Abstract: A moisture exchange module includes a bundle of moisture-permeable hollow fiber membranes. It is provided with a feedline for supplying a gas stream that flows through the hollow fiber membranes in an inner flow. According to the present invention, a separating device for separating out liquid particles from the gas flow are provided in the region between the feedline and the bundle of hollow fiber membranes. The separating device may have the form of a groove and are arranged in such a way that the gas flow is guided in such a manner that the centrifugal force assists movement of the liquid particles towards the separating device. The moisture exchange module preferably forms part of a fuel cell system to humidify feed air for the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A moisture exchange module includes a bundle of moisture-permeable hollow fiber membranes through which a first gas stream can flow. The bundle of hollow fiber membranes is arranged in a housing, the housing being provided with line elements for supplying and discharging a second gas stream, which flows around the hollow fiber membranes. Between the bundle of hollow fiber membranes and the housing there is at least one flow space, which extends over at least approximately the entire length of that region of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes through which the first gas stream can flow. The at least one flow space surrounds only a small part of the circumference of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes, so that ultimately a moisture exchange operated in cross-current mode is formed. This can preferably be used for the humidification of feed air for fuel cell systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for humidifying a gas stream includes a humidifier device having at least one membrane permeable to water vapor. The gas stream and a humid gas stream flow through a humidifier device, being separated from one another by the at least one membrane. The apparatus includes at least one bypass line configured to route at least part of one of the gas stream and the humid gas stream so that it does not come into contact with the membrane. In addition a method for humidifying a gas stream, includes flowing the gas stream through a humidifier having a membrane permeable to water vapor, flowing a humid gas stream through the humidifier separated by the membrane, and routing at least a portion of one of the gas stream and the humid gas stream using a bypass line so that it does not come into contact with the membrane, and varying a quantity of the portion so as to set a predetermined dew point in the gas stream.

Abstract: A moisture exchange module has a bundle of moisture-permeable hollow fiber membranes and at least one line element for supplying a gas stream that flows through the hollow fibers in an inner flow. The at least one line element opens out into an inflow region, which is of at least approximately the same cross section as the bundle of hollow fiber membranes. According to the present invention, the at least one line element opens out into the inflow region at an angle of from 60° to 120° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes without the longitudinal axes of the one line element and of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes intersecting one another. An annular diverter means for diverting the gas flow are provided between the cross section of the line elements through which gas can flow and the inflow region.

Abstract: A device used for humidifying the flow of a gas which is to be humidified, e.g., fed to a fuel cell system. A moist gas, e.g. a moist waste gas from said fuel cell system is used for said humidification, whereby said gas flows together with the gas flow in a humidifying device. The two gas flows are separated from each other by a membrane in the humidifying device. The membrane is exclusively permeable for water vapour. According to the invention, at least one bypass line is provides. At least one of the gas flows can be partially guided via said bypass line around the region of the membrane in the humidifying device. The saturation point can thus be freely adjusted in an advantageous manner in the gas which is to be humidified.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a moisture exchange module comprises a moisture-permeable hollow fiber membrane shell space with a bundle of moisture-permeable hollow fiber membranes being arranged in the shell space for receiving a first gas stream. A conduit member is coupled to the shell space for supplying a second gas stream for flow around the hollow fibers. Pursuant to a feature of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a mechanism is arranged and configured in the conduit member to produce a swirling motion in the second gas stream.

Abstract: A moisture exchange module includes a bundle of moisture-permeable hollow fibre membranes. It is provided with a feedline for supplying a gas stream that flows through the hollow fibre membranes in an inner flow. According to the present invention, a separating device for separating out liquid particles from the gas flow are provided in the region between the feedline and the bundle of hollow fibre membranes. The separating device may have the form of a groove and are arranged in such a way that the gas flow is guided in such a manner that the centrifugal force assists movement of the liquid particles towards the separating device. The moisture exchange module preferably forms part of a fuel cell system to humidify feed air for the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A moisture exchange module has a bundle of moisture-permeable hollow fibre membranes and at least one line element for supplying a gas stream that flows through the hollow fibres in an inner flow. The at least one line element opens out into an inflow region, which is of at least approximately the same cross section as the bundle of hollow fibre membranes. According to the present invention, the at least one line element opens out into the inflow region at an angle of from 60° to 120° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bundle of hollow fibre membranes without the longitudinal axes of the one line element and of the bundle of hollow fibre membranes intersecting one another. An annular diverter means for diverting the gas flow are provided between the cross section of the line elements through which gas can flow and the inflow region.

Abstract: A moisture exchange module includes a bundle of moisture-permeable hollow fibre membranes through which a first gas stream can flow. The bundle of hollow fibre membranes is arranged in a housing, the housing being provided with line elements for supplying and discharging a second gas stream, which flows around the hollow fibre membranes. Between the bundle of hollow fibre membranes and the housing there is at least one flow space, which extends over at least approximately the entire length of that region of the bundle of hollow fibre membranes through which the first gas stream can flow. The at least one flow space surrounds only a small part of the circumference of the bundle of hollow fibre membranes, so that ultimately a moisture exchange operated in cross-current mode is formed. This can preferably be used for the humidification of feed air for fuel cell systems.

Abstract: A device for treating a fuel/coolant mixture in a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system is in particular a direct methanol fuel cell system. The fuel cell system is in particular a direct methanol fuel cell system. The fuel/coolant mixture circulates in a circuit system which has a mixture-conveying device, an anode chamber of a fuel cell and an ion exchanger. Furthermore, fuel is guided out of a tank into the circuit system via a line. In addition, a cation exchanger is arranged in the circuit system.

Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system with variable pressure, whereby the fuel cell system has a fuel cell unit (1) with a plurality of fuel cells, and a cathode (2) of a fuel cell is supplied with an oxidant that chemically reacts with a fuel which is supplied to an anode (3) of the fuel cell. Electrical output power is provided by the fuel cell system from the reaction in the fuel cell unit (1) so as to supply electrical consumers (4). The electrical output at a load level of the fuel cell unit (1) is varied as a function of the pressure, and the pressure is applied from at least one of the oxidant supply units (5) conveying the oxidant.

Abstract: A device for treating a fuel/coolant mixture in a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system is in particular a direct methanol fuel cell system. The fuel cell system is in particular a direct methanol fuel cell system. The fuel/coolant mixture circulates in a circuit system which has a mixture-conveying device, an anode chamber of a fuel cell and an ion exchanger. Furthermore, fuel is guided out of a tank into the circuit system via a line. In addition, a cation exchanger is arranged in the circuit system.