A fuel cell visual testing device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a fuel cell visualization test device, which belongs to the field of fuel cell technology. The present invention includes a transparent end plate with a boss structure and a metal flow field plate with a hollow flow channel structure. The boss structure of the transparent end plate and the hollow flow channel structure of the metal flow field plate are combined to form a visualized fuel cell end plate and flow field structure; the surface of the transparent end plate is processed with a boss structure, and the introduction of the boss structure can effectively block the mutual flow of water between different flow channels, and can truly and accurately reflect the water distribution of the fuel cell. The present invention has the advantages of simple processing and manufacturing, low cost, high test accuracy, and high safety. It can display the water distribution and flow conditions of the fuel cell flow channel and MEA surface in real time online, and it can be extended to fuel cells with various flow field shapes and various active areas, and has good versatility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of fuel cells, and in particular relates to a fuel cell visual testing device. Background Art

[0002] Fuel cells are energy conversion devices that directly convert chemical energy stored in fuel and oxidant into electrical energy. They offer advantages such as high energy conversion efficiency, pollution-free products, and long service life, making them widely applicable in various fields, including transportation, stationary power plants, and mobile power sources. However, fuel cells currently face challenges such as high cost and short lifespan, which seriously hinder their large-scale commercialization. Water management, a key technology in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), has been widely studied. Optimizing water management can improve cell performance, thereby reducing costs, while also mitigating the degradation of key components such as carbon support, thereby extending cell lifespan. Therefore, water management plays a crucial role in improving battery performance and extending battery life. A visual fuel cell device, a low-cost, simple, and efficient means of studying water management, allows for real-time observation of water distribution and flow in the fuel cell flow path and on the membrane electrode surface. This holds great significance for optimizing fuel cell water management processes, developing key cell component structures, and further improving fuel cell performance. The Chinese patent with application number: 202120612938.4 and utility model name as Visual Fuel Cell Device discloses a visual fuel cell device: a hollow flow channel is directly combined with a transparent flat end plate to realize the visualization of the fuel cell flow channel, and image acquisition is realized by a high-speed camera. However, this device will deform due to the hollow flow channel. When it is in direct contact with the transparent flat end plate, water will flow in different flow channels. As the active area of ​​the fuel cell increases, this problem will be further aggravated, seriously affecting the actual distribution of water in the flow channel. The technical solution disclosed in the Chinese patent with application number: 201910740781.0 and invention name as Visual Fuel Cell Device also has the same problem as mentioned above. In order to meet the needs of commercialization, fuel cells with larger active areas are usually used. Therefore, it is very important to develop a visualization device that can accurately and truly measure the water distribution in the fuel cell and can be extended to fuel cells with large active areas. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a fuel cell visualization test device that effectively prevents water from flowing between different flow channels, accurately reflects the water distribution in the fuel cell, and improves test accuracy. Furthermore, the fuel cell visualization test device provided by the present invention is applicable to the visualization requirements of fuel cells with various active areas.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0005] A fuel cell visualization test device, comprising: a transparent end plate with a boss structure and a metal flow field plate with a hollow flow channel structure, wherein the boss structure is composed of several parallel flat plates, with a first gap provided between adjacent flat plates; the hollow flow channel structure is a plurality of parallel strip-shaped through holes provided on the metal flow field plate, wherein the strip-shaped through holes are provided corresponding to the flat plates, and the flat plates can be inserted into the strip-shaped through holes, so that the boss structure and the hollow flow channel structure can be combined to form a visualized fuel cell end plate and flow field structure;

[0006] The groove structure of the flow field structure is composed of the flat plate inserted into the strip-shaped through-holes, with the spaces between adjacent strip-shaped through-holes remaining unhollowed. The spine structure of the flow field structure is composed of the unhollowed structure. The visualized fuel cell end plate and flow field structure can serve independently as a fuel cell cathode end plate, flow field, and current collecting plate structure, or as a fuel cell anode end plate, flow field, and current collecting plate structure. It can also serve as both a fuel cell cathode and anode end plates, flow field, and current collecting plate structure, enabling real-time observation of water distribution on the surface of the fuel cell membrane electrode structure and within the flow channel structure.

[0007] Furthermore, the boss structure is vertically arranged on the surface of the transparent end plate, and the surface of the transparent end plate is also provided with a first sealing groove structure, which is arranged on the periphery of the boss structure. The height of the boss structure is 0 to 5 mm. The introduction of the boss structure can effectively block the mutual flow of water between different flow channels.

[0008] Furthermore, the transparent end plate is made of organic glass, polystyrene, polycarbonate or optical glass, and is made by machining or etching technology.

[0009] Furthermore, the edges of the transparent end plates are provided with first positioning holes and fixing holes. A baffle structure is disposed outside the fixing holes to protect the transparent end plates. The baffle structure effectively mitigates wear on the transparent end plates caused by the fastening bolts and reduces damage to the transparent end plates caused by uneven assembly force, thereby protecting the transparent end plates. The baffle structure is made of epoxy resin, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or rubber.

[0010] Furthermore, the depth of the hollow flow channel structure is equal to the sum of the depth of the flow channel to be used and the height of the boss structure, the width of the hollow flow channel structure is equal to the width of the flow channel to be used, and the width of the boss structure is 0.8 to 1.0 times the width of the hollow flow channel structure.

[0011] Furthermore, the metal flow field plate is also provided with a reaction gas inlet and outlet structure, a second sealing wire groove structure, and a second positioning hole structure. The reaction gas inlet and outlet structure is arranged on the side of the transparent end plate away from the boss structure. The reaction gas inlet and outlet structure is on the back side of the metal flow field plate in contact with the surface of the transparent end plate. This can avoid machining inlet and outlet holes on the surface of the transparent end plate, effectively protecting the visualization window of the transparent end plate; and can observe the water distribution at the inlet and outlet of the fuel cell, so as to maximize the observation area of ​​the visualization window; in addition, using the back side to enter and exit the reaction gas can effectively reduce the risk of battery leakage and improve the safety of the experiment. The air inlet sealant wire groove structure is on the front side of the metal flow field plate in contact with the membrane electrode structure of the fuel cell.

[0012] Furthermore, a current interface is provided on the metal flow field plate, which can be directly connected to an external load device, eliminating the use of a metal current collecting plate, further reducing the ohmic resistance of the battery, and allowing the battery to be tested at a higher current density.

[0013] Furthermore, the hollow flow channel structure is made by machining or etching technology, and the surface of the metal flow field plate is plated with a gold layer or a silver layer, which can reduce the contact resistance between the metal flow field plate and the membrane electrode structure.

[0014] Furthermore, the transparent end plate and the metal flow field plate as well as other components in the fuel cell visualization test device are sealed by a sealing member, which is a sealant or a sealing gasket.

[0015] Furthermore, it also includes: a high-speed camera with variable focal length, which is used to observe and record the visualization area of ​​the fuel cell visualization test device in real time.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0017] (1) The fuel cell visualization test device of the present invention can effectively prevent water from flowing between different flow channels by processing a boss structure on the surface of the transparent end plate, truly and accurately reflecting the water distribution of the fuel cell, thereby improving the accuracy of the test.

[0018] (2) The fuel cell visualization test device of the present invention processes the reaction gas inlet and outlet structures on the back side of the metal flow field plate that contacts the surface of the transparent end plate through the metal flow field plate, which can avoid processing the inlet and outlet holes on the surface of the transparent end plate, effectively protecting the transparent end plate and maximizing the observation area of ​​the visualization window; in addition, using the back side to enter and exit the reaction gas can effectively reduce the risk of battery leakage and improve the safety of the experiment.

[0019] (3) The fuel cell visualization test device of the present invention has the advantages of simple processing and manufacturing, low cost, etc., and can display the water distribution and flow conditions on the fuel cell flow channel and MEA (especially the diffusion layer) surface in real time online.

[0020] (4) The fuel cell visualization test device of the present invention can be applied to fuel cells with various flow field shapes and various active areas, and has good versatility. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a transparent end plate with a boss structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle boss.

[0023] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a metal flow field plate with a hollow flow channel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the back of a metal flow field plate with a hollow flow channel structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the baffle structure of the transparent end plate provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of fuel cell assembly using a fuel cell visualization test device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a diagram of measuring the water distribution at the anode of a fuel cell provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Description of the marks in the figure:

[0029] 1. Transparent end plate, 2. Boss structure, 3. First sealing wire trough structure, 4. First positioning hole structure, 5. Fixed hole structure, 6. Flat plate, 7. First gap, 8. Metal flow field plate, 9. Flow channel hollow structure, 10. Non-hollow structure, 11. Second sealing wire trough structure, 12. Second positioning hole structure, 13. Current interface, 14. Reaction gas inlet and outlet structure, 15. Baffle structure, 16. Fixed hole structure, 17. Membrane electrode structure, 18. Cathode graphite flow field structure, 19. Cathode current collecting plate, 20. Cathode end plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solutions of the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] refer to Figures 1 to 6The present invention protects a fuel cell visualization test device, which includes: a transparent end plate 1 with a boss structure 2 and a metal flow field plate 8 with a hollow flow channel structure 9. The boss structure 2 is composed of several parallel flat plates 6, which are all perpendicular to the transparent end plate 1. A first gap 7 is provided between adjacent flat plates 6. The hollow flow channel structure 9 is a plurality of parallel strip-shaped through holes opened on the metal flow field plate 8. The strip-shaped through holes are arranged corresponding to the flat plates 6. The flat plates 6 can be inserted into the strip-shaped through holes, so that the boss structure 2 can be combined with the hollow flow channel structure 9 to form a visualized fuel cell end plate and flow field structure.

[0032] The groove structure of the flow field structure is composed of a flat plate 6 inserted into strip-shaped through holes, and non-hollowed structures 10 are formed between adjacent strip-shaped through holes. The spine structure of the flow field structure is composed of non-hollowed structures 10.

[0033] The visualized fuel cell end plate and flow field structure in the present invention can be used alone as a fuel cell cathode end plate and flow field and current collecting plate structure or a fuel cell anode end plate and flow field and current collecting plate structure, or can be used simultaneously as a fuel cell cathode and anode end plates and flow field and current collecting plate structure, so as to realize real-time observation of the water distribution on the surface of the fuel cell membrane electrode structure and in the flow channel structure.

[0034] refer to Figure 1 In a specific embodiment, the boss structure 2 is vertically arranged on the surface of the transparent end plate 1. The surface of the transparent end plate 1 is also provided with a first sealing groove structure 3. The first sealing groove structure 3 is arranged on the periphery of the boss structure 2. The height of the boss structure 2 is 0 to 5 mm, and the width of the boss structure 2 is 0.8 to 1.0 times the width of the flow channel to be used. The flow channel to be used is a flow channel designed according to actual conditions, and is referred to as the flow channel to be used throughout the text.

[0035] In a specific embodiment, the material of the transparent end plate 1 is selected from one of organic glass, polystyrene, polycarbonate and optical glass.

[0036] refer to Figure 1 In a specific embodiment, a first positioning hole structure 4 and a fixing hole structure 5 are provided at the edge of the transparent end plate 1, and a baffle structure 15 is provided on the outside of the fixing hole structure 5. The baffle structure 15 can protect the transparent end plate 1; the material of the baffle structure 15 is selected from one of epoxy resin, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride and rubber.

[0037] refer to Figure 1 In a specific embodiment, the depth of the hollow flow channel structure 9, that is, the thickness of the metal flow field plate 8, is equal to the sum of the depth of the flow channel to be used and the height of the boss structure 2, and the width of the hollow flow channel structure 9 is equal to the width of the flow channel to be used.

[0038] refer to Figures 3-4 In a specific embodiment, the metal flow field plate 8 is further provided with a reaction gas inlet and outlet structure 14, a second sealing wire groove structure 11 and a second positioning hole structure 12. The reaction gas inlet and outlet structure 14 is arranged on the side of the transparent end plate 1 away from the boss structure 2.

[0039] refer to Figure 1 In a specific embodiment, the metal flow field plate 8 is provided with a protrusion, and a current interface 13 is provided on the protrusion. The current interface 13 can be directly connected to an external load device.

[0040] refer to Figure 3 In a specific embodiment, the hollow flow channel structure 9 is made by machining or etching technology, and the surface of the metal flow field plate 8 is plated with gold or silver, which can reduce the contact resistance between the metal flow field plate 8 and the membrane electrode structure.

[0041] In a specific embodiment, the transparent end plate 1 and the metal flow field plate 8 as well as other components in the fuel cell visualization test device are sealed by a sealing member, which is a sealant or a sealing gasket.

[0042] In a specific embodiment, a high-speed camera with variable focal length is further included to observe and record the visualization area of ​​the fuel cell visualization test device in real time.

[0043] The following are examples.

[0044] Example 1

[0045] An embodiment of the present invention provides a fuel cell visualization test device including: a transparent end plate 1 with a boss structure and a metal flow field plate 8 with a hollow flow channel structure 9. The boss structure 2 of the transparent end plate 1 and the hollow flow channel structure 9 of the metal flow field plate 8 are combined to form a visualized fuel cell end plate and flow field structure. The groove structure of the flow field structure is composed of the boss structure 2 of the transparent end plate 1 and the hollow flow channel structure 9 of the metal flow field plate 8. The spine structure of the flow field structure is composed of the non-hollow structure 10 of the metal flow field plate 8. The visualized fuel cell end plate and flow field structure are used as the anode end plate and flow field of the fuel cell and the current collecting plate structure to perform real-time observation of the water distribution on the surface of the fuel cell membrane electrode structure and in the flow channel structure.

[0046] The surface of the transparent end plate 1 is processed with a boss structure 2, a first sealing groove structure 3, a first positioning hole structure 4 and a fixing hole structure 5. The height of the boss structure 2 is 1.0 mm and the width is 0.9 times the design required flow channel width. The width of the first sealing groove structure 3 is 2.5 mm and the depth is 0.4 mm. The diameter of the first positioning hole structure 4 is 4.0 mm and the diameter of the fixing hole structure 5 is 7.0 mm.

[0047] The transparent end plate 1 is made of a 25 mm thick organic glass plate (acrylic) by machining.

[0048] A baffle structure 15 is provided outside the fixing hole structure 5 of the transparent end plate 1 . The baffle structure 15 is made of a 2.0 mm thick epoxy resin board and is processed with a fixing hole structure 16 corresponding to the fixing hole structure 5 of the transparent end plate 1 .

[0049] The metal flow field plate 8 uses a copper plate as a base plate. The height of the hollow flow channel structure 9 of the metal flow field plate 8 (i.e., the thickness of the metal plate) is 2.0 mm. The width of the hollow flow channel structure 9 is equal to the flow channel width required by the design, which is 1.0 mm. The width of the non-hollowed flow channel structure 10 is also 1.0 mm.

[0050] The metal flow field plate 8 is also processed with a reaction gas inlet and outlet structure 14. The inlet and outlet have the same size parameters. The size parameters of the second sealing wire groove structure 11 and the second positioning hole structure 12 are the same as the first sealing wire groove structure 3 and the first positioning hole structure 4. The reaction gas inlet and outlet structure 14 is on the back of the metal flow field plate 8 in contact with the surface of the transparent end plate 1. Using the back side to enter and exit the reaction gas can effectively reduce the risk of battery leakage and improve the safety of the experiment. The air intake sealant wire groove structure 11 is on the front of the metal flow field plate 8 in contact with the fuel cell membrane electrode structure 17.

[0051] The metal flow field plate 8 is provided with a current interface 13, which can be directly connected to an external load device, eliminating the use of a metal current collecting plate, further reducing the ohmic resistance of the battery, and allowing the battery to be tested at a higher current density.

[0052] The hollow flow channel structure 9 of the metal flow field plate 8 is manufactured by machining, and the surface of the metal flow field plate 8 is plated with a gold layer to reduce the contact resistance between the metal flow field plate 8 and the membrane electrode structure 17 .

[0053] The transparent end plate 1 and the metal flow field plate 8 together with the membrane electrode structure 17, the cathode graphite flow field structure 18, the cathode current collecting plate 19, and the cathode end plate 20 constitute a fuel cell using a fuel cell visualization test device. The components are sealed by a 0.5 mm thick silicone sealing gasket placed in the sealed wire groove structure.

[0054] The fuel cell visualization test device also includes: a high-speed camera with variable focal length, which is used to observe and record the visualization area of ​​the fuel cell visualization device in real time.

[0055] Use a high-speed camera to shoot the water distribution map in Example 1. The shooting results are referenced to Figure 7 , you can see that the water is independently distributed in each flow channel, and there is no situation where water runs around in different flow channels.

[0056] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present application. Any person skilled in the art can utilize the technical content disclosed in this invention to make many possible changes and modifications to the technical solution without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention. Therefore, any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of protection of this technical solution.

Claims

1. A fuel cell visual testing device, characterized in that: The device comprises: a transparent end plate (1) with a boss structure (2) and a metal flow field plate (8) with a hollow flow channel structure (9), wherein the boss structure (2) is composed of a plurality of parallel flat plates (6), and a first gap (7) is provided between adjacent flat plates (6), and the hollow flow channel structure (9) is a plurality of parallel strip-shaped through holes provided on the metal flow field plate (8), wherein the strip-shaped through holes are provided corresponding to the flat plates (6), and the flat plates (6) can be inserted into the strip-shaped through holes, so that the boss structure (2) can be combined with the hollow flow channel structure (9) to form a visualized fuel cell end plate and flow field structure; The groove structure of the flow field structure is composed of the flat plate (6) inserted into the strip-shaped through holes, and the adjacent strip-shaped through holes are provided with a non-hollowed structure (10), and the spine structure of the flow field structure is composed of the non-hollowed structure (10); The depth of the hollow flow channel structure (9) is equal to the sum of the depth of the flow channel to be used and the height of the boss structure (2), and the width of the hollow flow channel structure (9) is equal to the width of the flow channel to be used; The metal flow field plate (8) is provided with a reaction gas inlet and outlet structure (14), a second sealing wire groove structure (11), and a second positioning hole structure (12); the reaction gas inlet and outlet structure (14) is arranged on a side of the transparent end plate (1) away from the boss structure (2).

2. The fuel cell visual testing device according to claim 1, wherein: The boss structure (2) is vertically arranged on the surface of the transparent end plate (1), and the surface of the transparent end plate (1) is also provided with a first sealing wire groove structure (3), and the first sealing wire groove structure (3) is arranged on the periphery of the boss structure (2), and the height of the boss structure (2) is 1-5 mm.

3. The fuel cell visual testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transparent end plate (1) is made of organic glass, polystyrene, polycarbonate or optical glass.

4. The fuel cell visual testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first positioning hole structure (4) and a fixing hole structure (5) are provided at the edge of the transparent end plate (1); a baffle structure (15) is provided outside the fixing hole structure (5); the baffle structure (15) can protect the transparent end plate (1); the baffle structure (15) is made of epoxy resin, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride or rubber.

5. The fuel cell visual testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the boss structure (2) is 0.8 to 1.0 times the width of the hollow flow channel structure (9).

6. The fuel cell visual testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The metal flow field plate (8) is provided with a current interface (13), and the current interface (13) can be directly connected to an external load device.

7. The fuel cell visual testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hollow flow channel structure (9) is made by machining or etching technology, and the surface of the metal flow field plate (8) is plated with a gold coating or a silver coating, which can reduce the contact resistance between the metal flow field plate (8) and the membrane electrode structure.

8. The fuel cell visual testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transparent end plate (1) and the metal flow field plate (8), as well as other components in the fuel cell visualization test device, are sealed by a sealing member, which is a sealant or a sealing gasket.

9. The fuel cell visual testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: A high-speed camera with variable focal length is used to observe and record the visualization area of ​​the fuel cell visualization test device in real time.

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