Solid-State Electrochemical Compressor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a solid state hydrogen compressor, including at least one membrane fixed between two porous electrodes, together forming a membrane electrode assembly, a pair of cell plates or bipolar plates, between which the membrane electrode assembly is clamped, wherein the membrane has a larger area than the porous electrodes and protrudes outside an area of the porous electrodes; and the cell plates have a larger area than the membrane and protrude outside an area of the membrane two insulating gaskets each surrounding one of the porous electrodes covering the part of the membrane that protrudes outside the region of the electrodes and protruding outside the area of the membrane, further including a reinforcement layer, arranged between the insulating gaskets, outside the area of the electrodes.

Claims

1. A solid state hydrogen compressor, comprising: At least one membrane fixed between two porous electrodes, together forming a membrane electrode assembly; A pair of cell plates or bipolar plates, between which the membrane electrode assembly is clamped; wherein the membrane has a larger area than the porous electrodes and protrudes outside an area of the porous electrodes; and the cell plates have a larger area than the membrane and protrude outside an area of the membrane; two insulating gaskets, each surrounding one of the porous electrodes; covering the part of the membrane that protrudes outside the region of the electrodes; and protruding outside the area of the membrane; wherein a reinforcement layer, arranged between the insulating gaskets, outside the area of the electrodes, wherein the reinforcement layer has a comparable thickness to that of the clamped membrane, and wherein the gaskets have comparable thicknesses to those of the electrodes.

2. The solid state hydrogen compressor according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement layer surrounds the membrane.

3. The solid state hydrogen compressor according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement layer fills the area between the insulating gaskets around the membrane.

4. The solid state hydrogen compressor according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement layer is a metal layer.

5. The solid state hydrogen compressor according to claim 1, wherein the gasket is made from a polymer.

6. The solid state hydrogen compressor according to claim 1, wherein the gasket is made from a Kevlar.

7. The solid state hydrogen compressor according to claim 1, having an round cross section, wherein the membrane, the electrodes and the cell plates have round cross sections and the gaskets and the reinforcement layer have ring shaped cross sections.

8. The solid state hydrogen compressor according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement layer is within the region of the bipolar plates.

9. The solid state hydrogen compressor according to claim 1, wherein the gasket extends beyond the membrane on either side of the membrane in the direction facing away from the porous electrodes.

10. The solid state hydrogen compressor according to claim 1, comprising multiple reinforcement parts, surrounding channels in the solid state hydrogen compressor.

11. The solid state hydrogen compressor according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement layer is a high pressure sealing, capable of withstanding a pressure up to 1000 bar.

12. The solid state hydrogen compressor according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing structure may is embedded in a polymer border material, in particular by laminating.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The invention will now be elucidated into more detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a fuel cell according to the state of the art;

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a stack of fuel cells according to the state of the art;

[0030] FIG. 3a shows a detail of a first embodiment of a stack of fuel cells according to the state of the art;

[0031] FIG. 3b shows a detail of a second embodiment of a stack of fuel cells according to the state of the art;

[0032] FIG. 4a shows a first detail of a problem associated with the state of the art;

[0033] FIG. 4b shows a second detail of a problem associated with the state of the art;

[0034] FIGS. 5a and 5b show details of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a fuel cell according to the state of the art. The cell comprises a membrane 2, clamped in between electrodes 3, 4, formed by graphite blocks. In between the membrane and the respective electrodes, gas diffusion backings 7, 8 are present, with a smaller area than the area of the membrane 2 and the electrodes 3, 4. The diffusion backings are surrounded by Teflon masks 5, 6.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a stack 10 of multiple fuel cells 1 according to the state of the art. The stack 10 comprises multiple fuel cells 1 as shown on FIG. 1, separated by cooling plates 11, 12, 13, 14. The fuel cells are clamped in between end plates 15 and 16.

[0037] FIG. 3a shows a detail in a first embodiment of a fuel cell 1 from FIG. 1 in a stack of fuel cells, as shown in FIG. 2. In the figure it is visible that the membrane 2 extends beyond the electrodes 7, 8. Where it extends, it is clamped in between gaskets 5, 6. The gaskets are larger than the area over which the membrane 2 extends beyond electrodes 7, 8 and engage each other outside the membrane area. This is indicated with region A.

[0038] FIG. 3b shows a detail in a second embodiment of a fuel cell 1 from FIG. 1 in a stack of fuel cells 10, as shown in FIG. 2. In the figure it is visible that the membrane 2 extends beyond the electrodes 7, 8. Where it extends, it is clamped in between Teflon masks 5, 6. The gaskets are just as large as the area over which the membrane 2 extends beyond electrodes 7, 8 and do in this embodiment not engage each other outside the membrane area. This is indicated with region A.

[0039] FIG. 4a shows a problem associated with the a fuel cell 1 according to the state of the art, in a stack of fuel cells 10 as shown in FIG. 3a, once a mechanical sealing pressure is applied on the cell stack 10. It is visible in the region indicated with B that the gaskets 5 and 6 have shifted in a direction perpendicular to the sealing pressure, both with a different amount. The region indicated with C shows the effect, both masks are pressed out of the stack, also to a different extend.

[0040] FIG. 4b shows a second detail of a problem associated with the state of the art, when gaskets 5, 6 are in the vicinity D of a through hole 10 through the cell plates 3, 4, for coolant or for hydrogen for instance. The force for assembling the compressor forces the gaskets 5, 6 into the through hole 10, which may then be unintendedly be blocked or partly be blocked.

[0041] FIG. 5a shows a detail of the present invention. As can be seen in the figure, the membrane 2 extends outside the electrode 7 and 8. Where the membrane extends outside the electrodes, gaskets 5 and 6 are placed between the cell plates 3, 4 and the membrane 2. Where the membrane stops, a reinforcement 9 is placed between the gaskets 5 and 6. The reinforcement 9 has a comparable thickness to that of the compressed membrane 2, while the gaskets 5 and 6 have comparable thicknesses as the electrodes. As a result, the gaskets remain at their intended locations.

[0042] FIG. 5b shows a similar configuration, with a through hole at location E. Around the through hole a small reinforcement is applied, with a corresponding hole 10, to avoid the gaskets 5 and 6 to be pressed into the through hole 10. In a configuration like this, several reinforcements may be applied.

[0043] The examples given are exemplary only and do in no way limit the scope of the present invention, as defined in the following claims.