Fuel Cell End Plate Structure for Replaceable Sacrificial Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cells face challenges in replacing sacrificial electrodes due to their complex integration with the fuel cell stack, leading to difficulties in maintaining the durability and preventing corrosion of the separator.
Innovation Solution
A fuel cell apparatus design that includes a sacrificial electrode with a flow path portion and a bent portion, integrated with a resin portion on the end plate, and supported by an outer coupling member or side cover, allowing for easy replacement and improved sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the sacrificial electrode is integrated with the fuel cell stack using conventional methods, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sacrificial electrode is divided into a stack module and a separate replacement electrode that can be independently replaced. The end plate is segmented into a first end plate and a second end plate with through-holes, allowing the replacement electrode to be inserted and removed through these holes without disassembling the entire stack clamping member, thus resolving the contradiction between structural stability and ease of replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The sacrificial electrode is extracted as a replaceable component from the fuel cell stack. The replacement electrode is taken out through the through-holes in the second end plate, allowing maintenance without complete disassembly. This extraction approach maintains structural integrity while enabling easy replacement of the corroded electrode.
2Ease of repair
If the sacrificial electrode is made replaceable through the end plate, then the ease of replacement is improved, but the sealing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A seal ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the replacement electrode and the second end plate. The seal ring fits into a groove on the replacement electrode and prevents leakage through the through-holes, thus maintaining sealing performance while allowing easy replacement through the end plate structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal ring acts as a flexible sealing element that conforms to the groove structure on the replacement electrode. This flexible sealing mechanism ensures airtightness around the replaceable electrode without compromising the ease of insertion and removal through the through-holes in the end plate.
3Reliability
If the sacrificial electrode is positioned adjacent to the highest potential cell, then the corrosion prevention effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sacrificial electrode is strategically positioned adjacent to the cell with the highest potential, which is the most susceptible to corrosion. This localized placement optimizes corrosion prevention effectiveness at the critical location without requiring complex system-wide modifications, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and device complexity.
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
Enables the easy replacement of sacrificial electrodes without disassembling the stack clamping member, enhancing the durability and lifespan of the cell stack while ensuring airtightness and preventing corrosion.
Implementation Method 1
a sacrificial electrode is provided so as to be corroded instead of the separator. The use of the sacrificial electrode prevents metal of the separator from being oxidized
Implementation Method 2
an outer coupling member coupled to an outer surface of the second end plate that is opposite an inner surface of the second end plate, which faces the cell stack, so as to be in contact with and support the sacrificial electrode
Implementation Method 3
a first sealing member disposed between the outer surface of the second end plate and the outer coupling member
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell apparatus of the disclosure includes a cell stack including a plurality of unit cells stacked in a first direction, first and second end plates, which are disposed on respective lateral ends of the cell stack and each of which is formed such that a metal portion is enveloped by a resin portion, a sacrificial electrode disposed on a resin portion of the second end plate adjacent to a cell having the highest potential among the unit cells, among the first and second end plates, an outer coupling member coupled to an outer surface of the second end plate that is opposite an inner surface of the second end plate, which faces the cell stack, so as to be in contact with and support the sacrificial electrode, and a first sealing member disposed between the outer surface of the second end plate and the outer coupling member.