Air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell

Abstract

The invention discloses an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell which comprises an upper end plate, a lower end plate, a plurality of bipolar plates and a plurality of membrane electrodes, wherein the bipolar plates and the membrane electrodes are positioned between the upper end plate and the lower end plate and are alternately stacked; a hydrogen inlet of the anode plate is close to the first groove, one side of the first ridge strip is provided with a plurality of first hydrogen guide grooves and first hydrogen isolation strips located between the adjacent first hydrogen guide grooves, and each first hydrogen isolation strip is provided with at least one first concave part; a hydrogen outlet of the anode plate is close to the first groove, one side of the first ridge strip is provided with a plurality of second hydrogen guide grooves and second hydrogen isolation strips located between the adjacent second hydrogen guide grooves, and each second hydrogen isolation strip is provided with at least one second concave part; the first ridge strip is provided with at least one fifth concave part in the extending direction of the first ridge strip. According to the air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell, the balance of the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell is improved, so that the overall power generation efficiency of the cell is improved, and the use reliability of the cell is also improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fuel cells, and in particular to an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell. Background Art

[0002] With the increasing use of traditional energy sources such as fossil fuels, people are trying to find a new energy technology that can replace traditional energy to reduce environmental pollution and harm to organisms. Hydrogen fuel cells are electrochemical power generation devices that can convert chemical energy into electrical energy. Their single cells are composed of polar plates, membrane electrodes and corresponding sealing components. Hydrogen passes through the flow channel in the polar plates and undergoes an oxidation reaction on one side of the membrane electrode (i.e., the negative electrode), and a reduction reaction occurs on the other side of the air membrane electrode (i.e., the positive electrode). The entire process forms an electron flow in the external circuit, thereby generating electrical energy. The entire process is zero pollution, zero emission, and the product contains only water. It is a clean energy conversion device, so it has received attention and attention from various countries, becoming a hot topic of research in various countries, and has been widely used. The existing air-cooled hydrogen fuel cells have poor balance in power generation efficiency, which affects the overall power generation efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell, which improves the balance of the fuel cell's power generation efficiency, thereby improving the overall power generation efficiency of the battery, and also avoids the flooding effect caused by excessive water generated locally due to differences in the reaction rates of the membrane electrode, which is not removed in time, thereby improving the reliability of the battery.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell, comprising an upper end plate, a lower end plate and a plurality of bipolar plates and membrane electrodes alternately stacked between the upper end plate and the lower end plate, characterized in that: the bipolar plate comprises an anode plate, a cathode plate and a metal cooling plate located between the anode plate and the cathode plate, and the anode plate, the cathode plate and the metal cooling plate each have a hydrogen inlet and a reaction air inlet at one end, and each have a hydrogen outlet and a reaction air outlet at the other end; The surface of the anode plate opposite to the metal cooling plate is provided with a plurality of first grooves, and adjacent first grooves are separated by first ridges. The anode plate is provided with a first sealing ring in sealing contact with the membrane electrode around the first grooves and the first ridges, and a second sealing ring in sealing contact with the membrane electrode is provided around the reaction air inlet and the reaction air outlet of the anode plate; The cathode plate is provided with a plurality of second grooves on the surface opposite to the metal cooling plate, and adjacent second grooves are separated by second ridges. The cathode plate is provided with a third sealing ring in sealing contact with the membrane electrode around the second grooves and the second ridges, and a fourth sealing ring in sealing contact with the membrane electrode is provided around the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet of the cathode plate; A plurality of first hydrogen guide grooves and first hydrogen isolation strips located between adjacent first hydrogen guide grooves are arranged on one side of the hydrogen inlet of the anode plate close to the first groove and the first ridge, and the first hydrogen isolation strip has at least one first recessed portion; A plurality of second hydrogen guide grooves and second hydrogen isolation strips located between adjacent second hydrogen guide grooves are arranged on one side of the hydrogen outlet of the anode plate close to the first groove and the first ridge, and the second hydrogen isolation strip has at least one second recessed portion; The first ridge has at least one fifth recessed portion along its extension direction; A plurality of first air guide grooves and first air isolation strips located between adjacent first air guide grooves are arranged on one side of the reaction air inlet of the cathode plate close to the first groove and the first ridge, and the first air isolation strip has at least one third recessed portion; A plurality of second air guide grooves and second air isolation strips located between adjacent second air guide grooves are arranged on one side of the reaction air outlet of the cathode plate close to the first groove and the first ridge, and the second air isolation strip has at least one fourth recessed portion; The second ridge has at least one sixth recessed portion along its extending direction.

[0005] The further improved scheme in the above technical scheme is as follows: 1. In the above scheme, there are a plurality of first cavities distributed at intervals between the metal cooling plate and the anode plate, and a plurality of second cavities distributed at intervals between the metal cooling plate and the cathode plate, and the first cavities and the second cavities are alternately distributed in the plane direction.

[0006] 2. In the above scheme, the opening areas of the reaction air inlet and the reaction air outlet are both larger than the opening areas of the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet.

[0007] 3. In the above scheme, the opening area of ​​the reaction air inlet and the reaction air outlet is 2 to 5 times the opening area of ​​the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet.

[0008] 4. In the above scheme, the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet are arranged diagonally.

[0009] 5. In the above scheme, the reaction air inlet and the reaction air outlet are arranged diagonally.

[0010] 6. In the above solution, the first cavity and the second cavity are distributed along the length direction of the bipolar plate.

[0011] 7. In the above solution, the first groove and the second groove extend along the length direction of the bipolar plate.

[0012] 8. In the above solution, the first ridge and the second ridge extend along the length direction of the bipolar plate. Due to the application of the above technical solution, the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art: 1. The air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell of the present invention has a hydrogen inlet of the anode plate provided with a plurality of first hydrogen guide grooves and a first hydrogen isolation strip located between adjacent first hydrogen guide grooves near the first groove and the first ridge, and the first hydrogen isolation strip has at least one first recessed portion; a hydrogen outlet of the anode plate provided with a plurality of second hydrogen guide grooves and a second hydrogen isolation strip located between adjacent second hydrogen guide grooves near the first groove and the first ridge, and the second hydrogen isolation strip has at least one second recessed portion; the first ridge has at least one fifth recessed portion along its extension direction; a reaction air inlet of the cathode plate provided with a plurality of first air guide grooves and a first air isolation strip located between adjacent first air guide grooves near the first groove and the first ridge, and the first air isolation strip has at least one third recessed portion; a reaction air outlet of the cathode plate provided with a plurality of second air guide grooves and a second air isolation strip located between adjacent second air guide grooves near the first groove and the first ridge, and the second air isolation strip has at least one fourth recessed portion; the second ridge has at least one sixth recessed portion along its extension direction, This allows the fuel hydrogen and reaction air to enter the cavity and flow more evenly in the grooves, improving the balance of the fuel cell's power generation efficiency, thereby improving the overall power generation efficiency of the battery. It also avoids the flooding effect caused by excessive water generated locally due to differences in the reaction rates of the membrane electrode that is not removed in time, thereby improving the reliability of battery use.

[0013] 2. The air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell of the present invention has a plurality of first cavities distributed at intervals between the metal cooling plate and the anode plate, and a plurality of second cavities distributed at intervals between the metal cooling plate and the cathode plate. The first cavities and the second cavities are alternately distributed in the plane direction to separate the reaction air and the cooling air, and cool the anode plate and the cathode plate at the same time, thereby ensuring the consistency of cooling and improving the humidity inside the battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Attached Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell of the present invention; Attached Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the top view of the bipolar plate of the present invention; Attached Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the bottom view of the bipolar plate of the present invention; Attached Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the metal cooling plate of the present invention; Attached Figure 5 For attachment Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the local enlarged structure at D in the middle; Attached Figure 6 For attachment Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the partially enlarged structure at center A; Attached Figure 7 For attachment Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the partially enlarged structure at C in the middle; Attached Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the bipolar plate of the present invention.

[0015] In the above figures: 1, upper end plate; 2, lower end plate; 3, bipolar plate; 4, membrane electrode; 5, anode plate; 51, first groove; 52, first ridge; 6, cathode plate; 61, second groove; 62, second ridge; 7, metal cooling plate; 71, first cavity; 72, second cavity; 81, hydrogen inlet; 82, hydrogen outlet; 91, reaction air inlet; 92, reaction air outlet; 101, first sealing ring; 102, second sealing ring; 111, third sealing ring; 1 12. Fourth sealing ring; 121. First hydrogen guide groove; 122. First hydrogen isolation strip; 123. First recessed portion; 131. Second hydrogen guide groove; 132. Second hydrogen isolation strip; 133. Second recessed portion; 141. First air guide groove; 142. First air isolation strip; 143. Third recessed portion; 151. Second air guide groove; 152. Second air isolation strip; 153. Fourth recessed portion; 161. Fifth recessed portion; 162. Sixth recessed portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present invention can be further understood through the specific embodiments given below, but they are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0017] Embodiment 1: An air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell, comprising an upper end plate 1, a lower end plate 2, and a plurality of bipolar plates 3 and membrane electrodes 4 alternately stacked between the upper end plate 1 and the lower end plate 2, characterized in that: the bipolar plate 3 comprises an anode plate 5, a cathode plate 6, and a metal cooling plate 7 located between the anode plate 5 and the cathode plate 6, and the anode plate 5, the cathode plate 6, and the metal cooling plate 7 each have a hydrogen inlet 81 and a reaction air inlet 91 at one end, and each have a hydrogen outlet 82 and a reaction air outlet 92 at the other end; The surface of the anode plate 5 opposite to the metal cooling plate 7 is provided with a plurality of first grooves 51, and adjacent first grooves 51 are separated by first ridges 52. The anode plate 5 is provided with a first sealing ring 101 in sealing contact with the membrane electrode 4 around the first grooves 51 and the first ridges 52, and the reaction air inlet 91 and the reaction air outlet 92 of the anode plate 5 are both provided with a second sealing ring 102 in sealing contact with the membrane electrode 4. The cathode plate 6 is provided with a plurality of second grooves 61 on the surface opposite to the metal cooling plate 7, and adjacent second grooves 61 are separated by second ridges 62. The cathode plate 6 is provided with a third sealing ring 111 in sealing contact with the membrane electrode 4 around the second grooves 61 and the second ridges 62, and a fourth sealing ring 112 in sealing contact with the membrane electrode 4 is provided around the hydrogen inlet 81 and the hydrogen outlet 82 of the cathode plate 6. A plurality of first hydrogen guide grooves 121 and first hydrogen isolation strips 122 located between adjacent first hydrogen guide grooves 121 are provided on the hydrogen inlet 81 of the anode plate 5 near the first groove 51 and the first ridge 52. The first hydrogen isolation strips 122 have at least one first recess 123. A plurality of second hydrogen guide grooves 131 and second hydrogen isolation strips 132 located between adjacent second hydrogen guide grooves 131 are provided on the hydrogen outlet 82 of the anode plate 5 near the first groove 51 and the first ridge 52. The second hydrogen isolation strips 132 have at least one second recess 133. The first ridge 52 has at least one fifth recessed portion 161 along its extending direction; A plurality of first air guide grooves 141 and first air isolation strips 142 located between adjacent first air guide grooves 141 are provided on the side of the reaction air inlet 91 of the cathode plate 6 close to the first groove 51 and the first ridge 52. The first air isolation strips 142 have at least one third recessed portion 143. A plurality of second air guide grooves 151 and second air isolation strips 152 located between adjacent second air guide grooves 151 are provided on the side of the reaction air outlet 92 of the cathode plate 6 close to the first groove 51 and the first ridge 52. The second air isolation strips 152 have at least one fourth recessed portion 153. The second ridge 62 has at least one sixth recessed portion 162 along its extending direction.

[0018] The opening areas of the reaction air inlet 91 and the reaction air outlet 92 are three times the opening areas of the hydrogen inlet 81 and the hydrogen outlet 82 .

[0019] There are a plurality of first cavities 71 spaced apart between the metal cooling plate 7 and the anode plate 5 , and a plurality of second cavities 72 spaced apart between the metal cooling plate 7 and the cathode plate 6 . The first cavities 71 and the second cavities 72 are alternately distributed in the plane direction.

[0020] The first cavity 71 and the second cavity 72 are distributed along the length direction of the bipolar plate 3 .

[0021] The first groove 51 and the second groove 61 extend along the length direction of the bipolar plate 3 .

[0022] The first ridges 52 and the second ridges 62 extend along the length direction of the bipolar plate 3 .

[0023] Embodiment 2: An air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell, comprising an upper end plate 1, a lower end plate 2, and a plurality of bipolar plates 3 and membrane electrodes 4 alternately stacked between the upper end plate 1 and the lower end plate 2, characterized in that: the bipolar plate 3 comprises an anode plate 5, a cathode plate 6, and a metal cooling plate 7 located between the anode plate 5 and the cathode plate 6, and the anode plate 5, the cathode plate 6, and the metal cooling plate 7 each have a hydrogen inlet 81 and a reaction air inlet 91 at one end, and each have a hydrogen outlet 82 and a reaction air outlet 92 at the other end; The surface of the anode plate 5 opposite to the metal cooling plate 7 is provided with a plurality of first grooves 51, and adjacent first grooves 51 are separated by first ridges 52. The anode plate 5 is provided with a first sealing ring 101 in sealing contact with the membrane electrode 4 around the first grooves 51 and the first ridges 52, and the reaction air inlet 91 and the reaction air outlet 92 of the anode plate 5 are both provided with a second sealing ring 102 in sealing contact with the membrane electrode 4. The cathode plate 6 is provided with a plurality of second grooves 61 on the surface opposite to the metal cooling plate 7, and adjacent second grooves 61 are separated by second ridges 62. The cathode plate 6 is provided with a third sealing ring 111 in sealing contact with the membrane electrode 4 around the second grooves 61 and the second ridges 62, and a fourth sealing ring 112 in sealing contact with the membrane electrode 4 is provided around the hydrogen inlet 81 and the hydrogen outlet 82 of the cathode plate 6. A plurality of first hydrogen guide grooves 121 and first hydrogen isolation strips 122 located between adjacent first hydrogen guide grooves 121 are provided on the hydrogen inlet 81 of the anode plate 5 near the first groove 51 and the first ridge 52. The first hydrogen isolation strips 122 have at least one first recess 123. A plurality of second hydrogen guide grooves 131 and second hydrogen isolation strips 132 located between adjacent second hydrogen guide grooves 131 are provided on the hydrogen outlet 82 of the anode plate 5 near the first groove 51 and the first ridge 52. The second hydrogen isolation strips 132 have at least one second recess 133. The first ridge 52 has at least one fifth recessed portion 161 along its extending direction; A plurality of first air guide grooves 141 and first air isolation strips 142 located between adjacent first air guide grooves 141 are provided on the side of the reaction air inlet 91 of the cathode plate 6 close to the first groove 51 and the first ridge 52. The first air isolation strips 142 have at least one third recessed portion 143. A plurality of second air guide grooves 151 and second air isolation strips 152 located between adjacent second air guide grooves 151 are provided on the side of the reaction air outlet 92 of the cathode plate 6 close to the first groove 51 and the first ridge 52. The second air isolation strips 152 have at least one fourth recessed portion 153. The second ridge 62 has at least one sixth recessed portion 162 along its extending direction.

[0024] There are a plurality of first cavities 71 spaced apart between the metal cooling plate 7 and the anode plate 5 , and a plurality of second cavities 72 spaced apart between the metal cooling plate 7 and the cathode plate 6 . The first cavities 71 and the second cavities 72 are alternately distributed in the plane direction.

[0025] The opening areas of the reaction air inlet 91 and the reaction air outlet 92 are four times the opening areas of the hydrogen inlet 81 and the hydrogen outlet 82 .

[0026] The hydrogen inlet 81 and the hydrogen outlet 82 are arranged diagonally.

[0027] The reaction air inlet 91 and the reaction air outlet 92 are arranged diagonally.

[0028] The first cavity 71 and the second cavity 72 are distributed along the length direction of the bipolar plate 3 .

[0029] The first groove 51 and the second groove 61 extend along the length direction of the bipolar plate 3 .

[0030] The first ridges 52 and the second ridges 62 extend along the length direction of the bipolar plate 3 .

[0031] When the above-mentioned air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell is used, the fuel hydrogen and reaction air enter the cavity and circulate in the groove more evenly, which improves the balance of the fuel cell power generation efficiency, thereby improving the overall power generation efficiency of the battery, and also avoids the flooding effect caused by excessive water generated locally due to the difference in reaction rate of the membrane electrode, which is not removed in time, thereby improving the reliability of battery use. In addition, there are several first cavities distributed at intervals between the metal cooling plate and the anode plate, and several second cavities distributed at intervals between the metal cooling plate and the cathode plate. The first cavity and the second cavity are alternately distributed in the plane direction, so that the reaction air and the cooling air are separated, and the anode plate and the cathode plate are cooled at the same time, ensuring the consistency of cooling, while also improving the humidity inside the battery.

[0032] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention, and their purpose is to enable people familiar with the technology to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly, and they cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell, comprising an upper end plate (1), a lower end plate (2), and a plurality of bipolar plates (3) and membrane electrodes (4) alternately stacked between the upper end plate (1) and the lower end plate (2), characterized in that: The bipolar plate (3) comprises an anode plate (5), a cathode plate (6) and a metal cooling plate (7) located between the anode plate (5) and the cathode plate (6); the anode plate (5), the cathode plate (6) and the metal cooling plate (7) each have a hydrogen inlet (81) and a reaction air inlet (91) at one end thereof, and each have a hydrogen outlet (82) and a reaction air outlet (92) at the other end thereof; The surface of the anode plate (5) opposite to the metal cooling plate (7) is provided with a plurality of first grooves (51), and adjacent first grooves (51) are separated by first ridges (52); the anode plate (5) is provided with a first sealing ring (101) in sealing contact with the membrane electrode (4) around the first grooves (51) and the first ridges (52); and the reaction air inlet (91) and the reaction air outlet (92) of the anode plate (5) are both provided with a second sealing ring (102) in sealing contact with the membrane electrode (4); The cathode plate (6) is provided with a plurality of second grooves (61) on the surface opposite to the metal cooling plate (7), and adjacent second grooves (61) are separated by second ridges (62); the cathode plate (6) is provided with a third sealing ring (111) in sealing contact with the membrane electrode (4) around the second grooves (61) and the second ridges (62); and the cathode plate (6) is provided with a fourth sealing ring (112) in sealing contact with the membrane electrode (4) around the hydrogen inlet (81) and the hydrogen outlet (82); A plurality of first hydrogen guide grooves (121) and first hydrogen isolation strips (122) located between adjacent first hydrogen guide grooves (121) are provided on the side of the hydrogen inlet (81) of the anode plate (5) close to the first groove (51) and the first ridge (52), and the first hydrogen isolation strips (122) have at least one first recessed portion (123); A plurality of second hydrogen guide grooves (131) and second hydrogen isolation strips (132) located between adjacent second hydrogen guide grooves (131) are provided on one side of the hydrogen outlet (82) of the anode plate (5) close to the first groove (51) and the first ridge (52), and the second hydrogen isolation strips (132) have at least one second recessed portion (133); The first ridge (52) has at least one fifth recessed portion (161) along its extension direction; A plurality of first air guide grooves (141) and first air isolation strips (142) located between adjacent first air guide grooves (141) are provided on one side of the reaction air inlet (91) of the cathode plate (6) close to the first groove (51) and the first ridge (52), and the first air isolation strips (142) have at least one third recessed portion (143); A plurality of second air guide grooves (151) and second air isolation strips (152) located between adjacent second air guide grooves (151) are provided on one side of the reaction air outlet (92) of the cathode plate (6) close to the first groove (51) and the first ridge (52), and the second air isolation strip (152) has at least one fourth recessed portion (153); The second ridge (62) has at least one sixth recessed portion (162) along its extension direction.

2. The air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of first cavities (71) are arranged at intervals between the metal cooling plate (7) and the anode plate (5), and a plurality of second cavities (72) are arranged at intervals between the metal cooling plate (7) and the cathode plate (6), wherein the first cavities (71) and the second cavities (72) are alternately arranged in a plane direction.

3. The air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The opening areas of the reaction air inlet (91) and the reaction air outlet (92) are both larger than the opening areas of the hydrogen inlet (81) and the hydrogen outlet (82).

4. The air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 3, characterized in that: The opening areas of the reaction air inlet (91) and the reaction air outlet (92) are 2 to 5 times the opening areas of the hydrogen inlet (81) and the hydrogen outlet (82).

5. The air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The hydrogen inlet (81) and the hydrogen outlet (82) are arranged diagonally.

6. The air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The reaction air inlet (91) and the reaction air outlet (92) are arranged diagonally.

7. The air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 6 is characterized in that: The first cavity (71) and the second cavity (72) are distributed along the length direction of the bipolar plate (3).

8. The air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The first groove (51) and the second groove (61) extend along the length direction of the bipolar plate (3).

9. The air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The first ridge strip (52) and the second ridge strip (62) extend along the length direction of the bipolar plate (3).

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