Method for producing fuel cell module

Abstract

A method for producing a fuel cell module including the steps of: forming, in an annular shape, a plurality of resin sheets in a solid state which at least partially contains fibers and overlapping the plurality of resin sheets with respective both surfaces of an electrode membrane assembly; and integrally joining the electrode membrane assembly, with which the plurality of resin sheets are overlapped, and a pair of separators to each other by adhesion by heating the electrode membrane assembly in a state where the electrode membrane assembly is sandwiched by the pair of separators.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for producing a fuel cell module, the method comprising the steps of:
 forming, in an annular shape, a plurality of resin sheets in a solid state which at least partially contains fibers and overlapping the plurality of resin sheets with respective both surfaces of an electrode membrane assembly which includes: an electrode portion including a polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode electrode formed on a first surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane, and a cathode electrode formed on a second surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane; and a pair of gas diffusion layers, one of which is in contact with an anode surface of the electrode portion at which the anode electrode is disposed and another of which is in contact with a cathode surface of the electrode portion at which the cathode electrode is disposed; and   integrally joining the electrode membrane assembly, with which the plurality of resin sheets are overlapped, and a pair of separators to each other by adhesion by heating the electrode membrane assembly in a state where the electrode membrane assembly is sandwiched by the pair of separators.   
     
     
         2 . The method for producing a fuel cell module according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the pair of separators includes: a flow passage groove configured to supply and discharge one of a fuel gas and an oxidizing agent gas to and from the electrode portion; a pair of connecting grooves which are connected to a supply end and a discharge end of the flow passage groove, respectively; and a pair of manifolds which are connected to the flow passage groove through the pair of connecting grooves, respectively, and   when the electrode membrane assembly and the pair of separators are adhered to each other, at a portion which is exposed to the pair of connecting grooves, the plurality of resin sheets are overlapped with the electrode membrane assembly after the plurality of resin sheets are partially heated in advance, and thereafter, the electrode membrane assembly and the plurality of resin sheets which are overlapped with the electrode membrane assembly are heated in a state where the electrode membrane assembly and the plurality of resin sheets are sandwiched by the pair of separators.   
     
     
         3 . The method for producing a fuel cell module according to  claim 1 , wherein the pair of gas diffusion layers are integrally joined to the electrode portion by adhesion when the pair of gas diffusion layers are heated in a state where the pair of gas diffusion layers are sandwiched by the pair of separators. 
     
     
         4 . The method for producing a fuel cell module according to  claim 1 , wherein the fibers constitute a woven cloth made of an insulating thermosetting resin.