摘要:
In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly, a method of making, and a system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly. In at least one embodiment, the electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly comprises a metallic cathode plate having opposed surfaces and a first contact resistance, a polymeric composite anode plate adjacent to the metallic cathode plate, and a low contact resistance coating located on at least one of the surfaces of the plates, with the coating having a second contact resistance, less-than the first contact resistance.
摘要:
A gasket formed of compressed graphite that is resistant to, damage, freezing, and high temperatures. The gasket provides advantages in fuel cells.
摘要:
A flow field plate for a fuel cell that includes an outer layer of a metal oxide or other material that makes the plate hydrophilic. The particular metal oxide and the thickness of the metal oxide layer are selected so that hydrofluoric acid generated by the fuel cell continuously etches away the layer at a predetermined rate so that a surface of the layer is free of contaminants over the entire life of the fuel cell. If the fuel cell does not employ a perfluorosulfonic acid membrane, then a separate hydrofluoric acid source can be provided that injects a low level solution of hydrofluoric acid into one or both of the reactant gas streams.
摘要:
A polymer composite bipolar plate for an electrochemical cell is formed with a hydrophilic surface. The thermosetting binder resin for the matrix of the composite preferably comprises aromatic groups or moieties and chemically resistant crosslinking bonds. After a mixture of binder resin precursors and conductive powder has been molded into a plate and thermally set, water-interactive chemical groups (i.e. ionic groups) are chemically attached to aromatic groups at the surface(s) of the plate to make the surface stably hydrophilic. For example, the surface of a styrene/divinyl benzene copolymer binder resin is sulfonated to make the surface hydrophilic.
摘要:
An enhanced stability and inexpensive bipolar plate for a fuel cell is disclosed. The enhanced stability bipolar plate includes a bipolar plate substrate and a corrosion-resistant coating provided on the bipolar plate substrate. A method for enhancing corrosion resistance of a bipolar plate is also disclosed.
摘要:
The present invention is directed to a fuel cell dielectric coolant and evaporative cooling process using same. The coolant comprises an emulsion that defines a polar internal phase and a hydrocarbon external phase. The polar internal phase comprises an azeotropic mixture that includes one or more polar compounds selected from water, alcohol, or combinations thereof. The fuel cell is configured to react fuel with oxygen to generate an electric current and at least one reaction product, and comprises an electrochemical catalytic reaction cell configured to include a fuel flowpath, an oxygen flowpath, and a coolant flowpath fluidly decoupled from the fuel and oxygen flowpaths, and which defines a coolant isolation manifold including the fluid dielectric coolant described above. The method of cooling a fuel cell comprises, inter alia, evaporating the polar internal phase of the fluid dielectric coolant emulsion in the coolant isolation manifold.
摘要:
The present invention relates to an electrically conductive element, such as a bipolar plate, for a fuel cell which has an improved adhesive bond. The conductive element generally comprises a first and a second conductive sheet, each having a surface that confronts one another. The first and said second coated surfaces are joined to one another by an electrically conductive epoxy adhesive which provides adhesion of the first and said second surfaces of the sheets at one or more contact regions.
摘要:
Methods and systems for enhancing water management capabilities of a fuel cell system are described. The method includes blasting of the surface of a bipolar plate to roughen the surface to create a super hydrophilic or super hydrophobic surface for enhanced water management. Preferably water jet blasting is used. Other blasting methods include grit blasting, sand blasting and dry ice blasting.
摘要:
A hybrid bipolar plate assembly comprises a metallic anode plate, a polymeric composite cathode plate, and a metal layer positioned between the metallic anode plate and the composite cathode plate. The metallic anode and composite cathode plates can further comprise an adhesive sealant applied around the outer perimeter to prevent leaking of coolant. The assembly can be incorporated into a device comprising a fuel cell. Further, the device can define structure defining a vehicle powered by the fuel cell.
摘要:
A composite separator plate for use in a fuel cell stack and method of manufacture is provided. The composite separator plate includes a plurality of elongated support members oriented generally parallel to each other and a polymeric body portion formed around the support members. The body portion includes a first surface with a plurality of flow channels and a second surface opposite the first surface. A plurality of electrically conductive fibers are disposed within the polymeric body portion, each fiber extending continuously from the first surface of the polymeric body portion to the second surface of the polymeric body portion in a through plane configuration.