JP2003346836A - Direct methanol fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a direct methanol fuel cell system efficiently drivable in a stable state for a long period. <P>SOLUTION: This fuel cell system comprises an electromotive part for generating an electromotive force through a chemical reaction by making methanol solution as fuel flow to an anode flow passage 109 provided on one surface side of an electrolyte membrane 105 and air as oxidizer to a cathode flow passage 115 provided on the other surface side, a methanol solution container 110 storing the methanol solution fed to the anode side of the electromotive part, a fuel pipe 126 leading the methanol solution passed through the anode flow passage again to the methanol solution container, and an exhaust pipe 127 leading exhaust gas exhausted through the cathode flow passage to the methanol solution container. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power generator for a direct methanol fuel cell capable of driving an electronic device such as a small portable device which has conventionally used a battery as a driving power source.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, fuel cells are expected to be used as power sources for portable electronic devices that support the information society or as power sources for dealing with air pollution and global warming.

[0003] Among the fuel cells, a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), which generates power by directly extracting protons from methanol, does not require a reformer and requires a small fuel volume. Application to electronic equipment is also considered, and expectations for application to various fields are increasing.

[0004] Even in this type of fuel cell, it is important to use fuel efficiently in order to make the system as small as possible. Therefore, in DMFC, the methanol aqueous solution supplied and used does not disappear at all,
Paying attention to the fact that a part thereof remains, it has been considered to use this aqueous solution again as fuel.

However, if the methanol aqueous solution used in the DMFC is simply returned to the fuel tank, a large amount of water is generated by the electromotive reaction, so that the concentration of the methanol aqueous solution becomes thin and the electromotive efficiency decreases. Resulting in. In addition, some measure is required for the treatment of a large amount of the aqueous methanol solution to be recovered, and even if this large amount of water can be discarded, it is used in the process of generating an electric power of the DMFC. Therefore, it has heat and wastes heat, which is not efficient as a power generation device.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a direct methanol fuel cell system which can be operated efficiently and stably for a long time. With the goal.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a methanol aqueous solution is supplied as a fuel to an anode flow channel provided on one side of an electrolyte membrane, An electromotive section that causes air as an oxidant to flow through a cathode channel provided on the surface side of the
A methanol aqueous solution container for storing the methanol aqueous solution to be supplied to the anode side of the electromotive unit, a fuel flow channel for guiding the methanol aqueous solution passed through the anode flow channel to the methanol aqueous solution again, and a methanol flow channel passing through the cathode flow channel And an exhaust passage for guiding exhaust gas discharged through the methanol aqueous solution container to the methanol aqueous solution container.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, an aqueous methanol solution is flown as a fuel into the anode flow path provided on one side of the electrolyte membrane, and the oxidant is passed through the cathode flow path provided on the other side. An electromotive section that causes air to flow to generate an electromotive force by a chemical reaction, and a methanol aqueous solution container that stores the methanol aqueous solution to be supplied to the anode side of the electromotive section unit,
An air supply channel for guiding air to the cathode channel, a fuel channel for guiding the aqueous methanol solution passing through the anode channel to the aqueous methanol solution container, and an exhaust gas discharged through the cathode channel for the aqueous methanol solution. A direct-type methanol fuel cell system, comprising: an exhaust passage leading to a container, wherein the air supply passage is provided near the exhaust passage or the fuel passage.

According to claim 3 of the present invention, the electrolyte membrane, the anode provided on one side of the electrolyte membrane, the cathode provided on the other side of the electrolyte membrane, and the anode An electromotive section having an anode flow path provided opposite to flow a methanol aqueous solution as a fuel, a cathode flow path provided opposite the cathode electrode and flowing air as an oxidant, and a methanol aqueous solution supplied to the anode flow path A methanol aqueous solution container for storing the methanol aqueous solution, a liquid sending mechanism for supplying the methanol aqueous solution in the methanol aqueous solution container to the anode flow path, a fuel flow path for guiding the methanol aqueous solution passing through the anode flow path to the methanol aqueous solution container,
An air supply channel that guides air to the cathode channel, an air supply mechanism that supplies air to the cathode channel by the air channel, and an exhaust flow that guides exhaust gas passing through the cathode channel to the methanol aqueous solution container. And a direct methanol fuel cell system characterized by having a path.

According to claim 4 of the present invention, the electrolyte membrane, the anode provided on one side of the electrolyte membrane, the cathode provided on the other side of the electrolyte membrane, and the anode An electromotive section having an anode flow path provided opposite to flow a methanol aqueous solution as a fuel, a cathode flow path provided opposite the cathode electrode and flowing air as an oxidant, and a methanol aqueous solution supplied to the anode flow path A methanol aqueous solution container for storing the methanol aqueous solution, a liquid sending mechanism for supplying the methanol aqueous solution in the methanol aqueous solution container to the anode flow path, a fuel flow path for guiding the methanol aqueous solution passing through the anode flow path to the methanol aqueous solution container,
An air supply channel that guides air to the cathode channel, an air supply mechanism that supplies air to the cathode channel by the air channel, and an exhaust flow that guides exhaust gas passing through the cathode channel to the methanol aqueous solution container. And a direct-type methanol fuel cell system, wherein the air supply flow path is provided adjacent to the exhaust flow path.

According to claim 5 of the present invention, the electrolyte membrane, the anode provided on one side of the electrolyte membrane, the cathode provided on the other side of the electrolyte membrane, and the anode An electromotive section having an anode flow path provided opposite to flow a methanol aqueous solution as a fuel, a cathode flow path provided opposite the cathode electrode and flowing air as an oxidant, and a methanol aqueous solution supplied to the anode flow path A methanol aqueous solution container for storing the methanol aqueous solution, a liquid sending mechanism for supplying the methanol aqueous solution in the methanol aqueous solution container to the anode flow path, a fuel flow path for guiding the methanol aqueous solution passing through the anode flow path to the methanol aqueous solution container,
An air supply passage provided in proximity to the fuel flow passage, for guiding air to the cathode flow passage, an air supply mechanism for supplying air to the cathode flow passage by the air supply flow passage, and passing through the cathode flow passage. An exhaust flow path for guiding exhaust gas to the methanol aqueous solution container is provided.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing embodiments of the present invention, the principle of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified configuration of the battery system of the present invention. In this figure, this battery system is a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC)
A stack 11 (details will be described later), a mixing tank 12 for storing a methanol aqueous solution necessary for a chemical reaction of power generation in the DMFC stack, and a methanol aqueous solution in the mixing tank 12, that is, a mixed solution of methanol and water, Liquid feed pump 13 leading to fuel supply port 11a
And an air supply pump 15 for guiding an oxidant, that is, external air, to an oxidant supply port 11b of the DMFC stack 11 through an air supply pipe 14, and a methanol aqueous solution discharged from a fuel outlet 11c of the DMFC stack 11. The fuel pipe 16 returning to the mixing tank 12 and the DMFC stack 11
An exhaust pipe 17 for returning mixed gas such as air discharged from the oxidizing agent discharge port 11d to the mixing tank 12, and a fuel cartridge 18 for replenishing the mixing tank 12 with methanol.

The DMFC stack 11 is a portion that generates power by a chemical reaction in a direct methanol fuel cell, and is supplied with a methanol aqueous solution as a fuel from a fuel supply port 11a. Air serving as an oxidizing agent is supplied to 11b. At this time, power is generated in the DMFC stack 11, but at the same time, reaction heat is generated by a chemical reaction. And D
The aqueous methanol solution remaining through an anode flow path of the MFC stack 11 described later and carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) generated by the reaction are sent to the mixing tank 12 through the fuel pipe 16 together with heat. On the other hand, air, water (H ₂ O), and heat remaining through a cathode flow channel of the DMFC stack 11 which will be described later are also sent to the mixing tank 12 through the exhaust pipe 17. Since this water has heat, it is partially in the form of water vapor.

Thus, the fuel returned to the mixing tank 12
Both feed and water have heat, so some of the water is
Gas, the gas-liquid provided at the top of the mixing tank
Separated by a separating member (not shown)
By fan 19 ₂And exhaust with air
Is done. Therefore, much water remains in the mixing tank 12.
No. At this time, a heated aqueous methanol solution and
And the mixed gas are collected in the mixing tank 12,
DMFC stack 1 by liquid feed pump 13
The aqueous methanol solution supplied to 1 also has considerable heat.
For the generation of electric power in the DMFC stack 11
It will accelerate the chemical reaction.

The water sent from the oxidizing agent discharge port of the DMFC stack 11 to the mixing tank 12 partially evaporates as steam in the mixing tank 12 as described above, but still remains as water. The aqueous solution may become thin. In such a case, methanol is supplied to the mixing tank 12 by the fuel cartridge 18 containing methanol, so that the concentration of the aqueous methanol solution can be prevented from becoming too low. Further, when the aqueous methanol solution and the exhaust gas are returned from the DMFC stack 11 to the mixing tank 12, the internal pressure may become too higher than the atmospheric pressure. In such a case, an internal pressure adjusting device (not shown) may be provided in the mixing tank 12 near the gas-liquid separation member.

As described above, in the present invention, the temperature of the aqueous methanol solution consumed for power generation can be raised more than usual by recovering the heat of reaction with the DMFC stack and exchanging heat without using the mixing tank. Efficient power generation can be performed.

The air supplied from the outside to the DMFC stack 11 by the air supply pump 15 is usually at room temperature, but if the temperature is too high, the chemical reaction for power generation can be enhanced.

Therefore, in the present invention, the methanol flowing through the fuel pipe 16 or the exhaust pipe 17 is brought close to the fuel pipe 16 or the exhaust pipe 17 by sending the air supply pipe 14 for sending air to the oxidant supply port 11 b of the DMFC stack 11. The heat of the aqueous solution, the air, and the like can increase the temperature of the air supply pipe 14, and thus, the air flowing through the pipe, thereby increasing the temperature of the oxidant (air) supplied to the DMFC stack 11.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a direct methanol fuel cell system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The electromotive section of the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) electromotive device 100 includes an anode current collector 101 and an anode catalyst layer 10.
2; a cathode including the cathode current collector 103 and the cathode catalyst layer 104; and an electrolyte membrane 105 disposed between the anode and the cathode. The anode flow path plate 106 is disposed on the anode current collector 101 side, and has an anode flow path 109 having a meandering groove shape and having a methanol supply port 107 and a methanol discharge port 108 at both ends. The aqueous methanol solution container 110 containing the aqueous methanol solution is provided
1 is connected to the methanol supply port 107 of the anode flow path plate 106. Although not shown, the electromotive device 100 is heated by a heater.

On the other hand, the cathode flow channel plate 112 is provided on the cathode current collector 103 side of the electromotive device 100, and has a meandering groove shape and an oxidant supply port 113 and an oxidant discharge port at both ends. A cathode channel 115 having 114 is formed. An air supply pump 116 is connected to the oxidant supply port 113, and sends an oxidant such as air from the outside to the oxidant supply port 113.

In the DMFC battery system having the above-described structure, the fuel supply methanol and air, which is an oxidizing agent, are activated by operating the liquid supply pump 111 and the air supply pump 116 with the auxiliary battery.
And power is generated. Although FIG. 2 shows only one layer of the DMFC electromotive section, in practice, a plurality of layers are often provided to increase the voltage.

A methanol aqueous solution having a predetermined concentration is supplied from a methanol aqueous solution container 110 to a methanol supply port 107 of an anode channel plate 106 by a liquid sending pump 111.
The gas flows through the groove of the flow path plate, that is, the anode flow path 109. The convex portion of the anode channel plate 106 is in contact with the anode current collector 101 such as anode carbon paper,
When the aqueous methanol solution flowing through the anode flow channel 109 permeates the anode current collector 101, the aqueous methanol solution is supplied to the anode catalyst layer 102. However, all of the supplied aqueous methanol solution is the anode current collector 10.
1, the remaining aqueous methanol solution is discharged from the methanol outlet 108, and the fuel pipe 12
6 and returned to the aqueous methanol solution container 110.

The aqueous methanol solution returned to the aqueous methanol solution container 110 has heat due to the power generation reaction, and carbon dioxide gas generated by the reaction is also put into the aqueous methanol solution container 110.

On the other hand, the air taken in from the oxidant supply port 113 by the air supply pump 116 through the air supply pipe 124 flows through the groove of the cathode channel plate 112, that is, the cathode channel 115, and Soak into 104. The remaining air is discharged from the oxidizing agent discharge port 114, and the methanol aqueous solution container 1 is discharged through an exhaust pipe 127.
Put in 10. At this time, water generated by the power generation reaction and water vapor gasified by the heat of the reaction are also put into the aqueous methanol solution container 110.

As the electrolyte membrane 105, for example, a Nafion membrane having high proton conductivity is used. As a catalyst used for the anode catalyst layer 102, for example, PtRu with little poisoning is used, and as a catalyst used for the cathode catalyst layer, for example, Pt is used.

In the direct methanol fuel cell power generation device having such a structure, an aqueous methanol solution is supplied to the anode catalyst layer 102 to generate protons (protons) by a catalytic reaction, and the generated protons pass through the electrolyte membrane 105 to form a cathode. By reacting with oxygen supplied to the catalyst layer 104 on the catalyst, electromotive force is generated.

The methanol concentration of the anode catalyst layer 102 changes depending on its thickness, and the concentration decreases as the thickness decreases. From the maximum output density of the power generation, it was found that the methanol concentration was preferably about 0.5 M, and therefore, it was found that the thickness of the anode catalyst layer 102 was desirably 40 μm or more, preferably 40 to 150 μm. Further, by setting the porosity (Nafion content ε) of the anode catalyst layer 102 to 0.4 to 0.7, a high diffusion rate of the methanol aqueous solution can be obtained.

A fuel cartridge 128 containing methanol can be connected to the aqueous methanol solution container 110. When the methanol concentration in the aqueous methanol solution container 110 becomes low, the fuel cartridge 128
And supply methanol. A gas-liquid separation member 129 is provided above the methanol aqueous solution container 110, and the methanol aqueous solution container
The air and water sent to 10 are discharged to the outside as steam. The carbon dioxide gas sent to the methanol aqueous solution container by the fuel pipe 126 is discharged to the outside. In addition, a pressure regulating valve 130 is provided outwardly near the gas-liquid separation member 129 in case the internal pressure of the methanol aqueous solution container becomes high.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, the DMFC
The remaining aqueous methanol solution and air used for power generation in the electromotive unit have heat and are returned to the methanol aqueous solution container together with the carbon dioxide gas and water (steam) generated during the electromotive force, so that they are again supplied to the DMFC electromotive unit. The temperature of the aqueous methanol solution can be raised, and an efficient DMFC system can be obtained. Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment in which air supplied as an oxidizing agent to a DMFC is heated by an aqueous methanol solution flowing through a fuel pipe will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of this embodiment. In this figure, the same members and the like as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Air supply pump 134, fuel pipe 136, and exhaust pipe 13
7 is an air supply pump 124 and a fuel pipe 12 shown in FIG.
6 and the exhaust pipe 127.

In FIG. 3, air taken in from outside air is supplied to an oxidizing agent supply port 113 of a cathode flow path 115 through an air supply pipe by an air supply pump 116. It is provided in contact with an exhaust pipe 137 for sending air or the like from the outlet port 114 to the aqueous methanol solution container 110. Further, an internal pressure adjusting device 131 is provided in the methanol aqueous solution container 110 so that the gas-liquid separating member 1 is provided.
29, which prevents the pressure in the container from increasing.

A liquid supply pump 1 is driven by an auxiliary power supply (not shown).
11 and the air supply pump 116 are started, and the aqueous methanol solution is supplied from the aqueous methanol solution container 110 to the anode flow channel plate 1.
06, and the outside air is supplied to the oxidant supply port 113 of the cathode channel plate by the air supply pipe 124 to generate electricity. The aqueous methanol solution passed through the anode flow channel plate 106 is supplied to the fuel pipe 136.
Is returned from the methanol discharge port 108 to the methanol aqueous solution container 110 via the On the other hand, the air, water, and water vapor discharged from the oxidizing agent discharge port 114 of the cathode channel plate 112 are put into the aqueous methanol solution container 110 through the exhaust pipe 137.

The aqueous methanol solution and the carbon dioxide gas returned to the aqueous methanol solution container by the fuel pipe 136 have heat, and the air, water, and water vapor put into the aqueous methanol solution container 110 by the exhaust pipe 137 also have heat. The temperature of the aqueous methanol solution supplied to the anode flow channel plate 106 by the liquid feed pump 111 can be increased. This is the same as in the first embodiment.
Further, air supplied to the aqueous methanol solution container 110,
The water vapor and carbon dioxide are discharged from the gas-liquid separation member 129 to the outside, and the increase in the pressure inside the container is caused by the internal pressure adjusting device 13.
1 prevents it.

In this embodiment, the exhaust pipe 127 is not heated when the DMFC starts operating.
When the electromotive force proceeds, the exhaust gas (air, water, water vapor) passing through the exhaust pipe 127 has heat.
27 is also warmed.

Therefore, the air supply pipe 134 provided in contact with the exhaust pipe 127 is also heated, and the air passing through this pipe also has heat, and as a result, the oxidant supply of the cathode flow path plate 112 The air supplied to the port 113 will be warmed.

As described above, according to this embodiment of the present invention, the supplied air is also warmed, so that the chemical reaction in the electromotive section of the DMFC is facilitated, and the efficiency is further improved as compared with the first embodiment. Can be raised. <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment in which air supplied as an oxidizing agent to a DMFC is heated by an aqueous methanol solution flowing through a fuel pipe will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of this embodiment, in which the same members and the like as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The air supply pump 144, the fuel pipe 146, and the exhaust pipe 147 correspond to the air supply pump 124, the fuel pipe 126, and the exhaust pipe 127 in FIG.

In FIG. 4, air taken in from outside air is supplied to the oxidant supply port 113 of the cathode channel 115 through an air supply pipe 144 by an air supply pump 116. Methanol outlet 1
From 08, a methanol aqueous solution and carbon dioxide gas are provided in contact with a fuel pipe 146 for sending the methanol aqueous solution container 110. Further, an internal pressure adjusting device 131 is provided in the methanol aqueous solution container 110 to prevent the pressure in the container from increasing.

A liquid supply pump 1 is driven by an auxiliary power supply (not shown).
11 and the air supply pump 116 are started, and the aqueous methanol solution is supplied from the aqueous methanol solution container 110 to the anode flow channel plate 1.
06 is supplied to the methanol supply port 107, and outside air is supplied to the oxidant supply port 113 of the cathode channel plate by the air supply pipe 144, thereby generating electricity. The aqueous methanol solution and carbon dioxide gas passed through the anode flow path plate 106 are returned to the aqueous methanol solution container 110 from the methanol outlet 108 via the fuel pipe 146. On the other hand, the air, water, and steam discharged from the oxidizing agent discharge port 114 of the cathode channel plate 112 are put into the aqueous methanol solution container 110 through the exhaust pipe 147.

The aqueous methanol solution and the carbon dioxide gas returned to the aqueous methanol solution container by the fuel pipe 146 have heat, and the air, water, and steam put into the aqueous methanol solution container 110 by the exhaust pipe 147 also have heat. The temperature of the aqueous methanol solution supplied to the anode channel plate 106 by the liquid sending pump 111 can be increased. This is the same as in the first embodiment.
Further, air supplied to the aqueous methanol solution container 110,
The water vapor and carbon dioxide are discharged from the gas-liquid separation member 129 to the outside, and the increase in the pressure inside the container is caused by the internal pressure adjusting device 13.
1 prevents it.

In this embodiment, the fuel pipe 146 is not heated at the time when the DMFC starts operating.
As the power generation proceeds, the methanol aqueous solution and the carbon dioxide gas passing through the fuel pipe 146 have heat.
46 is also warmed.

Therefore, the air supply pipe 144 provided in contact with the fuel pipe 146 is also heated, and the air passing through this pipe also has heat. The air supplied to 107 will be warmed.

As described above, according to this embodiment of the present invention, since the air supplied to the DMFC generator is also warmed, the chemical reaction in the DMFC generator is facilitated,
It is possible to further increase the efficiency compared to the first embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the fan 19 shown in FIG. 1 is not provided, but the fan 19 is provided to forcibly remove humid air (air + water vapor). If discharged to the outside, dew condensation in the methanol aqueous solution container can be prevented, and there is an effect of preventing adverse effects on the electronic circuit.

Further, if the above-described fan is provided so that carbon dioxide gas or the like is sucked into the outside air without being sucked and put into the outside air, it is possible to prevent adverse effects due to release into the atmosphere.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the internal pressure adjusting device is provided. However, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a simple valve 130 is provided to increase the internal pressure of the methanol aqueous solution container. This can be easily prevented. Conversely, in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the internal pressure adjusting device shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 can be provided to prevent the internal pressure from increasing.

By providing the internal pressure adjusting device as in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to prevent the pressure in the methanol aqueous solution container from becoming higher than the atmospheric pressure and preventing the liquid feed pump from operating.

In the first and second embodiments, the air supply pipe is provided in contact with the exhaust pipe or the fuel pipe. However, the air supply pipe may be provided in contact with the fuel pipe together with the exhaust pipe. Further, even if the exhaust or fuel pipes are not placed in contact with each other, the effects of the present invention can be obtained if they are installed close enough to transmit heat of these pipes to the air supply pipe. Further, it is desirable that the pipe material used as the air supply pipe, the exhaust pipe, and the fuel pipe in the present invention has good heat conductivity.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the above-mentioned pipe is provided as an independent pipe. However, the pipes provided in close proximity to conduct heat are not independent, for example, two plates
In general, two channels may be provided so close to each other that heat can be transmitted, for example, two channels are formed by providing and combining two grooves.

The fuel cartridge for replenishing methanol may not be directly attached to and detached from the methanol aqueous solution container, but a pipe may be attached to this container, and the fuel cartridge may be attached and detached via this pipe.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a direct methanol fuel cell system which can be driven efficiently and stably for a long time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... DMFC stack, 11a: fuel supply port, 11b: oxidant supply port, 12 ... mixing tank, 13, 111 ... liquid sending pump, 14, 124, 134, 144 ... air supply pipe, 15, 116 ... air supply pump, 16, 126, 136, 146 ... fuel pipe, 17, 127, 137, 147 ... exhaust pipe, 18, 128 ... fuel cartridge, 19 ... fans, 100 ... DMFC electromotive device, 101 ... anode current collector, 102 ... Anode catalyst layer 103 ... cathode current collector, 104 ・ ・ ・ Cathode catalyst layer 105 ... electrolyte membrane, 106 ・ ・ ・ Anode channel plate 107: methanol supply port, 108 ... methanol outlet, 109 ・ ・ ・ Anode channel, 110 ・ ・ ・ Methanol aqueous solution container, 112 ・ ・ ・ Cathode channel plate, 113 ... oxidant supply port, 114 ・ ・ ・ Oxidant outlet 115 ... cathode flow path, 116 ... air supply pump, 129 ... gas-liquid separation member, 130 ... pressure regulating valve, 131 ... internal pressure adjusting device.

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (72) Inventor Nobuo Shibuya             No. 1 Komukai Toshiba-cho, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa             Toshiba R & D Center (72) Inventor Hirotaka Sakai             1-9-9 Hara-cho, Fukaya-shi, Saitama 2 shares             Toshiba Fukaya Factory F term (reference) 5H026 AA08 CC03 CX05

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An aqueous methanol solution as a fuel flows through an anode flow path provided on one side of an electrolyte membrane, and air flows as an oxidant through a cathode flow path provided on the other side of the electrolyte membrane. An electromotive unit, a methanol aqueous solution container for storing the methanol aqueous solution to be supplied to the anode side of the electromotive unit unit, and a fuel flow channel for guiding the methanol aqueous solution that has passed through the anode flow channel to the methanol aqueous solution container again, An exhaust passage for guiding exhaust gas discharged through the cathode passage to the methanol aqueous solution container. 2. An aqueous solution of methanol is flown as a fuel through an anode flow path provided on one side of the electrolyte membrane, and air is flowed as an oxidant through a cathode flow path provided on the other side of the electrolyte membrane. A methanol aqueous solution container for storing the aqueous methanol solution to be supplied to the anode side of each of the electromotive portions; an air supply channel for guiding air to the cathode channel; and a methanol aqueous solution passing through the anode channel. A fuel flow path that guides the exhaust gas discharged through the cathode flow path to the methanol aqueous solution container, and a fuel flow path that guides the exhaust gas discharged through the cathode flow path to the methanol aqueous solution container. A direct methanol fuel cell system, which is provided near a fuel flow path. 3. An electrolyte membrane, an anode provided on one side of the electrolyte membrane, a cathode provided on the other side of the electrolyte membrane, and methanol as a fuel provided opposite the anode. An electromotive section having an anode flow path for flowing an aqueous solution, a cathode flow path provided to face the cathode electrode and flowing air as an oxidant, and a methanol aqueous solution container for storing a methanol aqueous solution to be supplied to the anode flow path. A liquid feed mechanism for supplying the aqueous methanol solution in the aqueous methanol solution container to the anode flow path; a fuel flow path for guiding the aqueous methanol solution that has passed through the anode flow path to the aqueous methanol solution vessel; An air passage, an air supply mechanism for supplying air to the cathode passage through the air passage, and an exhaust gas passing through the cathode passage. A direct methanol fuel cell system having an exhaust passage leading to the methanol aqueous solution container. 4. An electrolyte membrane, an anode provided on one side of the electrolyte membrane, a cathode provided on the other side of the electrolyte membrane, and methanol as a fuel provided opposite the anode. An electromotive section having an anode flow path for flowing an aqueous solution, a cathode flow path provided to face the cathode electrode and flowing air as an oxidant, and a methanol aqueous solution container for storing a methanol aqueous solution to be supplied to the anode flow path. A liquid feed mechanism for supplying the aqueous methanol solution in the aqueous methanol solution container to the anode flow path; a fuel flow path for guiding the aqueous methanol solution that has passed through the anode flow path to the aqueous methanol solution vessel; An air passage, an air supply mechanism for supplying air to the cathode passage through the air supply passage, and an exhaust gas passing through the cathode passage. An exhaust passage leading to the methanol aqueous solution container, wherein the air supply passage is provided close to the exhaust passage. 5. An electrolyte membrane, an anode provided on one side of the electrolyte membrane, a cathode provided on the other side of the electrolyte membrane, and methanol as a fuel provided opposite the anode. An electromotive section having an anode flow path for flowing an aqueous solution, a cathode flow path provided to face the cathode electrode and flowing air as an oxidant, and a methanol aqueous solution container for storing a methanol aqueous solution to be supplied to the anode flow path. A liquid sending mechanism that supplies the aqueous methanol solution in the aqueous methanol solution container to the anode flow path; a fuel flow path that guides the aqueous methanol solution that has passed through the anode flow path to the aqueous methanol solution container; An air supply channel that guides air to the cathode channel; an air supply mechanism that supplies air to the cathode channel by the air channel; A direct-type methanol fuel cell system, comprising: an exhaust channel for guiding exhaust gas passing through a cathode channel to the methanol aqueous solution container. 6. The direct methanol fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the methanol aqueous solution container has a gas-liquid separation member capable of discharging gas to the outside. 7. The direct methanol according to claim 1, wherein the methanol aqueous solution container has a structure in which a fuel cartridge capable of supplying methanol can be attached to and detached from the methanol aqueous solution container. Fuel cell system. 8. The direct methanol fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising an internal pressure adjusting device capable of adjusting the internal pressure of the methanol aqueous solution container.