Membrane Humidifier Inlet Layout to Cut Fuel Cell Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel cell membrane humidifiers face inefficiencies due to differential pressure loss in the humidification module, which reduces humidification efficiency and power generation performance.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell membrane humidifier design featuring a mid-case with a second fluid inlet and outlet, partitioned spaces, and cartridges with hollow fiber membranes, where the second fluid inlet's cross-sectional area is optimized to match or exceed the total area of mesh hole windows and the cartridge's cross-sectional area, minimizing pressure loss, and an active bypass unit adjusts flow rates to manage pressure changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the cross-sectional area of the second fluid inlet is reduced to compact the humidification module, then the device size is reduced, but differential pressure loss increases and humidification efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the cross-sectional area of the second fluid inlet to be equal to or greater than the total area of mesh hole windows. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient flow capacity while maintaining compact module dimensions, thereby resolving the contradiction between size reduction and pressure loss prevention.
2Productivity
If the total area of mesh hole windows is reduced to increase vapor transmission efficiency, then humidification performance is improved, but fluid flow resistance increases and pressure loss worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the mesh hole window area parameter to achieve a balance between vapor transmission and fluid flow resistance. By setting the second fluid inlet area equal to or greater than the total mesh hole window area, the design ensures adequate flow paths that minimize pressure loss while maintaining effective humidification performance.
3Quantity of substance
If the hollow fiber membranes are increased in number to improve moisture exchange capacity, then humidification performance is enhanced, but the cartridge cross-sectional area increases and pressure loss worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the contradiction by optimizing the spatial arrangement and cross-sectional area relationships. By ensuring the second fluid inlet area is sufficient relative to the mesh hole windows and cartridge dimensions, the design accommodates multiple hollow fiber membranes for enhanced moisture exchange while maintaining adequate flow areas to minimize pressure losses.
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 enhances humidification efficiency by preventing differential pressure loss and maintaining optimal flow rates, thereby improving the performance and efficiency of the fuel cell membrane humidification process.
Implementation Method 1
a humidification membrane method of supplying moisture to a gas fluidized bed by using a polymer separator
Implementation Method 2
A cross-sectional area of the second fluid inlet is equal to or greater than a total area of windows constituting a first mesh hole unit
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a fuel cell membrane humidifier in which humidification efficiency is improved by preventing differential pressure loss in a humidification module. The fuel cell membrane humidifier performs moisture exchange between a first fluid and a second fluid and includes a mid-case, a second fluid inlet through which the second fluid is introduced into the mid-case, a second fluid outlet through which the second fluid is discharged to outside, a partition wall configured to divide an inner space of the mid-case into a first space and a second space, and at least one cartridge located in the mid-case and configured to accommodate a plurality of hollow fiber membranes therein. A cross-sectional area of the second fluid inlet is equal to or greater than a total area of windows constituting a first mesh hole unit and arranged in a mesh shape in the at least one cartridge for fluid communication with the first space.