Arrangement of Electrochemical Cells

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This invention relates to a novel arrangement of stacked electrochemical cells, such as those used in electrolysis (for example, alkaline water electrolysis), batteries, or fuel cells. Unlike traditional stacks that use metallic bipolar plates to connect adjacent cells electrically, this design uses electrically insulating separating elements and direct electrically conductive connections between the anode of one cell and the cathode of the next cell. These connections pass through the separating element or cell boundary and are insulated from the electrolyte, eliminating the need for expensive and corrosion-prone bipolar plates. The result is a more cost-effective, robust, and efficient cell stack configuration.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Alkaline water electrolysis for hydrogen production
• Electrolyzers in industrial chemical manufacturing (e.g., chlor-alkali)
• Fuel cell stacks for automotive or stationary power generation
• Redox flow and advanced battery systems
• Large-scale energy storage facilities utilizing electrochemical cells
• Pilot and commercial-scale green hydrogen plants

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significant reduction in manufacturing costs by eliminating expensive bipolar plates
• Lower operational energy losses due to reduced electrical contact resistance
• Improved efficiency and electrochemical performance of the stack
• Increased design flexibility and potential for higher reliability due to fewer corrosion issues
• Ability to use less expensive and more robust materials for conductive pathways, as they are isolated from the electrolyte
• Simpler and potentially more compact stack assembly processes
• Decreased risk of stack failure due to corrosion or delamination of bipolar plates

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

Arrangement (1) comprising multiple electrochemical cells (2) arranged adjacent to one another in a stacking direction (x), wherein adjacent electrochemical cells (2) are separated from one another by a respective electrically insulating separating element (3), wherein the electrochemical cells (2) each have an anode compartment (24) containing an anode (4), a cathode compartment (25) containing a cathode (5) and a membrane (6) arranged between the anode compartment (24) and the cathode compartment (25), wherein the anodes (4) are each connected to the cathode (5) of the following electrochemical cell (2) in the stacking direction (x) via an electrically conductive connection (11), and wherein the electrically conductive connections (11) pass through the separating element (3) arranged between the respective anode (4) and the respective cathode (5) and/or a boundary (23) of the electrochemical cells (2). Due to the electrically conductive connection (11) between the anodes (4) and the cathodes (5), it is possible to dispense with bipolar plates in the described arrangement (1). The arrangement (1) is thereby less expensive to produce and exhibits more efficient operation than known arrangements.