Passive Fuel Cell Assembly with Hydrophilic Layer for Uniform Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current passive fuel cell designs face issues with uniform fuel distribution and water accumulation, leading to increased inner electrical resistance and stability problems during long-term operation, particularly due to hydrophobic water management layers and gas diffusion layers that hinder gaseous fuel uniformity when the fuel cell is inclined.
Innovation Solution
A passive fuel cell assembly incorporating a hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer between the anode current collector and a gas-liquid separation layer, which absorbs and redistributes fuel, preventing direct high-concentration fuel entry and addressing water accumulation, along with an optional water-absorbent and gas-permeable layer to enhance hydrous conditions and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrophobic water management layers and gas diffusion layers are used, then water is prevented from leaking and gas transmission is enabled, but fuel distribution uniformity deteriorates and water accumulation occurs when the fuel cell is inclined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional hydrophobic water management approach by using a hydrophilic porous layer instead. This layer absorbs excess water through capillary action while maintaining gas permeability, thereby preventing water accumulation and improving fuel distribution uniformity during inclined operation without compromising water management functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hydrophilic porous layer with specific local properties (hydrophilicity and porosity) at the anode side where water accumulation occurs. This localized modification allows the layer to selectively absorb water while permitting gas transmission, addressing the fuel distribution issue without affecting the overall water management system.
2Productivity
If hydrophobic gas diffusion layers are used, then gas transmission is enabled, but gaseous fuel distribution uniformity deteriorates when fuel cell is inclined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydrophilic porous layer as an intermediary between the fuel source and the hydrophobic gas diffusion layer. This intermediary layer absorbs excess water and regulates fuel vapor transmission through capillary action, ensuring uniform gas distribution to the catalyst layer during inclined operation while maintaining overall gas transmission efficiency.
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 effectively improves fuel distribution uniformity and reduces inner electrical resistance, enhancing the stability and performance of the fuel cell during extended operation by preventing water accumulation and maintaining humidity levels.
Implementation Method 1
the hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer is capable of absorbing and then re-distributing the fuel
Implementation Method 2
the hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer is capable of absorbing and then re-distributing the fuel so as to prevent the fuel with high concentration from entering the anode side directly
Implementation Method 3
a water absorbent and gas-permeable layer is optionally disposed between the hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer and the anode current collector so as to increase hydrous degree at the anode side
Implementation Method 4
a gas-liquid separation layer... The gas-liquid separation layer is disposed on the hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer
Implementation Method 5
the fuel cell is substantially a power generator that converts chemical energy into electric energy by utilizing the reverse reaction of the water electrolysis
Data Source
AI summary
A passive fuel cell assembly including a membrane electrode assembly, an anode current collector, a cathode current collector, a hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer, and a gas-liquid separation layer is provided. The anode current collector and the cathode current collector are disposed at two opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly. The hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer is disposed on the anode current collector. The gas-liquid separation layer is disposed on the hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer, such that the hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer is disposed between the gas-liquid separation layer and the anode current collector.