Electrochemical cell device, module, and module housing device

Abstract

According to the present invention, an electrochemical cell device comprises a cell, a support, and a fixing material. The cell has a first end and extends in a first direction from the first end. The support supports one end part of the cell that includes the one end. The fixing material is positioned between the cell and the support and contacts a first surface of the cell that runs along the first direction and a second direction that intersects the first direction. The first surface includes a contact region that is contacted by the fixing material and a non-contact region that is not contacted by the fixing material. The contact region has a second end on the first end side. With respect to the length in the first direction from the second end to the non-contact region on the opposite side from the first end, a second section that is positioned at an end part in the second direction is longer than a first section that is positioned at a center part in the second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrochemical cell device, a module, and a module housing device.

Background Art

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

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] An electrochemical cell device according to an aspect of an embodiment includes a cell, a support, and a fixing member. The cell has a first end and extends in a first direction from the first end. The support supports one end portion of the cell including the first end. The fixing member is located between the cell and the support and contacts a first surface of the cell along the first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. The first surface includes a contact region that contacts the fixing member and a non-contact region that does not contact the fixing member. The contact region has a second end on the first end side. The length in the first direction from the second end to the non-contact region on the side opposite to the first end is larger at a second portion located at an end in the second direction than at a first portion located at a center in the second direction.

[0005] Further, the electrochemical cell device of the present disclosure includes a first cell, a first support, a second cell, a second support, and a fixing member. The first cell has a first end and extends in a first direction from the first end. The first support supports one end portion of the first cell including the first end. The second cell is adjacent to the first cell with the first support therebetween. The second support supports one end portion of the second cell adjacent to the one end portion of the first cell. The fixing member contacts a first surface of the first cell along the first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second surface of the second cell along the first direction and the second direction, respectively. The first surface includes a contact region in contact with the fixing member and a non-contact region not in contact with the fixing member. The contact region has a second end on the first end side. The length in the first direction from the second end to the non-contact region on the side opposite to the first end is greater at a second portion located at an end portion in the second direction than at a first portion located at a central portion in the second direction. The length in the first direction from the second end to the non-contact region on the side opposite to the first end at the second portion is greater at a first end portion farther from the second cell than at a second end portion closer to the second cell.

[0006] Further, the module of the present disclosure includes the electrochemical cell device described above and a storage container for storing the electrochemical cell device.

[0007] Further, the module housing device of the present disclosure includes the module described above, auxiliary equipment for operating the module, and an exterior case for housing the module and the auxiliary equipment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 1C

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 2C

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

[0009] In a fuel cell stack device, for example, it has a support that supports a plurality of fuel cells. In such a structure, there is room for improvement in the durability of the joint portion between the support and the fuel cell.

[0010] Therefore, there is an expectation for providing an electrochemical cell device, a module, and a module housing device with high durability.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the electrochemical cell device, the module, and the module housing device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments shown below.

[0012] Also, note that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationships of each element, the ratios of each element, etc. may differ from reality. Furthermore, there may be parts where the dimensional relationships and ratios between the drawings are different from each other.

[0013] [First Embodiment] [Configuration of Electrochemical Cell] First, with reference to FIGS. 1A to 1C, as an example of an electrochemical cell according to the embodiment, an example of a solid oxide fuel cell will be described. 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 is simply referred to as a cell stack device.

[0014] 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 as viewed from the air electrode side, and FIG. 1C is a side view of an example of an electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment as viewed from the interconnector side. Note that FIGS. 1A to 1C show a partially enlarged view of each configuration of the electrochemical cell. Hereinafter, the electrochemical cell may also be simply referred to as a cell.

[0015] In the example shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the cell 1 is a hollow flat plate type and is an elongated plate shape. As shown in FIG. 1B, the shape of the entire cell 1 as viewed from the side is, for example, a rectangle with a length of the side in the length direction L of 5 cm to 50 cm and a length in the width direction W orthogonal to this length direction L of, for example, 1 cm to 10 cm. The thickness in the thickness direction T of the entire cell 1 is, for example, 1 mm to 5 mm. The length direction L is an example of the first direction. The width direction W is an example of the second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1A, the cell 1 includes a conductive support substrate 2, an element portion 3, and an interconnector 4. The support substrate 2 is columnar and has a pair of opposing first surfaces n1 and second surfaces n2, and a pair of arcuate side surfaces m connecting the first surfaces n1 and second surfaces n2.

[0017] The element part 3 is located on the first surface n1 of the support substrate 2. The element part 3 has a fuel electrode 5, a solid electrolyte layer 6, and an air electrode 8. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 1A, an interconnector 4 is located on the second surface n2 of the cell 1. Note that the cell 1 may include an intermediate layer 7 between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the air electrode 8.

[0018] Also, as shown in FIG. 1B, the air electrode 8 does not extend to the lower end of the cell 1. At the lower end portion of the cell 1, only the solid electrolyte layer 6 is exposed on the surface of the first surface n1. Also, as shown in FIG. 1C, the interconnector 4 may extend to the lower end of the cell 1. At the lower end portion of the cell 1, the interconnector 4 and the solid electrolyte layer 6 are exposed on the surface. Note that, as shown in FIG. 1A, on the surface of the pair of arc-shaped side surfaces m of the cell 1, the solid electrolyte layer 6 is exposed. The interconnector 4 may not extend to the lower end of the cell 1.

[0019] Hereinafter, each component constituting the cell 1 will be described.

[0020] The support substrate 2 has a gas flow path 2a through which a gas flows inside. The example of the support substrate 2 shown in FIG. 1A has six gas flow paths 2a. The support substrate 2 has gas permeability and permeates the gas flowing through the gas flow path 2a to the fuel electrode 5. The support substrate 2 may have conductivity. The support substrate 2 having conductivity collects the electricity generated in the element part to the interconnector 4.

[0021] 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.

[0022] For the material of the fuel electrode 5, generally known materials can be used. The fuel electrode 5 is a porous conductive ceramic, for example, ZrO in which calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or rare earth element oxide is dissolved 2 and ceramics containing Ni and / or NiO may be used. This 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. ZrO in which calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or rare earth element oxide is dissolved 2 is sometimes referred to as stabilized zirconia. Stabilized zirconia may include partially stabilized zirconia.

[0023] 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 fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas to leak.

[0024] The material of the solid electrolyte layer 6 may be, for example, ZrO in which 3 mol% to 15 mol% of rare earth element oxide is dissolved 2 The rare earth element oxide may contain, 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 contain, for example, ZrO in which Yb, Sc, or Gd is dissolved 2 and may contain CeO in which La, Nd, or Yb is dissolved 2 and may contain BaZrO in which Sc or Yb is dissolved 3 and may contain BaCeO in which Sc or Yb is dissolved 3 and may contain.

[0025] The air electrode 8 has gas permeability. The open porosity of the air electrode 8 may be, for example, in the range of 20% to 50%, particularly 30% to 50%. The open porosity of the air electrode 8 is sometimes referred to as the void ratio of the air electrode 8.

[0026] The material of the air electrode 8 is not particularly limited as long as it is generally used for air electrodes. The material of the air electrode 8 is, for example, so-called ABO 3Conductive ceramics such as perovskite oxides of the

[0027] type may also be used. 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 O 3 、La x Sr 1-x MnO 3 、La x Sr 1-x FeO 3 、La x Sr 1-x CoO 3 and the like. Here, 0 < x < 1 and 0 < y < 1.

[0028] When the element portion 3 has the 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 resistance layer of SrZrO 3 is formed in the solid electrolyte layer 6. The intermediate layer 7 makes it difficult for Sr to diffuse, thereby making it difficult for SrZrO 3 to be formed.

[0029] The material of the intermediate layer 7 is not particularly limited as long as it is generally used for an element diffusion suppression layer between the air electrode 8 and the solid electrolyte layer 6. The material of the intermediate layer 7 may include, for example, cerium oxide (CeO 2 ) in which rare earth elements excluding Ce (cerium) are solid-dissolved. As such rare earth elements, for example, Gd (gadolinium), Sm (samarium), etc. may be used.

[0030] The interconnector 4 is dense and less likely to cause leakage of the fuel gas flowing through the gas flow path 2a located inside the support substrate 2 and the oxygen-containing gas flowing outside the support substrate 2. The interconnector 4 may have a relative density of 93% or more, particularly 95% or more.

[0031] As the material of the interconnector 4, a lanthanum chromite-based perovskite oxide (LaCrO 3 -based oxide), a lanthanum strontium titanium-based perovskite oxide (LaSrTiO 3 -based oxide), etc. may be used. These materials have conductivity and are hardly reduced or oxidized even when they come into contact with fuel gases such as hydrogen-containing gases and oxygen-containing gases such as air.

[0032] <Configuration of the Electrochemical Cell Device> Next, the electrochemical cell device according to the present embodiment using the cell 1 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C. FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing an example of the electrochemical cell device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X shown in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2C is a top view showing an example of the electrochemical cell device according to the first embodiment.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 2A, the cell stack device 10 includes a cell stack 11 having a plurality of cells 1 arranged (stacked) in the thickness direction T (see FIG. 1A) of the cell 1, and a fixing member 12.

[0034] 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. Further, the support member 14 has a support body 15 and a gas tank 16. The support body 15 and the gas tank 16, which are the support members 14, are made of metal and have conductivity.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2B, 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 by the fixing material 13.

[0036] The gas tank 16 has an opening for supplying a reaction gas to the plurality of cells 1 through the insertion holes 15a, and a concave groove 16a located around such an opening. The outer peripheral end of the support body 15 is joined to the gas tank 16 by a bonding material 21 filled in the concave groove 16a of the gas tank 16.

[0037] In the example shown in FIG. 2A, fuel gas is stored in an internal space 22 formed by a support 15, which is a support member 14, and a gas tank 16. A gas flow pipe 20 is connected to the gas tank 16. The fuel gas is supplied to the gas tank 16 through the gas flow 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 by a reformer 102 (see FIG. 8) described later.

[0038] A hydrogen-rich fuel gas can be generated by steam reforming or the like of a raw fuel. When generating a fuel gas by steam reforming, the fuel gas contains steam.

[0039] The example shown in FIG. 2A includes two rows of cell stacks 11, two supports 15, and a gas tank 16. The two rows of cell stacks 11 each have a plurality of cells 1. Each cell stack 11 is fixed to each support 15. The gas tank 16 has two through holes on its upper surface. Each support 15 is disposed in each through hole. The internal space 22 is formed by one gas tank 16 and two supports 15.

[0040] The shape of the insertion hole 15a is, for example, oval in a top view. The insertion hole 15a may be such that, for example, the length in the arrangement direction of the cells 1, that is, the thickness direction T, is larger than the distance between two end collector members 17 located at both ends of the cell stack 11. The width of the insertion hole 15a may be larger than the length in the width direction W (see FIG. 1A) of the cell 1, for example.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2B, the joint between the inner wall of the insertion hole 15a and the lower end portion of the cell 1 is filled with a fixing material 13 and solidified. Thereby, the inner wall of the insertion hole 15a and the lower end portions of the plurality of cells 1 are joined and fixed, respectively, and the lower end portions of the cells 1 are joined and fixed to each other. The gas flow path 2a of each cell 1 communicates with the internal space 22 of the support member 14 at the lower end portion.

[0042] The fixing member 13 and the bonding member 21 can be made of materials with low conductivity such as glass. As specific materials for the fixing member 13 and the bonding member 21, amorphous glass or the like may be used, and particularly, crystallized glass or the like may be used.

[0043] As the crystallized glass, for example, SiO 2 -CaO-based, MgO-B 2 O 3 -based, La 2 O 3 -B 2 O 3 -MgO-based, La 2 O 3 -B 2 O 3 -ZnO-based, SiO 2 -CaO-ZnO-based or any other material of these types may be used, and particularly, an SiO 2 -MgO-based material may be used.

[0044] Also, as shown in FIG. 2B, between adjacent cells 1 among the plurality of cells 1, a conductive member 18 is interposed. The conductive member 18 electrically connects the fuel electrode 5 of one adjacent cell 1 and the air electrode 8 of the other cell 1 in series. More specifically, it connects an interconnector 4 electrically connected to the fuel electrode 5 of one adjacent cell 1 and the air electrode 8 of the other cell 1. The conductive member 18 may be in contact with the fixing member 13 or may be non-contact.

[0045] Also, as shown in FIG. 2B, an end collecting member 17 is electrically connected to the cell 1 located on the outermost side in the arrangement direction of the plurality of cells 1. The end collecting member 17 is connected to a conductive part 19 that protrudes outside the cell stack 11. The conductive part 19 collects the electricity generated by the power generation of the cell 1 and draws it out to the outside. In FIG. 2A, the illustration of the end collecting member 17 is omitted.

[0046] Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, in the cell stack device 10, two cell stacks 11A and 11B are connected in series and function as one battery. Therefore, the conductive portion 19 of the cell stack device 10 is divided into a positive electrode terminal 19A, a negative electrode terminal 19B, and a connection terminal 19C.

[0047] The positive electrode terminal 19A is the positive electrode when the cell stack 11 outputs the generated power to the outside, and is electrically connected to the end collector member 17 on the positive electrode side in the cell stack 11A. The negative electrode terminal 19B is the negative electrode when the cell stack 11 outputs the generated power to the outside, and is electrically connected to the end collector member 17 on the negative electrode side in the cell stack 11B.

[0048] The connection terminal 19C electrically connects the end collector member 17 on the negative electrode side in the cell stack 11A and the end collector member 17 on the positive electrode side in the cell stack 11B.

[0049] <Joining of the support and the electrochemical cell> Next, the joining of the support 15 and the electrochemical cell will be described with reference to FIGS. 2B to 3. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Y-Y shown in FIG. 2C.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, the support 15 and the cell 1 are joined via a fixing material 13. The fixing material 13 is located on the first end 1e side, which is the lower end in the length direction L of the cell 1, and the support 15 supports one end portion of the cell 1 including the first end 1e. In FIG. 3, the shape and structure of the cell 1 are illustrated in a simplified manner.

[0051] Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the fixing material 13 is located between the cells 1 adjacent to each other in the thickness direction T (see FIG. 1A). As shown in FIG. 3, the fixing material 13 is positioned so as to contact the first surface 1b of the cell 1 along the length direction L and the width direction W. The first surface 1b includes a contact region 31 that contacts the fixing material 13 and a non-contact region 32 that does not contact the fixing material 13. The contact region 31 has a second end 31e on the first end 1e side. In FIG. 3, the second end 31e coincides with the first end 1e, but they do not have to coincide.

[0052] Incidentally, the cell 1 that constitutes the cell stack device 10 may be subjected to an external force in the width direction W. In such a case, the fixing member 13 that fixes the cell 1 may develop cracks due to stress concentration associated with the external force received by the cell 1, and the durability of the cell stack device 10 may be reduced.

[0053] Therefore, in the embodiment, according to the ease of stress concentration, the thickness of the fixing member 13 that contacts the cell 1 is changed to disperse the stress generated in the fixing member 13. In the embodiment, the length in the length direction L from the second end 31e of the contact region 31 to the non-contact region 32 is greater in the second part 31b located at the end of the width direction W than in the first part 31a located at the center of the width direction W.

[0054] When the cell 1 is subjected to an external force in the width direction W, stress is more likely to concentrate in the fixing member 13 located at the end of the width direction W than in the fixing member 13 located at the center of the width direction W. By making the thickness of the fixing member 13 in the second part 31b located at the end of the width direction W larger than the thickness of the fixing member 13 in the first part 31a located at the center of the width direction W, the stress received by the fixing member 13 can be dispersed. For this reason, since the durability of the fixing member 13 can be enhanced, the durability of the electrochemical cell device can be enhanced. The thickness of the fixing member 13 in the first part 31a located at the center of the width direction W is the length L1 from the second end 31e of the contact region 31 to the non-contact region 32. The thickness of the fixing member 13 in the second part 31b located at the end of the width direction W is the length L2 from the second end 31e of the contact region 31 to the non-contact region 32.

[0055] The length L2 of the contact region 31 located at the end of the width direction W can be, for example, 1.1×L1≦L2≦2.5×L1, particularly about 1.4×L1≦L2≦1.7×L1, based on the length L1 of the contact region 31 located at the center of the width direction W. In this way, by defining the lengths L1 and L2, even when the cell 1 is subjected to an external force in the width direction W, the stress received by the fixing member 13 can be dispersed, and cracks are less likely to occur in the fixing member 13.

[0056] [Embodiments 2 to 5] The electrochemical cell device according to Embodiments 2 to 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the joint between the support and the electrochemical cell in the electrochemical cell device according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 4, the second end 31e coincides with the first end 1e, but they do not have to coincide.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, on the first surface 1b of the cell 1, the second part 31b located at the end in the width direction W may be located closer to the first part 31a than the end faces 1c and 1d of the cell 1 in the width direction W. Thus, the second part 31b may be located away from both ends of the first surface 1b in the width direction W.

[0058] Also, the first part 31a located at the center in the width direction W may or may not be located at a position equidistant from both ends of the first surface 1b in the width direction W. Further, the contact region 31 of the first surface 1b may have a portion where the fixing material 13 does not contact.

[0059] Also, the fixing material 13 located outside the cell 1 in the width direction W may be flat along the width direction W, or the surface of the fixing material 13 may be inclined with respect to the width direction W such that the thickness of the fixing material 13 varies stepwise.

[0060] Also, the second parts 31b located at both ends in the width direction W may or may not have the same length from the second end 31e of the contact region 31 to the non-contact region 32.

[0061] The electrochemical cell device according to the first and second embodiments may have, for example, only one cell 1 satisfying the above conditions, or may have two or more cells 1. All the cells 1 included in the electrochemical cell device according to the first and second embodiments may satisfy the above conditions. Such an electrochemical cell device can enhance the durability with respect to an electrochemical cell device that does not have the cell 1 satisfying the above conditions.

[0062] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the joint between the support and the electrochemical cell in the electrochemical cell device according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, in the case of having the first cell 1A and the second cell 1B arranged in the width direction W of the cell 1, the length in the longitudinal direction L from the second end 31Ae of the contact region 31 to the non-contact region 32 at the second part 31b of the first cell 1A may be larger at the first end 31b1 away from the second cell 1B than at the second end 31b2 closer to the second cell 1B. Let the length from the second end 31Ae of the contact region 31 to the non-contact region 32 at the first end 31b1 away from the second cell 1B be the length L3, and the length from the second end 31Ae of the contact region 31 to the non-contact region 32 at the second end 31b2 closer to the second cell 1B be the length L4.

[0063] For example, in the cell stack device 10 having the first cell 1A and the second cell 1B arranged in the width direction W, the first cell 1A is more likely to receive an external force in the width direction W at the part away from the second cell 1B than at the part closer to the second cell 1B. Therefore, by making the length L3 at the first end 31b1 of the first surface 1Ab closer to the part of the first cell 1A that is more likely to receive an external force in the width direction W larger than the length L4 at the second end 31b2 closer to the part of the first cell 1A that is less likely to receive an external force in the width direction W, the stress received by the fixing member 13 can be dispersed. As a result, cracks are less likely to occur in the fixing member 13 for fixing the first cell 1A, and the durability of the fixing member 13 can be enhanced, so that the durability of the cell stack device 10 can be enhanced.

[0064] Similarly, with respect to the fixing member 13 that fixes the second cell 1B as well, the length in the longitudinal direction L from the second end 31Be of the contact region 31 to the non-contact region 32 in the second part 31b of the second surface 1Bb corresponding to the first surface 1Ab may be made larger at the second end portion closer to the first cell 1A than at the first end portion farther from the first cell 1A. Thereby, the stress received by the fixing member 13 that fixes the second cell 1B can be dispersed, and it becomes difficult for cracks to occur in the fixing member 13. For this reason, since the durability of the fixing member 13 that fixes the second cell 1B can be enhanced, the durability of the cell stack device 10 can be enhanced. In FIG. 5, the second end 31Ae coincides with the first end 1Ae, and the second end 31Be coincides with the first end 1Be, respectively, but they do not have to coincide.

[0065] The electrochemical cell device according to the third embodiment may have, for example, only one first cell 1A or second cell 1B that satisfies the above conditions, or may have two or more. All the first cells 1A and second cells 1B included in the electrochemical cell device according to the third embodiment may satisfy the above conditions. Such an electrochemical cell device can enhance the durability as compared with an electrochemical cell device that does not have the first cell 1A or second cell 1B that satisfies the above conditions.

[0066] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrochemical cell device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrochemical cell device according to a fifth embodiment.

[0067] The cell stack device 10 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 differs from the cell stack device 10 shown in FIG. 2B in that the length along the longitudinal direction L of the fixing member 13 that fixes the plurality of cells 1 arranged in the thickness direction T varies depending on the distance from the end collector member 17.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 6, the fixing member 13 may be positioned such that the length along the length direction L decreases as it moves away from the end current collecting member 17. Further, the fixing member 13 may be positioned such that the length along the length direction L is larger at a position closer to the end current collecting member 17 than at a position farther from the end current collecting member 17, that is, at a position closer to the center of the cell stack in the arrangement direction. The cell 1 closer to the end current collecting member 17 is more likely to receive an external force. However, by varying the length of the fixing member 13 along the length direction L in this way, even when the cell 1 receives an external force in the thickness direction T, for example, the stress received by the fixing member 13 positioned in the thickness direction T of the cell 1 can be dispersed. Therefore, since the durability of the fixing member 13 can be enhanced, the durability of the electrochemical cell device can be enhanced. The fixing member 13 positioned in the thickness direction T of the cell 1 is, in other words, the fixing member 13 between the cells 1 arranged in the thickness direction T and the fixing member 13 positioned outside the cell stack in the thickness direction T.

[0069] Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the fixing member 13 may be positioned such that the length along the length direction L increases as it moves away from the end current collecting member 17. Further, the fixing member 13 may be positioned such that the length along the length direction L is larger at a position farther from the end current collecting member 17, that is, at the center of the cell stack in the arrangement direction, than at a position closer to the end current collecting member 17. By varying the length of the fixing member 13 along the length direction L in this way, even when the support 15 and / or the gas tank 16 is twisted in response to random vibrations accompanying the driving of the cell stack device 10, for example, the strain of the support 15 and / or the gas tank 16 can be reduced at the center of the cell stack in the arrangement direction, which is more likely to be affected. Therefore, since the durability of the fixing member 13 can be enhanced, the durability of the electrochemical cell device can be enhanced.

[0070] <Module> Next, the module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure using the cell stack device 10 according to each of the above-described embodiments will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing the module according to the embodiment. In FIG. 8, a state is shown in which a front surface and a rear surface, which are parts of the storage container 101, are removed, and the cell stack device 10 of the fuel cell stored inside is taken out backward.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 8, the module 100 includes a storage container 101 and a cell stack device 10 stored in the storage container 101. Further, a reformer 102 is disposed above the cell stack device 10.

[0072] Such a reformer 102 reforms a raw fuel such as natural gas or kerosene to generate a fuel gas and supplies it to the cell 1. The raw fuel is supplied to the reformer 102 through a raw fuel supply pipe 103. Note that the reformer 102 may include a vaporization unit 102a that vaporizes water and a reforming unit 102b. The reforming unit 102b includes a reforming catalyst (not shown) and reforms the raw fuel into a fuel gas. Such a reformer 102 can perform steam reforming, which is an efficient reforming reaction.

[0073] Then, the fuel gas generated by the reformer 102 is supplied to the gas flow path 2a (see FIG. 1A) of the cell 1 through the gas flow pipe 20, the gas tank 16, and the support member 14.

[0074] Further, in the module 100 having the above-described configuration, the temperature inside the module 100 during normal power generation becomes about 500°C to 1000°C due to the combustion of the gas and the power generation of the cell 1.

[0075] In such a module 100, as described above, by incorporating the highly durable cell stack device 10, a highly durable module 100 can be obtained.

[0076] <Module housing device> FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a module housing device according to an embodiment. The module housing device 110 according to this embodiment includes an exterior case 111, the module 100 shown in FIG. 8, and auxiliary equipment (not shown). The auxiliary equipment operates the module 100. The module 100 and the auxiliary equipment are housed in the exterior case 111. Note that some components are omitted in FIG. 9.

[0077] The exterior case 111 of the module housing device 110 shown in FIG. 9 has columns 112 and an exterior plate 113. A partition plate 114 vertically divides the inside of the exterior case 111. The space above the partition plate 114 inside the exterior case 111 is a module housing chamber 115 for housing the module 100, and the space below the partition plate 114 inside the exterior case 111 is an auxiliary equipment housing chamber 116 for housing the auxiliary equipment that operates the module 100. Note that in FIG. 9, the auxiliary equipment housed in the auxiliary equipment housing chamber 116 is omitted.

[0078] Further, the partition plate 114 has an air circulation port 117 for flowing the air in the auxiliary equipment housing chamber 116 to the module housing chamber 115 side. The exterior plate 113 constituting the module housing chamber 115 has an exhaust port 118 for exhausting the air in the module housing chamber 115.

[0079] In such a module housing device 110, as described above, by providing the highly durable module 100 in the module housing chamber 115, a highly durable module housing device 110 can be obtained.

[0080] Note that in the above-described embodiment, the case where a hollow flat support substrate is used is exemplified, but it can also be applied to an electrochemical cell device using a cylindrical support substrate.

[0081] <Other Embodiments> Next, an electrochemical cell device according to other embodiments will be described.

[0082] In each of the above-described embodiments, a so-called "vertical stripe type" electrochemical cell device in which only one element portion including a fuel electrode, a solid electrolyte layer, and an air electrode is provided on the surface of a support substrate has been exemplified. However, the present disclosure can be applied to a so-called "horizontal stripe type" electrochemical cell device in which element portions are provided at a plurality of locations separated from each other on the surface of the support substrate and adjacent element portions are electrically connected to each other.

[0083] Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, a fuel cell, a fuel cell stack device, a fuel cell module, and a fuel cell device have been shown as examples of an "electrochemical cell", an "electrochemical cell device", a "module", and a "module housing device". However, as other examples, an electrolytic cell, an electrolytic cell stack device, an electrolytic module, and an electrolytic device may be used, respectively. The electrolytic cell has a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer, and decomposes water vapor into hydrogen and oxygen, or decomposes carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide and oxygen by supplying electric power. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, an oxide ion conductor or a hydrogen ion conductor has been shown as an example of the electrolyte material of the electrochemical cell, but a hydroxide ion conductor may be used. According to such an electrolytic cell, an electrolytic cell stack device, an electrolytic module, and an electrolytic device, the durability can be enhanced.

[0084] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes, improvements, and the like are possible without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0085] As described above, the electrochemical cell device according to the embodiment includes a cell 1, a support 15, and a fixing member 13. The cell 1 has a first end 1e and extends in a first direction from the first end 1e. The support 15 supports one end portion of the cell including the first end 1e. The fixing member 13 is located between the cell 1 and the support 15 and contacts a first surface 1b of the cell 1 along a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. The first surface 1b includes a contact region 31 that contacts the fixing member 13 and a non-contact region 32 that does not contact the fixing member 13. The contact region 31 has a second end 31e on the first end 1e side. The length in the first direction from the second end 31e to the non-contact region 32 on the side opposite to the first end 1e is larger for a second part 31b located at an end in the second direction than for a first part 31a located at the center in the second direction. Thereby, since the durability of the fixing member 13 can be enhanced, the durability of the electrochemical cell device can be enhanced.

[0086] Also, the electrochemical cell device according to the embodiment includes a first cell 1A, a first support, a second cell 1B, a second support, and a fixing member 13. The first cell 1A has a first end 1Ae and extends in a first direction from the first end 1Ae. The first support supports one end portion of the first cell 1A including the first end 1Ae. The second cell 1B is adjacent to the first cell 1A with the first support interposed therebetween. The second support supports one end portion of the second cell 1B adjacent to one end portion of the first cell 1A. The fixing member 13 is in contact with a first surface 1Ab of the first cell 1A along a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second surface 1Bb of the second cell 1B along the first direction and the second direction, respectively. The first surface 1Ab includes a contact region 31 in contact with the fixing member 13 and a non-contact region 32 not in contact with the fixing member 13. The contact region 31 has a second end 31Ae on the first end 1Ae side. The length in the first direction from the second end 31Ae to the non-contact region 32 on the side opposite to the first end 1Ae is greater for a second part 31b located at an end portion in the second direction than for a first part 31a located at the central portion in the second direction. The length in the first direction from the second end 31Ae to the non-contact region 32 on the side opposite to the first end 1Ae at the second part 31b is greater for a first end portion 31b1 away from the second cell 1B than for a second end portion 31b2 closer to the second cell 1B. Thereby, since the durability of the fixing member 13 can be enhanced, the durability of the electrochemical cell device can be enhanced.

[0087] Also, the module 100 according to the embodiment includes the electrochemical cell device described above and a storage container 101 for storing the electrochemical cell device. Thereby, a module 100 with high durability can be obtained.

[0088] Also, the module housing device 110 according to the embodiment includes the module 100 described above, auxiliary equipment for operating the module 100, and an exterior case for housing the module 100 and the auxiliary equipment. Thereby, a module housing device 110 with high durability can be obtained.

[0089] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. Indeed, the above-described embodiments can be embodied in various forms. Also, the above embodiments may be omitted, substituted, or changed in various forms without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0090] 1 cell 3 element parts 5 fuel electrode 6 solid electrolyte layer 7 intermediate layer 8 air electrode 10 cell stack device 11 cell stack 12 fixing member 13 fixing material 14 support member 15 support 16 gas tank 17 end current collecting member 18 conductive member 100 module 110 module housing device

Claims

1. A cell having a first end and extending in a first direction from the first end, A support for supporting one end of the cell including the first end, A fixing material located between the cell and the support and in contact with a first surface of the cell along the first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction Comprising, The first surface includes a contact area in contact with the fixing material and a non-contact area not in contact with the fixing material, The contact area has a second end located on the first end side, The length in the first direction from the second end to the non-contact area on the side opposite to the first end is greater for a second part located at an end in the second direction than for a first part located at the center in the second direction An electrochemical cell device.

2. A first cell having a first end and extending in a first direction from the first end, A first support for supporting one end of the first cell including the first end, A second cell adjacent to the first cell with the first support interposed therebetween, A second support for supporting one end of the second cell adjacent to one end of the first cell, A fixing material in contact with a first surface of the first cell along the first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction and a second surface of the second cell along the first direction and the second direction respectively Comprising, The first surface includes a contact area in contact with the fixing material and a non-contact area not in contact with the fixing material, The contact area has a second end located on the first end side, The length in the first direction from the second end to the non-contact area on the side opposite to the first end is greater for a second part located at an end in the second direction than for a first part located at the center in the second direction, The length in the first direction from the second end to the non-contact area on the side opposite to the first end at the second part is greater for a first end away from the second cell than for a second end closer to the second cell An electrochemical cell device.

3. The electrochemical cell device according to claim 1 or 2, A storage container for storing the electrochemical cell device A module comprising.

4. The module according to claim 3, Auxiliary equipment for operating the module, An outer case for housing the module and the auxiliary equipment A module housing device comprising.

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