METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR HUMIDIFYING PROCESS GAS FOR OPERATION OF FUEL CELL DEVICE

摘要

PURPOSE: To set the humidity of process air to a specified target value by weighing finely atomized water before it enters a fuel cell. CONSTITUTION: Water is jetted in an air supply pipe 2 in a fine drop shape via a jet nozzle 5. Atomization of water is implemented by an ultrasonic atomizer or an air-assisted nozzle 5. The air required for the atomization is taken out through a pipe 8 branched from a pipe 2 upstream of a mixing chamber 4. A target value of water quantity to be supplied is obtained in a control unit 9 with respect to operating parameters. This target value is obtained in relation to an air volume flux measured by a sensor 10 set to the pipe 2. A humidifier is installed in the pipe 2 to set a moisture content. Only a slight total space is required to humidify process gas of a fuel cell 1 and moreover, water quantity supplied is speedily made responsive to a dynamic load change. Thus, process gas humidity can be set accurately and a highly dynamic matching to load change can be made by using a solenoid valve 7 opened and closed rapidly.