JP3229827B2 - Fuel cell separator - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel cell separator, and more particularly to a fuel cell separator which is easy to manufacture and contains a fuel gas such as hydrogen (hereinafter simply referred to as "fuel gas") and oxygen such as oxygen and air. Gas (hereinafter simply referred to as "oxygen-containing gas") can be uniformly supplied over the entire surface of the electrode,
The present invention relates to a fuel cell separator capable of improving the output efficiency of a fuel cell.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas are reacted through an electrochemical reaction process to generate DC power.
So-called fuel cells have been receiving attention in recent years.

In this fuel cell, as shown in FIG. 6, electrodes 105, 105 are provided on both sides of an electrolyte plate 104, and separators 101, 101 are provided outside the electrodes.
And gas flow paths 101a, 101a are formed on the electrode side of the separators 101, 101, respectively. The fuel gas is supplied to one gas flow path 101a and the oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the other gas flow path 101a. It is configured. In this fuel cell, since the output voltage of the unitary power generation element as shown in FIG. 6 is as low as 1 V or less, a desired output voltage is obtained by stacking a plurality of the unitary power generation elements.

[0004]

In order to improve the output efficiency of the fuel cell, it is necessary to supply the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas uniformly over the entire surface of the electrode. In the fuel cell, the gas flow path 101a composed of a plurality of parallel linear grooves is formed on the electrode side of the separator 102 by cutting one by one by milling. The fuel gas or the oxygen-containing gas is supplied from one end to the other end of 101a, and is discharged from the other end.

For this reason, the conventional fuel cell requires a great deal of trouble in processing the gas flow path 101a of the separator 102.
There is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases. Further, it is difficult to uniformly supply the fuel gas or the oxygen-containing gas to the gas flow path 101a including a plurality of parallel linear grooves,
For this reason, there has been a problem that the output efficiency of the fuel cell is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional fuel cell separator, so that it is easy to manufacture and can supply a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas uniformly over the entire surface of the electrode. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell separator.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, a fuel cell separator according to the present invention relates to a fuel cell in which electrodes are provided on both sides of an electrolyte plate and separators are provided outside the electrodes. A gas flow path is formed in the separator in a spiral shape, and both ends of the gas flow path are provided with a gas inflow path or a gas outflow path that is bored from the outer peripheral side of the separator toward the center side of the separator, and a gas inlet or It is characterized in that they communicate with each other via a gas outlet.

In this fuel cell separator, since the gas flow path is formed in a spiral shape, the gas flow path can be easily and efficiently formed by cutting with a lathe. Further, the inflow of the fuel gas or the oxygen-containing gas into the gas flow path and the discharge from the gas flow path are performed through a gas inflow path and a gas outflow path that are formed from the outer peripheral side of the separator toward the center side of the separator. The fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas can be supplied uniformly over the entire surface of the electrode. Further, the inflow of the fuel gas or the oxygen-containing gas into the gas flow path and the discharge from the gas flow path are performed via a gas inflow path and a gas outflow path that are formed from the outer peripheral side of the separator toward the center of the separator. Therefore, the piping work for supplying the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell and discharging the exhaust gas becomes easy.

In this case, gas flow paths can be formed on both surfaces of the separator.

As a result, an intermediate separator can be manufactured.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the fuel cell separator of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first reference of a fuel cell separator.
Here is an example . The separator 1 is mainly used as a separator of a unitary power generation element or as a separator positioned at both ends when a plurality of unitary power generation elements are stacked.

Although not particularly limited, the separator 1 is formed in a disk-shaped outer shape, and its outer peripheral portion 11 is formed.
Then, a plurality of bolt insertion holes 1H are formed at predetermined intervals.

In the center of the separator 1, gas passages 12 for fuel gas or oxygen-containing gas are formed concentrically at substantially equal intervals. The gas passage 12 can be easily and efficiently formed by cutting with a lathe.

The separator 1 has a gas inflow path 13 and a gas outflow path 14 for supplying a fuel gas or an oxygen-containing gas to a gas flow path 12 and discharging exhaust gas from the outer peripheral surface toward the center of the separator 1. And each gas passage 12 and the gas inflow passage 13 and the gas outflow passage 14 are connected to each gas passage 1
Gas inlet 15 and gas outlet 16 pierced at the bottom of 2
To communicate with each other.

In this embodiment, each gas passage 12 is connected to the gas outlet 16 at a position substantially 180 ° rotated from the position where the gas passage 12 communicates with the gas inflow passage 13 via the gas inlet 15. And a gas inflow port 15 adjacent to each gas flow path 12,
However, the gas flowing from the two gas inlets 15 and 15 respectively flows in the opposite direction, that is, in FIG. 1A, from one of the gas inlets 15. The gas flows clockwise in the gas flow path 12, and the gas flowing in from the other gas
Flows counterclockwise, merges at a position rotated by approximately 180 °, is discharged from the gas outlet 16 through the gas outflow path 14 to the outside of the separator 1, and the fuel gas or the oxygen-containing gas flows into the gas flow path 12. The inflow and the discharge of the exhaust gas from the gas flow path 12 can be performed smoothly.

When the separator 1 is assembled and used as a fuel cell, the electrodes in contact with the surface of the separator 1 are not damaged by the corners of the gas flow channel 12 as shown in FIG. As shown, it is desirable to chamfer at least the corner 12a of the gas flow path 12 at the outermost peripheral position.

A gasket insertion groove 17 is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the gas flow path 12 of the separator 1, and an appropriate gasket (not shown) such as an O-ring is inserted into the gasket insertion groove 17 so that the fuel gas and The oxygen-containing gas is prevented from leaking.

In this embodiment, the separator 1
The inflow path 13 and the gas outflow path 14 are formed from the outer peripheral surface toward the center of the separator 1. However, when a plurality of unit power generation elements are stacked, the inflow path 13 and the gas outflow path 14 are formed. After the installation, the opening on the outer peripheral surface of the separator 1 is closed, and the inflow path 13 and the gas outflow path 14 of the adjacent separator 1 communicate with each other through a through hole (not shown) formed in the outer circumference of the separator 1. Thus, it can be configured to supply the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas and discharge the exhaust gas.

FIG. 2 shows a second reference of the fuel cell separator.
Here is an example . The separator 1 is also mainly used as a separator of a unitary power generation element or as a separator positioned at both ends when a plurality of unitary power generation elements are stacked.

In this embodiment, a partition wall 18 is formed radially in the center of the separator 1 to block a gas flow path 12 of a fuel gas or an oxygen-containing gas which is formed concentrically at substantially equal intervals. In the vicinity of both sides of the above, each gas flow path 12 is connected to the gas inflow path 13 through the gas inlet 15,
The gas outlet 16 communicates with the gas outlet 14 via the gas outlet 16, so that the gas flowing from the gas inlet 15 flows in one direction, that is, in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. The gas is discharged from the gas outlet 16 to the outside of the separator 1 through the gas outlet 14 at a position rotated by about 360 °, and the fuel gas or the oxygen-containing gas flows into the gas passage 12 and the exhaust gas from the gas passage 12. Can be smoothly discharged.

The other structure and operation of the fuel cell separator of the present embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the fuel cell separator of the present invention. The separator 1 is also mainly used as a separator of a unitary power generation element or as a separator positioned at both ends when a plurality of unitary power generation elements are stacked.

In the present embodiment, the gas flow path 12 is formed in a spiral shape, and one end (in the present embodiment, the inner end) of the gas flow path 12 is positioned from the outer peripheral surface of the separator 1 to the center of the separator 1. The gas flow path 13 communicates with the gas inflow path 13 formed through the gas flow path 15 through the gas inflow port 15, and the other end (outer end in this embodiment) of the gas flow path 12 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the separator 1 by the center of the separator 1. The gas flowing out from the gas inlet 15 communicates with the gas outlet 14 formed through the gas inlet 15 through the gas outlet 16. Flows to
The gas is discharged from the gas outlet 16 to the outside of the separator 1 via the gas outflow passage 14, and the inflow of the fuel gas or the oxygen-containing gas into the gas passage 12 and the discharge of the exhaust gas from the gas passage 12 can be smoothly performed. You can do it. The flow direction of the gas is such that the gas flows from the inner end to the outer end of the spirally formed gas flow path 12 as in the present embodiment, and also flows from the outer end to the inner end. You can also.

The spiral gas flow path 12 is also easily and efficiently formed by performing cutting by continuously moving the cutting blade in the radial direction of the separator material while rotating the separator material using a lathe. be able to.

The other structure and operation of the fuel cell separator of this embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a third reference of the fuel cell separator.
Here is an example . This separator 1A is mainly used as a separator located in the middle when a plurality of unit power generation elements are stacked.

In the central portion of the separator 1, gas flow paths 12a, 12a for fuel gas or oxygen-containing gas are provided on both sides thereof.
b are formed concentrically at substantially equal intervals. In this case, for example, the fuel gas is supplied to one gas passage 12a and the oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the other gas passage 12b, and at least the gas passage 1 of the separator 1 for supplying the fuel gas is supplied.
A gasket insertion groove 17 is formed in the outer peripheral portion of 2a, and an appropriate gasket (not shown) such as an O-ring is inserted into the gasket insertion groove 17 to surely prevent fuel gas leakage. .

The fuel gas or oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the gas passages 12a and 12b from the outer peripheral surface of the separator 1 toward the center of the separator 1 and the gas inflow passages 13a and 13b for discharging the exhaust gas are provided. Gas outlet path 14a, 1
4b, the gas flow paths 12a, 12b, the gas inflow paths 13a, 13b, and the gas outflow paths 14a, 14b are formed at the bottom of the gas flow paths 12a, 12b.
5a, 15b and the gas outlets 16a, 16b. The gas inflow path 13a and the gas inflow path 13b and the gas outflow path 14a and the gas outflow path 14b are respectively formed at positions rotated by approximately 90 ° on the outer peripheral surface of the separator 1. The phase difference is
Gas inflow path 13a, gas inflow path 13b, and gas outflow path 1
It can be set arbitrarily within a range in which the gas flow path 4a does not conflict with the gas outflow path 14b.

In this embodiment, each gas flow path 12a,
At a position rotated by approximately 180 ° from a position where the gas passage 12b communicates with the gas inflow passages 13a and 13b via the gas inlets 15a and 15b, the gas flow passages 12a and 12b are connected to the gas outflow passages through the gas outlets 16a and 16b. 14a and 14b, and two gas inlets 15 are provided adjacent to each gas flow path 12, but this allows
Two gas inlets 15a, 15a, 15b, 1 respectively
4b, the gas flowing in the opposite direction, that is, in FIG.
5b flows clockwise through the gas flow paths 12a and 12b, and gas flows from the other gas inlets 15a and 15b flow counterclockwise through the gas flow paths 12a and 12b.
Merges at a position turned by 80 °, the gas outlet 16
a, 16b through the gas outflow passages 14a, 14b, is discharged out of the separator 1A, flows the fuel gas or the oxygen-containing gas into the gas flow passages 12a, 12b and the gas flow passages 12a, 12b.
It is possible to smoothly discharge the exhaust gas from the a and 12b.

The other structure and operation of the fuel cell separator of the present embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment.

Further, the configuration of the fuel cell separator 1 of the present embodiment, in particular, the configuration of the gas flow path 12 and the like may be applied to a separator located in the middle when a plurality of unit power generation elements are stacked. it can.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, a fuel cell 2 is formed by appropriately combining the above-described fuel cell separators 1 and 1A. In this fuel cell 2, electrodes 5 and 5 are arranged on both sides of the electrolyte plate 4 and separators 1A and 1A are arranged on both sides of the electrolyte plate 4. By repeating this operation, a desired output voltage can be obtained. After stacking a plurality of unit power generation elements and arranging separators 1 at both ends,
The whole is fastened and integrated by bolts 3 inserted into bolt insertion holes 1H of separators 1 and 1A.

The supply of the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell 2 and the discharge of the exhaust gas are performed by the separator 1,
A gas supply pipe and a gas discharge pipe (not shown) are connected to the gas inflow paths 13, 13a, 13b and the gas outflow paths 14, 14a, 14b of 1A.

[0035]

According to the fuel cell separator of the present invention, the gas flow path is formed in a spiral shape.
The gas flow path can be easily and efficiently formed by cutting with a lathe, whereby the manufacturing cost of the fuel cell can be reduced. Further, the inflow of the fuel gas or the oxygen-containing gas into the gas flow path and the discharge from the gas flow path are performed through a gas inflow path and a gas outflow path that are formed from the outer peripheral side of the separator toward the center side of the separator. As a result, the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas can be uniformly supplied over the entire surface of the electrode, and the output efficiency of the fuel cell can be improved. Further, the inflow of the fuel gas or the oxygen-containing gas into the gas flow path and the discharge from the gas flow path are performed via a gas inflow path and a gas outflow path that are formed from the outer peripheral side of the separator toward the center of the separator. Therefore, the piping work for supplying the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell and discharging the exhaust gas is facilitated, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in designing, manufacturing, and assembling the fuel cell. Together with this, the manufacturing cost of the fuel cell can be reduced.

Further, by forming gas flow paths on both surfaces of the separator, it is possible to manufacture an intermediate separator.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first reference example of a fuel cell separator ,
(A) is a front view, (B) is a central longitudinal sectional view of (A),
(C) is an enlarged view of a main part of (B).

FIG. 2 shows a second reference example of a fuel cell separator ,
(A) is a front view, (B) is a central longitudinal sectional view of (A).

FIG. 3 is a front view showing one embodiment of the fuel cell separator of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a third reference example of a fuel cell separator ,
(A) is a front view, (B) is a sectional view taken along line AA of (A),
(C) is a sectional view taken along line BB of (A).

FIG. 5 is an external view showing a fuel cell using the fuel cell separator of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional fuel cell.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Separator 1A Separator 11 Outer peripheral part 12 Gas flow path 13 Gas inflow path 14 Gas outflow path 15 Gas inflow port 16 Gas outflow port 17 Gasket insertion groove 18 Partition wall 2 Fuel cell 3 Bolt 4 Electrolyte plate 5 Electrode

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A fuel cell comprising an electrode disposed on both sides of an electrolyte plate and a separator disposed outside thereof, wherein a gas flow path is formed in the separator in a spiral shape, and both ends of the gas flow path are formed. And a gas inflow passage or a gas outflow passage formed from the outer peripheral side of the separator toward the center side of the separator through a gas inlet or a gas outlet, respectively. 2. The fuel cell separator according to claim 1, wherein gas flow paths are formed on both surfaces of the separator.