CA2213130A1 - Solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module and method for its operation - Google Patents
Solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module and method for its operationInfo
- Publication number
- CA2213130A1 CA2213130A1 CA002213130A CA2213130A CA2213130A1 CA 2213130 A1 CA2213130 A1 CA 2213130A1 CA 002213130 A CA002213130 A CA 002213130A CA 2213130 A CA2213130 A CA 2213130A CA 2213130 A1 CA2213130 A1 CA 2213130A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- solid electrolyte
- high temperature
- fuel cell
- cell module
- electrolyte high
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/241—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
- H01M8/2425—High-temperature cells with solid electrolytes
- H01M8/2432—Grouping of unit cells of planar configuration
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
- H01M8/04014—Heat exchange using gaseous fluids; Heat exchange by combustion of reactants
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/241—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells with solid or matrix-supported electrolytes
- H01M8/2425—High-temperature cells with solid electrolytes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/24—Grouping of fuel cells, e.g. stacking of fuel cells
- H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
- H01M8/2483—Details of groupings of fuel cells characterised by internal manifolds
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
- H01M8/12—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
- H01M2008/1293—Fuel cells with solid oxide electrolytes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M2300/00—Electrolytes
- H01M2300/0017—Non-aqueous electrolytes
- H01M2300/0065—Solid electrolytes
- H01M2300/0068—Solid electrolytes inorganic
- H01M2300/0071—Oxides
- H01M2300/0074—Ion conductive at high temperature
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04007—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids related to heat exchange
- H01M8/04014—Heat exchange using gaseous fluids; Heat exchange by combustion of reactants
- H01M8/04022—Heating by combustion
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
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- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Fuel Cell (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Conductive Materials (AREA)
Abstract
The invention concerns a solid electrolyte high-temperature fuel cell module (2) which is composed of a plurality of fuel cells (4) which are stacked on top of one another and to which an operating medium necessary for operating the fuel cells is fed. The heat generated in the fuel cells (4) during combustion is used to heat the operating medium before it is fed into the fuel cells (4).
Description
GR 95 P 3072 P ~T TRAi:~LhTI~:I
Description Solid electrolyte high temperature ~uel cell module and method for its operation The invention relates to a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module and a method for its oper-ation.
It is known that during the electrolysis o~
water, the water molecules are decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen by an electric current. In the fuel cell, this procedure runs in the opposite direction. During the electrochemical joining of hydrogen and oxygen to form water, electric current is produced: with a high effi-ciency and - i~ pure hydrogen is used as fuel gas -without the emission o~ pollutants and carbon monoxide.
Even using industrial fuel gases, for example natural gas, and using air instead of pure oxygen, the fuel cell produces distinctly fewer pollutants and less CO2 than other technologies of fossil energy carriers. The indus-trial implementation o~ this principle has led to very different solutions, having various types o~ electrolytes and having operating temperatures between 80~C and 1 0 0 0 ~ C .
In the solid electrolyte high temperature ~uel cell (solid oxide fuel cell; SOFC), natural gas is used as the primary energy source. The power density of 1 MW/m3 enables a very compact construction. The heat which is additionally produced has a temperature of over 9 0 0 ~ C .
In the case o~ a solid electrolyte high tempera-ture ~uel cell module, a fuel cell module is alsoreferred to as a "stack" in the technical literature, underneath an upper bipolar covering plate there are, in order, a window ~ilm, a solid electrolyte electrode element, a further window ~ilm, a ~urther bipolar plate, and so on, one on another. In this case, CA 02il3130 1997-08-14 a solid electrolyte electrode element lying between two adjacent bipolar plates, including the window films resting directly on both sides of the solid electrolyte electrode element and those sides of each o~ the two bipolar plates resting on the window films, together form a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell.
This type and further types o~ fuel cell modules are known, for example from the "Fuel Cell Handbook" by A.J. Appelby and F.R. Foulkes, Van Nostraud Reinhold, pages 442 to 454, or from the article "Brennstoffzellen als Energiewandler" [Fuel Cells as Energy Converters], Energiewirtschaftliche Tagesfragen, June 1993, issue 6, page 382 to 390.
German Laid-Open Publications 39 35 722 and 40 09 138 disclose solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell modules which comprise a plurality of solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cells which are con-nected in series, are planar and rest firmly on one another. Installed between directly adjacent cells connected in series is a bipolar plate which electrically conductively connects the cathode of one cell to the anode of the directly adjacent cell, and ensures a supply o~ operating gas by means of ducts let in on both sides.
In this case, the ducts conveying the operating gas are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module and extend through the entire solid electrolyte high temperature ~uel cell module.
A signi~icant problem during the operation of a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module consists in dissipating the heat produced during the reaction out o~ the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module. Part of this heat is dissipated via the operating medium. The amount of heat dissipated via the 3 5 operating medium is greater the higher the temperature dif~erence between the inflowing and outflowing operating media. A higher temperature difference CA 022l3l30 l997-08-l4 can lead to a lower operating temperature o~ the ~uel cells, if the operating media ~low into the solid elec-trolyte high temperature ~uel cell module at a lower temperature, which leads to a reduction in the power capacity of the solid electrolyte electrode element. At the same time, because o~ the temperature di~erences in the active cell region, there is the risk that the mechanically sensitive electrolytes will be damaged.
A ~urther problem arises during operation with operating media to be re~ormed. As a result o~ the re~orming reaction, the region ~or the ~eeding in o~ the operating media is additionally cooled, which likewise leads to mechanical stresses in the electrolytes.
Furthermore, German Laid-Open Specification 42 17 892 discloses a ~uel cell arrangement in which a waste gas ~rom a stack chamber, which comprises a multi-plicity o~ solid electrolyte ~uel cells, is burned outside the stack chamber in a combustion chamber. The heat o~ the combustion gas is trans~erred to an oxidation gas and a reaction gas in a heat exchanger connected downstream of the stack chamber, said gases subsequently being fed to the stack chamber in order to operate the solid electrolyte ~uel cells.
A high temperature ~uel cell stack with inte-grated heat exchanger arrangement ~or the dissipation ofthe heat released ~rom the same is also disclosed by the German Laid-Open Speci~ication 41 37 968. In that docu-ment, ~or ~urther use in a gas turbine connected down-stream, a waste gas is heated to the necessary input temperature o~ the gas turbine within the high tempera-ture ~uel cell stack. In addition, an oxidation gas and a reaction gas ~or the high temperature ~uel cell stack are heated outside the high temperature ~uel cell stack, using the heat released.
-CA 022l3l30 l997-08-l4 The invention is thus based on the object of specifying a method of operating a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module in which the heat is used efficiently and with a low technical outlay to heat the operating media. In addition, it is intended to specify a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module for carrying out the method.
The object mentioned first is achieved with the features of patent claim 1. The object mentioned second is achieved with the features of patent claim 2.
In this method of operating a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module, which is composed of a plurality o~ fuel cells stacked on one another, and to which an operating medium necessary for operating the fuel cells is fed, according to the invention the heat produced in the combustion process in the fuel cells is used for heating the operating medium before it is fed into the fuel cells, in which the entire operating means flows through a first duct section arranged inside the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module, in order to pick up the heat. Some of the heat produced in the fuel cells is thus transferred to the operating medium outside the fuel cells but within the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module. Given a suitable design of the temperature of the operating medium before it is fed into the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module, the operating medium is heated by this heat transfer to the temperature necessary for the operation of the fuel cells, so that virtually no reduction in the power capacity of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module occurs. The operating medium can thus be used for cooling the ~uel cell module, as a result of a low input temperature, without a reduc-tion in the power occurring. Because of the heating o~
the operating medium and the resultant reduction in the temperature CA 02il3l30 l997-08-l4 differences in the active cell region, the mechanically sensitive electrolyte is also not damaged. Since the temperature at the introduction of the operating media into the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell 5 module is lower than in the case of the known methods, the mass flow of operating media which is necessary for the dissipation of heat is reduced. By means of the method claimed, a compact construction of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module is made possible.
In the case of the solid electrolyte high tem-perature fuel cell module having a plurality of fuel cells stacked on one another, to which an operating medium necessary for operating the fuel cells is fed, 15 according to the invention means are provided, arranged inside the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module, for heating the operating medium before it is fed into the fuel cells.
Preferably, a first duct section is arranged at 2 0 the edge of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module, approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the latter. Said section extends over the entire length o~ the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module and opens into a second duct section, which 25 is arranged approximately parallel to the first duct section and communicates with the fuel cells. The operat-ing medium is thus heated on a path which approximately corresponds to the length of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module, before it is fed into the 3 0 fuel cells.
In a further configuration, the first duct section comprises a first subsection, which is arranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis at the edge of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell 35 module. The first subsection, which extends over the entire length of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module, opens into a second subsection running approximately vertically with respect to the longitudinal axis, CA 022l3l30 l997-08-l4 which subsection opens into a third subsection, which is arranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis on the opposite edge and extends over the entire length of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell 5 module. This section opens into a second duct section, which is arranged approximately parallel to the third subsection of the first duct section and communicates with the fuel cells. In this particular configuration, the operating medium is thus heated on a path which corresponds to more than twice the length of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module, before it is fed into the fuel cells.
In a further preferred configuration, the first and/or second duct section in each case comprises at 15 least two parallel duct sections. By means of increasing the number of duct sections, the surface for picking up the heat is enlarged. This leads to an improved heat dissipation from the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module.
2 O The duct sections have, in particular, a circular cross section.
In a further configuration, the first and second duct section for feeding and heating the operating medium are coated with catalytic material for reforming a 25 combustion medium contained in the operating medium. As a result, the combustion medium is already reformed before it is fed into the fuel cells, and the mechanical stresses in the solid electrolyte electrode element, which occur because of the temperature differences during the reforming in the fuel cell, are largely avoided.
In order to explain the invention further, reference is made to the exemplary embodiments of the drawing, in which:
CA 02213130 l997-08-l4 FIG l shows a cross section through a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module according to the invention in a schematic representation.
FIG 2 shows a plan view of a bipolar plate of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module from FIG 1 according to the invention in a sche-matic representation.
FIG 3 shows a cross section through a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module according to the invention in a schematic representation.
FIG 4 shows a plan view of a bipolar plate of a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module according to the invention in a schematic repre-sentation.
According to FIG l, a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2 comprises a multiplicity of rectangular, plate-like fuel cells 4. The solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2 is closed off at the top and at the bottom using two cover plates 6 and 8 and a baseplate 10. A first duct section 12 is arranged at the edge of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2, approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis 14 of the latter, and extends over the entire length of the solid electrolyte high temp-erature fuel cell module 2.
Arranged approximately parallel to the first duct section 12 is a second duct section 16, which communi-cates with the fuel cells 4. The first duct section 12 and the second duct section 16 open into a cut-out 18, which is arranged in the cover plate 6. An operating medium, for example hydrogen or oxygen, whose flow direction is indicated by an arrow 20, flows through the baseplate 10 into the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2. It passes, via the first duct section 12 and the cut-out 18, into the second duct CA 022l3l30 l997-08-l4 section 16, which communicates with the ~uel cells 4.
After the reaction carried out there, in other words combustion, the operating medium is led away through the baseplate 10 via a third duct section 22. The flow direction of the emerging operating medium is indicated by an arrow 24.
Some of the heat produced in the fuel cells 4 is thus transferred to the operating medium outside the fuel cells 4 but within the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2, before it is fed into the fuel cells 4.
The first and second duct sections 12 and 16 are separated in this embodiment by a partition 26 made of insulating ceramic, ~or example A1203, ZrO2 (YSZ) or MgA1204-Spinel.
FIG 2 shows, in a plan view, the construction of a bipolar plate 32 constructed according to the cross-cocurrent principle. This is designed in one piece.
Arranged at the edge of the bipolar plate 2 are slot-like apertures, which belong to the first and second duct section 12 and 16, respectively, ~or a 2x2 cell arrange-ment 34a,b,c and d for an operating medium. Said aper-tures communicate with a grooved area 36, which supplies the solid electrolyte electrode element, the actual reaction space, with the operating medium.
This grooved area 36, which is composed of directly adjacent grooves, covers virtually the entire area o~ the bipolar plate 32, with the exception of an edge region. It communicates with the slot-like apertures of the third duct section 22 ~or the discharge of the operating medium. The slot-like apertures of the first and second duct section 38 and 40, respectively, convey the second operating medium to the solid electrolyte electrode element and are deflected in parallel through the slot-like aperture of the duct section 42.
GR 95 P 3072 P - g -The grooved area, which communicates with the duct sections 40, 42 and 44 and is arranged at right angles to the grooved area 36, hence the term cross-cocurrent principle, is not illustrated. It is located on the remote side of the bipolar plate 32.
A further embodiment is depicted in FIG 3. The solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2 in this embodiment comprises a multiplicity of rectangular, plate-like fuel cells 4 and is closed off at the top and bottom with two cover plates 6 and 8 and two base plates 52 and 56.
The introduction and discharge of the operating media, indicated by the arrows of the flow directions of the operating media 20 and 24, respectively, is carried out on the same side of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2, through the base plates 52 and 56. In this configuration, the first duct section 12 comprises a first subsection 12a, which is arranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis 14 at the edge of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2. It is arranged parallel to the third duct section 22, which carries away the operating medium a~ter the reaction has been carried out in the ~uel cells.
The first subsection 12a, which extends over the entire length o~ the solid electrolyte high temperature ~uel cell module 12, opens into a second subsection 12b, running approximately vertically with respect to the longitudinal axis 14 through a cut-out in the upper cover plate 6, said subsection opening into a third subsection 12c, which is arranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis 14 on the opposite edge and extends over the entire length of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2. The latter subsection opens via a cut-out 54 in a base plate 56 into a second duct section 16, which is arranged approximately parallel to the third CA 022l3l30 l997-08-l4 subsection 12c of the first duct section 12 and communi-cates with the ~uel cells 4.
In this preferred configuration, the operating medium is thus heated on a path which corresponds to more than twice the length of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2, before it is fed into the fuel cells 4.
FIG 4 shows, in a plan view, the construction of a bipolar plate 62, which is constructed according to the same principle as that in FIG 2. In the present embodi-ment, the first duct section comprises, for the first and second operating medium 12 and 38, respectively, in each case a number of a plurality of parallel duct sections 120 and 380, respectively, of circular cross section.
By enlarging the number of duct sections 120 and 380, respectively, the surface for picking up the heat is enlarged. This leads to an improved dissipation of heat.
Description Solid electrolyte high temperature ~uel cell module and method for its operation The invention relates to a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module and a method for its oper-ation.
It is known that during the electrolysis o~
water, the water molecules are decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen by an electric current. In the fuel cell, this procedure runs in the opposite direction. During the electrochemical joining of hydrogen and oxygen to form water, electric current is produced: with a high effi-ciency and - i~ pure hydrogen is used as fuel gas -without the emission o~ pollutants and carbon monoxide.
Even using industrial fuel gases, for example natural gas, and using air instead of pure oxygen, the fuel cell produces distinctly fewer pollutants and less CO2 than other technologies of fossil energy carriers. The indus-trial implementation o~ this principle has led to very different solutions, having various types o~ electrolytes and having operating temperatures between 80~C and 1 0 0 0 ~ C .
In the solid electrolyte high temperature ~uel cell (solid oxide fuel cell; SOFC), natural gas is used as the primary energy source. The power density of 1 MW/m3 enables a very compact construction. The heat which is additionally produced has a temperature of over 9 0 0 ~ C .
In the case o~ a solid electrolyte high tempera-ture ~uel cell module, a fuel cell module is alsoreferred to as a "stack" in the technical literature, underneath an upper bipolar covering plate there are, in order, a window ~ilm, a solid electrolyte electrode element, a further window ~ilm, a ~urther bipolar plate, and so on, one on another. In this case, CA 02il3130 1997-08-14 a solid electrolyte electrode element lying between two adjacent bipolar plates, including the window films resting directly on both sides of the solid electrolyte electrode element and those sides of each o~ the two bipolar plates resting on the window films, together form a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell.
This type and further types o~ fuel cell modules are known, for example from the "Fuel Cell Handbook" by A.J. Appelby and F.R. Foulkes, Van Nostraud Reinhold, pages 442 to 454, or from the article "Brennstoffzellen als Energiewandler" [Fuel Cells as Energy Converters], Energiewirtschaftliche Tagesfragen, June 1993, issue 6, page 382 to 390.
German Laid-Open Publications 39 35 722 and 40 09 138 disclose solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell modules which comprise a plurality of solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cells which are con-nected in series, are planar and rest firmly on one another. Installed between directly adjacent cells connected in series is a bipolar plate which electrically conductively connects the cathode of one cell to the anode of the directly adjacent cell, and ensures a supply o~ operating gas by means of ducts let in on both sides.
In this case, the ducts conveying the operating gas are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module and extend through the entire solid electrolyte high temperature ~uel cell module.
A signi~icant problem during the operation of a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module consists in dissipating the heat produced during the reaction out o~ the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module. Part of this heat is dissipated via the operating medium. The amount of heat dissipated via the 3 5 operating medium is greater the higher the temperature dif~erence between the inflowing and outflowing operating media. A higher temperature difference CA 022l3l30 l997-08-l4 can lead to a lower operating temperature o~ the ~uel cells, if the operating media ~low into the solid elec-trolyte high temperature ~uel cell module at a lower temperature, which leads to a reduction in the power capacity of the solid electrolyte electrode element. At the same time, because o~ the temperature di~erences in the active cell region, there is the risk that the mechanically sensitive electrolytes will be damaged.
A ~urther problem arises during operation with operating media to be re~ormed. As a result o~ the re~orming reaction, the region ~or the ~eeding in o~ the operating media is additionally cooled, which likewise leads to mechanical stresses in the electrolytes.
Furthermore, German Laid-Open Specification 42 17 892 discloses a ~uel cell arrangement in which a waste gas ~rom a stack chamber, which comprises a multi-plicity o~ solid electrolyte ~uel cells, is burned outside the stack chamber in a combustion chamber. The heat o~ the combustion gas is trans~erred to an oxidation gas and a reaction gas in a heat exchanger connected downstream of the stack chamber, said gases subsequently being fed to the stack chamber in order to operate the solid electrolyte ~uel cells.
A high temperature ~uel cell stack with inte-grated heat exchanger arrangement ~or the dissipation ofthe heat released ~rom the same is also disclosed by the German Laid-Open Speci~ication 41 37 968. In that docu-ment, ~or ~urther use in a gas turbine connected down-stream, a waste gas is heated to the necessary input temperature o~ the gas turbine within the high tempera-ture ~uel cell stack. In addition, an oxidation gas and a reaction gas ~or the high temperature ~uel cell stack are heated outside the high temperature ~uel cell stack, using the heat released.
-CA 022l3l30 l997-08-l4 The invention is thus based on the object of specifying a method of operating a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module in which the heat is used efficiently and with a low technical outlay to heat the operating media. In addition, it is intended to specify a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module for carrying out the method.
The object mentioned first is achieved with the features of patent claim 1. The object mentioned second is achieved with the features of patent claim 2.
In this method of operating a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module, which is composed of a plurality o~ fuel cells stacked on one another, and to which an operating medium necessary for operating the fuel cells is fed, according to the invention the heat produced in the combustion process in the fuel cells is used for heating the operating medium before it is fed into the fuel cells, in which the entire operating means flows through a first duct section arranged inside the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module, in order to pick up the heat. Some of the heat produced in the fuel cells is thus transferred to the operating medium outside the fuel cells but within the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module. Given a suitable design of the temperature of the operating medium before it is fed into the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module, the operating medium is heated by this heat transfer to the temperature necessary for the operation of the fuel cells, so that virtually no reduction in the power capacity of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module occurs. The operating medium can thus be used for cooling the ~uel cell module, as a result of a low input temperature, without a reduc-tion in the power occurring. Because of the heating o~
the operating medium and the resultant reduction in the temperature CA 02il3l30 l997-08-l4 differences in the active cell region, the mechanically sensitive electrolyte is also not damaged. Since the temperature at the introduction of the operating media into the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell 5 module is lower than in the case of the known methods, the mass flow of operating media which is necessary for the dissipation of heat is reduced. By means of the method claimed, a compact construction of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module is made possible.
In the case of the solid electrolyte high tem-perature fuel cell module having a plurality of fuel cells stacked on one another, to which an operating medium necessary for operating the fuel cells is fed, 15 according to the invention means are provided, arranged inside the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module, for heating the operating medium before it is fed into the fuel cells.
Preferably, a first duct section is arranged at 2 0 the edge of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module, approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the latter. Said section extends over the entire length o~ the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module and opens into a second duct section, which 25 is arranged approximately parallel to the first duct section and communicates with the fuel cells. The operat-ing medium is thus heated on a path which approximately corresponds to the length of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module, before it is fed into the 3 0 fuel cells.
In a further configuration, the first duct section comprises a first subsection, which is arranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis at the edge of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell 35 module. The first subsection, which extends over the entire length of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module, opens into a second subsection running approximately vertically with respect to the longitudinal axis, CA 022l3l30 l997-08-l4 which subsection opens into a third subsection, which is arranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis on the opposite edge and extends over the entire length of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell 5 module. This section opens into a second duct section, which is arranged approximately parallel to the third subsection of the first duct section and communicates with the fuel cells. In this particular configuration, the operating medium is thus heated on a path which corresponds to more than twice the length of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module, before it is fed into the fuel cells.
In a further preferred configuration, the first and/or second duct section in each case comprises at 15 least two parallel duct sections. By means of increasing the number of duct sections, the surface for picking up the heat is enlarged. This leads to an improved heat dissipation from the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module.
2 O The duct sections have, in particular, a circular cross section.
In a further configuration, the first and second duct section for feeding and heating the operating medium are coated with catalytic material for reforming a 25 combustion medium contained in the operating medium. As a result, the combustion medium is already reformed before it is fed into the fuel cells, and the mechanical stresses in the solid electrolyte electrode element, which occur because of the temperature differences during the reforming in the fuel cell, are largely avoided.
In order to explain the invention further, reference is made to the exemplary embodiments of the drawing, in which:
CA 02213130 l997-08-l4 FIG l shows a cross section through a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module according to the invention in a schematic representation.
FIG 2 shows a plan view of a bipolar plate of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module from FIG 1 according to the invention in a sche-matic representation.
FIG 3 shows a cross section through a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module according to the invention in a schematic representation.
FIG 4 shows a plan view of a bipolar plate of a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module according to the invention in a schematic repre-sentation.
According to FIG l, a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2 comprises a multiplicity of rectangular, plate-like fuel cells 4. The solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2 is closed off at the top and at the bottom using two cover plates 6 and 8 and a baseplate 10. A first duct section 12 is arranged at the edge of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2, approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis 14 of the latter, and extends over the entire length of the solid electrolyte high temp-erature fuel cell module 2.
Arranged approximately parallel to the first duct section 12 is a second duct section 16, which communi-cates with the fuel cells 4. The first duct section 12 and the second duct section 16 open into a cut-out 18, which is arranged in the cover plate 6. An operating medium, for example hydrogen or oxygen, whose flow direction is indicated by an arrow 20, flows through the baseplate 10 into the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2. It passes, via the first duct section 12 and the cut-out 18, into the second duct CA 022l3l30 l997-08-l4 section 16, which communicates with the ~uel cells 4.
After the reaction carried out there, in other words combustion, the operating medium is led away through the baseplate 10 via a third duct section 22. The flow direction of the emerging operating medium is indicated by an arrow 24.
Some of the heat produced in the fuel cells 4 is thus transferred to the operating medium outside the fuel cells 4 but within the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2, before it is fed into the fuel cells 4.
The first and second duct sections 12 and 16 are separated in this embodiment by a partition 26 made of insulating ceramic, ~or example A1203, ZrO2 (YSZ) or MgA1204-Spinel.
FIG 2 shows, in a plan view, the construction of a bipolar plate 32 constructed according to the cross-cocurrent principle. This is designed in one piece.
Arranged at the edge of the bipolar plate 2 are slot-like apertures, which belong to the first and second duct section 12 and 16, respectively, ~or a 2x2 cell arrange-ment 34a,b,c and d for an operating medium. Said aper-tures communicate with a grooved area 36, which supplies the solid electrolyte electrode element, the actual reaction space, with the operating medium.
This grooved area 36, which is composed of directly adjacent grooves, covers virtually the entire area o~ the bipolar plate 32, with the exception of an edge region. It communicates with the slot-like apertures of the third duct section 22 ~or the discharge of the operating medium. The slot-like apertures of the first and second duct section 38 and 40, respectively, convey the second operating medium to the solid electrolyte electrode element and are deflected in parallel through the slot-like aperture of the duct section 42.
GR 95 P 3072 P - g -The grooved area, which communicates with the duct sections 40, 42 and 44 and is arranged at right angles to the grooved area 36, hence the term cross-cocurrent principle, is not illustrated. It is located on the remote side of the bipolar plate 32.
A further embodiment is depicted in FIG 3. The solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2 in this embodiment comprises a multiplicity of rectangular, plate-like fuel cells 4 and is closed off at the top and bottom with two cover plates 6 and 8 and two base plates 52 and 56.
The introduction and discharge of the operating media, indicated by the arrows of the flow directions of the operating media 20 and 24, respectively, is carried out on the same side of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2, through the base plates 52 and 56. In this configuration, the first duct section 12 comprises a first subsection 12a, which is arranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis 14 at the edge of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2. It is arranged parallel to the third duct section 22, which carries away the operating medium a~ter the reaction has been carried out in the ~uel cells.
The first subsection 12a, which extends over the entire length o~ the solid electrolyte high temperature ~uel cell module 12, opens into a second subsection 12b, running approximately vertically with respect to the longitudinal axis 14 through a cut-out in the upper cover plate 6, said subsection opening into a third subsection 12c, which is arranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis 14 on the opposite edge and extends over the entire length of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2. The latter subsection opens via a cut-out 54 in a base plate 56 into a second duct section 16, which is arranged approximately parallel to the third CA 022l3l30 l997-08-l4 subsection 12c of the first duct section 12 and communi-cates with the ~uel cells 4.
In this preferred configuration, the operating medium is thus heated on a path which corresponds to more than twice the length of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module 2, before it is fed into the fuel cells 4.
FIG 4 shows, in a plan view, the construction of a bipolar plate 62, which is constructed according to the same principle as that in FIG 2. In the present embodi-ment, the first duct section comprises, for the first and second operating medium 12 and 38, respectively, in each case a number of a plurality of parallel duct sections 120 and 380, respectively, of circular cross section.
By enlarging the number of duct sections 120 and 380, respectively, the surface for picking up the heat is enlarged. This leads to an improved dissipation of heat.
Claims (6)
1. A method of operating a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module (2) which is composed of a plurality of fuel cells (4) stacked on one another, to which an operating medium necessary for operating the fuel cells is fed, the operating medium, before it is fed into the fuel cells (4), flowing through a first slot-like duct section (12) arranged inside the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module (2), in order to pick up the heat produced in the fuel cells (4) during the combustion process.
2. A solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module (2) having a plurality of fuel cells (4) stacked on one another, to which an operating medium necessary for operating the fuel cells is fed, means being provided, arranged inside the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module (2), for heating the operating medium before it is fed into the fuel cells (4), a first duct section (12) being arranged at the edge of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module (2), approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis (14) of the latter, said section extending over the entire length of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module (2) and opening into a second duct section (16), which is arranged approximately parallel to the first duct section (12) and communicates with the fuel cells (4), the first (12) and the second duct section (16) being designed as slot-like apertures.
3. The solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module (2) as claimed in claim 2, in which the first duct section (12) comprises a first subsection (12a), which is arranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis (14) at the edge of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module (2) and extends over the entire length of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module (12), and, via a second subsection (12b) running approximately vertically with respect to the longitudinal axis (14) through a cut-out in the top cover plate (6), opens into a third subsection (12c) of the first duct section (12), which is arranged approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis (14) on the opposite edge and extends over the entire length of the solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module (2) and, via a cut-out (54) in a base plate (56), opens into a second duct section (16), which is arranged approximately parallel to the third subsection (12c) of the first duct section (12) and communicates with the fuel cells (4).
4. The solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module (2) as claimed in claim 3, in which at least two mutually parallel first duct sections (120) are provided in each case.
5. The solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module (2) as claimed in claim 4, in which the duct sections (120) have a circular cross section.
6. The solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module (2) as claimed in claim 5, in which the first and second duct section (12, 16) for feeding and heating the operating medium are coated with catalytic material for reforming a combustion medium contained in the operating medium.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19505274A DE19505274C2 (en) | 1995-02-16 | 1995-02-16 | Method for operating a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module and suitable solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module |
| DE19505274.9 | 1995-02-16 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2213130A1 true CA2213130A1 (en) | 1996-08-22 |
Family
ID=7754177
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002213130A Abandoned CA2213130A1 (en) | 1995-02-16 | 1996-02-13 | Solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell module and method for its operation |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0809870B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH11500257A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE193160T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU696032B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2213130A1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE19505274C2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK0809870T3 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996025773A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE69832046T2 (en) * | 1997-11-14 | 2006-06-01 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. | ELECTROLYTIC SOLID CELL |
Family Cites Families (18)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2182650B1 (en) * | 1972-04-27 | 1974-07-26 | Citroen Sa | |
| JPS58119168A (en) * | 1982-01-08 | 1983-07-15 | Toshiba Corp | Fused carbonate cell lamination starting system |
| JPS5975573A (en) * | 1982-10-21 | 1984-04-28 | Toshiba Corp | Fuel cell |
| JPS6124169A (en) * | 1984-07-13 | 1986-02-01 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Fused carbonate type fuel cell |
| US4644751A (en) * | 1985-03-14 | 1987-02-24 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Integrated fuel-cell/steam plant for electrical generation |
| JP2569550B2 (en) * | 1987-05-08 | 1997-01-08 | 石川島播磨重工業株式会社 | Fuel cell temperature distribution improvement method |
| DE3935722A1 (en) * | 1989-10-26 | 1991-05-02 | Siemens Ag | High-temp. fuel cell module contg. solid electrolyte - allows gas distribution via channels in frames around bipolar coated zirconia plates with separate sealing surfaces |
| DE4009138A1 (en) * | 1989-10-26 | 1991-09-26 | Siemens Ag | FIXED ELECTROLYTE HIGH TEMPERATURE FUEL CELL MODULE |
| DE4037970A1 (en) * | 1989-12-21 | 1991-06-27 | Asea Brown Boveri | Automatic start-up of high-temp. hydrocarbon fuel cells - involves preheating of fuel and air by combustion with natural convection assistance in afterburner above stack |
| EP0473540B1 (en) * | 1990-08-27 | 1996-10-16 | Sulzer Innotec Ag | Heat management in fuel cells with solid electrolyte |
| CH682270A5 (en) * | 1991-03-05 | 1993-08-13 | Ulf Dr Bossel | |
| JPH0541241A (en) * | 1991-05-30 | 1993-02-19 | Fuji Electric Co Ltd | Solid electrolyte type fuel cell |
| DE4137968A1 (en) * | 1991-11-19 | 1993-05-27 | Wolfgang Prof Dr Winkler | METHOD AND DEVICES FOR EXHAUSTING HEAT FROM HIGH TEMPERATURE FUEL CELLS |
| GB9305189D0 (en) * | 1993-03-13 | 1993-04-28 | British Nuclear Fuels Plc | Fuel cells |
| US5338622A (en) * | 1993-04-12 | 1994-08-16 | Ztek Corporation | Thermal control apparatus |
| JP3064746B2 (en) * | 1993-06-29 | 2000-07-12 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Flat solid electrolyte fuel cell |
| US5693201A (en) * | 1994-08-08 | 1997-12-02 | Ztek Corporation | Ultra-high efficiency turbine and fuel cell combination |
| DE4431510C1 (en) * | 1994-09-03 | 1996-01-18 | Forschungszentrum Juelich Gmbh | Solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell assembly |
-
1995
- 1995-02-16 DE DE19505274A patent/DE19505274C2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1996
- 1996-02-13 JP JP8524576A patent/JPH11500257A/en active Pending
- 1996-02-13 AU AU46633/96A patent/AU696032B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1996-02-13 AT AT96902231T patent/ATE193160T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1996-02-13 CA CA002213130A patent/CA2213130A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-02-13 DE DE59605252T patent/DE59605252D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1996-02-13 WO PCT/DE1996/000226 patent/WO1996025773A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1996-02-13 DK DK96902231T patent/DK0809870T3/en active
- 1996-02-13 EP EP96902231A patent/EP0809870B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU696032B2 (en) | 1998-08-27 |
| DE19505274C2 (en) | 1997-02-13 |
| ATE193160T1 (en) | 2000-06-15 |
| EP0809870B1 (en) | 2000-05-17 |
| JPH11500257A (en) | 1999-01-06 |
| DE59605252D1 (en) | 2000-06-21 |
| DK0809870T3 (en) | 2000-10-02 |
| AU4663396A (en) | 1996-09-04 |
| DE19505274A1 (en) | 1996-08-22 |
| EP0809870A1 (en) | 1997-12-03 |
| WO1996025773A1 (en) | 1996-08-22 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |