Hollow Fiber Membrane Module Flow Segmentation for Uniform Humidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hollow fiber membrane modules in humidification devices for fuel cells face challenges in maximizing the contribution of hollow fiber membranes to membrane separation actions, leading to suboptimal dehumidification/humidification performance due to uneven fluid flow distribution.
Innovation Solution
The hollow fiber membrane module incorporates a tubular outer case, an inner case with partition walls dividing the annular gap into multiple spaces, and windows that allow fluid to flow through the inner case, reducing direct flow to the outlet and enhancing membrane separation action across all membranes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single tubular case is used with hollow fiber membranes arranged radially, then the device structure is simple, but the hollow fiber membranes near the center do not contribute effectively to membrane separation action
Solution Approach 1:
The single tubular case is divided into multiple independent channels by partition walls extending from the closed end. This segmentation creates separate flow paths that force the fluid to travel through different regions of the hollow fiber membranes, ensuring that membranes throughout the entire radial and axial extent contribute effectively to separation, not just those near the outlet.
2Loss of energy
If the outlet portion is positioned to allow direct flow from windows to outlet, then pressure loss is reduced, but fluid flow becomes uneven and bypasses regions away from the outlet
Solution Approach 1:
Partition walls divide the fluid flow path into multiple segments, preventing direct short-circuit flow from windows to outlet. The fluid must navigate through the segmented channels created by partition walls, which directs flow through regions that would otherwise be bypassed, ensuring more uniform utilization of hollow fiber membranes throughout the device.
3Productivity
If partition walls are added to divide the annular gap into multiple spaces, then membrane separation contribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition walls are designed as simple radial extensions from the closed end of the case, creating multiple flow channels without requiring complex internal structures. This segmentation approach achieves improved membrane utilization while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing and assembly processes.
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 rate of contribution of hollow fiber membranes to membrane separation, resulting in enhanced dehumidification/humidification performance by ensuring all membranes participate effectively in the process.
Implementation Method 1
due to a membrane separation action of the hollow fiber membranes 530, moisture in the wet gas moves to the dry gas side
Data Source
AI summary
A hollow fiber membrane module and a dehumidification/humidification device. An outlet portion that makes an annular gap and the outside of an outer case communicate with each other is provided on one end side of the outer case, an inner case is provided with a hollow portion opening to the other end side and also provided with a plurality of windows that make the hollow portion and the annular gap communicate with each other, and a plurality of partition walls that divide a space, in which a fluid flows, into a plurality of spaces in a circumferential direction are provided in the annular gap.