Closure Seals for Fuel Cell Separator Gas Leakage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cells experience reactant gas leakage due to gaps between electrodes and seals, leading to inefficient power generation performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of reactant gas flow fields between the membrane electrode assembly and separators, with closure seals on the separators to prevent gas shortcuts, ensuring reactant gases flow along designated paths and reducing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a die presser surface is used to form the first seal integrally on the second separator, then the seal structure is simplified, but a gap is formed between the cathode and the first seal causing gas leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is divided into multiple segments: the first seal attached to the second separator, and the closure seal attached to the first separator. This segmentation allows each seal to perform its specific function - the first seal provides the primary sealing interface while the closure seal eliminates the gap formed by the die presser surface, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure seal acts as an intermediary element that fills the gap between the cathode and the first seal. This intermediary component prevents reactant gas from leaking through the gap while maintaining the overall simplicity of the seal structure, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
2Reliability
If the first seal is tightly contacted with the electrolyte membrane to prevent leakage, then sealing performance is improved, but a gap forms between seals due to die presser surface
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into the first seal for primary sealing and the closure seal for gap elimination. This segmentation allows the first seal to maintain tight contact with the electrolyte membrane for reliable sealing while the closure seal separately addresses the gap issue without complicating the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the sealing structure have different functions: the first seal provides tight contact sealing at the electrolyte membrane interface, while the closure seal provides gap closure at the die presser surface location. This local differentiation of sealing functions resolves the contradiction between sealing performance and structural complexity.
3Productivity
If reactant gas flow fields are formed between membrane electrode assembly and separators, then power generation performance is improved, but gas shortcuts occur through gaps reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The closure seal serves as an intermediary barrier that blocks the gap pathway between the reactant gas flow field and the external environment. This prevents gas shortcuts while maintaining the reactant gas flow field structure necessary for power generation, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The die presser surface gap, which initially causes harmful gas leakage, is converted into a controlled sealing location by introducing the closure seal. This transforms the harmful gap into a beneficial sealed interface that maintains pressure while preventing shortcuts, resolving the contradiction between power generation performance and energy loss.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design effectively prevents reactant gas leakage, enhancing power generation efficiency and maintaining desired performance with a simple structure.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of closure seals are provided in a space between an inner edge of the frame like seal surface and a protrusion forming a reactant gas flow field adjacent to the inner edge. The closure seals prevent flow of the reactant gas along the space.
Implementation Method 2
Reactant gas flow fields are formed between the membrane electrode assembly and the first and second separators for supplying reactant gases along the first and second electrodes.
Implementation Method 3
The hydrogen ions move toward the cathode through the electrolyte membrane, and the electrons flow through an external circuit to the cathode, creating a DC electric current.
Implementation Method 4
The catalyst of the anode induces a chemical reaction of the fuel gas to split the hydrogen molecule into hydrogen ions and electrons.
Implementation Method 5
a solid polymer fuel cell employs a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) which includes an anode and a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode
Data Source
AI summary
A seal member is formed integrally on surfaces of a metal separator of a fuel cell. The seal member includes an outer seal and an inner seal provided on a surface of the metal separator. A plurality of closure seals are formed integrally with an inner edge of the inner seal. The closure seals close a space between the inner seal and a protrusion forming a fuel gas flow field.