JPS628454A - Fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve reliability and realizes long operation life by giving electric insulation property to a spacer and providing a projected portion projected from the side of electrode to the exit side of gas in the gas flow path. CONSTITUTION:A spacer 6 having the electric insulation property is formed with the protruded portions 6a, 6b protruded from the side surface of oxidation agent pole 1 and fuel pole 2 provided respectively to the gas exit side of the oxidation agent pole 1 and fuel pole 2. Thereby, the electrolyte leaking from the exit of gas flow paths 1a, 2a with an exhaust gas, for example, the phosphoric acid and water is rejected by the spacer 6 having the protruded portions 6a, 6b and accordingly it is prevented to adhere to the side surface of laminated cell bridging over the electrodes 1, 2. As a result, corrosion at the side surface of laminated cell and short-circuit of electrodes 1, 2 can be prevented, reliability of fuel cell can be improved and operation life thereof can also be expanded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Field of application of the invention] The present invention relates to fuel cells.

[Background of the invention]

In the conventional tJl-4 battery, low solutes and water flowing into the tank along with the exhaust gas from the gas flow path outlet adhere to the side of the stacked battery, causing corrosion on the side of the pond and short circuit between the electrodes. Battery performance deteriorated and lifespan was shortened. Although there are seals to prevent gas leakage and electrolyte leakage from between the electrodes of a stacked battery, there is no known example that prevents leaked electrolyte from adversely affecting surrounding materials. Note that Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-128667 is related to electrode sealing.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell with improved reliability and long life.

[Summary of the invention]

That is, the present invention comprises a unit battery having a pair of gas diffusion poles and four solutes disposed between them, and a unit battery arranged on the side surface of a stacked battery in which a plurality of unit batteries are stacked with separators interposed therebetween. and a manifold for supplying and discharging gas to and from the unit cells, and the pair of gas diffusion electrodes are provided with gas flow paths through which fuel and oxidant gas flow, respectively;
In a fuel cell in which a spacer for holding the electrolyte is provided between the electrodes, the spacer is placed on the side surface of the polarization on the gas outlet side of the gas flow path while maintaining electrical insulation. The spacer is formed with a protruding protrusion and is characterized by the following features, whereby the spacer has electrical insulation properties and has a protrusion protruding from the side surface of the electrode on the gas outlet side of the gas flow path. It comes to be formed by holding it.

[Embodiments of the invention]

The present invention will be explained below based on nine examples of leprosy shown in one figure. An embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 4J. As shown in the figure, the fuel tank consists of a pair of gas diffusion electrodes, oxidizer electrode 1. A unit cell 3 having a fuel electrode 2 and an FLFC electrolyte disposed therebetween, and a stacked battery in which a plurality of unit cells 3 are stacked with a separator 4 interposed therebetween, are arranged on the side surface, and a gas is supplied to the unit cell 3. It is equipped with a manifold 5 for supplying and discharging. and oxidizer electrode 1,
Fuel 1 and 2 are provided with gas flow paths 1a and 2a in which oxidizing gas P and fuel gas Q, indicated by arrows in the figure, are generated, respectively, and i and +iM l and 21+j are provided with picture frames that hold five explanations. A shaped spacer 6 is inserted. in this way(
4. This is the fuel cell that was made (@6 spacers in the example, '
I'm so stunned i'11. and gas ff1% 1 a
, 2a, a protruding portion 6a protruding from the side surface of the electrodes 1 and 2 on the gas outlet side.

It was formed with 6bi. By doing so, the spacer 6 has st & gas insulation properties, and the gas flow paths 1a, 2
To obtain a fuel cell having protrusions 6a and 6b protruding from the side surfaces of poles 1 and 2 on the gas outlet side of a, thereby improving reliability and enabling a long life. I can do it.

That is, the spacer 6 has a ridge structure, and the oxidizer electrode 1. A protrusion 6a protrudes from the side surface of the fuel electrode 2.

It was formed with 6bi. By doing this, '4
An insulating spacer 6 having protrusions 6a and 6b protruding from the side surfaces of the electrodes 1 and 2 is provided between the electrodes 1 and 2 on the outlet side of the gas flow paths 1a and 2a.
The electrolyte 9/acid and water leaking together with the exhaust gas from the exits of the gas channels 1a and 2a are blocked by the spacer 6 having protrusions 6a and 6b, and the polarization 1 is formed on the side surface of the stacked battery.
, it is now possible to prevent the adhesion between the two.
Product I - Corrosion on the side surfaces of the battery and short circuit between the electrodes 1 and 2 can be prevented, improving the reliability of the fuel cell and extending its life.

The spacer 6 is made of a fluorine-based resin that has electrical insulation properties and excellent acid resistance. You may also use something.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As mentioned above, the present invention improves the reliability of the fuel cell and increases the length of the fuel cell.
With 71 lives, it is possible to obtain a fuel cell with improved reliability and long life.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the fuel cell of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a spacer of an embodiment of the fuel cell of the present invention. The plan view and FIG. 4 are also sectional views of the main parts of the unit battery of one embodiment. 1... Oxidizer electrode (gas diffusion electrode), 1a... Gas flow path. 2... Fuel electrode (gas diffusion electrode), 2a... Gas flow path, 3... Single tgM, 4... Separator, 5... Manifold, 6... Spacer, 6a, 6b...・Protrusion.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A unit battery having a pair of gas diffusion electrodes and an electrolyte disposed between them, and a unit battery arranged on the side surface of a stacked battery in which a plurality of unit batteries are stacked with separators interposed therebetween,
and a manifold for supplying and discharging gas to and from the unit cell, the pair of gas diffusion electrodes are provided with gas channels through which fuel and oxidant gas flow, respectively, and a spacer for holding the electrolyte is provided between the electrodes. The spacer is characterized in that the spacer is electrically insulating and has a protrusion protruding from the side surface of the electrode on the gas outlet side of the gas flow path. Fuel cell. 2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is made of fluororesin.