JP2009019272A - High-temperature steam electrolyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high-temperature steam electrolyzer which has improved reliability in gas sealing and a reduced size, and is easy to exchange and to repair. <P>SOLUTION: The high-temperature steam electrolyzer is equipped with: an electrolytic cell part 120 where a solid oxide electrolyte 101 as an intermediate layer, and a hydrogen pole electrode 102 and an oxygen pole electrode 103 arranged at the both sides of the intermediate layer 101, respectively, are provided and hydrogen is generated by the electrolysis of steam; fixing flanges 130 for fixing the end parts of the solid oxide electrolyte 101 of the electrolytic cell part 12; unit supports 110 for supporting the fixing flanges 130; mounting flanges 104 provided on both surfaces of each fixing flange 130 and each unit support 110; gaskets 107 made of a metal or a mineral material, which are each interposed between each mounting flange 104 and each of each fixing flange 130 and each unit support 110; and bolts and nuts (fastening members) for fastening the mounting flanges 104. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a high-temperature steam electrolyzer that generates hydrogen by electrolyzing high-temperature steam using waste heat from a nuclear reactor or the like.

  As this type of high-temperature steam electrolysis, a method is known in which high-temperature steam is electrolyzed to obtain hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. The principle of operation uses the reverse reaction of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Hereinafter, a flat plate type high temperature steam electrolysis cell will be described as an example.

  In this high-temperature steam electrolysis method, an electrochemical cell is generally used in which a solid oxide electrolyte is used as an intermediate layer and a hydrogen electrode and an oxygen electrode are provided. Hydrogen is purified on the hydrogen electrode side, and oxygen is purified on the oxygen electrode side. The hydrogen electrode side atmosphere is mainly composed of water vapor and hydrogen as fuel, while the oxygen electrode side atmosphere is mainly composed of nitrogen and oxygen when the supply gas is air, and the supply gas is oxygen. Sometimes oxygen is the main component. For this reason, a gas seal structure separating the hydrogen electrode side atmosphere and the oxygen electrode side atmosphere is indispensable.

  As this gas seal structure, a technique related to a solid electrolyte electrolytic cell gas-sealed with a sealing material is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This gas-sealed solid electrolyte electrolytic cell will be described with reference to FIG.

  The solid electrolyte type electrolytic cell shown in FIG. 17 is roughly composed of a fuel electrode 1, a solid electrolyte 2 and an air electrode 3. It is configured to be sandwiched by the interconnector 5 through the current collector plate 6 and the current collector 7 from the fuel electrode 1 side and the La-based oxide ceramics 4 from the air electrode 3 side.

  The solid electrolyte 2 serves as a support for the electrochemical cell, and is installed on the manifold 8 via a sealing material 9 at the end.

  Also, a seal structure is known in which a plurality of recesses are provided in the upper and lower interconnector end portions of the electrolyte, and the recesses are filled with a sealing material (for example, see Patent Document 2).

In addition, a structure has been proposed in which a recess is provided in the manifold and the electrolyte, and a metal insert is inserted into the recess to improve the gas sealing property by utilizing a difference in thermal expansion (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
JP-A-6-275302 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-168590 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-2880

  In the conventional high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus described above, consideration is not sufficiently given to efficient operation including replacement and repair of electrolytic cells in a long-time operation.

  For example, in the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus shown in FIG. 17, the seal material 9 directly receives loads and vibrations from the current collector plate 6, current collector 7 and interconnector 5 provided in the vertical direction of the solid electrolyte 2. It has become. For this reason, this sealing material 9 may lack long-term reliability from the viewpoint of sealing performance and strength. Further, since the sealing material 9 is adhered, when the electrolytic cell needs to be replaced or repaired, the sealing material 9 needs to be removed, so that a long time is required for maintenance.

  In the conventional high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus described above, an electrochemical cell having a solid oxide electrolyte as an intermediate layer and provided with a hydrogen electrode and an oxygen electrode is used. Hydrogen is generated on the hydrogen electrode side, and oxygen is generated on the oxygen electrode side. For this reason, a gas seal structure separating the hydrogen electrode side atmosphere and the oxygen electrode side atmosphere is indispensable. This gas seal has a structure in which cell ends are bonded and connected using glass, metal, or the like.

  However, if this gas seal is used as an electrochemical cell alone, it is relatively easy to seal the gas at the cell edge. There has been a problem that the reliability of the gas seal is reduced.

  In the high temperature region, there is a problem in that the long-term reliability of the seal and strength of an adhesive such as glass is impaired.

  Further, the gas seal portion becomes a joint portion between the electrochemical cell, the interconnector, the cell support structure, and the like, and there is a problem in that the support strength and durability must be maintained for a long time.

  Furthermore, in the conventional configuration, when a plurality of solid electrolyte type electrolytic cells are stacked as an aggregate to form a large-capacity hydrogen production apparatus, only a part of the plurality of solid electrolyte type electrolytic cells are defective or only a part is provided. When the battery reaches the end of its life, it is difficult to individually replace or remove these solid electrolyte electrolytic cells. For this reason, there existed a subject in the improvement of maintainability which can replace | exchange and repair a solid electrolyte type electrolytic cell individually.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a high-temperature steam electrolyzer that improves the reliability of the gas seal, reduces the size of the device, and is easy to replace and repair. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus of the present invention, hydrogen is generated by electrolyzing water vapor including a hydrogen electrode and an oxygen electrode arranged on both sides with a solid oxide electrolyte as an intermediate layer. An electrolytic cell portion, a fixing flange for fixing the end portion of the solid oxide electrolyte of the electrolytic cell portion, a unit support for supporting the fixing flange, and each of the fixing flange and the unit support. A mounting flange, a metal or mineral gasket interposed between the fixing flange and the unit support and the mounting flange, and a fastening member for fastening the mounting flanges in a dismountable manner. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus according to the present invention, the solid oxide electrolyte extending in the horizontal direction is used as an intermediate layer, and oxygen electrode electrodes disposed on both the upper and lower sides of the solid oxide electrolyte, A hydrogen electrode electrode formed from a cone-shaped porous material whose horizontal cross-sectional area expands upward, and an electrolysis cell portion that electrolyzes water vapor to generate hydrogen, and the cone-shaped hydrogen electrode A cone-shaped metal fixing ring into which an electrode is inserted and whose inner cross-section increases in the horizontal cross section upward, a unit support that supports the fixing ring, and both surfaces of the fixing ring and the unit support A mounting flange, a metal or mineral gasket interposed between the fixing ring and the unit support, and the mounting flanges are fastened in a dismountable manner. It is characterized in that it has a fastening member attached, a.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus of the present invention, a solid oxide electrolyte extending in the horizontal direction is used as an intermediate layer, and hydrogen electrode electrodes disposed on both upper and lower sides of the solid oxide electrolyte, An electrolysis cell part that electrolyzes water vapor to generate hydrogen, and an oxygen electrode formed from a corn-like porous material whose horizontal cross-sectional area increases upward, and the corn-like oxygen electrode A cone-shaped metal fixing ring whose inner surface to be inserted increases in the horizontal cross-sectional area upward, a unit support that supports the fixing ring, and each of the fixing ring and the unit support. The mounting flange, the metal or mineral gasket interposed between the fixing ring and the unit support, and the mounting flanges are tightened so that they can be disassembled. It is characterized in that it has a fastening member.

  In order to achieve the above object, the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus of the present invention includes a hydrogen electrode electrode and an oxygen electrode electrode disposed on both sides with a solid oxide electrolyte as an intermediate layer, and electrolyzes water vapor to generate hydrogen. An electrolysis cell part for generating the electrode, a porous metal support for supporting the lower surface of the hydrogen electrode of the electrolysis cell part, and an end face of the porous metal support provided outside the porous metal support And a metal fixing ring connected via a welded portion, and a unit support that supports an end portion of the metal fixing ring.

  According to the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus of the present invention, by integrating the electrolysis cell portion on the support using a gasket and a fastening member, the apparatus can be miniaturized, the defective cell can be easily replaced and repaired, and By using a metal or mineral gasket, the reliability and safety of the seal can be improved.

  Embodiments of a high-temperature steam electrolysis cell according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, the same or similar parts are denoted by common reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the mounting flange 104 and the gasket 107 of the electrolysis cell unit 120 of the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a mounting flange 104 of FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a II part of the gasket 107. FIG.

  First, the configuration of the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the high-temperature steam electrolyzer mainly includes an electrolysis cell unit 120 provided between two partition plates 112 via an interconnector 109 that is electrically connected, and the electrolysis cell unit 120. A cell seal portion 121 that seals the cell seal portion, and a unit support 110 that supports the cell seal portion 121. The electrolysis cell unit 120 has a hydrogen electrode 102 and an oxygen electrode 103 disposed on both sides with the solid oxide electrolyte 101 as an intermediate layer.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cell seal portion 121 includes a fixing flange 130, a metal mounting flange 104, a metal bolt 105, a metal nut 106, and a gasket 107. Preferable examples of the material of the gasket 107 include a metal such as ferritic stainless steel or a mineral based material such as vermiculite. Further, the solid oxide electrolyte 101 of the electrolysis cell unit 120 is sandwiched between the fixing flanges 130 via the gaskets 107 from both sides. The two fixing flanges 130 are fastened by using bolts 105 and nuts 106 as fastening members via a gasket 107. Further, both sides of the fixed flange 130 and the unit support 110 are sandwiched by the mounting flange 104 via the gasket 107. The two mounting flanges 104 are fastened using bolts 105 and nuts 106 as fastening members via a gasket 107. Thus, the solid oxide electrolyte 101 of the electrolysis cell unit 120 is fastened by the bolt 105 and the nut 106 via the mounting flange 104 and the gasket 107 to constitute a high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus.

  The solid oxide electrolyte 101 is a disk type, and the material, size, thickness, and manufacturing method are arbitrary. The material, shape, size, and thickness of the hydrogen electrode electrode 102 and the oxygen electrode electrode 103 are also arbitrary, and the coating method to the solid oxide electrolyte 101 is also arbitrary. A preferred example of the material of the hydrogen electrode 102 is a mixture of nickel and stabilized zirconia, and a preferred example of the material of the oxygen electrode 103 is a lanthanum-cobalt oxide. The material, the number, and the size of the bolt 105 and the nut 106 are not particularly limited. The material of the mounting flange 104 is arbitrary, and the shape is arbitrary such as a circle or a rectangle. The size of the gasket 107 can be arbitrarily determined, and the material is made of metal or mineral.

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, the solid oxide electrolyte 101 of the electrolysis cell unit 120 is sandwiched between the fixing flanges 130 via the gaskets 107 from both sides, and both the fixing flanges 130 and the unit support 110 are disposed on both sides. Is sandwiched between the mounting flanges 104 via the gasket 107 and further fastened using the bolts 105 and nuts 106 via the gasket 107. By this gasket 107, a sealing structure can be formed in which the boundary between the electrolytic cell portion 120, the fixing flange 130 and the mounting flange 104 and the boundary between the mounting flange 104 and the bolt 105 or the nut 106 can be gas-sealed.

  Further, by using a metal or mineral material as the material of the gasket 107, it is possible to improve the sealing performance by utilizing the difference in thermal expansion. In such a high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus, the electrolytic cell unit 120 and the gasket 107 can be easily replaced or repaired by simply removing the bolts 105 and nuts 106. Furthermore, the electrolysis cell part 120 is disk-shaped, the fixing flange 130 is annular, and the end of the fixing flange 130 can be connected to the unit support 110 via the screw part 204.

  Power supply or current collection of the electrolytic cell unit 120 is performed by bringing the interconnector 109 into contact with the electrolytic cell unit 120 from above and below. In addition, the upper and lower electrolysis cell portions 120 are separated from each other via a partition plate 112. The interconnector 109 has a gas diffusive shape such as a porous body or a corrugated shape, and the material is arbitrary. The material of the partition plate 112 is a conductive material, and the shape is arbitrary.

  According to the present embodiment, by using a metal or mineral gasket 107 as a gas seal material, the electrolysis cell part 120 of the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus that can improve the reliability of the gas seal and facilitate replacement and repair is constructed. can do. Furthermore, a screw unit 204 is formed on the end face of the fixed flange 130, the solid oxide electrolyte 101, and the unit support 110, thereby constructing a unit in which a plurality of the electrolysis cell parts 120 are assembled on the unit support 110. It is possible to obtain a high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus that can improve sealing performance and can be easily attached and detached.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the mounting flange 104 and the gasket 107 of the electrolysis cell portion 120a of the high temperature steam electrolysis apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a mounting flange 104 of FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing an IV part of the gasket 107. FIG. 5 is a top view showing the structure of the mounting flange and gasket of the electrolytic cell portion of the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus of FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as 1st Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in the figure, the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus is mainly composed of an electrolysis cell part 120a and a unit support 110 that supports the electrolysis cell part 120a. This electrolysis cell part 120a has a hydrogen electrode 102 and an oxygen electrode 103 arranged on both sides with the solid oxide electrolyte 101 as an intermediate layer.

  As can be seen from FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the electrolysis cell part 120 a is disposed in each of the plurality of openings arranged in a square lattice pattern on one unit support 110 and fixed by the mounting flange 104.

  As shown in FIG. 4, unit supports 110 are disposed on both sides of the electrolysis cell portion 120a. The unit support 110 includes a hydrogen electrode power supply layer 201 that supplies power to the hydrogen electrode 102 of the electrolysis cell portion 120a, an oxygen electrode current collector layer 203 that collects current from the oxygen electrode 103, and the hydrogen electrode power supply layer 201 and the oxygen electrode current collector. An insulating layer 202 that insulates the electric layer 203 is provided.

  The electrolysis cell part 120a and the unit support 110 are sealed by a cell seal part 121. In this cell seal portion 121, the solid oxide electrolyte 101 of the electrolytic cell portion 120 a is sandwiched between the mounting flanges 104 via gaskets 107 from both sides, and further, bolts 105 and nuts 106 that are fastening members are interposed via the gaskets 107. It is concluded. Further, the mounting flange 104 and the hydrogen electrode power feeding layer 201 of the unit support 110 are connected via a welded portion 205. Further, the mounting flange 104 and the oxygen electrode current collecting layer 203 of the unit support 110 are connected via a welded portion 205.

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, the gas sealing property is ensured between the hydrogen electrode side atmosphere and the oxygen electrode side atmosphere of the electrolysis cell part 120a through the gasket 107 and the welded part 205. The unit support 110 is formed of three layers, that is, a hydrogen electrode power feeding layer 201, an oxygen electrode current collecting layer 203, and an insulating layer 202, and is a member that serves both as power feeding and current collecting. Power supply to the hydrogen electrode power supply layer 201 of the electrolysis cell part 120a and current collection from the oxygen electrode current collection layer 203 are performed through a metal mounting flange 104 and a conductive mesh 111. In order to ensure the insulation between the hydrogen electrode 102 and the oxygen electrode 103, a mineral gasket 107 is used at the contact portion with the bolt 105. Further, the shape and material of the conductive mesh 111 can be arbitrarily selected.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the reliability and safety of the seal by using the metal or mineral gasket 107 for the seal portion of the electrolytic cell portion 120a. Furthermore, when the unit support body 110 also serves as a power supply member or a current collecting member, the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus can be further simplified and downsized.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the mounting flange 104 and the gasket 107 of the electrolysis cell portion 120b of the high temperature steam electrolysis apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is the mounting flange 104 of FIG. FIG. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing VII of the gasket 107. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as 1st Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in this figure, the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus mainly includes an electrolysis cell unit 120b and a unit support 110 that supports the electrolysis cell unit 120b. This electrolysis cell part 120b has a hydrogen electrode 102 and an oxygen electrode 103 arranged on both sides with the solid oxide electrolyte 101 as an intermediate layer. A metal fixing ring 108 is interposed between the electrolytic cell portion 120b and the unit support 110.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the hydrogen electrode 102 of the electrolysis cell portion 120b is made of a porous material processed into a cone shape that extends horizontally in a plate shape and whose horizontal cross-sectional area expands upward. Yes. The hydrogen electrode 102 is embedded in a metal fixing ring 108 processed into a cone shape whose inner surface expands upward as an electrode support for the electrolysis cell portion 120b. By applying the solid oxide electrolyte 101 from the bottom surface side of the cone-shaped porous hydrogen electrode 102 to the fixing ring 108, an electrolysis cell part 120b capable of gas sealing is configured.

  The electrolysis cell portion 120b is disk-shaped and the fixing ring 108 is annular. When an electrolysis unit is formed by collecting a plurality of electrolysis cell portions 120b, the space between the end surface of the fixing ring 108 and the unit support 110 is set. A screw portion 204 is formed, and the fixing ring 108 and the unit support 110 body are connected via the screw portion 204. The electrolysis cell part 120b connected to the unit support 110 via the screw part 204 has a structure that can be sandwiched between the mounting flanges 104 via the gasket 107 and can be gas sealed.

  In addition, the upper and lower electrolysis cell parts 120b are isolated by the power supply support 123. The power feeding unit support 123 includes a hydrogen electrode power feeding layer 201, an oxygen electrode current collecting layer 203, and an insulating layer 202 that electrically insulates the hydrogen electrode power feeding layer 201 from the oxygen electrode current collecting layer 203.

  Power supply to the hydrogen electrode 102 of the electrolysis cell unit 120 b is performed from the hydrogen electrode power supply layer 201 of the power supply unit support 123 via the interconnector 109. Current collection from the oxygen electrode electrode 103 of the electrolysis cell unit 120 b is performed from the oxygen electrode current collection layer 203 of the power supply unit support 123 via the interconnector 109.

  The material, porosity, and size of the porous hydrogen electrode 102 are arbitrary, and the manufacturing method is also arbitrary. The material, shape, size, and thickness of the solid oxide electrolyte 101 and the oxygen electrode electrode 103 are arbitrary, and the coating method is also arbitrary. The size, thickness, and oblique angle of the metallic fixing ring 108 are arbitrary. The material, number and size of the bolts 105 and nuts 106 are not particularly limited. The material of the mounting flange 104 is arbitrary. The gasket 107 is made of metal or mineral. The interconnector 109 has a gas diffusive shape such as a porous body or a corrugated shape, and the material is arbitrary.

  The same applies when the oxygen electrode 103 is used as a porous electrode support.

  According to the present embodiment, by embedding the porous hydrogen electrode 102 processed into a cone shape as an electrode support in the fixing ring 108 whose inner surface is processed into a cone shape, the electrolytic cell portion is used without using an adhesive. A high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus supporting 120b can be constructed. Further, by applying the solid oxide electrolyte 101 to the fixing ring 108, gas sealing can be performed without using an adhesive such as glass. Furthermore, when assembling a plurality of electrolytic cell portions 120 b, a screw portion 204 is formed between the end surface of the fixing ring 108 and the unit support 110. By connecting via the screw part 204, it is possible to obtain a high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus that eliminates the need for an adhesive such as glass and facilitates replacement and repair of the electrolytic cell part 120b and the like.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the electrolysis cell part 120c of the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the IX part of the electrolysis cell part 120c of FIG. FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as 1st Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus mainly includes an electrolysis cell unit 120c and a unit support 110 that supports the electrolysis cell unit 120c. This electrolysis cell part 120c has a hydrogen electrode 102 and an oxygen electrode 103 disposed on both sides with the solid oxide electrolyte 101 as an intermediate layer.

  As shown in FIG. 9, unit supports 110 are disposed on both sides of the electrolysis cell portion 120c. The unit support 110 includes a hydrogen electrode power supply layer 201 that supplies power to the hydrogen electrode 102 of the electrolysis cell portion 120c, an oxygen electrode current collector layer 203 that collects current from the oxygen electrode 103, and the hydrogen electrode power supply layer 201 and the oxygen electrode current collector. An insulating layer 202 that insulates the electric layer 203 is provided.

  The hydrogen electrode 102 is made of a porous material that is processed into a cone shape that extends horizontally in a plate shape and whose horizontal cross-sectional area expands upward. The porous hydrogen electrode 102 is embedded in a metal fixing ring 108 having a through hole whose inner surface is processed into a cone shape whose horizontal sectional area expands upward.

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, the electrolytic cell portion 120c is supported by the porous hydrogen electrode 102, embedded in the through hole of the metal fixing ring 108, and the solid oxide electrolyte 101 is The fixing ring 108 is applied.

  Further, the fixing ring 108 and the hydrogen electrode power supply layer 201 of the unit support 110 are connected via a welded portion 205. The oxygen electrode current collecting layer 203 is in contact with the oxygen electrode electrode 103 through the conductive mesh 111 with the insulating layer 202 of the unit support 110 interposed therebetween. Further, the upper and lower electrolysis cell parts 120 c are isolated via the partition plate 112. The material of the partition plate 112 is a conductive material, and the shape is arbitrary.

  In addition, when the porous oxygen electrode 103 functions as an electrode support, the same configuration as described above can be adopted.

  According to the present embodiment, by embedding the porous hydrogen electrode 102 processed into a cone shape as an electrode support in the fixing ring 108 whose inner surface is processed into a cone shape, the electrolytic cell portion is used without using an adhesive. A high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus supporting 120c can be constructed. Furthermore, since the unit support body 110 serves also as a power feeding member and a current collecting member, the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus can be further simplified and downsized.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the mounting flange 104 and the gasket 107 of the electrolysis cell portion 120d of the high temperature steam electrolysis apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is the mounting flange 104 of FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing an X portion of the gasket 107. FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as 1st Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in the figure, the high temperature steam electrolyzer mainly includes an electrolysis cell part 120d and a unit support 110 that supports the electrolysis cell part 120d. The electrolysis cell part 120d has a hydrogen electrode electrode 102 and an oxygen electrode electrode 103, which are porous materials, arranged on both sides with the solid oxide electrolyte 101 as an intermediate layer. A porous metal support 113 is disposed on the lower surface of the hydrogen electrode 102. The upper and lower electrolysis cell parts 120d are partitioned by a partition plate 112.

  A metal fixing ring 108 is interposed between the porous metal support 113 and the unit support 110 of the electrolytic cell portion 120d. The metal fixing ring 108 and the porous metal support 113 are connected via a welded portion 205.

  The electrolysis cell part 120d has a disk shape, and the fixing ring 108 has an annular shape. The metal fixing ring 108 and the unit support 110 are connected to each other via the screw part 204 by forming the screw part 204. Has been.

  On both sides of the fixed ring 108 and the unit support 110 connected to each other, a metal mounting flange 104 is provided via a metal or mineral gasket 107. The metal mounting flange 104 is tightened with a bolt 105 or a nut 106 which is a kind of tightening member via a metal or mineral gasket 107.

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, the electrolysis cell portion 120d is supported by the porous metal support 113. On the upper surface of the porous metal support 113, a hydrogen electrode 102, a solid oxide electrolyte 101, and an oxygen electrode 103 are sequentially arranged. Further, in this electrolytic cell portion 120d, the porous metal support 113 and the metal fixing ring 108 are connected via the welded portion 205, and the end surface of the metal fixing ring 108 and the unit support 110 are connected to each other. Are connected via a screw portion 204. The generated gas can be sealed by being sandwiched by the mounting flange 104 via the gasket 107. Further, power supply to the hydrogen electrode 102 and current collection from the oxygen electrode 103 are performed by contacting the interconnectors 109 arranged above and below the hydrogen electrode 102 and the oxygen electrode 103. Further, the upper and lower electrolysis cell portions 120d are separated by the partition plate 112.

  The interconnector 109 has a gas diffusive shape such as a porous body or a corrugated shape, and the material is arbitrary. The shape and material of the mounting flange 104 are arbitrary. The material of the partition plate 112 is a conductive material, and the shape is arbitrary. The gasket 107 is made of metal or mineral.

  According to the present embodiment, the durability of the electrode support can be improved by using the porous metal support 113 as the electrode support of the electrolytic cell portion 120d. Further, by using the metal or mineral gasket 107 as a gas seal material, it is possible to easily improve the reliability of the gas seal and to replace or repair the electrochemical cell. Furthermore, since the mounting flange 104 is fastened with bolts 105 and nuts 106, a gas seal of a unit that collects a plurality of electrolysis cell portions 120d on the unit support 110 can be realized, and electric mounting and removal are easy. The unit structure of the chemical cell can be realized.

[Sixth Embodiment]
FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the electrolysis cell portion 120e of the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the XIII portion of the electrolysis cell portion 120e of FIG. FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure same as 5th Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the high-temperature steam electrolyzer mainly includes an electrolysis cell unit 120e and a unit support 110 that supports the electrolysis cell unit 120e. The electrolysis cell portion 120e includes a porous hydrogen electrode electrode 102 and an oxygen electrode electrode 103 that are disposed on both sides with the solid oxide electrolyte 101 as an intermediate layer. A porous metal support 113 is disposed on the lower surface of the hydrogen electrode 102.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the fixing ring 108, which is a component of the electrolysis cell part 120e, is not provided with the screw part 204 as shown in FIG. In the electrolysis cell portion 120e, the porous metal support 113 and the metal fixing ring 108 are connected via a welded portion 205, and the end surface of the metal fixing ring 108 and the unit support 110 are welded. It is configured to be connected via the unit 205.

  The unit support 110 includes a hydrogen electrode power supply layer 201 that supplies power to the hydrogen electrode 102 of the electrolysis cell portion 120e, an oxygen electrode current collector layer 203 that collects current from the oxygen electrode 103 through the conductive mesh 111, and this hydrogen electrode power supply. An insulating layer 202 that insulates the layer 201 from the oxygen electrode current collecting layer 203 is provided.

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, the electrolytic cell portion 120e supported by the porous metal support 113 is connected to the metal fixing ring 108 via the welded portion 205, and the solid oxide electrolyte 101 is connected. Is applied to the fixing ring 108. The fixing ring 108 and the hydrogen electrode power supply layer 201 constituting the unit support 110 are connected via a welded portion 205. Further, the oxygen electrode current collecting layer 203 is in contact with the oxygen electrode 103 through the conductive mesh 111 with the insulating layer 202 interposed therebetween.

  The same applies to the case where the porous oxygen electrode 103 functions as a support.

  According to the present embodiment, by connecting the porous metal support 113 processed as an electrode support to the through hole of the metal fixing ring 108 whose inner surface is processed through the embedded welded portion 205, The electrolysis cell part 120e can be constructed without using an adhesive. Moreover, since the unit support body 110 serves also as a power feeding member and a current collecting member, the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus can be further simplified and downsized.

  Furthermore, the durability of the electrode support can be improved by using the porous metal support 113 as the electrode support of the hydrogen electrode 102 of the electrolytic cell portion 120e. Further, by using the metal or mineral gasket 107 as a gas seal material, it is possible to easily improve the reliability of the gas seal and to replace or repair the electrochemical cell. Furthermore, since the unit support body 110 serves also as a power feeding member and a current collecting member, the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus can be further simplified and downsized.

[Seventh Embodiment]
FIG. 14 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the main part of the electrolysis cell part of the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 (II in FIG. 1) of the first embodiment. Part). This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  In this embodiment, an annular gap 114 is provided between the opening of the unit support 110 and the outer end of the fixing flange 130, and no screw is formed between them. Similarly to the first embodiment, two fixing flanges 130 are attached so as to sandwich both surfaces near the end of the solid oxide electrolyte 101, and these fixing flanges 130 and the unit support 110 are connected to two sheets. The mounting flange 104 is sandwiched through a gasket 107 and tightened with bolts 105 and nuts 106.

  In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the use of a metal or mineral gasket 107 in the gas seal structure improves the reliability of the gas seal and facilitates replacement and repair. .

  Further, in this embodiment, since the gap 114 is provided between the opening of the unit support 110 and the outer end of the fixing flange 130, the opening of the unit support 110 and the fixing flange 130 or the mounting flange 104 are provided. The thermal expansion difference between the two can be absorbed. That is, depending on the operating conditions of the electrolysis cell, the electrolysis cell becomes an exothermic operation or an endothermic operation, thereby causing a temperature difference around the electrolysis cell and causing distortion due to thermal expansion. It is possible to avoid the destruction of the device due to the strain due to the expansion difference and maintain the soundness of the device.

[Eighth Embodiment]
FIG. 15 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the main part of the electrolysis cell part of the high temperature steam electrolysis apparatus according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 (VII in FIG. 6) of the third embodiment. Part). This embodiment is a modification of the third embodiment. The same components as those of the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  In this embodiment, an annular gap 115 is provided between the opening of the unit support 110 and the outer end of the fixing ring 108, and no screw is formed between them. As in the third embodiment, the fixing ring 108 and the unit support 110 are sandwiched between two mounting flanges 104 via a gasket 107 and tightened using bolts 105 and nuts 106.

  In this embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the use of a metal or mineral gasket 107 for the gas seal structure improves the reliability of the gas seal and facilitates replacement and repair. .

  Further, in this embodiment, since the gap 115 is provided between the opening of the unit support 110 and the outer end of the fixing ring 108, the opening of the unit support 110, the fixing ring 108 and the mounting flange 104 are provided. The thermal expansion difference between the two can be absorbed. Thereby, the same effects as those of the seventh embodiment can be obtained.

[Ninth Embodiment]
FIG. 16 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the main part of the electrolysis cell part of the high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus of the eighth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 (XI in FIG. 10) of the fifth embodiment. Part). This embodiment is a modification of the fifth embodiment, and the same components as those in the fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  In this embodiment, an annular gap 115 is provided between the opening of the unit support 110 and the outer end of the fixing ring 108, and no screw is formed between them. As in the fifth embodiment, the fixing ring 108 and the unit support 110 are sandwiched between the two mounting flanges 104 via the gasket 107 and tightened using bolts 105 and nuts 106.

  In this embodiment, as in the fifth embodiment, the use of a metal or mineral gasket 107 for the gas seal structure improves the reliability of the gas seal and facilitates replacement and repair. .

  Further, in this embodiment, since the gap 115 is provided between the opening of the unit support 110 and the outer end of the fixing ring 108, the opening of the unit support 110, the fixing ring 108 and the mounting flange 104 are provided. The thermal expansion difference between the two can be absorbed. Thereby, the same effects as those of the seventh and eighth embodiments can be obtained.

[Other embodiments]
The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and departs from the gist of the present invention by combining the configurations of the embodiments. Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope.

  For example, in the first, third, and fifth embodiments, a structure in which a plurality of electrolytic cell portions are stacked in the vertical direction in the horizontal direction is shown. In these embodiments, the second embodiment is also described. A structure in which a plurality of elements are arranged in the horizontal direction can be employed in the same manner as in the first embodiment (FIGS. 3 and 5).

The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the attachment flange and gasket of the electrolysis cell part of the high temperature steam electrolysis apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which expands and shows the II part of the attachment flange and gasket of FIG. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the attachment flange and gasket of the electrolysis cell part of the high temperature steam electrolysis apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which expands and shows the IV part of the attachment flange and gasket of FIG. The top view which shows the structure of the attachment flange and gasket of the electrolysis cell part of the high temperature steam electrolysis apparatus of FIG. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the attachment flange and gasket of the electrolysis cell part of the high temperature steam electrolysis apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which expands and shows the VII part of the attachment flange and gasket of FIG. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the electrolysis cell part of the high temperature steam electrolysis apparatus of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which expands and shows the IX part of the electrolysis cell part of FIG. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the attachment flange and gasket of the electrolysis cell part of the high temperature steam electrolysis apparatus of the 5th Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which expands and shows the XI part of the attachment flange and gasket of FIG. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the structure of the electrolysis cell part of the high temperature steam electrolysis apparatus of the 6th Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which expands and shows the XIII part of the electrolysis cell part of FIG. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which expands and shows the principal part of the electrolysis cell part of the high temperature steam electrolysis apparatus of the 7th Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which expands and shows the principal part of the electrolysis cell part of the high temperature steam electrolysis apparatus of the 8th Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which expands and shows the principal part of the electrolysis cell part of the high temperature steam electrolysis apparatus of the 9th Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the conventional solid electrolyte type electrolysis cell part.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Solid oxide electrolyte, 102 ... Hydrogen electrode electrode, 103 ... Oxygen electrode electrode, 104 ... Mounting flange, 105 ... Bolt, 106 ... Nut, 107 ... Gasket, 108 ... Fixing ring, 109 ... Interconnector, 110 ... Unit support 111, conductive mesh, 112 ... partition plate, 113 ... porous metal support, 114 ... gap, 115 ... gap, 116 ... gap, 120, 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, 120e ... electrolysis cell part, 121 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Cell seal part, 123 ... Feeding part support body, 130 ... Fixed flange, 201 ... Hydrogen electrode feeding layer, 202 ... Insulating layer, 203 ... Oxygen electrode current collection layer, 204 ... Screw part, 205 ... Welding part.

Claims (16)

An electrolytic cell unit that includes a hydrogen electrode electrode and an oxygen electrode electrode disposed on both sides of the solid oxide electrolyte as an intermediate layer, and generates hydrogen by electrolyzing water vapor;
A fixing flange for fixing the end of the solid oxide electrolyte of the electrolytic cell part;
A unit support for supporting the fixed flange;
Mounting flanges installed on both sides of the fixed flange and the unit support,
A metal or mineral gasket interposed between the fixing flange and the unit support and the mounting flange;
Fastening members that fasten the mounting flanges so as to be disassembled;
A high temperature steam electrolyzer characterized by comprising:   The solid oxide electrolyte is disk-shaped, and an annular fixing flange for fixing an end of the solid oxide electrolyte and the unit support are connected via a screw portion. The high temperature steam electrolyzer according to claim 1. A hydrogen electrode power supply layer that supplies power to the hydrogen electrode of the electrolysis cell unit by the unit support, an oxygen electrode current collector layer that collects current from the oxygen electrode, and the hydrogen electrode power supply layer and oxygen electrode current collector layer An insulating layer for insulating,
A fixing flange that fixes an end of the solid oxide electrolyte and the unit support are connected via a weld;
The high temperature steam electrolyzer according to claim 1.   The high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a fixing flange for fixing an end of the solid oxide electrolyte and the unit support face each other with an annular gap therebetween. A solid oxide electrolyte that extends in the horizontal direction is used as an intermediate layer, and is formed from an oxygen electrode electrode that is placed on each of the upper and lower sides of the solid oxide electrolyte and a cone-shaped porous material whose horizontal cross-sectional area expands upward. An electrolysis cell unit that generates hydrogen by electrolyzing water vapor,
A cone-shaped metal fixing ring in which the cone-shaped hydrogen electrode is inserted, the inner surface of the cone-shaped electrode expands toward the upper side, and
A unit support for supporting the fixing ring;
Mounting flanges installed on both surfaces of the fixing ring and the unit support,
A metal or mineral gasket interposed between the fixing ring and the unit support;
Fastening members that fasten the mounting flanges so as to be disassembled;
A high temperature steam electrolyzer characterized by comprising:   6. The hydrogen electrode according to claim 5, wherein the hydrogen electrode has a disc shape, and the fixing ring into which the solid oxide electrolyte is inserted and the unit support are connected via a screw portion. High temperature steam electrolyzer. A hydrogen electrode power supply layer that supplies power to the hydrogen electrode of the electrolysis cell unit by the unit support, an oxygen electrode current collector layer that collects current from the oxygen electrode, and the hydrogen electrode power supply layer and oxygen electrode current collector layer An insulating layer for insulating,
The fixing ring in which the hydrogen electrode is inserted and the hydrogen electrode power feeding layer of the unit support are connected via a weld,
The high temperature steam electrolyzer according to claim 5.   6. The high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the fixing ring into which the hydrogen electrode is inserted and the unit support face each other with an annular gap therebetween. A solid oxide electrolyte that extends in the horizontal direction is used as an intermediate layer, and it is formed from a hydrogen electrode electrode that is placed on each of the upper and lower sides of the solid oxide electrolyte and a cone-shaped porous material whose horizontal cross-sectional area expands upward. An electrolysis cell unit that generates hydrogen by electrolyzing water vapor, including an oxygen electrode electrode
A cone-shaped metal fixing ring in which an inner surface into which the cone-shaped oxygen electrode is inserted is upwardly expanded in horizontal cross-sectional area;
A unit support for supporting the fixing ring;
Mounting flanges installed on both surfaces of the fixing ring and the unit support,
A metal or mineral gasket interposed between the fixing ring and the unit support;
Fastening members that fasten the mounting flanges so as to be disassembled;
A high temperature steam electrolyzer characterized by comprising:   The oxygen electrode is disk-shaped, and an annular fixing ring into which the solid oxide electrolyte is inserted and the unit support are connected via a screw portion. The high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus according to 9. A hydrogen electrode power supply layer that supplies power to the hydrogen electrode of the electrolysis cell unit by the unit support, an oxygen electrode current collector layer that collects current from the oxygen electrode, and the hydrogen electrode power supply layer and oxygen electrode current collector layer An insulating layer for insulating,
The fixing ring into which the oxygen electrode is inserted and the oxygen electrode power feeding layer of the unit support are connected via a welded portion,
The high temperature steam electrolyzer according to claim 9.   The high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the fixing ring into which the oxygen electrode is inserted and the unit support face each other via an annular gap. An electrolytic cell unit that includes a hydrogen electrode electrode and an oxygen electrode electrode disposed on both sides of the solid oxide electrolyte as an intermediate layer, and generates hydrogen by electrolyzing water vapor;
A porous metal support that supports the lower surface of the hydrogen electrode of the electrolysis cell part;
A metal fixing ring provided outside the porous metal support and connected to the end face of the porous metal support via a weld;
A unit support for supporting an end of the metal fixing ring;
A high temperature steam electrolyzer characterized by comprising: Mounting flanges installed on both surfaces of the metal fixing ring and the unit support, a metal or mineral gasket interposed between the electrolysis cell unit and the unit support and the mounting flange, and the mounting A fastening member that fastens the flanges so as to be disassembled,
The metal fixing ring has an annular shape, and the solid ring and the unit support are connected via a screw portion;
The high temperature steam electrolyzer according to claim 13. The unit support includes a hydrogen electrode power supply layer that supplies power to the hydrogen electrode of the electrolysis cell unit, an oxygen electrode current collector layer that collects current from the oxygen electrode, and the hydrogen electrode power supply layer and the oxygen electrode current collector layer. An insulating layer for insulating,
The high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the metal fixing ring and the hydrogen electrode power feeding layer of the unit support are connected via a weld. Mounting flanges installed on both surfaces of the metal fixing ring and the unit support, a metal or mineral gasket interposed between the electrolysis cell unit and the unit support and the mounting flange, and the mounting A fastening member that fastens the flanges so as to be disassembled,
The high-temperature steam electrolysis apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the metal fixing ring and the unit support are opposed to each other via an annular gap.

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