Patent ID: 7040606
Filing Date: 2006-05-09
Classification: B01D,F24F,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A humidifier for supplying gas after humidification to a fuel cell, said humidifier comprising: a sleeve-shaped inner case having a bottom; a sleeve-shaped outer case concentrically arranged with respect to the inner case; and a hollow fiber membrane bundle filled in an annular clearance between the outer case and the inner case; wherein the humidifier further comprises: a first path from one end side of said hollow fiber membrane bundle to the other end side through a hollow interior of each hollow fiber membrane; and a second path from an interior of said inner case to a second opening portion arranged on a sidewall of said outer case through a plurality of first opening portions arranged on a sidewall of said inner case and between outer wall faces of the respective hollow fiber membranes within the hollow fiber membrane bundle; said first opening portions being arranged in different positions with respect to an axial direction, and the opening diameters of the opening portions being set to be gradually reduced toward a bottom of the inner case; and a humidifying object gas flowing to one of said first and second paths, and a fluid including moisture flowing to the other.