KR102144191B1 - Fuel cell stack unit with easy replacement and manufacturing method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A fuel cell stack unit that is easy to replace is provided. The easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit includes a metal frame having internal edges defining a first empty space, and a second empty space communicating with the first empty space therein, and , A first sealing gasket disposed on one side of the metal frame, a unit cell for a fuel cell disposed on the other side of the metal frame so that at least a part of the inner edge of the metal frame overlaps, and an end for the fuel cell A second sealing gasket disposed on the other side of the metal frame so as to surround the outer circumferential surface of the battery, a first gas separation plate disposed on one side of the first sealing gasket, and a second sealing gasket disposed on the other side of the second sealing gasket. 2 a gas separation plate, a first current collector disposed in the first and second empty spaces, and a second current collector disposed between the fuel cell unit cell and the second gas separation plate.

Description

Fuel cell stack unit with easy replacement and manufacturing method of the same {Fuel cell stack unit with easy replacement and manufacturing method of the same}

The present invention relates to an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit and a method of manufacturing the same, and more specifically, an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit in which an inner edge of a metal frame and at least a part of the unit cell overlap, and a method of manufacturing the same It is related to.

The stack of solid oxide fuel cells is a system that can convert directly into electricity by using a chemical reaction between hydrogen (or hydrocarbon fuel) and oxygen. The reaction of the fuel cell is transferred from the cathode through the electrolyte of oxygen ions to the anode, reacts with the fuel at the catalytic reaction point existing at the interface between the electrolyte and the anode, and releases electrons to move to the outside to generate electricity.

The force that causes oxygen ions to be transmitted from the cathode to the anode is determined by the difference in the oxygen concentration between the cathode and the anode. Therefore, when oxygen and hydrogen (or fuel) are mixed in the stack due to gas leakage or the like, Ni is oxidized among the components of the material used as the anode, resulting in defective unit cells. In addition, the difference in the oxygen partial pressure between the anode and the cathode is the driving force that causes oxygen ions to flow from the cathode to the anode through the electrolyte, but when they are mixed with each other due to gas leakage, the difference in oxygen partial pressure decreases, thereby deteriorating the unit cell characteristics. Accordingly, the gas separation plate, the unit cell, and the stack unit in order to keep the induction furnace for supplying oxygen to the solid oxide fuel cell operating at high temperature and the induction furnace designed to flow hydrogen (or fuel) to the opposite pole. A sealing material is used to prevent leakage of gas between them.

The sealing material of the high-temperature solid oxide fuel cell uses a glass sealing material that can be used at high temperatures and a gasket-type sealing material made of MICA or Vermiculite. In such a sealing gasket, if a lot of pressurization is not performed due to the characteristics of the plate-like structure of MICA or vermiculite, there is gas leakage in the inside or at the interface between the sealing gasket and the gas separation plate or unit cell. Due to the characteristics of such a sealing gasket, a solid oxide fuel cell constructed at a high temperature mainly uses a glass sealing material showing a more tight sealing characteristic. However, the sealing method using the glass sealing material has limitations in the inspection method after the heat treatment for forming the fuel cell stack and the reduction process of the cathode due to the characteristic of shrinking the volume due to softening of the glass. On the other hand, the sealing method using a gasket can diversify the stack formation process, and has the advantage of introducing an inspection process after heat treatment and reduction.

One technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an easy-to-replace fuel cell stack unit and a method of manufacturing the same to reduce the problem of defective fuel cells due to leakage gas.

Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit with improved reliability and a manufacturing method thereof.

Another technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a fuel cell stack unit that is easy to replace and a method of manufacturing the same.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the above.

In order to solve the above-described technical problems, the present invention provides a fuel cell stack unit that is easy to replace.

According to an embodiment, the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit includes a metal frame having internal edges defining a first empty space therein, and a second empty space communicating with the first empty space. A unit cell for a fuel cell disposed on the other side of the metal frame such that a space is provided therein, a first sealing gasket disposed on one side of the metal frame, and at least a part of the inner edge of the metal frame overlap ), a second sealing gasket disposed on the other side of the metal frame to surround the outer circumferential surface of the fuel cell unit cell, a first gas separation plate disposed on one side of the first sealing gasket, and the second sealing gasket. A second gas separation plate disposed on the other side, a first current collector disposed in the first and second empty spaces, and a second current collector disposed between the fuel cell unit cell and the second gas separation plate It may include.

According to an embodiment, a distance between one side and the other side of the fuel cell unit cell may be longer than a distance between one inner edge of the metal frame and the other inner edge.

According to an embodiment, a glass frit may be provided in a region where the fuel cell unit cell and the metal frame overlap.

According to an embodiment, the first sealing gasket, the metal frame, the fuel cell unit cell, and the second sealing gasket may be replaced with one unit.

According to an embodiment, at least one of the first and second current collectors may include a metal foam.

According to an embodiment, at least one of the first and second current collectors may include nickel foam.

According to an embodiment, the thickness of the fuel cell unit cell may include a thickness different from that of the second sealing gasket.

According to an embodiment, the first sealing gasket and the second sealing gasket may have a sheet structure.

According to an embodiment, the second current collector may be provided in a form compressed between the fuel cell unit cell and the second gas separation plate.

According to another embodiment, the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit is a unit plate for a fuel cell disposed between a first gas separation plate and a second gas separation plate, wherein the unit plate includes: A metal frame having inner edges defining an empty space in the metal frame, first and second sealing gaskets disposed on one side and the other side of the metal frame, and the metal frame interposed therebetween, and the It may include a unit cell for a fuel cell disposed on the other side of the metal frame so that at least a portion of the inner edge of the metal frame overlaps.

In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a fuel cell stack unit that is easy to replace.

According to an embodiment, the manufacturing method of the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit includes preparing a metal frame having inner edges defining a first empty space therein, and the inner It may include the step of bonding the fuel cell unit cell to the metal frame so that at least a portion of the edge overlaps.

According to an embodiment, in the manufacturing method of the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit, a first sealing gasket is disposed on one side of the metal frame to provide a second empty space communicating with the first empty space therein. And disposing a second sealing gasket on the other side of the metal frame so as to surround the outer circumferential surface of the fuel cell unit cell.

According to an embodiment, preparing the metal frame, bonding the unit cell for the fuel cell, disposing the first sealing gasket, and disposing the second sealing gasket may be performed in a unit process. Can be achieved.

According to an embodiment, in the manufacturing method of the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit, a first current collector is provided in a space formed by one side of the fuel cell unit cell, the first empty space, and the second empty space. Providing, providing a first gas separation plate on one side of the first current collector, providing a second current collector on the other side of the fuel cell unit cell, and the second current collector It may further include providing a second gas separation plate to the other side of the.

According to an embodiment, the step of compressing the second current collector having a first thickness and deforming it into a second thickness thinner than the first thickness may be further included.

In an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, a metal frame having internal edges defining a first empty space therein, and a second empty space communicating with the first empty space are provided therein, , A first sealing gasket disposed on one side of the metal frame, a fuel cell unit cell disposed on the other side of the metal frame, and an outer circumferential surface of the fuel cell unit cell so that at least a part of the inner edge of the metal frame overlaps. A second sealing gasket disposed on the other side of the metal frame so as to surround it, a first gas separation plate disposed on one side of the first sealing gasket, and a second gas separation plate disposed on the other side of the second sealing gasket , A first current collector disposed in the first and second empty spaces, and a second current collector disposed between the fuel cell unit cell and the second gas separation plate. Accordingly, a fuel cell stack unit having improved sealing efficiency compared to a conventional fuel cell stack unit may be provided.

In addition, in the fuel cell stack unit according to the embodiment, the first sealing gasket, the metal frame, and the fuel cell unit cell, and the second sealing gasket may be replaced with one unit plate. Accordingly, a fuel cell stack unit having improved replacement efficiency may be provided.

1 is an exploded perspective view of an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view TT′ of an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a plan view of each component included in the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view for comparing the sizes of a unit cell, a metal frame, and a second sealing gasket included in an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a view showing a manufacturing process of a second current collector included in the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a view showing a unit plate of a fuel cell stack unit that can be easily replaced according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a conventional fuel cell stack unit.
8 is a view showing a unit cell and a metal frame included in a conventional fuel cell stack unit.
9 and 10 are flowcharts illustrating a method of manufacturing an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be embodied in other forms. Rather, the embodiments introduced herein are provided so that the disclosed content may be thorough and complete, and the spirit of the present invention may be sufficiently conveyed to those skilled in the art.

In the present specification, when a component is referred to as being on another component, it means that it may be formed directly on the other component or that a third component may be interposed therebetween. In addition, in the drawings, thicknesses of films and regions are exaggerated for effective description of technical content.

In addition, in various embodiments of the present specification, terms such as first, second, and third are used to describe various elements, but these elements should not be limited by such terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component. Accordingly, what is referred to as a first component in one embodiment may be referred to as a second component in another embodiment. Each embodiment described and illustrated herein also includes its complementary embodiment. In addition, in the present specification,'and/or' is used to include at least one of the elements listed before and after.

In the specification, expressions in the singular include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, elements, or a combination of the features described in the specification, and one or more other features, numbers, steps, and configurations It is not to be understood as excluding the possibility of the presence or addition of elements or combinations thereof. In addition, in the present specification, “connection” is used to include both indirectly connecting a plurality of constituent elements and direct connecting.

In addition, in the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

1 is an exploded perspective view of an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view TT′ of an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is A plan view of each component included in an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a single cell and a metal frame included in the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to an embodiment of the present invention , And the size of the second sealing gasket are compared.

1 to 4, a fuel cell stack unit that can be easily replaced according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a metal frame 100, a single cell 200 for a fuel cell, a first sealing gasket 310, and a second A sealing gasket 320, a first gas separation plate 410, a second gas separation plate 420, a first current collector 510, and a second current collector 520 may be included. Hereinafter, each configuration will be described.

The metal frame 100 may have inner edges 100e defining a first empty space 100s therein. That is, the metal frame 100 includes the first empty space 100s therein, and the first empty space 100s may be defined by inner edges 100e of the metal frame 100. have.

The first sealing gasket 310 may be disposed on one side of the metal frame 100. For example, one side of the metal frame 100 may be an upper portion of the metal frame 100. According to an embodiment, the first sealing gasket 310 may be provided with a second empty space 310s therein. The second empty space 310s may communicate with the first empty space 100s. Specifically, the first empty space 100s and the second empty space 310s may communicate in a direction in which the first sealing gasket 310 and the metal frame 100 are stacked.

A fuel cell unit cell 200 may be disposed on the other side of the metal frame 100. For example, the other side of the metal frame 100 may be a lower portion of the metal frame 200. According to an embodiment, the fuel cell unit cell 200 may overlap at least a portion of the inner edge 100e of the metal frame 100. Specifically, the outer circumferential surface of the fuel cell unit cell 200 may overlap the inner edge 100e of the metal frame 100. That is, the metal frame 100 and the fuel cell unit cell 200 are stacked together so that the inner edge 100e of the metal frame 100 and the outer circumferential surface of the unit cell 200 for the fuel cell overlap each other. Can have

According to an embodiment, an outer peripheral surface of the fuel cell unit cell 200 may be coated with a sealing member 210. That is, the fuel cell unit cell 200 may be surrounded by the sealing member 210. In this case, the outer circumferential surface of the fuel cell unit cell 200 and the sealing member 210 may overlap the inner edge 100e of the metal frame 100.

According to an embodiment, the fuel cell unit cell 200 may include a fuel electrode (not shown), an electrolyte (not shown), and an air electrode (not shown). Specifically, the electrolyte (not shown) is interposed, the air electrode (not shown) is disposed on one side of the fuel cell unit cell 200, and the fuel electrode (not shown) is the fuel cell unit cell 200 ) Can be placed on the other side. For example, one side of the fuel cell unit cell 200 may be an upper side and the other side may be a lower side.

On the other side of the metal frame 100, not only the fuel cell unit cell 200, but also the second sealing gasket 320 may be disposed. According to an embodiment, the second sealing gasket 320 may be disposed to surround the outer peripheral surface of the unit cell 200 for the fuel cell. Specifically, a third empty space 320s may be provided inside the second sealing gasket 320. The fuel cell unit cell 200 may be accommodated in the third empty space 320s. That is, on the other side of the metal frame 100, the fuel cell unit cell 200 may be disposed in a state accommodated in the second sealing gasket 320.

According to an embodiment, both the first sealing gasket 310 and the second sealing gasket 320 may include a ceramic material. Accordingly, both the first sealing gasket 310 and the second sealing gasket 320 may have a sheet structure.

As described above, in a state in which the fuel cell unit cell 200 is accommodated in the second sealing gasket 320, in order to have a structure in which at least a part of the inner edge 100e of the metal frame 100 overlaps, The distance between one side and the other side of the unit cell (d ₁ ), the distance between one inner edge of the metal frame 100 and the other inner edge (d ₂ ), and one inner edge of the second sealing gasket 320 The distance (d ₃ ) between the and other inner edges may be different.

Specifically, the distance d ₁ between one side and the other side of the unit cell 200 may be longer than the distance d ₂ between one inner edge and the other inner edge of the metal frame 100. In addition, a distance (d ₃ ) between one inner edge and the other inner edge of the second sealing gasket 320 may be longer than a distance (d ₁ ) between one side and the other side of the unit cell 200 have. That is, the area of the unit cell 200 may be larger than the area of the first empty space 100s and smaller than the area of the third empty space 320s. Accordingly, the unit cell 200 may be bonded to the metal frame 100 while being accommodated in the third empty space 320s of the second sealing gasket 320. As a result, both the unit cell 200 and the second sealing gasket 320 are disposed on the other side of the metal frame 100, but the unit cell 200 is at the inner edge of the metal frame 100 ( 100e) and at least a portion thereof may overlap, and the second sealing gasket 320 may be disposed to surround the outer circumferential surface of the unit cell 200.

According to an embodiment, a glass frit may be provided in regions A ₁ and A ₂ where the unit cell 200 and the metal frame 100 overlap. Accordingly, when the unit cell 200 and the metal frame 100 are stacked on each other, gas leakage between the metal frame 100 and the unit cell 200 may be prevented.

The first gas separation plate 410 and the second gas separation plate 420 may be disposed on one side of the first sealing gasket 310 and the other side of the second sealing gasket 320, respectively. . Specifically, the first gas separation plate 410 is disposed above the first sealing gasket 310, and the second gas separation plate 420 is disposed below the second sealing gasket 320. I can. Accordingly, the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to the embodiment includes the first gas separation plate 410, the first sealing gasket 310, the metal frame 100, and the fuel cell unit cell ( 200), the second sealing gasket 320, and the second gas separation plate 420 may be sequentially stacked in a thickness direction.

5 is a diagram illustrating a manufacturing process of a second current collector (a process of inserting a second current collector into a second gas separation plate) included in the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. .

2 and 5, the first current collector 510 may be disposed between the first empty space 100s and the second empty space 310s. The second current collector 520 may be disposed between the fuel cell unit cell 200 and the second gas separation plate 420. According to an embodiment, at least one of the first current collector 510 and the second current collector 520 may include a metal foam. For example, at least one of the first current collector 510 and the second current collector 520 may include nickel foam. As at least one of the first current collector 510 and the second current collector 520 includes a metal foam, the first current collector 510 and the second current collector 520 It is possible to absorb the shock applied to the fuel cell unit cell 200.

According to an embodiment, the second current collector 520 may be provided in a form compressed between the fuel cell unit cell 200 and the second gas separation plate 420. Specifically, after the second current collector 520 is disposed between the fuel cell unit cell 200 and the second gas separation plate 420, the unit cell 200 for the fuel cell and the second gas Pressure may be applied to the separating plate 420. Accordingly, the second current collector 520 having a first thickness t ₃ is compressed by the fuel cell unit cell 200 and the second gas separation plate 420, so that the first thickness It may be deformed to a second thickness t ₄ thinner than (t ₃ ).

As described above, the second current collector 520 is provided in a form compressed between the fuel cell unit cell 200 and the second gas separation plate 420, and the second current collector 520 ), the thickness of the fuel cell, the unit cell 200 as comprising a metal foam (t ₁₎ and the second thickness of the sealing gasket (320) (t ₂₎ the other, the unit cells (200 a fuel cell even if the ), the occurrence of gas leakage between the second sealing gasket 320 and the second gas separation plate 420 may be reduced.

That is, even when the thickness (t ₂₎ of the thickness (t ₁₎ and the second sealing gasket 320 of the fuel cell, the unit cell 200 is different, the metal frame 100, and the second gas distribution plate ( The 420 may be pressed and sealed by the pressure applied by the unit cell 200 of the second current collector 520.

In contrast, when the second current collector 520 is not provided in a compressed form or contains a material other than a metal foam, the fuel cell unit cell 200 and the second sealing gasket 320 ), and the second gas separation plate 420, there may be a problem in that the fuel cell unit cell 200 and the second sealing gasket 320 having the same thickness must be prepared. The fuel cell unit cell 200 and the second sealing gasket 320 used in a high temperature environment may be made of a ceramic material. Such a ceramic material has a plate-like structure as described above, and in the case of a plate-like structure, there is a problem that it is difficult to manufacture to a certain thickness due to the characteristics of the manufacturing process. Accordingly, when the same thickness is required for the fuel cell unit cell 200 and the second sealing gasket 320, difficulty in a process for manufacturing the fuel cell stack unit may occur.

However, in the case of the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, as described above, the fuel cell unit cell 200 and the second sealing gasket 320 may have different thicknesses. Despite the possibility, there is an advantage in that the process for manufacturing the fuel cell stack unit becomes simple.

6 is a view showing a unit plate of a fuel cell stack unit that can be easily replaced according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6, the fuel cell stack unit, which can be easily replaced according to the embodiment, includes the first sealing gasket 310, the metal frame 100, the fuel cell unit cell 200, and the second The sealing gasket 320 may be configured as one unit plate (UT). Accordingly, when a defect occurs in the fuel cell stack unit according to the embodiment, the unit plate UT and the first and second gas separation plates 410 and 420 are separated, and then the unit plate UT With a simple method of replacing the bay, it is possible to solve a defect occurring in the fuel cell stack unit.

An easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the metal frame 100 having inner edges 100e defining the first empty space 100s therein,

The second empty space 310s communicating with the first empty space 100s is provided therein, and the first sealing gasket 310 and the metal frame are disposed on one side of the metal frame 100. To surround the outer circumferential surface of the fuel cell unit cell 200 and the fuel cell unit cell 200 disposed on the other side of the metal frame 100 so that at least a portion of the inner edge 100e of the 100) overlaps, The second sealing gasket 320 disposed on the other side of the metal frame 100, a first gas separation plate 410 disposed on one side of the first sealing gasket 310, and the second sealing gasket ( The second gas separation plate 420 disposed on the other side of the 320, the first current collector 510 disposed in the first and second empty spaces 100s and 310s, and a single cell for the fuel cell A second current collector 520 disposed between 200 and the second gas separation plate 420 may be included. The easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to the embodiment includes the first sealing gasket 310, the metal frame 100, and the fuel cell unit cell 200, and the second sealing gasket 320. This one unit plate (UT) can be replaced. Accordingly, a fuel cell stack unit having improved replacement efficiency may be provided.

In addition, the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to the above embodiment may improve sealing efficiency as compared to a conventional fuel cell stack unit. In order to specifically describe the effect of improving the sealing efficiency of the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to the above embodiment, FIGS. 7 and 8 showing a conventional fuel cell stack unit will be described in comparison with FIG. 2.

7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a conventional fuel cell stack unit, and FIG. 8 is a view showing a unit cell and a metal frame included in the conventional fuel cell stack unit.

7 and 8, the conventional fuel cell stack unit is similar to the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to the embodiment, the first and second gas separation plates 410 and 420, and the first And second sealing gaskets 310 and 320, the fuel cell unit cell 200, the metal frame 100, and the first and second current collectors 510 and 520. However, the arrangement of each component included in the conventional fuel cell stack unit may be different from that of the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to the above embodiment.

Specifically, in the case of a conventional fuel cell stack unit, the fuel cell unit cell 200 may be accommodated in the first empty space 100s of the metal frame 100. Thereafter, the first sealing gasket 310 is disposed on one side of the metal frame 100 in which the unit cell 200 is accommodated, and the second sealing gasket 320 is disposed on the other side of the metal frame 100. Can be placed. In addition, the first gas separation plate 410 may be disposed on one side of the first sealing gasket 310, and the second gas separation plate 420 may be disposed on the other side of the second sealing gasket 320. have. The first current collector 510 is accommodated in a second empty space 310s included in the first sealing gasket 310, and the second current collector 520 is disposed in the second sealing gasket 320. It may be accommodated in the third empty space 320s including this.

That is, in the case of a conventional fuel cell stack unit, at least a part of the inner edge of the first sealing gasket 310 and one side of the fuel cell unit cell 200 overlap, and the second sealing gasket 320 At least a portion of the inner edge and the other side of the fuel cell unit cell 200 may be disposed to overlap each other.

The conventional fuel cell stack unit having the above-described structure includes regions B ₁ and B _{2 in} which the first sealing gasket 310 and the fuel cell unit cell 200 are overlapped, and the second sealing gasket 320. And there may be a problem that a space is formed in the regions B ₃ and B ₄ where the unit cell 200 for the fuel cell overlaps. That is, the conventional fuel cell stack unit also has a problem in that the first sealing gasket 310 and the second sealing gasket 320 are made of a ceramic material, making it difficult to form a uniform thickness. Accordingly, regions B ₁ and B _{2 in} which the first sealing gasket 310 and the fuel cell unit cell 200 overlap, and the second sealing gasket 320 and the fuel cell unit cell 200 are A space may be generated between the overlapping regions B ₃ and B ₄ , and a gas leak may occur.

On the contrary, referring to FIG. 2, in the case of the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to the embodiment, the fuel cell unit cell 200 has at least a part of the inner edge 100e of the metal frame 100. As they are disposed so as to overlap, the sealing efficiency may be improved compared to the conventional fuel cell stack unit. That is, in the case of the metal frame 100, the thickness may be constant compared to the first and second sealing gaskets 310 and 320 made of a ceramic material. Accordingly, the metal frame 100 and the fuel cell unit cell 200 having a constant thickness are closely bonded, so that the formation of an empty space between the metal frame 100 and the fuel cell unit cell 200 is suppressed. I can. As a result, sealing efficiency of the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to the above embodiment may be improved.

In addition, in the case of a conventional fuel cell stack unit, the thickness t ₁ of the fuel cell unit cell 200 and the thickness t ₅ of the metal frame 100 must be equally prepared in order to improve sealing efficiency. . However, in the case of the fuel cell unit cell 200, since it is made of a ceramic material, it is difficult to manufacture to have the same thickness as the thickness (t ₅ ) of the metal frame 100 or to have a uniform thickness. There is this.

In contrast, in the case of the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to the embodiment, as described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, the fuel cell unit cell 200 is disposed inside the second sealing gasket 320. Although accommodated in the third empty space (320s) of, but the thickness (t ₁ ) of the fuel cell unit cell 200 and the thickness (t ₅ ) of the second sealing gasket 320 may be different from each other, the fuel cell There is an advantage that the manufacturing process of the stack unit becomes simple.

In addition, when the conventional fuel cell stack unit is operated at a high temperature, due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the fuel cell unit cell 200 and the metal frame 100, the metal frame 100 and the fuel cell unit cell ( 200), an empty space is formed between the first sealing gasket 310 and the second sealing gasket 320, and thus sealing may be deteriorated.

However, in the case of the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to the embodiment, as the fuel cell unit cell 200 is accommodated in the third empty space 320s of the second sealing gasket 320, the Even when a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the fuel cell unit cell 200, the metal frame 100, and the second sealing gasket 320 occurs, the sealing may be maintained.

That is, in the fuel cell stack unit that can be easily replaced according to an embodiment of the present invention, as the fuel cell unit cell 200 is disposed so that at least a portion of the fuel cell unit cell 200 overlaps the inner edge 100e of the metal frame 100, The problem of lowering the sealing efficiency caused by the thickness of ceramic material components (eg, first and second sealing gaskets, fuel cell unit cells) of the conventional fuel cell stack unit is not constant, and the fuel cell stage The problem of generating a crack of the unit cell 200 and a problem of deteriorating sealing efficiency, which occurs due to the difference in the thermal expansion coefficient of the battery 200 and the metal frame 100, can be solved.

In the above, a fuel cell stack unit that is easily replaced according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described. Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

9 and 10 are flowcharts illustrating a method of manufacturing an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, in describing the method of manufacturing the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to the above embodiment, the metal frame, the fuel cell unit cell, the first and second sealing gaskets, the first and second gas separation plates, and the first And the second current collector may be the same as each configuration of the easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

9 and 10, a metal frame 100 may be prepared (S110). The metal frame 100 may have inner edges 100e defining a first empty space 100s therein. The metal frame 100 may be bonded to the single cell 200 for a fuel cell (S120). Specifically, the metal frame 100 and the fuel cell unit cell 200 are to be joined so that the inner edge 100e of the metal frame 100 and at least a portion of the fuel cell unit cell 200 overlap. I can.

According to an embodiment, before the metal frame 100 and the fuel cell unit cell 200 are joined, a glass frit is formed in a region where the metal frame 100 and the unit cell 200 for the fuel cell overlap. frit) can be provided. That is, after the glass frit is provided between the metal frame 100 and the fuel cell unit cell 200, the metal frame 100 and the fuel cell unit cell 200 may be joined. After the metal frame 100 and the fuel cell unit cell 200 are bonded, the metal frame 100 and the fuel cell unit cell 200 may be heat treated. In this case, adhesion between the metal frame 100 and the fuel cell unit cell 200 may be improved by the glass frit.

Subsequently, a first sealing gasket 310 may be disposed on one side of the metal frame 100 (S130). The first sealing gasket 310 may be provided with a second empty space 310s therein. The first sealing gasket 310 may be disposed so that the second empty space 310s communicates with the first empty space 100s of the metal frame 100.

A second sealing gasket 320 may be disposed on the other side of the metal frame 200 (S140). For example, the other side of the metal frame 200 may be a side on which the fuel cell unit cell is disposed. Accordingly, the fuel cell unit cell 200 and the second sealing gasket 320 may be disposed on the other side of the metal frame 200.

According to an embodiment, a third empty space 320s may be provided inside the second sealing gasket 320. When the second sealing gasket 320 is disposed on the other side of the metal frame 100, it may be disposed to accommodate the fuel cell unit cell 200 in the third empty space 320s. Accordingly, the second sealing gasket 320 may surround the outer peripheral surface of the unit cell 200 for the fuel cell.

According to an embodiment, the step of preparing the metal frame 100 (S110), the step of bonding the fuel cell unit cell 200 (S120), the step of disposing the first sealing gasket 310 (S130) ), and the step (S140) of disposing the second sealing gasket 320 may constitute a unit process (S100). A unit plate (UT) in which the metal frame 100, the fuel cell unit cell 200, the first sealing gasket 310, and the second sealing gasket 320 are stacked through the unit process (S100) Can be prepared.

After the unit process (S100) is performed, a first current collector in a space formed by one side of the fuel cell unit cell 200, the first empty space 100s, and the second empty space 310s (510) may be provided (S200). In addition, a first gas separation plate 410 may be provided on one side of the first current collector 510 (S300). On the other hand, a second current collector 520 may be provided on the other side of the fuel cell unit cell 200 (S400). In addition, a second gas separation plate 420 may be provided on the other side of the second current collector 520 (S500). Thereafter, the second current collector 520 having the first thickness may be compressed and converted into a second thickness thinner than the first thickness (S600). Specifically, the second current collector 520 may be compressed through a method of compressing the first gas separation plate 410 and the second gas separation plate 420. Accordingly, an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit according to the above embodiment may be manufactured.

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail using preferred embodiments, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to specific embodiments, and should be interpreted by the appended claims. In addition, those skilled in the art will have to understand that many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

100: metal frame
200: single cell for fuel cell
310: first sealing gasket
320: second sealing gasket
410: first gas separation plate
420: second gas separation plate
510: first current collector
520: second current collector

Claims (15)

A metal frame having inner edges defining a first empty space therein;
A first sealing gasket provided with a second empty space communicating with the first empty space and disposed on one side of the metal frame;
A unit cell for a fuel cell disposed on the other side of the metal frame so that at least a portion of the inner edge of the metal frame overlaps;
A second sealing gasket disposed on the other side of the metal frame so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the fuel cell unit cell;
A first gas separation plate disposed on one side of the first sealing gasket;
A second gas separation plate disposed on the other side of the second sealing gasket;
A first current collector disposed in the first and second empty spaces;
A second current collector disposed between the fuel cell unit cell and the second gas separation plate; And
Including; a sealing member overlapping the outer peripheral surface of the unit cell and the inner edge of the metal frame,
The first sealing gasket, the metal frame, the unit cell for the fuel cell, and the second sealing gasket are easily replaced by a single unit.
The method of claim 1,
A fuel cell stack unit that is easy to replace, wherein a distance between one side and the other side of the fuel cell unit cell is longer than a distance between one inner edge and the other inner edge of the metal frame.
The method of claim 1,
A fuel cell stack unit that is easy to replace, comprising a glass frit provided in an area where the fuel cell unit cell and the metal frame overlap.
delete The method of claim 1,
At least one of the first and second current collectors is an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit comprising a metal foam.
The method of claim 5,
At least one of the first and second current collectors is an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit comprising nickel foam.
The method of claim 1,
The easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit, wherein the thickness of the fuel cell unit cell is different from that of the second sealing gasket.
The method of claim 1,
The first sealing gasket and the second sealing gasket have a sheet structure, and are provided in a compressed form with the first gas separation plate or the second gas separation plate, and are easily replaced. Fuel cell stack unit.
The method of claim 1,
The second current collector is provided in a form compressed between the fuel cell unit cell and the second gas separation plate, and is easily replaced.
A unit plate for a fuel cell disposed between the first gas separation plate and the second gas separation plate, wherein the unit plate comprises:
A metal frame having inner edges defining an empty space therein;
First and second sealing gaskets disposed on one side and the other side of the metal frame with the metal frame interposed therebetween;
A unit cell for a fuel cell disposed on the other side of the metal frame so that at least a portion of the inner edge of the metal frame overlaps; And
Including; a sealing member overlapping the outer peripheral surface of the unit cell and the inner edge of the metal frame,
The unit plate is an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit that is replaced by one unit.
Preparing a metal frame having internal edges defining a first empty space therein;
Bonding the fuel cell unit cell to the metal frame so that at least a portion of the inner edge overlaps with each other;
Disposing a first sealing gasket in which a second empty space communicating with the first empty space is provided on one side of the metal frame; And
Arranging a second sealing gasket on the other side of the metal frame so as to surround the outer circumferential surface of the fuel cell unit cell; including,
The step of joining the fuel cell unit cell includes disposing a sealing member so as to overlap the outer peripheral surface of the unit cell and the inner edge of the metal frame,
Preparing the metal frame, bonding the unit cell for the fuel cell, disposing the first sealing gasket, and disposing the second sealing gasket are easy to replace forming a unit process. Method of manufacturing a fuel cell stack unit.
delete delete The method of claim 11,
Providing a first current collector in a space formed by one side of the fuel cell unit cell, the first empty space, and the second empty space;
Providing a first gas separation plate on one side of the first current collector;
Providing a second current collector to the other side of the fuel cell unit cell; And
A method of manufacturing an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit further comprising the step of providing a second gas separation plate on the other side of the second current collector.
The method of claim 14,
The method of manufacturing an easily replaceable fuel cell stack unit further comprising the step of compressing the second current collector having a first thickness and transforming it into a second thickness thinner than the first thickness.

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