Performance evaluation device for electrochemical stack and performance evaluation system including same

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may provide: a performance evaluation device for an electrochemical stack, whereby performance evaluation tests for the electrochemical stack can be easily performed; and a performance evaluation system including same.

Description

Performance evaluation device for an electrochemical stack and a performance evaluation system including the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a performance evaluation device for an electrochemical stack and a performance evaluation system including the same.

[0002] Electrochemical devices are widely used in electric vehicles, home energy storage systems, and the utilization of renewable energy sources. Since the interactions between internal components (e.g., electrodes, electrolytes, separators, etc.) significantly affect the final performance of these devices, it is necessary to conduct performance evaluations to ensure their reliability.

[0003] To evaluate the performance of an electrochemical device, the device must be installed in an evaluation device to simulate the actual operating environment. In this process, the reliability of the physical connection between the electrochemical device and the evaluation device is critical. Particularly for fuel cells or water electrolysis cells that require fuel supply, the sealing of the connection must be ensured to prevent leakage during the fuel or water supply process. When connecting the evaluation device and the electrochemical device via welding, welding may be difficult depending on the location of the piping. Furthermore, since the welded joints must be cut after the evaluation is completed, removing the electrochemical device is difficult, and the continuous wear of the evaluation device's piping can increase evaluation costs. In particular, for modular stacks where multiple unit cells are physically and electrically interconnected, the structure becomes complex and heavy, making connection to and removal from the evaluation device even more challenging.

[0004] (Patent Document 1) Korean Published Patent Application No. 10-2023-0108232

[0005] The problem that the technical concept of the present invention aims to solve is to provide an electrochemical stack performance evaluation device and a performance evaluation system including the same, which can easily perform performance evaluation tests of an electrochemical stack.

[0006] The problems of the present invention are not limited to those described above. A person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will have no difficulty understanding additional problems of the present invention from the overall details of the specification.

[0007] According to exemplary embodiments for solving the problem of the present invention, a performance evaluation device for an electrochemical stack is provided.

[0008] The performance evaluation device of the electrochemical stack described above may include a main body having a first surface provided with a protruding guide including an internal channel and a second surface provided with a first flow path hole, wherein the internal channel and the first flow path hole are connected to each other to form a flow path; a sealing member fitted into the first guide and in close contact with the first surface; and an electrically conductive coating layer coated on an area on the first surface excluding the area in which the sealing member is in close contact.

[0009] The first and second surfaces above may be perpendicular to each other.

[0010] It may further include a bus bar protruding outward from the second surface.

[0011] It may further include a stopper disposed on the first surface and having a thickness thinner than the thickness of the sealing member.

[0012] The stopper and the protruding guide may be made of an electrically conductive material.

[0013] The thickness (T1) of the above stopper can satisfy the following relationship 1.

[0014] [Relationship 1]

[0015] 2T1 <T2

[0016] In the above relationship 1, T1 represents the thickness (mm) of the stopper, and T2 represents the thickness (mm) of the sealing member.

[0017] The above stopper is made of an insulating material, and the above protruding guide may include an insulating layer coated on the outer circumference.

[0018] According to other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a performance evaluation system is provided. The performance evaluation system comprises a performance evaluation device for the electrochemical stack described above, and an electrochemical stack disposed on the first surface and fluidly connected to the flow path by the protruding guide; wherein the area of ​​the region in which the sealing member is in close contact may satisfy the following relationship 2.

[0019] [Relationship 2]

[0020] 1.0 < G / A

[0021] (In the above Equation 2, A is the area of ​​the region where the sealing member is in close contact (cm²) 2 ) means, and G means the weight of the electrochemical stack (kg).)

[0022] The electrochemical stack may include a manifold having a connection hole into which the protruding guide can be inserted; and a plurality of unit cells stacked on the manifold.

[0023] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an electrochemical stack performance evaluation device and a performance evaluation system including the same can be provided, which can facilitate the performance evaluation test of an electrochemical stack.

[0024] The various and beneficial advantages and effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above and will be more easily understood in the process of explaining specific embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a drawing for illustrating a performance evaluation device for an electrochemical device according to exemplary embodiments.

[0026] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a performance evaluation device of an electrochemical device taken along the line A-A' shown in Figure 1.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a drawing for illustrating a performance evaluation system according to exemplary embodiments.

[0028] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an electrochemical stack.

[0029] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. Instead, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best describe his invention, they should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0030] In the following descriptions with reference to the drawings, identical or corresponding components are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0031] In the following embodiments, the terms first, second, etc. are used not in a limiting sense, but for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

[0032] In the following embodiments, the singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0033] In the following embodiments, terms such as "include" or "have" mean that the features or components described in the specification are present, and do not preclude the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

[0034] In the drawings, the size of components may be exaggerated or reduced for convenience of explanation. For example, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are depicted arbitrarily for convenience of explanation, so the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is illustrated.

[0035] Where an embodiment can be implemented differently, a specific process sequence may be performed differently from the order described. For example, two processes described consecutively may be performed substantially simultaneously or proceed in the reverse order of the description.

[0036] In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions may obscure the essence of the invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0037] The present invention will be described in detail below through each embodiment. It should be noted that each embodiment described in this specification is not limited to a single embodiment but may also be combined with other embodiments. Accordingly, the citation of claims in the patent claims is merely an example of an embodiment, and the technical concept of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to a combination with the cited claims; rather, combinations with various claims are also included within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0038] The present invention will be described in detail below through examples. However, it should be noted that the following examples are intended merely to illustrate and embody the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. This is because the scope of the present invention is determined by the matters described in the patent claims and matters reasonably inferred therefrom.

[0039] [Performance evaluation device for electrochemical stacks]

[0040] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a performance evaluation device (100) of an electrochemical device according to exemplary embodiments.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a performance evaluation device (100) of an electrochemical device taken along the line A-A' shown in FIG. 1.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the performance evaluation device (100) of an electrochemical device may include a main body (110), a protruding guide (120), a sealing member (130), an electrically conductive coating layer (140), a stopper (150), and a bus bar (160).

[0043] The main body (110) may include a first surface (110A) facing an electrochemical device. Hereinafter, two directions parallel to the first surface (110A) are referred to as the X direction and the Y direction, and a direction substantially perpendicular to the first surface (110A) is referred to as the Z direction. The X direction and the Y direction may be substantially perpendicular to each other. The X direction may be substantially perpendicular to the Z direction. The Y direction may be substantially perpendicular to the Z direction. The first surface (110A) may extend in the X direction and the Y direction. The X direction may be referred to as the first direction. The Y direction may be referred to as the second direction. The Z direction may be referred to as the third direction.

[0044] The main body (110) is a member that supports the electrochemical stack during performance evaluation experiments. Additionally, it may be composed of an electrically conductive material to realize an electrical connection with the electrochemical stack. As a non-limiting example, the main body (110) may include one or more of carbon steel, high-manganese steel, stainless steel, nickel alloy steel, and combinations thereof.

[0045] The main body (110) may include a second surface (110B) substantially perpendicular to the first surface (110A). The second surface (110B) may extend in the Z direction. The second surface (110B) may be provided in multiple numbers. The main body (110) may include a third surface (110C) substantially parallel to the first surface (110A). The third surface (110C) may extend in the X direction and the Y direction. The third surface (110C) may be substantially perpendicular to the second surface (110B).

[0046] According to exemplary embodiments, the main body (110) may include a flow path (BP) inside. The flow path (BP) may extend from a first surface (110A) to a second surface (110B) and / or a third surface (110C). For convenience of explanation, the following description will be based on embodiments in which the flow path (BP) extends to the second surface (110B). That is, the present invention does not completely exclude a flow path (BP) extending from the first surface (110A) to the third surface (110C).

[0047] A plurality of fluid passages (BP) may be provided in the main body (110). The main body (110) may include a plurality of protruding guides (120) corresponding to the plurality of fluid passages (BP) and a plurality of first fluid passage holes (H1).

[0048] A protruding guide (120) including an internal channel (C) may be provided on the first surface (110A) of the main body. The protruding guide (120) may extend in the Z direction from the first surface (110A). As a result, the protruding guide (120) may guide the electrochemical stack to be mounted on the electrochemical stack performance evaluation device (100) to be positioned in the correct location. The protruding guide (120) may be provided in the form of a tube extending in the Z direction from the first surface (110A), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0049] The internal channel (C) can form a flow path (BP). The flow path (BP) of the main body (110) can be extended by the internal channel (C) of the protruding guide (120). The internal channel (C) may be located at the end of the first side (110A) of the flow path (BP). A first flow path hole (H1) may be located at the end of the second side (110B) or third side (110C) of the flow path (BP). As a result, when the electrochemical stack to be evaluated is mounted on the performance evaluation device (100), the electrochemical stack and the performance evaluation device (100) can be fluidly connected.

[0050] The shape of the protruding guide (120) is not particularly limited as long as it is a column shape that is substantially perpendicular to the first surface (110A), such as a circular column, an equilateral triangular column, or a square column.

[0051] The sealing member (130) is fitted into the protruding guide (120) and can be in close contact with the first surface (110A). The sealing member (130) can wrap around the outer wall (W) adjacent to the first surface (110A) of the protruding guide (120). In this way, by positioning the sealing member (130) outside the protruding guide (120), leakage of the working fluid flowing during performance evaluation can be minimized. This can improve the reliability of the stack evaluation device (100).

[0052] The sealing member (130) may have an inner circumference shape substantially identical to the shape of the outer wall (W) of the protruding guide (120). As a result, the sealing member (130) can be more closely attached to the protruding guide (120).

[0053] The sealing member (130) can be deformed by being compressed by an external force. As a result, when the electrochemical member is installed, it can be compressed by the electrochemical stack to maintain a more secure seal. Additionally, when the electrochemical stack is installed, it acts as a buffer for the electrochemical stack, thereby minimizing damage to the electrochemical stack that may occur during performance evaluation.

[0054] The sealing member (130) is not particularly limited as long as it is made of a material that can withstand high temperature and high pressure environments and has excellent chemical resistance. As a non-limiting example, the sealing member (130) may include one or more of glass seals and materials that are combinations thereof.

[0055] The electrically conductive coating layer (140) may be a coating layer applied to an area on the first surface excluding the area (R1) to which the sealing member (130) is in contact. That is, the electrically conductive coating layer (140) and the sealing member (130) may not overlap in the Z direction. The area (R1) to which the sealing member (130) is in contact refers to the area occupied by the sealing member (130) when the sealing member (130) is compressed. The area to which the sealing member (130) is in contact may have an area corresponding to the area when the sealing member (130) is compressed.

[0056] The electrically conductive coating layer (140) is a component for forming an electrical connection between the performance evaluation device (100) of the electrochemical stack and the electrochemical stack. The electrically conductive coating layer (140) may function as a current collector. The electrically conductive coating layer (140) may function to prevent oxidation of the performance evaluation device (100). The electrically conductive coating layer (140) may include, as a non-limiting example, one or more of cobalt, nickel, copper, silver, aluminum, chromium, graphene, carbon nanotubes, and alloys thereof.

[0057] As a non-limiting example, the electrically conductive coating layer (140) may be coated in the form of electroplating. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be coated in various forms such as spraying, coating, etc.

[0058] As an example, the thickness of the electrically conductive coating layer (140) may be thinner than the thickness of the sealing member (130) compressed by the electrochemical stack. That is, even if the electrochemical stack is mounted, it may not come into contact with the electrically conductive coating layer (140).

[0059] According to exemplary embodiments, the stopper (150) is positioned on the first surface (110A) and may have a thickness thinner than that of the sealing member (130) before compression. This minimizes damage to the sealing member (130) that may occur when the sealing member (130) is excessively compressed by the electrochemical stack. Additionally, it prevents the protruding guide (120) from being excessively inserted into the electrochemical stack and damaging the electrochemical stack.

[0060] According to exemplary embodiments, the thickness (T1) of the stopper (150) can satisfy the following relationship 1.

[0061] [Relationship 1]

[0062] 2T1 <T2

[0063] In the above equation 1, T1 represents the thickness (mm) of the stopper (150), and T2 represents the thickness (mm) of the sealing member (130). By satisfying the above equation 1, the stopper (150) can further improve sealing performance and prevent excessive sealing material compression when the electrochemical stack is subsequently installed.

[0064] According to exemplary embodiments, the stopper (150) and the protruding guide (120) may be made of an electrically conductive material. This allows for an electrical connection between the electrochemical stack performance evaluation device (100) and the electrochemical stack. Thus, electrical performance such as the current density of the electrochemical stack can be evaluated. As a non-limiting example, the stopper (150) may include one or more of carbon steel, high-manganese steel, stainless steel, nickel alloy steel, and combinations thereof.

[0065] According to exemplary embodiments, a bus bar (160) protruding outward from the second surface (110B) may be further included. This allows current to be applied directly to the main body (110). Additionally, when evaluating the electrical performance of the electrochemical stack, there is no need to install a separate electrical connection member in the electrochemical stack. This allows for the omission of modifications and structural changes to the electrochemical stack for performance evaluation, thereby minimizing the load on the electrochemical stack that may be applied due to performance evaluation.

[0066] The busbar (160) is not particularly limited as long as it is made of an electrically conductive material. As a non-limiting example, the busbar (160) may be one or more of copper, aluminum, stainless steel, nickel-plated copper, and combinations thereof.

[0067] According to other exemplary embodiments, the stopper (150) is made of an insulating material, and the protruding guide (120) may include an insulating layer coated on the outer wall (W). This allows the performance of the electrochemical stack to be evaluated in an insulating state, thereby enabling performance evaluation under various conditions. As a non-limiting example, the insulating material and the insulating layer may include a metal oxide insulator such as alumina, provided that they can block electrical connections, although they are not particularly limited.

[0068] [Performance Evaluation System]

[0069] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining a performance evaluation system (10) according to exemplary embodiments.

[0070] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an electrochemical stack (200).

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the performance evaluation system (10) includes a performance evaluation device (100) for an electrochemical stack and an electrochemical stack (200).

[0072] The performance evaluation device (100) of the electrochemical stack can be described by referring to the above description, so a detailed description is omitted.

[0073] The electrochemical stack (200) is placed on the first surface (110A) of the electrochemical stack performance evaluation device (100), and the electrochemical stack (200) can be guided to the installation position by the protruding guide (120). Additionally, it can be fluidly connected to the flow path (BP) through the protruding guide (120). As a result, the fluid supplied to the electrochemical stack performance evaluation device (100) can be supplied to the electrochemical stack (200). Likewise, the fluid discharged from the electrochemical stack (200) can be discharged to the outside through the electrochemical stack performance evaluation device (100).

[0074] The electrochemical stack (200) may be a fuel cell or a water electrolysis cell stack. More specifically, the electrochemical stack (200) may be a solid oxide fuel cell stack. Or, the electrochemical stack (200) may be a solid oxide water electrolysis cell stack.

[0075] The electrochemical stack (200) may include a manifold (210) having a connection hole (CH) into which a protruding guide (120) can be inserted, and a plurality of unit cells (220) stacked on the manifold (210).

[0076] The manifold (210) can distribute fluid to each unit cell (220) or receive exhaust gas generated from each unit cell (220) and discharge it to the outside. As a non-limiting example, the manifold (210) may be provided in the form of a plate having at least one flow path inside.

[0077] The connection hole (CH) of the manifold (210) can overlap with the protruding guide (120) of the first surface (110A) in the Z direction. That is, with respect to the manifold (210), the flow path of the electrochemical stack (200) can be extended downward. As a result, the electrochemical stack (200) and the electrochemical stack performance evaluation device (100) can be easily connected fluidly and electrically by simply mounting the electrochemical stack (200).

[0078] A unit cell (220) may be formed by sequentially stacking a fuel electrode, an electrolyte, and an air electrode. A separator plate (230) may be disposed between multiple unit cells (220). As unit cells (220), any unit cells known in the art can be applied without limitation, so a detailed description is omitted.

[0079] According to exemplary embodiments, the area of ​​the region (R1) in contact with the sealing member (130) can satisfy the following relationship 2.

[0080] [Relationship 2]

[0081] 1.0 < G / A

[0082] In the above equation 2, A represents the total area (cm2) of the region (R1) to which the sealing member (130) is in contact, and G represents the weight (kg) of the electrochemical stack. At this time, the region (R1) to which the sealing member (130) is in contact refers to the area where the sealing member (130), which has been deformed by being compressed by the load of the electrochemical stack (200), is in contact with the first surface (110A). By satisfying equation 2, the surface pressure of the sealing member (130) can be secured, and the sealing performance can be further improved while preventing excessive compression of the sealing material. In addition, even without separately pressurizing the electrochemical stack (200), the sealed state can be easily maintained by utilizing the load of the electrochemical stack (200). Furthermore, if the total area A of the sealing member (130) is reduced to satisfy equation 2, the area of ​​the sealing member that needs to be removed after the performance evaluation is completed is small, so the electrochemical stack (200) can be easily removed.

[0083] Although the invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims.

[0084] (Explanation of symbols)

[0085] 10: Performance Evaluation System

[0086] 100: Performance evaluation device for an electrochemical stack

[0087] 200: Electrochemical Stack

Claims

1. A main body comprising a first surface provided with a protruding guide including an internal channel and a second surface provided with a first flow path hole, wherein the internal channel and the first flow path hole are connected to each other to form a flow path; A sealing member fitted into the above-mentioned protruding guide and in close contact with the first surface; and A performance evaluation device for an electrochemical stack comprising an electrically conductive coating layer coated on a region on a first surface excluding the region where the sealing member is in close contact.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above first and second surfaces are a performance evaluation device for an electrochemical stack perpendicular to each other.

3. In Paragraph 1, Performance evaluation device for an electrochemical stack further comprising a bus bar protruding outward from the second surface.

4. In Paragraph 1, A performance evaluation device for an electrochemical stack further comprising a stopper disposed on the first surface and having a thickness thinner than the thickness of the sealing member.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above stopper and the above protruding guide are a performance evaluation device for an electrochemical stack made of an electrically conductive material.

6. In Paragraph 4, The thickness (T1) of the above stopper is a performance evaluation device for an electrochemical stack satisfying the following relationship 1. [Relationship 1] 2T1 <T2 (In the above Equation 1, T1 represents the thickness of the stopper (mm), and T2 represents the thickness of the sealing member (mm).) 7. In Paragraph 4, The above stopper is made of an insulating material, and The above-mentioned protruding guide is a performance evaluation device for an electrochemical stack comprising an insulating layer coated on the outer wall.

8. A performance evaluation device for an electrochemical stack according to either paragraph 1 or 6; and It includes an electrochemical stack disposed on the first surface and fluidly connected to the fluid path through the protruding guide. A performance evaluation system in which the area of ​​the region where the above sealing member is in close contact satisfies the following relationship 2. [Relationship 2] 1.0 < G / A (In the above Equation 2, A is the area of ​​the region where the sealing member is in close contact (cm²) 2 ) means, and G means the weight of the electrochemical stack (kg).) 9. In Paragraph 8, The above electrochemical stack is, A manifold including a connection hole into which the above-mentioned protruding guide can be inserted; and A performance evaluation system comprising a plurality of unit cells stacked on the above manifold.

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