WO2024256514A1 - Plaque séparatrice pour système électrochimique - Google Patents

Plaque séparatrice pour système électrochimique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024256514A1
WO2024256514A1 PCT/EP2024/066313 EP2024066313W WO2024256514A1 WO 2024256514 A1 WO2024256514 A1 WO 2024256514A1 EP 2024066313 W EP2024066313 W EP 2024066313W WO 2024256514 A1 WO2024256514 A1 WO 2024256514A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
section
channels
channel
plate
separator plate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2024/066313
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Bernadette GRÜNWALD
Rainer Glück
Arnold Gente
Stefan Schoenbauer
Stefan Schuerg
Udo Riegler
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Robert Bosch GmbH
Reinz Dichtungs GmbH
Original Assignee
Robert Bosch GmbH
Reinz Dichtungs GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Robert Bosch GmbH, Reinz Dichtungs GmbH filed Critical Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority to DE112024002516.1T priority Critical patent/DE112024002516A5/de
Priority to CN202480039594.9A priority patent/CN121488339A/zh
Publication of WO2024256514A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024256514A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0258—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
    • H01M8/0206—Metals or alloys
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0247—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the form
    • H01M8/0254—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the form corrugated or undulated
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0258—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
    • H01M8/026—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant characterised by grooves, e.g. their pitch or depth
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0267—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
    • H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
    • H01M8/2483—Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by internal manifolds
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M2008/1095—Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a separator plate for an electrochemical system.
  • the electrochemical system can in particular be a fuel cell system, an electrochemical compressor, an electrolyzer or a redox flow battery.
  • An electrochemical system with a plurality of such separator plates is also disclosed.
  • the separator plates or the individual plates can each have or form structures which are designed, for example, to supply the electrochemical cells arranged between adjacent separator plates with one or more media and/or to transport away reaction products.
  • these structures can be used to guide a cooling fluid through a gap between the individual plates of a separator plate.
  • the structures can, for example, comprise sequences of webs and channels.
  • the media can therefore be fuels (e.g. hydrogen or methanol), reaction gases (e.g. air or oxygen) or coolants.
  • the terms medium and fluid can be used synonymously.
  • the separator plates usually each have at least one through-opening through which the media can be guided to or away from the electrochemical cells or membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) arranged between adjacent separator plates of the stack.
  • MEAs membrane electrode assemblies
  • a respective fluid is guided by means of the structures described above into a respective first distribution area and from there into a flow field opposite the active area of the cell or MEA. After flowing through the active area, the fluid is fed back to an outlet through-opening via a second distribution area, also called a collection area.
  • a second distribution area also called a collection area.
  • a first fluid e.g. a fuel
  • a second fluid e.g. a reaction gas
  • the fluid-conducting structures on the respective outer sides of the individual plates form complementary structures on their inner sides, which guide the cooling fluid.
  • the cooling fluid guidance is sometimes only possible under increased flow resistance. This reduces the cooling capacity of the separator plate accordingly and can consequently lead to limitations in the performance of the electrochemical system.
  • An object of the present invention is therefore to improve the cooling capacity of a separator plate and thus a performance of an electrochemical system with a plurality of such separator plates.
  • a separator plate for an electrochemical system comprising a first individual plate and a second individual plate, the inner sides of which face one another and together delimit a cooling fluid distribution structure, wherein the separator plate has at least one first through-opening for passing a cooling fluid through the separator plate and the cooling fluid distribution structure has at least one distribution region and a flow field, wherein the inner side of the first individual plate has a plurality of webs and first channels formed therebetween, wherein the first channels each define at least one continuous fluid connection from the distribution region into the flow field, wherein the inner side of the second individual plate has a plurality of webs and second channels formed therebetween, wherein at least some of the second channels each have a first section which opens into one of the first channels and a second section which extends in the flow field, wherein the first section has a flow cross-section which is enlarged compared to a flow cross-section of the second section.
  • the invention provides for the flow to be deliberately slowed down in the mouth area of the second channels by means of the cross-section widening. This is advantageous because in this In the mouth area (ie in the first section of the second channels) a certain degree of turbulence within the coolant flow is unavoidable due to the fluid exchange taking place there and a significant change in direction that is typically present there.
  • the effect of limiting pressure loss is particularly pronounced when, as provided in embodiments, the second channels open into a curved and/or also widened area of the first channels. Such a design of the first channels further reduces the flow velocity.
  • the first channels can extend at least in sections in the distribution region.
  • the first channels can optionally continue in the flow field and/or connect to channels in the flow field and/or merge into channels in the flow field.
  • the first channels can have an optional curved section.
  • the distribution region can comprise a first section which comprises first segments of the first channels, wherein the first segments define a fluid connection between the through-opening and the curved section of a respective first channel, wherein the distribution region also comprises a second section which comprises second segments of the first channels, wherein the second segments each define a fluid connection between the curved section of a respective first channel and the flow field.
  • the curved section of a respective first channel can have a flow cross-section which is larger than the flow cross-section of the first segment of the first channel.
  • the flow field can be characterized, for example, by the fact that all of the webs and channels included in it are straight and run parallel to one another and parallel to a main flow direction of the cooling fluid through the flow field.
  • the webs and channels could also be wave-shaped and run next to one another and along the main flow direction (or a main flow axis) with a similar wave shape.
  • the flow field can be characterized by the fact that it lies within an MEA reinforcement edge and in particular is surrounded and/or framed by it at least in sections.
  • the MEA reinforcement edge is preferably not opposite the flow field itself, but rather the actually active area of the MEA, in particular in the form of its electrolyte membrane.
  • the situation can be different with regard to the less deeply formed area that is at least partially assigned to the flow field and in which the MEA reinforcement edge and the GDL overlap one another.
  • the first and second individual plates can also each have a distribution area and a flow field for fluid guidance on their outer sides. Between the A transition region can be arranged between the distribution region and the flow field, in which the webs have a lower height compared to both the distribution region and the flow field. The transition region can be counted partly as part of the distribution region and partly as part of the flow field.
  • the first individual plate can form a cathode plate and/or can carry oxygen or air on its outside as a first fluid.
  • the second individual plate can form an anode plate and/or can carry hydrogen on its outside as a second fluid.
  • the first section of the second channels can be located at least partially outside the flow field and/or at least partially within the distribution area. However, it is also possible for both the first and the second section to be located entirely within the flow field.
  • the second section of a second channel can be any (partial) section of the second channel in the flow field. Alternatively, this section can comprise the entire length of the second channel in the flow field.
  • the second channels can be connected to a respective first channel in a fluid-conducting manner as a result of the opening.
  • the second channels can be fed with cooling fluid from or through the first channel into which they open or, depending on the direction of flow, feed the first channel with cooling fluid. Consequently, at least part of the cooling fluid from a first channel can be distributed to at least one second channel opening into it or can be received and collected by the first channel from this second channel.
  • the second channels can each open into one of the first channels at one end of a respective first section.
  • every second channel can, for example, be elongated and/or extend along a longitudinal axis in the direction of a center of the flow field.
  • This center can be a center along a main flow axis of the flow field, along which the cooling fluid flows through the flow field.
  • the first nor the second channels necessarily have to run in a straight line, but this can nevertheless be provided in principle.
  • connection of the second channels to the first channels as a result of the flow into one another enables a branching of the cooling fluid distribution structure.
  • This can, for example, enable the cooling fluid to be guided in the distribution area with a first number of channels and the cooling fluid to be guided in the flow field with a second, larger number of channels, the larger number being formed at least partially as a result of the branching described.
  • the second channels can each flow into only one first channel. This means a limited number of feed points into or out of the second channels, which can reduce flow resistance. On the other hand, several second channels can flow into a first channel (e.g. two or more second channels). This enables a particularly significant increase in the number of channels or a particularly pronounced branching of the type explained above.
  • the flow cross-section of the first section is at least 20% larger than the flow cross-section of the second section, and in particular by at least 30% or by at least 40%.
  • the flow cross-section of the first section can be larger by at least 60%, by at least 100% or by at least 150% larger than the flow cross-section of the second section.
  • the flow cross-section of the first section can be larger than the flow cross-section of the second section, for example by no more than 200%.
  • the increase in flow cross-section between the first and second sections can be uniform for each of the second channels or can vary between the second channels.
  • Several groups of second channels can exist, whereby in each group the increase in flow cross-section in the respective first section is uniform, but the increase in flow cross-section of the groups differs from one another. Such degrees of freedom can be used to achieve a space-optimized design of the cooling fluid distribution structure.
  • the first section can have a maximum flow cross-section of a respective second channel. This reduces the space required by the second channel, since the increased flow cross-section can be limited to the first section, for example.
  • the flow cross-section can continuously decrease from the first section to the second section, or at least not increase again.
  • the flow cross-section can be constant or continuously decrease at least over a certain length of a respective second channel. This can avoid large jumps in the cross-section, which in turn could cause turbulence and thus pressure losses.
  • the flow cross-section of the first section is significantly increased by increasing a width dimension of the second channel.
  • the width dimension preferably runs in or parallel to a flat surface plane of the separator plate.
  • the width can be measured perpendicular to a local main flow direction in or through a second channel.
  • an increase in the width dimension may exceed any increase in the maximum height of the first channel in its first section (for example, be at least twice as large) and/or the maximum height of the first channel may be substantially constant.
  • the height may be measured orthogonal to the planar surface plane and/or in a direction pointing towards the corresponding opposing single plate.
  • a maximum height dimension of the first section and the second section differ from each other by no more than 20%.
  • the height dimension can run perpendicular to a flat surface plane of the separator plate.
  • the plane of the flat surface of a respective individual plate can be defined, for example, by an edge of the individual plate or by those flat areas of the individual plate that are not deformed as a result of an embossing or deep-drawing process to form the web-channel structures or beads described here.
  • the plane of the flat surface can run in the neutral fibers of the corresponding sections of the plates, on the other hand, it is also possible to consider the surfaces of the relevant sections of the plates as plane of the flat surface. With the latter approach, however, it must be ensured that when considering distances or the like, the material thickness of only one of the two plates considered is taken into account.
  • a further development provides that the respective opening of a second channel into one of the first channels comprises that an open end of the second channel, which faces a contact plane between the first and second individual plates, is opposite the first channel.
  • At least some of the second channels can each be located in sections opposite a web formed on the inside of the first individual plate.
  • the second channels (and more precisely, a partial section thereof) can each cross a web formed on the inside of the first plate. This corresponds to an at least temporary change of level of the cooling fluid guide if, for example, the cooling fluid is guided from the first section of the second channels while flowing over the opposite web in the direction of the second section or the flow field.
  • a reverse flow direction from the flow field in the direction of the first section is also possible.
  • a change of level of the cooling fluid guide can be understood as a change of flow levels of the cooling fluid distribution structure in such a way that a change is made from an area in which a flow cross section of the cooling fluid distribution structure extends significantly in a flow space for the cooling fluid spanned by the first individual plate to an area in which a flow cross section of the cooling fluid distribution structure extends significantly in a flow space for the cooling fluid spanned by the second individual plate, or vice versa.
  • the second channels each have a partial section that is opposite a web formed on the inside of the first individual plate.
  • This partial section can connect the first and second sections of the respective second channel in a fluid-conducting manner.
  • the partial section can be included in the first or second section, for example if it has width dimensions analogous to these. It has been shown that the possibility of changing levels and providing a partial section described above provides additional degrees of freedom in order to branch the cooling fluid distribution structure to a significant extent in the region of the transition between the distribution region and the flow field.
  • a flow cross-section of the partial section can also be larger than a flow cross-section of the second section.
  • This particularly relates to an average value of the flow cross-section of the respective sections, wherein this average value is averaged over the length of a respective section, for example. Consequently, the average value of the flow cross-section of the partial section can be larger than the average value of the flow cross-section of the second section.
  • a flow cross-section of an area of the first section that opens into the first channel and a flow cross-section of the partial section may not differ from each other by more than 50%. In this case, too, the mean values of the respective areas and sections can be considered.
  • the first section has a length which is less than 20 times, in particular 15 times, in particular 12 times, in particular 10 times, in particular 8 times the channel width in the second section.
  • height and width measurements may be taken to be measured at half the height of the structure in question.
  • At least some of the other second channels extend in the flow field and are each located opposite one of the first channels. This increases the degree of branching at the transition from the distribution area into the flow field.
  • these second channels can each be located opposite a continuation of a first channel into the flow field.
  • the cooling fluid can thus be guided not only as a result of the second channels opening into the first channels on the inside of the second individual plate as described above, but also by the corresponding direct opposite location of at least some of the second and first channels. This increases the achievable cooling of the second individual plates.
  • these other second channels have a flow cross-section that essentially corresponds to a flow cross-section of a respective second section of the second channels. This can result in uniform flow conditions in the flow field.
  • the invention also relates to an electrochemical system having a plurality of Separator plates according to any aspect described herein.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an electrochemical system with a plurality of stacked separator plates with membrane electrode units arranged between them.
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective view of two separator plates of a system similar to Figure 1 with a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) arranged between the separator plates.
  • MEA membrane electrode assembly
  • Figure 3 shows a perspective partial view of the separator plate of the first embodiment in the region of a distribution region of a first individual plate, in particular cathode plate, of the separator plate.
  • Figure 4 shows a perspective partial view of a separator plate according to the first embodiment in the region of a distribution region of a second individual plate, in particular anode plate, of the separator plate.
  • Figure 5 shows a schematically highly simplified view of a part of a cooling fluid distribution structure in the interior of the separator plate according to the first embodiment.
  • Figure 6 shows an orthogonal projection of the structural features of a part of the separator plate into a common plane.
  • FIG 1 shows an electrochemical system 1 of the type proposed here with a plurality of identical metallic separator plates 2 (or bipolar plates). These are arranged in a stack 6 and stacked along a z-direction 7. The separator plates 2 of the stack 6 are clamped between two end plates 3, 4. The z-direction 7 is also called the stack direction.
  • the system 1 is a fuel cell stack. Two adjacent separator plates 2 of the stack 6 enclose an electrochemical cell between them, which serves, for example, to convert chemical energy into electrical energy.
  • a membrane electrode unit (MEA) 10 is arranged between adjacent separator plates 2 of the stack 6 (see Figure 2 below).
  • the MEAs typically each contain at least one membrane, e.g. an electrolyte membrane.
  • a gas diffusion layer (GDL) can be arranged on one or both surfaces of the MEA.
  • GDL gas diffusion layer
  • the system 1 can also be used as an electrolyzer, compressor or as a redox flow battery.
  • Separator plates can also be used in these electrochemical systems.
  • the structure of these separator plates can correspond to the structure of the separator plates 2 explained in more detail here, even if the media guided on or through the separator plates in an electrolyzer, an electrochemical compressor or a redox flow battery can differ from the media used for a fuel cell system.
  • the separator plates 2 each define a plate plane, wherein the plate planes of the separator plates 2 are each aligned parallel to the x-y plane and thus perpendicular to the stacking direction (z-axis 7).
  • the end plate 4 has a plurality of media connections 5 via which media can be fed to the system 1 and via which media can be removed from the system 1.
  • These media that can be fed to the system 1 and removed from the system 1 can include, for example, fuels such as molecular hydrogen or methanol, reaction gases such as air or oxygen, reaction products such as water vapor or depleted fuels or a cooling fluid such as water and/or glycol.
  • fuels such as molecular hydrogen or methanol
  • reaction gases such as air or oxygen
  • reaction products such as water vapor or depleted fuels
  • a cooling fluid such as water and/or glycol.
  • Figure 2 shows in perspective two adjacent separator plates 2 or bipolar plates, which can be included in an electrochemical system of the type of system 1 from Figure 1.
  • the separator plates 2 correspond to an example from the prior art. However, the properties and features explained below in relation to this can also apply to the separator plates 2 according to the invention disclosed here or can be provided for them, unless otherwise mentioned or apparent.
  • Fig. 2 also shows a known membrane electrode unit (MEA) 10 arranged between these adjacent separator plates 2, wherein the MEA 10 in Fig. 2 is largely covered by the separator plate 2 facing the viewer.
  • the separator plate 2 is formed from two materially joined individual plates 2a, 2b, of which in Fig. 2 only the individual plate 2a facing the viewer is visible, which covers the other individual plate 2b.
  • the individual plates 2a, 2b can each be made from a metal sheet, e.g. from a stainless steel sheet.
  • the individual plates 2a, 2b can, for example, be welded to one another, e.g. by laser welding connections or only be connected when the stack is stacked.
  • the design of fluid-conducting structures on the outside of the individual plate 2a facing the viewer can differ in Fig. 2 from the structures according to the invention in the other figures below.
  • the individual plates 2a, 2b have through-openings which are aligned with one another and form through-openings 11a-c of the separator plate 2.
  • the through-openings 11a-c form lines which extend through the stack 6 in the stacking direction 7 (see Figure 1).
  • each of the lines formed by the through-openings 11a-c is in fluid communication with one of the ports 5 in the end plate 4 of the system 1.
  • a cooling fluid can be introduced into the stack 6 or discharged from the stack 6 via the lines formed by the through-openings 11a.
  • the lines formed by the through-openings 11b, 11c can be designed to supply the electrochemical cells of the fuel cell stack of the system 1 with fuel and with reaction gas and to discharge the reaction products from the stack 6.
  • the individual plate 2a facing the viewer has sealing arrangements in the form of sealing beads 12a-c. These are arranged around the through openings 11a-c and completely enclose the through openings 11a-c.
  • the second individual plate 2b also has corresponding sealing beads 12a-c on the rear side of the separator plate 2 facing away from the viewer in Figure 2 for sealing the through openings 11a-c (not shown).
  • Alternative sealing systems such as elastomer seals, can also be used.
  • the individual plate 2a facing the viewer Adjacent to the electrochemically active region 18 of the MEA, the individual plate 2a facing the viewer has a flow field 17a with structures for guiding a reaction medium along the outside of the individual plate 2a on its outside facing the viewer. These structures are designed in Figure 2 in the form of a large number of webs and channels running between the webs and delimited by the webs. On the outside of the separator plate 2 facing the viewer, the individual plate 2a facing the viewer also has two distribution regions 20a.
  • the distribution areas 20a each comprise structures which are designed to distribute a medium introduced from a first of the two through-openings 11b into one of the distribution areas 20a by means of the flow field 17a over the active area 18 or to collect or bundle a medium flowing from the active area 18 or from the flow field 17a to the second of the through-openings 11b.
  • the collecting distribution area 20a can also be designed as a
  • the fluid-conducting structures of the distribution areas 20a in Figure 2 are also provided by webs and channels running between the webs and delimited by the webs.
  • a cooling fluid distribution structure 19 formed and/or enclosed between the individual plates 2a, 2b also has distribution areas 20c which overlap with the distribution areas 20a, b of the individual plates 2a, 2b.
  • This cooling fluid distribution structure 19 also has a flow field 17c which overlaps with the flow fields 17a, b of the outer sides of the individual plates 2a, 2b or is enclosed between them.
  • the web-channel structures on the outer sides of the individual plates 2a, 2b form complementarily shaped web-channel structures on the corresponding inner sides and thus complementarily shaped web-channel structures of the cooling fluid distribution structure 19.
  • the two through-openings 11b or the lines formed by the through-openings 11b through the plate stack of the system 1 are each in fluid communication with one another via passages 13b in sealing beads 12b, via the distribution structures of the distribution areas 20 and via the flow field 17a of the individual plate 2a facing the viewer of Figure 2.
  • This individual plate 2a is a second individual plate 2a in the sense of this disclosure.
  • a fluid guided along the outside of this individual plate 2a is preferably hydrogen, so that the through-openings 11b are preferably hydrogen through-openings 11b. This results in particular from the smallest cross-section of the hydrogen through-openings 11b compared to the other through-openings 11a, 11c.
  • the two through-openings 11c or the lines formed by the through-openings 11c through the plate stack of the system 1 are each in fluid communication with one another via corresponding bead feedthroughs 13c, via corresponding distribution structures and via a corresponding flow field on an outer side of the individual plate 2b facing away from the viewer of Figure 2.
  • This individual plate 2b is a first individual plate 2b in the sense of this disclosure.
  • a fluid guided along the outer side of this individual plate 2b is preferably air or oxygen, so that the through-openings 11c are preferably air or oxygen through-openings 11c. This results in particular from the largest cross-section of the air or oxygen through-openings 11c compared to the other through-openings 11a, 11b.
  • the through-openings 11a are each in fluid communication with one another via a cavity enclosed or surrounded by the individual plates 2a, 2b, which forms the cooling fluid distribution structure 19, namely via feedthroughs 13a.
  • This cavity or this cooling fluid distribution structure 19 serves to guide a cooling fluid through the separator plate 2, in particular for cooling the electrochemically active region 18 of the MEA.
  • the through-openings 11a are therefore cooling fluid through-openings, which is particularly obvious from their average cross-sectional size in comparison to the other through-openings 11b, 11c.
  • Figure 3 shows a section of the outside of the separator plate 2 according to an embodiment with a view of the first individual plate 2b facing away from the viewer in Figure 2, in particular a cathode plate, in the dashed area in Figure 2.
  • the viewing angle is rotated compared to Figure 2, as can be seen from the position of the through-opening 11c shown in Figure 3. Only a cut-off part of both the distribution area 20b and the flow field 17b is shown.
  • a fluid is guided from the through-opening 11c via a first distribution area 20b and through a web-channel structure 46b on the outside of the first individual plate 2b.
  • the web-channel structure 46b has several outwardly projecting webs 27b and channels 29b enclosed between them, only selected ones of which are provided with a corresponding reference symbol.
  • the deepest areas of the channels 29b run in the plane of the first single plate 2b.
  • the web-channel structure 46b forms complementary shaped webs and channels of the cooling fluid distribution structure 19, see Figures 5 and 6 discussed below. More precisely, the webs 27b of the web-channel structure 46b form cooling fluid-carrying channels of the cooling fluid distribution structure 19, whereas the channels 29b of the web-channel structure 46b form webs of the cooling fluid distribution structure 19.
  • the distribution area 20b comprises a first section 20bl, an optional curved section 52 and a second section 20b2.
  • the webs 27b of the web-channel structure 46b have a first segment 50.
  • the webs 27b have a second segment 54.
  • the segments 50, 54 and the curved section 52 follow one another directly and merge directly into one another.
  • the corresponding segments of a complementarily shaped channel 27c of the cooling fluid distribution structure 19 can conduct cooling fluid.
  • the sections 20bl, 20b2 are present on the inside as analogous sections 20bl, 20b2 of the cooling fluid distribution structure 19.
  • the first segment 50 extends from an edge of the distribution region 20b near the through-opening 11c to the optional curved section 52.
  • the curved section 52 is generally positioned closer to the flow field 17b than to the through-opening 11c.
  • the second segment 54 extends from the curved section 52 to the flow field 17b. At least one end section of the second segment 54 pointing away from the curved section 52 can run parallel to a main flow direction (not shown) vertical in Fig. 3 through the flow field 17b.
  • the second segment 54 merges directly into a web 27b of the flow field 17b or is continued as such.
  • the first segment 50 is significantly longer than the curved section 52.
  • the first segment 50 and also the second segment 54 are also each straight.
  • the curved section 52 does not have a completely straight section and preferably also does not have a section with a constant flow cross-section.
  • each first web 27b temporarily increases within a respective curved section 52.
  • each web 27b therefore has a smaller flow cross-section compared to the curved section 52.
  • Figure 4 shows a section of the bipolar plate 2 with a view of the outside of the second individual plate 2a, preferably an anode plate, in the dashed area in Figure 2. The viewing angle is rotated compared to Figure 2, as can be seen from the indicated position of the through-opening 11b in Figure 4. Only a cut-off part of the distribution area 20a and the flow field 17a are shown.
  • a fluid is guided from the through-opening 11b over the distribution area 20a and guided through a web-channel structure 46a on the outside of the second individual plate 2a.
  • the web-channel structure 46a has several outwardly projecting webs 27a and channels 29a enclosed between them, selected ones of which are each provided with a corresponding reference symbol.
  • the deepest areas of the channels 29a run in the plane of the second individual plate 2a.
  • the webs 27a are optionally interrupted in sections along their longitudinal extension within the distribution region 20a, but can also extend continuously in the direction of the flow field 17a.
  • the webs 27a are optionally also interrupted near their transition to the flow field 17a, but can also extend at least partially continuously into the flow field 17a.
  • the webs 27a are therefore not guided with a change of direction as in Fig. 3 and also not continuously into the flow field 17a.
  • the number of webs 27a is - at least together with the webs 28a - greater in the flow field 17a than in the distribution area 20a.
  • additional webs 28a are provided in the flow field 17a, which would not merge into these webs 27a even in the case of an alternative continuous extension of the webs 27a of the distribution area 20a.
  • Figure 4 also shows that some of the webs 27a, 28a have widened first sections 33 in a transition region between the distribution region 20a and the flow field 17a.
  • these first sections 33 are located in the distribution region 20a and merge into less strongly widened second sections 35.
  • the latter are located in the flow field 17a and run there in a straight line along a main flow axis S.
  • Fig. 5 shows a schematically highly simplified view of a first channel 27c and two second channels 30c opening into it of the cooling fluid distribution structure 19 formed between the individual plates 2a, b.
  • the separator plate 2 which is only shown in part, is rotated by 90° compared to Figures 3 and 4, which corresponds to an orientation analogous to Figure 2 (see also orientation of the main flow axis S in comparison to Fig. 4).
  • the cooling fluid distribution structure 19 in turn has a distribution region 20c and a flow field 17c.
  • the cooling fluid distribution structure 19 actually comprises a plurality of first and second channels 27c, 30c, which is not shown in the schematically greatly simplified Fig. 5.
  • the first channel 27c is essentially limited by the inside of one of the webs 27b of the first individual plate 2b (see Fig. 3) or, in other words, is shaped complementarily to such a web 27b.
  • the first channel 27c has first and second segments 50, 54 and a curved section 52, which are each designed as recesses on the inside of the first individual plate 2b that are complementary to the segments 50, 54 and the curved section 52 of the webs 27b.
  • Each of the webs 27b from Fig. 3 forms a corresponding first channel 27c of the cooling fluid distribution structure 19 or is shaped complementarily thereto.
  • the first channel 27c preferably has a substantially or completely constant height, which runs, for example, orthogonal to the planar surface planes of the individual plates 2a, 2b.
  • the width of the first channel 27c varies along its course. In view of the preferably constant height, this variation in width is equivalent to a variation in a flow cross-section available to the cooling fluid in the first channel 27c.
  • Fig. 5 shows that the optional curved section 52 has a significantly larger width than the first and second segments 50, 54. This results in a significant widening of the flow cross-section in the curved section 52 and limited to this.
  • first and second segments 50, 54 run at an angle relative to one another.
  • the widened curved section 52 thus defines an area of a change in direction of the first channel 27c and enables the cooling fluid to be diverted from the first segment 50 into the second segment 54, which is angled relative thereto.
  • Fig. 5 also shows a cooling fluid feed from (or into) the first channel 27c into (or from) the second channels 30c shown in dashed lines.
  • the second channels 30c are essentially limited by the inside of a part of the webs 27a, 28a of the second individual plate 2a (see Fig. 4). In other words, the second channels 30c are shaped complementarily to a portion of the webs 27a, 28a. This particularly concerns a portion of the webs 27a, 28a in or near the flow field 17a of the second individual plate 2a and especially webs 27a, 28a with a widened end section 33 (see Fig. 4).
  • the second channels 30c are spaced apart by webs 34c, which form complementarily shaped channels 34a on the outside of the second individual plate 2a (see Fig. 4).
  • the second channels 30c each have a widened first section 33c, which merges into a less widened second section 35c. It can be seen that the first sections 33c on the inside of the second individual plate 2a are opposite the curved section 52 on the inside of the first individual plate 2b. An open end of each first section 33c faces the curved section 52 and establishes a fluid-conducting connection between the first channel 27c and a respective second channel 30c. For example, two second channels 30c open into a respective first channel 27c, wherein each of the second channels 30c opens into only one first channel 27c.
  • the first and second sections 33c, 35c run, for example, at an angle to one another. This enables the first section 33c to be brought close to a respective first channel 27c in a space-saving manner.
  • the first sections 33c have a (e.g. average or maximum) width bl. This is measured, for example, transversely to a local main flow direction along a second channel 30c in the region of the first section 33c.
  • the width bl is greater than a width b2 of a respective second section 35c (e.g. again measured transversely to a local main flow direction along a second channel 30c in the region of a second section 35c).
  • the width bl decreases continuously and continuously from a respective first section 33c to the width b2.
  • the initial width bl is, for example, approximately 1.5 times as large as the width b2.
  • a height of the second channels 30c measured orthogonally to the widths bl, b2 and to the planes of the individual plates 2a, 2b is essentially constant, in particular in their region 33c, or completely constant. Consequently, the widening of the first sections 33c to the width bl results in an enlarged flow cross-section there compared to the second sections 35c.
  • Fig. 5 further shows that a length II of each first section 33c is significantly greater than the width b2 of the second section 35c.
  • the length II can, for example, be measured up to a position and/or the first section 33c can extend up to a position at which the flow field 17c begins and/or at which the width b2 is present for the first time.
  • the length II in relation to the width b2 is less than 20 times, in particular 15 times, in particular 12 times, in particular 10 times and in particular 8 times.
  • Fig. 6 shows an orthogonal projection of a section of the separator plate 2, which is oriented analogously to Fig. 5, in a plane parallel to the planes of the individual plates 2a, 2b.
  • the view corresponds to a view through the corresponding section of the separator plate 2.
  • the section shown corresponds approximately to an area that has the schematically shown structures from Fig. 5. Positions of the distribution areas 20a-c and flow fields 17a-c on the outer and inner sides of the first and second Individual plates 2a, b are entered. These overlap at least in sections.
  • first channels 27c of the cooling fluid distribution structure 19 are shown, each of which is shaped complementarily to webs 27b on the outside of the first individual plate 2b. Also shown is the fluid-conducting connection of the optional curved section 52 of each first channel 27c to two second channels 30c on the inside of the second individual plate 2a (shaped complementarily to webs 27a on the outside of the second individual plate 2a). Not all of the second channels 30c are marked with a corresponding reference symbol in Figure 6. For some of the second channels 30c, their widened first sections 33c and their reduced-width second sections 35c are marked.
  • the widened first section 33c is shown hatched.
  • the first section 33c therefore extends from an opening area into the first channel 27c (see left end of the first section 33c in Fig. 6) to a position at which the reduced width b2 (see Fig. 5) of the second section 35c, which preferably continues into the flow field 17c, is present for the first time.
  • the first section 33c also comprises a likewise widened partial section 37c. This partial section 37c is not located opposite a channel on the inside of the first individual plate 2b, at least in sections, but rather opposite a web 29c formed there.
  • the cooling fluid guided along the second channels 30c thus flows over a web 29c on the inside of the first individual plate 2b in the partial section 37c, so that a flow cross-section for the cooling fluid in this area is provided exclusively in the second individual plate 2a.
  • Figure 6 also shows further channels 28c on the inside of the first individual plate 2b. These are part of the cooling fluid distribution structure 19 and are shaped complementarily to the webs 28b on the outside of this first individual plate 2b, see Figure 3.
  • the channels 28c are located opposite sections of the second channels 30c.
  • Figure 6 also shows that the second segment 54 of each first channel 27c is led into the flow field 17c of the cooling fluid distribution structure 19 and continues there as a channel.
  • This is opposite a further second channel 31c on the inside of the second individual plate 2a, which is shaped complementarily to one of the webs 28a on the outside of this second individual plate 2a (see Figure 4).
  • the further second channel 31c is an example of a different type of second channel 31c on the inside of the second individual plate 2a compared to the second channels 30c discussed above.
  • the first channel 27c has a step St at the beginning of the curved section 52, but the maximum height in the curved section 52 is otherwise constant.
  • Figure 6 also shows two transfer angles W2, W3 between a respective first channel 27c (in particular its optional curved section 52) and one of the second channels 30c.
  • the first transfer angle W2 is enclosed by a longitudinal axis LI of the curved section 52 and a longitudinal axis L2 of the second channel 30c and in particular of its first section 33c.
  • the longitudinal axes LI, L2 preferably run centrally in the width direction through the sections or regions mentioned.
  • the second channel 30c that is positioned closer to the first segment 50 (not shown in Figure 6 in the case of the uppermost channel 27c) is considered.
  • the smallest achievable intersection angle between the longitudinal axes LI, L2 is considered.
  • the second transfer angle W3 is spanned between the longitudinal axis LI' of the curved section 52 and the longitudinal axis L2' of the other second channel 30c and in particular of its first section 33c.
  • the second channel 30c is considered which is positioned further away from the first segment 50 (not shown in the case of the uppermost channel 27c).
  • the longitudinal axis L2' under consideration is slightly different from the longitudinal axis L2 of the first transfer angle W2.
  • a longitudinal axis LI of a local area of the first channel 27c and in particular of the curved section 52 is therefore always used, which is intersected by the longitudinal axis L2 of the correspondingly considered second channel 30c.
  • the first transfer angle W2 is greater than the second transfer angle W3, e.g. by at least 5° or at least 10°. Both transfer angles W2, W3 are less than 80°, in particular less than 70° or in particular less than 60°, but preferably greater than 40°.
  • Fig. 6 also shows an angle Wl spanned by the first and second segments 50, 54 of a respective first channel 27c.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une plaque séparatrice pour un système électrochimique. Le système électrochimique peut en particulier être un système de pile à combustible, un compresseur électrochimique, un électrolyseur ou une batterie à flux redox. L'invention concerne également un système électrochimique comprenant de multiples plaques séparatrices de ce type.
PCT/EP2024/066313 2023-06-13 2024-06-13 Plaque séparatrice pour système électrochimique Ceased WO2024256514A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE112024002516.1T DE112024002516A5 (de) 2023-06-13 2024-06-13 Separatorplatte für ein elektrochemisches System
CN202480039594.9A CN121488339A (zh) 2023-06-13 2024-06-13 用于电化学系统的分隔器板

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE202023103258.3 2023-06-13
DE202023103258.3U DE202023103258U1 (de) 2023-06-13 2023-06-13 Separatorplatte für ein elektrochemisches System

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WO2024256514A1 true WO2024256514A1 (fr) 2024-12-19

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DE (2) DE202023103258U1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2024256514A1 (fr)

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DE102024127561A1 (de) * 2024-09-24 2026-03-26 Ekpo Fuel Cell Technologies Gmbh Strömungselement

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102016212785A1 (de) * 2015-09-23 2017-03-23 Hyundai Motor Company Brennstoffzellenstapel
DE202016107302U1 (de) 2016-12-22 2018-03-27 Reinz-Dichtungs-Gmbh Separatorplatte für ein elektrochemisches System
US20180241049A1 (en) * 2015-08-14 2018-08-23 Reinz-Dichtungs-Gmbh Separator plate for an electrochemical system
EP3686977A1 (fr) * 2019-01-24 2020-07-29 Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives Plaque bipolaire pour homogeneiser la temperature de liquide de refroidissement
DE202020106459U1 (de) 2020-11-11 2022-02-16 Reinz-Dichtungs-Gmbh Anordnung für ein elektrochemisches System, Stapel sowie elektrochemisches System

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7067213B2 (en) * 2001-02-12 2006-06-27 The Morgan Crucible Company Plc Flow field plate geometries
DE102020128559A1 (de) * 2020-10-30 2022-05-05 Audi Aktiengesellschaft Einzelzelle und Brennstoffzellenstapel mit elastischen Strukturen zur Gleichverteilung von Betriebsmedien

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20180241049A1 (en) * 2015-08-14 2018-08-23 Reinz-Dichtungs-Gmbh Separator plate for an electrochemical system
DE102016212785A1 (de) * 2015-09-23 2017-03-23 Hyundai Motor Company Brennstoffzellenstapel
DE202016107302U1 (de) 2016-12-22 2018-03-27 Reinz-Dichtungs-Gmbh Separatorplatte für ein elektrochemisches System
EP3686977A1 (fr) * 2019-01-24 2020-07-29 Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives Plaque bipolaire pour homogeneiser la temperature de liquide de refroidissement
DE202020106459U1 (de) 2020-11-11 2022-02-16 Reinz-Dichtungs-Gmbh Anordnung für ein elektrochemisches System, Stapel sowie elektrochemisches System

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DE202023103258U1 (de) 2024-09-17
CN121488339A (zh) 2026-02-06

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