Cell unit

Abstract

To provide a cell unit that can avoid the mixing of fluids.SOLUTION: A cell unit 2 comprises a substrate 10 defining a first surface 13 and a second surface 16 opposite to each other, a hole 17 that passes through the substrate 10 from the first surface 13 to the second surface 16, a membrane 31 disposed within the hole 17 to partition it into a first space 20 on the side of the first surface 13 and a second space 21 on the side of the second surface 16, and a communication passage 62 that communicates from an outer peripheral surface 60 of the substrate connecting the first surface 13 and the second surface 16 to an inner peripheral surface 61 of the substrate 10 facing an outer end 31b of the membrane 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cell unit. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a water electrolysis device, which generates hydrogen by splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen using electrical power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-117140 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Hydrogen and oxygen are generated on the cathode and anode sides, respectively, separated by an electrolytic membrane. Mixing of hydrogen and oxygen must be avoided because it may lead to a decrease in the electric field efficiency of the cell stack or cause burnout.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a cell unit that can prevent fluids from mixing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A cell unit according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a substrate defining a first surface and a second surface facing each other, a hole penetrating the substrate from the first surface to the second surface, a membrane disposed within the hole and dividing the hole into a first space on the first surface side and a second space on the second surface side, and a communication passage extending from the outer peripheral surface of the substrate connecting the first surface and the second surface to the inner peripheral surface of the substrate opposite the outer end of the membrane.

[0007] In one embodiment of the cell unit of the present invention, the base material comprises a first plate material defining the first surface and a third surface opposite to the first surface, and a second plate material defining the second surface and a fourth surface opposite to the second surface, and forming the base material together with the first plate material by being overlapped with the third surface of the first plate material at the fourth surface, and the communicating passage is formed on the third surface of the first plate material, or formed on the fourth surface of the second plate material, or formed on the third surface of the first plate material and the fourth surface of the second plate material.

[0008] A cell unit according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first gasket disposed between the first plate member and the membrane and surrounding the first space.

[0009] A cell unit according to one aspect of the present invention includes a second gasket disposed between the second plate member and the membrane and surrounding the second space.

[0010] In a cell unit according to one aspect of the present invention, the first gasket is arranged to be shifted relative to the second gasket in a direction along the first surface.

[0011] A cell unit according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of the communication paths.

[0012] In the cell unit according to one aspect of the present invention, the base material is formed from a resin material.

[0013] In a cell unit according to one aspect of the present invention, the membrane is an electrolyte membrane incorporated into a water electrolysis device or a fuel cell. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cell unit that can prevent mixing of fluids. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1]1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the structure of a cell unit 2 incorporated in a water electrolysis apparatus 1 according to one specific example. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the structure of a cell unit 2 incorporated in a water electrolysis apparatus 1 according to one specific example. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the front surface side of the cell unit 2 with one separator removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the rear surface side of cell unit 2 with the other separator removed. [Figure 5] 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the cell unit 2 shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the cell unit 2 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIGS. 3 and 4. [Figure 8] 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the cell unit 2 shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 9 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8 of a part of a cell unit 2A according to a position modification. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views schematically showing the structure of a cell unit 2 incorporated in a water electrolysis apparatus 1 according to one specific example. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the front side of the cell unit 2 with one separator removed. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the back side of the cell unit 2 with the other separator removed. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1-1 in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Figs. 3 and 4. In Figs. 1 and 2, the direction in which multiple cell units 2 are stacked is defined as stacking direction a.

[0017] A water electrolysis apparatus 1 according to one specific example includes a cell stack formed by stacking one or more cell units 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2 in a stacking direction a. The cell stack has current collector plates and insulating plates (neither of which is shown) stacked in the stacking direction a on the cell units 2 at both ends in the stacking direction a. With the current collector plates and insulating plates stacked at each end, the cell stack is fastened in the stacking direction a by a pair of end plates (not shown). The water electrolysis apparatus 1 is assembled in this manner.

[0018] The current collecting plates are made of, for example, a gas-impermeable conductive material. Examples of conductive materials include copper plates. Terminals are provided on each current collecting plate. Current is supplied to each cell unit 2 from these terminals through the current collecting plate. The insulating plates are made of an insulating material. Examples of insulating materials include rubber and resin. The end plates are made of a metal material. Note that, for example, a plurality of bolts extending in the stacking direction a and nuts threaded onto the bolts are used to fasten the end plates.

[0019] 1 to 4, a cell unit 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate 10 that extends in a predetermined shape along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the stacking direction a. In this example, the substrate 10 has a first plate member 11 and a second plate member 12 that are stacked in the stacking direction a. In this example, the first plate member 11 and the second plate member 12 are formed, for example, in a circular shape in a planar view, as is clear from FIGS. 3 and 4. The substrate 10 is integrally formed, for example, from a resin material. Examples of resin materials include, but are not limited to, general-purpose plastics (such as polypropylene (PP)), general-purpose engineering plastics (such as polycarbonate (PC)), and super engineering plastics (such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)).

[0020] The first plate 11 defines a front surface 13 (first surface) and a back surface (third surface) 14 that face each other. The second plate 12 defines a front surface 15 (fourth surface) and a back surface (second surface) 16 that face each other. The front surfaces 13, 15 and the back surfaces 14, 16 are defined along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the stacking direction a. The back surface 14 of the first plate 11 is superimposed on the front surface 15 of the second plate 12. In this example, the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 have the same outline in a plan view. The base material 10 has a through hole 17 that penetrates from the front surface 13 of the first plate 11 to the back surface 16 of the second plate 12 in the stacking direction a. The through hole 17 is formed, for example, in a circular shape in a plan view.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the cell unit 2 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the cell unit 2 shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 together, an annular recess 18 is formed on the back surface 14 of the first plate member 11, recessed from the back surface 14 toward the front surface 13 around the through hole 17. An annular step surface 18a is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 18. Similarly, an annular recess 19 is formed on the front surface 15 of the second plate member 12, recessed from the front surface 15 toward the back surface 16 around the through hole 17. An annular step surface 19a is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 19. In this example, the step surface 18a and the step surface 19a extend along imaginary planes that are perpendicular to the stacking direction a. That is, the step surface 18a is defined parallel to the step surface 19a.

[0022] 1 and 2, the cell unit 2 includes a membrane assembly 30. The membrane assembly 30 is formed, for example, in a circular shape in a plan view. The membrane assembly 30 includes an electrolyte membrane 31 and catalyst layers 32, 33 formed on the front and back surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 31, respectively. The electrolyte membrane 31 is, for example, an ion exchange membrane, specifically, an anion exchange membrane (AEM). The catalyst layers 32, 33 are formed from a metal material such as platinum or an alloy of platinum and other metals. Gas diffusion layers (GDL) 34, 35 are formed on the surfaces of the catalyst layers 32, 33, respectively. The gas diffusion layers 34, 35 are, for example, porous transport layers (PTL). Materials for forming the gas diffusion layers 34, 35 include, for example, carbon cloth and carbon paper.

[0023] The outer diameter of the electrolyte membrane 31 is set to be larger than the inner diameter of the through-hole 17. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the annular outer peripheral edge 31a of the electrolyte membrane 31 extends into the recesses 18 and 19 of the substrate 10. As a result, the outer peripheral edge 31a of the electrolyte membrane 31 is sandwiched between the step surfaces 18a and 19a. In this example, the thickness of the electrolyte membrane 31 in the stacking direction a is set to be equal to or greater than the distance between the step surfaces 18a and 19a in the stacking direction a. Therefore, the electrolyte membrane 31 is securely sandwiched between the step surfaces 18a and 19a. In this way, the membrane assembly 30 divides the through-hole 17 into a first space 20 on the front surface 13 side and a second space 21 on the back surface 16 side.

[0024] As is clear from Figures 5 and 6, annular recesses, i.e., grooves 18b and 19b, are formed in the stepped surfaces 18a and 19a, respectively. Annular gaskets 22 and 23 are disposed in the grooves 18b and 19b, respectively. The gaskets 22 and 23 are, for example, O-rings. When the gaskets 22 and 23 come into contact with the electrolyte membrane 31, they are compressed toward the grooves 18b and 19b, respectively. As a result, the gaskets 22 and 23 seal the first space 20 and the second space 21. The gaskets 22 and 23 are made of an elastic material. Examples of elastic materials include fluororubber (FKM), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), and silicone rubber (VMQ).

[0025] 1 to 4, a flow path member 36 is disposed in the first space 20, while a flow path member 37 is disposed in the second space 21. The flow path members 36, 37 are formed of, for example, a circular metal material in a plan view. Examples of metal materials include stainless steel and aluminum. Specifically, the flow path members 36, 37 are made of mesh-like expanded metal or the like. The flow path members 36, 37 allow fluid to flow through the first space 20 and the second space 21, respectively.

[0026] The substrate 10 is sandwiched between a pair of flat separators 38 and 39. The flow path member 36 is sandwiched between the gas diffusion layer 34 and the separator 38. In this way, the flow path member 36 can electrically connect the separator 38 and the membrane assembly 30. Similarly, the flow path member 37 is sandwiched between the gas diffusion layer 35 and the separator 39. In this way, the flow path member 37 electrically connects the separator 39 and the membrane assembly 30.

[0027] The separator 38 is in contact with the front surface 13 of the substrate 10. The separator 39 is in contact with the back surface 16 of the substrate 10. The substrate 10 is clamped in the stacking direction a by the separators 38, 39 through clamping by the pair of end plates described above. The separators 38, 39 are formed, for example, from a metal material. Examples of metal materials include stainless steel and titanium. Note that, for example, the separator 38 also serves as the separator 39 of the other cell unit 2 that is stacked on the front surface 13 side of the substrate 10 relative to this cell unit 2. Similarly, for example, the separator 39 also serves as the separator 38 of the other cell unit 2 that is stacked on the back surface 16 side of the substrate 10 relative to this cell unit 2.

[0028] In the cell unit 2, an electrolyte membrane 31 forms a membrane, the first space 20 is the anode (oxygen electrode) side, and the second space 21 is the cathode (hydrogen electrode) side. That is, the catalyst layer 32 arranged in the first space 20 forms the anode electrode, while the catalyst layer 33 arranged in the second space 21 forms the cathode electrode. The cell unit 2 is formed with a flow path 40 for introducing the electrolyte into the first space 20, a flow path 41 for discharging the electrolyte and oxygen (fluid) from the first space 20, and a flow path 42 for discharging hydrogen (fluid) from the second space 21.

[0029] The flow path 40 has a manifold 40a that penetrates the substrate 10, separator 38, and separator 39 in the stacking direction a, and a recess 40b formed on the surface 13 of the substrate 10. In this example, the manifold 40a is formed adjacent to one side of the first space 20 in a radial direction perpendicular to the stacking direction a. The recess 40b connects the manifold 40a and the first space 20. The recess 40b is covered with the separator 38. Note that in this example, as is clear from FIG. 3 , the recess 40b is formed as a single groove that connects the manifold 40a and the first space 20, but as an alternative example, the recess 40b may be formed as a plurality of grooves.

[0030] The flow path 41 has a manifold 41a that penetrates the substrate 10, separator 38, and separator 39 in the stacking direction a, and a recess 41b formed in the surface 13 of the substrate 10. In this example, the manifold 41a is formed adjacent to one side of the first space 20 on the radially opposite side from the other side on which the manifold 40a is formed. The recess 41b connects the first space 20 and the manifold 41a. The recess 41b is covered with the separator 38. In this example, as is clear from FIG. 3, the recess 41b is formed as a single groove that connects the first space 20 and the manifold 40a, but as an alternative example, the recess 41b may be formed as a plurality of grooves.

[0031] The flow path 42 has a pair of manifolds 42a, 42a that penetrate the substrate 10, the separator 38, and the separator 39 in the stacking direction a, and recesses 42b, 42b formed on the rear surface 16 of the substrate 10. In this example, the pair of manifolds 42a, 42a are formed adjacent to the second space 21 on both sides of the second space 21 in the radial direction. One recess 42b communicates with one manifold 42a and the second space 21, and the other recess 42b communicates with the other manifold 42a and the second space 21. In this example, as is clear from FIG. 4, the recess 42b is formed as a single groove that communicates with the second space 21 and the manifold 42a, but as an alternative example, the recess 42b may be formed as a plurality of grooves.

[0032] 3 and 4, the manifolds 40a, 41a of the flow paths 40, 41 are disposed at positions on opposite sides in the radial direction with the first space 20 and the second space 21 interposed therebetween, while the manifolds 42a, 42a of the flow path 42 are disposed at positions on opposite sides in the radial direction with the first space 20 and the second space 21 interposed therebetween. In this example, the manifolds 40a, 41a and the manifolds 42a, 42a are disposed at angular intervals of 90 degrees around the center point of the substrate 10 in a plan view. However, the manifolds 40a, 41a and the manifolds 42a, 42a may be disposed relative to each other at other angular intervals in a plan view.

[0033] A gasket 50 is disposed on the surface 13 of the substrate 10, surrounding the first space 20, the flow paths 40 and 41, and the flow path 42 from the outside. In this example, the gasket 50 is formed in a generally circular shape in a plan view. The gasket 50 extends along the outer peripheral edge of the substrate 10. The gasket 50 is formed, for example, from the same material as the gaskets 22 and 23. The gasket 50 is at least partially disposed in an annular recess, i.e., a groove 10a, formed on the surface 13. That is, the groove 10a has a depth sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of the gasket 50 before elastic deformation. On the surface 13 of the substrate 10, the gasket 50 is crushed into the groove 10a by the separator 38. In this way, the gasket 50 seals the first space 20, the flow paths 40 and 41, and the flow path 42.

[0034] Similarly, gaskets 51, 51 are disposed on the surface 13 of the substrate 10, surrounding the flow paths 42, i.e., the pair of manifolds 42a, 42a, respectively. The gaskets 51, 51 are disposed inside the gasket 50. In this example, the gasket 51 is formed to be circular in plan view. The gasket 51 is formed, for example, from the same material as the gaskets 22, 23. Each of the gaskets 51 is at least partially disposed in an annular recess, i.e., a groove 10b, formed on the surface 13. That is, the groove 10b has a depth sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of the gasket 51 before elastic deformation. On the surface 13 of the substrate 10, the gasket 51 is crushed into the groove 10b by the separator 38. In this manner, the gasket 51 seals the flow paths 42.

[0035] As is clear from FIGS. 1 and 5 , gaskets 52, 52 surrounding the flow paths 42, i.e., the pair of manifolds 42a, 42a, are disposed on the surface 15 of the second plate member 12. In this example, the gasket 52 is formed in a circular shape in plan view, similar to the gasket 51. The gasket 52 is formed from the same material as the gaskets 22, 23, for example. Each of the gaskets 52 is at least partially disposed in an annular recess, i.e., a groove 10c, formed on the surface 15 of the second plate member 12. That is, the groove 10c has a depth sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of the gasket 52 before elastic deformation. On the surface 15 of the second plate member 12, the gasket 52 is crushed into the groove 10c by the first plate member 11. In this manner, the gasket 51 seals the flow paths 42.

[0036] Meanwhile, a gasket 53 is disposed on the back surface 16 of the substrate 10, surrounding the second space 21, the flow path 42, and the flow paths 40 and 41 from the outside. In this example, the gasket 53 is formed in a generally circular shape in a plan view. The gasket 53 extends along the outer peripheral edge of the substrate 10. The gasket 53 is formed, for example, from the same material as the gaskets 22 and 23. The gasket 53 is at least partially disposed in an annular recess, i.e., a groove 10d, formed on the back surface 16 of the second plate member 12. That is, the groove 10d has a depth sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of the gasket 53 before elastic deformation. On the back surface 16 of the substrate 10, the gasket 53 is crushed into the groove 10d by the separator 39. In this way, the gasket 53 seals the second space 21 and the flow path 42.

[0037] Similarly, gaskets 54, 54 are disposed on the back surface 16 of the substrate 10, surrounding the flow paths 40, i.e., the manifolds 40a, 41a, respectively. The gaskets 54, 54 are disposed inside the gasket 53. In this example, the gasket 54 is formed in a circular shape in a plan view. The gasket 54 is formed, for example, from the same material as the gaskets 22, 23. Each of the gaskets 54 is at least partially disposed in an annular recess, i.e., a groove 10e, formed on the back surface 16. That is, the groove 10e has a depth sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of the gasket 54 before elastic deformation. On the back surface 16 of the substrate 10, the gasket 54 is crushed into the groove 10e by the separator 39. In this manner, the gasket 54 seals the flow paths 40, 41.

[0038] As is clear from FIGS. 2 and 6 , gaskets 55, 55 surrounding the flow path 40, i.e., the pair of manifolds 40a, 40a, are disposed on the back surface 14 of the first plate member 11. In this example, the gasket 55 is formed in a circular shape in plan view, similar to the gasket 54. The gasket 55 is formed from the same material as the gaskets 22, 23, for example. Each gasket 55 is at least partially disposed in an annular recess, i.e., a groove 10f, formed on the back surface 14 of the first plate member 11. That is, the groove 10f has a depth sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of the gasket 55 before elastic deformation. On the back surface 14 of the first plate member 11, the gasket 55 is crushed into the groove 10f by the second plate member 12. In this manner, the gasket 55 seals the flow path 40.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the cell unit 2 shown in FIG. 7. Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 8, the cell unit 2 has one or more communication channels 62 that connect the outer peripheral surface 60 of the substrate 10 to the inner peripheral surface 61 of the substrate 10 facing the outer end 31b of the electrolyte membrane 31. In this example, the outer end 31b of the electrolyte membrane 31 corresponds to the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the electrolyte membrane 31. The inner peripheral surface 61 of the substrate 10 corresponds to the side surface perpendicular to the step surfaces 18a, 19a of the recess 18 of the first plate 11 and the recess 19 of the second plate 12. The outer peripheral surface 60 and the inner peripheral surface 61 are each formed as a cylindrical surface. Thus, an annular space is formed between the outer end 31b of the electrolyte membrane 31 and the inner peripheral surface 61. In this example, the communication channels 62 are formed from recesses, i.e., grooves, formed in the back surface 14 of the first plate 11. 3 and 4, for example, one or more communication passages 62 extend radially. In this example, four communication passages 62 are formed at 90-degree angular intervals around the center point of the substrate 10. Each communication passage 62 is disposed at a midpoint between two manifolds 40a, 41a, 42a adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.

[0040] Next, the manner of use of the water electrolysis device 1 will be described below. In the water electrolysis device 1, an electrolyte solution is supplied to the first space 20 of each cell unit 2 via the flow path 40. The electrolyte solution is, for example, an alkaline solution with a pH of 14 or less. When a direct current is supplied to the current collector, a water electrolysis reaction occurs in each cell unit 2. Oxygen is produced on the anode side, i.e., the first space 20, and hydrogen is produced on the cathode side, i.e., the second space 21. Specifically, water in the electrolyte solution diffuses through the electrolyte membrane 31 and moves to the cathode side, where hydrogen (H2) and hydroxide ions (OH - ) is produced (H2O → H2 + 2OH - On the other hand, hydroxide ions move to the anode side through the electrolyte membrane 31. As a result, water (H2O) and oxygen (O2) are generated from the hydroxide ions on the anode side (2OH - →1 / 2O2+H2O+2e - Hydrogen produced on the cathode side is discharged from the cell unit 2 through a flow path 42. On the other hand, oxygen and water produced on the anode side are discharged from the cell unit 2 through a flow path 41.

[0041] In the water electrolysis apparatus 1 described above, the communication passage 62 extends from the outer peripheral surface 60 of the substrate 10 to the inner peripheral surface 61 of the substrate 10 facing the outer end 31b of the electrolyte membrane 31. For example, an abnormality or malfunction (e.g., deterioration) may occur in the gasket 22 sealing the first space 20 or the gasket 23 sealing the second space 21. In particular, hydrogen is generated under a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure on the cathode side, i.e., in the second space 21. Therefore, if an abnormality or malfunction occurs in the gasket 23, hydrogen may leak from the second space 21 beyond the outer end 31b of the electrolyte membrane 31 into the annular space between the outer end 31b and the inner peripheral surface 61. Because the communication passage 62 communicates with the atmospheric-pressure space outside the cell unit 2, hydrogen leaking into the annular space is reliably discharged to the outside through the communication passage 62. For example, hydrogen leaking to the outer peripheral side can be prevented from entering the first space 20. This prevents fluids such as hydrogen and oxygen from mixing.

[0042] FIG. 9 corresponds to FIG. 8 and is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the structure of a cell unit 2A according to one modified example. As shown in FIG. 9, in this cell unit 2A, the gasket 22 that seals the first space 20 and the gasket 23 that seals the second space 21 are arranged so as to be offset from each other in the radial direction. Specifically, the gasket 22 has a larger diameter than the gasket 23. In this example, the gaskets 22 and 23 are arranged so as not to overlap each other in a plan view. This cell unit 2A can also achieve the same effects as the cell unit 2. Conversely to this example, the gasket 23 may have a larger diameter than the gasket 22. Furthermore, the gaskets 22 and 23 may be arranged so as to partially overlap each other in a plan view.

[0043] In the cell unit 2 described above, the communicating passage 62 is formed on the back surface 14 of the first plate 11, but it may also be formed on the front surface 15 of the second plate 12. The communicating passage 62 may also be formed on both the back surface 14 of the first plate 11 and the front surface 15 of the second plate 12. One of the gaskets 22, 23 may not be incorporated into the cell unit 2. The substrate 10 is composed of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12, but the substrate 10 may be formed from a single plate. In this case, the communicating passage 62 may be formed in the substrate 10 by machining. When assembling the membrane assembly 30, the diameter of the through-hole 17 on the front surface 13 side may be set larger than the diameter of the membrane assembly 30. In this case, an annular member for holding the electrolyte membrane 31 may be disposed in the through-hole 17.

[0044] In the water electrolysis apparatus 1 described above, the gaskets 50 to 55 are all disposed in the grooves 10a to 10d formed in the front surface 13 or rear surface 16 of the substrate 10. However, any or all of the grooves 10a to 10d may be omitted. That is, the gaskets 50 to 55 may be, for example, adhered to the front surface 13 or rear surface 16 of the substrate 10. Furthermore, although the substrate 10 and membrane assembly 30 of each cell unit 2 are all formed to be circular in plan view, they may also be formed to be other polygonal shapes, such as rectangular, in plan view. Regarding the dimensions related to the water electrolysis apparatus 1, the substrate 10 may have a diameter of, for example, approximately 300 mm to 1000 mm. Furthermore, in the stacking direction a, each cell unit 2 may have a thickness of, for example, approximately 1 mm to 5 mm.

[0045] Furthermore, each cell unit 2 of the water electrolysis system 1 uses an anion exchange membrane (AEM) as the electrolyte membrane 31, but instead, a solid polymer electrolyte membrane such as a proton exchange membrane (PEM) may be used. In this case, pure water is supplied to the anode side of each cell unit 2. In the above-described embodiment, the cell unit 2 is incorporated into the water electrolysis system 1, but it may also be incorporated into a fuel cell.

[0046] Although the present invention has been described above through the above embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0047] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments do not limit the scope of application of the present invention, but may include any object to which the present invention can be applied. The components of the above-described embodiments, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shape, size, etc., are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the present invention includes differences that arise during implementation due to manufacturing tolerances, etc. Furthermore, components shown in different embodiments can be partially substituted or combined with each other to the extent that they are not technically inconsistent. Furthermore, the various configurations can be selectively combined as appropriate to achieve at least some of the above-described problems and effects. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 water electrolysis device, 2 cell unit, 10 substrate, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d groove, 11 first plate material, 12 second plate material, 13 front surface (first surface), 14 back surface (third surface), 15 front surface (fourth surface), 16 back surface (second surface), 17 through-hole (hole), 18 recess, 18a stepped surface, 18b recess, 19 recess, 19a stepped surface, 19b recess, 20 first space, 21 second space, 22, 23 gasket, 30 membrane assembly, 31 electrolyte membrane, 31a outer periphery, 31b outer end, 32, 33 catalyst layer, 34, 35 gas diffusion layer, 36, 37 flow path member, 38, 39 separator, 40 flow path, 40a manifold, 40b recess, 41 flow path, 41a Manifold, 41b recess, 42 flow path, 42a manifold, 42b recess, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 gasket, 60 outer peripheral surface, 61 inner peripheral surface, 62 communication path, a stacking direction

Claims

1. a substrate defining a first surface and a second surface facing each other; a hole extending through the substrate from the first surface to the second surface; a membrane disposed in the hole and dividing the hole into a first space on the first surface side and a second space on the second surface side; a communication passage that connects the outer peripheral surface of the substrate, which connects the first surface and the second surface, to the inner peripheral surface of the substrate that faces the outer end of the membrane.

2. The substrate is a first plate member defining the first surface and a third surface facing away from the first surface; a second plate member defining the second surface and a fourth surface facing away from the second surface, the second plate member being overlapped with the third surface of the first plate member at the fourth surface to form the base material together with the first plate member; The cell unit of claim 1, wherein the connecting passage is formed on the third surface of the first plate material, or on the fourth surface of the second plate material, or on the third surface of the first plate material and the fourth surface of the second plate material.

3. The cell unit according to claim 2 , further comprising a first gasket disposed between the first plate member and the membrane and enclosing the first space.

4. The cell unit according to claim 3 , further comprising a second gasket disposed between the second plate member and the membrane and enclosing the second space.

5. The cell unit according to claim 4 , wherein the first gasket is arranged offset from the second gasket in a direction along the first surface.

6. The cell unit according to claim 1 , comprising a plurality of the communication paths.

7. The cell unit according to claim 1 , wherein the base material is made of a resin material.

8. 2. The cell unit according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is an electrolyte membrane incorporated in a water electrolysis device or a fuel cell.

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