Electrochemical cell, cell stack, and method for manufacturing electrochemical cell

Abstract

To provide an electrochemical cell in which cracks are less likely to occur in a flow channel plate.SOLUTION: An electrochemical cell 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: an electrode plate 10 including an anode electrode 11, a cathode electrode 12, and a diaphragm 13; a flow channel plate 20 with one surface in contact with the anode electrode 11 or the other surface in contact with the cathode electrode 12, in which multiple anode-side flow channel grooves 21 are formed on the one surface and multiple cathode-side flow channel grooves 22 are formed on the other surface; an electrode plate outer frame 100 to be joined onto the electrode plate 10; and a flow channel plate outer frame 200 to be joined onto the flow channel plate 20. The flow channel plate 20 is a corrugated plate in which convex parts and concave parts are alternately formed and the convex parts and the concave parts extend in parallel. The corrugated surface on the one surface forms the anode-side flow channel grooves 21, and the corrugated surface on the other surface forms the cathode-side flow channel grooves 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to electrochemical cells, cell stacks, and methods of manufacturing electrochemical cells. [Background technology]

[0002] Some electrochemical cells include an electrode plate that integrates an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a diaphragm. In this electrode plate, the diaphragm is sandwiched between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The diaphragm is made of, for example, an electrolyte membrane. In such an electrochemical cell, a fluid consisting of a liquid, a gas, or a mixture of a liquid and a gas is supplied to at least one of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. In this state, a potential difference is applied from the outside between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. This causes an electrochemical reaction, and ionized substances pass through the diaphragm between the electrodes.

[0003] Electrochemical cells can be used, for example, when performing water electrolysis or carbon dioxide electrolysis. In water electrolysis, water (H2O) is supplied to the anode electrode side, and hydrogen (H2) is extracted from the cathode electrode side. In carbon dioxide electrolysis, water (H2O) is supplied to the anode electrode side and carbon dioxide (CO2) is supplied to the cathode electrode side, and carbon monoxide (CO) is extracted from the cathode electrode side.

[0004] The fluid supplied to the anode electrode side or the fluid supplied to the cathode electrode side may be an electrolyte solution in which a small amount of an ionic substance is dissolved in a liquid necessary for the reaction, which can promote the electrochemical reaction.

[0005] Some electrochemical cells include a flow path plate having an anode-side flow groove on one side that forms a flow path for a fluid supplied to the anode electrode side, and a cathode-side flow groove on the other side that forms a flow path for a fluid supplied to the cathode electrode side. When such a flow path plate is used, an electrochemical cell stack (hereinafter, cell stack) made by stacking a plurality of electrochemical cells can be efficiently produced.

[0006] Specifically, for example, when an electrochemical cell is constructed by overlapping an electrode plate and a flow path plate such that the cathode electrode of the electrode plate covers the cathode side flow path groove, another electrode plate is overlapped so that the anode electrode of the other electrode plate contacts the anode side flow path groove of the flow path plate. By repeating such overlapping, it is possible to manufacture a cell stack while reducing the number of parts and the workload.

[0007] In the above-mentioned cell stack, the flow path plates are made of a conductive material so that the electrodes of each layer are connected in series. Each flow path plate is formed with a communication hole for guiding a fluid supplied from the outside to the anode electrode and a fluid supplied to the cathode electrode to the flow path groove of each flow path plate. The communication hole penetrates in the stacking direction of the flow path plates, and the communication holes of each flow path plate overlap each other. The anode side flow path groove and the cathode side flow path groove in each flow path plate are connected to the corresponding communication hole. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6385788 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The anode side flow groove and the cathode side flow groove can be formed by forming an uneven shape on a plate material by press processing or the like. However, in this case, the strength of the portion where the plate material is bent and stretched is likely to be insufficient, and damage such as cracks is likely to occur during press processing of the flow plate or when used as a cell. Such a strength deficiency is likely to occur when the flow pattern is bent and folded back, or when the flow groove is narrow or deep. If cracks occur, there is a risk of cross leakage between the anode side flow groove and the cathode side flow groove in the flow plate.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrochemical cell, a cell stack, and a method for manufacturing an electrochemical cell in which cracks are less likely to occur in the flow path plate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] An electrochemical cell according to one embodiment includes an electrode plate having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a diaphragm sandwiched between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, a flow path plate in contact with the anode electrode on one side or in contact with the cathode electrode on the other side, with a plurality of anode-side flow grooves formed on the one side and a plurality of cathode-side flow grooves formed on the other side, an electrode plate outer frame joined to the electrode plate, and a flow path plate outer frame joined to the flow path plate. The flow path plate is corrugated in which convex portions and concave portions are alternately formed and extend parallel to each other, and the anode-side flow grooves are formed on the corrugated surface on the one side, and the cathode-side flow grooves are formed on the corrugated surface on the other side.

[0012] The cell stack according to one embodiment is a cell stack in which a plurality of the electrochemical cells described above are stacked.

[0013] A method for manufacturing an electrochemical cell according to one embodiment includes the steps of: preparing an electrode plate having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a diaphragm sandwiched between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode; and preparing a flow path plate that contacts the anode electrode on one side or contacts the cathode electrode on the other side, with a plurality of anode-side flow grooves formed on the one side and a plurality of cathode-side flow grooves formed on the other side. The flow path plate is corrugated in which convex portions and concave portions are alternately formed and extend parallel to each other, and the anode-side flow grooves are formed on the corrugated surface on the one side, and the cathode-side flow grooves are formed on the corrugated surface on the other side. The convex portions and the concave portions of the flow path plate are formed by bending a plate material into a corrugated shape. A method for producing an electrochemical cell according to one embodiment includes the steps of: preparing an electrode plate having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a diaphragm sandwiched between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode; and preparing a flow path plate that contacts the anode electrode on one side or contacts the cathode electrode on the other side, with a plurality of anode-side flow grooves formed on the one side and a plurality of cathode-side flow grooves formed on the other side. The flow path plate is corrugated in which convex portions and concave portions are alternately formed and extend parallel to each other, and the anode-side flow grooves are formed on the corrugated surface on the one side, and the cathode-side flow grooves are formed on the corrugated surface on the other side. The convex portions and the concave portions of the flow path plate are formed by press molding a plate material using a mold. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, cracks are less likely to occur in the flow path plate. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrochemical cell according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrochemical cell according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electrochemical cell according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a flow path plate outer frame included in the electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an outer frame of a flow path plate included in the electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a flow path plate outer frame included in an electrochemical cell according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a plan view of an outer frame of a flow path plate included in an electrochemical cell according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 11 is a bottom view of an outer frame of a flow path plate included in an electrochemical cell according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a flow path plate outer frame included in an electrochemical cell according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a flow path plate outer frame included in an electrochemical cell according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a plan view of an outer frame of a flow path plate included in an electrochemical cell according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of an outer frame of a flow path plate included in an electrochemical cell according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cell stack according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a cell stack according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrochemical device including an electrochemical cell according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Each embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] <First embodiment> Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electrochemical cell 1 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electrochemical cell 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the electrochemical cell 1. The electrochemical cell 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 includes an electrode plate 10, a flow path plate 20, an electrode plate outer frame 100, and a flow path plate outer frame 200.

[0018] The electrode plate outer frame 100 is joined to the electrode plate 10 so as to surround the periphery of the electrode plate 10. The flow path plate outer frame 200 is joined to the flow path plate 20 so as to surround the periphery of the flow path plate 20. The electrode plate assembly in which the electrode plate 10 and the electrode plate outer frame 100 are joined is in a plate shape. The flow path plate assembly in which the flow path plate 20 and the flow path plate outer frame 200 are joined is in a plate shape. These assemblies are stacked together with their thickness directions facing in the same direction. As a result, the electrochemical cell 1 as a whole is in a plate shape. Each member constituting the electrochemical cell 1 will be described in detail below.

[0019] (electrode plate) Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electrochemical cell 1 taken along line IV-VI in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 4, the electrode plate 10 has an anode electrode 11, a cathode electrode 12, and a diaphragm 13 sandwiched between the anode electrode 11 and the cathode electrode 12. The electrode plate 10 is in the form of a rectangular plate. The anode electrode 11, the cathode electrode 12, and the diaphragm 13 are also each formed in a rectangular shape.

[0020] The anode electrode 11 and the cathode electrode 12 are made of, for example, a thin film, foil, or sheet of a conductor. For example, the anode electrode 11 and the cathode electrode 12 may be formed by attaching a catalyst to a gas-permeable substrate containing carbon or a metal. The catalyst may be a catalyst containing a metal such as nickel, iridium, gold, silver, or platinum, or a catalyst containing a metal oxide such as nickel oxide, iridium dioxide, or cobalt oxide, or a combination of these.

[0021] The diaphragm 13 is, for example, an ion filtration membrane such as a solid polymer membrane (ion exchange membrane) or a solid electrolyte membrane (electrolyte membrane), etc. However, the material of the diaphragm 13 is not particularly limited.

[0022] (Outer frame of electrode plate) As shown in Fig. 2, the electrode plate outer frame 100 is a rectangular frame, in other words, a hollow plate having an opening penetrating in the thickness direction in an inner region. The electrode plate outer frame 100 forms an electrode plate storage opening 101 for the electrode plate 10 on its inner circumferential surface. As shown in Fig. 4, the electrode plate storage opening 101 in this embodiment has a first storage section 102 that stores the anode electrode 11 and a second storage section 103 that stores the cathode electrode 12.

[0023] The second storage section 103 protrudes outward from the first storage section 102 over its entire periphery, and the opening area of ​​the second storage section 103 is larger than the opening area of ​​the first storage section 102. As a result, a step section 104 is formed between the first storage section 102 and the second storage section 103, extending in the surface direction of the electrode plate outer frame 100 (plate surface direction).

[0024] The anode electrode 11 is housed and joined to the first storage section 102. The diaphragm 13 is housed in the second storage section 103 in a state in which it is in contact with the stepped portion 104, and the cathode electrode 12 is housed and joined to the second storage section 103 in a state in which it covers the diaphragm 13 and is housed in the second storage section 103. In this embodiment, the cathode electrode 12 and the diaphragm 13 are formed larger than the anode electrode 11 so that the cathode electrode 12 and the diaphragm 13 are overlapped with the stepped portion 104. Here, joining means being connected together in a fixed state, or being connected together in a detachable manner.

[0025] The cathode electrode 12 and the diaphragm 13 are overlapped with the step portion 104 in the thickness direction of the electrochemical cell 1 (electrode plate assembly), whereby at least a portion of the joint between the electrode plate 10 and the electrode plate outer frame 100 is joined in a state of being overlapped in the thickness direction. This configuration can improve the sealing performance at the joint between the electrode plate 10 and the electrode plate outer frame 100. Note that, although the step portion 104 is formed around the entire circumference of the electrode plate storage opening 101 in this embodiment, the step portion 104 may be formed partially around the entire circumference of the electrode plate storage opening 101.

[0026] 2, an anode fluid communication hole 106 and a cathode fluid communication hole 107 are provided in a portion of the electrode plate outer frame 100 on the outer circumferential side of the electrode plate housing opening 101. The anode fluid communication hole 106 has an anode fluid inlet communication hole 106A and an anode fluid outlet communication hole 106B. The cathode fluid communication hole 107 has a cathode fluid inlet communication hole 107A and a cathode fluid outlet communication hole 107B. The anode fluid inlet communication hole 106A and the cathode fluid inlet communication hole 107A, and the anode fluid outlet communication hole 106B and the cathode fluid outlet communication hole 107B are arranged to face each other across the electrode plate housing opening 101.

[0027] In detail, the anode fluid inlet communication hole 106A and the anode fluid outlet communication hole 106B are formed in point symmetry with respect to the center of the electrode plate outer frame 100 in a plan view. The cathode fluid inlet communication hole 107A and the cathode fluid outlet communication hole 107B are formed in point symmetry with respect to the center of the electrode plate outer frame 100 in a plan view. Furthermore, the anode fluid inlet communication hole 106A, the anode fluid outlet communication hole 106B, the cathode fluid inlet communication hole 107A, and the cathode fluid outlet communication hole 107B are each formed to have the same shape and the same dimensions.

[0028] The anode fluid inlet communication hole 106A allows a fluid such as water (H2O) (hereinafter referred to as anode side fluid) to flow and sends it to an anode side flow groove 21 in the flow path plate 20, which will be described later. The anode fluid outlet communication hole 106B receives and passes the anode side fluid flowing out from the anode side flow groove 21. The cathode fluid inlet communication hole 107A allows a fluid such as carbon dioxide (O2) (hereinafter referred to as cathode side fluid) to flow and sends the cathode side fluid to a cathode side flow groove 22 in the flow path plate 20, which will be described later. The cathode fluid outlet communication hole 107B allows and passes the cathode side fluid flowing out from the cathode side flow groove 22.

[0029] The material of the electrode plate outer frame 100 is not particularly limited, but it is desirable to ensure insulation at least in the contact portion of the electrode plate outer frame 100 with the anode side fluid and the cathode side fluid. In this case, the electrode plate outer frame 100 may be made of an electrically insulating material such as a resin material such as fluororesin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), or a rubber material such as fluororubber or ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). In this embodiment, the entire electrode plate outer frame 100 is made of an insulating material, thereby ensuring insulation in the contact portion with the anode side fluid and the cathode side fluid. Note that the electrode plate outer frame 100 may be partially provided with an insulating material in the portion that may come into contact with the anode side fluid and the cathode side fluid.

[0030] (Flow path plate) 4, a plurality of anode-side flow grooves 21 are formed on one surface (the upper surface in the figure), and a plurality of cathode-side flow grooves 22 are formed on the other surface (the lower surface in the figure). The anode-side flow grooves 21 are a portion through which an anode-side fluid supplied to the anode electrode 11 flows. The cathode-side flow grooves 22 are capable of circulating the cathode-side fluid when the cathode-side fluid is supplied to the cathode electrode 12.

[0031] The electrochemical cell 1 according to this embodiment is configured by bringing the cathode-side flow groove 22 formed on the other surface of the flow path plate 20 into contact with the cathode electrode 12 of the electrode plate 10. It is assumed that the electrochemical cell 1 will be used to fabricate a cell stack, and in this case, a plurality of electrochemical cells 1 are stacked with the anode electrodes 11 facing in the same direction. At this time, the anode-side flow groove 21 formed on one surface of the flow path plate 20 is brought into contact with the anode electrode 11 of the electrode plate 10 of another electrochemical cell 1.

[0032] In the electrochemical cell 1, when carbon dioxide electrolysis is performed with the cell stack constructed, water (H2O) as an anode-side fluid is circulated through the anode-side flow groove 21, and carbon dioxide (CO2) as a cathode-side fluid is circulated through the cathode-side flow groove 22. When water electrolysis is performed, water (H2O) as an anode-side fluid is circulated through the anode-side flow groove 21, but it is not necessary to circulate a cathode-side fluid through the cathode-side flow groove 22. Furthermore, when the electrochemical cell 1 is used in a fuel cell stack, hydrogen (H2) is caused to flow through the anode side flow groove 21 as an anode side fluid, and oxygen (O2) is caused to flow through the cathode side flow groove 22 as a cathode side fluid.

[0033] The electrochemical cell 1 according to this embodiment is configured by contacting the cathode side flow groove 22 formed in the flow path plate 20 with the cathode electrode 12 of the electrode plate 10, but the electrochemical cell 1 may also be configured by contacting the anode side flow groove 21 formed on one surface of the flow path plate 20 with the anode electrode 11 of the electrode plate 10.

[0034] To describe the shape of the flow path plate 20 in detail, the flow path plate 20 has a corrugated shape in which convex portions 23 and concave portions 24 are alternately formed and extend parallel to each other, as shown in Fig. 4 (also see Figs. 2 and 3). The anode-side flow grooves 21 are formed on the corrugated surface of one side (the upper surface in the figure) of the flow path plate 20, and the cathode-side flow grooves 22 are formed on the corrugated surface of the other side (the lower surface in the figure). Note that dots are added to the flow path plate 20 in Fig. 4 for ease of explanation.

[0035] 4, the flow path plate 20 has an end 22E of the corrugated shape on the cathode electrode 12 side in contact with the cathode electrode 12, thereby forming a flow path for the cathode side fluid between the cathode electrode 12 and the cathode side flow groove 22. On the other hand, the flow path plate 20 has an end 21E of the corrugated shape on the anode electrode side of another electrochemical cell in contact with the anode electrode of the other electrochemical cell, thereby forming a flow path for the anode side fluid between the anode electrode of the other electrochemical cell and the anode side flow groove 21. The end 22E is formed between adjacent cathode side flow grooves 22. The end 21E is formed between adjacent anode side flow grooves 21.

[0036] In this embodiment, the wave shape of the flow path plate 20 is a trapezoidal wave shape, and the ends 21E, 22E have a width in the plate surface direction of the flow path plate 20. As a result, the ends 21E, 22E are in surface contact with the anode electrode 11 or the cathode electrode 12. However, the wave shape of the anode side flow path groove 21 and the cathode side flow path groove 22 may be a sine curve shape or the like. Also, the flow path plate 20 in this embodiment is a wave plate shape in which the convex portions 23 and the concave portions 24 are formed with the same period and the same amplitude, as shown in FIG. 4. However, a shape in which the period of some of the convex portions 23 and / or the concave portions 24 is different from that of the others may be adopted.

[0037] The material of the flow path plate 20 is not particularly limited as long as it is conductive. The flow path plate 20 may be formed from, for example, metal, carbon, a mixture of carbon and resin, etc. The flow path plate 20 may have a plating layer or coating on the outermost surface for the purpose of improving corrosion resistance and reducing contact resistance. When the flow path plate 20 is formed from metal, it may be formed by bending or pressing. When the flow path plate 20 is formed from carbon or a mixture of carbon and resin, it may be formed by vacuum molding or the like.

[0038] In this embodiment, from the viewpoint of improving workability and strength, the convex portions 23 and the concave portions 24 are formed by bending a thin metal plate, which is a plate material, into a corrugated shape by bending. Formation of the corrugated flow path plate 20 by bending is possible by adopting a simple corrugated shape as the shape of the flow path plate 20. When bending a thin plate, localized thinning of the thickness of the thin plate due to bending and stretching is suppressed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the thickness of the flow path plate 20 in the portion where the convex portions 23 and the concave portions 24 are alternately formed is basically constant.

[0039] 4, the flow path plate 20 has flanges 25 on both ends in the direction in which the protrusions 23 and the recesses 24 are alternately formed. When the flow path plate 20 is formed by bending, the thickness of the portion where the protrusions 23 and the recesses 24 are alternately formed is basically the same as the thickness of the flanges 25.

[0040] In addition, when the flow path plate 20 has a simple corrugated shape, even if it is formed by press working, local thickness reduction due to bending and stretching can be suppressed. Therefore, cracks are less likely to occur. That is, the convex parts 23 and the concave parts 24 may be formed by press molding the plate material using a mold. When press working is performed, the thickness of the flange part 25 is usually larger than the thickness of the part where the convex parts 23 and the concave parts 24 are formed alternately.

[0041] (Flow path plate outer frame) 2, the flow path plate outer frame 200 is in the form of a rectangular frame, in other words, in the form of a hollow plate having an opening penetrating in the thickness direction in an inner region. The flow path plate outer frame 200 forms a flow path plate storage opening 201 for the flow path plate 20 on its inner peripheral surface, and stores the flow path plate 20 in the flow path plate storage opening 201.

[0042] The flow path plate outer frame 200 is provided in an outer peripheral portion of the flow path plate housing opening 201 with an anode fluid communication hole 206, a cathode fluid communication hole 207, a first flow path plate connecting portion 211, a second flow path plate connecting portion 212, a first anode fluid relay flow path 213, a second anode fluid relay flow path 214, a first anode side fluid turn portion 215, and a second anode side fluid turn portion 216.

[0043] The anode fluid communication hole 206 has an anode fluid inlet communication hole 206A and an anode fluid outlet communication hole 206B. The cathode fluid communication hole 207 has a cathode fluid inlet communication hole 207A and a cathode fluid outlet communication hole 207B. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the flow path plate outer frame 200, and FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the flow path plate outer frame 200. The anode fluid inlet communication hole 206A and the cathode fluid inlet communication hole 207A, and the anode fluid outlet communication hole 206B and the cathode fluid outlet communication hole 207B are arranged to face each other across the electrode plate housing opening 101.

[0044] In detail, the anode fluid inlet communication hole 206A and the anode fluid outlet communication hole 206B are formed in point symmetry with respect to the center of the flow path plate outer frame 200 in a plan view. The cathode fluid inlet communication hole 207A and the cathode fluid outlet communication hole 207B are formed in point symmetry with respect to the center of the flow path plate outer frame 200 in a plan view. Furthermore, the anode fluid inlet communication hole 206A, the anode fluid outlet communication hole 206B, the cathode fluid inlet communication hole 207A, and the cathode fluid outlet communication hole 207B are each formed to have the same shape and the same dimensions.

[0045] The flow path plate outer frame 200 is overlapped on the electrode plate outer frame 100, and at this time, the anode fluid inlet communication hole 206A overlaps with the anode fluid inlet communication hole 106A of the electrode plate outer frame 100, and the anode fluid outlet communication hole 206B overlaps with the anode fluid outlet communication hole 106B of the electrode plate outer frame 100. On the other hand, the cathode fluid inlet communication hole 207A overlaps with the cathode fluid inlet communication hole 107A of the electrode plate outer frame 100, and the cathode fluid outlet communication hole 207B overlaps with the cathode fluid outlet communication hole 107B of the electrode plate outer frame 100.

[0046] The first flow path plate connecting portion 211 is provided on the anode fluid inlet manifold 206A side and the cathode fluid inlet manifold 207A side of the peripheral portion of the flow path plate housing opening 201 of the flow path plate outer frame 200, and is formed in a corrugated shape over its entirety. The second flow path plate connecting portion 212 is provided on the anode fluid outlet manifold 206B side and the cathode fluid outlet manifold 207B side of the peripheral portion of the flow path plate housing opening 201 of the flow path plate outer frame 200, and is formed in a corrugated shape over its entirety.

[0047] The first anode fluid relay flow path 213 is provided between a portion of the first flow path plate connecting part 211 that faces the anode fluid inlet manifold 206A and the anode fluid inlet manifold 206A. The second anode fluid relay flow path 214 is provided between a portion of the second flow path plate connecting part 212 that faces the anode fluid outlet manifold 206B and the anode fluid outlet manifold 206B.

[0048] The first anode fluid relay flow path 213 is recessed in the thickness direction on one surface of the flow path plate outer frame 200 (for example, the surface facing upward in FIGS. 1 and 2) and fluidly connects the anode fluid inlet communication hole 206A and the first flow path plate connection part 211. Similarly, the second anode fluid relay flow path 214 is recessed in the thickness direction on one surface of the flow path plate outer frame 200 (for example, the surface facing upward in FIGS. 1 and 2) and fluidly connects the anode fluid outlet communication hole 206B and the second flow path plate connection part 212.

[0049] Moreover, the first anode side fluid turn section 215 extends away from the second flow path plate connecting section 212, and the second anode side fluid turn section 216 extends away from the first flow path plate connecting section 211. The first anode side fluid turn section 215 is positioned to face the first anode fluid relay flow path 213 via the flow path plate housing opening 201. The first anode side fluid turn section 215 is formed to be wider than the first anode fluid relay flow path 213 in a direction perpendicular to the direction facing the first anode fluid relay flow path 213. The second anode side fluid turn section 216 is positioned to face the portion of the first anode side fluid turn section 215 that exceeds the first anode fluid relay flow path 213 and the second anode fluid relay flow path 214 via the flow path plate housing opening 201.

[0050] The first anode side fluid turn section 215 and the second anode side fluid turn section 216 are each recessed in the thickness direction on one surface (e.g., the surface facing upward in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the flow path plate outer frame 200, similar to the relay flow paths 213, 214 described above. The first anode side fluid turn section 215 is fluidly connected to the second flow path plate connecting section 212, and the second anode side fluid turn section 216 is fluidly connected to the first flow path plate connecting section 211.

[0051] 2 and 3, the flow path plate 20 is joined to the flow path plate outer frame 200 by overlapping the corrugated shape of one end in the direction in which the anode side flow groove 21 and the cathode side flow groove 22 extend with the corrugated shape of the first flow path plate connecting portion 211 and the corrugated shape of the other end with the corrugated shape of the second flow path plate connecting portion 212. In addition, the flange portion 25 of the flow path plate 20 is disposed in a positioning recess 218 formed in the flow path plate 20. As a result, at least a part of the joint between the flow path plate 20 and the flow path plate outer frame 200 is joined in a state where they are overlapped in the thickness direction. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the sealing performance at the joint between the flow path plate 20 and the flow path plate outer frame 200.

[0052] In the state in which the flow path plate 20 is joined to the flow path plate outer frame 200 as described above, the anode side fluid may flow in a meandering manner as indicated by arrows A, B, C, and D in FIG. In detail, the anode-side fluid flows from the anode fluid inlet manifold 206A into the first anode fluid relay flow path 213, and flows from the first anode fluid relay flow path 213 through the first flow path plate connecting portion 211 into a portion of the anode-side flow path groove 21 (arrow A). The anode-side fluid that flows out of the portion of the anode-side flow path groove 21 is received by the first anode-side fluid turn portion 215, and then turns back at the first anode-side fluid turn portion 215 to flow into another portion of the anode-side flow path groove 21 (arrow B). The anode-side fluid flowing out from another portion of the anode-side flow channel 21 is then received by the second anode-side fluid turn section 216, turns back at the second anode-side fluid turn section 216, and flows into yet another portion of the anode-side flow channel 21 (arrow C). The anode-side fluid flowing out from yet another portion of the anode-side flow channel 21 then flows into the second anode fluid relay flow channel 214 via the second flow channel plate connecting section 212, and then flows into the anode fluid outlet communication hole 206B (arrow D). In addition, the flow path plate outer frame 200 is configured to prevent anode side fluid flowing from the first anode fluid relay flow path 213, etc., into a portion of the anode side flow path groove 21 via the first flow path plate connection part 211 from flowing into the cathode side flow path groove 22.

[0053] Similarly, on the other surface of the flow path plate outer frame 200 (for example, the surface facing downward in Figs. 1 and 2), as shown in Fig. 6, a first cathode fluid relay flow path 223 is provided between a portion of the first flow path plate connecting portion 211 facing the cathode fluid inlet manifold 207A and the cathode fluid inlet manifold 207A. A second cathode fluid relay flow path 224 is provided between a portion of the second flow path plate connecting portion 212 facing the cathode fluid outlet manifold 207B and the cathode fluid outlet manifold 207B. In addition, the flow path plate outer frame 200 is further provided with a first cathode side fluid turn portion 225 extending away from the second flow path plate connecting portion 212 and a second cathode side fluid turn portion 226 extending away from the first flow path plate connecting portion 211.

[0054] In a state where the flow path plate 20 is joined to the flow path plate outer frame 200, the cathode-side fluid may also flow in a meandering manner, as shown by arrows A', B', C', and D' in Fig. 6. The order of the paths through which the cathode-side fluid flows and the connection configuration are similar to those in the case of the anode-side fluid described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0055] The material of the flow path plate outer frame 200 is not particularly limited, but it is desirable to ensure insulation at least in the contact portion of the flow path plate outer frame 200 with the anode side fluid and the cathode side fluid. In this case, the flow path plate outer frame 200 may be made of an electrically insulating material such as a resin material such as fluororesin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), or a rubber material such as fluororubber or ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). In this embodiment, the flow path plate outer frame 200 is entirely made of an insulating material, thereby ensuring insulation in the contact portion with the anode side fluid and the cathode side fluid. Note that the flow path plate outer frame 200 may be partially provided with an insulating material in the portion that may come into contact with the anode side fluid and the cathode side fluid.

[0056] When the flow path plate outer frame 200 is made of metal, the flow path plate outer frame 200 may be formed by bending or pressing. When the flow path plate outer frame 200 is made of resin or rubber material, the flow path plate outer frame 200 may be formed by vacuum molding or the like. Furthermore, the wave-shaped first flow path plate connecting portion 211 and the second flow path plate connecting portion 212 in the flow path plate outer frame 200 may be formed into a wave-shaped shape corresponding to the wave shape of the flow path plate 20 by heating when joining with the flow path plate 20.

[0057] In this embodiment, the process of producing the flow path plate 20 and the process of producing the flow path plate outer frame 200 are performed separately, and the flow path plate 20 and the flow path plate outer frame 200 are produced separately. When the flow path plate 20 and the flow path plate outer frame 200 are integrally formed by press molding, the thickness of the flow path plate 20 becomes small, and it may be difficult to suppress the occurrence of cracks. In contrast, in this embodiment, the flow path plate 20 and the flow path plate outer frame 200 are produced separately in separate processes, so that cracks are less likely to occur in the flow path plate 20. For example, when the flow path plate 20 is formed by bending and the flow path plate outer frame 200 is formed by press processing or vacuum molding, cracks are less likely to occur in the flow path plate 20 without reducing production efficiency.

[0058] (Action and Effects) Next, the action and effect of the electrochemical cell 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the following, the action and effect of the electrochemical cell 1 will be described while explaining, as an example, the electrolysis operation of the electrochemical cell 1 in the case where a plurality of electrochemical cells 1 are stacked to form a cell stack.

[0059] When the anode side fluid and the cathode side fluid are supplied to the electrochemical cell 1, the anode side fluid is supplied from the outside to the anode fluid inlet manifold 106A, and the cathode side fluid is supplied to the cathode fluid inlet manifold 107A. The anode side fluid flows from the anode fluid inlet manifold 106A through the first anode fluid relay flow path 213 into the anode side flow path groove 21 and comes into contact with the anode electrode 11. The cathode side fluid flows from the cathode fluid inlet manifold 207A through the first cathode fluid relay flow path 223 into the cathode side flow path groove 22 and comes into contact with the cathode electrode 12. At least a portion of the constituents of the anode side fluid in contact with the anode electrode 11 and the cathode side fluid in contact with the cathode electrode 12 react with the catalyst attached to the electrode and are ionized.

[0060] In this state, when a predetermined voltage is applied across both ends of the stacked cell stack, a potential difference is generated between the anode electrode 11 and the cathode electrode 12 across the electrically insulating diaphragm 13 of the electrode plate 10, causing a phenomenon in which certain ionized substances in the fluid pass through the diaphragm 13. This causes a change in the material composition of the cathode side fluid and the anode side fluid.

[0061] For example, when water (H2O) is supplied to the anode side and carbon dioxide (CO2) is supplied to the cathode side, a reaction such as carbon dioxide electrolysis can be obtained, which extracts a mixed gas containing carbon monoxide (CO) from the cathode side.

[0062] In this case, when a plurality of electrode plates 10 and flow path plates 20 are stacked and a voltage is applied from the outside, a potential difference occurs between the anode electrodes 11 and cathode electrodes 12 sandwiching the diaphragm 13 of each of the stacked electrode plates 10, but the anode electrodes 11 and cathode electrodes 12 of two adjacent electrode plates 10 that are in contact with the same flow path plate 20 have approximately the same potential because the flow path plate 20, anode electrodes 11, and cathode electrodes 12 are conductive. Therefore, a potential difference approximately the same as the potential difference occurring between the anode electrodes 11 and cathode electrodes 12 sandwiching the diaphragm 13 occurs between the different flow path plates 20 that sandwich the electrode plate 10.

[0063] Here, when the flow path plate 20 and the flow path plate outer frame 200 are made of a single sheet of conductive material, adjacent flow path plate outer frames 200 sandwiching the electrode plate outer frame 100 are separated only by a distance equal to the thickness of the electrode plate outer frame 100 at the portions in contact with the fluid flowing through the anode fluid inlet communication hole 206A, the anode fluid outlet communication hole 206B, the cathode fluid inlet communication hole 207A, and the cathode fluid outlet communication hole 207B. Therefore, if there is a potential difference between adjacent flow path plate outer frames 200 sandwiching the electrode plate outer frame 100, and if the conductivity of the fluid flowing through each communication hole is not zero, a leak current will occur between adjacent flow path plate outer frames 200 sandwiching the electrode plate outer frame 100. In particular, when an electrolyte solution in which a small amount of ionic substance is dissolved in a liquid such as water (H2O) is used as either the anode fluid side or the cathode side fluid, the conductivity of the electrolyte solution is not zero, and therefore a leak current is likely to occur.

[0064] Furthermore, even when using a fluid with a relatively low electrical conductivity such as pure water (H2O), trace amounts of impurities may be mixed in as the fluid circulates inside and outside the electrochemical cell, causing an increase in electrical conductivity and resulting in leakage current. Even if the fluid is mainly a gas, some of the contained substances may condense and adhere to the walls of the communicating holes, causing leakage current just as in the case of a liquid.

[0065] In contrast, in the electrochemical cell 1 according to the present embodiment, the electrode plate 10 and the electrode plate outer frame 100 are separate bodies, and the flow path plate 20 and the flow path plate outer frame 200 are separate bodies. Furthermore, insulation is ensured at the contact portions between the electrode plate outer frame 100 and the flow path plate outer frame 200 and the anode side fluid and the cathode side fluid, thereby suppressing leakage current.

[0066] In this embodiment, the flow path plate 20 is formed separately from the flow path plate outer frame 200, and is formed in a relatively simple corrugated plate shape. The anode side flow grooves 21 are formed on the corrugated surface on one side of the flow path plate 20, and the cathode side flow grooves 22 are formed on the corrugated surface on the other side. This reduces the occurrence of cracks during processing of the flow path plate 20. It is also possible to suppress the occurrence of cross leakage of, for example, the anode side fluid or the cathode side fluid.

[0067] As described above, in this embodiment, cracks are less likely to occur in the flow path plate 20. In particular, the flow path plate 20 in this embodiment is a corrugated plate in which the convex portions 23 and the concave portions 24 are formed at the same period and with the same amplitude. In this case, it is easy to process the thickness of the portion of the flow path plate 20 where the flow path grooves (21, 22) are formed to a constant value. Furthermore, local stress changes can also be suppressed. This makes it possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of cracks in the flow path grooves (21, 22). In addition, it is also possible to increase the flow path cross-sectional areas of the anode side flow path groove 21 and the cathode side flow path groove 22 while suppressing the plate thickness of the flow path plate 20.

[0068] The flow path plate 20 has anode-side fluid turn sections 215, 216 that receive the anode-side fluid flowing out from a portion of the multiple anode-side flow grooves 21 and turn it back to another portion of the multiple anode-side flow grooves, and cathode-side fluid turn sections 225, 226 that receive the cathode-side fluid flowing out from a portion of the multiple cathode-side flow grooves 22 and turn it back to another portion of the multiple cathode-side flow grooves 22. This can promote the reaction between the anode-side fluid and the anode electrode 11 and the reaction between the cathode-side fluid and the cathode electrode 12. In addition, the flow grooves that turn the fluid back and flow can be easily formed on the flow path plate by press processing, and there are many such flow path plates. However, such existing flow path plates have a complex pattern of flow path grooves, so they are prone to cracking when pressed. Compared to existing flow path plates that form such a return path for the fluid, the flow path plate 20 in this embodiment is advantageous in terms of suppressing cracking.

[0069] In this embodiment, the anode side fluid turn sections 215, 216 and the cathode side fluid turn sections 225, 226 are formed, but either one may not be provided. Although a plurality of anode side fluid turn sections 215, 216 are provided, only one may be provided. Similarly, although a plurality of cathode side fluid turn sections 225, 226 are provided, only one may be provided.

[0070] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a flow path plate outer frame 200' provided in an electrochemical cell according to the second embodiment. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the flow path plate outer frame 200', and Fig. 9 is a bottom view of the flow path plate outer frame 200'. Among the components of the second embodiment, the same components as those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted. In addition, the electrode plate 10 and the electrode plate outer frame 100 of the electrochemical cell according to the second embodiment are omitted from the illustration because they are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0071] In the electrochemical cell according to the second embodiment, the anode side fluid turn portions 215, 216 and the cathode side fluid turn portions 225, 226 described in the first embodiment are not provided on a flow path plate outer frame 200'.

[0072] 7 and 8, the first anode fluid relay flow path 213' extends from the anode fluid inlet manifold 206A and is connected to the entirety of the first flow path plate connecting part 211. The second anode fluid relay flow path 214' extends from the anode fluid outlet manifold 206B and is connected to the entirety of the second flow path plate connecting part 212.

[0073] 9, the first cathode fluid relay flow path 223' extends from the cathode fluid inlet manifold 207A and is connected to the entire first flow path plate connecting portion 211. The second cathode fluid relay flow path 224' extends from the cathode fluid outlet manifold 207B and is connected to the entire second flow path plate connecting portion 212.

[0074] In the electrochemical cell according to the second embodiment, the anode-side fluid flows in the same direction throughout the anode-side flow grooves 21 in the flow path plate 20. Similarly, the cathode-side fluid flows in the same direction throughout the cathode-side flow grooves 22 in the flow path plate 20. In this configuration, the shape of the flow path plate outer frame 200 is simplified, thereby improving productivity.

[0075] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a flow path plate outer frame 200″ provided in an electrochemical cell according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the flow path plate outer frame 200″. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the flow path plate outer frame 200″, and FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the flow path plate outer frame 200″. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 12. Among the components of the third embodiment, the same components as those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the electrode plate 10 and the electrode plate outer frame 100 of the electrochemical cell according to the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore are not illustrated.

[0076] The basic shape of the flow path plate outer frame 200'' in this embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in that the flow path plate outer frame 200'' is formed by overlapping a plurality of sheet-like members 301-304. In detail, the flow path plate outer frame 200'' is formed by overlapping a first flow path plate outer frame sheet material 301, a second flow path plate outer frame sheet material 302, a third flow path plate outer frame sheet material 303, and a fourth flow path plate outer frame sheet material 304 in this order. Reference numeral 305 denotes a spacer member that fills a space formed between the first flow path plate outer frame sheet material 301 and the second flow path plate outer frame sheet material 302.

[0077] 10, 11 and 13, the first flow path plate outer frame sheet material 301 has an opening pattern for forming the flow path plate storage opening 201, the anode fluid inlet communication hole 206A, the anode fluid outlet communication hole 206B, the cathode fluid inlet communication hole 207A, the cathode fluid outlet communication hole 207B, the first cathode fluid relay flow path 223, the second cathode fluid relay flow path 224, the first cathode side fluid turn portion 225 and the second cathode side fluid turn portion 226.

[0078] The second flow path plate outer frame sheet material 302 has an opening pattern for forming the flow path plate storage opening 201, the anode fluid inlet communication hole 206A, the anode fluid outlet communication hole 206B, the cathode fluid inlet communication hole 207A and the cathode fluid outlet communication hole 207B, and has a first flow path plate connecting portion 211 and a second flow path plate connecting portion 212.

[0079] The third flow path plate outer frame sheet material 303 has an opening pattern for forming the flow path plate storage opening 201, an anode fluid inlet communication hole 206A, an anode fluid outlet communication hole 206B, a cathode fluid inlet communication hole 207A, a cathode fluid outlet communication hole 207B, a first anode fluid relay flow path 213, a second anode fluid relay flow path 214, a first anode side fluid turn portion 215 and a second anode side fluid turn portion 216.

[0080] The fourth flow path plate outer frame sheet material 304 has an opening pattern for forming the flow path plate storage opening 201, an anode fluid inlet communication hole 206A, an anode fluid outlet communication hole 206B, a cathode fluid inlet communication hole 207A, a cathode fluid outlet communication hole 207B, a first anode fluid relay flow path 213, a second anode fluid relay flow path 214, a first anode side fluid turn portion 215 and a second anode side fluid turn portion 216.

[0081] As shown in Fig. 11, a first flow path plate connecting portion 211 and a second flow path plate connecting portion 212 are provided opposite each other on two of the four sides of a rectangular opening portion for forming a flow path plate housing opening 201 in a second flow path plate outer frame sheet material 302. As shown in Fig. 4, a bulge 302A rising in an inverted U-shape in the thickness direction is provided on the remaining two of the four sides located between the first flow path plate connecting portion 211 and the second flow path plate connecting portion 212.

[0082] When the second flow path plate outer frame sheet material 302 is superimposed on the first flow path plate outer frame sheet material 301, a space is generated between the bulging portion 302A and the upper surface of the first flow path plate outer frame sheet material 301. A spacer member 305 is provided in this space.

[0083] The material of the flow path plate outer frame 200'' is not particularly limited, but it is desirable to ensure insulation at least in the portions of the flow path plate outer frame 200'' that come into contact with the anode-side fluid and the cathode-side fluid. In this case, the flow path plate outer frame 200'' may be made of an electrically insulating material such as a resin material such as fluororesin, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), etc., or a rubber material such as fluororubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), etc. Also, the flow path plate outer frame 200'' may be configured such that an insulating material is partially provided in the portions that may come into contact with the anode-side fluid and the cathode-side fluid.

[0084] In this embodiment, the entire flow path plate outer frame 200'' is formed of an insulating material, and more specifically, each of the sheet materials 301 to 304 is formed of an insulating resin. The first flow path plate outer frame sheet material 301, the third flow path plate outer frame sheet material 303, and the fourth flow path plate outer frame sheet material 304 are flat plate-shaped, and therefore can be easily manufactured. The second flow path plate outer frame sheet material 302 has the first flow path plate connecting portion 211 and the second flow path plate connecting portion 212 that are three-dimensionally corrugated, and therefore it is preferable to form it by vacuum molding. Alternatively, the corrugated first flow path plate connecting portion 211 and the second flow path plate connecting portion 212 of the second flow path plate outer frame sheet material 302 may be formed into a corrugated shape corresponding to the corrugated shape of the flow path plate 20 by heating when bonding with the flow path plate 20.

[0085] According to this embodiment, the manufacturing costs of the flow path plate outer frame 200'' can be suppressed. The electrode plate outer frame 100 may also be formed by overlapping a plurality of sheet-like members.

[0086] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a cell stack CS according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the cell stack CS. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in Fig. 15. Components of the fourth embodiment that are the same as those of the first to third embodiments are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0087] The cell stack CS according to this embodiment is constructed by stacking the electrochemical cells 1 described in the first embodiment. In the cell stack CS, as shown in Fig. 17, the flow path plate 20 has an end 21E on the anode electrode 11 side in the corrugated shape in contact with the anode electrode 11, and an end 22E on the cathode electrode 12 side in the corrugated shape in contact with the cathode electrode 12. In this embodiment, the end 21E in contact with the anode electrode 11 and the end 22E in contact with the cathode electrode 12 face each other in the stacking direction of the electrochemical cells 1 at the same position in the in-plane direction.

[0088] Specifically, in the cell stack CS, the orientation of one of the flow path plates 20 and the flow path plate outer frame 200 of two adjacent electrochemical cells 1 is inverted by 180 degrees in the in-plane direction from the orientation of the other of the flow path plates 20 and the flow path plate outer frame 200. This creates a state in which the end 21E of one of the flow path plates 20 on the anode electrode 11 side of the two adjacent electrochemical cells 1 and the end 22E of the other of the flow path plates 20 on the cathode electrode 12 side of the two adjacent electrochemical cells 1 face each other in the stacking direction of the electrochemical cells 1 at the same position in the in-plane direction. More specifically, by stacking the flow path plates 20 of one type while alternately rotating the orientation of the flow path plates 20 by 180 degrees in the in-plane direction, the end 21E and the end 22E face each other in the stacking direction at the same position in the in-plane direction. 17, in this embodiment, a distance L1 from one of both sides of the flow path plate 20 to the first recess 24 in the direction in which the protrusions 23 and the recesses 24 are alternately formed, and a distance L2 from the other side to the first recess 24 are shifted by half a period (P / 2) with respect to a period P in which a pair of protrusions 23 and recesses 24 are formed. As a result, when one type of flow path plate 20 is rotated 180 degrees alternately in the in-plane direction to align the ends, the end 21E and the end 22E face the stacking direction of the electrochemical cell 1 at the same position in the in-plane direction. Note that the distance from one of both sides of the flow path plate 20 to the first protrusion 23 in the direction in which the protrusions 23 and the recesses 24 are alternately formed may be shifted by half a period from the distance from the other side to the first protrusion 23.

[0089] According to this embodiment, cracking of the electrode plate 10 when the electrode plate 10 and the flow path plate 20 are fastened in a direction in which they approach each other can be suppressed. Furthermore, by suppressing cracking of the electrode plate 10, it is possible to increase the fastening force in the stacking direction for the cell stack CS, and the contact resistance between the members can also be reduced. The cell stack CS may be composed of the electrochemical cell according to the second or third embodiment. Furthermore, by alternately stacking one type of flow path plate 20 while rotating it by 180 degrees, a state is formed in which the end 21E on the anode electrode 11 side of one flow path plate 20 of two adjacent electrochemical cells 1 and the end 22E on the cathode electrode 12 side of the other flow path plate 20 face each other in the stacking direction of the electrochemical cells 1 at the same position in the in-plane direction, and thus the production cost can be suppressed compared to the case of preparing two types of flow path plates to form a similar state.

[0090] <Electrochemical equipment> Next, the electrochemical device EC will be described. Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of the electrochemical device EC including the electrochemical cell 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0091] The electrochemical device EC may be, for example, a hydrogen production device or a carbon monoxide production device. The electrochemical device EC has a cell stack CS in which electrochemical cells 1 are stacked, a pair of clamping plates 400 that clamp the cell stack CS from both sides in the stacking direction, a voltage application means (power supply) 401, and a control means 402. The power supply 401 is electrically connected to an anode electrode 11 located at one end in the stacking direction and a cathode electrode 12 located at the other end.

[0092] In the electrochemical device EC, a control means 402 controls a power source 401 to apply a voltage to the cell stack CS. As a result, a voltage is applied between the anode electrode 11 and the cathode electrode 12 in each electrochemical cell 1, and an electrochemical reaction is initiated. The electrochemical device EC may include the electrochemical cell according to the second or third embodiment.

[0093] Although each embodiment has been described above, the above-mentioned embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This new embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The above-mentioned embodiments and other modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1...electrochemical cell, 10...electrode plate, 11...anode electrode, 12...cathode electrode, 13...diaphragm, 100...electrode plate outer frame, 101...electrode plate storage opening, 102...first storage section, 103...second storage section, 104...step section, 106...anode fluid communication hole, 106A...anode fluid inlet communication hole, 106B...anode fluid outlet communication hole, 107...cathode fluid communication hole, 107A...cathode fluid inlet communication hole , 107B... cathode fluid outlet communication hole, 20... flow path plate, 21... anode side flow path groove, 21E... end, 22... cathode side flow path groove, 22E... end, 23... convex portion, 24... concave portion, 25... flange portion, 200, 200', 200''... flow path plate outer frame, 201... flow path plate housing opening, 206... anode fluid communication hole, 206A... anode fluid inlet communication hole, 206B... anode fluid outlet communication hole, 207... cathode anode fluid communication hole, 207A... cathode fluid inlet communication hole, 207B... cathode fluid outlet communication hole, 211... first flow path plate connection part, 212... second flow path plate connection part, 213, 213'... first anode fluid relay flow path, 214, 214'... second anode fluid relay flow path, 215... first anode side fluid turn part, 216... second anode side fluid turn part, 218... positioning recess, 223, 223'... first cathode Cathode fluid relay flow path, 224, 224'... second cathode fluid relay flow path, 225... first cathode side fluid turn portion, 226... second cathode side fluid turn portion, 301... first flow path plate outer frame sheet material, 302... second flow path plate outer frame sheet material, 302A... bulging portion, 303... third flow path plate outer frame sheet material, 304... fourth flow path plate outer frame sheet material, 305... spacer member, CS... cell stack, EC... electrochemical device

Claims

1. an electrode plate having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a diaphragm sandwiched between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode; a flow path plate in contact with the anode electrode on one side or in contact with the cathode electrode on the other side, the flow path plate having a plurality of anode-side flow grooves formed on the one side and a plurality of cathode-side flow grooves formed on the other side; an electrode plate outer frame joined to the electrode plate; A flow path plate outer frame joined to the flow path plate, the flow path plate is a corrugated plate in which convex portions and concave portions are alternately formed and the convex portions and the concave portions extend parallel to each other, the corrugated surface on the one surface forms the anode-side flow path groove, and the corrugated surface on the other surface forms the cathode-side flow path groove.

2. 2. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein the flow path plate is a corrugated plate in which the protrusions and the recesses are formed at the same period and with the same amplitude.

3. 3. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the flow path plate is constant in a portion where the protrusions and the recesses are alternately formed.

4. the anode-side flow channel allows an anode-side fluid to flow when the anode-side fluid is supplied to the anode electrode, and the cathode-side flow channel allows a cathode-side fluid to flow when the cathode-side fluid is supplied to the cathode electrode; 4. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein the flow path plate outer frame has at least one of: one or a plurality of anode side fluid turn portions that receive the anode side fluid flowing out from a portion of the plurality of anode side flow grooves and turn back the fluid to flow into another portion of the plurality of anode side flow grooves; and one or a plurality of cathode side fluid turn portions that receive the cathode side fluid flowing out from a portion of the plurality of cathode side flow grooves and turn back the fluid to flow into another portion of the plurality of cathode side flow grooves.

5. 5. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a joint between the electrode plate and the electrode plate outer frame is joined in a state where the electrodes are overlapped in the thickness direction.

6. 6. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a joint between the flow path plate and the flow path plate outer frame is joined in a state where the flow path plate and the flow path plate outer frame are overlapped in a thickness direction.

7. 7. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein the convex portions and the concave portions of the flow path plate are formed by bending a thin plate member into a corrugated shape.

8. 8. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein the flow path plate outer frame is formed by stacking a plurality of sheet-like members.

9. 9. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein the flow path plate is formed of a conductive material, and the flow path plate outer frame is formed of an insulating material.

10. A cell stack comprising a plurality of electrochemical cells according to any one of claims 1 to 9 stacked together.

11. the flow path plate has an end portion on the anode electrode side in a corrugated shape in contact with the anode electrode, and an end portion on the cathode electrode side in a corrugated shape in contact with the cathode electrode, 11. The cell stack according to claim 10, wherein the end of the corrugated shape of one of the adjacent flow path plates that contacts the anode electrode and the end of the corrugated shape of the other flow path plate that contacts the cathode electrode face each other in a stacking direction of the electrochemical cells at the same position in an in-plane direction.

12. 12. The cell stack according to claim 11, wherein the flow path plates of the same shape are rotated 180 degrees and stacked via the electrode plate, so that the end of the wave shape of one of the adjacent flow path plates that contacts the anode electrode and the end of the wave shape of the other flow path plate that contacts the cathode electrode face each other in the stacking direction of the electrochemical cells at the same position in the in-plane direction.

13. preparing an electrode plate having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a diaphragm sandwiched between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode; a step of preparing a flow path plate that is in contact with the anode electrode on one side or in contact with the cathode electrode on the other side, the flow path plate having a plurality of anode-side flow grooves formed on the one side and a plurality of cathode-side flow grooves formed on the other side, the flow path plate is a corrugated plate in which convex portions and concave portions are alternately formed and extend parallel to each other, the corrugated surface on one surface forms the anode-side flow path groove, and the corrugated surface on the other surface forms the cathode-side flow path groove, The method for manufacturing an electrochemical cell, wherein the convex portion and the concave portion of the flow path plate are formed by bending a plate material into a corrugated shape by bending processing other than press molding using a mold.

14. preparing an electrode plate having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a diaphragm sandwiched between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode; a step of preparing a flow path plate that is in contact with the anode electrode on one side or in contact with the cathode electrode on the other side, the flow path plate having a plurality of anode-side flow grooves formed on the one side and a plurality of cathode-side flow grooves formed on the other side, the flow path plate is a corrugated plate in which convex portions and concave portions are alternately formed and extend parallel to each other, the corrugated surface on one surface forms the anode-side flow path groove, and the corrugated surface on the other surface forms the cathode-side flow path groove, The method for manufacturing an electrochemical cell, wherein the convex portion and the concave portion of the flow path plate are formed by bending a plate material into a corrugated shape by press molding using a mold.

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