KR101052340B1 - Fuel cell separator for high temperature pemfc with reform and combustion channel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A fuel cell separator for high temperature PEMFC including reform and combustion channels is provided to simplify the configuration of a fuel cell system since separate outside reformer or cooler are unnecessary by reforming the cell using the reaction heat inside the fuel cell. CONSTITUTION: A fuel cell separator for high temperature PEMFC including reform and combustion channels comprises a first separator(100), a second separator(200), and a third separator(300). The first separator is closely attached to one side of a membrane electrode assembly(MEA) and forms a firing channel(400). The second separator is closely attached to one side of the first separator and forms a combustion channel(500). The third separator is closely attached to one side of the second separator and forms a reforming channel(600). The other side of the third separator is closely attached to the other membrane electrode assembly and forms an air channel(700).

Description

High temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator including reforming and combustion channel {FUEL CELL SEPARATOR FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE PEMFC WITH REFORM AND COMBUSTION CHANNEL}

The present invention relates to a high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator including a reforming and combustion channel, and more particularly, to form a reforming channel and a combustion channel inside a high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC) separator. High temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator including reforming and combustion channels for easy initial start-up and energy saving can be simplified because reformer, cooling device and preheating device are not needed. It is about.

In general, a fuel cell is a power generator that converts chemical energy by oxidation and reduction of hydrogen into electrical energy. Unlike other conventional chemical energy, only fuel (H ₂ 0) is discharged as a by-product and NOx , SOx and dust rarely, CO ₂ emissions reduction and noise is almost not spotlighted as a next-generation alternative energy.

The fuel cell basically consists of a unit cell composed of an electrolyte plate containing an electrolyte, an anode, a cathode, and a separator separating the same. However, since a unit cell typically generates a low voltage of 0.6 to 0.8 V, the unit cell is composed of a stack of several tens or hundreds of sheets to obtain a desired electrical output. In addition, the electrolyte plate containing the electrolyte, the fuel electrode and the air electrode are integrally formed as a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), and a separator is formed on the separating plate to allow fuel and air to flow, respectively.

In addition, the fuel used in the fuel cell is various, such as natural gas, petroleum, coal gas and methanol, which is used to convert to hydrogen through a fuel reformer.

At this time, the reforming reaction of the fuel is an endothermic reaction at a high temperature, and requires a heat supply device such as a burner or a catalytic heat source. In particular, a fuel reformer using steam must have a separate device configured to supply steam. That is, a separate reforming device is required for reforming the fuel, and there is a problem in that energy consumption for this is high.

The electrolyte is a medium for selectively passing only hydrogen ions, and a high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEMFC) is a polymer material filled with phosphoric acid in an ion exchange membrane such as PBI, which is durable at high temperatures. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell is a high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell having a relatively high operating temperature of about 150 ~ 200 ℃, while the operating temperature is in the range of about 80 ℃ at room temperature.

Therefore, the high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell requires a separate cooling device for cooling because high heat is generated during the redox electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen.

In addition, a preheating device capable of preheating a predetermined temperature or more during the initial startup of the high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell has a problem in that the startup time is long.

1 is a block diagram showing a conventional external reforming high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the externally reformed high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell system includes a reformer 20 and a heat supply device 30 for reforming a fuel supply device 10 and a gas reformed through a heat exchanger 40. The temperature is raised to supply the reformed fuel to the fuel electrode 51 flow path of the fuel cell stack 50.

The air supply device 70 is configured to supply fuel to the anode 51 of the fuel cell stack 50 and to supply air to the cathode 53 flow path of the fuel cell stack 50. .

The anode exhaust gas treatment device 60 is a device for burning fuel that has not reacted while passing through the anode 51.

In addition, the current generated in the fuel cell stack 50 is used by converting from direct current to alternating current through the power converter 80.

In addition, the exhaust gas discharged through the cathode 53 is introduced into the second heat exchanger 41 through the first heat exchanger 40 and recovered using the heat recovered through the second heat exchanger 41. Hot water is supplied.

As described above, the external reforming high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell system requires a device for reforming fuel and an additional device for cooling heat generated during an electrochemical reaction, which makes the system complicated.

As shown in FIG. 2, the conventional high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator plate 90 is formed in a pair such that an air channel 92 is formed on one side of the fuel channel 91 and the pair of separator plates 90. In general, the cooling channel 93 is formed between the fuel cells to cool the fuel cell, and at start-up, the fuel cell is supplied to the cooling channel 930 by supplying heated cooling oil or the like to the operating temperature. When heated, and then operated, the heat is recovered through the cooling channel 93 to control heat generation during operation.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, an object of the present invention is to reform the fuel reforming channel using the reaction heat inside the fuel cell by forming a fuel reforming channel in the separator plate of the high temperature fuel cell It does not require a separate external reformer and cooling device, which simplifies the configuration of the fuel cell system and provides a high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator including reforming and combustion channels that can reduce energy consumption for fuel reforming. To provide.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to form a combustion channel on the separator plate of the high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell does not require a separate external preheating device during the initial start-up of the fuel cell, reforming and combustion channel to shorten the preheating time and improve energy efficiency It is to provide a high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator comprising a.

A high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator including a reforming and combustion channel of the present invention for achieving the above object is interposed between a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) constituting a stack of a high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell. In the separator plate,

A first separation plate 100 having one surface in close contact with the membrane-electrode assembly MEA to form the fuel channel 400; A second separation plate 200 having one surface in close contact with the first separation plate 100 to form a combustion channel 500; And a third separation plate in which one surface is in close contact with the second separation plate 200 to form a reformed channel 600, and the other side is in close contact with another membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) to form an air channel 700. 300); And a control unit.

In addition, the first separation plate 100 is characterized in that the fuel channel 400 pattern is formed on the surface in close contact with the membrane electrode assembly (MEA).

In addition, at least one of the first separator plate 100 and the second separator plate 200 may be in contact with the first separator plate 100 and the second separator plate 200 to form the combustion channel 500. The pattern is formed on the above surface.

In addition, the second separator 200 and the third separator 300 is in close contact with each other to form the reformed channel 600 is at least one of the second separator 200 and the third separator 300. The pattern is formed on the above surface.

In addition, the third separator 300 is characterized in that the air channel 700 pattern is formed on the surface in close contact with the membrane electrode assembly (MEA).

In addition, a combustion catalyst is supported on the combustion channel 500 formed between the first separation plate 100 and the second separation plate 200.

In addition, the reforming channel 600 formed between the second separation plate 200 and the third separation plate 300 is characterized in that the reforming catalyst is supported.

In addition, the combustion catalyst is characterized in that Pt / Al ₂ O ₃ is used.

In addition, the reforming catalyst is characterized in that Cu / ZnO / Al ₂ O ₃ is used.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, the high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator including the reforming and combustion channel of the present invention by forming a fuel reforming channel on the separator plate of the high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell By reforming using the heat of reaction inside the fuel cell, there is no need for a separate external reformer and a cooling device, thus simplifying the configuration of the fuel cell system and reducing the energy consumption for reforming the fuel.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to form a combustion channel on the separator plate of the high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell, eliminating the need for a separate external preheating device at the initial start-up of the fuel cell, thereby reducing preheating time and improving energy efficiency. have.

1 is a block diagram showing a conventional external reforming high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell system.
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a conventional high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator.
3 is a block diagram of a high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator including reforming and combustion channels according to the present invention.
4 is a view showing the flow of fuel, air, etc. of the high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator plate including reforming and combustion channels according to the present invention.
5 is a view showing the flow of heat during the initial start-up of the fuel cell to which the high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator including reforming and combustion channels according to the present invention.
6 is a view showing the flow of heat during operation of the fuel cell to which the high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator including reforming and combustion channels according to the present invention.
7 is a view showing the shape of the channel of the high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator plate including reforming and combustion channels according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, a high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator including a reforming and combustion channel according to the present invention having the configuration as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a block diagram of a high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator including reforming and combustion channels according to the present invention.

As shown, the high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator including the reforming and combustion channels of the present invention comprises a separator plate interposed between a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) constituting a stack of high temperature fuel cells.

A first separation plate 100 having one surface in close contact with the membrane-electrode assembly MEA to form the fuel channel 400; A second separation plate 200 having one surface in close contact with the first separation plate 100 to form a combustion channel 500; And a third separation plate in which one surface is in close contact with the second separation plate 200 to form a reformed channel 600, and the other side is in close contact with another membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) to form an air channel 700. 300); It is made, including.

In addition, the first separation plate 100 has a fuel channel 400 pattern formed on a surface in close contact with the membrane-electrode assembly MEA.

In addition, at least one of the first separator plate 100 and the second separator plate 200 may be in contact with the first separator plate 100 and the second separator plate 200 to form the combustion channel 500. The combustion channel 500 pattern is formed on the above surface.

In addition, the second separator 200 and the third separator 300 is in close contact with each other to form the reformed channel 600 is at least one of the second separator 200 and the third separator 300. The modified channel 600 pattern is formed on the above surface.

In addition, an air channel 700 pattern is formed on a surface of the third separator 300 that comes into close contact with the membrane-electrode assembly MEA.

In addition, a combustion catalyst is supported in the combustion channel 500 formed between the first separation plate 100 and the second separation plate 200.

In addition, a reforming catalyst is supported on the reforming channel 600 formed between the second separation plate 200 and the third separation plate 300.

In addition, Pt / Al ₂ O ₃ is used as the combustion catalyst, and Cu / ZnO / Al ₂ O ₃ is used as the reforming catalyst.

Hereinafter, each part will be described in more detail.

The high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator 1000 including the reforming and combustion channels of the present invention includes a first separator plate 100, a second separator plate 200, and a third separator plate 300 coupled side by side. The separator plate 1000 is formed. In addition, the separator 1000 is interposed between the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) constituting the fuel cell. That is, the outer surfaces of each of the first separator plate 100 and the third separator plate 300, which are both outer surfaces of the separator plate 1000, are in close contact with the membrane-electrode assembly MEA.

The first separation plate 100 is in close contact with the membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) to form a fuel channel 400, and the first separation plate 100 and the second separation plate 200 are in close contact with each other. A 500, the second separator 200 and the third separator 300 are in close contact with each other to form a reformed channel 600, and the third separator 300 is a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA). ) In close contact with each other to form an air channel 700.

Each channel here is a path through which fuel, reformed fuel and air flow.

In this case, the fuel channel 400 is a portion of the reformed fuel in which hydrogen gas flows and causes an oxidation reaction in which electrons are lost. A channel 400 pattern is formed to become a flow path of hydrogen gas, which is a reforming fuel.

In addition, the combustion channel 500 is a portion in which fuel is introduced during an initial start-up of a fuel cell to cause an oxidation reaction to heat the fuel cell, and the first separator plate 100 and the second separator plate 200 are in close contact with each other. The combustion channel 500 pattern is formed on the surface to become a flow path of the fuel.

In addition, the reforming channel 600 is a portion into which fuel of a fuel cell is introduced and converted into hydrogen gas, and the reforming channel 600 is in close contact with the second separator 200 and the third separator 300. A pattern is formed that is the flow path of the fuel.

In addition, the air channel 700 is a portion in which air is introduced to cause a reduction reaction with hydrogen ions, and the open channel 700 pattern is formed on the surface where the third separator 300 is in close contact with the membrane-electrode assembly (MEA). Is formed to become a flow path of air.

In this case, a pattern is formed on a surface in which the first separation plate 100 and the second separation plate 200 forming the combustion channel 500 are in close contact with each other. The first separation plate 100 and the second separation plate 200 are formed. The pattern may be formed on one side or both sides of).

In addition, a pattern is formed on a surface in which the second separation plate 200 and the third separation plate 300 forming the reforming channel 600 are in close contact with each other, and the second separation plate 200 and the third separation plate 300 are formed. The pattern may be formed on one side or both sides of).

The fuel cell using the high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator 1000 including the reforming and combustion channels according to the present invention is interposed between the membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) as shown in FIG. 3, and the membrane-electrode assembly (MEA). Stacked alternately) to form a fuel cell stack.

First, as a source of hydrogen supplied to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a hydrocarbon-based fuel (methanol, natural gas, LPG, diesel, kerosene, etc.) is mainly used. Among these, natural gas or LPG reforming is cheaper than methanol in terms of calorie, so it is suitable for domestic fuel cells requiring a large amount of hydrogen, but gaseous fuel storage and storage are relatively difficult compared to methanol, which is a liquid fuel. It is not suitable as a fuel for mobile hydrogen generators. Therefore, methanol, which is easy to store and store in a liquid state at room temperature, is widely used as a fuel for a small portable hydrogen generator.

There are three ways of reforming methanol, namely steam reforming (Steam).

Reforming, Partial Oxidation, Auto-thermal

Reforming). The chemical reaction formula for each reforming reaction is represented by the formula (1) to

Same as (3).

Steam reforming method:

= +49.4 kJmol^-1 (1)CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O = 3H ₂ + CO ₂

= +49.4 kJmol ^-1 (1)

Partial Oxidation Method:

= -192.3 kJmol^-1 (2)CH ₃ OH + 1 / 2O ₂ = 2H ₂ + CO ₂

= -192.3 kJmol ^-1 (2)

Autothermal Reforming:

= -10.95 kJmol^-1 (3)CH ₃ OH + 3 / 4H ₂ O + 1 / 8O ₂ = 11 / 4H ₂ + CO ₂

= -10.95 kJmol ^-1 (3)

Unlike the following two reactions, the steam reforming reaction is endothermic as shown in Equation (1), which has disadvantages of difficulty in thermal management, long start-up time, and slow reaction speed. It has the advantage that the concentration of is relatively high.

And the partial oxidation reaction is exothermic, so the start-up time is short and the reaction can be performed without a catalyst, so the reaction rate is fast. However, coke may be formed due to excessive heat generation during the reaction, and a material that can withstand high temperatures should be used. There is a disadvantage in that cooling is required.

In addition, the reforming method by the autothermal reforming reaction is a reaction in which the two reforming reactions occur at the same time, so that the start-up time, which is an advantage of the partial oxidation method, and a high hydrogen production rate, which is an advantage of the steam reforming method, can be obtained. . However, it is difficult to properly control the two reaction modes simultaneously, and there is a disadvantage that damage to the reactor material may occur due to excessive hot spot generation inside the reactor.

For this reason, in the present invention, a high hydrogen production rate can be obtained, and the steam reforming method which is most widely used is applied.

4 is a view showing the flow of fuel, reforming fuel and air of the high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator including reforming and combustion channels according to the present invention.

First, in order to start the fuel cell for high temperature, the fuel must be reformed and converted into hydrogen gas, so that methanol, which is a fuel, is supplied to the reforming channel 600 and liquid water is supplied for reforming.

The reforming channel 600 is supported with a reforming catalyst to generate hydrogen by reacting a hydrocarbon, a main component of methanol, as a fuel with water vapor.

In the above reaction scheme, methanol reacts with water vapor to form hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and an experimental example of the reforming reaction is as follows.

The reforming catalyst for methanol, a fuel, was used as an ICI 83-3 catalyst from Synetix. The reforming catalyst is composed of Cu / ZnO / Al ₂ O ₃ and is developed as a low temperature aqueous transfer reaction catalyst. Pallet type catalyst was pulverized with a mortar and used to make powder, and alumina sol (20 wt% Alumina sol (NYACOL ^ㄾ AL20DW colloidal alumina, PQ Corporation)) was used as a coating binder.

The catalyst used in the experiment was Cu / ZnO / Al ₂ O ₃ , which is known to have severe catalytic activity deterioration during rapid temperature changes, and the reactor temperature was increased to 5 ° C / min or less. In the steam reforming reaction, it is common to use the steam to carbon ratio or simply the S / C ratio to express the methanol and distilled water mixing ratio. In this case, a fuel mixture of methanol and distilled water is used in a molar ratio of 1: 1.1. The evaporator stacks 5 channel plates for sufficient liquid phase evaporation, and the reforming reactor has 4 channels coated with about 20 mg of catalyst per channel plate. The plates were laminated. The performance of the reforming reaction system supplying heat to the electric heat source was measured by linking the microchannel evaporator and the reforming reactor configured as described above. The reforming reactor was tested for 200 ° C., 220 ° C., 240 ° C., 260 ° C., and 280 ° C. temperature conditions, respectively, when the liquid flow rate was 0.1 ml / min. The amount of product gas increased with increasing reaction temperature. Since the methanol conversion is the amount of methanol converted by the reaction relative to the amount of feed methanol, the amount of product gas and the methanol conversion tend to be the same. When a fuel having an S / C ratio of 1.1 was supplied at a flow rate of 0.1 ml / min, a gas containing hydrogen was generated at 127 ml / min at a reactor temperature of 260 ° C., with a methanol conversion of 85%. Vaporized methanol and steam are converted to a gas containing hydrogen on a catalyst with Cu / ZnO / Al ₂ O ₃ and the reaction involved in steam reforming can be expressed as follows.

= +49.4 kJmol^-1 (1)CH ₃ OH + H ₂ O = 3H ₂ + CO ₂

= +49.4 kJmol ^-1 (1)

= +92.0 kJmol^-1 (2)CH ₃ OH = CO + 2H ₂

= +92.0 kJmol ^-1 (2)

= -41.1 kJmol^-1 (3)CO + H ₂ O = CO ₂ + H ₂

= -41.1 kJmol ^-1 (3)

Scheme (1) corresponds to the overall reaction, and scheme (2) represents methanol decomposition. Scheme (3) shows a water gas shift reaction. In the measurement temperature range, hydrogen in the product gas had a composition within 74.9%, carbon dioxide 23-25%, and carbon monoxide 1%. The composition of the product gas was found to have a value similar to the coefficient ratio of the overall reaction equation. The microchannel evaporator and reforming reactor linkage system produced from the above results were able to successfully convert the aqueous methanol solution into a hydrogen-containing product.

However, as described above, in order to reform the fuel and convert the fuel into hydrogen gas, the fuel must be heated above a specific temperature. Heating.

At this time, the combustion channel 500 carries a combustion catalyst to supply fuel and air to supply an oxidation reaction to increase the temperature.

The combustion catalyst serves to generate heat by causing an oxidation reaction between combustible gas or liquid fuel and air.

That is, when fuel is supplied to the combustion channel 500 and air is supplied to cause an oxidation reaction by the combustion catalyst and the fuel cell is heated above a predetermined temperature, the fuel supply to the combustion channel 500 is stopped and the Fuel is supplied to the reforming channel 600. In addition, while fuel is supplied to the reforming channel 600, liquid water is supplied, and the liquid fuel and water are vaporized by heat generated in the combustion channel to generate a reforming reaction by the reforming catalyst, thereby generating hydrogen gas.

In this case, as an experimental example of the oxidation reaction by the combustion catalyst, the reactor applied to the oxidation reaction (combustion reaction) used a cavity type and a microchannel plate punched in a stainless steel plate, the excess catalyst is used as the excess catalyst Pt / Al ₂ O ₃ made by acupuncture was used.

And the reaction formula of methanol and oxygen used as combustion fuel is as follows.

= -675 kJmol^-1 CH ₃ OH + 3/2 O ₂ = CO ₂ + 2H ₂ O

= -675 kJmol ^-1

As described above, the oxidation reaction in the combustion channel 500 is an exothermic reaction, and a temperature at which the fuel cell is heated by the reaction heat generated at this time may cause a reforming reaction.

Thus, the reformed fuel hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel channel 400 and air is supplied to the air channel 700 to generate electricity and heat by a redox reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. And water (steam) is produced by the reduction reaction of hydrogen and oxygen is discharged with the air.

At this time, the redox reaction of hydrogen and oxygen is an exothermic reaction, and the reforming reaction is an endothermic reaction, so the heat of reaction generated in the fuel channel 400 and the air channel 700 during the redox reaction of hydrogen and oxygen is the reformed channel ( 600) and absorb the heat to reform the fuel.

Therefore, since the heat generated from the fuel channel 400 and the air channel 700 is absorbed in the reforming channel 600, the fuel cell may be prevented from being overheated without a separate cooling device, thereby maintaining an appropriate temperature.

In addition, since the reforming reaction is generated using the reaction heat generated in the fuel cell, thermal efficiency is improved.

In addition, by forming a combustion channel and a reforming channel inside the fuel cell separation plate, an additional device such as an external reformer, a cooling device, and a heat supply device is not required, thereby simplifying the configuration of the fuel cell system. There is this.

5 and 6 are views showing the flow of heat during the initial start-up and operation of the fuel cell to which the high-temperature fuel cell separation plate including the reforming and combustion channels according to the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIG. 5, fuel and air are supplied to the combustion channel 500 at the initial startup of a fuel cell. In addition, fuel and air are oxidized by a combustion catalyst to generate heat, and the heat is transferred to the fuel channel 400 and the reformed channel 600.

At this time, when heated above a predetermined temperature, methanol and water vapor are supplied to the reforming channel 600, and the reforming reaction starts by absorbing heat transferred to the reforming channel 600. In addition, when reforming reaction of the fuel occurs in the reforming channel 600, the reformed hydrogen gas flows into the fuel channel 400, and heat is generated when oxygen and redox reaction of air supplied to the air channel 700 occur. .

Thus, the heat of reaction by the redox reaction of hydrogen and oxygen is transferred to the reforming channel 600 as shown in FIG. 6, so that the amount of heat required for the reforming reaction is supplied, thereby enabling normal fuel cell operation.

Since the amount of heat required for the reforming reaction is sufficient as the amount of heat generated during the redox reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, when the reforming reaction starts, the fuel supply to the combustion channel 500 should be blocked to prevent the fuel cell from overheating.

When the fuel cell is heated to a predetermined temperature by supplying fuel to the combustion channel 500, the fuel supply is cut off to the combustion channel 500, and the fuel is supplied to the reforming channel 600. It is preferable to configure so that a control apparatus can be used to control the supply direction of fuel.

The high temperature fuel cell separator 1000 including the reforming and combustion channels of the present invention may include fuel and reformed fuel on the surfaces of the first separator plate 100, the second separator plate 200, and the third separator plate 300. And a pattern, which is a path through which air flows, is formed, serves to support the membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), conducts electrons generated during a redox reaction, and discharges water generated by reacting hydrogen gas, which is a reforming fuel, and oxygen. It serves as a passage to remove.

As the material of the separator 1000, a separator of metal material may be used, but the stability of the redox reaction may be reduced, but the strength is high, the price is low, and the conductivity of electricity and heat is high. In addition, the separation plate of graphite material is difficult to process, expensive, and fragile, but has the advantages of high electrical conductivity, excellent chemical resistance, and durability. In addition, it is also possible to use a composite material of a mixture of plastics and graphite or a composite material of a mixture of plastics, metals and graphite that can be mass-produced to reduce the manufacturing cost.

Therefore, the separator 1000 is preferably selected in consideration of various properties such as mechanical strength, electrical and thermal conductivity, chemical stability, manufacturing cost, corrosion characteristics and gas permeability.

In addition, the separator 1000 is because the fuel, reforming fuel and air flowing in each channel should not penetrate each other through each of the separator plates 100, 200, and 300, so that the depth of the pattern and the separator formed The thickness and material should be selected properly.

In addition, the pattern of the separating plate 1000 may be formed by CNC machining and the like, and it is preferable to form the pattern in consideration of flow characteristics of fuel and air flowing through the pattern and performance of a fuel cell.

In addition, the surface in which each of the separator plates 100, 200, and 300 is in contact with each other and the surface in contact with the membrane-electrode assembly may be inserted into a gasket or a gasket at a contact surface so that fuel, reformed fuel, and air do not leak when the separator is in contact with each other. It may be formed integrally.

A combustion catalyst and a reforming catalyst are respectively supported on the patterns that serve as flow paths of the fuel flowing into the combustion channel 500 and the reforming channel 600.

Since the combustion catalyst and the reforming catalyst burn (oxidize) and reform the fuel by a redox reaction, the conductivity of electricity should be good, the diffusion from the channel to the catalyst layer should be easy, and the reactivity should be good.

In addition, the inlet and outlet ports are connected to the first separator plate 100, the second separator plate 200, and the third separator plate 300 so that fuel, reformed fuel, air, or the like can be introduced or discharged. Should be formed.

And the pattern can be formed in various forms as shown in Figure 7, one side of the pattern is configured to be connected to the inlet and the other side is connected to the outlet.

While the fluid flows into the inlet of the pattern and flows along the shape of the pattern, diffusion and convection of the fluid occurs in the membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), resulting in a chemical reaction. Water is discharged through the outlet. The reformed fuel generated through the reformed channel 600 is connected to the inlet of the fuel channel 400 without being discharged to the outside of the fuel cell. A hole should be formed in the.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims. Of course, various modifications can be made.

1000: high temperature fuel cell separator including reforming and combustion channel of the present invention
100: first separator
200: second separator
300: third separator
400: fuel channel
500: combustion channel
600: reforming channel
700: air channel

Claims (9)

In the separator plate interposed between the membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) constituting the stack of the fuel cell for high temperature,
A first separation plate 100 having one surface in close contact with the membrane-electrode assembly MEA to form the fuel channel 400; A second separation plate 200 having one surface in close contact with the first separation plate 100 to form a combustion channel 500; And a third separation plate in which one surface is in close contact with the second separation plate 200 to form a reformed channel 600, and the other side is in close contact with another membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) to form an air channel 700. 300); High temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator comprising a reforming and combustion channel comprising a.
The method of claim 1,
The first separator 100 is a high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator comprising a reforming and combustion channel, characterized in that the fuel channel 400 pattern is formed on the surface in close contact with the membrane electrode assembly (MEA).
The method of claim 1,
The first separator plate 100 and the second separator plate 200 are in close contact with each other to form the combustion channel 500, at least one of the first separator plate 100 and the second separator plate 200. High temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator comprising a reforming and combustion channel, characterized in that the combustion channel 500 pattern is formed in.
The method of claim 1,
The second separator 200 and the third separator 300 is in close contact with each other to form the reformed channel 600 is at least one or more of the second separator plate 200 and the third separator 300. High temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator plate comprising a reforming and combustion channel, characterized in that the reformed channel 600 pattern is formed in.
The method of claim 1,
The third separator 300 is a high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator plate comprising a reforming and combustion channel, characterized in that the air channel 700 pattern is formed on the surface in close contact with the membrane electrode assembly (MEA).
The method of claim 1,
The high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator including a reforming and combustion channel, characterized in that a combustion catalyst is carried in the combustion channel 500 formed between the first separation plate 100 and the second separation plate 200.
The method of claim 1,
The reforming channel 600 formed between the second separation plate 200 and the third separation plate 300 is a high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separation plate including a reforming and combustion channel, characterized in that the reforming catalyst is supported.
The method of claim 6,
The combustion catalyst includes Pt / Al ₂ O ₃ and noble metals such as Pt, Pd and Au capable of completely oxidizing hydrocarbon fuels supported on metal oxide supports such as Al ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , ZrO _2, and the like. A high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator comprising a reforming and combustion channel.
The method of claim 7, wherein
The reforming catalyst is a high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell separator comprising a reforming and combustion channel, characterized in that the Cu / ZnO / Al ₂ O ₃ , Cu- or Pd-based methanol steam reforming catalyst is used.

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