JP2005327624A - Fuel discharge system for fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel discharge system for a fuel cell excellent in storage/transportation/discharge efficiency of fuel for the fuel cell. <P>SOLUTION: By heating fuel molecule compounds 2 for the fuel cell in a fuel tank in a heating means 3, the fuel for the fuel cell is discharged from the fuel molecule compounds 2 for the fuel cell, and the fuel for the fuel cell discharged can be taken out from an exhaust line 1b. Further, after discharging the fuel for the fuel cell, the fuel for the fuel cell is led in from a lead-in line 1a to make host compounds remaining in the fuel tank 1 in contact with the fuel for the fuel cell and form fuel molecule compounds for the fuel cell again, whereby, formation of the fuel molecule compounds for the fuel cell and discharge of fuel for the fuel cell from the fuel molecule compounds for the fuel cell can be repeatedly carried out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell fuel release device that stores fuel cell fuel as molecular compounds and releases the stored fuel cell fuel as fuel cell fuel.

A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell has a solid electrolyte membrane such as a perfluorosulfonic acid membrane as an electrolyte, and a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode are joined to both sides of the membrane. Hydrogen or methanol is used for the anode and oxygen is used for the cathode. Is a device that generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction. The electrochemical reaction that occurs at each electrode is as follows:
CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → 6H ⁺ + CO ₂ + 6e ⁻ [1]
And at the cathode,
3/2 O ₂ + 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ → 3H ₂ O [2]
It is. In order to cause this reaction, both electrodes are composed of a mixture of carbon fine particles carrying a catalyst substance and a solid polymer electrolyte.

  In such a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, when methanol is used as the fuel, the methanol supplied to the anode reaches the catalyst through the pores in the electrode, and the methanol is decomposed by the catalyst. Electrons and hydrogen ions are generated by the reaction of reaction formula [1]. The hydrogen ions reach the cathode through the electrolyte in the anode and the solid electrolyte membrane between the electrodes, react with oxygen supplied to the cathode and electrons flowing from the external circuit, and water is formed as in the above reaction formula [2]. Arise. On the other hand, electrons released from methanol are led to the external circuit through the catalyst carrier in the anode, and flow into the cathode from the external circuit. As a result, in the external circuit, electrons flow from the anode to the cathode and electric power is taken out.

  This direct methanol fuel cell using methanol as a fuel has a high possibility of being applicable as a portable small fuel cell, and in recent years, development has been activated as a next-generation secondary battery such as a portable computer or a mobile phone.

  In the direct methanol fuel cell, hydrogen ions generated at the anode move toward the cathode together with water molecules in the electrolyte membrane. At this time, methanol as fuel also moves from the anode to the cathode. This phenomenon is called methanol crossover and causes a decrease in output voltage that occurs when methanol is used as fuel. Methanol crossover becomes more prominent as the concentration of methanol in the fuel becomes higher. Therefore, it has been difficult to use a high-concentration methanol fuel in a direct methanol fuel cell.

Conventionally, various methods have been proposed to solve the above-mentioned methanol crossover problem. For example, an electrolyte membrane between the anode and the cathode and a method for improving the structure thereof have been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 11-26005, 2002-83612, etc.). In addition, a method has been proposed in which liquid fuel is once vaporized using a vaporizer or a heater and supplied to the anode (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-93541). Furthermore, what replaced methanol with other alcohols (isopropanol; Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2003-217642) and another organic fuel (cycloparaffins; Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2003-323896) is also proposed.
JP 11-26005 A JP 2002-83612 A JP 2001-93541 A JP 2003-217642 A JP 2003-323896 A

  However, even the above conventional method cannot sufficiently cope with methanol crossover, and further improvement is desired.

In direct methanol fuel cells using methanol as fuel, not only methanol crossover,
(1) The methanol stock solution corresponds to a deleterious substance under the Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Law, and it corresponds to a dangerous substance class 4, and requires careful handling.
(2) Since methanol is a liquid, it is necessary to prepare a highly sealed container that does not leak.
Such as problems in handling methanol,
(3) Use of a high-concentration aqueous methanol solution to increase power generation efficiency will damage the fuel cell electrodes and corrode surrounding metal materials.
There are also problems such as. Even with organic fuels other than methanol, the above problems (1) to (3) may occur, but in the past, these problems remained unsolved.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide a fuel cell fuel discharge device excellent in fuel cell fuel storage, transport and discharge efficiency.

  A fuel discharge device for a fuel cell according to the present invention includes a fuel storage tank for incorporating a fuel molecular compound for a fuel cell, which is provided with an introduction port and a discharge port for a fuel for an organic fuel cell, and a fuel cell in the fuel storage tank. And a heating means for heating the fuel molecule compound.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fuel cell fuel discharge device according to the first aspect, further comprising a stirring unit for stirring the fuel molecular compound for the fuel cell in the fuel storage tank.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fuel discharge device for a fuel cell according to the first or second aspect, further comprising cooling means for cooling the fuel molecular compound for the fuel cell in the fuel storage tank.

  The fuel cell fuel release device according to claim 4 is the fuel cell fuel molecule compound according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fuel cell fuel molecular compound is a fuel cell fuel by contact reaction between the host compound and the fuel cell fuel. It is a fuel clathrate compound for fuel cells which is clathrated.

  The fuel discharge device for a fuel cell according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in claim 4, the host compound is one or more selected from the group consisting of an organic compound, an inorganic compound, and an organic / inorganic composite compound. It is what.

  The fuel discharge device for a fuel cell according to claim 6, wherein the host compound is a monomolecular host compound, a polymolecular host compound, a polymer host compound, an inorganic host compound, or an organic / inorganic composite host. It is one or more selected from the group consisting of compounds.

  The fuel discharge device for a fuel cell according to claim 7 is the fuel discharge device for fuel cell according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the host compound is supported on a porous material.

  The fuel discharge device for a fuel cell according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in any one of claims 1 to 7, the fuel cell is a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell or a direct methanol fuel cell. is there.

  The fuel cell fuel discharge device of the present invention stores the fuel cell fuel as a molecular compound, and is therefore excellent in storage / transport efficiency. Moreover, the fuel molecular compound for a fuel cell can be easily obtained by simply contacting or recrystallizing the fuel for a fuel cell with a compound that forms a molecular compound with the fuel for the fuel cell (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “component compound”). From this fuel cell fuel molecule compound, the fuel cell fuel can be efficiently released by heating at a relatively low temperature by the heating means.

  The fuel cell fuel discharge device of the present invention preferably includes stirring means for stirring the fuel cell fuel molecular compound in the storage tank, and the fuel cell fuel molecular compound is stirred by the stirring means and heated by the heating means. As a result, the fuel cell fuel can be released more efficiently. Further, when the fuel cell fuel is brought into contact with the component compound from which the fuel cell fuel has been released to form the fuel cell fuel molecular compound, the fuel cell fuel is brought into contact while stirring the component compound with this stirring means. As a result, it is possible to efficiently form the fuel molecule compound for the fuel cell and store the fuel cell fuel.

  The fuel cell fuel discharge device of the present invention may further include a cooling means for cooling the fuel cell fuel molecular compound in the fuel storage tank, and the fuel cell fuel molecule compound is heated by the heating means to be converted from the fuel cell fuel molecular compound to the fuel cell. After the fuel for fuel is released, it is cooled by this cooling means, and the release of the fuel for fuel cell from the fuel cell fuel molecular compound can be immediately stopped.

  As the fuel molecule compound for the fuel cell, a fuel clathrate compound for the fuel cell in which the fuel for the fuel cell is clathrated by contact reaction or recrystallization between the host compound and the fuel cell fuel is suitable.

The fuel discharge device for a fuel cell of the present invention uses a fuel cell fuel molecular compound as a fuel cell fuel supply source,
(i) Fuel cell fuels can be stored relatively easily and lightly under normal temperature and normal pressure conditions;
(ii) Fuel cell fuel stored as a fuel cell fuel molecular compound can be released and supplied by heating at a relatively low temperature;
(iii) Although many fuels for fuel cells are designated as dangerous or deleterious substances, we provide a highly safe fuel cell fuel release device that avoids these by using fuel molecular compounds for fuel cells. can do;
(iv) A compound such as a host compound after releasing the fuel cell fuel (the “component compound”) can react with the fuel cell fuel to obtain a fuel cell fuel molecular compound again and reuse it. Is possible;
In particular, various fuel cells such as a fuel cell in which safety and weight reduction are particularly important, specifically, a solid polymer type, a type using organic fuel such as a direct methanol type, especially a mobile phone and a mobile This is extremely useful as a fuel discharge device for portable small fuel cells for portable computers and fuel cells for automobiles.

  Embodiments of a fuel discharge device for a fuel cell according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 are system diagrams each showing an embodiment of a fuel cell fuel discharge device of the present invention.

  In the fuel cell fuel discharge device of FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a fuel storage tank containing a fuel cell fuel molecular compound 2, which has a fuel cell fuel inlet and a fuel cell fuel outlet, A fuel cell fuel introduction line 1a and a discharge line 1b are connected. In addition, a heating means 3 for heating the fuel molecule compound 2 for a fuel cell is provided. The fuel molecule compound for a fuel cell is preferably a fuel clathrate compound for a fuel cell in which the fuel for the fuel cell is clathrated by a contact reaction between the host compound and the fuel for the fuel cell.

  With this fuel cell fuel release device, the fuel cell fuel molecular compound 2 in the fuel storage tank 1 is heated by the heating means 3 to release the fuel cell fuel from the fuel cell fuel molecular compound 2 and release it. The fuel cell fuel can be taken out from the discharge line 1b. Further, after the fuel cell fuel is released, the fuel cell fuel is introduced from the introduction line 1a, and the host compound remaining in the fuel storage tank 1 is brought into contact with the fuel cell fuel to form the fuel cell fuel molecular compound again. Thus, the formation of the fuel cell fuel molecular compound and the release of the fuel cell fuel from the fuel cell fuel molecular compound can be repeated. In addition, the introduction line 1a and the drainage line 1b may be combined into one and the fuel may be introduced and discharged through one line.

  The fuel storage tank 1 includes a container that can store a fuel molecule compound for a fuel cell. The constituent material is preferably a material that can withstand heating up to 100 ° C., preferably up to 200 ° C., since heating is performed when the fuel cell fuel is released from the fuel cell fuel molecular compound. Moreover, in order to improve thermal efficiency, the container provided with the heat insulating material etc. may be sufficient. This container is preferably constructed so that fuel for fuel cells can be stored under normal pressure conditions, since it can be reduced in weight, but it may be a pressure-resistant container.

  The heating means 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can heat the fuel molecular compound for the fuel cell in the fuel storage tank 1. For example, in addition to a hot water heater and an oil heater through which a heating medium such as hot water and oil is circulated as shown in FIG. 1, an electric heating element such as an electric heating heater and a Peltier element can be used.

  Note that exhaust heat generated from the fuel cell may be absorbed by the heating medium (preferably using water to make warm water) and circulated through the heating means 3. Thereby, energy can be used efficiently, which is preferable.

The fuel discharge device for a fuel cell shown in FIG. 2 is provided with control valves V _a and V _b in the fuel cell fuel introduction line 1a and the discharge line 1b, respectively, and by opening / closing or opening control of the valves V _a and V _b , The fuel cell fuel discharge device shown in FIG. 1 is different from the fuel cell fuel discharge device shown in FIG. 1 in that the fuel cell fuel can be introduced or discharged, or the flow rate thereof can be controlled.

The control valves V _a and V _b are not particularly limited as long as they can control the flow and flow rate of fuel for the fuel cell by opening / closing or opening control, but the fuel storage tank 1 is pressurized under conditions. When used, it is preferable to use a pressure-resistant valve.

  The fuel cell fuel release device shown in FIG. 3 has a cooling means 4 for cooling the fuel cell fuel molecular compound 2 in the fuel storage tank 1. The fuel cell fuel molecular compound 2 is heated and then cooled by the cooling means 4. Thus, the fuel cell fuel discharge device shown in FIG. 2 is different from the fuel cell fuel discharge device shown in FIG. 2 in that the fuel cell fuel discharge can be immediately stopped.

  That is, after the fuel cell fuel molecule compound 2 in the fuel storage tank 1 is heated to release the fuel cell fuel, the fuel cell fuel molecules in the fuel storage tank 1 are stopped when the fuel cell fuel release is stopped. When returning the compound 2 to room temperature, if the material of the fuel storage tank 1 is non-adiabatic, it can be cooled by natural cooling relatively early, but the material of the fuel storage tank 1 is adiabatic. In this case, or when rapid cooling is required, it is preferable to provide a cooling means 4 for cooling the fuel molecular compound 2 for the fuel cell in the fuel storage tank 1 as shown in FIG.

  As the cooling means 4, in FIG. 3, a coiled pipe for heat exchange through which a cooling medium such as cooling water circulates is used. However, the cooling means 4 is not limited to this.

  The fuel cell fuel discharge device shown in FIG. 4 has a stirring means 5 for stirring the fuel cell fuel molecular compound 2 in the fuel storage tank 1 and a fuel cell fuel circulation line 6 provided with a pump P. Unlike the fuel cell fuel discharge device shown in FIG.

  That is, generally, since the fuel cell fuel molecular compound 2 and the host compound after releasing the fuel cell fuel are powder as described later, the fuel cell fuel release from the fuel cell fuel molecular compound 2 In the formation of the fuel cell fuel molecular compound by contacting the host cell and the fuel cell fuel after releasing the fuel cell fuel, the stirring by the agitating means 5 is the fuel cell fuel release efficiency or This is preferable for improving the contact efficiency between the fuel for the fuel cell and the host compound.

  As this stirring means, a stirrer provided with a stirring blade can be used.

  When the fuel cell fuel and the host compound are brought into contact to form the fuel cell fuel molecular compound, the fuel cell fuel is introduced into the fuel storage tank 1 from the introduction line and discharged from the discharge line 1b. It is preferable that the fuel for fuel is circulated by the pump P to the inlet side through the circulation line 6 in order to improve the fuel cell fuel recovery efficiency and the fuel cell fuel molecular compound formation efficiency.

As shown in FIG. 5, there are a plurality of fuel cell fuel tanks containing the fuel molecule compound 2 for the fuel cell, the heating means 3, and further the cooling means 4 and / or the agitation means 5 (three in FIG. 5). The fuel storage tanks 1A, 1B, and 1C may be connected in series (in FIG. 5, V _a , V _b , V _c , and V _d are on-off valves). As shown in FIG. (In FIG. 6, three fuel storage tanks 1A, 1B, 1C) may be arranged in parallel. In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, when a plurality of fuel storage tanks are arranged in parallel and these are connected by multi-way valves (four-way valves V _A and V _{B in} FIG. 6), the flow path of the valve is switched, and the fuel cell It is also possible to perform continuous operation by switching between a fuel storage tank that discharges fuel for fuel and a fuel storage tank that stores fuel for fuel cell.

  1 to 6 show an example of the embodiment of the fuel cell fuel discharge device of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention. For example, the fuel cell fuel discharge device of FIG. 2 may be further provided with stirring means and / or a circulation line.

  The fuel cell fuel discharge device of the present invention further includes a fuel cell fuel molecule compound or a component compound for the purpose of more efficiently discharging the fuel cell fuel and storing the fuel cell fuel. There may be provided a shelf for holding the inside, or a vibration mechanism for dispersing and supplying fuel for the fuel cell into the fuel storage tank.

  Next, the fuel molecule compound for a fuel cell used in the present invention will be described.

  The term “molecular compound” as used in the present invention means that two or more kinds of compounds that can exist stably alone are bonded by a relatively weak interaction other than a covalent bond, such as a hydrogen bond or van der Waals force. And includes hydrates, solvates, addition compounds, inclusion compounds, and the like. Such a fuel cell fuel molecule compound is preferably one that can be formed by a contact reaction between a component compound such as a host compound that forms the fuel cell fuel molecule compound and a fuel cell fuel. This fuel molecule compound is relatively lightweight and can store fuel cell fuel in a state close to normal temperature and pressure, and can release fuel cell fuel by simple heating or the like.

  As the fuel cell fuel molecule compound, a fuel cell fuel clathrate compound in which a fuel cell fuel is clathrated with host molecules is suitable.

  Examples of such host compounds include organic compounds, inorganic compounds, and organic / inorganic composite compounds. Monomolecular host compounds, multimolecular host compounds, polymer host compounds, inorganic host compounds, organic / inorganic Any of a composite host compound may be used.

  Monomolecular host compounds include cyclodextrins, crown ethers, cryptands, cyclophanes, azacyclophanes, calixarenes, cyclotriveratrilens, spherands, cyclic oligopeptides, etc. .

  Examples of the multimolecular host compounds include ureas, thioureas, deoxycholic acids, perhydrotriphenylenes, tri-o-thymotides, bianthryls, spirobifluorenes, cyclophosphazenes, monoalcohols, diols , Acetylene alcohols, hydroxybenzophenones, phenols, bisphenols, trisphenols, tetrakisphenols, polyphenols, naphthols, bisnaphthols, diphenylmethanols, carboxylic acid amides, thioamides, bixanthenes, carvone Examples include acids, imidazoles, and hydroquinones.

  Polymeric host compounds include celluloses, starches, chitins, chitosans, polyvinyl alcohols, polyethylene glycol arm polymers having 1,1,2,2-tetrakisphenylethane as the core, α, α, Examples include polyethylene glycol arm type polymers having α ′, α′-tetrakisphenylxylene as a core.

  Examples of inorganic host compounds include titanium oxide, graphite, alumina, transition metal dicargogenite, lanthanum fluoride, clay minerals (such as montmorillonite), silver salts, silicates, phosphates, zeolites, silica, and porous glass. It is done.

  Examples of the organic / inorganic composite host compound include calixarene-tungsten oxide clusters.

  In addition, an organophosphorus compound, an organosilicon compound, etc. are also mentioned. In addition, some organometallic compounds exhibit properties as host compounds, such as organoaluminum compounds, organotitanium compounds, organoboron compounds, organozinc compounds, organoindium compounds, organogallium compounds, organotellurium compounds, organotin compounds. , Organic zirconium compounds, and organic magnesium compounds. Further, it is possible to use a metal salt of an organic carboxylic acid, an organic metal complex, or the like, but it is not particularly limited as long as it is an organic metal compound.

  Of these host compounds, multi-molecular host compounds whose inclusion ability is hardly influenced by the molecular size of the guest compound are preferable.

  Specific examples of the multimolecular host compound include urea, 1,1,6,6-tetraphenylhexa-2,4-diyne-1,6-diol, and 1,1-bis (2,4-dimethyl). Phenyl) -2-propyn-1-ol, 1,1,4,4-tetraphenyl-2-butyne-1,4-diol, 1,1,6,6-tetrakis (2,4-dimethylphenyl)- 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diol, 9,10-diphenyl-9,10-dihydroanthracene-9,10-diol, 9,10-bis (4-methylphenyl) -9,10-dihydroanthracene- 9,10-diol, 1,1,2,2-tetraphenylethane-1,2-diol, 4-methoxyphenol, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, 4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2 2'-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2,2 ', 4,4'-tetrahydroxybenzophenone, 1,1-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexane, 4,4'-sulfonylbisphenol, 2,2'-methylenebis (4- Methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 4,4′-ethylidenebisphenol, 4,4′-thiobis (3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol), 1,1,3-tris (2-methyl-4-hydroxy) -5-t-butylphenyl) butane, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis (4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis (4-hydroxyphenyl) ethylene, 1,1,2, 2-tetrakis (3-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis (3-fluoro-4-hydroxy) Phenyl) ethane, α, α, α ′, α′-tetrakis (4-hydroxyphenyl) -p-xylene, tetrakis (p-methoxyphenyl) ethylene, 3,6,3 ′, 6′-tetramethoxy-9, 9'-bi-9H-xanthene, 3,6,3 ', 6'-tetraacetoxy-9,9'-bi-9H-xanthene, 3,6,3', 6'-tetrahydroxy-9,9 ' -Bi-9H-xanthene, gallic acid, methyl gallate, catechin, bis-β-naphthol, α, α, α ′, α′-tetraphenyl-1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-dimethanol, Diphenic acid bisdicyclohexylamide, fumaric acid bisdicyclohexylamide, cholic acid, deoxycholic acid, 1,1,2,2-tetraphenylethane, tetrakis (p-iodophenyl) ethylene, 9,9 ′ -Beanthryl, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) ethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis (3-carboxyphenyl) ethane, acetylenedicarboxylic acid, 2,4,5-triphenylimidazole 1,2,4,5-tetraphenylimidazole, 2-phenylphenanthro [9,10-d] imidazole, 2- (o-cyanophenyl) phenanthro [9,10-d] imidazole, 2- (m -Cyanophenyl) phenanthro [9,10-d] imidazole, 2- (p-cyanophenyl) phenanthro [9,10-d] imidazole, hydroquinone, 2-t-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-t-butyl And hydroquinone and 2,5-bis (2,4-dimethylphenyl) hydroquinone.

  Among the compounds described above, 1,1-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexane, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis (4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis (4 Phenolic host compounds such as -hydroxyphenyl) ethylene are advantageous in terms of economy and inclusion ability.

  These host compounds may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

  The property of the host compound is not particularly limited as long as a molecular compound is formed, and may be solid, powder, granular, or massive, and may be crystalline or amorphous (amorphous). When the host compound is a powdery solid, the particle size is not particularly limited, but is usually about 1 mm or less.

  These host compounds can also be used as a host compound-containing composite material supported on a porous material. In this case, examples of the porous material supporting the host compound include, but are not limited to, intercalation compounds such as clay minerals and montmorillonites in addition to silicas, zeolites and activated carbons. . Such a host compound-containing composite material is manufactured by a method in which the above-mentioned host compound is dissolved in a solvent capable of dissolving, the solution is impregnated in a porous material, and the solvent is dried and dried under reduced pressure. Can do. Although there is no restriction | limiting in particular as the load of the organic compound with respect to a porous material, Usually, it is about 10 to 80 weight% with respect to a porous material.

  A host compound such as 1,1-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexane described above is known to incorporate various guest molecules to form a crystalline inclusion compound. It is also known that an inclusion compound is formed by direct contact reaction with a guest compound (which may be in a solid, liquid, or gas state).

  The fuel for the fuel cell may be any fuel that can be used as fuel for the fuel cell, and examples thereof include alcohols, ethers, hydrocarbons, acetals, and the like, but are not limited thereto. . As the fuel for the fuel cell, those which are generally liquid at normal temperature and normal pressure are preferable, and specifically, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, dimethyl ether, methyl ethyl ether, and the like. , Ethers such as diethyl ether, hydrocarbons such as propane and butane, and acetals such as dimethoxymethane and trimethoxymethane. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. May be used.

Example 1
50 g of methanol clathrate compound in which 1 mol of methanol is clathrated in 1 mol of 1,1-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) cyclohexane is placed in the fuel storage tank shown in FIG. 4, and the methanol clathrate compound in the fuel storage tank is stirred. When heated to 60 to 100 ° C., methanol could be released. Then, when it cooled to 20 degreeC, discharge | release of methanol from the methanol clathrate compound stopped.

1 is a system diagram of a fuel discharge device for a fuel cell according to a first embodiment. It is a systematic diagram of the fuel discharge device for fuel cells which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a systematic diagram of the fuel discharge device for fuel cells which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a systematic diagram of the fuel discharge device for fuel cells which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a systematic diagram of the fuel discharge device for fuel cells which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a systematic diagram of the fuel discharge device for fuel cells which concerns on 6th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1A, 1B, 1C Fuel storage tank 3 Heating means 4 Cooling means 5 Stirring means

Claims (8)

  A fuel storage tank for incorporating a fuel molecular compound for a fuel cell, having an inlet and a discharge port for an organic fuel cell fuel, and a heating means for heating the fuel molecular compound for the fuel cell in the fuel storage tank A fuel discharge device for a fuel cell.   2. The fuel discharge device for a fuel cell according to claim 1, further comprising stirring means for stirring the fuel molecular compound for the fuel cell in the fuel storage tank.   3. The fuel cell fuel discharge device according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling means for cooling the fuel cell fuel molecular compound in the fuel storage tank.   4. The fuel clath compound for a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the fuel molecular compound for a fuel cell is a clathrate for a fuel cell comprising a fuel for the fuel cell by a contact reaction between the host compound and the fuel for the fuel cell. A fuel discharge device for a fuel cell.   5. The fuel discharge device for a fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein the host compound is one or more selected from the group consisting of an organic compound, an inorganic compound, and an organic / inorganic composite compound.   6. The host compound according to claim 5, wherein the host compound is selected from the group consisting of a monomolecular host compound, a multimolecular host compound, a polymer host compound, an inorganic host compound, and an organic / inorganic composite host compound. A fuel discharge device for a fuel cell, which is as described above.   7. The fuel discharge device for a fuel cell according to claim 5, wherein the host compound is supported on a porous material.   8. The fuel discharge device for a fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fuel cell is a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell or a direct methanol fuel cell.

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