Stack module having improved fuel supply configuration

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stack module having an improved fuel supply configuration, comprising: a stack including a fuel flow path for receiving fuel and discharging the fuel after use; a manifold located below the stack, including a sub-manifold elongated in a first direction, and forming a lower flow path communicating with the fuel flow path; a main flow path connected to an end of the lower flow path; and a gasket located between the stack and the manifold and compressed by the load of the stack to bring the stack and the manifold into close contact with each other, wherein a plurality of stacks are provided, a plurality of manifolds are provided corresponding to the respective stacks, and the plurality of stacks are disposed along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Description

Stack module with improved fuel supply configuration

[0001] The present invention relates to a stack module with an improved fuel supply configuration.

[0002] Most fuel cells, except for the molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), were developed from small-area, low-capacity fuel cells, and even now, the cell area itself is not large.

[0003] In the water electrolysis cell stack, alkaline water electrolyzers based on low-temperature operation are undergoing large-scale expansion.

[0004] If the area is not large, the number of stacked cells must increase to increase capacity, but the number of stacks cannot be increased indefinitely, so there is a limit to increasing the unit module of the stack.

[0005] Therefore, the technology for connecting the unit modules of the stack is important, and this must take into account gas distribution, leakage, etc.

[0006] In small-scale connection standards, pipe and flange types were mostly used, but as the scale increases, the existing connection method soon leads to performance deviations due to gas distribution problems in the fuel cell, and depending on the operating conditions, some stacks deteriorate, ultimately causing the system to shut down.

[0007] Therefore, when connecting a large number of stack unit modules, the configuration of a manifold that can be manufactured inexpensively and is easy to assemble is an important factor in terms of performance and price, and needs to be improved.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a stack module with an improved fuel supply configuration.

[0009] The object of the present invention is achieved by a stack module having an improved fuel supply configuration, comprising: a stack including a fuel passage for receiving the fuel and discharging the spent fuel; a manifold positioned at the lower portion of the stack, including a sub-manifold extending in a first direction, and forming a lower passage communicating with the fuel passage; a main passage connected to an end of the lower passage; and a gasket positioned between the stack and the manifold, the gasket being compressed by the load of the stack to bring the stack and the manifold into close contact; wherein the stack is provided in a plurality of pieces, the manifold is provided in a plurality of pieces corresponding to each stack, and the plurality of stacks are arranged along a second direction which is a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0010] The sub-manifold includes, for each stack, a first sub-manifold spaced apart in the second direction; and a second sub-manifold; wherein the first sub-manifold and the second sub-manifold each include a main body which is open toward the top and has the lower flow path formed therein; and a pair of long, spaced-apart mounting portions which are bent and extended inward from both upper ends of the main body; and the gasket is mounted on the upper end of the mounting portion.

[0011] The above fuel passage includes an inlet for introducing the fuel and an outlet for discharging the spent fuel, and the lower passage is connected to the inlet and the outlet through a spaced space between the mounting portions.

[0012] The inlet and the outlet are spaced apart along the first direction, and are located within the lower passage, and further include a partition located between the adjacent inlets and the outlets to partition the lower passage.

[0013] The above compartment is made of mica.

[0014] It forms an internal space in which the manifold is accommodated, and further includes a fixing part for fixing the manifold; and the fixing part has a ㄷ shape having a bottom surface and two sides,

[0015] The above manifold is accommodated, the first sub-manifold contacts one side of the internal space, and the second sub-manifold contacts the other side of the internal space.

[0016] The main flow path is connected to at least two of the manifolds, and the main flow path includes a first main flow path connected to a first end of the lower flow path; and a second main flow path connected to a second end of the lower flow path; the fuel supplied to the lower flow path moves in the first main flow path, and the spent fuel discharged from the lower flow path moves in the second main flow path.

[0017] It further includes a tie rod portion that reinforces the sealing by the gasket, and the tie rod portion includes a first plate positioned at the upper portion of the stack; and a second plate positioned at the lower portion of the manifold; and the stack and the manifold are brought into close contact by adjusting the gap between the first plate and the second plate.

[0018] A heat exchanger positioned between adjacent stacks is further included, wherein the heat exchanger reduces a thermal deviation between adjacent stacks.

[0019] Further comprising a heating element positioned between adjacent stacks, wherein the heating element increases the surface temperature of the stack.

[0020] The above stack module is used in either a fuel cell or a water electrolyzer.

[0021] According to the present invention, a stack module with an improved fuel supply configuration is provided.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically showing the configuration of a stack module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 is a plan view of a stack module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the positional relationship of a manifold, a gasket, and a compartment of a stack module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a fixing part of a stack module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a tie rod portion of a stack module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The attached drawings are merely examples provided to further illustrate the technical concepts of the present invention, and therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the attached drawings.

[0028] A stack module with an improved fuel supply configuration is described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically showing the configuration of a stack module according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a stack module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] The stack module of the present invention can be used in either a fuel cell or a water electrolyzer, and for convenience of explanation, the description will be made below with reference to a fuel cell stack.

[0031] The stack module (1) includes a stack (10), a manifold (20), a gasket (30), a compartment (40), a main channel (50), a fixing portion (60), a tie rod portion (70), and a heat exchanger (80).

[0032] For convenience of explanation, the gasket (30), the partition (40), the fixing portion (60), and the tie rod portion (70) are omitted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The omitted components are explained through the remaining drawings.

[0033] The stack (10) includes a fuel path for receiving fuel and discharging spent fuel.

[0034] In the present invention, the fuel may be hydrogen, and the fuel oil may be a fuel electrode, but is not limited thereto.

[0035] The fuel line is located at the bottom inside the stack (10), and an inlet (111) and an outlet (112) are formed toward the lower line (220) described later.

[0036] The inlet (111) and outlet (112) are passages through which fuel moves and are formed to be spaced apart along the first direction.

[0037] In FIG. 1, the inlet (111) and the outlet (112) are formed one per sub-manifold (21, 22) extending in the first direction described later, but this is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment of the present invention, the inlet (111) and the outlet (112) may be provided in multiple numbers in each single sub-manifold.

[0038] The inside of the stack (10) may contain a fuel electrode, an air electrode, an electrolyte, etc.

[0039] There are a plurality of stacks (10), and each stack (10) is arranged spaced apart from each other along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0040] In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, three stacks (10) spaced apart from each other are depicted for convenience of explanation (10A, 10B, 10C).

[0041] However, the number and arrangement of the stacks (10) are not limited thereto, and in another embodiment of the present invention, the number of stacks (10) may be four or more, and may be arranged in series, parallel, and checkerboard patterns.

[0042] The manifold (20) is located at the bottom of the stack (10) and includes sub-manifolds (21, 22) extending in the first direction.

[0043] The submanifolds (21, 22) are positioned spaced apart from each other along the second direction for each stack (10), and two submanifolds (21, 22) correspond to one stack (10).

[0044] However, it is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment of the present invention, three or more submanipoles may correspond to one stack (10).

[0045] Here, correspondence means that two objects are paired with each other through a given relationship.

[0046] The first sub-manifold (21) and the second sub-manifold (22) each include a main body (210), a lower passage (220), and a mounting portion (230).

[0047] The shape of the main body (210), lower passage (220), and mounting portion (230) is described in detail through Fig. 3.

[0048] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the positional relationship of a manifold (20), a gasket (30), and a compartment (40) of a stack module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] The main body (210) has a shape that is elongated in the first direction and has a T-shape that is open toward the top.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the length of the main body (210) corresponds to the length of the stack (10), and the main body (210) is connected to a branch pipe connected to the main path (50) described later.

[0051] Here, correspondence means that the lengths are almost similar.

[0052] However, it is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment of the present invention, the length of the main body (210) may be longer than the length of the stack (10), so that the main body (210) may be directly connected to the main channel (50).

[0053] The lower passage (220) corresponds to the internal space of the main body (210) and is connected to the fuel passage.

[0054] The fixing portion (230) is extended inwardly from both upper ends of the main body (210) and is a pair of long, spaced apart shapes.

[0055] At least a portion of the anchorage (230) covers the lower passage (220).

[0056] The lower passage (220) is connected to the inlet (111) and the outlet (112) through a spaced space between a pair of mounting parts (230), and the fuel in the lower passage (220) is supplied to the fuel passage or the used fuel in the fuel passage is discharged to the lower passage (220).

[0057] The main body (210) and the mounting portion (230) can be manufactured by bending a single plate or steel plate, in which case no other process such as welding is required.

[0058] The gasket (30) is located between the stack (10) and the manifold (20), and is compressed by the load of the stack (10) and the load of the connected structure to close the space between the stack (10) and the manifold (20).

[0059] The partition (40) is located inside the lower passage (220) and is located between the adjacent inlet (111) and outlet (112), thereby dividing the lower passage (220) into multiple zones.

[0060] That is, fuel is supplied only to the inlet (111) by the compartment (40), and no fuel is supplied to the outlet (112).

[0061] The partition (40) is an insulating material that is durable at high temperatures and may be made of mica. However, the material of the partition (40) is not limited to this.

[0062] The placement positions of the gasket (30) and the compartment (40) are described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 described above.

[0063] The gasket (30) is composed of a pair of gaskets that are spaced apart from each other and extend long (in the first direction) and are located on the upper part of a pair of mounting portions (230).

[0064] The size of the gasket (30) corresponds to the size of the mounting portion (230), and the inlet (111) and outlet (112) are connected to the space between the pair of gaskets (30).

[0065] Here, correspondence means that the size and cross-sectional area are almost similar.

[0066] The compartment (40) is tightly fixed inside the main body (210) and prevents the movement of fuel moving through the lower passage (220).

[0067] The partition (40) is located between the adjacent inlet (111) and outlet (112) to prevent mixing of fuel entering the inlet (111) and to block a portion of the lower passage (220) with the upper part open to prevent leakage and facilitate injection and discharge into the fuel passage.

[0068] Next, the main flow path (50) is connected to a plurality of manifolds (20) and is in communication with the end of the lower flow path (220) to supply fuel to the stack (10) and manifold (20) or discharge fuel from the stack (10) and manifold (20).

[0069] As shown in Fig. 2, the main euro (50) includes a first main euro (510) and a second main euro (520).

[0070] The first main channel (510) is connected to the first end of the lower channel (220), and fuel supplied to the lower channel (220) moves.

[0071] The second main channel (520) is connected to the second end of the lower channel (220), and the spent fuel discharged from the stack (10) moves there.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 2, the first main flow path (510) and the second main flow path (520) are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and a plurality of stacks (10) arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the second direction are located between the first main flow path (510) and the second main flow path (520).

[0073] In Fig. 1, for convenience of explanation, the second main flow path (520) is omitted, and the first main flow path (510) is positioned at the bottom of the lower flow path (220), but in reality, it is connected at the first direction end.

[0074] In Fig. 1, a branch pipe is shown in the main channel (50), but in another embodiment of the present invention, the main channel (50) and the lower channel (220) may be connected without a branch pipe and the length of the main body (210) may be longer than the length of the stack (10).

[0075] Next, the fixed part (60) has a T-shape with a bottom and two sides, and forms an internal space where the manifold (20) is fixed.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 4, which is a cross-sectional view showing a fixing part of a stack module with an improved fuel supply configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention, a first sub-manifold (21) is fixed to one side of the internal space of the fixing part (60), and a second sub-manifold (22) is fixed to the other side.

[0077] The first sub-manifold (21) and the second sub-manifold (22) can be fixed to the fixed part (60) through tig welding.

[0078] However, the fixing method is not limited to this, and in other embodiments of the present invention, a physical bonding structure may be used.

[0079] A stack (10) is positioned on top of the fixed first sub-manifold (21) and second sub-manifold (22). At this time, at least a portion of the stack (10) is positioned in the internal space of the fixed portion (60).

[0080] However, it is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment of the present invention, the stack (10) may be located outside the fixed part (60).

[0081] In Fig. 4, two manifolds (20) are shown to be fixed to one fixed part (60), but this is not limited to this, and in other embodiments of the present invention, there may be one or three or more.

[0082] Also, unlike FIG. 4, in another embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement and number of submanifolds (21, 22) may be changed depending on the number and arrangement of the inlets (111) and outlets (112).

[0083] For example, the first sub-manifold (21) and the second sub-manifold (22) may be installed in the middle rather than on the side of the fixed part (60).

[0084] Next, the tie rod part (70) is described with reference to Fig. 5.

[0085] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a tie rod portion (70) of a stack module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] The tie rod part (70) is installed at the upper part of the stack (10) and the lower part of the manifold (20) to reinforce the sealing by the gasket (30).

[0087] However, if the self-weight of the stack (10) is sufficient to completely seal the gasket (30), the tie rod portion (70) can be omitted.

[0088] The tie rod part (70) includes a first plate (710), a second plate (720), and a rod (730), as shown in FIG. 5.

[0089] The first plate (710) is located at the top of the stack (10), the second plate (720) is located at the bottom of the fixed part (60), and the rod (730) connects the first plate (710) and the second plate (720).

[0090] The gap between the first plate (710) and the second plate (720) is adjusted to bring the stack (10) and the manifold (20) into close contact.

[0091] Although not shown, it may further include a structure such as a screw thread and a gap maintaining member for adjusting the gap between the first plate (710) and the second plate (720).

[0092] When using a tie rod portion (70), the fixed portion (60) can be omitted. In this case, the second plate (720) comes into contact with the lower portion of the manifold (20).

[0093] Finally, the heat exchanger (80) is positioned between adjacent stacks (10), as shown in FIG. 2, and reduces the thermal deviation between adjacent stacks (10).

[0094] However, in another embodiment of the present invention, a heating element may be installed between the stacks (10) instead of the heat exchanger (80).

[0095] The heating element raises the temperature of the surface of the stack (10), which is relatively lower in temperature than the inside, as much as necessary to reduce the temperature deviation of the stack (10), thereby making the temperature of the stack (10) uniform and improving the control performance of the stack (10).

[0096] In another embodiment of the present invention, a heat exchanger (80) and a heating element can be used simultaneously.

[0097] In the present invention, the mass production process required for fastening can be shortened by using the self-weight of a structure connected to a stack (10) as a compressive force without a separate fastening device, automation is useful, and the design itself can be configured compactly.

[0098] The manifold (20) is a simple shape that can be manufactured by bending without any other process such as welding, and thus, compared to the existing pipe and flange combination, it is possible to reduce the unit price by securing mass production.

[0099] A fixing member (60) is applied to fix the stack (10) and manifold (20), making fixing and fastening easy.

[0100] The present invention can be used in fuel cells and water electrolysis, and can be utilized at both high and low temperatures.

[0101] When the discharge pressure is high during electrolysis, an additional tie rod part (70) is used to increase the self-weight and reinforce the close contact between the stack (10) and the manifold (20).

[0102] In addition, a configuration in which multiple stacks (10) are connected with the same manifold (20) is possible, and a compact configuration is possible by minimizing the spacing between the stacks (10).

[0103] While specific aspects of the present invention have been described in detail above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these specific descriptions merely represent preferred embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the substantial scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. In a stack module with improved fuel supply configuration, A stack including a fuel line for receiving the fuel and discharging the spent fuel; A manifold located at the lower portion of the stack, including a sub-manifold extending in the first direction, and forming a lower passage communicating with the fuel passage; A main channel connected to the end of the above lower channel; and A gasket positioned between the stack and the manifold, and compressed by the load of the stack to provide a close contact between the stack and the manifold; The above stack is provided in multiples, The above manifold is provided in multiple units corresponding to each stack, A stack module in which the plurality of stacks are arranged along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

2. In paragraph 1, The above sub-manifold, For each of the above stacks, a first sub-manifold spaced apart in the second direction; and a second sub-manifold; are included, The first sub-manifold and the second sub-manifold are each, A body that is open toward the top and has the lower passage formed inside; and It includes a pair of long, spaced-apart mounting portions that are bent and extended inwardly from both upper ends of the main body; A stack module in which the gasket is mounted on the upper part of the above-mentioned mounting portion.

3. In paragraph 2, The above fuel oil is, It includes an inlet for the introduction of the fuel and an outlet for the discharge of the spent fuel, The above lower flow is: A stack module communicating with the inlet and the outlet through a spaced space between the above-mentioned mounting portions.

4. In paragraph 3, The above inlet and the above outlet are spaced apart along the first direction, A stack module further comprising a partition located within the lower channel and between the adjacent inlet and outlet, the partition partitioning the lower channel.

5. In paragraph 4, The above section is, Stack module made of mica material.

6. In paragraph 3, It further includes a fixing member that forms an internal space in which the manifold is accommodated and fixes the manifold; The above fixed part, It has a ㄷ shape with a bottom and two sides. Accommodating the above manifold, The above first sub-manifold is in contact with one side of the internal space, The above second sub-manifold is a stack module that contacts the other side of the internal space.

7. In paragraph 1, The above main euro is, connected to at least two of the above manifolds, The above main euro is, A first main channel connected to the first end of the above lower channel; and Includes a second main passage connected to the second end of the above lower passage; The fuel supplied to the lower flow path moves through the first main flow path, A stack module in which the spent fuel discharged from the lower channel moves to the second main channel.

8. In paragraph 1, It further includes a tie rod portion that reinforces the sealing by the above gasket; The above tie rod part, a first plate positioned at the top of the stack; and A second plate positioned at the bottom of the above manifold; A stack module that adjusts the gap between the first plate and the second plate to bring the stack and the manifold into close contact.

9. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a heat exchanger positioned between adjacent stacks; The above heat exchanger, A stack module that reduces thermal deviation between adjacent stacks.

10. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a heating element positioned between adjacent stacks; The above heating element is, A stack module that increases the surface temperature of the stack.

11. In paragraph 1, The above stack module, A stack module used in either a fuel cell or a water electrolyzer.

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