Polymer electrolyte fuel cell

• US 6,103,412 A
• Filed: 05/12/1998
• Issued: 08/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BDF IP Holdings Ltd. (Superior Plus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
• Inventors: Hirano, Shinichi, Fujikawa, Futoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Valentine, Donald R.
• Application Number:
  US09/076,101
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 429/22, 429/24, 429/30, 429/33, 429/34
• US Class Current: 429/414
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2300/0082 Organic polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/926 on carbon or graphite
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04007 related to heat exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04029 Heat exchange using liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04119 with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04291 Arrangements for managing water in solid electrolyte fuel cell systems H01M8/04119 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1004 characterised by membrane-electrode assemblies [MEA] H01M8/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1007 with both reactants being gaseous or vaporised H01M8/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode catalytic electrode disposed at one side of the polymer electrolyte membrane, a fuel gas being supplied to the anode catalytic electrode, a cathode electrode disposed at another side of the polymer electrolyte, an oxidation gas being supplied to the cathode catalytic electrode, control means for controlling a reduction amount of water from the cathode electrode accompanying with the oxidation gas to a sum of a water amount increased at the cathode electrode transported from the anode electrode through the polymer electrolyte membrane during a redox reaction of the fuel cell and a water amount produced by an oxidation reaction in the cathode electrode. A compact fuel cell system with a high cell performance can be accomplished.

Claims

1. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising;

a polymer electrolyte membrane,

an anode catalytic electrode disposed at one side the polymer electrolyte membrane for receiving a fuel gas,

a humidifier for supplying said fuel gas being supplied to the anode catalytic electrode,

a cathode catalytic electrode disposed at another side of the polymer electrode for receiving an oxidation gas,

a supply means for supplying said oxidation gas being supplied to the cathode catalytic electrode without a humidifier, and,

a temperature control means for controlling a fuel cell operating temperature;

so that a reduction amount of water from the cathode catalytic electrode together with the oxidation gas adds a first water amount increased at the cathode catalytic electrode by being transported from the anode catalytic electrode through the polymer electrode membrane during a redox reaction of the fuel cell and a second water amount produced in the cathode catalytic electrode by an oxidation reaction in the cathode catalytic electrode.

2. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 1 wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane has a thickness of about 20-80 μ

m.

3. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 1 wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane has a thickness of about 20-50 μ

m.

4. A polymer electrode fuel cell is recited in claim 1 wherein the temperature control means is adapted to maintain the operating temperature of the fuel cell from about 50°

C. to 80°

C.

5. A polymer electrode fuel cell is recited in claim 1 wherein the temperature control means is adapted to maintain the operating temperature of the fuel cell at about 60°

C.-70°

C.

6. A polymer electrode fuel cell is recited in claim 1 wherein said humidifier is adapted to supply hydrogen and said supply means is adapted to supply air.

7. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 1 wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane is formed with catalyst layers at opposite side, each of the catalyst layer being about 10 μ

m in thickness.

8. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 7 wherein the catalyst layer carries platinum catalytic particles of about 2-4 nm in size on carbon black particles of about 100 nm in size.

9. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 1, wherein the first water amount is determined based on a water amount transported from the anode to the cathode catalytic electrode side accompanying a proton transportation due to an electrical osmotic flux and a water amount transported from the cathode toward the anode due to a reverse water diffusion flux, the second water amount is a water amount produced in the cathode catalytic electrode due to the transportation to the proton,

and the thickness of the polymer electrolyte membrane is determined so as to increase the water amount transported from the cathode toward the anode catalytic electrode due to the reverse water diffusion flux under said fuel cell operation temperature.

10. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising;

a polymer electrolyte membrane having a thickness in a range of about 20 μ

m-80 μ

m,

an anode catalytic electrode disposed at one side of the polymer electrolyte membrane for receiving a fuel gas, and

a cathode catalytic disposed at another side of the polymer electrolyte for receiving an oxidation gas,

wherein no oxidation gas humidifier is provided and an operating temperature of the fuel cell is to be maintained at about 50°

C.-70°

C.

11. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 10 wherein said humidifier is adapted to supply hydrogen and said supply means is adapted to supply air.

12. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 10 wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane is formed with catalyst layers at opposite side, each of the catalyst layer being about 10 μ

m in thickness.

13. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 12 wherein the catalyst layer carries platinum catalytic particles of about 2-4 nm in size on carbon black particles of about 100 nm in size.

14. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising;

a polymer electrolyte membrane,

an anode catalytic electrode disposed at one side the polymer electrolyte membrane for receiving a fuel gas,

a humidifier for supplying said fuel gas being supplied to the anode catalytic electrode,

a cathode catalytic electrode disposed at another side of the polymer electrode for receiving an oxidation gas,

a supply means for supplying said oxidation gas being supplied to the cathode catalytic electrode without a humidifier, and

temperature control means for controlling a fuel cell operating temperature so that a water supply amount at the anode catalytic electrode is greater than a water amount transported from the anode catalytic electrode through the polymer electrolyte membrane during a redox reaction of the fuel cell.

15. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 14 wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane has a thickness of about 20-50 μ

m.

16. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 14 wherein the temperature control means is adapted to maintain the operating temperature of the fuel cell about 50°

C. to 80°

C.

17. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 14 wherein the temperature control means is adapted to maintain the operating temperature of the fuel cell at about 60°

C.-70°

C.

18. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 14 wherein said humidifier is adapted to supply hydrogen and said supply means is adapted to supply.

19. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 14 wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane is formed with catalyst layers at opposite side, each of the catalyst layer being about 10 μ

m in thickness.

20. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 19 wherein the catalyst layer carries platinum catalytic particles of about 2-4 nm in size on carbon black particles of about 1000 nm in size.

21. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising;

a polymer electrolyte membrane,

an anode catalytic electrode disposed at one side the polymer electrolyte membrane for receiving a fuel was,

a humidifier for supplying said fuel gas being supplied to the anode catalytic electrode,

a cathode catalytic electrode disposed at another side of the polymer electrode for receiving an oxidation gas,

a supply means for supplying said oxidation gas being supplied to the cathode catalytic electrode without a humidifier, and,

a temperature control means for controlling a fuel cell operating temperature;

so that a reduction amount of water from the cathode catalytic electrode together with the oxidation gas adds a first water amount increased at the cathode catalytic electrode by being transported from the anode catalytic electrode through the polymer electrode membrane during a redox reaction of the fuel cell and a second water amount produced in the cathode catalytic electrode by an oxidation reaction in the cathode catalytic electrode wherein a water supply amount at the anode catalytic electrode is greater than a water amount transported from the anode electrode through the polymer electrolyte membrane during a redox reaction of the fuel cell.

22. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 21 wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane has a thickness of about 20-80 μ

m.

23. A polymer electro fuel cell as recited in claim 22, wherein the temperature control means is adapted to maintain the operating temperature of the fuel cell at about 60°

C.-70°

C.

24. A polymer electrolyte fuel as recited in claim 21 wherein said humidifier is adapted to supply hydrogen and said supply means is adapted to supply air.

25. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 21 wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane is formed with catalyst layers at opposite side, each of the catalyst layer being about 10 μ

m in thickness.

26. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 25 wherein the catalyst layer carries platinum catalytic particles of about 2-4 nm in size on carbon black particles of about 100 nm in size.

27. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising;

a polymer electrolyte membrane,

an anode catalytic electrode disposed at one side the polymer electrolyte membrane for receiving a fuel gas,

a humidifier for supplying said fuel gas being supplied to the anode catalytic electrode,

a cathode catalytic electrode disposed at another side of the polymer electrode for receiving an oxidation gas,

an oxidation gas supplier for supplying said oxidation gas being supplied to the cathode catalytic electrode without a humidifier, and,

a temperature control mechanism to control a fuel cell operating temperature so that a reduction amount of water from the cathode catalytic electrode together with the oxidation as adds a water amount increased at the anode catalytic electrode be transport by a water produced at the anode electrode from the anode catalytic electrode to the cathode catalytic electrode through the polymer electrolyte membrane during a redox reaction of the fuel cell and a water amount produced by an oxidation reaction in the cathode catalytic electrode.

28. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 27 wherein the temperature control mechanism is adapted to maintain the operating temperature of the fuel cell at about 60°

C.-70°

C.

29. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 27 wherein said humidifier is adapted to supply hydrogen and said supplier is adapted to supply air.

30. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 27 wherein no oxidation gas humidifier is provided.

31. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 27 wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane is formed with catalyst layers at opposite side, each of the catalyst layer being about 10 μ

m in thickness.

32. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell as recited in claim 31 wherein the catalyst layer carries platinum catalytic particles of about 2-4 nm in size on carbon black particles of about 100 nm in size.

33. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising;

a polymer electrolyte membrane having a thickness in a range of about 20 μ

m-80 μ

m,

an anode catalytic electrode disposed at one side the polymer electrolyte membrane for receiving a fuel gas,

a humidifier for supplying said fuel gas being supplied to the anode catalytic electrode,

a cathode catalytic electrode disposed at another side of the polymer electrode for receiving an oxidation gas,

an oxidation gas supplier for supplying said oxidation gas being supplied to the cathode catalytic electrode without a humidifier, and

a temperature control mechanism to control a fuel cell operating temperature so that a reduction amount of water from the cathode catalytic electrode together with the oxidation as adds a water amount increased at the anode catalytic electrode being transported by a water produced at the anode electrode from the anode catalytic electrode to the cathode catalytic electrode through the polymer electrolyte membrane during a redox reaction of the fuel cell and a water amount produced by an oxidation reaction in the cathode catalytic electrode.

34. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising;

a polymer electrolyte membrane having a thickness in a range of about 20 μ

m-80 μ

m,

an anode catalytic electrode disposed at one side the polymer electrolyte membrane for receiving a fuel gas, a humidifier for supplying said fuel gas being supplied to the anode catalytic electrode,

a cathode catalytic electrode disposed at another side of the polymer electrode for receiving an oxidation gas,

a supply means for supplying said oxidation gas being supplied to the cathode catalytic electrode without a humidifier, and

temperature control means for controlling a fuel cell operating temperature so that a water supply amount at the anode catalytic electrode is greater than a water amount transported from the anode catalytic electrode through the polymer electrolyte membrane during a redox reaction of the fuel cell.