초록 ▼

A method of humidifying gases to 100% relative humidity and a humidifier to carry out such a method are provided to humidify gases for fuel cells and for other applications. The humidification of gases is thermally controlled and thermal energy is managed to provide an efficient system. A pre-humidi

A method of humidifying gases to 100% relative humidity and a humidifier to carry out such a method are provided to humidify gases for fuel cells and for other applications. The humidification of gases is thermally controlled and thermal energy is managed to provide an efficient system. A pre-humidifier accommodates a wide range of flow rates of dry gas to initially humidify and pre-heat the gas, and a boiler provides steam to mix with the effluent from the pre-humidifier to humidify the gas to saturation. A thermal insulator between the boiler and bulk water and/or pre-humidifier enhances the steam generation from the boiler and prevents direct heating of water or gases by heat from the boiler. Above the boiler, bulk water, and pre-humidifier, a mixing chamber further functions as a condenser and water separator. The mixing chamber provides a space for mixing gases and steam and separates saturated gases from condensed water. By vapor condensation during the mixing, the gas can be humidified completely to its dew point at given temperature and pressure conditions.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A gas humidifier comprising:a. a sealed vessel defining a vessel top, a vessel bottom, and a vessel side, the vessel adapted to retain a quantity of bulk water at a water level; b. a pre-humidifier comprising a vertically oriented tube within the vessel and having an open pre-humidifier top; c. a

1. A gas humidifier comprising:a. a sealed vessel defining a vessel top, a vessel bottom, and a vessel side, the vessel adapted to retain a quantity of bulk water at a water level; b. a pre-humidifier comprising a vertically oriented tube within the vessel and having an open pre-humidifier top; c. a gas inlet adapted to convey gas into the pre-humidifier; d. a boiler within the vessel, the boiler having a heating element therein and further having an open boiler top; e. a mixing chamber above the pre-humidifier top and the boiler top; and f. an outlet adapted to convey humidified gas from the vessel. 2. The gas humidifier of claim 1, wherein the pre-humidifier receives dry gas from the gas inlet and creates gas bubbles to humidify the gas bubbles at below saturation, thereby discharging a pre-humidified gas.3. The gas humidifier of claim 2, wherein the boiler develops steam vapor to mix with the pre-humidified gas from the pre-humidifier.4. The gas humidifier of claim 1, wherein the pre-humidifier further develops pre-humidified gas with water in liquid form entrained therein.5. The gas humidifier of claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber defines an open bottom container having a bottom edge above the level of the bulk water and below the top of the pre-humidifier and below the top of the boiler.6. The gas humidifier of claim 5, wherein the bottom edge of the mixing chamber defines a moisture separation region having a “Y”-shaped cross section.7. The gas humidifier of claim 5, wherein the bottom edge of the mixing chamber forms a moisture separation region having a downward gas-water mixture path, an upward gas path, and a water collector below the bottom edge.8. The gas humidifier of claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber is formed of an insulating material.9. The gas humidifier of claim 1, further comprising an insulating layer around the boiler.10. The gas humidifier of claim 1, further comprising a fluid opening along the bottom of the vessel between the pre-humidifier and the quantity of bulk water.11. The gas humidifier of claim 1, further comprising a fluid opening along the bottom of the vessel between the boiler and the quantity of bulk water.12. The gas humidifier of claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber defines a flow path for the flow of a mixture of steam and pre-humidified gas and to separate condensation from saturated steam.13. The gas humidifier of claim 12, wherein the flow path extends downward around the pre-humidifier and the boiler and above the level of the bulk water.14. The gas humidifier of claim 1, further comprising:a. a water jacket around the vessel; and b. a source of circulating water in fluid communication with the water jacket. 15. The gas humidifier of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor at the outlet of the vessel.16. The gas humidifier of claim 15, wherein the temperature sensor develops a temperature signal, and further comprising a temperature controller to receive the temperature signal and in response control the heater element.17. The gas humidifier of claim 1, wherein the boiler develops vapor steam which exits the open top of the boiler, the pre-humidifier develops pre-humidified gas which exits the open top of the pre-humidifier, and the mixing chamber mixes the vapor steam and the pre-humidified gas, causing condensation of the vapor steam in the mixing chamber.18. The gas humidifier of claim 17, wherein the condensation falls by gravity and inertia into the bulk water.19. The gas humidifier of claim 1, wherein the gas exiting the vessel is at 100% relative humidity.20. The gas humidifier of claim 1, further comprising a gas conduit in communication with the outlet of the vessel.21. The gas humidifier of claim 20, further comprising a gas heater element in the gas conduit.22. The gas humidifier of claim 21, further comprising:a. a gas conduit outlet from the gas conduit; and b. a gas temperature sensor at the gas conduit outlet. 23. The gas humidifier of claim 22, wherein the gas temperature sensor develops a gas temperature signal, and further comprising a gas heater controller to control the gas heater element in response to the gas temperature signal.24. The gas humidifier of claim 20, further comprising a humidity sensor in the gas conduit.25. The gas humidifier of claim 20, further comprising:a. a gas conduit water jacket around the gas conduit; and b. a source of circulating water in fluid communication with the gas conduit water jacket. 26. The gas humidifier of claim 20, further comprising:a. a vessel water jacket around the vessel; b. a source of circulating water in fluid communication with the vessel water jacket; c. a vessel water jacket outlet from the vessel water jacket; d. a gas conduit water jacket around the gas conduit; and e. a water line to convey circulating water from the vessel water jacket outlet to the gas conduit water jacket. 27. A gas conditioning system comprising:a. a gas stream humidifier adapted to develop a humidified gas; b. a gas heater line to receive humidified gas from the humidifier, the gas heater line having a gas heating element therein; c. a first chill water jacket around the humidifier, the chill water jacket having a first chill water inlet and a first chill water outlet; and d. a second chill water jacket around the gas heater line adjacent the gas heating element, the second chill water jacket having a second chill water inlet in fluid communication with the first chill water outlet, the second chill water jacket further having a second chill water outlet. 28. The system of claim 27, further comprising a check valve within the gas heater line.29. The system of claim 28, further comprising a humidity sensor in the gas heater line in parallel with the check valve.30. The system of claim 28, further comprising a third chill water jacket around the humidity sensor and having a third chill water inlet in fluid communication with the second chill water outlet, the third chill water jacket having a third chill water outlet.31. The system of claim 30, further comprising a fourth chill water jacket around the gas heater line a spaced apart distance from the gas heater element, the fourth chill water jacket having a fourth chill water inlet in fluid communication with the third chill water outlet, the fourth chill water jacket further having a fourth chill water outlet.32. The system of claim 27, wherein the gas heater line comprises jacketed tubing for gas transportation and gas temperature tracing along the gas heater line.33. The system of claim 29, wherein the humidity sensor provides a control signal to maintain temperature within the gas heater line such that humidified gas within the gas heater line remains close to the dew point temperature.