JP2006156251A - Fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve stability of an output and durability of a fuel cell by suitably controlling a humid condition electrolyte, without making a structure of a fuel cell system complicated. <P>SOLUTION: In the fuel cell system 10, cooling water exhausted from a fuel cell stack 20, in which an oxidant and a heating medium flow nearly in parallel with each other, circulates itself by being put back into the stack 20 after being cooled. Part of the cooling water exhausted from the fuel cell stack 20 exchanges heat at a fuel humidifier 40, and the rest of the cooling water exhausted from the stack 20 and cooling water heat-exchanged at the fuel humidifier 40 are further heat-exchanged at an air humidifier 60. In such a structure, a distribution ratio of the part of the cooling water to the rest is set so that temperature of the fuel humidified by the fuel humidifier 40, that of the oxidant humidified by the air humidifier 60, and that of the cooling water supplied to a heating medium flow channel be substantially the same. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell system.

  A polymer electrolyte fuel cell is a cell (membrane electrode assembly) formed by joining and integrating an anode (fuel electrode) on one surface of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and a cathode (air electrode) on the other surface, A plurality of layers are stacked with a cell sandwiched between a plate provided with a grooved fuel flow path on the surface facing the anode and a plate provided with a grooved oxidant flow path on the surface facing the cathode. A fuel cell stack is constructed by attaching an end plate and tightening with a through bolt. Then, fuel (hydrogen or hydrogen-based reformed gas) is circulated through the fuel flow path, and oxidant gas (usually air) is circulated through the oxidant flow path, and electricity is passed through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. DC power is generated by causing a chemical reaction.

  In such a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the polymer electrolyte membrane functions properly in a saturated and wet state. Therefore, after the reaction gas (fuel and / or oxidizer) is humidified with a humidifier or the like, the flow path of the plate is passed through. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane is maintained in a saturated and wet state by flowing. The operating temperature of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is about 80 ° C., but since the electrochemical reaction is an exothermic reaction, the temperature rises during power generation. In order to prevent this, a cooling plate is generally incorporated in the fuel cell stack, and cooling water is circulated through the channel to keep the fuel cell stack at the operating temperature.

  On the other hand, in order to make the output of each cell of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell uniform, it is necessary to uniformly distribute the reaction gas to each reaction gas flow path in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. However, if condensation occurs before the reactant gas is distributed from the manifold to each reactant gas channel, the inlet of the reactant gas channel is blocked, the reactant gas distribution to each cell becomes uneven, and the output becomes unstable. . For this reason, it is desirable to make the dew point of the reaction gas equal to the temperature of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Here, the temperature of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is represented by the temperature of the cooling water discharged from the polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 can be cited as methods for interlocking the dew point of the reaction gas with the temperature of the cooling water. Patent Document 3 describes a method in which the amount of energy supplied to the humidifier is manipulated so that the amount of humidification follows the change in the reaction gas flow rate.
JP 7-226222 A JP 7-326376 A JP-A-9-55218

  In the conventional fuel cell system, the cooling water discharged from the fuel cell is heat-exchanged by the reaction gas humidifier, further cooled by the heat exchanger, etc., and then returned to the fuel cell, so that it flows into the fuel cell. The temperature of the cooling water is lower than the fuel dew point and the air dew point. For this reason, in the conventional fuel cell system, if the temperature of the coolant flowing into the fuel cell, the fuel dew point, and the air dew point are set to substantially the same temperature, the system and control become complicated, and the fuel cell flows into the fuel cell. There is a problem that it is difficult to make the temperature of the cooling water to follow the change in the current and the flow rate of the reaction gas.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the object thereof is to appropriately control the wet state of the electrolyte without complicating the configuration of the fuel cell system, thereby stabilizing the output of the fuel cell and To provide technology that improves durability.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, a membrane electrode assembly in which an anode is joined to one surface of an electrolyte membrane and a cathode is joined to the other surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a fuel flow path for supplying fuel to the anode are provided. A stack comprising a fuel flow path plate, an oxidant flow path plate provided with an oxidant flow path for supplying an oxidant to the cathode, and a heat medium flow path plate provided with a heat medium flow path through which the heat medium flows. A fuel cell stack including a body and a flow of fuel, oxidant, and heat medium in parallel, and means for circulating the heat medium by cooling the heat medium discharged from the fuel cell stack and then charging the fuel cell stack. The fuel humidifying means for humidifying the fuel, the oxidant humidifying means for humidifying the oxidant, and a part of the heat medium discharged from the fuel cell stack are heat-exchanged by either the fuel humidifying means or the oxidant humidifying means. And the heat medium exhausted from the fuel cell stack and the heat medium heat-exchanged with either the fuel humidification means or the oxidant humidification means, and further exchange heat with the other of the fuel humidification means or the oxidant humidification means. And the temperature of the fuel humidified by the fuel humidifying means, the temperature of the oxidant humidified by the oxidant humidifying means, and the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the heat medium flow path become substantially equal. As described above, the distribution ratio of a part of the heat medium and the remaining heat medium is determined.

  In the above configuration, the fuel flow path plate, the oxidant flow path plate, and the heat medium flow path plate are not necessarily separate members. For example, the fuel flow path is provided on one surface of the bipolar plate, and the other The present invention also includes a configuration in which the fuel flow path plate and the heat medium flow path plate are realized by one member by providing the heat medium flow path on the surface.

  According to the above configuration, in a system in which the reaction gas after humidification does not radiate heat, a special structure for linking the dew point of the reaction gas and the temperature of the cooling water is unnecessary, and the configuration of the fuel cell system is complicated. Without properly controlling the wet state of the electrolyte, the output stability and durability of the fuel cell can be improved.

  In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a membrane electrode assembly in which an anode is joined to one surface of an electrolyte membrane and a cathode is joined to the other surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a fuel flow path for supplying fuel to the anode. The fuel flow path plate, the oxidant flow path plate provided with the oxidant flow path for supplying the oxidant to the cathode, and the heat medium flow path plate provided with the heat medium flow path through which the heat medium flows are combined. A fuel cell stack including a stack, in which the flow of fuel, oxidant and heat medium is a parallel flow; and means for circulating the heat medium by cooling the heat medium discharged from the fuel cell stack into the fuel cell stack after cooling The fuel humidifying means for humidifying the fuel, the oxidant humidifying means for humidifying the oxidant, and a part of the heat medium discharged from the fuel cell stack is heat exchanged by either the fuel humidifying means or the oxidant humidifying means. Make And the heat medium exhausted from the fuel cell stack and the heat medium heat-exchanged with either the fuel humidification means or the oxidant humidification means, and further exchange heat with the other of the fuel humidification means or the oxidant humidification means. The dew point of the fuel supplied to the fuel flow path, the dew point of the oxidant supplied to the oxidant flow path, and the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the heat transfer medium flow path are substantially equal. As described above, the distribution ratio of a part of the heat medium and the remaining heat medium is determined.

  According to the above configuration, in the system in which the reaction gas after humidification dissipates, a special structure for linking the dew point of the reaction gas and the temperature of the cooling water is unnecessary, and the configuration of the fuel cell system is complicated. In addition, by appropriately managing the wet state of the electrolyte, the output stability and durability of the fuel cell can be improved.

  The said structure WHEREIN: You may further provide the heat exchanger for heat media which can adjust the temperature of the heat medium discharged | emitted from the fuel cell stack upstream of any one of a fuel humidification means or an oxidizing agent humidification means. According to this, it is possible to quickly cool the heat medium whose temperature has risen through the fuel cell system to a desired temperature.

  In the above configuration, the temperature difference between the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the fuel cell stack and the temperature of the heat medium discharged from the fuel cell stack may be within 3 ° C. According to this, the stability and durability of the output of the fuel cell can be improved.

  In the above configuration, the flow rate of the heat medium is such that the smaller the load current, the smaller the temperature difference between the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the fuel cell stack and the temperature of the heat medium discharged from the fuel cell stack. It may further comprise a control means for adjusting. According to this, since the inside of the fuel cell is suppressed from being dried at a low load current, the output stability and durability of the fuel cell are improved.

  A combination of the above-described elements as appropriate can also be included in the scope of the invention for which patent protection is sought by this patent application.

  According to the present invention, the stability and durability of the output of the fuel cell can be improved by appropriately managing the wet state of the electrolyte without complicating the configuration of the fuel cell system.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of a fuel cell system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell system 10 includes a fuel cell stack 20, a fuel supply means 30, a fuel humidifier 40, an air supply means 50, an air humidifier 60, a heat exchanger for heat medium 70, a pipe 80, a control valve 86, a circulation pump 90, and A control unit 100 is provided.

  The fuel cell stack 20 is provided with a membrane electrode assembly in which an anode is joined to one surface of a polymer electrolyte membrane and a cathode is joined to the other surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a fuel flow path for supplying fuel to the anode. The fuel flow path plate, the oxidant flow path plate provided with the oxidant flow path for supplying the oxidant to the cathode, and the heat medium flow path plate provided with the heat medium flow path through which the heat medium flows are combined. Includes laminates. The fuel cell stack 20 may have a known configuration, and a typical example thereof is the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-185938 or FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-185934. Configuration. In the fuel cell stack 20 of the present embodiment, the flow direction of the fuel and air used for power generation and the flow of the heat medium used for cooling the anode and / or cathode are parallel flows in the direction of gravity. In this embodiment, water is used as the heat medium, but other liquids and gases can be used as long as heat can be transferred. Hereinafter, water used as a heat medium is referred to as cooling water.

  The fuel supply means 30 is means for supplying hydrogen as fuel. For example, the fuel supply means 30 includes a fuel tank that stores a hydrocarbon gas such as natural gas or methane gas, a desulfurizer that removes sulfur components from the hydrocarbon gas supplied from the fuel tank, and a hydrocarbon system after desulfurization. It consists mainly of a reformer that reforms gas and extracts hydrogen.

  The fuel humidifier 40 humidifies the fuel supplied from the fuel supply means 30. Specifically, the fuel humidifier 40 includes a fuel humidification tank 42 and a fuel heat exchanger 44, and is used for bubbling with water that is put in the fuel humidification tank 42 and heated by the fuel heat exchanger 44. The fuel is humidified by the method, and the relative humidity of the fuel is set to 100% RH.

  The air supply means 50 is a means for supplying air containing oxygen as an oxidant. For example, the air supply means 50 includes a blower that takes in outside air and an air filter that is provided as necessary.

  The air humidifier 60 humidifies the air supplied from the air supply means 50. Specifically, the air humidifier 60 includes an air humidification tank 62, and uses water contained in the air humidification tank 62 to humidify the air by a bubbling method so that the relative humidity of the air becomes 100% RH. .

  The heat exchanger for heat medium 70 lowers the temperature of the cooling water discharged from the fuel cell stack 20 through heat exchange with outside air or the like. With the heat exchanger for heat medium 70, the temperature of the cooling water discharged from the fuel cell stack 20 can be lowered efficiently.

  The pipe 80 has a configuration capable of circulating the cooling water such that the cooling water discharged through the heat medium flow path provided in the fuel cell stack 20 is supplied to the heat medium flow path again. Specifically, the cooling water discharged from the fuel cell stack 20 is first guided to the heat medium heat exchanger 70, and at a branch point 82 provided downstream of the heat medium heat exchanger 70, the fuel humidifier Branches into a line toward 40 and a line toward the air humidifier 60 at a predetermined distribution ratio. A part of the cooling water discharged from the fuel cell stack 20 flows through the fuel heat exchanger 44 of the fuel humidifier 40, and the rest of the cooling water discharged from the fuel cell stack 20 goes to the air humidifier 60. Supplied directly. The cooling water after flowing through the fuel heat exchanger 44 joins at the junction 84 with the cooling water flowing on the line toward the air humidifier 60 described above upstream of the air humidifier 60. The combined cooling water is discharged from the air humidifier 60 after flowing through the air humidification tank 62 of the air humidifier 60. The circulation pump 90 pumps up the cooling water discharged from the air humidifier 60 and sends it to the fuel cell stack 20 as a predetermined amount of cooling water.

  The control valve 86 is a valve having a variable opening / closing degree provided between the junction 82 and the junction 84. By adjusting the opening degree of the control valve 86, the distribution ratio of the cooling water can be corrected. The installation of the control valve 86 is not indispensable, and is unnecessary when it is not necessary to correct the distribution ratio of the cooling water according to the operating conditions.

  In addition to controlling the amount of power generated by the fuel cell stack 20, the control unit 100 controls the amount of cooling water by adjusting the opening of the control valve 86 and the circulation pump 90. Further, the control unit 100 controls the fuel supply amount from the fuel supply unit 30 and the air supply amount from the air supply unit 50 as necessary.

  Next, a configuration for keeping the polymer electrolyte membrane in an appropriate wet state will be described. In the following description, the temperature near the cooling water inlet provided in the fuel cell stack 20 is referred to as a cooling water inlet temperature (T1), and the temperature near the cooling water outlet provided in the fuel cell stack 20 is cooled. Called water outlet temperature (T2). Further, the temperature of the fuel humidified by the fuel humidifier 40 is called a humidified fuel temperature (T3), and the temperature of the air humidified by the air humidifier 60 is called a humidified air temperature (T4). Furthermore, the dew point near the fuel inlet provided in the fuel cell stack 20 is called a fuel dew point (T5), and the dew point near the air inlet provided in the fuel cell stack 20 is called an air dew point (T6). T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 are measured by a temperature sensor (not shown) as necessary, and the measured values are transmitted to the control unit 100.

  The fuel cell system 10 of the present embodiment includes an ideal system that does not release heat until the fuel and air after humidification reaches the fuel cell stack 20, or a system in which heat release is almost negligible, and the humidified fuel temperature (T3 ) And fuel dew point (T5) are substantially equal, and the humidified air temperature (T4) and air dew point (T6) are substantially equal. In the present embodiment, the distribution ratio of the cooling water at the branch point 82 is determined so that the cooling water inlet temperature (T1), the humidified fuel temperature (T3), and the humidified air temperature (T4) are substantially the same temperature. A method for determining the distribution ratio will be described later.

  As a result, the temperatures of the cooling water inlet temperature (T1), the fuel dew point (T5), and the air dew point (T6) become substantially equal, so that the fuel or the fuel or the fuel dew point (T6) is distributed to the reaction gas flow paths from the manifold of the fuel cell stack 20. Condensation of air is suppressed, and distribution of fuel and air to each reaction gas channel is made uniform. As a result, since the polymer electrolyte membrane is maintained in an appropriate wet state without drying, the durability of the polymer electrolyte membrane is improved and the power generation stability is improved.

  The distribution ratio of the cooling water needs to be set so that the fuel dew point (T5) and the air dew point (T6) are in thermal balance, but this depends on various conditions such as the amount of heat exchange. It needs to be optimized for each configuration of the fuel cell system to be used.

  The present embodiment is directed to a system in which heat release from the fuel and air after humidification can be ignored. However, when heat is released before the fuel and air after humidification reaches the fuel cell stack 20, the cooling water inlet temperature ( The distribution ratio of the cooling water at the branch point 82 is determined so that T1), the fuel dew point (T5), and the air dew point (T6) have substantially the same temperature. For this reason, the humidified fuel temperature (T3) and the humidified air temperature (T4) are set higher than the cooling water inlet temperature (T1) in anticipation of a temperature drop due to heat dissipation.

(Dependence of fuel dew point (T5) and air dew point (T6) on cooling water distribution ratio)
Investigate how the fuel dew point (T5) and air dew point (T6) change according to the cooling water distribution ratio (= distribution amount of cooling water to the fuel humidifier / total cooling water amount) by heat balance calculation It was.

  FIG. 2 is a table that describes experimental conditions when the dependency of the fuel dew point (T5) and the air dew point (T6) on the coolant distribution ratio in the fuel cell system 10 described above is examined. Under these experimental conditions, for simplicity, it was assumed that heat dissipation was negligible throughout the system. For this reason, the temperature of the cooling water discharged from the air humidifier 60 is equal to the cooling water inlet temperature (T1). In addition, the dependence of the fuel dew point (T5) and the air dew point (T6) on the cooling water distribution ratio does not depend on the number of stacked cells and the current. did. Under these conditions, the fuel dew point (T5) and the air dew point (T6) were measured while changing the distribution ratio. FIG. 3 shows the cooling water distribution ratio dependence of the fuel dew point (T5) and the air dew point (T6). As is clear from FIG. 3, the fuel dew point (T5) and the air dew point are set by setting the cooling water distribution ratio at the point where the fuel dew point (T5) and the air dew point (T6) intersect (hereinafter referred to as the equilibrium point). The dew point (T6) is thermally balanced, but if the cooling water distribution ratio is smaller than the equilibrium point, the fuel dew point (T5) <air dew point (T6), and if the cooling water distribution ratio is larger than the equilibrium point, the fuel dew point (T5)> Air dew point (T6). Since this temperature difference may cause condensation before the fuel and air are distributed to the reaction gas flow paths, it is necessary to set the cooling water distribution ratio to an equilibrium point.

The equation of the heat balance of the cooling water in the fuel cell system 10 is expressed by the following equation.
H1 = H2 + H3 + H4
Here, H1 is the amount of heat exchanged with the fuel cell, H2 is the amount of heat exchanged in the heat exchanger for heat medium 70, and H3 is the amount of heat exchanged in the fuel humidifier 40, that is, the fuel gas is dew point. The amount of heat necessary to humidify the temperature T5 (a function of T5), and H4 is the amount of exchange heat in the air humidifier, that is, the amount of heat necessary to humidify the air to the dew point temperature T6 (a function of T6). .

H1 is calculated | required by following Formula.
H1 = input heat amount-(exhaust heat amount + generated power)
Here, the input heat amount is determined by the enthalpy of fuel gas (temperature T5, humidity 100% RH) including the enthalpy of combustion and the enthalpy of air (temperature T6, humidity 100% RH). The amount of exhaust heat is determined by the enthalpy of exhaust fuel (temperature T2, humidity 100% RH) and the enthalpy of exhaust air (temperature T2, humidity 100% RH). In this experimental condition, since the dew point of the exhaust fuel and the exhaust air is T2 or less, a part is discharged as condensed water (liquid). The generated power is determined by current × voltage.

The following item is mentioned as a more preferable form of the fuel cell system 10 having such a heat balance.
(1) In order to reduce the difference between the cooling water inlet temperature (T1), the fuel dew point (T5), and the air dew point (T6), the cooling water inlet / outlet temperature difference ΔT (= T2−T1) is reduced. It is preferable to increase the cooling water flow rate. Thereby, the stability and durability of the output of the fuel cell stack 20 are improved. For example, the control unit 100 preferably adjusts the flow rate of the cooling water by controlling the circulation pump 90 so that the cooling water inlet / outlet temperature difference ΔT is 3 ° C. or less.
(2) It is desirable that the dew point of the fuel supplied to the fuel humidifier 40 and the dew point of the air supplied to the air humidifier 60 are high in order to reduce the heat absorption amount in the fuel humidifier 40 and the air humidifier 60. . In this case, it is more effective to combine the total heat exchanger disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-185938. As a result, the change in the fuel dew point (T5) with respect to the change in the distribution ratio of the cooling water is reduced, so that the allowable range when the distribution ratio is fixed is widened, and control such as adjustment of the control valve for changing the distribution ratio is performed. You don't have to.
(3) Since the vapor pressure increases exponentially with increasing temperature, the lower the temperature of the entire system, the more desirable the latent heat of vaporization is reduced. That is, it is desirable that the operating temperature of the fuel cell (generally represented by the coolant outlet temperature T2) is low. A typical value of the cooling water outlet temperature T2 is 70 ° C.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a fuel cell system according to another embodiment. The fuel cell system 10 of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of FIG. 1 except that the arrangement of the fuel supply means 30 and the fuel humidifier 40 and the air supply means 50 and the air humidifier 60 are interchanged. Even in such a system configuration, by optimizing the distribution ratio of the cooling water so that the temperatures of the cooling water inlet temperature (T1), the fuel dew point (T5), and the air dew point (T6) are almost equal, Condensation of fuel or air is suppressed before distribution from the manifold of the battery stack 20 to each reaction gas flow path, and distribution of fuel and air to each reaction gas flow path is made uniform.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a fuel cell system according to still another embodiment. The fuel cell system 10 of the present embodiment includes a second heat medium heat exchanger 110 between the fuel heat exchanger 44 and the fuel cell stack 20 in the system configuration shown in FIG. 4. According to this, when the temperature of the fuel and air after humidification decreases due to heat dissipation, the temperature of the cooling water supplied to the fuel cell stack 20 is adjusted by using the heat exchanger 110 for heat medium, thereby cooling the fuel and air. The temperatures of the water inlet temperature (T1), the fuel dew point (T5), and the air dew point (T6) can be made substantially equal.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a fuel cell system according to still another embodiment. In the fuel cell system 10 of the present embodiment, with respect to the system configuration shown in FIG. 5, the circulation pump 90 is installed on the upstream side of the branch point 82, and between the heat exchanger 110 for the heat medium and the circulation pump 90, A cooling water tank 120 is provided. According to this, the amount of cooling water can be adjusted by the amount of cooling water preliminarily stored in the cooling water tank 120, so that the amount of cooling water adjusted by the circulation pump 90 can be flexible. it can.

  Next, a mode suitable for adjusting the amount of cooling water by the circulation pump 90 will be described. If the cooling water inlet / outlet temperature difference (ΔT) is constant between high load current and low load current, the amount of reaction product water decreases as the load current decreases. Slightly dry. In particular, as in the present embodiment, when the cooling water flow and the air flow are parallel flows, the cell temperature rises on the cooling water outlet side, so if the battery temperature or the cooling water outlet temperature T2 is set too high. In this part, the MEA is easily dried, and as a result, the output is lowered and the durability is lowered. For this reason, it is preferable to control the amount of cooling water so that the cooling water inlet / outlet temperature difference (ΔT) decreases as the load current decreases.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B show the relationship between the load current and the cooling water amount and the relationship between the load current and the cooling water inlet / outlet temperature difference (ΔT) in the fuel cell system described above. In this example, the maximum load current of the fuel cell is 25 (A), and the rated load current is 20 (A). Moreover, the cooling water inlet / outlet temperature difference (ΔT) at the time of rating is set to 3 ° C. FIG. 7 illustrates the case where the rated load current is at a high load current and the load current is 7 (A) as a low load current. When the cooling water inlet / outlet temperature difference (ΔT) is kept constant, the amount of cooling water is controlled to be directly proportional to the load current as indicated by the dotted line 200, but in this embodiment, as indicated by the solid line 210, as shown in FIG. By setting the amount of cooling water at the time of low load current higher than the dotted line 200, the cooling water inlet / outlet temperature difference (ΔT) at the rated time becomes 2 ° C.

  Thereby, since the inside of the cell of the fuel cell is suppressed at low load current, the output of the fuel cell is stabilized and the durability is improved.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications such as design changes can be added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. The form can also be included in the scope of the present invention.

It is a figure showing the whole fuel cell system composition concerning an embodiment. It is the table | surface which described the experimental condition when investigating the cooling water distribution ratio dependence of a fuel dew point (T5) and an air dew point (T6). It is a graph which shows the cooling water distribution ratio dependence of a fuel dew point (T5) and an air dew point (T6). It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the fuel cell system which concerns on other embodiment. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the fuel cell system which concerns on other embodiment. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the fuel cell system which concerns on other embodiment. FIG. 7A is a graph showing the relationship between the load current and the cooling water amount, and FIG. 7B is a graph showing the relationship between the load current and the cooling water inlet / outlet temperature difference (ΔT).

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Fuel cell system, 20 Fuel cell stack, 30 Fuel supply means, 40 Fuel humidifier, 50 Air supply means, 60 Air humidifier, 70 Heat exchanger for heat medium, 80 Heat medium piping, 86 Control valve, 90 Circulation pump , 100 control unit.

Claims (5)

A membrane electrode assembly in which an anode is joined to one surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode is joined to the other surface of the electrolyte membrane; and a fuel channel plate provided with a fuel channel for supplying fuel to the anode; An oxidant flow path plate provided with an oxidant flow path for supplying an oxidant to the cathode, and a laminated body combined with a heat medium flow path plate provided with a heat medium flow path through which the heat medium flows; A fuel cell stack in which the flow of the fuel, the oxidant and the heat medium are parallel flows;
Means for circulating the heat medium by cooling the heat medium discharged from the fuel cell stack and then throwing it into the fuel cell stack after cooling;
Fuel humidifying means for humidifying the fuel;
Oxidizing agent humidifying means for humidifying the oxidizing agent;
Means for exchanging heat of a part of the heat medium discharged from the fuel cell stack by either the fuel humidification means or the oxidant humidification means;
The rest of the heat medium discharged from the fuel cell stack and the fuel and the heat medium heat-exchanged with either the fuel humidifying means or the oxidant humidifying means are the other of the fuel humidifying means or the oxidant humidifying means. Means for further heat exchange,
With
The temperature of the fuel humidified by the fuel humidifying means, the temperature of the oxidant humidified by the oxidant humidifying means, and the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the heat medium flow path are substantially equal. A fuel cell system, wherein a part of the heat medium and a remaining distribution ratio of the heat medium are determined. A membrane electrode assembly in which an anode is joined to one surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode is joined to the other surface of the electrolyte membrane; and a fuel channel plate provided with a fuel channel for supplying fuel to the anode; An oxidant flow path plate provided with an oxidant flow path for supplying an oxidant to the cathode, and a laminated body combined with a heat medium flow path plate provided with a heat medium flow path through which the heat medium flows; A fuel cell stack in which the flow of the fuel, the oxidant and the heat medium are parallel flows;
Means for circulating the heat medium by cooling the heat medium discharged from the fuel cell stack and then throwing it into the fuel cell stack after cooling;
Fuel humidifying means for humidifying the fuel;
Oxidizing agent humidifying means for humidifying the oxidizing agent;
Means for exchanging heat of a part of the heat medium discharged from the fuel cell stack by either the fuel humidification means or the oxidant humidification means;
The rest of the heat medium discharged from the fuel cell stack and the fuel and the heat medium heat-exchanged with either the fuel humidifying means or the oxidant humidifying means are the other of the fuel humidifying means or the oxidant humidifying means. Means for further heat exchange,
With
The dew point of the fuel supplied to the fuel flow path, the dew point of the oxidant supplied to the oxidant flow path, and the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the heat medium flow path are substantially equal. A fuel cell system, wherein a part of the heat medium and a remaining distribution ratio of the heat medium are determined.   The heat medium heat exchanger further capable of adjusting the temperature of the heat medium discharged from the fuel cell stack upstream of either the fuel humidifying means or the oxidant humidifying means. Item 3. The fuel cell system according to Item 1 or 2.   4. The temperature difference between the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the fuel cell stack and the temperature of the heat medium discharged from the fuel cell stack is within 3 ° C. 5. The fuel cell system according to claim 1. The flow rate of the heat medium is reduced so that the temperature difference between the temperature of the heat medium supplied to the fuel cell stack and the temperature of the heat medium discharged from the fuel cell stack becomes smaller as the load current is smaller. The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising control means for adjusting.

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