Cell unit

Abstract

This cell unit (2) comprises: a base material (10) that defines a first surface (13) and a second surface (14) that face each other back to back; a hole (15) that penetrates the base material (10) from the first surface (13) to the second surface (14); a film (21) that is disposed in the hole (15) and partitions the hole (15) into a first space (17) on the first surface (13) side and a second space (18) on the second surface (14) side; and an annular outer peripheral member (32) disposed around the outer peripheral surface (11a) of the base material (10).

Description

Cell Unit

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

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

[0003] JP 2012-117140 A

[0004] To improve the efficiency of hydrogen production, it is necessary to produce hydrogen under high pressure. However, when used under high pressure, the strength of the water electrolysis device must be improved.

[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 improve strength.

[0006] A cell unit according to one aspect 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 an annular peripheral member disposed around the outer peripheral surface of the substrate.

[0007] In a cell unit according to one aspect of the present invention, the base material has a main body having the hole, and a flange portion that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the main body toward the outer periphery and supports the outer peripheral member.

[0008] In a cell unit according to one aspect of the present invention, the thickness of the base material defined in a direction perpendicular to the first surface is greater than the thickness of the outer peripheral member defined in the same direction.

[0009] In a cell unit according to one aspect of the present invention, the outer peripheral member has an inner peripheral portion extending around the outer peripheral surface of the base material, and an outer peripheral portion protruding from the inner peripheral portion toward the outer periphery.

[0010] In the cell unit according to one aspect of the present invention, the base material is formed from a resin material.

[0011] In a cell unit according to one aspect of the present invention, the outer peripheral member is formed from a metal material.

[0012] The cell unit according to one aspect of the present invention further includes a conductive flow path member disposed in the first space and the second space.

[0013] The cell unit according to one aspect of the present invention further includes a separator disposed on the second surface side and in contact with the flow path member.

[0014] 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.

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cell unit that can improve strength.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a cell unit 2 incorporated in a water electrolysis apparatus 1 according to a specific example; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a cell unit 2 incorporated in a water electrolysis apparatus 1 according to a 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. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a cell unit 2A incorporated in a water electrolysis apparatus 1 according to a modified example;

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 1 to 4 , a cell unit 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate 10 extending in a predetermined shape along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the stacking direction a. In this example, the substrate 10 includes a main body 11 and an annular flange portion 12 that protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 11a of the main body 11 in a radial direction perpendicular to the stacking direction a. As is clear from FIGS. 3 and 4 , the main body 11 is formed, for example, in a circular shape in a plan view. The flange portion 12 is formed in a circular shape in a plan view. 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)).

[0021] The substrate 10 defines a first surface, i.e., a front surface 13, and a second surface, i.e., a back surface 14, which are opposed to each other. In this example, the front surface 13 and the back surface 14 are defined along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the stacking direction a. The substrate 10 has a through hole 15 that penetrates from the front surface 13 to the back surface 14 in the stacking direction a. The through hole 15 is formed, for example, in a circular shape in a plan view. The through hole 15 is formed, for example, from a large diameter portion 15a that opens on the front surface 13 side and a small diameter portion 15b that opens on the back surface side. The diameter of the small diameter portion 15b is defined to be smaller than the diameter of the large diameter portion 15a. A step surface 15c is formed within the through hole 15 based on the difference in diameter between the large diameter portion 15a and the small diameter portion 15b.

[0022] The step surface 15c extends annularly along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the stacking direction a, for example. The cell unit 2 includes a membrane assembly 20 supported by the step surface 15c. The membrane assembly 20 is formed, for example, in a circular shape in a plan view. An annular member 16 is disposed in the large diameter portion 15a. The annular member 16 sandwiches the outer edge of the membrane assembly 20 between itself and the step surface 15c. In this way, the membrane assembly 20 divides the through hole 15 into a first space 17 on the front surface 13 side and a second space 18 on the back surface 14 side. The annular member 16 is formed, for example, from the same resin material as the substrate 10. In this example, the diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the annular member 16 is set to be approximately equal to the diameter of the small diameter portion 15b.

[0023] The membrane assembly 20 includes an electrolyte membrane 21 and catalyst layers 22, 23 formed on the front and back surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 21, respectively. The electrolyte membrane 21 is, for example, an ion exchange membrane, specifically, an anion exchange membrane (AEM). The catalyst layers 22, 23 are formed from a metal material such as platinum or an alloy of platinum and another metal. Gas diffusion layers (GDLs) 24, 25 are formed on the surfaces of the catalyst layers 22, 23, respectively. The gas diffusion layers 24, 25 are, for example, porous transport layers (PTLs). Materials for forming the gas diffusion layers 24, 25 include, for example, carbon cloth and carbon paper.

[0024] As is clear from Figures 1 and 2, an annular recess, i.e., a groove 15d, is formed in the stepped surface 15c. A gasket 19 is disposed in this groove 15d. The gasket 19 is, for example, an O-ring. The gasket 19 is crushed toward the inside of the groove 15d when the annular member 16 is pressed against the stepped surface 15c. As a result, the gasket 19 seals the gap between the first space 17 and the second space 18. The gasket 19 is made of an elastic material. Examples of elastic materials include fluororubber (FKM), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), and silicone rubber (VMQ).

[0025] A flow path member 26 is disposed in the first space 17, while a flow path member 27 is disposed in the second space 18. The flow path members 26, 27 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 26, 27 are made of mesh-like expanded metal or the like. The flow path members 26, 27 allow fluid to flow through the first space 17 and the second space 18, respectively.

[0026] The substrate 10 is sandwiched between a pair of flat separators 30 and 31. The flow path member 26 is sandwiched between the gas diffusion layer 24 and the separator 30. In this way, the flow path member 26 can electrically connect the separator 30 and the membrane assembly 20. Similarly, the flow path member 27 is sandwiched between the gas diffusion layer 25 and the separator 31. In this way, the flow path member 27 electrically connects the separator 31 and the membrane assembly 20.

[0027] The separator 30 is in contact with the front surface 13 of the substrate 10. The separator 31 is in contact with the back surface 14 of the substrate 10. The substrate 10 is clamped in the stacking direction a by the separators 30, 31 through clamping by the pair of end plates described above. The separators 30, 31 are formed, for example, from a metal material. Examples of metal materials include stainless steel and titanium. Note that, for example, the separator 30 also serves as the separator 31 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 31 also serves as the separator 30 of the other cell unit 2 that is stacked on the back surface 14 side of the substrate 10 relative to this cell unit 2.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cell unit 2 includes an annular peripheral member 32 arranged around the outer peripheral surface 11 a of the main body 11 of the substrate 10. The term "annular" includes a round (circular, elliptical, etc.) annular shape without corners in a plan view, and a polygonal (rectangular, pentagonal, etc.) annular shape with corners in a plan view. The peripheral member 32 is formed, for example, from a metal material that is annular in a plan view. Examples of metal materials include stainless steel and aluminum. In this example, the peripheral member 32 is formed cylindrically around its central axis. The cross section of the peripheral member 32 defined along a cross section including the central axis is defined, for example, as a rectangle. The peripheral member 32 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface 11 a of the main body 11. The peripheral member 32 is supported by the flange portion 12 of the substrate 10 in the stacking direction a. The flange portion 12 of the substrate 10 is received by the separator 31. That is, the flange portion 12 is sandwiched between the peripheral member 32 and the separator 31.

[0029] In one example, the outer diameter defined by the outer peripheral surface 32a of the outer peripheral member 32 is set smaller than the outer diameter defined by the outer peripheral surface 12a of the flange portion 12. Also, in another example, the outer diameters defined by the outer peripheral surfaces 30a, 31a of the separators 30, 31 are set larger than the outer diameter defined by the outer peripheral surface 12a of the flange portion 12. Meanwhile, the thickness T1 of the outer peripheral member 32 defined in the stacking direction a is set smaller than the thickness T2 of the main body 11 of the substrate 10, which is also defined in the stacking direction a. Furthermore, contact between the outer peripheral member 32 and the separators 30, 31 is avoided in the stacking direction a. That is, gaps are formed between the outer peripheral member 32 and the separator 30 and between the outer peripheral member 32 and the separator 31. As described above, the flange portion 12 is disposed between the outer peripheral member 32 and the separator 31. The inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral member 32 may be in contact with the outer peripheral surface 11a of the main body 11 of the substrate 10, or a gap may be formed between the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral member 32 and the outer peripheral surface 11a.

[0030] In the cell unit 2, the electrolyte membrane 21 forms a membrane, the first space 17 is the anode (oxygen electrode) side, and the second space 18 is the cathode (hydrogen electrode) side. That is, the catalyst layer 22 arranged in the first space 17 forms the anode electrode, while the catalyst layer 23 arranged in the second space 18 forms the cathode electrode. The cell unit 2 is formed with a flow path 40 for introducing an electrolytic solution (first fluid) into the first space 17, a flow path 41 for extracting the electrolytic solution and oxygen from the first space 17, and a flow path 42 for extracting hydrogen from the second space 18.

[0031] The flow path 40 has a manifold 40a that penetrates the substrate 10, the separator 30, and the separator 31 in the stacking direction a, and a recess 40b formed on the surface 13 of the substrate 10 and the surface of the annular member 16 that is continuous with the surface 13. In this example, the manifold 40a is formed adjacent to one side of the first space 17 in a radial direction perpendicular to the stacking direction a. The recess 40b connects the manifold 40a to the first space 17. The recess 40b is covered by the separator 30. 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 to the first space 17, but as an alternative example, the recess 40b may be formed as a plurality of grooves.

[0032] The flow path 41 has a manifold 41a that penetrates the substrate 10, the separator 30, and the separator 31 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 17, opposite in the radial direction from the other side on which the manifold 40a is formed. The recess 41b connects the first space 17 and the manifold 41a. The recess 41b is covered by the separator 30. Note that in this example, as is clear from FIG. 3 , the recess 41b is formed as a single groove that connects the first space 17 and the manifold 40a, but as an alternative example, the recess 41b may be formed as a plurality of grooves.

[0033] The flow path 42 has a pair of manifolds 42a, 42a that penetrate the substrate 10, the separator 30, and the separator 31 in the stacking direction a, and a recess 42b formed on the rear surface 14 of the substrate 10 and the inner circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 15b of the through-hole 15. In this example, the pair of manifolds 42a, 42a are formed adjacent to the second space 18 on both sides of the second space 18 in the radial direction. One recess 42b communicates with one manifold 42a and the second space 18, and the other recess 42b communicates with the other manifold 42a and the second space 18. In this example, as is clear from FIG. 4 , the recess 42b is formed as a single groove that communicates with the second space 18 and the manifold 42a, but as an alternative example, the recess 42b may be formed as a plurality of grooves.

[0034] 3 and 4, the manifolds 40a, 41a of the flow paths 40, 41 are disposed on opposite sides in the radial direction with the first space 17 and the second space 18 sandwiched therebetween, while the manifolds 42a, 42a of the flow path 42 are disposed on opposite sides in the radial direction with the first space 17 and the second space 18 sandwiched 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.

[0035] A gasket 50 is disposed on the surface 13 of the substrate 10, surrounding the first space 17, 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 gasket 19. 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 30. In this way, the gasket 50 seals the first space 17, the flow paths 40 and 41, and the flow path 42.

[0036] Similarly, gaskets 51, 51 are arranged 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 arranged inside the gasket 50. In this example, the gasket 51 is formed in a circular shape in a plan view. The gasket 51 is formed, for example, from the same material as the gaskets 19, 50. Each of the gaskets 51 is at least partially arranged 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 30. In this way, the gasket 51 seals the flow paths 42.

[0037] Meanwhile, a gasket 52 is disposed on the rear surface 14 of the substrate 10, surrounding the second space 18, the flow path 42, and the flow paths 40 and 41 from the outside. In this example, the gasket 52 is formed in a generally circular shape in a plan view. The gasket 52 extends along the outer peripheral edge of the substrate 10. The gasket 52 is formed from the same material as, for example, the gaskets 19, 50, and 51. The gasket 52 is at least partially disposed in an annular recess, i.e., a groove 10c, formed on the rear surface 14. That is, the groove 10c has a depth sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of the gasket 52 before elastic deformation. On the rear surface 14 of the substrate 10, the gasket 52 is crushed into the groove 10c by the separator 31. In this way, the gasket 52 seals the second space 18 and the flow path 42.

[0038] Similarly, gaskets 53, 53 are arranged on the back surface 14 of the substrate 10, surrounding the flow paths 40, i.e., the manifolds 40a, 41a, respectively. The gaskets 53, 53 are arranged inside the gasket 52. In this example, the gasket 53 is formed in a circular shape in a plan view. The gasket 53 is formed from the same material as, for example, the gaskets 19, 50, 51, and 52. Each of the gaskets 53 is at least partially arranged in an annular recess, i.e., a groove 11d, formed on the back surface 14. That is, the groove 11d has a depth sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of the gasket 53 before elastic deformation. On the back surface 14 of the substrate 10, the gasket 53 is crushed into the groove 11d by the separator 31. In this way, the gasket 53 seals the flow paths 40, 41.

[0039] Next, the manner of use of the water electrolysis device 1 will be described below. In the water electrolysis device 1, an electrolytic solution is supplied to the first space 17 of each cell unit 2 via the flow path 40. The electrolytic solution is, for example, an alkaline solution with a pH of 14 or less. When a direct current is supplied to the current collector plate, a water electrolysis reaction occurs in each cell unit 2. Oxygen is produced on the anode side, i.e., the first space 17, and hydrogen is produced on the cathode side, i.e., the second space 18. Specifically, water in the electrolytic solution diffuses through the electrolyte membrane 21 and moves to the cathode side, where hydrogen (H ２ ) and hydroxide ions (OH － ) is generated (H ２ O → H ２ +2OH － On the other hand, hydroxide ions move to the anode side through the electrolyte membrane 21. As a result, on the anode side, water (H ２ O) and oxygen (O ２ ) and (2OH － →1 / 2O ２ +H ２ O + 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.

[0040] In the water electrolysis apparatus 1 described above, as described above, the cell stack formed by stacking multiple cell units 2 in the stacking direction a is fastened with a large fastening force by a pair of end plates (not shown). A relatively large load acts on each cell unit 2 in the stacking direction a. Meanwhile, an annular peripheral member 32 is disposed around the outer peripheral surface 11a of the main body 11 of the substrate 10. The peripheral member 32 is disposed around the outer peripheral surface 11a of the main body 11. During operation of the water electrolysis apparatus 1, hydrogen is generated in the second space 18. When the hydrogen pressure is set to a high value to improve production efficiency, the hydrogen pressure acts radially on the main body 11 of the substrate 10 in the second space 18. The annular peripheral member 32 supports the main body 11 from the outer periphery. As a result, the peripheral member 32 can suppress radial deformation of the main body 11 due to the radial pressure of hydrogen. This improves the strength of the cell unit 2.

[0041] FIG. 5 corresponds to FIG. 1 and is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the structure of a cell unit 2A according to a modified example. As shown in FIG. 5, this cell unit 2A incorporates an outer peripheral member 32A instead of the outer peripheral member 32 described above. This outer peripheral member 32A has an annular inner peripheral portion 33 disposed around the outer peripheral surface 11a of the main body 11 of the substrate 10 and an annular outer peripheral portion 34 protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface 33a of the inner peripheral portion 33. In this example, the inner peripheral portion 33 is cylindrically shaped about its central axis. The outer peripheral portion 34 is disc-shaped about its central axis. In this example, the outer peripheral portion 34 is integrally formed at one end of the inner peripheral portion 33 in the stacking direction a. That is, the outer peripheral member 32A is L-shaped in a cross section including the central axis. The outer peripheral portion 34 is supported by the flange portion 12 of the substrate 10. The outer peripheral member 32A can improve the strength of the cell unit 2.

[0042] In the water electrolysis apparatus 1 described above, the gaskets 50 to 53 are all disposed in the grooves 10a to 11d formed in the front surface 13 or rear surface 14 of the substrate 10. However, any or all of the grooves 10a to 11d may be omitted. That is, the gaskets 50 to 53 may be, for example, adhered to the front surface 13 or rear surface 14 of the substrate 10. Furthermore, while the substrate 10 and membrane assembly 20 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.

[0043] Furthermore, each cell unit 2 of the water electrolysis system 1 uses an anion exchange membrane (AEM) as the electrolyte membrane 21, 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 1 Water electrolysis device, 2 Cell unit, 10 Substrate, 10a, 10b, 10c, 11d Groove, 11 Main body, 11a Outer peripheral surface, 12 Flange portion, 13 Front surface (first surface), 14 Back surface (second surface), 15 Through hole (hole), 15a Large diameter portion, 15b Small diameter portion, 15c Step surface, 15d Groove, 16 Annular member, 17 First space, 18 Second space, 19 Gasket, 20 Membrane assembly, 21 Electrolyte membrane, 22, 23 Catalyst layer, 24, 25 Gas diffusion layer, 26, 27 Flow path member, 30, 31 Separator, 30a, 31a Outer peripheral surface, 32, 32A Outer peripheral member, 32a Outer peripheral surface, 33 Inner peripheral portion, 34 Outer peripheral portion, 40 Flow path, 40a Manifold, 40b Recess, 41 Flow path, 41a manifold, 41b recess, 42 flow path, 42a manifold, 42b recess, 50 gasket, 51 gasket, 52 gasket, 53 gasket, a stacking direction

Claims

1. A cell unit comprising: 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 to separate the hole into a first space on the first surface side and a second space on the second surface side; and an annular peripheral member disposed around the outer peripheral surface of the substrate.

2. The cell unit according to claim 1, wherein the base material has a main body having the hole and a flange portion that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the main body toward the outer periphery and supports the outer peripheral member.

3. The cell unit according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the base material defined in a direction perpendicular to the first surface is greater than the thickness of the outer peripheral member defined in said direction.

4. The cell unit according to claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral member has an inner peripheral portion extending around the outer peripheral surface of the substrate, and an outer peripheral portion protruding from the inner peripheral portion toward the outer periphery.

5. The cell unit according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is formed from a resin material.

6. The cell unit according to claim 5, wherein the outer peripheral member is made of a metal material.

7. The cell unit according to claim 1, further comprising a conductive flow path member disposed in the first space and the second space.

8. The cell unit according to claim 7, further comprising a separator disposed on the second surface side and in contact with the flow path member.

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

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