JP3429661B2 - Polymer electrolyte fuel cell - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell used in, for example, an electric vehicle or the like, which uses an electrochemical reaction to generate electric power.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a fuel cell, a pair of electrodes are opposed to each other through an electrolyte, and a fuel is supplied to one electrode (anode) and an oxidant is supplied to the other electrode (cathode) so that the fuel It is a device that directly converts chemical energy into electrical energy by electrochemically reacting oxidation in a battery. There are several types of this fuel cell depending on the electrolyte, but in recent years, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using a solid polymer electrolyte membrane as an electrolyte has been attracting attention as a fuel cell that can obtain high output. In this polymer electrolyte fuel cell, when hydrogen gas as a fuel is supplied to the anode and oxygen gas as an oxidant is supplied to the cathode and current is taken out by an external circuit, the reaction of the formula (1) occurs at the anode. And the reaction of formula (2) occurs at the cathode. _{^{H 2 → 2H + + 2e -}} ··· formula ^{(1) 2H + + 2e -} + 1 / 2O 2 → H 2 O ··· formula (2)

At this time, hydrogen becomes a proton on the anode, moves along with water in the solid polymer electrolyte membrane to the cathode, and reacts with oxygen at the cathode to generate water. Therefore, in order to operate such a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, it is necessary to supply and discharge a reaction gas and take out an electric current. Particularly in solid polymer fuel cells, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane exhibits ionic conductivity almost in proportion to the content of water, and the content of water is proportional to the relative humidity in the gas phase. It is necessary to sufficiently humidify the gas. On the other hand, since the operating temperature is lower than the boiling point of water, the water generated at the cathode may become droplets and impede the diffusion of gas to the electrode. Become.

Therefore, in order to satisfy the conditions required for the polymer electrolyte fuel cell as described above, various attempts have been made. First, as a water supply method, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-3
As described in Japanese Patent No. 38338 (conventional example 1), a method has been proposed in which a water channel is provided adjacent to a gas channel and water is directly supplied from the water channel. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a gas flow path in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell of Conventional Example 1. In FIG. 10, the cathode 3 and the anode 4 are arranged so as to face each other via the electrolyte body 5 made of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane in a proton conductive manner, and the unit cell 10 is provided.
Is configured. The gas separator plates 1 and 2 made of a porous carbon material allow the water to pass through and the unit cell 10
Are arranged so as to face each other. On the gas separator plate 1, an oxidant gas flow channel 11 for supplying an oxidant gas such as oxygen gas to the cathode 3 is formed in a groove shape. Further, in the gas separator plate 2, a fuel gas channel 1 for supplying a fuel gas such as hydrogen gas to the anode 4 is provided.
2 is formed in a groove shape. Furthermore, each water channel 1
Separator plates 6, 7 having 3, 14 are arranged outside the gas separator plates 1, 2.

The operation of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell of Conventional Example 1 will be described below. Oxygen gas is the oxidant gas flow path 1
1, and hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel gas passage 12. At this time, when the cathode 3 and the anode 4 are electrically connected externally, the reaction of the formula (1) occurs on the cathode 3 side and the reaction of the formula (2) occurs on the anode 4 side. In order for this reaction to be established, it is necessary that the electrolyte body 5 contains water. However, the water flowing through the water flow paths 13 and 14 permeates the gas separator plates 1 and 2 and the cathode 3 and the anode. By reaching 4 through 4, the electrolyte body 5 is kept wet.

As another water supply method, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-1
There is a water supply method described in Japanese Patent No. 82052 (conventional example 2). In the polymer electrolyte fuel cell of Conventional Example 2, as shown in FIG. 11, a hydrophobic gas diffusion layer 8 is inserted between the anode 4 and the gas separator plate 2 and diffused in the gas diffusion layer 8. A plurality of hydrophilic portions 9 penetrating the layer are arranged in a dispersed manner, and communication passages 15 are scattered in a part of the gas separator plate 2 so that water directly contacts the respective hydrophilic portions 9. Then, the water flowing through the water flow passage 14 is connected to the communication passage 15,
By reaching the electrolyte body 5 through the hydrophilic portion 9 and the anode 4, the electrolyte body 5 is kept wet. Still another water supply method is disclosed in JP-A-7-14597.
As described in Japanese Patent Publication (Prior Art 3), there is proposed a water supply method in which minute water droplets are jetted into a gas.

On the other hand, regarding the method of discharging water at the cathode 3, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-205763 (Prior Art 4), the shape of the gas flow path is devised to discharge water. Attempts have been proposed. FIG. 12 shows Conventional Example 4
FIG. 3 is a top view showing a gas separator plate in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell of FIG. In FIG. 12, the gas separator plate 1
Electrode supporting portion 21 supporting the cathode 3 on the main surface 20 of the
The oxidant gas flow channel 11 is formed in a bellows shape.
A fluid supply port 22 for supplying a fluid is formed at a position outside the electrode supporting portion 21 of the gas separator plate 1, and a fluid discharge port 25 for discharging a fluid is outside the electrode supporting portion 21 of the gas separator plate 1. Is formed in. Further, the fluid inlet 23 is connected to the fluid supply port 22 and the oxidant gas flow path 1
1 is formed on the main surface 20 of the gas separator plate 1 so as to communicate with one end of the gas separator plate 1, and the fluid outlet 24 of the gas separator plate 1 is communicated with the fluid discharge port 25 and the other end of the oxidant gas flow channel 11. Formed on main surface 20. By forming the oxidant gas flow channel 11 in a bellows shape, the gas separator plate 1 is made longer than the vertical and horizontal dimensions, and the gas flow velocity is increased to thin the boundary film, thereby promoting the diffusion of gas required for the reaction. In addition, the water generated at the cathode 3 is efficiently discharged. The gas separator plate 2 has the same structure.

The operation of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell of Conventional Example 4 will now be described. The oxygen gas supplied from the fluid supply port 22 of the gas separator plate 1 is guided to the oxidant gas flow path 11 through the fluid inlet 23 and supplied to the cathode 3. On the other hand, the hydrogen gas containing water is guided to the fuel gas flow path 12 and supplied to the anode 4 similarly to the oxygen gas. Since the cathode 3 and the anode 4 are electrically connected to the outside, the reaction of the formula (2) occurs on the cathode 3 side, and the unreacted gas is discharged from the fluid outlet 24 through the oxidant gas flow path 11. It is discharged to the outlet 25. At this time, since the flow velocity of the unreacted gas is high, liquid water is also discharged at the same time.

Further, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-138692 (Prior Art 5), the flow passage surface of gas is made hydrophilic, and the flow passage direction is inclined vertically downward to utilize gravity. A method of discharging water has been proposed.

[0010]

However, the conventional examples 1 and 2
In the case of, the problem of consuming extra power for supplying water and the need to install extra fluid pipes in accordance with the number of laminated layers cannot reduce the size and weight of the device. At the same time, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to adjust the optimum amount of water. Furthermore, when water is supplied to the fuel gas, the amount of water that moves from the anode 4 to the cathode 3 increases, so that it is more difficult to discharge water at the cathode 3. Further, in the case of Conventional Example 3, the optimum amount of water can be given as a total amount by reducing the amount of water, but the flow of gas is reduced because a large amount of water is given upstream of the gas flow path in the cell. There is a problem that the characteristics become insufficient, or conversely, water becomes insufficient on the downstream side, resistance increases and the characteristics deteriorate. Further, in the case of Conventional Example 4, the characteristics are improved by forming the gas flow path in a bellows shape, but there is a problem that complicated processing is required and cost is increased. Also,
In the case of the conventional example 5, the water drainage at the end of the gas flow path becomes worse, and water accumulates unless a gas flow velocity above a certain level is applied, but since it becomes a plurality of parallel flow paths that simply cross the cell plane. However, there is a problem in that the flow velocity of the gas decreases and the flow rate distribution between the flow paths may be biased depending on the amount of water at the end.

Further, when a liquid fuel that is easy to handle is used as the fuel, for example, when methanol is used, it is reacted with water in the reformer to generate hydrogen by the reaction of the formula (3), and hydrogen is produced. May generate electricity.
In that case, carbon monoxide is generated as a by-product due to the shift reaction represented by the formula (4). The generated carbon monoxide poisons the electrodes of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell and causes deterioration of the characteristics.
It is supplied to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell after being reduced to a concentration of 0 ppm. CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O → 3H ₂ + CO ₂・ ・ ・ Equation (3) H ₂ + CO ₂ ⇔ H ₂ O + CO ・ ・ ・ Equation (4) However, in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell, hydrogen is produced as the reaction progresses. Therefore, in the downstream of the gas flow path, the concentration of carbon monoxide increases, poisoning proceeds, the current is biased to the upstream side, and the overall characteristics deteriorate.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to obtain a high voltage / high output solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell which is small in size, light in weight and can be mass-produced.

[0013]

Means for Solving the Problems A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention includes a unit cell arranged an electrode having a gas diffusion property and electronic conductivity to the surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, oxide
Containing gas flow passage is provided with gas flow channel plate and a fuel gas flow passage is provided <br/> gas flow channel plate in the solid polymer fuel cell comprising a laminated body formed by laminating multiple , The above oxidant gas flow
Gas passage plate provided with a passage and the fuel gas passage
At least one of the stripped gas channel plates
The gas in which a plurality of grooves, said plurality of grooves commonly communicating
One split gas flow path consisting of a supply port and a gas exhaust port
The divided gas flow is provided in the gas flow path plate.
Road is more equipped, gas outlet of the divided gas flow passage of the one and, the gas supply port of the other divided gas flow passage provided in the gas flow channel plate and is, the gas flow passage plate outside the flow path Connected in series via the oxidant gas flow path and the fuel gas flow path
Of at least one of the gas passages is formed . Further, the oxidant gas flow channel and the fuel gas flow channel
Gas flow direction is one that is configured to be all forward against the force of gravity on the gas flow channel plate.

Humidity adjusting means for adjusting the humidity of the gas is provided in the common flow path.

The humidity adjusting means adjusts the humidity of the oxidant gas and the fuel gas by transferring moisture between the oxidant gas and the fuel gas.

Further, a CO removing means is provided in the common flow path so as to reduce the CO concentration in the fuel gas.

Further, in the CO removing means, electrodes having gas diffusivity and electron conductivity are arranged on both sides of the water-permeable solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and the electrodes are periodically short-circuited by a switch. And an oxidizer discharged from the oxidant gas flow path to one electrode part of the electrochemical device. Gas is flowed, and fuel gas is flown to the other electrode part to transfer water between the oxidant gas and the fuel gas, and at the same time, the switch periodically pulses between both electrodes of the electrochemical device. In this way, the carbon dioxide in the fuel gas is selectively oxidized and removed by short-circuiting in a fixed manner.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1. 1 is a plan view showing a separator plate applied to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the oxidant gas flow channel 31 is a separator plate 30 made of hard carbon as a gas flow channel plate.
The first, second, and third divided gas flow passages 31a, 3a, 3
It is divided into three parts 1b and 31c. The first divided gas flow path 31a has a width of 28 mm and a length of 170 mm, for example.
In this region, 20 grooves having a width of 1.2 mm and a depth of 1 mm are formed at equal intervals. All the flow paths are straight lines. Second and third split gas flow paths 31
b and 31c are similarly configured. Then, by stacking this separator plate 30 on the unit cells, the first, second and third divided gas flow paths 31a, 31b, 31 are formed.
The 150 mm square oxidant gas flow channel 31 is configured by combining the three divided gas flow channels c. Air supply port 33a,
33b and 33c are formed in the separator plate 30 so as to be separated from each other and connected to one ends of the first, second and third divided gas flow paths 31a, 31b and 31c, respectively. In addition, the air discharge ports 34a, 34b, 34c are separated from each other so that the first, second and third divided gas flow paths 31 are formed.
The separator plate 30 is perforated so as to be connected to the other ends of a, 31b, and 31c, respectively. Fuel supply port 37a,
37b and 37c are separated from each other to separate the separator plate 30.
Is formed at the edge of one side on the side of the first divided gas flow path 31a. Further, the fuel supply ports 38 a, 38 b, 38 c are separated from each other so that the third divided gas flow path 3 of the separator plate 30 is separated.
It is provided at the edge of one side on the 1c side.

A region where the fuel gas passage 32 contacts the anode 4 on the other surface of the separator plate 30 (gas passage portion)
In addition, the first, second and third divided gas flow passages 32a, 32b, 32 are arranged so as to be orthogonal to the oxidant gas flow passage 31.
It is provided by being divided into three parts. And the first and second
And one ends of the third divided gas flow paths 32a, 32b, 32c are connected to the fuel supply ports 37a, 37b, 37c, respectively, and the other ends are respectively connected to the fuel discharge ports 38a, 38b, 38c.
Are linked to. Then, the first divided gas flow channel 32a
Is, for example, in a region with a width of 28 mm and a length of 170 mm,
Twenty grooves having a width of 1.2 mm and a depth of 1 mm are formed at equal intervals. All the flow paths are straight lines. The second and third divided gas flow passages 32b and 32c are similarly configured. Then, by stacking this separator plate 30 on the unit cell, the first, second and third cells are formed.
The 150 mm square fuel gas flow channel 32 is configured by combining the three divided gas flow channels 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c. In addition, the cooling water supply port 39 is the air discharge port 3
4a, 34b, 34c and the side and the fuel outlet 38
a, 38b, and 38c are provided at the corners of the sides where the a, 38b, and 38c are provided, and the cooling water discharge port 40 is provided with the air supply ports 33a and 33b.
The side provided with 33c and the fuel supply ports 37a, 37b, 3
7c is provided at the corner with the side where the 7c is provided. The separator plate 30 is arranged such that the cooling water discharge port 40 is on the upper side and the cooling water supply port 39 is on the lower side, and the oxidant gas flow channel 31 has an inclination of 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane.
At this time, the fuel gas flow channel 32 is orthogonal to the oxidant gas flow channel 31, and similarly has an inclination of 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane.

2 and 3 are diagrams schematically showing the air flow in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, a plurality of unit cells 10, separators 30, cooling plates are shown. The description of a collector plate, a current collector plate, etc. is omitted, and they are collectively shown in one separator plate 30. On the surface of the polycarbonate insulating plate 44 that contacts the separator plate 30, the air discharge port 34b and the air supply port 33c of the separator plate 30 are provided.
A common channel 47 outside the unit cell that linearly communicates with and is provided. Further, on the surface of the insulating plate 44 that does not contact the separator plate 30, the fuel discharge port 38b and the fuel supply port 37c of the separator plate 30 are inserted through the through holes formed in the insulating plate 44.
A common channel 49 outside the unit cell that linearly communicates with and is provided. Further, the insulating plate 44 includes the separator plate 30.
Of the through hole 4 at a position facing the air supply port 33a, the fuel supply port 37a, the cooling water supply port 39, and the cooling water discharge port 40 of
4a, 44b, 44c and 44d are provided. On the other hand, the separator plate 3 of the insulating plate 45 made of polycarbonate
The air outlet 34 of the separator plate 30 is provided on the surface in contact with 0.
A common flow path 46 outside the unit cell is provided that linearly connects a with the air supply port 33b. In addition, on the surface of the insulating plate 45 that does not contact the separator plate 30, the fuel discharge port 38 of the separator plate 30 is inserted through a through hole formed in the insulating plate 45.
A common channel 48 outside the unit cell is provided which linearly connects the fuel supply port 37a with the fuel supply port 37b. Further, the insulating plate 45 is provided with through holes 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d at positions facing the air discharge port 34c, the fuel discharge port 38c, the cooling water supply port 39 and the cooling water discharge port 40 of the separator plate 30. Has been done. Through holes 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d are formed in the titanium holding plate 42 at positions facing the air supply port 33a, the fuel supply port 37a, the cooling water supply port 39 and the cooling water discharge port 40 of the separator plate 30. It is set up. In addition, the separator plate 3 is attached to the titanium holding plate 43.
Through holes 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d are formed at positions facing the zero air discharge port 34c, the fuel discharge port 38c, the cooling water supply port 39, and the cooling water discharge port 40.

The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack 41 according to the first embodiment is arranged so that the cathode 3 and the anode 4 face each other with the proton conductive solid polymer electrolyte membrane 5 interposed therebetween. Unit cell 10 and separator plate 3 configured
0 and a plurality of layers are alternately stacked and laminated, and insulating plates 44 and 45 are arranged at both ends thereof via a current collecting plate (not shown) for current extraction. Four
5, the pressing plates 42 and 43 are fastened and integrated with each other. Then, this laminated body 41 has 20
The single cells 10 are stacked with the separator plate 30 interposed therebetween, and the cooling water discharge port 40 is on the upper side and the cooling water supply port 39 is on the lower side with the stacking direction of the single cells 10 and the separator plate 30 being horizontal. Are arranged as follows. The surface of the separator plate 30 arranged at one end in contact with the insulating plate 44 is
The fuel gas flow channel 32 is not provided and is formed on a flat surface, and the surface of the separator plate 30 arranged at the other end that is in contact with the insulating plate 45 is not provided with the fuel gas flow channel 32 and is formed on a flat surface. There is. Although not shown, cooling plates are also provided at appropriate intervals.

In the laminated body 41 constructed in this way, the discharge side of the first divided gas passages 31a, 32a and the supply side of the second divided gas passages 31b, 32b are the common passages 46 outside the unit cell. , 48, and the second split gas flow path 31b,
The discharge side of 32b and the supply side of the third divided gas passages 31c, 32c are communicated with each other through common passages 47, 49 outside the unit cell, and the first, second and third divided gas passages 31a to 31c, 32 are provided.
a to 32c are respectively connected in series to form a gas flow path of air as an oxidant gas and hydrogen as a fuel gas. The stacking method of the stacked body 41 is horizontal, and the first, second and third divided gas channels 31a to 31c of the oxidant gas channel 31 and the first and second of the fuel gas channel 32 are the same.
Also, the flow directions of the gas flowing through the third divided gas flow paths 32a to 32c are all orthogonal to each other at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the gravity direction.

Next, the operation will be described. Air as the oxidant gas is humidified and supplied to the laminated body 41 through the through holes 42a and 44a of the holding plate 42 and the insulating plate 44. Then, the air is guided to the air supply port 33a of each separator plate 30, passes through each first divided gas flow path 31a, and reaches the air discharge port 34a. The air that has reached the air discharge port 34a of each separator plate 30 passes through the common flow path 46 outside the unit cell provided in the insulating plate 45, and each separator plate 30
Of the second divided gas flow path 31
It reaches the air discharge port 34b through b. Then, the air that has reached the air discharge port 34b of each separator plate 30 is guided to the air supply port 33c of each separator plate 30 through the common passage 47 outside the unit cell provided in the insulating plate 44, and each third air.
It reaches the air discharge port 34c through the divided gas passage 31c.
After that, the air that has reached the air outlet 34 c of each separator plate 30 passes through the through holes 45 of the insulating plate 45 and the holding plate 43.
It is discharged from the laminated body 41 via a and 43a. on the other hand,
Hydrogen as a fuel gas is humidified, and then passes through the through holes 42b and 44b of the holding plate 42 and the insulating plate 44, and the laminated body 41 is formed.
Is supplied to. Then, the hydrogen is introduced into the hydrogen supply port 37a of each separator plate 30, and each first divided gas flow channel 32a.
To reach the hydrogen discharge port 38a. Each separator plate 30
Of the hydrogen that has reached the hydrogen discharge port 38a of each separator plate 30 is guided to the hydrogen supply port 37b of each separator plate 30 through the common flow path 48 outside the unit cell provided in the insulating plate 45, and each second split gas flow path 32b. To reach the hydrogen discharge port 38b. Then, the hydrogen that has reached the hydrogen discharge port 38b of each separator plate 30 is guided to the hydrogen supply port 37c of each separator plate 30 through the common passage 49 provided outside the unit cell provided in the insulating plate 44, and then the third hydrogen. Hydrogen discharge port 38 through the divided gas flow path 32c
to c. After that, the hydrogen discharge port 3 of each separator plate 30
The hydrogen that has reached 8c is discharged from the laminated body 41 through the insulating plate 45 and the through holes 45b and 43b of the holding plate 43. Further, the cooling water is supplied to the cooling water supply port 39 of each separator plate 30 through the through holes 42c and 44c of the holding plate 42 and the insulating plate 44, and flows through each cooling plate to cool the unit cell 10. After that, from the cooling water discharge port 40 of each separator plate 30 to the insulating plate 45 and the through hole 45d of the holding plate 43,
It is configured to be discharged to the outside of the laminated body 41 via 43d.

Here, the laminated body 41 is filled with 100 l / m of air.
In, when hydrogen of 26 l / min is supplied and a current of 110 A is taken out from a current collector (not shown), the stack becomes about 1
An output voltage of 3V was shown. Then, by the fuel cell reaction of the formulas (1) and (2), 0.6 g / min per unit cell 10
Water is generated, and most of it is discharged as water droplets on the cathode side, that is, the oxidant gas flow path 31. At this time, a gas flow path portion in contact with the electrode of the unit cell 10, that is, the first, second and third divided gas flow paths 31a of the oxidant gas flow path 31,
In 31b and 31c and the first, second and third divided gas passages 32a, 32b and 32c of the fuel gas passage 32, the flow velocity of air is about 3.7 m / s and the flow velocity of hydrogen is 1.2 m / s. Due to the inclination of 45 degrees, the water droplets were discharged to the outside of the unit cell due to the gravity, and the output voltage of 13 V could be kept constant. That is, the water droplets flowing out to each of the first divided gas flow channels 32a flow in the air discharge port 34a and are guided to the common flow channel 46. At this time, in the common flow path 46, the flow direction is approximately 30 degrees with respect to the horizontal and is opposite to gravity, so that water collects at the inlet of the common flow path 46. Similarly, the water droplets that have come out to each of the second divided gas flow paths 32b are not discharged to the air outlet 34b.
It flows through the inside, is guided to the common flow path 47, and accumulates at the entrance of the common flow path 47. Therefore, for example, the insulating plates 44 and 45 are arranged so that the inlet portions of the common flow paths 46 and 47 and the outside are communicated with each other.
Also, the pressurizing plates 42, 43 are provided with discharge ports, the discharge ports are closed with a plug, the plug is appropriately removed, and the accumulated water is discharged intermittently to maintain the flowability of the flow path. can do. In addition, the water droplets flowing into the third divided gas passage 32c through the common passages 46 and 47 by the flow of the water droplets or the air flowing out to the respective third divided gas passages 32c are the third divided gas passage 32c. Is discharged to the outside of the laminated body 41 through the through holes 45a and 43a due to the inclination of and the air flow.

As described above, according to the first embodiment,
The first, second and third divided gas flow passages 31a to 31c, 3 forming the oxidant gas flow passage 31 and the fuel gas flow passage 32, respectively.
2a to 32c are common flow paths 46, 47, 4 outside the unit cell.
8 and 49 are respectively connected in series to form a gas flow path for air and hydrogen. Then, the oxidant gas flow path 3
1st 1st, 2nd and 3rd division | segmentation gas flow paths 31a-31c
And the gas flow directions of the first, second and third divided gas flow paths 32a to 32c of the fuel gas flow path 32 are all orthogonal to each other at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the gravity direction. There is. Therefore, by adopting the above-described gas flow channel structure, water droplets generated in the gas flow channel are quickly discharged to the outside of the battery by the force of gravity and the gas flow velocity, and highly efficient power generation can be performed. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a special water drop discharging mechanism, the size and weight of the device can be reduced. Further, by adopting the above-described gas flow channel structure, the flowability of the gas flow channel is maintained and the flow rate distribution between the gas flow channels becomes uniform, so that stable characteristics can be maintained.

In the first embodiment, the separate plate 30 is manufactured by cutting a hard carbon material. However, since the separate plate 30 has a flow path composed of only simple straight lines, expanded graphite is used. Can be manufactured by press molding, press-molding a metal material, or by laminating plates having a straight flow path by continuous pressing, thereby reducing the cost. The peripheral portion of the separator plate 30 forming the supply / discharge ports for gas and water may be made of an elastomer such as Viton. Further, the insulating plates 44, 45 made of polycarbonate can also be manufactured by cutting work or general press molding, and the cost can be reduced.

Although hydrogen is used as the fuel gas in the first embodiment, even if carbon dioxide, which is an impurity, is added to the fuel gas by one third of hydrogen,
The flow of fuel gas was uniformly distributed in each flow path, and stable characteristics could be maintained. Further, when the laminated body 41 according to the first embodiment is arranged so that the flow direction of the air flowing through the oxidant gas flow path 31 is horizontal, some water droplets remain inside the unit cell 10 and the characteristics are poor. Becomes stable and 3
The result was that the stack voltage dropped to about 11V after 0 minutes. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the laminated body 41 is arranged with its laminating direction horizontal.
The stacked body 41 does not necessarily need to be arranged with the stacking direction horizontal, and the oxidant gas flow path 31 and the fuel gas flow path 32
If the flow direction of the gas flowing through is inclined with respect to gravity, the laminated body 41 may be arranged so that the laminated direction is inclined with respect to the horizontal.

Further, in the above-described first embodiment, both the oxidant gas flow channel 31 and the fuel gas flow channel 32 are divided, and the oxidant gas side and the fuel gas side divided gas flow channels are respectively formed. Although it is supposed to connect in series, the common flow path shape of the insulating plate and the pressing plate is changed, and one of the divided gas flow paths on the oxidant gas side and the fuel gas side is connected in series,
Even when the gas was made to flow in parallel in the other divided gas flow path, the result that the decrease in the output voltage was suppressed to an extremely small amount was obtained. Furthermore, the shape of the common flow path of the insulating plate and the holding plate was changed, and air and hydrogen were made to flow in parallel in the divided gas flow paths on the oxidant gas side and the fuel gas side, respectively. It decreased to 0.3 m / s, and the characteristic of 12 V decreased after 24 hours. Furthermore, when carbon dioxide was added to the fuel gas side at a rate of 1/3 of hydrogen, cells showing a negative voltage continued for 10 minutes, and the characteristics deteriorated to 7V.

Embodiment 2. In the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, a humidifying portion for fuel gas and oxidant gas is provided inside the laminated body 41, and a porous humidifying layer having a water supply means is provided in the common channel. 48 and 49, and a dehydration layer is provided in the common flow paths 46 and 47. The humidifying layer and the dehydrating layer constitute humidity adjusting means. Here, FIG. 4 shows flows of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas in the laminated body 41 according to the second embodiment. It should be noted that in FIG. 4, the flow paths of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas are separately shown in the gas passages originally provided on the front and back sides of the separate plate 30 for the sake of easy understanding.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. The operating temperature of this polymer electrolyte fuel cell is 70
℃. First, hydrogen as a fuel gas is humidified to a humidification temperature (dew point) of 65 ° C. in a humidification part and supplied to the first divided gas flow channel 32a, and the dew point is lowered to 55 ° C. to flow from the first divided gas flow channel 32a. Is discharged. First split gas channel 32
The hydrogen discharged from a is humidified by passing through the humidification layer in the common flow channel 48 and adjusted to a dew point of 65 ° C.
It is supplied to the divided gas channel 32b. Then, the hydrogen has a dew point of 5 by flowing through the second divided gas flow channel 32b.
The temperature drops to 5 ° C. and is discharged from the second divided gas flow channel 32b. The hydrogen discharged from the second divided gas passage 32b is humidified by passing through the humidification layer in the common passage 49, adjusted to have a dew point of 65 ° C., and supplied to the third divided gas passage 32c. On the other hand, the air as the oxidant gas is humidified to a humidification temperature (dew point) of 60 ° C. in the humidification section, and the first divided gas flow passage 31
When the liquid droplets are supplied to a and converted into gas, the dew point increases to 75 ° C. and is discharged from the first divided gas flow channel 31a. The air having the increased dew point is dehydrated by passing through the dehydration layer in the common channel 46, adjusted to have a dew point of 60 ° C., and supplied to the second divided gas channel 31b. Then, the air flows through the second divided gas flow passage 31b to increase the dew point to 75 ° C. and is discharged from the second divided gas flow passage 31b. Second
The air discharged from the divided gas flow passage 31b is supplied to the common flow passage 4
It is dehydrated by passing through the dehydration layer at 7, and the dew point is 75 ° C.
And is supplied to the third divided gas passage 31c.

When the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the second embodiment is operated at the same gas supply amount and the same current value as in the first embodiment, the stack voltage is improved to 13.5 V, and the oxidant gas is further increased. Since the amount of water in the flow path 31 was reduced, the characteristics did not deteriorate even after 500 hours of operation.
As described above, according to the second embodiment, the distribution of humidity from the upstream to the downstream of the gas flow path becomes uniform, the characteristics are improved, and highly efficient power generation can be performed.

Embodiment 3. In the third embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a humidifying portion for the oxidant gas is provided inside the laminated body 41 and the air in the first divided gas flow passage 31a is provided. A first water exchange unit 50a is provided between the discharge side and the hydrogen supply side of the first divided gas flow passage 32a, and the air discharge side of the second divided gas flow passage 31b and the hydrogen supply side of the second divided gas flow passage 32b. Between the second water exchange section 50b
Is provided, and the third water exchange unit 5 is provided between the air discharge side of the third divided gas passage 31c and the hydrogen supply side of the third divided gas passage 32c.
0c is set. These first, second and third water exchange parts 50a, 50b and 50c constitute humidity adjusting means. Note that, also in FIG. 5, the flow of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas in the laminated body 41 according to the third embodiment is shown by dividing the gas passages originally on the front and back of the separate plate 30. Here, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd water exchange parts 50a, 50b, and 50c exchange water between air and hydrogen. Second water exchange section 50b
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the common flow channel 47 and the common flow channel 48 are formed so as to sandwich the functional film 51 that allows water to pass therethrough and does not allow gas to pass therethrough. The water is allowed to flow countercurrently through the flow paths 47 and 48, and the moisture contained in the air is moved to the hydrogen side through the functional film 51 to dehydrate the air and humidify the hydrogen. The first and third water exchange parts 50a and 50c are also configured in the same manner.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. The operating temperature of this polymer electrolyte fuel cell is 70
℃. First, the air as the oxidant gas is humidified to a humidification temperature (dew point) of 60 ° C. in the humidifying section and supplied to the first divided gas passage 31a, and the dew point is increased to 75 ° C. to increase the first divided gas passage 31a. And is supplied to the first water exchange unit 50a. When hydrogen as a dry fuel gas is supplied to the first water exchange unit 50a, excess water in the air moves to the hydrogen side through the functional film 51, and the air is dehydrated.
Hydrogen is humidified. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the air has a low dew point while flowing through the first water exchange unit 50a,
The dew point becomes 60 ° C. and is discharged from the first water exchange section 50a,
On the other hand, hydrogen has a dew point of 65 ° C. while flowing through the first water exchange unit 50a and is discharged from the first water exchange unit 50a. Similarly, hydrogen whose dew point is adjusted to 65 ° C. in the first water exchange unit 50a is supplied to the first split gas flow channel 32a,
The dew point is lowered to 55 ° C. and is supplied from the first divided gas flow channel 32a to the second water exchange section 50b. And hydrogen is the second
Water is exchanged with the air discharged from the second split gas passage 31b in the water exchange unit 50b, and the moisture is adjusted to a dew point of 65 ° C. and then supplied to the second split gas passage 32b. Further, the hydrogen supplied to the second divided gas flow passage 32b has a dew point lowered to 55 ° C., and the hydrogen is supplied to the third divided gas flow passage 32b from the third divided gas flow passage 32b.
It is supplied to the water exchange unit 50c. Then, in the third water exchanging section 50c, hydrogen exchanges moisture with the air supplied from the third divided gas passage 31c, and the dew point is adjusted to 65 ° C., and then the third divided gas passage 32c. Is supplied to. On the other hand, the air whose dew point is adjusted to 60 ° C by the first water exchange unit 50a is supplied to the second divided gas flow passage 31b, and the dew point is 75 ° C.
From the second split gas flow path 31b to the second water exchange section 5
0b is supplied. Therefore, the air is the second water exchange section 50b.
After moisture is exchanged with the hydrogen discharged from the first divided gas flow channel 32a, and the dew point is adjusted to 60 ° C.,
It is supplied to the third divided gas passage 31c. Further, the air supplied to the third divided gas passage 31c has a dew point increased to 75 ° C., and the air is supplied from the third divided gas passage 31c to the third water exchange unit 50.
is supplied to c. Then, the air is the third water exchange unit 50c.
At this time, moisture is exchanged with hydrogen supplied from the second divided gas flow channel 32b, the dew point is adjusted to 60 ° C., and the moisture is discharged to the outside of the laminated body 41.

When the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the third embodiment is operated at the same gas supply amount and the same current value as in the first embodiment, the current distribution in each divided section becomes uniform, and the stack voltage is increased. Was increased to 13.5 V and the amount of water in the oxidant gas flow channel 31 was reduced, so that the characteristics were not deteriorated even after 500 hours of operation. Moreover, since the power for humidification could be reduced, the efficiency could be improved by 5%.

Incidentally, the first, second and third water exchange parts 50.
In a, 50b and 50c, the dew point of air is 60 ° C,
Although the dew point of hydrogen is adjusted to 65 ° C., excess water drops remain in the flow path on the air side of the water exchange section. In this case, for example,
It is possible to prevent clogging of the flow channel by providing a water reservoir at the lowermost part of the flow channel on the air side in the gravity direction and intermittently draining the water accumulated in the water reservoir.

Fourth Embodiment In this Embodiment 4, it replaces with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd water exchange parts 50a, 50b, 50c, and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd water exchange CO remover 60.
The configuration is similar to that of the third embodiment except that a, 60b, and 60c are used. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, a humidifying portion for the oxidant gas is provided inside the laminated body 41,
The first water exchange CO remover 6 is provided between the air discharge side of the first divided gas passage 31a and the hydrogen supply side of the first divided gas passage 32a.
0a is provided, a second water exchange CO remover 60b is provided between the air discharge side of the second divided gas passage 31b and the hydrogen supply side of the second divided gas passage 32b, and the second divided gas passage 31c is provided. A third water exchange CO remover 60c is provided between the air discharge side and the hydrogen supply side of the third divided gas passage 32c. These first, second and third water exchange CO removers 50a, 50
b and 50c constitute CO removing means. Note that FIG.
In FIG. 8 also, the flow of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas in the laminated body 41 according to the fourth embodiment is shown separately for the gas flow passages originally on the front and back sides of the separate plate 30. Here, the first, second and third water exchange CO removers 60a, 6
0b and 60c remove CO contained in hydrogen and transfer water between air and hydrogen. Taking the second water exchange CO remover 60b as an example, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
An electrode 63 composed of a tRu alloy-supported catalyst is formed on both sides of an ion exchange membrane 61 such as Nafion 115 (registered trademark of DuPont) which is a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a transistor switch 64 as a switch connects between both electrodes. It has an electrochemical device connected so that it can be short-circuited, and a common flow channel 47 and a common flow channel 48 sandwich this electrochemical device.
And are formed. Note that the first and third water exchange CO removers 60a and 60c are similarly configured.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described. The operating temperature of this polymer electrolyte fuel cell is 80 ° C. First, the air as the oxidant gas is humidified to a humidification temperature (dew point) of 70 ° C. in the humidification section, and the first divided gas flow path 3
1a, the dew point is increased to 82 ° C., the dew point is discharged from the first split gas passage 31a, and the first water exchange CO remover 60a
Is supplied to. A reformed gas obtained by reforming methanol as a fuel gas (hydrogen 65
%, Carbon dioxide 22%, nitrogen 17%, carbon monoxide 100
ppm, dew point 55 ° C.), excess water in the air moves to the fuel gas side through the ion exchange membrane 61,
Air is reduced to 70 ° C dew point and fuel gas is increased to 75 ° C dew point. At this time, if the transistor switch 64 is short-circuited for 2 ms at a cycle of 0.5 seconds, the cathode reaction shown in the formula (2) occurs on the electrode 62, and the adsorbed CO is preferentially given to hydrogen in the fuel gas on the electrode 63. It is oxidized and removed by the reaction shown in formula (5). H ₂ O + CO → 2H ⁺ + CO ₂ Equation (5) As a result, the composition of the fuel gas has a CO concentration of 30 ppm.
And is supplied to the first divided gas passage 32a of the unit cell 10. The fuel gas discharged from the first divided gas flow channel 32a consumes hydrogen and has a composition of (hydrogen 52
%, Carbon dioxide 28%, nitrogen 20%, carbon monoxide 80p
pm, dew point 55 ° C), and the second water exchange CO remover 6
0b is supplied. The fuel gas supplied to the second water exchange CO remover 60b transfers the air and moisture discharged from the second divided gas flow passage 31b there to have a dew point of 75 ° C.
CO is further removed and CO is removed to reduce CO concentration to 30p
It is reduced to pm and supplied to the second divided gas flow channel 32b. Next, in the fuel gas discharged from the second divided gas flow channel 32b, hydrogen is consumed, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are increased, the dew point becomes 55 ° C., and the third water exchange C
It is supplied to the O remover 60c. Third water exchange CO remover 6
The fuel gas supplied to 0c transfers the air and moisture discharged from the third divided gas passage 31c there to increase the dew point to 75 ° C, and further removes CO to reduce the CO concentration to 30ppm. , And is supplied to the third divided gas flow channel 32c. On the other hand, the air has a dew point increased to 82 in the first, second and third divided gas flow paths 31a, 31b, 31c, and the first, second and third water exchange CO removers 60a, 6 are provided.
Water is passed between the fuel gas and the fuel gas at 0b and 60c, and the dew point is reduced to 70 ° C and the water flows.

When the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the fourth embodiment was operated at the same gas supply amount and the same current value as in the first embodiment, despite using the fuel gas containing CO, The stack voltage was 12.5V. When the pulse-like short circuit is not performed by the transistor switch 64, the CO concentrations at the inlets of the first, second and third divided gas flow channels 32a, 32b, 32c are 100 ppm, 130 ppm and 160 pp, respectively.
As a result, the stack voltage was increased to 11 V and the stack voltage was 11 V, which was much lower than that when hydrogen was supplied as the fuel gas.

In the fourth embodiment, CO is removed from the fuel gas by the oxidation of CO due to the pulse-like short circuit between the electrodes of the electrochemical device at the same time as the transfer of moisture. It is also possible to use a method in which a small amount of oxygen is blown into the fuel gas to remove CO.

In each of the above embodiments, the oxidant gas passage 31 and the fuel gas passage 32 are each composed of three divided gas passages and are orthogonal to each other, but the divided gas passages are connected in series. And if the flow of gas flowing through the gas flow path is all forward with respect to gravity,
The number of divisions of the gas flow path and the relationship between the oxidant gas flow path and the fuel gas flow path are not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments.

[0041]

Since the present invention is constituted as described above, it has the following effects.

[0042] According to the present invention, the unit cells arranged an electrode having a gas diffusion property and electronic conductivity to the surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a gas flow path plate oxidizing gas channel is provided,
A fuel gas passage is provided a gas flow channel plate in the solid polymer fuel cell comprising a laminated body formed by laminating multiple, upper
A gas flow channel plate provided with an oxidant gas flow channel and the fuel
At least one of gas flow path plates provided with a raw gas flow path
The plurality of grooves and the above-mentioned plurality of grooves are common to the gas flow path plate.
Of a gas supply port and a gas discharge port that communicate with
A divided gas channel is provided, and the gas channel plate,
A plurality of the divided gas flow paths are provided, and the one divided gas flow is provided.
And a gas outlet of the road, the gas supply port of the other divided gas flow passage provided in the gas flow channel plate and is, the gas flow passage plate outside the flow path
Connected in series via the above-mentioned oxidant gas flow path and above
Form at least one of the fuel gas flow channels
As a result, it is possible to obtain a high-voltage, high-power polymer electrolyte fuel cell that is compact and lightweight and can be mass-produced. Also, the flow direction of the gas of the oxidant gas flow path and the fuel gas channel
Since all against gravity on the gas flow channel plate are configured such that the forward direction, without providing a special fluid piping for drainage, water droplets generated in the gas flow path and the power and gas flow rate of gravity Will be quickly discharged to the outside of the battery, enabling highly efficient power generation.

Further, since the humidity adjusting means for adjusting the humidity of the gas is provided in the common flow path, the distribution of the humidity from the upstream to the downstream of the gas becomes uniform, the characteristics are improved, and the efficiency is improved. High power generation is possible.

Further, since the humidity adjusting means adjusts the humidity of the oxidizing gas and the fuel gas by transferring moisture between the oxidizing gas and the fuel gas, it is unnecessary to adjust the humidity of the reaction gas. Power is not required and efficient power generation is possible.

Further, since the CO removing means is provided in the common flow path and configured to reduce the CO concentration in the fuel gas, CO in the fuel gas can be removed in multiple stages,
The current distribution is uniform, and power can be generated with high efficiency.

Further, in the CO removing means, electrodes having gas diffusivity and electron conductivity are arranged on both surfaces of the water-permeable solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and the electrodes are periodically short-circuited by a switch. And an oxidizer discharged from the oxidant gas flow path to one electrode part of the electrochemical device. Gas is flowed, and fuel gas is flown to the other electrode part to transfer water between the oxidant gas and the fuel gas, and at the same time, the switch periodically pulses between both electrodes of the electrochemical device. Since the CO in the fuel gas is selectively oxidized and removed by short-circuiting in a circular shape, the oxidant gas has a reduced water content, and the fuel gas has a higher humidity and has an optimum water content condition. Moth Higher characteristics are obtained CO concentration in decreases.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a separator plate applied to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an air flow in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an air flow in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing flows of air and fuel in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing flows of air and fuel in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a water exchanger applied to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing changes in dew points of air and fuel gas in a water exchanger applied to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing flows of air and fuel in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view schematically showing the structure of a water exchange CO remover applied to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a gas channel in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell of Conventional Example 1.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a gas channel in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell of Conventional Example 2.

FIG. 12 is a top view showing a gas separator plate in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell of Conventional Example 4.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 cathode (electrode), 4 anode (electrode), 5 solid polymer electrolyte membrane, 10 unit cell, 30 separator plate (gas channel plate), 31 oxidant gas channel, 31a 1st
Split gas channel, 31b second split gas channel, 31c third split gas channel, 32 fuel gas channel, 32a first split gas channel, 32b second split gas channel, 32c third
Split gas channel, 41 laminated body, 46, 47, 48, 49
Common channel, 50a first water exchanger (humidity adjusting means),
50b second water exchanger (humidity adjusting means), 50c third
Water exchanger (humidity adjusting means), 60a first water exchange CO remover (CO removing means), 60b second water exchange CO remover (CO removing means), 60c third water exchange CO remover (CO
Removal means), 61 ion exchange membranes (solid polymer electrolyte membranes, electrochemical devices), 62, 63 electrodes (electrochemical devices), 64 transistor switches (switches, electrochemical devices).

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-9-50819 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01M 8/00-8/24

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A unit cell in which electrodes having gas diffusibility and electron conductivity are arranged on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a gas channel plate provided with an oxidant gas channel, and a fuel gas channel. In a polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising a laminated body formed by laminating a plurality of gas flow channel plates provided with, a gas flow channel plate provided with the oxidant gas flow channel and the fuel gas flow channel provided with At least one of the gas flow path plates is provided with a plurality of grooves, and one divided gas flow path including a gas supply port and a gas exhaust port through which the plurality of grooves are commonly communicated. Is provided, and the gas flow path plate is provided with a plurality of the divided gas flow paths, and the gas outlet of the one divided gas flow path and another divided gas provided on the gas flow path plate are provided. The gas supply port of the flow path is connected in series via the flow path outside the gas flow path plate, the acid Polymer electrolyte fuel cell characterized by forming at least one gas passage containing gas flow and the fuel gas flow passage. 2. A plurality of gas flow channel plates, at least one of a gas flow channel plate having an oxidant gas flow channel and a gas flow channel plate having a fuel gas flow channel, in a plurality of divided gas flow channels. The grooves are linearly formed, and the flow direction of the gas of at least one of the oxidant gas flow channel and the fuel gas flow channel is the same direction on the gas flow channel plate, and the flow channel outside the gas flow channel plate is The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the solid polymer fuel cell is configured to be different from the gas flow direction. 3. The oxidant gas flow channel and the fuel gas flow channel are configured such that the gas flow directions are all forward with respect to gravity on the gas flow channel plate.
The fixed polymer fuel cell described. 4. A gas flow channel plate provided with an oxidant gas flow channel and a fuel gas flow channel, wherein humidity adjusting means for adjusting the humidity of at least one of the oxidant gas and the fuel gas by humidifying or dehydrating. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is provided outside at least one of the gas flow path plates provided with. 5. The humidity adjusting means adjusts the humidity of the oxidant gas and the fuel gas by transferring moisture between the oxidant gas and the fuel gas. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell described. 6. The CO removing means is provided outside at least one of the gas flow channel plate provided with the oxidant gas flow channel and the gas flow channel plate provided with the fuel gas flow channel,
2. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the CO concentration in the fuel gas is reduced. 7. The CO removing means arranges electrodes having gas diffusivity and electron conductivity on both sides of a water-permeable solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and periodically shorts both electrodes by a switch. And a gas flow path for supplying gas to both electrode parts of the electrochemical device, and the oxidant gas discharged from the oxidant gas flow path to one electrode part of the electrochemical device. And a fuel gas is passed through the other electrode portion to transfer moisture between the oxidant gas and the fuel gas, and at the same time, the switch is periodically pulsed between both electrodes of the electrochemical device. 7. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 6, wherein the carbon dioxide in the fuel gas is selectively oxidized and removed by short-circuiting with the fuel cell. 8. A plurality of gas flow path plates, each having a plurality of divided gas flow paths, each gas flow path having a plurality of grooves and a gas supply port and a gas discharge port through which the plurality of grooves communicate with each other, are stacked, An insulating plate having a flow path is provided on the outer side of the plurality of stacked gas flow path plates, and the gas discharge port and the gas supply port of the plurality of stacked gas flow path plates are stacked in plurality. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the gas in the gas flow path plate is collected and further connected in series via the flow path in the insulating plate. 9. A oxidant gas flow gas flow path is provided passage plate and the gas flow the fuel gas channel is provided passage plate and the one gas flow channel plates, the one of the gas flow channel plate An oxidant gas flow channel is provided on one surface and a fuel gas flow channel is provided on the other surface, and a plurality of the one gas flow channel plates are alternately laminated to form a laminate. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell described.