CN112242532A - Metal separator for fuel cell, joint separator, and power generation cell - Google Patents
Metal separator for fuel cell, joint separator, and power generation cell Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN112242532A CN112242532A CN202010678089.2A CN202010678089A CN112242532A CN 112242532 A CN112242532 A CN 112242532A CN 202010678089 A CN202010678089 A CN 202010678089A CN 112242532 A CN112242532 A CN 112242532A
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- seal
- fuel cell
- metal separator
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- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 86
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 86
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 39
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 24
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000003475 lamination Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims description 40
- 239000002737 fuel gas Substances 0.000 claims description 37
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 claims description 28
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 claims description 24
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 20
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000007800 oxidant agent Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 42
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 42
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 25
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 25
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 25
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCO LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorine atom Chemical compound [F] YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229910052731 fluorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000011737 fluorine Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 3
- -1 polyethylene naphthalate Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920000106 Liquid crystal polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004977 Liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs) Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004695 Polyether sulfone Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004734 Polyphenylene sulfide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004954 Polyphthalamide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229920003207 poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalate) Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001707 polybutylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920006393 polyether sulfone Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000011112 polyethylene naphthalate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000005518 polymer electrolyte Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000069 polyphenylene sulfide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920006375 polyphtalamide Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002033 PVDF binder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011324 bead Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005219 brazing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005341 cation exchange Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005536 corrosion prevention Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003487 electrochemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- UQSQSQZYBQSBJZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N fluorosulfonic acid Chemical compound OS(F)(=O)=O UQSQSQZYBQSBJZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000003014 ion exchange membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000098 polyolefin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001955 polyphenylene ether Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004080 punching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002050 silicone resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004381 surface treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
- H01M8/0206—Metals or alloys
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
- H01M8/0258—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/02—Details
- H01M8/0271—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
- H01M8/0276—Sealing means characterised by their form
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Fuel Cell (AREA)
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a metal separator for a fuel cell, a joint separator, and a power generation cell. In a metal separator (14) for a fuel cell, which is laminated with a membrane electrode assembly (12a) to form a power generating unit cell (10) and in which bump seals (45, 47) for preventing fluid leakage protrude in the direction of lamination with the membrane electrode assembly (12a), the bump seals (45, 47) are provided with: a curved portion (51, 61) including a top portion (50, 60) that protrudes most in the stacking direction in a cross section perpendicular to the seal line; and spring portions (side portions 52, 53, 62, 63) provided on both sides of the bent portions (51, 61) and having a soft spring characteristic compared to the bent portions (51, 61).
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a metal separator for a fuel cell, a joint separator, and a power generating cell, each of which is provided with a projection seal.
Background
Conventionally, there is known a fuel cell (power generation cell) including: an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) in which an anode electrode is disposed on one surface of an electrolyte membrane formed of a polymer ion exchange membrane and a cathode electrode is disposed on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane; and separators (also referred to as bipolar plates) disposed on both sides of the MEA, respectively. Generally, a fuel cell stack is configured by stacking a predetermined number of power generation cells. The fuel cell stack is incorporated in a fuel cell vehicle (a fuel cell electric vehicle or the like), for example, as an in-vehicle fuel cell stack.
In a fuel cell, a metal separator may be used as a separator. At this time, a seal member is provided to the metal separator to prevent leakage of the oxidant gas, the fuel gas, and the cooling medium. The sealing member uses an elastic rubber seal made of fluorine-based resin, silicon, or the like, and thus has a problem of high cost.
Therefore, for example, as disclosed in patent document 1, a structure is adopted in which a seal projection (hereinafter, also referred to as a projection seal) is formed on a metal separator instead of the elastic rubber seal. The convex seal has a shape bulging in the thickness direction from the flat portion (bottom plate portion) of the metal separator. The convex sealing element is formed by punching, so that the convex sealing element has the advantage of low manufacturing cost.
Documents of the prior art
Patent document
Patent document 1: U.S. patent application publication No. 2006/0054664 specification
Disclosure of Invention
Problems to be solved by the invention
The projection seal functions by forming a linear seal portion by contacting the projected portion with another member (such as a resin frame member). However, in the conventional boss seal, a portion of the boss seal in contact with another member is buckled and recessed into a concave shape, and it has been found that the sealing function may be deteriorated.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a metal separator for a fuel cell, a joined separator, and a power generation cell, each of which includes a convex seal member whose sealing function is not easily lowered by preventing deformation of a sealing surface of the convex seal member.
Means for solving the problems
One aspect of the present invention is a metal separator for a fuel cell, which is stacked on a membrane electrode assembly formed by disposing electrodes on both sides of an electrolyte membrane to form a power generation unit cell, wherein a convex seal for preventing leakage of a fluid, which is a fuel gas, an oxidant gas, or a cooling medium, protrudes in a stacking direction of the membrane electrode assembly, wherein the metal separator for a fuel cell has bottom plate portions that are perpendicular to the stacking direction and that form flat portions on both sides of the convex seal, and the convex seal includes, in an initial state where the convex seal is not compressed in the stacking direction: a curved portion protruding separately in the stacking direction; bending parts arranged on two sides of the bending part; and a spring portion extending obliquely from the bent portion toward the bottom plate portion.
Another aspect of the present invention is a joined separator formed by stacking a plurality of the metal separators for a fuel cell of the above-described aspect, wherein the adjacent metal separators for a fuel cell are joined as follows: the tops of the respective convex seals project in opposite directions to each other in the stacking direction.
Another aspect of the present invention is a power generation cell including: an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly in which electrodes are disposed on both sides of an electrolyte membrane; and metal separators respectively disposed on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly, wherein a convex seal for preventing leakage of a fluid, which is a fuel gas, an oxidant gas, or a cooling medium, is formed so as to protrude in a stacking direction of the membrane electrode assembly and the metal separators in the metal separators, wherein the power generation cell has bottom plate portions that constitute flat portions on both sides of the convex seal and are perpendicular to the stacking direction, and the convex seal includes, in an initial state where the convex seal is not compressed in the stacking direction: a curved portion protruding separately in the stacking direction; bending parts arranged on two sides of the bending part; and a spring portion extending obliquely from the bent portion toward the bottom plate portion.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION
According to the metal separator for a fuel cell, the joint separator, and the power generation cell of the above aspect, the deformation of the sealing surface of the convex seal can be prevented, and thus the reduction of the sealing function can be prevented.
The above objects, features and advantages will be readily understood from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a power generation cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the power generating cell of fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the second metal separator of fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing a sectional shape along a plane perpendicular to a seal line of the convex seal of fig. 1.
Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a convex seal according to a comparative example, and fig. 5B is an explanatory view showing a deformation of the convex seal according to the comparative example.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing a stacked state of the convex seal of fig. 4.
Detailed Description
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in fig. 1 and 2, a power generation cell 10 (fuel cell) according to the present embodiment includes: a resin framed electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly 12 (hereinafter, referred to as "resin framed MEA 12"); and metal separators 14 respectively disposed on both sides of the resin framed MEA 12. The power generation cell 10 is, for example, a horizontally (or vertically) long rectangular solid polymer fuel cell.
The plurality of power generation cells 10 are stacked in, for example, the arrow a direction (horizontal direction) or the arrow C direction (gravity direction), and a fastening load (compression load) in the stacking direction is applied thereto to constitute the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack is mounted on a fuel cell electric vehicle as an on-vehicle fuel cell stack, for example.
As shown in fig. 1, at one end of the power generation cell 10 in the direction indicated by the arrow B (horizontal direction), an oxygen-containing gas supply passage 18a, a coolant supply passage 20a, and a fuel gas discharge passage 16B are provided so as to communicate with each other in the stacking direction, i.e., in the direction indicated by the arrow a. The oxygen-containing gas supply passage 18a supplies an oxygen-containing gas (for example, air) as the oxygen-containing gas. The coolant supply passage 20a supplies a coolant (e.g., water). The fuel gas discharge passage 16b discharges a hydrogen-containing gas as a fuel gas. The oxygen-containing gas supply passage 18a, the coolant supply passage 20a, and the fuel gas discharge passage 16b are arranged separately in the direction indicated by the arrow C (vertical direction).
At the other end in the direction indicated by the arrow B of the power generation cell 10, a fuel gas supply passage 16a, a coolant discharge passage 20B, and an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage 18B are provided, which extend in communication in the direction indicated by the arrow a. The fuel gas supply passage 16a supplies the fuel gas. The coolant discharge passage 20b discharges the coolant. The oxygen-containing gas discharge passage 18b discharges the oxygen-containing gas. The fuel gas supply passage 16a, the coolant discharge passage 20b, and the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage 18b are arranged separately in the direction indicated by the arrow C.
In the power generation cell 10, the resin framed MEA12 is sandwiched by metal separators 14. Hereinafter, the metal separator 14 disposed on one surface of the resin-framed MEA12 is referred to as a "first metal separator 14 a", and the metal separator 14 disposed on the other surface of the resin-framed MEA12 is referred to as a "second metal separator 14 b". The first metal separator 14a and the second metal separator 14b are formed in a horizontally long (or vertically long) rectangular shape.
The resin framed MEA12 includes a membrane electrode assembly 12a (hereinafter referred to as "MEA 12 a") and a resin frame member 22 joined to the outer peripheral portion of the MEA12a and surrounding the outer peripheral portion of the MEA12 a. The MEA12a has: the electrolyte membrane 23; an anode electrode 24 provided on one surface 23a of the electrolyte membrane 23; and a cathode electrode 26 provided on the other surface 23b of the electrolyte membrane 23.
The electrolyte membrane 23 is, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (cation exchange membrane). The solid polymer electrolyte membrane is, for example, a film of perfluorosulfonic acid containing water. The electrolyte membrane 23 is sandwiched by the anode electrode 24 and the cathode electrode 26. As the electrolyte membrane 23, not only a fluorine-based electrolyte but also an HC (hydrocarbon) -based electrolyte can be used.
As shown in fig. 2, the anode electrode 24 has: a first electrode catalyst layer 24a joined to one surface 23a of the electrolyte membrane 23; and a first gas diffusion layer 24b laminated on the first electrode catalyst layer 24 a. The cathode electrode 26 has: a second electrode catalyst layer 26a joined to the other surface 23b of the electrolyte membrane 23; and a second gas diffusion layer 26b laminated on the second electrode catalyst layer 26 a.
The resin frame member 22 is a frame-shaped resin film (sub-gasket) having a rectangular planar shape, the inner peripheral portion of which is joined to the outer peripheral portion of the MEA12 a. The resin film may be formed by overlapping two resin films. The resin frame member 22 has a fixed thickness. In fig. 1, at one end of the resin frame member 22 in the direction indicated by the arrow B, an oxygen-containing gas supply passage 18a, a coolant supply passage 20a, and a fuel gas discharge passage 16B are provided. At the other end portion of the resin frame member 22 in the direction indicated by the arrow B, a fuel gas supply passage 16a, a coolant discharge passage 20B, and an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage 18B are provided. The communication holes 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b provided in the resin frame member 22 are each formed in the same shape as the communication holes 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b provided in the first metal separator 14a and the second metal separator 14 b.
Examples of the material constituting the resin frame member 22 include PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PPA (polyphthalamide), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), PES (polyethersulfone), LCP (liquid crystal polymer), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), silicone resin, fluorine resin, m-PPE (modified polyphenylene ether resin), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), modified polyolefin, and the like.
Further, the electrolyte membrane 23 may be protruded outward without using the resin frame member 22. Frame-shaped films may be provided on both sides of the electrolyte membrane 23 protruding outward from the anode 24 and the cathode 26.
The metal separator 14 has a metal plate 15 as a separator main body. Hereinafter, in describing the structure of the metal plate 15 itself, the term "metal separator 14" may be used.
The metal plate 15 constituting the metal separator 14 is formed by press-molding a cross section of a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, an aluminum plate, a plated steel plate, or a thin metal plate having a surface treatment for corrosion prevention applied to a metal surface thereof into a corrugated shape, for example. The first metal separator 14a and the second metal separator 14b are joined integrally by welding, brazing, caulking (japanese patent application No. かしめ), or the like, on the outer peripheries thereof, to constitute the joined separator 32. The thickness of the metal separator 14 can be set to 0.05mm to 0.15mm, for example.
A fuel gas flow field 38 is provided on the surface 14as of the first metal separator 14a facing the resin frame-attached MEA12, the fuel gas flow field communicating with the fuel gas supply passage 16a and the fuel gas discharge passage 16 b. Specifically, the fuel gas flow path 38 is formed between the first metal separator 14a and the resin framed MEA 12. The fuel gas flow field 38 has a plurality of straight flow field grooves (or corrugated flow field grooves) extending in the direction indicated by the arrow B.
As shown in fig. 3, on a surface 14bs of the second metal separator 14b facing the resin framed MEA12, an oxygen-containing gas flow field 40 is provided which communicates with the oxygen-containing gas supply passage 18a and the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage 18 b. Specifically, the oxidant gas flow field 40 is formed between the second metal separator 14b and the resin framed MEA 12. The oxidizing gas channel 40 has a plurality of straight flow grooves (or corrugated flow grooves) extending in the direction indicated by the arrow B.
In fig. 1, a coolant flow field 42 is formed between the first metal separator 14a and the second metal separator 14B adjacent to each other so as to extend in the direction indicated by the arrow B and communicate with the coolant supply passage 20a and the coolant discharge passage 20B.
A first seal line 44 for preventing leakage of a fluid (a fuel gas, an oxidant gas, or a cooling medium) is provided on a surface 14as of the first metal separator 14a facing the MEA12a by press molding integrally with the first metal separator 14 a. The first seal line 44 surrounds the outer peripheral portion of the first metal separator 14 a. The first seal line 44 bulges (protrudes) toward the resin frame member 22 and is in gas-tight and liquid-tight abutment with the resin frame member 22.
The first seal line 44 has a plurality of convex seals 45 (metal convex seals). The plurality of boss seals 45 include an outer boss seal 45a and an inner boss seal 45b provided on the inner side of the outer boss seal 45 a. The inner projection seal 45b surrounds and communicates the fuel gas flow field 38, the fuel gas supply passage 16a, and the fuel gas discharge passage 16 b. The inner protrusion seal 45b has a plurality of communication hole protrusions 45c that individually surround the communication holes 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b, 20a, and 20 b.
As shown in fig. 3, a second seal line 46 that surrounds the outer peripheral portion of the second metal separator 14b to prevent fluid leakage is provided on the surface 14bs of the second metal separator 14b facing the MEA12a by press-molding integrally with the second metal separator 14 b. The second seal line 46 bulges toward the resin frame member 22 and is in gas-tight and liquid-tight abutment with the resin frame member 22. The first seal line 44 and the second seal line 46 face each other with the resin frame member 22 interposed therebetween. The resin frame member 22 is sandwiched between the first seal line 44 and the second seal line 46.
The second seal line 46 has a plurality of convex seals 47 (metal convex seals). The plurality of boss seals 47 include outer boss seals 47a and inner boss seals 47b provided on the inner side of the outer boss seals 47 a. The inner protrusion seal 47b surrounds and communicates the oxygen-containing gas flow field 40, the oxygen-containing gas supply passage 18a, and the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage 18 b. The inner protrusion seal 47b has a plurality of communication hole protrusions 47c that individually surround the communication holes 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b, 20a, and 20 b.
As shown in fig. 4, the bump seals 45 and 47 are formed so as to protrude from the bottom plate portion 15a of the metal separator 14 (metal plate 15) toward the MEA12a in the stacking direction of the power generating cells 10 (stacking direction of the MEA12a and the metal separator 14).
The bead seal 45 has, in a state where it is not laminated with the membrane electrode assembly 12a, that is, in a state where no compressive load is applied in the lamination direction: a bent portion 51 including a top portion 50 protruding from the bottom plate portion 15a toward the MEA12a in the stacking direction of the power generation cells 10 (stacking direction of the MEA12a and the metal separator 14); and side portions 52, 53 connecting both end portions of the bent portion 51 to the bottom plate portion 15 a. The curved portion 51 is provided at the center portion (region E) in the width direction of the boss seal 45, and is formed in an arc shape so as to protrude convexly in the protruding direction of the top portion 50.
A top portion 50 that protrudes most in the stacking direction is formed at the center in the width direction of the bent portion 51. Further, bent portions 52c and 53c having a varying inclination angle are formed at both ends of the bent portion 51. The side portions 52 and 53 are formed in the region D between the bent portions 52c and 53c and the bottom plate portion 15 a. The side portions 52 and 53 are inclined so as to gradually protrude from the reference position in the in-plane direction of the bottom plate portion 15a toward the MEA12a as going from the bottom plate portion 15a toward the bent portion 51. In the vicinity of the bent portions 52c, 53c, the inclination angle of the side portions 52, 53 with respect to the bottom plate portion 15a is smaller than the inclination angle of the bent portion 51, and therefore the side portions 52, 53 are more easily deformed than the bent portion 51 by a compressive load in the stacking direction.
In the boss seal 45, the deformation mode of the boss seal 45 greatly changes with the bent portions 52c, 53c as a boundary. That is, the bent portion 51 is formed to have a relatively large inclination angle near the bent portions 52c and 53c, and thus is formed to be difficult to deform in response to load input in the stacking direction. On the other hand, the side portions 52 and 53 are formed at a smaller inclination angle than the bent portion 51, and thus are more likely to deform in response to a load in the stacking direction than the bent portion 51. The elastic coefficient K1 indicating the degree of deformation of the side portions 52 and 53 ( bent portions 52c and 53c) with respect to the load in the stacking direction is smaller than the elastic coefficient K2 indicating the degree of deformation of the bent portion 51 with respect to the load in the stacking direction. Therefore, when a compressive load in the stacking direction is applied, the side portions 52 and 53 are elastically deformed earlier than the bent portion 51. In this way, the side portions 52, 53 constitute the spring portion of the boss seal 45 of the present embodiment.
Further, a film-like resin sealing member 49 may be provided on the surface of the bump seal 45 near the top 50. For example, the resin sealing member 49 can be formed by a printing method or a coating method using polyester fibers. When the resin sealing member 49 is provided, the bump seals 45 and 47 are in contact with the resin frame member 22 through the resin sealing member 49. The resin seal member 49 may be provided on the MEA12 side.
The boss seal 47 has: a bent portion 61 protruding toward the MEA12a in the opposite direction to the convex seal 45; and side portions 62 and 63 connecting both end portions of the bent portion 61 to the bottom plate portion 15 a. The curved portion 61 is provided at the center portion (region E) in the width direction of the boss seal 47, and is formed in an arc shape so as to protrude convexly in the protruding direction of the top portion 60.
A top portion 60 that protrudes most in the stacking direction is formed at the center in the width direction of the bent portion 61. Further, bent portions 62c and 63c having varying inclination angles are formed at both ends of the bent portion 61. The side portions 62 and 63 are formed in the region D between the bent portions 62c and 63c and the bottom plate portion 15 a. The side portions 62 and 63 are inclined so as to gradually protrude from the reference position in the in-plane direction of the bottom plate portion 15a toward the MEA12a as going from the bottom plate portion 15a toward the bent portion 61. In the vicinity of the bent portions 62c, 63c, the inclination angles of the side portions 62, 63 with respect to the bottom plate portion 15a are smaller than the inclination angle of the bent portion 61, and therefore the side portions 62, 63 are more easily deformed than the bent portion 61 with respect to the compressive load in the stacking direction.
In the convex seal 47, the deformation mode of the convex seal 47 is largely changed with the bent portions 62c and 63c as boundaries. That is, the bent portion 61 is formed to have a relatively large inclination angle near the bent portions 62c and 63c, and thus is formed to be difficult to deform in response to load input in the stacking direction. On the other hand, the side portions 62 and 63 are formed at a smaller inclination angle than the bent portion 61, and thus are easily deformed against a load in the stacking direction than the bent portion 61. The elastic coefficient K1 indicating the degree of deformation of the side portions 62 and 63 ( bent portions 62c and 63c) with respect to the load in the stacking direction is smaller than the elastic coefficient K2 indicating the degree of deformation of the bent portion 61 with respect to the load in the stacking direction. Therefore, when a compressive load in the stacking direction is applied, the side portions 62 and 63 elastically deform before the bent portion 61. In this way, the side portions 62, 63 constitute the spring portion of the boss seal 47 of the present embodiment.
The convex seal 47 is preferably formed symmetrically with respect to the convex seal 45 in the stacking direction, but may be partially formed asymmetrically in the stacking direction. Further, a film-like resin sealing member 49 may be provided on the surface of the projection seal 47 near the top portion 60. The resin seal member 49 is similar to the resin seal member 49 provided in the boss seal 45.
The operation and action of the power generation cell 10 configured as described above will be described below.
As shown in fig. 1, an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the oxygen-containing gas supply passage 18a, and a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel gas supply passage 16 a. Further, a coolant such as pure water, ethylene glycol, or oil is supplied to the coolant supply passage 20 a.
Therefore, the oxygen-containing gas is introduced from the oxygen-containing gas supply passage 18a into the oxygen-containing gas flow field 40 of the second metal separator 14B, and the oxygen-containing gas moves in the direction indicated by the arrow B and is supplied to the cathode electrode 26 of the MEA12 a. On the other hand, the fuel gas is introduced from the fuel gas supply passage 16a into the fuel gas flow field 38 of the first metal separator 14 a. The fuel gas moves in the direction of arrow B along the fuel gas channel 38 and is supplied to the anode electrode 24 of the MEA12 a.
Therefore, in the MEA12a, the oxidant gas supplied to the cathode electrode 26 and the fuel gas supplied to the anode electrode 24 are consumed by the electrochemical reaction in the second electrode catalyst layer 26a and the first electrode catalyst layer 24a, and power generation is performed.
Next, in fig. 1, the oxygen-containing gas consumed by being supplied to the cathode electrode 26 is discharged in the direction of arrow a along the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage 18 b. Similarly, the fuel gas consumed by being supplied to the anode 24 is discharged in the direction of the arrow a along the fuel gas discharge passage 16 b.
The coolant supplied to the coolant supply passage 20a is introduced into the coolant flow field 42 between the first metal separator 14a and the second metal separator 14B, and then flows in the direction indicated by the arrow B. The coolant is discharged from the coolant discharge passage 20b after cooling the MEA12 a.
In this case, the power generation cell 10 including the metal separator 14 according to the present embodiment has the following operation.
In fig. 5A, the cross-sectional shape of the convex seal 45A of the metal separator according to the comparative example is formed with an arc-shaped bent portion 51A protruding so that the apex portion 50 is highest in an initial state where no compression load is applied. As shown in fig. 5B, when a compressive load is applied to the boss seal 45A, the apex portion 50 of the widthwise central portion of the boss seal 45A is pressed to deform so as to spread in the widthwise direction as shown by arrow marks S1, S2, and also deforms in the stacking direction (arrow mark d direction). At this time, since the convex seal 45A has high rigidity in the width direction, the top portion 50 is recessed in a concave shape as shown by a solid line P2, and thus is deformed so as to alleviate the deformation in the width direction. Thus, when the cross section of the convex seal 45A is deformed in an M shape, the surface pressure in the vicinity of the center apex portion 50 (the convex width direction center portion) is lowered. As a result, desired sealing performance cannot be ensured, and there is a risk of fluid leakage.
In contrast, as shown in fig. 6, the metal separator 14 according to the present embodiment includes side portions 52, 53, 62, and 63 (spring portions) having a flexible spring characteristic in comparison with the bent portions 51 and 61 in the boss seals 45 and 47. Therefore, when a compressive load is applied to the boss seals 45, 47, the side portions 52, 53, 62, 63 deform earlier than the bent portions 51, 61 and generate a reaction force. This can prevent the load and deformation from concentrating on the top portions 50, 60 of the curved portions 51, 61 and the vicinity of the top portions 50, 60 from being recessed. As a result, the top portions 50 and 60 of the boss seals 45 and 47 are brought into contact with the resin frame member 22 with sufficient surface pressure, and good sealing performance can be ensured.
The metal separator 14 for a fuel cell and the power generating unit cell 10 according to the present embodiment produce the following effects.
The metal separator 14 for a fuel cell according to the present embodiment is a metal separator 14 for a fuel cell in which a plurality of convex seals 45 and 47 for preventing leakage of a fluid, which is a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas, or a cooling medium, are laminated on a membrane electrode assembly 12a formed by arranging electrodes 24 and 26 on both sides of an electrolyte membrane 23 to constitute a power generating unit 10, and which is provided with a bottom plate portion 15a that constitutes flat portions on both sides of the convex seals 45 and 47 and is perpendicular to a lamination direction, the convex seals 45 and 47 being provided in an initial state in which they are not compressed in the lamination direction: bent portions 51, 61 protruding from the bottom plate portion in the stacking direction; bent portions 52c, 53c, 62c, 63c provided on both sides of the bent portions 51, 61; and spring portions ( side portions 52, 53, 62, 63) extending obliquely from the bent portions 52c, 53c, 62c, 63c toward the bottom plate portion 15 a.
With the above-described configuration, when a compressive load is applied to the boss seals 45 and 47, the side portions 52, 53, 62, and 63 constituting the spring portions are deformed earlier than the bent portions 51 and 61, and a reaction force is generated. This prevents the load and deformation from concentrating on the top portions 50, 60 (seal surfaces) of the curved portions 51, 61 and the vicinity of the top portions 50, 60 from being recessed into a concave shape. As a result, the top portions 50, 60 of the boss seals 45, 47 come into contact with the resin frame member 22 with sufficient surface pressure, and desired sealing performance can be ensured.
In the above-described metal separator 14 for a fuel cell, the spring portions (the side portions 52, 53, 62, 63) may be inclined so as to protrude from the bottom plate portion 15a toward the bent portions 51, 61 in the stacking direction.
As described above, by inclining the spring portions (the side portions 52, 53, 62, 63), the side portions 52, 53, 62, 63 can exhibit a soft spring characteristic deformable in the stacking direction against the compression load.
In the above-described metal separator 14 for a fuel cell, the inclination of the spring portions (the side portions 52, 53, 62, 63) may be formed to be gentle compared to the inclination of the bent portions 51, 61 in the vicinity of the bent portions 52c, 53c, 62c, 63 c. With this configuration, the spring portion (the side portions 52, 53, 62, 63) can be flexibly deformed without tightening the load in the stacking direction.
In the metal separator 14 for a fuel cell described above, the spring portions (the side portions 52, 53, 62, 63) can have a flexible spring characteristic as compared with the bent portions 51, 61. This prevents deformation of the seal surface, and ensures good sealing performance.
The joined separator 32 of the present embodiment is a joined separator 32 in which a plurality of the above-described metal separators 14 for fuel cells are stacked, and the adjacent metal separators 14 for fuel cells are joined as follows: the top portions 50, 60 of the respective convex seals 45, 47 project in opposite directions to each other in the stacking direction. This prevents deformation of the seal surface, and ensures good sealing performance.
The power generation cell 10 of the present embodiment includes: a membrane electrode assembly 12a in which electrodes 24 and 26 are disposed on both sides of an electrolyte membrane 23; and metal separators 14 disposed on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly 12a, wherein in the metal separators 14, projecting seals 45, 47 for preventing leakage of a fluid, which is a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas, or a cooling medium, are formed so as to project in the stacking direction of the membrane electrode assembly 12a and the metal separators 14, and in the power generation cell, bottom plate portions 15a that constitute flat portions on both sides of the projecting seals 45, 47 and are perpendicular to the stacking direction are provided, and the projecting seals 45, 47 are provided in an initial state in which they are not compressed in the stacking direction: bent portions 51, 61 protruding from the bottom plate portion in the stacking direction; bent portions 52c, 53c, 62c, 63c provided on both sides of the bent portions 51, 61; and spring portions ( side portions 52, 53, 62, 63) extending obliquely from the bent portions 52c, 53c, 62c, 63c toward the bottom plate portion 15 a. This can prevent the load and deformation from concentrating on the top portions 50, 60 of the curved portions 51, 61 and the vicinity of the top portions 50, 60 from being recessed. As a result, the top portions 50 and 60 of the boss seals 45 and 47 are brought into contact with the resin frame member 22 with sufficient surface pressure, and good sealing performance can be ensured.
In the above, the present invention has been described by referring to the preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes can be made within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.
Claims (6)
1. A metal separator for a fuel cell, which is laminated with a membrane-electrode assembly (12a) formed by arranging electrodes (24, 26) on both sides of an electrolyte membrane (23) to form a power generating unit cell (10), wherein convex sealing members (45, 47) for preventing leakage of a fluid, which is a fuel gas, an oxidizing gas, or a cooling medium, protrude in the direction of lamination with the membrane-electrode assembly, and in the metal separator (14) for a fuel cell,
has bottom plate portions (15a) that constitute flat portions on both sides of the convex seal and are perpendicular to the stacking direction,
the projection seal, in an initial state in which the projection seal is not compressed in the stacking direction, includes: curved portions (51, 61) projecting from the bottom plate portion in the stacking direction; bending parts (52c, 53c, 62c, 63c) arranged on both sides of the bending part; and spring portions (52, 53, 62, 63) extending obliquely from the bent portions toward the bottom plate portion.
2. The metal separator for a fuel cell according to claim 1,
the spring portion is inclined so as to protrude from the bottom plate portion toward the bent portion in the stacking direction.
3. The metal separator for a fuel cell according to claim 2,
the inclination of the spring portion is formed to be gentle as compared with the inclination of the bent portion in the vicinity of the bent portion.
4. The metal separator for a fuel cell according to claim 3,
the spring portion has a soft spring characteristic with respect to a load in the stacking direction than the bent portion.
5. A joined separator obtained by joining a plurality of the fuel cell metal separators according to claim 1, wherein the adjacent fuel cell metal separators are joined together as follows: the tips (50, 60) of the respective raised seals project in opposite directions from one another in the stacking direction.
6. A power generation cell is provided with: an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly in which electrodes are disposed on both sides of an electrolyte membrane; and metal separators respectively disposed on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly, wherein a convex seal for preventing leakage of a fluid, which is a fuel gas, an oxidant gas, or a cooling medium, is formed so as to protrude in the direction of lamination of the membrane electrode assembly and the metal separators in the metal separators, and in the power generating unit cell (10),
a bottom plate portion having flat portions constituting both side portions of the convex seal member and being perpendicular to the stacking direction,
the projection seal, in an initial state in which the projection seal is not compressed in the stacking direction, includes: a curved portion protruding from the bottom plate portion in a stacking direction; bending parts arranged on two sides of the bending part; and a spring portion extending obliquely from the bent portion toward the bottom plate portion.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2019-131135 | 2019-07-16 | ||
| JP2019131135A JP7111661B2 (en) | 2019-07-16 | 2019-07-16 | Metal separators for fuel cells, junction separators and power generation cells |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN112242532A true CN112242532A (en) | 2021-01-19 |
| CN112242532B CN112242532B (en) | 2024-06-25 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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| CN202010678089.2A Active CN112242532B (en) | 2019-07-16 | 2020-07-15 | Metal separator for fuel cell, joined separator, and power generation cell |
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| JP (1) | JP7111661B2 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN112242532B (en) |
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN112242532B (en) | 2024-06-25 |
| JP7111661B2 (en) | 2022-08-02 |
| JP2021015766A (en) | 2021-02-12 |
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