Air-cooled fuel cell monomer and cell

Abstract

The utility model discloses an air-cooled fuel cell monomer and a cell, relates to the technical field of fuel cells, and solves the problem of complex structure of a fuel cell in the prior art. The air-cooled fuel cell monomer comprises a bipolar plate, a first diffusion layer, a reaction layer and a second diffusion layer, the bipolar plate comprises an anode side and a cathode side, the first diffusion layer is arranged between the anode side and the reaction layer, and the second diffusion layer is attached to the other face, away from the first diffusion layer, of the reaction layer; wherein the size of the reaction layer is larger than that of the first diffusion layer, and the first diffusion layer is connected with the anode side through the first adhesive layer. According to the utility model, by optimizing the structures of the bipolar plate, the first diffusion layer and the reaction layer, unnecessary components are reduced, the structure of the battery unit is simplified, the manufacturing complexity is reduced, and meanwhile, the independent first diffusion layer, reaction layer and second diffusion layer are adopted, so that the material and thickness of each layer can be adjusted according to specific requirements; the customized setting of the battery monomers is realized, and the battery performance is optimized.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to fuel cell technical field especially relates to a kind of air-cooled fuel cell monomer and cell BACKGROUND

[0002] Fuel cell is a kind of chemical device that the chemical energy of fuel is directly converted into electric energy, it has the advantages of high energy conversion efficiency, low noise, zero emission, is ideal portable power supply, has wide application prospect in the field such as automobile, unmanned aerial vehicle, ship and electronic product.Fuel cell mainly includes liquid-cooled fuel cell and air-cooled fuel cell.Compared with liquid-cooled fuel cell, air-cooled fuel cell has the characteristics of simple and light system, and is more suitable for small power application scenarios.

[0003] Although the structure and function of air-cooled fuel cell are constantly optimized, but it generally exists following problem: membrane electrode in air-cooled fuel cell is usually frame clamping CCM (catalyst coating membrane), leading to the structure of fuel cell is complex, at the same time, catalyst coating membrane generally uses shaped catalyst coating membrane, its price is expensive and its specification is fixed, cannot be adjusted. UTILITY MODEL CONTENT

[0004] The utility model aims at providing a kind of air-cooled fuel cell monomer and cell, solve the problem of complex structure of fuel cell in prior art.

[0005] To achieve this purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] Firstly, the utility model provides a kind of air-cooled fuel cell monomer, the air-cooled fuel cell monomer includes: bipolar plate, first diffusion layer, reaction layer and second diffusion layer;

[0007] The bipolar plate includes anode side and cathode side, the first diffusion layer is arranged between the anode side and the reaction layer, the second diffusion layer is attached to the other side of the reaction layer away from the first diffusion layer;

[0008] Among them, the size of the reaction layer is greater than the size of the first diffusion layer, and the first diffusion layer and the anode side are connected by first adhesive layer.

[0009] Preferably, the air-cooled fuel cell monomer further includes protective layer, the protective layer is attached to the side of the second diffusion layer away from the reaction layer, and the protective layer is connected with the anode side by second adhesive layer;

[0010] Among them, the second adhesive layer is arranged at both ends of the bipolar plate, and the protective layer is flexible medium.

[0011] Preferably, the two ends of the bipolar plate are respectively provided with air inlet hole and air outlet hole.

[0012] The anode side is provided with an anode flow field, one end of the anode flow field is provided with a first gas flow port, and the gas inlet hole is used for hydrogen to enter the anode flow field through the first gas flow port; one end of the anode flow field is provided with a second gas flow port, and hydrogen flows to the gas outlet hole through the second gas flow port.

[0013] Preferably, the cathode side is provided with a cathode flow field, which is a parallel flow field provided with a plurality of gas flow channels, the length direction of the gas flow channels is perpendicular to the length direction of the bipolar plate.

[0014] Oxygen enters from one end of the gas flow channel in the direction perpendicular to the side direction of the bipolar plate, and flows out from the other end.

[0015] Preferably, the anode flow field is a four-channel design.

[0016] Preferably, the channel width of the anode flow field is 1.0mm, and the ridge width between two channels is 0.8mm.

[0017] In a second aspect, the utility model provides a kind of battery, and the battery includes a plurality of the cold fuel cell monomer provided by the first aspect.

[0018] Compared with prior art, the utility model has the following beneficial effects: by optimizing the structure of the bipolar plate, the first diffusion layer and the reaction layer, the first diffusion layer, the reaction layer and the second diffusion layer are sequentially installed when the battery monomer is installed, unnecessary components are reduced, the structure of the battery unit is simplified, and the manufacturing complexity is reduced. At the same time, the anode side of the first diffusion layer and the bipolar plate is connected by the first adhesive layer, to ensure the close contact between the layers, improve the sealing performance, and prevent gas leakage. The layers are connected by the first adhesive layer, to increase the mechanical stability and reduce the loosening caused by mechanical vibration or temperature change.

[0019] At the same time, the separate first diffusion layer, reaction layer and second diffusion layer can adjust the material and thickness of each layer according to specific needs, realize custom setting of the battery monomer, and optimize the battery performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical scheme in the embodiments of the utility model or the prior art, the drawings needed in the embodiment or the prior art description will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the utility model, and those skilled in the art can also obtain other drawings according to these drawings without creative labor.

[0021] The structure, proportion, size and the like shown in the drawings of the specification are only used to cooperate with the content disclosed in the specification, to be understood and read by those skilled in the art, and do not define the limiting conditions for the implementation of the utility model, so they do not have technical substantive significance. Any modification of structure, change of proportion relationship or adjustment of size, without affecting the functions and purposes that can be achieved by the utility model, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed by the utility model.

[0022] Figure 1 Structure diagram of the air-cooled fuel cell monomer provided for example 1;

[0023] Figure 2 Structure diagram of the air-cooled fuel cell monomer provided for example 1;

[0024] Figure 3 Structure diagram of the air-cooled fuel cell monomer provided for example 1;

[0025] Figure 4 Structure diagram of the air-cooled fuel cell monomer provided for example 1;

[0026] Illustration:

[0027] 1, reaction layer; 2, bipolar plate; 21, anode side; 211, placement area; 212, first gas flow port; 213, second gas flow port; 22, cathode side; 221, cathode flow field; 222, gas flow channel; 23, gas inlet hole; 24, gas outlet hole; 3, first diffusion layer; 4, second diffusion layer; 5, first adhesive layer; 6, protective layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to make the utility model purposes, features, advantages of the utility model more obvious and easy to understand, the technical solutions in the utility model embodiments will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the utility model embodiments. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only a part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor belong to the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0029] In the description of the utility model, it is understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the utility model. It should be noted that when a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there can be a component disposed therebetween.

[0030] The technical solutions of the utility model are further illustrated below in combination with the drawings and through specific embodiments.

[0031] Embodiment 1

[0032] Please refer to Figures 1-4 The air-cooled fuel cell monomer provided by the utility model embodiment comprises a bipolar plate 2, a first diffusion layer 3, a reaction layer 1 and a second diffusion layer 4.

[0033] The bipolar plate 2 comprises an anode side 21 and a cathode side 22, the first diffusion layer 3 is arranged between the anode side 21 and the reaction layer 1, and the second diffusion layer 4 is attached to the other side of the reaction layer 1 away from the first diffusion layer 3.

[0034] The size of the reaction layer 1 is greater than the size of the first diffusion layer 3, and the first diffusion layer 3 and the anode side 21 are connected through a first adhesive layer 5.

[0035] Specifically, the bipolar plate 2 is used for conducting current; the first diffusion layer 3 is arranged between the anode side 21 of the bipolar plate 2 and the reaction layer 1, and is used for uniformly distributing hydrogen to ensure uniform distribution of hydrogen in the reaction layer 1 and improve the efficiency of electrochemical reaction; the reaction layer 1 is the area where electrochemical reaction occurs in the fuel cell; the second diffusion layer 4 is attached to the other side of the reaction layer 1 away from the first diffusion layer 3, and is used for uniformly distributing oxygen / air to ensure uniform distribution of oxygen / air in the reaction layer 1 and improve the efficiency of electrochemical reaction; the first adhesive layer 5 is used for connecting the first diffusion layer 3 and the anode side 21 of the bipolar plate 2, so as to ensure that the bipolar plate 2, the first diffusion layer 3 and the reaction layer 1 can be in close contact, thereby improving the sealing performance and mechanical stability.

[0036] The first diffusion layer 3 and the second diffusion layer 4 adopt carbon cloth, which has a porous structure and can uniformly disperse oxygen and hydrogen to the surface of the reaction layer 1. Meanwhile, the carbon cloth has good electrical conductivity, can effectively conduct electrons, reduce the resistance in the electrochemical reaction process, improve the output performance of the battery, and provide more conductive paths for the carbon cloth to promote the transmission of electrons and improve the electrical conductivity of the battery.

[0037] Further, the anode side 21 of the bipolar plate 2 is provided with a placement area 211 of the first diffusion plate which is inwardly recessed, and the size of the placement area 211 matches the size of the first diffusion plate, so that the first diffusion plate can be placed in the placement area 211.

[0038] The membrane electrode in the air-cooled fuel cell is usually a frame clamped CCM (catalyst coated membrane). Due to the uneven thickness of the membrane electrode, when the fuel cell monomer is pressed after assembly, the local proton conduction resistance increases, which affects the performance of the battery. The uneven thickness of the membrane electrode will increase the contact resistance of the local area, and further affect the uniformity of the electrochemical reaction and the output performance of the battery.

[0039] By adopting a single first diffusion plate, a reaction layer 1, a second diffusion plate, and installing the first diffusion layer 3 in the placement area 211 when assembling the fuel cell monomer, the contact between the first diffusion layer 3 and the bipolar plate 2 is more closely, the contact resistance is reduced, the efficiency of electron transmission is improved, and the internal resistance loss of the battery is reduced.

[0040] The placement area 211 can ensure that the first diffusion layer 3 is uniformly pressed during installation, avoiding excessive or insufficient local pressure, thereby reducing the increase in resistance caused by poor contact.

[0041] Preferably, the size of the reaction layer 1 is larger than the size of the first diffusion layer 3, and the size of the placement area 211 is smaller than the size of the first diffusion plate, so that the bipolar plate 2 can be in uniform contact with the reaction layer 1 around, reducing the increase in resistance caused by poor local contact.

[0042] Preferably, the first adhesive layer 5 is arranged around the anode side 21, so that the edge position of the reaction layer 1 can be stably connected with the anode side 21 through the first adhesive layer 5.

[0043] Preferably, the first adhesive layer 5 is arranged on both sides of the anode side 21 in the width direction, so that the edge positions on both sides of the reaction layer 1 in the width direction can be stably connected with the anode side 21 through the first adhesive layer 5.

[0044] Preferably, the depth of the placement area 211 is the same as the thickness of the first diffusion plate.

[0045] The air-cooled fuel cell unit provided by the embodiment optimizes the structure of the bipolar plate 2, the first diffusion layer 3, and the reaction layer 1, and sequentially installs the first diffusion layer 3, the reaction layer 1, and the second diffusion layer 4 when installing the cell monomer, thereby reducing unnecessary components, simplifying the structure of the cell unit, and reducing manufacturing complexity. Meanwhile, the first adhesive layer 5 is used to connect the first diffusion layer 3 and the anode side 21 of the bipolar plate 2, thereby ensuring the close contact between the layers, improving the sealing performance, and preventing gas leakage. The layers are connected by the first adhesive layer 5, thereby increasing the mechanical stability and reducing loosening caused by mechanical vibration or temperature changes.

[0046] Meanwhile, the separate first diffusion layer 3, reaction layer 1, and second diffusion layer 4 can be used to adjust the materials and thicknesses of the layers according to specific needs, thereby realizing customized settings of the cell monomer and optimizing the performance of the cell.

[0047] Further, as shown in Figure 1 the air-cooled fuel cell unit further includes a protective layer 6 that is attached to the side of the second diffusion layer 4 away from the reaction layer 1, and the protective layer 6 is connected to the anode side 21 through a second adhesive layer.

[0048] The second adhesive layer is arranged at both ends of the bipolar plate 2, and the protective layer 6 is a flexible medium.

[0049] Specifically, the second adhesive layer is arranged at both ends of the anode side 21, and when the first diffusion plate, the second diffusion plate, the reaction layer 1, and the bipolar plate 2 are installed, a second adhesive layer is formed by applying adhesive at both ends of the anode side 21, and then a protective film is attached to the second diffusion layer 4, and the two ends of the protective film in the length direction are attached and bonded to the second adhesive layer. When multiple air-cooled fuel cell units are stacked to form a cell, the protective film is torn off before stacking.

[0050] Further, as shown in Figure 3 the air-cooled fuel cell unit further includes a protective layer 6 that is attached to the side of the second diffusion layer 4 away from the reaction layer 1, and the protective layer 6 is connected to the anode side 21 through a second adhesive layer.

[0051] The anode side 21 is provided with an anode flow field, and the anode flow field is provided with a first gas flow port 212 at one end close to the gas inlet hole 23, and the gas inlet hole 23 is used for hydrogen to enter the anode flow field through the first gas flow port 212; the anode flow field is provided with a second gas flow port 213 at one end close to the gas outlet hole 24, and hydrogen flows to the gas outlet hole 24 through the second gas flow port 213.

[0052] Hydrogen enters the cell monomer system through the gas inlet hole 23 arranged at one end of the bipolar plate 2, and then enters the anode flow field through the first gas flow port 212. The anode flow field enables hydrogen to be uniformly distributed on the surface of the anode reaction layer 1, thereby improving the utilization rate and reaction efficiency of hydrogen.

[0053] When the hydrogen gas reacts in the reaction layer 1, the generated protons pass through the reaction layer 1 to the cathode side 22, and the unreacted hydrogen gas and the reaction products flow through the anode flow field to the gas outlet hole 24. Finally, these gases pass through the second gas flow port 213 into the gas outlet hole 24 and are discharged from the other end of the bipolar plate 2 to the system.

[0054] The anode flow field includes a parallel flow field, a serpentine flow field, an interdigital flow field, etc.

[0055] Preferably, the anode flow field is a four-channel serpentine flow field.

[0056] The placement area 211 is an inwardly recessed groove, the anode flow field is arranged at the bottom of the groove, and the first gas flow port 212 communicates the placement area 211 and the gas inlet hole 23, so that the hydrogen gas enters from the gas inlet hole 23 into the anode flow field in the placement area 211 and contacts the first diffusion plate placed in the placement area 211 to uniformly diffuse the hydrogen gas and react with the reaction layer 1.

[0057] Experiments have found that the number of flow channels of the flow field affects the gas pressure and the distribution of the gas in the flow channel. When a flow field with fewer flow channels is used, the path of the flow channel becomes longer, increasing the gas pressure in the flow field. When the gas pressure reaches a certain value, it is not conducive to the normal operation of the battery, and the longer path is not conducive to the removal of water produced by the reaction, causing water to accumulate in the flow field. When a flow field with more flow channels is used, the gas in the flow field is not evenly distributed, which can reduce the chemical reaction efficiency and is not conducive to the performance and service life of the battery. Experiments have found that a flow field with 4 flow channels can meet the pressure requirement, the water removal requirement, and the gas distribution in the flow field will not affect the chemical reaction.

[0058] Preferably, the width of the flow channel of the anode flow field is 1.0 mm, and the width of the ridge between two flow channels is 0.8 mm.

[0059] Further, as shown in Figs. Figure 1 and Figure 4 The cathode side is provided with a cathode flow field 221, which is a parallel flow field provided with a plurality of gas flow channels 222, and the length direction of the gas flow channel 222 is perpendicular to the length direction of the bipolar plate 2.

[0060] Oxygen enters from one end of the gas flow channel 222 in a direction perpendicular to the side of the bipolar plate 2 and flows out from the other end.

[0061] In an air-cooled fuel cell single cell, a small part of the water generated by the reaction layer 1 will be on the anode side 21, and most of it will be concentrated on the cathode side 22. If the cathode flow field 221 adopts a serpentine flow channel design, it is not conducive to the removal of water.

[0062] In the width direction of the bipolar plate 2, the gas flow channel 222 penetrates from one side of the bipolar plate 2 to the other side, oxygen enters from one end of the gas flow channel 222 in the direction perpendicular to the side of the bipolar plate 2, and flows out from the other end, which can shorten the flow path, facilitate the removal of moisture, and at the same time, can timely remove the heat in the battery system.

[0063] The flow channel direction of the cathode flow field 221 is parallel to the width direction of the bipolar plate 2, and the first gas flow port 212 and the second gas flow port 213 of the anode flow field are arranged at both ends of the length direction of the bipolar plate 2, so that the stress on the bipolar plate 2 is not concentrated in the same direction.

[0064] Preferably, the width of the gas flow channel 222 of the cathode flow field 221 and the ridge width between the two gas flow channels 222 are in a ratio of 1:1 to 1:1.2.

[0065] Preferably, the width of the gas flow channel 222 of the cathode flow field 221 and the ridge width are both 1mm. It has been found through experiments that when the width of the gas flow channel 222 and the ridge width are both 1mm, the battery performance is optimal.

[0066] Embodiment 2

[0067] Based on the air-cooled fuel cell monomer described in Embodiment 1, the present embodiment provides a battery, which comprises a plurality of any one of the air-cooled fuel cell monomers described in Embodiment 1, and the cathode side of the bipolar plate in the previous air-cooled fuel cell monomer is attached to the second diffusion layer of the previous air-cooled fuel cell monomer to realize the stacking of the air-cooled fuel cell monomers, thereby obtaining the battery.

[0068] The above-described and the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and not to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for part of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. An air-cooled fuel cell unit, characterized by comprising: The air-cooled fuel cell monomer comprises a bipolar plate (2), a first diffusion layer (3), a reaction layer (1) and a second diffusion layer (4); The bipolar plate (2) comprises an anode side (21) and a cathode side (22), the first diffusion layer (3) is arranged between the anode side (21) and the reaction layer (1), and the second diffusion layer (4) is attached to the other side of the reaction layer (1) away from the first diffusion layer (3); Wherein, the size of the reaction layer (1) is greater than the size of the first diffusion layer (3), and the first diffusion layer (3) and the anode side (21) are connected by a first adhesive layer (5).

2. The air-cooled fuel cell according to claim 1, characterized by The air-cooled fuel cell monomer further comprises a protective layer (6), the protective layer (6) is attached to the side of the second diffusion layer (4) away from the reaction layer (1), and the protective layer (6) is connected to the anode side (21) by a second adhesive layer; Wherein, the second adhesive layer is arranged at both ends of the bipolar plate (2), and the protective layer (6) is a flexible medium.

3. The air-cooled fuel cell according to claim 2, characterized by Gas inlet holes (23) and gas outlet holes (24) are arranged at both ends of the bipolar plate (2); The anode side (21) is provided with an anode flow field, one end of the anode flow field close to the gas inlet hole (23) is provided with a first gas flow port (212), and the gas inlet hole (23) is used for hydrogen to enter the anode flow field through the first gas flow port (212); one end of the anode flow field close to the gas outlet hole (24) is provided with a second gas flow port (213), and hydrogen flows to the gas outlet hole (24) through the second gas flow port (213).

4. The air-cooled fuel cell according to claim 3, characterized by The cathode side (22) is provided with a cathode flow field (221), the cathode flow field (221) is a parallel flow field provided with a plurality of gas flow channels (222), and the length direction of the gas flow channel (222) is perpendicular to the length direction of the bipolar plate (2); Oxygen enters from one end of the gas flow channel (222) in a direction perpendicular to the side of the bipolar plate (2) and flows out from the other end.

5. The air-cooled fuel cell according to claim 4, characterized in that, The anode flow field is a four-channel design.

6. The air-cooled fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein The channel width of the anode flow field is 1.0mm, and the ridge width between two channels is 0.8mm.

7. A battery, characterized by The battery comprises a plurality of air-cooled fuel cell monomers according to any one of claims 1-6.

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