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
  • H01M8/02—Details
  • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
  • H01M8/023—Porous and characterised by the material
  • H01M8/0232—Metals or alloys
• • 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
  • H01M8/002—Shape, form of a fuel cell
• • 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
  • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
  • H01M8/023—Porous and characterised by the material
  • H01M8/0241—Composites
  • H01M8/0245—Composites in the form of layered or coated products
• • 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
  • H01M8/0202—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors
  • H01M8/0247—Collectors; Separators, e.g. bipolar separators; Interconnectors characterised by the form
• • 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
  • H01M8/028—Sealing means characterised by their material
  • H01M8/0282—Inorganic material
• • 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
  • H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
  • H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous 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
  • H01M8/10—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes
  • H01M8/12—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte
  • H01M8/1231—Fuel cells with solid electrolytes operating at high temperature, e.g. with stabilised ZrO2 electrolyte with both reactants being gaseous or vaporised
• • 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
  • H01M8/18—Regenerative fuel cells, e.g. redox flow batteries or secondary fuel cells
  • H01M8/184—Regeneration by electrochemical means
• • 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
  • H01M8/243—Grouping of unit cells of tubular or cylindrical 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
  • H01M8/24—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
• • 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 both fuel cells and electrolysers, in particular high temperature fuel cells such as those of the SOFC type (Solid Oxid Fuel CeIl) and to electrolysers such as those of the SOEC type (Solid Oxid Electrolyzer CeIl) .
• the invention can nevertheless be applied to other families of fuel cells and electrolysers.
• SOFC fuel cells operate with oxygen as oxidant and hydrogen as fuel, or with another combustible gas, for example of the methane type, and at a temperature between 500 and 1. 000 0 C.
• These fuel cells consist of a stack of several elementary cells, connected by connecting elements such as interconnectors or bipolar plates.
• the elementary cells consist of a stack of a cathode, an electrolyte and an anode. The high temperature is necessary to obtain a sufficient conductivity of The electrolyte in O2 ions.
• a SOEC electrolyser functions as an inverted SOFC fuel cell.
• Figure 1 shows this type of embodiment of fuel cells. It consists mainly of a central stack 2 of several elementary cells of fuel cells, separated from each other by interconnectors 1. These are formed of a metal central partition carrying flexible scalloped collars. The housing is completed with a base 5 and a flange 4 enclosing both the stack 2 and distributing and recovering combustible gases and their residues.
• Figure 2 shows in detail the type of interconnectors used.
• it is half of an interconnector that is represented here.
• This is composed mainly of a central partition 13 consisting of a half cylindrical metal plate.
• the bulkhead 13, of tubular shape has the function of separating the two gases used and to participate in the series of different cells.
• the flanges 11 have the function of electrically contacting the electrochemical cells electrically. They also allow assembly of the assembly, while absorbing the differences in expansion between the cells and the interconnectors, so as to keep the hot contact.
• the object of the invention is to contribute to the increase in the life of this type of device, by not using the elasticity of the materials constituting the interconnectors and to reduce its manufacturing cost.
• the main object of the invention is a fuel cell module of the SOFC type (Solid Oxid Fuel CeIl) and electrolyser type SOEC (Solid Oxid Electrolyzer CeIl) of axial structure, composed of elementary cells to tubular geometry, each cell consisting of a concentric stack comprising an anode, an electrolyte and a cathode, each cell being surrounded by two interconnectors, the module consisting of a concentric stack of several concentric cells and completed on each side of a distribution and exhaust device, namely a base and a flange.
• SOFC Solid Oxid Fuel CeIl
• SOEC Solid Oxid Electrolyzer CeIl
• the interconnectors consist, for each of them, of a plurality of metal balls, packed between the cells and separating tubes stacked alternately coaxial with the cells.
• the section of the module is cylindrical.
• a crown terminating the separation tubes to break the flow of gas arriving from the base in the intervals between the cells and the tubes of separation.
• a shoulder with a slope, so as to promote the distribution of the balls over 360 °, when filling the intervals with the balls.
• An alternative of the invention is to coat the balls of different coatings to create a gradient of protection of the balls depending on the operating conditions and the place where they are over the entire length of the module.
• a seal on the upper surface of the base to seal between it and the stack. This can be glass-ceramic or glass slip.
• FIG. 1 already described, a fuel cell of the prior art with axial configuration
• FIG. 2 a lamellar interconnector used in the type of fuel cell described in FIG. 1;
• the interconnector according to the invention mainly comprises a tubular separator tube 22 of ferritic stainless steel, or any other metal alloy with a low coefficient of expansion. Its functions are to ensure the maintenance of the balls used, the series electrochemical electrochemical cells between them and the separation of gases.
• the materials cited above have a much lower cost than those based on nickel and their machinability is comparable to that of a conventional stainless steel. If an oxidation is observed on the material constituting the separation tube 22, so that the surface of the latter remains good electrically conductive and forms an effective barrier against the evaporation of chromium, it can be carried out a coating providing the same function.
• the second functional element consists of a plurality of balls 20 placed on either side of the separation tube 22 and also to be in contact with one of the two cells adjacent to the interconnector.
• the balls 20 therefore have the function of ensuring the electrical series of electrochemical cells together through the separation tubes 22, despite the expansion differential that may exist between these different components.
• the balls 20 also play a gas diffusion role and allow the assembly of the assembly without having to play on the elasticity of the material.
• a slight slope can be provided on the upper surface of the ring 24 in order to allow a good distribution of the balls during filling, so that they fill the entire space between the separation tube 22 and the two adjacent cells.
• One or more horizontal partitions 26 may be provided to compartmentalize the large number of beads used, to better distribute it and reduce friction between them. In the latter case, fill all the spaces with the balls using a type of tooling funnel down the tube as the chambers are filled.
• FIG. 4 shows a relative detail at the base of the stack of the module according to the invention. There are only two cells 15 and three interconnectors, but a large number of these elements can be envisaged over the entire radius of
• the electrochemical cells 15 are therefore tubular and have an increasing radius and are mounted one inside the other. Concerning the interconnectors 22, it is specified that the balls 20 fill the entirety of the annular spaces remaining between the separation tubes 22 and the cells 15.
• the module has a base 50, which serves as a gas distribution box. It is envisaged to make it out of ferritic stainless steel, or any other metal alloy with a low coefficient of expansion. It is equipped with two general gas supply tubes connected to an external power supply, or to another battery or to another electrolyser. A sole 52 is provided between the base 50 and the stack of the module. This can be made of zirconia and contributes to the distribution of gases in the anode and cathode chambers. It also ensures the electrical insulation of the assembly, so as not to short circuit the fuel cell. It expands in the same way as the cells, in order to protect them during thermal transient phases.
• the seal between the base 50 and the hearth 52 is provided by a glass-ceramic joint, which can be deposited by plasma torch, or a slip glass seal.
• the entire module is shown cutaway in Figure 5. It contains the base 50, the sole 52, supporting the stack, consisting of interconnectors and cells 15, all being surmounted by a flange 40 which makes collection of gases and their residues. It is noted that a support tube 54 surrounds the stack of cells 15 and interconnectors. Finally, in this figure 5, are also shown, in the base of the stack, balls 20 placed between the separation tubes 22 and the cells 15.
• FIG 6 shows detached the base 50 and the sole 52, already mentioned above.
• the base 50 has an upper surface, which is covered with the seal, which can be either glass-ceramic or glass slip.
• FIG. 6 there are shown channels 53 of distribution of the gases over the entire radius of the stack between all the cells and their respective interconnectors.
• the upward arrows show that, since the module is positioned vertically, there is an upward flow of gases in the assembly.
• the hearth 52 is equipped with holes in which are placed capillaries 56 intended to penetrate, as shown in FIG. 4, in a groove 30, next to the crown 24 of each separation tube 22. These capillaries 56 avoid the obstruction supply channels through the glass of a seal that is spread over the entire upper surface of the hearth 52.
• the circulation of gases is generally axial, and co-current or counter-current. Only the co-current axial version has been described previously. It will be understood that the gases open into an annular channel 55 and a central cylindrical chamber 57, which feeds the radial channels 53. Thus, the gases are conveyed into their respective operational chamber via the orifices pierced in the sole 52, equipped with the capillaries 56. Along the chambers containing the balls, the gases react in contact with the electrodes as explained in the first paragraph of this application. The spent or converted gases are collected by the flange 40 (Fig. 5) and directed to an outlet or other cell or electrolyzer.
• the collection of the power supply is done at the terminals of the modules, that is to say on the internal and external interconnectors.

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

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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• 2007
  • 2007-09-03 FR FR0757328A patent/FR2920594B1/fr active Active
• 2008
  • 2008-08-29 CN CN200880114094A patent/CN101842928A/zh active Pending
  • 2008-08-29 WO PCT/EP2008/061380 patent/WO2009030648A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2008-08-29 US US12/675,962 patent/US20100310966A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2008-08-29 JP JP2010522386A patent/JP2010538411A/ja active Pending
  • 2008-08-29 EP EP08803378A patent/EP2183812A1/fr not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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