JP4363069B2 - Fuel cell gas flow path evaluation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for evaluating a gas flow path of a fuel gas or an oxidant gas formed on a separator (current collector) in a fuel cell.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, as shown in FIG. 7, from an electrolyte membrane 1Z, catalyst layers 2Z and 2Z applied to the front and back surfaces, and diffusion layers 4Z and 4Z that are laminated if necessary. An electrode (MEA: Membrane-Electrode Assembly) 3Z is used. The electrode 3Z is a separator (collector) having a gas flow path 5Z for supplying a fuel gas (hydrogen) and an oxidant gas (oxygen, usually air). An electric body) is sandwiched by 6Z to form a unit module.
[0003]
In order to increase the power generation efficiency of the fuel cell, it is necessary to objectively evaluate the performance of electrodes, separators (current collectors) and the like. In particular, the shape of the gas flow path of the separator affects the supply mode of the reaction gas to the electrode (electrolyte membrane) and the discharge mode of water generated as a result of power generation. Evaluating the shape of the gas flow path of the separator is an important issue.
[0004]
By the way, this type of conventional evaluation apparatus, as described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-205762), reacts with a unit module in which an electrode and a separator manufactured as a product are integrated. In general, the power generation performance of the entire unit module including the gas flow path is evaluated. A separator-only evaluation apparatus is described in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-283168), but this is merely a test of the gas leakage of the separator as a product.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-205762
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-9-283168
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Currently, in manufacturing a separator, a desired gas flow path shape is set, and a separator mold is designed so as to include a gas flow path based on the shape data. Based on the design, a mold is actually manufactured to make a prototype of the separator. If the gas flow path is not formed according to the desired shape, the mold is corrected. Usually, this mold correction is repeated several times to complete a separator having a desired gas flow path. In order to take such circumstances, it takes a long period of several months to complete the separator. Furthermore, the separator manufactured in this way is assembled with the electrode into a unit module, which is set in a test apparatus as described in Patent Document 1, for example, as a unit module including its gas flow path. Is evaluated. In order to carry out such a process, it takes a period of six months to one year to obtain an evaluation result for one gas flow path, and the best flow path corresponding to the electrode. A longer period is required to determine the shape, which contributes to the slowdown in product development. This also applies to the evaluation with the gas permeability tester of the separator described in Patent Document 2.
[0007]
Moreover, the conventional evaluation is an evaluation in a state where it is incorporated as a unit module as described above, and it is not easy to determine whether the evaluation result is caused by the gas flow path shape itself. This is because it is possible to evaluate the quality of the gas flow path for the first time by exchanging and arranging a plurality of types of separators having different gas flow path shapes for the same electrode and operating under the same conditions. In the completed unit module, the electrode and the separator are integrated by an adhesive disposed around the electrode, and it is difficult to separate the separator without damaging the electrode. By being affected by the bonding method and bonding structure.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can greatly improve the product development speed by enabling rapid evaluation of the gas flow path of a separator used in a fuel cell. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell gas flow path evaluation method and apparatus capable of easily and reliably evaluating a path itself.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An evaluation method according to the present invention is a method for evaluating a gas flow path formed in a separator of a fuel cell, creating a pseudo current collector in which a flow path is formed based on flow path shape data. Combined with the electrode to make a pseudo module, put the pseudo module in an environment that approximates the operating state of the actual module, run the required gas through the gas flow path of the pseudo current collector, and according to the data obtained from the operation The gas flow path formed in the pseudo current collector is evaluated.
[0010]
According to the present invention, for example, using an appropriate machine tool, a gas flow path having the same shape as the flow path shape to be formed in an actual separator is formed on the required material surface based on the flow path shape data, This is a pseudo current collector. Since this step does not require a mold, it can be performed in a short time. The material of the pseudo current collector that forms the channel does not need to be the same as the material used for the actual separator as long as it has the required conductivity. Calibration of obtained data due to material differences can be easily performed by calculation.
[0011]
The pseudo current collector thus obtained is combined with an electrode (MEA: Membrane-Electrode Assembly) to form a pseudo module, and the pseudo module is operated as a fuel cell in an environment approximating the operating state of the actual module. Get the required data. Obtained data is arbitrary, but it is desirable that the data be easily influenced by the gas flow path shape during operation of the fuel cell. For example, the discharge performance change after initial and endurance, flow path pressure loss, current collector temperature distribution, electrode It is practical to use all or one of the data related to damage changes. When the obtained data is inconvenient, it is replaced with a pseudo current collector having a different flow path shape, and data is obtained by operating under the same conditions. Thereafter, this is repeated until an optimum value is obtained.
[0012]
Since a long time is not required for preparing pseudo current collectors having different flow channel shapes as described above, an optimal flow channel shape can be evaluated in a short time. Hereinafter, a mold is generated based on the flow path data determined here, and a separator body as a product is manufactured. Of course, it is not necessary to perform an evaluation test by incorporating the manufactured separator body into a module.
[0013]
In the evaluation, it is highly desirable to form a pseudo module by pressing the pseudo current collector and the electrode in a non-adhered state. Of course, in that case, the entire pseudo module is placed in an environment sealed by other sealing means. In this aspect, when the pseudo current collector is removed after the evaluation of one pseudo current collector, the used electrode is not damaged. Therefore, it becomes easy to evaluate a plurality of pseudo current collectors having different gas flow path shapes using the same electrode and under the same conditions, and the flow path shape itself can be easily and quickly evaluated. Can do.
[0014]
The present invention also discloses an apparatus for effectively performing the above method. That is, an apparatus for evaluating a gas flow path formed in a separator of a fuel cell according to the present invention includes a first support body that replaceably supports a first pseudo current collector having a flow path formed based on flow path shape data. , A second support that exchangeably supports the second pseudo current collector that forms the flow path based on the flow path shape data, and the first pseudo current collector and the second pseudo current support. A first moving means for allowing the current collector to selectively take a first position in which the current collector is opposed to and in close contact with the electrode and a second position in a state of being separated from each other; and in the second position A second moving means for setting one of the first support and the second support to a substantially horizontal posture, and setting both the first support and the second support to a vertical posture in the first posture; When in the first position, pressurize at least one of the first pseudo-current collector and the second pseudo-current collector against the other Sealing means for sealing a pseudo module comprising a first pseudo current collector, a second pseudo current collector and an electrode sandwiched between the first pseudo current collector and the first pseudo current collector when in the first posture; Means for supplying gas necessary for operation of the pseudo module to the gas flow paths formed in the first pseudo current collector and the second pseudo current collector when in the posture, and data for collecting data on the operation result of the pseudo module And at least collecting means.
[0015]
In using the apparatus, first and second pseudo current collectors corresponding to the pseudo current collector described in the method invention are first attached to the first support and the second support. And let it be the 2nd attitude | position which is the state which mutually separated the 1st support body and the 2nd support body. At that time, at least one of the supports is brought into a substantially horizontal posture by the first moving means. An electrode (MEA: Membrane-Electrode Assembly) is placed on a pseudo current collector attached to a support in a horizontal posture. Although the electrodes are thin and easy to bend, the setting is easy because the pseudo current collector to be set is in a horizontal position.
[0016]
Thereafter, the other support body is moved by the first moving means, the first support body and the second support body are opposed to each other with the first pseudo current collector and the second pseudo current collector sandwiching the electrodes, and The first posture is a close state. When the first posture is reached, one pseudo current collector is pressed against the other pseudo current collector by the pressurizing means. The pressure at this time is a pressure acting on the electrode when the electrode is actually incorporated as a fuel cell. When the first posture is reached, the pseudo module composed of the first pseudo current collector, the second pseudo current collector, and the electrode sandwiched therebetween is sealed from the outside by appropriate sealing means. I'm left.
[0017]
In this state (while maintaining the first posture), the second moving means is operated to bring both the first support body and the second support body in the horizontal state into a vertical posture. This vertical attitude is an attitude when the actual fuel cell is operated. The evaluation test starts when this posture is reached. That is, the gas supply means is operated to flow the fuel gas into one of the first pseudo current collector and the second pseudo current collector and the oxidant gas into the other gas flow path. The gas supply conditions at this time are the same as those during the actual operation of the module. The gas necessary for operation of the pseudo module is continuously supplied, and data necessary for evaluation is collected during that time. The required data is collected and analyzed, and the evaluation test of the pseudo current collector is completed.
[0018]
After collecting the data, the second moving means is operated to return the first support and the second support to the horizontal posture, and the first moving means is operated to move the first support and the second support from the first posture. The second posture is isolated from both sides. Thereafter, the first pseudo current collector and the second pseudo current collector are removed from the first support body and the second support body, and another first pseudo current collector and second pseudo current collector to be evaluated next are removed. An attachment, preferably the same electrode, is set on any pseudo current collector. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated. By using this apparatus, it is possible to evaluate the flow path shape of the separator in a short time, as described in the description of the invention of the above method.
[0019]
The sealing means described above is optional. However, it is preferable not to include sealing by adhesion between the first pseudo current collector, the second pseudo current collector, and the electrode sandwiched therebetween. By adopting this aspect, when the first support body and the second support body are changed from the first posture to the second posture after the evaluation test, the first pseudo current collector is not damaged without causing any damage to the electrodes. The second pseudo current collector and the electrode can be separated from each other, and they can be easily reused. Further, since the same electrode can be used repeatedly, the flow path can be evaluated more objectively.
[0020]
Preferably, an insulating material is disposed between the first support and the first pseudo current collector and between the second support and the second pseudo current collector. The insulating material is preferably a resin material, but may be ceramic or the like. By arranging the insulating material, it is possible to obtain data more accurately from the pseudo module without any disturbance.
[0021]
In the apparatus of the present invention, the pressurizing means may be configured to pressurize the first or second support directly so that the pseudo current collectors are pressed against each other. However, in consideration of the reliability of sealing with respect to the pseudo module and the ease of operation, the support on the side where the pressurizing means is disposed is a resin material between the pseudo current collector that supports the pressurizing means and the pressurizing means. It is desirable to provide a piston made of the above, and the pressurizing means pressurizes the pseudo current collector through the piston. The piston also serves as an insulating material, and a sealing packing is provided between the peripheral wall of the piston and the support in order to ensure a seal between the piston peripheral wall and the support.
[0022]
The second posture, in which the first support and the second support are separated from each other, may be a state in which they are separated in the vertical direction while maintaining a mutually parallel posture. However, in the case of this aspect, the height of the apparatus becomes high due to the relationship with the moving means (first moving means) and the pressurizing means for moving one of the supports in the vertical direction, and the first support When the second support is in a vertical posture, a large space is required. In order to avoid this, preferably, the first support and the second support are hingedly connected, and one of the first support and the second support is rotated around the hinge point by the first moving means. It is configured to move and move to the second posture. In that case, it is desirable to attach the pressurizing means to the support on the side to be rotated for the ease of use of the apparatus.
[0023]
Further, when the first support and the second support are hinge-coupled, when the two are in the first posture, the opposing surfaces of the first support and the second support are parallel to each other due to the problem of machining accuracy. It may be difficult to maintain a high degree. Therefore, it is desirable to further include means that can slightly move one of the first support and the second support toward the other in the first posture.
[0024]
In an actual unit module, the electrode and the separator are hermetically sealed and integrated by an adhesive applied in a strip shape on the outer periphery. And in order to prevent that an adhesive agent penetrate | invades into a gas flow path, a bank is arrange | positioned in the perimeter except a gas introduction flow port. Corresponding to such a bank, a protruding packing material is attached in a closed loop shape on the outer circumference of one or both of the first pseudo current collector and the second pseudo current collector, and the gas inlet, gas flow path, gas It is preferable to form all the outlets in the interior region. Thereby, it is possible to effectively prevent the gas bypass of both electrodes (first and second pseudo current collectors) while approximating the product shape, and it is possible to obtain various data closer to the actual machine.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of an example of an apparatus A for carrying out the fuel cell gas flow path evaluation method according to the present invention, and shows a cross section taken along the line aa in FIG. FIG. 2 shows a divided surface viewed from above along the line LL in FIG. In FIG. 1, what is positioned above the line LL corresponds to one of the first support and the second support (referred to here as the first support 50) in the present invention, and is positioned below that. What to do corresponds to the other (referred to as the second support 10). The first support 50 and the second support 10 are generally circular in plan view as a whole, and both are in close contact with each other as shown in FIG. 1st posture "), and by removing the screws 1, they can be separated from each other (a" second posture "in the present invention).
[0026]
First, the second support 10 will be described. The second support 10 includes a lower block 11 that is a support frame, a resin plate 12 that functions as an insulating material located on an upper surface thereof, and a holding member 13 that is further located on the resin plate 12. As will be described later, the holding member 13 is for holding the “second pseudo current collector 20” referred to in the present invention, and is detachably attached to the lower block 11 together with the resin plate 12 by screws 14. Both the resin plate 12 and the holding member 13 are thin plate members whose front and back surfaces are parallel and flat. The holding member 13 has an opening for accommodating the second pseudo current collector 20, and an O-ring 15 as a sealing material is attached so as to surround the opening. Further, O-rings 15a as sealing materials are also attached to the front and back surfaces in the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the holding member 13 (see also FIG. 2).
[0027]
The second pseudo current collector 20 is a thin plate member whose front and back surfaces are parallel, and is made of a material having high conductivity such as copper. Preferably, the thickness is the same as that of a separator (current collector) used in an actual fuel cell, but it may be different. As shown in FIG. 2, a gas flow path 21 having the same shape as the gas flow path of the separator to be evaluated is formed on the surface by an appropriate working method such as cutting, and further connected to the gas flow path 21. A gas inlet 22 and a gas outlet 23 are also formed. A convex packing material 24 is also attached to the outer periphery in a closed loop shape. Further, a water channel 25 for circulating cooling water is also formed on the back surface of the second pseudo current collector 20. The second pseudo current collector 20 is integrated with the resin plate 12 by screws 16 and is attached to the lower block 11 by screws 14 in this state.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 1, the second support 10 has a cooling water introduction port 17 and a cooling water discharge port 18 for supplying cooling to the water passage 25 of the mounted second pseudo current collector 20, Data collection means such as a thermocouple 2 for measuring the temperature of the second pseudo current collector 20 during the evaluation operation and an output terminal 3 for taking out the electric power during operation are also provided. Although not shown, a gas supply port and a gas discharge port for supplying a reaction gas to the gas inlet 22 of the mounted second pseudo current collector 20 are also provided.
[0029]
The configuration of the first support 50 is basically the same as that of the second support 10 described above. That is, the holding member 53 corresponding to the holding member 13 is provided, and the “first pseudo current collector 70” in the present invention is accommodated in an opening formed therein. The positional relationship between the holding member 53 and the first pseudo current collector 70 is the same as in the case of the holding member 13 and the second pseudo current collector 20, and the first pseudo current collector 70 has gas flow paths and The second pseudo current collector 20 is the same as the second pseudo current collector 20 except that a gas inlet, a gas outlet or a water channel 71 is formed on a mirror surface. However, the thickness of the holding member 53 is slightly (approximately several mm) thinner than the thickness of the first pseudo current collector 70.
[0030]
In the first support 50, the shape of the upper block 51 corresponding to the lower block 11 is different from that of the second support 10. That is, the upper block 51 is a cylindrical body, and a resin-made piston 52 is inserted into a cylindrical space formed therein so as to be airtight and slidable in the vertical direction. An O-ring 55 is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the piston 52 to ensure sealing between the inner peripheral surface of the upper block 51 and the outer peripheral wall of the piston 52. Further, a highly rigid back material 56 is positioned on the resin piston 52. The back material 56 can also be slid up and down in a cylindrical space of the upper block 51 through a sliding material 57 with a smooth surface attached to the outer peripheral surface while maintaining airtightness.
[0031]
In assembling, the holding member 53 is attached to the lower surface of the upper block 51 with a screw 54 in a state where the first pseudo current collector 70 is supported in an internal manner. An O-ring 55a is attached to the upper surface of the holding member 53, and the airtightness of the attachment surface is ensured. The piston 52 and the back member 56 are integrated with the screw 58 and inserted into the cylindrical space of the upper block 51. Then, the first pseudo current collector 70 is integrated with the lower surface of the piston 52 by the screw 59. Thus, the first pseudo current collector 70 and the piston 52 are assembled so as to be slidable in the vertical direction with respect to the upper block 51 in a state of being sealed from the outside.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling water introduction port 17 for supplying cooling water to the water channel 71 of the first pseudo current collector 70 so as to pass through the back material 56 and the piston 52 also to the first support 50. A cooling water discharge port 18 is formed, and further includes data collecting means such as a thermocouple 2 for measuring the temperature of the first pseudo current collector 70 during the evaluation operation and an output terminal 3 for taking out the electric power during operation. ing. Further, a gas supply port 4 and a gas discharge port for supplying a reaction gas to the gas inlet 72 of the first pseudo current collector 70 attached are also provided.
[0033]
In FIG. 1, 60 is a pressurizing means, and 61 is a load cell. A pressurizing means 60 is attached to a continuous frame on the upper block 51 side (not shown in FIG. 1), and a load is applied to the back material 56 from the center of the back material 56. As a result, the piston 52 is pushed down together with the back material 56 to bring the first and second pseudo current collectors 70 and 20 that are in close contact with each other into a pressure contact state. The downward sliding of the piston 52 is ensured by the thickness of the holding member 53 being slightly thinner than the thickness of the first pseudo current collector 70.
[0034]
In the evaluation test, the second support body 10 and the first support body 50 are set in a second posture separated from each other, and for example, an electrode (not shown) is placed on the second pseudo current collector 20 on the second support body 10 side. . In this state, the first support 50 is in close contact with the second support 10 such that the first pseudo current collector 70 faces the second pseudo current collector 20, that is, as referred to in the present invention. “Second posture”. Then, the screw 1 is tightened and integrated, and the pressure state in the actual operation state of the fuel cell is obtained while the amount of pressurization by the pressurizing means 60 is detected by the load cell 61.
[0035]
With the above-described configuration, the load is applied to the pseudo current collector in a state separated from the upper block 51 that is the support frame. Therefore, the load can be easily and freely adjusted. In this device, the pressure applied to the pseudo module composed of the first pseudo current collector 70, the second pseudo current collector 20, and the electrode and the sealing of the pseudo module outside air are completely independent. In addition, since a load can be applied only to the pseudo module regardless of the sealing means, it is possible to apply a load most suitable for the evaluation, and a correct evaluation for the gas flow path can be obtained. Further, sealing can be performed only by an O-ring as shown in the figure, and the configuration is simplified.
[0036]
Therefore, it is not necessary to use sealing by adhesion as in an actual module for sealing the pseudo module, and after the evaluation test, the first support 50 and the second support 10 are moved from the first position to the second position. In this case, the first pseudo current collector 70, the second pseudo current collector 20, and the electrodes can be separated from each other without causing any damage to the electrodes. Therefore, it becomes possible to repeatedly use the same electrode, and the flow path evaluation can be obtained more objectively. By releasing the necessary screwing, the pseudo current collector can be easily replaced with another pseudo current collector.
[0037]
In the apparatus of the present invention, the first support 50 and the second support 10 can be arbitrarily separated from the first posture in close contact with each other in the second posture, and the first posture shown in FIG. The first support 50 may be moved vertically upward by an appropriate moving means (first moving means) (not shown) to assume the second posture. However, when the gas flow path is actually evaluated, the first support 50 and the second support 10 that are in close contact with each other are set in a vertical posture while supporting the posture. The first support 50 and the second support 10 are hinge-coupled so that the first support 50 and the second support 10 can be reduced, and either the first support 50 or the second support 10 is centered on the hinge point by the first moving means. It is preferable that the second posture is configured by pivoting to the second position.
[0038]
FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of an evaluation apparatus according to the present invention in which a mechanism therefor is incorporated, in which the main configuration described based on FIGS. 1 and 2 is incorporated. In FIG. 3, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the first support 50 includes a first support machine frame 81, and the second support 10 includes a second support machine frame 82. The first support machine frame 81 and the second support machine frame 82 are pivotally attached to each other by a hinge point 83. Further, the first support 50 and the second support 10 are connected by a screw moving means 85 having a handle 84 constituting a “first moving means” according to the present invention and a hydraulic actuator 86. By operating them, the first support 50 and the second support 10 can arbitrarily take the first posture shown in FIG. 1 and the second posture separated from each other shown in FIG. Has been.
[0039]
Further, the lower end of the second support machine frame 82 on the second support body 10 side is displaced from the center line of the second support body 10 with respect to the support base 5 of the entire apparatus (close to the hinge point 83). At position 87, it is pivotally supported. The second support 10 and the support 5 are connected via two hydraulic actuators 88 and 89 that constitute the “second moving means” in the present invention, and the actuators 88 and 89 are appropriately operated. By doing so, as indicated by the phantom line in FIG. 5, the entire first support 50 and second support 10 in the first posture can be moved to a vertical posture while maintaining the posture. Yes.
[0040]
In the example of FIG. 3, the pressurizing means 60 pressurizes the frame 63 continuous on the upper block 51 side through the handle 64 and trapezoidal screws (not shown) in the center direction of the back material 56 in the normal direction of the electrode. When the handle 64 is operated, a load is applied to the back member 56 independently of the upper block 51, and the piston 52 is pushed down together with the back member 56. The load is measured by the load cell 61.
[0041]
In the evaluation, the first and second pseudo electrodes 70 and 20 to be evaluated are attached to the first and second support means 50 and 10, and the second moving means (actuators 88 and 89) are operated to perform the second operation. The support means 10 is in a horizontal posture. Next, the first moving means (screw moving means 85, actuator 86) is operated to bring the first support means 50 into the upwardly rotated position (second posture) shown in FIG. An electrode is set on the pseudo electrode 20. The second pseudo electrode 20 is in a horizontal posture, and this setting is easy. Next, the first moving unit is operated again to rotate the first support 50 toward the second support 10 to bring the two shown in FIG. 3 into a close first posture. As a result, a pseudo module is formed between the first support 50 and the second support 10, so that the pressure test unit 60 can be operated to apply a required pressure to the pseudo module and an evaluation test can be performed. State.
[0042]
In this state, the second moving means is operated to bring the whole into a vertical posture indicated by a virtual line in FIG. This posture is a posture in which an actual fuel cell is operated. In this state, the reaction gas is made to flow through the gas flow passages formed in the first and second pseudo current collectors 70 and 20, and the cooling water is made to flow through the cooling water passages as necessary to approximate an actual operating environment. Make up. In this way, while operating the pseudo module, necessary data is obtained and the gas flow path is evaluated.
[0043]
In the structure in which the first support 50 and the second support 10 are rotatably supported via the hinge points as in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the opposing surfaces depend on the machining accuracy. It is difficult for the surfaces to be completely parallel to each other, and the sealing performance may be insufficient when the first posture is adopted. FIG. 6 is intended to avoid this. The hinge portion formed on the second support machine frame 82 on the second support 10 side can be slightly moved in the vertical direction, and the first support machine can be moved by the force of the spring 90. The structure is such that a gap is formed between the frame 81 and the second support machine frame 82. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 91 denotes a screw means for adjusting the force of the spring 90. By interposing such a preparation means, the parallelism between the first support 50 and the second support 10 without affecting the machining accuracy, that is, the first pseudo current collector 70 and the second pseudo current collector. The parallelism with the other 20 can be reliably maintained, and a more accurate gas flow evaluation test can be performed.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the fuel cell gas flow path evaluation method and apparatus according to the present invention, the gas flow path of the separator used in the fuel cell can be quickly evaluated, and the product development speed can be greatly improved. Can do. In addition, since various types of gas flow path tests can be performed using the same electrode (MEA: Membrane-Electrode Assembly), it is possible to easily and reliably evaluate the gas flow path itself without any disturbance. It becomes.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of an example of an apparatus for carrying out a fuel cell gas flow path evaluation method according to the present invention, showing a cross section taken along the line aa in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a partial view of a dividing surface taken along line LL in FIG. 1 as viewed from above.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing the whole fuel cell gas flow path evaluation apparatus according to the present invention.
4 is a view showing a state in which the first support and the second support are separated from each other in the apparatus of FIG. 1;
5 is a view showing a state in which the first support body and the second support body are in a vertical posture in the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing an example of a hinge portion.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a unit module.
[Explanation of symbols]
A ... Fuel cell gas flow path evaluation method apparatus, 2 ... Thermocouple, 3 ... Output terminal, 4 ... Gas supply port, 5 ... Support base for the entire apparatus, 15, 15a ... O-ring, 17 ... Cooling water introduction port, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 ... Cooling water discharge port, 10 ... Second support, 11 ... Lower block, 12 ... Resin plate, 13 ... Holding member, 20 ... Second pseudo current collector, 21 ... Gas flow path, 22 ... Gas inlet, 23 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Gas outlet, 24 ... Packing material, 25 ... Cooling water channel, 50 ... 1st support body, 51 ... Upper block, 52 ... Resin piston, 53 ... Holding member, 55 ... O-ring, 56 ... Back material, 70 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1st pseudo electric power collector, 72 ... Gas inlet, 71 ... Cooling water channel, 60 ... Pressurizing means, 61 ... Load cell, 81 ... 1st support machine frame, 82 ... 2nd support machine frame, 83 ... Hinge point, 87 … Pivot point

Claims (9)

An apparatus for evaluating a gas flow path formed in a separator of a fuel cell,
A first support that exchangeably supports a first pseudo current collector that forms a flow path based on flow path shape data;
A second support that exchangeably supports a second pseudo current collector that forms a flow path based on flow path shape data;
A first posture in which the first pseudo-current collector and the second pseudo-current collector are opposed to each other with the first pseudo current collector and the second pseudo current collector in contact with each other with the electrodes therebetween, and a second posture in which the first pseudo-current collector and the second pseudo current collector are separated from each other. First moving means for selectively taking
In the second posture, either the first support body or the second support body is in a horizontal posture with respect to the device installation surface, and in the first posture, both the first support body and the second support body are installed in the device. A second moving means having a posture perpendicular to the surface;
Pressurizing means for pressurizing at least one of the first pseudo-current collector and the second pseudo-current collector against the other when in the first posture;
Sealing means for sealing a pseudo module composed of the first pseudo current collector, the second pseudo current collector, and an electrode sandwiched therebetween when in the first posture;
Means for supplying a gas required for operation of the pseudo module to a gas flow path formed in the first pseudo current collector and the second pseudo current collector when in the first posture;
Data collection means for collecting data of operation results of the pseudo module;
A fuel cell gas flow path evaluation apparatus comprising: 2. The fuel cell gas flow according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing means does not include sealing by adhesion between the first pseudo current collector, the second pseudo current collector, and the electrode sandwiched therebetween. Road evaluation device. 2. The fuel cell gas according to claim 1 , wherein an insulating material is disposed between the first support and the first pseudo current collector and between the second support and the second pseudo current collector. Flow path evaluation device. The support on the side where the pressurizing means is disposed includes a piston made of a resin material between the pseudo current collector supported by the pressurizing means and the pressurizing means, and the pressurizing means presses the piston. by which, and as, together with the piston also serves as the insulating material, the fuel cell gas according to claim 1 which is between the peripheral wall and the support of the piston, characterized in that the sealing gasket is provided Flow path evaluation device. The first support body and the second support body are hinge-coupled, and the second posture is obtained by rotating one of the first support body and the second support body about the hinge point by the first moving means. 5. The fuel cell gas flow path evaluation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 6. The fuel cell gas flow path evaluation apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the pressurizing means is attached to a support body on the side of rotational movement. The fuel cell gas flow path evaluation according to claim 5 or 6 , further comprising means for moving one of the first support and the second support toward the other when in the first posture. apparatus. Convex packing material is attached to the outer circumference of the first pseudo current collector and the second pseudo current collector in a closed loop shape, and the gas inlet, the gas flow path, and the gas outlet are all formed in the inner region. The fuel cell gas flow path evaluation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Collecting data by the data collecting means, after initial and durability discharge performance changes, the passage pressure loss, the collector temperature distribution, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that any or all of the data for the electrode damage change Fuel cell gas flow path evaluation apparatus.

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