Device for testing breakthrough pressure of liquid water in horizontal direction of gas diffusion layer

Abstract

The utility model provides a device for testing the breakthrough pressure of liquid water in the horizontal direction of a gas diffusion layer, which comprises a base, a piston seat and a sealing piston, the gas diffusion layer of an annular structure is clamped and fixed between the base and the piston seat through a clamping and fixing piece, and the clamping surfaces of the base and the piston seat are horizontally arranged; a piston hole is formed in the piston seat and leads to the annular hole of the gas diffusion layer, and the sealing piston is arranged in the piston hole. According to the utility model, the gas diffusion layer is clamped and fixed between the base and the piston seat, the piston hole leads to the annular hole of the gas diffusion layer, and a pressure turning point is found by continuously pushing the sealing piston after the piston seat is filled with liquid, so that the performance of the gas diffusion layer can be well evaluated; and the water management capability of the gas diffusion layer is more intuitively evaluated, the structure is simple, and the practical application requirements are met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fuel cells, and in particular to a device for testing the horizontal liquid water breakthrough pressure in a gas diffusion layer. Background Technology

[0002] The hydrophobic treatment process of the gas diffusion layer's base layer and microporous layer ensures that liquid water does not wet the surface or interior of the gas diffusion layer. Liquid water can only pass through the gas diffusion layer when its pressure exceeds its breakthrough pressure. The breakthrough pressure is related to the porosity and pore size distribution of the microporous layer. The breakthrough pressure required for liquid water to pass through different microporous structures varies greatly. Accurate measurement of the breakthrough pressure is of great significance for evaluating the properties of the gas diffusion layer.

[0003] Based on the actual operating state of the gas diffusion layer in the fuel cell stack, mass transfer in the gas diffusion layer mainly occurs in two directions. Below the flow channel, the gas diffusion layer is under pressure; liquid water primarily enters the flow channel from the catalyst layer side, perpendicular to the gas diffusion layer. Below the ridge, the gas diffusion layer is under pressure (1-1.5 MPa); liquid water below the ridge primarily enters the flow channel side of the gas diffusion layer via a horizontal breakthrough, and then enters the flow channel itself. The horizontal breakthrough pressure of the liquid water determines the horizontal drainage capacity of the gas diffusion layer.

[0004] However, existing equipment and tooling cannot easily and effectively simulate the breakthrough pressure of liquid water in the horizontal direction of the gas diffusion layer, thus failing to evaluate its performance and meet the needs of practical applications. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the problems existing in the prior art, at least one embodiment of this utility model provides a gas diffusion layer horizontal direction liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device. It has a simple structure, can effectively evaluate the performance of the gas diffusion layer, and more intuitively evaluate the water management capability of the gas diffusion layer, so as to meet the needs of practical applications.

[0006] This utility model provides a gas diffusion layer horizontal liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device, including a base, a piston seat and a sealing piston. The gas diffusion layer with an annular structure is clamped and fixed between the base and the piston seat by a clamping and fixing member. The clamping surfaces of the base and the piston seat are both horizontally arranged. The piston seat has a piston hole that leads to the annular hole of the gas diffusion layer. The sealing piston is disposed in the piston hole.

[0007] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a gas diffusion layer horizontal direction liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device, wherein one end of the piston seat is provided with a clamping and fixing part, and the clamping and fixing part is connected to the base through a clamping and fixing member.

[0008] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a gas diffusion layer horizontal direction liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device, wherein the clamping and fixing component is a bolt, the clamping and fixing part is provided with multiple through holes, the base is provided with threaded holes corresponding to the through holes, and the bolt passes through the through holes and engages with the threaded holes.

[0009] In some embodiments, the gas diffusion layer horizontal liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device provided by this utility model has through holes and threaded holes arranged in a uniform circumferential array.

[0010] In some embodiments, the gas diffusion layer horizontal direction liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device provided by this utility model has a base and a clamping and fixing part that are both circular in shape and correspond to each other.

[0011] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a gas diffusion layer horizontal direction liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device, wherein the piston seat has a cylindrical structure.

[0012] In some embodiments, the gas diffusion layer horizontal direction liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device provided by the present invention has both piston hole and annular hole as circular holes, and the piston hole and annular hole have the same diameter.

[0013] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a gas diffusion layer horizontal direction liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device, wherein the base and piston seat are both made of stainless steel.

[0014] As can be seen, the gas diffusion layer horizontal liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device of this utility model, by setting a base and a piston seat, clamps and fixes the gas diffusion layer between them. The piston hole leads to the annular hole of the gas diffusion layer. After liquid is poured into the piston seat, the pressure inflection point is found by continuously pushing the sealing piston, so as to effectively evaluate the performance of the gas diffusion layer and more intuitively evaluate the water management capability of the gas diffusion layer. The structure is simple and meets the needs of practical applications. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of a gas diffusion layer horizontal direction liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device according to an embodiment of this utility model.

[0017] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0018] Base 1, piston seat 2, piston hole 21, clamping and fixing part 22, sealing piston 3, gas diffusion layer 4, annular hole 41, clamping and fixing part 5. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0020] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. In this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0021] In existing technologies, equipment and tooling cannot easily and effectively simulate the horizontal breakthrough pressure of liquid water in the gas diffusion layer, thus failing to evaluate its performance and meet practical application requirements. This embodiment provides the following solution:

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a gas diffusion layer horizontal liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device, including a base 1, a piston seat 2, and a sealing piston 3. The gas diffusion layer 4, which is in an annular structure, is clamped and fixed between the base 1 and the piston seat 2 by a clamping and fixing member 5. The clamping surfaces of the base 1 and the piston seat 2 are both horizontally arranged. The piston seat 2 is provided with a piston hole 21, which leads to the annular hole 41 of the gas diffusion layer 4. The sealing piston 3 is disposed in the piston hole 21.

[0023] It should be noted that "horizontal direction" refers to the plane direction of the gas diffusion layer as a sheet material, not its spatial position (horizontal or vertical). During testing, the gas diffusion layer 4, serving as the sample, is placed between the base 1 and the piston seat 2. The entire testing device is placed in a universal testing machine, and a pressure of 1-1.5 MPa is applied to clamp and fix the sample. The base 1 and piston seat 2 are then held in place under this pressure using clamping and fixing components 5. The pressure in the universal testing machine is removed, and the entire testing device is taken out. Ultrapure water is injected through the piston hole 21, and the sealing piston 3 is inserted into the piston hole 21. The device is then inverted to expel excess air. The testing device is then placed back in the universal testing machine, and the universal testing machine indenter is set to move downwards at a uniform speed of 0.5-5 mm / min. The pressure value, displacement value, and pressure curve of the pressure sensor on the indenter are recorded. As the pressure gradually increases and then levels off, the pressure inflection point is when the liquid water in the horizontal direction of the gas diffusion layer breaks through the pressure. At the same time, the breakthrough position is recorded by a CCD camera, so that the water management capability of the gas diffusion layer can be evaluated, which is of guiding significance for designing gas diffusion layer structures with higher drainage capacity.

[0024] In some embodiments, one end of the piston seat 2 is provided with a clamping and fixing part 22, which is connected to the base 1 through a clamping and fixing member 5. The clamping and fixing member 5 is a bolt, the clamping and fixing part 22 is provided with multiple through holes, and the base 1 is provided with threaded holes corresponding to the through holes. The bolt passes through the through holes and engages with the threaded holes.

[0025] It should be noted that during testing, the entire testing device is placed in a universal testing machine, and a pressure of 1-1.5 MPa is applied to clamp and fix the sample. Then, the base 1 and piston seat 2 are fastened together with bolts, and a torque wrench is used to fix the clamping force at 0.2-2 N·m.

[0026] In some embodiments, both through holes and threaded holes are arranged in a uniform circumferential array, thereby making the pressure on the sample more even when it is clamped and fixed, and improving the test accuracy.

[0027] In some embodiments, the base 1 and the clamping and fixing part 22 are both circular in shape and correspond to each other, and the piston seat 2 is cylindrical in shape, which can reduce the volume and is also convenient for hand gripping.

[0028] In some embodiments, both the piston hole 21 and the annular hole 41 are circular holes, and the piston hole 21 and the annular hole 41 have the same diameter. The diameter of the piston hole 21 and the annular hole 41 is generally 10-50 mm, and the outer diameter of the gas diffusion layer 4 is generally 10-20 mm larger than the inner diameter.

[0029] In some embodiments, both the base 1 and the piston seat 2 are made of stainless steel, thereby reducing the probability of rust on the base 1 and the piston seat 2 and improving the durability of the entire testing device.

[0030] In summary, the embodiments of this utility model provide a horizontal liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device for a gas diffusion layer. By setting a base and a piston seat, the gas diffusion layer is clamped and fixed between them. The piston hole leads to the annular hole of the gas diffusion layer. After liquid is poured into the piston seat, the pressure inflection point is found by continuously pushing the sealed piston, thereby effectively evaluating the performance of the gas diffusion layer and more intuitively evaluating the water management capability of the gas diffusion layer. The structure is simple and meets the needs of practical applications.

[0031] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, and the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can make changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and all such changes or substitutions should be within the scope of protection of this application.

[0032] Those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments described herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not others, combinations of features from different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of this invention and form different embodiments.

[0033] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations all fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for testing the horizontal liquid water breakthrough pressure in a gas diffusion layer, characterized in that, The device includes a base (1), a piston seat (2), and a sealing piston (3). The base (1) and the piston seat (2) are clamped and fixed together by a clamping fastener (5) to form a gas diffusion layer (4) in an annular structure. The clamping surfaces of the base (1) and the piston seat (2) are both horizontal. The piston seat (2) is provided with a piston hole (21), which leads to the annular hole (41) of the gas diffusion layer (4). The sealing piston (3) is disposed in the piston hole (21).

2. The gas diffusion layer horizontal direction liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the piston seat (2) is provided with a clamping and fixing part (22), and the clamping and fixing part (22) is connected to the base (1) through the clamping and fixing member (5).

3. The gas diffusion layer horizontal direction liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The clamping and fixing component (5) is a bolt, the clamping and fixing part (22) is provided with multiple through holes, the base (1) is provided with threaded holes corresponding to the through holes, and the bolt passes through the through holes and engages with the threaded holes.

4. The gas diffusion layer horizontal direction liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, Both the through holes and threaded holes are arranged in a uniform circumferential array.

5. The gas diffusion layer horizontal direction liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The base (1) and the clamping and fixing part (22) are both circular in shape and correspond to each other.

6. The gas diffusion layer horizontal direction liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piston seat (2) has a cylindrical structure.

7. The gas diffusion layer horizontal direction liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the piston hole (21) and the annular hole (41) are circular holes, and the piston hole (21) and the annular hole (41) have the same diameter.

8. The gas diffusion layer horizontal direction liquid water breakthrough pressure testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the base (1) and the piston seat (2) are made of stainless steel.

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