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WO2025119498A1 - Empilement de cellules électrochimiques et son procédé de fabrication - Google Patents

Empilement de cellules électrochimiques et son procédé de fabrication Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2025119498A1
WO2025119498A1 PCT/EP2023/084962 EP2023084962W WO2025119498A1 WO 2025119498 A1 WO2025119498 A1 WO 2025119498A1 EP 2023084962 W EP2023084962 W EP 2023084962W WO 2025119498 A1 WO2025119498 A1 WO 2025119498A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cell
connection portion
electrochemical cell
stack according
cell stack
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.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/EP2023/084962
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Tomasz DOMANSKI
Jonathan SKILTON
Cameron VICKERY
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.)
Robert Bosch GmbH
Ceres Power Ltd
Original Assignee
Robert Bosch GmbH
Ceres Power 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 Robert Bosch GmbH, Ceres Power Ltd filed Critical Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority to PCT/EP2023/084962 priority Critical patent/WO2025119498A1/fr
Publication of WO2025119498A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025119498A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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
    • H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
    • H01M8/2483—Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by internal manifolds
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
    • C25B9/60—Constructional parts of cells
    • C25B9/65—Means for supplying current; Electrode connections; Electric inter-cell connections
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
    • C25B9/70—Assemblies comprising two or more cells
    • C25B9/73—Assemblies comprising two or more cells of the filter-press type
    • C25B9/75—Assemblies comprising two or more cells of the filter-press type having bipolar electrodes
    • 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
    • H01M8/002—Shape, form of a fuel cell
    • H01M8/006—Flat
    • 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
    • H01M8/2425—High-temperature cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/2432—Grouping of unit cells of planar configuration
    • 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
    • H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
    • C25B1/01—Products
    • C25B1/02—Hydrogen or oxygen
    • C25B1/04—Hydrogen or oxygen by electrolysis of water
    • C25B1/042—Hydrogen or oxygen by electrolysis of water by electrolysis of steam
    • 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

  • the invention relates to the field of electrochemical cell units, in particular, fuel cell units and electrolyser cell units. More specifically, the invention relates to an electrochemical cell stack, an electrochemical cell unit, and a method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell stack.
  • Fuel cells and electrolyser cells are examples of electrochemical cells.
  • Fuel cells are energy conversion devices that allow for conversion of fuel to electricity.
  • Electrolyser cells may be considered fuels cells running in reverse mode, i.e. using electricity to decompose a compound into its constituent parts, for example H2O into hydrogen and oxygen. Reversible cells are capable of operating in both modes.
  • Such electrochemical cells typically comprise electrochemically active layers that may be configured to allow for conversion of electrochemical fuel to electricity (fuel cells) or for decomposing a compound into its constituent parts using electricity (electrolyser cells).
  • the present invention specifically relates to solid oxide cells (SOCs).
  • solid oxide cells typically comprise an electrolyte layer formed from a solid oxide, e.g. from Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), Gadolinia-doped Ceria, or Cerium Gadolinium Oxide (CGO).
  • SOCs can be run as solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) or as solid oxide electrolyser cell (SOEC).
  • Each electrochemical cell unit typically comprises a cell layer comprising the electrochemically active layers, and an interconnector plate attached to the cell layer such that an inner fluid volume is enclosed between the cell layer and the interconnector plate.
  • the fluid volume serves to supply operating fluid (e.g. fuel in case of fuel cells) to the electrochemically active layers.
  • electrochemical cell units examples are known e.g. from WO 2020/126486 Al or WO 2021/110539 Al.
  • multiple of such cell units are stacked upon one another to form a "stack" of cell units, also referred to as electrochemical cell stack.
  • the present invention seeks to increase stability and thus performance of an electrochemical cell stack.
  • an electrochemical cell stack is a fuel cell stack or an electrolyser cell stack.
  • the electrochemical cell stack comprises a plurality of electrochemical cell units that are stacked upon one another along a stacking direction.
  • Each cell unit comprises a cell layer having at least one electrochemically active cell chemistry region, and an interconnector plate.
  • the cell layer and the interconnector plate overlie one another and are, preferably sealingly, attached to each other such that a fluid volume is enclosed between the cell layer and the interconnector plate.
  • the fluid volume preferably serves to supply operating fluid (e.g. fuel in case of fuel cells) to the at least one electrochemically active cell chemistry region.
  • the electrochemical cell units are configured and arranged in the electrochemical cell stack such that adjacent cell units cooperate with each other to limit or block movement of the cell units relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction.
  • adjacent cell units in the electrochemical cell stack cooperate with each other such a translational and/or a rotational movement of the cell units relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction is limited or blocked.
  • adjacent cell units may cooperate with each other such that they cannot translate relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction and/or rotate relative to each other about a rotational axis parallel to the stacking direction.
  • the proposed configuration allows for precise positioning of the cell units relative to each other and aids maintaining the cell units in fixed position relative to each other in the electrochemical cell stack, thus increasing stability of the cell stack.
  • the proposed configuration also eases manufacture of the cell stack as it can hold the cell units in place during assembly or preconditioning of the.
  • the adjacent cell units may cooperate directly with each other.
  • adjacent cell units may contact each other to limit or block movement (sometimes with an electrically insulating coating on one of their interfacing surfaces).
  • the adjacent cell units may cooperate indirectly with each other, e.g. via a further component arranged between them.
  • the cell stack may comprise gaskets that are interposed between adjacent cell units.
  • adjacent cell units may cooperate with each other via one or more of said gaskets.
  • the cell layer may comprise a support plate, preferably metal support plate (e.g. metal foil) having at least one electrochemically active cell chemistry region.
  • the support plate and the interconnector plate may overlay one another and may be, preferably sealingly, attached to each other to enclose a fluid volume therebetween.
  • the support plate carries electrochemically active layers on a side that faces away from the interconnector plate.
  • the support plate carries the electrochemically active layers over a porous region such that such that fluid (e.g. fuel in case of fuel cells) may pass through the pores from the fluid volume to the electrochemically active layers.
  • the cell layer may comprise self-supporting electrochemically active layers.
  • the interconnector plate may be attached directly to the electrochemically active layers.
  • the electrochemical cell stack may comprise further components additional to the electrochemical cell units.
  • the electrochemical cell stack may comprise one or more gaskets.
  • the electrochemical cell stack comprises a plurality of gaskets that are interposed between the cell units.
  • at least one gasket is disposed between adjacent cell units.
  • the cell units may each comprise at least one, preferably two or more fluid ports, preferably in the form of through-holes, said fluid ports allowing for fluid entering and exiting the fluid volume between the cell layer and the interconnector plate.
  • the through-holes may take any shape, for example rectangular or hexagonal, but are preferably circular.
  • the electrochemical cell stack may comprise gaskets around said fluid ports.
  • the gaskets are electrically insulating.
  • the gaskets are formed from a vermiculite material.
  • adjacent cell units are held aligned relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction by a form-fit connection or interlocking connection acting between them. That is to say, adjacent cell units may cooperate in a form-fitting or interlocking manner.
  • the form-fit connection may be formed by a face of a first cell unit, in particular a face of the interconnector plate or the cell layer (support plate), said face being directed radially outwards with respect to the stacking direction, and by a face of a second, adjacent cell unit, said face being directed radially inwards and opposed to said face of the first cell unit.
  • the face of the first cell unit and the face of the second, adjacent cell unit may abut each other.
  • the face of the first cell unit and the face of the second, adjacent cell unit may cooperate via an additional component, e.g. a gasket, disposed between them.
  • each cell unit comprises at least one first connection portion and at least one second connection portion.
  • the first connection portion of a cell unit is configured to cooperate with a second connection portion of an adjacent cell unit, in particular to limit or block movement of the adjacent cell units relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction.
  • the cell units are arranged such that a first connection portion of a cell unit (directly or indirectly, e.g. via a gasket positioned therebetween) cooperates with a corresponding second connection portion of an adjacent cell unit, in particular to limit or block movement of the adjacent cell units relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction and/or to prevent rotational movement of the cell units about a rotational axis parallel to the stacking direction.
  • each first connection portion of a cell unit is associated with a corresponding second connection portion of an adjacent cell unit.
  • the first connection portion of a cell unit cooperates with an associated second connection portion of an adjacent cell unit to form a form-fit connection acting in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction.
  • the first and second connection portions of adjacent cell units may be in direct contact with each other.
  • the first and second connection portions of adjacent cell units may cooperate indirectly via a component disposed between them.
  • At least one gasket between the first connection portion of a cell unit and the cooperating second connection portion of an adjacent cell unit.
  • the at least one gasket is arranged such that forces between said first and second connection portions of adjacent cell units are transmitted via said gasket.
  • the at least one gasket is electrically insulating.
  • each cell unit may comprise at least one first connection portion on a first side of the cell unit, and at least one second connection portion on an opposing second side of the cell unit.
  • the at least one first connection portion is located on the outwardly facing side of the interconnector plate and the at least one second connection portion is located on the outwardly facing side of the cell layer, in particular of the support plate.
  • the first and second connection portions of a cell unit protrude in opposite directions along the stacking direction.
  • the at least one first connection portion of a cell unit is provided by, preferably integrally formed with, the interconnector plate of said cell unit.
  • the least one second connection portion of a cell unit is provided by the cell layer.
  • the cell layer comprises a support plate which carries the at least one electrochemically active cell chemistry region, and the least one second connection portion is provided by, preferably integrally formed with, said support plate.
  • the at least one first connection portion of a cell unit is provided by, preferably integrally formed with, the interconnector plate of said cell unit and the at least one second connection portion of said cell unit is provided by, preferably integrally formed with, the support plate of the cell layer.
  • both of the at least one first connection portion and the at least one second connection portion of a cell unit are provided by the same plate, i.e. either by the interconnector plate or the support plate.
  • both of the at least one first connection portion and the at least one second connection may be provided by, preferably integrally formed with, the interconnector plate.
  • the cell layer comprises a support plate
  • both of the at least one first connection portion and the at least one second connection portion may be provided by, preferably integrally formed with, the support plate. This eases manufacturing of the cell units as forming the connection portions is limited to one of the two plates.
  • each cell unit comprises a single first connection portion and a single second connection portion. In other embodiments, each cell unit comprises at least two first connection portions and at least two second connection portions.
  • each pair of associated first and second connection portions of adjacent cell units itself is configured and cooperates such that translational and rotational movement of adjacent cell units relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction is limited or blocked.
  • the at least one first connection portion comprises at least two (spatially separated) first connection portions and the at least one second connection portion comprises at least two (spatially separated) second connection portions, wherein the first and second portions are arranged and configured such that such that rotational movement around the stacking direction, preferably translational and rotational movement of adjacent cell units relative to each other in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction, is limited or blocked.
  • each pair of cooperating first and second connection portions itself may allow for rotational movement of the adjacent cell units but the presence of a further pair of cooperating first and second connection portions means that rotational movement of adjacent cell units is limited or blocked.
  • a first pair of cooperating first and second connection portions may surround a first fluid port and a second pair of cooperating first and second connection portions may surround a second fluid port.
  • the first and second connection portions may take various shapes and may be arranged at various positions on the cell unit.
  • the at least one first connection portion is one of an outward protrusion and a depression (or recess)
  • the at least one second connection portion is the other one of a protrusion and a depression (or recess).
  • said protrusion and said depression (or recess) are configured such that the protrusion of a cell unit may be received in the depression (or recess) of an adjacent cell unit.
  • the protrusion (first or second connection portion) of a cell unit is received in an associated depression or recess (second or first connection portion) of an adjacent cell unit, preferably such that a form-fit connection acting in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction is formed.
  • Such a configuration is easy to manufacture (e.g. by pressing respective parts of the cell units) and allows for secure alignment of the cell units.
  • the interconnector plate has one of a protrusion and a depression (or recess) and cell layer (in particular the support plate of the cell layer) has the other one of a protrusion and a depression (or recess), said protrusion being configured to be received in said depression or recess, preferably to form a form-fit connection.
  • said protrusion is integrally formed with the interconnector plate or the support plate.
  • said depression or recess is integrally formed with the other one of the interconnector plate and the support plate.
  • the protrusion and/or depression (or recess) may be formed by pressing the interconnector plate or support plate.
  • the at least one first connection portion or the at least one second connection portion takes the form of a through-hole formed in the interconnector plate or in the cell layer (in particular in the support plate of the cell layer).
  • said through-hole forms a fluid port for transporting fluid between the fluid volume and an exterior of the cell unit.
  • the through-hole(s) may take any shape, for example rectangular or hexagonal, but are preferably circular.
  • each cell unit has at least one fluid port for transporting fluid between the fluid volume and an exterior of the cell unit.
  • each fluid port is formed by a respective through- hole formed in the cell unit.
  • the or each through-hole extends through both of the interconnector plate and the cell layer, in particular through both of the interconnector plate and the support plate of the cell layer, along the stacking direction.
  • the or each fluid port may be formed by a through-hole formed in the interconnector plate and an associated through- hole formed in the cell layer (in particular in the support plate of the cell layer), said through-holes being aligned along the stacking direction.
  • the fluid ports (through-holes) of adjacent cell units are aligned such that they overlay along the stacking direction.
  • a column of aligned fluid ports (through-holes) may form part of a fluid manifold for transporting fluid through the stack along the stacking direction.
  • the or each through-hole is associated with a first connection portion and a second connection portion.
  • first connection portion and the second connection portion this may refer to any pair of first and second connection portions associated with a through-hole.
  • the or each through-hole may at least partially be surrounded by a protrusion or a rim of protrusions (or webs). Said protrusion or rim of protrusions may form one of said first and second connection portions.
  • the protrusion(s) extend around at least half of the, preferably the full, circumference of the through-hole.
  • said protrusion(s) extend along the stacking direction.
  • the or each through-hole is delimited by a (circumferential) wall of the interconnector plate or the cell layer (preferably support plate of the cell layer), said wall forming one of said first and second connection portions.
  • the other one of said first and second connections portions may be take the form of a protrusion extending into the through-hole, preferably such that a radially outward surface of said protrusion abuts said wall.
  • the or each through-hole is associated with a gasket surrounding it, said gasket being disposed between two adjacent cell units.
  • said gasket takes the form of a sealing ring having a gasket opening.
  • the gasket opening is aligned with the associated through-hole such that the gasket is arranged around said through-hole.
  • said gasket is electrically insulating.
  • said gasket is formed from a vermiculite material.
  • the first connection portion of a cell unit and the second connection portion of an adjacent cell unit cooperate with each other via said gasket surrounding the through-hole.
  • each through-hole is associated with a gasket surrounding it, preferably in the form of a sealing ring, and each through-hole is associated with a first connection portion and a second connection portion, wherein said first and second connection portions cooperate with each other via the gasket surrounding said through-hole.
  • the first connection portion of a cell unit and the second connection portion of an adjacent cell unit associated with a respective through-hole may cooperate with the gasket surrounding said through-hole such that said gasket is held aligned with its associated through-hole.
  • the first connection portion of a cell unit and the second connection portion of an adjacent cell unit associated with a respective through-hole together form a positioning fixture for the gasket surrounding said through-hole, preferably to hold said gasket aligned with the associated through-hole by a form-fit connection in a plane perpendicular to the stacking direction.
  • the first and second connection portions may fulfill two functions, i.e. a locking function for limiting or blocking relative movement of adjacent cell units, and a positioning function for positioning the gasket relative to the associated through-hole.
  • the gasket surrounding a respective through-hole takes the form of a sealing ring having an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, said inner perimeter defining a gasket opening of the gasket.
  • the first connection portion of a respective cell unit is configured to engage against, preferably to contact, the outer perimeter of the gasket
  • the second connection portion is configured to engage against, preferably to contact, the inner perimeter.
  • the first connection portion of a cell unit engages against, preferably contacts, the outer perimeter of the associated gasket and the corresponding second connection portion of an adjacent cell unit protrudes into the gasket opening and engages against, preferably contacts, the inner perimeter of said gasket.
  • first connection portion and the second connection portion each take the form of a, preferably ring-shaped, protrusion or a rim of circumferentially distributed protrusions, wherein the protrusion or protrusions forming the first connection portion and the protrusion or protrusions forming the second connection portion extend in opposite directions along the stacking direction.
  • both of the first connection portion, in particular said protrusion or rim of protrusions, and the second connection portion, in particular said protrusion or rim of protrusions, of a cell unit are provided by, preferably integrally formed with, the same one of the interconnector plate or the cell layer (preferably support plate of the cell layer).
  • both of the first connection portion, in particular said protrusion or rim of protrusions, and the second connection portion, in particular said protrusion or rim of protrusions, of a cell unit are provided by the interconnector plate.
  • the first connection portion in particular said protrusion or rim of protrusions, is formed by an inner edge portion or inner edge portions of one of the interconnector plate and the cell layer (preferably support plate of the cell layer) bent in a direction pointing away from the other one of the interconnector plate and the cell layer, said inner edge portion surrounding the through-hole.
  • the first connection portion may have a component of its direction along the stacking direction.
  • the second connection portion in particular said protrusion or rim of protrusions, is formed by an outer edge portion or outer edge portions of the periphery of one of the interconnector plate and the cell layer (preferably support plate of the cell layer) bent towards the other one of the interconnector plate and the cell layer.
  • the second connection portion may have a component of its direction antiparallel to the direction of the first connection portion along the stacking direction.
  • said second connection portion may extend around an external perimeter of the other one of said interconnector plate and cell layer or may extend through the other one of said interconnector plate and cell layer, preferably such that the first connection portion, in particular said protrusion or protrusions, protrudes over a surface of said other one of the interconnector plate and the cell layer.
  • said through-hole may be surrounded, preferably delimited, by a conically shaped portion of the cell layer (preferably the support plate of the cell layer) and/or the interconnector plate.
  • the conically shaped portion may take the form of a tapered hollow cylinder surrounding the through-hole.
  • the conically shaped portion may form one or both of said first and second connection portions.
  • an outer surface of said conically shaped portion forms the first connection portion and an inner surface of said conically shaped portion forms the second connection portion of a cell unit.
  • the term “outer surface” of a conically shaped portion refers to the surface of the conically shaped portion that is facing away from the through-hole.
  • the term “inner surface” of a conically shaped portion refers to the surface of the conically shaped portion that delimits the through-hole.
  • the conically shaped portion extends out of a predominant plane of the interconnector plate and/or the cell layer (preferably support plate of the cell layer).
  • an extent of the conical shaped portion in the stacking direction is at least 2 times, preferably at least 5 times, more preferably at least 10 times, a plate thickness of the interconnector plate or the cell layer along the stacking direction.
  • the interconnector plate and the cell layer (preferably the support plate of the cell layer) of a cell unit each have a conically shaped portion surrounding the through-hole formed therein.
  • said conically shaped portions extend in the same direction along the stacking direction.
  • one of said conically shaped portions of a cell unit protrudes into the other one of said conically shaped portions. That is to say, the conically shaped portion of one of said interconnector plate and cell layer (support plate), preferably of the support plate, protrudes into the conically shaped portion of the other one of said interconnector plate and support plate
  • the conically shaped portions of adjacent cell units protrude into one another.
  • the conically shaped portion that protrudes into the other conically shaped portion, particularly an inner surface of said conically shaped portion forms the second connection portion
  • the other conically shaped portion, particularly an outer surface of said other conically shaped portion forms the first connection portion.
  • the conically shaped portion of at least one of the interconnector plate and the cell layer (support plate) may have shaped port features, e.g. in the form of dimples, that extend towards the conically shaped portion of the other one of the interconnector plate and the cell layer to keep a fluid flow path between the interconnector plate and the cell layer open.
  • the conically shaped portions of adjacent cell units may be in direct contact with each other (sometimes with an electrically insulating layer on one or other of the interfacing surfaces).
  • a gasket between the conically shaped portion of the interconnector plate of a cell unit and the conically shaped portion of the cell layer (preferably of the support plate of the cell layer) of an adjacent cell unit.
  • the gasket is arranged such that forces between the conically shaped portions of adjacent cell units are transmitted via said gasket.
  • the gasket is a conical gasket.
  • the gasket is a conical gasket having a circumferential collar.
  • the gasket is electrically insulating.
  • the gasket is formed from a vermiculite material.
  • the conically shaped portions may be formed by shaping the interconnector plate and/or the cell layer (support plate).
  • the conically shaped portion of the interconnector plate is formed by bending a portion of the interconnector plate that is surrounding the through-hole out of a predominant plane of the original plate.
  • the conically shaped portion of the cell layer may be formed by bending a portion of the cell layer, preferably of a support plate of the cell layer, that is surrounding the through-hole out of a predominant plane of the original plate.
  • each cell unit may comprise - alternatively or additionally to the above-described implementations comprising first and second connection portions - a corrugation, wherein the corrugations of adjacent cell units (directly or indirectly) cooperate with each other such that a movement of the cell units relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction and/or a rotational movement of the cell units relative to each other around a rotational axis parallel to the stacking direction is limited or blocked.
  • Such corrugation is easy to manufacture and provides for precise alignment of the cell units relative to each other.
  • each cell unit has a periphery, which surrounds the at least one electrochemically active cell chemistry region, and said periphery comprises the corrugation.
  • each corrugation comprises at least one upward protrusion extending out of the plane of one side of the cell unit (e.g. forming the first connection portion of the cell unit) and at least one, preferably neighbouring, downward protrusion extending out of the plane of the other side of the cell unit (e.g. forming the second connection portion).
  • the at least one upward protrusion may extend in the stacking direction and the at least one downward protrusion may extend in a direction opposite the stacking direction.
  • the at least one upward protrusion and the at least one downward protrusion may extend in antiparallel directions.
  • each corrugation comprises a plurality of alternating upward and downward protrusions.
  • each corrugation may be a continuous up and down shape.
  • the corrugation preferably each upward and downward protrusion, may be provided by forming or pressing the cell layer and/or the interconnector plate.
  • each upward protrusion of a cell unit cooperates with a downward protrusion of an adjacent cell unit, preferably such that a movement of the cell units relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction and/or a rotational movement of the cell units relative to each other around a rotational axis parallel to the stacking direction is limited or blocked.
  • the corrugations of adjacent cell units may abut, i.e. directly contact, each other (sometimes one or both of the contacting surfaces is provided with an electrically insulating coating).
  • the corrugations of adjacent cell units may cooperate indirectly via a further component arranged therebetween.
  • the electrochemical cell stack further comprises a gasket between corrugations of adjacent cell units.
  • said gasket is electrically insulating.
  • the corrugation of a cell unit may circumscribe at least a portion of the periphery of said cell units.
  • the corrugation of a cell unit may extend around the entire periphery of said cell unit.
  • the corrugation of a cell unit may extend only along part of the periphery of said cell unit.
  • the corrugation of a cell unit comprises several spatially separated corrugation segments, each segment extending along part of the periphery of said cell unit.
  • the corrugation of each cell unit is provided in at least two pairs of corrugation segments, each disposed to opposing sides of the at least one electrochemically active cell chemistry region. This allows for secure blocking of cell movement in multiple directions perpendicular to the stacking direction.
  • each cell unit has a generally rectangular at least one electrochemically active cell chemistry region, wherein one pair of corrugation segments is arranged along (part of) one of the short sides and the long sides of the rectangle, and the other pair of corrugation segments is arranged along (part of) the other one of the short sides and the long sides of the rectangle.
  • the corrugation of a cell unit may be provided in both of the interconnector plate and the cell layer (preferably support plate of the cell layer) of said cell unit.
  • the corrugation of a cell unit may be provided in only one of the interconnector plate and the cell layer of said cell unit.
  • the at least one upward protrusion may be formed in one of the cell layer (preferably support plate of the cell layer) and the interconnector plate, and the at least one downward protrusion may be formed in the other one of the cell layer and the interconnector plate.
  • one of the interconnector plate and the cell layer (preferably support plate of the cell layer) of a respective cell unit extends past the periphery of the other one of the interconnector plate and the cell layer.
  • the corrugation or corrugation segments may be provided in a portion of the periphery of said one of the interconnector plate and the cell layer (preferably of the support plate of the cell layer) that extends past the periphery of the other one of the interconnector plate and the cell layer.
  • the cell units are solid oxide cell units, more preferably solid oxide fuel cell units (SOFCs) or solid oxide electrolyser cell units (SOECs). Most preferably, the cell units are metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell units or electrolyser cell units.
  • SOFCs solid oxide fuel cell units
  • SOECs solid oxide electrolyser cell units
  • each cell unit may be flat or planar.
  • each cell unit is generally rectangular, having two opposed long sides extending in the first direction and two opposed short sides extending in the second direction.
  • the electrochemical cell stack may be arranged between end plates disposed to opposing ends of the cell stack, thus forming an electrochemical cell assembly.
  • the electrochemical cell stack is held in compression between said end plates.
  • the invention also relates to such an electrochemical cell assembly comprising an electrochemical cell stack and an end plate disposed to one end of the electrochemical cell stack, preferably two end plates each disposed to opposing ends of the electrochemical cell stack.
  • the electrochemical cell assembly may further comprise a housing surrounding the electrochemical cell stack, preferably to define or enclose a fluid volume.
  • the housing may be a stack enclosure defining a fluid volume containing the cell units. In embodiments comprising one or two end plates, the housing may be welded to one or both of said end plates.
  • the invention also relates to an electrochemical cell unit for use in an electrochemical cell stack described above. Additional preferred features of the electrochemical cell unit may be realised as described above in connection with the electrochemical cell stack.
  • the invention also related to an electrochemical cell unit comprising features configured to cooperate (directly or indirectly) with an adjacently stacked cell unit such that movement of the cell units relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, preferably also rotational movement around a rotational axis parallel to the stacking direction, is limited or blocked.
  • Said features may be configured as described above in connection with the electrochemical cell stack.
  • said features may comprise first and second connection portions as described above.
  • said features are configured to cooperate (directly or indirectly) with an adjacently stacked cell unit in an interlocking, in particular form-fitting, manner.
  • the cell unit comprises at least one through-hole formed therein, and said features comprise a protrusion or a rim of protrusions (or webs) that at least partially surrounds said through-hole.
  • the cell unit may comprise a corrugation, which circumscribes at least a portion of a periphery of the cell unit.
  • the cell unit comprises at least one electrochemically active cell chemistry region, and said periphery surrounds said at least one electrochemically active cell chemistry region.
  • Each cell unit may comprise a cell layer comprising at least one electrochemically active cell chemistry region, and an interconnector plate.
  • the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell stack, comprising:
  • each cell unit comprises at least one first connection portion on a first side of the cell unit and at least one second connection portion on an opposite second side of the cell unit.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an example implementation of an electrochemical cell assembly comprising an electrochemical cell stack
  • Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the electrochemical cell assembly according to Figure 1;
  • Fig. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of an example implementation of an electrochemical cell unit
  • Fig. 4 shows a detail of an electrochemical cell unit according to a first embodiment
  • Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the electrochemical cell unit according to Figure 4.
  • Fig. 6 shows a detail of a stack comprising two electrochemical cell units according to Figure 4.
  • Fig. 7 shows an exploded perspective view of the stack according to Figure 6;
  • Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a detail of a stack comprising three electrochemical cell unit according to a second embodiment
  • Fig. 9 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the stack according to Figure 8.
  • Fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a detail of a stack comprising three electrochemical cell unit according to a third embodiment
  • Fig. 11 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the stack according to Figure 10;
  • Fig. 12 shows a schematic side view of a stack comprising two electrochemical cell unit having a corrugation
  • Fig. 13 shows a schematic top view of an electrochemical cell unit according to Figure 12.
  • Fig. 14 shows a schematic top view of an electrochemical cell unit alternative to Figure 13.
  • FIG. 1 schematically shows an example implementation of an electrochemical cell assembly 200.
  • the electrochemical cell assembly 200 comprises an electrochemical cell stack 10 (hereinafter referred to as cell stack), which is interposed between two end plates 202, 204 disposed to opposing ends of the cell stack 10.
  • the cell stack 10 is held in a compressed state between said end plates 202, 204.
  • the electrochemical cell assembly 200 further comprises optional insulation plates 206 located between the end plates 202, 204 and the cell stack 10 (see Figures 1 and 2).
  • the electrochemical cell assembly 200 may further comprise one or more current transmission plates (not shown).
  • the current transmission plates may be located between the insulation plates 206 and the cell stack 10.
  • the electrochemical cell assembly 200 may further comprise a housing 208 surrounding the cell stack 10 (see Figure 2, not shown in Figure 1).
  • the housing 208 may be configured to maintain the cell stack 10 in a compressed state between the end plates 202, 204.
  • the housing 208 and the end plates 202, 204 together may enclose a fluid volume 210 for first fluid around the cell stack 10.
  • the first fluid is air or oxidant.
  • the fluid volume 210 may be supplied with first fluid and/or first fluid exhausted from the fluid volume 210 via respective fluid ports provided in one of the end plates 202, 204 or in the housing 208 (not shown).
  • FIGS 1 and 2 are intended to primarily provide an overview of an exemplary use of the electrochemical cell stack 10. The invention, however, is not limited to this specific design.
  • the electrochemical cell stack 10 comprises a plurality of electrochemical cell units 12 (hereinafter referred to as 'cell units', also referred to as 'cell repeat units'), which are stacked upon one another along a stacking direction 14.
  • the cell units 12 are configured essentially planar and extend perpendicular to the stacking direction 14.
  • the cell units 12 may be fuel cell units, electrolyser cell units or reversible cell units comprising electrochemically active layers.
  • a preferred configuration of a cell unit 12 will be described below with respect to Figures 2 and 3.
  • the cell unit 12 comprises a cell layer 16 and an interconnector plate 18 (also referred to as interconnect or separator plate), which are stacked upon each other along the stacking direction 14.
  • an interconnector plate 18 also referred to as interconnect or separator plate
  • the cell layer 16 comprises an electrochemically active cell chemistry region 20.
  • the cell layer 16 comprises a support plate 22 that carries electrochemically active layers 24 (which are deposited or coated) over a porous region (not shown).
  • the electrochemically active layers 24 may be self-supporting.
  • the interconnector plate 18 and the support plate 22 are formed from metal, more preferably stainless steel.
  • the interconnector plate 18 and the support plate 22 each have a periphery 26, 28 and a central portion 30, 32 surrounded by the periphery 26, 28.
  • the interconnector plate 18 and the support plate 22 are attached to each other at their peripheries 26, 28, preferably by welding, to enclose a (second) fluid volume 34 therebetween.
  • the support plate 22 is a flat component.
  • the interconnector plate 18 is tub-shaped having flanged perimeter features 36 around its periphery 26, preferably formed by pressing the interconnector plate 18 to a concave configuration.
  • the flanged perimeter features 36 extend out of the predominant plane of the interconnector plate 18 to create a concavity (and a convexity to the outside surface) in the interconnector plate 18.
  • said concavity forms the fluid volume 34 enclosed between the interconnector plate 18 and the support plate 22.
  • the fluid volume 34 is in fluid communication with the electrochemically active cell chemistry region 20 (electrochemically active layers 24, specifically a lowermost layer thereof) via said porous region.
  • the interconnector plate 18 has a structured area 38 in its central portion 30. Specifically, the interconnector plate 18 has optional shaped inward protrusions 40 extending into the fluid volume 34.
  • the inward protrusions 40 form a supporting structure helping to maintain the fluid volume 34 open.
  • the inward protrusions 40 define fluid passageways therebetween. Preferably, the inward protrusions 40 abut the support plate 22.
  • the interconnector plate 18, in its structured area 38 further comprises shaped outward projections 42 (see also Figure 2).
  • Said outward projections 42 form contact portions of the cell unit 12 for contacting an adjacent cell unit 12, specifically the electrochemically active cell chemistry region 20 (particularly an outermost layer of the electrochemically active layers 24) of an adjacent cell unit 12. More specifically, the outward projections 42 engage at their ends against an outer surface of the electrochemically active layer 24 of an adjacent cell unit 12.
  • the outward projections 42 define fluid passageways 44 for first fluid (e.g., air or oxidant) to flow between adjacent cell units 18 (see Figure 7), those fluid passageways 44 being part of the first fluid volume 210.
  • first fluid e.g., air or oxidant
  • the structured area 38 comprises a plurality of dimpled protrusions formed or pressed in the interconnector plate.
  • the interconnector plate may not have such a structured area 38, for example it may be formed from other features such as channels.
  • each cell unit 12 has at least one, in the specific example four, fluid ports 46 in the form of through-holes 48 formed therein (see also Figure 2).
  • the interconnector plate 18 and the support plate 22 each have at least one, in the example four, through-holes 48 formed therein, wherein an aligned pair of a through-hole 48 formed in the interconnector plate 18 and the associated through-hole 48 formed in the support plate 22 forms a fluid port 46.
  • the cell stack 10 further comprises gaskets 50 that are interposed between the cell units 12 and surround the fluid ports 46 (through-holes 48) of the cell units 12.
  • the gaskets 50 take the form of annular sealing rings having a gasket opening 52 (see Figure 3).
  • the gaskets 50 may be formed from an exfoliated vermiculite material.
  • the through-holes 48 (fluid ports 46) of adjacent cell units 12 are aligned, wherein an aligned column of the through-holes 48 (fluid ports 46) of the cell units 12 and the gasket openings 52 together forms a fluid channel 54 (also referred to as fluid manifold or chimney) for transporting second fluid between the cell units 12 and the exterior of the cell stack 10.
  • a fluid channel 54 also referred to as fluid manifold or chimney
  • one of said fluid channels 54 may be a fluid inlet channel and one of said fluid channels 54 may be a fluid outlet channel.
  • second fluid in particular fuel
  • second fluid may flow along the fluid inlet channel in stacking direction 14 up, circulate through the cell units 12, and then (in the form of unspent first fluid and product of the electrochemical cell reaction) flow down in a direction opposite the stacking direction 14 along the fluid outlet channel.
  • At least one of the end plates 202, 204 may comprise one fluid access port 56 for each fluid channel 54 for transporting second fluid between the fluid channel 54 and an exterior of the cell assembly 200.
  • the fluid access ports 56 are each formed by a respective through- hole 58 formed in the end plate 202.
  • the fluid access ports 56 in the end plate 202 are in fluidic communication with the associated fluid channel 54 via a flow path extending through the neighbouring insulation plate 206.
  • the through-holes are depicted as circular. It will be understood that the through-holes may take any shape, for example rectangular or hexagonal, but are preferably circular.
  • the cell units 12 comprise interlocking features to limit or block movement of adjacent cell units 12 relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction 14.
  • Figures 4 to 6 show an example implementation of such interlocking features according to a first embodiment. To increase visibility, Figures 4 to 6 only show a detail of a cell unit 12 in the area of one fluid port 46 (through-hole 48). However, it will be understood that the other fluid ports 46 can, preferably are, configured analogously.
  • the cell unit 12 has a conically shaped portion 60 around the fluid port 46 (through-hole 48).
  • the interconnector plate 18 and the support plate 22 each have a conically shaped portion 62, 64 around the fluid port 46.
  • the conically shaped portions 62, 64 may, for example, be formed by bending (e.g., pressing or forming) a portion of the interconnector plate 18 and the support plate 22 that surrounds the fluid port 46 out of a predominant plane of the original plate.
  • an extent 66 of the conical shaped portion 62 of the interconnector plate 18 in the stacking direction 14 is about 15 times a plate thickness 68 of the interconnector plate 18 along the stacking direction 14.
  • an extent of the conical shaped portion 64 of the support plate 22 in the stacking direction 14 may be about 15 times a plate thickness of the support plate 22 along the stacking direction 14. In other embodiments, these ratios can be larger or smaller (for example 5 times or 10 times).
  • the conically shaped portion 64 of the support plate 22 protrudes into the conically shaped portion 62 of the interconnector plate 18.
  • the conically shaped portion 62 of the interconnector plate 18 protrudes into the conically shaped portion 64 of the support plate 22.
  • the conically shaped portion 62 of the interconnector plate 18 comprises optional shaped port features 70, e.g. in the form of dimples, that protrude towards the support plate 22.
  • said shaped port features 70 are configured to keep a distance between the interconnector plate 18 and the support plate 22 to allow fluid to flow from the fluid port 46 to the fluid volume 34 enclosed between the interconnector plate 18 and the support plate 22.
  • the support plate 22 may have such shaped port features 70 (e.g., dimples) in its conically shaped portion 64.
  • the fluid ports 46 of the cell units 12 are aligned such that the conically shaped portions 60 of adjacent cell units 12 protrude into one another, thus forming an interlocking connection (e.g., form-fit) between adjacent cell units 12.
  • an outer surface 72 of the conically shaped portion 60 of a cell unit 12 (in the specific example, an outer surface 72 of the conically shaped portion 62 of the interconnector plate 18) forms a first connection portion 74
  • an inner surface 76 of said conically shaped portion 60 (in the specific example, an inner surface 76 of the conically shaped portion 64 of the support plate 22) forms a second connection portion 78.
  • the first and second connection portions 74, 78 cooperate in a form-fitting manner to limit or block translational movement of the adjacent cell units 12 in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction.
  • each pair of cooperating conically shaped portions 60 of adjacent cell units 12 may allow rotational movement of the cell units 12 relative to each other, it will be understood that providing at least two fluid ports 46 with such a conically shaped portion 60 allows to also block rotational movement of the cell units 12 around the stacking direction 14.
  • a gasket 50 is provided between the conically shaped portion 60 of a cell unit 12 and the conically shaped portion 60 of an adjacent cell unit 12 (specifically, between the outer surface 72 of the conically shaped portion 62 of the interconnector plate 18 of a cell unit 12 and the inner surface 76 of the conically shaped portion 64 of the support plate 22 of an adjacent cell unit 12.
  • the gasket 50 is a conically shaped gasket 80 having a central gasket opening and a circumferential collar 82 (see Figure 7).
  • Figures 8 and 9 show an example implementation of interlocking features according to a second embodiment.
  • the first and second connection portions 74, 78 are integrally formed with one of the interconnector plate 18 and the support plate 22, in the example with the interconnector plate 18.
  • an inner edge portion 84 of the interconnector plate 18 surrounding the fluid port 48 (through-hole 48) is bent in a direction away from the support plate 22 (of the same cell unit as the interconnector plate), thus forming ring-shaped protrusion 86.
  • Said ring-shaped protrusion 86 forms the first connection portion 74.
  • the second connection portion 78 is formed by an outer edge portion 88 of the periphery 26 of interconnector plate 18 bent towards the support plate 22 (of the same cell unit as the interconnector plate). As can be seen from Figure 8, specifically, the outer edge portion 88 is bent such that it extends around an external perimeter 90 of the support plate 22 and protrudes over a surface of the support plate 22 that faces away from the interconnector plate 18.
  • the fluid port 46 is surrounded by a gasket 50 in the form of a sealing ring.
  • the gasket 50 (sealing ring) has an outer perimeter 92 and an inner perimeter 94, said inner perimeter 94 defining a gasket opening 52 of the gasket 50.
  • first connection portion 74 (bent inner edge portion 84 / protrusion 86) of a respective cell unit 12 engages against the inner perimeter 94 of a neighbouring gasket 50
  • the second connection portion 78 (bent outer edge portion 88) of an adjacent cell unit 12 engages against the outer perimeter 92 of said gasket 50.
  • first connection portion (of a first cell unit) and the second connection (of a second cell unit) cooperate with each other (via the gasket 50) such that movement of the cell units (12) relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction (14) is limited or blocked.
  • This also holds the gasket 50 aligned with the associated fluid port 46 (through-hole 48).
  • the first and second connection portions may also form a positioning fixture for the gasket 50 during manufacture of the stack and subsequently.
  • Figures 10 and 11 show a further embodiment of a cell unit 12 having an interlocking feature.
  • the cell unit 12 of this embodiment is identical to the cell unit 12 of Figures 8 and 9, except that the first connection portion 74 is provided by an (inner) rim 96 of spatially separated (and circumferentially distributed) protrusions instead of a ring-shaped protrusion 86.
  • the second connection portion 78 is provided by an (outer) rim 98 of spatially separated (and circumferentially distributed) protrusions.
  • one of the first and second connection portion 74, 78 may be a rim of protrusion and the other one of the first and second connection portion 74, 78 may be a ring-shaped protrusion.
  • the protrusion or protrusions may extend only partially around the fluid port 46 (through-hole 48), e.g. only around half of the fluid port 46.
  • first and second connection portions 74, 78 may both be provided by an inner circumference of the through-hole 48.
  • Each connection portion 74, 78 may be provided by an (inner) rim 96 of spatially separated (and circumferentially distributed) protrusions in one of the interconnector plate 18 and support plate 22, said protrusions being upward and downwards (e.g., alternating upward and downward).
  • the upward protrusions may be provided by one of the interconnector plate 18 and support plate 22 and the downward protrusions may be provided by the other of the interconnector plate 18 and support plate 22.
  • Figures 12 and 13 show a further implementation of interlocking features that can be applied alternatively or additionally to the above-described interlocking features. To avoid repetition, aspects of Figures 12 and 13 that are generally the same as shown in the previous Figures, specifically in Figure 3, will not be described again, and like reference numerals are used to describe like features.
  • Figure 12 shows a portion of an example cell stack 10 comprising two cell units 12 that are stacked upon one another along the stacking direction 14.
  • each cell unit 12 comprises a corrugation 100 at their peripheries 26, 30, having at least one, preferably plural, upward protrusions 102, and at least one, preferably plural, downward protrusions 104 that extend in opposite directions along the stacking direction 14.
  • the upward protrusions 102 protrude out of the plane of the cell layer 16 in a direction away from the interconnector plate 18, and the downward protrusions 104 protrude out of the plane of the interconnector plate 18 in a direction away from the cell layer 16 along the stacking direction 14.
  • the protrusions 102, 104 are - for simplicity - shown as cubes in Figure 12, but may have other cross- sectional shapes such as pyramids, flat-topped pyramids, cones, domes or bumps, and may be pressed or formed in one or both of the interconnector plate and support plate.
  • the upward and downward protrusions 102, 104 may be integrally formed with the interconnector plate 18 and the support plate 22, e.g., by pressing the interconnector plate 18 and the support plate 22.
  • the upward and downward protrusions 102, 104 may be provided separately from the interconnector plate 18 and the support plate 22, and attached to the peripheries 26, 28 of the interconnector plate 18 and the support plate 22 (e.g., by printing, welding or gluing).
  • An insulator may be disposed between the upward and downward protrusions 102,104 (and a surrounding portion of the interconnector plate 18 and support plate 22).
  • the insulator may be an insulative coating deposited or coated upon one or both of the interfacing surfaces.
  • the insulator may be a separate component, for example a gasket similar to those described previously.
  • the corrugation 100 comprises four corrugation segments 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4, each comprising a plurality of alternating upward and downward protrusions 102, 104.
  • the corrugation 100 of each cell unit is provided in two pairs of corrugation segments 100-1, 100-2, 100-3, 100-4, each disposed to opposing sides of the at least one electrochemically active cell chemistry region 20.
  • the cell unit 12 is generally rectangular having two long sides 106-1, 106-2 and two short sides 108-1, 108-2, wherein two corrugation segments 100-1, 100-3 are arranged along (part of) the long sides 106-1, 106-2 of the cell unit 12, and the other pair of corrugation segments 100-2, 100-4 is arranged along (part of) the short sides 108-1, 108-2 of the cell unit 12.
  • the corrugations 100 may be elongate and the upward protrusions 102 parallel and interlock with the downward protrusions 104.
  • one pair of upward and downward protrusions 102,104 are depicted in each corrugation segment.
  • corrugation segments may include more than one upward and one downward protrusion 102,104, for example corrugation segments may include two of one type of protrusion (e.g., upward protrusions 102) and one of the other type of protrusion (e.g., downward protrusion 104).
  • Such cases may enable fewer corrugation segments since each segment blocks movement between cell units in along a direction perpendicular to their length.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne un empilement de cellules électrochimiques, comprenant une pluralité d'unités de cellule électrochimique (12) qui sont empilées les unes sur les autres le long d'une direction d'empilement (14), chaque unité de cellule comprenant une couche de cellule ayant au moins une région de chimie de cellule électrochimiquement active, et une plaque d'interconnecteur (18), ladite couche de cellule et ladite plaque d'interconnecteur se recouvrant l'une l'autre et étant fixées l'une à l'autre pour renfermer un volume de fluide entre elles, des unités de cellule adjacentes coopérant l'une avec l'autre de telle sorte que le mouvement des unités de cellule l'une par rapport à l'autre dans une direction perpendiculaire à la direction d'empilement est limité ou bloqué. L'invention concerne également des unités de cellules électrochimiques et un procédé de fabrication d'un empilement de cellules électrochimiques.
PCT/EP2023/084962 2023-12-08 2023-12-08 Empilement de cellules électrochimiques et son procédé de fabrication Pending WO2025119498A1 (fr)

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PCT/EP2023/084962 WO2025119498A1 (fr) 2023-12-08 2023-12-08 Empilement de cellules électrochimiques et son procédé de fabrication

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PCT/EP2023/084962 WO2025119498A1 (fr) 2023-12-08 2023-12-08 Empilement de cellules électrochimiques et son procédé de fabrication

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050095484A1 (en) * 2003-10-31 2005-05-05 3M Innovative Properties Company Registration arrangement for fuel cell assemblies
US20090004537A1 (en) * 2006-01-10 2009-01-01 Yuichi Yagami Fuel Cell
KR20100030709A (ko) * 2008-09-11 2010-03-19 현대자동차주식회사 연료전지 스택용 분리판
WO2020126486A1 (fr) 2018-12-20 2020-06-25 Ceres Intellectual Property Company Limited Unité de pile à combustible et empilement de piles à combustible
WO2021110539A1 (fr) 2019-12-03 2021-06-10 Ceres Intellectual Property Company Limited Unité de cellule et empilement de cellule
WO2023181135A1 (fr) * 2022-03-22 2023-09-28 日産自動車株式会社 Pile à combustible à oxyde solide et procédé de production d'une pile à combustible à oxyde solide

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050095484A1 (en) * 2003-10-31 2005-05-05 3M Innovative Properties Company Registration arrangement for fuel cell assemblies
US20090004537A1 (en) * 2006-01-10 2009-01-01 Yuichi Yagami Fuel Cell
KR20100030709A (ko) * 2008-09-11 2010-03-19 현대자동차주식회사 연료전지 스택용 분리판
WO2020126486A1 (fr) 2018-12-20 2020-06-25 Ceres Intellectual Property Company Limited Unité de pile à combustible et empilement de piles à combustible
WO2021110539A1 (fr) 2019-12-03 2021-06-10 Ceres Intellectual Property Company Limited Unité de cellule et empilement de cellule
WO2023181135A1 (fr) * 2022-03-22 2023-09-28 日産自動車株式会社 Pile à combustible à oxyde solide et procédé de production d'une pile à combustible à oxyde solide

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