DESC:TECHINCAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a fuel cell system. Particularly, but not exclusively, embodiments of the present disclosure relates to an air humidification system for a fuel cell stack.

BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE

A fuel cell is defined as an electrochemical cell that converts chemical energy of a fuel into electrical energy. Unlike a conventional battery, the fuel cell can continuously produce electricity as long as the fuel and air are supplied thereto.

A fuel cell system generally comprises a fuel cell stack for generating electricity, a fuel supply system for supplying fuel, such as but not limiting to hydrogen, to the fuel cell stack, an air supply system for supplying oxygen, which is an oxidizing agent required for electrochemical reaction, to the fuel cell stack. Further, a heat and water management system is provided in the fuel cell system for removing reaction heat of the fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system and controlling the operation temperature of the fuel cell stack within the predetermined limit. The fuel cell system with afore explained configuration generates electricity by the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen as fuel and oxygen in the air, and exhausts heat and water as reaction by-products. The by-products will be either directly sent to atmosphere, or collected in the collection chamber and disposed to the atmosphere after treating with some chemicals.

It is important to note that, the fuel cell systems require humid air to facilitate the chemical reaction. The reactants in the fuel cell are humidified to keep polymer membrane wet and saturated with the water for sustained ionic conductivity.

Conventionally humidification systems are used to humidify the air before supplying the air to the fuel cell stack for the reaction. Some conventional humidification systems used for humidifying the air comprises of dosing pump provided for supplying water to a nozzle placed inside the air inlet port of the humidification system. The nozzle sprinkles the water onto the air flowing through the air inlet port for humidification. Since, the water is sprinkled onto the air there will be no proper mixture of air and water, hence the proper humidification will not be possible with such conventional system. Further, there will be a pressure drop in the conventional humidification system because the water is directly sprinkled on the air, which will not be feasible for fuel cell stack working. In addition, in the conventional humidification systems the humidified air was supplied onto the heat exchanger through an external source such as pumps, motors etc. This, leads to requirement of additional components in the system, and also increases the cost and size of the system.

In light of forgoing discussion, it is necessary to develop an effective air humidification system for fuel cell stack to overcome the limitations stated above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure there is provided an air humidification system of a fuel cell system. The air humidification system comprises a filter unit for humidifying air. The filter unit comprises an air intake manifold fluidly connectable to an air compressor of the fuel cell stack for supplying the air from the air compressor to the filter unit, and at least one water dispensing tube fluidly connectable to a dosing pump is provisioned inside the filter unit for humidifying the air, wherein a porous matrix sheet is wrapped around the at least one water dispensing tube for holding water. Further, at least one heat exchanger positioned below the filter unit, wherein the at least one heat exchanger receives the humidified air from the filter unit and conditions the humidified air by at least one act of cooling and heating the humidified air.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the system comprises an outlet unit positioned below the at least one heat exchanger for receiving a condition humidified air from the at least one heat exchanger, wherein the outlet unit is fluidly connectable to the fuel cell stack.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the system comprises at least one humidity sensor and at least one temperatures sensor at an outlet passage of the outlet unit. The at least one humidity sensor and the at least one temperatures sensor are interfaced with a control unit.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the dosing pump is interfaced with a control unit, and configured to regulate the flow of water through the at least one water dispensing tube depending on an output value received from at least one humidity sensor.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the heat exchanger is aluminum fin type core heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is fluidly connected to a heating source and a cooling source. Further, the heat exchanger is interfaced with a control unit, and configured to act as at least one of heat sink and the heat source depending on an output value received from at least one temperature sensor.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the humidified air flows from the filter unit to the heat exchanger due to gravity.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the porous matrix sheet is selected from at least one of glass fiber matrix, and polypropylene, polytetrafluroethylene.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the outlet unit comprises at least one collection chamber for collecting water particles.

In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure there is provided a method for humidifying air by an air humidification system of a fuel cell stack. The method comprising acts of supplying water through at least one water dispensing tube provisioned inside a filter unit, wherein a porous matrix sheet is wrapped around the at least one water dispensing tube for holding water when the water dispensing tube supplies the water on to the porous matrix sheet. Then, supplying air from an air compressor to the filter unit though the air inlet manifold for humidifying the air, and channelizing the humidified air to an at least one heat exchanger to condition the humidified air by at least one act of cooling and heating the humidified air.

In an embodiment of the disclosure the method comprises act of measuring humidity and temperature of the humidified air after conditioned, by an at least one humidity sensor and at least one temperatures sensor.

In an embodiment of the disclosure the method comprises act of regulating the flow of water from a dosing pump to the at least one water dispensing tube by a control unit depending on an output value received from at least one humidity sensor. Also, the method comprises act of configuring the heat exchanger to act as at least one of heat sink and the heat source depending on an output value received from at least one temperature sensor.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

OBJECTIVES OF THE DISCLOSURE

One object of the present disclosure is to provide an air humidification system.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an air humidification system for a fuel cell stack which has a glass fiber matrix wrapped around the water dispensing tube for better humidification of air.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an air humidification system which has a fin type aluminum core heat exchanger which acts as at least one of heat sink and heat source depending on output value from the temperature sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of fuel cell system according to an embodiment of present disclosure.

FIG. 2a illustrates a perspective view of an air humidification system for the fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2b illustrates sectional perspective view of the filter unit of the air humidification system of FIG. 2a.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the porous matrix and dosing pump of the filter unit of the air humidification system of FIG. 2a.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

To overcome one or more drawbacks mentioned in the background, the present disclosure provide an effective and compact air humidification system for use in applications such as but not limiting to fuel cell power system. The air humidification system comprises of filter unit having an air inlet manifold for receiving air from the air pressurizing source such as but not limiting to air compressor. The filter unit accommodates one or more water dispensing tubes connectable to water supply source such as pump. The water dispensing tubes are wrapped/surrounded with a porous matrix sheet which holds the water when the water dispensing tube sprinkles the water. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the pump is controlled by a control unit to supply the water based on the requirement. Further, the humidification system comprises at least one heat exchanger which is provisioned below the filter unit for conditioning the humidified air based on the requirement. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the heat exchanger is aluminum fin type core heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is fluidly connected to a cooling and heating circuit, and the heat exchanger is controlled by a control unit to act as at least one of the heat sink and heat source to either cool or heat the humidified air based on the requirement. Further, the humidification system is provided with an outlet unit which is placed below the heat exchanger to receive the conditioned humidified air from the heat exchanger. The outlet unit is fluidly connectable to the fuel cell stack to supply the conditioned humidified air. In an embodiment of the disclosure, at least one temperature and humidity sensors are provided in the humidification system to measure the temperature and humidity of the conditioned humidified air, and control the temperature and humidity based on the preset values.

During operation, when the hot air from air compressor through the intake manifold the air makes contact with the porous glass matrix which holds the water. The porous glass matrix is optimized for reducing the velocity of air in the porous matrix, effective humidification and cooling the hot air. The porous matrix facilitates better interaction of water with hot air by enhancing the contact surface area. Water in the porous matrix is controlled by feedback based controller which activates the water dosing pump in the event of humidity of air dropping down less than set value. As the water evaporation is endothermic, temperature of the air drops down. The humidified air then enters the heat exchanger due to gravity. The heat exchanger is controlled by a feedback based controller, and acts either as heat sink or as heat source to condition the air. Then, the conditioned air is allowed to pass to the fuel cell stack through the outlet for reaction.

Henceforth, the present disclosure is explained with the help of one or more exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. However, such exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. A person skilled in the art can envisage various such embodiments without deviating from scope of the present disclosure. Further, in the foregoing description, the humidification system is explained with an example of fuel cell system. However, one should not consider the same as limitation to the present disclosure. The humidification system can be used in any other suitable applications apart from the fuel cell system.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment which illustrates a schematic diagram of a fuel cell system (100). The fuel cell system (100) consist of major components such as air compressor (101), dosing pump (102), humidification system (200) comprising a filter unit (202), and heat exchanger (203), controller (not shown) and the stack (103). The air is supplied to an air compressor (101) through an air inlet. The air compressor (101) compresses the air which increases the pressure and temperature of the air. The hot air is allowed to pass through the air inlet manifold (201) of the humidification system (200) for humidifying the air. The humidification system (200) humidifies the reactants in the fuel cell to keep polymer membrane of the fuel cell system (103) wet and saturated with the water for sustained ionic conductivity. The air inlet manifold (201) is connected to a filter unit (202) which comprises of a water dispensing tube (202a) which is wrapped with a porous matrix sheet (202b). The water dispensing tube (202a) is fluidly connectable to the dosing pump (102) which supplies water to the filter unit for humidification. The porous matrix sheet (202b) which is wrapped around the dispensing tube (202a) holds the water, and facilitates better interaction of water with air supplied through the intake manifold (201) by enhancing the contact surface area. Water in the porous matrix is controlled by feedback based controller (not shown) which activates the water dosing pump (102) in the event of humidity of air dropping down less than set value. The humidified air from the filter unit (202) will pass to the heat exchanger (203) due to gravity. The heat exchanger (203) is controlled by a control unit (208), and is configured to condition the humidified air by acting either as heat sink or as heat source. Then, the conditioned air is allowed to pass to the fuel cell stack (103) through the outlet. After using in the fuel cell system (103) the air is passed though the water condenser (104) which trap the water particles form the air and then pure air is allowed to the atmosphere.

FIG. 2a is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure illustrating a perspective view of the humidification system (200). The humidification system (200) comprises an air intake manifold (201) fluidly connectable to a source to receive air. In this example the air intake manifold (201) is configured to receive the air from an air compressor (101). The air intake manifold (201) will be connected to a filter unit (202) [shown in FIG. 2b] of the humidification system (200). The air intake manifold (201) passes the air to the filter unit (202) for humidification. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the air intake manifold is configured as integral part of the filter unit (202). Further, the air intake manifold (201) is equipped with an air flow diverter (201a) to facilitate effective flow of air from the air source into the filter unit (202). In an embodiment of the disclosure, the shape of the air flow diverter (201a) is selected based on the requirement in the humidification system (200), and foe example the shape is at least one of semicircular such that there are no sharp boundaries in the outer circumference of the air flow diverter. The filter unit (202) is a box like structure configured in a predetermined shape including but not limiting to square, rectangular, circular, triangular and the like. The filter unit (202) encloses one or more water dispensing tubes (202a) for supplying the water for humidification. The one or more water dispensing tubes (202a) are configured as filter cores and are adapted to receive water from a dosing pump (102) through tubes. In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the filter unit (202) comprises a pair of water dispensing tubes (202a). As shown in FIG. 2a the water dispensing tubes (202a) are juxtaposed between two walls of the filter unit (202), wherein one end of each of the water dispending tube (202a) is provisioned with the intake tube for fluid communication with the dosing pump (102). Further, the water dispensing tubes (202a) are wrapped with a porous matrix mesh/sheet (202b) for holding the water [shown in FIG. 3]. The porous matrix sheet (202b) facilitates better interaction of water with air by enhancing contact surface. In an embodiment, the porous matrix sheet (202b) is made of material selected from at least one of but not limiting to glass fiber, polypropylene, and polytetrafluroethylene.

The air humidification system (200) further comprises at least one heat exchanger (203) provisioned below the filter unit (202). The heat exchanger (203) and the filter unit (202) are connected to each other by at least one mechanism including but not limiting to snap fit, fastening and flaring. Further, at least one sealing element is provisioned in between the heat exchanger (203) and the filter unit (202) to form a leak proof joint between the heat exchanger (203) and the filter unit (202). In an embodiment of the disclosure, the sealing element is polymeric gasket. The air after trapping the water particles in the filter unit (202) will be passed on to the heat exchanger unit (203) due to gravity. As the heat exchanger unit (203) is positioned below the filter unit (202), it receives the air mixed with the water by gravity. In an embodiment of present disclosure, the heat exchanger (203) is aluminum fin type core heat exchanger. The heat exchanger unit (203) comprises a pair of conduits (203a and 203b), wherein one of the pair of conduit is fluidly connected to a heating source and cooling source for receiving the hot or cold fluid respectively, whereas the other one is configured as outlet of the hot or cold fluid. The heat exchanger (203) is interfaced with the control unit (208), and is configured to act as heat sink or heat source based on the requirement. When the humidified air is passed onto the heat exchanger (203) the humidified air may be either cooled by passing a coolant on the fins of the heat exchanger or may be heated by passing hot air onto the fins of the heat exchanger (203). The heating and cooling of the humidified air is done to condition the air based on the requirement in the fuel cell stack (103).

The humidification system (200) further includes an outlet unit (204) connected below the heat exchanger unit (203). The outlet unit (204) is configured to receive the conditioned humidified air from the heat exchanger (203). The outlet unit (204) comprises an outlet passage (205) to supply the conditioned humidifier air to next stage. In this example outlet passage (205) is connectable to a fuel cell stack (103) for supplying the conditioned humidified air into the fuel cell stack (103) for reaction. Further, at least one collection chamber (204a) is provided below the outlet passage (205) for collecting the water particles which gets separated from the conditioned humidified air.

The humidification system (200) further comprises one or more sensors (206) are provided in the outlet passage for determining the humidity of air. The sensors (206) are interfaced with a control unit (208) for maintaining the required humidity. The control unit (208) is interfaced with the dosing pump (102), and controls the water flow into the water dispensing tube (202a) by regulating the water dosing pump (103) in the event of humidity of air dropping down less than set value. Further, at least one temperature sensor (207) is provided in the outlet passage (205) to measure the temperature of the humidified air passing though the outlet passage (205). The temperature sensor (207) is interfaced with the control unit (208) which is adapted to regulate the heat exchanger (203) either as heat sink or heat source based on the outlet temperature of the humidified air, to maintain the temperature of air closer to a fixed value. For example the fixed value could be the fuel cell stack (103) operating temperature. In an embodiment, the temperature sensor (207) is at least one of but not limiting to thermocouple, thermistor, etc.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the filter unit (202), heat exchanger unit (203) and the outlet unit (204) are configured in a shape such as but not limiting to rectangular, square, and circular. Further, the filter unit (202), heat exchanger unit and the outlet unit are sealingly connected to one another by any joining process such as but not limiting to fitting, metal joining, and fastening.

Advantages:

The present disclosure provides an air humidification system which humidifies the air with no pressure drop across the air inlet manifold. The air humidification system can be used in fuel cell system, and it improves overall the efficiency of the fuel cell system.

The present disclosure provides an air humidification system of a fuel cell stack which has a porous glass fiber matrix wrapped around the water dispensing tube for better humidification of air. Hence, it improves the humidity of the air.

The present disclosure provides an air humidification system of a fuel cell stack which has a fin type aluminum heat exchanger which acts as heat sink or heat source depending on inlet condition of air. Hence, uniform temperature of the humidified of the air throughout operation of the fuel cell system.

The present disclosure provides an air humidification system of a fuel cell stack which is compact and yet effective.

Equivalents:

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:
Reference number Description
100 Fuel cell system
101 Air compressor
102 Dosing pump
103 Fuel cell stack
104 Water condenser
200 Humidification system
201 Inlet manifold
201a Air flow diverter
202 Filter unit
202a Water dispensing tubes
202b Porous matrix sheet
203 Heat exchanger
203a and 203b Conduits
204 Outlet unit
204a Collection chamber
205 Outlet passage
206 Humidity sensor
207 Temperature sensor
208 Control unit
,CLAIMS:1. An air humidification system (200) for a fuel cell stack (103), comprising:
a filter unit (202) for humidifying air, wherein the filter unit (202) comprising:
an air intake manifold (201) fluidly connectable to an air compressor (101) of the fuel cell stack (103) for supplying the air from the air compressor (101) to the filter unit (202); and
at least one water dispensing tube (202a) fluidly connectable to a dosing pump (102) is provisioned inside the filter unit (202) for humidifying the air, wherein a porous matrix sheet (202b) is wrapped around the at least one water dispensing tube (202a) for holding water; and
at least one heat exchanger (203) positioned below the filter unit (202), wherein the at least one heat exchanger (203) receives the humidified air from the filter unit (202) and conditions the humidified air by at least one act of cooling and heating the humidified air.

2. The air humidification system (200) as claimed in claim 1 comprises an outlet unit (204) positioned below the at least one heat exchanger (203) for receiving a condition humidified air from the at least one heat exchanger (203), wherein the outlet unit (204) is fluidly connectable to the fuel cell stack (103).

3. The air humidification system (200) as claimed in claim 2 comprises at least one humidity sensor (206) and at least one temperatures sensor (207) at an outlet passage of the outlet unit (204).

4. The air humidification system (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one humidity sensor (206) and the at least one temperatures sensor (207) are interfaced with a control unit (208).

5. The air humidification system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dosing pump (102) is interfaced with a control unit (208), and configured to regulate the flow of water through the at least one water dispensing tube (202a) depending on an output value received from at least one humidity sensor (206).

6. The air humidification (200) system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger (203) is aluminum fin type core heat exchanger (203).

7. The air humidification system (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger (203) is fluidly connected to a heating source and a cooling source.

8. The air humidification system (200) as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger (203) is interfaced with a control unit (208), and configured to act as at least one of heat sink and the heat source depending on an output value received from at least one temperature sensor (207).

9. The air humidification system as claimed in the claim 1, wherein the humidified air flows from the filter unit (202) to the heat exchanger (203) due to gravity.

10. The air humidification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the porous matrix sheet (202a) is selected from at least one of glass fiber matrix, and polypropylene, polytetrafluroethylene.

11. The air humidification system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outlet unit (204) comprises at least one collection chamber (204a) for collecting water particles.

12. A method for humidifying air by an air humidification system (200) of a fuel cell stack, said method comprising acts of:
supplying water through at least one water dispensing tube (202a) provisioned inside a filter unit (202), wherein a porous matrix sheet (202b) is wrapped around the at least one water dispensing tube (202a) for holding water when the water dispensing tube supplies the water on to the porous matrix sheet (202b);
supplying air from an air compressor (101) to the filter unit (202) though the air inlet manifold (201) for humidifying the air; and
channelizing the humidified air to an at least one heat exchanger (203) to condition the humidified air by at least one act of cooling and heating the humidified air.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12 comprises act of measuring humidity and temperature of the humidified air after conditioned, by an at least one humidity sensor (206) and at least one temperatures sensor (207).

14. The method as claimed in claim 12 comprises act of regulating the flow of water from a dosing pump (102) to the at least one water dispensing tube (202a) by a control unit (208) depending on an output value received from at least one humidity sensor (206).

15. The method as claimed in claim 12 comprises act of configuring the heat exchanger (203) to act as at least one of heat sink and the heat source depending on an output value received from at least one temperature sensor (207).

16. A vehicle comprising an air humidification system of a fuel cell stack as claimed in claim 1.