An elastomeric cell frame for a fuel cell includes an insert in which a membrane electrode assembly and a pair of gas diffusion layers disposed on both surfaces of the insert have been bonded; a separator assembly disposed on one of the surfaces of the insert while a pair of separators is configured to face each other; and a sheet-shaped elastomeric frame disposed to surround a rim of the insert and a rim of the separator assembly and a side surface thereof in outside regions of the insert and the separator assembly, and integrally bonded with the rim of the insert and the rim of the separator assembly by thermal bonding.

In a fuel cell, a cathode passage extends from an oxidizing gas supply hole to an oxidizing gas discharge hole. A turn interval at which a flow direction of an oxidizing gas returns to an original direction in an upstream-side passage region is different from the turn interval in a downstream-side passage region. A ratio between the turn interval in the upstream-side passage region and the turn interval in the downstream-side passage region is set to 1.1:1 to 3:1. The upstream-side passage region is overlapped with a most downstream-side passage portion of an anode passage with a membrane electrode assembly interposed between the upstream-side passage region and the most downstream-side passage portion.

In a fuel cell, a cathode passage extends from an oxidizing gas supply hole to an oxidizing gas discharge hole. A turn interval at which a flow direction of an oxidizing gas returns to an original direction in an upstream-side passage region is different from the turn interval in a downstream-side passage region. A ratio between the turn interval in the upstream-side passage region and the turn interval in the downstream-side passage region is set to 1.1:1 to 3:1. The upstream-side passage region is overlapped with a most downstream-side passage portion of an anode passage with a membrane electrode assembly interposed between the upstream-side passage region and the most downstream-side passage portion.

A method of manufacturing electrochemical cell stacks of different sizes or configurations is disclosed in which a first planar module having a first planar size and configuration is assembled from a first inventory of parts including planar modular parts having mating surfaces along connectable ends. The planar modular parts are connected in a co-planar configuration to form the first planar module having the first size and configuration. A second inventory of parts including planar modular parts in common with the first inventory is identified, and a second planar module having a different planar size or configuration than the first planar module is assembled from the second inventory. The first and second planar modules are assembled with other planar modules and component to form electrochemical stacks corresponding to the planar size and configuration of the respective first or second planar module.

A method of manufacturing electrochemical cell stacks of different sizes or configurations is disclosed in which a first planar module having a first planar size and configuration is assembled from a first inventory of parts including planar modular parts having mating surfaces along connectable ends. The planar modular parts are connected in a co-planar configuration to form the first planar module having the first size and configuration. A second inventory of parts including planar modular parts in common with the first inventory is identified, and a second planar module having a different planar size or configuration than the first planar module is assembled from the second inventory. The first and second planar modules are assembled with other planar modules and component to form electrochemical stacks corresponding to the planar size and configuration of the respective first or second planar module.

A compression apparatus includes a stack of electrochemical cells each including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween, a pair of insulating plates disposed at respective ends of the stack in a stacking direction, a pair of first end plates disposed on outside surfaces of the respective insulating plates, and a voltage applicator that applies a voltage between the anode and the cathode. Upon the voltage applicator applying the voltage, the compression apparatus causes hydrogen included in a hydrogen-containing gas fed to the anode to move to the cathode and produces compressed hydrogen. One of the first end plates have a first channel formed therein, through which the hydrogen-containing gas fed to the anode flows, and a second channel formed therein, through which a heating medium flows. The compression apparatus further includes a heater that heats the heating medium.

Cell frame 20 includes: frame body 21 having an opening 22, frame body 21 including through-hole 31 for passage of a fluid containing an active material, through-hole 31 penetrating from one surface of frame body 21 to the other surface thereof around opening 22, and groove-like slit 35 formed in one surface or the other surface and connecting through-hole 31 and opening 22; and rotor 40 made of an insulating material, rotor 40 received in slit 35 and forced to rotate by the flow of the fluid through slit 35 between through-hole 31 and opening 22.

A planar SOFC cell unit is formed from a plurality of planar elements (1100, 1200, 1300) stacked one above another. The cell unit encloses a cell chamber (1400) that includes a solid oxide fuel cell (2000) configured for electro-chemical generation, compliantly supported within the cell chamber. The plurality planar elements each comprise a thermally conductive material having a co-efficient of thermal conductivity that is a least 100 W/mK such as aluminum or copper. The planar elements are thermally conductively coupled to each other to provide a continuous thermally conductive pathway that extends from perimeter edges of the cell chamber to perimeter edges of the plurality of planar elements. An SOFC stack comprises a plurality of the planar SOFC cell units stacked one above another.

A planar SOFC cell unit is formed from a plurality of planar elements (1100, 1200, 1300) stacked one above another. The cell unit encloses a cell chamber (1400) that includes a solid oxide fuel cell (2000) configured for electro-chemical generation, compliantly supported within the cell chamber. The plurality planar elements each comprise a thermally conductive material having a co-efficient of thermal conductivity that is a least 100 W/mK such as aluminum or copper. The planar elements are thermally conductively coupled to each other to provide a continuous thermally conductive pathway that extends from perimeter edges of the cell chamber to perimeter edges of the plurality of planar elements. An SOFC stack comprises a plurality of the planar SOFC cell units stacked one above another.

A fuel cell capable of reducing the stress exerted upon an electrolyte membrane resulting from the swelling and contraction of the electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell includes at least an MEGA with catalyst layers joined to the opposite sides of the electrolyte membrane, and a pair of separators disposed so as to sandwich the MEGA. The MEGA generates power with a hydrogen gas fed to one side of the MEGA and with an oxidant gas fed to the other side. Separators each have a plurality of projections formed on the side of the MEGA so as to form a gas channel through which the hydrogen gas or oxidant gas flows between the projections. The electrolyte membrane has a plurality of through-holes formed at positions facing the projections along the direction in which the projections extend.