JP2009087725A - Single-chamber fuel cell and its manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a single-chamber fuel cell with performance improved, and a manufacturing method of the single-chamber fuel cell. <P>SOLUTION: The single-chamber fuel cell is to be provided with a hollow-shaped electrolyte layer, and a first as well as a second electrode layer formed with an interval on an inner periphery face of the electrolyte layer. The manufacturing method of the single-chamber fuel cell comprises a first process of forming a first electrolyte plate and/or a second electrolyte plate having either a bent surface or a curved surface, a second process of forming the first and the second electrode layers on the first electrolyte plate and the second electrolyte plate which has gone through the first process, respectively, and a third process of forming a hollow-shaped electrolyte layer by jointing the first electrolyte plate and the second electrolyte plate which have gone through the second process, so that faces with the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer formed thereon become inner periphery faces. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a single-chamber fuel cell in which a mixed gas of a fuel gas and an oxidant gas is supplied to an anode and a cathode, and a method for manufacturing the single-chamber fuel cell.

  A fuel cell causes an electrochemical reaction in a laminate including an electrolyte layer and electrodes (anode and cathode) disposed on the surface of the electrolyte layer, and electrical energy generated by the electrochemical reaction is connected to the electrode. This is a device that is taken out through a current collector. Among fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells (hereinafter referred to as “PEFC”) used in household cogeneration systems and automobiles can be operated in a low temperature range, have a short start-up time, and a system. Has attracted attention as a power source and portable power source for electric vehicles.

  However, PEFC that generates an electrochemical reaction in a low temperature region such as about 80 ° C. has a problem that the usable catalysts are extremely limited, and cost is likely to increase. In addition, when a reformed gas other than hydrogen is used in PEFC, there is a problem that the electrode catalyst is poisoned and the performance is likely to deteriorate. Therefore, from the viewpoint of obtaining a fuel cell that can achieve both low cost and high performance, it is preferable to use a fuel cell having a form different from that of PEFC.

  Among fuel cells of a form different from PEFC, a solid oxide fuel cell (hereinafter referred to as “SOFC”) has high power generation efficiency and can use many kinds of fuels. The SOFC is a fuel cell that uses a ceramic ion conductor as an electrolyte, and causes an electrochemical reaction in a temperature range of 200 ° C. or higher (for example, a temperature range of about 500 ° C. to 800 ° C.). Since SOFC causes an electrochemical reaction in a higher temperature region than PEFC, there are a wide range of catalyst options and cost reduction is easy. Therefore, the SOFC has attracted attention as a fuel cell that can achieve both low cost and high performance.

  The SOFC includes an oxide ion conduction type and a hydrogen ion conduction type, and can be classified into a one-chamber type (hereinafter referred to as “single-chamber type”) and a two-chamber type depending on the supply form of the reaction gas. Here, the single-chamber type means a mode in which a mixed gas of fuel gas and oxidant gas is supplied to the anode and cathode disposed in one space, and the two-chamber type supplies fuel gas. This means that the anode to be supplied and the cathode to which the oxidant gas is supplied are disposed in different spaces. Among these, the single-chamber SOFC does not need to separate the fuel gas and the oxidant gas and eliminates the need for a separator. Therefore, the single-chamber SOFC can be easily downsized as compared with the two-chamber SOFC. Therefore, according to the single-chamber SOFC, it becomes easy to increase the power generation amount per unit volume.

  As a technique related to a single-chamber SOFC, for example, in Patent Document 1, a plurality of single cells each having a pair of fuel electrodes and air electrodes formed on the same plane of a solid electrolyte are formed, and electrodes between different single cells are interleaved. An SOFC having an integrated cell structure connected by a connector, in which a protective layer for protecting the interconnector from a reaction gas is coated on the interconnector, is disclosed. Patent Document 2 discloses that a battery element in which a porous electrolyte layer made of a solid oxide is sandwiched between two types of electrode layers having different activities with respect to the oxidation reaction of hydrocarbons has an inner surface of a hollow tube body having conductivity. A technology relating to a tubular single-chamber SOFC cell body characterized in that it is formed in a part or the whole of the above.

JP 2007-173055 A JP 2004-349140 A

  However, in the techniques disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the flow of the reaction gas supplied to the cell is easily disturbed by the fuel electrode and the air electrode. For this reason, there has been a problem that the utilization efficiency of the reaction gas is lowered and the performance of the fuel cell is likely to be lowered.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a single-chamber fuel cell capable of improving performance and a method for manufacturing the single-chamber fuel cell.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following means. That is,
A first aspect of the present invention is a single chamber comprising: a hollow electrolyte layer; and a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer formed on the inner peripheral surface of the electrolyte layer with a space therebetween. Type fuel cell.

  In the first aspect of the present invention and the present invention described below (hereinafter simply referred to as “the present invention”), the “electrolyte layer” means an oxide ion or a hydrogen ion in a temperature range of 200 ° C. or higher and 1000 ° C. or lower. This means an ionic conductor that expresses the conduction performance of the fuel cell and can withstand the environment (heat resistance, etc.) during fuel cell operation. As the electrolyte layer provided in the single-chamber fuel cell of the present invention, a well-known SOFC electrolyte can be used. Furthermore, in the present invention, the “first electrode layer” and the “second electrode layer” are not particularly limited as long as they function as an anode and a cathode in the above temperature range, and are not limited to the supplied fuel gas. Substances having different activities with respect to the oxidation reaction of the contained reactants (for example, hydrogen and hydrocarbons) can be used in appropriate combination.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the first electrode layer is formed along the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer, and the first electrode layer is cut along a plurality of planes whose normal direction is the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer. The shapes are preferably substantially the same.

  Here, “the first electrode layer is formed along the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer, and the cross-sectional shape when the first electrode layer is cut along a plurality of planes with the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer as the normal direction is approximately “The same” means that the first electrode layer having a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the electrolyte layer, and a plurality of the first electrode layers are arranged in the longitudinal direction of one electrolyte layer. The first electrode layer is formed so as to be spaced from each other.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the second electrode layer is formed along the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer, and a cross section when the second electrode layer is cut along a plurality of planes whose normal direction is the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer The shapes are preferably substantially the same.

  Here, “the second electrode layer is formed along the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer, and the cross-sectional shape when the second electrode layer is cut along a plurality of planes whose normal direction is the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer is approximately “The same” means that the second electrode layer having a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the electrolyte layer. The second electrode layer is formed so as to be spaced from each other.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first step of forming a first electrolyte plate and / or a second electrolyte plate having a bent surface or a curved surface, and the first electrolyte plate and the second electrolyte plate that have undergone the first step. The first electrolyte that has undergone the second step so that the surface on which the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are formed becomes the inner peripheral surface, the second step of forming the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer And a third step of producing a hollow electrolyte layer by joining the plate and the second electrolyte plate. A method for manufacturing a single-chamber fuel cell.

  In the second aspect of the present invention, “the first electrolyte plate and / or the second electrolyte plate having a bent surface or a curved surface is formed” means that the first step includes the first electrolyte plate having a bent surface or a curved surface. Forming the first electrolyte plate and the second electrolyte plate, forming the first electrolyte plate having a bent surface or a curved surface, and forming the second electrolyte plate having a flat plate shape, and the first electrolyte plate having a flat plate shape and the bent surface Or it means that either of the forms which form the 2nd electrolyte plate which has a curved surface can be taken. Furthermore, “the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are formed on the first electrolyte plate and the second electrolyte plate that have undergone the first step” means that the second step includes the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. Is formed on the first electrolyte plate with a gap, and the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are also formed on the second electrolyte plate with a gap, on one of the first electrolyte plate and the second electrolyte plate. The first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are formed with a gap therebetween, and the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are not formed on the other, and the first electrode layer or the second electrode is formed on the first electrolyte plate. It means that any of the form which forms a layer and forms a 2nd electrode layer or a 1st electrode layer in a 2nd electrolyte board can be taken.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the hollow electrolyte layer, the electrolyte layer in which the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are formed. A cylindrical reaction gas channel surrounded by the inner peripheral surface can be formed. When a mixed gas is supplied to the reaction gas flow path of this form, the flow of the mixed gas is not disturbed by the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a single-chamber fuel cell capable of improving performance by improving the utilization efficiency of the mixed gas. Further, the first electrode layer and / or the second electrode layer are formed along the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer, and the first electrode layer and / or the second electrode are formed in a plurality of planes having the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer as the normal direction. By making the cross-sectional shapes when the electrode layer is cut substantially the same, the utilization efficiency of the mixed gas can be easily improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to manufacture a single-chamber fuel cell in which the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the hollow electrolyte layer. Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing a single-chamber fuel cell capable of manufacturing a single-chamber fuel cell capable of improving performance by improving gas utilization efficiency. .

  The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. Single-chamber fuel cell 1.1. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a single-chamber fuel cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of a conventional single-chamber fuel cell. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a conventional single-chamber fuel cell. Hereinafter, the single-chamber fuel cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the single-chamber fuel cell 10 of the present invention according to the first embodiment is a first made of a ceramic ion conductor having a U-shaped cross section with the longitudinal direction as the normal direction. The electrolyte plate 1a and the second electrolyte plate 1b were formed by joining a hollow electrolyte layer 1 produced by joining them through a metal interconnector, and an inner peripheral surface of the electrolyte layer 1 with a gap therebetween. A first electrode layer 2 and a second electrode layer 3. The first electrode layer 2 includes a first electrode layer 2a formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first electrolyte plate 1a and a first electrode layer 2b formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second electrolyte plate 1b. The second electrode layer 3 includes a second electrode layer 3a formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first electrolyte plate 1a and a second electrode layer 3b formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second electrolyte plate 1b. An interconnector is in contact with the electrode layer 2 and the second electrode layer 3. When the single-chamber fuel cell 10 having such a configuration is operated, a mixed gas of a reducing gas (for example, hydrogen gas or hydrocarbon gas) and an oxidant gas (for example, air) is supplied to the hollow portion of the electrolyte layer 1. When the first electrode layer 2 functions as an anode, the second electrode layer 3 functions as a cathode, and the electrolyte layer 1 conducts oxide ions, in the first electrode layer 2,
2H ₂ + 2O ²⁻ → 2H ₂ O + 4e ⁻
In the second electrode layer 3,
O ₂ + 4e ⁻ → 2O ²⁻
Reaction occurs. In the single-chamber fuel cell 10 having such a configuration, the oxide ions O ²⁻ generated in the second electrode layer 3 are conducted to the first electrode layer 2 through the electrolyte layer 1, and the first electrode layer 2. An electromotive force is obtained between the first electrode layer 2 and the second electrode layer 3 by reacting oxide ions with hydrogen.
On the other hand, when the electrolyte layer 1 conducts hydrogen ions, in the first electrode layer 2,
2H ₂ → 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻
In the second electrode layer 3,
4H ⁺ + O ₂ + 4e ⁻ → 2H ₂ O
Reaction occurs. In the single-chamber fuel cell 10 having such a configuration, hydrogen ions H ⁺ generated in the first electrode layer 2 are conducted to the second electrode layer 3 through the electrolyte layer 1, and hydrogen is generated in the second electrode layer 3. An electromotive force is obtained between the first electrode layer 2 and the second electrode layer 3 by reacting ions and oxygen.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the single-chamber fuel cell 10, the hollow portion of the electrolyte layer 1 functions as a mixed gas flow path, and the first electrode layer is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the electrolyte layer 1 that forms the hollow portion. 2 and the second electrode layer 3 are formed along the flow of the mixed gas. Therefore, according to the single chamber fuel cell 10, the flow of the mixed gas is not disturbed by the first electrode layer 2 and the second electrode layer 3, and the utilization efficiency of the mixed gas can be improved. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a single-chamber fuel cell 10 whose performance can be improved by improving the utilization efficiency of the mixed gas.

  In contrast, in the conventional single-chamber fuel cell 90 shown in FIG. 2, the first electrode layer 22 and the second electrode layer 23 are formed on one surface of the electrolyte layer 21 with a gap therebetween. In the single-chamber fuel cell 90 having such a configuration, it is necessary to form a mixed gas flow path by surrounding the periphery of the electrolyte layer 21 with other members (not shown), and thus the number of components may increase. . Further, when the mixed gas is supplied to the single-chamber fuel cell 90 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2, the flow of the mixed gas is disturbed by the first electrode layer 22 and the second electrode layer 23, and the utilization efficiency of the mixed gas is increased. It tends to decline. On the other hand, in the conventional single-chamber fuel cell 91 shown in FIG. 3, the first electrode layer 24 is formed on one surface of the electrolyte layer 21, and the second electrode layer 25 is formed on the other surface. Even in the single-chamber fuel cell 91 having such a configuration, it is necessary to form a mixed gas flow path by surrounding the electrolyte layer 21 with another member (not shown), which may increase the number of components. In addition, when a mixed gas is supplied to the single-chamber fuel cell 91 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3, the flow of the mixed gas is disturbed by the first electrode layer 24 and the second electrode layer 25, and the utilization efficiency of the mixed gas is increased. It tends to decline. As described above, in the conventional single-chamber fuel cells 90 and 91, the cost is easily increased due to an increase in the number of parts, and the performance is easily decreased due to a decrease in the utilization efficiency of the mixed gas. Therefore, in the single-chamber fuel cell 10 of the present invention, the first electrode layer 2 and the second electrode layer 3 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the hollow electrolyte layer 1, thereby suppressing the increase in the number of parts. It is set as the form which can improve.

  In the above description regarding the single-chamber fuel cell of the present invention, the first electrode layer 2b formed on the second electrolyte plate 1b is disposed below the first electrode layer 2a formed on the first electrolyte plate 1a. Although the embodiment in which the second electrode layer 3b formed on the second electrolyte plate 1b is disposed below the second electrode layer 3a formed on the first electrolyte plate 1a is illustrated, the single-chamber fuel of the present invention The battery is not limited to this form. Therefore, other modes that the single-chamber fuel cell of the present invention can take will be described below.

1.2. Second Embodiment FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a single-chamber fuel cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 4 is the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer and the flowing direction of the mixed gas. As shown in FIG. 4, the single-chamber fuel cell 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a first electrolyte plate 1c and a second electrolyte plate 1d having a U-shaped cross section with the longitudinal direction being the normal direction. A hollow electrolyte layer 4 produced by joining the first electrode layers 2c and 2d, and the second electrode layers 3c and 3d formed at intervals on the inner peripheral surface of the electrolyte layer 4; . A current collecting member (not shown) is in contact with the first electrode layers 2c and 2d and the second electrode layers 3c and 3d.

  In the single-chamber fuel cell 11, the second electrode layer 3d formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second electrolyte plate 1d is provided below the first electrode layer 2c formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first electrolyte plate 1c. The first electrode layer 2d formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second electrolyte plate 1d is disposed below the second electrode layer 3c disposed and formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first electrolyte plate 1c. And in order to ensure the ion conduction between the 1st electrode layer 2c and the 2nd electrode layer 3d and the ion conduction path between the 2nd electrode layer 3c and the 1st electrode layer 2d, between these, A ceramic ion conductor is disposed, and the first electrolyte plate 1c and the second electrolyte plate 1d are joined via the ion conductor. Further, in order to prevent ion conduction between the first electrode layer 2c and the second electrode layer 3c and ion conduction between the first electrode layer 2d and the second electrode layer 3d, the first electrolyte plate 1c and The second electrolyte plate 1d is provided with non-ion conductive materials (for example, interconnectors made of metal) 9, 9.

  Even in the single-chamber fuel cell 11 having such a configuration, by supplying the mixed gas to the hollow portion of the electrolyte layer 4, the mixed gas whose flow is not disturbed is converted into the first electrode layers 2 c, 2 d, and It can be supplied to the two-electrode layers 3c and 3d. Therefore, the single-chamber fuel cell 11 can also improve the performance by improving the utilization efficiency of the mixed gas. However, the single-chamber fuel cell 11 in which the first electrode layer 2c and the second electrode layer 3d, and the second electrode layer 3c and the first electrode layer 2d are arranged so as to be vertically adjacent to each other is shown in FIG. Compared with the chamber fuel cell 10, the structure is likely to be complicated. Therefore, from the standpoint of providing a single-chamber fuel cell having a simple structure that can improve performance, the single-chamber fuel cell 10 having the form shown in FIG. 1 is preferable.

  In the above description of the single-chamber fuel cell of the present invention, the outer shape of the cross section of the electrolyte layer with the longitudinal direction as the normal direction is a quadrangle, and the first electrode layer and the first electrode Although the embodiment in which the two-electrode layer is formed is illustrated, the single-chamber fuel cell of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. Therefore, other modes that can be adopted by the single-chamber fuel cell of the present invention will be described below.

1.3. 3rd Embodiment FIG. 5: is sectional drawing which shows the example of the form of the single chamber type fuel cell of this invention concerning 3rd Embodiment. The back / front direction in FIG. 5 is the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer and the flowing direction of the mixed gas. As shown in FIG. 5, the single-chamber fuel cell 12 of the present invention according to the third embodiment includes a first electrolyte plate 1e and a second electrolyte plate 1f having a U-shaped cross section whose longitudinal direction is the normal direction. The hollow electrolyte layer 5 produced by bonding the first electrolyte plate 1e, the first electrode layer 2e formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first electrolyte plate 1e, and the first electrode layer 2f formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second electrolyte plate 1f. 2 electrode layer 3f. A current collecting member (not shown) is in contact with the first electrode layer 2e and the second electrode layer 3f.

  In the single-chamber fuel cell 12, in order to secure an ion conduction path between the first electrode layer 2e formed on the upper surface of the inner peripheral surface of the electrolyte layer 5 and the second electrode layer 3f formed on the lower surface, A ceramic ion conductor is disposed between the first electrolyte plate 1e and the second electrolyte plate 1f, and the first electrolyte plate 1e and the second electrolyte plate 1f are joined via the ion conductor. . Even in the single-chamber fuel cell 12 having such a configuration, by supplying the mixed gas to the hollow portion of the electrolyte layer 5, the mixed gas whose flow is not disturbed is converted into the first electrode layer 2e and the second electrode layer 3f. Can be supplied to. Therefore, the single-chamber fuel cell 12 can also improve the performance by improving the utilization efficiency of the mixed gas. However, as described above, when the single-chamber fuel cell 12 having such a configuration is manufactured, it is necessary to join the first electrolyte plate 1e and the second electrolyte plate 1f via an ion conductor. There is a risk that the manufacturing process becomes complicated as compared with the case where the fuel cell 10 is manufactured. Therefore, it is preferable to use the single-chamber fuel cell 10 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 from the viewpoint of easily making a single-chamber fuel cell capable of improving performance.

  In the above description of the single-chamber fuel cell according to the present invention, an example in which the electrolyte layer having a quadrangular outer shape in cross section with the longitudinal direction as the normal direction is provided. However, the single-chamber fuel cell according to the present invention is in this form. It is not limited. Therefore, other modes that can be adopted by the single-chamber fuel cell of the present invention will be described below.

1.4. 4th Embodiment FIG. 6: is sectional drawing which shows the example of the form of the single chamber type fuel cell of this invention concerning 4th Embodiment. 6 is the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer and the flowing direction of the mixed gas. As shown in FIG. 6, the single-chamber fuel cell 13 of the present invention according to the fourth embodiment is produced by joining the first electrolyte plate 1g and the second electrolyte plate 1h, and the longitudinal direction is the normal direction. A hollow electrolyte layer 6 having a hexagonal cross-sectional outer shape, and a first electrode layer 2x and a second electrode layer 3x formed on the inner peripheral surface of the electrolyte layer 6 with a space therebetween. . The first electrode layer 2x is constituted by the first electrode layer 2g formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first electrolyte plate 1g and the first electrode layer 2h formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second electrolyte plate 1h. The second electrode layer 3x includes a second electrode layer 3g formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first electrolyte plate 1g and a second electrode layer 3h formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second electrolyte plate 1h. A metal interconnector is in contact with the electrode layer 2x and the second electrode layer 3x.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the single-chamber fuel cell 13, the hollow portion of the electrolyte layer 6 functions as a mixed gas flow path, and the first electrode layer is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the electrolyte layer 6 forming the hollow portion. 2x and the 2nd electrode layer 3x are formed along the flow of mixed gas. Therefore, according to the single-chamber fuel cell 13, by supplying the mixed gas to the hollow portion of the electrolyte layer 6, the mixed gas whose flow is not disturbed is transferred to the first electrode layer 2x and the second electrode layer 3x. Can supply. Therefore, the single-chamber fuel cell 13 can also improve the performance by improving the utilization efficiency of the mixed gas.

1.5. Fifth Embodiment FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a single-chamber fuel cell according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. 7 is the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer and the flowing direction of the mixed gas. As shown in FIG. 7, the single-chamber fuel cell 14 of the present invention according to the fifth embodiment is produced by joining the first electrolyte plate 1i and the second electrolyte plate 1j, and the longitudinal direction is the normal direction. A hollow electrolyte layer 7 having a circular cross-sectional outer shape, and a first electrode layer 2y and a second electrode layer 3y formed on the inner peripheral surface of the electrolyte layer 7 with a space therebetween. The first electrode layer 2y includes a first electrode layer 2i formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first electrolyte plate 1i and a first electrode layer 2j formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second electrolyte plate 2j. The second electrode layer 3y includes a second electrode layer 3i formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first electrolyte plate 1i and a second electrode layer 3j formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second electrolyte plate 1j. A metal interconnector is in contact with the electrode layer 2y and the second electrode layer 3y.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the single-chamber fuel cell 14, the hollow part of the electrolyte layer 7 functions as a mixed gas flow path, and the first electrode layer is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the electrolyte layer 7 forming the hollow part. 2y and the 2nd electrode layer 3y are formed along the flow of mixed gas. Therefore, according to the single-chamber fuel cell 14, by supplying the mixed gas to the hollow portion of the electrolyte layer 7, the mixed gas whose flow is not disturbed is transferred to the first electrode layer 2y and the second electrode layer 3y. Can supply. Therefore, the single-chamber fuel cell 14 can also improve the performance by improving the utilization efficiency of the mixed gas.

  In the above description regarding the single-chamber fuel cell of the present invention, the mode in which the electrolyte layer formed by joining the first electrolyte plate and the second electrolyte plate formed with the bent surface or the curved surface is provided is illustrated. The single-chamber fuel cell of the invention is not limited to this form. Therefore, other modes that can be adopted by the single-chamber fuel cell of the present invention will be described below.

1.6. 6th Embodiment FIG. 8: is sectional drawing which shows the example of the form of the single chamber type fuel cell of this invention concerning 6th Embodiment. 8 is the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer and the flowing direction of the mixed gas. As shown in FIG. 8, the single-chamber fuel cell 15 of the present invention according to the sixth embodiment is formed by joining a first electrolyte plate 1k having a bent surface and a plate-shaped second electrolyte plate 1m. The produced hollow electrolyte layer 8 having a triangular outer cross section with the longitudinal direction as the normal direction, the first electrode layer 2k formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first electrolyte plate 1k, and the second electrolyte A second electrode layer 3m formed on the inner peripheral surface of the plate 1m. A current collecting member (not shown) is in contact with the first electrode layer 2k and the second electrode layer 3m.

  In the single-chamber fuel cell 15, in order to ensure an ion conduction path between the first electrode layer 2k formed on the upper surface of the inner peripheral surface of the electrolyte layer 8 and the second electrode layer 3m formed on the lower surface, A ceramic ion conductor is disposed between the first electrolyte plate 1k and the second electrolyte plate 1m, and the first electrolyte plate 1k and the second electrolyte plate 1m are joined via the ion conductor. . Even in the single-chamber fuel cell 15 having such a configuration, by supplying the mixed gas to the hollow portion of the electrolyte layer 8, the mixed gas whose flow is not disturbed is converted into the first electrode layer 2k and the second electrode layer 3m. Can be supplied to. Therefore, the single-chamber fuel cell 15 can also improve the performance by improving the utilization efficiency of the mixed gas.

  Thus, according to the single-chamber fuel cells 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 of the present invention, the performance can be improved by improving the utilization efficiency of the mixed gas. When a fuel cell stack having an increased output (voltage value / current value) is formed by stacking a plurality of single-chamber fuel cells 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 of the present invention, a predetermined number is used. These single-chamber fuel cells may be electrically connected in series and in parallel. FIG. 9 shows an example of a plurality of single-chamber fuel cells electrically connected in series.

  FIG. 9 shows a configuration in which a plurality of single chamber fuel cells 10, 10,... Are stacked in the lateral direction via an interconnector to electrically connect the single chamber fuel cells 10, 10,. Is shown. FIG. 9 shows a part of a fuel cell stack 30 including a plurality of single-chamber fuel cells 10, 10,... Electrically connected in series. As described above, the voltage value of the fuel cell stack 30 can be easily increased by connecting the plurality of single-chamber fuel cells 10,... In series.

2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for manufacturing a single chamber fuel cell according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a simplified process of manufacturing the single-chamber fuel cell 10 shown in FIG. 1 by the single-chamber fuel cell manufacturing method of the present invention. Hereinafter, the manufacturing method of the single-chamber fuel cell of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 10, and FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the single chamber fuel cell manufacturing method of the present invention includes a first step (step S1), a second step (step S2), a third step (step S3), The single-chamber fuel cell 10 can be manufactured through steps S1 to S3.

<Process S1>
Step S1 is a step of forming a first electrolyte plate and / or a second electrolyte plate having a bent surface or a curved surface. When the single-chamber fuel cell 10 is manufactured, the electrolyte layer 1 of the single-chamber fuel cell 10 includes a first electrolyte plate 1a and a second electrolyte plate 1b having a U-shaped cross section whose normal direction is the longitudinal direction. It is produced by bonding. Therefore, the step S1 in the case of manufacturing the single-chamber fuel cell 10 is a step of manufacturing the first electrolyte plate 1a and the second electrolyte plate 1b having a U-shaped cross section with the longitudinal direction as the normal direction. Can do. The method for producing the first electrolyte plate 1a and the second electrolyte plate 1b in this form is not particularly limited, and can be produced by a known method.

<Process S2>
Step S2 is a step of forming the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer on the first electrolyte plate and the second electrolyte plate that have undergone the step S1. When the single-chamber fuel cell 10 is manufactured, the first electrode layer 2a and the second electrode layer 3a are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first electrolyte plate 1a constituting the electrolyte layer 1 with a gap therebetween. A first electrode layer 2b and a second electrode layer 3b are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the electrolyte plate 1b with a gap therebetween. Therefore, in the step S2 in the case of manufacturing the single-chamber fuel cell 10, the first electrode layer 2a and the second electrode layer 3a are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first electrolyte plate 1a produced in the step S1. The first electrode layer 2b and the second electrode layer 3b can be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second electrolyte plate 1b produced in the step S1. The method of forming the first electrode layer 2a and the second electrode layer 3a, and the first electrode layer 2b and the second electrode layer 3b is not particularly limited, and is formed by a known method of forming an SOFC electrode layer. can do.

<Process S3>
In step S3, a hollow electrolyte is formed by joining the first electrolyte plate and the second electrolyte plate that have undergone step S2 so that the surface on which the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are formed becomes an inner peripheral surface. It is a process of producing a layer. When the single-chamber fuel cell 10 is manufactured, the hollow electrolyte layer 1 is formed by joining a first electrolyte plate 1a and a second electrolyte plate 1b made of a ceramic ion conductor through a metal interconnector. It is produced by this. Therefore, the process S3 in the case of manufacturing the single chamber fuel cell 10 includes the first electrode layer 2a and the second electrode layer 3a formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first electrolyte plate 1a in the process S2 and the process S2. The first electrolyte plate 1a and the second electrolyte plate 2a that have undergone the above step S2 so that the first electrode layer 2b and the second electrode layer 3b formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second electrolyte plate 1b become the inner peripheral surface of the electrolyte layer 1. It can be set as the process of producing the hollow electrolyte layer 1 by joining the electrolyte plate 1b. When using a silver paste as an interconnector, the step S3 brings the end face of the first electrolyte plate 1a into contact with the end face of the second electrolyte plate 1b on which the interconnector is disposed under a temperature environment of 800 ° C. Is held for 15 minutes, and then the temperature is lowered to room temperature, thereby joining the first electrolyte plate 1a and the second electrolyte plate 1b.

Thus, according to the method for manufacturing a single-chamber fuel cell of the present invention, the single-chamber fuel cell 10 can be manufactured through the steps S1 to S3. If the single-chamber fuel cell 10 is manufactured in such a form, each of the first electrode layer 2 and the second electrode layer 3 can be brought into contact with the interconnector, and the interconnector is made of metal. It can function as an electric member. Therefore, according to the process S3 of the said form, the single chamber type fuel cell 10 of the form which each of the 1st electrode layer 2 and the 2nd electrode layer 3 and the current collection member contacted can be manufactured.
As described above, according to the single-chamber fuel cell 10, the utilization efficiency of the mixed gas can be improved, and thereby the performance can be improved. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing a single-chamber fuel cell capable of manufacturing a single-chamber fuel cell that can improve performance by improving gas utilization efficiency.

In the present invention, the electrolyte layers 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 express oxide ion or hydrogen ion conducting performance in a temperature range of 200 ° C. or more and 1000 ° C. or less, and the environment during fuel cell operation. As long as it is made of an ionic conductor (ion conductive material) that can withstand (heat resistance, etc.), the constituent material is not particularly limited. Specific examples of ion conductive materials that exhibit oxide ion conductivity in the above temperature range include yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ: Y ₂ O ₃ stabilized ZrO ₂ ), scandia stabilized zirconia (SSZ: Sc ₂ O _3). Stabilized ZrO ₂ ), lanthanum gallate (LaGaO ₃ ), ceria-based oxide (for example, SDC: Ce _x Sm _1-x Oy), lanthanum gallium perovskite complex oxide (LSGM: (La, Sr) (Ga, Mg) _{) O 3), GDC (Ce} x Gd 1-x O 2), ESB (Bi 2-x Er x O 3), _{and, DWSB (Bi 2- (x +} y) be mentioned Dy _x W y _{O 3)} or the like Can do. On the other hand, specific examples of the ion conductive material that exhibits hydrogen ion conductivity in the above temperature range include barium ceria (BaCeO ₃ ) and strontium ceria (SrCeO ₃ ).

In the present invention, the first electrode layers 2, 2a to 2e, 2g to 2k, 2x to 2y, and the second electrode layers 3, 3a to 3d, 3f to 3j, 3m, 3x to 3y are in the above temperature range. As long as it is made of a material that can function as an anode or a cathode of a single-chamber fuel cell and can withstand the environment during operation of the fuel cell, its form is not particularly limited. Specific examples of the anode constituent material satisfying the requirement include nickel / zirconia cermet, and specific examples of the cathode constituent material satisfying the requirement include lanthanum manganite (LaMnO ₃ ) and the like. .

  Moreover, in this invention, when using a metal interconnector when joining a 1st electrolyte board and a 2nd electrolyte board, the said interconnector can be comprised with the well-known material which comprises the interconnector of SOFC. .

It is a perspective view which shows the example of the form of the single chamber type fuel cell of this invention concerning 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the example of a form of the conventional single chamber type fuel cell. It is sectional drawing which shows the other example of a conventional single chamber type fuel cell. It is sectional drawing which shows the example of the form of the single chamber type fuel cell of this invention concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the example of the form of the single chamber type fuel cell of this invention concerning 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the example of the form of the single chamber type fuel cell of this invention concerning 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the example of the form of the single chamber type fuel cell of this invention concerning 5th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the example of the form of the single chamber type fuel cell of this invention concerning 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a several single chamber type fuel cell electrically connected in series. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the form of the manufacturing method of the single chamber type fuel cell concerning this invention. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a simplified process of manufacturing a single chamber fuel cell 10.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ... Electrolyte layer 1a, 1c, 1e ... 1st electrolyte plate 1b, 1d, 1f ... 2nd electrolyte plate 1g, 1i, 1k ... 1st electrolyte plate 1h, 1j, 1m ... 2nd electrolyte plate 2, 2a, 2b ... 1st electrode layer 2c, 2d, 2e ... 1st electrode layer 2x, 2g, 2h ... 1st electrode layer 2y, 2i, 2j, 2k ... 1st electrode layer 3, 3a, 3b ... 2nd electrode layer 3c, 3d, 3f ... 2nd electrode layer 3x, 3g, 3h ... 2nd electrode layer 3y, 3i, 3j, 3m ... 2nd electrode layer 9 ... Non-ion conductive material 10, 11, 12 ... Single-chamber fuel cell 13, 14, 15 ... Single-chamber fuel cell 21 ... Electrolyte layer 22, 24 ... First electrode layer 23, 25 ... Second electrode layer 30 ... Fuel cell stack 90, 91 ... Single-chamber fuel cell

Claims (4)

A single-chamber fuel cell comprising: a hollow electrolyte layer; and a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer formed on the inner peripheral surface of the electrolyte layer with a space therebetween. The first electrode layer is formed along a longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer;
2. The single-chamber fuel according to claim 1, wherein cross-sectional shapes when the first electrode layer is cut along a plurality of planes whose normal direction is the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer are substantially the same. battery. The second electrode layer is formed along a longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer;
3. The single chamber according to claim 1, wherein the second electrode layer has substantially the same cross-sectional shape when the second electrode layer is cut along a plurality of planes whose normal direction is the longitudinal direction of the electrolyte layer. Type fuel cell. Forming a first electrolyte plate and / or a second electrolyte plate having a bent surface or a curved surface;
Forming a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer on the first electrolyte plate and the second electrolyte plate that have undergone the first step; and a second step;
The first electrolyte plate and the second electrolyte plate that have been subjected to the second step are joined so that the surface on which the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are formed becomes an inner peripheral surface, and a hollow shape is formed. A third step of producing an electrolyte layer;
A method for producing a single-chamber fuel cell, comprising:

Images