TW200536170A - Fuel cell with gas-liquid separation structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a fuel cell with gas-liquid separation structure, which comprises: a fuel cell core and a separation component; wherein, the fuel cell core is used to generate the electricity through electrochemical reaction, and a separation layer is configured on a porous thin film layer inside the fuel cell with gas penetration but not liquid penetration, which are used to block the liquid for the fuel cell core component for the electrochemical reaction and the liquid generated after the electrochemical reaction by the separation layer, and used to for penetrating the gas for the fuel cell core component for the electrochemical reaction and the gas generated after the electrochemical reaction through the separation layer, so as to achieve waterproof, leakage proof, and prevent the liquid leakage.

Description

200536170 V. Description of the invention (1) Technical field to which the invention belongs The present invention relates to a fuel cell, and in particular, it uses a thin film layer material of a porous material that is gas-impermeable and liquid-permeable to form an isolation layer, so that the fuel cell can be At the same time, it is waterproof, prevents liquid leakage, and eliminates gas generated after the fuel cell reaction. Prior art It is known that a fuel cell supplies hydrogen-containing fuel and oxygen-containing air on both sides of an electrolyte ion-exchange membrane, so that after a redox reaction, a current loop is formed to supply power. The reactants required for this type of fuel cell have liquid fuel, such as methanol fuel, and the main products after the reaction are water and carbon dioxide, so that the fuel cell must have liquid substances to prevent leakage to the used electronic devices, and It is also necessary to discharge the generated gas to maintain stable air composition and normal pressure in the fuel cell. However, conventional fuel cells usually use structural structural designs, such as pressure relief valves, to deal with such problems. However, this type of design often has restrictions on the direction of use, and there are also structural design of fuel cells. Affected. Based on the lack of a conventional fuel cell, the inventor of the present invention has been eager to invent and improve, and has invented a fuel cell having a gas-liquid isolation structure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The main object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell which can simultaneously have functions of waterproofing, preventing liquid leakage, and excluding generated gas.

ΙΗΙΙ IMII Page 6 200536170 V. Description of the invention (2) In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the present invention, the present invention provides a fuel cell having a gas-liquid isolation structure including: a fuel cell core assembly for generating electricity through electrochemical action ; An isolation layer, which is a porous membrane layer that is impermeable to liquid and is provided inside the fuel cell, and is used to make the liquid that electrochemically acts on the core components of the fuel cell and the liquid that is generated after the electrification are all isolated layers The barrier is used to make the gas that is electrochemically acting on the core components of the fuel cell and the gas that is generated after being electrochemically penetrated through the insulation layer, thereby achieving the functions of waterproofing, leakproofing, and preventing liquid leakage. In order to make those skilled in the art understand the purpose, features, and functions of the present invention, the following specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings are used to explain the present invention in detail as follows. The first diagram of the embodiment shows a schematic structural diagram of a fuel cell with a gas-liquid isolation structure according to the present invention. A fuel cell 10 with a gas-liquid isolation structure provided by the present invention is mainly provided with a separation layer 21, 23 in the fuel cell 10. In order to provide insulation of fuel liquid penetration, but can still pass through the breather, and at the same time to prevent liquid leakage, and let the gas generated after the reaction of the fuel cell pass, can make the pressure in the fuel cell 10 to maintain normal. The fuel cell 10 of the present invention mainly includes a fuel cell core assembly 11, an anode fuel supply unit 13, and a cathode fuel supply unit 15. The fuel cell core assembly 11 is mainly composed of an anode current collecting layer 111, a mass transfer electrolytic layer 113, and a cathode current collecting layer 1 1 5. In the first picture, the mass transfer electrolytic layers 1 1 3 are stacked on both sides.

200536170 V. Description of Invention (3)

The stacked anode current collecting layer 111 and the cathode current collecting layer 115, and the fuel cell units 113a of the mass transfer electrolytic layer 113 perform an electrochemical reaction, and current is collected in the anode current collecting layer 111 and the cathode current collecting layer 115, respectively. . The anode fuel supply unit 13 is connected to the anode end of the fuel cell core assembly 11 to supply and introduce anode fuel to the anode end of the fuel cell core assembly 11. The cathode fuel supply unit 15 is connected to the cathode end of the fuel cell core assembly 11 to supply and introduce cathode fuel to the cathode end of the fuel cell core assembly 11. The isolation layers 2 1, 2 and 3 are provided in the anode fuel supply unit 13 or the cathode fuel supply unit 15, and the isolation layers 21 and 23 may be a porous film layer that is gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable. With such a porous film layer, Physical properties, so that the fuel cell 10 can achieve waterproof, leak-proof, and prevent internal liquid leakage.

The second figure shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the fuel cell according to the invention according to the structure of the first figure. In the second methanol fuel cell 10, the specific configuration of the anode fuel supply unit 13 may be a flow field member, for example, a flow field member composed of a fuel tank and a fuel flow path, which is supplied by the anode fuel. Unit 1 3 injects the methanol solution anode fuel from the injection port 13 a, and the injected methanol solution anode fuel is fully supplied to the anode end of each fuel cell unit 113a through the through hole 1 1 1 a. The isolation layer 21 is provided on the anode fuel supply unit 13, and the position may be located on the upper surface, the lower surface, or the sides of the anode fuel supply unit 13. Please refer to the third A 囷 to the third C 囷, respectively. The embodiment shown in which the isolation layer is provided on the anode fuel supply unit. By virtue of the physical properties of the porous thin film layer of the isolation layer 21, the methanol solution circulating everywhere can be isolated by the isolation layer 21 and cannot penetrate to the sun.

Page 8 200536170 V. Description of the invention (4) Electrode fuel supply unit 1 3 Outside. At the same time, the carbon dioxide gas generated by the chemical reaction of the fuel cell unit 1 1 3 a at the anode end can pass through the isolation layer 21 and then escape through the gas-lily exit (not shown).

In the direct methanol fuel cell 10 of the second figure, the isolation layer 23 is disposed on the cathode fuel supply unit 15, and the position may be located on the upper surface, the lower surface, or the sides of the cathode fuel supply unit 15. Please refer to the specific embodiments in which the isolation layers shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C are disposed on the cathode fuel supply unit, respectively. By virtue of the physical properties of the porous thin film layer of the isolation layer 23, the outside air (or oxygen) can pass through the isolation layer 23, then through the through hole 115a, and finally reach the cathode end of each fuel cell unit 113a. At the same time, the water generated in the fuel cell unit 113a due to the chemical reaction at the cathode end can be isolated by the isolation layer 2 3 and cannot penetrate to the outside of the cathode fuel supply unit 15 and then pass through the moisture escape outlet (not shown in the figure) (Shown) to the outside.

The fifth figure shows that according to the spirit of the present invention, an isolation layer is provided on the upper surface and the lower surface of the anode current collecting layer and the cathode current collecting layer, respectively. According to the spirit of the present invention, the present invention can provide the isolation layer 25 on the upper surface of the cathode current collecting layer 115, or the isolation layer 26 on the lower surface of the cathode current collecting layer 115, or the isolation layer 27 on the anode. The lower surface of the current collecting layer 111 or the isolation layer 28 is provided on the upper surface of the anode current collecting layer 111. The gas (such as carbon dioxide) generated after the electrochemical action of the mass transfer electrolysis layer 113 can circulate outward through the through holes 1 1 1 b and the isolation layers 2 7 and 2 8. The liquid (such as water) generated after the electrochemical reaction of the mass transfer electrolytic layer 1 1 3 can not be separated outward from the through hole 115b because it can be isolated by the isolation layers 25 and 26 μη βη »Page 9 200536170 5 2. Description of the invention (5) Escape. The position of the isolation layer of the present invention disclosed above is only an exemplary description of the present invention. According to the spirit of the present invention, those skilled in the art can place the isolation layer at other positions of the fuel cell, but this change Still within the scope of the present invention. The material used for the isolation layer of the present invention, for example, PTFE (Poly tetrofluoro ethylene) polytetrafluoroethylene film, and any porous material having a gas-impermeable and liquid-impermeable material can be adopted by the present invention.

Furthermore, due to the ventilation effect of the insulation layer, the internal and external air pressure of the fuel cell 10 of the present invention can maintain a normal pressure. According to the spirit of the present invention, in addition to the isolation layer of the present invention being disposed at the position disclosed above, of course, the isolation layer can also be disposed at other positions inside the fuel cell 10, such as at the exhaust outlet, which is used to prevent External liquid flows into the fuel cell 10 from the exhaust outlet. Since the fuel cell of the present invention has a gas-liquid isolation structure, the following effects can be achieved: 1. The gas-liquid isolation structure of the fuel cell of the present invention, which uses a thin film layer formed of a gas-permeable and liquid-permeable porous material to form an isolation layer It can easily achieve the purpose of preventing fuel cell fuel liquid from leaking out, excluding gases generated by chemical reactions, and simultaneously allowing outside air to enter.

2. The gas-liquid isolation structure of the fuel cell of the present invention has a gas-permeable and liquid-tight structure, which can prevent the fuel liquid from leaking out, so that it is more practical to install the fuel cell as an internal power source inside the electronic device. 3. In the gas-liquid isolation structure of the fuel cell of the present invention, it has air permeability

Page 10 200536170 V. Description of the invention (6) The structure of the liquid can exclude the generated gas at any installation angle, and the liquid leakage is not likely to occur in any direction. Therefore, the use of the fuel cell will not be affected by the installation direction. Make the use of fuel cells more widely. 4 · With the gas-liquid isolation structure of the fuel cell of the present invention, a thin film isolation layer is used, and without affecting the original design of the fuel cell, a gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable structure can be easily achieved without making the fuel cell Add too much volume.

Although the present invention has been disclosed as above with a specific embodiment, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make various changes and decorations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Modifications and retouching all belong to the scope of the present invention, and the protection scope of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the attached patent application.

Page 11 200536170 Brief Description of Drawings The first drawing shows the structure of a fuel cell with a gas-liquid isolation structure according to the present invention. The second figure shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the fuel cell according to the invention according to the structure of the first figure. FIG. 3A shows a specific embodiment in which the separator of the present invention is provided on the upper surface of the anode fuel supply unit. FIG. 3B shows a specific embodiment in which the separator of the present invention is provided on the lower surface of the anode fuel supply unit.

FIG. 3C shows a specific embodiment in which the barrier layer of the present invention is provided on the sides of the anode fuel supply unit. FIG. 4A shows a specific embodiment in which the separator of the present invention is provided on the upper surface of the cathode fuel supply unit. FIG. 4B shows a specific embodiment in which the separator of the present invention is provided on the lower surface of the cathode fuel supply unit. FIG. 4C shows a specific embodiment in which the barrier layer of the present invention is provided on the sides of the cathode fuel supply unit. The fifth figure shows that the isolation layers are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the anode current collector layer and the cathode current collector layer, respectively, in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. Component symbol description

10 Fuel cell 11 Fuel cell core assembly 13 Anode fuel supply unit 13a Injection port

Page 12 200536170 Brief description of drawings 15 Cathode fuel supply unit 2 1 Isolation layer 23 Isolation layer 25, 26, 27, 28 Isolation layer 111 Anode current collecting layer 111a Through hole 111b Through hole 113 Mass transfer electrolytic layer 1 13a Fuel cell unit

115 Cathode collector layer 115a through hole 115b through hole

Page 13

Claims (1)

200536170 VI. Scope of patent application 1 · A fuel cell with a gas-liquid isolation structure, including: a fuel cell core component for generating electricity through electrochemical action; an isolation layer, which is provided inside the fuel cell. The liquid-impermeable porous film layer, and the liquid used to electrochemically act on the core components of the fuel cell and the liquid generated after the electrification are blocked by the isolation layer, and used to make the electrochemical action on the fuel cell Both the gas of the core components and the gas generated after the electrification can penetrate the insulation layer, thereby achieving the functions of waterproof, leakproof, and leakage of liquid. 2. The fuel cell according to item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the core component of the fuel cell includes an anode current collecting layer, a mass transfer electrolytic layer, and a cathode current collecting layer. 3. The fuel cell according to item 2 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the isolation layer is disposed on the upper surface of the anode current collecting layer. 4. The fuel cell according to item 2 of the patent application scope, wherein the isolation layer is disposed on a lower surface of the anode current collecting layer. 5. The fuel cell according to item 2 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the isolation layer is disposed on the upper surface of the cathode current collecting layer. 6. The fuel cell according to item 2 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the isolation layer is disposed on the lower surface of the cathode current collecting layer. 7. The fuel cell according to item 1 of the scope of the patent application, further comprising: an anode fuel supply unit connected to the fuel cell core assembly, for supplying and introducing anode fuel to the anode of the fuel cell core assembly Page 14 200536170 VI. Scope of patent application: A cathode fuel supply unit connected to the core assembly of the fuel cell is used to supply and introduce cathode fuel to the cathode end of the core assembly of the fuel cell. 8. The fuel cell according to item 7 of the scope of patent application, wherein the isolation layer is provided on the upper surface of the anode fuel supply unit. 9. The fuel cell according to item 7 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the isolation layer is provided on a lower surface of the anode fuel supply unit. 10 • The fuel cell according to item 7 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the isolation layer is provided on the sides of the anode fuel supply unit. 1 1. The fuel cell according to item 7 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the isolation layer is disposed on an upper surface of the cathode fuel supply unit. 1 2 · The fuel cell according to item 7 of the scope of patent application, wherein the isolation layer is provided on a lower surface of the cathode fuel supply unit. 13. The fuel cell according to item 7 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the isolation layer is provided on the sides of the cathode fuel supply unit. 14. The fuel cell according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the fuel cell is a direct methanol fuel cell. 15. The fuel cell according to item 14 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the isolation layer is used to allow external air to pass through the isolation layer and to prevent the water in the direct methanol fuel cell from leaking to the outside. The outside of the fuel cell. 16. The fuel cell according to item 14 of the scope of patent application, wherein the separation layer is used to allow the carbon dioxide gas generated after the action to pass through the Page 15 200536170 VI. Scope of patent application Isolation layer, and used to prevent the methanol solution from being isolated by the isolation layer and preventing it from leaking to the outside of the fuel cell. 17 • The fuel cell according to item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the isolation layer is a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film. Page 16