Skip to main content

Membrane humidifier

Advanced Membrane Humidification for Next-Generation Fuel Cell Systems

Drawing on extensive experience in the design and manufacture of spiral-wound membrane modules, Spiraltec is developing an innovative Spiral Membrane Humidifier for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems and other demanding gas humidification applications.

The technology combines a compact spiral-wound, counter-current flow configuration with selectively permeable membrane technology to enable efficient water vapour transfer, low pressure loss, and complete separation of the process gases from the water stream.

Ongoing development focuses on optimizing performance, durability, and system integration to provide a compact, reliable, and efficient humidification solution for next-generation hydrogen energy systems.

Overview Fields of application

PEM Fuel Cell Systems

The primary application of our Membrane Humidifier is the humidification of process air supplied to Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells.
Maintaining an appropriate humidity level is essential for supporting:
  • High proton conductivity
  • Improved fuel cell efficiency
  • Prevention of membrane dehydration
  • Extended membrane lifetime
  • Stable operation under varying load conditions
The spiral-wound design provides a large membrane surface area within a compact module footprint, enabling efficient humidification while supporting low energy consumption and compact system integration.

Hydrogen Energy Systems

Our Membrane Humidifier is being developed for hydrogen technologies requiring controlled gas humidification, including:

Hydrogen fuel cell systems

Fuel cell test benches

Hydrogen research platforms

Laboratory and pilot-scale systems

Mobile fuel cell applications

Industrial Gas Conditioning

Beyond fuel cell applications, the technology offers potential for applications requiring clean and controlled gas conditioning without introducing liquid water into the process stream. Potential applications include:

Process air conditioning and humidity control

Industrial gas treatment

Gas conditioning for advanced separation processes, including CO₂-related applications

Designed for maximum process reliability – engineered for economical operation:

Maximum Humidification Efficiency

Counter-current flow configuration for highly efficient moisture transfer
Large active membrane area within a compact footprint
Uniform flow distribution through optimized spiral channels

Enhanced Operational Reliability

Complete separation of the water stream and process gases
Reduced risk of liquid water carryover
Minimized risk of contamination
Low air-side pressure losses

Compact and Scalable Design

Compact spiral-wound construction
Lightweight and modular design
Scalable configurations for different system capacities

Flexible Integration in different Systems

Flexible integration into customer-specific systems
Suitable for a wide range of hydrogen energy and industrial gas humidification applications
At Spiraltec, we combine advanced spiral-wound engineering, membrane technology, and laboratory-based development to create innovative humidification solutions for hydrogen and fuel cell applications.

As hydrogen technologies continue to evolve, Spiraltec remains committed to developing advanced membrane solutions that support improved efficiency, reliability, and sustainability for next-generation energy systems.

WHY SPIRAL-WOUND MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY?

Unlike conventional plate-type membrane humidifiers, Spiraltec applies an advanced spiral-wound counter-current flow configuration that maximizes membrane utilization while maintaining compact module dimensions.

The spiral arrangement provides:

  • Counter-current flow arrangement enabling a continuous humidity gradient
  • Large active membrane surface area
  • Uniform gas distribution
  • Improved mass transfer characteristics
  • Optimized flow paths
  • Compact module dimensions
  • High performance-to-size potential

CUSTOMIZED HUMIDIFIER SOLUTIONS

We develop membrane humidifier solutions tailored to customer-specific operating requirements.

The technology can be optimized according to:

Air flow requirements

Humidity targets

Pressure loss limitations

Operating temperature

Fuel cell power range

Module dimensions

Installation constraints

System integration requirements

Through close collaboration with customers and partners, we support the development of application-specific humidification solutions.

LABORATORY TESTING AND VALIDATION

During development, we perform comprehensive laboratory evaluations to characterize and optimize humidifier performance.

Testing capabilities include:

Water vapour transfer evaluation

Relative humidity measurements

Pressure drop characterization

Gas flow distribution analysis

Leak-tightness testing

Thermal performance evaluation

Material compatibility assessment

Prototype validation

Long-term durability investigations

Performance optimization under varying operating conditions Continuous testing and analysis support systematic technology improvement and provide the foundation for reliable future applications in fuel cell systems.

PROOF OF CONCEPT AND PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT

Our innovation follows a structured development approach combining engineering expertise, advanced prototype manufacturing, and experimental validation.

The development process includes:

  • System design and simulation
  • Flow optimization
  • Prototype manufacturing
  • Leak-tightness verification
  • Performance testing
  • Humidity transfer evaluation
  • Pressure loss optimization
  • Long-term validation
  • Continuous design improvement

COOPERATION

You are interested in testing our prototypes WH in your company

or to further develop the product together with us?

Please contact our us:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.