WO2008050781A1 - Empilement de cellule électrochimique - Google Patents

Empilement de cellule électrochimique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008050781A1
WO2008050781A1 PCT/JP2007/070679 JP2007070679W WO2008050781A1 WO 2008050781 A1 WO2008050781 A1 WO 2008050781A1 JP 2007070679 W JP2007070679 W JP 2007070679W WO 2008050781 A1 WO2008050781 A1 WO 2008050781A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bridge
gas supply
oxygen
fuel
supplying
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2007/070679
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Tetsuya Ogawa
Koji Dan
Original Assignee
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
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 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. filed Critical Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Publication of WO2008050781A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008050781A1/fr

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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
    • H01M8/24—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
    • H01M8/2425—High-temperature cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/243—Grouping of unit cells of tubular or cylindrical configuration
    • 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
    • H01M8/0271—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
    • 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
    • H01M8/242—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes comprising framed electrodes or intermediary frame-like gaskets
    • 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
    • H01M8/2425—High-temperature cells with solid electrolytes
    • H01M8/2428—Grouping by arranging unit cells on a surface of any form, e.g. planar or tubular
    • 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
    • H01M8/2457—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells 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
    • H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
    • H01M8/2483—Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by internal manifolds
    • 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
    • H01M8/12—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
    • H01M2008/1293—Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes
    • 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
    • H01M8/0204—Non-porous and characterised by the material
    • H01M8/0206—Metals or alloys
    • 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 present invention relates to a fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells .
  • the fuel cells are formed by stacking electrolyte electrode assemblies between separators.
  • Each of the electrolyte electrode assemblies includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte interposed between the anode and the cathode.
  • a solid oxide fuel cell employs an electrolyte of ion-conductive solid oxide such as stabilized zirconia.
  • the electrolyte is interposed between an anode and a cathode to form an electrolyte electrode assembly.
  • the electrolyte electrode assembly is interposed between separators (bipolar plates).
  • separators bipolar plates.
  • a fuel gas channel and an oxygen-containing gas channel are formed along surfaces of the separator .
  • a separator 1 stacked on a power generation cell (not shown) is provided.
  • the separator 1 is formed by connecting left and right manifold parts 2a and a part 2b at the center where the power generation cell is provided, by joint parts 2c.
  • the joint parts 2c are thin, and narrow to have elasticity.
  • the manifold parts 2a has gas holes 3, 4.
  • One gas hole 3 is connected to a fuel gas channel 3a, and the other gas hole 4 is connected to an oxygen-containing gas channel 4a.
  • the fuel gas channel 3a and the oxygen-containing gas channel 4a extend straight into the part 2b, and are opened to a fuel electrode current collector and an air electrode current collector, respectively, at positions near the center of the part 2b.
  • the joint parts 2c are thin and narrow to have elasticity. Therefore, the number of steps of fabricating the separator 1 is large, and the overall production cost for the separator 1 is high. Further, the strength in the joint parts 2c is low. Due to the stress, the joint parts 2c can be damaged easily.
  • the present invention solves the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell stack in which it is possible to effectively prevent the decrease in the strength, equally distribute the stress to respective bridges, and reliably prevent deformation and damages of the separators .
  • the present invention relates to a fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells.
  • the fuel cells are formed by stacking electrolyte electrode assemblies and separators .
  • Each of the electrolyte electrode assemblies includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte interposed between the anode and the cathode.
  • Each of the separators includes a sandwiching section, a first bridge, a first reactant gas supply unit, a second bridge, a case unit, and a second reactant gas supply unit.
  • the sandwiching section sandwiches the electrolyte electrode assembly.
  • a fuel gas inlet for supplying a fuel gas along an electrode surface of the anode and an oxygen-containing gas inlet for supplying an oxygen-containing gas along an electrode surface of the cathode are formed in the sandwiching section.
  • the first bridge is connected to the sandwiching section.
  • the first bridge has a first reactant gas supply channel for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas inlet or supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the oxygen-containing gas inlet.
  • the first reactant gas supply unit is connected to the first bridge.
  • a first reactant gas supply passage for supplying the fuel gas or the oxygen- containing gas to the first reactant gas supply channel extend through the first reactant gas supply unit in a stacking direction.
  • the second bridge is connected to the sandwiching section.
  • the second bridge has a second reactant gas supply channel for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas inlet or supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the oxygen-containing gas inlet.
  • the case unit is connected to the second bridge .
  • the case unit contains the electrolyte electrode assembly.
  • the second reactant gas supply unit is provided in the case unit .
  • a second reactant gas supply passage for supplying the oxygen-containing gas or the fuel gas to the second reactant gas channel extend through the second reactant gas supply unit in the stacking direction.
  • the first bridge and the second bridge are asymmetrical in shape, and a load per unit area applied to a cross section of one of the first bridge and the second bridge is smaller than a load per unit area applied to a cross section of the other of the first bridge and the second bridge.
  • the width of the second bridge is the same as the width of the first bridge, and the second bridge extends in a direction which intersects a direction in which the first bridge extends.
  • At least the first bridge or the second bridge has a corrugated shape, and is deformable elastically.
  • the present invention because a load per unit area applied to the cross section of one of the first bridge and the second bridge is smaller than a load per unit area applied to the cross section of the other of the first bridge and the second bridge, stress applied to the fuel cell stack is reduced by the one of the first bridge and the second bridge. Therefore, in the simple structure, it is possible to prevent deformation of the separators suitably. Further, since the first bridge and the second bridge are asymmetrical in shape with respect to each other, for example, the second bridge can be shortened, and the overall size of the separator can be reduced easily.
  • the width of the second bridge is the same as the width of the first bridge, and the second bridge extends in a direction which intersects a direction in which the first bridge extends.
  • the first and second bridges do not face each other, and are deformable to expand in directions in which no reaction force is generated. Accordingly, the sandwiching section is movable in which no first and second bridges are present, and the stress applied to the first and second bridges can be reduced advantageously.
  • the first bridge or the second bridge has a corrugated shape, and is deformable elastically.
  • the corrugated portion has spring elastically (stress relaxing function). The stress applied to the first bridge or the second bridge can be relaxed suitably. Accordingly, the overall size of the separator is reduced, and deformation of the separator is prevented suitably.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a fuel cell stack formed by stacking fuel cells according to the first embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the fuel cell stack taken along a line II-II in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the fuel cell
  • FIG. 4 is a partial exploded perspective view showing gas flows in the fuel cell
  • FIG. 5 is a view showing a first plate of the separator
  • FIG. 6 is a view showing a second plate of a separator
  • FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view schematically showing operation of the fuel cell
  • FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a fuel cell according to the second embodiment ;
  • FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view schematically showing operation of the fuel cell;
  • FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a fuel cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view schematically showing operation of the fuel cell;
  • FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a fuel cell according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a fuel cell according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing a fuel cell according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 15 is an enlarged exploded perspective view showing main components of the fuel cell.
  • FIG. 16 is a view showing a separator of a conventional flat stack fuel cell.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a fuel cell stack 12 formed by stacking fuel cells 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a direction indicated by an arrow A.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the fuel cell stack 12 taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1.
  • the fuel cell 10 is used in various applications, including stationary and mobile applications.
  • the fuel cell 10 is mounted on a vehicle.
  • the fuel cell 10 is a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC).
  • the fuel cell 10 includes electrolyte electrode assemblies 26.
  • Each of the electrolyte electrode assemblies 26 includes a cathode 22, an anode 24, and an electrolyte (electrolyte plate) 20 interposed between the cathode 22 and the anode 24.
  • the electrolyte 20 is made of ion-conductive solid oxide such as stabilized zirconia.
  • the electrolyte electrode assembly 26 has a circular disk shape. As shown in FIG.
  • the fuel cell 10 is formed by sandwiching a plurality of, e.g., four electrolyte electrode assemblies 26 between a pair of separators 28.
  • the four electrolyte electrode assemblies 26 are provided around a fuel gas supply passage 30 extending through the center of the separators 28, at predetermined intervals (angles) along a virtual circle concentrically with the fuel gas supply passage 30.
  • Each of the separators 28 includes first and second plates 32, 34.
  • the first and second plates 32, 34 are metal plates of, e.g., stainless alloy.
  • the first plate 32 and the second plate 34 are joined to each other by diffusion bonding, laser welding, or brazing.
  • a first fuel gas supply unit (first reactant gas supply unit) 36 is formed at the center of the first plate 32.
  • the fuel gas supply passage (first reactant gas supply passage) 30 extends through the fuel gas supply unit 36, for supplying a fuel gas in the stacking direction indicated by the arrow A.
  • Four first bridges 38 extend radially outwardly from the first fuel gas supply unit 36 at equal intervals.
  • the first fuel gas supply unit 36 is integral with first sandwiching sections 40 each having a relatively large diameter.
  • the first sandwiching section 40 and the electrolyte electrode assembly 26 have substantially the same size.
  • the first sandwiching sections 40 are integral with an annular first case unit 44 through short second bridges 42. As shown in FIG.
  • the first bridges 38 and the second bridges 42 are asymmetrical in shape.
  • the cross sectional area of the second bridge 42 is larger than the cross sectional area of the first bridge 38.
  • the thickness Tl and the width Hl of the first bridge 38 and the thickness T2 and the width H2 of the second bridge 42 satisfy the relationship H2 > Hl , and satisfy the relationship Tl x Hl ⁇ T2 x H2.
  • Each of the first sandwiching sections 40 has a plurality of projections 48 on a surface which contacts the anode 24.
  • the projections 48 form a fuel gas channel 46 for supplying a fuel gas along an electrode surface of the anode 24.
  • the projections 48 function as a current collector.
  • a fuel gas inlet 52 for supplying the fuel gas is formed at substantially the center of the first sandwiching section 40, at a position deviated toward the fuel gas supply passage 30 for supplying the fuel gas toward the substantially central region of the anode 24.
  • the first case unit 44 includes oxygen-containing gas supply units (second reactant gas supply units) 56.
  • the oxygen-containing gas supply passages (second reactant gas supply passages) 54 extend through the oxygen-containing gas supply units 56 in the stacking direction, for supplying an oxygen-containing gas to oxygen-containing gas supply channels 78.
  • a plurality of bolt insertion holes 58 are formed in the first case unit 44 at predetermined intervals (angles).
  • the fuel gas supply passage 30, the first bridge 38, the first sandwiching section 40, the second bridge 42, and the oxygen-containing gas supply passage 54 are arranged in a straight line along the separator surface.
  • a second fuel gas supply unit (first reactant gas supply unit) 60 is formed at the center of the second plate 34, and the fuel gas supply passage 30 extends through the center of the second fuel gas supply unit 60.
  • first bridges 62 extend radially outwardly from the second fuel gas supply unit 60 at predetermined intervals (angles), and the second fuel gas supply unit 60 is integral with the second sandwiching sections 64 each having a relatively large diameter through the four first bridges 62.
  • the second sandwiching section 64 and the electrolyte electrode assembly 26 have substantially the same size.
  • the second sandwiching sections 64 are integral with an annular second case unit 68 through short second bridges 66.
  • the first bridge 62 and the second bridge 66 satisfy the relationships as in the case of the first bridge 38 and the second bridge 42. Specifically, as shown in FIG.
  • the thickness Tl and the width Hl of the first bridge 62 and the thickness T2 and the width H2 of the second bridge 66 satisfy the relationship H2 > Hl, and satisfy the relationship Tl x Hl ⁇ T2 x H2.
  • a plurality of grooves 70 connected to the fuel gas supply passage 30 is formed radially around the fuel gas supply passage 30, on a surface of the second fuel gas supply unit 60 which is joined to the first fuel gas supply unit 36.
  • the grooves 70 are connected to a circular groove 72, and the circular groove 72 is connected to four fuel gas supply channels (first reactant gas supply channels) 74.
  • Each of the fuel gas supply channels 74 extends from the first bridge 62 to a position near substantially the center of the second sandwiching section 64, and terminates at the fuel gas inlet 52 of the first plate 32.
  • the second case unit 68 includes oxygen-containing gas supply units 56 and bolt insertion holes 58.
  • the oxygen- containing gas supply passages 54 extend through the oxygen- containing gas supply units 56 in the stacking direction.
  • the second case unit 68 has a filling chamber 76 on a surface joined to the first case unit 44, and the filling chamber 76 is filled with the oxygen-containing gas supplied from the oxygen-containing gas supply passages 54.
  • the filling chamber 76 is connected to the oxygen- containing gas supply channels (second reactant gas supply channels) 78.
  • Each of the oxygen-containing gas supply channels 78 extends from the second bridge 66 to a position near substantially the center of the second sandwiching section 64, and the front end of the oxygen-containing gas supply channel 78 is connected to an oxygen-containing gas inlet 80 passing through the second sandwiching section 64.
  • the first plate 32 has the projections 48 formed by, e.g., etching
  • the second plate 34 has the grooves 70, the circular groove 72, the fuel gas supply channels 74, the filling chamber 76, and the oxygen-containing gas supply channels 78 formed by, e.g., etching.
  • a deformable elastic channel unit such as an electrically conductive felt member (electrically conductive nonwoven fabric such as metal felt) 84 is provided on a surface of the second plate 34 facing the cathode 22.
  • the felt member 84 forms an oxygen-containing gas channel 86 between the second sandwiching section 64 and the cathode 22.
  • a mesh member electrically conductive fabric such as metal mesh
  • foamed metal, expanded metal, punching metal, or pressure embossed metal may be used.
  • Exhaust gas channels 88 are provided around the electrolyte electrode assemblies 26 for discharging the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas after reaction as an exhaust gas. As shown in FIG.
  • a first insulating seal 90 for sealing the fuel gas supply passage 30 and a second insulating seal 92 for sealing the oxygen-containing gas supply passage 54 are formed between the separators 28.
  • the first insulating seal 90 and the second insulating seal 92 having good sealing performance are hard, and cannot be collapsed easily.
  • crustal component material, glass material, and composite material of clay and plastic may be used for the first insulating seal 90 and the second insulating seal 92.
  • the second insulating seal 92 is a heat insulating member for preventing diffusion of heat energy. As shown in FIGS.
  • the fuel cell stack 12 is formed by providing a first end plate 94a having a substantially circular disk shape, at one end of the fuel cells 10 in the stacking direction, and a partition wall 95, a plurality of second end plates 94b each having a small diameter and a substantially circular disk shape, and a fixing ring 94c having a large diameter and a substantially ring shape, at the other end of the fuel cells 10 in the stacking direction with the partition wall 95 inside.
  • the partition wall 95 functions to prevent diffusion of the exhaust gas to the outside of the fuel cells 10.
  • the second end plates 94b are provided at four positions corresponding to positions where the electrolyte electrode assemblies 26 are stacked.
  • the first end plate 94a and the fixing ring 94c have a plurality of holes 96 connected to the bolt insertion holes 58 of the separators 28.
  • One fuel gas supply pipe 102 connected to the fuel gas supply passage 30, four oxygen-containing gas supply pipes 104 connected to the oxygen-containing gas supply passages 54, and four exhaust gas discharge pipes 105 connected to the exhaust gas channels 88 are provided at the first end plate 94a.
  • the first end plate 94a is fixed to a support plate 112 through bolts 98, nuts 108a, 108b, and plate collar members 110.
  • a first load applying unit 114 for applying a tightening load to the first fuel gas supply unit 36 and the second fuel gas supply unit 60, second load applying units 116 for applying a tightening load to the oxygen-containing gas supply units 56, and third tightening load applying units 118 for applying a tightening load to the electrolyte electrode assemblies 26 are provided between the support plate 112 and the first end plate 94a.
  • the first tightening load applying unit 114 has a presser member 120 provided at the center of the fuel cells 10 (center of the first fuel gas supply unit 36 and the second fuel gas supply unit 60) for preventing leakage of the fuel gas from the fuel gas supply passage 30.
  • the presser member 120 is provided near the center of the four second end plates 94b for pressing the fuel cells 10 through the partition wall 95.
  • a first spring 124 is provided at the presser member 120 through a first receiver member 122a and a second receiver member 122b.
  • the second receiver member 122b abuts the tip end of the first presser bolt 126.
  • the first presser bolt 126 is screwed into a first screw hole 128 formed in the support plate 112, and adjustably positioned through a first nut 130.
  • Each of the second load applying units 116 includes a bolt 98 inserted through the hole 96 into the bolt insertion hole 58, and the nut 100 fitted to the bolt 98.
  • the second load applying unit 116 prevents leakage of the oxygen- containing gas from the oxygen-containing gas supply unit 56.
  • Each of the third load applying units 118 includes a third receiver member 132a at the second end plate 94b, corresponding to each of the electrolyte electrode assemblies 26.
  • the third receiver member 132a is positioned on the second end plate 94b through the pin 134.
  • One end of the second spring 136 contacts the third receiver member 132a and the other end of the second spring 136 contacts the fourth receiver member 132b.
  • a tip end of the second presser bolt 138 contacts the fourth receiver member 132b.
  • the second presser bolt 138 is screwed into the second screw hole 140 formed in the support plate 112, and adjustably positioned through the second nut 142. Operation of the fuel cell stack 12 will be described below.
  • the fuel gas is supplied through the fuel gas supply pipe 102 to the first end plate 94a. Then, the fuel gas flows into the fuel gas supply passage 30. The air as the oxygen-containing gas is supplied from the oxygen-containing gas supply pipes 104 to the first end plate 94a. Then, the oxygen-containing gas flows into the oxygen-containing gas supply units 56.
  • the fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas supply passage 30 flows in the stacking direction indicated by the arrow A, and the fuel gas is supplied from the grooves 70 to the fuel gas supply channels 74 through the circular groove 72 formed in the second plate 34 of the separator 28 of each fuel cell 10. After the fuel gas flows along each fuel gas supply channel 74, the fuel gas flows through the fuel gas inlet 52 formed in the first plate 32 to the fuel gas channel 46.
  • the fuel gas inlet 52 is provided at substantially the central position of the anode 24 of each electrolyte electrode assembly 26. Thus, the fuel gas is supplied from the fuel gas inlet 52 to the anode 24, and flows along the fuel gas channel 46 from the substantially central region to the outer circumferential region of the anode 24.
  • the air supplied to the oxygen-containing gas supply units 56 temporarily fills the filling chamber 76 provided between the first case unit 44 of the first plate 32 and the second case unit 68 of the second plate 34.
  • the filling chamber 76 is connected to the oxygen-containing gas supply channels 78.
  • the oxygen-containing gas moves toward the center of the first sandwiching section 40 and the second sandwiching sections 64 along the oxygen-containing gas supply channels 78.
  • the oxygen-containing containing gas inlet 80 is opened to a position near the center of the second sandwiching section 64.
  • the oxygen-containing gas inlet 80 is positioned at substantially the center of the cathode 22 of the electrolyte electrode assembly 26. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the air is supplied from the oxygen-containing gas inlet 80 to the cathode 22.
  • the oxygen-containing gas flows from the substantially central region to the outer circumferential region of the cathode 22 along the oxygen- containing gas channel 86 formed in the felt member 84.
  • each of the electrolyte electrode assemblies 26 the fuel gas flows from substantially the central region to the outer circumferential region of the anode 24, and the air flows from the substantially central region to the outer circumferential region of the cathode 22 for generating electricity.
  • the fuel gas and the air consumed in the power generation are discharged from the outer circumferential region of each of the electrolyte electrode assemblies 26, and flows through the exhaust gas channels 88.
  • the width H2 of the second bridge 42 is larger than the width Hl of the first bridge 38.
  • the cross sectional area of the second bridge 42 is larger than the cross sectional area of the first bridge 38.
  • first bridges 38 are bound by the first load applying unit 114 and the third load applying units 118
  • second bridges 42 are bound by the second load applying units 116 and the third load applying units 118.
  • stress is generated in the first bridges 38 and the second bridges 42 by heat expansion due to operation of the fuel cell stack 12, and heat contraction due to the stop of operation of the fuel cell stack 12.
  • the load per unit area applied to the cross section of the first bridge 38 is larger than the load per unit area applied to the cross section of the second bridge 42.
  • the stress is relaxed by the first bridge 38 having the cross sectional area smaller than that of the second bridge 42.
  • the load per unit area applied to the cross section of the short second bridge 66 is larger than the load per unit area applied to the cross section of the first bridge 62.
  • the stress is relaxed by the first bridge 62 having the cross sectional area smaller than that of the second bridge 66.
  • the lengths of the second bridges 42, 66 can be reduced as much as possible. That is, the overall size of the separator 28 is reduced easily.
  • the dimension (diameter) of the fuel cell stack 12 along the surface of the separator 28 is reduced as much as possible, and the overall size of the fuel cell stack 12 is reduced easily.
  • the first case unit 44 and the second case unit 68 have annular shapes. In the structure, the waste heat of the exhaust gas is uniformly transmitted to the entire first case unit 44 and the entire second case unit 68. Thus, the oxygen-containing gas before being supplied to the electrolyte electrode assemblies 26 can be heated uniformly.
  • the outer shape of the separator 28 is determined by the first case unit 44 and the second case unit 68 each having the annular shape. Thus, the overall outer dimensions of the fuel cell stack 12 are reduced advantageously, and the size reduction of the fuel cell stack 12 is achieved.
  • FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a fuel cell 160 according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view showing operation of the fuel cell 160.
  • the constituent elements that are identical to those of the fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment are labeled with the same reference numeral, and description thereof will be omitted. Further, in third to sixth embodiments as described later, the constituent elements that are identical to those of the fuel cell 10 according to the first embodiment are labeled with the same reference numeral, and description thereof will be omitted.
  • the fuel cell 160 has a separator 162 including a first plate 164 and a second plate 166.
  • Each of the first sandwiching sections 40 of the first plate 164 has a planar surface which contacts the electrolyte electrode assemblies 26, and an electrically conductive felt member (electrical conductive nonwoven fabric such as metal felt) 167 is provided on the planar surface.
  • the felt member 167 forms a fuel gas channel 46 for supplying the fuel gas along the electrode surface of the anode 24, and tightly contacts the anode 24 (see FIGS. 8 and 9).
  • a mesh member electricalally conductive fabric such as metal mesh
  • foamed metal, expanded metal, punching metal, pressure embossed metal may be used.
  • the second plate 166 includes second sandwiching sections 64, and each of the second sandwiching sections 64 includes a plurality of projections 168 on a surface which contacts the cathode 22.
  • the projections 168 form an oxygen-containing gas channel 86.
  • the projections 168 are formed by, e.g., etching.
  • FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a fuel cell 170 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view showing operation of the fuel cell 170.
  • the fuel cell 170 has a separator 172 including a first plate 174 and a second plate 176.
  • a plurality of projections 48 are formed on a surface of each first sandwiching section 40 of the first plate 174 which contacts the anode 24.
  • the projections 48 form the fuel gas channel 46.
  • a plurality of projections 168 are formed on a surface of each second sandwiching section 64 of the second plate
  • the projections 168 form the oxygen-containing gas channel 86.
  • the same advantages as in the case of the first embodiment can be obtained. For example, even if stress is generated in the separators 162, 172 due to heat expansion or heat contraction, it is possible to effectively prevent deformation or damages in the separators 162, 172.
  • Structure of the first and second embodiments may be combined to use the felt member (electrically conductive nonwoven fabric such as metal felt) 84 forming the oxygen- containing gas channel 86 and the felt member (electrically conductive nonwoven fabric such as metal felt) 167 forming the fuel gas channel 46.
  • the felt members 84, 167 for example, a mesh member (electrically conductive fabric such as metal mesh), foamed metal, expanded metal, punching metal, pressure embossed metal may be used.
  • FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing a fuel cell 180 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the fuel cell 180 has a separator 182 including a first plate 184 and a second plate 186.
  • the first sandwiching section 40 and the first case unit 44 of the first plate 184 are integral with a plurality of, for example, three second bridges 188a, 188b, 188c.
  • the second bridges 188a, 188b, 188c are shorter than the first bridge 38.
  • the total cross sectional area of the second bridges 188a, 188b, 188c is larger than the cross sectional area of the first bridge 38.
  • the second sandwiching section 64 and the second case unit 68 of the second plate 186 are integral with second bridges 190a, 190b, 190c. Same as the second bridges 188a, 188b, 188c, the second bridges 190a, 190b, 190c are shorter than the first bridge 62, and the total cross sectional area of the second bridges 190a, 190b, 190c is larger than the cross sectional area of the first bridge 62.
  • FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a fuel cell 200 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the fuel cell 200 has a separator 202 including a first plate 204 and a second plate 206.
  • the first sandwiching section 40 and the first case unit 44 of the first plate 204 are integral with a second bridge 208.
  • the second bridge 208 extends in a direction intersecting a straight line connecting the fuel gas supply passage 30 to the first bridge 38. That is, the width of the second bridge 208 is the same as the width of the first bridge 38, and the second bridge 208 extends in a direction which intersects a direction in which the first bridge 38 extends.
  • the second sandwiching section 64 and the second case unit 68 of the second plate 206 are integral with the second bridge 210. Same as the second bridge 208, the width of the second bridge 210 is the same as the width of the first bridge 62, and the second bridge 210 extends in a direction which intersects a direction in which the first bridge 62 extends .
  • the first sandwiching section 40 and the second sandwiching section 64 are movable in a direction which is not bound by the first bridges 38, 62 and the second bridges 208, 210, indicated by an arrow E.
  • the same advantages as in the case of the first to fourth embodiments can be obtained.
  • the stress generated in the first bridges 38, 62 and the second bridges 208, 210 can be released suitably. It is because the direction in which the first bridges 38, 62 extend and the direction in which the second bridge 208, 210 extend intersect with each other.
  • FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing a fuel cell 220 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the fuel cell 220 has a separator 222 including a first plate 224 and a second plate 226.
  • the first sandwiching section 40 and the first case unit 44 of the first plate 224 are integral with a second bridge 228.
  • the width of the second bridge 228 is the same as the width of the first bridge 38.
  • the second bridge 228 has a corrugated shape, and is deformable elastically (see FIG. 15).
  • the second sandwiching section 64 and the second case unit 68 of the second plate 226 are integral with a second bridge 230.
  • the width of the second bridge 230 is the same as the width of the first bridge 62.
  • the second bridge 230 has a corrugated shape, and is deformable elastically.
  • each of the corrugated, elastically deformable second bridges 228, 230 itself has spring elasticity (stress relaxing function). Therefore, the stress applied to the second bridges 228, 230 is relaxed suitably.
  • the same advantages as in the cases of the first to fifth embodiments can be obtained. For example, the overall size of the separator 222 is reduced, and deformation of the separator 222 can be prevented effectively.
  • the present invention is not limited in this respect.
  • the second bridges 228, 230 only the first bridges 38, 62 may have the corrugated shape, or both of the first bridges 38, 62 and the second bridges 228, 230 may have the corrugated shape .

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

Abstract

Un séparateur (28) comprend une première unité d'alimentation en gaz combustible (36), une deuxième unité d'alimentation en gaz combustible (60), des premières sections sandwichs (40), des deuxièmes sections sandwichs (64), une première unité boîtier (44) et une deuxième unité boîtier (68). Un passage d'alimentation en gaz combustible (30) traverse la première unité d'alimentation en gaz combustible (36) et la deuxième unité d'alimentation en gaz combustible (60). Les premières et deuxièmes sections sandwichs (40, 64) sont reliées à la première unité d'alimentation en gaz combustible (36) et à la deuxième unité d'alimentation en gaz combustible (60) respectivement par des premiers ponts (38,62). La première unité boîtier (44) et la deuxième unité boîtier (68) sont reliées aux premières sections sandwichs (40) et aux deuxièmes sections sandwichs (64) par des deuxièmes ponts (42, 66). Des unités d'alimentation en gaz contenant de l'oxygène (56) se trouvent dans la première unité boîtier (44) et la deuxième unité boîtier (68). Les premiers ponts (38,62) et les deuxièmes ponts (42,66) sont de forme asymétrique, et une charge par unité de surface appliquée à une section transversale d'un des premiers ponts (38,62) et des deuxièmes ponts (42,66) est inférieure à une charge par unité de surface appliquée à une section transversale de l'autre pont des premiers ponts (38,62) et des deuxièmes ponts (42,66).
PCT/JP2007/070679 2006-10-19 2007-10-17 Empilement de cellule électrochimique WO2008050781A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2006285242A JP2008103220A (ja) 2006-10-19 2006-10-19 燃料電池スタック
JP2006-285242 2006-10-19

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WO2008050781A1 true WO2008050781A1 (fr) 2008-05-02

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Cited By (1)

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WO2018001543A1 (fr) * 2016-06-27 2018-01-04 Westfälische Hochschule Gelsenkirchen Bocholt Recklinghausen Dispositif de conversion d'énergie, en particulier pile à combustible ou électrolyseur

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JP5564381B2 (ja) * 2009-12-07 2014-07-30 財團法人工業技術研究院 燃料電池装置

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EP0635896A1 (fr) * 1993-07-20 1995-01-25 Sulzer Innotec Ag Pile à combustible à symétrie axiale
JP2000003715A (ja) * 1998-04-15 2000-01-07 Fuji Electric Corp Res & Dev Ltd 固体電解質型燃料電池
US20050136319A1 (en) * 2003-12-17 2005-06-23 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Fuel cell and fuel cell stack
US20050136294A1 (en) * 2003-12-17 2005-06-23 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Fuel cell and fuel cell stack

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0635896A1 (fr) * 1993-07-20 1995-01-25 Sulzer Innotec Ag Pile à combustible à symétrie axiale
JP2000003715A (ja) * 1998-04-15 2000-01-07 Fuji Electric Corp Res & Dev Ltd 固体電解質型燃料電池
US20050136319A1 (en) * 2003-12-17 2005-06-23 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Fuel cell and fuel cell stack
US20050136294A1 (en) * 2003-12-17 2005-06-23 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Fuel cell and fuel cell stack

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018001543A1 (fr) * 2016-06-27 2018-01-04 Westfälische Hochschule Gelsenkirchen Bocholt Recklinghausen Dispositif de conversion d'énergie, en particulier pile à combustible ou électrolyseur
CN109478664A (zh) * 2016-06-27 2019-03-15 盖尔森基兴博霍尔特雷克灵豪森威斯特伐利亚高校 用于能量转换的装置、尤其是燃料电池单体或电解装置
US11183705B2 (en) 2016-06-27 2021-11-23 Westfaelische Hochschule Gelsenkirchen Bocholt Recklinghausen Energy-converting fuel cell or electrolyzer
CN109478664B (zh) * 2016-06-27 2022-04-12 盖尔森基兴博霍尔特雷克灵豪森威斯特伐利亚高校 用于能量转换的装置、尤其是燃料电池单体或电解装置

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