Cathode closed air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate and stack

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of cathode closed air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate, including sequentially arranged anode plate, cooling plate, cathode flow channel plate;The anode plate is provided with hydrogen flow channel extending along the length direction of bipolar plate on the anode face away from cooling plate;Cooling air flow channel extending along the width direction of bipolar plate is provided on the cooling plate;Reaction air flow channel extending along the length direction of bipolar plate is provided on the cathode face away from cooling plate of cathode flow channel plate, and sealing ring is provided around the cathode face of reaction air flow channel.The utility model is by being provided with cathode flow channel plate, let reaction air flow alone, cooling air enters from the cooling air inlet of cooling plate, reaction air enters from the reaction air inlet of cathode flow channel plate, reaction air and cooling air respectively from different position and structural component enter bipolar plate, and vertical flow-through structure layout is formed in bipolar plate interior.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of air-cooled fuel cell technology, and in particular to a cathode closed-type air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate and stack. Background Technology

[0002] Bipolar plates, also known as current collectors, are a crucial component of fuel cells. Their function is to provide gas flow channels, prevent hydrogen and oxygen from mixing in the cell's gas chamber, and establish a current path between the series-connected anode and cathode. Ideally, a membrane electrode assembly (including a carbon layer and proton exchange membrane) sandwiched between two adjacent bipolar plates forms a single cell unit. Gas flow channels are provided on both sides of the bipolar plates. A single cell unit has a relatively low voltage; multiple such units are stacked (i.e., connected in series) to form a fuel cell. However, in practice, fuel cells generate heat during operation, requiring heat dissipation. Current heat dissipation methods include water cooling and air cooling.

[0003] Existing air-cooled fuel cells are generally divided into open-loop and closed-loop types. In open-loop air-cooled fuel cells, the cathode reactant gas (air) and cooling gas (air) are combined, resulting in disadvantages such as low performance, poor low-temperature performance, susceptibility to contamination, and short lifespan. Closed-loop air-cooled fuel cells separate the cathode reactant gas and cooling gas. Air is pumped into a common intake manifold on the cathode side using an air pump or blower, and then distributed to each individual cell. Closed-loop air-cooled fuel cells solve the performance, low-temperature, and contamination problems of open-loop systems, but they have the following drawbacks: 1. High pressure drop and high power consumption: Air needs to be distributed to each cell through a long-path manifold, resulting in significant pressure loss and reliance on high-power air pumps, increasing parasitic power consumption; 2. System complexity: Independent air pumps, piping, and control components are required, increasing cost and maintenance difficulty.

[0004] Therefore, how to reduce the parasitic power consumption of the stack system of a closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell has become a problem that needs to be solved by those in the field. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a cathode closed-type air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate and stack, which can reduce system parasitic power consumption and reduce manufacturing and maintenance costs.

[0006] The objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: According to an embodiment of this disclosure, a cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate is provided, comprising an anode plate, a cooling plate, and a cathode flow channel plate arranged in sequence. The anode plate has a hydrogen flow channel extending along the length of the bipolar plate on its anode surface away from the cooling plate. The cooling plate is provided with cooling air channels extending along the width direction of the bipolar plate; The cathode flow channel plate has a reaction air flow channel extending along the length of the bipolar plate on its cathode surface away from the cooling plate, and a sealing ring is provided around the cathode surface of the reaction air flow channel.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment, the anode plate has a hydrogen inlet and a hydrogen outlet at both ends of its length.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, the hydrogen inlet and hydrogen outlet are arranged diagonally.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, the cooling plate is provided with a cooling air inlet and a cooling air outlet at both ends in the width direction.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the cross-section of the cooling airflow channel is corrugated.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the cathode surface of the cathode channel plate is provided with a reaction air inlet and a reaction air outlet at both ends in the length direction.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the reaction air inlet and reaction air outlet are arranged diagonally.

[0013] This application also provides a cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell stack, including an upper end plate, an upper current collector, an electrode, a lower current collector, and a lower end plate arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The electrode is composed of bipolar plates and MEA membrane electrodes stacked alternately as described above.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, the top surface of the upper end plate is provided with a hydrogen outlet and a hydrogen inlet.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, a first axial fan is installed on one of the long sides of the fuel cell stack, and the air inlet of the first axial fan is connected to the cooling air outlet of the fuel cell stack. A second axial fan is installed on the short side of the fuel cell stack, and the air inlet of the second axial fan is connected to the reactor air outlet of the fuel cell stack.

[0016] In summary, compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following beneficial effects: This application sets up a cathode flow channel plate, allowing the reaction air to flow separately. Cooling air enters from the cooling air inlet of the cooling plate, and reaction air enters from the reaction air inlet of the cathode flow channel plate. The reaction air and cooling air enter the bipolar plate from different positions and structural components, forming a vertical flow structure inside the bipolar plate. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cathode flow channel plate of this utility model; Figure 2This is a side view of the cathode flow channel plate of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a side view of the bipolar plate of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the anode plate of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a top view of the fuel cell stack of this utility model; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the first axial fan of the fuel cell stack of this utility model; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the second axial flow fan of the fuel cell stack of this utility model; The numbers and letters in the diagram represent the names of the corresponding components: 101. Anode plate; 102. Cooling plate; 103. Cathode flow channel plate; 104. Hydrogen inlet; 105. Hydrogen outlet; 106. Sealing ring; 107. Reaction air inlet; 108. Reaction air outlet; 201. Top plate; 202. Hydrogen outlet; 203. Hydrogen inlet; 204. First axial fan; 205. Second axial fan. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0019] Example: Figures 1-4 As shown, a cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate includes an anode plate 101, a cooling plate 102, and a cathode flow channel plate 103 arranged in sequence. The anode plate 101 is provided with a hydrogen flow channel extending along the length direction of the bipolar plate on the anode surface away from the cooling plate 102. The cooling plate 102 is provided with a cooling air flow channel extending along the width direction of the bipolar plate; The cathode flow channel plate 103 is provided with a reaction air flow channel extending along the length direction of the bipolar plate on the cathode surface away from the cooling plate 102, and a sealing ring 106 is provided around the cathode surface of the reaction air flow channel.

[0020] In this way, the cathode flow channel plate is set up so that the reaction air flows separately, the cooling air enters from the cooling air inlet of the cooling plate, and the reaction air enters from the reaction air inlet of the cathode flow channel plate. The reaction air and the cooling air enter the bipolar plate from different positions and structural components, forming a vertical flow structure inside the bipolar plate.

[0021] Specifically, the anode surface of the anode plate 101 is provided with a hydrogen inlet 104 and a hydrogen outlet 105 at both ends in the length direction.

[0022] Specifically, the hydrogen inlet 104 and the hydrogen outlet 105 are arranged diagonally.

[0023] Specifically, the cooling plate 102 is provided with a cooling air inlet and a cooling air outlet at both ends in the width direction.

[0024] Specifically, the cross-section of the cooling airflow channel is corrugated.

[0025] This increases the probability of air colliding with the channel walls, increases the effective heat dissipation area, and improves heat dissipation efficiency.

[0026] Specifically, the cathode surface of the cathode channel plate is provided with a reaction air inlet 107 and a reaction air outlet 108 at both ends in the length direction.

[0027] Specifically, the reaction air inlet 107 and the reaction air outlet 108 are arranged diagonally.

[0028] In this way, by designing the reaction air channel and the cooling air channel to cross each other, the reaction air and cooling air on the cathode surface are isolated, thereby enabling separate intake of reaction air and cooling air.

[0029] like Figures 5-7 As shown, this application also provides a cathode closed-loop air-cooled fuel cell stack, including an upper end plate 201, an upper current collector, an electrode, a lower current collector, and a lower end plate arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The electrode is composed of bipolar plates and MEA membrane electrodes stacked alternately as described above.

[0030] Specifically, the top surface of the upper end plate 201 is provided with a hydrogen outlet 202 and a hydrogen inlet 203.

[0031] Specifically, a first axial fan 204 is installed on one of the long sides of the fuel cell stack, and the air inlet of the first axial fan 204 is connected to the cooling air outlet of the fuel cell stack. A second axial fan 205 is installed on the short side of the fuel cell stack, and the air inlet of the second axial fan 205 is connected to the reactor air outlet of the fuel cell stack.

[0032] In this way, the reaction air is supplied to the cathode channels of each cell through the second axial fan, which greatly reduces the cathode side flow resistance, reduces the parasitic power consumption of the system (i.e. reduces the energy consumption of the air pump), improves the power density and stability of the fuel cell stack, simplifies the system structure, and reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs.

[0033] The above embodiments only illustrate several implementation methods of this utility model, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of this utility model. These are all equivalent modifications and improvements made to the above embodiments based on the essential technology of this utility model, and all of these fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A cathode-closed air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate, characterized in that, It includes an anode plate, a cooling plate, and a cathode flow channel plate arranged in sequence; The anode plate has a hydrogen flow channel extending along the length of the bipolar plate on its anode surface away from the cooling plate. The cooling plate is provided with cooling air channels extending along the width direction of the bipolar plate; The cathode flow channel plate has a reaction air flow channel extending along the length of the bipolar plate on its cathode surface away from the cooling plate, and a sealing ring is provided around the cathode surface of the reaction air flow channel.

2. The cathode closed-type air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The anode plate has a hydrogen inlet and a hydrogen outlet at both ends of its length.

3. The cathode closed-type air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 2, characterized in that, The hydrogen inlet and hydrogen outlet are arranged diagonally.

4. The cathode closed-type air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling plate has a cooling air inlet and a cooling air outlet at both ends in the width direction.

5. The cathode closed-type air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-section of the cooling airflow channel is corrugated.

6. The cathode closed-type air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cathode surface of the cathode channel plate has a reaction air inlet and a reaction air outlet at both ends along its length.

7. The cathode closed-type air-cooled fuel cell bipolar plate according to claim 6, characterized in that, The reaction air inlet and reaction air outlet are arranged diagonally.

8. A cathode-closed air-cooled fuel cell stack, characterized in that, It includes an upper end plate, an upper current collector, an electrode, a lower current collector, and a lower end plate placed from top to bottom, wherein the electrode is composed of bipolar plates and MEA film electrodes stacked alternately as described in any one of claims 1-7.

9. A cathode-closed air-cooled fuel cell stack according to claim 8, characterized in that, The top surface of the upper end plate is provided with a hydrogen outlet and a hydrogen inlet.

10. A cathode-closed air-cooled fuel cell stack according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first axial fan is installed on one of the long sides of the fuel cell stack, and the air inlet of the first axial fan is connected to the cooling air outlet of the fuel cell stack. A second axial fan is installed on the short side of the fuel cell stack, and the air inlet of the second axial fan is connected to the reactor air outlet of the fuel cell stack.

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