KR101195915B1 - Stack structure for fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stack structure for a fuel cell, comprising: a stack structure including a stack superstructure, a stack substructure and a separator plate; A diaphragm for providing an empty space in the upper and lower structures of the stack and separating the space to form a plurality of branch pipes for intake or exhaust of fuel gas and air; Fuel gas and air intake and exhaust manifold holes formed on the plurality of branch pipes formed by the diaphragm and connected to the manifold holes of the stack; It is formed on the branch pipe and comprises an opening for connecting to the external pipe.

Accordingly, the present invention is designed so that the branch pipes provided on the outside of the stack substructure or the stack superstructure, respectively, are built in their interiors, so that the appearance is simple and beautiful, and the weight can be reduced, and the convenience of installation and insulation work of the surface pressure device is achieved. This improves and provides an effect of improving stack efficiency due to internal heat exchange.

Fuel cell, stack, stack substructure, surface pressure device, insulation work, branch pipe

Description

Stack structure for fuel cell {STACK STRUCTURE FOR FUEL CELL}

1 is an exemplary exploded perspective view showing a stack structure according to the prior art,

2 is an exemplary perspective view of a stack according to the prior art,

3 is a structural diagram showing a stack substructure of the stack according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4a is a schematic structural view showing a stack superstructure of the stack according to the second embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 4b is a schematic structural diagram showing a stack substructure of the stack according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

♧ description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawing ♧

200..Stack 500 .... Stack Substructure

511,711..Fuel inhalation branch 512,712..Air inhalation branch

521.721 .... Air exhaust distributor 522,722 .... Fuel exhaust distributor

541,741..Air intake manifold hole 542,742..Fuel gas intake manifold hole

543,743 ... Air exhaust manifold holes 544, 744 Fuel gas exhaust manifold holes

700a .... stack superstructure 700b .... stack substructure

The present invention relates to a stack structure for a fuel cell, and more particularly, a fuel having a simple structure, easy thermal insulation, and a fuel pipe and a branch pipe for intake and exhaust of air so as to reduce the volume and mass of the final stack. A stack structure for a battery.

In general, a fuel cell is a fuel cell containing hydrogen and air containing oxygen to the porous anode plate and the cathode plate which are located on both sides of the dense electrolyte layer, and the hydrogen contained in the fuel using the ion conduction phenomenon induced in the electrolyte layer. It refers to a power generation device that produces electricity by electrochemically reacting oxygen contained in air.

These fuel cells have a simple energy conversion step, and in principle, researches on their improvement have been actively conducted due to the characteristics of high efficiency and pollution-free power generation devices that produce energy by oxidizing hydrogen.

For example, a fuel cell composed of a single electrolyte, a pair of anodes and a cathode is called a single cell, and the electricity generated at this time has a voltage of about 1V or less, which is very practical.

Therefore, in the actual fuel cell, a plurality of unit cells are used by stacking a stack of components having a separator plate therebetween.

The unit cell constituting the stack is also called a unit cell (Unit Cell).

That is, as illustrated in FIG. 1, in the stack 200, a plurality of manifold holes 221, 222, 223, and 224 are formed to evenly supply the gas to the front surface of the unit cell 210 having a large area, and the manifold holes 221, 222, 223, 224. In order to uniformly distribute the fuel gas and air, a plurality of intake and exhaust branch pipes 311,312,313,314,321,322,323,324 are formed.

Here, reference numeral 211 is a fuel electrode, 212 is an electrolyte, 213 is an air electrode, 220 is a separation plate, 100 is a stack upper structure, 300 is a 'stack undercarriage'.

However, the conventional stack 200 structure has a disadvantage in that the volume of the stack 200 is complicated and the structure is complicated because the branch pipes 311, 312, 313, 314, 321, 322, 323, and 324 are installed outside the stack lower structure 300.

In addition, the fuel cell stack must separately install a device that provides a surface pressure from the outside in order to improve electrical contact between the unit cell 210 and the separator plate 220 constituting the fuel cell stack. In high temperature fuel cells such as an oxide fuel cell or a molten carbonate fuel cell operating at 650 ° C., a heat insulating material for insulating the stack 200 and the branch pipes 311, 312, 313, 314, 321, 322, 323, and 324 to maintain the operating temperature of the stack 200. The stack 200 is a conventional stack 200, because these branch pipes are installed outside, due to the complexity of the structure, the insulation work and installation of the pressure-pressure device 440 shown in Figure 2 is very cumbersome and difficult, and overall pipe length The long has been a disadvantage that the efficiency of the stack 200 is also reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and has been created to solve this problem, and installs a branch pipe that intakes and exhausts air and fuel gas inside the stack structure, thereby reducing the volume occupied by the stack and simplifying the structure. Its main purpose is to provide a fuel cell stack structure that not only facilitates pressure relief and insulation work but also minimizes the materials required throughout the stack structure, making the stack lighter and contributing to improved efficiency by reducing pipe length. have.

The present invention provides a stack structure including a stack superstructure, a stack substructure and a separator plate in order to achieve the above technical problem; A diaphragm for providing an empty space inside the stack undercarriage and separating the space to form a plurality of branch pipes for intake or exhaust of fuel gas and air; Fuel gas and air intake and exhaust manifold holes formed on the plurality of branch pipes formed by the diaphragm and connected to the manifold holes of the stack; Provided is a stack structure for a fuel cell including an opening formed on the branch pipe and connected to an external pipe.

In this case, it is preferable that the differential pressure control diaphragm having a separate vent is further installed at the manifold hole entrance and exit of the stack lower structure.

The present invention also provides a stack structure including a stack superstructure, a stack substructure, and a separator plate in order to achieve the above technical problem; A diaphragm for providing an empty space inside the stack upper structure and separating the space to form a plurality of branch pipes for intake or exhaust of fuel gas and air; Fuel gas and air intake and exhaust manifold holes formed on the plurality of branch pipes formed by the diaphragm and connected to the manifold holes of the stack; Provided is a stack structure for a fuel cell including an opening formed on the branch pipe and connected to an external pipe.

At this time, it is preferable that the differential pressure control diaphragm having a separate vent is further installed in the manifold hole inlet and outlet of the stack upper structure.

In addition, the present invention in order to achieve the above technical problem, a stack structure including a stack superstructure, a stack substructure and a separator; A diaphragm for providing an empty space in the stack upper structure and separating the space to form a plurality of branch pipes for intake or exhaust of fuel gas; Fuel gas intake and exhaust manifold holes formed on the branch pipe formed by the diaphragm and connected to the manifold holes of the stack; An opening formed on the branch pipe and connected to an external pipe; A diaphragm for providing an empty space in the stack substructure, and separating the space to form a plurality of branch pipes for intake or exhaust of air; Air intake and exhaust manifold holes formed on the branch pipe formed by the diaphragm formed in the substructure and connected to the manifold holes of the stack; It provides a fuel cell stack structure formed on the branch pipe provided in the lower structure and comprises an opening connected to the external pipe.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a structural diagram showing a stack substructure of the stack according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4a is a schematic structural diagram showing a stack superstructure of the stack according to the second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4b A schematic diagram showing a stack substructure of the stack according to the second embodiment.

[First Embodiment]

According to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the inside of the stack substructure 500 constituting the stack is made into an empty space, and a plurality of diaphragms 530 are installed on the empty space to provide fuel gas intake. An engine 511, an air suction branch engine 512, an air exhaust branch pipe 521, and a fuel gas exhaust branch pipe 522 are formed.

In addition, each of the branch pipes 511, 512, 521, and 522 is provided with an opening 545 connected to the external pipe so that the corresponding gas may be supplied or discharged.

In addition, the corresponding manifold holes, that is, the air intake manifold holes 541, the fuel gas intake manifold holes 542, the air exhaust manifold holes 543, and the fuel gas exhaust manifold holes in the branch pipes 511, 512, 521, and 522. Holes having the same shape and size as these manifold apertures 541, 542, 543, 544 are preferably formed in the upper surface of the stack substructure 500 so that the gas may be supplied to or discharged from the branch pipe 544.

In addition, the branch pipe corresponding to the manifold hole inlet and outlet is more preferably provided with a differential pressure control diaphragm 531 is formed with a vent 532 to control the internal differential pressure.

At this time, the differential pressure control diaphragm 531 is preferably configured to have a known slide method and to adjust the opening degree of the vent 532.

Therefore, the stack having the stack substructure 500 of such a structure has a branch pipe for intake and exhaust, which is installed inside the stack without being exposed to the outside of the stack, so that the appearance is simplified and the volume is reduced. Therefore, the installation and insulation work of the surface pressure device will be easy.

In addition, since the pipes do not need to be unnecessarily lengthened, heat dissipation to the outside is reduced, as well as the amount of heat of the exhaust gas is transferred to the intake gas as the branch pipe is inside, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the stack by heat exchange.

In addition, the operation as the fuel cell is the same as the conventional, only the structure in the form of the branch pipe into the stack substructure 500 is improved only.

[Second Embodiment]

According to the second embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 4A, the interior of the stack upper structure 700a constituting the stack is made into an empty space, and a plurality of diaphragms 730 are installed on the empty space to provide fuel gas intake. An engine 711 and a fuel gas exhaust branch pipe 722 are formed.

The gas may be supplied to or discharged from the branch pipes 711 and 722 to the corresponding manifold holes, that is, the fuel gas intake manifold hole 742 and the fuel gas exhaust manifold hole 744. Preferably, holes having the same shape and size as these manifold holes 742 and 744 are formed in the bottom surface of the stack superstructure 700a.

At this time, it is preferable that the same well-known differential pressure control diaphragm 731 as in the first embodiment is installed together at the inlet and outlet of the manifold holes 742 and 744.

In addition, the differential pressure control diaphragm 731 is more preferably configured to have a slide method to adjust the opening degree of the vent 732.

In addition, openings 745 are formed in the branch pipes 711 and 722 so as to be connected to external pipes.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the inside of the stack substructure 700b constituting the stack is also made into an empty space, and a plurality of diaphragms 730 are installed on the empty space to supply the supply suction branch pipe 712 and the air. An exhaust branch pipe 721 is formed.

In addition, the manifold holes, ie, the air intake manifold holes 741 and the air exhaust manifold holes 743, corresponding to the corresponding manifold holes in the branch pipes 712 and 721 may be supplied to or discharged from the branch pipes. Holes having the same shape and size as the fold holes 741 and 743 are preferably formed on the top surface of the stack substructure 700b.

At this time, it is preferable that the same well-known differential pressure control diaphragm 731 as in the first embodiment is provided together at the entrances and exits of the manifold holes 741 and 743.

In addition, the differential pressure control diaphragm 731 is more preferably configured to have a slide method to adjust the opening degree of the vent 732.

In addition, openings 745 are formed in the branch pipes 712 and 721 so as to be connected to the external pipes.

[Third Embodiment]

Although the third embodiment according to the present invention is not shown in the drawings, the same structure and manner as in the first embodiment may be formed only on the stack superstructure.

That is, a diaphragm which provides an empty space inside the stack upper structure shown in the first embodiment and separates the space to form a plurality of branch pipes for intake or exhaust of fuel gas and air; Fuel gas and air intake and exhaust manifold holes formed on the plurality of branch pipes formed by the diaphragm and connected to the manifold holes of the stack; It is configured to include an opening formed on the branch pipe and connected to the external pipe.

Similarly, in the third embodiment of the present invention, a differential pressure control diaphragm may be further provided at the inlet and outlet of the manifold hole.

As described in detail above, the present invention is designed so that the branch pipes provided on the outside of the stack substructure or the stack superstructure are respectively embedded in their interiors, so that the appearance is simple and beautiful, and the weight can be reduced, Insulation convenience is improved, and stack efficiency due to internal heat exchange is also improved.

Claims (6)

A stack structure comprising a stack superstructure, a stack substructure and a separator plate; A diaphragm for providing an empty space inside the stack undercarriage and separating the space to form a plurality of branch pipes for intake or exhaust of fuel gas and air; Fuel gas and air intake and exhaust manifold holes formed on the plurality of branch pipes formed by the diaphragm and connected to the manifold holes of the stack; And an opening formed on the branch pipe and connected to an external pipe. The method according to claim 1; A stack structure for a fuel cell, characterized in that the differential pressure control diaphragm is further installed at the inlet and outlet of the manifold hole. A stack structure comprising a stack superstructure, a stack substructure and a separator plate; A diaphragm for providing an empty space inside the stack upper structure and separating the space to form a plurality of branch pipes for intake or exhaust of fuel gas and air; Fuel gas and air intake and exhaust manifold holes formed on the plurality of branch pipes formed by the diaphragm and connected to the manifold holes of the stack; And an opening formed on the branch pipe and connected to an external pipe. The method according to claim 3; A stack structure for a fuel cell, characterized in that the differential pressure control diaphragm is further installed at the inlet and outlet of the manifold hole. A stack structure comprising a stack superstructure, a stack substructure and a separator plate; A diaphragm for providing an empty space in the stack upper structure and separating the space to form a plurality of branch pipes for intake or exhaust of fuel gas; Fuel gas intake and exhaust manifold holes formed on the branch pipe formed by the diaphragm and connected to the manifold holes of the stack; An opening formed on the branch pipe and connected to an external pipe; A diaphragm for providing an empty space in the stack substructure, and separating the space to form a plurality of branch pipes for intake or exhaust of air; Air intake and exhaust manifold holes formed on the branch pipe formed by the diaphragm formed in the substructure and connected to the manifold holes of the stack; And an opening formed on the branch pipe provided in the substructure and connected to the external pipe. The method according to claim 5; A stack structure for a fuel cell, characterized in that the differential pressure control diaphragm is further installed at the inlet and outlet of the manifold hole.

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