HUMIDIFIER

Abstract

A humidifier having a housing that extends along an axial direction, the housing having a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet and a second outlet, and a membrane unit being arranged in the interior of the housing. The first inlet and the first outlet are in flow connection with each other by means of a first flow path, and the second inlet and the second outlet are in flow connection with each other by a second flow path. The membrane unit is cylindrical and has a plurality of hollow fiber membranes arranged side by side. The membrane unit is outwardly surrounded at least in part by a first chamber, and the first chamber is outwardly surrounded at least in part by a second chamber separate from the first chamber. The first chamber and the second chamber are in flow connection with each other via one or more throttle slots.

Claims

1. A humidifier, said humidifier comprising: a housing that extends along an axial direction, wherein the housing has a first inlet, a first outlet, a second inlet and a second outlet, and a membrane unit is arranged in the interior of the housing, the first inlet and the first outlet are in flow connection with each other via a first flow path, the second inlet and the second outlet are in flow connection with each other via a second flow path, the membrane unit is cylindrical and has a plurality of hollow fiber membranes arranged side by side, the membrane unit is outwardly surrounded at least in part by a first chamber, the first chamber is outwardly surrounded at least in part by a second chamber separate from the first chamber, the first chamber and the second chamber are in flow connection with each other via one or more throttle slots, the membrane unit has a section with membrane potting at its axial ends in each case and the first chamber has a greater length along the axial direction than the second chamber, and the first chamber extends along the membrane unit from the section with membrane potting at the first axial end to the section with membrane potting at the second axial end.

2. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber has a lower height along a radial direction, which is oriented orthogonally to the axial direction than the second chamber.

3. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber and/or the second chamber are formed at least predominantly circumferentially along the circumferential direction of the membrane unit are formed completely circumferentially along the circumferential direction of the membrane unit.

4. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein a water outlet is formed on the housing and is in flow connection with the second chamber.

5. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the throttle slot(s) are formed at least predominantly circumferentially along the circumferential direction and/or in that the throttle slot(s) have a different slot width along the circumferential direction.

6. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the second inlet is in flow connection with a tubular body which extends along or parallel to the axial direction, in particular centrally, through the membrane unit wherein the tubular body has a plurality of passages in its tube wall, wherein a throttle disk is arranged in the tubular body, at which throttle disk the clear inner cross-section of the tubular body is reduced by at least 30%.

7. The humidifier according claim 6, wherein the throttle disk is arranged along the axial direction starting from the second inlet along the axial direction even before the axial center of the membrane unit.

8. The humidifier according to claim 7, wherein the end of the tubular body facing away from the second inlet is closed by an end wall, wherein an opening is formed in the end wall, which opening is in flow connection with a further water outlet.

9. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the first inlet and the second inlet are arranged in a first section of the housing and the first outlet and the second outlet are arranged in a second section of the housing.

10. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the second inlet is in flow connection with a tubular body which extends along or parallel to the axial direction, in particular centrally, through the membrane unit, wherein the tubular body has a plurality of passages in its tube wall, wherein a throttle disk is arranged in the tubular body, at which throttle disk the clear inner cross-section of the tubular body is reduced by at least 40%.

11. The humidifier according claim 10, wherein the throttle disk is arranged along the axial direction starting from the second inlet along the axial direction even before the axial center of the membrane unit.

12. The humidifier according to claim 11, wherein the end of the tubular body facing away from the second inlet is closed by an end wall, wherein an opening is formed in the end wall, which opening is in flow connection with a further water outlet.

13. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the second inlet is in flow connection with a tubular body which extends along or parallel to the axial direction, in particular centrally, through the membrane unit, wherein the tubular body has a plurality of passages in its tube wall, wherein a throttle disk is arranged in the tubular body, at which throttle disk the clear inner cross-section of the tubular body is reduced by at least 50%.

14. The humidifier according claim 13, wherein the throttle disk is arranged along the axial direction starting from the second inlet along the axial direction even before the axial center of the membrane unit.

15. The humidifier according to claim 14, wherein the end of the tubular body facing away from the second inlet is closed by an end wall, wherein an opening is formed in the end wall, which opening is in flow connection with a further water outlet.

Description

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures, wherein identical or functionally identical elements are provided with identical reference signs, but, where applicable, only once. In the drawings:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the humidifier with a view of the inlets (FIG. 1a) and of the outlets (FIG. 1b), in a perspective view in each case;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a perspective longitudinal section of the humidifier of FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a further longitudinal section of the humidifier of FIG. 1 with illustration of the flows; and

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the humidifier of FIG. 1 along a sectional axis IV-IV shown in FIG. 3 (FIG. 4a) and an enlarged detail of the longitudinal section of FIG. 3 in the region of the second outlet with illustration of the flow (FIG. 4b).

[0035] FIGS. 1a and 1b show a humidifier which is denoted overall by reference sign 10. The humidifier 10 can be configured and/or intended as a humidifier 10 for a fuel cell, for example.

[0036] The humidifier 10 has a housing 14 extending along an axial direction 12. The housing 14 has a first inlet 16, a first outlet 18, a second inlet 20 and a second outlet 22.

[0037] In the example, the housing 14 has two housing halves 24, 26 which rest against one another at a parting plane 28. The housing halves 24, 26 each have a flange section 30, 32 at the parting plane 28 so that the housing halves 24, 26 can be connected to one another in the example by means of a flange connection. In the example, there are several screw-in points 34 for this purpose.

[0038] In the example, the first inlet 16 and the second inlet 20 are arranged in an end of the housing half 24 facing away from the flange section 30. The first outlet 18 and the second outlet 22 are arranged on the further housing half 26. The first outlet 18 is arranged at the end of the housing half 26 facing away from the flange section 32. The second outlet 22 is arranged adjacent to the flange section 32.

[0039] The second inlet 20 and the first outlet 18 are arranged in alignment with the axial direction 12 or with the central longitudinal axis 12 of the housing 14. The first inlet 16 and the second outlet 22 are oriented at an upward angle counter to the direction of gravity g. Notwithstanding the above, stiffening ribs 36, 38 are arranged in each case on the housing half 24 and on the housing half 26.

[0040] The further embodiment of the humidifier 10 is described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4b.

[0041] A membrane unit 40 is arranged in the interior of the housing 14 (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3). The membrane unit 40 is designed to be cylindrical in the example, in particular in the form of a vertical circular cylinder, and has a plurality of hollow fiber membranes arranged side by side (not shown in detail). The membrane unit 40 is described in more detail further below.

[0042] The first inlet 16 and the first outlet 18 are in flow connection with each other by means of a first flow path 1 (flow to be humidified; cf. FIG. 3). The second inlet 20 and the second outlet 22 are in flow connection with each other by means of a second flow path 2 (flow to be dehumidified; cf. FIG. 3).

[0043] The membrane unit 40 is radially outwardly surrounded at least by a first (inner) chamber 42 (inner gas flow exhaust duct), wherein the first chamber 42 is designed to be circumferential in the example (cf. FIGS. 2 to 4). The first chamber 42 is, in turn, radially outwardly surrounded by a second (outer) chamber 44 separate from the first chamber 42, wherein the second chamber 44 is designed to be circumferential in the example.

[0044] The first chamber 42 and the second chamber 44 are separated from one another by a wall 46 extending parallel to the axial direction 12 in the example, and are in flow connection with each other via a throttle slot 48 (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3). In the example, the throttle slot 48 is formed completely circumferentially along the circumferential direction (not shown). The second chamber 44 is in flow connection with the second outlet 22 (cf. FIGS. 3 and 4b).

[0045] The membrane unit 40 has a section with membrane potting 50, 52 at its axial ends (oriented along the axial direction 12) in each case (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3). The interspaces between the hollow fiber membranes are closed in the sections with membrane potting 50, 52 so that there a gas or a moist gas flow can only flow axially through the hollow fiber membranes themselves.

[0046] The hollow fiber membranes are arranged side by side between the sections with membrane potting 50, 52 (section 54 lying in between), wherein the central longitudinal axis of the hollow fiber membrane is arranged parallel to the axial direction 12 of the housing in each case (not shown). The interspaces between the hollow fiber membranes are free, so that a gas or a moist gas flow flows past the hollow fiber membranes and can, for example, pass (radially) outwardly to the second outlet 22.

[0047] The membrane unit 40 has an enclosure 56 which radially outwardly surrounds the membrane unit 40 (cf. FIGS. 2 and 4b). In the region of the hollow fiber membrane between the sections with membrane potting 50, 52 (section 54 lying in between), the enclosure 56 has a plurality of openings 58 through which gas or a moist gas flow can pass from the interior of the membrane unit 40 into the first chamber 42. The enclosure 56 extends axially over the sections with membrane potting 50, 52 and the section 54 lying in between. The enclosure 56 holds the components of the membrane unit 40 together.

[0048] The enclosure 56 has a sealing section 59, 60 in the region of the sections with membrane potting 50, 52 which is in each case circumferential along the circumferential direction for sealing the membrane unit 40 relative to the housing 14 (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3). In the example, the sealing section has a groove 62, 63 which is circumferential along the circumferential direction for receiving an elastic sealing element, such as for example an O-ring. In the example, the membrane unit 40 is designed as a cartridge unit.

[0049] The first chamber 42 has a greater length along the axial direction 12 than the second chamber 44. The first chamber 42 extends axially along the membrane unit 40 from the section with membrane potting 50 at the first end to the section with membrane potting 52 at the second end. In other words, the first chamber 42 extends axially at least along the unpotted section (section 54 lying in between) of the membrane unit 40. The first chamber 42 extends in both housing halves 24, 26. The second chamber 44 extends almost completely only in the housing half 26. The first chamber 42 has a lower height along a radial direction 13, which is oriented orthogonally to the axial direction 12, than the second chamber 44.

[0050] In the example, the first chamber 42 and the second chamber 44 are formed completely circumferentially along the circumferential direction of the membrane unit 40 (cf. FIG. 4a). The first chamber 42 and the second chamber 44 are each designed as an annular space.

[0051] A water outlet 66, which is in flow connection with the second chamber 44, is formed on the housing 14 along the direction of gravity g (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0052] In the example, the throttle slot 48 is formed completely circumferentially along the circumferential direction and has a uniform slot width (dimension of the throttle slot 48 along or parallel to the axial direction 12) along the circumferential direction.

[0053] The second inlet 22 is in flow connection with a tubular body 68 which extends centrally through the membrane unit 40 along the axial direction 12 (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3). The tubular body 68 has a plurality of passages 70 axially between the sections with membrane potting 50, 52 (region 54 lying in between) in its tube wall (on the lateral side). The passages 70 enable the passage of gas or moist gas flow from the interior of the tubular body 68 into the interspace between the hollow fiber membranes of the membrane unit 40.

[0054] A throttle disk 72 is arranged in the tubular body 68, at which the clear internal cross section of the tubular body 68 is reduced by 50% in the example (cf. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4a). The throttle disk 72 is arranged along the axial direction 12 starting from the second inlet 20 along the axial direction 12 even before the axial center (center along the axial direction 12) of the membrane unit (40). In other words, the throttle disk 72 is not arranged centrally in the membrane unit 40 along the axial direction 12, but, starting from the center, is offset slightly towards the second inlet 20.

[0055] The end of the tubular body 68 facing away from the second inlet 20 is closed by an end wall 74 (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3). An opening 76, which is in flow connection with a further water outlet 78, is formed in the end wall 74. In the example, the end wall 74 is arranged along the axial direction 12 within the section with membrane potting 52 facing away from the second inlet 20.

[0056] The first inlet 16 and the first outlet 18 are in flow connection with each other via first flow path 1 (cf. FIG. 3). The first flow path 1 extends from the first inlet 16 along or parallel to the axial direction 12 through the membrane unit 40 and to the first outlet 18. In other words, the gas flow to be humidified (for example dry, oxygen-containing or oxygen-rich fresh air) passes the membrane unit 40 along or parallel to the axial direction 12. The gas flow (humidified by passing the membrane unit 40) leaves the humidifier 10 at the first outlet 18 (humidified fresh air). This gas flow can then be supplied, for example, to a stack of a fuel cell.

[0057] The second inlet 20 and the second outlet 22 are in flow connection with each other via the second flow path 2 (cf. FIGS. 3, 4a and 4b). The second flow path 2 extends from the second inlet 20 through the membrane unit 40 and to the second outlet 22, wherein the second flow path 2 passes into the interior of the membrane unit 40 by means of the tubular body 68 and runs from there radially outwards to the first chamber 42 and to the second chamber 44 to the second outlet 22. In other words, the gas flow to be dehumidified (for example moist, low-oxygen air) passes the membrane unit 40 to a certain extent along or parallel to the axial direction 12, wherein the gas flow within the membrane unit 40 then flows (radially) outwards (via the first chamber and the second chamber) to the second outlet 22.

[0058] The gas flow (dehumidified by passing the membrane unit 40) leaves the humidifier 10 at the second outlet 22 (dehumidified or spent air). The moist, low-oxygen air at the second inlet 20 can be supplied, for example, as spent air from a stack of a fuel cell. The dehumidified air at the second outlet 22 can be supplied to a compressor, for example.

[0059] The humidifier 10 is configured such as to operate according to the cross-flow principle. This means that the first flow path 1 and the second flow path 2 (coming from the respective inlet 16, 20) are combined, intersect and are then guided away from one another again. This differs, for example, from humidifiers operating according to the countercurrent principle, in which flow paths flow congruently or parallel to one another in opposite directions or are guided along one another.