JP2008034301A - Accelerating drainage of fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accelerate drainage of condensed water condensed in the inside of a fuel cell. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel cell 100 formed by alternately laminating a unit cell 200 and a separator 300 is equipped with a gas exhausting manifold 120 to exhaust a gas exhausted from the unit cell 200 from the fuel cell 100. The unit cell 200 is in communication with the gas exhausting manifold 120 through a through hole 630 passing through a separator forming member 600 forming the separator 300 in the laminated direction of the unit cell 200 and the separator 300. This fuel cell 100 is equipped with a drain accelerating member 310 to accelerate drainage of condensed water to the gas exhausting manifold 120 by increasing the contact area per the unit volume of the condensed water in the unit cell 200 making contact with the solid surface in the inside of the through hole 630. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for promoting discharge of condensed water condensed inside a fuel cell.

  A fuel cell is usually configured by alternately stacking single cells and separators. In this case, the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas (these gases are also referred to as “reactive gas”) supplied to the fuel cell are supplied to a single cell that performs an electrochemical reaction via a supply manifold and are used. The reactive gas (exhaust gas) is discharged from the fuel cell through the discharge manifold from the single cell. In such a fuel cell, in order to shorten the length in the stacking direction, the separator is formed in a stacked structure, and the reaction gas is supplied and discharged between the manifold and the single cell through a through hole provided in the separator. It has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-148252 A JP 2004-6104 A

  However, the through hole provided in the separator may be blocked by water (condensed water) in which water generated in the single cell is condensed. When the through hole is blocked, the flow of the reaction gas in the single cell becomes uneven, and the power generation characteristics of the fuel cell may be deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described conventional problems. By promoting the discharge of condensed water in a single cell, the present invention closes a through hole that discharges a reaction gas from the single cell to a discharge manifold. It aims at suppressing.

  In order to achieve at least a part of the above object, a fuel cell of the present invention is a fuel cell formed by alternately stacking single cells and separators, and the exhaust gas discharged from the single cells is reduced. A gas discharge manifold for discharging from the fuel cell is provided, and the single cell is connected to the gas discharge manifold through a through-hole penetrating a separator constituting member of the separator in a stacking direction of the single cell and the separator. The fuel cell is provided with a drainage promotion member that promotes drainage of condensed water condensed in the single cell from the single cell to the gas discharge manifold through the through hole, and the drainage promotion member Increases the contact area per unit volume at which the condensed water in the single cell contacts the solid surface inside the through-hole. Characterized in that to promote the discharge.

  According to this configuration, when the contact area of the condensed water in the through hole increases, the condensed water is drawn from the single cell to the inside of the through hole, and the discharge of the condensed water is promoted. And since the quantity of the condensed water in a single cell can be reduced by promotion of discharge | emission of condensed water, obstruction | occlusion of the through-hole by the condensed water in a single cell can be suppressed.

  The drainage promotion member may be inserted into the through hole from the gas discharge manifold side opening end of the through hole toward the single cell side.

  According to this configuration, the condensed water that has moved to the drainage promotion member easily moves to the gas discharge manifold side opening end of the through hole by passing through the drainage promotion member. Therefore, it becomes easier to discharge the condensed water to the gas discharge manifold.

  The drainage promotion member may be a porous body.

  According to this configuration, the condensed water is more easily moved to the gas discharge manifold side by being connected to the water inside the drainage promotion member having a water retention capacity, so that the drainage of the condensed water from the single cell is further promoted. .

  The drainage promotion member has an insertion portion that is disposed closer to the single cell than the opening end on the gas discharge manifold side, and a water lead-out portion that leads the condensed water in the insertion portion to the gas discharge manifold side. It is good as a thing.

  According to this structure, the condensed water in an insertion part is drawn near to a water derivation | leading-out part, and the water retention amount in an insertion part falls. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the clogging of the through hole due to the condensed water held in the insertion portion.

  The water lead-out part may have a larger vertical sectional area than the insertion part.

  According to this configuration, since the water outlet portion can be formed by setting the shape of the drainage promotion member, the drainage promotion member can be formed more easily.

  The fuel cell may further include a water absorbing member that is provided so as to be in contact with the end of the drainage promotion member on the side of the gas discharge manifold and has higher water retention than the porous body.

  According to this configuration, since condensed water is drawn from the drainage promotion member to the water absorption member, the amount of condensed water in the drainage promotion member can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the clogging of the through hole due to the condensed water held in the drainage promotion member.

  The drainage promotion member may be a rod-shaped member having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the through-hole, and the condensed water may be discharged through a gap between the through-hole and the rod-shaped member.

  Also with this configuration, when the contact area of the condensed water inside the through hole is increased, the condensed water is drawn from the single cell into the through hole, and the discharge of the condensed water is promoted.

  The drainage promotion member may be a member that holds a part of the discharged condensed water in the through hole by bringing the drainage promotion member into contact with the drainage promotion member.

  According to this structure, the contact area of the condensed water inside a through-hole increases because the water droplet formed in the single cell side opening end of a through-hole contacts with the condensed water hold | maintained at the through-hole. Therefore, the condensed water is drawn from the single cell to the inside of the through hole, and the discharge of the condensed water is promoted.

  The drainage promotion member may be hydrophilic.

  According to this configuration, the condensed water adheres to the drainage promotion member, so that it is easily drawn from the single cell to the inside of the through hole. Therefore, the discharge of the condensed water is promoted, and the blocking of the through hole can be suppressed.

  The single cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, and a gas diffusion layer formed of a porous body so as to be in contact with the membrane electrode assembly, and the gas diffusion layer contains the exhaust gas. It is good also as what forms the flow path in the said single cell.

  According to this configuration, drainage from the gas diffusion layer formed of the porous body can be promoted. Therefore, even when the gas flow path is formed by a porous body that easily retains condensed water and easily closes the through-hole, drainage from the porous body is promoted. The blockage of the through hole can be more easily suppressed.

  The separator is formed by laminating the first plate, which is the separator constituting member, and the second and third plates in this order from the side in contact with the single cell, and the first plate and the first plate The second plate and the third plate each have a manifold hole that forms the gas discharge manifold when stacked, and the second plate communicates the through hole and the gas discharge manifold. A communication channel hole that forms a communication channel may be provided, and the third plate may include a gas-impermeable member at a position in contact with the communication channel hole.

  Since the drainage promotion member that promotes the discharge of the condensed water in the single cell has a simple configuration, the size of the drainage promotion member can be reduced. Therefore, even in a fuel cell using a separator constituted by three plates having a small communication flow path from the through hole to the gas discharge manifold, the discharge of condensed water in the single cell can be promoted.

  The present invention can be realized in various modes. For example, a fuel cell and a fuel cell system using the fuel cell, and a power generation device using the fuel cell system and the fuel cell system are provided. It can be realized in the form of a mounted electric vehicle or the like.

Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. First embodiment:
B. Second embodiment:
C. Third embodiment:
D. Fourth embodiment:
E. Example 5:
F. Example 6:
G. Variation:

A. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell 100 as a first embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell 100 is configured by alternately stacking single cells 200 and separators 300. Thus, a structure in which the single cell 200 and the separator 300 are stacked is generally called a “stack”. 1 is drawn so that the upper side of FIG. 1 is vertically upward. In the present specification, unless otherwise specified, the drawings are drawn such that the top is vertically upward, as in FIG.

  The single cell 200 includes a membrane electrode assembly 210 and an anode side diffusion layer 220 and a cathode side diffusion layer 230 provided so as to be in contact with the membrane electrode assembly 210 (hereinafter, these are also collectively referred to as “gas diffusion layer”). And.

  The membrane electrode assembly 210 is formed by forming catalyst electrodes on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane. As the electrolyte membrane, for example, an ion exchange membrane made of a proton conductive solid polymer electrolyte can be used. The catalyst electrode is formed, for example, by applying a carbon powder carrying a catalyst that promotes an electrochemical reaction to an electrolyte membrane. As the catalyst supported on the carbon powder, platinum or an alloy made of platinum and other metals can be used.

  The gas diffusion layers 220 and 230 are porous bodies having conductivity and gas permeability. The gas diffusion layers 220 and 230 can be formed of, for example, a porous metal such as titanium or carbon felt. The pores of these gas diffusion layers 220 and 230 form a flow path for the fuel gas and the oxidant gas (hereinafter also referred to as “reaction gas”) used in the fuel cell 100. Therefore, the gas diffusion layers 220 and 230 can also be referred to as flow path forming members.

  A seal member 240 formed of a material having gas impermeability, elasticity, and heat resistance, such as silicone rubber, is provided on the outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly 210 and the gas diffusion layers 220 and 230. The seal member 240 is provided with a hole 242 for disposing the gas diffusion layers 220 and 230. The hole 242 provided in the seal member 240 is further provided with a groove 244 for holding the membrane electrode assembly 210.

  The separator 300 shown in FIG. 1 is configured by laminating an anode side plate 400, an intermediate plate 500, and a cathode side plate 600 in this order from the left side of FIG. Each of the three plates 400, 500, and 600 is a flat plate in which holes having various shapes are formed by press molding. These plates 400, 500, and 600 are formed of a material having gas impermeability and conductivity, such as titanium and stainless steel.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each of the plates 400, 500, 600 and the seal member 240 constituting the separator 300 has a stacking direction of the stack, that is, each member in the upper position and the lower position in FIG. A hole penetrating each member is provided in the thickness direction. These holes form the flow paths 110 and 120 (generally called “manifolds”) along the stacking direction of the stack by laminating the plates 400, 500 and 600 and the seal member 240. Although the fuel cell 100 of the first embodiment has six manifolds, in FIG. 1, only two manifolds 110 and 120 located on the upper side and the lower side of the figure are shown for the convenience of illustration. Hereinafter, a hole provided in each member of the stack and forming a manifold by stacking the members is also referred to as a “manifold hole”.

An oxidant gas containing oxygen (O ₂ ) is supplied to the first manifold (oxidant gas supply manifold) 110 from the left side of the figure. The oxidant gas supplied to the oxidant gas supply manifold 110 passes through a through hole (oxidant gas supply hole) 620 provided in the cathode side plate 600 and penetrating in the thickness direction of the cathode side plate 600. It is supplied to the side diffusion layer 230. In the cathode side diffusion layer 230, oxygen in the oxidant gas is consumed and moisture is generated by an electrochemical reaction in the membrane electrode assembly 210. Therefore, while the oxidant gas passes through the cathode side diffusion layer 230, the oxygen concentration thereof decreases and the oxidant gas becomes wet due to the generated moisture.

  The oxidant gas (cathode off-gas) that has become wet due to a decrease in oxygen concentration passes through the second manifold (cathode off-gas discharge hole) 630 provided in the cathode-side plate 600 from the cathode-side diffusion layer 230. (Cathode off gas discharge manifold) 120 is discharged. The cathode off gas discharged to the cathode off gas discharge manifold 120 is discharged to the left in FIG. At this time, the water in the oxidant gas flowing in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 is partly discharged as water vapor contained in the cathode offgas to the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120, and the remaining part is condensed liquid water ( Condensed water) remains in the cathode side diffusion layer 230.

  Since the cathode side diffusion layer 230 is formed of a porous body, water is held in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 by capillary action. When the water retained in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 exceeds the upper limit amount of water determined by the structure near the cathode offgas discharge hole 630, which is the water discharge path, and the surface properties, the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 enters the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120. Discharged.

  A hole is provided in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 of the fuel cell 100 shown in FIG. A porous water guide member 310 for promoting discharge of water in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 is inserted into the hole provided in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 and the cathode offgas discharge hole 630. The configuration of the water guide member 310 and the details of its function will be described later.

The fuel gas containing hydrogen (H ₂ ) supplied to the fuel cell 100 is supplied to a fuel gas supply manifold formed by manifold holes (not shown) provided in the seal member 240 and the plates 400, 500, and 600, respectively. Supplied. The fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas supply manifold is supplied to the anode side diffusion layer 220 of the single cell 200 through a through hole (fuel gas supply hole) (not shown) provided in the anode side plate 400. Hydrogen in the fuel gas supplied to the anode side diffusion layer 220 is consumed by an electrochemical reaction in the membrane electrode assembly 210. The fuel gas (anode off gas) that has consumed hydrogen is discharged from the anode side diffusion layer 220 to an anode off gas discharge manifold through a through hole (cathode off gas discharge hole) (not shown) provided in the anode side plate 400. Then, the anode off gas is discharged from the fuel cell 100 via the anode off gas discharge manifold.

  Cooling water for cooling the fuel cell 100 is supplied to a cooling water supply manifold formed by manifold holes (not shown) provided in the seal member 240, the anode side plate 400, and the cathode side plate 600. The cooling water supplied to the cooling water supply manifold is supplied to a cooling water flow path 170 formed by a hole provided in the intermediate plate 500. The cooling water takes away the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction while passing through the cooling water channel 170. The cooling water whose temperature has risen due to heat removal is discharged from the fuel cell 100 through a cooling water discharge manifold formed by manifold holes provided in the sealing member 240, the anode side plate 400, and the cathode side plate 600. The

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the seal member 240. FIG. 2 shows the seal member 240 as viewed from the left side of FIG. 2 shows the position of the AA cross section, the position of the AA cross section represents a position corresponding to the cross sectional view shown in FIG.

  As described above, the seal member 240 is provided with the hole 242 for arranging the gas diffusion layers 220 and 230 and the groove 244 for arranging the membrane electrode assembly 210. Six manifold holes 260 to 270 are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the seal member 240.

  Of these six manifold holes 260-270, the manifold hole 260 forms the oxidant gas supply manifold 110 (FIG. 1), and the manifold hole 262 forms the cathode off-gas exhaust manifold 120 (FIG. 1). The two manifold holes 264 and 266 form a fuel gas supply manifold and an anode off-gas discharge manifold, respectively. The two manifold holes 268 and 270 form a cooling water supply manifold and a cooling water discharge manifold, respectively. .

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the anode side plate 400. FIG. 3 shows the anode side plate 400 as viewed from the left side of FIG. FIG. 3 shows the position of the AA cross section, as in FIG.

  Three manifold holes 460 to 470 are provided in the outer peripheral portion of the anode side plate 400 shown in FIG. 3, similarly to the seal member 240 (FIG. 2). In addition to these six manifold holes 460 to 470, the anode side plate 400 has two through holes 420 and 430 at positions around the hole 242 of the seal member 240 where the anode side diffusion layer 220 is disposed. It is provided one by one. The through hole 420 corresponds to a fuel gas supply hole that communicates the fuel gas supply manifold and the anode side diffusion layer 220. The through hole 430 corresponds to an anode offgas discharge hole that allows the anode side diffusion layer 220 and the anode offgas discharge manifold to communicate with each other.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the cathode side plate 600. FIG. 4 shows the cathode side plate 600 as viewed from the left side of FIG. FIG. 4 shows the position of the AA cross section, as in FIG.

  As with the seal member 240 (FIG. 2), six manifold holes 660 to 670 are provided on the outer periphery of the cathode side plate 600 shown in FIG. In addition to the six manifold holes 660 to 670, the cathode side plate 600 has through holes 620 and 630 at positions around the hole 242 (FIG. 2) of the seal member 240 where the cathode side diffusion layer 230 is disposed. Nine are provided for each. The through hole 620 corresponds to an oxidant gas supply hole that communicates the oxidant gas supply manifold 110 (FIG. 1) and the cathode side diffusion layer 230. The through hole 630 corresponds to a cathode offgas discharge hole that communicates the cathode side diffusion layer 230 and the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 (FIG. 1). In FIG. 1, among the through holes 620 and 630 provided in the cathode side plate 600, a through hole on the cross-sectional position AA is illustrated.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the intermediate plate 500. FIG. 5 shows the intermediate plate 500 as viewed from the left side of FIG. Also in FIG. 5, the position of the AA cross section is shown similarly to FIG. In FIG. 5, the positions of the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120, the cooling water supply manifold 150, and the cooling water discharge manifold 160 are indicated by broken lines.

  The intermediate plate 500 shown in FIG. 5 includes four oxidant gas supply manifolds 110 (FIG. 1), a cathode offgas discharge manifold 120, a fuel gas supply manifold, and an anode offgas discharge manifold. Manifold holes 560, 562, 564, 566 are provided.

  The intermediate plate 500 is not provided with manifold holes for forming the cooling water supply manifold 150 and the cooling water discharge manifold 160. However, four cooling water passage holes 590 that form the cooling water passage 170 over the positions of the manifolds 150 and 160 are provided. As described above, the cooling water passage hole 590 is formed so that a part of the cooling water passage hole 590 overlaps the position corresponding to the manifolds 150 and 160, so that the cooling water flow along the stacking direction of the stack is provided in the fuel cell 100. A path is formed.

  The intermediate plate 500 is provided with a comb-like hole 580 extending from the manifold hole 560 forming the oxidant gas supply manifold 110 to the position of the oxidant gas supply hole 620 (FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 1, the oxidant gas supply manifold 110 and the oxidant gas supply hole 620 communicate with each other through the comb-shaped holes 580 so that the oxidant gas supply manifold 110 reaches the cathode side diffusion layer 230. A gas flow path is formed.

  The manifold hole 562 of the intermediate plate 500 is formed as a rectangular hole extending from the position of the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 to the position of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 (FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 1, the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 and the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 are communicated with each other through the manifold hole 562, and a gas flow path from the cathode side diffusion layer 230 to the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 is formed. Of the manifold holes 562, the hole from the upper end of the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 to the position of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 forms a communication flow that forms a flow path that connects the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 and the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120. It can also be said to be a road hole.

  Further, the intermediate plate 500 has a comb-like hole 584 extending from the manifold hole 564 forming the fuel gas supply manifold to the position of the fuel gas supply hole 420 (FIG. 3), and the manifold hole 566 forming the anode off-gas discharge manifold. To the anode off-gas discharge hole 430 (FIG. 3). By providing these comb-like holes 584 and 586, the fuel gas supply manifold and the anode off-gas discharge manifold communicate with the anode-side diffusion layer 220 to form a fuel gas flow path.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the water guide member 310 and its attached state in the first embodiment. 6A is a front view of the water guide member 310 viewed from the left side of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6B is a side view of the water guide member 310 viewed from the front side of the paper surface of FIG. 1. FIG. 6C shows a state in which the cathode side plate 600 and the intermediate plate 500 are overlapped and the water guide member 310 is inserted into the cathode offgas discharge hole 630. In addition, FIG.6 (c) has shown the mode seen from the intermediate | middle plate side (right side of FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the water guide member 310 has a cylindrical tip portion 312 and a substantially triangular prism-shaped flange portion 314. The water guiding member 310 is a porous body in which the tip portion 312 and the flange portion 314 are integrally formed. The water guiding member 310 is formed of a porous metal body such as titanium, for example. As shown in FIG. 6C, the water guide member 310 is inserted into each of the nine cathode offgas discharge holes 630.

  In the water guide member 310, the vertical sectional area of the flange portion 314 is larger than the vertical sectional area of the tip portion 312. Moreover, the front-end | tip part 312 of the water conveyance member 310 is formed near the upper surface 316 of the flange part 314 used as the perpendicular upper side in the attachment state shown in FIG.6 (c). In the first embodiment, by forming the water guide member 310 in such a shape, the water in the water guide member 310 moves from the tip portion 312 to the flange portion 314. Then, the water that has reached the flange portion 314 from the distal end portion 312 moves below the flange portion 314 due to gravity, and falls to the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 from below the flange portion 314.

  As described above, the flange portion 314 has a function of deriving water from the tip portion 312 inserted into the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 to the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 side, and can also be referred to as a water discharge portion.

  In the first embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the flange portion 314 is increased in order to lead water to the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 side, but water is also led to the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 side by other methods. be able to. For example, water is supplied to the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 by lowering the porosity of the portion of the water guiding member protruding toward the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 to be lower than the porosity of the portion inserted into the cathode offgas discharge hole 630. It is possible to derive to the side. Further, by making the pore diameter of the portion of the water guide member protruding toward the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 smaller than the pore diameter of the portion inserted into the cathode offgas discharge hole 630, water is also supplied to the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 side. Can be derived.

  The porosity of the water guide member 310 is set to be equal to or higher than the porosity of the cathode-side diffusion layer 230 in order to prevent the amount of water held in the water guide member 310 from increasing and preventing the cathode offgas from being discharged. Is more preferable. Further, the water guiding member 310 is more preferably a member having hydrophilicity (for example, a contact angle of 45 ° or less). When the water guide member 310 is formed of a metal porous body, the water guide member 310 can be made hydrophilic by forming a chemically stable metal layer such as gold on the metal porous body by plating or sputtering. .

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing how water is discharged from the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 in the first embodiment. FIG. 7A shows a state where the water guide member 310 is not inserted into the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 as a comparative example. In the comparative example in which the water guide member 310 is not used, the cathode-side diffusion layer 230a is not provided with a hole for inserting the water guide member 310. FIG. 7B shows a state in which the water guide member 310 is inserted into the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 in the first embodiment.

  In the comparative example shown in FIG. 7A, water droplets are formed on the cathode side diffusion layer 230a side of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 due to the surface tension of water. When the water droplet is formed, a force in the direction of the cathode side diffusion layer 230a is applied to the water droplet due to the surface tension. Therefore, the discharge of water from the cathode side diffusion layer 230a to the cathode offgas discharge manifold is suppressed.

  On the other hand, in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, the cathode side diffusion layer 230 and the water guide member 310 are close to each other. Therefore, the water in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 and the water in the water guide member 310 are connected to form a continuous water region (hereinafter, such a continuous water region is referred to as a “water film”). The water in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 reaches the front end portion 312 of the water guide member 310 through this water film. The water that has reached the tip portion 312 is guided from the tip portion 312 to the flange portion 314 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. Then, the water that reaches the flange portion 314 is discharged to the cathode offgas discharge manifold by gravity.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the porous water guide member 310 is inserted into the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 from the cathode offgas discharge manifold side toward the cathode side diffusion layer 230 side (single cell 200 side). As a result, the water remaining in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 is guided to the cathode offgas discharge manifold side through the water guiding member 310, so that the discharge of water remaining in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 is promoted. Thus, since the water guide member 310 has a function of promoting the discharge of water, it can also be referred to as a drainage promotion member.

  In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, when the water passes through the cathode offgas discharge hole 630, the water moves in the porous water guide member 310. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the area where the unit volume of water contacts the solid surface inside the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 is larger than that in the comparative example without the water guide member shown in FIG. Thus, by increasing the contact area per unit volume, the water in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 is drawn closer to the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 than the case where there is no water conducting member. Draining from 630 becomes easier.

  Moreover, although the water guide member 310 of 1st Example has the front-end | tip part 312 and the flange part 314, the flange part 314 can be abbreviate | omitted. However, it is more preferable that the water guide member is arranged so as to protrude from the cathode offgas discharge manifold 630 side of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 so that the condensed water is led out to the cathode offgas discharge manifold side.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an attached state of the water guiding member 310a in the second embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the water guide members 310a inserted into the nine cathode offgas discharge holes 630 are formed as one body. The other points are the same as in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the cathode side plate 600 (FIG. 4) and the intermediate plate 500 (FIG. 5) are overlapped and the water guide member 310 a is inserted into the cathode offgas discharge hole 630, as in FIG. The state seen from the intermediate plate 500 side (the right side of FIG. 1) is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 8, also in the second embodiment, a porous water guide member 310a is inserted into the cathode offgas discharge hole 630. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the water remaining in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 is guided to the cathode offgas discharge manifold side through the water guiding member 310a, so that the discharge of water remaining in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 is promoted. .

  In the second embodiment, since the integrally formed water guide member 310a is inserted into the cathode offgas discharge hole 630, a change in the arrangement of the water guide member 310a is suppressed. Therefore, in the state of use of the fuel cell 100, it is more preferable than the first embodiment in that the arrangement of the water guiding member 310a can be changed to reduce the possibility that the drainage performance is lowered. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the water guide members 310 inserted into the individual cathode offgas discharge holes 630 are formed separately. Therefore, it is preferable to the second embodiment in that the water guide member 310 can be more easily inserted into the cathode off gas discharge hole 630 even when the shape accuracy of the cathode off gas discharge hole 630 and the water guide member 310 is low.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the fuel cell 100b in the third embodiment. The fuel cell 100b in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 9 has a point that the water absorbing member 320 is provided between the water guiding member 310b and the anode side plate 400, and the shape of the water guiding member 310b accompanying the provision of the water absorbing member 320. Is different from the first embodiment in that is changed. The other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the shape of each of the water guiding member 310b and the water absorbing member 320 in the third embodiment and the positional relationship between the members 310b and 320 in the attached state. 10A is a front view of the water guide member 310b as viewed from the left side of FIG. 9, and FIG. 10B is a side view of the water guide member 310b as viewed from the front side in FIG. FIG. 10C is a front view of the water absorbing member 320 as viewed from the left side of FIG. 9, and FIG. 10D is a side view of the water absorbing member 320 as viewed from the front side in FIG. Moreover, FIG.10 (e) and FIG.10 (f) are the front views and side views which show arrangement | positioning of the water conveyance member 310b and the water absorption member 320. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b), the water guide member 310b in the third embodiment is similar to the water guide member 310 in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). The front end portion 312b and the flange portion 314b are provided. The shapes of these portions 312b and 314b are substantially the same as the water guide member 310 of the first embodiment. However, the flange portion 314b of the third embodiment is shorter than the flange portion 314 of the first embodiment by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the water absorbing member 320.

  As shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D, the water absorbing member 320 has a shape in which a triangular cut is made on the lower side of a rectangular flat plate. The water absorbing member 320 is a member having higher water retention than the water guiding member 310b. Such a water-absorbing member 320 can be formed of, for example, a hydrophilic material such as felt and having pores finer than the water guide member 310.

  The water guiding member 310b and the water absorbing member 320 are arranged so that the flange portion 314b of the water guiding member 310b is in contact with the region where the water absorbing member 320 is not cut, as shown in FIGS. Thus, when the end of the flange portion 314b of the water guide member 310b and the water absorbing member 320 are in contact with each other, the water guided from the cathode side diffusion layer 230 (FIG. 9) to the water guide member 310b is more water retentive from the flange portion 314b. It moves to the high water absorption member 320. The water that has reached the water absorbing member 320 moves below the water absorbing member 320 due to gravity, and falls from below the water absorbing member 320 to the cathode offgas discharge manifold.

  Also in the third embodiment, the porous water guide member 310 b is inserted into the cathode offgas discharge hole 630. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the water remaining in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 is guided to the cathode offgas discharge manifold side through the water guiding member 310b, so that the discharge of water remaining in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 is promoted. .

  In the third embodiment, water is drawn from the flange portion 314b to the water absorbing member 320 by bringing the water guiding member 310b into contact with the water absorbing member 320 having higher water retention. Therefore, the amount of water retained in the water guide member 310b is reduced, and the amount of water in the water guide member 310b is increased, thereby preventing the cathode offgas from being prevented from being discharged. More preferable. On the other hand, the first and second embodiments are preferable to the third embodiment in that the use of the water absorbing member 320 can be omitted and the configuration of the fuel cell becomes simpler.

D. Fourth embodiment:
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the shape of the water guiding member 310c in the fourth embodiment and the positional relationship between the water guiding member 310c and the water absorbing member 320 in the attached state. The fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that the shape of the water guide member 310c is different from the water guide member 310b in the third embodiment shown in FIG. The other points are the same as in the third embodiment.

  FIG. 11A is a front view of the water guide member 310c as viewed from the left side of FIG. 9, and FIG. 11B is a side view of the water guide member 310c as viewed from the front side of the drawing in FIG. FIG.11 (c) is the top view which looked at the water conveyance member 310c from the upper direction of FIG. Moreover, FIG.11 (d) thru | or FIG.11 (f) are the front views, side views, and top views which show the arrangement | positioning of the water conveyance member 310c and the water absorption member 320, respectively. In FIGS. 11C and 11D, the direction from the back side to the front side of FIG. 11 is drawn vertically upward.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, the water guide member 310c of the fourth embodiment is provided with a groove 318 at the end of the flange portion 314c of the water guide member 310c. The groove 318 is provided in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface 316c of the flange portion 314c.

  Similar to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the water guiding member 310c is inserted into the cathode off-gas discharge hole 630 so that the upper surface 316c of the flange portion 314c is located on the oxidant gas supply manifold 110 side. Therefore, the direction of the groove 318 is the direction from the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 toward the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120. The cathode off gas discharged to the flange portion 314c side is guided toward the cathode off gas discharge manifold through the groove 318, so that it becomes easier to discharge the cathode off gas to the cathode off gas discharge manifold.

  In the fourth embodiment, the direction of the groove 318 provided in the flange portion 314c is a direction from the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 to the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120, but the direction of the groove 318 is an arbitrary direction. It is possible. Even in this case, the cathode offgas discharged from the flange portion 314 c side is discharged to the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 through the groove 318, so that the cathode offgas can be discharged more easily than when the groove 318 is not provided. . However, as in the fourth embodiment, the cathode off gas can be easily discharged by matching the direction of the groove 318 with the main flow direction of the cathode off gas.

  In the fourth embodiment, the groove 318 becomes the cathode off-gas flow path in this way, and therefore, it is preferable to the third embodiment in that the discharge of the cathode off-gas becomes easier. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the contact area between the water guiding member 310b and the water absorbing member 320 is larger than that in the fourth embodiment, so that the movement of water from the water guiding member 310b to the water absorbing member 320 becomes easier. Therefore, it is preferable to the fourth embodiment in that the amount of water retained in the water guide member 310b is reduced, and the discharge of the cathode offgas is prevented from being hindered by the increase in the amount of water in the water guide member 310b.

E. Example 5:
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell 100d in the fifth embodiment. The fuel cell 100d in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 12 includes a water guide member 330 inserted in the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 in place of the water guide member 310 (FIG. 1) formed of a porous body, and the cathode side. This is different from the first embodiment in that a hole for passing the water guiding member is not provided in the diffusion layer 230a. The other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a state in the vicinity of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 of the fuel cell 100d in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell 100d in the vicinity of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630. FIG. FIG. 13B shows a state where the cathode side plate 600 to which the water guide member 330 is attached is viewed from the water guide member 330 side (right side in FIG. 12).

The water guide member 330 has a tip end portion 332, a support portion 334, and an attachment portion 336.
The water guide member 330 is formed such that the tip portion 332 and the support portion 334 are substantially perpendicular, and the support portion 334 and the attachment portion 336 are also substantially perpendicular. The water guide member 330 is preferably formed of a hydrophilic material.

  The water guide member 330 is attached to the cathode side plate 600 at the attachment portion 336. The water guide member 330 can be attached to the cathode side plate 600 by welding or adhesion, for example. Further, a fitting hole for fitting the water guiding member 330 into the cathode side plate 600 may be provided, and the water guiding member 330 may be attached to the cathode side plate 600 by fitting the water guiding member 330 into the fitting hole.

  As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the leading end portion 332 of the water guiding member 330 is inserted into the central portion of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630. In the fifth embodiment, the end of the tip 332 on the cathode diffusion layer 230a side is not in contact with the cathode diffusion layer 230a. However, the front end portion 332 of the water guiding member 330 may be in contact with the cathode side diffusion layer 230a or may reach the cathode side diffusion layer 230a.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing how water is discharged from the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 in the fifth embodiment. 14 (a) to 14 (c) are the same as FIG. 13 (a) except that the state of water in the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 is depicted.

  As described above, the water in the cathode side diffusion layer 230a forms water droplets on the cathode side diffusion layer 230a side of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 due to surface tension, as shown in FIG. The water droplets become larger as the amount of water retained in the cathode side diffusion layer 230a increases, and the tip thereof moves to the cathode offgas discharge manifold side.

  When the tip of the water droplet reaches the tip portion 332 of the water guide member 330, water forms a water film at the cathode side diffusion layer 230a and the tip portion 332 of the water guide member 330, as shown in FIG. As indicated by the arrow, the water in the cathode side diffusion layer 230a travels through the tip 332 through the water film and moves to the cathode offgas discharge manifold side.

  As shown in FIG. 14 (c), when water reaches the cathode offgas discharge manifold side through the water film, the water that has reached the cathode offgas discharge manifold side falls due to gravity as shown by an arrow. The water in the cathode side diffusion layer 230a continues to be discharged to the cathode offgas discharge manifold until the amount of water in the cathode side diffusion layer 230a decreases and the water film is cut.

  Thus, in the fifth embodiment, water droplets formed by the water in the cathode side diffusion layer 230a come into contact with the tip portion 332 of the water guide member 330, so that water is interposed between the cathode side diffusion layer 230a and the tip portion 332. A film is formed. Then, the water moves to the cathode offgas discharge manifold side through the formed water film. Therefore, discharge of water in the cathode side diffusion layer 230a to the cathode offgas discharge manifold is promoted. Therefore, it can be said that the front-end | tip part 332 is a waste_water | drain promotion member which accelerates | stimulates discharge of water.

  In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 14, when the water passes through the cathode offgas discharge hole 630, the water moves in the water film formed on the surface of the tip portion 332. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, by inserting the tip portion 332, the area where the unit volume of water contacts the solid surface inside the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 is larger than when there is no water guide member.

  In the fifth embodiment, the water guide member 330 is attached to the cathode side plate 600, but the water guide member 330 can be attached by a different method. For example, a linear water guide member may be attached to the intermediate plate 500.

  In the fifth embodiment, the tip portion 332 of the water guide member 330 is inserted into the central portion of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630. However, if the tip portion 332 is inserted into the cathode offgas discharge hole 630, the tip portion The positional relationship between 332 and the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 may be different. The tip portion 312 may be in contact with the inner wall of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630, and the direction of the tip portion 312 may be different from the penetration direction of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630. Further, in this case, the water guide member may be not fixed as long as the water guide member has a shape that does not drop off and the tip portion can be maintained in the cathode offgas discharge hole 630.

  In general, if a rod-like member having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cathode off-gas discharge hole 630 is inserted into the cathode off-gas discharge hole 630, a water film is formed between the cathode-side diffusion layer 230a and the rod-like member. The water that has moved to the rod-shaped member through the formed water film moves to the cathode off-gas discharge manifold side through the gap between the cathode off-gas discharge hole 630 and the rod-shaped member. However, when the cathode side diffusion layer 230a side end of the front end portion 332 is in the cathode offgas discharge hole 630, in order to make it easier to form a water film between the cathode side diffusion layer 230a and the water guide member 330, the water guide member It is preferable that the cathode side diffusion layer 230 a at the front end of the cathode is set so as to be located at the center of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630. Also in this case, the area where the unit volume of water contacts the solid surface inside the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 is increased by the water guide member 330.

F. Example 6:
FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing a state in the vicinity of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 of the fuel cell in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630, and FIG. 15B shows a state where the cathode plate 600 to which the water guide member 340 is attached is viewed from the water guide member 340 side. Yes. The sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 15 is different from the fifth embodiment in that a water guide member 340 having a different shape from that of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 13 is used. The other points are the same as in the fifth embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b), the water guide member 340 of the sixth embodiment is a rod-like member having no bending. The water guide member 340 is attached to the surface of the cathode side plate 600 on the cathode off gas discharge manifold side, and the upper end of the water guide member 340 protrudes inward from the outer periphery of the cathode off gas discharge hole 630.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing how water is discharged from the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 in the sixth embodiment. 16 (a) to 16 (c) are the same as FIG. 15 (a) except that the state of water in the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 is depicted.

  FIG. 16A shows a state after water is once discharged from the cathode offgas discharge hole 630. When water is discharged from the cathode offgas discharge hole 630, part of the discharged water remains in the vicinity of the protruding portion protruding from the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 of the water guide member 340. The remaining water (residual water) forms a water film extending in the direction of the cathode side diffusion layer 230a inside the cathode offgas discharge hole 630.

  On the other hand, as in the fifth embodiment, the water in the cathode side diffusion layer 230a forms water droplets on the cathode side diffusion layer 230a side of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630, as shown in FIG. The tip of the formed water droplet moves to the cathode offgas discharge manifold side as the amount of water retained in the cathode side diffusion layer 230a increases.

  When water droplets formed on the cathode side diffusion layer 230a side of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 become large and come into contact with the remaining water in the cathode offgas discharge hole 630, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), the cathode side diffusion layer 230a and The water guide member 340 is connected by a water film. Then, the water in the cathode side diffusion layer 230a flows through the water film through the cathode off gas discharge hole 630 and moves to the cathode off gas discharge manifold side, as shown by the arrow. The water thus moved to the cathode offgas discharge manifold side falls by gravity and is discharged to the cathode offgas discharge manifold as shown by the arrow in FIG.

  Thus, in the sixth embodiment, the water droplets formed on the cathode side diffusion layer 230a side of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 come into contact with the residual water inside the cathode offgas discharge hole 630, so that the cathode side diffusion layer 230a and the water guide A water film is formed between the member 340 and the member 340. Then, the water moves to the cathode offgas discharge manifold side through the formed water film. Therefore, discharge of water in the cathode side diffusion layer 230a to the cathode offgas discharge manifold side is promoted.

  In the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 16, when water droplets formed on the cathode side diffusion layer 230a side of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 come into contact with the remaining water inside the cathode offgas discharge hole 630, the water droplets and the residual water are water. A film is formed. As described above, when the water droplets and the residual water form a water film, the area where the unit volume of water in the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 contacts the solid surface increases.

G. Variation:
In addition, this invention is not restricted to the said Example and embodiment, It can implement in a various aspect in the range which does not deviate from the summary, For example, the following deformation | transformation is also possible.

G1. Modification 1:
In the first to fourth embodiments, the tip of the water guide member protrudes from the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 toward the cathode side diffusion layer 230, but the tip of the water guide member is the cathode side diffusion of the cathode offgas discharge hole 630. It is not necessary to reach the cathode side diffusion layer 230 because it is located closer to the cathode offgas exhaust manifold 120 than the opening end on the layer 230 side. In general, the tip of the water guide member only needs to be positioned closer to the cathode side diffusion layer 230 than the open end of the cathode off gas discharge hole 630 on the cathode off gas discharge manifold 120 side. Even in this case, as in the fifth embodiment, the tip of the water droplet moves to the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 side, and the water droplet and the water guiding member come into contact with each other, so that the space between the cathode side diffusion layer 230 and the water guiding member is reduced. A water film is formed, and the condensed water is discharged to the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 through the water film. In addition, when the front-end | tip part of a water conveyance member does not reach | attain the cathode side diffusion layer 230, the hole for inserting the water conveyance member provided in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 can be abbreviate | omitted.

G2. Modification 2:
In each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to the fuel cell 100 (FIG. 1) in which the separator 300 (FIG. 1) is constituted by three plates 400, 500, and 600. The present invention can also be applied to fuel cells having different configurations. In general, the present invention can be applied to any fuel cell as long as it is a fuel cell in which the cathode off-gas discharge manifold 120 is connected to the cathode-side diffusion layer 230 through a through-hole provided in the separator component member and penetrating in the stacking direction. Can be applied.

G3. Modification 3:
In each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to the fuel cell 100 (FIG. 1) in which the flow path of the oxidant gas in the single cell 200 (FIG. 1) is formed by the cathode side diffusion layer 230 that is a porous body. However, the present invention can also be applied to fuel cells having different configurations. The flow path of the oxidizing gas in the single cell 200 may be formed, for example, by providing a flow path groove on the single cell side of the separator. Further, by forming the cathode side electrode formed on the membrane electrode assembly 210 with a porous body, it is also possible to form an oxidant gas flow path by the cathode side electrode.

G4. Modification 4:
In each of the above embodiments, the oxidant gas supply manifold 110 is positioned vertically upward to guide the fuel cell 100 (FIG. 1) to the condensed water in the cathode side diffusion layer 230 toward the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 side. Although the off-gas discharge manifold 120 is arranged so as to be positioned vertically downward, the arrangement direction of the fuel cell 100 can be an arbitrary direction. For example, the fuel cell 100 can be arranged such that the oxidant gas supply manifold 110 and the cathode off-gas discharge manifold 120 have substantially the same height.

  In this case, for example, the porosity of the cathode side diffusion layer 230 is reduced by gradually decreasing the porosity of the cathode side diffusion layer from the oxidant gas supply manifold 110 side toward the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 side. It can be led to the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 side. The condensed water discharged from the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 toward the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 is discharged toward the cathode offgas discharge manifold 120 by dynamic pressure generated by the cathode offgas flowing.

G5. Modification 5:
In each of the above embodiments, drainage from the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 (FIG. 1) is promoted by the present invention, but drainage from the anode offgas discharge hole can also be promoted by the present invention. In this case, from the anode off-gas discharge hole, water generated on the cathode side and permeated through the electrolyte membrane, water for humidifying the fuel gas, and the like are discharged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the fuel cell 100 as 1st Example. The schematic diagram which shows the shape of the sealing member 240. FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the shape of the anode side plate 400. FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the shape of the cathode side plate 600. FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the shape of the intermediate | middle plate 500. FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the shape of the water conveyance member 310 in 1st Example, and its attachment state. Explanatory drawing which shows a mode that water is discharged | emitted from the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 in 1st Example. The schematic diagram which shows the attachment state of the water guide member 310a in 2nd Example. Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the fuel cell 100b in 3rd Example. The schematic diagram which shows each positional relationship of each member 310b, 320 in each attachment shape in the 3rd Example, and each shape of the water conveyance member 310b and the water absorption member 320. FIG. The schematic diagram which shows the shape of the water guide member 310c in 4th Example, and the positional relationship between the water guide member 310c and the water absorption member 320 in an attachment state. Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the fuel cell 100d in 5th Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the mode of cathode off-gas exhaust hole 630 vicinity of the fuel cell 100d in 5th Example. Explanatory drawing which shows a mode that water is discharged | emitted from the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 in 5th Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the mode of cathode offgas discharge hole 630 vicinity in 6th Example. Explanatory drawing which shows a mode that water is discharged | emitted from the cathode offgas discharge hole 630 in 6th Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100, 100b, 100d ... Fuel cell 110 ... Oxidant gas supply manifold 120 ... Cathode off gas discharge manifold 150 ... Cooling water supply manifold 160 ... Cooling water discharge manifold 170 ... Cooling water flow path 200 ... Single cell 210 ... Membrane electrode assembly 220 ... Anode side diffusion layer 230, 230a ... Cathode side diffusion layer 240 ... Seal member 260-270 ... Manifold hole 300 ... Separator 310, 310a, 310b, 310c ... Water guide member 312, 312a, 312b, 312c ... Tip portion 314, 314a, 314b , 314c ... Flange part 320 ... Water absorbing member 330 ... Water guiding member 332 ... Tip part 334 ... Supporting part 336 ... Mounting part 340 ... Water guiding member 400 ... Anode side plate 420 ... Fuel gas supply hole 430 ... Anode off gas discharge 460-470 ... manifold holes 560-566 ... manifold holes 590 ... cooling water passage holes 600 ... cathode-side plate 620 ... oxidant gas supply holes 630 ... cathode off gas discharge hole 660 to 670 ... manifold hole

Claims (11)

A fuel cell formed by alternately stacking single cells and separators,
A gas discharge manifold for discharging the exhaust gas discharged from the single cell from the fuel cell;
The single cell is communicated with the gas discharge manifold through a through hole that penetrates a separator constituting member constituting the separator in a stacking direction of the single cell and the separator,
The fuel cell includes a drainage promotion member that promotes discharge of condensed water condensed in the single cell from the single cell to the gas discharge manifold through the through hole,
The drainage promotion member promotes discharge of the condensed water by increasing a contact area per unit volume where the condensed water in the single cell contacts the solid surface inside the through-hole. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein
The drainage promotion member is a fuel cell inserted into the through hole from the gas discharge manifold side opening end of the through hole toward the single cell side. The fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein
The fuel cell, wherein the drainage promotion member is a porous body. The fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein
The drainage promotion member is
An insertion portion disposed on the single cell side from the gas discharge manifold side opening end;
A water outlet part for leading the condensed water in the insertion part to the gas discharge manifold side;
A fuel cell. The fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein
The water lead-out part is a fuel cell having a vertical cross-sectional area larger than that of the insertion part. 6. The fuel cell according to claim 3, further comprising:
A fuel cell comprising a water absorbing member that is provided in contact with the gas discharge manifold side end of the drainage promotion member and has higher water retention than the porous body. The fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein
The drainage promotion member is a rod-shaped member having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole, and the condensed water is discharged through a gap between the through hole and the rod-shaped member. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein
The said drainage promotion member is a fuel cell which is a member which hold | maintains in the said through-hole by making a part of discharged | emitted condensed water contact the said drainage promotion member. A fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The drainage promotion member is a fuel cell having hydrophilicity. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The single cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, and a gas diffusion layer that is configured to be in contact with the membrane electrode assembly, which is formed of a porous body.
The gas diffusion layer is a fuel cell that forms a flow path in the single cell for the exhaust gas. The fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The separator is formed by laminating the first plate, which is the separator component, and the second and third plates in this order from the side in contact with the single cell.
The first plate, the second plate, and the third plate each have a manifold hole that forms the gas discharge manifold when stacked.
The second plate has a communication channel hole that forms a communication channel that communicates the through hole and the gas exhaust manifold,
The third plate has a gas-impermeable member at a position in contact with the communication channel hole.
Fuel cell.

Images