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
  • H01M8/0271—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
  • H01M8/0286—Processes for forming seals
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09J—ADHESIVES; NON-MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ADHESIVE PROCESSES IN GENERAL; ADHESIVE PROCESSES NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; USE OF MATERIALS AS ADHESIVES
  • C09J5/00—Adhesive processes in general; Adhesive processes not provided for elsewhere, e.g. relating to primers
• • 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
  • H01M8/0271—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
  • H01M8/028—Sealing means characterised by their material
• • 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
  • H01M8/2404—Processes or apparatus for grouping fuel cells
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B7/00—Layered products characterised by the relation between layers; Layered products characterised by the relative orientation of features between layers, or by the relative values of a measurable parameter between layers, i.e. products comprising layers having different physical, chemical or physicochemical properties; Layered products characterised by the interconnection of layers
  • B32B7/04—Interconnection of layers
  • B32B7/12—Interconnection of layers using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09J—ADHESIVES; NON-MECHANICAL ASPECTS OF ADHESIVE PROCESSES IN GENERAL; ADHESIVE PROCESSES NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; USE OF MATERIALS AS ADHESIVES
  • C09J2203/00—Applications of adhesives in processes or use of adhesives in the form of films or foils
  • C09J2203/33—Applications of adhesives in processes or use of adhesives in the form of films or foils for batteries or fuel cells
• • 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 present invention relates to the field of fuel cells, and more particularly a bonding process applicable to the assembly of the various constituent plates of such a fuel cell.
• a hydrogen cell or fuel cell of the proton exchange membrane type or in English: "Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell” or PEMFC makes it possible, in a known manner, to produce electrical energy, by producing by means of an assembly membrane electrode, comprising an electrolyte surrounded by two layers of catalyst, a chemical synthesis reaction of water.
• Hydrogen Fh is brought to the level of an anode, placed on one side of the membrane. It decomposes, by oxidation: 2 H2 -> 4 FT + 4 e, into two hydrogen protons FT and two electrons e.
• the two FT protons migrate through the membrane electrode assembly to a cathode, located on the other side of the membrane electrode assembly.
• the oxygen O2 is supplied, advantageously in the form of air, at the cathode. If an electrical circuit is established between the anode and the cathode, allowing circulation of the electrons e, the latter join the cathode. There, they allow a reduction of the oxygen O2 into two oxygen ions O 2 : O2 + 4 e -> 2 O 2 .
• the hydrogen protons and the oxygen ions combine, at the cathode level, to form water: 4 FT + 2 O 2 -> 2 FI2O. This reaction is strongly exothermic.
• the circulation of electrons e- creates electrical energy.
• a cell Since a cell individually produces only low electrical energy, it is still known to superimpose several tens or hundreds of such cells in a stack. Each anode, respectively cathode, of a cell is then in electrical contact with the cathode, respectively anode, of the next, respectively previous cell. The cells are connected in series. The electrical circuit then connects the first anode / cathode with the last cathode / anode of the stack.
• An anode, respectively cathode, respectively membrane electrode assembly is integrated in an anode plate, respectively a cathode plate, respectively a membrane plate.
• a plate comprises its element: anode or cathode or membrane electrode assembly, completed by assembly elements, as well as pipes allowing the supply of reactive gases or the outlet of reaction products.
• all types of plate anode, cathode, bipolar or membrane, have a similar or at least superimposable shape in order to be able to be stacked. All the plates are pierced with at least one superimposed and opposite lumen so as to form at least one pipe carrying hydrogen so as to supply this gas to the anodes. All the plates are pierced with at least one superimposed and facing lumen so as to form at least one pipe carrying air to supply oxygen to the cathodes and extract the water produced by the chemical reaction. All the plates are still pierced with at least one superimposed and facing lumen so as to form at least one pipe in which a cooling fluid circulates allowing the significant heat produced by the chemical reaction to be removed.
• the assembly and the seals between an anode plate and an adjacent cathode plate, at the interface between two adjacent cells, or between the two metal plates constituting a bipolar plate are produced by welding in continuous bead, for example laser.
• Such an embodiment requires a long time, of the order of 30 seconds, to assemble an anode plate and a cathode plate and produce a bipolar plate. This time multiplied by the tens or hundreds of bipolar plates necessary for the production of a fuel cell is hardly compatible with an industrial production. Also it is sought a faster alternative embodiment ensuring assembly and sealing when fabricating a bipolar plate.
• the seal between an anode plate, respectively cathode, and a membrane plate is achieved by means of a silicone gasket.
• This interface can also advantageously benefit from the alternative embodiment according to the invention.
• the principle of the invention consists in replacing the weld or the joint which must be produced plate by plate by a bonding which can advantageously be carried out simultaneously for all the plates.
• an adhesive means which has the disadvantage of being slow setting.
• Such a slow setting adhesive means does not guarantee the relative positioning of the plates during assembly operations to form a fuel cell.
• the main idea of the invention is to use a fast-setting adhesive means together with the slow-setting adhesive means.
• the quick-setting adhesive means immediately assembles the bonded components, and at least for the time required for the slow-setting adhesive means to dry / set.
• slow setting is meant a setting taking place between 30 seconds and 24 hours, preferably between 30 seconds and 1 hour, more preferably between 5 and 15 minutes, still more preferably between 30 seconds and 15 minutes and even more preferably between 30 seconds and 1 hour. minute.
• the slow-setting adhesive means can be configured to have a setting taking place in 30 seconds or more and the quick-setting adhesive means can be configured to have a setting taking place in 10 seconds or less.
• Fast and / or slow setting is understood to mean setting taking place with or without effort.
• the invention relates to a method for bonding a first component with a second component, comprising the following steps: depositing on the first component and / or on the second component an adhesive means of a first type, from among a means slow-setting adhesive or a fast-setting adhesive means, - depositing on the first component and / or on the second component an adhesive means of a second type, different from the first type, from among a slow-setting adhesive means or a adhesive medium to rapid setting, - bringing the two components into contact, - pressing and - setting of the slow-setting adhesive means.
• the bonding process includes the provision step
• the slow setting adhesive medium is configured to have a slower setting than a rapid setting of the quick setting adhesive medium.
• the quick-setting adhesive medium has set or dried while the slow-set medium has not yet set or dried. Accordingly, at that first given point of time, the quick-setting adhesive means secures while the slow-setting adhesive means does not yet provide securing. At a second time point later than the first time point, the quick-setting adhesive means and the slow-setting adhesive means will both have set or dried and therefore secure both.
• the bonding process comprises the provision step:
• the slow-setting adhesive medium is configured to have a slower setting than a rapid setting of the rapid-setting adhesive medium
• the slow-setting adhesive means being configured to have a setting in 30 seconds or more and the quick-setting adhesive means is configured to have a setting in 10 seconds or less.
• a fast-setting adhesive means which is configured to have a setting taking place in less than 10 seconds, preferably less than 5 seconds and even more preferably less than 1 second
• a slow-setting adhesive means which is configured to have a setting taking place between 30 seconds and 24 hours, preferably between 30 seconds and 1 hour, again preferably between 5 and 15 minutes, still preferably between 30 seconds and 15 minutes and again more preferably between 30 seconds and 1 minute. More particularly, the method of bonding a first component with a second component can comprise the following steps:
• the slow-setting adhesive means is deposited along at least one continuous and closed contour
• the slow-setting adhesive means comprises a slow-setting adhesive and / or a surface support covered on both sides with a slow-setting adhesive, the slow-setting adhesive preferably being of the thermal drying polymer type,
• the rapid-setting adhesive means is deposited at at least two points, the rapid-setting adhesive means is of the type with activation by pressing and instantaneous setting,
• the invention also relates to an assembly obtained by means of such a bonding process.
• the invention also relates to a method of assembling a bipolar plate for a fuel cell, comprising an anode plate and a cathode plate, substantially superimposable, applying such a bonding process to assemble the anode plate with the cathode plate.
• the anode plate and the cathode plate are pierced with opposing lights, so as to form passing gaseous reagent pipes and the slow-setting adhesive means is deposited according to a continuous and closed contour surrounding each of the openings and according to a continuous and closed contour on the periphery of the plates.
• the invention also relates to a bipolar plate obtained by means of such an assembly process.
• the invention also relates to a method of assembling a fuel cell, comprising a stack periodically alternating a bipolar plate and a membrane plate, the bipolar plates all being oriented in the same direction, applying such a bonding method to assemble a membrane plate.
• bipolar plate with a membrane plate Particular characteristics or embodiments, which can be used alone or in combination, are:
• a bipolar plate and a membrane plate are pierced with facing lights, so as to form gaseous reagent pipes and at least one through-cooling fluid pipe and the slow-setting adhesive means is deposited in a continuous and closed contour surrounding each one lights and according to a continuous contour and closed on the periphery of the plates.
• the invention also relates to a fuel cell obtained by means of such an assembly method.
• Figures 1 and 2 show in profile view, a bonding between two elements, respectively during contact and after pressing
• FIG. 3 represents, in perspective view, a bipolar plate
• FIG. 4 represents, in perspective view, a membrane plate
• FIG. 5 shows, in profile view, an assembly between a bipolar plate and a membrane plate
• Figure 6 shows, in front view, a half plate
• FIG. 7 represents, in perspective view, a fuel cell.
• a method of bonding a first component 1 with a second component 2 is illustrated.
• a slow-setting adhesive means 3 is deposited on the first component 1.
• slow setting 3 can also be deposited on the second component 2.
• part of the slow setting adhesive means 3 being deposited on the first component 1 and part of the slow setting adhesive means 3 being deposited on the second component 2.
• a slow-setting adhesive means 3 is durable but has the drawback of requiring a setting time, during which the assembly of the two components 1, 2 cannot be moved without risk of relative displacement.
• a quick-setting adhesive means 4 is deposited on the first component 1.
• the rapid-setting adhesive means 4 can also be deposited on the second component 2.
• the quick-setting adhesive means 4 makes it possible to ensure the immobilization of the first component 1 relative to the second component 2 at least until the setting slow-setting adhesive means 3, thus allowing the assembly to be moved more quickly.
• the different deposits of slow-setting adhesive means 3 and quick-setting 4 can be made in any sequence or even, at least partially, simultaneously.
• FIG. 2 illustrates the result. gluing after pressing.
• the first purpose of the slow-setting adhesive means 3 is to achieve the bonding of the component 1 with the component 2. It can also advantageously be intended to ensure a seal between the two components 1, 2. Also according to another characteristic, the adhesive means slow setting 3 is deposited along at least one continuous contour. This continuous contour is advantageously closed in a loop, so as to be able to surround an opening to be sealed.
• the slow-setting adhesive means 3 comprises a slow-setting adhesive.
• it comprises a double-sided adhesive, or a surface support covered on both sides with a slow-setting adhesive.
• the slow-setting glue can be solid, liquid or pasty, applied by brush, syringe, screen printing, transfer, spray or any other means.
• the slow-setting glue is preferably of the polymer type.
• This polymer adhesive is advantageously of the thermal setting type.
• heating for example by steaming, makes it possible to set the slow-setting adhesive means 2.
• Such an embodiment of the setting is advantageous, in relation to welding, in that it allows a very large number of bonding to be carried out simultaneously, for example in the case of a stack of components.
• a setting adhesive caused by any means or energy. This is the case with a photosensitive adhesive, the setting of which is triggered by light radiation, such as UV lighting. A temporal capture is also possible.
• the rapid-setting adhesive means 4 is intended to immobilize the first component 1 relative to the second component 2. Also, its deposition can be punctual, and for example, limited to at least two points.
• the quick-setting adhesive medium 4 includes a quick-setting glue. Alternatively or in addition, it includes a double-sided adhesive, or a surface support covered on both sides with a quick-setting adhesive.
• the fast-setting glue can be solid, liquid or pasty, deposited with a brush, a syringe, by screen printing, by transfer, by spray or any other means.
• the quick-setting glue is preferably of the type with activation by pressing and instantaneous setting.
• the sticky active principle is contained in microcapsules which are broken by pressing the two components 1, 2. The active principle dries immediately after its release by rupture of the microcapsules.
• the invention also relates to an assembly obtained by means of such a bonding process.
• the above bonding process can be applied to the manufacture of a fuel cell 7 in at least two interfaces: for the assembly of a bipolar plate 6 and for the assembly of a bipolar plate with a membrane plate 15.
• a bipolar plate 6 for a fuel cell 7 comprises an anode plate 8 and a cathode plate 9, substantially superimposable and assembled back to back.
• a fuel cell is composed of a stack of cells each comprising a cathode plate 9, a membrane plate 15 comprising a membrane electrode assembly 5 and an anode plate 8, then the periodic pattern is repeated with a new cathode plate 9.
• the plate cathode 9 and anode plate 8 are both metallic. It is therefore advantageous to pre-assemble together the anode plate 8 of one cell with the cathode plate 9 of the immediately following cell. This pre-assembly is called bipolar plate 6.
• Such a bipolar plate 6 is shown in Figure 3.
• This pre-assembly advantageously applies a bonding process according to one of the previous embodiments to assemble an anode plate 8 with a cathode plate 9.
• the pre-assembly can be handled without fear to typically produce a fuel cell 7.
• the grip of the means slow-setting adhesive 3 can advantageously be delayed to be carried out at the same time as the setting of other assemblies, in a single operation.
• the anode plate 8 and the cathode plate 9 are pierced with openings 10, 1 1 facing each other, so as to form passing gaseous reagent pipes, perpendicular to the plane of the plates 8, 9.
• the lumen 10 forms a pipe in which air circulates
• the lumen 11 forms a pipe in which hydrogen circulates.
• conduits 21 connecting the lumen 10 to the anode proper, located at the center of the anode plate 8.
• conduits 22 connecting the lumen 11 to the cathode. proper, located in the center of the cathode plate 9.
• a first lumen 10, located to the left of the anode plate 8 allows the entry of air to the anode to supply the reaction with oxygen
• a second lumen 10, located to the right of the anode plate 8 allows the exit and recycling the unused air and the water produced by the reaction.
• a first light 1 1, located to the right of the cathode plate 9 allows the entry of hydrogen to the cathode to supply the reaction with hydrogen
• a second light 11, located to the left of the cathode plate 9 allows the exit and recycling unused hydrogen.
• Lights 10 do not communicate with the cathode.
• Lights 1 1 do not communicate with the anode.
• the slow setting adhesive means 3 is used to achieve these seals. For this it is deposited according to several continuous and closed contours. Thus, as illustrated in Figure 6 for a symmetrical half plate, considering the contours shown in solid lines, an outline 12 surrounds a light 10, an outline 13 surrounds a light 1 1, so that the gas circulating in the lumen 10, 11 can only exit through the dedicated pipes 21, 22.
• Another seal is provided on the common periphery of the plates 8, 9 according to a continuous and closed contour 14 arranged along the periphery of the plates 8 , 9.
• the invention also relates to a bipolar plate 6 obtained by such an assembly process.
• a fuel cell 7 comprises a stack periodically alternating a bipolar plate 6 and a membrane plate 15.
• a bipolar plate 6 is arranged, for example anode plate 8 upwards, in order to provide an anode to the cell.
• a membrane plate 15, incorporating a membrane electrode assembly 5, is then placed above, in order to provide a membrane electrode assembly to the cell.
• a new bipolar plate 6 is placed above, oriented in the same direction, that is to say the cathode plate 9 downwards, in order to supply a cathode to the cell.
• the upper bipolar plate 6 comprises above, an anode for the next cell.
• the two end plates of the stack are different to complete the stack and allow the connection of the networks (air, hydrogen and coolant) to the pipes.
• bipolar plates 6 are already pre-assembled.
• the assembly should be made between a bipolar plate 6 (anode side) and a membrane plate 15 as well as between a membrane plate 15 and a bipolar plate 6 (cathode side).
• it can advantageously be applied a bonding method according to one of the previous embodiments to assemble a bipolar plate 6 with a membrane plate 15.
• FIG. 5 shows in profile view, the interface between a membrane plate 15 and a bipolar plate 6.
• a membrane electrode assembly 5 In the center of the membrane plate 15 is integrated a membrane electrode assembly 5.
• the latter comprises, on either side, two layers 23 providing the functions of diffusion of the reactive gases and of catalyst.
• the bipolar plate 6 and the membrane plate 15 are pierced with openings 10, 11 facing each other, so as to form passing gaseous reagent pipes. and are also pierced with openings 16 facing each other, so as to form through cooling fluid pipes.
• the lumen 16 forms a pipe in which circulates a cooling fluid. Said fluid remains confined to window 16 and must not spread into the rest of plate 6, 15.
• the slow setting adhesive means 3 is used to achieve these seals. For this it is deposited according to several continuous and closed contours. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 6 for a symmetrical half-plate, considering the contours shown in dotted lines, an outline 17 surrounds a light 10, an outline 18 surrounds a light 11 and an outline 19 surrounds a light 16. A another seal is provided on the common periphery of the plates 6, 15 according to a continuous and closed contour 20 disposed along the periphery of the plates 6, 15.
• the invention also relates to a fuel cell 7 obtained by means of such an assembly method.
• the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description. This should be considered as illustrative and given by way of example and not as limiting the invention to this description alone. Many variant embodiments are possible.

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

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=67742550

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Family Cites Families (16)

• 2019
  • 2019-02-26 FR FR1901963A patent/FR3093239B1/fr active Active
• 2020
  • 2020-02-24 WO PCT/EP2020/054731 patent/WO2020173853A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2020-02-25 US US17/433,310 patent/US20220149394A1/en active Pending
  • 2020-02-25 WO PCT/FR2020/050357 patent/WO2020174175A1/fr unknown
  • 2020-02-25 EP EP20713721.7A patent/EP3931897A1/fr active Pending
  • 2020-02-25 CN CN202080019904.2A patent/CN113711397A/zh active Pending

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