KR20240047114A - Separator for feul cell - Google Patents

Abstract

In the present invention, the reaction area is divided into a plurality of divided reaction areas along the width direction, the spacing between lands for each divided reaction area is formed at unequal intervals, and a plurality of connecting flow ports are provided to communicate adjacent channels. This relates to a separator plate for fuel cells that can improve water discharge.
A separator plate for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a reaction area in which lands and channels are repeatedly formed along the width direction, and the lands and channels are formed along the longitudinal direction, and the reaction area is formed along the width direction. It is divided into a plurality of split reaction regions, and the spacing between lands formed in each split reaction region is characterized in that the spacing gradually widens from top to bottom along the width direction.

Description

Separator plate for fuel cell {SEPARATOR FOR FEUL CELL}

The present invention relates to a separator plate for a fuel cell. More specifically, the reaction area is divided into a plurality of divided reaction areas along the width direction, the spacing between lands for each divided reaction area is formed at unequal intervals, and adjacent to each other are formed. The present invention relates to a separator plate for a fuel cell capable of improving the water discharge properties of produced water by providing a plurality of connection flow ports for communicating channels.

A fuel cell is a type of power generation device that converts the chemical energy of fuel into electrical energy by electrochemically reacting within a stack. It not only supplies driving power for industrial, household, and vehicles, but also supplies power to small electronic products such as portable devices. It can be used for, and its area of use is gradually expanding as a highly efficient, clean energy source.

A typical fuel cell stack has a membrane electrode assembly (MEA: Membrane-Electrode Assembly) located at the innermost part. This membrane electrode assembly consists of a polymer electrolyte membrane that can move hydrogen cations (protons), and hydrogen on both sides of this electrolyte membrane. It consists of a catalyst layer applied so that oxygen can react with oxygen, that is, an anode and a cathode.

In addition, a gas diffusion layer (GDL) is laminated on the outer part of the membrane electrode assembly, that is, the outer part where the fuel electrode and the air electrode are located, and fuel is supplied to the outside of the gas diffusion layer and water generated by the reaction is A separator plate with a flow field for discharge is disposed, and an end plate is attached to the outermost side to support and secure each of the above-mentioned components. At this time, gaskets are formed in various patterns to maintain airtightness of the hydrogen, oxygen (air) and coolant flowing from the separator plate.

Meanwhile, the separation plate is generally manufactured in a structure in which lands that serve as supports and channels (passages) that serve as flow paths for fluid are repeatedly formed.

In other words, since a typical separator plate has a structure in which lands and channels are repeatedly curved, the channel on one side facing the gas diffusion layer is used as a space through which reactive gases such as hydrogen or air flow, and at the same time, the channel on the other side is used as a space where reactive gases such as hydrogen or air flow. As it is used as a space through which the cooling medium flows, one unit cell can be constructed with a total of two separators, one separator plate with hydrogen/coolant channels and one separator plate with air/coolant channels.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing a conventional separator plate for a typical fuel cell.

As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional separator plate 10 has a membrane electrode assembly and a gas diffusion layer stacked in the center to form a reaction region 10a in which hydrogen, a reactive gas, and air (oxygen) react, and the reaction region ( On both sides of 10a), a pair of manifold areas 10b are formed through which a plurality of manifolds 11a and 11b through which reaction gas or cooling water is introduced or discharged are formed. Additionally, a pair of diffusion areas 10c are formed between the pair of manifold areas 10b and the reaction area 10a to diffuse the flow of reaction gas or cooling water.

At this time, the plurality of manifolds 11a and 11b formed in the manifold area 10b are a manifold into which hydrogen, a reactive gas, is introduced or discharged, a manifold into which air, a reactive gas, is introduced or discharged, and a manifold into which coolant is introduced or discharged. It is divided into

In addition, the pair of diffusion regions (10c) diffuse the reaction gas and cooling water flowing in from the inlet manifold (11a) to flow into the reaction region (10a), and the reaction gas and cooling water discharged from the reaction region (10a) A plurality of diffusion ribs (13a, 13b) are formed to collect and flow to the outlet manifold (11b).

For example, when the separator is a cathode separator, a reaction gas inlet 12a through which air flows in is formed near the inlet manifold 11a, and air is discharged near the outlet manifold 11f. A gas outlet 12b is formed.

In addition, a plurality of inlet side diffusion ribs 13a and inlet side diffusion passages 14a are formed to be spaced apart from each other so that air, which is a reaction gas, diffuses and flows from the inlet manifold 11a to the reaction area 10a.

In addition, a plurality of outlet diffusion ribs 13b and outlet diffusion passages 14b are formed to be spaced apart from each other so that air, which is a reaction gas, collects and flows from the reaction area to the outlet manifold 11f.

Meanwhile, in the reaction area 10a, a land 15a supported by the gas diffusion layer and a channel 15b serving as a fluid flow path are repeatedly formed along the width direction, and an outlet is formed from the inlet diffusion area 10c along the length. It is formed long along the side diffusion area 10c.

At this time, the lands 15a and channels 15b are formed while maintaining equal intervals along the width direction in the entire range of the reaction area 10a for uniform surface pressure and fluid flow.

Meanwhile, when the fuel cell stack is mounted in a vehicle, it is mounted so that the width direction of the separator plate 10 is arranged in the same direction as the direction of gravity.

Therefore, the structure in which the land 15a and the channel 15b are formed at equal intervals causes a problem in that the amount of fluid flow in the lower part increases relatively due to the influence of gravity during installation and operation of the fuel cell stack.

In particular, the product water generated during the operation of the fuel cell stack is more affected by gravity than the reaction gas. As a result, the flow amount of product water increases in the lower area of the separator based on the direction of gravity, causing a backlog of product water. As phosphorus flooding occurred, a problem arose that delayed the discharge of produced water.

The content described as background technology above is only for understanding the background to the present invention, and should not be taken as an admission that it corresponds to prior art already known to those skilled in the art.

Public Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0042376 (2012.05.03)

In the present invention, the reaction area is divided into a plurality of divided reaction areas along the width direction, the spacing between lands for each divided reaction area is formed at unequal intervals, and a plurality of connecting flow ports are provided to communicate adjacent channels. Provides a separator for fuel cells that can improve water discharge.

In particular, a separator plate for fuel cells is provided that can prevent flooding of produced water by improving the arrangement relationship of the connecting flow ports.

The technical problems to be achieved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the present invention. You will have to see it.

A separator plate for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a reaction region in which lands and channels are repeatedly formed along the width direction, and the lands and channels are formed along the longitudinal direction, and the reaction region is formed along the width direction. It is divided into a plurality of split reaction regions, and the spacing between lands formed in each split reaction region is characterized in that the spacing gradually widens from top to bottom along the width direction.

Among the lands formed in each divided reaction region, except for the land formed at the lowest side, the remaining lands are characterized by being provided with a plurality of connection flow ports for communicating adjacent channels.

The connection flow port provided in the land formed in each divided reaction region is characterized in that it is provided at a point directly above or directly below the connection flow port provided in the land adjacent to each other along the width direction.

It is preferable that the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in each divided reaction region are spaced a predetermined distance apart from the outlet side than the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in the adjacent upper portion.

At this time, the connection flow port provided in the land formed in each divided reaction region may be spaced apart from the connection flow port provided in the land formed in the adjacent upper part at equal intervals toward the outlet side.

Alternatively, the distance between the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in each divided reaction region toward the outlet may gradually become narrower as it moves toward the outlet side, compared to the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in the adjacent upper portion.

It is preferable that the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in each divided reaction region are spaced a predetermined distance apart from the inlet side than the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in the adjacent upper portion.

At this time, the connection flow port provided in the land formed in each divided reaction region may be spaced apart from the connection flow port provided in the land formed in the adjacent upper part at equal intervals toward the inlet side.

Alternatively, the distance between the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in each divided reaction region toward the inlet side may gradually become narrower than that of the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in the adjacent upper portion.

Meanwhile, it is preferable that the width of the connection flow port provided in the land formed in each divided reaction region is gradually wider than the width of the connection flow port provided in the land formed in the adjacent upper part.

In addition, it is preferable that the number of connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in each divided reaction region is gradually greater than the number of connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in the adjacent upper portion.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the reaction area formed on the separator plate is divided into a plurality of divided reaction areas based on the width direction, the spacing between lands and channels is adjusted for each divided reaction area, and the connection flow port is formed and By adjusting the arrangement relationship, the occurrence of flooding phenomenon can be suppressed by smooth discharge of produced water from the lower side of each divided reaction region.

By suppressing the occurrence of the flooding phenomenon in the reaction zone in this way, the dischargeability of the produced water can be improved and the electrochemical reaction occurring in the reaction zone can be prevented from being deteriorated.

In addition, even if flooding occurs within the reaction area, it is possible to prevent additional accumulated water at the point where flooding occurred by moving the produced water to an adjacent channel through the connection flow port. .

Figure 1 is a diagram showing a typical conventional separator plate,
Figure 2 is a diagram showing a separator plate for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a diagram showing the main portion of a separator plate for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a diagram showing the path through which produced water is discharged from a separator plate for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 and 6 are views showing main parts of a separator plate for a fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, identical or similar components will be assigned the same reference numbers regardless of reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The suffixes “module” and “part” for components used in the following description are given or used interchangeably only for the ease of preparing the specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves.

In describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed descriptions will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical idea disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings, and all changes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention are not limited. , should be understood to include equivalents or substitutes.

Terms containing ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

When a component is said to be "connected" or "connected" to another component, it is understood that it may be directly connected to or connected to the other component, but that other components may exist in between. It should be. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a component is “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In this specification, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to indicate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but are not intended to indicate the presence of one or more other features. It should be understood that this does not exclude in advance the possibility of the existence or addition of elements, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing a separator plate for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a diagram showing main parts of a separator plate for a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 4 is an embodiment of the present invention. This is a diagram showing the path through which produced water is discharged from a fuel cell separator according to an example.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell separator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, like the conventional conventional fuel cell separator 10, has a membrane electrode assembly and a gas diffusion layer stacked in the center to separate hydrogen, which is a reactant gas, and A reaction area 110 in which air (oxygen) reacts is formed, and a pair of manifolds through which a plurality of manifolds 111a and 111b through which reaction gas or cooling water is introduced or discharged are penetrated, respectively, on both sides of the reaction area 110. A fold area 120 is formed. Additionally, a pair of diffusion areas 130 are formed between the pair of manifold areas 120 and the reaction area 110 to diffuse the flow of reaction gas or cooling water.

In addition, the pair of diffusion regions 130 diffuse the reaction gas and cooling water flowing in from the inlet manifold 111a to flow into the reaction region 110, and the reaction gas and cooling water discharged from the reaction region 110 A plurality of diffusion ribs (113a, 113b) and diffusion passages (114a, 114b) are formed to collect and flow to the outlet manifold (111b).

For example, when the separator 100 is a cathode separator, a reaction gas inlet 112a through which air flows is formed near the inlet manifold 111a, and air flows near the outlet manifold 111b. A reaction gas outlet (112b) is formed through which is discharged.

At this time, the diffusion area 130 is formed with a plurality of diffusion ribs 113a, 113b and diffusion channels 114a, 114b spaced apart from each other to diffuse the flow of the reaction gas from the manifold 121 into which the reaction gas flows into the reaction area. do.

Meanwhile, in the reaction area 110, a land 115a supported by the gas diffusion layer and a channel 115b that serves as a flow path for fluids such as reaction gas and produced water are repeatedly formed along the width direction, and are formed along the length direction at the inlet side. It is formed long along the outlet side diffusion area 130 in the diffusion area 130.

At this time, the land 115a and the channel 115b are formed by forming the plate-shaped separator base material into a concavo-convex shape.

In particular, in this embodiment, when installing the fuel cell stack in a vehicle, considering that the width direction of the separator plate 100 is arranged in the same direction as the direction of gravity, the generated water is stored in the separator plate 100 due to the influence of gravity. In order to prevent flooding from occurring due to concentration at the bottom, the reaction area 110 is divided into a plurality of divided reaction areas (R1, R2, R3, R4) along the width direction, and each divided reaction area ( The spacing between the lands 115a is adjusted for each R1, R2, R3, and R4.

For example, the reaction area 110 is divided into four divided reaction areas (R1, R2, R3, and R4) along the width direction.

In addition, the spacing between the lands 115a formed in each of the divided reaction regions (R1, R2, R3, and R4) gradually widens from the top to the bottom based on the direction of gravity along the width direction.

Therefore, the width of the lower channel 115b is formed to be relatively wider than the upper part of each divided reaction region (R1, R2, R3, R4), so that it is formed at the lower part of each divided reaction region (R1, R2, R3, R4). Ensure that the number is discharged smoothly without a backlog.

Meanwhile, the land 115a formed in each divided reaction region (R1, R2, R3, R4) is provided with a plurality of connection flow ports 115c that communicate adjacent channels 115b.

Therefore, even if a flooding phenomenon occurs due to accumulation of produced water in any of the channels 115b, the produced water flows into the channel 115b provided adjacent to the lower portion through the connection flow port 115c. It is possible to prevent produced water from accumulating in a specific location.

At this time, the connection flow port 115c is not formed in the land 115a' formed on the lowest side based on the direction of gravity among the lands 115a formed in each divided reaction region (R1, R2, R3, R4), so that any divided reaction region Prevents the produced water from (R1, R2, R3) from flowing into the other split reaction regions (R2, R3, R4) located below it.

Accordingly, even if the produced water is concentrated at the bottom of each divided reaction area (R1, R2, R3, R4) due to the influence of gravity, it does not flow to the other divided reaction areas (R1, R2, R3, R4), but rather flows to the corresponding divided reaction area (R1, R2, R3, R4). By flowing from R2, R3, and R4 toward the outlet diffusion area 130, the flow path of the product water is distributed, so that the product water flows from the separator plate 100 based on the entire reaction area 110 of the separator plate 100. It is possible to prevent the flow from being concentrated to the bottom divided reaction area (R4).

In addition, when the produced water flows into the lower channel (115b) through the connection flow port (115c) and flows in a short path to the lowest land (115a'), a phenomenon in which the produced water is concentrated in the lowest channel (115a') occurs. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the connection flow port 115c provided in the land 115a formed in each divided reaction region (R1, R2, R3, and R4) is connected to the connection flow port 115c provided in the land 115a adjacent to each other. ) and is preferably provided at a point off the upper or lower portion along the width direction.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the connection flow port 115c provided in the land 115a formed in each divided reaction region (R1, R2, R3, and R4) is provided in the land 115a formed in the adjacent upper part. It is preferable to be provided at a predetermined interval in the outlet diffusion area rather than the connected flow port 115c.

At this time, the connection flow port 115c provided in the land 115a formed in each of the divided reaction regions (R1, R2, R3, and R4) is located on the outlet side than the connection flow port 115c provided in the land 115a formed in the adjacent upper part. The spacing apart from the diffusion area 130 can be maintained at equal intervals toward the outlet diffusion area 130. Therefore, it is preferable that the connection flow ports 115c formed in each of the divided reaction regions (R1, R2, R3, and R4) are disposed in a shape that slopes downward overall toward the outlet diffusion region 130.

Meanwhile, the connection flow port 115c provided in the land 115a formed in each of the divided reaction regions (R1, R2, R3, and R4) is located at an outlet farther than the connection flow port 115c provided in the land 115a formed in the adjacent upper part. The spacing between the side diffusion areas 130 can be arranged to become increasingly narrow as it moves toward the outlet side diffusion area 130. Therefore, the connection flow ports 115c formed in each of the divided reaction regions (R1, R2, R3, and R4) are disposed in a downward sloping shape as they go toward the outlet diffusion region 130, and the connection flow ports 115c are arranged. It is desirable that the slope of the shape becomes increasingly steeper toward the bottom.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, some of the produced water flowing to the outlet diffusion area 130 through the channel 115b continues to flow through the corresponding channel 115b, and the remaining portion flows through the connection flow port 115c. It flows to the lower channel (115b) and flows to the outlet diffusion area (130) together with the produced water flowing from the corresponding channel (115b). As this flow of produced water continues toward the outlet side diffusion region 130 and the lower direction, the channel 115b located relatively lower in each of the split reaction regions (R1, R2, R3, and R4) produces more produced water. Although the flow amount increases, the channel (115b) located at the lower part is formed with a wider width, so the produced water is discharged smoothly without accumulation.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, smooth discharge of produced water can be achieved by changing the arrangement relationship of the connecting flow ports provided in the lands formed in each divided reaction region.

5 and 6 are views showing main parts of a separator plate for a fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a concept opposite to the arrangement of the connection flow port 115c shown in FIG. 3, and the connection flow port 115c provided on the land 115a formed in each divided reaction region (R1, R2, R3, and R4) is It is provided at a predetermined distance from the inlet diffusion area 130 to the connection flow port 115c provided in the land 115a formed in the adjacent upper part.

At this time, the connection flow port 115c provided in the land 115a formed in each of the divided reaction regions (R1, R2, R3, and R4) is located on the inlet side than the connection flow port 115c provided in the land 115a formed in the adjacent upper part. The spacing apart from the diffusion area 130 can be maintained at equal intervals toward the inlet diffusion area 130. Therefore, it is preferable that the connection flow ports 115c formed in each of the divided reaction regions (R1, R2, R3, and R4) are disposed in a shape that slopes upward overall toward the outlet diffusion region 130.

On the other hand, the connection flow port 115c provided in the land 115a formed in each of the divided reaction regions (R1, R2, R3, and R4) has a smaller inlet than the connection flow port 115c provided in the land 115a formed in the adjacent upper part. The spacing between the side diffusion areas 130 can be arranged to become increasingly narrow as it moves toward the inlet side diffusion area 130. Therefore, the connection flow ports 115c formed in each of the divided reaction regions (R1, R2, R3, and R4) are disposed in a shape that slopes upward toward the outlet diffusion region 130 as a whole, and the connection flow ports 115c are arranged. It is desirable that the slope of the shape becomes increasingly steeper toward the bottom.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the width of the connection flow port 115c provided in the land 115a formed in each divided reaction region (R1, R2, R3, and R4) is determined by the width of the land 115a formed in the adjacent upper part. It may be provided to gradually become wider than the width of the provided connection flow port (115c). Therefore, the flow amount of produced water increases as the channel (115b) is formed relatively lower in each divided reaction region (R1, R2, R3, R4), but the width of the channel (115b) is relatively wide, so the flow area of produced water is wide. It is possible to ensure that the produced water flows smoothly toward (115b).

In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the number of connection flow ports provided in the land formed in each divided reaction region may be provided to gradually increase than the number of connection flow ports provided in the land formed in the adjacent upper part. Therefore, as in the form of Figure 6, the flow amount of produced water increases in the channel formed relatively lower in each divided reaction region, but the width of the channel is relatively wide, so that the produced water can flow smoothly toward the channel with a wider flow area. there is.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings and the above-described preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto and is limited by the claims described below. Accordingly, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the technical spirit of the claims described later.

100: Separator plate 110: Reaction area
120: manifold area 130: diffusion area
111a: inlet manifold 111b: outlet manifold
112a: Reactive gas inlet 112b: Reactive gas outlet
113a, 113b: diffusion ribs 114a, 114b: diffusion channel
115a: land 115b: channel
115c: connection flow port

Claims (11)

As a separator plate for a fuel cell,
It includes a reaction area in which lands and channels are repeatedly formed along the width direction, and the lands and channels are formed along the longitudinal direction,
The reaction area is divided into a plurality of divided reaction areas along the width direction,
A separator plate for a fuel cell, characterized in that the gap between lands formed in each divided reaction region gradually widens from the top to the bottom along the width direction.
In claim 1,
A separator plate for a fuel cell, wherein among the lands formed in each divided reaction region, except for the land formed on the lowest side, the remaining lands are provided with a plurality of connection flow ports for communicating adjacent channels.
In claim 2,
A separator plate for a fuel cell, wherein the connection flow port provided in the land formed in each divided reaction region is provided at a point deviating from the connection flow port provided in the land adjacent to each other and directly above or directly below the width direction.
In claim 2,
A separator plate for a fuel cell, wherein the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in each divided reaction region are provided at a predetermined distance apart from the outlet side than the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in the adjacent upper portion.
In claim 4,
A separator plate for a fuel cell, wherein the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in each divided reaction region are spaced apart from each other at equal intervals toward the outlet side compared to the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in the adjacent upper portion.
In claim 4,
A separator plate for a fuel cell, wherein the distance between the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in each divided reaction region toward the outlet becomes gradually narrower toward the outlet side than the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in the adjacent upper portion.
In claim 2,
A separator plate for a fuel cell, wherein the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in each divided reaction region are spaced a predetermined distance apart from the inlet side than the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in the adjacent upper portion.
In claim 7,
A separator plate for a fuel cell, wherein the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in each divided reaction region are spaced apart from the connection flow ports provided in the adjacent upper lands at equal intervals toward the inlet side.
In claim 7,
A separator plate for a fuel cell, wherein the distance between the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in each divided reaction region toward the inlet side becomes narrower than that of the connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in the adjacent upper part.
In claim 2,
A separator plate for a fuel cell, wherein the width of the connection flow port provided in the land formed in each divided reaction region is gradually wider than the width of the connection flow port provided in the land formed in the adjacent upper part.
In claim 2,
A separator plate for a fuel cell, wherein the number of connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in each divided reaction region is gradually increased than the number of connection flow ports provided in the lands formed in the adjacent upper portion.

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