Electrochemical cell bipolar plate

An electrochemical cell, comprising:

• a plurality of membrane-electrode-assemblies (MEAs) alternatively arranged with a plurality of flow field members between a first cell separator plate and a second cell separator plate;
• wherein at least one of the plurality of flow field members comprises a bipolar plate, the bipolar plate comprising:
• a unitary plate having first and second sides, first and second inlet ports, and first and second outlet ports;
• a first plurality of flow channels continuously oriented in a first direction at the first side, a first inlet header channel at one end of the first plurality of flow channels and in fluid communication with the first inlet port, and a first outlet header channel at the other end of the first plurality of flow channels and in fluid communication with the first outlet port, wherein said first inlet channel and said first outlet channel are perpendicular to said first plurality of flow channels;
• and
• a second plurality of flow channels continuously oriented in a second different direction at the second side, a second inlet header channel at one end of the second plurality of flow channels and in fluid communication with the second inlet port, and a second outlet header channel at the other end of the second plurality of flow channels and in fluid communication with the second outlet port, wherein said second inlet channel and said second outlet channel are perpendicular to said second plurality of flow channels;
• wherein each of the header channels comprises a support surface sufficient to support the MEA at an operating pressure difference across the MEA of equal to or greater than about 50 pounds-per-square-inch (psi) while providing a fluid flow channel from one end of the respective header channel to the other end.

An electrolysis cell stack for disassociating hydrogen and oxygen from water, said electrolysis cell stack comprising:

• a first membrane-electrode-assembly having a first anode and a first cathode disposed on opposite sides of a first membrane;
• a second membrane electrode assembly having a second anode and a second cathode disposed on opposite sides of a second membrane;
• a bipolar plate having a first side in fluid communication with said first anode and a second side in fluid communication with said second cathode;
• wherein said bipolar plate comprises:
• a unitary plate having first and second sides, first and second inlet ports, and first and second outlet ports, wherein the material of said unitary plate in continuous from said first side to said second side;
• a first plurality of flow channels continuously oriented in a first direction at the first side, a first inlet header channel at one end of the first plurality of flow channels and in fluid communication with the first inlet port, and a first outlet header channel at the other end of the first plurality of flow channels and in fluid communication with the first outlet port, wherein said first inlet channel and said first outlet channel are perpendicular to said first plurality of flow channels;
• and
• a second plurality of flow channels continuously oriented in a second different direction at the second side, a second inlet header channel at one end of the second plurality of flow channels and in fluid communication with the second inlet port, and a second outlet header channel at the other end of the second plurality of flow channels and in fluid communication with the second outlet port, wherein said second inlet channel and said second outlet channel are perpendicular to said second plurality of flow channels;
• wherein each of the header channels comprises a support surface sufficient to support said first membrane and said second membrae at an operating pressure difference across said first membrane and said second membrane of equal to or greater than about 50 pounds-per-square-inch (psi) while providing a fluid flow channel from one end of the respective header channel to the other end.