JP2013120626A - Fuel cell stack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To maintain a desired power generation performance with a simple and economical configuration.SOLUTION: A fuel cell stack 10 includes a laminate 14 of a plurality of power generation cells 12. A first dummy cell 16a and a second dummy cell 16b are disposed at one end of the laminate 14, and a third dummy cell 16c and a fourth dummy cell 16d are disposed at the other end of the laminate 14. The first through fourth dummy cells 16a to 16d include a first metal separator 38 and a second metal separator 40 identical to those of the power generation cells 12, and fluid interconnection holes and fluid passages are blocked by closing members 90, 92.

Description

  The present invention includes a laminate in which a power generation cell having an electrolyte / electrode structure in which electrodes are disposed on both sides of an electrolyte and a separator are laminated, and a dummy cell is provided at at least one end in the lamination direction of the laminate. The present invention relates to a fuel cell stack.

  For example, a solid polymer fuel cell employs a solid polymer electrolyte membrane made of a polymer ion exchange membrane. This fuel cell comprises an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure in which an anode electrode and a cathode electrode each having an electrode catalyst (electrode catalyst layer) and porous carbon (gas diffusion layer) are disposed on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane ( A power generation cell is formed in which the MEA is sandwiched between separators (bipolar plates). Usually, a fuel cell stack in which a predetermined number of power generation cells are stacked is used as, for example, an in-vehicle fuel cell stack.

  Generally, in a fuel cell stack, there is a power generation cell in which a temperature drop is likely to be caused by heat radiation to the outside as compared with other power generation cells. For example, a power generation cell (hereinafter also referred to as an end power generation cell) disposed at the end in the stacking direction is, for example, a power extraction terminal plate (current collector plate) that collects current generated by each power generation cell, There is much heat radiation from an end plate or the like provided to hold the generated power generation cell, and the above-described temperature drop is remarkable.

  It has been pointed out that due to this temperature decrease, condensation is likely to occur in the end power generation cells as compared with the power generation cells in the center portion of the fuel cell stack, and the generated water discharge performance is reduced and power generation performance is reduced. .

  Therefore, for example, a fuel cell stack disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. As shown in FIG. 9, the fuel cell stack includes power generation cells in which separators 2 and 3 are arranged on both sides of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 1, and a plurality of power generation cells are stacked. Is configured. Current collector plates 4a and 4b are disposed at both ends of the laminate in the stacking direction, and an end separator 5 is disposed between one end of the stack in the stacking direction and the current collector plate 4b. .

  Each power generation cell has a fuel gas supply internal communication hole 6a and a fuel gas discharge internal communication hole 6b penetrating in the stacking direction at one diagonal position, and an oxidant gas supply internal communication hole 7a. The oxidant gas discharge internal communication hole 7b is formed so as to be disposed at the other diagonal position.

  An oxidant gas dummy flow path 8 that does not contribute to power generation is formed in the end separator 5 so as to communicate with the oxidant gas supply internal communication hole 7a and the oxidant gas discharge internal communication hole 7b.

  In the fuel cell stack configured as described above, when the reaction product water accumulates as condensed water in the oxidant gas supply internal communication hole 7 a, the condensed water is separated between the current collector plate 4 b and the end separator 5. By flowing through the oxidant gas dummy flow path 8 formed therebetween, it is easy to flow into the oxidant gas discharge internal communication hole 7b.

  For this reason, dew condensation water can be reliably discharged from the oxidant gas supply internal communication hole 7a, and the oxidant gas dummy flow path 8 functions as a heat insulation layer, and the temperature of the end power generation cell on the current collector plate 4b side is increased. It is said that delays can be prevented.

JP 2007-48484 A

  However, in Patent Document 1 described above, the end separator 5 in which the oxidant gas dummy flow path 8 is formed adjacent to the current collector plate 4b is disposed as a dedicated separator, and the manufacturing cost of the end separator 5 is low. There is a problem of soaring. Furthermore, when dew condensation water is discharged from the fuel gas supply internal communication hole 6a to the fuel gas discharge internal communication hole 6b, another dedicated separator must be prepared.

  As a result, the number of dedicated separators increases, and there is a problem that misassembly is likely to occur when the fuel cell stack is assembled, and that the manufacturing cost increases due to an increase in the number of molds. In addition, the metal surface of the end separator 5 is exposed, and there is a possibility that corrosion due to water connection may occur.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and an object thereof is to provide a fuel cell stack capable of reliably maintaining desired power generation performance with a simple and economical configuration.

  According to the present invention, a power generation cell having an electrolyte / electrode structure in which electrodes are disposed on both sides of an electrolyte and a separator is laminated, and at least a reaction gas or a cooling medium flows through the separator along the power generation surface. A fuel comprising a fluid passage and a laminate in which a fluid communication hole communicating with the fluid passage and penetrating in the lamination direction is formed, and a dummy cell is disposed at at least one end in the lamination direction of the laminate It relates to a battery stack.

  In this fuel cell stack, the dummy cell includes a dummy electrode structure having a conductive plate corresponding to the electrolyte, and the same separator as the separator constituting the power generation cell while sandwiching the dummy electrode structure.

  In the separator constituting the dummy cell, the fluid communication hole and the fluid flow path are blocked by inserting a blocking member into the fluid communication hole.

  According to the present invention, the separator that constitutes the dummy cell can be used in common with the separator that constitutes the power generation cell, and a dedicated separator can be dispensed with. For this reason, it is possible to favorably reduce the number of molds for forming the separator, and to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost.

  In addition, since the types of separators are reduced as much as possible, the assembly of the fuel cell stack is not caused during assembly of the fuel cell stack, and the efficiency of the entire assembly operation of the fuel cell stack can be easily achieved. .

  Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the desired fluid from flowing into the separator surface simply by inserting the closing member into the desired fluid communication hole. Therefore, it can be easily and reliably applied to various fluid communication holes, and versatility is improved satisfactorily.

1 is a partially exploded schematic perspective view of a fuel cell stack according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell stack taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell stack taken along line III-III in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell stack taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1. It is a disassembled perspective explanatory drawing of the electric power generation cell which comprises the said fuel cell stack. It is front explanatory drawing of the 1st metal separator which comprises the said electric power generation cell. FIG. 4 is a partially exploded schematic perspective view of a fuel cell stack according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the end plate and closure member which comprise the said fuel cell stack. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fuel cell stack disclosed in Patent Document 1. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell stack 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a stacked body 14 in which a plurality of power generation cells 12 are stacked in the horizontal direction (arrow A direction). A first dummy cell 16a and a second dummy cell 16b are disposed outward at one end of the stack 14 in the stacking direction (arrow A direction). At the other end of the stacked body 14 in the stacking direction, the third dummy cell 16c and the fourth dummy cell 16d are disposed outward. Note that the number of dummy cells may be different at one end and the other end of the stacked body 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the second dummy cell 16b is sequentially provided with a terminal plate 20a, an insulating plate 22a and an end plate 24a outward, while the fourth dummy cell 16d has The terminal plate 20b, the insulating plate 22b, and the end plate 24b are sequentially disposed outward.

  The fuel cell stack 10 is, for example, integrally held by a box-like casing (not shown) including end plates 24a, 24b configured in a square shape as end plates, or a plurality of tie rods extending in the direction of arrow A (Not shown) are integrally clamped and held.

  Terminal portions 26a and 26b extending outward in the stacking direction are provided at substantially the center of the terminal plates 20a and 20b. The terminal portions 26a and 26b are inserted into the insulating cylinder 28 and project outside the end plates 24a and 24b. The insulating plates 22a and 22b are made of an insulating material such as polycarbonate (PC) or phenol resin.

  Insulating plates 22a and 22b are provided with rectangular recesses 30a and 30b at the center, and holes 32a and 32b are formed at substantially the center of the recesses 30a and 30b. The terminal plates 20a and 20b are accommodated in the recesses 30a and 30b, and the terminal portions 26a and 26b of the terminal plates 20a and 20b are inserted into the holes 32a and 32b with the insulating cylinder 28 interposed therebetween.

  Hole portions 34a and 34b are formed coaxially with the hole portions 32a and 32b at substantially the center portions of the end plates 24a and 24b. The end plates 24a and 24b include an oxidant gas inlet communication hole 50a, a cooling medium inlet communication hole 52a, a fuel gas outlet communication hole 54b, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 54a, a cooling medium outlet communication hole 52b, and an oxidant gas outlet, which will be described later. An insulating grommet 35 is attached so as to surround the inner wall of the communication hole 50b.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the power generation cell 12 includes an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 36, and a first metal separator 38 and a second metal separator 40 that sandwich the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 36. The first metal separator 38 and the second metal separator 40 are composed of, for example, a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, an aluminum plate, a plated steel plate, or a metal plate subjected to a surface treatment for anticorrosion on the metal surface. A carbon separator may be used.

  The electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 36 includes, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 42 in which a perfluorosulfonic acid thin film is impregnated with water, and an anode electrode 44 and a cathode electrode 46 that sandwich the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 42. Prepare. The anode electrode 44 has a smaller surface area than the cathode electrode 46 and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 42.

  The anode electrode 44 and the cathode electrode 46 are formed by uniformly applying a gas diffusion layer (not shown) made of carbon paper or the like and porous carbon particles carrying a platinum alloy on the surface thereof to the surface of the gas diffusion layer. And an electrode catalyst layer (not shown) to be formed. The electrode catalyst layers are formed on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 42.

  One end edge of the power generation cell 12 in the direction of arrow B (horizontal direction in FIG. 5) communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A, which is the stacking direction, and oxidant for supplying an oxidant gas, for example, an oxygen-containing gas An agent gas inlet communication hole 50a, a cooling medium inlet communication hole 52a for supplying a cooling medium, and a fuel gas outlet communication hole 54b for discharging a fuel gas, for example, a hydrogen-containing gas, are provided in the arrow C direction (vertical direction). Arranged and provided.

  The other end edge of the fuel cell stack 10 in the direction of arrow B communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 54a for supplying fuel gas, and a cooling medium outlet communication for discharging the cooling medium The holes 52b and the oxidizing gas outlet communication holes 50b for discharging the oxidizing gas are arranged in the direction of arrow C.

  On the surface 40a of the second metal separator 40 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 36, for example, an oxidant gas channel 56 extending in the direction of arrow B is provided. The oxidant gas channel 56 communicates with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 50a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 50b.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a fuel gas flow path 58 extending in the direction of arrow B is formed on the surface 38 a of the first metal separator 38 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 36. The first metal separator 38 has a plurality of supply hole portions 59a for communicating the fuel gas inlet communication hole 54a with the fuel gas flow path 58, and the fuel gas flow path 58 for communicating with the fuel gas outlet communication hole 54b. A plurality of discharge hole portions 59b are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cooling medium inlet communication hole 52a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 52b communicate with each other between the surface 38b of the first metal separator 38 and the surface 40b of the second metal separator 40 adjacent to each other. A cooling medium flow path 60 is formed. This cooling medium flow path 60 extends in the direction of arrow B, for example.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the first insulating member (seal member) 62 is integrated with the surfaces 38 a and 38 b of the first metal separator 38 around the outer peripheral end portion of the first metal separator 38. At the same time, the second insulating member (seal member) 64 is integrated with the surfaces 40 a and 40 b of the second metal separator 40 around the outer peripheral end of the second metal separator 40.

  The first and second insulating members 62 and 64 include, for example, EPDM, NBR, fluororubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber, styrene rubber, chloroprene, acrylic rubber, and other sealing materials, cushion materials, Alternatively, a packing material is used.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the first insulating member 62 integrally molds the inner seal portion 66 a and the outer seal portion 66 b on the surface 38 a of the first metal separator 38. The inner seal portion 66a covers the fuel gas flow path 58, the supply hole portion 59a, and the discharge hole portion 59b, while the outer seal portion 66b covers the outer peripheral end portion of the surface 38a. The outer seal portion 66b provides passages 68a and 68b communicating with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 50a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 50b.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first insulating member 62 integrally forms an inner seal portion 66 c and an outer seal portion 66 d on the surface 38 b of the first metal separator 38. The inner seal portion 66c is provided to cover the cooling medium flow path 60, the cooling medium inlet communication hole 52a, and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 52b. The cooling medium flow path 60, the cooling medium inlet communication hole 52a, and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 52b communicate with each other through passages 70a and 70b.

  The second insulating member 64 includes a planar seal portion 72a that is integrally formed with the surface 40a of the second metal separator 40, and a planar seal portion 72b that is integrally molded with the surface 40b. The planar seal portion 72 a is provided with steps 74 a and 74 b that connect the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 50 a and the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 50 b to the oxidant gas flow channel 56. The planar seal portion 72 b is provided with steps 76 a and 76 b for communicating the cooling medium inlet communication hole 52 a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 52 b with the cooling medium flow path 60.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the first dummy cell 16 a to the fourth dummy cell 16 d include a dummy electrode structure 80, a first metal separator 38 and a second metal separator 40 that sandwich the dummy electrode structure 80, respectively. Is provided. The dummy electrode structure 80 includes a metal plate 82 corresponding to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 42, and an anode side carbon paper 84 and a cathode side carbon paper 86 that sandwich the metal plate 82. The anode side carbon paper 84 corresponds to the gas diffusion layer constituting the anode electrode 44, while the cathode side carbon paper 86 corresponds to the gas diffusion layer constituting the cathode electrode 46.

  The first metal separator 38 is the same as the first metal separator 38 constituting the power generation cell 12 and is used in common. The second metal separator 40 is the same as the second metal separator 40 constituting the power generation cell 12 and is used in common.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel cell stack 10 is provided with insulating resin blocking members 90 and 92 located at both ends in the stacking direction of the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 50a. The closing member 90 is disposed on the end plate 24 a side, and includes a rectangular tube portion 94 and a flange portion 96 that is integrally formed with one end of the rectangular tube portion 94. The shape of the rectangular tube portion 94 is set according to the cross-sectional shape of the communication hole to be inserted, and is set to a cylindrical shape or the like depending on the communication hole shape. Any shape that can close the gas introduction portions of at least the first metal separator 38 and the second metal separator 40 may be used. A passage 98 penetrating in the axial direction from the flange portion 96 through the rectangular tube portion 94 is formed, and a plurality of hole portions 100 are formed in the flange portion 96.

  A screw 102 is inserted into each hole 100, and the end of the screw 102 is screwed into a screw hole 104 formed in the end plate 24a, whereby the closing member 90 is attached to the end plate 24a. The closing member 90 may be fixed to the end plate 24a by bonding or welding instead of screw fixing.

  The rectangular tube portion 94 closes the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 50a provided in the first dummy cell 16a and the second dummy cell 16b and extends into the fuel cell stack. The distal end position of the rectangular tube portion 94 is set to a position equivalent to the second metal separator 40 constituting the first dummy cell 16 a or an inner position than the second metal separator 40.

  The first dummy cell 16a and the second dummy cell 16b block the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 50a, thereby preventing the oxidant gas from flowing from the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 50a into the oxidant gas flow paths 56. Is done.

  In the closing member 92, the prismatic part 106 and the flange part 108 are integrally formed, and the hole part 110 is formed in the flange part 108. When the screw 112 passes through the hole 110 and is screwed into the screw hole 114 of the end plate 24b, the closing member 92 is attached to the end plate 24b.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the rectangular column portion 106 of the closing member 92 is fitted into the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 50 a of the third dummy cell 16 c and the fourth dummy cell 16 d to block them from the oxidant gas flow path 56. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, a closing member 90 is attached to the end plate 24a by closing the fuel gas inlet communication hole 54a of the first dummy cell 16a and the second dummy cell 16b. A closing member 92 is attached to the end plate 24b by closing the fuel gas inlet communication hole 54a of the third dummy cell 16c and the fourth dummy cell 16d.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a closing member 90 is attached to the end plate 24a by closing the cooling medium inlet communication hole 52a of the first dummy cell 16a and the second dummy cell 16b. A closing member 92 is attached to the end plate 24b by closing the cooling medium inlet communication hole 52a of the third dummy cell 16c and the fourth dummy cell 16d.

  Although not shown in the drawings, the end plate 24a is provided with a closing member 90 corresponding to the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 50b, the fuel gas outlet communication hole 54b, and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 52b, as necessary. A closing member 92 is attached to the end plate 24b corresponding to the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 50b, the fuel gas outlet communication hole 54b, and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 52b. In order to discharge moisture condensed in the first dummy cell 16a and the second dummy cell 16b, the blocking members 90 and 92 may not be provided in the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 50b and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 54b.

  The closing members 90 and 92 need only be provided corresponding to only the fluid communication holes that need to be closed in the first dummy cell 16a to the fourth dummy cell 16d. For example, the closing members 90 and 92 can be omitted in the fuel gas inlet communication hole 54a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 54b. Furthermore, the length of each of the closing members 90 and 92 can be set by the position of the fluid communication hole to be closed.

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

  First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an oxidant gas such as an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 50 a from the passage 98 by being supplied to the passage 98 of the closing member 90. . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the fuel gas such as the hydrogen-containing gas is supplied from the passage 98 to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 54 a by being supplied to the passage 98 of the closing member 90. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a cooling medium such as pure water, ethylene glycol, or oil is supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 52a from the passage 98 by being supplied to the passage 98 of the closing member 90. Is done.

  2 and 5, the oxidant gas is introduced from the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 50a into the oxidant gas flow path 56 of the second metal separator 40, and moves in the direction of arrow B to move the electrolyte membrane / electrode. It is supplied to the cathode electrode 46 of the structure 36.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the fuel gas is introduced into the fuel gas flow path 58 of the first metal separator 38 from the fuel gas inlet communication hole 54a through the supply hole 59a. The fuel gas moves in the direction of arrow B along the fuel gas flow path 58 and is supplied to the anode electrode 44 of the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 36.

  Therefore, in each electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 36, the oxidizing gas supplied to the cathode electrode 46 and the fuel gas supplied to the anode electrode 44 are consumed by an electrochemical reaction in the electrode catalyst layer to generate power. Done.

  Next, the oxidant gas consumed by being supplied to the cathode electrode 46 is discharged in the direction of arrow A along the oxidant gas outlet communication hole 50b. Similarly, the fuel gas consumed by being supplied to the anode electrode 44 is discharged in the direction of arrow A along the fuel gas outlet communication hole 54b through the discharge hole portion 59b.

  The cooling medium supplied to the cooling medium inlet communication hole 52a was introduced into the cooling medium flow path 60 between the first metal separator 38 and the second metal separator 40 as shown in FIGS. Then, it circulates in the direction of arrow B. After cooling the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 36, the cooling medium is discharged from the cooling medium outlet communication hole 52b.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the oxidant gas inlet communication hole 50a of the first dummy cell 16a and the second dummy cell 16b is closed by the closing member 90, while the third dummy cell 16c and The oxidant gas inlet communication hole 50 a of the fourth dummy cell 16 d is closed by a closing member 92. For this reason, in 1st dummy cell 16a-4th dummy cell 16d, oxidizing gas does not flow through each oxidizing gas channel 56, but heat insulation space can be formed.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, the fuel gas inlet communication holes 54 a of the first dummy cell 16 a to the fourth dummy cell 16 d are closed by closing members 90 and 92. Therefore, the fuel gas does not flow in each fuel gas flow path 58, and a heat insulating space is formed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the cooling medium inlet communication holes 52 a of the first dummy cell 16 a to the fourth dummy cell 16 d are closed by closing members 90 and 92. Thereby, in each cooling medium flow path 60, a cooling medium does not flow and the heat insulation space is formed. For this reason, there is an advantage that a temperature decrease due to the end cell is avoided, and good power generation performance can be obtained as the entire fuel cell stack 10.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the first metal separator 38 and the second metal separator 40 that constitute the first dummy cell 16 a to the fourth dummy cell 16 d are the first metal separator 38 and the second metal separator that constitute the power generation cell 12. The separator 40 is the same and can be shared.

  Therefore, the first dummy cell 16a to the fourth dummy cell 16d can eliminate the need for a dedicated separator. Thereby, the effect that it is possible to favorably reduce the number of molds for molding a separator and to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost can be obtained.

  In addition, only the first metal separator 38 and the second metal separator 40 need be used, and the types of separators can be reduced as much as possible. Therefore, the first metal separator 38 and the second metal separator 40 are not erroneously assembled when the fuel cell stack 10 is assembled, and the efficiency of the entire assembly operation of the fuel cell stack 10 can be easily achieved.

  Furthermore, the desired fluid can be blocked from flowing into the separator surface simply by inserting the closing members 90 and 92 into the desired fluid communication hole. Therefore, it can be easily and reliably applied to various fluid communication holes, and there is an advantage that versatility is improved satisfactorily.

  FIG. 7 is a partially exploded schematic perspective view of the fuel cell stack 120 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those of the fuel cell stack 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The fuel cell stack 120 includes end plates 122a and 122b disposed at both ends in the stacking direction, and a predetermined number of closing members 124 are sandwiched between the end plates 122a and 122b.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the end plates 122a and 122b are formed with recesses 126a and 126b corresponding to positions where the closing member 124 is disposed, and both ends of the closing member 124 are accommodated in the recesses 126a and 126b. The

  The closing member 124 has a rectangular tube shape with a hollow inside, and an opening 128 that is long in the direction of arrow A is formed over the range of the stacked body 14 of the power generation cell 12. Closed portions 130a and 130b are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the opening 128, and shield the fluid communication holes of the first dummy cell 16a to the fourth dummy cell 16d.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, a single closing member 124 may be used in place of the closing members 90 and 92 of the first embodiment. As a result, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above, such as eliminating the need for a dedicated separator and suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost and improving the efficiency of the entire assembly operation.

  In order to discharge water droplets introduced from the reaction gas supply pipe, some dummy cells may be connected to a flow path in the closing member. The number of dummy cells can be changed as necessary.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 120 ... Fuel cell stack 12 ... Power generation cell 14 ... Laminated body 16a-16d ... Dummy cell 24a, 24b, 122a, 122b ... End plate 36 ... Electrolyte membrane and electrode structure 38, 40 ... Metal separator 42 ... Solid polymer electrolyte Membrane 44 ... Anode electrode 46 ... Cathode electrode 50a ... Oxidant gas inlet communication hole 50b ... Oxidant gas outlet communication hole 52a ... Cooling medium inlet communication hole 52b ... Cooling medium outlet communication hole 54a ... Fuel gas inlet communication hole 54b ... Fuel gas Outlet communication hole 56 ... Oxidant gas flow path 58 ... Fuel gas flow path 60 ... Cooling medium flow path 80 ... Dummy electrode structure 90, 92, 124 ... Closure member 94 ... Square tube part 96, 108 ... Flange part 98 ... Passage 106 ... prismatic part 126a, 126b ... concave part 128 ... opening 130a, 130b ... closed part

Claims (1)

A power generation cell having an electrolyte / electrode structure in which electrodes are disposed on both sides of the electrolyte and a separator is laminated, and the separator has a fluid flow path for flowing at least a reaction gas or a cooling medium along the power generation surface. A fuel cell stack comprising a laminate that is formed in a fluid communication hole that communicates with the fluid flow path and penetrates in the stacking direction, and a dummy cell is disposed at at least one end of the stack in the stacking direction. And
The dummy cell includes a dummy electrode structure having a conductive plate corresponding to the electrolyte;
While sandwiching the dummy electrode structure, the same separator as the separator constituting the power generation cell,
With
In the separator constituting the dummy cell, the fluid communication hole and the fluid flow path are blocked by inserting a closing member into the fluid communication hole.

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