KR20130078695A - Manifold type fuel cell having fluid guide - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A manifold type fuel cell is provided to prevent a gasket from being separated from a manifold and to minimize damage on a stack when the pressure is changed by a malfunction of an external device. CONSTITUTION: A manifold type fuel cell comprises a stack (100) in which a fuel cell is laminated; a second manifold (102) which is installed on the other side intersected with the one side of the stack and accommodates the first gas and the second gas; a vessel which accommodates the stack, the first manifold, and the second manifold, and is filled with gas including oxygen; and a fluid guide (320) which is formed between the first and the second manifolds and guides the first gas to flow in and out in one direction between the first manifold and the vessel.

Description

MANIFOLD TYPE FUEL CELL HAVING FLUID GUIDE}

The present invention relates to a high temperature external manifold fuel cell.

The present invention relates to a high temperature external manifold fuel cell. A fuel cell is a device that directly converts chemical energy in the form of fuel into electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction. In general, like a battery, a fuel cell includes a negative electrode or a positive electrode and a positive electrode or a cathode classified by an electrolyte that conducts electrically ionized ions between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. However, unlike batteries, fuel cells will continue to generate electricity as long as fuel and oxidant are provided to the anode and cathode, respectively.

In order to generate a useful amount of electricity, each fuel cell is typically arranged in a stacking relationship with an electrically conductive separating plate between each cell. The fuel cell stack may be classified into an internally manifolded stack or an externally manifolded stack.

In the case of high temperature external manifold fuel cells, insulation between the stack and the manifold is required. To this end, it includes a gasket structure that can complement the ceramic material and brittleness of the ceramic material.

The gasket is flexible and manufactured to withstand high temperatures. Since the gasket having the above characteristics is damaged when the binding pressure is high, there is a limit to the fastening pressure that can be applied.

That is, when the pressure inside the manifold rises above the designed value, the gasket and the insulator may be released from the manifold. In this case, the anode and cathode gases of the fuel cell can be ignited and burned. When the combustion reaction occurs inside the stack, the stack formed of the metal material is damaged, so that stable operation of the fuel cell becomes difficult.

Therefore, the technical problem of the present invention is conceived in this respect, to provide a fuel cell that can be stably performed by guiding the flow of the fluid inside the stack.

In order to achieve such a problem of the present invention, a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a stack, first and second manifolds, a vessel and a fluid guide. The stack is formed by stacking fuel cells. The first manifold is installed on one side of the stack and accommodates a first gas. The second manifold is installed on the other side that intersects one side of the stack and accommodates a second gas different from the first gas. The vessel houses the stack, the first and second manifolds, and contains a gas containing oxygen. The fluid guide may include a discharge part formed between the first and second manifolds and configured to allow the first gas to flow in or out between the first manifold and the vessel.

In an embodiment related to the present invention, the first gas is a fuel gas including hydrogen, and the pressure of the first manifold is greater than the pressure of the vessel and the pressure of the first manifold.

In an embodiment related to the present invention, the first gas is a gas containing oxygen, and the pressure inside the first manifold is smaller than the pressure of the vessel and the pressure of the second manifold including the gas containing oxygen. do.

In one embodiment related to the present invention, it includes first and second gaskets formed between the first manifold and the stack and between the second manifold and the stack. Intersecting first and second members of the fluid guide overlap with the first and second gaskets, respectively.

In one embodiment related to the present invention, a support is formed to support a third member intersecting the first and second members to prevent the fluid guide from being separated from the gasket.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the support part includes a hole overlapping the discharge part to allow the first gas to pass therethrough.

In one embodiment associated with the present invention, the fluid guide includes a plurality of members, the plurality of members connected in the longitudinal direction of the first and second manifolds.

According to the present invention having the above configuration, the gasket is supported by the fluid guide so as not to be separated from the manifold. Therefore, damage to the fuel cell can be reduced when the pressure or the like changes due to an external device error.

In addition, the fluid guides the fluid into the vessel or moves from the vessel to the cathode manifold. Thus, damage to the stack is prevented, and stable operation of the fuel cell is induced.

1 is a perspective view of a fuel cell according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell of FIG. 1 taken along AA. FIG.
3 is an exploded perspective view of the fluid guide and the support;
4A is an enlarged view of C in FIG. 2.
4B is an enlarged view of B of FIG. 2.

Hereinafter, a fuel cell including a fluid guide according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification, the same or similar reference numerals are given to different embodiments in the same or similar configurations. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

1 is a perspective view of a fuel cell according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a fuel cell includes a stack 100, a first manifold 101, a second manifold 102, a third manifold 103, and an upper end plate. 120), a lower end plate 130, and a vessel 200.

The stack 100 is formed by stacking a fuel cell on the lower end plate 120, and combining the upper end plate 130 on the cell. The stack 100 may be formed of a metal deformable by heat or pressure.

The first to third manifolds 101, 102, 103 are formed on each side of the stack 200 to form the inlet / outlet of the anode and the cathode. The first manifold 101 is an anode outlet manifold, the second manifold 102 is an anode inlet manifold, and the third manifold 103 is defined as a cathode outlet manifold. That is, the fuel cell is partitioned into regions of the first to third manifolds 101, 102, 103, the stack 100, and the vessel 200.

The pressure in each zone is the largest inlet manifold pressure (Pa, in), followed by vessel pressure (Pv), anode outlet manifold pressure (Pa, out), cathode outlet manifold pressure (Pc, out) Becomes smaller.

A gasket 501 including an insulating layer 502 is formed between the stack 100 and edges of the first to third manifolds 101, 102, and 103.

The gasket 501 may be formed of a layer of fibrous material such as zirconia felt, such as Zircar ZYF100, alumina felt, or similar fibrous or felt material. The gasket 501 may be filled with silica powder or similar nonmetallic powder material.

The gasket 501 is formed between each of the first to third manifolds 101, 102 and 103 and the stack 100 to close a gap between the gasket 501 and each manifold. However, the gasket 501 is formed so that the gas of each region is movable.

Between the first manifold 101 and the stack 100, between the second manifold 102 and the stack 100, between the third manifold 103 and the stack 100. . That is, as shown in the figure, the fuel cell may include four gaskets 501.

The four gaskets 501 are disposed adjacent to each other. For example, two gaskets 501 adjacent to corners of the first and third manifolds 101 and 103 may be disposed to abut one corner with respect to the corners of the stack 100. Similarly, two gaskets 501 are also disposed adjacent to corners of the second and third matchfolds 102 and 103.

A fluid guide 320 may be formed between the two gaskets 501. The fluid guide 320 is formed to guide the flow path of the gas flowing through the gasket 501 in each region.

A support 310 may be formed to cover one surface of the fluid guide 320 and be fastened to the first to third manifolds 101, 102, and 103 to fix the fluid guide 302. Both ends of the support 320 may be bent to support the fluid guide 320.

By the fluid guide 320 and the support 310, the gas cell 501 can be prevented from being separated from the stack 100 and the first and third manifolds 101, 102, 103. Can be.

Therefore, when an abnormal pressure is formed during operation of the fuel cell, the gasket 501 may be prevented from being separated to prevent gas leakage, thereby improving stability of the fuel cell operation.

Hereinafter, specific structures of the fluid guide 320 and the support 310 will be described.

3 is an exploded perspective view of the fluid guide and the support.

2 and 3, the fluid guide 320 includes first to fifth surfaces 321, 322, 323, 324, and 325 connected to each other. The fluid guide 320 is formed to include the hollow so that the gas can move.

The fluid guide 320 may be formed to be substantially the same as the length of the first to third manifold (101, 102, 103). The fluid guide 320 may include a plurality of surfaces, and the surfaces may be formed by being connected in the longitudinal direction of the manifold. Therefore, when the stack 100 is deformed or splashed, the fluid guide 320 is deformable according to the change of the stack 100. That is, damage to the fluid guide 302 due to deformation of the stack 100 may be prevented.

The first and second surfaces 321 and 322 are formed to intersect with each other, and are formed to contact surfaces adjacent to each other of the two gaskets 501. The first and second surfaces 321 and 322 may be formed to be substantially the same as the length of the surface of the gasket 501.

The third surface 323 is formed to intersect the second surface 322, and the fourth surface 324 is formed to intersect the first surface 321. The third and fourth surfaces 323 and 324 may be formed to be shorter than the length of the first and second surfaces 321 and 322.

The fifth surface 325 is formed to connect the third and fourth surfaces 323 and 324. Therefore, the cross section of the fluid guide 320 may be formed in a trapezoidal shape having the third surface 323 on the upper side and the first surface 321 on the lower side.

First and second gas outlets 327a and 327b penetrating through the hollow from the outside of the fluid guide 320 are formed on the third and fourth surfaces 323 and 324. Therefore, the gas introduced into the hollow may move to another area through the first and second gas discharge ports 327a and 327b.

The support part 310 is formed on the fourth surface 324. That is, the support part 310 supports the fourth surface 324 to fix the fluid guide 320 to the gasket 501. A bent portion 312 formed by being bent from both ends of the support portion 310 is formed to support the fluid guide 320.

The support part 310 may include a plurality of members, and the plurality of members may be connected to each other. Like the fluid guide 320, damage due to deformation of the stack 100 may be prevented.

First and second holes 311a and 311b are formed in the support part 310 to overlap the first and second gas outlets 327a and 327b. That is, the gas passing through the first and second gas outlets 327a and 327b moves to another area through the first and second holes 311a and 311b.

However, the central portion of the fluid guide 320 may be formed to include an empty space to form a lighter fuel cell.

Hereinafter, the movement of the gas through the first and second gas discharge parts 327a and 327b and the first and second holes 311a and 311b will be described.

4A is an enlarged view of C of FIG. 2.

2 and 4A, the stack 100 and the second and third manifolds 102 and 103 are coupled with the two gaskets 501 interposed therebetween. The pressure Pa, in of the second manifold 102, that is, the anode inlet manifold, is the largest, and the pressure Pv of the vessel 200 is the third manifold 103, that is, the cathode outlet manifold. It is formed larger than the pressures Pc and out. Accordingly, the fluid passing through the gas cell 501 in the second manifold 102 may flow into the vessel 200 and the third manifold 103.

The fluid guide 310 is disposed between the two gas cells 501. The support part 310 is disposed on the fluid guide 310 to support the fluid guide 310 toward the two gas cells 501.

The first and second gas outlets 327a and 327b are formed in the fluid guide 310, and the first and second holes 311a and 311b are formed in the support 310. They are formed to communicate with the second manifold 102 and the vessel 200, but not with the first manifold 103.

Therefore, the gas flowing out through the gasket 501 from the second manifold 102 having the highest pressure does not flow into the third manifold 103 and the first and second gas outlets 327a, 327b and the first and second holes 311a and 311b flow into the vessel 200.

For example, the gas may be a fuel gas including hydrogen, and a gas including oxygen may be accommodated in the third manifold 103. When the fuel gas including the hydrogen flows into the third manifold 103, combustion of the fuel gas including hydrogen and the gas including oxygen occurs in a relatively narrow space than the vessel 200. Accordingly, the temperature inside the third manifold 103, which is a limited space, is increased, and the thermal distribution of the stack 100 may be damaged and the electrode may be damaged due to the rapid temperature rise. However, according to the present invention, since combustion occurs in the vessel 200 having a relatively large space, the temperature rise is relatively low, thereby preventing damage to the stack 100.

For example, when the pressure inside the anode manifold rises abnormally due to an external factor such as an abnormality of the cathode air supply blower, the gasket 501 including the insulating layer 502 is separated, The anode and cathode gas may be mixed.

In this case, separation of the gasket 501 is prevented by the fluid guide 320 and guides the gas to flow out into a relatively large space, thereby reducing damage to the stack 100.

In addition, since the fuel gas including hydrogen flows into the vessel 200 including the gas containing oxygen, the fuel gas including hydrogen may be guided out of the explosion range of the fuel gas including hydrogen.

4B is an enlarged view of B of FIG. 2. This is substantially the same as the component of FIG. 4B except for the path through which the movement of the fluid is guided, so that redundant description is replaced with the description of FIG. 4B.

2 and 4B, the stack 100 and the first and third manifolds 101 and 103 are coupled with the two gaskets 501 interposed therebetween. The pressure Pv of the vessel 200 is greatest, and the first manifold 101, that is, the anode outlet manifold pressures Pa and out is the third manifold 103, that is, the cathode outlet manifold pressure. (Pc, out) is made larger. Accordingly, the fluid passing through the gas cell 501 in the vessel 200 may flow into the first manifold 101 and the third manifold 103.

The first and second gas outlets 327a which are formed to communicate the vessel 200 and the third manifold 103 between the first and third manifolds 101 and 103 and the stack 100. And the support part 310 and the fluid guide 320 including the 327b and the first and second holes 311a and 311b.

For example, a fuel gas containing hydrogen may be accommodated in the first manifold 101 and a gas containing oxygen may be accommodated in the third manifold 103. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the gas containing oxygen of the vessel 200 does not flow into the first manifold 101, but flows into the third manifold 103 to increase the temperature due to combustion. You can prevent it. Thus, damage to the stack 100 can be prevented.

The fuel cell described above may not be limitedly applied to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, but the embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or some of the embodiments so that various modifications may be made. It may be.

Claims (8)

A stack formed by stacking fuel cells;
A first manifold installed at one side of the stack and containing a first gas;
A second manifold installed on the other side of the stack, the second manifold receiving a second gas different from the first gas;
A vessel which accommodates the stack, the first and second manifolds, and contains a gas containing oxygen; And
And a fluid guide formed between the first and second manifolds to guide the first gas into or out of one direction between the first manifold and the vessel. The method of claim 1,
The fluid guide comprises a discharge port formed so that the first gas can move. The method of claim 1,
And the first gas is a fuel gas including hydrogen, and the pressure of the first manifold is greater than the pressure of the vessel and the pressure of the first manifold. The method of claim 1,
And wherein the first gas is a gas containing oxygen, and the pressure inside the first manifold is less than the pressure of the vessel and the pressure of the second manifold containing gas containing oxygen. The method of claim 1, further comprising: first and second gaskets formed between the first manifold and the stack and between the second manifold and the stack,
And intersecting first and second surfaces of the fluid guide overlap with the first and second gaskets, respectively. The method of claim 5,
And a support formed to support a third surface intersecting the first and second surfaces to prevent separation from the gasket of the fluid guide. The fuel cell of claim 5, wherein the support part comprises a hole overlapping the discharge part to allow the first gas to pass therethrough. The method of claim 1,
The fluid guide includes a plurality of faces,
And the surfaces extend in the longitudinal direction of the first and second manifolds.

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