A phosphoric acid fuel cell cooling assembly and a phosphoric acid fuel cell stack
By incorporating a perforated structure component in the phosphoric acid fuel cell cooling system to regulate the coolant pressure drop, the problem of uneven distribution of cooling fluid within the cooling plate was solved, thereby improving the lifespan of the fuel cell stack.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 深圳市千懿氢能有限责任公司
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-16
Smart Images
Figure CN224366845U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of phosphoric acid fuel cell technology, specifically to a phosphoric acid fuel cell cooling component and a phosphoric acid fuel cell stack. Background Technology
[0002] A phosphoric acid fuel cell is an electrochemical device that directly converts the chemical energy of fuel into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of an electrocatalyst. Phosphoric acid exists in a liquid state under normal fuel cell operating conditions, and its evaporation rate depends primarily on the internal temperature of the fuel cell stack and the flow rate of the reactant gases.
[0003] In existing technologies, the heat generated by a neutral fuel cell stack is typically carried away from the stack by a cooling fluid flowing through a cooling plate. To improve the utilization rate of the stack's thermal energy, the cooling liquid fluid partially vaporizes into water vapor upon entering the cooling plate, forming a two-phase flow within the cooling plate before leaving the stack. With a constant heat output from the stack, the pressure drop of the cooling plate increases with the increase of the cooling fluid flow rate, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown by the solid line, the curve exhibits an S-curve. At low cooling fluid flow rates, the gas-liquid two-phase flow within the cooling plate exhibits a high vapor ratio, resulting in a higher outlet temperature and an increasing pressure drop that rises with increasing cooling fluid flow rate, reaching its first peak. As the cooling fluid flow rate continues to increase, the gas-liquid two-phase flow transitions to a lower vapor ratio, the outlet temperature stabilizes, and the pressure drop begins to decrease until it reaches its minimum. With further increases in cooling fluid flow rate, the two-phase flow transitions to a single-phase liquid flow, the pressure drop increases unidirectionally, and the outlet temperature begins to decrease. Considering the optimization of the fuel cell stack operating temperature and auxiliary system design, the design vapor ratio and design cooling water outlet temperature operating points are as follows: Figure 1 As shown, however, the instability of the pressure drop caused by the gas-liquid two-phase flow within the cooling plates means that the fluid flow rate operating point of each cooling plate within the fuel cell stack can vary to a different value even with a constant pressure drop. Figure 1 The shifting of the design operating point to the left or right results in uneven distribution of cooling fluid among the cooling plates. To avoid the influence of pressure drop instability in gas-liquid two-phase flow, the pressure drop before the liquid fluid enters each cooling plate can be increased, making the relationship between cooling fluid flow rate and pressure drop monotonically increasing, such as... Figure 1 As shown by the dashed line.
[0004] Therefore, how to regulate the pressure drop of the liquid fluid before it enters the cooling plate, and distribute the cooling fluid evenly on each cooling plate to ensure the lifespan of the fuel cell, is a technical problem that needs to be solved. Utility Model Content
[0005] In order to solve the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a phosphoric acid fuel cell cooling component that can regulate the pressure drop of liquid fluid before it enters the cooling plate and distribute the cooling fluid evenly on each cooling plate.
[0006] This utility model provides the following technical solution:
[0007] In a first aspect, this utility model provides a phosphoric acid fuel cell cooling assembly, comprising:
[0008] The cooling plate assembly has a cooling fluid inlet at one end and a cooling fluid outlet at the other end, which is used to remove heat from the phosphoric acid fuel cell.
[0009] Cooling fluid is introduced into the manifold and connected to the cooling fluid inlet, and the coolant is distributed and then fed into the cooling plate assembly;
[0010] The cooling fluid outlet manifold is connected to the cooling fluid outlet to collect the output coolant from the cooling plate assembly.
[0011] The flow hole structure assembly is correspondingly installed between the cooling fluid inlet manifold and the cooling fluid inlet to regulate the pressure drop of the coolant;
[0012] The flow hole structure component consists of flow guide holes, which, from front to back, include a fluid inlet area, a fluid contraction area, a flow hole, a fluid expansion area, and a fluid outlet area; the fluid inlet area is connected to the cooling fluid inlet manifold, and the fluid outlet area is connected to the cooling fluid inlet.
[0013] Preferably, the flow guide holes are provided in multiple ways, and the multiple flow guide holes are connected in series. The two flow guide holes located at the ends are respectively connected to the cooling fluid inlet manifold and the cooling fluid inlet.
[0014] Furthermore, the diameter of the fluid inlet region is smaller than the diameter of the fluid outlet region.
[0015] Furthermore, the cooling plate assembly is provided in multiple parts, and each cooling plate assembly is provided with a cooling fluid inlet and a cooling fluid outlet;
[0016] Each of the aforementioned cooling fluid inlets is connected to the cooling fluid inlet manifold via the flow hole structure assembly; each of the aforementioned cooling fluid outlets is connected to the cooling fluid outlet manifold.
[0017] Secondly, the present invention provides a phosphoric acid fuel cell stack, characterized in that it includes a sub-stack and the aforementioned phosphoric acid fuel cell cooling assembly, wherein the cooling plate assembly is disposed at the upper and lower ends of the sub-stack.
[0018] Furthermore, the sub-pile is provided in multiple ways, and each sub-pile is provided with a cooling plate assembly at both the upper and lower ends.
[0019] Furthermore, the sub-pile is composed of several single-cell modules stacked together.
[0020] Furthermore, the single-cell assembly includes alternating electrode plate assemblies and separator plate assemblies;
[0021] The isolation plate assembly includes an anode flow channel plate and a cathode flow channel plate arranged adjacent to each other;
[0022] The electrode plate assembly includes an anode electrode, a matrix layer, and a cathode electrode, wherein the matrix layer is disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode;
[0023] The cathode flow channel plate is located on one side of the cathode electrode in the electrode plate assembly.
[0024] Furthermore, the matrix layer is filled with a liquid acidic electrolyte.
[0025] Through the above design scheme, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0026] This invention adds a flow hole structure component before the liquid fluid enters each cooling plate. By designing the flow hole structure component, the pressure drop of the cooling liquid fluid is adjusted, so that the flow rate and pressure drop of the cooling fluid have a monotonically increasing relationship. This allows the cooling fluid to be evenly distributed in each cooling plate, improving the performance of the fuel cell stack and further extending its service life. Attached Figure Description
[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0028] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the pressure drop characteristics of the cooling plate.
[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the phosphoric acid fuel cell cooling assembly provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.
[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the flow hole structure component provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.
[0031] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the flow hole structure component provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.
[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a phosphoric acid fuel cell stack provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.
[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the sub-pile and cooling plate assembly provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.
[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structural layout of the sub-pile and cooling plate assembly provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.
[0035] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the sub-pile provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.
[0036] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the sub-pile structure provided in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.
[0037] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the flow hole structure component provided in Embodiment 2 of this utility model.
[0038] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of the flow hole structure component provided in Embodiment 2 of this utility model.
[0039] Explanation of the markings in the image:
[0040] 10-Single cell assembly 10; 10a-First single cell assembly 10a; 10b-Second single cell assembly 10; 10c-Third single cell assembly 10; 10d-Fourth single cell assembly 10; 10e-Fifth single cell assembly 10; 10f-Sixth single cell assembly 10; 11-Anode flow channel plate; 12-Anode electrode; 13-Matrix layer; 14-Cathode electrode; 15-Cathode flow channel plate; 20-Substack; 21-Cooling plate assembly; 22-Cooling fluid inlet; 23-Cooling fluid outlet; 30-Phosphoric acid fuel cell stack; 31-Cooling fluid inlet manifold; 32-Cooling fluid outlet manifold; 33-Flow hole structure assembly; 34-Flow hole; 35-Fluid contraction zone; 36-Fluid expansion zone; 37-Fluid inlet zone; 38-Fluid outlet zone. Detailed Implementation
[0041] The technical solution of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to its embodiments. 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 scope of protection of this utility model.
[0042] It should be understood that, when used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms "comprising" and "including" indicate the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or collections thereof.
[0043] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only, to distinguish objects, such as substances, from one another, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments of this utility model, the first XX can also be referred to as the second XX, and similarly, the second XX can also be referred to as the first XX. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.
[0044] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the utility model product is in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.
[0045] In the description of this utility model, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.
[0046] Example 1
[0047] Please see Figure 2 The shown phosphoric acid fuel cell cooling assembly includes: a cooling plate assembly 21 with a cooling fluid inlet 22 at one end and a cooling fluid outlet 23 at the other end for removing heat from the phosphoric acid fuel cell; a cooling fluid inlet manifold 31 connected to the cooling fluid inlet 22 for distributing coolant into the cooling plate assembly 21; a cooling fluid outlet manifold 32 connected to the cooling fluid outlet 23 for collecting the output coolant from the cooling plate assembly 21; a flow orifice 34; and a flow orifice structure assembly 33 disposed between the cooling fluid inlet manifold 31 and the cooling fluid inlet 22 for regulating the pressure drop of the coolant. Further details are welcome. Figure 3and Figure 4 The flow hole structure component 33 is composed of flow guide holes, which include, from front to back, a fluid inlet zone 37, a fluid contraction zone 35, a flow hole 34, a fluid expansion zone 36, and a fluid outlet zone 38. The fluid inlet zone 37 is connected to the cooling fluid inlet manifold 31, and the fluid outlet zone 38 is connected to the cooling fluid inlet 22.
[0048] Specifically, in the flow guide orifice, the flow orifice 34 has a diameter of 1 mm and a depth of 2 mm; the fluid inlet zone 37 has a diameter of 3 mm and a depth of 0.5 mm; the fluid contraction zone 35 has a depth of 1 mm; the fluid expansion zone 36 has a depth of 2 mm; and the fluid outlet zone 38 has a diameter of 5 mm and a depth of 1 mm. The pressure drop of the cooling fluid in the flow orifice structure assembly 33 is 15 kPa.
[0049] For details, please refer to Figure 5 This embodiment also discloses a phosphoric acid fuel cell stack 30, which includes 12 sub-stacks 20 and the aforementioned phosphoric acid fuel cell cooling assembly. In this embodiment, the phosphoric acid fuel cell cooling assembly includes 13 cooling plate assemblies 21 and 13 perforated structure assemblies 33. Each cooling plate assembly 21 is provided with a cooling fluid inlet 22 and a cooling fluid outlet 23. Each cooling fluid inlet 22 is connected to a cooling fluid inlet manifold 31 through a perforated structure assembly 33; each cooling fluid outlet 23 is connected to a cooling fluid outlet manifold 32. The cooling plate assemblies 21 are disposed at the upper and lower ends of each sub-stack 20, i.e., the cooling plate assemblies 21 and sub-stacks 20 are staggered. Cooling fluid is introduced through the cooling fluid inlet manifold 31, passes through the perforated structure assembly 33, and enters the connected cooling plate assembly 21. After absorbing heat within the stack 30 to form a gas-liquid two-phase flow, the fluid leaves the cooling plate assembly 21 and enters the cooling fluid outlet manifold 32.
[0050] For details, please refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The sub-pile 20 is composed of six single-cell modules 10 stacked together, which are, from top to bottom, the first single-cell module 10a, the second single-cell module 10b, the third single-cell module 10c, the fourth single-cell module 10d, the fifth single-cell module 10e, and the sixth single-cell module 10f.
[0051] Specifically, the single-cell module 10 is square with a side length of 200mm, a sealing edge width of 5mm, and an active reaction area of 280cm². 2 The fuel cell stack 30 has a rated power of 8kW, and the designed cooling water flow rate at the inlet of each cooling plate assembly 21 is 2.5g / s. The designed pressure drop of the gas-liquid two-phase flow through the cooling plate assembly 21 is 10kPa. However, in this embodiment, the pressure drop of the cooling fluid in the flow hole 34 structure assembly 33 is 15kPa, which is greater than the designed pressure drop of the gas-liquid two-phase flow of the cooling plate assembly 21, thus meeting the requirements for fluid uniformity distribution in the cooling plate assembly 21.
[0052] Please refer to further information. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The single-cell assembly 10 includes an electrode plate assembly and a separator plate assembly arranged alternately. The separator plate assembly includes an anode flow channel plate 11 and a cathode flow channel plate 15 arranged adjacent to each other. The electrode plate assembly includes an anode electrode 12, a matrix layer 13, and a cathode electrode 14, with the matrix layer 13 disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode 14. The cathode flow channel plate 15 is disposed on one side of the cathode electrode 14.
[0053] Specifically, the matrix layer 13 is filled with a liquid acidic electrolyte.
[0054] Example 2
[0055] Based on Example 1, the only difference between this example and Example 1 is the perforation structure component 33. For details, please refer to further documentation. Figure 10 and Figure 11 In this embodiment, the flow orifice 34 structure component 33 consists of three flow guide holes connected in series. In each flow guide hole, the flow orifice 34 has a diameter of 1.5 mm and a depth of 2 mm; the fluid inlet region 37 has a diameter of 3 mm and a depth of 0.5 mm; the fluid contraction region 35 has a depth of 1 mm; the fluid expansion region 36 has a depth of 2 mm; and the fluid outlet region 38 has a diameter of 5 mm and a depth of 1 mm. The pressure drop of the cooling fluid in a single flow guide hole is 4 kPa, and the pressure drop of the cooling fluid in the flow orifice structure component 33 composed of three flow guide holes connected in series is 12 kPa, meeting the fluid uniformity distribution requirements of the cooling plate assembly 21.
[0056] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A phosphoric acid fuel cell cooling assembly, characterized in that, include: The cooling plate assembly has a cooling fluid inlet at one end and a cooling fluid outlet at the other end, which is used to remove heat from the phosphoric acid fuel cell. Cooling fluid is introduced into the manifold and connected to the cooling fluid inlet, and the coolant is distributed and then fed into the cooling plate assembly; The cooling fluid outlet manifold is connected to the cooling fluid outlet to collect the output coolant from the cooling plate assembly. The flow hole structure assembly is correspondingly installed between the cooling fluid inlet manifold and the cooling fluid inlet to regulate the pressure drop of the coolant; The flow hole structure component consists of flow guide holes, which, from front to back, include a fluid inlet area, a fluid contraction area, a flow hole, a fluid expansion area, and a fluid outlet area; the fluid inlet area is connected to the cooling fluid inlet manifold, and the fluid outlet area is connected to the cooling fluid inlet.
2. The phosphoric acid fuel cell cooling assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned guide holes are provided in multiple series, and the two guide holes located at the ends are respectively connected to the cooling fluid inlet manifold and the cooling fluid inlet.
3. The phosphoric acid fuel cell cooling assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the fluid inlet area is smaller than the diameter of the fluid outlet area.
4. The phosphoric acid fuel cell cooling assembly as described in any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The cooling plate assembly is provided in multiple ways, and each cooling plate assembly is provided with a cooling fluid inlet and a cooling fluid outlet; Each of the aforementioned cooling fluid inlets is connected to the cooling fluid inlet manifold via the flow hole structure assembly; each of the aforementioned cooling fluid outlets is connected to the cooling fluid outlet manifold.
5. A phosphoric acid fuel cell stack, characterized in that, It includes a sub-stack and a phosphoric acid fuel cell cooling assembly as described in claim 4, wherein the cooling plate assembly is disposed at the upper and lower ends of the sub-stack.
6. The phosphoric acid fuel cell stack as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The sub-pile is provided in multiple ways, and each sub-pile is provided with a cooling plate assembly at both the top and bottom ends.
7. The phosphoric acid fuel cell stack as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The sub-pile is composed of several single-cell modules stacked together.
8. The phosphoric acid fuel cell stack as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The single-cell assembly includes an alternating array of electrode plates and a separator plate assembly; The isolation plate assembly includes an anode flow channel plate and a cathode flow channel plate arranged adjacent to each other; The electrode plate assembly includes an anode electrode, a matrix layer, and a cathode electrode, wherein the matrix layer is disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode; The cathode flow channel plate is located on one side of the cathode electrode.
9. The phosphoric acid fuel cell stack as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The matrix layer is filled with a liquid acidic electrolyte.