Integrated Humidifier Water Separator for Fuel Cell Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidifier configurations for fuel cell systems face issues with inefficient moisture exchange, space consumption, and risk of liquid droplets impairing the humidifier membranes, leading to inconsistent humidification and potential turbine damage.
Innovation Solution
A compact humidifier design with an integrated water separator, featuring a housing with separate channels for exhaust and operating gas streams, utilizing a water vapor-permeable membrane and a collection container to ensure consistent humidification and prevent droplet formation, with a wicking effect to maintain membrane moisture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a water separator is placed upstream from the humidifier, then liquid water is removed from the exhaust gas stream, but the exhaust gas stream becomes overly cooled and dried out, resulting in insufficient humidification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the water separator and humidifier into a single integrated device. The water separator is positioned within the humidifier housing, allowing liquid water removal and moisture transfer to occur in the same component. This merging eliminates the need for separate upstream water separation, as the integrated design achieves both functions simultaneously without the harmful cooling and drying effects of separate upstream separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The water vapor-permeable membrane acts as an intermediary between the exhaust gas stream and the operating medium stream. It allows selective transfer of water vapor while preventing direct mixing of the two gas streams. This intermediary mechanism enables controlled humidification while maintaining separate flow paths, resolving the contradiction between water removal and moisture transfer.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a water separator is placed downstream from the humidifier, then liquid droplets are removed from the exhaust gas, but the humidifier membranes are at risk of impairment from liquid droplets
Solution Approach 1:
The humidifier housing is segmented into distinct channels: a first channel for the exhaust gas stream and a second channel for the operating medium stream. The water vapor-permeable membrane separates these channels, creating distinct zones that prevent liquid droplets from the exhaust stream from reaching the membrane while allowing water vapor transfer. This segmentation protects the membrane from liquid droplet damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The water vapor-permeable membrane serves as an intermediary barrier that selectively allows water vapor passage while blocking liquid droplets. By placing this intermediary between the exhaust gas stream and the operating medium stream, the system achieves liquid droplet removal without exposing the membrane to harmful liquid contact, as the membrane itself becomes the protective barrier.
3Reliability
If water separators are placed on both sides of the humidifier, then liquid water control is improved, but the installation space required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the water separator function with the humidifier structure by integrating a water separator directly into the humidifier housing. This single integrated component performs both humidification and water separation functions, eliminating the need for separate water separators on both sides of the humidifier. The consolidation reduces installation space while maintaining effective liquid water control through the integrated separator positioned within the humidifier's exhaust gas channel.
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
The solution provides reliable, consistent humidification of fuel cell operating gases, reduces droplet-related turbine damage, and achieves a compact, cost-effective design for fuel cell systems.
Implementation Method 1
a water vapor-permeable membrane (396) separating the first channel (392) and the second channel (393) in the humidifier area, through which water vapor passes from the first gas stream into the second gas stream
Implementation Method 2
a water separator (397) situated in the humidifier area for separating liquid water
Implementation Method 3
a collection container (398) for collecting the deposited liquid water, the collection container being situated in the humidifier area and being connected to the first channel
Implementation Method 4
with a wicking effect to maintain membrane moisture
Data Source
AI summary
A humidifier with an integrated water separator for a fuel cell system, including a housing with a first channel for a first gas stream and a second channel for a second gas stream, a humidifier area in which the first channel and the second channel are separated from one another by a water vapor-permeable membrane, and a collection container for collecting the deposited liquid water is provided. It is provided that a water separator for separating liquid water is situated in the humidifier area.