Electrochemical cell, electrochemical cell device, module, and module storage device

Abstract

This electrochemical cell comprises a metal base material, an element part that is positioned on the metal base material, and a sealing part that contains a sealing material. The element part includes a solid electrolyte layer and a first electrode which contains particles of an oxide and is positioned on the opposite side of the metal base material across the solid electrolyte layer. The sealing part is disposed on the metal base material that is positioned around the element part. The first electrode has a contact part that is in contact with the sealing part, and a first portion that faces the contact part. The first portion comprises a sealing material between the particles.

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] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-170109

[0004] An electrochemical cell according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a metal substrate, an element portion located on the metal substrate, and a seal portion including a sealant. The element portion includes a solid electrolyte layer and a first electrode located on the opposite side of the metal substrate across the solid electrolyte layer and including oxide particles. The seal portion is disposed on the metal substrate and located around the element portion. The first electrode has a contact portion in contact with the seal portion and a first portion facing the contact portion. The first portion includes the sealant between the particles.

[0005] An electrochemical cell device according to one aspect of the embodiment includes a cell stack including the electrochemical cell described above.

[0006] The module of the present disclosure also 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 also includes the module described above, an accessory configured to operate the module, and an exterior case housing the module and the accessory.

[0008] FIG. 1A is a plan view of an example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment, viewed from the air electrode side. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 1A. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of region R1 shown in FIG. 1B. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a top view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view showing an example of a module according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 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 durability.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need to provide an electrochemical cell, an electrochemical cell device, a module, and a module housing device that can improve durability.

[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 and 1B, an electrochemical cell according to an 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 plan view of an example of an electrochemical cell according to an embodiment, viewed from the air electrode side. Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 1A. Figs. 1A and 1B show enlarged views of parts of each component of the electrochemical cell. Hereinafter, the electrochemical cell may be simply referred to as a cell.

[0015] For ease of understanding, Figures 1A and 1B illustrate a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system including a Z axis, with the vertical upward direction as the positive direction and the vertical downward direction as the negative direction. This Cartesian coordinate system may also be shown in other drawings used in the following description. Furthermore, components similar to those in the electrochemical cells shown in Figures 1A and 1B are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

[0016] 1A and 1B, a cell 1 according to this embodiment includes an element unit 3, a seal unit 9, a metal substrate 2, and a flow path member 30. The element unit 3 includes an anode 5, a solid electrolyte layer 6, and a cathode 8. In the example of FIG. 1A, one element unit 3 is located on the metal substrate 2, but two or more element units 3 may be located thereon.

[0017] The anode 5 is a second 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. ２ and 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 first 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 element section 3 may also have a diffusion suppression layer (not shown) located between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the air electrode 8. When a specific element such as Sr (strontium) contained in the air electrode 8 diffuses into the solid electrolyte layer 6, the solid electrolyte layer 6 is covered with SrZrO ３ The diffusion suppression layer makes it difficult for specific elements such as Sr to diffuse, resulting in a resistive phase such as SrZrO ３ This makes it difficult for compounds such as

[0024] The material of the diffusion-preventing layer is not particularly limited as long as it generally makes it difficult for elements to diffuse between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the air electrode 8. The material of the diffusion-preventing layer 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).

[0025] The sealing portion 9 is located on the metal substrate 2 located around the periphery 8c of the element portion 3. The sealing portion 9 contacts the side surfaces of the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the anode 5 and the metal substrate 2. The sealing portion 9 is a sealing material that prevents fuel gas from leaking from the anode 5. The sealing portion 9 also has a portion that contacts the cathode 8, preventing peeling between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the cathode 8. The sealing portion 9 may have a portion located between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the cathode 8. This further prevents peeling between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the cathode 8.

[0026] The seal portion 9 includes a seal material. This seal material may be amorphous glass or may be crystallized glass. The crystallized glass may contain Ba. The seal portion 9 may have electrical insulation properties.

[0027] The metal base 2 has a surface 201 and a surface 202 located at both ends in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction). The metal base 2 may be, for example, a metal plate in which the distance between the surface 201 and the surface 202 is approximately constant.

[0028] The metal substrate 2 is electrically conductive. The metal substrate 2 may be, for example, a member made of a metal containing chromium. The metal substrate 2 may be, for example, a stainless steel such as a ferritic stainless steel or an austenitic stainless steel having high heat resistance. The metal substrate 2 may be, for example, a nickel-chromium alloy or an iron-chromium alloy. The metal substrate 2 may contain, for example, a metal oxide. The metal substrate 2 may have a coating covering the surface. The metal substrate 2 may not have a coating on the surface.

[0029] Furthermore, the metal substrate 2 may have an opening penetrating between the surface 201 and the surface 202. The fuel gas flowing through a flow path 2a, which will be described later, is supplied to the fuel electrode 5 of the element section 3 through this opening. The diameter of the opening 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 substrate 2 along the Y-axis direction, the opening ratio in the region where the opening is formed may be, for example, 10% or more. The metal substrate 2 may have a coating that covers the wall surface of the opening. The metal substrate 2 does not need to have a coating on the wall surface of the opening.

[0030] The metal base 2 may be gas permeable, for example. In such a case, the metal base 2 does not need to have an opening penetrating in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction).

[0031] The flow path member 30 is located between the element units 3 of adjacent cells 1. The flow path member 30 is located between the fuel electrode 5 of one element unit 3 and the air electrode 8 of the other element unit 3 of adjacent cells 1. The flow path member 30 is made of a dense metal or alloy. The flow path member 30 has a surface 31 and a surface 32 located opposite to surface 31. The flow path member 30 makes it difficult for the fuel gas flowing on the surface 31 side and the oxygen-containing gas flowing on the surface 32 side to leak. The flow path member 30 may have a coating. For example, the flow path member 30 may have a reduction-resistant coating on the surface 31 and an oxidation-resistant coating on the surface 32. These coatings may be conductive.

[0032] The flow path member 30 is fixed and electrically joined to the metal substrate 2 by, for example, welding or the like at the contact portion. The flow path member 30 may be fixed and electrically joined to the metal substrate 2 by a conductive sealing material, brazing material, or the like. A flow path 2a through which the fuel gas flows is located between a surface 31 of the flow path member 30 and the metal substrate 2. The fuel gas flowing through the flow path 2a permeates the metal substrate 2 and is supplied to the anode 5.

[0033] The surface 32 is fixed to and electrically joined to the air electrode 8, for example, via a conductive adhesive. A space is located between the flow path member 30 and the air electrode 8, through which an oxygen-containing gas flows.

[0034] The cell 1 may further include a constraining layer (not shown). The constraining layer may be located between the element portion 3 and the metal substrate 2. The constraining layer cooperates with the solid electrolyte layer 6 to make the element portion 3 less susceptible to warping, bending, and the like.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] The cell 1 may further include a gas diffusion layer (not shown). The gas diffusion layer may be located between the fuel electrode 5 and the metal substrate 2. The gas diffusion layer has gas permeability and allows the fuel gas flowing through the flow path 2a to pass through to the fuel electrode 5. The open porosity of the gas diffusion layer may be in the range of, for example, 30% to 50%, particularly 35% to 45%.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 1B , the shape of the flow path member 30 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 1B. The flow path member 30 may have any shape as long as it electrically connects adjacent cells 1 and makes it difficult for the fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas to leak.

[0040] <Details of Main Parts of Electrochemical Cell> Next, the main parts of the cell 1 according to the embodiment will be further described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of region R1 shown in Fig. 1B.

[0041] 2, the cell 1 includes an element section 3 and a seal section 9. The element section 3 also includes a fuel electrode 5, a solid electrolyte layer 6, and a cathode 8. The cathode 8, which serves as a first electrode, includes oxide particles 8m.

[0042] The sealing portion 9 is located around the periphery 8c of the element portion 3. The sealing portion 9 is also located between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the air electrode 8.

[0043] The seal portion 9 includes a seal material 9m. The seal material 9m may be, for example, crystallized glass. 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-based, 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.

[0044] The air electrode 8 as the first electrode has a contact portion 80 that contacts the seal portion 9. The contact portion 80 is the surface of the air electrode 8 that contacts the seal portion 9. In other words, the contact portion 80 is the boundary between the air electrode 8 and the seal portion 9. The contact portion 80 may have a first contact portion 81 and a second contact portion 82. The first contact portion 81 is a portion of the seal portion 9 that contacts an end portion that is located closer to the center of the element portion 3 in a planar view. The second contact portion 82 is a portion of the seal portion 9 that contacts an end portion that is located away from the metal substrate 2. The contact portion 80 may be a flat or curved portion in which the first contact portion 81 and the second contact portion 82 are continuous.

[0045] The air electrode 8 has a first portion 8a facing the contact portion 80. The first portion 8a includes a sealant 9m between particles 8m. This improves the bonding strength between the air electrode 8 and the seal portion 9 compared to a case where the first portion 8a is not present. This makes it less likely that the air electrode 8 will peel off from the solid electrolyte layer 6 and / or the seal portion 9, improving the durability of the cell 1.

[0046] The seal portion 9 may have a second portion 9a facing the contact portion 80. The second portion 9a may contain an element contained in the particles 8m. This improves the bonding strength between the air electrode 8 and the seal portion 9 compared to a case where the second portion 9a is not present. This makes it less likely that the air electrode 8 will peel off from the solid electrolyte layer 6 and / or the seal portion 9, improving the durability of the cell 1.

[0047] The oxide contained in particle 8m has the general formula ABO ３ The cathode 8 may contain a composite oxide having a perovskite structure represented by the following formula: This improves the bonding strength between the cathode 8 and the seal portion 9. This makes it difficult for the cathode 8 to peel off from the solid electrolyte layer 6 and / or the seal portion 9, improving the durability of the cell 1.

[0048] A composite oxide having a perovskite structure may have, for example, Sr (strontium) and La (lanthanum) coexisting at the A site. Examples of such composite oxides include La ｘ Sr １－ｘ Co ｙ Fe １－ｙ O ３ , La ｘSr １－ｘ MnO ３ , La ｘ Sr １－ｘ FeO ３ , La ｘ Sr １－ｘ CoO ３ The examples include: x is 0<x<1, and y is 0<y<1. This composite oxide may contain, for example, Fe and / or Co as the element B occupying the B site.

[0049] The second region 9 a may also contain at least one element B occupying the B site of the perovskite structure. Specifically, the second region 9 a may contain Fe and / or Co. This improves the bonding strength between the air electrode 8 and the seal portion 9. This makes it difficult for the air electrode 8 to peel off from the solid electrolyte layer 6 and / or the seal portion 9, improving the durability of the cell 1.

[0050] The second region 9a may also have a region 9c in which the content of at least one element B is greater than the content of the element B in the first region 8a. For example, if the second region 9a contains Fe, the region 9c refers to a portion of the second region 9a in which the Fe content is greater than that in the first region 8a. If the second region 9a contains Fe and Co, the region 9c refers to a portion of the second region 9a in which the Fe or Co content is greater than that in the first region 8a. The presence of the region 9c in the second region 9a further improves the bonding strength between the cathode 8 and the seal portion 9 compared to a case in which the region 9c is not present. This makes the cathode 8 even less likely to peel from the solid electrolyte layer 6 and / or the seal portion 9, further improving the durability of the cell 1. The extent of the region 9c may coincide with the extent of the second region 9a.

[0051] The seal portion 9 may also have a third portion 9b located between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the air electrode 8 serving as the first electrode. This improves the bonding strength between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the air electrode 8 via the seal portion 9. This makes it difficult for the air electrode 8 to peel off from the solid electrolyte layer 6 and / or the seal portion 9, improving the durability of the cell 1. The third portion 9b includes a seal material 9m. The third portion 9b may have a different composition from the second portion 9a.

[0052] Here, the composition of the cathode 8 and the seal portion 9 and the presence or absence of each portion are obtained as follows. The portion including the cathode 8 and the seal portion 9 is embedded in resin and mirror-polished to obtain a cross section. The presence or absence of each layer can be confirmed by observing the obtained cross section using, for example, a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The composition of each layer can be confirmed by performing elemental analysis of each layer on the obtained cross section using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The crystalline structure of the oxide can be estimated from the oxide composition confirmed by EDS. The crystalline structure of the oxide may also be confirmed by analyzing the cathode 8 using, for example, X-ray diffraction (XRD) or selected area electron diffraction (SAED) using a transmission electron microscope (TEM).

[0053] <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 3A to 3C. Figure 3A is a perspective view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to an embodiment. Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX shown in Figure 3A. Figure 3C is a top view showing an example of an electrochemical cell device according to an embodiment.

[0054] As shown in Figure 3A, the cell stack device 10 includes a cell stack 11 having multiple cells 1 arranged (stacked) in the thickness direction of the cells 1 (the Y-axis direction shown in Figure 1B), and a fixing member 12.

[0055] 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 the gas tank 16, which are the support member 14, are made of metal and are electrically conductive.

[0056] 3B, 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 fixing material 13.

[0057] 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.

[0058] In the example shown in Fig. 3A, fuel gas is stored in an internal space 22 (see Fig. 3B) 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 2a (see Fig. 1B) inside the cell 1. The fuel gas supplied to the gas tank 16 may be generated in a reformer 102 (see Fig. 4), which will be described later. The internal space 22 may also be referred to as a space containing a reducing atmosphere and fuel gas.

[0059] 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.

[0060] The example shown in FIG. 3A includes two rows of cell stacks 11, two supports 15, and a gas tank 16. Each of the two rows of cell stacks 11 includes a plurality of cells 1. 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. The internal space 22 is formed by the one gas tank 16 and the two supports 15. The cell stack device 10 may include only one cell stack 11, or may include three or more cell stacks 11.

[0061] The shape of the insertion hole 15a may be, 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 (Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1B ), may be 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 may be greater than the length of the cell 1 in the width direction (X-axis direction shown in FIG. 1B ).

[0062] 3B, a fixing material 13 is filled and solidified at the joint between the inner wall of the insertion hole 15a and the lower end of the cell 1. This bonds and fixes the inner wall of the insertion hole 15a to the lower end of each of the multiple cells 1, and also bonds and fixes the lower ends of the cells 1 to each other. The flow path 2a of each cell 1 communicates with the internal space 22 of the support member 14 at its lower end.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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-based, 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.

[0065] 3B, a conductive member 18 is interposed between adjacent cells 1 among the plurality of cells 1. The conductive member 18 electrically connects one adjacent cell 1 to the other adjacent cell 1 in series. More specifically, the conductive member 18 connects the fuel electrode 5 of one cell 1 to the air electrode 8 of the other cell 1. The conductive member 18 may be the flow path member 30 shown in FIG. 1B, or may be a member separate from the flow path member 30.

[0066] 3B, 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 portion 19 that protrudes outside the cell stack 11. The conductive portion 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. 3A.

[0067] 3C, the cell stack device 10 has two cell stacks 11A and 11B connected in series to function as a single battery. Therefore, the conductive portion 19 of the cell stack device 10 is divided into a positive terminal 19A, a negative terminal 19B, and a connection terminal 19C.

[0068] The positive electrode terminal 19A is a positive electrode when the power generated by the cell stack 11 is output to the outside. The positive electrode terminal 19A is electrically connected to the end current collector 17 on the positive electrode side 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. The negative electrode terminal 19B is electrically connected to the end current collector 17 on the negative electrode side of the cell stack 11B.

[0069] 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.

[0070] <Module> Next, a module according to this embodiment using the above-described cell stack device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an external perspective view showing an example of a module according to this embodiment. Fig. 4 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 taken out to the rear.

[0071] 4, the module 100 includes a cell stack device 10 and a storage container 101 that stores the cell stack device 10. A reformer 102 may be disposed above the cell stack device 10.

[0072] The reformer 102 reforms raw fuel such as natural gas or kerosene to generate fuel gas, which is then supplied to the cell 1. 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.

[0073] The fuel gas produced in the reformer 102 is supplied to the flow path 2 a of the cell 1 (see FIG. 1B) through the gas distribution pipe 20 , the gas tank 16 , and the support member 14 .

[0074] Furthermore, in the module 100 having the above-described configuration, the temperature inside the module 100 during normal power generation reaches approximately 500°C to 1000°C due to the combustion of gas and the power generation of the cells 1.

[0075] In such a module 100, as described above, the module 100 is configured to house the cell stack device 10 having a plurality of highly durable cells 1, thereby making it possible to make the module 100 highly durable.

[0076] <Module Enclosure Device> Fig. 5 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. 4, and auxiliary equipment (not shown). The auxiliary equipment operates the module 100. The outer case 111 accommodates the module 100 and the auxiliary equipment. Note that some components are omitted in Fig. 5.

[0077] An exterior case 111 of a module accommodating device 110 shown in Fig. 5 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. The space below the partition plate 114 in the exterior case 111 is an accessory accommodating chamber 116 that accommodates accessory equipment configured to operate the module 100. Note that in Fig. 5, the accessory equipment accommodated in the accessory accommodating chamber 116 is omitted from the illustration.

[0078] 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.

[0079] In such a module accommodating device 110, as described above, highly durable modules 100 are provided in the module accommodating chamber 115, so that the module accommodating device 110 can be made highly durable.

[0080] [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. An 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 electrolysis cells, electrolysis cell stack devices, electrolysis modules, and electrolysis devices can improve electrolysis performance and durability. Solid oxide fuel cells and electrolysis cells are collectively referred to as solid oxide electrochemical cells.

[0081] 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.

[0082] In one embodiment, (1) an electrochemical cell comprises: a metal substrate; an element portion located on the metal substrate, the element portion including a solid electrolyte layer and a first electrode located on the opposite side of the metal substrate with the solid electrolyte layer therebetween, the first electrode including oxide particles; and a sealing portion disposed on the metal substrate around the element portion, the sealing portion including a sealing material, wherein the first electrode has a contact portion in contact with the sealing portion and a first portion facing the contact portion, and the first portion includes the sealing material between the particles.

[0083] (2) In the electrochemical cell of (1) above, a second portion of the sealing portion facing the contact portion may contain an element contained in the particles.

[0084] (3) In the electrochemical cell of (1) or (2), the oxide is represented by the general formula ABO ３ The compound oxide may contain a complex oxide having a perovskite structure represented by the following formula:

[0085] (4) In the electrochemical cell of (3) above, the second portion of the sealing portion facing the contact portion may contain at least one element B occupying the B site of the perovskite structure.

[0086] (5) In the electrochemical cell of (4) above, the second region may have at least one region in which the content of the element B is greater than the content of the element B in the first region.

[0087] (6) In the electrochemical cell of any one of (1) to (5) above, the sealing portion may have a third portion located between the solid electrolyte layer and the first electrode.

[0088] In one embodiment, (7) the electrochemical cell device has a cell stack including any one of the electrochemical cells (1) to (6) above.

[0089] In one embodiment, (8) a module includes the electrochemical cell device of (7) above, and a container that houses the electrochemical cell device.

[0090] In one embodiment, (9) a module housing device includes the module of (8) above, an auxiliary device configured to operate the module, and an outer case housing the module and the auxiliary device.

[0091] 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.

[0092] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 cell 2 metal substrate 3 element portion 5 fuel electrode 6 solid electrolyte layer 8 air electrode 9 seal portion 10 cell stack device 30 flow path member 100 module 110 module housing device

Claims

1. An electrochemical cell comprising: a metal substrate; a solid electrolyte layer; and a first electrode containing oxide particles and located on the opposite side of the metal substrate with the solid electrolyte layer in between, the element portion being located on the metal substrate; and a sealing portion disposed on the metal substrate around the element portion and containing a sealing material, wherein the first electrode has a contact portion in contact with the sealing portion and a first portion facing the contact portion, and the first portion contains the sealing material between the particles.

2. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein a second portion of the sealing portion facing the contact portion contains an element contained in the particles.

3. The oxide has the general formula ABO ３ The electrochemical cell according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a complex oxide having a perovskite structure represented by the formula:

4. An electrochemical cell according to claim 3, wherein the second portion of the sealing portion facing the contact portion contains at least one element B occupying the B site of the perovskite structure.

5. The electrochemical cell according to claim 4, wherein the second region has at least one region in which the content of the element B is greater than the content of the element B in the first region.

6. The electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sealing portion has a third portion located between the solid electrolyte layer and the first electrode.

7. An electrochemical cell device having a cell stack including the electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A module comprising the electrochemical cell device according to claim 7 and a container that houses the electrochemical cell device.

9. A module housing device comprising: a module according to claim 8; an accessory configured to operate said module; and an outer case housing said module and said accessory.

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