# US 2023/0057533 A1 · Fuel cell stack

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- Number: US 2023/0057533 A1
- Document ID: US20230057533A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/631,608
- Filed: 2020-05-15
- Published: 2023-02-23
- Earliest claimed: 2020-05-15
- Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Yohei MIURA
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230057533A1

## CPC

- H01M 8/04067: {Heat exchange or temperature measuring elements, thermal insulation, e.g. heat pipes, heat pumps, fins}
- H01M 8/0258: characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
- H01M 8/0267: having heating or cooling means, e.g. heaters or coolant flow channels
- H01M 8/0637: Direct internal reforming at the anode of the fuel cell
- H01M 8/2484: characterised by external manifolds
- Y02E 60/50: Fuel cells
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

Provided is a fuel cell stack that includes a plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cells stacking an anode electrode layer, a cathode electrode layer, and a solid electrolyte layer sandwiched between the anode electrode layer and the cathode electrode layer, the plurality of fuel cells being stacked having a separator disposed therebetween. The fuel cell stack includes a fuel channel through which fuel passes, the fuel channel formed between adjacent two of the fuel cells by the separator; and a U-turn channel configured to connect the fuel channel to the anode electrode layer. The fuel channel is formed extending in a stacking surface direction of the fuel cells, and the fuel channel includes heat balance adjusting means configured to adjust heat balance of the fuel cells. The U-turn channel is formed to bend from one end of the fuel channel to the anode electrode layer.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cells stacking an anode electrode layer, a cathode electrode layer, and a solid electrolyte layer sandwiched between the anode electrode layer and the cathode electrode layer, the plurality of fuel cells being stacked having a separator disposed therebetween, the fuel cell stack comprising:
a fuel channel through which fuel passes, the fuel channel formed between adjacent two of the fuel cells by the separator; and
a U-turn channel configured to connect the fuel channel to the anode electrode layer,
the fuel channel being formed extending in a stacking surface direction of the fuel cells, and the fuel channel comprising heat balance adjusting means configured to adjust heat balance of the fuel cells,
the U-turn channel being formed to bend from one end of the fuel channel to the anode electrode layer.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell stack according to claim 1, wherein
the heat balance adjusting means is a reforming catalyst, and
the reforming catalyst is disposed inside the fuel channel contacting the fuel cells at an upper edge and lower edge in a stacking direction.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2)

The fuel cell stack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the heat balance adjusting means is a reforming catalyst,
the reforming catalyst is disposed inside the fuel channel, and
more of the reforming catalyst is disposed within the fuel channel for the fuel channel contacting the fuel cells closer to an edge in a stacking direction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell stack according to claim 1, wherein the heat balance adjusting means is a thermal insulation material, and
the thermal insulation material is disposed on at least a surface facing the cathode electrode layer, inside the fuel channel contacting the fuel cells at an upper edge and lower edge in a stacking direction.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell stack according to claim 1, wherein
the heat balance adjusting means is a thermal insulation member,
the thermal insulation material is disposed inside the fuel channel on at least a surface facing the cathode electrode layer, and
more of the thermal insulation material is disposed within the fuel channel for the fuel channel contacting the fuel cells closer to an edge in a stacking direction.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell stack according to claim 1, wherein
the heat balance adjusting means is a reforming catalyst and a thermal insulation material,
the thermal insulation material is disposed on at least a surface facing the cathode electrode layer, inside the fuel channel contacting the fuel cells at an upper edge and lower edge in a stacking direction, and
the reforming catalyst is disposed on at least one of an inner circumferential surface of the fuel channel or the thermal insulation material, inside the fuel channel contacting the fuel cells at an upper edge and lower edge in a stacking direction.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell stack according to claim 1, wherein
the heat balance adjusting means is a reforming catalyst and a thermal insulation material,
the thermal insulation material is disposed on at least a surface facing the cathode electrode layer, inside the fuel channel contacting the fuel cells,
the reforming catalyst is disposed inside the fuel channel on at least one of an inner circumferential surface of the fuel channel or the thermal insulation material, and
at least one of the thermal insulation material and the reforming catalyst is disposed more within the fuel channel for the fuel channel contacting the fuel cells closer to an edge in a stacking direction.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The fuel cell stack according to claim 1, wherein
the reforming catalyst is disposed on the anode electrode layer of the fuel cell at a center in a stacking direction.