Conductive member, electrochemical cell device, module, and module accommodation device

Abstract

This conductive member has a first portion, a second portion, and a boundary portion. The first portion has a first width in the first direction. The second portion extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction and has a second width smaller than the first width in the first direction. The boundary portion is positioned between the first portion and the second portion. In a planar view from a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and to the second direction, the contour of the boundary portion connecting the first portion and the second portion together has a curved portion.

Description

Conductive components, electrochemical cell devices, modules, and module housings.

[0001] This disclosure relates to conductive members, electrochemical cell devices, modules, and module housing devices.

[0002] In recent years, various fuel cell cell stack devices, which have multiple fuel cell cells, have been proposed as next-generation energy sources. A fuel cell is a type of electrochemical cell that can generate electricity using a fuel gas such as hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas such as air.

[0003] In such a fuel cell cell stack device, for example, a conductive member including a busbar is provided at the end of the cell stack in the direction of arrangement of the multiple fuel cell cells.

[0004] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-45435 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-113243

[0005] A conductive member according to one embodiment has a first portion, a second portion, and a boundary portion. The first portion has a first width in a first direction. The second portion extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction and has a second width smaller than the first width in the first direction. The boundary portion is located between the first portion and the second portion. When viewed from a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, the contour of the boundary portion connecting the first portion and the second portion has a curved portion.

[0006] Furthermore, the electrochemical cell apparatus of this disclosure includes a cell stack having a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in the third direction, and the conductive member described above located at the end of the cell stack.

[0007] Furthermore, the module of this disclosure comprises the electrochemical cell apparatus described above and a housing container that houses the electrochemical cell apparatus.

[0008] Furthermore, the module housing device of this disclosure comprises the module described above, an auxiliary device configured to operate the module, and an outer casing housing the module and the auxiliary device.

[0009] Figure 1A is a plan view showing an example of an electrochemical cell in the electrochemical cell apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 1B is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the A-A line shown in Figure 1A. Figure 1C is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the A-A line shown in Figure 1A. Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a cell stack in the electrochemical cell apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 3A is a perspective view showing an example of the electrochemical cell apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 3B is a top view showing an example of the electrochemical cell apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 4A is a plan view showing an example of a conductive member according to the embodiment. Figure 4B is a plan view showing another example of a conductive member according to the embodiment. Figure 5A is a plan view showing another example of a conductive member according to the embodiment. Figure 5B is a plan view showing another example of a conductive member according to the embodiment. Figure 5C is a plan view showing another example of a conductive member according to the embodiment. Figure 5D is a plan view showing another example of a conductive member according to the embodiment. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an example of a module housing device according to the embodiment.

[0010] However, the aforementioned fuel cell cell stack device had room for improvement in the reliability of its conductive components.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need for conductive materials, electrochemical cell devices, modules, and module housing devices that can improve reliability.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the conductive member, electrochemical cell apparatus, module, and module housing apparatus disclosed in this application will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0013] Furthermore, it should be noted that drawings are schematic representations, and the dimensional relationships and proportions of each element may differ from reality. Moreover, there may be discrepancies in dimensional relationships and proportions between drawings themselves.

[0014] Also, in the embodiments described below, expressions such as "constant", "vertical", "parallel", or "flush" may be used, but these expressions do not necessarily require strict "constant", "vertical", "parallel", or "flush". That is, each of the above expressions shall allow for deviations such as manufacturing accuracy and installation accuracy.

[0015] [Embodiment] <Configuration of Electrochemical Cell> First, referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, the electrochemical cell included in the electrochemical cell device according to the embodiment will be described using an example of a solid oxide fuel cell. The electrochemical cell device includes a cell stack having a plurality of electrochemical cells. An electrochemical cell device having a plurality of electrochemical cells is simply referred to as a cell stack device.

[0016] FIG. 1A is a plan view showing an example of the electrochemical cell included in the electrochemical cell device according to the embodiment. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the line A - A shown in FIG. 1A. Note that FIGS. 1A and 1B show a part of each configuration of the electrochemical cell in an enlarged manner. Hereinafter, the electrochemical cell may also be simply referred to as a cell.

[0017] For the sake of easy understanding, FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system including a Z-axis with the vertically upward direction as the positive direction and the vertically downward direction as the negative direction. Such an orthogonal coordinate system may also be shown in other drawings used in the following description. Also, the same reference numerals are given to configurations similar to the electrochemical cell shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

[0018] The cell 1 according to the present embodiment includes an element part 3, a metal plate 23, and a bonding layer 30. The element part 3 has a fuel electrode 5, a solid electrolyte layer 6, and an air electrode 8.

[0019] The fuel electrode 5 is a second electrode that contacts a fuel gas, which is a reducing gas. The fuel electrode 5 has gas permeability. The open porosity of the fuel electrode 5 may be, for example, 30% or more and 50% or less, particularly 35% or more and 45% or less. The open porosity of the fuel electrode 5 may also be referred to as the porosity or void fraction of the fuel electrode 5.

[0020] The fuel electrode 5 can be made of a material that is generally known. The fuel electrode 5 can be made of porous conductive ceramics, such as calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or ZrO2 in which rare earth element oxides are in solid solution. ２ Furthermore, ceramics containing elemental Ni, namely metallic Ni and / or NiO, may be used. This rare earth element oxide may include, for example, multiple rare earth elements selected from Sc, Y, La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, and Yb. Calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or ZrO containing a solid solution of rare earth element oxides may also be used. ２ This is sometimes referred to as stabilized zirconia. Stabilized zirconia may include partially stabilized zirconia. The fuel electrode 5 is CeO in which La, Nd or Yb is in solid solution. ２ It may include.

[0021] The solid electrolyte layer 6 is an electrolyte that facilitates the transfer of ions between the fuel electrode 5 and the air electrode 8. At the same time, the solid electrolyte layer 6 has gas barrier properties, making it difficult for leakage between the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas to occur.

[0022] The material of the solid electrolyte layer 6 is, for example, ZrO2 in which 3 mol% to 15 mol% of rare earth element oxides are solid-dissolved. ２ 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. The solid electrolyte layer 6 may be, for example, ZrO in which Yb, Sc, or Gd is solid-solved. ２ It may also include: The solid electrolyte layer 6 may be, for example, CeO in which La, Nd or Yb is solid-solved. ２ It may also contain: The solid electrolyte layer 6 may be, for example, BaZrO in which Sc or Yb is solid-solved. ３ It may also include: The solid electrolyte layer 6 may be, for example, BaCeO in which Sc or Yb is solid-solved. ３ It may include.

[0023] The air electrode 8 is the first electrode in contact with the oxygen-containing gas. The air electrode 8 is gas permeable. The open porosity of the air electrode 8 may be, for example, 20% to 50%, and more particularly 30% to 50%. The open porosity of the air electrode 8 is sometimes referred to as the void ratio of the air electrode 8.

[0024] The material of the air electrode 8 is not particularly limited as long as it 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 ABO ３ type perovskite oxide.

[0025] 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 etc. Here, x is 0 < x < 1, and y is 0 < y < 1.

[0026] Further, the element part 3 may have an intermediate layer 7 located between the solid electrolyte layer 6 and the air electrode 8. When the element part 3 has the intermediate layer 7, the intermediate layer 7 makes it difficult for the diffusion of specific elements to occur. For example, when a specific element such as Sr (strontium) contained in the air electrode 8 diffuses into the solid electrolyte layer 6, a resistance phase such as SrZrO ３ etc. is likely to be formed in such a solid electrolyte layer 6. By making it difficult for specific elements such as Sr to diffuse, the intermediate layer 7 makes it difficult for compounds with high electrical resistance such as SrZrO ３ etc. to be formed in the solid electrolyte layer 6.

[0027] The material of the intermediate layer 7 is not particularly limited as long as it generally makes it difficult for the diffusion of elements between the air electrode 8 and the solid electrolyte layer 6 to occur. The material of the intermediate layer 7 may contain, for example, cerium oxide (CeO ２ ) in which rare earth elements excluding Ce (cerium) are solid-dissolved. As such rare earth elements, for example, Gd (gadolinium), Sm (samarium), etc. may be used.

[0028] The metal plate 23 has surfaces 231 and 232 located at both ends in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction). Surface 231 is positioned facing the bonding layer 30. Surface 232 is positioned on the opposite side of surface 231.

[0029] The metal plate 23 may be conductive. The metal plate 23 may also be a metal component containing, for example, chromium. The metal plate 23 may be, for example, a stainless steel such as a heat-resistant ferritic stainless steel or austenitic stainless steel. The metal plate 23 may also be, for example, a nickel-chromium alloy or an iron-chromium alloy. The metal plate 23 may also contain, for example, a metal oxide. Furthermore, the metal plate 23 may have a coating covering its surface. The metal plate 23 does not necessarily have a coating on its surface.

[0030] Furthermore, the metal plate 23 has a plurality of through holes 23a. The through holes 23a penetrate between the surface 231 and the surface 232. The fuel gas flowing through the flow path 24, which will be described later, is supplied to the fuel electrode 5 of the element section 3 through the through holes 23a. The diameter (opening diameter) of the through holes 23a may be, for example, 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm, and particularly 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm. The opening ratio in the region where the through holes 23a are formed in the metal plate 23 viewed in plan along the Y-axis direction may be, for example, 10% or more. The metal plate 23 may have a coating that covers the wall surface of the through holes 23a. The metal plate 23 does not have to have a coating on the wall surface of the through holes 23a.

[0031] The metal plate 23 may, for example, be gas permeable.

[0032] The bonding layer 30 may be located between the element portion 3 and the metal plate 23. The bonding layer 30 may be located between the surface 231 of the metal plate 23 and the solid electrolyte layer 6. The bonding layer 30 bonds the element portion 3 and the metal plate 23, fixing the element portion 3 to the metal plate 23.

[0033] The bonding layer 30 may be conductive. The bonding layer 30 may, for example, consist of conductive particles such as Ni and TiO ２ , rare earth element oxides (Y ２ O ３ , CEO ２ etc.), transition metal oxides (Fe２ O ３ It may also contain inorganic oxides such as CuO.

[0034] The bonding layer 30 may be gas permeable. The gas permeable bonding layer 30 may be positioned to cover the through hole 23a of the metal plate 23. The bonding layer 30 may be porous, for example.

[0035] The bonding layer 30 may be composed of a single layer made of a single material, or it may be composed of a laminate made by stacking multiple materials.

[0036] Furthermore, a sealing material 9 may be located on the side surface of the element portion 3. The material of the sealing material 9 may be dense glass or ceramic. The material of the sealing material 9 may be, for example, amorphous glass or crystallized glass. As for crystallized glass, for example, 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 system, SiO ２ Any of the following materials may be used, particularly SiO ２ -MgO-based materials may be used. The encapsulant 9 may have electrical insulating properties. The material of the encapsulant 9 may be the same as the material of the solid electrolyte layer 6. The encapsulant 9 may be positioned to surround the side surface of the element portion 3.

[0037] Cell 1 may also have a flow path member 25. The flow path member 25 may be located on the side of the metal plate 23 232. The flow path member 25 may be fixed and electrically joined, for example, by welding at the contact portion with the surface 232. The flow path member 25 may be fixed and electrically joined to the metal plate 23 with a conductive sealing material or brazing material. The space located between the metal plate 23 and the flow path member 25 may be a flow path 24 through which fuel gas flows. The fuel gas flowing through the flow path 24 may be supplied to the fuel electrode 5 by permeating the metal plate 23. The metal plate 23 may have one or more protrusions projecting toward the flow path member 25. Also, a sealing material 9 may be located on the side surface of the flow path member 25.

[0038] The material of the flow path member 25 may be, for example, a dense metal or alloy. The flow path member 25 may be positioned to minimize leakage of fuel gas flowing through the flow path 24 and oxygen-containing gas flowing on the opposite side of the flow path 24, with the flow path member 25 in between. The flow path member 25 may have a coating. For example, the surface of the flow path member 25 facing the flow path 24 may have a reduction-resistant coating, and the surface 251 facing the opposite side of the flow path 24 may have an oxidation-resistant coating. These coatings may be conductive.

[0039] The flow path member 25 may be further fixed to a current collector member (not shown) by welding or the like, and electrically connected. The current collector member may be fixed to the air pole 8 of an adjacent cell 1 via an adhesive (not shown), and electrically joined.

[0040] Furthermore, the surfaces of the bonding layer 30 that are not in contact with the metal plate 23 and the element portion 3 may be covered with the sealing material 9.

[0041] The shape of the flow path member 25 is not limited to that shown in Figure 1B. Any shape is acceptable as long as it electrically connects adjacent cells 1 and minimizes leakage of fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas.

[0042] Figure 1C is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the line A-A shown in Figure 1A. As shown in Figure 1C, the flow path member 25 may have a first protrusion that projects toward an adjacent cell 1 along the Y-axis direction and a second protrusion that projects toward the opposite side of the first protrusion. Such a flow path member 25 may also serve as a current collector.

[0043] Furthermore, cell 1 may have a restraining layer (not shown). The restraining layer may be located between the element portion 3 and the support member 2. The restraining layer cooperates with the solid electrolyte layer 6 to prevent warping, bending, etc., of the element portion 3.

[0044] The material of the constraining layer may exhibit a shrinkage rate similar to that of the solid electrolyte layer 6 during firing. The material of the constraining layer may have a similar or identical composition to that of the solid electrolyte layer 6. The element 3 obtained by sandwiching the fuel electrode 5 material of the element 3 between the solid electrolyte layer 6 material and the constraining layer material and firing it will have reduced warping or deformation.

[0045] The restraining layer may or may not be gas permeable. If the restraining layer has gas barrier properties similar to those of the solid electrolyte layer 6, the restraining layer can be partially positioned so as not to obstruct the inflow of fuel gas to the fuel electrode 5.

[0046] Furthermore, cell 1 may have a gas diffusion layer, which is not shown. The gas diffusion layer may be located between the fuel electrode 5 and the support member 2. The gas diffusion layer may be gas permeable to allow the fuel gas flowing through the flow path 24 to pass through to the fuel electrode 5. The open porosity of the gas diffusion layer may be, for example, 30% to 50%, and particularly 35% to 45%.

[0047] The material for the gas diffusion layer may be a porous conductive ceramic, such as a ceramic containing stabilized or partially stabilized zirconia in which calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, or rare earth element oxides are solid-solved, and metallic Ni and / or NiO. These rare earth element oxides may include, for example, a plurality of rare earth elements selected from Sc, Y, La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, and Yb.

[0048] The material of the gas diffusion layer reduces, for example, the shrinkage of the fuel electrode 5 during firing. This makes it possible to bring the degree of shrinkage of the fuel electrode 5 and the solid electrolyte layer 6 (see Figure 1B) closer together during firing, so that the cell 1 having the gas diffusion layer exhibits less warping or deformation of the element portion 3.

[0049] Furthermore, the material of the gas diffusion layer is similar to that of the fuel electrode 5, and the temperature at which the gas diffusion layer material begins to shrink is close to that of the fuel electrode 5 material. On the other hand, the rare earth element oxides contained in the gas diffusion layer inhibit the densification of the gas diffusion layer. As a result, the gas diffusion layer has appropriate gas permeability while making it less likely for the element part 3 to deform. Therefore, the cell 1 having a gas diffusion layer has improved adhesion between the element part 3 and the bonding layer 30, and thus improved durability.

[0050] <Cell Stack Configuration> Next, the cell stack using the cell 1 described above will be explained with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the cell stack of the electrochemical cell apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0051] As shown in Figure 2, the cell stack 11 has a plurality of cells 1 arranged (stacked) in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the cell 1, and a conductive member 18 located between the cells 1. The conductive member 18 electrically connects the fuel electrode 5 of one adjacent cell 1 and the air electrode 8 of the other cell 1 in series. More specifically, the conductive member 18 connects a flow channel member 25 electrically connected to the fuel electrode 5 of one adjacent cell 1 to the air electrode 8 of the other cell 1. The conductive member 18 may be, for example, a dense metal or alloy. If the flow channel member 25 is a metal or alloy, the conductive member 18 may be integrated with the flow channel member 25. The flow channel member 25 may also serve as the conductive member 18. The conductive member 18 may be a separate member from the flow channel member 25. The conductive member 18 may be fixed to the air electrode 8 of the other cell 1 via a conductive adhesive and electrically joined.

[0052] The cell stack 11 has end current collectors 17 located at both ends in the thickness direction (Y-axis direction) of the cell 1. The end current collectors 17 may have an end current collector 17a located at one end of the cell stack 11 and an end current collector 17b located on the opposite side of the end current collector 17a.

[0053] <Configuration of the Electrochemical Cell Apparatus> Next, the electrochemical cell apparatus according to this embodiment, using the cell stack 11 described above, will be explained with reference to Figures 2, 3A, and 3B. Figure 3A is a perspective view showing an example of the electrochemical cell apparatus according to the embodiment. Figure 3B is a top view showing an example of the electrochemical cell apparatus according to the embodiment.

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

[0055] The fixing member 12 includes a sealing material 13 and a support member 14. The support member 14 supports the cell 1. The sealing material 13 fixes the cell 1 to the support member 14. The support member 14 also includes a support body 15 and a gas tank 16. The support body 15 and the gas tank 16, which make up the support member 14, are made of metal and are electrically conductive.

[0056] The support 15 has insertion holes into which the ends of multiple cells 1 are inserted. The ends of the multiple cells 1 and the inner wall of the insertion hole are joined together with a sealing material 13.

[0057] The gas tank 16 has an opening in the support 15 (not shown) through an insertion hole (not shown) that supplies reaction gas to a plurality of cells 1, and a groove (not shown) located around the opening. The outer end of the support 15 is joined to the gas tank 16 by a sealing material 13 filled in the groove of the gas tank 16.

[0058] In the example shown in Figures 3A and 3B, fuel gas is stored in an internal space 22 formed by a support member 14, which is a support 15, and a gas tank 16. A gas flow pipe 20 is connected to the gas tank 16. The arrangement of the gas flow pipe 20 is not limited to that shown in Figures 3A and 3B. The gas flow pipe 20 may be connected to other parts of the gas tank 16, for example, a surface located in the X-axis direction, a surface located in the Z-axis direction, or any other desired position. The gas flow pipe 20 may also have an extension portion into the internal space 22 of the gas tank 16. This extension portion may have an opening that supplies fuel gas to the internal space 22 at a desired position in the internal space 22.

[0059] As shown in Figure 3A, the joint between the inner wall of the insertion hole in the support 15 and the end of the cell 1 is filled with and solidified with a sealing material 13. As a result, the inner wall of the insertion hole and the ends of the multiple cells 1 are joined and fixed together, and the ends of the cells 1 are also joined and fixed together. The flow path 24 of each cell 1 (see Figure 1B) communicates with the internal space 22 of the support member 14 at its end in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction).

[0060] The sealing material 13 can be made of a material with low conductivity, such as glass. Specific materials for the sealing material 13 may include amorphous glass, and in particular, crystallized glass.

[0061] Examples of 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 system, SiO ２ Any of the following materials may be used, particularly SiO ２ -MgO-based materials may also be used.

[0062] Furthermore, the end current collector 17 is electrically connected to the outermost cell 1 in the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) of the multiple cells 1. The end current collector 17 is connected to a conductive portion 19. The conductive portion 19 is a busbar portion that protrudes to the outside of the cell stack 11. The conductive portion 19 collects the electricity generated by the cell 1 and draws it out to the outside. The end current collector 17 and the conductive portion 19 may be made of, for example, a dense metal or alloy.

[0063] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3A, the conductive portion 19 of the cell stack device 10 may have a positive terminal 19a and a negative terminal 19b.

[0064] The positive terminal 19a is the positive electrode when the power generated by the cell stack 11 is output to the outside. The positive terminal 19a is electrically connected to the positive-side end current collector 17a of the cell stack 11. The negative terminal 19b is the negative electrode when the power generated by the cell stack 11 is output to the outside. The negative terminal 19b is electrically connected to the negative-side end current collector 17b of the cell stack 11.

[0065] The fixing member 12 may include a first fixing member 12a having a support 15a with insertion holes into which one end of a plurality of cells 1 is inserted, and a gas tank 16a, and a support member 14a that supports one end of a cell 1. The fixing member 12 may also include a second fixing member 12b having a support 15b with insertion holes into which the other ends of a plurality of cells 1 are inserted, and a gas tank 16b, and a support member 14b that supports the other end of a cell 1.

[0066] The first fixing member 12a has an internal space 22a formed by the support member 14a, which is the support body 15a, and the gas tank 16a. A gas flow pipe 20a is connected to the gas tank 16a. Fuel gas is supplied to the gas tank 16a through this gas flow pipe 20a and from the gas tank 16a to the flow path 24 (see Figure 1B) inside the cell 1. The fuel gas supplied to the gas tank 16a may be generated in a reformer (not shown).

[0067] Hydrogen-rich fuel gas can be produced by steam reforming of the raw fuel. When fuel gas is produced by steam reforming, the fuel gas contains water vapor.

[0068] The second fixing member 12b has an internal space 22b formed by the support member 14b, which is the support body 15b, and the gas tank 16b. A gas flow pipe 20b is connected to the gas tank 16b. Gas discharged from the flow path 24 (see Figure 1B) inside the cell 1 is collected in the internal space 22b. The gas collected in the internal space 22b is discharged to the outside of the cell stack device 10 through the gas flow pipe 20b.

[0069] In the example shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the cell stacking device 10 comprises a single row of cell stacks 11 and a pair of fixing members 12, namely a first fixing member 12a and a second fixing member 12b, located at both ends of the cell stack 11. The cell stacking device 10 may also comprise two or more cell stacks 11. Furthermore, the cell stacking device 10 does not necessarily have to include the second fixing member 12b.

[0070] <Configuration of the Conductive Member> Next, the conductive member according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4A to 5D. Figure 4A is a plan view showing an example of the conductive member according to the embodiment. Figure 4B is a plan view showing another example of the conductive member according to the embodiment.

[0071] As shown in Figure 4A, the conductive member 21 includes a part of the end current collector member 17 and a conductive portion 19 extending from the end current collector member 17. The conductive portion 19 may have a through hole 19c. The conductive portion 19 may be electrically connected to an external device by a fastening member inserted into the through hole 19c. The conductive portion 19 does not have to have a through hole 19c. In this case, the conductive portion 19 can be fixed to the wiring of an external device using, for example, a fixing member such as a clamp.

[0072] The conductive member 21 has a first portion R1, a second portion R2, and a boundary portion R3. The first portion R1 has a first width L1 in the X-axis direction (first direction). The second portion R2 extends in the Z-axis direction (second direction) intersecting the X-axis direction (first direction). The second portion R2 has a second width L2 in the X-axis direction (first direction) that is smaller than the first width L1. The boundary portion R3 is located between the first portion R1 and the second portion R2.

[0073] Current concentration is likely to occur along the contour of the boundary portion R3 connecting the first portion R1 and the second portion R2, and in its vicinity. When current concentration occurs, abnormal heat generation occurs, and oxidation of the end current collector 17 and / or conductive portion 19, which are made of metal or alloy, is likely to progress.

[0074] The boundary portion R3 of the conductive member 21 according to this embodiment, when viewed from a plan view from the Y-axis direction (third direction) perpendicular to the X-axis direction (first direction) and the Z-axis direction (second direction), has a curved portion 21a in the contour of the boundary portion R3 connecting the first portion R1 and the second portion R2. As a result, current concentration and the resulting abnormal heat generation are less likely to occur in portion 21a and its vicinity, and oxidation of the end current collector 17 and / or conductive portion 19 is less likely to progress. Therefore, reliability is improved according to the conductive member 21 according to this embodiment.

[0075] As shown in Figure 4A, the conductive member 21 may have a portion where the width of the boundary portion R3 along the X-axis direction (first direction) gradually decreases as it approaches the second portion R2 from the first portion R1. This further reduces the likelihood of current concentration occurring in the conductive member 21, thereby further improving its reliability.

[0076] As shown in Figure 4A, the conductive member 21 may have a portion 21a with a curved contour between the second portion R2 and the boundary portion R3, or, as shown in Figure 4B, the portion 21a may extend over the entire boundary portion R3 connecting the first portion R1 and the second portion R2.

[0077] The curved portion 21a of the conductive member 21 may be an elliptical arc with a radius of curvature of 1 mm or more. The radius of curvature of portion 21a may be 200 mm or less. When portion 21a is an elliptical arc, the minor axis may be 1 mm or more, and the major axis may be 200 mm or less. This makes the conductive member 21 less prone to current concentration, further improving its reliability. For example, the amount of heat generated by portion 21a is 5% less when the radius of curvature is 1 mm than when the radius of curvature is 0.2 mm. Here, the amount of heat generated means Joules of heat generated per unit time.

[0078] The curved portion 21a of the conductive member 21 may be an arc shape with a radius of curvature of 3 mm or more. The radius of curvature of portion 21a may be 70 mm or less. This makes the conductive member 21 less prone to current concentration and further improves its reliability. For example, the amount of heat generated by portion 21a is 17% less when the radius of curvature is 3 mm than when the radius of curvature is 0.2 mm.

[0079] The curved portion 21a of the conductive member 21 may have two or more parts with different radii of curvature. This further reduces the likelihood of current concentration in the conductive member 21, thereby further improving its reliability.

[0080] Here, the first portion R1, the second portion R2, and the boundary portion R3 of the conductive member 21 are defined as follows. The first portion R1 is the portion that is joined to the cell 1. The first portion R1 has a surface such as a rectangular, circular, or elliptical shape. The second portion R2 is a connection terminal that is connected to an external device. The second portion R2 is the portion of the conductive member 21 that is joined to the terminal of the external device and the portion that is located further from the first portion R1 than said portion. The portion that is joined to the terminal of the external device is, for example, a through hole 19c. The boundary portion R3 is located between the first portion R1 and the second portion R2. In other words, the boundary portion R3 is located between the cell 1 and the terminal of the external device when viewed from above, and is not joined to either the cell 1 or the terminal of the external device.

[0081] Furthermore, whether or not the contour of the boundary portion R3 has a curved portion 21a can be determined as follows: From the contour of the conductive member 21 viewed from the Y-axis direction, the first portion R1, the second portion R2, and the boundary portion R3 are identified. Then, the curved portion 21a can be identified from the contour of the boundary portion R3. The radius of curvature R of the identified curved portion 21a can be obtained, for example, by image analysis. Alternatively, for example, the arrow height h and chord length d between any two points in the curved portion can be measured, and the radius of curvature of the approximate circle can be calculated and considered as the radius of curvature R of the curved portion.

[0082] Figures 5A to 5D are plan views showing another example of a conductive member according to the embodiment. As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the conductive member 21 may include an end current collector 17 and a conductive material 19A which is a separate component from the end current collector 17. The end current collector 17 and the conductive material 19A are joined together, for example, using a conductive bonding material. The contour of the bonding material may be curved. This makes it less likely for current concentration to occur in and near the bonding material of the conductive member 21, thereby improving reliability.

[0083] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5C, the width of the boundary portion R3 along the X-axis direction (first direction) may gradually decrease as it approaches the second portion R2 from the first portion R1. This further reduces the likelihood of current concentration in the conductive member 21, thereby further improving its reliability.

[0084] The second portion R2 may have a second width, which is its width in the X-axis direction (first direction), which decreases as it moves away from the first portion R1. In the example in Figure 5C, the width of the second portion R2 in the X-axis direction (first direction) decreases from L3 to L4 as it moves away from the first portion R1. This makes the conductive member 21 less prone to current concentration, further improving its reliability.

[0085] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5D, when viewed from the Y-axis direction (third direction), the contour of the boundary portion R3 may be asymmetric with respect to a hypothetical straight line CL connecting the centers of the first portion R1 and the second portion R2 in the X-axis direction (first direction). In the example of Figure 5D, the boundary portion R3 has a contour 21a1 and a contour 21a2 located on the opposite side of contour 21a1 across the straight line CL. Contours 21a1 and 21a2 are asymmetric with respect to the straight line CL. As a result, the conductive member 21 is less prone to bias in the current distribution of the end current collector 17 caused by, for example, the temperature distribution of the end current collector 17 or the gas concentration distribution of the cell 1. Therefore, since the heat generation of the end current collector 17 is reduced, oxidation of the end current collector 17 and / or the conductive portion 19 is less likely to progress, and the reliability of the conductive member 21 is improved.

[0086] <Module and Module Housing Device> Figure 6 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of a module housing device according to this embodiment. The module housing device 110 according to this embodiment comprises an outer case 111, a module 100, and auxiliary equipment (not shown).

[0087] Module 100 comprises a cell stacking device 10 and a storage container 101 that houses the cell stacking device 10. A reformer (not shown) may also be positioned above the cell stacking device 10.

[0088] Furthermore, in the module 100 with the above configuration, the temperature inside the module 100 during normal power generation is approximately 500°C to 1000°C due to the combustion of gas and the power generation of cell 1.

[0089] In such a module 100, as described above, the reliability of the cell stack device 10 is improved by housing the cell stack device 10, thereby making the module 100 more reliable.

[0090] Furthermore, the auxiliary equipment operates module 100. Module 100 and the auxiliary equipment are housed in the outer casing 111. Note that some components are omitted in Figure 6.

[0091] The outer casing 111 of the module housing device 110 has support columns 112 and outer panels 113. Partition plates 114 divide the inside of the outer casing 111 into upper and lower sections. The space above the partition plates 114 inside the outer casing 111 is the module housing chamber 115, which houses the module 100. The space below the partition plates 114 inside the outer casing 111 is the auxiliary equipment housing chamber 116, which houses the auxiliary equipment configured to operate the module 100. Note that in Figure 6, the auxiliary equipment housed in the auxiliary equipment housing chamber 116 is omitted from the illustration.

[0092] Furthermore, the partition plate 114 has an air circulation port 117 for allowing air from the auxiliary equipment storage room 116 to flow towards the module storage room 115. The outer panel 113 that constitutes the module storage room 115 has an exhaust port 118 for exhausting air from inside the module storage room 115.

[0093] In such a module housing device 110, as described above, by providing the module housing chamber 115 with a module 100 that has improved reliability, the module housing device 110 can be made more reliable.

[0094] [Other Embodiments] In the embodiments described above, fuel cell cells, fuel cell stack devices, fuel cell modules, and fuel cell devices were shown as examples of "electrochemical cells," "electrochemical cell devices," "modules," and "module housing devices." Other examples include electrolytic cells, electrolytic cell stack devices, electrolytic modules, and electrolytic devices, respectively. An electrolytic cell has a first electrode and a second electrode, and decomposes water vapor into hydrogen and oxygen, or carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide and oxygen, by supplying electricity. In the embodiments described above, oxide ion conductors or hydrogen ion conductors were shown as examples of electrolyte materials for electrochemical cells, but hydroxide ion conductors may also be used. Such electrolytic cells, electrolytic cell stack devices, electrolytic modules, and electrolytic devices can improve reliability. Solid oxide type fuel cell cells and electrolytic cells are collectively referred to as solid oxide type electrochemical cells.

[0095] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and improvements are possible without departing from the gist of this disclosure.

[0096] In one embodiment, (1) the conductive member has a first portion having a first width in a first direction, a second portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and having a second width smaller than the first width in the first direction, and a boundary portion located between the first portion and the second portion, and when viewed from a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, the contour of the boundary portion connecting the first portion and the second portion has a curved portion.

[0097] (2) In the conductive member described in (1) above, the width of the boundary portion along the first direction may gradually decrease as it approaches the second portion from the first portion.

[0098] (3) In the conductive member of (1) or (2) above, the second width may become smaller as it moves away from the first portion.

[0099] (4) In the conductive member described in (3) above, the contour of the boundary portion may be asymmetrical with respect to a straight line connecting the centers of the first portion and the second portion in the first direction.

[0100] (5) In any one of the conductive members described in (1) to (4) above, the curved portion may have a radius of curvature of 1 mm or more.

[0101] (6) In the conductive member described in (5) above, the curved portion may have a radius of curvature of 3 mm or more.

[0102] (7) In the conductive member described in (5) above, the curved portion may have two or more parts with different radii of curvature.

[0103] In one embodiment, (8) the electrochemical cell device includes a cell stack having a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in the third direction, and one of the conductive members (1) to (7) located at the end of the cell stack.

[0104] In one embodiment, module (9) comprises the electrochemical cell device described in (8) above and a storage container that houses the electrochemical cell device.

[0105] In one embodiment, the module housing device (10) comprises the module (9) described above, an auxiliary device configured to operate the module, and an outer case housing the module and the auxiliary device.

[0106] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. Indeed, the embodiments described above can be embodied in a variety of forms. Furthermore, the embodiments described above may be omitted, replaced, or modified in various ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

[0107] 1 Cell 3 Element section 5 Fuel electrode 6 Solid electrolyte layer 7 Intermediate layer 8 Air electrode 10 Cell stack device 11 Cell stack 17 End current collector 19 Conductive section 21 Conductive member 100 Module 110 Module housing device

Claims

A first portion having a first width in a first direction, A second portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction and having a second width smaller than the first width in the first direction, A boundary portion located between the first portion and the second portion It has, When viewed from a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, the contour of the boundary portion connecting the first portion and the second portion has a curved portion. Conductive material. 　 The width of the boundary portion along the first direction gradually decreases as it approaches the second portion from the first portion. The conductive member according to claim 1. 　 The second width decreases as it moves away from the first part. The conductive member according to claim 1 or 2. 　 When viewed from the third direction in a plan view, the contour of the boundary is asymmetrical with respect to the straight line connecting the centers of the first and second portions in the first direction. The conductive member according to claim 3. 　 The curved portion has a radius of curvature of 1 mm or more. A conductive member according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 　 The curved portion has a radius of curvature of 3 mm or more. The conductive member according to claim 5. 　 The curved portion has two or more parts with different radii of curvature. The conductive member according to claim 5. 　 A cell stack having a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in the third direction, A conductive member according to any one of claims 1 to 7 located at the end of the cell stack including Electrochemical cell apparatus. 　 The electrochemical cell apparatus according to claim 8, The storage container housing the aforementioned electrochemical cell apparatus and A module equipped with the following features. 　 The module according to claim 9, An auxiliary device configured to operate the aforementioned module, The outer casing housing the module and the auxiliary equipment A module housing device equipped with the following features.

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