JP2011258467A - Solid polymer fuel battery - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a solid polymer fuel battery which supplies a gas containing oxygen and a gas containing hydrogen in a non-humidified state or a low humidity state while stabilizing generated electric power.SOLUTION: In the solid polymer fuel battery, a fuel battery cell C, a separator on an oxygen side 5 and a separator on a fuel side 6 are laminated; a gas containing oxygen and a gas containing hydrogen are configured to be supplied to an oxygen supply passage S and a fuel supply passage F in a non-humidified state or in a state in which the gas containing oxygen or the gas containing hydrogen are humidified to a low humidity state so as to have a dew point lower than an operation temperature of the fuel battery cell C; the oxygen supply passage S and the fuel supply passage F are configured to circulate the gas containing oxygen and the gas containing hydrogen in a counter-flow state in a lamination direction of the battery fuel cell C; and the whole passage part Sr encompassing an inlet part SI and an exit part SO of the oxygen supply passage S and the whole passage part Fr encompassing an inlet part FI and an exit part FO of the fuel supply passage F are formed to be arranged along a horizontal direction.

Description

The present invention provides an oxygen supply for supplying an oxygen-containing gas to an oxygen electrode in a fuel cell having an oxygen electrode on one surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and a fuel electrode on the other surface. A state in which an oxygen-side separator that forms a flow path is positioned, and a fuel-side separator that forms a fuel supply flow path that supplies a hydrogen-containing gas to the fuel electrode is positioned at a position on the fuel electrode side in the fuel cell. And the fuel battery cell, the oxygen side separator, and the fuel side separator are laminated,
Non-humidified state in which the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are not humidified, and a state in which any one of the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas is humidified in a low humidified state where the dew point is lower than the operating temperature of the fuel cell. Alternatively, in a state where the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are humidified in a low humidified state having a dew point lower than the operating temperature of the fuel cell, the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are supplied to the oxygen supply channel. And is configured to be supplied to the fuel supply channel,
The oxygen supply channel and the fuel supply channel are positioned close to an inlet portion of the oxygen supply channel and an outlet portion of the fuel supply channel in the stacking direction view of the fuel cell, and A solid polymer configured to cause the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas to flow in a counterflow state with the outlet portion of the oxygen supply channel and the inlet portion of the fuel supply channel positioned close to each other Type fuel cell.

  Such a polymer electrolyte fuel cell is a non-humidified state in which an oxygen-containing gas and a hydrogen-containing gas are not humidified, and a low humidification in which one of the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas has a dew point lower than the operating temperature of the fuel cell. The oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are supplied to the oxygen supply channel and the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas in a state where the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are humidified in a low-humidified state having a dew point lower than the operating temperature of the fuel cell Since the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are humidified in a highly humid state where the dew point is the same as the operating temperature of the fuel cell, the oxygen supply channel and the fuel supply are supplied to the fuel supply channel. Compared to the case where it is configured to be supplied to the flow path, the humidifier can be omitted, or even if a humidifier is provided, it is only necessary to provide a simple humidifier. It shall be able to achieve, it is possible to reduce the system cost. In addition, the simplification of the system makes it possible to reduce the number of sensors and control points, and to improve the reliability of the system.

  Further, the oxygen supply channel and the fuel supply channel are positioned so that the inlet part of the oxygen supply channel and the outlet part of the fuel supply channel are located close to each other in the stacking direction of the fuel cells. Because the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are made to flow in a counterflow state with the outlet portion of the fuel supply channel and the inlet portion of the fuel supply flow channel positioned close to each other, the outlet side portion of the oxygen supply flow channel And the inlet side portion of the fuel supply channel are located close to each other when viewed in the stacking direction of the fuel cells, so that the water generated in the power generation and existing in the oxygen supply channel is removed from the fuel supply channel. Since it is easy to supply appropriately in the entrance side part of a path | route, the wet state of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane can be made to appear correctly, and electric power generation can be performed favorably.

  That is, in such a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, moisture is generated at the oxygen electrode of the fuel cell as the power is generated, and the moisture flows through the oxygen supply channel as the oxygen-containing gas flows. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane is wetted by diffusing to the fuel supply channel side where the moisture concentration is low.

  And since the water generated with power generation flows to the outlet side portion of the oxygen supply channel along with the flow of the oxygen-containing gas, the amount of water in the oxygen supply channel tends to be larger on the outlet side, Since the water present in a large amount at the outlet side portion of the oxygen supply channel can be appropriately diffused into the inlet side portion of the fuel supply channel with less moisture in this way, the fuel supply channel in the solid polymer electrolyte membrane Thus, the wet state of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane can be accurately revealed while the portion corresponding to the inlet side portion of the solid polymer electrolyte is also properly wetted.

  In such a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, conventionally, a fuel cell, an oxygen-side separator, and a fuel-side separator are stacked along a horizontal direction, and a fuel supply flow path extends from an upper inlet to a lower portion. It was formed in a state of meandering in the vertical direction toward the outlet, and the oxygen supply channel was formed in a state of meandering in the vertical direction from the lower inlet toward the upper outlet (for example, Patent Document 1). .

JP 2001-185172 A

Conventionally, since the flow state of the oxygen-containing gas flowing in the oxygen supply channel becomes unstable, the generated power may be difficult to stabilize, and an improvement has been desired.
That is, as described above, the moisture generated with power generation flows toward the outlet side in the oxygen supply channel, and the moisture is discharged from the outlet of the oxygen supply channel.

However, conventionally, since the oxygen supply channel is formed in a state of meandering in the vertical direction from the lower inlet to the upper outlet, the moisture in the oxygen supply channel resists gravity, Since it flows along with the flow of the oxygen-containing gas, it becomes difficult to appropriately cause the moisture in the oxygen supply flow path to flow toward the outlet side along with the flow of the oxygen-containing gas.
For this reason, the flow state of the oxygen-containing gas flowing in the oxygen supply flow path is caused by, for example, a water reservoir in the oxygen supply flow path, which may hinder the flow of the oxygen-containing gas. It became unstable and the generated power was difficult to stabilize.

  Incidentally, in order to solve such a problem, the oxygen supply channel is formed so as to meander in the vertical direction from the upper inlet to the lower outlet, and the fuel supply channel is formed upward from the lower inlet. Although it is conceivable to form a meandering state in the vertical direction toward the outlet, in this configuration, although the water present in the oxygen supply channel can be smoothly flowed, the fuel supply channel Moisture present in the fluid flows with the flow of the hydrogen-containing gas against gravity, so the moisture in the fuel supply channel flows to the outlet side with the flow of the hydrogen-containing gas. It is difficult to do things properly.

For this reason, the flow state of the hydrogen-containing gas flowing in the fuel supply flow path is caused by, for example, a water reservoir in the fuel supply flow path that may hinder the flow of the hydrogen-containing gas. It becomes unstable and the generated power is difficult to stabilize.
In addition, when the flow state of the hydrogen-containing gas flowing through the fuel supply channel becomes unstable, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane may be damaged due to the unstable supply of the hydrogen-containing gas.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to stabilize the generated power while supplying an oxygen-containing gas and a hydrogen-containing gas in a non-humidified state or a low humidified state. An object of the present invention is to provide a solid polymer fuel cell that can be realized.

The solid polymer type fuel cell of the present invention has an oxygen electrode on one side of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and a fuel electrode having a fuel electrode on the other surface. An oxygen separator that forms an oxygen supply channel for supplying an oxygen-containing gas is positioned, and a fuel supply channel for supplying a hydrogen-containing gas to the fuel electrode is formed at a location on the fuel electrode side of the fuel cell. With the fuel side separator positioned, the fuel cell, the oxygen side separator, and the fuel side separator are laminated,
Non-humidified state in which the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are not humidified, and a state in which any one of the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas is humidified in a low humidified state where the dew point is lower than the operating temperature of the fuel cell. Alternatively, in a state where the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are humidified in a low humidified state having a dew point lower than the operating temperature of the fuel cell, the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are supplied to the oxygen supply channel. And is configured to be supplied to the fuel supply channel,
The oxygen supply channel and the fuel supply channel are positioned close to an inlet portion of the oxygen supply channel and an outlet portion of the fuel supply channel in the stacking direction view of the fuel cell, and An oxygen supply channel outlet and an fuel supply channel inlet are positioned close to each other so that the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas flow in a counterflow state. The first characteristic configuration is
The entire flow path portion extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the oxygen supply flow path and the entire flow path portion extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the fuel supply flow path are formed in a state along the horizontal direction. It is characterized by that.

  That is, the entire flow path portion extending from the inlet portion to the outlet portion of the oxygen supply flow channel and the entire flow passage portion extending from the inlet portion to the outlet portion of the fuel supply flow channel are formed in a state along the horizontal direction. Therefore, since the water in the oxygen supply channel flows along with the flow of the oxygen-containing gas along the horizontal direction, the water in the oxygen supply channel is converted into the flow of the oxygen-containing gas. Accordingly, it is possible to smoothly flow to the outlet side, and the water in the fuel supply flow path flows along with the flow of the hydrogen-containing gas along the horizontal direction. It is possible to smoothly cause the water in the supply flow path to flow toward the outlet side as the hydrogen-containing gas flows.

  In this way, the water in the oxygen supply channel can be smoothly flown to the outlet side along with the flow of the oxygen-containing gas, and the water in the fuel supply channel can be changed to the flow of the hydrogen-containing gas. Accordingly, the flow to the outlet side can be smoothly performed, so that a reservoir of moisture is generated in the oxygen supply channel, and the flow of the oxygen-containing gas becomes unstable. Since the water reservoir does not occur and the flow of the hydrogen-containing gas does not become unstable, the generated power is stabilized.

  In short, according to the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are supplied in a non-humidified state or a low humidified state, and flowed in a counterflow state, The present inventors have provided a solid polymer fuel cell that can be stabilized.

The second characteristic configuration of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention is:
The fuel cell, the oxygen-side separator, and the fuel-side separator are stacked along the vertical direction, so that the entire flow path portion extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the oxygen supply flow path, and The fuel flow path is characterized in that the entire flow path portion extending from the inlet portion to the outlet portion of the fuel supply flow path is formed along the horizontal direction.

  That is, the fuel cell, the oxygen-side separator, and the fuel-side separator are stacked along the vertical direction, so that the entire flow path portion extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the oxygen supply flow path, and the fuel Since the entire flow path portion extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the supply flow path is formed in a state along the horizontal direction, the flow path portion extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the oxygen supply flow path And the entire flow path portion extending from the inlet portion to the outlet portion of the fuel supply flow path are in a state along the horizontal direction, while the oxygen supply flow path and the fuel supply flow path are meandered. For example, the oxygen supply channel and the fuel supply channel can be formed in various forms.

  In short, according to the second characteristic configuration of the present invention, in addition to the function and effect of the first characteristic configuration, the entire flow path portion extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the oxygen supply flow path, and the fuel supply flow path A solid polymer that can form an oxygen supply channel and a fuel supply channel in various forms while the entire flow channel portion extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion is in a state along the horizontal direction. Led to the provision of a type of fuel cell.

In addition to the first characteristic configuration described above, the third characteristic configuration of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention includes:
The fuel battery cell, the oxygen side separator, and the fuel side separator are stacked along a horizontal direction,
By forming the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the oxygen supply channel along the vertical direction, and forming a plurality of flow channel portions extending in the vertical direction along the horizontal direction. , The entirety of the flow path portion extending between the inlet and outlet of the oxygen supply flow path is formed so as to be in a state along the horizontal direction,
An inlet portion and an outlet portion of the fuel supply flow path are formed along the vertical direction, and a plurality of flow path portions extending therebetween are formed along the horizontal direction in a state of being aligned in the vertical direction. The fuel flow path is characterized in that the entire flow path portion extending from the inlet portion to the outlet portion of the fuel supply flow path is formed along the horizontal direction.

  That is, the fuel cell, the oxygen-side separator, and the fuel-side separator are stacked in the horizontal direction, and the entire flow path portion extending from the inlet portion to the outlet portion of the oxygen supply flow path is horizontally aligned. And the entire flow path portion extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the fuel supply flow path can be in a state along the horizontal direction.

  In this way, the entire channel portion extending from the inlet portion to the outlet portion of the oxygen supply channel and the entire channel portion extending from the inlet portion to the outlet portion of the fuel supply channel are horizontally aligned. A fuel cell that stacks the fuel cells, the oxygen-side separator, and the fuel-side separator along the horizontal direction, and that is stacked and becomes longer in the stacking direction of the fuel cells while being in a state of being aligned. The laminate composed of the cell, the oxygen side separator, and the fuel side separator can be installed with stability in a sideways posture, which is advantageous in terms of installation.

  In short, according to the third characteristic configuration of the present invention, in addition to the operational effects of the first characteristic configuration, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that is advantageous in terms of installation has been provided.

The front view which shows the fuel cell of 1st Embodiment. The disassembled perspective view which shows the principal part of the fuel cell of 1st Embodiment. The expanded view which shows the principal part of the fuel cell of 1st Embodiment. The disassembled perspective view which shows the principal part of the fuel cell of 1st Embodiment. Front view showing a fuel cell of a second embodiment The disassembled perspective view which shows the principal part of the fuel cell of 2nd Embodiment. The expanded view which shows the principal part of the fuel cell of 2nd Embodiment. Front view showing a fuel cell of a third embodiment

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a solid polymer type fuel cell includes a fuel cell C having an oxygen electrode 2 on one surface of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1 and a fuel electrode 3 on the other surface. Yes.
As shown in FIG. 2, on one surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1 in the fuel cell C, a carbon current collector plate having gas and moisture permeability in addition to the oxygen electrode 2 is provided. 4, and on one surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1, in addition to the fuel electrode 3, a carbon current collector plate 4 having gas and moisture permeability is disposed.

And the oxygen side separator 5 which forms the oxygen supply flow path S which supplies oxygen-containing gas to the oxygen electrode 2 is located in the oxygen electrode side location in the fuel cell C, and the fuel electrode in the fuel cell fuel cell C The fuel cell C, the oxygen-side separator 5 and the fuel-side separator 6 are in a state where the fuel-side separator 6 that forms the fuel supply flow path F for supplying the hydrogen-containing gas to the fuel electrode 3 is positioned at the side location. Further, a current collecting part 7 for taking out electric power is provided at each of both ends of the laminated body in which the fuel cell C, the oxygen side separator 5 and the fuel side separator 6 are laminated. Has been.
An external load R that consumes the generated power is connected to the pair of current collectors 7.

  The solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1 is composed of, for example, a fluororesin ion exchange membrane (Nafion or the like), and the oxygen electrode 2 and the fuel electrode 3 are porous conductive materials made of carbon carrying an electrode catalyst such as platinum. The oxygen side separator 5 and the fuel side separator 6 are made of an airtight conductive material made of carbon or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an oxygen-containing gas flow groove 5s that forms an oxygen supply channel S is formed on one surface of the oxygen-side separator 5 that faces the oxygen electrode 2, and FIG. As shown, a cooling water flow groove 5 w that allows the cooling water to flow is formed on the other surface of the oxygen-side separator 5.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a hydrogen-containing gas flow groove 6f that forms a fuel supply flow path F is formed on one surface of the fuel-side separator 6 that faces the fuel electrode 3, and as shown in FIG. As described above, the cooling water flow groove 6 w that is plane-symmetric with the cooling water flow groove 5 w of the oxygen separator 5 is formed on the other surface of the fuel side separator 6.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, each of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1, the oxygen-side separator 5, and the fuel-side separator 6 has an oxygen supply passage A that is continuous in the stacking direction when they are stacked. Through holes 1a, 5a, 6a to be formed, and through holes 1b, 5b, 6b forming an oxygen discharge passage B continuous in the stacking direction are formed.
The oxygen supply passage A is connected to the inlet portion SI of the oxygen supply passage S of the oxygen side separator 5, and the oxygen discharge passage B is connected to the outlet portion SO of the oxygen supply passage S of the oxygen side separator 5.

  Therefore, the oxygen-containing gas flowing through the oxygen supply passage A branches and flows into the oxygen supply flow paths S formed in each of the plurality of oxygen-side separators 5, and the oxygen-containing gas flowing through each oxygen supply flow path S is oxygen. The oxygen-containing gas is configured to flow in a form that flows to the discharge passage B.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, each of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1, the oxygen side separator 5, and the fuel side separator 6 has a fuel supply passage that is continuous in the stacking direction in the stacked state. Through holes 1d, 5d, and 6d that form D, and through holes 1e, 5e, and 6e that form a fuel discharge passage E continuous in the stacking direction are formed.
The fuel supply passage A is connected to the inlet portion FI of the fuel supply passage F of the fuel side separator 6, and the fuel discharge passage E is connected to the outlet portion FO of the fuel supply passage F of the fuel side separator 6.

  Accordingly, the hydrogen-containing gas flowing through the fuel supply passage D branches and flows into the fuel supply passages F formed in the fuel separators 6, and the hydrogen-containing gas flowing through each fuel supply passage F is fuel. The hydrogen-containing gas is configured to flow in a form that flows to the discharge passage E.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1, the oxygen-side separator 5, and the fuel-side separator 6 are each supplied with cooling water that is continuous in the stacking direction in the stacked state. Through holes 1g, 5g, and 6g that form the passage G, and through holes 1h, 5h, and 6h that form the cooling water discharge passage H that are continuous in the stacking direction are formed.
The cooling water supply passage G is connected to the inlet portions of the cooling water flow grooves 5 w and 6 w of the oxygen side separator 5 and the fuel side separator 6, and the cooling water discharge passage H is used to cool the oxygen side separator 5 and the fuel side separator 6. It is connected to the outlets of the water flow grooves 5w, 6w.

  Therefore, the cooling water flowing through the cooling water supply passage G branches and flows into the cooling water flow grooves 5w and 6w of the oxygen side separator 5 and the fuel side separator 6, and the cooling water of the oxygen side separator 5 and the fuel side separator 6 is flown. The cooling water that flows through the flow grooves 5w and 6w flows in the cooling water discharge passage H, and the cooling water flows.

As shown in FIG. 1, at one end of the cell stack NC in the stacking direction, three cylindrical connecting portions 8a that communicate with the oxygen supply passage A, the fuel supply passage D, and the cooling water supply passage G, respectively. , 8d, 8g are provided.
Further, at the other end of the cell stack NC in the stacking direction, three cylindrical connection portions 10b, 10e, 10h communicating with the oxygen discharge passage B, the fuel discharge passage E, and the cooling water discharge passage H, respectively. A discharge side end plate 11 is provided.

  An oxygen-containing gas supply pipe 12 is connected to the connection portion 8a that communicates with the oxygen supply passage A in the supply-side end plate 9, and a hydrogen-containing gas is contained in the connection portion 8d that communicates with the fuel supply passage D in the supply-side end plate 9. A gas supply pipe 13 is connected, and a cooling water supply pipe 14 is connected to a connection portion 8 g communicating with the cooling water supply passage G in the supply side end plate 9.

  Although not illustrated, an oxygen discharge pipe is connected to the connection portion 10 b that communicates with the oxygen discharge passage B in the discharge side end plate 11, and a connection portion 10 e that communicates with the fuel discharge passage E in the discharge side end plate 11. The fuel discharge pipe is connected, and the cooling water discharge pipe is connected to the discharge portion 10 h communicating with the cooling water discharge passage H in the discharge side end plate 11.

Then, the air supplied from the blower 15 that supplies air as the oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the oxygen supply passage A through the oxygen-containing gas supply pipe 12 and supplied from the hydrogen-containing gas supply source 16 in an unhumidified state. The fuel cell C is configured to generate power by supplying hydrogen as a hydrogen-containing gas to the fuel supply passage D through the hydrogen-containing gas supply pipe 13 in a non-humidified state.
That is, in the present embodiment, air as an oxygen-containing gas and hydrogen as a hydrogen-containing gas are supplied in a non-humidified state, and moisture generated at the oxygen electrode 2 of the fuel cell C upon power generation The solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1 is wetted by being diffused to the fuel supply flow path D having a low moisture concentration while flowing the oxygen supply flow path S along with the flow of the oxygen-containing gas, The fuel cell C is configured to generate power.

  In addition, by supplying the cooling water supplied by the cooling water supply pump 17 to the cooling water supply passage G through the cooling water supply pipe 14, the cooling water flow grooves 5w and 6w corresponding to each fuel cell C are provided. The cooling water flows and the temperature of each fuel cell C is maintained at a predetermined temperature (for example, 70 ° C.).

  Further, in the present embodiment, the oxygen supply channel S and the fuel supply channel F cause the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas to flow in a counterflow state as viewed in the stacking direction of the fuel cells C. Thus, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1 can be satisfactorily wetted with moisture generated in the oxygen electrode 2.

A configuration in which the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are caused to flow in a counterflow state as viewed from the stacking direction of the fuel cells C will be described.
That is, since the fuel battery cell C, the oxygen-side separator 5 and the fuel-side separator 6 are configured in a rectangular shape as viewed in the stacking direction of the fuel battery cell C, the cell stack NC is a stack of the fuel battery cells C. It is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inlet portion SI of the oxygen supply channel S of the oxygen-side separator 5 and the outlet portion FO of the fuel supply channel F of the fuel-side separator 6 are viewed in the stacking direction of the fuel cells C. In the cell stack NC having a rectangular shape, the cell stack NC is located close to a portion corresponding to one corner, and the outlet SO of the oxygen supply channel S of the oxygen separator 5 and the fuel separator 6 The inlet portion FI of the fuel supply channel F is one of the four corners of the cell stack NC that is rectangular when viewed in the stacking direction of the fuel cells C, and the inlet of the oxygen supply channel S It is provided so as to be positioned in a state of approaching a corner corresponding to the corner located diagonally with respect to the corner where the portion SI and the outlet FO of the fuel supply flow path F are located.

As shown in FIG. 3, the oxygen-containing gas flow groove 5s that forms the oxygen supply channel S in the oxygen-side separator 5 is formed in a meandering shape.
Further, the hydrogen-containing gas flow groove 6f forming the fuel supply flow path F in the fuel separator 6 is formed in a meandering shape as shown in FIG.

That is, the oxygen-containing gas flow groove 5s that forms the oxygen supply flow path S in the oxygen-side separator 5 and the hydrogen-containing gas flow groove 6f that forms the fuel supply flow path F in the fuel-side separator 6 have the same form. It is comprised so that a groove part may be provided.
In other words, the oxygen supply flow path S in the oxygen-side separator 5 and the fuel supply flow path F in the fuel-side separator 6 are mostly flow-path portions Sr, Fr excluding the inlet portions SI, FI and the outlet portions SO, FO. Are configured in the same form.

  The oxygen-containing gas flow groove 5s that forms the oxygen supply flow path S in the oxygen-side separator 5 and the hydrogen-containing gas flow groove 6f that forms the fuel supply flow path F in the fuel-side separator 6 are oxygen oxygen. The oxygen supply flow path S in the side separator 5 and the fuel supply flow path F in the fuel side separator 6 are composed of most of the flow path portions Sr and Fr excluding the inlet portions SI and FI and the outlet portions SO and FO. The oxygen supply channel S and the fuel supply channel F are opposed to each other when viewed in the stacking direction of the fuel cell C in the stacking direction of C. It is configured to flow in a flow state.

Moreover, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell C, the oxygen side separator 5, and the fuel side separator 6 are laminated | stacked along the up-down direction.
Thus, since the fuel cell C, the oxygen-side separator 5 and the fuel-side separator 6 are stacked along the vertical direction, the flow path extending between the inlet portion SI and the outlet portion SO of the oxygen supply flow path S. The entire portion Sr and the entire flow passage portion Fr extending between the inlet portion FI and the outlet portion FO of the fuel supply flow passage F are formed so as to be in a state along the horizontal direction.

Accordingly, the moisture in the oxygen supply channel S flows along the horizontal direction along with the flow of the oxygen-containing gas, and thus smoothly flows toward the outlet side as the oxygen-containing gas flows. In addition, since the water in the fuel supply flow path F flows along the horizontal direction along with the flow of the hydrogen-containing gas, the water smoothly flows toward the outlet side along with the flow of the hydrogen-containing gas. Will flow.
As a result, the flow state of the oxygen-containing gas flowing through the oxygen supply channel S is stabilized, and the flow state of the hydrogen-containing gas flowing through the fuel supply channel F is stabilized. Becomes stable.

  Incidentally, in the first embodiment, the fuel cell C, the oxygen-side separator 5 and the fuel-side separator 6 are stacked in the vertical direction, whereby the inlet portion SI and the outlet portion of the oxygen supply channel S are stacked. The entire flow passage portion Sr extending over SO and the entire flow passage portion Fr extending between the inlet portion FI and the outlet portion FO of the fuel supply flow passage F are formed in a state along the horizontal direction. Therefore, the oxygen supply flow path S and the fuel supply flow path F can adopt forms other than those described above. For example, the oxygen supply gas S can be configured in the same form as the second embodiment described later. As long as the gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are allowed to flow in a counterflow state, they can be configured in various forms.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the second embodiment, the oxygen supply flow path S and the fuel supply flow path F cause the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas to flow in a counterflow state when viewed in the stacking direction of the fuel cell C, and The entire channel portion Sr extending from the inlet portion SI to the outlet portion SO of the oxygen supply channel S and the entire channel portion Fr extending from the inlet portion FI to the outlet portion FO of the fuel supply channel F are horizontally aligned. Another embodiment of the configuration that follows the direction is shown, and the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted to omit the overlapping description.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the fuel cell C, the oxygen-side separator 5 and the fuel-side separator 6 are stacked along the horizontal direction.
Since the fuel cell C, the oxygen-side separator 5 and the fuel-side separator 6 are configured in a rectangular shape when viewed from the stacking direction of the fuel cell C, the cell stack NC is viewed from the stacking direction of the fuel cell C. The point formed in the rectangular shape is the same as in the first embodiment.

  Further, the through holes 1a, 5a, 6a that form the oxygen supply passages A continuous in the stacking direction in the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1, the oxygen side separator 5, and the fuel side separator 6, respectively, and the oxygen connected in the stacking direction. Through holes 1b, 5b, 6b forming the discharge passage B, through holes 1d, 5d, 6d forming the fuel supply passage D connected in the stacking direction, through holes 1e forming the fuel discharge passage E connected in the stacking direction, 5e, 6e, through holes 1g, 5g, 6g forming a cooling water supply passage G continuous in the stacking direction and through holes 1h, 5h, 6h forming a cooling water discharge passage H connecting in the stacking direction are formed. This is also the same as in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, when the fuel cell is viewed from the side where the supply side end plate 9 is located, of the four corners of the cell stack NC that is rectangular when viewed in the stacking direction of the fuel cell C, An oxygen supply passage A is formed at a location corresponding to the left corner on the upper side, and an oxygen discharge passage B is formed at a location corresponding to the right corner on the lower side among the four corners of the cell stack NC. Has been.
Further, when the fuel cell is viewed from the side where the supply side end plate 9 is located, the upper right corner of the four corners of the cell stack NC that is rectangular when viewed in the stacking direction of the fuel cells C A fuel supply passage D and a cooling water discharge passage H are formed at locations corresponding to the section, and of the four corners of the cell stack NC, the location corresponding to the left corner on the lower side, the fuel discharge passage E and the cooling water A supply passage G is formed.

  In this way, by providing the cooling water supply passage G on the lower side, the lower side of the cell stack NC is cooled to a lower temperature than the upper side, and the inlet portion SI and the outlet portion SO of the oxygen supply flow path S are connected. Since the temperature of the lower side portion close to the oxygen discharge passage B in the flow passage portion Sr can be lowered, it is possible to suppress the moisture present in a large amount in the lower portion from vaporizing and going out to the oxygen discharge passage B. It will be a thing.

Then, the inlet portion SI and the outlet portion SO of the oxygen supply flow path S are formed in the vertical direction in a state extending from the upper part to the lower part of the oxygen-side separator 5 at positions separated in the lateral width direction of the cell stack NC. In addition, the plurality of flow path portions Sr extending over them, that is, the oxygen-containing gas flow grooves 5s are formed along the horizontal direction in a state of being arranged in the vertical direction, whereby the inlet portion S1 of the oxygen supply flow path. And the entire flow path portion Sr extending to the outlet portion SO are formed in a state along the horizontal direction.
Incidentally, the inlet portion SI and the outlet portion SO of the oxygen supply channel S are formed in a state having a sufficiently larger width than the width of the plurality of channel portions Sr extending over them, that is, the oxygen-containing gas flow groove 5s. Thus, it is configured to exhibit an action as a manifold for storing the oxygen-containing gas.

In addition, the inlet portion FI and the outlet portion FO of the fuel supply flow path F are formed along the vertical direction in a state extending from the upper part to the lower part of the fuel-side separator 6 at positions separated in the lateral width direction of the cell stack NC. In addition, the plurality of flow path portions Fr extending over them, that is, the hydrogen-containing gas flow grooves 6f are formed along the horizontal direction in a state of being aligned in the vertical direction, so that the inlet portion of the fuel supply flow path F is formed. The entire flow path portion Fr extending between the FI and the outlet portion FO is formed to be in a state along the horizontal direction.
Incidentally, the inlet portion FI and the outlet portion FO of the fuel supply passage F are formed in a state having a sufficiently larger width than the width of the plurality of passage portions Fr extending over them, that is, the hydrogen-containing gas flow groove 6f. Thus, it is configured to exhibit an action as a manifold for storing the hydrogen-containing gas.

  Furthermore, in the second embodiment, when viewed in the stacking direction of the fuel cells C, the inlet portion SI of the oxygen supply channel S and the outlet portion FO of the fuel supply channel F are located in an overlapping state, and The outlet part SO of the oxygen supply channel S and the inlet part FI of the fuel supply channel F are located in an overlapping state, and the oxygen supply channel S and the fuel supply channel F are connected to the fuel cell C. When viewed in the stacking direction, the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are configured to flow in a counterflow state.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, the oxygen supply flow path S and the fuel supply flow path F cause the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas to flow in a counterflow state as viewed in the stacking direction of the fuel cells C. Thus, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1 can be satisfactorily wetted with moisture generated in the oxygen electrode 2.

Further, the entire flow path portion Sr extending between the inlet portion SI and the outlet portion SO of the oxygen supply flow path S and the entire flow path portion Fr extending between the inlet portion FI and the outlet portion FO of the fuel supply flow path F The water in the oxygen supply flow path S flows smoothly toward the outlet side with the flow of the oxygen-containing gas, and the fuel supply flow path. The moisture in F smoothly flows toward the outlet side as the hydrogen-containing gas flows.
As a result, the flow state of the oxygen-containing gas flowing through the oxygen supply channel S is stabilized, and the flow state of the hydrogen-containing gas flowing through the fuel supply channel F is stabilized. Becomes stable.

Incidentally, in the second embodiment, the oxygen-containing gas flows from the upper side to the lower side in each of the inlet portion SI and the outlet portion SO of the oxygen supply channel S formed along the vertical direction. Thus, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a water pool is generated below the inlet portion SI and the outlet portion SO of the oxygen supply flow path S and the flow of the oxygen-containing gas is inhibited.
Similarly, in the second embodiment, the hydrogen-containing gas flows from the upper side to the lower side in each of the inlet portion FI and the outlet portion FO of the fuel supply flow path F formed along the vertical direction. By doing so, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a water pool is generated below the inlet portion FI and the outlet portion FO of the fuel supply flow path F and the flow of the hydrogen-containing gas is obstructed. .

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The third embodiment exemplifies a configuration in which the oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the oxygen supply channel S in a state where the oxygen-containing gas is humidified in a low humidified state where the dew point is lower than the operating temperature of the fuel cell C. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment, description of the same configuration as that of the second embodiment is omitted.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, humidifying means K is provided for humidifying the air supplied from the blower 15 that supplies air as the oxygen-containing gas to the connection portion 8 a of the supply side end plate 9.
The humidifying means K allows air as an oxygen-containing gas supplied from the blower 15 to flow through one side of the both sides of the membrane-like body 20 having hygroscopicity, and both sides of the membrane-like body 20. The oxygen-containing gas discharged from the connection portion 10b of the discharge side end plate 11 is passed through the other side of the portions.

Then, the moisture contained in the oxygen-containing gas discharged from the connection portion 10b of the discharge side end plate 11 is absorbed by the film-like body 20, and the hydrogen-containing gas (hydrogen) is absorbed by the moisture absorbed by the film-like body 20. Is configured to humidify.
Incidentally, while the operating temperature of the fuel cell C is 70 ° C., for example, the humidifying means K is operated at room temperature, so that the hydrogen-containing gas has a dew point lower than the operating temperature of the fuel cell C. It will be humidified in a low humidified state.

[Another embodiment]
Next, another embodiment will be described.
(A) In the third embodiment, the case where the hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel supply channel in a non-humidified state is exemplified. However, in addition to the oxygen-containing gas, the hydrogen-containing gas is used as the operating temperature of the fuel cell. Alternatively, the fuel supply flow path may be supplied in a state of being humidified in a low humidified state where the dew point is lower.
Incidentally, in this case, it may be omitted to humidify the oxygen-containing gas in a low humidified state where the dew point is lower than the operating temperature of the fuel cell C.

(B) When the hydrogen-containing gas or the oxygen-containing gas is humidified in a low humidified state where the dew point is lower than the operating temperature of the fuel cell, the humidifying means is the humidifying means exemplified in the third embodiment. Instead of, the configuration for humidifying the hydrogen-containing gas or oxygen-containing gas, such as adopting a configuration in which the hydrogen-containing gas or oxygen-containing gas flows through the inside of the humidified water stored in the tank can be variously changed. Is.

(C) In each of the above embodiments, the hydrogen-containing gas is a gas containing hydrogen gas as a main component, and is not limited to pure hydrogen gas. For example, a hydrocarbon-based gas is converted into water vapor. The reformed gas may be modified. Incidentally, the hydrogen-containing gas does not basically contain oxygen gas, but may contain a trace amount of oxygen gas that does not affect the power generation reaction in the fuel cell.

(D) In the above embodiment, the cooling water is passed through both the oxygen side separator and the fuel side separator. However, any one of the oxygen side separator and the fuel side separator of the oxygen side separator and the fuel side separator is used. You may implement with the form comprised so that cooling water may be flowed through to one side.

(E) The oxygen side separator and the fuel side separator do not necessarily need to be configured separately.
You may comprise in an integrated state.
In this case, it is preferable to allow the cooling water to flow through the inside of the separator configured in an integrated state.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrolyte layer 2 Oxygen electrode 3 Fuel electrode 5 Oxygen side separator 6 Fuel side separator C Fuel cell F Fuel supply channel FI Inlet part FO Outlet part Fr Channel part S Oxygen supply channel SI Inlet part SO Outlet part Sr Channel portion

Claims (3)

An oxygen supply channel for supplying an oxygen-containing gas to the oxygen electrode is formed at a position on the oxygen electrode side of a fuel cell having an oxygen electrode on one surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and a fuel electrode on the other surface. The fuel-side separator is positioned, and a fuel-side separator that forms a fuel supply channel for supplying a hydrogen-containing gas to the fuel electrode is positioned at a position on the fuel electrode side of the fuel cell. A battery cell, the oxygen side separator, and the fuel side separator are laminated,
Non-humidified state in which the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are not humidified, and a state in which any one of the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas is humidified in a low humidified state where the dew point is lower than the operating temperature of the fuel cell. Alternatively, in a state where the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are humidified in a low humidified state having a dew point lower than the operating temperature of the fuel cell, the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas are supplied to the oxygen supply channel. And is configured to be supplied to the fuel supply channel,
The oxygen supply channel and the fuel supply channel are positioned close to an inlet portion of the oxygen supply channel and an outlet portion of the fuel supply channel in the stacking direction view of the fuel cell, and A solid polymer configured to cause the oxygen-containing gas and the hydrogen-containing gas to flow in a counterflow state with the outlet portion of the oxygen supply channel and the inlet portion of the fuel supply channel positioned close to each other Type fuel cell,
The entire flow path portion extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the oxygen supply flow path and the entire flow path portion extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the fuel supply flow path are formed in a state along the horizontal direction. Solid polymer fuel cell.   The fuel cell, the oxygen-side separator, and the fuel-side separator are stacked along the vertical direction, so that the entire flow path portion extending between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the oxygen supply flow path, and 2. The solid polymer fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein an entire flow path portion extending between an inlet portion and an outlet portion of the fuel supply flow path is formed in a state along a horizontal direction. The fuel battery cell, the oxygen side separator, and the fuel side separator are stacked along a horizontal direction,
By forming the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the oxygen supply channel along the vertical direction, and forming a plurality of flow channel portions extending in the vertical direction along the horizontal direction. , The entirety of the flow path portion extending between the inlet and outlet of the oxygen supply flow path is formed so as to be in a state along the horizontal direction,
An inlet portion and an outlet portion of the fuel supply flow path are formed along the vertical direction, and a plurality of flow path portions extending therebetween are formed along the horizontal direction in a state of being aligned in the vertical direction. 2. The solid polymer fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein an entire flow path portion extending between an inlet portion and an outlet portion of the fuel supply flow path is formed in a state along a horizontal direction.

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