Bipolar Plates for High Temperature PEM Fuel Cells

摘要

The Bi polar plates are in weight and volume the major part of the PEM fuel cell stack, and are also a significant contributor'to the stack costs. The bi polar plate is therefore a key component if power density has to increase and costs must come down. Conduplate has developed a conductive composite material and a production process for high temperature PEM-fuel cell plates (bi-polar and mono-polar). The material has a high electric and thermal conductivity, tolerates continuous operating temperature of 225°C, and is processed into bipolar plates by a proprietary molding process. Process cycle time has been reduced to less than 10 seconds, making the material and process suitable for economical mass production. Especially at high temperature the corrosion resistance is superior to metal bi polar plates. Other development work to increase material efficiency resulted in thin bi-polar plates with integrated cooling channels, and integrated high temperature resistant seals. With these thin integrated plates it is possible to increase power density up to 2 kW/liter and 2 kW/kg, while at the same time reducing cost by integrating other functions and less material use. For thin bi-polar plates with integrated cooling channels and high temperature resistant seals, the projected price level is approximately Euro 4,0 /kW. This price level will be reached with the developed material and molding process at a production level of approximately 1 million plates/year. A detailed cost price breakdown will be given.