JPH1012262A - Solid high polymer electrolyte fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a solid high polymer electrolyte fuel cell by which a waterdrop is not generated in reaction gas even in a process of passing through into a low temperature pressurizing plate. SOLUTION: A heating system 5 is composed of a heating part 51 which has a cylindrical external shape which uses a copper material and has almost the same thickness dimension as a main body part of a pressurizing plate 2 and a cylindrical cavity part 291 inside of it and is installed in the main body part of the pressurizing plate 2 provided in a solid high polymer electrolyte fuel cell (a stack) and a copper material-made gas flowing part 292 which airtightly blocks up the cavity part 291 from inside and in which a through hole 292a to flow oxidizing agent gas 98 is formed in a central part. A heating medium 99 whose temperature is raised by cooling a laminated body of a unit fuel cell provided in the stack, is supplied to the cavity part 291 through a flowing passage 41 to flow the heating medium 99 provided in an electric insulating plate 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell and, more particularly, to a structure improved to prevent condensation of water vapor contained in a fuel gas or an oxidizing gas.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A fuel cell is a kind of power generator that generates DC power using hydrogen and oxygen. As is well known, a fuel cell is converted into electric energy as compared with other energy engines. High efficiency and low emissions of air pollutants such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides
It is expected as a so-called clean energy source. Depending on the type of electrolyte used, this fuel cell may be a solid polymer electrolyte type, a phosphoric acid type, a molten carbonate type,
Various fuel cells such as a solid oxide fuel cell are known.

Among these fuel cells, a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell shows low resistivity when a polymer resin membrane having a proton (hydrogen ion) exchange group in a molecule is saturated with water, and exhibits a low resistivity. This is a fuel cell utilizing the function as a conductive electrolyte. The polymer resin membrane having a proton exchange group in the molecule (hereinafter, may be abbreviated as a solid polymer electrolyte membrane or simply a PE membrane) may be used.
At present, a fluorine-based ion exchange resin membrane represented by a fluorosulfonic acid resin membrane (for example, trade name: Nafion membrane manufactured by DuPont, USA) is famous. A film or the like is used.
These solid polymer electrolyte membranes (PE membranes) exhibit a resistivity of 20 [Ω · cm] or less at room temperature by being saturated with water, and all are membranes that function as proton conductive electrolytes. .

First, a unit fuel cell provided in a conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view seen from the upper side of a main part schematically showing a unit fuel cell included in a conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell in a developed state.
12 is a perspective view schematically showing the unit fuel cell shown in FIG. 10 in a developed state, and FIG. 12 is a view of a separator included in the unit fuel cell as viewed from the direction of arrow P in FIG.

In FIG. 10 to FIG. 12, reference numeral 8 denotes a unit fuel cell (hereinafter referred to as a unit cell) comprising a fuel cell 7 and separators 81 and 82 disposed opposite to both main surfaces thereof. (May be abbreviated). The fuel cell 7 includes a sheet-like solid polymer electrolyte membrane 7C,
Sheet-shaped fuel electrode membrane (also an anode electrode) 7A
And a sheet-like oxidant electrode film (also a cathode electrode)
7B, and generates DC power by an electrochemical reaction described later. The PE film described above is used for the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 7C. The PE film 7C has a thickness of 0.1
It has a thickness dimension of about [mm] and an outer dimension in the plane direction larger than the outer dimension in the plane direction of the electrode films 7A and 7B.
An exposed surface of the PE film 7C exists between the end of the film 7C.

The fuel electrode film 7A is closely stacked on one main surface of the PE film 7C, and is a fuel gas described later (for example, hydrogen or a gas containing a high concentration of hydrogen).
This is an electrode film receiving the supply of 97. Further, the oxidant electrode film 7B is closely stacked on the other main surface of the PE film 7C, and an oxidant gas (for example, air) 98 described later.
Is an electrode film that receives the supply of. The outer surface of the fuel electrode film 7A is one side surface 7a of the fuel cell 7, and the outer surface of the oxidant electrode film 7B is the other side surface 7b of the fuel cell 7.
It is. Each of the fuel electrode film 7A and the oxidant electrode film 7B is provided with a catalyst layer containing a catalyst active material and an electrode base material. It is common to make them adhere. The electrode substrate supports the catalyst layer and reacts with the reaction gas (hereinafter, the fuel gas and the oxidant gas are sometimes collectively referred to as such).
Supply and discharge, and also have a function as a current collector porous sheet (for example, as a material used, for example,
Carbon paper is used. ). The catalyst layer is
In many cases, the catalyst is formed from a fine particulate platinum catalyst and a fluororesin having water repellency. It is designed so that contact is possible by area.

When the reactant gas is supplied to the fuel electrode film 7A and the oxidant electrode film 7B, a gas phase (fuel gas) is formed at the interface between the catalyst layer provided on each of the electrode films 7A and 7B and the PE film 7C. Or oxidant gas), liquid phase (solid polymer electrolyte),
A three-phase interface of a solid phase (a catalyst of the fuel electrode film and the oxidant electrode film) is formed, and a DC power is generated by causing an electrochemical reaction. In many cases, the catalyst layer is formed of a fine particulate platinum catalyst and a water-repellent fluororesin, and by forming a large number of pores in the layer, It is configured to maintain efficient diffusion of the reaction gas to the three-phase interface and to form a sufficiently large three-phase interface.

At the three-phase interface, the following electrochemical reaction occurs. First, a reaction according to equation (1) occurs on the fuel electrode film 7A side.

[0009]

Embedded image H ₂ → 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻ (1) Further, a reaction according to the formula (2) occurs on the oxidant electrode film 7B side.

[0010]

(1/2) O ₂ + 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻ H ₂ O (2) That is, as a result of this reaction, H ⁺ ions (protons) generated in the fuel electrode film 7A are transferred to the PE film 7C. Move toward the oxidant electrode film 7B, and the electrons (e ⁻ ) move to the oxidant electrode film 7B through a load (not shown) of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. On the other hand, in the oxidant electrode film 7B, the oxygen contained in the oxidant gas 98 and the PE film 7C
The H ⁺ ions moving through the inside from the fuel electrode film 7A react with the electrons moving through a load device (not shown) to generate H ₂ O (water vapor). Thus, the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell obtains hydrogen and oxygen to generate DC power, thereby generating H ₂ O (water vapor) as a by-product.

In many cases, the thickness of the fuel cell 7 having the above function is about 1 mm or less, and in the fuel cell 7, the PE film 7C is composed of the fuel gas 97 and the oxidant. This also serves as a sealing film for preventing mixing with the gas 98. By the way, the through hole 71 formed on the exposed surface of the PE film 7C
Are through holes 815A provided in the separator 81,
816A and the through holes 825A and 826A provided in the separator 82.
This hole forms a part of the reaction gas passage. Similarly, the through-hole 72 formed on the exposed surface of the PE film 7C includes through-holes 813B and 814B provided in the separator 81 and a through-hole 823 provided in the separator 82.
B, 824B, and a hole which forms a part of a flow path of a heat medium 99 described later.

The separator 81 and the separator 82
Supplies the reaction gas to the fuel cell 7, takes out the DC power generated in the fuel cell 7 from the fuel cell 7, and generates the DC power in the fuel cell 7 in association with the generation of the DC power. It serves to remove heat from the fuel cell 7. The separator 81 has a side surface 81.
a is in close contact with the side surface 7 a of the fuel cell 7, and the separator 82 is disposed such that the side surface 82 a is in close contact with the side surface 7 b of the fuel cell 7 so as to sandwich the fuel cell 7. Both the separators 81 and 82 do not allow gas to permeate, have good thermal conductivity and good electrical conductivity, and do not pollute the generated water (for example, a carbon-based material or a metal material). Are used.).

Each of the separators 81 and 82 is provided with a gas flow groove as a means for supplying a reaction gas to the fuel cell 7. That is, the separator 81
Are formed on the side face 81a of the fuel cell unit 7 in contact with the side face 7a, through which the fuel gas 97 flows, and at the same time, four concave grooves are provided at intervals to discharge the fuel gas 97 containing unconsumed hydrogen. Grooves (grooves for gas flow) 811A and convex partition walls 812A interposed between the grooves 811A are formed alternately. Four separators 82 are provided on the side surface 82 a of the fuel cell unit 7 in contact with the side surface 7 b so that the oxidizing gas 98 can flow therethrough and at intervals for discharging the oxidizing gas 98 containing unconsumed oxygen. Recessed groove (groove for gas flow) 821A and this groove 821A
Protruding partition walls 822A interposed therebetween are alternately formed. The tops of the convex partitions 812A and 822A are formed so as to be flush with the side surfaces 81a and 82a of the separators 81 and 82, respectively.

At both ends of each groove 821A of the separator 82, these grooves 821A are connected to the grooves 824A, 824A in parallel with each other. This groove 824
A and 824A have a pair of through holes 825A and 825 that open on the side surface 82b opposite to the side surface 82a.
A is formed. The separator 82 has a pair of through holes 826A, 8B connecting the side surfaces 82a and 82b.
26A has a pair of through holes 825 as shown in FIG.
A and 825A are formed at portions that are in a cross-positional relationship with each other. The groove 821A, the groove 824A, and the through-hole 825A constitute a gas passage for passing the oxidizing gas 98 in the separator 82. The separator 81 also has through holes 815A, 815A and through holes 816A, 816A.

That is, both ends of each of the grooves 811A of the separator 81 are arranged in parallel with each other to form the grooves 824A and 824 of the separator 82.
It communicates with a groove having the same shape as A. 815A through hole,
815A is a side surface 8 opposite to the side surface 81a from an end of the groove (a groove having the same shape as the groove 824A).
1b side. Through holes 816A, 816A
Connects the side surface 81a and the side surface 81b to form the separator 8
In a positional relationship similar to the relationship between the through hole 825A and the through hole 826A in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 11, the pair of through holes 815A, 815A are formed at portions that cross each other. The groove 811A, the above-described groove (a groove having the same shape as that of the groove 824A), and the through hole 815A constitute a gas passage for allowing the fuel gas 97 in the separator 81 to flow.

Further, reference numeral 73 denotes a gas seal body (for example, an O-ring) made of an elastic material serving to prevent the above-described reaction gas flowing through the gas passage from leaking out of the gas passage. ). The gas seal body 73 is formed in the grooves having the same shape as the grooves 811A and 824A of the separators 81 and 82, and the concave grooves 819 and 829 formed on the periphery of the portion where the grooves 821A and 824A are formed. It is stored and mounted. Although not shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the oxidizing gas 98 leaks out of the gas flow passage from this portion around the opening of the through hole 825 </ b> A of the separator 82 to the side surface 82 b. Gas seals made of elastic material that serve to prevent
O-ring. ) Are formed in a concave groove 827A (see FIG. 14 described later). As in the case of the through hole 825A, the through hole 826A of the separator 82 and the opening to the side surface 82a of the through hole 826A surround the opening of the through hole 826A to the side surface 82a. , 81
6A, each opening to the side surface 81b and the through hole 81
A gas seal body (for example, an O-ring) made of an elastic material and serving to prevent the reaction gas from leaking out of the gas flow passage from this portion around the opening of the side surface 81a of the 6A. A concave groove for storing is formed.

The separators 81 and 82 are provided with grooves through which a heat medium 99 flows as a heat exchange section for removing heat generated in the fuel cell 7 from the fuel cell 7. That is, the separator 82 is
On the b side, two concave grooves (grooves for flowing the heat medium) 821B through which the heat medium 99 flows are formed. Each groove 82
At both ends of 1B, a pair of through holes 823B and 824B that are open to the side surface 82a are formed. The groove 821B and the through-holes 823B, 824B constitute a heat exchanging part for allowing the heat medium 99 in the separator 82 to flow. Similarly to the separator 82, the separator 81 is provided with two concave grooves (grooves for flowing the heat medium) 811B through which the heat medium 99 flows, on the side surface 81b side. Each groove 8
At both ends of 11B, a pair of through holes 813B and 814B opening to the side surface 81a are formed. Groove 811B,
The through holes 813B and 814B constitute a heat exchange unit that allows the heat medium 99 in the separator 81 to flow.

On the side surface 81b of the separator 81 and the side surface 82b of the separator 82, concave grooves 818B and 828B are formed surrounding the grooves 811B and 821B, respectively. These concave grooves are provided with a sealing member made of an elastic material (for example, O 2) for preventing the heat medium 99 from leaking.
It is a ring. ) Is stored. In addition,
Although not shown, the through holes 813B and 814B of the separator 81 surround the respective openings of the side surface 81a, and the through holes 82 of the separator 82.
A sealing member made of an elastic material (for example, an O-ring) that serves to prevent the heat medium 99 from leaking out of this portion to the outside of the heat exchange portion around the respective openings of the side surfaces 82a of the 3B and 824B. .) Are formed.

The voltage generated by one fuel cell 7 is:
Since the voltage is as low as about 1 [V] or less, a plurality (often several tens to several hundreds) of the cells 8 having the above-described configuration are used to generate a voltage of the fuel cell 7 mutually. In general, the unit fuel cell is configured as a stacked body of unit fuel cells stacked so as to be connected in series, and is put to practical use with an increased voltage. FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a main part schematically showing a conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and FIG. 13 (a) is a side view thereof.
(B) is a top view thereof. FIG. 14 is a detailed sectional view of a portion Q in FIG. FIG. 15 is an explanatory view illustrating a flow path of a reaction gas supplied to the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell shown in FIG. 13, and FIG. 16 is a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a flow path of a heat medium given to the device. 13 to FIG.
As for the reference numerals given in FIG. 0 to FIG. 12, only representative reference numerals are described.

In FIGS. 13 to 16, reference numeral 9 denotes a unit cell 8 formed by stacking a plurality of unit cells 8 (in FIG. 13, the case where the number of unit cells 8 is eight). Polymer electrolyte fuel cell (hereinafter referred to as
It may be abbreviated as a stack. ). Stack 9
Are current collector plates 91, 91 made of a conductive material such as a copper material for extracting the DC power generated in the cell 8 from the stack 9 at both ends of the stacked body of the cell 8; Electric insulating plates 92, 92 made of an electric insulating material for electrically insulating the electric plate 91 from the structure, and a metal pressing plate made of a metal material such as an iron material disposed on both outer side surfaces of the electric insulating plates 92. 93 and 94 are sequentially laminated. Then, the pressing plates 93, 94
An appropriate pressing force is applied from the outer surface side by a plurality of tightening bolts 95.

In the unit cells 8 adjacent to each other, the through-hole 815A formed in the separator 81 and the separator 82
The through hole 826A formed in the
The through-hole 816A formed in the first and the through-hole 825A formed in the separator 82 are formed so that their opening portions match each other. As shown in FIG. 14, the current collector plate 91, the electric insulating plate 92, and the pressurizing plate 93 are provided at portions facing the through holes 825A and 826A on one side of the separator 82, as shown in FIG. Through holes 911, 9
21 and a through hole 931 in which a female pipe thread is formed. Although not shown, the current collector plate 91, the electric insulating plate 92, and the pressing plate 94 are also not shown in the portions facing the other through holes 815 A and 816 A provided in the separator 81. A similar through-hole and a through-hole similar to the through-hole 931 in which the female pipe thread is formed are formed.

Thus, when a plurality of unit cells 8 are stacked, the gas passages for the fuel gas 97 possessed by all the unit cells 8 form gas passages which are connected to each other. ing. The same applies to the gas passage for the oxidizing gas 98. Then, in the through hole 931 in which the female pipe thread corresponding to the through hole 825A is formed on the side surface of the pressing plate 93 which is the outer side surface of the stack 9, a pipe having a male pipe thread for the oxidizing gas 98 is provided. Connection 981
However, a pipe connector 971 provided with a male pipe thread for the fuel gas 97 is mounted in the through hole 931 formed with a female pipe thread corresponding to the through hole 826A. The opening of the through hole 911 on one side of the current collector plate 91 and the opening of the through hole 921 on one side of the electric insulating plate 92 surround the respective through holes and have a concave groove. 9
12,922 are formed. In each of the grooves 827A, 912, and 922, a sealing member (for example, an O-ring) 982 made of an elastic material serving to prevent the oxidizing gas 98 from leaking out of these portions. (See FIG. 14). In addition, the pipe connector 97
The reaction gas leakage prevention processing for the portion where 1,981 is mounted is performed in the same manner as the known gas body leakage prevention processing employed in general plumbing work.

Further, the other through hole 8 provided in the separator 81 of the current collecting plate 91, the electric insulating plate 92, and the pressing plate 94.
15A, 816A, and through holes similar to the through holes 911, 921, 931 are also provided in the current collector plate 9.
1, through holes and grooves (not shown) are formed as in the case of the electric insulating plate 92 and the pressing plate 93. The pressing plate 94
A pipe connector 971 for the fuel gas 97 and a pipe connector 981 for the oxidizing gas 98 are mounted in respective through holes on the outer side surface of the stack 9.

In the unit cells 8 adjacent to each other,
A through hole 813B formed in the separator 81 and a through hole 823B formed in the separator 82, and a through hole 814B formed in the separator 81 and the separator 82
The through-hole 824B is formed in such a manner that its opening portions match each other. Further, in the portions of the current collector plate 91, the electric insulating plate 92, and the pressing plate 93 facing the respective through holes 824B provided in the separator 82, there are formed through holes and through holes 931 (not shown) having the same shape as the through holes 824B. A through-hole (not shown) formed with a similar female pipe thread is formed. Further, each of the opening of the through hole on one side of the current collector plate 91 and the opening of the through hole on one side of the electric insulating plate 92 surround the through hole as in the case of the oxidizing gas 98. A concave groove is formed.
Each of the grooves is provided with an unillustrated seal member (for example, an O-ring) made of an elastic material, which serves to prevent the heat medium 99 from leaking out of these portions to the outside of the heat exchange section. I have. Furthermore, seal members (not shown) are also mounted in the respective grooves 828B formed in the separator 82.

Then, the current collecting plate 91, the electric insulating plate 92,
A through-hole (not shown) having the same shape as the through-hole 813B and a female pipe thread similar to the through-hole 931 is also formed at a portion of the pressure plate 94 facing each through-hole 813B of the separator 81. Holes are respectively formed. Further, the opening of the through hole on one side of the current collector plate 91 and the opening of the through hole on one side of the electrical insulating plate 92 are respectively provided in the same manner as in the case of the oxidizing gas 98,
A concave groove is formed around the through hole. Each of the grooves is provided with an unillustrated seal member (for example, an O-ring) made of an elastic material, which serves to prevent the heat medium 99 from leaking out of these portions to the outside of the heat exchange section. I have. Furthermore, seal members (not shown) are also mounted in the respective grooves 818B formed in the separator 81. Pipe connecting bodies 991 for the heat medium 99 are respectively mounted on the side surfaces of the through holes formed in the pressurizing plates 93 and 94 in which the female pipe threads are formed, which are the outer surfaces of the stack 9. It should be noted that the process for preventing the heat medium 99 from leaking at the portion where the pipe connector 991 is attached is also performed by the pipe connector 97.
The processing is performed in the same manner as in the case of 1,981.

Thus, a plurality of single cells 8
When the cells are stacked, the flow paths of the reaction gas and the heating medium 99 of the unit cells 8 and the like are as shown in FIG. 15 for the reaction gas and as shown in FIG. Therefore, they are configured to communicate with each other. That is, the fuel gas 97 is supplied from a pipe connection body 971 (denoted as “inlet” in FIGS. 13 and 15) mounted on the pressurizing plate 94 and is collected through the pipe connection body 971 and the like. One of the grooves formed in the separator 81 of the cell 8 adjacent to the plate 91 (the groove 824A in the case of the separator 82)
The groove has the same shape as that of the groove. First). And then
One groove (the groove 8 in the case of the separator 82) of each unit cell 8 is provided through one through hole 815A, 826A or the like.
The groove has the same shape as 24A. ), And flows through the inside of the pressure plate 93 through the other through holes 815A and 826A.
Are discharged from the stack 9 from a pipe connector 971 (denoted as “outlet” in FIGS. 13 and 15) attached to the stack 9. The oxidizing gas 98 is supplied to a pipe connecting member 981 (“inlet” in FIGS. 13 and 15) mounted on the pressure plate 93.
It has been added. ), And first flows into one groove 824A formed in the separator 82 of the unit cell 8 adjacent to the current collector plate 91 via the pipe connector 981 or the like. Then, the current flows in one groove 824A of each unit cell 8 via one through hole 825A, 816A, etc., and is attached to the pressure plate 94 via the other through hole 816A, 825A, etc. Pipe connection 981 (FIG. 1)
3, "Exit" is added in FIG. ) Is discharged out of the stack 9.

Further, the heat medium 99 is supplied from a pipe connector 991 (denoted as "inlet" in FIGS. 13 and 16) mounted on the pressurizing plate 93, and is passed through the pipe connector 991 and the like. First, it flows into one of the grooves 821B formed in the separator 82 of the unit cell 8 adjacent to the current collector plate 91. Then, the flow is divided and flows through one of the grooves 811B and 821B of each unit cell 8 through the through holes 813B and 823B, and the pipe attached to the pressurizing plate 94 through the through holes 814B and 824B. The connection body 991 once flows out of the stack 9. The heat medium 99 that has flowed out flows through the pipe 992 and is attached to the pressurizing plate 94, and the through-hole 82.
From the pipe connector 991 connected to 4B, it flows into the stack 9 again. The heat medium 99 first flows into the other groove 811B formed in the separator 81 of the unit cell 8 adjacent to the current collector plate 91. Then, the through hole 814
B, 824B, and flows through the other grooves 811B, 821B of the respective cells 8 through the through holes 813B.
B, 823B and the like, and are discharged out of the stack 9 from a pipe connector 991 (denoted as “outlet” in FIGS. 13 and 16) attached to the pressurizing plate 93.

The tightening bolts 95 are hexagonal bolts or the like mounted over the pressing plates 93 and 94. Each of the tightening bolts 95 is provided with a hexagonal nut or the like fitted with the bolts and a stable pressing force. The unit cells 8 are pressed in the stacking direction in cooperation with a coned disc spring or the like. The pressure applied by the tightening bolt 95 to the unit cell 8 is generally about 5 [kg / cm ² ] per apparent surface area of the fuel cell 7.

In the stack 9 configured as described above, the reaction gas supplied to the fuel cell 7 is supplied to the gas flow grooves 8 formed in the respective separators 81 and 82.
11A and 821A, as shown by arrows in FIGS. 13 (a) and 15, the supply side is located above the gravity direction and the discharge side is located below the gravity direction. It is generally done. This is because, as described above, in the fuel cell 7, steam is generated as a by-product during power generation. However, due to this steam, the downstream reaction gas contains a larger amount of steam, As a result, in the reaction gas near the discharge end, water vapor corresponding to supersaturation may condense and exist as water in a liquid state. By arranging the supply side of the reaction gas on the upper side with respect to the direction of gravity and the discharge side of the reaction gas on the lower side with respect to the direction of gravity, the condensed water is supplied to the reaction gas flow grooves 811A and 821A. Since it can flow down by gravity by itself, it is easy to remove condensed water from each cell 8. In addition, the reaction gas is supplied in parallel for each of the plurality of unit cells 8.

The PE membrane 7C used in the fuel cell 7 is a membrane that functions as a good proton conductive electrolyte by being saturated with water as described above. When the electric resistance decreases, the power generation performance of the stack 9 decreases due to an increase in the electric resistance value. In order to prevent this from occurring, the reaction gas is humidified to an appropriate humidity value, and at a temperature of 70 to 80 ° C.
It is heated to about the temperature and supplied to the stack 9.
By the way, the temperature of the PE film 7C, that is, the temperature of the unit cell 8, is used at a temperature of about 70 to 80 ° C. in order to smoothly evaporate the water by-produced in the fuel cell 7 during power generation. Generally it is. The electrochemical reactions described in the above equations (1) and (2) performed in the fuel cell 7 are exothermic reactions. Therefore, in the fuel cell 7 (1)
When power is generated by the electrochemical reaction according to the equations (2) and (3), it is inevitable that heat having substantially the same value as the generated DC power value is generated. Set the temperature of the cell 8 to 7
In order to maintain the temperature at about 0 to 80 [° C.], it is necessary to remove the heat due to this loss from the fuel cell 7.

The stack 9 which is still cold at the start is
In order to heat the stack 9 to a temperature of about 0 to 80 ° C. or to maintain the operating temperature at a temperature of about 70 to 80 ° C., the amount of heat generated by the exothermic reaction is removed from the stack 9 during continuous operation. Is the main role of the heat medium 99, which is, for example, city water. In the unit cell 8, the heat medium 99 adjusted to a temperature of about 70 to 80 ° C. flows through the grooves 811B and 821B formed in the separators 81 and 82 as described above, so that the fuel cell The cell 7 is operated while being maintained at the appropriate temperature.

The separators 81 and 82 have four grooves 811A through which the fuel gas 97 flows and four grooves 821A through which the oxidizing gas 98 flows.
The above description has been made on the assumption that the number of the grooves 811B and 821B is two, but these grooves 811A and 821A are used.
The number of the grooves 811B and 821B is set to an appropriate value according to the specifications of the stack. Therefore, for example, a separator provided with five or more grooves 811A and 821A and three or more grooves 811B and 821B is also known.

Further, as a separator, a plurality of grooves through which the heat medium 99 is made to flow are communicated with each other in the separator at both ends of each groove, and one through hole is formed in each of the two communicating parts. Some are also provided. In the case of using this separator, each through-hole provided in each separator is connected to each other as a unit cell, and one connected through-hole group is connected to a through-hole provided in one pressure plate, The other communicated through-hole group is connected to a through-hole provided in the other pressure plate. As for the stack, it is general that the heat medium 99 is caused to flow in from the through holes provided in one pressure plate and discharged from the through holes provided in the other pressure plate.

As the separator, a groove 811A for passing the fuel gas 97 on one side and a groove 821A for flowing the oxidizing gas 98 on the other side are also formed. Are known. In addition, as a pipe connector instead of the pipe connectors 971, 981, 991, a pipe connector having a flange formed with a through-hole for passing a screw is also known. These pipe connectors are mounted on the pressure plates 93 and 94 with screws,
As a process for preventing the reaction gas and the heat medium 99 from leaking, for example,
A seal such as an O-ring is used.

Further, as a unit cell, a separator having no groove through which the heat medium 99 flows is used, and instead, a stack in which a dedicated cooling body is inserted in the unit cell stack is used. Is also known. In this case, the cooling medium is generally supplied with the heat medium 99 via an appropriate pipe.

[0036]

In the above-mentioned conventional polymer electrolyte fuel cell (stack), the function as a DC power generator is sufficiently exhibited. However, the following problem arises. ing. That is, since the pressure plates 93 and 94 of the stack are arranged at the ends of the stack, the temperature of the stack is lower than that of the unit cell 8 despite the operation of the stack. It is often about [° C]. Since the reaction gas supplied to the stack is generally supplied to the stack by flowing through the pipes provided with heat insulation, the reaction gas is sent to the stack while being maintained at a temperature of about 70 to 80 ° C. Come.

However, when passing through the through holes 931 and the like formed in the low-temperature press plates 93 and 94 as described above, the temperature is lowered. Since the reaction gas supplied to the stack is humidified as described above,
When the temperature is lowered, the contained water vapor condenses to generate water droplets. The water droplets are pushed by the reaction gas and reach the separators 81 and 82, and may block the gas flow grooves 811A and 821A formed in the separators 81 and 82. Since the reaction gas is not supplied to the cell 8 in which the grooves 811A and 821A have been closed,
The power generation of the stack will be greatly reduced.

In the case of a stack using air as the oxidizing gas 98, the air contains a large amount of nitrogen, which is not involved in the power generation reaction of the stack, as is well known. Is much larger in the oxidizing gas 98 than in the fuel gas 97. For this reason, the amount of water vapor contained in the reaction gas is, of course, larger in the oxidizing gas 98, so that the above-described phenomenon that the gas flow grooves are closed is caused by the oxidizing gas 98.
Are generated in the separator 82 through which the gas flows.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a solid gas that does not generate water droplets in the reaction gas even in the process of passing through a low-temperature pressure plate. An object of the present invention is to provide a molecular electrolyte fuel cell.

[0040]

According to the present invention, there are provided the following objects: 1) a fuel cell which receives a supply of a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas to generate a DC power, and faces both main surfaces of the fuel cell. A plurality of unit fuel cells, each of which has a separator having a gas flow groove for supplying a fuel gas or an oxidant gas to the fuel cell on the surface facing the fuel cell, These unit fuel cells have a stacked structure of unit fuel cells stacked on each other with adjacent unit fuel cells, and are installed at both ends of the stacked body. A pressure plate for applying a pressing force for pressing the fuel gas in the stacking direction, and a pressure plate provided on the pressure plate for providing a fuel gas. In order to maintain the temperature of the fuel cell unit of the stacked body at a desired temperature, the fuel gas and the oxidant gas piping connectors installed at the parts for supplying and discharging the oxidant gas, respectively. And a pipe connector for the heat medium provided at a portion for supplying the heat medium and a portion for discharging the heat medium. The heat medium is supplied from the outside of the laminate through a pipe connector on the supply side, and In the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which is discharged to the outside of the laminate through a discharge-side piping connector after performing heat exchange with the laminate of (1), the pressurizing plate comprises a piping connector. A heating section for heating the oxidizing gas and / or the fuel gas flowing through the section where the pipe connection body is installed, or 2) the section 1 In the means as described, the pressing plate has (3) the heating section is configured to be heated by a heating medium supplied to the polymer electrolyte fuel cell and / or a heating medium discharged from the polymer electrolyte fuel cell; Or the heating section provided in the pressurizing plate, wherein the heating unit provided on the pressurizing plate and supplied to the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell and / or discharged from the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. (4) In the means described in the above (1) or (2), the heating section provided in the pressing plate is attached to the pressing plate, and is a solid polymer. 5. A heating device in which a flow path for passing a heat medium supplied to the electrolyte fuel cell and / or a heat medium discharged from the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is formed, and / or ) In means of mounting, the heating device mounted on the pressure plate, to become mounted on the pressing plate configured via an insulating layer, it is achieved by.

[0041]

According to the present invention, in a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, (1) an oxidizing gas which flows through a portion where a pipe connector is installed at a location where a pipe connector is installed, And / or for heating the fuel gas,
With the configuration including the heating unit, the portion of the pressure plate where the pipe connector is installed is heated to a high temperature by the heating unit, so that the temperature of the main part of the pressure plate is lower than the reaction gas, The reaction gas is not cooled by the low-temperature pressure plate. (2) In the above item (1), the heating unit provided in the pressure plate may be provided with a heating medium supplied to the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell and / or a heating medium discharged from the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. For example, a heat medium formed on a pressure plate and supplied to the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell and / or a heat medium discharged from the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. By adopting a configuration such as a passage, it is not necessary to prepare a separate heating source when heating the pressurizing plate at the portion where the pipe connector is installed. (3) In the above items (1) and (2), the heating unit provided in the pressing plate may be:
The heating device is mounted on a pressurizing plate and has a passage formed therein for allowing a heat medium supplied to the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell and / or a heat medium discharged from the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell to flow. With this configuration, the heating unit can be manufactured separately from the pressurizing plate and attached to the pressurizing plate, so that the oxidizing gas and / or the gas flowing through the portion where the pipe connection body is installed are provided. It is easy to obtain an optimal configuration for heating the fuel gas by the heating medium. (4) In the above item (3), the heating device mounted on the pressing plate is configured to be mounted on the pressing plate via a heat insulating layer, so that the heating device can be connected to the low-temperature pressing plate. The amount of heat flowing out can be reduced by the heat insulating layer. This facilitates heating of the heating device by the heating medium, and thus makes it possible to further reduce the degree to which the reaction gas is cooled by the low-temperature pressurizing plate.

[0042]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1 FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a main part of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1 to 3, and FIG. And
(B) is a top view thereof. FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view of an R portion and a portion related to the R portion in FIG. Figure 3,
4, the same parts as those of the conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell shown in FIGS.
The description is omitted. In FIGS. 3 and 4, FIG.
16, only representative symbols are described.

In FIG. 3, 1A is different from the conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell 9 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 in that the pressing plate 93 and one of the electric insulating plates 92 are replaced.
This is a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell (stack) using a pressure plate 2A and an electric insulating plate 4. Pressing plate 2
A differs from the conventional pressure plate 93 in that a heating unit 29 is provided. The heating unit 29 includes the pressing plate 2A
A hollow portion 291 formed in a cylindrical shape and a gas flow portion 29 made of, for example, a copper material, hermetically closing the hollow portion 291 from the inside.
2 as a main component, and the pressure plate 2
In A, a through hole 292a formed in the center of the gas flow portion 292 is a through hole corresponding to the through hole 931 of the pressure plate 93 according to the conventional example. Through hole 292a
The side surface 2 which is the outer surface of the stack 1A of the pressure plate 2A
On the a side, a female pipe thread for the pipe connector 981 is formed. The pressing plate 2A has a side surface 2 facing the hollow portion 291.
On the side a, a female pipe thread 2Aa for the pipe connector 991 is formed, and a portion facing the hollow portion 291 on the side surface 2b, which is the side opposite to the side 2a, has a through hole 2A.
b is formed. Then, a pipe connector 981 is attached to the through hole 292a formed in the heating section 29 using a female pipe thread, and a pipe connector 2Aa formed in the pressing plate 2A is connected to the pipe connector 98A. 991 is attached.

The electric insulating plate 4 is different from the conventional electric insulating plate 92 in that the electric insulating plate 4 is provided with a passage 41 through which a heat medium 99 flows. The flow passage 41 has an opening 411 that opens on the side surface 4a that is a side surface that is in contact with the side surface 2b of the pressing plate 2A, and is a side surface opposite to the side surface 4a.
It has an opening 412 that opens on the side surface 4b side, which is the side surface that is in contact with the side surface of the current collector plate 91. The opening 411 is formed in a portion facing the through hole 2Ab of the heating unit 29, and the opening 412 is formed in a portion facing the through hole 824B formed in the separator 82. Surrounding the opening 411, the concave groove 41 is formed on the side surface 4a.
3 are formed. The through-hole 913 and the concave groove 914 formed in the current collector plate 91 have the same shape as the through-hole 824B formed at a portion facing the through-hole 824B, which is not shown in the related art section. And a concave groove formed around the opening of the through hole.

Then, the respective grooves 413, 828
B, 914 includes a sealing member made of an elastic material (for example, a sealing member) which has a function of preventing the heat medium 99 from leaking out of these portions.
O-ring. ) 997, 998, 999 are mounted. Further, the leakage preventing process of the oxidizing gas 98 and the heat medium 99 in the portion where the pipe connectors 981 and 991 are mounted is performed by the same leak preventing process as in the case of the stack according to the related art.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the heat medium 99 flows through the groove 821B and the through hole 824B formed in the separator 82 and flows from the opening 412. After entering the passage 41 and flowing through the inside of the passage 41, the hollow portion 291 is opened from the opening 411 through the through hole 2Ab.
Flow into Subsequently, after flowing through the cavity 291, the gas is discharged from the pipe connector 991 to the outside of the stack 9. Then, the temperature of the heat medium 99 flowing into the heating unit 29 via the communication passage 41 is increased by cooling the stack of unit fuel cells (unit cells) 8 stacked on the stack 1A. Heat medium 99. For this reason, the temperature of the pressure plate 2A at a location distant from the location where the heating unit 29 is mounted is:
Even if the temperature is low as in the case of the conventional pressure plate 93, the heating unit 2
9 is kept at a temperature close to the temperature of the high-temperature heat medium 99. In particular, since the gas flow portion 292 that forms the wall of the through hole 292a, which is the flow path for the oxidizing gas 98, is manufactured using a good heat conductor such as a copper material, the heat medium 9
It becomes a high temperature close to the temperature value of 9.

On the other hand, the oxidizing gas 98 supplied to the stack 1A flows into the stack 1A from the pipe connector 981 attached to the heating unit 29. At this time, since the heating section 29 is maintained at a high temperature as described above, the oxidizing gas 98 generated in the case of the stack 9 of the conventional example flows through the low-temperature pressurizing plate to thereby maintain the temperature. The problem caused by the decrease in the temperature is eliminated. Thus, it is not necessary to prepare a separate heating source to heat the flow path of the reaction gas in the pressure plate.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a main part of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1, 2 and 4. () Is a side view thereof, and (b) is a top view thereof. FIG. 1 is a detailed sectional view of a portion S in FIG. 1 and 2, a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1 to 3 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and a conventional example shown in FIGS. The same parts as those of the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. 1 and 2 are shown in FIGS.
As for the reference numerals given in FIG. 0 to FIG. 16, only representative reference numerals are described.

1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1A according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
On the other hand, this is a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell (stack) in which the pressure plate 2 is used instead of the pressure plate 2A.
The pressing plate 2 is different from the pressing plate 2A in that a heating device 5 is provided instead of the heating unit 29. The heating device 5 includes a heating section 51 having a cylindrical outer shape and a gas flow section 29.
2 as a main component. Heating unit 5
1 is made of, for example, a copper material, has a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the main body of the pressure plate 2, and has a cylindrical hollow portion 2 therein.
91 are formed. The heating unit 51 has a female pipe thread 2A for the pipe connector 991 on the side surface 2a side of the pressure plate 2.
a is formed, and the through hole 2Ab is formed on the side surface 2b side of the pressing plate 2 in the stack 1 according to the first embodiment.
This is the same as the case of the pressing plate 2A provided in A. Then, the heating device 5 is mounted in the through hole 21 formed in the pressing plate 2 at an outer diameter portion of the heating unit 51 by using an appropriate well-known method such as press fitting or brazing.

Since the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has the above-described structure, the heating device 5 is heated by the high-temperature heat medium 99 in the same manner as in the case of the stack 1A according to the first embodiment.
9 is maintained at a temperature close to the temperature of 9. Then, the heating device 5 can be separately manufactured from the main body of the pressing plate 2 and then attached to the pressing plate 2,
It is easy to obtain an optimal configuration for heating the gas flow portion 292 with the heating medium 99.

The temperature of the main part of the stack manufactured on the basis of the structure of this embodiment is as follows: the oxidizing gas 98 is heated and humidified to 70 ° C. as air; ° C], and the following results were obtained. That is, the temperature of the heat medium 99 at the stack outlet is 75 to
80 ° C., and the temperature of the oxidizing gas 98 flowing out of the through hole 292a was 70 ° C. Thus, in this stack, the oxidizing gas 98 can flow through the pressurizing plate 2 without lowering its temperature at all.
Accordingly, since no water droplets are generated in the oxidizing gas 98 supplied to the stack and passed through the pressurizing plate, a phenomenon in which the power generation amount decreases in the stack was not observed.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 5 is a detailed sectional view showing a heating device provided in a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to a different embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1, 2 and 4 together with related devices. is there. 5, a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1, 2 and 4 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and claims 1 to 3 shown in FIGS. In the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those of the conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell shown in FIGS. Description is omitted. Note that, in FIG. 5, only the representative reference numerals shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIGS. 10 to 16 are described.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 5A denotes a heating device in which the heating unit 51A is used in place of the heating unit 51 with respect to the heating device 5 provided in the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1 according to the present invention shown in FIG. Device. The heating unit 51A is different from the heating unit 51 in that a helical rib 52 is formed at a portion where the hollow portion 291 is formed in the case of the heating unit 51 as illustrated. . In addition,
The heating device 5A is provided with a heating unit 51A as in the case of the heating unit 5.
Is mounted in a through hole formed in the pressure plate at the outer diameter portion (the same as the through hole 21 in the pressure plate 2).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the heating device 5A is heated by the high-temperature heat medium 99, similarly to the heating device 5 provided in the stack 1 according to the second embodiment. At this time, the heat medium 99 flows through the flow path for the helical heat medium 99 formed between the ribs 52. Thereby, the heating medium 99 and the heating device 5
A and the heat transfer to the heating device 5 is improved.
In A, even when the temperature value of the heat medium 99 at the stack outlet is lower than the value described in the second embodiment, the oxidizing gas 98 is allowed to flow through the pressure plate without lowering the temperature. It is possible to let it flow. The reason why the heating device 5A has such a feature is that the heating device 5A is manufactured separately from the main body of the pressure plate 2.

In the above description of the third embodiment, the helical rib 52 of the heating device 5A is formed inside the heating portion 51A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Helical rib 5
2 may be formed on the outer diameter side of the gas flow portion 292. Embodiment 4 FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1, 2, 4, and 5. , FIG.
FIG. 7 is a detailed sectional view of a portion T in FIG. 6. Figures 6 and 7
A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1, 2 and 4 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and corresponding to claims 1 to 3 shown in FIGS. The same portions as those of the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention and the conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell shown in FIGS. Omitted. In FIGS. 6 and 7, only reference numerals shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIGS.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, 1B corresponds to FIGS.
The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1 according to the present invention shown in FIG.
On the other hand, this is a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell (stack) in which a pressure plate 2B is used instead of the pressure plate 2.
The pressing plate 2B is different from the pressing plate 2 in that a spacer 6 serving as a heat insulating layer is provided between the heating device 5 and the pressing plate main body. The spacer 6 is, for example, a cylindrical body made of a synthetic resin material, and has a length dimension substantially the same as the thickness of the main body of the pressing plate 2B. Then, the heating device 5
Is mounted on the inner diameter portion of the spacer 6 by using an appropriate known method such as press-fitting, bonding, or the like at the outer diameter portion of the heating section 51. Is mounted in the through-hole 22 formed in the pressure plate 2B by using an appropriate well-known method.

Since the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 has the above-described structure, the heating device 5 is heated by the high-temperature heat medium 99 as in the case of the stack 1 according to the second embodiment. Since the spacer 6 made of a synthetic resin material that is a poor conductor of heat is interposed between the heating device 5 and the main body of the pressing plate 2B, the heating device 5 generates a low-temperature pressing plate 2B. The amount of heat flowing out to the main body is reduced. As a result, the amount of heat of the heat medium 99 is effectively used by heating the heating device 5, and the temperature of the gas flow portion 292 of the heating device 5 is substantially the same as the temperature of the high-temperature heat medium 99. It is kept at the temperature. Thus, in the stack 1B, even when the temperature value of the heat medium 99 at the stack outlet is lower than the value described in the second embodiment, the heating device 5 changes the oxidizing gas 98 to the temperature. It is possible to flow through the pressure plate without lowering.

Embodiment 5: FIG.
FIG. 9 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to a different embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a structure of a W portion in FIG. (A) is a cross-sectional view thereof, and (b) is a view taken in the direction of the arrow Y in FIG. 9 (a). 8 and 9, a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1, 2 and 4 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and claims shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. 1 to 3 and solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS.
The same parts as those of the conventional polymer electrolyte fuel cell shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In addition,
In FIGS. 8 and 9, only the reference numerals shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIGS.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, 1C corresponds to FIGS.
The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1 according to the present invention shown in FIG.
On the other hand, the pressure plates 2C and 3 are replaced with the pressure plates 2 and 94,
The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell (stack) uses the electric insulating plate 4 instead of the electric insulating plate 92. The pressurizing plate 2C is provided with a heating device 5C in place of the heating device 5 with respect to the pressurizing plate 2, and is also provided with a heating device 5C at a portion where the pipe connector 971 for the fuel gas 97 is mounted. Are different. Pressing plate 3
Is connected to the pipe connecting member 97 with respect to the pressure plate 94 according to the conventional example.
The difference is that a heating device 5C is provided at a portion where 1,981 is mounted.

The heating device 5C is provided in the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell 1 according to the present invention shown in FIG.
However, a heating unit 51C is used instead of the heating unit 51. The heating unit 51C is different from the heating unit 51 in that
The difference is that a plurality of protrusions 511 are formed on the outer diameter portion as shown in the figure. The heating device 5C is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 23 formed in the main body of the pressure plate 2C.
The projection 511 is attached by, for example, press-fitting so as to abut on the outer peripheral portion. Then, the heating unit 5
Since a plurality of protrusions 511 are formed on the outer diameter portion of 1C, the height of the protrusion 511 is substantially equal to the inner circumference of the through hole 23 formed on the main body of the pressing plate 2C. A thick air layer will be formed. This air layer is a heat insulating layer in the heating device 5C. By the way, the protrusion 511
May be formed continuously with respect to the thickness direction of the heating unit 51, but from the viewpoint of suppressing the amount of heat conduction between the heating unit 51 and the main body of the pressurizing plate 2C, the illustration is omitted. As described above, it is preferable to form them so as to be discontinuous in the thickness direction. By using the heating section 51C having the projections 511 formed thereon, the same operation and effect as those of the heat insulating layer described in the fourth embodiment can be obtained without using the spacer 6, and the manufacturing cost of the stack can be reduced. Can be reduced.

In the stack 1C, all the reaction gases flowing through the pressurizing plates provided at both ends are transferred to the high-temperature heat medium 9
9 through the heating device 5C heated. As a result, in the stack 1C, the water vapor in the humidified fuel gas 97 supplied to the stack 1C is condensed, and the water vapor in the reaction gas that has become high in humidity due to the contained water in the stack 1C is condensed. Is also prevented. As a result, the operation of the stack 1C can be further stabilized.

In the description so far in Examples 4 and 5,
The heating units included in the heating devices 5 and 5C mounted on the pressing plate have been described as being based on the heating unit 51. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
As a matter of course, the heating unit provided with the heating unit may be the heating unit in which the helical rib 52 described in the third embodiment is formed.

In the description so far in Examples 1 to 5,
The stack has grooves 811B and 821 through which the heat medium 99 flows.
A single cell having separators 81 and 82 each having two B has been used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A cell using a separator having three or more grooves 811B and 821B is used. In that case, at least in the case described in the fifth embodiment, the heating medium 99 flowing through the heating unit 51C may be the heating medium after flowing through as many grooves 811B and 821B as possible. It is preferable to use 99.

Further, in the description so far in the first to fifth embodiments, it has been described that the stack uses unit cells provided with the separators 81 and 82. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of grooves through which the heat medium 99 is allowed to flow may be communicated within the separator at both ends of each groove, and each of the two communication sections may have one through hole. in case of,
In the case described in the fifth embodiment, for example, the flow path for the heat medium 99 formed in the electric insulating plate is formed by branching in the electric insulating plate, and the flow path is formed through the branched flow path. What is necessary is just to supply the heat medium 99 to the heating part 51C.

Further, in the description so far in the first to fifth embodiments, the stack has the groove 81 through which the heat medium 99 flows.
Although a single cell including the separators 81 and 82 having 1B and 821B has been used, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a stack in which a dedicated cooling body is inserted may be used. In that case, for example, the heat medium 99 after flowing through the exclusive cooling body is passed through an appropriate pipe to a flow path for the heat medium 99 formed in the electric insulating plate,
What is necessary is just to make it flow in from the side end surface of the electric insulating plate which does not oppose a pressurizing plate and a current collection plate.

[0066]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained by adopting the structure described in the section for solving the above-mentioned problems. That is, the reaction gas can be passed through the pressure plate without lowering its temperature at all, and therefore, the reaction gas supplied to the stack and passing through the pressure plate does not produce water droplets. As a result, in the stack according to the present invention, a phenomenon in which the amount of power generation decreases due to water droplets contained in the reaction gas does not occur, and continuous operation can be performed for a long time while maintaining stable power generation characteristics. Further, the generation of water droplets in the reaction gas discharged from the stack is reduced, and the problem that the supply amount of the reaction gas is reduced due to the water droplets can be solved. In addition, by adopting a configuration based on the fourth term of the means for solving the problem, even when the temperature of the heat medium is relatively low, it is possible to obtain the effect of the term.
Further, by adopting a configuration based on the fifth term of the means for solving the problem, even when the temperature of the heat medium is further lower, it is possible to obtain the effect of the term.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a detailed sectional view of an S part in FIG. 2 described later.

FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are schematic diagrams of a main part of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1, 2 and 4; FIG. b) is its top view

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams of a main part of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 3A is a side view, and FIG. Is its top view

FIG. 4 is a detailed sectional view of an R portion and a portion related to the R portion in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detailed sectional view showing a heating device provided in a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to a different embodiment of the present invention, together with related devices, according to claims 1, 2, and 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1, 2, 4, and 5;

FIG. 7 is a detailed sectional view of a portion T in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to a different embodiment of the present invention corresponding to claims 1, 2, 4, and 5;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a structure of a W portion in FIG. 8;
Is a cross-sectional view thereof, and FIG.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a main unit in a state where a unit fuel cell included in a conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is developed, viewed from the upper side.

11 is a perspective view schematically showing the unit fuel cell shown in FIG. 10 in a developed state.

FIG. 12 is a view of a separator included in the unit fuel cell as viewed from the direction of arrow P in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a main part of a conventional solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, in which (a) is a side view thereof;
(B) is the top view

14 is a detailed sectional view of a portion Q in FIG.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view illustrating a flow path of a reaction gas supplied to the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view illustrating a flow path of a heat medium given to the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Pressing Plate 291 Cavity 292 Gas Flow Portion 292a Through Hole 4 Electrical Insulating Plate 41 Flow Channel 5 Heating Device 51 Heating Unit 98 Oxidizing Gas 99 Heat Medium

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kyoichi Urabe 1-1-1, Tanabe Nitta, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A fuel cell which receives a supply of a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas to generate DC power, and is disposed opposite to each of the two main surfaces of the fuel cell to face the fuel cell. Has a plurality of unit fuel cells having a gas flow groove for supplying a fuel gas or an oxidizing gas to the fuel cell on the surface of the unit fuel cells, and these unit fuel cells are adjacent to each other. A pressurizing plate which is provided at both ends of the stack and which applies a pressing force to press the stack in a stacking direction thereof; And the pressure plate, and the fuel gas. In order to maintain the temperature of the fuel cell unit of the stacked body at a desired temperature, the fuel gas and the oxidant gas piping connectors installed at the parts for supplying and discharging the oxidant gas, respectively. And a pipe connector for the heat medium provided at a portion for supplying the heat medium and a portion for discharging the heat medium. The heat medium is supplied from the outside of the laminate through a pipe connector on the supply side, and In a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which is discharged to the outside of the laminate through a discharge-side pipe connector after performing heat exchange with the laminate of (1), the pressurizing plate comprises a pipe connector. A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, comprising: a heating section for heating an oxidizing gas and / or a fuel gas flowing through a section where a pipe connector is installed, at a section where the pipe connection body is installed. 2. The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the heating portion provided in the pressurizing plate is a heating medium and / or a solid polymer electrolyte fuel supplied to the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell which is heated by a heat medium discharged from the cell. 3. The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the heating section provided on the pressing plate has a heating medium formed on the pressing plate and supplied to the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. And / or a flow passage through which a heat medium discharged from the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell flows. 4. The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the heating section provided on the pressure plate is attached to the pressure plate, and a heating medium and a heating medium supplied to the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, characterized in that the heating device is provided with a flow passage through which a heat medium discharged from the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell flows. 5. The solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to claim 4, wherein the heating device mounted on the pressure plate is mounted on the pressure plate via a heat insulating layer. Electrolyte fuel cell.