Bipolar plate of hydrogen fuel cell

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of bipolar plates, and particularly discloses a hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate which comprises an anode plate and a cathode plate, the anode plate and the cathode plate are overlapped and attached, and a cooling inlet, an air inlet and a hydrogen inlet penetrate through one end of the anode plate and one end of the cathode plate. A hydrogen outlet, an air outlet and a cooling outlet penetrate through the other ends of the anode plate and the cathode plate, a wavy hydrogen flow channel is arranged on the front surface of the anode plate, the hydrogen inlet is communicated with the hydrogen outlet through the hydrogen flow channel, a throttling table is arranged in the hydrogen flow channel, a cooling flow channel is arranged on the back surface of the anode plate, and the cooling inlet is communicated with the cooling outlet through the cooling flow channel; an air flow channel is formed in the back surface of the cathode plate; the air inlet is communicated with the air outlet through the air flow channel. According to the utility model, the front surface of the anode plate adopts the design of the wave-shaped hydrogen flow channel, and the throttling table is arranged in the hydrogen flow channel, so that the flow efficiency and uniformity of hydrogen in the flow channel are improved, the effective contact between the hydrogen and an anode catalyst is promoted, and the power generation efficiency of the battery is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of bipolar plate technology, and particularly relates to a bipolar plate for hydrogen fuel cells. Background Technology

[0002] In the continuous evolution of hydrogen fuel cell technology, bipolar plates, as a key component of fuel cell stacks, play a crucial role in fluid transport, current conduction, and thermal management. Bipolar plates are constructed by precisely stacking and bonding anode and cathode plates. The two plates complement each other in their structural design, jointly building a complex fluid transport network. Specifically, the front of the anode plate features a carefully designed hydrogen flow field to ensure uniform hydrogen distribution within the cell and maximize its effective contact area with the anode catalyst; while the back of the cathode plate cleverly incorporates an air flow field to adequately supply the oxygen (primarily from the air) required by the cathode catalyst.

[0003] However, upon examining existing bipolar plate structures, we can easily identify their performance bottlenecks. Currently, most anode and cathode plates rely on machining or molding techniques to create specific flow field structures on their surfaces to accommodate the transport requirements of hydrogen and air. While these technologies meet basic requirements to some extent, the design of the hydrogen flow field in the anode plate is overly simplistic, generally employing straight or parallel flow channel layouts. Although this simple design facilitates manufacturing, it makes it difficult to guarantee the flow efficiency and uniformity of hydrogen within the channels. More critically, due to the lack of necessary throttling and disturbance mechanisms, hydrogen tends to form a laminar flow state within the channels. This not only reduces the contact area between hydrogen and the anode catalyst but also severely restricts the power generation efficiency of fuel cells.

[0004] Therefore, the inventors dedicated themselves to designing a bipolar plate to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a bipolar plate for a hydrogen fuel cell to improve the flow efficiency and uniformity of hydrogen in the flow channel, promote effective contact between hydrogen and the anode catalyst, and improve the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0007] A hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate includes an anode plate and a cathode plate, which are stacked and bonded together. One end of the anode plate and the cathode plate shares a common cooling inlet, an air inlet, and a hydrogen inlet. The other end of the anode plate and the cathode plate shares a common hydrogen outlet, an air outlet, and a cooling outlet. Multiple wavy hydrogen flow channels are provided at the hydrogen flow field on the front side of the anode plate. The hydrogen inlet is connected to the hydrogen outlet through all the hydrogen flow channels. Multiple throttling platforms are spaced apart within each hydrogen flow channel, and the height of the throttling platforms is less than the depth of the hydrogen flow channel. Multiple cooling channels are provided on the back side of the anode plate, and the cooling inlet is connected to the cooling outlet through all the cooling channels. Multiple air channels are provided at the air flow field on the back side of the cathode plate, and the air inlet is connected to the air outlet through all the air flow channels.

[0008] As an improvement of the hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate of this utility model, the same hydrogen flow channel is arranged along the length direction of the anode plate, and the throttling platforms in two adjacent hydrogen flow channels are staggered.

[0009] As an improvement of the hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate of this utility model, the hydrogen flow field is provided with multiple hydrogen separation strips, and two adjacent hydrogen flow channels are separated by the same hydrogen separation strip, and each hydrogen separation strip is wavy.

[0010] As an improvement of the hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate of this utility model, through openings are provided at the two corner edges of the hydrogen flow field, and both ends of all the hydrogen flow channels are connected to the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet through the through openings respectively.

[0011] As an improvement of the hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate of this utility model, both of the through ports penetrate the anode plate, and a set of hydrogen turbulence platforms are respectively provided on the channel between the hydrogen outlet and the corresponding through port and on the channel between the hydrogen inlet and the corresponding through port.

[0012] As an improvement of the hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate of this utility model, the back of the anode plate is provided with multiple cooling partitions, and two adjacent cooling channels are separated by the same cooling partition. Some of the cooling partitions are stepped, and the two ends of each cooling partition are respectively connected to the inner wall of the cooling outlet and the inner wall of the cooling inlet.

[0013] As an improvement of the hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate of this utility model, the back of the cathode plate is provided with multiple air separation strips along its length, and two adjacent air channels are separated by the same air separation strip.

[0014] As an improvement of the hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate of this utility model, the air inlet is located between the cooling inlet and the hydrogen inlet, and the air outlet is located between the hydrogen outlet and the cooling outlet.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate of this utility model improves the flow efficiency and uniformity of hydrogen in the flow channels by setting an air flow channel on the back of the cathode plate, setting a cooling flow channel on the back of the anode plate, and adopting a wave-shaped hydrogen flow channel design on the front of the anode plate, and setting multiple throttling platforms in the hydrogen flow channels. At the same time, it promotes the effective contact between hydrogen and the anode catalyst and improves the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell. Attached image description:

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the front structure of the anode plate of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the back of the anode plate of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the back of the cathode plate of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of the bipolar plate of the hydrogen fuel cell of this utility model.

[0021] Illustration:

[0022] 1. Anode plate; 11. Hydrogen separator; 12. Hydrogen flow channel; 13. Throttling platform; 14. Through port; 15. Hydrogen turbulence platform; 16. Cooling separator; 17. Cooling flow channel; 2. Cathode plate; 21. Air flow channel; 22. Air separator; 3. Cooling inlet; 4. Air inlet; 5. Hydrogen inlet; 6. Hydrogen outlet; 7. Air outlet; 8. Cooling outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are for reference and illustration only and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of patent protection of this utility model.

[0024] Reference Figures 1 to 5A hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate includes an anode plate 1 and a cathode plate 2, which are stacked and bonded together. One end of the anode plate 1 and the cathode plate 2 is connected by a cooling inlet 3, an air inlet 4, and a hydrogen inlet 5. The other end of the anode plate 1 and the cathode plate 2 is connected by a hydrogen outlet 6, an air outlet 7, and a cooling outlet 8. Multiple wavy hydrogen flow channels 12 are provided on the front side of the anode plate 1 at the hydrogen flow field. The hydrogen inlet 5 is connected to the hydrogen outlet 6 through all the hydrogen flow channels 12. Multiple throttling platforms 13 are provided at intervals in each hydrogen flow channel 12. The height of the throttling platform 13 is less than the depth of the hydrogen flow channel 12. Multiple cooling channels 17 are provided on the back side of the anode plate 1. The cooling inlet 3 is connected to the cooling outlet 8 through all the cooling channels 17. Multiple air channels 21 are provided on the back side of the cathode plate 2 at the air flow field. The air inlet 4 is connected to the air outlet 7 through all the air channels 21.

[0025] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The bipolar plate of this utility model is generally rectangular. Cooling inlet 3, air inlet 4, and hydrogen inlet 5 are arranged in a row at the left end of the bipolar plate. Air inlet 4 is located between cooling inlet 3 and hydrogen inlet 5. The area of ​​air inlet 4 is larger than the area of ​​cooling inlet 3, and the area of ​​cooling inlet 3 is larger than the area of ​​hydrogen inlet 5. Hydrogen outlet 6, air outlet 7, and cooling outlet 8 are arranged in a row at the right end of the bipolar plate. Air outlet 7 is located between hydrogen outlet 6 and cooling outlet 8. The area of ​​air outlet 7 is larger than the area of ​​cooling outlet 8, and the area of ​​cooling outlet 8 is larger than the area of ​​hydrogen outlet 6. In this embodiment, cooling inlet 3 is located at the upper left corner of the bipolar plate, hydrogen inlet 5 is located at the lower left corner of the bipolar plate, hydrogen outlet 6 is located at the upper right corner of the bipolar plate, and cooling outlet 8 is located at the lower right corner of the bipolar plate.

[0026] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5The hydrogen flow field on the front of the anode plate 1 is located between the hydrogen inlet 5 and the hydrogen outlet 6. Multiple hydrogen separation strips 11 are provided within the hydrogen flow field. Adjacent hydrogen flow channels 12 are separated by the same hydrogen separation strip 11. Each hydrogen separation strip 11 is wavy along the length of the anode plate 1. All hydrogen flow channels 12 are arranged in a row at intervals. The throttling platforms 13 within adjacent hydrogen flow channels 12 are staggered. Through-holes 14 are provided at the lower left and upper right corner edges of the hydrogen flow field, both penetrating the anode plate 1. The left end of all hydrogen flow channels 12 connects to the hydrogen inlet 5 through the through-hole 14 at the lower left corner, and the right end of all hydrogen flow channels 12 connects to the hydrogen outlet 6 through the through-hole 14 at the upper right corner. Specifically… A portion of the hydrogen separator strip 11 has its left end bent and connected to the inner wall of the left end through-hole 14. The right end of the same portion of the hydrogen separator strip 11 is bent and connected to the inner wall of the right end through-hole 14. Multiple cooling separator strips 16 are provided on the back of the anode plate 1. Two adjacent cooling channels 17 are separated by the same cooling separator strip 16. A portion of the cooling separator strips 16 are stepped, and the two ends of each cooling separator strip 16 are connected to the inner wall of the cooling outlet 8 and the inner wall of the cooling inlet 3, respectively. Another portion of the cooling separator strips 16 are all elongated and arranged along the length of the anode plate 1. A set of hydrogen turbulence platforms 15 are provided on the back of the anode plate 1, on the channel between the hydrogen outlet 6 and the corresponding through-hole 14, and on the channel between the hydrogen inlet 5 and the corresponding through-hole 14. Each hydrogen turbulence platform 15 is elongated and arranged along the length of the anode plate 1.

[0027] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The cathode plate 2 has multiple air separation strips 22 along its length on its back side. Two adjacent air channels 21 are separated by the same air separation strip 22. Both ends of a portion of the air separation strip 22 are bent, and the bent parts at both ends of the same air separation strip 22 are respectively connected to the inner wall of the air outlet 7 and the inner wall of the air inlet 4.

[0028] Reference Figures 1 to 5The bipolar plate of this utility model needs to be used in conjunction with the membrane electrode assembly to form a single cell during the use of the hydrogen fuel cell. On the front of the bipolar plate: hydrogen enters from the hydrogen inlet 5 and enters multiple hydrogen flow channels 12 through the through-hole 14 at the lower left corner. Part of the hydrogen in the hydrogen flow channels 12 comes into contact with the anode catalyst of the membrane electrode assembly and decomposes into electrons and hydrogen ions (protons). The other part of the hydrogen in the hydrogen flow channels 12 is discharged through the through-hole 14 at the lower right corner and the hydrogen outlet 6. On the back of the bipolar plate: air enters from the air inlet 4 into multiple air flow channels 21. Part of the oxygen in the air flow channels 21 comes into contact with the cathode catalyst and reacts. The remaining air in the air flow channels 21 is discharged from the air outlet 7. In the middle of the bipolar plate: coolant enters from the cooling inlet 3 into the cooling flow channel 17 to cool the bipolar plate and then flows out from the cooling outlet 8.

[0029] In this novel hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate, the anode plate 1 features an innovative design with multiple wavy hydrogen flow channels 12 at its front hydrogen flow field. This wavy design not only increases the contact area between hydrogen and the anode catalyst but also helps improve the hydrogen transport speed and uniformity, thereby further enhancing the fuel cell's power generation efficiency. Furthermore, each hydrogen flow channel 12 is equipped with multiple throttling platforms 13 at intervals. The height of these throttling platforms 13 is less than the depth of the hydrogen flow channel 12. Their function is to throttle and agitate the hydrogen to a certain extent without affecting its flow, thereby promoting the mixing and uniform distribution of hydrogen within the flow channel.

[0030] Meanwhile, multiple cooling channels 17 are provided on the back of the anode plate 1. These cooling channels 17 are connected to the cooling inlet 3 and the cooling outlet 8, forming a complete coolant circulation path. By adjusting the flow rate and temperature of the coolant, the operating temperature of the fuel cell can be effectively controlled, preventing it from failing due to overheating.

[0031] Multiple air channels 21 are provided on the back of the cathode plate 2, which are connected to the air inlet 4 and the air outlet 7, providing a sufficient oxygen source for the cathode catalyst.

[0032] In summary, the bipolar plate design of the hydrogen fuel cell of this utility model has a high degree of integration and optimization in structure. Its innovative wave-shaped hydrogen flow channel 12 and throttling platform 13 design, as well as the efficient coolant and air management system, together provide strong technical support for improving the performance and stability of the fuel cell.

[0033] The above-disclosed embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present utility model. Therefore, any equivalent changes made in accordance with the scope of the patent application of the present utility model shall still fall within the scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A bipolar plate for a hydrogen fuel cell, comprising an anode plate and a cathode plate, wherein the anode plate and the cathode plate are stacked and bonded together, a cooling inlet, an air inlet, and a hydrogen inlet are common to one end of the anode plate and the cathode plate, and a hydrogen outlet, an air outlet, and a cooling outlet are common to the other end of the anode plate and the cathode plate, characterized in that, The anode plate has multiple wavy hydrogen flow channels on its front side, and the hydrogen inlet is connected to the hydrogen outlet through all of these channels. Each hydrogen flow channel has multiple throttling platforms spaced apart, and the height of each throttling platform is less than the depth of the hydrogen flow channel. The anode plate has multiple cooling channels on its back side, and the cooling inlet is connected to the cooling outlet through all of these channels. The cathode plate has multiple air flow channels on its back side, and the air inlet is connected to the air outlet through all of these channels.

2. The hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The same hydrogen flow channel is arranged along the length of the anode plate, and the throttling platforms in two adjacent hydrogen flow channels are staggered.

3. The hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen flow field is provided with multiple hydrogen separation bars, and two adjacent hydrogen flow channels are separated by the same hydrogen separation bar. Each hydrogen separation bar is wavy.

4. The hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrogen flow field has through-holes at the two corner edges, and both ends of all the hydrogen flow channels are connected to the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet through the through-holes.

5. The hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 4, characterized in that, Both of the through-holes penetrate the anode plate, and a set of hydrogen turbulence platforms are respectively provided on the channel between the hydrogen outlet and the corresponding through-hole, and on the channel between the hydrogen inlet and the corresponding through-hole.

6. The hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The back of the anode plate is provided with multiple cooling partitions. Two adjacent cooling channels are separated by the same cooling partition. Some of the cooling partitions are stepped, and the two ends of each cooling partition are respectively connected to the inner wall of the cooling outlet and the inner wall of the cooling inlet.

7. The hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cathode plate has multiple air separation strips along its length on its back side, and two adjacent air channels are separated by the same air separation strip.

8. The hydrogen fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air inlet is located between the cooling inlet and the hydrogen inlet, and the air outlet is located between the hydrogen outlet and the cooling outlet.

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