Electrochemical device, in particular fuel cell device

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrochemical device (10), in particular a fuel cell device (14), comprising a media discharge (28), in particular an exhaust gas discharge (30), a housing (34), in particular an outer housing (36), wherein the media discharge (28) leads out of the housing (34), in particular through an opening (38) in the housing (34). It is proposed to arrange an insulating material (40) between the media discharge (28) and the housing (34).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrochemical device, in particular a fuel cell device, comprising a media discharge, in particular an exhaust pipe, a housing, in particular an outer housing, wherein the media discharge leads out of the housing, in particular through an opening in the housing. State of the art

[0002] Electrochemical devices are already known that have an exhaust pipe leading out of an outer casing. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] In contrast, the present electrochemical device with the features of the main claim has the advantage that an insulating material is arranged between the media discharge and the housing. This makes it easier to seal the housing at the media discharge.

[0004] Within the scope of the present invention, an "electrochemical device" can be understood to mean, in particular, a device designed to convert chemical energy into electrical and / or thermal energy, or vice versa. An electrochemical device can, for example, be a fuel cell device, which in particular enables the conversion of a fuel, e.g., hydrogen, into electrical and / or thermal energy, or an electrolysis cell device, which in particular enables the conversion of electrical energy into chemical energy, preferably for storage. Similarly, a high-temperature electrochemical device can, for example, be a high-temperature fuel cell device or a high-temperature electrolysis cell device.

[0005] Advantageous embodiments of the invention according to the main claim are possible due to the features listed in the dependent claims. For example, it is advantageous to arrange a seal between the insulating material and the housing. This allows the housing to be effectively sealed at the media outlet.

[0006] It is also advantageous if the seal is made of a silicone-free material, which allows for a particularly durable seal.

[0007] It is particularly advantageous if the seal is designed as a lip seal, at least partially, especially on a side facing the insulating material and / or the media discharge. This allows the housing to be sealed particularly well at the media discharge point.

[0008] It is particularly advantageous if the seal is designed at least partially, especially on a side facing the insulating material and / or the media discharge, as a ring seal, preferably with an O-shaped profile. This allows the housing to be sealed particularly well at the media discharge point. Drawings

[0009] The drawings schematically illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are explained in more detail in the following description. They show Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of an electrochemical device, Fig. 2 a schematic cross-section of an embodiment of an electrochemical device in an area where the media discharge leads out of the housing, Fig. 3 a schematic cross-section of a further embodiment of an electrochemical device in an area where the media discharge leads out of the housing. Description of the exemplary implementations

[0010] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an electrochemical device 10. In the embodiment shown, the electrochemical device 10 comprises an electrochemical unit 12.

[0011] In the illustrated embodiment, the electrochemical device 10 is a fuel cell device 14 and the electrochemical unit 12 is a fuel cell unit 16. Accordingly, the fuel cell device 14 comprises a fuel cell unit 16.

[0012] The fuel cell units 16 in turn comprise a fuel cell stack 18, which has a plurality of fuel cells, in this case solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC).

[0013] Alternatively, it would also be possible that the electrochemical device 10 is an electrolysis cell device and the electrochemical unit 12 is an electrolysis cell unit. Accordingly, the electrolysis cell device would then comprise the electrolysis cell unit. Thus, in the case of an electrolysis cell device, it would also be possible for the electrolysis cell unit to comprise an electrolysis cell stack, which in turn has a plurality of electrolysis cells, for example, solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOECs).

[0014] In the illustrated embodiment, a first reactant, in this case a reducing agent (fuel), is supplied to the electrochemical unit 12 via a first media supply 20 or fuel supply 22, and a second reactant, in this case an oxidizing agent (air), is supplied via a second media supply 24 or air supply 26. In the electrochemical unit 12, the first reactant (fuel) is then electrochemically reacted with the participation of the second reactant (air). In the illustrated case of the fuel cell unit 16 as the electrochemical unit 12, energy, in particular electrical and / or thermal energy, is generated during the electrochemical reaction for feeding into a network, for example a power grid, and / or for a consumer.

[0015] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the electrochemical device 10 comprises a media discharge 28, in this case an exhaust gas duct 30, through which a product generated during the electrochemical reaction, in this case exhaust gas, is discharged from the electrochemical unit 12, in this case the fuel cell unit 16. The media discharge 28, or the exhaust gas duct 30, is implemented as an exhaust pipe 32 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0016] Furthermore, the electrochemical device 10 comprises a housing 34, in the case shown an outer housing 36, wherein the media discharge 28, or the exhaust gas routing 30, leads out of the housing 34, in particular through an opening 38 in the housing 34.

[0017] The present electrochemical device 10 is characterized by the fact that an insulating material 40 is arranged between the media discharge 28 and the housing 34. This reduces potential heat radiation from the media discharge 28 and minimizes thermal influences on surrounding components, such as the housing 34. Consequently, thermal influences are less significant, which in turn facilitates a simpler seal between the housing 34 and the media discharge 28.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, a seal 42 is arranged between the insulating material 40 and the housing 34. This allows the housing 34 to be effectively sealed at the media outlet 28. The insulating material 40 reduces thermal influences on the seal 42, thus preventing damage to the seal 42.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, the seal 42 consists of a silicone-free material, which makes the seal 42 more resistant to any negative thermal influences that may still occur, thus enabling a more durable seal 42 to be realized.

[0020] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-section of an embodiment of an electrochemical device 10 in the area where the media outlet 28 leads out of the housing 34. In the embodiment shown, the seal 42 is designed as a lip seal 44. This allows the housing 34 to be sealed particularly well at the media outlet 28.

[0021] In the case shown, the lip 46 of the lip seal 46 is formed on the side facing the insulating material 40 and / or the media discharge 28. The lip 46 conforms to the insulating material 40 and seals the gap between the housing 34 and the media discharge 28, or the insulating material 40.

[0022] In the case shown, the lip seal 44 can be attached to the housing 34 before the media outlet 28 is mounted, and then the media outlet 28 with the insulating material 40 can be pushed through the opening 38 of the housing 34 and / or the housing 34 with the opening 38 can be pushed onto the media outlet 28. Accordingly, the design of the seal 42 as a lip seal 44 also allows for simplified assembly.

[0023] In Fig.Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-section of another embodiment of an electrochemical device 40 in an area where the media discharge 28 leads out of the housing 34. In the embodiment shown, the seal 42 is designed as a ring seal 48.

[0024] In the case shown, the ring seal 48 comprises an O-shaped profile 50. The O-shaped profile 50 is formed on a side facing the insulating material 40 and / or the media discharge 28. The ring seal 48 presses against the insulating material 40 with its O-shaped profile 50, exerting a comparatively high compressive force on the insulating material 40. Accordingly, by designing the seal 42 as a ring seal 48, a particularly efficient seal can be achieved.

Claims

[1] Electrochemical device (10), in particular fuel cell device (14), comprising a media discharge (28), in particular an exhaust gas discharge (30), a housing (34), in particular an outer housing (36), wherein the media discharge (28) leads out of the housing (34), in particular through an opening (38) in the housing (34), characterized by , that an insulating material (40) is arranged between the media discharge (28) and the housing (34). [2] Electrochemical device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that a seal (42) is arranged between the insulating material (40) and the housing (24). [3] Electrochemical device (10) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the seal (42) is made of a silicone-free material. [4] Electrochemical device (10) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized by, that the seal (42) is designed at least partially, in particular on a side facing the insulating material (40) and / or the media discharge (28), as a lip seal (44). [5] Electrochemical device (10) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized by , that the seal (42) is designed at least partially, in particular on a side facing the insulating material (40) and / or the media discharge (28), as a ring seal (48), preferably with an O-shaped profile (50).

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