Fuel cell membrane humidifier capable of controlling flow direction of fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Highly integrated hollow fiber membranes in fuel cell humidifiers lead to non-uniform fluid flow, reducing the effective area of the membrane and thus the humidification efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A fluid guide unit with a dual-layer net structure, comprising a base unit and a protrusion unit, is used to uniformly guide the fluid flow between the hollow fiber membranes and the housing unit, preventing direct contact and ensuring optimal moisture exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hollow fiber membranes are highly integrated to increase transmission area, then humidification capacity is improved, but fluid flow uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid guide unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the fluid source and the hollow fiber membranes. This fluid guide unit includes guide ribs that direct and distribute the fluid flow uniformly across the membrane surface, mediating between the high integration density of membranes and the need for uniform flow distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid guide unit creates local flow channels and distribution zones using guide ribs with specific geometries. Different regions of the fluid guide unit are designed with varying rib heights and spacing to locally adjust flow distribution, ensuring uniform fluid contact across the entire highly integrated membrane surface.
2Quantity of substance
If hollow fiber membranes are highly integrated, then humidification capacity is improved, but effective membrane area utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid guide unit acts as a mediator that ensures fluid is properly distributed to all regions of the highly integrated membranes. The guide ribs create flow paths that maximize fluid-membrane contact, ensuring that the entire transmission area is effectively utilized for humidification.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid guide unit introduces a new dimensional element (the third dimension of rib height and spacing) to control two-dimensional fluid distribution. This additional degree of freedom allows optimization of flow patterns to match the high-density membrane arrangement, improving overall area utilization.
3Quantity of substance
If hollow fiber membranes are highly integrated, then humidification capacity is improved, but membrane protection from housing contact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid guide unit serves as a protective intermediary layer between the hollow fiber membranes and the housing unit. This intermediate structure prevents direct contact and potential damage to the membranes while maintaining the high integration density required for effective humidification.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid guide unit is positioned and designed beforehand to create a protective buffer zone around the membranes. This pre-established protective structure prevents mechanical contact and potential damage before it can occur during operation.
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 solution enhances humidification efficiency by ensuring uniform fluid flow and preventing membrane damage, thereby improving the overall performance of the fuel cell humidifier.
Implementation Method 1
a hollow fiber membrane having large transmission area per unit volume is preferably used as the selective transmission membrane used in the humidification membrane method
Implementation Method 2
supplying moisture to a gas flowing layer using a polymer separation membrane
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a fuel cell membrane humidifier capable of improving humidifying efficiency by controlling the flow direction of fluid, and the fuel cell membrane humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a hollow fiber membrane module for accommodating a hollow fiber membrane in which a first fluid and a second fluid perform moisture exchange while the first fluid flows therein and the second fluid flows on the outside thereof; and a housing part constituting the appearance of the membrane purifier, wherein a fluid guide part for uniformly guiding the flow of fluid is formed between the hollow fiber membrane and the housing part.