Metal separator

Abstract

The present application relates to a metal separator. According to the metal separator of the present application, combinations of reaction channels and diffusion channels can be formed in various structures depending on the performance required for various applications, and when the shape of some of the diffusion channels and reaction channels is modified, individual modifications are possible for each, thereby reducing development costs and development time.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] This application relates to a metal separator plate. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, to address global warming, powertrains are shifting from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric vehicles (EVs) or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs). Fuel cells used in FCEVs are not only used to power industrial, residential, and vehicle applications but also to power small electronic devices such as portable equipment; as high-efficiency clean energy sources that contribute to both energy conservation and environmental protection, their scope of application is gradually expanding.

[0003] A hydrogen fuel cell is a type of power generation device that converts the chemical energy contained in fuel into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction within a stack, generating power by utilizing the energy produced during the combination reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. Specifically, hydrogen fuel cells can use hydrogen gas as fuel, and the oxidation reaction of the hydrogen gas can generate hydrogen ions (protons) and electrons. The hydrogen ions and electrons generated at this time undergo an electrochemical reaction with oxygen in the air to produce water, while simultaneously generating electrical energy from the flow of electrons.

[0004] These hydrogen fuel cells consist of a metal separator, a gas diffusion layer (GDL), and a membrane electrode assembly. In particular, among these components, the metal separator is a core component that forms the fuel cell stack along with the gas diffusion layer and the membrane electrode assembly. It separates hydrogen, oxygen, and cooling water, distributes and supplies them uniformly to the front of the membrane electrode assembly, and collects (anode) and transmits (cathode) the current generated by the electrochemical reaction. Additionally, when multiple cells are stacked, the metal separator also serves as a support structure for components lacking rigidity, such as the gas diffusion layer and the membrane electrode assembly.

[0005] In such metal separator plates, a flow channel structure is required that provides high electrical conductivity and high diffusivity of hydrogen and oxygen, and a flow channel structure capable of removing water generated from the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to prevent flooding.

[0006] Conventional metal separator plates have the disadvantage of requiring significant cost and time because, as the entire flow path is developed through integrated molding, any partial shape improvement of the diffusion or reaction paths requires the fabrication of a new mold core for the entire metal separator plate. Therefore, to overcome this disadvantage, there is a demand for a metal separator plate that can reduce development costs and time by individually modifying each of the diffusion and reaction paths when modifying their shapes. The problem to be solved

[0007] The objective of the present application is to provide a metal separator that can reduce development costs and development time by individually modifying each of the shapes when modifying parts of the diffusion channel and the reaction channel. means of solving the problem

[0008] To solve the above problem, the metal separator of the present application comprises: a frame having a pair of spaced-apart manifold portions, a groove portion formed penetrating along the thickness direction between the pair of manifold portions, and a diffusion channel formed from each of the pair of manifold portions toward the groove portion; and a reaction member having a reaction channel that can be inserted into the groove portion and is connected to the diffusion channel upon insertion.

[0009] The above reaction channels may be provided in multiple numbers along the width direction.

[0010] Additionally, the pair of manifold sections may comprise a first manifold section having a first reaction gas inlet, a cooling water outlet, and a second reaction gas outlet in sequence along the width direction; and a second manifold section having a second reaction gas inlet, a cooling water inlet, and a first reaction gas outlet in sequence along the width direction.

[0011] Additionally, the diffusion channel may include a first section formed along the longitudinal direction adjacent to the first reaction gas inlet or the first reaction gas outlet; and a second section formed along a direction different from the first section and connected to the reaction channel.

[0012] In addition, each of the first section and the second section may have the same cross-sectional structure as the reaction channel or a different cross-sectional structure.

[0013] In addition, the above diffusion channel may be provided with multiple first and second sections along the width direction.

[0014] In addition, the reaction member can be fixed to the frame through laser welding, physical bonding, or adhesive bonding methods when inserted into the groove.

[0015] In addition, the frame may be a metal frame comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, copper, and stainless steel.

[0016] In addition, the reaction member may be a metal member comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, copper, and stainless steel. Effects of the invention

[0017] According to the metal separator of the present application, the reaction channel and the diffusion channel can be combined in various structures depending on the performance required for various applications, and when the shape of some of the diffusion channel and the reaction channel is modified, individual modifications can be made to each, thereby reducing development costs and development time. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0018] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary frame according to one embodiment of the present application. FIG. 2 is a drawing exemplarily showing a reaction member according to one embodiment of the present application. FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary reaction member according to another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary metal separator plate according to one embodiment of the present application. FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating an exemplary metal separator plate according to another embodiment of the present application. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0019] Hereinafter, the metal separator of the present application is described with reference to the attached drawings. The attached drawings are exemplary, and the metal separator of the present application is not limited to the attached drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a drawing exemplarily illustrating a frame according to one embodiment of the present application. FIG. 2 is a drawing exemplarily illustrating a reaction member according to one embodiment of the present application. FIG. 3 is a drawing exemplarily illustrating a reaction member according to another embodiment of the present application. The metal separator of the present application includes a frame (11) shown in FIG. 1 and a reaction member (12) shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. According to the metal separator of the present application, combinations of reaction channels and diffusion channels can be formed in various structures depending on the performance required for various applications, and when modifying the shape of some of the diffusion channels and reaction channels, individual modifications can be made to each, thereby reducing development costs and development time.

[0021] The above frame (11) is a member formed to allow insertion of the reaction channel in a metal separator plate, and comprises a pair of spaced-apart manifold sections (111), a groove section (112) formed penetrating along the thickness direction between the pair of manifold sections (111), and a diffusion channel (113) formed from each of the pair of manifold sections (111) toward the groove section (112). At this time, the frame (11) may be manufactured through a separate mold different from the reaction member (12). That is, the metal separator plate includes the groove (112) in the frame (11) shown in FIG. 1, thereby facilitating the attachment and detachment of the reaction member (12) shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. As a result, combinations of the reaction channel (121) and the diffusion channel (113) can be formed in various structures according to the performance required for various applications. When modifying the shape of some of the reaction channel (121) and the diffusion channel (113), individual modifications can be made to each, thereby reducing development costs and development time. In this specification, the term "plural" means two or more, and unless specifically stated otherwise, the upper limit is not specifically restricted.

[0022] The type of the above frame (11) is not particularly limited, and any metal frame used for a metal separator plate for a fuel cell can be used without limitation. For example, the above frame (11) may be a metal frame comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, copper, and stainless steel. By using the above-mentioned type of metal frame as the above frame (11), excellent electrical conductivity can be achieved.

[0023] In addition, the thickness of the frame (11) is not specifically limited and can be controlled to satisfy the desired effect. For example, the thickness of the frame (11) may be 1 mm or less. Specifically, the thickness of the frame (11) may be 0.02 mm to 1 mm. By having the aforementioned thickness, the performance of the fuel cell can be maximized.

[0024] A pair of the above-mentioned manifold sections (111) are parts equipped with an inlet and an outlet for supplying a reaction gas, namely hydrogen or air, used in an electrochemical reaction, respectively, and an inlet and an outlet for supplying cooling water to control the operating temperature. In this specification, the term “a pair of the above-mentioned manifold sections spaced apart from each other” means that two manifold sections (1111, 1112) are formed with a certain distance from each other, as shown in FIG. 1. At this time, the pair of the above-mentioned manifold sections (111) may be formed spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the metal separator plate on the frame (11).

[0025] In one example, a pair of manifold sections (111) may consist of a first manifold section (1111) and a second manifold section (1112). Specifically, the first manifold section (1111) may be provided at one end of the frame (11) along the longitudinal direction of the metal separator plate and may have a first reaction gas inlet (11111), a cooling water outlet (11112), and a second reaction gas outlet (11113) formed sequentially along the width direction of the metal separator plate. Additionally, the second manifold section (1112) is provided at the other end of the frame (11) along the longitudinal direction of the metal separator plate and may be provided with a second reaction gas inlet (11121), a cooling water inlet (11122), and a first reaction gas outlet (11123) formed in sequence along the width direction of the metal separator plate. In this specification, the term "longitudinal direction" refers to the direction in which a pair of manifold sections face each other on the metal separator plate. In addition, in this specification, the term "width direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to the direction in which a pair of manifold sections face each other on the metal separator plate. In addition, in this specification, the term "one end" refers to any one end formed along the longitudinal direction of the frame (11). In addition, in this specification, the term "other end" refers to an end different from the one end formed along the longitudinal direction of the frame (11). Additionally, in this specification, the term “first reaction gas” refers to any one of the reaction gases, and in this specification, the term “second reaction gas” refers to a reaction gas other than the first reaction gas among the reaction gases. For example, the reaction gas may be hydrogen or air. That is, if the first reaction gas is hydrogen, the second reaction gas may be air, and if the first reaction gas is air, the second reaction gas may be oxygen.

[0026] The above-mentioned groove (112) is a portion formed by penetrating along the thickness direction between a pair of the above-mentioned manifold portions (1111) to allow the insertion of the above-mentioned reaction member (12). By forming the above-mentioned groove (112) by penetrating along the thickness direction at the aforementioned location, the insertion of the above-mentioned reaction member (12) is possible. Consequently, combinations of the reaction channel (121) and the diffusion channel (113) can be formed in various structures according to the performance required for various applications. Furthermore, when modifying the shape of some of the reaction channel (121) and the diffusion channel (113), individual modifications can be made to each, thereby reducing development costs and development time.

[0027] The above diffusion channel (113) is a channel for distributing reaction gas, specifically hydrogen or air, introduced through the manifold section to each of the reaction channels (121) provided in a plurality as described below, or for discharging the distributed reaction gas. That is, the above diffusion channel (113) may be provided between the first manifold section (1111) and the groove section (112), and between the second manifold section (1112) and the groove section (112), respectively, to form a pair.

[0028] In one example, the diffusion path (113) may include a first section (1131) and a second section (1132).

[0029] The first section (1131) is a section in which hydrogen introduced from the first reaction gas inlet (11111) moves along the longitudinal direction, or a section in which hydrogen introduced from the second section (1132) moves along the longitudinal direction, and one end of the first section may be adjacent to the first reaction gas inlet (11111) or the first reaction gas outlet (11123) and may be formed along the longitudinal direction.

[0030] The second section (1132) is a section into which hydrogen moved along the first section (1131) or hydrogen moved along the reaction channel (121) is introduced and moves along a flow direction different from the flow direction of the first section (1131). It is formed along a direction different from that of the first section (1131), one end of which is connected to the other end of the first section (1131), and the other end of which can be connected to the reaction channel (121). For example, the second section (1132) may be formed by bending at a certain angle with respect to the formation direction of the first section (1131).

[0031] The above diffusion channel (113) includes a first section (1131) and a second section (1132) having the structure described above, thereby making it possible to distribute the first reaction gas, specifically hydrogen or air, introduced through the manifold section (1111) to each of the reaction channels (121) provided with a plurality of them, and also making it possible to move the first reaction gas moved along the reaction channels (121) to the first reaction gas outlet (11123).

[0032] That is, the diffusion channel (113) may be provided with a plurality of first sections (1131) and second sections (1132) along the width direction, and specifically, may be provided with a plurality of them along the width direction by being formed as described above. At this time, the other ends of the plurality of second sections (1132) may each be connected to the plurality of reaction channels (121) described later at a certain number interval. By connecting the other ends of the second sections (1132) to the plurality of reaction channels (121) described later at a certain number interval, a mismatch caused by the pitch of each channel is prevented, and the reaction gas diffused along the diffusion channel (113) can be smoothly supplied to the reaction channels (121), and the water generated by the electrochemical reaction in the reaction channels (121) can be discharged without condensation.

[0033] In one example, the diffusion channel (113) may have various channel structures in each of the first section (1131) and the second section (1132). Specifically, each of the first section (1131) and the second section (1132) may have the same cross-sectional structure as the reaction channel (121) or a different cross-sectional structure. Accordingly, the channel structure of each of the first section (1131) and the second section (1132) included in the diffusion channel (113) is not particularly limited, but may have, for example, a straight cross-sectional structure or a wave cross-sectional structure as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the first section (1131) and the second section (1132) has the same cross-sectional structure as the reaction channel (121) or a different cross-sectional structure, thereby allowing for combinations of the reaction channel (121) and the diffusion channel (113) in various structures depending on the performance required for various applications, and when modifying the shape of some of the reaction channel (121) and the diffusion channel (113), individual modifications are possible for each, thereby reducing development costs and development time. In this specification, the term "cross-sectional structure" refers to the structure of the metal separator plate when viewed from above.

[0034] The above reaction member (12) is a member through which a first reaction gas or a second reaction gas, specifically hydrogen or air, that causes an electrochemical reaction flows, and is capable of being inserted into the groove (112) and is provided with a reaction channel (121) that is connected to the diffusion channel (113) upon insertion. Since the above reaction member (12) is included in the metal separator plate so as to be inserted into the groove (112), the combination of the reaction channel (121) and the diffusion channel (113) can be combined in various structures according to the performance required for various applications, and when modifying the shape of some of the reaction channel (121) and the diffusion channel (113), individual modifications can be made to each, thereby reducing development costs and development time.

[0035] For example, the reaction member (12) can be fixed to the frame (11) by laser welding, physical bonding, or adhesive bonding methods when inserted into the groove (112). In this way, the reaction member (12) fixed to the frame (11) can be separated from the frame (11) when modifying the shape of some of the reaction channel (121) and diffusion channel (113), allowing for individual modification of each, thereby reducing development costs and development time.

[0036] The type of the reaction member (12) is not particularly limited, and any metal member used in a metal separator for a fuel cell can be used without limitation. For example, the reaction member (12) may be a metal member comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, copper, and stainless steel. By using a metal member of the aforementioned type as the reaction member (12), excellent electrical conductivity can be achieved.

[0037] In one example, the reaction channel (121) may have various channel structures. Accordingly, the reaction channel (121) may not be particularly limited in its channel structure, but may have, for example, a straight cross-sectional structure as shown in FIG. 2 or a wave cross-sectional structure as shown in FIG. 3. By having the various channel structures described above, the reaction channel (121) can be combined with the reaction channel (121) and the diffusion channel (113) in various structures according to the performance required for various applications, and when modifying the shape of some of the reaction channel (121) and the diffusion channel (113), individual modifications can be made to each, thereby reducing development costs and development time. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the metal separator (1) may be formed by combining the frame (11), in which the diffusion channel (113) has a straight cross-sectional structure, and the reaction member (12), in which the reaction channel (121) has a straight cross-sectional structure. In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 5, the metal separator plate (1) may be formed by combining the frame (11) having a straight cross-sectional structure for the diffusion channel (113) and the reaction member (12) having a wave cross-sectional structure for the reaction channel (121).

[0038] Additionally, the reaction channels (121) may be provided in multiple numbers along the width direction. By providing multiple reaction channels (121) along the width direction, a portion of the reaction gas may be induced to flow into adjacent reaction channels (121) during the flow of the reaction gas. As a result, the phenomenon of water accumulating in the land portion (not shown) described later is suppressed in the metal separator plate, thereby improving water discharge performance. Furthermore, as the water discharge performance of the metal separator plate is improved, the contact surface with the gas diffusion layer described later is expanded, thereby improving electrical conductivity.

[0039] In one example, the reaction member (12) may further include a land portion between each of the plurality of reaction channels (121). The land portion is a part that contacts the gas diffusion layer of the fuel cell to maintain uniform surface pressure, thereby lowering contact resistance when stacking and improving electrical conductivity, and can connect each of the plurality of reaction channels (121) provided.

[0040] For example, the height of the land portion may be 0.2 mm or more. Specifically, the lower limit of the height of the land portion may be 0.5 mm or more or 1.0 mm or more, and the upper limit may be 10 mm or less. By having the aforementioned height of the land portion (24), the performance of the fuel cell can be maximized. Explanation of the symbols

[0041] 1: Metal separator 11: Frame 111: A pair of manifold sections 1111: 1st manifold section 11111: 1st reaction gas inlet 11112: Coolant drain 11113: Second reaction gas outlet 1112: 2nd manifold section 11121: Second reaction gas inlet 11122: Coolant filler 11123: 1st reaction gas outlet 112: Homeboo 113: Diffusion Euro 12: Absence of response 121: Reaction Euro

Claims

Claim 1 A metal separator plate comprising: a frame having a pair of spaced-apart manifold portions, a groove formed penetrating along the thickness direction between the pair of manifold portions, and a diffusion channel formed from each of the pair of manifold portions toward the groove; and a reaction member having a reaction channel that is insertable into the groove and connected to the diffusion channel upon insertion, wherein the groove is formed to penetrate from one side to the other side in the thickness direction of the frame. Claim 2 In claim 1, the reaction channel is provided with a plurality of metal separator plates along the width direction. Claim 3 A metal separator plate according to claim 1, wherein a pair of manifold sections comprises: a first manifold section having a first reaction gas inlet, a cooling water outlet, and a second reaction gas outlet in sequence along the width direction; and a second manifold section having a second reaction gas inlet, a cooling water inlet, and a first reaction gas outlet in sequence along the width direction. Claim 4 A metal separator plate according to claim 3, wherein the diffusion channel is adjacent to the first reaction gas inlet or the first reaction gas outlet and comprises a first section formed along the longitudinal direction; and a second section formed along a direction different from the first section and connected to the reaction channel. Claim 5 In claim 4, each of the first section and the second section is a metal separator plate having the same cross-sectional structure as the reaction channel or a different cross-sectional structure. Claim 6 In claim 4, the diffusion channel is a metal separator plate in which each of the first section and the second section is provided in multiple numbers along the width direction. Claim 7 In claim 1, the reaction member is a metal separator plate that is fixed to the frame by laser welding, physical bonding, or adhesive bonding methods when inserted into the groove. Claim 8 In claim 1, the metal separator is a metal frame comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, copper, and stainless steel. Claim 9 In claim 1, the reaction member is a metal separator plate comprising one or more metal members selected from the group consisting of titanium, aluminum, magnesium, copper, and stainless steel.

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