WO2003081703A2 - Fuel cell flow field pattern - Google Patents

Fuel cell flow field pattern Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003081703A2
WO2003081703A2 PCT/GB2003/001147 GB0301147W WO03081703A2 WO 2003081703 A2 WO2003081703 A2 WO 2003081703A2 GB 0301147 W GB0301147 W GB 0301147W WO 03081703 A2 WO03081703 A2 WO 03081703A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
channels
flow field
field pattern
fuel cell
width
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2003/001147
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2003081703A3 (en
Inventor
Mark Christopher Turpin
James Charles Boff
Brendan Michael Bilton
Original Assignee
The Morgan Crucible Company Plc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by The Morgan Crucible Company Plc filed Critical The Morgan Crucible Company Plc
Publication of WO2003081703A2 publication Critical patent/WO2003081703A2/en
Publication of WO2003081703A3 publication Critical patent/WO2003081703A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02Details
    • H01M8/0202Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0258Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
    • H01M8/026Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant characterised by grooves, e.g. their pitch or depth
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02Details
    • H01M8/0202Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0258Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
    • H01M8/0265Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant the reactant or coolant channels having varying cross sections
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01MPROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/10Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/12Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
    • H01M2008/1293Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50Fuel cells

Definitions

  • This invention relates to fuel cells, and is particularly, although not exclusively, applicable to solid oxide fuel cells.
  • Fuel cells are devices in which a fuel and an oxidant combine in a controlled manner to produce electricity directly. By directly producing electricity without intermediate combustion and generation steps, the electrical efficiency of a fuel cell is higher than using the fuel in a traditional generator. This much is widely known. A fuel cell sounds simple and desirable but many man-years of work have been expended in recent years attempting to produce practical fuel cell systems.
  • Fuel cells are likely to become an important part of the so-called "hydrogen economy".
  • One type of fuel cell in commercial production is the so-called solid oxide fuel cell or SOFC, comprising two porous electrodes separated by a solid electrolyte.
  • the operating temperature of a SOFC is generally around 1000°C, making expensive catalysts unnecessary, in contrast to polymer electrolyte fuel cells, or PEMs.
  • Gas crossover and electrical conductivity in the electrolyte are negligible, and therefore SOFCs are able to obtain up to 96% of the theoretical voltage at open circuit, making them an attractive proposition for power generation.
  • a further advantage of the solid oxide system is that no recycling of waste process gases is required.
  • oxygen typically in the form of air
  • both hydrogen and carbon monoxide are supplied to the anode.
  • the electrolyte conducts O 2" ions which combine at the cathode with the hydrogen and carbon monoxide to produce water and carbon dioxide waste products. This is in contrast with other fuel cell systems such as PEMs where the mobile ionic species is H + .
  • the solid oxide electrolyte layer is typically zirconia doped with 8 - 10 mole% of yttria. The doping results in the replacement of two Zr 4+ ions with two Y 3+ ions, causing oxygen ion conduction sites to be left vacant within the crystal lattice.
  • Other suitable electrolyte materials are yttria, and Gd 2 O 3 -doped CeO 2 .
  • the gas dynamics and electrical efficiency of the SOFC is controlled by the nature of the interface of the porous electrodes and the electrolyte. It is advantageous to use porous electrodes in SOFC systems, as the lack of porosity in solid plate electrodes causes reduced power output at low operating temperatures, since the diffusion of ionic species through the electrode becomes the limiting factor.
  • Electrode materials are typically ceramic-based, such as strontium-doped lanthanum manganite.
  • tubular design including seal-less tubular designs and segmented cell in-series designs
  • each of these designs differs only in cell geometry, and each stack consists of a number of cells connected in series and parallel.
  • the basic cell of all of these designs has four common features; the anode, the cathode, the electrolyte and the separator plate.
  • the separator plate is of particular importance in the flat plate design, where it is responsible for reactant delivery and the removal of waste products.
  • a separator plate is formed either as a matrix or flat plate comprising a number of grooves.
  • a grooved electrode may be provided instead of a grooved separator plate, allowing a simple interconnector to be utilised.
  • the pattern of grooves on either the electrode or the separator plate is known as a flow field.
  • WOOl/41239 discloses a SOFC comprising at least one electrode or separator defining a variable cross-section micro channel, and forming a flow field.
  • the fuel cell stack is cylindrical and based on the flat plate design.
  • Hot fuel gases comprising hydrogen are fed through an internal fuel manifold situated at the centre of the cylindrical stack, and hot air is fed through two further internal manifolds positioned either side of the internal fuel manifold.
  • the micro channels are defined by a number of regularly spaced columns, with the spaces between each column providing a preferential path for gas flow (i.e. a matrix flow field).
  • the columns themselves may be circular in cross-section, or of other geometries.
  • the spacing of the columns is designed to achieve a specific overall pressure drop across the electrode and to produce a particular gas flow rate.
  • channel forms contemplated include continuous grid, spiral and radial line channels.
  • the main disadvantage of this design is that a matrix flow field presents many pathways for gas flow which can be problematic in ensuring even distribution over the electrode or separator.
  • the use of a matrix flow field can lead to issues relating to the mechanical strength of the design.
  • a design with channels rather than a matrix is preferable as the walls of the channels constrain the gas and additionally provide greater mechanical strength than columns.
  • a spiral or radial line arrangement offers little opportunity for varying the thickness of the channels.
  • the inventors have realised that by looking to physiological systems (the lung) an improved flow field geometry may be realised. Such improved systems are likely to have lower parasitic losses due to their shorter gas flow pathways. They have also realised that such geometries are less likely to suffer from gas short-circuiting. Such geometries are also likely to be stronger than matrix flow fields.
  • the present invention therefore provides a flow field pattern for a solid oxide fuel cell comprising an assembly of channels comprising one or more gas delivery channels, and a plurality of finer gas diffusion channels having a width of less than 0.2mm connecting thereto.
  • the gas delivery channels may comprise one or more primary, channels of a width greater than 1mm, and a plurality of secondaiy gas delivery channels of a width less than 1mm connecting thereto.
  • the gas diffusion channels may form a branched structure.
  • the flow field may be formed in an electrode or a separator plate.
  • the gas diffusion channels may be of varying width, forming a branched structure of progressively diminishing channel width similar to the branching structure of blood vessels and air channels in the lung.
  • Fig. 1 shows schematically in part section a part of a flow field pattern incorporating gas delivery channels and gas diffusion channels;
  • Fig. 2 shows schematically a partial plan view of a flow field pattern incorporating gas delivery channels and gas diffusion channels;
  • Fig. 3 shows a part section of a branched flow field pattern in accordance with the present invention.
  • the purpose behind the channels conventionally applied is to try to ensure a uniform supply of reactant material to the electrodes and to ensure prompt removal of reacted products.
  • the length of the passage material has to travel is high since a convoluted path is generally used.
  • Another system in which the aim is to supply reactant uniformly to a reactant surface and to remove reacted products is the lung.
  • an arrangement of progressively finer channels is provided so that air has a short pathway to its reactant site in the lung, and carbon dioxide has a short pathway out again.
  • reactant gases have a short pathway to their reactant sites.
  • the finest channels could simply discharge into wide gas removal channels or, as in the lung, a corresponding network of progressively wider channels could be provided out of the flow field plate.
  • the two networks of progressively finer channels and progressively wider channels could be connected end-to-end or arranged as interdigitated networks with diffusion through a gas diffusion layer or through the electrode material providing connectivity. Connection end-to-end provides the advantage that a high pressure will be maintained through the channels, assisting in the removal of blockages.
  • Fig. 2 shows in a schematic plan a portion of a flow field pattern having broad primary gas delivery channels 4, which diverge into secondary gas delivery channels 3 which themselves diverge into gas diffusion channels 2.
  • Gas diffusion channels 5 can also come off the primary gas delivery channels 4 if required.
  • the primary and secondary gas delivery channels may each form a network of progressively finer channels as may the gas diffusion channels and the arrangement of the channels may resemble a fractal arrangement.
  • the primary gas delivery channels may have a width of greater than 1mm, for example about 2mm. The depth of such a channel is limited only by the need to have sufficient strength in the flow field plate after foiming the channel. A typical channel is about 40% of the electrode or separator plate thickness.
  • the secondary gas delivery channels may have a width of less than 1mm, for example 0.5mm and may be shallower than the primary gas delivery channels.
  • the gas diffusion channels have a width of less than 0.2mm, for example about lOO ⁇ m and may be shallower still.
  • the flow field pattern may be formed in at least one surface of an electrode or a separator plate, as desired.
  • Electrodes for SOFCs are fabricated from ceramic materials. These may be formed by any process known in the art, such as sintering, pressing, tape casting, dry casting or calendaring.
  • the flow field pattern may be formed in the electrode surface by methods such as etching, pressing, laser ablation, stamping screen printing or vapour deposition. In the case of sintered electrodes, the flow field pattern may be formed in the green body prior to firing by moulding or pressing.
  • the separator plate needs to be impervious to gases, a good conductor of electricity and heat, and be stable in fuel atmospheres.
  • the separator plate should also be non-reactive with the electrode material.
  • the flow field pattern may be formed by means such as pressing, moulding, etching or laser ablation.
  • a sandblasting technique as disclosed in WO01/04982 may be used to form accurate channels in at least one surface of the separator plate.
  • a solid oxide fuel cell comprises a cathode, an electrolyte, an anode and a separator.
  • the electrode or the separator may be provided with a flow field pattern in accordance with the present invention. Any known electrolyte material is suitable for use with the present invention.
  • a plurality of such cells may be stacked together to form a fuel cell stack, in which the electrodes, separator plates or a mixture of both may be provided with a flow field pattern in accordance with the present invention to provide a maximum operating efficiency.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)

Abstract

The invention provides a solid oxide fuel cell flow field pattern comprising an assembly of channels comprising one or more gas delivery channels, and a plurality of gas diffusion channels connecting thereto.

Description

FLOW FIELD PATTERN
This invention relates to fuel cells, and is particularly, although not exclusively, applicable to solid oxide fuel cells.
Fuel cells are devices in which a fuel and an oxidant combine in a controlled manner to produce electricity directly. By directly producing electricity without intermediate combustion and generation steps, the electrical efficiency of a fuel cell is higher than using the fuel in a traditional generator. This much is widely known. A fuel cell sounds simple and desirable but many man-years of work have been expended in recent years attempting to produce practical fuel cell systems.
Fuel cells are likely to become an important part of the so-called "hydrogen economy". One type of fuel cell in commercial production is the so-called solid oxide fuel cell or SOFC, comprising two porous electrodes separated by a solid electrolyte. The operating temperature of a SOFC is generally around 1000°C, making expensive catalysts unnecessary, in contrast to polymer electrolyte fuel cells, or PEMs. Gas crossover and electrical conductivity in the electrolyte are negligible, and therefore SOFCs are able to obtain up to 96% of the theoretical voltage at open circuit, making them an attractive proposition for power generation. A further advantage of the solid oxide system is that no recycling of waste process gases is required.
In operation, oxygen (typically in the form of air) is supplied to the cathode, and, in the case of a SOFC operating on reformed fuel, both hydrogen and carbon monoxide are supplied to the anode. At 1000°C, the electrolyte conducts O2" ions which combine at the cathode with the hydrogen and carbon monoxide to produce water and carbon dioxide waste products. This is in contrast with other fuel cell systems such as PEMs where the mobile ionic species is H+.
The solid oxide electrolyte layer is typically zirconia doped with 8 - 10 mole% of yttria. The doping results in the replacement of two Zr4+ ions with two Y3+ ions, causing oxygen ion conduction sites to be left vacant within the crystal lattice. Other suitable electrolyte materials are yttria, and Gd2O3-doped CeO2. The gas dynamics and electrical efficiency of the SOFC is controlled by the nature of the interface of the porous electrodes and the electrolyte. It is advantageous to use porous electrodes in SOFC systems, as the lack of porosity in solid plate electrodes causes reduced power output at low operating temperatures, since the diffusion of ionic species through the electrode becomes the limiting factor. Electrode materials are typically ceramic-based, such as strontium-doped lanthanum manganite.
There are several different designs for SOFC fuel cell stacks:
• tubular design (including seal-less tubular designs and segmented cell in-series designs);
• flate plate or planar designs; and
• monolithic designs.
Each of these designs differs only in cell geometry, and each stack consists of a number of cells connected in series and parallel. The basic cell of all of these designs has four common features; the anode, the cathode, the electrolyte and the separator plate. The separator plate is of particular importance in the flat plate design, where it is responsible for reactant delivery and the removal of waste products. Typically a separator plate is formed either as a matrix or flat plate comprising a number of grooves. However, a grooved electrode may be provided instead of a grooved separator plate, allowing a simple interconnector to be utilised. The pattern of grooves on either the electrode or the separator plate is known as a flow field.
WOOl/41239 discloses a SOFC comprising at least one electrode or separator defining a variable cross-section micro channel, and forming a flow field. The fuel cell stack is cylindrical and based on the flat plate design. Hot fuel gases comprising hydrogen are fed through an internal fuel manifold situated at the centre of the cylindrical stack, and hot air is fed through two further internal manifolds positioned either side of the internal fuel manifold. The micro channels are defined by a number of regularly spaced columns, with the spaces between each column providing a preferential path for gas flow (i.e. a matrix flow field). The columns themselves may be circular in cross-section, or of other geometries. The spacing of the columns is designed to achieve a specific overall pressure drop across the electrode and to produce a particular gas flow rate. Other channel forms contemplated include continuous grid, spiral and radial line channels. . The main disadvantage of this design is that a matrix flow field presents many pathways for gas flow which can be problematic in ensuring even distribution over the electrode or separator. Furthermore, the use of a matrix flow field can lead to issues relating to the mechanical strength of the design. A design with channels rather than a matrix is preferable as the walls of the channels constrain the gas and additionally provide greater mechanical strength than columns. However, a spiral or radial line arrangement offers little opportunity for varying the thickness of the channels.
The inventors have realised that by looking to physiological systems (the lung) an improved flow field geometry may be realised. Such improved systems are likely to have lower parasitic losses due to their shorter gas flow pathways. They have also realised that such geometries are less likely to suffer from gas short-circuiting. Such geometries are also likely to be stronger than matrix flow fields.
The present invention therefore provides a flow field pattern for a solid oxide fuel cell comprising an assembly of channels comprising one or more gas delivery channels, and a plurality of finer gas diffusion channels having a width of less than 0.2mm connecting thereto.
The gas delivery channels may comprise one or more primary, channels of a width greater than 1mm, and a plurality of secondaiy gas delivery channels of a width less than 1mm connecting thereto.
The gas diffusion channels may form a branched structure.
The flow field may be formed in an electrode or a separator plate.
The gas diffusion channels may be of varying width, forming a branched structure of progressively diminishing channel width similar to the branching structure of blood vessels and air channels in the lung. '
The invention is illustrated by way of non-limitative example in the following description with reference to the drawing in.which:- . • : Fig. 1 shows schematically in part section a part of a flow field pattern incorporating gas delivery channels and gas diffusion channels;
Fig. 2 shows schematically a partial plan view of a flow field pattern incorporating gas delivery channels and gas diffusion channels;
Fig. 3 shows a part section of a branched flow field pattern in accordance with the present invention.
In flow field patterns the purpose behind the channels conventionally applied is to try to ensure a uniform supply of reactant material to the electrodes and to ensure prompt removal of reacted products. However the length of the passage material has to travel is high since a convoluted path is generally used.
Another system in which the aim is to supply reactant uniformly to a reactant surface and to remove reacted products is the lung. In the lung an arrangement of progressively finer channels is provided so that air has a short pathway to its reactant site in the lung, and carbon dioxide has a short pathway out again. By providing a network of progressively finer channels into the flow field pattern, reactant gases have a short pathway to their reactant sites.
The finest channels could simply discharge into wide gas removal channels or, as in the lung, a corresponding network of progressively wider channels could be provided out of the flow field plate. In the latter case, the two networks of progressively finer channels and progressively wider channels could be connected end-to-end or arranged as interdigitated networks with diffusion through a gas diffusion layer or through the electrode material providing connectivity. Connection end-to-end provides the advantage that a high pressure will be maintained through the channels, assisting in the removal of blockages.
Fig. 2 shows in a schematic plan a portion of a flow field pattern having broad primary gas delivery channels 4, which diverge into secondary gas delivery channels 3 which themselves diverge into gas diffusion channels 2. Gas diffusion channels 5 can also come off the primary gas delivery channels 4 if required. The primary and secondary gas delivery channels may each form a network of progressively finer channels as may the gas diffusion channels and the arrangement of the channels may resemble a fractal arrangement. The primary gas delivery channels may have a width of greater than 1mm, for example about 2mm. The depth of such a channel is limited only by the need to have sufficient strength in the flow field plate after foiming the channel. A typical channel is about 40% of the electrode or separator plate thickness. The secondary gas delivery channels may have a width of less than 1mm, for example 0.5mm and may be shallower than the primary gas delivery channels. The gas diffusion channels have a width of less than 0.2mm, for example about lOOμm and may be shallower still.
A branched flow field as shown in Fig 3, gas flows in a branching pattern 15 the pathway for reactant gas from the upstream side of droplet 13 to the downstream side of droplet 13 is long - effectively to the end of the flow field and back again. This means that the pressure upstream (B) of the droplet will be significantly higher than the pressure downstream (A), so providing a driving force for removal of impurities.
The flow field pattern may be formed in at least one surface of an electrode or a separator plate, as desired.
Electrodes for SOFCs are fabricated from ceramic materials. These may be formed by any process known in the art, such as sintering, pressing, tape casting, dry casting or calendaring. The flow field pattern may be formed in the electrode surface by methods such as etching, pressing, laser ablation, stamping screen printing or vapour deposition. In the case of sintered electrodes, the flow field pattern may be formed in the green body prior to firing by moulding or pressing.
The separator plate needs to be impervious to gases, a good conductor of electricity and heat, and be stable in fuel atmospheres. The separator plate should also be non-reactive with the electrode material. The flow field pattern may be formed by means such as pressing, moulding, etching or laser ablation. A sandblasting technique as disclosed in WO01/04982 may be used to form accurate channels in at least one surface of the separator plate.
A solid oxide fuel cell comprises a cathode, an electrolyte, an anode and a separator. The electrode or the separator may be provided with a flow field pattern in accordance with the present invention. Any known electrolyte material is suitable for use with the present invention. A plurality of such cells may be stacked together to form a fuel cell stack, in which the electrodes, separator plates or a mixture of both may be provided with a flow field pattern in accordance with the present invention to provide a maximum operating efficiency.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Other embodiments within the scope of the claims will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A solid oxide fuel cell flow field pattern comprising an assembly of channels comprising one or more gas delivery channels, and a plurality of finer gas diffusion channels having a width of less than 0.2mm connecting thereto.
2. A flow field pattern as claimed in Claim 1, in which the gas delivery channels comprise one or more primary channels of a width greater than 1mm, and a plurality of secondary gas delivery channels of a width less than 1mm connecting thereto.
3. A flow field pattern as claimed in any of Claims 1 or 2, in which the gas diffusion channels form a branched structure.
4. A flow field pattern as claimed in Claim 3 in which the gas diffusion channels are of vaiying width forming a branched structure of progressively diminishing channel width.
5. A flow field pattern as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a first assembly of channels for gas delivery and a second assembly of channels for removal of reactant products.
6. A flow field pattern as claimed in Claim 5, in which the first and second assemblies of channels are interdigitated.
7. A flow field pattern as claimed in any preceding claim in which channels decrease in depth with diminishing width.
8. An electrode comprising the flow field pattern of any of Claims 1 to 7.
9. A separator plate comprising the flow field pattern of any of Claims 1 to 7.
10. A fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of electrodes as claimed in claim 8.
11. A fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of separator plates as claimed in claim 9.
12. A fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of electrodes as claimed in claim 8 and of separator plates as claimed in claim 9.
PCT/GB2003/001147 2002-03-20 2003-03-14 Fuel cell flow field pattern WO2003081703A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0206598.5 2002-03-20
GB0206598A GB2387264B (en) 2002-03-20 2002-03-20 Flow field pattern

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003081703A2 true WO2003081703A2 (en) 2003-10-02
WO2003081703A3 WO2003081703A3 (en) 2004-03-18

Family

ID=9933381

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2003/001147 WO2003081703A2 (en) 2002-03-20 2003-03-14 Fuel cell flow field pattern

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2387264B (en)
WO (1) WO2003081703A2 (en)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008107434A1 (en) * 2007-03-08 2008-09-12 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Fuel cell
EP1998394A1 (en) 2007-05-24 2008-12-03 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Fuel cell
WO2011060426A3 (en) * 2009-11-16 2011-09-29 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device
US8029937B2 (en) 2006-05-11 2011-10-04 Alan Devoe Solid oxide fuel cell device and system
CN102299343A (en) * 2011-07-26 2011-12-28 武汉理工大学 Leaf biomimetic structure based bipolar plate for proton exchange membrane fuel cells
US8153318B2 (en) 2006-11-08 2012-04-10 Alan Devoe Method of making a fuel cell device
US8227128B2 (en) 2007-11-08 2012-07-24 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US8257884B2 (en) 2007-05-10 2012-09-04 Alan Devoe Method of making a fuel cell device
US8343684B2 (en) 2008-03-07 2013-01-01 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US8470493B2 (en) 2008-10-28 2013-06-25 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US9023555B2 (en) 2012-02-24 2015-05-05 Alan Devoe Method of making a fuel cell device
US9209474B2 (en) 2009-03-06 2015-12-08 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device
US9437894B2 (en) 2012-02-24 2016-09-06 Alan Devoe Method of making a fuel cell device
US20180166702A1 (en) * 2016-12-09 2018-06-14 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Separator for fuel cell and fuel cell
CN108987763A (en) * 2018-08-01 2018-12-11 西南交通大学 A kind of bipolar plate of redox flow battery with classification interdigitated flow field

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5230966A (en) * 1991-09-26 1993-07-27 Ballard Power Systems Inc. Coolant flow field plate for electrochemical fuel cells
WO1994021372A1 (en) * 1993-03-19 1994-09-29 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Integrated chemical processing apparatus and processes for the preparation thereof
WO2000041260A2 (en) * 1998-12-30 2000-07-13 Ballard Power Systems Inc. Fuel cell fluid flow field plate and methods of making fuel cell flow field plates
WO2001041239A1 (en) * 1999-12-06 2001-06-07 Technology Management, Inc. Electrochemical apparatus with reactant micro-channels
WO2002090053A1 (en) * 2001-05-03 2002-11-14 The Morgan Crucible Company Plc Abrasive blast machining
US20020192531A1 (en) * 1998-12-30 2002-12-19 Joerg Zimmerman Liquid reactant flow field plates for liquid feed fuel cells

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5641586A (en) * 1995-12-06 1997-06-24 The Regents Of The University Of California Office Of Technology Transfer Fuel cell with interdigitated porous flow-field
US6207312B1 (en) * 1998-09-18 2001-03-27 Energy Partners, L.C. Self-humidifying fuel cell
JP2002529892A (en) * 1998-10-29 2002-09-10 スリーエム イノベイティブ プロパティズ カンパニー Microstructured flow field

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5230966A (en) * 1991-09-26 1993-07-27 Ballard Power Systems Inc. Coolant flow field plate for electrochemical fuel cells
WO1994021372A1 (en) * 1993-03-19 1994-09-29 E.I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company Integrated chemical processing apparatus and processes for the preparation thereof
WO2000041260A2 (en) * 1998-12-30 2000-07-13 Ballard Power Systems Inc. Fuel cell fluid flow field plate and methods of making fuel cell flow field plates
US20020192531A1 (en) * 1998-12-30 2002-12-19 Joerg Zimmerman Liquid reactant flow field plates for liquid feed fuel cells
WO2001041239A1 (en) * 1999-12-06 2001-06-07 Technology Management, Inc. Electrochemical apparatus with reactant micro-channels
WO2002090053A1 (en) * 2001-05-03 2002-11-14 The Morgan Crucible Company Plc Abrasive blast machining

Cited By (49)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9673459B2 (en) 2005-11-08 2017-06-06 Alan Devoe Solid oxide fuel cell device
US10096846B2 (en) 2005-11-08 2018-10-09 Alan Devoe Solid oxide fuel cell device
US10673081B2 (en) 2005-11-08 2020-06-02 Alan Devoe Solid oxide fuel cell device
US9859582B2 (en) 2006-05-11 2018-01-02 Alan Devoe Solid oxide fuel cell device and system
US8932776B2 (en) 2006-05-11 2015-01-13 Alan Devoe Solid oxide fuel cell device and system
US8029937B2 (en) 2006-05-11 2011-10-04 Alan Devoe Solid oxide fuel cell device and system
US8293415B2 (en) 2006-05-11 2012-10-23 Alan Devoe Solid oxide fuel cell device and system
US8153318B2 (en) 2006-11-08 2012-04-10 Alan Devoe Method of making a fuel cell device
US9123937B2 (en) 2006-11-08 2015-09-01 Alan Devoe Solid oxide fuel cell device
US8609290B2 (en) 2006-11-08 2013-12-17 Alan Devoe Solid oxide fuel cell device
US9397346B2 (en) 2006-11-08 2016-07-19 Alan Devoe Solid oxide fuel cell device
US8293417B2 (en) 2006-11-08 2012-10-23 Alan Devoe Solid oxide fuel cell device
US8338048B2 (en) 2007-03-08 2012-12-25 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Fuel cell
EP1970985A1 (en) * 2007-03-08 2008-09-17 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Fuel cell
WO2008107434A1 (en) * 2007-03-08 2008-09-12 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Fuel cell
US8309266B2 (en) 2007-05-10 2012-11-13 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US8293429B2 (en) 2007-05-10 2012-10-23 Alan Devoe Method of making a fuel cell device
US8409764B2 (en) 2007-05-10 2013-04-02 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US9362572B2 (en) 2007-05-10 2016-06-07 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US10312530B2 (en) 2007-05-10 2019-06-04 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US8278013B2 (en) 2007-05-10 2012-10-02 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US8257884B2 (en) 2007-05-10 2012-09-04 Alan Devoe Method of making a fuel cell device
EP1998394A1 (en) 2007-05-24 2008-12-03 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Fuel cell
US7736785B2 (en) 2007-05-24 2010-06-15 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Fuel cell
US8227128B2 (en) 2007-11-08 2012-07-24 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US8614026B2 (en) 2007-11-08 2013-12-24 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US10153496B2 (en) 2007-11-08 2018-12-11 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US8962209B2 (en) 2008-03-07 2015-02-24 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US9343753B2 (en) 2008-03-07 2016-05-17 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US8343684B2 (en) 2008-03-07 2013-01-01 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US9059450B2 (en) 2008-10-28 2015-06-16 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US8470493B2 (en) 2008-10-28 2013-06-25 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US10734659B2 (en) 2008-10-28 2020-08-04 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US10062911B2 (en) 2008-10-28 2018-08-28 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device and system
US9209474B2 (en) 2009-03-06 2015-12-08 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device
WO2011060426A3 (en) * 2009-11-16 2011-09-29 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device
CN102299343A (en) * 2011-07-26 2011-12-28 武汉理工大学 Leaf biomimetic structure based bipolar plate for proton exchange membrane fuel cells
US10320012B2 (en) 2011-11-30 2019-06-11 Alan Devoe Fuel cell device
US10355300B2 (en) 2012-02-24 2019-07-16 Alan Devoe Method of making a fuel cell device
US9023555B2 (en) 2012-02-24 2015-05-05 Alan Devoe Method of making a fuel cell device
US9577281B1 (en) 2012-02-24 2017-02-21 Alan Devoe Method of making a fuel cell device
US9716286B2 (en) 2012-02-24 2017-07-25 Alan Devoe Method of making a fuel cell device
US9437894B2 (en) 2012-02-24 2016-09-06 Alan Devoe Method of making a fuel cell device
CN108232227A (en) * 2016-12-09 2018-06-29 丰田自动车株式会社 For the separator and fuel cell of fuel cell
US20180166702A1 (en) * 2016-12-09 2018-06-14 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Separator for fuel cell and fuel cell
CN108232227B (en) * 2016-12-09 2021-07-23 丰田自动车株式会社 Separator for fuel cell and fuel cell
US11450862B2 (en) * 2016-12-09 2022-09-20 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Separator for fuel cell and fuel cell
DE102017127492B4 (en) 2016-12-09 2023-07-20 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha SEPARATION DEVICE FOR FUEL CELL AND FUEL CELL
CN108987763A (en) * 2018-08-01 2018-12-11 西南交通大学 A kind of bipolar plate of redox flow battery with classification interdigitated flow field

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2387264A (en) 2003-10-08
GB0206598D0 (en) 2002-05-01
GB2387264B (en) 2004-08-04
WO2003081703A3 (en) 2004-03-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7632588B2 (en) Electrochemical cell having gas flow channels surrounded by solid electrolyte and interconnector
CN104412434B (en) Gas distribution element for a fuel cell
US8216738B2 (en) Deactivation of SOFC anode substrate for direct internal reforming
KR20050021027A (en) Anode-supported flat-tubular solid oxide fuel cell stack and fabrication method of it
US6495279B1 (en) Ultrahigh power density miniaturized solid-oxide fuel cell
WO2016157880A1 (en) Flat plate type fuel cell
WO2003081703A2 (en) Fuel cell flow field pattern
EP2675007A1 (en) A gas flow dividing element
EP3346532A1 (en) Fuel cell module and fuel cell device
JP6498992B2 (en) Flat fuel cell
JP3516325B2 (en) Honeycomb structure solid oxide fuel cell
EP2787570B1 (en) Method of fabricating fuel cell stack device
JPWO2007029860A1 (en) Electrochemical device and electrochemical device
US7160642B2 (en) Fuel cell stack assembly and method of fabrication
JP5107917B2 (en) Solid electrolyte fuel cell stack
JP2008053032A (en) Gas circulation member, stacked sintered body, and electrochemical cell
JPH05266910A (en) Solid electrolyte fuel cell system
KR101694144B1 (en) Flat tubular solid oxide fuel cell and method of manufacturing the same
US9865889B2 (en) Solid electrolyte fuel battery having anode and cathode gas supply channels with different cross-section areas
JP2802196B2 (en) Method for producing fuel cell support
JP4165688B2 (en) Electrochemical equipment
JP2019053926A (en) Fuel cell stack
JP2008041506A (en) Electrochemical cell, manufacturing method therefor, and electrochemical device
JP2002075410A (en) Collector for solid-oxide fuel cell and solid-oxide fuel cell using same
JP6734719B2 (en) Method for manufacturing electrochemical reaction single cell and method for manufacturing electrochemical reaction cell stack

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LU MC NL PT SE SI SK TR

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase