KR102017256B1 - Fluid exchange membrane module - Google Patents

Abstract

The fluid exchange membrane module according to the present invention includes a housing having a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, a second fluid inlet, and a second fluid outlet; And a hollow fiber membrane bundle fixed in the housing, wherein the density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle on the first fluid inlet side may be lower than the density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle on the first fluid outlet side, according to the present invention. The fluid exchange membrane module has an advantage of minimizing the amount of hollow fiber membranes used to exhibit the same humidification efficiency, and minimizes the volume and weight of the hollow fiber membranes used while minimizing the overall size of the fluid exchange membrane module. By minimizing the volume and weight of the device in which the fluid exchange membrane module is used, such as a fuel cell, it is possible to further diversify the field where the fuel cell can be used, and to reduce the generation of waste water by increasing the reuse efficiency of water used for humidification. There is an excellent advantage to lower the dependence on a separate water supply.

Description

Fluid exchange membrane module {FLUID EXCHANGE MEMBRANE MODULE}

The present invention relates to a fluid exchange membrane module, and more particularly, to a fluid exchange membrane module that gradually increases the density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle embedded in the housing from the inlet side of the fluid to the outlet side of the fluid to improve humidification efficiency and the like. .

A fuel cell is a power generation cell that generates electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen. Unlike general chemical cells such as batteries and accumulators, fuel cells can continue to produce electricity as long as hydrogen and oxygen are supplied. Fuel cells have no heat loss and are twice as efficient as internal combustion engines. In addition, pollutant emissions are low because chemical energy generated by the combination of hydrogen and oxygen is converted directly into electrical energy. Therefore, the fuel cell is not only environmentally friendly, but also has an advantage of reducing anxiety about resource depletion due to increased energy consumption.

These fuel cells can be classified into polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC), phosphate fuel cell (PAFC), molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), and solid oxide fuel cell depending on the type of electrolyte used. SOFC), alkaline fuel cell (AFC), and the like. Each of these fuel cells operates on essentially the same principle, but differs in the type of fuel used, operating temperature, catalyst, and electrolyte. Among them, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is known to be most promising in transport systems as well as small stationary power generation equipment because it can operate at a lower temperature than other fuel cells and can be miniaturized due to its high power density.

One of the most important factors in improving the performance of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell is by supplying a certain amount of water to a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). To maintain the moisture content. This is because power generation efficiency is drastically reduced when the polymer electrolyte membrane is dried.

As a method of humidifying a polymer electrolyte membrane, there is a humidification membrane type fluid exchange membrane module that supplies moisture to a flow gas using a polymer separation membrane. The humidification membrane method is a method of providing the polymer electrolyte membrane with water vapor in the exhaust gas by using a membrane that selectively permeates only the water vapor contained in the exhaust gas, and is advantageous in that the humidifier can be reduced in weight and size.

The selective permeable membrane used in the humidification membrane system is preferably a hollow fiber membrane having a large permeation area per unit volume when forming a module. In other words, when manufacturing a humidifier using a hollow fiber membrane, high integration of the hollow fiber membrane with a large contact surface area is possible, so that the fuel cell can be sufficiently humidified even with a small capacity, low-cost materials can be used, and the fuel cell is discharged at a high temperature. The moisture and heat contained in the unreacted gas may be recovered and reused through a humidifier.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional fluid exchange membrane module 10 for a fuel cell. As shown in FIG. 1, the fluid exchange membrane module 10 includes a housing 11 containing a bundle of hollow fiber membranes 12. The hollow fiber membrane 12 is bundled by the potting part 13 and fixed to the housing 11.

One side of the housing 11 is formed with a first fluid inlet 1a into which a reaction fluid to be supplied to a fuel cell (not shown), that is, a reaction fluid to be humidified (hereinafter referred to as a working fluid), is formed. On the other side of the first fluid outlet (1b) for supplying a humidified working fluid to the fuel cell is formed. On the outer side of the housing 11 (the first fluid inlet 1a side), a second fluid inlet 2a into which water-containing unreacted fluid (hereinafter referred to as a humidifying fluid) discharged from the fuel cell flows is formed, On the other side of the outer surface of the housing 11 (the first fluid outlet 1b side), a second fluid outlet 2b through which a part of the humidifying fluid introduced through the second fluid inlet 2a is discharged is formed (that is, the first fluid outlet 2b). 2 A considerable amount of moisture contained in the humidifying fluid introduced through the fluid inlet 2a flows through the hollow fiber membrane to the inside of the hollow fiber membrane and is used to humidify the working fluid. The humidified working fluid is then returned to the fuel cell. Are supplied).

The conventional fluid exchange membrane module 10 having such a structure has a bundle-shaped hollow fiber membrane having a first fluid inlet 1a and a second fluid inlet 2a so as to achieve uniform water permeation throughout the hollow fiber membrane. It was formed at equal intervals (density) from the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet. However, in the hollow fiber membrane module, which is generally the fluid exchange membrane module 10, it takes a considerable time for the fluid to flow into the inlet and discharge through the outlet, so that the fluid introduced into the inlet may be selectively permeated into the hollow fiber membrane initially. The concentration of the material is relatively high, but over time the concentration of the material to be permeated gradually decreases. That is, as the fluid flows from the inlet side to the outlet side, the concentration of the substance to be permeated through the hollow fiber membrane gradually decreases, so that the amount of the substance permeated through the hollow fiber membrane placed on the outlet side also gradually decreases. That is, as a result, the material to be permeated is relatively excessive at the inlet side hollow fiber membrane bundle, and at the outlet side hollow fiber membrane bundle, the material to be permeated is relatively insufficient. Will not. In particular, when the fluid exchange membrane module 10 serves as a membrane humidifier, the humidification efficiency is lowered relative to the size (total surface area) of the hollow fiber membrane, and when the membrane humidifier is used in a fuel cell, fuel is eventually used. There is a problem that the efficiency of the battery is lowered.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 1020100108092, 2010.10.06 Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 1020100131631, 2010.12.16

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention by using a simple structure to form a hollow fiber membrane bundle having a limited size (surface area) by forming a density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle toward the outlet side of the fluid toward the outlet side It is to provide a fluid exchange membrane module that can be used to optimize the humidification efficiency.

In the fluid exchange membrane module according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first fluid inlet, the first fluid outlet for discharging the fluid introduced into the first fluid inlet, the second fluid inlet, and the fluid introduced into the second fluid inlet are A housing having a second fluid outlet being discharged; And a hollow fiber membrane bundle fixed in the housing, wherein the density of the hollow fiber membrane bundles on the first fluid inlet or the second fluid inlet side is higher than the density of the hollow fiber membrane bundles on the side of the first fluid outlet or the second fluid outlet. Can be formed low.

The average density of the hollow fiber membrane bundles at the first fluid inlet or the second fluid inlet side is 10 to 50 area%, and the average density of the hollow fiber membrane bundles at the first fluid outlet or the second fluid outlet side is 20 to 60 area%. Can be.

In the fluid exchange membrane module according to another embodiment of the present invention, the first fluid inlet and the second fluid inlet are formed on the first end side of the housing, and the first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet are the housing It may be formed on the second end side of the.

The fluid exchange membrane module according to another embodiment of the present invention may be formed such that the diameter of the housing gradually decreases from the inside of the first end side of the housing to the inside of the second end side of the housing.

In the fluid exchange membrane module according to another embodiment of the present invention, the inside of the housing may be further provided with a vortex forming unit to increase the residence time of the fluid in the housing.

In the fluid exchange membrane module according to another embodiment of the present invention, the inside of the housing is provided with a plurality of vortex forming pieces protruding from the inner surface of the housing and arranged side by side, the vortex forming piece is hollow fiber membrane through Holes may be formed, and the plurality of vortex forming pieces may be disposed such that the diameter of the hollow fiber membrane through-holes formed in the plurality of vortex forming pieces gradually decreases from the first end side of the housing to the second end side of the housing. have.

The fluid exchange membrane module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be a moisture exchange module, a heat exchange module, a gas separation module, or a water treatment module.

According to the fluid exchange membrane module according to the present invention, there is an advantage to minimize the amount of hollow fiber membrane used to exhibit the same humidification efficiency.

Further, according to the fluid exchange membrane module according to the present invention, by minimizing the volume and weight of the hollow fiber membrane used, or by minimizing the total volume and weight of the fluid exchange membrane module, the volume of the device in which the fluid exchange membrane module is used, such as a fuel cell And by minimizing the weight there is an advantage that can further diversify the field where the fuel cell and the like can be used.

In addition, according to the fluid exchange membrane module according to the present invention, by increasing the reuse efficiency of the water used for humidification by maximizing the humidification efficiency has an excellent advantage that can reduce the generation of waste water and lower the dependence on a separate water supply device.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a fluid exchange membrane module conventionally used as a fuel cell membrane humidifier.
2 is a side cross-sectional view (above) showing the internal structure of the fluid exchange membrane module according to the first embodiment of the present invention and cut AA 'and B-B' to show the density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle fixed inside the module One longitudinal section (bottom).
Figure 3 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the fluid exchange membrane module according to the second embodiment of the present invention, (b) is a trapezoidal cross section of the housing 21 constituting a part of the fluid exchange membrane module according to the present invention It is sectional drawing which shows a shape, (c) is an external perspective view which shows the whole shape of the said housing 21. FIG.
4 (a) and 4 (b) are external perspective views showing the shape of a housing divided into a discharge housing part and an inlet housing part according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
5 (a) to (c) is an external perspective view showing a state in which the vortex forming unit is provided in various forms in the interior of the housing according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view (a) and a perspective cross-sectional view (b) illustrating a state in which a vortex forming piece is provided inside a housing according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

The fluid exchange membrane module according to various embodiments of the present invention may be used in a water exchange module, a heat exchange module, a gas separation module, or a water treatment module. For convenience of description, the following description will be given as an example of a water exchange module used in the fuel cell system. However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to the water exchange module used in the fuel cell system.

The fluid exchange membrane module for a fuel cell is configured to supply moisture to dry fuel gas, that is, working fluid using humidified air discharged from the fuel cell, that is, a humidifying fluid. As is already known, the working fluid passes through the conduit formed inside the hollow fiber membrane, the humidifying fluid passes through the outside of the hollow fiber membrane, and the moisture contained in the humidifying fluid passes through the micropores formed in the hollow fiber membrane due to the permeability of the hollow fiber membrane. It is to be supplied to the working fluid in the inner conduit of the hollow fiber membrane. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the humidifying fluid may pass through a conduit formed inside the hollow fiber membrane, and the working fluid may pass outside the hollow fiber membrane.

2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a side cross-sectional view showing the fluid exchange membrane module 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and a density of the hollow fiber membrane bundles fixed inside the module. As shown in FIG. 2, the fluid exchange membrane module 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a bundle of the housing 11 and the hollow fiber membrane 12, and the bundle of the hollow fiber membrane 12 is an example. For example, the potting part 13 may be fixed to the inside of the housing 11.

The housing 11 forms an outer shape of the fluid exchange membrane module 10 and may be made of hard plastic or metal such as polycarbonate. The housing 11 is formed by polygonal cylinders, such as a cylinder and a square cylinder. The housing 11 includes a first fluid inlet 1a through which the working fluid flows in, a first fluid outlet 1b through which the working fluid is discharged, and a second fluid inlet 2a through which the humidifying fluid flows and a humidifying fluid. It is provided with a second fluid discharge port (2b) is discharged.

The first fluid inlet 1a, the first fluid outlet 1b, the second fluid inlet 2a, and the second fluid outlet 2b are both ends (first end and second end) of the housing 11. It is formed on the outer surface of the. On the other hand, the flow path from the first fluid inlet (1a) to the first fluid discharge port (1b) is formed in a direction intersecting with the flow path from the second fluid inlet (2a) to the second fluid discharge port (2b).

The bundle of hollow fiber membranes 12 is disposed in and fixed to the housing 11 in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the housing 11. Both ends of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes 12 are joined by the potting part 13 and the like and are in close contact with the inner surface of the housing 11 to be sealed in the inner space of the housing 11.

The hollow fiber membrane selectively passes moisture. Since the material and configuration of the hollow fiber membrane are well known to those skilled in the art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein. The hollow fiber membrane 12 bundle is a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 12 are stacked side by side.

The bundle of hollow fiber membranes 12 provided in the fluid exchange membrane module 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention increases in density from the second fluid inlet 2a to the second fluid outlet 2b. . Here, the density of the hollow fiber membrane 12 bundles can be defined by the spacing between the respective hollow fiber membrane 12 strands. That is, the closer the spacing between the plurality of hollow fiber membranes 12 having the same outer diameter is, the larger the bundle density becomes. On the other hand, such a density may be defined as the ratio of the area. That is, the density may be defined as the percentage ratio (area%) of the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the longitudinal cross-sections of the hollow fiber membranes 12 of each strand with respect to the longitudinal cross-sectional area of the entire hollow fiber membrane 12 bundle.

On the other hand, for example, when making electricity in a fuel cell, various by-products including moisture are generated, and these by-products (humidifying fluid) flow into the second fluid inlet 2a. As such, the humidifying fluid introduced into the second fluid inlet 2a contains a certain amount of water, and the moisture is selectively permeated through the hollow fiber membrane 12 to enter the internal conduit of the hollow fiber membrane 12 to be used for humidifying the working fluid. do. On the other hand, since the humidifying fluid initially contains a sufficient amount of water, the humidifying fluid may be permeated to the hollow fiber membrane 12 in a sufficient amount, but the content of the moisture contained in the humidifying fluid increases toward the second fluid outlet 2b. The amount of water that penetrates into the hollow fiber membrane 12 is gradually reduced.

On the other hand, since the hollow fiber membrane 12 is provided inside the housing 11 of the fluid exchange membrane module 10 in the form of a bundle, and the second fluid inlet 2a is formed outside the housing 11, The humidifying fluid introduced into the second fluid inlet 2a is primarily supplied to the surface of the hollow fiber membrane 12 located at the edge of the bundle, and secondly, the surface of the hollow fiber membrane 12 located inside the bundle. Supplied to. Therefore, when the bundle of hollow fiber membranes 12 is too densely formed, the humidifying fluid cannot be sufficiently supplied to the surface of the hollow fiber membranes 12 located inside the bundles.

That is, when the density of the bundles of hollow fiber membranes 12 is formed at the second fluid inlet 2a and the second fluid outlet 2b, the hollow fiber membrane 12 is used at the second fluid inlet 2a. The amount of water contained in the humidifying fluid is high compared to the total surface area possible, and the content of water contained in the humidifying fluid is relatively low compared to the total available surface area of the hollow fiber membrane 12 on the second fluid outlet port 2b. The hollow fiber membrane 12 cannot be used efficiently.

Therefore, the hollow fiber membrane 12 existing inside the bundle by forming a wide space between the hollow fiber membranes 12 by lowering the density of the hollow fiber membranes 12 at the second fluid inlet 2a side as in an embodiment of the present invention. In order to allow sufficient moisture to pass through, and to increase the density of the bundle of the hollow fiber membrane 12 on the second fluid outlet (2b) side, the hollow fiber membrane having a low content of the moisture in the humidifying fluid exists outside the bundle. By allowing the internal pipe to penetrate through 12, the overall humidification efficiency can be obtained without wasting the hollow fiber membrane 12.

Accordingly, the average density of the bundles of the hollow fiber membranes 12 on the side of the first fluid inlet 1a or the second fluid inlet 2a is 10 to 50 area%, and the first fluid outlet 1b or the second fluid. The average density of the hollow fiber membrane 12 bundles on the outlet 2b side may be 20 to 60 area%, and preferably, the hollow fiber membrane 12 on the side of the first fluid inlet 1a or the second fluid inlet 2a. The average density of the bundles may be 30 to 40 area%, and the average density of the bundles of the hollow fiber membranes 12 on the side of the first fluid outlet 1b or the second fluid outlet 2b may be 40 to 50 area%.

The average density can be obtained by measuring the ratio of the cross-sectional area occupied by the hollow fiber membrane in the outermost reference total cross-sectional area of the bundle of the hollow fiber membrane 12. In this case, the cross section of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes 12 may be measured by selecting any one of cross sections existing innumerably along the longitudinal direction of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes 12. However, a cross section for obtaining an average density of the hollow fiber membranes 12 bundles on the side of the first fluid inlet 1a or the second fluid inlet 2a is a first fluid along the longitudinal direction of the bundles of the hollow fiber membranes 12. The first fluid inlet 1a or the second fluid inlet (2a) is located in a position shorter than the distance to the outlet (1b) or the second fluid outlet (2b), and the first fluid The cross section for obtaining the average density of the hollow fiber membranes 12 bundles on the outlet 1b or the second fluid outlet 2b side is formed in the first fluid inlet 1a or the first along the longitudinal direction of the bundles of the hollow fiber membranes 12. The distance to the first fluid outlet 1b or the second fluid outlet 2b is shorter than the distance to the second fluid inlet 2a.

In the fluid exchange membrane module 10 according to the present invention, the first fluid inlet 1a and the second fluid inlet 2a are formed at the first end side of the housing 11, and the first fluid outlet ( 1b) and the second fluid outlet 2b may be formed at the second end side of the housing 11.

In the case where the inlet and the outlet are formed at such a position, there is an advantage that an efficient humidification efficiency can be obtained by providing a sufficient time for the humidifying fluid to contact the surface of the hollow fiber membrane 12. That is, the humidifying fluid introduced into the second fluid inlet 2a is sufficiently supplied to the hollow fiber membrane 12 formed by the bundle of low density, and subsequently forms a flow toward the second fluid outlet 2b to form a hollow fiber membrane of high density. (12) By supplying to the hollow fiber membrane 12 located outside the bundle to obtain the optimum humidification efficiency in consideration of the density of the moisture contained in the humidifying fluid and the time the humidifying fluid is in contact with the hollow fiber membrane (12) do.

3 is a cross-sectional view and an external perspective view showing the internal structure of the fluid exchange membrane module 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3A, the housing 21 constituting the fluid exchange membrane module 10 may be formed such that the inner diameter of the housing 21 gradually decreases according to the flow direction of the fluid. Figure 3 (b) shows a cross-sectional structure of the housing 21, which is a feature of the second embodiment of the present invention (c) is a perspective view from the outside. Looking at these figures, it can be seen that the cross-sectional shape of the housing 21 is entirely trapezoidal. That is, assuming that the diameters of the second fluid inlet 2a and the second fluid outlet 2b are the same, when the humidifying fluid is introduced while forming a constant hydraulic pressure at the second fluid inlet 2a, The pressure of the fluid in the housing 21 of the second fluid outlet 2b is higher than the pressure of the fluid in the housing 21 of the second fluid inlet 2a. That is, by forming the inner diameter of the housing 21 to gradually decrease in this way, it is possible to form a "pressure gradient" with respect to the fluid flowing inside the housing 21.

By using the pressure gradient formed as described above, it is possible to maximize the amount of moisture that is permeated into the hollow fiber membrane 12. That is, the humidifying fluid introduced into the second fluid inlet 2a contains water at a relatively high concentration, and a considerable amount of the water contained therein penetrates the surface of the hollow fiber membrane 12 in the form of a hollow fiber membrane ( 12) It is enough to enter the internal pipeline. On the other hand, the humidifying fluid directed to the second fluid outlet (2b) contains water in a relatively small concentration, but the second fluid inlet to form a low fluid pressure because the pressure of the fluid is increased due to the structure of the narrower housing 21 Moisture can penetrate the hollow fiber membrane 12 more efficiently than near (2a).

4 is an external perspective view showing the structure of the housings 31 and 32 that can be applied to the fluid exchange membrane module 10 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The internal structure of the housings 31 and 32 has a shape corresponding to the external shape (see FIG. 3B). Referring to FIG. 4, the housings 31 and 32 of the fluid exchange membrane module 10 according to the embodiment include inlet housings 311 and 321 and discharge housings 312 and 322, respectively. The inflow housing parts 311 and 321 are formed to have a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape in which the inner diameter decreases toward the outlet side as a whole, and the discharge housing parts 312 and 322 are formed so that the entire inner diameter is kept constant until the outlet. In the case of forming the structures of the housings 31 and 32 in such a shape, since the fluid having a high pressure can be in contact with the surface of the hollow fiber membrane 12 for a relatively long time, the humidification efficiency can be further improved.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing the structure of the housings 41, 42, and 43 that can be applied to the fluid exchange membrane module 10 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The internal structure of the housings 41, 42, 43 has a shape corresponding to the external shape (see Fig. 3 (b)). The housings 41, 42, and 43 applied to the fluid exchange membrane module 10 according to the embodiment include an inlet housing 411, 421, 431, an intermediate housing 412, 422, 432, and an outlet housing 413, 423, 433, in particular the inlet. Vortex forming portions 411a, 412a, 421a, 422a, 431a, at portions connecting the housing portions 411, 421, 431 and the intermediate housing portions 412, 422, 432 and portions connecting the intermediate housings 412, 422, 432 and the discharge housing portions 413, 423, 433. 432a). Such vortex forming parts 411a, 412a, 421a, 422a, 431a, 432a serve to increase the time for the fluid to stay inside the housings 41, 42, 43 by disturbing the flow of fluid to form vortices. do. That is, the fluid flowing in order to increase the humidification efficiency has a constant pressure, but as the pressure increases, the flow rate of the fluid also increases, thereby reducing the chance of the humidifying fluid contacting the surface of the hollow fiber membrane 12. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, when the stepped portion is formed at the portion where the housing part is connected, the flow of the fluid is prevented by forming a vortex, thereby increasing the residence time of the fluid even though the pressure of the fluid is increased, resulting in a humidification efficiency. Can be increased.

The vortex forming parts 411a, 412a, 421a, 422a, 431a, and 432a may be variously formed. That is, it may be formed as a vertical step as shown in Fig. 5 (a), it may be formed to be inclined in a straight line or curve as shown in Fig. 5 (b) and (c).

On the other hand, the housing (41, 42, 43) applied to the fourth embodiment is shown in Figure 5 the inlet housing (411, 421, 431), the middle housing (412, 422, 432) and the discharge housing (413, 423, 433) all have a cylindrical shape with a constant diameter Although they are, respectively, they may be formed in a shape that decreases in diameter toward the outlet side.

6 is a cross-sectional view (a) and a perspective cross-sectional view (b) showing the internal structure of the housing 51 that can be applied to the fifth embodiment of the fluid exchange membrane module 10 according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the inside of the housing 51 is formed to protrude from an inner side surface of the housing 51 and is disposed side by side at intervals to hinder the flow of the fluid to form a vortex of the fluid within the housing 51. A plurality of vortex forming pieces (511, 512, 513) can be provided to increase the residence time of the fluid. The vortex forming piece may be formed in a plate shape, and the hollow fiber membrane through-holes 511a, 512a, and 513a through which the hollow fiber membrane 12 bundles are disposed are disposed in the inner center thereof. The hollow fiber membrane through-holes (511a, 512a, 513a) may be formed in a variety of shapes, such as circular, polygonal or amorphous, a plurality of vortex forming pieces are hollow fiber membrane through-holes (511a, 512a, 513a formed therein) ) May be disposed such that its size gradually decreases from the fluid inlet side of the housing 51 toward the fluid outlet side of the housing 51.

In Figure 6, the diameter of the housing 51 that can be applied to the fluid exchange membrane module 10 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is constantly shown, but the inner diameter decreases from the fluid inlet side toward the fluid outlet side It may be formed.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the second fluid is described as being introduced into the second fluid inlet (2a) and outflow through the second fluid outlet (2b), the second fluid is the second fluid outlet (2b) ) And may flow through the second fluid inlet (2a).

Example: Preparation of Moisture Exchange Module

(Example 1)

14,000 polysulfone hollow fiber membranes (outer diameter 900um, inner diameter 800um) were placed in a bundle inside a rectangular housing (250 mm wide, 250 mm long, 500 mm high). At this time, one side average density of the said hollow fiber membrane bundle was 30 area%, and the other side average density was 40 area%.

The pot was formed on both ends of the housing, the potting composition was injected into the space between the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the space between the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the housing, and then cured and sealed. After removing the pot for forming the pot, the end of the cured hollow fiber membrane potting composition is cut so that the end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is exposed to the potting part cutout to form a potting part, and then housings at both ends of the housing. A cap was prepared to prepare a moisture exchange module.

(Example 2)

14,000 polysulfone hollow fiber membranes (outer diameter 900um, inner diameter 800um) were placed in a bundle inside a rectangular housing (250 mm wide, 250 mm long, 500 mm high). At this time, one side average density of the said hollow fiber membrane bundle was 40 area%, and the other side average density was 50 area%.

The pot was formed on both ends of the housing, the potting composition was injected into the space between the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the space between the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the housing, and then cured and sealed. After removing the pot for forming the pot, the end of the cured hollow fiber membrane potting composition is cut so that the end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is exposed to the potting part cutout to form a potting part, and then housings at both ends of the housing. A cap was prepared to prepare a moisture exchange module.

(Example 3)

14,000 polysulfone hollow fiber membranes (outer diameter 900um, inner diameter 800um) were placed in a bundle inside a rectangular housing (250 mm wide, 250 mm long, 500 mm high). At this time, one side average density of the said hollow fiber membrane bundle was 30 area%, and the other side average density was 50 area%.

The pot was formed on both ends of the housing, the potting composition was injected into the space between the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the space between the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the housing, and then cured and sealed. After the cap for forming the potting part is removed, the end of the cured hollow fiber membrane potting composition is cut to form the potting part so that the end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is exposed to the potting part cutting part, and then housings are formed at both ends of the housing. A cap was prepared to prepare a moisture exchange module.

(Comparative Example)

14,000 polysulfone hollow fiber membranes (outer diameter 900um, inner diameter 800um) were placed in a bundle inside a rectangular housing (250 mm wide, 250 mm long, 500 mm high). At this time, the average density of one side and the other side of the hollow fiber membrane bundle was equal to 40 area%.

The pot was formed on both ends of the housing, the potting composition was injected into the space between the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the space between the hollow fiber membrane bundle and the housing, and then cured and sealed. After removing the pot for forming the pot, the end of the cured hollow fiber membrane potting composition is cut so that the end of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is exposed to the potting part cutout to form a potting part, and then housings at both ends of the housing. A cap was prepared to prepare a moisture exchange module.

Experimental Example: Measurement of the Performance of a Potted Part

50 g / sec of dry air flows into the inside and outside of the hollow fiber membranes of the moisture exchange modules prepared in Examples and Comparative Examples, respectively, and the outside of the hollow fiber membranes is fixed at a temperature of 70 ° C. and a humidity of 90 RH%, and the inside of the hollow fiber membranes is a temperature of 40 ° C. The gas-gas humidification was performed by fixing to 10 RH% of humidity.

The humidification performance was measured in terms of dew point by measuring the temperature and humidity at the point where the air flowing inside the hollow fiber membrane is humidified, and the results are shown in Table 1 below.

Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Comparative example Humidification Performance (℃) 55 57 58 49

Referring to Table 1, it can be seen that the moisture exchange module manufactured in the above example has better humidification performance than the moisture exchange module prepared in the comparative example.

As described above, the fluid exchange membrane module according to various embodiments of the present invention has a wide variety of applications, and may be applied to, for example, a gas exchanger, a membrane humidifier or a water processor.

1a: first fluid inlet 1b: first fluid discharge
2a: second fluid inlet 2b: second fluid outlet
10: fluid exchange membrane module 11: how
12: hollow fiber membrane 13: potting
21: housing 31, 32: howe
311,321: inflow housing 312,322: discharge housing
41, 42, 43: housing 411, 421, 431: inlet housing
412,422,432: intermediate housing 413,423,433: discharge housing
411a and 412a: vortex forming unit 421a and 422a: vortex forming unit
431a and 432a: vortex forming part 51: housing
511,512,513: Vortex forming piece 511a, 512a, 513a: Hollow fiber membrane through hole

Claims (7)

A housing having a first fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet for discharging the fluid introduced into the first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and a second fluid outlet for discharging the fluid introduced into the second fluid inlet; And
And a hollow fiber membrane bundle fixed in the housing.
The first fluid inlet and the second fluid inlet are formed on the first end side of the housing,
The first fluid outlet and the second fluid outlet are formed on the second end side of the housing,
The density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle is arranged so as to increase gradually from the first end side of the housing toward the second end side of the housing. The method of claim 1,
The average density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle at the first fluid inlet or the second fluid inlet is 10 to 50 area%,
An average density of the hollow fiber membrane bundle of the first fluid outlet or the second fluid outlet side is 20 to 60 area% of the fluid exchange membrane module. delete The method of claim 1,
And a diameter of the housing gradually decreases from the inside of the first end side of the housing to the inside of the second end side of the housing. The method of claim 1,
The fluid exchange membrane module is further provided with a vortex forming unit in the housing to increase the residence time of the fluid in the housing. The method of claim 1,
The inside of the housing is provided with a plurality of vortex forming pieces protruding from the inner surface of the housing arranged side by side at intervals,
Hollow fiber membrane through-hole is formed in the vortex forming piece,
The plurality of vortex forming pieces
And a diameter of the hollow fiber membrane through-holes formed in the plurality of vortex forming pieces gradually decreases from the first end side of the housing toward the second end side of the housing. The method according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 4 to 6,
The fluid exchange membrane module is any one selected from the group consisting of a water exchange module, a heat exchange module, a gas separation module and a water treatment module.

Images