A comprehensive comparison of state-of-the-art manufacturing methods for fuel cell bipolar plates including anticipated future industry trends. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Porstmann, S.; Wannemacher, T.; Drossel, W.-G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of manufacturing processes. Volume 60(2020)
• Page Start: 366
• Page End: 383
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: a Annum, year -- BPP Bipolar plate -- BP–HP Bipolar half plate -- CCM Catalyst coated membrane -- DI Deionized -- FC Fuel cell -- EMF Electromagnetic forming -- Fit-4-AMandA Acronym of the EU funded project: "Fit for Automatic Manufacturing and Assembly" -- GDL Gas diffusion layer -- h Hour -- HP Half plate -- MEA Membrane Electrode Assembly possibly consisting of 3, 5 or 7 layers -- PEMFC Proton Exchange Membrane or Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell -- TCO Total cost of ownership -- QC Quality control; PEMFC stack -- Fuel cell -- Bipolar plate -- Bipolar plate base materials -- Manufacturing processes -- Costs -- Durability; Production management -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Procestechnologie; Productietechniek; Production -- Gestion -- Informatique -- Périodiques; Fabrication -- Périodiques; Manufacturing processes; Production management -- Data processing; Periodicals; 670.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmapro.2020.10.041
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1526-6125

Abstract

Abstract: This article explains and evaluates contemporary methods for manufacturing bipolar plates (BPPs) for low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (LT-PEMFC) and highlights the potential of new improved approaches. BPPs are an essential component of fuel cells, responsible for distributing reaction gases to facilitate efficient conversion of gaseous electrochemical energy to electricity. BPPs must balance technical properties such as electrical and thermal conductivities, structural strength and corrosion resistance. Graphitic and metallic materials can meet the required specifications with each material offering distinct advantages and disadvantages. Each materials' performance is complimented by a comparison of its manufacturability including: the material costs, production rates and required capital investment. These results are contextualised with respect to the target applications to identify the challenges and advantages of manufacturing methods of choice for BPPs. This analysis shows that the optimal choice of BPP manufacturing method depends entirely on the needs of the target application, in particular the relative importance of manufacturing rate, cost and the expected operational life of the bipolar plate to the fuel cell designer.