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
  • H01M8/24—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
  • H01M8/02—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
  • H01M8/0267—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
  • H01M8/02—Details
  • H01M8/0271—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
• • 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
  • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
  • H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
  • H01M8/04029—Heat exchange using liquids
• • 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
  • H01M8/1004—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes characterised by membrane-electrode assemblies [MEA]
• • 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
  • H01M8/241—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
• • 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
  • H01M8/247—Arrangements for tightening a stack, for accommodation of a stack in a tank or for assembling different tanks
  • H01M8/248—Means for compression of the fuel cell stacks
• • 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 a fuel cell, in particular of the proton exchange membrane (“PEMFC”) type, comprising a stack of elementary cells, the cells each comprising an anode plate and a cathode plate sandwiching a Membrane Electrodes Assembly (AME ).
• PEMFC proton exchange membrane
• AME Membrane Electrodes Assembly
• the stack of such a stack is sandwiched between two clamping plates to apply a determined clamping pressure on the stack, at least one end of the stack comprising an electrically conductive current collector plate electrically connected to the cells of the stack to collect the sum of the electric currents produced by the cells.
• Such compression of the cell stack is often detrimental not only to the performance of the batteries, but also to their lifetime. Indeed, an insufficiently compressed zone has an increased electrical contact resistance compared to a more compressed zone. An insufficiently compressed zone therefore operates degraded by higher ohmic losses. Conversely, a cell area which is relatively too compressed undergoes accelerated mechanical degradation.
• At least one of the ends of the stack includes piping for the circulation of the reactive fluids (air or hydrogen) and for the circulation of the cooling fluid (often a liquid).
• the piping is connected to the pile using sleeves, in particular of substantially cylindrical shape on the side of the piping.
• the present invention aims to effectively remedy these drawbacks by proposing a fuel cell with a proton exchange membrane, comprising a stack of a plurality of cells, the stack being sandwiched between a first clamping plate and a second clamping plate. clamping, to apply a predetermined clamping pressure to the stack, the plurality of cells including a first cell at a first end of the stack and a last cell at a second end of the stack, each cell of the plurality including a anode plate and a cathode plate sandwiching a Membrane Electrodes Assembly, one of the plates of the first cell forming with one of the plates of another of the cells, a first intercellular cooling circuit, the other of the plates of the first cell defining a first end plate, one of the plates of the last cell forming with one of the plates of a another of the cells, a last intercellular cooling circuit, the other of the plates of the last cell defining a last end plate, the cell comprising a distribution plate comprising a first face for collecting electric current intended
• Such a configuration makes it possible to ensure correct sealing with respect to the fluid independently of the configuration of the stack at the level of its connection to an external piping and independently of the clamping force applied by clamping plates on the stack .
• the interface plate and the distribution plate are arranged so that all of the fluid passing through the first distribution orifice enters the distribution manifold of the distribution plate.
• the surface of the first section is smaller than the surface of the second section and/or the surface of the first section is smaller than the surface of the third section.
• Such a configuration makes it possible to limit the bulk outside the cell while allowing the circulation of the fluid inside the cell to be optimized.
• the surface of the first section is less than 90% of the surface of the second section, in particular less than 70% of the surface of the second section, for example less than 55% of the surface of the second section.
• the surface of the first section is less than 90% of the surface of the third section, in particular less than 70% of the surface of the third section, for example less than 55% of the surface of the third section.
• Such a configuration makes it possible to ensure a homogeneous flow rate of the fluid from its entry into the first distribution orifice, up to the distribution plate, therefore in the cells of the stack.
• the first section has substantially the shape of a disk.
• the second section and/or the third section has at least one side comprising a line segment.
• the second section has the same shape as the section of the distribution manifold, so that the distribution manifold and the first distribution orifice can be aligned edge to edge.
• the section of the distribution manifold is considered in a plane extending in the plane of the distribution plate, in particular at the level of the face located on the side of the interface plate.
• the cell comprises at least one sleeve for connecting the cell to a pipe for the circulation of a fluid.
• the sleeve has a substantially cylindrical shape, in particular at the connection to the piping.
• the sleeve has a first end whose section is substantially of the same shape as that of the first section so that the sleeve fits into the first dispensing orifice.
• the first end of the sleeve or the first dispensing orifice comprises a first annular groove for the interposition of a seal.
• the cell comprises a seal, in particular an O-ring or lip seal, interposed between the first orifice and the sleeve, to allow sealing vis-à-vis the fluid.
• the seal is inserted into the first annular groove.
• the sleeve includes a first annular shoulder to allow adjustment of the sleeve on the interface plate.
• the first clamping plate has a second shoulder to fit over the first shoulder while holding the sleeve in place when the stack is assembled.
• the stack comprises a first flat seal interposed between the distribution plate and the interface plate.
• the battery does not have an O-ring placed on either side of the first flat gasket, to ensure fluid-tightness.
• the first electric current collection face comprises a first embossing to receive the first collector plate, such that the distribution plate and the first collector plate together form a flat face to come into contact with the first flat seal.
• the first flat seal comprises at least one second distribution orifice for the passage of the fluid between the interface plate and the distribution plate.
• the first header plate includes a tab projecting from the plane of the first header plate and the first flat seal includes a slot for the tab to pass through the first flat seal.
• the stack comprises at least one tie rod to apply the clamping pressure on the stack, the first flat seal comprising at least one through hole for the passage of the tie rod.
• the interface plate has a through hole for the passage of the tie rod.
• the second section has the same shape as the section of the second dispensing orifice, so that the first dispensing orifice and the second dispensing orifice can be aligned edge to edge.
• the distribution plate is fixed to the first end plate, in particular by welding.
• the distribution plate and the first end plate form a single piece manufactured by molding, and/or machining and/or hydroforming and/or stamping and/or by three-dimensional printing.
• the distribution manifold is arranged so that all of the fluid entering the distribution manifold passes through the distribution plate in its thickness to distribute the fluid in the first cell.
• the distribution plate comprises six distribution manifolds, in particular for distributing or collecting a fuel, an oxidizer and a cooling fluid.
• the first face for collecting electric current and/or the first interface plate comprises an annular lip made around the distribution manifold, so as to pinch the first flat seal to ensure sealing vis-à-vis the fluid.
• the annular lip is provided over the entire periphery of the distribution manifold.
• the annular lip protrudes relative to the plane of the plate.
• the annular lip comes from the material of the first clamping plate.
• the annular lip is made from the material of the distribution plate.
• one of the first electric current collection face and of the first clamping plate comprises an annular lip arranged around the distribution manifold and the other of the first electric current collection face and of the first clamping plate has a second annular groove, so as to pinch the first flat seal to ensure a seal vis-à-vis the fluid.
• the second annular groove and the annular lip are arranged so that the lip is opposite the second groove in the absence of the flat gasket.
• This arrangement makes it possible to pinch the flat seal by forming two folds on the latter.
• the first flat seal has, at rest, a substantially constant thickness over its entire surface.
• the first flat gasket has no boss.
• the first flat seal has a flat face whose surface is at least equal to 80% of the surface of the face of the first end plate facing the first flat seal.
• the first flat seal has a flat face whose surface is at least equal to 80% of the surface of the face of the first clamping plate.
• the first flat gasket is electrically insulating.
• the first flat seal comprises a material based on silicone, elastomer or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM).
• the first flat seal is in contact with at least a portion of the first collector plate and is in contact with at least a portion of the distribution plate.
• the battery does not have an O-ring placed on either side of the first flat gasket, to ensure fluid-tightness.
• the first electric current collection face comprises a first embossing to receive the first collector plate, such that the distribution plate and the first collector plate together form a flat face to come into contact with the first flat seal.
• the first flat seal comprises at least one orifice for the passage of fluid between the first clamping plate and the distribution plate.
• the first header plate has a tab projecting from the plane of the first header plate and the first flat seal has a slot for the tab to pass through the first flat seal.
• the slot is separate from the orifice.
• the stack comprises at least one tie rod to apply the clamping pressure on the stack.
• the first flat gasket comprises at least one through hole for the passage of the tie rod.
• the first collector plate is electrically connected to the distribution plate.
• each anode or cathode plate comprises a reactive face and a cooling face opposite each other, the reactive face of each plate being intended to face the Membrane Electrodes Assembly and being provided with reliefs and recesses forming a reagent circuit, for the circulation of a reactive fluid, the cooling face of the cathode plate of at least one of the cells being intended to face the cooling face of the anode plate of another of the cells, by defining between them reliefs and hollows to form an intercellular cooling circuit for the circulation of a cooling fluid.
• each cathode or anode plate comprises a reagent inlet manifold formed through the plate and being in fluid communication with the reagent circuit, a reagent outlet manifold formed through the plate and being in fluidic with the reagent circuit, a cooling fluid inlet manifold formed through the plate, a cooling fluid outlet manifold formed through the plate.
• the cell comprises a blanking plate comprising a second electric current collecting face intended to face a second electric current collecting plate and a blanking face fixed to the cooling face of the last plate. end, the closing face and the cooling face of the last end plate defining between them reliefs and hollows to form a last cooling circuit for the circulation of the cooling fluid.
• the cell comprises a second flat seal interposed between the second collector plate and the second clamping plate.
• the second flat seal has, at rest, a constant thickness over its entire surface.
• the second flat seal is electrically insulating.
• the second flat seal has a flat face whose surface is at least equal to 80% of the surface of one of the faces of the second clamping plate.
• the second flat seal has a flat face whose surface is at least equal to 80% of the surface of one of the faces of the closing plate.
• the second electric current collection face comprises a second embossing to receive the second collector plate, so that the blanking plate and the second collector plate form a flat face to come into contact with the second flat gasket.
• a proton exchange membrane fuel cell 1 comprises a stack of a plurality of cells 30, the stack being sandwiched between a first clamping plate 23 and a second clamping plate 22, to apply a clamping pressure predetermined on the stack.
• the plurality of cells 30 includes a first cell 30 at a first end of the stack and a last cell 30 at a second end of the stack.
• Each cell 30 of the plurality comprises an anode plate 10 and a cathode plate 20 sandwiching a Membrane Electrodes Assembly 16, one of the plates 10, 20 of the first cell 30 forming with one of the plates 10, 20 of another of the cells 30, a first intercellular cooling circuit 15, the other of the plates 10, 20 of the first cell 30 defining a first end plate, one of the plates 10, 20 of the last cell 30 forming with one of the plates 10, 20 of another of the cells 30, a last intercellular cooling circuit 15, the other of the plates 10, 20 of the last cell 30 defining a last end plate.
• Battery 1 comprises a distribution plate 11 comprising a first electric current collection face intended to face a first electric current collector plate 24 and a distribution face intended to face the cooling face of the first electric current collecting plate. 'end.
• Stack 1 comprises an interface plate 17 interposed between first clamping plate 23 and distribution plate 11, interface plate 17 having an outer face facing first clamping plate 23 and a inner side opposite the outer side.
• the interface plate 17 has a first distribution orifice formed through the plate for the passage of fluid between the first clamping plate 23 and the distribution plate 11.
• the first orifice has a third section defined by a plane extending in the plane in which the interface plate 17 extends and passing through half its thickness.
• the first dispensing orifice opens via a first section at the outer face and via a second section at the inner face.
• the first section and the second section have distinct shapes.
• the first section and the third section have distinct shapes.
• the first section is defined substantially by a circle or an oval.
• the second and/or the third section is defined substantially by a rectangular or a trapezium.
• Stack 1 includes a first flat seal 19 interposed between distribution plate 11 and interface plate 17, distribution plate 11 including at least one fluid distribution manifold formed through the plate.
• the first electric current collection face and/or the interface plate 17 comprises an annular lip formed around the distribution manifold, so as to pinch the first flat gasket 19 to ensure fluid tightness.
• the first electric current collection face has a first embossment to receive the first collector plate 24, so that the distribution plate 11 and the first collector plate 24 together form a flat face to come into contact with the first gasket 19.
• the first flat seal 19 includes at least a second orifice for the passage of fluid between the first clamping plate 23 and the distribution plate 11.
• the first header plate 24 has a tab projecting from the plane of the first header plate 24.
• the first flat seal 19 has a slot for the tab to pass through the first flat seal 19.
• Interface plate 17 has a slot for the tab to pass through interface plate 17.
• the stack has at least one tie rod for applying clamping pressure to the stack.
• the first flat seal 19 has at least one through hole for the passage of the tie rod.
• the battery 1 comprises a blanking plate 21 comprising a second electric current collecting face intended to face a second electric current collecting plate 25 and a blanking face fixed to the cooling face of the last plate. end, the closing face and the cooling face of the last end plate defining between them reliefs and hollows to form a last cooling circuit for the circulation of the cooling fluid.
• Battery 1 has a second flat seal 18 interposed between second collector plate 25 and second clamping plate 22.
• the cell 1 comprises at least one sleeve 26 for connecting the cell to a pipe for the circulation of a fluid.
• the sleeve 26 has a substantially cylindrical shape, particularly at the connection to the piping.
• the sleeve 26 has a first end whose section is substantially of the same shape as that of the first section so that the sleeve 26 fits into the first dispensing orifice.
• the first end of the sleeve 26 or the first dispensing orifice comprises a first annular groove 27 for the interposition of a seal.
• the battery 1 includes a seal, in particular an O-ring or lip seal, interposed between the first orifice and the sleeve 26, to allow sealing vis-à-vis the fluid.
• a seal in particular an O-ring or lip seal, interposed between the first orifice and the sleeve 26, to allow sealing vis-à-vis the fluid.
• the gasket is inserted into the first annular groove 27.
• pile 1 in elevation, before assembly.
• each plate 10, 20 comprises:
• the reagent inlet manifold 3 of an anode plate 10 is in fluid communication with one of the orifices of a cathode plate 20 and the reagent outlet manifold 6 of the anode plate 10 is in fluid communication with another of the orifices of the cathode plate 20.
• the reagent inlet manifold 3 of a cathode plate 20 is in fluid communication with one of the orifices of an anode plate 10 and the reagent outlet manifold 6 of the cathode plate 20 is in fluid communication with another of the orifices of the anode plate 10.
• the stack allows a distribution of the reactive fluid dedicated to the anode plates 10 and a distribution of the reactive fluid dedicated to the cathode plates 20 by forming two independent circuits.
• the closing face of the closing plate 21 includes a reagent passage 12, 13 formed by reliefs and hollows, to allow fluid communication between the reagent inlet manifold 3, 4 and the reagent circuit or to allow fluid communication between the reagent outlet manifold 6, 7 and the reagent circuit.
• the closing face of the closing plate 21 comprises a cooling passage 13 formed by reliefs and hollows, to allow fluid communication between the cooling fluid inlet manifold 5 and the cooling circuit or to allow fluid communication between the cooling fluid outlet manifold 8, 9 and the cooling circuit.
• the reagent passage 12, 13 and the cooling passage 13 can be provided at the level of the closing face, at the level of the last end plate or else on both.

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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)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=78770750

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 2021
  • 2021-09-20 FR FR2109861A patent/FR3127336A1/fr active Pending
• 2022
  • 2022-08-30 WO PCT/EP2022/074038 patent/WO2023041319A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2022-08-30 US US18/693,915 patent/US20250149609A1/en active Pending
  • 2022-08-30 EP EP22769694.5A patent/EP4406038A1/de active Pending
  • 2022-08-30 CN CN202280061809.8A patent/CN117941109A/zh active Pending
  • 2022-08-30 KR KR1020247012385A patent/KR20240056763A/ko active Pending

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