Fuel Cell Membrane Humidifier Pressure Buffer for Airtight Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
The humidification efficiency of fuel cell membrane humidifiers is degraded due to pressure differences between the inside and outside of the membrane humidifier, leading to gaps and reduced effectiveness in high output or abnormal situations.
Innovation Solution
An active pressure buffer system with an inclined structure and bypass holes is integrated between the middle case and the module insertion portion to equalize pressure and prevent expansion, ensuring that the hollow fiber membrane module operates efficiently by directing fluid flow through the membrane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hollow fiber membrane module is tightly adhered to the inner wall of the middle case to prevent gaps, then airtightness is improved, but the module insertion portion cannot accommodate pressure differences in high output situations
Solution Approach 1:
The module insertion portion is divided into a tight fitting portion that maintains airtightness and a pressure buffer portion that accommodates pressure differences. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different functions: the tight fitting portion ensures reliable fluid flow through the membrane, while the pressure buffer portion provides expansion space during high output operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure buffer portion acts as an intermediary between the hollow fiber membrane module and the middle case. It mediates the pressure differences by providing an expansion space that absorbs pressure variations, preventing direct transmission of pressure forces to the tightly adhered module while maintaining overall system integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the module insertion portion is designed with expansion space to accommodate pressure differences, then adaptability to pressure variations is improved, but gaps form between the membrane module and case reducing airtightness
Solution Approach 1:
The module insertion portion is segmented into distinct functional zones: a tight fitting portion that ensures airtight sealing and a pressure buffer portion that provides expansion space. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by localizing the expansion capability to a specific region while maintaining airtightness in the fluid flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure buffer portion serves as an intermediary structure that decouples the pressure accommodation function from the airtight sealing function. It absorbs pressure variations without compromising the seal integrity of the main fluid flow path through the hollow fiber membranes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the hollow fiber membrane module is tightly fixed to prevent deformation, then structural stability is improved, but pressure differences cause gap formation and fluid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The module insertion portion is divided into a tight fitting portion that provides structural stability and a pressure buffer portion that manages pressure variations. This segmentation allows the module to maintain structural integrity while accommodating pressure differences without gap formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure buffer portion provides beforehand cushioning by creating an expansion space that anticipates and absorbs pressure differences before they can cause harmful effects. This preventive design protects the tightly fixed hollow fiber membrane module from pressure-induced deformation and gap formation.
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 active pressure buffer system effectively prevents humidification efficiency degradation by maintaining airtightness and ensuring fluid flows through the membrane, even in high output or abnormal situations, thereby maintaining optimal humidification performance.
Implementation Method 1
a humidification membrane scheme for supplying moisture to a fluidized gas layer using a polymer separation membrane
Implementation Method 2
an active pressure buffer system with an inclined structure and bypass holes is integrated between the middle case and the module insertion portion to equalize pressure and prevent expansion
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fuel cell membrane humidifier capable of preventing a humidification efficiency decrease caused by the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the membrane humidifier. The fuel cell membrane humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a middle case in which a module insertion part, including an outer partition wall formed spaced apart from an inner wall of the middle case, is formed; a cap case coupled to the middle case; a hollow fiber membrane module inserted into the module insertion part; and an active pressure buffer part that is formed between the middle case and the module insertion part and prevents the module insertion part from expanding due to the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the middle case, or resolves the pressure difference, according to the output status of the fuel cell.