Cell and cell stack device

Abstract

This cell comprises a support, a first electrode, a solid electrolyte layer, and a second electrode. The support is internally provided with a flow path that extends in a first direction, and the support has a first surface, a second surface that is on the reverse side of the first surface, and a pair of side surfaces that connect the first surface and the second surface to each other. The first electrode is on the first surface, the second surface, and the pair of side surfaces. The solid electrolyte layer covers the first electrode. The second electrode is on the solid electrolyte layer. The second electrode has a first end and a second end that is separated from the first end by a boundary part which extends in the first direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to cells and cell stack devices.

Background Art

[0002] A cylindrical cell is known that supplies carbon monoxide and water vapor to a pair of electrodes, respectively, to generate hydrogen.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] A cell according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a support, a first electrode, a solid electrolyte layer, and a second electrode. The support has a flow path extending in a first direction inside, and has a first surface, a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface, and a pair of side surfaces connecting the first surface and the second surface. The first electrode is on the first surface, the second surface, and the pair of side surfaces. The solid electrolyte layer covers the first electrode. The second electrode is on the solid electrolyte layer. The second electrode has a first end and a second end separated from the first end by a boundary portion extending along the first direction.

[0005] A cell according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a support, a first electrode, a solid electrolyte layer, and a second electrode. The support has a flow path extending in a first direction inside, and has a first surface, a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface, and a pair of side surfaces connecting the first surface and the second surface. The first electrode contains a first component and is on the first surface, the second surface, and the pair of side surfaces. The solid electrolyte layer contains the first component and covers the first electrode. The second electrode is on the solid electrolyte layer. The first electrode and the solid electrolyte layer have a third end and a fourth end separated from the third end. Further, between the third end and the fourth end, there is a seal portion that contains the first component, is in airtight contact with the third end and the fourth end, and extends along the first direction.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0006]

Fig. 1A

Fig. 1B

Fig. 1C

Fig. 2

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] In the above cell, for example, there was room for improvement in reliability during manufacturing and / or actual use.

[0008] Therefore, it is expected to provide a cell and a cell stack device that can improve reliability.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the cell and the cell stack device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that this disclosure is not limited by the embodiments shown below.

[0010] Also, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationships of each element, the ratios of each element, etc. may differ from reality. Furthermore, even among the drawings, there may be parts where the dimensional relationships, ratios, etc. of each other are different.

[0011] [Embodiment] <Cell Configuration> FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a cell according to an embodiment. FIG. 1B is a side view of an example of a cell according to an embodiment as viewed from the first member side of the second electrode. FIG. 1C is a side view of an example of a cell according to an embodiment as viewed from the second member side of the second electrode. Note that FIGS. 1A to 1C show a part of each configuration of the cell in an enlarged manner. The cell stack device may include a cell stack having a plurality of cells.

[0012] 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 may be, for example, a rectangle having a length 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 may be, for example, 1 cm to 10 cm. The thickness in the thickness direction T of the entire cell 1 may be, for example, 1 mm to 5 mm.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1A, the cell 1 includes a support 2 and an element part 3. The support 2 has a first surface f1 and a second surface f2 opposite to the first surface f1. The support 2 also has a pair of side surfaces f3 and f4 that connect the first surface f1 and the second surface f2. The outer shape of the support 2 is, for example, columnar. Hereinafter, the first surface f1, the second surface f2, and the side surfaces f3 and f4 may be referred to as the peripheral surface of the support 2.

[0014] The first surface f1 and the second surface f2 may be flat. The pair of side surfaces f3 and f4 may be arcuate curved surfaces protruding in the width direction W from both ends of the first surface f1 and the second surface f2 that are substantially flat.

[0015] The element part 3 is provided on the support 2. Such an element part 3 has a first electrode 5, a solid electrolyte layer 6, and a second electrode 7.

[0016] The support 2 has a flow path 2a extending in the length direction L as the first direction inside. A fluid flows through the flow path 2a. The example of the support 2 shown in FIG. 1A has six flow paths 2a. The support 2 has gas permeability and permeates the first gas flowing through the flow path 2a to the first electrode 5. The support 2 may have conductivity.

[0017] The first electrode 5 is positioned so as to cover the circumferential surface of the support 2. The solid electrolyte layer 6 is positioned so as to cover the first electrode 5.

[0018] The cell 1 has a separation portion 8 on the circumferential surface of the support 2 where the first electrode 5 and the solid electrolyte layer 6 are not located. In other words, the first electrode 5 and the solid electrolyte layer 6 are separated along the circumferential direction of the support 2. Thereby, since the stress of the first electrode 5 and the solid electrolyte layer 6 can be relaxed, cracks are less likely to occur in the first electrode 5 and the solid electrolyte layer 6. The separation portion 8 may have at least one.

[0019] The cell 1 may have two separation portions 8. In the present embodiment, the separation portion 8 has separation portions 8a and 8b on the first surface f1 of the support 2. The first electrode 5 has an electrode 5a located between the separation portions 8a and 8b. The solid electrolyte layer 6 has a solid electrolyte layer 6a located between the separation portions 8a and 8b. Among the separation portions 8a and 8b, one may be on the second surface f2.

[0020] The second electrode 7 has second electrodes 7a and 7b located at both ends in the thickness direction T of the cell 1. The second electrode 7a has first ends 7a1 and 7a2 located at both ends in the width direction W. The second electrode 7b has second ends 7b1 and 7b2 located at both ends in the width direction W.

[0021] On the outer surface of the solid electrolyte layer 6 facing the second electrode 7, there may be a boundary portion 60 where the second electrode 7 is not located. The boundary portion 60 extends along the length direction L and separates the second electrode 7a and the second electrode 7b.

[0022] In other words, the second electrodes 7a and 7b have a first end and a second end separated from the first end by a boundary portion extending along the first direction (length direction L). As a result, the stress on the second electrode 7 can be relaxed, making it less likely for cracks to occur in the second electrode 7.

[0023] The cell 1 may have two or more boundary portions 60. As shown in FIG. 1A, the boundary portion 60 may have two boundary portions 60a and 60b. The boundary portion 60a is located between the first end 7a1 and the second end 7b1. The boundary portion 60b is located between the first end 7a2 and the second end 7b2.

[0024] Also, the second electrode 7 may have two or more portions separated by two or more boundary portions 60. As shown in FIG. 1A, the second electrode 7 may have the second electrodes 7a and 7b.

[0025] The first electrode 5 and the solid electrolyte layer 6 may have end faces e1 to e4. The end face e1 is located at one end of the electrode 5a and the solid electrolyte layer 6a in the width direction W. The end face e2 is located at the other end of the electrode 5a and the solid electrolyte layer 6a in the width direction W.

[0026] The end face e3 is located so as to face the end face e1 of the electrode 5a and the solid electrolyte layer 6a with the separation portion 8a in between. The end face e4 is located so as to face the end face e2 of the electrode 5a and the solid electrolyte layer 6a with the separation portion 8b in between.

[0027] That is, the first electrode 5 and the solid electrolyte layer 6 have the end face e1 and the end face e3 separated from the end face e1. Also, the first electrode 5 and the solid electrolyte layer 6 have the end face e2 and the end face e4 separated from the end face e2. In other words, the first electrode 5 and the solid electrolyte layer 6 have a third end and a fourth end separated from this third end.

[0028] The second electrode 7a may be provided at a position corresponding to the first surface f1. The second electrode 7b may be provided at a position corresponding to the second surface f2. In other words, the second electrodes 7a and 7b may be positioned to face the first surface f1 and / or the second surface f2. Thereby, compared with the case where the second electrode 7 is positioned to face the side surfaces f3 and f4, cracks are less likely to occur in the second electrode 7, and the reliability of the cell 1 is improved.

[0029] The material of the support 2 contains, 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 contain, for example, one or more rare earth elements selected from Sc, Y, La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, and Yb.

[0030] The first electrode 5 contains, for example, Ni or NiO and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). The first electrode 5 may contain Ni or NiO and a material selected from the group consisting of YSZ, gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC or CGO), samarium-doped ceria (SDC), scandia-stabilized zirconia (SSZ), lanthanum strontium gallate magnesite (LSGM), and combinations thereof.

[0031] The solid electrolyte layer 6 has oxide ion conductivity and electron conductivity. The solid electrolyte layer 6 may include, for example, an electronically conducting phase containing doped lanthanum chromite, an electron-conducting metal, or a combination thereof. The solid electrolyte layer 6 may include an ionically conducting phase containing a material selected from gadolinium-doped ceria, samarium-doped ceria, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), lanthanum strontium gallate magnesite (LSGM), scandia-stabilized zirconia (SSZ), zirconia doped with scandium and cerium, and combinations thereof. The doped lanthanum chromite may include strontium-doped chromite lanthanum, iron-doped chromite lanthanum, strontium and iron-doped lanthanum chromite, lanthanum calcium chromite, or a combination thereof. The electron-conducting metal may include Ni, Cu, Ag, Au, Pt, Rh, or a combination thereof.

[0032] The first electrode 5 and the solid electrolyte layer 6 may include a first component described later.

[0033] The second electrode 7 includes, for example, Ni or NiO and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). The second electrode 7 may include Ni or NiO and a material selected from the group consisting of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), ceria gadolinium oxide (CGO), samarium-doped ceria (SDC), scandia-stabilized zirconia (SSZ), lanthanum strontium gallate magnesite (LSGM), and combinations thereof.

[0034] The separation part 8 may have a seal part 9 that connects the first electrode 5 and the solid electrolyte layer 6. The seal part 9 extends along the first direction (length direction L). The seal part 9 may be located between the end face e1 and the end face e3. Also, the seal part 9 may be located between the end face e2 and the end face e4. In other words, the cell 1 may have a seal part 9 between the third end and the fourth end. The seal part 9 may be in airtight contact with the third end and the fourth end.

[0035] The seal part 9 may contain, for example, a first component. The first component may contain, for example, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Thereby, the adhesion strength between the first electrode 5 and the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the support 2 can be improved. Also, when all of the first electrode 5, the solid electrolyte layer 6, and the seal part 9 contain the first component, the molar concentration of the first component contained in the seal part 9 and the molar concentration of the first component contained in the first electrode 5 and / or the solid electrolyte layer 6 may be different or the same. The seal part 9 may contain a plurality of first components. Also, the seal part 9 may contain components other than the first component.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 1B, the seal part 9 may extend to both ends in the length direction L where the separation part 8 is located. The second electrode 7a may be located so as to be in contact with the seal part 9. Thereby, the adhesion strength between the second electrode 7 and the support 2 can be further improved. The seal part 9 may be located so as to protrude from the surface of the solid electrolyte layer 6 toward the second electrode 7a side, or may be flush with the surface of the solid electrolyte layer 6. In the examples shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the second electrode 7a is in contact with the seal part 9 located at both of the separation parts 8a and 8b, but may be in contact only with the seal part 9 located at one of the separation parts 8a and 8b.

[0037] Cell 1 generates hydrogen through an aqueous gas shift reaction between the first gas supplied to the first electrode 5 and the second gas supplied to the second electrode 7. The first gas may be, for example, carbon monoxide (CO). The second gas may be, for example, water vapor (H2O). Cell 1 generates carbon dioxide (CO2) from the carbon monoxide (CO) supplied to the first electrode 5 and generates hydrogen (H2) from the water vapor (H2O) supplied to the second electrode 7.

[0038] <Configuration of the cell stack device> Next, the cell stack device according to the present embodiment using the above-described Cell 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the cell stack device according to the embodiment.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the cell stack device 10 includes a cell stack 15 having a plurality of cells 1 arranged (stacked) in the thickness direction T (see FIG. 1A) of the cell 1, a first manifold 11, a second manifold 12, an inflow channel 13, and an outflow channel 14.

[0040] One end of the plurality of cells 1 in the length direction L (see FIG. 1B) of the cell stack 15 is fixed to the first manifold 11, and the other end is fixed to the second manifold 12.

[0041] The first manifold 11 is connected to the inflow channel 13. A second gas flows into the inflow channel 13. The second gas includes, for example, water vapor (H2O). The water vapor (H2O) flowing in from the inflow channel 13 is supplied to the flow path 2a (see FIG. 1A) from one end of the cell 1 via the first manifold 11.

[0042] The second manifold 12 is connected to the outflow channel 14. The hydrogen discharged from the other end of the cell 1 flows out into the outflow channel 14 via the second manifold 12.

[0043] As described above, when supplying the second gas containing water vapor (H2O) to the first manifold 11, the first gas containing carbon monoxide (CO) may be supplied to the outer periphery of the cell stack device 10. In addition, carbon dioxide (CO2) is generated in the process where the first gas containing carbon monoxide (CO) flows through the outer periphery of the cell stack device 10. In addition, the first gas containing carbon monoxide (CO) may be supplied to the first manifold 11, and the second gas containing water vapor (H2O) may be supplied to the outer periphery of the cell stack device 10.

[0044] As described above, the present disclosure has been described in detail. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and improvements can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. For example, the first electrode 5 and the second electrode 7 included in the cell 1 may be swapped, and the first gas and the second gas supplied to the cell 1 may be swapped.

[0045] In one embodiment, (1) the cell has a flow path extending in a first direction inside, and a support having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a pair of side surfaces connecting the first surface and the second surface, a first electrode on the first surface, the second surface, and the pair of side surfaces, a solid electrolyte layer covering the first electrode, and a second electrode on the solid electrolyte layer and includes the second electrode has a first end and a second end separated from the first end by a boundary portion extending along the first direction.

[0046] Also, (2) in the cell of (1) above, having two or more of the above boundary portions, the second electrode may have two or more portions separated by the two or more boundary portions.

[0047] Also, (3) in the cell of (2) above, the first surface and the second surface are flat, At least a part of the two or more portions of the second electrode may include a first portion at least partially on the first surface and a second portion at least partially on the second surface and separated from the first portion by the two or more boundary portions.

[0048] In one embodiment, (4) the cell includes a flow path extending in a first direction inside, a support having a first surface, a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface, and a pair of side surfaces connecting the first surface and the second surface, a first electrode including a first component and located on the first surface, the second surface, and the pair of side surfaces, a solid electrolyte layer including the first component and covering the first electrode, and a second electrode on the solid electrolyte layer. The cell is provided with The first electrode and the solid electrolyte layer have a third end and a fourth end separated from the third end, and further, between the third end and the fourth end, there is a seal portion including the first component, in airtight contact with the third end and the fourth end, and extending along the first direction.

[0049] Also, in (5) the cell of (4) above, the second electrode may be in contact with the seal portion.

[0050] In one embodiment, (6) the cell stack device has a cell stack including the cell according to any one of (1) to (5) above.

[0051] It should be considered that all the embodiments disclosed this time are 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

[0052] 1 Cell 2 Support 2a Flow Path 3 Element Portion 5 First Electrode 6 Solid electrolyte layer 7 Second electrode 8 Separation part 9 Sealing part 10 Cell stack device 11 First manifold 12 Second manifold 13 Inflow channel 14 Outflow channel 60 Boundary part

Claims

1. A support having a flow path extending in a first direction therein, the support having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a pair of side surfaces connecting the first surface and the second surface; a first electrode on the first surface, the second surface, and the pair of side surfaces; a solid electrolyte layer covering the first electrode; a second electrode overlying the solid electrolyte layer; Equipped with the second electrode has a first end and a second end separated from the first end by a boundary portion extending along the first direction; The boundary portion is a region where the second electrode is not located on the solid electrolyte layer. cell.

2. The boundary portion includes two or more of the above-mentioned boundaries, The second electrode has two or more portions separated by the two or more boundaries. The cell of claim 1 .

3. the first surface and the second surface are flat; The two or more portions of the second electrode include a first portion at least partially on the first surface, and a second portion at least partially on the second surface and separated from the first portion by the two or more boundaries. The cell of claim 2.

4. A support having a flow path extending in a first direction therein, the support having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a pair of side surfaces connecting the first surface and the second surface; a first electrode comprising a first component and overlying the first surface, the second surface, and the pair of side surfaces; a solid electrolyte layer including the first component and covering the first electrode; a second electrode overlying the solid electrolyte layer; Equipped with the first electrode and the solid electrolyte layer have a third end and a fourth end separated from the third end by a separation portion extending along the first direction; the separation portion is a region where the first electrode and the solid electrolyte layer are not located on the support, a seal portion between the third end and the fourth end, the seal portion including the first component, the seal portion being in air-tight contact with the third end and the fourth end and extending along the first direction; The sealing portion is located in the separation portion and connects the first electrode and the solid electrolyte layer. cell.

5. The second electrode is in contact with the seal portion. The cell of claim 4.

6. A support having a flow path extending in a first direction therein, the support having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a pair of side surfaces connecting the first surface and the second surface; a first electrode comprising a first component and overlying the first surface, the second surface, and the pair of side surfaces; a solid electrolyte layer including the first component and covering the first electrode; a second electrode overlying the solid electrolyte layer; Equipped with the second electrode has a first end and a second end separated from the first end by a boundary portion extending along the first direction; the boundary portion is a region in which the second electrode is not located on the solid electrolyte layer, the first electrode and the solid electrolyte layer have a third end and a fourth end separated from the third end by a separation portion extending along the first direction; the separation portion is a region where the first electrode and the solid electrolyte layer are not located on the support, a seal portion between the third end and the fourth end, the seal portion including the first component, the seal portion being in air-tight contact with the third end and the fourth end and extending along the first direction; The sealing portion is located in the separation portion and connects the first electrode and the solid electrolyte layer. cell.

7. A cell stack including the cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Cell stack device.

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