Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Abstract

To provide a solid oxide fuel cell capable of increasing the heating efficiency and raising the temperature of an inner structure to a target temperature (an operation temperature) in a short time and with low energy.SOLUTION: A solid oxide fuel cell 100 comprises: an electrolyte ceramic 3; an electrode part 1 that comprises an anode electrode 4 and a cathode electrode 5 sandwiching the electrolyte ceramic 3 from both sides; a metal frame 2 arranged around the electrode part 1 so as to sandwich the electrode part 1 from both sides, being physically in contact with the anode electrode 4 and the cathode electrode 5, respectively; and a power feeding port 7 electrically connected with the metal frame 2 to feed high-frequency power to the metal frame 2. The shapes, sizes and materials of the electrode part 1 and the metal frame 2 are selected so that the resonance frequency of the electrode part 1 becomes a target resonance frequency. The transmission frequency from a high-frequency oscillator 8 is adjusted to be the target resonance frequency.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell.

Background Art

[0002] A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC: Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) is a fuel cell in which a cell is configured by sandwiching an electrolyte ceramic between an anode layer and a cathode layer on both sides. The SOFC has a high operating temperature, and in order to start power generation, it is necessary to heat internal structures (such as cells) to nearly 700 degrees.

[0003] Conventionally, as a method for heating this SOFC, a heating method of heating an external structure (such as a housing) using a gas burner or the like is known. However, in this heating method using a gas burner, since the internal structure is indirectly heated using the heat applied to the external structure, the heating efficiency is low, and there is a problem that a long time and a large amount of energy are required until the internal structure reaches the target temperature (operating temperature). In addition, in the heating method using a gas burner, there is a problem that emissions such as NOx (nitrogen oxides) are generated.

[0004] Therefore, conventionally, a method of heating by irradiating microwaves to a power generation body (cell) of an SOFC has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to this heating method using microwaves, the generation of emissions such as NOx (nitrogen oxides) is suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, even with the conventional heating method using microwaves, a sufficiently high heating efficiency cannot be obtained, and there is a problem that a long time and a large amount of energy are still required until the internal structure reaches the target temperature (operating temperature).

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a solid oxide fuel cell capable of raising the temperature of an internal structure to a target temperature (operating temperature) with high heating efficiency, in a short time, and with a small amount of energy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The solid oxide fuel cell of the present invention includes an electrode part including an electrolyte ceramic, an anode electrode and a cathode electrode sandwiching the electrolyte ceramic from both sides, a metal frame disposed around the electrode part so as to sandwich the electrode part from both sides and physically contacting the anode electrode and the cathode electrode respectively, and a power supply port electrically connected to the metal frame for supplying high-frequency power to the metal frame. The shapes, sizes, and materials of the electrode part and the metal frame are selected so that the resonance frequency of the electrode part becomes a predetermined target resonance frequency, and the transmission frequency from a high-frequency oscillator that generates the high-frequency is adjusted to become the predetermined target resonance frequency.

[0009] According to this configuration, when power is supplied to the metal frame disposed around the electrode part from the power supply port, high-frequency is directly supplied to the electrode part through the metal frame, and the electrode part is heated by the supplied high-frequency. In this case, since the internal structure is directly heated using the high-frequency applied to the internal structure (electrode part), the temperature of the internal structure can be raised to the target temperature (operating temperature) with high heating efficiency, in a short time, and with a small amount of energy. Moreover, since the transmission frequency from the high-frequency oscillator and the resonance frequency of the electrode part are configured to be the same (predetermined target resonance frequency), the high-frequency supplied to the electrode part resonates in the electrode part, and the heating efficiency by the high-frequency can be improved.

[0010] Further, in the solid oxide fuel cell of the present invention, the high-frequency oscillator includes a transmission frequency adjustment unit configured to adjust the transmission frequency of the high frequency oscillated from the high-frequency oscillator, and the transmission frequency adjustment unit may be configured to cause the transmission frequency of the high-frequency oscillator to follow the resonance frequency of the electrode unit that changes according to the temperature of the electrode unit.

[0011] According to this configuration, even if the resonance frequency of the electrode unit changes according to the temperature change of the electrode unit (the temperature changes from room temperature to nearly 700 degrees), the oscillation frequency of the high-frequency oscillator and the resonance frequency of the electrode unit can be made to match. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the heating efficiency by high frequency due to the temperature change of the electrode unit.

[0012] Further, the solid oxide fuel cell of the present invention may include a plurality of the electrode units having different resonance frequencies, and the high-frequency oscillator may be configured to be able to transmit high frequencies at the plurality of different oscillation frequencies.

[0013] According to this configuration, the solid oxide fuel cell includes a plurality of electrode units having different resonance frequencies, and the high-frequency oscillator can transmit high frequencies at a plurality of different oscillation frequencies. For example, when there are three electrode units with different resonance frequencies (one outer electrode unit A, the middle electrode unit B, and the other outer electrode unit C), the resonance frequencies of these three electrode units (the resonance frequency f A of electrode unit A, the resonance frequency f B of electrode unit B, and the resonance frequency f C of electrode unit C), and by simultaneously transmitting high frequencies of the same three frequencies (f A , f B , f C ) from the high-frequency oscillator, the three electrode units (electrode unit A, electrode unit B, electrode unit C) can be efficiently heated simultaneously. Also, when it is desired to heat only a certain electrode unit (the middle electrode unit B) among the three electrode units, by supplying high frequency at the resonance frequency of that electrode unit (the resonance frequency f B of electrode unit B), the target electrode unit (the middle electrode unit B) can be efficiently heated.

[0014] Further, in the solid oxide fuel cell of the present invention, the high-frequency oscillator may include a frequency control unit that individually controls the plurality of different oscillation frequencies.

[0015] According to this configuration, by individually controlling the high-frequency power of the three frequencies (f A , f B , f C ) transmitted to the power supply port, the heating temperatures of the three electrode portions (electrode portion A, electrode portion B, electrode portion C) can be individually controlled.

[0016] Further, in the solid oxide fuel cell of the present invention, the high-frequency oscillator that generates the high-frequency may include a power control unit that controls the high-frequency power supplied to the power supply port according to the temperature of the electrode portion.

[0017] According to this configuration, the high-frequency power supplied to the power supply port is controlled according to the temperature of the electrode portion. When the temperature of the electrode portion becomes high, the high-frequency power supplied to the power supply port can be less (compared to when the temperature of the electrode portion was low). Therefore, by reducing the high-frequency power supplied to the power supply port as the temperature of the electrode portion increases, the total high-frequency power supplied can be reduced.

[0018] Further, in the solid oxide fuel cell of the present invention, the high-frequency oscillator that generates the high-frequency may include a pulse drive control unit that pulse-drives on the time axis.

[0019] According to this configuration, the high-frequency oscillator is controlled to be pulse-driven (pulse drive control) on the time axis. Even if the high-frequency oscillator is pulse-driven (for example, on-off control), if the on-off control duty ratio is set such that the temperature rise during the on-time exceeds the temperature drop during the off-time, the temperature of the electrode portion can be sufficiently increased. When under on-control, high-frequency power is supplied to the power supply port, but when under off-control, no high-frequency power is supplied to the power supply port. Therefore, the total high-frequency power supplied can be reduced. Also, even if there is a bias in the position of the cell to be heated, the temperature of the cell can be equalized by the diffusion of the cell temperature during the off-time. Further, by reducing the continuous operation time of the high-frequency oscillator, the life of the high-frequency oscillator can be extended.

[0020] Further, the solid oxide fuel cell of the present invention may include a switch circuit that switches the supply destination of the high-frequency power supplied from the high-frequency oscillator to the power supply port to the power supply port of another solid oxide fuel cell, and a switch drive control unit that controls the switch circuit.

[0021] According to this configuration, the supply destination of the high-frequency power supplied from the high-frequency oscillator to the power supply port is switched to the power supply port of another solid oxide fuel cell by controlling the switch circuit by the switch drive control unit. Thereby, it becomes possible to continuously supply high-frequency power from one high-frequency oscillator to the power supply ports of a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells on the time axis. For example, the duty ratio of the switch drive control may be varied according to the temperature difference of the electrode portions of the respective solid oxide fuel cells. Also, it may be varied according to the ratio of the physical sizes of the respective solid oxide fuel cells.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, the temperature of the internal structure can be raised to the target temperature (operating temperature) with high heating efficiency, in a short time, and with a small amount of energy.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, the solid oxide fuel cell according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the case of a solid oxide fuel cell used in electronic devices, electric vehicles, etc. is exemplified.

[0025] (First Embodiment) The configuration of the solid oxide fuel cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the solid oxide fuel cell according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main part of the solid oxide fuel cell according to this embodiment.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the solid oxide fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment includes a flat electrode portion 1 and a flat metal frame 2 disposed so as to sandwich the electrode portion 1 from both sides (upper and lower sides in FIG. 1). The metal frame 2 has an opening in the center (see FIG. 2). The electrode portion 1 is composed of a flat electrolyte ceramic 3 (dielectric), and an anode electrode 4 and a cathode electrode 5 that sandwich the electrolyte ceramic 3 from both sides (upper and lower sides in FIG. 1). It can also be said that the cell unit 6 (cell configuration) is composed of the electrode portion 1 and the metal frame 2.

[0027] The metal frame 2 is physically in contact with the anode electrode 4 and the cathode electrode 5. In the example of FIG. 1, the upper metal frame 2 is physically in contact with the anode electrode 4, and the lower metal frame 2 is physically in contact with the cathode electrode 5. A power supply port 7 is electrically connected to the metal frame 2. A high-frequency oscillator 8 is electrically connected to the power supply port 7, and high-frequency (for example, microwave) power is supplied from the power supply port 7 to the metal frame 2.

[0028] In the solid oxide fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment, the shape, size, and material of the electrode portion 1 and the metal frame 2 are selected so that the resonance frequency of the electrode portion 1 becomes a predetermined target resonance frequency. Further, the transmission frequency from the high-frequency oscillator 8 is adjusted to be the above target resonance frequency. For example, the shapes of the electrode portion 1 and the metal frame 2 are made square in plan view (see FIG. 2), the size of the metal frame 2 is 65 mm in length and 41 mm in width, the size of the opening of the metal frame 2 is 48 mm in length and 18 mm in width, the sizes of the anode electrode 4 and the cathode electrode 5 are 50.4 mm in length, 23.7 mm in width, and 0.18 mm in thickness, the size of the electrolyte ceramic 3 is 49.6 mm in length, 19.8 mm in width, and 0.2 mm in thickness, and the material of the electrode portion 1 is a material with an electrical conductivity of 1.66×10 6 S / m (for example, as the material of the anode electrode 4, for example, NiO (nickel oxide) etc. are used, and as the material of the cathode electrode 5, for example, LSCF (lanthanum-strontium-cobalt-iron), LSM (lanthanum-strontium-manganese) etc. are used), and the material of the metal frame 2 is an electrical conductivity of 1.66×106 The material of 6 (for example, SUS (stainless steel), etc. is used), and the material of the electrolyte ceramic 3 is a material with a dielectric constant of 20.5 and a dielectric loss tangent of 0.01 (for example, YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia), GDC (gadolinium-doped ceria), etc. are used), then the resonance frequency of the electrode portion 1 becomes the target resonance frequency of 740 MHz.

[0029] According to such a solid oxide fuel cell 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention, when power is supplied from the power supply port 7 to the metal frame 2 disposed around the electrode portion 1, high-frequency waves are directly supplied to the electrode portion 1 through the metal frame 2, and the electrode portion 1 is heated by the supplied high-frequency waves. In this case, since the internal structure (electrode portion 1) is directly heated using the high-frequency waves applied to the internal structure, the heating efficiency is high, and the temperature of the internal structure can be raised to the target temperature (operating temperature) in a short time with a small amount of energy.

[0030] Moreover, the solid oxide fuel cell 100 of the present embodiment is configured such that the transmission frequency from the high-frequency oscillator 8 and the resonance frequency of the electrode portion 1 are the same (predetermined target resonance frequency). Therefore, the high-frequency waves supplied to the electrode portion 1 resonate in the electrode portion 1, and the heating efficiency by the high-frequency waves can be improved.

[0031] (Second Embodiment) Next, the solid oxide fuel cell of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, the description will focus on the points where the solid oxide fuel cell of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment. Unless otherwise particularly mentioned, the configuration and operation of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the solid oxide fuel cell according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the solid oxide fuel cell 200 according to the present embodiment includes a temperature sensor 9 that measures the temperature of the electrode portion 1, and a transmission frequency adjustment unit 10 configured to adjust the transmission frequency of the high frequency oscillated from the high frequency oscillator 8. The transmission frequency adjustment unit 10 is configured to cause the transmission frequency of the high frequency oscillator 8 to follow the resonance frequency of the electrode portion that changes according to the temperature of the electrode portion 1. For example, when the resonance frequency of the electrode portion 1 changes at a rate of -50 MHz / 500 degrees according to the temperature of the electrode portion 1, the transmission frequency adjustment unit 10 controls the transmission frequency of the high frequency oscillator 8 to change at a rate of -100 kHz / degree.

[0033] Also, with the solid oxide fuel cell 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention as described above, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved.

[0034] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, even if the resonance frequency of the electrode portion 1 changes according to the temperature change of the electrode portion 1, the oscillation frequency of the high frequency oscillator 8 and the resonance frequency of the electrode portion 1 can be made to match. For example, in a general SOFC, the temperature of the electrode portion 1 changes from room temperature to nearly 700 degrees, but even if the resonance frequency of the electrode portion 1 changes according to such a temperature change of the electrode portion 1, the oscillation frequency of the high frequency oscillator 8 and the resonance frequency of the electrode portion 1 can be made to match. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the heating efficiency by high frequency due to the temperature change of the electrode portion 1. Here, the case where the temperature of the electrode portion 1 changes from room temperature to nearly 700 degrees has been illustrated and described, but it goes without saying that the range of the temperature change of the electrode portion 1 is not limited to this.

[0035] (Third Embodiment) Next, the solid oxide fuel cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, the description will focus on the points in which the solid oxide fuel cell according to the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment. Unless otherwise particularly noted, the configuration and operation of the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the solid oxide fuel cell according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in the solid oxide fuel cell 300 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of cell units 6 are arranged in series and electrically connected to each other. A gas separator S is disposed between the cell unit 6 and the cell unit 6. The separator S is made of, for example, mica or the like. Even when the separator S is provided between the cell unit 6 and the cell unit 6, the metal frame 2 of the cell unit 6 and the metal frame 2 of the cell unit 6 are electrically connected to each other via the connection portion C (see FIG. 4). As the material of the connection portion C, for example, the same material (metal) as the metal frame 2 can be used.

[0037] In the solid oxide fuel cell 300 according to the present embodiment, it can also be said that a plurality of cell units 6 are stacked to form one stack unit 12 (stack configuration). The power supply port 7 is electrically connected to the metal frame 2 disposed on the outermost side (the uppermost side and the lowermost side in FIG. 4) of the metal frames 2 of the plurality of cell units 6, and high-frequency power supply is performed from the power supply port 7 to the metal frame 2 disposed on the outermost side.

[0038] Further, the solid oxide fuel cell 300 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of electrode portions 1 (electrode portion A, electrode portion B, electrode portion C) having different resonance frequencies, and the high-frequency oscillator 8 can transmit high-frequency signals at a plurality of different oscillation frequencies (f A 、f B 、f C ). Further, the high-frequency oscillator 8 includes a frequency control unit 11 that individually controls a plurality of different oscillation frequencies (f A 、f B 、f C ). In FIG. 4, as an example of a plurality of electrode portions 1 having different resonance frequencies, three electrode portions 1 are shown, but it goes without saying that the number of electrode portions 1 is not limited to this.

[0039] Also, the solid oxide fuel cell 300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention exhibits the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0040] In addition, the solid oxide fuel cell 300 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of electrode portions 1 having different resonance frequencies, and the high-frequency oscillator 8 can transmit high-frequency waves at a plurality of different oscillation frequencies. For example, when three electrode portions having different resonance frequencies (one outer electrode portion A, the middle electrode portion B, and the other outer electrode portion C) are provided, the resonance frequencies of these three electrode portions (the resonance frequency f A of the electrode portion A, the resonance frequency f B of the electrode portion B, and the resonance frequency f C of the electrode portion C) and the same three frequencies (f A , f B , f C ) are simultaneously transmitted from the high-frequency oscillator, the three electrode portions (the electrode portion A, the electrode portion B, and the electrode portion C) can be efficiently heated at the same time. Further, when only a certain electrode portion (the middle electrode portion B) among the three electrode portions is to be heated, the target electrode portion (the middle electrode portion B) can be efficiently heated by supplying a high-frequency wave at the resonance frequency of that electrode portion (the resonance frequency f B of the electrode portion B).

[0041] In the present embodiment, by individually controlling the high-frequency power of the three frequencies (f A , f B , f C ) transmitted to the power supply port, the heating temperatures of the three electrode portions (the electrode portion A, the electrode portion B, and the electrode portion C) can be individually controlled.

[0042] (Fourth Embodiment) Next, the solid oxide fuel cell according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, the description will focus on the points in which the solid oxide fuel cell of the fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment. Unless otherwise particularly mentioned, the configuration and operation of the present embodiment are the same as those of the third embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the solid oxide fuel cell of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the solid oxide fuel cell 400 of the present embodiment includes a temperature sensor 13 that measures the temperature of the electrode portion 1, and a power control unit 14 that controls the high-frequency power supplied to the power supply port 7 according to the temperature of the electrode portion 1. For example, even when heating the electrode portion 1 up to 700 degrees, the required high-frequency power is different between heating from room temperature (25 degrees) and heating from 400 degrees. Therefore, the temperature of the electrode portion 1 is measured by the temperature sensor 13, and the output power of the high-frequency oscillator 8 is controlled by the power control unit 14 according to the measured temperature. For example, when the temperature of the electrode portion 1 is low, the output power of the high-frequency oscillator 8 is increased, and when the temperature of the electrode portion 1 is high, the output power of the high-frequency oscillator 8 is decreased.

[0044] Also, with the solid oxide fuel cell 400 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention as described above, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved.

[0045] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the high-frequency power supplied to the power supply port 7 is controlled according to the temperature of the electrode portion 1. When the temperature of the electrode portion 1 increases, the high-frequency power supplied to the power supply port 7 can be less (compared to when the temperature of the electrode portion 1 was low). Therefore, by reducing the high-frequency power supplied to the power supply port 7 as the temperature of the electrode portion 1 increases, the total high-frequency power supplied can be reduced. Thereby, the solid oxide fuel cell 400 can be efficiently and rapidly started with the minimum required power.

[0046] Also, in the present embodiment, a plurality of electrode portions 1 arranged in series are electrically connected via the metal frame 2 and the connection portion C, and these electrode portions 1 can be regarded as a series connection of capacitors in terms of an electrical circuit. Therefore, by supplying power from the power supply port 7 to the outermost metal frame 2, it becomes possible to supply high-frequency power uniformly to all the electrode portions 1.

[0047] (Fifth Embodiment) Next, the solid oxide fuel cell according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, the description will focus on the differences between the solid oxide fuel cell of the fifth embodiment and the third embodiment. Unless otherwise specified, the configuration and operation of the present embodiment are the same as those of the third embodiment.

[0048] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the solid oxide fuel cell of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the solid oxide fuel cell 500 of the present embodiment includes a pulse drive control unit 15 that pulse-drives the high-frequency oscillator 8 on the time axis. When heating the solid oxide fuel cell 500 to a predetermined target temperature (for example, 700 degrees), the pulse drive control unit 15 controls the high-frequency oscillator 8 to be turned on and off at a constant time period (for example, a 60-second period).

[0049] Also, the solid oxide fuel cell 500 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention exhibits the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0050] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the high-frequency oscillator 8 is controlled (pulse drive control) to be pulse-driven on the time axis. Even if the high-frequency oscillator 8 is pulse drive-controlled (for example, on-off control), if the duty ratio of the on-off control is set such that the temperature rise during the on-time exceeds the temperature drop during the off-time, the temperature of the electrode portion 1 can be sufficiently increased. When it is under on-control, high-frequency power is supplied to the power supply port 7, but when it is under off-control, no high-frequency power is supplied to the power supply port 7. Therefore, the total high-frequency power supplied can be reduced. Also, even if there is a bias in the position of the cell to be heated, the temperature of the cell is diffused during the off-time, and the temperature of the cell can be made uniform. Further, by reducing the continuous operation time of the high-frequency oscillator 8, the life of the high-frequency oscillator 8 can be extended.

[0051] (Sixth Embodiment) Next, a solid oxide fuel cell according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, the solid oxide fuel cell according to the sixth embodiment will be mainly described with respect to the differences from the third embodiment. Unless otherwise specified here, the configuration and operation of the present embodiment are the same as those of the third embodiment.

[0052] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the solid oxide fuel cell according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the solid oxide fuel cell 600 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality (two in the example of FIG. 7) of stack units 12 as high-frequency supply destinations. And the solid oxide fuel cell 600 according to the present embodiment includes a switch circuit 16 for switching the high-frequency supply destination and a switch drive control unit 17 for switching the switch circuit 16.

[0053] The switch drive control unit 17 controls the switch circuit 16 so as to switch the high-frequency supply destination at a certain time period (for example, a 60-second period). For example, in the example of FIG. 7, for a certain period of time (for example, 60 seconds), high-frequency power is supplied from the high-frequency oscillator 8 to the power supply port 7 of one stack unit 12 (the upper stack unit 12 in FIG. 7), and for the next certain period of time (for example, 60 seconds), high-frequency power is supplied from the high-frequency oscillator 8 to the power supply port 7 of the other stack unit 12 (the lower stack unit 12 in FIG. 7). The switch circuit 16 is controlled.

[0054] Also, with the solid oxide fuel cell 600 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention as described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment are achieved.

[0055] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the high-frequency power supply destination from the high-frequency oscillator 8 to the power supply port 7 is switched to the power supply port 7 of another solid oxide fuel cell (stack unit 12) by controlling the switch circuit 16 by the switch drive control unit 17. As a result, it becomes possible to continuously supply high-frequency waves from one high-frequency oscillator 8 to the power supply ports 7 of a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells (stack units 12) on the time axis. For example, the duty ratio of the switch drive control may be varied according to the temperature difference of the electrode portion 1 of each solid oxide fuel cell (stack unit 12). Further, it may be varied according to the ratio of the physical sizes of each solid oxide fuel cell (stack unit 12).

[0056] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described by way of example. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these, and it can be changed and modified according to the purpose within the scope described in the claims.

Industrial Applicability

[0057] As described above, the solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention has the effect of being able to raise the temperature of the internal structure to the target temperature (operating temperature) with high heating efficiency, in a short time, and with a small amount of energy, and is useful when used in electronic devices, electric vehicles, and the like.

Explanation of Signs

[0058] 1 Electrode portion 2 Metal frame 3 Electrolyte ceramic 4 Anode electrode 5 Cathode electrode 6 Cell unit (cell configuration) 7 Power supply port 8 High-frequency oscillator 9 Temperature sensor 10 Transmission frequency adjustment unit 11 Frequency control unit 12 Stack unit (stack configuration) 13 Temperature sensor 14 Power control unit 15 Pulse drive control unit 16 Switch circuit 17 Switch drive control unit 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 Solid oxide fuel cells

Claims

1. An electrode part comprising an electrolyte ceramic, an anode electrode and a cathode electrode sandwiching the electrolyte ceramic from both sides, A metal frame disposed around the electrode part so as to sandwich the electrode part from both sides and physically contacting the anode electrode and the cathode electrode respectively, A power supply port electrically connected to the metal frame for supplying high-frequency power to the metal frame, Comprising, The shape, size and material of the electrode part and the metal frame are selected such that the resonance frequency of the electrode part becomes a predetermined target resonance frequency, A solid oxide fuel cell in which the transmission frequency from a high-frequency oscillator that generates the high-frequency is adjusted to be the predetermined target resonance frequency.

2. The high-frequency oscillator includes a transmission frequency adjustment unit configured to adjust the transmission frequency of the high-frequency oscillated from the high-frequency oscillator, The transmission frequency adjustment unit is configured to cause the transmission frequency of the high-frequency oscillator to follow the resonance frequency of the electrode part that changes according to the temperature of the electrode part. The solid oxide fuel cell according to claim 1.

3. Comprising a plurality of the electrode parts having different resonance frequencies, The high-frequency oscillator is configured to be able to transmit high-frequency at the plurality of different oscillation frequencies. The solid oxide fuel cell according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The high-frequency oscillator includes a frequency control unit that individually controls the plurality of different oscillation frequencies. The solid oxide fuel cell according to claim 3.

5. The high-frequency oscillator that generates the high-frequency includes a power control unit that controls the high-frequency power supplied to the power supply port according to the temperature of the electrode part. The solid oxide fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The high-frequency oscillator that generates the high-frequency includes a pulse drive control unit that pulse-drives on the time axis. The solid oxide fuel cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A switch circuit that switches the supply destination of the high-frequency power supplied from the high-frequency oscillator to the power supply port to the power supply port of another solid oxide fuel cell, and a switch drive control unit that switches the switch circuit. The solid oxide fuel cell according to claim 6.

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