Bipolar plate for a fuel cell or for an electrolyser

Abstract

The invention relates to a bipolar plate (100) for a fuel cell or for an electrolyser, the bipolar plate comprising a first monopolar plate (110) and a second monopolar plate (120), each monopolar plate (110, 120) comprising a plurality of headers (130) that are formed through the plate, each header (130) being designed for the circulation of a fluid, each monopolar plate (110, 120) comprising a reactive face and a cooling face arranged opposite each other, the reactive face of each plate being designed to face a membrane electrode assembly and being provided with raised and recessed portions to form a reactive circuit (150) for the circulation of a reactive fluid. The cooling faces of the first monopolar plate and of the second monopolar plate has a first monopolar plate identifier and a second monopolar plate identifier, respectively. The reactive face of one of the two monopolar plates has a bipolar plate identifier.

Description

Bipolar plate of fuel cell or electrolyzer

[0001] The present invention relates to a bipolar fuel cell or electrolyzer plate and a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer or fuel cell assembly, comprising a stack of a plurality of bipolar plates, a plugged plate at a first end of the stack and a fluid supply plate at a second end of the stack.

[0002] When manufacturing a bipolar plate, it is difficult to distinguish between the different types of monopolar plates available in a stock of plates. Indeed, an electrolyzer or fuel cell assembly requires different types of monopolar plates comprising either a bipolar plate, a fluid supply plate, or a plugged plate. It is also difficult to distinguish between the different plates (bipolar plate, fluid supply plate, plugged plate) to assemble the fuel cell or electrolyzer, once the bipolar plates, fluid supply plates, and plugged plates have been manufactured.

[0003] There is a need to accurately identify monopolar plates before bipolar plates are manufactured. There is also a need to identify bipolar plates, feeder plates, and plugged plates after they are manufactured by joining two monopolar plates or by joining one monopolar plate and another plate.

[0004] Finally, there is a need for traceability to identify each monopolar plate making up a bipolar plate, particularly when there is a failure in a fuel cell or an electrolyser.

[0005] The present invention aims to effectively overcome these drawbacks by proposing a bipolar fuel cell or electrolyzer plate comprising a first monopolar plate and a second monopolar plate, each monopolar plate comprising a plurality of collectors formed through the plate, each collector being intended for the circulation of a fluid, each monopolar plate comprising a reactive face and a cooling face opposite one another, the reactive face of each plate being intended to face a Membrane Electrode Assembly and being provided with reliefs and hollows forming a reactive circuit, for the circulation of a reactive fluid, the cooling face of the first monopolar plate being fixed to the cooling face of the second monopolar plate,by defining between them reliefs and hollows to form a cooling circuit of the bipolar plate for the circulation of a cooling fluid, the reactive face and the cooling face of each monopolar plate comprising a peripheral edge, the collectors being formed between the peripheral edge and the reactive circuit or between the peripheral edge and the cooling circuit, the cooling face of the first monopolar plate comprising a first monopolar plate identifier, the cooling face of the second monopolar plate comprising a second monopolar plate identifier, the reactive face of one of the first and second monopolar plates comprising a bipolar plate identifier.,

[0006] Such a plate makes it possible to simplify its traceability and manufacturing.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the reactive face of the other of the first and second monopolar plates is devoid of a bipolar plate identifier.

[0008] Such a feature allows identification of the bipolar plate even when the same type of monopolar plate is used both for the manufacture of a bipolar plate and for the manufacture of at least one of the end plates of a fuel cell or electrolyzer assembly.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the first monopolar plate identifier, the second monopolar plate identifier and the bipolar plate identifier are distinct.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the identifier comprises at least one alphanumeric character, in particular formed by a relief provided on the surface of the plate, for example an engraving, an embossing or a laser marking.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the identifier of the first monopolar plate and the identifier of the second monopolar plate are arranged outside the cooling circuit, in particular on the peripheral edge.

[0012] Such an arrangement allows the traceability of a bipolar plate, while preserving the integrity of the identifier of a monopolar plate even after the destruction of the bipolar plate (by separation of the two monopolar plates constituting the bipolar plate).

[0013] According to one embodiment, the first monopolar plate identifier and the second monopolar plate identifier are arranged in an area free of glue or solder.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the monopolar plates are made of metal, in particular titanium or stainless steel, the plates being fixed together by welding.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the monopolar plates are made of graphite, the plates being fixed together by gluing.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the monopolar plates are made of machined graphite or expanded graphite, for example grafoil.

[0017] According to one embodiment, one of the first monopolar plate and the second monopolar plate is an anode plate and the other of the first monopolar plate and the second monopolar plate is a cathode plate.

[0018] The invention further relates to a proton exchange membrane fuel cell or electrolyzer assembly comprising a stack of a plurality of bipolar plates as described above, the reactive face of the monopolar plates of each bipolar plate facing a Membrane Electrode Assembly, the assembly comprising a plugged plate at a first end of the stack, the assembly comprising a fluid supply plate at a second end of the stack, the plugged plate comprising a third monopolar plate attached to a closure plate, the supply plate comprising a fourth monopolar plate attached to a distribution plate, the cooling face of the third monopolar plate comprising a third monopolar plate identifier,the blanking plate comprising a blanking face intended to face the cooling face of the third monopolar plate and an external face opposite the blanking face, the blanking face comprising a blanking plate identifier, the external face comprising a plugged plate identifier.,

[0019] According to one embodiment, one of the third monopolar plate and the fourth monopolar plate is an anode plate and the other of the third monopolar plate of the second end fourth monopolar plate is a cathode plate.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the third monopolar plate identifier, the blanking plate identifier and the blocked plate identifier are distinct.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the first monopolar plate identifier, the second monopolar plate identifier, the bipolar plate identifier, the blanking plate identifier and the blanked plate identifier are all distinct.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the third monopolar plate is identical to the first monopolar or is identical to the second monopolar plate.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the reactive face of the third monopolar plate is devoid of a blocked plate identifier.

[0024] The invention finally relates to an electrolyser or a fuel cell, in particular with a proton exchange membrane, comprising an assembly as described above or at least one bipolar plate as described above.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the electrolyser or the fuel cell comprises a first electric current collector plate, a second electric current collector plate and an interface plate with an inlet and outlet pipe for the cooling fluid and the reactive fluid.

[0026] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the figures. These figures are given only for illustrative purposes but in no way limit the invention.

[0027] This is a schematic perspective representation of a bipolar plate according to the invention;

[0028] This is a schematic perspective representation of an assembly according to the invention; and

[0029] is a schematic representation of a portion of a battery according to the invention.

[0030] Identical, similar, or analogous elements retain the same reference from one figure to another.

[0031] La represents a bipolar plate 100 of a fuel cell or electrolyzer comprising a first monopolar plate 10, 110 and a second monopolar plate 20, 120. Each monopolar plate 10, 20, 110, 120 comprises a plurality of collectors 130 formed through the plate, each collector 130 being intended for the circulation of a fluid. Each monopolar plate 10, 20, 110, 120 comprises a reactive face and a cooling face opposite one another, the reactive face of each plate being intended to face a Membrane Electrode Assembly 16 and being provided with reliefs and hollows forming a reactive circuit 150, for the circulation of a reactive fluid.

[0032] The cooling face of the first monopolar plate is fixed to the cooling face of the second monopolar plate, defining between them reliefs and hollows to form a cooling circuit 15 of the bipolar plate for the circulation of a cooling fluid (also called intercellular cooling circuit 15).

[0033] The reactive face and the cooling face of each monopolar plate 100 comprises a peripheral edge 140. The collectors 130 are formed between the peripheral edge 140 and the reactive circuit 150 or between the peripheral edge 140 and the cooling circuit. The cooling face of the first monopolar plate 10, 110 comprises a first monopolar plate identifier. The cooling face of the second monopolar plate 20, 120 comprises a second monopolar plate identifier. The reactive face 150 of one of the first and second monopolar plates comprises a bipolar plate identifier.

[0034] In the example considered, the reactive face 150 of the other of the first and second monopolar plates is devoid of a bipolar plate identifier. In other words, the only way to identify a bipolar plate 100 is to take into consideration the unique bipolar plate identifier, which is located on the reactive face 150 of one of the first and second monopolar plates.

[0035] The first monopolar plate identifier, the second monopolar plate identifier and the bipolar plate identifier are all distinct, each identifier comprising at least one alphanumeric character, in particular formed by a relief provided on the surface of the plate, for example an engraving, an embossing or a laser marking.

[0036] The first monopolar plate identifier and the second monopolar plate identifier are arranged outside the cooling circuit, in particular on the peripheral edge. More precisely, the first monopolar plate identifier and the second monopolar plate identifier are both arranged in an area free of the glue or solder used for fixing the two monopolar plates together.

[0037] In the example of the, the first monopolar plate is an anode plate 10 and the second monopolar plate is a cathode plate 20.

[0038] La represents a proton exchange membrane fuel cell assembly 1 comprising a stack of a plurality of bipolar plates 100 as shown in the.

[0039] The reactive face of the monopolar plates of each bipolar plate 100 faces a Membrane Electrode Assembly 16.

[0040] The assembly 1 further comprises a plugged plate at a first end of the stack. The assembly 1 finally comprises a fluid supply plate at a second end of the stack.

[0041] The plugged plate comprises a third monopolar plate fixed to a blanking plate 21 and the feed plate comprises a fourth monopolar plate fixed to a distribution plate 11.

[0042] The cooling face of the third monopolar plate has a third monopolar plate identifier. The blanking plate 21 has a blanking face intended to face the cooling face of the third monopolar plate and an outer face opposite the blanking face. The blanking face has a blanking plate identifier and the outer face has a plugged plate identifier.

[0043] Thus, once the bipolar plates, the plugged plates and the fluid supply plates are manufactured, it is possible to distinguish the plates from each other when assembling the assembly 1.

[0044] In the example of the, the third monopolar plate is a cathode plate 20 and the fourth monopolar plate is an anode plate 10.

[0045] The third monopolar plate ID, the blanking plate ID, and the blanked plate ID are all separate. The reactive face of the third monopolar plate does not have a blanked plate ID.

[0046] In the example of the, the third monopolar plate and the second monopolar plate are identical. The fact that the identifiers of the bipolar plates and the plugged plates are carried respectively by the anode plate 10 of the bipolar plate and the blanking plate 21, allows correct identification of the bipolar plates and the plugged plates while using the same monopolar plate as the cathode plate 20.

[0047] The cooling face of the first monopolar plate is fixed to the cooling face of the second monopolar plate so as to form between them a sealing bead, at least a portion of which forms a loop around each collector.

[0048] The internal face of the distribution plate 11 is fixed to the cooling face of the fourth monopolar plate so as to form between them a sealing bead of which at least a portion forms a loop around each collector.

[0049] The sealing face is fixed to the cooling face of the third monopolar plate so as to form between them a sealing bead, at least a portion of which forms a loop around each collector.

[0050] The reactive face of each monopolar plate comprises a groove intended to receive a seal of which at least one portion forms a loop entirely surrounding at least one collector, in particular each collector, said seal being in particular intended to be in contact with the AME.

[0051] Such an assembly 1 can also be defined by a stack of a plurality of cells 30 in which each cell 30 comprises a monopolar plate of a bipolar plate 100 (here, an anode plate 10) and a monopolar plate of another bipolar plate 100 (here, a cathode plate 20), sandwiching a Membrane Electrode Assembly 16.

[0052] With reference to the, the plurality of cells 30 comprises a first cell 30 at a first end of the stack and a last cell 30 at a second end of the stack.

[0053] The cooling face of the cathode plate 20 of at least one of the cells 30 is intended to face the cooling face of the anode plate 10 of another of the cells 30, defining between them reliefs and hollows to form the intercellular cooling circuit 15 for the circulation of a cooling fluid.

[0054] In the example of the, each plate 10, 20 comprises:a reagent inlet manifold 3, 4 formed through the plate 10, 20 and being in fluid communication with the reagent circuit via a first lumen 2 formed through the plate 10, 20;a reagent outlet manifold 6, 7 formed through the plate 10, 20 and being in fluid communication with the reagent circuit via a second lumen 2 formed through the plate 10, 20;a coolant inlet manifold 5 formed through the plate 10, 20;a coolant outlet manifold 8, 9 formed through the plate 10, 20.at least two orifices formed through the plate 10, 20, each orifice being arranged to allow fluid communication only through the plate 10, 20, without being in fluid communication with the reagent circuit.

[0055] The reagent inlet manifold 3 of an anode plate 10 is in fluid communication with one of the ports of a cathode plate 20 and the reagent outlet manifold 6 of the anode plate 10 is in fluid communication with another of the ports of the cathode plate 20.

[0056] The reagent inlet manifold 3 of a cathode plate 20 is in fluid communication with one of the ports of an anode plate 10 and the reagent outlet manifold 6 of the cathode plate 20 is in fluid communication with another of the ports of the anode plate 10.

[0057] Thus, the stack allows distribution of the reactive fluid dedicated to the anode plates 10 and distribution of the reactive fluid dedicated to the cathode plates 20 by forming two independent circuits.

[0058] One of the plates 10, 20 of the first cell 30 forms with one of the plates 10, 20 of another of the cells 30, a first intercellular cooling circuit 15 and the other of the plates 10, 20 of the first cell 30 forms a first end plate.

[0059] One of the plates 10, 20 of the last cell 30 forms with one of the plates 10, 20 of another of the cells 30, a last intercellular cooling circuit 15 and the other of the plates 10, 20 of the last cell 30 forms a last end plate.

[0060] As shown in , the closure plate 21 comprising an electric current collection face intended to face a first electric current collector plate and a closure face fixed to the cooling face of the last end plate, the closure face and the cooling face of the last end plate defining between them reliefs and hollows to form a last cooling circuit for the circulation of the cooling fluid.

[0061] The distribution plate 11 comprises an external face intended to face an interface plate 17 with an inlet and outlet pipe for the cooling fluid and with an inlet and outlet pipe for the reactive fluid, the distribution plate comprising an internal face fixed to the cooling face of the first end plate (the cooling face of the fourth monopolar plate), the internal face and the cooling face of the first end plate defining between them reliefs and hollows to form a first cooling circuit for the circulation of the cooling fluid.

[0062] The inner face of the distribution plate 11 has a distribution plate identifier. The cooling face of the fourth monopolar plate has a third monopolar plate identifier. One of the outer face of the distribution plate 11 and the reactive face of the fourth monopolar plate has a power plate identifier.

[0063] In the example shown in , the closure face of the closure plate 21 comprises a reagent passage 12, 13 formed by reliefs and hollows, to allow fluid communication between the reagent inlet manifold 3, 4 and the reagent circuit or to allow fluid communication between the reagent outlet manifold 6, 7 and the reagent circuit.

[0064] The closure face of the closure plate 21 comprises a cooling passage 13 formed by reliefs and hollows, to allow fluid communication between the cooling fluid inlet manifold 5 and the cooling circuit or to allow fluid communication between the cooling fluid outlet manifold 8, 9 and the cooling circuit.

[0065] The reagent passage 12, 13 and the cooling passage 13 may be provided at the closure face, at the last end plate or on both.

[0066] The represents a fuel cell comprising an assembly as described in connection with the.

[0067] The battery comprises a first collector plate, for collecting an electric current, the first collector plate having one face in contact with the collection face of the closure plate 21 and another face in contact with a first electrically insulating plate 18.

[0068] In the embodiment of the, the first electrically insulating plate 18 is flexible.

[0069] The first collector plate is arranged to fit into a receiving area provided on the collection face of the closure plate 21.

[0070] The stack further comprises an interface plate 17 with inlet and outlet piping for the cooling fluid and the reactive fluid.

[0071] The battery comprises a second electrically insulating plate. This second electrically insulating plate can be either in the form of an element separate from the interface plate 17 and in contact with the interface plate 17, or the interface plate 17 acts as a second electrically insulating plate, in particular by one of its faces in contact with the distribution plate 11.

[0072] In the example of the, all the pipes are thus arranged on the same side of the stack, the other side being closed by the closing plate 21.

[0073] In the example shown, the first end plate is an anode plate 10 and the last end plate is a cathode plate 20. Alternatively, the first end plate is a cathode plate 20 and the last end plate is an anode plate 10.

[0074] As can be seen in the, the assembly 1 is arranged so that the fluid inlet and outlet pipes are arranged on the side of only one of the ends of the stack. Thus, the closure plate 21 is a plate which closes all the collectors and orifices of the last end plate. Such a closure plate 21 makes it possible to present a flat face for collecting the electric current generated by the battery.

Claims

bipolar plate (100) of a fuel cell or electrolyzer comprising a first monopolar plate (10, 110) and a second monopolar plate (20, 120), each monopolar plate (10, 20, 110, 120) comprising a plurality of collectors (130) formed through the plate, each collector (130) being intended for the circulation of a fluid, each monopolar plate (10, 20, 110, 120) comprising a reactive face and a cooling face opposed to each other, the reactive face of each plate being intended to face an Electrode Membrane Assembly (16) and being provided with reliefs and hollows forming a reactive circuit (150), for the circulation of a reactive fluid, the cooling face of the first monopolar plate being fixed to the cooling face of the second monopolar plate,by defining reliefs and hollows between them to form a cooling circuit (15) of the bipolar plate for the circulation of a cooling fluid, the reactive face and the cooling face of each monopolar plate having a peripheral edge (140), the collectors (130) being formed between the peripheral edge (140) and the reactive circuit (150) or between the peripheral edge (140) and the cooling circuit, the cooling face of the first monopolar plate having a first monopolar plate identifier, the cooling face of the second monopolar plate having a second monopolar plate identifier, the reactive face (150) of one of the first and second monopolar plates having a bipolar plate identifier, the first monopolar plate identifier, the second monopolar plate identifier and the bipolar plate identifier being distinct,each identifier comprising at least one alphanumeric character, notably formed by a relief on the surface of the plate, for example an engraving, embossing or laser marking. Bipolar plate (100) according to the preceding claim, the identifier of the first monopolar plate and the identifier of the second monopolar plate being disposed outside the cooling circuit, in particular on the peripheral edge. bipolar plate (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, one of the first monopolar plate and the second monopolar plate being an anodic plate (10) and the other of the first monopolar plate and the second monopolar plate being a cathodic plate (20). Assembly (1) of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell or electrolyzer comprising a stack of a plurality of bipolar plates (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, the reactive face of the monopolar plates of each bipolar plate (100) facing a Membrane Electrode Assembly (16), the assembly (1) comprising a plugged plate at a first end of the stack, the assembly (1) comprising a fluid supply plate at a second end of the stack, the plugged plate comprising a third monopolar plate attached to a plugging plate (21), the supply plate comprising a fourth monopolar plate attached to a distribution plate (11), the cooling face of the third monopolar plate comprising a third monopolar plate identifier,the obturation plate (21) comprising an obturation face intended to face the cooling face of the third monopolar plate and an external face opposite the obturation face, the obturation face comprising an obturation plate identifier, the external face comprising a blocked plate identifier. Together according to the preceding claim, one of the third monopolar plate and the fourth monopolar plate being an anodic plate (10) and the other of the third monopolar plate of the fourth monopolar plate of the second end being a cathodic plate (20). Together according to any one of claims 4 to 5, the third monopolar plate identifier, the obturator plate identifier and the obturator plate identifier being distinct. Together according to any one of claims 4 to 6, the reactive face of the third monopolar plate being devoid of a blocked plate identifier. Electrolyzer or fuel cell, in particular with a proton exchange membrane, comprising an assembly (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7 or at least one bipolar plate (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a first electric current collecting plate, a second electric current collecting plate and an interface plate (17) with an inlet and outlet piping for the cooling fluid and the reactive fluid.

Images