JPH0765845A - Solid high polymer electrolyte type fuel cell - Google Patents
Solid high polymer electrolyte type fuel cellInfo
- Publication number
- JPH0765845A JPH0765845A JP5208029A JP20802993A JPH0765845A JP H0765845 A JPH0765845 A JP H0765845A JP 5208029 A JP5208029 A JP 5208029A JP 20802993 A JP20802993 A JP 20802993A JP H0765845 A JPH0765845 A JP H0765845A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- fuel cell
- water
- plate body
- polymer electrolyte
- hole
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、固体高分子電解質型燃
料電池に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】固体高分子電解質型燃料電池は、固体高
分子電解質膜の両側にガス拡散性を有する電極を接合
し、酸素供給溝もしくは水素供給溝を設けた集電体を前
記それぞれの電極の背面に当接させて電池セルを形成す
る。2. Description of the Related Art In a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, electrodes having gas diffusivity are joined to both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a current collector provided with an oxygen supply groove or a hydrogen supply groove is provided for each electrode. To form a battery cell by abutting on the back surface of.
【０００３】この際、電流密度が高くなり、発熱量が増
大することにより、固体高分子電解質膜の水分が不足す
ると、イオン伝導度が低下し、燃料電池の出力が低下す
る。この対策として、従来の燃料電池では、以下のよう
な対策が採用されている。At this time, the current density increases and the amount of heat generated increases, so that when the water content of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane is insufficient, the ionic conductivity decreases and the output of the fuel cell decreases. As measures against this, the following measures have been adopted in conventional fuel cells.
【０００４】例えば、特開平３−１０２７７４号公報の
ように、水素供給溝の間に水供給溝を設け、この水供給
溝から電解質膜に供給される水によって電解質膜の冷却
と加湿を行うものが提案されている。For example, as in JP-A-3-102774, a water supply groove is provided between hydrogen supply grooves, and water supplied to the electrolyte membrane from the water supply groove cools and humidifies the electrolyte membrane. Is proposed.
【０００５】また、高分子電解質膜の内部に、単繊維や
中空繊維によって直接、加湿通路を形成する燃料電池も
提案されている。Further, there has been proposed a fuel cell in which a humidification passage is directly formed by a single fiber or a hollow fiber inside a polymer electrolyte membrane.
【０００６】さらに、燃料電池に隣接した加湿セクショ
ンによりガスに加湿を行うもの、あるいは外部に加湿器
があるもの等が提案されている。Further, there has been proposed a device for humidifying a gas by a humidifying section adjacent to the fuel cell, a device having a humidifier outside, or the like.
【０００７】[0007]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】しかしながら、水素供
給溝の間に水供給溝を設ける対策では、水が直接、電極
に供給されるため、電極を水没させるおそれがある。こ
の結果、水素ガスあるいは酸素ガスが電極に到達できな
くなり、燃料電池の出力が低下する懸念がある。また、
高分子電解質膜の内部に単繊維または中空繊維によって
水分を補給する対策では、前記単繊維あるいは中空繊維
を高分子電解質膜で挟む構成になるため、前記高分子電
解質膜の厚さが増大し、膜の接触抵抗の増加、当該電解
質膜のイオン導電抵抗が増大すると共に、当該電解質膜
に均一に水分を供給できないおそれがある。さらに、燃
料電池セクションに隣接した加湿セクションを設ける対
策では、加湿セクション自体が燃料電池スタックの体積
を増加させることになる。さらにまた、ガス流路の配管
距離が長くなり、圧力損失が大きくなるとともに、応答
性が低下するおそれがある。However, in the measure of providing the water supply groove between the hydrogen supply grooves, water is directly supplied to the electrode, so that the electrode may be submerged. As a result, hydrogen gas or oxygen gas cannot reach the electrode, which may reduce the output of the fuel cell. Also,
In the measure of replenishing water with a single fiber or a hollow fiber inside the polymer electrolyte membrane, since the single fiber or the hollow fiber is sandwiched between polymer electrolyte membranes, the thickness of the polymer electrolyte membrane increases, There is a possibility that the contact resistance of the membrane increases, the ionic conductivity resistance of the electrolyte membrane increases, and that moisture cannot be uniformly supplied to the electrolyte membrane. Further, in the measure to provide the humidifying section adjacent to the fuel cell section, the humidifying section itself increases the volume of the fuel cell stack. Furthermore, the piping distance of the gas flow path becomes long, the pressure loss increases, and the responsiveness may decrease.
【０００８】本発明は、この種の問題を解決するために
なされたものであって、簡単な構造で、応答性が高く、
電解質膜に均一に加湿できる固体高分子電解質膜型燃料
電池を提供することを目的とする。The present invention has been made to solve this kind of problem and has a simple structure and high responsiveness.
An object of the present invention is to provide a solid polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell capable of uniformly humidifying an electrolyte membrane.
【０００９】[0009]
【課題を解決するための手段】前記の目的を達成するた
めに、本発明は、固体高分子電解質膜の両側面に電極を
接合した電極一体型電解質膜と、前記電極に酸素ガスあ
るいは水素ガスを供給する多孔質カーボンから形成され
た集電体と、前記集電体に当接する水透過性の材料から
形成された隔壁と、前記隔壁によって画成され、水が供
給される冷却室と、を備えることを特徴とする。In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electrode-integrated electrolyte membrane in which electrodes are bonded to both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and oxygen gas or hydrogen gas is attached to the electrode. A current collector formed of porous carbon that supplies water, a partition formed of a water-permeable material that contacts the current collector, a cooling chamber defined by the partition, to which water is supplied, It is characterized by including.
【００１０】なお、前記隔壁を形成している水透過性の
材料が、多孔質カーボンであれば、好適である。It is preferable that the water-permeable material forming the partition wall is porous carbon.
【００１１】[0011]
【作用】本発明に係る固体高分子電解質型燃料電池で
は、冷却室を構成する隔壁が水透過性の材料から形成さ
れているため、前記冷却室に供給される水が前記隔壁か
ら多孔質カーボンで形成された集電体に供給され、前記
集電体から電極を介して固体高分子電解質膜に均一に水
分が供給される。In the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention, since the partition wall forming the cooling chamber is made of a water-permeable material, the water supplied to the cooling chamber flows from the partition wall to the porous carbon. The water is supplied to the current collector formed in step 1, and the water is uniformly supplied from the current collector to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane through the electrodes.
【００１２】[0012]
【実施例】本発明に係る固体高分子電解質型燃料電池に
ついて、好適な実施例を挙げ、添付の図面を参照しなが
ら以下詳細に説明する。EXAMPLES A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to the preferred examples.
【００１３】該燃料電池スタック１０は、図１および図
２に示すように、基本的に発電部１２とセパレータ１４
とから構成される。前記セパレータ１４は、比較的厚み
のある第１の板体１６と、第２の板体１８と、第３の板
体２０とを含み、前記第１板体１６と第２板体１８との
間に第１の隔壁２２が介装され、一方、第２板体１８と
第３板体２０との間に第２の隔壁２４が介装され、前記
第１板体１６、第１隔壁２２、第２板体１８、第２隔壁
２４、第３板体２０がこの順序で積層されて構成され
る。なお、図中、参照符号２８は、第１板体１６の一面
に係着される第１のガスケットを示し、また、参照符号
３０は、第３板体２０の一面に係着される第２のガスケ
ットを示す。As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel cell stack 10 basically includes a power generation section 12 and a separator 14.
Composed of and. The separator 14 includes a relatively thick first plate body 16, a second plate body 18, and a third plate body 20, and includes the first plate body 16 and the second plate body 18. A first partition wall 22 is interposed between the second partition body 18 and the third partition body 20, and a second partition wall 24 is disposed between the second plate body 18 and the third plate body 20. , The second plate 18, the second partition 24, and the third plate 20 are stacked in this order. In the drawing, reference numeral 28 indicates a first gasket attached to one surface of the first plate body 16, and reference numeral 30 indicates a second gasket attached to one surface of the third plate body 20. Shows the gasket.
【００１４】そこで、第１板体１６について説明する
と、図１並びに図２から諒解される通り、第１板体１６
の中央部には略正四角形状の大孔３２が画成され、この
大孔３２を囲繞するように、前記第１板体１６の上枠１
６ａには直方体状の貫通孔３４が、また、下枠１６ｂに
は貫通孔３６がそれぞれ画成されている。この場合、貫
通孔３４は大孔３２と複数の細孔３８を介して連通し、
一方、貫通孔３６は、同様に複数の細孔４０を介して大
孔３２と連通している。Therefore, the first plate 16 will be described. As can be understood from FIGS. 1 and 2, the first plate 16 is explained.
A large hole 32 having a substantially square shape is defined in the center of the upper plate 1 of the first plate body 16 so as to surround the large hole 32.
A through hole 34 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape is defined in 6a, and a through hole 36 is defined in the lower frame 16b. In this case, the through hole 34 communicates with the large hole 32 through the plurality of fine holes 38,
On the other hand, the through hole 36 also communicates with the large hole 32 via the plurality of small holes 40.
【００１５】前記第１板体１６の側枠１６ｃには、前記
貫通孔３４、３６と同様な直方体状の貫通孔４２が画成
され、一方、側枠１６ｄにも、前記貫通孔４２と同様の
貫通孔４４が画成されている。第１板体１６の上枠１６
ａと側枠１６ｄとによって形成される隅角部には連通孔
４６が、また、下枠１６ｂと側枠１６ｃとによって画成
される隅角部には連通孔４８が画成されている。The side frame 16c of the first plate member 16 is formed with a rectangular parallelepiped through hole 42 similar to the through holes 34 and 36, while the side frame 16d is also similar to the through hole 42. Through-holes 44 are defined. Upper frame 16 of the first plate body 16
A communication hole 46 is defined in the corner formed by a and the side frame 16d, and a communication hole 48 is defined in the corner defined by the lower frame 16b and the side frame 16c.
【００１６】次に、第２板体１８について説明すると、
第２板体１８の中央部には前記第１板体１６と同様の大
孔５０が画成され、その上枠１８ａに貫通孔５２が、ま
た、その下枠１８ｂに貫通孔５４が画成されている。一
方、第２板体１８の側枠１８ｃには貫通孔５６が、ま
た、側枠１８ｄには貫通孔５８が画成されている。前記
上枠１８ａと側枠１８ｄとによって形成される隅角部に
は連通孔６０が画成され、下枠１８ｂと側枠１８ｃとに
よって画成される隅角部には連通孔６２が画成されてい
る。それぞれの連通孔６０、６２は大孔５０と孔６４、
６６（図３参照）によって連通されている。なお、この
第２板体１８には前記第１板体１６に設けられている細
孔３８、４０に対応する細孔は存在しない。Next, the second plate 18 will be described.
A large hole 50 similar to that of the first plate body 16 is defined in the center of the second plate body 18, a through hole 52 is defined in the upper frame 18a thereof, and a through hole 54 is defined in the lower frame 18b thereof. Has been done. On the other hand, a through hole 56 is defined in the side frame 18c of the second plate body 18, and a through hole 58 is defined in the side frame 18d. A communication hole 60 is defined at a corner formed by the upper frame 18a and the side frame 18d, and a communication hole 62 is defined at a corner formed by the lower frame 18b and the side frame 18c. Has been done. The communication holes 60 and 62 are the large holes 50 and the holes 64,
66 (see FIG. 3). It should be noted that the second plate body 18 has no pores corresponding to the pores 38 and 40 provided in the first plate body 16.
【００１７】さらに、第３板体２０について説明する。
第３板体２０には、その中央部に第１板体１６、第２板
体１８と同様の大孔７０が画成され、その大孔７０を囲
繞するように、上枠２０ａには直方体状の貫通孔７２が
画成され、また、その下枠２０ｂにも同様に貫通孔７４
が画成されている。側枠２０ｃには貫通孔７６が画成さ
れ、さらに、側枠２０ｄには貫通孔７８が画成されてい
る。この第３板体２０では、大孔７０と貫通孔７６とは
複数の細孔８０によって連通されており、一方、該大孔
７０と貫通孔７８とは、同様に、複数の細孔８２によっ
て連通されている。第３板体２０の上枠２０ａと側枠２
０ｄとによって形成される隅角部には連通孔８４が画成
され、下枠２０ｂと側枠２０ｃとによって画成される隅
角部には、第１板体１６の連通孔４８、第２板体１８の
連通孔６２と対応する位置に図示しない連通孔が設けら
れている。Further, the third plate body 20 will be described.
A large hole 70 similar to the first plate body 16 and the second plate body 18 is defined in the central portion of the third plate body 20, and a rectangular parallelepiped is formed on the upper frame 20a so as to surround the large hole 70. -Shaped through-hole 72 is defined, and the through-hole 74 is similarly formed in the lower frame 20b.
Is defined. A through hole 76 is defined in the side frame 20c, and a through hole 78 is defined in the side frame 20d. In the third plate body 20, the large hole 70 and the through hole 76 are communicated with each other by a plurality of pores 80, while the large hole 70 and the through hole 78 are similarly formed by a plurality of pores 82. It is in communication. Upper frame 20a and side frame 2 of the third plate body 20
Communication hole 84 is defined in a corner portion formed by 0d and the communication hole 48 of the first plate member 16 is formed in the corner portion defined by the lower frame 20b and the side frame 20c. A communication hole (not shown) is provided at a position corresponding to the communication hole 62 of the plate body 18.
【００１８】第１と第２の隔壁２２、２４について説明
する。これらの第１と第２の隔壁２２、２４は水透過性
の多孔質カーボンからなり、図４に示すように、前記第
１板体１６、第２板体１８、第３板体２０のそれぞれの
上枠、下枠、側枠に画成された貫通孔に対応する貫通孔
９０、９２、９４、９６を備え、さらに、連通孔４６、
６０、８４に対応して連通孔９８が一方の隅角部に画成
され、連通孔４８、６２および第３板体２０の側枠２０
ｃと下枠２０ｂとによって形成される隅角部に画成され
た図示しない連通孔に対応して連通孔１００が画成され
ている。The first and second partition walls 22 and 24 will be described. These first and second partition walls 22 and 24 are made of water-permeable porous carbon, and as shown in FIG. 4, each of the first plate body 16, the second plate body 18, and the third plate body 20. Through holes 90, 92, 94, 96 corresponding to the through holes defined in the upper frame, the lower frame, and the side frame are provided, and the communication hole 46,
A communication hole 98 is defined at one corner corresponding to 60, 84, and the communication holes 48, 62 and the side frame 20 of the third plate body 20.
A communication hole 100 is defined so as to correspond to a communication hole (not shown) defined in a corner portion formed by c and the lower frame 20b.
【００１９】前記のように構成される第１板体１６、第
１隔壁２２、第３板体１８、第２隔壁２４および第３板
体２０は、互いに積層されてセパレータ１４として形成
されたとき、前記第１隔壁２２と第２隔壁２４との間で
冷却室１０４（図２参照）が画成される。When the first plate body 16, the first partition wall 22, the third plate body 18, the second partition wall 24 and the third plate body 20 configured as described above are laminated with each other to form the separator 14. A cooling chamber 104 (see FIG. 2) is defined between the first partition 22 and the second partition 24.
【００２０】次に、発電部１２について説明する。Next, the power generation section 12 will be described.
【００２１】発電部１２は、基本的には、一組の集電体
１１０、１１２と、前記集電体１１０と１１２との間で
挟持される電極一体型電解質膜１２４とから構成され
る。集電体１１０と１１２は、多孔質カーボンから剛体
として形成される。The power generation section 12 is basically composed of a set of current collectors 110 and 112 and an electrode-integrated electrolyte membrane 124 sandwiched between the current collectors 110 and 112. The current collectors 110 and 112 are formed as rigid bodies from porous carbon.
【００２２】前記集電体１１０はセパレータ１４を構成
する第１板体１６の大孔３２に若干の隙間をもって嵌合
されるべく略正方形状でかつ前記第１板体１６と略同じ
厚さの板体からなる。The current collector 110 has a substantially square shape and has a thickness substantially the same as that of the first plate body 16 so as to be fitted into the large hole 32 of the first plate body 16 constituting the separator 14 with a slight gap. It consists of a plate.
【００２３】前記集電体１１０には、図１に示すよう
に、前記第１板体１６の細孔３８、４０と連通し且つ反
応ガスを吸収するために表面積を拡大すべく複数の溝１
１４が形成される。従って、前記集電体１１０が第１板
体１６の大孔３２に嵌合されると、溝１１４が細孔３
８、４０を介してそれぞれ貫通孔３４と貫通孔３６とに
連通するとともに、第１隔壁２２に押圧されると、第１
板体１６の大孔３２内で溝１１４の延在方向と直交する
方向に前記集電体１１０が変位可能である。As shown in FIG. 1, the current collector 110 communicates with the pores 38 and 40 of the first plate 16 and has a plurality of grooves 1 for increasing the surface area for absorbing the reaction gas.
14 is formed. Therefore, when the current collector 110 is fitted into the large hole 32 of the first plate body 16, the groove 114 is formed into the small hole 3.
When the first partition wall 22 is pressed while communicating with the through hole 34 and the through hole 36 via 8 and 40, respectively,
The current collector 110 is displaceable in the large hole 32 of the plate body 16 in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the groove 114.
【００２４】集電体１１２は、第３板体２０の大孔７０
に対応する略正方形状でかつこの第３板体２０と略同じ
厚さの板体からなる。前記集電体１１２には、該第３板
体２０に画成されている細孔８０、８２に連通する複数
の溝１１６が画成されている。従って、前記集電体１１
２が第３板体２０の大孔７０に嵌合されると、溝１１６
が細孔８０、８２を介してそれぞれ貫通孔７６、７８と
に連通すると共に、第２隔壁２４に押圧されると、第３
板体２０の大孔７０内で溝１１６の延在方向と直交する
方向に前記集電体１１２が変位可能である。The current collector 112 is the large hole 70 of the third plate body 20.
And a plate body having a substantially square shape and having substantially the same thickness as the third plate body 20. The current collector 112 is formed with a plurality of grooves 116 communicating with the pores 80 and 82 defined in the third plate body 20. Therefore, the current collector 11
When 2 is fitted into the large hole 70 of the third plate body 20, the groove 116
Communicates with the through holes 76 and 78 through the pores 80 and 82, respectively, and is pressed against the second partition wall 24, the third
The current collector 112 can be displaced in the large hole 70 of the plate body 20 in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the groove 116.
【００２５】前記電極一体型電解質膜１２４は、固体高
分子電解質膜１２６の両面に電極触媒層１２８ａ、１２
８ｂを備えている。第１板体１６に関連して説明する
と、前記固体高分子電解質膜１２６の大きさは貫通孔３
４、３６、４２および４４の内側端縁と略同様であり、
一方、電極触媒層１２８ａ、１２８ｂの大きさは集電体
１１０、１１２と略同様である。The electrode-integrated electrolyte membrane 124 has electrode catalyst layers 128a and 12a on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 126.
8b. Explaining in connection with the first plate body 16, the size of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 126 is the through hole 3
Substantially the same as the inner edges of 4, 36, 42 and 44,
On the other hand, the sizes of the electrode catalyst layers 128a and 128b are substantially the same as those of the current collectors 110 and 112.
【００２６】図５はガスケット２８、３０の構造を示
す。前記ガスケット２８、３０は、図２に示すように、
第１板体１６と第３板体２０との間で挟持され、隣接す
るガスケット２８、３０間で電極一体型電解質膜１２４
を挟む。前記ガスケット２８、３０には、後述するよう
に、圧力流体が燃料電池スタック１０として積層された
第１板体１６乃至第３板体２０の間で通流可能なよう
に、かつ集電体１１０、１１２が電極一体型電解質膜１
２４に当接可能なように、貫通孔１３０ａ〜１３０ｄ、
連通孔１３２、１３４および大孔１３６が画成されてい
る。FIG. 5 shows the structure of the gaskets 28 and 30. The gaskets 28 and 30 are, as shown in FIG.
The electrode-integrated electrolyte membrane 124 is sandwiched between the first plate body 16 and the third plate body 20 and between the adjacent gaskets 28 and 30.
Sandwich. As will be described later, the gaskets 28 and 30 allow a pressure fluid to flow between the first plate body 16 to the third plate body 20 stacked as the fuel cell stack 10, and the current collector 110. , 112 are electrode-integrated electrolyte membranes 1
Through holes 130a-130d,
Communication holes 132 and 134 and a large hole 136 are defined.
【００２７】以上のように構成される発電部１２とセパ
レータ１４とは、第１板体１６の大孔３２に集電体１１
０が変位自在に嵌合し、第３板体２０の大孔７０に集電
体１１２が変位自在に嵌合し、電極触媒層１２８ａ、１
２８ｂには集電体１１０と集電体１１２の平滑な面が当
接し、電極一体型電解質膜１２４の外部に露呈する面は
ガスケット２８、３０に接する。そして、全体として、
第１板体１６、第１隔壁２２、第２板体１８、第２隔壁
２４、第３板体２０、ガスケット３０、電極一体型電解
質膜１２４、ガスケット２８、第１板体１６の如き順序
で積層して燃料電池スタック１０が形成される。なお、
その積層固定に際しては、図６に示すように、第１板体
１６の貫通孔３４、３６並びに貫通孔４２、４４に連通
する管継手１４０、１４２、１４４、１４６、連通孔４
６、４８に連通する管継手１４８、１５０を有するエン
ドプレート１５２、および前記管継手が形成されていな
いエンドプレート１５４をその両端に配設し、締付ボル
ト１５６ａ乃至１５６ｄでその四隅を強くかつ均等に締
め付けることにより構成される。The power generation section 12 and the separator 14 configured as described above are placed in the large holes 32 of the first plate body 16 in the current collector 11.
0 is displaceably fitted, the current collector 112 is displaceably fitted into the large hole 70 of the third plate body 20, and the electrode catalyst layers 128a, 1
The smooth surfaces of the current collectors 110 and 112 are in contact with 28 b, and the surfaces of the electrode-integrated electrolyte membrane 124 exposed to the outside are in contact with the gaskets 28 and 30. And, overall,
The first plate body 16, the first partition wall 22, the second plate body 18, the second partition wall 24, the third plate body 20, the gasket 30, the electrode-integrated electrolyte membrane 124, the gasket 28, and the first plate body 16 in this order. The fuel cell stack 10 is formed by stacking. In addition,
At the time of stacking and fixing the layers, as shown in FIG. 6, the pipe joints 140, 142, 144, 146 communicating with the through holes 34, 36 and the through holes 42, 44 of the first plate 16 and the communicating hole 4 are connected.
End plates 152 having pipe joints 148, 150 communicating with 6, 48 and end plates 154 not formed with the pipe joints are arranged at both ends thereof, and tightening bolts 156a to 156d make the four corners strong and even. It is composed by tightening.
【００２８】このように構成される燃料電池スタック１
０は、図７に示すように、前記冷却室１０４に冷媒であ
る水を供給する回路が外部に設けられている。すなわ
ち、巡回する水が貯蔵されるタンク１６０、所定の圧力
まで上昇させる昇圧ポンプ１６２、さらにイオン交換樹
脂１６４が管路１６６を介して、燃料電池スタック１０
のエンドプレート１５２の管継手１５０に連通されてい
る。一方、前記エンドプレート１５２の管継手１４８
は、管路１６８を介して背圧弁１７０、タンク１６０に
連通されている。The fuel cell stack 1 having the above structure
As shown in FIG. 7, 0 is provided with a circuit for supplying water as a refrigerant to the cooling chamber 104 outside. That is, the tank 160 in which the circulating water is stored, the booster pump 162 for raising the pressure to a predetermined pressure, and the ion exchange resin 164 are further connected via the conduit 166 to the fuel cell stack 10.
Is connected to the pipe joint 150 of the end plate 152. On the other hand, the pipe joint 148 of the end plate 152
Are communicated with the back pressure valve 170 and the tank 160 via a pipe line 168.
【００２９】燃料電池スタック１０の作動停止時には、
図８に示すように、セパレータ１４の隔壁２２、２４は
両側に隣設した前記集電体１１０、１１２に対して組み
立て時の状態を維持している。When the operation of the fuel cell stack 10 is stopped,
As shown in FIG. 8, the partition walls 22 and 24 of the separator 14 maintain the assembled state with respect to the current collectors 110 and 112 adjacent to each other on both sides.
【００３０】燃料電池スタック１０の作動時には、図１
および図６に示すように、水素ガスが図示しない水素ガ
ス供給源からエンドプレート１５２の管継手１４０、第
１板体１６の貫通孔３４、細孔３８を介して集電体１１
０の溝１１４に供給され、酸素ガスが図示しない酸素ガ
ス供給源からエンドプレート１５２の管継手１４６、第
３板体２０の貫通孔７８、細孔８２を介して集電体１１
２の溝１１６に供給される。When the fuel cell stack 10 is in operation, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the hydrogen gas is supplied from a hydrogen gas supply source (not shown) through the pipe joint 140 of the end plate 152, the through hole 34 of the first plate body 16, and the pore 38.
The oxygen gas is supplied to the groove 114 of No. 0, and the oxygen gas is supplied from an oxygen gas supply source (not shown) through the pipe joint 146 of the end plate 152, the through hole 78 of the third plate body 20, and the pore 82.
It is supplied to the second groove 116.
【００３１】これと同時に、水がエンドプレート１５２
の管継手１５０（図６参照）から連通孔６２に達し、孔
６６（図４参照）を経て冷却室１０４に流入し、前記冷
却室１０４の内圧を上昇させる。この際、図８に示すよ
うに、前記水の圧力（ＰＨ2Ｏ）はガスの圧力（Ｐ
Ｈ2 、ＰＯ2 ）よりも高く設定されているため、前記水
（実線矢印）が水透過性である多孔質カーボンから形成
された隔壁２２、２４を透過して、多孔質カーボンから
形成された集電体１１０、１１２に浸透する。あるい
は、集電体１１０、１１２に画成された溝１１４、１１
６を流れている水素ガス、あるいは酸素ガスを加湿す
る。加湿されたガス（破線矢印）は、前記集電体１１
０、１１２に浸透する（図９参照）。集電体１１０、１
１２に浸透した加湿された前記ガス（破線矢印）および
水（実線矢印）は、電極触媒層１２８ａ、１２８ｂに到
達して、固体高分子電解質膜１２６を加湿する。したが
って、固体高分子電解質膜１２６が適度な湿度に維持さ
れ、接触抵抗が増加することはない。At the same time, water is absorbed by the end plate 152.
From the pipe joint 150 (see FIG. 6) to the communication hole 62, flows into the cooling chamber 104 through the hole 66 (see FIG. 4), and increases the internal pressure of the cooling chamber 104. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the water pressure (PH 2 O) is equal to the gas pressure (P
H 2 and PO 2 ) are set higher, so that the water (solid arrow) passes through the partition walls 22 and 24 formed of water-permeable porous carbon and is formed of porous carbon. Permeates the current collectors 110 and 112. Alternatively, the grooves 114, 11 defined in the current collectors 110, 112
The hydrogen gas or oxygen gas flowing through 6 is humidified. The humidified gas (dashed line arrow) is the current collector 11
0, 112 (see FIG. 9). Current collectors 110, 1
The moistened gas (broken line arrow) and water (solid line arrow) that have permeated 12 reach the electrode catalyst layers 128a and 128b and moisturize the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 126. Therefore, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 126 is maintained at an appropriate humidity and the contact resistance does not increase.
【００３２】さらに、燃料電池スタック１０の作動が終
わり水の流入が停止されると、前記冷却室１０４の水が
孔６４、連通孔６０を経て、エンドプレート１５２の管
継手１４８から外部に排出され、当該冷却室１０４の内
圧が低下する。したがって、隔壁２２、２４の集電体１
１０、１１２側への面圧力も低下し、組み立て時の圧力
に戻る。Further, when the operation of the fuel cell stack 10 is finished and the inflow of water is stopped, the water in the cooling chamber 104 is discharged to the outside from the pipe joint 148 of the end plate 152 through the hole 64 and the communication hole 60. The internal pressure of the cooling chamber 104 decreases. Therefore, the collector 1 of the partition walls 22 and 24
The surface pressure on the side of 10, 112 also drops and returns to the pressure at the time of assembly.
【００３３】このように、本実施例に係る固体高分子電
解質型燃料電池によれば、各セパレータ１４に画成され
た冷却室１０４に導入される水を水透過性の膜からなる
隔壁２２、２４、多孔質カーボンから形成された集電体
１１０、１１２を介して電極一体型電解質膜１２４に供
給する。したがって、前記電極一体型電解質膜１２４が
適当な湿度に保たれ、接触抵抗を増加させることがな
い。この際、セパレータ１４に設けられた冷却室１０４
に供給される水を隔壁２２、２４、集電体１１０、１１
２を介して供給するので、新たな加湿手段を設ける必要
がない。As described above, according to the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell of this embodiment, the water introduced into the cooling chamber 104 defined by each separator 14 is formed by the partition wall 22 made of a water-permeable membrane. 24, the current is supplied to the electrode-integrated electrolyte membrane 124 via the current collectors 110 and 112 made of porous carbon. Therefore, the electrode-integrated electrolyte membrane 124 is kept at an appropriate humidity and the contact resistance is not increased. At this time, the cooling chamber 104 provided in the separator 14
The water supplied to the partition walls 22 and 24 and the current collectors 110 and 11
Since it is supplied via No. 2, it is not necessary to provide a new humidifying means.
【００３４】また、それぞれのセパレータの冷却室１０
４から水が供給されるため、各電極一体型電解質膜１２
４に均等に水分が供給される。The cooling chamber 10 for each separator is also provided.
Since water is supplied from 4, the electrode-integrated electrolyte membrane 12
Water is evenly supplied to No. 4.
【００３５】さらに、前記電極一体型電解質膜１２４の
乾燥状態に応じて水の供給量を増減させるが、その際、
各冷却室１０４から水分を供給しているため、応答性が
高い。Further, the amount of water supplied is increased or decreased according to the dry state of the electrode-integrated electrolyte membrane 124.
Since water is supplied from each cooling chamber 104, responsiveness is high.
【００３６】さらにまた、隔壁が破損するような事態に
到ったとしても、ガスの圧力（ＰＨ 2 、ＰＯ2 ）よりも
水の圧力（ＰＨ2 Ｏ）を高く設定しているため、集電体
１１０、１１２の溝１１４、１１６に水が浸入するだけ
で、逆に冷却室１０４にガスが浸入することはない。し
たがって、水素ガスと酸素ガスが前記冷却室１０４で混
合することを確実に阻止でき、安全性が確保される。Furthermore, in the case where the partition wall is damaged,
Even if it arrives, the gas pressure (PH 2, PO2)than
Water pressure (PH2O) is set high, so the current collector
Only water enters the grooves 114 and 116 of 110 and 112
On the contrary, the gas does not enter the cooling chamber 104. Shi
Therefore, the hydrogen gas and the oxygen gas are mixed in the cooling chamber 104.
It is possible to reliably prevent the combination and to ensure safety.
【００３７】また、さらに、前記隔壁２２、２４は、孔
が複数個画成された金属板と、その金属板の冷却室１０
４側に貼付された水透過性の膜からなる構成であっても
良い。Further, the partition walls 22 and 24 include a metal plate having a plurality of holes defined therein, and a cooling chamber 10 for the metal plate.
It may be configured by a water-permeable membrane attached to the fourth side.
【００３８】[0038]
【発明の効果】本発明に係る固体高分子電解質型燃料電
池によれば、以下の効果が得られる。According to the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
【００３９】すなわち、冷却室を構成する隔壁が水透過
性の材料、好適には多孔質カーボンから形成されている
ため、前記冷却室に供給される水が前記隔壁から多孔質
カーボンで構成された集電体に供給され、前記集電体か
ら電極を介して固体高分子電解質膜に均一に水分が供給
される。したがって、冷却用の水を用いて、隔壁、集電
体から固体高分子電解質膜を加湿するため、特に加湿用
の機構を設ける必要がなく、全体にコンパクトにまとめ
ることができる。また、前記冷却室は、各単位電池に設
けられているため、各単位電池の固体高分子電解質膜を
均等に加湿することができる。That is, since the partition wall forming the cooling chamber is made of a water-permeable material, preferably porous carbon, the water supplied to the cooling chamber is made of porous carbon from the partition wall. The water is supplied to the current collector, and the water is uniformly supplied from the current collector to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane through the electrode. Therefore, since water for cooling is used to humidify the solid polymer electrolyte membrane from the partition wall and the current collector, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism for humidification, and the entire structure can be made compact. Further, since the cooling chamber is provided in each unit battery, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane of each unit battery can be evenly humidified.
【図１】本発明に係る燃料電池の要部分解斜視図であ
る。FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of essential parts of a fuel cell according to the present invention.
【図２】本発明に係る燃料電池の縦断面図である。FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a fuel cell according to the present invention.
【図３】本発明に係る燃料電池の要部平面図である。FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part of a fuel cell according to the present invention.
【図４】本発明に係る燃料電池の隔壁の斜視図である。FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a partition wall of a fuel cell according to the present invention.
【図５】本発明に係る燃料電池のガスケットの斜視図で
ある。FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a gasket of a fuel cell according to the present invention.
【図６】本発明に係る燃料電池のスタック状態説明図で
ある。FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a stack state of the fuel cell according to the present invention.
【図７】本発明に係る燃料電池の冷却水供給回路の説明
図である。FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a cooling water supply circuit for a fuel cell according to the present invention.
【図８】本発明に係る燃料電池の冷却水供給に係る要部
説明図である。FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a main part relating to the supply of cooling water of the fuel cell according to the present invention.
【図９】本発明に係る燃料電池の冷却水供給状態の説明
図である。FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a cooling water supply state of the fuel cell according to the present invention.
１０…燃料電池スタック ２２、２４…隔
壁 １０４…冷却室 １１０、１１２
…集電体 １１４、１１６…溝 １２４…電極一
体型電解質膜 １２６…固体高分子電解質膜 １２８ａ、１２
８ｂ…電極触媒層10 ... Fuel cell stack 22, 24 ... Partition wall 104 ... Cooling chamber 110, 112
Current collector 114, 116 Groove 124 Electrode integrated electrolyte membrane 126 Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 128a, 12
8b ... Electrode catalyst layer
フロントページの続き (72)発明者 加藤 英男 埼玉県和光市中央１−４−１ 株式会社本 田技術研究所内 (72)発明者 川越 敬正 埼玉県和光市中央１−４−１ 株式会社本 田技術研究所内(72) Inventor Hideo Kato 1-4-1 Chuo, Wako-shi, Saitama Prefecture Honda R & D Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takamasa Kawagoe 1-4-1, Chuo, Wako-shi, Saitama Honda Engineering Co., Ltd. In the laboratory
Claims (2)
した電極一体型電解質膜と、 前記電極に酸素ガスあるいは水素ガスを供給する多孔質
カーボンから形成された集電体と、 前記集電体に当接する水透過性の材料から形成された隔
壁と、 前記隔壁によって画成され、水が供給される冷却室と、 を備えることを特徴とする固体高分子電解質型燃料電
池。1. An electrode-integrated electrolyte membrane having electrodes bonded to both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a current collector formed of porous carbon for supplying oxygen gas or hydrogen gas to the electrodes, A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, comprising: a partition wall made of a water-permeable material that contacts an electric body; and a cooling chamber defined by the partition wall and supplied with water.
ボンであることを特徴とする固体高分子電解質型燃料電
池。2. The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the water-permeable material forming the partition wall is porous carbon.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP5208029A JP3056355B2 (en) | 1993-08-23 | 1993-08-23 | Solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP5208029A JP3056355B2 (en) | 1993-08-23 | 1993-08-23 | Solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH0765845A true JPH0765845A (en) | 1995-03-10 |
| JP3056355B2 JP3056355B2 (en) | 2000-06-26 |
Family
ID=16549498
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP5208029A Expired - Fee Related JP3056355B2 (en) | 1993-08-23 | 1993-08-23 | Solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3056355B2 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2004079843A1 (en) * | 2003-03-05 | 2004-09-16 | Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha | Fuel cell and oxidant distribution plate for fuel cell |
| US7745032B2 (en) | 2002-10-18 | 2010-06-29 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Fuel cell with humidifier |
-
1993
- 1993-08-23 JP JP5208029A patent/JP3056355B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7745032B2 (en) | 2002-10-18 | 2010-06-29 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Fuel cell with humidifier |
| WO2004079843A1 (en) * | 2003-03-05 | 2004-09-16 | Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha | Fuel cell and oxidant distribution plate for fuel cell |
| CN100428550C (en) * | 2003-03-05 | 2008-10-22 | 丰田自动车株式会社 | Fuel cell and oxidant distribution plate for fuel cell |
| US7820334B2 (en) | 2003-03-05 | 2010-10-26 | Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha | Fuel cell and oxidant distribution plate for fuel cell |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP3056355B2 (en) | 2000-06-26 |
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