Fuel Cell Separator Structure for Gas Transfer and Water Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fuel cell separators face issues with inefficient reaction gas transfer, water discharge, contact resistance, and performance instability due to unclear distinction between gas and water transfer passages, leading to reduced efficiency and instability in high output regions.
Innovation Solution
A separator design featuring sequentially arranged convex and concave portions with inclined surfaces and non-coaxial openings to enhance gas transfer, water discharge, and contact area, optimizing convection/diffusion mixed flow and moisture management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional separators with two-dimensional channels or three-dimensional solid shapes are used, then the structure is simple to manufacture, but the water discharge performance deteriorates under various operation conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The separator surface is segmented into convex portions and concave portions with distinct functions. Convex portions provide contact areas with the gas diffusion layer, while concave portions form water collection channels. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of gas transfer, water discharge, and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional two-dimensional channels to a three-dimensional surface structure with convex and concave portions. This dimensional enhancement creates dedicated water collection regions that improve water discharge performance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through stamping or molding processes.
2Area of stationary object
If metal mesh or expanded metal separators are used, then the contact area with gas diffusion layer is increased, but the transfer passages become unclear and condensed water occlusion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the separator are assigned different functions: convex portions provide contact areas with the gas diffusion layer for electrical connection, while concave portions serve as water collection channels. This local differentiation ensures clear passage distinction, prevents water occlusion in microchannels, and maintains performance stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator is segmented into functional zones with convex portions for gas transfer and electrical contact, and concave portions for water collection. This segmentation creates clearly defined transfer passages that prevent condensed water occlusion while maintaining adequate contact area.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional separators with intersecting three-dimensional solid shapes are used, then the gas distribution is improved, but the reaction gas transfer rate decreases due to mass transfer resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the water collection function from the gas distribution structure by creating separate concave portions dedicated to water discharge. This separation eliminates mass transfer resistance caused by water accumulation in gas passages, thereby improving reaction gas transfer rate while maintaining uniform gas distribution through the convex contact areas.
4Device complexity
If separators without distinguished transfer passages are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reaction gas supply efficiency decreases due to condensed water occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is segmented into convex portions for gas transfer and concave portions for water collection. This segmentation creates naturally defined transfer passages without complex internal structures, preventing condensed water occlusion while maintaining low device complexity suitable for stamping or molding manufacturing.
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
The separator improves reaction gas transfer rates, reduces contact resistance, and efficiently discharges condensed water, stabilizing fuel cell performance by ensuring efficient gas and liquid flow distribution and preventing water accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
improving heat and mass transfer characteristics by a convection/diffusion mixed flow
Implementation Method 2
improving heat and mass transfer characteristics by a convection/diffusion mixed flow
Implementation Method 3
a separator capable of efficiently discharging condensed water
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a separator and a fuel cell stack comprising the same, and according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a separator comprising a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions which are sequentially provided along a first direction, wherein in the convex portions, first openings are each provided on top surfaces at predetermined intervals along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and the first openings of two adjacent convex portions are each provided so as not to be positioned coaxially based on a virtual first line parallel to the first direction.