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Porous flow field plate for moisture distribution control in a fuel cell

A fuel cell and flow field plate technology, which is applied to fuel cell components, fuel cells, fuel cell additives, etc., can solve problems such as limited temperature range, external water loop, and size increase

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-04-06
INT FUEL CELLS
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Disadvantages of perforated plates include increased size (since they are thicker than metal), limited temperature range, and they can absorb reactive gases
A disadvantage associated with traditional wetting techniques is that they require an external water loop
Adequate wetting is more difficult to achieve when solid (i.e. non-porous) flow field plates are used

Method used

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  • Porous flow field plate for moisture distribution control in a fuel cell
  • Porous flow field plate for moisture distribution control in a fuel cell
  • Porous flow field plate for moisture distribution control in a fuel cell

Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0010] figure 1 with 2 An exemplary flow field plate 20 for use in a fuel cell is shown schematically. A plurality of flow channels are provided on the body 22 of the flow field plate 20 . In this example, body 22 is porous and wettable.

[0011] In the example shown, a plurality of flow channels 24 , 26 , 28 and 30 are provided on the plate body 22 . The first flow channel 24 has an inlet portion 32 and an outlet portion 34 . The first flow channel 24 also includes an intermediate portion 36 between the inlet portion 32 and the outlet portion 34 .

[0012] Similarly, the second flow channel 26 has an inlet portion 42 , an outlet portion 44 and an intermediate portion 46 .

[0013] as from figure 1 As can be appreciated in , fluid flowing as schematically shown by arrows 48 follows a tortuous path through plate body 22 . Fluid flowing within the inlet portion of the flow path is at a higher pressure than fluid flowing through the outlet portion. The fluid (such as fuel...

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PUM

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Abstract

A flow field plate for use in a fuel cell includes a porous, wettable plate body. A plurality of flow channels are arranged on the body such that an inlet portion of a first flow channel is adjacent an outlet portion of a second flow channel. Moisture from a fluid in the outlet portion of the second flow channel can move through the body of the porous, wettable plate from the outlet portion of the second flow channel toward the adjacent inlet portion of the first flow channel.

Description

Background technique [0001] Fuel cells use electrochemical reactions to generate electrical power. The reactant flow field plate includes channels for directing reactants such as fuel and air within the fuel cell. The flow field plate includes channels for directing reactants so that the reactants are available at the catalyst layer of the membrane assembly in the fuel cell. [0002] Conventional flow plates include straight channels through the flow plate. A plurality of such channels are arranged parallel to each other. [0003] One challenge associated with maintaining good fuel cell performance is adequate humidity of the air and fuel carried within the channels of the flow plates. One technique for wetting the reactants within a fuel cell involves the use of a porous water transfer plate to circulate water within the fuel cell assembly. Disadvantages of perforated plates include increased size (since they are thicker than metal), limited temperature range, and they ca...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): H01M8/02H01M8/06H01M8/04
CPCY02E60/50H01M8/023H01M8/04291H01M8/1002H01M8/0263H01M8/0662H01M8/1007
Inventor R·M·达林
Owner INT FUEL CELLS