JP2019175757A - Method of manufacturing humidifier for fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method of manufacturing a humidifier for a fuel cell, in which a moisture permeable membrane and a separator can be unitized before stacking separators.SOLUTION: The method of manufacturing a humidifier 10 for a fuel cell is provided, the humidifier 10 being constituted in such a manner that separators 20 and moisture permeable membranes 23 are alternately stacked and moisture from wet gas derived from a fuel cell 11 humidifies dry gas introduced into the fuel cell 11 through the moisture permeable membrane 23. The moisture permeable membrane 23 is provided in one surface 20a of the separator 20, and a sealing member 40 for preventing dry gas or wet gas from flowing out to the outside is provided in one surface 20a of the separator 20, consequently a separator unit 20u in which the moisture permeable membrane 23 and the sealing member 40 are integrally provided is formed in one surface 20a of the separator 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a humidifier for a fuel cell that humidifies a dry gas introduced into a fuel cell by moisture transferred from a wet gas derived from the fuel cell through a moisture permeable membrane.

  A conventional humidifier includes a moisture permeable membrane filled with resin by injection molding or hot pressing, and a dry gas separator provided so that a dry gas flow path through which the dry gas flows faces one side of the moisture permeable membrane. A wet gas separator provided with a wet gas flow path through which the wet gas flows so as to face the other surface of the moisture permeable membrane. Then, the individual moisture permeable membranes, the dry gas separator, and the wet gas separator are stacked in the order of the dry gas separator, the moisture permeable membrane, the wet gas separator, and the moisture permeable membrane, and then hot-pressed. . By this hot pressing, the resin filled in the moisture permeable membrane is remelted, and the dry gas separator and the wet gas separator are bonded to the moisture permeable membrane at positions corresponding to the seal portion from both sides. In this way, the moisture permeable membrane is integrated with the dry gas separator and the wet gas separator for the first time after being stacked on the dry gas separator and the wet gas separator. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-156099 A

  The individual moisture permeable membranes are integrated with the dry gas separator and the wet gas separator for the first time in a state of being stacked with the dry gas separator and the wet gas separator, so handling of the individual moisture permeable membranes is troublesome. there were. Therefore, it is desired to unitize the moisture permeable membrane and the separator before stacking the separators.

  Then, this invention aims at provision of the manufacturing method of the humidifier for fuel cells which can unitize a moisture permeable film and a separator before stacking a separator.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a method of manufacturing a humidifier for a fuel cell according to the present invention is formed by alternately stacking flat separators and moisture permeable membranes, and abuts against one surface of the moisture permeable membrane. A dry gas flow path through which dry gas introduced into the fuel cell flows is formed on the contact surface of the separator, and the contact surface of the separator that contacts the other surface of the moisture permeable membrane is compared with the dry gas. A wet gas flow path is formed in which the wet gas derived from the fuel cell with high humidity flows, and moisture from the wet gas in the wet gas flow path passes through the moisture permeable membrane and the dry gas in the dry gas flow path A humidifier for a fuel cell is provided, wherein the moisture permeable membrane is provided on one surface of the separator, and the dry gas or the wet gas flows out on one surface of the separator. Provide a sealing member to prevent To form a separator unit integrally provided with the moisture permeable membrane and the seal member on the one surface of the separator, and bring the other surface of the separator unit into contact with one surface of the separator unit. In summary, the separator unit is formed by stacking.

  According to the method for manufacturing a fuel cell humidifier according to the present invention, a moisture permeable membrane is provided on one surface of the separator, and the seal member prevents the dry gas or the wet gas from flowing out to the one surface of the separator. By providing the separator unit, a separator unit in which a moisture permeable membrane and a seal member are integrally provided on one surface of the separator is formed. Thereby, the separator unit in which the moisture permeable membrane and the separator are integrated can be configured before the separators are stacked. Therefore, the moisture permeable membrane and the separator can be unitized before stacking the separators.

It is the schematic which shows the humidifier for fuel cells in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the humidifier for fuel cells typically. It is a front view of a separator. It is a rear view of a separator. It is AA sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 3A. It is a rear view of the separator which provided the seal frame. It is the BB sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 4A. It is a front view of the separator which fixed the moisture-permeable film temporarily. It is CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 5A. It is a front view of a separator unit. It is the DD sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 6A. It is a figure explaining the state which laminated | stacked the separator unit shown to FIG. 6B. It is a front view of the separator unit which provided the positioning guide member. It is a rear view of the separator unit which provided the positioning guide member. It is the EE sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which laminated | stacked the separator unit shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing similar to FIG. 4B which shows another example of a separator unit.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a method for producing a fuel cell humidifier according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The fuel cell humidifier 10 humidifies the cathode gas (reactive gas) introduced into the fuel cell 11 as shown in FIG. The cathode gas is a dry gas that is the air taken in by the compressor 12. The humidifier 10 for the fuel cell humidifies the dry gas introduced into the fuel cell 11 with moisture from the wet gas derived from the fuel cell 11 passing through a moisture permeable membrane (described later). The wet gas derived from the fuel cell 11 is a gas having a higher humidity than the dry gas. As the moisture permeable membrane, an ion exchange resin membrane, an electrolyte membrane, or the like that transmits water molecules but does not transmit gas can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell humidifier 10 stacks separator groups 20g formed by stacking a plurality of separators 20 and sandwiches them between the first end plate 21 and the second end plate 22 in the stacking direction (arrow X direction). It is formed with.

  The first end plate 21 has a dry gas inlet 21a through which dry gas flows and a wet gas outlet 21b through which wet gas flows out. The second end plate 22 has a dry gas outlet 22a through which dry gas flows out toward the fuel cell 11, and a wet gas inlet 22b through which wet gas derived from the fuel cell 11 flows.

  A dry gas flow path 24 through which dry gas flows is formed on one surface 20a of one separator 20, and a wet gas flow path 25 through which wet gas flows is formed on the other surface 20b of the one separator 20. . That is, the dry gas channel 24 and the wet gas channel 25 are provided on the front and back of each separator 20.

  The separator 20 includes a dry gas introduction hole 26 communicating with the dry gas flow path 24, a dry gas outlet hole 27 communicating with the dry gas flow path 24, a wet gas introduction hole 28 communicating with the wet gas flow path 25, and a wetness. A wet gas outlet hole 29 communicating with the gas flow path 25 is formed so as to penetrate in the thickness direction of the separator 20. The moisture permeable membrane 23 is sandwiched between adjacent separators 20, a dry gas channel 24 is configured on one surface 23 a of the moisture permeable membrane 23, and a wet gas channel 25 is configured on the other surface 23 b of the moisture permeable membrane 23. Is formed (shown in FIGS. 7 and 11).

  In the separator group 20g formed by stacking a plurality of separators 20, the dry gas introduction hole 26 of each separator 20 forms a gas manifold 26x that is stacked and communicated in the stacking direction (arrow X direction) of the separators 20. . The dry gas outlet hole 27 of each separator 20 forms a gas manifold 27x that is stacked and communicated in the stacking direction (arrow X direction).

  The wet gas introduction hole 28 of each separator 20 forms a gas manifold 28x which is overlapped and communicated in the stacking direction (arrow X direction). The wet gas lead-out holes 29 of each separator 20 form a gas manifold 29x that is overlapped and communicated in the stacking direction (arrow X direction).

  The gas manifold 26x is connected to the dry gas inlet 21a, the gas manifold 27x is connected to the dry gas outlet 22a, the gas manifold 28x is connected to the wet gas inlet 22b, and the gas manifold 29x is connected to the wet gas outlet 21b. Is done.

  FIG. 3A shows one surface 20a of the separator 20 on which the dry gas passage 24 is formed. As shown in FIG. 3A, the separator 20 has a flat plate shape, and a dry gas introduction hole 26 and a dry gas outlet hole 27 communicate with the dry gas flow path 24 at diagonal corners facing each other. The separator 20 is formed so as to penetrate in the thickness direction. The separator 20 is made of, for example, SUS (stainless steel).

  A plurality of fins 30 are formed in the dry gas flow path 24 to guide the dry gas while diffusing from the dry gas introduction hole 26 toward the dry gas outlet hole 27. The moisture permeable membrane 23 is attached to the plurality of fins 30 as shown in FIG. 5A. The separator 20 has a known sealing structure so that the wet gas introduction hole 28 does not communicate with the dry gas flow path 24. Similarly, the separator 20 has a known sealing structure so that the wet gas outlet hole 29 does not communicate with the dry gas flow path 24.

  Accordingly, the dry gas reaches the dry gas flow path 24 from the dry gas introduction hole 26. Further, the dry gas flows toward the dry gas outlet hole 27 while being humidified by the moisture permeable film 23 described later in the dry gas passage 24, and is led out to the dry gas outlet hole 27. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3C, an attachment portion 41 to which a moisture permeable membrane 23 and a seal member 40 (described later) are attached is provided on one surface 20a of the separator 20.

  FIG. 3B shows the other surface 20b of the separator 20 in which the wet gas flow path 25 is formed. As shown in FIG. 3B, in the flat separator 20, wet gas introduction holes 28 and wet gas outlet holes 29 are communicated with the wet gas flow path 25 at diagonal corners facing each other. It is formed so as to penetrate in the thickness direction.

  A plurality of fins 31 are formed in the wet gas channel 25 to guide the wet gas while diffusing from the wet gas introduction hole 28 toward the wet gas outlet hole 29. The separator 20 has a known sealing structure so that the dry gas introduction hole 26 does not communicate with the wet gas flow path 25. Similarly, the separator 20 has a known sealing structure so that the dry gas outlet hole 27 does not communicate with the wet gas flow path 25.

  Accordingly, the wet gas reaches the wet gas flow path 25 from the wet gas introduction hole 28. Further, the wet gas flows toward the wet gas outlet hole 29 while being absorbed by the moisture permeable film 23 in the wet gas flow path 25, and is guided to the wet gas outlet hole 29.

  An attachment portion 51 to which a seal frame 50 (described later) is attached is provided on the other surface 20a of the separator 20 as required, as shown in FIG. 3C. In addition, the seal frame 50 ensures the sealing performance in the other surface 20b of the separator 20 as needed. Therefore, when the sealing performance on the other surface 20b of the separator 20 can be ensured, it is not necessary to provide the seal frame 50 and the mounting portion 51.

  A method of manufacturing the fuel cell humidifier 10 that forms the separator unit 20u from such a separator 20 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 4A, the separator 20 has a structure in which a seal frame 50 is provided on the other surface 20b of the separator 20, as shown in FIG. 4A, and the seal frame 50 fits into the mounting portion 51 as shown in FIG. 4B. The seal frame 50 is for ensuring a sealing property. For example, a resin such as PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) can be used as a material, and can be provided by being fitted to the attachment portion 51 by thermocompression bonding or the like.

  The seal frame 50 is as shown in FIG. 4A. It has the outer wall part 50a, the partition part 50b, and the partition part 50c. The outer wall portion 50a is provided along the entire outer edge of the other surface 20b of the separator 20, and prevents the wet gas flowing through the wet gas passage 25 from flowing out. The partition wall portion 50 b is provided so as to surround the periphery of the dry gas introduction hole 26, and prevents the dry gas from flowing out from the dry gas introduction hole 26 into the wet gas channel 25. The partition wall 50 c is provided so as to surround the periphery of the dry gas outlet hole 27, and prevents the dry gas from flowing out of the dry gas outlet hole 27 into the wet gas flow path 25.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5A, a moisture permeable film 23 is disposed on one surface 20 a of the separator 20. The moisture permeable membrane 23 has an area smaller than one area of the separator 20 as shown in FIG. 5A, and is disposed on the mounting portions 41 on the plurality of fins 30 as shown in FIG. 5B. The moisture permeable membrane 23 is temporarily fixed to the attachment portion 41. The moisture permeable film 23 may be integrated with the separator 20, that is, the plurality of fins 30 by thermocompression bonding or the like instead of temporary fixing.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6A, the seal member 40 is attached to the attachment portion 41 of the one surface 20 a of the separator 20. Attachment of the seal member 40 to the attachment portion 41 can be performed by injection molding, thermocompression bonding, or the like.

  The sealing member 40 is made of, for example, fluoro rubber, and has an outer wall portion 40a, a partition wall portion 40b, and a joint portion 40d that extends to the partition wall portion 40c. The outer wall portion 40a is provided along the entire outer edge of the one surface 20a of the separator 20, and prevents the drying gas flowing through the drying gas passage 24 from flowing out. The partition wall 40 b is provided so as to surround the periphery of the wet gas introduction hole 28, and prevents the wet gas from flowing out from the wet gas introduction hole 28 into the dry gas flow path 24. The partition wall 40 c is provided so as to surround the periphery of the wet gas outlet hole 29, and prevents the wet gas from flowing out from the wet gas outlet hole 29 to the dry gas flow path 24.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the joint portion 40 d of the seal member 40 joins the moisture permeable film 23 to one surface 20 a of the separator 20, specifically, to the plurality of fins 30. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, by providing the seal member 40, the separator unit 20u in which the moisture permeable film 23 and the seal member 40 are integrally provided on one surface 20a of the separator 20 is formed. be able to.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the other surface 20ub of another separator unit 20u is brought into contact with one surface 20ua of the separator unit 20u, and the separator units 20u are stacked to form a separator unit group 20ug. The battery humidifier 10 can be formed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the separator unit group 20ug, the flat separators 20 and the moisture permeable membranes 23 are alternately stacked, and the contact surface of the separator 20 that contacts the one surface 23a of the moisture permeable membrane 23 (one of the surfaces). A dry gas passage 24 through which a dry gas introduced into the fuel cell 11 flows is formed on the surface 20a.

  Moisture in which the wet gas derived from the fuel cell 11 is higher in humidity than the dry gas and flows on the contact surface (the other surface 20b corresponds) of the separator 20 that contacts the other surface 23b of the moisture permeable membrane 23. A gas flow path 25 is formed. Thus, the fuel cell humidifier 10 can be formed in which moisture from the wet gas in the wet gas passage 25 passes through the moisture permeable membrane 23 and humidifies the dry gas in the dry gas passage 24.

  An example in which the separator unit 20u can be positioned relative to each other when the other surface 20ub of another separator unit 20u is brought into contact with one surface 20ua of the separator unit 20u and the separator units 20u are stacked is shown in FIGS. This will be explained based on. A pair of positioning guide members 60 fitted to each other is constituted by guide protrusions 60a and guide holes 60b.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, for example, two guide protrusions 60 a are provided on one surface 20 ua of the separator unit 20 u, specifically on the seal member 40. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, two guide holes 60 b are provided in the other surface 20 ub of the separator unit 20 u, specifically, in the seal frame 50. The guide protrusion 60 a can be formed by a method similar to that for the seal member 40. Further, the guide hole 60b can be formed by the same method as the formation of the seal frame 50. In the positioning guide member 60, the guide protrusion 60a can be provided on the other surface 20ub of the separator unit 20u, and the guide hole 60b can be provided on the one surface 20ua of the separator unit 20u.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the separator unit 20u provided with the positioning guide member 60 is positioned relative to the separator unit 20u by fitting the guide protrusion 60a into the guide hole 60b of the target separator unit 20u. The separator units 20u positioned by the positioning guide member 60 can be stacked with high accuracy, and the shape of the separator unit group 20ug is easy.

  Next, an example in which a positioning guide member 61 similar to the positioning guide member 60 described above is formed in the separator unit 20u that does not include the seal frame 50 will be described with reference to FIG. As with the positioning guide member 60, the positioning guide member 61 is composed of guide protrusions 61a and guide holes 61b. Two guide protrusions 61a are provided on the seal member 40 in the same manner as the guide protrusion 60a. As shown in FIG. 12, two guide holes 61b are provided on the other surface 20ub of the separator unit 20u. The guide protrusion 61 a can be formed by a method similar to that for the seal member 40. Further, the guide hole 61b can be formed by a method similar to the formation of the separator 20. The operation of the positioning guide member 61 is the same as that of the positioning guide member 60.

  In addition, although the example which provided the moisture permeable film 23 and the sealing member 40 in the one surface 20a of the separator 20 and formed the dry gas flow path 24 was demonstrated, it replaced with this and the moisture permeable film 23 and the sealing member were demonstrated. It is also possible to provide the wet gas passage 25 on one surface 20a of the separator 20 provided with 40.

  Although the example which used SUS (stainless steel) for the separator 20 was demonstrated, not only this but resin, for example, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PPA (polyphthalamide), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), PES (polyethersulfur) Phon), LCP (liquid crystal polymer), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, EPDM (ethylene propylene rubber), or the like can also be used. Moreover, although the example of PPS was demonstrated for the seal frame 50, said resin can be used similarly to the separator 20. FIG.

  In addition to SUS, metals such as aluminum, titanium, and the like can be used for the separator 20, and a carbon material, a carbon-resin composite material, and the like can be used in addition to a resin and a metal material.

  Although the example using fluorine rubber as the seal member 40 has been described, other seal materials such as silicone rubber, EPDM, NBR, fluorosilicone rubber, butyl rubber, natural rubber, styrene rubber, chloroprene or acrylic rubber, cushion material, or A packing material is used.

  As described above, according to the method for manufacturing a fuel cell humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention, the planar separators 20 and the moisture permeable membranes 23 are alternately stacked, and one surface of the moisture permeable membrane 23 is formed. A dry gas flow path 24 through which the dry gas introduced into the fuel cell 11 flows is formed on the contact surface (one surface 20a) of the separator 20 that contacts the 23a, and the separator contacts the other surface 23b of the moisture permeable membrane 23. A wet gas passage 25 is formed on the contact surface (the other surface 20b) of the wet gas passage 25. The wet gas passage 25 has a higher humidity than the dry gas and flows through the wet gas derived from the fuel cell 11. Is a method of manufacturing the humidifier 10 for a fuel cell in which the moisture from the moisture passes through the moisture permeable membrane 23 and humidifies the dry gas in the drying gas passage 24, and the moisture permeable membrane 23 is provided on one surface 20 a of the separator 20. One side of separator 20 A separator unit 20u in which the moisture permeable membrane 23 and the seal member 40 are integrally provided on one surface 20a of the separator 20 is provided by providing the seal member 40 that prevents the dry gas or the wet gas from flowing out to 0a. It is formed by stacking the separator units 20u by bringing the other surface 20ub of the separator unit 20u into contact with one surface 20ua of the separator unit 20u. To do. Accordingly, the moisture permeable membrane 23 is provided on one surface 20a of the separator 20, and the seal member 40 is provided on the one surface 20a of the separator 20 to prevent the dry gas or the wet gas from flowing out. The separator unit 20u in which the moisture permeable membrane 23 and the seal member 40 are integrally provided on the one surface 20a can be formed. Therefore, the separator unit 20u in which the moisture permeable membrane 23 and the separator 20 are integrated can be configured before the separators 20 are stacked. Therefore, the moisture permeable membrane 23 and the separator 20 can be unitized before the separators 20 are stacked.

  As described above, according to the method for manufacturing the fuel cell humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention, the separator unit 20u is stacked on the one surface 20ua of the separator unit 20u and the other surface 20ub of the separator unit 20u. A pair of positioning guide members 60 capable of positioning are provided, and the separator units 20u are stacked. Thereby, since the separator units 20u can be positioned with respect to each other, the separator units 20u can be stacked with high accuracy, and the shape of the separator unit group 20ug becomes easy.

  As described above, according to the method for manufacturing the fuel cell humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention, the positioning guide members 60 and 61 are formed on the seal member 40. Thereby, the positioning guide members 60 and 61 can be provided using the seal member 40.

  As described above, according to the method for manufacturing the fuel cell humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention, the dry gas flow path 24 is formed on the one surface 20 ua of the separator unit 20 u and the dry gas flow path 24 is formed on the seal member 40. Partition walls 40b and 40c that prevent the wet gas from flowing out are formed. The partition portions 40b and 40c can enhance the prevention of the inflow of the wet gas into the dry gas passage 24, and can prevent the impurities from being mixed into the fuel cell 11.

  As described above, according to the method for manufacturing the fuel cell humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention, the seal frame 50 that prevents the dry gas or the wet gas from flowing out to the outside of the other surface 20ub of the separator unit 20u is provided. Provide. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent the dry gas or the wet gas from flowing out from the other surface 20ub of the separator unit 20u.

  As described above, according to the method for manufacturing the fuel cell humidifier according to the embodiment of the present invention, the partition walls 50 b and 50 c that prevent the dry gas from flowing into the wet gas flow path 25 are formed in the seal frame 50. Is done. Thereby, it is possible to reliably prevent the dry gas from flowing out into the wet gas passage 25.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of embodiments, it is obvious that the characteristic portions of each embodiment can be appropriately combined unless otherwise specified.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Fuel cell humidifier 11 ... Fuel cell 20 ... Separator 20u ... Separator unit 23 ... Moisture permeable membrane 24 ... Dry gas channel 25 ... Wet gas channel 40 ... Seal member 40b, 40c ... Partition part 50 ... Seal frame 50b , 50c: partition wall portions 60, 61: positioning guide members.

Claims (6)

A dry gas flow path is formed by alternately stacking flat separators and moisture permeable membranes, and a dry gas introduced into the fuel cell flows into the contact surface of the separator that contacts one surface of the moisture permeable membrane. A wet gas flow path is formed on the contact surface of the separator formed and in contact with the other surface of the moisture permeable membrane. The wet gas flow path has a higher humidity than the dry gas and the wet gas derived from the fuel cell flows. A method of manufacturing a humidifier for a fuel cell, wherein moisture from the wet gas in the wet gas channel passes through the moisture permeable membrane and humidifies the dry gas in the dry gas channel,
The one side of the separator is provided with the moisture permeable membrane, and the one side of the separator is provided with a seal member that prevents the dry gas or the wet gas from flowing out. Forming a separator unit integrally provided with the moisture permeable membrane and the seal member on a surface;
A method of manufacturing a humidifier for a fuel cell, which is formed by stacking the separator units by bringing the other surface of the separator units into contact with one surface of the separator unit.   The pair of positioning guide members capable of positioning when the separator units are stacked are provided on the one surface of the separator unit and the other surface of the separator unit, and the separator units are stacked. Manufacturing method of humidifier for fuel cell.   The method for manufacturing a fuel cell humidifier according to claim 2, wherein the positioning guide member is formed on the seal member.   The dry gas flow path is formed on the one surface of the separator unit, and a partition wall portion for preventing the wet gas from flowing into the dry gas flow path is formed on the seal member. The manufacturing method of the humidifier for fuel cells of any one of Claims 1.   The method for manufacturing a fuel cell humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a seal frame for preventing the dry gas or the wet gas from flowing out to the outside is provided on the other surface of the separator unit. .   The method for manufacturing a humidifier for a fuel cell according to claim 5, wherein a partition wall portion that prevents the wet gas from flowing into the wet gas flow path is formed in the seal frame.

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