JP2014117667A - Hollow fiber membrane module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce production cost of a hollow fiber membrane module and improve productivity of the same, and improve sealability of a seal part.SOLUTION: A hollow fiber membrane module comprises: a cylindrical case 1 on which a plurality of flow passage holes 1a, 1b is opened; a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 2 formed into a bundle shape and filled in the case 1; and potting parts 3, 4 for sealing both end opening parts of the case 1 so that only both ends of internal pores of the hollow fiber membrane 2 open in both end opening parts of the case 1. On an outer peripheral face of the case 1, annular holders 5, 6 having grooves 5a, 6a respectively for fitting seal rings are integrally joined in a contact state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a hollow fiber membrane module used in a fuel cell humidifier and dehumidifier, a fluid filter, a separator, a concentrator, and the like.

  A fuel cell has a stack structure in which a plurality of cells are stacked, and each cell has a MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) in which a pair of electrode layers are provided on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The fuel gas (hydrogen) is supplied to one catalyst electrode layer side of the MEA, and the oxidant gas (air) is supplied to the other catalyst electrode layer side of the MEA. Electric power is generated by the reverse reaction of decomposition, that is, the reaction of generating water from hydrogen and oxygen. In this type of fuel cell, a humidifier is required because hydrogen ions cannot pass through unless the MEA solid polymer electrolyte membrane is kept in a wet state.

  As a humidifier used in a fuel cell system, a humidifier using a hollow fiber membrane module is known.

  As shown in FIG. 4, conventionally, this type of hollow fiber membrane module 100 includes a cylindrical case 101 having flow passage holes 101 a and 101 b on the side surfaces, and a plurality of bundles filled in the case 101. (For example, several thousand) hollow fiber membranes 102 and both end openings of the case 101 and the hollow fiber membranes so that only both ends 102a and 102b of the internal pores of the hollow fiber membrane 102 are opened at both end openings of the case 101. 102, potting portions 103 and 104 for sealing between both ends of the hollow fiber membrane 101, a cap (not shown) attached to the case 101 and both ends thereof and connected to an external pipe, and the like And a plurality of seal rings 105 and 106 for sealing the gap therebetween. The seal rings 105 and 106 are made of, for example, O-rings, and are respectively mounted in grooves 101 c formed on the outer peripheral surface of the case 101.

  That is, the humidifying device using the hollow fiber membrane module 100 having the above-described configuration is connected to the other flow path from one flow path hole 101a via the inner circumferential space of the case 101 (gap between the hollow fiber membranes 102). From the flow path toward the passage hole 101b and one end opening of the case 101 to the other end opening of the case 101 via the pore inside each hollow fiber membrane 102 (one end of the inner pore of each hollow fiber membrane 102) The dry gas supplied to the fuel cells via the other flow path is allowed to have the membrane separation action of the hollow fiber membrane 102 by allowing the wet gas to flow through one of the flow paths toward the other end 102b from the other end 102b. It is used to humidify.

JP 2005-265196 A

  This type of hollow fiber membrane module 100 is used in a very wide temperature range from below freezing to high temperature, for example, when used for a humidifier of a fuel cell of an automobile. Therefore, potting for forming the potting portions 103 and 104 is used. An epoxy resin with high heat resistance is used as the material. However, when the potting portions 103 and 104 are formed of epoxy resin, the case 101 is easily deformed on the outer periphery of the potting portions 103 and 104 because the epoxy resin is cured while generating heat. For this reason, the seal mounting groove 101c on the outer peripheral surface of the case 101 needs to secure the sealing performance by the seal rings 105 and 106 by post-processing after the formation of the potting portions 103 and 104, resulting in an increase in cost. It was.

  In addition, the post-processing hinders the improvement of productivity, and there is a concern that mass production of the humidified hollow fiber membrane module will be difficult even if fuel cell vehicles become more widespread in the future.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its technical problem is to reduce the manufacturing cost and improve the productivity of the hollow fiber membrane module and to improve the sealing performance of the seal portion. There is.

  As a means for effectively solving the technical problem described above, a hollow fiber membrane module according to the invention of claim 1 includes a cylindrical case in which a plurality of flow passage holes are formed, and a bundled case in the case. And a plurality of hollow fiber membranes filled with a potting portion that seals both ends of the case so that only both ends of the internal pores of the hollow fiber membrane open at both ends of the case. In the membrane module, an annular holder having a groove for attaching a seal ring is integrally joined to the outer peripheral surface of the case in a close contact state.

  A hollow fiber membrane module according to a second aspect of the present invention is the structure according to the first aspect, wherein the case and the holder are made of a heat-resistant synthetic resin material.

  According to the hollow fiber membrane module according to the present invention, even if the case is slightly deformed due to heat generated when the potting portion is cured, the groove for mounting the seal ring is formed in a holder that is separate from the case. Therefore, excellent sealing performance of the seal ring is ensured without post-processing of the groove. In addition, since post-processing of the grooves is unnecessary, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the productivity can be improved.

  In addition, since the case and the holder are made of heat-resistant synthetic resin, mass production by injection molding or the like is possible, and the case can be made difficult to deform due to heat generated when the potting portion is cured. The integral joining of the case can be performed easily and at low cost by an adhesive or adhesion.

The preferred embodiment of the hollow fiber membrane module which concerns on this invention is shown, the upper half is a side view, and the lower half is sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the plane which passes along the axial center of a case. It is an arrow view of the II direction in FIG. The case and holder in preferred embodiment of the hollow fiber membrane module which concerns on this invention are shown separately, and the upper half is a side view, and the lower half is sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the plane which passes along the axial center of a case. An example of the hollow fiber membrane module which concerns on a prior art is shown, the upper half is a side view, and the lower half is sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the plane which passes along the axial center of a case.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the hollow fiber membrane module according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  That is, the hollow fiber membrane module includes a cylindrical case 1 in which a plurality of introduction and discharge flow passage holes 1a and 1b are opened in the vicinity of both ends, and a plurality of (for example, filled) bundles in the case 1 (for example, Thousands) of hollow fiber membranes 2 and a potting portion 3 that seals the openings at both ends of the case 1 so that only both ends 2a and 2b of the internal pores of the hollow fiber membrane 2 are opened at the openings at both ends of the case 1. 4 and annular holders 5 and 6 which are integrally joined to the outer peripheral surface of the case 1 in close contact with each other and have grooves 5a and 6a for attaching seal rings on the outer peripheral surface.

  Case 1 and holders 5 and 6 have PSU (polysulfone), modified PPO (modified polyphenylene oxide), PC (polycarbonate), heat-resistant PVC (heat-resistant polyvinyl chloride), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), etc. for heat resistance and dimensional stability. It is made of an excellent synthetic resin material and is molded by injection molding or the like.

  In the vicinity of both ends in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the case 1, flanges 1 c and 1 d are formed outside the flow path holes 1 a and 1 b in the axial direction, and the holders 5 and 6 are attached to the flanges 1 c and 1 d. It is extrapolated to the case 1 in a contact state, and is integrally joined by welding or adhesion.

  The hollow fiber membrane 2 has an elongated hollow tubular shape and is made of, for example, polyimide, polyethersulfone, phenolsulfonic acid, polyolefin, or the like, and has water permeability that allows permeation of water vapor molecules.

  The potting parts 3 and 4 are made of, for example, an epoxy resin having high heat resistance, and a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 2 are inserted into the inner periphery of the case 1 in a bundle shape, and liquid is introduced into both end openings of the case 1. It is formed by injecting and curing a potting agent.

  The grooves 5a and 6a formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the holders 5 and 6 have seal rings 7 and 8 that seal between the case 1 and caps (not shown) that are attached to both ends of the holder 1 and connected to the external piping. Is installed. As the seal rings 7, 8, an O-ring made of a rubber-like elastic material (rubber material or a synthetic resin material having rubber-like elasticity) is preferably used.

  The hollow fiber membrane module configured as described above passes from one flow path hole (for example, 1a) to the other flow path hole (for example, 1b) via the inner peripheral space of the case 1 (gap between the hollow fiber membranes 2). Utilizing the membrane separation action of the hollow fiber membrane 2 between the flow channel heading and the flow channel from one end of the case 1 to the other end of the case 1 via the pores inside each hollow fiber membrane 2 For example, in a fuel cell, it is used in a humidifying device for bringing a solid polymer electrolyte membrane of MEA into a wet state.

  That is, in order for the solid polymer electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell to exhibit excellent hydrogen ion conductivity, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane needs to be maintained in a wet state. As the water vapor for humidification, for example, water vapor generated and discharged from hydrogen and oxygen during the power generation process of the fuel cell is effectively used.

  In this hollow fiber membrane module, for example, a gas containing water vapor discharged from the fuel cell is supplied from one end opening of the case 1 to the internal pores of each hollow fiber membrane 2, that is, the gas containing water vapor is supplied to each hollow fiber. While flowing from one end 2a of the internal pore of the membrane 2 toward the other end 2b, into the case 1 (gap between the hollow fiber membranes 2), from one flow path hole 1a to the other flow path hole 1b By flowing the dry gas to be humidified, moisture permeates from the inner pores of the hollow fiber membrane 2 to the outer dry gas side due to the difference in the water vapor partial pressure on both sides of the peripheral wall of the hollow fiber membrane 2, thereby The humidified gas is discharged from the channel hole 1b and sent to the fuel cell.

  In the above description, the gas containing water vapor is supplied to the internal pores of the hollow fiber membrane 2 and the dry gas to be humidified is supplied to the outside of the hollow fiber membrane 2, but conversely the hollow fiber membrane 2 Alternatively, a gas containing water vapor may be supplied to the outside of the substrate, and the dry gas to be humidified may be supplied to the internal pores of the hollow fiber membrane 2.

  In the production of the hollow fiber membrane module having the above-described configuration, a large number of hollow fiber membranes 2 are bundled and inserted into the case 1, and the gaps between the hollow fiber membranes 2 at the binding end of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes 2 and the hollow Potting portions 3 and 4 are formed by filling a gap between the end portion of the thread film 2 and the inner peripheral surface of the opening of the case 1 with a thermosetting epoxy resin or the like and curing. At this time, although curing of the epoxy resin is accompanied by heat generation, since the case 1 is made of a synthetic resin material having excellent heat resistance and dimensional stability, deformation of the case 1 due to heat is suppressed.

  Next, the holders 5 and 6 are fitted to the outer peripheral surfaces of both ends of the case 1 while being positioned by the flanges 1c and 1d, and are integrated with the outer peripheral surfaces of the both ends of the case 1 and / or the flanges 1c and 1d. Welding or bonding.

  When joining the case 1 and the holders 5 and 6 by welding, hot plate welding is performed by melting and joining the joining surfaces of the case 1 and the holders 5 and 6 with a heated hot plate, and joining the case 1 and the holders 5 and 6. Vibration welding and ultrasonic welding for applying vibration to the surface and fusing and joining by frictional heat, fixing one of the case 1 and the holders 5 and 6, and rotating the other, the case 1 and the holders 5 and 6 One of spin welding that melts and joins the joining surfaces with frictional heat generated by rotational sliding, or laser welding that joins the joining surfaces of the case 1 and the holders 5 and 6 by heating and melting with a laser in the near infrared region. The method can be adopted. Moreover, when joining case 1 and the holders 5 and 6 by adhesion | attachment, an adhesive agent is used. For this reason, joining operation | work of case 1 and the holders 5 and 6 can be performed easily and at low cost.

  Seal rings 7 and 8 such as O-rings made of a rubber-like elastic material are attached to the grooves 5a and 6a formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the holders 5 and 6 joined to the case 1.

  At this time, even if the case 1 is slightly deformed due to the heat generated when the potting portions 3 and 4 made of epoxy resin or the like are cured, the holders 5 and 6 to which the seal rings 7 and 8 are attached maintain an annular shape. Since it is joined to the case 1 in this state, a good close contact with the seal rings 7 and 8 can be obtained without post-processing of the grooves 5a and 6a.

  Accordingly, the case 1 and the holders 5 and 6 can be mass-produced by injection molding or the like, and the post-processing of the grooves 5a and 6a is not necessary, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the productivity can be improved. it can.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 1a, 1b Channel hole 1c, 1d collar part 2 Hollow fiber membrane 3, 4 Potting part 5, 6 Holder 7, 8 Seal ring

Claims (2)

  A cylindrical case having a plurality of flow passage holes, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes filled in a bundle in the case, and only both ends of the internal pores of the hollow fiber membrane at both end openings of the case In a hollow fiber membrane module comprising a potting portion that seals the opening at both ends of the case so as to open, an annular holder having a groove for attaching a seal ring is integrally bonded to the outer peripheral surface of the case. The hollow fiber membrane module characterized by the above-mentioned.   The hollow fiber membrane module according to claim 1, wherein the case and the holder are made of a heat-resistant synthetic resin material.

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