Fuel cell polar plate runner structure and polar plate

Abstract

The utility model provides a fuel cell polar plate runner structure which is suitable for a fuel cell polar plate and comprises a first port, a runner body and a second port which are connected in sequence, the runner body comprises a paraboloid, a first side surface, a second side surface and a plane bottom surface; the paraboloid and the plane bottom surface are oppositely arranged; the first side surface is respectively connected with the paraboloid and the plane bottom surface, and the second side surface is respectively connected with the paraboloid and the plane bottom surface; the first side surface and the second side surface are oppositely arranged; and the plane bottom surface is arranged close to the gas diffusion layer. The utility model also provides a polar plate. By means of the structure, the performance of the electric pile can be better improved, and heat dissipation of the electric pile is facilitated. The battery is simple and attractive in structure, low in energy consumption, economical, practical and good in machinability, and can be applied to a fuel cell system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of fuel cells, in particular to a fuel cell plate flow channel structure and a plate. Background Technique

[0002] A fuel cell is an energy source with high efficiency, high specific energy and low pollution, and has received increasing attention. A fuel cell stack is composed of battery units connected in series. Each battery unit consists of a membrane electrode and a bipolar plate. Generally, a groove area, that is, a flow channel, is formed on the surface of the plate through a molding / stamping technique; the internal flow in the battery (such as hydrogen, air, water) is restricted in the groove to form the internal flow field of the battery.

[0003] The performance of the battery depends to a large extent on the flow field of the plate. The specific influencing factors include: (1) the flow state of the fluid in the flow field; (2) the contact between the fluid and the gas diffusion layer; (3) the heat dissipation performance;

[0004] (4) The water blocking problem. The above influencing factors are related to the heat transfer, mass transfer and interfacial phenomena accompanied by the electrochemical reaction. Since the plate undertakes the functions of supplying gas and draining water, the flow channel structure on the plate not only directly affects the diffusion mass transfer of the reaction gas to the gas diffusion layer and the process of discharging the generated water, but also indirectly affects the heat transfer and distribution process of the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction. The performance of the fuel cell depends on the reactants and the water and heat management performance. Therefore, designing and improving the flow channel structure on the plate to strengthen the internal mass transfer and heat transfer processes is a key factor to be considered in improving the performance of the fuel cell.

[0005] At present, the bipolar plates of proton exchange membrane fuel cells are developing in the direction of refined size and three-dimensional structure. The existing flow channel design of the fuel cell plate is unreasonable, resulting in a decrease in the diffusion mass transfer ability and utilization rate of the reactants, and further causing a decrease in the battery performance and poor performance of the fuel cell stack. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] Based on this, an embodiment of the utility model provides a fuel cell plate flow channel structure, aiming to solve the problems such as water blocking and heat dissipation of the existing reaction gas in the channel flow field, which affect the performance of the fuel cell stack.

[0007] To achieve the above object, on the one hand, an embodiment of the utility model provides a fuel cell plate flow channel structure, which is applicable to a fuel cell plate and includes a first port, a flow channel body and a second port connected in sequence; the flow channel body includes a paraboloid, a first side surface, a second side surface and a flat bottom surface; the paraboloid is disposed opposite to the flat bottom surface; the first side surface is respectively connected to the paraboloid and the flat bottom surface, and the second side surface is respectively connected to the paraboloid and the flat bottom surface; the first side surface is disposed opposite to the second side surface; the flat bottom surface is disposed close to the gas diffusion layer.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, the paraboloid includes a plurality of arc surfaces, and two adjacent arc surfaces intersect to form a "V"-like angle.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, the radian of the arc surface increases as the height of the flow channel body increases; the angle of the "V"-like angle increases as the height of the flow channel body increases.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the radian of each arc surface is 30° to 150°; the focus of each arc surface is arranged on the plane bottom surface.

[0011] In the structure of the present application, a paraboloid is formed by a plurality of arc surfaces, and a flow channel structure is formed by the paraboloid, the first side surface, the second side surface and the plane bottom surface. The cross-section of the flow channel structure is variable, so that turbulence will be generated when the fluid passes through the flow channel structure. When the turbulence encounters the paraboloid, it will be reflected to the plane bottom surface and transmitted to the gas diffusion layer arranged close to the plane bottom surface by the plane bottom surface, thereby helping the fluid to enter the gas diffusion layer and improving the performance of the stack.

[0012] Compared with laminar flow, the turbulence generated by the structure of the present application can make the fluid easier to contact with the gas diffusion layer. In addition, the turbulence has a stronger purging ability for liquids and can effectively reduce the possibility of water blockage. And, because the contact area between the turbulence and the wall surface of the flow channel structure is larger, it can dissipate heat better, thereby effectively improving the heat dissipation of the stack.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, the degree of the "V"-like angle is 30° to 150°.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, the first side surface is perpendicular to the plane bottom surface, and the second side surface is perpendicular to the plane bottom surface; the first side surface and the second side surface are parallel to each other.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, the paraboloid, the first side surface, the second side surface and the plane bottom surface are integrally formed.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment, the first port, the flow channel body and the second port are integrally formed.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment, the first port and the second port are parallel to each other.

[0018] On the other hand, the embodiment of the present application also provides a plate suitable for a fuel cell, and the plate includes a plurality of fuel cell plate flow channel structures arranged parallel to each other.

[0019] As a preferred embodiment, adjacent fuel cell plate flow channel structures are arranged in abutting connection.

[0020] In the structure of the present application, a paraboloid is formed by a plurality of arc surfaces, and a flow channel structure is formed by the paraboloid, the first side surface, the second side surface and the flat bottom surface. The cross-section of the flow channel structure is variable, so that turbulence will be generated when the fluid passes through the flow channel structure. When the turbulence encounters the paraboloid, it will be reflected to the flat bottom surface and transmitted to the gas diffusion layer arranged close to the flat bottom surface by the flat bottom surface, thereby helping the fluid to enter the gas diffusion layer faster and improving the performance of the fuel cell stack. Moreover, the structure of the present application can better improve the heat dissipation performance of the fuel cell stack. Through the structure of the present application, the ability of gas to enter the gas diffusion layer can be effectively improved, the purging ability of the gas can be improved, and the possibility of water blockage can be reduced, thereby effectively improving the performance of the fuel cell stack. The structure of the present application is simple and beautiful, has low energy consumption, is economical and practical, and has good processability, and can be applied to a fuel cell system for use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative efforts.

[0022] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic diagram of the structure of the fuel cell plate flow channel structure from another angle;

[0024] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a partial structural schematic diagram in;

[0025] Figure 4 is for the fluid in Figure 1 a partial schematic diagram of the fuel cell plate flow channel structure reflecting to the flat bottom surface after hitting the arc surface.

[0026] The realization, functional features and advantages of the object of the present invention will be further described in conjunction with the embodiments with reference to the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present utility model, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without making creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0028] It should be noted that if there are directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, top, bottom...) involved in the embodiments of the present utility model, then the directional indications are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement conditions between components in a specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0029] In the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal connection of two components or the interaction relationship between two components, unless otherwise clearly limited. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific situations.

[0030] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may also be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time.

[0031] In addition, if there are descriptions such as "first", "second", etc. involved in the embodiments of the present utility model, then 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 quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In addition, the technical solutions between various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the fact that those of ordinary skill in the art can implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the protection scope required by the present utility model.

[0032] Currently, the following problems exist in the flow channels of PEMFC bipolar plates: (1) Water blockage may occur to the fluid in the flow channels, which in turn affects the energy consumption, performance, operation stability, safety, etc. of the entire system; (2) The flow pattern of the fluid in the flow channels also affects the performance of the fuel cell stack; (3) The heat dissipation problem has not been solved. Based on this, the embodiments of the present application provide a fuel cell bipolar plate flow channel structure and a bipolar plate to solve the above technical problems.

[0033] Specifically, as Figures 1 to 3 shown, on the one hand, the embodiment of the present utility model provides a fuel cell bipolar plate flow channel structure, which is applicable to a fuel cell bipolar plate, and includes a first port 10, a flow channel body 20, and a second port 30 that are connected in sequence; the flow channel body 20 includes a paraboloid 21, a first side surface 22, a second side surface 23, and a flat bottom surface 24; the paraboloid 21 is disposed opposite to the flat bottom surface 24; the first side surface 22 is respectively connected to the paraboloid 21 and the flat bottom surface 24, and the second side surface 23 is respectively connected to the paraboloid 21 and the flat bottom surface 24; the first side surface 22 is disposed opposite to the second side surface 23; the flat bottom surface 24 is close to the gas diffusion layer.

[0034] As a preferred embodiment, the paraboloid 21 includes a plurality of arc surfaces 211, and adjacent two arc surfaces 211 intersect to form a "V"-like angle 212.

[0035] As a preferred embodiment, the radian of the arc surface 211 increases as the height of the flow channel body 20 increases; the angle of the "V"-like angle 212 increases as the height of the flow channel body 20 increases. In this way, the turbulent flow change generated when the fluid passes through the flow channel structure can be effectively controlled, and then the speed of the fluid entering the gas diffusion layer can be controlled.

[0036] The number of arc surfaces 211 provided can be set according to actual use needs, and the cross-sectional change of the overall bipolar plate flow channel structure can be freely adjusted, so as to control the turbulent flow change generated when the fluid passes through the flow channel structure, and then control the speed of the fluid entering the gas diffusion layer. Specifically, in this embodiment, the paraboloid 21 on the same flow channel structure is composed of 50 arc surfaces 211. It can be understood that in other embodiments, the paraboloid 21 on the same flow channel structure can also be composed of 20 arc surfaces 211, or 30 arc surfaces 211, or 60 arc surfaces 211 or even more arc surfaces 211.

[0037] As a preferred embodiment, the radian of each of the arc surfaces 211 is 30° to 150° (according to actual usage requirements, it can be 30°, or 60°, or 100°, or 150°, etc.); the focus of each of the arc surfaces 211 is arranged on the plane bottom surface 24. Within the above radian range, the turbulent flow changes generated when the fluid passes through the flow channel structure can be more effectively controlled, thereby controlling the speed at which the fluid enters the gas diffusion layer.

[0038] By controlling the radian of the arc surface 211, the focus of the arc surface 211 can be concentrated on the plane bottom surface 24, so that after the turbulent flow encounters the parabolic surface 21, it will be reflected to the plane bottom surface 24 and transmitted by the plane bottom surface 24 to the gas diffusion layer arranged close to the plane bottom surface 24, which helps the fluid enter the gas diffusion layer faster, thereby improving the performance of the fuel cell stack.

[0039] As Figure 4 shown, in the structure of the present application, a parabolic surface 21 is formed by a plurality of arc surfaces 211, and a flow channel structure is formed by the parabolic surface 21, the first side surface 22, the second side surface 23 and the plane bottom surface 24. The cross-section of the flow channel structure is variable, so that the fluid will generate turbulent flow when passing through the flow channel structure. When the turbulent flow encounters the parabolic surface, it will be reflected to the plane bottom surface and transmitted by the plane bottom surface to the gas diffusion layer arranged close to the plane bottom surface, which helps the fluid enter the gas diffusion layer, thereby improving the performance of the fuel cell stack.

[0040] Compared with laminar flow, the turbulent flow generated by the structure of the present application can make the fluid more easily contact with the gas diffusion layer. In addition, the turbulent flow has a stronger purging ability for liquids, which can effectively reduce the possibility of water blockage. And because the contact area between the turbulent flow and the wall surface of the flow channel structure is larger, it can dissipate heat better, thereby effectively improving the heat dissipation of the fuel cell stack.

[0041] As a preferred embodiment, the degree of the "V"-shaped angle 212 is 30° to 150°. The degree of the "V"-shaped angle 212 can be set according to actual usage requirements, and can be set to 30°, or set to 50°, or set to 75°, or set to 105°, or set to 120°, or set to 150°, etc. In this way, the "V"-shaped angle 212 can be adaptively arranged with the arc surface 211, further ensuring that the focus of the arc surface 211 can be concentrated on the plane bottom surface 24, so that after the turbulent flow encounters the parabolic surface 21, it will be reflected to the plane bottom surface 24 and transmitted by the plane bottom surface 24 to the gas diffusion layer arranged close to the plane bottom surface 24, which helps the fluid enter the gas diffusion layer faster, thereby improving the performance of the fuel cell stack.

[0042] As a preferred embodiment, the first side surface 22 is perpendicular to the flat bottom surface 24, and the second side surface 23 is perpendicular to the flat bottom surface 24; the first side surface 22 is parallel to the second side surface 23.

[0043] As a preferred embodiment, the parabolic surface 21, the first side surface 22, the second side surface 23 and the flat bottom surface 24 are integrally formed.

[0044] As a preferred embodiment, the first port 10, the flow channel body 20 and the second port 30 are integrally formed.

[0045] As a preferred embodiment, the first port 10 and the second port 30 are arranged parallel to each other.

[0046] On the other hand, the embodiment of the present application also provides a plate electrode applicable to a fuel cell, and the plate electrode includes a plurality of fuel cell plate electrode flow channel structures arranged parallel to each other.

[0047] As a preferred embodiment, adjacent fuel cell plate electrode flow channel structures are arranged in abutting contact.

[0048] For the same plate electrode, the radian of the arc surface and the degree of the V-shaped angle provided on all flow channel bodies are generally set to the same degree, which can ensure the consistency of the overall gas flow rate of the plate electrode, effectively promote the drainage of the flow channel, and then ensure the overall consistency of the plate electrode performance.

[0049] In the structure of the present application, a parabolic surface is formed by a plurality of arc surfaces, and a flow channel structure is formed by the parabolic surface, the first side surface, the second side surface and the flat bottom surface. The cross-section of the flow channel structure is variable, so that turbulence will be generated when the fluid passes through the flow channel structure. When the turbulence encounters the parabolic surface, it will be reflected by the parabolic surface to the flat bottom surface and transmitted to the gas diffusion layer arranged close to the flat bottom surface by the flat bottom surface, which helps the fluid to enter the gas diffusion layer faster, thereby improving the performance of the fuel cell stack. Moreover, the structure of the present application can better improve the heat dissipation performance of the fuel cell stack. Through the structure of the present application, the ability of gas to enter the gas diffusion layer can be effectively improved, the gas purging ability can be improved, the possibility of water blockage can be reduced, and thus the performance of the fuel cell stack can be effectively improved. The structure of the present application is simple and beautiful, has low energy consumption, is economical and practical, has good processability, and can be used in a fuel cell system.

[0050] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformation made under the inventive concept of the present invention by using the content of the specification and drawings of the present invention, or directly / indirectly applied in other related technical fields, is included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel cell plate flow channel structure, characterized in that Applicable to a fuel cell plate, comprising a first port, a flow channel body, and a second port connected in sequence; the flow channel body includes a paraboloid, a first side surface, a second side surface, and a flat bottom surface; the paraboloid is disposed opposite to the flat bottom surface; the first side surface is respectively connected to the paraboloid and the flat bottom surface, and the second side surface is respectively connected to the paraboloid and the flat bottom surface; the first side surface is disposed opposite to the second side surface; the flat bottom surface is disposed close to the gas diffusion layer.

2. The fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The paraboloid includes a plurality of arc surfaces, and adjacent two of the arc surfaces intersect to form a V-shaped angle.

3. The fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The radian of the arc surface increases as the height of the flow channel body increases; the angle of the V-shaped angle increases as the height of the flow channel body increases.

4. The fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The radian of each arc surface is 30° to 150°; the focus of each arc surface is disposed on the flat bottom surface; The degree of the V-shaped angle is 30° to 150°.

5. The fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first side surface is perpendicular to the flat bottom surface, and the second side surface is perpendicular to the flat bottom surface; the first side surface is parallel to the second side surface.

6. The fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to claim 1, wherein The paraboloid, the first side surface, the second side surface, and the flat bottom surface are integrally formed.

7. The fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to claim 1, wherein The first port, the flow channel body, and the second port are integrally formed.

8. The fuel cell plate flow channel structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first port and the second port are parallel to each other.

9. A plate, characterized in that, Applicable to a fuel cell, the plate includes a plurality of fuel cell plate flow channel structures as described in any one of claims 1-8 disposed parallel to each other.

10. The plate according to claim 9, characterized in that, Adjacent fuel cell plate flow channel structures are abutted against each other.

Images