JP2009238651A - Gas supply-exhaust manifold and solid oxide fuel cell bundle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas supply-exhaust manifold for miniaturizing a battery, by simplifying a gas supply-exhaust structure more than a conventional structure. <P>SOLUTION: This gas supply-exhaust manifold 50 is arranged outside one support 14a of a solid oxide fuel cell bundle 10 having a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell tubular unit cells 12 for supplying first gas F in a pipe and supplying second gas A to a pipe outer surface and a pair of supports 14a and 14b for supporting and fixing both end parts of the plurality of these tubular unit cells 12. This gas supply-exhaust manifold 50 includes an exhaust chamber 52 for arranging one side end part of the tubular unit cells 12 indoors and having an exhaust port 52a for exhausting the first gas F exhausted from the inside of the pipe outdoors, and a projection part 54a arranged by penetrating through the inside of the exhaust chamber 52 and projecting from an end surface of the exhaust chamber 52 on the support 14a side, and also includes a cylindrical body 54 for supplying the second gas A introduced inside to the pipe outer surface of the tubular unit cells 12 via the support 14a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas supply / discharge manifold and a solid oxide fuel cell bundle.

  A solid oxide fuel cell (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “SOFC”) is a fuel cell using a solid electrolyte having oxygen ion conductivity as an electrolyte. The basic elements of the SOFC are an air electrode, a solid electrolyte, and a fuel electrode, and a structure in which these three elements are laminated in order is usually called a single cell. If necessary, an intermediate layer may be interposed between the electrode (air electrode, fuel electrode) and the solid electrolyte.

  If the structure of the single cell is classified according to the geometric shape, it can be roughly divided into a planar type and a tubular type. Among these, as a tubular single cell, an air electrode / solid electrolyte / fuel electrode are joined from the inside to the outside of the tube, an oxidant gas flows inside the tube, and a fuel gas flows outside the tube, It is known that the fuel electrode / solid electrolyte / air electrode are joined from the inside to the outside, and the fuel gas flows inside the tube and the oxidant gas flows outside the tube.

  This type of tubular single cell is not practical enough. Therefore, it is put to practical use as a so-called bundle of single cell assemblies in which a plurality of tubular single cells are connected in series and in parallel.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a solid oxide fuel cell bundle in which both ends of a plurality of tubular single cells are supported by a pair of supports. In the bundle of Patent Document 1, a discharge chamber for discharging the fuel gas from the tubular single cell is provided outside one of the supports, and the space formed by the tube plate of the discharge chamber and the support is formed, An oxidant gas is supplied from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the single cell, and the oxidant gas is caused to flow through a gap between the support and the cell.

JP 2003-123827 A

  However, the conventional technology has a problem that the gas supply / discharge structure is complicated because the oxidant gas is supplied from the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the cell. Further, it is necessary to provide a space through which the oxidant gas passes between the discharge chamber from which the fuel gas is discharged and the support. Therefore, there has been a problem that the battery becomes large.

  Accordingly, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a gas supply / discharge manifold that can simplify the gas supply / discharge structure and can reduce the size of the battery as compared with the conventional one. .

  In order to solve the above problems, a gas supply / discharge manifold according to the present invention includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell tubular single cells in which a first gas is supplied into a pipe and a second gas is supplied to an outer surface of the pipe. A solid oxide fuel cell bundle having a pair of supports that support and fix both ends of the plurality of tubular single cells, and is disposed on one side of the tubular single cell. A discharge chamber having an end portion disposed in the chamber and having a discharge port for discharging the first gas discharged from the pipe to the outside of the chamber, and a protrusion protruding from the discharge chamber end surface on the support side while being provided through the discharge chamber And a cylindrical body that supplies the second gas introduced into the outer surface of the tubular single cell through the support.

  Here, the discharge chamber is preferably formed by being partitioned by a wall constituting the discharge chamber and the support.

  Further, the protruding portion may be tapered so as to taper toward the end portion.

  Further, the cylindrical diameter of the cylindrical body is preferably substantially constant. At this time, it is preferable to have a threaded portion at the end of the protruding portion.

  Moreover, the said cylindrical body is good to be fixed to the wall which comprises the said discharge chamber by screwing.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a gas ejection nozzle is extended to the protruding portion.

  The cylindrical body may be provided through the discharge port.

  The gist of the solid oxide fuel cell bundle according to the present invention is that it includes the gas supply / discharge manifold described above.

  Here, in the solid oxide fuel cell bundle, when the current collector is taken out from the discharge port of the gas supply / exhaust manifold, or when the current collector is taken out through a hole formed in the support good.

  Since the gas supply / discharge manifold according to the present invention has the above-described configuration, the second gas can be supplied from a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the tubular single cell. Further, the supply of the second gas and the discharge of the first gas can be performed by one manifold. Therefore, the gas supply / discharge structure can be simplified as compared with the conventional case. Further, there is no need to provide a space between the discharge chamber and the support. Therefore, it can contribute to the size reduction of the battery. Moreover, the simplification of the gas supply / discharge structure can contribute to the reduction of the battery manufacturing cost.

  In addition, since the second gas can be supplied from the inside of the bundle, it is easy to supply the second gas to each cell under substantially the same conditions. In addition, since the flow of the second gas and the flow of the first gas can be made to be opposite flows, heat exchange between the gases can be performed efficiently, and the temperature distribution of the tubular single cell and the bundle is relatively uniform. And can contribute to the stable operation of the battery.

  Here, when the said discharge chamber is divided by the wall which comprises the said discharge chamber, and the said support body, the wall by the side of a support body can be abbreviate | omitted among the walls which comprise a discharge chamber. Therefore, it can contribute to the size reduction of the battery.

  Further, when the protruding portion is tapered so as to taper toward the end portion, the size of the connecting hole formed on the support side is set to the size of the outer shape in the middle of the taper, and the protruding portion protrudes into the connecting hole. It becomes possible to supply the second gas by pressing the tapered portion of the portion. Therefore, there exists an advantage which becomes easy to ensure the gas-seal property between a protrusion part and a support body.

  Moreover, when the cylinder diameter of the said cylindrical body is substantially constant, the manufacturing process of a cylindrical body can be simplified. This contributes to cost reduction of the manifold.

  At this time, when the end portion of the protruding portion has a screw portion, the end portion of the protruding portion can be screwed and fixed to the support plate. Therefore, there exists an advantage which becomes easy to ensure the gas-seal property between a protrusion part and a support body more.

  In addition, when the cylindrical body is fixed to the wall constituting the discharge chamber by screwing, the manifold can be pressed against the support body, and the gas sealability of the exhaust chamber can be improved. . In particular, when the protruding portion of the cylindrical body is tapered, the position of the tapered portion can be adjusted by screwing the cylindrical body, and the gas sealing performance between the protruding portion and the support body is further ensured. There is an advantage that it becomes easy.

  Moreover, when the gas ejection nozzle is extended in the said protrusion part, there exists an advantage which becomes easy to supply 2nd gas to every corner of the pipe | tube outer surface of a tubular single cell.

  Further, when the cylindrical body is provided through the inside of the discharge port, heat exchange is performed between the first gas exhausted from the manifold and the second gas introduced into the manifold through the cylindrical body. There is an advantage that makes it easy to make.

  The solid oxide fuel cell bundle according to the present invention includes the gas supply / discharge manifold described above. Therefore, the battery structure can be simplified. In addition, the battery can be reduced in size.

  Moreover, there is an advantage that current collection is easy when the current collection line is taken out from the discharge port of the gas supply / discharge manifold or when the current collection line is taken out through a hole formed in the support. .

  Hereinafter, a gas supply / discharge manifold (hereinafter, also referred to as “main manifold”) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a solid oxide fuel cell bundle (hereinafter referred to as “present bundle”) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Will be described in detail.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the main manifold and the main bundle to which the main manifold is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the side surface of the SOFC bundle, where (a) is a view from the side of the main manifold, and (b) is a view from the side opposite to the main manifold side.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the SOFC bundle 10 includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell tubular single cells (hereinafter also referred to as “tubular single cells”) 12, a pair of supports 14a, 14b. The manifold 50 is disposed on the outer side of one of the support bodies 14a and 14b of the SOFC bundle 10. The present bundle 60 has the main manifold 50 on the outer side of one of the pair of supports 14a and 14b included in the SOFC bundle 10.

  First, the configuration of the SOFC bundle 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a tubular single cell, where (a) is a front view and (b) is a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the tubular single cell 12 includes a first electrode tube 12a, a solid electrolyte layer 12b, and a second electrode layer 12c. In the other drawings except FIG. 3, the tubular single cell 12 is shown in a state in which the inside of the tube is clogged, but this is for convenience only. Although not shown, an intermediate layer may optionally be interposed between the first electrode tube 12a and the solid electrolyte layer 12b and between the solid electrolyte layer 12b and the second electrode layer 12c.

  The first electrode tube 12a is a porous body formed in a tubular shape from the first electrode material. The first electrode tube 12a has a function as a first electrode and also has a function as a support tube.

  The first gas F is supplied into the tube of the first electrode tube 12a. Specifically, the first electrode tube 12a is either a fuel electrode tube formed of a fuel electrode material or an air electrode tube formed of an air electrode material.

  Therefore, when the first electrode tube 12a is a fuel electrode tube, as the first gas F, a fuel gas such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, or city gas (13A) is selected. On the other hand, when the first electrode tube 12a is an air electrode tube, an oxidant gas such as air or oxygen is selected as the first gas F.

As the fuel electrode material, for example, a catalyst such as Ni, NiO, Co, Cu, Ru, Pt, Au, Pd, or an alloy containing two or more of these elements can be used. Ni, NiO, Co, Cu and the like are preferable. More preferably, Ni, NiO, etc. are used from the viewpoint of being inexpensive compared with other metals and having good reactivity with fuel gas. A composite material of a catalyst and a solid electrolyte can also be used. In this case, the solid electrolyte includes, for example, zirconia (YSZ, ScSZ, etc.) stabilized with Y ₂ O ₃ , Sc ₂ O _3, or the like, or an oxide of a second element such as CeO ₂ , Y ₂ O _3. Examples include scandia-stabilized zirconia (ScCeSZ, ScYSZ, etc., CeO ₂ containing Sm ₂ O ₃ , Gd ₂ O _3, etc. (SDC, GDC, etc.), LaSrGaMgO ₃ (LSGM), etc. The mixing ratio (% by weight) is preferably in the range of 80:20 to 30:70, and more preferably in the range of 70:30 to 40:60.

On the other hand, as the air electrode material, for example, LaSrMnO ₃ , LaCaMnO ₃ , LaMgMnO ₃ , LaSrCoO ₃ , LaCaCoO ₃ , LaSrFeO ₃ , LaSrCoFeO ₃ , LaSrNiO ₃ , LaNiFeOr ₃ O ₃ Can do. A composite material of a transition metal perovskite oxide and a solid electrolyte can also be used. In this case, examples of the solid electrolyte include YSZ, ScSZ, ScCeSZ, ScYSZ, SDC, GDC, and LSGM. The mixing ratio (% by weight) of the transition metal perovskite oxide and the solid electrolyte is preferably in the range of 90:10 to 50:50. More preferably, it is in the range of 90:10 to 80:20.

  For example, the first electrode tube 12a is prepared by mixing various material powders at a predetermined ratio, adding a binder such as methyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polymethyl methacrylate, a pore-generating agent such as carbon powder, and the like with water. Kneading and manufacturing the obtained plastic material by extruding, etc. into a tubular molded body with a predetermined tube diameter, tube length and tube thickness, and firing this at an optimum temperature according to the composition. Can do.

  The solid electrolyte layer 12b is a dense body formed in a thin film shape from a solid electrolyte material, and is laminated along the outer peripheral surface of the first electrode tube 12a. Examples of the solid electrolyte material include YSZ, ScSZ, ScCeSZ, ScYSZ, SDC, GDC, and LSGM.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the solid electrolyte layer 12b is laminated on the outer periphery of the first electrode tube 12a so that the outer surface on the one end side of the first electrode tube 12a is exposed.

  The solid electrolyte layer 12b is obtained by attaching a slurry containing a solid electrolyte material to a predetermined position of the first electrode tube 12a (sintered body) or a tubular molded body (unfired body) that is a precursor thereof, and then forming the composition into the composition. It can be manufactured by firing at an optimum temperature according to the conditions. In addition, when the slurry containing solid electrolyte material is made to adhere to a tubular molded object and it bakes (co-sintering method), it becomes easy to suppress battery manufacturing cost.

  As a method for attaching the slurry containing the solid electrolyte material, specifically, for example, a substance (such as a polymer) that can disappear during firing is used to seal the end of the first electrode tube 12a or the like, After applying a mask to a portion where the layer 12b is not formed, a dipping method in which the first electrode tube 12a and the like are immersed in a slurry containing a solid electrolyte material, and a spray method, a brush coating method, a roll coating method, or the like is used. Examples of the method include applying a slurry containing a solid electrolyte material to the first electrode tube 12a and the like.

  At this time, on the other end side of the tubular single cell 12, the end face of the first electrode tube 12a and the end face of the solid electrolyte layer 12b may both coincide. Preferably, at least the end face of the first electrode tube 12a is covered with the solid electrolyte layer 12b. This is because the insulation between the first electrode tube 12a and the second electrode layer 12c is enhanced, and the risk of a short circuit is reduced.

  More preferably, from the viewpoint of ensuring the above effect, as shown in FIG. 3B, the end surface of the first electrode tube 12a and a part of the inner peripheral surface of the first electrode tube 12a are solid. It is good to be covered with the electrolyte layer 12b.

  Such a structure can be obtained, for example, by filling a polymer in the position S in FIG. 3B and applying a dipping method.

  The 2nd electrode layer 12c is a porous layer formed in the shape of a thin film from the 2nd electrode material, and the 2nd gas A is supplied to the surface. The second electrode layer 12c is laminated on the outer periphery of the solid electrolyte layer 12b.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the second electrode layer 12c is laminated on the outer periphery of the solid electrolyte layer 12b so that the outer surface on one end side of the solid electrolyte layer 12b is exposed.

  The second electrode layer 12c constitutes an electrode type different from that of the first electrode tube 12a. That is, when the first electrode tube 12a is a fuel electrode tube, the second electrode layer 12c is an air electrode layer formed of an air electrode material. On the other hand, when the first electrode tube 12a is an air electrode tube, the second electrode layer 12c is a fuel electrode layer formed of a fuel electrode material.

  When the second electrode layer 12c is an air electrode layer, an oxidant gas such as air or oxygen is supplied to the layer as the second gas A. On the other hand, when the second electrode layer 12c is a fuel electrode layer, a fuel gas such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or methane is supplied to the layer as the second gas A.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the first electrode tube 12a is a fuel electrode tube and the second electrode layer is an air electrode layer from the viewpoint of easy battery manufacture.

  In the SOFC bundle 10, the pair of supports 14a and 14b are formed in a plate shape from various insulating materials. Examples of the insulating material include insulating ceramics such as alumina and zirconia, and glass ceramics. The thickness of the supports 14a and 14b is set to be thinner than the length of the exposed portion of the first electrode tube 12a.

  A plurality of insertion holes (not shown) through which the end portions of the tubular single cells 12 can be inserted are formed in the supports 14 a and 14 b in correspondence with the arrangement of the tubular single cells 12.

  The supports 14a and 14b having the above-described shapes can be manufactured, for example, by punching a plate-shaped insulating material to form respective insertion holes.

  In the SOFC bundle 10, a pair of supports 14a and 14b are disposed to face each other. The plurality of tubular single cells 12 are in a state where both ends are inserted through the insertion holes of the supports 14a and 14b in consideration of the electrical connection pattern between the tubular single cells 12. It is supported and fixed by.

  Gas seal members 16a and 16b are laminated on the outside of the supports 14a and 14b. Accordingly, the first gas F discharged from the tubular single cell 12 or the first gas F supplied to the tubular single cell 12 and the second gas A supplied between the supports 14a and 14b are mixed. Can be prevented. The gas seal members 16a and 16b may be stacked inside the supports 14a and 14b.

  Examples of the material of the gas seal members 16a and 16b include glass seals, ceramic seals, mica sheets, and the like.

  Each of the tubular single cells 12 includes the exposed portions of the first electrode tubes 12a, the outer surfaces of the second electrode layers 12c, or the exposed portions of the first electrode tubes 12a and the outer surfaces of the second electrode layers 12c. Are electrically connected via the interconnector 18.

The interconnector 18 is formed in a plate shape having a predetermined thickness from conductive ceramics such as LaCrO ₃ and LaCoO ₃ , metal materials such as ferritic stainless steel, austenitic stainless steel, nickel alloy, and metal foil. Yes. In the interconnector 18, corresponding to the arrangement of the tubular single cells 12, insertion holes (not shown) through which the tubular single cells 12 can be inserted are formed.

  The interconnector 18 having the above shape can be manufactured, for example, by punching a plate-shaped interconnector material to form an insertion hole.

  1 and 2 illustrate a connection pattern in which four tubular single cells 12 are connected in parallel via an interconnector 18 and eight of these are connected in series. In the connection pattern, a plurality of tubular single cells 12 are arranged so as to surround a connection hole 20 described later. However, the connection pattern of the SOFC bundle 10 is not limited to the above connection. For example, when connecting each tubular single cell 12 in parallel, as shown in FIG. 4, using the interconnectors 18′a and 18′b, one end side and the other end of each tubular single cell 12 are used. The sides may be electrically connected to each other. In this case, the interconnectors 18'a and 18'b may be used as the supports 14a and 14b.

  The connection hole 20 is formed in one support body 14a among a pair of support bodies 14a and 14b. A cylindrical body 54 of the manifold 50 described below is connected to the connection hole 20. The manifold 50 has a gas supply / discharge function of supplying the second gas A to the SOFC bundle 10 described above and discharging the remaining first gas F remaining for power generation of the SOFC bundle 10.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view of the manifold shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the manifold 50 includes a discharge chamber 52 and a cylindrical body 54.

  Inside the discharge chamber 52, an end portion of the tubular single cell 12 protruding outside the support body 14a described above is arranged. The first gas F is discharged from the tube of the tubular single cell 12 into the discharge chamber 52. As shown in FIG. 1, the first gas F is supplied from the first gas supply manifold 22 that covers the end of the tubular single cell 12 protruding to the outside of the support 14 b described above into the pipe of the tubular single cell 12. It is the remaining first gas F that is not used for power generation.

  The discharge chamber 52 has a discharge port 52a for discharging the first gas F discharged from the pipe to the outside of the chamber. The first gas F discharged from the discharge port 52a to the outside may be recovered and supplied again into the tube of the tubular single cell 12. In the manifold 50, the position, size, range, number, and the like of the discharge ports 52a are not particularly limited as long as the first gas F can be discharged outside the room.

  FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing an end surface of the discharge chamber opposite to the support 14a. As shown in FIG. 6 (a), for example, the discharge port 52a may be provided apart from the cylindrical body 54, or as shown in FIGS. 6 (b) and 6 (c), the cylindrical body 54 is provided. It may be provided so as to be included inside. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the discharge port 52a is formed by a gap having the same width as the outer diameter of the cylindrical body 54, the cylindrical body 54 can be varied to the left and right. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the periphery of the discharge port 52 is arranged on the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 54, the tubular member is fixed by a fixing member such as a claw portion 52 b formed on the periphery of the discharge port 52. The body 54 may be fixed.

  In addition, it is preferable that the current collection part 24 (refer FIG. 2, FIG. 12, FIG. 13 mentioned later) of the SOFC bundle 10 exists in this manifold 50 side. In this case, it is possible to easily take out a current collecting wire (not shown) connected to the current collecting unit 24 from the discharge port 52a described above. Of course, when the discharge port 52a is not used, it is possible to form a hole (not shown) in the wall constituting the manifold 50 and take out the current collector from this hole. In this case, it is conceivable that the first gas F used for power generation leaks. However, in order to prevent gas leakage, sealing may be performed by a gas seal member, and even if gas leakage occurs, the first gas after power generation is generated. Because it only leaks, power generation is not affected much. In addition, it is also possible to form a hole (not shown) in the support 14a and take out the current collecting line from the hole.

  Here, in FIG. 5, the discharge chamber 52 has an opening formed at the end surface of the discharge chamber 52 on the support 14a side. That is, in this case, the discharge chamber 52 is partitioned by the wall constituting the discharge chamber 52 and the support 14a, and an indoor space is formed.

  In the case of adopting such a configuration, the wall on the support 14a side among the walls constituting the discharge chamber 52 can be omitted, which can contribute to the downsizing of the battery. In addition, since the manifold 50 can be connected to the SOFC bundle 10 regardless of the irregular shape due to the interconnector 18 formed on the surface of the support 14a of the SOFC bundle 10 or the protruding end of the tubular single cell 12, the connection structure Can be further simplified. Also, the accuracy of insertion, sealing, etc. can be made relatively low.

  In the above case, a gas seal member made of glass seal, ceramic seal, mica sheet or the like may be provided between the discharge chamber end face on the support 14a side and the support 14a. In this case, the gas sealing performance between the manifold 50 and the support 14a can be improved.

  In this manifold 50, the indoor space of the discharge chamber 52 may be formed without using the support 14a.

  As the material of the discharge chamber 52, for example, ferritic stainless steel, austenitic stainless steel, nickel-based alloy, etc. can be adopted, and specifically, SUS430, SUS304, SUS316, SUS310, Inconel 600, Inconel 625 and the like can be mentioned. .

  On the other hand, the cylindrical body 54 is provided with the second gas A introduced therein, and is provided through the inside of the discharge chamber 52. Therefore, the 2nd gas A in the cylindrical body 54 and the 1st gas F in the discharge chamber 52 are isolate | separated, and it becomes possible to prevent mixing of both.

  The cylindrical body 54 has a protruding portion 54a that protrudes from the end surface of the discharge chamber 52 on the support 14a side. The protrusion 54a is connected to the connection hole 20 of the support 14a. By supplying the second gas A introduced into the cylindrical body 54 between the supports 14a and 14b through the protrusion 54a, the second gas A is supplied to the surface of the second electrode layer 12c of the tubular single cell 12. The

  The shape of the cylindrical body 54 is not particularly limited, such as a substantially cylindrical shape or a substantially rectangular tube shape. Preferably, from the viewpoint of manufacturability and the like, a substantially cylindrical shape is preferable. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the cylindrical body 54 is formed in a straight tube having a substantially constant cylinder diameter. Thus, when the cylindrical diameter is formed in a substantially constant straight tube shape, the manufacturing process of the cylindrical body 54 can be simplified, which can contribute to the cost reduction of the manifold 50. .

  As the material of the cylindrical body 54, for example, ferritic stainless steel, austenitic stainless steel, nickel alloy, etc. can be adopted, and specifically, SUS430, SUS304, SUS316, SUS310, Inconel 600, Inconel 625 and the like can be mentioned. It is done.

  FIG. 7 is a view schematically showing a first modification of the manifold. As shown in FIG. 7, the manifold 50 may include a tapered portion 54 b that is tapered so that the protruding portion 54 a of the cylindrical body 54 tapers toward the end portion.

  When the tapered portion 54b is provided in this way, the outer shape of the connection hole 20 formed in the support 14a is set to the size of the outer shape in the middle of the taper so that the taper of the protruding portion 54a is formed in the connection hole 20. The second gas A can be supplied by pressing the portion 54b. Therefore, it becomes easy to ensure the gas sealing performance between the protrusion 54a and the support 14a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, in the manifold 50, a male screw portion 54 c may be formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical body 54. In this case, a through-hole (not shown) in which a female screw part fitted to the male screw part 54c is formed on the end surface of the discharge chamber 52 opposite to the support 14a side. Thereby, the cylindrical body 54 can be fixed to the wall constituting the discharge chamber 52 by screwing.

  When the cylindrical body 54 is fixed by screwing in this way, the manifold 50 can be pressed against the support body 14a, and the gas sealability of the exhaust chamber 52 can be improved. In particular, when the projecting portion 54a of the cylindrical body 54 is tapered, it is possible to adjust the position of the tapered portion 54b by screwing the cylindrical body 54, and between the projecting portion 54a and the support body 14a. It becomes easier to secure the gas sealing property.

  FIG. 8 is a view schematically showing a second modification of the present manifold. As shown in FIG. 8, in the manifold 50, a male screw portion 54 d may be formed at the end portion of the protruding portion 54 a of the cylindrical body 54.

  Thus, when the external thread part 54d is formed in the edge part of the protrusion part 54a of the cylindrical body 54, it provides support by providing the nut member 21 which has an internal thread part in the connection hole 20 formed in the support body 14a. It becomes possible to screw and fix the end of the protrusion 54a to the body 14a. In this case, it becomes easier to ensure the gas sealability between the protrusion 54a and the support 14a.

  FIG. 9 is a view schematically showing a third modification of the present manifold. As shown in FIG. 9, in this manifold 50, a gas ejection nozzle 54 f may be extended from the protruding portion 54 a of the cylindrical body 54.

  The length of the gas ejection nozzle 54f and the number, position, size, etc. of the gas ejection holes are not particularly limited.

  When the gas ejection nozzle 54f is extended, it becomes easy to supply the second gas A to every corner of the tubular outer surface of each tubular single cell 12.

  FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a connection structure when this manifold is applied to an SOFC bundle.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the manifold 50 has an opening 52 c formed on the end surface of the discharge chamber 52 on the support 14 a side. A groove 52d into which the peripheral edge of the support 14a of the SOFC bundle 10 is fitted is formed at the peripheral edge of the opening 52c.

  When the opening 52c having such a groove 52d is formed, the peripheral portion of the support 14a of the fitted SOFC bundle 10 can be fastened and fixed by a fastening member 53 such as a screw. Therefore, the gas seal member 16a can easily bite into the main manifold 50, and the gas seal performance can be easily secured.

  In FIG. 10, the first gas supply manifold 22 also has an opening 22 a with a groove similar to the gas manifold 10, and has a structure in which gas sealing performance can be easily ensured even on the first gas supply manifold 22 side. Has been.

  Further, in the first gas supply manifold 22, a pressure loss material 22 b is disposed on the front side of the end portion of each tubular single cell 12. When the pressure loss material 22b is disposed, it becomes easy to supply the first gas F to each tubular single cell 12 uniformly.

  Examples of the pressure loss material 22b to be used include foamed metal such as Ni felt, porous ceramics, glass fiber, ceramic fiber, metal mesh, zirconia ball, alumina ball, and the like, depending on the type of the first gas F. Can be selected as appropriate.

  FIG. 11 is a view schematically showing a cross section of a main manifold having a plurality of cylindrical bodies and a main bundle to which the main manifold is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the manifold 50 may have a plurality of cylindrical bodies 54 and discharge ports 52a. In this case, when a large number of SOFC bundles 10 are accumulated and the degree of integration is increased, it is easier to supply the second gas A to each tubular single cell 12 than when a single tubular body 54 is provided. Moreover, it becomes easy to make supply conditions substantially the same. Further, it is possible to efficiently discharge the first gas A as compared with the case where the number of the discharge ports 52a is single.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described in detail, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment at all, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, as the connection pattern of the SOFC bundle, four tubular single cells 12 are connected in parallel, and eight connection patterns are connected in series. However, the connection pattern of the SOFC bundle 10 is the above connection. It is not limited.

  FIG. 12 shows a connection pattern in which four tubular single cells 12 are connected in parallel by the interconnector 18 and 16 of them are connected in series. FIG. 13 shows a connection pattern in which four tubular single cells 12 are connected in parallel and 32 are connected in series. Thus, the SOFC bundle 10 can adopt various connection patterns.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the tubular single cells 12 are arranged so as to be substantially square with the connection hole 20 as the center has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 14 illustrates the case where the tubular single cells 12 are arranged so as to be substantially cylindrical around the connection hole 20.

  In such an arrangement, the second gas A supplied from the main manifold 50 can be easily supplied uniformly to each tubular single cell 12. The tubular single cells 12 in the SOFC bundle 10 can be arranged in consideration of the degree of integration, ease of integration, ease of series / parallel connection patterns, and the like.

It is the figure which showed typically the cross section (a cutting position is a broken line position in FIG. 2) of this manifold and this bundle to which this is applied. It is the figure which showed an example of the side surface of a SOFC bundle typically, (a) is the figure seen from this manifold side, (b) is the figure seen from the opposite side to this manifold side. It is the figure which showed an example of the tubular single cell typically, (a) is a front view, (b) is sectional drawing of a longitudinal direction. It is the figure which showed typically an example of the side surface of the SOFC bundle which connected the tubular single cell in parallel, (a) is this manifold side, (b) is the figure seen from the opposite side to this manifold side. FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of the manifold shown in FIG. 1. It is the figure which showed typically the discharge chamber end surface on the opposite side to a support body. It is the figure which showed the 1st modification of this manifold typically. It is the figure which showed the 2nd modification of this manifold typically. It is the figure which showed the 3rd modification of this manifold typically. It is the figure which showed an example of the connection structure in the case of applying this manifold to a SOFC bundle. It is the figure which showed typically the cross section of this bundle which applied this and this manifold which has a some cylindrical body and a discharge port. It is the figure which showed the modification of the connection pattern of a SOFC bundle. It is the figure which showed the other modification of the connection pattern of SOFC bundle. It is the figure typically shown about the case where each tubular single cell is arranged so that it may become a substantially cylindrical shape centering on a connection hole.

Explanation of symbols

10 SOFC bundle 12 Tubular single cell 12a First electrode tube 12b Solid electrolyte layer 12c Second electrode layer 14a Support body 14b Support body 16a Gas seal member 16b Gas seal member 18 Interconnector 18'a Interconnector 18'b Interconnector 20 Connection Hole 21 Nut member 22 First gas supply manifold 22a Grooved opening 22b Pressure loss material 24 Current collecting part 50 Main manifold 52 Discharge chamber 52a Discharge port 52b Claw part 52c Opening part 52d Groove part 53 Fastening member 54 Cylindrical body 54a Projection part 54b Taper part 54c Male thread part 54d Male thread part 54f Gas ejection nozzle 60 Bundle F First gas A Second gas

Claims (10)

A plurality of solid oxide fuel cell tubular single cells in which a first gas is supplied into the tube and a second gas is supplied to the outer surface of the tube, and a pair of supporting and fixing both ends of the plurality of tubular single cells. A gas supply / discharge manifold disposed outside one support of a solid oxide fuel cell bundle having a support,
A discharge chamber having a discharge port for discharging the first gas discharged from the tube to the outside, wherein one end of the tubular single cell is disposed in the chamber;
The projecting portion is provided through the discharge chamber and protrudes from the end surface of the discharge chamber on the support side. The second gas introduced into the inside of the tubular single cell is supplied to the outside of the tubular single cell through the support. A cylindrical body to be supplied to the surface;
A gas supply / exhaust manifold characterized by comprising:   The gas supply / discharge manifold according to claim 1, wherein the discharge chamber is partitioned by a wall constituting the discharge chamber and the support.   The gas supply / exhaust manifold according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portion is tapered so as to taper toward the end portion.   The gas supply / discharge manifold according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a cylindrical diameter of the cylindrical body is substantially constant.   The gas supply / exhaust manifold according to claim 4, further comprising a screw portion at an end of the protruding portion.   The gas supply / discharge manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cylindrical body is fixed to a wall constituting the discharge chamber by screwing.   The gas supply / exhaust manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a gas jet nozzle is extended in the projecting portion.   The gas supply / discharge manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cylindrical body is provided through the discharge port.   A solid oxide fuel cell bundle comprising the gas supply / discharge manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 8.   10. The solid oxide fuel cell bundle according to claim 9, wherein the current collector is taken out from a discharge port of the gas supply / discharge manifold, or the current collector is taken out through a hole formed in the support. .

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