JP2007250259A - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

A polymer electrolyte fuel cell capable of suppressing local drying of an electrolyte membrane is provided.
A separator 30 used in a fuel cell is configured by overlapping and joining an anode facing plate 31, an intermediate plate 33, and a cathode facing plate 32. A plurality of water supply port penetrating portions 61 arranged two-dimensionally on the plate surface are provided on the anode facing plate or the cathode facing plate.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell having a stack structure in which a plurality of laminated bodies each having an anode and a cathode disposed on both surfaces of a predetermined electrolyte membrane are laminated with a separator interposed therebetween.

  A polymer electrolyte fuel cell is a fuel cell having proton conductivity and including an electrolyte membrane made of a solid polymer (see Patent Document 1 below). In such a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, for example, membrane electrode assemblies in which catalyst electrodes (anode (fuel electrode) or cathode (oxygen electrode)) are arranged on both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane and separators are alternately laminated. Some have a stack structure.

  In such a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a reaction gas (fuel gas and oxidizing gas) used for an electrochemical reaction is supplied to the catalyst electrode from a part of the periphery of the catalyst electrode.

  Incidentally, in order to maintain a good power generation state, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell needs to keep the electrolyte membrane in a wet state. In this case, for example, the electrolyte membrane is kept wet by humidifying the reaction gas.

JP 2003-68318 A

  However, in the above-described polymer electrolyte fuel cell, when supplying the humidified reaction gas to the catalyst electrode, if the reaction gas is supplied from a part of the periphery of the catalyst electrode, the reaction gas is supplied to the catalyst electrode. There was a case where the electrolyte membrane was not sufficiently humidified in that portion. As a result, there is a possibility that a portion that is locally dried occurs in the electrolyte membrane. As a result, the battery performance of the fuel cell may be degraded.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for suppressing local drying of an electrolyte membrane in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the fuel cell of the present invention includes:
A solid polymer fuel cell having a stack structure in which a plurality of laminated bodies each having an anode and a cathode disposed on both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane made of a solid polymer with a separator interposed therebetween,
The separator is
An anode facing plate facing the anode of the laminate;
A cathode facing plate facing the cathode of the laminate;
An intermediate plate sandwiched between the anode facing plate and the cathode facing plate;
At least one of the anode facing plate and the cathode facing plate penetrates in the thickness direction of the plate, and supplies water to the surface of the laminate from a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the laminate. A plurality of water supply ports for
The intermediate plate is sandwiched between the anode counter plate and the cathode counter plate, thereby forming a water supply channel for supplying the water to each of the plurality of water supply ports. With a forming part,
The gist of the plurality of water supply ports is that they are two-dimensionally distributed with respect to the plate surface of the plate having the plurality of water supply ports.

  According to the fuel cell having the above configuration, water can be two-dimensionally distributed and supplied from the plurality of water supply ports to the surface of the fuel cell stack, that is, the surface of the anode or cathode. In this way, the supplied water permeates the electrolyte membrane via the anode or cathode. Therefore, if it does in this way, it can control that an electrolyte membrane drys locally. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in battery performance of the fuel cell.

In the fuel cell,
The intermediate plate is sandwiched between the anode facing plate and the cathode facing plate, thereby forming a cooling medium flow path for flowing a cooling medium for cooling the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. You may make it provide a flow-path formation part.

  In this way, the thickness of the separator can be made thinner than when the cooling medium flow path is formed using another member. As a result, the fuel cell can be reduced in size.

In the fuel cell,
The cooling medium flow path forming part may be the water supply flow path forming part.

  In this way, since it is not necessary to separately form the water supply flow path forming part and the cooling medium flow path forming part in the separator, processing of the separator is facilitated.

In the fuel cell,
Of the anode facing plate and the cathode facing plate, the plate having the plurality of water supply ports penetrates in the thickness direction of the plate, and from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the laminate, a predetermined number A plurality of reaction gas supply ports for supplying reaction gas to the surface of the laminate,
The intermediate plate is sandwiched between the anode facing plate and the cathode facing plate, thereby forming a reaction gas supply channel for supplying the reaction gas to each of the plurality of reaction gas supply ports. A gas supply flow path forming section;
The plurality of reaction gas supply ports may be two-dimensionally distributed on the plate surface of the plate having the plurality of reaction gas supply ports.

  In this way, the reaction gas can be two-dimensionally dispersed and supplied from the plurality of reaction gas supply ports to the surface of the fuel cell stack, that is, the surface of the anode or cathode. Accordingly, in this way, the reaction gas can be supplied substantially uniformly to the surface of the anode or cathode. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in battery performance of the fuel cell.

In the fuel cell,
The plurality of water supply ports and the plurality of reaction gas supply ports are provided in the anode facing plate,
Power generation may be performed in a state where the fuel gas supplied to the surface of the laminate is not discharged to the outside of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell but remains inside.

  If it does in this way, it will become possible to raise fuel consumption efficiency with the fuel gas supplied to the anode.

In the fuel cell, the shape, opening area, and arrangement of the plurality of water supply ports can be arbitrarily set,
The plurality of water supply ports may be formed at substantially equal intervals on a plate surface of a plate provided with the plurality of water supply ports.

  In this way, it is possible to make the in-plane distribution uniform and supply water in a two-dimensional manner over the entire surface of at least one of the anode and the cathode of the laminate. As a result, power can be generated efficiently.

In the fuel cell,
The anode facing plate, the cathode facing plate, and the intermediate plate may each be a flat plate member.

  In this way, it is possible to easily process the anode facing plate, the cathode facing plate, and the intermediate plate.

In the fuel cell,
The anode facing plate may include the plurality of water supply ports.

  In this way, the electrolyte membrane can be moistened in the thickness direction.

  The present invention can also be configured as a separator invention or a fuel cell system invention including the above-described fuel cell, in addition to the above-described configuration as a fuel cell. In addition to the apparatus invention as described above, it may be configured as a method invention such as a fuel cell manufacturing method.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. First embodiment:
A1. Configuration of the fuel cell 100:
A2. Configuration of the single cell 10:
A3. Configuration of separator 30:
B. Second embodiment:
C. Third embodiment:
D. Variation:

A. First embodiment:
A1. Configuration of the fuel cell 100:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of a fuel cell 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment is a solid polymer fuel cell that is relatively small and excellent in power generation efficiency. The fuel cell 100 includes a module 200, an end plate 300, a tension plate 310, an insulator 330, and a terminal 340. The module 200 is sandwiched between the two end plates 300 with the insulator 330 and the terminal 340 interposed therebetween. That is, the fuel cell 100 has a layered structure in which a plurality of modules 200 are stacked. In addition, the fuel cell 100 has a structure in which each module 200 is fastened with a predetermined force in the stacking direction by connecting the tension plate 310 to each end plate 300 by a bolt 320.

  The fuel cell 100 of this embodiment includes a reaction gas (fuel gas and oxidizing gas) used for an electrochemical reaction, and a cooling medium (water, antifreezing water such as ethylene glycol, air, etc.) for cooling the fuel cell 100. In addition to the above, water is supplied from the water tank 480.

  Specifically, hydrogen as fuel gas is supplied to the anode of the fuel cell 100 from a hydrogen tank 400 that stores high-pressure hydrogen via a pipe 415. In this case, hydrogen may be generated by a reforming reaction using alcohol, hydrocarbon, or the like as a raw material, and hydrogen may be supplied instead of the hydrogen tank 400. The pipe 415 is provided with a shut valve 410 and a pressure regulating valve (not shown) for adjusting the supply of hydrogen. The fuel cell 100 is connected to a fuel gas discharge manifold, which will be described later, and discharges fuel gas that has not been subjected to an electrochemical reaction from the anode (hereinafter also referred to as fuel exhaust gas) to the outside of the fuel cell 100. A pipe 417 is arranged.

  Air as an oxidizing gas is supplied from the air pump 440 to the cathode of the fuel cell 100 via the pipe 444. The air discharged from the cathode of the fuel cell 100 is released into the atmosphere through the pipe 446. This exhaust gas is also called oxidation exhaust gas.

  In addition, a cooling medium is supplied to the fuel cell 100 from the radiator 450 via the pipe 455. The cooling medium discharged from the fuel cell 100 is sent to the radiator 450 via the pipe 455 and circulated to the fuel cell 100 again. A circulation pump 460 for circulation is disposed on the pipe 455.

  Further, water is supplied to the fuel cell 100 from a water tank 480 via a pipe 487 by a water supply pump 485. This water is supplied to the anode of the fuel cell 100 as will be described later.

  The control circuit 500 is configured as a logic circuit centered on a microcomputer, and more specifically, a CPU (not shown) that executes predetermined calculations in accordance with a preset control program, and executes various calculation processes by the CPU. A ROM (not shown) in which control programs and control data necessary for the above are stored in advance, and a RAM (not shown) in which various data necessary for performing various arithmetic processes in the CPU are temporarily read and written. And input / output ports (not shown) for inputting / outputting various signals, etc., and accompanying the power generation of the fuel cell 100, the above-described parts, that is, the shut valve 410, the air pump 440, the circulation pump 460, the water supply pump 485, etc. Various kinds of control are performed.

A2. Configuration of the single cell 10:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic cross-sectional configuration of the module 200 constituting the fuel cell 100 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the module 200 is configured by alternately stacking separators 30 and single cells 10. Hereinafter, a direction in which the separator 30 and the single cell 10 are stacked is also referred to as a stacking direction (corresponding to the x direction), and a direction parallel to the single cell surface is also referred to as a plane direction.

  The single cell 10 includes a membrane-electrode assembly (hereinafter referred to as MEA (Membrane-Electrode Assembly)), second gas diffusion layers 14 and 15 disposed outside the MEA, and a seal portion 16. Prepare. Here, the MEA is composed of an electrolyte membrane 20, an anode 22 and a cathode 24, which are catalyst electrodes formed on the surface of the electrolyte membrane 20, and a first gas disposed further outside these catalyst electrodes. Diffusion layers 26 and 28 are provided. In the MEA, a portion where power is actually generated is hereinafter referred to as a power generation region.

  The electrolyte membrane 20 is a proton conductive ion exchange membrane formed of a solid polymer material, for example, a fluororesin containing perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid, and exhibits good electrical conductivity in a wet state. The anode 22 and the cathode 24 include a catalyst that promotes an electrochemical reaction, for example, platinum or an alloy made of platinum and another metal. The first gas diffusion layers 26 and 28 are, for example, carbon porous members.

  The second gas diffusion layers 14 and 15 are formed of a conductive porous body made of metal such as foam metal or metal mesh made of titanium (Ti), for example. The second gas diffusion layers 14 and 15 are arranged so as to occupy the entire space formed between the MEA and the separator 30, and the space formed by a large number of pores formed inside the reaction gas ( It functions as a gas flow path in a single cell through which a fuel gas or an oxidizing gas passes. In this case, in particular, since the fuel gas is supplied to the second gas diffusion layer 14 and the fuel gas flows, the gas flow path in the single cell formed in the second gas diffusion layer 14 is also called a fuel gas flow path. . In addition, since the oxidizing gas is supplied to the second gas diffusion layer 15 and the oxidizing gas flows, the gas flow path in the single cell formed in the second gas diffusion layer 15 is also referred to as an oxidizing gas flow path.

  The seal portion 16 is provided between the adjacent separators 30 and on the outer peripheral portions of the MEA and the second gas diffusion layers 14 and 15. The seal portion 16 is formed of, for example, an insulating rubber material such as silicon rubber, butyl rubber, or fluorine rubber, and is formed integrally with the MEA. Such a seal portion 16 can be formed, for example, by arranging the MEA so that the outer peripheral portion of the MEA fits in the cavity of the mold and injection molding the resin material. As a result, the resin material is impregnated in the first gas diffusion layer, which is a porous member, and the MEA and the seal portion 16 are joined without a gap, and the gas sealability between both surfaces of the MEA can be ensured. The seal part 16 also functions as a holding part that holds the MEA.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a cross-sectional configuration of the single cell 10 along the AA cross section in the module 200 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the seal portion 16 is a rectangular thin plate-like member, and is provided on the outer peripheral portion, and is provided with seven holes that form each manifold, and is provided in the center portion to provide MEA and second gas diffusion. And the rectangular holes into which the layers 14 and 15 (shaded portions) are incorporated. The hatched portion in FIG. 3 corresponds to the power generation region.

  Although not shown in the plan view of FIG. 3, the seal portion 16 actually has a predetermined uneven shape as shown in FIG. 2. In the fuel cell 100, the manifolds 7 are formed. A convex portion provided at a position surrounding the two hole portions and the substantially square hole portion is in contact with the adjacent separator 30. A contact position (indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 2) between the seal portion 16 and the separator 30 is shown as a seal line SL in the plan view of FIG. Since the seal portion 16 is made of an elastic resin material, a sealing force is realized at the position of the seal line SL by applying a pressing force in a parallel direction in the stacking direction in the fuel cell 100. .

  In addition, the shape along the BB cross section of the seal part 16 and the 2nd gas diffusion layer 14 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the seal part 16 and the 2nd gas diffusion layer 14 of FIG.

A3. Configuration of separator 30:
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing the shape of the intermediate plate 33. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the shape of the anode facing plate 31. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing the shape of the cathode facing plate 32. The separator 30 is formed of three plates having the same outer shape as viewed in the stacking direction, and is a so-called three-layer stacked separator. The separator 30 includes an anode facing plate 31 in contact with the second gas diffusion layer 14, a cathode facing plate 32 in contact with the second gas diffusion layer 15, an intermediate plate 33 sandwiched between the anode facing plate 31 and the cathode facing plate 32, It has. These three plates are thin plate members formed of a conductive material, for example, a metal such as titanium (Ti), and are overlapped and bonded by diffusion bonding or the like. Each of these three types of plates has a flat surface with no irregularities, and each has a hole with a predetermined shape at a predetermined position. 4, 5, and 6 correspond to the outline of the power generation region (see FIG. 3) when the single cell 10 and the separator 30 are stacked. Moreover, the shape along the BB cross section of the intermediate | middle plate 33 shown in FIG.4, FIG.5 and FIG.6, the anode opposing plate 31, and the cathode opposing plate 32 is respectively the intermediate | middle plate 33 of FIG. This corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the counter plate 31 and the cathode counter plate 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the intermediate plate 33, the anode facing plate 31, and the cathode facing plate 32 include seven holes (holes 40 to 46) at the same positions. These seven holes overlap each other when the thin plate-like members are stacked to form the module 200 to form a manifold that guides fluid in parallel to the stacking direction inside the fuel cell.

  The hole 40 forms a fuel gas supply manifold that distributes the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell 100 to each single cell 10 (denoted as H2 in in the figure), and the hole 41 extends from the fuel cell 100. A fuel gas discharge manifold that guides the exhausted and exhausted fuel exhaust gas to the outside is formed (denoted as H2 out in the figure).

  The hole 42 forms an oxidant gas supply manifold that distributes the oxidant gas supplied to the fuel cell 100 to each single cell 10 (represented as “Air in” in the figure), and the hole 43 includes each single cell 10. An oxidizing gas discharge manifold is formed to guide the oxidized exhaust gas discharged and collected to the outside (denoted Air out in the figure).

  Further, the hole 44 forms a refrigerant supply manifold that distributes the cooling medium supplied to the fuel cell 100 into each separator 30 (indicated as “cold in” in the figure), and the hole 45 is discharged from each separator 30. Thus, a refrigerant discharge manifold is formed to guide the collected cooling medium to the outside (denoted as cold out in the figure).

  Further, the hole 46 forms a water supply manifold for distributing the water supplied from the water tank 480 to the fuel cell 100 to the anode 22 (denoted as water in in the figure).

  In the intermediate plate 33, as shown in FIG. 4, the shapes of the holes 40 to 46 are different from those of the other plates. The hole 40 of the intermediate plate 33 has a shape in which a region side corresponding to the power generation region includes a plurality of protrusions that protrude long in the region to the vicinity of the hole 46. Hereinafter, this protruding portion is referred to as a communication portion 50.

  Moreover, the hole 46 of the intermediate plate 33 has a shape in which a region side corresponding to the power generation region includes a plurality of protrusions that protrude long in the region to the vicinity of the hole 40. Hereinafter, this protruding portion is referred to as a communication portion 51. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the communication part 50 and the communication part 51 are formed so that it may mutually mesh | engage in a surface direction.

  Further, each of the hole portions 41, 42, and 43 of the intermediate plate 33 has a shape including a plurality of projecting portions whose sides on the region side corresponding to the power generation region project short in the region direction. Hereinafter, these protrusions are referred to as communication portions 52, 53, and 54, respectively.

  Further, the hole portion 44 and the hole portion 45 of the intermediate plate 33 communicate with each other through a communication portion 55. The communication portion 55 is formed by meandering in a region corresponding to the power generation region so as to avoid the communication portion 50 and the communication portion 51. As a result, when the intermediate plate 33, the anode facing plate 31 and the cathode facing plate 32 are stacked, the refrigerant supply manifold formed by the hole 44 and the refrigerant discharge manifold formed by the hole 45 communicate with each other. The cooling medium flows from the supply manifold to the refrigerant discharge manifold, and the inside of the fuel cell 100 can be cooled.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the anode-facing plate 31 is a plurality of holes arranged at equal intervals in a region corresponding to the power generation region and at a position corresponding to the communication portion 50 of the intermediate plate 33. A through portion 60 is provided. Therefore, the penetrating portions 60 are two-dimensionally distributed in the region corresponding to the power generation region. In addition, as a result, when the anode facing plate 31 and the intermediate plate 33 are stacked, the through portion 60 and the fuel gas supply manifold formed by the hole 40 communicate with each other via the communication portion 50.

  In addition, the anode facing plate 31 is provided with through portions 61 that are a plurality of holes arranged at equal intervals in a region corresponding to the power generation region and at a position corresponding to the communication portion 51 of the intermediate plate 33. ing. Therefore, the penetrating portions 61 are two-dimensionally distributed in the region corresponding to the power generation region. In addition, as a result, when the anode facing plate 31 and the intermediate plate 33 are stacked, the penetrating portion 61 and the water supply manifold formed by the hole portion 46 communicate with each other via the communicating portion 51.

  Furthermore, the anode facing plate 31 includes through portions 62 that are a plurality of holes arranged in parallel at a position corresponding to the communication portion 52 of the intermediate plate 33 in a region corresponding to the power generation region. As a result, when the anode facing plate 31 and the intermediate plate 33 are stacked, the through portion 62 and the fuel gas discharge manifold formed by the hole portion 41 communicate with each other via the communication portion 52.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the cathode facing plate 32 is in a region corresponding to the power generation region, and in a position corresponding to the communication portion 53 of the intermediate plate 33, the through portion 63 is a plurality of holes arranged in parallel. In the region corresponding to the power generation region, a plurality of through portions 64 arranged in parallel are provided at positions corresponding to the communication portions 54 of the intermediate plate 33. Thereby, when the anode facing plate 31 and the intermediate plate 33 are laminated, the oxidizing gas supply manifold formed by the through portion 63 and the hole portion 42 and the oxidizing gas formed by the through portion 64 and the hole portion 43 are formed. The discharge manifold communicates with the communication part 53 and the communication part 54, respectively.

  Inside the fuel cell 100 (module 200), the water flowing through the water supply manifold formed by the hole 46 of each plate is in a space (see FIG. 2) formed by the communication portion 55 of the intermediate plate 33 (FIG. 4). In the anode facing plate 31 (FIG. 5), the gas flow path in the single cell (fuel gas flow path) formed in the second gas diffusion layer 14 through the through portions 61 provided in a two-dimensionally distributed manner. To the electrolyte membrane 20 via the anode 22. Thereby, water can be two-dimensionally distributed and supplied to the electrolyte membrane 20, and water can be supplied to the surface of the electrolyte membrane 20 substantially uniformly. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the electrolyte membrane 20 from being locally dried, and as a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the cell performance of the fuel cell 100. Further, when the supplied water evaporates depending on the operation state of the fuel cell 100, the fuel cell 100 can be cooled by the latent heat at that time.

  Inside the fuel cell 100 (module 200), the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas supply manifold formed by the hole portions 40 of each plate passes through the space formed by the communication portion 50 of the intermediate plate 33 and the anode facing plate 31. Through the through portions 60 provided in a dimensionally distributed manner, the gas flows into the single cell gas flow path (fuel gas flow path) formed in the second gas diffusion layer 14, flows in the surface direction, It further diffuses in a direction (stacking direction) perpendicular to the surface direction. The fuel gas diffused in the stacking direction reaches the anode 22 from the second gas diffusion layer 14 through the first gas diffusion layer 26 and is subjected to an electrochemical reaction. As a result, the fuel gas can be two-dimensionally distributed and supplied to the anode 22, and the fuel gas can be supplied to the surface of the anode 22 substantially uniformly. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in battery performance of the fuel cell 100.

  By the way, in the electrolyte membrane 20, protons move from the anode 22 to the cathode 24. In this case, the protons move in a hydrated state by attracting water. On the other hand, in the fuel cell 100 of this embodiment, the water flowing through the water supply manifold is supplied to the electrolyte membrane 20 from the anode 22 side. In other words, in the fuel cell 100 according to the present embodiment, the water flowing through the water supply manifold is supplied to the electrolyte membrane 20 from the upstream side in the proton movement direction. It can be wet.

  The fuel gas that has passed through the fuel gas flow path while contributing to the electrochemical reaction passes through the space formed by the communication portion 52 of the anode facing plate 31 and the communication portion 52 of the intermediate plate 33 from the second gas diffusion layer 14. Thus, the fuel gas is discharged to the fuel gas discharge manifold formed by the hole 41.

  Similarly, in the fuel cell 100, the oxidizing gas flowing through the oxidizing gas supply manifold formed by the hole 42 is separated from the space formed by the communication portion 53 of the intermediate plate 33 and the through portion of the cathode facing plate 32 (FIG. 6). 63 and flows into the gas flow path (oxidizing gas flow path) in the single cell formed in the second gas diffusion layer 15, flows in the surface direction, and further diffuses in the stacking direction. The oxidizing gas diffused in the stacking direction reaches the cathode 24 from the second gas diffusion layer 15 through the first gas diffusion layer 28 and is subjected to an electrochemical reaction. Thus, the oxidizing gas that has passed through the oxidizing gas flow path while contributing to the electrochemical reaction passes through the space formed by the second gas diffusion layer 15 by the penetrating portion 64 of the cathode facing plate 32 and the communicating portion 54 of the intermediate plate 33. Then, it is discharged to the oxidizing gas discharge manifold formed by the hole 43.

  In addition, the penetration part 61 in a present Example corresponds to the water supply port in a claim. The communication part 51 corresponds to the water supply flow path forming part in the claims. The communication part 55 corresponds to a cooling medium flow path forming part. The through portion 60 corresponds to a reaction gas supply port in the claims. The communication part 50 corresponds to the reactive gas supply flow path forming part in the claims.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of the fuel cell 100a according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the shape of the intermediate plate 33A in the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the shape of the anode facing plate 31A in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the shape of the cathode facing plate 32A in the second embodiment. The fuel cell 100a of the second embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the fuel cell 100 of the first embodiment, and common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, the intermediate plate 33A, the anode facing plate 31A, and the cathode facing plate 32 included in the fuel cell 100a of this embodiment are not provided with the holes 46, respectively. . That is, the fuel cell 100a is not provided with a water supply manifold. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7, in the fuel cell 100a, the water tank 480, the water supply pump 485, and the pipe 487 for supplying water to the water supply manifold are not provided. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, also in the seal | sticker part 16, the hole 46 is not provided.

  The fuel cell 100a of the present embodiment uses water as a cooling medium for cooling the fuel cell. In the fuel cell 100a, a water tank 480A is provided on a pipe 455 as shown in FIG.

  As described above, since the water supply manifold is not provided in the fuel cell 100a of the present embodiment, the communication portion 51 is omitted from the intermediate plate 33A, and the through portion 61 is omitted from the anode facing plate 31 accordingly. Has been.

  In addition, the anode facing plate 31A is provided with through portions 61A that are a plurality of hole portions arranged at predetermined intervals in a region corresponding to the power generation region and at a position corresponding to the communication portion 51 of the intermediate plate 33A. ing. Therefore, the penetrating portions 61 are two-dimensionally distributed in the region corresponding to the power generation region. In addition, as a result, when the anode facing plate 31A and the intermediate plate 33A are stacked, the through portion 61A and the communication portion 55 communicate with each other.

  As described above, in the fuel cell 100a of the present embodiment, the water flowing through the refrigerant supply manifold formed by the hole 44 flows through the space formed by the communication portion 55 of the intermediate plate 33A (FIG. 8). In the anode facing plate 31A (FIG. 9), the gas flow path in the single cell (fuel gas flow path) formed in the second gas diffusion layer 14 through the through portions 61A provided two-dimensionally distributed. To the electrolyte membrane 20 via the anode 22. Thereby, water can be two-dimensionally distributed and supplied to the electrolyte membrane 20, and water can be supplied to the surface of the electrolyte membrane 20 substantially uniformly. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the electrolyte membrane 20 from being locally dried, and as a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the cell performance of the fuel cell 100. Further, when the supplied water evaporates depending on the operation state of the fuel cell 100a, the fuel cell 100 can be cooled by the latent heat at that time. Further, in the fuel cell 100a of the present embodiment, since the water supply manifold is not provided unlike the fuel cell 100 of the first embodiment, the processing of each plate constituting the separator 30 is facilitated, and each plate is reduced in size. It becomes possible to do.

  In addition, the communication part 55 of a present Example corresponds to the cooling-medium flow path formation part and water supply flow path formation part in a claim.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of the fuel cell 100b according to the third embodiment. The fuel cell 100b of the third embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the fuel cell 100 of the first embodiment, and is the fuel of the first embodiment except that the shut valve 490 is provided on the pipe 417. Like the battery 100, common portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Shut valve 490 is controlled by control circuit 500.

  In the fuel cell 100b of the present embodiment, the oxidizing gas is supplied to the cathode 24 by the air pump 440, and the fuel gas is supplied to the anode 22 by opening the shut valve 410 by the control circuit 500. The control circuit 500 generates power with the shut valve 490 being closed. As described above, the fuel cell 100b is an anode dead-end operation type fuel cell that generates power in a state where the fuel gas supplied to the anode 22 is not discharged outside the fuel cell 100b but remains inside. In the second gas diffusion layer 14, impurities such as nitrogen leaking from the cathode 24 through the electrolyte membrane 20 may stay. For this reason, the control circuit 500 may appropriately control the opening of the shut valve 490 in order to discharge impurities such as nitrogen accumulated in the second gas diffusion layer 14 together with the fuel exhaust gas.

  As described above, the fuel cell 100b of the present embodiment is configured to perform power generation with the shut valve 490 closed and the fuel gas kept inside the fuel cell 100b. It is possible to consume almost, and the fuel efficiency of the fuel gas is improved. The fuel gas can be supplied to the anode 22 while being distributed two-dimensionally, and the fuel gas can be supplied to the surface of the anode 22 substantially uniformly. Efficiency can be improved. As a result, the battery performance in the fuel cell 100b can be improved.

D. Variation:
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention.

D1. Modification 1:
In the fuel cell of the above embodiment, the through-hole 61 is provided in the anode-facing plate so that water is two-dimensionally distributed and supplied to the anode side from the water supply manifold, but the present invention is limited to this. It is not a thing. Water may be two-dimensionally distributed and supplied from the water supply manifold to the cathode side. In this case, for example, in the cathode facing plate, through portions which are a plurality of holes arranged at equal intervals in a region corresponding to the power generation region and corresponding to the communication portion 51 of the intermediate plate 33 are provided. You may make it provide. In this way, water can be two-dimensionally distributed and supplied to the electrolyte membrane 20 from the cathode side, and water can be supplied to the surface of the electrolyte membrane 20 substantially uniformly. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the electrolyte membrane 20 from being locally dried, and as a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the cell performance of the fuel cell 100. Further, when the supplied water evaporates depending on the operation state of the fuel cell 100, the fuel cell 100 can be cooled by the latent heat at that time.

D2. Modification 2:
The fuel cell of the third embodiment is configured such that the exhaust gas is not discharged outside the fuel cell 100b during power generation by closing the shut valve 490 during power generation. It is not limited to this. For example, in the fuel cell 100b, the hole 43 (that is, the fuel gas discharge manifold) and the pipe 417 may not be provided. In this case, in order to solve the problem of retention of impurities such as nitrogen leaking from the cathode 24 side to the anode 22 side, high concentration oxygen may be supplied to the cathode 24 as an oxidizing gas.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the external appearance structure of the fuel cell 100 which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic sectional structure of the module 200 which comprises the fuel cell 100 of 1st Example. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a cross-sectional configuration of a single cell 10 along a section AA in the module 200 of FIG. 2. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape of the intermediate | middle plate. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape of the anode opposing plate 31. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape of the cathode opposing plate 32. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the external appearance structure of the fuel cell 100a which concerns on 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape of the intermediate | middle plate 33A in 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape of 31 A of anode opposing plates in 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the shape of 32 A of cathode opposing plates in 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the external appearance structure of the fuel cell 100b which concerns on 3rd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Single cell 14, 15 ... 2nd gas diffusion layer 16 ... Seal part 20 ... Electrolyte membrane 22 ... Anode 24 ... Cathode 26, 28 ... 1st gas diffusion layer 30 ... Separator 31 ... Anode opposing plate 32 ... Cathode opposing plate 33 ... Intermediate plate 40-46 ... Hole 43 ... Intermediate plate 50-55 ... Communication part 60-64 ... Through part 100 ... Fuel cell 200 ... Module 300 ... End plate 310 ... Tension plate 320 ... Bolt 330 ... Insulator 340 ... Terminal 400 ... Hydrogen tank 410 ... Shut valve 415,417,444,446,455,487 ... Pipe 450 ... Radiator 460 ... Circulating pump 480 ... Water tank 485 ... Water supply pump 490 ... Shut valve 500 ... Control circuit

Claims (8)

A solid polymer fuel cell having a stack structure in which a plurality of laminated bodies each having an anode and a cathode disposed on both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane made of a solid polymer with a separator interposed therebetween,
The separator is
An anode facing plate facing the anode of the laminate;
A cathode facing plate facing the cathode of the laminate;
An intermediate plate sandwiched between the anode facing plate and the cathode facing plate;
At least one of the anode facing plate and the cathode facing plate penetrates in the thickness direction of the plate, and supplies water to the surface of the laminate from a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the laminate. A plurality of water supply ports for
The intermediate plate is sandwiched between the anode counter plate and the cathode counter plate, thereby forming a water supply channel for supplying the water to each of the plurality of water supply ports. With a forming part,
The polymer electrolyte fuel cell, wherein the plurality of water supply ports are two-dimensionally distributed on a plate surface of a plate having the plurality of water supply ports. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein
The intermediate plate is sandwiched between the anode facing plate and the cathode facing plate, thereby forming a cooling medium flow path for flowing a cooling medium for cooling the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. A solid polymer fuel cell comprising a flow path forming unit. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein
The polymer electrolyte fuel cell, wherein the cooling medium flow path forming part is the water supply flow path forming part. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Of the anode facing plate and the cathode facing plate, the plate having the plurality of water supply ports penetrates in the thickness direction of the plate, and from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the laminate, a predetermined number A plurality of reaction gas supply ports for supplying reaction gas to the surface of the laminate,
The intermediate plate is sandwiched between the anode facing plate and the cathode facing plate, thereby forming a reaction gas supply channel for supplying the reaction gas to each of the plurality of reaction gas supply ports. A gas supply flow path forming section;
The solid polymer fuel cell, wherein the plurality of reaction gas supply ports are two-dimensionally distributed on a plate surface of a plate including the plurality of reaction gas supply ports. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein
The plurality of water supply ports and the plurality of reaction gas supply ports are provided in the anode facing plate,
A solid polymer fuel cell is characterized in that power generation is performed in a state in which the fuel gas supplied to the surface of the laminate is not discharged to the outside of the solid polymer fuel cell but kept inside. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The polymer electrolyte fuel cell, wherein the plurality of water supply ports are formed at substantially equal intervals on a plate surface of a plate including the plurality of water supply ports. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The anode-facing plate, the cathode-facing plate, and the intermediate plate are each made of a flat plate-like member. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The polymer electrolyte fuel cell, wherein the anode facing plate includes the plurality of water supply ports.

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