JP2004303443A - Humidifier of solid polymer fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifier which can perform a stable high temperature humidifying treatment without any danger and obtain a target dew-point temperature gas. <P>SOLUTION: The humidifier 1A is applied for a solid polymer fuel cell in which a solid polymer film is used between a fuel electrode and an air electrode as electrolyte. The humidifier 1A mixes by a mixing means 6 the normal temperature gas having a flow rate controlled from a gas supply means 2 via a gas flow rate control means 4 with the steam having a flow rate controlled from a steam supply means 3 via a steam flow rate control means 5, thus heating the normal temperature gas by the steam. The heated gas is controlled to the target dew-point temperature by a temperature control means 7, and the gas becomes humidified having a vapor pressure corresponding to the gas temperature. Excessive moisture in the humid gas due to the humidified gas is removed by a separator 9. Moreover, unnecessary moisture in the humid gas is removed by a re-heating means 10, and the gas is supplied to the fuel cell as the gas in a dry vapor state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a humidifier for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using a polymer electrolyte membrane between a fuel electrode and an air electrode as an electrolyte.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A fuel cell is a power generation device that converts a chemical energy of a fuel into an electric energy by electrochemically reacting a fuel such as hydrogen with an oxidant such as air. Among these types of fuel cells, a solid polymer type fuel cell using a polymer ion exchange membrane for the electrolyte has a high output density, a low operating temperature of about 70 ° C. to 90 ° C., a simple structure, and a simple electrolyte. It has the features that the entire fuel cell including the fuel cell can be made of a solid, and that the polymer membrane is resistant to a differential pressure. A high output density means that a large and compact output can be obtained, and a low-temperature operation means that handling at the time of startup and the like is easy. It can be used in various fields such as automobiles, homes, and portables.
[0003]
By the way, in this type of fuel cell, humidification of the gas fed into the electrolyte is an important problem. In particular, in the case of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using a polymer electrolyte membrane between a fuel electrode and an air electrode as an electrolyte, humidification is a very important factor since the output greatly changes depending on the humidity of the electrolyte.
[0004]
Therefore, conventionally, a bubbler humidification method in which a gas to be humidified is bubbled in a humidifier to generate a humidified gas near a hot water temperature is used for humidifying a gas sent to the electrolyte of this type of fuel cell.
Prior art document information related to the invention of this application includes the following.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-29591
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generator 51 shown in FIG. 8, a bubbling chamber 55 is provided between the fuel electrode of the fuel cell 52 and the reforming unit 54 of the reformer 53, and the reforming obtained from the reforming unit 54 is performed. The gas is passed through the water in the bubbling chamber 55 as bubbles. Thereby, heat exchange is efficiently performed between the high-temperature reformed gas and the water in the bubbling chamber 55, and the steam obtained by heating the water in the bubbling chamber 55 and the steam reduced to near 100 ° C. The high quality gas is supplied to the fuel electrode. Then, the steam humidifies the electrolyte of the fuel cell 52 via the fuel electrode.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in recent years, membrane development of a fuel cell has been studied from various aspects, and there is a demand for humidification at a high temperature (for example, a dew point temperature of 100 ° C. or more). There is also a demand for quick response of humidity in load fluctuations and system tests.
[0008]
However, in the bubbler humidification method also used in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell power generation device 51 of Patent Document 1 described above, the dew point temperature of the gas is determined by the humidification water temperature, and the response of the humidification water temperature to the target dew point temperature. The time it takes to reach and stabilize is also determined. Therefore, in the bubbler humidification method, even if it is desired to change the humidity at high speed, the temperature changes slowly, and it takes several tens to several hours to reach the target dew point temperature and stabilize. There is a problem that it takes time to obtain Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, in the case of the bubbler humidification method, when the target dew point temperature is 68 ° C., it takes 2000 seconds to reach 68 ° C. In addition, when an attempt is made to obtain a dew point temperature of 100 ° C. or more by a bubbler humidification method, there is a problem in that internal water is bumped when the pressure is released, so that it cannot be used with danger.
[0009]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that can perform high-temperature humidification without danger.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is a humidifier for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using a polymer electrolyte membrane as an electrolyte between a fuel electrode and an air electrode,
Gas supply means for supplying a predetermined flow rate of gas,
Steam supply means for supplying a predetermined flow rate of steam,
Mixing means for mixing gas supplied from the gas supply means and steam supplied from the steam supply means,
Temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the gas containing steam mixed by the mixing means,
A separator for removing excess moisture contained in the gas sent from the temperature control means,
Reheating means for reheating the gas sent from the separator to a dry vapor state.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 2 is a humidifier for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using a polymer electrolyte membrane between a fuel electrode and an air electrode as an electrolyte,
Dry gas supply means for supplying a dry gas at a predetermined flow rate according to a target dew point temperature,
Wet gas supply means for supplying a predetermined amount of wet gas according to the target dew point temperature,
Preheating means for preheating the dry gas supplied from the dry gas supply means,
Humidifying means for humidifying the wet gas supplied from the wet gas supply means,
And a mixing unit for mixing the dry gas preheated by the preheating unit and the wet gas humidified by the humidification unit.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the humidifying apparatus for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the first aspect, the steam supplied by the steam supply unit to the mixing unit based on the humidity of the gas containing the steam sent from the reheating unit. And a control means for controlling the flow rate of the liquid.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a humidifier for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a humidifier for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a steam flow control means, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a view showing a second embodiment of the humidifier of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a view showing a third embodiment of the humidifier of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
[0015]
First, a first embodiment of a humidifier according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, the humidifier 1 (1A) of the first embodiment includes a gas supply unit 2, a steam supply unit 3, a gas flow control unit 4, a steam flow control unit 5, a mixing unit 6, a temperature control unit. 7, a temperature control unit 8, a separator 9, a reheating unit 10, a reheating control unit 11, a humidity detection unit 12, and a flow rate control unit 13.
[0017]
The gas supply unit 2 supplies a normal temperature gas to be humidified to the gas flow control unit 4. The steam supply means 3 produces steam, and supplies the produced predetermined amount of steam to the steam flow control means 5.
[0018]
The gas flow control means 4 controls the flow rate of the gas such that the normal temperature gas supplied from the gas supply means 2 is supplied to the mixing means 6 by a predetermined amount. Further, the steam flow control means 5 controls the flow rate of the steam supplied from the steam supply means 3 by the control signal of the steam amount from the flow rate control means 13 described later. Basically, the steam flow control means 5 only has to control the flow rate of the steam in accordance with the maximum gas flow rate of the gas flow control means 4. The flow rate of the steam may be controlled.
[0019]
Here, FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the steam flow control means 5. The steam flow control means 5 shown in FIG. 2 includes an on-off valve (for example, an electromagnetic valve or an automatic valve) 5A1, 5A2, 5A3 and a flow restricting means (for example, an orifice or needle valve with a different diameter) 5B1, 5B2, 5B3. The three sets of on-off valves 5A1, 5A2, 5A3 and the flow restricting means 5B1, 5B2, 5B3 are connected in parallel to the flow path between the steam supply means 3 and the mixing means 6. The steam flow control means 5 having this configuration controls the opening and closing of the on-off valves 5A1, 5A2, and 5A3 according to a control signal from a flow control means 13 described later.
[0020]
In the steam flow control means 5 shown in FIG. 2, when the on-off valve 5A1 is in the open state, the flow rate is determined by the flow rate limiting means 5B1 paired with the on-off valve 5A1. That is, the flow rate is controlled by the flow restricting means (any of 5B1, 5B2, 5B3) paired with the open / close valve (any of 5A1, 5A2, 5A3).
[0021]
In FIG. 2, a configuration in which the flow rate limiting means 5B1, 5B2, and 5B3 are omitted may be employed. In this case, a plurality of sets of on-off valves (three sets of on-off valves 5A1, 5A2, 5A3 in FIG. 2) are controlled to open and close by a control signal from a flow control unit 13 described later. Thus, the flow rate can be determined according to the capacity of the on-off valve to be used.
[0022]
The mixing means 6 mixes the gas supplied from the gas supply means 2 via the gas flow rate control means 4 with the steam supplied from the steam supply means 3 via the steam flow rate control means 5, and mixes with the steam. The supplied gas is sent to the temperature control means 7.
[0023]
The temperature control means 7 heats the gas containing steam sent from the mixing means 6 by, for example, a heater or the like whose temperature is controlled by the temperature control control means 8, and adjusts the temperature of the heated wet gas to a target dew point temperature. It is sent to the separator 9.
[0024]
The separator 9 removes excess moisture contained in the wet gas sent from the temperature control means 7 and sends the wet gas from which the excess moisture has been removed to the reheating means 10.
[0025]
The reheating unit 10 reheats the wet gas sent from the separator 9 by, for example, a heater or the like whose temperature is controlled by the reheating control unit 11 to prevent dew condensation, and sends it out to a fuel cell (not shown) as a dry steam gas. ing.
[0026]
The humidity detecting unit 12 detects the humidity of the dry steam gas sent from the reheating unit 10 and outputs a detection signal to the flow control unit 13.
[0027]
The flow rate control means 13 compares the humidity based on the detection signal from the humidity detection means 12 with, for example, a preset set humidity (target dew point temperature) and obtains the set humidity based on the comparison result. The steam amount is calculated, and a control signal corresponding to the calculated steam amount is output to the steam flow control means 5.
[0028]
In the humidifier 1A according to the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, the normal temperature gas from the gas supply means 2 whose flow rate is controlled by the gas flow rate control means 4 and the steam supply means 3 whose flow rate is controlled by the steam flow rate control means 5 are used. Is mixed by the mixing means 6. Thereby, the normal temperature gas is heated by the steam, and a humidified gas having a steam pressure corresponding to the gas temperature is generated. The humidity of the humidified gas is adjusted to a target humidity (dew point temperature) by the temperature control means 7 and sent to the separator 9, where the excess moisture condensed is removed. The wet gas from which the excess water has been removed is weakly saturated vapor which is immediately condensed if left as it is, and is reheated by the reheating means 10. As a result, excess water is further removed and becomes a dry steam gas, which is sent to a fuel cell (not shown). At this time, the humidity of the dry steam gas is detected by the humidity detecting means 12, and based on the detected humidity, the flow rate controlling means 13 calculates the amount of steam required to obtain the set humidity (target dew point temperature). . Then, the flow control unit 13 outputs a control signal of the calculated steam amount to the steam flow control unit 5. The steam flow control means 5 controls the flow rate of steam supplied by the steam supply means 3 according to a control signal from the flow control means 13. By repeating the above operation, the humidity of the gas sent from the reheating means 10 is controlled to the set humidity (target dew point temperature).
[0029]
According to the humidifying apparatus 1A of the first embodiment, it is possible to change to the target humidity (dew point temperature) faster with a response time of several tens to several hundreds times as compared with the bubbler humidification method. In addition, since the gas is mixed with steam, the danger of bumping unlike the bubbler humidification method is not involved, and uncertain physical properties can be eliminated, and stable humidification can be realized. Further, gas preheating is unnecessary, and if the steam flow rate is set according to the gas flow rate, gas heating and humidification can be performed simultaneously. Then, by controlling the temperature of this gas to a constant temperature (target dew point temperature), a target dew point temperature can be obtained.
[0030]
The humidifier 1A according to the first embodiment employs a feedback method in which the flow rate of steam is controlled based on the detection of humidity. The control means 8 may be omitted. In this case, the steam flow control means 5 controls the flow rate of the steam by a user's setting operation so that the steam having a fixed flow rate according to the target dew point temperature is sent to the mixing means 6. For example, when the steam flow control means 5 of FIG. 2 is employed, the on-off valves 5A1, 5A2, and 5A3 are opened and closed by a user's setting operation. According to this configuration, it takes a certain amount of time to obtain the target humidity (dew point temperature) as compared with the configuration in FIG. 1, but the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.
[0031]
Next, a second embodiment of the humidifier according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 3, the humidifier 1 (1B) of the second embodiment includes a dry gas supply unit 21, a wet gas supply unit 22, a dry gas flow control unit 23, a wet gas flow control unit 24, and a preheating unit 25. , A humidifying unit 26 and a mixing unit 27.
[0033]
The dry gas supply means 21 supplies the dry gas to the preheating means 23. Further, the wet gas supply unit 22 supplies the wet gas to the humidification unit 24.
[0034]
The dry gas flow control unit 23 controls the flow rate of the dry gas supplied from the dry gas supply unit 21 based on the user's setting so that the dry gas corresponding to the target humidity (dew point temperature) is sent to the preheating unit 25. Is controlled by The wet gas flow control unit 24 controls the flow rate of the wet gas supplied from the wet gas supply unit 22 based on the user's setting so that the wet gas corresponding to the target humidity (dew point temperature) is sent to the humidification unit 26. Is controlled by
[0035]
The preheating means 25 preheats the dry gas supplied from the dry gas supply means 21 via the dry gas flow control means 23 and sends it to the mixing means 25 in order to prevent dew condensation. As the humidifying unit 26, for example, a bubbler humidifier can be used. In the humidifying means 26, the wet gas supplied from the wet gas supply means 22 via the wet gas flow rate control means 24 is humidified to a dew point temperature near the bubbler water temperature and sent to the mixing means 27.
[0036]
The mixing means 27 mixes the dry gas preheated by the preheating means 25 and the wet gas humidified by the humidification means 26 and sends out the mixed gas to a fuel cell (not shown).
[0037]
In the humidifier 1B according to the second embodiment having the above configuration, the dry gas from the dry gas supply unit 21 whose flow rate is controlled by the dry gas flow control unit 23 in accordance with the target humidity (dew point temperature) is preheated by the preheating unit 25. And sent to the mixing means 27. Similarly, the wet gas from the wet gas supply unit 22 whose flow rate is controlled by the wet gas flow control unit 24 in accordance with the target humidity (dew point temperature) is humidified by the humidification unit 26 and sent to the mixing unit 27. In the mixing means 27, the dry gas from the preheating means 25 and the wet gas from the humidifying means 26 are mixed. By the above operation, the humidity of the mixed gas sent from the mixing means 27 is controlled to the set temperature (dew point temperature), and the mixed gas is sent to a fuel cell (not shown).
[0038]
According to the humidifier 1B of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the response time is changed to the target humidity (dew point temperature) with a response time of several tens to several hundreds of times as compared with the bubbler humidification method. be able to. In addition, since the flow rates of both the dry gas and the wet gas are controlled by the manipulated variables based on the settings of the user, it is possible to produce a desired amount of gas having a desired humidity (dew point temperature).
[0039]
Next, a third embodiment of the humidifier according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, the same components as those of the humidifier 1A according to the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 4, the humidifier 1 (1C) of the third embodiment includes a gas supply unit 2, a steam supply unit 3, a gas flow control unit 4, a steam flow control unit 5, a mixing unit 6, a humidity detection unit. 12 and a schematic configuration including a flow control means 13.
[0041]
The gas supply unit 2 supplies a normal temperature gas to be humidified to the gas flow control unit 4. The steam supply means 3 produces steam, and supplies the produced predetermined amount of steam to the steam flow control means 5.
[0042]
The gas flow control means 4 controls the gas flow rate so that the gas supplied from the gas supply means 2 is supplied to the mixing means 6 at a preset flow rate. Further, the steam flow control means 5 controls the flow rate of the steam supplied from the steam supply means 3 in accordance with the flow rate of the gas sent out from the gas flow control means 4 by a control signal of the steam amount from a flow rate control means 13 described later. are doing. Basically, the steam flow control means 5 only has to control the flow rate of the steam in accordance with the maximum gas flow rate of the gas flow control means 4. The flow rate of the steam may be controlled.
[0043]
The mixing means 6 mixes the gas supplied from the gas supply means 2 via the gas flow rate control means 4 with the steam supplied from the steam supply means 3 via the steam flow rate control means 5, and this mixed gas is mixed. Gas containing steam is sent to a fuel cell (not shown).
[0044]
The humidity detecting means 12 detects the humidity of the gas sent from the mixing means 6 and outputs a detection signal to the flow control means 13.
[0045]
The flow rate control means 13 compares the humidity based on the detection signal from the humidity detection means 12 with, for example, a preset set humidity (target dew point temperature) and obtains the set humidity based on the comparison result. The steam amount is calculated, and a control signal corresponding to the calculated steam amount is output to the steam flow control means 5.
[0046]
In the humidifier 1C according to the third embodiment having the above-described configuration, the gas from the gas supply means 2 whose flow rate is controlled by the gas flow rate control means 4 and the steam from the steam supply means 3 whose flow rate is controlled by the steam flow rate control means 5 Are mixed by the mixing means 6. Then, the mixed gas is sent to a fuel cell (not shown). At this time, the humidity of the gas is detected by the humidity detecting means 12, and based on the detected humidity, the flow rate controlling means 13 calculates the amount of steam required to obtain the set humidity (target dew point temperature). Then, the flow control unit 13 outputs a control signal of the calculated steam amount to the steam flow control unit 5. The steam flow control means 5 controls the flow rate of steam supplied by the steam supply means 3 according to a control signal from the flow control means 13. By repeating the above operation, the humidity of the gas sent from the mixing means 6 is controlled to the set temperature (dew point temperature).
[0047]
According to the humidifying device 1C of the third embodiment, it is possible to change the target humidity (dew point temperature) to a target humidity (dew point temperature) faster with a response time of several tens to several hundreds times as compared with the bubbler humidification method. In addition, since the gas is mixed with steam, the danger of bumping unlike the bubbler humidification method is not involved, and uncertain physical properties can be eliminated, and stable humidification can be realized.
[0048]
The humidifier 1C according to the third embodiment employs a feedback method in which the flow rate of steam is controlled based on the detection of humidity, as in the humidifier 1A according to the first embodiment. The configuration may be such that the humidity detecting means 12 and the flow rate controlling means 13 shown by the dashed line in FIG. 4 are omitted. In this case, the steam flow control means 5 controls the flow rate of the steam by a user's setting operation so that the steam having a fixed flow rate according to the target dew point temperature is sent to the mixing means 6. For example, when the steam flow control means 5 of FIG. 2 is employed, the on-off valves 5A1, 5A2, and 5A3 are opened and closed by a user's setting operation. According to this configuration, it takes some time to obtain the target humidity (dew point temperature) as compared with the configuration in FIG. 4, but the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.
[0049]
Thus, according to the humidifier of this example, stable high-temperature humidification can be performed without danger, and a dew point temperature of 100 ° C. or more can be obtained.
[0050]
Further, since the amount of supplied gas is wide, for example, from several tens of cc to several thousands of liters, the humidifiers 1A to 1C of the above-described first to third embodiments require the supplied gas flow rate and cost. Can be used properly. For example, when the flow rate of the supplied gas is high, the humidifier 1B of the second embodiment is used, and when the flow rate of the gas is relatively low, the humidifiers 1A and 1C of the first or third embodiment are used. . Thereby, the variable range of the dew point temperature of the gas to be humidified can be expanded.
[0051]
Here, FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 show the characteristics when the humidity apparatus according to the present invention (the method of obtaining a wet gas by mixing gas and steam: the first or third embodiment) is used. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a change in the dew point with respect to the elapsed time when the gas flow rate is increased at a constant gas flow rate, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a change in the dew point with respect to the elapsed time when the steam flow rate is reduced at a constant gas flow rate, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the stability of dew point.
[0052]
As is clear from FIG. 5, when the dew point rises, the dew point reaches 107 ° C. in about 15 seconds, and the dew point is maintained at 107 ° C. Also, when the dew point is lowered from 110 ° C. to 98 ° C., the target dew point can be lowered to 98 ° C. in about 20 seconds as shown in FIG. For this reason, according to the humidity apparatus of the present example, it is possible to stably change to the target dew point. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, according to the humidity apparatus of this example, when the target dew point is changed to a target dew point (about 112 ° C.), it can be seen that the temperature can be maintained for a long time.
[0053]
By the way, a configuration in which the humidifying device 1A of FIG. 1 or the humidifying device 1C of FIG. 3 is combined with the humidifying device 1B of FIG. 2 may be adopted. In this case, in the humidifier 1B of FIG. 2, the gas supplied from the reheating unit 10 of the humidifier 1A of FIG. 1 or the mixing unit of the humidifier 1C of FIG. The gas sent from 6 is supplied.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, stable high-temperature humidification at a dew point of 100 ° C. or higher can be performed without danger.
[0055]
According to the humidifying device of the first aspect, it is possible to quickly change to the target humidity (dew point temperature) with a response time of several tens to several hundreds times as compared with the bubbler humidification method. In addition, since the gas is mixed with steam, the danger of bumping unlike the bubbler humidification method is not involved, and uncertain physical properties can be eliminated, and stable humidification can be realized.
[0056]
According to the humidifying device of the second aspect, it is possible to quickly change to the target humidity (dew point temperature) with a response time of several tens to several hundreds times as compared with the bubbler humidification method. Further, by controlling the flow rates of both the dry gas and the wet gas, it is possible to produce a gas having a target humidity (dew point temperature) in a target amount.
[0057]
According to the humidifier of the third aspect, since the steam amount is feedback-controlled by detecting the humidity, the target humidity (dew point temperature) can be obtained more quickly.
[0058]
If the humidity device of each claim is properly used according to the flow rate and cost of the supplied gas, the variable range of the dew point temperature of the humidified gas can be expanded.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a humidifier for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a steam flow control unit.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a third embodiment of the humidifier of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of a humidifier for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a change in dew point with respect to an elapsed time when a vapor flow rate is increased at a constant gas flow rate in the humidifier for a fixed polymer fuel cell according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a change in the dew point with respect to the elapsed time when the steam flow rate is reduced while the gas flow rate is constant in the humidifier of the fixed polymer fuel cell according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the stability of the dew point in the humidifier of the fixed polymer fuel cell according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional humidifier for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a change in the dew point with respect to the elapsed time when the dew point rises in the bubbler humidification method.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 (1A, 1B, 1C): Humidifier, 2: Gas supply unit, 3: Steam supply unit, 4: Gas flow control unit, 5: Steam flow control unit, 5A1, 5A2, 5A3: On-off valve, 5B1, 5B2 , 5B3 ... flow rate limiting means, 6 ... mixing means, 7 ... temperature control means, 8 ... temperature control means, 9 ... separator, 10 ... reheating means, 11 ... reheating control means, 12 ... humidity detection means, 13 ... Flow control means, 21: dry gas supply means, 22: wet gas supply means, 23: dry gas flow control means, 24: wet gas flow control means, 25: preheating means, 26: humidification means, 27: mixing means.

Claims (3)

In a humidifier for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using a polymer electrolyte membrane as an electrolyte between a fuel electrode and an air electrode,
Gas supply means for supplying a predetermined flow rate of gas,
Steam supply means for supplying a predetermined flow rate of steam,
Mixing means for mixing gas supplied from the gas supply means and steam supplied from the steam supply means,
Temperature adjusting means for adjusting the temperature of the gas containing steam mixed by the mixing means,
A separator for removing excess moisture contained in the gas sent from the temperature control means,
A humidifier for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, comprising: reheating means for reheating a gas fed from the separator to a dry vapor state. In a humidifier for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using a polymer electrolyte membrane as an electrolyte between a fuel electrode and an air electrode,
Dry gas supply means for supplying a dry gas at a predetermined flow rate according to a target dew point temperature,
Wet gas supply means for supplying a predetermined amount of wet gas according to the target dew point temperature,
Preheating means for preheating the dry gas supplied from the dry gas supply means,
Humidifying means for humidifying the wet gas supplied from the wet gas supply means,
A humidifier for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, comprising: mixing means for mixing the dry gas preheated by the preheating means and the wet gas humidified by the humidifying means. 2. The solid polymer according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling a flow rate of the steam sent from said steam supply means to said mixing means based on a humidity of a gas containing steam sent from said reheating means. Humidifier for portable fuel cells.

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