JP2004363093A - Fuel cell and its disassembly method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell having a simple structure, in which when a defective unit cell is found in a laminated battery, only the battery can be removed and replaced as easily as possible without breaking a laminated member.
SOLUTION: An electrolyte membrane 1, a pair of electrodes 4 sandwiching the electrolyte membrane 1, and an anode separator 30 provided on one of the electrodes 4 and having a gas flow path 31 for supplying a fuel gas, and provided on the other of the electrodes 4 are provided. A plurality of cells each having a cathode-side separator 20 having a gas flow path 21 for supplying an oxidizing gas, and the plurality of cells are stacked fuel cells to constitute a plurality of cells. Separation grooves 26 are provided in at least a part of the anode-side separator 30 and / or the cathode-side separator 20 among the anode-side separator 30 and the cathode-side separator 20.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell used for a portable power supply, a power supply for an electric vehicle, a home cogeneration system, and the like, and a disassembly method thereof, and particularly to a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell and a disassembly method thereof.

  In a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a fuel gas such as hydrogen and an oxidizing gas such as air are electrochemically reacted by a gas diffusion electrode to simultaneously generate electricity and heat. Such a polymer electrolyte fuel cell basically includes a polymer electrolyte membrane for selectively transporting hydrogen ions and a pair of electrodes sandwiching the polymer electrolyte membrane. The electrode is mainly composed of a carbon powder carrying a platinum group metal catalyst, and is composed of a catalyst layer adhered to the polymer electrolyte membrane and a diffusion layer having both air permeability and conductivity provided on the outer surface thereof. A gasket is arranged on the outer periphery of the polymer electrolyte. A conductive separator for mechanically fixing the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) thus configured and electrically connecting adjacent MEAs to each other in series is arranged outside the MEAs. The conductive separator has a gas flow path on a surface facing the electrode for supplying a reaction gas to the electrode and for carrying away a gas generated by the reaction or an excess gas. Although the gas flow path can be provided separately from the separator, a method in which a groove is provided on the surface of the separator to form a gas flow path is generally used.

  The other surface of the separator is provided with a cooling channel for circulating cooling water for keeping the battery temperature constant. By circulating the cooling water in this way, the heat energy generated by the reaction can be used in the form of hot water or the like.

  A gasket with a polymer electrolyte membrane around the electrodes to prevent fuel gas and oxidizing gas from leaking out of the battery and mixing with each other, and to prevent cooling water from leaking out of the battery. And O-rings are arranged.

  In such a stacked battery, a so-called internal manifold type in which a gas supply hole and a discharge hole, and further a cooling water supply hole and a discharge hole are secured inside the stacked battery, is generally used.

  In the polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack as described above, after sequentially stacking components such as a separator and an MEA, the entire cell is reduced in order to reduce electrical contact resistance and prevent leakage of supply gas and cooling water. Be concluded.

  Here, as the number of unit cells to be stacked increases, it becomes more difficult to stack the cells so as not to be displaced, and problems such as defective sealing occur. Further, when a defective unit cell is found in a part of the stacked fuel cells, it is necessary to sequentially remove the stacked structural parts to the place where the battery is present in order to replace the cell.

  As a conventional technique, there is disclosed a method of using a knock pin so that the position of the laminated structural component does not shift (for example, see Patent Document 1). That is, when assembling a fuel cell, first, a positioning hole for unit cell assembly is formed in a pressurizing plate for pressurizing the fuel cell stack, and a knock pin is inserted into the hole to stand upright. Next, flat cells constituting the fuel cell, in which the unit cell positioning holes are drilled, are sequentially stacked by fitting the unit cell positioning holes to the knock pins to form a unit cell. A stack is formed by repeatedly stacking the batteries. Then, it is fastened and fixed using a pressure plate.

In addition, by providing a cutout portion on at least one side of the laminated structural component, misalignment at the time of lamination is prevented, and even if a defective unit cell occurs after lamination, the defective unit cell is prevented from being misaligned. Is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).
JP-A-9-134734 JP 2000-48849 A

  However, although the method using the knock pin is effective for preventing the displacement during the stacking of the battery, the knock pin remains inside the battery after the assembly, which causes a problem that the fuel cell becomes large and heavy. Was. When a defective unit cell is found, the knock pin is present inside the battery, so that only the defective unit cell cannot be extracted. It was necessary to sequentially remove the batteries, and a very large number of steps were required to replace the batteries. Further, if the clearance between the knock pin and the positioning hole is small, this operation becomes even more difficult. Further, when performing this operation, it is necessary to remove even the normal battery, and there is a risk that a defect such as a defective seal may newly occur even in the normal battery portion when reassembled.

  In the method of providing the notch, it is possible to prevent displacement during battery stacking without using a knock pin. In addition, since no knock pin is used, even if a defective unit cell is present in a part of the manufactured fuel cell, it is fixed by the guide post arranged in the notch, so a lifting jig must be used. Can replace only defective cells. However, in Patent Literature 2, the adjacent separators are completely in close contact with each other, and it is very difficult to insert a lifting jig between the separators adjacent to the defective unit cell to be replaced. In particular, in Patent Literature 2, since the positioning can be performed more accurately by the guide post, the side surface of the fuel cell becomes a very flat surface, and it becomes more difficult to insert the jig. In addition, a laminated battery that has been fastened at a constant pressure for a long time is deformed by gas seals and O-rings used as components and is in close contact with the separator. There is also a danger of destroying a part of the separator, and the laminated structural parts must be replaced more than necessary.

  That is, when a defective unit cell is found in the laminated battery, it is difficult to replace and remove only the battery as easily as possible without destroying the laminated member.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and when a defective unit cell is found in a laminated battery, a fuel cell having a simple configuration that allows only the battery to be removed and replaced as easily as possible without destroying the laminated member. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of disassembling the same.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides an electrolyte membrane, a pair of electrodes sandwiching the electrolyte membrane, an anode separator provided on one of the electrodes, and having a gas flow path for supplying a fuel gas, And provided on the other of the electrodes, comprising a plurality of cells having a cathode-side separator having a gas flow path for supplying an oxidizing gas, the plurality of cells are a stacked fuel cell,
At least a part of the anode-side separator and / or the cathode-side separator among the anode-side separator and the cathode-side separator constituting the plurality of unit cells is provided with a separating groove. It is a fuel cell.

  Further, the second invention is a fuel cell according to the first invention, wherein a part of the anode-side separator and the cathode-side separator also serves as the anode-side separator and the cathode-side separator. is there.

  Further, a third invention is the fuel cell according to the first invention, wherein the groove is provided at a position where the anode-side separator and the cathode-side separator come into contact with each other.

  In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the groove provided on the anode-side separator and the groove provided on the cathode-side separator face each other at the contact portion. Fuel cell.

  The fifth invention is the fuel cell according to the first invention, wherein the groove is provided at a portion where the anode or the cathode separator contacts the electrode.

  The sixth invention is the fuel cell according to the first invention, wherein the groove is provided at a central portion of the anode-side separator or the cathode-side separator.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the fuel cell according to the first aspect, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the groove is a rectangular shape, a wedge shape, or a rounded wedge shape.

  An eighth invention is the fuel cell according to the first invention, wherein the electrolyte is a solid polymer electrolyte membrane.

  A ninth aspect of the present invention is a fuel cell disassembly method for removing an arbitrary unit cell from the fuel cell by inserting a cell separation jig into the groove of the fuel cell of the first aspect. is there.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is the fuel cell disassembly method of the ninth aspect, wherein the battery disassembly jig has a wedge shape or a thin plate shape.

  Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fuel cell in which a defective unit cell can be easily replaced simply by processing the separator into a very simple configuration, and a method for disassembling the fuel cell.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a fuel cell according to the present embodiment.

  The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 10 includes the polymer electrolyte membrane 1, a pair of electrodes 4 sandwiching the polymer electrolyte membrane 1, and a gasket 5 sandwiching the periphery of the polymer electrolyte membrane. The electrode 4 includes a catalyst layer 2 and a diffusion layer 3 that are in contact with the polymer electrolyte membrane 1. The MEA 10 has a cathode separator 20 having a gas passage 21 for supplying an oxidizing gas to one electrode, that is, a cathode, and an anode separator 30 having a gas passage 31 for supplying a fuel gas to the other electrode, that is, an anode. To form a unit cell. The cathode-side separator 20 and the anode-side separator 30 have channels 22 and 32 on the back surface, respectively. Between the separators 20 and 30 of the adjacent unit cells, a flow path of the cooling water is formed by the flow paths 22 and 32. The cathode side separator 20 and the anode side separator 30 prevent the cooling water from leaking to the outside by compressing the O-ring 24 mounted in the concave portion 23 of the cathode side separator 20 by the fastening pressure of the battery. As described above, the fuel cell according to the present embodiment is configured as a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

  The above configuration is the same as that of the conventional fuel cell. In the present embodiment, the rectangular cathode-side separator 20 is provided with a concave portion at the end of the surface facing the similarly rectangular anode-side separator 30, and a battery replacement jig is inserted between the rectangular cathode-side separator 20 and the separator 30. The feature is that the groove 26 is formed. In FIG. 1, the groove is provided on one side of the rectangular separator. However, as shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable to provide the groove 26 on two opposing sides, which is effective when a defective unit cell is replaced. A groove may be provided on three or more sides.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B show examples in which grooves are provided on three or more side surfaces. That is, FIG. 7A is a view of the cathode-side separator viewed from above, and is an example in which grooves are provided on three side surfaces of the cathode-side separator. That is, the groove 80A is provided in the cathode-side separator. FIG. 7B also shows the cathode-side separator viewed from above, and is an example in which grooves are provided on four side surfaces of the cathode-side separator. That is, the groove 80B is provided in the cathode-side separator. Thus, grooves may be provided on three or more sides of the cathode-side separator. However, in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the concave portions, the gas flow paths, the flow paths, and the like of the cathode-side separator are omitted.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the groove 26A is formed over the adjacent separators 20 and 30. In the example shown above, each groove is rectangular. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a wedge-shaped groove 26B is formed also across the separators 20 and 30.

  In the above example, a groove is provided between each unit cell. However, as shown in FIG. 5, a groove may be provided for each unit of a unit cell, such as providing a groove for every two unit cells. For example, the grooves may not be provided at the upper and lower end portions of the fuel cell stack where the replacement is relatively easy, and the grooves may be provided only at the central portion where the battery replacement is difficult. In this embodiment, the groove 26C is rounded so that the corners have a gentle curved surface.

  In the above embodiment, each unit cell has an independent cathode-side separator and independent anode-side separator. That is, a composite separator combining a cathode-side separator and an anode-side separator is inserted between the MEAs, and each unit cell is configured to be cooled from both the cathode side and the anode side. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the composite separator and the single separator 40 are alternately inserted between the MEAs. One surface of the separator 40 functions as a cathode-side separator, and the other surface functions as an anode-side separator. With this configuration, a cooling unit is provided for each of the two cells. In this embodiment, two cells can be replaced as one unit.

  As described above, providing grooves between adjacent separators on at least one side in the stacking direction of the fuel cell not only facilitates replacement of defective cells, but also enables reduction of separator material and cost reduction. become. That is, when grooves are provided between adjacent separators on at least one side surface in the stacking direction of the fuel cell, the amount of the separator material used is reduced by the provision of the grooves, so that the cost can be reduced. As a material of the separator, not only carbon but also a metal or a composite product of a resin and a metal can be used.

  Further, in the above example, the groove processing is performed between at least one side surface of the plate-shaped separator and the adjacent separator, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this. That is, a groove may be formed on the side of the plate-shaped separator that contacts the MEA. As a result, the amount of the separator material used for producing the plate-like separator is further reduced, so that the cost can be further reduced.

  Further, when a groove is provided on the side of the plate-shaped separator in contact with the MEA, the groove provided on the side in contact with the MEA may be used as a groove for inserting a battery replacement jig. I can do it. Further, a configuration is also possible in which a groove is provided only on the side of the side surface of the plate-shaped separator that contacts the MEA, and no groove is provided on the side of the separator adjacent to the plate-shaped separator.

  Also, by providing a groove in both or one of the portions of the single separator 40 in FIG. 6 which is in contact with the MEA, the two single cells constituting one unit are disassembled between the single separator 40 and the electrode 4. It is also possible.

  Although the groove 26 and the like in FIG. 1 are formed over the entire side of the side surface of the cathode-side separator 20, a part of one side of the cathode-side separator 20 or a part of each of the plurality of sides is formed. A groove for inserting the battery replacement jig may be formed only in the battery.

  For example, FIG. 8A is a view of the cathode-side separator or the anode-side separator as viewed from above, in which a battery replacement jig is inserted into only a part of one side of the side surface of the cathode-side separator or the anode-side separator. Grooves are formed. That is, grooves 80C and 80D for inserting a battery replacement jig are provided at two places on one side of the side surface of the cathode side separator or the anode side separator. The groove 80C and the groove 80D may be provided on either one of the cathode-side separator and the anode-side separator, or may be provided over both the cathode-side separator and the anode-side separator. FIG. 9A is an exploded view of a cathode-side separator and an anode-side separator adjacent to each other as viewed from the side. In FIG. 9A, grooves 80C and 80D are provided only in one separator. FIG. 9B is an exploded view of the cathode separator and the anode separator adjacent to each other as viewed from the side. In FIG. 9B, grooves 80C and 80D are provided over both separators.

  FIG. 8B is a view of the cathode-side separator or the anode-side separator as viewed from above, and is used to insert a battery replacement jig into only a part of each of two sides of the cathode-side separator or the anode-side separator. Grooves are formed. That is, grooves 80E and 80F for inserting a battery replacement jig are provided in a part of each of two sides of the cathode side separator or the anode side separator.

  Further, the groove 26 and the like in FIG. 1 are provided between at least one side surface of the plate-like separator and an adjacent separator, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a groove may be provided in a central portion of the plate-like separator. FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a cathode separator and an anode separator adjacent to each other as viewed from the side. Grooves 80G and 80H are provided in the center of one separator.

  However, in FIGS. 8 (a), 8 (b), 9 (a), 9 (b) and 10 described above, the recesses, gas flow paths, flow paths and the like of the cathode side separator or the anode side separator are shown. The description is omitted.

  Further, the groove 80A described with reference to FIG. 7A and the groove 80B described with reference to FIG. 7B are not limited to rectangles, but may be wedge-shaped or wedge-shaped so that the corners have a gentle curved surface. It does not matter. Similarly, the grooves 80C and 80D described in FIG. 8A, the grooves 80E and 80F described in FIG. 8B, and the grooves 80G and 80H described in FIG. It may be a wedge shape which is rounded so that a corner has a gentle curved surface.

  Further, the fuel cell of the present invention is not limited to a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) using the polymer electrolyte membrane 1 for the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 10 in the present embodiment, but is also a phosphoric acid fuel cell. (PAFC), molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), direct methanol conversion fuel cell (DMFC), etc. In short, the fuel cell of the present invention is formed by stacking a plurality of cells. What is necessary is just to have the structure which was suitable.

  Next, a method for replacing a defective unit cell of such a fuel cell will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 11, a resin wedge-shaped replacement jig 60 is provided between a defective unit cell and a normal unit cell unit 51 located immediately above a defective unit cell unit 50 including upper and lower separators. Into the groove 26C from two opposing side surfaces. Then, the wedge-shaped replacement jig 60 inserted into the groove 26C is further pressed in the depth direction of the groove 26C. Then, the defective unit cell unit 50 and the normal unit cell unit 51 are separated by the force applied from the replacement jig 60. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12, the normal cell units 51 and 52 above the portion where the replacement jig 60 is inserted are removed. Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the replacement jig 60 is inserted immediately below the defective unit cell unit 50 again. Then, the inserted replacement jig 60 is pressed in the same manner as described above. Then, the defective unit cells 50 are separated by the force applied from the replacement jig 60. Thereafter, the defective unit cell unit 50 is removed as shown in FIG. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15, the replacement unit cell 53 is replaced with a previously prepared replacement unit cell unit 53. Finally, as shown in FIG. 16, the unit cells 51 and 52 that were first removed are placed on the unit cell unit 53. Thus, a fuel cell stack can be manufactured again.

  Here, the shape of the replacement jig to be inserted is not limited to a wedge shape, but may be a thin plate shape, and may be any shape as long as the present invention can be applied. Although the resin is used here in consideration of the load on the separator, the material may be metal, ceramic, or the like. Furthermore, if the fuel cell unit, which is preferably located below the defective unit cell unit 50, is fixed by a fixing jig 61 as shown in FIG. Concerns are less.

  As described above, by providing a groove for inserting a jig between adjacent separators on the side surface in the stacking direction of the fuel cell, it is also possible to process a defective unit cell simply by processing the separator into a very simple configuration. A fuel cell that can be easily replaced can be provided.

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

(Example 1)
The fuel cell of this example used had the configuration shown in FIG. The cell used for this fuel cell will be described below.

  First, after a catalyst layer was applied on both sides of the polymer electrolyte membrane, carbon paper to be a gas diffusion layer and a gasket made of a fluorine-based rubber were attached to form a unit cell. The size of the electrode was 12 cm square, and the size of the unit cell was 18 cm square.

  This single cell was sandwiched between airtight carbon separators (18 cm square, 3 mm thick) 20 and 30 to produce a single cell unit. The separator 20 was filled with an O-ring 24 made of a fluorine-based rubber for ensuring airtightness. Further, as shown by 27 in FIG. 18 (a), the side surface of the separator 20 is shaved to a depth (d) of 0.6 mm and a width (w) of 2 mm.

  A fuel cell stack was manufactured by stacking 80 of the unit cell units. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, a groove 26 having a rectangular cross section was formed on one of the side surfaces of the fuel cell stack. In the present embodiment, the depth (d) and the width (w) of the processed portion 27 for forming the groove 26 are fixed to specific values, but other values can be selected, and the present invention is applicable. Any shape is possible if possible. Furthermore, it can be changed according to the shape of the separator to be used.

(Example 2)
The fuel cell of this example used had the configuration shown in FIG. The unit cells are the same as those used in Example 1.

  This single cell was sandwiched between airtight carbon separators (18 cm square, 3 mm thick) 20 and 30 to produce a single cell unit. The separator 20 was filled with an O-ring 24 for ensuring airtightness. Further, as shown by 27 in FIG. 18 (b), the opposite side surfaces of the separator 20 are shaved to a depth (d) of 0.6 mm and a width (w) of 2 mm.

  A fuel cell stack was manufactured by stacking 80 of the unit cell units. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, grooves 26 having a rectangular cross section were formed on two opposing side surfaces of the fuel cell stack.

(Example 3)
The fuel cell of this embodiment has the configuration shown in FIG. 3 and has grooves 26A on two side surfaces. The unit cells are the same as those used in Example 1.

  This single cell was sandwiched between airtight carbon separators (18 cm square, 3 mm thick) 20 and 30 to produce a single cell unit. The opposite two side surfaces of the separators 20 and 30 are shaved to a depth (d) of 0.6 mm and a width (w) of 2 mm, as shown at 28 in FIG.

  A fuel cell stack was manufactured by stacking 80 of the unit cell units. At this time, a groove 26A having a rectangular cross section is formed on two opposing side surfaces of the fuel cell stack.

(Example 4)
The fuel cell of the present embodiment has a configuration shown in FIG. 4 and has grooves 26B on two side surfaces. The cells are the same as those used in Example 1.

  This single cell was sandwiched between airtight carbon separators (18 cm square, 3 mm thick) 20 and 30 to produce a single cell unit. As shown by 27C and 28C in FIGS. 19 (a) and (b), respectively, two opposite side surfaces of the separators 20 and 30 have a height (h) of 0.8 mm, a width (w) of 2 mm, and an angle (θ). 45 ° chamfering was performed.

  A fuel cell stack was manufactured by stacking 80 of the unit cell units.

  In the present embodiment, the height (h), width (w), and angle (θ) of the chamfered portions 27C and 28C are fixed to specific values, but other values may be selected. Further, in the present embodiment, the shape of the two opposing side surfaces is the same, but they may be different shapes. Further, separators 20 and 30 having different shapes may be used. Further, the shape of the groove can be changed according to the shape of the separator to be used. Further, in this embodiment, the processing is performed on only two side surfaces, but may be performed on all four surfaces, and may be performed on each side surface as long as the separator has a square shape or more.

(Example 5)
The fuel cell of this embodiment has a configuration having a groove 26C which is rounded as shown in FIG. 5, instead of the wedge-shaped groove 26B in FIG. The grooves were formed by chamfering R = 1.5 mm on the separators 20 and 30, as shown by 27D and 28D in FIGS. 20 (a) and (b). Other configurations are the same as those of the fourth embodiment.

(Example 6)
As shown in FIG. 5, in the fuel cell of the present embodiment, a groove 26C similar to that of Embodiment 5 was formed for every two unit cells. Other configurations are the same as those of the fifth embodiment.

(Example 7)
The fuel cell of this example used had the configuration shown in FIG. That is, a cooling unit is provided for every two unit cells, and the groove having the cooling unit is provided in the portion having the cooling unit. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

(Example 8)
In the present embodiment, the fuel cell of the fifth embodiment was used to replace the battery unit by the method shown in FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 11, a height (h) of 50 mm, a bottom width (w) of 20 mm, and a length ( L) A 200 mm wedge-shaped replacement jig 60 was inserted, and the unit cells 51 and 52 above the defective unit 50 were removed as shown in FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the replacement jig 60 was inserted below the defective unit cell unit 50, and the defective unit cell unit 50 was removed (FIG. 14). Thereafter, a replacement unit cell unit 53 prepared in advance was installed as shown in FIG. 15, and finally, as shown in FIG. 16, the unit cell units 51 and 52 were returned to the original state to form a fuel cell again.

  In this replacement work, when the replacement jig 60 was inserted, it could be easily inserted from the groove 26C. Also, no breakage or the like was observed in the separator. For comparison, an attempt was made to insert the replacement jig 60 used in the present embodiment between adjacent separators of a conventional fuel cell having no groove. Could not. Therefore, an attempt was made to insert a replacement jig of the same shape in which the material of the replacement jig 60 was changed to metal. At this time, the separator could be inserted, but the separator side face was chipped or cracked at the time of insertion, and the separator was damaged.

  Next, when the same replacement was performed for the fuel cells of Examples 1 to 4, the replacement of the fuel cells could be performed without any problem. Further, it was confirmed that the fuel cells of Examples 6 and 7 could be replaced without any problem with the fuel cell unit for every two cells.

  In this embodiment, the replacement jig is made of resin or metal, but other ceramic materials can be used. Further, the shape used was a wedge shape, but other shapes such as a sheet shape and a thin plate shape may be used, and the size is not limited to this embodiment.

  Further, in this example, the length (L) of the replacement jig was 200 mm, and was longer than the length (L) of the replacement jig. When the length (L) of the replacement jig is longer than the length of one side of the separator, battery replacement can be performed most easily, but not limited to this. Even when a replacement jig having the same length (L) as the length of one side of the separator is used, the battery can be easily replaced in the same manner as in the above embodiment. Further, even if a replacement jig having a length (L) slightly shorter than the length of one side of the separator can be used, the battery can be easily replaced as in the above embodiment. However, when a replacement jig having an extremely short length (L), such as a length (L) of not more than 1/20 of one side of the separator, is used, it is necessary to replace the jig with the separator groove. Care must be taken because, when the jig is inserted, a local force is applied to the separator, and the separator side surface is likely to be damaged when the battery is replaced.

  Further, when grooves are provided only on a part of one side of the separator or on only a part of each of a plurality of sides of the separator as shown in FIGS. By using a replacement jig having a shorter length (L), battery replacement can be performed easily as in the above embodiment.

(Example 9)
In the present embodiment, the replacement of the fuel cell of Embodiment 4 was performed using the fixing jig 61 of FIG.

  The replacement method is the same as that of the eighth embodiment except that the fuel cell is first fixed by the fixing jig 61 as shown in FIG. At this time, since the fuel cell was fixed, the insertion of the replacement jig was simplified, and the displacement of the normal battery unit during the replacement work did not occur.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The fuel cell and the disassembly method according to the present invention have an effect that a defective cell can be easily replaced only by processing into a separator having a very simple configuration. It is useful for a fuel cell used in a cogeneration system and the like and a decomposition method thereof.

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. Schematic longitudinal sectional view of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present invention Schematic sectional view of a main part of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Schematic sectional view of a main part of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present invention. Schematic sectional view of a main part of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Schematic longitudinal sectional view of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to another embodiment of the present invention (A) A view of a cathode-side separator or an anode-side separator according to another embodiment of the present invention viewed from above. (B) A view of a cathode-side separator or anode-side separator according to another embodiment of the present invention viewed from above. (A) A view of a cathode-side separator or an anode-side separator according to another embodiment of the present invention viewed from above. (B) A view of a cathode-side separator or anode-side separator according to another embodiment of the present invention viewed from above. (A) Exploded view of a cathode-side separator and an anode-side separator adjacent to each other in another embodiment of the present invention viewed from the side. (B) Cathode-side separator and anode-side adjacent to each other in another embodiment of the present invention. Exploded view of the separator viewed from the side Exploded view of a cathode-side separator and an anode-side separator adjacent to each other in another embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the side. FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a fuel cell used for replacement of a battery according to the present invention Schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing removal of the battery above the defective unit cell Schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a battery at a stage of removing a defective unit cell Schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing how a defective unit cell is removed Schematic vertical sectional view showing how to install a replacement battery in place of a defective unit cell. Schematic vertical cross-sectional view showing how to re-install the battery that was above the defective unit cell FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a method of replacing a battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. (A) Cross-sectional view of a main part showing a configuration example of a separator used in an embodiment of the present invention (b) Cross-sectional view of a main part showing a configuration example of a separator used in an embodiment of the present invention (c) Sectional drawing of the principal part which shows the structural example of the separator used for the Example. (A) Cross-sectional view of a main part of a separator used in another embodiment of the present invention (b) Cross-sectional view of a main part of a separator used in another embodiment of the present invention (A) A sectional view of a main part of a separator used in still another embodiment of the present invention. (B) A cross-sectional view of a main part of a separator used in still another embodiment of the present invention. A perspective view of a jig used in an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Polymer electrolyte membrane 2 Catalyst layer 3 Diffusion layer 4 Electrode 5 Gasket 10 MEA
20, 30 Separator 21, 31 Gas flow path 22, 32 Cooling water flow path 24 O-ring 26, 26A, 26B, 26C groove 50 Defective unit cell unit 51, 52 Normal unit cell unit 53 Replacement unit cell unit 60 Replacement jig 61 Fixing jig

Claims (10)

An electrolyte membrane, a pair of electrodes sandwiching the electrolyte membrane, an anode separator provided on one of the electrodes and having a gas flow path for supplying a fuel gas, and a gas provided on the other of the electrodes and supplying an oxidizing gas A plurality of unit cells having a cathode-side separator having a flow path, comprising a plurality of unit cells are stacked fuel cells,
At least a part of the anode-side separator and / or the cathode-side separator among the anode-side separator and the cathode-side separator constituting the plurality of unit cells is provided with a separating groove. Fuel cell.   2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein a part of the anode-side separator and the cathode-side separator serves as both the anode-side separator and the cathode-side separator. 3.   The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the groove is provided at a position where the anode-side separator and the cathode-side separator come into contact with each other.   4. The fuel cell according to claim 3, wherein the groove provided on the anode-side separator and the groove provided on the cathode-side separator face each other at the contact portion. 5.   2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the groove is provided at a portion where the anode-side separator or the cathode-side separator contacts the electrode. 3.   The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the groove is provided at a central portion of the anode-side separator or the cathode-side separator.   The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the groove is a rectangular shape, a wedge shape, or a rounded wedge shape.   The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is a solid polymer electrolyte membrane.   A method for disassembling a fuel cell, comprising: removing an arbitrary cell from the fuel cell by inserting a cell separation jig into the groove of the fuel cell according to claim 1.   The fuel cell disassembly method according to claim 9, wherein the battery disassembly jig has a wedge shape or a thin plate shape.

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