US 2003/0113607 A1 · Reinforcement of multiple electrochemical cell frames for high-pressure operation

Abstract

Electrochemical cell stack comprises, in one embodiment, a plurality of cells arranged in series in a bipolar configuration, each cell including a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. A multi-layer metal screen for defining a first fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the anode, and an electrically-conductive, spring-like, porous pad for defining a second fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers having a density of about 0.2-0.55 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin. A reinforcing cylinder made of metal or rigid plastic peripherally surrounds the plurality of cells and provides structural support to the cell frames as they expand radially due to increasing temperature and/or internal fluid pressure.

Claims24

Dependent claims

An electrochemical cell stack comprising:

(a) a first proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cell, said first PEM electrochemical cell comprising a first cell frame;
(b) a second PEM electrochemical cell, said first and second PEM electrochemical cells being stacked in series in a bipolar configuration, said second PEM electrochemical cell comprising a second cell frame;
and
(c) a reinforcing member peripherally surrounding both said first cell frame of said first PEM electrochemical cell and said second cell frame of said second PEM electrochemical cell, said reinforcing member being dimensioned to provide external support to said first and second cell frames.

1 more element

An electrochemical cell stack comprising:

(a) a first proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical cell, said first PEM electrochemical cell comprising
(i) first and second separators, said first and second separators being electrically conductive, being spaced apart from one another and being generally parallel to one another;
(ii) a first proton exchange membrane disposed between said first and second separators;
(iii) a first anode, said first anode being positioned between said first proton exchange membrane and said first separator and being electrically coupled to said first proton exchange membrane;
(iv) a first cathode, said first cathode being positioned between said proton exchange membrane and said second separator and being electrically coupled to said first proton exchange membrane;
(v) first electrically-conductive means for forming a fluid cavity between said first anode and said first separator;
(vi) second electrically-conductive means for forming a fluid cavity between said first cathode and said second separator;
(vii) a first pair of cell frames, one of said cell frames being in peripheral contact with said first electrically-conductive means, the other of said cell frames being in peripheral contact with said second electrically-conductive means;
(b) a second PEM electrochemical cell, said first and second PEM electrochemical cells being stacked in series in a bipolar configuration, said second PEM electrochemical cell comprising
(i) third and fourth separators, said third and fourth separators being electrically conductive, being spaced apart from one another and being generally parallel to one another;
(ii) a second proton exchange membrane disposed between said third and fourth separators;
(iii) a second anode, said second anode being positioned between said second proton exchange membrane and said third separator and being electrically coupled to said second proton exchange membrane;
(iv) a first cathode, said first cathode being positioned between said second proton exchange membrane and said fourth separator and being electrically coupled to said second proton exchange membrane;
(v) third electrically-conductive means for forming a fluid cavity between said second anode and said third separator;
(vi) fourth electrically-conductive means for forming a fluid cavity between said second cathode and said fourth separator;
(vii) a second pair of cell frames, one of said cell frames being in peripheral contact with said third electrically-conductive means, the other of said cell frames being in peripheral contact with said fourth electrically-conductive means;
(c) a reinforcing member peripherally surrounding both said first pair of cell frames and said second pair of cell frames, said reinforcing member being dimensioned to provide external support to said first and second pairs of cell frames.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Reinforcement of multiple electrochemical cell frames for high-pressure operation

Life of this patent

Reinforcement of multiple electrochemical cell frames for high-pressure operation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24