KR20200072156A - Fuel cell stack and Fuel cell system including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel cell stack that can selectively operate stacks, which are divided into two parts by a center plate having a conductivity while supplying a reaction gas to the stacks, and a fuel cell system including the same. A fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present invention is a fuel cell stack, in which a plurality of unit cells are stacked to be formed, and includes: a first stack module and a second stack module, in which a plurality of unit cells are stacked; a first end plate disposed on one side of the first stack module; a second end plate disposed on one side of the second stack module; and a center plate disposed between the other side of the first stack module and the other side of the second stack module and connecting the first stack module and the second stack module in series while classifying the first stack module and the second stack module.

Description

Fuel cell stack and fuel cell system including the same}

The present invention relates to a fuel cell stack and a fuel cell system including the same, and more specifically, while having a stack to be divided by a center plate having conductivity, while supplying the reaction gas to the separated stack, the stack is selectively operated. It relates to a fuel cell stack and a fuel cell system including the same.

A fuel cell is a kind of power generation device that converts chemical energy of a fuel into electrical energy by electrochemically reacting in a stack, as well as supplying driving power for industrial, household, and vehicle, as well as powering small electronic products such as portable devices. It can be used in recent years, and its use area is gradually expanding as a high-efficiency clean energy source.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a typical fuel cell stack.

As can be seen in Figure 1, a typical fuel cell stack is formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells, and each unit cell is located at the innermost membrane electrode assembly (MEA: Membrane-Electrode Assembly), and this membrane electrode assembly (100 ) Is a polymer electrolyte membrane 110 capable of moving hydrogen cations (Proton), and a catalyst layer coated to allow hydrogen and oxygen to react on both sides of the electrolyte membrane, that is, the anode 120 and the cathode 130: cathode).

In addition, a gas diffusion layer (200, GDL: Gas Diffusion Layer) is laminated on the outer portion of the membrane electrode assembly 100, that is, the outer portion where the anode 120 and the cathode 130 are located, and the gas diffusion layer 200 is provided. On the outside, a separation plate 300 in which a flow field is formed to supply fuel and discharge water generated by the reaction is located with the gasket 400 and gasket interposed therebetween, and the above-described components End plates (500, End plates) for supporting and fixing them are combined.

Therefore, the oxidation reaction of hydrogen proceeds at the anode 120 of the fuel cell stack to generate hydrogen ions (Proton) and electrons (Electron), and the generated hydrogen ions and electrons are electrolyte membrane 110 and electric wire, respectively. It is moved to the cathode 130 through, and the cathode 130 generates water through an electrochemical reaction in which hydrogen ions, electrons, and oxygen in the air, which have moved from the anode 120, simultaneously generate electricity from the flow of electrons. Energy.

The fuel cell stack outputs about 200W per unit cell during operation, and the number of unit cells is determined according to the purpose and required output, and connected in series to form a stack.

Recently, the number of unit cells stacked is gradually increasing as the output required increases.

However, as the number of unit cells increases, the volume of the stack increases. The increase in the volume of the stack means that the length of the stack increases, and accordingly, as the length of the manifold providing the reaction gas and the cooling water increases, a deviation of the inflow of the reaction gas supplied to each unit cell occurs, and the manifold inlet In the case of a unit cell with a long distance from the distance, additional problems such as removal of product water and thermal management have occurred.

The content described as the above background technology is only for understanding the background of the present invention, and should not be taken as an admission that it corresponds to the prior art already known to those skilled in the art.

Japanese Registered Patent Publication No. 4505204 (2010.04.30) Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1184930 (2012.09.06)

The present invention provides a fuel cell stack and a fuel cell system including the fuel cell stack capable of selectively operating the stack while supplying the reaction gas to the separated stack while having the stack to be divided by the center plate having conductivity.

A fuel cell stack according to an embodiment of the present invention is a fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells, the first stack module and the second stack module stacked by a plurality of unit cells; A first end plate disposed on one side of the first stack module; A second end plate disposed on one side of the second stack module; And a center plate disposed between the other side of the first stack module and the other side of the second stack module, and connected in series while separating the first stack module and the second stack module.

The center plate is formed with a current collecting region connecting the first stack module and the second stack module in series, an insulating region is formed around the current collecting region, and the first stack module and the second stack are formed in the insulating region. It is characterized in that a plurality of inlet manifold regions and a plurality of inlet manifold regions selectively communicating with the inlet and outlet manifolds formed in the module are formed.

A hydrogen inlet manifold, a coolant inlet manifold, an air inlet manifold, a hydrogen outlet manifold, a coolant outlet manifold, and an air outlet manifold are formed in the first stack module and the second stack module, respectively, and the center plate includes Hydrogen inlet manifold for selectively communicating the hydrogen inlet manifold, cooling water inlet manifold, air inlet manifold, hydrogen outlet manifold, cooling water outlet manifold, and air outlet manifold respectively formed in the first stack module and the second stack module Zone, cooling water inlet manifold area, air inlet manifold area, hydrogen discharge manifold area, cooling water discharge manifold area and air discharge manifold area are formed, the hydrogen inlet manifold area, cooling water inlet manifold area, air inlet The manifold region, the hydrogen discharge manifold region, the coolant discharge manifold region and the air discharge manifold region are characterized by being selectively penetrated.

Meanwhile, a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first stack module and a second stack module in which a plurality of unit cells are stacked; A first end plate disposed on one side of the first stack module; A second end plate disposed on one side of the second stack module; A center plate disposed between the other side of the first stack module and the other side of the second stack module, the center plate connecting in series while separating the first stack module and the second stack module; A motor operated by electricity generated by at least one or more of the first stack module and the second stack module; And a relay that selectively opens and closes an electrical circuit between the first stack module, the second stack module, and the motor.

A first wiring electrically connecting the first end plate and the motor; A second wiring electrically connecting the center plate and the relay; And a third wire to which the relay connected to the second wire is connected while electrically connecting the second end plate and the motor.

A first switch is connected to the first wiring, a second switch is connected to the second wiring, and electric equipment operated by electricity generated by the first stack module and the second stack module is connected to the third wiring. It is characterized by being connected.

It further includes a hydrogen supply means, a cooling water supply means and an air supply means for supplying hydrogen, cooling water and air to at least one of the first end plate and the second end plate, respectively.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a stack in which a plurality of unit cells are stacked is divided into a conductive center plate, and the first stack module and the second stack module, which are separated by the center plate, are electrically connected in series. By doing so, it is possible to expect the effect of operating the first stack module and the second stack module individually or together in accordance with the required output.

Accordingly, when only half of the stack is used, by avoiding the low current operation condition, the number of generated water in the stack can be prevented and flooding can be prevented, and since the use of current increases and the voltage decreases, cell durability is improved through high potential avoidance. Can be.

In addition, it is possible to improve the distribution of the reaction gas and the cooling water by separately supplying the reaction gas and the cooling water to each of the first stack module and the second stack module, which are divided by the center plate, thereby stabilizing performance and durability. Can be improved.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a typical fuel cell stack,
2 and 3 is a view showing a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention,
4 is a view showing a center plate according to an embodiment of the present invention,
5 and 6 are views showing an example of implementing a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in various different forms, and only the present embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art is completely It is provided to inform you. The same reference numerals in the drawings refer to the same elements.

2 and 3 are views showing a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a view showing a center plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a first stack module S1 and a second stack module S2 which are selectively operated in series with each other, and the first stack module Electrical wiring means are provided to selectively drive the (S1) and the second stack module (S2), and a reaction gas to selectively drive the first and second stack modules (S1) and (2) And cooling water supply means.

The first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2, which are the fuel cell stack 10 constituting the fuel cell system, are elements in which a plurality of unit cells are stacked, and each unit cell is a general fuel cell stack. The unit cell applied to is applied. For example, each unit cell includes an electrode membrane assembly, a pair of gas diffusion layers, and a pair of separator plates, and each unit cell is configured by being connected in series.

At this time, the number of unit cells stacked on the first stack module S1 and the second stack module may be configured to be the same as each other, but the number of the first stack module S1 and the second stack module ( The output quantity output in S2) may be set differently.

In addition, a plurality of inlet manifolds and outlet manifolds for introducing and discharging reaction gas and cooling water are formed in the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2, respectively. For example, the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2 include a hydrogen inlet manifold, a coolant inlet manifold, an air inlet manifold, a hydrogen outlet manifold, a coolant outlet manifold, and an air outlet manifold, respectively. Is formed.

On the other hand, the center plate having conductivity between the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2 to selectively operate while connecting the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2 in series ( 13) is interposed.

In other words, the first end plate 11 disposed on one side of the first stack module S1 is disposed, and the second end plate 12 disposed on one side of the second stack module S2 is disposed, and The center plate 13 is disposed between the other side of the first stack module S1 and the other side of the second stack module S2.

At this time, the first end plate 11 and the second end plate 12 are end plates disposed on both ends of a typical fuel cell stack as it is.

However, the center plate 13 is conductive and is connected to the first end plate 11 and the second end plate 12 in series, while being supplied to the first end plate 11 and the second end plate 12 It is provided to supply the reaction gas and the cooling water individually.

To this end, as shown in FIG. 4, the center plate 13 is formed with a current collecting region 13b connecting the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2 in series, and the current collecting region 13b An insulating region 13a is formed around the. Therefore, the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2 are electrically connected in series through the current collecting region 13b.

In addition, the insulator region 13a includes a plurality of inlet manifold regions 14a, 15a selectively communicating with a plurality of inlet manifolds and outlet manifolds formed in the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2. 16a) and discharge manifold regions 14b, 15b, 16b are formed.

For example, the center plate 13 includes a hydrogen inlet manifold region 14a, a coolant inlet manifold region 15a, an air inlet manifold region 16a, a hydrogen outlet manifold region 14b, and a cooling water outlet manifold region. 15b and the air exhaust manifold area 16b are formed. However, the hydrogen inlet manifold region 14a, the cooling water inlet manifold region 15a, the air inlet manifold region 16a, the hydrogen outlet manifold region 14b, and the cooling water outlet manifold formed in the center plate 13 The region 15b and the air exhaust manifold region 16b are selectively penetrated or closed.

At this time, the plurality of inlet manifold regions 14a, 15a, and 16a and the outlet manifold regions 14b, 15b, and 16b formed in the center plate 13 include the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2. The corresponding inlet and outlet manifolds formed in the are formed at positions formed.

For example, the hydrogen inlet manifold region 14a formed in the center plate 13 is formed at a position communicating the hydrogen inlet manifold formed in the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2. Similarly, the coolant inflow manifold region 15a formed in the center plate 13 is formed at a position communicating the coolant inflow manifolds formed in the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2.

Similarly, the air inlet manifold area 16a, the hydrogen discharge manifold area 14b, the coolant discharge manifold area 15b, and the air discharge manifold area 16b include the first stack module S1 and the second stack module ( It is formed in a position to communicate the air inlet manifold, hydrogen discharge manifold, cooling water discharge manifold and air discharge manifold respectively formed in S2).

On the other hand, electrical wiring means for selectively driving the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2 is provided.

For example, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first stack module (S1) and the second stack module (S2) generated by at least one or more of the stack module, the motor 20 is operated by electricity generated by; It includes a relay 30 for selectively opening and closing the electrical circuit between the first stack module (S1), the second stack module (S2) and the motor (20).

And, a first wiring (60a) for electrically connecting the first end plate 11 and the motor 20; A second wiring 60b electrically connecting the center plate 13 and the relay 30; And a third wiring 60c to which the relay 30 connected to the second wiring 60b is connected while electrically connecting the second end plate 12 and the motor 20.

Therefore, the electric circuit is configured when only the first stack module S1 is operated under the control of the relay 30 or both the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2 are operated. Accordingly, the motor 20 may be driven only by the operation of the first stack module S1, and the motor 20 may be driven by driving both the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2. .

Meanwhile, a first switch 50a is connected to the first wiring 60a, and a second switch 50b is connected to the second wiring 60b. And, the third wiring (60c) may be connected to the electric field means 40 that is operated by electricity generated by the first stack module (S1) and the second stack module (S2).

At this time, the electric vehicle means 40 means various electric components used in vehicles. At this time, the electric equipment 40 may be one or more electric component, and may be a battery in which electricity provided to the electric component is charged.

Thus, only the first stack module S1 is driven, only the second stack module S2 is driven or the first stack module is driven according to the opening and closing of the relay 30, the first switch 50a, and the second switch 50b. Various modes of driving the (S1) and the second stack module S2 together may be implemented.

Then, the hydrogen supply means 70, the cooling water supply means 80 and the air supply for supplying hydrogen, cooling water and air to at least one of the first end plate 11 and the second end plate 12, respectively Means 90 are provided.

At this time, the hydrogen supply means 70, the cooling water supply means 80, and the air supply means 90 are configured to supply hydrogen, cooling water and air to the first end plate 11 and the second end plate 12, respectively. The first end plate according to whether the hydrogen inlet manifold region 14a, the coolant inlet manifold region 15a, and the air inlet manifold region 16a formed in the center plate 13 are selectively penetrated and closed. 11) and/or the supply of hydrogen, coolant and air to the second end plate 12 can be selected.

An example of implementing a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings.

5 and 6 are views showing an example of implementing a fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, when supplying hydrogen, cooling water, and air to the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2, respectively, the hydrogen inlet manifold region 14a formed in the center plate 13 and the cooling water inlet manifold The region 15a, the air inlet manifold region 16a, the hydrogen discharge manifold region 14b, the coolant discharge manifold region 15b, and the air discharge manifold region 16b are all closed, and hydrogen The supply means 70, the cooling water supply means 80, and the air supply means 90 are configured to supply hydrogen, cooling water, and air to the first end plate 11 and the second end plate 12, respectively.

So, hydrogen, cooling water and air supplied from the hydrogen supply means 70, the cooling water supply means 80 and the air supply means 90 are supplied to the first end plate 11 and the second end plate 12, respectively. The first stack module (S1) and the second stack module (S2) are respectively separately introduced and then discharged.

If, hydrogen and air are separately introduced and discharged from the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2, respectively, the coolant communicates with the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2. In order to flow in and out, a fuel cell system is implemented as shown in FIG. 5.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the hydrogen inlet manifold region 14a, the air inlet manifold region 16a, the hydrogen outlet manifold region 14b and the air outlet manifold formed in the center plate 13 The region 16b is configured in a closed state, and the cooling water inlet manifold region 15a and the cooling water discharge manifold region 15b are configured in a through state. Further, the hydrogen supply means 70 and the air supply means 90 are configured to supply hydrogen and air to the first end plate 11 and the second end plate 12, respectively, and the cooling water supply means 80 is Cooling water can be supplied only to the second end plate 12.

So, while hydrogen and air are individually introduced and discharged from the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2, the coolant communicates with the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2, respectively. It can be introduced and discharged.

In addition, while cooling water and air are individually introduced and discharged from the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2, hydrogen is communicated with the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2. In order to flow in and out, a fuel cell system is implemented as shown in FIG. 6.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the coolant inlet manifold region 15a, the air inlet manifold region 16a, the coolant outlet manifold region 15b and the air outlet manifold formed in the center plate 13 The region 16b is configured in a closed state, and the hydrogen inlet manifold region 14a and the hydrogen discharge manifold region 14b are configured in a through state. Further, the cooling water supply means 80 and the air supply means 90 are configured to supply hydrogen and air to the first end plate 11 and the second end plate 12, respectively, and the hydrogen supply means 70 is Hydrogen can be supplied only to the second end plate 12.

So, while cooling water and air are separately introduced and discharged respectively from the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2, hydrogen communicates with the first stack module S1 and the second stack module S2. It can be introduced and discharged.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings and the preferred embodiments described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and is limited by the claims below. Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art can variously modify and modify the present invention without departing from the technical spirit of the claims to be described later.

S1: First stack module S2: Second stack module
10: fuel cell 11: first end plate
12: second end plate 13: center plate
13a: insulation area 13b: current collection area
14a: Hydrogen inlet manifold area 15a: Coolant inlet manifold area
16a: air inlet manifold area 14b: hydrogen discharge manifold area
15b: cooling water discharge manifold area 16b: air discharge manifold area
20: motor 30: relay
40: electric vehicle means 50a: first switch
50b: second switch 60a: first wiring
60b: second wiring 60c: third wiring
70: hydrogen supply means 80: cooling water supply means
90: air supply means

Claims (7)

A fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells,
A first stack module and a second stack module in which a plurality of unit cells are stacked;
A first end plate disposed on one side of the first stack module;
A second end plate disposed on one side of the second stack module;
A fuel cell stack including a center plate disposed between the other side of the first stack module and the other side of the second stack module and connected in series while separating the first stack module and the second stack module.
The method according to claim 1,
The center plate is formed with a current collecting region connecting the first stack module and the second stack module in series, an insulating region is formed around the current collecting region, and the first stack module and the second stack are formed in the insulating region. A fuel cell stack, characterized in that a plurality of inlet and outlet manifold regions selectively formed in communication with a plurality of inlet and outlet manifolds formed in the module are formed.
The method according to claim 2,
The first stack module and the second stack module are formed with a hydrogen inlet manifold, a cooling water inlet manifold, an air inlet manifold, a hydrogen outlet manifold, a cooling water outlet manifold, and an air outlet manifold, respectively.
The center plate selectively communicates a hydrogen inlet manifold, a coolant inlet manifold, an air inlet manifold, a hydrogen outlet manifold, a coolant outlet manifold, and an air outlet manifold formed in the first stack module and the second stack module, respectively. A hydrogen inlet manifold area, a cooling water inlet manifold area, an air inlet manifold area, a hydrogen discharge manifold area, a cooling water discharge manifold area, and an air discharge manifold area are formed. A fuel cell stack characterized in that the fold region, the air inlet manifold region, the hydrogen discharge manifold region, the coolant discharge manifold region and the air discharge manifold region are selectively penetrated.
A first stack module and a second stack module in which a plurality of unit cells are stacked;
A first end plate disposed on one side of the first stack module;
A second end plate disposed on one side of the second stack module;
A center plate disposed between the other side of the first stack module and the other side of the second stack module, the center plate connecting in series while separating the first stack module and the second stack module;
A motor operated by electricity generated by at least one or more stack modules of the first stack module and the second stack module;
A fuel cell system including a relay that selectively opens and closes an electrical circuit between the first stack module, the second stack module, and the motor.
The method according to claim 4,
A first wiring electrically connecting the first end plate and the motor;
A second wiring electrically connecting the center plate and the relay;
A fuel cell system including a third wire to which a relay connected to the second wire is connected while electrically connecting the second end plate and the motor.
The method according to claim 5,
A first switch is connected to the first wiring,
A second switch is connected to the second wiring,
The third wiring is connected to the electric power generated by the electric power generated by the first stack module and the second stack module, the fuel cell system, characterized in that connected.
The method according to claim 4,
A fuel cell system further comprising a hydrogen supply means for supplying hydrogen, cooling water, and air to at least one of the first end plate and the second end plate, cooling water supply means, and air supply means, respectively.

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