ADHESIVE SEALED GASKET FLOW FIELD PLATE FOR LOW AND HIGH TEMPERATURE PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE (PEM) FUEL CELLS

摘要

A fuel cell stack consists of multiple number of single cells each consists of anode plate, cathode plate and membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The MEA comprises of two electrodes between which the membrane is hot pressed. It receives hydrogen and air/oxygen from its gas distribution plates of anode and cathode that generate electrical power. To generate more electrical power, number of single cells are connected in series such that they are electrically in series and mechanically in parallel to receive the reactant gases from their respective manifolds. To obtain a series connection between anode and cathode, they are brought in contact mechanically with each other having a sealant to anode plate (cooing side) placed at four corners close to their manifolds to avoid any surface leakage or leakage between the manifold of inlet and outlets of anode and cathode respectively. Also, to avoid the gas leakage across MEA i.e. between electrodes of anode gas distribution (H2) side and cathode gas distribution (air/oxygen) sides, sealing is required it is achieved by compressing the excess membrane of MEA between the male and female projections of cathode and anode plates.