Fuel cell

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell which can be replenished easily with an electrolyte solution, for a prolonged continuous operation.
In a fuel cell according to the present invention, a plurality of unit cells each includes an anode and a cathode, each formed of a porous substrate, and an electrolyte matrix layer interposed between the anode and the cathode.
The anode has an anode catalyst layer formed on its one surface that is located on the side of the electrolyte matrix layer, and a fuel gas channel formed on its other surface that is located on the opposite side to the electrolyte matrix layer.
An electrolyte-solution permeable portion is formed on the other surface of the anode.
The cathode has a cathode electrolyte layer formed on its one surface that is located on the side of the electrolyte matrix layer.
The unit cells are stacked in layers, and a plurality of separator elements are interposed between the adjacent unit cells to form a stacked structure.
Each of the separator element has a recess formed in the anode-side surface thereof.
The recess serves to store an electrolyte solution and contain the electrolyte-solution permeable portion.
Thus, the recess in the separator element is provided with a necessary quantity of electrolyte solution for a prolonged continuous operation of the fuel cell.
In this arrangement, if an electrolyte solution, with which the electrolyte matrix layer is impregnated, is reduced, the solution stored in the recess is fed to the matrix layer through the permeable portion.
As a result, the electrolyte matrix layer is replenished with the electrolyte solution, thereby maintaining the quantity of the solution therein, so that the voltage of the fuel cell is prevented from dropping.
Thus, the fuel cell can be operated continuously for a long time.