JP2003265933A - Hollow fiber membrane module, humidification apparatus, and dehumidification apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hollow fiber membrane module having the improved efficiency such as humidification efficiency, dehumidification efficiency, and moisture permeation efficiency, a humidification apparatus and a dehumidification apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A group 11 of the first openings and a group 12 of the second openings are composed of several kinds of several openings having different opened areas, respectively. The humidification efficiency is improved by arranging the first opening 11a having the largest opened area in the group 11 and the second opening 12a having the largest opened area in the group 12 at the positions shifted by 180° to control a current of a fluid, so that at least the main current of the fluid can be made to pass through the inside of a bundle of hollow fiber membranes, the occurrence of a short pass is reduced, and the hollow fiber membranes in the vicinity of the center of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes can be effectively used. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane module, a humidifying device using the hollow fiber membrane module, and a dehumidifying device using the hollow fiber membrane module.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional hollow fiber membrane modules of this type include those shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Figure 7
FIG. 4 is a front view of a hollow fiber membrane module according to a conventional technique.
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hollow fiber membrane module according to a conventional technique taken along a plane including a central axis.

Hollow fiber membrane module 100 according to the prior art
Is a case 101, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 200 loaded in the case 101, and a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 200 at both ends of the case 101 so that only the hollow inside of the hollow fiber membranes 200 is opened. Sealing parts (potting parts) 301 and 302 for sealing and fixing.

A plurality of openings 102 are provided inside the sealing portion 301 at one end of the case 101, and a plurality of openings 103 are provided inside the sealing portion 302 at the other end.
Is equipped with.

With the above structure, the inside of the hollow fiber membrane 200 is defined as the first path, and the path connecting the openings 102 and 103 (the path passing through the outer wall surface of the hollow fiber membrane) is defined as the second path.
By flowing a fluid through each path, the hollow fiber membrane module 100 has been used for filtration, or used as a humidifier or a dehumidifier.

In particular, when it is used as a humidifying device, it can be suitably used for keeping the partition provided in the fuel cell always moisturized, humidifying gas and sending this humidifying body to the fuel cell. Can be used for

Here, in the hollow fiber membrane module 100 used particularly in a humidifier for a fuel cell, as shown in FIG. 7, a circular opening 10 of the same size is generally used.
A plurality of Nos. 2 and 103 were provided on both ends at equal intervals.

Therefore, there has been a problem that a short pass is likely to occur and the humidification efficiency is low.

That is, as shown in FIG.
The short-flow path (arrow S) in which the fluid flowing from 2 does not pass through the inside of the hollow fiber membrane bundle and travels along the inner wall surface of the case 101 and exits from the opening 103 is likely to occur, resulting in low humidification efficiency. Was there.

The problem of the occurrence of such a short path is not limited to the humidifying device, but is also a problem when it is used in a dehumidifying device or other filtration, which causes a reduction in dehumidification efficiency or a reduction in filtration efficiency.

[0011]

As described above, in the case of the prior art, since the fluid does not easily enter the inside of the hollow fiber membrane bundle, the efficiency such as humidification efficiency, dehumidification efficiency or permeation efficiency is low. was there.

The object of the present invention is to improve the humidification efficiency,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a hollow fiber membrane module, a humidifying device, and a dehumidifying device that improve efficiency such as dehumidifying efficiency or permeation efficiency.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the opening groups (first opening group and second opening group) provided at both ends of the case are respectively A plurality of openings having different opening areas are provided.

As a result, the flow of fluid between the openings is
Mainly, it flows between the openings having a large opening area. Also, the fluid that has entered from the opening having a small opening area easily flows to the opening having a large opening area. Thus, the flow of the fluid can be controlled by providing a plurality of openings having different opening areas.

Therefore, it is possible to control the flow of the fluid by the arrangement of the openings having different opening areas, and it is possible to sufficiently flow the fluid inside the hollow fiber membrane bundle.

Further, according to another invention, a group of openings (first group of openings and second group of openings) provided on both ends of the case, respectively.
The plurality of openings are arranged only in a partial area in the circumferential direction, and the first opening group and the second opening group are provided in different areas in the circumferential direction. In addition,
“Providing in different regions in the circumferential direction” includes the case where a part of each region overlaps in the region in the circumferential direction.

As a result, the fluid flowing between the openings is
Since the fluid flows between the regions in which the opening group is provided, the flow of the fluid can be controlled depending on the position where the opening group is provided. Therefore, it becomes possible to sufficiently flow the fluid inside the hollow fiber membrane bundle.

Further, the opening having the largest opening area in each opening group is short-circuited with respect to at least the mainstream portion of the fluid flowing between the opening groups by making the positional relationship deviated with respect to the circumferential direction. You can prevent the pass.

In particular, by arranging the openings having the largest opening area by 180 ° in the circumferential direction, the main flow portion of the fluid flowing between the opening groups forms a flow path through the inside of the hollow fiber membrane bundle. Will be formed.

By making the opening shape of the opening rectangular, the dead space can be reduced as compared with the case where the circular openings are arranged.

If the hollow fiber membrane module as described above is applied to a humidifying device, the humidifying efficiency can be improved, and if it is applied to a dehumidifying device, the dehumidifying efficiency can be improved.
When used in a device for performing transmission, the transmission efficiency can be improved.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions of the components described in this embodiment,
Unless otherwise specified, the material, the shape, the relative arrangement, and the like are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention thereto.

(First Embodiment) A hollow fiber membrane module according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external view of a hollow fiber membrane module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway schematic perspective view of an end portion of the hollow fiber membrane module according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the hollow fiber membrane module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The hollow fiber membrane module 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a case 10, a hollow fiber membrane bundle formed by a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 20 loaded in the case 10, and both ends of the case 10. A first sealing portion (potting portion) 31 and a second sealing portion (potting portion) 32 that seal and fix the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 20 so that only the hollow interior 21 of each hollow fiber membrane 20 is opened. , Is provided.

The case 10 is provided with a first group of openings 11 on the first sealing portion 31 side and inside the first sealing portion 31 and on the second sealing portion 32 side with the second opening portion 11. The second opening group 12 is provided inside the sealing section 32.

The first opening group 11 is composed of a plurality of kinds of openings having different opening areas, and specifically, four kinds of openings (first opening 11a, second opening). 11b, the third opening 11c, and the fourth opening 11d).

As is apparent from the figure, the first opening 11a
Has the largest opening area, and is set so that the opening area is gradually reduced in the order of the second opening 11b, the third opening 11c, and the fourth opening 11d.

Similarly, the second opening group 12 is also made up of a plurality of kinds of openings having different opening areas, and specifically, four kinds of openings (first openings 12a,
2nd opening part 12b, 3rd opening part 12c, 4th opening part 12
d).

Further, as is apparent from the figure, the opening area of the first opening 12a is the largest, and the second opening 12
The opening area is gradually reduced in the order of b, the third opening 12c, and the fourth opening 12d.

Further, both the first group of openings 11 and the second group of openings 12 are provided with respective openings at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. That is, the first opening group 11
In the above, the first opening portion 11a and the fourth opening portion 11d are provided at one position respectively shifted by 180 ° in the circumferential direction,
The second openings 11b are provided at two positions on both sides of the first opening 11a and are offset from each other by 60 °.
Two locations are provided at positions offset by 0 °. The same applies to the second opening group 12. The angle indicating the arrangement position is the angle formed by the center of each opening with respect to the cylinder axis of the cylindrical case 10.

The positional relationship in the first opening group 11 and the positional relationship in the second opening group 12 are the positional relationships rotated by 180 °.

That is, the first opening 11a and the first opening 1
2a has a positional relationship shifted by 180 °.

Next, a method of using the hollow fiber membrane module 1 configured as described above will be described.

In recent years, fuel cells have been attracting attention as a clean power generation system and are under active development.
In a fuel cell, electricity and water vapor are generated by the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, but the electricity generated during this reaction moves with water molecules, so the partition wall (ion exchange membrane) must be kept moist at all times. .

In this case, it is conceivable to supply water from a water tank or the like, but since it is premised on outdoor use for both stationary and vehicle installation, there is a problem of freezing in the winter, and a water tank or the like should be provided. Is not appropriate.

Therefore, in order to carry out this moisturization, it has been attempted to effectively collect the steam generated by the reaction in the fuel cell and send it back to the fuel cell as described above.

Therefore, a humidifying device using a water vapor permeable membrane capable of separating water contained in gas is required,
As this humidifying device, the hollow fiber membrane module 1 configured as described above can be preferably adopted.

An example of using the hollow fiber membrane module 1 as a humidifier will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

First, a gas containing water vapor is sent into the hollow interior 21 of the hollow fiber membrane 20 through the opening on one end side of the case 10 (arrow X1 in the figure). The gas sent into the hollow is
It passes through the hollow interior as it is, and is discharged from the opening on the other end side of the case 10 (arrow X2).

On the other hand, the gas to be humidified is introduced from the first opening group 11 into the case 10 (arrows Y1 and Z1 in the figure). The gas introduced into the case 10 is inside the bundle of hollow fiber membranes 20 and passes through the outside of the hollow fiber membranes 20 (arrow y in the figure).
1, y2, z1, z2), is discharged from the second opening group 12 (arrows Y2, Z2 in the figure), and is fed into the fuel cell.

By doing so, when the gas containing water vapor passes through the hollow inside of the hollow fiber membrane 20, the water contained in the gas permeates the membrane and is discharged to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane 20. Therefore, the gas to be humidified is humidified while passing through the inside of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes 20, discharged from the opening group 12, and fed into the fuel cell.

As described above, the hollow fiber membrane module 1 can be preferably used as a humidifying device.

In the above description, the case where the gas containing water vapor is caused to flow inside the hollow fiber membrane and the gas to be humidified is caused to flow outside the hollow fiber membrane has been explained. It goes without saying that the humidification target gas can be humidified by flowing the gas containing water vapor to the outer side of the membrane and flowing the humidification target gas to the inner side of the hollow fiber membrane.

The direction in which each fluid (gas containing water vapor and gas to be humidified) flows is not limited to the example described above, and can be set freely.

Here, as described above, in the present embodiment, the openings (the first opening 11a, the second opening 11b, the third opening 11c, the third opening 11c, the third opening 11c, and the third opening 11c that constitute the first opening group 11 are formed. 4 openings 11d) and each opening (first opening 12a, second opening 12b, third opening 12c, fourth opening 12d) forming the second opening group 12 have different opening areas. There is.

Thus, when the first opening group 11 is used as the inflow port and the second opening group 12 is used as the outflow port, the inflow amount from the first opening part 11a having the largest opening area is large. It is the largest and the amount of outflow from the first opening 12a is the largest.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, the flow that flows in from the arrow Y1, flows through the arrow y1, and flows out from the arrow Y2 has the largest flow rate and becomes the main flow.

On the other hand, the flow inflowing from the arrow Y1, the flow out from the arrow Z2 through the arrow y2, the flow in from the arrow Z1,
Flow out of arrow Y2 through arrow z1, arrow Z1
Flow from the arrow Z2 through the arrow z2, and other flows whose opening or outlet is not shown in FIG. 3 have a flow rate higher than that of y1. Few.

As described above, the flow of the fluid can be controlled by changing the opening area of the openings forming each opening group.

At least the main flow is made to pass through the inside of the hollow fiber membrane bundle, so that the occurrence of short path can be reduced, and the hollow fiber membrane near the center of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is also effective. Can be used for.

As a result, the humidification efficiency could be improved.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment. In the first embodiment described above,
The case where the openings forming each opening group are provided in the entire circumferential direction has been described. In the present embodiment, the case where the opening is provided only in a partial region in the circumferential direction will be described.

Since other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 4 is an external view of a hollow fiber membrane module according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Also in the hollow fiber membrane module 1a according to the embodiment of the present invention, as in the case of the first embodiment, the case 10 has the first opening group 11 and the second opening group 12. It is provided.

The first opening group 11 is composed of a plurality of types and a plurality of types of openings, and specifically, three types of openings (first opening 11e, second opening 11f, third opening).
It is composed of an opening 11g).

As is apparent from the figure, the first opening 11e
Has the largest opening area, and is set so that the opening area is gradually reduced in the order of the second opening 11f and the third opening 11g.

The second group of openings 12 is also composed of a plurality of kinds of openings, and specifically,
Three types of openings (first opening 12e, second opening 12
f, the third opening 12g).

Further, as is clear from the figure, the opening area of the first opening 12e is the largest,
The opening area is gradually reduced in the order of f and the third opening 12g.

The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the first opening group 11 and the second opening group 11
In all of the opening group 12, the opening is not provided in the entire circumferential direction.

Specifically, in the first opening group 11, one first opening 11e is provided and the second opening 1 is provided.
1f is 60 ° on each side of the first opening 11e
The third opening 11g is provided at the first position, and the third opening 11g is provided at the second position.
It is provided at two locations on both sides of the opening 11e, which are offset from each other by 120 °. The same applies to the second opening group 12. The angle indicating the arrangement position is the angle formed by the center of each opening with respect to the cylinder axis of the cylindrical case 10.

The positional relationship in the first opening group 11 and the positional relationship in the second opening group 12 are the positional relationships rotated by 180 °.

That is, the first opening 11e and the first opening 1
2e has a positional relationship of being shifted by 180 °.

With the configuration of this embodiment, the flow of fluid can be controlled by the position where the opening is arranged. Specifically, by eliminating the flow of the arrow y2 in FIG. 3 in the case of the first embodiment, it is possible to further prevent the occurrence of a short path and to further improve the humidification efficiency. It will be possible.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment. In the second embodiment,
The openings forming each opening group included openings having different opening areas. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which all the opening areas of the openings are the same.

Since the other structure and operation are the same as those of the third embodiment, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a hollow fiber membrane module according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Also in the hollow fiber membrane module 1b according to the embodiment of the present invention, as in the case of the second embodiment, the case 10 has the first opening group 11 and the second opening group 12. It is provided.

The first opening group 11 is composed of a plurality of openings, and specifically, the first opening 11h and
It is constituted by the second openings 11i provided on both sides thereof.

In this embodiment, the first opening group 1
1 and the second opening group 12 have the same opening area
Is different from the embodiment of FIG.

In this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the openings are provided in the entire circumferential direction in both the first opening group 11 and the second opening group 12. Not.

Specifically, the first opening 11h is provided at one location, and the second opening 11i is provided at two locations on both sides of the first opening 11h, which are offset by 60 °. Similarly for the second opening group 12, the first opening 1
2h is provided at one location, and the second openings 12i are provided at two locations on the opposite sides of the first opening 12h, each being offset by 60 °. The angle indicating the above arrangement position is
It is the angle formed by the center of each opening with respect to the cylinder axis of the cylindrical case 10.

The positional relationship in the first opening group 11 and the positional relationship in the second opening group 12 are rotated by 180 °.

That is, the first opening 11h and the first opening 1
2h has a positional relationship of being shifted by 180 °.

Also according to the configuration of this embodiment, the flow of the fluid can be controlled by the arrangement position of the opening, the occurrence of short path is reduced, and the hollow fiber membrane near the center of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is also effective. Can be used to improve the humidification efficiency.

(Other Embodiments) It is desirable that the shape of the openings forming the opening group in each of the above-described embodiments is rectangular. This point will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows examples of various shapes of the opening.

As shown in FIG. 6A, when the shape of the openings is circular, a dead space D is generated between the adjacent openings. Therefore, when the size of the hollow fiber membrane module is limited, such as when the arrangement space of the hollow fiber membrane module is limited, it may be difficult to secure a sufficient total area of the opening. .

Therefore, in such a case, by making the shape of the opening rectangular, it is possible to minimize the dead space and sufficiently secure the total area of the opening.

As a concrete shape of the opening, for example,
As shown in FIG. 6 (b), it has a square shape, as shown in FIG. 6 (c) has a trapezoidal shape, as shown in FIG. 6 (d) has a triangular shape, and as shown in FIG. 6 (e) has a diamond shape. You can combine triangles.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the hollow fiber membrane module is used as a humidifying device has been described, but it can be suitably used as a dehumidifying device.

That is, the same principle as in the case of the humidifier is obtained by flowing the gas to be dehumidified into one of the path passing through the hollow inside of the hollow fiber membrane and the path between the opening groups and flowing the dry air into the other. The gas to be dehumidified can be dehumidified by the (membrane separation effect).

Incidentally, a part of the dry air obtained by dehumidifying the gas to be dehumidified can be purged and used as the dry air.

Even when it is used as a dehumidifying device in this way, the dehumidifying efficiency can be improved by effectively using the hollow fiber membrane near the center of the hollow fiber membrane bundle.

When the hollow fiber membrane module is used in a cross-flow type filtration device, the filtration efficiency can be improved by effectively using the hollow fiber membrane near the center of the hollow fiber membrane bundle. You can

[0085]

As described above, the present invention can effectively utilize the hollow fiber membranes inside the hollow fiber membrane bundle. Thereby, efficiency such as humidification efficiency, dehumidification efficiency or permeation efficiency can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a hollow fiber membrane module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway schematic perspective view of an end portion of the hollow fiber membrane module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the hollow fiber membrane module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an external view of a hollow fiber membrane module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a hollow fiber membrane module according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

6A to 6C show examples of various shapes of openings.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a hollow fiber membrane module according to a conventional technique.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hollow fiber membrane module according to a conventional technique taken along a plane including a central axis.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,1a, 1b Hollow fiber membrane module 10 cases 11 First opening group 11a First opening 11b Second opening 11c Third opening 11d Fourth opening 11e First opening 11f Second opening 11g Third opening 11h First opening 11i second opening 12 Second opening group 12a First opening 12b Second opening 12c Third opening 12d Fourth opening 12e First opening 12f Second opening 12g Third opening 12h 1st opening 12i second opening 20 Hollow fiber membrane 21 Inside hollow 31 First Sealing Part 32 Second sealing portion D dead space

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 4D006 GA41 HA02 JA25A JA25B                       MA01 PA01 PB65                 5H027 AA06 MM02

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A cylindrical case, a bundle of hollow fiber membranes filled in the case, and hollow fibers so that only the hollow inside of each hollow fiber membrane is open to the outside at both ends of the case. A first sealing part and a second sealing part for sealing and fixing a gap between outer wall surfaces of the membrane and between inner wall surfaces of the case, wherein the case is inside the first sealing part A first opening group provided with a plurality of openings that communicate the inside and the outside of the case along the circumferential direction; and a plurality of openings that communicate the inside and the outside of the case inside the second sealing portion along the circumferential direction. A hollow fiber membrane module provided with a provided second opening group, wherein a plurality of openings having different opening areas are provided in the first opening group and the second opening group, respectively. The fluid flow between the first opening group and the second opening group is controlled by the difference in the opening area of the first opening group. The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim Rukoto. 2. A tubular case, a hollow fiber membrane bundle filled in the case, and hollow fibers so that only the hollow inside of each hollow fiber membrane is opened to the outside at each end of the case. A first sealing part and a second sealing part for sealing and fixing a gap between outer wall surfaces of the membrane and between inner wall surfaces of the case, wherein the case is inside the first sealing part A first opening group provided with a plurality of openings that communicate the inside and the outside of the case along the circumferential direction; and a plurality of openings that communicate the inside and the outside of the case inside the second sealing portion along the circumferential direction. A hollow fiber membrane module provided with a provided second opening group, wherein each of the first opening group and the second opening group has a plurality of openings arranged only in a partial region in a circumferential direction. In addition, the first opening group and the second opening group are provided in different regions in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the hollow fiber membrane module in which the flow of the fluid between the first opening group and the second opening group is controlled. 3. The opening having the largest opening area in the first opening group and the opening having the largest opening area in the second opening group are displaced in the circumferential direction. The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 1 or 2, which has a positional relationship. 4. The first opening group includes an opening having the largest opening area and a plurality of openings having gradually decreasing opening areas at both end sides thereof, and the second opening group has the largest opening area. An opening having a large opening area and a plurality of openings each having a gradually decreasing opening area at both end sides thereof, the opening having the largest opening area in the first opening group, and the second opening The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening portion having the largest opening area in the group is in a positional relationship shifted by approximately 180 ° in the circumferential direction. 5. The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 1, wherein the openings of the first group of openings and the second group of openings have a rectangular opening shape. . 6. A hollow fiber membrane module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a passage extending through the hollow inside of the hollow fiber membrane is used as a first path, and a first opening group and a second opening are provided. A path connecting the group is defined as a second path, and a humidification target gas is caused to flow through either the first path or the second path, and a fluid containing water is caused to flow through the other path, whereby the hollow fiber membrane is separated by the membrane separation. A humidifying device for humidifying a gas to be humidified. 7. The humidifying device according to claim 6, wherein the humidified gas is sent to an ion exchange membrane in the fuel cell. 8. A hollow fiber membrane module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a passage extending through the hollow inside of the hollow fiber membrane is used as a first path, and a first opening group and a second opening are provided. The path connecting the group is defined as a second path, and the dehumidification target gas is caused to flow through either the first path or the second path and the dry gas is caused to flow through the other path, whereby the dehumidification target gas is obtained by membrane separation of the hollow fiber membrane. A dehumidifying device, which dehumidifies.