WO2005109556A1 - Pile a combustible et separateur de cette pile - Google Patents

Pile a combustible et separateur de cette pile Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2005109556A1
WO2005109556A1 PCT/IB2005/001254 IB2005001254W WO2005109556A1 WO 2005109556 A1 WO2005109556 A1 WO 2005109556A1 IB 2005001254 W IB2005001254 W IB 2005001254W WO 2005109556 A1 WO2005109556 A1 WO 2005109556A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
gas passage
fuel cell
gas
separator
porous body
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2005/001254
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Seiji Mizuno
Original Assignee
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha filed Critical Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
Publication of WO2005109556A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005109556A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0258—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M4/00—Electrodes
    • H01M4/86—Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
    • H01M4/8605—Porous electrodes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M4/00—Electrodes
    • H01M4/86—Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, e.g. for fuel cells
    • H01M4/8605—Porous electrodes
    • H01M4/861—Porous electrodes with a gradient in the porosity
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/023—Porous and characterised by the material
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
    • H01M8/0247—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the form
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
    • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
    • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
    • H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
    • H01M8/04156—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal
    • H01M8/04171—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying with product water removal using adsorbents, wicks or hydrophilic material
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/1007—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes with both reactants being gaseous or vaporised
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
    • H01M8/241—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a cell structure of a fuel cell.
  • JP(A) 11 -16591 discloses a fuel cell in which a closed passage structure is applied to each of a supply gas passage and a discharge gas passage. More particularly, in the fuel cell disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP(A) 11-16591, the supply gas passage and the discharge gas passage formed in a separator are separated from each other, and the communication between the supply gas passage and the discharge gas passage is not permitted.
  • Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP(A) 07-45294 discloses a fuel cell in which a porous passage structure is applied to a gas passage. More particularly, in the fuel cell disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
  • JP(A) 07-45294 gas passages are formed by arranging multiple porous current collector small pieces between a platy separator and an electrode base plate.
  • gas passages are formed by arranging multiple porous current collector small pieces between a platy separator and an electrode base plate.
  • JP(A) 11-16591 if an amount of water existing in a catalytic layer and a diffusion layer becomes large with respect to a gas flow speed, the water cannot be sufficiently discharged to the discharge gas passages, and therefore a blockage due to the water occurs in the catalytic layer and the diffusion layer.
  • the fuel cell disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP(A) 07-45294 the water is accumulated non- uniformly in the cell, and therefore an area in the fuel cell, where a reaction actually occurs is reduced.
  • a first aspect of the invention relates to a fuel cell in which communication is not permitted between a supply gas passage and a discharge gas passage that are formed in a separator provided on an electrode.
  • a member of the separator which forms a portion between the supply gas passage and the discharge gas passage is porous.
  • a plurality of the supply fuel gas passages (hereinafter, referred to as "gas passages” where appropriate) through which supplied gas flows and a plurality of the discharge gas passages (hereinafter, referred to as “gas passages” where appropriate) through which discharged gas flows are formed in the separator. Communication between the supply gas passages and the discharge gas passages is not permitted. Namely, the gas passages are not connected with each other.
  • the separator is provided on each of the electrodes (anode and cathode). In the fuel cell having such a structure, the member of the separator, which forms the portion between the gas passages is porous.
  • the water generated due to electric power generation at the electrode can be absorbed by the porous member. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress occurrence of blockage in the catalytic layer and the diffusion layer due to the water existing at the electrode. Namely, flooding can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to increase an area in the fuel cell, where a reaction actually occurs, and therefore increase a power density of the fuel cell.
  • the diffusion layer of the electrode may be porous, and the porosity of the member may be higher than the porosity of the diffusion layer. Namely, the gas permeation resistance of the member of the separator is made lower than the gas diffusion resistance of the diffusion layer.
  • the reaction gas can move from the supply gas passage to the discharge gas passage more efficiently.
  • the member may be configured such that the porosity thereof increases toward the downstream side in the gas flow. Namely, the gas permeation resistance of the member positioned on the downstream side in the gas flow is made small.
  • the generated water which is likely to be accumulated on the downstream side in the gas flow as compared to on the upstream side in the gas flow, can be reliably absorbed in the porous member. As a result, it is possible to discharge the generated water efficiently.
  • the member may be provided in only the separator on the cathode side of the fuel cell.
  • the porous member is not applied to the member on the anode side of the fuel cell, and only the member on the cathode side is porous. If the portion between the gas passages is formed of the porous member, the supplied gas is discharged unnecessarily. Therefore, the porous member is not used on the anode side where hydrogen serving as fuel flows. Water is generated mainly on the cathode side. Accordingly, even when the porous member is used on only the cathode side, the generated water can be discharged sufficiently.
  • a second aspect of the invention relates to a separator for a fuel cell, in which a supply gas passage and a discharge gas passage are formed such that communication between the supply gas passage and the discharge gas passage is not permitted.
  • a member of the separator which forms a portion between the supply gas passage and the discharge gas passage is porous.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a fuel cell according to an embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a region A 1 indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 1
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of the fuel cell viewed from a direction indicated by an arrow A2 in FIG. 1
  • FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view showing a diffusion layer and a porous body according to the embodiment
  • FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view showing the porous body with a supply gas passage according to the embodiment formed therein;
  • FIG. 6 is a view showing a cell to which a structure of a separator and a porous body according to a first modified example is applied;
  • FIG. 7 is a view showing a cell to which a structure of a separator and a porous body according to a second modified example is applied;
  • FIG. 8 is a graph showing a current-voltage characteristic of the fuel cell according to the embodiment and current-voltage characteristics of known fuel cells.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a structure of a fuel cell 100 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the fuel cell 100 is formed by stacking multiple cells 50 (hereinafter, the cell 50 will be referred to as a "fuel cell” where appropriate).
  • the fuel cell 100 is mounted in, for example, a fuel cell vehicle (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "vehicle"), and drives the vehicle using electric power generated therein.
  • a fuel cell vehicle hereinafter, simply referred to as a "vehicle”
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view showing a region Al indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 2 is the cross sectional view of the cell 50 taken along a surface pe ⁇ endicular to a direction in which gas passages extend.
  • the cell 50 includes separators 1 , porous bodies 2, diffusion layers 3, catalytic layers 4, an electrolyte membrane 5, supply gas passages 6a and 7a, and discharge gas passages 6b and 7b.
  • the upside is the anode side
  • the downside is the cathode side.
  • the anode and the cathode are formed with the electrolyte membrane 5 inte ⁇ osed therebetween.
  • the catalytic layer 4 is formed on the electrolyte membrane 5, and the diffusion layer 3 is formed on the catalytic layer 4.
  • the supply gas passage 6a and the discharge gas passage 6b are formed on the diffusion layer 3 on the anode side.
  • the supply gas passage 7a and the discharge gas passage 7b are formed on the diffusion layer 3 on the cathode side.
  • these gas passages will be collectively referred to as the "gas passages" where appropriate.
  • Anode gas (hydrogen) supplied from the outside of the cell 50 flows through the supply gas passage 6a on the anode side.
  • Cathode gas (oxygen) supplied from the outside of the cell 50 flows through the supply gas passage 7a on the cathode side.
  • the gas discharged from the anode flows through the discharge gas passage 6b on the anode side.
  • the gas discharged from the cathode flows through the discharge gas passage 7b on the cathode side.
  • the porous body 2 is provided between the gas passages and above the gas passages, and the separator 1 is provided on the porous body 2.
  • the separator 1 is formed of a flat plate.
  • the separator 1 collects electrons generated by a reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, and has good electrical conductivity as an electric connector located between the adjacent cells. In addition, the separator 1 has corrosion resistance to the slightly acidic electrolyte membrane 5. Also, the separator 1 separates the adjacent cells 50 when the cells 50 are stacked, and also separates oxygen from hydrogen. [0019]
  • the porous body 2 has ribs 2R. Namely, a space surrounded by a main portion of the porous body 2, the ribs 2R of the porous body 2 and the diffusion layer 3 forms the gas passage. In the porous body 2 on the anode side, the supply gas passages 6a and the discharge gas passages 6b are formed alternately in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which these gas passages extend.
  • the supply gas passages 7a and the discharge gas passages 7b are formed alternately in the direction pe ⁇ endicular to the direction in which these gas passages extend.
  • the porous body 2 is made of a porous material, and has multiple holes therein. Accordingly, the porous body 2 can retain fluid (e.g., gas and liquid) in the holes.
  • the diffusion layer 3 is formed on the catalytic layer 4.
  • the diffusion layer 3 is used for uniformly diffusing the gas on the electrolyte membrane 5.
  • the diffusion layer 3 is also made of a porous material.
  • the diffusion layer 3 has not only electrical conductivity but also water repellency.
  • the catalytic layer 4 is formed on the surface of the electrolyte membrane 5.
  • the catalytic layer 4 ionizes the adsorbed gas (e.g., hydrogen gas). Namely, the catalytic layer 4 extracts ions from the hydrogen.
  • the electrolyte membrane 5 is formed of, for example, a polymer electrolyte membrane which permits only hydrogen ions to permeates therethrough. [0022] Next, how the gas flows in the cell 50 will be described. First, the gas flow will be roughly described. The hydrogen flowing through the supply gas passage 6a on the anode side reaches the catalytic layer 4 while being diffused in the diffusion layer 3 as shown by arrows 10a. Then, hydrogen ions are extracted in the catalytic layer 4, and taken into the electrolyte membrane 5.
  • the hydrogen gas which is not taken into the electrolyte membrane 5 at this time, flows through the discharge gas passage 6b. Meanwhile, the oxygen flowing through the discharge gas passage 7b on the cathode side reaches the catalytic layer 4 while being diffused in the diffusion layer 3 as shown by arrows 10b. Then, in the catalytic layer 4 on the cathode side, the hydrogen ions supplied from the anode side react with oxygen, and therefore water is generated. Also, electrons move from the anode to the cathode through a load located outside of the fuel cell 100. The gas flowing through the discharge gas passages 6b and the gas flowing through 7b (containing unused hydrogen and oxygen) are also taken into the electrolyte membrane 5, and used for generating electric power.
  • the portions between the gas passages are formed of the porous body 2. Accordingly, as shown by an arrow 2a, part of the gas in the supply gas passage 6a permeates through the rib 2R of the porous body 2, and moves to the discharge gas passage 6b. Similarly, part of the gas in the supply gas passage 7a permeates through the rib 2R of the porous body 2, and moves to the discharge gas passage 7b. Namely, part of the gas in the supply gas passages 6a and part of the gas in the supply gas passage 7a move to the discharge gas passages 6b and 7b, respectively, without moving through the diffusion layers 3. Due to this gas movement, a negative pressure is generated in each of the supply gas passages 6a and 7a.
  • the water existing in the diffusion layer 3 and the catalytic layer 4 can be absorbed in the porous body 2, as shown by arrows 11 on each of the anode side and the cathode side. It is therefore possible to suppress occurrence of blockage due to the water existing in the diffusion layer 3 and the catalytic layer 4. Namely, flooding can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to increase an area in the fuel cell 100, where a reaction actually occurs, and therefore improve a power density of the fuel cell 100.
  • part of the gas in the supply gas passages 6a and part of the gas in the supply gas passage 7a move to the discharge gas passages 6b and 7b through the ribs 2R of the porous bodies 2, respectively, without moving through the diffusion layers 3. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain the electrolyte membrane 5 in an appropriately humid state.
  • the gas flowing through the supply gas passage 6a and the gas flowing through the supply gas passage 7a for example, hydrogen and oxygen, are dry. Accordingly, if the ribs 2R of the porous body 2 are not formed, the entire dry gas moves to the discharge gas passages 6b and 7b through the diffusion layers 3. As a result, the electrolyte membrane 5 becomes excessively dry, and the efficiency of electric power generation is reduced.
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the porous body 2 and the gas passages viewed from the direction indicated by an arrow A2 in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 shows the hydrogen gas passage 6a on the anode side and the oxygen gas passage 7b on the cathode side, which are overlapped with each other when seen from the above. Also, FIG.
  • each solid arrow 15 shows a flow of the hydrogen on the anode side
  • each dashed arrow 16 shows a flow of the oxygen on the cathode side.
  • the hydrogen on the anode side moves from the supply gas passages 6a to the discharge gas passages 6b.
  • the oxygen on the cathode side moves from the supply gas passages 7a to the discharge gas passages 7b.
  • each gas passage is formed as a closed passage.
  • Forming each gas passage as a closed passage permits a larger amount of gas to move to the diffusion layer 3.
  • the two gas passages are formed so as to be opposite to each other with the diffusion layers 3, the catalytic layers 4, and the electrolyte membrane 5 interposed therebetween, and the direction in which the gas flows in one of the two passages is opposite to the direction in which the gas flows in the other passage.
  • an inlet of the hydrogen gas passage 6 on the anode side is opposite to an outlet of the oxygen gas passage 7 on the cathode side.
  • an outlet of the hydrogen gas passage 6 on the anode side is opposite to an inlet of the oxygen gas passage 7 on the cathode side.
  • the hydrogen and oxygen in the gas passages become drier toward the upstream side in the gas flow, and become more humid due to, for example, generated water toward the downstream side in the gas flow.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the diffusion layer 3 and the porous body 2 taken along a surface perpendicular to the direction in which the gas passages extend. As shown in FIG.
  • the number of holes 11 in the porous body 2 is made larger than the number of holes 12 in the diffusion layer 3.
  • the porosity of the porous body 2 is made higher than the porosity of the diffusion layer 3. It is therefore possible to make the gas permeation resistance of the porous body 2 lower than the gas diffusion resistance of the diffusion layer 3. Accordingly, the reaction gas can move sufficiently from the supply gas passages 6a and 7a to the discharge gas passages 6b and 7b, respectively. As a result, it is possible to increase the amount of water to be absorbed in the porous bodies 2. [0029] FIG.
  • the porous body 2 with the supply gas passage 6a or 7a formed therein is configured such that the porosity thereof increases toward the downstream side in the gas flow. Namely, the gas permeation resistance of the porous body 2 positioned on the downstream side is made lower than the gas permeation resistance of the porous body 2 positioned on the upstream side.
  • the generated water which is likely to be accumulated in a downstream portion of the gas passage as compared to in an upstream portion, can be reliably absorbed in the porous body 2, and therefore the generated water can be discharged effectively.
  • the porous body 2 with the discharge gas passage 6b or 7b formed therein is configured such that the porosity thereof increases toward the downstream side in the gas flow.
  • the water repellency of the porous body 2 is made lower than the water repellency of the diffusion layer 3. Therefore, the generated water can be discharged to the discharge gas passages 6b and 7b further efficiently.
  • the structures and shapes of the separator 1 and the porous body 2 are not limited to the above-mentioned structures and the shapes.
  • the separator 1 and the porous body 2 are formed of different elements.
  • the separator 1 may be used without using the porous body 2.
  • the gas passages are formed in the separator 1 , and the separator 1 is formed such that the members between the gas passages are porous.
  • FIG 6 shows a cell 51 to which a structure of the separator 1 and the porous body 2 according to a first modified example is applied.
  • the porous body 2 is not provided above the gas passages 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b, and only the portions between the gas passages are formed of the porous body 2.
  • part of the gas in the supply gas passage 6a can permeate through the porous body 2 and move to the discharge gas passage 6b.
  • part of the gas in the gas passage 7a can permeate through the porous body 2 and move to the discharge gas passage 7b.
  • the water existing in the diffusion layer 3 and the catalytic layer 4 can be absorbed in the porous body 2 on each of the anode side and the cathode side.
  • FIG 7 shows a cell 52 to which a structure of the separator 1 and the porous body 2 according to a second modified example is applied.
  • the porous body 2 is not used on the anode side (namely, the gas passages are formed in the separator 1 on the anode side), and the porous body 2 is used only on the cathode side.
  • the porous body 2 is not used on the anode side where hydrogen serving as fuel flows through the gas passages.
  • a nonporous material is used for forming the portion in which the passages are formed on the anode side. Water is generated mainly on the cathode side. Therefore, even if the porous body 2 is used only on the cathode side, the above-mentioned effect of discharging the generated water can be sufficiently obtained.
  • the fuel cell formed of the cells 52 according to the second modified example is effective at ensuring the efficient use of hydrogen.
  • the porous body 2, whose porosity is lower than the porosity of the porous body 2 used on the cathode side may be used on the anode side.
  • the porous body, whose porosity is lower than the porosity of the porous body 2 used on the cathode side may be used for forming the portion in which the passages are formed. It is thus possible to discharge the generated water on the anode side which has been diffused backward from the cathode side through the catalytic layer and the like, while suppressing unnecessary discharge of the hydrogen on the anode side.
  • the fuel cell (cell) according to the embodiment includes the separators 1 , the porous bodies 2, the diffusion layers 3, the catalytic layers 4, the electrolyte membrane 5, the supply gas passages 6a and 7a, and the discharge gas passages 6b and 7b.
  • a perfluoro sulfonic acid ion exchange membrane is used as the electrolyte membrane 5. Then, the electrolyte membrane 5 is coated with a solution containing platinum supporting carbon and an electrolyte, whereby the catalytic layer 4 is formed on the electrolyte membrane 5.
  • porous carbon paper or porous carbon cloth is used as a base material of the diffusion layer 3. Then, the base material is immersed in a solution containing powder of carbon and PTFE (polytetrafluoro-ethylene), whereby the base material is impregnated and coated with the carbon and the PTFE. Then, the base material coated with the carbon and the PTFE is baked, whereby the diffusion layer 3 is formed. Then, the diffusion layer 3 is overlaid with the catalytic layer 4 formed on the electrolyte membrane 5, and hot press is performed to join the diffusion later 3, the catalytic layer 4 and the electrolyte membrane 5 to each other, whereby the electrode is formed.
  • PTFE polytetrafluoro-ethylene
  • a dense carbon plate or a metal plate (e.g., a stainless plate, a titanium plate, and a nickel alloy plate) is used as the separator 1.
  • a metal plate e.g., a stainless plate, a titanium plate, and a nickel alloy plate
  • a surface treatment for example, an Au coating is applied to the surface of the separator 1 so as to reduce contact resistance.
  • an anti-corrosion coating is applied to the surface of the separator 1 , when a metal plate is used.
  • a carbon coating is performed by applying a coating formed of a mixture of carbon powder and a binder, for example, rubber to the surface of the separator 1.
  • the porous body 2 is made of a carbon material (e.g., porous carbon and sintered carbon), as in the case of the diffusion layer 3.
  • the porous body 2 is formed of a carbon whose porosity (for example, 50 % to 80 % in a non-humidified condition, and 40 % to 80% when the pressure applied to the rib surface per a unit area is 1 Mpa) is higher than the porosity of the diffusion layer 3 (for example, 40 % to 70 % in the non-humidified condition, and 30 % to 60 % when the pressure applied to the rib surface per the unit area is 1 Mpa).
  • the ribs are formed on the thus prepared porous body 2, whereby the gas passages 6 and 7 are formed.
  • the gas passages 6 and 7 are formed as closed passages which are not communicated with each other.
  • Each gas passage has a groove width of 0.8 mm, and a groove depth of 0.5 mm.
  • Each rib has a width of 0.8 mm, and a height of 0.5 mm.
  • FIG. 8 shows the result of comparison of cell performance between the fuel cell formed in the above-mentioned manner and fuel cells in which the porous body 2 is not used.
  • the horizontal axis shows a current density (A/cm 2 )
  • the vertical axis shows a cell voltage (V).
  • FIG. 8 shows the current-voltage characteristics (cell characteristics) of these fuel cells.
  • a curve Bl shows a current-voltage characteristic of a fuel cell in which the porous body 2 is not used, and the closed passages are not applied to the passages (namely, straight passages are used) (comparative example 1).
  • a curve B2 shows a current-voltage characteristic of a fuel cell in which the porous body 2 is not used and closed passages are applied to the passages (comparative example 2).
  • a curve B3 shows a current-voltage characteristic of the fuel cell according to the embodiment in which the porous body 2 is used and the closed passages are applied to the passages.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une pile à combustible, qui comprend plusieurs passages d'alimentation en gaz (6a, 7a) et plusieurs passages de sortie de gaz (6b, 7b) formés dans un séparateur. La communication entre ces deux types de passages n'est pas possible. Un élément (2) du séparateur, constituant des parties entre les passages de gaz, est poreux. Ainsi, l'eau produite aux électrodes (3, 4) peut être adsorbée dans des éléments poreux (2). On peut alors supprimer les risques de blocage dans la couche catalytique et la couche de diffusion liés à la présence d'eau aux électrodes (3, 4) et éviter toute inondation, ce qui permet d'augmenter une zone de la pile sur laquelle une réaction se produit effectivement, et donc d'augmenter la densité de puissance de la pile.
PCT/IB2005/001254 2004-05-11 2005-05-10 Pile a combustible et separateur de cette pile WO2005109556A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2004-141409 2004-05-11
JP2004141409A JP2005322595A (ja) 2004-05-11 2004-05-11 燃料電池

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005109556A1 true WO2005109556A1 (fr) 2005-11-17

Family

ID=34967098

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2005/001254 WO2005109556A1 (fr) 2004-05-11 2005-05-10 Pile a combustible et separateur de cette pile

Country Status (2)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2005322595A (fr)
WO (1) WO2005109556A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007088466A2 (fr) * 2006-02-02 2007-08-09 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Cellule électrochimique
EP2660910A4 (fr) * 2010-12-27 2017-01-25 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd Pile à combustible
WO2018121910A1 (fr) * 2016-12-27 2018-07-05 Robert Bosch Gmbh Plaque de distribution
CN112771700A (zh) * 2018-09-18 2021-05-07 上海旭济动力科技有限公司 流体引导流路及具备该流体引导流路的燃料电池
CN114976103A (zh) * 2021-02-22 2022-08-30 财团法人工业技术研究院 尾端封闭式燃料电池及其阳极双极板

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007188642A (ja) * 2006-01-11 2007-07-26 Hitachi Ltd 固体高分子形燃料電池
US8277987B2 (en) 2006-03-06 2012-10-02 Nec Corporation Fuel cell system
JP2007329009A (ja) * 2006-06-07 2007-12-20 Toshiba Fuel Cell Power Systems Corp 固体高分子型燃料電池
DE112007002417T5 (de) * 2006-10-19 2009-07-30 Nippon Soken, Inc., Nishio-shi Brennstoffzelle
JP5115070B2 (ja) * 2007-07-18 2013-01-09 トヨタ自動車株式会社 燃料電池
WO2010067452A1 (fr) * 2008-12-12 2010-06-17 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Pile à combustible
JP5293749B2 (ja) * 2009-01-22 2013-09-18 トヨタ自動車株式会社 燃料電池用セパレータ及び燃料電池
DE102015213950A1 (de) * 2015-07-23 2017-01-26 Volkswagen Ag Brennstoffzelle und Brennstoffzellenstapel
JP6519460B2 (ja) 2015-12-07 2019-05-29 株式会社デンソー 燃料電池単セルおよび燃料電池セルスタック
JP7054664B2 (ja) * 2018-10-03 2022-04-14 本田技研工業株式会社 燃料電池
JP7531540B2 (ja) 2022-03-31 2024-08-09 本田技研工業株式会社 燃料電池用セパレータ及び発電セル

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH04121967A (ja) * 1990-09-11 1992-04-22 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Co Ltd 固体電解質型燃料電池
US5523175A (en) * 1991-12-26 1996-06-04 International Fuel Cells Corporation Plate-shaped fuel cell component
US5853909A (en) * 1995-06-23 1998-12-29 International Fuel Cells, Llc Ion exchange membrane fuel cell power plant with water management pressure differentials
JPH1116591A (ja) * 1997-06-26 1999-01-22 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 固体高分子型燃料電池、固体高分子型燃料電池システム及び電気機器
WO2004004048A1 (fr) * 2002-06-28 2004-01-08 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Batterie de piles a combustible

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH04121967A (ja) * 1990-09-11 1992-04-22 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Co Ltd 固体電解質型燃料電池
US5523175A (en) * 1991-12-26 1996-06-04 International Fuel Cells Corporation Plate-shaped fuel cell component
US5853909A (en) * 1995-06-23 1998-12-29 International Fuel Cells, Llc Ion exchange membrane fuel cell power plant with water management pressure differentials
JPH1116591A (ja) * 1997-06-26 1999-01-22 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 固体高分子型燃料電池、固体高分子型燃料電池システム及び電気機器
WO2004004048A1 (fr) * 2002-06-28 2004-01-08 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Batterie de piles a combustible

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 016, no. 381 (E - 1248) 14 August 1992 (1992-08-14) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1999, no. 04 30 April 1999 (1999-04-30) *

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007088466A2 (fr) * 2006-02-02 2007-08-09 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Cellule électrochimique
WO2007088466A3 (fr) * 2006-02-02 2007-11-29 Toyota Motor Co Ltd Cellule électrochimique
EP2660910A4 (fr) * 2010-12-27 2017-01-25 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd Pile à combustible
US10381659B2 (en) 2010-12-27 2019-08-13 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Fuel cell
WO2018121910A1 (fr) * 2016-12-27 2018-07-05 Robert Bosch Gmbh Plaque de distribution
CN112771700A (zh) * 2018-09-18 2021-05-07 上海旭济动力科技有限公司 流体引导流路及具备该流体引导流路的燃料电池
CN112771700B (zh) * 2018-09-18 2023-07-25 上海旭济动力科技有限公司 流体引导流路及具备该流体引导流路的燃料电池
CN114976103A (zh) * 2021-02-22 2022-08-30 财团法人工业技术研究院 尾端封闭式燃料电池及其阳极双极板
US11978929B2 (en) 2021-02-22 2024-05-07 Industrial Technology Research Institute Close-end fuel cell and anode bipolar plate thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2005322595A (ja) 2005-11-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2005109556A1 (fr) Pile a combustible et separateur de cette pile
JP4923319B2 (ja) 燃料電池
JP4326179B2 (ja) 高分子電解質型燃料電池
EP2549573B1 (fr) Pile à combustible à électrolyte en polymère et empilement de piles à combustible équipé de celle-ci
WO2006121157A1 (fr) Pile à combustible
JP4585737B2 (ja) 燃料電池
JP4956870B2 (ja) 燃料電池および燃料電池の製造方法
JP2005340173A (ja) 燃料電池スタック
JP5062392B2 (ja) 固体高分子型燃料電池
JP5321086B2 (ja) 燃料電池
US20090087711A1 (en) Fuel cell electrode, fuel cell, and fuel cell stack
EP2367227A2 (fr) Ensemble membrane-électrode pour pile à combustible et empilement de piles à combustible doté de celui-ci
JP4984428B2 (ja) 燃料電池システム
JP5541291B2 (ja) 燃料電池及び燃料電池を備えた車両
JP5766916B2 (ja) 固体高分子型燃料電池
CN115668561A (zh) 固体高分子型燃料电池堆
JP4340417B2 (ja) 高分子電解質型燃料電池
JP2011034768A (ja) 燃料電池
KR100705167B1 (ko) 직접형 연료전지
JP2009009839A (ja) 固体高分子型燃料電池用電解質膜・電極構造体
JP2008146897A (ja) 燃料電池用セパレータおよび燃料電池
JP4498681B2 (ja) 高分子電解質型燃料電池
JP2004335147A (ja) 燃料電池
JP5694103B2 (ja) 燃料電池セル及び燃料電池
JP2008288068A (ja) 燃料電池、燃料電池のアノード、および、膜電極接合体

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BW BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS KE KG KM KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NA NG NI NO NZ OM PG PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SM SY TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): BW GH GM KE LS MW MZ NA SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Country of ref document: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase