, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The offset arrangement segments the support elements into alternating rows, creating a staggered pattern that naturally guides fluid flow through the channels while providing distributed membrane support at multiple locations
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 design achieves a higher efficiency in moisture transfer and supports the membrane effectively against fluid pressure, potentially reducing manufacturing costs and assembly complexity by allowing for one-piece production and individually matched geometries.
Implementation Method 1
a semipermeable layer such as a water-transfer membrane... on one side of a semipermeable layer a moist gas... is guided through the channels of an adjacent flow plate, and on the opposite side of the semipermeable layer a dry gas... is passed through channels of a second flow plate. In this case, the moist gas on one side of the semipermeable layer gives off moisture to the semipermeable layer, whereas on the opposite side the semipermeable layer gives off moisture to the dry gas.
Data Source
AI summary
A flow plate for a humidifier includes a frame, and a flow field body, the frame surrounding the flow field body being connected or integral with the frame. The flow field body has a corrugated surface at least on one side, the flow field body including support elements protruding from a base plane of the flow field body and being arranged in lines and rows, the lines of the support elements extending in a first direction and the rows of the support elements extending in a second direction different from the first direction. The support elements in successive lines and rows are arranged offset from each other. The support elements in the same row are bent in one direction, and the support elements in an adjacent row are bent in another direction opposing the one direction.