Fuel cell separator

Abstract

To provide a separator for a fuel cell capable of suppressing reduction in cooling efficiency of the separator while making a reaction gas confluent.SOLUTION: A cathode-side separator 30 comprises a plurality of gas flow passages 50 which are provided on opposed faces side by side with each other and in which an oxidant gas flows. The cathode-side separator 30 also comprises a cooling flow passages 58 each of which is provided between the gas flow passages 50 adjacent to each other on a cooling surface 30b and in which a coolant flows. The gas flow passage 50 includes: a plurality of first flow passage parts 51 which are provided side by side with each other; a first confluence part 71 in which the oxidant gases flowing in the first flow passage parts 51 are confluent; and a second flow passage part 52 extending from the first confluence part 71 toward a downstream side. On the cooling surface 30b, there are provided downstream-side end portions 59 each of which is positioned between the first flow passage parts 51 adjacent to each other in the cooling flow passage 58 and positioned in an end portion at the downstream side in a flow direction of the medium and recessed grooves 56 each connecting the downstream-side end portion 59 with the other cooling flow passage 58 which are mutually adjacent with the gas flow passage 50 interposed therebetween.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Claims

1. A fuel cell separator comprising: a plurality of gas passages arranged side by side on a surface facing the power generation section of the fuel cell, through which a reaction gas flows; and a cooling passage provided between adjacent gas passages on a cooling surface opposite to the surface facing the power generation section, through which a refrigerant flows, When the upstream and downstream sides in the flow direction of the reaction gas in the gas flow path are defined as the upstream side and the downstream side, The gas flow path comprises a plurality of upstream flow paths arranged side by side, a confluence where the reaction gases flowing through the upstream flow paths merge, and a downstream flow path extending downstream from the confluence. The cooling surface is provided with a downstream end located between adjacent upstream cooling channels and at the downstream end in the direction of refrigerant flow, and a groove connecting the downstream end to another cooling channel adjacent to the gas channel. Separator for fuel cells.

2. The grooves are provided on the cooling surface on the opposite side of both of the two upstream flow channels adjacent to the downstream end. A fuel cell separator according to claim 1.

3. The downstream end has an axis that extends in a straight line, The arrangement of the two upstream channels adjacent to the downstream end is symmetrical with respect to the axis. A fuel cell separator according to claim 2.

4. The downstream end has an axis that extends in a straight line, The two upstream channels adjacent to the downstream end have inclined sections that extend at an angle with respect to the axis such that the distance between them decreases as they approach the confluence. The grooves are provided on the cooling surface on the opposite side of each of the inclined portions. A fuel cell separator according to claim 1.

5. On the opposite side of the opposing surface from the portion where the groove is provided, a protrusion is provided that extends into the gas flow path. The aforementioned protrusion is inclined such that its height increases towards the downstream side. A fuel cell separator according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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