JP2009041044A - Reaction cell, its production method, and reaction system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide satisfactory cell characteristics while suppressing a gas leakage and securing suitable joining strength under the driving conditions of a high temperature steam electrolytic cell or a solid oxide type fuel battery cell. <P>SOLUTION: The reaction cell such as the high temperature steam electrolytic cell 20 supported by a supporting body 10 with a perforated part 12 formed at the end part 14 of the perforated part 12 comprises: an edge part 32 densely formed of a material having electronic insulating properties and ion conductivity and engaged with the end part 14; an electrolytic membrane 30 provided with an intermediate part 34 integrally molded with the edge part 32; a hydrogen pole 40 provided at the face of the intermediate part 34 on the side facing to the inside 16 of the supporting body 10; and an oxygen pole 50 provided at the face on the side opposite to the hydrogen pole 40 in the intermediate part 34. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a reaction cell for causing a reaction for electrolyzing water vapor or a battery reaction for discharging water vapor, a method for producing the same, and a reaction system.

  A solid electrolyte fuel cell (SOFC) reacts with a reducing agent (hydrogen or hydrocarbon, etc.) and an oxidizing agent (oxygen, etc.) through an electrolyte membrane having oxygen ion conductivity, usually under operating conditions of about 600 to 900 ° C. It is a device that takes out the energy as electricity. On the other hand, the high-temperature steam electrolysis method is a method of obtaining hydrogen and oxygen by electrolyzing high-temperature steam, and its operation principle is a reverse reaction of a solid electrolyte fuel cell. In order to put this to practical use, it is necessary to have a structure for supplying a current uniformly to a battery or a cell electrode that performs an electrolytic reaction under an operating condition of an operating temperature of about 600 to 900 ° C. and an oxidizing / reducing atmosphere. In addition, a sealing structure for preventing the gas supplied to the cell or the generated gas (particularly the generated hydrogen in the high-temperature steam electrolysis method) from leaking out is also required.

  Generally, a high temperature steam electrolysis cell has a hydrogen electrode and an oxygen electrode as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. The hydrogen electrode changes the supplied water vapor molecules and electrons into hydrogen molecules and oxygen ions. The oxygen electrode changes supplied oxygen ions into oxygen molecules and electrons. The water vapor molecules are supplied to the hydrogen electrode through an electrolyte membrane that is insulative to electrons and conductive to oxygen ions. Also, oxygen ions are supplied to the oxygen electrode through the electrolyte membrane.

  Water vapor in the high temperature steam electrolysis reaction is supplied from the outside of the hydrogen electrode. On the other hand, oxygen is released from the surface of the oxygen electrode to the outside. In a cylindrical cell, a high-temperature steam electrolysis cell is often formed by laminating the above-described cell constituent materials on a structural material forming a cylindrical structure called a base material by various coating techniques. For example, an electrolyte layer and an oxygen electrode layer are further laminated by a dipping method or the like on a porous substrate made of the same material as the hydrogen electrode, and used as a cylindrical cell.

When joining the connection part on the electrolyzer housing side to the high-temperature steam electrolysis cell made of multilayer ceramics, it is required to adjust the expansion coefficient, to ensure the sealing property and the joining strength. In particular, in order to ensure sealability and bonding strength, for example, a glass packing having a property of softening and melting at an operating temperature (for example, 800 ° C.) or higher is interposed on the bonding surface, and both are melted by heating above the melting point. There is a method of joining. A technique relating to joining of cylindrical cells is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 2.
JP 2006-83428 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-1000086

  In a cylindrical cell in a high-temperature steam electrolysis reaction, there is a problem in strength when the cylindrical cell and the connection part are joined to each other with respect to a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction, during manufacturing, installation and maintenance. Sensitive to horizontal impact.

  In order to improve the strength of the joint portion, there is a method of fitting and joining the joint surfaces of the connection portion on the cell and electrolyzer housing side with a certain angle. However, in this method, in a high-temperature steam electrolysis cell in which an electrode / electrolyte is provided on a porous substrate, the strength of the base material cannot withstand a cutting process that gives an angle to the cross section, and the edge portion is thin. Prone to cracking. In addition, the strength of the cell (base material) decreases during operation, and the sealing property cannot be secured due to a phenomenon such as the cell being damaged at the periphery of the joint surface, that is, at the portion where the base material is thin. May occur.

  Ensuring the strength and sealing performance of the joint portion can be dealt with, for example, by making the base material a dense electrolyte layer. However, if the electrolyte layer is provided with a thickness necessary for imparting sufficient strength, the ohmic resistance of this portion is increased, and the hydrogen production efficiency is lowered.

  As described above, in practical use of a power generator using a high-temperature steam electrolyzer or a solid oxide fuel cell, it is possible to prevent gas leakage at the joint surface between the cell and the connection portion on the device housing side, and to ensure joint strength. Maintaining good cell characteristics is a technical challenge.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to obtain good cell characteristics while suppressing gas leakage and ensuring appropriate joint strength under the operating conditions of a high-temperature steam electrolysis cell or a solid oxide fuel cell.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a reaction cell that is supported by an edge formed in a penetrating portion of a support to cause either a reaction for electrolyzing water vapor or a battery reaction for discharging water vapor. An electrolyte membrane having an end portion that is densely formed of a material having electronic insulating properties and oxygen ion conductivity and that engages with the edge portion, and an intermediate portion that is integrally formed with the end portion; and It has the provided hydrogen electrode and the oxygen electrode provided in the surface on the opposite side to the said hydrogen electrode of the said intermediate part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  The present invention also provides a reaction system that causes either a reaction for electrolyzing water vapor or a battery reaction for discharging water vapor. The reaction system partitions a space into two regions and is surrounded by an edge that communicates with these regions. A support formed with a penetrating portion, an end portion formed densely with a material having electronic insulating properties and oxygen ion conductivity, and an intermediate portion integrally formed with the end portion engaged with the edge portion An electrolyte membrane comprising: a hydrogen electrode provided on the surface of the intermediate portion facing the inside of the support; and an oxygen electrode provided on a surface of the intermediate portion opposite to the hydrogen electrode. It is characterized by having.

  Further, the present invention provides a method for producing a reaction cell, which is supported by an edge formed in a penetrating portion of a support and causes any one of a reaction for electrolyzing water vapor and a battery reaction for discharging water vapor. An electrolyte membrane forming step for densely forming an electrolyte membrane having an end engaging with the edge and an intermediate portion integrally formed with the end with a material having electronic insulation and oxygen ion conductivity; and the intermediate portion And a hydrogen electrode forming step of providing an oxygen electrode on a surface of the intermediate portion opposite to the hydrogen electrode.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, a favorable cell characteristic is acquired, suppressing a gas leak and ensuring appropriate joining strength on the driving | running conditions of a high temperature steam electrolysis cell or a solid oxide fuel cell.

  Embodiments of a reaction cell according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same or similar structure, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

[First Embodiment]
Embodiments of a reaction cell according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The reaction cell according to the present invention can be applied to a high-temperature steam electrolysis cell or a solid fuel cell, but in this embodiment, a case where the reaction cell is applied to a high-temperature steam electrolysis cell will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a high-temperature steam electrolysis cell according to the present invention.

  First, the outline of the high-temperature steam electrolysis cell according to the present invention will be described.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a high-temperature steam electrolysis cell according to the present invention, which includes a reaction section 20-1 that performs an electrolysis reaction or a reverse battery reaction, and a connection section 20 for supporting the reaction section 20-1 on the support 10. -2.

  The reaction part 20-1 of the high-temperature steam electrolysis cell 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape with one end closed, and has an electrolyte membrane 30 having an insulation property for electrons and a conductivity property for oxygen ions, A hydrogen electrode 40 formed on the inner peripheral surface side of the cylindrical electrolyte membrane 30 and an oxygen electrode 50 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical electrolyte membrane 30 are provided.

  A negative electrode and a positive electrode of a DC power source (not shown) are connected to the hydrogen electrode 40 and the oxygen electrode 50, respectively, through a power supply line.

  Further, a steam introduction pipe 17 is provided inside the high temperature steam electrolysis cell 20 so as to be concentric with the hydrogen electrode 40, and this steam introduction pipe 17 has a high temperature from a steam supply chamber (not shown) in a direction indicated by an arrow 18. Water vapor is supplied.

  When a direct current voltage is applied to the hydrogen electrode 40 and the oxygen electrode 50 in a state where water vapor is supplied to the reaction unit 20-1 of the high-temperature steam electrolysis cell 20, hydrogen is added to the hydrogen electrode 40 by an electrolysis reaction of water vapor. Oxygen is generated at the pole 50. Hydrogen generated in the hydrogen electrode 40 passes between the water vapor introduction pipe 17 and the hydrogen electrode 40 as shown by an arrow 19 and is discharged into a generated hydrogen discharge chamber (not shown) and finally taken out of the system. On the other hand, oxygen generated at the oxygen electrode 50 is taken out of the system.

  Next, the detail of the reaction part 20-1 and the connection part 20-2 is demonstrated.

  The electrolyte membrane 30 formed in the cylindrical shape includes a thick cylindrical end portion 32 that engages with the protruding edge portion 14 formed around the through portion 12 of the support 10, and the cylindrical end portion. A thin cylindrical intermediate portion 34 formed integrally with the portion 32 is formed.

  The electrolyte membrane 30 is densely formed of a material having electronic insulating properties and oxygen ion conductivity. This material is, for example, yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Further, here, the term “dense” may be any density that allows gas leakage in the electrolyte membrane 30 to be substantially ignored.

  The hydrogen electrode 40 is formed as a porous body by cermet of nickel and YSZ, for example. The oxygen electrode 50 is provided on the surface of the intermediate portion 34 opposite to the hydrogen electrode 40. The oxygen electrode 50 is formed of, for example, a lanthanum / strontium / manganese-based perovskite oxide (LSM).

  The oxygen electrode 50 changes the supplied oxygen ions into oxygen molecules and electrons as described above. Water vapor in the high temperature steam electrolysis reaction is supplied from the outside of the hydrogen electrode 40, that is, from the inside 16 of the support 10. On the other hand, oxygen is released from the surface of the oxygen electrode 50 to the outside.

  When such a high-temperature steam electrolysis cell 20 is used, the entire penetration portion 12 of the support 10 is covered with an electrolyte membrane 30 formed of a dense material. For this reason, the gas leak between the inside 16 of the support body 10 and the exterior is suppressed. Further, since the end portion 32 of the electrolyte membrane 30 engaged with the support 10 is integrally formed with the intermediate portion 34, the bonding strength between the high temperature steam electrolysis cell 20 and the support 10 is high.

  It is preferable that the portion sandwiched between the hydrogen electrode 40 and the oxygen electrode 50 of the electrolyte membrane 30 is thinner because the ohmic resistance of this portion can be reduced. Therefore, by reducing the thickness of the portion sandwiched between the hydrogen electrode 40 and the oxygen electrode 50 of the electrolyte membrane 30 and giving the end portion 32 an appropriate thickness, the high temperature steam electrolysis cell 20 and the support 10 are joined. Strength can be increased. The thickness of each part of the high-temperature steam electrolysis cell 20 is, for example, about 10 μm for the intermediate part 34 of the electrolyte membrane 30, about 1 mm for the hydrogen electrode 40, and about 20 μm for the oxygen electrode 50. The end portion 32 of the electrolyte membrane 30 is formed to have the same thickness as the hydrogen electrode 40, for example.

  Further, the end portion 32 and the edge portion 14 are formed so as to be inclined with respect to the direction in which the end portion 32 of the electrolyte membrane 30 and the engagement surface of the edge portion 14 of the support 10 and the edge portion 14 extend. Thus, the end portion 32 of the electrolyte membrane 30 has a portion that overlaps the edge portion 14 of the support 10 in the direction in which the end portion 32 extends. When the end portion 32 is formed of a porous body, it is difficult to cut into such a shape because the strength is low. However, in the present embodiment, since the end portion 32 is formed of a dense material like the intermediate portion 34, it is easy to cut into such a shape.

  The smaller the angle between the engagement surface of the end portion 32 of the electrolyte membrane 30 and the edge portion 14 of the support 10 and the direction in which the edge portion 14 extends, the greater the engagement area between the end portion 32 and the edge portion 14. Therefore, the bonding strength can be increased. However, the smaller the angle, the lower the strength of the tip portions of the end portion 32 and the edge portion 14. Therefore, in the present embodiment, this angle is formed to have an angle of 25 degrees to 65 degrees so that the balance between the bonding strength and the strength of the tip portions of the end portion 32 and the edge portion 14 is appropriate. is doing.

  Further, a glass packing 60 may be interposed between the end portion 32 of the electrolyte membrane 30 and the engaging portion of the edge portion 14 of the support 10. Thereby, gas-sealing property and joint strength can be improved. Furthermore, by providing grooves or irregularities in the engaging portion, it is possible to increase the contact area at the engaging portion and increase the bonding strength.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the high temperature steam electrolysis cell 20 in this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  First, the YSZ base material is formed into a cylindrical shape with one end closed, and then the portion sandwiched between the hydrogen electrode 40 and the oxygen electrode 50 is thinned by machining or chemical treatment with an acid, if necessary. Form. In addition, the portion sandwiched between the hydrogen electrode 40 and the oxygen electrode 50 may be subjected to a porous treatment from one surface to the other surface so that a communication hole penetrating the base material is not formed.

  The high temperature steam electrolysis cell 20 is manufactured by forming the hydrogen electrode 40 on the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 34 of the electrolyte membrane 30 and forming the oxygen electrode 50 on the outer peripheral surface. The hydrogen electrode 40 and the oxygen electrode 50 are formed by mixing at least one kind of particle having any of the components of the hydrogen electrode 40 and the oxygen electrode 50 and at least one kind of particle having electronic conductivity. Also good.

  Further, a mixture of the same material as the electrolyte membrane 30 or a ceramic material having oxygen ion conductivity and a component forming either the hydrogen electrode 40 or the oxygen electrode 50 may be used as the base material. In this case, the base material functions as an electrode of either the hydrogen electrode 40 or the oxygen electrode 50. In addition, what is necessary is just to have hydrogen ion conductivity in the operating conditions of this high temperature steam electrolysis cell 20. FIG.

  As such a base material, there is, for example, a mixture of nickel, which is a hydrogen electrode catalyst material, and YSZ, which is an oxygen ion conductive material. After this base material is molded into a cylindrical shape closed at one end, the electrolyte membrane 30 and the oxygen electrode 50 are sequentially formed by dipping or spraying.

  The porosity of the substrate other than the portion facing the oxygen electrode 50 may be higher than that of the portion facing the oxygen electrode 50. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of a gas leak can also be suppressed, raising the porosity of the part which contributes to reaction, and suppressing the fall of reaction efficiency. Moreover, the intensity | strength as the whole high temperature steam electrolysis cell 20 can also be raised.

  The base material having different porosity depending on the location can be formed by, for example, bonding materials having different porosity with glass or the like. Alternatively, after forming a dense material, a portion that contributes to the reaction may be provided with porosity after forming a plurality of holes by machining or chemical treatment with an acid. In addition, after molding a material having a high porosity, the dense density in the vicinity of the joint with the support 10 may be increased by filling and baking the slurry-like material in addition to the portion contributing to the reaction.

  As described above, when the high-temperature steam electrolysis cell of the present embodiment or the solid oxide fuel cell of the same form is used, gas leakage is suppressed under operating conditions, and an appropriate bonding strength is ensured and good. Cell characteristics are obtained.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fuel cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

  The reaction cell according to the present embodiment is a cylindrical cell having both ends opened, and is configured to be supported by the edge portion 14 between a pair of support bodies 10 in which the through portions 12 are formed. The penetrating part 12 is formed in, for example, a circular shape at two opposing positions. The edge portion 14 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending from the periphery of the penetrating portion 12 toward the outside of the support body 10, for example. The fuel battery cell 21 has an electrolyte membrane 30, a hydrogen electrode 40, and an oxygen electrode 50.

  The fuel battery cell 21 is in contact with hydrogen in the interior 16 of the support 10 to cause a battery reaction using this hydrogen. The electric current generated in the fuel battery cell 21 is supplied to the outside through a distribution line distribution line connected to the hydrogen electrode 40 and the oxygen electrode 50.

  The fuel cell 21 is formed using the reinforcing member 70 as a base material. The reinforcing member 70 of the present embodiment is formed in a cylindrical shape with both ends open. On the outside of the reinforcing member 70, a hydrogen electrode 40, an electrolyte membrane 30, and an oxygen electrode 50 are stacked. The electrolyte membrane 30 includes an end portion 32 that engages with the edge portion 14 of the penetrating portion 12, and an intermediate portion 34 that is integrally molded with the end portion 32. The thickness of each part of the fuel cell 21 is, for example, about 1 mm for the reinforcing member 70, about 10 μm between the hydrogen electrode 40 and the oxygen electrode 50 of the electrolyte membrane 30, and about 20 μm for the hydrogen electrode 40 and the oxygen electrode 50. It is.

  In the reinforcing member 70, a hole communicating from the inner surface is formed at least in a portion in contact with the hydrogen electrode 40. Hydrogen in the inside 16 of the support 10 can reach the hydrogen electrode 40 through a hole formed in the reinforcing member 70. The hole of the reinforcing member 70 may be formed not only in the portion in contact with the hydrogen electrode 40 but in the entire reinforcing member 70. The reinforcing member 70 is, for example, a metal foam.

  The fuel cell 21 is formed by, for example, forming a reinforcing member 70 in a cylindrical shape with both ends open with a metal foam, and then sequentially placing a hydrogen electrode 40, an electrolyte membrane 30 and an oxygen electrode 50 on the outside of the reinforcing member 70. Or it can manufacture by laminating | stacking by the spray method etc.

  When such a fuel cell 21 is used, the entire through portion 12 of the support 10 is covered with an electrolyte membrane 30 formed of a dense material. For this reason, the gas leak between the inside 16 of the support body 10 and the exterior is suppressed. Further, since the end portion 32 of the electrolyte membrane 30 engaged with the support 10 is integrally formed with the intermediate portion 34, the bonding strength between the fuel cell 21 and the support 10 is high.

  In addition, since the fuel battery cell 21 of the present embodiment is formed using the reinforcing member 70 as a base material, a predetermined strength can be easily obtained by appropriately selecting the material of the reinforcing member 70 and the like. Furthermore, by obtaining sufficient strength with the reinforcing member 70, the electrolyte membrane 30, the oxygen electrode, and the hydrogen electrode 50 can be thinned, so that it is easy to reduce the ohmic resistance. Since the reinforcing member 70 is electrically insulated from the support 10 and the oxygen electrode 50 by the electrolyte membrane 30, a metal material can be used as in the present embodiment.

  As described above, when the solid oxide fuel cell of the present embodiment or the high temperature steam electrolysis cell of the same form is used, gas leakage is suppressed under operating conditions, and an appropriate bonding strength is ensured. Cell characteristics are obtained.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fuel cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

  The reaction cell of the present embodiment is configured to be supported by an edge portion 14 of the through portion on a support body 10 in which, for example, a rectangular through portion is formed. The fuel cell 21 is formed on a flat plate as a whole, and has an electrolyte membrane 30, a hydrogen electrode 40, and an oxygen electrode 50. For example, a plurality of fuel cells 21 are stacked at a predetermined interval in a direction perpendicular to the fuel cells 21, and a fuel cell in which a flow path for passing hydrogen or oxygen is formed between adjacent fuel cells 21. Used as a stack.

  The fuel cell 21 is formed using a flat reinforcing member 70 as a base material. On one surface of the reinforcing member 70, the oxygen electrode 50, the electrolyte membrane 30 and the hydrogen electrode 40 are sequentially laminated. The electrolyte membrane 30 includes an end portion 32 that engages with the edge portion 14 of the penetrating portion 12, and an intermediate portion 34 that is integrally molded with the end portion 32. The thickness of each part of the fuel cell 21 is, for example, about 1 mm for the reinforcing member 70, about 10 μm between the hydrogen electrode 40 and the oxygen electrode 50 of the electrolyte membrane 30, and about 20 μm for the hydrogen electrode 40 and the oxygen electrode 50. It is.

  In the reinforcing member 70, a hole communicating with the surface opposite to the oxygen electrode 50 is formed at least in a portion in contact with the oxygen electrode 50. Oxygen supplied from one surface of the fuel battery cell 21 can reach the oxygen electrode 50 through a hole formed in the reinforcing member 70. The hole of the reinforcing member 70 may be formed not only in the portion in contact with the oxygen electrode 50 but in the entire reinforcing member 70. The reinforcing member 70 is, for example, a metal foam.

  In this fuel cell 21, for example, a reinforcing member 70 is formed into a rectangular flat plate with a metal foam, and then an oxygen electrode 50, an electrolyte membrane 30 and a hydrogen electrode 40 are sequentially formed on one surface of the reinforcing member 70 by a dipping method. Or it can manufacture by laminating | stacking by the spray method etc.

  When such a fuel cell 21 is used, the entire penetration portion of the support 10 is covered with an electrolyte membrane 30 formed of a dense material. For this reason, the gas leak between the two spaces partitioned by the support 10 and the fuel cells 21 is suppressed. Further, since the end portion 32 of the electrolyte membrane 30 engaged with the support 10 is integrally formed with the intermediate portion 34, the bonding strength between the fuel cell 21 and the support 10 is high.

  In addition, since the fuel battery cell 21 of the present embodiment is formed using the reinforcing member 70 as a base material, a predetermined strength can be easily obtained by appropriately selecting the material of the reinforcing member 70 and the like. Furthermore, by obtaining a sufficient strength with the reinforcing member 70, the electrolyte membrane 30, the oxygen electrode 50, and the hydrogen electrode 40 can be thinned, so that it is easy to reduce the ohmic resistance. Since the reinforcing member 70 is electrically insulated from the support 10 and the oxygen electrode 50 by the electrolyte membrane 30, a metal material can be used as in the present embodiment.

  As described above, when the solid oxide fuel cell of the present embodiment or the high temperature steam electrolysis cell of the same form is used, gas leakage is suppressed under operating conditions, and an appropriate bonding strength is ensured. Cell characteristics are obtained.

[Other embodiments]
The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these. Moreover, it can also implement combining the characteristic of each embodiment.

It is a longitudinal section in a 1st embodiment of a high temperature steam electrolysis cell concerning the present invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in 2nd Embodiment of the fuel cell concerning this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in 3rd Embodiment of the fuel battery cell which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Support body, 12 ... Through part, 14 ... Edge part, 16 ... Inside of support body, 20 ... High temperature steam electrolysis cell, 21 ... Fuel cell, 30 ... Electrolyte membrane, 32 ... End part, 34 ... Middle part, 40 ... Hydrogen electrode, 50 ... Oxygen electrode, 60 ... Glass packing, 70 ... Reinforcing member

Claims (15)

In the reaction cell that is supported by the edge formed in the penetration part of the support and causes any one of the reaction to electrolyze water vapor and the battery reaction to discharge water vapor,
An electrolyte membrane comprising an end portion that is densely formed of a material having electronic insulating properties and oxygen ion conductivity and engages with the edge portion, and an intermediate portion integrally formed with the end portion;
A hydrogen electrode provided in the intermediate portion;
An oxygen electrode provided on a surface of the intermediate portion opposite to the hydrogen electrode;
A reaction cell characterized by comprising:   The reaction cell according to claim 1, wherein the end portion is thicker than the intermediate portion.   The at least one of the hydrogen electrode and the oxygen electrode has a facing portion facing either the hydrogen electrode or the oxygen electrode and a portion having a smaller porosity than the facing portion. A reaction cell according to 1.   The at least one of the hydrogen electrode and the oxygen electrode is formed by supporting a catalyst component on a porous base material integrally formed with the electrolyte membrane using the same material as the electrolyte membrane. The reaction cell according to any one of claims 3 to 3.   At least one of the hydrogen electrode and the oxygen electrode is a material obtained by mixing at least one material having any of the components of the hydrogen electrode and the oxygen electrode and at least one material having electron conductivity. The reaction cell according to claim 1, wherein the reaction cell is formed by:   The reaction cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the end portion has a portion that overlaps with the edge portion in a direction in which the end portion extends.   The reaction cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a glass packing is provided at an engaging portion formed between the end portion and the edge portion.   The reaction cell according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one of a groove and an unevenness is formed on a surface of the end portion facing the edge portion.   It has a plate-like reinforcing member in contact with either one of the hydrogen electrode and the oxygen electrode and having a hole formed between a surface in contact with the electrode and a surface opposite to the surface. The reaction cell according to any one of claims 1 to 8. In the reaction system, one of a reaction for electrolyzing water vapor and a battery reaction for discharging water vapor is caused.
A support body in which a space is divided into two regions and a penetrating portion surrounded by an edge communicating with these regions is formed;
An electrolyte membrane comprising an end portion that is densely formed of a material having electronic insulating properties and oxygen ion conductivity and engages with the edge portion, and an intermediate portion integrally formed with the end portion;
A hydrogen electrode provided on the surface of the intermediate portion on the side facing the inside of the support,
An oxygen electrode provided on a surface of the intermediate portion opposite to the hydrogen electrode;
A reaction system comprising: In the method for producing a reaction cell in which one of a reaction for electrolyzing water vapor and a battery reaction for discharging water vapor is supported by an edge formed in a through portion of the support,
An electrolyte membrane forming step of densely forming an electrolyte membrane having an end portion engaging with the edge portion and an intermediate portion integrally formed with the end portion by a material having electronic insulating properties and oxygen ion conductivity;
A hydrogen electrode forming step of providing a hydrogen electrode in the intermediate portion;
An oxygen electrode forming step of providing an oxygen electrode on the surface of the intermediate portion opposite to the hydrogen electrode;
A process for producing a reaction cell, comprising:   The method for producing a reaction cell according to claim 11, wherein the electrolyte membrane forming step includes a step of cutting the intermediate portion so as to be thinner than the end portion.   In at least one of the hydrogen electrode forming step and the oxygen electrode forming step, after forming a base material having a uniform porosity, an opposing portion of the base material facing either the hydrogen electrode or the oxygen electrode is formed as the opposing portion. The method for producing a reaction cell according to claim 11, further comprising a step of increasing the porosity as compared with other portions.   At least one of the hydrogen electrode forming step and the oxygen electrode forming step is a step of forming a base material having a uniform porosity and then forming a portion of the base material other than the facing portion facing either the hydrogen electrode or the oxygen electrode. The method for producing a reaction cell according to claim 11, further comprising a step of increasing porosity.   A base material step of forming a porous base material, wherein the electrolyte membrane forming step is a step of forming an electrolyte membrane on the surface of the base material molded in the base material molding step. The method for producing a reaction cell according to any one of claims 11 to 14.

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