CN116685392A - Humidification system for fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a fuel cell humidification system that supplies humidified gas to a fuel cell, comprising: a plurality of humidification modules configured to humidify cell gases supplied to the fuel cell stack by using moisture; a humidifier configured to supply moisture to the humidification module and discharge the moisture discharged from the humidification module; a supply cover coupled to one side of the humidification portion to supply the battery gas to the humidification module; and a discharge cap coupled to the other side of the humidification portion to discharge the cell gas discharged from the humidification modules to the fuel cell stack, and each of the humidification modules includes a filter cartridge coupled to the plurality of hollow fiber membranes, an intermediate housing coupled to the one or more filter cartridges, a supply hole formed to penetrate the intermediate housing such that the moisture is supplied into the intermediate housing, and a discharge hole formed to penetrate the intermediate housing such that the moisture is discharged out of the intermediate housing, and the humidification portion includes a humidification body accommodating the humidification modules therein, a supply member supplying the moisture to the humidification body, and a discharge member discharging the moisture from the humidification body.

Description

Humidification system for fuel cell

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell humidification system that supplies humidified air to a fuel cell.

Background

A fuel cell is a power generation cell that generates electricity by the combination of hydrogen and oxygen. Unlike conventional chemical cells such as dry cells and storage cells, fuel cells can continuously generate electricity as long as hydrogen and oxygen are supplied, and have an advantage in that they are about twice as efficient as internal combustion engines because they have no heat loss.

In addition, the fuel cell emits less contaminants because chemical energy generated by the combination of hydrogen and oxygen is directly converted into electrical energy. Therefore, the fuel cell has not only the feature of environmental protection but also the concern of resource exhaustion due to an increase in energy consumption is reduced.

These fuel cells can be broadly classified into Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC), phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC) and Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC), solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC), and Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC) according to the type of electrolyte used.

Although each of these fuel cells operates on the same basic principle, these fuel cells differ in the type of fuel used, the operating temperature, the catalyst, the electrolyte, and other factors. Among these fuel cells, a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is known to be the most promising fuel cell not only in a small stationary power generation apparatus but also in a transportation system because it operates at a low temperature and has a high power density as compared with other fuel cells, which enables miniaturization thereof.

One of the most important factors to improve the performance of a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is to maintain functional efficiency by supplying a certain amount of moisture to a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) or a proton exchange membrane in a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA). This is because when the polymer electrolyte membrane is dry, the power generation efficiency rapidly decreases.

There are several methods of humidifying the polymer electrolyte membrane, including 1) a bubbler humidifying method, supplying moisture by passing a target gas through a diffuser after filling a pressure vessel with water; 2) Direct injection method: by calculating the supply of moisture required for the fuel cell reaction, moisture is directly supplied to the gas channel through the solenoid valve; 3) film-wetting: moisture is supplied to the gas fluid layer using a polymer membrane.

In these methods, the membrane humidification method of supplying water vapor to air to be supplied to the polymer electrolyte membrane by using a membrane that selectively passes only water vapor included in exhaust gas has an advantage in that the membrane humidifier can be light in weight and miniaturized.

The permselective membrane used in the membrane humidification process is preferably a hollow fiber membrane having a large permeation area per unit volume when forming a module. In other words, when the hollow fiber membrane is used to manufacture the membrane humidifier, high integration of the hollow fiber membrane having a large contact surface area is possible, so that even in the case of a small capacity, it is possible to sufficiently humidify the fuel cell, use a low-cost material, and recover moisture and heat contained in exhaust gas discharged at a high temperature from the fuel cell, thereby reusing the recovered moisture and heat through the membrane humidifier.

Fig. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a conventional fuel cell humidifier.

As shown in fig. 1, the conventional membrane-humidification humidifier 100 includes a humidification module 110 in which moisture is exchanged between air supplied from the outside and off-gas discharged from a fuel cell stack (not shown), and covers 120 coupled to both ends of the humidification module 110.

One of the covers 120 transmits air supplied from the outside to the humidification module 110, and the other of the covers 120 transmits air humidified by the humidification module 110 to the fuel cell stack.

The humidification module 110 includes an intermediate housing 111 having an off-gas inlet 111a and an off-gas outlet 111b, and a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 112 in the intermediate housing 111. Both ends of a bundle of hollow fiber membranes 112 are enclosed on a fixed layer 113. The fixing layer 113 is typically formed by curing a liquid polymer such as a liquid polyurethane resin by a casting method. The fixing layer 113, which encapsulates the end of the hollow fiber membrane 112, and the resin layer 114 between the fixing layer 113 and the intermediate case 111 separate the inner space of the cover 120 from the inner space of the intermediate case 111. Similar to the fixing layer 113, the resin layer 114 is generally formed by curing a liquid polymer such as a liquid polyurethane resin by a casting method.

Air supplied from the outside flows along the hollow portion of the hollow fiber membrane.

The exhaust gas introduced into the intermediate housing 111 through the exhaust gas inlet 111a contacts the outer surface of the hollow fiber membranes 112 and is then discharged from the intermediate housing 111 through the exhaust gas outlet 111b. When the off-gas contacts the outer surface of the hollow fiber membranes 112, moisture contained in the off-gas permeates the hollow fiber membranes 112, thereby humidifying air flowing along the hollow portions of the hollow fiber membranes 112.

Recently, in order to increase the power generation amount of the fuel cell system, development of technology, such as increasing the number of fuel cell stacks, is actively underway. "in order to increase the power generation amount of the fuel cell system, it is necessary to increase the flow rate of the humidified air in the humidification step. In order to increase the flow rate of the humidified air, a method of installing a plurality of humidifiers 100 has been proposed. However, since this method requires a considerable installation area for the off-gas inlet 111a, the off-gas outlet 111b, and the cover 120 protruding from the intermediate housing 111 of each humidifier 100, it increases construction and operation costs. "

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a fuel cell humidification system capable of reducing the installation area while increasing the flow rate of humidified gas through a humidification process.

Technical proposal

A fuel cell humidification system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes:

a plurality of humidification modules configured to humidify cell gases supplied to the fuel cell stack by using moisture; a humidifier configured to supply moisture to the humidification module and discharge the moisture discharged from the humidification module; a supply cover coupled to one side of the humidification portion to supply the battery gas to the humidification module; and a discharge cap coupled to the other side of the humidification portion to discharge the cell gas discharged from the humidification module to the fuel cell stack. Each humidification module includes a filter cartridge coupled to a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, an intermediate housing coupled to one or more filter cartridges, a supply hole formed through the intermediate housing such that moisture is supplied into the intermediate housing, and a drain hole formed through the intermediate housing such that moisture is drained out of the intermediate housing. The humidifying part includes a humidifying body accommodating the humidifying module therein, a supply member supplying moisture to the humidifying body, and a discharge member discharging the moisture from the humidifying body.

In the fuel cell humidification system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the humidification module is arranged to be stacked in the vertical direction in the humidification body; the supply member and the discharge member are coupled to the wet upper surface of the humidifying body, and the supply cover and the discharge cover are spaced apart from each other in the first axial direction, wherein the supply hole is formed to penetrate the intermediate upper surface of the intermediate housing; the discharge hole is formed penetrating the intermediate upper surface and spaced apart from the supply hole in the first axial direction; and, among the humidification modules, an uppermost humidification module includes: a first transfer hole formed to penetrate the middle lower surface of the middle case such that a portion of the moisture supplied through the supply hole is supplied to the humidification module disposed at the lower side; and a second transfer hole formed to penetrate the middle lower surface such that moisture discharged from the humidification module disposed at the lower side is introduced.

In the fuel cell humidification system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, in the uppermost humidification module, the supply hole and the discharge hole are spaced apart from each other in opposite directions from midpoints that are equidistant from both ends of the intermediate case based on the first axial direction, and the first transport hole and the second transport hole are spaced apart from each other in opposite directions from the midpoints; the supply hole of the humidifying module disposed at the lower side of the uppermost humidifying module is disposed opposite to the first transfer hole of the uppermost humidifying module; and a discharge hole of the humidification module disposed at a lower side of the uppermost humidification module is disposed opposite to the second transfer hole of the uppermost humidification module.

In the fuel cell humidification system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the humidification modules includes a blocking member protruding outward from the intermediate case between the supply hole and the discharge hole in the first axial direction, and the blocking member is formed to extend along a circumference of the intermediate case so as to surround the intermediate case.

In the fuel cell humidification system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a sliding assembly capable of sliding according to the pressure of the moisture may be included.

In the fuel cell humidification system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the sliding assembly may include: a first sliding member formed on the wet upper surface, protruding toward the intermediate upper surface and spaced apart from the intermediate upper surface; and a second sliding member formed on the intermediate upper surface, protruding toward and spaced apart from the wet upper surface.

In the fuel cell humidification system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the first sliding member and the second sliding member may have a sliding protrusion protruding opposite to each other in the first axial direction, and a sliding space may be formed between the two sliding protrusions.

In the fuel cell humidification system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the sliding assembly may include: a first inclined sliding member formed on the wet upper surface, protruding obliquely toward the intermediate upper surface and spaced apart from the intermediate upper surface; and a second inclined sliding member formed on the intermediate upper surface, protruding obliquely toward the wet upper surface and spaced apart from the wet upper surface.

In the fuel cell humidification system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first and second inclined slide members may be formed to have inclination angles corresponding to each other such that the first inclined slide member moves up and down while the first and second inclined slide members contact each other.

Advantageous effects

In the present disclosure, the supply member and the discharge member of the humidifying part may be used together to supply and discharge moisture to and from the humidifying module. In addition, in the present disclosure, the supply cover and the discharge cover may be used together to supply and discharge the battery gas to and from the humidification module. Accordingly, in the present disclosure, although a plurality of humidification modules are provided to increase the flow rate of humidified air, the installation area may be reduced in a working space where a humidification process is performed. Accordingly, in the present disclosure, construction and operation costs can be reduced while contributing to an increase in the power generation amount of the fuel cell system by increasing the flow rate of the humidified gas.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a conventional fuel cell humidifier.

Fig. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a fuel cell humidification system according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of one humidification module in a fuel cell humidification system according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a conceptual perspective view illustrating a channel through which moisture flows in a fuel cell humidification system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 and 7 are conceptual perspective views of a channel of a humidifying part through which moisture flows in a fuel cell humidifying system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, taken with reference to a schematic cross-sectional view of a humidifier of fig. 3, line I-I.

Fig. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a problem occurring in the humidifying section of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views showing a humidifying part of a fuel cell humidifying system according to the present disclosure, and fig. 9 and 10 are schematic cross-sectional views showing a humidifying part including a sliding assembly.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure may include various modifications and embodiments, and thus, the present disclosure will be explained in detail using the exemplary embodiments. However, this is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the particular exemplary embodiments, and it is to be understood that the present disclosure is intended to include all changes, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the technical scope of the concepts of the present disclosure.

The terminology and expressions used in the present disclosure are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. Unless otherwise indicated, singular expressions are intended to include plural expressions. It should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "comprising," when used in this disclosure, are intended to specify the presence of any features, values, steps, operations, constituent elements, portions, and combinations thereof described in the specification, but are not intended to preclude the presence or addition of any one or more other features, values, steps, operations, constituent elements, portions, and combinations thereof. Hereinafter, a fuel cell membrane humidification system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, a fuel cell humidification system 1 according to the present disclosure is used to humidify cell gases supplied to a fuel cell stack (not shown) by using moisture. Cell gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack and used to generate electricity by the fuel cells. For example, the cell gas may be fuel gas or air. The moisture contains moisture so that the cell gas can be humidified. For example, the moisture may be exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack.

The fuel cell humidification system 1 according to the present disclosure includes: a plurality of humidification modules 2 that humidify the battery gas using moisture; a supply cover 3 that supplies the battery gas to the humidification module 2; a discharge cap 4 that discharges the cell gas discharged from the humidification module 2 to the fuel cell stack; and a humidifying part that supplies moisture to the humidifying module 2 and discharges the moisture discharged from the humidifying module 2.

The humidifying part 5 includes a humidifying main body 51 accommodating the humidifying module 2 therein, a supplying member 52 supplying moisture to the inside of the humidifying main body 51, and a discharging member 53 discharging moisture from the inside of the humidifying main body 51. The moisture supplied to the inside of the humidifying body 51 through the supply member 52 may be used by the humidifying module 2 provided in the humidifying body 51 to humidify the battery gas, and then discharged through the discharge member 53. The supply cover 3 is coupled to one side of the humidifying part 5. The supply cover 3 may supply the battery gas to the humidification module 2 provided in the humidification body 51. The discharge cap 4 is coupled to the other side of the humidifying part 5. The discharge cap 4 may discharge the cell gas discharged from the humidification module 2 provided in the humidification body 51 to the fuel cell stack.

As described above, the fuel cell humidification system 1 according to the present disclosure is implemented such that the supply member 52 and the discharge member 53 of the humidification section 5 are used together to supply moisture to the humidification module 2 and discharge moisture from the humidification module 2. In addition, the fuel cell humidification system 1 according to the present disclosure is implemented such that the supply cover 3 and the discharge cover 4 are commonly used to supply the cell gas to the humidification module 2 and discharge the moisture from the humidification module 2.

Therefore, the off-gas inlet 111a protruding from the intermediate housing 111 of the humidifier 100 as shown in fig. 1 and the off-gas outlet 111b protruding from the intermediate housing 111 may be omitted. Therefore, in the fuel cell humidification system 1 according to the present disclosure, although the plurality of humidification modules 2 are provided to increase the flow rate of the humidified gas, the installation area in the working space in which the humidification process is performed can be reduced.

Therefore, in the fuel cell humidification system 1 according to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce construction and operation costs while contributing to an increase in the power generation amount of the fuel cell system by increasing the flow rate of the humidified gas.

Hereinafter, the humidification module 2, the humidification portion 5, the supply cover 3, and the discharge cover 4 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to fig. 2 to 4, each humidification module 2 humidifies the battery gas by using moisture. The humidification module 2 may be provided inside the humidification portion 5. With reference to fig. 3 and 4, a specific example of any one of the humidification modules 2 will be described below.

The humidification module 2 includes a filter cartridge 21, an intermediate housing 22, a supply hole 23, and a discharge hole 24.

The filter cartridge 21 includes a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 211. The hollow fiber membranes 211 may be implemented as the filter cartridges 21, thereby being modularized. Accordingly, the hollow fiber membranes 211 can be installed in the intermediate housing 22 through the process of coupling the filter cartridge 21 to the intermediate housing 22. Therefore, the fuel cell humidification system 1 according to the present disclosure can improve the ease of installation, separation, and replacement of the hollow fiber membranes 211.

The filter cartridge 21 may include an inner housing 210 that houses a hollow fiber membrane 211 therein. The hollow fiber membranes 211 may be disposed inside the inner case 210 so as to be modularized. The inner case 210 may have a first mesh MH1 into which exhaust gas flows and a second mesh MH2 from which exhaust gas is discharged. The hollow fiber membrane 211 may include a polymer membrane formed of polysulfone resin, polyethersulfone resin, sulfonated polysulfone resin, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resin, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) resin, polyimide resin, polyamideimide resin, polyesterimide resin, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

The filter cartridge 21 may include a first potting 212. The first potting portion 212 fixes one side of the hollow fiber membrane 211. In this case, the first potting portion 212 may be formed so as not to block the hollow portion of the hollow fiber membrane 211. The first potting portion 212 may be formed by curing a liquid resin such as a liquid urethane resin by a casting method. The first potting portion 212 may fix one side of the inner case 210 and the hollow fiber membranes 211.

The filter cartridge 21 may include a second potting 213. The second potting portion 213 fixes the other side of the hollow fiber membrane 211. In this case, the first potting portion 212 may be formed so as not to block the hollow portion of the hollow fiber membrane 211. Therefore, the cell gas to be supplied to the fuel cell stack is supplied to the hollow portion of the hollow fiber membrane 211 without being disturbed by the second potting portion 213 and the first potting portion 212, and then is supplied to the fuel cell stack after humidification. The second potting portion 213 may be formed by curing a liquid resin such as a liquid urethane resin by a casting method. The second potting portion 213 may fix the other side of the inner case 210 and the hollow fiber membrane 211.

The intermediate housing 22 has a filter cartridge 21 coupled to the intermediate housing 22. A plurality of filter cartridges 21 may be coupled to the interior of the intermediate housing 22. Fig. 3 and 4 show two filter cartridges 21 and 21' coupled to the inside of the intermediate housing 22, but aspects of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and more than three multiple filter cartridges 21 may be coupled to the intermediate housing 22. The inner space of the intermediate housing 22 and the inner space of the filter element 21 may communicate with each other so that moisture may flow between the inner space of the intermediate housing 22 and the inner space of the filter element 21. For this purpose, a plurality of through holes may be formed in the filter element 21, respectively.

The supply hole 23 is formed to penetrate the intermediate housing 22. Moisture may be supplied into the intermediate housing 22 through the supply hole 23. Through the supply hole 23, the inside of the intermediate case 22 and the inside of the humidifying body 51 may communicate with each other through the supply hole, so that moisture may flow between the inside of the intermediate case 22 and the inside of the humidifying body 51.

The discharge hole 24 is formed to penetrate the intermediate housing 22. Moisture may be discharged from the inside of the intermediate housing 22 through the discharge hole 24. Through the supply hole 23, the inside of the intermediate case 22 and the inside of the humidifying body 51 may communicate with each other, so that moisture may flow between the inside of the intermediate case 22 and the inside of the humidifying body 51.

The humidification module 2 may include a plurality of encapsulation members 25 and 25'. The packing members 25 and 25' seal between the intermediate housing 22 and the filter cartridge 21. Thus, the packing members 25 and 25' may prevent direct mixing of the battery gas and the moisture. Of the sealing members 25 and 25', one sealing member 25 may seal between the intermediate housing 22 and the first potting portion 212, and the other sealing member 25' may seal between the intermediate housing 22 and the second potting portion 213. Although not shown, resin layers may be formed at both sides of the intermediate case 22 instead of the encapsulation members 25 and 25'.

The resin layer may be formed by curing a liquid polymer such as a liquid polyurethane resin by a casting method.

Referring to fig. 2 to 4, the supply cover 3 supplies the battery gas to the humidification module 2. The supply cover 3 may be coupled to one side of the humidifying part 5. The inside of the supply cover 3 and the hollow fiber membranes 211 of the humidification module 2 may communicate with each other so that the battery gas may flow between the inside of the supply cover 3 and the hollow fiber membranes 211 of the humidification module 2. The supply cover 3 may be coupled to the humidifying body 51 to cover one side of the humidifying body 51.

A sealing member such as an O-ring may be provided between the supply cover 3 and the humidifying body 51.

Referring to fig. 2 to 4, the discharge cap 4 discharges the cell gas discharged from the humidification module 2 to the fuel cell stack. The discharge cap 4 may be coupled to the other side of the humidifying part 5. The inside of the discharge cap 4 and the hollow fiber membranes 211 of the humidification module 2 may communicate with each other so that the battery gas may flow between the inside of the discharge cap 4 and the hollow fiber membranes 211 of the humidification module 2. The discharge cap 4 may be coupled to the humidifying body 51 to cover the other side of the humidifying body 51. A sealing member such as an O-ring may be provided between the discharge cap 4 and the humidifying body 51. The discharge cap 4 and the supply cap 3 may be spaced apart from each other in the first axial direction (X-axis direction).

Referring to fig. 2 to 4, the humidifying part 5 supplies moisture to the humidifying module 2 and discharges the moisture discharged from the humidifying module 2. The humidifying portion 5 includes a humidifying main body 51, a supply member 52, and a discharge member 53.

The humidifying main body 51 accommodates therein the humidifying module 2. The humidifying body 51 may be formed such that both sides of the humidifying body 51 are penetrated based on the first axial direction (X-axis direction). The humidifying body 51 may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with the entire interior thereof being empty.

The supply member 52 supplies moisture to the inside of the humidifying body 51. The inside of the supply member 52 and the humidifying body 51 may communicate with each other such that moisture may flow between the inside of the supply member 52 and the humidifying body 51. The intermediate housings 22 may communicate with each other such that the battery gas flowing along the hollow fiber membranes 211 is humidified with the moisture supplied to the inside of the humidifying body 51 through the supply member 52. In this case, when the moisture contacts the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane 211, the moisture contained in the moisture permeates the hollow fiber membrane 211, thereby humidifying the cell gas flowing along the hollow portion of the hollow fiber membrane 211.

The discharge member 53 discharges the moisture from the inside of the humidifying body 51. The inside of the discharge member 53 and the humidifying body 51 may communicate with each other so that moisture may flow between the inside of the discharge member 53 and the humidifying body 51. The moisture discharged from the inside of the humidification body 51 may be gas remaining after humidifying the battery gas flowing along the hollow fiber membranes 211 of the humidification module 2. The intermediate cases 22 may communicate with each other such that the moisture is discharged through the discharge member 53 after humidifying the battery gas.

Referring to fig. 5 to 7, in the fuel cell humidification system 1 according to the embodiment, the humidification module 2 may be stacked in the humidification main body 51 along the vertical direction (Z axis direction). Fig. 5 to 7 show that the humidification modules 2 are stacked in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) in the humidification main body 51, but aspects of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and two humidification modules 2 or four or more humidification modules 2 may be provided in the humidification main body 51.

The supply member 52 may be coupled to the wet upper surface 511. The drain member 53 may be coupled to the wet upper surface 511. The discharge member 53 and the supply member 52 may be spaced apart from each other in the first axial direction (X-axis direction). The discharging member 53 and the supplying member 52 may be arranged in opposite directions from midpoints equally distant from both ends of the wet upper surface 511 based on the first axial direction (X-axis direction).

Each humidification module 2 may be formed with a supply hole 23 penetrating the middle upper surface 221 and a discharge hole 24 penetrating the middle upper surface 221. The supply hole 23 and the discharge hole 24 of each humidification module may be spaced apart from each other based on the first axial direction (X-axis direction). Accordingly, the moisture supplied to the inside of the intermediate housing 22 through the supply hole 23 may flow in the first axial direction (X-axis direction) and then be discharged through the discharge hole 24.

The supply hole 23 and the discharge hole 24 of each humidification module 2 may be arranged in opposite directions from midpoints that are equidistant from both ends of the intermediate housing 22 based on the first axial direction (X-axis direction). The distance by which the supply hole 23 is spaced from one end of the intermediate housing 22 and the distance by which the discharge hole 24 is spaced from the other end of the intermediate housing 22 may be the same based on the first axial direction (X-axis direction).

In the first humidification module 2a, the supply hole 23a may be provided toward the supply member 52, and the discharge hole 24a may be provided toward the discharge member 53. The first humidification module 2a may include a first transfer hole 26 formed to penetrate the middle lower surface 222 and a second transfer hole 27 formed to penetrate the middle lower surface 222. A part of the moisture supplied to the inside of the first humidification module 2a through the supply hole 23a may be supplied to the third humidification module 2c through the first transfer hole 26, and the remaining part may flow toward the discharge hole 24a along the first axial direction (X-axis direction). The moisture discharged from the third humidification module 2c may flow into the first humidification module 2a through the second transfer hole 27. The first and second transfer holes 26 and 27 may be arranged in opposite directions from midpoints that are equidistant from both ends of the intermediate housing 22, based on the first axial direction (X-axis direction).

In the third humidification module 2c, the supply hole 23c may be provided toward the first transfer hole 26 of the first humidification module 2a, and the discharge hole 24c may be provided toward the second transfer hole 27 of the first humidification module 2a. The third humidification module 2c may include a first transfer hole 26 'formed to penetrate the lower surface 222 and a second transfer hole 27' formed to penetrate the lower surface 222. A part of the moisture supplied to the third humidification module 2c through the supply hole 23a may be supplied to the second humidification module 2b through the first transfer hole 26', and the remaining part may flow toward the discharge hole 24b along one axial direction (X-axis direction). The moisture discharged from the second humidification module 2b may flow into the third humidification module 2c through the second transfer hole 27'. The first and second transfer holes 26 'and 27' may be arranged in opposite directions from midpoints that are equidistant from both ends of the intermediate housing 22 based on the first axial direction (X-axis direction).

In the second humidification module 2b, the supply hole 23b may be provided toward the first transfer hole 26 'of the third humidification module 2c, and the discharge hole 24b may be provided toward the second transfer hole 27' of the third humidification module 2c.

In the fuel cell humidification system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the moisture supplied to the humidification body 51 by the supply member 52 can humidify the cell gas while flowing along the subsequent passage unit until the moisture is discharged to the outside of the humidification body 51 by the discharge member 53.

First, the moisture supplied to the inside of the humidifying body 51 through the supply member 52 is supplied to the inside of the first humidifying module 2a through the supply hole 23 a. A part of the moisture supplied to the inside of the first humidification module 2a is discharged to the outside of the first humidification module 2a through the first transfer hole 26, and the remaining part may flow from one side to the other side of the intermediate housing 22 in the first axial direction (X-axis direction). In this process, the first humidification module 2a humidifies the battery gas by using moisture. The moisture flowing to the other side of the intermediate case 22 is discharged to the outside of the first humidification module 2a through the discharge hole 24a, and then discharged to the outside of the humidification main body 51 through the discharge member 53. In this case, the moisture introduced into the first humidification module 2a through the second transfer hole 27 may be discharged to the outside of the first humidification module 2a through the discharge hole 24 a.

Next, the moisture discharged to the outside of the first humidification module 2a through the first transfer hole 26 is supplied to the inside of the third humidification module 2c through the supply hole 23 c. The supply hole 23c may be disposed opposite to the first transfer hole 26. A part of the moisture supplied to the inside of the third humidification module 2c is discharged to the outside of the third humidification module 2c through the first transfer hole 26', and the remaining part may flow from one side to the other side of the intermediate housing 22 in the first axial direction (X-axis direction). In this process, the third humidification module 2c humidifies the battery gas by using moisture. The moisture flowing to the other side of the intermediate case 22 is discharged to the outside of the third humidification module 2c through the discharge hole 24c, and then supplied to the inside of the first humidification module 21 through the second transfer hole 27. The discharge hole 24c may be disposed opposite to the second transfer hole 27. In this case, the moisture introduced into the third humidification module 2c through the second transfer hole 27' may be discharged to the outside of the third humidification module 2c through the discharge hole 24 c.

Next, the moisture discharged to the outside of the third humidification module 2c through the first transfer hole 26' is supplied to the inside of the second humidification module 2b through the supply hole 23 b. The supply hole 23b may be disposed opposite to the first transfer hole 26'. The moisture supplied to the inside of the second humidification module 2b flows from one side to the other side of the intermediate housing 22 in the first axial direction (X-axis direction). In this process, the second humidification module 2b humidifies the battery gas by using moisture. The moisture flowing to the other side of the intermediate case 22 is discharged to the outside of the second humidification module 2b through the discharge hole 24b, and then supplied to the third humidification module 2c through the second transfer hole 27'. The discharge hole 24b may be disposed opposite to the second transfer hole 27'.

Here, the humidification module 2 may include a blocking member 28 protruding outward from the middle housing 22. The blocking members 28, 28', 28″ may be formed to extend along the circumference of the intermediate housing 22, respectively, so as to surround the intermediate housing 22. In this case, the blocking members 28, 28' and 28″ may be disposed between the supply holes 23a, 23b and 23c and the discharge holes 24a, 24b and 24c based on the first axial direction (X-axis direction). In addition, the wet upper surface 511 and the wet lower surface 512 may include a blocking member 28 protruding toward the intermediate housing 22.

Since the blocking member 28 of the first humidification module 2a and the blocking member 28' of the third humidification module 2c are disposed to be in contact with each other, the passage of moisture can be blocked. Therefore, the blocking member 28 of the first humidification module 2a and the blocking member 28' of the third humidification module 2c can reduce the flow rate of the moisture that is not supplied to the supply hole 23c but directly flows to the second transfer hole 27 after being discharged from the first transfer hole 26.

Since the blocking member 28' of the third humidification module 2c and the blocking member 28″ of the second humidification module 2b are disposed to contact each other, the passage of moisture can be blocked. Therefore, the blocking member 28' of the third humidification module 2c and the blocking member 28″ of the second humidification module 2b can reduce the flow rate of the moisture that is not supplied to the second transfer hole 27 but directly flows to the second transfer hole 27″ after being discharged from the first transfer hole 26.

Meanwhile, the humidifying process is performed while the moisture flows at a considerable pressure. Thus, the wet upper surface 511 and the intermediate housing 22, and in some cases, the wet lower surface 512 and the intermediate housing 22, may expand outwardly according to the pressure of the moisture. In this case, as shown in fig. 8, the contacted blocking member 28 may be separated by the pressure of the moisture. Accordingly, the flow rate of the bypassed moisture without contacting the outer surface of the hollow fiber membranes 211 may increase.

Accordingly, as shown in fig. 9 and 10, the present disclosure may further include sliding assemblies 29 and 30 capable of sliding according to the pressure of the moisture, instead of the blocking member 28.

Referring to fig. 9, the sliding assembly 29 includes a first sliding member 291 and a second sliding member 292. The first sliding member 291 is formed on the wet upper surface 511, protrudes toward the intermediate upper surface 221, and is spaced apart from the intermediate upper surface 221. The second sliding member 292 is formed on the intermediate upper surface 221, protrudes toward the wet upper surface 511, and is spaced apart from the wet upper surface 511.

The first sliding member 291 and the second sliding member 292 are provided with sliding protrusions 2911 and 2921, respectively, which protrude opposite to each other in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction, first axial direction), and a sliding space S is formed between the two sliding protrusions 2911 and 2921.

When the pressure of the moisture is relatively low, the first sliding member 291 moves downward such that the sliding space S between the sliding protrusion 2911 of the first sliding member 291 and the sliding protrusion 2921 of the second sliding member 292 increases.

When the pressure of the moisture is relatively high, the first sliding member 291 moves upward such that the sliding space S between the sliding protrusion 2911 of the first sliding member 291 and the sliding protrusion 2921 of the second sliding member 292 decreases. When the pressure of the moisture further increases, the two sliding protrusions 2911 and 2921 may contact each other, and thus the sliding space S temporarily disappears.

Referring to fig. 10, the slide assembly 30 includes a first inclined slide member 301 and a second inclined slide member 302. The first inclined sliding member 301 is formed on the wet upper surface 511, protrudes obliquely toward the intermediate upper surface 221, and is spaced apart from the intermediate upper surface 221. The second inclined sliding member 302 is formed on the intermediate upper surface 221, protrudes obliquely toward the wet upper surface 511, and is spaced apart from the wet upper surface 511.

The first and second inclined slide members 301 and 302 are formed to have inclination angles corresponding to each other such that the first inclined slide member 301 can move up and down while the first and second inclined slide members are in contact with each other.

When the pressure of the moisture is relatively low, the first inclined slide member 301 may move downward such that the distance between the wet upper surface 511 and the middle upper surface 221 is reduced.

When the pressure of the moisture is relatively high, the first inclined slide member 301 may move upward such that the distance between the wet upper surface 511 and the middle upper surface 221 increases.

If the pressure of the moisture further increases, the first and second tilt slide members 301 and 302 may be out of contact, however, if an actual pressure range of the moisture at the time of operation is obtained, and the tilt angles of the first and second tilt slide members 301 and 302 are appropriately set based on the pressure range, the first and second tilt slide members 301 and 302 may remain in contact.

As described above, if the sliding assemblies 29 and 30 capable of sliding according to the pressure of the moisture are installed instead of the blocking member 28, the humidifying part can prevent the gas from bypassing the hollow fiber membranes to be directly discharged to the discharging member 53 even if the wet upper surface 511 is expanded outwardly according to the pressure of the moisture, thereby improving the humidifying efficiency.

While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made by including, modifying, removing or adding elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[ reference numerals description ]

1: fuel cell humidification system 2: humidification module

3: supply cover 4: discharge cap

5: humidification unit 21: filter element

22: intermediate housing 23: supply hole

24: the discharge hole 26: first transmission hole

27: second transfer hole 28: barrier member

29. 30: slide assembly 51: humidification main body

52: supply member 53: discharge member

Claims (9)

1. A fuel cell humidification system comprising:

a plurality of humidification modules configured to humidify cell gases supplied to the fuel cell stack by using moisture;

a humidifier configured to supply moisture to the humidification module and to discharge the moisture discharged from the humidification module;

a supply cover coupled to one side of the humidification portion to supply battery gas to the humidification module; and

a discharge cap coupled to the other side of the humidification portion to discharge the cell gas discharged from the humidification module to the fuel cell stack,

wherein each of the humidification modules includes a filter cartridge coupled to a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, an intermediate housing coupled to one or more filter cartridges, a supply hole formed to penetrate the intermediate housing such that moisture is supplied into the intermediate housing, and a discharge hole formed to penetrate the intermediate housing such that moisture is discharged out of the intermediate housing, and

wherein the humidifying part includes a humidifying main body accommodating the humidifying module therein, a supply member supplying moisture to the humidifying main body, and a discharge member discharging the moisture from the humidifying main body.

2. The fuel cell humidification system of claim 1,

wherein the humidifying module is arranged to be stacked in the vertical direction in the humidifying main body,

wherein the supply member and the discharge member are coupled to a wet upper surface of the humidifying body, and the supply cap and the discharge cap are spaced apart from each other in a first axial direction,

wherein the supply hole is formed to penetrate through an intermediate upper surface of the intermediate housing,

wherein the discharge hole is formed penetrating the intermediate upper surface and spaced apart from the supply hole in the first axial direction, and

wherein, among the humidification modules, the uppermost humidification module includes: a first transfer hole formed to penetrate a middle lower surface of the middle case such that a portion of the moisture supplied through the supply hole is supplied to a humidification module disposed at a lower side; and a second transfer hole formed to penetrate the middle lower surface such that moisture discharged from the humidification module disposed at the lower side is introduced.

3. The fuel cell humidification system of claim 2,

wherein in the uppermost humidification module, the supply hole and the discharge hole are spaced apart from each other in opposite directions from midpoints that are equidistant from both ends of the intermediate case based on the first axial direction, and the first transfer hole and the second transfer hole are spaced apart from each other in opposite directions from the midpoints,

wherein the supply hole of the humidification module disposed at the lower side of the uppermost humidification module is disposed opposite to the first transfer hole of the uppermost humidification module, and

wherein the discharge hole of the humidification module disposed at the lower side of the uppermost humidification module is disposed opposite to the second transfer hole of the uppermost humidification module.

4. A fuel cell humidification system as claimed in claim 3, wherein each humidification module comprises a blocking member protruding outwardly from the intermediate housing between the supply and discharge holes in the first axial direction, and

wherein the blocking member is formed to extend along a circumference of the intermediate housing so as to surround the intermediate housing.

5. A fuel cell humidification system as claimed in claim 3 comprising:

a sliding component capable of sliding according to the pressure of the wet air.

6. The fuel cell humidification system of claim 5, wherein the sliding assembly comprises:

a first sliding member formed on the wet upper surface, protruding toward the intermediate upper surface and spaced apart from the intermediate upper surface; and

a second slide member formed on the intermediate upper surface, protruding toward and spaced apart from the wet upper surface.

7. The fuel cell humidification system of claim 6, wherein each of the first sliding member and the second sliding member has a sliding projection that projects opposite to each other in the first axial direction, and a sliding space is formed between both the sliding projections.

8. The fuel cell humidification system of claim 5, wherein the sliding assembly comprises:

a first inclined sliding member formed on the wet upper surface, protruding obliquely toward the intermediate upper surface and spaced apart from the intermediate upper surface; and

and a second inclined sliding member formed on the intermediate upper surface, protruding obliquely toward the wet upper surface and spaced apart from the wet upper surface.

9. The fuel cell humidification system of claim 8, wherein the first and second inclined slide members are formed to have inclination angles corresponding to each other, and the first inclined slide member moves up and down while the first and second inclined slide members are in contact with each other.