JP2007216176A - Hollow fiber membrane module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a hollow fiber membrane module to efficiently function even in a case that the shape of the hollow fiber membrane module is greatly restricted. <P>SOLUTION: The hollow fiber membrane bundles 7 housed in a module case 5 are constituted so that the both ends of each of the hollow fiber membranes of them are opened to the surface of end plates 9 and 11 and a gas to be humidified is supplied from the opening parts of the end plates 9 in the upper part while the humidifying gas introduced from a first gas introducing pipe 13 is supplied to the outside of the hollow fiber membranes from the first gas inflow port 5a provided to the upper end side part of the module case 5. A cylindrical member 27 for reducing the inner diameter of the module case 5 is provided to the central part in the extending direction of the hollow fiber membranes of the module case 5 and the filling density of the hollow fiber membranes in the vicinity of each of both upper and lower end parts of the hollow fiber membrane module 1 are lower than that of the central part of the hollow fiber membrane module 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane module configured by housing a hollow fiber membrane bundle composed of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes in a container.

  Conventionally, as a hollow fiber membrane module, for example, the following Patent Document 1 describes a module applied to a humidifier for humidifying a gas supplied to a fuel cell. This hollow fiber membrane module accommodates a hollow fiber membrane bundle composed of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes in a container, and fixes both ends of each hollow fiber membrane with a tube plate made of resin. Both ends are opened.

  Then, the first gas is supplied to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane in the container, and the second gas is supplied to the inside of the hollow fiber membrane. At this time, each gas contacts the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membrane. Since it flows, the water vapor on the gas side having a high water vapor partial pressure is humidified by selecting and passing the hollow fiber membrane to the gas side having a low water vapor partial pressure.

At this time, the hollow fiber membrane module is configured so that the effective length of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is L and the inner diameter of the container is D, so that L / D is set to 1.8 or more, particularly 2 to 6, It is trying to improve the humidification efficiency while suppressing the pressure loss.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-55534 (see paragraph 0018 and FIG. 3)

  By the way, when a fuel cell is mounted on a vehicle with many layout restrictions on various components, the required dimension setting of the hollow fiber membrane module as described above cannot be secured for a humidifier that is mounted on the vehicle together with the fuel cell. Cases occur, and hollow fiber membrane modules are generally cylindrical in shape. However, when they are rectangular, the above-mentioned dimension setting requirements may not be satisfied, and sufficient humidification efficiency is obtained. There will be no.

  Then, even if it is a case where there are many restrictions with respect to the shape etc. of a hollow fiber membrane module, this invention aims at making a hollow fiber membrane module function efficiently.

  The present invention accommodates a hollow fiber membrane bundle composed of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes in a container, distributes a first gas outside the hollow fiber membrane in the container, and places the first gas inside the hollow fiber membrane. In the hollow fiber membrane module in which two gases are circulated, the hollow fiber membrane bundle is provided with regions having different filling densities of the hollow fiber membranes.

  According to the present invention, the hollow fiber membrane module is provided with regions having different filling densities of the hollow fiber membranes in the hollow fiber membrane bundle, so that the gas flow in the module is not uniform depending on the module shape and gas flow conditions. Even if it occurs, the gas flow in the module can be made uniform as much as possible, and it can function efficiently as a hollow fiber membrane module.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 2, which is a plan view of a humidifying device including a hollow fiber membrane module 1 showing the first embodiment of the present invention. This humidifier humidifies a gas supplied to a fuel cell (not shown). By humidification, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane such as perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid used in the fuel cell is kept in an appropriate wet state, thereby In addition to preventing a decrease in conductivity, poor contact between the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and the electrode is prevented to improve output.

  Such a humidifier has a cylindrical shape as a whole, and houses the hollow fiber membrane module 1 described above inside a cylindrical housing 3. The hollow fiber membrane module 1 accommodates a hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 composed of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes in a module case 5 as a cylindrical container having both upper and lower ends opened in FIG.

  The upper and lower ends of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 in FIG. 1 are fixed by end plates 9 and 11 as fixing portions provided so as to close the upper and lower openings of the module case 5. The end plates 9 and 11 are constituted by a so-called potting portion in which a fixing agent made of a molten resin is solidified, and each hollow fiber membrane penetrates vertically in FIG. Openings at the upper end and the lower end of each hollow fiber membrane are exposed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the end plate 11, respectively.

  That is, the dry humidified gas as the second gas flows from the opening serving as the gas supply port at the upper end in FIG. 1 of each hollow fiber membrane described above and flows through the hollow fiber membrane, so that the hollow fiber After being humidified by the humidified humidified gas as the first gas supplied to the outside of the membrane, it flows out of the module through an opening serving as a gas discharge port at the lower end.

  The first gas inlet 5a as the first gas supply section through which the first gas flows into the module case 5 and the first gas are located at positions corresponding to the upper and lower portions of the module case 5, respectively. A plurality of first gas outlets 5b as first gas outflow portions that flow out of 5 are provided along the circumferential direction. And the 1st gas introduction pipe 13 is connected to the housing 3 of the position corresponding to the 1st gas inflow port 5a located in the left side in FIG. Further, a first gas outlet pipe 15 is connected to the housing 3 at a position corresponding to the first gas outlet 5b located on the right side in FIG.

  A cylindrical sealing material 17 is fitted between the housing 3 and the module case 5 between the first gas introduction pipe 13 and the first gas outflow pipe 15, while between the housing 3 and the module case 5. In FIG. 1, annular end seal materials 19 and 21 are fitted into the upper and lower ends, respectively.

  Thereby, an annular first gas introduction space 23 is formed between the sealing material 17 and the end sealing material 19, and an annular first gas outflow space is formed between the sealing material 17 and the end sealing material 21. 25 are formed.

  That is, the humidified gas as the first gas flows from the first gas introduction pipe 13 to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane in the module case 5 through the first gas introduction space 23 and the first gas inlet 5a. Then, after humidifying the humidified gas as the second gas supplied to the inside of the hollow fiber membrane, the module is removed from the first gas outlet pipe 15 via the first gas outlet 5b and the first gas outlet space 25. It flows out to the outside.

  The module case 5 is formed as a convex portion on the inner surface of the central portion in the extending direction of the hollow fiber membrane excluding the portions corresponding to the first gas inlet 5a and the first gas outlet 5b at the upper and lower ends in FIG. A cylindrical member 27 is provided. Thereby, the area of the cross section orthogonal to the extending direction of the hollow fiber membrane in the module case 5 is made non-uniform along the extending direction of the hollow fiber membrane.

  In particular, here, the hollow fiber in the module case 5 in the vicinity of the first gas inlet 5a and in the vicinity of the first gas outlet 5b is provided by providing the cylindrical member 27 at the center in the vertical direction in FIG. 1 of the module case 5. The area of the cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the membrane is larger than the area of the cross section orthogonal to the extending direction of the hollow fiber membrane in the module case 5 between the vicinity of the first gas inlet 5a and the vicinity of the first gas outlet 5b. It is getting bigger.

  Here, the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 accommodated in the module case 5 is the same at the center part in the extending direction of the hollow fiber membrane provided with the cylindrical member 27 and the upper and lower end portions where the cylindrical member 27 is not provided. There are a number of hollow fiber membranes. For this reason, the hollow fiber membrane bundle at both ends is in a state of spreading outward in the diameter direction as compared with the central portion as a whole, and the filling density of the hollow fiber membrane in the module case 5 is the first gas inlet. 5a and the area | region corresponding to the up-and-down both ends provided with the 1st gas outflow port 5b are low compared with the area | region of the center part in which the cylindrical member 27 is provided.

  Next, the operation will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the humidified gas that is the second gas is supplied from the end opening of each hollow fiber membrane that opens to the surface of the end plate 9 in the upper part in FIG. A humidified gas that is a first gas is introduced from the first gas introduction pipe 13.

  The humidified gas supplied from the upper end opening of the hollow fiber membrane flows downward in the hollow fiber membrane and flows out of the module from the lower end opening.

  On the other hand, after the humidified gas introduced from the first gas introduction pipe 13 flows into the annular first gas introduction space 23, each hollow in the hollow fiber bundle 7 from the first gas inlet 5 a to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane. It flows downward between the yarn membranes and flows out from the first gas outflow pipe 15 to the outside of the module while flowing out from the first gas outflow port 5b into the annular first gas outflow space 25.

  In such a gas flow process, water vapor in the humidified gas flowing outside the hollow fiber membrane permeates the hollow fiber membrane and humidifies the humidified gas flowing in the hollow fiber membrane.

  Here, most of the humidified gas that flows outside the hollow fiber membrane is hollow, as shown by a curved arrow B in FIG. It flows in a state parallel to the flow of the humidified gas flowing in the thread membrane.

  At this time, in this embodiment, since the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 near the first gas inlet 5a has a low packing density, a part of the humidified gas flowing in from the first gas inlet 5a is indicated by an arrow C. As described above, the inside of the center in the diametrical direction, which has conventionally been a portion where gas does not flow easily, enters.

  Thereafter, the humidified gas that has entered the interior flows downward at the central portion in the extending direction of the hollow fiber membrane provided with the cylindrical member 27 and flows outward as indicated by an arrow D at the lower end. Together with the main flow of the humidified gas indicated by the arrow B, it flows out of the module through the first gas outlet 5b and the first gas outlet space 25 to the outside of the module.

  3 and 4 are front sectional views of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 and the flow velocity distribution of the gas flowing outside the hollow fiber membrane in the hollow fiber membrane module 10 in which the cylindrical member 27 of the present embodiment is not provided. Each is shown as a plan view.

  That is, the hollow fiber membrane module 10 is not provided with the cylindrical member 27, so that the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the extending direction of the hollow fiber membrane in the module case 5 is made uniform along the extending direction of the hollow fiber membrane. Therefore, the packing density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 accommodated in the module case 5 is uniform over the entire area.

  In such a hollow fiber membrane module 10, the flow velocity of the gas flowing outside the hollow fiber membrane is the slowest at the center, the medium speed at the outside, and the fastest at the outside in the plan view of FIG. 4. Yes. On the other hand, in the front sectional view of FIG. 3, the center in the diameter direction at the upper and lower ends is the slowest, the center in the vertical direction and the center in the diameter direction are medium speed, and the vicinity in the outer diameter direction is the fastest.

  3 and FIG. 4 described above, the slowest part of the gas flow velocity is the diametrical center in the vicinity of the first gas inlet 5a and the first gas outlet 5b in FIG. The portion corresponds to a region where the packing density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 is lowered in the present embodiment shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the portion where the flow velocity of the gas flowing outside the hollow fiber membrane is slow is difficult for the gas to reach and the hollow fiber membrane is not effectively used. Will not work well.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the packing density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 at the upper and lower ends where the gas is difficult to reach is made lower than that in the central portion in the extending direction of the hollow fiber membrane. As shown by the arrow C, a part of the humidified gas that has flowed into the module case 5 from the first gas inlet 5a enters the central portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 without receiving a large flow resistance. The part flows downward.

  Further, in the lower part in FIG. 1, the humidified gas that has flowed downward in the central part is outside without receiving a large flow resistance as indicated by an arrow D in the lower part of the hollow fiber membrane with a low packing density. It flows easily toward the first gas outlet 5b.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the packing density of the hollow fiber membranes in the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 is compared with the central portion in the extending direction of the hollow fiber membranes in the vicinity of the first gas inlet 5a and the first gas outlet 5b. As a result, the humidified gas efficiently flows into the central portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 and the hollow fiber membrane at the central portion can be effectively used to improve the humidification performance. 1 can function efficiently.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1 of a humidifier equipped with a hollow fiber membrane module 1A showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the hollow fiber membrane module 1A, a convex portion 29 is provided on the inner surface of the module case 5A so that the inner diameter of the module case 5A gradually decreases from the upper and lower ends toward the center in FIG.

  That is, the module case 5A has the smallest inner diameter at the center in the extending direction of the hollow fiber membrane and the largest inner diameter at both the upper and lower ends in FIG.

  Thereby, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the filling density of the hollow fiber membranes in the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 is the same as that of the first gas inlet 5a and the first gas. In the vicinity of the outlet 5b, it becomes lower than the central portion in the extending direction of the hollow fiber membranes, so that the humidified gas efficiently flows into the central portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7, and the hollow fiber membrane in the central portion is also effectively utilized. Thus, the humidifying performance can be improved, and the hollow fiber membrane module 1A can function efficiently.

  In the second embodiment, the entire hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 is twisted around the central axis of the cylindrical module case 5A. That is, as will be apparent from the manufacturing method of the hollow fiber membrane module 1A described later, the entire lower end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 in FIG. 5 is fixed in the vertical direction of the module case 5A with the upper end fixed, for example. A twisting operation is performed by rotating a predetermined angle about the extending central axis. That is, the upper and lower ends of the hollow fiber membrane are shifted from each other in the circumferential direction within a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the hollow fiber membrane, thereby forming a longer overall length than a hollow fiber membrane that is not shifted.

  Even when the entire hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 is twisted as described above, both ends of each hollow fiber membrane pass through the upper and lower end plates 9 and 11 and are open to the surfaces thereof. Therefore, the hollow fiber membrane particularly in the vicinity of the outer peripheral side of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 has a total length that is longer than that of the central portion that is not easily affected by the twisting operation. As a result, the membrane area of the entire hollow fiber membrane is wider than when it is not twisted, and the humidification performance can be further improved when module modules having the same shape (size) are used.

  Next, a manufacturing method of the above-described hollow fiber membrane module 1A will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 6, a hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 composed of a large number of hollow fiber membranes is accommodated in the module case 5, and at this time, both end portions of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 protrude vertically from the module case 5A. Let the state be At this time, the lower portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 in FIG.

  Then, the lower ends of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 and the module case 5A are inserted into a circular fixing agent accommodating cap 31 whose upper portion is open. At this time, the end opening of each hollow fiber membrane is in a closed state by heating or adhering resin, and the lower ends of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 and the module case 5 are attached to the fixing agent containing cap 31. Separated from the bottom.

  A part of the side wall 31a provided on the outer peripheral edge of the sticking agent storage cap 31 is provided with a sticking agent injection port 31b. From the sticking agent injection port 31b, as shown in FIG. A potting resin 33 made of a thermosetting resin such as a thermoplastic resin or an epoxy resin is injected into the fixing agent accommodating cap 31.

  At this time, the potting resin 33 to be injected enters between the hollow fiber membranes, but since the end opening of the hollow fiber membrane is closed, it does not enter the hollow fiber membrane, and the injection amount is The upper surface of the potting resin 33 is set to an appropriate position between the upper end of the side wall 31a and the first gas inflow port 5a.

  When pouring the potting resin 33, the outer peripheral surface of the module case 5A and the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 31a of the fixing agent containing cap 31 are in close contact with each other, and the potting resin 33 from both of them is in close contact. Prevents leakage.

  Thereafter, the injected potting resin 33 is solidified to fix a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, and the potting resin 33 is also fixed to the module case 5A, and these are integrated.

  And what was integrated by these solidified potting resin 33 is cut | disconnected in a horizontal direction in the substantially same position as the side wall 31a upper end position of the sticking agent accommodation cap 31, as shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the lower end opening of the module case 5 </ b> A in FIG. 9 is closed by the end plate 9 made of the potting resin 33 described above. With respect to the hollow fiber membrane in this cutting operation, the portion where the lower end opening is closed is cut, so that the lower end portion in FIG. 9 of each hollow fiber membrane is open on the surface of the end plate 9. .

  Next, the module case 5A in the state of FIG. 9 is turned upside down as shown in FIG. 10 together with the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7, and in this state, the mesh member 35 shown in FIG. 11 is fitted into the lower end of the module case 5A. .

  The mesh member 35 includes a cylindrical portion 35a and a mesh 35b covering the lower opening of the cylindrical portion 35a in FIG. 11, and the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 35a is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the module case 5A. The mesh 35b is, for example, a net-like member provided with a number of holes into which one or several hollow fiber membranes can be inserted.

  The mesh member 35 is configured in such a manner that the hollow fiber membrane protruding from the module case 5A is inserted into each hole of the mesh 35b of the mesh member 35 as appropriate, and the lower part of the module case 5A enters the inside of the cylindrical portion 35a. The member 35 is fitted into the lower end of the module case 5A.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12, the mesh member 35 is rotated about 45 degrees to 60 degrees, for example, as indicated by an arrow E with respect to the module case 5A about the central axis extending in the vertical direction of the module case 5A. As a result, as described above, the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 is twisted as a whole, and as a result, the hollow fiber membrane particularly in the vicinity of the outer peripheral side of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 is elongated in the vertical direction of the module case 5A. In this range, it becomes more inclined with respect to the vertical direction in FIG. 12, and its overall length becomes longer than that of the central portion.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the lower end of the module case 5A in the state shown in FIG. 12 is inserted together with the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 and the mesh member 35 into the circular fixing agent containing cap 37 whose upper part is open. To do. At this time, the opening at the end of each hollow fiber membrane is closed in the same manner as described above by heating or adhering resin, and the lower ends of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 and the module case 5 are fixed. The agent accommodating cap 37 is separated from the bottom.

  A part of the side wall 37a provided on the outer peripheral edge of the above-described sticking agent storage cap 37 is provided with a sticking agent injection port 37b. From this sticking agent injection port 37b, as shown in FIG. A potting resin 39 made of a thermosetting resin such as a thermoplastic resin such as epoxy resin is injected into the fixing agent storage cap 37.

  At this time, the potting resin 39 to be injected enters between the hollow fiber membranes, but since the end opening of the hollow fiber membrane is closed, it does not enter the hollow fiber membrane, and the injection amount is The top surface of the potting resin 39 is set to an appropriate position between the side walls 37a and the upper end surfaces of the cylindrical portion 35a, which are flush with each other, and the first gas outlet 5b.

  When the potting resin 39 is poured, the space between the outer peripheral surface of the module case 5 </ b> A and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 35 a of the mesh member 35, and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 35 a and the side wall 37 a of the fixing agent storage cap 37. The inner peripheral surface of each of them is almost in close contact with each other, and the potting resin 39 is prevented from leaking from between these.

  Thereafter, the injected potting resin 39 is solidified to fix the plurality of hollow fiber membranes, and the potting resin 39 is also fixed to the module case 5A, and these are integrated.

  And what was integrated by these solidified potting resin 39 is cut | disconnected in a horizontal direction in the substantially same position as the side wall 37a upper end position of the sticking agent accommodation cap 37, as shown in FIG. The completed hollow fiber membrane module 1A is shown in FIG. Accordingly, the lower end opening of the module case 5A in FIG. 16 is closed by the end plate 11 made of the potting resin 39 described above. About the hollow fiber membrane in this cutting operation, since the closed portion of the lower end opening is cut, the lower end portion in FIG. 16 of each hollow fiber membrane is in an open state on the surface of the end plate 11. .

  FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1 and FIG. 18 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 2 of a humidifying device including a hollow fiber membrane module 1B according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This hollow fiber membrane module 1B eliminates the cylindrical member 27 in the hollow fiber membrane module 1 shown in FIG. 1, and sets the filling density of the hollow fiber membranes in the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 to the central portion and the outer peripheral side thereof. The module case 5 is different from the inner wall side.

  Specifically, the packing density of the hollow fiber membrane described above is lowest at the central portion in the diameter direction of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 and gradually increased from the central portion toward the outer peripheral side. That is, the filling density of the hollow fiber membrane is the lowest at the central portion P, the highest at the outermost peripheral portion R, and the middle at the intermediate portion Q between them, and the filling density distribution is changed concentrically.

  According to the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the humidified gas flowing outside the hollow fiber membrane by lowering the packing density of the hollow fiber membrane at the central portion in the diameter direction of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 It is possible to reduce the gas flow resistance in the center where it is difficult to reach. As a result, the humidified gas flowing in from the first gas inlet 5a can easily reach the center of the module and smoothly flows downward at the center, so that the hollow fiber membrane area that can be utilized for humidification is increased. And humidification performance can be improved.

  Here, in the third embodiment, the filling density of the hollow fiber membranes in the outermost peripheral portion R is set to a general filling density without lowering, so the filling density of the hollow fiber membranes is reduced in the entire area of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7. As compared with the case where the gas flow resistance is suppressed, the area of the hollow fiber membrane can be increased, and the humidification performance can be maintained.

  Moreover, since the filling density of the hollow fiber membrane in the outermost peripheral portion R remains high, the strength of the hollow fiber membrane when the humidified gas flows into the module case 5 can be maintained, and the reliability of the hollow fiber membrane can be improved. Can be secured.

  FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1 and FIG. 20 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 2 of a humidifying device including a hollow fiber membrane module 1C according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This hollow fiber membrane module 1C has a hollow fiber membrane filling with respect to the filling density distribution of the hollow fiber membranes changed concentrically in the hollow fiber membrane module 1B in the third embodiment shown in FIGS. The region of the central portion P having the lowest density is eccentric to the right side in FIGS. 19 and 20, that is, the first gas outflow pipe 15 side serving as the first gas outflow portion.

  Further, the intermediate portion Q having a medium filling density of the hollow fiber membrane is also eccentric in the same direction as the central portion P, but the eccentric amount is smaller than that of the central portion P. That is, the center portion P is also eccentric in the same direction with respect to the intermediate portion Q.

  Therefore, in this example, the first gas outflow pipe 15 and the left side in FIGS. 19 and 20 provided with the first gas introduction pipe 13 serving as the first gas supply section with the central axis of the hollow fiber membrane module 1C as a boundary. 19 and FIG. 20 with the right side, the former is thicker in the outermost peripheral portion R and the middle portion Q of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 than the latter, and the central portion P is reversed. Moreover, the thickness of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 is thicker in the latter than in the former.

  According to the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the flow resistance of the humidified gas flowing outside the hollow fiber membrane is reduced by lowering the packing density of the hollow fiber membrane at the central portion in the diameter direction of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7. The above-described third implementation is such that the humidified gas flowing in from the first gas inlet 5a easily reaches the center of the module, and the area of the hollow fiber membrane that can be utilized for humidification is increased to improve the humidification performance. The same effect as the form can be obtained.

  In addition, according to the fourth embodiment, the humidified gas that has flowed into the first gas introduction space 23 from the first gas introduction pipe 13 passes through the entire circumference of the hollow fiber membrane module 1C through the first gas supply port 5a. Among them, since the gas flow velocity is relatively large in the vicinity of the first gas introduction pipe 13, the humidified gas flows in by increasing the area where the filling density of the hollow fiber membrane is high on the side where the first gas introduction pipe 13 is provided. Thus, the strength of the hollow fiber membrane can be maintained more reliably, and the reliability of the hollow fiber membrane can be ensured sufficiently.

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, the first gas introduction pipe 13 is set on the left side in FIGS. 19 and 20 and the first gas outflow pipe 15 is set on the right side so that the outside of the hollow fiber membrane can be disposed. As shown in FIG. 19, the central portion of the flow of the humidified gas that is flowing is closer to the right side in FIG. 19 where the first gas outflow pipe 15 is set with respect to the central axis of the hollow fiber membrane module 1C. Correspondingly, the center portion P having a low filling density of the hollow fiber membrane is eccentric to the right side.

  As a result, the flow of the humidified gas in the hollow fiber membrane bundle 7 corresponds to the packing density distribution of the hollow fiber membrane, the flow resistance of the humidified gas is reduced, and the humidified gas flowing in from each first gas inlet 5a The gas efficiently reaches the center of the module, and the area of the hollow fiber membrane that can be used for humidification can be increased to improve the humidification performance.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which a humidified gas is allowed to flow inside the hollow fiber membrane and a humidified gas is allowed to flow outside the hollow fiber membrane is shown. A humidified gas may be allowed to flow. Further, the hollow fiber membrane modules 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C can be used not only as a humidifier but also as a filter.

  In the above-described embodiments, the hollow fiber membrane modules 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C are shown to have a cylindrical shape as a whole. However, the hollow fiber membrane modules 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C are not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may have a prismatic shape. .

It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is a top view of a humidification device provided with the hollow fiber membrane module concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is front sectional drawing of the hollow fiber membrane module which shows the flow velocity distribution of the gas which flows the exterior of a hollow fiber membrane when not providing the cylindrical member in 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the hollow fiber membrane module which shows the flow velocity distribution of the gas which flows the exterior of a hollow fiber membrane when not providing the cylindrical member in 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing equivalent to FIG. 1 of a humidification apparatus provided with the hollow fiber membrane module concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a manufacturing-process figure of the hollow fiber membrane module of FIG. 5, and shows the state which inserted the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the lower end of the module case in the fixing agent accommodation cap. It is a manufacturing process figure of the hollow fiber membrane module of FIG. 5, and shows the state which inject | poured resin of the molten state in the fixing agent accommodation cap. It is a manufacturing-process figure of the hollow fiber membrane module of FIG. 5, and the state which cut | disconnects an unnecessary part in the state which resin solidified is shown. It is a manufacturing process figure of the hollow fiber membrane module of FIG. 5, and shows the state after cut | disconnecting the unnecessary site | part of the solidified resin. FIG. 10 is a manufacturing process diagram of the hollow fiber membrane module of FIG. 5, showing a state where the module case in the state of FIG. 9 is turned upside down together with the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the mesh member is fitted into the lower end portion of the module case. It is a perspective view of a mesh member. It is a manufacturing-process figure of the hollow fiber membrane module of FIG. 5, and shows the state which rotates a mesh member with respect to a module case, and twists a hollow fiber membrane bundle. FIG. 6 is a manufacturing process diagram of the hollow fiber membrane module of FIG. 5 and shows a state where the lower end of the module case of FIG. 12 is inserted into the fixing agent accommodating cap together with the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the mesh member. It is a manufacturing process figure of the hollow fiber membrane module of FIG. 5, and shows the state which inject | poured resin of the molten state in the fixing agent accommodation cap. It is a manufacturing-process figure of the hollow fiber membrane module of FIG. 5, and the state which cut | disconnects an unnecessary part in the state which resin solidified is shown. It is a manufacturing process figure of the hollow fiber membrane module of FIG. 5, and shows the completed state after cutting. It is sectional drawing equivalent to FIG. 1 of a humidification apparatus provided with the hollow fiber membrane module concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the hollow fiber membrane module of FIG. It is sectional drawing equivalent to FIG. 1 of a humidification apparatus provided with the hollow fiber membrane module concerning the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the hollow fiber membrane module of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1A, 1B, 1C Hollow fiber membrane module 5 Module case (container)
5a 1st gas inflow port (1st gas supply part)
5b First gas outlet (first gas outlet)
7 Hollow fiber membrane bundle 13 1st gas introduction pipe (1st gas supply part)
15 1st gas outflow pipe (1st gas outflow part)
27 Cylindrical member (convex part)
29 Convex

Claims (11)

  A hollow fiber membrane bundle composed of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes is accommodated in a container, a first gas is circulated outside the hollow fiber membrane in the container, and a second gas is introduced into the hollow fiber membrane. In the hollow fiber membrane module to be circulated, the hollow fiber membrane bundle is provided with regions having different filling densities of the hollow fiber membranes.   A first gas supply part for supplying the first gas to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane is provided near one end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and the first gas is caused to flow out of the container. A first gas outflow portion is provided in the vicinity of the other end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and the packing density of the hollow fiber membrane in the vicinity of the first gas supply portion and in the vicinity of the first gas outflow portion, and the first gas supply 2. The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 1, wherein the packing density of the hollow fiber membrane between the vicinity of the portion and the vicinity of the first gas outflow portion is different from each other.   The filling density of the hollow fiber membranes in the vicinity of the first gas supply part and in the vicinity of the first gas outflow part is determined from the packing density of the hollow fiber membrane between the vicinity of the first gas supply part and the vicinity of the first gas outflow part. The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 2, wherein the hollow fiber membrane module is lowered.   The area of the cross section orthogonal to the extending direction of the hollow fiber membrane in the container is non-uniform along the extending direction of the hollow fiber membrane. Hollow fiber membrane module.   The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 4, wherein an area of the cross section is made non-uniform along an extending direction of the hollow fiber membrane by providing a convex portion on the inner surface of the container.   The area of the cross section in the vicinity of the first gas supply section and in the vicinity of the first gas outflow section is larger than the area of the cross section between the vicinity of the first gas supply section and the vicinity of the first gas outflow section. The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 4 or 5.   The hollow fiber membrane is characterized in that both ends thereof are shifted from each other in the circumferential direction within a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the hollow fiber membrane, thereby forming a longer overall length than the hollow fiber membrane that is not shifted. The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 3 or 6.   2. The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 1, wherein the hollow fiber membrane bundle has different filling densities of the hollow fiber membranes in a central portion and the container inner wall side on the outer peripheral side thereof.   9. The hollow fiber membrane bundle according to claim 8, wherein a filling density of the hollow fiber membrane in a central part is lower than a filling density of the hollow fiber membrane on the container inner wall side on the outer peripheral side. The hollow fiber membrane module described.   The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 9, wherein the center of the region where the packing density of the hollow fiber membrane is low is eccentric with respect to the center of the hollow fiber membrane bundle.   The first gas supply unit and the first gas outflow unit are provided in opposite directions with the hollow fiber membrane bundle in between, and the center of the region where the packing density of the hollow fiber membrane is low is the first The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 10, wherein the hollow fiber membrane module is eccentric to the gas outflow portion side.

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