Electrochemical cell device, module, and module housing device

Abstract

This electrochemical cell device is provided with a plurality of electrochemical cells which are arranged in a first direction and include a first cell and a second cell. Each of the plurality of electrochemical cells comprises an element part, a support body and a fixation material. The support body supports the element part. The fixation material fixes the element part and the support body to each other. The first cell and the second cell are different from each other in the position of the fixation material when viewed in plan in the first direction.

Description

Electrochemical cell device, module, and module housing device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electrochemical cell devices, modules and module housing devices.

[0002] In recent years, various fuel cell stack devices having multiple fuel cell units have been proposed as next-generation energy sources. A fuel cell unit is a type of electrochemical cell that can generate electric power using a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas such as air.

[0003] JP 2015-35417 A

[0004] An electrochemical cell device according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a plurality of electrochemical cells, including a first cell and a second cell, arranged in a first direction. Each of the plurality of electrochemical cells has an element portion, a support, and a fixing material. The support supports the element portion. The fixing material fixes the element portion and the support. The first cell and the second cell have different positions of the fixing material when viewed in a plan view in the first direction.

[0005] The module of the present disclosure includes the electrochemical cell device described above and a container that houses the electrochemical cell device.

[0006] The module housing device of the present disclosure includes the module described above, an auxiliary device for operating the module, and an exterior case for housing the module and the auxiliary device.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of region A shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of an arrangement of fixing materials according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of an arrangement of fixing materials according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a module housing device according to an embodiment.

[0008] In the above-described fuel cell stack device, for example, there are cases where variations in temperature occur during power generation, and there is room for improvement in terms of improving cell performance.

[0009] Therefore, it is desired to provide an electrochemical cell device, a module, and a module housing device that can improve performance.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of an electrochemical cell device, a module, and a module housing device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0011] It should also be noted that the drawings are schematic and that the dimensional relationships and ratios of elements may differ from reality. Furthermore, the drawings may contain parts whose dimensional relationships and ratios differ from one another.

[0012] First Embodiment First, an electrochemical cell according to a first embodiment will be described using an example of a solid oxide fuel cell, with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The electrochemical cell device may include a cell stack having a plurality of electrochemical cells. An electrochemical cell device having a plurality of electrochemical cells will be simply referred to as a cell stack device.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of region A shown in Fig. 1. Note that in Figs. 1 and 2, some of the components of the electrochemical cell are exaggerated and some are omitted. Hereinafter, the electrochemical cell may be simply referred to as a cell.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1 , the electrochemical cell device 10 includes a plurality of cells 1 and end plates 16 and 17. The plurality of cells 1 are aligned in the Z-axis direction, which is a first direction. The end plate 16 is located at the end of the electrochemical cell device 10 on the positive side of the Z-axis, and the end plate 17 is located at the end of the electrochemical cell device 10 on the negative side of the Z-axis. The end plates 16 and 17 press and fix the plurality of cells 1 in the stacking direction. The electrochemical cell device 10 according to this embodiment is a flat-type cell stack device in which a plurality of flat-type cells 1 are stacked. Note that, although FIG. 1 shows an electrochemical cell device 10 in which six cells 1 are stacked, the number of cells 1 is not limited to this.

[0015] The cell 1 includes a first current collector 2 , an element portion 3 , a second current collector 9 , a sealing material 11 , a fixing material 13 , and a support 18 .

[0016] The first current collector 2 is located on the negative side of the element unit 3 in the Z-axis direction. The first current collector 2 has a gas flow path 2a through which a fuel gas flows. The first current collector 2 allows the gas flowing in the gas flow path 2a to permeate to the anode 5. The first current collector 2 is conductive, and collects electricity generated in the element unit 3 to the interconnector 4.

[0017] The material of the first current collector 2 includes, for example, an iron-group metal component and an inorganic oxide. The iron-group metal component may be, for example, Ni (nickel) and / or NiO. The inorganic oxide may be, for example, a specific rare earth element oxide. The rare earth element oxide may include, for example, one or more rare earth elements selected from Sc, Y, La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, and Yb. The material of the first current collector 2 may be, for example, a metal or an alloy. For example, ferritic stainless steel containing chromium is electrically conductive and does not easily lose strength even when in contact with a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas.

[0018] The second current collector 9 is located on the positive side of the element portion 3 in the Z-axis direction. The second current collector 9 may be gas permeable. The second current collector 9 may also have a gas flow path through which gas flows. The material of the second current collector 9 may be, for example, a metal or an alloy. For example, ferritic stainless steel containing chromium is conductive and is resistant to oxidation even when in contact with oxygen-containing gases such as air. The second current collector 9 may have a substrate and a coating layer of a conductive oxide covering the surface of the substrate.

[0019] The element section 3 has a fuel electrode 5 , a solid electrolyte layer 6 , an intermediate layer 7 , and a cathode 8 .

[0020] The fuel electrode 5 is an example of a first electrode connected to the first current collector 2. A generally known material can be used for the fuel electrode 5. The fuel electrode 5 is made of a porous conductive ceramic, such as calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or ZrO in which a rare earth element oxide is solid-solved. ２ and Ni and / or NiO may be used. The rare earth element oxide may contain, for example, a plurality of rare earth elements selected from Sc, Y, La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, and Yb. Calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or ZrO in which a rare earth element oxide is solid-solved may be used. ２ The stabilized zirconia may also include partially stabilized zirconia.

[0021] The solid electrolyte layer 6 is an electrolyte and transfers ions between the fuel electrode 5 and the air electrode 8. At the same time, the solid electrolyte layer 6 has gas barrier properties and makes it difficult for leakage of fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas to occur.

[0022] The material of the solid electrolyte layer 6 is, for example, ZrO in which 3 mol % to 15 mol % of rare earth element oxide is dissolved. ２ The rare earth element oxide may contain, for example, one or more rare earth elements selected from Sc, Y, La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, and Yb. The solid electrolyte layer 6 may be, for example, ZrO in which Yb, Sc, or Gd is solid-solved. ２ and CeO in which La, Nd or Yb is solid-solved. ２and BaZrO in which Sc or Yb is solid-solved. ３ and BaCeO in which Sc or Yb is solid-solved. ３ may include:

[0023] 2, the anode 5 may be the same size as the solid electrolyte layer 6 when viewed in plan in the Z-axis direction. The anode 5 may be larger or smaller than the solid electrolyte layer 6.

[0024] The air electrode 8 is an example of a second electrode connected to the second current collector 9. The air electrode 8 is gas permeable. The open porosity of the air electrode 8 may be, for example, in the range of 20% to 50%, particularly 30% to 50%. The open porosity of the air electrode 8 may also be referred to as the porosity of the air electrode 8.

[0025] There are no particular limitations on the material of the air electrode 8 as long as it is a material that is generally used for air electrodes. ３ Conductive ceramics such as perovskite oxides may also be used.

[0026] The material of the air electrode 8 may be, for example, a composite oxide in which Sr (strontium) and La (lanthanum) coexist at the A site. Examples of such composite oxides include La ｘ Sr １－ｘ Co ｙ Fe １－ｙ O ３ , La ｘ Sr １－ｘ MnO ３ , La ｘ Sr １－ｘ FeO ３ , La ｘ Sr １－ｘ CoO ３ Here, x is 0<x<1, and y is 0<y<1.

[0027] The intermediate layer 7 also functions as a diffusion suppression layer. For example, when Sr (strontium) contained in the air electrode 8 diffuses into the solid electrolyte layer 6, the solid electrolyte layer 6 is filled with SrZrO ３ The intermediate layer 7 makes it difficult for Sr to diffuse, and thus the solid electrolyte layer 6 is formed with a SrZrO ３This makes it difficult for

[0028] The material of the intermediate layer 7 is not particularly limited as long as it generally prevents diffusion of elements between the air electrode 8 and the solid electrolyte layer 6. The material of the intermediate layer 7 is, for example, cerium oxide (CeO) in which rare earth elements other than Ce (cerium) are dissolved. ２ ) may be included. Examples of such rare earth elements include Gd (gadolinium) and Sm (samarium). The element portion 3 does not necessarily have to have the intermediate layer 7.

[0029] Furthermore, an interconnector 4 is interposed between adjacent cells 1 among the plurality of cells 1. The interconnector 4 is located between adjacent cells 1. The interconnector 4 electrically connects the first current collector 2 of one adjacent cell 1 and the second current collector 9 of the other adjacent cell 1 in series.

[0030] Furthermore, the interconnector 4 is dense and makes it difficult for the fuel gas flowing through the gas flow passage 2a of the first current collector 2 and the oxygen-containing gas flowing outside the first current collector 2 to leak. The interconnector 4 may have a relative density of 93% or more, particularly 95% or more.

[0031] The material of the interconnector 4 may be a metal or an alloy such as stainless steel. For example, ferritic stainless steel containing chromium is conductive and is not easily reduced or oxidized even when it comes into contact with a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas such as air.

[0032] The interconnector 4 may be integrated with the first current collector 2 or the second current collector 9, or the first current collector 2 or the second current collector 9 may also serve as the interconnector 4. The materials of the first current collector 2, the interconnector 4, and the second current collector 9 may be the same or different.

[0033] The sealant 11 is located between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the support 18. The sealant 11 may be made of a conductive brazing material such as silver solder. The sealant 11 may be made of amorphous glass or crystalline glass with low conductivity. The sealant 11 may contain a heat-resistant insulating oxide such as forsterite. This increases the adhesion between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the support 18, thereby improving the durability of the electrochemical cell device 10. The cell 1 does not necessarily have to include the sealant 11.

[0034] The fixing material 13 fixes the element portion 3 and the support 18. A material with low conductivity, such as glass, can be used as the fixing material 13. Specific materials for the fixing material 13 include amorphous glass, and in particular, crystallized glass.

[0035] Examples of the crystallized glass include SiO ２ -CaO system, MgO-B ２ O ３ System, La ２ O ３ -B ２ O ３ -MgO system, La ２ O ３ -B ２ O ３ -ZnO-based, SiO ２ -CaO-ZnO system materials, etc., may be used, and in particular SiO ２ - MgO-based materials may also be used.

[0036] When there is no sealing material 11 between the element portion 3 and the support 18, the fixing material 13 may or may not be located between the element portion 3 and the support 18. The larger the contact area between the fixing material 13 and the element portion 3 and the support 18, the more firmly the fixing material 13 can fix the element portion 3 and the support 18.

[0037] The support 18 supports the element section 3. The support 18 may be, for example, a plate-shaped metal member extending along the XY plane. The support 18 has an opening 18e penetrating in the thickness direction (Z-axis direction). The opening 18e is covered by the fixing material 13. The support 18 may be, for example, a separator that separates the fuel gas atmosphere and the oxygen-containing gas atmosphere in the cell 1.

[0038] Incidentally, in each cell 1 of the electrochemical cell device 10, both ends in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction tend to be at a lower temperature than the central portion in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Therefore, there is a concern that the power generation performance of the element units 3 near both ends in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is lower than that of the element units 3 located in the central portion in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the cell performance of the cell 1 as a whole may be reduced.

[0039] Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, it is possible to improve power generation performance by varying the positions of the fixing members 13 on which the cells 1 are positioned. In this embodiment, the positions of the fixing members 13 differ when viewed in a plan view in the first direction (Z-axis direction).

[0040] Fig. 3 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of fixing materials according to the first embodiment. Note that Fig. 3 omits illustration of some components, such as the interconnector 4 and the support body 18.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the fixing material 131 of cell 1a serving as the first cell and the fixing material 132 of cell 1b serving as the second cell are positioned differently when viewed in a plan view in the first direction (Z-axis direction). Here, "positions different when viewed in a plan view in the first direction (Z-axis direction)" refers to the fixing material 131 and the fixing material 132 not overlapping in part or in whole when viewed in a plan view in the first direction (Z-axis direction). More specifically, the area ratio of the fixing material 131 and the fixing material 132 not overlapping in the area where the fixing material 131 or the fixing material 132 is located when viewed in a plan view in the first direction (Z-axis direction) is 1% or more. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the distance between the center P of the element unit 3 and the fixing material 13 of cell 1a may be greater than that of cell 1b when viewed in a plan view in the first direction (Z-axis direction). The non-overlapping portion of the fixing material 131 and the fixing material 132 when viewed in a plan view may be located around the entire center P of the element unit 3, as shown in FIG. 3 , for example. Furthermore, the portion where fixing material 131 and fixing material 132 do not overlap when viewed in a plane may be located in at least one direction from the center P of element portion 3, and fixing material 131 and fixing material 132 may overlap in other directions.

[0042] In this way, by differentiating the positions of the fixing material 13 when viewed in a plane, cell 1a and cell 1b, respectively, the power generation performance is improved. One reason for this is that by differentiating the positions of the fixing material 13 when viewed in a plane in the first direction (Z-axis direction), heat from cell 1b, which has a small volume for flowing oxygen-containing gas and is therefore difficult to dissipate heat, is more easily transferred to cell 1a, which has a large volume for flowing oxygen-containing gas and is therefore easier to dissipate heat. This improves the heat dissipation performance of the central portion of cell 1 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. As a result, the temperatures at both ends in the X-axis and Y-axis directions increase, which is thought to improve the power generation performance of cell 1 as a whole.

[0043] 1 and 2 show an example in which the fixing materials 131 and the fixing materials 132 are alternately positioned, but this is not limiting. For example, at least one of the fixing materials 13 possessed by each of the multiple cells 1 may be the fixing material 131 or the fixing material 132. Furthermore, cells 1 having fixing material 131 or cells 1 having fixing material 132 may be positioned side by side.

[0044] 1 and 2 show an example in which the distance between the center P of the element portion 3 and the fixing material 13 differs in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction when viewed in plan, but this is not limiting. For example, the distance between the center P of the element portion 3 and the fixing material 131 and the fixing material 132 when viewed in plan may differ only in the X-axis direction and be the same in the Y-axis direction.

[0045] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the electrochemical cell device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the center of gravity of the inner contour of the fixing member 131 in a plan view may be offset from the center of gravity of the inner contour of the fixing member 132. In this case, a portion where the distance between the fixing member 131 and the center P of the element portion 3 of cell 1a is large overlaps with a portion where the distance between the fixing member 132 and the center P of the element portion 3 of cell 1b is small. This makes it easier for heat from portions of cell 1b that are difficult to dissipate heat to be transferred to portions of cell 1a that are easy to dissipate heat, improving the power generation performance of cell 1 as a whole.

[0046] [Second embodiment] In each of the cells 1 stacked in the Z-axis direction (first direction), both ends in the Z-axis direction tend to be at a lower temperature than the center in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, there is a concern that the power generation performance of the element unit 3 of the cell 1 located at both ends in the Z-axis direction is lower than that of the element unit 3 of the cell 1 located at the center in the Z-axis direction, and the power generation performance of the electrochemical cell device 10 as a whole is reduced.

[0047] Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, the positions of the fixing material 13 of the cell 1 located at both ends in the Z-axis direction can be made different from the positions of the fixing material 13 of the cell 1 located in the center in the Z-axis direction, thereby improving power generation performance.

[0048] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 6 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of fixing materials according to the second embodiment.

[0049] 5, the electrochemical cell device 10 may have fixing materials 13a to 13c. Among the multiple cells 1 arranged in the Z-axis direction (first direction), the fixing material 13a is included in the cell 1 located in the center in the first direction. The fixing material 13b is included in the cells 1 located at both ends in the first direction. The fixing material 13c is included in the cell 1 located between the cell 1 having the fixing material 13a and the cell 1 having the fixing material 13b.

[0050] When viewed in a plane in the first direction, the distance between the center P of the element portion 3 and fixing material 13a is greater than the distance between the center P of the element portion 3 and fixing material 13b. Furthermore, when viewed in a plane in the first direction, the distance between the center P of the element portion 3 and fixing material 13c is smaller than the distance between the center P of the element portion 3 and fixing material 13a, but greater than the distance between the center P of the element portion 3 and fixing material 13b.

[0051] In this way, by varying the distance between the center P of the element unit 3 and the fixing material 13 when viewed in a plane, power generation performance is improved. One reason for this is that by varying the position of the fixing material 13 when viewed in a plane in the first direction (Z-axis direction), heat is more easily dissipated in the part of the cell 1 located in the center in the Z-axis direction that has a large volume for flowing oxygen-containing gas. This improves heat dissipation inside the electrochemical cell device 10. As a result, it is thought that the temperature of the cells 1 located at both ends in the Z-axis direction increases, improving power generation performance.

[0052] 5 and 6 show an example in which the distance between the center P of the element portion 3 and fixing material 13c in plan view is smaller than the distance between the center P of the element portion 3 and fixing material 13a and larger than the distance between the center P of the element portion 3 and fixing material 13b, but this is not limiting. For example, the distance between the center P of the element portion 3 and fixing material 13c in plan view may be larger than the distance between the center P of the element portion 3 and fixing material 13a, and may be smaller than the distance between the center P of the element portion 3 and fixing material 13b.

[0053] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to a third embodiment. The electrochemical cell device 10 shown in Fig. 7 differs from the electrochemical cell devices 10 according to the above-described embodiments in that the cross-sectional shapes along the ZX plane and the YZ plane are different.

[0054] Specifically, the cross-sectional shape along the YZ plane of the electrochemical cell device 10 according to the first embodiment may be the same as that of the electrochemical cell device 10 according to the second embodiment. By varying the positions of the fixing materials 13 of the cells 1 in this manner, the power generation performance of the cells 1 as a whole and the power generation performance of the electrochemical cell device 10 as a whole are improved.

[0055] <Module and Module Housing Apparatus> Next, a module and a module housing apparatus using the electrochemical cell device 10 according to each of the above-described embodiments will be described with reference to FIG.

[0056] 8 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a module housing device according to an embodiment. The module housing device 110 according to this embodiment includes an outer case 111, a module 100, and auxiliary equipment (not shown).

[0057] The module 100 includes a storage container 101 and an electrochemical cell device 10 housed in the storage container 101. A reformer (not shown) may be disposed above the electrochemical cell device 10. The reformer reforms raw fuel such as natural gas or kerosene to generate fuel gas, which is then supplied to the cells 1.

[0058] In such a module 100, as described above, the electrochemical cell device 10 with improved power generation performance is housed therein, and thus the module 100 can have improved performance.

[0059] The accessories operate the module 100. The module 100 and the accessories are housed in an exterior case 111. Note that some components are omitted in FIG.

[0060] The exterior case 111 of the module accommodating device 110 has support posts 112 and an exterior plate 113. A partition plate 114 divides the interior of the exterior case 111 into upper and lower sections. The space above the partition plate 114 in the exterior case 111 is a module accommodating chamber 115 that accommodates the module 100, and the space below the partition plate 114 in the exterior case 111 is an accessory accommodating chamber 116 that accommodates accessories that operate the module 100. Note that in Figure 8, the accessories accommodated in the accessory accommodating chamber 116 are not shown.

[0061] The partition plate 114 also has an air flow port 117 for allowing air from the auxiliary equipment housing chamber 116 to flow toward the module housing chamber 115. The exterior plate 113 that constitutes the module housing chamber 115 has an exhaust port 118 for exhausting air from within the module housing chamber 115.

[0062] In such a module accommodating device 110, as described above, the module 100 with improved performance is provided in the module accommodating chamber 115, so that the module accommodating device 110 can have improved performance.

[0063] Other Embodiments Next, electrochemical cell devices according to other embodiments will be described.

[0064] In the above-described embodiments, a fuel cell, a fuel cell stack device, a fuel cell module, and a fuel cell device are shown as examples of an "electrochemical cell," "electrochemical cell device," "module," and "module housing device." However, other examples may be an electrolysis cell, an electrolysis cell stack device, an electrolysis module, and an electrolysis device, respectively. The electrolysis cell has a first electrode and a second electrode, and decomposes water vapor into hydrogen and oxygen, or decomposes carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide and oxygen, when supplied with electric power. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, an oxide ion conductor or a hydrogen ion conductor is shown as an example of the electrolyte material of the electrochemical cell, but a hydroxide ion conductor may also be used. Such an electrolysis cell, an electrolysis cell stack device, an electrolysis module, and an electrolysis device can improve electrolysis performance.

[0065] The present disclosure has been described in detail above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, improvements, etc. are possible within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0066] As described above, the electrochemical cell device according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of electrochemical cells, each including a first cell and a second cell, arranged in a first direction. Each of the plurality of electrochemical cells includes an element portion, a support member that supports the element portion, and a fixing member that fixes the element portion to the support member. The first cell and the second cell have different positions of the fixing member when viewed in a plan view in the first direction.

[0067] Furthermore, (2) in the electrochemical cell device described above in (1), the first cell may have a greater distance between the center of the element portion and the fixing material when viewed in a plane in the first direction than the second cell.

[0068] Furthermore, (3) in the electrochemical cell device described in (1) or (2) above, the first cell may be located in the center in the first direction, and the second cell may be located at an end in the first direction.

[0069] Furthermore, (4) a module according to an embodiment includes the electrochemical cell device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, and a container for housing the electrochemical cell device.

[0070] Furthermore, a module housing device according to a fifth embodiment includes the module described in the fourth embodiment, an auxiliary device for operating the module, and an exterior case for housing the module and the auxiliary device.

[0071] The disclosed embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Indeed, the above-described embodiments may be embodied in various forms. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments may be omitted, substituted, or modified in various ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

[0072] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 cell 3 element section 5 fuel electrode 6 solid electrolyte layer 7 intermediate layer 8 air electrode 10 electrochemical cell device 13 fixing material 18 support 100 module 110 module housing device

Claims

1. a plurality of electrochemical cells including a first cell and a second cell aligned in a first direction; The plurality of electrochemical cells include An element portion; A support for supporting the element portion; a fixing material that fixes the element portion and the support; Each of them has The first cell and the second cell have different positions of the fixing material when viewed in a plan view in the first direction. Electrochemical cell setup.

2. The first cell has a larger distance between the center of the element portion and the fixing material when viewed in a plan view in the first direction than the second cell.

2. The electrochemical cell device of claim 1.

3. The first cell is located at a center portion in the first direction, The second cell is located at an end in the first direction.

2. The electrochemical cell device of claim 1.

4. An electrochemical cell device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; A container for housing the electrochemical cell device; A module comprising:

5. A module according to claim 4; Auxiliary equipment for operating the module; an exterior case that houses the module and the auxiliary equipment; A module housing device comprising: