JP5113326B2 - Fuel cell system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell and a flat membrane humidifier provided with a water permeable membrane for humidifying one reaction gas supplied to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell with a humidified fluid. The present invention relates to a fuel cell system to be stacked.

  In general, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell has a power generation cell in which an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure in which an anode side electrode and a cathode side electrode are arranged on both sides of an electrolyte membrane made of a polymer ion exchange membrane is sandwiched by separators. I have. This type of fuel cell is normally used as a fuel cell stack by stacking a predetermined number of power generation cells.

  In the fuel cell described above, it is necessary to maintain the electrolyte membrane in an appropriate wet state in order to exhibit an effective power generation function. For this reason, a humidifier that humidifies fuel gas and oxidant gas in advance through water is prepared, and the humidified fuel gas and oxidant gas are supplied to the fuel cell by connecting the humidifier to the fuel cell. The supply configuration is known.

  For example, the fuel cell stack disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured by assembling a power generation unit 1 and a humidification unit 2 in the stacking direction, as shown in FIG. While the power generation unit 1 stacks a plurality of cells 1a, the humidification unit 2 includes a hydrogen gas humidifier 2a that humidifies hydrogen gas and an oxygen-containing gas humidifier 2b that humidifies oxygen-containing gas (air).

  The hydrogen gas humidifier 2a has hydrogen gas flow paths 4a and water flow paths 4b formed on both sides of the porous membrane 3a, and the oxygen-containing gas humidifier 2b has oxygen gas flow paths 4c and c on both sides of the porous membrane 3b. A water channel 4d is formed. A cooling water flow path (not shown) of each cell 1a is supplied with cooling water from a water passage 5a via a pump 5, and a water passage 5b is connected to the cooling water outlet side of the cell 1a. The water passage 5b communicates with the water flow paths 4b and 4d of the humidifying unit 2.

  Hydrogen gas is sent from the hydrogen gas passage 6a through the blower 6 to the hydrogen gas passage 4a of the humidifying unit 2, and each cell is connected to the outlet side of the hydrogen gas passage 4a through the hydrogen gas passage 6b. A hydrogen gas flow path (not shown) 1a communicates. Air is sent from the oxygen gas passage 7a to the oxygen gas passage 4c of the humidifying unit 2 via the blower 7, while each cell 1a is connected to the outlet side of the oxygen gas passage 4c via the oxygen gas passage 7b. These oxygen gas flow paths (not shown) communicate with each other.

JP-A-8-138704 (FIG. 1)

  By the way, in the fuel cell stack described above, when the fuel cell stack is configured with an external manifold type in which the water passages 5a and 5b, the hydrogen gas passages 6a and 6b, and the oxygen gas passages 7a and 7b are provided outside the stack, In addition to being complicated, there is a problem that the entire fuel cell stack is particularly enlarged.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and an object thereof is to provide a fuel cell system capable of effectively simplifying piping and reducing the weight and size.

The present invention provides a polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure and a rectangular separator are laminated, and at least one reaction gas supplied to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell is humidified by a humidifying fluid. This is a fuel cell system in which a flat membrane humidifier in which a water permeable membrane and a separator are stacked is stacked with the respective stacking directions being the same.

The flat membrane humidifier has a reaction gas flow path for allowing one reaction gas to flow along one surface side of the water permeable membrane, and a humidified fluid to flow along the other surface side of the water permeable membrane. a humidified fluid flow path, together with at least a part constitutes a different flow path configuration from each other flow in opposition, humidified reactant gas discharge passage for supplying said one of the reaction gas in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and the off-gas supply passage to the off-gas which is the humidified fluid from the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is discharged, provided respectively along the laminating direction, the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, wherein the one of the reaction gas is humidified A reactive gas supply communication hole to be introduced is provided along the stacking direction and in parallel with the reaction gas outlet communication hole, and an offgas discharge communication hole for discharging the offgas is provided along the stacking direction. Provided mouth communicating hole collinear, and the reaction gas supply passage and said off-gas discharge passage is the one reactant gas is provided at diagonal positions of the separator flows in the longitudinal direction of the separator The reaction gas outlet communication hole and the reaction gas supply communication hole are connected via a connection path formed in a plate member interposed between the polymer electrolyte fuel cell and the flat membrane humidifier. Communicate.

In the present invention, the flat membrane humidifier includes a reaction gas flow path for allowing one reaction gas to flow along one surface side of the water permeable membrane, and a humidified fluid for the other surface of the water permeable membrane. a humidified fluid flow path for flowing along the side, at least with a portion to constitute the different flow paths shapes from each other flow in opposition, and supplies the humidified said one reaction gas to a solid polymer fuel cell reaction gas discharge passage, and the off-gas supply passage for off-gas is the humidifying fluid is discharged from the polymer electrolyte fuel cell, provided respectively along the laminating direction, the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, the off-gas Off gas discharge communication holes are provided along the stacking direction and in parallel with the off gas inlet communication holes, and the reaction gas supply communication holes into which the one of the humidified reaction gases is introduced are provided in the stacking method. Wherein provided in the reaction gas discharge passage colinear along, and, the one of the reaction gas and the reaction gas supply passage and the off-gas discharge passage is provided at diagonal positions of the separator is the separator length The off-gas inlet communication hole and the off-gas discharge communication hole circulate in a side direction, and the connection path formed in a plate member interposed between the solid polymer fuel cell and the flat membrane humidifier It communicates through.

  In the present invention, the reaction gas outlet communication hole of the flat membrane type humidifier and the reaction gas supply communication hole of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell communicate with each other via a connection path formed in the plate member. There is no need to install. Thereby, dew condensation does not occur in the piping and water drops do not penetrate into the power generation surface. In addition, the piping is effectively simplified, and the entire fuel cell system can be easily reduced in weight and size.

  In the present invention, the off-gas discharge communication hole of the solid polymer fuel cell and the off-gas inlet communication hole of the flat membrane humidifier communicate with each other via a connection path formed in the plate member. There is no need to install. Therefore, condensation does not occur in the piping and water droplets do not penetrate into the power generation surface. In addition, the piping is effectively simplified, and the entire fuel cell system can be easily reduced in weight and size.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the fuel cell system 10.

  The fuel cell system 10 is mounted on a fuel cell vehicle such as an automobile, for example, and is configured by stacking a polymer electrolyte fuel cell 12 and a flat membrane humidifier 14 in the stacking direction (arrow A direction). The In the fuel cell 12, a plurality of power generation cells 16 are stacked in the direction of arrow A, and terminal plates 17a and 17b and insulating plates 19a and 19b are interposed at both ends in the stacking direction to form first and second end plates 18a and 18b. Be placed.

  The humidifier 14 is directly laminated on the second end plate 18b. The third end plate 18c constituting the humidifier 14 is fastened to the first end plate 18a in the stacking direction by a plurality of fastening bolts 21 with the second end plate 18b interposed (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the power generation cell 16 includes an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20 in which an anode side electrode 20b and a cathode side electrode 20c are arranged on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20a, and the electrolyte membrane / A pair of metal or carbon separators 22 and 24 sandwiching the electrode structure 20 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an oxidation for supplying an oxidant gas, for example, an oxygen-containing gas, communicates with each other in the arrow A direction at one end edge in the long side direction (arrow B direction) of the power generation cell 16. An agent gas supply communication hole (reactive gas supply communication hole) 26a and a fuel gas discharge communication hole (off gas discharge communication hole) 30b for discharging a fuel gas, for example, a hydrogen-containing gas, are provided.

  A fuel gas supply communication hole (reactive gas supply communication hole) 30a for supplying fuel gas to each other in the direction of the arrow A and an oxidant gas are communicated with the other end edge of the power generation cell 16 in the long side direction. An oxidant gas discharge communication hole (off gas discharge communication hole) 26b for discharging is provided.

  A cooling medium supply communication hole 28a for supplying a cooling medium is provided at one end edge of the power generation cell 16 in the short direction (arrow C direction), and the other end edge of the power generation cell 16 in the short direction. Is provided with a cooling medium discharge communication hole 28b for discharging the cooling medium.

  On the surface of the separator 22 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20, a fuel gas flow path 32 that connects the fuel gas supply communication hole 30 a and the fuel gas discharge communication hole 30 b is formed. A cooling medium flow path 34 that connects the cooling medium supply communication hole 28 a and the cooling medium discharge communication hole 28 b is formed on the opposite surface of the separator 22.

  An oxidant gas flow path 36 communicating with the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b is provided on the surface of the separator 24 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20. On the opposite surface of the separator 24, a cooling medium flow path 34 is integrally formed so as to overlap the separator 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the humidifier 14 is disposed on the first separator 42 disposed on one surface 40 a of the water permeable membrane 40 and on the other surface 40 b of the water permeable membrane 40. The second separator 44 is provided. The first and second separators 42 and 44 are alternately stacked in the direction of arrow A with the water permeable membrane 40 interposed therebetween to form a stacked body 46. The first and second separators 42 and 44 are configured by forming a metal plate into a wave shape. Note that the first and second separators 42 and 44 may be configured by, for example, machining a carbon plate.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the air inlet communication hole 48 a that introduces air before reaction (one reaction gas) through the one end edge in the arrow B direction of the laminated body 46 in the direction of arrow A to each other, Air outlet communication holes (reaction gas outlet communication holes) 48b for supplying humidified air before reaction to the fuel cell 12 are formed in the direction of arrow C.

  The oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a of the fuel cell 12 and the air outlet communication hole 48b of the humidifier 14 are arranged on the same straight line along the stacking direction (arrow A direction) (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the other end edge of the laminated body 46 in the arrow B direction communicates with each other in the arrow A direction, and an air off gas inlet communication hole (off gas inlet communication hole) 50a to which air off gas is supplied. The air off gas outlet communication holes 50b for discharging the air off gas after humidifying the air before the reaction are arranged in the direction of the arrow C. The oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b of the fuel cell 12 and the air off gas inlet communication hole 50a of the humidifier 14 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction along the stacking direction (arrow A direction) (see FIGS. 3 and 4). ).

  The first separator 42 communicates with the air inlet communication hole 48a and the air outlet communication hole 48b on the surface 42a side facing the one surface 40a of the water permeable membrane 40, and is bent or curved in a substantially U shape. A first flow path 52 having a groove is provided.

  On the surface 42b side opposite to the surface 42a of the first separator 42, there is provided a second flow path 54 that communicates the air inlet communication hole 48a and the air outlet communication hole 48b and has a plurality of substantially U-shaped grooves. It is done. The second flow path 54 is formed alternately with the first flow path 52, and has a wave shape as a whole (see FIG. 5).

  The second separator 44 has a plurality of substantially U-shaped grooves communicating the air off gas inlet communication hole 50a and the air off gas outlet communication hole 50b on the surface 44a side facing the other surface 40b of the water permeable membrane 40. Three flow paths 56 are provided.

  The second separator 44 has, on the surface 44b opposite to the surface 44a, a fourth flow path 58 having a plurality of substantially U-shaped grooves that communicate the air off gas inlet communication hole 50a and the air off gas outlet communication hole 50b. Provide. The fourth flow paths 58 are alternately arranged with the third flow paths 56.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the second end plate 18b is provided with a connecting path 60 that communicates the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b and the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a. The second end plate 18b is formed with a groove 62 that is arranged on the same straight line as the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b and a hole 64 that is arranged on the same straight line as the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a. Is done. The connection path 60 is configured by a substantially semi-ring-shaped groove that communicates the groove 62 and the hole 64.

  The second end plate 18b is formed with a hole 66 that communicates the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the air outlet communication hole 48b. The insulating plate 19b is formed with holes 68a and 68b communicating with the groove 62 and the hole 66 of the second end plate 18b.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell system 10 includes an oxidant gas supply system 70 provided on the humidifier 14 side, and a fuel gas supply system 72 and a cooling medium supply system 74 provided on the fuel cell 12 side.

  The oxidant gas supply system 70 is connected to the third end plate 18c through an air supply passage 76 for supplying air to the air inlet communication hole 48a of the humidifier 14, and an air off-gas outlet communication hole 50b of the humidifier 14. An air discharge channel 78 for exhausting the discharged air off gas to the outside is provided. The air supply channel 76 is provided with a supercharger (or pump) 80 for compressing and supplying air.

  The fuel gas supply system 72 is connected to the first end plate 18 a to supply a hydrogen gas to the fuel gas supply communication hole 30 a of the fuel cell 12, and a fuel gas discharge communication of the fuel cell 12. A hydrogen circulation channel 84 is provided for returning exhaust gas containing unused hydrogen gas discharged from the holes 30 b to the hydrogen supply channel 82 and supplying it to the fuel cell 12.

  The hydrogen supply passage 82 is supplied with a hydrogen tank 86 for storing high-pressure hydrogen, a regulator 88 for reducing the pressure of the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen tank 86, and supplying the reduced hydrogen gas to the fuel cell 12. In addition, an ejector 90 is provided for sucking exhaust gas from the hydrogen circulation channel 84 and returning it to the fuel cell 12.

  The cooling medium supply system 74 is connected to the first end plate 18a and supplies a cooling medium to the cooling medium supply communication hole 28a of the fuel cell 12, and a cooling medium discharge of the fuel cell 12. A cooling medium circulation passage 96 for returning the cooling medium discharged from the communication hole 28b to the cooling medium tank 94, and a pump 98 for circulating the cooling medium in the cooling medium tank 94 are provided.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen tank 86 to the hydrogen supply channel 82 is depressurized to a predetermined pressure via the regulator 88 and then supplied to the fuel cell 12 through the ejector 90. It is supplied to the communication hole 30a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the hydrogen gas moves in the direction of arrow B along the fuel gas flow path 32 that constitutes each power generation cell 16 and is supplied to the anode side electrode 20b, and then the fuel containing unused hydrogen. The off gas is discharged into the fuel gas discharge communication hole 30b. As shown in FIG. 1, this fuel off-gas is discharged to the hydrogen circulation channel 84 and returned to the hydrogen supply channel 82 under the suction action of the ejector 90, and then again as fuel gas in the fuel cell 12. Supplied.

  On the other hand, air is supplied to the air supply channel 76 via the supercharger 80. This air is supplied from the third end plate 18c to the air inlet communication hole 48a of the stacked body 46 constituting the humidifier 14.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the humidifier 14, the 1st and 2nd flow paths 52 and 54 of the 1st separator 42 are connected to the air inlet communication hole 48a. Therefore, the air introduced into the air inlet communication hole 48a moves along the substantially U-shaped first and second flow paths 52 and 54. The air flowing through the first flow path 52 contacts one surface 40 a of the water permeable membrane 40, and the air moving along the second flow path 54 is the other surface 40 b of the other water permeable membrane 40. (Refer to FIG. 5).

  In the humidifier 14, air off gas, which has been reacted air used for power generation of the fuel cell 12, is supplied to the air off gas inlet communication hole 50 a. The air off gas is introduced into the third and fourth flow paths 56 and 58 that communicate with the air off gas inlet communication hole 50 a of the second separator 44. The air off-gas moving along the third flow path 56 contacts the other surface 40b of the water permeable membrane 40, while the air off-gas moving along the fourth flow path 58 is one of the other water permeable membranes 40. In contact with the surface 40a (see FIG. 5).

  Therefore, the moisture in the air off-gas that moves along the third flow path 56 of the second separator 44 is supplied to the pre-reaction air that passes through the water-permeable membrane 40 and moves along the first flow path 52. This air is humidified. Further, the pre-reaction air that moves along the second flow path 54 is humidified by moisture in the air off-gas that moves along the fourth flow path 58. The humidified air is supplied to the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26 a of the fuel cell 12 from the air outlet communication hole 48 b communicating with the first and second flow paths 52 and 54.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the humidified air is supplied to each power generation cell 16 through the hole 66 of the second end plate 18b and the hole 68b of the insulating plate 19b. The humidified air is supplied to the cathode side electrode 20c by flowing through the oxidant gas flow path 36 formed in the separator 24. After the air off gas containing unused air is discharged to the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b, as described above, it is used for the humidification process in the humidifier 14 and is passed through the air off gas outlet communication hole 50b. 78 (see FIG. 1). Thereby, in each power generation cell 16, the hydrogen supplied to the anode side electrode 20b and the oxygen in the air supplied to the cathode side electrode 20c react to generate power.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in the cooling medium supply system 74, the cooling medium in the cooling medium tank 94 is transferred from the cooling medium supply flow path 92 to the cooling medium supply communication hole 28 a of the fuel cell 12 under the action of the pump 98. Supplied. As shown in FIG. 3, the cooling medium passes through the cooling medium flow path 34 formed between the separators 22 and 24, cools each power generation cell 16, and then flows through the cooling medium discharge communication hole 28b. It is discharged to the path 96 and returned to the cooling medium tank 94.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the air off-gas discharged to the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b of the power generation cell 16 is introduced into the groove portion 62 of the second end plate 18b. A connecting path 60 communicates with the groove 62, and the air off gas is supplied to the hole 64 through the connecting path 60. The hole 64 communicates with the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a of the humidifier 14 on the same straight line along the stacking direction, and the air off-gas is supplied from the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a to the third and fourth. It is supplied to the flow paths 56 and 58.

  Thus, the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b and the air off gas inlet communication hole 50a provided in parallel with each other apart from the same straight line with respect to the stacking direction are grooves formed in the second end plate 18b. It communicates via the connecting path 60 having a shape. For this reason, piping for connecting the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b and the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a is not disposed outside the fuel cell 12 and the humidifier 14.

  Thereby, in 1st Embodiment, piping can be simplified effectively and the effect that the weight reduction and size reduction of the fuel cell system 10 whole can be performed easily will be acquired. Moreover, since the fuel cell 12 and the humidifier 14 are directly connected, heat dissipation from the end surface of the second end plate 18b is suppressed. Therefore, the power characteristics of the fuel cell 12 can be improved satisfactorily.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a fuel cell system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The same components as those of the fuel cell system 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted .

  The fuel cell system 100 includes a fuel cell 12 and a flat membrane humidifier 104 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). As shown in FIG. 8, the humidifier 104 includes a first separator 114 disposed on one surface 112 a of the water permeable membrane 112 and a first separator 112 disposed on the other surface 112 b of the water permeable membrane 112. 2 separators 116 are provided.

  The first and second separators 114 and 116 are alternately stacked in the direction of arrow A with the water permeable membrane 112 interposed therebetween to constitute a stacked body 118. An air off-gas outlet communication hole 50b and an air outlet communication hole 48b are provided at one edge of the stacked body 118 in the arrow B direction. An air inlet communication hole 48a and an air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a are provided at the other end edge of the laminated body 118 in the arrow B direction.

  On both surfaces of the first separator 114, there are first and second flow paths 120, 122 which are serpentine flow paths that communicate with the air inlet communication hole 48 a and the air outlet communication hole 48 b and are folded back and forth halfway in the direction of arrow B. Provided. Third and fourth flow paths 124, which are serpentine flow paths that communicate with the air off gas inlet communication hole 50a and the air off gas outlet communication hole 50b on both surfaces of the second separator 116, and are folded back and forth halfway in the direction of arrow B, 126 is provided.

  The oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a of the fuel cell 12 and the air outlet communication hole 48b of the humidifier 104 are vertically aligned in the stacking direction, while the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b of the fuel cell 12 and the The air off gas inlet communication hole 50a of the humidifier 104 is arranged on the same straight line along the stacking direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the second end plate 18b is provided with a connecting path 60a that connects the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the air outlet communication hole 48b. The second end plate 18b is formed with a groove 62a disposed on the same straight line as the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and a hole 66a disposed on the same straight line as the air outlet communication hole 48b in the stacking direction. The The connecting path 60a is configured by a substantially semi-ring-shaped groove that communicates the groove 62a and the hole 66a. The second end plate 18b is formed with a hole 64a that communicates the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b and the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a.

  In the second embodiment configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 8, the air before the reaction flows through the first and second flow paths 120 and 122, while the air off-gas flows in the third and fourth flow paths 124. , 126, the air before the reaction is humidified. The humidified air is introduced into the hole 66a of the second end plate 18b from the air outlet communication hole 48b.

  Therefore, the humidified air is supplied from the groove 62a to the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a of the fuel cell 12 through the connecting path 60a communicating with the hole 66a, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the air off gas after the reaction in the fuel cell 12 is discharged from the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b to the air off gas inlet communication hole 50a.

  At that time, the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the air outlet communication hole 48b, which are parallel to each other in the stacking direction, communicate with each other via a groove-shaped connection path 60a formed in the second end plate 18b. Therefore, it is not necessary to arrange piping for connecting the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the air outlet communication hole 48b outside the fuel cell 12 and the humidifier 104.

  As a result, in the second embodiment, the piping can be simplified effectively, and the fuel cell system 100 as a whole can be easily reduced in weight and size, and the same effects as in the first embodiment. Is obtained.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective explanatory view of a fuel cell system 130 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The fuel cell system 130 includes a fuel cell 12 and a flat membrane humidifier 132 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). As shown in FIG. 11, the humidifier 132 constitutes a laminate 140 by sandwiching a water permeable membrane 134 between first and second separators 136 and 138.

  An air off-gas outlet communication hole 50b and an air inlet communication hole 48a are provided at one edge of the laminated body 140 in the arrow B direction. An air outlet communication hole 48b and an air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a are provided at the other end edge of the laminate 140 in the arrow B direction.

  On both surfaces of the first separator 136, there are first and second flow paths 142, 144 that are serpentine flow paths that communicate with the air inlet communication hole 48 a and the air outlet communication hole 48 b and are folded back and forth halfway in the direction of arrow B. Provided. Third and fourth flow paths 146 that are serpentine flow paths that communicate with the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a and the air off-gas outlet communication hole 50b on both surfaces of the second separator 138 and are folded back and forth halfway in the direction of arrow B, 148 is provided.

  The oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a of the fuel cell 12 and the air outlet communication hole 48b of the humidifier 132 are arranged side by side along the stacking direction, while the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b of the fuel cell 12 and the The air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a of the humidifier 132 is arranged on the same straight line along the stacking direction.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the second end plate 18b is provided with a connecting path 60b that connects the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the air outlet communication hole 48b. The second end plate 18b is formed with a groove 62b disposed on the same straight line as the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and a hole 66b disposed on the same straight line as the air outlet communication hole 48b in the stacking direction. The The connecting path 60b is configured by a wide, substantially linear groove that communicates the groove 62b and the hole 66b. The second end plate 18b is formed with a hole 64b that communicates the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b and the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a.

  In the third embodiment configured as described above, the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the air outlet communication hole 48b that are parallel to each other in the stacking direction are connected in a groove shape formed in the second end plate 18b. It communicates via the path 60b. Therefore, the piping can be effectively simplified, and the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained, such as the weight and size of the fuel cell system 130 can be easily reduced.

Figure 12 is a schematic perspective view showing a fuel cell system 160 that relate to the present invention.

  The fuel cell system 160 includes a polymer electrolyte fuel cell 162 and a humidifier 14. The fuel cell 162 includes power generation cells 164 stacked in the direction of arrow A, and the power generation cell 164 includes separators 166 and 168 that sandwich the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20 as shown in FIG.

  An oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and an oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b are provided at one end edge of the power generation cell 164 in the long side direction so as to communicate with each other in the arrow A direction. A fuel gas supply communication hole 30a and a fuel gas discharge communication hole 30b are provided at the other end edge of the power generation cell 164 in the long side direction so as to communicate with each other in the arrow A direction.

  A substantially U-shaped fuel gas channel 32 a communicating with the fuel gas supply communication hole 30 a and the fuel gas discharge communication hole 30 b is formed on the surface of the separator 166 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20. A substantially U-shaped oxidant gas flow path 36a communicating with the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b is formed on the surface of the separator 168 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20.

  The oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a of the fuel cell 162 and the air outlet communication hole 48b of the humidifier 14 are arranged on the same straight line in the stacking direction, while the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b of the fuel cell 162. And the air off gas inlet communication hole 50a of the humidifier 14 are juxtaposed in a diagonal position along the stacking direction.

  The second end plate 18b is provided with a connection path 60c that communicates the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b and the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a. The second end plate 18b is formed with a groove 62c arranged on the same straight line as the oxidizing gas discharge communication hole 26b and a hole 64c arranged on the same straight line as the air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a in the stacking direction. Is done. The connecting path 60c is constituted by a wide, substantially linear groove that communicates the groove 62c and the hole 64c. The second end plate 18b is formed with a hole 66c that connects the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the air outlet communication hole 48b.

In the fuel cell system 160 configured as described above, the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the air outlet communication hole 48b that are parallel to each other in the stacking direction are groove-shaped connection paths formed in the second end plate 18b. It communicates via 60c.

  Therefore, the piping can be effectively simplified, and the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained, such as the weight and size of the fuel cell system 160 can be easily reduced. In addition, the degree of freedom of setting the position of the communication hole is improved, and it is possible to easily cope with various different fuel cells 12 and 162 using the same humidifier 14, and there is an advantage that the versatility is excellent. .

In addition, in the 1st- 3rd embodiment, although the structure which humidifies the air before reaction with air off gas is employ | adopted, it is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which air before reaction is humidified with fuel off gas (fuel gas after reaction), a configuration in which fuel gas before reaction is humidified with air off gas, or a configuration in which fuel gas before reaction is humidified with fuel off gas is adopted. May be. Furthermore, the shape of the flow path is not limited to a substantially U shape or serpentine, and various shapes can be employed.

1 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic perspective explanatory view of the fuel cell system. It is a principal part disassembled perspective view of the fuel cell which comprises the said fuel cell system. It is a partially exploded perspective view of the humidifier constituting the fuel cell system. It is a partial cross section explanatory view of the humidifier which constitutes the fuel cell system. It is a schematic perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part disassembled perspective view of the fuel cell which comprises the said fuel cell system. It is a partially exploded perspective view of the humidifier constituting the fuel cell system. It is a schematic perspective explanatory drawing of the fuel cell system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part disassembled perspective view of the fuel cell which comprises the said fuel cell system. It is a partially exploded perspective view of the humidifier constituting the fuel cell system. It is a schematic perspective view showing a fuel cell system that are related to the present invention. It is a partially exploded perspective view of the fuel cell constituting the fuel cell system. 2 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram of a fuel cell stack of Patent Document 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 100, 130, 160 ... Fuel cell system 12, 162 ... Fuel cell 14, 104, 132 ... Humidifier 16, 164 ... Power generation cell 18a-18c ... End plate 20a ... Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20b ... Anode side electrode 20c ... cathode side electrodes 22, 24, 42, 44, 114, 116, 136, 138, 166, 168 ... separator 26a ... oxidant gas supply communication hole 26b ... oxidant gas discharge communication hole 28a ... cooling medium supply communication hole 28b ... Cooling medium discharge communication hole 30a ... Fuel gas supply communication hole 30b ... Fuel gas discharge communication hole 32, 32a ... Fuel gas flow path 34 ... Cooling medium flow path 36, 36a ... Oxidant gas flow path 40, 112, 134 ... Water permeation Film 46, 118, 140 ... laminate 48a ... air inlet communication hole 48b ... air outlet communication hole 50a ... air off-gas inlet Communication hole 50b ... Air off gas outlet communication holes 52 to 58, 120 to 126, 142 to 148 ... Flow paths 62, 62a to 62c ... Groove parts 64, 64a to 64c, 66, 66a to 66c ... Hole part 70 ... Oxidant gas supply System 72 ... Fuel gas supply system 74 ... Cooling medium supply system

Claims (2)

A polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure and a rectangular separator are laminated, and water permeability for humidifying at least one reaction gas supplied to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell with a humidifying fluid A flat membrane humidifier in which a membrane and a separator are stacked is a fuel cell system stacked in the same stacking direction,
The flat membrane humidifier includes a reaction gas flow path for flowing the one reaction gas along one surface side of the water permeable membrane, and the humidified fluid on the other surface side of the water permeable membrane. The humidified fluid flow channel that circulates along the at least part of the flow channel shape is configured to flow different from each other,
A reaction gas outlet communication hole for supplying the humidified reaction gas to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and an off gas inlet communication hole for discharging off gas as the humidified fluid from the polymer electrolyte fuel cell; Provided along the laminating direction,
The polymer electrolyte fuel cell is provided with a reaction gas supply communication hole into which the humidified one reaction gas is introduced along the stacking direction and in parallel with the reaction gas outlet communication hole,
Off-gas discharge communication holes for discharging the off-gas are provided on the same straight line as the off-gas inlet communication holes along the stacking direction, and the reactive gas supply communication holes and the off-gas discharge communication holes are diagonal positions of the separator. The one reactive gas flows in the long side direction of the separator,
The reaction gas outlet communication hole and the reaction gas supply communication hole communicate with each other through a connection path formed in a plate member interposed between the polymer electrolyte fuel cell and the flat membrane humidifier. A fuel cell system. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell in which an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure and a rectangular separator are laminated, and water permeability for humidifying at least one reaction gas supplied to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell with a humidifying fluid A flat membrane humidifier in which a membrane and a separator are stacked is a fuel cell system stacked in the same stacking direction,
The flat membrane humidifier includes a reaction gas flow path for flowing the one reaction gas along one surface side of the water permeable membrane, and the humidified fluid on the other surface side of the water permeable membrane. The humidified fluid flow channel that circulates along the at least part of the flow channel shape is configured to flow different from each other,
A reaction gas outlet communication hole for supplying the humidified reaction gas to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and an off gas inlet communication hole for discharging off gas as the humidified fluid from the polymer electrolyte fuel cell; Provided along the laminating direction,
The polymer electrolyte fuel cell is provided with an offgas discharge communication hole for discharging the offgas along the stacking direction and in parallel with the offgas inlet communication hole,
A reaction gas supply communication hole through which the one of the humidified reaction gases is introduced is provided on the same straight line as the reaction gas outlet communication hole along the stacking direction, and the reaction gas supply communication hole and the off gas discharge communication are provided. Holes are provided at diagonal positions of the separator, and the one reaction gas flows in the long side direction of the separator,
The off-gas inlet communication hole and the off-gas discharge communication hole communicate with each other via a connection path formed in a plate member interposed between the polymer electrolyte fuel cell and the flat membrane humidifier. A fuel cell system.

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