JP4298261B2 - Fuel cell power generation method and small fuel cell power generation apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention is directly used in the implementation of a fuel cell power generation method using liquid fuel and the invention of the method.Small fuel cell power generatorAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A conventional fuel cell system apparatus using liquid fuel will be described.
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a direct methanol fuel cell system apparatus using methanol as a fuel as an example.
[0003]
The direct methanol fuel cell system apparatus α includes a fuel cell 4 comprising a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1, an air electrode 2 and a fuel electrode 3, an air supply means 6 comprising a blower 5 for sending air to the air electrode 2, and a fuel. A fuel supply means 7 for supplying fuel to the pole 3 is connected by piping.
[0004]
The fuel supply means 7 includes a methanol tank 8 in which high-concentration methanol is stored and a water tank 9 in which water for diluting the methanol aqueous solution is contained, and a liquid feed pump for circulating the methanol aqueous solution as fuel. 10 and a gas-liquid separator 11 for releasing carbon dioxide generated in the fuel electrode 3 to the outside are connected to the circulation pipe in the middle.
[0005]
Then, since methanol and water in the aqueous methanol solution are consumed by power generation, in the process in which the aqueous methanol solution is circulated by the feed pump 10, the high-concentration methanol from the methanol tank 8 and the water from the water tank 9 are converted into an aqueous methanol solution. By supplying and adjusting the concentration of the methanol aqueous solution and keeping the concentration of the methanol aqueous solution constant, a stable output can be obtained from the fuel cell 4.
[0006]
In addition, since water vapor | steam produces | generates in the air electrode 2 by generating electric power, the condenser 12 which liquefies this water vapor | steam is provided in the exit side of the air electrode 2, and the water obtained in the condenser 12 is water tank 9 The water can be reused by being supplied to.
[0007]
In addition to the conventional technology described above, for example, there are the following Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2.
[Non-Patent Document 1]
NIKKEI MICRODEVICES April 2002, p. 51
[Non-Patent Document 2]
Nikkei Mechanical D & M 2002.2. No.569, page 20
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional fuel cell system apparatus α has a problem that the system apparatus cannot be reduced in size and weight. The main reasons are as follows.
[0009]
First, although the concentration of the aqueous methanol solution can be accurately measured using a liquid chromatograph, the apparatus becomes large, and as a result, it is difficult to reduce the size and weight of the system apparatus. In this regard, by integrating the output of the fuel cell, it is possible to calculate the amount of methanol consumed to determine the concentration of the aqueous methanol solution. However, unreacted methanol is attached to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1 on the fuel electrode 3 side. Therefore, it is difficult to calculate the concentration accurately because a so-called methanol crossover phenomenon that permeates from the air to the air electrode 2 side occurs.
[0010]
Secondly, in order to accurately adjust the concentration of methanol, it is necessary to inject the required amounts of high-concentration methanol and water into the methanol aqueous solution, respectively, by using a microsyringe pump. Although possible, the apparatus is large, and as a result, it has been difficult to reduce the size and weight of the system apparatus.
[0011]
Third, in order to circulate the methanol aqueous solution, a liquid pump is necessary. In a diaphragm type liquid pump that is widely used at present, there are many components such as an eccentric cam, a connecting rod, a diaphragm, and the structure. Due to the complexity, it has been difficult to reduce the size and weight of the system device.
[0012]
Fourthly, carbon dioxide generated at the fuel electrode 3 due to the electrode reaction is present in the methanol aqueous solution as bubbles, and the bubbles stay in the vicinity of the fuel electrode 3, so that methanol is smoothly supplied. Since the power generation characteristics of the fuel cell 4 are deteriorated, it is necessary to remove bubbles of carbon dioxide in the methanol aqueous solution. However, the gas-liquid separator 11 that is usually used for removing gas from the liquid has a large apparatus. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the size and weight of the system device.
[0013]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such drawbacks, and the main objects to be solved by the present invention are as follows.
[0014]
  A first object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell power generation method and a small-sized fuel cell with an improved supply mode of fuel consumed for power generation.Pond power generation equipmentIs to provide a place.
[0015]
  A second object of the present invention is a fuel cell power generation method and an improved avoidance of a decrease in power generation capacity caused by carbon dioxide gas, andSmall fuel cell power generatorIs to provide.
[0016]
  A third object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell power generation method that avoids an increase in the size of a system device that occurs in order to accurately measure the concentration of liquid fuel.Small fuel cell power generatorIs to provide.
[0017]
Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the specification, drawings, and particularly the description of each claim in the claims.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In solving the above problems, the method of the present invention comprises: (1) a characteristic configuration method in which the concentration of liquid fuel is measured by alternating current impedance; (2) a microsyringe equipped with a piston that operates fuel injection by a stepping motor; Or (3) a characteristic configuration method of performing by ink jet, (3) a characteristic configuration method of circulating liquid fuel using a micro gear pump composed of a pair of gears created by micromachining technology, and (4) liquid fuel A characteristic configuration method is employed in which the pressure is constantly increased to atmospheric pressure or more and unnecessary gas generated in the fuel cell is removed by a vent filter.
[0019]
  Main departureLightIn order to solve the above problems, the device is a concentration sensor that measures the concentration of liquid fuel by AC impedance, a microgear pump that circulates the liquid fuel, a microsyringe or inkjet that injects the liquid fuel, and the fuel is always pressurized above atmospheric pressure. Below, a characteristic configuration means is provided which includes a vent filter that discharges unnecessary gas such as generated carbon dioxide.
[0020]
More specifically, in order to solve the problem, the present invention achieves the above object by adopting the following novel characteristic configuration technique or means.
[0021]
  The first feature of the method of the present invention is that the concentration of the fuel is measured by measuring the AC impedance using a metal probe installed in the fuel flow path connected to the fuel cell, and the fuel flow path is measured with respect to the fuel flow path. Estimate the amount of fuel to be injectedThe estimated amount is injected into the fuel flow path with a micro syringe equipped with a piston operated by a stepping motor.The configuration of the fuel cell power generation method is as follows.
[0022]
  The second feature of the method of the present invention is thatBy measuring the alternating current impedance using a metal probe installed in the fuel flow path connected to the fuel cell, measure the concentration of the fuel, estimate the amount of fuel to be injected into the fuel flow path,A configuration of a fuel cell power generation method is adopted in which the estimated amount is injected into the fuel flow path by inkjet.
[0026]
  Invention apparatusThe first feature of the present invention is that the fuel cell, an air supply means for sending air to the air electrode of the fuel battery cell, a fuel supply means for supplying fuel to the fuel electrode of the fuel battery cell, A fuel flow path that connects the fuel supply means and the fuel electrode and serves as a fuel circulation pathPower generationThe fuel supply means comprises: a liquid cartridge in which fuel is sealed; a microsyringe loaded with the liquid cartridge; and an adjustment means for adjusting the amount of fuel injected into the fuel flow path by inkjet. Composed of,Small fuel cell power generatorThe configuration is adopted.
[0027]
  Invention apparatusThe second feature of the present invention is that the fuel battery cell, the air supply means for sending air to the air electrode of the fuel battery cell, the fuel supply means for supplying fuel to the fuel electrode of the fuel battery cell, A fuel flow path that connects the fuel supply means and the fuel electrode and serves as a fuel circulation pathPower generationThe fuel supply means comprises: a liquid cartridge in which fuel is sealed; a microsyringe loaded with the liquid cartridge; and an adjustment means for adjusting the amount of fuel injected into the fuel flow path by inkjet. Composed of,Small fuel cell power generatorThe configuration is adopted.
[0029]
  Invention apparatusThe third feature of the above isInvention apparatusIn the first feature ofThe fuel battery cell is connected to a micro gear pump that circulates fuel in a fuel flow path composed of a pair of gears manufactured by micro machining technology.BecomeSmall fuel cell power generatorThe configuration is adopted.
[0030]
  Invention apparatusThe fourth feature of the above isInvention apparatusThe first1The fuel flow path in the features of the present invention is formed by interposing a porous vent filter that discharges unnecessary gas generated inside by being pressurized by the adjusting means,Small fuel cell power generatorThe configuration is adopted.
[0031]
  Invention apparatusThe fifth feature of the above isInvention apparatusThe first1The microsyringe according to the above feature comprises a tear supply nozzle that triggers opening when the liquid cartridge is loaded.Small fuel cell power generatorThe configuration is adopted.
[0032]
  Invention apparatusThe sixth feature of the above isInvention apparatusWhen the liquid cartridge in the fifth feature of the present invention is loaded into the microsyringe, the liquid cartridge is thinned at a location that becomes a through hole by the broken supply nozzle.Small fuel cell power generatorThe configuration is adopted.
[0033]
  Invention apparatusThe seventh feature of the aboveInvention apparatusWhen the liquid cartridge according to the fifth feature of the present invention is loaded into the microsyringe, the liquid cartridge includes a hole that is penetrated by the broken supply nozzle, and a small sphere that seals the hole from the inside by setting the internal pressure to atmospheric pressure or higher. Built-in,Small fuel cell power generatorThe configuration is adopted.
[0034]
  Invention apparatusThe eighth feature of the aboveInvention apparatusThe first1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th or 7thThe liquid cartridge according to the feature is a bellows structure that can be expanded and contracted with respect to the loading direction to the microsyringe.Small fuel cell power generatorThe configuration is adopted.
[0035]
  Invention apparatusThe ninth feature of the aboveInvention apparatusThe first1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8thThe liquid cartridge according to the above-mentioned features has a cross-section of one of a circle, an ellipse, an n-gon (n ≧ 3), and an n-gon (n ≧ 3) with rounded corners.Small fuel cell power generatorThe configuration is adopted.
[0036]
  By adopting such a configuration, the following items can be realized.
  First, by applying an AC voltage between two probes inserted into the circulating liquid fuel and measuring the AC impedance,Power generationThe apparatus can accurately measure the concentration.
[0037]
Second, by accurately controlling the rotation angle of the rotating shaft in the stepping motor and accurately controlling the movement amount of the piston in the microsyringe that moves in proportion to the rotation angle of the rotating shaft of the stepping motor, high concentration The liquid fuel injection amount can be accurately controlled. In relation to this, the liquid fuel that circulates can be pressurized by maintaining the rotation angle of the rotating shaft with the stepping motor.
[0038]
Third, since the liquid fuel is injected as a small amount of liquid droplets by ink jetting, it is possible to accurately adjust the concentration of the liquid fuel.
[0039]
Fourth, the liquid feed pump can be reduced in size and weight by circulating the liquid fuel with a micro gear pump including a pair of separately meshing gears created by a micromachining technique using a silicon process.
[0040]
Fifth, by constantly pressurizing the circulating liquid fuel above atmospheric pressure, the gas in the liquid fuel can be easily removed by the vent filter having a continuous porous structure.
[0041]
Sixth, by loading the liquid cartridge in the microsyringe, the liquid cartridge is broken by the broken supply nozzle that penetrates the blind end of the microsyringe and communicates with the fuel flow path. Fuel) can be used.
[0042]
Seventh, the bottom surface of the liquid cartridge has a structure that is relatively thick compared to the side surface and the other bottom surface, so that normally it has good mechanical strength and does not leak, only when necessary ( By breaking the meat book portion (such as with a microsyringe break supply nozzle), the liquid in the liquid cartridge can be released.
[0043]
Eighth, the hole provided in the liquid cartridge loaded into the microsyringe is made into a small sphere (smaller diameter larger than the hole) by the internal atmospheric pressure or higher so as to correspond to the broken supply nozzle provided in the microsyringe. In order to apply pressure to the small sphere through the broken supply nozzle, if necessary, the liquid can be contained in the microsyringe without leakage of the liquid inside. Therefore, the small sphere is removed from the hole so that the liquid in the liquid cartridge can be discharged into the broken supply nozzle.
[0044]
Ninth, by applying pressure from the outside in the expansion and contraction direction, the liquid cartridge having the bellows structure can be discharged to the outside while controlling the amount of liquid in the liquid cartridge. In addition, when pressure is applied to the liquid cartridge, the liquid cartridge does not bend inside the microsyringe because the liquid cartridge has a bellows structure, and the liquid in the liquid cartridge can be used up.
[0045]
Tenth, since the cross section of the liquid cartridge can be freely selected, the degree of freedom with respect to the shape of the microsyringe is increased, and the system design is facilitated.
[0046]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0047]
  (DressingExample 1)
  FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.Small fuel cell power generatorFIG. It is assumed that the fuel is an aqueous methanol solution.
  Small fuel cell power generatorβ is a fuel battery cell 4 comprising a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1, an air electrode 2 and a fuel electrode 3, an air supply means 6 comprising a blower 5 for sending air to the air electrode 2, and a fuel to the fuel electrode 3. It is basically configured by having the fuel supply means 13.
[0048]
  The fuel supply means 13 includes a micro syringe 14, a high concentration methanol cartridge 15, a water cartridge 16, a piston 17 with a rack rod 17a, and a stepping motor 18 with a pinion 18a.Small fuel cell power generatorβ represents a micro gear pump 19 for circulating a methanol aqueous solution as a fuel, a vent filter 20 for releasing carbon dioxide generated in the fuel electrode 3 to the outside, a concentration sensor 21 for the methanol aqueous solution, and a pressure sensor 22 for the methanol aqueous solution. Connection piping.
[0049]
Since methanol and water in the aqueous methanol solution are consumed by power generation, in the process of circulating the aqueous methanol solution by the microgear pump 19, the high concentration methanol from the high concentration methanol cartridge 15 and the water from the water cartridge 16 are converted into an aqueous methanol solution. To adjust the concentration of methanol.
[0050]
Further, the piston 17 is advanced through the engagement of the pinion 18a rotated by the stepping motor 18 and the rack rod 17a, and the methanol solution is injected into the methanol aqueous solution from the sealed supply nozzle 26 while pressurizing high concentration methanol and water, respectively. The aqueous solution is pressurized (above atmospheric pressure), and carbon dioxide bubbles (unnecessary gas) present in the methanol aqueous solution can be discharged from the vent filter (a continuous and porous filter is desirable) 20 to the outside. It becomes.
[0051]
[Details of concentration sensor]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a methanol flow path in which a metal probe that performs AC impedance measurement of an aqueous methanol solution is installed in the concentration sensor of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a relationship diagram between the methanol concentration and the impedance using the frequency (10, 100, 1000 Hz) of the AC voltage applied between the two metal probes as a parameter.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 2, the concentration sensor 21 has a structure in which two metal probes 24 are inserted into a methanol channel 23 through which a methanol aqueous solution flows.
Then, as shown in FIG. 3, if there is a good linear relationship between the methanol concentration and the impedance, the two are used in advance (the linear relationship is not essential and there is a one-to-one correspondence relationship). By measuring the relationship between the methanol concentration and the impedance in the system and formulating the correlation between the two, it is possible to accurately measure the methanol concentration with a simple device.
[0053]
[Details of micro gear pump]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the microgear pump of FIG.
The microgear pump 19 has a pair of microgears 25 that are spaced apart from each other. The micro gear 25 can be reduced in size and weight by being produced by a micromachining technique using a silicon process. Furthermore, since the structure of the pump itself is simple, it is excellent in maintainability. In FIG. 4, the methanol aqueous solution circulates from the top to the bottom of the drawing (in the direction of the arrow), and the left microgear 25 rotates clockwise and the right microgear 25 rotates counterclockwise. It is a figure to do.
[0054]
[Details of high-concentration methanol cartridge and water cartridge]
FIG. 5 shows adjusting means for adjusting the amount of fuel injected into the methanol flow path by pressurizing the liquid cartridge via a rack rod-operated piston operated by a stepping motor (the high-concentration methanol cartridge and the microsyringe in FIG. 1). Is a cross-sectional view of the means).
[0055]
The microsyringe 14 has a broken supply nozzle 26 that penetrates into the center of the blind end and communicates with the inlet 27 of the liquid channel 23, and is loaded with a high concentration methanol cartridge 15 filled with high concentration methanol. The high-concentration methanol cartridge 15 is broken by being pressed by the piston 17.
[0056]
The piston 17 with the rack rod 17a is driven by a stepping motor 18 with a pinion 18a, and the rotation angle of the rotation shaft of the stepping motor 18 can be accurately controlled from the outside. Therefore, the piston 17 is engaged with the pinion 18a and the rack rod 17a through meshing. The forward movement distance in the 17 microsyringes 14 can be accurately controlled, and the high-concentration methanol cartridge 15 is contracted in the movement direction according to the movement distance, so that an accurate amount of high-concentration methanol can be injected into the aqueous methanol solution. .
[0057]
Further, since the rotation axis of the stepping motor 18 can maintain the rotation angle, the position of the piston 17 with the rack rod 17a can be fixed, and as a result, the high-concentration methanol cartridge 15 and the aqueous methanol solution can be pressurized.
[0058]
Here, by setting the high-concentration methanol inlet 27 as a pinhole, when the piston 17 with the rack rod 17a is not operated, the outflow of the high-concentration methanol into the methanol aqueous solution can be almost ignored. it can.
The same applies to the water cartridge 16.
[0059]
FIG. 6 shows an adjustment means (high-concentration methanol cartridge and microsyringe for adjusting the amount of fuel injected into the methanol flow path by pressurizing the liquid cartridge through a piston operated by a stepping motor, which is different from FIG. FIG.
[0060]
Inside the microsyringe 14 is loaded a high-concentration methanol cartridge 15 filled with high-concentration methanol whose seal is broken by the tear supply nozzle 26. Then, a gear is cut on the outer periphery of the rod piston 29 and passes through a guide groove 14 a extending to one side of the microsyringe 14, and the rotational force is applied to the rod piston 29 by orthogonal engagement with a cylindrical worm 28 rotated by a stepping motor 18. The high-concentration methanol cartridge 15 can be pressurized.
[0061]
Here, when the configuration in FIG. 6 is compared with the configuration in FIG. 5, further downsizing is possible by arranging the rotation axis direction of the stepping motor 18 and the longitudinal direction of the microsyringe 14 in parallel.
The same applies to the water cartridge 16.
[0062]
[Details of high-concentration methanol cartridge]
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a high-concentration methanol cartridge partially having a thin portion. The high-concentration methanol cartridge 15a can be expanded and contracted with its long side surface as a bellows structure.
[0063]
Further, among the end surfaces of the high-concentration methanol cartridge 15 a, the portion that causes a crack by the broken supply nozzle 26 (the crack occurrence portion 30) is thinned and easily broken by the broken supply nozzle 26. Is a possible structure. It should be noted that the surroundings of the wall thickness portion should be thick enough to ensure strength in the sense of reinforcement so as not to enlarge the crack when the seal is broken by the broken supply nozzle 26. desirable.
[0064]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a high-concentration methanol cartridge sealed from the inside by small balls. The high-concentration methanol cartridge 15b has a bellows structure on its long side surface and can be expanded and contracted. In addition, a substantially circular hole 31 is formed on one end surface of the high-concentration methanol cartridge 15b and is sealed by a small ball 32. The small ball 32 can be easily removed by applying pressure from the outside to the inside. It has become. In order to prevent the small sphere 32 from moving unexpectedly, a stopper 33 having a taper on the inner peripheral surface is provided continuously from the hole 31.
[0065]
  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the high-concentration methanol cartridge 15c, which is different from FIGS. 7 and 8, in that the surface (the crack occurrence portion 34 on one surface) whose expansion / contraction direction is the normal direction is substantially rectangular. By making the shape of the surface whose expansion / contraction direction is the normal direction into a substantially rectangular shape instead of a circular shape, the ratio of the volume of the cartridge 15c to the constant volume is improved.TheThe device can be further downsized.
  The same applies to the water cartridge 16 and more generally to the liquid cartridge.
[0066]
  (DressingExample 2)
  FIG. 10 is an embodiment of the present invention.Small fuel cell power generatorIt is a schematic diagram of the structure. It is assumed that the fuel is an aqueous methanol solution.
[0067]
  Small fuel cell power generatorγ is a fuel cell 4 comprising a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1, an air electrode 2 and a fuel electrode 3, an air supply means 6 comprising a blower 5 for sending air to the air electrode 2, and a fuel to the fuel electrode 3. A fuel supply means 35 is provided.
  The fuel supply means 35 includes a micro syringe 14, a high concentration methanol cartridge 15, a water cartridge 16, and an inkjet 36 for injecting high concentration methanol and water.
[0068]
Further, a micro gear pump 19 for circulating a methanol aqueous solution as a fuel and a methanol aqueous solution concentration sensor 21 are interposed in the methanol flow path.
[0069]
Since methanol and water in the aqueous methanol solution are consumed by power generation, the high-concentration methanol from the high-concentration methanol cartridge 15 and the water from the water cartridge 16 are transferred by the inkjet 36 in the process of being circulated by the microgear pump 19. Each of these is poured into a methanol aqueous solution to adjust the concentration.
[0070]
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an adjusting means (configured by a high-concentration methanol cartridge and a macro syringe using an ink jet) that adjusts the amount of fuel injected into the methanol flow path by the ink jet.
[0071]
Inside the microsyringe 14, the high-concentration methanol that has been sealed by a broken supply nozzle 26 or the like that penetrates the center of the blind end and communicates with the inlet 27 of the fuel flow path 23 and sets the heating means 37 in the middle. A filled high-concentration methanol cartridge 15 is loaded, and when heated by a heating means (heater or the like) 37, bubbles 38 are generated, and when the bubbles 38 become large, high-concentration methanol passes through the inlet 27. It has an inkjet structure that is injected into an aqueous methanol solution.
[0072]
  (Example method)
  The fuel cell power generation method according to one embodiment of the present invention is described above.DressDescription will be made on the assumption that the examples 1 and 2 are applied.
[0073]
  The fuel cell power generation method is used to implement the methodSmall fuel cell power generatorBased on the AC impedance measured by the concentration sensor 21 of β and γ, the concentration in the fuel flow path (in the above-described methanol flow path 23) is measured in advance from the correlation between the AC impedance and the concentration.
[0074]
Then, for example, an input of a measurement result from the concentration sensor 21 is received from the measured concentration so that the reference concentration of the fuel battery cell 4 is obtained, and a control signal is sent to the stepping motor 18 or the heating means 37 according to the input. Automatic control is performed by a control means (computer or the like) for output.
According to the control signal, fuel is supplied to the fuel flow path 23 by the fuel supply means 13 and 35 so as to compensate for the decrease in the fuel (methanol, water) consumed by the power generation.
[0075]
  that time,Small fuel cell power generatorWhen the β fuel supply means 13 is used (FIGS. 5 and 6), the stepping motor 18 is activated by the transmission of the control signal, whereby the pistons 17 and 29 are moved and the liquid methanol cartridge 15 is pressurized. As a result, the bellows contracts, and as a result, the volume of methanol in which the bellows contracts is injected into the methanol aqueous solution in the methanol channel 23 from the injection port 27.
[0076]
  that time,Small fuel cell power generatorWhen the γ fuel supply means 35 is used (FIG. 11), the heating means 37 is controlled by the transmission of the control signal, thereby changing the heating state and changing the amount of liquid injected from the injection port 27. As a result, the injection volume is controlled.
[0077]
  still,Small fuel cell power generatorAs for β and γ, the fuel (methanol aqueous solution) in the fuel flow path (in the previous example, the methanol flow path 23) is circulated by the micro gear pump 19 including the pair of gears 25 created by the micromachining technique. Further, in the state where the fuel supply means 13 is pressurized to the atmospheric pressure or higher, the vent filter 20 discharges unnecessary gas such as carbon dioxide generated in the fuel battery cell 4 or the like, whereby the fuel cell 4 Prevent the decline in power generation capacity.
[0078]
In the above description, the direct methanol type using methanol as the fuel will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the point that the fuel is methanol and the direct methanol type.
The shape of the liquid cartridge (for example, the high-concentration methanol cartridge 15 and the water cartridge 16) is circular, elliptical, n-gonal (n ≧ 3), and n-gonal with rounded corners (n ≧ 3). 3).
[0079]
  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above.DressAlthough described as examples and method examples, the present invention can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention and exhibiting the following effects.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the present invention, the liquid fuel concentration can be measured by AC impedance measurement.TheThe device can be made lighter and smaller, and the concentration can be accurately measured by simple means. Further, by using a micro gear pump in the circulation of the liquid fuel, it is possible to realize a reduction in size and weight of a conventional liquid feed pump.
[0081]
Furthermore, liquid fuel is supplied by a bellows-structured cartridge, and liquid fuel is injected with a stepping motor, so that it is easy to carry the liquid fuel. Can be accurately performed per injection. In addition, since liquid fuel can be injected while being pressurized, unnecessary gas in the fuel can be easily removed through a vent filter having a continuous porous structure. The present invention has excellent effects as typified above.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the present invention.Small fuel cell power generatorIt is the schematic of a structure.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the concentration sensor of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a relationship diagram between methanol concentration and impedance for the concentration sensor of FIG. 1;
4 is a cross-sectional view of the micro gear pump of FIG.
5 is a cross-sectional view of the high-concentration methanol cartridge and the microsyringe of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a high-concentration methanol cartridge and a microsyringe different from FIG.
7 is a cross-sectional view of the high concentration methanol cartridge of FIG.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a high concentration methanol cartridge different from FIG.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a high-concentration methanol cartridge different from FIGS.
FIG. 10 is different from FIG.Small fuel cell power generatorIt is a schematic diagram of a structure.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a macro syringe using a high-concentration methanol cartridge and an inkjet.
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a direct methanol fuel cell system apparatus as an example of conventional technology.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Solid polymer electrolyte membrane
2 ... Air electrode
3 ... Fuel electrode
4 ... Fuel cell
5 ... Blower
6 ... Air supply means
7. Fuel supply means
8 ... Methanol tank
9 ... Water tank
10 ... Liquid feeding pump
11 ... Gas-liquid separator
12 ... Condenser
13. Fuel supply means
14 ... Micro syringe
15 ... High concentration methanol cartridge
16 ... Water cartridge
17 ... Piston with rack rod
18 ... Stepping motor with pinion
19 ... Micro gear pump
20 ... Vent filter
21 ... Concentration sensor
22 ... Pressure sensor
23 ... Methanol channel (fuel channel)
24 ... Metal probe
25 ... Micro gear
26 ... Broken supply nozzle
27 ... Inlet
28 ... Cylindric worm
29 ... Rod piston
30 ... crack occurrence place
31 ... hole
32 ... Small balls
33 ... Stopper
34 ... crack occurrence place
35 ... Fuel supply means
36 ... Inkjet
37 ... heating means
38 ... Bubbles
α… Direct methanol fuel cell system
β, γ ...Small fuel cell power generator

Claims (11)

By measuring the AC impedance using a metal probe disposed in the fuel flow path for connecting the fuel cells, the concentration of the fuel is measured, Ri also estimates the amount of fuel to be injected with respect to the fuel flow path ,
The estimated amount is injected into the fuel flow path with a micro syringe equipped with a piston operated by a stepping motor.
A fuel cell power generation method. By measuring the alternating current impedance using a metal probe installed in the fuel flow path connected to the fuel cell, measure the concentration of the fuel, estimate the amount of fuel to be injected into the fuel flow path,
The estimated amount is injected into the fuel flow path by inkjet.
A fuel cell power generation method. A fuel cell, an air supply means for sending air to the air electrode of the fuel cell, a fuel supply means for supplying fuel to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell, the fuel supply means and the fuel electrode a power generation apparatus comprising a fuel flow path which is a circulating path of the fuel connecting the door,
The fuel supply means includes
A liquid cartridge sealed with fuel;
A microsyringe loaded with the liquid cartridge and provided with a piston operated by a stepping motor ;
The liquid cartridge is pressurized via the microsyringe , and is configured by an adjustment unit that adjusts the amount of fuel injected into the fuel flow path.
A compact fuel cell power generator . A fuel cell, an air supply means for sending air to the air electrode of the fuel cell, a fuel supply means for supplying fuel to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell, the fuel supply means and the fuel electrode a power generation apparatus comprising a fuel flow path which is a circulating path of the fuel connecting the door,
The fuel supply means includes
A liquid cartridge sealed with fuel;
A microsyringe loaded with the liquid cartridge;
Adjusting means for adjusting the amount of fuel injected into the fuel flow path by inkjet,
A compact fuel cell power generator . The fuel battery cell is
Connected with a micro gear pump that circulates fuel in the fuel flow path consisting of a pair of gears made by micro machining technology ,
The small fuel cell power generator according to claim 3 . The fuel flow path is
An intervening porous vent filter that discharges unnecessary gas generated inside by being pressurized by the adjusting means,
The small fuel cell power generator according to claim 3 . The microsyringe is
Provided with a tear supply nozzle that triggers opening when the liquid cartridge is loaded;
The small fuel cell power generator according to claim 3, 4, 5, or 6 . The liquid cartridge is
When it is loaded into the microsyringe, it is thinned at a location that becomes a through hole by the broken supply nozzle.
The small fuel cell power generator according to claim 7 . The liquid cartridge is
When the microsyringe is loaded, it has a hole that is penetrated by the broken supply nozzle, and contains a small ball that seals the hole from the inside by setting the internal pressure to atmospheric pressure or higher.
The small fuel cell power generator according to claim 7 . The liquid cartridge is
It is a bellows structure that can expand and contract with respect to the loading direction to the microsyringe,
The small fuel cell power generator according to claim 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 . The liquid cartridge is
The cross section is either a circle, an ellipse, an n-gon (n ≧ 3), or an n-gon (n ≧ 3) with rounded corners,
The small fuel cell power generator according to claim 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 .

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