JP2007258042A - Fuel cell module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell module recovering methanol contained in waste liquid and enhancing fuel economy. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel cell module is equipped with a fuel cell stack 11 using methanol as fuel; an exhaust passage part 60 through which waste liquid from the fuel cell stack 11 flows; and a recovery part 50 having a network member installed in the exhaust passage part 60 and whose surface being formed a plurality of pores is water-repellent treated, and recovering methanol contained in the waste liquid flowing through the exhaust passage part 60. The surface having a plurality of pores of the porous member is water-repellent treated. By water repellent treatment, the porous member limits penetration of water flowing through the exhaust passage part 60 and permits penetration of methanol vapor. As a result, methanol contained in the waste liquid is separated from water with the porous member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell module, and more particularly to a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC).

  Conventionally, a DMFC using methanol as a fuel is known (see Patent Document 1 as an example). DMFC uses a methanol aqueous solution having a concentration of several percent as a fuel and discharges water and carbon dioxide as reaction products. Such a DMFC has a simpler fuel handling and fuel cell system configuration than other fuel cells that use hydrogen-containing gas obtained by reforming hydrogen or hydrocarbons as a fuel. It has the advantage of easy operation. Therefore, in the future, it is expected as a power source for a mobile body and the like that are required for home use, industrial use, and portability.

JP 2002-231265 A

  In the case of DMFC, as described in Patent Document 1, it is known that a so-called crossover occurs in which a part of methanol supplied as a fuel permeates an electrolyte membrane. When crossover occurs in this way, a trace amount of methanol may be mixed in water as a reaction product. Methanol mixed in the wastewater does not contribute to power generation in the fuel cell. For this reason, there is a problem that fuel consumption deteriorates.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell module that recovers methanol contained in a waste liquid and improves fuel consumption.

(1) In the fuel cell module according to claim 1, a fuel cell stack using methanol as fuel, a discharge passage portion through which waste liquid from the fuel cell stack flows, and a plurality of holes provided in the discharge passage portion are formed. A recovery part that has a porous member having a water repellent surface and recovers methanol contained in the waste liquid flowing through the discharge passage part.
Thereby, the methanol contained in the waste liquid flowing through the discharge passage portion is recovered by the recovery portion. The porous member has a water repellent treatment on the surface where a plurality of holes are formed. For this reason, liquid water out of the waste liquid flowing through the discharge passage portion cannot permeate through the water repellent porous member. On the other hand, since methanol contained in the waste liquid has a low vapor pressure, it evaporates from the waste liquid and becomes steam. The vaporized methanol permeates through the water repellent porous member. That is, the porous member restricts the permeation of water flowing through the discharge passage and allows the permeation of methanol vapor. As a result, methanol contained in the waste liquid is separated from water by the porous member. The separated methanol is recovered and supplied again to the fuel cell stack as fuel. Therefore, fuel consumption can be improved.

(2) The fuel cell module according to claim 2, further comprising heating means for heating the recovery unit.
The waste liquid is mainly water and contains a trace amount of methanol. There is a difference in vapor pressure between water and methanol, and the boiling point of methanol is about 65 ° C., which is lower than the boiling point of water. Thereby, vaporization of methanol contained in the waste liquid is promoted by heating the recovery unit with the heating means. As a result, methanol contained in the waste liquid is easily recovered. Therefore, fuel consumption can be improved.

(3) In the fuel cell module according to claim 3, the heating means is the fuel cell stack.
Since the boiling point of methanol is about 65 ° C., the vaporization of methanol contained in the waste liquid is promoted by heating the recovery part. On the other hand, the fuel cell stack reaches about 70 ° C. due to its own heat generation during operation. Therefore, by using the fuel cell stack as the heating means, the recovery unit is heated by the exhaust heat of the fuel cell stack. As a result, an external heat source for heating the recovery unit is not required. Therefore, recovery of methanol can be promoted without causing a decrease in efficiency.

(4) In the fuel cell module according to claim 4, the porous member is a net-like member.
Thereby, for example, a porous member having water repellency can be easily formed by performing water repellency treatment on the surface of a member in which fibers are knitted in a net shape.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fuel cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell module 10 includes a fuel cell stack 11. In the present embodiment, the fuel cell stack 11 is a DMFC. The DMFC has a fuel electrode 12, an air electrode 13, and an electrolyte membrane 14 sandwiched between the fuel electrode 12 and the air electrode 13. A methanol aqueous solution is supplied as fuel to the fuel electrode 12 side, and air is supplied to the air electrode 13 side. Further, carbon dioxide is discharged as a reaction product from the fuel electrode 12 side, and waste liquid mainly composed of water is discharged from the air electrode 13 side as a reaction product. The fuel electrode 12 and the air electrode 13 are connected to an external load (not shown).

The reaction formula in DMFC is as follows.
Fuel electrode: CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → CO ₂ + 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻
Air electrode: O ₂ + 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ → 2H ₂ O
Therefore, the overall reaction formula is as follows.
2CH ₃ OH + 3O ₂ → 2CO ₂ + 4H ₂ O

  The fuel cell module 10 includes an air pump 15 and a fuel pump 16. The air pump 15 introduces air from the atmosphere and supplies the introduced air to the air electrode 13 of the fuel cell stack 11. The air introduction side of the air pump 15 is connected to an air filter (not shown) for removing foreign substances contained in the introduced air. The air discharge side of the air pump 15 is connected to the air electrode 13 of the fuel cell stack 11 via the air supply passage 17. Thereby, the air pump 15 supplies the air introduced via the air filter to the air electrode 13 of the fuel cell stack 11.

  The fuel pump 16 supplies the fuel stored in the fuel tank 18 to the fuel electrode 12 of the fuel cell stack 11. The fuel introduction side of the fuel pump 16 is connected to the fuel tank 18 via the fuel introduction passage 19. The fuel tank 18 stores an aqueous methanol solution serving as fuel. The fuel discharge side of the fuel pump 16 is connected to the fuel electrode 12 of the fuel cell stack 11 via the fuel supply passage 21. Accordingly, the fuel pump 16 supplies the aqueous methanol solution sucked from the fuel tank 18 to the fuel electrode 12 of the fuel cell stack 11.

  The air electrode 13 of the fuel cell stack 11 and the fuel tank 18 are connected by a fuel discharge passage 22. In the air electrode 13 of the fuel cell stack 11, water is generated as a reaction product. The water generated at the air electrode 13 contains unreacted methanol due to so-called crossover. In addition, carbon dioxide, which is a reaction product, is dissolved in the water generated at the air electrode 13. Methanol and carbon dioxide contained in the water generated at the air electrode 13 are circulated to the fuel tank 18 via the fuel discharge passage 22.

  The fuel cell module 10 further includes a radiator 23, a waste tank 24, a gas-liquid separation unit 25, a fuel supply unit 40, and a recovery unit 50. The radiator 23 is installed in a circulation passage 26 that connects the fuel electrode 12 of the fuel cell stack 11 and the waste tank 24. The radiator 23 cools the excess water at the fuel electrode 12 of the fuel cell stack 11. In the fuel electrode 12 of the fuel cell stack 11, methanol contained in the methanol aqueous solution is used as fuel. Therefore, surplus water in the methanol aqueous solution is collected in the waste tank 24. In the fuel electrode 12, carbon dioxide is generated as a reaction product. The generated carbon dioxide is discharged to the waste tank 24 together with water. The water collected in the waste tank 24 is supplied to the fuel tank 18 by a water supply pump 28 installed in the water supply passage 27 and reused. The water recovered from the fuel electrode 12 of the fuel cell stack 11 to the waste tank 24 contains air, unreacted methanol, and carbon dioxide as a reaction product.

  The waste tank 24 is connected to the circulation passage 26, and the excess water at the fuel electrode 12 of the fuel cell stack 11 is collected. A tank passage 29 is connected to the waste tank 24. The tank passage 29 connects the fuel tank 18 and the waste tank 24. Thus, the carbon dioxide recovered from the fuel cell stack 11 to the fuel tank 18 via the fuel discharge passage 22 is recovered to the waste tank 24 via the tank passage 29.

  The fuel supply unit 40 has a supply tank 41, a supply pump 42 and a supply passage 43. The supply passage 43 connects the supply tank 41 and the fuel tank 18. The supply pump 42 supplies methanol, which is fuel stored in the supply tank 41, to the fuel tank 18. The methanol aqueous solution of fuel stored in the replenishment tank 41 has a higher concentration than the methanol aqueous solution stored in the fuel tank 18. Therefore, the aqueous methanol solution supplied from the replenishment tank 41 to the fuel tank 18 is diluted with water supplied from the waste tank 24.

  The waste tank 24 is connected to the discharge passage portion 60. The discharge passage unit 60 connects the waste tank 24 and the fuel tank 18 via the gas-liquid separation unit 25 and the recovery unit 50. The discharge passage unit 60 includes a first passage 61 that connects the waste tank 24 and the gas-liquid separation unit 25, a second passage 62 that connects the gas-liquid separation unit 25 and the recovery unit 50, and the recovery unit 50 and the fuel tank 18. And a fourth passage 64 opened from the collection unit 50 to the atmosphere. The waste tank 24 stores water containing air, carbon dioxide and methanol discharged from the fuel cell stack 11 as described above. The fuel cell stack 11 generates water by operation. Therefore, it is necessary to discharge the excess water to the outside of the fuel cell module 10.

  Water discharged from the waste tank 24 is supplied to the gas-liquid separator 25 via the first passage 61. In the gas-liquid separation unit 25, the surplus water is separated from the air and carbon dioxide that are gas. Some of the air and carbon dioxide are dissolved in water. Therefore, in the gas-liquid separation unit 25, gas air and carbon dioxide are separated. The separated air and carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere. Unreacted methanol is dissolved in the water that has passed through the gas-liquid separator 25. Therefore, the water that has passed through the gas-liquid separation unit 25 is supplied to the recovery unit 50 via the second passage 62.

  The collection part 50 has a passage member 51 as shown in FIG. The passage member 51 forms a collection passage 52 inside. The recovery passage 52 is supplied with water containing methanol from the second passage 62. The recovery unit 50 recovers methanol from the water flowing through the recovery passage 52. The recovered methanol is returned to the fuel tank 18 via the third passage 63. Further, the water from which the methanol is recovered by the recovery unit 50 is discharged from the fourth passage 64 into the atmosphere.

  The passage member 51 has an opening 53 in a part thereof. The opening 53 is provided with a mesh member 54 as a porous member. Therefore, the opening 53 formed by the passage member 51 is covered with the mesh member 54. Further, the outside of the opening 53 of the passage member 51 is covered with a collection container 55. The collection container 55 is connected to the third passage 63. Thus, the methanol that has passed through the mesh member 54 from the recovery passage 52 is recovered in the recovery container 55 and then returned to the fuel tank 18 via the third passage 63. In FIG. 2, for ease of explanation, an example in which the opening 53 is installed in a part in the axial direction of the passage member 51 is shown. However, separation of vaporized methanol is promoted as the opening area of the opening 53 increases. Therefore, it is desirable that the opening 53 be as long as possible in the axial direction and wide in the circumferential direction of the passage member 51 to enlarge the opening area.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a liquefying unit 65 may be installed in the third passage 63. The methanol recovered from the recovery passage 52 to the recovery container 55 is a gas. Therefore, the recovered methanol may be liquefied by the liquefaction unit 65 and returned to the fuel tank 18. The liquefying unit 65 includes, for example, a condenser that cools and liquefies methanol vapor, or a compressor that compresses and liquefies methanol vapor. In addition, it is good also as a structure which naturally condenses and liquefies, for example, when methanol vapor | steam flows through the 3rd channel | path 63 of room temperature, without installing the liquefying part 65.

  The recovery unit 50 is in contact with the fuel cell stack 11. Thereby, the recovery unit 50 is heated by the fuel cell stack 11. The fuel cell stack 11 generates heat during operation and reaches approximately 70 ° C. The recovery unit 50 is heated by the exhaust heat of the fuel cell stack 11. That is, the fuel cell stack 11 is a heating unit that heats the recovery unit 50. By heating the collection unit 50 with the fuel cell stack 11, the water containing methanol flowing through the collection unit 50 is heated to about 70 ° C. The boiling point of methanol is about 65 ° C. Therefore, when the water containing methanol is heated in the recovery unit 50, the methanol contained in the water evaporates and becomes steam and passes through the mesh member 54 and is recovered in the recovery container 55.

  The net-like member 54 has a water-repellent water-repellent layer formed on the surface. The net member 54 is made of, for example, polypropylene or stainless fiber. And the net-like member 54 has a water-repellent layer on the surface of the fiber which forms the net | network which becomes a some hole. Further, as the porous member, porous alumina may be applied instead of the mesh member 54. In this case, a water repellent layer is formed on the surface of the alumina forming the holes. Furthermore, the mesh member 54 may be formed of fibers of a fluorine-containing resin such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In this case, the surface itself of the mesh member 54 has water repellency.

  The water repellency of the water repellent layer of the mesh member 54 or the water repellency of the mesh member 54 itself is desirably 140 ° or more in terms of the water contact angle. The contact angle of water is generally used as a scale indicating water repellency. When the water repellency of the water repellent layer of the mesh member 54 or the water repellency of the mesh member 54 is 140 ° or less in contact angle, the water flowing from the mesh member 54 through the recovery passage 52 may ooze out, and the recovery unit 50 It becomes difficult to recover the methanol. On the other hand, when the water repellency of the water repellent layer of the mesh member 54 or the water repellency of the mesh member 54 is 160 ° or more in terms of contact angle, the separation of water and the vapor of methanol contained in the water is promoted.

The water repellent layer of the net member 54 which is a porous member is formed by, for example, the following method. In the case of applying porous alumina as the porous member, the water repellent layer can be formed in the same manner.
(1) Dispersion plating In dispersion plating, the mesh member 54 contains PTFE fine particles using a plating solution in which PTFE fine particles having an average particle diameter of 4 μm are dispersed in an aqueous solution in which nickel sulfamate, nickel chloride, boric acid or the like is dissolved. A film is formed. By performing dispersion plating on the mesh member 54, the water repellency of the mesh member 54 is such that the contact angle of water is about 160 °. Thereby, in the mesh member 54, sufficient water repellency is ensured.

(2) Application by spraying In application by spraying, PTFE fine particles of, for example, about 4 μm are uniformly mixed in a paint and applied to the mesh member 54. Thereby, a water repellent layer is formed on the mesh member 54.
(3) Coating In coating, for example, a silicon-containing film or a fluorine-containing film is formed on the mesh member 54 by plasma CVD, sputtering, ion plating, or the like. Thereby, a water repellent layer is formed on the mesh member 54.

Next, a methanol recovery method of the recovery unit 50 having the above configuration will be described.
The water supplied from the second passage 62 to the recovery passage 52 contains unreacted methanol. The water flowing through the recovery passage 52 is heated by the fuel cell stack 11. At this time, the water flowing through the recovery passage 52 is heated to about 65 ° C. or higher, which is the boiling point of methanol, by the exhaust heat of the fuel cell stack 11 at about 70 ° C. Therefore, the methanol contained in the water is vaporized in the recovery passage 52 and separated from the water.

  When the water flowing through the collection passage 52 reaches the opening 53 where the mesh member 54 is installed, the main component water is repelled by the water-repellent surface of the mesh member 54. Therefore, water does not enter the inside of the hole formed by the mesh member 54 and is discharged to the outside from the recovery passage 52 via the fourth passage 64. On the other hand, the vapor of methanol separated by vaporization from water is not repelled when it comes into contact with the mesh member 54 having a water-repellent surface. Therefore, methanol vapor passes through the holes of the mesh member 54 and flows into the recovery container 55. As a result, the methanol separated from the water flowing through the collection passage 52 is separated from the water by the mesh member 54 and collected in the collection container 55.

Next, an experiment for confirming methanol recovery performance using the fuel cell module 10 having the above-described configuration will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, experiments were performed on four experimental examples and seven comparative examples of the fuel cell module according to the above-described embodiment in which the conditions were changed.
In each experimental example and each comparative example, the output of the fuel cell stack 11 is 500 W in common. In each experimental example and comparative example, the fuel supplied from the replenishment tank 41 to the fuel tank 18 is the same as a 54 vol% methanol aqueous solution, and the fuel supplied from the fuel tank 18 to the fuel cell stack 11 is 3 vol%. It is common in methanol aqueous solution. Further, in each experimental example and comparative example, the amount of drainage of the fuel cell module 10, that is, the flow rate of water drained from the waste tank 24 is 10 ml / min.

  In each experimental example and comparative example, the concentration of methanol contained in the water discharged to the outside is detected, and the water quality of the waste water, the fuel consumption of the fuel cell module 10, and the space saving performance are evaluated. In the evaluation column shown in FIG. 3, “◯” means excellent, “Δ” means good, and “x” means bad.

(Experimental example 1)
In Experimental Example 1, a water-repellent water-repellent layer is formed on the surface of the mesh member 54 formed of polypropylene. The size of the hole or mesh formed by the mesh member 54 is 1 μm.
(Experimental example 2)
In Experimental Example 2, a water-repellent water-repellent layer is formed on the surface of the mesh member 54 made of stainless steel. The size of the hole or mesh formed by the mesh member 54 is 1 μm.

(Experimental example 3)
In Experimental Example 3, a water-repellent water-repellent layer is formed on the surface of the mesh member 54 formed of stainless steel. The maximum size of the holes formed by the mesh member 54 is 500 μm.
(Experimental example 4)
In Experimental Example 4, a water-repellent water-repellent layer is formed on the surface of the mesh member 54 formed of porous alumina. The size of the hole or mesh formed by the mesh member 54 is 500 μm.

(Comparative Example 1)
In Comparative Example 1, the collection unit 50 is not installed. Therefore, all the water that has passed through the gas-liquid separator 25 is discharged to the outside.
(Comparative Example 2)
In Comparative Example 2, a filtration unit filled with activated carbon is installed instead of the recovery unit 50. Therefore, the water that has passed through the gas-liquid separation unit 25 is discharged to the outside through the filtration unit.

(Comparative Example 3)
In Comparative Example 3, an oxidation catalyst is installed instead of the recovery unit 50. Water that has passed through the gas-liquid separator 25 is heated, and methanol dissolved in the water is vaporized. Then, the vaporized methanol is passed through an oxidation catalyst to oxidize methanol into water and carbon dioxide, and then discharged to the outside.

(Comparative Example 4)
In Comparative Example 4, a mesh member formed of stainless steel is installed. The net member is not subjected to water repellent treatment. The size of the hole or mesh formed by the mesh member is 10 μm.
(Comparative Example 5)
In Comparative Example 5, a mesh member made of stainless steel is installed. The net member is not subjected to water repellent treatment. The size of the hole, that is, the mesh formed by the mesh member is 100 μm.

(Comparative Example 6)
In Comparative Example 6, a water-repellent water-repellent layer is formed on the surface of a mesh member made of stainless steel. The size of the hole or mesh formed by the mesh member is 0.1 μm.
(Comparative Example 7)
In Comparative Example 7, a water-repellent water-repellent layer is formed on the surface of a mesh member made of stainless steel. The size of the hole, that is, the mesh formed by the mesh member is 1000 μm.

(Examination of experimental results)
In Experimental Examples 1 to 4, the concentration of methanol contained in the water discharged to the outside is 9 ppm or less. Therefore, in Experimental Example 1 to Experimental Example 4, it is clear that the vapor of methanol vaporized from water is separated by the mesh member 54 of the recovery unit 50. Therefore, methanol contained in the discharged water can be reduced, and the recovered methanol can be reused as fuel. Further, the mesh member 54 is only installed in the passage member 51 of the collection unit 50. Therefore, space saving can be achieved without increasing the size of the physique.

On the other hand, in the comparative example 1, since the collection | recovery part 50 is not provided, although the enlargement of a physique is not caused, the density | concentration of methanol contained in the water discharged | emitted outside becomes as high as about 1000 ppm. Further, since the methanol contained in the discharged water cannot be reused, the fuel consumption is deteriorated.
In Comparative Example 2, since the filtration unit is provided instead of the recovery unit 50, the concentration of methanol contained in the water discharged to the outside is relatively low at 200 ppm. However, the size of the physique is increased due to the installation of the filtration unit, and space saving is difficult. Further, since the methanol adsorbed on the activated carbon in the filtration unit cannot be reused, the fuel consumption is deteriorated. Furthermore, the filtration performance of the activated carbon of the filtration unit decreases as the operation continues. Therefore, if the operation of the fuel cell module is continued, the concentration of methanol contained in the discharged water gradually increases.

  In Comparative Example 3, since an oxidation catalyst is provided instead of the recovery unit 50, methanol separated from water is oxidized, that is, burned, by the oxidation catalyst. Therefore, the concentration contained in the water discharged to the outside is as extremely low as 2 ppm. However, the installation of the oxidation catalyst leads to an increase in the size of the physique, making it difficult to save space. In addition, since methanol burns in the oxidation catalyst, the separated methanol cannot be reused, and the fuel consumption deteriorates. Furthermore, it is necessary to maintain the oxidation catalyst at 100 ° C. or higher, which is higher than the temperature of the fuel cell stack. Therefore, energy for heating the oxidation catalyst is required, and the efficiency is reduced.

  In Comparative Example 4, a mesh member is installed in the collection unit. Therefore, the size of the physique is not increased, and space saving can be achieved. However, the net member of the collection part is not subjected to water repellent treatment. Therefore, a liquid film is formed by water in the holes of the mesh member. Thereby, the vapor | steam of methanol isolate | separated from water cannot pass a mesh member. As a result, the separation of methanol is inhibited, and the concentration of methanol contained in the water discharged to the outside is as high as 990 ppm. In addition, since methanol is not sufficiently recovered, fuel efficiency cannot be improved.

  In Comparative Example 5, a net-like member is installed in the collection unit. Therefore, the size of the physique is not increased, and space saving can be achieved. However, the net member of the collection part is not subjected to water repellent treatment. The mesh of the mesh member is 100 μm, which is larger than that of Comparative Example 4. Therefore, water containing methanol leaks from the holes of the mesh member. As a result, the separation of methanol is inhibited, and the concentration of methanol contained in the water discharged to the outside is as high as 1000 ppm. In addition, since methanol is not sufficiently recovered, fuel efficiency cannot be improved.

  In Comparative Example 6, a mesh member is installed in the collection unit. Therefore, the size of the physique is not increased, and space saving can be achieved. On the other hand, although the mesh member is water-repellent, the mesh of the mesh member is as fine as 0.1 μm. Therefore, the opening area of the mesh member becomes insufficient, and methanol vapor hardly penetrates the mesh member. As a result, the separation of methanol is inhibited, and the concentration of methanol contained in the water discharged to the outside is as high as 990 ppm. In addition, since methanol is not sufficiently recovered, fuel efficiency cannot be improved.

  In Comparative Example 7, a mesh member is installed in the collection unit. Therefore, the size of the physique is not increased, and space saving can be achieved. On the other hand, although the mesh member has been subjected to water repellent treatment, the mesh of the mesh member is as coarse as 1000 μm. Therefore, the opening of the mesh member becomes large and water containing methanol leaks. As a result, the separation of methanol is inhibited, and the concentration of methanol contained in the water discharged to the outside is as high as 1000 ppm. In addition, since methanol is not sufficiently recovered, fuel efficiency cannot be improved.

  In the fuel cell module 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Experimental Example 1 to Experimental Example 4, the collection unit 50 having the net-like member 54 subjected to the water repellent treatment is installed in the discharge passage unit 60. The methanol contained in the water discharged from the fuel cell module 10 is separated, and the separated methanol is collected in the fuel tank 18. Therefore, the methanol discharged to the outside can be reduced, and the recovered methanol can be reused as fuel, so that fuel efficiency can be improved.

In the fuel cell module 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, methanol is separated and recovered by the mesh member 54 of the recovery unit 50 installed in the passage member 51. Therefore, a separate member for recovering methanol is not required. Therefore, the recovery of methanol can be promoted without increasing the size of the physique.
Furthermore, in the fuel cell module 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the recovery unit 50 is installed adjacent to the fuel cell stack 11. Thereby, the water flowing through the collection passage 52 of the collection unit 50 is heated by the exhaust heat of the fuel cell stack 11. Therefore, methanol having a lower boiling point than water is vaporized and separated from liquid water. Therefore, separation of methanol can be promoted without supplying a heat source or energy to the outside, and fuel efficiency and efficiency can be improved.

As described above, the fuel cell module 10 of the present embodiment can cope with long-term operation with low noise. Therefore, the fuel cell module 10 can be applied to electric equipment and electronic equipment used indoors.
For example, it can be widely applied as a power source for household appliances such as televisions used indoors or computer equipment such as personal computers.
In addition, it can be used as a power source for an electronic musical instrument that is used indoors and that is not preferable to generate noise other than musical instrument sound.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline of the collection | recovery part of the fuel cell module by one Embodiment of this invention, (A) is sectional drawing in the AA of (B), (B) is a cross section perpendicular | vertical to the axis | shaft of a collection | recovery channel | path. FIG. The figure which shows the experimental result using the experiment example and comparative example of the fuel cell module by one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  10: Fuel cell module, 11: Fuel cell stack (heating means), 50: Recovery part, 54: Reticulated member (porous member), 60: Discharge passage part

Claims (4)

A fuel cell stack fueled with methanol;
A discharge passage portion through which the waste liquid from the fuel cell stack flows;
A recovery unit for recovering methanol contained in the waste liquid flowing through the discharge passage unit, the surface of the discharge passage unit having a porous member having a water repellent surface that forms a plurality of holes;
A fuel cell module comprising:   The fuel cell module according to claim 1, further comprising a heating unit that heats the recovery unit.   The fuel cell module according to claim 2, wherein the heating unit is the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein the porous member is a net-like member.

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