INTEGRIERTE FLUIDVERTEILERSCHICHT FÜR REAKTANT UND KÜHLMITTEL FÜR EINE BRENNSTOFFZELLE MIT EINER MEMBRAN-ELEKTRODEN-EINHEIT

摘要

An electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprises a pair of separator layers and a membrane electrode assembly interposed between the separator layers. The membrane electrode assembly comprises a pair of electrodes and an ion exchange membrane interposed therebetween, the electrodes having electrocatalyst associated therewith defining an electrochemically active area. Each of the separator layers comprises one or more reactant stream passages in fluid communication with one of the electrodes. At least one of the separator layers further comprises one or more coolant stream passages which do not superpose the electrochemically active area of the adjacent membrane electrode assembly, and are fluidly isolated from the reactant stream passages.