A novel lattice flow field plate for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Abstract

The application provides a novel lattice flow field plate of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, which comprises a flow field plate body, wherein an air inlet, a cooling water inlet, an air outlet and a cooling water outlet are arranged on the flow field plate body; the air inlet and the cooling water inlet are on one side of the flow field plate body, and the air outlet and the cooling water outlet are on the other side of the flow field plate body; a flow field reaction area is arranged at the middle part of the flow field plate body, and a lattice block is used in the main area of the flow field plate, and the lattice area is arranged in a staggered arrangement. The application has the beneficial effects that: the novel flow field inlet is provided with a distribution area and a parallel flow channel extension area, so that the gas can uniformly enter the lattice area; the outlet is provided with a distribution area and a parallel flow channel extension area, so that the water generated in the flow channel can be smoothly discharged; the lattice block is an inclined baffle structure, which enhances the gas transmission to the gas diffusion layer, improves the drainage capacity of the battery, and the use of the staggered arrangement of the lattice area makes the distribution of the reaction gas in the flow field more uniform, especially improving the gas distribution near the lattice block.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of fuel cell, and particularly relates to a novel dot matrix flow field plate of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. BACKGROUND

[0002] Fuel cells have many unique advantages such as high power density, high energy conversion efficiency, no pollution and low working temperature, and thus gradually become the most promising energy conversion device in the future.

[0003] As a key component of a fuel cell, a bipolar plate material should have the advantages of light weight, corrosion resistance, low resistivity and easy processing, and simultaneously bears the functions of gas supply, water drainage and electricity conduction, and thus affects the gas distribution, heat distribution and water distribution in the cell, and greatly influences the thermal-mass-electricity transmission uniformity of the cell, so that a reasonable flow field design can greatly improve the performance and water-heat management capability of the cell.

[0004] At present, serpentine flow field plates, parallel flow field plates and interdigital flow field plates are the most commonly used three kinds of flow fields, and the three common flow fields are all groove-ridge structure flow field plates. SUMMARY

[0005] Therefore, the present application aims to provide a novel dot matrix flow field plate of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, which fundamentally overcomes the limitation of the traditional groove-ridge structure, and due to the multi-channel transmission characteristics, the gas distribution is more uniform, the thermal-mass-electricity transmission uniformity of the cell is improved, the convection to the gas diffusion layer is enhanced, the water drainage capability of the cell is greatly increased, the output performance of the cell is greatly improved, and a direction is provided for the optimization of the flow field plate of the fuel cell.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the technical scheme of the present application is as follows:

[0007] A novel dot matrix flow field plate of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell comprises a flow field plate body, and air inlets, cooling water inlets, air outlets and cooling water outlets are arranged on the flow field plate body.

[0008] The air inlets and the cooling water inlets are arranged on one side of the flow field plate body, and the air outlets and the cooling water outlets are arranged on the other side of the flow field plate body.

[0009] The middle part of the flow field plate body is provided with a flow field reaction area.

[0010] Further, the air inlet and the cooling water inlet, the air outlet and the cooling water outlet are symmetrically arranged relative to the center of the flow field reaction area.

[0011] Further, the air inlet and the cooling water inlet are provided with a first gas distribution area and a first parallel flow channel extension area, one end of the first gas distribution area is communicated with the air inlet, and the other end is communicated with the first parallel flow channel extension area.

[0012] Further, the air outlet and the cooling water outlet are provided with a second gas distribution area and a second parallel flow channel extension area, one end of the second gas distribution area is communicated with the air outlet, and the other end is communicated with the second parallel flow channel extension area.

[0013] Further, a dot array area is arranged on the flow field reaction area, and the dot array area comprises dot array blocks.

[0014] Further, the dot array blocks are inclined baffle structures, and the dot array blocks are inclined in the vertical direction to guide the gas to be delivered to the gas diffusion layer.

[0015] Further, the dot array blocks are inclined in the horizontal direction to guide the gas to flow from the flow channel inlet to the outlet.

[0016] Further, the horizontal spacing of adjacent column dot array blocks is equal, and the vertical spacing of the same column dot array blocks is equal.

[0017] Further, the flow channel cross sections formed by the first parallel flow channel extension area and the second parallel flow channel extension area are equal, the flow channel depths formed by the first gas distribution area and the second gas distribution area, the flow channel depths formed by the first parallel flow channel extension area and the second parallel flow channel extension area, and the heights of the dot array blocks are all equal.

[0018] Further, the dot array blocks are arranged in a staggered manner, the odd-numbered column of the dot array area is obtained by the first column array of the odd-numbered column, the even-numbered column is obtained by the first column array of the even-numbered column, and the even-numbered column of the dot array area is obtained by translating the odd-numbered column of the dot array area.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the novel dot array flow field plate for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] (1) The novel dot array flow field plate for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell has a novel flow field inlet provided with a distribution area and a parallel flow channel extension area, so that the gas can uniformly enter the dot array area; and the outlet is provided with a distribution area and a parallel flow channel extension area, so that the water generated in the flow channel can be smoothly discharged.

[0021] (2) The new type lattice flow field plate of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell breaks through the limitation of ridge structure, makes the distribution of reaction gas more uniform, and improves the uniform performance of heat-mass-electricity transmission of the cell; meanwhile, the staggered arrangement of the lattice area can improve the uniformity of gas distribution near the lattice block, and also causes the disturbance of gas, which is beneficial to the transmission of gas to the gas diffusion layer; the lattice block is a tilted baffle structure, which can guide the gas to be transported to the gas diffusion layer, improve the drainage capacity of the cell, avoid the flooding of the cell, and also guide the gas to flow from the inlet to the outlet of the flow channel, and better discharge the liquid water in the flow channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application, are included to provide a further understanding of the application, illustrate the preferred embodiments of the application, and assist in the explanation of the application. In the drawings, the same reference numbers represent the same elements or components throughout the several views of the drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a new type lattice flow field plate of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell;

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic view of a gas distribution area and a parallel flow channel extension area of the new type lattice flow field plate;

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic view of the gas flow direction of the lattice area of the new type lattice flow field;

[0026] Figure 4 is a gas flow velocity distribution diagram of the new type lattice flow field;

[0027] Figure 5 is a vertical gas flow velocity distribution diagram of the new type lattice flow field;

[0028] Figure 6 is a schematic view of the overall structure of a new type lattice flow field plate of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell;

[0029] Figure 7 is a schematic view of the gas inlet and water inlet parts of a new type lattice flow field plate of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell;

[0030] Figure 8 is a schematic view of the gas outlet and water outlet parts of a new type lattice flow field plate of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell;

[0031] Figure 9 is a schematic view of the lattice block structure.

[0032] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

[0033] 1 - plate body; 2 - air inlet; 3 - air outlet; 4 - cooling water inlet; 5 - cooling water outlet; 6 - flow field reaction zone; 7 - first gas distribution zone; 8 - first parallel flow channel extension zone; 9 - dot array zone; 91 - dot array block; 10 - second parallel flow channel extension zone; 11 - second gas distribution zone; L - horizontal spacing of dot array blocks; H - vertical spacing of dot array blocks. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] It should be noted that the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0035] The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with embodiments.

[0036] The present application designs a proton exchange membrane fuel cell flow field plate, as shown in the figure, which comprises a flow field plate body 1, and the flow field plate surface is provided with an air inlet 2, a cooling water inlet 4, an air outlet 3, a cooling water outlet 5 and a flow field reaction zone 6. Figure 1

[0037] The air inlet 2 and the cooling water inlet 4 are on one side of the flow field plate body, the air inlet 2 is at the upper end of the flow field plate body, and the cooling water inlet 4 is in the middle of the flow field plate body; the air outlet 3 and the cooling water outlet 5 are on the other side of the flow field plate body, the cooling water outlet is in the middle of the flow field plate body 5, and the air outlet 3 is at the lower end of the flow field plate body; the flow field reaction zone 6 is located in the middle part of the flow field plate body 1; the flow channel comprises two gas distribution zones, namely a first gas distribution zone 7 and a second gas distribution zone 11, two parallel flow channel extension zones, namely a first parallel flow channel extension zone 8 and a second parallel flow channel extension zone 10, and a dot array zone 9, the first gas distribution zone 7 and the second gas distribution zone 11 are respectively connected with the air inlet 2 and the air outlet 3, the first gas distribution zone 7 and the second gas distribution zone 11 are connected with the first parallel flow channel extension zone 8 and the second parallel flow channel extension zone 10, and the dot array zone 9 is arranged in a staggered manner, and the flow channel is used for a cathode flow field.

[0038] As shown in the figure, the flow channel depth of the first gas distribution zone 7 and the second gas distribution zone 11, the flow channel depth of the first parallel flow channel extension zone 8 and the second parallel flow channel extension zone 10, and the height of the dot array block 91 are all equal, all being 0.8 mm, the flow channel cross section of the first parallel flow channel extension zone 8 and the second parallel flow channel extension zone 10 is 0.8 mm x 0.8 mm, the total length of one gas distribution zone and one parallel flow channel extension zone is 36 mm, and the length and width of the dot array zone 9 are all 108 mm and 60 mm respectively. Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the flow channel depth of the first gas distribution zone 7 and the second gas distribution zone 11, the flow channel depth of the first parallel flow channel extension zone 8 and the second parallel flow channel extension zone 10, and the height of the dot array block 91 are all equal, all being 0.8 mm, the flow channel cross section of the first parallel flow channel extension zone 8 and the second parallel flow channel extension zone 10 is 0.8 mm x 0.8 mm, the total length of one gas distribution zone and one parallel flow channel extension zone is 36 mm, and the length and width of the dot array zone 9 are all 108 mm and 60 mm respectively.

[0039] As shown in the figure, the flow channel depth of the first gas distribution zone 7 and the second gas distribution zone 11, the flow channel depth of the first parallel flow channel extension zone 8 and the second parallel flow channel extension zone 10, and the height of the dot array block 91 are all equal, all being 0.8 mm, the flow channel cross section of the first parallel flow channel extension zone 8 and the second parallel flow channel extension zone 10 is 0.8 mm x 0.8 mm, the total length of one gas distribution zone and one parallel flow channel extension zone is 36 mm, and the length and width of the dot array zone 9 are all 108 mm and 60 mm respectively. Figure 3 ​As shown, the top surface of the dot matrix block 91 is a rhombus with equal side length of 1.2 mm and an internal obtuse angle of 120°. The dot matrix block 91 is structured as an inclined baffle, and the dot matrix block 91 is inclined in the vertical direction by an angle of 30° to guide the gas to flow along the inclined surface. The dot matrix block 91 is inclined in the horizontal direction by an angle of 30° to guide the gas to flow from the inlet to the outlet of the flow channel.

[0040] The dot matrix area 9 uses a staggered arrangement, and the odd-numbered columns are obtained by the first column array, and the even-numbered columns are obtained by the second column array. The even-numbered columns are obtained by shifting the odd-numbered columns upward by 1.6 mm and rightward by 3.2 mm. This can improve the uniformity of the gas distribution near the dot matrix block and also cause turbulence of the gas, which is beneficial to the transmission of the gas to the gas diffusion layer.

[0041] The number of dot matrix blocks in different columns of the dot matrix area 9 is equal, and the number of dot matrix blocks in a single column is 18, and the total number of columns is 35. The horizontal spacing L between adjacent columns of dot matrix blocks is equal, and the horizontal spacing L is 2.2 mm. The vertical spacing H of the dot matrix blocks in the same column is equal, and the vertical spacing H is 1.6 mm.

[0042] The example compares the gas distribution diagrams of two flow fields. One flow field uses a new dot matrix flow field, and the other flow field uses a traditional parallel flow field. Except for the different flow field structures, the other parameters remain the same.

[0043] Based on the open-source CFD software OpenFOAM, single-phase simulation analysis is performed on the new dot matrix flow field and the traditional parallel flow field, such as Figure 4 As shown in the gas distribution diagram of the new dot matrix flow field, from Figure 4 it can be seen that due to the existence of the distribution area, the gas enters the reaction area more uniformly. At the same time, due to the breakthrough of the limitation of the traditional ridge structure, the gas flow area is increased, and the flowability is better, so the gas distribution is more uniform. As shown in Figure 5 after the gas hits the inclined surface of the inclined baffle, a component velocity in the direction of the gas diffusion layer is generated, which can enhance the ability of the gas to transport to the gas diffusion layer, carry away the liquid water generated in the catalyst layer, improve the drainage capacity of the battery, and thus improve the performance of the battery.

[0044] Those skilled in the art can understand that the units and method steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized by electronic hardware, computer software or a combination of both. In order to clearly illustrate the interchangeability of hardware and software, the components and steps of each example have been described in general terms in the above description. Whether the functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. A person skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0045] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed method and system can be implemented in other ways. For example, the division of the above-described units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. The above units can be or can not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units can be or can not be physical units, i.e., can be located in one place, or can be distributed on multiple network units. According to actual needs, part or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of the embodiment of the present application.

[0046] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and not to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that: it can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacement for part or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and they should be covered in the scope of the claims and the description of the present application.

[0047] The above only describes the preferred embodiments of the present application, and does not limit the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A novel interdigitated flow field plate for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, characterized in that: The application relates to a flow field plate, which comprises a flow field plate body (1), wherein an air inlet (2), a cooling water inlet (4), an air outlet (3) and a cooling water outlet (5) are arranged on the flow field plate body (1). The air inlet (2) and the cooling water inlet (4) are arranged on one side of the flow field plate body (1), and the air outlet (3) and the cooling water outlet (5) are arranged on the other side of the flow field plate body (1). A flow field reaction zone (6) is arranged at the middle part of the flow field plate body (1). A first gas distribution zone (7) and a first parallel flow channel extension zone (8) are arranged on one side of the air inlet (2) and the cooling water inlet (4), one end of the first gas distribution zone (7) is communicated with the air inlet (2), and the other end is communicated with the first parallel flow channel extension zone (8). A second gas distribution zone (11) and a second parallel flow channel extension zone (10) are arranged on one side of the air outlet (3) and the cooling water outlet (5), one end of the second gas distribution zone (11) is communicated with the air outlet (3), and the other end is communicated with the second parallel flow channel extension zone (10). A dot array zone (9) is arranged on the flow field reaction zone (6), and the dot array zone (9) comprises dot array blocks (91). The dot array blocks (91) are inclined baffle structures, the dot array blocks (91) are inclined in the vertical direction, and the dot array blocks (91) guide gas to be delivered to a gas diffusion layer. The flow channels formed by the first parallel flow channel extension zone (8) and the second parallel flow channel extension zone (10) have equal cross sections, the flow channels formed by the first gas distribution zone (7) and the second gas distribution zone (11) have equal depths, the flow channels formed by the first parallel flow channel extension zone (8) and the second parallel flow channel extension zone (10) have equal depths, and the heights of the dot array blocks (91) are equal. The dot array blocks (91) are arranged in a staggered mode, odd-numbered columns of the dot array zone (9) are obtained through first column arrays of odd-numbered columns, even-numbered columns are obtained through first column arrays of even-numbered columns, and even-numbered columns of the dot array zone (9) are obtained through the odd-numbered columns of the dot array zone (9). The top surface of the dot array block (91) is a rhombus with equal side lengths, the internal obtuse angle is 120 DEG, the dot array block (91) is an inclined baffle structure, the dot array block (91) is inclined in the vertical direction, the vertical inclination angle is 30 DEG, the dot array block (91) guides gas to flow along the inclined surface, the horizontal inclination angle of the dot array block (91) is 30 DEG, and the dot array block (91) guides gas to flow from the flow channel inlet to the outlet.

2. A novel interdigitated flow field plate for proton exchange membrane fuel cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air inlet (2) and the cooling water inlet (4) and the air outlet (3) and the cooling water outlet (5) are symmetrically arranged with respect to the center of the flow field reaction zone (6).

3. A novel interdigitated flow field plate for proton exchange membrane fuel cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The horizontal spacing of adjacent dot array blocks (91) is equal, and the vertical spacing of dot array blocks (91) in the same column is equal.

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