Fuel cell integrated end plate structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a fuel cell integrated end plate structure, which is a rectangular parallelepiped structure as a whole, and is composed of six unconnected channels inside the rectangular parallelepiped structure; they are a high-temperature coolant channel, a low-temperature coolant channel, a fresh air channel, a reaction residual air channel, a fresh hydrogen channel, and a reaction residual hydrogen channel; the inlets of all the above channels are arranged on one side of the end plate structure, and the outlets of all the channels are arranged on the other side of the end plate structure. The present invention uses high-temperature water to heat the incoming hydrogen through heat exchange; and uses low-temperature water to cool the outgoing hydrogen, which is more conducive to the subsequent gas-water separation of the outgoing hydrogen.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of new energy fuel cell hydrogen storage systems, and in particular relates to a fuel cell integrated end plate structure. Background Art

[0002] The fluid pipelines on the fuel cell stack include coolant pipelines, hydrogen pipelines, and air pipelines. Most of the end plates of the stack will extend three pipelines separately in the form of flanges or piers. Because the fluids include both inlet and outlet, there are usually six extended pipelines on the end plate. The fuel cell system will connect these six pipelines to the corresponding system accessories, such as intercoolers, humidifiers, etc. However, this design does not have heat exchange between the fluids, and the energy utilization rate is not high, which will cause energy waste. At the same time, the hydrogen out of the stack needs to be separated from the gas and water before returning to the hydrogen circuit. If the low temperature of the coolant entering the stack is used to cool the hydrogen out of the stack, it will be beneficial to the condensation of the hydrogen out of the stack and improve the efficiency of gas-water separation. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention aims to propose a fuel cell integrated end plate structure, which implements the design concept of "heating the inlet hydrogen with the high-temperature water for cooling the stack out of the stack and cooling the outlet hydrogen with the low-temperature water for cooling the stack in of the stack" into the design of the stack end plate, and adopts the principle of heat exchange between adjacent cavities inside the fuel cell end plate. First, the outlet cooling high-temperature water channel and the inlet hydrogen channel are designed as respectively closed adjacent large flat plate channels, and the inlet hydrogen is heated by high-temperature water through heat exchange; similarly, the inlet cooling low-temperature water channel and the outlet hydrogen channel are designed as respectively closed adjacent large flat plate channels, and the outlet hydrogen is cooled by low-temperature water through heat exchange, which is more conducive to the subsequent gas-water separation of the outlet hydrogen.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present invention is achieved as follows:

[0005] A fuel cell integrated end plate structure, which is a rectangular parallelepiped structure as a whole, and has six unconnected channels inside the rectangular parallelepiped structure;

[0006] They are respectively a high-temperature coolant channel, a low-temperature coolant channel, a fresh air channel, a reaction excess air channel, a fresh hydrogen channel and a reaction excess hydrogen channel;

[0007] The inlets of all the above-mentioned channels are arranged on one side of the end plate structure, and the outlets of all the channels are arranged on the other side of the end plate structure.

[0008] Furthermore, the fresh hydrogen channel and the high-temperature coolant channel are channels with variable cross-sections, and heat exchange occurs between the two channels inside the end plate. Both channels are flat-plate channels at the locations where the heat exchange occurs, and the two flat-plate channels are arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other.

[0009] Furthermore, the reaction residual hydrogen channel and the low-temperature coolant channel are cross-section variable channels, and heat exchange occurs between the two channels inside the end plate. Both channels at the location where the heat exchange occurs are flat plate channels, and the two flat plate channels are arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other.

[0010] Furthermore, the fresh air channel and the reaction residual air channel are straight channels; the inlet and outlet positions of the heat exchange plate channel are located at the diagonal positions of the plate, so as to increase the heat exchange area.

[0011] Further, the areas of the inlet and outlet of the fresh hydrogen channel are equal, represented by a; the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel between the inlet and outlet of the fresh hydrogen channel is represented by b, then b>a; and the ratio between a and b is in the range of 1:1.5-1:2;

[0012] The areas of the inlet and outlet of the high-temperature coolant channel are equal, represented by c; the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel between the inlet and outlet of the fresh hydrogen channel is represented by d, then d>c; and the ratio between c and d ranges from 1:1.5 to 1:2.

[0013] Further, the areas of the inlet and outlet of the reaction residual hydrogen channel are equal, represented by e; the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel between the inlet and outlet of the reaction residual hydrogen channel is represented by f, then f>e; and the ratio between e and f is in the range of 1:1.5-1:2;

[0014] The areas of the low-temperature coolant channel inlet and outlet are equal, represented by m; the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel between the low-temperature coolant channel inlet and outlet is represented by n, then n>m; and the ratio between m and n ranges from 1:1.5 to 1:2.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the fuel cell integrated end plate structure described in the present invention has the following advantages:

[0016] A fuel cell integrated end plate structure of the present invention adopts the principle of heat exchange between adjacent cavities inside the fuel cell end plate. First, the high-temperature water channel for cooling the stack out and the hydrogen channel for entering the stack are designed as respectively closed adjacent large flat plate channels. Through heat exchange, high-temperature water is used to heat the hydrogen entering the stack. Similarly, the low-temperature water channel for cooling the stack in and the hydrogen channel for exiting the stack are designed as respectively closed adjacent large flat plate channels. Through heat exchange, low-temperature water is used to cool the hydrogen exiting the stack, which is more conducive to subsequent gas-water separation of the hydrogen exiting the stack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The accompanying drawings constituting a part of the present invention are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:

[0018] Figure 1A front view of a fuel cell integrated end plate structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 A rear view of a fuel cell integrated end plate structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 A top view of a fuel cell integrated end plate structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 For the embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 Figure 2 Sectional views of each section in the

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a fuel cell integrated end plate structure and a stack installation position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Description of reference numerals:

[0024] 1. High-temperature coolant channel; 2. Low-temperature coolant channel; 3. Fresh air channel; 4. Reaction residual air channel; 5. Fresh hydrogen channel; 6. Reaction residual hydrogen channel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other.

[0026] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and the like are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defined as "first", "second", and the like may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood by specific circumstances.

[0028] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with embodiments.

[0029] A fuel cell integrated end plate structure, such as Figure 1-Figure 5 As shown, the overall structure is a rectangular parallelepiped, and six unconnected channels are arranged inside the rectangular parallelepiped structure;

[0030] They are respectively a high-temperature coolant channel 1, a low-temperature coolant channel 2, a fresh air channel 3, a reaction residual air channel 4, a fresh hydrogen channel 5 and a reaction residual hydrogen channel 6;

[0031] The inlets of all the above-mentioned channels are arranged on one side of the end plate structure, and the outlets of all the channels are arranged on the other side of the end plate structure.

[0032] Preferably, the fresh hydrogen channel 5 and the high-temperature coolant channel 1 are channels with variable cross-sections, and heat exchange occurs between the two channels inside the end plate. Both channels at the location where heat exchange occurs are flat channel, and the two flat channel are arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other.

[0033] Preferably, the reaction residual hydrogen channel 6 and the low-temperature coolant channel 2 are cross-section variable channels, and heat exchange occurs between the two channels inside the end plate. Both channels at the location where heat exchange occurs are flat channel, and the two flat channel are arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other.

[0034] Preferably, the fresh air channel 3 and the reaction residual air channel 4 are straight channels; the inlet and outlet positions of the heat exchange plate channel are located at the diagonal positions of the plate, so as to increase the heat exchange area.

[0035] Preferably, the areas of the inlet and outlet of the fresh hydrogen channel 5 are equal, represented by a; the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel between the inlet and outlet of the fresh hydrogen channel 5 is represented by b, then b>a; and the ratio between a and b is in the range of 1:1.5-1:2;

[0036] The areas of the inlet and outlet of the high-temperature coolant channel 1 are equal, represented by c; the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel between the inlet and outlet of the fresh hydrogen channel 5 is represented by d, then d>c; and the ratio between c and d ranges from 1:1.5 to 1:2.

[0037] Preferably, the areas of the inlet and outlet of the reaction residual hydrogen channel 6 are equal, represented by e; the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel between the inlet and outlet of the reaction residual hydrogen channel 6 is represented by f, then f>e; and the ratio between e and f is in the range of 1:1.5-1:2;

[0038] The areas of the inlet and outlet of the low-temperature coolant channel 2 are equal, represented by m; the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel between the inlet and outlet of the low-temperature coolant channel 2 is represented by n, then n>m; and the ratio between m and n ranges from 1:1.5 to 1:2.

[0039] Based on the principle of heat exchange between adjacent cavities inside the fuel cell end plate, the high-temperature water channel for cooling the stack out and the hydrogen channel for entering the stack are first designed as respectively closed adjacent large flat channels. Through heat exchange, high-temperature water is used to heat the hydrogen entering the stack. Similarly, the low-temperature water channel for cooling the stack in and the hydrogen channel for exiting the stack are designed as respectively closed adjacent large flat channels. Through heat exchange, low-temperature water is used to cool the hydrogen exiting the stack, which is more conducive to the subsequent gas-water separation of the hydrogen exiting the stack.

[0040] 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 principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell integrated end plate structure, characterized in that: The overall structure is a rectangular parallelepiped, and there are six unconnected passages inside the rectangular parallelepiped structure; They are respectively a high-temperature coolant channel, a low-temperature coolant channel, a fresh air channel, a reaction excess air channel, a fresh hydrogen channel and a reaction excess hydrogen channel; The inlets of all the above-mentioned channels are arranged on one side of the end plate structure, and the outlets of all the channels are arranged on the other side of the end plate structure.

2. A fuel cell integrated end plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fresh hydrogen channel and the high-temperature coolant channel are cross-section variable channels. Heat exchange occurs between the two channels inside the end plate. Both channels are flat-plate channels at the locations where heat exchange occurs, and the two flat-plate channels are arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other.

3. A fuel cell integrated end plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reaction residual hydrogen channel and the low-temperature coolant channel are cross-section variable channels. There is heat exchange between the two channels inside the end plate. The two channels at the location where the heat exchange occurs are both flat plate channels, and the two flat plate channels are arranged in parallel and adjacent to each other.

4. The fuel cell integrated end plate structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fresh air channel and the reaction residual air channel are straight channels; the inlet and outlet positions of the heat exchange plate channel are located at the diagonal positions of the plate, which is used to increase the heat exchange area.

5. The fuel cell integrated end plate structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The areas of the inlet and outlet of the fresh hydrogen channel are equal, represented by a; the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel between the inlet and outlet of the fresh hydrogen channel is represented by b, then b>a; and the ratio between a and b is in the range of 1:1.5-1:2; The areas of the inlet and outlet of the high-temperature coolant channel are equal, represented by c; the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel between the inlet and outlet of the fresh hydrogen channel is represented by d, then d>c; and the ratio between c and d ranges from 1:1.5 to 1:

2.

6. A fuel cell integrated end plate structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The areas of the inlet and outlet of the reaction residual hydrogen channel are equal, represented by e; the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel between the inlet and outlet of the reaction residual hydrogen channel is represented by f, then f>e; and the ratio between e and f is in the range of 1:1.5-1:2; The areas of the low-temperature coolant channel inlet and outlet are equal, represented by m; the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel between the low-temperature coolant channel inlet and outlet is represented by n, then n>m; and the ratio between m and n ranges from 1:1.5 to 1:2.

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