Abstract:
A manifold insert installed in a fuel cell having distribution guides is provided. The manifold insert is configured to form a flow field from an inlet port of fluid to an outlet port connected to a fuel cell stack. This manifold insert includes a plurality of distribution guides that divide the flow field from the inlet port to the outlet port such that the fuel cell stack is divided into a plurality of regions according to the distance from the inlet port. The distribution guides have surfaces that are at least partially curved such that the flow of the fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port is changed by the curved surfaces and form a plurality of guide flow fields such that the fluid is supplied to the divided regions of the fuel cell stack along the plurality of guide flow fields at different flow rates.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a fuel cell separator and a method for surface treatment of the same, in which ionized nanoparticles are attached to the surface of a separator to form fine projections such that the surface of the separator exhibits superhydrophobicity. For this purpose, the present invention provides a method for surface treatment of a fuel cell separator which provides nanoparticles for forming fine projections on the surface of the separator to a discharge electrode and ionizes the nanoparticles by an arc discharge generated in the discharge electrode. The ionized nanoparticles are then attached to the surface of the separator by an electric field generated by applying a high voltage between the separator and the discharge electrode, thereby forming fine projections for imparting superhydrophobicity.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an induction heating device for a fuel cell system, which can rapidly heat coolant during cold start-up, control the power consumption depending on the voltage of a fuel cell stack, and ensure the insulation resistance by separating a heating unit, which is in contact with the coolant, from the outside. That is, the present invention provides an induction heating device for a fuel cell system, in which an insulating housing is provided in a coolant circulation line, a heater for heating coolant is provided in the housing, and a high frequency controller for controlling the power consumption of the heater is provided at the outside of the housing such that the coolant can be rapidly heated during cold start-up, precisely control the power consumption depending of the voltage of a fuel cell stack, and improve the insulation performance by separating the heater as a heating unit, which is in contact with the coolant, and the high frequency controller and a coil as a power unit with respect to the insulating housing.
Abstract:
A humidifier includes an inlet assembly provided in an air exhaust pipe, through which water-supersaturated exhaust gas is discharged from a fuel cell stack, to supply water condensed from the exhaust gas to the fuel cell stack and an outlet assembly provided in an air supply pipe, through which a reactant gas to be humidified and supplied to the fuel cell stack passes, to supply the water transferred through a pumping pipe to the air supply pipe such that the reactant gas is humidified. A pumping pipe including a porous material disposed therein along with electrodes are disposed between the inlet assembly and the outlet assembly so that the water is transferred through a capillary path in the porous material via a pumping force by electroosmosis when the electrodes apply a voltage.
Abstract:
The present invention features a fuel cell stack that preferably includes an electricity generating assembly having a plurality of unit cells that are suitably disposed one after another; a pair of end plates pressedly disposed respectively at upper and lower ends of the electricity generating assembly; and a joining device suitably engaging the end plates by a rope, where pressure is applied to the electricity generating assembly by means of tension of the rope, and the length and tension of the rope is suitably controlled.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to ceramic-NiO composite powders which can be used to form ceramic-NiO composite body anodes. These anodes possess an interpenetrating network structure and can be used in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) by The present invention also describes methods of preparing these powder, anodes and fuel cells.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a fuel cell separator and a method for surface treatment of the same, in which ionized nanoparticles are attached to the surface of a separator to form fine projections such that the surface of the separator exhibits superhydrophobicity. For this purpose, the present invention provides a method for surface treatment of a fuel cell separator which provides nanoparticles for forming fine projections on the surface of the separator to a discharge electrode and ionizes the nanoparticles by an arc discharge generated in the discharge electrode. The ionized nanoparticles are then attached to the surface of the separator by an electric field generated by applying a high voltage between the separator and the discharge electrode, thereby forming fine projections for imparting superhydrophobicity.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an induction heating device for a fuel cell system, which can rapidly heat coolant during cold start-up, control the power consumption depending on the voltage of a fuel cell stack, and ensure the insulation resistance by separating a heating unit, which is in contact with the coolant, from the outside. That is, the present invention provides an induction heating device for a fuel cell system, in which an insulating housing is provided in a coolant circulation line, a heater for heating coolant is provided in the housing, and a high frequency controller for controlling the power consumption of the heater is provided at the outside of the housing such that the coolant can be rapidly heated during cold start-up, precisely control the power consumption depending of the voltage of a fuel cell stack, and improve the insulation performance by separating the heater as a heating unit, which is in contact with the coolant, and the high frequency controller and a coil as a power unit with respect to the insulating housing.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a humidifier, which is used as an auxiliary humidifier of a fuel cell together with an existing gas-to-gas humidifier to improve humidification performance in a low efficiency region of the gas-to-gas humidifier, thus increasing the output of the fuel cell and providing high efficiency operation. Particularly, the humidifier comprises: an inlet assembly provided in an air exhaust pipe, through which water-supersaturated exhaust gas is discharged from a fuel cell stack, to supply water condensed from the exhaust gas to the fuel cell stack; an outlet assembly provided in an air supply pipe, through which a reactant gas to be humidified and supplied to the fuel cell stack passes, to supply the water transferred through a pumping pipe to the air supply pipe such that the reactant gas is humidified; and a pumping pipe including a porous material disposed therein and electrodes for applying a voltage to both ends of the porous material and disposed between the inlet assembly and the outlet assembly such that the water is transferred through a capillary path in the porous material with a pumping force by electroosmosis when the electrodes apply a voltage.
Abstract:
The present invention features a fuel cell stack that preferably includes an electricity generating assembly having a plurality of unit cells that are suitably disposed one after another; a pair of end plates pressedly disposed respectively at upper and lower ends of the electricity generating assembly; and a joining device suitably engaging the end plates by a rope, where pressure is applied to the electricity generating assembly by means of tension of the rope, and the length and tension of the rope is suitably controlled.