JP4516333B2 - humidifier - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier that humidifies a gas supplied to a device such as a fuel cell, and more particularly to a humidifier having a water-permeable hollow fiber membrane.

  In a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a device for supplying a fuel gas such as hydrogen and an oxidant gas such as oxygen with humidification is required.

As such a humidifier, a humidifier has been proposed in which an inner case and an outer case are provided concentrically and a hollow fiber membrane bundle is loaded in a gap between the inner case and the outer case (see Patent Document 1). Such a humidifier may be mounted on a vehicle together with the polymer electrolyte fuel cell, for example, and there is a development of a humidifier having a structure that is not easily damaged even if vibration is applied due to running of the vehicle or the like. It is desired.
JP 2002-147802 (paragraph numbers 0024 to 0044, FIG. 1)

  Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the humidifier which was hard to be damaged and improved durability.

As means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a cylindrical shape and an inner case having an inner case hole that communicates the inside and the outside on one end side, and a tubular shape and the inside and the outside on the other end side. A plurality of outer case holes that communicate with each other in the circumferential direction, an outer case that is concentrically disposed outside the inner case, and a hollow fiber membrane that is loaded between the inner case and the outer case and has water permeability There plurality bundled et al is a hollow fiber membrane bundle having both ends fixed to the inner case and the outer case through the sealing portion, respectively, and a first pipe coupled to one end of the inner casing, the outer casing A second pipe coupled to the first pipe and integrally joined to the first pipe; a third pipe joined to the other end of the outer case; and the plurality of outer cases. It has an annular space that covers the hole inside, and is attached to the outer case. A fourth piping kicked, disposed on a first coupling portion between the first pipe and the inner casing, and the 1O ring is curved peripheral surface to enhance the air tightness, the second pipe and the outer casing The second O-ring is disposed at the second coupling portion, and the second O-ring having a curved surface to enhance the airtightness, and the third coupling portion between the outer case and the third pipe, and the circumferential surface to enhance the airtightness. A first O-ring having a curved surface, and a fourth O-ring arranged at a fourth coupling portion between the outer case and the fourth pipe and having a curved surface to enhance airtightness, Inside the pipe, inside the inner case, the inner case hole, between the inner case and the outer case, outside the hollow fiber membrane, the outer case hole, and the annular space of the fourth pipe X channel including the inside of the second pipe, the hollow portion of the hollow fiber membrane, and Anda second Y flow path including the inside of the third pipe, one of the two gas moisture content different flows through the first X flow path, that the other flowing through the first Y flow path , a humidifier for humidifying a low water content gas, the the first 1O ring and the second 2O ring, a humidifier, wherein it has been located on the same slice section.

  According to such a humidifier, since the first pipe and the second pipe are integrally joined, the mechanical strength of the humidifier increases. In addition, since the first O-ring and the second O-ring are provided, the airtightness is increased, and one gas and the other gas are hardly leaked to the outside of the humidifier. Further, since the first O-ring and the second O-ring are arranged on the same cross-section, when the external force is applied to the humidifier based on shaking or the like, it acts on the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion. The bending moment to be reduced is reduced, and as a result, the humidifier is less likely to break. Therefore, the durability of the reformer is improved.

Further, in the humidifier, the first pipe is inserted and coupled to the inside of the inner case, and the second pipe is coupled to be fitted to the outside of the outer case, serial hand is outside said first X passage, the inside of the first pipe, the interior of the inner casing, the inner casing bore, the hollow fiber membranes be between the outer casing and the inner casing, the outer casing bore, and the annular space, forward characteristic and circulation child of the fourth pipe.

According to such a humidifier, with respect to the X-th flow path, the first pipe is inserted into the inner case and coupled, whereby the one gas flows in the portion from the first pipe to the inner case. The cross-sectional area of is increased. Therefore, said one gas becomes difficult to receive a pressure loss, and can distribute | circulate favorably.
In addition, when the other gas is circulated toward the second pipe with respect to the Y-th flow path, the second pipe is coupled so as to be fitted to the outer case, so that the second pipe is connected to the second pipe. In the part to reach, the cross-sectional area of the flow passage through which the other gas flows is large. Therefore, the other gas is less susceptible to pressure loss and can be circulated satisfactorily.

In the humidifier, the first pipe is coupled so as to be fitted outside the inner case, and the second pipe is coupled so as to be fitted outside the outer case. , before Symbol hand, the second X flow path, the annular space of the fourth pipe, wherein the outer casing bore, outside of the hollow fiber membranes be between the inner casing and the outer casing, the inner case openings, the interior of the inner case, the interior of the first pipe, characterized that you distributed in order.

According to such a humidifier, with respect to the Xth flow path, the first gas is circulated in a portion from the inner case to the first pipe by coupling the first pipe so as to be fitted to the inner case. The cross-sectional area of the flow passage is large. Therefore, said one gas becomes difficult to receive a pressure loss, and can distribute | circulate favorably.
In addition, when the other gas is circulated toward the second pipe with respect to the Y-th flow path, the second pipe is coupled so as to be fitted to the outer case, so that the second pipe is connected to the second pipe. In the part to reach, the cross-sectional area of the flow passage through which the other gas flows is large. Therefore, the other gas is less susceptible to pressure loss and can be circulated satisfactorily.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a humidifier that is not easily damaged and has improved durability.
That is, one of the gas and the other gas flowing in the humidification instrument with hardly leaks to the outside, humidifiers hardly damaged, and durability is improved.
Moreover, one gas and the other gas become difficult to receive a pressure loss, and can distribute | circulate the inside of a humidifier favorably.

  Next, each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of each embodiment, the same constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

<First Embodiment>
The humidifier which concerns on 1st Embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a fuel cell system having a humidifier according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the fuel cell system shown in FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the humidifier shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the same.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell vehicle 1 according to the first embodiment is a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell system 2. The fuel cell system 2 includes a high-pressure hydrogen tank 3 as a hydrogen supply device that mainly supplies hydrogen as a fuel gas, a compressor 4 as an air supply device that supplies air as an oxidant gas, a humidifier 10A, The fuel cell stack 5 is provided. Then, the fuel cell system 2 performs an electrochemical reaction inside the fuel cell stack 5 by hydrogen sent out from the high-pressure hydrogen tank 3 and air humidified through the humidifier 10A (hereinafter referred to as humidified air). This is a system that generates electric power.
In addition, the fuel cell system 2 includes a radiator 6 as a heat exchanger for cooling water that cools the fuel cell stack 5. And piping is provided in a suitable place so that the cooling water cooled with the radiator 6 may pass through the inside of the fuel cell stack 5 and recirculate.

  Among the components of the fuel cell system 2 described above, the humidifier 10 </ b> A and the fuel cell stack 5 are accommodated in the fuel cell box 7. The fuel cell box 7 is fixed to a main frame extending forward and backward of the vehicle under the floor panel 8 (under the floor).

  Next, the outline of the fuel cell system 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The high-pressure hydrogen tank 3 is connected to the anode A side of the fuel cell stack 5 through a pipe and can supply hydrogen. The compressor 4 is connected to the cathode C side of the fuel cell stack 5 via a humidifier 10A and a pipe, takes in air containing oxygen from the outside of the fuel cell vehicle 1 (see FIG. 1), and compresses it. Humidified air humidified by the humidifier 10A can be supplied to the cathode C side. The fuel cell stack 5 is configured by laminating a plurality of single cells each sandwiching a polymer electrolyte membrane PEM (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane). The fuel cell stack 5 generates electric power by generating an electrochemical reaction with humidified air containing hydrogen and oxygen, and drives a traveling electric motor (not shown) connected to the fuel cell stack 5, so that the fuel cell vehicle 1 (See FIG. 1).

  The downstream side of the cathode C of the fuel cell stack 5 is connected to a humidifier 10A via a pipe, and air containing moisture (water vapor) generated at the cathode C by power generation (this is referred to as off-gas) is supplied to the humidifier 10A. Can be supplied. The humidifier 10A can humidify air using off-gas. Specifically, the humidifier 10 </ b> A has a hollow fiber membrane HF (Hollow Fiber), and moisture (water vapor) in the off-gas passes through the hollow fiber membrane HF, so that air supplied from the compressor 4 is supplied. It can be humidified and converted to humidified air. Then, on the downstream side of the humidifier 10A, pipes and valves are provided at appropriate positions, and the used off-gas can be discharged into the atmosphere.

Next, the humidifier 10A according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the humidifier 10 </ b> A according to the first embodiment has a substantially cylindrical body, and its axial direction is arranged along the traveling direction of the fuel cell vehicle 1 (see FIG. 1). Has been. The humidifier 10A is a membrane-type humidifier using a hollow fiber membrane HF, and mainly includes a cylindrical inner case 11, an outer case 12 concentrically disposed outside the inner case 11, and a plurality of humidifiers. A hollow fiber membrane bundle 13 formed by bundling hollow fiber membranes, a front cap 14, a front manifold 15, and a rear cap 16 are provided.
Here, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front (left in the figure) and the rear (right in the figure) are set corresponding to the traveling direction of the fuel cell vehicle 1. And in the humidifier 10A according to the first embodiment, off-gas is introduced from the rear side, and air is introduced from the front side. And off gas distribute | circulates the inside of the humidifier 10A toward the front side, and air distribute | circulates the inside of the humidifier 10A toward the back side. In the first embodiment, the rear side corresponds to one end side in claims. Therefore, the front side is the other end side.

  In the first embodiment, the inner case 11 (also referred to as an inner case or inner pipe) is a bottomed cylindrical body having a bottom 11a on the front side, and is made of a hard material such as PC (polycarbonate) or PPO (polyphenylene oxide). It is formed from resin. The inner case 11 is formed with a plurality of inner case holes 11b that allow the inside and the outside to communicate with each other on the peripheral surface on the rear side (the front side from the rear sealing portion 13b described later). In addition, the hollow portion of the inner case 11 is provided with a conical blocking wall 11c on the front side of the inner case hole 11b, and the off-gas introduced into the hollow portion of the inner case 11 from the rear side. In addition to being blocked by the blocking wall 11c, the conical outer surface on the rear side of the blocking wall 11c is well dispersed in the direction of the cross section of the humidifier 10A and can pass through the inner case hole 11b.

The outer case 12 (also referred to as an outer case or an outer pipe) is a cylindrical body that is open at both ends, and is formed of a hard resin such as a PC, like the inner case 11. The outer case 12 is concentrically disposed outside the inner case 11, and an annular space 12 a (hereinafter, annular space) is formed between the inner case 11 and the outer case 12. Further, on the front side of the outer case 12 (the rear side from the front sealing portion 13a to be described later), a plurality of outer case holes 12b, 12b... It is formed in the direction, and as will be described later, the off-gas that has passed through the gaps of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13 can pass through the outer case holes 12b, 12b.
Further, the relative positions of the inner case 11 and the outer case 12 are held constant by a spacer (not shown) for connecting them and a hollow fiber membrane bundle 13 described later.

  The inner case holes 11b, 11b ... and the outer case holes 12b, 12b ... are positioned in the axial direction (traveling direction) between the front sealing part 13a and the rear sealing part 13b. Although the inner case holes 11b, 11b,... Are arranged in the vicinity of the rear sealing portion 13b and the outer case holes 12b, 12b,. The part which circulates across the membrane is longer and the humidification efficiency can be increased.

  The hollow fiber membrane bundle 13 is a bundle of hollow fiber membranes formed of a polymer material such as polyimide, for example, with a predetermined number (for example, 10 to 10000), and is along the axial direction of the humidifier 10A. In this way, the annular space 12a is loaded. The hollow fiber membrane bundle 13 is fixed to the inner case 11 and the outer case 12 by a front sealing portion 13a and a rear sealing portion 13b formed by curing a predetermined adhesive on the front side and the rear side. Yes.

  The hollow fiber membrane constituting the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13 has a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter of 3 mm or less (preferably 0.2 to 1 mm), and has a plurality of fine holes of several nm on its peripheral wall, (Water vapor) permeability. Then, if gases with different moisture contents are separately circulated inside and outside the hollow fiber membrane, moisture is sucked out from the gas with a high moisture content, and this moisture permeates the peripheral wall of the hollow fiber membrane by capillary action. However, by supplying (adding) to a gas having a low water content, the gas having a low water content can be humidified. Further, by using such a hollow fiber membrane instead of a plate-like flat membrane, the effective membrane area per unit volume is dramatically increased.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, the above-described Xth flow path is formed from the opening on the rear side of the inner case 11, the gap between the inner case 11, the inner case holes 11 b, 11 b, and the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13 and the outer case. This corresponds to a flow path passing through the holes 12b in order. On the other hand, the Y-th flow path described above corresponds to a flow path that passes through the hollow portion of the hollow fiber membrane constituting the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13 from the front side toward the rear side.

  The front cap 14 is a lid that covers the outer case 12 so as to be fitted from the front side. Further, the front cap 14 is connected to the downstream side of the compressor 4 (see FIG. 1), and the air supplied from the compressor 4 is moved forward to the hollow portion of the hollow fiber membrane constituting the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13. It can be distributed from the side. Further, an O-ring 14a is provided between the front cap 14 and the outer case 12 to enhance airtightness, and air is less likely to leak to the outside.

In the first embodiment, the front manifold 15 is a pipe that collects off-gas discharged from the outer case holes 12b, 12b... Of the outer case 12, and includes a mounting portion 15a attached to the outer case 12 and a manifold body 15b. ing.
Mounting portion 15a is external shape has an annular circular flow passage 15a ₁ both in the radial direction inside exhibits a ring. And the attaching part 15a is attached to the outer case 12 so that it may cover outer case hole 12b, 12b .... In addition, O-rings 15c and 15c are provided between the attachment portion 15a and the outer case 12 to enhance airtightness, and off-gas hardly leaks to the outside.
The manifold main body 15b is a pipe in which a plurality of pipes are coupled. In the first embodiment, the manifold main body 15b is divided into two branches at a midway position thereof, and the portion divided into the two branches is coupled to the mounting portion 15a from the vertical direction. Therefore, the off gas gathers through the outer case holes 12b, 12b..., The annular flow passage 15a ₁ , and the manifold body 15b, and can be discharged to the outside.

The rear cap 16 includes a rear cap body 16a, an off-gas pipe 16b, an O-ring 16c, and an O-ring 16d. As will be described later, the rear cap body 16a and the off-gas pipe 16b are made of metal in this embodiment, and are integrated by welding or the like.
In the first embodiment, the rear cap body 16a is the second pipe in the claims, the off-gas pipe 16b is the first pipe, the O-ring 16c is the second O-ring, and the O-ring 16d is the first O-ring. Equivalent to.

The rear cap body 16 a is a lid that covers the outer case 12 from the rear side, and is coupled so as to be fitted on the outer side of the outer case 12. In other words, the outer case 12 is coupled to the rear cap body 16a so as to be inserted into the rear cap body 16a. The bottom portion 16a ₁ of the rear cap body 16a is spaced from the rear side end face of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13 by a predetermined distance so that humid air flowing out from the rear side of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13 can be gathered.
Therefore, in the portion from the outer case 12 to the rear cap main body 16a, the cross-sectional area of the flow passage through which the humidified air flows is large, and the humidified air is not subjected to pressure loss, and from the hollow portion of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13 It can be distributed to the rear cap body 16a.

In addition, a pipe is provided at an appropriate position on the downstream side of the rear cap body 16a, and humidified air can be supplied to the downstream fuel cell stack 5 (see FIG. 1).
Further, the O-ring 16c is connected between the rear cap body 16a and the outer case 12, that is, a connecting portion between the rear cap main body 16a as the second pipe and the outer case 12 (corresponding to the second connecting portion in the claims). ) To improve airtightness. Therefore, the humidified air is difficult to leak to the outside from the second coupling portion.

  The off-gas pipe 16 b is a pipe that supplies off-gas discharged from the downstream side of the cathode C of the fuel cell stack 5 (see FIG. 1) to the inside of the inner case 11. The off-gas pipe 16b has a distal end portion inserted into the inner case 11 and coupled thereto. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the flow path through which the off gas flows is large in the portion from the off gas pipe 16b to the inner case 11. Therefore, the off gas can be circulated in the portion from the off gas pipe 16b to the inner case 11 without receiving pressure loss.

  Further, the O-ring 16d is provided between the off-gas pipe 16b and the inner case 11, that is, at a joint between the off-gas pipe 16b as the first pipe and the inner case 11 (corresponding to a first joint in the claims). It is interposed and the airtightness is enhanced. As a result, off-gas is less likely to leak out from the first coupling portion.

  Such a rear cap main body 16a and off-gas piping 16b are formed from metals, such as carbon steel, iron, stainless steel, for example. Further, the rear cap body 16a and the off-gas pipe 16b are integrally joined by welding, and the mechanical strength of the rear cap 16 itself is increased.

  Furthermore, the O-ring 16c (second O-ring) and the O-ring 16d (first O-ring) are arranged on the same ring-shaped cross section P1 (see the drawing). Therefore, even if the humidifier 10A vibrates due to traveling of the fuel cell vehicle 1 (see FIG. 1) or an erroneous force is applied during the assembly of the humidifier 10A, the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion ( Specifically, almost no bending stress is generated with the O-ring 16d and the O-ring 16c) as fulcrums, and the bending moment acting on these joints can be reduced. That is, by disposing the O-ring 16c and the O-ring 16d on the same cross section P1, the humidifier 10A is less likely to be damaged, and durability is improved.

That is, since the peripheral surfaces of the O-ring 16c and the O-ring 16d are curved surfaces, the O-ring 16c and the O-ring 16d are not arranged on the same cross section, and the rear cap body 16a and the off-gas pipe 16b are integrated. In the case where the inner case 11 and the off-gas pipe 16b are not joined to each other, the O-ring 16d is used as a node, and the outer case 12 and the rear cap body 16a are bent separately using the O-ring 16c as a node. Is easy to break.
Therefore, in the first embodiment, as described above, the rear cap main body 16a and the off-gas pipe 16b are integrally joined, and the O-ring 16c and the O-ring 16d are arranged on the same circular section P1. Since the rear cap body 16a and the off-gas pipe 16b are unlikely to be bent separately, the humidifier 10A is less likely to be damaged. As described above, the relative positions of the inner case 11 and the outer case are the spacer (not shown) connecting the inner case 11 and the outer case 12, the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13, the front sealing portion 13a, and the rear sealing. It is held constant by the stopper 13b and the like.

Next, operations of the fuel cell vehicle 1 and the fuel cell system 2 according to the first embodiment will be described.
Hydrogen is supplied to the anode A side of the fuel cell stack 5 from the high-pressure hydrogen tank 3 shown in FIGS. Further, the air is supplied to the humidifier 10 </ b> A by the operation of the compressor 4, is humidified by the humidifier 10 </ b> A, and is supplied to the cathode C side of the fuel cell stack 5 as humidified air. The fuel cell stack 5 generates electricity by causing an electrochemical reaction with hydrogen and oxygen in the humidified air. The electric energy generated by this power generation causes the fuel cell vehicle 1 to travel by rotating a traveling electric motor (not illustrated) that causes the fuel cell vehicle 1 to travel through an inverter (not illustrated).
On the other hand, with this power generation, off gas is discharged from the cathode C side of the fuel cell stack 5, and this off gas is supplied to the humidifier 10A. Further, the cooling water supplied from the radiator 6 cools the fuel cell stack 5.

Next, with reference to FIG.3 and FIG.4, operation | movement of 10 A of humidifiers which concern on 1st Embodiment is demonstrated in detail.
The air supplied from the compressor 4 (see FIG. 1) is introduced into the front cap 14 from the front side of the humidifier 10A, enters the hollow portion of the hollow fiber membrane from the front side of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13, It flows backward.
On the other hand, the off gas discharged from the cathode C side of the fuel cell stack 5 (see FIG. 1) is introduced into the humidifier 10A from the rear side. Specifically, the off gas is introduced from the discharge port on the cathode C side of the fuel cell stack 5 through a predetermined pipe and then into the inner case 11 through the off gas pipe 16b connected thereto. In the introduction of the off gas into the inner case 11, the off gas pipe 16b is connected so as to be inserted into the inner case 11 as described above, and therefore, the off gas is separated from the off gas pipe 16b to the inner case 11. The cross-sectional area of the flowing flow passage is large, and the off-gas is introduced into the inner case 11 without receiving pressure loss.

  After that, the off-gas is dispersed in the radial direction of the inner case 11 by the blocking wall 11c, passes through the inner case holes 11b, 11b..., And then the gap between the hollow fiber membrane bundles 13 in the annular space 12a (between the hollow fiber membranes). ) And flows forward through the gap of the hollow fiber membrane bundle.

  That is, in the humidifier 10A, the off-gas that is a gas with a high water content flows forward through the gap (outside the hollow fiber membrane) of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13, while the supply air that is a gas with a low water content is hollow fiber Flows backward in the membrane. If it does so, a part of the water | moisture content (water vapor | steam) in off gas will permeate | transmit the wall of a hollow fiber membrane, and will be added to the air which distribute | circulates the hollow part of a hollow fiber membrane, As a result, air will be humidified.

  Next, the humidified air flows out from the rear side of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13 into the rear cap body 16a. In this outflow, since the rear cap body 16a is externally fitted to the outer case 12, the cross-sectional area of the flow path through which the humidified air flows is increased in the portion from the outer case 12 to the rear cap body 16a. The humidified air flows out from the outer case 12 to the rear cap body 16a without receiving pressure loss. Thereafter, the humidified air is supplied to the cathode C side of the fuel cell stack 5 (see FIG. 1) through a predetermined pipe.

Meanwhile, off-gas flowing through the gap between the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13 toward the front, the outer case holes 12b, through the 12b ..., and flows out to the annular flow passage 15a _1, via the interior of the manifold body 15b set After that, it is discharged to the outside of the fuel cell vehicle 1 (see FIG. 1).

Second Embodiment
Then, the humidifier which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the humidifier according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the humidifier 10B according to the second embodiment differs from the humidifier 10A according to the first embodiment in an inner case 21 and a rear cap 26. And the coupling structure of the inner case 21 and the rear cap 26 on the rear side is different. In addition, on the rear side, an O-ring 26c (first O-ring) and an O-ring 26d arranged in a joint portion (a first joint portion and a second joint portion described later) between the rear cap 26 and the inner case 21 or the outer case 12. The (second O-ring) is arranged on the same circular cross section P2.
In the second embodiment, the rear cap body 26a corresponds to the second pipe in the claims, and the offgas pipe 26b corresponds to the first pipe. The O-ring 26c corresponds to the second O-ring in the claims, and the O-ring 26d corresponds to the first O-ring.

Further, the second embodiment is different in that off-gas is introduced from the front side of the humidifier 10B. And in 2nd Embodiment, the above-mentioned Xth flow path is the outer case hole 12b, 12b ... from the clearance gap of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13, inner case hole 21b, 21b ..., and the inside of the inner case 21. It corresponds to the flow path that goes through in order and reaches the rear side opening of the inner case 21. On the other hand, the Y-th flow path described above corresponds to a flow path that passes through the hollow portion of the hollow fiber membrane constituting the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13 from the front side toward the rear side.

  Like the first embodiment, the inner case 21 has the same length as the outer case 12, and has a bottom 21a, inner case holes 21b, 21b,. And the rear side end surface of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13 has shifted | deviated ahead, and the off gas piping 26b can be externally fitted and combined with the inner case 21 in the back side with respect to 1st Embodiment. Further, the rear sealing portion 13b, the inner case holes 21b, 21b,... And the blocking wall 21c are also displaced forward in response to the forward displacement of the rear end face of the hollow fiber membrane bundle 13.

  The rear cap 26 includes a rear cap body 26a (second piping), an off-gas piping 26b (first piping), an O-ring 26c (second O-ring), and an O-ring 26d (first O-ring). Yes. The rear cap body 26a and the off-gas pipe 26b are made of metal as in the first embodiment, and are integrally joined by welding or the like. In addition, the off gas that has passed through the inner case 21 flows through the off gas pipe 26b toward the rear side (opposite direction with respect to the first embodiment).

And the rear cap main body 26a (2nd piping) is couple | bonded so that the outer side of the outer case 12 may be fitted by the back side of 10 C of humidifiers. More specifically, an O-ring 26c is interposed between the coupling portion (second coupling portion), more specifically, between the rear cap body 26a and the outer case 12, thereby improving airtightness.
Further, the off-gas pipe 26 b (first pipe) is coupled so as to be fitted on the outside of the inner case 21. An O-ring 26d is provided between the coupling portion (first coupling portion), more specifically, between the off-gas pipe 26b and the inner case 21, thereby improving airtightness.

  The O-ring 26c (second O-ring) and the O-ring 26d (first O-ring) are arranged on the same circular cross section P2. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, even if the humidifier 10B vibrates due to traveling of the fuel cell vehicle 1 (see FIG. 1) or an erroneous force is applied to the humidifier 10B, the first coupling portion and the second coupling are performed. Almost no stress occurs at the parts (O-ring 26c and O-ring 26d), and the bending moment acting on these joints can be reduced. Therefore, the mechanical durability of the humidifier 10B is increased and is not easily damaged.

  Next, the case where the O-ring 26c and the O-ring 26d of the humidifier 10B are displaced in the front-rear direction will be briefly described. In the humidifier 10C shown in FIG. 6, the O-ring 36c corresponding to the O-ring 26c and the O-ring 36d corresponding to the O-ring 26d are shifted in the front-rear direction with respect to the humidifier 10B. That is, the ring section P3 to which the O-ring 36c belongs and the ring section P4 to which the O-ring 36d belongs are shifted in the front-rear direction. In such a humidifier 10C, when an external force is applied due to vehicle vibration or the like, the humidifier 10C may be damaged.

  More specifically, in this case, when an external force is applied to the humidifier 10C, the O-ring 36c and the O-ring 36d become nodes, and the humidifier 10C bends. Here, since the O-ring 36c and the O-ring 36d are displaced forward and backward, the coupling portion between the rear cap body 36a and the outer case 12 and the coupling portion between the off-gas pipe 36b and the inner case 31 are greatly displaced. To do. Therefore, an excessive stress is generated in these joint portions, and as a result, the humidifier 10C may be damaged.

  As mentioned above, although an example was demonstrated about each preferred embodiment of this invention, this invention is not limited to each said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the meaning of this invention, it can change suitably.

  In the first embodiment described above, air that is a gas having a low water content is circulated inside the hollow fiber membrane, and an off gas that is a gas having a high water content is circulated to the outside (the gap between the hollow fiber membrane bundles 13). Although described, the reverse case may be used.

  In the first embodiment described above, the humidifier 10A configures the fuel cell system 2 and humidifies the air supplied to the fuel cell stack 5, but the use of the humidifier 10A is not limited at all. Further, the object to be humidified is not limited to air, and fuel gas (hydrogen) may be humidified. Furthermore, the fuel cell system 2 may be applied not only to the fuel cell vehicle 1 but also to a household power source.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the fuel cell vehicle carrying the fuel cell system which has a humidifier which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the fuel cell system shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the humidifier shown in FIG. It is a sectional side view of the humidifier shown in FIG. It is a sectional side view of the humidifier which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a sectional side view of a humidifier with an O-ring shifted back and forth with respect to the reformer according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel cell vehicle 2 Fuel cell system 3 High pressure hydrogen tank 4 Compressor 5 Fuel cell stack 7 Fuel cell box 10A, 10B Humidifier 11, 21 Inner case 11b, 21 Inner case hole 12 Outer case 12b Outer case hole 13 Hollow fiber membrane Bundle 14 Front cap 15 Front manifold 16, 26 Rear cap 16a, 26a Rear cap body (second pipe)
16b, 26b Off-gas piping (first piping)
16c, 26c O-ring (second O-ring)
16d, 26d O-ring (first O-ring)
PEM solid polymer membrane HF hollow fiber membrane P1, P2

Claims (3)

An inner case that is cylindrical and has an inner case hole that communicates the inside and the outside on one end side ,
An outer case that is cylindrical and has a plurality of outer case holes in the circumferential direction that communicate the inside and the outside on the other end side, and is disposed concentrically on the outside of the inner case;
Loaded between the outer casing and the inner casing, the hollow fiber membranes having a water permeability more bundled et al is a hollow fiber having both ends fixed to the inner case and the outer case through the sealed portion, respectively Membrane bundles ,
A first pipe coupled to one end of the inner case;
A second pipe coupled to one end side of the outer case and integrally joined to the first pipe and integral with the first pipe ;
A third pipe coupled to the other end of the outer case;
An annular space covering the plurality of outer case holes, and a fourth pipe attached to the outer case;
A first O-ring that is disposed in a first coupling portion between the inner case and the first pipe, and whose peripheral surface is a curved surface in order to improve airtightness;
A second O-ring that is disposed at a second coupling portion between the outer case and the second pipe and has a curved surface to enhance airtightness;
A third O-ring which is disposed in a third coupling portion between the outer case and the third pipe, and whose peripheral surface is a curved surface in order to improve airtightness;
A fourth O-ring that is disposed in a fourth coupling portion between the outer case and the fourth pipe, and whose peripheral surface is a curved surface in order to improve hermeticity;
With
The first pipe, the inner case, the inner case hole, between the inner case and the outer case, outside the hollow fiber membrane, the outer case hole, and the fourth pipe. An X-th flow path including the annular space;
A Y channel including the inside of the second pipe, the hollow portion of the hollow fiber membrane, and the inside of the third pipe;
Have
A humidifier that humidifies a gas having a low water content by circulating one of the two gases having different water contents through the Xth channel and the other through the Y channel ,
The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the first O-ring and the second O-ring are arranged on the same cross-section. The first pipe is inserted and coupled to the inner side of the inner case;
The second pipe is coupled so as to be fitted on the outside of the outer case,
Prior Symbol hand, outside of said first X passage, the inside of the first pipe, the interior of the inner casing, the inner casing bore, the hollow fiber membranes be between the outer casing and the inner casing Circulate in the order of the outer case hole and the annular space of the fourth pipe
Humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the this. The first pipe is coupled so as to be fitted on the outside of the inner case,
The second pipe is coupled so as to be fitted on the outside of the outer case,
Prior Symbol hand, the second X flow path, the annular space of the fourth pipe, wherein the outer casing bore, outside of the hollow fiber membranes be between the inner casing and the outer casing, the inner casing A hole, the inside of the inner case, and the inside of the first pipe are circulated in this order.
Humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the this.

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