JP4681411B2 - Fuel cell system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a polymer electrolyte fuel cell and a flat membrane humidifier provided with a water permeable membrane for humidifying one reaction gas supplied to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell with a humidified fluid. The present invention relates to a fuel cell system to be stacked.

  In general, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell has a power generation cell in which an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure in which an anode side electrode and a cathode side electrode are arranged on both sides of an electrolyte membrane made of a polymer ion exchange membrane is sandwiched by separators. I have. This type of fuel cell is normally used as a fuel cell stack by stacking a predetermined number of power generation cells.

  In the fuel cell described above, it is necessary to maintain the electrolyte membrane in an appropriate wet state in order to exhibit an effective power generation function. For this reason, a humidifier that humidifies fuel gas and oxidant gas in advance through water is prepared, and the humidified fuel gas and oxidant gas are supplied to the fuel cell by connecting the humidifier to the fuel cell. The supply configuration is known.

  For example, the fuel cell stack disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured by assembling a power generation unit 1 and a humidification unit 2 in the stacking direction as shown in FIG. While the power generation unit 1 stacks a plurality of cells 1a, the humidification unit 2 includes a hydrogen gas humidifier 2a that humidifies hydrogen gas and an oxygen-containing gas humidifier 2b that humidifies oxygen-containing gas (air).

  The hydrogen gas humidifier 2a has hydrogen gas flow paths 4a and water flow paths 4b formed on both sides of the porous membrane 3a, and the oxygen-containing gas humidifier 2b has oxygen gas flow paths 4c and c on both sides of the porous membrane 3b. A water channel 4d is formed. A cooling water flow path (not shown) of each cell 1a is supplied with cooling water from a water passage 5a via a pump 5, and a water passage 5b is connected to the cooling water outlet side of the cell 1a. The water passage 5b communicates with the water flow paths 4b and 4d of the humidifying unit 2.

  Hydrogen gas is sent from the hydrogen gas passage 6a through the blower 6 to the hydrogen gas passage 4a of the humidifying unit 2, and each cell is connected to the outlet side of the hydrogen gas passage 4a through the hydrogen gas passage 6b. A hydrogen gas flow path (not shown) 1a communicates. Air is sent from the oxygen gas passage 7a to the oxygen gas passage 4c of the humidifying unit 2 via the blower 7, while each cell 1a is connected to the outlet side of the oxygen gas passage 4c via the oxygen gas passage 7b. These oxygen gas flow paths (not shown) communicate with each other.

JP-A-8-138704 (FIG. 1)

  By the way, in the fuel cell stack described above, if the fuel cell stack is configured by an external manifold type in which the water passages 5a and 5b, the hydrogen gas passages 6a and 6b, and the oxygen gas passages 7a and 7b are provided outside the stack, In addition to being complicated, there is a problem that pressure loss increases in the bent pipe.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to configure an internal manifold type fuel cell stack in which hydrogen gas communication holes and oxidant gas communication holes are formed inside the power generation unit 1 and the humidification unit 2. However, in particular, there is a problem in that the sealing structure for sealing hydrogen gas, air and cooling water to each other in the humidifying unit 2 is considerably complicated.

  The present invention solves this type of problem, and provides a fuel cell system capable of effectively simplifying the sealing structure in a flat membrane humidifier and reducing pressure loss with a simple configuration. The purpose is to do.

In the present invention, an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with electrodes on both sides of an electrolyte membrane and a separator are stacked, and a fuel gas and an oxidant gas which are reaction gases are supplied, and a solid to which a cooling medium is supplied and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a reactant gas hand that will be supplied to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and a flat membrane-type humidifier providing water permeable membrane to humidify the humidified fluid, are stacked in the stacking direction It is a fuel cell system. The first and second end plates are disposed at both ends of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and one end side of the flat membrane humidifier is stacked on the second end plate, and the flat membrane humidifier A third end plate is disposed on the other end side, and the flat membrane humidifier includes a water permeable membrane, a first separator disposed on one surface of the water permeable membrane, and the other of the water permeable membrane. And a piping member that flows at least one of the other reaction gas and the cooling medium passes through the water permeable membrane, the first separator, and the second separator in the stacking direction. Then, the second end plate to the third end plate are integrally inserted.

Further, the humidified fluid is exhaust gas of one reaction gas or the other reaction gas discharged from the polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and moisture in the exhaust gas permeates the water permeable membrane to remove the one reaction gas. It is preferable to humidify.

  In the present invention, since the piping member is inserted into the flat membrane humidifier in the stacking direction, a sealing structure for sealing the other reaction gas, which is fuel gas or oxidant gas, or the cooling medium is unnecessary. Become. Therefore, the sealing structure of the entire flat membrane humidifier is effectively simplified and the sealing performance can be easily improved.

  In addition, the insertion of the piping member does not cause a lateral shift or the like in the entire flat membrane humidifier, and the strength can be improved. Furthermore, since the inside of the piping member is smoothly formed without a step, the pressure loss is reduced well.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the fuel cell system 10.

  The fuel cell system 10 is mounted on a fuel cell vehicle such as an automobile, for example, and is configured by stacking a polymer electrolyte fuel cell 12 and a flat membrane humidifier 14 in the stacking direction (arrow A direction). The In the fuel cell 12, a plurality of power generation cells 16 are stacked in the direction of arrow A, and terminal plates 17a and 17b and insulating plates 19a and 19b are interposed at both ends in the stacking direction to form first and second end plates 18a and 18b. Be placed.

  The humidifier 14 is directly laminated on the second end plate 18b. The third end plate 18c constituting the humidifier 14 is fastened to the first end plate 18a in the stacking direction by a plurality of fastening bolts 21 with the second end plate 18b interposed (see FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the power generation cell 16 includes an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20 in which an anode side electrode 20b and a cathode side electrode 20c are arranged on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20a, and the electrolyte membrane / A pair of metal or carbon separators 22 and 24 sandwiching the electrode structure 20 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an oxidation for supplying an oxidant gas, for example, an oxygen-containing gas, communicates with each other in the arrow A direction at one end edge in the long side direction (arrow B direction) of the power generation cell 16. An agent gas supply communication hole 26a, a cooling medium supply communication hole 28a for supplying a cooling medium, and a fuel gas discharge communication hole 30b for discharging a fuel gas, for example, a hydrogen-containing gas, are provided.

  The other end edge in the long side direction of the power generation cell 16 communicates with each other in the direction of the arrow A, the fuel gas supply communication hole 30a for supplying fuel gas, and the cooling medium discharge communication hole for discharging the cooling medium. 28b, and an oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b for discharging the oxidant gas.

  On the surface of the separator 22 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20, a fuel gas flow path 32 that connects the fuel gas supply communication hole 30 a and the fuel gas discharge communication hole 30 b is formed. A cooling medium flow path 34 that connects the cooling medium supply communication hole 28 a and the cooling medium discharge communication hole 28 b is formed on the opposite surface of the separator 22.

  An oxidant gas flow path 36 communicating with the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a and the oxidant gas discharge communication hole 26b is provided on the surface of the separator 24 facing the electrolyte membrane / electrode structure 20. On the opposite surface of the separator 24, a cooling medium flow path 34 is integrally formed so as to overlap the separator 22.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the humidifier 14 includes a first separator 42 disposed on one surface 40 a of the water permeable membrane 40 and a first separator 40 disposed on the other surface 40 b of the water permeable membrane 40. 2 separators 44. The first and second separators 42 and 44 are alternately stacked in the direction of arrow A with the water permeable membrane 40 interposed therebetween to form a stacked body 46. The first and second separators 42 and 44 are configured by forming a metal plate into a wave shape. Note that the first and second separators 42 and 44 may be configured by, for example, machining a carbon plate.

  At one end edge of the laminated body 46 in the direction of arrow B, air inlet communication holes 48a that supply air before reaction (one reaction gas) that pass through each other in the direction of arrow A, and humidified air before reaction. Are formed in the direction of arrow C.

  The other end edge of the laminated body 46 in the direction of arrow B communicates with each other in the direction of arrow A, the air off gas inlet communication hole 50a to which air off gas is supplied, and the air off gas after humidifying the air before the reaction Are arranged in the direction of arrow C.

  A fuel gas inlet communication hole 51a is provided above the air off-gas outlet communication hole 50b of the stacked body 46 so as to overlap the fuel gas supply communication hole 30a in the stacking direction, and below the air inlet communication hole 48a of the stacked body 46. The fuel gas discharge communication hole 30b is provided so as to overlap the fuel gas discharge communication hole 30b in the stacking direction.

  The first separator 42 communicates with the air inlet communication hole 48a and the air outlet communication hole 48b on the first surface 42a side facing the one surface 40a of the water permeable membrane 40, and is bent or curved in a substantially U shape. A first flow path 52 having a plurality of grooves is provided.

  On the second surface 42b side opposite to the first surface 42a of the first separator 42, a second flow having a plurality of substantially U-shaped grooves that communicate the air inlet communication hole 48a and the air outlet communication hole 48b. A path 54 is provided. The second flow path 54 is formed alternately with the first flow path 52, and has a wave shape as a whole (see FIG. 5).

  The second separator 44 has a plurality of substantially U-shaped grooves communicating the air off gas inlet communication hole 50a and the air off gas outlet communication hole 50b on the surface 44a side facing the other surface 40b of the water permeable membrane 40. Three flow paths 56 are provided.

  The second separator 44 has, on the surface 44b opposite to the surface 44a, a fourth flow path 58 having a plurality of substantially U-shaped grooves that communicate the air off gas inlet communication hole 50a and the air off gas outlet communication hole 50b. Provide. The fourth flow paths 58 are alternately arranged with the third flow paths 56.

  Piping members 60a and 60b are inserted through the fuel gas inlet communication hole 51a and the fuel off gas outlet communication hole 51b of the humidifier 14 so as to penetrate in the stacking direction. As shown in FIG.4 and FIG.6, the piping members 60a and 60b are formed with the metal, for example, and the flange parts 62a and 62b are formed in an edge part.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the piping members 60a and 60b are press-fitted, bonded or welded to the second end plate 18b, and are sealed in the axial direction by the sealing members 64a and 64b. The piping members 60a and 60b may be formed of resin, and in this case, the piping members 60a and 60b may be integrated into the second end plate 18b by press-fitting, adhesion, welding, or injection molding. When the pipe members 60a and 60b are integrated with the second end plate 18b, only the seal member 64a may be used. A manifold may be attached to the third end plate 18c.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell system 10 includes an oxidant gas supply system 70 and a fuel gas supply system 72 provided on the humidifier 14 side, and a cooling medium supply system 74 provided on the fuel cell 12 side.

  The oxidant gas supply system 70 is connected to the third end plate 18c through an air supply passage 76 for supplying air to the air inlet communication hole 48a of the humidifier 14, and an air off-gas outlet communication hole 50b of the humidifier 14. An air discharge channel 78 for exhausting the discharged air off gas to the outside is provided. The air supply channel 76 is provided with a supercharger (or pump) 80 for compressing and supplying air.

  The fuel gas supply system 72 includes a hydrogen supply channel 82 for supplying hydrogen gas to the fuel cell 12 via the piping member 60a, and unused hydrogen gas discharged from the fuel cell 12 via the piping member 60b. And a hydrogen circulation channel 84 for returning the exhaust gas containing the gas to the fuel cell 12 by returning it to the hydrogen supply channel 82.

  The hydrogen supply passage 82 is supplied with a hydrogen tank 86 for storing high-pressure hydrogen, a regulator 88 for reducing the pressure of the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen tank 86, and supplying the reduced hydrogen gas to the fuel cell 12. In addition, an ejector 90 is provided for sucking exhaust gas from the hydrogen circulation channel 84 and returning it to the fuel cell 12.

  The cooling medium supply system 74 is connected to the first end plate 18a and supplies a cooling medium to the cooling medium supply communication hole 28a of the fuel cell 12, and a cooling medium discharge of the fuel cell 12. A cooling medium circulation passage 96 for returning the cooling medium discharged from the communication hole 28b to the cooling medium tank 94, and a pump 98 for circulating the cooling medium in the cooling medium tank 94 are provided.

  The operation of the fuel cell system 10 configured as described above will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen tank 86 to the hydrogen supply channel 82 is depressurized to a predetermined pressure via the regulator 88 and then passes through the ejector 90 to the fuel gas inlet of the humidifier 14. It is sent to the communication hole 51a. A piping member 60a is inserted into the fuel gas inlet communication hole 51a, and hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel gas supply communication hole 30a of the fuel cell 12 through the piping member 60a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the hydrogen gas moves in the direction of arrow B along the fuel gas flow path 32 that constitutes each power generation cell 16 and is supplied to the anode side electrode 20b, and then the fuel containing unused hydrogen. The off gas is discharged into the fuel gas discharge communication hole 30b. The fuel off gas passes through the inside of the piping member 60b inserted in the fuel off gas outlet communication hole 51b of the humidifier 14, and is discharged to the hydrogen circulation passage 84. Further, the fuel off-gas is returned to the hydrogen supply channel 82 under the suction action of the ejector 90 and then supplied again to the fuel cell 12 as fuel gas.

  On the other hand, air is supplied to the air supply channel 76 via the supercharger 80. This air is supplied from the third end plate 18c to the air inlet communication hole 48a of the stacked body 46 constituting the humidifier 14.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the humidifier 14, the 1st and 2nd flow paths 52 and 54 of the 1st separator 42 are connected to the air inlet communication hole 48a. The air introduced into the air inlet communication hole 48 a moves along the substantially U-shaped first and second flow paths 52 and 54. The air flowing through the first flow path 52 contacts one surface 40 a of the water permeable membrane 40, and the air moving along the second flow path 54 is the other surface 40 b of the other water permeable membrane 40. (Refer to FIG. 5).

  In the humidifier 14, air off gas, which has been reacted air used for power generation of the fuel cell 12, is supplied to the air off gas inlet communication hole 50 a. The air off gas is introduced into the third and fourth flow paths 56 and 58 that communicate with the air off gas inlet communication hole 50 a of the second separator 44. The air off-gas moving along the third flow path 56 contacts the other surface 40b of the water permeable membrane 40, while the air off-gas moving along the fourth flow path 58 is one of the other water permeable membranes 40. In contact with the surface 40a (see FIG. 5).

  Therefore, the moisture in the air off-gas that moves along the third flow path 56 of the second separator 44 is supplied to the pre-reaction air that passes through the water-permeable membrane 40 and moves along the first flow path 52. This air is humidified. Further, the pre-reaction air that moves along the second flow path 54 is humidified by moisture in the air off-gas that moves along the fourth flow path 58. The humidified air is supplied to the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26 a of the fuel cell 12 from the air outlet communication hole 48 b communicating with the first and second flow paths 52 and 54.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the humidified air is supplied to the cathode-side electrode 20 c by flowing through the oxidant gas flow path 36 formed in the separator 24 of each power generation cell 16. As described above, the air off gas containing unused air is used for the humidification process in the humidifier 14 and then discharged to the air off gas outlet communication hole 50b. Thereby, in each power generation cell 16, the hydrogen supplied to the anode side electrode 20b and the oxygen in the air supplied to the cathode side electrode 20c react to generate power.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in the cooling medium supply system 74, the cooling medium in the cooling medium tank 94 is transferred from the cooling medium supply flow path 92 to the cooling medium supply communication hole 28 a of the fuel cell 12 under the action of the pump 98. Supplied. As shown in FIG. 3, the cooling medium passes through the cooling medium flow path 34 formed between the separators 22 and 24, cools each power generation cell 16, and then flows through the cooling medium discharge communication hole 28b. It is discharged to the path 96 and returned to the cooling medium tank 94.

  In this case, in the first embodiment, the fuel cell 12 and the humidifier 14 are stacked in the stacking direction, and the fuel gas inlet communication hole 51a and the fuel off-gas outlet communication hole 51b formed in the humidifier 14 are provided in the first embodiment. The pipe members 60a and 60b are inserted through the stacking direction (see FIG. 6).

  For this reason, in the humidifier 14, for example, it is not necessary to cover the fuel gas inlet communication hole 51a and the fuel off gas outlet communication hole 51b in the first and second separators 42 and 44, and a seal member is not used. The seal structure can be effectively simplified and the sealing performance can be improved.

  Moreover, since the piping members 60a and 60b are inserted through the fuel gas inlet communication hole 51a and the fuel off gas outlet communication hole 51b formed in the humidifier 14 so as to penetrate in the stacking direction, there is a lateral shift or the like in the entire humidifier 14. The strength of the humidifier 14 can be improved without causing it. In particular, in the fuel cell system 10 mounted on a vehicle, vibrations and inertial force act on the fuel cell 12, so that the lateral displacement can be effectively prevented by the piping members 60a and 60b.

  Furthermore, the piping members 60a and 60b have no step and have an inner wall surface that is smoothly formed, so that there is an advantage that the pressure loss of hydrogen gas is reduced well.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration explanatory view of a fuel cell system 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a partially exploded perspective explanatory view of the fuel cell system 100.

  The same components as those of the fuel cell system 10 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. Similarly, in the third to sixth embodiments described below, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The fuel cell system 100 includes a flat membrane humidifier 102. The humidifier 102 includes a first separator 106 disposed on one surface 104 a of the water permeable membrane 104 and a second separator 108 disposed on the other surface 104 b of the water permeable membrane 104. .

  The first and second separators 106 and 108 are alternately stacked in the direction of arrow A with the water permeable membrane 104 interposed therebetween to constitute the stacked body 110. The stacked body 110 is provided below the air outlet communication hole 48b, is provided with a cooling medium inlet communication hole 112a that overlaps with the cooling medium supply communication hole 28a of the fuel cell 12 in the stacking direction, and an air off-gas inlet communication hole 50a. A cooling medium outlet communication hole 112b is provided so as to overlap the cooling medium discharge communication hole 28b of the fuel cell 12 in the stacking direction.

  Piping members 60c and 60d are inserted through the cooling medium inlet communication hole 112a and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 112b of the humidifier 102 so as to penetrate in the stacking direction. The piping members 60c and 60d are configured in the same manner as the piping members 60a and 60b. As shown in FIG. 7, the fuel cell system 100 includes an oxidant gas supply system 70, a fuel gas supply system 72, and a cooling medium supply system 74 on the humidifier 102 side.

  In the second embodiment, air, which is an oxidant gas, hydrogen gas, which is a fuel gas, and a cooling medium are circulated in the humidifier 102 to supply the fuel cell 12 with the air, the hydrogen gas, and the cooling medium. It is configured to do. At that time, hydrogen gas and fuel off-gas that are not used in the humidification process by the humidifier 102 pass through the piping members 60a and 60b, and the cooling medium similarly passes through the piping members 60c and 60d.

  Therefore, there is no need for a sealing structure for sealing the cooling medium in addition to hydrogen, so that the sealing structure of the entire humidifier 102 is effectively simplified and the sealing performance can be improved. And since the four piping members 60a-60d penetrate and are inserted in the humidifier 102, the effect similar to 1st Embodiment, such as the improvement of the intensity | strength of the said humidifier 102, can be aimed at. can get.

  Further, in the fuel cell system 100, all pipes (pipe for entering and exiting hydrogen gas, air, and cooling medium) are collected on one side of the stack, that is, on the third end plate 18c side. For this reason, the piping work is further simplified, and an integrated piping structure can be adopted.

  FIG. 9 is a partially exploded perspective view of a fuel cell system 120 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The fuel cell system 120 is configured by stacking a fuel cell 12 and a flat membrane humidifier 122 in the stacking direction. The humidifier 122 humidifies the hydrogen gas before use with air off-gas, and includes a first separator 126 disposed on one surface 124a of the water permeable membrane 124 and the other of the water permeable membrane 124. A second separator 128 disposed on the surface 124b is provided, and a plurality of these are laminated to form a laminated body 130.

  An air outlet communication hole 48b, an air off gas outlet communication hole 50b, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 51a, and a fuel off gas outlet communication hole 51b are formed at one edge of the laminated body 130 in the arrow B direction. A fuel gas outlet communication hole 51c and an air off gas inlet communication hole 50a are formed at the other end edge of the laminated body 130 in the arrow B direction.

  First and second flow paths 132, which are serpentine flow paths that communicate with the fuel gas inlet communication hole 51a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 51c on both surfaces of the first separator 126 and are folded back and forth in the direction of arrow B by one and a half times, 134 is provided. Third and fourth flow paths 136, which are serpentine flow paths that communicate with the air off gas inlet communication hole 50a and the air off gas outlet communication hole 50b on both sides of the second separator 128, and are folded back and forth halfway in the direction of arrow B, 138 is provided.

  The piping member 60b is inserted through the fuel off-gas outlet communication hole 51b in the stacking direction, and the piping member 60e is inserted through the air outlet communication hole 48b through the stacking direction.

  In the third embodiment configured as described above, the hydrogen gas supplied to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 51a of the humidifier 122 is supplied from the first and second flow paths 132 provided on both surfaces of the first separator 126, While flowing along the air 134, the air off gas discharged into the air off gas inlet communication hole 50 a flows along the third and fourth flow paths 136 and 138 provided on both surfaces of the second separator 128.

  For this reason, the moisture in the air off-gas is sent to the hydrogen gas that passes through the water-permeable membrane 124 and moves along the first and second flow paths 132 and 134, and the humidified hydrogen gas becomes the fuel cell 12. The fuel gas supply communication hole 30a is supplied. At that time, air before the reaction that is not used for the humidification process in the humidifier 122 is supplied to the oxidant gas supply communication hole 26a of the fuel cell 12 through the piping member 60e, while the fuel off-gas that is not used for the humidification process is Then, it is discharged from the humidifier 122 through the piping member 60b. Thereby, in 3rd Embodiment, the effect similar to 1st and 2nd embodiment is acquired.

  FIG. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view of a fuel cell system 140 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The fuel cell system 140 includes a flat membrane humidifier 142 that is stacked on the fuel cell 12 in the stacking direction. Similarly to the second embodiment, the humidifier 142 is provided with a supply system for hydrogen gas, air, and a cooling medium on the humidifier 142 side, and is the same as the second embodiment and the third embodiment. Components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The humidifier 142 includes first and second separators 146 and 148 arranged with the water permeable membrane 144 interposed therebetween. The first separator 146 is provided with first and second flow paths 132 and 134 that are serpentine flow paths, and the second separator 148 is similarly provided with third and fourth flow paths 136 that are serpentine flow paths. 138 is provided. The water permeable membrane 144 and the first and second separators 146 and 148 are laminated to constitute the laminated body 150.

  In the laminate 150, piping members 60e, 60c, 60b, and 60d are inserted through the air outlet communication hole 48b, the cooling medium inlet communication hole 112a, the fuel off-gas outlet communication hole 51b, and the cooling medium outlet communication hole 112b in the stacking direction. The

  In the fourth embodiment configured as described above, the hydrogen gas before the reaction is humidified by the moisture in the air off gas, while the air, the cooling medium, and the fuel off gas before the reaction that are not used for the humidification treatment are the piping member. It moves through 60d-60e. For this reason, these seal structures are unnecessary, and the same effects as those in the first to third embodiments can be obtained.

  FIG. 11 is a partially exploded perspective view of a fuel cell system 160 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  The fuel cell system 160 includes a humidifier 162. The humidifier 162 performs water exchange between the hydrogen gas and the fuel off gas, and the first and second separators 166 and 168 are disposed with the water permeable membrane 164 interposed therebetween, and these are stacked. Thus, the laminate 170 is configured.

  An air outlet communication hole 48b, a fuel off gas outlet communication hole 51b, and a fuel off gas inlet communication hole 51d are provided at one edge of the laminated body 170 in the arrow B direction. A fuel gas outlet communication hole 51c, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 51a, and an air off-gas outlet communication hole 50b are provided at the other end edge of the laminated body 170 in the arrow B direction.

  On both surfaces of the first separator 166, there are formed first and second flow paths 172 and 174 that communicate with the fuel gas inlet communication hole 51a and the fuel gas outlet communication hole 51c and are curved in a substantially U shape. On both surfaces of the second separator 168, third and fourth flow paths 176 and 178 are formed that communicate with the fuel off gas inlet communication hole 51d and the fuel off gas outlet communication hole 51b and are curved in a substantially U shape. Piping members 60e and 60f are inserted through the air outlet communication hole 48b and the air off gas outlet communication hole 50b in the stacking direction.

  In the fifth embodiment configured as described above, the hydrogen gas supplied to the fuel gas inlet communication hole 51 a of the humidifier 162 is supplied along the first and second flow paths 172 and 174 of the first separator 166. On the other hand, the fuel offgas discharged from the fuel cell 12 to the fuel offgas inlet communication hole 51 d moves along the third and fourth flow paths 176 and 178 of the second separator 168.

  For this reason, the water in the fuel off-gas passes through the water permeable membrane 164 and is supplied to the hydrogen gas, and the humidified hydrogen gas is supplied to the fuel cell 12 from the fuel gas outlet communication hole 51c. At that time, the air before the reaction is supplied to the fuel cell 12 through the piping member 60e, and the air off-gas is discharged outside the humidifier 162 through the piping member 60f. Therefore, there is an effect that a dedicated seal structure is not required for the air outlet communication hole 48b and the air off gas outlet communication hole 50b.

  FIG. 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of a fuel cell system 180 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  The fuel cell system 180 employs a configuration that combines the second and fifth embodiments, and includes a humidifier 182. The humidifier 182 includes first and second separators 186 and 188 disposed with a water permeable membrane 184 interposed therebetween, and these are stacked to form a stacked body 190.

  An air outlet communication hole 48b, a fuel off gas outlet communication hole 51b, a cooling medium inlet communication hole 122a, and a fuel off gas inlet communication hole 51d are provided at one end edge in the arrow B direction of the laminate 190. A fuel gas outlet communication hole 51c, a cooling medium outlet communication hole 112b, a fuel gas inlet communication hole 51a, and an air off-gas outlet communication hole 50b are provided at the other end edge of the laminate 190 in the arrow B direction.

  Piping members 60e, 60c, 60d, and 60f are inserted through the air outlet communication hole 48b, the cooling medium inlet communication hole 112a, the cooling medium outlet communication hole 112b, and the air off-gas outlet communication hole 50b in the stacking direction.

  In the first and second embodiments, a structure in which air before reaction is humidified by air off-gas is adopted, and in the second, third and fourth embodiments, hydrogen gas before reaction is humidified by air off-gas. Further, in the fifth and sixth embodiments, the structure in which the hydrogen gas before the reaction is humidified by the fuel off gas is employed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a structure in which air before reaction is humidified by a fuel off gas may be employed, and the shape of the flow path is not limited to a substantially U shape or serpentine, and various shapes can be employed. For example, when pure water is used as the cooling medium, the hydrogen gas and / or air before the reaction may be humidified by the cooling medium.

1 is an explanatory diagram of a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic perspective explanatory view of the fuel cell system. It is a principal part disassembled perspective view of the electric power generation cell which comprises the said fuel cell system. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the fuel cell system. FIG. It is a partial cross section explanatory view of the humidifier which constitutes the fuel cell system. It is a partial sectional view explaining a piping member of the fuel cell system. It is a schematic structure explanatory drawing of the fuel cell system concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the fuel cell system. FIG. It is a partially exploded perspective view of a fuel cell system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a partially exploded perspective view of a fuel cell system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a partially exploded perspective view of a fuel cell system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. It is a partially exploded perspective view of a fuel cell system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a schematic configuration explanatory diagram of a fuel cell stack of Patent Document 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180 ... Fuel cell system 12 ... Fuel cell 14, 102, 122, 142, 162, 182 ... Humidifier 16 ... Power generation cell 18a-18c ... End plate 20a ... Solid polymer electrolyte membrane 20b ... anode side electrode 20c ... cathode side electrode 22, 24, 42, 44, 106, 108, 126, 128, 146, 148, 166, 168, 186, 188 ... separator 26a ... oxidant gas supply communication hole 26b ... oxidation Agent gas discharge communication hole 28a ... Cooling medium supply communication hole 28b ... Cooling medium discharge communication hole 30a ... Fuel gas supply communication hole 30b ... Fuel gas discharge communication hole 32 ... Fuel gas flow channel 34 ... Cooling medium flow channel 36 ... Oxidant gas Channels 40, 104, 124, 144, 164, 184 ... water permeable membranes 46, 110, 130, 150, 17 190 ... Laminated body 48a ... Air inlet communication hole 48b ... Air outlet communication hole 50a ... Air off gas inlet communication hole 50b ... Air off gas outlet communication hole 51a ... Fuel gas inlet communication hole 51b ... Fuel off gas outlet communication hole 51c ... Fuel gas outlet Communication hole 51d ... Fuel off gas inlet communication holes 52, 54, 56, 58, 132, 134, 136, 138, 172, 174, 176, 178 ... Flow paths 60a-60f ... Piping members 70 ... Oxidant gas supply system 72 ... Fuel gas supply system 74 ... Cooling medium supply system 112a ... Cooling medium inlet communication hole 112b ... Cooling medium outlet communication hole

Claims (3)

Solid polymer fuel in which an electrolyte membrane / electrode structure provided with electrodes on both sides of an electrolyte membrane and a separator are stacked, and fuel gas and oxidant gas as reaction gases are supplied and a cooling medium is supplied a battery, a reaction gas of hand that will be supplied to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and a flat membrane-type humidifier providing water permeable membrane to humidify the humidified fluid, the fuel cell system to be stacked in the stacking direction There,
First and second end plates are disposed at both ends of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell,
One end side of the flat membrane humidifier is stacked on the second end plate, and a third end plate is disposed on the other end side of the flat membrane humidifier,
The flat membrane humidifier includes a water permeable membrane, a first separator disposed on one surface of the water permeable membrane, and a second separator disposed on the other surface of the water permeable membrane. ,
A piping member that flows at least one of the other reaction gas or the cooling medium passes through the water permeable membrane, the first separator, and the second separator in the stacking direction, and extends from the second end plate to the third end plate. A fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system is integrally inserted. In claim 1 Symbol placement of the fuel cell system, wherein the humidified fluid is exhaust gas of said one reaction gas discharged from the polymer electrolyte fuel cell,
A fuel cell system characterized in that moisture in the exhaust gas permeates the water permeable membrane and humidifies the one reaction gas. 2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the humidified fluid is an exhaust gas of the other reaction gas discharged from the polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
A fuel cell system characterized in that moisture in the exhaust gas permeates the water permeable membrane and humidifies the one reaction gas.

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