Conductive member, electrochemical cell device, module, and module-containing device

Abstract

To provide a conductive member having high durability, an electrochemical cell device, a module, and a module housing device.SOLUTION: The conductive member has a first surface, a second surface located opposite to the first surface, and a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface. The conductive member has, on the side surface, one or more recesses in contact with a boundary portion between the first surface and the side surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrically conductive member, an electrochemical cell device, a module, and a module housing device. [Background technology]

[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. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-215978 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-216079 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-215979 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional fuel cell stack devices, there is room for improvement in the durability of the conductive members that connect adjacent fuel cell units.

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

[0006] A conductive member according to one aspect of the present invention has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, and the side surface has one or more recesses that contact the boundary between the first surface and the side surface.

[0007] The electrochemical cell device of the present disclosure includes an electrochemical cell having an element portion, and the above-described conductive member connected to the electrochemical cell.

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

[0009] 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. [Effects of the Invention]

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

[0011] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell according to a first embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a side view of an example of the electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment, viewed from the air electrode side. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1C is a side view of an example of an electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment, viewed from the interconnector side. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a plan view showing an example of the conductive member according to the first embodiment as viewed from the side. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C is a plan view showing an example of the conductive member according to the first embodiment as viewed from the first surface side. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the conductive member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3B]FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the conductive member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the electrochemical cell according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX shown in FIG. 6A. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6C is a top view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an external perspective view showing an example of a module according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a module housing device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the conductive member, electrochemical cell device, module, and 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] 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.

[0014] [First 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. An electrochemical cell device having a plurality of electrochemical cells will be simply referred to as a cell stack device.

[0015] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1B is a side view of an example of an electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment, viewed from the air electrode side. FIG. 1C is a side view of an example of an electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment, viewed from the interconnector side. Note that FIGS. 1A to 1C show enlarged views of parts of each component of the electrochemical cell. Hereinafter, the electrochemical cell may also be simply referred to as a cell.

[0016] 1A to 1C, cell 1 is a hollow, flat, elongated plate. As shown in Fig. 1B, the shape of the entire cell 1 as viewed from the side is, for example, a rectangle with a side length in the length direction L of 5 cm to 50 cm and a length in the width direction W perpendicular to the length direction L of 1 cm to 10 cm. The thickness of the entire cell 1 in the thickness direction T is, for example, 1 mm to 5 mm.

[0017] 1A, the cell 1 includes a conductive support substrate 2, an element section 3, and an interconnector 4. The support substrate 2 is columnar, having a pair of opposing surfaces n1 and n2, and a pair of arc-shaped side surfaces m connecting the surfaces n1 and n2.

[0018] The element section 3 is located on the surface n1 of the support substrate 2. The element section 3 has an anode 5, a solid electrolyte layer 6, and an air electrode 8. In the example shown in FIG. 1A, the interconnector 4 is located on the surface n2 of the cell 1. The cell 1 may also have an intermediate layer 7 between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the air electrode 8.

[0019] 1B, the air electrode 8 does not extend to the lower end of the cell 1. At the lower end of the cell 1, only the solid electrolyte layer 6 is exposed on the surface of face n1. As shown in FIG. 1C, the interconnector 4 may extend to the lower end of the cell 1. At the lower end of the cell 1, the interconnector 4 and the solid electrolyte layer 6 are exposed on the surface. As shown in FIG. 1A, the solid electrolyte layer 6 is exposed on the surface of a pair of arc-shaped side faces m of the cell 1. The interconnector 4 does not have to extend to the lower end of the cell 1.

[0020] Each of the components that make up the cell 1 will be described below.

[0021] The support substrate 2 has gas flow channels 2a therein through which gas flows. The example of the support substrate 2 shown in FIG. 1A has six gas flow channels 2a. The support substrate 2 is gas permeable, and allows the gas flowing in the gas flow channels 2a to pass through to the anode 5. The support substrate 2 may be conductive. The conductive support substrate 2 collects electricity generated in the element section 3 to the interconnector 4.

[0022] The material of the support substrate 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.

[0023] The material of the anode 5 may be any known material. The anode 5 may be a porous conductive ceramic containing an electronically conductive material and an ionically conductive material. Examples of the conductive ceramic include ceramics containing calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or ZrO2 solid-solubilized with rare earth element oxides, and Ni and / or NiO. 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 ZrO2 solid-solubilized with rare earth element oxides may also be referred to as stabilized zirconia. The stabilized zirconia may include partially stabilized zirconia.

[0024] 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 the fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas to leak.

[0025] The material of the solid electrolyte layer 6 may be, for example, ZrO2 with 3 mol % to 15 mol % of a rare earth element oxide dissolved therein. 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 with Yb, Sc, or Gd dissolved therein, CeO2 with La, Nd, or Yb dissolved therein, BaZrO3 with Sc or Yb dissolved therein, or BaCeO3 with Sc or Yb dissolved therein.

[0026] 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%, and particularly 30% to 50%. The open porosity of the air electrode 8 may also be referred to as the void ratio of the air electrode 8.

[0027] There are no particular restrictions on the material of the air electrode 8 as long as it is one that is 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.

[0028] 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 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。

[0029] Furthermore, when the element section 3 has an intermediate layer 7, the intermediate layer 7 functions as a diffusion suppression layer. When Sr (strontium) contained in the air electrode 8 diffuses into the solid electrolyte layer 6, a resistive layer of SrZrO3 is formed in the solid electrolyte layer 6. The intermediate layer 7 makes it difficult for Sr to diffuse, thereby making it difficult for SrZrO3 to be formed.

[0030] 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 may contain, for example, cerium oxide (CeO2) in which a rare earth element other than Ce (cerium) is dissolved. Examples of such rare earth elements that may be used include Gd (gadolinium) and Sm (samarium).

[0031] Furthermore, the interconnector 4 is dense and makes it difficult for leakage of the fuel gas flowing through the gas flow channel 2a located inside the support substrate 2 and the oxygen-containing gas flowing outside the support substrate 2 to occur. The interconnector 4 may have a relative density of 93% or more, particularly 95% or more.

[0032] Lanthanum chromite-based perovskite oxides (LaCrO3-based oxides), lanthanum strontium titanium-based perovskite oxides (LaSrTiO3-based oxides), etc. may be used as the material for the interconnector 4. These materials are conductive and are resistant to reduction and oxidation even when in contact with fuel gases such as hydrogen-containing gases and oxygen-containing gases such as air.

[0033] <Conductive materials> Next, the conductive member according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2A to 3B. Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to the first embodiment.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 2A, the cell stack device 10 has a cell stack 11 in which multiple cells 1 are arranged in a thickness direction T. The cell stack 11 has cells 1a and 1b adjacent to each other in the thickness direction T, and a conductive member 30 located between the cells 1a and 1b. That is, Fig. 2A schematically shows a portion of a cross section of the cell stack 11 included in the cell stack device 10.

[0035] The conductive member 30 has a connection portion 30a connected to cell 1a, which is one of the adjacent cells 1, and a connection portion 30b connected to cell 1b, which is the other cell 1. The conductive member 30 also has connecting portions at both ends in the width direction W, which connect the connection portions 30a and 30b. This allows the conductive member 30 to electrically connect the cells 1 adjacent to each other in the thickness direction T. Note that FIG. 3A illustrates a simplified shape of the cell 1. The connection portion 30a of the conductive member 30 may be connected to cell 1a, for example, with an adhesive, and the connection portion 30b may be connected to cell 1b, for example, with an adhesive.

[0036] Fig. 2B is a plan view showing an example of the conductive member according to the first embodiment as seen from the side, Fig. 2C is a plan view showing an example of the conductive member according to the first embodiment as seen from the first surface, Fig. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the conductive member according to the first embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 2B corresponds to an enlarged view of the connection portion 30b located in region A of the conductive member 30 shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C corresponds to a plan view of the connection portion 30b of the conductive member 30 shown in FIG. 2B, viewed from the cell 1b side. FIG. 3A corresponds to a cross-sectional view of line BB shown in FIG. 2B. Note that cell 1 is not shown in FIG. 2B.

[0038] For ease of understanding, Figures 2B to 3A show a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system including a Z axis, with the vertically upward direction as the positive direction and the vertically downward direction as the negative direction. For example, the X axis corresponds to the width direction W of the cell 1 shown in Figures 1A to 1C. The Y axis corresponds to the thickness direction T of the cell 1. The Z axis corresponds to the length direction L of the cell 1. Such Cartesian coordinate systems may also be shown in other drawings used in the following explanations.

[0039] Conductive member 30 has surface 301 and surface 302 located opposite surface 301. When conductive member 30 is connection portion 30b, surface 302 is the surface facing cell 1. Surface 301 is an example of a first surface. Surface 302 is an example of a second surface.

[0040] Furthermore, conductive member 30 has surface 303 and surface 304 located opposite surface 303. Surfaces 303 and 304 are located so as to connect surface 301 and surface 302. When surface 301 is the first surface and surface 302 is the second surface, surfaces 303 and 304 are each an example of a side surface connecting 301 and surface 302.

[0041] Furthermore, conductive member 30 has boundaries 305 to 308 located between adjacent surfaces of surfaces 301 to 304. Boundary 305 is located between surfaces 301 and 303. Boundary 306 is located between surfaces 302 and 303. Boundary 308 is located between surfaces 301 and 304. Boundary 307 (see FIG. 3A) is located between surfaces 302 and 304. Boundaries 305 to 308 may be formed, for example, in a C-plane or R-plane shape.

[0042] The conductive member 30 has one or more recesses 300 on the surface 303, which are in contact with the boundary 305 between the surface 301 and the surface 303. This allows, for example, a coating layer (described later) to penetrate into the recesses 300, making the coating layer less likely to peel off. This improves, for example, the durability of the conductive member 30. In addition, for example, an adhesive material can penetrate into the recesses 300, making the conductive member 30 less likely to peel off from the cell 1. This improves, for example, the durability of the cell stack 11.

[0043] 2B, when the surface 303 is viewed from above, the ratio of the area of ​​the recess 300 to the area of ​​the surface 303 may be 4% or more. This makes it easier to remove foreign matter from inside the recess 300, even if it adheres to the recess 300. This reduces the likelihood of problems occurring in subsequent processes and improves durability. The ratio of the area of ​​the recess 300 to the area of ​​the surface 303 may be, for example, 45% or less.

[0044] Furthermore, the length L1 along the X-axis direction of the recess 300 of the conductive member 30, i.e., the width of the recess 300, may be narrowed from the boundary portion 305 toward the surface 302. This makes it easier to remove foreign matter from inside the recess 300, even if it adheres to the recess 300. This reduces the likelihood of problems occurring in later processes and improves durability.

[0045] 3A, when the direction from surface 301 toward surface 302 (the negative Y-axis direction) is defined as a first direction, recess 300 may have a length L2 of 70 μm or less from surface 301 in the first direction. This makes it easier to remove foreign matter from the interior of recess 300, even if it adheres to it. This reduces the likelihood of defects occurring in subsequent processes and improves durability. Note that when recess 300 is not in contact with surface 301, L2 may be the distance from surface 301 to the portion of the contour of recess 300 that is farthest from surface 301. L2 may be, for example, 30 μm or more.

[0046] 3A, the recess 300 may have a bottom 300a with a maximum depth d1 from the surface 303 of 20 μm or less. This makes it easier to remove foreign matter from inside the recess 300, even if it adheres to the recess 300. This reduces the likelihood of problems occurring in subsequent processes and improves durability. The maximum depth d1 may be, for example, 5 μm or more.

[0047] 3B is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the conductive member according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3B, the conductive member 30 may have a metal base 31 and a coating layer 32. In such a case, the material of the metal base 31 may be the same as the material of the conductive member 30 shown in FIG. 3A. Furthermore, the metal base 31 may have a bottom 310a and a recess 310 corresponding to the bottom 300a and the recess 300 shown in FIG. 3A.

[0048] The coating layer 32 may be, for example, a so-called conductive coat having higher conductivity than the metal substrate 31. When the metal substrate 31 has a recess 310, the coating layer 32 may have a second recess 320 at a position corresponding to the recess 310.

[0049] In the above description, an example has been described in which surface 303 has one or more recesses 300 in contact with boundary 305 between surface 301 and surface 303, but this is not limiting. For example, conductive member 30 may have one or more recesses 300 in surface 303 in contact with boundary 306 between surface 302 and surface 303. Furthermore, conductive member 30 may have one or more recesses 300 in surface 304 in contact with boundary 308 between surface 301 and surface 304, or one or more recesses 300 in contact with boundary 307 between surface 302 and surface 304.

[0050] 2C, the conductive member 30 has a plurality of connection portions 30b extending in the Z-axis direction corresponding to the length direction L of the cell 1. Although not shown, the conductive member 30 also has a plurality of connection portions 30a (see FIG. 2A) extending in the Z-axis direction corresponding to the length direction L of the cell 1. The recess 300 may be included in each of the connection portions 30b and 30a, or the conductive member 30b and / or the connection portion 30a may include no recess 300.

[0051] The metal base material 31 is processed into a predetermined shape by, for example, press working, etc. For example, by appropriately adjusting the conditions for processing the metal base material 31, it is possible to obtain a metal base material 31 having recesses 300 of a desired shape, number, etc.

[0052] [Second embodiment] Fig. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electrochemical cell according to the second embodiment.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the cell 1 includes an element section 3 in which an anode 5, a solid electrolyte layer 6, and an air electrode 8 are stacked, and a support substrate 2. The support substrate 2 has through-holes or pores at the portion of the element section 3 that contacts the anode 5, and also includes a member 120 located outside the gas flow channel 2a. The support substrate 2 allows gas to flow between the gas flow channel 2a and the element section 3. The support substrate 2 may be composed of, for example, one or more metal plates. The material of the metal plate may contain chromium. The metal plate may have a conductive coating layer.

[0054] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to the second embodiment. A conductive member 30 electrically connects adjacent cells 1 to each other. The conductive member 30 has a connection portion 30a connected to one adjacent cell 1, cell 1a, and a connection portion 30b connected to the other adjacent cell 1, cell 1b. The connection portion 30a of the conductive member 30 may be connected to cell 1a, for example, with an adhesive, and the connection portion 30b may be connected to cell 1b, for example, with an adhesive.

[0055] As described above, the conductive member 30 has a first surface (surface 301), a second surface (surface 302) located on the opposite side of the first surface, and a side surface (surface 303) connecting the first surface and the second surface. The conductive member 30 has one or more recesses 300 on the side surface that contact the boundary (boundary 305) between the first surface and the side surface. This allows the coating layer to penetrate into the recesses 300, making the coating layer less likely to peel off. Therefore, in the cell 1 according to this embodiment, for example, the durability of the conductive member 30 is improved.

[0056] <Configuration of electrochemical cell device> Next, a cell stack device 10 according to this embodiment using the above-described cell 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 6A to 6C. Fig. 6A is a perspective view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to an embodiment. Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX shown in Fig. 6A. Fig. 6C is a top view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to an embodiment.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 6A, the cell stack device 10 includes a cell stack 11 having a plurality of cells 1 arranged (stacked) in a thickness direction T of the cells 1 (see FIG. 1A), and a fixing member 12.

[0058] 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 15 and a gas tank 16. The support 15 and gas tank 16, which are the support member 14, are made of metal and are electrically conductive.

[0059] 6B, the support body 15 has insertion holes 15a into which the lower ends of the plurality of cells 1 are inserted. The lower ends of the plurality of cells 1 and the inner wall of the insertion holes 15a are joined with fixing material 13.

[0060] The gas tank 16 has an opening for supplying a reaction gas to the cells 1 through the insertion holes 15a, and a recessed groove 16a located around the opening. The outer peripheral edge of the support 15 is joined to the gas tank 16 by a bonding material 21 filled in the recessed groove 16a of the gas tank 16.

[0061] In the example shown in FIG. 6A, fuel gas is stored in an internal space 22 (see FIG. 6B) formed by a support 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 gas flow path 2a (see FIG. 1A) inside the cell 1. The fuel gas supplied to the gas tank 16 is generated in a reformer 102 (see FIG. 7), which will be described later.

[0062] The hydrogen-rich fuel gas can be produced by steam reforming the raw fuel, etc. When the fuel gas is produced by steam reforming, the fuel gas contains water vapor.

[0063] The example shown in FIG. 6A 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 a respective support 15. The gas tank 16 has two through-holes on its top surface. A respective support 15 is disposed in each through-hole. An internal space 22 is formed by one gas tank 16 and two supports 15.

[0064] 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., the thickness direction T, is greater than the distance between the two end current collecting members 17 located at both ends of the cell stack 11. For example, the width of the insertion hole 15a is greater than the length of the cell 1 in the width direction W (see FIG. 1A).

[0065] 6B, a fixing material 13 is filled and solidified in the joints between the inner walls of the insertion holes 15a and the lower ends of the cells 1. This bonds and fixes the inner walls of the insertion holes 15a to the lower ends of the multiple cells 1, respectively, and also bonds and fixes the lower ends of the cells 1 to each other. The gas flow path 2a of each cell 1 communicates with the internal space 22 of the support member 14 at its lower end.

[0066] A material with low 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.

[0067] 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 materials may be used.

[0068] 6B, a conductive member 18 is interposed between adjacent cells 1 among the plurality of cells 1. The conductive member 18 electrically connects the anode 5 of one adjacent cell 1 to the cathode 8 of the other cell 1 in series. More specifically, the conductive member 18 connects the interconnector 4 electrically connected to the anode 5 of one adjacent cell 1 to the cathode 8 of the other cell 1. The conductive member 18 includes the conductive member 30 according to each of the above-described embodiments.

[0069] 6B, 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 that protrudes to the outside of the cell stack 11. The conductive part 19 collects electricity generated by power generation in the cells 1 and extracts it to the outside. Note that the end current collecting member 17 is not shown in FIG. 6A.

[0070] 6C, the cell stack device 10 has two cell stacks 11A and 11B connected in series to function as a single battery. Therefore, the conductive part 19 of the cell stack device 10 is divided into a positive terminal 19A, a negative terminal 19B, and a connection terminal 19C.

[0071] The positive electrode terminal 19A is a positive electrode when the power generated by the cell stack 11 is output to the outside, and is electrically connected to the positive electrode side end current collecting member 17 of the cell stack 11A. The negative electrode terminal 19B is a negative electrode when the power generated by the cell stack 11 is output to the outside, and is electrically connected to the negative electrode side end current collecting member 17 of the cell stack 11B.

[0072] The connection terminal 19C electrically connects the end current collecting member 17 on the negative electrode side of the cell stack 11A and the end current collecting member 17 on the positive electrode side of the cell stack 11B.

[0073] <module> Next, a module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure using the above-described cell stack device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is an external perspective view showing an example of a module according to an embodiment. Fig. 7 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 pulled out to the rear.

[0074] 7, the module 100 includes a storage container 101 and a cell stack device 10 housed in the storage container 101. A reformer 102 is disposed above the cell stack device 10.

[0075] The reformer 102 reforms raw fuel such as natural gas or kerosene to generate fuel gas, which is then supplied to the cell 1. The raw fuel is supplied to the reformer 102 through a raw fuel supply pipe 103. The reformer 102 may also 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, a highly efficient reforming reaction.

[0076] The fuel gas produced in the reformer 102 is supplied to the gas flow channel 2a of the cell 1 (see FIG. 1A) through the gas distribution pipe 20, the gas tank 16, and the support member 14.

[0077] Furthermore, in the module 100 having the above-described configuration, the temperature inside the module 100 during normal power generation becomes approximately 500°C to 1000°C due to the combustion of gas and the power generation of the cells 1.

[0078] In such a module 100, as described above, by accommodating the cell stack device 10 that can improve durability, it is possible to make the module 100 have improved durability.

[0079] <Module storage device> Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating 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, the module 100 shown in Fig. 7, and auxiliary equipment (not shown). The auxiliary equipment operates the module 100. The module 100 and the auxiliary equipment are housed in the outer case 111. Note that some components are omitted in Fig. 8.

[0080] An exterior case 111 of a module accommodating device 110 shown in Fig. 8 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 accessory accommodating chamber 116 that accommodates accessories that operate the module 100. Note that in Fig. 8, the accessories accommodated in the accessory accommodating chamber 116 are omitted from the illustration.

[0081] 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.

[0082] In such a module accommodating device 110, as described above, by providing the module 100, which can improve durability, in the module accommodating chamber 115, the module accommodating device 110 can improve power generation performance.

[0083] In the above embodiment, a case where a hollow flat plate-type support substrate is used is exemplified, but the present invention can also be applied to a cell stack device using a cylindrical support substrate, a flat plate-type cell stack device, etc.

[0084] [Other embodiments] Next, electrochemical cell devices according to other embodiments will be described.

[0085] 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 have improved durability.

[0086] 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.

[0087] In one embodiment, (1) the conductive member has a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface; a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface; and The side surface has one or more recesses that contact the boundary between the first surface and the side surface.

[0088] (2) In the conductive member of (1) above, when a direction from the first surface toward the second surface is defined as a first direction, The recess may have a length of 70 μm or less in the first direction from the first surface.

[0089] (3) In the conductive member of (1) or (2) above, the recess may have a bottom whose maximum depth from the side surface is 20 μm or less.

[0090] (4) In the conductive member according to any one of (1) to (3) above, when the side surface is viewed from above, the ratio of the area of ​​the recess to the area of ​​the side surface may be 4% or more.

[0091] In one embodiment, (5) the electrochemical cell device includes an electrochemical cell having an element portion, and the conductive member according to any one of (1) to (4) above, which is connected to the electrochemical cell.

[0092] In one embodiment, the module (6) comprises the electrochemical cell device (5) described above, and a container for housing the electrochemical cell device.

[0093] In one embodiment, the module storage device (7) includes the module (6) and Auxiliary equipment for operating the module; and an exterior case that houses the module and the auxiliary equipment.

[0094] 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1 cell 2 Support substrate 3. Element section 4 Interconnector 5 Fuel electrode 6 Solid electrolyte layer 7. Middle class 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 30 Conductive material 100 modules 110 Module storage device 300 recess

Claims

1. The first page and a second surface located opposite the first surface; a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface; and The side surface has one or more recesses that contact the boundary between the first surface and the side surface. Conductive material.

2. When a direction from the first surface toward the second surface is defined as a first direction, The recess has a length of 70 μm or less from the first surface in the first direction. The conductive member according to claim 1 .

3. The recess has a bottom whose maximum depth from the side surface is 20 μm or less. The conductive member according to claim 1 .

4. When the side surface is viewed from above, the ratio of the area of ​​the recess to the area of ​​the side surface is 4% or more. The conductive member according to claim 1 .

5. an electrochemical cell having an element portion; The conductive member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is connected to the electrochemical cell. An electrochemical cell device comprising:

6. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 5 ; a container for housing the electrochemical cell device; A module comprising:

7. A module according to claim 6; 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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