JP2007010203A - Humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a humidifier having stable temperature/humidity exchanging characteristic by reducing impairing of gas flow and preventing blockage of a flow channel. <P>SOLUTION: In this humidifier, a humidification stacked body has the horizontal stacking direction, a separator 9 is provided with a humidifying gas inlet manifold 11 at one of upper corners, a humidified gas inlet manifold 12 at the other upper corner, a humidifying gas outlet manifold at a diagonal position of one upper corner, a humidified gas outlet manifold at a diagonal position of the other upper corner, humidifying gas flow channels 21a-21f formed on one face to communicating the humidifying gas inlet manifold with the humidifying gas outlet manifold, and a humidified gas flow channel formed on the other face for communicating the humidified gas inlet manifold and the humidified gas outlet manifold and allowing the humidified gas to flow as opposed flow of the humidifying gas, and a lower side wall of the humidifying gas flow channel is inclined downward with respect to horizon toward the humidifying gas flowing direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier that humidifies a humidified gas with moisture transferred from the humidified gas through the humidified membrane, and particularly humidifies the humidified gas with moisture transferred from the exhaust gas of the fuel cell through the humidified membrane. The present invention relates to a humidifier for a fuel cell.

In a conventional humidifier, a humidified gas channel and a humidified gas channel through which a humidified gas and a humidified gas are exchanged on the surface of the separator facing the humidified film meandered up and down in a zigzag manner. It is formed as a groove shape (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Moreover, the gas which flows into a 1st separator and a 2nd separator flows into a vertical direction from a high position to a low position, and the flow of humidification gas and humidification gas is a parallel flow (for example, refer patent document 2).

Republished patent WO00 / 14819 (FIG. 3A) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-47155 (FIG. 2)

In such a humidifier, the humidified / humidified gas flow path and the humidified gas flow path through which the humidified / humidified gas is exchanged on the surface of the separator facing the humidified membrane meander up and down meanderingly. When the water vapor is condensed and condensed, the condensed water accumulates in the flow path, the gas flow is stagnated, the flow path is blocked, and the temperature and humidity downstream. There is a problem in that the exchange characteristics are significantly reduced.
Moreover, even if it is the structure which flows from a high position to a low position, since the flow of gas is a parallel flow, there exists a problem that the temperature / humidity exchange characteristic falls.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier having stable temperature / humidity exchange characteristics by suppressing gas flow stagnation, avoiding blockage of a flow path, and suppressing deterioration of temperature / humidity exchange characteristics. is there.

  The humidifier according to the present invention is a humidifier that allows moisture to permeate through a separator formed with a humidified gas channel through which a humidified gas flows on one surface and a humidified gas channel through which the humidified gas flows on the other surface. In a humidifier comprising a humidified laminate in which a plurality of membranes are alternately laminated, and humidifying the humidified gas with moisture that permeates the humidified membrane from the humidified gas, the humidified laminate has a horizontal stacking direction. The separator has a humidified gas inlet manifold at one upper corner, a humidified gas inlet manifold at the other upper corner, and a humidified gas at a position diagonal to the upper corner. A humidifying gas which communicates the humidified gas inlet manifold and the humidifying outlet manifold to one side of the outlet manifold, a humidified gas outlet manifold at a position diagonal to the other upper corner. The humidified gas flow path is formed so that the humidified gas inlet manifold and the humidified gas outlet manifold communicate with the flow path and the other surface so that the humidified gas flows in a counterflow to the humidified gas flow. The lower side wall of the humidifying gas channel formed is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal direction in the direction of flow of the humidifying gas.

The effect of the humidifier according to the present invention is that the flow of the humidified gas flowing through the humidified gas flow channel and the flow of the humidified gas flowing through the humidified gas flow channel are opposed to each other, and are applied to the lower side wall of the humidified gas flow channel. Since it is inclined downward relative to the horizontal toward the direction of flow of the humidifying gas, the water that has flowed into the humidifying gas flow path and the water due to condensation flow out along the inclination of the lower side wall, It can suppress that many water droplets adhere to the side wall and bottom of a humidification humidification gas channel, and fluid resistance to humidification gas increases.
In addition, since the water that has flowed into the humidifying / humidifying gas channel or the water due to condensation does not stay in the humidifying / humidifying gas channel, the humidifying / humidifying gas channel can be prevented from being blocked.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing an overview of a humidifier according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the surface of the separator according to Embodiment 1 on which a humidified gas flow path is provided. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the separator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the surface of the separator according to Embodiment 1 on which the humidified gas flow path is provided. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the state of both surfaces of the separator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the humidifying film according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the humidifier 1 according to Embodiment 1 as viewed from the humidifying gas inlet port side. FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the humidifier 1 according to the first embodiment as viewed from the humidified gas inlet port side. FIG. 10 shows the dew point temperature of the humidified gas at the humidified gas outlet port in Embodiment 1, Comparative Examples 1 to 6 and Example 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the humidifier 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a humidified laminate 3 that exchanges temperature and humidity via a humidifying film 2, and a humidified laminate 3 from both sides in the stacking direction of the humidified laminate 3. Is provided with ports 6a to 6d for supplying and discharging humidified gas and humidified gas. And the humidification laminated body 3 is arrange | positioned so that a lamination direction may become horizontal.

The humidified laminate 3 is composed of a porous humidified film 2 and a humidified gas on one surface, except for the first end separator 7 and the second end separator 8 disposed at both ends in the stacking direction. A plurality of channels and separators 9 each having a humidified gas channel formed on the other surface are alternately stacked, and the humidifying films 2 are disposed on both sides in the stacking direction.
Then, at one end of the humidified laminate 3, the first end separator 7 in which the humidified gas channel is formed only on one side is laminated so that the humidified gas channel faces the humidified film 2. ing. Further, at the other end of the humidified laminate 3, a second end separator 8 having a humidified gas channel formed on only one side is laminated so that the humidified gas channel faces the humidified film 2. ing.

  The minimum configuration of the humidified laminate 3 is a configuration in which the separator 9 is omitted and the humidified film 2 is sandwiched between the first end separator 7 and the second end separator 8 from both sides. The next largest configuration is a configuration in which the humidifying film 2 is sandwiched from one surface of the first end separator 7 or the second end separator 8 and from the other surface by the separator 9. Furthermore, the next largest configuration is a configuration in which the separator 9 is sandwiched between the two humidifying films 2 and sandwiched between the first end separator 7 and the second end separator 8 from both sides thereof. And the humidifier 1 concerning Embodiment 1 is applicable to all of these structures.

FIG. 2 shows the surface of the separator 9 in which the humidified humidified gas flow path is formed so that the horizontal direction in the figure is the horizontal direction and the vertical direction in the figure is the vertical direction. In addition, since the surface in which the humidification gas flow path of the 1st edge part separator 7 was provided is the same as that of the top view shown in FIG. 2, description is abbreviate | omitted.
The separator 9 is a humidified gas inlet manifold 11 to which humidified gas is supplied to the upper left corner of the separator 9, and is humidified in the lower right corner of the separator 9 diagonally with respect to the humidified gas inlet manifold 11. The humidified gas outlet manifold 12 from which the gas is discharged, the humidified gas outlet manifold 13 for discharging the humidified gas to the lower left corner of the separator 9 below the humidified humidified gas inlet manifold 11, and the humidified gas outlet manifold 12 above The humidified gas inlet manifold 14 is provided in the upper right corner of the separator 9 so as to penetrate the separator 9 in the thickness direction.

The humidifying / humidifying gas flow paths 21a to 21f have humidifying gas at one end via the inlet-side distribution communication passages 22a to 22c and the other end via the outlet-side aggregation communication passages 23a to 23c. Connected to the outlet manifold 12. The humidifying / humidifying gas flow paths 21a to 21f are grouped into two and connected to the inlet side distribution communication paths 22a to 22c. Moreover, the humidification humidification gas flow paths 21a-21f are gathered for every two, and are connected to the exit side aggregation communication paths 23a-23c.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the humidifying gas flow paths 21 a to 21 f are grooves dug to a predetermined depth from the surface of the separator 9 in contact with the humidifying film 2. The groove includes a bottom 27, an upper side wall 28a, and a lower side wall 28b. And since the separator 9 is arrange | positioned so that the thickness direction may become horizontal, the upper side wall 28a is located above the lower side wall 28b.
Moreover, if the lower side wall 28b is a linear wall as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the lower side wall 28b is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal in the direction in which the humidifying gas flows.
Moreover, the lower side wall 29a of the inlet side distribution communication passages 22a to 22c and the lower side wall 30a of the outlet side aggregation communication passages 23a to 23c are inclined downward with respect to the horizontal in the direction in which the humidifying gas flows. The water droplets condensed on these lower side walls 28b, 29a, 30a flow in a tilting direction.

The lower portion 11a of the humidifying / humidifying gas inlet manifold 11 is provided so as to be positioned above the lower side wall 29a of the inlet-side distribution communication passage 22c located at the lowest position. Then, the water droplets condensed on the wall of the humidifying gas inlet manifold 11 gather in the lower portion 11a, and the collected water droplets flow into the lower side wall 29a of the inlet-side distribution communication passage 22c located at the lowest position.
Further, the lower side walls 29a of the respective inlet side distribution communication passages 22a to 22c are connected to the respective inlet side distribution communication passages 22a to 22c, and are located under the humidified humidifying gas flow paths 21b, 21d, and 21f located below. It is provided so as to be positioned above the side wall 28b. The water droplets condensed on the side walls and bottom of each of the inlet side distribution communication passages 22a to 22c gather on the lower side wall 29a of each of the inlet side distribution communication passages 22a to 22c, and the lower side wall 29a has a humidified gas. Since it inclines downward with respect to the horizontal toward the flow direction, it flows toward the humidification gas flow path 21b, 21d, 21f.

The lower side walls 28b of the humidifying and humidifying gas flow paths 21a to 21f are provided so as to be positioned above the lower side walls 30a of the outlet-side aggregated communication paths 23a to 23c connected to the humidifying and humidifying gas flow paths 21a to 21f. ing. Then, the water droplets condensed on the side walls and bottom of the humidifying gas passages 21a to 21f are directed downward in the horizontal direction in the direction in which the lower side wall 28b of the humidifying gas passages 21a to 21f flows. Therefore, it flows toward the outlet-side aggregated communication passages 23a to 23c.
The lower portion 12a of the humidifying / humidifying gas outlet manifold 12 is provided so as to be positioned below the lower side wall 30a of the lowermost outlet side communication passage 23c. Then, water droplets condensed on the side walls and bottom of the outlet-side aggregated communication paths 23a-23c gather on the lower side wall 30a of the outlet-side aggregated communication paths 23a-23c, and the lower side wall 30a is in the direction in which the humidifying gas flows. Since it is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal direction, it flows toward the humidified gas outlet manifold 12.

FIG. 4 shows the surface of the separator 9 in which the humidified gas flow path is formed so that the horizontal direction in the figure is the horizontal direction and the vertical direction in the figure is the vertical direction. The surface of the second end separator 8 on which the humidified gas flow path is provided is also the same as the plan view shown in FIG.
The separator 9 is a humidified gas inlet manifold 14 to which humidified gas is supplied to the upper left corner of the separator 9, and is humidified at the lower right corner of the separator 9 diagonally with respect to the humidified gas inlet manifold 14. The humidified gas outlet manifold 13 from which the gas is discharged, the humidified gas outlet manifold 12 for discharging the humidified gas to the lower left corner of the separator 9 below the humidified gas inlet manifold 14, and above the humidified gas outlet manifold 13 The humidifying gas inlet manifold 11 is provided in the upper right corner of the separator 9 so as to penetrate the separator 9 in the thickness direction.

The humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f are humidified gas at one end via the inlet-side distribution communication passages 32a to 32c, and at the other end via the outlet-side consolidated communication passages 33a to 33c. Connected to the outlet manifold 13. The humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f are grouped every two and connected to the inlet side distribution communication paths 32a to 32c. Further, the humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f are grouped every two and connected to the outlet-side aggregated communication paths 33a to 33c.
Further, the humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f are grooves that are dug to a predetermined depth from the surface of the separator 9 in contact with the humidifying film 2, as shown in FIG. The groove is composed of a bottom 36, an upper side wall 37a, and a lower side wall 37b. And since the separator 9 is arrange | positioned so that the thickness direction may become horizontal, the upper side wall 37a is located above the lower side wall 37b.
Further, if the lower side wall 37b is a linear wall as shown in FIG. 4, for example, the lower side wall 37b is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal in the direction in which the humidified gas flows.
Further, the lower side wall 38a of the inlet side distribution communication passages 32a to 32c and the lower side wall 39a of the outlet side aggregation communication passages 33a to 33c are inclined downward with respect to the horizontal direction in the direction in which the humidifying gas flows. The water droplets condensed on these lower side walls 37b, 38a, 39a flow toward the inclined direction.

The lower part 14a of the humidified gas inlet manifold 14 is provided so as to be located above the lower side wall 38a of the lowest inlet side distribution communication path 32c. Then, water droplets condensed on the wall of the humidified gas inlet manifold 14 gather in the lower portion 14a, and the collected water droplets flow into the lower side wall 38a of the inlet side distribution communication passage 32c located at the lowest position.
Further, the lower side walls 38a of the respective inlet side distribution communication passages 32a to 32c are connected to the respective inlet side distribution communication passages 32a to 32c, and are located under the humidified gas flow paths 31b, 31d, 31f on the lower side. It is provided so as to be positioned above the side wall 37b. The water droplets condensed on the side walls and bottom of each of the inlet side distribution communication passages 32a to 32c gather on the lower side wall 38a of the inlet side distribution communication passages 32a to 32c, respectively, and the lower side wall 38a flows in the gas flow direction. Since it is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal direction, it flows toward the humidified gas flow paths 31b, 31d, 31f.

The lower side walls 37b of the respective humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f are provided so as to be positioned above the lower side walls 39a of the outlet-side aggregated communication paths 33a to 33c connected to the humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f. ing. Then, the water droplets condensed on the side walls and the bottom of the humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f are directed downward with respect to the horizontal toward the direction in which the humidified gas flows in the lower side walls 37b of the humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f. Therefore, it flows toward the outlet-side aggregated communication paths 33a to 33c.
The lower part 13a of the humidified gas outlet manifold 13 is provided so as to be positioned below the lower side wall 39a of the outlet-side aggregated communication path 33c located at the lowest position. Then, water droplets condensed on the side walls and bottom of the outlet-side aggregated communication paths 33a to 33c gather on the lower side wall 39a of the outlet-side aggregated communication paths 33a to 33c, and the lower side wall 39a is in the direction in which the humidified gas flows. Therefore, the air flows toward the humidified gas outlet manifold 13.

The separator 9, the first end separator 7 and the second end separator 8 (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a separator) are manufactured by machining a resin plate. Machining is inexpensive with small amounts. However, in the case of mass production, resin molding such as compression molding or injection molding using a mold is inexpensive.
Examples of the resin material used for the separator include thermosetting resins such as phenol resins and epoxy resins, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) resins, PP (polypropylene) resins, ABS resins, polycarbonate, and PPE (polyphenylene ether). ) -Based resins and other thermoplastic resins are used.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view of the surface of the separator 9 on which the humidified gas passages 21a to 21f are formed, as in FIG. 2, but in order to show the relationship with the humidified gas passages 31a to 31f, The humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f formed on the back surface are shown. The humidified gas flows from the left hand to the right hand in FIG. 5, and the humidified gas flows from the right hand to the left hand in a counterflow.

  As described above, the separator 9 has been described with respect to one example in which the humidifying gas passages 21a to 21f and the humidified gas passages 31a to 31f are formed on both sides, but as shown in FIG. The humidifying gas flow paths 21a to 21f and the humidifying gas flow paths 21a to 21f and the humidifying gas flow paths 21a to 21f and the humidifying gas flow paths 21a to 21f and the second member 41 having the humidification gas flow paths 31a to 31f formed on one side thereof. Even if the gas flow paths 31a to 31f are bonded together so as to appear on the humidifying film 2 side, they can be similarly applied as the separator 9.

As shown in FIG. 7, the humidifying film 2 has a humidified gas inlet manifold 11, a humidified gas outlet manifold 12, and a humidified gas inlet at a position overlapping each manifold of the separator when the humidified laminate 3 is laminated with the separator. A manifold 14 and a humidified gas outlet manifold 13 are provided, and a seal portion 16b is formed around a central portion 16a facing the humidified gas flow channels 21a to 21f and the humidified gas flow channels 31a to 31f of the separator.
The humidifying film 2 is a porous film that is interposed between the humidifying gas and the humidifying gas and can permeate moisture, and is mainly made of porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin, The thickness of the humidifying film 2 is about 100 μm. A solid polymer electrolyte membrane can also be used.

The seal portion 16b is heated and filled with a thermoplastic resin. As an example of the thermoplastic resin, resins collectively referred to as hot melt are preferably used. Typical hot melt resins include polyolefin resins typified by polyethylene and polypropylene, or resins obtained by copolymerizing polyolefin and polyvinyl acetate to improve the melting temperature and adhesion. When such a polyolefin resin is used, the resin can be flowed at a temperature sufficiently lower than 200 ° C. which is a heat resistance temperature of a general humidified film material.
Further, the polyolefin-based resin is a relatively stable material even when exposed to a high-humidity atmosphere of 90 ° C. or lower, which is the temperature of the humidifying gas, and can be suitably used.

Similarly, examples of the thermoplastic resin that can be used include nylon 11, nylon 12, and copolymerized nylon resins.
Moreover, the polyester-type resin represented by the polyethylene terephthalate or its copolymer is mentioned. Since this type of polyester resin is excellent in water resistance, it can be suitably used in a humidifier exposed to moisture.
Polybutylene resins, polymethyl methacrylate resins, and amorphous polyamide resins can also be used in the same manner.
In addition, a solvent-free polymer alloy type resin such as polyvinyl formal / phenolic, nitrile rubber / phenolic, nylon / epoxy, nitrile rubber / epoxy can be used.
Also, a resin that has sufficient fluidity in the uncured stage as a resin for filling and can be cured by reaction with a curing agent or heating can be used as well. For example, it can be used by filling an epoxy resin mixed with a curing agent and then performing a curing treatment such as heating.
Examples of resin materials that can be similarly used include liquid acrylic rubber resins, silicone resins, phenol resins, melamine resins, unsaturated polyester resins, and polyurethane resins.

  The buffer material 4 arranged on the side to which the humidified gas is supplied is a gas inlet / outlet (not shown) at a position facing the humidified gas inlet manifold 11 and the humidified gas outlet manifold 13 when superimposed on the humidified laminate 3. Is provided. Further, the buffer material 4 disposed on the side to which the humidified gas is supplied is a gas (not shown) at a position opposite to the humidified gas inlet manifold 14 and the humidified gas outlet manifold 12 when the humidified laminated body 3 is overlaid. An entry / exit hole is provided.

The side plate 5 is a rectangle that is slightly larger than the cross section perpendicular to the stacking direction of the humidified laminate 3, and screw holes (not shown) are provided at four corners thereof. Further, the side plate 5a arranged on the side to which the humidified gas is supplied is a gas inlet / outlet (not shown) at a position facing the humidified gas inlet manifold 11 and the humidified gas outlet manifold 13 when the humidified laminate 3 is overlapped. A hole is provided. Further, the side plate 5b arranged on the side to which the humidified gas is supplied is a gas inlet / outlet (not shown) at a position facing the humidified gas inlet manifold 14 and the humidified gas outlet manifold 12 when the humidified laminate 3 is overlapped. A hole is provided.
As shown in FIG. 8, the humidifying gas inlet port 6a and the humidified gas outlet port 6d are provided on the side plate 5a arranged on the side to which the humidified gas is supplied. The gas outlet manifold 13 is positioned so as to be connected to gas inlet / outlet holes provided at positions opposed to the gas outlet manifold 13 and is attached by screws 17.
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the humidified gas inlet port 6c and the humidified gas outlet port 6b are provided with a humidified gas inlet manifold 14 and a humidified humidifier, as shown in FIG. The gas outlet manifold 12 is positioned so as to be connected to the gas inlet / outlet holes provided at positions opposed to the gas outlet manifold 12 and attached by screws 17.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the humidifier 1 stacks the humidified laminates 3 in order of the cushioning material 4 and the side plates 5 a and 5 b from both sides so that the positions of the manifolds match each other. The screw rod 18 that penetrates the screw hole is assembled from both ends by tightening with a spring spring 19a, a washer 19b, and a nut 19c and clamping them. After the assembly, heat treatment is performed at about 100 ° C. for 1 hour in a high temperature furnace, and the seal portion 16b of the humidifying film 2 and the separator are fused to perform sealing.

Next, temperature / humidity exchange in the humidifier 1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described.
The humidifier 1 is supplied with a humidified gas having a high temperature and a high humidity and a humidified gas having a low temperature and a low humidity compared to the humidified gas.
As shown by a thick solid line in FIG. 1, the humidifying / humidifying gas is supplied from the humidifying / humidifying gas inlet port 6a, passes through the gas inlet / outlet holes of the side plate 5a and the buffer material 4, and is supplied to the humidifying / humidifying gas inlet of the separator and the humidifying film 2. It flows into the manifold 11 and is guided to the humidified gas passages 21a to 21f formed in the separator.

On the other hand, the humidified gas is supplied from the humidified gas inlet port 6c as shown by a thick dotted line in FIG. 1, passes through the gas inlet / outlet holes of the side plate 5b and the buffer material 4, and is humidified by the separator and the humidified film 2. The gas flows into the gas inlet manifold 14 and is guided to the humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f formed in the separator.
And the flow of humidification gas and humidification gas is counterflow, as shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the humidified gas and the humidified gas flow on both surfaces of the humidifying film 2, the water vapor of the humidified gas flowing through the humidified gas flow paths 21a to 21f is condensed into water on the surface of the humidified film 2, and the water Penetrates to the humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f through which the humidified gas flows and humidifies the humidified gas by evaporating with a partial pressure difference. Further, heat is transferred from the humidified gas to the humidified gas via the humidified film 2, and the temperature of the humidified gas also increases.

In the structure in which the humidified gas is flowed horizontally as in the prior art when the water vapor of the humidified humidified gas condenses on the surface of the humidified film 2 or condensates, Since much water adheres to the membrane 2, the fluid resistance when the humidifying / humidifying gas flows increases, and the flow of the humidifying / humidifying gas stagnates. In addition, water droplets may block the humidified gas channel.
On the other hand, in the humidifier 1 according to the first embodiment, since the lower side walls 28b of the humidifying / humidifying gas flow paths 21a to 21f are inclined downward in the direction in which the humidifying / humidifying gas flows, they flow from upstream. Since the produced water or condensed water flows out to the outlet-side aggregated communication passages 23a to 23c along the inclination of the lower side wall 28b, the flow of the humidified humidified gas is prevented from being deteriorated or blocked. .

  Further, since the lower portion 11a of the humidifying / humidifying gas inlet manifold 11 is provided so as to be positioned above the lower side wall 29a of the lowermost inlet-side distribution communication passage 22c, it is condensed in the humidifying / humidifying gas inlet manifold 11. The discharged water flows out to the lower side wall 29a of the inlet-side distribution communication passage 22c located at the lowermost position, and does not stay in the humidified gas inlet manifold 11. Therefore, since water does not stay in the humidification gas inlet manifold, the flow of the humidification gas does not deteriorate.

Moreover, since the lower side wall 29a of each inlet-side distribution communication path 22a to 22c is inclined downward toward the direction in which the humidifying gas flows, the water and the inlet flowing in from the humidifying gas inlet manifold 11 Since the water condensed in the side distribution communication paths 22a to 22c flows along the lower side wall 29a and flows toward the humidification gas flow paths 21a to 21f, the water stays in each of the inlet side distribution communication paths 22a to 22c. There is nothing to do.
In addition, the lower side walls 29a of the inlet side distribution communication passages 22a to 22c are respectively humidified humidification gas flow channels 21b located below the humidification humidification gas flow channels 21a to 21f connected to the inlet side distribution communication passages 22a to 22c, respectively. Since it is located above the lower side wall 28b of 21d and 21f, the water that has flowed in from the humidifying gas inlet manifold 11 and the water condensed in the inlet-side distribution communication passages 22a to 22c It flows smoothly to 21f.

Moreover, since the lower side wall 30a of each exit side aggregation communication path 23a-23c is inclined downward toward the humidification gas flow direction, the water that has flowed in from the humidification gas flow paths 21a-21f. Since the water condensed in the outlet-side aggregated communication passages 23a-23c flows toward the humidified gas outlet manifold 12 through the lower side wall 30a, water stays in each of the outlet-side aggregated communication passages 23a-23c. There is nothing to do.
Further, the lower side walls 30a of the outlet-side aggregated communication passages 23a to 23c are respectively humidified humidified gas channels 21b located below the humidified humidified gas channels 21a to 21f connected to the outlet-side aggregated communication channels 23a to 23c. Since it is located below the lower side walls 28b of 21d and 21f, the water that has flowed along the lower side walls 28b of the humidifying gas passages 21a to 21f smoothly flows into the outlet side collecting communication passages 23a to 23c. It will flow.
In this way, the condensed water does not stay in the humidified / humidified gas inlet manifold 11 through which the humidified / humidified gas flows, the inlet-side distribution communication paths 22a to 22c, the humidified / humidified gas flow paths 21a to 21f and the outlet-side aggregated communication paths 23a to 23c. Therefore, the flow of the humidifying / humidifying gas is not blocked, and the deterioration of the temperature / humidity exchange characteristic can be suppressed.

On the humidified gas side, when there is a lot of water penetrating the humidified film 2 or when the moisture of the humidified humidified gas is condensed, the humidified gas is flown horizontally as in the conventional case. Since a large amount of water adheres to the side walls of the gas flow path and the humidifying film 2, the fluid resistance to the humidified gas increases, and the flow of the humidified gas deteriorates. In addition, water droplets may block the humidified gas channel.
On the other hand, in the humidifier 1 according to the first embodiment, since the lower side walls 37b of the humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f are inclined downward in the direction in which the humidified gas flows, the condensed water Flows out to the outlet side of the flow of the humidified gas along the slope, so that the flow of the humidified gas is prevented from being deteriorated or blocked.

  Further, the lower portion 14a of the humidified gas inlet manifold 14 is provided so as to be located above the lower side wall 38a of the lowermost inlet side communication passage 32c, so that it is condensed in the humidified gas inlet manifold 14. The discharged water flows out to the lower side wall 38a of the inlet side distribution communication passage 32c and does not stay in the humidified gas inlet manifold 14.

In addition, since the lower side wall 38a of each of the inlet-side distribution communication passages 32a to 32c is inclined downward toward the direction in which the humidified gas flows, the water and the inlet that have flowed in from the humidified gas inlet manifold 14 The water condensed in the side distribution communication paths 32a to 32c flows along the lower side wall 38a and flows toward the humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f, so that water stays in each of the inlet side distribution communication paths 32a to 32c. There is nothing to do.
Further, the lower side walls 38a of the inlet-side distribution communication passages 32a to 32c are respectively humidified gas flow passages 31b positioned below the humidified gas flow passages 31a to 31f connected to the inlet-side distribution communication passages 32a to 32c, respectively. Since the lower side walls 37b of 31d and 31f are positioned above, the water that has flowed from the humidified gas inlet manifold 14 and the water condensed in the inlet-side distribution communication paths 32a to 32c are humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f. It flows smoothly to 31f.

In addition, the lower side walls 39a of the outlet-side aggregated communication passages 33a to 33c are inclined downward in the direction in which the humidified gas flows, so that the water that has flowed from the humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f. Since the water condensed in the outlet-side aggregated communication passages 33a to 33c flows along the lower side wall 39a toward the humidified gas outlet manifold 13, the water stays in the outlet-side aggregated communication passages 33a to 33c. There is nothing to do.
In addition, the lower side walls 39a of the outlet-side aggregated communication paths 33a to 33c are respectively humidified gas flow paths 31b positioned below the humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f connected to the outlet-side aggregated communication paths 33a to 33c, respectively. Since it is located below the lower side walls 37b of 31d and 31f, the water that has flowed along the lower side walls 37b of the humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f smoothly flows into the outlet-side aggregated communication paths 33a to 33c. It will flow.
In this way, the condensed water does not stay in the humidified gas inlet manifold 14 through which the humidified gas flows, the inlet-side distribution communication paths 32a to 32c, the humidified gas flow paths 31a to 31f, and the outlet-side consolidated communication paths 33a to 33c. Therefore, the flow of the humidified gas is not blocked, and the decrease in temperature / humidity exchange characteristics can be suppressed.

Next, in order to evaluate the temperature / humidity exchange characteristics, the dew point temperature of the humidified gas at the humidified gas outlet port was measured with the dew point temperature of the humidified gas at the humidified gas inlet port kept constant at 70 ° C. At this time, six comparative examples were prepared and the dew point temperature of the humidified gas was similarly measured. In addition, the lower side wall of the humidified gas channel through which the humidified gas flows is inclined downward from the horizontal in the direction in which the humidified gas flows, and the lower side of the humidified gas channel through which the humidified gas flows Example 2 in which the side wall is positioned horizontally and the flow of the humidified gas flow through the humidified gas flow channel and the flow of the humidified gas flow channel through the humidified gas flow channel are counterflows is prepared. The dew point temperature of the humidified gas was measured.
(Comparative Example 1)
The flow of the humidified gas flowing through the humidified gas flow path is such that the lower side wall of the humidified humidified gas flow path through which the humidified humidified gas flows and the humidified gas flow path through which the humidified gas flows are positioned horizontally. The flow of the humidified gas channel flowing through the humidified gas channel is a counter flow.
(Comparative Example 2)
Both the humidified humidified gas flow path through which the humidified humidified gas flows and the lower side wall of the humidified gas flow path through which the humidified gas flows are inclined from the horizontal to the downward in the direction of the flow of the respective gases. The flow of the humidified gas flow through the humidified gas flow path and the flow of the humidified gas flow path through the humidified gas flow path are parallel flows.
(Comparative Example 3)
The flow of the humidified gas flowing through the humidified gas flow path is such that the lower side wall of the humidified humidified gas flow path through which the humidified humidified gas flows and the humidified gas flow path through which the humidified gas flows are positioned horizontally. The flow of the humidified gas channel flowing through the humidified gas channel is a parallel flow.
(Comparative Example 4)
The humidified gas flow path through which the humidified humidified gas flows and the humidified gas flow path through which the humidified gas flows are positioned vertically, and the flow of the humidified gas flowing through the humidified humidified gas flow path and the humidified gas flow path The flow of the humidified gas flow path flowing through is a parallel flow. And both humidification gas and humidification gas flow from top to bottom.
(Comparative Example 5)
The humidified gas flow path through which the humidified humidified gas flows and the humidified gas flow path through which the humidified gas flows are positioned vertically, and the flow of the humidified gas flowing through the humidified humidified gas flow path and the humidified gas flow path The flow of the humidified gas flow path flowing through is a counter flow. Then, the humidified gas is flowed from the bottom to the top.
(Comparative Example 6)
The humidified gas flow path through which the humidified humidified gas flows and the humidified gas flow path through which the humidified gas flows are positioned vertically, and the flow of the humidified gas flowing through the humidified humidified gas flow path and the humidified gas flow path The flow of the humidified gas flow path flowing through is a counter flow. Then, the humidifying gas is flowed from the bottom to the top.

As can be seen from FIG. 10, when the humidified gas flow path and the humidified gas flow path are inclined downward from the horizontal toward the direction in which the respective gases flow in the humidified gas flow path, The dew point temperature of the humidified gas is high, and the temperature and humidity exchange characteristics are good.
In addition, when the lower side wall of each gas flow path is inclined, the flow of the humidified gas and the flow of the humidified gas are humidified at the humidified gas outlet port in the counter flow compared to the parallel flow. High gas dew point temperature and good temperature / humidity exchange characteristics.
In addition, even if the lower side wall of one gas flow path is inclined downward from the horizontal toward the gas flow direction, the dew point temperature of the humidified gas at the humidified gas outlet port is high, and the temperature and humidity Good exchange characteristics.

  Moreover, since the lower side wall is made of a flat surface and there is no undulation, water flows without accumulating along the inclination of the lower side wall.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of the surface of the separator according to the second embodiment where the humidified gas passage is provided. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the surface of the separator according to Embodiment 2 on which the humidified gas flow path is provided.
The humidifier according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the humidifier 1 according to the first embodiment in that the separator 9B is the same, and the other parts are the same. Omitted.
The separator 9B according to the second embodiment is different from the separator 9 according to the first embodiment in the distribution communication passages 22Ba and 32Ba and the aggregation communication passages 23Bc and 33Bc. Reference numerals are added and description is omitted.

  In the distribution communication passages 22a and 32a according to the first embodiment, the upper side walls are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction in the gas flow direction, and the gas flows downward. On the other hand, in the distribution communication paths 22Ba and 32Ba according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the upper side walls 29b and 38b are positioned horizontally, and the gas flows horizontally. Even in this case, it is possible to avoid the retention or blockage of water droplets that hinder the gas flow.

  Further, in the aggregated communication passages 23c and 33c according to the first embodiment, the lower side wall is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction in the gas flow direction, and the gas flows downward. On the other hand, in the aggregated communication passages 23Bc and 33Bc according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the lower side walls 30a and 39a are positioned horizontally, and the gas flows horizontally. Even in this case, it is possible to avoid the retention or blockage of water droplets that hinder the gas flow.

It is a side view which shows the general view of the humidifier concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a surface provided with a humidified humidified gas flow path of the separator according to the first embodiment. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a separator according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a surface provided with a humidified gas channel of the separator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a state of both surfaces of the separator according to the first embodiment. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another separator according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a humidifying film according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is the general-view figure which looked at the humidifier 1 concerning Embodiment 1 from the humidification gas inlet port side. It is the general-view figure which looked at the humidifier 1 concerning Embodiment 1 from the humidification gas inlet port side. It is a dew point temperature of the humidified gas in the humidified gas outlet port in Embodiment 1, Comparative Examples 1 to 6 and Example 2. It is a top view of the surface in which the humidification gas flow path of the separator concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention was provided. It is a top view of the surface in which the humidification gas flow path of the separator concerning Embodiment 2 was provided.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Humidifier, 2 humidification film | membrane, 3 humidification laminated body, 4 cushioning material, 5 side plate, 6a humidification gas inlet port, 6b humidification gas outlet port, 6c humidification gas inlet port, 6d humidification gas outlet port, 7, 8 End Separator, 9, 9B Separator, 11 Humidified Gas Inlet Manifold, 12 Humidified Gas Outlet Manifold, 13 Humidified Gas Outlet Manifold, 14 Humidified Gas Inlet Manifold, 16a (Humidified Membrane) Center, 16b ( Seal part of humidified membrane, 17 screw, 18 screw rod, 19a spring spring, 19b washer, 19c nut, 21a-21f humidified gas flow path, 22a-22c, 32a-32c inlet side distribution communication path, 23a-23c, 33a-33c Outlet side collective communication path, 27, 36 bottom, 28a Upper side wall (of humidified humidified gas flow path), 2 b Lower side wall (of humidified humidified gas flow path), 29a, 38a Lower side wall (of inlet side distribution communication path), 29b, 38b Upper side wall (of inlet side distribution communication path), 30a, 39a (Outlet side integration station) Lower side wall of passage (31a-31f) Humidified gas flow path, 37a Upper side wall (of humidified gas flow path), 37b Lower side wall (of humidified gas flow path), 40 1st member, 41 2nd Members.

Claims (6)

A plurality of separators each having a humidified gas flow path through which humidified gas flows on one surface and a humidified gas flow path through which humidified gas flows on the other surface and a humidified film through which moisture permeates are stacked alternately. In a humidifier equipped with a humidified laminate, the humidified gas is humidified by moisture that permeates the humidified film from the humidified gas.
The humidified laminate is arranged so that the lamination direction is horizontal,
The separator has a humidified gas inlet manifold at one upper corner, a humidified gas inlet manifold at the other upper corner, a humidified gas outlet manifold at a position diagonal to the one upper corner, and the upper The humidified gas outlet manifold is located diagonally with respect to the other corner, the humidified gas flow passage communicating the humidified gas inlet manifold and the humidified outlet manifold on one side, and the covered side on the other side. A humidified gas flow path is formed such that the humidified gas inlet manifold and the humidified gas outlet manifold communicate with each other, and the humidified gas flow is caused to flow in a counterflow with respect to the humidified gas flow.
The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the lower side wall of the humidifying / humidifying gas channel is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal toward the flowing direction of the humidifying / humidifying gas.   2. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the lower side wall of the humidified gas flow path is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal in a direction in which the humidified gas flows.   The separator includes a first member having the humidified gas channel formed on one side and a second member having the humidified gas channel formed on one side, the humidified gas channel and the humidified gas. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the humidifier is configured to be bonded so that the flow path appears on the humidified film side.   The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the humidified gas channel and the humidified gas channel is linear. A humidification gas distribution passage for distributing the humidification gas flowing through the humidification gas inlet manifold to the plurality of humidification gas flow paths or a plurality of humidification gases flowing through the humidification gas inlet manifold. Having at least one of the distribution communication paths for the humidified gas distributed to the humidified gas flow path,
A lower side wall of the humidifying gas distribution communication path is located above a lower side wall of the humidifying humidifying gas channel located at the bottom;
5. The lower side wall of the humidifying gas distribution communication path is located above a lower side wall of the humidified gas flow channel located at the lowest position. 6. The humidifier described in 1. A humidified gas that has flowed through the plurality of humidified gas flow paths, or a humidified gas that has flowed through the plurality of humidified gas flow paths is integrated into the humidified humidified gas outlet manifold. Having at least one of the aggregation communication paths for the humidified gas to be collected in the humidified gas outlet manifold,
The lower side wall of the aggregated communication path for the humidified humidified gas is located below the lower side wall of the humidified humidified gas channel located at the bottom,
6. The lower side wall of the humidified gas collecting communication path is located below the lower side wall of the humidified gas flow channel located at the lowermost position. Humidifier.

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