Electrochemical hydrogen pump

Abstract

This invention provides an electrochemical hydrogen pump which allows reduction efficiency due to increase of contact resistances to be suppressed with a light-weight and compact structure. An electrochemical hydrogen pump (24) comprises: single battery cells (m1-m3) that each include an anode separator (7), an anode diffusion layer (5), an anode electrode layer (3), an electrolyte membrane (2), a cathode electrode layer (4), a cathode diffusion layer (6), and a cathode separator (8); and pressurization spaces that are provided in positions sandwiching the anode diffusion layer and the cathode diffusion layer therebetween. The pressurization spaces include an anode pressurization space (27) provided in an anode-side member and a cathode pressurization space (28) provided in a cathode-side member.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an electrochemical hydrogen pump for compressing hydrogen. Background technique [0002] Household fuel cells that use hydrogen as fuel are becoming more and more popular as they are further developed. Furthermore, in recent years, mass production and sales of fuel cell vehicles using hydrogen as fuel have begun, similar to household fuel cells. However, household fuel cells can use existing city gas and existing commercial electricity, and hydrogen infrastructure is indispensable for fuel cell vehicles. [0003] Therefore, in order to expand the popularization of fuel cell vehicles in the future, it is necessary to expand hydrogen refueling stations as hydrogen infrastructure. However, the current hydrogen refueling station requires large-scale equipment and land, and thus costs a lot of money. This aspect has become a major problem to be solved in order to popularize fuel cell vehicles. [0004] Therefore, it is d...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0028] However, there is a problem that as the hydrogen pressure P2 on the cathode side rises, the pressure difference between it and the hydrogen pressure P1 on the anode side increases, and the contact between the cathode diffusion layer 6 and the cathode diaphragm 8 is consequently weakened. The pressure and the contact pressure between the cathode diffusion layer 6 and the cathode electrode layer 4 will decrease, and the resistance will increase

That is, as the efficiency of the hydrogen pump decreases

[0032] Therefore, the hydrogen pressure that can be achieved by using the stack 1 as a hydrogen pump to boost the hydrogen pressure is not too high, so it is impossible to sufficiently fill the fuel cell vehicle with hydrogen.

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