EP0811255A1 - Arrangement for solid electrolyte fuel cells - Google Patents

Arrangement for solid electrolyte fuel cells

Info

Publication number
EP0811255A1
EP0811255A1 EP96902887A EP96902887A EP0811255A1 EP 0811255 A1 EP0811255 A1 EP 0811255A1 EP 96902887 A EP96902887 A EP 96902887A EP 96902887 A EP96902887 A EP 96902887A EP 0811255 A1 EP0811255 A1 EP 0811255A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vessel
arrangement
stack
fuel cells
vessels
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP96902887A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Helmut Ringel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH
Original Assignee
Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH filed Critical Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH
Publication of EP0811255A1 publication Critical patent/EP0811255A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • H01M8/2465—Details of groupings of fuel cells
    • H01M8/247—Arrangements for tightening a stack, for accommodation of a stack in a tank or for assembling different tanks
    • 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
    • H01M8/02—Details
    • H01M8/0271—Sealing or supporting means around electrodes, matrices or membranes
    • 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
    • H01M8/10—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
    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an arrangement for solid electrolyte fuel cells.
  • a fuel cell is a system that is made up of a large number of thin metallic and ceramic elements. The stacking of many individual cells creates a fuel cell stack. In the case of a high-temperature fuel cell, such a stack is operated at almost 1000 ° C. and has to be supplied and disposed of with the operating gases air and fuel gas.
  • Such a fuel cell stack is described in the German application, file number: P 44 31 510.4-45.
  • the stack consists of series-connected, directly adjacent fuel cells, which are formed by flat, adjacent connecting plates.
  • a solid electrolyte element is integrated between two connecting elements. There is an air duct along the cathode and the gas duct along the anode.
  • Air and gas channels run parallel and are open at the top. Gas is supplied to the gas ducts via a gas feed line, while the air from the air cells arranged above the fuel cells and designed as a heat exchanger is supplied laterally via side ducts is introduced into the air duct from below.
  • an afterburning chamber or the heat exchanger intended for the air supply.
  • Fuel cell stacks of the type described usually have a very large number of joints in order to join the large number of individual parts. Furthermore, the joints serve for the connections of the gases to be supplied and removed. In particular when there is a high and fluctuating operating temperature of a stack, there is therefore the constant risk of failure of one of the many joints or the breakage of individual parts.
  • the vessels are, for example, a box or a chamber. This should be built as one piece as possible to avoid additional seals.
  • the feed line in the first vessel is designed, for example, as a tube extension. It is intended for the supply of the fuel gas.
  • the second vessel expediently serves as an afterburning chamber. The remaining, unburned fuel gas is subsequently burned.
  • the vessels are connected to the fuel cell stack in a gastight manner, so that the fuel gas introduced or the Post-combustion gases do not escape undesirably.
  • Sealing materials should therefore be used between the vessels and the arrangement of the solid electrolyte fuel cells designed in series. Suitable materials are gold or "high-temperature kit", for example known from EP-A 0 620 608 A1, page 3, lines 45 ff. This known high-temperature kit is a ceramic fiber which is provided with glass.
  • the solid electrolyte fuel cells are advantageously constructed in the form of a plate in the manner described in the German application (cf. in particular FIGS. 2a, b, c). In this case, the electrodes should be arranged perpendicular to the openings so that the fuel gas channels run from the first vessel to the second.
  • the purpose of this structure is the simplest possible implementation of the fuel gases through the arrangement.
  • the shape and circumference of the vessels are expediently matched to the shape and circumference of the fuel cell stack, so that the transition from one vessel to the fuel cell stack takes place flush.
  • the air required for combustion can be supplied to the side of the fuel cell stack (see introduction to the description).
  • the heat exchangers are accommodated in the second vessel for the compact construction of the arrangement and for the energetically favorable operation of the fuel cells.
  • the heating of the air and / or the gas in the heat exchangers initially ensures that there are no excessive temperature differences within the arrangement which would cause mechanical stresses. Furthermore, this preheating supports the achievement of the working temperature.
  • the arrangement is conveniently located in an oven to reach the working temperature.
  • the vessels should be arranged one above the other, i.e. the first vessel is at the bottom of the furnace, the fuel cell stack is spatially above and the second vessel is above.
  • This arrangement of the arrangement in the furnace supports the seal between the vessels and the stack due to its own weight. Bending or tensile stresses that would have a destructive effect on the gas-tight connections between the vessels and the stack can be avoided with such a structure. Furthermore, a material connection between the vessels and the stack is then unnecessary.
  • the air is initially directed opposite to the direction of the air flow taking place on an electrode.
  • This is accomplished, for example, by U-shaped channels, described in the German application, file number: P 44 31 510.4- 45.
  • the aim of this form of air supply is to achieve isothermal energy within the fuel cells.
  • the interior of the furnace expediently serves as an air supply to the stack in order to make the structure compact.
  • air from the heat exchanger enters the interior of the furnace and passes through the corresponding one Openings in the stack, burns in it and in the second vessel and finally exits the second vessel as exhaust gas.
  • the interior of the furnace expediently also has a device which compresses or holds the stack of fuel cells together.
  • the stack 1 is installed in an oven 2. Under the stack is the first vessel 3 and above the second vessel 4 with the heat exchangers for fuel gas 5 and supply air 6.
  • the first vessel 3 represents the fuel gas supply box and the second vessel 4 represents the afterburning chamber. Via joints 7 and 8, the fuel gas supply box and the afterburning chamber are connected to the stack.
  • Vessels 3 and 4 and fuel cell stack 1 are arranged one above the other in such a way that only compressive forces occur at the seals or joints 7 and 8 due to the weight of the parts, but no bending or tensile stresses occur. In this way, the seals 7 and 8 are only subjected to slight compressive forces. You can therefore choose from simple
  • FIG. 2 illustrates how the air coming from such a shaft is guided in a U-shape and is thus guided past an electrode of the solid electrolyte element 9 in the opposite direction.
  • the fuel gas is guided along the arrows with the black tips along the other electrode of the solid electrolyte element 9. It flows from the first box 3 through openings in the intended channel along the electrode of the solid electrolyte element 9 and from there via a further opening into the second box 4. Here it meets the air. Afterburning takes place. The burned gases escape through the discharge line 15.
  • a stack is formed by the stacking of solid electrolyte elements 9 and interconnector plates 10.
  • FIG. 2 shows only two interconnector plates 10 and three solid electrolyte elements 9. These plates are usually sealed off from one another with a high temperature connection.
  • an interconnector plate or a solid electrolyte element regularly has two sealing joints on each side, ie a total of four joints. A joint is saved in the present construction. So a solid electrolyte Element in the arrangement according to the invention only three joints.
  • a joint 11 seals the fuel gas space of the fuel gas box 3 from the cathode space of an interconnector plate 10. Two further joints serve to seal the anode compartment from the side against the furnace atmosphere.
  • Box 4 can consist of Innconnel 600.
  • the transition point 16 should, however, consist of the same material or of a material with a similar expansion coefficient as the interconnector plates (e.g. Zr0 2 ). This ensures that no thermally induced shear forces occur at the joint 7, which could endanger the seal.
  • Box 3 and stack 1 should also have a similar thermal expansion behavior for the same reason.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Fuel Cell (AREA)

Abstract

An arrangement for solid electrolyte fuel cells made of many thin metallic and ceramic elements is used at high and fluctuating working temperatures that may cause one of the many joints between the various elements to break down. The fuel cells (1) are arranged between two vessels (3, 4). Inlet and outlet tubes for combustion gases and exhaust gases extend between vessels and cells. When this arrangement is appropriately set up, the system is automatically sealed by its own weight, so that bending or tensile stresses that have a seal-destructive effect are avoided.

Description

B e s c h r e i b u n gDescription
Anordnung für Festelektrolyt-BrennstoffzellenArrangement for solid electrolyte fuel cells
Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf eine Anordnung für Festelektrolyt-Brennstoffzellen. Eine Brennstoffzelle ist ein System, das aus sehr vielen dünnen metallischen und keramischen Elementen zusammengesetzt ist. Durch die Stapelung von vielen Einzelzellen entsteht ein Brennstoffzellenstapel. Bei einer Hochtemperaturbrenn¬ stoffzelle wird ein solcher Stapel bei nahezu 1000°C betrieben und muß mit den Betriebsgasen Luft und Brenngas versorgt und entsorgt werden.The invention relates to an arrangement for solid electrolyte fuel cells. A fuel cell is a system that is made up of a large number of thin metallic and ceramic elements. The stacking of many individual cells creates a fuel cell stack. In the case of a high-temperature fuel cell, such a stack is operated at almost 1000 ° C. and has to be supplied and disposed of with the operating gases air and fuel gas.
Ein solcher Brennstoffzellenstapel ist in der deutschen Anmeldung, Aktenzeichen: P 44 31 510.4-45 beschrieben. Der Stapel besteht aus in Serie geschalteten, unmittel¬ bar benachbarten Brennstoffzellen, die durch plane, an- einanderliegende Verbindungsplatten gebildet sind. Ein Festelektrolytelement ist dabei jeweils zwischen zwei Verbindungselementen integriert. Entlang der Kathode befindet sich ein Luftkanal, entlang der Anode der Gas¬ kanal .Such a fuel cell stack is described in the German application, file number: P 44 31 510.4-45. The stack consists of series-connected, directly adjacent fuel cells, which are formed by flat, adjacent connecting plates. A solid electrolyte element is integrated between two connecting elements. There is an air duct along the cathode and the gas duct along the anode.
Luft- und Gaskanal verlaufen parallel und sind nach oben hin offen. Gas wird über eine Gaszuleitung den Gaskanälen zugeführt, während die Luft von oberhalb der Brennstoffzellen angeordneten, als Wärmetauscher ausge- bildeten Luftzuführung über seitliche Kanäle seitlich von unten in den Luftkanal eingeleitet wird.Air and gas channels run parallel and are open at the top. Gas is supplied to the gas ducts via a gas feed line, while the air from the air cells arranged above the fuel cells and designed as a heat exchanger is supplied laterally via side ducts is introduced into the air duct from below.
Oberhalb der oben offenen Luft- und Gaskanäle befindet sich eine Nachbrennkammer bzw. der für die Luftzufüh- rung vorgesehene Wärmetauscher.Above the open air and gas channels there is an afterburning chamber or the heat exchanger intended for the air supply.
Brennstoffzellenstapel der beschriebenen Art haben üb¬ licherweise eine sehr große Anzahl von Fügestellen, um die große Anzahl von Einzelteilen zusammenzufügen. Des weiteren dienen die Fügestellen für die Anschlüsse der zuzuführenden und abzuführenden Gase. Insbesondere bei hohen und schwankenden Betriebstemperaturen eines Sta¬ pels besteht deshalb die ständige Gefahr des Versagens einer der vielen Fügestellen, bzw. der Bruch von Ein- zelteilen.Fuel cell stacks of the type described usually have a very large number of joints in order to join the large number of individual parts. Furthermore, the joints serve for the connections of the gases to be supplied and removed. In particular when there is a high and fluctuating operating temperature of a stack, there is therefore the constant risk of failure of one of the many joints or the breakage of individual parts.
Es ist Aufgabe der Erfindung, eine Anordnung zu schaf¬ fen, die das Problem des Versagens einer Fügestelle vermindert .It is an object of the invention to provide an arrangement which reduces the problem of failure of a joint.
Die Aufgabe wird mit einer Anordnung mit den Merkmalen gemäß einem der Patentansprüche gelöst .The object is achieved with an arrangement with the features according to one of the claims.
Bei den Gefäßen handelt es sich beispielsweise um einen Kasten oder eine Kammer. Diese sollte möglichst einstückig gebaut sein, um zusätzliche Dichtungen zu vermeiden. Die Zuleitung im ersten Gefäß ist beispielsweise als Rohransatz ausgebildet. Sie ist für die Zuführung des Brenngases vorgesehen. Das zweite Gefäß dient zweckmäßigerweise als Nachbrennkammer. Hierin wird restliches, noch unverbranntes Brenngas nachverbrannt.The vessels are, for example, a box or a chamber. This should be built as one piece as possible to avoid additional seals. The feed line in the first vessel is designed, for example, as a tube extension. It is intended for the supply of the fuel gas. The second vessel expediently serves as an afterburning chamber. The remaining, unburned fuel gas is subsequently burned.
Die Gefäße sind mit dem Brennstoffzellenstapel gasdicht verbunden, damit das eingeleitete Brenngas bzw. die Nachverbrennungsgase nicht unerwünscht entweichen. Es sollten daher Dichtungsmaterialien zwischen Gefäßen und Anordnung der in Serie gestalteten Festelektrolyt- Brennstoffzellen eingesetzt werden. Geeignete Materia- lien sind Gold oder "Hochtemperaturkit", z.B. bekannt aus EP-A 0 620 608 AI, Seite 3, Zeilen 45 ff. Bei die¬ sem bekannten Hochtemperaturkit handelt es sich um eine Keramikfaser, die mit Glas versehen ist. Der Aufbau der Festelektrolyt-Brennstoffzellen erfolgt vorteilhaft plattenförmig in der in der deutschen Anmeldung be¬ schriebenen Weise (vgl. insbesondere Figuren 2a, b, c) . In diesem Fall sollten die Elektroden senkrecht zu den Öffnungen angeordnet sein, so daß die Brenngaskanäle vom ersten Gefäß zum zweiten verlaufen. Zweck dieses Aufbaus ist die möglichst einfache Durchführung der Brenngase durch die Anordnung.The vessels are connected to the fuel cell stack in a gastight manner, so that the fuel gas introduced or the Post-combustion gases do not escape undesirably. Sealing materials should therefore be used between the vessels and the arrangement of the solid electrolyte fuel cells designed in series. Suitable materials are gold or "high-temperature kit", for example known from EP-A 0 620 608 A1, page 3, lines 45 ff. This known high-temperature kit is a ceramic fiber which is provided with glass. The solid electrolyte fuel cells are advantageously constructed in the form of a plate in the manner described in the German application (cf. in particular FIGS. 2a, b, c). In this case, the electrodes should be arranged perpendicular to the openings so that the fuel gas channels run from the first vessel to the second. The purpose of this structure is the simplest possible implementation of the fuel gases through the arrangement.
Form und Umfang der Gefäße sind zweckmäßigerweise auf Form und Umfang des Brennstoffzellenstapels abgestimmt, so daß der Übergang eines Gefäßes zum Brenn¬ stoffzellenstapel bündig erfolgt.The shape and circumference of the vessels are expediently matched to the shape and circumference of the fuel cell stack, so that the transition from one vessel to the fuel cell stack takes place flush.
Die für die Verbrennung erforderliche Luft kann dem Brennstoffzellenstapel seitlich zugeführt werden (vgl. Beschreibungseinleitung) .The air required for combustion can be supplied to the side of the fuel cell stack (see introduction to the description).
Aufgrund der aus dem Brennstoffzellenstapel austreten¬ den heißen Gase sowie aufgrund der Nachverbrennung ent¬ steht im zweiten Gefäß eine große Hitze. Daher ist es vorteilhaft, Wärmetauscher für Brenngas und/oder Luft innerhalb dieses zweiten Gefäßes anzuordnen.Because of the hot gases emerging from the fuel cell stack and because of the afterburning, a great deal of heat is generated in the second vessel. It is therefore advantageous to arrange heat exchangers for fuel gas and / or air within this second vessel.
Die Unterbringung der Wärmetauscher im zweiten Gefäß dienen der kompakten Bauweise der Anordnung sowie dem energetisch günstigen Betrieb der Brennstoffzellen. Durch die Erwärmung der Luft und/oder des Gases in den Wärmetauschern wird zunächst erreicht, daß keine zu großen Temperaturunterschiede innerhalb der Anordnung entstehen, die mechanische Spannungen bewirken würden. Des weiteren unterstützt diese Vorwärmung die Errei¬ chung der Arbeitstemperatur.The heat exchangers are accommodated in the second vessel for the compact construction of the arrangement and for the energetically favorable operation of the fuel cells. The heating of the air and / or the gas in the heat exchangers initially ensures that there are no excessive temperature differences within the arrangement which would cause mechanical stresses. Furthermore, this preheating supports the achievement of the working temperature.
Die Anordnung befindet sich zweckmäßigerweise in einem Ofen, um die Arbeitstemperatur zu erreichen. Dabei sollten die Gefäße übereinander angeordnet sein, d.h., unten am Boden des Ofens befindet sich das erste Gefäß, räumlich darüber ist der Brennstoffzellenstapel und darüber das zweite Gefäß angeordnet. Diese Aufstellung der Anordnung im Ofen unterstützt die Dichtung zwischen den Gefäßen und dem Stapel infolge des Eigengewichtes. Biege- oder Zugspannungen, die auf die gasdichten Verbindungen zwischen Gefäßen und Stapel zerstörerisch wirken würden, können bei einem solchen Aufbau vermieden werden. Des weiteren erübrigt sich dann eine stoffliche Verbindung zwischen den Gefäßen und dem Stapel.The arrangement is conveniently located in an oven to reach the working temperature. The vessels should be arranged one above the other, i.e. the first vessel is at the bottom of the furnace, the fuel cell stack is spatially above and the second vessel is above. This arrangement of the arrangement in the furnace supports the seal between the vessels and the stack due to its own weight. Bending or tensile stresses that would have a destructive effect on the gas-tight connections between the vessels and the stack can be avoided with such a structure. Furthermore, a material connection between the vessels and the stack is then unnecessary.
Vorteilhaft wird die Luft zunächst entgegengesetzt zur Richtung der an einer Elektrode stattfindenden Luftführung geleitet. Bewerkstelligt wird dies beispielsweise durch U-förmige Kanäle, beschrieben in der deutschen Anmeldung, Aktenzeichen: P 44 31 510.4- 45. Mit dieser Form der Luftzuführung wird das Ziel verfolgt, Isothermie innerhalb der Brennstoffzellen zu erreichen.Advantageously, the air is initially directed opposite to the direction of the air flow taking place on an electrode. This is accomplished, for example, by U-shaped channels, described in the German application, file number: P 44 31 510.4- 45. The aim of this form of air supply is to achieve isothermal energy within the fuel cells.
Zweckmäßigerweise dient der Ofeninnenraum als Luftzuführung zum Stapel, um den Aufbau kompakt zu gestalten. Hierfür tritt Luft aus dem Wärmetauscher in den Ofeninnenraum ein, gelangt über entsprechende Öffnungen in den Stapel, verbrennt in ihm sowie im zweiten Gefäß und tritt schließlich als Abgas aus dem zweiten Gefäß aus. Durch diese Gestaltung wird der sonst übliche Luftzuführungskasten eingespart.The interior of the furnace expediently serves as an air supply to the stack in order to make the structure compact. For this purpose, air from the heat exchanger enters the interior of the furnace and passes through the corresponding one Openings in the stack, burns in it and in the second vessel and finally exits the second vessel as exhaust gas. This design saves the usual air supply box.
Zweckmäßigerweise weist der Ofeninnenraum ferner eine Vorrichtung auf, die den Stapel Brennstoffzellen zusam¬ menpreßt bzw. zusammenhält.The interior of the furnace expediently also has a device which compresses or holds the stack of fuel cells together.
Es zeigen:Show it:
Figur 1 Frontansicht einer Ausführungsform derFigure 1 front view of an embodiment of the
Anordnung; Figur 2 Seitenansicht der Ausführungsform der Anordnung.Arrangement; Figure 2 side view of the embodiment of the arrangement.
Der Stapel 1 ist in einem Ofen 2 eingebaut. Unter dem Stapel befindet sich das erste Gefäß 3 und oberhalb das zweite Gefäß 4 mit den Wärmetauschern für Brenngas 5 und Zuluft 6. Das erste Gefäß 3 stellt den Brenngaszu¬ führungskasten und das zweite Gefäß 4 die Nachbrennkam¬ mer dar. Über die Fugen 7 und 8 sind der Brenngaszufüh¬ rungskasten sowie die Nachbrennkammer mit dem Stapel verbunden. Gefäße 3 und 4 sowie Brennstoff- zellenstapel 1 sind so übereinander angeordnet, daß an den Dichtungen bzw. Fügestellen 7 und 8 nur Druckkräfte durch das Eigengewicht der Teile, aber keine Biege¬ oder Zugspannungen auftreten. Die Dichtungen 7 und 8 werden auf diese Weise nur durch leichte Druckkräfte beansprucht. Sie können daher aus einfachemThe stack 1 is installed in an oven 2. Under the stack is the first vessel 3 and above the second vessel 4 with the heat exchangers for fuel gas 5 and supply air 6. The first vessel 3 represents the fuel gas supply box and the second vessel 4 represents the afterburning chamber. Via joints 7 and 8, the fuel gas supply box and the afterburning chamber are connected to the stack. Vessels 3 and 4 and fuel cell stack 1 are arranged one above the other in such a way that only compressive forces occur at the seals or joints 7 and 8 due to the weight of the parts, but no bending or tensile stresses occur. In this way, the seals 7 and 8 are only subjected to slight compressive forces. You can therefore choose from simple
Hochtemperaturkit oder Gold bestehen und müssen keine stoffliche Verbindung mit den Komponenten eingehen, wie z.B. bei einer Lötverbindung. Durch diese Anordnung ist die gasdichte Verbindung von Stapel 1 mit Brenn- gaszuführungskasten 3 und Nachbrennkammer 4 selbst bei starker thermischer Belastung sichergestellt. Im weiteren entfällt der sonst übliche Luftzuführungs- kasten, da dieser in der vorgegebenen Anordnung durch die Integrierung des Stapels in den Ofenraum gebildet wird. Die Pfeile mit den hellen Spitzen verdeutlichen die Luftführung durch die Anordnung. Luft tritt in den Wärmetauscher 6 ein und gelangt von dort in den Ofen¬ innenraum. Vom Ofeninnenraum tritt die Luft seitlich in den Stapel ein und zwar zunächst in einen Schacht in- nerhalb der Konnektorplatte (vgl. Fig. 1) . Fig. 2 verdeutlicht, wie die Luft, aus einem solchen Schacht kommend, U-förmig geführt wird und so in entgegen¬ gesetzter Richtung an einer Elektrode des Festelektrolyt-Elementes 9 vorbeigeführt wird. Das Brenngas wird entsprechend der Pfeile mit den schwarzen Spitzen an der anderen Elektrode des Festelektrolyt- Elementes 9 entlang geleitet. Es strömt vom ersten Kasten 3 über Öffnungen in den vorgesehenen Kanal entlang der Elektrode des Festelektrolyt-Elementes 9 und von dort aus über eine weitere Öffnung in den zweiten Kasten 4. Hier trifft es mit der Luft zusammen. Es findet eine Nachverbrennung statt. Die verbrannten Gase entweichen über die Ableitung 15.High temperature kit or gold exist and do not have to form a material connection with the components, such as a soldered connection. With this arrangement, the gas-tight connection of stack 1 with fuel gas supply box 3 and afterburner chamber 4 itself is strong thermal load ensured. In addition, the otherwise usual air supply box is omitted, since it is formed in the predetermined arrangement by integrating the stack into the furnace chamber. The arrows with the bright tips illustrate the air flow through the arrangement. Air enters the heat exchanger 6 and from there enters the furnace interior. From the interior of the furnace, the air enters the stack from the side, initially into a shaft inside the connector plate (see FIG. 1). FIG. 2 illustrates how the air coming from such a shaft is guided in a U-shape and is thus guided past an electrode of the solid electrolyte element 9 in the opposite direction. The fuel gas is guided along the arrows with the black tips along the other electrode of the solid electrolyte element 9. It flows from the first box 3 through openings in the intended channel along the electrode of the solid electrolyte element 9 and from there via a further opening into the second box 4. Here it meets the air. Afterburning takes place. The burned gases escape through the discharge line 15.
Ein Stapel wird gebildet durch die Stapelung von Festelektrolyt-Elementen 9 und Interkonnektor- platten 10. In Figur 2 sind aus Gründen der Über¬ sichtlichkeit nur zwei Interkonnektorplatten 10 sowie drei Festelektrolyt-Elemente 9 abgebildet. Diese Platten werden üblicherweise mit einer Hochtemperatur¬ verbindung gegeneinander abgedichtet. So hat z.B. eine Interkonnektorplatte bzw. ein Festelektrolyt-Element auf jeder Seite regelmäßig zwei Dichtungsfugen, d.h. insgesamt vier Fugen. Bei der vorliegenden Konstruktion wird eine Fuge eingespart. So hat ein Festelektrolyt- Element bei der erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung nur noch drei Fugen. Eine Fuge 11 dichtet den Brenngasraum des Brenngaskastens 3 gegenüber dem Kathodenraum einer Interkonnektorplatte 10 ab. Zwei weitere Fugen dienen der seitlichen Abdichtung des Anodenraums gegenüber der Ofenatmosphäre. Andere Abdichtungen, wie z.B. die Abdichtung des Kathodenraums gegenüber der Ofen¬ atmosphäre, sind entbehrlich. Hier wird eine aus¬ reichende Abdichtung dadurch erreicht, daß der BrennstoffStapel durch mäßigen Druck zusammengepreßt wird. So kann z.B. über die Feder 12 und das Ge¬ stänge 13 der Stapel gegen das gegenüberliegende Gestänge 14 mit gewünschter Kraft zusammengepreßt werden. Kleine restliche Luftleckagen zwischen Kathodenraum und Ofenatmosphäre sind unerheblich. Die beiden Anpreßgestänge 13 und 14 können gleichzeitig zur Stromableitung dienen.A stack is formed by the stacking of solid electrolyte elements 9 and interconnector plates 10. For reasons of clarity, FIG. 2 shows only two interconnector plates 10 and three solid electrolyte elements 9. These plates are usually sealed off from one another with a high temperature connection. For example, an interconnector plate or a solid electrolyte element regularly has two sealing joints on each side, ie a total of four joints. A joint is saved in the present construction. So a solid electrolyte Element in the arrangement according to the invention only three joints. A joint 11 seals the fuel gas space of the fuel gas box 3 from the cathode space of an interconnector plate 10. Two further joints serve to seal the anode compartment from the side against the furnace atmosphere. Other seals, such as the sealing of the cathode space from the furnace atmosphere, are not necessary. Sufficient sealing is achieved here in that the fuel stack is pressed together by moderate pressure. For example, the stack 12 can be pressed against the opposite linkage 14 with the desired force via the spring 12 and the linkage 13. Small remaining air leaks between the cathode compartment and the furnace atmosphere are irrelevant. The two pressure rods 13 and 14 can simultaneously serve for current dissipation.
Der Kasten 4 kann aus Innconnel 600 bestehen. Die Übergangsstelle 16 sollte jedoch aus dem selben Material oder aus einem Material mit ähnlichem Ausdehnungskoeffizienten wie die Interkonnektorplatten (z. B. Zr02) bestehen. So ist sichergestellt, daß keine thermisch bedingten Scherkräfte an der Fuge 7 auftreten, die die Abdichtung gefährden könnte.Box 4 can consist of Innconnel 600. The transition point 16 should, however, consist of the same material or of a material with a similar expansion coefficient as the interconnector plates (e.g. Zr0 2 ). This ensures that no thermally induced shear forces occur at the joint 7, which could endanger the seal.
Kasten 3 und Stapel 1 sollten aus dem gleichen Grund ebenfalls ein ähnliches thermisches Ausdehnungsverhal¬ ten aufweisen. Box 3 and stack 1 should also have a similar thermal expansion behavior for the same reason.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. Anordnung für Festelektrolyt-Brennstoffzellen1. Arrangement for solid electrolyte fuel cells
- mit einem ersten, eine Zuleitung aufweisenden Gefäß (3) ,with a first vessel (3) having a feed line,
- mit einem zweiten, eine Ableitung aufwei- senden Gefäß (4) ,with a second vessel (4) with a drain,
- mit einem zwischen den beiden Gefäßen be¬ findlichen, an die Gefäße gasdicht angren¬ zenden Brennstoffzellenstapel (1) ,with a fuel cell stack (1) located between the two vessels and adjoining the vessels in a gas-tight manner,
- mit Öffnungen zwischen den Gefäßen (3, 4) und dem Stapel (1) ,- With openings between the vessels (3, 4) and the stack (1),
- mit einer Führung des Brenngases über die Zuleitung durch das erste Gefäß (3) , durch die zugehörige (n) Öffnung(en), entlang der Elektroden der Brennstoffzellen (9, 10) des Stapels (1) sowie durch die das zweite Gefäß (4) betreffende(n) Öffnung(en) hindurch in das zweite Gefäß (4) hinein.- With a guide of the fuel gas via the feed line through the first vessel (3), through the associated opening (s), along the electrodes of the fuel cells (9, 10) of the stack (1) and through which the second vessel ( 4) relevant opening (s) into the second vessel (4).
2. Anordnung nach vorhergehendem Anspruch - mit Wärmetauschern (5, 6) für Brenngas und/ oder Luft, die innerhalb des zweiten Gefäßes (4) angeordnet sind.2. Arrangement according to the preceding claim - with heat exchangers (5, 6) for fuel gas and / or air, which are arranged within the second vessel (4).
3. Anordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden An- Sprüche,3. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims,
- in einem Ofen (2) stehend, wobei die Gefäße (3, - Standing in an oven (2), the vessels (3,
4) übereinander befindlich angeordnet sind.4) are arranged one above the other.
' 4. Anordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden An¬ sprüche, - mit zwischen den Brennstoffzellen des Stapels befindlichen Kanälen oder Schächten für die LuftZuführung zu den Brennstoffzellen, die die Luft zunächst entgegengesetzt zur Richtung der an einer Elektrode stattfindenden Luftführung leiten.4. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, - With channels or shafts located between the fuel cells of the stack for the air supply to the fuel cells, which initially guide the air in the opposite direction to the direction of air flow taking place on an electrode.
5. Anordnung nach einem der vorhergehenden An¬ sprüche, - mit einem Ofeninnenraum, der zusätzlich als Teil der Luftzuführung ausgestaltet ist. 5. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, - with a furnace interior, which is additionally designed as part of the air supply.
EP96902887A 1995-02-21 1996-02-16 Arrangement for solid electrolyte fuel cells Withdrawn EP0811255A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19505913A DE19505913C1 (en) 1995-02-21 1995-02-21 Solid electrolyte fuel cell
DE19505913 1995-02-21
PCT/DE1996/000289 WO1996026553A1 (en) 1995-02-21 1996-02-16 Arrangement for solid electrolyte fuel cells

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0811255A1 true EP0811255A1 (en) 1997-12-10

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DE19637655C1 (en) * 1996-09-16 1997-11-20 Forschungszentrum Juelich Gmbh Fuel-cell with reduced flow pressure loss
DE19652341C2 (en) * 1996-12-17 2000-01-20 Forschungszentrum Juelich Gmbh Process for the preparation of fuel for fuel cells and suitable fuel cell for carrying out the process
DE19715256C1 (en) * 1997-04-12 1998-08-27 Forschungszentrum Juelich Gmbh Two-part connector e.g for forming PEM fuel cell stack for automobile applications
NL1019397C2 (en) * 2001-11-19 2003-06-13 Willem Jan Oosterkamp Fuel cell stack in a pressure vessel.
US7070874B2 (en) * 2002-12-24 2006-07-04 Fuelcell Energy, Inc. Fuel cell end unit with integrated heat exchanger
DE102006060810B4 (en) * 2006-12-21 2015-01-15 Staxera Gmbh Housing for receiving and clamping at least one fuel cell stack and fuel cell system

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WO1996026553A1 (en) 1996-08-29

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