JP2003092131A - Fuel cell stack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell stack capable of using the same separator in a plurality of sub-stacks to make economical and surely keeping desirable power generating performance. SOLUTION: An intermediate plate 18a interposed between a first sub-stack 12 and a second sub-stack 14 is installed, and an oxidizing agent gas mixing passage 92 communicating with an oxidizing agent gas outlet 64 of the upstream first sub-stack 12 and an oxidizing agent gas inlet 56 of the downstream second sub-stack 14 is installed inside a plane 90 of the intermediate plate 18a. Oxidizing agent gas is supplied to the first sub-stack 12 and the second sub-stack 14 from an oxidizing agent inlet 56 and exhausted from the oxidizing agent gas outlet 64.

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention
Electrolyte sandwiched between side electrode and cathode side electrode
A multi-layered electrode assembly with a separator interposed
Sub-stack has an intermediate plate.
Fuel cell configured by stacking multiple layers with interposition
Regarding the stack. 2. Description of the Related Art For example, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEF)
C) is a polymer ion exchange membrane (cation exchange membrane).
Electrolyte membrane (electrolyte). This electrolyte membrane
An electrode consisting of a catalyst electrode and porous carbon is provided on each side.
It is configured with the node side electrode and cathode side electrode
Assembly (electrolyte / electrode assembly)
(Polar plate)
Cell (unit power generation cell).
It is used as a fuel cell stack with
You. [0003] In this type of fuel cell stack,
The fuel gas, for example, mainly hydrogen, supplied to the
The contained gas (hereinafter also referred to as hydrogen-containing gas)
Hydrogen is ionized on the electrode and flows through the electrolyte membrane.
To the electrode side. The electrons generated during that time are
Taken out of the road and used as DC electrical energy
You. Note that an oxidant gas, for example,
Gas or air mainly containing oxygen (hereinafter referred to as oxygen-containing
Gas (also known as gas)
At the side electrode, hydrogen ions, electrons and oxygen react
Water is produced. In a fuel cell stack, for example,
For example, when used in vehicles, a relatively large output
Is required. For this reason, many unit cells are usually
Although a laminated structure is used, the number of laminated layers increases.
Temperature distribution tends to occur in the stacking direction
Especially, the drainage of the water generated by the electrochemical reaction
That the desired power generation performance cannot be obtained
There is a condition. Therefore, for example, US Pat.
An apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-108 is known. This equipment
In the configuration, as shown in FIG.
1 cell group 2, 2nd cell group 3, and 3rd cell
While being divided into group 4, the first to third sections
Groups 2, 3 and 4 contain reactant gases (eg, fuel
) In the supply direction (arrow α direction). No.
The first to third cell groups 2, 3 and 4 are respectively
It has constant unit cells 5a, 5b and 5c. [0006] The fuel cell block 1 is connected to the fuel cell block 1 through a line 6.
Reaction gas is supplied to the reaction gas.
Along with a plurality of unit cells 5a constituting the first cell group 2,
Supplied in rows. Next, the first cell group 2 is exhausted.
The discharged reaction gas is used to form the second cell group 3.
After being supplied in parallel to a number of unit cells 5b, the second cell
Discharged from the cell group 3 to form the third cell group 4.
The plurality of unit cells 5c are supplied in parallel. this
Can effectively discharge generated water and inert gas
Can improve power generation performance.
I have. [0007] However, the above-mentioned problems
In the fuel cell block 1, the first to third cell groups
The flow direction of the reaction gas in 2, 3 and 4 is alternately reversed
The unit cells 5a and 5c and the unit cell 5b.
And the configuration of each separator is different.
You. This increases the types of separators,
Not economical due to soaring manufacturing cost of the separator
The problem is pointed out. The present invention solves this type of problem.
Use the same separator in multiple substacks
It is economical and has the desired power generation performance.
Provide a fuel cell stack that can be reliably maintained
The porpose is to do. [0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided:
In a fuel cell stack,
Arranged in the plane of the intermediate plate on the upstream side in the reaction gas supply direction
The reaction gas outlet side communication passage of the sub-stack
The sub-stator disposed downstream of the reaction gas supply direction.
A flow path communicating with the reaction gas inlet side communication path of the
Have been. Therefore, the reaction gas output from the upstream sub-stack is
The reaction gas discharged into the mouth-side communication passage flows through the intermediate plate.
Through the passage and the reaction gas inlet side communication of the downstream sub-stack
Will be supplied to the road. For this reason, in each sub stack, the counter
After the reaction gas is supplied from the reaction passage on the reaction gas inlet side,
It is discharged from the gas outlet side communication passage. This allows
Use the same separator for all substacks
Different types of separators need to be prepared
Not only simplified, but also economical
You. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the fuel cell stack 10 according to the first embodiment.
You. The fuel cell stack 10 is a reaction gas.
In the flow direction (arrow X direction) of the oxidizing gas and the fuel gas
First sub-stack 12 and second sub-stack 1 to be arranged
4 and a third sub-stack 16, wherein the first to
Interplay between 3 substacks 12, 14 and 16
18a and 18b are interposed. The first to third sub-stacks 12, 14 and
And 16 are configured identically, each having a predetermined number of sets.
The cell assembly 20 is formed by overlapping the cell assembly 20 in the arrow X direction.
Have been. As shown in FIG. 2, the cell assembly 20
The first unit cell 24 and the second unit cell 26 are overlapped
And the first and second unit cells 24, 2
6 includes first and second joined bodies 28 and 30. The first and second joined bodies 28 and 30 are solid
Polymer electrolyte membranes (electrolytes) 32a and 32b, and the electrolysis
Cathode-side electrode disposed across the membranes 32a and 32b
34a, 34b and anode-side electrodes 36a, 36b
Having. Cathode-side electrodes 34a, 34b and an anode
The cathode electrodes 36a and 36b are respectively made of a catalyst electrode and a porous electrode.
It is made up of carbon. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first joined body
A first separator 38 is provided on the side of the cathode electrode 34a of the first electrode 28.
The anode-side electrode 36a of the first joined body 28 is disposed.
Side and the side of the cathode 34b of the second joined body 30
A second separator 40 is provided, and the second contact 40 is provided.
The third separator 4 is provided on the side of the anode 30 b of the united body 30.
2 are provided. First and third separators 38, 42
On the opposite side of the thin plate-shaped wall plate (partition member)
44 is interposed. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
Second bonded bodies 28 and 30 and first to third separators 3
One end edge on long side (direction of arrow C) of 8, 40 and 42
The first and second unit cells 24 and 26
Gas (such as hydrogen-containing gas)
Fuel gas to allow the passage of fuel gas (reactant gas)
Port (reaction gas inlet side communication passage) 46 and the cooling medium.
And a cooling medium outlet 48 for flowing
Contains oxygen such as air supplied to the reaction in the first unit cell 24
Intermediate acid from which oxidizing gas (reactive gas) is discharged
Oxidant gas outlet 50 and the intermediate oxidant gas outlet 50
Through the second unit cell 26 on the downstream side in the gas flow direction.
And an intermediate oxidizing gas inlet 52 for introducing the oxidizing gas.
Can be The first and second joints 28, 30 and the first
The long sides of the first to third separators 38, 40 and 42
The other end edge portion communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A to
Gas inlet (reaction gas inlet side communication passage) 56 and gas flow direction
Fuel gas supplied to the reaction in the first unit cell 24 on the upstream side
An intermediate fuel gas outlet 58 from which the fuel is discharged;
Port 58, and the second unit cell on the downstream side in the gas flow direction.
First and second intermediates for introducing the fuel gas into
Fuel gas inlets 60a and 60b are provided. The first and second joined bodies 28, 30 and the first
Lower edge portions of first to third separators 38, 40 and 42
Has an oxidant gas outlet communicating with each other in the direction of arrow A.
(Reaction gas outlet side communication passage) 64, cooling medium inlet 66 and
And a fuel gas outlet (reaction gas outlet side communication passage) 68 are provided.
It is. In the vicinity of the oxidizing gas outlet 64, an oxidizing gas
Lower than the humidified oxidant gas supplied to the inlet 56.
Low humidification oxidizer gas supply port to which humidifier oxidizer gas is supplied
(Additional reaction gas supply port) 65 is provided,
In the vicinity of the fuel gas outlet 68, the fuel gas is supplied to the fuel gas inlet 46.
Supply humidified fuel gas lower than humidified fuel gas
Low humidified fuel gas supply port (additional reaction gas supply
A mouth 69 is provided. The first separator 38 is made of a thin metal plate.
In the direction of arrow C (long side direction)
A straight groove 70 extending a predetermined length along
At both ends of the straight groove 70 in the direction of arrow C.
Is formed by an embossed portion 72 constituting a buffer space portion.
Is done. The straight groove 70 and the embossed portion 72 are
As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.
An oxidizing agent is provided on the side of the united body 28 facing the cathode side electrode 34a.
A gas flow path 74 is provided and the oxidizing gas flow path 7 is provided.
4 have an oxidant gas inlet 56 and an intermediate oxidant gas outlet 5
Communicates with 0. The first separator 38 is provided on one side of the wall plate 44.
A straight groove 70 and an embossed portion 72 on the side facing the surface.
A cooling medium flow path 76 is provided through the cooling medium (see FIGS. 3 and 4).
See). As shown in FIG. 4, the cooling medium flow path 76 has one end thereof.
The other end of the wall plate 4 communicates with the cooling medium outlet 48.
4 is folded back to cool the wall plate 44 from the other surface side.
Communicating with the reject medium inlet 66. The second separator 40 is provided with the first separator.
And the first joint body 28.
A straight groove 70 and a straight groove 70 are formed on the side facing the anode electrode 36a.
When the fuel gas passage 78 is provided through the embossed portion 72
In both cases (see FIG. 3), the fuel gas flow path 78
4 and an intermediate fuel gas outlet 58 (FIG. 4).
reference). The second separator 40 is formed by the cap of the second joined body 30.
An oxidizing gas flow path 80 is formed on the side facing the anode 34b.
One end of the oxidizing gas passage 80 is provided with an intermediate oxidizing gas.
When communicating with the intermediate oxidant gas outlet 50 via the inlet 52
In both cases, the other end communicates with the oxidizing gas outlet 64. The third separator 42 includes the first and second
It is configured substantially the same as the second separators 38 and 40,
On the side of the second joined body 30 facing the anode electrode 36b,
A fuel gas flow path 82 is provided (see FIGS. 3 and 4). This
One end of the fuel gas passage 82 has first and second intermediate fuels.
Intermediate fuel gas outlet 58 through gas inlets 60a, 60b
While the other end communicates with the fuel gas outlet 68.
The third separator 42 has a cooling medium on the side facing the wall plate 44.
A body channel 84 is provided. As shown in FIG.
The flow path 84 has one end communicating with the cooling medium inlet 66.
The other end is folded back by the wall plate 44 and connected to the cooling medium outlet 48.
Pass. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
An oxidizing gas mixing channel 92 is provided on one surface 90 of the
And a fuel gas mixing channel 94. Oxidant gas mixture
The merging channel 92 is the first sub-stack 1 on the upstream side in the arrow X direction.
2 oxidant gas outlet 64 and low humidification oxidant gas supply port 6
5 and oxidation of the second sub-stack 14 on the downstream side in the arrow X direction
The agent gas inlet 56 is connected. The oxidizing gas mixing channel 92 is provided with a low humidifying oxidizing agent.
Unused oxidant gas supplied from the gas supply port 65 is
Used oxidant gas supplied from the oxidant gas outlet 64
Guide for mixing with oxidant gas inlet 56
96. The guide portion 96 is provided with an oxidizing gas mixing passage 92.
And a plurality of ribs
The position, length, direction, spacing, etc.
Between the unused oxidant gas and the used oxidant gas.
It has a function to make the mixing state uniform. The fuel gas mixing passage 94 is provided with a first sub-stack.
The fuel gas outlet 68 of the fuel tank 12 and the low humidified fuel gas supply port 6
9 and the fuel gas inlet 46 of the second sub-stack 14
Pass. The fuel gas mixing channel 94 supplies a low humidified fuel gas.
Unused fuel gas supplied from the port 69 is discharged to the fuel gas outlet.
The fuel is mixed with the used fuel gas supplied from the port 68.
A guide section 98 for feeding the gas to the gas inlet 46 is provided. The guide portion 98 is formed by the guide portion 96 described above.
And a plurality of ribs, and the position of each rib,
By setting the length, direction, interval, etc.,
The fuel gas for use and the used fuel gas uniformly
Has a function. First and second sub-stacks 12, 14
Are configured identically and the second sub-stack 14
The oxidizing gas inlet 56 and the fuel gas inlet 46
Oxidant gas inlet 56 of first sub-stack 12 and fuel
It is provided at the same position as the gas inlet 46 (see FIG. 1).
See). The intermediate plate 18b is used for the intermediate play.
18a, and the same constituent elements
The same reference numerals are given and the detailed description is omitted. The intermediate plate 18b has an upstream in the direction of arrow X.
The oxidant gas outlet 64 of the second sub-stack 14 on the side
A humidifying oxidant gas supply port 65 and a third port on the downstream side in the arrow X direction;
An acid communicating with the oxidizing gas inlet 56 of the substack 16
Agent gas mixing channel 92 and the second sub-stack 1
4 and a low humidified fuel gas supply port 69
And the fuel gas inlet 46 of the third sub-stack 16
A communicating fuel gas mixing channel 94 is provided. Second and third substacks 14, 16
Are configured identically and the third sub-stack 16
The oxidizing gas inlet 56 and the fuel gas inlet 46
Oxidant gas inlet 56 of second substack 14 and fuel
It is provided at the same position as the gas inlet 46 (see FIG. 1).
See). The first to third sub-systems thus configured
Tacks 12, 14 and 16 and an intermediate plate 18a,
18b are not shown in a state of being stacked in the arrow X direction
By being integrally tightened via fixing means,
The fuel cell stack 10 is configured. The fuel cell stack 1 configured as described above
The operation of 0 will be described below. In the fuel cell stack 10, first, the first
Oxidation of cell assembly 20 constituting substack 12
The oxidizing gas is supplied to the oxidizing gas inlet 56 and
Fuel gas is supplied to the fuel gas inlet 46 of the cell assembly 20.
Supplied (see FIG. 1). Further, the cooling medium inlet 66
Requires a cooling medium such as pure water, ethylene glycol or oil.
Supplied. Therefore, in the first sub-stack 12, the arrow
Plural sets of cell assemblies 20 superimposed in the mark X direction
Fuel gas, oxidizer gas and cooling medium
Next, it is supplied. Oxidant gas inlet communicating in the direction of arrow A
The oxidant gas supplied to 56 is shown in FIGS.
As described above, the oxidizer gas provided on the first separator 38
The gas flows into the flow passage 74 and constitutes the first joined body 28.
It moves along the node side electrode 34a. On the other hand,
The fuel gas supplied to the port 46 is supplied to the second separator 40.
It is introduced into the fuel gas flow path 78 provided and
Move along the anode-side electrode 36a constituting the body 28
You. Therefore, in the first joined body 28, the cathode side electrode 34
a to the oxidant gas supplied to the anode electrode 36a.
The supplied fuel gas undergoes an electrochemical reaction in the catalyst electrode.
More consumption and power generation. Oxidant partially consumed in first joint body 28
The gas is supplied from the oxidizing gas passage 74 to the intermediate oxidizing gas outlet 5.
0 along this intermediate oxidant gas outlet 50
Move in the direction of mark A. This oxidizing gas is shown in FIG.
As described above, the second separator 40 is inserted through the intermediate oxidant gas inlet 52.
After being introduced into the oxidizing gas passage 80 provided in
The second joined body 30 is formed via the oxidizing gas passage 80.
Move along the cathode side electrode 34b. Similarly, the anode forming the first joined body 28
The fuel gas partially consumed by the electrode 36a is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
Move in the direction. This fuel gas is supplied to the first and second intermediate
The third separator 4 via the fuel gas inlets 60a, 60b
2 is introduced into a fuel gas flow path 82 provided in the fuel cell 2. Then, the fuel gas forms the second joined body 30.
To move along the formed anode side electrode 36b.
In the second joined body 30, the oxidizing gas and the fuel gas are contacted.
Is consumed by the electrochemical reaction in the medium electrode to generate power.
You. The oxidant gas having consumed oxygen is supplied to the oxidant gas outlet 6.
Fuel gas that has been consumed in hydrogen
Is discharged to the fuel gas outlet 68. On the other hand, the cooling medium supplied to the cooling medium inlet 66 is
The medium is a cooling medium provided in the third separator 42.
After moving along the flow path 84, it is folded back at the wall plate 44 and
1 in the cooling medium channel 76 provided in the separator 38.
And is discharged to the cooling medium outlet 48. In this case, in the first embodiment, first,
An oxidizing gas is supplied to the oxidizing gas inlet 56 of the sub-stack 12.
Is supplied, and fuel gas is supplied to the fuel gas inlet 46.
When supplied, a part of the first sub-stack 12 is erased.
The spent oxidant gas and the fuel gas are oxidant
Intermediate after being discharged to the gas outlet 64 and the fuel gas outlet 68
It is sent to the plate 18a. Next, the oxidizing gas and the fuel gas are
Oxidant gas mixing channel 92 of the intermediate plate 18a and the fuel
Oxidation of the second sub-stack 14 through the gas mixing channel 94
The agent gas inlet 56 and the fuel gas inlet 46 are supplied.
Further, the oxidant gas outlet 64 of the second sub-stack 14 and
And the intermediate plate 18b discharged to the fuel gas outlet 68.
The oxidizing gas and fuel gas sent to the
The oxidizing gas mixing flow passage 92 of the
The oxidizer gas of the third sub-stack 16 passes through the merged channel 94.
And the fuel gas inlet 46. As described above, the first to third sub-stacks 1
In 2, 14, and 16, oxidizing gas and fuel gas
However, the oxidant gas inlet 56 and the fuel gas inlet 46 are always
Oxidant gas outlet 64 and fuel gas outlet
The first to third sub-stacks are discharged to the port 68.
, 12, 14 and 16 are all composed of the same parts.
And become possible. Therefore, the first to third sub-stacks
12, 14, and 16 have the same first to third
Separators 38, 40 and 42 can be used,
Versatility is improved and manufacturing costs are effectively reduced.
The effect of becoming economical is obtained. In the first embodiment, the first sub-ster
The operation of the first sub-stack 12
The required amount of oxidant gas and moisture (effectively pre-
(A predetermined amount of the oxidizing gas). Therefore, the first
In each cell assembly 20 constituting the substack 12
Is supplied in a humidified state with the necessary amount of oxidant gas for the reaction.
Is supplied in the first sub-stack 12.
Response is performed effectively. At this time, in each cell assembly 20,
The reaction produces water. This generated water is
Arrow X along the oxidizing gas outlet 64 through the oxidizing gas
To the oxidizing gas mixing passage of the intermediate plate 18a.
92 and the oxidizing gas mixing flow path 9
2 has a low humidification oxidizer gas supply port 65 to
An agent gas is supplied. As a result, the oxidizing gas after use
And the unused oxidant gas are mixed uniformly and then oxidized.
The agent gas is sent to the second sub-stack 14 from the gas inlet 56. Accordingly, in the second sub-stack 14,
The amount of oxidant gas required for operation of the second sub-stack 14 is
Supplied in a sufficiently humidified state,
It is possible to effectively prevent variations in the degree and oxygen concentration, etc.
The desired reaction in the second sub-stack 14
The effect of being performed is obtained. Moreover, the first sub
The water generated in the tack 12 is transferred to the second sub-stack 1
Use as humidifying water for oxidant gas supplied to 4
Can be. This greatly increases the amount of humidifying water for oxidizing gas.
There is an advantage of being reduced. On the other hand, the fuel gas flows from the fuel gas outlet 68
A low-concentration fuel gas (ie,
While the humidification water volume is kept constant, the fuel gas is
Gas is consumed and fuel gas with a substantially reduced concentration) is supplied.
While being supplied from the low humidified fuel gas supply port 69.
Low humidified unused fuel gas is supplied to the fuel gas mixing channel 94
Is done. For this reason, in the fuel gas mixing channel 94,
As in the case of the oxidizing gas mixing channel 92, the humidified fuel gas
The turbulent flow of the guide section 98 and the low humidified unused fuel gas
And after uniform mixing under the action of mixing, the fuel gas inlet 4
6 to the second sub-stack 14. Thus, in the first embodiment, the fuel cell
When we try to reduce the amount of humidification water for the pond stack 10 as a whole
The second sub-stack 14 on the downstream side (further downstream)
For the third sub-stack 16),
Ensures stable supply of oxidizing gas and fuel gas
Can be FIG. 6 shows a fuel supply system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the fuel cell stack 100. What
The same as the fuel cell stack 10 according to the first embodiment
The same reference numerals are given to the components of
Description is omitted. The fuel cell stack 100 includes first to third fuel cells.
Intermediate plate 1 between substacks 12, 14 and 16
02a and 102b. First to third
Cell assemblies constituting substacks 12, 14 and 16
The assembly 104 is laminated in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG.
A plurality of unit cells 106 to be provided. Each unit cell 10
Reference numeral 6 denotes a joint 108 and a cell holding the joint 108 therebetween.
And a parator 110. The length of the joined body 108 and the separator 110
One end edge on the side (direction of arrow C)
To the fuel gas inlet 46, the cooling medium outlet 48,
A wet oxidant gas supply port 65 and an oxidant gas outlet 64 are provided.
Be killed. Long side of joined body 108 and separator 110
The other end of the oxidizing agent communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A.
Gas inlet 56, cooling medium inlet 66, low humidified fuel gas supply
A port 69 and a fuel gas outlet 68 are provided. As shown in FIG. 8, the intermediate plate 102
a, 102b, the oxidant gas outlet 6
4 and low humidification oxidant gas supply port 65 and oxidant gas inlet 56
And an oxidizing gas mixing channel 114 that communicates with
The oxidant gas mixing channel 114 is provided in the intermediate plate 102.
a, 102b extending diagonally along one surface 112
And a guide section 116
Provided. The guide part 116 is composed of a plurality of rib parts.
The length, position, direction and spacing of each rib
By setting, the low humidification oxidant gas supply port 65
Unused oxidation supplied to the oxidizing gas mixing channel 114
The oxidizing gas is mixed with the oxidizing gas through the oxidizing gas outlet 64.
Uniformly mixed with the used oxidant gas supplied to the flow path 114
It has a function to match. The other of the intermediate plates 102a and 102b
Surface 118 has a fuel gas outlet 68 and a low humidified fuel gas supply.
Fuel gas mixture flowing between the fuel inlet 69 and the fuel gas inlet 46
A road 120 is provided. This fuel gas mixing channel 120
Is provided with a guide portion 122, and the guide portion 122 is provided.
The length, position, direction, interval, etc. of each rib part
The fuel gas is set from the low humidified fuel gas supply port 69
Unused fuel gas supplied to the mixing channel 120 is
Uniformly with used fuel gas supplied from gas outlet 68
Has the function of mixing. In the second embodiment configured as described above,
Oxidizer gas, fuel gas and
When the cooling water is supplied, as shown in FIG.
Agent gas is introduced into the oxidizing gas channel 74 of the separator 110
To the cathode-side electrode 34a constituting the joined body 108.
Move along. On the other hand, the fuel gas is supplied to the separator 110
To form a joined body 108
Move along the anode electrode 36a. Therefore, each
In the joined body 108, the cathode 108 is supplied to the cathode 34a.
Oxidant gas and fuel supplied to the anode 36a
Gas is consumed by the electrochemical reaction in the catalyst electrode,
Power generation is performed. As described above, each unit cell 106 consumes
Oxidizer gas and fuel gas
The exhaust gas is discharged to the outlet 64 and the fuel gas outlet 68,
Intermediate plate 1 located downstream of stack 12
02a. In the intermediate plate 102a, one of
At the surface 112, the oxidant gas mixture
When the oxidizing gas in the humidified state is supplied to the merge channel 114,
In addition, low humidifier unused port from low humidifier oxidant gas supply port 65
An oxidizing gas is introduced into the oxidizing gas mixing channel 114.
You. At this time, the oxidizing gas mixing channel 114 is
It is elongated in the diagonal direction within the surface 112 of the intermediate plate 102a.
As well as a plurality of
The length, position direction and spacing of the ribs are set.
You. Therefore, the processing gas supplied to the oxidizing gas
The oxidizing gas in a wet state and the unused oxidizing gas with low humidification are
After mixing thoroughly and uniformly, the second sub-stack 14
An oxidant gas inlet 56 is supplied. On the other hand, the other surface 1 of the intermediate plate 102a
At 18, the fuel gas outlet 68 is connected to the fuel gas mixing passage 12.
Low fuel gas is supplied at low
From the feed gas supply port 69 to the fuel gas mixing channel 120.
A humidified unused fuel gas is supplied. For this reason, fuel
In the mixing channel 120, the oxidizing gas mixing channel 11
As in 4, humidified fuel gas and low humidified unused fuel
The gas is uniform under the turbulence and mixing action of the guide section 122
After being mixed into the fuel gas inlet of the second sub-stack 14.
46. Thus, in the second embodiment, the oxidizing agent
Gas and fuel gas are supplied to the intermediate plates 102a, 102
b and the second and third sub-stacks 14 and 16
Supplied to the oxidant gas inlet 56 and the fuel gas inlet 46
Therefore, the first to third sub-stacks 12, 14 and
16, using the same separator 110
Can be. Therefore, the versatility is improved in the second embodiment.
And economical because production costs are effectively reduced
For example, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. FIG. 9 shows a fuel supply system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of a fuel cell stack 140. What
Note that the fuel cell stack according to the first and second embodiments
The same components as those in 10 and 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
The detailed description is omitted. The fuel cell stack 140 includes first to third fuel cells.
Intermediate interposed between substacks 12, 14 and 16
Plates 142a and 142b are provided. First to third services
Each cell assembly constituting bus stacks 12, 14 and 16
The assembly 144 includes a plurality of unit cells as shown in FIG.
146 in the direction of arrow A.
The unit cell 146 includes the joined body 148 and the separator 150.
Prepare. The length of the joint 148 and the separator 150
One edge on the side (direction of arrow C)
(In the direction of arrow A) and the fuel gas inlet 46 and the acid
Oxidizer gas outlet 64 is provided, and
Oxidant gas inlet 56 and fuel gas outlet 68
Is provided. The lower edge of the joined body 148 and the separator 150
The part is provided with a cooling medium inlet 66 in the center part.
Then, a low humidifying oxidizing gas is supplied near the oxidizing gas outlet 64.
The port 65 has a low humidified fuel gas supply near the fuel gas outlet 68.
Supply ports 69 are provided, respectively. Joint 148 and Sepa
In the center of the upper edge of the radiator 150, a cooling medium outlet 48 is provided.
Provided. As shown in FIG. 11, the intermediate plate 142
a, 142b are oxidant gas mixing channels on one surface 112;
114 is provided, and the fuel gas is
A mixing channel 120 is provided. In the third embodiment configured as described above,
Is the same as the fuel cell stack 100 according to the second embodiment.
Oxidant gas discharged from the first sub-stack 12
Is an oxidizing agent on one surface 112 side of the intermediate plate 102a.
The oxidizing agent is supplied to the gas
From the low humidification oxidant gas supply port 65 to the gas mixing channel 114
A low humidified oxidant gas is supplied. For this reason,
The oxidizing gas in a wet state and the unused oxidizing gas with low humidification are
After being uniformly mixed in the oxidizing gas mixing channel 114, the second
The oxidant gas inlet 56 of the sub-stack 14 is supplied. On the other hand, the other surface 1 of the intermediate plate 142a
At 18, the fuel gas outlet 68 is connected to the fuel gas mixing passage 12.
Low fuel gas is supplied at low
From the feed gas supply port 69 to the fuel gas mixing channel 120.
A humidified unused fuel gas is supplied. Therefore, low concentration
Fuel gas and low humidified unused fuel gas
After being uniformly mixed in the channel 120, the second sub-stack 1
4 is supplied to the fuel gas inlet 46. As a result, in the third embodiment, the first
The third sub-stacks 12, 14 and 16 are made of the same component
The cost can be reduced effectively and the economy is reduced
And the like, as in the first and second embodiments.
The effect is obtained. In the first to third embodiments, each cell is
Assemblies 20, 104, and 144 have the long side horizontal
It is configured as a horizontal type that is placed in the direction
It is composed of a vertical type with the long side oriented vertically.
Is also good. In the fuel cell stack according to the present invention,
It is discharged to the reaction gas outlet side communication passage of the sub stack on the flow side.
Reactant gas passes through the flow path of the intermediate plate and
Since it is supplied to the reaction gas inlet side communication passage of the bus stack,
In each sub-stack, the reaction gas
After being supplied from the passage, discharged from the reaction gas outlet side communication passage
Is done. This makes it the same for all substacks
Can be used for different types of
There is no need to prepare a separator, which is economical.
You.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a fuel cell stack according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a cell assembly constituting the fuel cell stack. FIG. 3 is a partially sectional explanatory view of the cell assembly. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the cell assembly. FIG. 5 is a front view of an intermediate plate constituting the fuel cell stack. FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating a fuel cell stack according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a flow of the fuel cell stack. FIG. 8 is a front view of an intermediate plate constituting the fuel cell stack. FIG. 9 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating a fuel cell stack according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a flow of the fuel cell stack. FIG. 11 is a front view of an intermediate plate constituting the fuel cell stack. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a fuel cell block according to a conventional technique. [Description of Signs] 10, 100, 140 ... fuel cell stacks 12, 14, 16 ... sub-stacks 18a, 18b, 102a, 102b, 142a, 14
2b Intermediate plates 20, 104, 144 Cell assemblies 24, 26, 106, 146 Unit cells 28, 30, 108, 148 Joints 32a, 32b
... Electrolyte membranes 34a and 34b ... Cathode side electrodes 36a and 36b
... Anode electrodes 38,40,42,110,150 ... Separator 46 ... Fuel gas inlet 56 ... Oxidizing gas inlet 64 ... Oxidizing gas outlet 65 ... Low humidifying oxidizing gas supply port 68 ... Fuel gas outlet 69 ... Low humidifying Fuel gas supply ports 74, 80 ... Oxidizing gas flow paths 78, 82 ... Fuel gas flow paths 92, 114 ... Oxidizing gas mixing flow paths 94, 120 ...
Fuel gas mixing passages 96, 98, 116, 122 ... guide section

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (72) Inventor Hideaki Kikuchi             1-4-1 Chuo, Wako-shi, Saitama Stock Association             Inside the Honda Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Narutoshi Sugita             1-4-1 Chuo, Wako-shi, Saitama Stock Association             Inside the Honda Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Ichiro Baba             1-4-1 Chuo, Wako-shi, Saitama Stock Association             Inside the Honda Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Ken Takahashi             1-4-1 Chuo, Wako-shi, Saitama Stock Association             Inside the Honda Research Laboratory F-term (reference) 5H026 AA06 CC03 CC08 CC10

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. An electrolyte-electrode assembly comprising an electrolyte sandwiched between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, comprising a plurality of sub-stacks with a separator interposed therebetween. A fuel cell stack configured by stacking a plurality of sub-stacks with an intermediate plate interposed therebetween, wherein the sub-stack is disposed on a surface of the intermediate plate on an upstream side in a reaction gas supply direction. A fuel cell stack, wherein a flow path is provided which communicates the reaction gas outlet side communication passage with the reaction gas inlet side communication passage of the sub-stack disposed downstream of the reaction gas supply direction.