A closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate, its fuel cell, and air-cooling system

Abstract

This utility model discloses a closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate, its fuel cell, and an air-cooling system. The bipolar plate includes an anode plate and a cathode plate; both sides of the anode and cathode plates are provided with closed reaction gas channels; air-cooling channel grooves are provided within the plates of the anode and cathode plates; the anode and cathode plates are bonded together as a single unit; the reaction gas channels include hydrogen flow channels and air flow channels; the hydrogen flow channel is located on the front side of the anode plate, and the air flow channel is located on the front side of the cathode plate; the back sides of the anode and / or cathode plates are bonded together; the back sides of the anode and / or cathode plates are provided with air-cooling channel grooves, bonding sealing grooves, and bridging channels, achieving independence between the reaction gas and cooling gas, improving sealing performance, reducing plate thickness, and improving the lifespan and performance of the fuel cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of fuel cells, and relates to a fuel cell bipolar plate, its fuel cell and air-cooling system, specifically a closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate, its fuel cell and air-cooling system. Background Technology

[0002] A fuel cell is a power generation device that directly converts the chemical energy of fuel (such as hydrogen) and oxidant (such as oxygen in the air) into electrical energy. Because it generates energy through an electrochemical reaction without combustion, it is not limited by the Carnot cycle and its energy conversion efficiency is much higher than that of traditional heat engines. Fuel cells have advantages such as being pollution-free, low-noise, and highly reliable, and are widely used in transportation, stationary power generation, and portable power generation. The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is a major representative of hydrogen fuel cells, featuring fast start-up and high efficiency. Its working principle is based on the redox reaction of hydrogen and oxygen in a catalyst layer to generate electricity and water. A PEMFC stack consists of multiple stacked individual cells, each including a cathode plate, an anode plate, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). Hydrogen is introduced into the anode flow field as fuel, and air is introduced into the cathode flow field as an oxidant. Hydrogen and oxygen react under load to generate electrical and thermal energy. The energy conversion efficiency of a fuel cell is approximately 50%, with the remaining energy dissipated as heat. To ensure battery performance and lifespan, effective heat dissipation methods are needed to remove this heat. Common fuel cell cooling methods include liquid cooling (water cooling) and air cooling (air cooling). Liquid-cooled fuel cell stacks cool down by circulating cooling water, which has good heat dissipation but is structurally complex and consumes a lot of energy. In contrast, air-cooled fuel cell stacks have a simpler structure and are suitable for low-power applications.

[0003] Air-cooled fuel cell stacks employ two cooling methods: open-cathode and closed-cathode. The open-cathode structure uses a single airflow channel for both reaction and cooling; it is simple in structure but complex in operation, has poor adaptability, and lower current density. The closed-cathode structure separates the reaction air and cooling air. The reaction air enters the reaction zone and reacts in the catalyst layer, while the cooling air enters the cooling channel to remove heat but does not participate in the reaction. The closed-cathode structure is complex but consumes less energy and is relatively simple to control.

[0004] In existing closed-loop cathode designs, closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell designs struggle to address the issue of low-cost sealing. Patent CN116826100A proposes a closed-loop air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The bipolar assembly includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) I, an anode plate, conductive heat sinks, a cathode plate, and a MEA II. The anode plate is sealed to MEA I via a first sealing ring, and the cathode plate is sealed to MEA II via a second sealing ring. Both ends of MEA I are sealed to MEA II via first and second sealing gaskets, respectively. This design solves the technical problems of numerous components, complex assembly, and difficult sealing in closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell bipolar assembly designs. However, the sealing structure design is complex, and the inclusion of multiple components in a single cell increases cost and cell thickness.

[0005] Currently, air-cooled fuel cells typically employ an open cathode inlet and outlet design. Because the cathode in an open-type air-cooled fuel cell is in direct contact with the external environment, the quality of the incoming air is easily affected by ambient temperature, humidity, pressure, and impurities in the ambient air, leading to a decline in intake air quality and reduced fuel cell lifespan and performance. A closed cathode design avoids these drawbacks while combining the advantages of liquid cooling and an open cathode design. However, its internal structure and heat dissipation design are relatively complex, resulting in higher costs and placing higher demands on sealing and volumetric power density. Utility Model Content

[0006] This invention proposes a closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate with a simple structure and easy assembly, as well as its fuel cell and air-cooling system.

[0007] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows.

[0008] A closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate includes an anode plate and a cathode plate; both sides of the anode plate and cathode plate are provided with closed reaction gas channels; air-cooling channel grooves are provided in the plates of the anode plate and cathode plate; the anode plate and cathode plate are bonded together as a whole; the reaction gas channels include hydrogen flow channels and air flow channels; the hydrogen flow channels are located on the front side of the anode plate, and the air flow channels are located on the front side of the cathode plate; the back side of the anode plate and the back side of the cathode plate are bonded together as a whole; the back side of the anode plate and / or the cathode plate is provided with air-cooling channel grooves, bonding sealing grooves, and bridging channels, so as to realize the independence of reaction gas and cooling gas, improve sealing performance, reduce plate thickness, and improve fuel cell life and performance.

[0009] Furthermore, both the anode plate and the cathode plate are provided with hydrogen inlet and hydrogen outlet, and both the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet are connected to the hydrogen flow channel through the bridge flow channel.

[0010] Furthermore, both the anode plate and the cathode plate are provided with an air inlet and an air outlet, and the air inlet and the air outlet are connected to the air flow channel through the bridge flow channel.

[0011] Furthermore, the front side of the anode plate is provided with an anode sealing assembly for the hydrogen flow channel, and the front side of the cathode plate is provided with a cathode sealing assembly for the air flow channel.

[0012] Furthermore, the air-cooled flow channel groove is disposed at the bonding point between the anode plate and the cathode plate.

[0013] Furthermore, the air-cooled flow channel groove and the adhesive sealing groove are located on the back of the anode plate or / and the back of the anode plate.

[0014] Furthermore, the air-cooled flow channel groove is parallel to the short side of the bipolar plate.

[0015] Furthermore, the adhesive sealing groove is disposed on the back surface of the anode plate and / or the back surface of the cathode plate, and the adhesive sealing groove surrounds the hydrogen inlet, the hydrogen outlet, the air inlet, and the air outlet; the adhesive sealing groove passes through the air-cooling flow channel groove, connecting the adhesive sealing groove surrounding the hydrogen inlet and the sealing groove surrounding the air inlet; the adhesive sealing groove passes through the air-cooling flow channel groove, connecting the adhesive sealing groove surrounding the hydrogen outlet and the sealing groove surrounding the air outlet.

[0016] A fuel cell employing the bipolar plate includes end plates, membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), and bipolar plates; the bipolar plates and the MEAs constitute a fuel cell unit; the plurality of fuel cell units constitute a stack core; the stack core is disposed between the end plates.

[0017] An air-cooled system employing an air-cooled fuel cell for thermal management includes an air-cooled fuel cell, a housing, and a cooling fan; the housing is used to house the air-cooled fuel cell; the cooling fan is disposed on the housing; the housing is provided with a perforated partition located on the side of the housing opposite to the cooling fan; the cooling fan faces the direction of the air-cooled flow channel groove.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are: The present invention provides an air-cooling flow channel groove and an adhesive sealing groove on the back of the anode plate or cathode plate, an anode sealing assembly for the hydrogen flow channel on the front of the anode plate, and a cathode sealing assembly for the air flow channel on the front of the cathode plate. This achieves the independence of the reactant gas and the cooling gas.

[0019] The adhesive sealing groove is disposed on the back surface of the anode plate or the back surface of the cathode plate, and the adhesive sealing groove surrounds the hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet, as well as the air inlet and the air outlet. Since the hydrogen and air inlets and outlets and the reaction gases are sealed by independent sealing components, a better sealing effect is achieved.

[0020] The bonding and sealing grooves provided on the cathode and anode plates pass through the air-cooled flow channel grooves, increasing the sealing component area and making the adhesion of the plates more secure, thereby improving the lifespan of the fuel cell. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the fuel cell stack device; Figure 2 This is a 3D schematic diagram of the fuel cell stack device; Figure 3 This is a front view of the anode plate; Figure 4 This is a view of the back of the anode plate; Figure 5 Axonometric drawing of the anode plate; Figure 6 This is a front view of the cathode plate; Figure 7 This is a view of the back of the cathode plate; Figure 8 This is an axial view (back side) of the cathode plate; Figure 9 This is an isometric drawing of a bipolar plate.

[0022] The components shown in the figure are as follows: air-cooled fuel cell 100, end plate 102, reaction gas flow channel 111, hydrogen inlet 112, air inlet 113, hydrogen outlet 114, air outlet 115, bonding and sealing groove 116, bridge flow channel 117, anode plate 120, cathode plate 130, hydrogen flow channel 121, anode sealing assembly 122, air flow channel 131, cathode sealing assembly 132, air-cooled flow channel groove 133, housing 200, cooling fan 300, and perforated partition 201. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application. Example 1

[0024] like Figures 3-9A fuel cell bipolar plate assembly is shown, including an anode plate 120 and a cathode plate 130; the bipolar plate has closed reaction gas channels 111 on both sides. An air-cooled channel groove 133 is provided within the bipolar plate body. The anode plate and cathode plate are bonded together as a whole. The reaction gas channels include a hydrogen flow channel 121 and an air flow channel 131. The hydrogen flow channel is located on the front side of the anode plate, and the air flow channel is located on the front side of the cathode plate; the back side of the anode plate and the back side of the cathode plate are bonded together; the back side of the cathode plate has an air-cooled channel groove 133, a bonding sealing groove 116, and a bridging channel 117.

[0025] Both the anode plate and the cathode plate are provided with a hydrogen inlet 112 and a hydrogen outlet 114. The hydrogen inlet and the hydrogen outlet are connected to the hydrogen flow channel through the bridge flow channel. Both the anode plate and the cathode plate are provided with an air inlet 113 and an air outlet 115. The air inlet and the air outlet are connected to the air flow channel through the bridge flow channel.

[0026] The anode plate has an anode sealing assembly 122 for the hydrogen flow channel on its front side, and the cathode plate has a cathode sealing assembly 132 for the air flow channel on its front side.

[0027] The air-cooled flow channel 133 is disposed at the bonding point between the anode plate 120 and the cathode plate 130.

[0028] The air-cooled flow channel 133 and the adhesive sealing groove 116 are located on the back of the cathode plate to make the bipolar plate structure more compact and reduce the plate thickness. The air-cooled flow channel 133 is an open flow channel, which simplifies the structure. The air-cooled flow channel 133 is parallel to the short side of the bipolar plate to ensure sufficient airflow and meet cooling requirements.

[0029] The adhesive sealing groove 116 is disposed on the back surface of the anode plate or the cathode plate, and surrounds the hydrogen inlet and outlet, as well as the air inlet and outlet, to achieve a better sealing effect. The adhesive sealing groove passes through the air-cooled flow channel and communicates with the adhesive sealing groove surrounding the hydrogen inlet and the sealing groove surrounding the air inlet, as well as with the adhesive sealing groove surrounding the hydrogen outlet and the sealing groove surrounding the air outlet, making the anode plate and the cathode plate more firmly bonded and improving the stability and lifespan of the fuel cell stack. Example 2

[0030] The structure of this embodiment is the same as that of embodiment 1, except that the back of the anode plate is provided with an air-cooled flow channel groove 133, an adhesive sealing groove 116, and a bridge flow channel 117. Example 3

[0031] The structure of this embodiment is the same as that of embodiment 1, except that the back of the anode plate and cathode plate are provided with an air-cooled flow channel groove 133, an adhesive sealing groove 116, and a bridge flow channel 117. Example 4

[0032] The structure of this embodiment is the same as that of embodiment 1, except that the air-cooled flow channel groove 133 and the adhesive sealing groove 116 are on the back of the anode plate. Example 5

[0033] The structure of this embodiment is the same as that of embodiment 1, except that the air-cooled flow channel groove 133 and the adhesive sealing groove 116 are located on the back of the anode plate and the cathode plate, respectively. Example 6

[0034] This embodiment provides an air-cooled fuel cell 100, including end plates 102, membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), and bipolar plates as described in Embodiment 1. The bipolar plates and the MEAs constitute a single fuel cell unit. The plurality of fuel cell units constitute a stack core. The stack core is disposed between the end plates. Example 7

[0035] This embodiment provides an air-cooled fuel cell system for thermal management of the aforementioned air-cooled fuel cell. It includes an air-cooled fuel cell 100, a housing 200, and a cooling fan 300. The housing houses the air-cooled fuel cell. The cooling fan 300 is mounted on the housing 200. The housing has a perforated partition 201 located opposite the cooling fan, which protects the air-cooled fuel cell and also facilitates the exhaust of cooling air. The cooling fan faces the air-cooled flow channel to ensure sufficient cooling airflow and improve cooling efficiency.

[0036] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

Claims

1. A closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate, characterized in that, The anode plate (120) and cathode plate (130) are included. Both sides of the anode plate (120) and cathode plate (130) are provided with closed reaction gas channels (111). An air-cooled channel groove (133) is provided in the plate body of the anode plate (120) and cathode plate (130). The anode plate and cathode plate are bonded together as a whole. The reaction gas channel (111) includes a hydrogen channel (121) and an air channel (131). The hydrogen channel (121) is located on the front side of the anode plate (120), and the air channel (131) is located on the front side of the cathode plate (130). The back side of the anode plate and the back side of the cathode plate are bonded together as a whole. The back side of the anode plate and / or the cathode plate is provided with an air-cooled channel groove (133), a bonding sealing groove (116), and a bridge channel (117).

2. The closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the anode plate (120) and the cathode plate (130) are provided with a hydrogen inlet (112) and a hydrogen outlet (114), and the hydrogen inlet (112) and the hydrogen outlet (114) are connected to the hydrogen flow channel (121) through the bridge flow channel (117).

3. The closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the anode plate (120) and the cathode plate (130) are provided with an air inlet (113) and an air outlet (115), and the air inlet (113) and the air outlet (115) are connected to the air channel (131) through the bridge channel (117).

4. The closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The anode plate (120) has an anode sealing assembly (122) for the hydrogen flow channel (121) on its front side, and the cathode plate has a cathode sealing assembly (132) for the air flow channel (131) on its front side.

5. The closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air-cooled flow channel (133) is located at the bonding point between the anode plate (120) and the cathode plate (130).

6. The closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air-cooled flow channel groove (133) and the adhesive sealing groove (116) are on the back of the anode plate or / and the back of the anode plate.

7. The closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air-cooled flow channel (133) is parallel to the short side of the bipolar plate.

8. A closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The adhesive sealing groove (116) is disposed on the back surface of the anode plate and / or the back surface of the cathode plate, and the adhesive sealing groove (116) surrounds the hydrogen inlet (112), the hydrogen outlet (114), the air inlet (113) and the air outlet (115); the adhesive sealing groove (116) passes through the air-cooled flow channel groove (133) and connects the adhesive sealing groove (116) surrounding the hydrogen inlet (112) and the sealing groove surrounding the air inlet (113); the adhesive sealing groove (116) passes through the air-cooled flow channel groove (133) and connects the adhesive sealing groove (116) surrounding the hydrogen outlet (114) and the sealing groove surrounding the air outlet (115).

9. A fuel cell employing the bipolar plate according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, It includes end plates (102), membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and bipolar plates; the bipolar plates and the MEAs constitute a fuel cell unit; the multiple fuel cell units constitute a stack core; the stack core is disposed between the end plates.

10. An air-cooled system, characterized in that, Thermal management using the air-cooled fuel cell of claim 9 includes an air-cooled fuel cell (100), a housing (200), and a cooling fan (300); the housing (200) is used to house the air-cooled fuel cell (100); the cooling fan (300) is disposed on the housing (200); the housing is provided with a perforated partition (201), the perforated partition (201) is located on the side of the housing (200) opposite to the cooling fan (300); the cooling fan (300) faces the air-cooled flow channel (133).

Images