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WO2008007108A1 - Système de distribution de courant pour des cellules électrochimiques - Google Patents

Système de distribution de courant pour des cellules électrochimiques Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008007108A1
WO2008007108A1 PCT/GB2007/002629 GB2007002629W WO2008007108A1 WO 2008007108 A1 WO2008007108 A1 WO 2008007108A1 GB 2007002629 W GB2007002629 W GB 2007002629W WO 2008007108 A1 WO2008007108 A1 WO 2008007108A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cell
conducting component
housing
conducting
electrode assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2007/002629
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Daniel Bentham
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ITM Power Research Ltd
Original Assignee
ITM Power Research Ltd
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 ITM Power Research Ltd filed Critical ITM Power Research Ltd
Publication of WO2008007108A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008007108A1/fr
Priority to GB0900434A priority Critical patent/GB2452465A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
    • H01M8/241—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0247—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the form
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0247—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the form
    • H01M8/025—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the form semicylindrical
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
    • H01M8/241—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
    • H01M8/242—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes comprising framed electrodes or intermediary frame-like gaskets
    • Y—GENERAL 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
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Definitions

  • This invention relates to current distribution in electrochemical cells.
  • the present invention is based on the realisation that by having two separate components, an electrically conducting component to act as the main current distributor/collector and a non-conducting material to define a fuel chamber, or to encompass a flow-field (which can be made of inexpensive nonconducting materials), the whole electrochemical cell will be lighter and cheaper and easier to manufacture as most of the cells can be injection-moulded using inexpensive plastics material.
  • the cell can also deliver or receive large currents.
  • an electrochemical half -cell comprises a non-conductive housing having a fuel inlet and/or outlet and containing a membrane electrode assembly and an electrically conducting component, wherein the electrically conductive component is in contact with the membrane electrode assembly, and wherein the housing and the membrane electrode assembly define a chamber for fuel.
  • Figures 1 and 2 each show a different schematic cross-sectional view of electrochemical half-cells embodying the present invention.
  • Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-section of an electrochemical cell embodying the invention.
  • Figures 4 and 5 are schematic cross-sections of a multi-stack of electrochemical cells of the invention.
  • Figure 6A is a side view
  • Figure 6B is a top view, of a star-shaped conducting component, suitable for use in the invention.
  • This invention is applicable to all electrochemical cells; electrolysers are used for illustration only.
  • membrane electrode assembly is defined in the state of the art, and describes an assembly of an electrode, a catalyst and an ion exchange membrane.
  • the catalyst and electrode may be collectively referred to herein, as a catalyst electrode.
  • the non-conductive housing and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) together define the perimeter of the half-cell. Contained within the housing is an electrically conducting component. The, or each, conducting component is in contact with the catalyst in the MEA.
  • the non-conductive housing may be constructed from ceramics, polypropylene or a glass-filled polyamide. The housing may contain gaps for a fuel inlet and/or outlet. Alternatively it may be porous or permeable in certain regions to allow entry/exit of reactant substances.
  • the non-conductive housing and MEA define a chamber for fuel.
  • the fuel may be in direct contact with the housing or held within a non-conducting flow-field structure contained within the housing, to direct flow.
  • This flow-field structure may be constructed from a non-metallic mesh or may be a porous plastic structure.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates examples of the shape of the conducting components (electrical contacts) suitable for use in the present invention.
  • Each cross-section shows a conducting component (2), a cell housing (3) and a fuel chamber (1).
  • the conducting component (2) may be counter-sunk into a recess in the electrochemical half-cell and may consist of a variety of forms such as, but not limited to, a bar shape or a frame, which is annular, tetragonal, polyhedral or circular.
  • the conducting component (2) may be a point contact. However, to reduce the likelihood of a current "hot-spot" where it touches the catalyst, it is preferred that the conducting component is frame-shaped, or star-shaped. This increases the area of the conducting component that is in contact with the catalyst; the cell can therefore handle a larger current and will be more efficient.
  • the conducting component (2) is star-shaped.
  • the star may have any number of arms (preferably between 10 and 15), the shape illustrated has 12 arms, in which each of the arms extends radially outward into two separate end points.
  • the star-shape is also dished (as shown), meaning that only the end points of the star are in contact with a MEA (4,5).
  • the dished, star-shaped conducting component (2) is malleable, and is essentially a spring electrical contact. This allows for a known and/or constant amount of contact pressure to be applied onto the MEA. This, combined with the high number of arms ensures good electrical contact, and therefore low electrical resistance.
  • the conducting component (2) may be perforated.
  • the conducting component (2) may be constructed from a number of materials, including but not limited to stainless steel, titanium alloys, nickel- chromium alloys and copper-nickel alloys, electrically conductive polymers and electrically conductive ceramics. This allows optimisation for the specific operational environments. Hence, an electrochemical cell may employ a single or multiple conducting component materials.
  • FIG. 2 shows an electrochemical half-cell that is a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • a catalyst electrode (5) is in physical contact with an ion exchange membrane (4), and lies over the conducting component (2).
  • the conducting component (2) supplies the electrical current to the catalyst whilst providing good physical contact.
  • the conducting component (2) may be used to secure the catalyst electrode (5) to the cell housing (3).
  • the catalyst material may be flush with the half-cell, extend to allow a higher pressure to be put upon the membrane electrode assembly (4, 5), or recessed to allow a higher sealing pressure around the half-cell, depending on the membrane material properties.
  • the fuel chamber (1) is defined by the cell housing (3) and the MEA (4, 5), there is good delivery of the reactants to the membrane electrode assembly (4, 5).
  • the area of the fuel chamber (1) may be increased by perforating the conducting component (2), allowing the reactants to move through it. This allows the reactants to flow to the conducting component (2)/MEA (4, 5) interface, thereby increasing the effective active area of the cell.
  • Flow of reactant substances may be directed or aided by having a flow-field structure in the fuel chamber (1). This may be in the form of a non-conducting porous structure within the housing.
  • a non-conductive flow-field has advantages of reduced weight, reduced material costs and reduced manufacturing costs, compared to electrochemical cells with metal flow-field/electrode structures.
  • Figure 3 shows an electrochemical cell embodying the present invention.
  • the conducting components (2, 2a) in each half-cell are made from different materials. This may allow for optimisation for the specific operational environment.
  • the conducting component extends through the housing, via a conducting member (6), bringing the current conduction point to the external face of the cell.
  • the conducting component (2) and the conducting member (6) may be integral, or may be separate components, which connect together.
  • the conducting member (6) may be an electrical connector. It may also be integrated with, or be connected to, an electrical plug or socket (not shown). This completes the current delivery, as well as aiding the retention of the conducting component (2).
  • the current conduction points are on the external face of the half -cell, multiple cells can be stacked back-to-back and supplied to run in electrical series ( Figure 4), reducing the need for cables on the outside of the stack.
  • Figure 5 shows a multi-cell stack connected in parallel.
  • the conducting members (6) must not touch the adjoining half -cell. This may be achieved using the same half-cell module, but orienting the half-cells differently, and using a connection plate (7) to electrically connect the half-cells.
  • the conducting members (6) may either be continuous with each other between the two cell halves, or separate components that align when the cells are stacked.
  • the conducting members (6) may be straight, or elbowed to allow access to the conducting components (2) from the external faces of the cells. This may allow a single cell to be by-passed, if necessary, in a multi-cell stack.
  • the conductive members (6) may be, if required, connected by a push/fit mechanism into the conducting component (2).
  • the housing (3) of one half-cell may be continuous with the housing (3) of an adjacent half-cell, i.e. they may be integral.
  • This integral component may be a bipolar plate, i.e. one plate that is both the anode to one cell, and the cathode to an adjacent cell.
  • the plate may also be used in the series stack ( Figure 4).
  • the plate is a switching device (physical or electrical) to bypass cells, either manually or automatically. In the case of an electrolyser, this may be allowed to occur if the voltage of the cell exceeds a predefined limit. In the case of a fuel cell, this may be allowed to occur if the voltage drops below a predefined limit.
  • the switching devices may be located in the conducting members (6).
  • An advantage of a half-cell of the invention is that, as the cell-housing (3) is non-conducting, the whole cell can be injection-moulded using inexpensive plastics material. Further, if the cell includes a non-conductive flow-field (porous structure) in the fuel chamber (1), then the cell housing (3) can be injection- moulded with the integrated non-conducting flow-field.
  • the cell housing (3) may be injection-moulded with a conducting member (6) and/or conducting component (2) moulded into it.
  • the conducting member (6) includes an electrical plug socket.
  • Two conducting components (2) and/or two conducting members (6) may be moulded into either side of one piece of non-conductive housing, in order to be able to form two cell halves back-to-back. This single piece acts both as the cathode to one cell, and the anode to an adjacent cell.
  • a still further preferred embodiment uses a microcontroller device to monitor the operating characteristics of the cells in a stack.
  • This device utilises a method of electrically removing cells from the stack if the monitored values pass outside predefined operating parameters, using either a transistor or relay-based system.

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

L'invention concerne une demi-cellule électrochimique comprenant un boîtier non-conducteur (3) ayant une entrée et/ou une sortie de combustible, et contenant un ensemble d'électrodes à membrane (4, 5) et un composant électriquement conducteur (2, 6), le composant électriquement conducteur (2) étant en contact avec l'ensemble d'électrodes à membrane (4, 5), et le boîtier (3) et l'ensemble d'électrodes à membrane (4, 5) définissant une chambre (1) pour le combustible.
PCT/GB2007/002629 2006-07-12 2007-07-12 Système de distribution de courant pour des cellules électrochimiques Ceased WO2008007108A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0900434A GB2452465A (en) 2006-07-12 2009-01-12 Current distribution system for electrochemical cells

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0613846.5 2006-07-12
GBGB0613846.5A GB0613846D0 (en) 2006-07-12 2006-07-12 Current distribution system for electrochemical cells

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008007108A1 true WO2008007108A1 (fr) 2008-01-17

Family

ID=36955518

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2007/002629 Ceased WO2008007108A1 (fr) 2006-07-12 2007-07-12 Système de distribution de courant pour des cellules électrochimiques

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (2) GB0613846D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008007108A1 (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8627671B2 (en) 2009-05-01 2014-01-14 Xergy Incorporated Self-contained electrochemical heat transfer system
US8640492B2 (en) 2009-05-01 2014-02-04 Xergy Inc Tubular system for electrochemical compressor
US8769972B2 (en) 2008-12-02 2014-07-08 Xergy Inc Electrochemical compressor and refrigeration system
US9151283B2 (en) 2011-08-08 2015-10-06 Xergy Ltd Electrochemical motive device
US9457324B2 (en) 2012-07-16 2016-10-04 Xergy Ltd Active components and membranes for electrochemical compression
US9464822B2 (en) 2010-02-17 2016-10-11 Xergy Ltd Electrochemical heat transfer system
US9599364B2 (en) 2008-12-02 2017-03-21 Xergy Ltd Electrochemical compressor based heating element and hybrid hot water heater employing same
US9738981B2 (en) 2011-12-21 2017-08-22 Xergy Inc Electrochemical compression system
US10024590B2 (en) 2011-12-21 2018-07-17 Xergy Inc. Electrochemical compressor refrigeration appartus with integral leak detection system

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1635415A1 (fr) * 2004-09-08 2006-03-15 Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. Empilage de piles à combustible
WO2006039802A1 (fr) * 2004-10-12 2006-04-20 Polymer Technologies Inc. Plaque bipolaire pour pile a combustible
US20060141328A1 (en) * 2004-12-29 2006-06-29 3M Innovative Properties Company Z-axis electrically conducting flow field separator
DE202007006096U1 (de) * 2006-05-01 2007-06-28 Antig Technology Co., Ltd. Kathodenkanalplatte für Brennstoffzelle

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1635415A1 (fr) * 2004-09-08 2006-03-15 Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. Empilage de piles à combustible
WO2006039802A1 (fr) * 2004-10-12 2006-04-20 Polymer Technologies Inc. Plaque bipolaire pour pile a combustible
US20060141328A1 (en) * 2004-12-29 2006-06-29 3M Innovative Properties Company Z-axis electrically conducting flow field separator
DE202007006096U1 (de) * 2006-05-01 2007-06-28 Antig Technology Co., Ltd. Kathodenkanalplatte für Brennstoffzelle

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
XIAO ZI YUAN ET AL: "BIPOLAR PLATES FOR PEM FUELD CELLS - FROM MATERIALS TO PROCESSING", JOURNAL OF NEW MATERIALS FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL SYSTEMS, ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE DE MONTREAL, MONTREAL, CA, vol. 8, no. 4, October 2005 (2005-10-01), pages 257 - 267, XP001503535, ISSN: 1480-2422 *

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8769972B2 (en) 2008-12-02 2014-07-08 Xergy Inc Electrochemical compressor and refrigeration system
US9599364B2 (en) 2008-12-02 2017-03-21 Xergy Ltd Electrochemical compressor based heating element and hybrid hot water heater employing same
US8627671B2 (en) 2009-05-01 2014-01-14 Xergy Incorporated Self-contained electrochemical heat transfer system
US8640492B2 (en) 2009-05-01 2014-02-04 Xergy Inc Tubular system for electrochemical compressor
US9464822B2 (en) 2010-02-17 2016-10-11 Xergy Ltd Electrochemical heat transfer system
US9151283B2 (en) 2011-08-08 2015-10-06 Xergy Ltd Electrochemical motive device
US9738981B2 (en) 2011-12-21 2017-08-22 Xergy Inc Electrochemical compression system
US10024590B2 (en) 2011-12-21 2018-07-17 Xergy Inc. Electrochemical compressor refrigeration appartus with integral leak detection system
US9457324B2 (en) 2012-07-16 2016-10-04 Xergy Ltd Active components and membranes for electrochemical compression

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0613846D0 (en) 2006-08-23
GB2452465A (en) 2009-03-04
GB0900434D0 (en) 2009-02-11

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