JP2007095352A - Fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively simplify piping in simple structure and reduce pressure loss. <P>SOLUTION: A fuel cell system 10 is constituted by stacking a fuel cell 12 and a humidifier 14 in the stacking direction. The fuel cell 12 has an oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a for supplying air before reaction and an oxidant gas exhausting communication hole 26b for exhausting air offgas after reaction. The humidifier 14 has an air outlet communication hole 48b for sending air before reaction to the fuel cell 12 and an air offgas inlet communication hole 50a for exhausting air offgas from the fuel cell 12. The oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the air outlet communication hole 48b, and the oxidant gas exhausting communication hole 26b and the air offgas inlet communication hole 50a are arranged respectively on the same straight line along the stacking direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell and a flat membrane humidifier provided with a water permeable membrane for humidifying one reaction gas supplied to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell with a humidified fluid. The present invention relates to a fuel cell system to be stacked.

  In general, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell has a power generation cell in which an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure in which an anode side electrode and a cathode side electrode are arranged on both sides of an electrolyte membrane made of a polymer ion exchange membrane is sandwiched by separators. I have. This type of fuel cell is normally used as a fuel cell stack by stacking a predetermined number of power generation cells.

  In the fuel cell described above, it is necessary to maintain the electrolyte membrane in an appropriate wet state in order to exhibit an effective power generation function. For this reason, a humidifier that humidifies fuel gas and oxidant gas in advance through water is prepared, and the humidified fuel gas and oxidant gas are supplied to the fuel cell by connecting the humidifier to the fuel cell. The supply configuration is known.

  For example, the fuel cell stack disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured by assembling a power generation unit 1 and a humidification unit 2 in the stacking direction, as shown in FIG. While the power generation unit 1 stacks a plurality of cells 1a, the humidification unit 2 includes a hydrogen gas humidifier 2a that humidifies hydrogen gas and an oxygen-containing gas humidifier 2b that humidifies oxygen-containing gas (air).

  The hydrogen gas humidifier 2a has hydrogen gas flow paths 4a and water flow paths 4b formed on both sides of the porous membrane 3a, and the oxygen-containing gas humidifier 2b has oxygen gas flow paths 4c and c on both sides of the porous membrane 3b. A water channel 4d is formed. A cooling water flow path (not shown) of each cell 1a is supplied with cooling water from a water passage 5a via a pump 5, and a water passage 5b is connected to the cooling water outlet side of the cell 1a. The water passage 5b communicates with the water flow paths 4b and 4d of the humidifying unit 2.

  Hydrogen gas is sent from the hydrogen gas passage 6a through the blower 6 to the hydrogen gas passage 4a of the humidifying unit 2, and each cell is connected to the outlet side of the hydrogen gas passage 4a through the hydrogen gas passage 6b. A hydrogen gas flow path (not shown) 1a communicates. Air is sent from the oxygen gas passage 7a to the oxygen gas passage 4c of the humidifying unit 2 via the blower 7, while each cell 1a is connected to the outlet side of the oxygen gas passage 4c via the oxygen gas passage 7b. These oxygen gas flow paths (not shown) communicate with each other.

JP-A-8-138704 (FIG. 1)

  By the way, in the fuel cell stack described above, if the fuel cell stack is configured by an external manifold type in which the water passages 5a and 5b, the hydrogen gas passages 6a and 6b, and the oxygen gas passages 7a and 7b are provided outside the stack, In addition to being complicated, there is a problem that pressure loss increases in the bent pipe.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and an object thereof is to provide a fuel cell system capable of effectively simplifying piping and reducing pressure loss with a simple configuration.

  In the present invention, an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with electrodes on both sides of an electrolyte membrane and a separator are stacked, and a fuel gas and an oxidant gas which are reaction gases are supplied, and a solid to which a cooling medium is supplied A polymer type fuel cell and a flat membrane type humidifier provided with a water permeable membrane for humidifying at least one reaction gas supplied to the solid polymer type fuel cell with a humidified fluid are stacked in the stacking direction. It is a fuel cell system.

  The flat membrane type humidifier is provided with a reaction gas outlet communication hole for supplying one humidified reaction gas to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell in the stacking direction, and the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is humidified The reaction gas supply communication hole into which the one reaction gas is introduced is provided in the stacking direction, and the reaction gas outlet communication hole and the reaction gas supply communication hole are arranged on the same straight line along the stacking direction. ing.

  In the present invention, the flat membrane type humidifier is provided with an off gas inlet communication hole through which the off gas, which is a humidified fluid, is discharged from the solid polymer fuel cell in the stacking direction, and the solid polymer fuel cell is The off-gas discharge communication holes for discharging the off-gas are provided in the stacking direction, and the off-gas inlet communication holes and the off-gas discharge communication holes are arranged on the same straight line along the stacking direction.

  In the present invention, the reaction gas outlet communication hole of the flat membrane type humidifier and the reaction gas supply communication hole of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell are arranged on the same straight line, so that a smooth flow of the reaction gas is performed. The pressure loss can be reduced satisfactorily. Moreover, the piping can be effectively simplified with a simple configuration.

  Further, in the present invention, the off-gas discharge communication hole of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell and the off-gas inlet communication hole of the flat membrane humidifier are arranged on the same straight line, so that a smooth flow of off-gas is performed and pressure loss is achieved. Can be reduced satisfactorily. Moreover, the piping can be effectively simplified with a simple configuration.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the fuel cell system 10.

  The fuel cell system 10 is mounted on a fuel cell vehicle such as an automobile, for example, and is configured by stacking a polymer electrolyte fuel cell 12 and a flat membrane humidifier 14 in the stacking direction (arrow A direction). The In the fuel cell 12, a plurality of power generation cells 16 are stacked in the direction of arrow A, and terminal plates 17a and 17b and insulating plates 19a and 19b are interposed at both ends in the stacking direction to form first and second end plates 18a and 18b. Be placed.

  The humidifier 14 is directly laminated on the second end plate 18b. The third end plate 18c constituting the humidifier 14 is fastened to the first end plate 18a in the stacking direction by a plurality of fastening bolts 21 with the second end plate 18b interposed (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the power generation cell 16 includes an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20 in which an anode side electrode 20b and a cathode side electrode 20c are arranged on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20a, and the electrolyte membrane / A pair of metal or carbon separators 22 and 24 sandwiching the electrode structure 20 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an oxidation for supplying an oxidant gas, for example, an oxygen-containing gas, communicates with each other in the arrow A direction at one end edge in the long side direction (arrow B direction) of the power generation cell 16. An agent gas supply communication hole (reactive gas supply communication hole) 26a and a fuel gas discharge communication hole (off gas discharge communication hole) 30b for discharging a fuel gas, for example, a hydrogen-containing gas, are provided.

  A fuel gas supply communication hole (reactive gas supply communication hole) 30a for supplying fuel gas to each other in the direction of the arrow A and an oxidant gas are communicated with the other end edge of the power generation cell 16 in the long side direction. An oxidant gas discharge communication hole (off gas discharge communication hole) 26b for discharging is provided.

  A cooling medium supply communication hole 28a for supplying a cooling medium is provided at one end edge of the power generation cell 16 in the short direction (arrow C direction), and the other end edge of the power generation cell 16 in the short direction. Is provided with a cooling medium discharge communication hole 28b for discharging the cooling medium.

  On the surface of the separator 22 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20, a fuel gas flow path 32 that connects the fuel gas supply communication hole 30 a and the fuel gas discharge communication hole 30 b is formed. A cooling medium flow path 34 that connects the cooling medium supply communication hole 28 a and the cooling medium discharge communication hole 28 b is formed on the opposite surface of the separator 22.

  An oxidant gas flow path 36 communicating with the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b is provided on the surface of the separator 24 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20. On the opposite surface of the separator 24, a cooling medium flow path 34 is integrally formed so as to overlap the separator 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the humidifier 14 is disposed on the first separator 42 disposed on one surface 40 a of the water permeable membrane 40 and on the other surface 40 b of the water permeable membrane 40. The second separator 44 is provided. The first and second separators 42 and 44 are alternately stacked in the direction of arrow A with the water permeable membrane 40 interposed therebetween to form a stacked body 46. The first and second separators 42 and 44 are configured by forming a metal plate into a wave shape. Note that the first and second separators 42 and 44 may be configured by, for example, machining a carbon plate.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the air inlet communication hole 48 a that introduces air before reaction (one reaction gas) through the one end edge in the arrow B direction of the laminated body 46 in the direction of arrow A to each other, Air outlet communication holes (reaction gas outlet communication holes) 48b for supplying humidified air before reaction to the fuel cell 12 are formed in the direction of arrow C.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a of the fuel cell 12 and the air outlet communication hole 48b of the humidifier 14 are arranged on the same straight line along the stacking direction (arrow A direction). On the same straight line means that the center of the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the center of the air outlet communication hole 48b coincide with each other in the stacking direction. Further, the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the air outlet communication hole 48b are preferably set to the same size.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the other end edge of the laminated body 46 in the direction of arrow B communicates with the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a to which the air off-gas is supplied, and the air before the reaction. Air off gas outlet communication holes 50b for discharging the air off gas after humidification are arranged in the direction of arrow C. As shown in FIG. 6, the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b of the fuel cell 12 and the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a of the humidifier 14 are arranged on the same straight line along the stacking direction (arrow A direction).

  The first separator 42 communicates with the air inlet communication hole 48a and the air outlet communication hole 48b on the first surface 42a side facing the one surface 40a of the water permeable membrane 40, and is bent or curved in a substantially U shape. A first flow path 52 having a plurality of grooves is provided.

  On the second surface 42b side opposite to the first surface 42a of the first separator 42, a second flow having a plurality of substantially U-shaped grooves that communicate the air inlet communication hole 48a and the air outlet communication hole 48b. A path 54 is provided. The second flow path 54 is formed alternately with the first flow path 52, and has a wave shape as a whole (see FIG. 5).

  The second separator 44 has a plurality of substantially U-shaped grooves that communicate the air off gas inlet communication hole 50a and the air off gas outlet communication hole 50b on the surface 44a side facing the other surface 40b of the water permeable membrane 40. Three flow paths 56 are provided.

  The second separator 44 has, on the surface 44b opposite to the surface 44a, a fourth flow path 58 having a plurality of substantially U-shaped grooves that communicate the air off gas inlet communication hole 50a and the air off gas outlet communication hole 50b. Provide. The fourth flow paths 58 are alternately arranged with the third flow paths 56.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell system 10 includes an oxidant gas supply system 70 provided on the humidifier 14 side, and a fuel gas supply system 72 and a cooling medium supply system 74 provided on the fuel cell 12 side.

  The oxidant gas supply system 70 is connected to the third end plate 18c through an air supply passage 76 for supplying air to the air inlet communication hole 48a of the humidifier 14, and an air off-gas outlet communication hole 50b of the humidifier 14. An air discharge channel 78 for exhausting the discharged air off gas to the outside is provided. The air supply channel 76 is provided with a supercharger (or pump) 80 for compressing and supplying air.

  The fuel gas supply system 72 is connected to the first end plate 18 a to supply a hydrogen gas to the fuel gas supply communication hole 30 a of the fuel cell 12, and a fuel gas discharge communication of the fuel cell 12. A hydrogen circulation channel 84 is provided for returning exhaust gas containing unused hydrogen gas discharged from the holes 30 b to the hydrogen supply channel 82 and supplying it to the fuel cell 12.

  The hydrogen supply passage 82 is supplied with a hydrogen tank 86 for storing high-pressure hydrogen, a regulator 88 for reducing the pressure of the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen tank 86, and supplying the reduced hydrogen gas to the fuel cell 12. In addition, an ejector 90 is provided for sucking exhaust gas from the hydrogen circulation channel 84 and returning it to the fuel cell 12.

  The cooling medium supply system 74 is connected to the first end plate 18a and supplies a cooling medium to the cooling medium supply communication hole 28a of the fuel cell 12, and a cooling medium discharge of the fuel cell 12. A cooling medium circulation passage 96 for returning the cooling medium discharged from the communication hole 28b to the cooling medium tank 94, and a pump 98 for circulating the cooling medium in the cooling medium tank 94 are provided.

  The operation of the fuel cell system 10 configured as described above will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen tank 86 to the hydrogen supply channel 82 is depressurized to a predetermined pressure via the regulator 88 and then supplied to the fuel cell 12 through the ejector 90. It is supplied to the communication hole 30a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the hydrogen gas moves in the direction of arrow B along the fuel gas flow path 32 that constitutes each power generation cell 16 and is supplied to the anode side electrode 20b, and then the fuel containing unused hydrogen. The off gas is discharged into the fuel gas discharge communication hole 30b. As shown in FIG. 1, this fuel off-gas is discharged to the hydrogen circulation channel 84 and returned to the hydrogen supply channel 82 under the suction action of the ejector 90, and then again as fuel gas in the fuel cell 12. Supplied.

  On the other hand, air is supplied to the air supply channel 76 via the supercharger 80. This air is supplied from the third end plate 18c to the air inlet communication hole 48a of the stacked body 46 constituting the humidifier 14.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the humidifier 14, the 1st and 2nd flow paths 52 and 54 of the 1st separator 42 are connected to the air inlet communication hole 48a. The air introduced into the air inlet communication hole 48 a moves along the substantially U-shaped first and second flow paths 52 and 54. The air flowing through the first flow path 52 contacts one surface 40 a of the water permeable membrane 40, and the air moving along the second flow path 54 is the other surface 40 b of the other water permeable membrane 40. (Refer to FIG. 5).

  In the humidifier 14, air off gas, which has been reacted air used for power generation of the fuel cell 12, is supplied to the air off gas inlet communication hole 50 a. The air off gas is introduced into the third and fourth flow paths 56 and 58 that communicate with the air off gas inlet communication hole 50 a of the second separator 44. The air off-gas moving along the third flow path 56 contacts the other surface 40b of the water permeable membrane 40, while the air off-gas moving along the fourth flow path 58 is one of the other water permeable membranes 40. In contact with the surface 40a (see FIG. 5).

  Therefore, the moisture in the air off-gas that moves along the third flow path 56 of the second separator 44 is supplied to the pre-reaction air that passes through the water-permeable membrane 40 and moves along the first flow path 52. This air is humidified. Further, the pre-reaction air that moves along the second flow path 54 is humidified by moisture in the air off-gas that moves along the fourth flow path 58. The humidified air is supplied to the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26 a of the fuel cell 12 from the air outlet communication hole 48 b communicating with the first and second flow paths 52 and 54.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the humidified air is supplied to the cathode-side electrode 20 c by flowing through the oxidant gas flow path 36 formed in the separator 24 of each power generation cell 16. As described above, the air off gas containing unused air is used for the humidification process in the humidifier 14 and then discharged to the air off gas outlet communication hole 50b. Thereby, in each power generation cell 16, the hydrogen supplied to the anode side electrode 20b and the oxygen in the air supplied to the cathode side electrode 20c react to generate power.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in the cooling medium supply system 74, the cooling medium in the cooling medium tank 94 is transferred from the cooling medium supply flow path 92 to the cooling medium supply communication hole 28 a of the fuel cell 12 under the action of the pump 98. Supplied. As shown in FIG. 3, the cooling medium passes through the cooling medium flow path 34 formed between the separators 22 and 24, cools each power generation cell 16, and then flows through the cooling medium discharge communication hole 28b. It is discharged to the path 96 and returned to the cooling medium tank 94.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a of the fuel cell 12 and the air outlet communication hole 48b of the humidifier 14 are on the same straight line along the stacking direction. Has been placed. For this reason, the humidified air can smoothly flow from the air outlet communication hole 48b to the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a to favorably reduce the pressure loss, and the humidified air is efficiently supplied to the fuel cell 12. It becomes possible to supply.

  Further, the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b of the fuel cell 12 and the air off gas inlet communication hole 50a of the humidifier 14 are arranged on the same straight line along the stacking direction. Therefore, the air off gas which is the air used for the reaction in the fuel cell 12 is smoothly supplied to the air off gas inlet communication hole 50a without causing pressure loss or the like. Thereby, while the humidification process in the humidifier 14 is performed efficiently and satisfactorily, the effect that the piping can be simplified with a simple configuration is obtained.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a fuel cell system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The same components as those of the fuel cell system 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Similarly, in the third to fifth embodiments described below, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The fuel cell system 100 includes a polymer electrolyte fuel cell 102 and a flat membrane humidifier 104. The fuel cell 102 includes power generation cells 106 stacked in the direction of arrow A, and the power generation cell 106 includes separators 108 and 110 that sandwich the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20 as shown in FIG.

  A fuel gas discharge communication hole 30b and an oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a are provided at one edge of the power generation cell 106 in the long side direction so as to communicate with each other in the direction of arrow A. A fuel gas supply communication hole 30a and an oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b are provided at the other end edge in the long side direction of the power generation cell 106 so as to communicate with each other in the direction of arrow A.

  On the surface of the separator 108 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20, a fuel gas flow path 32 that connects the fuel gas supply communication hole 30 a and the fuel gas discharge communication hole 30 b disposed above in the arrow C direction is formed. . An oxidant gas flow path 36 communicating with the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b disposed below the arrow C in the surface of the separator 110 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20 is provided. Provided.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the humidifier 104 includes a first separator 114 disposed on one surface 112 a of the water permeable membrane 112 and a first separator 112 disposed on the other surface 112 b of the water permeable membrane 112. 2 separators 116 are provided.

  The first and second separators 114 and 116 are alternately stacked in the direction of arrow A with the water permeable membrane 112 interposed therebetween to constitute a stacked body 118. An air off-gas outlet communication hole 50b and an air outlet communication hole 48b are provided at one edge of the stacked body 118 in the arrow B direction. An air inlet communication hole 48a and an air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a are provided at the other end edge of the laminated body 118 in the arrow B direction.

  On both surfaces of the first separator 114, there are first and second flow paths 120, 122 which are serpentine flow paths that communicate with the air inlet communication hole 48 a and the air outlet communication hole 48 b and are folded back and forth halfway in the direction of arrow B. Provided. Third and fourth flow paths 124, which are serpentine flow paths that communicate with the air off gas inlet communication hole 50a and the air off gas outlet communication hole 50b on both surfaces of the second separator 116, and are folded back and forth halfway in the direction of arrow B, 126 is provided.

  The oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a of the power generation cell 106 and the air outlet communication hole 48b of the humidifier 104, and the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b of the power generation cell 106 and the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a of the humidifier 104 are: They are arranged on the same straight line along the stacking direction (arrow A direction).

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, the air before reaction flows through the first and second flow paths 120 and 122, while the air off gas flows through the third and fourth flow paths 124 and 126, The air before the reaction is humidified. The humidified air is supplied from the air outlet communication hole 48b to the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a of the power generation cell 106, and the air off-gas after the reaction in the power generation cell 106 is air from the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b. The gas is discharged to the off gas inlet communication hole 50a.

  At that time, the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the air outlet communication hole 48b, and the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b and the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a are arranged on the same straight line along the stacking direction. Therefore, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, for example, the pressure loss can be easily reduced.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a fuel cell system 130 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The fuel cell system 130 includes a polymer electrolyte fuel cell 132 and a flat membrane humidifier 134. The fuel cell 132 includes power generation cells 136 stacked in the direction of arrow A, and the power generation cell 136 includes separators 138 and 140 that sandwich the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20 as shown in FIG.

  A fuel gas supply communication hole 30a and an oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b are provided at one end edge in the long side direction of the power generation cell 136 so as to communicate with each other in the direction of arrow A. A fuel gas discharge communication hole 30b and an oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a are provided at the other end edge of the power generation cell 136 in the long side direction so as to communicate with each other in the direction of arrow A.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the humidifier 134 is provided with first and second separators 144 and 146 with a water permeable membrane 142 interposed therebetween, and these are stacked to form a stacked body 148. An air inlet communication hole 48a and an air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a are provided at one edge of the laminated body 148 in the arrow B direction. An air off gas outlet communication hole 50b and an air outlet communication hole 48b are provided at the other end edge of the laminated body 148 in the arrow B direction.

  First and second flow paths 150 and 152 that are serpentine flow paths are provided on both surfaces of the first separator 144, and third and fourth flow paths 154 that are serpentine flow paths are provided on both surfaces of the second separator 146. 156 are provided.

  The oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a of the power generation cell 136 and the air outlet communication hole 48b of the humidifier 134, and the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b of the power generation cell 136 and the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a of the humidifier 134 are: They are arranged on the same straight line along the stacking direction (arrow A direction).

  In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment described above, effects such as the ability to favorably reduce the pressure loss of air and air off-gas can be obtained.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a fuel cell system 160 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The fuel cell system 160 includes a fuel cell 12 and a flat membrane humidifier 162. As shown in FIG. 14, the humidifier 162 is provided with first and second separators 166 and 168 sandwiching a water permeable membrane 164, and these are stacked to form a stacked body 170. An air outlet communication hole 48b and an air inlet communication hole 48a are provided at one edge of the laminated body 170 in the arrow B direction. An air off gas outlet communication hole 50b and an air off gas inlet communication hole 50a are provided at the other end edge of the laminated body 170 in the arrow B direction.

  First and second flow paths 172 and 174 that are serpentine flow paths that reciprocate in the direction of arrow B are provided on both surfaces of the first separator 166. On both surfaces of the second separator 168, third and fourth channels 176 and 178, which are serpentine channels that reciprocate in the direction of arrow B, are provided.

  The oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a of the fuel cell 12 and the air outlet communication hole 48b of the humidifier 162, and the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b of the fuel cell 12 and the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a of the humidifier 162 are: They are arranged on the same straight line along the stacking direction (arrow A direction).

  In the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the same effect as in the first to third embodiments can be obtained.

  FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a fuel cell system 180 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  The fuel cell system 180 includes a polymer electrolyte fuel cell 182 and a flat membrane humidifier 184. The fuel cell 182 includes power generation cells 186 stacked in the direction of arrow A, and the power generation cell 186 includes separators 188 and 190 that sandwich the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20 as shown in FIG.

  An oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and an oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b are provided at one end edge of the power generation cell 186 in the long side direction so as to communicate with each other in the arrow A direction. A fuel gas supply communication hole 30a and a fuel gas discharge communication hole 30b are provided at the other end edge of the power generation cell 136 in the long side direction so as to communicate with each other in the arrow A direction.

  A substantially U-shaped fuel gas flow path 32 a communicating with the fuel gas supply communication hole 30 a and the fuel gas discharge communication hole 30 b is formed on the surface of the separator 188 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20. A substantially U-shaped oxidant gas flow path 36 a that communicates with the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26 a and the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26 b is formed on the surface of the separator 190 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the humidifier 184 is provided with first and second separators 194 and 196 sandwiching a water permeable membrane 192, and these are laminated to form a laminate 198. An air outlet communication hole 48b and an air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a are provided at one edge of the laminated body 198 in the arrow B direction. An air off-gas outlet communication hole 50b and an air inlet communication hole 48a are provided at the other end edge of the laminated body 198 in the arrow B direction.

  On both surfaces of the second separator 196, there are provided first and second flow paths 200, 202 which are serpentine flow paths for flowing air before reaction. On both surfaces of the first separator 194, third and fourth flow paths 204 and 206, which are serpentine flow paths for flowing air off-gas, are provided.

  The oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a of the fuel cell 182 and the air outlet communication hole 48b of the humidifier 184, and the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b of the fuel cell 182 and the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a of the humidifier 184 are: They are arranged on the same straight line along the stacking direction (arrow A direction).

  In the fifth embodiment configured as described above, the same effects as in the first to fourth embodiments can be obtained.

  In addition, in the 1st-5th embodiment, although the structure which humidifies the air before reaction with an air off gas is employ | adopted, it is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which air before reaction is humidified with fuel off gas (fuel gas after reaction), a configuration in which fuel gas before reaction is humidified with air off gas, or a configuration in which fuel gas before reaction is humidified with fuel off gas is adopted. May be. Furthermore, the shape of the flow path is not limited to a substantially U shape or serpentine, and various shapes can be employed.

1 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic perspective explanatory view of the fuel cell system. It is a principal part disassembled perspective view of the electric power generation cell which comprises the said fuel cell system. It is a partially exploded perspective view of the humidifier constituting the fuel cell system. It is a partial cross section explanatory view of the humidifier which constitutes the fuel cell system. It is a partial cross section figure explaining the principal part of the said fuel cell system. It is a schematic perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part disassembled perspective view of the electric power generation cell which comprises the said fuel cell system. It is a partially exploded perspective view of the humidifier constituting the fuel cell system. It is a schematic perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part disassembled perspective view of the electric power generation cell which comprises the said fuel cell system. It is a partially exploded perspective view of the humidifier constituting the fuel cell system. It is a schematic perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a partially exploded perspective view of the humidifier constituting the fuel cell system. It is a schematic perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell system which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part disassembled perspective view of the electric power generation cell which comprises the said fuel cell system. It is a partially exploded perspective view of the humidifier constituting the fuel cell system. 2 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram of a fuel cell stack of Patent Document 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10, 100, 130, 160, 180 ... Fuel cell system 12, 102, 132, 182 ... Fuel cell 14, 104, 134, 162, 184 ... Humidifier 16, 106, 136, 186 ... Power generation cells 18a-18c ... End Plate 20a ... Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20b ... Anode side electrode 20c ... Cathode side electrode 22, 24, 42, 44, 108, 110, 114, 116, 144, 146, 166, 168, 188, 190, 194, 196 ... Separator 26a ... Oxidant gas supply communication hole 26b ... Oxidant gas discharge communication hole 28a ... Cooling medium supply communication hole 28b ... Cooling medium discharge communication hole 30a ... Fuel gas supply communication hole 30b ... Fuel gas discharge communication hole 32, 32a ... Fuel Gas channel 34... Cooling medium channel 36, 36 a .. Oxidant gas channel 40, 112, 142, 16 192: Water permeable membranes 46, 118, 148, 170, 198 ... Laminate 48a ... Air inlet communication hole 48b ... Air outlet communication hole 50a ... Air off gas inlet communication hole 50b ... Air off gas outlet communication hole 52, 54, 56 , 58, 120, 122, 124, 126, 150, 152, 154, 156, 172, 174, 176, 178, 200, 202, 204, 206 ... flow path 70 ... oxidant gas supply system 72 ... fuel gas supply system 74 ... Cooling medium supply system

Claims (2)

Solid polymer fuel in which an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with electrodes on both sides of an electrolyte membrane and a separator are stacked, and fuel gas and oxidant gas as reaction gases are supplied and a cooling medium is supplied A fuel cell system in which a battery and a flat membrane humidifier provided with a water permeable membrane for humidifying at least one reaction gas supplied to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell with a humidified fluid are stacked in the stacking direction. There,
The flat membrane type humidifier is provided with a reaction gas outlet communication hole that feeds the humidified reaction gas to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell in the stacking direction,
The polymer electrolyte fuel cell is provided with a reaction gas supply communication hole into which the one of the humidified reaction gases is introduced in the stacking direction,
The reaction gas outlet communication hole and the reaction gas supply communication hole are arranged on the same line along the stacking direction. Solid polymer fuel in which an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with electrodes on both sides of an electrolyte membrane and a separator are stacked, and fuel gas and oxidant gas as reaction gases are supplied and a cooling medium is supplied A fuel cell system in which a battery and a flat membrane humidifier provided with a water permeable membrane for humidifying at least one reaction gas supplied to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell with a humidified fluid are stacked in the stacking direction. There,
The flat membrane humidifier is provided with an off-gas inlet communication hole through which the off-gas as the humidifying fluid is discharged from the solid polymer fuel cell in the stacking direction,
The polymer electrolyte fuel cell has an off-gas discharge communication hole for discharging the off-gas in the stacking direction,
The fuel cell system, wherein the off-gas inlet communication hole and the off-gas discharge communication hole are arranged on the same straight line along the stacking direction.

Images