US20060213767A1 - Bipolar plate comprising metal wire - Google Patents
Bipolar plate comprising metal wire Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060213767A1 US20060213767A1 US10/554,515 US55451505A US2006213767A1 US 20060213767 A1 US20060213767 A1 US 20060213767A1 US 55451505 A US55451505 A US 55451505A US 2006213767 A1 US2006213767 A1 US 2006213767A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- polymer wall
- metal wire
- electrode
- bipolar plate
- knitted fabric
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M4/00—Electrodes
- H01M4/86—Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
- H01M4/8605—Porous electrodes
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
- C25B9/60—Constructional parts of cells
- C25B9/65—Means for supplying current; Electrode connections; Electric inter-cell connections
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
- H01M8/0221—Organic resins; Organic polymers
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/36—Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
Definitions
- the present invention relates to bipolar plates, especially for use in electrochemical processes.
- the present invention also relates to methods for providing such bipolar plates
- Bipolar plates are well known for use in electrochemical processes, e.g. full cells.
- Reactors of electrochemical processes may comprise an anode and a cathode chamber being separated from each other by means of a liquid and gas tight barrier. Meanwhile, an electrically conductive electrode is provided in this anode and cathode chamber.
- the bipolar plate may act as a liquid and gas barrier between anode and cathode chamber.
- the electrodes from the anode side and the cathode side are to be in electrical contact with each other.
- EP229473B1 describes such a bipolar plate comprising a polymer wall and a first and a second electrode, each at one side of the polymer wall.
- the electrodes are provided using an undulated, possibly perforated metal sheet or an undulated wire mesh, in the form of a woven structure.
- the electrodes are partially embedded in the polymer wall, and make electrical contact with each other in the polymer wall.
- the presence of such amount of metal sheet causes significant pressure drops necessary for evacuation of distribution of reactant gasses in the electrodes. It also causes the bipolar plate to have a relatively large weight.
- a bipolar plate as subject of the invention comprises a polymer wall and a first and a second electrode.
- the first electrode is positioned at a first side of the polymer wall, whereas the second electrode is positioned at the second side of the polymer wall. Both electrodes are partially embedded in the polymer wall, making electrical contact with each other in this polymer wall.
- the bipolar plate as subject of the invention is characterized in that at least one of the first or second electrodes comprises a metal wire knitted fabric, which is partially embedded in the polymer wall. Possibly both electrodes comprise metal wire knitted fabrics, which are partially embedded in the polymer wall.
- the electrodes may even consist of metal wire knitted fabric. Possibly each electrode comprises more than one layer of metal wire knitted fabric, all layers added one on top of the other. The layer closest to the polymer wall is partially embedded in the polymer wall.
- bipolar plates as subject of the invention comprising electrodes consisting of possibly more than one layer of metal wire knitted fabric for each electrode, are used in electrochemical processes, the gasses obtained by the chemical reactions may more easily and with less pressure drop be evacuated from the electrodes.
- the metal wire knitted product, used to provide a bipolar plate as subject of the invention, is not necessarily to be undulated as for the bipolar plates of the prior art. Therefor one step in production of bipolar plates may be avoided, further reducing production costs.
- Metal wire having a diameter in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm may be used to provide the metal wire knitted fabrics. More preferred, metal wires with a diameter in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm, such as in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.25 mm or in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm may be used. As metal wire, metal wires out of Ni or Ni-alloy may be used. Alternatively titanium, titanium alloys, or stainless steel alloys, such as alloys of the AISI 300-series or AISI 400-series may be used, e.g. AISI 302, AISI 304, AISI 310, AISI 316, AISI 316L, AISI 347, AISI 430, AISI 434 or AISI 444.
- AISI 302 AISI 304, AISI 310, AISI 316, AISI 316L, AISI 347, AISI 430, AISI 4
- the polymer wall preferably is a polymer sheet.
- the thickness of the polymer wall is preferably more than 0.5 mm but less than 5 mm. The selection of the thickness may influence the gas and liquid impermeability of the polymer wall, and may influence the diffusion coefficient of gas molecules through the polymer wall.
- the polymer material used to provide the polymer wall is preferably selected from the group consisting of fluoro-polymers such as polytetrafluorethylene, or polyolefines, such as e.g. polypropylene, polyethylene or high-density polyethylene, polyacetal or polysulfon.
- fluoro-polymers such as polytetrafluorethylene, or polyolefines, such as e.g. polypropylene, polyethylene or high-density polyethylene, polyacetal or polysulfon.
- the polymer wall is a polymer sheet, being obtained by extrusion processes. Extruded polymer sheets guarantee to a larger extent the gas- and liquid-tightness.
- the two electrodes of which at least one comprises a metal wire knitted fabric, are embedded partially in the polymer wall.
- the metal wire knitted fabrics are laminated together with the polymer wall, which is preferably a polymer sheet.
- the depth of the embedding of one of the metal wire knitted fabrics of the electrodes is chosen in such a way that both electrodes contact each other in the polymer wall, so providing electrical contact between the two electrodes.
- the thickness of the metal wire knitted fabric being more than half of the thickness of the polymer wall.
- the metal wire knitted fabric has a thickness less than 5 mm.
- the density of the metal wire knitted fabric is preferably less than 10%.
- the electrode may comprise additional elements next to the partially embedded metal wire knitted fabric, e.g. spacing elements or catalyst carrying elements. Possibly more than one layer of metal wire knitted fabric may be used for each electrode, one layer being on top of the other, as an example to provide sufficient volume to the electrode or to provide the other elements of the electrode.
- a catalyst for use in the electrochemical reaction may be present.
- a catalyst selected from the group consisting of Rh, Ru, Pt, Pd, Ir, Ag, Ni, Cu, WC or AU or combinations thereof may be used.
- the catalyst on the first electrode may be identical or different as the catalyst on the second electrode.
- the catalysts are only present at a certain zone of the electrode.
- the catalyst may only be present at the side of the electrode removed from the polymer wall.
- an electrode may comprise a first metal wire knitted fabric, partially embedded in the polymer wall as subject of the invention.
- a second metal wire knitted fabric functioning as spacing layer between the first metal wire knitted fabric and the catalyst carrier is present on top of the first metal wire knitted fabric.
- a third metal fiber knitted fabric being coated with a catalyst, is provided functioning as catalyst carrier.
- the bipolar plates as subject of the invention may be used in all kinds of electrochemical reactors, such as e.g. fuel cells, electrolysers or H 2 -production units.
- the electrode comprises more than one layer of metal wire knitted fabric, only some layers may be coated with a catalyst. Most preferred, the metal wire knitted fabric who is partially embedded in the polymer wall is not coated with a catalyst.
- the method provided bipolar plates in a more economic way, and in the mean time it is easy to control, as some process parameters, e.g. pressure during lamination is less critical.
- Some process parameters e.g. pressure during lamination is less critical.
- the latter is due to the elasticity the metal wire knitted fabrics possess in a direction perpendicular to its surface.
- the method of production of a bipolar plate as subject of the invention further comprises the step of coating one or both of the metal wire knitted fabrics with a catalyst.
- the method of production of a bipolar plate further comprises the step of adding different layers of metal wire knitted fabric one on top of the other before or after laminating, in order to obtain electrodes comprising more than one layer of metal wire knitted fabric.
- FIG. 1 shows schematically a side view of a bipolar plate as subject of the invention
- FIG. 2 shows schematically a cross section according to plane AA′ of a bipolar plate as subject of the invention of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show schematically a cross section of alternative bipolar plates as subject of the invention.
- FIG. 1 A side view of a bipolar plate 110 as subject of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 .
- a polymer wall 120 has two outer surfaces, and at least in one surface 121 , a metal wire knitted fabric 130 being part of an electrode is partially embedded in the polymer wall 120 .
- a metal wire knitted fabric 130 being part of an electrode is partially embedded in the polymer wall 120 .
- possibly another metal wire knitted fabric 140 being part of the electrode at the other side 122 is partially embedded in the polymer wall 120 .
- FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the bipolar plate 110 , having two electrodes comprising metal wire knitted fabric ( 130 and 140 ), one at each side of the polymer wall 120 .
- a bipolar plate 110 comprises a polymer wall 120 with a thickness 221 , e.g. 2 mm.
- a metal wire knitted fabric 130 and 140 is partially embedded over a depth of slightly more than half of the thickness 221 of the polymer wall 120 . It is understood that the thickness 233 and 243 of the metal wire knitted fabrics is to be substantially more than this half of the thickness 221 of the polymer wall 120 , in order to provide a significant volume to the electrode which is not embedded in the polymer wall, providing void volume to the electrodes for gas evacuation of supply of reactant gas or reactant liquid.
- the metal wire knitted fabric 130 may be coated with a catalyst based on Pt and Ru.
- the metal wire knitted fabric 140 may be coated with a catalyst based on Pt and Ir.
- the metal wire knitted fabrics 130 and 140 may be a double bed knitted structure (either warp of weft knitted) using a machine gauge of 5 (5 needles per inch of needle bed). A nickel wire of diameter 250 ⁇ m may be used.
- the metal wire knitted fabric is preferably embedded in the polymer wall, being preferably a polymer sheet, by laminating the knitted fabric in the sheet.
- FIG. 3 A cross section of an alternative bipolar plate as subject of the invention is shown in FIG. 3 .
- the bipolar plate 310 comprises a polymer wall 320 , being an extruded polymer sheet of high-density polypropylene (HDPP), polysulfon, polyacetal or high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
- the thickness 321 of the polymer sheet is approximately 1 mm.
- a first electrode 330 is located, comprising two layers of metal wire knitted fabric (indicated 331 and 332 ), the layer of metal wire knitted fabric 331 , closest to the polymer wall 320 is partially embedded in the polymer wall 320 .
- the thickness of the electrode (indicated 333 ) being the sum of thickness of layer 331 and layer 332 , is approximately 7 mm, wherein each layer 331 and 332 has a thickness of approximately 3.5 mm.
- Layer 331 is embedded in polymer wall over a depth of slightly more than 0.5 mm.
- a second electrode 340 is located, comprising two layers of metal wire knitted fabric (indicated 341 and 342 ), the layer of metal wire knitted fabric 341 , closest to the polymer wall 320 is partially embedded in the polymer wall 320 .
- Layer 341 is embedded in polymer wall over a depth of slightly more than 0.5 mm.
- both metal wire knitted products 331 and 341 are embedded using a depth of slightly more than half of the thickness 321 of the polymer wall, an electrical contact between both metal wire knitted fabrics 331 and 341 , and thus between both electrodes 330 and 340 is ensured.
- the metal wire knitted fabrics 331 , 332 , 341 , and 341 may be a single jersey knitted structure using a machine gauge of 5 (5 needles per inch of needle bed).
- a nickel wire of diameter 250 ⁇ m may be used, providing a metal wire knitted fabric having a thickness of approximately 3.5 mm, having a weight of 47.5 g/m 2 and density of 1.7%
- the layer 332 may be coated with a catalyst based on Pt and In.
- the layer 342 may be coated with a catalyst based on Pt and Ir.
- FIG. 4 A cross section of an alternative bipolar plate as subject of the invention is shown in FIG. 4 .
- the bipolar plate 410 comprises a polymer wall 420 , being an extruded polymer sheet of high-density polypropylene (HDPP), polysulfon, polyacetal or high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
- the thickness 421 of the polymer sheet is approximately 1 mm.
- a first electrode 430 is located, comprising three layers of metal wire knitted fabric (indicated 431 , 432 and 433 ), the layer of metal wire knitted fabric 431 , closest to the polymer wall 420 is partially embedded in the polymer wall 420 .
- the thickness of the electrode (indicated 434 ), being the sum of thickness of layer 431 , layer 432 and layer 433 , is approximately 10.5 mm, wherein each layer 431 , 432 and 433 has a thickness of approximately 3.5 mm.
- Layer 431 is embedded in polymer wall over a depth of slightly more than 0.5 mm.
- a second electrode 440 is located, comprising three layers of metal wire knitted fabric (indicated 441 , 442 and 443 ), the layer of metal wire knitted fabric 441 , closest to the polymer wall 420 is partially embedded in the polymer wall 420 .
- Layer 441 is embedded in polymer wall over a depth of slightly more than 0.5 mm.
- both metal wire knitted products 431 and 441 are embedded using a depth of slightly more than half of the thickness 421 of the polymer wall, an electrical contact between both metal wire knitted fabrics 431 and 441 , and thus between both electrodes 430 and 440 is ensured.
- the metal wire knitted fabrics 441 , 442 , 443 , 431 , 432 and 433 may be identical as the metal wire knitted fabric used for the embodiment as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the metal wire knitted fabrics 432 and 442 function as spacing layers between the first metal wire knitted fabrics 431 and 441 , and the third metal wire knitted fabrics 433 and 443 , which are coated with a catalyst based on Pt and In for metal wire knitted fabric 433 and a catalyst based on Pt and Ir for metal wire knitted fabric 443 .
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Inert Electrodes (AREA)
- Electrodes For Compound Or Non-Metal Manufacture (AREA)
- Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
A bipolar plate as subject of the invention comprises a polymer wall (420) and a first (430) and a second (440) electrode. The first electrode is positioned at a first side of the polymer wall and the second electrode is positioned at the second side of the polymer wall. The first and the second electrode are partially embedded in the polymer wall where they make electrical contact with each other in the polymer wall. At least one of the electrodes comprises a metal wire knitted fabric, which is partially embedded in the polymer wall.
Description
- The present invention relates to bipolar plates, especially for use in electrochemical processes. The present invention also relates to methods for providing such bipolar plates
- Bipolar plates are well known for use in electrochemical processes, e.g. full cells. Reactors of electrochemical processes may comprise an anode and a cathode chamber being separated from each other by means of a liquid and gas tight barrier. Meanwhile, an electrically conductive electrode is provided in this anode and cathode chamber.
- The bipolar plate may act as a liquid and gas barrier between anode and cathode chamber.
- In some cases, the electrodes from the anode side and the cathode side are to be in electrical contact with each other. EP229473B1 describes such a bipolar plate comprising a polymer wall and a first and a second electrode, each at one side of the polymer wall. The electrodes are provided using an undulated, possibly perforated metal sheet or an undulated wire mesh, in the form of a woven structure. The electrodes are partially embedded in the polymer wall, and make electrical contact with each other in the polymer wall.
- The stiffness of the perforated metal plate, and the relative large amount of metal to be anchored in the polymer wall, renders the embedding of the electrodes in the polymer wall relatively difficult, causing uncertainty with regard to the necessary contact of both electrodes in the polymer wall. The presence of such amount of metal sheet causes significant pressure drops necessary for evacuation of distribution of reactant gasses in the electrodes. It also causes the bipolar plate to have a relatively large weight.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a bipolar plate, which is an alternative for the bipolar plates presently known in the art. It is also an object of the present invention to facilitate the embedding of the electrodes in the polymer wall. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a bipolar plate having an improved anchoring of the electrode to the polymer wall. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a bipolar plate having a more certain contact of both electrodes in the polymer wall. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a bipolar plate improving the evacuation of gasses obtained as a result of the electrochemical reactions. It is also an object of the present invention to facilitate the distribution of gasses being reactants for the electrochemical reactions over the whole surface of the electrodes. It is an other object of the present invention to obtain a bipolar plate with improved distribution of liquids used for the electrochemical reaction. It is still an other object of the present invention to provide a bipolar plate with reduced weight. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a bipolar plate, which is less expensive to produce.
- A bipolar plate as subject of the invention comprises a polymer wall and a first and a second electrode. The first electrode is positioned at a first side of the polymer wall, whereas the second electrode is positioned at the second side of the polymer wall. Both electrodes are partially embedded in the polymer wall, making electrical contact with each other in this polymer wall. The bipolar plate as subject of the invention is characterized in that at least one of the first or second electrodes comprises a metal wire knitted fabric, which is partially embedded in the polymer wall. Possibly both electrodes comprise metal wire knitted fabrics, which are partially embedded in the polymer wall. The electrodes may even consist of metal wire knitted fabric. Possibly each electrode comprises more than one layer of metal wire knitted fabric, all layers added one on top of the other. The layer closest to the polymer wall is partially embedded in the polymer wall.
- It was also found that the use of metal wire knitted fabrics, the embedding of the fabrics is facilitated and can be done in a more accurate way. It was also found that the use of a metal wire knitted fabric, who is partially embedded in the polymer wall, provides an improved anchoring of the electrode in the polymer wall. As both electrodes are partially embedded in the polymer wall and make electrical contact in the polymer wall, the improved anchoring results in a more certain electrical contact between the electrodes over time.
- It was found that when bipolar plates as subject of the invention, comprising electrodes consisting of possibly more than one layer of metal wire knitted fabric for each electrode, are used in electrochemical processes, the gasses obtained by the chemical reactions may more easily and with less pressure drop be evacuated from the electrodes.
- Also, it was found that in case gasses are used as reactants, such gasses are distributed more easily and equally over the whole electrode volume, requiring less pressure to be distributed. It was further found that liquids used during electrochemical reaction are distributed more easily and equally over the whole electrode volume. As less metal volume is necessary to provide the electrodes as compared with undulated sheets or alike, the bipolar plate is less heavy. The fact of comprising less metal volume may also decrease the production price of bipolar plates.
- The metal wire knitted product, used to provide a bipolar plate as subject of the invention, is not necessarily to be undulated as for the bipolar plates of the prior art. Therefor one step in production of bipolar plates may be avoided, further reducing production costs.
- Metal wire having a diameter in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm may be used to provide the metal wire knitted fabrics. More preferred, metal wires with a diameter in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm, such as in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.25 mm or in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm may be used. As metal wire, metal wires out of Ni or Ni-alloy may be used. Alternatively titanium, titanium alloys, or stainless steel alloys, such as alloys of the AISI 300-series or AISI 400-series may be used, e.g. AISI 302, AISI 304, AISI 310, AISI 316, AISI 316L, AISI 347, AISI 430, AISI 434 or AISI 444.
- The polymer wall preferably is a polymer sheet. The thickness of the polymer wall is preferably more than 0.5 mm but less than 5 mm. The selection of the thickness may influence the gas and liquid impermeability of the polymer wall, and may influence the diffusion coefficient of gas molecules through the polymer wall.
- As polymer wall, the polymer material used to provide the polymer wall is preferably selected from the group consisting of fluoro-polymers such as polytetrafluorethylene, or polyolefines, such as e.g. polypropylene, polyethylene or high-density polyethylene, polyacetal or polysulfon. Most preferred, the polymer wall is a polymer sheet, being obtained by extrusion processes. Extruded polymer sheets guarantee to a larger extent the gas- and liquid-tightness.
- The two electrodes, of which at least one comprises a metal wire knitted fabric, are embedded partially in the polymer wall. Most preferred, the metal wire knitted fabrics are laminated together with the polymer wall, which is preferably a polymer sheet. The depth of the embedding of one of the metal wire knitted fabrics of the electrodes is chosen in such a way that both electrodes contact each other in the polymer wall, so providing electrical contact between the two electrodes.
- In order to have still a part of the metal wire knitted fabric not embedded at both sides of the polymer wall, the thickness of the metal wire knitted fabric being more than half of the thickness of the polymer wall. Preferably, the metal wire knitted fabric has a thickness less than 5 mm.
- The density of the metal wire knitted fabric is preferably less than 10%.
- The electrode may comprise additional elements next to the partially embedded metal wire knitted fabric, e.g. spacing elements or catalyst carrying elements. Possibly more than one layer of metal wire knitted fabric may be used for each electrode, one layer being on top of the other, as an example to provide sufficient volume to the electrode or to provide the other elements of the electrode.
- On one or both electrodes, a catalyst for use in the electrochemical reaction may be present. E.g. a catalyst selected from the group consisting of Rh, Ru, Pt, Pd, Ir, Ag, Ni, Cu, WC or AU or combinations thereof may be used. The catalyst on the first electrode may be identical or different as the catalyst on the second electrode.
- Possibly, the catalysts are only present at a certain zone of the electrode. As an example, the catalyst may only be present at the side of the electrode removed from the polymer wall.
- As an example, an electrode may comprise a first metal wire knitted fabric, partially embedded in the polymer wall as subject of the invention. A second metal wire knitted fabric functioning as spacing layer between the first metal wire knitted fabric and the catalyst carrier is present on top of the first metal wire knitted fabric. On top of the second metal wire knitted fabric, a third metal fiber knitted fabric being coated with a catalyst, is provided functioning as catalyst carrier.
- The bipolar plates as subject of the invention may be used in all kinds of electrochemical reactors, such as e.g. fuel cells, electrolysers or H2-production units.
- In case the electrode comprises more than one layer of metal wire knitted fabric, only some layers may be coated with a catalyst. Most preferred, the metal wire knitted fabric who is partially embedded in the polymer wall is not coated with a catalyst.
- It is further an object to provide a method of providing a bipolar plate, comprising the steps of
-
- Providing a polymer wall;
- Providing a first electrode comprising a metal wire knitted fabric;
- Providing a second electrode comprising a metal wire knitted fabric;
- Providing the first electrode at a first side of the polymer wall;
- Providing the second electrode at a second the of said polymer wall;
- Laminating the first and said second electrode and the polymer wall.
- The method provided bipolar plates in a more economic way, and in the mean time it is easy to control, as some process parameters, e.g. pressure during lamination is less critical. The latter is due to the elasticity the metal wire knitted fabrics possess in a direction perpendicular to its surface.
- Possibly the method of production of a bipolar plate as subject of the invention further comprises the step of coating one or both of the metal wire knitted fabrics with a catalyst.
- Possibly the method of production of a bipolar plate further comprises the step of adding different layers of metal wire knitted fabric one on top of the other before or after laminating, in order to obtain electrodes comprising more than one layer of metal wire knitted fabric.
- The invention will now be described into more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein
-
FIG. 1 shows schematically a side view of a bipolar plate as subject of the invention; -
FIG. 2 shows schematically a cross section according to plane AA′ of a bipolar plate as subject of the invention ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 andFIG. 4 show schematically a cross section of alternative bipolar plates as subject of the invention. - A side view of a
bipolar plate 110 as subject of the invention is shown inFIG. 1 . Apolymer wall 120 has two outer surfaces, and at least in onesurface 121, a metal wire knittedfabric 130 being part of an electrode is partially embedded in thepolymer wall 120. At theother side 122 of thepolymer wall 120, possibly another metal wire knitted fabric 140 (not shown for reason of clarity inFIG. 1 ) being part of the electrode at theother side 122 is partially embedded in thepolymer wall 120. -
FIG. 2 shows a cross section of thebipolar plate 110, having two electrodes comprising metal wire knitted fabric (130 and 140), one at each side of thepolymer wall 120. - A
bipolar plate 110 comprises apolymer wall 120 with athickness 221, e.g. 2 mm. At bothsides polymer wall 120, preferably an extruded HDPP, HDPE, polysulfon or polyacetal sheet, a metal wire knittedfabric thickness 221 of thepolymer wall 120. It is understood that thethickness thickness 221 of thepolymer wall 120, in order to provide a significant volume to the electrode which is not embedded in the polymer wall, providing void volume to the electrodes for gas evacuation of supply of reactant gas or reactant liquid. - Possibly, the metal wire knitted
fabric 130 may be coated with a catalyst based on Pt and Ru. The metal wire knittedfabric 140 may be coated with a catalyst based on Pt and Ir. - The metal wire knitted
fabrics - The metal wire knitted fabric is preferably embedded in the polymer wall, being preferably a polymer sheet, by laminating the knitted fabric in the sheet.
- A cross section of an alternative bipolar plate as subject of the invention is shown in
FIG. 3 . - The
bipolar plate 310 comprises apolymer wall 320, being an extruded polymer sheet of high-density polypropylene (HDPP), polysulfon, polyacetal or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Thethickness 321 of the polymer sheet is approximately 1 mm. At one side of thepolymer wall 311, afirst electrode 330 is located, comprising two layers of metal wire knitted fabric (indicated 331 and 332), the layer of metal wire knittedfabric 331, closest to thepolymer wall 320 is partially embedded in thepolymer wall 320. The thickness of the electrode (indicated 333), being the sum of thickness oflayer 331 andlayer 332, is approximately 7 mm, wherein eachlayer -
Layer 331 is embedded in polymer wall over a depth of slightly more than 0.5 mm. - At the
other side 312 of the polymer wall, asecond electrode 340 is located, comprising two layers of metal wire knitted fabric (indicated 341 and 342), the layer of metal wire knittedfabric 341, closest to thepolymer wall 320 is partially embedded in thepolymer wall 320. The thickness of the electrode (indicated 343), being the sum of thickness oflayer 341 andlayer 342, is approximately 7 mm, wherein eachlayer -
Layer 341 is embedded in polymer wall over a depth of slightly more than 0.5 mm. - As both metal wire knitted
products thickness 321 of the polymer wall, an electrical contact between both metal wire knittedfabrics electrodes - As an example, the metal wire knitted
fabrics - Possibly, the
layer 332 may be coated with a catalyst based on Pt and In. Thelayer 342 may be coated with a catalyst based on Pt and Ir. - A cross section of an alternative bipolar plate as subject of the invention is shown in
FIG. 4 . - The
bipolar plate 410 comprises apolymer wall 420, being an extruded polymer sheet of high-density polypropylene (HDPP), polysulfon, polyacetal or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Thethickness 421 of the polymer sheet is approximately 1 mm. At one side of thepolymer wall 411, afirst electrode 430 is located, comprising three layers of metal wire knitted fabric (indicated 431, 432 and 433), the layer of metal wire knittedfabric 431, closest to thepolymer wall 420 is partially embedded in thepolymer wall 420. The thickness of the electrode (indicated 434), being the sum of thickness oflayer 431,layer 432 andlayer 433, is approximately 10.5 mm, wherein eachlayer -
Layer 431 is embedded in polymer wall over a depth of slightly more than 0.5 mm. - At the
other side 412 of the polymer wall, asecond electrode 440 is located, comprising three layers of metal wire knitted fabric (indicated 441, 442 and 443), the layer of metal wire knittedfabric 441, closest to thepolymer wall 420 is partially embedded in thepolymer wall 420. The thickness of the electrode (indicated 444), being the sum of thickness oflayers layer -
Layer 441 is embedded in polymer wall over a depth of slightly more than 0.5 mm. - As both metal wire knitted
products thickness 421 of the polymer wall, an electrical contact between both metal wire knittedfabrics electrodes - The metal wire knitted
fabrics FIG. 3 . - The metal wire knitted
fabrics fabrics fabrics fabric 433 and a catalyst based on Pt and Ir for metal wire knittedfabric 443.
Claims (17)
1. A bipolar plate comprising a polymer wall which comprises a first side and a second side, said plate further comprising a first and a second electrode, said first electrode positioned at said first side of said polymer wall, said second electrode positioned at said second side of said polymer wall, said first and said second electrode being partially embedded in said polymer wall, said first and said second electrode making electrical contact with each other in said polymer wall, characterized in that at least one of said first or second electrode comprises a metal wire knitted fabric, being partially embedded in said polymer wall.
2. A bipolar plate as in claim 1 , wherein said first and said second electrode comprise a metal wire knitted fabric being partially embedded in said polymer wall.
3. A bipolar plate as in claim 1 , wherein said electrodes consist of metal wire knitted fabrics.
4. A bipolar plate as in claim 1 , wherein said first and said second electrode comprise more than one layer of wire knitted fabric, only one of said layers of metal wire knitted fabric of each of said electrodes being partially embedded in said polymer wall.
5. A bipolar plate as in claim 1 , wherein said metal wire knitted fabric has a density of less than 10%.
6. A bipolar plate as in claim 1 , wherein said polymer wall is a polymer sheet.
7. A bipolar plate as in claim 6 , wherein said polymer sheet is an extruded polymer sheet.
8. A bipolar plate as in claim 1 , wherein said metal wire knitted fabric is provided using Ni or Ni-alloy metal wire.
9. A bipolar plate as in claim 1 , wherein said metal wire knitted fabric comprises metal wire having a diameter of less than 0.5 mm
10. A bipolar plate as in claim 1 , wherein said polymer wall is provided using a polymer material selected from the group consisting of fluoro-polymers, polyolefines, or polyacetal or polysulfon.
11. A bipolar plate as in claim 1 , wherein said polymer wall has a thickness of more than 0.5 mm, said polymer wall having a thickness of less than 5 mm.
12. A bipolar plate as in claim 1 , wherein said first and said second electrode each has a thickness of more than half of the thickness of said polymer wall.
13. A bipolar plate as in claim 1 , wherein said first electrode and/or said second comprises a catalyst.
14. A bipolar plate as in claim 1 , wherein said first and/or said second electrode comprises a catalyst selected from the group consisting of Rh, Ru, Pt, Pd, Ir, Ag, Ni, Cu, WC or Au or combinations thereof.
15. A method to provide a bipolar plate, said method comprising the steps of
Providing a polymer wall;
Providing a first electrode comprising a metal wire knitted fabric;
Providing a second electrode comprising a metal wire knitted fabric;
Providing said first electrode at a first side of said polymer wall;
Providing said second electrode at a second side of said polymer wall;
Laminating said first and said second electrode and said polymer wall.
16. The use of a bipolar plate as in claim 1 in electrochemical reactors.
17. The use of a bipolar plate as in claim 1 for production of H2.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2003/050130 WO2004097073A1 (en) | 2003-04-29 | 2003-04-29 | Bipolar plate comprising metal wire |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060213767A1 true US20060213767A1 (en) | 2006-09-28 |
Family
ID=33395702
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/554,515 Abandoned US20060213767A1 (en) | 2003-04-29 | 2003-04-29 | Bipolar plate comprising metal wire |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060213767A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1649081A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2006524747A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1771354A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003238520A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2520918A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2004097073A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090286463A1 (en) * | 2008-05-13 | 2009-11-19 | Daniels Gregory S | Ember-resistant and flame-resistant roof ventilation system |
US20100262214A1 (en) * | 2009-04-08 | 2010-10-14 | National Ict Australia Limited | Stitched components of an active implantable medical device |
US8782967B2 (en) | 2010-09-27 | 2014-07-22 | Gregory S. Daniels | Above sheathing ventilation system |
US10011925B2 (en) | 2015-05-14 | 2018-07-03 | Gunze Limited | Conductive stretchable knitted fabric and harness for conduction |
DE102021128017A1 (en) | 2021-10-27 | 2023-04-27 | Texotex Ug (Haftungsbeschränkt) | Textile fabric |
Families Citing this family (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN102064328B (en) * | 2010-12-02 | 2013-03-20 | 北京印刷学院 | Composite material bipolar plate for proton exchange membrane fuel cell and manufacturing method thereof |
US9200375B2 (en) | 2011-05-19 | 2015-12-01 | Calera Corporation | Systems and methods for preparation and separation of products |
CN107254689A (en) * | 2012-03-29 | 2017-10-17 | 卡勒拉公司 | The electrochemical hydrogen oxide system and method aoxidized using metal |
TWI633206B (en) | 2013-07-31 | 2018-08-21 | 卡利拉股份有限公司 | Electrochemical hydroxide systems and methods using metal oxidation |
CN107109672B (en) | 2014-09-15 | 2019-09-27 | 卡勒拉公司 | The electro-chemical systems and method of product are formed using metal halide |
US10266954B2 (en) | 2015-10-28 | 2019-04-23 | Calera Corporation | Electrochemical, halogenation, and oxyhalogenation systems and methods |
US10619254B2 (en) | 2016-10-28 | 2020-04-14 | Calera Corporation | Electrochemical, chlorination, and oxychlorination systems and methods to form propylene oxide or ethylene oxide |
US10556848B2 (en) | 2017-09-19 | 2020-02-11 | Calera Corporation | Systems and methods using lanthanide halide |
US10590054B2 (en) | 2018-05-30 | 2020-03-17 | Calera Corporation | Methods and systems to form propylene chlorohydrin from dichloropropane using Lewis acid |
CN108878921B (en) * | 2018-06-13 | 2020-10-16 | 珠海冠宇电池股份有限公司 | Bipolar plate for fuel cell and preparation method thereof |
JP2021155779A (en) * | 2020-03-26 | 2021-10-07 | 三菱マテリアル株式会社 | Water electrolysis electrode and water electrolysis apparatus |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5821009A (en) * | 1997-03-03 | 1998-10-13 | Space Systems/Loral, Inc. | Fault tolerant bipolar gas electrode design for a rechargeable battery |
US6037072A (en) * | 1996-09-27 | 2000-03-14 | Regents Of The University Of California | Fuel cell with metal screen flow field |
US6103413A (en) * | 1998-05-21 | 2000-08-15 | The Dow Chemical Company | Bipolar plates for electrochemical cells |
US20010006745A1 (en) * | 1998-07-21 | 2001-07-05 | Sorapec | Bipolar collector for fuel cell |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB8530893D0 (en) * | 1985-12-16 | 1986-01-29 | Ici Plc | Electrode |
-
2003
- 2003-04-29 US US10/554,515 patent/US20060213767A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-04-29 WO PCT/EP2003/050130 patent/WO2004097073A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-04-29 JP JP2004571245A patent/JP2006524747A/en active Pending
- 2003-04-29 CN CNA038263890A patent/CN1771354A/en active Pending
- 2003-04-29 AU AU2003238520A patent/AU2003238520A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-04-29 EP EP03732588A patent/EP1649081A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2003-04-29 CA CA002520918A patent/CA2520918A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6037072A (en) * | 1996-09-27 | 2000-03-14 | Regents Of The University Of California | Fuel cell with metal screen flow field |
US5821009A (en) * | 1997-03-03 | 1998-10-13 | Space Systems/Loral, Inc. | Fault tolerant bipolar gas electrode design for a rechargeable battery |
US6103413A (en) * | 1998-05-21 | 2000-08-15 | The Dow Chemical Company | Bipolar plates for electrochemical cells |
US20010006745A1 (en) * | 1998-07-21 | 2001-07-05 | Sorapec | Bipolar collector for fuel cell |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090286463A1 (en) * | 2008-05-13 | 2009-11-19 | Daniels Gregory S | Ember-resistant and flame-resistant roof ventilation system |
US9011221B2 (en) * | 2008-05-13 | 2015-04-21 | Gregory S. Daniels | Ember-resistant and flame-resistant roof ventilation |
US11383111B2 (en) * | 2008-05-13 | 2022-07-12 | Gregory S. Daniels | Ember-resistant and flame-resistant roof ventilation system |
US11850457B2 (en) | 2008-05-13 | 2023-12-26 | O'daniels, Llc. | Ember-resistant and flame-resistant roof ventilation system |
US20100262214A1 (en) * | 2009-04-08 | 2010-10-14 | National Ict Australia Limited | Stitched components of an active implantable medical device |
US9089714B2 (en) * | 2009-04-08 | 2015-07-28 | Saluda Medical Pty Limited | Stitched components of an active implantable medical device |
US8782967B2 (en) | 2010-09-27 | 2014-07-22 | Gregory S. Daniels | Above sheathing ventilation system |
US9140013B2 (en) | 2010-09-27 | 2015-09-22 | Gregory S. Daniels | Above sheathing ventilation system |
US10011925B2 (en) | 2015-05-14 | 2018-07-03 | Gunze Limited | Conductive stretchable knitted fabric and harness for conduction |
DE102021128017A1 (en) | 2021-10-27 | 2023-04-27 | Texotex Ug (Haftungsbeschränkt) | Textile fabric |
EP4173692A1 (en) * | 2021-10-27 | 2023-05-03 | TexoTex UG (haftungsbeschränkt) | Extile sheet material for the decomposition of molecules by catalytic electrolysis |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2003238520A1 (en) | 2004-11-23 |
CN1771354A (en) | 2006-05-10 |
CA2520918A1 (en) | 2004-11-11 |
JP2006524747A (en) | 2006-11-02 |
WO2004097073A1 (en) | 2004-11-11 |
EP1649081A1 (en) | 2006-04-26 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20060213767A1 (en) | Bipolar plate comprising metal wire | |
US10637068B2 (en) | Modular electrochemical cells | |
EP0248433B1 (en) | Electrolytic cell | |
EP2428594B1 (en) | Method of configuring an ion exchange membrane electrolytic cell | |
US10087537B2 (en) | Current density distributor for use in an electrode | |
US20060141320A1 (en) | Fuel cell and method for manufacturing electrolyte membrane for fuel cell | |
CA1094981A (en) | Bipolar electrodes | |
US20050017055A1 (en) | Electrochemical fuel cell component materials and methods of bonding electrochemical fuel cell components | |
US3215562A (en) | Fuel cell with screen electrodes | |
KR20080109024A (en) | Anode support member and bipolar separator for use in a fuel cell assembly and for preventing poisoning of reforming catalyst | |
US20010004050A1 (en) | Integrated membrane and electrode support screen and protector ring for an electrochemical cell | |
WO2003061042A2 (en) | Metal stack for fuel cells or electrolysers | |
EP0216428B1 (en) | Porous diaphragm for electrochemical cell | |
US4921587A (en) | Porous diaphragm for electrochemical cell | |
JP4881511B2 (en) | Feeder | |
CN102237529B (en) | The forming board assembly of PEM fuel cell | |
JP2008103142A (en) | Gas diffusion layer for fuel cell, its manufacturing method, and polymer electrolyte fuel cell using it | |
Federico et al. | Gas-diffusion electrodes for chlorine-related (production) technologies | |
EP1242654B1 (en) | Method and construction for ventilation of hydrogen gas | |
EP0124125A2 (en) | Electrolysis cell and method of generating halogen | |
WO2023244644A1 (en) | Gas diffusion electrode suitable for use in carbon dioxide electrolyzer | |
KR20230081020A (en) | ELECTROLYZERs FOR BRINE DECOMPOSITION COMPRISING BIPOLAR SEPARATORS | |
CN117107294A (en) | Electrolysis diaphragm and electrolysis device | |
CA1317563C (en) | Article for constructing an electrolytic cell | |
EP4298683A1 (en) | Method and device for forming a catalytically-active membrane or a membrane-electrode-assembly |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: N.V. BEKAERT S.A., BELGIUM Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ANAF, LIEVEN;REEL/FRAME:017347/0120 Effective date: 20030805 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |