Fuel cell bipolar plate, fuel cell, power plant, and vehicle

Abstract

The application provides a fuel cell bipolar plate, a fuel cell, a power device and a vehicle. The fuel cell bipolar plate comprises an inlet bridge area, a main flow area, an inlet distribution area, an outlet distribution area and an outlet bridge area. Gases enter the main flow area through the inlet bridge area and the inlet distribution area, and flow out through the outlet distribution area and the outlet bridge area after electrochemical reaction. The inlet distribution area and the outlet distribution area are provided with sub-ridge microchannels. Through the sub-ridge microchannels arranged in the distribution area, the gases can enter the sub-ridge diffusion layer, the gas distribution between flow channels is strengthened, the sub-ridge oxygen transmission and drainage are increased, and the purpose of uniform gas distribution and water flooding prevention is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of fuel cell technology, and in particular relates to a fuel cell bipolar plate, a fuel cell, a power unit, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are characterized by rapid start-up at room temperature, being green and pollution-free, and having high conversion efficiency. They can electrochemically convert the chemical energy of hydrogen into usable electrical energy. A fuel cell is composed of multiple stacked single cells, each consisting of bipolar plates and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). Within each cell, the reactant gases must flow uniformly through the active region. In this process, the bipolar plates distribute the reactant gases and dissipate waste gases and heat generated by the electrochemical reaction. Therefore, the flow field structure of the bipolar plates has a significant impact on fuel cell performance. The bipolar plate flow field region is generally divided into a bridging region, a mainstream region, and a distribution region. To improve plate utilization, active area is now added to some areas of the distribution region. However, the distribution region has a wider ridge, a higher inlet velocity, which can easily affect flow channel consistency, and a higher concentration of liquid water in the outlet distribution region, making it prone to flooding. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a fuel cell bipolar plate, a fuel cell, a power unit and a vehicle, which at least partially solves the problems of uneven gas distribution and easy flooding in the prior art.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a fuel cell bipolar plate, comprising: an inlet bridging region, a mains region, an inlet distribution region, an outlet distribution region, and an outlet bridging region.

[0005] Gas enters the mainstream region through the inlet bridge zone and the inlet distribution zone, undergoes an electrochemical reaction, and then flows out through the outlet distribution zone and the outlet bridge zone.

[0006] The inlet and outlet distribution areas are equipped with under-ridge microchannels.

[0007] Optionally, the distance d1 between two adjacent sub-ridge microchannels can range from 0 to 20 mm.

[0008] Optionally, the width d2 of the sub-spine microchannel is 0-5 mm.

[0009] Optionally, the angle θ between the sub-ridge microchannel and the flow channel is 0-90°.

[0010] Optionally, the shape of the subspinal microchannel may include a parallelogram or a zigzag shape.

[0011] Optionally, the width d3 at the bend of the microchannel under the bent ridge is in the range of 0-5 mm.

[0012] Optionally, the subspinal microchannels in the multiple subspinal microchannels are parallel to each other.

[0013] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a fuel cell, including: the fuel cell bipolar plate described in any of the first aspects.

[0014] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a power device, including: a fuel cell bipolar plate as described in any of the first aspects.

[0015] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a vehicle, including: a fuel cell bipolar plate as described in any of the first aspects.

[0016] This invention provides a fuel cell bipolar plate, a fuel cell, a power unit, and a vehicle. The fuel cell bipolar plate, by incorporating microchannels under the ridges in the distribution area, allows gas to enter the diffusion layer under the ridges through these microchannels, enhancing gas distribution between channels, increasing oxygen transport and drainage under the ridges, thereby achieving uniform gas distribution and preventing flooding. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals generally denote like parts.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the bipolar plate structure of a fuel cell provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the allocation area structure provided in this embodiment of the disclosure;

[0020] Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 for Figure 2 A magnified view of the allocation area shown;

[0021] Among them, 1-subvertebral microchannel; 2-flow channel. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] It should be understood that the following specific examples illustrate the implementation of this disclosure, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this disclosure from the content disclosed in this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this disclosure, and not all of them. This disclosure can also be implemented or applied through other different specific implementation methods, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. Based on the embodiments in this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0024] It should be noted that various aspects of embodiments within the scope of the appended claims are described below. It will be apparent that the aspects described herein can be embodied in a wide variety of forms, and any particular structure and / or function described herein is merely illustrative. Based on this disclosure, those skilled in the art will understand that one aspect described herein can be implemented independently of any other aspect, and two or more of these aspects can be combined in various ways. For example, any number of aspects set forth herein can be used to implement the device and / or practice the method. Additionally, this device and / or method can be implemented using structures and / or functionalities other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein.

[0025] It should also be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic representations of the basic concept of this disclosure. The illustrations only show the components related to this disclosure and are not drawn according to the number, shape and size of the components in actual implementation. In actual implementation, the form, quantity and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0026] Furthermore, specific details are provided in the following description to facilitate a thorough understanding of the examples. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the described aspects can be practiced without these specific details.

[0027] For ease of understanding, such as Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment discloses a fuel cell bipolar plate, including: an inlet bridging region, a mains region, an inlet distribution region, an outlet distribution region, and an outlet bridging region.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, the gas enters the mainstream region through the inlet bridge zone and the inlet distribution zone, undergoes an electrochemical reaction, and then flows out through the outlet distribution zone and the outlet bridge zone.

[0029] The inlet and outlet distribution areas are equipped with under-ridge microchannels.

[0030] The distribution area, including but not limited to the anode and cathode plates and the inlet / outlet distribution area, incorporates sub-ridge microchannels.

[0031] Optional, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the distance d1 between two adjacent sub-ridge microchannels ranges from 0 to 20 mm. d1 can be 0 mm, 2 mm, 5 mm, 8 mm, 8.5 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm, 18 mm, or 20 mm.

[0032] Optionally, the width d2 of the sub-ridge microchannel is 0-5mm. d2 can be 0mm, 1mm, 1.2mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm or 5mm.

[0033] Optionally, the angle θ between the sub-ridge microchannel and the flow channel is 0-90°. Angle θ can be 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 80°, or 90°. The microchannel height h is 0-0.5 mm. h can be 0 mm, 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, or 0.5 mm.

[0034] Optional, such as Figure 5 As shown, the shape of the subspinal microchannels includes parallelograms or bends.

[0035] Optionally, the width d3 at the bend of the microchannel under the bend is in the range of 0-5mm. d3 can be 0mm, 1mm, 1.2mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm or 5mm.

[0036] Optionally, the subspinal microchannels in the multiple subspinal microchannels are parallel to each other.

[0037] The distribution of each channel in the mainstream zone is more uniform, increasing the oxygen content under the ridge in the inlet distribution zone and reducing the liquid water under the ridge in the outlet distribution zone.

[0038] This embodiment also discloses a fuel cell, including: the fuel cell bipolar plate disclosed in this embodiment.

[0039] This embodiment also discloses a power unit, including: the fuel cell bipolar plate disclosed in this embodiment. The power unit can be a device that provides power to a fuel cell engine or the like.

[0040] This embodiment also discloses a vehicle, including: the fuel cell bipolar plate disclosed in this embodiment.

[0041] The basic principles of this disclosure have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it should be noted that the advantages, benefits, and effects mentioned in this disclosure are merely examples and not limitations, and should not be considered as essential features of each embodiment of this disclosure. Furthermore, the specific details disclosed above are for illustrative and facilitative purposes only, and are not limitations. These details do not limit the scope of this disclosure to the necessity of employing the aforementioned specific details for implementation.

[0042] In this disclosure, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Words such as "including," "comprising," "having," etc., are open-ended terms meaning "including but not limited to," and are used interchangeably with them. The terms "or" and "and" as used herein refer to the terms "and / or," and are used interchangeably with them unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. The term "such as" as used herein refers to the phrase "such as but not limited to," and is used interchangeably with it.

[0043] Additionally, as used herein, the “or” used in a list of items beginning with “at least one” indicates a separate list, such that a list of, for example, “at least one of A, B, or C” means A or B or C, or AB or AC or BC, or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Furthermore, the word “exemplary” does not imply that the described example is preferred or better than other examples.

[0044] It should also be noted that in the systems and methods of this disclosure, the components or steps can be decomposed and / or recombined. These decompositions and / or recombinations should be considered as equivalent solutions to this disclosure.

[0045] Various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made to the technology described herein without departing from the teachings defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, the scope of the claims of this disclosure is not limited to the specific aspects of the processes, machines, manufactures, events, means, methods, and actions described above. Currently existing or later-developed processes, machines, manufactures, events, means, methods, or actions that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding aspects described herein can be utilized. Therefore, the appended claims include such processes, machines, manufactures, events, means, methods, or actions within their scope.

[0046] The above description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use this disclosure. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but rather to be carried out within the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0047] The above description has been given for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, this description is not intended to limit the embodiments of this disclosure to the forms disclosed herein. Although numerous exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those skilled in the art will recognize certain variations, modifications, alterations, additions, and sub-combinations therein.

Claims

1. A fuel cell bipolar plate, characterized in that, include: Entrance bridging area, main flow area, entrance allocation area, exit allocation area, and exit bridging area. Gas enters the mainstream region through the inlet bridge zone and the inlet distribution zone, undergoes an electrochemical reaction, and then flows out through the outlet distribution zone and the outlet bridge zone. The inlet and outlet distribution areas are equipped with under-ridge microchannels.

2. The fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance d1 between two adjacent sub-ridge microchannels ranges from 0 to 20 mm.

3. The fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width d2 of the sub-spine microchannel is 0-5mm, and the height of the sub-spine microchannel is 0-0.5mm.

4. The fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angle θ between the sub-ridge microchannel and the flow channel is 0-90°.

5. The fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shape of the subspinal microchannels includes parallelograms or bends.

6. The fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 5, characterized in that, The width d3 at the bend of the microchannel under the ridge is in the range of 0-5mm.

7. The fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The subspinal microchannels in the multiple subspinal microchannels are parallel to each other.

8. A fuel cell, characterized in that, include: The fuel cell bipolar plate according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A power unit, characterized in that, include: The fuel cell bipolar plate according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, include: The fuel cell bipolar plate according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images