Bipolar plate basic structure

Basic Structure of a Bipolar Plate and Its Role in a Stack.309... 

One PEFC developer (10) devised an alternative plate structure that provides passive water control. Product water is removed by two mechanisms (1) transport of liquid water through the porous bipolar plate into the coolant, and (2) evaporation into the reactant gas streams. The cell is similar in basic design to other PEFCs with membrane, catalysts, substrates, and bipolar plate components. However, there is a difference in construction and composition of the bipolar plate ... 

More than a dozen companies throughout the world oficr membrane cell technology and only two types of cell will be used to illustrate here the important features of the designs. Most membrane cells are based on a filterpress containing a series of plate and frame cells. Both monopolar and bipolar electrical connection is used. The basic structure of this type of cell is illustrated in Fig. 3.12 (note that the relative dimensions are not correct - membrane areas may be up to 2 x 2 m, although more normally I x I m, while the thickness of the electrolyte chambers is usually much less than 1 cm). The electrodes are vertical and constructed with louvres or from expanded metal so that the gases formed at the electrodes are directed to the back of the electrodes and do not stay in the... 

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