Fuel cell and corresponding manufacturing method
By using the tape layer of the sealing material and the direct contact line in the fuel cell, a sealing structure with suitable thickness is formed, and the insufficient thickness and compactness of the sealing joint in the prior art are solved. Problem, efficient fluid sealing effect is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202080062415.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-08-05
- Filing Date
- 2020-08-03
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-10
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-08-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing fuel cells are difficult to form sealing joints with thicknesses of less than 0.25 mm, and compact sealing structures are required in motor vehicle applications to reduce fluid losses, especially the accumulated gaps of seals on both sides of the MEA are typically between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm. .
A tape layer using sealing material is deposited between the membrane electrode assembly and the bipolar plate, isolates from the fluid through direct contact lines, forming a tape layer of sealing material that is thick enough to surround the anode or cathode volume, and compensates for the bipolar plate by compression deformation. Inhomogeneity and surface defects reduce the thickness of the seal.
A compact and effective sealing structure is achieved in the fuel cell, reducing fluid loss, reducing component count of seals, and ensuring high sealing through deformation.
Smart Images
Figure CN114342130B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] Generally speaking, the present invention relates to sealing of fuel cells. Background Art
[0002] A fuel cell typically consists of:
[0003] - a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies, each membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode and a cathode;
[0004] -Multiple bipolar plates.
[0005] The membrane electrode assembly and the bipolar plates are stacked so that each membrane electrode assembly is disposed between two bipolar plates, an anode volume for allowing the anode fluid to circulate is defined between the anode and one of the two bipolar plates, and a cathode volume for allowing the cathode fluid to circulate is defined between the cathode and the other of the two bipolar plates.
[0006] It is necessary to form a seal around the anode volume and around the cathode volume to avoid fluid losses.
[0007] Seals can be formed on both sides of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). These seals are formed by depositing a tape layer of sealing material onto the MEA or bipolar plates.
[0008] This solution does not allow reliable formation of joints with a thickness of less than 0.25 mm.
[0009] Furthermore, fuel cells, especially those intended for deployment in motor vehicles, must be very compact. In some cases, the cumulative gap of the two seals on either side of each MEA is typically between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.
[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a fuel cell that is compact in height and has a good seal around the anode volume and cathode volume. Summary of the invention
[0011] To this end, in a first aspect, the present invention relates to a fuel cell comprising:
[0012] - a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies, each membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode and a cathode;
[0013] -Multiple bipolar plates;
[0014] wherein the membrane electrode assembly and the bipolar plates are stacked such that each membrane electrode assembly is disposed between two bipolar plates, wherein an anode volume for allowing an anode fluid to flow is defined between the anode and one of the two bipolar plates, and a cathode volume for allowing a cathode fluid to flow is defined between the cathode and the other of the two bipolar plates;
[0015] wherein one of the anode volume and the cathode volume is sealed by a tape layer of a sealing material, wherein the sealing material is in direct contact with the membrane electrode assembly and the corresponding bipolar plate;
[0016] The other of the anode volume and the cathode volume is sealed from the fluid flowing in the volume by a direct contact line between the membrane electrode assembly and the corresponding bipolar plate.
[0017] Since the anode volume or the cathode volume is sealed off from the fluid circulating in the volume by the direct contact line between the membrane electrode assembly and the corresponding bipolar plate, it is possible to form a sufficiently thick tape layer of sealing material to surround the other volume.
[0018] The thickness of the joint is sufficient to compensate for any inhomogeneities of the bipolar plate. The seal between the bipolar plate and the joint is ensured by the deformation of the joint when the bipolar plate and the joint are compressed in the fuel cell, which compensates for the inhomogeneities of the bipolar plate relative to the joint. The seal between the bipolar plate and the MEA (in direct contact with the metal) is ensured by the deformation of the plastic reinforcement of the MEA, which compensates for surface defects of the ribs of the plate facing the MEA.
[0019] The tape layer may be formed using deposition techniques known in the art.
[0020] In the case of the above example, the cumulative gap of the seals on both sides of each MEA is 0.3 mm. The thickness of the seal on one side of the MEA, at the level of the direct contact line, is equal to zero. Therefore, the thickness of the tape layer of sealing material can reach 0.3 mm. This tape layer can be obtained, for example, by injection molding.
[0021] Additionally, the fuel cell comprises one less component, namely the seal which is replaced by a direct contact line.
[0022] The fuel cell may also have one or more of the following features, one or more of which may be used alone or in any technically possible combination:
[0023] - The sealing material is silicone, EPDM or thermoplastic, such as polypropylene-EPDM composite;
[0024] - the thickness of the tape layer of sealing material is between 0.25 mm and 0.75 mm;
[0025] - the membrane electrode assembly has a peripheral frame made of plastic material surrounding the active area, wherein the corresponding bipolar plates are in direct contact with the peripheral frame;
[0026] - The membrane electrode assembly is in direct contact with the metal area of the bipolar plate;
[0027] - The membrane electrode assembly is in direct contact with the textured area of the bipolar plate;
[0028] - each bipolar plate has an outer edge, followed by a portion of the tape layer of sealing material;
[0029] - each bipolar plate has an outer edge, and a portion of the contact line follows the outer edge;
[0030] - Each bipolar plate comprises an inlet for an anode fluid, an inlet for a cathode fluid, an outlet for an anode fluid and an outlet for a cathode fluid, wherein a tape layer and / or a direct contact line of sealing material extends around one or more of the inlets / outlets.
[0031] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a fuel cell, the method comprising the steps of:
[0032] - obtaining a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies, each membrane electrode assembly comprising an anode and a cathode;
[0033] - obtain a plurality of bipolar plates;
[0034] - stacking the membrane electrode assemblies and the bipolar plates such that each membrane electrode assembly is disposed between two bipolar plates, wherein an anode volume for circulation of an anode fluid is defined between the anode and one of the two bipolar plates, and a cathode volume for circulation of a cathode fluid is defined between the cathode and the other of the two bipolar plates;
[0035] - for each membrane electrode assembly: depositing a tape layer of sealing material on one of the anode volume and the cathode volume and between the membrane electrode assembly and the corresponding bipolar plate;
[0036] - compressing the stack, wherein one of the anode volume and the cathode volume is sealed by a sealing material which is in direct contact with the membrane electrode assembly and the corresponding bipolar plate;
[0037] Therein, the other of the anode volume and the cathode volume is sealed off from a fluid flowing in the volume by arranging the membrane electrode assembly in direct contact with the corresponding bipolar plate along a direct contact line. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description which is given by way of example only and which refers to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0039] - Figure 1 is a simplified exploded schematic diagram of a portion of a fuel cell according to the present invention;
[0040] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1an enlarged perspective view of a detail of a fuel cell of , showing a seal provided by a tape layer of sealing material between the MEA and one of the bipolar plates and a contact line between the MEA and the other bipolar plate; and
[0041] - Figure 3 is similar to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 of the view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] Figure 1 The partially shown fuel cell 1 comprises a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies 3 , each of which has an active region 4 with an anode 5 and a cathode 7 , and a plurality of bipolar plates 9 .
[0043] Each membrane electrode assembly 3 (hereinafter referred to as MEA) further includes a membrane (not shown) between an anode 5 and a cathode 7. Therefore, the anode 5 and the cathode 7 constitute two opposing outer surfaces of the MEA 3.
[0044] The membrane electrode assembly 3 furthermore has a peripheral frame 10 made of a plastic material surrounding the active region 4 .
[0045] Typically, the fuel cell is a proton exchange membrane fuel cell or a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell.
[0046] The membrane electrode assemblies 3 and the bipolar plates 9 are stacked such that each membrane electrode assembly 3 is arranged between two bipolar plates 9 .
[0047] An anode volume 11 for circulation of an anode fluid is defined between the anode 5 and one of the two bipolar plates 9 , and a cathode volume 13 for circulation of a cathode fluid is defined between the cathode 7 and the other of the two bipolar plates 9 .
[0048] The anode fluid is typically hydrogen.
[0049] The cathode fluid typically includes oxygen. For example, the cathode fluid is air.
[0050] Each bipolar plate 9 is arranged between two MEAs 3 and defines an anode volume 11 of one of the two MEAs and a cathode volume 113 of the other MEA 3. Typically, each bipolar plate has flow channels for an anode fluid (not shown) on a surface defining the anode volume 11 and has flow channels for a cathode fluid (not shown) on a surface defining the cathode volume 13.
[0051] For example, each bipolar plate 9 is composed of two conductive sheets assembled together. The two conductive sheets are made of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, nickel or tantalum alloy or any other suitable material.
[0052] Advantageously, channels for circulating the coolant are arranged between two sheets (not shown).
[0053] The operation of the proton exchanger fuel cell 1 will be briefly discussed below.
[0054] The anode fluid flows in the anode volume 11 and the cathode fluid flows in the cathode volume 13 .
[0055] At the anode 5, dihydrogen is ionized to generate protons that pass through the MEA 3. Electrons generated by this reaction are collected by the bipolar plate 9 on one side of the anode 5. Then, the generated electrons are applied to an electrical load connected to the fuel cell 1 to form an electric current.
[0056] At the cathode, oxygen is reduced and reacts with protons to form water. The reactions at the anode and cathode are as follows:
[0057] Anode: H2-->2H + +2e -
[0058] Cathode: 4H + +4e - +O2-->2H2O
[0059] During operation of the fuel cell, a cellule of the fuel cell typically generates a continuous voltage between the anode and the cathode of approximately 1 V. The cellule corresponds to an MEA 3 stacked between two bipolar plates 9 .
[0060] One of the anode volume 11 and the cathode volume 13 is sealed by a tape layer 15 of sealing material.
[0061] In other words, the fluid circulating in the anode volume 11 or the cathode volume 13 is sealed by the tape layer 15 .
[0062] The sealing material is in direct contact with the membrane electrode assembly 3 and the corresponding bipolar plate 9 .
[0063] The tape layer 15 usually consists only of the sealing material and no other components.
[0064] Advantageously, the sealing material is silicone, EPDM or a thermoplastic, such as a polypropylene-EPDM composite.
[0065] The thickness of the tape layer 15 of sealing material is between 0.25 mm and 0.75 mm, preferably between 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm. The thickness is measured in the stacking direction of the MEA and the bipolar plate in the fuel cell, and is given by Figure 1 As shown by arrow E in FIG.
[0066] The other of the anode volume 11 and the cathode volume 13 is sealed off from the fluid flowing in the volume by a direct contact line 17 between the membrane electrode assembly 3 and the corresponding bipolar plate.
[0067] In other words, the fluid circulating within the volume is sealed within the volume by direct contact along line 17 between the material forming the MEA 3 and the material forming the bipolar plates 9. This contact is close enough to seal in the fluid.
[0068] In the example shown, the anode volume 11 is surrounded by a direct contact line 15 and the cathode volume 13 is surrounded by a tape layer 15 of sealing material.
[0069] In a variant, the cathode volume 13 is surrounded by a direct contact line 15 and the anode volume 11 is surrounded by a tape layer 15 of sealing material.
[0070] Advantageously, the membrane electrode assembly 3 is in direct contact with the corresponding bipolar plate 9 along the line 17 via a peripheral frame 10 made of plastic material.
[0071] For example, the plastic material is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) or
[0072] The membrane electrode assembly 3 is in direct contact with the metal or graphite region of the bipolar plate 9 .
[0073] When the plastic material is pressed against the metal, it is relatively deformable, so that when the stack of bipolar plates 9 and MEA 3 is under pressure in the stacking direction E, a high degree of sealing can be provided.
[0074] The peripheral frame 10 completely surrounds the active area 4. The peripheral frame is applied to the membrane of the MEA 3, for example is overmoulded around the membrane.
[0075] Typically, the tape layer 15 of sealing material and the contact wire 17 are exactly superposed. The tape layer of sealing material and the contact wire have the same contour and are arranged at the same position relative to the MEA 3.
[0076] Each bipolar plate 9 has an outer edge 19 .
[0077] The outer edge 19 extends over the entire circumference of the bipolar plate 9 .
[0078] Each membrane electrode assembly 3 has a peripheral edge 21 .
[0079] The peripheral edge 21 extends over the entire circumference of the membrane electrode assembly 3 .
[0080] The MEA 3 and the bipolar plates 9 have substantially the same overall shape.
[0081] Typically, the peripheral edges 19 of the two bipolar plates 9 surrounding the same membrane electrode assembly 3 extend slightly outward beyond the peripheral edge 21 of the membrane electrode assembly ( Figure 2 ). The edge 21 is offset relative to the edges 19 of the two bipolar plates.
[0082] The tape layer 15 of sealing material comprises a portion 23 which follows the peripheral edge 21 of the membrane electrode assembly 3 .
[0083] The portion 23 follows the edge 21 over its entire periphery.
[0084] This portion is adjacent to the peripheral edge 21 .
[0085] This means that the portion is at a distance of less than 5 cm, preferably 3 cm, more preferably 1 cm.
[0086] Likewise, the contact line 17 comprises a portion 25 which follows the peripheral edge 21 of the membrane electrode assembly 3 .
[0087] The portion 25 follows the edge 21 over its entire periphery.
[0088] This portion is adjacent to the peripheral edge 21 .
[0089] This means that the portion is at a distance of less than 5 cm, preferably 3 cm, more preferably 1 cm.
[0090] The portions 23 and 25 seal the volumes 11 and 13 relative to the outside of the fuel cell 1 at their peripheries.
[0091] The portions 23 and 25 each have a closed contour.
[0092] Likewise, a portion 23 of the tape layer 15 of sealing material follows the outer edge 19 of each of the two bipolar plates 9 constituting the MEA 3 .
[0093] A portion 25 of the contact line 17 follows the outer edge 19 of the other bipolar plate 9 forming the MEA 3 .
[0094] The portions 23 and 25 follow the edge 19 over their entire respective periphery.
[0095] Both parts are immediately adjacent to the corresponding outer edge 19 .
[0096] This means that the two parts are at a distance of less than 7 cm, preferably 5 cm, more preferably 3 cm.
[0097] like Figure 1As shown, each bipolar plate 9 comprises an inlet 27 for anode fluid, an outlet 29 for cathode fluid, an outlet 30 for anode fluid and an inlet 33 for cathode fluid.
[0098] Each bipolar plate 9 also comprises an outlet 35 for the coolant and an inlet 37 for the coolant.
[0099] Likewise, each MEA 3 comprises an inlet 39 for anode fluid, an outlet 41 for cathode fluid, an inlet 43 for anode fluid and an outlet 45 for cathode fluid.
[0100] Each MEA 3 also comprises an inlet 47 for the coolant and an outlet 49 for the coolant.
[0101] The openings 39 to 49 are provided in the peripheral frame 10 , and are made of plastic.
[0102] The bipolar plates and openings of the MEA are stacked to form an anode fluid inlet manifold, a cathode fluid inlet manifold, an anode fluid exhaust manifold, and a cathode fluid exhaust manifold.
[0103] The overlapping openings also form a coolant inlet manifold and a coolant exhaust manifold.
[0104] The anode fluid flows through the anode volume 11 from the opening 27 to the opening 31. The cathode fluid flows through the cathode volume 13 from the opening 33 to the opening 29.
[0105] The coolant flows from the openings 37 to the openings 35 in the bipolar plate 9 .
[0106] The tape layer 15 and / or direct contact line 17 of sealing material extends around one or more of the openings, preferably around each of the openings.
[0107] More precisely, the tape layer 15 of sealing material and / or the direct contact line 17 comprises portions 50 each extending around one of the openings. These portions 50 have a closed contour or are connected to the portions 23 , 25 following the peripheral edge 21 of the membrane electrode assembly 3 .
[0108] Each portion 50 of the direct contact line 17 is in direct contact with the peripheral frame 10 and forms a seal for the fluid circulating through the corresponding opening.
[0109] like Figure 2 As shown, each bipolar plate 9 comprises a rib 51 protruding towards the adjacent MEA 3. Following the rib 51 are the tape layers 15 and / or the direct contact lines 17 of the sealing material 15.
[0110] More specifically, the tape layer 15 is interposed between the flat tape 53 forming the peaks of the rib 51 and the MEA 3 .
[0111] Likewise, direct contact line 17 will bring the flat strip 53 forming the peak of rib 51 into direct contact with MEA 3 .
[0112] As mentioned above, each bipolar plate 9 is generally composed of two metal sheets assembled together. Figure 2 Only one of the two metal sheets is shown in FIG. The bipolar plate 9 is arranged between the two MEAs 3 , having a first sheet facing the first MEA 3 and a second sheet facing the second MEA 3 .
[0113] The first metal sheet comprises a rib 51 protruding towards the first MEA 3. The rib is obtained by deforming the metal sheet and is hollow in the direction of the second metal sheet.
[0114] The second metal sheet comprises a rib 51 protruding towards the second MEA 3. The rib is obtained by deforming the metal sheet and is hollow in the direction of the first metal sheet.
[0115] In a variant, the tape layers 15 and / or the direct contact lines 17 are formed in a flat area of the bipolar plate 9 without ribs.
[0116] exist Figure 3 In one embodiment shown, the membrane electrode assembly 3 is in direct contact with the textured region 55 of the bipolar plate 9 along the direct contact line 17 .
[0117] This enables better sealing of the fluid circulating between the MEA 3 and the bipolar plate 9 .
[0118] In practice, the textured region 55 comprises protrusions 57 that protrude towards the MEA 3 and press into the MEA 3 .
[0119] The protrusions 57 are any suitable type of protrusions. For example, the protrusions are narrow ribs extending along the contact line 17. In other words, each narrow rib has the same contour as the contact line 17 and follows it.
[0120] For example, the textured area 55 includes two narrow ribs parallel to each other, or a surface texture that improves sealing.
[0121] Advantageously, the textured area 55 is provided on the flat strips 53 forming the peaks of the ribs 51 .
[0122] The invention also relates to a method for producing a fuel cell.
[0123] The fuel cell 1 described above is particularly suitable for production by the method according to the invention. Conversely, the method according to the invention is particularly suitable for production of the fuel cell 1 described above.
[0124] The method comprises the following steps:
[0125] - obtaining a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies 3, each membrane electrode assembly comprising an active area 4 having an anode 5 and a cathode 7;
[0126] - obtain a plurality of bipolar plates;
[0127] - The membrane electrode assembly 3 and the bipolar plates 9 are stacked so that each membrane electrode assembly 3 is arranged between two bipolar plates 9, wherein an anode volume 11 for allowing the anode fluid to circulate is defined between the anode 5 and one of the two bipolar plates 9, and a cathode volume 13 for allowing the cathode fluid to circulate is defined between the cathode 7 and the other of the two bipolar plates 9.
[0128] MEA3 is as described above.
[0129] The bipolar plate 9 is as described above.
[0130] A fuel cell generally includes tens to hundreds of MEAs and tens to hundreds of bipolar plates 9 .
[0131] The method further comprises the following steps:
[0132] for each membrane electrode assembly 3 , depositing a tape layer 15 of sealing material on one of the anode volume 11 and the cathode volume 13 and between the membrane electrode assembly 3 and the corresponding bipolar plate 9 ;
[0133] - compressing the stack, wherein one of the anode volume 11 and the cathode volume 13 is surrounded by a sealing material which is in direct contact with the membrane electrode assembly 3 and the corresponding bipolar plate 9;
[0134] The other of the anode volume 11 and the cathode volume 13 is sealed off from the fluid flowing in the volume by arranging the membrane electrode assembly 3 in direct contact with the corresponding bipolar plate 9 along a direct contact line 17 .
[0135] The sealing material is as described above.
[0136] For example, the deposition step is performed before the stacking step.
[0137] The tape layer 15 is deposited on the MEA 3 and the bipolar plate 9 .
[0138] The tape layer 15 is deposited by any suitable method. For example, the tape layer 15 is obtained by injection molding and then deposited on the MEA 3 or the bipolar plate 9. In one variant, the MEA 3 or the bipolar plate 9 is arranged in an injection mold, and the sealing material tape layer is injected or overmolded in a cavity of the mold in the shape of the tape layer 15. In another variant, the sealing material is extruded directly onto the MEA 3 or the bipolar plate 9 along the contour of the tape layer 15.
[0139] The profile of the tape layer 15 is as described above.
[0140] In with Figure 1 The compression is performed in a compression direction corresponding to the stacking direction E shown. This direction is approximately perpendicular to the MEA 3 and the bipolar plate 9 .
[0141] The compression force is typically between 10 KN and 30 KN, preferably between 20 KN and 25 KN.
[0142] The direct contact line 17 is as described above. The profile of the direct contact line is as described above
[0143] After the compression step, the bipolar plate 9 and the MEA 3 are kept compressed at substantially the same pressure by arranging fixing means such as anchors (not shown). Thus, the seal at the level of the anode volume 11 and the cathode volume 13 is maintained.
[0144] It should be noted that in the above described fuel cell, the tape layer 15 and direct contact line 17 are the outermost joints on the MEA 3 and the plate 9. The tape layer and direct contact line form a seal for the anode volume 11 and cathode volume 13 relative to the outside of the fuel cell.
[0145] Preferably, the fuel cell does not comprise any seals other than the tape layers 15 and the direct contact lines 17 between the MEA 3 and the plates 9 .
Claims
1. A fuel cell (1), wherein the fuel cell include: - a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies (3), each membrane electrode assembly comprising an active region (4) having an anode (5) and a cathode (7); - a plurality of bipolar plates (9); wherein the membrane electrode assembly (3) and the bipolar plates (9) are stacked so that each membrane electrode assembly (3) is arranged between two bipolar plates (9), wherein an anode volume (11) for allowing an anode fluid to circulate is defined between the anode (5) and one of the two bipolar plates (9), and wherein a cathode volume (13) for allowing a cathode fluid to circulate is defined between the cathode (7) and the other of the two bipolar plates (9), wherein one of the anode volume (11) and the cathode volume (13) is sealed by a tape layer (15) of sealing material, wherein the sealing material is in direct contact with the membrane electrode assembly (3) and the corresponding bipolar plate (9); wherein the other of the anode volume (11) and the cathode volume (13) is sealed from a fluid circulating in the volume by a direct contact line (17) between the membrane electrode assembly (3) and the corresponding bipolar plate (9); wherein the tape layer (15) of the sealing material and the contact line (17) are exactly overlapped; The membrane electrode assembly (3) is in direct contact with a textured area (55) of the bipolar plate (9), the textured area (55) comprising a protrusion (57) protruding toward the membrane electrode assembly (3) and pressed into the membrane electrode assembly (3), the protrusion (57) being a narrow rib extending along the contact line (17).
2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, in, The sealing material is silicone, EPDM or thermoplastic.
3. The fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, in, The thickness of the tape layer (15) of the sealing material is between 0.25 mm and 0.75 mm.
4. The fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, in, The membrane electrode assembly (3) has a peripheral frame (10) made of plastic material surrounding the active area (4), wherein the corresponding bipolar plate (9) is in direct contact with the peripheral frame (10).
5. The fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, in, The membrane electrode assembly (3) is in direct contact with the metal region of the bipolar plate (9).
6. The fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, in, Each bipolar plate (9) has an outer plate edge (19), wherein the portion (23) of the tape layer (15) of sealing material follows the outer plate edge (19).
7. The fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, in, Each bipolar plate (9) has an outer plate edge (19), wherein the portion (25) of the contact line (17) follows the outer plate edge (19).
8. The fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, in, Each bipolar plate (9) comprises an inlet (27) for an anode fluid, an inlet (29) for a cathode fluid, an outlet (31) for an anode fluid and an outlet (33) for a cathode fluid, wherein the tape layer (15) of sealing material and / or the direct contact line (17) extend around one or more of the inlet (27) for the anode fluid, the inlet (29) for the cathode fluid, the outlet (31) for the anode fluid and the outlet (33) for the cathode fluid.
9. A method for producing a fuel cell (1), in, The method comprises the following steps: - obtaining a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies (3), each membrane electrode assembly comprising an active region (4) having an anode (5) and a cathode (7); - obtaining a plurality of bipolar plates (9); - stacking the membrane electrode assembly (3) and the bipolar plates (9) such that each membrane electrode assembly (3) is arranged between two bipolar plates (9), wherein an anode volume (11) for circulating an anode fluid is defined between the anode (5) and one of the two bipolar plates (9), and wherein a cathode volume (13) for circulating a cathode fluid is defined between the cathode (7) and the other of the two bipolar plates (9), - for each membrane electrode assembly (3): depositing a tape layer (15) of sealing material on one of the anode volume (11) and the cathode volume (13) and between the membrane electrode assembly (3) and the corresponding bipolar plate (9); - compressing the stack, wherein one of the anode volume (11) and the cathode volume (13) is sealed by a sealing material, the sealing material being in direct contact with the membrane electrode assembly (3) and the corresponding bipolar plate (9); wherein the other of the anode volume (11) and the cathode volume (13) is sealed from a fluid flowing in the volume by arranging the membrane electrode assembly (3) in direct contact with the corresponding bipolar plate (9) along a direct contact line (17); wherein the tape layer (15) of the sealing material and the contact line (17) are exactly overlapped; The membrane electrode assembly (3) is in direct contact with a textured area (55) of the bipolar plate (9), the textured area (55) comprising a protrusion (57) protruding toward the membrane electrode assembly (3) and pressed into the membrane electrode assembly (3), the protrusion (57) being a narrow rib extending along the contact line (17).