JP2017199609A - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To hinder degradation in power generation performance.SOLUTION: A fuel cell comprises: an MEA 10; an anode-side separator 18a and a cathode-side separator 18c sandwiching the MEA; a power generation passage 22 extending in a first direction from one end to the other end of the cathode-side separator on an MEA-side face of the cathode-side separator, and in which air circulates; and a cooling passage 24 extending in one direction from the one end to the other end of the cathode-side separator opposite the MEA of the cathode-side separator, separated by the power generation passage and the side wall 26 in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and in which air circulates. A cross-sectional area of an air-supply side of the power generation passage is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the power generation passage located further downstream than the air-supply side. A cross-sectional area of an air-supply side of the cooling passage is larger than a cross-sectional area of the cooling passage located downstream than the air-supply side. A through-hole 30 is provided in the side wall separating the power generation passage and the cooling passage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell.

  The polymer electrolyte fuel cell has a structure in which a membrane electrode assembly in which catalyst electrode layers are provided on both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane is sandwiched between a pair of separators. As a cooling method of the fuel cell, in addition to a water-cooling method in which cooling water is circulated, an air-cooling method in which an oxidant gas supplied for power generation is used for cooling is known. For example, an air-cooled fuel cell is known in which a cooling channel and a power generation channel are connected by a through-hole, and a part of the cross-sectional area of the cooling channel decreases from upstream to downstream. (For example, Patent Document 1). The generated water generated by the electrochemical reaction in the membrane electrode assembly moves from the gas supply port toward the gas discharge port by the oxidant gas flowing through the power generation channel. For this reason, liquid water becomes excessive on the downstream side of the gas supply port of the power generation channel, and the power generation performance may be deteriorated due to flooding. According to the configuration of Patent Document 1, since the air flow rate can be increased at a portion where liquid water becomes excessive, flooding can be suppressed.

JP 2008-27748 A

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, since the flow rate is increased on the downstream side of the power generation flow path in spite of the same cross-sectional area as the gas supply port side, the pressure loss increases, and the auxiliary load is increased. Due to the increase or the air flow rate being insufficient, the fuel cell cannot be sufficiently cooled, and the power generation performance may be lowered.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said subject, and aims at suppressing the fall of electric power generation performance.

  The present invention provides a membrane electrode assembly, an anode-side separator and a cathode-side separator that sandwich the membrane-electrode assembly, and a surface of the cathode-side separator on the membrane-electrode assembly side from one end to the other end of the cathode-side separator. A power generation flow path that extends in the first direction and through which an oxidant gas flows, and the other surface from the one end of the cathode side separator on the surface of the cathode side separator opposite to the membrane electrode assembly. A cooling channel that extends in the first direction toward the end, is separated from the power generation channel and a side wall in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and through which the oxidizing gas flows. The cross-sectional area on the supply port side to which the oxidant gas of the power generation channel is supplied is more than the cross-sectional area of the power generation channel on the downstream side of the supply port side of the power generation channel small The cross-sectional area of the cooling channel on the supply port side to which the oxidant gas is supplied is larger than the cross-sectional area of the cooling channel on the downstream side of the cooling channel, and the power generation In the fuel cell, a through hole is provided in the side wall that separates the flow path from the cooling flow path.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in power generation performance.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a single cell constituting the fuel cell according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the cathode separator in FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a single cell constituting the fuel cell according to Comparative Example 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a single-cell cathode separator constituting the fuel cell according to the second embodiment. 5A is an enlarged perspective view of a single-cell cathode-side separator constituting the fuel cell according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 5B constitutes a fuel cell according to the first modification of the third embodiment. It is the perspective view which expanded the cathode side separator of the single cell. 6A is an enlarged perspective view of a single-cell cathode-side separator constituting the fuel cell according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 6B constitutes a fuel cell according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment. It is the perspective view which expanded the cathode side separator of the single cell. FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a single-cell cathode-side separator constituting the fuel cell according to Example 5. FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a cathode separator of a single cell constituting the fuel cell according to Example 6.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The fuel cell according to Example 1 is a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that generates power by receiving supply of a fuel gas (for example, hydrogen) and an oxidant gas (for example, air) as a reaction gas, and has a large number of single cells stacked. It has a stack structure. The fuel cell of Example 1 is, for example, a portable fuel cell that can be carried. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a single cell 100 constituting the fuel cell according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the cathode-side separator 18c in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the single cell 100 constituting the fuel cell of Example 1 includes an anode separator 18a, a membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly (MEGA) 20, and a cathode side. A separator 18c. The MEGA 20 is disposed inside an insulating member 34 made of, for example, a resin (such as an epoxy resin or a phenol resin). The MEGA 20 and the insulating member 34 are sandwiched between the anode side separator 18a and the cathode side separator 18c.

  The cathode separator 18c is formed of a member having gas barrier properties and electronic conductivity. For example, the cathode-side separator 18c is made of a metal plate such as stainless steel having an uneven shape formed by bending by press molding. The cathode separator 18c is formed with a power generation channel 22 and a cooling channel 24 through which air flows, respectively, according to the uneven shape in the thickness direction. The power generation flow path 22 is provided on the MEGA 20 side surface of the cathode side separator 18c. The cooling flow path 24 is provided on the surface of the cathode separator 18c opposite to the MEGA 20 side. In the power generation flow path 22, the air supplied to the MEGA 20 flows from the air supply port toward the air discharge port. In the cooling channel 24, air for cooling the single cell 100 flows from the air supply port toward the air discharge port. The single cell 100 is also cooled by the air flowing through the power generation flow path 22.

  The power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 extend linearly in the first direction from one end to the other end of the cathode-side separator 18c and are alternately arranged in a direction intersecting the first direction. It has been. That is, the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 are separated by the side wall 26 in the second direction that intersects the first direction. The power generation flow path 22 has a substantially constant depth D from the air supply port to the air discharge port. In other words, the cooling flow path 24 has a substantially constant depth D from the air supply port to the air discharge port. The pitch interval W1 (distance between the centers) of the power generation channel 22 is substantially constant from the air supply port to the air discharge port. The pitch interval W2 (distance between the centers) of the cooling flow path 24 is also substantially constant from the air supply port to the air discharge port.

  The width of the power generation channel 22 and the cooling channel 24 is not constant from the air supply port to the air discharge port. The width of the power generation flow path 22 changes stepwise between the air supply port and the air discharge port so that the air discharge port side is wider than the air supply port side. The width of the cooling flow path 24 changes stepwise between the air supply port and the air discharge port so that the air discharge port side is narrower than the air supply port side. In other words, the cross-sectional area S1 on the air supply port side of the power generation flow channel 22 is smaller than the cross-sectional area S11 on the air discharge port side, and the cross-sectional area S2 on the air supply port side of the cooling flow channel 24 is cut off on the air discharge port side. It is larger than the area S12. The staircase portion 28 in which the widths of the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 change in a staircase shape is located closer to the air supply port than the air discharge port, for example. Here, the staircase 28 refers to a portion of the side wall 26 that separates the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 and that is orthogonal to the air flow direction.

  A through-hole 30 is provided in the stepped portion 28 in the side wall 26 to allow the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 to communicate with each other. The through hole 30 is provided orthogonal to the flow direction of the air flowing through the cooling flow path 24. Through this through hole 30, part of the air flowing through the cooling flow path 24 from the air supply port toward the air discharge port flows into the power generation flow path 22.

  The anode-side separator 18a is formed of a member having gas barrier properties and electronic conductivity. For example, the anode-side separator 18a is formed of a carbon member such as dense carbon made of compressed carbon and impermeable to gas, or a metal member such as stainless steel. . The anode side separator 18a is provided with holes a1 and a2, the insulating member 34 is provided with holes s1 and s2, and the insulating member 36 provided on both sides of the cathode side separator 18c is provided with holes c1 and c2. Yes. The holes a1, s1, and c1 communicate and define a supply manifold that supplies hydrogen. The holes a2, s2, c2 communicate and define a discharge manifold that discharges hydrogen. A surface of the anode separator 18a on the MEGA 20 side is provided with a hydrogen flow path 32 that extends linearly from the supply manifold toward the discharge manifold and through which hydrogen supplied to the MEGA 20 flows. The hydrogen channel 32 intersects (for example, orthogonally intersects) the power generation channel 22 and the cooling channel 24.

  The MEGA 20 includes an electrolyte membrane 12, an anode catalyst layer 14a, a cathode catalyst layer 14c, an anode gas diffusion layer 16a, and a cathode gas diffusion layer 16c. An anode catalyst layer 14a is provided on one surface of the electrolyte membrane 12, and a cathode catalyst layer 14c is provided on the other surface. Thereby, the membrane electrode assembly (MEA: Membrane Electrode Assembly) 10 is formed. The electrolyte membrane 12 is a solid polymer membrane formed of a fluorine-based resin material or a hydrocarbon-based resin material having a sulfonic acid group, and has good proton conductivity in a wet state. The anode catalyst layer 14a and the cathode catalyst layer 14c are solid particles having carbon particles (for example, carbon black) supporting a catalyst (for example, platinum or platinum-cobalt alloy) that progresses an electrochemical reaction, and a sulfonic acid group. And ionomers having good proton conductivity in the wet state.

  An anode gas diffusion layer 16 a and a cathode gas diffusion layer 16 c are disposed on both sides of the MEA 10. The anode gas diffusion layer 16a and the cathode gas diffusion layer 16c are formed of members having gas permeability and electron conductivity, and are formed of a porous carbon member such as carbon cloth or carbon paper. A water repellent layer may be provided between the MEA 10 and the anode gas diffusion layer 16a and between the MEA 10 and the cathode gas diffusion layer 16c for the purpose of adjusting the amount of water contained in the MEA 10. Similar to the anode gas diffusion layer 16a and the cathode gas diffusion layer 16c, the water repellent layer is formed of a member having gas permeability and electronic conductivity, and is formed of a porous carbon member such as carbon cloth or carbon paper. . However, the water repellent layer has smaller pores of the porous carbon member than the anode gas diffusion layer 16a and the cathode gas diffusion layer 16c.

  Here, in describing the effect of the fuel cell according to Example 1, the fuel cell according to Comparative Example 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a single cell 500 constituting the fuel cell according to Comparative Example 1. As shown in FIG. 3, in the single cell 500 constituting the fuel cell of Comparative Example 1, the widths of the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 of the cathode side separator 18c are constant from the air supply port to the air discharge port. It has become. That is, the cross-sectional area of the power generation flow path 22 is constant from the air supply port to the air discharge port. The cross-sectional area of the cooling flow path 24 is also constant from the air supply port to the air discharge port. Further, no through hole is provided in the side wall 26 separating the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In Comparative Example 1, since the cross-sectional area of the power generation flow path 22 is constant from the air supply port to the air discharge port, the flow rate of air flowing through the power generation flow path 22 is also constant from the air supply port to the air discharge port. The generated water generated by the MEA 10 moves from the air supply port side toward the air discharge port side by the air flowing through the power generation flow path 22. When the flow rate of the air flowing through the power generation flow path 22 is constant from the air supply port to the air discharge port, the generated water may be taken away from the MEA 10 by the air touching the MEGA 20 on the air supply port side, and the MEA 10 may be dried. On the air discharge port side, liquid water in the MEA 10 may become excessive due to the generated water that has moved from the air supply port side. That is, the power generation performance may be reduced due to drying of the MEA 10 on the air supply port side, and the power generation performance may be reduced due to flooding due to excessive liquid water in the MEA 10 on the air discharge port side. Note that if the amount of air supplied to suppress the drying of the MEA 10 on the air supply port side is reduced, the power generation performance is reduced due to flooding on the air discharge port side, or the power generation performance is reduced due to insufficient air supply amount. For example, in a fuel cell such as a portable fuel cell, which generates a relatively small amount of air, but is supplied with a relatively small amount of air, it is difficult to discharge liquid water on the air outlet side. The power generation performance is likely to deteriorate due to the above.

  On the other hand, according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the power generation flow path 22 has a smaller cross-sectional area on the air supply port side than the cross-sectional area on the downstream side, and the cooling flow path 24 has a cross-section on the air supply port side. The area is larger than the downstream cross-sectional area. A through hole 30 is provided in a side wall 26 that separates the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24. By reducing the cross-sectional area on the air supply port side of the power generation channel 22, the amount of air touching the MEGA 20 on the air supply port side can be reduced, and the removal of liquid water from the MEA 10 by air is suppressed. Can do. Therefore, drying of the MEA 10 on the air supply port side can be suppressed, and a decrease in power generation performance on the air supply port side can be suppressed. Further, by increasing the cross-sectional area on the downstream side of the power generation flow path 22 and providing the through hole 30 so that air flows from the cooling flow path 24 to the power generation flow path 22, The flow rate of the air flowing downstream of the power generation flow path 22 can be increased while suppressing an increase in pressure loss. Thereby, the air quantity which touches MEGA20 in the downstream of the flow path 22 for electric power generation can be increased, and discharge | emission of the liquid water from MEA10 can be accelerated | stimulated. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an excessive amount of liquid water in the MEA 10 on the downstream side of the power generation flow path 22, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in power generation performance on the downstream side of the power generation flow path 22.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 are in the second direction intersecting the first direction that is the flow direction of the power generation air and the cooling air. It is provided side by side. Thereby, since the cooling flow path 24 can be disposed near the cathode catalyst layer 14c, the cooling efficiency can be improved.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the width of the power generation flow path 22 changes in a stepped manner so as to expand in the air flow direction, and the width of the cooling flow path 24 varies in the air flow direction. It changes in a staircase shape to narrow. The through-hole 30 is provided in a stepped portion 28 where the widths of the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 change in a step shape so as to be orthogonal to the air flow direction. Thereby, the flow of air from the cooling flow path 24 to the power generation flow path 22 can be made smooth.

  Moreover, according to Example 1, the cathode side separator 18c consists of an uneven | corrugated shaped metal plate. Thereby, the cathode side separator 18c can be made into a simple structure, and productivity can be improved and manufacturing cost can be reduced. The cathode-side separator 18c may be formed of a carbon member such as dense carbon that has been made carbon impermeable by compressing carbon, for example.

  FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the single-cell cathode-side separator 18c constituting the fuel cell according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in the cathode separator 18c of the single cell of Example 2, the widths of the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 are changed in three stages. That is, the cross-sectional areas of the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 change in three stages. The cross-sectional area of the power generation flow path 22 is the smallest on the air supply port side, then is small between the air supply port and the air discharge port, and is largest on the air discharge port side. The cross-sectional area of the cooling flow path 24 is the largest on the air supply port side, then the largest between the air supply port and the air discharge port, and the smallest on the air discharge port side. The through holes 30 are provided in both side walls 26 of the two staircase portions 28 a and 28 b that change the widths of the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  According to the second embodiment, the plurality of stepped portions 28a and 28b in which the width of the power generation flow path 22 is changed are provided, and the through hole 30 is provided in each of the plurality of stepped portions 28a and 28b. As a result, an appropriate amount of air can be supplied to each region obtained by subdividing the power generation flow path 22.

  5A is an enlarged perspective view of a single-cell cathode-side separator 18c constituting the fuel cell according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 5B shows a fuel cell according to the first modification of the third embodiment. It is the perspective view which expanded the cathode side separator 18c of the single cell which does. As shown in FIG. 5A, in the single-cell cathode-side separator 18c of Example 3, the stepped portion 28 is in the vicinity of the stepped portion 28 where the widths of the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 change. Further, the through hole 30 is provided in the side wall 26 on the front stage side with respect to the air flow. The through hole 30 is provided in parallel with the air flow direction. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the third embodiment, the through hole 30 is provided in the vicinity of the stepped portion 28. Since the cross-sectional area of the cooling flow path 24 becomes smaller at the staircase portion 28, the air flowing through the cooling flow path 24 stagnate in the vicinity of the staircase portion 28, and as a result, the pressure in the vicinity of the staircase portion 28 increases. . By providing the through hole 30 in the vicinity of the stepped portion 28 where the pressure in the cooling flow path 24 has increased, air can flow from the cooling flow path 24 to the power generation flow path 22. As is clear from the above description, the vicinity of the staircase portion 28 is a range in which the flow of air in the cooling flow path 24 stagnate and the pressure rises, and the pressure in the cooling flow path 24 generates power. This is a range that is higher than the pressure in the working flow path 22.

  In the third embodiment, the case where the through hole 30 is provided in the side wall 26 on the front stage side with respect to the air flow from the staircase portion 28 is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 5B, the through hole 30 may be provided on the side wall 26 in the vicinity of the staircase portion 28 on the rear side of the staircase portion 28 with respect to the air flow. Moreover, the through-hole 30 may be provided in both the front | former stage side and the back | latter stage side rather than the step part 28 similarly to Example 5 mentioned later.

  6A is an enlarged perspective view of a single-cell cathode-side separator 18c constituting the fuel cell according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 6B shows a fuel cell according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment. It is the perspective view which expanded the cathode side separator 18c of the single cell which does. As shown in FIG. 6 (a), in the single-cell cathode-side separator 18c of Example 4, the width of the power generation flow path 22 changes so as to be inclined so that the air discharge port side is wider than the air supply port side ( (Changes in a taper shape). The width of the cooling flow path 24 is inclined and changed (changes in a taper shape) so that the air discharge port side is narrower than the air supply port side. The through-hole 30 is provided in the inclined portion 40 where the widths of the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 change with inclination. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the width of the power generation flow path 22 is changed so as to be widened in the air flow direction, and the width of the cooling flow path 24 is changed so as to be narrowed in the air flow direction. ing. The through-hole 30 is provided in the inclined portion 40 where the widths of the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 change with inclination. Even in this case, air can flow from the cooling channel 24 to the power generation channel 22.

  In the fourth embodiment, the case where the widths of the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 change in an inclined manner over the entire region from the air supply port to the air discharge port is described as an example. Absent. As shown in FIG. 6B, the width of the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 may be changed in an inclined manner in a partial region between the air supply port and the air discharge port. .

  In the fourth embodiment, it is preferable that a plurality of the through holes 30 are provided in the inclined portion 40 along the flow direction of the air flowing through the cooling flow path 24. Thereby, the air flowing through the cooling flow path 24 can be gradually passed through the power generation flow path 22 through the plurality of through holes 30.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the single-cell cathode-side separator 18c constituting the fuel cell according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in the single-cell cathode-side separator 18 c of Example 5, the air flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 are in the vicinity of the inclined portion 40 where the width changes, and are more air than the inclined portion 40. A through-hole 30 is provided in the side wall 26 on the front stage side and the rear stage side with respect to the flow. The through hole 30 is provided in parallel with the air flow direction. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the fifth embodiment, the through hole 30 is provided in the vicinity of the inclined portion 40. As in the third embodiment, since the pressure in the cooling flow path 24 increases in the vicinity of the inclined portion 40, the power generation flow is generated from the cooling flow path 24 by providing the through hole 30 in the vicinity of the inclined portion 40. Air can flow to the path 22. Note that the vicinity of the inclined portion 40 is a range in which the air flow in the cooling flow path 24 is stagnated and the pressure rises, as in the vicinity of the stepped portion 28 of the third embodiment. This is a range in which the pressure is higher than the pressure in the power generation flow path 22.

  In addition, in Example 5, although the case where the through-hole 30 was provided in both the front | former stage side and the back | latter stage side rather than the inclination part 40 was shown as an example, it is not restricted to this. Similarly to the third embodiment, it may be provided only on the rear stage side of the inclined portion 40 or may be provided only on the front stage side of the inclined portion 40 as in the first modification of the third embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the single-cell cathode-side separator 18c constituting the fuel cell according to Example 6. As shown in FIG. 8, in the cathode separator 18c of the single cell of Example 6, the widths of the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 are changed in three stages. The cross-sectional area of the power generation channel 22 is small at the air supply port side and the air discharge port side, and is large at an intermediate portion between the air supply port and the air discharge port. The cross-sectional area of the cooling flow path 24 is large at the air supply port side and the air discharge port side, and is small at an intermediate portion between the air supply port and the air discharge port. The through holes 30a and 30b are provided in the side walls 26 of the two step portions 28a and 28b where the widths of the power generation flow path 22 and the cooling flow path 24 change. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As in the sixth embodiment, the cross-sectional area on the air outlet side of the power generation flow path 22 may be small. Even in this case, since the cross-sectional area on the air supply port side of the power generation channel 22 is small, the amount of air touching the MEGA 20 on the air supply port side can be reduced, and the MEA 10 can be dried on the air supply port side. Can be suppressed. In addition, the cross-sectional area on the downstream side of the air supply port side is increased, and the through-hole 30a is provided so that air flows from the cooling flow path 24 to the power generation flow path 22, thereby generating the power generation flow path. Therefore, it is possible to increase the flow rate of the air flowing on the downstream side of 22 and to prevent the liquid water in the MEA 10 from being excessive on the downstream side. Therefore, a decrease in power generation performance can be suppressed.

  According to the sixth embodiment, the through hole 30b is also provided in the stepped portion 28b in which the width of the power generation flow path 22 is narrowed. As a result, even when the cross-sectional area on the air discharge port side of the power generation channel 22 is small, the air flowing through the power generation channel 22 flows into the cooling channel 24 through the through hole 30b of the staircase portion 28b. The flow rate of the air flowing through the portion where the cross-sectional area of the working channel 22 is large can be increased.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. It can be changed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Membrane electrode assembly 12 Electrolyte membrane 14a Anode catalyst layer 14c Cathode catalyst layer 16a Anode gas diffusion layer 16c Cathode gas diffusion layer 18a Anode side separator 18c Cathode side separator 20 Membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly 22 Power generation channel 24 For cooling Channel 26 Side wall 28-28b Stepped portion 30-30b Through hole 32 Hydrogen channel 34, 36 Insulating member 40 Inclined portion 100, 500 Single cell

Claims (1)

A membrane electrode assembly;
An anode-side separator and a cathode-side separator that sandwich the membrane electrode assembly;
A power generation flow path that extends in a first direction from one end of the cathode side separator to the other end of the surface on the membrane electrode assembly side of the cathode side separator, and in which an oxidant gas flows;
A second side of the cathode-side separator that extends in the first direction from the one end to the other end of the cathode-side separator and that intersects the first direction is provided on a surface opposite to the membrane electrode assembly. A cooling channel that is separated by a side wall and a side wall in the direction through which the oxidant gas flows,
The cross-sectional area on the supply port side to which the oxidizing gas of the power generation channel is supplied is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the power generation channel on the downstream side of the supply port side of the power generation channel,
The cross-sectional area of the cooling channel on the supply port side to which the oxidant gas is supplied is larger than the cross-sectional area of the cooling channel on the downstream side of the supply port side of the cooling channel,
A fuel cell, wherein a through hole is provided in the side wall that separates the power generation channel and the cooling channel.

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