US20150093673A1 - Pem fuel cell stack inlet water regulation system - Google Patents
Pem fuel cell stack inlet water regulation system Download PDFInfo
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- US20150093673A1 US20150093673A1 US14/503,497 US201414503497A US2015093673A1 US 20150093673 A1 US20150093673 A1 US 20150093673A1 US 201414503497 A US201414503497 A US 201414503497A US 2015093673 A1 US2015093673 A1 US 2015093673A1
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- 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
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04291—Arrangements for managing water in solid electrolyte fuel cell systems
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- 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
- H01M8/0271—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
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- 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
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
- H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
- H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
- H01M8/04156—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal
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- 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
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
- H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
- H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
- H01M8/04156—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal
- H01M8/04171—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal using adsorbents, wicks or hydrophilic material
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- 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
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04223—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids during start-up or shut-down; Depolarisation or activation, e.g. purging; Means for short-circuiting defective fuel cells
- H01M8/04253—Means for solving freezing problems
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- 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
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/241—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
- H01M8/242—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes comprising framed electrodes or intermediary frame-like gaskets
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- 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
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
- H01M8/2484—Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by external manifolds
- H01M8/2485—Arrangements for sealing external manifolds; Arrangements for mounting external manifolds around a stack
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- 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
- H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
- H01M2008/1095—Fuel cells with polymeric electrolytes
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M2300/00—Electrolytes
- H01M2300/0017—Non-aqueous electrolytes
- H01M2300/0065—Solid electrolytes
- H01M2300/0082—Organic polymers
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- 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
Abstract
A fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed that includes a porous member disposed within a flow path for a reactant. A fluid collection member is provided within the flow path adjacent to and in fluid communication with the porous member. The porous member and the fluid collection member cooperate to collect liquid water from the reactant flowing in the flow path, wherein the collected liquid water may be drained from the fluid collection member.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/551,600 filed on Sep. 1, 2009. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.
- The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell stack and more particularly to a fuel cell stack including a system to regulate water entrained in a reactant supply stream.
- Fuel cell power systems convert a fuel and an oxidant (reactants) to electricity. One type of fuel cell power system employs a proton exchange membrane (PEM) to catalytically facilitate reaction of the fuel (such as hydrogen) and the oxidant (such as air or oxygen) to generate electricity. Water is a byproduct of the electrochemical reaction. The PEM is a solid polymer electrolyte that facilitates transfer of protons from an anode electrode to a cathode electrode in each individual fuel cell of a stack of fuel cells normally deployed in a fuel cell power system.
- In the typical fuel cell assembly, the individual fuel cells have fuel cell plates with channels, through which various reactants and cooling fluids flow. Fuel cell plates may be unipolar, for example. A bipolar plate may be formed by combining unipolar plates. The oxidant is supplied to the cathode electrode from a cathode inlet header and the fuel is supplied to the anode electrode from an anode inlet header. Movement of water from the channels to an outlet header is typically caused by the flow of the reactants through the fuel cell assembly. Boundary layer shear forces and a pressure of the reactant aid in transporting the water through the channels until the water exits the fuel cell through the outlet header.
- A membrane-electrolyte-assembly (MEA) is disposed between successive plates to facilitate the electrochemical reaction. The MEA includes the anode electrode, the cathode electrode, and an electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween. Porous diffusion media (DM) are positioned on both sides of the MEA to facilitate a delivery of reactants for the electrochemical fuel cell reaction.
- Water accumulation within the channels of the fuel cell can result in a degradation of a performance of the fuel cell. Particularly, water accumulation causes reactant flow maldistribution in individual fuel cell plates and within the fuel cell assembly, which can lead to voltage instability and a degradation of the electrodes. Additionally, water remaining in the fuel cell after operation may solidify in sub-freezing temperatures, creating difficulties during a restart of the fuel cell. Water accumulating in the channel regions includes the water byproduct of the electrochemical reaction and water entrained in the reactant flow streams from the cathode inlet header and the anode inlet header.
- Numerous techniques have been employed to manage water accumulation within the fuel cell. These techniques include pressurized purging, gravity flow, and evaporation, for example. Additionally, the use of water transport structures and surface coatings have been employed that facilitate the transport of water from the channel regions of the fuel cell into an exhaust region of the fuel cell assembly, for example. The methods to manage water accumulation typically focus on removal of water that has accumulated within the channels of the fuel cell and require additional operational steps and/or components for the fuel cell. The additional operational steps and components are known to reduce an efficiency of operating the fuel cell and increase a cost of manufacturing the fuel cell. Water entrained in the reactant flow streams increases a need to employ the various techniques, transport structures, and surface coatings to facilitate removal of water from the tunnel regions of the fuel cell.
- It would be desirable to produce a cost effective fuel cell stack that minimizes an accumulation of water within a fuel cell and the number of required components to facilitate a removal of water from the fuel cell.
- Compatible and attuned with the present invention, a cost effective fuel cell stack that minimizes an accumulation of water within a fuel cell and the number of required components to facilitate a removal of water from the fuel cell, has been surprisingly discovered.
- In one embodiment, a fluid regulation system for a fuel cell stack comprises a porous element disposed in a fluid inlet of the fuel cell stack effective to collect a liquid water from a reactant gas flowing therethrough; and a fluid collection member disposed in the fluid inlet, the fluid collection member in fluid communication with the porous element.
- In another embodiment, a fuel cell stack assembly comprises a first end plate and a spaced apart second end plate; at least one fuel cell disposed between the first end plate and the second end plate; a fluid inlet providing a flow path for a reactant gas to the at least one fuel cell; a porous element disposed in the fluid inlet, wherein the reactant gas is caused to flow through the porous element and into the at least one fuel cell, the porous element effective to collect a liquid water from the reactant gas flowing therethrough; and a fluid collection member disposed in the fluid inlet and adapted to receive the liquid water from the porous element.
- In another embodiment, a method of regulating liquid water flowing into a fuel cell comprises the steps of providing a first end plate and a spaced apart second end plate; providing at least one fuel cell between the first end plate and the second end plate; providing a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the at least one fuel cell to provide a flow of a reactant gas to the at least one fuel cell; providing a porous element in the fluid inlet effective to collect a liquid water from the reactant gas flowing therethrough; and providing a fluid collection member in the fluid inlet adapted to receive the liquid water from the porous element.
- The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, particularly when considered in the light of the drawings described hereafter.
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FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional elevational view of a fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is top plan view of the fuel cell stack illustrated inFIG. 1 with an end plate removed; -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of area A shown inFIG. 1 illustrating another embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of area A shown inFIG. 1 illustrating another embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of area A shown inFIG. 1 illustrating another embodiment of the invention; and -
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional elevational view of a fuel cell stack illustrating another embodiment of the invention. - The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should also be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
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FIG. 1 shows afuel cell assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thefuel cell assembly 10 includes a plurality of stackedfuel cells 12 disposed betweenend plates fuel cells 12 includes a pair of fuel cell plates (not shown) including aninlet port 18 and anoutlet port 20 formed therein. Thefuel cells 12 are stacked with theinlet port 18 and theoutlet port 20 of eachfuel cell 12 substantially aligned with therespective inlet port 18 and theoutlet port 20 of anadjacent fuel cell 12. Collectively, theinlet ports 18 of each of thefuel cells 12 form aninlet header 22 and theoutlet ports 20 of each of thefuel cells 12 form anoutlet header 24. Theinlet header 22 is adapted to provide a flow of a reactant such as a fuel (such as hydrogen) from a source of fuel or an oxidant (such as air or oxygen) from a source of oxidant, for example, to thefuel cells 12. Thefuel cell assembly 10 shown is illustrative of both an anode inlet header and an anode outlet header (for the fuel), and a cathode inlet header and a cathode outlet header (for the oxidant). - The
end plate 14 includes aninlet 26 formed therein in fluid communication with theinlet header 22 and anoutlet 28 formed therein in fluid communication with theoutlet header 24. An inlet conduit (not shown) provides fluid communication from the source of the reactant to theinlet 26 of theend plate 14. The inlet conduit, theinlet 26 of theend plate 14, and theinlet header 22 form a fluid inlet from the source of the reactant to thefuel cells 12. It should be understood that thefuel cell assembly 10 typically includes a coolant inlet header in fluid communication with a coolant inlet formed in an end plate, and a coolant outlet header in fluid communication with a coolant outlet formed in an end plate. - A
fluid collection member 30 is provided in theinlet 26 of theend plate 14. In the illustrated embodiment, thefluid collection member 30 is a gutter extending outwardly from a surface of theinlet 26 of theend plate 14. Aporous element 34 having afirst end 36, a spaced apartsecond end 38, andopposing side edges FIG. 2 , is disposed within theinlet header 22. Thefirst end 36 abuts a surface of theend plate 16 and thesecond end 38 abuts a surface of theend plate 14 adjacent thefluid collection member 30. Theside edges inlet header 22. Theporous element 34 can be a foam, a mesh, a net, or any other material having suitable hydrophilic properties. Further, theporous element 34 can include a support structure such as a lattice, for example, to provide a desired rigidity or shape to theporous element 34. Theporous element 34 is adapted to permit the flow of the reactant through theporous element 34 and into thefuel cells 12 while causing aliquid water 39 entrained in the reactant to collect therein and/or thereon. Favorable results have been obtained employing a hydrophilic material for theporous element 34. The side edges 40, 42 of theporous element 34 can be received between thefuel cells 12 to militate against fluids bypassing theporous element 34 by flowing around the side edges 40, 42 into thefuel cells 12. It should be understood that a seal member can be employed to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the side edges 40, 42 of theporous element 34 and the surface of theinlet header 22 and/or thefuel cells 12. Additionally, it should be understood that the seal member can be employed to form a substantially fluid tight seal between thefirst end 36 and thesecond end 38 of theporous element 34 and theend plate 16 and theend plate 14, respectively. -
FIG. 2 shows thefuel cell assembly 10 with theend plate 16 removed to show a surface of afuel cell plate 44 for one of thefuel cells 12. Eachfuel cell plate 44 in thefuel cell assembly 10 includes aflow field 46 formed thereon including a plurality of flow channels that provide fluid communication from theinlet header 22 across the surface of thefuel cell plate 44 to theoutlet header 24. Theporous element 34 is disposed in theinlet header 22 adjacent an inlet to theflow field 46. It should be understood that theporous element 34 and thefluid collection member 30 can be employed in either a cathode inlet header or an anode inlet header. - In use, the reactant is caused to flow from the source through the inlet conduit and the
inlet 26 of theend plate 14 into theinlet header 22. The reactant flowing through theinlet header 22 is caused to pass through theporous element 34 prior to being received in theflow field 46 of thefuel cell plates 44 of thefuel cells 12. As the reactant passes through theporous element 34, thewater 39 entrained therein is collected by theporous element 34 and/or collected thereon, which minimizes water entering thefuel cells 12 from theinlet header 22. Theporous element 34 is formed from a material having a selected water collecting characteristic to militate against liquid water from entering thefuel cells 12. Further, theporous element 34 can be formed from a material having a selected resistance to a flow of fluid therethrough to provide a desired fluid pressure change across theporous element 34 to facilitate forming a desired flow distribution of the reactant into thefuel cells 12. - The
fluid collection member 30 provides for a collection of thewater 39 entrained in the reactant. Thewater 39 collected by theporous element 34 can drain into thefluid collection member 30 by gravitational force. A capacity of thefluid collection member 30 can be selected to accommodate a desired amount of water and militate against the collected water, whether in liquid or solid form, from interfering with a flow of the reactant to thefuel cells 12 adjacent thefluid collection member 30. During periods of operation of thefuel cell assembly 10 when the relative humidity of the reactant is below the selected maximum relative humidity, liquid water is evaporated from theporous element 34 into the reactant. Liquid water in thefluid collection member 30 can be reabsorbed by theporous element 34 and evaporated into the reactant flowing therethrough. - The
porous element 34 and thefluid collection member 30 cooperate to minimize and/or regulate the quantity of thewater 39 entering thefuel cells 12 from theinlet header 22. Theporous element 34 also facilitates a uniform distribution of thewater 39 entering thefuel cells 12 from theinlet header 22. Regulating thewater 39 entering thefuel cells 12 minimizes an accumulation of liquid water in theflow field 46 of thefuel cell plates 44 which can disrupt the flow of the reactant therethrough. By minimizing disruptions in the flow of the reactant through theflow field 46 of thefuel cell plates 44, electrode degradation and other failure mechanisms of thefuel cell assembly 10 are minimized, and electrical voltage stability and efficient operation of thefuel cell assembly 10 are maximized. Additionally, by minimizing an accumulation of liquid water in theflow field 46 of thefuel cell plates 44, the likelihood that frozen water will form therein during periods of low temperature operation of thefuel cell 10 such as a start-up period, for example, is also minimized. Frozen water in theflow field 46 of thefuel cell plates 44 can disrupt the flow of the reactant and cause a degradation of the components of the MEA by placing an increased compressive force thereon as a result of the volumetric expansion associated with the freezing of water. Accordingly, minimizing the accumulation of liquid water in theflow field 46 of thefuel cell plates 44 can minimize a likelihood of frozen water form disrupting the flow of the reactants therethrough or causing a degradation of the components of the MEA. Further, by minimizing and/or regulating the quantity of thewater 39 entering thefuel cells 12, processes and components for thefuel cell assembly 10 adapted to manage and/or remove water from thefuel cells 12 can be eliminated or minimized. The elimination or minimization of such processes and components can minimize a cost of manufacturing thefuel cell assembly 10 and/or the number of components required for thefuel cell assembly 10, and can maximize an operational efficiency of thefuel cell assembly 10. -
FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention. Structure similar to that illustrated inFIG. 1 includes the same reference numeral and a prime (′) symbol for clarity. In the embodiment shown, afluid conduit 50 is formed adjacent and in fluid communication with thefluid collection member 30′. Thefluid conduit 50 provides fluid communication between thefluid collection member 30′ and a water exhaust conduit (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, thefluid conduit 50 is formed in theend plate 14′. It should be understood that thefluid conduit 50 can be an elongate tube providing fluid communication between thefluid collection member 30′ and the water exhaust conduit. Aflow restrictor 52 such as a nozzle, for example, is provided within thefluid conduit 50 to regulate the flow of fluid through thefluid conduit 50. - In use, the
fluid conduit 50 provides a flow path for liquid water collected in thefluid collection member 30′ to exhaust therefrom. A fluid pressure of the reactant flowing through theinlet header 22′ provides a driving force for the liquid water in thefluid collection member 30′ to flow through thefluid conduit 50 to the water exhaust conduit. A quantity of reactant gas may also flow through thefluid conduit 50 which would reduce the quantity of reactant gas supplied to thefuel cells 12′. The flow restrictor 52 minimizes the flow of reactant through thefluid conduit 50 to minimize the quantity of the reactant gas that can bypass thefuel cells 12′ and flow into the water exhaust conduit. The flow restrictor 52 can be adapted to restrict the flow of the reactant gas through thefluid conduit 50 to less than about 1% of the total flow of the reactant gas in theinlet header 22′, while still causing liquid water to flow to the water exhaust line. It should be understood that an actuated valve can be employed with thefluid conduit 50 to selectively control the flow of fluid therethrough. Thefluid conduit 50 and flow restrictor 52 are particularly effective for managing water in a cathode inlet header where a small quantity of cathode reactant, typically atmospheric air or oxygen, bypassing thefuel cells 12′ is generally acceptable. -
FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention. Structure similar to that illustrated inFIG. 1 includes the same reference numeral and a prime (′) symbol for clarity. As shown, afluid conduit 60 is formed adjacent and in fluid communication with thefluid collection member 30′. Thefluid conduit 60 provides fluid communication between thefluid collection member 30′ and a water exhaust conduit (not shown). A wickingelement 62 is disposed in thefluid conduit 60 which militates against the reactant gas from flowing through thefluid conduit 60 to the water exhaust conduit. In the illustrated embodiment, thefluid conduit 60 is formed in theend plate 14′. It should be understood that thefluid conduit 60 can be an elongate tube providing fluid communication between thefluid collection member 30′ and the water exhaust conduit. Additionally, it should be understood that thefluid conduit 60 is not required and thewicking element 62 can be in fluid communication with the interior of thefluid collection member 30′ and the water exhaust conduit directly. - In use, the
fluid conduit 60 provides a flow path for liquid water collected in thefluid collection member 30′ to exhaust therefrom. Liquid water in thefluid collection member 30′ flows through thewicking element 62 disposed in thefluid conduit 60 by capillary forces. The liquid water flows through thewicking element 62 and then continues to flow through thefluid conduit 60 to the water exhaust conduit. Employing thewicking element 62 militates against reactant gas flowing through thefluid conduit 60 and bypassing thefuel cells 12′. The wickingelement 62 is particularly suited for managing water in an anode inlet header where it is typically desired to have no reactant, typically hydrogen gas, bypass thefuel cells 12′. - In certain applications, the wicking
element 62 may permit an amount of the reactant gas which exceeds a desired amount to flow into the water exhaust conduit and bypass thefuel cells 12′ such as when the fluid pressure of the reactant gas exceeds a critical fluid pressure in respect of thewicking element 62, for example. It is anticipated that a critical fluid pressure for atypical wicking element 62 would be between about 10 kPa and 20 kPa. As shown inFIG. 5 , in afuel cell assembly 10′ employing a reactant gas having a fluid pressure that exceeds the critical fluid pressure of thewicking element 62, the wickingelement 62 can be replaced with a series of two or more spaced apart hydrophilicporous elements 64 disposed in thefluid conduit 60. Each hydrophilicporous element 64 provides a selected differential pressure thereacross. The series of the hydrophilicporous elements 64 is adapted to militate against the reactant gas passing therethrough while allowing liquid water to pass therethrough. Typically, the hydrophilicporous elements 64 are kept sufficiently wet with liquid water to maintain the desired differential pressure thereacross. Accordingly, at least a portion of thefluid conduit 60 including the hydrophilicporous elements 64 can be oriented in a horizontal position to facilitate retaining liquid water therein to keep the hydrophilicporous elements 64 sufficiently wetted. Further, liquid water can be provided to the hydrophilicporous elements 64 from water entrained in exhaust flowing from the outlet header and/or another suitable source of liquid water, for example. It should be understood that theflow restrictor 52, the wickingelement 62, and the hydrophilicporous element 64 can be employed separately or in any combination thereof in thefluid conduit 60 to militate against the reactant gas from bypassing thefuel cells 12′. -
FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention. Structure similar to that illustrated inFIG. 1 includes the same reference numeral and a prime (′) symbol for clarity. In the embodiment shown, theporous element 34′ is disposed in theinlet 26′ of theend plate 14′. Theporous element 34′ is a substantially cone shaped member having aperipheral edge 70 and afirst surface 72. Theperipheral edge 70 of theporous element 34′ abuts a surface of theinlet 26′. It should be understood that other shapes can be employed for theporous element 34′ such as a substantially planar member or other suitable curvilinear shapes, for example. Aninlet conduit 74 is provided in fluid communication with theinlet 26′ of theend plate 14′. Theinlet conduit 74 includes afluid collection member 76 having afluid conduit 78 in fluid communication with thecollection member 76 and a water exhaust conduit (not shown). Aflow restrictor 80 such as a nozzle, for example, is provided within thefluid conduit 78 to militate against flow of the reactant gas therethrough. - In use, the
inlet conduit 74 provides a flow path for the reactant gas to theinlet 26′ of theend plate 14′. The reactant is caused to pass through theporous element 34′ prior to being received by theinlet header 22′. Thewater 39′ absorbed by or collected on thefirst surface 72 of theporous element 34′ can flow by gravitational force into thefluid collection member 76. A fluid pressure of the reactant flowing through theinlet conduit 74 provides a driving force for the liquid water in thefluid collection member 76 to flow through thefluid conduit 78 to the water exhaust conduit. A quantity of reactant gas may also flow through thefluid conduit 78 which would reduce the quantity of reactant gas supplied to thefuel cells 12′. The flow restrictor 80 minimizes the flow of reactant through thefluid conduit 78 to minimize the quantity of the reactant gas that can bypass thefuel cells 12′ and flow into the water exhaust conduit. The flow restrictor 80 can be adapted to restrict the flow of the reactant gas through thefluid conduit 78 to less than about 1% of the total flow of the reactant gas in theinlet header 22′, while still causing liquid water to flow to the water exhaust line. It should be understood that an actuated valve can be employed with thefluid conduit 78 to selectively control the flow of fluid therethrough. It should be understood that thewicking element 62 and the hydrophilic porous elements 64 (illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5 , respectively), can be employed separately or in combination with each other and theflow restrictor 80 in thefluid conduit 78 to militate against the reactant gas bypassing thefuel cells 12′. - The
porous element 34′ in the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 3-6 can be a hydrophilic or a hydrophobic material. When employing the hydrophobic material, thewater 39 entrained in the reactant is collected on a surface of the hydrophobic material, forming water droplets thereon, which fall into the respective fluid collection members by gravitational force. The collected liquid water is exhausted to the water exhaust conduit. The use of a hydrophobic material is particularly effective when it is not desired to evaporate a substantial quantity of collected liquid water into the reactant entering thefuel cells 12′ from theinlet header 22′. The remaining structure and function of the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 3-6 is substantially equivalent to the structure and function of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-2 . - While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is further described in the following appended claims.
Claims (20)
1. A fluid regulation system for a fuel cell stack comprising:
a porous element disposed in an inlet formed in a first end plate of the fuel cell stack, a peripheral edge of the porous element abutting a surface forming the inlet, wherein the porous element spans the inlet, the porous element effective to collect a liquid water from a reactant gas flowing therethrough; and
a fluid collection member disposed in an inlet conduit in fluid communication with the inlet, the fluid collection member in fluid communication with the porous element.
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the porous element is formed from a hydrophilic material.
3. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid collection member to provide a flow path to drain the liquid water from the fluid collection member.
4. The system according to claim 3 , including a flow restrictor disposed in the fluid conduit to control a flow of the reactant gas therethrough.
5. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the flow restrictor is one of a nozzle, a wicking material, and a hydrophilic porous element.
6. The system according to claim 3 , wherein the porous element is formed from one of a hydrophilic material and a hydrophobic material.
7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the porous element collects a liquid water entrained in the reactant gas flowing through the porous element.
8. The system according to claim 7 , wherein the liquid water collected is received in the fluid collection member.
9. The system according to claim 7 , wherein the liquid water collected is evaporated into the reactant gas flowing therethrough.
10. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the porous element has a convex first surface for collecting the liquid water.
11. A fuel cell stack assembly comprising:
a first end plate;
at least one fuel cell;
a fluid inlet providing a flow path for a reactant gas to the at least one fuel cell;
a porous element disposed in the first end plate, wherein the reactant gas is caused to flow through the porous element and into the at least one fuel cell, the porous element effective to collect a liquid water from the reactant gas flowing therethrough; and
a fluid collection member disposed in the fluid inlet in fluid communication with the porous element, the fluid collection member adapted to receive the liquid water from the porous element.
12. The fuel cell stack assembly according to claim 11 , the fluid inlet further comprising:
an inlet header in communication with the at least one fuel cell;
an inlet formed in the first end plate, the inlet in fluid communication with the inlet header; and
an inlet conduit in fluid communication with the inlet formed in the first end plate, wherein the fluid collection member is disposed beneath the inlet formed in the first end plate.
13. The fuel cell stack assembly according to claim 12 , wherein the porous element is a substantially cone shaped member having a peripheral edge, the peripheral edge abutting a surface forming the inlet, wherein the porous element spans the inlet.
14. The fuel cell stack assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the porous element is adapted to selectively collect the liquid water entrained in the reactant gas flowing therethrough and evaporate the liquid water into the reactant gas flowing therethrough.
15. The fuel cell stack assembly according to claim 11 , further comprising a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fluid collection member to provide a flow path to drain fluid from the fluid collection member.
16. The fuel cell stack assembly according to claim 15 , including a flow restrictor disposed in the fluid conduit to control a flow of the reactant gas therethrough.
17. The fuel cell stack assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the porous element is formed from one of a hydrophilic material and a hydrophobic material.
18. A method of regulating liquid water flowing into a fuel cell comprising the steps of:
providing a first end plate;
providing at least one fuel cell;
providing a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the at least one fuel cell to provide a flow of a reactant gas to the at least one fuel cell, the fluid inlet including an inlet formed in the first end plate;
providing a porous element in the inlet formed in the first end plate, wherein the porous element spans the inlet formed in first end plate, the porous element effective to collect a liquid water from the reactant gas flowing therethrough; and
providing a fluid collection member in the fluid inlet beneath the porous element, the fluid collection member adapted to receive the liquid water from the porous element.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising the step of draining the liquid water from the fluid collection member.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein a peripheral edge of the porous element contacts a surface of the inlet formed in the first end plate.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/503,497 US20150093673A1 (en) | 2009-09-01 | 2014-10-01 | Pem fuel cell stack inlet water regulation system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/551,600 US8877392B2 (en) | 2009-09-01 | 2009-09-01 | PEM fuel cell stack inlet water regulation system |
US14/503,497 US20150093673A1 (en) | 2009-09-01 | 2014-10-01 | Pem fuel cell stack inlet water regulation system |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/551,600 Continuation US8877392B2 (en) | 2009-09-01 | 2009-09-01 | PEM fuel cell stack inlet water regulation system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20150093673A1 true US20150093673A1 (en) | 2015-04-02 |
Family
ID=43625409
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/551,600 Expired - Fee Related US8877392B2 (en) | 2009-09-01 | 2009-09-01 | PEM fuel cell stack inlet water regulation system |
US14/503,497 Abandoned US20150093673A1 (en) | 2009-09-01 | 2014-10-01 | Pem fuel cell stack inlet water regulation system |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US12/551,600 Expired - Fee Related US8877392B2 (en) | 2009-09-01 | 2009-09-01 | PEM fuel cell stack inlet water regulation system |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
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US (2) | US8877392B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102005591B (en) |
DE (1) | DE102010035479B4 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8859163B2 (en) * | 2009-10-15 | 2014-10-14 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | PEM fuel cell stack inlet water regulation system |
KR20110135207A (en) * | 2010-06-10 | 2011-12-16 | 삼성에스디아이 주식회사 | Fuel cell stack |
JP5809092B2 (en) * | 2012-03-26 | 2015-11-10 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Fuel cell |
WO2013176668A1 (en) | 2012-05-24 | 2013-11-28 | United Technologies Corporation | Fuel cell gas inlet manifold drain |
DE102021208461A1 (en) * | 2021-08-04 | 2023-02-09 | Robert Bosch Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | Method and device for separating water from an anode circuit of a fuel cell system and fuel cell system |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US7041411B2 (en) * | 2001-07-31 | 2006-05-09 | Plug Power Inc. | Method and apparatus for collecting condensate from combustible gas streams in an integrated fuel cell system |
DE10304657B4 (en) | 2002-02-08 | 2015-07-02 | General Motors Llc ( N. D. Ges. D. Staates Delaware ) | A fuel cell stack and system and method of operating a fuel cell system having such a fuel cell stack |
US7846591B2 (en) * | 2004-02-17 | 2010-12-07 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Water management layer on flowfield in PEM fuel cell |
US7651799B2 (en) * | 2004-12-20 | 2010-01-26 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Air humidification for fuel cell applications |
US7842426B2 (en) | 2006-11-22 | 2010-11-30 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Use of a porous material in the manifolds of a fuel cell stack |
US8974976B2 (en) * | 2007-01-31 | 2015-03-10 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Method of humidifying fuel cell inlets using wick-based water trap humidifiers |
US8277988B2 (en) | 2009-03-04 | 2012-10-02 | GM Global Technology Operations LLC | Anode water separator for a fuel cell system |
-
2009
- 2009-09-01 US US12/551,600 patent/US8877392B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2010
- 2010-08-26 DE DE102010035479A patent/DE102010035479B4/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2010-09-01 CN CN201010271349.0A patent/CN102005591B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2014
- 2014-10-01 US US14/503,497 patent/US20150093673A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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CN102005591B (en) | 2015-11-25 |
US8877392B2 (en) | 2014-11-04 |
US20110053011A1 (en) | 2011-03-03 |
DE102010035479B4 (en) | 2013-05-29 |
CN102005591A (en) | 2011-04-06 |
DE102010035479A1 (en) | 2011-06-01 |
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