Supporting member of electrochemical cell and electrochemical hydrogen pump

Abstract

The present invention provides a support component for an electrochemical cell and an electrochemical hydrogen pump. The support component (18) for the electrochemical cell and the electrochemical hydrogen pump (10) have a flow path groove (28) and a plurality of through holes (30) on a flow path component (24), wherein the flow path groove allows anode gas (e.g., hydrogen) to flow in a specified direction; one end of the through hole opens at the flow path groove (28), and the other end is connected to a vent hole (26) of an anode power supply body (22). At least a portion of the through holes (e.g., the discharge through hole (30b)) is inclined at an acute angle to the upstream side of the flow path groove (28) (e.g., the discharge flow path groove (28b)). Accordingly, long-term durability is excellent.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a support component for an electrochemical cell comprising an electrolyte membrane for transporting hydrogen and an electrochemical hydrogen pump. Background Art

[0002] The electrochemical cell has an electrolyte membrane and a catalyst layer and electrodes on both sides of the electrolyte membrane, wherein the electrolyte membrane has hydrogen ion conductivity. Such an electrochemical cell is used in a fuel cell, a water electrolysis device, or an electrochemical hydrogen pump, etc. Among them, the electrochemical hydrogen pump has the same structure as the water electrolysis device. The electrochemical hydrogen pump can generate high-pressure hydrogen required for fuel cell electric vehicles, etc. through only one stage. Compared with a mechanical hydrogen compressor, the electrochemical hydrogen pump has the advantages of being small and having a small working sound.

[0003] In an electrochemical hydrogen pump, a pressure difference acts on the electrolyte membrane. Therefore, a support component for supporting the electrolyte membrane is provided in the portion of the electrochemical hydrogen pump adjacent to the electrolyte membrane. The support component also serves as a supply path for the gas adjacent to the electrolyte membrane. The support component has a vent. The gaseous fluid passes through the vent so that the fluid is supplied to the electrolyte membrane. For example, an electrochemical hydrogen pump is disclosed in Japanese Invention Patent Publication No. 2018-109221, which is composed of a plurality of metal sheets with vents stacked to form an anode diffusion layer (support component). It is recorded in Japanese Invention Patent Publication No. 2018-109221 that in an electrochemical cell, the closer to the anode catalyst layer, the smaller the diameter of the vent of the metal sheet, thereby preventing the electrolyte membrane from being broken due to the pressure difference. Summary of the invention

[0004] The resistance of the electrolyte membrane with hydrogen ion conductivity increases when the amount of water decreases. As a result, the performance and efficiency of the electrochemical cell decrease. Therefore, the hydrogen gas is humidified before being supplied to the electrochemical cell. The hydrogen gas is humidified by passing through a bubbler. The humidified hydrogen gas supplies water to the electrolyte membrane. However, in an electrochemical cell under specific operating conditions, the amount of water supplied by the hydrogen gas to the electrolyte membrane is greater than the amount of water consumed by the electrolyte membrane. In this case, the remaining water returns from the cathode electrode of the electrolyte membrane to the anode electrode due to the pressure difference. The remaining water is retained on the surface of the anode as condensed water.

[0005] As a result, the reaction area between the target gas such as hydrogen and the catalyst layer decreases, so the resistance (potential between electrodes) of the electrochemical cell increases. The increase in resistance leads to a decrease in the hydrogen transport performance and energy efficiency of the electrochemical cell.

[0006] In the electrochemical cell of the prior art, in order to promote the discharge of water retained on the surface of the electrolyte membrane, the diffusion layer, the supporting member and other structural parts are coated with a hydrophobic agent. These structural parts are subjected to a hydrophobic treatment by coating the hydrophobic agent. However, the hydrophobic treatment has a problem of poor long-term durability due to gradual deterioration.

[0007] Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an electrochemical cell support member and an electrochemical hydrogen pump having excellent long-term durability.

[0008] A viewpoint disclosed below is a supporting component for an electrochemical cell, which is arranged adjacent to an anode electrode of a membrane electrode assembly of the electrochemical cell to support the membrane electrode assembly, and comprises an anode power supply and a flow path component, wherein one side of the anode power supply abuts and is electrically connected to the anode electrode of the membrane electrode assembly, and a plurality of ventilation holes for fluid to pass through are formed in the thickness direction; the flow path component is plate-shaped and abuts the other side of the anode power supply to support the anode power supply, and the flow path component comprises a flow path groove and a plurality of through holes, wherein the flow path groove allows anode gas to flow in a prescribed direction; one end of the through hole opens in the flow path groove, and the other end is connected to the ventilation hole of the anode power supply, and at least a portion of the through holes are inclined at an acute angle to the upstream side of the flow path groove.

[0009] Another viewpoint is an electrochemical hydrogen pump, which comprises a membrane electrode assembly, an anode separator, a cathode separator and a supporting component, wherein the anode separator is arranged to face the anode electrode of the membrane electrode assembly; the cathode separator is arranged to face the cathode electrode of the membrane electrode assembly; the supporting component is arranged between the membrane electrode assembly and the anode separator, and the supporting component comprises an anode power supply and a flow path component, wherein one side of the anode power supply abuts and is electrically connected to the anode electrode of the membrane electrode assembly, and a plurality of vents for fluid to pass through are formed in the thickness direction; the flow path component is plate-shaped and abuts the other side of the anode power supply to support the anode power supply, and the flow path component comprises a flow path groove and a plurality of through holes, wherein the flow path groove allows the anode gas to flow in a specified direction; one end of the through hole opens in the flow path groove, and the other end is connected to the vent hole of the anode power supply, and at least a portion of the through holes are inclined at an acute angle to the upstream side of the flow path groove.

[0010] The support component of the electrochemical cell and the electrochemical hydrogen pump of the above viewpoint can have the same or more water discharge performance as the case of hydrophobic processing even without hydrophobic processing, thereby having excellent long-term durability. In addition, since the support component of the electrochemical cell and the electrochemical hydrogen pump do not need hydrophobic processing, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0011] The above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages will be easily understood from the following description of the embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 2 is a cross-sectional view of the support member and the electrochemical hydrogen pump according to the first embodiment. Figure 1 The cross-section representation and Figure 2 II corresponds to the local section.

[0013] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of the flow path component.

[0014] Figure 3 It is an electrochemical hydrogen pump. Figure 2 III-III corresponds to the partial cross-sectional view.

[0015] Figure 4 It is an electrochemical hydrogen pump. Figure 2 IV-IV corresponds to the partial cross-sectional view.

[0016] Figure 5A This is a diagram to explain the function of the supply flow channel. Figure 5B This is a diagram illustrating the function of the discharge flow path groove.

[0017] Figure 6 It is a top view of the flow path member according to the second embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the middle portion of the .

[0019] Figure 8 It is a plan view showing the arrangement layout of the supply through-holes, the right-angle through-holes, and the discharge through-holes of the flow path member having a circular planar shape. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] (First embodiment)

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, an electrochemical hydrogen pump 10 as an example of an electrochemical cell is described. The electrochemical hydrogen pump 10 includes a membrane electrode assembly (hereinafter, referred to as "MEA12"), an anode separator 14, a cathode separator 16, and a support member 18. The MEA12 is sandwiched by the anode separator 14 and the cathode separator 16. The anode separator 14 and the cathode separator 16 are formed by, for example, stamping a steel plate, a stainless steel plate, an aluminum plate, a plated steel plate, or a metal thin plate on which a surface treatment for corrosion prevention is applied to the metal surface into a corrugated shape.

[0022] MEA12 has an electrolyte membrane, an anode electrode provided on one side of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode electrode provided on the other side of the electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane is, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (cation exchange membrane). The solid polymer electrolyte membrane is, for example, a film of perfluorosulfonic acid containing water. In addition to using a fluorine-based electrolyte, an HC (hydrocarbon)-based electrolyte can also be used for the electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane is sandwiched between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode.

[0023] Although not shown in detail, the anode electrode has an anode catalyst layer bonded to one side of the electrolyte membrane. The cathode electrode has a cathode catalyst layer bonded to the other side of the electrolyte membrane. Figure 1 As shown, a cathode power supply 17 is stacked on the cathode catalyst layer. The cathode power supply 17 has the function of a gas diffusion layer. The cathode power supply 17 has, for example, a structure formed by stacking a plurality of metal meshes with different mesh diameters. The size (mesh diameter) of the holes of each metal mesh constituting the cathode power supply 17 becomes finer as it approaches MEA12.

[0024] A high-pressure hydrogen discharge flow path 20 is arranged between the MEA 12 and the cathode separator 16, and the hydrogen gas compressed by the cathode electrode flows into the high-pressure hydrogen discharge flow path 20. In addition, a support member 18 for supporting the MEA 12 is arranged between the MEA 12 and the anode separator 14. The support member 18 has an anode power supply body 22 adjacent to the anode electrode of the MEA 12 and a flow path member 24 arranged between the anode power supply body 22 and the anode separator 14.

[0025] The anode power supply 22 is a plate-shaped component formed of a conductive material such as metal or carbon. The anode power supply 22 abuts against the anode catalyst layer of MEA12 and supplies current to MEA12. The anode power supply 22 also serves as a gas diffusion layer for supplying hydrogen to the anode catalyst layer. The anode power supply 22 has a plurality of vents 26 that penetrate along its thickness direction. In addition, the anode power supply 22 does not necessarily have vents 26 that penetrate along its thickness direction. For example, the anode power supply 22 may have a porous structure or a multi-layer mesh structure instead of the vents 26. The porous structure or the multi-layer mesh structure forms a flow path structure that allows hydrogen to flow along the thickness direction. That is, the anode power supply 22 may also be a structure in which a plurality of metal meshes with vents 26 of different diameters are stacked in multiple layers. The vent 26 is not necessarily limited to a structure in which one vent is penetrated along the thickness direction. The vent 26 may also be composed of a plurality of holes connected in the thickness direction. In this case, the change in the diameter of the vent holes 26 shown in the figure reflects the change in the size of the holes (mesh diameter) existing in each layer in the thickness direction.

[0026] The vent 26 of the anode power supply body 22 has a supply vent 26a and an exhaust vent 26b. The supply vent 26a is a hole that mainly performs the function of obtaining hydrogen from the flow path component 24 and supplying it to the MEA12. The supply vent 26a has a shape in which the cross-sectional area gradually changes in a manner that the cross-sectional area of ​​the end portion on the side away from the MEA12 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the end portion on the MEA12 side. The supply vent 26a is arranged in a position that can be connected to the supply flow path groove 28a described later in the plane of the anode power supply body 22. In the case where the anode power supply body 22 is composed of a plurality of stacked metal meshes, the metal meshes can be stacked in the order in which the mesh diameter becomes larger as it approaches the MEA12 in the region where the supply vent 26a is formed.

[0027] On the other hand, the discharge vent 26b is a hole that mainly functions to discharge condensed water together with hydrogen from the MEA12 side. The discharge vent 26b has a shape in which the cross-sectional area gradually changes along the thickness direction. The cross-sectional area of ​​the end of the discharge vent 26b on the side away from the MEA12 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the end on the MEA12 side. The discharge vent 26b is arranged in a position that can be connected to the discharge flow path groove 28b described later in the plane of the anode power supply body 22. In addition, when the anode power supply body 22 is composed of a plurality of stacked metal meshes, the metal meshes can be stacked in the order in which the mesh diameter becomes smaller as it approaches the MEA12 in the area where the discharge vent 26b is formed.

[0028] The flow path member 24 is disposed between the anode current feeder 22 and the anode separator 14. The flow path member 24 is a plate-shaped member made of metal, etc. The flow path member 24 has a flow path groove 28 formed on the surface on the anode separator 14 side and a through hole 30 connecting the flow path groove 28 and the anode current feeder 22.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the flow path member 24 has a plurality of flow path grooves 28 extending linearly on the surface of the anode separator 14. The flow path grooves 28 are groove-shaped portions formed between a plurality of convex portions 32 extending in the flow path direction. The flow path grooves 28 are formed between the anode separator 14 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 1 ) form a gap extending in the flow path direction. Hydrogen flows in the flow path groove 28 from Figure 2 Flows from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[0030] In the present embodiment, the flow path groove 28 is composed of a supply flow path groove 28a and a discharge flow path groove 28b. The supply flow path groove 28a mainly has the function of supplying hydrogen to the MEA 12. On the other hand, the discharge flow path groove 28b mainly has the function of allowing the condensed water discharged from the MEA 12 to flow out. The discharge flow path groove 28b is arranged adjacent to the supply flow path groove 28a in the flow path width direction. Although not particularly limited, the number of the discharge flow path grooves 28b is less than the number of the supply flow path grooves 28a. In addition, the proportion of the discharge flow path grooves 28b can be appropriately adjusted according to the amount of condensed water generated by the MEA 12.

[0031] One end of the through hole 30 opens at the bottom 28c of the flow path groove 28 of the flow path member 24. The through hole 30 includes a supply through hole 30a and a discharge through hole 30b. The supply through hole 30a opens on the supply flow path groove 28a and is connected to the supply flow path groove 28a. A plurality of supply through holes 30a are arranged at a certain interval along the supply flow path groove 28a in the flow path direction. The discharge through hole 30b opens on the discharge flow path groove 28b and is connected to the discharge flow path groove 28b. A plurality of discharge through holes 30b are arranged at a certain interval along the discharge flow path groove 28b in the flow path direction.

[0032] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the discharge through hole 30b extends in a manner inclined relative to the thickness direction of the flow path member 24. The discharge through hole 30b is inclined in a manner such that the MEA side end 30b1 of the discharge through hole 30b is closer to the upstream side in the flow path direction than the separator side end 30b2 of the discharge through hole 30b. That is, the discharge through hole 30b is inclined in a manner forming an acute angle with respect to the upstream side of the flow path member 24. The discharge through hole 30b opens toward the downstream side.

[0033] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the supply through hole 30a extends in a manner inclined relative to the thickness direction of the flow path member 24. The supply through hole 30a is inclined in a manner such that the MEA side end 30a1 of the supply through hole 30a is closer to the downstream side in the flow path direction than the separator side end 30a2 of the supply through hole 30a. That is, the supply through hole 30a is inclined in a manner forming an obtuse angle with respect to the upstream side of the flow path member 24. The supply through hole 30a opens toward the upstream side.

[0034] The cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section of the discharge through-hole 30 b perpendicular to the central axis is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the cross section of the supply through-hole 30 a perpendicular to the central axis.

[0035] The support member 18 of the electrochemical cell and the electrochemical hydrogen pump 10 of the present embodiment are configured as described above. Next, the functions of the support member 18 and the electrochemical hydrogen pump 10 will be described.

[0036] like Figure 2As shown, in the flow channel 28 (the supply flow channel 28 a and the discharge flow channel 28 b ) of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 10 , hydrogen gas flows from the upstream side to the downstream side along the flow channel direction.

[0037] like Figure 5A As shown, in the supply flow path groove 28a, hydrogen flows into the supply through hole 30a. The supply through hole 30a is inclined and opens on the upstream side. The hydrogen in the supply flow path groove 28a flows therethrough and efficiently flows into the supply through hole 30a. The hydrogen is supplied to the MEA 12 through the anode power supply body 22.

[0038] Electric current is supplied to MEA12 through the anode power supply 22 and the cathode power supply 17. The hydrogen supplied to the anode electrode is transported to the cathode electrode of MEA12 as hydrogen ions. The transported hydrogen ions cause high-pressure hydrogen to be generated at the cathode electrode. Water as water vapor is added to the hydrogen supplied to the electrochemical hydrogen pump 10 through a bubbler or the like. The hydrogen humidifies MEA12 through a portion of the water vapor.

[0039] like Figure 5B As shown, the remaining water vapor in MEA12 condenses in MEA12. The condensed water vapor becomes condensed water on the anode electrode of MEA12. The condensed water flows into the discharge vent 26b of the anode power supply body 22. The condensed water flowing into the discharge vent 26b moves to the side away from MEA12 by the capillary effect.

[0040] The condensed water flows into the discharge through hole 30b of the flow path member 24 through the discharge vent hole 26b. The discharge through hole 30b is inclined toward the downstream side of the discharge flow path groove 28b. Therefore, a negative pressure is generated in the discharge through hole 30b by the flow of hydrogen gas in the discharge flow path groove 28b. The condensed water in the discharge through hole 30b is sucked out along with the flow of hydrogen gas and discharged from the discharge through hole 30b. The condensed water is discharged from the electrochemical hydrogen pump 10 together with the hydrogen gas in the discharge flow path groove 28b.

[0041] (Second embodiment)

[0042] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 6 to Figure 8 The support member 18A in which the arrangement layout of the supply through hole 30a and the discharge through hole 30b is changed is described. Figure 1 The same configurations as those of the supporting member 18 described in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0043] The support member 18A of this embodiment replaces Figure 2 The flow path component 24 shown has Figure 6The flow path member 24A shown in FIG. The flow path member 24A has a plurality of flow path grooves 28 extending in a straight line on the surface close to the anode separator 14. In the present embodiment, the flow path grooves 28 are not divided into supply flow path grooves 28a and discharge flow path grooves 28b, but each flow path groove 28 is provided with a supply through hole 30a and a discharge through hole 30b.

[0044] The flow channel 28 has an upstream portion 28u, an intermediate portion 28m, and a downstream portion 28d. The upstream portion 28u is located on the upstream side in the flow direction of hydrogen gas. The downstream portion 28d is located on the downstream side in the flow direction of hydrogen gas. The intermediate portion 28m is located between the upstream portion 28u and the downstream portion 28d.

[0045] Each flow channel 28 has a supply through hole 30a, a discharge through hole 30b and a right angle through hole 30c. Figure 4 As described above, the supply through hole 30a is opened on the upstream side by being inclined at an obtuse angle to the upstream side of the flow path groove 28. Figure 6 As shown, the supply through hole 30a is arranged at the upstream portion 28u of the flow path groove 28. Figure 3 As described above, the discharge through hole 30b opens toward the downstream side by being inclined at an acute angle to the upstream side of the flow path groove 28. Figure 6 As shown, the discharge through hole 30 b is arranged in the downstream portion 28 d of the flow path groove 28 .

[0046] like Figure 7 As shown, the right-angle through hole 30c is a through hole extending at a right angle to the extending direction of the flow path groove 28. Figure 6 As shown, the right-angle through hole 30c is arranged in the middle portion 28m.

[0047] like Figure 8 As shown, the flow path component 24A can be formed into a circular planar shape, for example. In this case, as shown in the figure, the ranges of the upstream portion 28u, the middle portion 28m and the downstream portion 28d are increased or decreased according to the length of the flow path groove 28. The right-angle through hole 30c is arranged in an elliptical area near the center of the flow path component 24A.

[0048] The support component 18A of the electrochemical cell has a flow path component 24A having the above structure. The MEA12 has a tendency to have less hydrogen in the upstream portion 28u of the flow path groove 28. In addition, the MEA12 has a tendency to easily retain excess water in the downstream portion 28d of the flow path groove 28. The flow path component 24A of the present embodiment arranges the supply through hole 30a in the upstream portion 28u and the discharge through hole 30b in the downstream portion 28d. Such a flow path component 24A can appropriately supply hydrogen and discharge water according to the distribution state of water in the MEA12. Therefore, the support component 18A including the flow path component 24A can improve the performance of the electrochemical hydrogen pump 10 and increase the amount of hydrogen processed.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described above by way of preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0050] The above-described embodiments are summarized as follows.

[0051] The above-mentioned embodiment discloses a supporting component (18) of an electrochemical cell, which is arranged adjacent to the anode electrode of the membrane electrode assembly (12) of the electrochemical cell to support the membrane electrode assembly, and has an anode power supply body (22) and a flow path component (24), wherein one side of the anode power supply body (22) is in contact with and electrically connected to the anode electrode of the membrane electrode assembly, and a plurality of ventilation holes (26) for fluid to pass through are formed in the thickness direction; the flow path component (24) is plate-shaped and is in contact with the other side of the anode power supply body to support the anode power supply body, and the flow path component has a flow path groove (28) and a plurality of through holes (30), wherein the flow path groove (28) allows the anode gas to flow in a specified direction; one end of the through hole (30) is open in the flow path groove, and the other end is connected to the ventilation hole of the anode power supply body, and at least a portion of the through holes are inclined at an acute angle to the upstream side of the flow path groove. The support member thus constructed can achieve drainage performance equal to or higher than that of a hydrophobic treatment, thereby improving the long-term durability and reliability of the electrochemical cell. In addition, since the support member can also discharge the anode gas from the anode power supply, the anode gas near the anode power supply can be prevented from being retained.

[0052] The through hole has a supply through hole (30a) and a discharge through hole (30b) with different inclination directions, and the discharge through hole is inclined at an acute angle to the upstream side of the flow path groove and opens toward the downstream side of the flow path groove. The discharge through hole generates negative pressure due to the flow of anode gas flowing through the flow path groove. The discharge through hole promotes the discharge of condensed water in a suction manner. Thus, the support component prevents the generation of stagnant water near the anode power supply body.

[0053] The supply through hole is inclined at an obtuse angle to the upstream side of the flow path groove and opens toward the upstream side of the flow path groove. The anode gas flowing through the flow path groove easily flows into the supply through hole, so that hydrogen can be efficiently supplied to the membrane electrode assembly. In the support component, the anode gas can be supplied to the anode power supply body while maintaining the flow rate of the anode gas, so that the anode gas can be prevented from being retained near the anode power supply body.

[0054] The supply through holes and the discharge through holes are formed in plurality, and the discharge through holes are arranged in a manner sandwiched by the supply through holes in the flow path width direction of the flow path groove. Such a layout of the supply through holes can efficiently discharge the stagnant water through the adjacent discharge through holes, thereby preventing the stagnant water from clogging the flow path and overflowing.

[0055] The flow path groove has a supply flow path groove (28a) and a discharge flow path groove (28b), wherein the supply flow path groove (28a) is connected to a plurality of supply through holes arranged along the flow path direction; and the discharge flow path groove (28b) is connected to a plurality of discharge through holes arranged along the flow path direction.

[0056] A plurality of the supply flow path grooves and the discharge flow path grooves are provided in parallel so as to be separated in the flow path width direction.

[0057] The plurality of supply through holes are arranged at an upstream portion (28u) of the flow channel as an upstream side, and the plurality of discharge through holes are arranged at a downstream portion (28d) of the flow channel in which the supply through holes are arranged as a downstream side. Such arrangement of the supply through holes and the discharge through holes can appropriately control the supply of hydrogen and the discharge of condensed water, thereby improving the performance and the processing volume of the electrochemical cell.

[0058] The through hole further comprises a right-angle through hole (30c), the right-angle through hole (30c) extending in a right-angle direction relative to the extension direction of the flow path groove, and the right-angle through hole is arranged in the middle part (28m) of the flow path groove between the upstream part and the downstream part. The arrangement of the through hole improves the balance between the supply of hydrogen and the discharge of condensed water, thereby improving the performance and processing capacity of the electrochemical cell.

[0059] The number of the discharge through holes is smaller than the number of the supply through holes. Reducing the number of the discharge through holes increases the flow rate of the gas flowing in the flow path, thereby promoting efficient discharge of condensed water.

[0060] The cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge through hole is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the supply through hole. Reducing the cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge through hole increases the flow velocity of the gas flowing in the flow path, thereby promoting efficient discharge of condensed water.

[0061] The above-mentioned embodiment discloses an electrochemical hydrogen pump (10), which comprises a membrane electrode assembly (12), an anode separator (14), a cathode separator (16) and a support component (18), wherein the anode separator (14) is arranged to face the anode electrode of the membrane electrode assembly; the cathode separator (16) is arranged to face the cathode electrode of the membrane electrode assembly; the support component (18) is arranged between the membrane electrode assembly and the anode separator, and the support component comprises an anode power supply body (22) and a flow path component (24), wherein one side of the anode power supply body (22) is in contact with the membrane electrode assembly. The anode electrodes of the assembly are in contact with each other and electrically connected, and a plurality of ventilation holes (26) are formed in the thickness direction for fluid to pass through; the flow path component (24) is in plate shape and in contact with the other side of the anode power supply body to support the anode power supply body, and the flow path component has a flow path groove (28) and a plurality of through holes (30), wherein the flow path groove (28) allows the anode gas to flow in a specified direction; one end of the through hole (30) opens in the flow path groove, and the other end is connected to the ventilation hole of the anode power supply body, and at least a portion of the through holes are inclined in a manner forming an acute angle with the upstream side of the flow path groove.

Claims

1. A support component for an electrochemical cell, which is arranged adjacent to an anode electrode of a membrane electrode assembly of the electrochemical cell and supports the membrane electrode assembly, characterized in that: It has an anode power supply and a flow path component, wherein: One side of the anode power supply body is in contact with and electrically connected to the anode electrode of the membrane electrode assembly, and a plurality of vent holes for fluid to pass through are formed in the thickness direction; The flow path member is in a plate shape and abuts against the other surface of the anode power supply to support the anode power supply. The flow path component has a flow path groove and a plurality of through holes, wherein: The flow path groove allows the anode gas to flow in a specified direction; One end of the through hole opens in the flow path groove, and the other end is connected to the vent hole of the anode power supply body. The flow path groove has a supply flow path groove and a discharge flow path groove, wherein The supply flow path groove is used to supply the anode gas to the anode electrode; The discharge flow path groove allows the anode gas to flow in the same direction as the supply flow path groove, and is used to allow condensed water discharged from the membrane electrode assembly to flow out. The supply flow path grooves and the discharge flow path grooves are provided in parallel in a plurality of manners separated in the flow path width direction. The through hole has a plurality of supply through holes and a plurality of discharge through holes, wherein The supply through hole opens in the supply flow path groove, is inclined at an obtuse angle to the upstream side of the supply flow path groove, and opens toward the upstream side of the supply flow path groove; The discharge through hole opens at the discharge flow path groove, is inclined at an acute angle to the upstream side of the discharge flow path groove, and opens toward the downstream side of the discharge flow path groove. The discharge through-hole is provided so as to be sandwiched by the supply through-hole in the flow path width direction.

2. The support member for an electrochemical cell according to claim 1, characterized in that The number of the discharge through-holes is smaller than the number of the supply through-holes.

3. The support member for an electrochemical cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-sectional area of ​​the discharge through-hole is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the supply through-hole.

4. An electrochemical hydrogen pump, characterized in that: A membrane electrode assembly, an anode separator, a cathode separator and a support member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The anode separator is arranged facing the anode electrode of the membrane electrode assembly; The cathode separator is arranged facing the cathode electrode of the membrane electrode assembly; The support member is disposed between the membrane electrode assembly and the anode separator.

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