JP2006332006A - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance electric power generation performance of fuel cells by remarkably improving current collecting efficiency, wherein the fuel cells comprises laminates for power generation which are formed by laminating a plurality of cells and layers which are disposed at both outside of the laminates in the laminating direction and do not contribute to power generation. <P>SOLUTION: This fuel cells 1 comprises: laminates 3 which is formed by laminating more than one single cell 2; current collecting plates 10 each of which is disposed both outside of the laminates 3 in the laminating direction; a gas supply path for supply reaction gas to each single cell 2; and a gas exhaust path for exhausting reaction gas from each single cell 2, which are formed as to extend in the laminating direction of the laminates 3. In the fuel cells 1, each current collecting plate 10 is directly contacted to a single cell (an end cell) 2 located at one end in the laminating direction of the laminates 3, and flow path layers 20 which have a bypass flow path for a communicating connection between the gas supply path and the gas exhaust path are disposed outer side than the current collecting plates 10 in the laminating direction of the laminates 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell.

  Currently, a fuel cell including a stack (stacked body) configured by stacking a plurality of unit cells has been put into practical use. On the outside of the unit cells (hereinafter referred to as “end cells”) located at both ends of the stack of fuel cells in the stacking direction, a current collecting plate for collecting the electric power generated by each unit cell and a predetermined compression in the stacking direction of the stack A fastening plate for applying a force is arranged. For this reason, the end cell is easier to dissipate heat than the single cell in the central portion of the stack, and condensation tends to occur inside the end cell. Such condensation delays the start-up time of the fuel cell in a low-temperature environment and causes a decrease in power generation performance.

For this reason, in recent years, by disposing a layer (dummy cell) that does not contribute to power generation, which is made of a conductive material, between the end cell of the fuel cell and the current collector plate, heat dissipation from the end cell is suppressed. And the technique which suppresses the fall of electric power generation performance is proposed (for example, refer patent document 1). In addition, a gas bypass channel that connects the gas supply channel for supplying the reaction gas to each unit cell and the gas discharge channel for discharging the reaction gas from each unit cell is formed in the dummy cell. Therefore, a technique for suppressing flooding and contamination in a single battery (particularly, an end cell) has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2005-19223 A JP 2003-338305 A

  However, in the techniques described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, since the dummy cell is disposed between the end cell and the current collector plate, the current collection efficiency is reduced by the amount passing through the dummy cell. There was a problem that.

  The present invention is a fuel cell comprising a stack for power generation constituted by stacking a plurality of single cells, and a layer that does not contribute to power generation arranged on the outer side in the stacking direction of the stack. The purpose is to improve the power generation performance.

  In order to achieve the above object, a fuel cell according to the present invention includes a laminate in which a plurality of single cells are laminated, and a current collector plate arranged on the outer side in the stacking direction of the laminate, and each single cell has A fuel cell in which a gas supply channel for supplying a reaction gas and a gas discharge channel for discharging a reaction gas from each unit cell are formed so as to extend in the stacking direction of the stack. The gas supply flow path and the gas discharge flow path are connected to each other, and a flow path layer having a gas bypass flow path is provided. The flow path layer is disposed on the outer side in the stacking direction of the stacked body than the current collector plate. Is.

  According to such a configuration, since the flow path layer having the gas bypass flow path is arranged on the outer side in the stacking direction of the stacked body than the current collector plate, the current collection efficiency can be significantly improved, and the power generation performance is improved. Can be increased. In addition, since moisture and impurities generated in each unit cell (especially the end cell) can be effectively captured by the gas bypass channel provided in the channel layer, flooding and contamination can be suppressed. . In addition, since the flow path layer is disposed on the outer side in the stacking direction of the laminate than the current collector plate, it is not necessary to configure the flow path layer with a conductive material, and the degree of freedom in design can be increased.

  In the fuel cell, it is preferable to provide a heat insulating portion at least near the surface of the flow path layer on the side of the current collector plate. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to suppress heat dissipation from the end cell and suppress a decrease in power generation performance. As the heat insulating part, a hollow part formed at least near the surface of the flow path layer on the current collecting plate side can be adopted. Further, as the heat insulating part, a structure in which a hollow part formed at least in the vicinity of the surface of the flow path layer on the current collecting plate side is filled with a foaming material may be employed.

  In the fuel cell, the flow path layer is preferably made of an insulating material. When such a configuration is adopted, the flow path layer also serves as the insulating layer, and it is not necessary to separately provide the insulating layer, so that the fuel cell can be reduced in size.

  Further, in the fuel cell, the flow path layer can be made of a heat insulating material. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to suppress heat dissipation from the end cell and suppress a decrease in power generation performance.

  In the fuel cell, the gas bypass channel of the channel layer can be filled with an ion exchange resin. By doing in this way, contamination can be suppressed effectively.

  Further, in the fuel cell, each single cell has a gas flow path for allowing the reaction gas supplied from the gas supply flow path to flow to the gas discharge flow path, and the gas bypass flow path of the flow path layer includes each single cell. It is preferable to have substantially the same pressure loss as the gas flow path. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to suppress a decrease in power generation efficiency due to pressure loss in the gas bypass flow path.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in a fuel cell, current collection efficiency can be improved significantly and electric power generation performance can be improved.

  Hereinafter, a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The fuel cell according to the present embodiment realizes an improvement in current collection efficiency by arranging the current collecting plate in direct contact with the end cell. In the following embodiments, examples in which the present invention is applied to a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell suitable for in-vehicle use will be described.

<First Embodiment>
First, the configuration of the fuel cell 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell 1 includes a stack body 3 in which a plurality of single cells 2 are stacked, and an output terminal is provided outside the single cells (end cells) 2 positioned at both ends of the stack body 3. The terminal plate 10, the flow path layer 20 having the gas bypass flow path, and the end plate 6030 are arranged in this order. Further, a tension plate (not shown) is bridged between the end plates 60, and these tension plates are bolted to the end plates 60, whereby a predetermined compression force (in the stacking direction of the stack body 3) ( (Fastening load) is applied.

  The unit cell 2 includes an electrolyte membrane made of an ion exchange membrane, a membrane / electrode assembly made up of a pair of electrodes sandwiching the electrolyte membrane from both sides, and a pair of separators made up of the membrane / electrode assembly from the outside. ing. The separator is, for example, a conductor based on metal, and has a gas flow path for supplying cathode gas such as air and anode gas such as hydrogen gas to each electrode, and supplies the unit cells 2 adjacent to each other. It serves to block the mixing of different types of fluids. With such a configuration, an electrochemical reaction occurs in the membrane / electrode assembly of the unit cell 2 and an electromotive force is obtained. In addition, since the electrochemical reaction is an exothermic reaction, the separator is provided with a refrigerant flow path for flowing a refrigerant (cooling water or the like) for cooling the fuel cell.

  The stack body 3 is formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells 2 as shown in FIG. 1, and is a laminate in the present invention. Each unit cell 2 constituting the stack body 3 is provided with through holes (not shown) for forming a manifold, and these through holes are overlapped to be used for anode gas distribution and cathode gas distribution. A manifold (not shown) for use and for refrigerant distribution is formed penetrating in the cell stacking direction.

  The terminal plate 10 is a current collector plate in the present invention, and is formed in a plate shape from a metal such as iron, stainless steel, copper, or aluminum. The terminal plate 10 in the present embodiment is disposed so as to directly contact the single cells (end cells) 2 located at both ends of the stack body 3. The surface of the terminal plate 10 on the stack body 3 side is subjected to a surface treatment such as plating using gold, silver, aluminum, nickel, zinc, tin or the like. Contact resistance is ensured.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the terminal plate 10 has a plurality of through holes (11a to 13b) for forming a manifold. The through holes 11a, 12a, and 13a are for forming manifolds for supplying anode gas, refrigerant, and cathode gas, respectively, and the through holes 11b, 12b, and 13b are for discharging anode gas, respectively. In order to form a manifold for discharging the refrigerant and discharging the cathode gas.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flow path layer 20 is configured by laminating three plate-like bodies (first plate-like body 30, second plate-like body 40, and third plate-like body 50). A gas bypass passage that connects the gas supply passage and the gas discharge passage and a refrigerant bypass passage that connects the refrigerant supply passage and the refrigerant discharge passage are provided. ing. As shown in FIG. 1, the flow path layer 20 is disposed outside the terminal plate 10 in the stacking direction of the stack body 3. The flow path layer 20 is made of an insulating material and also functions to insulate the terminal plate 10 and the end plate 60. As the insulating material constituting the flow path layer 20, a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin, a heat-resistant thermoplastic resin such as polyamide or nylon, alumina, an oxide ceramic sheet, or the like can be employed. In the present embodiment, a resin material such as polycarbonate is employed as the insulating material.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of through holes (31 a to 33 b) for forming a manifold are formed in the first plate-like body 30 constituting the flow path layer 20. The through holes 31a, 32a, and 33a are for forming manifolds for supplying anode gas, refrigerant, and cathode gas, respectively, and the through holes 31b, 32b, and 33b are for discharging anode gas, respectively. In order to form a manifold for discharging the refrigerant and discharging the cathode gas. A flow path for forming an anode gas bypass flow path that connects the through hole 31a for supplying the anode gas and the through hole 31b for discharging the anode gas on the surface of the first plate 30 on the end plate 60 side. A groove 34 is provided. An anode gas bypass flow path is formed by the flow path groove 34 and the surface of the second plate-like body 40 on the terminal plate 10 side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of through holes (41 a to 43 b) for forming a manifold are formed in the second plate-like body 40 constituting the flow path layer 20. The through holes 41a, 42a, and 43a are for forming anode gas supply, refrigerant supply, and cathode gas supply manifolds, respectively, and the through holes 41b, 42b, and 43b are for anode gas discharge, respectively. In order to form a manifold for discharging the refrigerant and discharging the cathode gas. A flow path for forming a cathode gas bypass flow path that connects the through hole 43a for supplying the cathode gas and the through hole 43b for discharging the cathode gas to the surface of the second plate 40 on the end plate 60 side. A groove 44 is provided. A cathode gas bypass channel is formed by the channel groove 44 and the surface of the third plate-like body 50 on the terminal plate 10 side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of through holes (51 a to 53 b) for forming a manifold are formed in the third plate-like body 50 constituting the flow path layer 20. The through holes 51a, 52a, and 53a are for forming anode gas supply, refrigerant supply, and cathode gas supply manifolds, respectively, and the through holes 51b, 52b, and 53b are for anode gas discharge, respectively. In order to form a manifold for discharging the refrigerant and discharging the cathode gas. On the surface of the third plate-like body 50 on the end plate 60 side, there is a channel groove 54 for forming a refrigerant bypass channel that connects the through hole 52a for supplying refrigerant and the through hole 52b for discharging refrigerant. Is provided. A refrigerant bypass flow path is formed by the flow path groove 54 and the surface of the end plate 60 on the terminal plate 10 side.

  In the present embodiment, the pressure loss in the gas bypass channel (the anode gas bypass channel and the cathode gas bypass channel) formed in the channel layer 20 and the pressure loss in the gas channel of each unit cell 2 Are set substantially the same.

  The end plate 60 is formed in a plate shape with various metals (iron, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, etc.) as with the terminal plate 10. In the present embodiment, the end plate 60 is formed using copper. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the end plate 60 has a plurality of through holes (61a to 63b) for forming a manifold. The through holes 61a, 62a, and 63a are for forming manifolds for supplying anode gas, refrigerant, and cathode gas, respectively, and the through holes 61b, 62b, and 63b are for discharging anode gas, respectively. In order to form a manifold for discharging the refrigerant and discharging the cathode gas.

  By stacking the stack body 3, the terminal plate 10, the flow path layer 20 (first plate-like body 30 to third plate-like body 50), and the respective through holes drilled in the end plate 60, anode gas circulation, cathode Gas distribution and refrigerant distribution manifolds are formed in the cell stacking direction. Each fluid (anode gas, cathode gas, refrigerant) is supplied to each manifold on the inlet side from each fluid supply pipe (not shown) provided on an end plate 60 located at one end of the fuel cell 1. It flows through a gas flow path and a refrigerant flow path provided in the separator of the battery 2. Finally, each fluid is discharged from each outlet-side manifold to each fluid discharge pipe (not shown) provided on the end plate 60 located at the other end of the fuel cell 1. The manifold on the inlet side for circulating the anode gas and the cathode gas is a gas supply channel in the present invention, and the manifold on the outlet side for circulating the anode gas and the cathode gas is a gas discharge channel in the present invention.

  In the fuel cell 1 according to the embodiment described above, the flow path layer 20 is disposed outside the terminal plate 10 in the stacking direction of the stack body 3, and the terminal plate 10 is disposed so as to be in direct contact with the end cell 2. Therefore, the current collection efficiency can be significantly improved, and the power generation performance can be improved. In addition, since moisture and impurities generated in each unit cell (especially the end cell) 2 can be effectively captured by the gas bypass channel formed in the channel layer 20, flooding and contamination are suppressed. be able to.

  Further, in the fuel cell 1 according to the embodiment described above, the flow path layer 20 is arranged on the outer side in the stacking direction of the stack body 3 than the terminal plate 10, so the flow path layer 20 is made of a conductive material. This eliminates the need for a higher degree of design freedom. In addition, the flow path layer 20 having the gas bypass flow path is required to have corrosion resistance. However, since the flow path layer 20 does not need to be made of a conductive material, a material having both conductivity and corrosion resistance is adopted. There is no need to apply an advanced surface treatment for corrosion resistance to the conductive material. As a result, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In the fuel cell 1 according to the embodiment described above, since the flow path layer 20 is made of an insulating material, the flow path layer 20 also serves as an insulating layer (insulator), and an insulating layer is separately provided. Since it becomes unnecessary, the fuel cell 1 can be downsized. Moreover, since the gas bypass flow path of the flow path layer 30 has substantially the same pressure loss as the gas flow path of each unit cell 2, it is possible to suppress a decrease in power generation efficiency due to the pressure loss of the gas bypass flow path. it can.

Second Embodiment
Next, a fuel cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The fuel cell according to this embodiment is obtained by changing the configuration of the flow path layer of the fuel cell according to the first embodiment, and the other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. For this reason, it demonstrates centering around the changed structure, and attaches | subjects the code | symbol same about the part which is common in 1st Embodiment, and abbreviate | omits the description.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the flow path layer 20 </ b> A in the present embodiment is configured by stacking three plate-like bodies (first plate-like body 30, second plate-like body 40 </ b> A, and third plate-like body 50 </ b> A). Inside, a gas bypass channel that connects the gas supply channel and the gas discharge channel and a refrigerant bypass channel that connects the refrigerant supply channel and the refrigerant discharge channel are provided. It has been. Similarly to the first embodiment, the flow path layer 20A is disposed on the outer side of the stack body in the stacking direction with respect to the terminal plate 10, and the terminal plate 10 is disposed so as to directly contact the end cell. The flow path layer 20A is made of an insulating material and also functions to insulate the terminal plate 10 and the end plate 60 from each other.

  The first plate-like body 30 constituting the flow path layer 20A has the same configuration as the first plate-like body 30 in the first embodiment, and as shown in FIG. A channel groove 34 is provided for forming an anode gas bypass channel that connects the anode gas supply through hole 31a and the anode gas discharge through hole 31b. An anode gas bypass channel is formed by the channel groove 34 and the surface of the second plate-like body 40A on the terminal plate 10 side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of through holes (41Aa to 43Ab) for forming a manifold are formed in the second plate-like body 40A constituting the flow path layer 20A. The through holes 41Aa, 42Aa, 43Aa are for forming manifolds for supplying anode gas, for supplying refrigerant, and for supplying cathode gas, respectively, and the through holes 41Ab, 42Ab, 43Ab are for discharging anode gas, respectively. In order to form a manifold for discharging the refrigerant and discharging the cathode gas.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of through holes (51Aa to 53Ab) for forming a manifold are formed in the third plate-like body 50A constituting the flow path layer 20A. The through holes 51Aa, 52Aa, 53Aa are for forming manifolds for supplying anode gas, supplying refrigerant, and supplying cathode gas, and the through holes 51Ab, 52Ab, 53Ab are for discharging anode gas, respectively. In order to form a manifold for discharging the refrigerant and discharging the cathode gas.

  A channel for forming a cathode gas bypass channel that connects the cathode gas supply through hole 53Aa and the cathode gas discharge through hole 53Ab on the surface of the third plate-like body 50A on the terminal plate 10 side. A groove 54A is provided. A cathode gas bypass flow path is formed by the flow path groove 54A and the surface of the second plate-shaped body 40A on the end plate 60 side. Further, a flow channel groove for forming a refrigerant bypass flow channel for connecting the through hole 52Aa for supplying refrigerant and the through hole 52Ab for discharging refrigerant to the end plate 60 side surface of the third plate-like body 50A. 55A is provided. A refrigerant bypass flow path is formed by the flow path groove 55A and the surface of the end plate 60 on the terminal plate 10 side.

  In the present embodiment also, the pressure loss of the reaction gas when flowing through the gas bypass channel (the anode gas bypass channel and the cathode gas bypass channel) formed in the channel layer 20A, and the gas of each unit cell The pressure loss of the reaction gas when flowing through the flow path is set substantially the same.

  In the fuel cell according to the embodiment described above, the flow path layer 20A is disposed outside the terminal plate 10 in the stacking direction of the stack body 3, and the terminal plate 10 is disposed so as to be in direct contact with the end cell. Thus, the current collection efficiency can be significantly improved, and the power generation performance can be improved. In addition, moisture and impurities generated in each unit cell (especially the end cell) can be effectively captured by the gas bypass channel formed in the channel layer 20A, thereby suppressing flooding and contamination. Can do. Further, since the flow path layer 20A is arranged on the outer side in the stacking direction of the stack body with respect to the terminal plate 10, it is not necessary to configure the flow path layer 20A with a conductive material, and the degree of design freedom can be increased.

  In the fuel cell according to the embodiment described above, since the flow path layer 20A is made of an insulating material, the flow path layer 20A also serves as an insulating layer (insulator), and it is necessary to provide an insulating layer separately. Therefore, the fuel cell can be downsized. Moreover, since the gas bypass flow path of the flow path layer 20A has substantially the same pressure loss as the gas flow path of each unit cell, it is possible to suppress a decrease in power generation efficiency due to the pressure loss of the gas bypass flow path. .

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a fuel cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The fuel cell according to this embodiment is obtained by changing the configuration of the flow path layer of the fuel cell according to the first embodiment, and other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. For this reason, it demonstrates centering around the changed structure, and attaches | subjects the code | symbol same about the part which is common in 1st Embodiment, and abbreviate | omits the description.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the flow path layer 20 </ b> B in the present embodiment is configured by laminating three plate bodies (a first plate body 30 </ b> B, a second plate body 40, and a third plate body 50). Inside, a gas bypass channel that connects the gas supply channel and the gas discharge channel and a refrigerant bypass channel that connects the refrigerant supply channel and the refrigerant discharge channel are provided. It has been. As shown in FIG. 4, the flow path layer 20 </ b> B is disposed on the outer side of the stack body 3 in the stacking direction than the terminal plate 10. The flow path layer 20B is made of an insulating material and also functions to insulate the terminal plate 10 and the end plate 60 from each other.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first plate-like body 30B constituting the flow path layer 20B is thicker than the second plate-like body 40 and the third plate-like body 50, and its surface on the terminal plate 10 side. In the vicinity, as shown in FIG. 4, a hollow portion 31B that functions as a heat insulating portion in the present invention is provided. With the hollow portion 31B, heat dissipation from the end cell 2 can be suppressed, and a decrease in power generation performance can be suppressed. Further, the first plate-like body 30B is provided with a through hole for forming a manifold. Since these through holes are substantially the same as the through holes of the first plate-like body 30 in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. Further, the second plate-like body 40 and the third plate-like body 50 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In the fuel cell according to the embodiment described above, the flow path layer 20B is disposed outside the terminal plate 10 in the stacking direction of the stack body 3, and the terminal plate 10 is disposed so as to be in direct contact with the end cell 2. Therefore, the current collection efficiency can be significantly improved, and the power generation performance can be improved. Moreover, since the water | moisture content and impurity produced | generated by each single battery (especially edge cell) 2 can be effectively capture | acquired by the gas bypass flow path formed in the flow path layer 20B, flooding and contamination are suppressed. be able to. Further, since the flow path layer 20B is disposed on the outer side in the stacking direction of the stack body 3 with respect to the terminal plate 10, it is not necessary to configure the flow path layer 20B with a conductive material, and the degree of freedom in design can be increased. .

  Further, in the fuel cell according to the embodiment described above, since the hollow portion 31B (heat insulating portion) is provided in the vicinity of the surface of the flow path layer 20B on the terminal plate 10 side, heat dissipation from the end cell 2 is suppressed. Thus, a decrease in power generation performance can be suppressed.

  In the third embodiment, the example in which the heat insulating portion (hollow portion 31B) is provided only in the vicinity of the surface on the terminal plate 10 side of the first plate 30B of the flow path layer 20B is shown. You may provide a heat insulation part in the surface at the side of the end plate 60 of the 1st plate-shaped body 30B. Moreover, in 3rd Embodiment, although the example which provided the heat insulation part only in the one plate-shaped body (1st plate-shaped body 30B) which comprises the flow path layer 20B was shown, the flow path layer 20B whole heat insulation was shown. It can also be made of a functional material. As such a heat insulating material, an epoxy resin impregnated with alumina, shirasu balloon, an epoxy resin in which hollow beads are dispersed, or the like can be employed.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the gas bypass flow path (the anode gas bypass flow path and the cathode gas) that connects the gas supply flow path and the gas discharge flow path inside the flow path layer (20, 20A, 20B). The bypass channel) is provided, but the gas bypass channel can be filled with an ion exchange resin. In this way, contamination can be effectively suppressed by filling the gas bypass channel with the ion exchange resin.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a fuel cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view for demonstrating structures, such as a flow path layer of the fuel cell which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view for demonstrating structures, such as a flow path layer of the fuel cell which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view for explaining composition of a channel layer etc. of a fuel cell system concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fuel cell, 2 ... Single cell, 3 ... Stack main body (laminated body), 10 ... Terminal plate (current collector plate), 20 20A 20B ... Channel layer, 34 44 54A ... Channel groove (of gas bypass channel) Part), 31B ... hollow part (heat insulating part), 40 40A ... second plate-like body (part of gas bypass flow path), 50 ... third plate-like body (part of gas bypass flow path)

Claims (8)

A stacked body in which a plurality of unit cells are stacked, and a current collector plate disposed on the outer side in the stacking direction of the stacked body, and a gas supply channel for supplying a reaction gas to each of the unit cells, A gas discharge passage for discharging a reaction gas from each unit cell, and a fuel cell formed so as to extend in the stacking direction of the stack,
A flow path layer having a gas bypass flow path that connects the gas supply flow path and the gas discharge flow path;
The fuel cell is configured such that the flow path layer is disposed on the outer side in the stacking direction of the stacked body than the current collector plate.   The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the flow path layer has a heat insulating portion provided at least in the vicinity of the surface on the current collecting plate side.   The fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the heat insulating part is a hollow part formed at least in the vicinity of the surface on the current collector plate side of the flow path layer.   3. The fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein the heat insulating portion is configured by filling a hollow portion formed at least in the vicinity of a surface on the current collector plate side of the flow path layer with a foam material.   The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flow path layer is made of an insulating material.   The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the flow path layer is made of a heat insulating material.   The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the gas bypass channel of the channel layer is filled with an ion exchange resin. Each unit cell has a gas flow path for circulating the reaction gas supplied from the gas supply flow path to the gas discharge flow path,
The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the gas bypass channel of the channel layer has substantially the same pressure loss as the gas channel of each unit cell.

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