JP2012043808A - Fuel battery cell stack, and fuel battery - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel battery cell stack causing no voltage deterioration and having high reliability by improving bonding strength between a fuel battery cell and a collector member, and to provide a fuel battery.SOLUTION: In this fuel battery cell stack, a plurality of fuel battery cells, in each of which a power generation element formed by sequentially laminating an inside electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and an outside electrode layer is formed on a main surface on one side of a columnar electrode support substrate having flat main surfaces on both sides thereof, and an interconnector is formed on a main surface on the other side, are disposed so that the main surface on the one side of one of adjoining fuel battery cells faces the main surface on the other side of the other fuel battery cell. The fuel battery cell stack also comprises: a collector member to electrically connect the outside electrode layer of one of the adjoining fuel battery cells to the interconnector of the other fuel cell; and a connection member to connect a portion other than the outside electrode layer of one of the adjoining fuel battery cells to the interconnector of the other fuel battery cell.

Description

  According to the present invention, a fuel cell formed on a main surface on one side, on which a power generation element for generating power by electrode reaction is formed on one side main surface, and an interconnector through which generated electricity is conducted is opposed to the one side and The present invention relates to a fuel cell stack and a fuel cell in which a plurality of layers are stacked so that the other main surface is opposed.

  In recent years, various fuel cells in which a stack of a plurality of fuel battery cells is housed in a container have been proposed as next-generation energy.

  FIG. 8 shows a cell stack of a conventional hollow plate type solid oxide fuel cell. This cell stack aggregates a plurality of fuel cells 223 (223a, 223b), and one fuel cell 223a A current collecting member 225 made of a metal member or the like is interposed between the other fuel battery cell 223b, and an outer electrode (oxygen electrode layer) 228 of one fuel battery cell 223a and an interconnector 230 of the other fuel battery cell 223b. And was electrically connected.

  The fuel cell 223 (223a, 223b) is configured by sequentially providing a solid electrolyte layer 229 and an outer electrode 228 on the outer peripheral surface of the flat inner electrode 227, and is exposed from the solid electrolyte layer 229 and the outer electrode 228. The inner electrode 227 is provided with an interconnector 230 so as not to be connected to the outer electrode 228. In the inner electrode 227, a plurality of gas passage holes 232 constituting a gas flow path are formed.

  The electrical connection between one fuel cell 223a and the other fuel cell 223b is made by connecting the inner electrode 227 of the other fuel cell 223b via the interconnector 230 and the current collecting member 225 provided on the inner electrode 227. This is done by connecting to the outer electrode 228 of one fuel cell 223a (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP-A-1-169878 JP 2003-282101 A

  However, in the fuel cell in the prior art as described above, in the fuel cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells, the outer electrode of one fuel cell in the current collecting member, that is, the oxygen electrode and the other The fuel cell interconnector is connected, and the current collector is directly joined to the oxygen electrode. In addition to conducting electricity, the oxygen electrode itself causes an electrode reaction to generate hydrogen, etc. Since it is necessary to take in oxygen that reacts with the fuel, the oxygen electrode material is provided with a vent or a porous material, etc., and its strength is not sufficient compared to a solid material As a result, the bonding strength between the current collecting member and the oxygen electrode or the fuel battery cell was insufficient. This is because, during the fuel cell manufacturing process or during power generation, the oxygen electrode often warps or tilts due to the generated heat, or due to displacement due to the difference in thermal expansion during power generation, etc., from the oxygen electrode of the current collecting member. And the like, and the current collecting member was peeled off from the cell, causing the voltage deterioration of the fuel cell.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the bonding strength between the fuel cell and the current collecting member, and to have a high reliability without any voltage degradation. The object is to provide a cell stack and a fuel cell.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to sequentially laminating an inner electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and an outer electrode layer on one main surface of a columnar electrode support substrate having flat main surfaces on both sides. A fuel cell having a power generating element formed thereon and an interconnector formed on the other main surface, the one main surface of one adjacent fuel cell and the other main surface of the other fuel cell. In a fuel cell stack provided with a current collecting member that is arranged so as to face each other and electrically connects the outer electrode layer of one adjacent fuel cell and the interconnector of the other fuel cell, A connecting member for connecting a portion other than the outer electrode layer of one adjacent fuel cell and the interconnector of the other fuel cell is provided.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the fuel cell stack according to claim 1, wherein the connection member is a glass material.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the fuel cell stack according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting member is a flat glass material continuous in the length direction of the fuel cell.

  An invention according to claim 4 is a fuel cell comprising the fuel cell stack according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 1, since the connection member which connects parts other than the outer electrode of one adjacent fuel cell and the interconnector of the other fuel cell is provided, the connection part between each fuel cell The load on the current collecting member that connects the fuel cells by connecting the outer electrode and the interconnector between the adjacent fuel cells can be reduced. Thus, a highly reliable fuel cell stack in which the current collecting member does not peel and the output is not deteriorated can be realized.

  In the invention according to claim 2, since the connecting member is a glass material having high strength, it is possible to realize a highly reliable fuel cell stack in which the current collecting member is not peeled off and the output is not deteriorated.

  In the invention according to claim 3, since the connecting member is a flat glass material having a high strength continuous in the length direction of the fuel cell, the connecting portion between the fuel cell and the current collecting member or between the fuel cells is reinforced. As a result, the bonding strength is effectively improved, and a highly reliable fuel cell stack without output deterioration can be realized.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 4, by providing said fuel cell stack, a reliable fuel cell without output degradation is realizable.

It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the fuel cell in 1st Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the fuel cell in 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the electric power generation unit assembly of the fuel cell in 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the fuel cell of the fuel cell in 1st Embodiment. The cell stack which shows a cell stack, (a) The cell stack using a rectangular rod-shaped current collection member, (b) is a cross-sectional view which shows the cell stack using the current collection member which shape | molded the electroconductive board in the ribbon shape. 1 shows a fuel cell stack of a fuel cell according to a first embodiment, wherein (a) a fuel cell stack using a current collecting member for connecting adjacent fuel cells, and (b) a fuel cell stack. FIG. 1 shows a fuel cell stack of a fuel cell according to a second embodiment, wherein (a) a fuel cell stack using a current collecting member for connecting adjacent fuel cells, (b) a fuel cell stack FIG. 3 shows a fuel cell stack of a fuel cell according to a third embodiment, wherein (a) a fuel cell stack using a current collecting member for connecting adjacent fuel cells, and (b) a fuel cell stack. FIG. It is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional fuel cell stack.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, the form for implementing a fuel cell is demonstrated. First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to the configuration diagrams shown in FIGS. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a fuel cell, FIG. 2 is an upper plan view of the fuel cell, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a power generation unit assembly housed in the fuel cell, and FIG. 4 is a fuel cell constituting the power generation unit assembly. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a fuel cell stack configuration in which a plurality of fuel cells are stacked.

  The fuel cell includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing (storage container) 2. The six wall surfaces of the housing 2 are heat insulating walls formed of an appropriate heat insulating material, that is, an upper heat insulating wall 4, a lower heat insulating wall 6, a right heat insulating wall 8, a left heat insulating wall 9, a front heat insulating wall 10, and a rear heat insulating wall. 11 is disposed. A power generation / combustion chamber 12 is defined in the housing 2.

  The front heat insulation wall 10 and / or the rear heat insulation wall 11 are detachably or removably mounted, and the front heat insulation wall 10 and / or the rear heat insulation wall 11 is detached or opened to access the power generation / combustion chamber 12. An operator can perform installation, replacement work, and the like of power generation units a to d described later. If desired, an outer wall, which may be made of a metal plate, can be disposed on the outer surface of each heat insulating wall.

  An air chamber (gas chamber) 16 is disposed at the upper end of the housing 2. The air chamber 16 is defined in a rectangular parallelepiped case 17 having a relatively small vertical dimension. An air introduction pipe (gas supply means) 22 for sending air (oxygen-containing gas) toward the power generation / combustion chamber 12 communicates with the air chamber 16. There are a plurality of air introduction pipes 22 and the shape thereof may be a cylinder or a hollow plate structure. The air introduction pipes 22 are arranged at predetermined intervals between cell stacks to be described later, and have an opening at the lower end of the cell, and air is ejected from the opening. The air introduction tube 22 is preferably made of a material having high heat resistance such as ceramics.

  The air chamber 16 is provided with a low-temperature gas supply means including a low-temperature gas supply pipe 18. The low-temperature gas supply pipe 18 penetrates the upper heat insulating wall 4 and extends to the outside.

  The low-temperature gas supply pipe 18 supplies the same type of gas as that supplied into the air chamber 16, that is, low-temperature air, into the air chamber 16. The air supplied through the low-temperature gas supply pipe 18 is It must be cooler than the temperature of the preheated air. In particular, a room temperature of about 16 to 15 ° C. is desirable.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the low temperature gas supply pipe 18 is connected to a position of the air chamber 16 that cools the power generation units 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d, that is, the central portion of the fuel cell assembly.

  A heat exchanger 24 having a flat plate shape as a whole is disposed on both sides of the housing 2, more specifically, inside the right heat insulating wall 8 and inside the left heat insulating wall 9. Each of the heat exchangers 24 is constituted by a case 26 having a hollow flat plate shape extending substantially vertically.

  A partition plate 28 located in the middle in the lateral direction is disposed in the case 26, and the inside of the case 26 is partitioned into a discharge path 30 positioned on the inner side and an inflow path 32 positioned on the outer side. Three partition walls 34 and 36 are arranged in the discharge path 30 at intervals in the vertical direction. More specifically, in the discharge passage 30, the front edge is located rearwardly away from the front wall (not shown) of the case 26, but the rear edge is the rear wall (not shown) of the case 26. And a partition wall 36 whose front edge is connected to the front wall of the case 26 but whose rear edge is spaced forward from the rear wall of the case 26. Are alternately arranged, and thus the combustion gas discharge passage 30 is zigzag-shaped. If desired, a form other than the zigzag flow path may be used.

  Similarly, the three partition walls 38 and 40, that is, the front edges thereof are also spaced apart from the front wall (not shown) of the case 26 in the inflow path 32 with a space in the vertical direction. The rear wall is connected to the rear wall (not shown) of the case 26, and the front edge of the partition wall 38 is connected to the front wall of the case 26. The partition walls 40 spaced apart from the front are alternately arranged, and thus the inflow passage 32 is also zigzag-shaped. If desired, a form other than the zigzag flow path may be used.

  A discharge opening 42 is formed at the upper end of the inner wall of the case 26, and the discharge path 30 is communicated with the power generation / combustion chamber 12 through the discharge opening 42. In the illustrated embodiment, a heat insulating member 44 is disposed between each of the heat exchangers 24 and the power generation / combustion chamber 12, and the upper end of the heat insulating member 44 is substantially the same as the lower edge of the discharge opening 42. The discharge opening 42 is communicated with the power generation / combustion chamber 12 through a space remaining above the heat insulating member 44.

  An inflow opening 48 is formed on the outer side of the upper wall of the case 26, and the inflow path 32 is communicated with the air chamber 16 through the inflow opening 48. A double cylinder 50 (only the upper end portion thereof is shown in FIG. 1) extending in the vertical direction is disposed behind each of the heat exchangers 24. The double cylinder 50 is an outer cylinder. The member 52 and the inner cylinder member 54 are configured. The lower end of the discharge path 30 is connected to the lower end of the discharge path defined between the outer cylinder member 52 and the inner cylinder member 54, and the lower end of the inflow path 32 is defined in the inner cylinder member 54. Connected to the inflow channel.

  Four power generation units 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d are arranged in the lower part of the power generation / combustion chamber 12 described above. The power generation units 56a, 56b, 56c, and 56d are respectively positioned between the air introduction pipes 22 described above. 3 together with FIGS. 1 and 2, the power generation unit 56a includes a rectangular parallelepiped fuel gas case 58a extending in the front-rear direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1).

  A cell stack 60a is mounted on the upper surface of the fuel gas case 58a that defines the fuel gas chamber. The cell stack 60a is configured by arranging a plurality of plate-like and column-like upright cells 62 extending vertically in the vertical direction in the longitudinal direction of the fuel gas case 58a (that is, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel cell 62 includes an electrode support substrate 64, a fuel electrode layer 66 that is an inner electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer 68, and a solid electrolyte layer 68 sandwiched between the fuel electrode layer 66, and an inner electrode layer. And an oxygen electrode layer 70 that is an outer electrode layer that forms a power generation element, and an interconnector 72.

  The electrode support substrate 64 has an elongated columnar shape (thin plate columnar piece), and has both flat surfaces and semicircular side surfaces. The electrode support substrate 64 is formed with a plurality (six in the illustrated example) of fuel gas passages 74 penetrating the electrode support substrate 64 in the axial direction. Each of the electrode support substrates 64 is bonded to the upper wall of the fuel gas case 58a by, for example, a ceramic adhesive having excellent heat resistance.

  On the upper wall of the fuel gas case 58a, a plurality of slits (not shown) extending in the left-right direction are formed at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. A fuel gas passage 74 is communicated with the fuel gas chamber according to each of the slits.

  The solid electrolyte layer 68 is disposed so as to cover the entire fuel electrode layer 66, and both ends thereof are joined to both ends of the interconnector 72. The oxygen electrode layer 70 is formed on the main surface on one side of the fuel cell 62 so as to sandwich the solid electrolyte layer 68 together with the fuel electrode layer 66, and is on the main part of the solid electrolyte layer 68, that is, the electrode support substrate. 64 is disposed on a portion covering the other surface of the 64 and is positioned to face the interconnector 72 with the electrode support substrate plate 64 interposed therebetween. The interconnector 72 is formed on the other main surface facing the oxygen electrode layer 70 side, and is disposed on one surface of the electrode support substrate 64. The fuel electrode layer 66 is disposed on the other surface and both side surfaces of the electrode support substrate 64, and both ends thereof are joined to both ends of the interconnector 72.

  A current collecting member 76 is disposed between adjacent fuel cells 62 in the fuel cell stack 60a, and the interconnector 72 of one fuel cell 62 and the oxygen electrode layer 70 of the other fuel cell 62 are connected. Connected. Current collecting members 76 are disposed at both ends of the fuel cell stack 60a, that is, one surface and the other surface of the fuel cell 62 positioned at the upper end and the lower end in FIG. 4, and current collectors positioned at both ends of the fuel cell stack 60a. A conductive member is connected to the member 76, and the fuel cell stacks 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d are connected in series to each other by the conductive member.

  The fuel cell 62 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the electrode support substrate 64 is gas permeable to allow the fuel gas to permeate to the fuel electrode layer 66, and is also collected via the interconnector 72. It is required to be conductive in order to conduct electricity, and can be formed from a porous conductive ceramic (or cermet) that satisfies such a requirement.

  In order to manufacture the cell 62 by co-firing with the fuel electrode layer 66 and / or the solid electrolyte layer 68, it is preferable to form the electrode support substrate 64 from the iron group metal component and the specific rare earth oxide. In order to provide the required gas permeability, it is preferred that the open porosity is in the range of 30% or more, in particular 35 to 50%, and the conductivity is also 300 S / cm or more, in particular 440 S / cm or more. Is preferred.

  The fuel electrode layer 66 can be formed of a porous conductive ceramic, for example, ZrO 2 (referred to as stabilized zirconia) in which a rare earth element is dissolved and Ni and / or NiO.

  The solid electrolyte layer 68 has a function as an electrolyte for bridging electrons between electrodes, and at the same time needs to have a gas barrier property in order to prevent leakage between fuel gas and air. In general, it is formed from ZrO2 in which 3 to 15 mol% of a rare earth element is dissolved.

  The oxygen electrode layer 70 can be formed of a conductive ceramic made of a so-called ABO 3 type perovskite oxide. The oxygen electrode layer 70 is required to have gas permeability, and the open porosity is preferably 20% or more, particularly preferably in the range of 30 to 50%.

  Although the interconnector 72 can be formed from a conductive ceramic, it needs to have a reduction resistance and an oxidation resistance in order to come into contact with a fuel gas and air that may be hydrogen gas. A perovskite oxide (LaCrO3 oxide) is preferably used. The interconnector 72 must be dense in order to prevent leakage of fuel gas passing through the fuel gas passage 74 formed in the electrode support substrate 64 and air flowing outside the electrode support substrate 64, and is 93% or more. In particular, it is desired to have a relative density of 95% or more. On the interconnector 72, a P-type semiconductor layer 72a made of the same material as that of the oxygen electrode layer 70 is formed outside.

  The current collecting member 76 can be constituted by a member having an appropriate shape formed from a metal or alloy having elasticity, or a member obtained by adding a required surface treatment to a felt made of metal fiber or alloy fiber.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the fuel cell stack includes the above-described fuel cell 62 on one side where the oxygen electrode layer 70 is formed and the other main surface where the interconnector 72 is formed. A plurality of stacked fuel cells are arranged at predetermined intervals so as to face each other, and an interconnector 72 of one fuel cell between adjacent fuel cells 62 and an oxygen electrode of the other fuel cell 62 adjacent to each other. The layer 70 is configured to be electrically connected via a current collecting member 76 between one fuel cell and the other fuel cell. That is, the rod-shaped current collecting member 76 having a rectangular cross section is interposed between the oxygen electrode 70 and the interconnector 72, and this is joined by a conductive paste.

  FIG. 5B shows a case where the current collecting member 76 is joined to the oxygen electrode 70 and the interconnector 72 using a conductive paste containing Ag or the like. 70, which is applied to the surface of the interconnector 72, and is interposed so that the current collecting member 76 is pressed and fixed to the portion where the Ag paste is applied. In this state, the current collecting member 76 is heat-treated. It can be joined to the layer 70 and the interconnector 72.

  In the fuel cell according to the present embodiment, in addition to the current collecting member 76, the fuel cell stacks 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d in each fuel cell stack 60a, in addition to the current collecting member 76, FIG. As shown in (b), connecting members 100 and 101 for reinforcing the connecting portion between each fuel cell 62 and the current collecting member 76 are attached. The first connecting member 101 is fitted into notches provided at a plurality of predetermined locations on the oxygen electrode layer 70 between the adjacent fuel cells 62, and the surface of the fuel cell 62 other than the oxygen electrode layer 70, That is, the solid electrolyte layer 68 and the current collecting member 76 are mechanically connected to reinforce the connecting portion between the fuel cell 62 and the current collecting member 76 to improve the bonding strength. The second connecting member 100 is attached to a plurality of predetermined locations on the P-type semiconductor layer 72a formed on the interconnector 72, and electrically connects the interconnector 72 and the current collecting member 76. The current collecting effect at the current collecting member 76 is improved.

  The first connecting member 101 is fitted into notches provided at a plurality of predetermined locations on the oxygen electrode layer 70 using, for example, a glass material having a higher tensile strength than the oxygen electrode layer 70, and the fuel cell 62. Among the connecting portions of the current collecting member 76, the connecting portion of the oxygen electrode layer 70 and the current collecting member 76 is reinforced, and the bonding strength is improved. The second connection member 100 is formed of a material similar to that of the interconnector 72, for example, a conductive material such as a conductive ceramic, and improves the current collection effect of the current collection member 76.

  Continuing the description with reference to FIG. 3, the power generation unit 56 a also includes a reforming case 78 a that is preferably a rectangular shape (or a cylindrical shape) that is elongated in the front-rear direction above the cell stack 60 a. ing. One end, that is, the upper end of the fuel gas supply pipe 80a is connected to the front surface of the reforming case 78a.

  The fuel gas supply pipe 80a extends downward, then curves and extends rearward, and the other end of the fuel gas supply pipe 80a is connected to the front surface of the fuel gas case 58a. One end of a reformed gas supply pipe 82a is connected to the rear surface of the reforming case 78a. The to-be-reformed gas supply pipe 82 a extends downward from the reforming case, and extends under the housing 2 and out of the housing 2.

  The to-be-reformed gas supply pipe 82a is connected to a to-be-reformed gas supply source (not shown) which may be a hydrocarbon gas such as city gas, and is connected to the reforming case 78a through the to-be-reformed gas supply pipe 82a. A gas to be reformed is supplied. An appropriate reforming catalyst for reforming the fuel gas into a hydrogen-rich fuel gas is accommodated in the reforming case 78a.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the reforming case 78a is connected to the fuel gas case 58a via the fuel gas supply pipe 80a, and is thereby held in a required position. As shown in the figure, for example, an appropriate support member 84a can be provided between the lower surface of the reformed gas supply pipe 82a and the lower surface or rear surface of the rear end portion of the fuel gas case 58a.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the power generation unit 56c is substantially the same as the power generation unit 56a described above, and the power generation units 56b and 56d are disposed in the front-rear direction opposite to the power generation units 56a and 56c. Fuel gas supply pipes (not shown) connecting the quality cases 78b and 78d and the fuel gas cases 58b and 58d are arranged on the rear side, and the reformed gas supply pipes 82b and 82d are located downward from the reforming case. It extends under the housing 2 and extends out of the housing 2.

  Then, the effect of the fuel cell in this Embodiment which has the above structures is demonstrated. In this fuel cell assembly, the reformed gas is supplied to the reforming cases 78a, 78b, 78c and 78d via the reformed gas supply pipes 82a, 82b, 82c and 82d, and the reforming cases 78a, 78b, After reforming into hydrogen-rich fuel gas in 78c and 78d, the fuel gas chambers defined in the fuel gas cases 58a, 58b, 58c and 58d are passed through the fuel gas feed pipes 80a, 80b, 80c and 80d. And then supplied to the fuel cell stacks 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d.

In each of the fuel cell stacks 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d, in the oxygen electrode 70,
1 / 2O ₂ + 2e ⁻ → O ²⁻ (solid electrolyte)
Of the electrode reaction, and at the anode 66,
O ²⁻ (solid electrolyte) + H ₂ → H ₂ O + 2e ⁻
The electrode reaction is generated and power is generated.

  The electricity generated by each fuel cell stack 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d conducts the current collecting member 76 from the oxygen electrode layer 70 and the interconnector 72, and then becomes a conductive member connected to the current collecting member 76. The current is collected and supplied to devices that require electric power such as electrical appliances outside the fuel cell. At this time, in each fuel cell stack 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d, even if high temperature heat is generated by the electrode reaction of power generation and each fuel cell stack 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d itself becomes high temperature, The connecting portion connecting the internal fuel cell 62 and the current collecting member 76 is reinforced by the first connecting member 101 made of a glass material having a tensile strength higher than that of the oxygen electrode layer 70, and the bonding strength is increased. Therefore, even if the oxygen electrode layer 70 receives heat, the occurrence of warpage or inclination is suppressed, and even if a displacement or the like due to the difference in thermal expansion during power generation occurs, the current collecting member 76 peels from the oxygen electrode layer 70. Power generation is performed in a state where safety and reliability are improved. As a result, voltage degradation of the entire fuel cell is prevented. In addition, the current collecting member 76 has its current collecting effect enhanced by the second connecting material 100 that electrically connects the current collecting member 76 and the interconnector 72, and the electric power generated by the fuel cell 62 more efficiently. To improve the output voltage of the entire fuel cell. The second connecting material 100 can also improve the mechanical strength of the current collecting member 76 to the interconnector 72.

  Fuel gas and air that have flown upward from the cell stacks 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d without being used for power generation are ignited by an ignition means (not shown) disposed in the power generation / combustion chamber 12 at the time of startup. It is ignited and burned. As is well known, the power generation / combustion chamber 12 has a high temperature of, for example, about 1000 ° C. due to power generation in the cell stacks 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d, and also due to combustion of fuel gas and air. The reforming cases 78a, 78b, 78c and 78d are disposed in the power generation / combustion chamber 12, and are positioned immediately above the cell stacks 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d, and are directly heated by the combustion flame. Thus, the high temperature generated in the power generation / combustion chamber 12 is effectively used for reforming the reformed gas.

  The combustion gas generated in the power generation / combustion chamber 12 flows into the discharge passage 30 from the discharge opening 42 formed in the heat exchanger 24, and flows through the discharge passage 30 extending in a zigzag shape. 50 is discharged through a discharge passage defined between the outer cylinder member 52 and the inner cylinder member 54. When the combustion gas flows through the discharge path in the double cylinder 50, air flows through the inflow path in the double cylinder 50, and heat exchange is performed between the combustion gas and air.

  Further, when the combustion gas is caused to flow in the exhaust passage 30 of the heat exchanger 24 in a zigzag manner, the air is caused to flow in the inflow passage 32 of the heat exchanger 24 in a zigzag manner. Thus, heat is effectively exchanged between the combustion gas and air to preheat the air.

  When a part or all of the cell stacks 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d deteriorates by performing power generation over a long period of time, the front wall 10 or the rear wall 11 of the housing 2 is detached or opened, and the power generation unit Part or all of 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d is taken out from the housing 2.

  Then, replace some or all of the power generation units 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d with new ones, or only the cell stacks 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d in some or all of the power generation units 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d. May be replaced with a new one and mounted again at a required position in the housing 2. Even when it is necessary to replace the reforming catalyst accommodated in the reforming cases 78a, 78b, 78c and 78d in some or all of the power generation units 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d, the power generation units 56a, 56b , 56c and 56d are removed from the housing 2, and the reforming cases 78a, 78b, 78c and 78d themselves in the power generation units 56a, 56b, 56c and 56d are replaced with new ones or reforming cases. Only the reforming catalyst in 78a, 78b, 78c and 78d may be replaced with a new one.

  In order to be able to perform the replacement of the reforming catalyst in the reforming cases 78a, 78b, 78c and 78d sufficiently easily, a part of the reforming cases 78a, 78b, 78c and 78d can be opened and closed if desired. It can be put on the door.

  On the other hand, air is supplied to the inflow path 32 of the heat exchanger 24 through the inflow path defined in the inner cylinder member 54 of the double cylinder 50, and is preheated (heated) through the heat exchanger 24. Is temporarily stored in the air chamber 16 and supplied between the cell stacks of the combustion / power generation chamber 12 through the air introduction pipe 22. At this time, the air introduction pipe 22 passes through the combustion gas atmosphere that burns in the vicinity of the fuel gas passage 74 at the upper end of the fuel cell 62 of the cell stack 60. Accordingly, the preheated air in the air chamber 16 is further heated in the combustion region above the cell stacks 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d, and the air heated to a high temperature is supplied to the cells.

  During normal operation, air preheated by the heat exchanger 24 is introduced into the air chamber 16, and air is introduced from the air chamber 16 into the combustion / power generation chamber 12 using the air introduction pipe 22. When the temperature rises more than expected, the low-temperature air that has passed through the low-temperature gas supply pipe 18 that does not pass through the heat exchanger 24 is introduced into the air chamber 16 and preheated through the heat exchanger 24. And the air temperature of the air chamber 16 is reduced to some extent. By supplying this air between the power generation chambers 12, that is, between the cell stacks, air having a lower temperature than that during normal operation is introduced between the cell stacks. Therefore, a good fuel cell assembly that can appropriately control the temperature in the power generation chamber is provided.

  Moreover, since the air temperature in the air chamber 16 is mixed with the outside air supplied from the low temperature gas supply pipe 18 and the air preheated through the heat exchanger 24, the air temperature is not as low as room temperature. Even if the fuel cell 60 is supplied to the hot fuel cell 60, it is possible to avoid problems such as cracking of the fuel cell 60 and thermal shock destruction, so that the deterioration of the function of the entire fuel cell power generation system can be suppressed and the life can be extended. .

  As described above, in the fuel cell according to the present embodiment, in each fuel cell stack 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d, the first connection is made in addition to the current collecting member 76 between the adjacent fuel cells 62. The member 101 connects the surface of the fuel cell 62 other than the oxygen electrode layer 70, that is, the solid electrolyte layer 68 and the current collecting member 76, thereby reinforcing the connecting portion of the fuel cell 62 and the electric member 76 and improving the bonding strength. ing. Further, the second connecting member 100 electrically connects the interconnector 72 and the current collecting member 76, thereby improving the current collecting effect at the current collecting member 76.

  For this reason, in each fuel cell stack 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d, even if high-temperature heat is generated by the electrode reaction of power generation, the warp and inclination of the fuel cell 62 are suppressed, and the current collecting member 76 is suppressed. However, it is possible to perform power generation in a state where safety and reliability are improved without peeling from the oxygen electrode layer 70. In addition, it is possible to realize a highly reliable fuel cell by preventing voltage degradation of the entire fuel cell. In addition, the current collection effect of the current collection member 76 is enhanced by the second connection material 100, and the electricity generated by the fuel cell 62 is collected more efficiently to improve the output voltage of the entire fuel cell. Can be planned.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the fuel cell according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells are stacked. In the fuel cell according to the second embodiment, in addition to the current collecting member 76, the fuel cell stacks 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d in each fuel cell stack 60a, in addition to the current collecting member 76, FIG. As shown in (b), a connection member 102 for improving the joining strength for joining each fuel cell 62 and the current collecting member 76 is attached. This connecting member 102 has fuel cell 62 in which the height of the protruding portion from the surface of the oxygen electrode layer 70 is at a notch provided at a plurality of predetermined positions on the oxygen electrode layer 70 between adjacent fuel cells 62. The surface of the fuel cell 62 other than the oxygen electrode layer 70, that is, the solid electrolyte layer 68 and the interconnector 72 are mechanically connected by being fitted to the distance between them and connected to the surface of the opposing interconnector 72. As a result, the connecting portion between the fuel cell 62 and the current collecting member 76 is reinforced to improve the bonding strength.

  The connecting member 102 is fitted into notches provided at predetermined locations on the oxygen electrode layer 70 using, for example, a glass material having a higher tensile strength than the oxygen electrode layer 70. Other configurations of the fuel cell according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Then, the effect of the fuel cell in 2nd Embodiment which has the above structures is demonstrated. Also in this fuel cell assembly, as in the first embodiment, an electrode reaction is generated in each of the fuel cell stacks 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d to generate electric power.

  At this time, in each fuel cell stack 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d, even if high temperature heat is generated by the electrode reaction of power generation and each fuel cell stack 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d itself becomes high temperature, The connection portion connecting the internal fuel cell 62 and the current collecting member 76 is fixed and connected between the fuel cells 62 by the connection member 102 made of a glass material having a tensile strength higher than that of the oxygen electrode layer 70. As a result, it is reinforced and the bonding strength is increased, so that power generation is performed in a state where safety and reliability are improved. As a result, voltage degradation of the entire fuel cell is prevented.

  As described above, in the fuel cell according to the second embodiment, in each fuel cell stack 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d, in addition to the current collecting member 76 between the adjacent fuel cells 62, the connecting member 102 connects the surface of the fuel cell 62 other than the oxygen electrode layer 70, that is, the solid electrolyte layer 68 and the interconnector 72, thereby reinforcing the connecting portion of the fuel cell 62 and the electric member 76 to improve the bonding strength. .

  For this reason, in each fuel cell stack 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d, even if high-temperature heat is generated by the electrode reaction of power generation, the warp and inclination of the fuel cell 62 are suppressed, and the current collecting member 76 is suppressed. However, it is possible to perform power generation in a state where safety and reliability are improved without peeling from the oxygen electrode layer 70. In addition, it is possible to realize a highly reliable fuel cell by preventing voltage degradation of the entire fuel cell.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, a fuel cell according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells are stacked. In the fuel cell according to the third embodiment, between the adjacent fuel cells 62 in each fuel cell stack 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d, the P type on the interconnector 72 of one fuel cell 62 is provided. A columnar current collecting member 103 that connects the semiconductor layer 72a and the oxygen electrode layer 70 of the other fuel battery cell 62 is disposed. The current collecting member 103 is formed of a material similar to that of the oxygen electrode layer 70, for example, in the shape of a thin column, and has conductivity, and the opposing surface of the oxygen electrode layer 70 and the interconnector 72 between the fuel cells 62. The fuel cells 62 are connected to each other at a plurality of predetermined locations so as to be distributed in a matrix, for example. These current collecting members 103 are connected to conductive members, and the fuel cell stacks 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d are connected in series to each other by the conductive members. The current collecting member 103 is made of a material similar to that of the oxygen electrode layer 70 formed in, for example, a thin columnar shape, and is formed at a plurality of predetermined locations on the oxygen electrode layer 70 between adjacent fuel cells 62. One end is fitted into the provided notch and connected to the oxygen electrode layer 70, and the other end is fitted into the notch provided at a plurality of predetermined locations on the opposing P-type semiconductor layer 72 a so as to be on the surface of the interconnector 72. For example, they may be connected so as to be distributed in a matrix. In this case, by directly connecting the solid electrolyte layer 68 and the interconnector 72, the mechanical joint strength between the fuel cells 62 is further increased as compared with the current collecting member 76 in the first and second embodiments. It can be improved.

  In addition to these current collecting members 103, the fuel cell stacks 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d are adjacent to each other, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. A connecting member 102 for improving the joining strength for joining the fuel cell 62 and the current collecting member 103 is attached. This connecting member 102 has fuel cell 62 in which the height of the protruding portion from the surface of the oxygen electrode layer 70 is at a notch provided at a plurality of predetermined positions on the oxygen electrode layer 70 between adjacent fuel cells 62. The surface of the fuel cell 62 other than the oxygen electrode layer 70, that is, the solid electrolyte layer 68 and the interconnector 72 are mechanically connected by being fitted to the distance between them and connected to the surface of the opposing interconnector 72. As a result, the connecting portion between the fuel cell 62 and the current collecting member 103 is reinforced to improve the bonding strength.

  The connecting member 102 is fitted into notches provided at predetermined locations on the oxygen electrode layer 70 using, for example, a glass material having a higher tensile strength than the oxygen electrode layer 70. Other configurations of the fuel cell in the third embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Then, the effect of the fuel cell in 3rd Embodiment which has the above structures is demonstrated. Also in this fuel cell assembly, as in the first embodiment, an electrode reaction is generated in each of the fuel cell stacks 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d to generate electric power.

  At this time, in each fuel cell stack 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d, even if high temperature heat is generated by the electrode reaction of power generation and each fuel cell stack 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d itself becomes high temperature, The connecting portion connecting the internal fuel cell 62 and the current collector 103 is fixed and connected between the fuel cells 62 by the connecting member 102 made of a glass material having a tensile strength higher than that of the oxygen electrode layer 70. As a result, it is reinforced and the bonding strength is increased, so that power generation is performed in a state where safety and reliability are improved. As a result, voltage degradation of the entire fuel cell is prevented.

  Further, in each of the fuel cell stacks 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d, the current collecting members arranged in a matrix form in comparison with the case where the current collecting member 76 is arranged between the respective fuel cells 62. The air flow through the gap 103 is excellent, and the air sent from the air introduction pipe 2 flows between the current collecting members 103 and is sufficiently supplied to each fuel cell 62 to generate an electrode reaction for power generation. Therefore, it is possible to realize a fuel cell which is promoted and generates high output power.

  As described above, in the fuel cell according to the third embodiment, in each fuel cell stack 60a, 60b, 60c and 60d, in addition to the current collecting member 103 between the adjacent fuel cells 62, the connecting member 102 connects the surface of the fuel cell 62 other than the oxygen electrode layer 70, that is, the solid electrolyte layer 68 and the interconnector 72, thereby reinforcing the connecting portion of the fuel cell 62 and the current collecting member 103 and improving the bonding strength. Yes.

  For this reason, in each fuel cell stack 60a, 60b, 60c, and 60d, even if high-temperature heat is generated due to the electrode reaction of power generation, warpage and inclination of the fuel cell 62 are suppressed, and the current collecting member 103 However, it is possible to perform power generation in a state where safety and reliability are improved without peeling from the oxygen electrode layer 70. In addition, it is possible to realize a highly reliable fuel cell by preventing voltage degradation of the entire fuel cell.

(Other embodiments)
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various modifications and corrections can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that this is possible.

  For example, although the present invention has been described in relation to a fuel cell assembly having a specific reforming case above the fuel cell stack 60, the present invention can be used even when the reforming case 78 is other than above the fuel cell stack. The invention can be applied.

  Further, in the above embodiment, a case has been described in which low temperature gas supply means is provided in the air chamber and air is supplied to the outer surface of the fuel cell by the air supply pipe. However, the present invention provides the inside of the fuel cell by the air supply pipe. Of course, air may be supplied to the air. In this case, it goes without saying that the oxygen electrode layer is formed inside the fuel cell and the fuel electrode layer is formed outside.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the oxygen electrode layer is provided on the outer surface of the solid electrolyte layer 68 has been described. However, in the present invention, the fuel electrode layer may be provided on the outer surface of the solid electrolyte layer.

  In the above example, the case where the fuel electrode layer, the solid electrolyte layer, and the oxygen electrode layer are formed on the support substrate has been described. However, the present invention can be applied even when the fuel electrode layer is a support.

  In the above-described embodiment, the connection members 100, 101, 102 are formed in small pieces or columns, but are not limited thereto, and are formed in a long plate shape that is continuous in the length direction of the fuel cell 62. Also good. With such a configuration, it is possible to effectively increase the bonding strength between the fuel cell 62 and the current collecting member 76 and between the fuel cell 62 and the current collecting member 103, and between the connection members between the fuel cell 62. Fuel gas can be supplied.

  In the above-described embodiment, the second connection member 100 is attached to a plurality of predetermined locations on the interconnector 72 using, for example, a glass material having a higher tensile strength than the oxygen electrode layer 70. The connecting portion of the electric member 76 may be reinforced to improve the bonding strength.

  In the above-described embodiment, the connection member 102 is fitted into notches provided at a plurality of predetermined locations on the oxygen electrode layer 70 using, for example, a glass material having a higher tensile strength than the oxygen electrode layer 70. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and is provided at a plurality of predetermined locations on the oxygen electrode layer 70 using a material similar to that of the second connection member 100, for example, a conductive material such as a conductive ceramic. The current collecting effect of the current collecting member 76 may be improved by being fitted into the notch and connected to the oxygen electrode layer 70.

  The connection members 101 and 102 are made of, for example, a glass material having a higher tensile strength than that of the oxygen electrode layer 70. These materials may be used.

2: Housing (storage container)
60a, 60b, 60c and 60d: fuel cell stack 62: fuel cell 66: fuel electrode layer 68: solid electrolyte layer 70: oxygen electrode layer 72: interconnector 76: current collecting members 100, 101, 102: connecting member 103 : Current collector

Claims (4)

A power generation element is formed by sequentially laminating an inner electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and an outer electrode layer on one main surface of a columnar electrode support substrate having flat main surfaces on both sides, and an interconnector is formed on the other main surface. A plurality of the formed fuel cells are arranged so that the one main surface of one adjacent fuel cell faces the other main surface of the other fuel cell, and one adjacent fuel cell In the fuel cell stack comprising a current collecting member that electrically connects the outer electrode layer of the second fuel cell and the interconnector of the other fuel cell,
A fuel cell stack comprising a connecting member for connecting a portion other than the outer electrode layer of one adjacent fuel cell and an interconnector of the other fuel cell. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1,
The fuel cell stack, wherein the connecting member is a glass material. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1 or 2,
The fuel cell stack, wherein the connecting member is a flat glass material continuous in the length direction of the fuel cell.   A fuel cell comprising the fuel cell stack according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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