JP2004335444A - Fuel cell control method - Google Patents

Fuel cell control method Download PDF

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JP2004335444A
JP2004335444A JP2004005107A JP2004005107A JP2004335444A JP 2004335444 A JP2004335444 A JP 2004335444A JP 2004005107 A JP2004005107 A JP 2004005107A JP 2004005107 A JP2004005107 A JP 2004005107A JP 2004335444 A JP2004335444 A JP 2004335444A
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fuel cell
control method
stage
water
flow path
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JP4522097B2 (en
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Ikuyasu Katou
育康 加藤
Masaru Kadokawa
優 角川
Toshiyuki Suzuki
稔幸 鈴木
Takeshi Takahashi
剛 高橋
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Toyota Motor Corp
Soken Inc
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Nippon Soken Inc
Toyota Motor Corp
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Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell control method capable of controlling moisture content at a preferable position in a cell surface. <P>SOLUTION: (1) In the fuel cell control method, the distribution of the moisture content as water droplets or steam in the cell surface is controlled by regulating at least one of the pressure of a reactive gas, humidity, temperature, flow, or pressure loss property caused by a passage profile. (2) In the fuel cell control method, the distribution of the moisture content in the cell surface is controlled by relating the pressure loss property caused by the passage profile of the fuel gas passage and oxidation gas passage of a separator. (3) In the fuel cell control method, the distribution of the moisture content as water droplets or steam in the cell surface is controlled by regulating the flow direction of the reactive gas. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

本発明は燃料電池の制御方法に関し、とくにセル面内の任意の位置の水分量を制御するようにした燃料電池の制御方法に関する。   The present invention relates to a control method for a fuel cell, and more particularly to a control method for a fuel cell in which a water content at an arbitrary position in a cell plane is controlled.

燃料電池、とくに固体高分子電解質型燃料電池は、膜−電極アッセンブリ（ＭＥＡ：Membrane-Electrode Assembly ）とセパレータとの積層体からなる。膜−電極アッセンブリは、イオン交換膜からなる電解質膜とこの電解質膜の一面に配置された触媒層からなる電極（アノード、燃料極）および電解質膜の他面に配置された触媒層からなる電極（カソード、空気極）とからなる。膜−電極アッセンブリとセパレータとの間には、アノード側、カソード側にそれぞれ拡散層が設けられる。セパレータには、アノードに燃料ガス（水素）を供給するための燃料ガス流路が形成され、カソードに酸化ガス（酸素、通常は空気）を供給するための酸化ガス流路が形成されている。また、セパレータには冷媒（通常、冷却水）を流すための冷媒流路も形成されている。膜−電極アッセンブリとセパレータを重ねてセルを構成し、少なくとも１つのセルからモジュールを構成し、モジュールを積層してセル積層体とし、セル積層体のセル積層方向両端に、ターミナル、インシュレータ、エンドプレートを配置し、セル積層体をセル積層方向に締め付け、セル積層体の外側でセル積層方向に延びる締結部材（たとえば、テンションプレート）、ボルト・ナットにて固定して、スタックを構成する。
各セルの、アノード側では、水素を水素イオン（プロトン）と電子にする反応が行われ、水素イオンは電解質膜中をカソード側に移動し、カソード側では酸素と水素イオンおよび電子（隣りのＭＥＡのアノードで生成した電子がセパレータを通してくる、またはセル積層方向一端のセルのアノードで生成した電子が外部回路を通して他端のセルのカソードにくる）から水を生成するつぎの反応が行われる。
アノード側：Ｈ2 →２Ｈ+ ＋２ｅ-
カソード側：２Ｈ+ ＋２ｅ- ＋（１／２）Ｏ2 →Ｈ2 Ｏ 2. Description of the Related Art A fuel cell, particularly a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, comprises a laminate of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA: Membrane-Electrode Assembly) and a separator. The membrane-electrode assembly is composed of an electrolyte membrane composed of an ion exchange membrane and an electrode (anode, fuel electrode) composed of a catalyst layer disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane, and an electrode composed of a catalyst layer disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane (anode). Cathode, air electrode). A diffusion layer is provided between the membrane-electrode assembly and the separator on the anode side and the cathode side, respectively. The separator has a fuel gas flow path for supplying fuel gas (hydrogen) to the anode, and an oxidizing gas flow path for supplying oxidizing gas (oxygen, usually air) to the cathode. Further, a coolant channel for flowing a coolant (normally, cooling water) is also formed in the separator. A cell is formed by stacking a membrane-electrode assembly and a separator, a module is formed from at least one cell, the modules are stacked to form a cell stack, and terminals, insulators, and end plates are provided at both ends of the cell stack in the cell stacking direction. Are arranged, and the cell stack is fastened in the cell stacking direction, and is fixed with a fastening member (for example, a tension plate) extending in the cell stacking direction outside the cell stack with a bolt and a nut to form a stack.
On the anode side of each cell, a reaction is performed to convert hydrogen into hydrogen ions (protons) and electrons. The hydrogen ions move through the electrolyte membrane to the cathode side, and oxygen and hydrogen ions and electrons (next MEA) on the cathode side. The following reaction is performed to generate water from the electrons generated at the anode of the cell through the separator, or the electrons generated at the anode of the cell at one end in the cell stacking direction arrive at the cathode of the other cell through an external circuit.
Anode side: H 2 → 2H + + 2e −
Cathode: 2H + + 2e - + ( 1/2) O 2 → H 2 O

セルで正常な発電が行われるには、電解質膜が適当に湿潤状態にあることが必要であり、反応ガスは加湿して供給される。しかし、加湿および電池反応での生成水により湿潤過多になると反応ガス流路が液滴で閉塞され、出力低下を招く。セル面内を各部位の要求に応じて最適に湿潤することが臨まれる。
特開平１１−２５０９２３号公報は、従来の固体高分子電解質型燃料電池のセパレータの流路形状を開示している。これは、全体として折り返しながら流れる蛇行流路であって、折り返す毎に溝本数が減少し、下流に行くほど流速が速くなり、発生した液滴を吹き飛ばすことを狙っている。
特開平１１−２５０９２３号公報 For normal power generation in the cell, the electrolyte membrane needs to be in an appropriately wet state, and the reaction gas is supplied humidified. However, if the water generated by the humidification and the battery reaction becomes excessively wet, the reaction gas flow path is clogged with droplets, and the output is reduced. It is expected that the inside of the cell surface will be optimally moistened according to the requirements of each part.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-250923 discloses a channel shape of a separator of a conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. This is a meandering flow path that flows while turning as a whole, and the number of grooves decreases with each turn, and the flow velocity increases toward the downstream, aiming to blow off generated droplets.
JP-A-11-250923

しかし、従来技術には、つぎの問題がある。
複数本の流路があった場合、ガスは流れやすい流路を流れるため、液滴が存在している流路に必ずしもガスが流れ、液滴を吹き飛ばしてくれるとは限らない。また、燃料電池の電解質膜にとっては、十分に加湿されているほど発電効率がよいことから、液滴の存在がすべて悪いとは限らない。 However, the prior art has the following problems.
When there are a plurality of flow paths, the gas flows through a flow path that is easy to flow, so that the gas does not always flow through the flow path where the droplet exists, and does not necessarily blow the droplet. Also, for the electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell, the more humidified the better, the better the power generation efficiency.

本発明の目的は、セル面内の任意の位置の水分量を制御できる燃料電池の制御方法を提供することにある。   An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell control method capable of controlling the amount of water at an arbitrary position in a cell plane.

上記目的を達成する本発明はつぎの通りである。
（１） 反応ガスの圧力、湿度、温度、流量、流路形状による圧損特性の少なくとも１つを調整して、セル面内の液滴または水蒸気としての水分量の分布を制御する燃料電池の制御方法。
（２） 燃料電池に接続された酸素含有ガスの供給装置、加湿装置、圧力センサ、圧力制御弁と、
前記燃料電池に接続された水素含有ガスの供給装置、加湿装置、圧力センサ、圧力制御弁と、
各単位電池および電池全体の作動を監視する電圧センサ、温度、電流センサを含む電池作動監視装置と、
前記各センサの信号を元に、供給装置、加湿装置、圧力制御弁の少なくとも１つを制御する制御装置と、
の少なくとも１つを用いて、セル面内の水分量の分布を制御する（１）記載の燃料電池の制御方法。
（３） セパレータの、燃料ガス流路、酸化ガス流路の流路形状による圧損特性を関係させて、セル面内の水分量の分布を制御する（１）または（２）記載の燃料電池の制御方法。
（４） 燃料電池の出ガスの圧力を制御することにより、セル面内の水分量の分布を制御する（１）または（２）記載の燃料電池の制御方法。
（５） 燃料電池へ供給するガス流量を制御することにより、セル面内の水分量の分布を制御する（１）または（２）記載の燃料電池の制御方法。
（６） 燃料電池へ供給するガスの加湿量を制御することによりセル面内の水分量の分布を制御する（１）または（２）記載の燃料電池の制御方法。
（７） セル面内全域に液滴を存在させないようにした（１）または（３）記載の燃料電池の制御方法。
（８） セル面内の任意の位置のみに液滴を存在させるようにした（１）または（３）記載の燃料電池の制御方法。
（９） セル面内の入口段のみに液滴を存在させるようにした（１）または（３）記載の燃料電池の制御方法。
（１０） セル面内の中央段のみに液滴を存在させるようにした（１）または（３）記載の燃料電池の制御方法。
（１１） セル面内の出口段のみに液滴を存在させるようにした（１）または（３）記載の燃料電池の制御方法。
（１２） セル面内の入口段と中央段のみに液滴を存在させるようにした（１）または（３）記載の燃料電池の制御方法。
（１３） セル面内の入口段と出口段のみに液滴を存在させるようにした（１）または（３）記載の燃料電池の制御方法。
（１４） セル面内の中央段と出口段のみに液滴を存在させるようにした（１）または（３）記載の燃料電池の制御方法。
（１５） セル面内全域に液滴を存在させるようにした（１）または（３）記載の燃料電池の制御方法。
（１６） 反応ガスの流れ方向を調整することにより、セル面内の液滴または水蒸気としての水分量の分布を制御する（１）乃至（１５）の何れか一つに記載の燃料電池の制御方法。 The present invention that achieves the above object is as follows.
(1) Control of a fuel cell in which at least one of pressure, humidity, temperature, flow rate, and pressure loss characteristics of a reaction gas is adjusted to control the distribution of water content as droplets or water vapor in a cell surface. Method.
(2) an oxygen-containing gas supply device connected to the fuel cell, a humidifier, a pressure sensor, a pressure control valve,
A hydrogen-containing gas supply device connected to the fuel cell, a humidifier, a pressure sensor, a pressure control valve,
A battery operation monitoring device including a voltage sensor, a temperature, and a current sensor for monitoring the operation of each unit battery and the entire battery;
A control device that controls at least one of a supply device, a humidifier, and a pressure control valve based on a signal of each of the sensors;
The control method for a fuel cell according to (1), wherein the distribution of the amount of water in the cell surface is controlled by using at least one of the following.
(3) The fuel cell according to (1) or (2), wherein the distribution of the water content in the cell surface is controlled by relating the pressure loss characteristics of the separator to the shape of the fuel gas flow path and the oxidizing gas flow path. Control method.
(4) The control method for a fuel cell according to (1) or (2), wherein the distribution of the amount of water in the cell surface is controlled by controlling the pressure of the gas emitted from the fuel cell.
(5) The fuel cell control method according to (1) or (2), wherein the distribution of the amount of water in the cell surface is controlled by controlling the flow rate of gas supplied to the fuel cell.
(6) The fuel cell control method according to (1) or (2), wherein the distribution of the amount of water in the cell surface is controlled by controlling the humidification amount of the gas supplied to the fuel cell.
(7) The method for controlling a fuel cell according to (1) or (3), wherein the droplets are prevented from being present in the whole area within the cell plane.
(8) The method for controlling a fuel cell according to (1) or (3), wherein the droplet is present only at an arbitrary position in the cell plane.
(9) The method for controlling a fuel cell according to (1) or (3), wherein the liquid droplet is present only in the entrance stage in the cell plane.
(10) The method of controlling a fuel cell according to (1) or (3), wherein the droplet is present only in the central stage in the cell plane.
(11) The method for controlling a fuel cell according to (1) or (3), wherein the droplets are made to exist only in the outlet stage in the cell plane.
(12) The method for controlling a fuel cell according to (1) or (3), wherein the droplets are present only in the entrance stage and the center stage in the cell plane.
(13) The method for controlling a fuel cell according to (1) or (3), wherein the droplets are present only in the entrance stage and the exit stage in the cell plane.
(14) The method for controlling a fuel cell according to (1) or (3), wherein the droplets are present only in the center stage and the exit stage in the cell plane.
(15) The method for controlling a fuel cell according to (1) or (3), wherein the droplets are present in the whole area within the cell plane.
(16) The fuel cell control according to any one of (1) to (15), wherein the distribution of the amount of water as droplets or water vapor in the cell surface is controlled by adjusting the flow direction of the reaction gas. Method.

上記（１）〜（１５）の燃料電池の制御方法では、温度、ガス量、圧力の少なくとも１つによる飽和水蒸気量の変化、および／またはセパレータのガス流路形状による圧力降下特性を制御することにより、入口から供給された水分と発電中に生成された水分を、セル面内の任意の位置にて、液滴として存在させるか、あるいは水蒸気として存在させるかを、自在に操作できるようになる。
上記（１６）の燃料電池の制御方法では、反応ガスの流れ方向をも調整するようにしたので、セル面内の水分量の分布の制御の自由度が上がる。 In the fuel cell control method according to any one of the above (1) to (15), a change in a saturated water vapor amount due to at least one of a temperature, a gas amount, and a pressure and / or a pressure drop characteristic due to a gas flow path shape of a separator are controlled. Thereby, it becomes possible to freely operate whether the moisture supplied from the inlet and the moisture generated during the power generation are present as droplets or as steam at an arbitrary position in the cell plane. .
In the fuel cell control method of (16), the flow direction of the reaction gas is also adjusted, so that the degree of freedom in controlling the distribution of the amount of water in the cell surface increases.

以下に、本発明の燃料電池の制御方法を図１〜図２５および図２６〜図３４を参照して説明する。
まず、本発明の全実施例に共通する部分を図１〜図３、図２５を参照して説明する。
本発明で対象となる燃料電池は低温型燃料電池であり、たとえば固体高分子電解質型燃料電池１である。該燃料電池１は、たとえば燃料電池自動車に搭載される。ただし、自動車以外に用いられてもよい。 Hereinafter, the control method of the fuel cell according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 25 and FIGS. 26 to 34.
First, parts common to all embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG.
The fuel cell to be used in the present invention is a low-temperature fuel cell, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1. The fuel cell 1 is mounted on, for example, a fuel cell vehicle. However, it may be used other than a car.

固体高分子電解質型燃料電池１は、図２に示すように、膜−電極アッセンブリ（ＭＥＡ：Membrane-Electrode Assembly ）とセパレータ１８との積層体からなる。膜−電極アッセンブリは、イオン交換膜からなる電解質膜１５、この電解質膜の一面に配置された触媒層からなる電極（アノード、燃料極）１６および電解質膜１５の他面に配置された触媒層からなる電極（カソード、空気極）１７とからなる。膜−電極アッセンブリとセパレータ１８との間には、通常、アノード側、カソード側にそれぞれ拡散層が設けられる。
膜−電極アッセンブリとセパレータ１８を重ねて単セルを構成し、少なくとも１つのセルからモジュールを構成し、モジュールを積層してセル積層体とし、セル積層体のセル積層方向両端に、ターミナル、インシュレータ、エンドプレートを配置し、セル積層体をセル積層方向に締め付け、セル積層体の外側でセル積層方向に延びる締結部材（たとえば、テンションプレート）、ボルト・ナットにて固定して、スタックを構成する。 As shown in FIG. 2, the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1 is composed of a laminate of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA: Membrane-Electrode Assembly) and a separator 18. The membrane-electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane 15 composed of an ion exchange membrane, an electrode (anode, fuel electrode) 16 composed of a catalyst layer disposed on one side of the electrolyte membrane, and a catalyst layer disposed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane 15. (Cathode, air electrode) 17. Generally, a diffusion layer is provided between the membrane-electrode assembly and the separator 18 on the anode side and the cathode side, respectively.
The membrane-electrode assembly and the separator 18 are stacked to form a single cell, a module is formed from at least one cell, and the modules are stacked to form a cell stack, and a terminal, an insulator, An end plate is arranged, the cell stack is tightened in the cell stacking direction, and a fastening member (for example, a tension plate) extending in the cell stacking direction outside the cell stack is fixed with bolts and nuts to form a stack.

セパレータ１８には、電解質膜１５に対向する面に、アノード１６に燃料ガス（水素）を供給するための燃料ガス流路が形成され、カソード１７に酸化ガス（酸素、通常は空気）を供給するための酸化ガス流路が形成されている。燃料ガス流路、酸化ガス流路は、リブ２５、２６によって形成されており、大蛇行流路に形成されている。大蛇行流路部分には、複数の凸部２７によって格子状の溝からなる流路が形成されている。また、セパレータ１８には燃料ガス流路、酸化ガス流路と反対側の面に冷媒（通常、冷却水）を流すための冷媒流路も形成されている。冷媒流路はセル毎に、または複数のセル毎に（たとえば、モジュール毎に）設けられている。
セパレータ１８には、燃料ガス導入穴１９、燃料ガス排出穴２０、酸化ガス導入穴２１、酸化ガス排出穴２２、冷却水流路穴２３、２４が形成されている。燃料ガスは燃料ガス導入穴１９からセル面内燃料ガス流路に入り、セル面内燃料ガス流路から燃料ガス排出穴２０に出ていく。酸化ガスは酸化ガス導入穴２１からセル面内酸化ガス流路に入り、セル面内酸化ガス流路から酸化ガス排出穴２２に出ていく。 A fuel gas flow path for supplying fuel gas (hydrogen) to the anode 16 is formed on the surface of the separator 18 facing the electrolyte membrane 15, and an oxidizing gas (oxygen, usually air) is supplied to the cathode 17. Oxidizing gas flow path is formed. The fuel gas flow path and the oxidizing gas flow path are formed by ribs 25 and 26, and are formed as large meandering flow paths. In the large meandering channel portion, a channel formed of a lattice-like groove is formed by the plurality of convex portions 27. The separator 18 also has a coolant channel for flowing a coolant (usually, cooling water) on a surface opposite to the fuel gas channel and the oxidizing gas channel. The coolant passage is provided for each cell or for each of a plurality of cells (for example, for each module).
The separator 18 has a fuel gas introduction hole 19, a fuel gas discharge hole 20, an oxidizing gas introduction hole 21, an oxidizing gas discharge hole 22, and cooling water passage holes 23 and 24. The fuel gas enters the fuel gas flow path in the cell plane from the fuel gas introduction hole 19 and exits to the fuel gas discharge hole 20 from the fuel gas flow path in the cell plane. The oxidizing gas enters the oxidizing gas flow path in the cell surface from the oxidizing gas introduction hole 21 and exits to the oxidizing gas discharge hole 22 from the oxidizing gas flow path in the cell surface.

図１は、単セルを積層した燃料電池スタックとそれに接続される反応ガス供給、排出の制御システムを示している。本システムは、燃料電池１と、燃料電池１のアノード側に水素を含む燃料ガスを供給する燃料ガス供給装置２と、その燃料ガスを加湿する燃料ガス加湿器４と、燃料電池１のカソード側に酸素を含む酸化ガスを供給する酸化ガス供給装置３と、その酸化ガスを加湿する酸化ガス加湿器５と、燃料電池１のアノード側から排出される燃料ガスの圧力を制御する燃料ガス圧力調整弁６およびその圧力を検出する燃料ガス圧力センサ８と、燃料電池１のカソード側から排出される酸化ガスの圧力を制御する酸化ガス圧力調整弁７およびその圧力を検出する酸化ガス圧力センサ９と、燃料電池１の作動状態を監視する電池作動監視装置１０と、燃料電池１の作動状態を制御する制御装置１１と、を備えている。電池作動監視装置１０は、電圧、電流、温度を検出するセンサ１２、１３、１４からなる。   FIG. 1 shows a fuel cell stack in which single cells are stacked, and a control system for supplying and discharging a reaction gas connected thereto. This system comprises a fuel cell 1, a fuel gas supply device 2 for supplying a fuel gas containing hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell 1, a fuel gas humidifier 4 for humidifying the fuel gas, and a cathode side of the fuel cell 1. Gas supply device 3 for supplying an oxidizing gas containing oxygen to the fuel cell, oxidizing gas humidifier 5 for humidifying the oxidizing gas, and fuel gas pressure adjustment for controlling the pressure of the fuel gas discharged from the anode side of fuel cell 1 A valve 6 and a fuel gas pressure sensor 8 for detecting its pressure, an oxidizing gas pressure regulating valve 7 for controlling the pressure of oxidizing gas discharged from the cathode side of the fuel cell 1 and an oxidizing gas pressure sensor 9 for detecting its pressure; The fuel cell system includes a battery operation monitoring device 10 for monitoring the operation state of the fuel cell 1 and a control device 11 for controlling the operation state of the fuel cell 1. The battery operation monitoring device 10 includes sensors 12, 13, and 14 for detecting voltage, current, and temperature.

本発明の燃料電池の制御方法は、上記の燃料電池システムを用いて、反応ガス（燃料ガス、酸化ガス）の圧力、湿度、温度、流量、流路形状による圧損特性（圧力降下特性）の少なくとも１つを調整して、セル面内の液滴または水蒸気としての水分量の分布を制御する方法からなる。   The fuel cell control method of the present invention uses the above-described fuel cell system to perform at least the pressure drop characteristics (pressure drop characteristics) of the reaction gas (fuel gas, oxidizing gas) by the pressure, humidity, temperature, flow rate, and flow path shape. One method is to control the distribution of the amount of water as droplets or water vapor in the cell surface by adjusting one of them.

さらに詳しくは、本発明の燃料電池の制御方法は、燃料電池１に接続された酸素含有ガスの供給装置３、加湿装置５、圧力センサ９、圧力制御弁（背圧調整弁）７と、燃料電池１に接続された水素含有ガスの供給装置２、加湿装置４、圧力センサ８、圧力制御弁（背圧調整弁）６と、各単位電池および電池全体の作動を監視する、電圧センサ１２、温度１４、電流センサ１３を含む電池作動監視装置１０と、各センサ１２、１３、１４の信号を元に、供給装置２、３、加湿装置４、５、圧力制御弁６、７の少なくとも１つを制御する制御装置１１と、の少なくとも１つを用いて、セル面内の水分量の分布を制御する方法からなる。   More specifically, the method for controlling a fuel cell according to the present invention includes a supply device 3 for an oxygen-containing gas, a humidifier 5, a pressure sensor 9, a pressure control valve (back pressure regulating valve) 7, A hydrogen-containing gas supply device 2, a humidifier 4, a pressure sensor 8, a pressure control valve (back pressure regulating valve) 6, and a voltage sensor 12, which monitors the operation of each unit battery and the entire battery connected to the battery 1, Battery operation monitoring device 10 including temperature 14 and current sensor 13, and at least one of supply devices 2 and 3, humidification devices 4 and 5, and pressure control valves 6 and 7 based on signals from sensors 12, 13 and 14. And a control device 11 for controlling the distribution of the amount of water in the cell surface using at least one of the control device 11 and the control device 11.

本発明の燃料電池の制御方法では、セパレータ１８の、燃料ガス流路、酸化ガス流路の流路形状による圧損特性を関連させて、セル面内の水分量の分布を制御することが望ましい。   In the fuel cell control method of the present invention, it is desirable to control the distribution of the amount of water in the cell surface by relating the pressure loss characteristics of the separator 18 to the shape of the fuel gas flow path and the oxidizing gas flow path.

本発明の燃料電池の制御方法では、温度、ガス量、圧力の少なくとも１つによる飽和水蒸気量の変化、および／またはセパレータのガス流路形状による圧力降下特性を制御することにより、入口から供給された水分と発電中に生成された水分を、セル面内の任意の位置にて、液滴として存在させるか、あるいは水蒸気として存在させるかを、自在に操作できるようになる。   In the control method of the fuel cell according to the present invention, the fuel gas is supplied from the inlet by controlling the change in the amount of saturated steam by at least one of the temperature, the gas amount, and the pressure, and / or the pressure drop characteristic by the gas flow path shape of the separator. It is possible to freely operate whether the generated moisture and the moisture generated during power generation are present as droplets or as steam at an arbitrary position in the cell surface.

つぎに、本発明の各実施例の特有な部分を、説明する。
（１）実施例１……図４、図５
〔構成〕
本発明の実施例１では、図４に示すように、大蛇行流路の流路幅を、たとえば、酸化ガス流路の入口段２８と中央段２９と出口段３０の流路幅を、ほぼ均等にする。
また、酸化ガス流路の出口段３０のみに液滴として水分を存在させる（図４の色付け部分）。
〔作用〕
本発明の実施例１の燃料電池の制御方法は、酸化ガス流路の出口段３０に液滴の水分を存在させて、水素側入口部の加湿不足を補いたい時に有効である。
酸化ガス導入穴２１から流れ込んだ酸化ガスは全体的には大蛇行流路を流れて、酸化ガス排出穴２２から排出される。図４に示すように、大蛇行流路の流路幅をほぼ均等にすることで、図５の線Ａに示すように、入口から出口に向かってほぼ直線的減少する圧損特性を得ることができる。供給ガスの流量、背圧（図５の点Ｌ）を決めることで、ガス流路内全域の飽和水分量が図５の線Ｂのように決まる。一方、ガス流路全域内の水分量は供給するガスの加湿量（図５の点Ｍ）を決めることで、発電により生成される水分量と合わせて図５の線Ｃのように決まる。ただし、発電による生成水は面内で均一であり、水分はすべて後方へ流れていくものと仮定している。点Ｌと点Ｍを調整し、線Ｂと線Ｃの交点（図５の点Ｎ）を中央段２９と出口段３０の境にもってくることにより、ガス流路全域内にて液体として存在する水は図５の線Ｄのようになる。このように、流路形状と背圧、加湿量を調整した設計をすることにより、ガス流路全域内の出口段３０のみに液体としての水を存在させる。
点Ｌに示す背圧値は、酸化ガス背圧センサ９を観察し、酸化ガス背圧調整弁７によって調整する。
点Ｍに示す加湿量は酸化ガス加湿器５によって調整する。
なお、温度は一定として説明している（以下の実施例も同様）。温度が変われば、線Ｂが変化するが、その温度に合わせて点Ｍを設定し、線Ｃを動かして点Ｎを合わせることになる。燃料電池では、冷却水により温度を一定に制御しているため省略しているが、温度を変化させて調整してもよい。 Next, a specific portion of each embodiment of the present invention will be described.
(1) Example 1 FIGS. 4 and 5
〔Constitution〕
In the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the width of the large meandering channel, for example, the width of the inlet stage 28, the center stage 29, and the outlet stage 30 of the oxidizing gas channel is substantially Even out.
Further, moisture is present as droplets only in the outlet stage 30 of the oxidizing gas flow path (colored portion in FIG. 4).
[Action]
The control method of the fuel cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention is effective when it is desired to make the moisture of the droplets exist in the outlet stage 30 of the oxidizing gas flow path to compensate for insufficient humidification at the hydrogen-side inlet.
The oxidizing gas flowing from the oxidizing gas introduction hole 21 generally flows through the large meandering channel, and is discharged from the oxidizing gas discharge hole 22. As shown in FIG. 4, by making the flow path width of the large meandering flow path substantially uniform, it is possible to obtain a pressure drop characteristic that decreases almost linearly from the inlet to the outlet as shown by the line A in FIG. it can. By determining the flow rate of the supply gas and the back pressure (point L in FIG. 5), the saturated moisture amount in the entire gas flow path is determined as shown by the line B in FIG. On the other hand, the amount of moisture in the entire gas flow path is determined as shown by the line C in FIG. 5 by determining the humidification amount of the supplied gas (point M in FIG. 5) and the amount of moisture generated by power generation. However, it is assumed that the water generated by power generation is uniform in the plane, and that all the water flows backward. By adjusting the point L and the point M and bringing the intersection of the line B and the line C (point N in FIG. 5) to the boundary between the center stage 29 and the exit stage 30, it exists as a liquid in the entire gas flow path. The water looks like line D in FIG. In this way, by designing the flow path shape, the back pressure, and the humidification amount, water as a liquid is present only in the outlet stage 30 in the entire gas flow path.
The back pressure value shown at the point L is adjusted by the oxidizing gas back pressure adjusting valve 7 while observing the oxidizing gas back pressure sensor 9.
The humidification amount shown at the point M is adjusted by the oxidizing gas humidifier 5.
Note that the description is made on the assumption that the temperature is constant (the same applies to the following embodiments). If the temperature changes, the line B changes, but the point M is set according to the temperature, and the point N is adjusted by moving the line C. In the fuel cell, although the temperature is controlled to be constant by the cooling water, the description is omitted, but the temperature may be changed and adjusted.

（２）実施例２……図６、図７
〔構成〕
本発明の実施例２では、図６に示すように、出口段３０での流路幅を入口段２８、中央段２９に比べて狭くしてある。実施例１に対して、実施例２は出口部分で流速を上げて液滴を排出しやすいようにしたものである。
また、酸化ガス流路の出口段３０のみに液滴として水分を存在させる（図６の色付け部分）。その他は本発明の実施例１と同じである。
〔作用〕
本発明の実施例２の燃料電池の制御方法は、実施例１と同様、酸化ガス流路の出口段３０に液滴の水分を存在させて、水素側入口部の加湿不足を補いたい時に有効である。
本発明の実施例２の圧損特性は、図７の線Ａに示すように、出口段３０で圧力降下が大きくなる。供給ガスの流量、背圧（図７の点Ｌ）を決めることで、ガス流路全域内の飽和水分量が図７の線Ｂのように決まる。この場合にも、実施例１と同様に、背圧、加湿量を調整した設計をすることにより、ガス流路全域内の出口段３０のみに液体としての水を存在させる。その他は実施例１に準じる。 (2) Embodiment 2 FIGS. 6 and 7
〔Constitution〕
In the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, the width of the flow passage at the outlet stage 30 is narrower than that of the inlet stage 28 and the center stage 29. In contrast to the first embodiment, the second embodiment increases the flow velocity at the outlet portion so that droplets can be easily discharged.
Further, water is made to exist as droplets only in the outlet stage 30 of the oxidizing gas flow path (colored portion in FIG. 6). Others are the same as the first embodiment of the present invention.
[Action]
The control method of the fuel cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention is effective when the moisture of the droplets is present in the outlet stage 30 of the oxidizing gas flow path to compensate for the insufficient humidification at the hydrogen-side inlet portion, as in the first embodiment. It is.
In the pressure loss characteristic of the second embodiment of the present invention, the pressure drop increases at the outlet stage 30, as shown by the line A in FIG. By determining the flow rate of the supply gas and the back pressure (point L in FIG. 7), the amount of saturated moisture in the entire gas flow path is determined as shown by the line B in FIG. Also in this case, similarly to the first embodiment, by designing the back pressure and the humidification amount to be adjusted, water as the liquid is present only in the outlet stage 30 in the entire gas flow path. Others are the same as in the first embodiment.

（３）実施例３……図８、図９、図１０
〔構成〕
本発明の実施例３では、図８に示すように、酸化ガス流路の中央段２９と出口段３０のみに液滴として水分を存在させる（図８の色付け部分）。その他は本発明の実施例１と同じである。
〔作用〕
本発明の実施例３の燃料電池の制御方法は、酸化ガス流路の中央段２９、出口段３０に液滴の水分を存在させて、水素側入口部の加湿不足を補いたい時に有効である。
本発明の実施例３では、実施例１に対して、加湿量（図９の点Ｍ）を調整することで、線Ｂと線Ｃの交点（図９の点Ｎ）を入口段２８と中央段２９の境にもってくることにより、ガス流路全域内にて液体として存在する水は図９の線Ｄのようになる。このように、流路形状と背圧、加湿量を調整した設計をすることにより、ガス流路全域内のうち中央段２９と出口段３０に液体としての水を存在させる。
もう一つの方法として、図１０に示すように、実施例１に対して、背圧（図１０の点Ｌ）を調整することで、線Ｂと線Ｃの交点（図１０の点Ｎ）を入口段２８と中央段２９の境にもってくることにより、ガス流路全域内にて液体として存在する水は図１０の線Ｄのようになる。このように、流路形状と背圧、加湿量を調整した設計をすることにより、ガス流路全域内のうち中央段２９と出口段３０に液体としての水を存在させる。 (3) Third Embodiment FIGS. 8, 9, and 10
〔Constitution〕
In the third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8, water is present as droplets only in the center stage 29 and the outlet stage 30 of the oxidizing gas flow path (colored portion in FIG. 8). Others are the same as the first embodiment of the present invention.
[Action]
The control method for the fuel cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention is effective when it is desired to make the water content of the droplets exist in the central stage 29 and the outlet stage 30 of the oxidizing gas flow path to compensate for insufficient humidification at the hydrogen-side inlet. .
In the third embodiment of the present invention, the intersection of the line B and the line C (point N in FIG. 9) is adjusted to the center of the entrance step 28 by adjusting the humidification amount (point M in FIG. 9). By bringing to the boundary of the step 29, water existing as a liquid in the entire gas flow path becomes as shown by a line D in FIG. In this way, by designing the flow path shape, the back pressure, and the humidification amount to be adjusted, water as a liquid is present in the central stage 29 and the outlet stage 30 in the entire gas flow path.
As another method, as shown in FIG. 10, by adjusting the back pressure (point L in FIG. 10) with respect to the first embodiment, the intersection of line B and line C (point N in FIG. 10) is obtained. By bringing the boundary between the inlet stage 28 and the center stage 29, water existing as a liquid in the entire gas flow path becomes as shown by a line D in FIG. In this way, by designing the flow path shape, the back pressure, and the humidification amount to be adjusted, water as a liquid is present in the central stage 29 and the outlet stage 30 in the entire gas flow path.

（４）実施例４……図１１、図１２
〔構成〕
本発明の実施例４では、図１１に示すように、セル面内全域の酸化ガス流路に液滴として水分を存在させる（図１１の色付け部分）。
その他は本発明の実施例１と同じである。
〔作用〕
本発明の実施例４の燃料電池の制御方法は、酸化ガス流路の全域（入口段２８、中央段２９、出口段３０）に液滴の水分を存在させて、電解質膜の湿潤を十分に保つのに有効である。
本発明の実施例４では、実施例１に対して、加湿量（図１２の点Ｍ）を調整することで、線Ｂと線Ｃの交点（図１２の点Ｎ）を酸化ガス流路入口にもってくることにより、ガス流路全域内にて液体として存在する水は図１２の線Ｄのようになる。このように、流路形状と背圧、加湿量を調整した設計をすることにより、ガス流路全域（入口段２８、中央段２９、出口段３０）に液体としての水を存在させる。 (4) Fourth Embodiment FIGS. 11 and 12
〔Constitution〕
In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11, water is present as droplets in the oxidizing gas flow path in the entire area of the cell surface (colored portion in FIG. 11).
Others are the same as the first embodiment of the present invention.
[Action]
In the control method of the fuel cell according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the moisture of the droplets is present in the entire area of the oxidizing gas flow path (the inlet stage 28, the center stage 29, and the outlet stage 30) to sufficiently wet the electrolyte membrane. Effective to keep.
In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the intersection of the line B and the line C (point N in FIG. 12) is adjusted by adjusting the humidification amount (point M in FIG. 12) with respect to the first embodiment. As a result, the water existing as a liquid in the entire gas flow path becomes as shown by a line D in FIG. As described above, by designing the flow path shape, the back pressure, and the humidification amount, water as a liquid is present in the entire gas flow path (the inlet stage 28, the center stage 29, and the outlet stage 30).

（５）実施例５……図１３、図１４、図１５、図１６
〔構成〕
本発明の実施例５では、図１３に示すように、セル面内全域の酸化ガス流路に液滴としての水分を存在させないようにする。その他は本発明の実施例１と同じである。
〔作用〕
本発明の実施例５の燃料電池の制御方法は、酸化ガス流路の全域（入口段２８、中央段２９、出口段３０）に液滴の水分を存在させないようにして、水によるガス流路の閉塞を確実に防止する。
本発明の実施例５では、実施例１に対して、加湿量（図１４の点Ｍ）を調整することで、線Ｂと線Ｃの交点が出ないようにすることにより、ガス流路全域内にて液体として存在する水はなくなり、図１４の線Ｄのようになる。このように、流路形状と背圧、加湿量を調整した設計をすることにより、ガス流路全域（入口段２８、中央段２９、出口段３０）に液体としての水を存在させない。
もう一つの方法として、図１５に示すように、実施例１に対して、背圧（図１５の点Ｌ）を調整することで、線Ｂと線Ｃの交点が出ないようにすることにより、ガス流路全域内にて液体として存在する水はなくなり、図１５の線Ｄのようになる。このように、流路形状と背圧、加湿量を調整した設計をすることにより、ガス流路全域（入口段２８、中央段２９、出口段３０）に液体としての水を存在させない。
もう一つの方法として、図１６に示すように、実施例１に対して、流量を調整することで、飽和水分量を増やし（図１６の線Ｂが全体に上にシフト）、線Ｂと線Ｃの交点が出ないようにすることにより、ガス流路全域内にて液体として存在する水はなくなり、図１６の線Ｄのようになる。このように、流路形状と、流量、背圧、加湿量を調整した設計をすることにより、ガス流路全域（入口段２８、中央段２９、出口段３０）に液体としての水を存在させない。 (5) Fifth Embodiment FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16
〔Constitution〕
In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 13, water as droplets is prevented from being present in the oxidizing gas flow path in the entire area of the cell surface. Others are the same as the first embodiment of the present invention.
[Action]
The control method of the fuel cell according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is configured such that water in the droplets does not exist in the entire area of the oxidizing gas flow path (the inlet stage 28, the center stage 29, and the outlet stage 30). To prevent blockage.
In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the humidification amount (point M in FIG. 14) is adjusted as compared with the first embodiment so that the intersection of the line B and the line C does not appear, so that the entire gas flow path There is no water present as a liquid inside, as shown by the line D in FIG. In this way, by designing the flow path shape, the back pressure, and the humidification amount, water as a liquid does not exist in the entire gas flow path (the inlet stage 28, the center stage 29, and the outlet stage 30).
As another method, as shown in FIG. 15, by adjusting the back pressure (point L in FIG. 15) with respect to the first embodiment, the intersection of the line B and the line C is prevented from appearing. The water existing as a liquid in the entire gas flow path disappears, and becomes as shown by a line D in FIG. In this way, by designing the flow path shape, the back pressure, and the humidification amount, water as a liquid does not exist in the entire gas flow path (the inlet stage 28, the center stage 29, and the outlet stage 30).
As another method, as shown in FIG. 16, the amount of saturated water is increased by adjusting the flow rate (the line B in FIG. 16 is shifted upward as a whole), and the line B and the line By preventing the intersection of C from appearing, there is no water existing as a liquid in the entire area of the gas flow path, and it becomes as shown by a line D in FIG. As described above, by designing the flow path shape, the flow rate, the back pressure, and the humidification amount to be adjusted, water as a liquid does not exist in the entire gas flow path (the inlet stage 28, the center stage 29, and the outlet stage 30). .

（６）実施例６……図１７、図１８
〔構成〕
本発明の実施例６では、図１７に示すように、入口段２８での流路幅を中央段２９、出口段３０に比べて狭くしてある。中央段２９、出口段３０は均一幅である。
また、酸化ガス流路の入口段２８のみに液滴として水分を存在させる（図１７の色付け部分）。その他は本発明の実施例１と同じである。
〔作用〕
本発明の実施例６の燃料電池の制御方法は、酸化ガス流路の入口段２８に液滴の水分を存在させて、水素側出口部の加湿不足を補いたい時に有効である。
本発明の実施例６の圧損特性は、図１８の線Ａに示すように、入口段２８で圧力降下が大きくなる。供給ガスの流量、背圧（図１８の点Ｌ）を決めることで、ガス流路全域内の飽和水分量が図１８の線Ｂのように決まる。さらに加湿量を１００％近くに調整することで、ガス流路全域内の入口段２８のみに液体としての水を存在させる。その他は実施例１に準じる。 (6) Embodiment 6 FIGS. 17 and 18
〔Constitution〕
In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 17, the width of the flow passage at the inlet stage 28 is narrower than that at the center stage 29 and the outlet stage 30. The center stage 29 and the exit stage 30 have a uniform width.
In addition, moisture is made to exist as droplets only in the inlet stage 28 of the oxidizing gas flow path (colored portion in FIG. 17). Others are the same as the first embodiment of the present invention.
[Action]
The control method of the fuel cell according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is effective when it is desired to make the moisture of the droplets exist at the inlet stage 28 of the oxidizing gas flow path to compensate for insufficient humidification at the hydrogen-side outlet.
In the pressure loss characteristic of the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the pressure drop increases at the inlet stage 28 as shown by the line A in FIG. By determining the flow rate of the supplied gas and the back pressure (point L in FIG. 18), the amount of saturated moisture in the entire gas flow path is determined as shown by the line B in FIG. Further, by adjusting the humidification amount to nearly 100%, water as a liquid is present only in the inlet stage 28 in the entire gas flow path. Others are the same as in the first embodiment.

（７）実施例７……図１９、図２０
〔構成〕
本発明の実施例７では、図１９に示すように、中央段２９と出口段３０の間のターン部分の幅を狭くした絞り３１を設けた流路形状とする。
入口段２８から中央段２９にかけては均等幅の流路形状であり、出口段３０は入口段２８および中央段２９より幅を狭くした流路形状とする。
その他は本発明の実施例１と同じである。
〔作用〕
本発明の実施例７の燃料電池の制御方法は、酸化ガス流路の中央段２９のみに液滴の水分を存在させて、入口段２８、出口段３０は液滴を存在させないことで、供給および排出管内でのガス流れをスムーズにすることと、内部での湿潤を確保することの両立をはかる時に有効である。
本発明の実施例７の圧損特性は、図２０の線Ａに示すように、入口段２８から中央段２９にかけてほとんど圧力降下がなく、中央段２９と出口段３０の間で大きく圧力降下し、出口段３０での圧力降下は緩やかである。供給ガスの流量、背圧（図２０の点Ｌ）を決めることで、ガス流路全域内の飽和水分量が図２０の線Ｂのように決まる。さらに加湿量を調整することで、線Ｂと線Ｃの交点（図２０の点Ｎ）を入口段２８と中央段２９の境にもってくると同時に、線Ｂと線Ｃの２つ目の交点（図２０の点Ｏ）を中央段２９と出口段３０の境にもってくることで、ガス流路全域内にて液体として存在する水は図２０の線Ｄのようになる。このように、流路形状と背圧、加湿量を調整した設計をすることにより、ガス流路全域内の中央段２９のみに液体としての水を存在させる。 (7) Embodiment 7 FIGS. 19 and 20
〔Constitution〕
In the seventh embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 19, the flow path is provided with a throttle 31 in which the width of the turn portion between the central stage 29 and the exit stage 30 is reduced.
From the inlet stage 28 to the center stage 29, the flow passage shape has a uniform width, and the outlet stage 30 has a flow passage shape narrower than the inlet stage 28 and the center stage 29.
Others are the same as the first embodiment of the present invention.
[Action]
In the control method of the fuel cell according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the supply of water is performed by allowing the water content of the droplets to exist only in the center stage 29 of the oxidizing gas flow path and the droplets not to exist in the entrance stage 28 and the exit stage 30. This is effective in achieving both a smooth gas flow in the discharge pipe and a sufficient wetting inside.
The pressure loss characteristic of the seventh embodiment of the present invention shows that there is almost no pressure drop from the inlet stage 28 to the center stage 29 and a large pressure drop between the center stage 29 and the outlet stage 30 as shown by the line A in FIG. The pressure drop at the outlet stage 30 is gentle. By determining the flow rate of the supply gas and the back pressure (point L in FIG. 20), the saturated water content in the entire gas flow path is determined as shown by the line B in FIG. By further adjusting the humidification amount, the intersection of the line B and the line C (point N in FIG. 20) is brought to the boundary between the entrance stage 28 and the center stage 29, and at the same time, the second intersection of the line B and the line C By bringing (point O in FIG. 20) the boundary between the center stage 29 and the exit stage 30, water existing as a liquid in the entire gas flow path becomes as shown by a line D in FIG. In this way, by designing the flow path shape, the back pressure, and the humidification amount to be adjusted, water as a liquid is present only in the central stage 29 in the entire gas flow path.

（８）実施例８……図２１、図２２
〔構成〕
本発明の実施例８では、図２１に示すように、中央段２９の幅を狭くした流路形状とする。
入口段２８、出口段３０は中央段２９より幅が広く均一幅である。
その他は本発明の実施例１と同じである。
〔作用〕
本発明の実施例８の燃料電池の制御方法は、酸化ガス流路の入口段２８と中央段２９のみに液滴の水分を存在させて、水素側出口部の加湿不足を補いたい時に有効である。
本発明の実施例８の圧損特性は、図２２の線Ａに示すように、入口段２８ではほとんど圧力降下がなく、中央段２９で大きく圧力降下し、出口段３０ではほとんど圧力降下がない。供給ガスの流量、背圧（図２２の点Ｌ）を決めることで、ガス流路全域内の飽和水分量が図２２の線Ｂのように決まる。さらに加湿量を１００％近くに調整し、線Ｂと線Ｃの交点（図２２の点Ｎ）を中央段２９と出口段３０の境にもってくることで、ガス流路全域内にて液体として存在する水は図２２の線Ｄのようになる。このように、流路形状と背圧、加湿量を調整した設計をすることにより、ガス流路全域内のうち入口段２８と中央段２９のみに液体としての水を存在させる。 (8) Embodiment 8 FIGS. 21 and 22
〔Constitution〕
In the eighth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.
The inlet stage 28 and the outlet stage 30 are wider than the central stage 29 and have a uniform width.
Others are the same as the first embodiment of the present invention.
[Action]
The control method of the fuel cell according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention is effective when it is desired to make the water content of the droplets exist only in the inlet stage 28 and the center stage 29 of the oxidizing gas flow path to compensate for insufficient humidification at the hydrogen side outlet. is there.
The pressure drop characteristic of the eighth embodiment of the present invention is that there is almost no pressure drop at the inlet stage 28, a large pressure drop at the center stage 29, and almost no pressure drop at the outlet stage 30, as shown by the line A in FIG. By determining the flow rate of the supply gas and the back pressure (point L in FIG. 22), the saturated moisture content in the entire gas flow path is determined as shown by the line B in FIG. Further, the humidification amount is adjusted to nearly 100%, and the intersection of the line B and the line C (point N in FIG. 22) is brought to the boundary between the center stage 29 and the exit stage 30, so that the liquid is formed as a liquid in the entire gas flow path. The existing water is as shown by the line D in FIG. In this way, by designing the flow path shape, the back pressure, and the humidification amount, water as a liquid is present only in the inlet stage 28 and the center stage 29 in the entire gas flow path.

（９）実施例９……図２３、図２４
〔構成〕
本発明の実施例９では、図２３に示すように、入口段２８と中央段２９の間のターン部分の幅を狭くした絞り３２を設けた流路形状とする。
入口段２８と中央段２９から出口段３０にかけては均等幅の流路形状である。
その他は本発明の実施例１と同じである。
〔作用〕
本発明の実施例９の燃料電池の制御方法は、酸化ガス流路の入口段２８と出口段３０のみに液滴の水分を存在させて、水素側入口部と出口部の双方の加湿不足を補いたい時に有効である。
本発明の実施例９の圧損特性は、図２４の線Ａに示すように、入口段２８ではほとんど圧力降下がなく、入口段２８と中央段２９の間で大きく圧力降下し、中央段２９から出口段３０にかけてはほとんど圧力降下がない。供給ガスの流量、背圧（図２４の点Ｌ）を決めることで、ガス流路全域内の飽和水分量が図２４の線Ｂのように決まる。さらに加湿量を１００％近くに調整し、線Ｂと線Ｃの交点（図２４の点Ｎ）を入口段２８と中央段２９の境にもってくると同時に、線Ｂと線Ｃの２つ目の交点（図２０の点Ｏ）を中央段２９と出口段３０の境にもってくることで、ガス流路全域内にて液体として存在する水は図２４の線Ｄのようになる。このように、流路形状と背圧、加湿量を調整した設計をすることにより、ガス流路全域内の入口段２８と出口段３０のみに液体としての水を存在させる。 (9) Embodiment 9 FIGS. 23 and 24
〔Constitution〕
In the ninth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 23, a flow path shape having a throttle 32 having a narrower turn portion between the inlet stage 28 and the center stage 29 is provided.
The inlet stage 28 and the central stage 29 to the outlet stage 30 have a uniform width channel shape.
Others are the same as the first embodiment of the present invention.
[Action]
In the control method of the fuel cell according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention, the moisture of the droplet is present only in the inlet stage 28 and the outlet stage 30 of the oxidizing gas flow path, and the insufficient humidification of both the hydrogen-side inlet and outlet is performed. It is effective when you want to supplement.
The pressure loss characteristic of the ninth embodiment of the present invention is that, as shown by the line A in FIG. 24, there is almost no pressure drop at the inlet stage 28, a large pressure drop between the inlet stage 28 and the center stage 29, There is almost no pressure drop over the outlet stage 30. By determining the flow rate of the supply gas and the back pressure (point L in FIG. 24), the saturated moisture amount in the entire gas flow path is determined as shown by the line B in FIG. Further, the humidification amount is adjusted to nearly 100%, and the intersection of the line B and the line C (point N in FIG. 24) is brought to the boundary between the entrance stage 28 and the center stage 29, and at the same time, the second of the line B and the line C 20 (point O in FIG. 20) at the boundary between the center stage 29 and the exit stage 30, water existing as a liquid in the entire gas flow path becomes as shown by a line D in FIG. In this way, by designing the shape of the flow path, the back pressure, and the humidification amount, water as a liquid is present only in the inlet stage 28 and the outlet stage 30 in the entire gas flow path.

（１０）実施例１０……図２６〜図３４
〔構成〕
本発明の実施例１０では、図２６、図２７に示すように、酸化ガス加湿器５と燃料電池１との間に燃料電池１への空気供給方向を切り替える入口側切替弁２００と、燃料電池１と酸化ガス背圧調整弁７との間に燃料電池１からの空気排出方向を切り替える出口側切替弁２０１が設置されている。入口側切替弁２００と出口側切替弁２０１は互いに連動して作動し、その作動は制御装置１１によって制御される。空気の流れ方向が切替え可能である点で、本発明の他の実施例と異なる。実施例１〜９にて酸化ガス導入穴２１であったものは酸化ガスの流れ方向を切り替えると酸化ガス排出穴となるので、実施例１０では、２１は酸化ガス導入排出穴Ａと呼ぶことにする。同様に、実施例１〜９にて酸化ガス排出穴２１であったものは酸化ガスの流れ方向を切り替えると酸化ガス導入穴となるので、実施例１０では、２２は酸化ガス導入排出穴Ｂと呼ぶことにする。
図２８のセパレータ流路では、入口段２８、中央段２９、出口段３０の順に、酸化ガスの蛇行流路の流路幅が狭くなっている。
その他は本発明の実施例１と同じである。 (10) Embodiment 10 FIGS. 26 to 34
〔Constitution〕
In the tenth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, an inlet-side switching valve 200 for switching the air supply direction to the fuel cell 1 between the oxidizing gas humidifier 5 and the fuel cell 1, An outlet-side switching valve 201 for switching the direction of discharging air from the fuel cell 1 is provided between the fuel cell 1 and the oxidizing gas back pressure regulating valve 7. The inlet-side switching valve 200 and the outlet-side switching valve 201 operate in conjunction with each other, and the operation is controlled by the controller 11. It differs from the other embodiments of the present invention in that the flow direction of the air can be switched. The oxidizing gas introduction hole 21 in Examples 1 to 9 becomes an oxidizing gas discharge hole when the flow direction of the oxidizing gas is switched. Therefore, in Example 10, the oxidizing gas introduction hole 21 is referred to as an oxidizing gas introduction hole A. I do. Similarly, what is the oxidizing gas discharge hole 21 in Examples 1 to 9 becomes an oxidizing gas introduction hole when the flow direction of the oxidizing gas is switched. I will call it.
In the separator channel shown in FIG. 28, the meandering channel of the oxidizing gas has a narrower channel width in the order of the inlet stage 28, the center stage 29, and the outlet stage 30.
Others are the same as the first embodiment of the present invention.

〔作用〕
本発明の実施例１０の燃料電池の制御方法では、酸化ガスの導入・排出方向を切替え、加湿量を変化させることにより、酸化ガス流路中の任意の位置に液体としての水を存在させるように制御する。図２８の（ａ）、（ｂ）、（ｃ）、（ｄ）、（ｅ）、（ｆ）に、液体としての水を存在させる位置を互いに変えた６種類のパターンを示す。液体の水が存在するとこを色付けで表示した。 [Action]
In the control method of the fuel cell according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention, the direction of introduction and discharge of the oxidizing gas is switched and the amount of humidification is changed so that water as a liquid exists at an arbitrary position in the oxidizing gas flow path. To control. (A), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of FIG. 28 show six types of patterns in which the positions where water as a liquid is present are changed. The presence of liquid water is indicated by color.

図２９は、図２８のパターン（ａ）の場合の水分布制御の概要を表したグラフである。入口側切替弁２００と出口側切替弁２０１を切り替えて、酸化ガス導入排出穴Ａ２１から流れ込んだ酸化ガスが全体的に大蛇行流路を流れて、酸化ガス導入排出穴Ｂ２２から排出されるようにする。
下段３０の幅を小さくしてあるため、図２９の線Ａに示すように、圧力は、上段、中段では徐々に減少し、下段で大きく低下する圧損特性を得ることができる。供給ガスの流量、背圧（図２９の点Ｌ）を決めることで全体ガス流路内の飽和水分量が図２９の線Ｂのように決まる。一方、全体ガス流路内の水分量は供給するガスの加湿量（図２９の点Ｍ）を決めることで、発電により生成される水分量と合わせて図２９の線Ｃのように決まる。ただし、発電による生成水は面内で均一であり、水分はすべて後方へ流れていくものと仮定している。点Ｌと点Ｍを調整し、線Ｂと線Ｃの交点（図２９の点Ｎ）を中央段と下段の境にもってくることにより、全体ガス流路内にて液体として存在する水は図２９の線Ｄのようになる。このように、流路形状と背圧、加湿量を調整した設計をすることにより、全体ガス流路内の下段３０のみに液体としての水を存在させる。
点Ｌに示す背圧値は酸化ガス背圧用圧力センサ９を観察し、酸化ガス背圧調整弁７によって調整する。
点Ｍに示す加湿量は酸化ガス加湿器５によって調整する。 FIG. 29 is a graph showing an outline of water distribution control in the case of the pattern (a) in FIG. The inlet-side switching valve 200 and the outlet-side switching valve 201 are switched so that the oxidizing gas flowing from the oxidizing gas introducing / discharging hole A21 flows through the large meandering channel as a whole and is discharged from the oxidizing gas introducing / discharging hole B22. I do.
Since the width of the lower stage 30 is reduced, the pressure loss characteristics can be obtained in which the pressure gradually decreases in the upper stage and the middle stage, and largely decreases in the lower stage, as shown by the line A in FIG. By determining the flow rate of the supply gas and the back pressure (point L in FIG. 29), the amount of saturated moisture in the entire gas flow path is determined as shown by the line B in FIG. On the other hand, the amount of moisture in the entire gas passage is determined as shown by the line C in FIG. 29 by determining the humidification amount of the supplied gas (point M in FIG. 29) and the amount of moisture generated by power generation. However, it is assumed that the water generated by power generation is uniform in the plane, and that all the water flows backward. By adjusting the points L and M and bringing the intersection of the line B and the line C (point N in FIG. 29) to the boundary between the center stage and the lower stage, the water existing as a liquid in the entire gas flow path is It looks like line D of 29. In this manner, by designing the flow path shape, the back pressure, and the humidification amount, water as a liquid is present only in the lower stage 30 in the entire gas flow path.
The back pressure value indicated by the point L is adjusted by the oxidizing gas back pressure regulating valve 7 by observing the oxidizing gas back pressure pressure sensor 9.
The humidification amount shown at the point M is adjusted by the oxidizing gas humidifier 5.

図３０は、図２８のパターン（ｂ）の場合の水分布制御の概要を表したグラフである。パターン（ａ）との違いは、加湿量を変えた点で、それにより、点Ｍ、線Ｃ、点Ｎが変化し、線Ｄすなわち液体として存在する水が中段２９、下段３０部分となる。   FIG. 30 is a graph showing an outline of water distribution control in the case of the pattern (b) in FIG. The difference from the pattern (a) is that the amount of humidification is changed, whereby the point M, the line C, and the point N change, and the line D, that is, the water existing as a liquid, becomes the middle section 29 and the lower section 30.

図３１は、図２８のパターン（ｃ）の場合の水分布制御の概要を表したグラフである。パターン（ａ）との違いは、加湿量を変えた点で、それにより、点Ｍ、線Ｃ、点Ｎが変化し、線Ｄすなわち液体として存在する水が上段２８、中段２９、下段３０部分となる。   FIG. 31 is a graph showing an outline of water distribution control in the case of the pattern (c) in FIG. The difference from the pattern (a) is that the humidification amount is changed, whereby the point M, the line C, and the point N are changed, and the line D, that is, the water existing as a liquid is in the upper 28, middle 29, and lower 30 portions. It becomes.

図３２は、図２８のパターン（ｄ）の場合の水分布制御の概要を表したグラフである。入口側切替弁２００と出口側切替弁２０１を切り替えて、酸化ガス導入排出穴Ｂ２２から流れ込んだ酸化ガスが全体的に大蛇行流路を流れて、酸化ガス導入排出穴Ａ２１から排出されるようにする。
下段３０の幅を小さくしてあるため、図３２の線Ａに示すように圧力は下段で大きく低下し、中段、上段では徐々に減少しする圧損特性を得ることができる。供給ガスの流量、背圧（図３２の点Ｌ）を決めることで全体ガス流路内の飽和水分量が図３２の線Ｂのように決まる。一方、全体ガス流路内の水分量は供給するガスの加湿量（図３２の点Ｍ）を決めることで、発電により生成される水分量と合わせて図３２の線Ｃのように決まる。ただし、発電による生成水は面内で均一であり、水分はすべて後方へ流れていくものと仮定している。点Ｌと点Ｍを調整し、線Ｂと線Ｃの交点（図２９の点Ｎ）を上段と中段と下段の境にもってくることにより、全体ガス流路内にて液体として存在する水は図３２の線Ｄのようになる。このように、流路形状と背圧、加湿量を調整した設計をすることにより、全体ガス流路内の上段２８、中段２９、および下段３０のガス導入側に液体としての水を存在させる。
点Ｌに示す背圧値は酸化ガス背圧用圧力センサ９を観察し、酸化ガス背圧調整弁７によって調整する。
点Ｍに示す加湿量は酸化ガス加湿器５によって調整する。 FIG. 32 is a graph showing an outline of water distribution control in the case of the pattern (d) in FIG. The inlet-side switching valve 200 and the outlet-side switching valve 201 are switched so that the oxidizing gas flowing from the oxidizing gas introduction / discharge hole B22 flows through the large meandering channel as a whole and is discharged from the oxidizing gas introduction / discharge hole A21. I do.
Since the width of the lower stage 30 is reduced, it is possible to obtain a pressure loss characteristic in which the pressure largely decreases in the lower stage and gradually decreases in the middle and upper stages as shown by the line A in FIG. By determining the flow rate of the supply gas and the back pressure (point L in FIG. 32), the amount of saturated moisture in the entire gas flow path is determined as shown by the line B in FIG. On the other hand, the amount of moisture in the entire gas passage is determined as shown by a line C in FIG. 32 by determining the humidification amount of the supplied gas (point M in FIG. 32) and the amount of moisture generated by power generation. However, it is assumed that the water generated by power generation is uniform in the plane, and that all the water flows backward. By adjusting the point L and the point M and bringing the intersection of the line B and the line C (point N in FIG. 29) to the boundary between the upper, middle, and lower stages, water existing as a liquid in the entire gas flow path is A line D in FIG. 32 is obtained. As described above, by designing the flow path shape, the back pressure, and the humidification amount, water as a liquid is present on the gas introduction side of the upper stage 28, the middle stage 29, and the lower stage 30 in the entire gas passage.
The back pressure value indicated by the point L is adjusted by the oxidizing gas back pressure regulating valve 7 by observing the oxidizing gas back pressure pressure sensor 9.
The humidification amount shown at the point M is adjusted by the oxidizing gas humidifier 5.

図３３は、図２８のパターン（ｅ）の場合の水分布制御の概要を表したグラフである。パターン（ｄ）との違いは、加湿量を変えた点で、それにより、点Ｍ、線Ｃ、点Ｎが変化し、線Ｄすなわち液体として存在する水が上段２８のガス排出側のみとなる。   FIG. 33 is a graph showing an outline of water distribution control in the case of the pattern (e) in FIG. The difference from the pattern (d) is that the humidification amount is changed, whereby the point M, the line C, and the point N change, and the line D, that is, water existing as a liquid is only on the gas discharge side of the upper stage 28. .

図３４は、図２８のパターン（ｆ）の場合の水分布制御の概要を表したグラフである。パターン（ｄ）との違いは、加湿量を変えた点で、それにより、点Ｍ、線Ｃ、点Ｎが変化し、線Ｄすなわち液体として存在する水がなくなる。   FIG. 34 is a graph showing an outline of water distribution control in the case of the pattern (f) in FIG. The difference from the pattern (d) is that the humidification amount is changed, whereby the point M, the line C, and the point N change, and the line D, that is, the water existing as the liquid disappears.

実施例１〜１０の各実施例において、流路は図３に示したような流路内に多数の凸部を持つ流路に限定されるものではなく、図２５に示すように複数の溝をもつ流路であってもよい。また、実施例１〜１０の各実施例において、流路は３段に限定するものではない。１段の場合でも上流から下流にかけて流路を分割して考えても同様である。
また、上記説明では、ガス流路は酸化ガス流路を例にとって説明したが、燃料ガス流路でも同様のことが成立し、本発明は酸化ガス流路だけでなく、燃料ガス流路の場合も含むものとする。 In each of the first to tenth embodiments, the flow path is not limited to the flow path having a large number of protrusions in the flow path as shown in FIG. 3, but a plurality of grooves as shown in FIG. May be provided. Further, in each of Examples 1 to 10, the flow path is not limited to three steps. Even in the case of one stage, the same applies when the flow path is divided from upstream to downstream.
Further, in the above description, the gas flow path has been described as an example of the oxidizing gas flow path, but the same holds true for the fuel gas flow path, and the present invention is applicable to not only the oxidizing gas flow path but also the fuel gas flow path. Shall be included.

本発明の燃料電池の制御方法を実行する燃料電池システム図である。FIG. 2 is a fuel cell system diagram for executing the fuel cell control method of the present invention. 固体高分子型燃料電池の単セルの一部分の断面図である。FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a part of a single cell of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. 本発明の燃料電池の制御方法が適用される燃料電池のセパレータの正面図である。FIG. 2 is a front view of a fuel cell separator to which the fuel cell control method of the present invention is applied. 本発明の実施例１の燃料電池の制御方法が実行されるセパレータの正面図である。FIG. 2 is a front view of a separator in which the control method of the fuel cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention is executed. 本発明の実施例１の燃料電池の制御方法の、水分分布制御グラフである。5 is a water distribution control graph of the fuel cell control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の実施例２の燃料電池の制御方法が実行されるセパレータの正面図である。FIG. 9 is a front view of a separator in which the control method of the fuel cell according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is executed. 本発明の実施例２の燃料電池の制御方法の、水分分布制御グラフである。6 is a water distribution control graph of the fuel cell control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の実施例３の燃料電池の制御方法が実行されるセパレータの正面図である。FIG. 9 is a front view of a separator in which a fuel cell control method according to a third embodiment of the present invention is executed. 本発明の実施例３の燃料電池の制御方法の、水分分布制御グラフである。9 is a water distribution control graph of the fuel cell control method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の実施例３のもう一つの方法に係る燃料電池の制御方法の、水分分布制御グラフである。9 is a water distribution control graph of a fuel cell control method according to another method of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 本発明の実施例４の燃料電池の制御方法が実行されるセパレータの正面図である。FIG. 13 is a front view of a separator in which a fuel cell control method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is executed. 本発明の実施例４の燃料電池の制御方法の、水分分布制御グラフである。13 is a water distribution control graph of the fuel cell control method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の実施例５の燃料電池の制御方法が実行されるセパレータの正面図である。FIG. 13 is a front view of a separator in which a fuel cell control method according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is executed. 本発明の実施例５の燃料電池の制御方法の、水分分布制御グラフである。13 is a water distribution control graph of the fuel cell control method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の実施例５のもう一つの方法に係る燃料電池の制御方法の、水分分布制御グラフである。14 is a water distribution control graph of a fuel cell control method according to another method of Example 5 of the present invention. 本発明の実施例５のさらにもう一つの方法に係る燃料電池の制御方法の、水分分布制御グラフである。13 is a water distribution control graph of a fuel cell control method according to still another method of Example 5 of the present invention. 本発明の実施例６の燃料電池の制御方法が実行されるセパレータの正面図である。FIG. 13 is a front view of a separator in which a control method for a fuel cell according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention is executed. 本発明の実施例６の燃料電池の制御方法の、水分分布制御グラフである。13 is a water distribution control graph of the fuel cell control method according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の実施例７の燃料電池の制御方法が実行されるセパレータの正面図である。It is a front view of the separator in which the control method of the fuel cell of Embodiment 7 of the present invention is executed. 本発明の実施例７の燃料電池の制御方法の、水分分布制御グラフである。13 is a water distribution control graph of the fuel cell control method according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の実施例８の燃料電池の制御方法が実行されるセパレータの正面図である。It is a front view of the separator in which the control method of the fuel cell of Embodiment 8 of the present invention is executed. 本発明の実施例８の燃料電池の制御方法の、水分分布制御グラフである。13 is a water distribution control graph of the fuel cell control method according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の実施例９の燃料電池の制御方法が実行されるセパレータの正面図である。It is a front view of the separator in which the control method of the fuel cell of Embodiment 9 of the present invention is executed. 本発明の実施例９の燃料電池の制御方法の、水分分布制御グラフである。14 is a water distribution control graph of the fuel cell control method according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の何れの実施例の方法にも適用可能な、燃料電池のセパレータの正面図である。FIG. 2 is a front view of a fuel cell separator applicable to the method of any embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の実施例１０の燃料電池の制御方法を実行する燃料電池システム図である。It is a fuel cell system diagram which performs the control method of the fuel cell of Embodiment 10 of the present invention. 本発明の実施例１０の燃料電池の制御方法が適用される燃料電池のセパレータの正面図である。It is a front view of a separator of a fuel cell to which a control method of a fuel cell of a tenth embodiment of the present invention is applied. 本発明の実施例１０の燃料電池の制御方法が適用される燃料電池のセパレータの、各パターン（ａ）〜（ｆ）の水分布概略図である。It is the water distribution schematic diagram of each pattern (a)-(f) of the separator of the fuel cell to which the control method of the fuel cell of Example 10 of this invention is applied. 本発明の実施例１０の燃料電池の制御方法の、パターン（ａ）の水分布制御概要グラフである。It is a water distribution control outline | summary graph of the pattern (a) of the control method of the fuel cell of Example 10 of this invention. 本発明の実施例１０の燃料電池の制御方法の、パターン（ｂ）の水分布制御概要グラフである。It is a water distribution control outline | summary graph of the pattern (b) of the control method of the fuel cell of Example 10 of this invention. 本発明の実施例１０の燃料電池の制御方法の、パターン（ｃ）の水分布制御概要グラフである。It is a water distribution control outline | summary graph of the pattern (c) of the control method of the fuel cell of Example 10 of this invention. 本発明の実施例１０の燃料電池の制御方法の、パターン（ｄ）の水分布制御概要グラフである。It is a water distribution control outline | summary graph of the pattern (d) of the control method of the fuel cell of Example 10 of this invention. 本発明の実施例１０の燃料電池の制御方法の、パターン（ｅ）の水分布制御概要グラフである。It is a water distribution control outline | summary graph of the pattern (e) of the control method of the fuel cell of Example 10 of this invention. 本発明の実施例１０の燃料電池の制御方法の、パターン（ｆ）の水分布制御概要グラフである。It is a water distribution control outline | summary graph of the pattern (f) of the control method of the fuel cell of Example 10 of this invention.

符号の説明Explanation of reference numerals

１ （固体高分子電解質型）燃料電池
２ 燃料ガス供給装置
３ 酸化ガス供給装置
４ 燃料ガス加湿器
５ 酸化ガス加湿器
６ 燃料ガス圧力調整弁（燃料ガス背圧調整弁）
７ 酸化ガス圧力調整弁（酸化ガス背圧調整弁）
８ 燃料ガス圧力センサ（燃料ガス背圧用圧力センサ）
９ 酸化ガス圧力センサ（酸化ガス背圧用圧力センサ）
１０ 電池作動監視装置
１１ 制御装置
１２ 電圧センサ
１２ 電流センサ
１３ 温度センサ
１５ 固定電解質膜
１６ 燃料ガス側電極（アノード）
１７ 酸化ガス側電極（カソード）
１８ セパレータ
１９ 燃料ガス導入穴
２０ 燃料ガス排出穴
２１ 酸化ガス導入穴
２２ 酸化ガス排出穴
２３、２４ 冷却水流路穴
２５、２６ 流路形成リブ
２７ 凸部
２８ （酸化ガス流路の）入口段、上段
２９ （酸化ガス流路の）中央段、中段
３０ （酸化ガス流路の）出口段、下段
３１、３２ 絞り
２００ 入口側切替弁
２０１ 出口側切替弁 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 (solid polymer electrolyte type) fuel cell 2 fuel gas supply device 3 oxidizing gas supply device 4 fuel gas humidifier 5 oxidizing gas humidifier 6 fuel gas pressure control valve (fuel gas back pressure control valve)
7 Oxidizing gas pressure regulating valve (oxidizing gas back pressure regulating valve)
8. Fuel gas pressure sensor (pressure sensor for fuel gas back pressure)
9 Oxidizing gas pressure sensor (pressure sensor for oxidizing gas back pressure)
Reference Signs List 10 Battery operation monitoring device 11 Control device 12 Voltage sensor 12 Current sensor 13 Temperature sensor 15 Fixed electrolyte membrane 16 Fuel gas side electrode (anode)
17 Oxidizing gas side electrode (cathode)
18 Separator 19 Fuel gas introduction hole 20 Fuel gas discharge hole 21 Oxidation gas introduction hole 22 Oxidation gas discharge hole 23, 24 Cooling water passage hole 25, 26 Flow passage forming rib 27 Convex part 28 (of oxidation gas passage) Upper stage 29 Middle stage (of oxidizing gas passage), Middle stage 30 (Outlet stage of oxidizing gas passage), Lower stage 31, 32 Restrictor 200 Inlet switching valve 201 Outlet switching valve

Claims (16)

反応ガスの圧力、湿度、温度、流量、流路形状による圧損特性の少なくとも１つを調整して、セル面内の液滴または水蒸気としての水分量の分布を制御する燃料電池の制御方法。   A method for controlling a fuel cell, wherein at least one of pressure drop characteristics depending on a pressure, a humidity, a temperature, a flow rate, and a flow path shape of a reaction gas is adjusted to control a distribution of a water content as droplets or water vapor in a cell surface. 燃料電池に接続された酸素含有ガスの供給装置、加湿装置、圧力センサ、圧力制御弁と、
前記燃料電池に接続された水素含有ガスの供給装置、加湿装置、圧力センサ、圧力制御弁と、
各単位電池および電池全体の作動を監視する電圧センサ、温度、電流センサを含む電池作動監視装置と、
前記各センサの信号を元に、供給装置、加湿装置、圧力制御弁の少なくとも１つを制御する制御装置と、
の少なくとも１つを用いて、セル面内の水分量の分布を制御する請求項１記載の燃料電池の制御方法。 An oxygen-containing gas supply device connected to the fuel cell, a humidifier, a pressure sensor, a pressure control valve,
A hydrogen-containing gas supply device connected to the fuel cell, a humidifier, a pressure sensor, a pressure control valve,
A battery operation monitoring device including a voltage sensor, a temperature, and a current sensor for monitoring the operation of each unit battery and the entire battery;
A control device that controls at least one of a supply device, a humidifier, and a pressure control valve based on a signal of each of the sensors;
2. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the distribution of the amount of water in the cell plane is controlled using at least one of the following. セパレータの、燃料ガス流路、酸化ガス流路の流路形状による圧損特性を関係させて、セル面内の水分量の分布を制御する請求項１または請求項２記載の燃料電池の制御方法。   3. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the distribution of the amount of water in the cell surface is controlled by relating the pressure loss characteristics of the separator to the shape of the fuel gas flow path and the oxidizing gas flow path. 燃料電池の出ガスの圧力を制御することにより、セル面内の水分量の分布を制御する請求項１または請求項２記載の燃料電池の制御方法。   3. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the distribution of the amount of water in the cell surface is controlled by controlling the pressure of the gas output from the fuel cell. 燃料電池へ供給するガス流量を制御することにより、セル面内の水分量の分布を制御する請求項１または請求項２記載の燃料電池の制御方法。   3. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the distribution of the amount of water in the cell surface is controlled by controlling the flow rate of gas supplied to the fuel cell. 燃料電池へ供給するガスの加湿量を制御することによりセル面内の水分量の分布を制御する請求項１または請求項２記載の燃料電池の制御方法。   3. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the distribution of the amount of water in the cell surface is controlled by controlling the amount of humidification of the gas supplied to the fuel cell. セル面内全域に液滴を存在させないようにした請求項１または請求項３記載の燃料電池の制御方法。   4. The method for controlling a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the liquid droplet is prevented from being present in the whole area within the cell plane. セル面内の任意の位置のみに液滴を存在させるようにした請求項１または請求項３記載の燃料電池の制御方法。   4. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the droplets are present only at an arbitrary position in the cell plane. セル面内の入口段のみに液滴を存在させるようにした請求項１または請求項３記載の燃料電池の制御方法。   4. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the liquid droplets exist only in the entrance stage in the cell plane. セル面内の中央段のみに液滴を存在させるようにした請求項１または請求項３記載の燃料電池の制御方法。   4. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the liquid droplets exist only in the central stage in the cell plane. セル面内の出口段のみに液滴を存在させるようにした請求項１または請求項３記載の燃料電池の制御方法。   4. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the liquid droplets exist only in the outlet stage in the cell plane. セル面内の入口段と中央段のみに液滴を存在させるようにした請求項１または請求項３記載の燃料電池の制御方法。   4. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein droplets are present only in the entrance stage and the center stage in the cell plane. セル面内の入口段と出口段のみに液滴を存在させるようにした請求項１または請求項３記載の燃料電池の制御方法。   4. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein droplets are present only in the entrance stage and the exit stage in the cell plane. セル面内の中央段と出口段のみに液滴を存在させるようにした請求項１または請求項３記載の燃料電池の制御方法。   4. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein droplets are present only in the center stage and the exit stage in the cell plane. セル面内全域に液滴を存在させるようにした請求項１または請求項３記載の燃料電池の制御方法。   4. The control method for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the liquid droplets exist in the whole area of the cell surface. 反応ガスの流れ方向を調整することにより、セル面内の液滴または水蒸気としての水分量の分布を制御する請求項１乃至請求項１５の何れか一項記載の燃料電池の制御方法。   The control method for a fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the distribution of the amount of water as droplets or water vapor in the cell surface is controlled by adjusting a flow direction of the reaction gas.
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Cited By (12)

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JP2009004151A (en) * 2007-06-20 2009-01-08 Toyota Motor Corp Fuel cell system
US8309262B2 (en) 2007-10-17 2012-11-13 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Fuel cell system
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JP4849195B2 (en) * 2009-08-26 2012-01-11 トヨタ自動車株式会社 FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING FUEL CELL SYSTEM
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