Electrochemical cell device, module, and module housing device

Abstract

To reduce deterioration of a conductive member.SOLUTION: An electrochemical cell device has a plurality of cells, a conductive member, and a support member. The plurality of cells include a first cell and a second cell adjacent to the first cell. The conductive member is located between the first cell and the second cell. The support member supports base ends in a first direction of the plurality of cells. The plurality of cells have leading ends located on the opposite side of the base ends in the first direction. The distance between the first cell and the second cell is larger at the leading ends than at the base ends.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electrochemical cell devices, modules and module housing devices. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various fuel cell stack devices including multiple fuel cell units have been proposed as next-generation energy sources. A fuel cell unit is a type of cell that can generate electricity 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] Patent Publication No. 2021-136224 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides techniques for reducing degradation of conductive members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An electrochemical cell device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of cells, a conductive member, and a support member. The plurality of cells includes a first cell and a second cell adjacent to the first cell. The conductive member is located between the first cell and the second cell. The support member supports base ends of the plurality of cells in a first direction. The plurality of cells have tip ends located opposite the base ends in the first direction. The distance between the first cell and the second cell is wider at the tip end than at the base end. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, deterioration of conductive members can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell according to a first embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a side view of an example of the electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment, viewed from the air electrode side. [Figure 1C] FIG. 1C is a side view of an example of the electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment, viewed from the interconnector side. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX shown in FIG. 2A. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C is a top view showing an example of the electrochemical cell device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the temperature distribution in the electrochemical cell device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the electrochemical cell device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing an example of the module according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a module housing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the electrochemical cell device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out an electrochemical cell device, a module, and a module housing device according to the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the embodiments can be appropriately combined within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content. Furthermore, the same components in the following embodiments will be assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0009] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, expressions such as "constant," "orthogonal," "perpendicular," or "parallel" may be used, but these expressions do not necessarily mean "constant," "orthogonal," "perpendicular," or "parallel" in the strict sense. In other words, the above expressions allow for deviations due to, for example, manufacturing precision, installation precision, etc.

[0010] In recent years, various fuel cell stack devices including multiple fuel cell units have been proposed as next-generation energy sources. A fuel cell unit is a type of cell that can generate electricity using a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas such as air. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cell stack device including multiple cells and conductive members positioned between adjacent cells. In this type of cell stack device, fuel is supplied from the base end side of the cells. The fuel supplied to the cells then flows toward the tip end of the cells.

[0011] However, in conventional cell stack devices, fuel not used for power generation is combusted at the tip of the cell stack, and the heat from this combustion tends to make the tip of the cell hotter than the base. As a result, the temperature of the conductive members at the tip of the cell stack is higher than that at the base of the cell stack, which can lead to early deterioration of the conductive members at the tip of the cell stack. Early deterioration of the conductive members shortens the life of the cell stack device.

[0012] Therefore, a technology for reducing the deterioration of conductive members is desired.

[0013] (First embodiment) <Electrochemical cell configuration> First, with reference to Figures 1A to 1C, an electrochemical cell constituting an electrochemical cell device according to a first embodiment will be described using an example of a solid oxide fuel cell. The electrochemical cell device may include a cell stack having a plurality of electrochemical cells. An electrochemical cell device having a plurality of electrochemical cells will be simply referred to as a cell stack device.

[0014] Fig. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment, Fig. 1B is a side view of the example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment as seen from the air electrode side, and Fig. 1C is a side view of the example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment as seen from the interconnector side. Note that Figs. 1A to 1C show enlarged views of parts of each component of the electrochemical cell. Hereinafter, the electrochemical cell may also be simply referred to as a cell.

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

[0016] 1A, the cell 1 includes a conductive support substrate 2, an element section 3, and an interconnector 4. The support substrate 2 is columnar, having a pair of opposing flat surfaces n1, n2 and a pair of arc-shaped side surfaces m connecting the flat surfaces n1, n2.

[0017] The element section 3 is provided on the flat surface n1 of the support substrate 2. The element section 3 has an anode 5, a solid electrolyte layer 6, and an cathode 8. In the example shown in FIG. 1A, the interconnector 4 is located on the flat surface n2 of the cell 1. The cell 1 may also have an intermediate layer 7 between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the cathode 8.

[0018] 1B, the air electrode 8 does not extend to the lower end (an example of a base end) of the cell 1 in the longitudinal direction L. At the lower end of the cell 1, only the solid electrolyte layer 6 is exposed on the surface of the flat surface n1. Similarly, the air electrode 8 does not extend to the upper end (an example of a tip end) of the cell 1 in the longitudinal direction L. At the upper end of the cell 1, only the solid electrolyte layer 6 is exposed on the surface of the flat surface n1. As shown in FIG. 1C, the interconnector 4 may extend to the lower end of the cell 1. At the lower end 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, the solid electrolyte layer 6 is exposed on the surface of a pair of arc-shaped side surfaces m of the cell 1. The interconnector 4 does not have to extend to the lower end of the cell 1.

[0019] Each of the components that make up the cell 1 will be described below.

[0020] The support substrate 2 has gas flow channels 2a therein through which gas flows. The example of the support substrate 2 shown in FIG. 1A has six gas flow channels 2a. The support substrate 2 is gas permeable, allowing the fuel gas flowing through the gas flow channels 2a to permeate to the anode 5. The support substrate 2 may be conductive. The conductive support substrate 2 collects electricity generated in the element section 3 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] The anode 5 may be made of a generally known material. The anode 5 may be made of porous conductive ceramics, such as ceramics containing calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or ZrO2 solid-solubilized with rare earth element oxides, and Ni and / or NiO. The 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. Calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or ZrO2 solid-solubilized with rare earth element oxides is sometimes referred to as stabilized zirconia. Stabilized zirconia also includes partially stabilized zirconia. The conductive ceramic may be, for example, ceramics containing the material used for the solid electrolyte layer 6 (described later) and Ni and / or NiO.

[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 leakage of fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas to occur.

[0024] The material of the solid electrolyte layer 6 may be, for example, ZrO2 solid-solubilized with 3 mol % to 15 mol % of a rare earth element oxide, calcium oxide, or magnesium 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. The solid electrolyte layer 6 may contain, for example, CeO2 solid-solubilized with La, Nd, Sm, Gd, or Yb, BaZrO3 solid-solubilized with Sc or Yb, or BaCeO3 solid-solubilized with Sc or Yb.

[0025] The air electrode 8 is gas permeable. The open porosity of the air electrode 8 may be, for example, in the range of 20% to 50%, and particularly in the range of 30% to 50%.

[0026] There are no particular restrictions on the material of the air electrode 8 as long as it is one that is generally used for air electrodes. The material of the air electrode 8 may be, for example, a conductive ceramic such as a so-called ABO3 type perovskite oxide.

[0027] The material of the air electrode 8 may be, for example, a composite oxide in which Sr (strontium) and La (lanthanum) coexist at the A site. Examples of such composite oxides include La x Sr 1-x Co y Fe 1-y O3, La x Sr 1-x MnO3, La x Sr 1-x FeO3, La x Sr 1-x CoO3, etc. Note that x is 0 <x<1、yは0<y<1である。

[0028] Furthermore, when the element unit 3 includes an intermediate layer 7, the intermediate layer 7 functions as a diffusion suppression layer. When elements such as Sr (strontium) contained in the air electrode 8 diffuse into the solid electrolyte layer 6, a resistive layer such as SrZrO3 is formed in the solid electrolyte layer 6. The intermediate layer 7 makes it difficult for Sr to diffuse, thereby making it difficult for SrZrO3 and other electrically insulating oxides to form.

[0029] There are no particular restrictions on the material of intermediate layer 7, as long as it is generally used as an element diffusion prevention layer between air electrode 8 and solid electrolyte layer 6. The material of intermediate layer 7 may include, for example, cerium oxide (CeO2) in which a rare earth element other than Ce (cerium) is dissolved. Examples of such rare earth elements that may be used include Gd (gadolinium) and Sm (samarium).

[0030] Furthermore, the interconnector 4 is dense and makes it difficult for leakage of the fuel gas flowing through the gas flow channel 2a located inside the support substrate 2 and the oxygen-containing gas flowing outside the support substrate 2 to occur. The interconnector 4 may have a relative density of 93% or more, particularly 95% or more.

[0031] The material for the interconnector 4 may be a lanthanum chromite-based perovskite oxide (LaCrO3-based oxide), a lanthanum strontium titanium-based perovskite oxide (LaSrTiO3-based oxide), or the like. These materials are conductive and are resistant to reduction and oxidation even when in contact with a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas such as air. Alternatively, a metal or alloy may be used as the material for the interconnector 4.

[0032] <Configuration of electrochemical cell device> Next, an electrochemical cell device according to this embodiment using the above-described cell 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2A to 2C. Figure 2A is a perspective view showing an example of the electrochemical cell device according to the first embodiment, Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX shown in Figure 2A, and Figure 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 a thickness direction T of the cells 1 (see FIG. 1A) as a second direction, 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. The support member 14 also has a support 15 and a gas tank 16. The support 15 and gas tank 16, which are the support member 14, are made of, for example, metal and are electrically conductive.

[0035] 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 with a fixing material 13.

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

[0037] In the example shown in Fig. 2A, fuel gas is stored in an internal space 22 formed by a support 15, which is the support member 14, and a gas tank 16. A gas circulation pipe 20 is connected to the gas tank 16. The fuel gas is supplied to the gas tank 16 through this gas circulation pipe 20, and is supplied from the gas tank 16 to a gas flow path 2a (see Fig. 1A) inside the cell 1. The fuel gas supplied to the gas tank 16 is generated in a reformer 102 (see Fig. 5), which will be described later.

[0038] The hydrogen-rich fuel gas can be produced by steam reforming the raw fuel, etc. When the fuel gas is produced by steam reforming, the fuel gas contains water vapor.

[0039] In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the cell stack device 10 has two rows of cell stacks 11 and a support member 14. The support member 14 has two supports 15 and a gas tank 16. Each of the two rows of cell stacks 11 has a plurality of cells 1. Each cell stack 11 is fixed to each of the supports 15. The gas tank 16 has two through-holes on its top surface. A support 15 is disposed in each of the through-holes. An internal space 22 is formed by one gas tank 16 and two supports 15. Although FIG. 2A shows the cell stack device 10 having two rows of cell stacks 11, the cell stack device may have one row of cell stacks 11 or three or more rows of cell stacks 11. Details of the cell stacks 11 will be described later.

[0040] The shape of the insertion hole 15a is, for example, an oval shape when viewed from above. For example, the length of the insertion hole 15a in the arrangement direction of the cells 1, i.e., the thickness direction T, is greater than the distance between the two end current collecting members 17 located at both ends of the cell stack 11. For example, the width of the insertion hole 15a is greater than the length of the cell 1 in the width direction W (see FIG. 1A).

[0041] 2B, the joints between the inner walls of the insertion holes 15a and the lower ends of the cells 1 are filled with a fixing material 13 and solidified. This bonds and fixes the inner walls of the insertion holes 15a to the lower ends of the multiple cells 1, respectively, and also bonds and fixes the lower ends of the cells 1 to each other. The gas flow paths 2a of each cell 1 communicate with the internal space 22 of the support member 14 at their lower ends.

[0042] A material with low conductivity, such as glass, can be used for the fixing material 13 and the bonding material 21. Specific materials for the fixing material 13 and the bonding material 21 include amorphous glass, and in particular, crystallized glass.

[0043] As the crystallized glass, for example, any of materials such as SiO2-CaO, MgO-B2O3, La2O3-B2O3-MgO, La2O3-B2O3-ZnO, and SiO2-CaO-ZnO may be used, and in particular, SiO2-MgO materials may be used.

[0044] 2B, a conductive member 18 is interposed between adjacent cells 1 among the plurality of cells 1. The conductive member 18 electrically connects the anode 5 of one adjacent cell 1 to the cathode 8 of the other cell 1 in series. More specifically, the conductive member 18 connects the interconnector 4 electrically connected to the anode 5 of one adjacent cell 1 to the cathode 8 of the other cell 1. When the interconnector 4 is made of a metal or an alloy, the interconnector 4 and the conductive member 18 may be integrated, or the conductive member 18 may also serve as the interconnector 4.

[0045] 2B, an end current collecting member 17 is electrically connected to the cell 1 positioned outermost in the arrangement direction of the multiple cells 1. The end current collecting member 17 is connected to a conductive part 19 that protrudes outward from the cell stack 11. The conductive part 19 collects electricity generated by power generation in the cells 1 and extracts it to the outside. Note that the end current collecting member 17 is not shown in FIG. 2A.

[0046] 2C, the cell stack device 10 has two cell stacks 11A and 11B connected in series to function as a single battery. Therefore, the conductive part 19 of the cell stack device 10 is divided into a positive terminal 19A, a negative terminal 19B, and a connection terminal 19C.

[0047] The positive electrode terminal 19A is a positive electrode when the power generated by the cell stack 11 is output to the outside, and is electrically connected to the positive electrode side end current collecting member 17 of the cell stack 11A. The negative electrode terminal 19B is a negative electrode when the power generated by the cell stack 11 is output to the outside, and is electrically connected to the negative electrode side end current collecting member 17 of the cell stack 11B.

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

[0049] <Temperature distribution during power generation> Next, the temperature distribution during power generation in the electrochemical cell device will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the temperature distribution in the electrochemical cell device. The cell stack device 10X shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to an enlarged view of a portion of the cell stack 11 included in the cell stack device 10 shown in FIG. 2B. Note that FIG. 3 shows simplified illustrations of, for example, the cells 1, conductive members 18, etc. Also, in other drawings described below, simplified illustrations of components may be used. For ease of explanation, the number of cells 1 included in the cell stack device is shown as eight in FIG. 3 and in FIGS. 4 and 7 described below.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 3, conductive members 18 extending in the length direction L are positioned between adjacent cells 1 in the thickness direction T of the cells 1, electrically connecting the adjacent cells 1 to each other. In the cell stack device 10X, during power generation, temperatures t1 to t6 are in the order of t1>t2>t3>t4>t5>t6, which is located in the center of the thickness direction T (second direction) of the cells 1 and is high temperature at the upper end side in the length direction L (first direction) away from the fixing material 13. Furthermore, the temperature during power generation decreases from this portion toward the end side in the thickness direction T away from this portion and toward the lower end side in the length direction L.

[0051] In the electrochemical cell device according to the first embodiment, unreacted fuel gas (off-gas not used for power generation) is combusted at the upper end of the cells 1 in order to maintain the reformer 102 and the cell stack 11 (described later) at high temperatures. For this reason, in the cells 1 constituting the cell stack 11, the temperature tends to be higher at the upper end of the length direction L of the cells 1 and lower at the lower end of the length direction L of the cells 1. Therefore, the temperature at the upper end of the length direction L between the multiple cells 1 becomes higher than the temperature at the lower end of the length direction L between the multiple cells 1.

[0052] Furthermore, in a cell stack 11 formed by arranging a plurality of cells 1, the cells 1 dissipate thermal energy due to their own Joule heat and reaction heat during power generation. However, the plurality of cells (e.g., the first cell 1a and the second cell 1b) arranged in the center of the thickness direction T (second direction) tend to have a high temperature because many cells 1 are arranged on both sides of the cell 1, making it difficult for the thermal energy to dissipate. On the other hand, the plurality of cells 1 arranged at the ends of the cell 1 in the thickness direction T have few or no adjacent cells 1, making it easier for the cells 1 to dissipate thermal energy. As a result, the temperature of the fuel cell arranged at the ends of the cell 1 in the thickness direction T tends to decrease. Therefore, the temperature between the first cell 1a and the second cell 1b arranged in the first region R1 in the center of the cell 1 in the thickness direction T is higher than the temperature between adjacent cells 1 arranged in the second region R2 at both ends of the cell 1 in the thickness direction T.

[0053] As described above, there is a temperature variation between adjacent cells 1 in the length direction L (first direction) of the cells 1 during power generation, and therefore a similar temperature variation occurs in the conductive member 18 located between adjacent cells 1 in the length direction L of the cells 1. Specifically, the temperature of the conductive member 18 is higher at the upper end side than at the lower end side. As a result, there is a risk that the upper end side of the conductive member 18 will deteriorate more quickly. Therefore, in this embodiment, a cell stack 11 is applied in which the intervals between adjacent cells 1 become wider toward the upper ends of the cells 1. Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the electrochemical cell device according to the first embodiment.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, a first cell 1a and a second cell 1b adjacent to the first cell 1a are arranged in the center of the cell stack 11 in the thickness direction T. The distance W2 between the first cell 1a and the second cell 1b at their upper ends is larger than the distance W1 between the first cell 1a and the second cell 1b at their lower ends. This configuration reduces the influence of radiant heat on the upper end side between adjacent cells 1, thereby reducing the temperature rise due to radiant heat. Furthermore, the wider distance between the cells 1 makes it less likely for heat to accumulate between the cells 1. This reduces the temperature difference between the upper and lower ends of the cells 1, thereby slowing the deterioration of the conductive member 18 on the upper end side of the cells 1. In other words, the conductive member can be made less likely to deteriorate. As shown in FIG. 4, the distance between the first cell 1a and the second cell 1b may be wider toward the upper end of the cell 1 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0055] The distance between the first cell 1a and the second cell 1b at the upper end (W2) may be greater than the distance W1 at the lower end. The distance between the upper and lower ends in the longitudinal direction L may be equal to or greater than the distance W2 at the upper end. The temperature in the gap between adjacent cells 1 may be highest at a position slightly below the upper end of the cell 1, specifically, at the upper end of the power generation region of the cell 1. This is because the upper end of the power generation region of the cell 1 is the location most affected by both the temperature rise due to the combustion of the fuel gas and the temperature rise due to power generation. In such cases, the temperature rise in the middle can be reduced by making the distance between the upper and lower ends, i.e., the distance slightly below the upper end, greater than the distance W2 at the upper end.

[0056] The power generation region of the cell 1 specifically refers to the region where the fuel electrode 5, the solid electrolyte layer 6, and the air electrode 8 are stacked (see FIGS. 1A and 1B).

[0057] Furthermore, by configuring the first cell 1a and second cell 1b arranged in the center among the multiple cells 1 that make up the cell stack 11 as described above, it is possible to reduce the temperature at the upper end between the cells 1 arranged in the center, which tends to be higher than the ends, and make it difficult for the conductive members 18 arranged between the cells 1 to deteriorate. Note that the first cell 1a and second cell 1b are the two cells 1 that are closest to the center of the cell stack 11 among the multiple cells 1 that the cell stack 11 has. Note that although Figures 3 and 4 show a case where the spacing between the end current collecting members 17 located at both ends of the cell stack is the same at the upper and lower ends, the spacing at the upper ends of the end current collecting members 17 may be greater than the spacing at the lower ends.

[0058] <module> Next, a module according to this embodiment using the above-described cell stack device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is an external perspective view showing the module according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a state in which the front and rear surfaces, which are part of the storage container 101, have been removed and the cell stack device 10 of the fuel cell stored inside has been pulled out to the rear.

[0059] 5, the module 100 is configured by housing a cell stack device 10 in a housing container 101. Also, above the cell stack device 10, a reformer 102 for generating fuel gas to be supplied to the cells 1 is disposed.

[0060] The reformer 102 generates fuel gas by reforming raw fuel such as natural gas or kerosene supplied through a raw fuel supply pipe 103. The reformer 102 is preferably configured to be capable of performing steam reforming, which is an efficient reforming reaction. The reformer 102 can perform steam reforming by including a vaporization section 102a for vaporizing water and a reforming section 102b in which a reforming catalyst (not shown) for reforming the raw fuel into fuel gas is disposed.

[0061] The fuel gas produced in the reformer 102 is supplied to the fixing member 12 through the gas flow pipe 20, and is then supplied from the fixing member 12 to a gas flow channel 2a (see FIG. 1A) provided inside the cell 1.

[0062] Furthermore, in the module 100 having the above-described configuration, during normal power generation, the temperature inside the module 100 reaches approximately 500°C to 1000°C due to the combustion, power generation by the cells 1, and the like.

[0063] In such a module 100, as described above, by accommodating a highly durable cell stack device 10, the module 100 can be made highly durable.

[0064] <Module storage device> Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a module housing device according to the first embodiment. The module housing device 110 includes an outer case 111, the module 100 shown in Fig. 5, and auxiliary equipment (not shown). The auxiliary equipment operates the module 100. The module 100 and the auxiliary equipment are housed in the outer case 111. Note that some components are omitted in Fig. 6.

[0065] An exterior case 111 of a module accommodating device 110 shown in Fig. 6 has support columns 112 and an exterior plate 113. A partition plate 114 divides the interior of the exterior case 111 into upper and lower sections. The space above the partition plate 114 in the exterior case 111 is a module accommodating chamber 115 that accommodates the module 100, and the space below the partition plate 114 in the exterior case 111 is an accessory accommodating chamber 116 that accommodates accessories that operate the module 100. Note that in Fig. 8, the accessories accommodated in the accessory accommodating chamber 116 are omitted.

[0066] The partition plate 114 also has an air flow port 117 for allowing air from the auxiliary equipment housing chamber 116 to flow toward the module housing chamber 115. The exterior plate 113 that constitutes the module housing chamber 115 has an exhaust port 118 for exhausting air from within the module housing chamber 115.

[0067] In such a module housing device 110, as described above, highly durable modules 100 are provided in the module housing chamber 115, so that the module housing device 110 can be made highly durable.

[0068] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electrochemical cell device according to the first embodiment. The cell stack device 10 shown in Fig. 7 differs from the cell stack device 10 according to the above-described embodiment in that, in all the cells 1 constituting the cell stack 11, the intervals between adjacent cells 1 at the upper end and the lower end in the longitudinal direction L of the cells 1 are different.

[0069] Specifically, in FIG. 7, the spacing W2 between adjacent cells 1a and 1b at their upper ends is larger than the spacing W1 between their lower ends, and the spacing gradually increases from the lower end to the upper end. Similarly, the spacing between adjacent cells 1b and 1c and between adjacent cells 1d and 1e also gradually increases from the lower end to the upper end. In other words, the inclination of cells 1 increases from the center to the ends in the thickness direction T of cells 1 in the cell stack 11. Therefore, according to this modification, it is possible to further reduce the temperature variation in the length direction L between adjacent cells 1 and reduce the deterioration of the conductive member 18.

[0070] The configuration of the cell stack 11 is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modified examples. For example, in some of the cells 1, including cells 1a and 1b arranged in the center of the thickness direction T of the cells 1, the distance between adjacent cells 1 may gradually increase from the bottom end to the top end. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the distance between the top ends of adjacent cells 1 is larger than the distance between the bottom ends, or the distance between the top ends and the distance between the bottom ends are equal. However, this is not limiting. In some of the cells 1 arranged at the ends of the thickness direction T among all the cells 1 constituting the cell stack 11, the distance between adjacent cells 1 may gradually decrease from the bottom end to the top end.

[0071] (Second embodiment) Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, the cell stack device 10 may include a gas discharge unit 30 that discharges gas (oxygen-containing gas) to multiple cells 1 that constitute a cell stack 11. In Fig. 8, the flow of gas (oxygen-containing gas) in the cell stack device 10 is indicated by arrows.

[0072] 8, the gas discharge unit 30 discharges an oxygen-containing gas to the plurality of cells 1 in a third direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L (first direction) of the cells 1. The gas discharge unit 30 has an oxygen-containing gas supply source 30a, an oxygen-containing gas supply path 30b, and a plurality of discharge holes 31 and 32. The oxygen-containing gas supply path 30b connects the oxygen-containing gas supply source 30a to the plurality of discharge holes 31 and 32, and supplies the oxygen-containing gas to the plurality of discharge holes 31 and 32.

[0073] The plurality of discharge holes 31, 32 are arranged along the longitudinal direction L of the cells 1. The plurality of discharge holes 31, 32 discharge the oxygen-containing gas into the gaps between the adjacent cells 1 from a third direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the cells 1.

[0074] As described above, the temperature of the cells 1 rises due to the heat generated by combustion at the upper end of the cells 1 and the Joule heat generated by power generation. In this case, the temperature between adjacent cells 1 can be reduced by increasing the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas flowing outside the cells 1. Furthermore, since the gap between the first cell 1a and the second cell 1b is wider at the upper end than at the lower end, it is possible to allow more gas to flow between the cells 1a and 1b at the upper end than at the lower end.

[0075] In this embodiment, the gas discharge unit 30 discharges the oxygen-containing gas to the upper end sides of the plurality of cells 1 at a flow rate greater than the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the lower end sides of the plurality of cells 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the discharge area of ​​the discharge holes 31 for the upper end sides of the cells 1 may be greater than the discharge area of ​​the discharge holes 32 for the lower end sides of the cells 1. This can further reduce the temperature on the upper end sides between the cells 1. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the conductive members arranged between the cells 1 can be made less susceptible to deterioration.

[0076] The method for adjusting the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas discharged to the upper end side and the lower end side of the cell 1 is not limited to the above-mentioned method. For example, the outlet hole 31 that discharges the oxygen-containing gas to the upper end side of the cell 1 and the outlet hole 32 that discharges the oxygen-containing gas to the lower end side of the cell 1 may be connected to different oxygen-containing gas supply sources. This allows the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas discharged from the outlet hole 31 to be greater than the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas discharged from the outlet hole 32, for example, without making the discharge areas of the outlet holes 31 and 32 different.

[0077] Incidentally, the temperature in the gap between adjacent cells 1 may be highest at a position slightly below the upper end of the cell 1, specifically at the upper end of the power generation region of the cell 1. This is because the upper end of the power generation region of the cell 1 is the location most affected by both the temperature rise due to the combustion of the fuel gas and the temperature rise due to power generation.

[0078] Therefore, the gas discharge unit 30 may supply the oxygen-containing gas to the upper end of the power generation region of the cell 1 at a flow rate greater than the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the upper end of the cell 1. This can further reduce the temperature variation of the conductive member 18 in the length direction L of the cell 1, and therefore can further reduce deterioration of the conductive member 18.

[0079] The power generation region of the cell 1 specifically refers to the region where the fuel electrode 5, the solid electrolyte layer 6, and the air electrode 8 are stacked (see FIGS. 1A and 1B).

[0080] In one embodiment, (1) an electrochemical cell device (for example, a cell stack device 10) has a plurality of cells (for example, a cell 1), a conductive member (for example, a conductive member 18), and a support member (for example, a support member 14). The plurality of cells includes a first cell (for example, a first cell 1a) and a second cell (for example, a second cell 1b) adjacent to the first cell. The conductive member is located between the first cell and the second cell. The support member supports base ends of the plurality of cells in a first direction. The plurality of cells have tip ends located opposite the base ends in the first direction. The distance between the first cell and the second cell is wider at the tip end than at the base end.

[0081] (2) In the electrochemical cell device of (1) above, the distance between the first cell and the second cell may become wider toward the tip end.

[0082] (3) In the electrochemical cell device of (1) above, the first cell and the second cell may be located at the center in a second direction, which is the arrangement direction of the plurality of cells.

[0083] (4) The electrochemical cell device of (1) above may have a gas discharge unit that discharges gas to the plurality of cells in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the gas discharge unit may discharge the gas to the tip ends of the plurality of cells at a flow rate that is greater than the flow rate of the gas supplied to the base ends of the plurality of cells.

[0084] (5) A module may include the electrochemical cell device according to any one of (1) to (4) above, and a container for housing the electrochemical cell device.

[0085] (6) The module housing device may include the module described in (5) above, an auxiliary device for operating the module, and an exterior case for housing the module and the auxiliary device.

[0086] The disclosed embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Indeed, the above-described embodiments may be embodied in various forms. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments may be omitted, substituted, or modified in various ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1 cell 2 Support substrate 3. Element section 5 Fuel electrode 6 Solid electrolyte layer 7. Middle class 10 Cell stack device 11 Cell stack 12 Fixing member 13 Fixing material 14 Support member 15 Support 16 Gas Tank 21 Bonding material 20 Gas distribution pipe 22 Interior Space 30 Gas discharge section 100 modules 101 Storage container 110 Module storage device 111 outer case 112 Post 113 Exterior plate 114 Partition 117 Air vent

Claims

1. a plurality of cells including a first cell and a second cell adjacent to the first cell; a conductive member located between the first cell and the second cell; a support member for supporting base ends of the plurality of cells in the first direction; and the plurality of cells have a tip end portion located on the opposite side of the base end portion in the first direction, the first cell and the second cell are located at the center in a second direction which is an arrangement direction of the plurality of cells, The distance between the first cell and the second cell is larger at the distal end than at the proximal end. Electrochemical cell apparatus.

2. The interval between the first cell and the second cell becomes wider toward the tip portion.

10. The electrochemical cell device of claim 1.

3. a gas discharge unit that discharges gas to the plurality of cells in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction; and The gas discharge unit discharges the gas to the tip ends of the plurality of cells at a flow rate greater than the flow rate of the gas supplied to the base ends of the plurality of cells.

10. The electrochemical cell device of claim 1.

4. The electrochemical cell device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; a container for housing the electrochemical cell device; A module comprising:

5. A module according to claim 4; Auxiliary equipment for operating the module; an exterior case that houses the module and the auxiliary equipment; A module housing device comprising:

Images