JP2007165265A - FUEL CELL, ELECTRIC DEVICE, AND METHOD OF TREATING GENERATED WATER IN FUEL CELL - Google Patents

Abstract

【Task】
A fuel cell with good handleability and a method for treating the generated water in the fuel cell, which does not allow the generated water generated by power generation to be condensed outside and eliminates the need to discard the water accumulated in the tank to the outside. I will provide a.
[Solution]
The fuel cell of the present invention includes a power generation unit 8 including an electrolyte membrane having proton conductivity, a fuel electrode and an air electrode disposed on both surfaces thereof, and is provided outside the power generation unit and is generated from the power generation unit. A generated water recovery unit 26 that stores water, and a heat transfer unit 17 that is provided between the power generation unit and the generated water recovery unit and that thermally connects the power generation unit and the generated water recovery unit. Have.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for simply discharging water generated in a fuel cell, and more particularly, to a technique capable of increasing the vaporization rate of generated water generated from the fuel cell.

  In recent years, portable information devices such as mobile phones and portable computer systems (notebook PCs) have become more sophisticated and multifunctional, and the batteries used as power sources have become smaller, lighter, and higher in capacity. Is progressing steadily.

  Currently, the most common driving power source in the portable information device is a lithium ion battery. Due to its high energy density, this lithium ion battery has a high drive voltage and battery capacity from the beginning of practical use, and its performance has been improved in accordance with the evolution of portable information devices.

  However, there is a limit to the improvement of the performance of the lithium ion battery, and the lithium ion is in a state where it can no longer fully satisfy the demand as a driving power source for portable information equipment whose functions are advanced.

  Under such circumstances, realization of a new energy device that replaces the lithium ion battery is eagerly desired, and a fuel cell is attracting attention as one of the candidates. A fuel cell can generate power for a long time by supplying fuel to the negative electrode to generate electrons and protons, and reacting the protons with oxygen supplied to the positive electrode. Promising as a secondary battery.

  For this reason, fuel cells are actively researched and developed as ultra-compact power generation units installed in mobile phones, portable computer systems (notebook PCs), as well as large generators for distributed power supplies and electric vehicles. Has been done.

  Fuel cells are roughly classified into phosphoric acid type, solid electrolyte type, molten carbonate type, polymer solid electrolyte type, etc., but portable small fuel cells are polymers that can operate near room temperature. A solid electrolyte type fuel cell is suitable. In particular, solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells that use methanol or aqueous methanol as a fuel (so-called direct methanol fuel cells) have excellent characteristics that they can be reduced in size and weight in addition to the advantage of being operable at low temperatures. Have.

In the direct methanol fuel cell, water (H ₂ O) is generated by the following mechanisms (1) to (3) with the power generation reaction of methanol or methanol aqueous solution as fuel.

First, (1) the following formula: CH ₃ OH (fuel) + H ₂ O → CO ₂ (discharged from the fuel electrode) + 6H ⁺ + 6e ⁻ , the fuel methanol and water react (power generation reaction) Thus, carbon dioxide and H + (proton) are generated.

  Next, (2) H + (proton) in the polymer solid electrolyte moves from the fuel electrode to the air electrode (proton conduction), and an internal current is generated in the fuel cell.

Next, protons are oxidized at the air electrode and water is generated at the air electrode as in (3) following formula: 6H ⁺ + 3 / 2O ₂ + 6e ⁻ → 3H ₂ O. At this time, if the positive side and the negative side of the external circuit are respectively connected to the fuel electrode and the air electrode, electric power can be taken out by the action of electrons (e ⁻ ) with respect to the external circuit. As described above, water is generated by the power generation reaction on the air electrode side.

This generated water has a problem that it must be discarded to the outside as unnecessary, except that a part of it can be used as water used for the reaction at the fuel electrode. With respect to such problems related to the treatment of surplus generated water, a method has been proposed in which the generated water is positively evaporated and released to the outside. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-87159 A

  In Patent Document 1, a water recovery tank is provided outside (equipment side) of the fuel cell by forcibly drying the water generated at the air electrode by power generation with a heater attached to the side surface of the fuel cell. An example of a fuel cell that does not require this is disclosed.

  However, as in Patent Document 1, when the generated water is forcibly released to the outside of the system, moisture-containing air is released to the outside at a stretch and exists around the fuel cell (relatively low temperature). There is a problem that condensation occurs in the air or on the surface of an object.

  As the above solution, it is conceivable to recover and retain the generated water generated by the power generation in the system. However, in this case, in addition to having to provide a tank for storing water, there is also a problem in the treatment of the generated water. That is, the generated water collected and collected in the tank must be discarded to the outside each time, so that the handling property of the device is greatly deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems as described above, and its main purpose is to allow the water generated by power generation to be outside without condensation and to discard the water accumulated in the tank to the outside. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell with good handleability and a method for treating generated water in the fuel cell, which requires almost no work.

  Regarding the above problems, the present inventors use recovered heat in the power generation unit (heat generated during power generation and accumulated in the power generation unit) to maintain the temperature of the recovered water at a high temperature. It has been found that the vaporization rate of the material can be greatly increased and the above problems can be solved, and the present invention has been made.

  And between the said electric power generation part and the said produced | generated water collection | recovery part which accumulates the water which generate | occur | produces from the said electric power generation part, the heat transfer part which thermally connects between the said electric power generation part and the said produced | generated water collection | recovery part is provided. To solve the problem.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell according to the present invention includes a power generation unit including an electrolyte membrane having proton conductivity, a fuel electrode and an air electrode that sandwich the electrolyte membrane, and water generated from the power generation unit. And a heat transfer unit that thermally connects the power generation unit and the generated water recovery unit.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the generated water treatment method in the fuel cell of the present invention recovers the water generated in the power generation unit to the generated water recovery unit, and the heat generated in the power generation unit The temperature of the water recovered by the generated water recovery unit is increased by transmitting the generated water to the generated water recovery unit via a heat transfer unit that thermally connects the generated water recovery unit.

  By having said structure, the vaporization speed | rate of recovered water is raised significantly by maintaining the temperature of the collect | recovered water at high temperature. Therefore, even if there is a short pause between power generation, the rate at which the recovered water is vaporized increases, and the frequency with which the recovered water in the tank must be discarded to the outside drastically decreases.

  Moreover, since the vaporization speed is increased by the residual heat of the fuel cell, no extra power (for example, as in Patent Document 1) is required to realize the above.

According to the present invention, the conventional problems can be solved and the object can be achieved. That is,
According to the present invention, using the heat transfer unit that thermally connects the power generation unit and the generated water recovery unit, the power generation unit and the generated water recovery unit are thermally connected, and the generated water By increasing the temperature of the water accumulated in the recovery unit, the generated water generated by power generation does not condense outside, and the work of discarding the water accumulated in the tank to the outside is almost unnecessary. A good fuel cell and a method for treating generated water in the fuel cell can be provided.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First embodiment)
Details of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a fuel cell system of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell system 1 is largely divided into a main body 24 that generates power, a fuel supply unit 28 that supplies fuel to the main body 24, and generated water that collects and holds generated water generated from the main body 24. It consists of a collection unit 26 and the like.

  The main body 24 includes a power generation unit 8 that actually generates power, a housing 10 that covers the power generation unit 8, and the like.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the housing 10 may include a gas replacement unit 12 that replaces external air and internal air. The power generation unit 8 includes a plurality of fuel cell cells 6 in which a chemical reaction for power generation is performed. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, each cell 6 is connected to the fuel supply line 15. Are arranged on both sides (with the fuel electrode catalyst layer 3 side facing the fuel supply line 15).

  The cell 6 is a single battery. The cell 6 is, for example, a unit called MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) composed of a solid electrolyte layer 4 and a fuel electrode catalyst layer 3 and an air electrode catalyst layer 5 provided on both sides of the solid electrolyte layer 4. And other attached parts.

  The fuel supply unit 28 includes a fuel cartridge 16, a fuel supply line 15 that supplies fuel from the fuel cartridge 16 to the cell 6, and the like.

  The generated water recovery unit 26 includes a generated water recovery line 14 for recovering the generated water generated in the main body 24 (the power generation unit 8), a tank 20 for storing the generated water, and the tank 20 attached to the tank 20. It comprises an evaporating section 22 for evaporating the generated water stored in the evaporating section.

  The evaporation unit 22 is made of, for example, a material including a porous material that absorbs water, and the porous material preferably includes at least one organic substance selected from a natural polymer and a synthetic polymer, and an inorganic substance. .

  The porous material is not particularly limited as long as it can absorb water generated from the power generation unit 8 in the fuel cell system 1 and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples of generated water generated in the fuel cell system include water generated by a power generation reaction in the fuel cell system 1.

  Examples of the material of the porous material include organic substances and inorganic substances, but these two kinds may be used in combination.

  Examples of the organic substance include natural polymers and synthetic polymers.

  Examples of the natural polymer include cellulose polymers, alginic acid polymers, mannan polymers, pullulan polymers, and chitin / chitosan polymers. As the natural polymer, a commercially available product may be used, or a natural polymer may be appropriately extracted from a natural product.

  Examples of the synthetic polymer include acrylic polymers, acrylamide polymers, polyethylenelen oxide polymers, polyester polymers, and the like. The synthetic polymer may be a commercially available product or an appropriately synthesized polymer.

  Examples of the inorganic substance include silica gel, zeolite, magnesium oxide, and the like.

  A heat transfer unit 17 is provided between the power generation unit 8 and the evaporation unit 22 to transmit heat generated in the power generation unit 8 to the evaporation unit 22. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the heat transfer unit 17 is in direct contact with a part of the power generation unit 8 and the evaporation unit 22. Alternatively, (the heat transfer unit 17) may be in indirect contact with a part of the power generation unit 8 and the evaporation unit 22 with a predetermined insulating material having thermal conductivity interposed therebetween.

  Next, a specific example of the power generation unit 8 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cell 6 constituting the power generation unit 8. In the power generation unit 8, the cells 6 that are units of the fuel cell are connected in series, for example, and generate a desired voltage. As shown in FIG. 2, the cell 6 includes an air current collector 51, carbon paper 52, an air electrode (positive electrode catalyst layer) 53, a solid electrolyte 54, a fuel electrode (negative electrode catalyst layer) 55, and carbon paper. 56 and a fuel electrode current collector 57 are stacked in this order.

  Next, treatment of water generated by power generation will be described.

  First, in FIG. 1, the fuel in the fuel cartridge 16 is sent to the power generation unit 8 (the fuel electrode catalyst layer 3) through the fuel supply line 15, and power is generated in each cell 6 of the power generation unit 8. For example, methanol or methanol-based fuel such as aqueous methanol solution is used as the fuel.

  During power generation, the generated water generated from the air electrode catalyst layer 5 evaporates into a wet gas. Then, for example, it is contained in the humid gas by an inner wall surface of the casing 10 whose temperature is lower than that of the power generation unit 8 or a dedicated collection filter (not shown) provided in the casing 10. Moisture is once condensed inside the housing 10. Then, the condensed water is recovered in the generated water recovery tank 20 via the generated water recovery line 14. A part of the generated water passes through the gas replacement unit 12 and is discharged to the outside of the fuel cell.

  Here, with respect to the generated water that passes through the gas replacement unit 12 and is discharged to the outside of the fuel cell, if it is discharged to the outside without any limitation, the moisture will be condensed outside the system. Produce. Therefore, it is necessary to discharge the fuel cell system 1 while limiting the amount of discharge per predetermined time so that no condensation occurs outside the fuel cell system 1.

  As for the produced water that could not be discharged, as described above, for example, the produced water collecting mechanism including the produced water collecting tank 20 in the fuel cell (for example, the produced water collecting unit 26 in FIG. 1). And the produced water is recovered inside the fuel cell.

  In the generated water recovery unit 26, for example, the generated water is once recovered in the tank 20, but a part of the recovered water in the tank 20 is sent to the power generation unit 8 where it is reused for power generation. .

  The water remaining in the tank 20 that is not used for power generation needs to be replaced when the tank 20 is full of water, or the user must dispose of the water outside when power generation is stopped. Become. However, since this operation reduces the operability of the device, it is desirable not to perform this operation as much as possible (or to reduce the number of operations even if it is performed).

  Therefore, the water remaining in the tank 20 is discharged to the outside by the evaporation unit 22 in the figure, for example, when power generation is not performed. The tank 20 is provided with a small hole (not shown) for discharging water inside the tank to the evaporation unit 22, and when a predetermined amount of water accumulates in the tank 20, the water passes through the hole. Then, it is automatically discharged to the evaporation unit 22. However, also in this case, the fuel cell system 1 is discharged while limiting the discharge amount per predetermined time, for example, by a method such as natural vaporization so that condensation does not occur outside the fuel cell system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the tank 20 and the evaporation unit 22 are disposed outside the housing 22, and water evaporated from the evaporation unit 22 is directly discharged to the outside of the fuel cell.

  The temperature at the time of power generation of the power generation unit 8 is usually increased to about 40 to 60 ° C. In the power generation unit 8, even in such a high temperature state, the catalyst layer, the solid electrolyte layer 5, and a current collector (not shown) disposed outside the catalyst layer are held at a constant strong surface pressure, Their contact must be maintained. Therefore, usually, a pressing member such as a carbon block (not shown) serving also as a current collector (not shown) or a SUS block (not shown) is installed outside the current collector. Therefore, the power generation unit 8 has a structure with a large heat capacity and stores heat generated during power generation.

  As described above, most of the heat (heat storage) stored in the power generation unit 8 during power generation is released to the outside as unnecessary heat except for a part required for sustaining power generation. Utilizing the residual heat thrown away to the outside, evaporation of generated water is promoted.

  Specifically, the promotion of the evaporation of the generated water is performed by, for example, the heat transfer unit 17 disposed between the power generation unit 8 and the evaporation unit 22 after the end of power generation.

  Next, a specific example of the heat transfer unit 17 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a specific example (No. 1) of the heat transfer section 17 in the fuel cell system of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, for example, a part of the heat transfer unit 17 is in contact with the power generation unit 8 at a surface having a predetermined area (contact surface 18-1) and is in contact with the power generation unit 8. An end portion on the opposite side of the portion includes a heat conductor 18 that faces the evaporation portion 22 at a slight distance. As a material of the heat conductor 18, for example, a metal having good heat conduction such as copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), or aluminum nitride (AlN) is suitable.

  Further, the fuel cell system 1 includes a switch mechanism 19 for bringing the heat conductor 18 into contact with the evaporation unit 22 as the heat transfer unit 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the switch mechanism 19 includes a fixing portion 19-1 constituted by a part of the housing 10, a pressing fixture 19-2 installed on one surface of the fixing portion 19-1, The switch 19-3 is installed on the other surface of the fixed portion 19-1. The switch mechanism 19 may be provided independently as a mechanism different from the heat transfer unit 17.

  The pressing fixture 19-2 is attached to a screw hole (not shown) provided in the fixing portion 19-1, and extends in the arrow direction in the figure by rotating the switch 19-3 ( It has a mechanism. At this time, the movable portion 18-2 of the heat conductor 18 is pressed by the tip end portion of the pressing fixture 19-2 and comes into contact with the evaporation portion 22.

  When the switch is rotated in the opposite direction, the tip of the pressing fixture 19-2 extending in the direction of the arrow returns to the original position, and the movable end 18-2 that has been in contact with the heat generating portion 8 is used. Leaves the evaporation section 22.

In addition, you may make it the evaporation part 22 contact the heat conductor 18 and the tank 20 for collection | recovery of produced waters directly. In this case, the evaporation unit 22 is disposed at a position where it does not directly contact the heat conductor 18. The temperature of the evaporating unit 22 rises indirectly as the temperature of the tank 20 rises.
(Second Embodiment)
Details of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a specific example (No. 2) of the heat transfer section 17 in the fuel cell system of the present invention.

  This example is different from the first embodiment (FIG. 3) in that the contact operation (and release operation) between the heat conductor 18 and the evaporation unit 22 is performed on the switch mechanism 19 constituting the heat transfer unit 17. This is a point that is performed using an electromagnet.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the switch unit 19 includes a pressing lever 19-6 for bringing the movable end 18-2 of the heat conductor 18 into contact with the evaporation unit 22. The pressing lever 19-6 operates, for example, in the direction of the arrow in the figure with a fulcrum 19-5 fixed to the inner surface of the housing 10 as a fulcrum.

  The pressing lever 19-6 is made of, for example, a steel material such as stainless steel (SUS), and one end thereof is sandwiched between two electromagnets 19-8. The sandwiched end portion of the pressing lever 19-6 is made of, for example, a metal such as iron (Fe) and is attracted to one electromagnet that is turned on.

  The electromagnet 19-8 is fixed to, for example, an electromagnet fixture 19-9 fixed to the inner surface of the housing 10. The electromagnet fixture 19-9 has a control unit (not shown) for turning on and off the electromagnet 19-8.

  The switch mechanism 19 further includes a pressing lever stopper 19-7 as shown in the figure. As shown in the figure, the pressing lever stopper 19-7 is fixed to the housing 10 and has a hole having a constricted central portion. In the pressing lever stopper 19-7, the pressing lever 19-6 is inserted into the hole, and the lever moves up and down in the hole.

  By this pressing lever stop 19-7, even when the power of the electromagnet 19-8 is turned off, the pressing lever 19-6 is not free and is fixed at the end of the hole.

  As described above, the contact operation or the release operation of the heat conductor 18 is performed by providing a mechanism in which the pressing lever stops at the position after the contact operation or the release operation with the evaporation unit 22 and does not become free. Since it takes only a short time to perform, there is an advantage that power consumed for the contact operation or the release operation is saved. At this time, the contact operation or the release operation between the heat conductor 18 and the evaporation unit 22 can be performed using surplus power after the power generation in the power generation unit 8 is completed.

  Moreover, as the heat transfer part 17, for example, a member such as a heat conductor 18 is not newly added. It is also possible to use the housing 10 as a substitute for the heat conductor 18. In this case, a material with good heat transfer is used for the housing 10. The switch mechanism 19 has a function of allowing the evaporation unit 22 to move (relative to the housing 10) and causing the evaporation unit 22 to contact and leave the housing 10.

  During power generation, in order to keep the temperature of the power generation unit 8 as high as possible during power generation, it is desirable not to use the heat of the power generation unit 8 for evaporation of generated water. In addition, since a part of water generated by power generation is usually discharged from the gas replacement unit 12 to the outside of the fuel cell during power generation, it is desirable that no more moisture is released to the outside during power generation.

  For these reasons, at the time of power generation, it is preferable not to use the heat of the power generation unit 8 for evaporating generated water by bringing the heat conductor 18 and the evaporation unit 22 into contact with each other. If conditions such as efficiency and the discharge rate of generated water from the gas replacement unit 12 are aligned, the heat conductor 18 and the evaporation unit 22 are brought into contact with each other from the state during power generation, and the heat of the power generation unit 8 is evaporated. It can also be used as an application.

  Next, electronic devices using fuel cells will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the mobile phone is mounted on the mobile phone cradle.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the mobile phone cradle 30 is equipped with a mobile phone 40 and is configured to be connected to a power adapter 50 (AC-DC converter) for connection to an external power source, for example, a commercial power source. ing.

  The mobile phone 40 includes a mobile phone main body 41 in which an operation key 44 and a microphone 45 are provided on the inner surface 41-1, and a mobile phone movable portion 42 in which a liquid crystal display unit 46 and a speaker 47 are provided on the inner surface 42-1. Connected by the hinge part 43, the mobile phone movable part 42 is rotatable around the hinge part 43.

  The mobile phone 40 can be folded so that the inner surface 41-1 of the mobile phone main body 41 and the inner surface 42-1 of the mobile phone movable portion 42 face each other while being mounted on the mobile phone cradle 30. Further, the mobile phone movable portion 42 can be opened and operated by pressing the operation key 44 while looking at the liquid crystal display portion 46, or the main body (cradle main body 31) of the mobile phone cradle 30 can be operated. You can also make a phone call like a normal mobile phone.

  The mobile phone cradle 30 includes a cradle main body (cover) 31 containing a fuel cell system (not shown) and a fuel cell cartridge 32 filled with fuel. The fuel cell cartridge 32 is disposed in contact with the rear end face 31-1 of the cradle main body 31 on the speaker 47 (mobile phone hinge 43) side where the mobile phone movable portion 42 is opened. Further, an external power supply connection portion 33 for connecting the power adapter 50 is disposed on the end surface 31-2 on the microphone 45 side.

  The cradle main body 31 is configured to hold the mobile phone main body 41 such that the inner surface 31-3 faces the outer surface 41-2 of the mobile phone main body 21. For convenience of the following description, the fuel cartridge 32 side is referred to as the rear portion of the cradle main body portion 31 and the side on which the external power supply connection portion 33 is disposed is referred to as the front portion of the cradle main body portion 31.

In the above embodiment, an example of an electronic device using a fuel cell for a mobile phone is shown. Other examples of the mobile phone include a personal computer, a digital camera, a portable audio, an MP3 player, and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance). And toys.
Example 1
Hereinafter, the result of actually verifying the effect when the present invention is adopted will be described.

  First, about 50% of a platinum ruthenium (PtRu) catalyst having a particle diameter of about 2 to 5 nm is supported on Ketjen Black (Ketjen Black EC) manufactured by Lion Co. to produce fuel electrode catalyst particles. Then, a binder and a solvent are added to the fuel electrode catalyst particles, and they are mixed by a ball mill. Then, the mixture was defoamed to obtain a paste.

  The paste-like product was applied to carbon paper and dried at 80 ° C. for 30 minutes to produce a fuel electrode catalyst layer.

  Next, an air electrode catalyst layer was produced by the same method as that for the fuel electrode catalyst layer.

  The air electrode catalyst layer was applied to carbon paper and dried at 100 ° C. for 60 minutes to prepare a fuel electrode catalyst layer. The fuel electrode catalyst layer and the air electrode catalyst layer thus prepared were placed on both sides of a modified product of Nafion (manufactured by DuPont / perfluoroalkylsulfonic acid) having a film thickness of 175 μm, heated and pressurized, A basic three-layer structure was formed.

  Next, the power generation unit 8 was manufactured by sandwiching and fixing the three-layer structure with a current collector.

  Further, a member corresponding to the heat conductor 18 is made of copper (Cu), and a switch mechanism 19 that makes the evaporation portion 22 and the heat conductor 18 come into contact with each other is made. Arranged.

Next, the liquid was supplied from the fuel supply unit 28 to the power generation unit 8 and power generation was performed continuously for 3 hours, and then the fuel supply was shut off and power generation was terminated. Simultaneously with the end of the power generation, the switch mechanism 19 was driven using the remaining power of the power generation unit 8, the evaporation unit 22 and the heat conductor 18 were brought into contact with each other, and the collected generated water was discharged. At this time, the temperature of the evaporation unit 22 rose to 37 ° C to 40 ° C.
(Comparative Example 1)
In this comparative example 1, the fuel cell system 1 without the heat conductor 18 and the switch mechanism 19 was produced. In addition, it was set as the same structure as the said Example 1 except not providing the heat conductor 18 and the switch mechanism 19. FIG.

  Power generation was performed for 3 hours as in Example 1. In addition, after the power generation was completed, water was naturally evaporated from the evaporation unit 22 without overheating the evaporation unit 22.

  As a result of the measurement, in Example 1, it took 90 minutes to completely evaporate. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, it took 180 minutes to completely evaporate. Therefore, in this example, it was confirmed that the discharge speed could be doubled. At this time, an increase of about 5 ° C. was confirmed in the temperature of the evaporation unit 22.

  The characteristics of the present invention have been described in detail above. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are as follows.

(Appendix 1)
A power generation unit including an electrolyte membrane having proton conductivity, and a fuel electrode and an air electrode sandwiching the electrolyte membrane;
A generated water recovery unit that recovers water generated from the power generation unit;
A fuel cell comprising: a heat transfer unit that thermally connects the power generation unit and the generated water recovery unit.

(Appendix 2)
In the fuel cell according to attachment 1,
The generated water recovery unit includes a tank and an evaporation unit,
The heat transfer unit thermally connects the power generation unit and the evaporation unit.

(Appendix 3)
In the fuel cell according to attachment 2,
The evaporation part includes a porous material that absorbs water.

(Appendix 4)
In the fuel cell according to attachment 3,
The porous material includes at least one organic material selected from natural polymers and synthetic polymers, and an inorganic material.

(Appendix 5)
In the fuel cell according to any one of appendices 1 to 4,
The heat transfer unit further includes a switch mechanism for cutting off the thermal connection.

(Appendix 6)
In the fuel cell according to attachment 5,
The switch mechanism cuts off a thermal connection between the power generation unit and the generated water recovery unit by the heat transfer unit when the power generation unit generates power.

(Appendix 7)
In the fuel cell according to any one of appendices 1 to 6,
The heat transfer part includes a member made of metal or ceramics.

(Appendix 8)
In the fuel cell according to appendix 7,
The member is at least one selected from copper, aluminum, and aluminum nitride.

(Appendix 9)
The fuel cell according to any one of appendices 1 to 8,
A fuel cell system comprising: a cover portion that contains the fuel cell and supplies electric power from the fuel cell to an external device.

(Appendix 10)
An electrical apparatus comprising the fuel cell according to any one of appendices 1 to 8.

(Appendix 11)
The water generated in the power generation unit is recovered in the generated water recovery unit,
The heat generated in the power generation unit is transmitted to the generated water recovery unit via a heat transfer unit that thermally connects the power generation unit and the generated water recovery unit,
A method for treating generated water in a fuel cell, wherein the temperature of the water recovered in the generated water recovery unit is increased.

It is the schematic which shows an example of the fuel cell system of this invention. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cell 6 constituting a power generation unit 8. FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the specific example (the 1) of the heat transfer part 17 in the fuel cell system of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the specific example (the 2) of the heat transfer part 17 in the fuel cell system of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the mobile phone was mounted | worn with the cradle for mobile phones.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fuel cell system 3 ... Fuel electrode catalyst layer 4 ... Solid electrolyte layer 5 ... Air electrode catalyst layer 6 ... Cell 8 ... Electric power generation part 10 ... Housing | casing 12 ... Gas replacement part 14 ... Generated water recovery line 15 ... Fuel supply line 16 ... Fuel cartridge 17 ... Heat transfer part 18 ... Thermal conductor 18-1 ... Contact surface 18-2 ... Movable end 19 ... Switch mechanism 19-1 ... Fixing part 19-2 ... Pressing fixture 19-3 ... Switch 19-5 ... fulcrum 19-6 ... pressing lever 19-7 ... pressing lever stopper 19-8 ... electromagnet 19-9 ... electromagnet fixture 20 ... tank 22 ... evaporating part 24 ... main body part 26 ... generated water recovery part 28 ... fuel supply part 30 ... Cradle 31 for mobile phones ... Cradle body (cover)
31-1 ... Rear end face 31-2 ... End face 31-3 ... Inner face 32 ... Fuel cell cartridge 33 ... External power supply connection part 40 ... Mobile phone 41 ... Mobile phone body part 41-1 ... Inner face 41-2 ... Outer face 42 ... Mobile phone movable part 42-1 ... inner surface 43 ... hinge part 44 ... operation key 45 ... microphone 46 ... liquid crystal display part 47 ... speaker 50 ... power adapter 51 ... air electrode current collector 52 ... carbon paper 53 ... air electrode 54 ... solid Electrolyte 55 ... Fuel electrode 56 ... Carbon paper 57 ... Fuel electrode current collector

Claims (5)

A power generation unit including an electrolyte membrane having proton conductivity, and a fuel electrode and an air electrode sandwiching the electrolyte membrane;
A generated water recovery unit that recovers water generated from the power generation unit;
A fuel cell comprising: a heat transfer unit that thermally connects the power generation unit and the generated water recovery unit. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein
The generated water recovery unit includes a tank and an evaporation unit,
The heat transfer unit thermally connects the power generation unit and the evaporation unit. The fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein
The evaporation part includes a porous material that absorbs water. An electric device comprising the fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The water generated in the power generation unit is recovered in the generated water recovery unit,
The heat generated in the power generation unit is transmitted to the generated water recovery unit via a heat transfer unit that thermally connects the power generation unit and the generated water recovery unit,
A method for treating generated water in a fuel cell, wherein the temperature of the water recovered in the generated water recovery unit is increased.

Images