Fuel Cell Tape with Segmented Air Flow for Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased energy density of fuel cells, achieved by eliminating dipolar plates, makes it more difficult to cool the fuel cell effectively, leading to potential water imbalance and drying-out issues.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical converter design with a carrier tape having anodes on one face and cathodes on the other, utilizing a corrugated film to separate air flow into a cooling flow and a cathodic reaction flow, allowing improved cooling without increasing the cathodic air flow, and an elastomer covering with longitudinal channels for hydrogen circulation, along with metallized strips for gas diffusion and electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If dipolar plates are eliminated to increase energy density, then mass is reduced and energy density increases, but cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow is segmented into two separate streams using a corrugated film separator: a cooling flow that passes through channels in the corrugated film to remove heat from the cathode, and a reaction flow that reaches the cathode for electrochemical reactions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of cooling and reaction functions without requiring dipolar plates.
2Temperature
If air flow is increased to improve cooling, then cooling efficiency improves, but cathodic reaction performance deteriorates due to over-ventilation and water imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow is divided into two independent channels: cooling air flows through the corrugated film channels to remove heat without contacting the cathode, while reaction air flows directly to the cathode for electrochemical reactions. This prevents over-ventilation and maintains proper water balance at the cathode.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated film acts as an intermediary structure that enables cooling function without blocking the reaction path. It provides cooling channels that guide cooling air away from the cathode while allowing the reaction air to reach the cathode unimpeded, thus mediating between cooling requirements and reaction performance.
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 enhances cooling efficiency of the fuel cell, preventing water imbalance and over-ventilation, while maintaining a compact and thermally uniform cylindrical structure.
Implementation Method 1
separation means dividing the air flow into a cooling flow having no contact with the cathodes and a cathodic reaction flow in contact with the cathodes
Implementation Method 2
an electrochemical converter with proton membrane comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series
Implementation Method 3
the strips are advantageously metallized so as to carry the current between the anodes and the cathodes
Implementation Method 4
on the anodes side, the carrier tape is covered by an elastomer covering provided with longitudinal channels for the passage of hydrogen
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochemical converter with proton membrane includes a plurality of electrochemical unitary cells connected in series and arranged on a carrier tape elongated along a longitudinal axis, a first face of which has anodes that receive hydrogen and a second face has cathodes that receive air, wherein the hydrogen circulates in a flow parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aforementioned tape and the air circulates in a flow transverse to the longitudinal axis of the aforementioned tape, and separation means dividing the air flow into a cooling flow having no contact with the cathodes and a cathodic reaction flow in contact with the cathodes.