Abstract: Fuel cell batteries are provided, and in particular hydrogen fuel cell batteries composed of at least one stack of cells. The battery is divided into at least two groups of cells able to be supplied with hydrogen separately. In a first phase, only the first group of cells and not the second is supplied; unconsumed hydrogen may however flow between the two groups via at least one evacuation manifold connected to the cells of the two groups. In a second phase, the supply to the two groups is reversed, unconsumed hydrogen still being able to flow between the two groups via the evacuation manifold. In a third phase, after a series of alternations of the two first phases, the two groups are first simultaneously supplied, then a purge valve of the evacuation manifold is opened then closed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical cell having: ?a membrane electrode assembly (2); ?two retaining plates (10); ?a single seal (20) extending around the membrane electrode assembly (2) and disposed in contact with the two retaining plates (10); ?at least one intermediate leaktight sheet (30) extending around the membrane electrode assembly (2), disposed between the latter and the seal (20) and joined in a leaktight manner to the membrane (4) on the one hand and to the seal (20) on the other.

Abstract: A gas-diffusing device, including a superposition of a layer of composite material including electrically conductive fibres and a polymerized resin coating said conductive fibres; a first electrically conductive layer having an open porosity between first and second faces and including a first void in the second face, the first face making electrical contact with the conductive fibres of the layer of composite material, the polymerized resin coating one portion of the first conductive layer on the first face.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stack of electrochemical cells (10A, 10B), divided up into at least two groups (A, B), each cell comprising a distribution circuit for a reactive species, and each group of cells comprising a separate supply collector (2A; 2B). At least one cell (10B) comprises a homogenization compartment (60B) comprising: a plurality of longitudinal conduits (61B) designed to receive the flow of the reactive species coming from the supply collector (2B) of the corresponding group and to distribute it over the inlet (51B) of the distribution circuit for the cell; and, a transverse conduit (62B) for homogenization connecting the longitudinal conduits (61B) to one another in a fluid sense.

Abstract: A fuel cell and a method for regenerating this fuel cell, including a supply of the fuel cell by the main supply conduit by a fluid having a nominal flow rate and a nominal molar fraction of combustion agent, during a regeneration phase of a given group, a switching of the inlet, outlet and recirculation switches of the fluid circuit so as to supply the given group from the recirculation line of the given group and from a fluid discharge line of at least one other group, an application of a regeneration voltage Ve to the cells of the given group, Ve being less than or equal to 0.3V.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a flow guide, a component for allowing a first fluid to flow from a first manifold to a second manifold and through a reactive zone, a peripheral seal disposed between the flow guide and the component, an intermediate seal disposed between the flow guide and the component, the intermediate seal being encircled by the peripheral seal and encircling the reactive zone, another component opposite the flow guide to allow a second fluid to flow from a third manifold to a fourth manifold and through another reactive zone, and a fluid flow circuit provided between the intermediate seal and the peripheral seal between fifth and sixth manifolds. One of the fifth and sixth manifolds is separated from the first to fourth manifolds by the intermediate seal.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a gas diffusion device includes providing a superposition of a composite layer and of an electrically conductive element, the composite layer including electrically conductive fibers and a polymerizable resin impregnating the conductive fibers, and the electrically conductive element having an open porosity between a first face and a second face. The process also includes compressing the superposition of the composite layer and of the conductive element so as to bring said conductive fibers into contact with the first face of the element, so as to make said resin flow into said element without the resin impregnating all the volume of said conductive element; and polymerizing the resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing at least one flow-guide (1, 1?) for an electrochemical reactor, comprising the following steps: a) Providing a substrate (10), b) Providing a first mesh screen (11) comprising openings (111) configured to form a first pattern (21) of ribs (211) of a first flow-guide (1), c) Providing a second mesh screen (12) comprising openings (121) configured to form a second pattern (22) of ribs (221) of the first flow-guide (1). The invention uses a mesh screen printing technique to produce fluidic circuits with a large channel depth and with an aspect ratio equal to or greater than 1.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for an electrochemical reactor, including at least one anode sheet and one cathode sheet, each having an internal face and an external face, the anode and cathode sheets being in contact with each other via their internal face, each anode and cathode sheet including, on its external face, channels for circulating reactive fluids, the channels demarcating, at the internal faces of the anode and cathode sheets, cooling pipes for a flow of a heat transfer fluid, the channels of the anode and cathode sheets including alternating bosses and indentations, the bosses of the anode sheet being arranged in a staggered manner and the bosses of the cathode sheet being arranged in a staggered manner.

Abstract: Fuel cell batteries are provided, and in particular hydrogen fuel cell batteries composed of at least one stack of cells. The battery is divided into at least two groups of cells able to be supplied with hydrogen separately. In a first phase, only the first group of cells and not the second is supplied; unconsumed hydrogen may however flow between the two groups via at least one evacuation manifold connected to the cells of the two groups. In a second phase, the supply to the two groups is reversed, unconsumed hydrogen still being able to flow between the two groups via the evacuation manifold. In a third phase, after a series of alternations of the two first phases, the two groups are first simultaneously supplied, then a purge valve of the evacuation manifold is opened then closed.

Abstract: Fuel cell batteries are provided, and in particular hydrogen fuel cell batteries composed of at least one stack of cells. The battery is divided into at least two groups of cells able to be supplied with hydrogen separately. In a first phase, only the first group of cells and not the second is supplied; unconsumed hydrogen may however flow between the two groups via at least one evacuation manifold connected to the cells of the two groups. In a second phase, the supply to the two groups is reversed, unconsumed hydrogen still being able to flow between the two groups via the evacuation manifold. In a third phase, after a series of alternations of the two first phases, the two groups are first simultaneously supplied, then a purge valve of the evacuation manifold is opened then closed.

Abstract: A gas-diffusing device, including a superposition of a layer of composite material including electrically conductive fibres and a polymerized resin coating said conductive fibres; a first electrically conductive layer having an open porosity between first and second faces and including a first void in the second face, the first face making electrical contact with the conductive fibres of the layer of composite material, the polymerized resin coating one portion of the first conductive layer on the first face.

Abstract: An assembly of electrochemical cells for an electrochemical reactor, including a first electrochemical cell, including a first membrane/electrode assembly including a first anode and a first cathode on either side of a proton exchange membrane; first and second flow guides positioned on either side of the first assembly; a second electrochemical cell, including a second membrane/electrode assembly including a second anode and a second cathode on either side of a proton exchange membrane; third and fourth flow guides on either side of the second membrane/electrode assembly; the first and third flow guides have one and the same geometry; the first anode and the second anode have different distributions of surface densities of electrocatalytic material on respective faces of the first and second proton exchange membranes.

Abstract: An electrochemical reactor, including a flow guide; a membrane/electrode assembly; a peripheral seal; an intermediate seal encircled by the peripheral seal and encircling a reaction zone of the electrochemical reactor; a first flow circuit for cooling fluid arranged between the peripheral seal and the intermediate seal, including a first flow channel extending along the peripheral seal; a second flow channel extending along the intermediate seal; and a third flow channel connecting the respective second ends of the first and second flow channels, so that a fluid introduced at the level of the first manifold must pass through the third flow channel to return to the second manifold.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for an electrochemical reactor is provided, including first and second opposing outer conductive faces, and including first flow channels formed on the first outer conductive face, extending in a same direction; first injection orifices formed in the first outer conductive face; and a first homogenization zone formed on the first outer conductive face and including homogenization channels, each connecting a first injection orifices to a plurality of the first flow channels, and each sub-dividing into a plurality of branches extending from the first injection orifice to one of the first flow channels.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a spatial distribution (Rx,yf) of a parameter of interest (R) representative of the electrical power production of an electrochemical cell, including steps of determining the spatial distribution (Rx,yf) the parameter of interest (R) depending on a spatial distribution (Qx,ye) of a second thermal quantity (Qe) estimated beforehand from a spatial distribution (Tx,yc) of a set-point temperature (Tc) and from a spatial distribution (Dx,yr) of a first thermal quantity (Dr).

Abstract: A flow-guiding plate for a fuel cell, including a conductive sheet including a relief: defining alternating flow channels on first and second faces, two successive channels on the first face being separated by walls; defining first and second access holes at ends of each of the flow channels on the second face and of a first group of flow channels on the first face; defining a flow restriction in each flow channel of a second group of flow channels on the first face, the cross-section of the flow restrictions being smaller than the cross-section of the access holes to the flow channels of the first group, the first face including alternating flow channels of the first group and alternating flow channels of the second group.

Abstract: An assembly of electrochemical cells for an electrochemical reactor, including a first electrochemical cell, including a first membrane/electrode assembly including a first anode and a first cathode on either side of a proton exchange membrane; first and second flow guides positioned on either side of the first assembly; a second electrochemical cell, including a second membrane/electrode assembly including a second anode and a second cathode on either side of a proton exchange membrane; third and fourth flow guides on either side of the second membrane/electrode assembly; the first and third flow guides have one and the same geometry; the first anode and the second anode have different distributions of surface densities of electrocatalytic material on respective faces of the first and second proton exchange membranes.

Abstract: An electrochemical reactor, including a flow guide; a membrane/electrode assembly; a peripheral seal; an intermediate seal encircled by the peripheral seal and encircling a reaction zone of the electrochemical reactor; a first flow circuit for cooling fluid arranged between the peripheral seal and the intermediate seal, including a first flow channel extending along the peripheral seal; a second flow channel extending along the intermediate seal; and a third flow channel connecting the respective second ends of the first and second flow channels, so that a fluid introduced at the level of the first manifold must pass through the third flow channel to return to the second manifold.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a flow guide, a component for allowing a first fluid to flow from a first manifold to a second manifold and through a reactive zone, a peripheral seal disposed between the flow guide and the component, an intermediate seal disposed between the flow guide and the component, the intermediate seal being encircled by the peripheral seal and encircling the reactive zone, another component opposite the flow guide to allow a second fluid to flow from a third manifold to a fourth manifold and through another reactive zone, and a fluid flow circuit provided between the intermediate seal and the peripheral seal between fifth and sixth manifolds. One of the fifth and sixth manifolds is separated from the first to fourth manifolds by the intermediate seal.