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

Abstract

An electrochemical cell, an electrochemical cell device, a module, and a module housing device that can improve durability are provided. [Solution] The electrochemical cell has a support, a solid electrolyte layer, an interconnector, and an overlapping portion. The support has a first surface extending in a first direction, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a side surface connecting an end of the first surface to an end of the second surface in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The solid electrolyte layer faces the first surface and the side surface. The interconnector faces the second surface. At the overlapping portion, the solid electrolyte layer and the interconnector overlap when the second surface is viewed in plan. The solid electrolyte layer is in contact with the end of the interconnector in the second direction. When the lengths of the support and the overlapping portion along the second direction are W0 and W1, respectively, 0

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electrochemical cells, electrochemical cell devices, modules and module housing devices. [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 Laid-Open No. 2011-113690 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-158529 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned fuel cell still has room for improvement, for example, in terms of improving durability.

[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 can improve durability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electrochemical cell according to one aspect of the embodiment has a support, a solid electrolyte layer, an interconnector, and an overlapping portion. The support has a first surface extending in a first direction, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a side surface connecting an end of the first surface to an end of the second surface in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The solid electrolyte layer faces the first surface and the side surface. The interconnector faces the second surface. At the overlapping portion, the solid electrolyte layer and the interconnector overlap when the second surface is viewed from above. The solid electrolyte layer is in contact with the end of the interconnector in the second direction. When the lengths of the support and the overlapping portion along the second direction are W0 and W1, respectively, 0 <W1 / W0≦0.28である。

[0007] The electrochemical cell device of the present disclosure also 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 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 an electrochemical cell, an electrochemical cell device, a module, and a module housing device that can improve durability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a plan view of an example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment, viewed from the interconnector side. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1C is a plan view of an example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment, viewed from the air electrode side. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a plan view of another example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment, viewed from the interconnector side. [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 showing 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. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 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 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. However, 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] [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 an embodiment. FIG. 1B is a plan view of an example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment, viewed from the interconnector side. FIG. 1C is a plan view of an example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment, viewed from the air electrode 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] In the example shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, cell 1 is a hollow, flat, elongated plate. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the shape of cell 1 as a whole in a plan view may be, for example, a rectangle with a length in a length direction L of 5 cm to 50 cm and a length in a width direction W perpendicular to length direction L of 1 cm to 10 cm. The thickness of the whole cell 1 in a thickness direction T may be, for example, 1 mm to 5 mm. Here, length direction L is an example of a first direction. Width direction W is an example of a second direction intersecting with the first direction. Thickness direction T is an example of a third direction intersecting with the first and second directions.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1A, the cell 1 includes a support 2, an element section 3, and an interconnector 4. The support 2 is columnar, having a pair of opposing first and second surfaces n1 and n2, and a pair of arc-shaped side surfaces m connecting the first and second surfaces n1 and n2. The side surfaces m include a side surface m1 located at one end in the width direction W and a side surface m2 located at the other end.

[0018] The element section 3 is provided on the first surface n1 of the support 2. The element section 3 has a fuel electrode 5, a solid electrolyte layer 6, and a cathode 8.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1B, the interconnector 4 extends to both ends of the cell 1 in the length direction L. At both ends of the cell 1 in the length direction L, the interconnector 4 and the solid electrolyte layer 6 are exposed on the surface. The interconnector 4 does not have to extend to one end and / or the other end of the cell 1 in the length direction L. As shown in FIG. 1C, the air electrode 8 does not extend to both ends of the cell 1 in the length direction L. At both ends of the cell 1 in the length direction L, only the solid electrolyte layer 6 may be exposed on the surface of the first face n1. As shown in FIG. 1A, the solid electrolyte layer 6 may be exposed at both ends of the cell 1 in the width direction W.

[0020] Each of the components constituting the cell 1 will be further described below.

[0021] The support 2 has a first surface n1 extending in a length direction L (a first direction), a second surface n2 opposite to the first surface n1, and a side surface m connecting an end of the first surface n1 with an end of the second surface n2 in a width direction W (a second direction intersecting the first direction). The support 2 also has flow paths 2a therein through which gas flows. The example of the support 2 shown in FIG. 1A has six flow paths 2a. The support 2 is gas permeable and allows the fuel gas flowing through the flow paths 2a to pass through to the anode 5. The support 2 may be conductive. The conductive support 2 collects electricity generated in the element section 3 to the interconnector 4.

[0022] The material of the support 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, Y.

[0023] 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%, and 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.

[0024] A commonly known material can be used for the anode 5. The anode 5 may be made of porous conductive ceramics, such as ceramics containing Ni and / or NiO and an ion-conductive material such as ZrO2 in which rare earth element oxides are dissolved. The rare earth element oxides may contain, for example, a plurality of rare earth elements selected from Sc, Y, La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, and Yb. ZrO2 in which rare earth element oxides are dissolved is sometimes referred to as stabilized zirconia. The stabilized zirconia may include partially stabilized zirconia.

[0025] The solid electrolyte layer 6 faces the first surface n1 and the side surface m of the support 2. 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, making it difficult for leakage of fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas to occur.

[0026] The material of the solid electrolyte layer 6 may be, for example, an ion-conductive material such as 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.

[0027] The air electrode 8 is a second electrode that comes into 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%, and particularly in the range of 30% to 50%. The open porosity of the air electrode 8 may also be referred to as the porosity of the air electrode 8.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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。

[0030] The element unit 3 may also have an intermediate layer 7 located between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the air electrode 8. When the element unit 3 has the intermediate layer 7, the intermediate layer 7 functions as a diffusion suppression layer. For example, when a specific element such as Sr (strontium) contained in the air electrode 8 diffuses into the solid electrolyte layer 6, a compound such as SrZrO3, which has high electrical resistance, is likely to be formed in the solid electrolyte layer 6. The intermediate layer 7 makes it difficult for the specific element such as Sr to diffuse, thereby making it difficult for a high-resistance phase such as SrZrO3 to be formed in the solid electrolyte layer 6.

[0031] 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).

[0032] The interconnector 4 faces the second surface n2 of the support body 2. The interconnector 4 is dense and makes it difficult for leakage of the fuel gas flowing through the flow path 2a inside the support body 2 and the oxygen-containing gas flowing outside the support body 2 to occur. The interconnector 4 may have a relative density of 93% or more, particularly 95% or more.

[0033] For the material of the interconnector 4, a lanthanum chromite-based perovskite oxide (LaCrO3-based oxide), a lanthanum strontium titanium-based perovskite oxide (LaSrTiO3-based oxide), etc. may be used. These materials have conductivity and are less likely to be reduced or oxidized even when they come into contact with fuel gases such as hydrogen-containing gases and oxygen-containing gases such as air.

[0034] Further, the cell 1 further has an overlapping portion 9. The overlapping portion 9 is a portion where the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the interconnector 4 overlap when the second surface n2 of the support 2 is viewed in plan view. Also, the solid electrolyte layer 6 is in contact with an end portion in the width direction W of the interconnector 4.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1B, when the lengths of the support 2 and the overlapping portion 9 along the width direction W are W0 and W1 respectively, 0 < W1 / W0 ≦ 0.28. Thereby, for example, deformation and / or crack generation of the cell 1 can be reduced. Also, for example, peeling of the fuel electrode 5 and / or the solid electrolyte layer 6 from the support 2 and / or the interconnector 4 can be reduced. Therefore, according to the cell 1 according to the present embodiment, durability is improved.

[0036] Further, the cell 1 may have overlapping portions 9 at both ends in the width direction W of the interconnector 4. The overlapping portion 9 has a first overlapping portion 9a and a second overlapping portion 9b. The first overlapping portion 9a is located at one end in the width direction W of the interconnector 4. The second overlapping portion 9b is located at the other end in the width direction W of the interconnector 4. By having the first overlapping portion 9a and the second overlapping portion 9b in this way, for example, deformation and / or crack generation of the cell 1 can be reduced. Also, for example, peeling of the fuel electrode 5 and / or the solid electrolyte layer 6 from the support 2 and / or the interconnector 4 can be reduced. Therefore, according to the cell 1 according to the present embodiment, durability is improved.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1B, when the widths of the first overlapping portion 9a and the second overlapping portion 9b, that is, the lengths in the width direction W are W1a and W1b respectively, W1 = W1a + W1b. Also, when the difference between the width of the first overlapping portion 9a and the width of the second overlapping portion 9b is ΔW, it may be 0≦ΔW≦0.1×L1. Thereby, deformation and / or crack generation of the cell 1 can be further reduced. Also, for example, peeling of the fuel electrode 5 and / or the solid electrolyte layer 6 from the support 2 and / or the interconnector 4 can be further reduced. Therefore, according to the cell 1 according to the present embodiment, durability is further improved.

[0038] Also, as shown in FIG. 1B, the first overlapping portion 9a and the second overlapping portion 9b may be positioned to be symmetric with respect to the center line C in the width direction W along the length direction L. The center line C is a virtual straight line arranged along the length direction L such that the distances from the side surfaces m1 and m2 are equal when the support 2 is viewed in plan view. By arranging the first overlapping portion 9a and the second overlapping portion 9b to be symmetric with respect to the center line C, deformation and / or crack generation of the cell 1 can be further reduced. Also, for example, peeling of the fuel electrode 5 and / or the solid electrolyte layer 6 from the support 2 and / or the interconnector 4 can be further reduced. Therefore, according to the cell 1 according to the present embodiment, durability is further improved. Note that the first overlapping portion 9a and the second overlapping portion 9b may be arranged offset from the position symmetric with respect to the center line C.

[0039] Also, as shown in FIG. 1A, when the thickness of the support 2 along the thickness direction T is T0, the width of the overlapping portion 9 with respect to the thickness of the support 2 may have a relationship of 0 < W1 / T0 ≦ 3. Thereby, for example, deformation and / or crack generation of the cell 1 can be further reduced. Also, for example, peeling of the fuel electrode 5 and / or the solid electrolyte layer 6 from the support 2 and / or the interconnector 4 can be further reduced. Therefore, according to the cell 1 according to the present embodiment, durability is further improved.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the cell 1 is shown in which the solid electrolyte layer 6 is located between the support 2 and the interconnector 4 in the overlapping portion 9, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example.

[0041] Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment. Fig. 2B is a plan view showing another example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment, seen from the interconnector side. In the overlapping portion 9, the interconnector 4 may be located between the support 2 and the solid electrolyte layer 6.

[0042] <Configuration of electrochemical cell device> Next, an electrochemical cell device according to this embodiment using the above-described cell 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 3A to 3C. Fig. 3A is a perspective view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to this 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 an electrochemical cell device according to this embodiment.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3A, 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.

[0044] 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 the gas tank 16, which are the support member 14, are made of, for example, metal.

[0045] 3B, 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 a fixing material 13.

[0046] 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.

[0047] In the example shown in FIG. 3A, fuel gas is stored in an internal space 22 (see FIG. 3B) 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 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. 4), which will be described later.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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 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.

[0050] 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, may be 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 may be greater than the length of the cell 1 in the width direction W (see FIG. 1A).

[0051] 3B, a fixing material 13 is filled and solidified in the joint between the inner wall of the insertion hole 15a and the lower end of the cell 1. This bonds and fixes the inner wall of the insertion hole 15a to the lower end of each of the multiple cells 1, and also bonds and fixes the lower ends of the cells 1 to each other. The flow path 2a of each cell 1 communicates with the internal space 22 of the support member 14 at its lower end.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 3B, a connecting member 18 is interposed between adjacent cells 1 among the plurality of cells 1. The connecting member 18 electrically connects the anode 5 of one adjacent cell 1 to the cathode 8 of the other adjacent cell 1 in series. More specifically, the connecting member 18 connects the interconnector 4 electrically connected to the anode 5 of one adjacent cell 1 to the cathode 8 of the other adjacent cell 1.

[0055] 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 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. 3A.

[0056] 3C, the cell stack device 10 may be a single battery in which two cell stacks 11A and 11B are connected in series. In such a case, 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] <module> Next, a module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure using the electrochemical cell device described above will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an external perspective view showing an example of a module according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a state in which the front and rear surfaces, which are parts 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.

[0060] 4, 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] The fuel gas produced in the reformer 102 is supplied to the flow path 2a of the cell 1 (see FIG. 1A) through the gas distribution pipe 20, the gas tank 16, and the support member 14.

[0063] 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.

[0064] In such a module 100, as described above, the durability of the module 100 can be improved by accommodating the cell stack device 10 having the cells 1 with improved durability.

[0065] <Module storage device> Next, a fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure that houses the above-described module 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view that schematically shows 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. 4, 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. 5.

[0066] 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 accessory accommodating chamber 116 that accommodates accessory equipment for operating the module 100. Note that in Fig. 5, the accessory equipment accommodated in the accessory accommodating chamber 116 is omitted.

[0067] 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.

[0068] In such a module housing device 110, as described above, the module housing chamber 115 is provided with the module 100 having improved durability, so that the module housing device 110 can have improved durability.

[0069] [Other embodiments] Next, electrochemical cell devices according to other embodiments will be described.

[0070] In the above-described embodiments, a fuel cell, a fuel cell stack device, a fuel cell module, and a fuel cell device are shown as examples of an "electrochemical cell," "electrochemical cell device," "module," and "module housing device." However, other examples may be an electrolysis cell, an electrolysis cell stack device, an electrolysis module, and an electrolysis device, respectively. The electrolysis cell has a first electrode and a second electrode, and decomposes water vapor into hydrogen and oxygen, or decomposes carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide and oxygen, when supplied with electric power. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, an oxide ion conductor or a hydrogen ion conductor is shown as an example of the electrolyte material of the electrochemical cell, but a hydroxide ion conductor may also be used. Such an electrolysis cell, an electrolysis cell stack device, an electrolysis module, and an electrolysis device can improve durability.

[0071] 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.

[0072] In one embodiment, (1) the electrochemical cell includes a support having a first surface extending in a first direction, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a side surface connecting an end of the first surface and an end of the second surface in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a solid electrolyte layer facing the first surface and the side surface; an interconnector facing the second surface; an overlapping portion where the solid electrolyte layer and the interconnector overlap when the second surface is viewed from above; and the solid electrolyte layer is in contact with an end portion of the interconnector in the second direction, When the lengths of the support body and the overlapping portion along the second direction are W0 and W1, respectively, 0 <W1 / W0≦0.28である。

[0073] Furthermore, (2) in the electrochemical cell of (1) above, the interconnector may have the overlapping portions at both ends in the second direction.

[0074] Furthermore, (3) in the electrochemical cell of (1) or (2) above, the solid electrolyte layer may be located between the support and the interconnector in the overlapping portion.

[0075] (4) In the electrochemical cell of any one of (1) to (3) above, when the thickness of the support is T0, 0 <W1 / T0≦3であってもよい。

[0076] In one embodiment, (5) the electrochemical cell device has a cell stack including any one of the electrochemical cells (1) to (4) above.

[0077] In one embodiment, the module (6) comprises the electrochemical cell device (5) described above, and a container for housing the electrochemical cell device.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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]

[0080] 1 cell 2 Support 2a Flow path 3. Element section 4 Interconnector 5 Fuel electrode 6 Solid electrolyte layer 7. Middle class 8 Air electrode 9 Overlap 10 Cell stack device 100 modules 110 Module storage device

Claims

1. a support having a first surface extending in a first direction, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a side surface connecting an end of the first surface and an end of the second surface in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a solid electrolyte layer facing the first surface and the side surface; an interconnector facing the second surface; an overlapping portion where the solid electrolyte layer and the interconnector overlap when the second surface is viewed from above; and the solid electrolyte layer is in contact with an end portion of the interconnector in the second direction, When the lengths of the support body and the overlapping portion along the second direction are W0 and W1, respectively, 0<W1 / W0≦0.28 Electrochemical cell.

2. The interconnector has the overlapping portions at both ends in the second direction.

10. The electrochemical cell of claim 1.

3. In the overlapping portion, the solid electrolyte layer is located between the support and the interconnector.

10. The electrochemical cell of claim 1.

4. When the thickness of the support is T0, 0<W1 / T0≦3 10. The electrochemical cell of claim 1.

5. A cell stack including the electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Electrochemical cell apparatus.

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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