KR-20260063935-A - Bipolar Plate Structure for Uniform Current Distribution in PEMFC and PEMFC containing thereof

Abstract

The bipolar conductive plate structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell according to the present invention comprises a serpentine flow path pattern and a plurality of traps formed on the serpentine flow path pattern, wherein the width of the traps is 1.5 to 2.5 times the width of the flow path, and the traps in the serpentine flow path pattern are arranged in an alternating manner with adjacent rows, thereby promoting oxygen transport and improving the performance of the fuel cell.

Inventors

• 김현철

Assignees

• 국립공주대학교 산학협력단

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20241031

Claims (8)

1. Serpentine Euro pattern and It includes a plurality of traps formed on the above serpentine Euro pattern and having a structure in which the Euro is expanded, The width of the above trap is 1.5 to 2.5 times the width of the flow path, and A bipolar conductive plate structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell characterized in that the traps in the serpentine Euro pattern are arranged in an alternating pattern with adjacent rows.
2. In Article 1, A bipolar conductive plate structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, characterized in that the distance between the serpentine uro pattern and the uro pattern of the next row adjacent to it is 5 to 20 mm.
3. In Article 1, The above trap is a bipolar conductive plate structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, characterized by having a length of 3 to 10 mm.
4. In Article 1, A bipolar conductive plate structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, characterized in that the above-mentioned Euro has a width of 0.5 to 2 mm.
5. In Article 1, A bipolar conductive plate structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, characterized in that the distance between the end of the above trap and the starting point of the next trap is 5 to 15 mm.
6. In Article 1, The above serpentine Euro pattern is a bipolar conductive plate structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell characterized by having a cross-sectional shape that is square or rectangular.
7. A proton exchange membrane fuel cell comprising a bipolar conductive plate, a gas diffusion layer, a catalyst layer, and a separator having a structure selected from any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. In Article 7, The above proton exchange membrane fuel cell is characterized by having a power density 3 to 7% higher than that of a bipolar conductive plate that does not contain a trap.

Description

Bipolar conductive plate structure capable of exhibiting a uniform current distribution and a proton exchange membrane fuel cell containing the same The present invention relates to a bipolar conductive plate structure capable of exhibiting a uniform current distribution and a proton exchange membrane fuel cell comprising the same. Fuel cells are devices that convert the chemical energy contained in fuels such as hydrogen, methane, and gasoline into electrical energy. Because they directly convert fuel into electrical energy, they minimize energy loss during electricity production, resulting in high energy efficiency, and have the advantage of low greenhouse gas emissions. Due to these characteristics, fuel cells are attracting attention as a next-generation energy source. In particular, Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs), which use a proton exchange membrane as an electrolyte, have the advantages of low operating temperature, high power density, fast startup speed, and ease of compact design. However, PEMFCs have a problem in that performance degradation occurs due to oxygen deficiency and water infiltration when operating at high current densities. The key components of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell are the bipolar plate (BP), gas diffusion layer (GDL), catalyst layer (CL), and separator. The bipolar plate serves to supply reaction gases to the catalyst layer, remove reaction products, and transmit current. The gas flow along the bipolar plate significantly impacts the overall performance of the fuel cell, leading to ongoing efforts to improve flow. Specifically, various methods have been devised, such as installing baffles or forming the flow paths into a wavy shape; however, these methods have limitations, including increased pressure drop, complex manufacturing processes, and uneven oxygen distribution. Accordingly, there is a need to develop a trap structure that can overcome the limitations of conventional technology, further improve the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells, and increase oxygen supply. Figure 1 illustrates a simulation model of a fuel cell with the bipolar plate of the present invention applied. Figure 2 illustrates a bipolar plate structure applied to the simulation of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates the results of measuring power density according to the trap length of the bipolar plate in the present invention. Figure 4 illustrates different trap locations in the bipolar plate of the present invention. Figure 5 illustrates a comparison of power densities according to trap positions in the bipolar plate of the present invention. Figure 6 illustrates the oxygen distribution at the GDL-CL interface according to the trap position in the bipolar plate of the present invention. Figure 7 illustrates a two-dimensional streamline according to the trap position in the bipolar plate of the present invention. Figure 8 illustrates the dynamic pressure distribution according to the trap position in the bipolar plate of the present invention. Figure 9 illustrates the results of measuring the velocity vector field within the channel in the bipolar plate of the present invention. Figure 10 shows the current density distribution according to the trap position in the bipolar plate of the present invention. The advantages and features of the embodiments of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components. In describing the embodiments of the present invention, specific descriptions of known functions or configurations will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions could unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined in consideration of their functions in the embodiments of the present invention, and these definitions may vary depending on the intentions or practices of the user or operator. Therefore, such definitions should be based on the content throughout this specification. The bipolar conductive plate structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell according to the present invention comprises a serpentine flow path pattern and It includes a plurality of traps formed on the above serpentine Euro pattern and having a structure in which the Euro is expanded, The width of the above trap is 1.5 to 2.5 times the width of the flow path, and In the serpentine Euro pattern, the traps are character