KR-20260063938-A - Bipolar Plate Structure with Trap and Block structure in PEMFC and PEMFC containing thereof

Abstract

The bipolar conductive plate structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a serpentine flow path pattern formed by a wall arranged vertically on the surface of the bipolar plate; a plurality of traps formed on the serpentine flow path pattern and having a structure in which the flow path is expanded; and a block structure included inside the trap and attached to the surface of the bipolar plate.

Inventors

• 김현철

Assignees

• 국립공주대학교 산학협력단

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20241031

Claims (11)

1. Serpentine Euro pattern formed by walls arranged vertically on the surface of a bipolar plate; A plurality of traps formed on the above serpentine Euro pattern and having a structure in which the Euro is expanded; and A bipolar conductive plate structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, characterized by including a block structure included inside the trap and attached to the surface of the bipolar plate.
2. In Article 1, A bipolar conductive plate structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, characterized in that the above wall has a height of 0.7 to 2 mm.
3. 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 0.7 to 2 mm.
4. 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.
5. In Article 1, The above trap includes a structure in which the flow path is extended to one or both sides of the above flow pattern, and A bipolar conductive plate structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, characterized in that the above trap has a width of 0.3 to 2 mm expanded relative to the Euro pattern.
6. In Article 1, A bipolar conductive plate structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, characterized in that the distance between the starting part of the trap where the trap starts and the block in the above Euro pattern is 0.1 to 1 mm.
7. In Article 1, A bipolar conductive plate structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, characterized in that the height of the above block is 0.7 to 1.5 mm.
8. In Article 1, The above block is a bipolar conductive plate structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, characterized by having a width of 0.3 to 1 mm.
9. 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.
10. 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 9.
11. In Article 10, The above proton exchange membrane fuel cell is characterized by having a power density 3 to 9% higher than that of a bipolar conductive plate that does not contain a trap.

Description

Bipolar conductive plate structure for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell including trap and block structure and a proton exchange membrane fuel cell including the same The present invention relates to a bipolar conductive plate structure comprising trap and block structures 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 proton exchange membrane fuel cell, and consequently, various attempts to improve this flow are continuously being made. Attempts to introduce structures such as baffle channels, fin channels, wave channels, and convergent-divergent channels are continuously being made to improve flow and reduce pressure drop. Specifically, baffle channels control flow and enhance oxygen delivery by installing obstacles within the channel, but they have the disadvantage of causing a significant pressure drop due to the baffles. Fin channels can mix the flow, promote oxygen delivery, and increase water removal efficiency by installing fins, but they have limitations due to complex manufacturing processes and the potential to induce pressure drop. Wave channels can mix the flow and enhance oxygen delivery by modifying the channel shape into a wave form, but they are limited by complex manufacturing processes and pressure drop. Convergent-divergent channels improve oxygen distribution by adjusting the channel width, but they have limitations due to complex flow control and difficult design. Accordingly, there is a need to develop a 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 roughly illustrates the trap and block structures included in the bipolar plate of the present invention. Figure 2 illustrates the structure of a bipolar plate according to an embodiment and a comparative example of the present invention, respectively. Figure 3 shows the results of measuring PEMFC performance according to the type of bipolar plate according to the embodiments and comparative examples of the present invention. Figure 4 shows the oxygen distribution of a bipolar plate measured according to an embodiment and a comparative example of the present invention and the results. Figure 5 illustrates the analysis of oxygen molar concentration profiles based on the midpoint of the flow path in a bipolar plate according to an embodiment and a comparative example of the present invention. Figure 6 shows the current density distribution observed in a bipolar plate according to an embodiment and a comparative example of the present invention and the results. Figure 7 shows the temperature distribution in a bipolar plate according to an embodiment and a comparative example of the present invention and illustrates the results. Figure 8 illustrates the change in output according to the shape of the trap and block 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