JP2010129249A - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress flowing out of steam produced in a fuel cell to the outside. <P>SOLUTION: A single cell of a fuel cell is constituted by arranging an anode gas diffusion electrode 3 and a cathode gas diffusion electrode 5 on each side of an electrolyte membrane 1 to form a reaction region, and interposing them between a pair of separators 7, 9. Sealing materials 17, 19 are arranged between the separators 7, 9 on the outer side than the reaction region and the electrolyte membrane 1, and cooling water passages 25, 27 are formed between the pair of separators 7, 9 and separators 9A, 7A of each single cell adjoined to the separators 7, 9. The cooling water passages 25, 27 have outside cooling water passages 25a, 27a in the positions corresponding to spaces 21, 23 between the reaction region and the sealing materials 17, 19, and steam produced in the reaction region is cooled and condensed by cooling water flowing through the outside cooling water passages 25a, 27a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell in which an electrolyte membrane provided with electrodes on both sides is sandwiched between a pair of separators provided with cooling medium passages, and a sealing material is provided between the electrolyte membrane and the outer periphery of each separator.

  As a general structure of a fuel cell, a pair of electrodes are arranged on both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane, and these are sandwiched between a pair of separators to form a unit cell. At this time, between each electrode facing each separator, In addition, a reaction gas flow path is formed, and a cooling water passage is formed on the back surface of the separator at a position corresponding to the reaction region where the reaction gas flow path is formed.

On the outer peripheral edge side, a seal material for preventing leakage of a fluid such as a reaction gas is interposed between the pair of separators and the electrolyte membrane (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).
JP 2005-190706 A

  By the way, in the conventional fuel cell described above, water vapor generated in the reaction region during power generation may flow out from the joint interface between the sealing material and the electrolyte membrane, or may flow out through the sealing material. The water vapor flowing out to the outside becomes condensed water and causes an electrical short circuit between the pair of separators.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to suppress the outflow of water vapor generated in the fuel cell to the outside.

  According to the present invention, an electrolyte membrane having electrodes on both sides is sandwiched between a pair of separators having a cooling medium passage, and a sealing material is provided between the outer periphery of the electrolyte membrane and each separator, and a part of the cooling medium passage Is located closer to the sealing material than the reaction region of the portion where the electrode is provided, and the water vapor generated in the reaction region is condensed by the cooling water flowing through the part of the cooling medium passage.

  According to the present invention, the water generated in the reaction region is cooled by the cooling water flowing through a part of the cooling medium passage located on the sealing material side outside the reaction region to generate dew condensation water. For this reason, the generated dew condensation water is less likely to flow out from the joint interface between the sealing material and the electrolyte membrane than the water vapor, and is less likely to permeate the sealing material, thus preventing the dew condensation water from flowing out. It is possible to suppress an electrical short circuit between the pair of separators.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a fuel cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this fuel cell, an anode gas diffusion electrode 3 serving as a fuel electrode is provided on one surface of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (hereinafter simply referred to as an electrolyte membrane) 1 made of an ion exchange membrane, and an oxidant electrode is provided on the other surface. A cathode gas diffusion electrode 5 serving as an (air electrode) is provided. Each of the anode gas diffusion electrode 3 and the cathode gas diffusion electrode 5 includes a catalyst layer on the electrolyte membrane 1 side.

  The electrolyte membrane 1 and the electrodes 3 and 5 are sandwiched by a pair of separators 7 and 9 from both sides to constitute a unit cell 11. The portion where the anode gas diffusion electrode 3 and the cathode gas diffusion electrode 5 are provided is a reaction region (power generation region).

  A plurality of anode gas passages 13 through which hydrogen gas as an anode gas flows are provided on the surface of the separator 7 on the anode gas diffusion electrode 3 side, and an oxidant as a cathode gas is provided on the surface of the separator 9 on the cathode gas diffusion electrode 5 side. A plurality of cathode gas passages 15 through which gas (air) flows are provided. These anode and cathode gas passages 13 and 15 extend in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG.

  Further, the electrolyte membrane 1 and the pair of separators 7 and 9 have their outer peripheral edge portions protruding outward from the outer peripheral edge portions of the electrodes 3 and 5, and the sealing materials 17 and 19 are interposed between these protruding portions. Intervene. At this time, annular spaces 21 and 23 are formed between the sealing materials 17 and 19 and the outer peripheral ends of the electrodes 3 and 5.

  Further, a cooling water passage 25 is formed between the anode-side separator 7 and the cathode-side separator 9 A of the unit cell adjacent to the separator 7, and the cathode-side separator 9 and the others adjacent to the separator 9 are formed. A cooling water passage 27 is formed between the unit cell and the anode-side separator 7A. Each of these cooling water passages 25 and 27 constitutes a cooling medium passage through which a cooling medium as cooling water flows.

  The cooling water passage 25 is an outer cooling water passage which is a part of the cooling medium passage at a position corresponding to the sealing material 17 side outside the reaction region where the anode gas diffusion electrode 3 and the cathode gas diffusion electrode 5 are provided. 25a. Similarly, the cooling water passage 27 is also provided with an outer cooling water passage 27a that becomes a part of the cooling medium passage at a position corresponding to the sealing material 19 side outside the reaction region. That is, these outer cooling water passages 25a and 27a are at positions corresponding to the annular spaces 21 and 23 described above.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the separator 7 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view including a unit cell corresponding to the AA cross section of FIG. Since all the separators 7 and 9 and the separators 7A and 9A have the same shape, description will be made using the separator 7 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the separator 7 is provided with a pair of inlet manifold holes 29 as cooling water supply portions on both the left and right sides of the lower end portion in FIG. 2, and is a cooling water discharge portion at the central portion in the left and right direction of the upper end portion. A pair of outlet manifold holes 31 are provided.

  A cathode gas inlet manifold hole 35 and an anode gas inlet manifold hole 37 are provided between the pair of inlet manifold holes 29, and the cathode gas outlet manifold holes 39 are provided on both sides of the pair of outlet manifold holes 31 in the left-right direction. And an anode gas outlet manifold hole 41.

  In FIG. 2, the cooling water shown in FIG. 1 is provided between the portion where the lower manifold holes 29, 35 and 37 are provided and the portion where the upper manifold holes 31, 39 and 41 are provided. A recess 43 constituting the passage 25 is formed. That is, the separator 7 and the separator 9A are overlapped with the sides where the recesses 43 are formed facing each other, whereby the cooling water passage 25 is formed, and the separator 9 and the separator 7A are connected to the side where the recesses 43 are formed. The cooling water passage 27 is formed by overlapping each other so as to face each other.

  The concave portion 43 extends along the edge 45 on both sides in the left-right direction in FIG. 2 of the separator 7, and an outer passage portion 43 a corresponding to the outer cooling water passage 25 a (27 a), and one end of the outer passage portion 43 a. (Upstream end) communicates with an inclined passage portion 43b that inclines toward the outlet manifold hole 31 side.

  The pair of right and left inclined passage portions 43b has the other end (downstream end portion) communicated with the central passage portion 43c extending in parallel with the outer passage portion 43a from the inlet manifold hole 29 side toward the outlet manifold hole 31 side. ing. The central passage portion 43c and the inclined passage portion 43b correspond to an inner cooling water passage 25b (27b) provided at a position corresponding to the reaction region of the cooling water passage 25. Further, the central passage portion 43c corresponds to a merged coolant passage 25c (27c) as a merge portion located at the center in the left-right direction in FIG.

  The inner cooling water passage 25b (27b) includes a merged cooling water passage 25c (27c) and constitutes another part of the cooling medium passage. That is, the outer cooling water passage 25a (27a) constitutes a part of the cooling medium passage, and the inner cooling water passage 25b (27b) constitutes another part of the cooling medium passage.

  Note that the inclined passage portions 43b shown in FIG. 2 described above are formed between the inclined convex portions 47 that are formed in plural so as to be parallel to each other. The inclined convex portion 47 has a rectangular shape in a plan view as shown in FIG. 2 except for the one located closest to the inlet manifold hole 29 side. However, the inclined convex portion 47a ( For the left and right two), the outer passage portion 43a side is wide and has a triangular shape that tapers toward the central passage portion 43c, and the corner portion on the wide side is close to the inlet manifold hole 29.

  FIG. 3 shows the flow of the cathode gas at the cathode gas diffusion electrode 5 on the separator 9 of FIG. The cathode gas flowing out from the inlet manifold hole 35 is diffused by the cathode gas diffusion electrode 5 while flowing through the cathode gas passage 15 shown in FIG. 1, and surplus gas is discharged from the outlet manifold hole 39 while being used for power generation.

  The anode gas flow at the anode gas diffusion electrode 3 on the separator 7 is not particularly shown, but the anode gas flowing out from the inlet manifold hole 37 of the anode gas in FIG. 1 is diffused by the anode gas diffusion electrode 3 while flowing through the anode gas passage 13 shown in FIG. 1, and surplus gas is discharged from the outlet manifold hole 41 while being used for power generation.

  In such a fuel cell, as shown in FIG. 1, water vapor 49 generated in the reaction region during power generation passes through the anode gas diffusion electrode 3 and the cathode gas diffusion electrode 5 and flows out into the annular spaces 21 and 23. . On the other hand, at the time of power generation of this fuel cell, the cooling water flows through the cooling water passages 25 and 27 in FIG. 1 from the inlet manifold hole 29 toward the outlet manifold hole 31 as shown by the arrows in FIG. To do.

  At this time, in this embodiment, the water vapor 49 flowing out into the annular spaces 21 and 23 is cooled by the cooling water flowing through the outer passage portions 43a corresponding to the outer cooling water passages 25a and 27a, and becomes condensed water 51. Since the outer cooling water passages 25a and 27a (outer passage portions 43a) are located at positions corresponding to the spaces 21 and 23 on the seal materials 17 and 19 side outside the reaction region, the water vapor 49 in the spaces 21 and 23 is removed. It cools efficiently and the dew condensation water 51 is generated rapidly.

  In addition, in order to cool the water vapor 49 more efficiently and to generate the dew condensation water 51 quickly, it is better to make the volume of the spaces 21 and 23 as small as possible.

  The generated condensed water, which is a liquid, is less likely to flow out from the joint interface between the sealing materials 17 and 19 and the electrolyte membrane 1 and more difficult to pass through the sealing materials 17 and 19 as compared to water vapor. The outflow of (water vapor) to the outside can be suppressed. As a result, an electrical short circuit between the pair of separators 7 and 9 can be suppressed, and a reliable fuel cell can be obtained.

  In this case, in this embodiment, since it is not necessary to provide an insulator outside the fuel cell in order to suppress an electrical short circuit between the pair of separators 7 and 9, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed accordingly. Also, complication of the assembly work can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to suppress an electrical short circuit between the pair of separators 7 and 9, a system that releases water vapor or condensed water when it flows to the outside to the atmosphere is not employed. Can be prevented from flowing into the atmosphere.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a part of the cooling water flowing through the outer passage portion 43a sequentially flows through the plurality of inclined passage portions 43b and then merges at the central passage portion 43c, and then flows through the outer passage portion 43a. At the same time, it reaches the outlet manifold hole 31. At this time, one inclined convex portion 47a on the most upstream side restricts the cooling water flowing out from the inlet manifold hole 29 from flowing out directly to the central passage portion 43c by widening the outer passage portion 43a side. Yes. Thereby, the quantity of the cooling water which flows into the outer channel | path part 43a from the inlet manifold hole 29 is ensured.

  As described above, in the embodiment, the flow of the cooling water is made smooth by flowing from the outer passage portion 43a through the inclined passage portion 43b inclined so that the downstream end is on the outlet manifold hole 31 side, and the cooling effect is improved. Can contribute.

  Further, the cooling water that has flowed through the inclined passage portion 43b joins at the central passage portion 43c, and then directly flows out to the outlet manifold hole 31 provided at the downstream end of the central cooling water passage portion 43c. The discharge efficiency can be increased.

  FIG. 4 shows the region in which the cooling water flows as an inner side of the two-dot chain line 53 on the electrolyte membrane 1, and the anode gas diffusion electrode 3 and the cathode gas diffusion electrode described above are inside the two-dot chain line 53. 5, and a cooling water inlet and outlet manifold holes 57 and 59 corresponding to the inlet and outlet manifold holes 29 and 31 of the separator 7 described above.

  4 are cathode gas inlet manifold holes and anode gas inlet manifold holes 37 corresponding to the cathode gas inlet manifold hole 35 and anode gas inlet manifold hole 37, respectively. Reference numerals 65 and 67 denote a cathode gas outlet manifold hole and an anode gas outlet manifold hole respectively corresponding to the cathode gas outlet manifold hole 39 and the anode gas outlet manifold hole 41 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a fuel cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. The fuel cell according to the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that the anode gas diffusion electrode 3 and the cathode gas diffusion electrode 5 are provided on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 1, respectively.

  In the second embodiment, the separators 7 and 9 are made of stainless steel, which is different from that of the conductive resin of the first embodiment. The stainless steel separators 7 and 9 are bent and formed into a concavo-convex shape so that the cooling water passage 25 is formed between the separator 7 and the separator 9A of the unit cell adjacent to the separator 7 as in the first embodiment. The cooling water passage 27 is formed between the separator 9 and the separator 7 </ b> A of another unit cell adjacent to the separator 9.

  Even in this embodiment, the outer cooling water passages 25a and 27a are formed in the space 21 on the side of the sealing material 17 and 19 outside the reaction region where the anode gas diffusion electrode 3 and the cathode gas diffusion electrode 5 are provided. , 23.

  Moreover, the sealing materials 17 and 19 are arrange | positioned on the electrolyte membrane 1 through the carrier seals 69 and 71 as a plate-shaped support member. Among these, in this embodiment, the outer peripheral edge portion of the carrier seal 71 on the cathode gas diffusion electrode 5 side is projected outward from the sealing material 19 and enlarged as shown in FIG. A projecting portion 71 a is provided so as to project outward from the outer peripheral edge portion 1, and an outer seal lip 75 integrated with the sealing material 19 via a continuous portion 73 is provided on the projecting portion 71 a.

  The outer seal lip 75 elastically contacts the protruding portion 71a of the carrier seal 71 of the adjacent unit cell and the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the electrolyte membrane 1 and the carrier seal 69, thereby constituting the outer seal portion. . Therefore, the sealing materials 17 and 19 positioned inside the outer seal portion constitute an inner seal portion, and the inner seal portion and the outer seal portion constitute a double seal structure.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the water vapor flowing into the annular spaces 21 and 23 is cooled by the cooling water flowing through the outer cooling water passages 25a and 27a, and the condensed water and Therefore, the outflow of the condensed water (water vapor) can be suppressed, and an electrical short circuit between the pair of separators 7 and 9 can be suppressed.

  At this time, since the separators 7 and 9 are made of thin stainless steel in the second embodiment, the cooling effect by the cooling water is higher than that of the resin separators 7 and 9 in the first embodiment. Can be condensed into water more quickly.

  Moreover, in 2nd Embodiment, since it is set as the double structure by the inner side seal part and the outer side seal part, the outflow to the exterior of dew condensation water can be suppressed more reliably. Here, since the outer seal lip 75 of the outer seal portion is integrated with the seal material 19 of the inner seal portion via the continuous portion 73, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

  The separators 7 and 9 in the first embodiment which are not of the double seal structure may be made of thin stainless steel, and the seal structure of the first embodiment is a double seal structure as in the second embodiment. It does not matter.

  FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a fuel cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the same parts as those in the second embodiment shown in FIG. This fuel cell is different from the fuel cell of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in that a single portion adjacent to the protruding portion 71a of one carrier seal 71 on the cathode gas diffusion electrode 5 side and adjacent to the other carrier seal 69 side. An extending portion 71b extending toward the battery is integrally provided.

  A concave portion 71c is provided at the center of the distal end of the extending portion 71b, and the outer seal lip 75 is elastically compressed in a state where the distal end 75a of the outer seal lip 75 of the adjacent unit cell is inserted into the concave portion 71c. The carrier seal 71 is in contact with the carrier seal 71. The surface pressure by the outer seal lip 75 is higher than the surface pressure at the seal materials 17 and 19 in the inner seal portion because the compression deformation of the outer seal lip 75 is increased by providing the extending portion 71b.

  In addition, in a state where the outer peripheral edge portions of the electrolyte membrane 1, the separator 7 and the other carrier seal 69 are aligned, these respective edge portions are brought into contact with the inner side surface 71e of the extending portion 71b. .

  In the fuel cell according to the third embodiment configured as described above, in addition to the same effects as those of the second embodiment, the extension portion 71b is provided on the carrier seal 71, so that the compression margin of the outer seal lip 75 is provided. As a result, the surface pressure of the outer seal lip 75 becomes higher than that of the inner seal portion, and the outflow of condensed water to the outside can be further suppressed.

  In the third embodiment, the outer peripheral edge of the separator 7 is brought into contact with the inner surface 71 e of the extending portion 71 b of the carrier seal 71. 6B, the laminated single component comprising the electrolyte membrane 1, the anode gas diffusion electrode 3 and the cathode gas diffusion electrode 5, the carrier seals 69 and 71, the sealing materials 17 and 19 and the outer seal lip 75, and In addition, positioning between the separators 7 and 9 can be facilitated, which contributes to an improvement in assembly workability of the fuel cell.

  The separators 7 and 9 are previously joined and integrated with each other.

  Furthermore, in the third embodiment, a recess 71c is provided at the tip of the extending portion 71b of the carrier seal 71, and the tip 75a of the outer seal lip 75 is inserted into and brought into contact with the recess 71c. Thus, when a fuel cell stack is configured by stacking a plurality of unit cells, it is possible to easily and highly accurately position the adjacent unit cells, thereby contributing to improvement in assembly workability of the fuel cell. .

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a fuel cell according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the same parts as those in the third embodiment shown in FIG. In this fuel cell, the outer peripheral side edges of the electrolyte membrane 1 and the upper and lower carrier seals 69 and 71 are projected outward from the outer peripheral side edges of the separators 7 and 9. Furthermore, extending portions 69g and 71g extending in directions away from each other are provided from the protruding portions 69f and 71f.

  On the other hand, the upper and lower sealing materials 17 and 19 are provided with outer seal lips 79 and 81 that are integrated with the sealing materials 17 and 19 through continuous portions 77 and 73, respectively. These outer seal lips 79 and 81 are integrated with each other so as to cover the projecting portions 69f and 71f and the extending portions 69g and 71g of the carrier seals 69 and 71 and to cover the outer peripheral end of the electrolyte membrane 1. .

  At this time, the concave portion 79a is provided at the tip of the outer seal lip 79, and the convex portion 81a is provided at the tip of the outer seal lip 81. At this time, the outer peripheral side end portion of the separator 7 is brought into contact with the inner side surface 79 b of the outer seal lip 79, and the outer peripheral side end portion of the separator 9 is brought into contact with the inner side surface 81 b of the outer seal lip 81.

  In the fuel cell of the fourth embodiment configured as described above, in addition to the same effects as those of the second embodiment, the outer surfaces of the separators 7 and 9 are provided on the inner side surfaces 79b and 81b of the outer seal lips 79 and 81. The end on the side is in contact. Accordingly, the laminated single unit comprising the electrolyte membrane 1, the anode gas diffusion electrode 3 and the cathode gas diffusion electrode 5, the carrier seals 69 and 71, the sealing materials 17 and 19 and the outer seal lips 79 and 81 shown in FIG. Positioning between the parts and the separators 7 and 9 integrated with each other is facilitated, which contributes to an improvement in assembly workability of the fuel cell.

  Furthermore, in 4th Embodiment, the recessed part 79a is provided in the front-end | tip of the outer side seal lip 79, and the convex part 81a of the outer side seal lip 81 in an adjacent cell is penetrated and made to contact with this recessed part 79a. Thus, when a fuel cell stack is configured by stacking a plurality of unit cells, it is possible to easily and highly accurately position the adjacent unit cells, thereby contributing to improvement in assembly workability of the fuel cell. .

  In the fourth embodiment, the upper and lower sealing materials 17 and 19 are integrated by the continuous portions 77 and 73 and the outer seal lips 79 and 81. Thereby, a reduction in the number of parts can be achieved with respect to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, and parts management becomes easier.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a fuel cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the separator used with the fuel cell of FIG. It is action | operation explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the cathode gas in the cathode gas diffusion electrode on the separator of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the area | region where the cooling water flows in the separator of FIG. 1 on an electrolyte membrane. (A) is sectional drawing which shows a part of fuel cell concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (b) is expanded sectional drawing of the principal part of (a). (A) is sectional drawing which shows a part of fuel cell concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, (b) is sectional drawing of the lamination | stacking single component which consists of an electrolyte membrane etc. in (a). (A) is sectional drawing which shows a part of fuel cell concerning the 4th Embodiment of this invention, (b) is a cross section which shows the lamination | stacking single component which consists of electrolyte membrane etc. in (a), and a separator single-piece | unit. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Electrolyte membrane 3 Anode gas diffusion electrode (electrode)
5 Cathode gas diffusion electrode (electrode)
7, 9 Separator 17, 19 Sealing material 25, 27 Cooling water passage (cooling medium passage)
25a, 27a Outer cooling water passage (part of cooling medium passage)
25b, 27b Inner cooling water passage (other parts of cooling medium passage)
25c, 27c Merged coolant passage (Merge)
29 Cooling water inlet manifold hole (cooling medium supply part)
31 Cooling water outlet manifold hole (cooling medium outlet)
49 Water vapor 51 Condensed water 55 Reaction area 69, 71 Carrier seal (support member)
71a Carrier seal protrusion 71b Carrier seal extension 71c Recess provided at the tip of the extension 71e Inner side surface of the extension 75, 79, 81 Outer seal lip 75a Tip of the outer seal lip

Claims (8)

  Electrodes are provided on both surfaces of the central portion of the electrolyte membrane to form reaction regions. The electrolyte membrane and the electrode are sandwiched by a pair of separators having cooling medium passages through which a cooling medium flows, and the electrolyte membrane and each separator A fuel cell in which a sealing material is provided between outer peripheral portions outside the reaction region, wherein a part of the cooling medium passage is located on the sealing material side of the reaction region, and the cooling of the part A fuel cell characterized in that water vapor generated in the reaction region is condensed by cooling water flowing through a medium passage.   The partial cooling medium passage extends along an edge of the separator, and a cooling medium supply section is provided at one end of the partial cooling medium passage extending along the edge. On the other hand, a cooling medium discharge portion is provided at the other end, and one end of the other part of the cooling medium passage provided at a position corresponding to the reaction region of the cooling medium passage is in communication with the part of the cooling medium passage. 2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell is inclined from the portion where the one end communicates toward the discharge portion so that the cooling medium flows toward the discharge portion.   The part of the cooling medium passage is extended along both opposing edges of the separator, and the other part is connected to the part of the cooling medium passage provided at both edges. The fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein a joining portion where the downstream side of the other part joins is provided in between, and the discharge portion is provided at a downstream end portion of the joining portion.   A plurality of unit cells configured by sandwiching the electrolyte membrane and the electrode by the pair of separators are stacked, an outer seal portion is provided outside the inner seal portion by the seal material to form a double seal structure, and the inner seal portion is The support member provided on the electrolyte membrane has a structure in which the seal material is provided, and an outer seal lip integral with the seal material is provided at a protruding portion of the support member that protrudes outward from the seal material. 4. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein an outer seal lip is brought into contact with the adjacent unit cell to constitute the outer seal portion. 5.   Providing a projecting portion in which the outer peripheral edge of one of the support members provided on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane protrudes outward from the outer peripheral edges of the electrolyte membrane, the other support member, and the separator; An extension part extending toward an adjacent unit cell is integrally provided at the projecting portion, and a tip of the extension part is brought into contact with the outer seal lip of the adjacent unit cell. Item 5. The fuel cell according to Item 4.   The fuel cell according to claim 5, wherein an end portion of the separator is brought into contact with an inner surface of the extending portion of the support member.   The fuel according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a recess is provided at a tip of the extending portion of the support member, and a tip of the outer seal lip of an adjacent unit cell is inserted into and contacted with the recess. battery.   The outer peripheral lip of each support member provided on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane protrudes outward from the outer peripheral edge of the separator, and is an outer seal lip that is integral with each sealing material provided on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein the outer seal lips are continuously integrated with each other on the outer peripheral end portion side, and the unit cells adjacent to each other are brought into contact with each other.

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