Fuel Cell Separator Water Storage Channel Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current separators for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells fail to efficiently discharge generated water without interfering with gas flow, leading to flooding and inadequate humidification, and they do not effectively manage water to prevent membrane drying under low humidification conditions.
Innovation Solution
A separator design featuring channels with inward-recessed water storage parts having inclined surfaces that allow generated water to be stored and reused for humidification, minimizing interference with gas flow and improving water management efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If water is discharged efficiently from the reaction gas flow path, then flooding is prevented, but the electrolyte membrane may dry out due to insufficient moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The separator is designed with different surface properties in different regions: the upper surface has a hydrophilic region (first region) that attracts and stores water, and a hydrophobic region (second region) that repels water. This local differentiation allows the separator to simultaneously manage water discharge and moisture retention, preventing both flooding and membrane drying.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a separator structure is designed to discharge water, then water management improves, but gas flow may be interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The separator surface is segmented into distinct functional regions: a hydrophilic first region for water storage and a hydrophobic second region for gas flow. This segmentation allows water and gas to be managed in separate zones, enabling effective water discharge without interfering with gas flow efficiency.
3Reliability
If water is stored in the separator, then humidification is improved, but the separator structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The water storage function is merged into the separator structure itself by creating a hydrophilic region that passively attracts and holds water through surface properties. This eliminates the need for separate water storage components or active pumping systems, achieving humidification while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 effectively distributes gas and liquid flows, prevents flooding, and reuses generated water for electrolyte membrane humidification, enhancing water management and reducing membrane drying risks.
Implementation Method 1
a sidewall of the channel is provided with a water storage part which is recessed inward and has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface
Implementation Method 2
the water storage part may have a wedge shape
Data Source
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 channels including a bottom forming a flow space for a reaction gas to flow and a pair of sidewalls connected to the bottom, and a plurality of ribs provided so as to connect the sidewalls of two adjacent channels, wherein the sidewall of the channel is provided with a water storage part which is recessed inward and has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface connected by a first angle.