JP2004028490A - Gas humidifier and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

A gas capable of simultaneously and uniformly humidifying humidified gas flowing through a plurality of humidified gas passages in one case body, and efficiently humidifying the humidified gas at low cost. A humidifier and a method thereof are provided.
In one case body having a humidification gas inlet, humidification regions formed by a water vapor permeable polymer film are formed in a plurality of humidification regions forming a humidification gas flow path. Humidified gas channels 20 and 25 having different capacities are provided, and the plurality of humidified regions 10 and 12 are connected to the humidified region 10 where the humidified gas channels 20 and 25 having a lower humidifying capacity are provided. It was arranged and formed closer to the inlet 7.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 3

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gas humidifier using a water vapor permeable polymer membrane and a method for humidifying a reaction gas containing hydrogen and oxygen supplied to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, for example. It is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
BACKGROUND ART Polymer electrolyte fuel cells are attracting attention as power sources for electric vehicles and the like because they can be expected to have high efficiency and high output density with small size and light weight.
In the fuel cell, an ion exchange polymer membrane as an electrolyte that allows only protons (hydrogen ions) to pass therethrough is interposed between an anode (anode) and a cathode (cathode); By supplying a gas containing oxygen such as air as an oxidant to the cathode, a reaction as shown in the following equation is performed by a catalytic action such as Pt at both electrodes.
Anode: H ₂ → 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻
Cathode: 2H ⁺ + 1 / 2O ₂ + 2e ⁻ → H ₂ O
That is, at the anode, a reaction to convert hydrogen into protons and electrons is performed, and the protons become hydrated (H ⁺ .xH ₂ O) and pass through the electrolyte membrane. At the cathode, the protons and oxygen and There is a reaction that produces water from electrons. Then, the off-gas containing water generated as water vapor at the cathode is directly discharged to the atmosphere as exhaust gas.
[0003]
By the way, since the above-mentioned electrolyte membrane has a property of exhibiting high proton conductivity only in a wet state, in order to carry out the above-mentioned reaction continuously, water is externally supplied to the electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell body. There is a need to do. Therefore, the gas containing hydrogen and the gas containing oxygen are preliminarily humidified by a humidifying fluid such as cooling water for the fuel cell body in separately provided external humidifiers, and then the anode and the cathode of the fuel cell body are humidified. However, since the external humidifiers are individually arranged in the supply paths of the gas containing hydrogen and the gas containing oxygen as the gas to be humidified, the flow path of the humidifying fluid is plural. It is necessary to provide or diverge, so that not only the piping becomes complicated, but also the entire humidifying device becomes large and the cost increases.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas humidifying device and a method thereof that can efficiently humidify a humidified gas at low cost.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the gas humidifier according to the present invention has a plurality of humidifying regions into which a humidifying gas including water vapor introduced from a humidifying gas introduction port of the case main body sequentially flows in a hollow case main body. Formed in each of the plurality of humidification regions, a humidified gas flow path having a different humidification ability formed by a polymer film having water vapor permeability is provided,
The plurality of humidifying regions are arranged and formed in the case body such that a humidifying region in which a humidified gas flow path having a lower humidifying capacity is provided is closer to the humidifying gas inlet. It is.
[0006]
In the gas humidifying device according to the present invention, the humidified gas supplied into the case body from the humidifying gas inlet and sequentially flowing into the plurality of humidifying regions in the case body, and the humidified gas erected in the plurality of humidifying regions, respectively. The humidified gas flowing through the flow path is humidified sequentially from the one flowing through the humidified gas flow path in the humidified region disposed in proximity to the humidified gas introduction port.
At this time, as the humidified gas sequentially flows into a plurality of humidified regions, the humidified gas deprives the humidified gas of water vapor and the humidity gradually decreases, but the humidified gas formed by the water vapor permeable polymer film is used. The humidifying capacity of the gas flow path is configured to be lower as it is provided in the humidifying area closer to the humidifying gas inlet, and the humidifying capacity of the humidified gas flow path and the humidity of the humidifying gas in each humidifying area. By balancing, the humidified gas flowing through the plurality of humidified gas channels can be uniformly humidified by the humidified gas.
[0007]
Therefore, according to the gas humidifier of the present invention, the humidified gas flowing through the plurality of humidified gas channels can be simultaneously and uniformly humidified in one case main body, and the entire device is made compact. Not only can it be formed, but also the humidified gas can be efficiently humidified at low cost.
In the present invention, the humidified gas flow path can be formed by an aggregate of hollow fibers made of a polymer membrane having water vapor permeability.
[0008]
In an embodiment of the present invention, two humidification regions are formed in the case main body, and a humidified gas flow channel provided in one humidification region located on the humidification gas introduction port side is provided with a solid polymer fuel. An anode gas flow path through which a gas containing hydrogen (anode gas) supplied to the anode of the battery flows, and a humidified gas flow path provided in the other humidification area is provided with oxygen supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell. Can be used as a cathode gas flow path for flowing a gas (cathode gas) containing.
At this time, if the anode gas flow path is formed by a non-porous polymer membrane having a water vapor selective permeability, there is no possibility that hydrogen leaks from the anode gas flow path to the outside, and the safety is excellent. Since only water vapor can be supplied to the anode gas flow path, ideal humidification of the anode gas becomes possible.
Here, the non-porous polymer membrane having water vapor selective permeability has no physical pores for transmitting water vapor, and selectively dissolves only water vapor through gaps between polymers by dissolution and diffusion. It means a polymer membrane having the property of transmitting light. Examples of such a polymer membrane include a fluorine-based ion exchange membrane.
[0009]
Since the cathode gas containing oxygen is not required to be as airtight as the anode gas containing hydrogen, the cathode gas flow path may be formed by a porous polymer film or a microporous polymer film having water vapor permeability. This is more preferable because the cost can be reduced.
Here, the porous polymer membrane means a polymer membrane in which pores for transmitting water vapor are physically formed, and the microporous polymer membrane is also used for transmitting water vapor. This means a polymer membrane in which micropores smaller than the pores of the porous polymer membrane are physically formed.
Further, as the humidifying gas introduced from the humidifying gas inlet, an off-gas containing water generated as water vapor at the cathode of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell can be used. By doing so, the cathode off-gas containing water vapor, which was conventionally released to the atmosphere as exhaust gas, is used as the humidifying gas for the anode gas containing hydrogen and the cathode gas containing oxygen, and these reaction gases are used more efficiently. It can be humidified.
[0010]
Further, the above-mentioned problem is caused by bringing a humidifying gas containing water vapor into contact with a plurality of humidifying gas channels having different humidifying capacities formed by a polymer film having water vapor permeability and flowing through the humidifying gas channel. This problem can be solved by a gas humidification method for humidifying a humidified gas, wherein the humidified gas is sequentially contacted from a humidified gas passage having a lower humidification capacity.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows the flow of each gas when humidifying a reaction gas supplied to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using the gas humidifiers 2A and 2B according to the present invention shown in FIGS. It is a schematic diagram. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a polymer electrolyte fuel cell main body, which is composed of an electrode comprising an anode (anode) 1a and a cathode (cathode) 1b, and a polymer electrolyte membrane 1c interposed between the electrodes. Here, the polymer electrolyte membrane 1c is formed of a fluorine-based ion exchange membrane, and has a property of transmitting only protons (hydrogen ions H ⁺ ) and exhibiting high proton conductivity in a wet state.
[0012]
Therefore, in order to maintain the electrolyte membrane 1c in a wet state, a reaction gas, that is, a gas (anode gas) containing hydrogen (H ₂ ) supplied as fuel to the anode 1a and an oxidant to the cathode 1b are supplied. Gas (cathode gas) containing oxygen (O ₂ ), such as air, is passed through one gas humidifier 2A (2B) and humidified.
Then, by supplying the anode gas and the cathode gas humidified by the gas humidifier 2A (2B) to the anode 1a and the cathode 1b, respectively, as described in detail in the section of the related art, the anode 1a A reaction of separating hydrogen into protons and electrons is performed by the catalytic action of platinum (Pt) or the like, and the protons become hydrated (H ⁺ .xH ₂₀ ) and pass through the electrolyte membrane 1c. At the cathode 1b, a reaction is performed in which protons transmitted through the electrolyte membrane 1c are combined with oxygen and electrons to generate water.
[0013]
Conventionally, the cathode off-gas containing water generated at the cathode 1b as water vapor was directly discharged to the atmosphere as exhaust gas. However, in the present embodiment, the cathode off-gas is used as a humidifying gas to produce the fuel cell. The anode gas and the cathode gas supplied to the main body 1 are humidified. That is, by supplying the off-gas as a humidifying gas to the gas humidifying device 2A (2B), the dried anode gas and cathode gas, which are also supplied as humidifying gases to the gas humidifying device 2A (2B), are converted to the off-gas. And is sent out to the fuel cell main body 1.
[0014]
As described above, the water generated at the cathode 1b is used to humidify a plurality of reaction gases simultaneously in one gas humidifier 2A (2B). Therefore, each reaction gas is humidified by an individual gas humidifier. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a complicated pipe for performing the process, the gas humidifier 2A (2B) can be compactly assembled, and a plurality of reaction gases can be efficiently humidified at low cost.
[0015]
FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the gas humidifier according to the present invention employed in FIG. 1. The gas humidifier 2A includes a hollow case body 3 and a humidified gas flow formed therein. An off-gas passage 8a as a passage, and an anode gas passage 20 and a cathode gas passage 25 as a plurality of humidified gas passages.
Then, the case body 3 is supplied with an off-gas inlet 7 for supplying a cathode off-gas containing water vapor to the above-mentioned off-gas flow path 8a, and the above-mentioned off-gas after humidifying the gas to be humidified, to the outside of the case body 3. An off-gas outlet 9a for discharging, an anode gas inlet 11 for supplying an anode gas as a humidified gas to the anode gas flow path 20, and an anode gas humidified by the off-gas to the fuel cell body 1. An anode gas outlet 13 for sending out to the anode 1a, a cathode gas inlet 15 for supplying a cathode gas also as a gas to be humidified to the cathode gas flow path 25, and a cathode gas humidified by the off gas. A cathode gas outlet 17 for sending out to the cathode 1b of the fuel cell main body 1 is provided.
[0016]
Further, a first humidification region 10 and a second humidification region 12 are arranged and formed in the internal space of the case body 3 in order from the off-gas inlet 7 side, and these humidification regions 10 and 12 communicate with each other. Thereby, the off-gas flow path 8a is formed. An anode gas flow path 20 and a cathode gas flow path 25 formed of a water vapor permeable polymer membrane and having different humidification capacities are respectively provided in the two humidification regions 10 and 12 with the inlets 11 and 15 respectively. Each of the outlets 13 and 17 communicates with each other, and is laid across the off-gas flow path 8a. Here, the anode gas flow path 20 of the first humidification area 10 arranged closer to the off-gas introduction port 7 has a lower humidification capacity than the cathode gas flow path 25 of the second humidification area 12. .
[0017]
More specifically, the case main body 3 includes an outer cylinder 5 having both ends open on the outer peripheral surface of which the off-gas inlet 7 and the outlet 9a are provided side by side along the axis l direction; The inlet ports 11 and outlet ports 13 and the inlet port 15 and outlet port 17 of the cathode gas are opened, and end caps 4 and 6 respectively attached to both ends of the outer cylinder 5 via a plurality of packings 14 are provided. And fastening rings 18 and 19 for hermetically fastening the outer cylinder 5 and the end caps 4 and 6 to each other.
[0018]
The inside of the case main body 3 is partitioned by a partition plate 22 extending in the direction of the axis l into one first humidification region 10 and the other second humidification region 12 in which the inlet 7 and the outlet 9a of the off-gas are opened. The two humidifying regions 10 and 12 are communicated with each other by a plurality of circulation holes 23 formed in the partition plate 22, and the off gas supplied from the off gas inlet 7 is supplied to the first humidifying region 10. To the first humidification area 10 through the second humidification area 12 to form a U-shaped off-gas flow path 8a reaching the off-gas discharge port 9a. In order to more reliably form the U-shaped off-gas flow path 8a, the first humidification area 10 is provided at the intermediate position between the off-gas introduction port 7 and the discharge port 9a, as shown by a one-dot chain line. A partition 24 that partitions the humidification region 10 into the off-gas inlet 7 and the off-gas outlet 9a may be provided.
[0019]
The anode gas inlet 11 and the outlet 13 are located in the end caps 4 and 6 at locations corresponding to the first humidification area 10, while the second humidification area 12 and The cathode gas inlet 15 and the outlet 17 are opened at locations corresponding to the above. In the figure, an anode gas inlet 11 and a cathode gas inlet 15 are provided on the end cap 4 attached to the off-gas outlet 9 a side opening of the outer cylinder 5. An anode gas outlet 13 and a cathode gas outlet 17 are provided side by side in the end cap 6 attached to the end cap 6. The inlet port 11 and outlet port 13 for the anode gas and the inlet port 15 and outlet port 17 for the cathode gas are connected to the manifold portions 11a, 13a, 15a, 17a recessed on the inner surfaces of the end caps 4, 6. Are in communication with each other.
[0020]
Further, in the first humidification region 10, a large number of hollow fibers 21 made of a non-porous polymer membrane having a water vapor selective permeability and having the both ends opened to the manifold portions 11 a and 13 a, respectively, forming the anode gas flow path 20. In the second humidification region 12, both ends are opened to the manifold portions 15a and 17a, respectively, and the water vapor-permeable porous polymer film or the microporous polymer forming the cathode gas flow path 25 is formed. An aggregate of a large number of hollow fibers 26 made of a membrane is laid across the off-gas channel 8a.
[0021]
Here, the non-porous polymer membrane has no physical pores for transmitting water vapor, and has a property of selectively permeating only water vapor through gaps between polymers by dissolution diffusion. Mean molecular film. Examples of such a polymer membrane include a fluorine-based ion exchange membrane. In addition, a porous polymer membrane is a polymer membrane in which pores for allowing water vapor to pass therethrough are physically formed, and a microporous polymer membrane is the same as the porous polymer membrane in order to allow water vapor to pass therethrough. A polymer membrane in which micropores smaller than the pores of the molecular membrane are physically formed means, for example, polymer membranes such as fluorine-based, polyimide-based, polysulfone-based, silicon-based, and polyolefin-based membranes. .
That is, as compared with the anode gas flow path 20 in the first humidification region 10 in which the inlet 7 for the cathode off gas as the humidification gas is opened, the second gas in which the off gas flows after humidifying the anode gas in the first humidification region 10 is used. The cathode gas flow channel 25 in the second humidification region 12 has a lower water vapor transmission resistance as a whole, is superior in water vapor permeability, and has a higher humidification capacity.
[0022]
Potting rings 30 and 32 are tightly fitted and fixed to the inner surfaces of both ends of the outer cylinder 5, respectively, and the first humidifying region sandwiching the partition plate 22 between the inner surfaces of the both potting rings 30 and 32 is provided. The 10 and the second humidified region 12 are filled with potting materials 34 to 37 made of a thermosetting resin, in which both ends of the hollow fibers 21 and 26 are embedded and supported. The openings at both ends of the hollow fibers 21 and 26 are opened to the manifold portions 11a, 13a, 15a and 17a on the outer end surfaces of the potting materials 34 to 37, respectively.
In the first embodiment, the offgas inlet 7 is opened downstream of the anode gas flow path 20 in the first humidification region 10 and the offgas outlet 9a is opened upstream thereof. Of course, the offgas inlet 7 may be opened upstream of the anode gas flow path 20 in the humidification region 10 and the offgas outlet 9a may be opened downstream thereof.
[0023]
Next, the operation of the gas humidifier 2A having such a structure will be described in detail.
The cathode off-gas containing water vapor introduced as a humidifying gas into the case body 3 from the off-gas inlet 7 first passes through the first humidifying region 10, passes through the circulation holes 23 of the partition plate 22, and then to the second humidifying region 12. Inflow.
On the other hand, the dried anode gas and cathode gas introduced as humidified gas into the case main body 3 from the anode gas inlet 11 and the cathode gas inlet 15 through the manifold portions 11a and 15a respectively. It is led into a number of hollow fibers 21 and 26 forming the flow path 20 and the cathode gas flow path 25.
[0024]
At that time, in the first humidification region 10 into which the off-gas first flows, the aggregate of the hollow fibers 21 formed of the non-porous polymer membrane erected therefrom starts from the off-gas immediately after being introduced into the case body 3. The anode gas flowing inside is humidified by selectively permeating only water vapor. In the second humidification region 12 where the off-gas flows in after the first humidification region 10, an aggregate of hollow fibers 26 formed of a porous polymer film or a microporous polymer film provided thereover is Water vapor is taken in from the off-gas after the anode gas has been humidified through countless holes, and the cathode gas flowing inside is humidified.
[0025]
Then, the anode gas and the cathode gas humidified in the large number of hollow fibers 21 and 26 as described above once merge in the manifold portions 13a and 17a, respectively, and then are discharged from the anode gas outlet 13 and the cathode gas outlet 17 respectively. Is delivered to the anode 1a and the cathode 1b of the fuel cell body 1.
On the other hand, the cathode off-gas that has flowed into the first humidification region 10 and the second humidification region 12 sequentially from the off-gas introduction port 7 and has finished humidifying the anode gas and the cathode gas, as shown by the broken arrows in FIG. It returns to the shape of a letter, flows into the first humidification area 10 again, and is discharged to the outside of the gas humidifier 2A from the off-gas discharge port 9a opened in the first humidification area 10.
[0026]
By the way, when the off-gas introduced into the gas humidifier 2A comes into contact with the anode gas flow path 20 erected in the first humidification region 10 that first flows in, the off-gas is deprived of water vapor and the humidity decreases. Since the cathode gas flow channel 25 provided in the second humidification region 12 contacting with the humidifier has a higher humidification capacity than the anode gas flow channel 20, the humidification capability of the anode gas flow channel 20 and the cathode gas flow channel 25 is improved. The anode gas and the cathode gas flowing through the humidified gas passages 20 and 25 are uniformly humidified, respectively, with the balance of the humidity of the off-gas.
[0027]
As described above, according to the gas humidifier 2A, the anode gas and the cathode gas as the humidified gas can be simultaneously and uniformly humidified in one case body 3 in which the cathode off gas as the humidified gas flows. Thus, not only can the entire device be formed compact, but also the humidified gases can be efficiently humidified at low cost.
Further, by forming the anode gas flow path 20 through which the anode gas containing hydrogen flows by a non-porous polymer membrane that selectively allows only water vapor, hydrogen may leak from the anode gas flow path 20 to the outside. Since it is possible to supply only the water vapor in the off-gas to the anode gas without any safety, ideal humidification of the anode gas becomes possible. Further, since the cathode gas containing oxygen does not need to be as gas-tight as the anode gas, the cathode gas flow path 25 can be formed by a porous polymer film or a microporous polymer film, and the entire gas humidifier 2A can be formed. Can also reduce the production cost.
[0028]
FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the gas humidifier according to the present invention employed in FIG. Here, in order to avoid duplication of the description with the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
In the gas humidifier 2A according to the first embodiment, the off-gas inlet 8 and the off-gas outlet 9a are both opened on the first humidification region 10 side of the outer cylinder 5 so that the off-gas flow path 8a is broken in FIG. Although the gas humidifier 2B according to the second embodiment is formed in a reciprocating U-shape as indicated by an arrow, the off-gas inlet 7 is opened on the first humidification region 10 side of the outer cylinder 5 and the off-gas outlet is formed. The off-gas flow path 8b is formed one-way as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 3 by opening the outer cylinder 5 on the second humidification area 12 side of the outer cylinder 5.
[0029]
Specifically, an off-gas inlet 7 is opened in the outer cylinder 5 on the downstream side of the anode gas flow path 20 in the first humidification area 10, and the outer cylinder 5 on the upstream side of the cathode gas flow path 25 in the second humidification area 12. An off-gas outlet 9b is opened at the end.
However, an off-gas inlet 7 is provided on the upstream side of the anode gas flow path 20 in the first humidification area 10, and an off-gas discharge port 9 b is provided on the downstream side of the cathode gas flow path 25 in the second humidification area 12. Alternatively, the inlet 7 and the outlet 9b of the off-gas may be respectively opened at the center of the outer cylinder 5 in the humidifying regions 10 and 12 in the direction of the axis l.
[0030]
By doing so, the off-gas introduced into the case main body 3 from the off-gas inlet 7 firstly flows through the anode gas flow bridged in the first humidification region 10 as shown by the broken arrow in FIG. In contact with the passage 20, the anode gas flowing in the flow passage 20 is humidified, and then flows into the second humidification region 12 through the large number of circulation holes 23 of the partition plate 22, and is humidified. In contact with the cathode gas flow channel 25 provided in the channel 12, the cathode gas flowing in the flow channel 25 is humidified. Finally, the off-gas that has finished humidifying each humidified gas in each of the humidifying regions 10 and 12 is discharged to the outside of the case body 3 from the off-gas discharge port 9b opened in the second humidifying region 12 as it is. You.
Other functions and effects of the gas humidifier 2B according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the gas humidifier 2A according to the first embodiment, and therefore, description thereof is omitted here to avoid duplication.
[0031]
In the first and second embodiments, the case where the gas humidifiers 2A and 2B are used to humidify the anode gas and the cathode gas supplied to the fuel cell body 1 has been described as an example. However, it goes without saying that the gas humidifiers 2A and 2B can be used for other applications that require simultaneous and uniform humidification of a plurality of humidified gases.
The number of humidifying regions in which the humidified gas flow path is provided and the humidified gas introduced from the humidified gas inlet 7 sequentially flows in is not limited to two, and may be three or more. Humidifying gas channels having different humidifying capabilities are provided in the respective humidifying regions, and the humidifying region in which the humidifying gas channels having a lower humidifying capability are provided is arranged closer to the humidifying gas inlet 7. By balancing the humidity of the humidified gas and the humidifying ability of each humidified gas flow path, the humidified gas flowing through these humidified gas flow paths can be humidified simultaneously and uniformly in one case body 3. It becomes possible.
In the first and second embodiments, the partitioning plate 22 separates the humidifying regions 10 and 12 from each other. However, the partitioning plate 22 is not always necessary and may be omitted.
Further, in the first and second embodiments, the anode gas and the cathode gas flow in the same direction from the right side to the left side in the figure, but may flow from the left side to the right side in the figure or in opposite directions. Of course it is good.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the gas humidifying apparatus and the method thereof according to the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously and uniformly humidify the humidified gas flowing through the plurality of humidified gas channels, and to reduce the plurality of humidified gases. An advantageous effect that humidification can be efficiently performed at a cost can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a reaction gas humidification system in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using a gas humidifier according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of the gas humidifier according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the gas humidifier according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Polymer electrolyte fuel cell main body 2A, 2B Gas humidifier 3 Case main body 7 Off gas inlet (humidified gas inlet)
10 First humidification area 12 Second humidification area 20 Anode gas flow path (humidification target gas flow path)
21 Hollow fiber made of non-porous polymer membrane 25 Cathode gas channel (humidified gas channel)
26 Hollow fiber consisting of porous polymer membrane or microporous polymer membrane

Claims (8)

In the hollow case body, a plurality of humidification regions into which the humidification gas including the water vapor introduced from the humidification gas introduction port of the case body sequentially flows are formed,
In each of the plurality of humidifying regions, humidified gas flow paths having different humidifying capabilities formed by a polymer film having water vapor permeability are provided,
The gas, wherein the plurality of humidifying regions are arranged and formed in the case main body, with the humidifying region in which a humidified gas flow path having a lower humidifying capacity is provided closer to the humidifying gas inlet. Humidifier. 2. The gas humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the gas channel to be humidified is an aggregate of hollow fibers formed of a polymer membrane having water vapor permeability. The gas humidifier according to claim 1 or 2,
Two humidification areas are formed in the case body,
The humidified gas flow channel provided in one humidification region located on the humidification gas introduction port side is an anode gas flow channel for flowing a gas containing hydrogen supplied to the anode of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. ,
A gas humidifier, wherein a humidified gas flow channel provided in the other humidification region is a cathode gas flow channel for flowing a gas containing oxygen supplied to a cathode of the fuel cell. 4. The gas humidifier according to claim 3, wherein the anode gas flow path is formed by a non-porous polymer membrane having a water vapor selective permeability. The gas humidifier according to claim 4, wherein the non-porous polymer membrane is a fluorine-based ion exchange membrane. The gas humidifier according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the cathode gas flow path is formed by a porous polymer membrane or a microporous polymer membrane having water vapor permeability. Gas humidifier. The gas humidifier according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the humidified gas introduced from the humidified gas inlet is an off-gas containing water generated as water vapor at a cathode of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. A gas humidifier characterized by the above-mentioned. The humidified gas containing water vapor is brought into contact with a plurality of humidified gas flow paths having different humidification capacities formed by a polymer film having water vapor permeability to humidify the humidified gas flowing through the humidified gas flow path. A gas humidification method,
A gas humidification method, wherein the humidification gas is sequentially contacted from a humidification target gas channel having a lower humidification ability.

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