Method of manufacturing an electrocell

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing electrocellular cells that can suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and deformation after molding when densifying electrocellular cells by sequential molding. [Solution] A method for manufacturing an electrocellular cell is provided, which is an SOFC or SOEC and has a rectangular or square reaction surface. This method for manufacturing an electrocellular cell includes a step of pressing the electrocellular cell by sequential molding to densify the peripheral portion of the electrocellular cell, wherein in the sequential molding, the upper and lower sides, which are a pair of opposing sides of the electrocellular cell, are molded from the center of the upper and lower sides in the left-right direction, and then the left and right sides, which are a pair of opposing sides of the electrocellular cell, are molded from the center of the left and right sides in the up-down direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electric cell.

Background Art

[0002] Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) are devices having generally the same configuration. In this specification, SOFCs and SOECs are collectively referred to as "electric cells".

[0003] During operation of an electric cell, gas input and output are performed with the outside, but there is a possibility that gas may leak from the side surface of the electric cell. Here, in order to prevent gas leakage from the side surface of the electric cell, it is conceivable to densify the peripheral portion of the electric cell.

[0004] In relation to the above, for example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-534901), in a fuel cell (SOFC) having a plate (metal support) manufactured by powder metallurgy, the end region (peripheral portion) of the plate is compressed by a pressing method to densify the peripheral portion of the fuel cell.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the fuel cell described in Patent Document 1, since a pressing method is used, a large press is required.

[0007] Therefore, the inventors have been considering densifying the peripheral parts (ends) of the electrolytic cell by pressing them using sequential molding (roll press method). However, sequential molding presents problems such as the occurrence of wrinkles on the reaction surface of the electrolytic cell and large deformation after molding, making it impossible to maintain the rectangular or square shape of the electrolytic cell.

[0008] The present invention addresses the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a method for manufacturing electrocellular cells that can suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and deformation after molding when densifying electrocellular cells by sequential molding. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing an electrocellular cell is provided, which is an SOFC or SOEC and has a rectangular or square reaction surface. This method for manufacturing an electrocellular cell includes a step of pressing the electrocellular cell by sequential molding to densify the peripheral portion, wherein in the sequential molding, the upper and lower sides, which are a pair of opposing sides of the electrocellular cell, are molded from the center of the upper and lower sides in the left-right direction, and then the left and right sides, which are a pair of opposing sides of the electrocellular cell, are molded from the center of the left and right sides in the up-down direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, in sequential molding, the electrolytic cell is molded from the center of the upper and lower edges in the left-right direction, and then molded from the center of the left and right edges in the up-down direction. This suppresses the occurrence of wrinkles and deformation after molding compared to molding from one end to the other on each side of the electrolytic cell. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electric cell. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic method for manufacturing an electric cell according to the embodiment. [Figure 3]Figure 3 is a flowchart showing a specific example of a method for manufacturing an electrolytic cell according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the roll press method. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the molding method in the pressing process. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a comparative example of a molding method in the pressing process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The method for manufacturing an electrolytic cell according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As previously stated, in this specification, "electrolytic cell" is a general term for SOFC and SOEC. In this embodiment, the method for manufacturing an electrolytic cell will be described using the case of an SOFC as an example. However, the electrolytic cell according to this embodiment may also be used as an SOEC.

[0013] (1) Configuration of an electric cell First, the configuration of the electric cell 1 manufactured by the manufacturing method according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electric cell 1. Figure 1 shows the configuration of the peripheral part of the cell structure in the electric cell 1.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the electrocellular cell 1 has an electrolyte layer 2, a pair of electrode layers 3 (cathode electrode layer 3-1 and anode electrode layer 3-2), and a pair of metal support layers 4 (cathode metal support layer 4-1 and anode metal support layer 4-2). These are stacked along the stacking direction. Specifically, the cathode electrode layer 3-1 and anode electrode layer 3-2 are arranged so as to sandwich the electrolyte layer 2. The cathode metal support layer 4-1 and anode metal support layer 4-2 are arranged outside the cathode electrode layer 3-1 and anode electrode layer 3-2. In this embodiment, the reaction surface of the electrocellular cell 1 is configured in a rectangular shape.

[0015] The electrolyte layer 2 is configured to be conductive to oxide ions and impermeable to gases. For example, the electrolyte layer 2 is formed of a dense ceramic. Examples of the ceramic include solid oxide ceramics. Examples of the solid oxide ceramics include zirconia-containing materials. Examples of the zirconia-containing materials include stabilized zirconia doped with yttria, neodymium oxide, samarium, gadolinium, scandium, etc. The thickness of the electrolyte layer 2 is, for example, 0.5 to 20 μm, preferably 1 to 10 μm.

[0016] The cathode electrode layer 3-1 is a part that converts oxygen molecules contained in the cathode gas into oxide ions. For example, the cathode electrode layer 3-1 has a porous conductive ceramic and a cathode catalyst supported on the conductive ceramic. The conductive ceramic is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include scandia-stabilized zirconia (SSZ). The thickness of the cathode electrode layer 3-1 is, for example, 0.3 to 50 μm, preferably 0.5 to 30 μm.

[0017] The anode electrode layer 3-2 is a part that reacts a fuel such as hydrogen with oxide ions to generate electrons. The anode electrode layer 3-2 can also adopt the same configuration as the cathode electrode layer 3-1. For example, the anode electrode layer 3-2 has a porous conductive ceramic and an anode catalyst supported on the conductive ceramic. Examples of the conductive ceramic include scandia-stabilized zirconia (SSZ). The thickness of the anode electrode layer 3-2 is, for example, 0.3 to 50 μm, preferably 0.5 to 30 μm.

[0018] A pair of metal support layers 4 are provided to support the electric cell 1. Each metal support layer 4 generally has a porous structure. For example, each metal support layer 4 is made of SUS.

[0019] Specifically, each metal support layer 4 has a central portion 5 and a peripheral portion (end portion) 6. The central portion 5 is a portion configured to allow gas to permeate and has a porous structure. On the other hand, the peripheral portion 6 has a dense structure so that gas does not leak. As will be described later, the peripheral portion 6 is densified by roll pressing (forging, rolling). Therefore, the thickness of the peripheral portion 6 is smaller than the thickness of the central portion 5.

[0020] The thickness of each metal support layer 4 is not particularly limited. For example, the thickness of each metal support layer 4 in the central portion 5 is 50 to 1000 μm, preferably 100 to 500 μm.

[0021] The above is the schematic configuration of the electric cell 1 according to the present embodiment. During the operation of this electric cell 1, cathode gas (oxygen-containing gas) is supplied to the cathode electrode layer 3-1 through the cathode metal support layer 4-1. Also, anode gas (fuel gas: for example, hydrogen-containing gas) is supplied to the anode electrode layer 3-2 through the anode metal support layer 4-2. Then, in each electrode layer 3 (3-1 and 3-2), a reaction as a fuel cell proceeds and power generation is performed. In each metal support layer 4, since the peripheral portion 6 has a dense structure, gas does not leak from the side surface.

[0022] As described above, the electric cell may be a SOEC. In this case, during operation, water vapor is supplied to the cathode electrode layer 3-1 through the cathode metal support layer 4-1, and hydrogen and oxygen ions are generated by an electrochemical reaction. On the other hand, in the anode electrode layer 3-2, oxygen is generated from oxygen ions by an electrochemical reaction, and the oxygen is taken out through the anode metal support layer 4-2. Thereby, water is electrolyzed.

[0023] (2) Manufacturing method of electric cell Subsequently, a manufacturing method of an electric cell having the above-described configuration will be described. In the present embodiment, the method of creating the peripheral portion 6 is devised.

[0024] Figure 2 is a flowchart schematically showing the manufacturing method of an electrolytic cell according to this embodiment. Schematically, the manufacturing method according to this embodiment comprises a laminate creation step (step S1) and a pressing step (step S2). In the laminate creation step (S1), a laminate having an electrolyte layer, a cathode electrode layer, an anode electrode layer, and a pair of metal support layers is created. In the pressing step (S2), the peripheral portions of the pair of metal support layers are roll-pressed (rolled, compacted) to densify them.

[0025] Preferably, the pressing process (S2) is carried out while the pair of metal support layers are heated. By roll-pressing the periphery of the pair of metal support layers while they are heated, the periphery can be densified while preventing damage to the electrolyte layer. If the periphery of the metal support layers were roll-pressed at room temperature, a large molding load would be required for densification. As a result, a large molding load would also be applied to the electrolyte layer. The electrolyte layer is, for example, a ceramic, which is hard and brittle. Therefore, the electrolyte layer may be damaged during roll-pressing. In contrast, according to this embodiment, heating can soften each metal support layer. Therefore, the molding load required for densification can be reduced, and damage to the electrolyte layer can be prevented.

[0026] The above is an overview of the manufacturing method according to this embodiment. Next, the manufacturing method according to this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0027] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing a specific example of a method for manufacturing an electrolytic cell according to this embodiment. The method for manufacturing an electrolytic cell shown in Figure 3 includes a laminate formation step (S1), a pressing step (S2), a firing step (S3), and a catalyst impregnation step (S4). The pressing step (S2) is performed at any timing after the laminate formation step (S1). For example, the pressing step (S2) can be performed in the firing step (S3). Alternatively, the pressing step (S2) can be performed between the firing step (S3) and the catalyst impregnation step (S4). Alternatively, the pressing step (S2) can be performed after the catalyst impregnation step (S4). The pressing step (S2) may be performed at multiple timings or only once.

[0028] The following provides a more detailed explanation of each step.

[0029] Step S1: Laminate creation First, a laminate is prepared. The method for preparing the laminate is not particularly limited. For example, green sheets, which are precursors to each layer contained in the electric cell, are prepared. Green sheets can be obtained, for example, by preparing a slurry containing the constituent materials of each layer and applying it to a substrate. Next, the green sheets of each layer are laminated and integrated. For example, multiple layers of green sheets can be integrated by using a warm-up-preserving (WIP) press or the like. This gives rise to a laminate. After the preparation of the laminate, degreasing treatment may be performed as needed.

[0030] Step S3: Firing Next, the laminate is fired. The firing temperature is, for example, 900 to 1400°C, preferably 1100 to 1300°C.

[0031] Step S4: Catalyst impregnation After the firing process (S3), each electrode layer is impregnated with a slurry containing a catalyst. Specifically, a slurry containing an anode catalyst is impregnated into the anode electrode layer. In addition, a slurry containing a cathode catalyst is impregnated into the cathode electrode layer. After impregnation, each electrode layer is heat-treated.

[0032] Step S2: Press In the pressing process (S2), the peripheral portion 6 of the electric cell 1 (metal support layer 4) is densified using a roll press (rolling, compaction) method. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the electric cell 1 is densified by compacting the peripheral portion 6 of the metal support layer 4 using a die 7 equipped with rollers. In other words, in the pressing process (S2) of this embodiment, the peripheral portion 6 of the electric cell 1 is densified by sequential forming, rather than by a pressing method using a mold.

[0033] An electric cell can be obtained by the method described above. As stated above, the pressing process (S2) can be carried out at any step after the lamination process (S1).

[0034] By the way, in the pressing process, if we try to densify electric cells using a pressing method with a mold, a large press machine is required, making it impossible to make the production line compact.

[0035] On the other hand, when densifying electrolytic cells using sequential molding with a roll press (rolling, compaction) method, a large press machine is not required, and the production line can be made more compact. However, there is a risk that wrinkles may form on the reaction surface of the electrolytic cell, or that deformation after molding may become large, making it impossible to maintain the rectangular shape of the electrolytic cell, which may reduce the power generation efficiency of the electrolytic cell. In addition, because there is a risk of large deformation after molding, a margin is required to account for deformation after molding, which leads to increased material loss and higher costs. In particular, since electrolytic cells (SOFC, SOEC) are expensive, the impact of material loss on costs is significant.

[0036] Therefore, in this embodiment, when densifying the electric cell by sequential molding, the peripheral portion is molded in the left-right direction along the upper and lower edges from the center of the upper and lower edges of the electric cell 1, and then the peripheral portion is molded in the up-down direction along the left and right edges from the center of the left and right edges. This suppresses the occurrence of wrinkles and deformation after molding compared to molding the peripheral portion along each edge from one end to the other of each edge of the electric cell 1. Consequently, the power generation efficiency of the electric cell 1 can be improved. In addition, since deformation after molding is suppressed, the increase in costs due to material loss can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the electric cell is densified by sequential molding, a large press machine is not required, and the production line can be made more compact.

[0037] The following describes the specific molding method in the pressing process (S2).

[0038] Figure 5 illustrates the forming method in the pressing process (S2) of this embodiment, with Figures 5(a) to (d) showing the sequence of roll pressing (rolling, rolling) in sequential forming. Figures 4(a) to (e) are schematic top views of the electric cell 1.

[0039] Figure 5(a) is a schematic top view of the electrocellular cell 1 before molding. As shown in Figure 5(a), the electrocellular cell 1 has a rectangular reaction surface 10, with a pair of opposing sides, the longer sides being the first side 11 and the second side 12, and the shorter sides being the third side 13 and the fourth side 14. For convenience, the first side 11 will be referred to as the top side 11, the second side as the bottom side 12, the third side as the left side 13, and the fourth side as the right side 14. The corner formed by the top side 11 and the left side 13 will be referred to as the first corner 15, the corner formed by the top side 11 and the right side 14 as the second corner 16, the corner formed by the bottom side 12 and the left side 13 as the third corner 17, and the corner formed by the bottom side 12 and the right side 14 as the fourth corner 18.

[0040] As shown in Figures 5(b) to 5(e), in the molding method of this embodiment, first, the peripheral portion of the electrical cell 1 along the long side, the upper side 11 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the upper side 11), and the peripheral portion along the lower side 12 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the lower side 12) are molded (Figures 5(b) and 5(c)).

[0041] In detail, first, the upper edge 11, which is the longer side, is roll-pressed (formed) along the periphery, starting from the central part 51 and moving to the left (towards the left side 13). As a result, the first corner 15 of the electric cell 1 is slightly deformed, and a portion that slightly protrudes to the left from the reaction surface 10 of the electric cell 1 is formed. Next, the upper edge 11, which is the longer side, is roll-pressed (formed) along the periphery, starting from the central part 51 and moving to the right (towards the right side 14). As a result, the second corner 16 of the electric cell 1 is slightly deformed, and a portion that slightly protrudes to the right from the reaction surface 10 of the electric cell 1 is formed.

[0042] Next, the lower edge 12 is roll-pressed (formed) from the center 52 to the left along the lower edge 12, and then the lower edge 12 is roll-pressed (formed) from the center 52 to the right along the lower edge 12. As a result, the third corner 17 and the fourth corner 18 of the electric cell 1 are slightly deformed, and portions are formed that slightly protrude to the right and left from the reaction surface 10 of the electric cell 1, respectively.

[0043] As described above, the upper and lower sides 11 and 12, which are the longer sides of the electric cell 1, are roll-pressed (formed). Next, the peripheral parts along the left side 13 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the left side 13) and the peripheral parts along the right side 14 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the right side 14) of the electric cell 1 are formed (Figure 5(d)(e)).

[0044] In detail, after forming the long side of the electric cell 1, the left side 13, which is the short side, is roll-pressed (formed) along the periphery, starting from the central part 53 and moving upward (towards the upper side 11). As a result, the first corner 15 of the electric cell 1 is slightly deformed upward, forming a portion that slightly protrudes upward from the reaction surface 10 of the electric cell 1. As a result, as shown in Figure 5(d), a deformed portion 151 is formed that slightly protrudes to the left and upward from the first corner 15 of the reaction surface 10 of the electric cell 1. Next, the left side 13, which is the short side, is roll-pressed (formed) along the periphery, starting from the central part 53 and moving downward (towards the lower side 12). As a result, the third corner 17 of the electric cell 1 is slightly deformed downward, forming a portion that slightly protrudes downward from the reaction surface 10 of the electric cell 1. As a result, as shown in Figure 5(d), a deformed portion 171 is formed that slightly protrudes to the left and downward from the third corner 17 of the reaction surface 10 of the electric cell 1.

[0045] Next, the right side 14, which is the shorter side, is roll-pressed upwards from the central part 54 and then roll-pressed downwards from the central part 54 and roll-pressed downwards from the central part 54 and roll-pressed downwards from the right side 14 and then roll-pressed downwards from the central part 54 and then roll-pressed downwards from the right side 14. As a result, the second corner 16 and the fourth corner 18 of the electric cell 1 are slightly deformed upwards and downwards, respectively, and portions that slightly protrude upwards and downwards from the reaction surface 10 of the electric cell 1 are formed. As a result, as shown in Figure 5(e), a deformed portion 161 that slightly protrudes to the right and upwards from the second corner 16 of the reaction surface 10 of the electric cell 1, and a deformed portion 181 that slightly protrudes to the right and downwards from the fourth corner 18 of the reaction surface 10 of the electric cell 1 are formed. The deformed portions 151, 161, 171, and 181 that protrude from the reaction surface 10 of the electric cell 1 become material loss.

[0046] As described above, in this embodiment, the electrical cell 1 is formed from the central parts 51 and 52 of the upper and lower sides 11 and 12 in the left-right direction, and from the central parts 53 and 54 of the left and right sides 13 and 14 of the electrical cell 1 in the up-down direction. Therefore, compared to forming from one end to the other on each side of the electrical cell 1, the occurrence of wrinkles is suppressed. Also, because the electrical cell 1 is formed from the central parts 51, 52, 53, and 54 in the left-right and up-down directions, the deformation direction at each corner 15, 16, 17, and 18 is symmetrical left-right and up-down, making it difficult for the rectangular shape of the electrical cell 1 to collapse. Consequently, compared to roll pressing (forming) from one end to the other on each side of the electrical cell 1, deformation after forming is suppressed, and the flatness of the reaction surface 10 is maintained. Furthermore, since the forming is performed from the central parts 51, 52, 53, and 54 in the left-right and up-down directions, the roll press (forming) distance on each side of the electric cell 1 is short, and deformation of the electric cell 1 is suppressed compared to when the roll press (forming) is performed from one end to the other on each side of the electric cell 1. Note that if the roll press (forming) distance is long, the amount of deformation of the electric cell 1 will exceed the amount proportional to the distance. In this way, the occurrence of wrinkles and deformation after forming is suppressed, so the power generation efficiency of the electric cell 1 can be improved. In addition, because deformation after forming is suppressed, the increase in costs due to material loss can be suppressed.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the longer sides (upper side 11 and lower side 12) of the electric cell 1, which are prone to wrinkles and deformation during molding, are molded first, and then the shorter sides (left side 13 and right side 14), which are less prone to wrinkles and deformation during molding, are molded first. This further suppresses the occurrence of wrinkles and deformation after molding. Additionally, by molding the longer sides (upper side 11 and lower side 12), which have a longer molding distance, first, and then densifying the peripheral areas along the longer sides (upper side 11 and lower side 12) of the electric cell 1, before molding the shorter sides (left side 13 and right side 14), wrinkles and deformation are less likely to occur during the molding of the shorter sides (left side 13 and right side 14). Consequently, the occurrence of wrinkles and deformation after molding are further suppressed.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper edge 11 is formed first, then the lower edge 12, then the left edge 13, and finally the right edge 14. If the upper edge 11 and lower edge 12, and the right edge 14 and left edge 13 are formed simultaneously, wrinkles tend to form towards the center of the reaction surface 10. In contrast, in this embodiment, since the upper edge 11 and lower edge 12, and the right edge 14 and left edge 13 are not formed simultaneously, the formation of wrinkles towards the center of the reaction surface 10 is further suppressed.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper edge 11 and lower edge 12 are formed by first forming them to the left from the central portion 51, 52, and then forming them to the right, while the left edge 13 and right edge 14 are formed by first forming them upward from the central portion 53, 54, and then forming them downward. In this way, since the left and right directions are not formed simultaneously from the central portion 51, 52, and the up and down directions are not formed simultaneously from the central portion 53, 54, it is possible to prevent areas in the central portion 51, 52, 53, and 54 that are not roll-pressed (uncompacted areas). Therefore, gas leakage is more reliably prevented.

[0050] Next, a comparative example is shown in Figure 6.

[0051] In the comparative example shown in Figure 6, the periphery of each side of the electric cell 1' (top side 11', left side 13', bottom side 12', right side 14') is roll-pressed (formed) along each side of the electric cell 1' from one end to the other. In other words, the periphery of the electric cell 1' is formed in a single continuous line. Specifically, first, the periphery of the top side 11' is formed along the top side 11' from the right side 14' end to the left side 13' end (Figure 6(b)), and then the periphery of the left side 13' is formed along the left side 13' from the top side 11' end to the bottom side 12' end (Figure 6(c)). Next, the periphery is formed along the lower edge 12' from the left edge 13' side of the lower edge 12' to the right edge 14' side (Figure 6(d)), and the periphery is formed along the right edge 14' from the lower edge 12' side of the right edge 14' to the upper edge 11' side (Figure 6(e)). As a result, a deformed portion 151' is formed at the first corner 15' of the electric cell 1', which protrudes significantly to the left from the reaction surface 10', and a deformed portion 171' is formed at the third corner 17', which protrudes significantly downward from the reaction surface 10'. Additionally, a deformed portion 181' is formed at the fourth corner 18' of the electric cell 1', which protrudes significantly to the right from the reaction surface 10', and a deformed portion 161' is formed at the second corner 16', which protrudes significantly upward from the reaction surface 10'. The deformed portions 151', 161', 171', and 181' that protrude from the reaction surface 10' of the electric cell 1' represent material loss.

[0052] As described above, in the comparative example (where molding is performed from one end to the other on each side of the electric cell), the molding distance in one direction is long, resulting in large deformation after molding, and the rectangular shape of the reaction surface 10' of the electric cell 1' cannot be maintained. Also, because the molding distance in one direction is long, wrinkles tend to be large. Therefore, there is a risk that the power generation efficiency will deteriorate. In addition, in the comparative example, because the molding distance in one direction is long, the amount of material overflowing from the reaction surface 10' is large, resulting in large material loss. In contrast, in this embodiment (Figure 4), as described above, molding is performed from the central parts 51, 52, 53, 54 in the left-right and up-down directions, so the occurrence of wrinkles is suppressed. Also, because the molding distance in one direction is short and the deformation direction is symmetrical left-right and up-down at each corner 15, 16, 17, 18, deformation after molding is suppressed. Therefore, the power generation efficiency is improved. Also, because deformation after molding is suppressed, material loss is suppressed. Therefore, when the same amount of material is used, the reaction surface 10 can be made larger in this embodiment compared to the comparative example. In comparative examples with significant material loss, maintaining a reaction surface 10' equivalent to that of this embodiment requires a larger margin to account for deformation after molding, which increases the amount of material and thus the cost.

[0053] According to the manufacturing method of the electric cell 1 of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0054] The manufacturing method for the electric cell 1 of this embodiment includes a step of pressing the electric cell 1 by sequential molding to densify the peripheral portion of the electric cell 1. In sequential molding, the pair of opposing sides of the electric cell 1, the upper side 11 and the lower side 12, are molded from the central portions 51 and 52 of the upper side 11 and the lower side 12 in the left-right direction, and then the pair of opposing sides of the electric cell 1, the left side 13 and the right side 14, are molded from the central portions 53 and 54 of the left side 13 and the right side 14 in the up-down direction. This suppresses the occurrence of wrinkles and deformation after molding compared to molding each side of the electric cell 1 from one end to the other. Therefore, the power generation efficiency of the electric cell 1 can be improved. In addition, since deformation after molding is suppressed, the increase in costs due to material loss can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the electric cell 1 is densified by sequential molding, a large press machine is not required, and the production line can be made more compact.

[0055] In the manufacturing method of the electric cell 1 of this embodiment, in sequential molding, the upper side 11 and lower side 12, which are the long sides of the electric cell 1, are molded first, and then the left side 13 and right side 14, which are the short sides of the electric cell 1, are molded. In this way, the long sides of the electric cell 1, which are prone to wrinkles and deformation during molding, are molded first, and then the short sides, which are less prone to wrinkles and deformation during molding, are molded first, thereby further suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles and deformation after molding. Furthermore, by molding the long sides, which have a longer molding distance, first, and densifying the periphery of the long sides of the electric cell 1, before molding the short sides, which have a shorter molding distance, wrinkles and deformation are less likely to occur when molding the short sides (left side 13 and right side 14). Therefore, the occurrence of wrinkles and deformation after molding are further suppressed.

[0056] According to the manufacturing method of the electric cell 1 of this embodiment, the upper edge 11 of the electric cell 1 is formed first, then the lower edge 12 is formed, then the left edge 13 is formed, and finally the right edge 14 is formed. In this way, the upper edge 11 and lower edge 12, and the right edge 14 and left edge 13 are not formed simultaneously, so the occurrence of wrinkles in the center of the reaction surface 10 is further suppressed.

[0057] In the manufacturing method of the electric cell 1 of this embodiment, the upper edge 11 and lower edge 12 are formed by first forming them to the left from the central portion 51, 52, and then forming them to the right, while the left edge 13 and right edge 14 are formed by first forming them upward from the central portion 53, 54, and then forming them downward. In this way, since the left and right directions are not formed simultaneously from the central portion 51, 52, and the up and down directions are not formed simultaneously from the central portion 53, 54, it is possible to prevent the formation of unformed areas in the central portion 51, 52, 53, and 54. Therefore, gas leakage is more reliably prevented.

[0058] In this embodiment, the reaction surface 10 of the electric cell 1 is rectangular, but it is not necessarily limited to this, and the reaction surface 10 of the electric cell 1 may have any shape with four sides. For example, the reaction surface 10 of the electric cell 1 may be square. Alternatively, it may be trapezoidal or rhombus-shaped.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the long side is formed in the order of the top side 11 and the bottom side 12, and the short side is formed in the order of the left side 13 and the right side 14, but it is not limited to this, and the long side may be formed in the order of the bottom side 12 and the top side 11, and the short side may be formed in the order of the right side 14 and the left side 13. That is, for the long side, one of the top side 11 and the bottom side 12 may be formed first, and then the other may be formed, and for the short side, one of the left side 13 and the right side 14 may be formed first, and then the other may be formed.

[0060] Furthermore, the upper edge 11 and lower edge 12 may be formed simultaneously on the longer side, and the left edge 13 and right edge 14 may be formed simultaneously on the shorter side. In this case, wrinkles tend to form towards the center of the reaction surface 10, but the processing time can be shortened.

[0061] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, it is preferable to form the longer sides (top side 11, bottom side 12) first, followed by the shorter sides (right side 14, left side 13). However, this is not necessarily the case, and the shorter sides (right side 14, left side 13) may be formed first, followed by the longer sides (top side 11, bottom side 12). Even in this case, forming from the central parts 51, 52, 53, 54 of each side in the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively, can suppress the occurrence of wrinkles and deformation after forming.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper edge 11 and lower edge 12 are formed by forming them to the left from the central part 51, 52, and then forming them to the right, and the left edge 13 and right edge 14 are formed by forming them upward from the central part 53, 54, and then forming them downward, but this is not limited to this. For example, the upper edge 11 and lower edge 12 may be formed by forming them to the right from the central part 51, 52, and then forming them to the left, and the left edge 13 and right edge 14 may be formed by forming them downward from the central part 53, 54, and then forming them upward. That is, the upper edge 11 and lower edge 12 may be formed by forming them in one direction of left or right from the central part 51, 52, and then forming them in the other direction, and the left edge 13 and right edge 14 may be formed by forming them in one direction of up or down from the central part 53, 54, and then forming them in the other direction.

[0063] Furthermore, for forming the upper edge 11 and lower edge 12, they may be formed simultaneously in the left-right direction from the central parts 51 and 52 of the upper edge 11 and lower edge 12, and for forming the left edge 13 and right edge 14, they may be formed simultaneously in the up-down direction from the central parts 53 and 54 of the left edge 13 and right edge 14. In this case, there is a risk that some parts in the central parts 51, 52, 53, and 54 will not be formed, but by setting a smaller roll diameter, this unformed area can be minimized, and by preventing gas leakage, the processing time can be shortened.

[0064] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments only represent a part of the application examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configurations of the above embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1...Electron cell, 2...Electrolyte layer, 3...Electrode layer, 3-1...Cathode electrode layer, 3-2...Anode electrode layer, 4...Metal support layer, 4-1...Cathode metal support layer, 4-2...Anode metal support layer, 5...Center, 6...Peripheral, 7...Mold, 11...Top edge, 12...Bottom edge, 13...Left edge, 14...Right edge

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an electrocellular cell that is SOFC or SOEC and has a rectangular or square reaction surface, The process includes pressing the peripheral portion of the aforementioned electric cell by sequential molding to densify it, In the sequential molding process described above, the upper and lower sides, which are a pair of opposing sides of the electrocellular cell, are molded from the center of the upper and lower sides in the left-right direction, and then the left and right sides, which are a pair of opposing sides of the electrocellular cell, are molded from the center of the left and right sides in the up-down direction. A method for manufacturing electrolytic cells.

2. A method for manufacturing an electric cell according to claim 1, The aforementioned electric cell has a rectangular reaction surface, In the sequential molding process described above, after molding the upper and lower sides, which are the longer sides of the electric cell, the left and right sides, which are the shorter sides of the electric cell, are molded. A method for manufacturing electrolytic cells.

3. A method for manufacturing an electrolytic cell according to claim 1 or 2, The molding of the upper and lower edges is performed by molding one of the upper and lower edges first, and then molding the other. The molding of the left and right sides is performed by molding one of the left and right sides first, and then molding the other side. A method for manufacturing electrolytic cells.

4. A method for manufacturing an electrolytic cell according to claim 1 or 2, The upper and lower edges are formed simultaneously. The left and right sides are formed simultaneously. A method for manufacturing electrolytic cells.

5. A method for manufacturing an electric cell according to claim 3, The upper and lower edges are formed by first forming them in one direction (left or right) from the center of the upper and lower edges, and then forming them in the other direction. The left and right sides are formed by first forming them in one of the vertical directions from the center of the left and right sides, and then forming them in the other direction. A method for manufacturing electrolytic cells.

6. A method for manufacturing an electric cell according to claim 4, The upper and lower edges are formed by first forming them in one direction (left or right) from the center of the upper and lower edges, and then forming them in the other direction. The left and right sides are formed by first forming them in one of the vertical directions from the center of the left and right sides, and then forming them in the other direction. A method for manufacturing electrolytic cells.

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