JP2014107119A - Fuel battery - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel battery that can be easily manufactured and can be made small without deteriorating power generation efficiency.SOLUTION: A fuel battery 1 comprises a membrane electrode assembly 2, an anode side separator 3, a cathode side separator 4, and a seal member 8. The anode side separator 33 and the cathode side separator 4 comprise: fuel supply ports 11, 31 for supplying fuel, cooling medium supply ports 12, 32 for supplying a cooling medium, oxygen exhaust ports 13, 33 for exhausting oxygen, and first seal fixing holes 60, 70 for fixing the seal member 8 outside them, along a lower side; and fuel exhaust ports 14, 34 for exhausting the fuel, cooling medium exhaust ports 15, 35 for exhausting the cooling medium, oxygen supply ports 16, 36 for supplying the oxygen, and second seal fixing holes 61, 71 for fixing the seal member 8 outside them, along an upper side.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell, and more particularly to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

  Conventionally, a fuel cell using a liquid fuel such as methanol, dimethyl ether or hydrazine is known as a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

  Such a fuel cell is generally configured by stacking a plurality of power generation cells. The power generation cell includes an electrolyte layer composed of a polymer electrolyte membrane, a membrane electrode assembly integrally including a fuel side electrode and an oxygen side electrode, a fuel side separator disposed opposite to the fuel side electrode, and a position opposed to the oxygen side electrode. And an oxygen side separator.

  As a power generation cell of such a fuel cell, for example, two electrolyte membrane / electrode structures (first electrolyte membrane / electrode structure and second electrolyte membrane / electrode structure) and three separators (first separator, first A cell unit including two separators and a third separator has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

  In the cell unit described in Patent Document 1, each separator has a fuel gas inlet communication hole and an oxidant gas inlet communication hole formed on one side in the longitudinal direction, and on the other side facing the one side, A fuel gas outlet communication hole and an oxidant gas outlet communication hole are formed, and supply and discharge of fuel gas and oxidant gas are possible.

  Further, a cooling medium inlet communication hole is formed on one side in the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and a cooling medium outlet communication hole is formed on the other side, thereby enabling supply and discharge of the cooling medium.

  In addition, a seal member is integrally formed in each of such separators, and each of the communication holes is sealed.

JP 2012-129194 A

  On the other hand, fuel cells are required to be miniaturized without reducing power generation efficiency.

  Further, in the above cell unit, since the seal member is integrally molded, man-hours and costs are required in manufacturing the separator. In this regard, it is considered that a sealing member is manufactured separately from the separator, and that the sealing member is assembled to the separator at the time of assembling the fuel cell. In such a case, the sealing material can be simply and reliably assembled to the separator. Required.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell that can be easily manufactured and can be reduced in size without reducing power generation efficiency.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a fuel cell according to the present invention includes an electrolyte layer, a membrane electrode assembly including a fuel side electrode and an oxygen side electrode arranged opposite to each other with the electrolyte layer interposed therebetween, and adjacent to the fuel side electrode. A fuel flow path for supplying fuel to the fuel side electrode is formed on the surface facing the membrane electrode assembly, and a cooling medium flow path for supplying a cooling medium is formed on the back surface with respect to the front surface. An oxygen channel for supplying oxygen to the oxygen side electrode is formed on the surface opposite to the anode side separator and the oxygen side electrode and facing the membrane electrode assembly, and a cooling medium is formed on the back surface of the surface. A cathode-side separator in which a coolant flow path to be supplied is formed; and a seal member that seals the fuel flow path and the oxygen flow path, the anode-side separator and the cathode-side separator A first fuel supply / discharge port for supplying and discharging fuel to and from the fuel flow path, a first coolant supply and discharge port for supplying and discharging cooling medium to and from the cooling medium flow path, and A first oxygen supply / exhaust port for supplying / exhausting oxygen to / from the oxygen flow path and a first seal fixing hole formed for fixing the seal member on the outside thereof along one side A second fuel supply / discharge port for supplying and discharging fuel to and from the fuel flow path, a second cooling medium supply / discharge port for supplying and discharging cooling medium to and from the cooling medium flow path, and A second oxygen supply / exhaust port for supplying / exhausting oxygen to / from the oxygen flow path and a second seal fixing hole formed for fixing the seal member outside thereof are opposed to the one side. It is characterized by providing along the other side.

  According to such a configuration, the first fuel supply / discharge port, the first cooling medium supply / discharge port, and the first oxygen supply / discharge port are provided along one side of the anode-side separator and the cathode-side separator. A second fuel supply / discharge port, a second cooling medium supply / discharge port, and a second oxygen supply / discharge port are provided along the opposite side.

  Therefore, the first fuel supply / discharge port and the first oxygen supply / discharge port are provided on one side in the longitudinal direction, the second fuel supply / discharge port and the second oxygen supply / discharge port are provided on the other side, and the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is provided. As compared with the case where the first cooling medium supply / discharge port is formed on one side and the second cooling medium supply / discharge port is formed on the other side, the formation area of the fuel flow path, the oxygen flow path, and the cooling medium flow path is increased. However, it is possible to reduce the size of the separator, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the fuel cell without reducing the power generation efficiency.

  Moreover, according to such a structure, a sealing member can be simply and reliably attached by fixing a sealing member to a 1st seal fixing hole and a 2nd seal fixing hole.

  The fuel cell of the present invention includes a cooling medium inflow portion for allowing a cooling medium to flow into the cooling medium flow path, and a cooling medium outflow portion for allowing the cooling medium to flow out of the cooling medium flow path, The cooling medium flow path extends linearly continuously from the first cooling medium flow path extending so as to diffuse from the cooling medium inflow portion, and is arranged in parallel with a space between each other. A plurality of second cooling medium flow paths, and a third cooling medium flow path extending so as to converge toward the cooling medium outflow portion continuously from the plurality of second cooling medium flow paths, The cooling medium flow path and the third cooling medium flow path are intermittently and radially extending from the cooling medium inflow portion and the cooling medium outflow portion, and a plurality of ribs for guiding the cooling medium are formed. In the meantime, adjust the flow rate of the cooling medium It is preferable that the protrusions are formed.

  In such a configuration, the first cooling medium flow path extends so as to diffuse from the cooling medium inflow portion, and the second cooling medium flow path extends continuously from the first cooling medium flow path. The third cooling medium flow path extends continuously from the medium flow path so as to converge toward the cooling medium outflow portion.

  The first cooling medium channel and the third cooling medium channel intermittently and radially extend from the cooling medium inflow portion and the cooling medium outflow portion, and adjust the flow rate of the cooling medium. A protrusion is formed.

  Therefore, the cooling medium flowing in from the cooling medium inflow portion is dispersed by the protrusions in the first cooling medium flow path, guided by the ribs, and flows into the second cooling medium flow path, and then the third cooling medium flow In the path, the coolant is dispersed by the protrusions, guided by the ribs, and discharged from the cooling medium outlet.

  As a result, the cooling medium can flow uniformly and stably in the cooling medium flow path, and the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell can be stabilized.

  The fuel cell of the present invention can be easily manufactured and can be reduced in size without reducing the power generation efficiency.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a power generation cell provided in an embodiment of a fuel cell according to the present invention as seen from the front side. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the power generation cell shown in FIG. 1 viewed from the rear side. 3 is a plan view of the anode-side separator shown in FIG. 1, wherein (a) is a plan view of the front surface and (b) is a plan view of the rear surface. 4 is a plan view of the cathode-side separator shown in FIG. 1, wherein (a) is a plan view of the rear surface, and (b) is a plan view of the front surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel cell 1 includes a power generation cell S and a pair of covers C provided so as to sandwich the power generation cell S therebetween. Note that the fuel cell 1 is normally configured as a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of power generation cells S are stacked between a pair of covers C. In FIG. 1 and FIG. Only one is shown.

  In the following description, when referring to the direction of the fuel cell 1, the direction arrow in FIG. That is, the longitudinal direction of the power generation cell S is the vertical direction, the thickness direction of the power generation cell S is the front-rear direction, and the width direction of the power generation cell S is the left-right direction (parallel direction). The lower side is one side in the vertical direction, and the upper side is the other side in the vertical direction. The front side is one side in the front-rear direction, and the rear side is the other side in the front-rear direction. Further, the right side is one side in the left-right direction, and the left side is the other side in the left-right direction.

  The power generation cell S includes a membrane electrode assembly 2, an anode side separator 3, a cathode side separator 4, and a seal member 8 that is in close contact with the anode side separator 3 and the cathode side separator 4.

  The membrane electrode assembly 2 is formed in a substantially octagonal flat plate shape that is long in the vertical direction. The membrane electrode assembly 2 includes an electrolyte layer 5, an anode electrode 6 as a fuel-side electrode disposed opposite to the electrolyte layer 5, and a cathode electrode 7 as an oxygen-side electrode.

  The electrolyte layer 5 is formed of an anion exchange type polymer electrolyte membrane. The film thickness of the electrolyte layer 5 is, for example, 10 to 100 μm.

  The anode electrode 6 is formed on the entire rear surface of the electrolyte layer 5 by, for example, a catalyst carrier that supports a catalyst. In addition, a catalyst can also be directly formed as the anode electrode 6 without using a catalyst carrier. The anode electrode 6 is formed with a thickness of 10 to 200 μm, preferably 20 to 100 μm, for example.

  The cathode electrode 7 is formed on the entire front surface of the electrolyte layer 5 by, for example, a catalyst carrier supporting a catalyst, like the anode electrode 6. The cathode electrode 7 is formed with a thickness of, for example, 10 to 300 μm, preferably 20 to 150 μm.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the anode-side separator 3 is disposed opposite to the rear side of the membrane electrode assembly 2. The anode side separator 3 is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape larger than the membrane electrode assembly 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the anode-side separator 3 has a fuel supply port 11 as a first fuel supply / discharge port for supplying and discharging fuel to a fuel flow path 23 described later, and a cooling medium described later. A cooling medium supply port 12 as a first cooling medium supply / discharge port for supplying / discharging the cooling medium channel 30 and a first oxygen supply for supplying / discharging oxygen to / from an oxygen channel 68 described later. An oxygen discharge port 13 as a discharge port and a first seal fixing hole 60 formed to fix the seal member 8 outside thereof are provided along one side (lower side).

  The anode-side separator 3 has a fuel discharge port 14 as a second fuel supply / discharge port for supplying and discharging fuel to a fuel flow path 23 described later, and a cooling medium flow path 30 described later. A cooling medium discharge port 15 as a second cooling medium supply / discharge port for supplying and discharging, and an oxygen supply port 16 as a second oxygen supply / discharge port for supplying and discharging oxygen to an oxygen channel 68 described later. And a second seal fixing hole 61 formed to fix the seal member 8 on the outside thereof along the other side (upper side) facing one side.

  The fuel supply port 11 is an opening for supplying fuel to a fuel flow path 23 described later, and is disposed at the lower right end of the anode separator 3. The fuel supply port 11 is formed to penetrate in a substantially rectangular shape.

  The cooling medium supply port 12 is an opening for supplying a cooling medium to a cooling medium flow path 30 to be described later, and is disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the lower end portion of the anode-side separator 3. The cooling medium supply port 12 is formed to penetrate in a substantially rectangular shape.

  The oxygen discharge port 13 is an opening for discharging oxygen from an oxygen flow path 68 described later, and is disposed at the lower left end of the anode separator 3. The oxygen discharge port 13 is formed to penetrate in a substantially rectangular shape.

  The first seal fixing hole 60 is a through hole for tightly fixing to the front surface (front surface) of the anode side separator 3 by fitting a seal member 8 described later on the lower side of the anode side separator 3. One is arranged at each of the lower right end and the lower left end of the side separator 3.

  Specifically, the lower right first seal fixing hole 60 is formed in a substantially L shape so as to extend along the right lower end portion of the anode separator 3 on the right side of the fuel supply port 11.

  The lower left first seal fixing hole 60 is formed in a substantially L shape so as to extend along the lower left end of the anode separator 3 on the left side of the oxygen discharge port 13.

  The fuel discharge port 14 is an opening for discharging fuel from a fuel flow path 23 to be described later, and is disposed at the upper left end of the anode separator 3. The fuel discharge port 14 is formed to penetrate in a substantially rectangular shape.

  The cooling medium discharge port 15 is an opening for discharging the cooling medium from a cooling medium flow path 30 to be described later, and is disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the upper end portion of the anode-side separator 3. The cooling medium discharge port 15 is formed to penetrate in a substantially rectangular shape.

  The oxygen supply port 16 is an opening for supplying oxygen to an oxygen flow path 68 to be described later, and is disposed at the upper right end of the anode separator 3. The oxygen supply port 16 is formed to penetrate in a substantially rectangular shape.

  The second seal fixing hole 61 is a through hole for tightly fixing to the front surface (front surface) of the anode side separator 3 by fitting a seal member 8 described later on the upper side of the anode side separator 3. One separator is disposed at each of the upper right end and the upper left end of the separator 3.

  Specifically, the second seal fixing hole 61 on the upper right side is formed in a substantially L shape so as to be along the upper right end portion of the anode side separator 3 on the right side of the oxygen supply port 16.

  The upper left second seal fixing hole 61 is formed in a substantially L shape so as to extend along the upper left end of the anode separator 3 on the left side of the fuel discharge port 14.

  Such an anode-side separator 3 is disposed adjacent to the anode electrode 6, and serves as a flow path for supplying fuel to the anode electrode 6 on the surface (front surface (see FIG. 1)) facing the membrane electrode assembly 2. A fuel flow path 23 is formed, and a cooling medium flow path 30 to which a cooling medium is supplied is formed on the back surface (rear surface (see FIG. 2)) with respect to the front surface.

  Hereinafter, the fuel flow path 23 and the cooling medium flow path 30 of the anode-side separator 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b).

  As shown in FIG. 3A, a fuel flow path forming region A1 as a flow path forming region for forming the fuel flow path 23 is defined on the front surface of the anode side separator 3.

  The fuel flow path forming region A1 is disposed in the center of the front surface of the anode separator 3. The fuel flow path forming region A1 is substantially the same size as the membrane electrode assembly 2 and is formed in substantially the same shape, specifically, in an approximately octagonal shape that is long in the vertical direction. A plurality of first rectifying ribs 17, a plurality of second rectifying ribs 18, and a plurality of third rectifying ribs 19 are formed in the fuel flow path forming region A1.

  The plurality of first rectifying ribs 17 are arranged in parallel at intervals in the left-right direction at the lower end of the fuel flow path forming region A1. Each of the plurality of first rectifying ribs 17 protrudes from the front surface of the fuel flow path forming region A1 to the front side, and extends from the lower right end of the fuel flow path forming region A1 toward the upper side or the upper left side. The plurality of first rectifying ribs 17 are formed radially so that the interval between the two first rectifying ribs 17 adjacent to each other increases toward the upper side or the upper left side. The plurality of first rectifying ribs 17 are formed such that the upper end portion of the first rectifying rib 17 on the left side is lower than the upper end portion of the first rectifying rib 17 on the right side. Between each of the plurality of first flow straightening ribs 17 is a plurality of first fuel flow paths 20 as a plurality of first flow paths for flowing fuel to the fuel flow path 23. That is, the first fuel flow path 20 is formed to extend radially from a fuel inflow portion 51 described later.

  The plurality of second rectifying ribs 18 are arranged in parallel at intervals in the left-right direction at the center in the vertical direction of the fuel flow path forming region A1. Each of the plurality of second rectifying ribs 18 protrudes from the front surface of the fuel flow path forming region A1 to the front side and extends along the vertical direction. Between each of the plurality of second rectifying ribs 18 is a plurality of second fuel passages 21 serving as a plurality of second passages through which fuel flows to the fuel passage 23. That is, the second fuel flow path 21 is formed so as to extend linearly continuously to the first fuel flow path 20, and is arranged in parallel with a space between each other.

  The plurality of second rectifying ribs 18 are arranged slightly above the plurality of first rectifying ribs 17 at intervals. A space between the plurality of first rectifying ribs 17 and the plurality of second rectifying ribs 18 is a first boundary portion B <b> 1 that partitions the first fuel flow path 20 and the second fuel flow path 21. The first boundary portion B1 extends so as to incline with respect to the direction in which the second fuel flow path 21 extends, specifically, inclining downward as it goes to the left side.

  The plurality of third rectifying ribs 19 are arranged in parallel at intervals in the left-right direction at the upper end of the fuel flow path forming region A1. Each of the plurality of third rectifying ribs 19 protrudes from the front surface of the fuel flow path forming region A1 to the front side and from the vicinity of the upper end portion of the second rectifying rib 18 so as to go to the upper left end portion of the fuel flow path forming region A1. It extends toward the upper side or the upper left side. The plurality of third rectifying ribs 19 are formed so that the distance between two adjacent third rectifying ribs 19 becomes narrower (converges) toward the upper side or the upper left side. Between each of the plurality of third rectifying ribs 19 is a plurality of third fuel passages 22 as a plurality of third passages. That is, the third fuel flow path 22 extends continuously to the second fuel flow path 21 and is formed so as to converge toward a fuel outflow portion 52 described later. The plurality of third fuel flow paths 22 are flow paths for flowing the fuel supplied to the membrane electrode assembly 2 together with the plurality of first fuel flow paths 20 and the plurality of second fuel flow paths 21. The fuel flow path 23 is configured.

  The plurality of third rectifying ribs 19 are arranged slightly above the plurality of second rectifying ribs 18. A space between the plurality of second rectifying ribs 18 and the plurality of third rectifying ribs 19 is a second boundary portion B <b> 2 that partitions the second fuel flow path 21 and the third fuel flow path 22. The second boundary portion B2 is parallel to the first boundary portion B1 so as to incline with respect to the direction in which the second fuel passage 21 extends, specifically, to incline downward toward the left side. It extends to.

  In the fuel flow path forming region A1, a plurality of protrusions 24 for adjusting the fuel flow rate are formed at the first boundary portion B1 and the second boundary portion B2.

  The plurality of protrusions 24 are arranged in parallel at intervals in the left-right direction. The protrusion 24 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape protruding from the front surface of the fuel flow path forming region A1 to the front side. The protrusions 24 are also formed in the upper end portion of the right first fuel passage 20 and in the lower end portion of the left third fuel passage 22.

  Specifically, in the first boundary portion B1, a relatively large number of protrusions 24 are formed in a region (a right side of FIG. 3A) where a fuel inflow portion 51 described later and the second fuel flow path 21 are close to each other. In addition, a relatively small number of protrusions 24 are formed in a region where the later-described fuel inflow portion 51 and the second fuel flow path 21 are remote (on the left side of FIG. 3A).

  Further, in the second boundary portion B2, a relatively large number of protrusions 24 are formed in a region (a left side of FIG. 3A) in which a fuel outflow portion 52 described later and the second fuel flow path 21 are close to each other. In addition, a relatively small number is formed in a region (a right side of FIG. 3A) where a fuel outflow portion 52 and a second fuel flow path 21, which will be described later, are remote.

  That is, as will be described in detail later, the number and position of the protrusions 24 are adjusted by adjusting the distance that the fuel flows and the strength of the action that inhibits the flow of the fuel, so that the fuel can flow uniformly in the fuel flow path 23. Is set to

  The area of the fuel flow path forming region A1 is, for example, 40% or more, preferably 50% or more, for example, 80% or less, with respect to the surface area of the anode-side separator 3 (length in the horizontal direction × length in the vertical direction). is there.

  Further, the ratio of the area of the portion where the plurality of first rectifying ribs 17 are formed (region below the first boundary portion B1) in the area of the fuel flow path forming region A1 is, for example, 7% or more For example, it is 20% or less, preferably 10% or less.

  Of the area of the fuel flow path formation region A1, the ratio of the area of the portion where the plurality of second rectifying ribs 18 are formed (the region between the first boundary portion B1 and the second boundary portion B2) is For example, it is 70% or more, preferably 80% or more, for example, 90% or less.

  Of the area of the fuel flow path formation region A1, the ratio of the area of the portion where the plurality of third rectifying ribs 19 are formed (region above the second boundary portion B2) is, for example, 7% or more, for example, 20% or less, preferably 10% or less.

  If the ratio of the area of each region and the ratio of the area of the fuel flow path 23 (the first fuel flow path 20, the second fuel flow path 21 and the third fuel flow path 22) are within the above ranges, the fuel can be uniformly and The fuel can be stably flowed to the fuel flow path 23, and excellent power generation efficiency can be ensured.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, a cooling medium flow path forming region A3 as a flow path forming region for forming the cooling medium flow path 30 is defined on the rear surface of the anode side separator 3. .

  The cooling medium flow path forming region A <b> 3 is disposed at the center of the rear surface of the anode side separator 3. The central portion of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. Further, the upper end portion of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3 is formed in a tapered shape that becomes narrower toward the upper side, and is further formed in a shape protruding upward at the center portion in the left-right direction. Further, the lower end portion of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3 is formed in a tapered shape that becomes narrower toward the lower side, and is further formed in a shape protruding downward in the center portion in the left-right direction. Further, the lower end portion of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3 communicates with the cooling medium supply port 12, and the upper end portion communicates with the cooling medium discharge port 15. In the cooling medium flow path forming region A3, a plurality of fourth rectifying ribs 47, a plurality of fifth rectifying ribs 48, and a plurality of sixth rectifying ribs 49 are formed as ribs for guiding the cooling medium. .

  The plurality of fourth rectifying ribs 47 are arranged in parallel at intervals in the left-right direction and the up-down direction in the lower part of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3. Each of the plurality of fourth rectifying ribs 47 is formed so as to protrude rearward from the rear surface of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3.

  Specifically, a plurality of fourth rectifying ribs 47 that extend intermittently in a substantially V shape with an interval in the vertical direction are provided at the lower portion of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3. Are arranged radially. In addition, a plurality of fourth rectifying ribs 47 extending in the vertical direction are formed at the lowermost end portion of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3. Between each of the plurality of fourth rectifying ribs 47 is the first cooling medium flow path 27. That is, the first cooling medium flow path 27 extends so as to diffuse from a cooling medium inflow portion 53 described later, and a plurality of fourth rectifying ribs 47 are formed in the first cooling medium flow path 27.

  The plurality of fifth rectifying ribs 48 are arranged in parallel at intervals in the left-right direction at the center in the vertical direction of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3. Each of the plurality of fifth rectifying ribs 48 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3 and extends along the vertical direction. Between each of the plurality of fifth rectifying ribs 48 is a plurality of second cooling medium flow paths 28. That is, the plurality of second cooling medium flow paths 28 are formed so as to extend linearly continuously to the first cooling medium flow path 27 and are arranged in parallel at intervals.

  In addition, the plurality of fifth rectifying ribs 48 are disposed on the upper side of the plurality of fourth rectifying ribs 47 with a slight gap therebetween. A space between the plurality of fourth rectifying ribs 47 and the plurality of fifth rectifying ribs 48 is a third boundary portion B3 that partitions the first cooling medium flow path 27 and the second cooling medium flow path 28. The third boundary portion B3 extends along the left-right direction.

  The plurality of sixth rectifying ribs 49 are arranged in parallel at intervals in the left-right direction and the up-down direction in the upper part of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3. Each of the plurality of sixth rectifying ribs 49 is formed so as to protrude rearward from the rear surface of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3.

  Specifically, a plurality of sixth rectifying ribs 49 extending intermittently in a substantially V shape with an interval in the vertical direction are provided at the upper part of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3. Are arranged radially. A plurality of sixth rectifying ribs 49 extending in the vertical direction are formed at the uppermost end of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3. That is, the plurality of sixth rectifying ribs 49 extend intermittently and radially so as to converge from the second cooling medium flow path 28 in the cooling medium flow path forming region A3 toward the cooling medium outflow portion 54 described later. Yes. A space between each of the plurality of sixth rectifying ribs 49 is a third cooling medium flow path 29. That is, the third cooling medium flow path 29 extends so as to converge toward the cooling medium outflow portion 54 described later continuously to the plurality of second cooling medium flow paths 28, and the third cooling medium flow path 29. A plurality of sixth rectifying ribs 49 are formed. In addition, the plurality of third cooling medium flow paths 29, together with the plurality of first cooling medium flow paths 27 and the plurality of second cooling medium flow paths 28, include a cooling medium flow path 30 as a flow path for flowing the cooling medium. Configure.

  In addition, the plurality of sixth rectifying ribs 49 are disposed slightly above the plurality of fifth rectifying ribs 48. Between the plurality of fifth rectifying ribs 48 and the plurality of sixth rectifying ribs 49 is a fourth boundary portion B4 that partitions the second cooling medium flow path 28 and the third cooling medium flow path 29. The second boundary portion B4 extends in parallel with the third boundary portion B3 along the left-right direction.

  Further, in the cooling medium flow path forming region A3, a plurality of protrusions 55 for adjusting the flow rate of the cooling medium are formed between the plurality of fourth rectifying ribs 47 and between the plurality of sixth rectifying ribs 49. Has been.

  Specifically, the plurality of protrusions 55 are arranged in parallel at intervals in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction at substantially the center and both ends in the horizontal direction of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3. The protrusion 55 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3.

  Reinforcing ribs 74 are formed at the upper end and the lower end of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3.

  The reinforcing rib 74 is disposed so as to face the cooling medium supply port 12 and the cooling medium discharge port 15. The reinforcing rib 74 protrudes from the rear surface of the anode side separator 3 to the rear side, and is formed to extend along the vertical direction. Such a reinforcing rib 74 reinforces the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3 and enables the cooling medium to be guided.

  The area of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3 is, for example, 40% or more, preferably 50% or more, for example, 80% or less, with respect to the surface area of the anode-side separator 3 (length in the horizontal direction × length in the vertical direction). It is.

  In addition, the ratio of the area of the portion where the plurality of fourth rectifying ribs 47 are formed (region below the third boundary portion B3) in the area of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3 is, for example, 10%. For example, it is 20% or less, preferably 15% or less.

  Ratio of the area of the portion (the region between the third boundary portion B3 and the fourth boundary portion B4) where the plurality of fifth rectifying ribs 48 are formed in the area of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3. Is, for example, 60% or more, preferably 70% or more, for example, 90% or less.

  Of the area of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3, the ratio of the area of the portion where the plurality of sixth rectifying ribs 49 are formed (the region above the fourth boundary portion B4) is, for example, 10% or more, for example, , 20% or less, preferably 15% or less.

  If the area ratio of each region and the area ratio of the cooling medium flow path 30 (the first cooling medium flow path 27, the second cooling medium flow path 28, and the third cooling medium flow path 29) are within the above ranges, While ensuring the rigidity of the anode-side separator 3, the cooling medium can be flowed uniformly and stably to the cooling medium flow path 30, and excellent cooling efficiency can be ensured.

  A thin portion 50 is formed on the rear surface of the anode side separator 3.

  The thin portion 50 includes an edge of a projection surface obtained by projecting the fuel flow path forming region A1 in the thickness direction of the anode-side separator 3, and each of the fuel supply port 11, the oxygen discharge port 13, the fuel discharge port 14, and the oxygen supply port 16. Are formed in four locations in the region between the projection edge of the anode side separator 3 and projected in the thickness direction.

  The thin portion 50 is thinned so as to be recessed from the rear side to the front side of the anode separator 3. The thin portion 50 is formed to face each of the fuel supply port 11, the oxygen discharge port 13, the fuel discharge port 14, and the oxygen supply port 16.

  In the anode-side separator 3, the thin portion 50 facing the fuel supply port 11 and the thin portion 50 facing the fuel discharge port 14 pass fuel supplied and discharged by the fuel supply port 11 and the fuel discharge port 14. A through-hole 72 for fuel is formed.

  Specifically, an edge of the projection surface in which the thin portion 50 facing the fuel supply port 11 is projected in the thickness direction of the anode side separator 3 and a projection in which the fuel flow path formation region A1 is projected in the thickness direction of the anode side separator 3. A fuel through-hole 72 for allowing the fuel supplied by the fuel supply port 11 to pass therethrough is formed at the boundary with the edge of the surface.

  Further, an edge of the projection surface in which the thin portion 50 facing the fuel discharge port 14 is projected in the thickness direction of the anode-side separator 3, and an edge of the projection surface in which the fuel flow path formation region A1 is projected in the thickness direction of the anode-side separator 3. A fuel through hole 72 that allows the fuel discharged through the fuel discharge port 14 to pass therethrough is formed at the boundary with the edge.

  Further, each thin portion 50 is formed with a plurality of reinforcing ribs 75 for reinforcing the thin portion 50.

  The plurality of reinforcing ribs 75 are arranged in parallel in the thin portion 50 at intervals in the left-right direction. Each of the plurality of reinforcing ribs 75 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the thin portion 50 of the anode-side separator 3 and extends along the vertical direction. Such a reinforcing rib 75 reinforces the thin portion 50 and guides the fuel at the thin portion 50 facing the fuel supply port 11 and the thin portion 50 facing the fuel discharge port 14.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cathode side separator 4 is disposed to face the front side of the membrane electrode assembly 2. The cathode side separator 4 is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape larger than the membrane electrode assembly 2, similarly to the anode side separator 3.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the cathode side separator 4 is provided with a first fuel supply for supplying and discharging fuel to and from the fuel flow path 23 as in the case of the anode side separator 3. A fuel supply port 31 as an exhaust port, a cooling medium supply port 32 as a first cooling medium supply / exhaust port for supplying and discharging the cooling medium to and from the cooling medium channel 30, and oxygen to the oxygen channel 68 The oxygen discharge port 33 as a first oxygen supply / discharge port for supplying and discharging the gas and the first seal fixing hole 70 formed for fixing the seal member 8 on the outer side thereof along one side (lower side). Prepared.

  Similarly to the anode-side separator 3, the cathode-side separator 4 has a fuel discharge port 34 as a second fuel supply / discharge port for supplying and discharging fuel to and from the fuel flow channel 23, and a cooling medium as a cooling medium flow channel. As a second coolant supply / exhaust port for supplying / exhausting oxygen to / from an oxygen flow path 68 (to be described later) An oxygen supply port 36 and a second seal fixing hole 71 formed to fix the seal member 8 outside thereof are provided along the other side (upper side) facing one side.

  The fuel supply port 31 is an opening for supplying fuel to the fuel flow path 23 and is disposed at the lower right end of the cathode side separator 4. The fuel supply port 31 is formed to penetrate in a substantially rectangular shape.

  The cooling medium supply port 32 is an opening for supplying the cooling medium to the cooling medium flow path 30 and is disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the lower end portion of the cathode-side separator 4. The cooling medium supply port 32 is formed to penetrate in a substantially rectangular shape.

  The oxygen discharge port 33 is an opening for discharging oxygen from an oxygen flow path 68 described later, and is disposed at the lower left end of the cathode separator 4. The oxygen discharge port 33 is formed to penetrate in a substantially rectangular shape.

  The first seal fixing hole 70 is a through hole for tightly fixing to the rear surface (front surface) of the cathode side separator 4 by fitting a seal member 8 described later on the lower side of the cathode side separator 4. One each is arranged at the lower right end and the lower left end of the side separator 4.

  Specifically, the lower right first seal fixing hole 70 is formed in a substantially L shape so as to be along the lower right end portion of the cathode side separator 4 on the right side of the fuel supply port 31. The lower left first seal fixing hole 70 is formed in a substantially L shape so as to be along the lower left end of the cathode separator 4 on the left side of the oxygen discharge port 33.

  The fuel discharge port 34 is an opening for discharging fuel from the fuel flow path 23, and is disposed at the upper left end of the cathode separator 4. The fuel discharge port 34 is formed to penetrate in a substantially rectangular shape.

  The cooling medium discharge port 35 is an opening for discharging the cooling medium from the cooling medium flow path 30, and is arranged at the center in the left-right direction of the upper end portion of the cathode-side separator 4. The cooling medium discharge port 35 is formed to penetrate in a substantially rectangular shape.

  The oxygen supply port 36 is an opening for supplying oxygen to an oxygen flow path 68 to be described later, and is arranged at the upper right end of the cathode side separator 4. The oxygen supply port 36 is formed to penetrate in a substantially rectangular shape.

  The second seal fixing hole 71 is a through hole for tightly fixing to the rear surface (front surface) of the cathode side separator 4 by fitting a seal member 8 described later on the upper side of the cathode side separator 4. One separator is disposed at each of the upper right end and the upper left end of the separator 4.

  Specifically, the second seal fixing hole 71 on the upper right side is formed in a substantially L shape so as to be along the upper right end portion of the cathode side separator 4 on the right side of the oxygen supply port 36.

  The upper left second seal fixing hole 71 is formed in a substantially L shape so as to be along the upper left end of the cathode separator 4 on the left side of the fuel discharge port 34.

  Such a cathode-side separator 4 is disposed adjacent to the cathode electrode 7, and an oxygen channel 68 for supplying oxygen to the cathode electrode 7 on the surface (rear surface (see FIG. 2)) facing the membrane electrode assembly 2. The cooling medium flow path 30 to which the cooling medium is supplied is formed on the back surface (front surface (see FIG. 1)) with respect to the front surface.

  Hereinafter, the oxygen flow path 68 and the cooling medium flow path 30 of the cathode-side separator 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b).

  As shown in FIG. 4A, an oxygen channel forming region A2 as a channel forming region for forming the oxygen channel 68 is defined on the rear surface of the cathode side separator 4.

  The oxygen flow path forming region A <b> 2 is disposed at the center of the rear surface of the cathode side separator 4. Similar to the fuel flow path forming area A1 of the anode-side separator 3, the oxygen flow path forming area A2 is substantially the same size as the membrane electrode assembly 2 and has substantially the same shape. It is formed into a shape.

  The oxygen channel forming region A2 is divided into a first oxygen channel forming region A21 and a second oxygen channel forming region A21 so as to protrude from the first oxygen channel forming region A21 to both sides in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) of the cathode side separator 4. And an oxygen flow path forming region A22.

  The first oxygen channel forming region A21 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape as a region other than the upper end and the lower end of the oxygen channel forming region A2. Specifically, the first oxygen flow path forming region A21 is partitioned into a distorted rectangular shape in which the upper side is curved toward the lower side and the lower side is curved toward the upper side.

  A plurality of seventh rectifying ribs 57 are formed in the first oxygen flow path forming region A21.

  The plurality of seventh rectifying ribs 57 are arranged in parallel at intervals. Each of the plurality of seventh rectifying ribs 57 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the first oxygen flow path forming region A21 and extends in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) of the cathode side separator 4 over the entire first oxygen flow path forming region A21. It is formed in a twisted shape extending in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) while being folded back in the left-right direction (width direction) orthogonal to the line. Between each of the plurality of seventh rectifying ribs 57 is a first oxygen flow path 65 as a first flow path for flowing oxygen. That is, the first oxygen flow path forming region A21 is formed with a first oxygen flow path 65 having a folded shape extending in the vertical direction while being folded back in the horizontal direction.

  The second oxygen channel formation region A22 is an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the oxygen channel formation region A2, and has a substantially isosceles trapezoidal shape upward and downward from the first oxygen channel formation region A21. It is divided as a region that protrudes.

  In the second oxygen flow path forming region A22, a plurality of eighth rectifying ribs 58 and a plurality of protrusions 39 are formed as pressure loss reducing portions that reduce the pressure loss of oxygen.

  The plurality of eighth rectifying ribs 58 are arranged in parallel at intervals in the vertical direction. Each of the plurality of eighth rectifying ribs 58 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the second oxygen flow path forming region A22 and is in a region excluding both left and right ends of the second oxygen flow path forming region A22 (right and left central portion). , And so as to extend along the left-right direction (width direction). Between each of the plurality of eighth rectifying ribs 58 is a second oxygen channel 66 as a second channel through which oxygen flows. That is, the second oxygen channel 66 is formed in the second oxygen channel forming region A22 so as to extend in the left-right direction.

  The plurality of protrusions 39 are formed on both sides of the second oxygen channel 66 in the left-right direction (width direction). Specifically, the plurality of protrusions 39 are arranged at intervals from each other at the four corners of the oxygen flow path forming region A2, that is, the upper left end, the upper right end, the lower left end, and the lower right end. Has been. The protrusion 39 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the oxygen flow path forming region A2. Further, the third oxygen channel 67 is between the plurality of protrusions 39. The third oxygen channel 67, together with the first oxygen channel 65 and the second oxygen channel 66, constitutes an oxygen channel 68 as a channel for flowing oxygen supplied to the membrane electrode assembly 2. .

  The area of the oxygen flow path forming region A2 is, for example, 40% or more, preferably 50% or more, for example, 80% or less, with respect to the surface area of the cathode-side separator 4 (length in the horizontal direction × length in the vertical direction). is there.

  Further, the ratio of the area of the first oxygen channel forming region A21 in the area of the oxygen channel forming region A2 is, for example, 80% or more, preferably 90% or more, for example, 98% or less.

  Further, the ratio of the area (total) of the second oxygen channel formation region A22 in the area of the oxygen channel formation region A2 is, for example, 4% or more, for example, 20% or less, preferably 8% or less. .

  If the area ratio of each region and the area ratio of the oxygen flow path 68 (the first oxygen flow path 65, the second oxygen flow path 66, and the third oxygen flow path 67) are within the above ranges, oxygen is uniformly and It is possible to stably flow through the oxygen flow path 68 and to secure excellent power generation efficiency.

  Further, like the rear surface of the anode side separator 3, a cooling medium flow path forming region A 3 is defined on the front surface of the cathode side separator 4 as shown in FIG. Ribs 47, a plurality of fifth rectifying ribs 48, and a plurality of sixth rectifying ribs 49 are formed. The space between each of the plurality of fourth rectifying ribs 47 is a first cooling medium flow path 27, and the space between each of the plurality of fifth rectifying ribs 48 is respectively a second cooling medium flow path 28. In addition, a space between each of the plurality of sixth rectifying ribs 49 is a third cooling medium flow path 29. Further, in the cooling medium flow path forming region A3 of the cathode side separator 4, the cooling medium is provided between the plurality of fourth rectifying ribs 47 and between the plurality of sixth rectifying ribs 49, similarly to the anode side separator 3. A plurality of projections 55 are formed for adjusting the flow rate.

  Reinforcing ribs 74 are formed at the upper end and the lower end of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3.

  The reinforcing rib 74 is disposed so as to face the cooling medium supply port 32 and the cooling medium discharge port 35. The reinforcing rib 74 protrudes from the front surface of the cathode side separator 4 to the front side, and is formed to extend along the vertical direction. Such a reinforcing rib 74 reinforces the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3 and enables the cooling medium to be guided.

  Since the cooling medium flow path forming region A3 of the cathode side separator 4 is the same as that of the anode side separator 3, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In addition, a thin portion 50 is formed on the front surface of the cathode side separator 4 in the same manner as the rear surface of the anode side separator 3.

  The thin portion 50 includes an edge of the projection surface obtained by projecting the oxygen flow path forming region A2 in the thickness direction of the cathode separator 4, and each of the fuel supply port 31, the oxygen discharge port 33, the fuel discharge port 34, and the oxygen supply port 36. Are formed at four locations in the region between the projection edge of the cathode-side separator 4 and projected in the thickness direction.

  The thin portion 50 is thinned so as to be recessed from the front side to the rear side of the cathode separator 4. The thin portion 50 is formed so as to face each of the fuel supply port 31, the oxygen discharge port 33, the fuel discharge port 34, and the oxygen supply port 36.

  Further, in the cathode separator 4, the thin portion 50 facing the oxygen discharge port 33 and the thin portion 50 facing the oxygen supply port 36 pass oxygen supplied and discharged by the oxygen discharge port 33 and the oxygen supply port 36. A through-hole 73 for oxygen is formed.

  Specifically, an edge of the projection surface in which the thin portion 50 facing the oxygen discharge port 33 is projected in the thickness direction of the cathode-side separator 4 and a projection in which the oxygen flow path formation region A2 is projected in the thickness direction of the cathode-side separator 4. An oxygen through hole 73 for allowing oxygen discharged through the oxygen discharge port 33 to pass through is formed at the boundary with the edge of the surface.

  Moreover, the edge of the projection surface which projected the thin part 50 which faces the oxygen supply port 36 in the thickness direction of the cathode side separator 4, and the end of the projection surface which projected oxygen flow path formation area A2 in the thickness direction of the cathode side separator 4 At the boundary with the edge, an oxygen through hole 73 for allowing oxygen supplied through the oxygen supply port 36 to pass therethrough is formed.

  Further, a plurality of reinforcing ribs 75 for reinforcing the thin portion 50 are formed in each thin portion 50, similarly to the anode-side separator 3.

  The plurality of reinforcing ribs 75 are arranged in parallel in the thin portion 50 at intervals in the left-right direction. Each of the plurality of reinforcing ribs 75 is formed so as to protrude from the front surface of the thin portion 50 of the cathode side separator 4 to the front side and extend in the vertical direction. Such a reinforcing rib 75 reinforces the thin portion 50 and guides oxygen in the thin portion 50 facing the oxygen discharge port 33 and the thin portion 50 facing the oxygen supply port 36.

  The seal member 8 is formed of a flexible resin or the like, and seals the fuel flow path 23, the coolant flow path 30, and the oxygen flow path 68 in the anode side separator 3 and the cathode side separator 4, respectively.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seal member 8 includes fuel supply ports 11 and 31 and a cooling medium supply on the front surface of the anode separator 3 and the rear surface of the cathode separator 4, respectively. The ports 12 and 32, the oxygen discharge ports 13 and 33, the fuel discharge ports 14 and 34, the cooling medium discharge ports 15 and 35, and the oxygen supply ports 16 and 36 are provided so as to be separated from each other.

  Further, the seal member 8 has a convex portion 69 that can be fitted into the first seal fixing holes 60 and 70 and the second seal fixing holes 61 and 71. The convex portion 69 is fitted into the first seal fixing holes 60, 70 and the second seal fixing holes 61, 71, thereby being closely fixed to the anode side separator 3 and the cathode side separator 4. .

  Although such a seal member 8 will be described later in detail, the fuel supply port 11 and the fuel discharge port 14 allow fuel to be supplied to and discharged from the fuel flow path 23, and the oxygen discharge port 13 and the oxygen supply port. 16 allows oxygen to be supplied to and discharged from the oxygen flow path 68.

  The pair of covers C is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape having the same size as the anode side separator 3 and the cathode side separator 4. The front cover C includes a fuel supply unit 41, a cooling medium supply unit 42, an oxygen discharge unit 43, a fuel discharge unit 44, a cooling medium discharge unit 45, and an oxygen supply unit 46.

  The fuel supply unit 41 is disposed at the lower right end of the front cover C in order to supply fuel to the power generation cell S. The fuel supply unit 41 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to penetrate the front cover C forward and backward.

  In order to supply the cooling medium to the power generation cell S, the cooling medium supply unit 42 is disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the lower end portion of the front cover C. The cooling medium supply unit 42 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to penetrate the front cover C forward and backward.

  In order to discharge oxygen from the power generation cell S, the oxygen discharge unit 43 is disposed at the lower left end of the front cover C. The oxygen discharge part 43 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to penetrate the front cover C forward and backward.

  The fuel discharge portion 44 is disposed at the upper left end portion of the front cover C in order to discharge the fuel from the power generation cell S. The fuel discharge portion 44 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to penetrate the front cover C in the front-rear direction.

  In order to discharge the cooling medium from the power generation cell S, the cooling medium discharge unit 45 is disposed at the center in the left-right direction of the upper end portion of the front cover C. The cooling medium discharge part 45 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to penetrate the front cover C forward and backward.

  The oxygen supply unit 46 is disposed at the upper right end of the front cover C in order to supply oxygen to the power generation cell S. The oxygen supply part 46 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to penetrate the front cover C forward and backward.

  A seal member (not shown) is interposed between the rear cover C and the anode separator 3. A seal member (not shown) between the rear cover C and the anode separator 3 is provided so as to surround at least the fuel supply port 11, the oxygen discharge port 13, the fuel discharge port 14, and the oxygen supply port 16. The cooling medium supply port 12 and the cooling medium discharge port 15 allow the cooling medium to pass through the cooling medium flow path 30.

  A seal member (not shown) is also interposed between the cathode separator 4 and the front cover C. A seal member (not shown) between the cathode separator 4 and the front cover C is provided so as to surround at least the fuel supply port 31, the oxygen discharge port 33, the fuel discharge port 34, and the oxygen supply port 36. The cooling medium supply port 32 and the cooling medium discharge port 35 allow the cooling medium to pass through the cooling medium flow path 30.

  The fuel cell 1 further includes a diffusion layer (not shown) between the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the anode side separator 3 and between the membrane electrode assembly 2 and the cathode side separator 4. And oxygen are supplied to the membrane electrode assembly 2 through the diffusion layer.

  Further, the fuel cell 1 is further provided with a current collector plate (not shown) formed of a conductive material, and the fuel cell 1 generated from a terminal provided on the current collector plate (not shown). It is comprised so that electric power can be taken out outside.

  Next, power generation in the fuel cell 1 will be described.

  In this fuel cell 1, as shown in FIG. 1, fuel is supplied to the fuel supply unit 41, oxygen (for example, air) is supplied to the oxygen supply unit 46, and a cooling medium (for example, air is supplied to the cooling medium supply unit 42). Water).

  An example of the fuel is a hydrogen-containing liquid fuel.

  The hydrogen-containing liquid fuel is a liquid fuel containing hydrogen atoms in the molecule, and examples thereof include alcohols and hydrazines, and preferably hydrazines.

Specific examples of hydrazines include hydrazine (NH ₂ NH ₂ ), hydrated hydrazine (NH ₂ NH ₂ .H ₂ O), hydrazine carbonate ((NH ₂ NH ₂ ) ₂ CO ₂ ), hydrazine hydrochloride ( NH ₂ NH ₂ · HCl), hydrazine sulfate _{(NH 2 NH 2 · H 2} SO 4), monomethyl hydrazine _(CH 3 NHNH _2), dimethylhydrazine _{((CH 3) 2 NNH 2} , CH 3 NHNHCH 3), a carboxylic hydrazide ((NHNH ₂ ) ₂ CO) and the like. The fuels illustrated above can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Among the above fuel compounds, compounds that do not contain carbon, that is, hydrazine, hydrated hydrazine, hydrazine sulfate, etc., do not generate CO and CO ₂ , and do not cause catalyst poisoning. Can be achieved, and substantially zero emission can be realized.

  Further, as the above exemplified fuel, the above fuel compound may be used as it is. However, the above exemplified fuel compound may be water and / or alcohol (for example, lower alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, etc.) ) And the like. In this case, the concentration of the fuel compound in the solution varies depending on the type of the fuel compound, but is, for example, 1 to 90% by mass, preferably 1 to 30% by mass.

  Further, as the fuel, the above-described fuel compound can be used as a gas (for example, vapor).

  The fuel supplied to the fuel supply unit 41 passes through the fuel supply port 31 of the cathode side separator 4 and is supplied to the fuel supply port 11 of the anode side separator 3, and then the lower right side end of the fuel flow path forming region A1. Supplied to the department.

  Specifically, the fuel supplied from the fuel supply port 11 to the rear surface of the anode separator 3 (see FIG. 3B) is guided by the reinforcing rib 75 of the thin portion 50 facing the fuel supply port 11, and the fuel. Is supplied to the through-hole 72 for use.

  The fuel that has passed through the fuel through-hole 72 is supplied to the lower right end of the fuel flow path formation region A1 on the front surface of the anode separator 3 (see FIG. 3A). That is, the lower right end of the fuel flow path forming region A1 is a fuel inflow portion 51 as an inflow portion for allowing fuel to flow into the fuel flow path 23. The fuel inflow portion 51 is disposed on one side (right side) of the central portion in the parallel direction of the plurality of second fuel flow paths 21.

  The fuel supplied to the lower right end of the fuel flow path formation region A1 flows in the plurality of first fuel flow paths 20 to the upper side and the upper left side, and is once retained in the first boundary portion B1, The plurality of second fuel flow paths 21 are supplied.

  At this time, since the protrusion 24 is provided in the first fuel passage 20 on the right side, the flow rate of the fuel in the first fuel passage 20 on the right side is limited, and the second fuel passage 21 on the left side is further limited. Fuel can be reliably distributed.

  In the first boundary portion B1, the number of protrusions 24 increases as the protrusion 24 approaches the fuel inflow portion 51.

  Therefore, in the region (right side) where the fuel inflow portion 51 and the second fuel flow path 21 are close to each other, the distance through which the fuel flows in the first fuel flow path 20 is short, but a relatively large number of protrusions 24 are formed. The effect of obstructing the flow of fuel is increasing. On the other hand, in the region (left side) where the fuel inflow portion 51 and the second fuel flow path 21 are remote, the distance through which the fuel flows in the first fuel flow path 20 is long, but a relatively small number of protrusions 24 are formed. Therefore, the effect of inhibiting the flow of fuel is weakened.

  In other words, in the first fuel flow path 20, the fuel flow is strongly inhibited in the region where the fuel flow distance is short, while the action of inhibiting the fuel flow is weak in the region where the fuel flow distance is long. Yes.

  Thus, the fuel flow distance and the strength of the action that inhibits the flow are adjusted, so that the fuel is supplied from the lower right end of the fuel flow path formation region A1 to the plurality of first fuel flow paths 20. The distributed fuel is uniformly distributed to each of the plurality of second fuel flow paths 21.

  The fuel supplied to the plurality of second fuel passages 21 flows upward in the plurality of second fuel passages 21 and once stays at the second boundary portion B2, and then the plurality of third fuels. It is supplied to the flow path 22.

  The fuel supplied to the plurality of third fuel flow paths 22 flows in the plurality of third fuel flow paths 22 to the upper side and the upper left side, and enters the fuel discharge port 14 from the upper left end of the fuel flow path formation region A1. Discharged.

  Specifically, the fuel that has reached the upper left end of the fuel flow path forming region A1 is supplied to the fuel through hole 72, passes through the fuel through hole 72, and passes through the rear surface of the anode separator 3 (FIG. 3). (See (b)). Then, it is guided to the reinforcing rib 75 of the thin portion 50 facing the fuel discharge port 14 and discharged to the fuel discharge port 14. That is, the upper left end portion of the fuel flow path formation region A1 is a fuel outflow portion 52 as an outflow portion for allowing fuel to flow out of the fuel flow path 23. The fuel outflow portion 52 is disposed on the other side (left side) of the central portion in the parallel direction of the plurality of second fuel flow paths 21.

  At this time, since the protrusion 24 is provided in the left third fuel flow path 22, the flow rate of the fuel in the left third fuel flow path 22 is limited so that the fuel flow from the second fuel flow path 21 on the right side can be reduced. Even fuel can be discharged reliably. Thereby, the flow rate of the fuel in the plurality of second fuel flow paths 21 is adjusted uniformly.

  Further, in the second boundary portion B2, the number of the protrusions 24 increases as the protrusion 24 approaches the fuel outflow portion 52.

  Therefore, in the region (left side) where the fuel outflow portion 52 and the second fuel flow path 21 are close to each other, the distance through which the fuel flows in the third fuel flow path 22 is short, but a relatively large number of protrusions 24 are formed. The effect of obstructing the flow of fuel is increasing. On the other hand, in the region (right side) where the fuel outflow portion 52 and the second fuel flow path 21 are remote, the distance that the fuel flows through the third fuel flow path 22 is long, but a relatively small number of protrusions 24 are formed. Therefore, the effect of inhibiting the flow of fuel is weakened.

  That is, in the third fuel flow path 22, the fuel flow is strongly inhibited in the region where the fuel flow distance is short, while the action of inhibiting the fuel flow is weak in the region where the fuel flow distance is long. Yes.

  As described above, the fuel flow distance and the strength of the action that inhibits the flow are adjusted, so that the fuel discharged from the plurality of second fuel passages 21 is supplied to the plurality of third fuel passages 22. Evenly distributed to each.

  The fuel discharged to the fuel discharge port 14 passes through the fuel discharge port 34 of the cathode separator 4 and is discharged from the fuel discharge portion 44.

  The oxygen supplied to the oxygen supply unit 46 is guided by the reinforcing rib 75 of the thin portion 50 facing the oxygen supply unit 46 on the front surface of the cathode separator 4 (see FIG. 4B), and penetrates for oxygen. It is supplied to the hole 73. A part of oxygen passes through the oxygen supply port 36 of the cathode separator 4 without being supplied to the oxygen through hole 73.

  The oxygen that has passed through the oxygen through hole 73 is supplied to the upper right end of the oxygen flow path forming region A2 on the rear surface of the cathode separator 4 (see FIG. 4A). That is, the upper right end of the oxygen flow path forming region A2 is an oxygen inflow portion 63 as an inflow portion for allowing oxygen to flow into the oxygen flow path 68.

  Oxygen supplied to the upper right end of the oxygen flow path formation region A2 flows downward through the third oxygen flow path 67 on the upper right side and is supplied to the upper right side of the plurality of first oxygen flow paths 65.

  At the same time, the oxygen supplied to the upper right end of the oxygen flow path forming region A2 flows to the left in the third oxygen flow path 67 on the upper right side, and to the left in the plurality of second oxygen flow paths 66. And flows downward through the third oxygen channel 67 on the upper left side, and is supplied to the upper left side of the plurality of first oxygen channels 65.

  At this time, since the protrusions 39 are provided in the third oxygen channel 67 on the upper right side and the upper left side, the pressure loss of oxygen can be reduced and oxygen can flow efficiently.

  Then, the oxygen supplied to the plurality of first oxygen channels 65 flows in a twisted manner extending in the up-down direction while being folded back in the left-right direction in the plurality of first oxygen channels 65, and the lower left side and the right side. It is supplied to the plurality of third oxygen flow paths 67 on the lower side.

  Oxygen supplied to the plurality of third oxygen channels 67 on the lower left side flows downward in the plurality of third oxygen channels 67, and from the lower left side end of the oxygen channel formation region A2 to the oxygen discharge port 33. To be discharged.

  The oxygen supplied to the plurality of third oxygen channels 67 on the lower right side flows to the left in the third oxygen channel 67 on the lower right side, and flows to the left in the plurality of second oxygen channels 66. Then, it flows downward through the third oxygen channel 67 on the lower left side, and is discharged from the lower left side end portion of the oxygen channel forming region A2 to the oxygen outlet 33.

  Specifically, the oxygen that has reached the lower left end of the oxygen flow path forming region A2 is supplied to the oxygen through hole 73, passes through the oxygen through hole 73, and passes through the front surface of the cathode separator 4 (FIG. 4). (See (b)). Then, the gas is guided to the reinforcing rib 75 of the thin portion 50 facing the oxygen discharge port 33 and discharged to the oxygen discharge port 33. That is, the lower left end of the oxygen flow path forming region A2 is an oxygen outflow part 64 as an outflow part for allowing oxygen to flow out from the oxygen flow path 68.

  At this time, since the protrusions 39 are provided in the third oxygen channel 67 on the lower left side and the lower right side, the pressure loss of oxygen can be reduced and oxygen can flow efficiently.

  The oxygen discharged to the oxygen discharge port 33 is discharged from the oxygen discharge unit 43.

  As described above, the fuel flowing in the fuel flow path 23 is supplied to the anode electrode 6 through a diffusion layer (not shown). Further, as described above, oxygen flowing in the oxygen flow path 68 is supplied to the cathode electrode 7 via a diffusion layer (not shown).

Then, in the anode electrode 6, the hydroxide ions (OH ⁻ ) generated at the cathode electrode 7 and passed through the electrolyte layer 5 react with the fuel, and electrons (e ⁻ ) and water (H ₂ O) are reacted. And generate. The generation of hydroxide ions (OH ⁻ ) in the cathode electrode 7 will be described later.

The generated electrons (e ⁻ ) are moved from the anode side separator 3 to the cathode side separator 4 via an external circuit (not shown) and supplied to the cathode electrode 7. The generated water (H ₂ O) moves the electrolyte layer 5 from the anode electrode 6 to the cathode electrode 7.

In the cathode electrode 7, electrons (e ⁻ ), water (H ₂ O), and oxygen (O ₂ ) react to generate hydroxide ions (OH ⁻ ).

The generated hydroxide ions (OH ⁻ ) move from the cathode electrode 7 to the anode electrode 6 through the electrolyte layer 5 made of an anion exchange membrane.

  An electromotive force is generated by the electrochemical reaction in the anode electrode 6 and the cathode electrode 7 and power is generated.

  Although the operating conditions of the fuel cell 1 are not particularly limited, the pressure on the anode electrode 6 side is, for example, 200 kPa or less, preferably 100 kPa or less, and the pressure on the cathode electrode 7 side is, for example, 200 kPa. Hereinafter, it is preferably 100 kPa or less.

  In addition, the cooling medium supplied to the cooling medium supply unit 42 is guided by the reinforcing rib 74 on the front surface of the cathode separator 4 (see FIG. 4B), and the center in the left-right direction of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3. Supplied to the lower end.

  Further, the cooling medium passes through the cooling medium supply port 32 of the cathode side separator 4 and is supplied to the cooling medium supply port 12 of the anode side separator 3, and on the rear surface of the anode side separator 3 (see FIG. 3B). Then, it is guided by the reinforcing rib 74 and supplied to the central lower end in the left-right direction of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3. That is, the lower end portion of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3 is a cooling medium inflow portion 53 as an inflow portion for allowing the cooling medium to flow into the cooling medium flow path 30.

  The cooling medium supplied to the lower end portion of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3 is guided to the plurality of fourth rectifying ribs 47 while the flow rate is adjusted by the plurality of protrusions 55, and the cooling medium flows in the first cooling medium flow path 27. From the inflow portion 53, the air flows radially upward, to the upper left and to the upper right, and is supplied to the plurality of second coolant flow paths 28.

  The cooling medium supplied to the plurality of second cooling medium flow paths 28 is guided by the plurality of fifth rectifying ribs 49 and flows upward in the plurality of second cooling medium flow paths 28 to form the third cooling medium. It is supplied to the flow path 29.

  The cooling medium supplied to the third cooling medium flow path 29 is guided to the plurality of sixth rectifying ribs 48 while the flow rate is adjusted by the plurality of protrusions 55, and flows upward in the third cooling medium flow path 29, It flows so as to converge toward the center in the direction, and is discharged to the cooling medium discharge ports 15 and 35 from the upper end of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3. That is, the upper end portion of the cooling medium flow path forming region A3 is a cooling medium outflow portion 54 as an outflow portion for allowing the cooling medium to flow out of the cooling medium flow path 30.

  The power generation cell S is cooled by supplying the cooling medium to the cooling medium flow path 30 in this way.

  The temperature of the power generation cell S is adjusted to, for example, -30 to 120 ° C, preferably 20 to 80 ° C.

  According to this anode side separator 3, the first fuel flow path 20 extends radially from the fuel inflow portion 51 as shown in FIG.

  Therefore, the fuel flowing into the fuel flow path 23 from the fuel inflow portion 51 is guided radially from the fuel inflow portion 51 by the plurality of first fuel flow paths 20 and flows into the plurality of second fuel flow paths 21. .

  In other words, the fuel is efficiently and uniformly distributed to the plurality of second fuel channels 21 by the plurality of first fuel channels 20.

  Further, the plurality of third fuel flow paths 22 extend so as to converge toward the fuel outflow portion 52.

  Therefore, the fuel that has flowed out of the second fuel flow path 21 can be efficiently converged to the fuel outflow portion 52.

  That is, according to the anode side separator 3, the fuel can be efficiently flowed to the first fuel flow path 20, the second fuel flow path 21, and the third fuel flow path 22, and as a result, the fuel cell 1 can be increased in size. The power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 1 can be increased while suppressing the above.

  Further, according to the anode-side separator 3, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first boundary portion B1 and the second boundary portion B2 are inclined with respect to the second fuel flow path 21. The area where the plurality of first fuel passages 20 and the plurality of third fuel passages 22 are formed is reduced, and the area where the plurality of second fuel passages 21 are formed is increased accordingly. be able to.

  As a result, it is possible to increase the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 1 while suppressing an increase in size of the fuel cell 1.

  Further, according to the anode-side separator 3, the first boundary portion B1 and the second boundary portion B2 are inclined with respect to the second fuel flow path 21, and therefore the first boundary portion B1 and the second boundary portion B2 are inclined. The fuel can be temporarily retained at the boundary portion B2.

  Therefore, the fuel flow rate can be made uniform in the plurality of second fuel flow paths 21.

  Moreover, since the first boundary portion B1 and the second boundary portion B2 extend in parallel with each other, the lengths of the plurality of second fuel flow paths 21 can be set uniformly.

  Therefore, in the plurality of second fuel flow paths 21, the fuel can be flowed at a substantially equal distance at a substantially equal flow rate.

  As a result, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 1 can be stabilized.

  Further, according to the anode-side separator 3, as shown in FIG. 3A, protrusions 24 for adjusting the fuel flow rate are formed at the first boundary portion B1 and the second boundary portion B2. Has been.

  Therefore, the protrusion 24 can make the flow rate of the fuel flowing into each of the plurality of second fuel flow paths 21 and the flow rate of the fuel flowing out from each of the plurality of second fuel flow paths 21 more uniform. .

  As a result, the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 1 can be further stabilized.

  Further, according to this anode side separator 3, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the fuel inflow portion 51 is disposed at the lower right end of the fuel flow path forming region A1, and the fuel outflow portion 52 is It is arranged at the upper left end of the flow path forming region A1.

  Therefore, the distance between the fuel inflow portion 51 and the fuel outflow portion 52 can be set larger, and the fuel flow path 23 can be secured longer between the fuel inflow portion 51 and the fuel outflow portion 52.

  As a result, it is possible to further increase the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 1 while suppressing an increase in the size of the fuel cell 1.

  Further, according to this cathode side separator 4, as shown in FIG. 4A, the oxygen flow path forming region A2 in which the oxygen flow path 68 for flowing oxygen is formed is formed in the first oxygen flow having a twisted shape. A first oxygen flow path forming region A21 where the path 65 is formed, and a second oxygen flow path forming area A22 where the second oxygen flow path 66 and the protrusion 39 are formed are provided.

  Therefore, more oxygen can flow through the oxygen channel 68 (the first oxygen channel 65 and the second oxygen channel 66) than when the cathode-side separator 4 includes only the first oxygen channel formation region A21. it can.

  Further, according to the cathode side separator 4, as shown in FIG. 4A, the projections 39 are formed on both sides of the second oxygen channel 66 in the left and right direction (width direction) in the second oxygen channel forming region A22. As a result, oxygen can flow through the oxygen channel 68 with excellent efficiency.

  That is, according to such a configuration, oxygen can be efficiently flowed into the oxygen flow path 68. As a result, it is possible to increase the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 1 while suppressing an increase in the size of the fuel cell 1. it can.

  Further, according to such a fuel cell 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel supply ports 11, 31 and the cooling medium supply port are provided along one side (lower side) of the anode side separator 3 and the cathode side separator 4. 12 and 32 and oxygen discharge ports 13 and 33, and along the other side (upper side) facing one side thereof, the fuel discharge ports 14 and 34, the coolant discharge ports 15 and 35, and the oxygen supply port 16, 36 is provided.

  Therefore, the fuel supply ports 11 and 31 and the oxygen discharge ports 13 and 33 are provided on one side (lower side) in the longitudinal direction, and the fuel discharge ports 14 and 34 and the oxygen supply ports 16 and 36 are provided on the other side (upper side). Compared to the case where the cooling medium supply ports 12 and 32 are formed on one side in the width direction orthogonal to the direction and the cooling medium discharge ports 15 and 35 are formed on the other side, the fuel flow path 31, the oxygen flow path 68 and the cooling medium flow While the formation area of the passage 30 can be increased, the anode side separator 3 and the cathode side separator 4 can be reduced in size, and as a result, the fuel cell 1 can be reduced in size without reducing the power generation efficiency. Can do.

  Further, according to such a fuel cell 1, the seal member 8 can be easily and reliably attached by fixing the seal member 8 to the first seal fixing holes 60 and 70 and the second seal fixing holes 61 and 71. it can.

  Further, in such a fuel cell 1, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B, the first cooling medium flow path 27 extends so as to diffuse from the cooling medium inflow portion 53, and the first cooling is performed. The second cooling medium flow path 28 extends continuously from the medium flow path 27, and further, the third cooling medium flow path 29 converges toward the cooling medium outflow portion 54 continuously from the second cooling medium flow path 28. It extends like so.

  The first cooling medium flow path 27 and the third cooling medium flow path 29 are intermittently and radially extended from the cooling medium inflow portion 53 and the cooling medium outflow portion 54 to guide the cooling medium, and A sixth rectifying rib 49 and a protrusion 55 for adjusting the flow rate of the cooling medium are formed.

  Therefore, the cooling medium flowing in from the cooling medium inflow portion 53 is dispersed by the protrusion 55 in the first cooling medium flow path 27 and guided by the fourth rectifying rib 47 and flows into the second cooling medium flow path 28. After that, in the third cooling medium flow path 29, it is dispersed by the protrusion 55 and guided by the sixth rectifying rib 49, and flows out from the cooling medium outflow portion 54.

  As a result, the cooling medium can flow uniformly and stably in the cooling medium flow path 30, and the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell 1 can be stabilized.

  In the above description, the first fuel supply / discharge port is the fuel supply port 11, 31 and the second fuel supply / discharge port is the fuel discharge port 14, 34. For example, the first fuel supply / discharge port is the fuel discharge port. The outlets 14 and 34 may be used, and the second fuel supply / discharge port may be the fuel supply ports 11 and 31. In the above description, the first cooling medium supply / discharge port is the cooling medium supply port 12, 32, and the second cooling medium supply / discharge port is the cooling medium discharge port 15, 35. The discharge port may be the cooling medium discharge ports 15 and 35, and the second cooling medium supply / discharge port may be the cooling medium supply ports 12 and 32. In the above description, the first oxygen supply / exhaust port is the oxygen discharge ports 13 and 33 and the second oxygen supply / exhaust port is the oxygen supply ports 16 and 36. For example, the first oxygen supply / exhaust port is the oxygen supply port. The ports 16 and 36 may be used, and the second oxygen supply / discharge port may be the oxygen discharge ports 13 and 33.

  Further, in the above description, the fuel supply ports 11, 31, the cooling medium supply ports 12, 32 and the oxygen discharge ports 13, 33 are sequentially formed along the lower side, and the fuel discharge ports 14, 33 are formed along the upper side. 34, the cooling medium discharge ports 15 and 35 and the oxygen supply ports 16 and 36 are sequentially formed, but the order thereof is not limited to the above, and can be arranged in any order.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel cell 2 Membrane electrode assembly 3 Anode side separator 4 Cathode side separator 8 Seal member 11 Fuel supply port 12 Cooling medium supply port 13 Oxygen discharge port 14 Fuel discharge port 15 Cooling medium discharge port 16 Oxygen supply port 23 Fuel flow channel 30 Cooling medium flow path 31 Fuel supply port 32 Cooling medium supply port 33 Oxygen discharge port 34 Fuel discharge port 35 Cooling medium discharge port 36 Oxygen supply port 68 Oxygen flow path 70 First seal fixing hole 71 Second seal fixing hole

Claims (2)

A membrane electrode assembly comprising an electrolyte layer, a fuel-side electrode and an oxygen-side electrode disposed to face each other across the electrolyte layer;
A cooling medium that is arranged adjacent to the fuel side electrode and that supplies fuel to the fuel side electrode is formed on the surface facing the membrane electrode assembly, and a cooling medium is supplied to the back surface of the surface An anode separator in which a flow path is formed;
A cooling medium that is disposed adjacent to the oxygen side electrode and that has an oxygen flow path for supplying oxygen to the oxygen side electrode is formed on the surface facing the membrane electrode assembly, and a cooling medium is supplied to the back surface of the surface A cathode-side separator in which a flow path is formed;
A seal member for sealing the fuel flow path and the oxygen flow path,
The anode side separator and the cathode side separator are:
A first fuel supply / discharge port for supplying and discharging fuel to and from the fuel flow path;
A first cooling medium supply / discharge port for supplying and discharging the cooling medium to and from the cooling medium flow path; and
A first oxygen supply / exhaust port for supplying and discharging oxygen to and from the oxygen flow path;
A first seal fixing hole formed to fix the seal member outside thereof is provided along one side, and
A second fuel supply / discharge port for supplying and discharging fuel to and from the fuel flow path;
A second cooling medium supply / discharge port for supplying and discharging the cooling medium to and from the cooling medium flow path; and
A second oxygen supply / exhaust port for supplying and discharging oxygen to and from the oxygen flow path;
A fuel cell comprising a second seal fixing hole formed on the outside thereof for fixing the seal member along the other side facing the one side. A cooling medium inflow portion for allowing the cooling medium to flow into the cooling medium flow path;
A cooling medium outflow part for flowing out the cooling medium from the cooling medium flow path,
The cooling medium flow path is
A first cooling medium flow path extending so as to diffuse from the cooling medium inflow portion;
A plurality of second cooling medium flow paths extending linearly continuously to the first cooling medium flow path and arranged in parallel at intervals from each other;
A third cooling medium flow path extending so as to converge toward the cooling medium outflow portion continuously to the plurality of second cooling medium flow paths,
In the first cooling medium flow path and the third cooling medium flow path,
A plurality of ribs extending intermittently and radially from the cooling medium inflow portion and the cooling medium outflow portion and guiding the cooling medium are formed,
The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion for adjusting a flow rate of the cooling medium is formed between the plurality of ribs.

Images