Electrochemical cell, electrochemical cell device, module, and module housing device

Abstract

To provide an electrochemical cell with high durability, an electrochemical cell device, a module, and a module housing device.SOLUTION: An electrochemical cell comprises a metal plate, an element part, and a first intermediate layer, and has a first portion located on an outer peripheral part of the element part in plan view. The element part is arranged on the metal plate. The first intermediate layer is located between the metal plate and the element part. The first portion does not have the first intermediate layer between the metal plate and the element part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1B

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electrochemical cells, electrochemical cell devices, modules and module containment devices. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various fuel cell stack devices having a plurality of fuel cells have been proposed as next-generation energy sources. A fuel cell is a type of electrochemical cell that can obtain electric power using a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas such as air. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-140923 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional fuel cell stack devices, there is room for improvement in the durability of the electrochemical cells.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the embodiment is to provide an electrochemical cell, an electrochemical cell device, a module, and a module housing device that are highly durable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electrochemical cell according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a metal plate, an element portion, and a first intermediate layer, and has a first portion located on the outer periphery of the element portion in a plan view. The element portion is disposed on the metal plate. The first intermediate layer is located between the metal plate and the element portion. The first portion does not have the first intermediate layer between the metal plate and the element portion.

[0007] An electrochemical cell device according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a cell stack including the electrochemical cell described above.

[0008] The module of the present disclosure includes the electrochemical cell device described above and a container for housing the electrochemical cell device.

[0009] The module housing device of the present disclosure includes the above-described module, an auxiliary device for operating the module, and an exterior case for housing the module and the auxiliary device. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to provide a highly durable electrochemical cell, electrochemical cell device, module, and module housing device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a plan view illustrating an example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 1A. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. 1A. [Figure 1D] FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment. [Figure 1E] FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the first intermediate layer of the electrochemical cell according to the embodiment. [Figure 1F] FIG. 1F is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the first intermediate layer of the electrochemical cell according to the embodiment. [Figure 1G] FIG. 1G is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the first intermediate layer of the electrochemical cell according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX shown in FIG. 3A. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C is a top view illustrating an example of an electrochemical cell device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view illustrating an example of a module according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of a module housing device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of an electrochemical cell, 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. Note that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0013] In addition, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and that the dimensional relationships, ratios, etc. of the elements may differ from the reality. Furthermore, the drawings may include parts whose dimensional relationships, ratios, etc. differ from one another.

[0014] [Embodiment] <Electrochemical cell configuration> First, with reference to Figures 1A to 1C, an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment will be described using an example of a solid oxide fuel cell. The electrochemical cell device may include a cell stack having a plurality of electrochemical cells. The electrochemical cell device having a plurality of electrochemical cells will be simply referred to as a cell stack device.

[0015] Fig. 1A is a plan view showing an example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment. Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1A. Fig. 1C is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 1A. Figs. 1A to 1C each show an enlarged view of a portion of each component of the electrochemical cell. Hereinafter, the electrochemical cell may also be simply referred to as a cell.

[0016] For ease of understanding, a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system including a Z axis with a vertical upward direction as the positive direction and a vertical downward direction as the negative direction is illustrated in Figures 1A to 1C. Such an orthogonal coordinate system may also be illustrated in other drawings used in the following description. Also, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components as those of the electrochemical cell illustrated in Figures 1A to 1C, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

[0017] 1A to 1C, a cell 1 according to this embodiment includes an element section 3, a first intermediate layer 30, a metal plate 32, and a flow path member 34. The element section 3 has a fuel electrode 5, a solid electrolyte layer 6, and a cathode 8.

[0018] The fuel electrode 5 is a first electrode that comes into contact with the fuel gas, which is a reducing gas. The fuel electrode 5 has gas permeability. The open porosity of the fuel electrode 5 may be, for example, in the range of 30% to 50%, particularly 35% to 45%. The open porosity of the fuel electrode 5 may also be referred to as the porosity or void ratio of the fuel electrode 5.

[0019] The material of the fuel electrode 5 may be a generally known material. The fuel electrode 5 may be a porous conductive ceramic, such as a ceramic containing calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or ZrO2 in which a rare earth element oxide is solid-dissolved, and Ni and / or NiO. The rare earth element oxide may contain a plurality of rare earth elements selected from Sc, Y, La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, and Yb. Calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or ZrO2 in which a rare earth element oxide is solid-dissolved may be referred to as stabilized zirconia. The stabilized zirconia may include partially stabilized zirconia. The fuel electrode 5 may include CeO2 in which La, Nd, or Yb is solid-dissolved.

[0020] 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 the fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas to occur.

[0021] The material of the solid electrolyte layer 6 may be, for example, ZrO2 in which 3 mol % to 15 mol % of a rare earth element oxide is dissolved. 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 solid electrolyte layer 6 may include, for example, ZrO2 in which Yb, Sc, or Gd is dissolved, CeO2 in which La, Nd, or Yb is dissolved, BaZrO3 in which Sc or Yb is dissolved, or BaCeO3 in which Sc or Yb is dissolved.

[0022] The air electrode 8 is a second electrode in contact with an oxygen-containing gas. The air electrode 8 has gas permeability. 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.

[0023] There are no particular limitations on the material of the air electrode 8 as long as it is a material generally used for air electrodes. The material of the air electrode 8 may be, for example, a conductive ceramic such as a so-called ABO3 type perovskite oxide.

[0024] 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. x Sr 1-x Co y Fe 1-y O3, La x Sr 1-x MnO3, La x Sr 1-x FeO3, La x Sr 1-x CoO3, etc. Note that x is 0 <x<1、yは0<y<1である。

[0025] Furthermore, the element unit 3 may have a diffusion-suppressing layer 7 located between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the air electrode 8. When the element unit 3 has the diffusion-suppressing layer 7, the diffusion-suppressing layer 7 has a function of making it difficult for diffusion of a specific element to occur. For example, when Sr (strontium) contained in the air electrode 8 diffuses into the solid electrolyte layer 6, a resistance layer of SrZrO3 is formed in the solid electrolyte layer 6. The diffusion-suppressing layer 7 makes it difficult for Sr to diffuse, thereby making it difficult for SrZrO3 to be formed.

[0026] The material of the diffusion prevention layer 7 is not particularly limited as long as it generally makes it difficult for Sr to diffuse. The material of the diffusion prevention layer 7 may include, for example, cerium oxide (CeO2) in which a rare earth element other than Ce (cerium) is dissolved. As such a rare earth element, for example, Gd (gadolinium), Sm (samarium), etc. may be used.

[0027] The element unit 3 may have a portion on the solid electrolyte layer 6 or the diffusion-preventing layer 7 where the air electrode 8 is not located. In other words, when the element unit 3 is viewed in plan, the outline of the air electrode 8 may be located inside the outline of the solid electrolyte layer 6 or the diffusion-preventing layer 7. In this case, the element unit 3 may include the solid electrolyte layer 6, the diffusion-preventing layer 7, and the fuel electrode 5 where the air electrode 8 is not located.

[0028] The first intermediate layer 30 is located between the first surface 321 of the metal plate 32 and the element section 3. The first intermediate layer 30 bonds the element section 3 and the metal plate 32 together, and fixes the element section 3 to the metal plate 32.

[0029] The first intermediate layer 30 may be conductive. The first intermediate layer 30 may include, for example, conductive particles such as Ni, and inorganic oxides such as TiO, rare earth oxides (YO, CeO, etc.), and transition metal oxides (FeO, CuO, etc.).

[0030] The first intermediate layer 30 may be gas permeable. When the first intermediate layer 30 is gas permeable, the first intermediate layer 30 may be positioned so as to cover an opening 32a, which will be described later.

[0031] The first intermediate layer 30 may have gas barrier properties. When the first intermediate layer 30 has gas barrier properties, the first intermediate layer 30 may have a through-hole (not shown) that overlaps with an opening 32a (described later) in a plan view.

[0032] The first intermediate layer 30 may be configured as a single layer using a single material, or may be configured as a laminate in which a plurality of materials are layered.

[0033] The metal plate 32 has a first surface 321 and a second surface 322 located at both ends in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction).

[0034] The metal plate 32 has electrical conductivity. The metal plate 32 may be, for example, a metal member containing chromium. The metal plate 32 may be, for example, stainless steel such as ferritic stainless steel or austenitic stainless steel having high heat resistance. The metal plate 32 may be, for example, a nickel-chromium alloy or an iron-chromium alloy. The metal plate 32 may contain, for example, a metal oxide. The metal plate 32 may have a coating covering the surface. The metal plate 32 may not have a coating on the surface.

[0035] Moreover, the metal plate 32 has an opening 32a. The opening 32a is a through hole penetrating between the first surface 321 and the second surface 322. The fuel gas flowing through the flow passage 33 described later is supplied to the fuel electrode 5 of the element section 3 through the opening 32a. The diameter of the opening 32a may be, for example, 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, particularly 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm. In the metal plate 32, the aperture ratio in the region where the opening 32a is formed in the plan view along the Y-axis direction may be, for example, 10% or more. The metal plate 32 may have a coating covering the wall surface of the opening 32a. The metal plate 32 may not have a coating on the wall surface of the opening 32a.

[0036] The metal plate 32 may be, for example, gas permeable. In such a case, the metal plate 32 does not need to have the opening 32a.

[0037] The flow path member 34 is located on the second surface 322 side of the metal plate 32. The flow path member 34 is fixed and electrically joined by, for example, welding at a contact portion with the second surface 322. The flow path member 34 may be fixed and electrically joined to the metal plate 32 by a conductive seal material, brazing material, or the like. The space located between the metal plate 32 and the flow path member 34 is a flow path 35 through which the fuel gas flows. The fuel gas flowing through the flow path 35 permeates the metal plate 32 and is supplied to the fuel electrode 5. The metal plate 32 may have one or more protrusions protruding toward the flow path member 34.

[0038] The flow path member 34 is further fixed and electrically connected to the current collecting member 36 by welding or the like. The current collecting member 36 may be fixed and electrically connected to the flow path member 34 by a conductive seal material, brazing material, or the like. The current collecting member 36 is fixed and electrically connected to the air electrode 8 of the adjacent cell 1 via an adhesive material (not shown). The space located between the current collecting member 36 and the flow path member 34 is a flow path 37 through which an oxygen-containing gas flows. The oxygen-containing gas flowing through the flow path 37 is supplied to the air electrode 8 of the adjacent cell 1 via a slit and an adhesive material (not shown) in the current collecting member 36.

[0039] The flow path member 34 and the current collecting member 36 are made of a dense metal or alloy. The flow path member 34 makes it difficult for the fuel gas flowing through the flow path 35 and the oxygen-containing gas flowing through the flow path 37 to leak. The flow path member 34 and the current collecting member 36 may have a coating layer. For example, the surface of the flow path member 34 facing the flow path 35 may have a coating layer having reduction resistance, and the surface of the flow path member 34 facing the flow path 37 may have a coating layer having oxidation resistance. These coating layers may be conductive.

[0040] The element section 3 may further include a diffusion layer (not shown) located between the fuel electrode 5 and the first intermediate layer 30. The diffusion layer has gas permeability and allows the fuel gas flowing through the flow passage 35 to permeate to the fuel electrode 5. The open porosity of the gas diffusion layer may be in the range of, for example, 30% to 50%, particularly 35% to 45%.

[0041] The material of the gas diffusion layer may be a porous conductive ceramic, such as calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or ceramic containing stabilized zirconia or partially stabilized zirconia in which rare earth element oxides are solid-dissolved, and Ni and / or NiO. The rare earth element oxide may contain a plurality of rare earth elements selected from, for example, Sc, Y, La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, and Yb.

[0042] Furthermore, the cell 1 may further include, for example, a constraining layer (not shown) located between the element portion 3 and the first intermediate layer 30. The constraining layer cooperates with the solid electrolyte layer 6 to make the element portion 3 less likely to warp or bend.

[0043] The material of the constraining layer exhibits a similar shrinkage rate during firing as the material of the solid electrolyte layer 6. The material of the constraining layer may be the same as the material of the solid electrolyte layer 6. The element unit 3 obtained by sandwiching the material of the fuel electrode 5 of the element unit 3 between the material of the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the material of the constraining layer and firing the resulting element unit 3 has little warping or deformation.

[0044] The constraining layer may or may not have gas permeability. When the constraining layer has gas barrier properties comparable to those of the solid electrolyte layer 6, the constraining layer may be partially disposed so as not to impede the inflow of fuel gas to the anode 5.

[0045] The shapes of the flow path member 34 and the current collecting member 36 are not limited to those shown in Fig. 1B. They may have any shape as long as they can electrically connect adjacent cells 1 and prevent leakage of the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas.

[0046] 1D is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG 1D, a flow path member 34 may be integrated with a current collecting member 36 and have a first convex portion protruding toward an adjacent cell 1 along the Y-axis direction and a second convex portion protruding toward the opposite side to the first convex portion.

[0047] <Arrangement and shape of element portion and first intermediate layer> Returning to FIGS. 1A to 1C, the arrangement and shape of the element portion 3 and the first intermediate layer 30 of the cell 1 will be further described.

[0048] 1A, the cell 1 is positioned such that the element portion 3 overlaps a metal plate 32 that is substantially rectangular in plan view. The element portion 3 has end faces 3aa and 3ba located at both ends in the X-axis direction as a first direction, and end faces 3ca and 3da located at both ends in the Z-axis direction as a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0049] The first intermediate layer 30 is located between the metal plate 32 and the element unit 3. The outer periphery 3f of the element unit 3 in plan view has a first portion 5a between the metal plate 32 and the element unit 3 where the first intermediate layer 30 is not present.

[0050] The outer peripheral portion 3f of the element portion 3, including the end faces 3aa, 3ba, 3ca, and 3da, is more easily deformed and stressed than the central portion 3e located inside the outer peripheral portion 3f in a planar view. When the outer peripheral portion 3f of the element portion 3 in a planar view has the first portion 5a that does not have the first intermediate layer 30, cracks due to thermal stress are less likely to occur in the element portion 3. Therefore, the durability of the cell 1 according to this embodiment is improved.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1B, the outer peripheral portion 3f of the element portion 3 includes end portions 3a and 3b located at both ends in the first direction (X-axis direction). The outer peripheral portion 3f may have a first portion 5a that does not have the first intermediate layer 30 at only one of the end portions 3a and 3b. For example, when the end portion 3a has the first portion 5a, the average length along the first direction (X-axis direction) of the first portion 5a located at the end portion 3a may be 0.2 times or less, particularly 0.065 times or more and 0.1 times or less, of the average length along the first direction of the element portion 3. This makes it difficult for cracks due to thermal stress to occur in the element portion 3 while ensuring the bonding strength between the metal plate 32 and the element portion 3 via the first intermediate layer 30. For this reason, the durability of the cell 1 according to this embodiment is further improved.

[0052] In addition, both ends 3a and 3b may have first portions 5a that do not have a first intermediate layer 30. In such a case, the average length of the first portions 5a along the first direction (X-axis direction) may be the same or different between the end 3a side and the end 3b side. The average length of the combined length of the first portion 5a on the end 3a side and the first portion 5a on the end 3b side may be 0.2 times or less the average length of the element portion 3 along the first direction (X-axis direction).

[0053] Furthermore, the first intermediate layer 30 may have an average length along the first direction (X-axis direction) smaller than that of the element portion 3. This makes it difficult for cracks caused by thermal stress to occur in the element portion 3. As a result, the durability of the cell 1 according to this embodiment is improved.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 1C, the outer peripheral portion 3f of the element portion 3 includes ends 3c, 3d located at both ends in the second direction (Z-axis direction). At least one of the ends 3c, 3d may have a first portion 5a that does not have the first intermediate layer 30. By having the first portion 5a at the ends in the first and second directions in this manner, the element portion 3 is further prevented from cracking due to thermal stress. Therefore, the durability of the cell 1 according to this embodiment is further improved. The outer peripheral portion 3f does not need to have an air electrode 8.

[0055] The average lengths of the element portion 3, the first portion 5a, and the first intermediate layer 30 can be measured by the following method. Any cross section along the first direction (X-axis direction) of the cell 1 is observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) or the like, and it is confirmed that the first portion 5a not having the first intermediate layer 30 is present in at least one of the ends 3a, 3b of each cross section. For example, three cross sections may be observed.

[0056] The length of the element portion 3 is defined as the maximum length of the element portion 3 along the first direction (X-axis direction) in the observed cross section. The average length of the element portion 3 may be defined as the average value of the lengths of the element portion 3 in three cross sections. The ends 3a and 3b are the ends of the portions located at the ends in the first direction among the portions of the fuel electrode 5, the solid electrolyte layer 6, the diffusion suppression layer 7, etc. included in the element portion 3. The ends 3a and 3b may be the ends of the same portion or may be the ends of different portions. For example, when the portion located at the ends in the first direction is the solid electrolyte layer 6, the length of the element portion 3 is the length of the solid electrolyte layer 6.

[0057] The width of the first intermediate layer 30 along the first direction (X-axis direction) may be uniform as shown in FIG. 1B, or may vary. FIGS. 1E to 1G are cross-sectional views showing another example of a first intermediate layer included in an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment. When the width of the first intermediate layer 30 is not uniform as shown in FIGS. 1E to 1G, the length of the first intermediate layer 30 may be the minimum value of the length of the first intermediate layer 30 along the first direction in the observed cross section. The average length of the first intermediate layer 30 may be the average value of the lengths of the first intermediate layer 30 in three cross sections.

[0058] The length of the first portion 5a located at the end portion 3a (3b) is defined as the maximum length along the first direction from the end portion 3a (3b) to the first intermediate layer 30. The average length of the first portion 5a may be defined as the average value of the lengths of the first portion 5a in the three cross sections. Although the measurement method for the cross section along the first direction has been described above, this can also be applied to the cross section along the second direction.

[0059] Next, another example of the cell 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the electrochemical cell according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the cell 1 may have a second intermediate layer 31 located between the first portion 5a and the metal plate 32. The second intermediate layer 31 may have a smaller porosity than the first intermediate layer 30. This makes it difficult for the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas to leak, improving the performance of the cell 1.

[0060] The second intermediate layer 31 may be located not only between the first portion 5a and the metal plate 32, but also on an end face of the fuel electrode 5 and further on an end face of the solid electrolyte layer 6. When the element unit 3 has a portion on the solid electrolyte layer 6 or the diffusion-suppressing layer 7 where the air electrode 8 is not located, the second intermediate layer 31 may be located on the surface of the solid electrolyte layer 6 or the surface of the diffusion-suppressing layer 7 where the air electrode 8 is not located.

[0061] The material of the second intermediate layer 31 may be dense glass or ceramic. The material of the second intermediate layer 31 may be, for example, amorphous glass or crystallized glass. As the crystallized glass, for example, any of SiO2-CaO-based, MgO-B2O3-based, La2O3-B2O3-MgO-based, La2O3-B2O3-ZnO-based, SiO2-CaO-ZnO-based materials may be used, and in particular, SiO2-MgO-based materials may be used. The second intermediate layer 31 may have electrical insulation properties. The material of the second intermediate layer 31 may be the same as the material of the solid electrolyte layer 6.

[0062] <Configuration of electrochemical cell device> Next, an electrochemical cell device according to the present embodiment using the above-mentioned cell 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 3A to 3C. Fig. 3A is a perspective view showing an example of the electrochemical cell device according to the embodiment. Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX shown in Fig. 3A. Fig. 3C is a top view showing an example of the electrochemical cell device according to the embodiment.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 3A, the cell stack device 10 includes a cell stack 11 having a plurality of cells 1 arranged (stacked) in the thickness direction of the cell 1 (the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1A), and a fixing member 12.

[0064] The fixing member 12 has a fixing material 13 and a support member 14. The support member 14 supports the cell 1. The fixing material 13 fixes the cell 1 to the support member 14. The support member 14 also has a support body 15 and a gas tank 16. The support body 15 and the gas tank 16, which are the support member 14, are made of metal and are conductive.

[0065] 3B, the support 15 has insertion holes 15a into which the lower ends of the multiple cells 1 are inserted. The lower ends of the multiple cells 1 and the inner wall of the insertion holes 15a are joined with a fixing material 13.

[0066] The gas tank 16 has an opening for supplying a reaction gas to the cells 1 through the insertion holes 15a, and a groove 16a located around the opening. The outer peripheral edge of the support 15 is joined to the gas tank 16 by a joining material 21 filled in the groove 16a of the gas tank 16.

[0067] In the example shown in FIG. 3A, fuel gas is stored in an internal space 22 formed by a support body 15, which is the support member 14, and a gas tank 16. A gas circulation pipe 20 is connected to the gas tank 16. The fuel gas is supplied to the gas tank 16 through this gas circulation pipe 20, and is supplied from the gas tank 16 to a flow path 35 (see FIG. 1A) inside the cell 1. The fuel gas supplied to the gas tank 16 is generated in a reformer 102 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later. The internal space 22 may be rephrased as a space of a reducing atmosphere containing the fuel gas.

[0068] The hydrogen-rich fuel gas can be produced by steam reforming of the raw fuel, etc. When the fuel gas is produced by steam reforming, the fuel gas contains water vapor.

[0069] The example shown in FIG. 3A includes two rows of cell stacks 11, two supports 15, and a gas tank 16. Each of the two rows of cell stacks 11 has a plurality of cells 1. Each cell stack 11 is fixed to each of the supports 15. The gas tank 16 has two through holes on the upper surface. Each of the supports 15 is disposed in each of the through holes. An internal space 22 is formed by one gas tank 16 and two supports 15.

[0070] The shape of the insertion hole 15a is, for example, an oval shape when viewed from above. For example, the length of the insertion hole 15a in the arrangement direction of the cells 1, i.e., in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1A) is greater than the distance between the two end current collecting members 17 located at both ends of the cell stack 11. The width of the insertion hole 15a is, for example, greater than the length of the cell 1 in the width direction (X-axis direction shown in FIG. 1A).

[0071] 3B, the joints between the inner walls of the insertion holes 15a and the lower ends of the cells 1 are filled with a fixing material 13 and solidified. This bonds and fixes the inner walls of the insertion holes 15a to the lower ends of the cells 1, respectively, and also bonds and fixes the lower ends of the cells 1 to each other. The gas flow paths 2a of each cell 1 communicate with the internal space 22 of the support member 14 at their lower ends.

[0072] A material having low electrical conductivity, such as glass, can be used for the fixing material 13 and the bonding material 21. Specific materials for the fixing material 13 and the bonding material 21 include amorphous glass, and in particular, crystallized glass.

[0073] As the crystallized glass, for example, any of materials such as SiO2-CaO, MgO-B2O3, La2O3-B2O3-MgO, La2O3-B2O3-ZnO, and SiO2-CaO-ZnO may be used, and in particular, SiO2-MgO-based materials may be used.

[0074] 3B, a conductive member 18 is interposed between adjacent cells 1 among the multiple cells 1. The conductive member 18 electrically connects one adjacent cell 1 to the other adjacent cell 1 in series. More specifically, the conductive member 18 connects the fuel electrode 5 of one cell 1 to the air electrode 8 of the other cell 1. The conductive member 18 may be the flow path member 34 and / or the current collecting member 36 shown in FIG. 1A, or may be a member separate from the flow path member 34 and the current collecting member 36.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 3B, an end current collecting member 17 is electrically connected to the cell 1 located at the outermost position in the arrangement direction of the multiple cells 1. The end current collecting member 17 is connected to a conductive part 19 protruding to the outside of the cell stack 11. The conductive part 19 collects electricity generated by power generation in the cells 1 and draws it out to the outside. Note that the end current collecting member 17 is not shown in Fig. 3A.

[0076] 3C, the cell stack device 10 has two cell stacks 11A and 11B connected in series to function as one battery. Therefore, the conductive portion 19 of the cell stack device 10 is divided into a positive terminal 19A, a negative terminal 19B, and a connection terminal 19C.

[0077] The positive electrode terminal 19A is a positive electrode when the electric power generated by the cell stack 11 is output to the outside, and is electrically connected to the end current collecting member 17 on the positive electrode side of the cell stack 11A. The negative electrode terminal 19B is a negative electrode when the electric power generated by the cell stack 11 is output to the outside, and is electrically connected to the end current collecting member 17 on the negative electrode side of the cell stack 11B.

[0078] The connection terminal 19C electrically connects the end current collecting member 17 on the negative electrode side in the cell stack 11A and the end current collecting member 17 on the positive electrode side in the cell stack 11B.

[0079] <module> Next, a module according to this embodiment using the above-mentioned cell stack device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an external perspective view showing the module according to this embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a state in which the front and rear surfaces, which are part of the storage container 101, have been removed and the cell stack device 10 of the fuel cell stored inside has been removed to the rear.

[0080] 4, the module 100 includes a storage container 101 and a cell stack device 10 housed in the storage container 101. In addition, above the cell stack device 10, a reformer 102 is disposed.

[0081] The reformer 102 reforms raw fuel such as natural gas or kerosene to generate fuel gas and supplies it to the cell 1. The raw fuel is supplied to the reformer 102 through a raw fuel supply pipe 103. The reformer 102 may include a vaporizer 102a that vaporizes water, and a reformer 102b. The reformer 102b includes a reforming catalyst (not shown) and reforms the raw fuel into fuel gas. Such a reformer 102 can perform steam reforming, which is a highly efficient reforming reaction.

[0082] The fuel gas generated in the reformer 102 is supplied to the flow path 33 of the cell 1 (see FIG. 1A) through the gas distribution pipe 20, the gas tank 16, and the support member 14.

[0083] Furthermore, in the module 100 having the above-mentioned configuration, the temperature inside the module 100 during normal power generation becomes approximately 500°C to 1000°C as the gas is combusted and the cells 1 generate power.

[0084] In such a module 100, as described above, by housing a cell stack device 10 having a plurality of cells 1 whose durability is resistant to deterioration, it is possible to make the module 100 resistant to deterioration in durability.

[0085] <Module storage device> Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a module housing device according to an embodiment. A module housing device 110 according to this embodiment includes an exterior case 111, a module 100 shown in Fig. 5, and auxiliary equipment (not shown). The auxiliary equipment operates the module 100. The module 100 and the auxiliary equipment are housed in the exterior case 111. Note that some components are omitted in Fig. 5.

[0086] An exterior case 111 of a module accommodating device 110 shown in Fig. 5 has support columns 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 auxiliary equipment accommodating chamber 116 that accommodates auxiliary equipment that operates the module 100. Note that in Fig. 5, the auxiliary equipment accommodated in the auxiliary equipment accommodating chamber 116 is omitted.

[0087] In addition, the partition plate 114 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 constituting the module housing chamber 115 has an exhaust port 118 for exhausting air from within the module housing chamber 115.

[0088] In such a module housing device 110, as described above, by accommodating the modules 100, whose durability is unlikely to deteriorate, in the module housing chamber 115, it is possible to provide a module housing device 110, whose durability is unlikely to deteriorate.

[0089] [Other embodiments] In the above-mentioned 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", an "electrochemical cell device", a "module", and a "module housing device", but 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. In addition, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, an oxide ion conductor or a hydrogen ion conductor is shown as an example of an electrolyte material of the electrochemical cell, but a hydroxide ion conductor may also be used. According to such an electrolysis cell, an electrolysis cell stack device, an electrolysis module, and an electrolysis device, it is possible to improve electrolysis performance and to prevent durability from decreasing.

[0090] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, improvements, etc. are possible without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0091] In one embodiment, (1) an electrochemical cell includes a metal plate and An element portion disposed on the metal plate; a first intermediate layer located between the metal plate and the element portion; Equipped with The first portion is located on the outer periphery of the element portion in a plan view, and has a first portion between the metal plate and the element portion that does not have the first intermediate layer.

[0092] (2) In the electrochemical cell of (1) above, the outer circumferential portion includes a first end portion and a second end portion located at both ends in a first direction, The first end may have the first portion.

[0093] (3) In the electrochemical cell of (2) above, the second end may have the first portion.

[0094] (4) In the electrochemical cell of (2) or (3), the outer circumferential portion includes a third end and a fourth end located at both ends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The third end may have the first portion.

[0095] (5) In the electrochemical cell of any one of (2) to (4) above, an average length along the first direction of the first portion located at the first end may be 0.2 times or less an average length along the first direction of the element portion.

[0096] (6) In the electrochemical cell of any one of (2) to (5) above, the first intermediate layer may have an average length along the first direction smaller than that of the element portion.

[0097] (7) The electrochemical cell of any one of (1) to (6) above may further include a second intermediate layer located between the first portion and the metal plate.

[0098] In one embodiment, (8) an electrochemical cell device has a cell stack including any one of the electrochemical cells (1) to (7) above.

[0099] In one embodiment, the module (9) comprises the electrochemical cell device (8) described above, and a container for housing the electrochemical cell device.

[0100] In one embodiment, the module housing device (10) includes the module (9) and Auxiliary equipment for operating the module; and an exterior case that houses the module and the auxiliary equipment.

[0101] The disclosed embodiments should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. Indeed, the above-described embodiments may be embodied in various forms. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments may be omitted, substituted, or modified in various forms without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1 cell 3. Element section 3f Outer periphery 5 Fuel electrode 5a 1st part 6 Solid electrolyte layer 8 Air electrode 10 Cell stack device 11 Cell stack 12 Fixing member 13 Fixing material 14 Support member 15 Support 16 Gas Tank 17 End current collecting member 18 Conductive materials 30 First Middle Class 31 The second middle class 32 Metal plate 100 Modules 110 Module storage device

Claims

1. A metal plate; An element portion disposed on the metal plate; a first intermediate layer located between the metal plate and the element portion; Equipped with a first portion located on an outer periphery of the element portion in a plan view, the first portion being between the metal plate and the element portion and not including the first intermediate layer; Electrochemical cell.

2. The outer circumferential portion includes a first end portion and a second end portion located at both ends in a first direction, The first end has the first portion.

10. The electrochemical cell of claim 1.

3. The second end has the first portion.

3. The electrochemical cell of claim 2.

4. the outer circumferential portion includes a third end portion and a fourth end portion located at both ends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The third end has the first portion.

3. The electrochemical cell of claim 2.

5. The average length of the first portion located at the first end along the first direction is 0.2 times or less the average length of the element portion along the first direction.

3. The electrochemical cell of claim 2.

6. The first intermediate layer has an average length along the first direction smaller than that of the element portion.

3. The electrochemical cell of claim 2.

7. A second intermediate layer is disposed between the first portion and the metal plate.

10. The electrochemical cell of claim 1.

8. A cell stack comprising the electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Electrochemical cell setup.

9. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 8 ; A container for housing the electrochemical cell device; A module comprising:

10. A module according to claim 9; Auxiliary equipment for operating the module; an exterior case that houses the module and the auxiliary equipment; A module housing device comprising:

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