JP2007311191A - Device and method for evaluating durability of electrolyte membrane - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for evaluating durability of an electrolyte membrane capable of evaluating the durability without applying stress to the electrolyte membrane. <P>SOLUTION: The device for evaluating durability of the electrolyte membrane 110 is equipped with a first gas supply means 10a for supplying first gas formed on one side of the electrolyte membrane 110; a second gas supply means 10b for supplying second gas having a gas component different from that of the first gas formed on the other side of the electrolyte membrane 110; first humidity control means 40a, 41a for controlling the humidity of the first gas; second humidity control means 40b, 41b for controlling the humidity of the second gas; and an electrolyte membrane damage detecting means 51a for detecting damage of the electrolyte membrane 110 by change of gas concentration of at least either one of the first gas and the second gas. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus and an electrolyte membrane durability evaluation method for evaluating the durability of an electrolyte membrane used in a fuel cell or the like.

  A conventional electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus supplies gas with a pressure difference applied to both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane, and detects damage to the electrolyte membrane due to a pressure drop on the high-pressure side (see Patent Document 1).

  That is, a first gas having a predetermined pressure is supplied to one surface of the electrolyte membrane by a supply line, and a second gas having a predetermined pressure lower than the pressure of the first gas is supplied to the other surface of the electrolyte membrane by another supply line. Supply. The first gas and the second gas passing through the branch line are each humidified to a predetermined humidity by a bubbler.

The humidity of the first gas is switched in a predetermined cycle using two valves, and the humidity of the second gas is switched in a predetermined cycle using another two valves. The pressures of the first gas and the first gas supplied to the electrolyte membrane are monitored, damage of the electrolyte membrane is determined based on the measured pressure difference, and the time until the electrolyte membrane is damaged is measured.
JP 2005-166595 A

  The conventional electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus is subject to bending stress on the electrolyte membrane due to the pressure difference on both sides of the electrolyte membrane, and as a result, the damage is accelerated and the degradation factor is combined and evaluated. was there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus and an electrolyte membrane durability evaluation method capable of performing durability evaluation without applying stress to the electrolyte membrane. For the purpose.

  An electrolyte membrane durability evaluation device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is an electrolyte membrane durability evaluation device for evaluating the durability of an electrolyte membrane, wherein a first gas is applied to one surface of the electrolyte membrane. A first gas supply means for supplying; a second gas supply means for supplying a second gas having a composition different from that of the first gas to the other surface of the electrolyte membrane; and a first for controlling the humidity of the first gas. Humidity control means, second humidity control means for controlling the humidity of the second gas, and electrolyte membrane damage detection means for detecting damage of the electrolyte membrane by a change in the gas concentration of the first gas or the second gas. It is characterized by.

  According to the electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus according to the present invention configured as described above, the first gas and the second gas having different compositions by the first gas supply means and the second gas supply means are provided on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane. , And the electrolyte membrane damage detection means detects damage to the electrolyte membrane based on the gas concentration change of the first gas or the second gas, so that durability evaluation can be performed without applying stress to the electrolyte membrane.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration example of a gas supply and discharge piping system of the electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the piping system of the electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a first supply line 10a, a first branch line 12a, a first discharge line 14a for handling a first gas, It is generally composed of a second supply line 10b for handling gas, a second branch line 12b, and a second discharge line 14b. A sample storage container 100 for accommodating the electrolyte membrane 110 is provided between the first supply line 10a and the first discharge line 14a and between the second supply line 10b and the second discharge line 14b. . The first gas and the second gas have different gas compositions (gas species). For example, a reactive gas such as hydrogen (H ₂ ) or oxygen (O ₂ ), or an inert gas such as argon (Ar) is used as the first gas. And the second gas are used in combination so as to have different compositions. The first gas and the second gas are not limited to the exemplified gases.

  The first supply line 10a corresponds to the first gas supply means of the present invention, and in order from the upstream side of the gas supply, the valve 20a, the regulator 22a, the pressure gauge 23a, the mass flow 24a, the flow meter 26a, the heater 28a, and the valve 38a. A humidifier 40a, a valve 42a, a pressure gauge 32a, a dew point meter 34a, and a heat retaining heater 36a are provided. The downstream end of the first supply line 10 a is connected to the inflow side of the first space (first gas chamber) 106 of the sample storage container 100 partitioned by the electrolyte membrane 110.

  The valve 20a opens or closes the valve to supply or shut off the first gas to the first supply line 10a.

  The regulator 22a restricts the gas pressure of the first gas flowing through the first supply line 10a on the downstream side. The pressure gauge 23a measures the pressure of the first gas limited by the regulator 22a.

  The mass flow 24a adjusts the flow rate of the first gas in the first supply line 10a on the downstream side. The flow rate can be arbitrarily set, but a typical flow rate is 1 liter / min. The flow meter 26a measures the flow rate of the first gas adjusted by the mass flow 24a.

  The heater 28a heats the first gas flowing through the first supply line 10a to a predetermined temperature.

  The valve 38a opens and closes the downstream side of the inflow side connection portion of the first branch line 12a. The humidifier (bubbler) 40a corresponds to the humidity control means of the present invention, and humidifies the first gas that has passed through it to a predetermined humidity. The valve 42a opens and closes the upstream side of the outflow side connection portion of the first branch line 12a.

  The valve 38a is always opened during the evaluation of the electrolyte membrane 110, and the inside of the humidifier 40a is in a pressurized state. The first gas that has passed through the humidifier 40a is adjusted to a predetermined humidity. Since the valve 42a can be controlled in opening degree and the inside of the humidifier 40a is always in a pressurized state, the pressure fluctuation of the first supply line 10a due to opening and closing of the valve 42a is suppressed, and the first gas with a stable pressure is sampled. The first space 106 of the storage container 100 can be supplied.

  The first branch line 12a has an inflow side connection portion branched and connected upstream of the valve 38a, and an outflow side connection portion joined and connected downstream of the valve 42a, and flows through the first supply line 10a. The first gas can be bypassed to the first branch line 12a.

  The first branch line 12a corresponds to a part of the first gas supply means of the present invention, and is provided with a valve 39a, a humidifier 41a, and a valve 43a in order from the upstream side of the first gas flow.

  The valve 39a opens and closes the upstream side of the humidifier 41a in the first branch line 12a. The humidifier (bubbler) 41a corresponds to the humidity control means of the present invention, and humidifies the first gas that has passed through it to a predetermined humidity. The valve 43a opens and closes the downstream side of the humidifier 41a of the first branch line 12a.

  The valve 39a is always opened during the evaluation of the electrolyte membrane 110, and the inside of the humidifier 41a is in a pressurized state. The first gas that has passed through the humidifier 41a is adjusted to a predetermined humidity. Since the opening degree of the valve 43a can be controlled and the inside of the humidifier 41a is always in a pressurized state, pressure fluctuations in the first supply line 10a and the first branch line 12a are suppressed by opening and closing the valve 43a, and the pressure is stable. The first gas thus supplied can be supplied to the first space 106 of the sample storage container 100.

  The first gas humidified through the first branch line 12a merges with the first gas flowing through the first supply line 10a on the downstream side of the valve 42a. Thus, after humidifying the 1st gas branched from the 1st supply line 10a to predetermined humidity, it is made to join the 1st supply line 10a, and the branch point of the 1st supply line 10a and the 1st branch line 12a is made. Since the pipe resistance can be made uniform on the upstream side and the downstream side of the junction of the first supply line 10a and the first branch line 12a, the flow rate fluctuation of the first gas is suppressed.

  In the piping system for handling the first gas of the present embodiment, a humidifier 40a interposed in the first supply line 10a and a humidifier 41a interposed in the first branch line 12a are provided as humidity control means. Since the valve 38a is interposed upstream of the humidifier 40a and the valve 39a is interposed upstream of the humidifier 41a, the humidity control means can be controlled to be switched. Therefore, the humidity of the first gas can be arbitrarily adjusted by mixing the first gas humidified to different humidity by the humidifier 40a and the humidifier 41a, and the durability with an arbitrary humidity difference pattern set. A test can be performed.

  Further, by completely removing water introduced to humidify the first gas passing through the humidifier 40a or 41a as the humidity control means, the supply gas is supplied from the first supply line 10a or the first branch line 12a. Is directly introduced without being humidified by a humidifier, and therefore, when a cylinder gas is used as a supply gas, an endurance test using a gas having a low dew point as much as possible can be performed.

  The pressure gauge 32a and the dew point meter 34a measure the pressure and the dew point in the first supply line 10a on the downstream side of the valve 38a.

  The heat retaining heater 36 a keeps the first supply line 10 a at a predetermined temperature and adjusts the temperature and humidity of the first gas supplied to the first space 106 of the sample storage container 100.

  One end of the first discharge line 14a is connected to the outflow side of the first space 106 of the sample storage container 100, and the other end is connected to, for example, an exhaust port of the experimental building. The gas is discharged from the first space 106 of the sample storage container 100 via the discharge line 14a.

  The first discharge line 14a is provided with a heat retaining heater 50a, a water separator 52a, a gas concentration meter 51, and a back pressure regulator 54a in order from the upstream side of the gas flow.

  The heat retaining heater 50a heats the first discharge line 14a to a predetermined temperature. Thereby, the dew condensation in the 1st discharge line 14a is prevented, and water clogging can be prevented.

  The water separator 52a removes moisture contained in the gas by cooling the gas flowing through the first discharge line 14a.

  The gas concentration meter 51a corresponds to the electrolyte membrane damage detection means of the present invention, and the gas concentration used in the test from hydrogen, oxygen, inert gas, etc. in the gas component from which water has been removed by the water separator 52a. To detect.

  The back pressure regulator 54a keeps the pressure of the entire upstream side of the pipe at a predetermined pressure value. Although the gas pressure is arbitrary, not only is the operation performed with the pressures of both supply lines 10a and 10b being equal, but, for example, the pressure of the gas flowing through the first supply line 10a is 200 kPa, and the gas flowing through the second supply line 10b It is also possible to carry out a test in which the pressure of 100 kPa and the differential pressure are combined.

  The second supply line 10b corresponds to the second gas supply means of the present invention, has the same piping configuration as the first supply line 10a, and in order from the upstream side of the gas supply, the valve 20b, the regulator 22b, A pressure gauge 23b, a mass flow 24b, a flow meter 26b, a heater 28b, a valve 38b, a humidifier 40b, a valve 42b, a pressure gauge 32b, a dew point meter 34b, and a heat retaining heater 36b are provided. The downstream end of the second supply line 10 b is connected to the inflow side of the second space (second gas chamber) 108 of the sample storage container 100 partitioned by the electrolyte membrane 110. In addition, since the function of each apparatus interposed in the 2nd supply line 10b has the same function as the corresponding apparatus interposed in the said 1st supply line 10a, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The second branch line 12b has the same piping configuration as the first branch line 12a, and its inflow side connection portion is branched and connected upstream of the valve 38b, and its outflow side connection portion is downstream of the valve 42b. The second gas flowing through the second supply line 10b can be bypassed to the second branch line 12b. The second branch line 12b corresponds to a part of the second gas supply means of the present invention, and is provided with a valve 39b, a humidifier 41b, and a valve 43b in order from the upstream side of the second gas flow. In addition, since the function of each apparatus interposed in the 2nd branch line 12b has the same function as the corresponding apparatus interposed in the said 1st branch line 12a, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The second discharge line 14b differs from the first discharge line 14a in that the gas concentration meter 51a is not provided, and one end is connected to the outflow side of the second space 108 of the sample storage container 100, and the other. The end is connected, for example, to the exhaust port of the laboratory building. The gas is discharged from the first space 108 of the sample storage container 100 via the discharge line 14b. The second discharge line 14b is provided with a heat retaining heater 50b, a water separator 52b, and a back pressure regulator 54b in order from the upstream side of the gas flow. The function of each device interposed in the second discharge line 14b has the same function as the corresponding device (excluding the gas concentration meter 51a) interposed in the first discharge line 14a. Omitted.

  In the piping system handling the second gas of the present embodiment, a humidifier 40b interposed in the second supply line 10b and a humidifier 41b interposed in the second branch line 12b are provided as humidity control means. Since the valve 38b is interposed upstream of the humidifier 40b and the valve 39b is interposed upstream of the humidifier 41b, the humidity control means can be switched. Therefore, the humidity of the first gas can be arbitrarily adjusted by mixing the first gas humidified to different humidity by the humidifier 40a and the humidifier 41a, and the durability with an arbitrary humidity difference pattern set. A test can be performed.

  Further, the water supplied from the humidifier 40b or 41b as the humidity control means to humidify the first gas passing through is completely removed, and then supplied from the second supply line 10b or the second branch line 12b. Since the gas is directly introduced without being humidified by the humidifier, when the cylinder gas is used as the supply gas, an endurance test using a gas having a low dew point as much as possible can be performed.

  Thus, according to the electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus of the present embodiment, a plurality of humidity control means are provided for either the first gas or the second gas, or both. Can be set.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the sample storage container 100, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

  The sample storage container 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The sample storage container 100 includes a case 102 and a case 104. The case 102 is connected to the first supply line 10a and the first discharge line 14a, and the case 104 is connected to the second supply line 10b and the second discharge line 14b. Each of the cases 102 and 104 is provided with one or a plurality of gas flow paths in a concave box.

  The electrolyte membrane 110 is arranged so as to partition a space defined between the cases 102 and 104 in a state where both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 110 are sandwiched by the seal member 112. The cases 102 and 104 are separated by a plurality of fastening members 112. Fastened and joined. As a result, the first space (first gas chamber) 106 partitioned by the electrolyte membrane 110 inside the case 102 and the second space (second gas chamber) 108 partitioned by the electrolyte membrane 110 inside the case 104 are formed. Is done. The electrolyte membrane 110 is not limited to a well-known composition such as a fluorine-based electrolyte membrane and a hydrocarbon-based electrolyte membrane, and may be a newly developed product.

  As an example of a combination of a supply gas and a detection system for detecting electrolyte membrane damage, for example, an inert gas is supplied to the first supply line 10a, and a reactive gas such as hydrogen or oxygen is supplied to the second supply line 10b. For example, a gas concentration meter 51a capable of detecting the reaction gas in the second supply line 10b may be installed in the first discharge line 14a. In this way, by using either the first gas or the second gas as an inert gas, it is possible to prevent the compounding with the chemical deterioration of the electrolyte membrane due to the gas species.

  It is desirable that the gas concentration meter (gas concentration sensor) 51a can detect a concentration on the order of several ppm, and can detect a concentration on the order of ppb for detection of electrolyte membrane damage at an earlier stage. The initial state of gas permeation of the electrolyte membrane 110 is grasped in advance by the gas concentration meter 51a, and the damage state of the electrolyte membrane 110 is determined by detecting the change (increase) in the concentration. As described above, by adopting a gas concentration sensor for detecting the gas concentration of a reactive gas such as hydrogen or oxygen or an inert gas as a means for detecting electrolyte membrane damage, the gas used in actual solid polymer fuel cell operation An evaluation test can be performed.

  Further, in the sample storage container 100, when gases having different humidity are flowed across the electrolyte membrane 110, a water vapor sensor is used as the electrolyte membrane damage detection means, and the water vapor that permeates the electrolyte membrane 110 and the electrolyte membrane 110 are damaged. It is possible to distinguish from an increase in water vapor. If the water vapor sensor is employed as the electrolyte membrane damage detection means as described above, the deterioration of the electrolyte membrane can be detected by the difference between the set humidity between the electrolyte membranes and the actual water vapor measurement value regardless of the gas type.

  Thus, according to the electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus of the present embodiment, the electrolyte membrane 110 is accommodated in the sample storage container 100, and the first space 106 in which the inside of the container 100 faces one surface of the electrolyte membrane 110, The second space 108 facing the other surface of the electrolyte membrane 110 is partitioned, the first gas is supplied to the first space 106 by the first supply line 10a, and the second supply line 10b is supplied to the second space 108. To supply the second gas. Therefore, a predetermined gas flow is realized in the sealed space by providing the electrolyte membrane damage detection means (gas concentration meter 51a) in the discharge line 14a, 14b of either the first space 106 or the second space 108, or both. Endurance test.

  According to the electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus according to the first embodiment configured as described above, the first gas having a different composition between the first supply line 10a and the second supply line 10b is formed on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 110. The electrolyte membrane damage detecting means (gas concentration meter 51a) interposed in the first discharge line 14a detects the damage of the electrolyte membrane 110 due to the gas concentration change of the first gas. Durability evaluation can be performed without applying stress to the film.

  Next, an electrolyte membrane durability evaluation method according to the present invention, which is performed using the electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus configured as described above, will be described. That is, the method for evaluating the durability of an electrolyte membrane according to the present invention provides a first space (first gas chamber) 106 facing one surface of the electrolyte membrane 110 accommodated in the sample storage container 100 as humidity control means. The first gas whose humidity is controlled by the humidifiers 40a and 41a is supplied through the first supply line 10a, and in the second space (second gas chamber) 108 facing the other surface of the electrolyte membrane 110 as humidity control means. The second gas whose humidity is controlled by the humidifiers 40b and 41b is supplied through the second supply line 10b, and damage to the electrolyte membrane 110 is detected by a change in the gas concentration of at least one of the first gas and the second gas. In the present embodiment, as described above, the change in the gas concentration of the first gas is detected by the gas concentration meter 51a as the electrolyte membrane damage detection means.

  Further, the opening control of the valves 42a, 43a, 42b and 43b in the electrolyte membrane durability evaluation method according to the present invention will be specifically described.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of opening control of the valve 42a and the valve 43a.

  1 and 4, valve 42b and valve 43b are controlled in synchronization with valve 42a and valve 43a, respectively, or valve 42b and valve 43b are controlled in synchronization with valve 43a and valve 42a, respectively. Therefore, description of the opening degree about the valve 42b and the valve 43b is omitted, and the opening degree of the valve 42a and the valve 43a will be described. By changing the synchronized valves, the wet state on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 110 that may occur during operation can be controlled arbitrarily, and for example, evaluation tests can be performed even under conditions such as double-sided wet or single-sided dry single-sided wet. Here, a case where water is not introduced into the humidifier 40a and the first gas passing through the humidifier 40a is introduced without being humidified will be described.

  First, in the initial state t0 (measurement start time), the valve 42a is opened and the valve 43a is closed.

  At time t1, the valve 43a is opened while the valve 42a is opened. As a result, the humidified gas joins the first supply line 10a on the upstream side of the valve 42a, and the humidity of the gas supplied to the sample storage container 100 increases.

  At time t2, the valve 42a is closed. Thereby, the gas supplied to the sample storage container 100 is only the humidified gas.

  At time t3, the valve 42a is opened while the valve 43a remains open. Thereby, a dry gas is sent to the 1st supply line 10a of the valve | bulb 42a, and the humidity of the gas supplied to the sample storage container 100 reduces.

  At time t4, the valve 43a is closed. Thereby, the gas supplied to the sample storage container 100 is only dry gas.

  After t5, a cycle of drying and humidification occurs by repeating the operation from t1 to t4. Thereby, the impact at the time of valve | bulb switching is reduced, and the pulsation change of the flow volume or pressure of the gas supplied to the sample storage container 100 can be suppressed.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the opening degree of the valve 42a and the valve 43a is proportionally controlled.

  Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, in the case of transition from the dry state to the humidified state (t1 to t2), the valve 43a is gradually opened between t1 and t1 ′, and the valve 42a is t1 ′ to t2. Closed gradually.

  Conversely, when the humidified state is shifted to the dry state (t3 to t4), the valve 42a is gradually opened between t3 and t3 ′, and the valve 43a is gradually closed between t1 ′ and t2. The The duration of the dry state or the humidified state is arbitrary, but a few minutes to 6 hours are preferable when the operating state of the fuel cell is assumed. Thereby, the impact at the time of valve switching is more effectively reduced, and the pulsation change in the flow rate or pressure of the gas supplied to the sample storage container 100 can be suppressed.

  The opening degree control of the valve 42a and the valve 43a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be operated in a predetermined cycle by a dedicated sequential controller, for example. In addition, the electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus of the present embodiment may be provided with a separate control unit that comprehensively controls the opening / closing operations of the valves 42a, 43a, 42b, and 43b.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a gas supply and discharge piping system of the electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus of the second embodiment.

  The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configurations of the first supply line 10a and the first branch line 12a, the second supply line 10b, the second branch line 12b, and the second discharge line 12b are the same as those in the first embodiment. The arrangement of the gas concentration meter 51 is different in one discharge line 14a.

  In the second embodiment, on the first space 106 side of the sample storage container 100, a gas concentration meter (gas concentration sensor) is provided as an electrolyte membrane damage detection means in each of a plurality of gas flow paths (detection ports) arranged in parallel in the gas flow direction. ) 51a is installed. Thus, by providing the electrolyte membrane damage detection means in either the first space 106 or the second space 108, or both, it is possible to realize a predetermined gas flow in the sealed space and perform a durability test.

  The electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus of the second embodiment has basically the same operational effects as the electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus of the first embodiment, but in the second embodiment, a plurality of gas concentrations are provided. By installing the total 51 in parallel in the gas flow direction, it is possible to identify and grasp the damaged location of the electrolyte membrane 110 in the gas flow direction.

  Alternatively, even when one sensor is installed in a gas flow path (detection port) arranged in parallel, damage to the electrolyte membrane 110 for each gas flow path can be detected. Thus, when gas is sampled from a plurality of detection ports for a single sensor, efficiency can be improved by simplifying the sensor. In such a configuration, when the electrolyte membrane damage detection means detects damage to the electrolyte membrane 110, it is preferable to change the sample order. Thereby, the use timing of a sensor can be made efficient.

  The present invention can be used, for example, as an apparatus for testing the durability of a fuel cell.

It is the schematic which shows the structural example of the piping system of the gas supply of the electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and discharge | emission. It is a perspective view of a sample storage container. It is sectional drawing along the AA line of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of opening degree control of the valve | bulb 42a and the valve | bulb 43a. It is explanatory drawing which shows a mode in the case of performing proportional control of the opening degree of the valve | bulb 42a and the valve | bulb 43a. It is the schematic which shows the structural example of the piping system of the gas supply of the electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and discharge | emission.

Explanation of symbols

10a 1st gas supply means (1st supply line),
10b Second gas supply means (second supply line),
12a first branch line,
12b second branch line,
14a first discharge line,
14b second discharge line,
38a, 39a, 42a, 43a valve,
38b, 39b, 42b, 43b valve,
40a, 41a first humidity control means (humidifier),
40b, 41b second humidity control means (humidifier),
51a Electrolyte membrane damage detection means,
100 containment vessel,
106 1st space 108 2nd space 110 Electrolyte membrane.

Claims (12)

An electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus for evaluating the durability of an electrolyte membrane,
A first gas supply means for supplying a first gas to one surface of the electrolyte membrane;
A second gas supply means for supplying a second gas having a composition different from that of the first gas to the other surface of the electrolyte membrane;
First humidity control means for controlling the humidity of the first gas;
Second humidity control means for controlling the humidity of the second gas;
An electrolyte membrane damage detecting means for detecting damage of the electrolyte membrane by a change in gas concentration of at least one of the first gas and the second gas;
An electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus comprising:   2. The electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein either the first gas or the second gas is an inert gas.   3. The electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of humidity control means for either or both of the first gas and the second gas. 4.   4. The electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of humidity control means includes means for directly introducing a supply gas.   5. The electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the humidity control means can be switched to any one of the plurality of humidity control means. The electrolyte membrane is accommodated in a storage container, and in the container, a space facing one surface of the electrolyte membrane and a space facing the other surface of the electrolyte membrane are partitioned and formed.
6. The first gas is supplied to one space by the first gas supply means, and the second gas is supplied to the other space by the second gas supply means. The electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus according to any one of the above.   The electrolyte membrane damage detection means is provided in either or both of the one space or the other space, or in the gas exhaust system of either or both of the one space or the other space. The electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein:   The said electrolyte membrane damage detection means samples gas from the several detection port which introduces said 1st gas or 2nd gas with respect to one electrolyte membrane damage detection means. The electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus according to any one of 7.   9. The electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the electrolyte membrane damage detection means detects damage to the electrolyte membrane, the sampling order in the plurality of detection ports is changed.   The electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electrolyte membrane damage detecting means is a gas concentration sensor of a reactive gas or an inert gas.   The electrolyte membrane durability evaluation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electrolyte membrane damage detection means is a water vapor sensor. An electrolyte membrane durability evaluation method for evaluating the durability of an electrolyte membrane,
While supplying a first gas with controlled humidity to one surface of the electrolyte membrane,
A second gas having a different composition from the first gas whose humidity is controlled is supplied to the other surface of the electrolyte membrane;
An electrolyte membrane durability evaluation method, wherein damage to the electrolyte membrane is detected by a change in gas concentration of at least one of the first gas and the second gas.

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