Fuel Cell Plate with Gas Permeation Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fuel cell design with plate-like members stacked on the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) leads to suppressed reactive gas supply, causing electrolyte membrane thinning, decreased oxygen concentration, and increased hydrogen peroxide production, which deteriorates the fuel cell's performance and durability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flow path-forming member with a gas permeation structure, such as slits or porous bodies, adjacent to the electrodes to ensure consistent reactive gas supply, and using sealing members to integrate with the MEA and plate-like members to prevent blockage and thinning, while maintaining different electrode dimensions and structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a plate-like member is stacked on part of the electrode surface to block reactive gas, then gas flow control is improved, but electrolyte membrane thinning occurs due to insufficient gas supply
Solution Approach 1:
The plate-like member is designed with a gas permeation structure containing numerous pores, allowing reactive gas to pass through while still providing flow control. This porous structure prevents complete gas blockage, ensuring sufficient gas supply reaches the electrode and prevents electrolyte membrane thinning while maintaining productivity control
Solution Approach 2:
The plate-like member is positioned only on specific portions of the electrode surface rather than covering the entire surface, creating localized gas flow control. This selective placement allows gas to reach areas that need it while providing flow regulation where required, balancing productivity control with membrane durability
2Power
If plate-like members are stacked to control reactive gas supply, then power generation performance is improved, but hydrogen peroxide production increases causing membrane deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure of the plate-like member enables controlled gas permeation that maintains adequate oxygen supply to the cathode electrode. By preventing complete gas blockage, the structure reduces oxygen concentration depletion and minimizes hydrogen peroxide formation while preserving power generation performance
Solution Approach 2:
The gas permeation structure acts as an intermediary between the plate-like member and the electrode, mediating gas flow to ensure sufficient reactive gas reaches the electrode surface. This intermediary function prevents harmful hydrogen peroxide accumulation while maintaining beneficial power generation
3Productivity
If plate-like members block reactive gas flow, then gas distribution is controlled, but oxygen concentration decreases leading to potential drop
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure allows oxygen to permeate through the plate-like member, maintaining adequate oxygen concentration at the electrode surface. The pore network enables continuous gas supply that prevents oxygen depletion and associated potential drops while achieving gas distribution control
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 configuration enhances the durability and power generation performance of the fuel cell by preventing electrolyte membrane thinning, improving gas flow rates, and maintaining the integrity of the fuel cell's components, including catalyst and diffusion layers.
Implementation Method 1
The plate-like member has a gas permeation structure allowing for permeation of the reactive gas in a part where the anode electrode and the cathode electrode are placed
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell comprises: a membrane electrode assembly configured to have an electrolyte membrane joined between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode; a flow path-forming member configured to form a flow path that is adjacent to one electrode out of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and makes a flow of a reactive gas to the one electrode; and a plate-like member made of a material of blocking the reactive gas and stacked on a portion of a flow path-side surface of the one electrode to be adjacent to the flow path. The plate-like member has a gas permeation structure allowing for permeation of the reactive gas in a part where the anode electrode and the cathode electrode are placed in a stacking direction of the plate-like member on the one electrode.