Method for drying separators

Abstract

The present invention provides a separator drying method capable of drying a separator without causing water marks. In the separator drying method according to the present invention, for a flat-plate rectangular separator arranged at the boundary between cell units in a fuel cell and used for blocking gas, drying after liquid cleaning of the separator is performed by injecting gas into a loading container in which a plurality of the separators are arranged in the thickness direction, the separator drying method comprising: a holding step of holding the separators so that the flat plate surface of the separators is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane; and a drying step of blowing off and discharging moisture adhering to the separators from the other end side by injecting gas from the one end side of the separators toward the other end side located lower than the one end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for drying a partition. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a workpiece drying apparatus for a thin plate-shaped workpiece used as a separator in a fuel cell, which dries the workpiece by placing it on a rack and spraying air upward from the lower surface of the rack.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-066139 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The workpiece drying apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 sprays air upwards from the lower surface, so water adhering to the workpiece does not fall but is dispersed upwards. Furthermore, this workpiece drying apparatus dries the workpiece by heating the drying tank with a separately provided heating device to evaporate the water. Therefore, there is a risk that when the finely dispersed water droplets evaporate from the workpiece, traces of water, known as so-called watermarks, may remain.

[0005] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a drying method for a partition that can dry the partition without producing watermarks.

[0006] In one aspect of the drying method for the partition according to the present invention,

[0007] A method for drying a flat, rectangular separator disposed at the boundary of cell units in a fuel cell and used to block gas flow is described, comprising: liquid cleaning and drying of the separator by injecting gas into a loading container in which multiple separators are arranged along their thickness direction;

[0008] The step is to hold the partition in such a way that the flat surface of the partition is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane; and

[0009] The drying step involves spraying the gas from one end of the partition toward the other end, which is located further below the first end, to blow away the moisture adhering to the partition and allow it to be discharged from the other end.

[0010] Invention Effects

[0011] According to the present invention, a method for drying a partition is provided that can dry the partition without producing watermarks. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 (a) is a schematic perspective view of the workpiece basket according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 (b) is a side view of the workpiece basket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 (a) is a side view before the drying step in the drying method of the partition according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 (b) is a side view of the drying step in the drying method of the partition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a side view during gas circulation in the drying method of the partition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a side view of the partition cleaning and drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method for drying a partition according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, for clarity, the following description and drawings have been appropriately simplified.

[0018] <Structure of the workpiece basket>

[0019] The workpiece basket according to the embodiments of the present invention is a loading container for loading a flat rectangular separator arranged along the thickness direction of the separator, which is disposed at the boundary between battery cells in a fuel cell and is used to block gas.

[0020] Figure 1 (a) is a schematic perspective view of the workpiece basket according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 (b) is a side view of the workpiece basket according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, in Figure 1 (a) Figure 1 (b) shows a diagram of a workpiece basket loaded with partitions. Additionally, Figure 1 (a) Figure 1 (b) shows a right-handed xyz orthogonal coordinate system for convenient representation of the positional relationships of constituent elements. The positive z-axis is vertically upward, and the xy plane is horizontal, including those described later. Figures 2-4 Including Figures 1-4 The attached figures are identical.

[0021] The workpiece basket 1 includes side sections 11 and 12, side guides 13 and 14, a bottom section 15, a bottom guide 16, and a handle 17, as well as a loading partition 2. Here, the workpiece basket 1 is a loading container.

[0022] The workpiece basket 1 is a loading container used for cleaning and drying the partitions 2 while they are loaded. Inside the workpiece basket 1, one or more partitions 2 are arranged along the x-axis (thickness direction of the partitions 2). The size of the workpiece basket 1 is appropriately determined according to the size of the partitions 2. The workpiece basket 1 is made of alloy steel such as stainless steel or synthetic resin such as polypropylene, a material that does not dissolve during alkaline cleaning of the partitions 2.

[0023] Side portions 11 and 12 are connected to the bottom portion 15, and side portions 11 and 12 are opposite to each other. Through this structure, side portions 11 and 12 constitute the side surfaces of the workpiece basket 1. A side guide 13 is formed on the surface of side portion 11 in the negative y-axis direction, and a side guide 14 is formed on the surface of side portion 12 in the positive y-axis direction. Furthermore, in... Figure 1 (a) The positive x-axis side and the negative x-axis side of the workpiece basket 1 are not provided with side portions, but in addition to side portions 11 and 12, side portions may also be provided on this surface.

[0024] Furthermore, the side portions 11 and 12 are composed of outer frames 111 and 121 and support members 112 and 122 extending along the x-axis direction from the center of the side portions 11 and 12. The portion of side portion 11 surrounded by the outer frame 111 and the support member 112 is an opening 113, and the portion of side portion 12 surrounded by the outer frame 121 and the support member 122 is an opening 123. That is, the workpiece basket 1 has openings 113 and 123 respectively on a pair of opposing surfaces (i.e., side portions 11 and 12) that are approximately parallel to the thickness direction (x-axis direction) of the partition 2. Additionally, in Figure 1 In (a), one support member 112 and one 122 are depicted respectively, but the number of support members 112 and 122 may be appropriately determined according to the required strength of the workpiece basket 1 and the number of side guide members 13 and 14, etc., and there may be no support members 112 and 122. Furthermore, the side portions 11 and 12 may also have support members extending in a direction parallel to the z-axis or in other directions.

[0025] Side guide 13 is a component having a plurality of protrusions arranged in the x-axis direction on the upper side of the outer frame 111 and the surface of the support member 112 on the negative y-axis direction side. Side guide 14 is a component having a plurality of protrusions arranged in the x-axis direction on the upper side of the outer frame 121 and the surface of the support member 122 on the positive y-axis direction side. Side guides 13 and 14 have the function of separating one or more partitions 2 arranged in the x-axis direction from each other by arranging partitions 2 between the protrusions arranged in the x-axis direction. In addition, the spacing between the protrusions of side guides 13 and 14 is appropriately determined according to the number of partitions 2 loaded in the workpiece basket 1. Furthermore, in Figure 1In (a), two side guides 13 and 14 are depicted respectively, but the number of side guides 13 and 14 is appropriately determined according to the stability required by the partition 2.

[0026] The bottom part 15 is connected to the side parts 11 and 12 to form the bottom surface of the workpiece basket 1. A bottom guide 16 is formed on the surface of the bottom part 15 in the positive z-axis direction.

[0027] Furthermore, the bottom part 15 is composed of an outer frame 151 and a support member 152 extending along the y-axis at the center of the outer frame 151. The portion of the bottom part 15 surrounded by the outer frame 151 and the support member 152 is an opening 153.

[0028] In addition, Figure 1 In (a), only one support member 152 is depicted, but the number of support members 152 is appropriately determined according to the required strength of the workpiece basket 1, and there may be no support member 152. Furthermore, the bottom part 15 may also have support members extending in a direction parallel to the x-axis or other directions. In addition, a part of the components constituting the outer frame 151 may be a component shared with the outer frames 111 and 121.

[0029] The bottom guide 16 is a component having a plurality of protrusions arranged in the x-axis direction on the z-axis positive direction side of the bottom surface 15. The bottom guide 16 has the function of separating one or more partitions 2 arranged in the x-axis direction from each other by placing partitions 2 between the protrusions arranged in the x-axis direction. Furthermore, the spacing between the protrusions of the bottom guide 16 is appropriately determined according to the number of partitions 2 loaded in the workpiece basket 1. And, in Figure 1 In (a), two bottom guides 16 are depicted, but the number of bottom guides 16 is appropriately determined according to the stability required for the partition 2.

[0030] Here, the shape of the protrusion provided by the bottom guide 16 is preferably as follows: Figure 1 (a) Figure 1 (b) shows a triangular prism with a cross-section forming a triangle. With this structure, the negative z-axis end of the partition 2 is sandwiched between the protrusions, thus preventing the partition 2 from moving along the x-axis. However, the bottom guide 16 can also achieve the same effect by having other structures, such as increasing the z-axis height of the protrusions or reducing the spacing between the protrusions. Furthermore, for loading the partition 2 into the workpiece basket 1, the number of protrusions in the bottom guide 16 is preferably equal to the number of protrusions in the side guides 13 and 14.

[0031] To prevent partition 2 from falling down in the x-axis direction, partition 2 is supported by the aforementioned side guides 13 and 14 and bottom guide 16, with the flat surface of partition 2 positioned relative to the horizontal plane (in... Figure 1 (a) is in the xy plane) and is kept roughly perpendicular.

[0032] Handles 17 are provided on the upper part of the outer frames 111 and 121. When transporting the workpiece basket 1, the handles 17 are held by a person or a handling device, thereby enabling the workpiece basket 1 to be transported. However, the handles 17 may also be connected to other components such as the support members 112 and 122, and the workpiece basket 1 may not have handles 17.

[0033] The separator 2 is a flat, rectangular component disposed on the gas diffusion layer of the membrane electrode assembly, which forms a single cell, in a fuel cell and functions as a boundary between cell cells, blocking hydrogen and oxygen. When used in a fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen flow on the surface of the separator 2, therefore its surface has irregularities. The size of the separator 2 is appropriately determined according to the size of the fuel cell using it. The separator 2 is made of metals such as iron or titanium, alloys such as stainless steel or titanium alloys, carbon, or synthetic resins made by mixing resins with carbon. Furthermore, the separator 2 can also be constructed by metal plating or resin coating on the surface of a flat plate made of the aforementioned materials.

[0034] <Structure of the partition drying device>

[0035] Next, refer to Figure 2 The structure of the partition drying apparatus will be described. The partition drying apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention performs drying of the partitions after liquid cleaning by injecting gas into a workpiece basket containing the partitions. Figure 2 (a) is a side view before the drying step in the drying method of the partition according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 (b) is a side view of the drying step in the drying method of the partition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] The partition drying device 3 includes a drying chamber 31 and a blower 32. The drying chamber 31 includes an exhaust port 311, a top cover 312, and a fixing part 313. The blower 32 includes an inlet part 321, a hot air generating part 322, a flow part 323, an injection part 324, an injection port 325, and a cylinder 326. Here, the blower 32 is a gas injection mechanism.

[0037] The partition drying apparatus 3 is an apparatus that dries the partition 2 by placing a workpiece basket 1 containing the partition 2 inside a drying chamber 31 and by blowing gas into the workpiece basket 1 with a blower 32. The partition drying apparatus 3 can be configured, for example, adjacent to the partition cleaning apparatus 4 described later, to dry the partition 2 more quickly.

[0038] The drying chamber 31 contains a workpiece basket 1 equipped with a partition 2. The drying chamber 31 has an exhaust port 311 at the bottom and a top cover 312 at the top. The size of the drying chamber 31 is appropriately determined based on the size of the workpiece basket 1. Furthermore, the drying chamber 31 may also include an outlet for receiving moisture discharged from the workpiece basket 1 and discharging it to the outside of the drying chamber 31.

[0039] The exhaust port 311 discharges the gas injected by the blower 32 from the drying chamber 31. The size of the exhaust port 311 is appropriately determined according to the size of the drying chamber 31 and the flow rate of the gas injected by the blower 32. Furthermore, multiple exhaust ports 311 can be provided, or they can be provided in other locations such as the upper part of the drying chamber 31. Additionally, the exhaust port 311 may, for example, have a mechanism that discharges moisture blown away from the partition 2 to the outside of the drying chamber 31 by forming a moisture flow path inside the exhaust port 311.

[0040] The top cover 312 is a component configured to allow the drying chamber 31 to be opened. By removing the top cover 312 and opening the drying chamber 31, the workpiece basket 1 can be moved from the outside to the inside of the drying chamber 31. By providing the top cover 312 to the drying chamber 31, compared to opening the upper part of the drying chamber 31, the temperature inside the drying chamber 31 where high-temperature gas is injected can be maintained at a higher level, thereby improving the drying efficiency of the partition 2. Figure 2 In (a), the top cover 312 is depicted as removable, but the top cover 312 may also be composed of a door or the like that can be opened and closed. Furthermore, as long as the size is such that the workpiece basket 1 can be moved into the drying chamber 31, by providing an openable and closable cover on the side of the drying chamber 31, the cover can be used as an entrance and exit for moving the workpiece basket 1 from the outside to the inside of the drying chamber 31.

[0041] A fixing part 313 is formed on the inner surface of the drying chamber 31. When the workpiece basket 1 is moved into the drying chamber 31, the fixing part 313 serves to keep the workpiece basket 1 tilted relative to the xy plane while maintaining it within the drying chamber 31. For example, by providing a fixing part 313 on the inner surface of the drying chamber 31 on both the positive x-axis and negative x-axis sides... Figure 2 (a) The fixing part 313 of the shape shown supports the three corners of the workpiece basket 1, and is configured to hold the workpiece basket 1 while it is tilted relative to the xy plane. However, as long as the workpiece basket 1 can be held properly, for example, fixing parts 313 of other shapes that hold the workpiece basket 1 by the edges of the outer frame 111, 121 of the workpiece basket 1 may also be provided.

[0042] In addition, Figure 2 (a) Figure 2In (b), the fixing part 313 is formed such that when the workpiece basket 1 is arranged, the bottom part 15 of the workpiece basket 1 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane. As a result, the partition 2 arranged in the drying chamber 31 is inclined such that one end on the side part 11 is located higher than one end on the side part 12.

[0043] Blower 32 injects gas into workpiece basket 1 disposed within drying chamber 31, drying partition 2 loaded in workpiece basket 1. Blower 32 is, for example, a device powered by external electricity, capable of performing a series of actions including introducing gas into blower 32, heating the introduced gas, and then injecting it. The size of blower 32 is appropriately determined based on the size of partition 2 and the size of drying chamber 31.

[0044] The inlet section 321 is connected to the hot air generating section 322. The inlet section 321 draws in gas from outside the drying chamber 31 and supplies it to the hot air generating section 322. Here, considering issues such as cost, the gas drawn in by the inlet section 321 is preferably air, but for example, a specific gas such as nitrogen may also be supplied to the inlet section 321.

[0045] The hot air generating unit 322 is connected to the inlet unit 321 and the flow unit 323. The hot air generating unit 322 heats the gas supplied from the inlet unit 321 and supplies it to the flow unit 323. The hot air generating unit 322 may have, for example, a heat source such as a heater installed inside to heat the supplied gas.

[0046] The flow section 323 is connected to the hot air generating section 322 and the jet section 324. The flow section 323 supplies gas heated by the hot air generating section 322 to the jet section 324. Here, since the jet section 324 connected to the flow section 323 moves via the cylinder 326, the flow section 323 is preferably made of a material that can stretch and twist. Examples of materials for the flow section 323 include tubes or hoses made of resin or tubes or hoses made of resin reinforced with metal wire.

[0047] The spray section 324 is connected to the flow section 323 and the cylinder 326. The spray section 324 sprays gas supplied from the flow section 323 into the workpiece basket 1, drying the partitions 2 loaded in the workpiece basket 1. Here, even if the partitions 2 are stuck together by moisture after washing, the moisture is blown away by the gas sprayed between the partitions 2 by the spray section 324. Thus, the effect of separating the partitions 2 stuck together by moisture is achieved. The spray section 324... Figure 2 (a) Figure 2 (b) has a nozzle 325 on the surface on the negative y-axis side, and gas is ejected from the nozzle 325 toward the workpiece basket 1.

[0048] Furthermore, the spray unit 324 is configured to be movable by connecting to the cylinder 326. Therefore, when the workpiece basket 1 is placed inside the drying chamber 31, the spray unit 324 can be moved to a position that does not interfere with the workpiece basket 1 being loaded. Moreover, after the workpiece basket 1 is placed in the drying chamber 31, the spray unit 324 can be positioned near the side portion 11 by moving the cylinder 326. This increases the drying speed of the partition 2 when gas is sprayed onto the workpiece basket 1.

[0049] The injection port 325 is formed on the surface of the injection section 324 on the negative y-axis side. The shape and number of the injection ports 325 are determined to be able to inject an appropriate amount of gas into the workpiece basket 1. However, it is preferable that the shape of the injection ports 325 is formed so that the gas injected from the injection ports 325 is injected substantially perpendicularly to the side surface 11 of the workpiece basket 1. Thus, the injection section 324 can inject gas from one end of the partition 2 on the side surface 11 side toward the end located below the side surface 12 side. In other words, the injection section 324 can inject gas from the opening 113 side of the upper side surface 11 side of the partition 2 toward the opening 123 side of the lower side surface 12 side. By along the aforementioned direction ( Figure 2 (b) The direction of the hollow arrow) sprays gas, the moisture attached to the partition 2 is blown away and discharged from one end of the side part 12 (i.e. the opening 123).

[0050] By spraying gas from the upper end towards the lower end, the moisture adhering to the partition 2 moves downward along the gas flow, and the partition 2 dries from the airflow upward (i.e., from top to bottom). By using gas spray to move the moisture adhering to the partition 2 downward and to make the partition 2 dry from top to bottom, the formation of watermarks on the surface of the partition 2 can be suppressed. In addition, the workpiece basket 1 of the present invention also has an opening 153 on the bottom part 15, so the moisture adhering to the partition 2 is also discharged from the opening 153 by the gas flow and gravity.

[0051] Furthermore, the gas ejected from the injection port 325 is preferably at a temperature of 60°C or higher, more preferably at 70°C or higher. By setting the gas ejected from the injection port 325 to a high temperature of 60°C or higher, the effect of the drying partition 2 is enhanced.

[0052] Cylinder 326 is connected to the spray unit 324. Cylinder 326 prevents interference between the workpiece basket 1 and the spray unit 324 when the workpiece basket 1 is positioned by moving the spray unit 324. Furthermore, in Figure 2 (a) Figure 2 In (b), the cylinder 326 is formed on the outer side of the drying chamber 31, but as long as the spray part 324 can be moved appropriately, the cylinder 326 can also be provided in other parts such as inside the drying chamber 31.

[0053] Figure 3 This is a side view during gas circulation in the drying method of the partition according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, the partition drying device 3 of the present invention may include a gas circulation mechanism. Figure 3 The partition drying device shown has a drain outlet 314, a nozzle 315 and a gas circulation section 33.

[0054] Drain outlet 314 is located at the bottom of drying chamber 31. Drain outlet 314 discharges moisture blown away from partition 2 by gas injection to the outside of drying chamber 31.

[0055] Nozzle 315 is positioned near the side portion 12 of workpiece basket 1, connecting the interior of drying chamber 31 to gas circulation section 33. When performing drying with partition 2, nozzle 315 recovers the gas blown out from opening 123 of workpiece basket 1 (towards...). Figure 3 (The direction of the hollow arrow in the image indicates the direction of the blown gas). Here, even if the nozzle 315 is located in another part of the drying chamber 31, the gas can still be recovered. However, as... Figure 3 As shown, by positioning the nozzle 315 near the side portion 12, the high-temperature gas blown out from the opening 123 can be directly recovered. Therefore, the drying efficiency and energy efficiency of the partition drying device 3 are improved. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown, by positioning the nozzle 315 near and below the side portion 12, interference between the workpiece basket 1 and the nozzle 315 can be avoided even when the workpiece basket 1 is moved from the outside to the inside of the drying chamber 31.

[0056] The gas circulation unit 33 is connected to the nozzle 315 and the inlet 321 of the blower 32. The gas circulation unit 33 recovers the gas discharged from the nozzle 315 into the drying chamber 31 and reintroduces it into the blower 32. Because the gas discharged from the nozzle 315 is at a high temperature, the gas is recovered through the gas circulation unit 33 without wasting heat. Therefore, even without upgrading the hot air generating unit 322, the temperature of the gas ejected from the injection unit 324 can be increased. Here, as... Figure 3 As shown, the inlet section 321 is divided into two parts. The gas recovered by the gas circulation section 33 is mixed with a specific gas such as air or nitrogen and introduced into the inlet section 321. Furthermore, the gas circulation section 33 can be, for example, a piping system made of metal or resin, or a device with gas intake and release functions. Additionally, the gas circulation section 33 may also have other functions such as heating or dehumidifying the recovered gas.

[0057] Figure 4 This is a side view of the partition cleaning and drying apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention. Figure 4As shown, the partition 2 loaded in the workpiece basket 1 is subjected to alkaline cleaning and water cleaning by a partition cleaning device 4 equipped with an ultrasonic transducer 42 that applies ultrasonic vibrations to the cleaning tank 41 and the partition 2, and then conveyed to the drying chamber 31. Additionally, in Figure 4 The diagram depicts one cleaning tank 41 for alkaline cleaning of the partition 2, three cleaning tanks 41 for water cleaning, and one drying chamber 31 for drying the partition 2. The number of cleaning tanks 41 and drying chambers 31 is appropriately determined based on the production speed, cleaning speed, and drying speed of the partition 2.

[0058] <Drying Method for Partitions>

[0059] Next, refer to Figure 5 The drying method of the partition according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described. Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method for drying a partition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] First, such as Figure 1 (a) Figure 1 As shown in (b), the partition 2 is loaded into the workpiece basket 1 (step S1). Here, step S1 is performed, for example, by a conveying device capable of holding the end of the partition 2 and transporting and storing it into the workpiece basket 1. In addition, in step S1, the loading direction of the partition 2 is preferably such that the length direction of the partition 2 is the y-axis direction. By loading the partition 2 in this direction, when gas is injected into the partition 2 in step S4 described later, the length direction of the partition 2 is maintained in a manner that is approximately parallel to the gas injection direction.

[0061] Next, the workpiece basket 1 containing the partition 2 from step S1 is conveyed to the partition cleaning device 4, and cleaning is performed while the partition 2 is loaded in the workpiece basket 1 (step S2). That is, liquid cleaning of the partition 2 is performed on the workpiece basket 1 containing the partition 2. Here, for example, as Figure 4 As shown, when the partition cleaning device 4 has one alkaline cleaning tank 41 and three water cleaning tanks 41, the workpiece basket 1 moves sequentially between each cleaning tank 41, and the partition 2 is cleaned in each cleaning tank 41 for a specified time.

[0062] Next, the workpiece basket 1, containing the partition 2, is moved into the drying chamber 31 (step S3). Step S3 is performed, for example, by a conveyor capable of holding and moving the workpiece basket 1. In step S3, as... Figure 2 As shown in (b), by fixing the workpiece basket 1 with the fixing part 313, the workpiece basket 1 can be arranged in the drying chamber 31 while tilted relative to the xy plane. As a result, the flat surface of the partition 2 is held in a manner that is approximately perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

[0063] Furthermore, during the movement and transport of the workpiece basket 1 in steps S2 and S3, moisture drips from the workpiece basket 1. At this time, by moving and transporting the workpiece basket 1 while it is tilted relative to the xy plane, the moisture accumulates at the corners of the workpiece basket 1 due to gravity, thus removing the moisture from the workpiece basket 1. This further improves the drying efficiency of the partition 2.

[0064] Next, gas is sprayed into the workpiece basket 1 disposed in the drying chamber 31, and the partition 2 is dried (step S4). In step S4, the spraying part 324 sprays gas from the opening 113 of the upper side portion 11 of the partition 2 toward the opening 123 of the lower side portion 12. As a result, the moisture adhering to the partition 2 is blown away and discharged from the opening 123 on the side portion 12. By drying the partition 2 while blowing away the moisture adhering to it, the formation of watermarks on the surface of the dried partition 2 can be suppressed.

[0065] Furthermore, in step S4, if the gas injection speed is too high, the partition 2 will move significantly in the x-axis direction due to the gas injection, potentially coming into contact with the workpiece basket 1 or other partitions 2 and causing scratches on the partition 2. Therefore, the gas injection speed is appropriately determined based on the size and weight of the partition 2.

[0066] In step S4, the gas injected into the workpiece basket 1 is recovered through nozzle 315 and resupplyed to the inlet 321 of the blower 32 via gas circulation unit 33 (step S5). Furthermore, step S5 is performed simultaneously with step S4. Also, if the partition drying device 3 does not have a gas circulation unit 33, step S5 may be omitted.

[0067] Next, it is determined whether the drying of partition 2 is complete (step S6). Step S6 determines whether the drying is complete based, for example, on the amount of water discharged from exhaust port 311 or drain port 314. Alternatively, it can determine whether the drying is complete based on the amount of water vapor in the gas recovered by gas circulation unit 33. Furthermore, it can also determine whether the drying is complete based on step S4, which has been performed for a predetermined time.

[0068] If the drying of partition 2 is completed in step S6 (Yes in step S6), the workpiece basket 1 containing partition 2 is removed from the drying chamber 31 (step S7), and the process ends. Step S7 is performed, for example, by a conveying device that moved the workpiece basket 1 into the drying chamber 31 in step S3.

[0069] On the other hand, if the drying of partition 2 is not completed in step S6 (the value in step S6 is "No"), return to step S4 and continue drying partition 2.

[0070] As explained above, in the partition drying method according to the embodiments of the present invention, gas is sprayed into a workpiece basket containing the partition from the upper opening side toward the lower opening side. This dries the partition while blowing away moisture adhering to it, thus providing a partition drying method that can dry the partition without producing watermarks.

[0071] Symbol Explanation

[0072] 1-Workpiece basket; 11, 12-Side sections; 111, 121-Outer frame; 112, 122-Supporting components; 113, 123-Openings; 13, 14-Side guides; 15-Bottom section; 151-Outer frame; 152-Supporting components; 153-Openings; 16-Bottom guides; 17-Handle; 2-Partition; 3-Partition drying device; 31-Drying chamber; 311-Exhaust port; 312-Top cover; 313-Fixing part; 314-Drain outlet; 315-Nozzle; 32-Blower; 321-Inlet part; 322-Hot air generating part; 323-Flow part; 324-Spraying part; 325-Spray nozzle; 326-Cylinder; 33-Gas circulation part; 4-Partition cleaning device; 41-Cleaning tank.

Claims

1. A method for drying a separator, wherein a flat rectangular separator disposed at the boundary between battery cells in a fuel cell and used to block gas is dried after liquid cleaning by injecting gas into a loading container in which multiple separators are arranged along the thickness direction, the method comprising: The step is to hold the partition in such a way that the flat surface of the partition is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane; and The drying step involves spraying the gas from one end of the partition toward the other end, which is located further below the first end, to blow away the moisture adhering to the partition and allow it to be discharged from the other end.

2. The drying method for the partition according to claim 1, characterized in that, The loading container has openings on a pair of opposing surfaces that are substantially parallel to the thickness direction of the partition. During the drying step, by spraying the gas from the upper opening side toward the lower opening side, the moisture adhering to the partition is discharged from the lower opening side.

3. The drying method for the partition according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the holding step, the baffle is held in such a way that its length direction is approximately parallel to the direction of gas injection.

4. The drying method for the partition according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid cleaning of the partition is performed on the loading container containing the partition.

5. The method for drying the partition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The gas injected during the drying step is at a temperature of 60°C or higher at the injection port. The drying method for the partition also includes a recycling step, in which the gas injected in the drying step is recycled and supplied to the gas injection mechanism again.

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