Fuel cell polar plate runner structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel cell polar plate runner structure, which is suitable for a polar plate and comprises a runner inlet, a first transition area, a plurality of runners, a second transition area and a runner outlet, the flow channel inlet, the first transition area, the flow channel, the second transition area and the flow channel outlet are sequentially arranged in a communicating manner; and a plurality of circular truncated cones are arranged in each flow channel. According to the application, the circular truncated cone structure is arranged in the flow channel, so that a fluid can generate vortex behind the circular truncated cone due to the circular truncated cone structure after entering the flow channel, thereby damaging a laminar flow part of a fluid domain on a polar plate, further preventing water and the like generated by reaction from being retained in the flow channel, and effectively reducing the problem of water blockage of the fuel cell; meanwhile, the vortex can improve the heat transfer capacity of the fluid, and heat can be better dissipated; moreover, the vortex can enable the fluid to be in better contact with the gas diffusion layer, so that the performance of the fuel cell can be effectively improved, the condition that the performance of the cell is low due to an existing runner structure can be overcome, and the requirements of actual use are well met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of batteries, and in particular to a fuel cell polar plate flow channel structure. Background Art

[0002] Fuel cells are an ideal power source with high efficiency, high specific energy, and low pollution. A fuel cell stack consists of multiple single cells stacked in series, each consisting of a membrane electrode and a bipolar plate. Typically, grooves, or flow channels, are formed on the surface of the bipolar plate through molding / stamping techniques. The flow within the cell (hydrogen, air, water) is confined to the grooves, forming an internal flow field within the cell. Battery performance is largely determined by the plate's flow field, with specific influencing factors including: the flow pattern of the fluid in the flow field; the contact between the fluid and the gas diffusion layer; heat dissipation performance; and water blockage.

[0003] Because the plates are responsible for both gas supply and water drainage, the flow channel structure on the plates not only directly affects the diffusion and mass transfer of the reactant gases into the gas diffusion layer and the discharge of generated water, but also indirectly influences the transfer and distribution of heat generated by the electrochemical reaction. Fuel cell performance depends on the reactants and the performance of water and heat management. Therefore, enhancing internal mass and heat transfer by designing and improving the flow channel structure on the plates is a key consideration for improving fuel cell performance. Existing PEMFC plate flow channel structures often experience water blockage, which in turn affects the energy consumption, performance, operational stability, and safety of the entire battery system. Furthermore, the poor heat dissipation performance makes it difficult to meet practical requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, an embodiment of the present invention provides a fuel cell plate flow channel structure, which aims to solve the problems of water blockage in existing PEMFC plate flow channel structures, which affects the energy consumption, performance, operation stability and safety of the entire battery system.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, an embodiment of the present invention proposes the following technical solutions: a fuel cell plate flow channel structure, suitable for the plate, including a flow channel inlet, a first transition zone, a plurality of flow channels, a second transition zone and a flow channel outlet; the flow channel inlet, the first transition zone, the flow channel, the second transition zone and the flow channel outlet are connected in sequence; and several cones are arranged in each of the flow channels.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment, the height of the cone is the same as the depth of the flow channel.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment, the width of the cone is less than half the width of the flow channel.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, the frustum is arranged at the center of the flow channel, and the frustum and the flow channel are integrally formed.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, in the same flow channel, a plurality of the frustums are arranged at equal intervals; in adjacent flow channels, the frustums are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, a plurality of the flow channels are arranged parallel to each other; the flow channels are straight flow channels or wavy flow channels.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, when the flow channel is a wavy flow channel, a plurality of the frustums are arranged at the crests and troughs of the wavy flow channel.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the frustum is arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the wave crest; the frustum is arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the wave trough.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, the flow channel inlet is provided at one end of the electrode plate, the flow channel outlet is provided at the other end of the electrode plate, and the flow channel inlet and the flow channel outlet extend in opposite directions.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, the flow channel inlet, the first transition zone, the flow channel, the second transition zone and the flow channel outlet are all integrally formed.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, the electrode plate is a PEMFC electrode plate.

[0016] The beneficial effects achieved by the present invention are as follows: by arranging a truncated cone structure in the flow channel, the present application generates eddies behind the truncated cone structure after the fluid enters the flow channel, thereby destroying the laminar flow portion of the fluid domain in the electrode plate, thereby preventing the water generated by the reaction from being retained in the flow channel, and effectively reducing the problem of water blockage in the fuel cell; at the same time, the eddies can increase the heat transfer capacity of the fluid and can better dissipate heat; moreover, the eddies can make the fluid better contact with the gas diffusion layer, which can effectively improve the performance of the fuel cell. The structure of the present application can overcome the situation where the existing flow channel structure causes poor battery performance; the present application has a simple structure, is easy to arrange, is easy to implement, has a low cost, and has good stability, and can well meet the needs of actual use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] 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 or the description of the prior art. 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 the structures shown in these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a partially enlarged structure of a fuel cell plate flow channel structure;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the locally enlarged structure of the fuel cell plate flow channel structure.

[0022] The purpose, features and advantages of the present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and in conjunction with the embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, top, bottom...), then the directional indications are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the various components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0025] In this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection or electrical connection; direct connection or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two elements or interaction between two elements, unless otherwise specified. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application based on specific circumstances.

[0026] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element.

[0027] In addition, if there are descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the embodiments of the present invention, the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are only for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features specified as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the fact that ordinary technicians in this field can implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0028] The unreasonable design of the flow channels in existing fuel cell plates leads to poor performance of the fuel cell stack, reduced reactant diffusion and mass transfer capacity, water blockage, and reduced battery performance. These are the effects caused by defects in the structure itself.

[0029] Specifically, such as Figures 1 to 4 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention proposes the following technical solution: a fuel cell plate flow channel structure, suitable for the plate, including a flow channel inlet 10, a first transition area 20, a plurality of flow channels 30, a second transition area 40 and a flow channel outlet 50; the flow channel inlet 10, the first transition area 20, the flow channel 30, the second transition area 40 and the flow channel outlet 50 are connected in sequence; each of the flow channels 30 is provided with a plurality of cones 31.

[0030] Through the structure of the present application, the ability of gas to enter the gas diffusion layer can be effectively improved, thereby effectively improving the gas purging ability, reducing the possibility of water blockage, and effectively improving the heat dissipation performance of the fuel cell stack, thereby improving the performance of the fuel cell stack.

[0031] As a preferred embodiment, the height of the truncated cone 31 is the same as the depth of the flow channel 30. This arrangement can ensure that the truncated cone reduces the flow area of ​​the flow channel, thereby accelerating the flow rate of the fluid, thereby allowing the fluid to transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow, while not affecting the installation and placement of the plates and batteries.

[0032] As a preferred embodiment, the width of the truncated cone 31 is less than half the width of the flow channel 30. This configuration can accelerate the flow rate of the fluid, thereby allowing the fluid to transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow, while not blocking the flow channel and affecting the installation and setting of the plates and batteries.

[0033] As a preferred embodiment, the truncated cone 31 is provided at the center of the flow channel 30, and the truncated cone 31 is integrally formed with the flow channel 30. Specifically, in the embodiment of the present application, the truncated cone 31 is a truncated cone of a cylindrical structure.

[0034] As a preferred embodiment, in the same flow channel 30 , a plurality of the frustums 31 are arranged at equal intervals; in adjacent flow channels 30 , the frustums 31 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0035] In the same flow channel, several frustums are arranged at equal intervals, so that the frustums in the flow channel appear in a periodic form; when the fluid passes through the frustum, the frustum will reduce the flow area of ​​the flow channel, which will increase the flow rate of the fluid, thereby causing the fluid to change from laminar flow to turbulent flow; when the fluid passes through the frustum, a vortex structure such as a Karman vortex street will also be generated. The vortex structure will destroy the laminar structure between the fluid domain and the plate, preventing the fluid from being retained at the wall, thereby accelerating the water sweeping and preventing water blockage. At the same time, due to the generation of turbulence, turbulence is more conducive to the heat dissipation of the plate than the laminar structure, can effectively improve the heat dissipation capacity of the plate and prevent the plate from overheating. In addition, turbulence is also more conducive to the contact between the gas and the gas diffusion layer, which is conducive to the generation of the reaction and can effectively improve the performance of the fuel cell.

[0036] In adjacent flow channels, the cones are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, which means that the cones in each flow channel are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, that is, the setting positions of the cones in each flow channel are the same, which can well ensure the consistency of the flow channels and thus ensure the consistency of the fuel cell performance.

[0037] As a preferred embodiment, a plurality of the flow channels 30 are arranged parallel to each other; the flow channels 30 are straight channels or wavy flow channels.

[0038] As a preferred embodiment, Figures 3 and 4 As shown, when the flow channel 30 is a wavy flow channel, a plurality of the frustums 31 are arranged at the crests and troughs of the wavy flow channel. The arrangement of frustums at the crests and troughs of the wavy flow channel can accelerate the flow velocity of the fluid, thereby making the fluid transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow.

[0039] As a preferred embodiment, the truncated terraces 31 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the wave crests, and the truncated terraces 31 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the wave troughs. This arrangement can maximize the flow velocity of the fluid in the wavy flow channel, thereby allowing the fluid to transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow as much as possible.

[0040] As a preferred embodiment, the flow channel inlet 10 is provided at one end of the electrode plate, the flow channel outlet 50 is provided at the other end of the electrode plate, and the flow channel inlet 10 and the flow channel outlet 50 extend in opposite directions.

[0041] As a preferred embodiment, the flow channel inlet 10, the first transition zone 20, the flow channel 30, the second transition zone 40 and the flow channel outlet 50 are all integrally formed.

[0042] As a preferred embodiment, the electrode plate is a PEMFC electrode plate.

[0043] The present application sets a truncated cone structure in the flow channel, so that after the fluid enters the flow channel, a vortex is generated behind the truncated cone due to the truncated cone structure, thereby destroying the laminar flow part of the fluid domain in the electrode plate, thereby preventing the water produced by the reaction from being retained in the flow channel, and effectively reducing the problem of water blockage in the fuel cell; at the same time, the vortex can increase the heat transfer capacity of the fluid and can better dissipate heat; moreover, the vortex can make the fluid better contact with the gas diffusion layer, which can effectively improve the performance of the fuel cell. The structure of the present application can overcome the situation where the existing flow channel structure causes poor battery performance; the present application has a simple structure, is easy to arrange, is easy to implement, has a low cost, and has good stability, and can well meet the needs of actual use.

[0044] In this specification, reference to terms such as "one embodiment" or "example" means that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in conjunction with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

[0045] In addition, it should be understood that although this specification is described in terms of implementation methods, not every implementation method contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0046] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural transformations made by using the contents of the present invention description and drawings under the inventive concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect application in other related technical fields are included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell plate flow channel structure, characterized in that: Applicable to the electrode plate, comprising a flow channel inlet, a first transition zone, a plurality of flow channels, a second transition zone and a flow channel outlet; the flow channel inlet, the first transition zone, the flow channel, the second transition zone and the flow channel outlet are connected in sequence; and a plurality of frustums are arranged in each of the flow channels.

2. The fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The height of the frustum is the same as the depth of the flow channel.

3. The fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the frustum is less than half of the width of the flow channel.

4. The fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frustum is arranged at the center of the flow channel, and the frustum and the flow channel are integrally formed.

5. The fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the same flow channel, a plurality of the frustums are arranged at equal intervals; in adjacent flow channels, the frustums are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence.

6. The fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of flow channels are arranged parallel to each other; and the flow channels are straight flow channels or wavy flow channels.

7. The fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the flow channel is a wavy flow channel, a plurality of the frustums are arranged at the crests and troughs of the wavy flow channel.

8. The fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The frustum is arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the wave crest; the frustum is arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the wave trough.

9. The fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow channel inlet is arranged at one end of the electrode plate, the flow channel outlet is arranged at the other end of the electrode plate, and the flow channel inlet and the flow channel outlet are extended in opposite directions.

10. The fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flow channel inlet, the first transition zone, the flow channel, the second transition zone and the flow channel outlet are all integrally formed; The electrode plate is a PEMFC electrode plate.

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