Integrated heating type fuel cell end plate
By integrating a heated fuel cell endplate design, the end cell and hydrogen are heated using a coolant chamber, which solves the problems of uneven fuel cell stack temperature and hydrogen condensation, improves system performance and reliability, simplifies the structure and reduces energy consumption.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423303558.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-31
AI Technical Summary
In existing technologies, the low temperature of individual cells at the end of fuel cell stacks leads to water condensation and poor drainage. Furthermore, hydrogen condensate can cause anode blockage, affecting system performance and lifespan. Existing solutions increase energy consumption or complexity.
The design incorporates an integrated heated fuel cell endplate, which features a coolant chamber and a hydrogen chamber on its side. The coolant chamber transfers heat to the end cell and hydrogen, and materials with good thermal conductivity are used with optimized chamber structure to improve heat transfer efficiency.
It effectively prevents water condensation caused by excessively low temperature of the terminal single cell, ensures that hydrogen does not condense, improves system reliability and lifespan, simplifies system structure, and reduces energy consumption and cost.
Smart Images
Figure CN223771114U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of fuel cell technology and relates to an integrated heated fuel cell end plate. Background Technology
[0002] As a novel energy conversion system, fuel cells possess a series of advantages, including high efficiency, zero pollution, low noise, and low operating requirements. With technological advancements, the application of fuel cells is becoming increasingly widespread. Taking a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) as an example, the overall structure of a PEMFC generally includes a plurality of stacked single cells, a cathode current collector, an anode current collector, an insulating plate, a front-integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14, and a rear-integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14. As the number of stacked single cells increases, the physical properties of the single cells at the ends of the stack 11 differ significantly from those in the center. Regarding the temperature characteristics of the fuel cell stack 11, the external heat conduction and radiation conditions are vastly different from those at the center of the stack. In low ambient temperatures, along the stacking direction, the temperature of the single cells at both ends decreases rapidly due to external influences. From the center of the stack 11 towards both ends, the temperature of the single cells gradually decreases. Therefore, water condensation easily occurs in the single cells at both ends, leading to poor drainage and consequently, lower voltage in the single cells at both ends.
[0003] Meanwhile, in order to improve the performance of fuel cells, hydrogen as fuel usually needs to be supplied in excess. Then, at the anode outlet of the fuel cell, the unconsumed hydrogen is recovered and reused by a hydrogen circulation pump. The hydrogen after passing through the hydrogen circulation pump has high humidity and temperature. When it mixes with the hydrogen from the hydrogen storage system, condensate will be produced. If this condensate enters the anode of the stack 11, it will cause blockage of the anode of the single cell, resulting in hydrogen starvation, which will affect the normal operation of the fuel cell system. In severe cases, it will accelerate the life decay of the stack 11.
[0004] To address the impact of ambient temperature on single cells, common technologies include: 1. Adding a heater to the integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14; 2. Setting up a special cavity between the integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14 and the current collector, using air inside the cavity to achieve heat insulation.
[0005] To address the issue of condensation caused by the mixing of recycled hydrogen with hydrogen in the hydrogen storage system, existing technologies generally employ a separate heat exchange gas to heat the hydrogen in the hydrogen storage system.
[0006] 1.2.2 Disadvantages of Existing Technology 1
[0007] 1) The addition of a heater to the integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14 increases energy consumption and the number of components, reducing system reliability; the cavity inside the integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14 provides poor heat insulation.
[0008] 2) Using a heat exchanger to heat the hydrogen in the hydrogen storage system increases the complexity of the system and the cost. Summary of the Invention
[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide an integrated heated fuel cell end plate that can solve the above-mentioned problems and can also heat the water separator.
[0010] According to the technical solution provided by this utility model: an integrated heated fuel cell end plate, wherein the side of the integrated heated fuel cell end plate is provided with a first coolant cavity, a second coolant cavity, and a hydrogen cavity; the integrated heated fuel cell end plate has a fuel cell coolant inlet, a fuel cell coolant outlet, a fuel cell hydrogen inlet, a water separator heating channel inlet, and a water separator heating channel outlet; the fuel cell coolant inlet and the water separator heating channel inlet are connected to the first coolant cavity; the fuel cell coolant outlet and the water separator heating channel outlet are connected to the second coolant cavity; and the inner end of the fuel cell hydrogen inlet is connected to the hydrogen cavity.
[0011] As a further improvement of this utility model, the two sides of the integrated heating fuel cell end plate are a connecting surface and a temperature regulating surface, respectively. The temperature regulating surface is provided with a first coolant cavity, a second coolant cavity, and a hydrogen cavity. The outer ends of the fuel cell coolant inlet, fuel cell coolant outlet, fuel cell hydrogen inlet, water separator heating channel inlet, and water separator heating channel outlet are located on the connecting surface. The inner ends of the fuel cell coolant inlet and water separator heating channel inlet are connected to the first coolant cavity. The inner ends of the fuel cell coolant outlet and water separator heating channel outlet are connected to the second coolant cavity. The inner end of the fuel cell hydrogen inlet is connected to the hydrogen cavity.
[0012] As a further improvement of this utility model, the hydrogen chamber is located between the first coolant chamber and the second coolant chamber.
[0013] As a further improvement of this utility model, the fuel cell coolant inlet and the fuel cell coolant outlet are connected by a cooling pipe.
[0014] As a further improvement of this utility model, the coolant in the cooling pipe is cooled by a radiator.
[0015] As a further improvement of this utility model, the end plate of the integrated heated fuel cell is made of a material with good thermal conductivity.
[0016] As a further improvement of this utility model, the contact portion between the first coolant cavity, the second coolant cavity and the hydrogen cavity should occupy more than 2 / 3 of the circumference of the hydrogen cavity.
[0017] As a further improvement of this utility model, the wall thickness between the first coolant cavity, the second coolant cavity and the hydrogen cavity needs to be less than 10 mm.
[0018] The positive and progressive effects of this application are as follows:
[0019] This invention heats the end cells of the fuel cell stack to prevent water condensation caused by electrochemical reactions inside the cells due to low temperatures, thus preventing poor drainage; it also heats the hydrogen inside the hydrogen chamber and the water separator. Attached Figure Description
[0020] Figure 1 This is a front view of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 2 This is a rear view of the present invention.
[0022] Figure 3 This is a front view of the application of this utility model. Detailed Implementation
[0023] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this utility model can be combined with each other. The present utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0024] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
[0025] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this utility model are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate for the embodiments of this utility model described herein. Furthermore, terms such as "comprising" and "having" mean that in addition to those already listed in "comprising" and "having," other unlisted contents may also be included; for example, a process, method, system, product, or device may include a series of steps or units, not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.
[0026] Due to the angle of the drawing, some parts may not be drawn, but their positions and connections can be understood from the text descriptions.
[0027] like Figure 3 As shown, a fuel cell with heating function includes an integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14. A fuel cell end insulation plate 13 and a water separator 15 are respectively installed on both sides of the integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14. A current collector 12 and a fuel cell stack 11 are sequentially installed on the other side of the fuel cell end insulation plate 13.
[0028] like Figures 1-2 As shown, the integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14 has a connecting surface 14-1 and a temperature regulating surface 14-2 on both sides. The temperature regulating surface 14-2 is provided with a first coolant cavity 31, a second coolant cavity 32, and a hydrogen cavity 33. The hydrogen cavity 33 is located between the first coolant cavity 31 and the second coolant cavity 32.
[0029] The integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14 has a fuel cell coolant inlet 21, a fuel cell coolant outlet 22, a fuel cell hydrogen inlet 23, a water separator heating channel inlet 24, and a water separator heating channel outlet 25. The outer ends of the fuel cell coolant inlet 21, fuel cell coolant outlet 22, fuel cell hydrogen inlet 23, water separator heating channel inlet 24, and water separator heating channel outlet 25 are located on the connecting surface 14-1. The inner ends of the fuel cell coolant inlet 21 and water separator heating channel inlet 24 are connected to the first coolant cavity 31. The inner ends of the fuel cell coolant outlet 22 and water separator heating channel outlet 25 are connected to the second coolant cavity 32. The inner end of the fuel cell hydrogen inlet 23 is connected to the hydrogen cavity 33.
[0030] The water separator 15 is connected to the connection surface 14-1 of the integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14. The outer ends of the water separator heating flow channel inlet 24 and the water separator heating flow channel outlet 25 are connected to the water separator 15. The outer end of the fuel cell hydrogen inlet 23 is connected to the hydrogen source.
[0031] The fuel cell coolant inlet 21 and the fuel cell coolant outlet 22 are connected by a cooling pipe, and the coolant in the cooling pipe is cooled by a radiator.
[0032] Hydrogen channels are installed in the end insulating plate 13 and the current collector plate 12 of the fuel cell, and the hydrogen channels connect the fuel cell stack 11 and the hydrogen chamber 33.
[0033] The working process of this utility model is as follows:
[0034] The coolant enters the first coolant chamber 31 through the fuel cell coolant inlet 21, then enters the heating chamber of the water separator 15 through the water separator heating channel inlet 24, and then enters the second coolant chamber 3 through the water separator heating channel outlet 25, and is discharged from the integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14 through the fuel cell coolant outlet 22.
[0035] The temperature-regulating surface 14-2 of the integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14 contacts the fuel cell end insulation plate 13. A sealing ring is provided between the integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14 and the insulation plate support of the integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14 to seal the coolant and hydrogen. In low-temperature environments, the coolant inside the first coolant chamber 31 and the second coolant chamber 32 contacts the fuel cell end insulation plate 13, transferring heat to it. The fuel cell end insulation plate 13 then contacts the current collector 12, which in turn contacts the fuel cell stack 11. Ultimately, the heat is transferred to the fuel cell stack 11, heating the individual cells at the end of the stack and preventing condensation of water generated by electrochemical reactions within the cells due to excessively low temperatures, thus avoiding drainage problems.
[0036] Hydrogen enters the integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14 through the fuel cell hydrogen inlet 23, and after passing through the hydrogen chamber 33 inside the integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14, it enters the fuel cell stack 11. A first coolant chamber 31 and a second coolant chamber 32 are distributed on both sides of the hydrogen chamber 33, which heat the hydrogen inside the hydrogen chamber 33.
[0037] To ensure the heating effect of the hydrogen chamber 33, the integrated heated fuel cell end plate 14 needs to be made of a material with good thermal conductivity (such as aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, etc.); a first coolant chamber 31 and a second coolant chamber 32 need to be set on both sides of the hydrogen chamber 33, and the contact part between the coolant chamber and the hydrogen chamber 33 should account for more than 2 / 3 of the perimeter of the hydrogen chamber 33; and the wall thickness between the coolant chamber and the hydrogen chamber should be less than 10mm.
[0038] To ensure the heating effect of the integrated heated fuel cell endplate 14 on the individual cells at the end of the fuel cell, in the stacking direction of the individual cells in the fuel cell stack 11, the areas of the first coolant chamber 31 and the second coolant chamber 32 must be larger than the effective area of the individual cells at the end of the fuel cell. At the same time, while meeting insulation requirements, the thickness of the insulation plate 13 should be minimized as much as possible, and should not exceed 8 mm.
[0039] It is understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary implementations used to illustrate the principles of this utility model, and the utility model is not limited thereto. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and essence of this utility model, and these modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. An integrated heated fuel cell end plate, characterized by, The integrated heating type fuel cell end plate (14) is provided with a first cooling liquid cavity (31), a second cooling liquid cavity (32), and a hydrogen cavity (33). The integrated heating type fuel cell end plate (14) is provided with a fuel cell cooling liquid inlet hole (21), a fuel cell cooling liquid outlet hole (22), a fuel cell hydrogen inlet hole (23), a water separator heating flow channel inlet hole (24), and a water separator heating flow channel outlet hole (25). The fuel cell cooling liquid inlet hole (21) and the water separator heating flow channel inlet hole (24) are connected to the first cooling liquid cavity (31). The fuel cell cooling liquid outlet hole (22) and the water separator heating flow channel outlet hole (25) are connected to the second cooling liquid cavity (32). The inner end of the fuel cell hydrogen inlet hole (23) is connected to the hydrogen cavity (33).
2. The integrated heated fuel cell end plate of claim 1, wherein, The integrated heating type fuel cell end plate (14) is provided with a first cooling liquid cavity (31), a second cooling liquid cavity (32), and a hydrogen cavity (33). The integrated heating type fuel cell end plate (14) is provided with a fuel cell cooling liquid inlet hole (21), a fuel cell cooling liquid outlet hole (22), a fuel cell hydrogen inlet hole (23), a water separator heating flow channel inlet hole (24), and a water separator heating flow channel outlet hole (25). The outer end of the fuel cell cooling liquid inlet hole (21), the fuel cell cooling liquid outlet hole (22), the fuel cell hydrogen inlet hole (23), the water separator heating flow channel inlet hole (24), and the water separator heating flow channel outlet hole (25) are located on the connecting surface (14-1). The inner end of the fuel cell cooling liquid inlet hole (21) and the water separator heating flow channel inlet hole (24) are connected to the first cooling liquid cavity (31). The inner end of the fuel cell cooling liquid outlet hole (22) and the water separator heating flow channel outlet hole (25) are connected to the second cooling liquid cavity (32). The inner end of the fuel cell hydrogen inlet hole (23) is connected to the hydrogen cavity (33).
3. The integrated heated fuel cell end plate of claim 1, wherein, The hydrogen cavity (33) is located between the first cooling liquid cavity (31) and the second cooling liquid cavity (32).
4. The integrated heated fuel cell end plate of claim 1, wherein, The outer end of the fuel cell cooling liquid inlet hole (21) and the fuel cell cooling liquid outlet hole (22) are connected by a cooling pipe.
5. The integrated heated fuel cell end plate of claim 3, wherein, The cooling liquid in the cooling pipe is cooled by a radiator.
6. The integrated heated fuel cell end plate of claim 1, wherein, The integrated heating type fuel cell end plate (14) is made of a material with good heat conduction performance.
7. The integrated heated fuel cell end plate of claim 1, wherein, The contact part of the first cooling liquid cavity (31), the second cooling liquid cavity (32), and the hydrogen cavity (33) should account for more than 2 / 3 of the circumference of the hydrogen cavity (33).
8. The integrated heated fuel cell end plate of claim 1, wherein, The wall thickness between the first cooling liquid cavity (31), the second cooling liquid cavity (32), and the hydrogen cavity (33) should be less than 10 mm.