JP6359075B2 - Manifold - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a manifold.

  The fuel cell stack includes a manifold and a plurality of fuel cells. The manifold is configured to distribute gas to each fuel cell. Specifically, the manifold has a bottom wall, a side wall, and a top wall. The bottom wall, the side wall, and the top wall define an internal space of the manifold.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-76339

  In order to suppress fuel depletion that causes destruction of the fuel cell, it is preferable to reduce the difference in the gas supply amount to each fuel cell. On the other hand, when a gas stagnant portion is generated locally in the internal space of the manifold, the gas supply amount to the fuel cell corresponding to the stagnant portion becomes small, and the difference from the gas supply amount to other fuel cell units. Will become bigger. Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the manifold which can suppress generation | occurrence | production of the local gas retention part in internal space.

  A manifold according to an aspect of the present invention is configured to distribute gas to a plurality of fuel cells. The manifold includes a bottom wall, a side wall, and a top wall. The side wall extends upward from the bottom wall. The upper wall is configured to attach each fuel cell. The bottom wall, the side wall, and the top wall define an internal space of the manifold. At least one of the side wall and the upper wall has a plurality of gas inlets.

  Since this manifold has a plurality of gas introduction ports on the side wall, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a local gas retention portion in the internal space as compared with a manifold having only one gas introduction port. . Note that the side wall may have a plurality of gas inlets, and the upper wall may have a plurality of gas inlets.

  Preferably, the side wall has a pair of first side walls and a pair of second side walls. The pair of first side walls oppose each other in the first direction. The pair of second side walls oppose each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

  Preferably, one side wall of the pair of first side walls has a plurality of introduction ports.

  Preferably, the inner side surface of the first boundary portion between the first side wall and the second side wall has an R shape. According to this configuration, the difference in the gas supply amount for each fuel cell can be further reduced.

Preferably, the inner side surface of the second boundary portion between the bottom wall and the first and second side walls has an R shape.
According to this configuration, the difference in the gas supply amount for each fuel cell can be further reduced.

  Preferably, the manifold further includes a first flange portion extending outward from the first side wall and the second side wall. The upper wall is fixed to the first flange portion.

  Preferably, the inner surface of the third boundary portion between the first side wall and the second side wall and the first flange portion has an R shape. According to this configuration, the difference in the gas supply amount for each fuel cell can be further reduced.

  Preferably, a first gap portion is formed between the third boundary portion and the upper wall. According to this configuration, the manifold is more easily deformed in the first gap portion than in the manifold not having the first gap portion. For this reason, when the fuel cell is fixed to the manifold with the bonding material, the stress generated in the first bonding material is reduced, so that the reliability of the fuel cell stack is improved.

Preferably, the inner side surface of the fourth boundary portion between the upper wall and the first and second side walls has an R shape.
According to this configuration, the difference in the gas supply amount for each fuel cell can be further reduced.

  Preferably, the manifold further includes a second flange portion extending outward from the lower end portions of the first side wall and the second side wall. The bottom wall is fixed to the second flange portion.

Preferably, the inner surface of the fifth boundary portion between the first side wall and the second side wall and the second flange portion has an R shape.
According to this configuration, the difference in the gas supply amount for each fuel cell can be further reduced.

  Preferably, a second gap portion is formed between the fifth boundary portion and the bottom wall.

  Preferably, the manifold further includes a plurality of introduction pipes attached to each introduction port. According to this configuration, the stress generated when an external force such as vibration is applied to the manifold can be distributed to each introduction pipe. In addition, it is preferable that the thickness of the introduction pipe is thinner than the thickness of the side wall and the bottom wall.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a local gas retention portion in the internal space of the manifold.

The perspective view of a fuel cell stack. Sectional drawing of a fuel cell stack. III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. The expanded sectional view of a manifold. The expanded sectional view of a manifold. The VII-VII sectional view taken on the line of FIG. The expanded sectional view of a manifold. The top view of an upper wall. The perspective view of a fuel cell. The expanded sectional view of a fuel cell stack. Sectional drawing of a fuel cell. The expanded sectional view of a fuel cell stack. Sectional drawing which shows the manufacturing method of a fuel cell stack. Sectional drawing which shows the manufacturing method of a fuel cell stack. Sectional drawing of the manifold which concerns on a modification. Sectional drawing of the manifold which concerns on a modification.

[Fuel cell stack]
Hereinafter, embodiments of a fuel cell stack employing a manifold according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the fuel cell stack 100 includes a plurality of fuel cells 1 and a manifold 2.

[Manifold]
The manifold 2 is configured to distribute gas to each fuel cell 1. The manifold 2 is hollow and has an internal space. A gas such as fuel gas is introduced into the internal space of the manifold 2 via the first introduction pipe 201 and the second introduction pipe 202. The manifold 2 has a plurality of through holes 27 that allow the internal space to communicate with the outside.

  The manifold 2 supports each fuel cell 1. The manifold 2 includes a manifold body 21 and an upper wall 22. The manifold body 21 and the upper wall 22 are separate members and are joined to each other. The manifold body 21 and the upper wall 22 may be integrally formed. The manifold body 21 and the upper wall 22 define an internal space of the manifold 2. This internal space has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example.

  The manifold body 21 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has an internal space whose upper surface is open. Specifically, the manifold main body 21 has a bottom wall 23, a pair of first side walls 24, and a pair of second side walls 25. Further, the manifold body 21 may have a first flange portion 26.

  The bottom wall 23 has a rectangular shape in plan view (viewed in the x-axis direction). Each first side wall 24 and each second side wall 25 extend upward from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 23. The pair of first side walls 24 are arranged to face each other in the depth direction (z-axis direction) of the internal space of the manifold 2. The pair of second side walls 25 are disposed so as to face each other in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the internal space of the manifold 2. The depth direction and the width direction are orthogonal to each other in plan view (viewed in the x-axis direction). The depth direction is an example of the first direction of the present invention, and the width direction is an example of the second direction of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, one first side wall 24 of the pair of first side walls 24 has a first gas inlet 241 and a second gas inlet 242. Gas is introduced into the internal space of the manifold 2 from the first gas introduction port 241 and the second gas introduction port 242. That is, the gas is introduced from the two gas introduction ports 241 and 242 into one internal space of the manifold 2.

  The first gas inlet 241 and the second gas inlet 242 are formed in a circular shape. It is preferable that the first gas inlet 241 and the second gas inlet 242 have the same area. The first gas introduction port 241 and the second gas introduction port 242 are preferably formed at the center of the first side wall 24 in the height direction (x-axis direction).

  Moreover, it is preferable that the 1st gas inlet 241 and the 2nd gas inlet 242 are arrange | positioned so that it may become line symmetrical with respect to the centerline of the 1st side wall 24 in the width direction (y-axis direction). Each gas inlet port has a distance L1 between the center of the first gas inlet port 241 and one of the second side walls 25 substantially equal to a distance L2 between the center of the second gas inlet port 242 and the other second side wall 25. 241 and 242 are preferably arranged. In addition, it is preferable that the gas inlets 241 and 242 are arranged such that the distance L3 between the first gas inlet 241 and the second gas inlet 242 is larger than the distance L1 or the distance L2.

  The first introduction pipe 201 and the second introduction pipe 202 are attached to the first side wall 24 in which the first gas introduction port 241 and the second gas introduction port 242 are formed. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the first introduction pipe 201 and the second introduction pipe 202 are in contact with the outer surface of the first side wall 24. As shown in FIG. 6, the first introduction pipe 201 may be inserted into the gas introduction port 241 and the second introduction pipe 202 may be inserted into the second gas introduction port 242. Moreover, although it is preferable that each introduction pipe 201 and 202 is attached in parallel with respect to the bottom wall 23, it is not limited to this in particular.

  It is preferable that the flow rate of the gas introduced from the first gas introduction port 241 and the flow rate of the gas introduced from the second gas introduction port 242 are the same.

  The first flange portion 26 extends outward from the upper end portions of the first side walls 24 and the second side walls 25. The first flange portion 26 is annular.

The manifold body 21 is composed of one member. That is, the bottom wall 23, each first side wall 24, each second side wall 25, and each first flange portion 26 are configured by one member. For example, the manifold body 21 is formed of a metal having heat resistance or insulating ceramics. More specifically, the manifold body 21 is made of ferritic stainless steel, austenitic stainless steel, Ni-based alloy, MgO (magnesium oxide), Al ₂ O ₃ (aluminum oxide), MgAl ₂ O ₄ (magnesia alumina spinel), It is formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of MgO · SiO ₂ (steatite) and 2MgO · SiO ₂ (forsterite).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the inner side surface of the first boundary portion 20 a between the first side wall 24 and the second side wall 25 has an R shape. The curvature radius of the inner surface of the first boundary portion 20a can be about 3 to 30 mm. Note that the inner side surface of the first boundary portion 20 a is a surface facing the inner space of the manifold 2.

  As shown in FIG.4 and FIG.8, the inner surface of the 2nd boundary part 20b of the bottom wall 23 and the 1st side wall 24 and the 2nd side wall 25 is R shape. The radius of curvature of the inner surface of the second boundary portion 20b can be about 2 to 20 mm. Note that the inner side surface of the second boundary portion 20 b is a surface facing the inner space of the manifold 2.

  The inner side surface of the third boundary portion 20c between the first side wall 24 and the second side wall 25 and the first flange portion 26 has an R shape. The curvature radius of the inner surface of the third boundary portion 20c can be about 1 to 10 mm. The inner side surface of the third boundary portion 20 c is a surface that faces the internal space of the manifold 2.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a first gap portion 28 is formed between the third boundary portion 20 c and the upper wall 22 in the height direction (x-axis direction) of the internal space of the manifold 2. That is, the lower surface of the upper wall 22 and the upper surface of the first flange portion 26 are in contact with each other, while the lower surface of the upper wall 22 and the inner surface of the third boundary portion 20c are not in contact with each other. The first gap 28 is formed over the entire circumference.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the upper wall 22 is disposed on the manifold body 21 so as to close the upper surface of the manifold body 21. Specifically, the upper wall 22 is fixed to the first flange portion 26. In order to seal the internal space of the manifold 2, the upper wall 22 is joined to the manifold body 21 over the entire circumference. For example, the upper wall 22 and the manifold body 21 are joined by crystallized glass. The upper wall 22 can be formed from at least one of the materials of the manifold body 21 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the upper wall 22 is configured such that each fuel cell 1 is attached. Specifically, the upper wall 22 has a plurality of through holes 27. Each through hole 27 extends in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the manifold 2. Further, the through holes 27 are arranged at intervals in the depth direction (z-axis direction) of the manifold 2.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the internal space of the manifold 2 has a depth D, a width W, and a height H that are orthogonal to each other. The depth D is a distance between the pair of first side walls 24. In the present embodiment, the depth D is the dimension of the internal space of the manifold 2 in the gas introduction direction (z-axis direction).

  The width W is a dimension of the internal space of the manifold 2 in a direction orthogonal to the depth D in plan view (viewed in the x-axis direction). That is, the width W is a distance between the pair of second side walls 25. The height H is the dimension of the internal space in the direction orthogonal to the depth D and the width W. That is, the height H is the distance between the upper wall 22 and the bottom wall 23.

  The depth D of the internal space can be about 50 to 450 mm. The width W of the internal space can be about 30 to 200 mm. The height H of the internal space can be about 5 to 50 mm.

[Fuel battery cell]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each fuel cell 1 extends upward from the manifold 2. Specifically, each fuel cell 1 extends upward from the upper wall 22 of the manifold 2. The lower end portion 101 of the fuel cell 1 is inserted into the through hole 27. In the state where the lower end portion 101 of the fuel cell 1 is inserted into the through hole 27, a gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion 101 of the fuel cell 1 and the inner wall surface of the through hole 27. Yes. The gap may be filled with the first bonding material 3.

  The fuel cells 1 are arranged at intervals from each other along the depth direction (z-axis direction) of the internal space of the manifold 2. Further, each fuel cell 1 is arranged such that each main surface faces the depth direction (z-axis direction). In addition, each fuel cell 1 does not need to be arrange | positioned at equal intervals along the depth direction (z-axis direction). Moreover, in this embodiment, although each fuel cell is arrange | positioned at 1 row, you may arrange | position at multiple rows. The fuel cells 1 are electrically connected to each other via the first current collecting member 4. The first current collecting member 4 is disposed between the fuel cells 1 and connects the adjacent fuel cells 1. The first current collecting member 4 is joined to each fuel cell 1 by a second joining material 5. The first current collecting member 4 is formed from a conductive material. For example, the first current collecting member 4 is formed of a sintered body of oxide ceramics or a metal.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the fuel cell 1 includes a plurality of power generation element portions 11 and a support substrate 12. Each power generating element portion 11 is supported on both surfaces of the support substrate 12. Each power generation element unit 11 may be supported only on one side of the support substrate 12. The respective power generation element portions 11 are arranged at intervals from each other in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of the fuel cell 1. That is, the fuel cell 1 according to the present embodiment is a so-called horizontal stripe type fuel cell.

  The power generating element portions 11 are electrically connected to each other by an electrical connection portion 17 (see FIG. 12). Further, on the upper end portion 102 side of the fuel cell 1, the power generation element portion 11 formed on one surface of the support substrate 12 and the power generation element portion 11 formed on the other surface are the second current collecting member 6 (see FIG. 2). ) Is electrically connected. Each power generating element unit 11 is connected in series.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the support substrate 12 has a plurality of gas flow passages 121 extending in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of the support substrate 12 inside. The gas flow path 121 communicates with the internal space of the manifold 2. The gas flow paths 121 are arranged at intervals from each other in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the support substrate 12. That is, the gas flow paths 121 are arranged at intervals from each other in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the manifold 2.

  Among the gas flow paths 121 of the fuel battery cell 1, the gas flow paths 121 formed at both ends are disposed so as to correspond to the widthwise ends of the internal space of the manifold 2. For example, the distance L4 between the center of the lower end surface of the gas channel 121 formed at both ends in the width direction (y-axis direction) and the inner wall surface of the second side wall 25 is about 0.5 to 15 mm. is there. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 11, the distance L5 between the gas inlet 241 and the center of the lower end surface of the gas channel 121 in the depth direction (z-axis direction) is about 1 to 30 mm.

  The distance L4 is a distance in the width direction between the center of the gas flow path 121 that is closest in the width direction from the second side wall 25 and the inner wall surface of the second side wall 25. The distance L5 is a depth direction between the center of the gas flow path 121 closest to the gas introduction port 241 among the plurality of gas flow paths 121 and the inner wall surface of the first side wall 24 where the gas introduction port 241 is provided. The distance at. In addition, each gas flow path 121 is preferably arranged so as to basically draw a rectangle in a yz plan view, but may be slightly shifted in position.

  The longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of the support substrate 12 is the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell 1. Each gas channel 121 extends substantially parallel to each other. Each gas flow path 121 is open at both end faces in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate 12.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the support substrate 12 has a plurality of first recesses 123. Each first recess 123 is formed on both surfaces of the support substrate 12. The first recesses 123 are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate 12.

The support substrate 12 is made of a porous material that does not have electronic conductivity. The support substrate 12 can be made of, for example, CSZ (calcia stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, the support substrate 12 may be composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia), or composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and Y ₂ O ₃ (yttria). Alternatively, MgO (magnesium oxide) and MgAl ₂ O ₄ (magnesia alumina spinel) may be used. The porosity of the support substrate 12 is, for example, about 20 to 60%.

  Each power generation element unit 11 includes a fuel electrode 13, an electrolyte 14, and an air electrode 15. Each power generation element unit 11 further includes a reaction preventing film 16. The fuel electrode 13 is a fired body made of a porous material having electron conductivity. The fuel electrode 13 includes a fuel electrode current collector 131 and a fuel electrode active part 132.

  The fuel electrode current collector 131 is disposed in the first recess 123. Specifically, the fuel electrode current collector 131 is filled in the first recess 123 and has the same outer shape as the first recess 123. Each fuel electrode current collector 131 has a second recess 131a and a third recess 131b. The anode active part 132 is disposed in the second recess 131a. Specifically, the fuel electrode active part 132 is filled in the second recess 131a.

The fuel electrode current collector 131 can be composed of, for example, NiO (nickel oxide) and YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, the fuel electrode current collector 131 may be composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and Y ₂ O ₃ (yttria), or composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and CSZ (calcia stabilized zirconia). Also good. The thickness of the fuel electrode current collector 131 and the depth of the first recess 123 are about 50 to 500 μm.

  The fuel electrode active part 132 can be composed of, for example, NiO (nickel oxide) and YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, the fuel electrode active part 132 may be composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and GDC (gadolinium-doped ceria). The thickness of the fuel electrode active part 132 is 5 to 30 μm.

  The electrolyte 14 is disposed so as to cover the fuel electrode 13. Specifically, the electrolyte 14 extends in the longitudinal direction from one interconnector 171 to another interconnector 171. That is, the electrolyte 14 and the interconnector 171 are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell 1.

  The electrolyte 14 is a fired body made of a dense material that has ionic conductivity and no electronic conductivity. The electrolyte 14 can be composed of, for example, YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia). Or the electrolyte 14 may be comprised from LSGM (lanthanum gallate). The thickness of the electrolyte 14 is, for example, about 3 to 50 μm.

  The reaction preventing film 16 is a fired body composed of a dense material. The reaction preventing film 16 is disposed between the electrolyte 14 and the air electrode 15. The reaction preventing film 16 suppresses occurrence of a phenomenon in which a reaction layer having a large electric resistance is formed at the interface between the electrolyte 14 and the air electrode 15 due to a reaction between YSZ in the electrolyte 14 and Sr in the air electrode 15. Is provided.

The reaction preventing film 16 is made of a material containing ceria containing a rare earth element. The reaction preventing film 16 can be made of, for example, GDC = (Ce, Gd) O ₂ (gadolinium-doped ceria). The thickness of the reaction preventing film 16 is, for example, about 3 to 50 μm.

The air electrode 15 is disposed on the reaction preventing film 16. The air electrode 15 is a fired body made of a porous material having electron conductivity. The air electrode 15 can be made of, for example, LSCF = (La, Sr) (Co, Fe) O ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite). Alternatively, the air electrode 15 has LSF = (La, Sr) FeO ₃ (lanthanum strontium ferrite), LNF = La (Ni, Fe) O ₃ (lanthanum nickel ferrite), or LSC = (La, Sr) CoO ₃ ( Lanthanum strontium cobaltite) or the like. The air electrode 15 may be composed of two layers of a first layer (inner layer) made of LSCF and a second layer (outer layer) made of LSC. The thickness of the air electrode 15 is, for example, 10 to 100 μm.

The electrical connection portion 17 is configured to electrically connect adjacent power generation element portions 11. The electrical connection unit 17 includes an interconnector 171 and an air electrode current collector 172. The interconnector 171 is disposed in the third recess 131b. Specifically, the interconnector 171 is embedded (filled) in the third recess 131b. The interconnector 171 is a fired body composed of a dense material having electronic conductivity. The interconnector 171 can be composed of, for example, LaCrO ₃ (lanthanum chromite). Alternatively, the interconnector 171 may be made of (Sr, La) TiO ₃ (strontium titanate). The thickness of the interconnector 171 is, for example, 10 to 100 μm.

  Air electrode current collector 172 is arranged to extend between interconnector 171 and air electrode 15. For example, the air electrode current collector 172 is disposed so as to electrically connect the air electrode 15 of the power generation element unit 11 disposed on the left side of FIG. 12 and the interconnector 171. The air electrode current collector 172 is a fired body made of a porous material having electronic conductivity.

The air electrode current collector 172 can be made of, for example, LSCF = (La, Sr) (Co, Fe) O ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite). Alternatively, the air electrode current collector 172 may be made of LSC = (La, Sr) CoO ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobaltite). Or the air electrode current collection part 172 may be comprised from Ag (silver) and Ag-Pd (silver palladium alloy). The thickness of the air electrode current collector 172 is, for example, about 50 to 500 μm.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the lower end portion 101 of the fuel cell 1 is covered with a dense film 18. Specifically, the dense film 18 covers the support substrate 12. The dense film 18 extends from between the air electrode current collector 172 and the support substrate 12 toward the proximal side.

  The dense membrane 18 exhibits a gas seal function that prevents mixing of the fuel gas flowing in the space inside the dense membrane 18 and the air flowing in the space outside the dense membrane 18. In order to exhibit this gas sealing function, the porosity of the dense film 18 is, for example, 10% or less. The dense film 18 is made of insulating ceramics.

  Specifically, the dense film 18 can be constituted by the electrolyte 14 and the reaction preventing film 16 described above. The electrolyte 14 constituting the dense film 18 covers the support substrate 12 and extends from the interconnector 171 to the vicinity of the lower end of the support substrate 12. Further, the reaction preventing film 16 constituting the dense film 18 is disposed between the electrolyte 14 and the air electrode current collector 172. The dense film 18 may be composed of only the electrolyte 14 or may be composed of a material other than the electrolyte 14 and the reaction preventing film 16.

[First bonding material]
The first bonding material 3 fixes the fuel cell 1 to the manifold 2. Specifically, the first bonding material 3 joins the fuel battery cell 1 and the upper wall 22 of the manifold 2. The first bonding material 3 joins the lower end portion 101 of the fuel cell 1 and the upper wall 22 of the manifold 2. The first bonding material 3 is in contact with the dense film 18. In the state where the fuel battery cell 1 is fixed to the manifold 2, the through hole 27 and the gas flow path 121 communicate with each other.

The first bonding material 3 is, for example, crystallized glass. As the crystallized glass, for example, a SiO ₂ —B ₂ O ₃ system, a SiO ₂ —CaO system, or a SiO ₂ —MgO system may be employed. In this specification, crystallized glass means that the ratio (crystallinity) of “volume occupied by crystal phase” to the total volume is 60% or more, and “volume occupied by amorphous phase and impurities relative to the total volume”. "Indicates a glass having a ratio of less than 40%. Note that amorphous glass, brazing material, ceramics, or the like may be employed as the material of the first bonding material 3. Specifically, the first bonding material 3 is at least one selected from the group consisting of SiO ₂ —MgO—B ₂ O ₅ —Al ₂ O ₃ and SiO ₂ —MgO—Al ₂ O ₃ —ZnO. .

[Power generation method]
The fuel cell stack 100 configured as described above generates power as follows. By flowing a fuel gas (hydrogen gas or the like) through the manifold 2 into the gas flow path 121 of each fuel battery cell 1 and exposing both surfaces of the support substrate 12 to a gas (air or the like) containing oxygen, An electromotive force is generated by a difference in oxygen partial pressure generated between the two side surfaces. When this fuel cell stack 100 is connected to an external load, an electrochemical reaction shown in the following formula (1) occurs in the air electrode 15, an electrochemical reaction shown in the following formula (2) occurs in the fuel electrode 13, and a current flows. .
(1/2) · O ₂ + 2e ⁻ → O ²⁻ (1)
H ₂ + O ²⁻ → H ₂ O + 2e ⁻ (2)

[Production method]
Next, a method for manufacturing the fuel cell stack configured as described above will be described.

  First, a manifold 2 and a plurality of fuel cells 1 are prepared. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, each fuel cell 1 is connected to each other by the first current collecting member 4 and the second bonding material 5 to produce a cell assembly 300. At this stage, the second bonding material 5 is not fired, and the fuel cells 1 are temporarily fixed to each other.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the lower end portion 101 of each fuel cell 1 of the cell assembly 300 is inserted into each through hole 27 of the manifold 2. In addition, you may use the jig | tool for each fuel battery cell 1 holding a predetermined space | interval along the thickness direction.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the first bonding material 3 is applied so as to bond the fuel cell 1 inserted into the through hole 27 and the upper wall 22 of the manifold. The first bonding material 3 is applied along the root of the fuel cell 1. Further, the first bonding material 3 may be filled in a gap between the outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion 101 of the fuel cell 1 and the inner wall surface of the through hole 27.

  Next, heat treatment is applied to the first bonding material 3 and the second bonding material 5. By this heat treatment, the first bonding material 3 and the second bonding material 5 are solidified, and the fuel cell stack 100 is completed. Specifically, the second bonding material 5 is fired by being subjected to heat treatment. As a result, each fuel cell 1 and the first current collecting member 4 are fixed. Further, the first bonding material 3 is subjected to heat treatment, so that the temperature of the amorphous material reaches the crystallization temperature. Then, a crystal phase is generated inside the material at the crystallization temperature, and crystallization proceeds. As a result, the amorphous material is solidified and ceramicized to become crystallized glass. Thereby, the 1st joining material 3 comprised with crystallized glass exhibits a function, and the lower end part 101 of each fuel cell 1 is fixed to the upper wall 22 of the manifold 2. As shown in FIG.

[Modification]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these, A various change is possible unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

Modification 1
In the above embodiment, the fuel electrode current collector 131 has the second recess 131a and the third recess 131b, but the configuration of the fuel electrode current collector 131 is not limited to this. For example, the fuel electrode current collector 131 does not have to have recesses such as the second recess 131a and the third recess 131b. In this case, the anode active portion 132 is formed on the anode current collecting portion 131 and is not embedded in the anode current collecting portion 131. The interconnector 171 is formed on the fuel electrode current collector 131 and is not embedded in the fuel electrode current collector 131.

Modification 2
In the above embodiment, the fuel battery cell 1 is a horizontal stripe type having a plurality of power generation element portions 11. However, the fuel battery cell 1 is a vertical stripe type having a single power generation element portion extending in the longitudinal direction. It may be. Further, the fuel cell 1 may be a horizontal stripe cylindrical type.

Modification 3
In the above embodiment, the first gas introduction port 241 and the second gas introduction port 242 are circular, but the shape of the gas introduction port is not particularly limited to this, and may be, for example, an ellipse or a rectangle. Good. Further, the first gas inlet 241 and the second gas inlet 242 may have different areas.

Modification 4
In the above embodiment, the two gas inlets 241 and 242 are formed. However, the number of gas inlets is not particularly limited, and may be three or more. In the above embodiment, the first gas inlet 241 and the second gas inlet 242 are formed on the same first side wall 24, but may be formed on different side walls. For example, the first gas inlet 241 may be formed on one first side wall 24, and the second gas inlet 242 may be formed on the other first side wall 24. In addition, the first gas inlet 241 may be formed in the first side wall 24, and the second gas inlet 242 may be formed in the second side wall 25. In addition, the gas inlets 241 and 242 may be formed in the upper wall 22.

Modification 5
In the above embodiment, the upper surface of the manifold body 21 is open and the upper surface of the manifold body 21 is sealed by the upper wall 22, but the configuration of the manifold 2 is not limited to this.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the manifold body 21 may have a configuration in which the lower surface is open and the bottom wall 23 seals the lower surface of the manifold body 21. In this case, the manifold body 21 has an upper wall 22, a pair of first side walls 24, and a pair of second side walls 25. The manifold body 21 may have a second flange portion 29. The second flange portion 29 extends outward from the lower end portions of the first side wall 24 and the second side wall 25.

  The inner surface of the fourth boundary portion 20d between the upper wall 22, the first side wall 24, and the second side wall 25 has an R shape. The radius of curvature of the inner surface of the fourth boundary portion 20d can be about 2 to 20 mm. The inner side surface of the fourth boundary portion 20d is a surface facing the internal space of the manifold 2.

  The inner side surface of the fifth boundary portion 20e between the first side wall 24 and the second side wall 25 and the second flange portion 29 has an R shape. The radius of curvature of the inner surface of the fifth boundary portion 20e can be about 1 to 10 mm. The inner side surface of the fifth boundary portion 20e is a surface that faces the internal space of the manifold 2.

  As shown in FIG. 17, a second gap 30 is formed between the fifth boundary 20 e and the bottom wall 23 in the height direction (x-axis direction) of the internal space of the manifold 2. That is, while the upper surface of the bottom wall 23 and the lower surface of the second flange portion 29 are in contact, the upper surface of the bottom wall 23 and the inner surface of the fifth boundary portion 20e are not in contact. The second gap 30 is formed over the entire circumference.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the bottom wall 23 is disposed on the manifold body 21 so as to close the lower surface of the manifold body 21. Specifically, the bottom wall 23 is fixed to the second flange portion 29. In order to seal the internal space of the manifold 2, the bottom wall 23 is joined to the manifold body 21 over the entire circumference. For example, the bottom wall 23 and the manifold body 21 are joined by crystallized glass. The bottom wall 23 can be formed from at least one of the materials of the manifold body 21 described above.

Modification 6
In the above embodiment, the internal space of the manifold 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the shape of the internal space of the manifold 2 is not particularly limited.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel cell 2 Manifold 22 Upper wall 23 Bottom wall 24 1st side wall 241 1st gas introduction port 242 2nd gas introduction port 25 2nd side wall 26 1st flange part 20a 1st boundary part 20b 2nd boundary part 20c 3rd Boundary

Claims (12)

A manifold that distributes gas to a plurality of fuel cells,
The bottom wall,
A side wall extending upward from the bottom wall;
An upper wall configured to attach each of the fuel cells;
With
The bottom wall, the side wall, and the top wall define an interior space of the manifold;
The side wall
A pair of first side walls facing each other in the first direction;
A pair of second sidewalls facing each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
Have
One side wall of the pair of first side walls has a plurality of gas inlets .
Manifold.
The inner side surface of the first boundary portion between the first side wall and the second side wall is R-shaped.
The manifold according to claim 1 .
The inner surface of the second boundary portion between said bottom wall and said first sidewall and said second sidewall is a R configuration,
The manifold according to claim 1 or 2 .
A first flange portion extending outward from upper ends of the first side wall and the second side wall;
The upper wall is fixed to the first flange portion.
The manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .
The inner side surface of the third boundary portion between the first side wall and the second side wall and the first flange portion has an R shape.
The manifold according to claim 4 .
A first gap is formed between the third boundary and the upper wall;
The manifold according to claim 5 .
Inner surface of the fourth boundary portion between the upper wall and the first sidewall and the second sidewall is a R configuration,
The manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 6 .
A second flange portion extending outwardly from a lower end portion of the first side wall and the second side wall;
The bottom wall is fixed to the second flange portion;
The manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .
An inner surface of a fifth boundary portion between the first side wall and the second side wall and the second flange portion has an R shape.
The manifold according to claim 8 .
A second gap is formed between the fifth boundary and the bottom wall;
The manifold according to claim 9 .
A plurality of introduction pipes attached to the introduction ports;
The manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 10 .
The manifold according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each of the introduction ports is continuous with the internal space.

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