Abstract
A humidifying module for humidifying a fluid, such as an operating fluid of a fuel cell of a motor vehicle, is disclosed. The humidifying module includes a humidifier block including a plurality of first fluid paths through which a first fluid is flowable and a plurality of second fluid paths through which a second fluid is flowable. The plurality of first fluid paths and the plurality of second fluid paths in the humidifier block are fluidically separated from each other via a plurality of gas-tight and humidity-permeable membranes. A liquid separator is provided that is fluidically connected to one of the first fluid paths for flow-through with the first fluid and the second fluid paths for flow-through with the second fluid.
Claims
1-13. (canceled)
14. A humidifying module for humidifying a fluid, comprising: a humidifier block including a plurality of first fluid paths through which a first fluid is flowable and a plurality of second fluid paths through which a second fluid is flowable; wherein the plurality of first fluid paths and the plurality of second fluid paths in the humidifier block are fluidically separated from each other via a plurality of gas-tight and humidity-permeable membranes; and a liquid separator fluidically connected to one of the plurality of first fluid paths for flow-through with the first fluid and the plurality of second fluid paths for flow-through with the second fluid.
15. The humidifying module according to claim 14, wherein: the liquid separator is fluidically connected to the one of the plurality of first fluid paths and the plurality of second fluid paths at a first end portion thereof; and further comprising a second liquid separator fluidically connected to the one of the plurality of first fluid paths and the plurality of second fluid paths at a second end portion thereof opposite to the first end portion, such that the liquid separator at the first end portion functions as a pre-separator and the second liquid separator at the second end portion functions as a post-separator, or vice versa.
16. The humidifying module according to claim 14, wherein the liquid separator has a fin structure in a separator interior for separating liquid from the respective one of the first fluid and the second fluid, wherein the fin structure includes a plurality of fins arranged at a distance from one another.
17. The humidifying module according to claim 14, wherein the liquid separator has a separator interior that is divided by a nozzle plate having at least a first acceleration opening for accelerating the respective one of the first fluid and the second fluid, and wherein a deflector plate, which the respective one of the first fluid and the second fluid accelerated from the first acceleration opening hits, is arranged in the separator interior.
18. The humidifying module according to claim 17, wherein the nozzle plate has at least a second acceleration opening that is at least partially closed via a settable closure element.
19. The humidifying module according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of membranes of the humidifier block are substantially flat and arranged in a membrane stack.
20. The humidifying module according to claim 14, wherein: the humidifier block has a plurality of first membrane liners and a plurality of second membrane liners arranged to alternate along a stack direction at a distance from one another, wherein two membrane liners thereof that are adjacent to each other in the stack direction each alternately delimit one of the plurality of first fluid paths for flow-through with the first fluid, and, fluidically separated therefrom, one of the plurality of second fluid paths for flow-through with the second fluid, wherein the plurality of first membrane liners and the plurality of second membrane liners each have a first holding part or a second holding part, respectively, at which one of the plurality of membranes is arranged, which separates a respective one of the first fluid paths from a respective one of the second fluid paths, which are adjacent to one another in the stack direction, a first fluid distribution duct for distributing the first fluid to the plurality of first fluid paths, and a first fluid collector duct for collecting the first fluid after flowing through the plurality of first fluid paths, are disposed in the membrane liners, and a second fluid distribution duct for distributing the second fluid to the plurality of second fluid paths, and a second fluid collector duct for collecting the second fluid after flowing through the plurality of second fluid paths, are disposed in the membrane liners.
21. The humidifying module according to claim 20, wherein the plurality of first membrane liners and the plurality of second membrane liners are arranged between a first closure part and a second closure part, the first closure part and the second closure part each having a first fluid connection and a second fluid connection, wherein the first fluid connection of the first closure part fluidically communicates with the first fluid distribution duct, and the second fluid connection of the first closure part fluidically communicates with the second fluid distribution duct; and wherein the first fluid connection of the second closure part fluidically communicates with the second fluid collector duct, and the second fluid connection of the second closure part fluidically communicate with the first fluid collector duct.
22. The humidifying module according to claim 21, wherein at least one of: the first closure part has a bypass fluid duct that is closed at least partially via an adjustable valve device, wherein the bypass fluid duct of the first closure part connects one of the first fluid connection and the second fluid connection of the first closure part to one of the first fluid collector duct and the second fluid collector duct so as to fluidically communicate therewith, past one of the first fluid path and the second fluid path, respectively; and the second closure part includes a bypass fluid duct that is closed at least partially an adjustable valve device, wherein the bypass fluid duct of the second closure part connects one of the first fluid connection and the second fluid connection of the second closure part to one of the first fluid distribution duct and the second fluid distribution duct so as to fluidically communicate therewith, past one of the first fluid path and the second fluid path, respectively.
23. The humidifying module according to claim 22, wherein at least one of: a first liquid separator, comprising a separator interior that connects the first fluid connection of the first closure part to the first fluid distribution duct so as to fluidically communicate therewith, is arranged between a sealing surface of the first closure part and a side of a closest membrane liner thereto facing towards the first closure part or the first closure part comprises the first liquid separator; and a second liquid separator, comprising a separator interior that connects the second fluid connection of the second closure part to the first fluid collector duct so as to fluidically communicate therewith, is arranged between a sealing surface of the second closure part and a side of a closest membrane liner thereto facing towards the second closure part or the second closure part comprises the second liquid separator.
24. The humidifying module according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of gas-tight and humidity-permeable membranes present in the humidifier block are hollow-fiber membranes.
25. The humidifying module according to claim 24, wherein: the hollow-fiber membranes each surround a cavity in a sheath-like manner, the respective cavities each define one of the plurality of first fluid paths for the first fluid, and the hollow-fiber membranes respectively delimit the plurality of second fluid paths for the second fluid disposed on outer sides of the hollow-fiber membranes facing away from the respective cavities.
26. The humidifying module according to claim 24, wherein the hollow-fiber membranes extend along a common longitudinal direction and are substantially parallel and spaced apart to each other.
27. The humidifying module according to claim 26, wherein: the humidifier block includes a housing extending in the longitudinal direction and defining a housing interior space, a fluid distributor chamber and a fluid collector chamber are structured and arranged separated in a fluid-tight manner from a central chamber of the housing interior opposite to one another in the longitudinal direction via two sealing plates, the hollow-fiber membranes arranged in the housing interior space such that a central section of the hollow-fiber membranes is present in the central chamber of the housing interior space, the central section of the hollow-fiber membranes respectively delimiting the plurality of second fluid paths on the outer sides of the hollow-fiber membranes, and wherein the hollow-fiber membranes penetrate the two sealing plates in end sections of the hollow-fiber membranes that lie opposite to one another along the longitudinal direction and respectively merge into the central section along the longitudinal direction, such that the fluid distributor chamber and the fluid collector chamber are fluidically connected to one another via the respective cavities of the hollow-fiber membranes defining the plurality of first fluid paths.
28. The humidifying module according to claim 15, wherein the second liquid separator has a separator interior including a plurality of fins arranged at a distance from one another.
29. The humidifying module according to claim 20, wherein the plurality of membranes of the humidifier block are substantially flat and arranged in a membrane stack.
30. The humidifying module according to claim 22, wherein the liquid separator has a separator interior that connects the first fluid connection of the first closure part to the first fluid distribution duct so as to fluidically communicate therewith, and the liquid separator is arranged between a sealing surface of the first closure part and a side of a closest membrane liner thereto facing towards the first closure part.
31. The humidifying module according to claim 22, wherein the liquid separator has a separator interior that connects the second fluid connection of the second closure part to the first fluid collector duct so as to fluidically communicate therewith, and the liquid separator is arranged between a sealing surface of the second closure part and a side of a closest membrane liner thereto facing towards the second closure part.
32. A humidifying module for humidifying a fluid of a fuel cell, comprising: a humidifier block including a plurality of first fluid paths through which a first fluid is flowable and a plurality of second fluid paths through which a second fluid is flowable; a plurality of gas-tight and humidity-permeable membranes structured and arranged to fluidically separate the plurality of first fluid paths and the plurality of second fluid paths from each other in the humidifier block, wherein the plurality of gas-tight and humidity-permeable membranes comprise hollow-fiber membranes; and a liquid separator fluidically connected to one of the plurality of first fluid paths for flow-through with the first fluid and the plurality of second fluid paths for flow-through with the second fluid.
33. The humidifying module according to claim 31, wherein the hollow-fiber membranes are structured and arranged to extend substantially parallel and spaced apart to each other.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0052] In each case schematically,
[0053] FIG. 1 shows an exploded illustration of a humidifying module according to the invention,
[0054] FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a humidifying module according to the invention along a stack direction of membrane liners of such a humidifying module,
[0055] FIG. 3 shows an example of a membrane liner of a humidifying module according to the invention,
[0056] FIGS. 4a to 4c show further exemplary embodiments of the membrane liners,
[0057] FIGS. 5a and 5b show examples of a closure part of the humidifying module,
[0058] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary alternative of the humidifying module comprising two humidity separators,
[0059] FIG. 7 shows an example of a section of a humidifying module with hollow-fiber membranes according to the invention,
[0060] FIG. 8 shows an example of a highly simplified, schematic representation of a fuel cell system with a humidifying module according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0061] FIG. 1 shows, in an exemplary manner, a humidifying module 1 according to the invention for humidifying a fluid 2. The humidifying module 1 comprises a humidifier block 23 with a plurality of membrane liners 4. The membrane liners 4 each have a holding part 6. A gas-tight and humidity-permeable membrane 7 is in each case arranged at the holding parts 6 of the membrane liners 4. In the case of the membrane liners 4, a differentiation is to be made between first membrane liners 4a each comprising a first holding part 6a, and second membrane liners 4b each comprising a second holding part 6b, which are alternately arranged at a distance from one another along a stack direction 3. In the example of FIG. 1, all of the first membrane liners 4a comprising the first holding parts 6a and the second membrane liners 4b comprising the second holding parts 6b are embodied as identical parts. They differ from one another, however, with regard to their alignment, according to which the first membrane liners 4a comprising the first holding parts 6a are arranged so as to be rotated by 90 degrees relative to the second membrane liners 4b comprising the second holding parts 6b. Two membrane liners 4a and 4b, which are adjacent in the stack direction 3, each alternately limit a first fluid path 5a for flow-through with a first fluid 2a, and a second fluid path 5b for flow-through with a second fluid 2b. In the humidifier block 23 of the humidifying module 1, the gas-tight and humidity-permeable membranes 7 of the membrane liners 4 separate the first fluid paths 5a from the second fluid paths 5b, which are adjacent in the stack direction 3. If the first fluid 2a and the second fluid 2b now flow through the fluid paths 5a and 5b, which are fluidically separated from one another, a humidity compensation can take place between the two fluids 2a and 2b by means of the gas-tight and humidity-permeable membrane 7, without resulting in a mixing of the two fluids 2a and 2b in terms of material. The one of the fluids 2a and 2b having a lower humidity is thus humidified by absorption of the humidity of the other one of the fluids 2a and 2b, which has passed through the gas-tight and humidity-permeable membrane 7. The first fluid paths 5a and the second fluid paths 5b of the humidifying module 1 are thereby formed in such a way that the first fluid 2a and the second fluid 2b flows through them in cross flow during operation of the humidifying module 1.
[0062] Flow directions of the two fluids 2a and 2b, which cross one another, are illustrated by means of flow arrows in FIG. 1. A first fluid distribution duct 8a for distributing the first fluid 2a to the first fluid paths 5a is formed in each membrane liner 4. A first fluid collector duct 9a for collecting the first fluid 2a after flowing through the first fluid paths 5a is also formed in the membrane liners 4. To distribute the second fluid 2b, a second fluid distribution duct 8b for distributing the second fluid 2b to the second fluid paths 5b is furthermore present in the membrane liners 4. A second fluid collector duct 9b for collecting the second fluid 2b after flowing through the second fluid paths 5b is also arranged in the membrane liners 4. Each first holding part 6a advantageously has two first apertures 10 and two second apertures 11. Each second holding part 6b also comprises two first apertures 10 and two second apertures 11. As will be described in more detail in the following paragraph, the first and second apertures 10 and 11 each form subsections of the first and of the second fluid distribution duct 8a and 8b as well as of the first and of the second fluid collector duct 9a and 9b in the humidifier block 23 of the humidifying module 1.
[0063] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the first fluid distribution duct 8a and the first fluid collector duct 9a are formed in the humidifier block 23 of the humidifying module 1 by means of the two first apertures 10 of the first holding parts 6a and by means of the two second apertures 11 of the second holding parts 6b.
[0064] The second fluid distribution duct 8b and the second fluid collector duct 9b are analogously formed by means of the two second apertures 11 of the first holding parts 6a and the two first apertures 10 of the second holding parts 6b. The membrane liners 4 are arranged between a first closure part 13a and a second closure part 13b. Each of the closure parts 13 thereby has a first fluid connection 14a and a second fluid connection 14b. The first fluid connection 14a of the first closure part 13a fluidically communicates with the first fluid distribution duct 8a in the humidifying module 1. The second fluid connection 14b of the first connector part 13a is connected to the second fluid distribution duct 8b so as to fluidically communicate therewith. The first fluid connection 14a of the second closure part 13b fluidically communicates with the second fluid collector duct 9b in the humidifying module 1. The second fluid connection 14b of the second closure part 13b is connected to the first fluid collector duct 9a so as to fluidically communicate therewith. According to an alternative of the humidifying module 1, at least two membrane liners 4, which are adjacent in the stack direction 3, are tightly connected to one another. The first and second fluid collector duct 9a and 9b as well as the first and the second fluid distribution duct 8a and 8b are thereby sealed against the external environment of the humidifying module 1. In a further development of the humidifying module 1, two membrane liners 4, which are adjacent to one another in the stack direction 3, can be tightly connected to one another by means of a press connection. The press connection is advantageously created by means of a screw connection, which connects the two closure parts 13a and 13b and presses the membrane liners 4 between the closure parts 13a and 13b. In FIG. 1, this screw connection is realized in an exemplary manner by means of threaded rods 29, which are received through through-bores provided for this purpose in the two closure parts 13 and the membrane liners 4. By counter-screwing nuts 28 onto the ends of the threaded rods 29 received in the afore-mentioned through-bores, the membrane liners 4 are pressed between the two closure parts 13a and 13b. It goes without saying that, alternatively, other options are also conceivable for embodying the screw connection in an expertly manner. According to a further development of the humidifying module 1, the two closure parts 13 are embodied as identical parts. The membrane liners 4 can furthermore also be formed by means of identical parts. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the holding part 6 of a membrane liner 4 is embodied as plate-like holding frame.
[0065] As can additionally be seen by means of FIG. 3, this holding frame has a central aperture 15. The central aperture 15 is closed in a gas-tight and humidity-permeable manner by means of the membrane 7. The central aperture 15 is arranged laterally between the two first apertures 10. The two first apertures 10 are thereby arranged at a distance from one another and at a distance from the central aperture 15 along a first transverse direction 30a of the plate-shaped holding part 6. The first transverse direction 30a runs orthogonally to the stack direction 3. The central aperture 15 of the holding part 6, which is embodied as plate-like holding frame, is furthermore arranged laterally between the two second apertures 11. The two second apertures 11 are thereby arranged at a distance from one another and at a distance from the central aperture 15 along a second transverse direction 30b of the plate-shaped holding part 6. The first transverse direction 30b runs orthogonally to the stack direction 3. In an alternative of the humidifying module 1, the first transverse direction 30a and the second transverse direction 30b run orthogonally to one another. Both of the first two apertures 10 in the holding part 6 are connected to the central aperture 15 so as to fluidically communicate therewith via a first connecting section 16 each. The two second apertures 11 can also each be connected to the central aperture 15 so as to fluidically communicate therewith via a second connecting section, which is not illustrated in the figures, however. The two first connecting sections 16 are formed to be open towards an upper side of the holding part 6, which is embodied as plate-like holding frame. The two second connecting sections can be formed so as to be open towards a lower side of the holding part 6, which is formed as plate-like holding frame, which is not illustrated in the figures, however. The first closure part 13a and the second closure part 13b each have a sealing surface 17. These sealing surfaces 17 and the cross section of at least one membrane liner 4, viewed in the stack direction 3, are embodied with an essentially identical contour.
[0066] In FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, all membrane liners 4 are realized with a contour, which is mutually congruent and, viewed in the stack direction 3, essentially identical with the contour of the sealing surfaces 17 of the two closure parts 13a and 13b. This essentially identical contour of the sealing surfaces 17 of the closure parts 13 and of the cross section of the membrane liner 4, viewed in the stack direction 3, is advantageously axially- or point-symmetrically. The design options for the membrane liner 4 as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 4a to 4c, among others, thus result. It goes without saying that a variety of further forms is known to the person of skill in the art, with which the cross section of the membrane liner 4, viewed in the stack direction 3, as well as the sealing surfaces 17 of the closure parts 13a and 13b can be embodied.
[0067] In an alternative of the humidifying module 1, the first closure part 13a, as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, has a bypass fluid duct 19. The bypass fluid duct 19 can be closed at least partially by means of an adjustable valve device 18. The bypass fluid duct 19 connects the first or the second fluid connection 14a or 14b, respectively, of the first closure part 13a to the first or second fluid collector duct 9a or 9b, respectively, past the first or second fluid paths 5a or 5b, respectively, so as to fluidically communicate therewith. The second closure part 13b can additionally or alternatively also comprise such a bypass fluid duct 19, which can be closed at least partially by means of an adjustable valve device 18. This bypass fluid duct 19 then connects the first or second fluid connection 14a or 14b, respectively, of the second closure part 13b to the first or second fluid distribution duct 8a or 8b, respectively, past the first or second fluid paths 5a or 5b, respectively, so as to fluidically communicate therewith.
[0068] A further development of the humidifying module 1 is illustrated in an exemplary manner in FIG. 6, which provides that the humidifying module 1 comprises an additional first liquid separator 20a. This first liquid separator 20a, which can be used as pre-separator for separating liquid from the first or second fluid 2a or 2b, respectively, is arranged between the sealing surface 17 of either the first or second closure part 13a or 13b and the upper or lower side, respectively, of the closest membrane liner 4 facing the same closure part 13a or 13b. The first liquid separator 20a has a separator interior 21. The separator interior 21 of the first liquid separator 20a connects the first fluid connection 14a of the respective first or second closure part 13a or 13b, respectively, adjacent to which the first liquid separator 20a is arranged, to the first fluid distribution duct 8a so as to fluidically communicate therewith. The first liquid separator 20a can also be integrated in the respective closure part 13a or 13b. In addition to the first liquid separator 20a, the humidifying module, as illustrated in FIG. 6, can comprise a second liquid separator 20b. In the case that the first liquid separator 20a fulfills the function of a pre-separator, said second liquid separator can be used for the final separation of liquid, which is present in the first or second fluid 2a or 2b, respectively. The second liquid separator 20b is arranged between the sealing surface 17 of the respective other one of the first or second closure part 13a or 13b and the upper or lower side, respectively, of the closest membrane liner 4 facing the same respective other one of the first or second closure part 13a or 13b. The second liquid separator 20b has a separator interior 21. The separator interior 21 of the second liquid separator 20b connects the second fluid connection 14b of the respective closure part 13a or 13b, respectively, adjacent to which the second liquid separator 20b is arranged, to the first fluid collector duct 9a so as to fluidically communicate therewith. The second liquid separator 20b can also be integrated in the afore-mentioned closure part 13a or 13b. One of the liquid separators 20a or 20b, respectively, can have a fin structure 22 in its separator interior 21 for separating liquid from the first or second fluid 2a or 2b, respectively, as shown in an exemplary manner in FIG. 6 for the first liquid separator 20a. The fin structure 22 comprises a plurality of fins, which are spaced apart from one another. In the example of FIG. 6, these fins of the fin structure 22 are arranged so as to run parallel to one another and transversely to a flow direction of the first or second fluid 2a or 2b, respectively. This flow direction is illustrated by means of flow arrows. It goes without saying that further arrangement options of the fins are also possible, thus for example being arranged so as not to run parallel to one another or at an angle to the flow direction, respectively. In its separator interior 21, one of the liquid separators 20a or 20b can have a nozzle plate 24, which divides the separator interior 21. The nozzle plate 24 has at least a first acceleration opening, through which the first or second fluid 2a or 2b, respectively, is accelerated. In its separator interior 21, the afore-mentioned liquid separator 20a or 20b furthermore comprises a deflector plate 26, which is arranged at a distance from the nozzle plate 24 in such a way that the accelerated first or second fluid 2a or 2b, respectively, hits this deflector plate 26 during operation of the humidifying module 1. The nozzle plate 24 can additionally comprise at least one second acceleration opening, which can be at least partially closed by means of a settable closure element. Such a second acceleration opening comprising such a settable closure element is not shown in the figures. At least one of the liquid separators 20a or 20b advantageously has an insert member 31. The insert member 31 can have a liquid outlet 32. In an alternative of the humidifying module 1, a spacer device 33 is attached to the membrane 7 of at least one of the membrane liners 4. This spacer device 33 ensures in a stabilizing manner that the membrane 7 remains in its position during operation of the humidifying module 1. The spacer device 33 and/or the membrane 7 can be fixedly connected to the holding part 6 of the afore-mentioned membrane liner 4. The fixed connection of the spacer device 33 and/or of the membrane 7 with the holding part 6 can be attained by means of a screen printing process or high-frequency welding.
[0069] According to FIG. 7, which shows a section of a humidifying module 1 according to the invention with an alternative design of the humidifier block 23 compared to the above description, the gas-tight and humidity-permeable membranes 7 present in the humidifier block 23 can be designed as hollow-fiber membranes 34. The hollow-fiber membranes 34 can each enclose a cavity 25. The cavities 35 can each form or limit one of the first fluid paths 5a. The first fluid 2a can therefore flow through the cavities 35 along the first fluid paths 5a. The hollow-fiber membranes 34 can each limit the second fluid paths 5b on their outer sides 36, which are facing away from the cavities 35. This means that the second fluid paths 5b can be formed by spaces between the hollow-fiber membranes 34. The second fluid paths 5b can therefore be flowed through by the second fluid 2b in such a way that the second fluid 2b flows along the second fluid paths 5b through the spaces between the hollow-fiber membranes 34 and flows over the outer sides 36 of the hollow-fiber membranes 34. The hollow-fiber membranes 34 can extend along a common longitudinal direction 25. The hollow-fiber membranes 34 can essentially be arranged parallel to each other at a distance. The hollow-fiber membranes 34 can be arranged at a distance from each other in a height direction 45 of the humidifier block 23. A spacer can be provided between the hollow-fiber membranes 34 to ensure the distance between the hollow-fiber membranes 34, but this is not shown in FIG. 7 for reasons of clarity. Each of the hollow fibers 34 may have a substantially constant cross-section when viewed in the longitudinal direction of 25. The humidifier block 23 of humidifying module 1 may comprise a housing 37 extending in the longitudinal direction 25. The housing 37 may define and at least partially surround a housing interior 38. The housing interior 38 may include a central chamber 39, a fluid distributor chamber 41 and a fluid collector chamber 42. Two sealing plates 40 can be arranged in the housing interior 38. The sealing plates 40 can be arranged at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction 25. The sealing plates 40 can divide the housing interior 38 into the fluid distributor space 41, the central chamber 39 and the fluid collector chamber 42. The fluid distributor chamber 41 and the fluid collector chamber 42 can be separated from the central chamber 39 in the longitudinal direction 25 opposite each other by the two sealing plates 40. The hollow-fiber membranes 34 can be arranged in the housing interior 38. The hollow-fiber membranes 34 can be arranged in the housing interior 38 in such a way that a central section 43 of the hollow-fiber membranes 34 is present in the central chamber 39 of the housing interior 38. In the central chamber 39, the second fluid paths 2b can be limited by the outer sides 36 in the center sections 43 of the hollow-fiber membranes 34. The hollow-fiber membranes 34 can each have two end sections 44 opposite each other in the longitudinal direction 25. The end sections 44 can each pass along the longitudinal direction into the central section 43. The two end sections 44 can each penetrate one of the sealing plates 40 in such a way that the fluid distributor chamber 41 and the fluid collector chamber 42 are fluidically connected to each other via the cavity 35 of the hollow-fiber membrane 34 concerned. The first fluid 2a can thus be distributed from the fluid distributor chamber 41 to the first fluid paths 5a defined by the cavities 35 and collected again after flowing through the first fluid paths 5a using the fluid collector chamber 42, without the first fluid 2a reaching the central chamber 39 of the housing interior 38 and thus the second fluid paths 5b. The housing 37 may have two end plates 46, one of which seals the fluid distributor chamber 41 and one of which seals the fluid collector chamber 42 fluid-tight against an external environment surrounding the humidifier block 23.
[0070] The housing 37 may have a liquid drain 47, which can be used to drain any liquid from the inside of the housing 38. Humidifying module 1 may have a first fluid connection 14a through which the first fluid 2a enters humidifying module 1 or humidifier block 23 during operation of humidifying module 1 and into the cavities 35 of the membranes 7. The first fluid 2a flowing through the cavities 35 via the first fluid paths 5a can flow out of humidifying module 1 through a second first fluid connection 14a of humidifying module 1. In addition, a second fluid 2b can flow through humidifying module 1 or humidifier block 23, which flows around the hollow-fiber membranes 35 on their outer sides 36. This is to say that spaces between the hollow-fiber membranes 34 can form the second fluid paths 5b for the second fluid 2b. Humidifying module 1 may have a first second fluid connection 14b through which the second fluid 2b enters humidifying module 1. The second fluid 2b can flow through a second second fluid port 14b of humidifying module 1 out of humidifying module 1. Here the first first fluid connection 14a and the second first fluid connection 14a can be arranged on humidifier sides of humidifying module 1 opposite along the longitudinal direction 25, while the second second fluid connection 14b and the second second fluid connection 14b can be arranged on humidifier sides of humidifying module 1 opposite in a height direction 45 running transversely to the longitudinal direction 25. The first fluid 2a can flow along the longitudinal direction 25 according to the extension of the hollow-fiber membranes 34, while the second fluid 2b flows around the hollow-fiber membranes 34 on the outside and thus has a flow direction transverse to the longitudinal direction 25, in particular in the height direction 45. The humidity-permeable design of the membranes 7 designed as hollow-fiber membranes 34 allows a humidity exchange between the first fluid 2a and the second fluid 2b. It is conceivable that the first fluid 2a will absorb humidity from the second fluid 2b. It is also conceivable that the second fluid 2b absorbs humidity from the first fluid 2a. FIG. 7 also shows that humidifying module 1 with humidifier block 23 comprising hollow-fiber membranes 34 can have a first fluid separator 20a. In addition, humidifying module 1 may include a second liquid separator 20b. The liquid separators 20a and 20b can be set up and arranged in the same way as the above example illustrated in FIG. 6. The first liquid separator 20a of humidifying module 1 can be fluidically connected to a first end section E1 of the first or second fluid paths 5a, 5b with these first or second fluid paths 5a, 5b. The second liquid separator 20b may be fluidically connected to the first or second fluid paths 5a, 5b at a second end region E2 of the first or second fluid paths 5a, 5b opposite the first end region E1, so that the first liquid separator 20a acts as a pre-separator and the second liquid separator 20b acts as a post-separator, or vice versa.
[0071] FIG. 8 shows an example of a highly simplified, schematic representation of a fuel cell system 48 with a humidifying module 1 according to the invention. The fuel cell system 48 can have a fuel cell 27 with an anode side 49 and a cathode side 50. The anode side 49 of the fuel cell 27 can be supplied with an anode gas 53, while the cathode side 50 can be supplied with a cathode gas 52. During operation of the fuel cell 27, liquid and/or gaseous water can be produced which is discharged from the fuel cell 27 together with a fuel cell exhaust gas 51. The aqueous fuel cell exhaust gas 51 can be used to humidify the cathode gas 52 by means of humidifying module 1. In the example shown, cathode gas 52 can be the first fluid 2a to flow through humidifying module 1 along first fluid paths 5a, while fuel cell exhaust gas 51 can be the second fluid 2b to flow through second fluid paths 5b through humidifying module 1. Accordingly, the fuel cell exhaust gas 1 can release humidity in the form of water or water vapor to the cathode gas 52 via the membranes 7. This prevents damage to the fuel cell 27 and/or improves the operation of the fuel cell 27.
[0072] In principle, it is also possible to use humidifying module 1 as a dehumidifier if cathode gas 52 is too humid. Excess humidity can be transferred from cathode gas 52 to the less humid fuel cell exhaust gas 51. In this case, humidity can be transferred from the first fluid 2a, i.e. from the cathode gas 52, to the second fluid 2b, i.e. to the fuel cell exhaust gas 51. It is also conceivable to use humidifying module 1 in front of a reformer of the fuel cell system 48 not shown here to generate the anode gas 53 in order to humidify a fluid or gas to be supplied to the reformer, for example air.
[0073] The scope of the present invention furthermore extends to a membrane liner 4 for a humidifying module 1, as it is illustrated in an exemplary manner in FIGS. 3 and 4a to 4c.
