Electrochemical cell, electrochemical cell device, module, and module housing device
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-16
Abstract
Description
Electrochemical cell, electrochemical cell device, module, and module housing device
[0001] The present disclosure relates to electrochemical cells, electrochemical cell devices, modules and module housing devices.
[0002] In recent years, various fuel cell stack devices having multiple fuel cell units have been proposed as next-generation energy sources. A fuel cell unit is a type of electrochemical cell that can generate electric power using a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas such as air.
[0003] International Publication No. 2020 / 218431
[0004] An electrochemical cell according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a metal plate, an element unit, and an intermediate layer. The metal plate has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The element unit has a first electrode facing the first surface, a solid electrolyte layer, and a second electrode opposite the first electrode across the solid electrolyte layer. The intermediate layer is located between the first surface and the first electrode. When viewed from above from the second electrode side, at least a portion of the outline of the intermediate layer is located outside the outline of the element unit.
[0005] The electrochemical cell device of the present disclosure also includes a cell stack including the electrochemical cell described above.
[0006] The module of the present disclosure includes the electrochemical cell device described above and a container that houses the electrochemical cell device.
[0007] The module housing device of the present disclosure includes the module described above, an auxiliary device for operating the module, and an exterior case for housing the module and the auxiliary device.
[0008] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1B is a plan view of an example of an electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment, viewed from the air electrode side. FIG. 2A is a plan view showing another example of an electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2B is a plan view showing another example of an electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing yet another example of an electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3B is a partial cross-sectional view enlarging a portion of the electrochemical cell shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electrochemical cell according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view enlarging a portion of the electrochemical cell shown in FIG. 6A. Fig. 7A is a perspective view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to an embodiment. Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X shown in Fig. 7A. Fig. 7C is a top view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to an embodiment. Fig. 8 is an external perspective view showing an example of a module according to an embodiment. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an example of a module housing device according to an embodiment.
[0009] The above-described fuel cell stack device has room for improvement in terms of power generation performance.
[0010] Therefore, it is desired to provide an electrochemical cell, an electrochemical cell device, a module, and a module housing device that can improve performance.
[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of an electrochemical cell, an electrochemical cell device, a module, and a module housing device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below.
[0012] It should also be noted that the drawings are schematic and that the dimensional relationships and ratios of elements may differ from reality. Furthermore, the drawings may contain parts whose dimensional relationships and ratios differ from one another.
[0013] 1A to 4B, an electrochemical cell 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 a first embodiment. Fig. 1A shows an enlarged view of a portion of each component of the electrochemical cell. Hereinafter, the electrochemical cell may be simply referred to as a cell.
[0015] For ease of understanding, Fig. 1A illustrates a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system including a Z-axis, with the vertically upward direction being the positive direction and the vertically downward direction being the negative direction. This Cartesian coordinate system may also be illustrated in other drawings used in the following description. Furthermore, components similar to those in the electrochemical cell illustrated in Fig. 1A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted or simplified.
[0016] 1A , the cell 1 according to this embodiment includes an element section 3, a first intermediate layer 30, a metal plate 32, and a flow path member 34. The element section 3 includes an anode 5, a solid electrolyte layer 6, and a cathode 8.
[0017] The anode 5 is a first electrode that comes into contact with the fuel gas, which is a reducing gas. The anode 5 has gas permeability. The open porosity of the anode 5 may be, for example, in the range of 30% to 50%, particularly 35% to 45%. The open porosity of the anode 5 may also be referred to as the porosity or void ratio of the anode 5.
[0018] A generally known material can be used for the fuel electrode 5. The fuel electrode 5 is made of a porous conductive ceramic, such as calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or ZrO in which a rare earth element oxide is solid-solved. ２and Ni and / or NiO may be used. 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 ZrO in which a rare earth element oxide is solid-solved may be used. ２ The stabilized zirconia may contain partially stabilized zirconia. The anode 5 is made of CeO in which La, Nd, or Yb is solid-solved. ２ may include:
[0019] 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.
[0020] The material of the solid electrolyte layer 6 is, for example, ZrO in which 3 mol % to 15 mol % of rare earth element oxide is dissolved. ２ The rare earth element oxide may contain, for example, one or more rare earth elements selected from Sc, Y, La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, and Yb. The solid electrolyte layer 6 may be, for example, ZrO in which Yb, Sc, or Gd is solid-solved. ２ and CeO in which La, Nd or Yb is solid-solved. ２ and BaZrO in which Sc or Yb is solid-solved. ３ and BaCeO in which Sc or Yb is solid-solved. ３ may include:
[0021] The air electrode 8 is a second electrode that comes into contact with an oxygen-containing gas. The air electrode 8 has gas permeability. The open porosity of the air electrode 8 may be, for example, in the range of 20% to 50%, particularly 30% to 50%. The open porosity of the air electrode 8 may also be referred to as the porosity of the air electrode 8.
[0022] There are no particular limitations on the material of the air electrode 8 as long as it is a material that is generally used for air electrodes. ３ Conductive ceramics such as perovskite oxides may also be used.
[0023] The material of the air electrode 8 may be, for example, a composite oxide in which Sr (strontium) and La (lanthanum) coexist at the A site. Examples of such composite oxides include La ｘ Sr １－ｘ Co ｙ Fe １－ｙ O ３ , La ｘ Sr １－ｘ MnO ３ , La ｘ Sr １－ｘ FeO ３ , La ｘ Sr １－ｘ CoO ３ Here, x is 0<x<1, and y is 0<y<1.
[0024] The first intermediate layer 30 is an intermediate layer located between the first surface 321 of the metal plate 32 and the element portion 3. The first intermediate layer 30 bonds the element portion 3 and the metal plate 32 together, and fixes the element portion 3 to the metal plate 32.
[0025] The first intermediate layer 30 may be conductive. The first intermediate layer 30 may be made of, for example, conductive particles such as Ni and TiO ２ , rare earth element oxides (Y ２ O ３ , CeO ２ etc.), transition metal oxides (Fe ２ O ３ The inorganic oxide may include inorganic oxides such as copper, copper oxide ...
[0026] The first intermediate layer 30 may be gas permeable. When the first intermediate layer 30 is gas permeable, the first intermediate layer 30 may be positioned so as to cover an opening 32a, which will be described later.
[0027] A sealant 9 different from the solid electrolyte layer 6 may be positioned on the side surfaces of the first intermediate layer 30 and the anode 5. The material of the sealant 9 may be dense glass or ceramic. The material of the sealant 9 may be, for example, amorphous glass or crystallized glass. Examples of crystallized glass include SiO ２ -CaO system, MgO-B ２ O ３ System, La ２ O ３ -B２ O ３ -MgO system, La ２ O ３ -B ２ O ３ -ZnO-based, SiO ２ -CaO-ZnO system materials, etc., may be used, and in particular SiO ２ The sealing material 9 may be made of the same material as the solid electrolyte layer 6.
[0028] The first intermediate layer 30 may be configured as a single layer using a single material, or may be configured as a laminated layer in which a plurality of materials are superimposed.
[0029] The metal plate 32 has a first surface 321 and a second surface 322 located at both ends in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction).
[0030] The metal plate 32 is electrically conductive. The metal plate 32 may be, for example, a member made of a metal containing chromium. The metal plate 32 may be, for example, a stainless steel such as a ferritic stainless steel or an austenitic stainless steel, which has high heat resistance. The metal plate 32 may be, for example, a nickel-chromium alloy or an iron-chromium alloy. The metal plate 32 may contain, for example, a metal oxide. The metal plate 32 may have a coating covering the surface. The metal plate 32 does not have to have a coating on the surface.
[0031] The metal plate 32 also has an opening 32a. The opening 32a is a through-hole that penetrates between the first surface 321 and the second surface 322. The fuel gas flowing through a flow path 33 (described later) is supplied to the fuel electrode 5 of the element section 3 through the opening 32a. The diameter of the opening 32a may be, for example, 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, particularly 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm. In a plan view of the metal plate 32 along the Y-axis direction, the aperture ratio of the region where the opening 32a is formed may be, for example, 10% or more. The metal plate 32 may have a coating that covers the wall surface of the opening 32a. The metal plate 32 does not need to have a coating on the wall surface of the opening 32a.
[0032] The metal plate 32 may be gas permeable, for example. In such a case, the metal plate 32 does not need to have the opening 32 a. Furthermore, the sealing material 9 may be located on the side surface of the metal plate 32.
[0033] The flow path member 34 is located on the second surface 322 side of the metal plate 32. The flow path member 34 is fixed and electrically joined by, for example, welding or the like at the contact portion with the second surface 322. The flow path member 34 may be fixed and electrically joined to the metal plate 32 with a conductive sealing material, brazing material, or the like. The space located between the metal plate 32 and the flow path member 34 is a flow path 33 through which the fuel gas flows. The fuel gas flowing through the flow path 33 permeates the metal plate 32 and is supplied to the anode 5. The metal plate 32 may have one or more protrusions protruding toward the flow path member 34. Furthermore, a sealing material 9 may be located on the side surface of the flow path member 34.
[0034] The flow path member 34 is further fixed and electrically joined to the current collecting member 36 by welding or the like. The current collecting member 36 may be fixed and electrically joined to the flow path member 34 by a conductive sealing material, brazing material, or the like. The current collecting member 36 is fixed and electrically joined to the air electrode 8 of an adjacent cell 1 via an adhesive 38. The space located between the current collecting member 36 and the flow path member 34 is a flow path 35 through which an oxygen-containing gas flows. The oxygen-containing gas flowing through the flow path 35 passes through the slits in the current collecting member 36 and the adhesive 38 to be supplied to the air electrode 8 of the adjacent cell 1.
[0035] The flow path member 34 and the current collecting member 36 are made of a dense metal or alloy. The flow path member 34 makes it difficult for the fuel gas flowing through the flow path 33 and the oxygen-containing gas flowing through the flow path 35 to leak. The flow path member 34 and the current collecting member 36 may have a coating layer. For example, the surface of the flow path member 34 facing the flow path 33 may have a coating layer that is resistant to reduction, and the surface of the flow path member 34 facing the flow path 35 may have a coating layer that is resistant to oxidation. These coating layers may be electrically conductive.
[0036] 1B is a plan view of an example of the electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment, viewed from the air electrode side, in which the sealant 9 is omitted.
[0037] 1B , when the cell 1 is viewed in plan from the air electrode 8 side, the outline of the first intermediate layer 30 is located outside the outline of the solid electrolyte layer 6. In the cell 1 shown in FIG. 1B , when viewed in plan from the air electrode 8 side, the outline of the solid electrolyte layer 6 is the outline of the element section 3. In other words, when the cell 1 is viewed in plan from the second electrode side, the outline of the first intermediate layer 30 is located outside the outline of the element section 3. Note that if the outline of the anode 5 is located outside the outline of the solid electrolyte layer 6, the outline of the first intermediate layer 30 may also be located outside the outline of the anode 5.
[0038] In this way, when the cell 1 is viewed in plan from the second electrode side, the outline of the first intermediate layer 30 is located outside the outline of the element portion 3, thereby increasing the fuel gas flow path inside the first intermediate layer 30 located between the fuel electrode 5 and the metal plate 32. Furthermore, if the first intermediate layer 30 is conductive, the conductivity of the entire cell 1 is improved. Therefore, the power generation performance of the cell 1 according to this embodiment is improved.
[0039] Furthermore, the surface of the first intermediate layer 30 that is not in contact with the metal plate 32 and the element portion 3 may be covered with a sealing material 9 .
[0040] 2A and 2B are plan views showing another example of the electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment. 2C and 2D are cross-sectional views showing another example of the electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2A , when the cell 1 is viewed from the air electrode 8 side in a plan view, the outlines of the first intermediate layer 30 located at both ends of the cell 1 in the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) may be located outside the outline of the solid electrolyte layer 6. Also, as shown in FIG. 2B , the outline of the first intermediate layer 30 located on the negative Z-axis side, which is one end of the cell 1 in the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction), may be located outside the outline of the solid electrolyte layer 6. Also, in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the cell 1, part or all of the outline of the first intermediate layer 30 may be located outside the outline of the solid electrolyte layer 6 and may further coincide with the outline of the metal plate 32. Furthermore, at one or both ends of the cell 1 in the length direction (Z-axis direction) and one or both ends (see FIG. 2C ) in the width direction (X-axis direction), part of the outline of the first intermediate layer 30 may be located inside the outline of the solid electrolyte layer 6, i.e., the outline of the element unit 3. In other words, part of the outline of the solid electrolyte layer 6 (element unit 3) of the cell 1 may be located outside the outline of the first intermediate layer 30. That is, the cell 1 may have a portion 31 where the first intermediate layer 30 is absent between the element unit 3 and the first surface 321 of the metal plate 32.
[0041] Thus, even if part of the outline of the first intermediate layer 30 is located outside the outline of the element unit 3 when the cell 1 is viewed in plan from the air electrode 8 side, the fuel gas flow path inside the first intermediate layer 30 located between the fuel electrode 5 and the metal plate 32 is increased compared to when the outline of the first intermediate layer 30 and the outline of the element unit 3 are aligned in plan view. Furthermore, when the first intermediate layer 30 is conductive, the conductivity of the cell 1 as a whole is improved. Therefore, the power generation performance of the cell 1 according to this embodiment is improved.
[0042] Furthermore, when the cell 1 is viewed from above on the air electrode 8 side, the area of the first intermediate layer 30 may be larger than the area of the element unit 3. This increases the fuel gas flow path inside the first intermediate layer 30 located between the fuel electrode 5 and the metal plate 32, compared to when the area of the first intermediate layer 30 is equal to or smaller than the area of the element unit 3. Furthermore, when the first intermediate layer 30 is conductive, the conductivity of the cell 1 as a whole is improved. Therefore, the power generation performance of the cell 1 according to this embodiment is improved.
[0043] Furthermore, when the cell 1 is viewed from above on the air electrode 8 side, the area of the first intermediate layer 30 may be the same as or larger than the area of the metal plate 32. When viewed from above, part or all of the outline of the first intermediate layer 30 may be located outside the outline of the metal plate 32. When the area of the first intermediate layer 30 is the same as the area of the metal plate 32, the outline of the first intermediate layer 30 and the outline of the metal plate 32 may coincide with each other when viewed from above.
[0044] Furthermore, the surface of the first intermediate layer 30 that is not in contact with the metal plate 32 and the element unit 3 may be covered with a sealing material 9. Such sealing material 9 may be glass or ceramic having gas barrier properties. Covering the exposed surface of the first intermediate layer 30 that is not in contact with the metal plate 32 and the element unit 3 with the sealing material 9 reduces the likelihood of fuel gas leaking through the exposed surface of the first intermediate layer 30, thereby improving the power generation performance of the cell 1. For example, when the cell 1 has a portion 31 between the element unit 3 and the first surface 321 of the metal plate 32 where the first intermediate layer 30 is absent, the sealing material 9 may be located between the first surface 321 and the anode 5 (see FIG. 2D ), between the first surface 321 and the solid electrolyte layer 6, or between the first surface 321 and a constrained layer described below.
[0045] Furthermore, the cell 1 may further include, for example, a constraining layer located between the element portion 3 and the first intermediate layer 30. The constraining layer cooperates with the solid electrolyte layer 6 to make the element portion 3 less likely to warp or bend.
[0046] The material of the constraining layer exhibits a shrinkage rate similar to that of the material of the solid electrolyte layer 6 during firing. The material of the constraining layer may be the same as the material of the solid electrolyte layer 6. The element unit 3 obtained by sandwiching the material of the anode 5 of the element unit 3 between the material of the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the material of the constraining layer and firing the resulting element unit 3 has little warping or deformation.
[0047] The constraining layer may or may not be gas permeable. When the constraining layer has gas barrier properties comparable to those of the solid electrolyte layer 6, the constraining layer can be partially disposed so as not to obstruct the inflow of fuel gas to the anode 5.
[0048] The cell 1 may further include a diffusion layer located between the anode 5 and the first intermediate layer 30. The diffusion layer is gas permeable and allows the fuel gas flowing through a flow path 33 (described later) to pass through to the anode 5. The open porosity of the gas diffusion layer may be in the range of, for example, 30% to 50%, particularly 35% to 45%.
[0049] The material of the gas diffusion layer may be a porous conductive ceramic, such as a ceramic containing calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or stabilized zirconia or partially stabilized zirconia in which a rare earth element oxide is solid-solved, and Ni and / or NiO. The rare earth element oxide may contain a plurality of rare earth elements selected from, for example, Sc, Y, La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, and Yb.
[0050] Fig. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing yet another example of the electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 3B is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a part of the electrochemical cell shown in Fig. 3A.
[0051] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the first intermediate layer 30 may have a first portion 30a and a second portion 30b. The first portion 30a is a portion that overlaps with the element unit 3 when the cell 1 is viewed in plan from the air electrode 8 side. The second portion 30b is a portion that is located outside the outline of the element unit 3 when the cell 1 is viewed in plan from the air electrode 8 side. The thickness of at least a portion of the first intermediate layer 30 in the second portion 30b may be greater than the thickness of the first intermediate layer 30 in the first portion 30a. The thickness of the first intermediate layer 30 refers to the thickness of the first intermediate layer 30 in the Y-axis direction. At least a portion of the second portion 30b may have a thickness that is greater than the average thickness of the first portion 30a.
[0052] By making the thickness of at least a portion of the second portion 30b greater than the thickness of the first portion 30a, the contact area between the element portion 3 and the first intermediate layer 30 is increased. Furthermore, improved adhesion between the element portion 3 and the first intermediate layer 30 improves the durability of the cell 1. Furthermore, compared to when the thickness of the first intermediate layer 30 is substantially constant, the fuel gas flow path within the first intermediate layer 30 is increased. This improves the power generation performance of the cell 1. In other words, by having at least a portion of the second portion 30b in contact with the side surface 53 of the anode 5, fuel gas can be supplied from the side surface 53 of the anode 5, thereby improving the power generation performance of the cell 1. The average thickness of the second portion 30b may be greater than the average thickness of the first portion 30a. The first intermediate layer 30 may be positioned so as to cover part or all of the side surface 53 of the anode 5.
[0053] The shapes of the flow path member 34 and the current collecting member 36 are not limited to those shown in FIGS. 1A and 3A . The flow path member 34 and the current collecting member 36 may have any shape as long as they electrically connect adjacent cells 1 and prevent leakage of fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas. FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing another example of an electrochemical cell according to the first embodiment. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B , the flow path member 34 may be integrated with the current collecting member 36 and have a first convex portion that protrudes toward the adjacent cell 1 along the Y-axis direction and a second convex portion that protrudes toward the opposite side from the first convex portion.
[0054] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrochemical cell according to a second embodiment. The cell 1 according to this embodiment has an element portion 3A instead of the element portion 3 of the cell 1 according to the first embodiment.
[0055] The element part 3A has an anode 5, a solid electrolyte layer 6, a second intermediate layer 7, and an air electrode 8. The second intermediate layer 7 is located between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the air electrode 8. The second intermediate layer 7 functions as, for example, a diffusion suppression layer. When Sr (strontium) contained in the air electrode 8 diffuses into the solid electrolyte layer 6, SrZrO ３ The second intermediate layer 7 is formed as a resistive layer of SrZrO by making it difficult for Sr to diffuse. ３ This makes it difficult for
[0056] The material of the second intermediate layer 7 is not particularly limited as long as it generally makes it difficult for elements to diffuse between the air electrode 8 and the solid electrolyte layer 6. The material of the second intermediate layer 7 is, for example, cerium oxide (CeO) in which rare earth elements other than Ce (cerium) are dissolved. ２ ) may be included. Examples of such rare earth elements include Gd (gadolinium) and Sm (samarium).
[0057] Fig. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing another example of an electrochemical cell according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 6B is a partial cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of the electrochemical cell shown in Fig. 6A.
[0058] 6A and 6B , the first intermediate layer 30 may have a first portion 30a and a second portion 30b. The first portion 30a is a portion that overlaps with the element unit 3A when the cell 1 is viewed in plan from the air electrode 8 side. The second portion 30b is a portion that is located outside the outline of the element unit 3A when the cell 1 is viewed in plan from the air electrode 8 side. The thickness of the first intermediate layer 30 in the second portion 30b may be greater than the thickness of the first intermediate layer 30 in the first portion 30a.
[0059] By making the thickness of the second portion 30b greater than the thickness of the first portion 30a in this way, the contact area between the element portion 3A and the first intermediate layer 30 is increased, and the adhesion between the element portion 3A and the first intermediate layer 30 is improved, thereby improving the durability of the cell 1. Furthermore, compared to when the thickness of the first intermediate layer 30 is approximately constant, the flow path of the fuel gas inside the first intermediate layer 30 is increased, thereby improving the power generation performance of the cell 1. The first intermediate layer 30 may be positioned so as to cover part or all of the side surface 53 of the anode 5.
[0060] The second intermediate layer 7 may also be located in a portion other than between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the air electrode 8. The second intermediate layer 7 may also be located between the element portion 3A, the first intermediate layer 30, and / or the metal plate 32 and the sealing material 9. For example, the second intermediate layer 7 may be located on the first surface 61 of the solid electrolyte layer 6 facing the air electrode 8. The second intermediate layer 7 may also be located on the side surface 63 of the solid electrolyte layer 6. The second intermediate layer 7 may also be located on the side surface 53 of the anode 5. The second intermediate layer 7 may also be located on the end surface 301 and / or the side surface 303 of the second portion 30b of the first intermediate layer 30. The second intermediate layer 7 may also be located on the first surface 321 of the metal plate 32.
[0061] <Configuration of Cell Stack Device> Next, an electrochemical cell device according to this embodiment using the above-described cell 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 7A to 7C. Fig. 7A is a perspective view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to this embodiment. Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX shown in Fig. 7A. Fig. 7C is a top view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to this embodiment.
[0062] 7A, the cell stack device 10 includes a cell stack 11 having a plurality of cells 1A arranged (stacked) in the thickness direction of the element unit 3 or element unit 3A (the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1A), and a fixing member 12. The cells 1 according to the above-described embodiments can be used as the cells 1A.
[0063] The fixing member 12 has a fixing material 13 and a support member 14. The support member 14 supports the cell 1A. The fixing material 13 fixes the cell 1A to the support member 14. The support member 14 also has a support 15 and a gas tank 16. The support 15 and the gas tank 16, which are the support member 14, are made of metal and are electrically conductive.
[0064] 7B, the support body 15 has insertion holes 15a into which the lower ends of the cells 1A are inserted. The lower ends of the cells 1A and the inner walls of the insertion holes 15a are joined with fixing material 13.
[0065] The gas tank 16 has an opening for supplying a reaction gas to the cells 1A 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.
[0066] In the example shown in Fig. 7A, fuel gas is stored in an internal space 22 (see Fig. 7B) formed by a support body 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 flow path 33 (see Fig. 1A) inside the cell 1A. The fuel gas supplied to the gas tank 16 is generated in a reformer 102 (see Fig. 8), which will be described later.
[0067] 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.
[0068] The example shown in Fig. 7A includes two rows of cell stacks 11, two supports 15, and a gas tank 16. Each of the two rows of cell stacks 11 has a plurality of cells 1A. Each cell stack 11 is fixed to a corresponding support 15. The gas tank 16 has two through-holes on its top surface. A support 15 is disposed in each through-hole. An internal space 22 is formed by the one gas tank 16 and the two supports 15.
[0069] 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 1A, i.e., the thickness direction (Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1A ), 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 1A in the width direction (X-axis direction shown in FIG. 1A ).
[0070] 7B, the joints between the inner walls of the insertion holes 15a and the lower ends of the cells 1A are filled with and solidified with fixing material 13. This bonds and fixes the inner walls of the insertion holes 15a to the lower ends of the multiple cells 1A, and also bonds and fixes the lower ends of the cells 1A to each other. The gas flow paths 2a of each cell 1A communicate with the internal space 22 of the support member 14 at their lower ends.
[0071] 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.
[0072] Examples of the crystallized glass include SiO ２ -CaO system, MgO-B ２ O ３ System, La ２ O ３ -B ２ O ３ -MgO system, La ２ O ３ -B ２ O ３ -ZnO-based, SiO ２ -CaO-ZnO system materials, etc., may be used, and in particular SiO ２ - MgO-based materials may also be used.
[0073] 7B, a conductive member 18 is interposed between adjacent cells 1A among the plurality of cells 1A. The conductive member 18 electrically connects one adjacent cell 1A to the other adjacent cell 1A in series. More specifically, the conductive member 18 connects the fuel electrode 5 of one cell 1A to the air electrode 8 of the other cell 1A. The conductive member 18 may be the current collecting member 36 shown in FIG. 1A or may be a member separate from the current collecting member 36.
[0074] 7B, an end current collecting member 17 is electrically connected to the cell 1A located at the outermost position in the arrangement direction of the multiple cells 1A. The end current collecting member 17 is connected to a conductive portion 19 that protrudes outside the cell stack 11. The conductive portion 19 collects electricity generated by the cells 1A and outputs it to the outside. Note that the end current collecting member 17 is not shown in FIG. 7A.
[0075] 7C, the cell stack device 10 may be a single battery in which two cell stacks 11A, 11B are connected in series. In such a case, the conductive portion 19 of the cell stack device 10 may have a positive terminal 19A, a negative terminal 19B, and a connection terminal 19C.
[0076] The positive 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-side end current collecting member 17 of the cell stack 11A. The negative 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-side end current collecting member 17 of the cell stack 11B.
[0077] The connection terminal 19C electrically connects the end current collecting member 17 on the negative electrode side of the cell stack 11A to the end current collecting member 17 on the positive electrode side of the cell stack 11B.
[0078] Although not shown in Figures 7A to 7C, the cell stack device 10 may also be provided with a second gas tank at the top of the cell stack 11, which fixes the upper ends of multiple cells 1A and collects gas discharged from the flow path 35 inside the cells 1A.
[0079] <Module> Next, a module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure using the above-described cell stack device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is an external perspective view showing an example of a module according to an embodiment. Fig. 8 shows a state in which the front and rear surfaces, which are parts of the storage container 101, have been removed and the cell stack device 10 of the fuel cell stored inside has been removed to the rear.
[0080] 8, the module 100 includes a storage container 101 and a cell stack device 10 housed in the storage container 101. A reformer 102 is disposed above the cell stack device 10.
[0081] The reformer 102 reforms raw fuel such as natural gas or kerosene to generate fuel gas, which is then supplied to the cell 1A. The raw fuel is supplied to the reformer 102 through a raw fuel supply pipe 103. The reformer 102 may include a vaporizer 102a that vaporizes water, and a reformer 102b. The reformer 102b includes a reforming catalyst (not shown) and reforms the raw fuel into fuel gas. Such a reformer 102 can perform steam reforming, a highly efficient reforming reaction.
[0082] The fuel gas produced in the reformer 102 is supplied to the flow path 33 of the cell 1A (see FIG. 1A) through the gas distribution pipe 20, the gas tank 16, and the support member 14.
[0083] Note that, when the cell stack device 10 includes a second gas tank above the cell stack 11, the reformer 102 may be disposed in a location other than above the cell stack device 10. The raw fuel supply pipe 103, the gas circulation pipe 20, and the like may be disposed as appropriate depending on the arrangement of the cell stack device 10 and the reformer 102.
[0084] Furthermore, in the module 100 having the above-described configuration, the temperature inside the module 100 during normal power generation becomes approximately 500° C. to 1000° C. as the cells 1A generate power.
[0085] In such a module 100, as described above, by accommodating the cell stack device 10 that improves power generation performance, the module 100 can be made to have improved power generation performance.
[0086] <Module Enclosure Device> Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a module enclosure device according to an embodiment. The module enclosure device 110 according to this embodiment includes an outer case 111, the module 100 shown in Fig. 8, and auxiliary equipment (not shown). The auxiliary equipment operates the module 100. The module 100 and the auxiliary equipment are housed in the outer case 111. Note that some components are omitted in Fig. 9.
[0087] An exterior case 111 of a module accommodating device 110 shown in Fig. 9 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 auxiliary equipment accommodating chamber 116 that accommodates auxiliary equipment for operating the module 100. Note that in Fig. 9, the auxiliary equipment accommodated in the auxiliary equipment accommodating chamber 116 is not shown.
[0088] 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.
[0089] In such a module accommodating device 110, as described above, by providing the module 100 with improved power generation performance in the module accommodating chamber 115, the module accommodating device 110 can be made to have improved power generation performance.
[0090] [Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiments, a fuel cell, a fuel cell stack device, a fuel cell module, and a fuel cell device are shown as examples of an "electrochemical cell," "electrochemical cell device," "module," and "module housing device." However, other examples may be an electrolysis cell, an electrolysis cell stack device, an electrolysis module, and an electrolysis device, respectively. The electrolysis cell has a first electrode and a second electrode, and decomposes water vapor into hydrogen and oxygen, or decomposes carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide and oxygen, when supplied with electric power. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, an oxide ion conductor or a hydrogen ion conductor is shown as an example of the electrolyte material of the electrochemical cell, but a hydroxide ion conductor may also be used. Such an electrolysis cell, an electrolysis cell stack device, an electrolysis module, and an electrolysis device can improve electrolysis performance.
[0091] The present disclosure has been described in detail above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, improvements, etc. are possible within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure.
[0092] In one embodiment, (1) an electrochemical cell includes: a metal plate having a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface; an element portion having a first electrode facing the first surface, a solid electrolyte layer, and a second electrode located opposite the first electrode with the solid electrolyte layer sandwiched therebetween; and an intermediate layer located between the first surface and the first electrode, wherein at least a portion of the outline of the intermediate layer is located outside the outline of the element portion when viewed in plan from the second electrode side.
[0093] (2) In the electrochemical cell of (1) above, when viewed from above from the second electrode side, the outline of the intermediate layer may be located outside the outline of the element portion.
[0094] (3) In the electrochemical cell of (1) or (2) above, the area of the intermediate layer may be larger than the area of the element portion when viewed from above from the second electrode side.
[0095] (4) In the electrochemical cell of any one of (1) to (3) above, the intermediate layer may be in contact with at least a portion of a side surface of the first electrode.
[0096] (5) In the electrochemical cell of any one of (1) to (4) above, when viewed in a plan view from the second electrode side, the intermediate layer has a first portion overlapping the element portion and a second portion located outside the outline of the element portion, and the thickness of the intermediate layer in the second portion may be greater than the thickness of the intermediate layer in the first portion.
[0097] (6) In the electrochemical cell of any one of (1) to (5) above, the surface of the intermediate layer that is not in contact with the metal plate and the element portion may be covered with a sealing material.
[0098] (7) In the electrochemical cell of any one of (1) to (6) above, when viewed in plan from the second electrode side, at least a part of the outline of the element portion may be located outside the outline of the intermediate layer.
[0099] (8) In the electrochemical cell of (7) above, a sealant may be provided between the element portion positioned outside the outline of the intermediate layer and the first surface when viewed in plan from the second electrode side.
[0100] In one embodiment, (9) an electrochemical cell device has a cell stack including any one of the electrochemical cells (1) to (8) above.
[0101] In one embodiment, a module (10) includes the electrochemical cell device (9) described above, and a container for housing the electrochemical cell device.
[0102] In one embodiment, (11) a module housing device includes the module of (10) above, an auxiliary device for operating the module, and an exterior case for housing the module and the auxiliary device.
[0103] 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.
[0104] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1, 1A Cell 3, 3A Element portion 9 Sealing material 10 Cell stack device 30 First intermediate layer 30a First portion 30b Second portion 32 Metal plate 100 Module 110 Module accommodating device
Claims
1. A metal plate having a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface, An element portion having a first electrode facing the first surface, a solid electrolyte layer, and a second electrode located on the opposite side of the first electrode with the solid electrolyte layer in between, An intermediate layer located between the first surface and the first electrode Equipped with, When viewed from the second electrode side in a plan view, at least a portion of the contour of the intermediate layer is located outside the contour of the element portion. Electrochemical cell.
2. When viewed from the second electrode side in a plan view, the contour of the intermediate layer is located outside the contour of the element portion. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1.
3. When viewed from the second electrode side in a plan view, the area of the intermediate layer is larger than the area of the element portion. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1.
4. The intermediate layer is in contact with at least a portion of the side surface of the first electrode. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1.
5. When viewed from the second electrode side in a plan view, the intermediate layer has a first portion that overlaps with the element portion and a second portion that is located outside the contour of the element portion. The thickness of the intermediate layer in the second portion is greater than the thickness of the intermediate layer in the first portion. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1.
6. The surface of the intermediate layer that is not in contact with the metal plate and the element is covered with a sealing material. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1.
7. When viewed from the second electrode side in a plan view, at least a portion of the contour of the element is located outside the contour of the intermediate layer. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1.
8. When viewed from the second electrode side, the element portion located outside the contour of the intermediate layer and the first surface are provided with a sealing material. The electrochemical cell according to claim 7.
9. A cell stack comprising an electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 8 Electrochemical cell apparatus.
10. The electrochemical cell apparatus according to claim 9, A storage container for housing the electrochemical cell apparatus and A module equipped with the following features.
11. The module according to claim 10, Auxiliary equipment for operating the aforementioned module, An outer case housing the module and the auxiliary equipment A module housing device equipped with the following features.