KR-20260068115-A - Cross-flow components for electrochemical devices

Abstract

A bipolar plate for an electrochemical device may, in particular, include a conductive body extending between a first side and a second side to define a cross-flow array. The cross-flow array may include a first flow channel intersecting a first rib along the first side, a second flow channel intersecting a second rib along the second side, and a crossover channel extending across each first rib to interconnect adjacent first flow channels. A method for forming a component for an electrochemical device is also disclosed.

Inventors

• 마줄로 제시

Assignees

• 하이액시엄, 인크.

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240802

Priority Date

20230920

Claims (20)

1. As a bipolar plate for an electrochemical device, It includes a conductive body extending between a first side and a second side to define a cross-flow array; The above cross-flow array is, A first flow channel arranged intersecting a first rib along a first side, wherein the first flow channel is dimensioned to transport a first fluid in a first direction; A second flow channel intersecting a second rib along a second side, wherein the second flow channel is dimensioned to convey a second fluid substantially in a first direction, the first flow channel is formed in each second rib, and the second flow channel is formed in each first rib; and It includes crossover ribs extending across the bottom of each second fluid channel to interconnect adjacent second ribs; A bipolar plate, wherein a crossover channel is formed in each crossover rib, the crossover channel extends across each first rib to interconnect an adjacent first flow channel, and the crossover channel is dimensioned to transport a first fluid in a second direction that is transverse to a first direction.
2. A bipolar plate according to claim 1, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
3. In claim 1 or 2, the main body is a monolithic bipolar plate.
4. In any one of claims 1 to 3, the main body is a bipolar plate having a substantially constant thickness along a cross-flow array.
5. In any one of claims 1 to 4, the bottom of each of the crossover channels is a bipolar plate located outside the bottom of each adjacent first flow channel.
6. A bipolar plate according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the end of the first flow channel is bounded by the periphery of the plate.
7. A bipolar plate according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least a portion of the second flow channel extends from each port along the periphery of the plate.
8. A bipolar plate according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein one or more ports extend through the main body between the first side and the second side, and one or more transmission channels extend along the first side to interconnect the first flow channel and one or more ports.
9. A bipolar plate according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein one of the first and second fluids is hydrogen and the other of the first and second fluids is water.
10. A bipolar plate according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each first flow channel limits a first width, each crossover channel limits a second width, and the ratio of the first width to the second width is 1:4 to 2:1.
11. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 10, The average thickness of the second rib is less than 20% of the average width and average height of the second flow channel, excluding the portion of the second flow channel that follows the crossover rib, and A bipolar plate in which the average thickness of the second rib is less than 20% of the average width and average height of the first flow channel.
12. As an assembly, A first electrochemical cell comprising a first proton exchange membrane (PEM) between a first anode and a first cathode; A second electrochemical cell comprising a second proton exchange membrane between a second anode and a second cathode; and It includes a conductive bipolar plate between a first anode and a second cathode, said bipolar plate extending between a first side and a second side to define a cross-flow array, said cross-flow array, said cross-flow array, A first flow channel arranged intersecting a first rib along a first side, wherein the first flow channel is dimensioned to transport a first fluid in a first direction across one of a first anode and a second cathode; A second flow channel intersecting a second rib along a second side, wherein the second flow channel is dimensioned to transport a second fluid in a substantially first direction across the other of a first anode and a second cathode, and the first flow channel is formed in each second rib, and the second flow channel is formed in each first rib; It includes crossover ribs extending between adjacent second ribs to partially block each second flow channel; An assembly in which a crossover channel is formed in each crossover rib, said crossover channel extends across each first rib to interconnect adjacent first flow channels, and said crossover channel is dimensioned to transport a first fluid in a second direction transverse to a first direction.
13. In paragraph 12, the above first electrochemical cell is an assembly that is a PEM electrolytic cell.
14. An assembly according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the first flow channel is fluidically coupled to a first set of manifolds and the second flow channel is fluidly coupled to a second set of manifolds.
15. An assembly in any one of paragraphs 12 through 14, wherein the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
16. A method for forming a bipolar plate for an electrochemical device, A step of forming a first flow field on a first side of a metal plate body, wherein the first flow field includes a first flow channel intersecting a first rib, the first flow channel extending in a first direction, and the first flow field includes a crossover channel extending across each first rib to interconnect adjacent first flow channels, and the crossover channel extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction; and The method comprises the step of forming a second flow field on a second side of the plate body opposite to the first side, wherein the second flow field includes a second flow channel arranged to intersect with a second rib along the second side, and the second flow channel extends substantially in a first direction; A method in which the first flow channel is formed in each second rib, the second flow channel is formed in each first rib, and the crossover channel is formed in each crossover rib.
17. In claim 16, the step of forming the first flow field and the second flow field comprises the step of stamping a plate body.
18. A method according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising the step of forming a plate body with a foil sheet having a substantially planar geometry prior to the step of forming the first flow field and the second flow field.
19. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the step of forming the first flow field is performed such that the bottom of each crossover channel rises from the bottom of each adjacent first flow channel.
20. In any one of paragraphs 16 through 19, A step of arranging a first flow field along the cathode of the electrochemical device; and A method further comprising the step of arranging a second flow field along the anode of the electrochemical device.

Description

Cross-flow components for electrochemical devices Cross-reference regarding related applications This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 18/470,647 filed on September 20, 2023. The present disclosure relates to an electrochemical device comprising a cross-flow array and a method for manufacturing and operating it. An electrolytic cell is a known electrochemical device that can be configured to convert electricity and water into hydrogen and oxygen. The electrolytic cell may include a conductive bipolar plate between an anode and a cathode. Flow paths may be formed on opposite sides of the plate. The bipolar plate may be coated. Two individual plates may be stamped and then joined together to form an assembly. A coolant flow path may be formed between the plates to transport a liquid coolant through the assembly. A bipolar plate for an electrochemical device may include a conductive body extending between a first side and a second side to define a cross-flow array. The cross-flow array may include a first flow channel intersecting a first rib along the first side. The first flow channel may be dimensioned to transport a first fluid in a first direction. A second flow channel may be intersecting a second rib along the second side. The second flow channel may be dimensioned to transport a second fluid substantially in the first direction. The first flow channel may be formed in each second rib. The second flow channel may be formed in each first rib. A crossover rib may extend across the bottom of each second flow channel to interconnect adjacent second ribs. A crossover channel may be formed in each crossover rib. The crossover channel may extend across each first rib to interconnect adjacent first flow channels. The crossover channel may be dimensioned to transport a first fluid in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction. The assembly may include a first electrochemical cell comprising a first proton exchange membrane (PEM) between a first anode and a first cathode. The second electrochemical cell may include a second proton exchange membrane between a second anode and a second cathode. A conductive bipolar plate may be positioned between the first anode and the second cathode. The bipolar plate may extend between a first side and a second side to define a cross-flow array. The cross-flow array may include a first flow channel intersecting a first rib along the first side. The first flow channel may be dimensioned to transport a first fluid in a first direction across one of the first anode and the second cathode. A second flow channel may be intersecting a second rib along the second side. The second flow channel may be dimensioned to transport a second fluid in a substantially first direction across the other of the first anode and the second cathode. A first flow channel may be formed in each second rib. A second flow channel may be formed in each first rib. A crossover rib may extend between adjacent second ribs to partially block each second flow channel. A crossover channel may be formed in each crossover rib. The crossover channel may extend across each first rib to interconnect adjacent first flow channels. The crossover channel may be dimensioned to transport a first fluid in a second direction that is transverse to a first direction. A method for forming a bipolar plate for an electrochemical device may include the step of forming a first flow field on a first side of a metal plate body. The first flow field may include a first flow channel intersecting a first rib. The first flow channel may extend in a first direction. The first flow field may include a crossover channel that may extend across each first rib to interconnect adjacent first flow channels. The crossover channel may extend in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction. The method may include the step of forming a second flow field on a second side of a plate body opposite to the first side. The second flow field may include a second flow channel intersecting a second rib along the second side. The second flow channel may extend substantially in the first direction. The first flow channel may be formed in each second rib. The second flow channel may be formed in each first rib. The crossover channel may be formed in each crossover rib. The present disclosure may include one or more of the individual features disclosed above and/or below, either alone or in any combination thereof. Various features and advantages of at least one disclosed exemplary embodiment will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings accompanying the detailed description may be briefly described as follows. FIG. 1 schematically discloses an electrochemical system comprising an electrochemical device arranged in a stack. FIG. 2 discloses the system of FIG. 1 including a manifold. FIG. 3 discloses another electrochemical system including a manifold. FIG. 4