Laminated Bipolar Plate Fuel Cell Stack With Integrated Liquid Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a cost-effective and efficient means of compressing hydrogen for the hydrogen economy, as existing methods are either expensive or prone to fouling, and there is a lack of high-strength proton-conducting membranes for hydrogen compression.
Innovation Solution
Development of a robust, cost-effective fuel cell stack using inorganic-organic composite polymer membrane electrode assemblies and liquid-cooled metallic bipolar plates, along with an electrochemical hydrogen compressor that utilizes an inorganic-organic composite proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane to compress hydrogen efficiently and purify it by oxidizing impure hydrogen at the anode and reducing protons to high purity hydrogen at the cathode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hydrogen compression methods are used, then hydrogen can be compressed, but the cost is high and the system is prone to fouling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical compression systems with an electrochemical compression system using a fuel cell stack. The fuel cell uses electrical energy to drive the compression process through electrochemical reactions, eliminating mechanical moving parts that are susceptible to fouling and reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite bipolar plates with hydrophobic coatings that combine multiple functional properties: electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and fouling resistance. The hydrophobic surface prevents contaminant adhesion while the composite structure provides both mechanical strength and electrochemical stability.
2Productivity
If high-strength proton-conducting membranes are developed, then hydrogen compression efficiency improves, but material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the operating parameters of the fuel cell system, specifically operating at elevated temperatures (60-200°C) to enhance proton conductivity through the membrane. This temperature optimization improves compression efficiency while using commercially available membrane materials rather than requiring exotic high-cost materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous bipolar plate structures with optimized pore sizes and distributions that enhance both mechanical strength and proton transport. The porous structure provides high surface area for electrochemical reactions while maintaining structural integrity, improving efficiency without requiring expensive dense membrane materials.
3Power
If fuel cell stack is designed for high power output, then energy generation increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the bipolar plates: electrical current collection, thermal management through integrated cooling channels, and structural support. This integration eliminates the need for separate cooling plates and current collectors, reducing component count and system complexity while maintaining high power output capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel cell stack is designed with universal components that perform multiple functions. The bipolar plates serve as current collectors, thermal management conduits, and structural elements simultaneously. The membrane electrode assembly provides both proton transport and catalytic functions, reducing the need for specialized components.
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 solution provides a high-power, high-energy density electric generating system that efficiently compresses hydrogen, producing hydrogen-rich gas with useful by-products like potable water and heat, while being less susceptible to fouling and more cost-effective than traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
an inorganic-organic composite proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane to compress hydrogen efficiently and purify it by oxidizing impure hydrogen at the anode and reducing protons to high purity hydrogen at the cathode
Implementation Method 2
purify it by oxidizing impure hydrogen at the anode
Implementation Method 3
electrochemical device that converts chemical energy produced by a reaction directly into electrical energy
Implementation Method 4
reducing protons to high purity hydrogen at the cathode
Implementation Method 5
liquid-cooled metallic bipolar plates
Implementation Method 6
liquid-cooled metallic bipolar plates
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel cell system with a stack that includes at least one high temperature membrane electrode assembly and a bipolar plate laminated with an electrically conducting layer to form a structure that contains a liquid cooling chamber inside the structure and gas flow channels on an outer side of the structure. Preferably, a membrane of the membrane electrode assembly contains a composite of inorganic and organic proton-conducting particles and is structurally supported at an anode of the assembly with a porous layer of metallic material. Methodologies of manufacture and used of such fuel cell system. An electrical generation system employing such fuel cell system.