JP2010123368A - Fuel battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel battery module capable of effectively carrying out air supply to a plurality of fuel battery cells, by making it easier for oxidant gas not contributing to power generation reaction to flow along the cells. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel battery module is provided with a plurality of fuel battery cells operating as fuel gas and oxidant gas flow from one end to the other, and a shifting part for directing the oxidant gas toward the fuel battery cells. The shifting part is equipped with a swollen face along a height direction of the fuel battery cells. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a fuel cell module including a plurality of fuel cells that operate when fuel gas and oxidant gas flow from one end side to the other end side.

In a fuel cell module including a plurality of fuel cells that are operated by flowing a fuel gas and an oxidant gas from one end side to the other end side, the fuel gas flowing inside each fuel cell and the outside thereof A power generation reaction is performed by the action of air.

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 below aims to supply an oxygen-containing gas at a sufficiently high concentration between fuel cells in a fuel cell stack, for example. In order to achieve this object, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of oxygen-containing gas surrounding means for surrounding the fuel cell stack to prevent the diffusion of the oxygen-containing gas supplied around the fuel cell stack. Yes. More specifically, the projection provided on the inner surface causes turbulent flow in the internal space and uniformly distributes the oxygen-containing gas (see FIG. 6 of Patent Document 1 below).

A fuel cell module as described in Patent Document 2 below has also been proposed.
JP 2007-234384 A JP 2003-109639 A

  By the way, in the fuel cell module described in Patent Document 1, in order to prevent the diffusion of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the periphery of the fuel cell stack, turbulence is caused in the internal space by a projection provided on the inner surface. A flow was generated. However, since the oxygen-containing gas moves so as to bypass the protrusion, the amount of oxygen-containing gas supplied to the periphery of the fuel cell stack increases slightly at the position where the protrusion is present, but diffuses at the position above the protrusion. As a whole, the fuel cell stack was not approached.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a fuel cell module that prevents the diffusion of the oxidant gas and makes the cell more easily contacted with the oxidant gas, thereby sufficiently supplying the oxidant gas to the cell and improving the power generation performance. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a fuel cell module according to the present invention includes a plurality of fuel cells that operate when fuel gas and oxidant gas flow from one end side to the other end side, and the oxidant gas includes the oxidant gas. A fuel cell module comprising a transition portion directed toward the fuel cell, wherein the transition portion has a bulging surface along a height direction of the fuel cell.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the oxidant gas from diffusing and to make the oxidant gas more easily in contact with the cell, thereby sufficiently supplying the oxidant gas to the cell and improving the power generation performance. Can be provided.

Prior to describing the best mode for carrying out the present invention, the function and effect of the present invention will be described.

  The fuel cell module according to the present invention includes a plurality of fuel cells that are operated by flowing a fuel gas and an oxidant gas from one end side to the other end side, and a transition that directs the oxidant gas toward the fuel cell. The transition part has a bulging surface along the height direction of the fuel battery cell.

  In the present invention, the air flow is inhibited in the portion having the bulging surface. For this reason, air that is an oxidant gas moves along the height direction of the cell, and the oxidant gas is sufficiently supplied to the cell to improve the power generation performance.

  In the fuel cell module according to the present invention, the fuel cell has a hollow cylindrical shape, and is erected in a container of the fuel cell module, and the bulging surface extends along the erected fuel cell. It is characterized by existing.

  In the present invention, the fuel cell has a hollow cylindrical shape and is erected in the container of the fuel cell module, and the bulging surface extends along the erected fuel cell, so that the design is easy. Compact size can be realized.

  Moreover, the fuel cell module according to the present invention is characterized in that the transition portion is disposed at a height at which the other end side of the fuel cell is located.

  In the present invention, since the transition part is arranged at a height at which the other end side of the fuel cell is located, the oxidant gas is easily supplied by the transition part, particularly above the cell. In general, when the oxidant gas is supplied from below the cell, there is a problem that the oxidant gas is difficult to be supplied to the upper part of the cell. However, in the present invention, the oxidant gas is easily supplied to the upper part of the cell, and air is supplied to the cell. Can be performed effectively.

  Moreover, the fuel cell module according to the present invention is characterized in that the transition portion includes an inclined surface that is inclined upward toward the fuel cell side.

  In the present invention, the transition portion has an inclined surface that is inclined upward toward the fuel cell side, so that the action of directing the oxidant gas toward the cell works, and the oxidant gas passes between the wall portion and the cell. Since it can suppress that it comes off more, the air supply to a cell can be performed more effectively.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In order to facilitate the understanding of the description, the same constituent elements in the drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 shows a fuel cell module FC which is an embodiment of a fuel cell module according to the present invention.
It is a perspective view which shows, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the state which removed the cover member. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell module FC, and in the direction of arrow A in FIG.
It is sectional drawing in the center vicinity. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell module FC,
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in the vicinity of the center of the fuel cell module FC in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1.
In FIGS. 2 and 3, the cross-sectional hatching is omitted.

The cover member (not explicitly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) has a rectangular parallelepiped shape by a front side wall, a pair of longitudinal side walls, a rear side wall, and a ceiling. Formed. A flange portion is formed at the lower end portion of each side wall, and a space sealed by the cover member and the base member 2 is formed by bringing the flange portion into contact with the base member 2.
The cover member and the base member 2 are fixed by a bolt (not shown), and the bolt penetrates through an attachment hole provided in the cover member and is fixed by passing through an attachment hole 2a provided in the base member 2. Yes.

The internal space formed by the cover member and the base member 2 is separated into two spaces by the partition plate 15. Among the spaces separated by the partition plate 15, the space where the fuel cell stack 400 is disposed is the power generation chamber 16. Of the spaces separated by the partition plate 15, the other space is an exhaust gas chamber 17. The inner wall surface of the cover member and the partition plate 15 are in close contact with each other directly or indirectly through some kind of contact member (for example, a flexible thin plate member).

The partition plate 15 is placed on a support member 15 a provided on the base member 2, and the base member 2
And is held at a predetermined distance. A pair of support members 15a are provided so as to support the partition plate 15 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, a gap 15b is formed between the pair of support members 15a and 15a. Exhaust gas that has passed through an exhaust gas passage (not shown) provided on the wall surface of the cover member is introduced into the exhaust gas chamber 17 through the gap 15b.

The gas tank 3 is placed on the partition plate 15. Ten fuel cell stacks 400 are arranged side by side in the gas tank 3, and fuel gas is supplied from the gas tank 3 to the fuel cell 4 constituting each fuel cell stack 400.

More specifically, the lower support plate 4 of the fuel cell stack 400 is formed on the upper surface of the gas tank 3.
An opening (not shown) having substantially the same shape as 00b is provided, and the gas tank 3 and each fuel cell stack 400 are connected with the lower support plate 400b in close contact with the opening. Therefore, the fuel cells 4 constituting the fuel cell stack 400 are erected on the gas tank 3 with their tip portions facing upward.

Each fuel battery cell 4 has a tubular shape, and a gas flowing from one end of the fuel battery cell 4 to the other end inside the pipe of the fuel battery cell 4 and outside the pipe from the one end to the other end. It operates by the action of the gas flowing to the part. In the present embodiment, the gas flowing in the pipe of the fuel battery cell 4 is a fuel gas such as reformed gas obtained by reforming hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuel, and the gas flowing outside the pipe of the fuel battery cell 4 contains oxygen. Contains oxidant gas such as air.

Here, the fuel cell unit 30 including the fuel cells 4 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel cell unit 30 is a tubular structure formed by the fuel cells 4 and extending in the vertical direction, and includes a cylindrical fuel cell 4 and one end of the fuel cell 4. It has an inner electrode terminal 40 attached to 4a and an outer electrode terminal 42 attached to the other end 4b.

The fuel cell 4 includes a cylindrical inner electrode layer 44, a cylindrical outer electrode layer 48, a cylindrical electrolyte layer 46 disposed between the electrode layers 44, 48, and an inner electrode. And a through flow channel 50 configured inside the layer 44. Further, an inner electrode exposed peripheral surface 44a in which the inner electrode layer 44 is exposed to the electrolyte layer 46 and the outer electrode layer 48 at one end 4a of the fuel cell 4, and the electrolyte layer 46 is an outer electrode layer. Electrolyte exposed peripheral surface 46a exposed to 48
And are provided. The other end 4b of the fuel cell 4 is configured by an outer electrode exposed peripheral surface 48a from which the outer electrode layer 48 is exposed. The through channel 50 functions as a fuel gas channel. The inner electrode exposed peripheral surface 44 a is also an inner electrode outer peripheral surface that is in electrical communication with the inner electrode layer 44. The outer electrode exposed peripheral surface 48 a is also an outer electrode outer peripheral surface that is in electrical communication with the outer electrode layer 48.

The inner electrode layer 44 includes, for example, a mixture of Ni and zirconia doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements such as Ca, Y, and Sc, ceria doped with at least one selected from Ni and rare earth elements, And a mixture of Ni and lanthanum gallate doped with at least one selected from Sr, Mg, Co, Fe, and Cu. The electrolyte layer 46 includes, for example, zirconia doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements such as Y and Sc, ceria doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements, lanthanum gallate doped with at least one selected from Sr and Mg, Formed from at least one of the following. The outer electrode layer 48 is made of, for example, lanthanum manganite doped with at least one selected from Sr and Ca, lanthanum ferrite doped with at least one selected from Sr, Co, Ni, and Cu, Sr, Fe, Ni, and Cu. It is formed from at least one selected from samarium cobalt and silver doped with at least one selected. In this case, the inner electrode layer 44 becomes a fuel electrode, and the outer electrode layer 48 becomes an air electrode. The thickness of the inner electrode layer 44 is, for example, 1 mm, and the thickness of the electrolyte layer 46 is, for example, 30 μm.
m, and the thickness of the outer electrode layer 48 is, for example, 30 μm, and the outer diameter thereof is, for example,
1-10 mm.

The inner electrode terminal 40 is arranged so as to cover the inner electrode exposed peripheral surface 44a from the outside over the entire circumference and is electrically connected to the inner electrode terminal 40a, and a tubular shape extending from the main body portion 40a in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell 4. Part 40b. Main body portion 40a and tubular portion 4
0b is cylindrical and concentrically arranged, and the tube diameter of the tubular portion 40b is smaller than the tube diameter of the main body portion 40a. The tubular portion 40b has a connection channel 40c that communicates with the through channel 50 and communicates with the outside. A step 40d between the body portion 40a and the tubular portion 40b is
It is in contact with the end face 44 b of the inner electrode layer 44.

The outer electrode terminal 42 is disposed so as to cover the outer electrode exposed peripheral surface 48a from the outside over the entire circumference and is electrically connected thereto, and a tubular shape extending from the main body portion 42a in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell 4. Part 42b. Main body portion 42a and tubular portion 4
2b is cylindrical and concentric, and the tube diameter of the tubular portion 42b is smaller than the tube diameter of the main body portion 42a. The tubular portion 42b has a connection channel 42c that communicates with the through channel 50 and communicates with the outside. The step portion 42d between the main body portion 42a and the tubular portion 42b has an end face 4 of the outer electrode layer 48, the electrolyte layer 46, and the inner electrode layer 44 through an annular insulating member 52.
It is in contact with 4c.

The overall shape of the inner electrode terminal 40 and the overall shape of the outer electrode terminal 42 are the same. Further, the inner electrode terminal 40 and the fuel battery cell 4, and the outer electrode terminal 42 and the fuel battery cell 4 are sealed and fixed by a conductive sealing material 54 over the entire circumference. The sealing material 54 is various brazing materials including, for example, silver, a mixture of silver and glass, gold, nickel, copper, and titanium.

The connection flow path 40 c of the inner electrode terminal 40, the through flow path 50 of the fuel cell 4, and the connection flow path 42 c of the outer electrode terminal 42 constitute an in-pipe flow path 30 c of the fuel cell unit 30.

Subsequently, for the fuel cell stack 400 including the fuel cell unit 30, FIG.
Will be described with reference to FIG. The fuel cell stack 400 includes 16 fuel cell units 30, an upper support plate 400a, a lower support plate 400b, a connection member 400c, and an external terminal 4
00d.

The upper support plate 400a and the lower support plate 400b are rectangular, and the tubular portions 40b, 42 of the fuel cell unit 30 are respectively supported so as to support the fuel cell unit 30 in 2 columns × 8 rows.
It has a through-hole (not shown in the figure) that fits into b. Upper support plate 400a and lower support plate 4
00b is made of an electrically insulating material, for example, heat-resistant ceramic. Specifically, it is preferable to use alumina, zirconia, spinel, forsterite, magnesia, titania or the like.

The 16 fuel cell units 30 are arranged so that they are electrically connected in series. In detail, the fuel cell unit 30 includes the adjacent fuel cell unit 3.
The zero inner electrode terminals 40 are alternately arranged on the upper side and the lower side. Furthermore,
A connection member 400c for electrically connecting the 16 fuel cell units 30 in series is provided. The connection member 400c electrically connects one adjacent inner electrode terminal 40 and one outer electrode terminal 42. Sixteen fuel cell units 30 connected in series
Each of the inner electrode terminal 40 and the outer electrode terminal 42 at both ends is provided with an external terminal 400d for electrical connection with the outside. The connection member 400c and the external terminal 400d are made of, for example, a heat-resistant metal such as stainless steel, a nickel base alloy, or a chromium base alloy, or a ceramic material such as lanthanum chromite. The external terminals 400d of each fuel cell stack 400 are electrically connected in series, and are connected to the electrode rods 13 and 14 at both ends thereof.

As described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the fuel cell stack 400,
The end portion 4a provided with the inner electrode terminal 40 of the fuel cell unit 30 and the end portion 4b provided with the outer electrode terminal 42 are arranged so as to be alternately arranged in the vertical direction.

Here, returning to FIGS. 1 to 3, the description of the fuel cell module FC will be continued. In this embodiment,
The reformer 5 is disposed so as to be located above the fuel cell stack 400. A pipe 6C and a pipe 6D are connected to the reformer 5, and the reformer 5 is positioned above the fuel cell stack 400 at a predetermined interval by the pipe 6C and the pipe 6D. Is retained. The pipe 6 </ b> C is a pipe for supplying city gas, air, and water vapor as reformed gas to the reformer 5, and is erected with respect to the partition plate 15. The pipe 6 </ b> D is a pipe for supplying the fuel gas reformed in the reformer 5 to the gas tank 3, and is erected with respect to the gas tank 3.

The city gas and air supplied to the reformer 5 through the pipe 6C are introduced into the fuel cell module FC through the reformed gas supply pipe 6A. Further, the steam supplied to the reformer 5 through the pipe 6C is introduced into the fuel cell module FC through the steam supply pipe 6B. The to-be-reformed gas supply pipe 6A and the water vapor supply pipe 6B are connected to a mixing chamber 15c provided on the opposite side of the pipe 6C with the partition plate 15 in between. The city gas and air supplied from the reformed gas supply pipe 6A and the water vapor supplied from the steam supply pipe 6B are mixed in the mixing chamber 15c and supplied to the pipe 6C.

Although not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in this embodiment, the reformed gas supply pipe 6A and the steam supply pipe 6B
Are attached to each, and each solenoid valve is a CPU as a control unit.
The ratio of the gas to be reformed, air, and water vapor supplied to the reformer 5 can be changed by opening and closing in accordance with the instruction signal output from.

City gas (which may be mixed with steam) and air (which may be only reformed gas) as reformed gas introduced into the reformer 5 are contained in the reformer 5. The reforming catalyst is reformed. The reformed fuel gas is supplied to the gas tank 3 through the pipe 6D. The portion where the pipe 6C is connected to the reformer 5 and the portion where the pipe 6D is connected to the reformer 5 are separated from each other in the vicinity of one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the fuel gas and air supplied to the reformer 5 can sufficiently touch the reforming catalyst.

A reforming catalyst is enclosed in the reformer 5. As the reforming catalyst, a catalyst in which nickel is applied to the surface of the alumina sphere and a catalyst in which ruthenium is applied to the surface of the alumina sphere are appropriately used. These reforming catalysts are spheres.

In the present embodiment, the flow path member 7 is provided so as to cover the reformer 5 and each fuel cell stack 400. The flow path member 7 includes air flow outer walls 71 and 72, an air distribution chamber 73, air collecting chambers 74 and 75, air flow path pipes 76a, 76b, 77a and 77b, and outer walls 78 and 79.
have. The flow path member 7 has the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 in the longitudinal direction and the outer wall 7 in the short direction.
8, 79 are respectively arranged and formed in a box shape by these members. The flow path member 7 covers the partition plate 1 so as to cover the reformer 5 and each fuel cell stack 400.
5 is erected. In the following description, the side of the flow path member 7 that is in contact with the partition plate 15 will be referred to as the lower side, and the side opposite to the lower side will be referred to as the upper side.

The air distribution chamber 73 is attached to the upper outside of the outer wall 79. That is, the air distribution chamber 73 is attached to the outside of the box-shaped body formed by the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 and the outer walls 78 and 79 and above the short side. An air supply pipe 7A is connected to the air distribution chamber 73, and air as an oxidant gas is supplied. In the air distribution chamber 73, air flow path pipes 76a,
76b, 77a, 77b are also connected.

The air flow path pipes 76a and 76b are arranged along the air flow path outer wall 71 on the inner side of the box-shaped body formed by the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 and the outer walls 78 and 79 and above the longitudinal side. Yes. The air channel tube 76a is on the air channel outer wall 71 side, and the air channel tube 76b is on the air channel tube 76.
They are arranged inside a. One end of each of the air passage pipes 76a and 76b is an outer wall 79.
And the other end is connected to the air collecting chamber 74. Accordingly, the air flowing into the air distribution chamber 73 passes through the air flow path pipes 76a and 76b and passes through the air collecting chamber 7.
Flows into 4 and rejoins.

The air flow path pipes 77a and 77b are arranged along the air flow path outer wall 72 on the inner side and the upper side of the box-shaped body formed by the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 and the outer walls 78 and 79. Yes. The air channel tube 77a is on the air channel outer wall 72 side, and the air channel tube 77b is on the air channel tube 77.
They are arranged inside a. One end of each of the air passage pipes 77a and 77b is an outer wall 79.
And the other end is connected to the air collecting chamber 75. Therefore, the air flowing into the air distribution chamber 73 passes through the air flow path pipes 77a and 77b and passes through the air collecting chamber 7.
Flows into 5 and rejoins.

The air collecting chambers 74 and 75 are attached to the upper inside of the outer wall 78. That is, the air collecting chambers 74 and 75 are attached to the inside of the box-like body formed by the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 and the outer walls 78 and 79 and above the short side. The air collecting chamber 74 has an air flow path outer wall 71.
The air that has flowed into the air collecting chamber 74 is placed in close contact with the air flow passage outer wall 71.
It is configured to flow out. On the other hand, the air collecting chamber 75 is disposed so as to be in close contact with the air flow path outer wall 72, and the air flowing into the air collecting chamber 75 is configured to flow out to the air flow path outer wall 72.

Each of the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 has a double wall structure, and is configured so that air can flow through each of them. More specifically, the air flow path outer wall 71 is:
The structure is divided into three chambers from above, and in order from the top, the first chamber 711 and the second chamber 71.
2, formed as a third chamber 713. The air that flows from the air collecting chamber 74 flows into the first chamber 711, then flows into the second chamber 712, and then flows into the third chamber 713. Similarly, the air flow path outer wall 72 has a structure that is divided into three chambers from above.
The first chamber 721, the second chamber 722, and the third chamber 723 are formed. The air flowing from the air collecting chamber 75 flows into the first chamber 721, then flows into the second chamber 722, and then flows into the third chamber 723.

Each of the third chambers 713 and 723 has a plurality of air inflow holes 713a and 713 at predetermined intervals.
23a is formed. The air inflow holes 713a and 723a are formed in the fuel cell stack 40.
A plurality are formed so that the positions in the vertical direction with respect to the fuel cells 4 are substantially the same in the direction in which 0 is continuously provided and toward the gaps between the fuel cells 4.

The air flowing into the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 is configured to flow into the vicinity of the fuel cell 4 in the power generation chamber 16 through the air inflow holes 713a and 723a. Air inflow hole 71
The air flowing in through 3a and 723a flows from the lower side to the upper side of each fuel cell 4 through the outside of the fuel cell 4. The air that reaches the upper side of each fuel battery cell 4 is burned together with the fuel gas that has passed through the pipe flow path of each fuel battery cell 4.

Above each fuel cell stack 400 is a combustion section 18 in which air and fuel gas are mixed and burned. The fuel gas rises from the gas tank 3 through the in-pipe flow path 30 c of the fuel cell unit 30 toward the combustion unit 18. Further, the air flowing outside the fuel cell 4 also rises toward the combustion unit 18. An ignition device insertion hole 724 is provided in a portion of the air flow path outer wall 72 corresponding to the combustion portion 18, and an ignition device (not shown) for starting combustion of combustion gas and air is burned from the ignition device insertion hole 724. Projected to the portion 18. The ignition device mixes and burns fuel gas and air. The fuel cells 4 constituting the fuel cell stack 400 are heated from above by the combustion unit 18. In addition, air inflow holes 713a,
As described above, the air flowing in through the air flow channel 723a is also air flow pipes 76a, 76b, 77a,
77b, while passing through the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72, is heated by the combustion in the combustion section 18.

Here, the flow of air near the fuel cell 4 on the inner side of the flow path member 7 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the inside of the flow path member 7 viewed from the same direction as FIG. 2 in order to explain the flow of air in the vicinity of the fuel cell 4 on the inner side of the flow path member 7. is there. As shown in FIG. 6, in each fuel cell 4, a power generation reaction is performed by the action of the fuel gas flowing inside and the air flowing outside. That is, the fuel gas flows into the through flow passage in the fuel cell 4 and flows toward the upper support plate 400a, while the air as the oxidant gas moves upward from the lower side of each fuel cell unit 30 from below. It flows to. The remaining fuel gas and the remaining air that have not contributed to the power generation reaction are combusted at the upper end of each fuel cell 4, and the exhaust gas rises upward.
Here, conventional defects will be described. A part of the air flowing outside the fuel cell 4 rises between the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 and the outermost fuel cell 4, and the amount toward the fuel cell 4 is increased by that amount. It will decrease (dotted line arrow in FIG. 6). Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the protrusions 85 and 86 are present, the air moves so as to bypass the protrusions 85 and 86. Therefore, although air approaches the fuel cell 4 at the time of detouring, thereafter, after detouring, as shown by a solid arrow, the fuel cell 4 rises between the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72. Therefore, although the amount of air toward the fuel cell 4 slightly increases at the locations where the projections 85 and 86 are present, the air becomes difficult to reach the fuel cell 4 particularly at locations above the projections 85 and 86, as a whole. Did not approach the fuel cell 4.

However, in this embodiment, transition portions 87 and 88 are provided between the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 and the fuel cell 4 (FIG. 7). That is, the transition portions 87 and 88 are arranged in the space between the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 and the fuel cell 4 so as to reduce the volume of the space. More specifically, the transition portions 87 and 88 bulge from the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 toward the fuel cell 4, and form bulged surfaces 89 and 90 along the height direction of the fuel cell 4. . Moreover, the transition parts 87 and 88 exist in the whole longitudinal direction inside a module container, as shown in FIG.
Therefore, the air flow path between the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 and the fuel cell 4 is narrowed, and the air flow is inhibited in the portion having the bulging surface. For this reason, the air that is the oxidant gas moves along the cell, and the air is sufficiently in contact with the cell, so that the power generation performance is improved.
Further, generally, when the oxidant gas is supplied from below the cell, there is a problem that the oxidant gas is difficult to be supplied to the upper part of the cell. In this embodiment, however, the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 and the fuel cell 4 The oxidant gas that has risen and escaped is easily supplied by the transition portions 87 and 88 particularly above the cell. Thus, the oxidant gas that has not contributed to the power generation can easily flow along the cell, and air can be effectively supplied to the cell. This is because the transition portion having the bulging surface is arranged at a height at which the other end side of the fuel battery cell is located.
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, it is also preferable that the lower surfaces of the transition portions 87 and 88 have inclined surfaces 91 and 92 that are inclined upward toward the fuel cell side. In this preferred embodiment, the lower inclined surfaces 91 and 92 act to direct the oxidant gas toward the cell, and the transition portions 87 and 88 cause the oxidant gas to flow between the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 and the fuel cell 4. Since it is possible to suppress the escape, the air supply to the cell can be performed more effectively.
In this embodiment, an inclined surface is provided at the lower part of the transition part and is integrally formed. In that case, it is further desirable in terms of compactness and manufacturability.

It is a perspective view of the fuel cell module which removes and shows a cover member. It is sectional drawing of the fuel cell module shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the fuel cell module shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a fuel cell unit. It is a figure for demonstrating a fuel cell stack. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional fuel cell module. It is a figure which shows the structure of the fuel cell module which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the fuel cell module which concerns on this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

2: Base member 2a: Hole 3: Gas tank 4: Fuel cell 4a: End 4b: End 5: Reformer 6A: Reformed gas supply pipe 6B: Steam supply pipe 6C: Pipe 6D: Pipe 7: Flow Road member 7A: Air supply pipe 13, 14: Electrode rod 15: Plate 15a: Support member 15b: Gap 15c: Mixing chamber 16: Power generation chamber 17: Exhaust gas chamber 18: Combustion section 30: Fuel cell unit 30c: In-pipe flow Path 40: Inner electrode terminal 40a: Main body portion 40b: Tubular portion 40c: Connection flow path 40d: Step portion 42: Outer electrode terminal 42a: Main body portion 42b: Tubular portion 42c: Connection flow passage 42d: Step portion 44: Electrode layer 44a : Inner electrode exposed peripheral surface 44b: End surface 44c: End surface 46: Electrolyte layer 46a: Electrolyte exposed peripheral surface 48: Electrode layer 48a: Outer electrode exposed peripheral surface 50: Through channel 52: Insulating member 5 4: Sealing material 71: Outer wall of air flow path 72: Outer wall of air flow path 73: Air distribution chamber 74: Air aggregation chamber 75: Air aggregation chamber 76a, 76b, 77a, 77b: Air flow path pipes 76aa, 76ba, 77aa, 77ba : Lower surface 78: Outer wall 79: Outer wall 80, 81: Transition plate 82, 83: Transition block 84: Transition plate 85, 86: Projection 87, 88: Transition part 89, 90: Swelling surface 91, 92: Inclined surface 400: Fuel cell stack 400a: Upper support plate 400b: Lower support plate 400c: Connection member 400d: External terminal 711: First chamber 712: Second chamber 713: Third chamber 713a, 723a: Air inflow hole 721: First chamber 722 : Second chamber 723: Third chamber 724: Ignition device insertion hole FC: Fuel cell module

Claims (4)

A plurality of fuel cells that operate when fuel gas and oxidant gas flow from one end side to the other end side;
A fuel cell module comprising a transition portion for directing the oxidant gas toward the fuel cell,
The transition part has a bulging surface along the height direction of the fuel battery cell. 2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the fuel cell has a hollow cylindrical shape and is erected in a container of the fuel cell module, and the bulging surface extends along the erected fuel cell. Fuel cell module. 3. The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein the transition portion is disposed at a height at which the other end side of the fuel cell is located. 4. The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein the transition portion includes an inclined surface that is inclined upward toward the fuel cell side. 5.

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