A double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Abstract

The present invention discloses a double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, comprising a fuel cell, wherein the fuel cell is assembled by stacking a plurality of single cells, wherein the single cells are composed of a cooling plate, an anode plate, a cathode plate, and a membrane electrode, wherein the anode plate is provided at both ends of the cooling plate, the cathode plate is provided at both ends of the anode plate, and the membrane electrode is provided between the cathode plate and the anode plate. Beneficial effect: by adopting a cooling flow channel with an upper and lower double-layer circuitous flow channel structure, the temperature of the coolant is relatively low when it flows in from the flow channel inlet, and gradually increases as it absorbs heat after flowing through the flow channel, and is relatively high when it flows out from the flow channel outlet. The upper and lower layers are respectively a combination of higher and lower temperatures, which balances the uneven heat distribution of the cooling plate caused by the coolant absorbing heat, making the overall temperature of the cooling plate more uniform, thereby achieving a better cooling effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of proton exchange membrane fuel cells, and in particular to a double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) convert the chemical energy of fuel into electrical energy. They are widely considered one of the most promising power generation technologies due to their clean, pollution-free operation, high energy conversion efficiency, high current density, low noise emissions, high reliability, and abundant resources. The heat dissipation efficiency of PEMFC cooling plates affects the heat and mass transfer processes within the fuel cell, ultimately impacting the fuel cell's fuel efficiency and overall output performance. In PEMFCs, a significant amount of chemical energy is converted into heat during power generation. If this reaction heat is not removed promptly, it can overheat the PEM membrane and reduce the fuel cell's durability. Liquid cooling is a common cooling method for PEMFCs. Cooling plates are inserted into the fuel cell stack to remove waste heat from the stack through circulating coolant. The primary function of cooling plates is to maintain uniform temperature distribution within the PEMFC, reduce maximum surface temperatures, and minimize the generation of localized hot spots, thereby improving fuel cell output performance. The geometry of the cooling plates is crucial for improving PEMFC cooling performance. Designing the geometry of the cooling flow field plates and cooling channels for optimal cooling efficiency is a key issue.

[0003] Currently, no effective solutions have been proposed for the problems in related technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In response to the problems in the related art, the present invention proposes a double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell to overcome the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the existing related art.

[0005] To this end, the specific technical solutions adopted in the present invention are as follows:

[0006] A double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, comprising a fuel cell, wherein the fuel cell is assembled from a plurality of stacked single cells, wherein the single cells are composed of a cooling plate, an anode plate, a cathode plate, and a membrane electrode, wherein the anode plate is provided at both ends of the cooling plate, the cathode plate is provided at both ends of the anode plate, and the membrane electrode is provided between the cathode plate and the anode plate;

[0007] The membrane electrode is provided with a proton exchange membrane, a catalytic layer, and a diffusion layer from the inside to the outside. The anode plate and the cathode plate are combined to form a bipolar plate. A cooling channel is provided in the cooling plate. The cooling channel is composed of a circuitous channel with several bends. The channel is generally arranged in a circuitous manner in an upper and lower layer. A channel inlet is provided at one end of the bottom layer of the cooling channel, and a channel outlet is provided at one end of the top layer of the cooling channel.

[0008] Preferably, the bipolar plate 7 has a length of L, a width of W, and a thickness of H, and the cooling channel is a double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure. The flow channel of the cooling channel is arranged in the rectangular cooling plate with a length of l, a width of w, and a thickness of h, and its dimensions satisfy: 0.8L≤l≤0.9L, 0.8W≤w≤0.9W, 0.8H≤h≤0.9H.

[0009] Preferably, the diameter d of the circle of the cross section of the cooling channel satisfies: 0.3h≤d≤0.4h, and the distance a between two adjacent circuitous channels satisfies: 0.15l≤a≤0.2l.

[0010] Preferably, the length b of each circuitous section of the cooling channel satisfies: 0.9w≤b≤0.95w, and the upper and lower layers of the cooling channel have a staggered displacement s in the length direction of the cooling plate that satisfies: 0.4a≤s≤0.6a.

[0011] Preferably, the distance t between the centers of the upper and lower circular pipes of the cooling channel satisfies: 0.4h≤t≤0.6h.

[0012] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: by adopting a cooling channel with an upper and lower double-layer circuitous flow channel structure, the temperature of the coolant is low when it flows in from the channel inlet, and the temperature gradually increases when it absorbs heat after flowing through the channel, and is high when it flows out from the channel outlet. The upper and lower layers are a combination of higher temperature and lower temperature respectively, which balances the uneven heat distribution of the cooling plate caused by the coolant absorbing heat, making the overall temperature of the cooling plate more uniform, thereby achieving better cooling effect. Without increasing the amount of coolant used, it combines the advantages of the circuitous flow channel in fully absorbing reaction heat and the advantages of the double-layer countercurrent flow channel in increasing temperature uniformity, thereby increasing the economy of the cooling system and making the fuel cell have better output performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0014] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 2. It is a schematic structural diagram of a cooling plate in a double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 is a top view of a cooling plate in a double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 is a side view of a cooling plate in a double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 5 is a top view of a bipolar plate in a double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 6 The figure is a side view of a bipolar plate in a double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] In the picture:

[0021] 1. Cooling channel; 2. Single cell; 3. Cooling plate; 4. Anode plate; 5. Cathode plate; 6. Membrane electrode; 7. Bipolar plate; 8. Channel inlet; 9. Channel outlet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] To further illustrate each embodiment, the present invention provides drawings, which are part of the disclosure of the present invention. They are mainly used to illustrate the embodiments and can be used in conjunction with the relevant descriptions in the specification to explain the operating principles of the embodiments. By referring to these contents, ordinary technicians in this field should be able to understand other possible implementation methods and advantages of the present invention. The components in the figures are not drawn to scale, and similar component symbols are generally used to represent similar components.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell is provided.

[0024] Embodiment 1;

[0025] like Figure 1-6As shown, a double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fuel cell, wherein the fuel cell is assembled by stacking multiple single cells 2, and the single cells 2 are composed of a cooling plate 3, an anode plate 4, a cathode plate 5 and a membrane electrode 6. The anode plates 4 are provided at both ends of the cooling plate 3, the cathode plates 5 are provided at both ends of the anode plate 4, and the membrane electrode 6 is provided between the cathode plate 5 and the anode plate 4;

[0026] The membrane electrode 6 is provided with a proton exchange membrane, a catalytic layer, and a diffusion layer from the inside to the outside. The anode plate 4 and the cathode plate 5 are combined to form a bipolar plate 7. A cooling channel 1 is provided in the cooling plate 3. The cooling channel 1 is composed of a circuitous channel with several bends. The channel is generally arranged in a circuitous manner in an upper and lower layer. A channel inlet 8 is provided at one end of the bottom layer of the cooling channel 1, and a channel outlet 9 is provided at one end of the top layer of the cooling channel 1.

[0027] The cooling plates 3 are alternately arranged between adjacent single cells, so that the cooling plates 3 cool the adjacent single cells at the same time.

[0028] Embodiment 2;

[0029] like Figure 1-6 As shown, the bipolar plate 7 has a length of L, a width of W, and a thickness of H. The cooling channel 1 is a double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure. The flow channel of the cooling channel 1 is arranged in the rectangular cooling plate 3 with a length of l, a width of w, and a thickness of h. Its dimensions satisfy: 0.8L≤l≤0.9L, 0.8W≤w≤0.9W, 0.8H≤h≤0.9H, the diameter d of the circle of the flow channel cross section of the cooling channel 1 satisfies: 0.3h≤d≤0.4h, and the distance a between two adjacent circuitous flow channels satisfies: 0.15l≤a≤0.2l.

[0030] The cooling channel 1 is arranged in a double-layer circuitous pattern, and the coolant used is deionized water. When the fuel cell starts working, the coolant flows from the channel inlet 8 into the lower circuitous channel, flows upward into the upper circuitous channel in the middle of the cooling plate 3, flows downward into the lower circuitous channel at the other end of the cooling plate 1, and then flows upward into the upper circuitous channel in the middle of the cooling plate 3, and finally flows out to the channel outlet 9. Because the coolant gradually increases in temperature as it absorbs heat released by the fuel cell, the traditional single-layer circuitous channel coolant flows in from one side of the cooling plate 3 and from the other side, the temperature distribution on both sides of the cooling plate 3 will be uneven due to the absorption of heat by the coolant. In this solution, the coolant flows in an up and down staggered manner, and the channel inlet 8 and the channel outlet 9 are arranged on the same side of the cooling plate 3, which balances the uneven temperature distribution in the cooling plate 3 caused by the temperature rise of the coolant, effectively increases the uniformity of the overall temperature distribution of the cooling plate 3, and reduces the generation of local hot spots.

[0031] Embodiment 3;

[0032] like Figure 1-6 As shown, the length b of each circuitous section of the cooling channel 1 satisfies: 0.9w≤b≤0.95w, the upper and lower layers of the cooling channel 1 have a staggered displacement s in the length direction of the cooling plate 3 that satisfies: 0.4a≤s≤0.6a, and the distance t between the centers of the upper and lower layers of the circular pipes of the cooling channel 1 satisfies: 0.4h≤t≤0.6h.

[0033] Without increasing the amount of coolant used, the advantages of the circuitous flow channel in fully absorbing the reaction heat and the double-layer countercurrent flow channel in increasing temperature uniformity are combined, thereby increasing the economy of the cooling system and making the fuel cell have better output performance.

[0034] To sum up, with the aid of the above-mentioned technical solution of the present invention, by adopting the cooling channel 1 with an upper and lower double-layer circuitous flow channel structure, the temperature of the coolant is relatively low when it flows in from the channel inlet 8, and the temperature gradually increases after absorbing heat after flowing through the channel, and is relatively high when it flows out from the channel outlet 9. The upper and lower layers are a combination of higher and lower temperatures, respectively, which balances the uneven heat distribution of the cooling plate 3 caused by the coolant absorbing heat, making the overall temperature of the cooling plate 3 more uniform, thereby achieving a better cooling effect.

[0035] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, comprising a fuel cell, wherein the fuel cell is assembled by stacking a plurality of single cells (2), characterized in that: The single cell (2) is composed of a cooling plate (3), an anode plate (4), a cathode plate (5) and a membrane electrode (6); the anode plates (4) are provided at both ends of the cooling plate (3); the cathode plates (5) are provided at both ends of the anode plate (4); and the membrane electrode (6) is provided between the cathode plate (5) and the anode plate (4); The membrane electrode (6) is provided with a proton exchange membrane, a catalyst layer, and a diffusion layer from the inside to the outside. The anode plate (4) and the cathode plate (5) are combined to form a bipolar plate (7). A cooling channel (1) is provided in the cooling plate (3). The cooling channel (1) is composed of a circuitous channel with several bends. The channel is generally arranged in a circuitous manner in an upper and lower layers. A channel inlet (8) is provided at one end of the bottom layer of the cooling channel (1), and a channel outlet (9) is provided at one end of the top layer of the cooling channel (1). When the fuel cell starts working, the coolant flows from the channel inlet (8) into the lower circuitous channel, flows upward into the upper circuitous channel at the middle of the cooling plate (3), flows downward into the lower circuitous channel at the other end of the cooling plate (3), flows upward into the upper circuitous channel at the middle of the cooling plate (3), and finally flows out at the channel outlet (9).

2. The double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bipolar plate (7) has a length of L, a width of W, and a thickness of H. The cooling channel (1) is a double-layer staggered circuitous cooling liquid channel structure. The cooling channel (1) is arranged in a rectangular parallelepiped cooling plate (3) with a length of l, a width of w, and a thickness of h, and its dimensions satisfy the following requirements: 0.8L≤l≤0.9L, 0.8W≤w≤0.9W, and 0.8H≤h≤0.9H.

3. The double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell according to claim 2, characterized in that: The diameter d of the circle of the cross section of the cooling flow channel (1) satisfies: 0.3h≤d≤0.4h, and the distance a between two adjacent circuitous flow channels satisfies: 0.15l≤a≤0.2l.

4. The double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell according to claim 3, characterized in that: The length b of each circuitous flow channel of the cooling flow channel (1) satisfies: 0.9w≤b≤0.95w, and the upper and lower layers of the flow channel of the cooling flow channel (1) have a staggered displacement s in the length direction of the cooling plate (3) that satisfies: 0.4a≤s≤0.6a.

5. The double-layer staggered circuitous coolant flow channel structure of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell according to claim 4, characterized in that: The distance t between the centers of the upper and lower circular pipes of the cooling channel (1) satisfies the following: 0.4h≤t≤0.6h.

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