JPH02148657A - Alcohol fuel cell and its operating method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an alcohol fuel cell that uses alcohol as a liquid fuel and air or oxygen as an oxidizing agent, and to improvements in its operating method.

Conventional technology Conventionally, there are two types of alcohol fuel cells: an alkaline type that uses an aqueous potassium solution as the electrolyte, and an acidic type that uses an aqueous sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte, but carbon dioxide gas, which is a reaction product of alcohol fuel, does not react with the electrolyte. Acidic alcohol fuel cells have been extensively studied.

To supply alcohol fuel to this acidic alcohol fuel cell, a fuel dissolved electrolyte (anolite) is circulated through each liquid chamber of the alcohol fuel cell, and the fuel dissolved electrolyte tank that communicates with the anolyte is supplied with an alcohol fuel tank and an anolite. A fuel-dissolved electrolyte circulation type system that supplies alcohol fuel according to the amount consumed, fills each liquid chamber of the alcohol fuel cell with fuel-dissolved electrolyte (anolyte), and supplies alcohol fuel from the alcohol fuel tank according to the amount consumed. There is a stationary type system in which the fuel-dissolved electrolyte is directly supplied into the cell liquid chamber. The former uses a sulfuric acid aqueous solution as the electrolyte, so when each unit cell is stacked, a short circuit occurs through the fuel dissolving electrolyte supply passage provided at the bottom of each unit cell, causing a drop in fuel cell performance. wake up

Another problem was that the electrolyte was highly corrosive, causing frequent failures of the electrolyte circulation pump and causing significant damage to the fuel cell. In the latter case, each cell is assembled independently, so short circuits caused by electrolyte can be prevented, but the amount of alcohol fuel consumed by each cell is not the same.

Further, it is difficult to uniformly supply alcohol fuel into each unit cell liquid chamber, and there is a problem that it is impossible to operate the alcohol fuel cell in a stable state for a long period of time.

In order to solve this problem, we also applied the lift effect of the generated gas at the fuel electrode to the fuel-dissolved electrolyte (
It has been proposed that in an alcohol fuel cell, the fuel-dissolved electrolyte (anolite) can be circulated for each unit cell to prevent short circuits caused by the electrolyte (Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No.
1-271753). Further, a fuel-dissolved electrolyte (anolite) reservoir is provided in the fuel cell, and the fuel concentration in the fuel-dissolved electrolyte (anolite) is detected and an appropriate amount of alcohol fuel is supplied into the fuel-dissolved electrolyte (anolite).

There is also a proposal to thoroughly stir the material before supplying it to each cell, but this would require a complicated operation (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-2
29770).

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In such a conventional configuration, the alcohol fuel dissolved electrolyte (alcohol dissolved sulfuric acid aqueous solution) in each unit cell liquid chamber of the alcohol fuel cell is circulated by the reaction product gas, which is a highly corrosive sulfuric acid solution. The aqueous solution may leak or scatter outside, which poses issues such as safety and corrosion of pond equipment.

In addition, due to the concentration (specific gravity) of the sulfuric acid aqueous solution in each cell liquid chamber of an alcohol fuel cell, the rate of rise of the reaction product gas is not necessarily fast, and when increasing the high current density, there is a need to supply insufficient alcohol fuel. A cell battery is generated,
Shorten the life of fuel cells.

On the other hand, in order to supply the electrolytic solution in which alcohol fuel is dissolved so as to contact the catalyst of the fuel electrode in the fuel cell liquid chamber, the alcohol fuel also comes into contact with the air (oxygen) electrode, and the air (oxygen)
It acts in the direction of lowering the potential of the electrode, and the greater the amount, the lower the performance of the air (oxygen) electrode. Therefore, it is necessary to control the alcohol fuel concentration very accurately, and a complicated alcohol fuel supply system is added, leading to an increase in costs.

Therefore, we focused on circulating only a non-corrosive and highly safe alcohol fuel aqueous solution using the reaction product gas, and made the fuel electrode 3 composed of two layers, a catalyst layer and a water-repellent layer, to make the reaction product gas water-repellent. The alcohol fuel is released from the layer side, and the alcohol fuel flows and circulates in each fuel electrode liquid chamber of the fuel cell due to the rising action of the reaction product gas, and further, auxiliary means for further promoting the rising action of the reaction product gas. As,
Means for solving characteristic problems by installing a gas supply device and an alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply device and operating them continuously or intermittently In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a cation exchange membrane 1.
In an alcohol fuel cell in which an air (oxygen) electrode 2 and a fuel electrode 3 are disposed facing each other via a catalyst layer 18 that stores an electrolyte and a water-repellent layer 17 that discharges reaction product gas,
The catalyst layer 18 is in contact with the cation exchange membrane 1 side,
The water-repellent layer 17 is disposed on the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 side, and has an alcohol fuel aqueous solution container 8 communicating with the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 so that the alcohol-ρ fuel aqueous solution 7 can circulate through the external flow path (in the direction of the arrow). The present invention provides a structure and an operating method for circulating alcohol fuel through the fuel electrode liquid chamber 8 of each unit cell by the rising action of the reaction product gas 9.

Concomitantly, the tip opening, which is the discharge port 11 of the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7, is arranged above the discharge liquid level 12 so that the generated gas 9 reacted at the fuel electrode 3 can easily rise inside the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10. Moreover, the present invention provides a configuration including a gas supply device 23 having an effect of assisting the circulation of the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7, and a method of operating the same.

As the next invention, an alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply device 24 is provided in series or parallel between the alcohol fuel cell main body and the alcohol fuel aqueous solution container 8 to raise the reaction product gas 9 in the fuel stock solution chamber 10, and to increase the alcohol fuel concentration. The present invention provides a configuration that uses forced circulation and its operating method.

Function: With this configuration and operating method, only the alcohol fuel aqueous solution containing no electrolyte is circulated and supplied into the liquid chamber of the fuel electrode, so even if liquid leaks outside, there will be no damage to nearby equipment (corrosion caused by the electrolyte). There is no need to worry about this, resulting in extremely high safety during operation.

Furthermore, since the specific gravity of the alcohol fuel aqueous solution is smaller than that of the acidic electrolyte (anolite), the effect of raising the gas produced by one reaction is large, and the alcohol fuel is supplied in a uniform distribution following the load.

In the fuel electrode, since alcohol fuel is supplied to the water-repellent layer side of the fuel electrode, there is no need to strictly control the alcohol concentration, so the fuel concentration can be adjusted very easily. Particularly when taking out a high load, installing an air pump, liquid supply pump, etc. as an auxiliary means for supplying alcohol fuel has the effect of making the supply of alcohol fuel more efficient. Since alcohol fuel is uniformly supplied into each unit cell even under high load, this has the effect of extending the cell characteristics and battery life when fuel cells are stacked.

Since it is operated continuously or intermittently using auxiliary equipment in conjunction with the natural circulation supply system, the power consumption of auxiliary equipment is also low, reducing fuel consumption and improving battery performance and reliability. Become.

Example This will be explained in more detail with reference to Examples below.

Example 1 A fuel electrode and an air electrode that constitute an alcohol fuel cell.
As an example, it was manufactured based on Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-115794. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an alcohol fuel cell using the air electrode and fuel electrode with a cation exchange membrane (Nafion membrane manufactured by DuPont) interposed therebetween. FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the fuel electrode. In FIG. 1, an air electrode 2 and a fuel electrode 3 are arranged through a cation exchange membrane 1, and air, which is an oxidizing agent, enters from an air supply port 4, passes through a gas chamber 6, and is discharged from an air discharge port 6. be done. On the other hand, alcohol fuel, which is a reducing agent, is mixed with water and stored as an alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 in an alcohol fuel aqueous solution container 8, and a gas (mainly carbon dioxide gas) 9 produced by the reaction of the alcohol fuel is The alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 rises inside the fuel stock solution chamber 10.
It is discharged together with the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 from the discharge port 11 .

The tip opening, which is the discharge port 11, is arranged above the discharge liquid level 12 so that the reaction product gas 9 can easily rise inside the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10. The alcohol fuel aqueous solution coming out from this outlet is refluxed to the alcohol fuel aqueous solution container 8 again. Alcohol fuel is replenished from the alcohol fuel water inlet 13 according to its consumption amount. 2 air electrodes 1 terminal
4. An O terminal 15 is attached to the fuel tank 3. Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the air electrode 2 is made of a platinum catalyst-supported carbon material treated with water repellency through a conductive porous substrate (carbon paper) 16, and the fuel electrode 3 is made of a water-repellent layer 17. The catalyst layer 18 is made of a carbon material on which a platinum-ruthenium catalyst is supported, and is in close contact with the cation exchange @1 side. The water-repellent layer 17 of the fuel electrode 3 is arranged on the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 side. With such a configuration, the alcohol fuel in the alcohol fuel aqueous solution container 8 communicating with the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 of the alcohol fuel cell circulates between the two in the direction of the arrow, while the alcohol fuel and the gas chamber 6
The oxygen (air) inside causes an electrochemical reaction, and electricity can be generated according to the following reaction formula. In this example, methanol was used as the alcohol fuel.

Air electrode: 6H-1-3/202 +66-→3H20
......(1) Fuel electrode: CH30H+HzO-+
CO2+6H''+6θ−...(2) Total reaction:
GH50H+3/202 →002 +2H20---
−-・C2)+2), as can be seen from equation (2),
Carbon dioxide, which is a reaction product, is absorbed by the water-repellent layer 17 of the fuel electrode 13.
When the carbon dioxide gas in the bubble state 9 rises, it is released into the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 as a bubble state 9.
Alcohol fuel is also moved, allowing alcohol fuel to be circulated according to the load. In particular, since the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 has a low specific gravity, it can be circulated in the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 with uniform distribution and at a high rising speed.

Example 2 Using the air electrode 2 and fuel electrode 3 manufactured by the same method as in Example 1,
FIG. 3 shows a conceptual diagram of a stacked structure of an alcohol fuel cell constructed with a cation exchange membrane 1 (Nafion membrane manufactured by DuPont) interposed between both electrodes.

Further, an enlarged view of the constituent parts of the stacked battery is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, an alcohol fuel aqueous solution container 8 storing an alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 containing alcohol fuel as a reducing agent is connected to each unit cell fuel electrode liquid chamber 1 of a stacked fuel cell main body 19.
0 and the alcohol fuel aqueous solution distribution arrangement 2o through the discharge port 11, and the alcohol fuel of each unit cell is arranged so that the alcohol fuel can easily circulate through the inside of each unit cell fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 due to the rising action of the reaction product gas 9. The tip opening, which is the discharge port 11, is arranged above the discharge liquid level 12. The alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 coming out of the outlet 11 is returned to the alcohol fuel aqueous solution container 8 again. Alcohol fuel is replenished from the injection port 13 according to the amount of alcohol fuel consumed. Air, which is an oxidizing agent, is supplied through a side window of the fuel cell and exhausted through the opposite side window and top window. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, from the left side, air electrode 2. Cation exchange membrane 1. Fuel electrode 3. Liquid chamber IQ, melting plate 21. Gas (air) chamber6. Air FM2. The structure is integrated in the order of the cation exchange membrane 1. With this configuration, the alcohol fuel in the alcohol fuel aqueous solution container 8 (for example, a U-shaped container) communicating with each cell fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 of the stacked alcohol fuel cell circulates between the two in the direction of the arrow. At the same time, the alcohol fuel and the air (oxygen) in the gas chamber 6 cause an electrochemical reaction, and the load can be taken out continuously.

Example 3 Using the air electrode 2 and fuel electrode 3 made by the same manufacturing method as Example 1,
A stacked alcohol fuel cell configured with a cation exchange membrane 1 (Nafion membrane manufactured by DuPont) interposed between both electrodes was used as the sixth
As shown in the figure. From FIG. 6, in order to supply air bubbles 24 to each unit cell fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 yen of the stacked alcohol fuel cell by driving the gas supply device (air supply pump) 23, air bubbles are directed into the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10. A branch pipe 22 having a supply port is provided near the bottom of the U-shaped alcohol fuel aqueous solution container 8,
The structure and operation method are such that an alcohol to fuel aqueous solution 7 is supplied into each unit cell fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 in combination with bubbles 9 which are reaction product gases. Except for this configuration and operating method, everything is the same as the second embodiment.

Example 4 FIG. 6 shows a stacked alcohol fuel cell constructed using an air electrode 2 and a fuel electrode manufactured by the same method as in Example 1, with a cation exchange membrane 1 (Fion membrane manufactured by DuPont) interposed between the two electrodes. Shown below. From Figure 6, U-shaped alco fuel aqueous solution container 8
An alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply device 25 (liquid pump) is arranged in series between the two containers near the bottom of the container.

With this configuration, alcohol is produced in each cell fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 by a combination of the rising action of bubbles 9, which is a reaction product gas, in the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 and the circulation effect of the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 by driving the liquid pump 25. This is the configuration and operating method for supplying the fuel aqueous solution 7. Everything other than this configuration and operating method is the same as in the second embodiment.

Example 5 Using the air electrode 2 and fuel electrode 3 made by the same manufacturing method as Example 1,
A stacked alcohol fuel cell configured with a bright ion exchange membrane 1 (Nafion membrane manufactured by DuPont) interposed between both electrodes was used in the seventh experiment.
As shown in the figure. As shown in FIG. 7, an alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply pump 25, which is the same supply device, is arranged in parallel with the alcohol fuel aqueous solution flow path 25 in a container divided into two near the bottom of the U-shaped alcohol fuel aqueous solution container 8.

With this configuration, the rising action of the bubbles 9, which are the reaction product gas in the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10, and the alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply pump 2
By using the circulating action of the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 by the drive of 5 or alone.

This is a configuration and an operating method for supplying an alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 into each cell fuel electrode liquid chamber 10.

When the load increasing from the fuel cell is large, the alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply pump 25 is particularly driven to increase the supply of alcohol fuel, and when the load is low, the alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply pump 25 is stopped, Reduce power consumption other than load. Instead of the alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply pump 25, the same effect can be obtained by using a device such as a vane type rotary drive device 25' as shown in FIG. Everything other than this configuration and operating method is the same as in the second embodiment.

A U-shaped alcohol fuel aqueous solution container as shown in the drawings for Examples 2 to 5 is used, but it is preferable that the alcohol fuel has a structure that allows easy circulation of the alcohol fuel within the fuel electrode liquid chamber of the alcohol fuel cell. . Fuel cell fuel electrode liquid chamber 1
The alcohol fuel flow path supplied from the lower part of the fuel cell 0 may be inside the fuel cell main body. That is, it may be a branched alcohol fuel aqueous solution distribution pipe.

Comparative example A conventional fuel cell is shown in FIG. 9 as a comparative example.

FIG. 10 shows a section a-a' in FIG. 9. In FIG. 9, an anolite flow path 29.29' is provided between the fuel cell main body 27 and the partition wall 28.28', and the anolite flows through the battery frame 3.
0 flows in the direction of the arrow from the lower surface of the anorite discharge hole 31.
The alcohol fuel is discharged from the fuel supply path 33, and the discharge hole 31 is located at a higher position than the anolite liquid level 32.
．． It is supplied into the fuel cell liquid chamber from 33'. Alcohol fuel is supplied to the fuel electrode while the anorite is circulated in the direction of the arrow.

In FIG. 10, a liquid chamber 34. Fuel sales35.
Cation exchange membrane 36. It is composed of an air electrode 37. The fuel electrode has a configuration in which a platinum catalyst is supported on carbon powder, and the air electrode is a mixture of carbon powder supporting a platinum catalyst and a water repellent, and the mixture is integrated under pressure.

Table 1 shows the characteristics of the alcohol fuel cell according to the configuration and operating method of this example. As the measurement conditions, an aqueous solution with a concentration of methanol to 3M was used, and the catalyst layer was impregnated with 1.6M sulfuric acid. The measured temperature eoc and the amount of air were set to five times or more the theoretical value. As a comparative example, 3Mfi with a methanol concentration of 3M
A sulfuric acid solution (anolyte) was used, and all other conditions were the same as in Examples 1 to 6. The terminal voltage at each current density was compared between the example and the conventional example.

Table 1 By operating the fuel cell of the present invention, Examples 1 to 6
In, the average cell voltage at various currents is current density 30 m"L/J: 0.55 to 0-6 T V,
i current density 6 Q ma/, J: 0,39~0,
41 V, current density 100 ma/layer: 0.33-0.3
65 V, and the voltage difference in Examples 1 to 5 was 0.
, 02 V, 0,037° and 0.035 V, but no major difference is observed. On the other hand, in the conventional fuel cell in the comparative example, current density 3 Q ma/rJ: 0.01 to o, o3y, current density 60 ma/, J: 0,01 to 0,03 V, current density 100 m ! L/pi(: 0.03~0.0
The voltage is about 615V lower than that of the fuel cell of the present invention. In particular, this tendency becomes more pronounced as the current density becomes higher. Even compared to the fuel cell of Example 2, the voltage is about 0.01 to 0.03 V higher depending on the current density. The reason for this is that there is a difference in specific gravity between the electrolyte and water, and the buoyancy of the reaction product gas (carbon dioxide) appears to be greater in water with a lower specific gravity, so K is used to speed up the circulation of alcohol fuel. It is thought that the fuel layer potential improved and the difference appeared in the cell voltage. This tendency becomes especially strong when the current density becomes high.

In this example, even when comparing a single cell and a laminated battery, the battery voltage due to a liquid short circuit is very small because the conductivity of the alcohol fuel aqueous solution is lower than the conductivity of the anolyte. This can be clearly understood by looking at Examples 1 and 2. Therefore, the self-power consumption due to stacking is extremely small, which is a great practical advantage. In the stacked fuel cell, a large voltage difference is not observed at low current densities, but at high current densities, the alcohol fuel circulation becomes insufficient due to the rising effect of the reaction product gas alone. That is, the supply of alcohol fuel to the fuel electrode is insufficient depending on the load. Therefore, in order to eliminate this phenomenon, if extra air bubbles are supplied into the liquid chamber 8 of the fuel electrode by an air supply pump, the circulation of the alcohol fuel aqueous solution is assisted and the fuel cell voltage is improved. Furthermore, when the alcohol fuel aqueous solution is circulated auxiliary by the alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply pump, the voltage of the fuel cell is stopped at high current density. In this way, by using an air supply pump, an alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply pump, etc. as an auxiliary device depending on the load, a long-life, high-performance fuel cell can be obtained without damaging the fuel cell. The air supply pump and the alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply pump can be driven continuously or intermittently as necessary, reducing the current consumption of the auxiliary equipment and increasing the power generation efficiency of the alcohol fuel cell system.

In addition, since the fuel cell of the present invention only circulates alcohol (methanol) and water, even if liquid leaks to the outside, the equipment will not be damaged, but in conventional fuel cells, a sulfuric acid aqueous solution is The fuel cell of the present invention is also superior in terms of its use, which causes great damage to equipment, and its corrosion resistance.

Although an air supply pump is used as the gas supply device in this embodiment, the same effect can be obtained with any compressed gas or pond gas generation device. Also.

Although an alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply pump was used as the alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply device, any commonly used liquid supply device may be used. In this example, air was used as the oxidizing agent, but if oxygen gas is used, the economical efficiency may be lowered, or an alcohol fuel cell with even higher performance can be obtained.

Although methanol was used as the reducing agent, other alcohol fuels such as ethyl alcohol may also be used, but methanol has the best properties.

Although the configuration is such that air, which is an oxidizing agent, is supplied from the side of the fuel cell and exhausted from the opposite side or the top, it may also be configured such that it is supplied from the bottom of the fuel cell and exhausted from the top. Furthermore, by arranging the tip opening, which is the outlet for the alcohol fuel aqueous solution, above the discharge liquid, the alcohol fuel aqueous solution in the fuel electrode liquid chamber can be more efficiently circulated by the reaction product gas. There is no longer a situation where air bubbles accumulate inside the fuel electrode liquid chamber, causing uneven distribution of alcohol fuel. Therefore, since the alcohol fuel is uniformly supplied, the life of the fuel cell is extended, and reliability is also improved.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the alcohol fuel aqueous solution is circulated, it is highly safe, maintains a high voltage even at high current density, consumes little power of auxiliary equipment, and generates electricity for a long time with high efficiency. The advantage is that it is possible to provide an alcohol fuel cell and an operating method with less deterioration in cell performance even when the fuel cell is used.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an alcohol fuel cell. Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a part of the fuel electrode in Figure 1, Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the stacked structure of an alcohol fuel cell, and Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a part of the stacked battery in Figure 3. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a stacked alcohol fuel cell equipped with a gas supply device, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a stacked alcohol fuel cell equipped with an alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply pump, 8
Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a stacked alcohol fuel cell equipped with an alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply pump in parallel with the flow path, Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a pond of an alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply device, and Fig. 9 is a conventional one. A diagram showing the configuration of an alcohol fuel cell,
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line a-a' in FIG. 9. 1... Cation exchange membrane, 3... Fuel electrode, 7... Alcohol fuel aqueous solution, 8...
・Alcohol fuel aqueous solution container, 9... Reaction product gas (bubble state), 10... Fuel electrode liquid chamber, 11
...Discharge port, 12...Discharge liquid, 17
...Water repellent layer, 18...Catalyst layer, 22.
... Branch pipe, 23 ... Air supply pump,
24... Air bubbles supplied by air supply pump, 25
...Alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply pump, 25.
...Alcohol fuel aqueous solution flow path. Name of agent: Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano and 1 other person f.
-11 Shiiwa (-Hasasaki z-Horiyato 3-・-IK rice + Igyu-Raw ni Masutei 0 7,, -7+tco-+L*ff+に祿ARC a3---Complete?
Mufu 几り erect yqAri flat toshishi C3self = に林・t″梯′
+Takumi 1 2f-Narukigi Karitohoha C) Oka Tsuyoshi

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] (1) An alcohol fuel cell in which an air (oxygen) electrode 2 and a fuel electrode 3 are arranged facing each other with a cation exchange membrane 1 interposed therebetween, and the fuel electrode 3 has a catalyst layer 18 that stores an electrolyte. and a water-repellent layer 17 for discharging reaction product gas, the catalyst layer 18 is in contact with the cation exchange membrane 1 side, the water-repellent layer 17 is arranged on the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 side, and the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7
An alcohol fuel container 8 is provided which communicates with the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 so that it can be circulated through an external flow path, and the alcohol fuel is transferred into the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 of each unit cell by the rising action of the bubble-like reaction product gas 9. An alcohol fuel cell characterized in that it is configured to supply circulation through the alcohol fuel cell. (2) In the alcohol fuel container 8 which communicates with the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 so as to be able to circulate through an external flow path, the generated gas 9 reacted at the fuel electrode 3 is made to easily rise inside the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10. The alcohol fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the tip opening, which is the discharge port 11 for the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7, is arranged above the discharge liquid level 12. (2) In addition to the rising action of the gas 9 generated by the reaction at the fuel electrode 3 in the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10, gas 24 is supplied in the form of bubbles into the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 from outside the fuel cell main body, and the alcohol fuel The alcohol fuel cell according to claim 1, further comprising a gas supply device (23) for promoting circulation of the aqueous solution (7). (4) An alcohol fuel cell in which an air (oxygen) electrode 2 and a fuel electrode 3 are arranged opposite to each other with a cation exchange membrane 1 in between, and the fuel electrode 3 has a catalyst layer 18 that stores an electrolyte and a reaction product gas 9. It consists of a water repellent layer 17 to be discharged, and the catalyst layer 18
is in contact with the cation exchange membrane 1 side, the water-repellent layer 17 is arranged on the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 side, and the alcohol fuel aqueous solution communicates with the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 so that the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 can circulate through the external flow path. An alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply device 25 is provided in series or in parallel between the alcohol fuel cell main body and the alcohol fuel aqueous solution container 8, and the alcohol fuel is supplied to each unit cell fuel using forced circulation of the alcohol fuel. An alcohol fuel cell configured to supply an electrolyte into an electrolyte chamber 10. (5) A method of operating an alcohol fuel cell in which an air (oxygen) electrode 2 and a fuel electrode 3 are arranged opposite to each other with a cation exchange membrane 1 interposed therebetween, wherein the fuel electrode 3 is formed by reaction with a catalyst layer 18 that stores an electrolyte. The water repellent layer 17 is located on the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 side, and the reaction product gas is released in the form of bubbles 9 into the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 through the water repellent layer 17. A method of operating an alcohol fuel cell characterized in that the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 is circulated by the rising action of the bubble-like reaction product gas 9 to supply alcohol fuel into each cell fuel electrode liquid chamber 10. (6) The action of the gas 9 generated by the reaction of alcohol fuel at the fuel electrode 3 rising in the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 and the bubble state 24 in which gas is introduced into the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 from outside the fuel cell main body.
The alcohol fuel cell according to claim 6, in which the alcohol fuel aqueous solution is supplied into the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 of each unit cell by supplying the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 with the action of promoting the circulation of the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7. How it works. (7) A method of operating an alcohol fuel cell in which an air (oxygen) electrode 2 and a fuel electrode 3 are arranged opposite to each other with a cation exchange membrane 1 in between, wherein the fuel electrode 3 is formed by reaction with a catalyst layer 18 that stores electrolyte. The water-repellent layer 17 is located on the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 side, and the reaction product gas passes through the water-repellent layer 17 to the alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7.
The rising action of the reaction product gas 9 in the fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 and the alcohol fuel aqueous solution supply device disposed in series or parallel between the fuel cell body and the alcohol fuel aqueous solution container 8 are continuously activated. A method of operating an alcohol fuel cell characterized in that alcohol fuel is supplied into each cell fuel electrode liquid chamber 10 in combination with a circulating action of an alcohol fuel aqueous solution 7 which is operated periodically or intermittently.