JP6688866B1 - Cell stack device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress deformation of a cross section. A top plate 231 has a plurality of through holes 234, a plurality of crosspieces 235, and a connecting reinforcing portion 236. The through holes 234 are arranged at intervals. In addition, each through hole 234 extends in an extending direction that intersects the arrangement direction. The crosspieces 235 are arranged between the through holes 234. Each cross section 235 extends in the extending direction. The connection reinforcing portion 236 crosses the through hole 234 and connects adjacent crosspieces 235 to each other. The through hole 234 is divided into a plurality of divided holes 234a and 234b by the connecting reinforcing portion 236. [Selection diagram] Fig. 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a manifold and a cell stack device.

  The cell stack device has a plurality of fuel cells and a manifold. The manifold has a plurality of through holes for supplying gas to each fuel cell. Each through hole has a long hole shape and is arranged at intervals.

Japanese Patent No. 6393948

  Generally, each through hole is formed by pressing. Due to this press work or the like, the crosspiece extending between the through holes may be deformed. When the cross section is deformed in this way, a problem may occur, for example, a joint failure between the fuel cell and the top plate due to the joint material.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a manifold and a cell stack device capable of suppressing deformation of a crosspiece.

  The manifold according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured to supply gas to a plurality of fuel cells. The manifold includes a bottom plate, side plates, and a top plate. The top plate has a plurality of through holes, a plurality of crosspieces, and a connecting reinforcing portion. The through holes are arranged at intervals. In addition, each through hole extends in an extending direction that intersects the arrangement direction. Each cross section is arranged between each through hole. Each cross section extends in the extending direction. The connection reinforcing part crosses the through hole and connects adjacent crosspieces. The through hole is divided into a plurality of dividing holes by the connecting reinforcing portion.

  According to this configuration, since the crosspieces are connected to each other by the connection reinforcing portion, the strength is improved and the deformation is suppressed.

  Preferably, each divided hole has an elongated hole shape.

  A cell stack device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes any one of the above manifolds and a plurality of fuel battery cells extending from a top plate.

  Preferably, each division hole communicates with a plurality of gas passages formed in the fuel cell.

  Preferably, the fuel cell unit has a base end surface facing the top plate. The outer peripheral edge portion of the base end face contacts the top plate. The central portion of the base end face surrounded by the outer peripheral edge portion faces the through hole.

  Preferably, the manifold has a gas supply chamber and a gas recovery chamber. The connection reinforcing portion is arranged at the boundary between the gas supply chamber and the gas recovery chamber. The plurality of division holes include a first division hole that communicates with the gas supply chamber and a second division hole that communicates with the gas recovery chamber.

  Preferably, the fuel cell unit has at least one first gas passage and at least one second gas passage. The first gas flow path communicates with the gas supply chamber. The second gas flow path communicates with the gas recovery chamber. The first and second gas flow paths extend from the base end portion to the tip end portion of the fuel cell unit. The first and second gas flow paths communicate with each other at the tip of the fuel cell unit.

  According to the present invention, the deformation of the crosspiece can be suppressed.

The perspective view of a cell stack device. Sectional drawing of a manifold. The top view of a manifold. Sectional drawing of a cell stack apparatus. An enlarged plan view of the manifold. The perspective view of a fuel cell. Sectional drawing of a support substrate. Sectional drawing of a fuel cell. The enlarged plan view of the manifold which concerns on a modification. Sectional drawing of the cell stack apparatus which concerns on a modification. The enlarged plan view of the manifold which concerns on a modification. Sectional drawing of the cell stack apparatus which concerns on a modification. Sectional drawing of the cell stack apparatus which concerns on a modification. The expanded sectional view of the cell stack apparatus which concerns on a modification. XV-XV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows another aspect of the cell stack apparatus of FIG. The expanded sectional view of the cell stack apparatus which concerns on a modification. Sectional drawing of the cell stack apparatus which concerns on a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a manifold and a cell stack device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cell stack device. It should be noted that some fuel cells are not shown in FIG. 1.

[Cell stack device]
As shown in FIG. 1, the cell stack device 100 includes a manifold 2 and a plurality of fuel battery cells 10.

[Manifold]
The manifold 2 is configured to supply gas to the plurality of fuel battery cells 10. Further, the manifold 2 is configured to collect the gas discharged from the fuel cell unit 10.

  FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the manifold. In FIG. 2, only some of the through holes are shown by imaginary lines. As shown in FIG. 2, the manifold 2 has a gas supply chamber 21 and a gas recovery chamber 22. Fuel gas is supplied to the gas supply chamber 21 from a fuel gas supply source via a reformer or the like. The gas recovery chamber 22 recovers the off gas of the fuel gas used in each fuel cell 10.

  The manifold 2 has a manifold main body 23 and a partition plate 24. The manifold body 23 has a space inside. The manifold main body 23 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

  The partition plate 24 partitions the space of the manifold main body 23 into a gas supply chamber 21 and a gas recovery chamber 22. In detail, the partition plate 24 extends in the length direction of the manifold main body 23 at a substantially central portion of the manifold main body 23. In this embodiment, the partition plate 24 completely partitions the space of the manifold main body 23, but a gap may be formed between the partition plate 24 and the manifold main body 23.

  A gas supply port 211 is formed on the bottom surface of the gas supply chamber 21. A gas outlet 221 is formed on the bottom surface of the gas recovery chamber 22. The gas supply port 211 may be formed on the side surface or the upper surface of the gas supply chamber 21, and the gas discharge port 221 may be formed on the side surface or the upper surface of the gas recovery chamber 22.

  The gas supply port 211 is arranged closer to the first end 201 side than the center C of the manifold 2 in the arrangement direction (z-axis direction) described later, for example. On the other hand, the gas discharge port 221 is arranged closer to the second end 202 side than the center C of the manifold 2 in the arrangement direction (z-axis direction), for example.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the manifold 2 has a top plate 231, a bottom plate 232, and side plates 233. The top plate 231, the bottom plate 232, and the side plates 233 form the manifold body 23. The bottom plate 232 and the side plate 233 are composed of one member. The top plate 231 is joined to the upper end portion of the side plate 233. The top plate 231 and the side plate 233 may be formed of one member, and the bottom plate 232 may be joined to the lower end portion of the side plate 233.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the top plate 231 of the manifold 2 has a plurality of through holes 234, a plurality of crosspieces 235, and a plurality of connecting reinforcing portions 236. Each through hole 234 communicates the inside and outside of the manifold 2. Each through hole 234 opens in the gas supply chamber 21 and the gas recovery chamber 22.

  The through holes 234 are arranged at intervals. The direction in which the through holes 234 are arranged (z-axis direction) is referred to as an arrangement direction. In the present embodiment, the through holes 234 are arranged in the length direction of the top plate 231.

  FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the manifold 2. In FIG. 5, in order to show the positional relationship between the fuel cells 10 and the through holes 234, the base end face 103 of the fuel cells 10 arranged at the end in the arrangement direction is shown by an imaginary line. As shown in FIG. 5, each through hole 234 extends in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction (z-axis direction). Preferably, each through hole 234 extends in a direction (y-axis direction) substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction. The direction in which each through hole 234 extends is referred to as the extending direction. In the present embodiment, each through hole 234 extends in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the top plate 231.

  The crosspiece 235 is arranged between the pair of adjacent through holes 234. That is, in the arrangement direction, the through hole 234, the crosspiece 235, the through hole 234, the crosspiece 235, the through hole 234, ... Are arranged in this order.

  The crosspiece 235 extends in the extending direction (y-axis direction). That is, the crosspiece 235 extends in the same direction as the through hole 234. In the present embodiment, the crosspiece 235 extends in the width direction of the top plate 231.

  The connection reinforcing part 236 crosses the through holes 234 in the arrangement direction and connects the pair of crosspieces 235 to each other. That is, the connection reinforcing portion 236 extends in the arrangement direction from one of the adjacent rail portions 235 to the other rail portion 235 across the through hole 234. Note that, among the plurality of connecting reinforcing portions 236, the connecting reinforcing portion 236 located at the end portion in the arrangement direction connects the crosspiece portion 235 and the end portion of the top plate 231. The connection reinforcing portions 236 are arranged along the arrangement direction.

  The through hole 234 is divided into a plurality of divided holes by a connecting reinforcing portion 236 that crosses the through hole 234. In this embodiment, each through hole 234 is divided into two divided holes. Specifically, the through hole 234 is divided into a first divided hole 234a and a second divided hole 234b.

  The first divided hole 234a and the second divided hole 234b are elongated holes. The first divided hole 234a and the second divided hole 234b extend in the extending direction (y-axis direction). As shown in FIG. 2, the first division hole 234 a communicates with the gas supply chamber 21. The second division hole 234b communicates with the gas recovery chamber 22. The coupling reinforcing portion 236 is arranged at the boundary between the gas supply chamber 21 and the gas recovery chamber 22. That is, the coupling reinforcing portion 236 overlaps with the boundary portion between the gas supply chamber 21 and the gas recovery chamber 22 in a plan view (view in the x-axis direction). In the present embodiment, the coupling reinforcing portion 236 overlaps with the partition plate 24 in a plan view (view in the x-axis direction).

[Fuel cell]
FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the cell stack device. As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel cell unit 10 extends upward from the top plate 231 of the manifold 2. The fuel cell unit 10 has a base end portion 101 and a tip end portion 102. The fuel cell unit 10 has a base end portion 101 attached to the manifold 2. That is, the manifold 2 supports the base end portion 101 of each fuel cell 10. In the present embodiment, the base end portion 101 of the fuel cell unit 10 means the lower end portion, and the tip end portion 102 of the fuel cell unit 10 means the upper end portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the fuel cell unit 10 includes a support substrate 4, a plurality of first gas flow channels 41, a plurality of second gas flow channels 42, and a plurality of power generation element units 5. . Further, the fuel cell unit 10 has a communication channel 30.

[Supporting substrate]
The support substrate 4 extends upward from the manifold 2. The support substrate 4 is flat and has a base end portion 43 and a tip end portion 44. The base end portion 43 and the tip end portion 44 are both end portions in the length direction (x-axis direction) of the support substrate 4. In this embodiment, the base end portion 43 of the support substrate 4 means the lower end portion, and the tip end portion 44 of the support substrate 4 means the upper end portion. In the present embodiment, the support substrate 4 has a longer dimension in the length direction (x-axis direction) than in the width direction (y-axis direction), but has a longer dimension in the width direction than in the length direction. Good.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the support substrate 4 has a first main surface 45 and a second main surface 46. The first major surface 45 and the second major surface 46 face each other. The first main surface 45 and the second main surface 46 support each power generating element unit 5. The first main surface 45 and the second main surface 46 face the thickness direction (z-axis direction) of the support substrate 4. Further, each side surface 47 of the support substrate 4 faces the width direction (y-axis direction) of the support substrate 4. Each side surface 47 may be curved.

The support substrate 4 is made of a porous material having no electronic conductivity. The support substrate 4 is made of, for example, CSZ (calcia-stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, the support substrate 4 may be made of NiO (nickel oxide) and YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria-stabilized zirconia), or NiO (nickel oxide) and Y ₂ O ₃ (yttria). Alternatively, it may be composed of MgO (magnesium oxide) and MgAl ₂ O ₄ (magnesia alumina spinel). The porosity of the support substrate 4 is, for example, about 20 to 60%. This porosity is measured, for example, by the Archimedes method or microstructure observation.

  The support substrate 4 is covered with the dense layer 48. The dense layer 48 is configured to suppress the gas diffused in the support substrate 4 from the first gas flow channel 41 and the second gas flow channel 42 from being discharged to the outside. In the present embodiment, the dense layer 48 covers the first main surface 45, the second main surface 46, and each side surface 47 of the support substrate 4. In the present embodiment, the dense layer 48 is composed of the electrolyte 7 described below and the interconnector 91. The dense layer 48 is denser than the supporting substrate 4. For example, the porosity of the dense layer 48 is about 0 to 7%.

[First and second gas flow paths]
As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of first gas passages 41 and the plurality of second gas passages 42 are formed in the support substrate 4. The first and second gas flow paths 41, 42 extend from the base end portion 101 of the fuel cell unit 10 toward the front end portion 102. In the present embodiment, the first and second gas flow paths 41 and 42 extend in the support substrate 4 in the vertical direction. The first and second gas flow paths 41 and 42 penetrate the support substrate 4.

  The first gas flow channels 41 are arranged at intervals in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the support substrate 4. It is preferable that the first gas flow paths 41 are arranged at substantially equal intervals. Further, the respective second gas flow paths 42 are arranged at intervals in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the support substrate 4. It is preferable that the second gas flow paths 42 are arranged at substantially equal intervals.

  The first gas flow channel 41 has a base end portion 411 and a tip end portion 412. The base end portion 411 of the first gas flow channel 41 is located on the manifold 2 side. The tip portion 412 of the first gas flow channel 41 is the end portion on the opposite side of the base end portion 411. In the present embodiment, the lower end of the first gas flow channel 41 is the base end 411, and the upper end of the first gas flow channel 41 is the front end 412.

  The second gas flow channel 42 has a base end portion 421 and a tip end portion 422. The base end portion 421 of the second gas flow path 42 is located on the manifold 2 side. Further, the tip portion 422 of the second gas flow path 42 is an end portion on the opposite side of the base end portion 421. In the present embodiment, the lower end of the second gas flow path 42 is the base end 421, and the upper end of the second gas flow path 42 is the front end 422.

  The first gas flow channel 41 communicates with the gas supply chamber 21 of the manifold 2 via the first division hole 234a. The second gas flow path 42 communicates with the gas recovery chamber 22 of the manifold 2 via the second division hole 234b.

  The pitch p1 between the adjacent first gas flow paths 41 is, for example, about 1 to 5 mm. The pitch p1 between the adjacent first gas flow paths 41 is the distance between the centers of the adjacent first gas flow paths 41. For example, the pitch p1 between the first gas flow paths 41 can be an average value of the pitches measured at the base end portion 43, the center portion, and the tip end portion 44 of the support substrate 4.

  The pitch p2 between the adjacent second gas flow paths 42 is, for example, about 1 to 5 mm. The pitch p2 between the adjacent second gas flow paths 42 is the distance between the centers of the adjacent second gas flow paths 42. For example, the pitch p2 between the second gas flow paths 42 can be an average value of the pitches measured at the base end portion 43, the center portion, and the tip end portion 44 of the support substrate 4. The pitch p2 between the second gas flow paths 42 is preferably substantially equal to the pitch p1 between the first gas flow paths 41.

  The pitch p0 between the adjacent first gas passage 41 and second gas passage 42 is, for example, about 1 to 10 mm. The pitch p0 between the adjacent first gas flow channel 41 and the second gas flow channel 42 is the distance between the center of the first gas flow channel 41 and the center of the second gas flow channel 42. For example, the pitch p0 can be an average value of the pitch measured at each of the base end portion 43, the center portion, and the tip end portion 44 of the support substrate 4.

  The pitch p0 between the adjacent first gas flow channels 41 and the second gas flow channels 42 is larger than the pitch p1 between the adjacent first gas flow channels 41. Further, the pitch p0 between the adjacent first gas flow channels 41 and the second gas flow channels 42 is larger than the pitch p2 between the adjacent second gas flow channels 42. As a result, the gas flowing through the first gas passage 41 is prevented from being short-circuited to the second gas passage 42 through the inside of the support substrate 4.

  Thus, the pitch p0 between the first gas flow channel 41 and the second gas flow channel 42 is made larger than the pitch p1 between the first gas flow channels 41 and the pitch p2 between the second gas flow channels 42. Thus, the first gas flow channel 41 and the second gas flow channel 42 which are adjacent to each other are separated. A region between the first gas flow channel 41 and the second gas flow channel 42 is referred to as a boundary region 403.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the support substrate 4 has a first region 401, a second region 402, and a boundary region 403. Each of the first region 401, the second region 402, and the boundary region 403 is a region formed by partitioning the support substrate 4 in the width direction (y-axis direction). The first region 401 is a region where the first gas flow channel 41 is formed. The second region 402 is a region where the second gas flow channel 42 is formed. The boundary area 403 is an area between the first area 401 and the second area 402. The boundary area 403 separates the first area 401 and the second area 402.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the first gas flow channel 41 and the second gas flow channel 42 communicate with each other at the tip portion 102 of the fuel cell unit 10. That is, the first gas flow channel 41 and the second gas flow channel 42 are in communication with each other at their tip portions 412 and 422. Specifically, the first gas flow channel 41 and the second gas flow channel 42 communicate with each other via the communication flow channel 30.

[Pressure Loss in First and Second Gas Flow Paths]
The first gas flow channel 41 and the second gas flow channel 42 are configured such that the gas pressure loss in the first gas flow channel 41 is smaller than the gas pressure loss in the second gas flow channel 42. It

  In the present embodiment, the total value of the flow passage cross-sectional areas of each first gas flow passage 41 is made larger than the total value of the flow passage cross-sectional areas of each second gas flow passage 42. In the present embodiment, the flow passage cross-sectional areas of the first gas flow passages 41 are larger than the flow passage cross-sectional areas of the second gas flow passages 42, respectively.

  The ratio (S1 / S2) of the total value (S1) of the flow passage cross-sectional areas of each first gas flow passage 41 to the total value (S2) of the flow passage cross-sectional areas of each second gas flow passage 42 is 1.05. The above is preferable. Further, this ratio (S1 / S2) can be 3.0 or less.

In addition, although not particularly limited, the flow passage cross-sectional area of the first gas flow passage 41 can be set to, for example, about 0.5 to ²⁰ mm ² . The flow channel cross-sectional area of the second gas flow channel 42 can be set to, for example, about 0.1 to 15 mm ² .

  The flow passage cross-sectional area of the first gas flow passage 41 is the flow passage of the first gas flow passage 41 at a cut surface cut along a plane (yz plane) orthogonal to the direction in which the first gas flow passage 41 extends (x-axis direction). Says the cross-sectional area. Further, the flow passage cross-sectional area of the first gas flow passage 41 is a flow passage cross-sectional area at an arbitrary position of the base end portion 411 of the first gas flow passage 41 and a flow passage cross-sectional area at an arbitrary position of the central portion, It can be an average value with the flow path cross-sectional area at any position of the tip portion 412.

  Further, the flow passage cross-sectional area of the second gas flow passage 42 is the cross-sectional area of the second gas flow passage 42 in the cutting plane cut in the plane (yz plane) orthogonal to the extending direction (x-axis direction) of the second gas flow passage 42. Refers to the flow passage cross-sectional area. Further, the flow passage cross-sectional area of the second gas flow passage 42 is a flow passage cross-sectional area at an arbitrary position of the base end portion 421 of the second gas flow passage 42 and a flow passage cross-sectional area at an arbitrary position of the central portion, It can be an average value with the flow path cross-sectional area at any position of the tip portion 422.

[Power generation element part]
As shown in FIG. 6, each power generation element portion 5 is supported by the first main surface 45 and the second main surface 46 of the support substrate 4. Note that the number of power generation element portions 5 formed on the first main surface 45 and the number of power generation element portions 5 formed on the second main surface 46 may be the same or different. Moreover, the sizes of the respective power generating element portions 5 may be different from each other.

  The power generation element units 5 are arranged along the direction in which the first and second gas flow paths 41 and 42 extend (x-axis direction). In detail, the power generation element portions 5 are arranged on the support substrate 4 with a space from each other from the base end portion 43 to the tip end portion 44. That is, the power generation element units 5 are arranged at intervals along the length direction (x-axis direction) of the support substrate 4. The power generation element units 5 are connected in series with each other by an electrical connection unit 9 described later.

  The power generation element portion 5 extends in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the support substrate 4. The power generation element section 5 is divided into a first portion 51 and a second portion 52 in the width direction of the support substrate 4. Note that there is no strict boundary between the first portion 51 and the second portion 52. For example, in the state where the fuel cell 10 is attached to the manifold 2, a portion overlapping the boundary between the gas supply chamber 21 and the gas recovery chamber 22 in the lengthwise view (viewed in the x-axis direction) of the support substrate 4 is It can be a boundary between the first portion 51 and the second portion 52.

  When viewed in the thickness direction of the support substrate 4 (viewed in the z-axis direction), the first gas flow channel 41 overlaps with the first portion 51 of the power generation element unit 5. Therefore, the fuel gas is mainly supplied to the first portion 51 of the power generation element unit 5 from each of the first gas flow paths 41. Further, when viewed from the thickness direction of the support substrate 4 (viewed in the z-axis direction), the second gas flow path 42 overlaps with the second portion 52 of the power generation element unit 5. Therefore, the fuel gas is mainly supplied to the second portion 52 of the power generation element unit 5 from each of the second gas flow paths 42. Note that, among the plurality of first gas flow channels 41, some of the first gas flow channels 41 do not have to overlap the first portion 51. Similarly, a part of the second gas flow paths 42 may not overlap the second portion 52 among the plurality of second gas flow paths 42.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell 10 taken along the first gas flow channel 41. The cross-sectional view of the fuel cell unit 10 cut along the second gas flow passage 42 is the same as FIG. 8 except that the flow passage cross-sectional area of the second gas flow passage 42 is different.

  The power generation element section 5 has a fuel electrode 6, an electrolyte 7, and an air electrode 8. In addition, the power generation element section 5 further includes a reaction prevention film 11. The fuel electrode 6 is a fired body made of a porous material having electronic conductivity. The fuel electrode 6 has a fuel electrode current collector 61 and a fuel electrode active portion 62.

  The fuel electrode current collector 61 is arranged in the recess 49. The recess 49 is formed in the support substrate 4. Specifically, the fuel electrode current collector 61 is filled in the recess 49 and has the same outer shape as the recess 49. Each fuel electrode current collector 61 has a first recess 611 and a second recess 612. The fuel electrode active portion 62 is arranged in the first recess 611. Specifically, the fuel electrode active portion 62 is filled in the first recess 611.

The fuel electrode current collector 61 can be made of, for example, NiO (nickel oxide) and YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria-stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, the anode current collector 61 may be made of NiO (nickel oxide) and Y ₂ O ₃ (yttria), or NiO (nickel oxide) and CSZ (calcia-stabilized zirconia). Good. The thickness of the fuel electrode current collector 61 and the depth of the recess 49 are about 50 to 500 μm.

  The anode active portion 62 can be made of, for example, NiO (nickel oxide) and YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria-stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, the anode active portion 62 may be composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and GDC (gadolinium-doped ceria). The thickness of the fuel electrode active portion 62 is 5 to 30 μm.

  The electrolyte 7 is arranged so as to cover the fuel electrode 6. Specifically, the electrolyte 7 extends in the length direction from one interconnector 91 to another interconnector 91. That is, the electrolyte 7 and the interconnector 91 are alternately arranged in the length direction (x-axis direction) of the support substrate 4. The electrolyte 7 covers the first main surface 45, the second main surface 46, and the side surfaces 47 of the support substrate 4.

  The electrolyte 7 is denser than the supporting substrate 4. For example, the porosity of the electrolyte 7 is about 0 to 7%. The electrolyte 7 is a fired body composed of a dense material having ion conductivity and electron conductivity. The electrolyte 7 can be composed of, for example, YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria-stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, it may be composed of LSGM (lantern gallate). The thickness of the electrolyte 7 is, for example, about 3 to 50 μm.

The reaction prevention film 11 is a fired body made of a dense material. The reaction prevention film 11 has substantially the same shape as the fuel electrode active portion 62 in a plan view. The reaction prevention film 11 is arranged at a position corresponding to the fuel electrode active portion 62 via the electrolyte 7. The reaction prevention film 11 suppresses the phenomenon that YSZ in the electrolyte 7 reacts with Sr in the air electrode 8 to form a reaction layer having a large electric resistance at the interface between the electrolyte 7 and the air electrode 8. It is provided in. The reaction prevention film 11 can be composed of, for example, GDC = (Ce, Gd) O ₂ (gadolinium-doped ceria). The thickness of the reaction prevention film 11 is, for example, about 3 to 50 μm.

The air electrode 8 is arranged on the reaction prevention film 11. The air electrode 8 is a fired body made of a porous material having electronic conductivity. The air electrode 8 can be composed of, for example, LSCF = (La, Sr) (Co, Fe) O ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite). Alternatively, from LSF = (La, Sr) FeO ₃ (lanthanum strontium ferrite), LNF = La (Ni, Fe) O ₃ (lanthanum nickel ferrite), LSC = (La, Sr) CoO ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobaltite), etc. It may be configured. The air electrode 8 may be composed of two layers, a first layer (inner layer) made of LSCF and a second layer (outer layer) made of LSC. The thickness of the air electrode 8 is, for example, 10 to 100 μm.

[Electrical connection]
The electrical connecting portion 9 is configured to electrically connect the adjacent power generating element portions 5. The electrical connection portion 9 has an interconnector 91 and an air electrode current collecting film 92. The interconnector 91 is arranged in the second recess 612. Specifically, the interconnector 91 is embedded (filled) in the second recess 612. The interconnector 91 is a fired body made of a dense material having electronic conductivity. The interconnector 91 is denser than the support substrate 4. For example, the interconnector 91 has a porosity of about 0 to 7%. The interconnector 91 may be made of LaCrO ₃ (lanthanum chromite), for example. Alternatively, it may be composed of (Sr, La) TiO ₃ (strontium titanate). The interconnector 91 has a thickness of, for example, 10 to 100 μm.

  The air electrode current collecting film 92 is arranged so as to extend between the interconnector 91 and the air electrode 8 of the adjacent power generating element portions 5. For example, the air electrode current collector so as to electrically connect the air electrode 8 of the power generating element unit 5 arranged on the left side of FIG. 8 and the interconnector 91 of the power generating element unit 5 arranged on the right side of FIG. Membrane 92 is disposed. The air electrode current collector film 92 is a fired body made of a porous material having electronic conductivity. The air electrode current collector 82 may or may not have oxygen ion conductivity.

The air electrode current collector film 92 can be made of, for example, LSCF = (La, Sr) (Co, Fe) O ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite). Alternatively, it may be composed of LSC = (La, Sr) CoO ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobaltite). Alternatively, it may be composed of Ag (silver) or Ag-Pd (silver-palladium alloy). The thickness of the air electrode current collecting film 92 is, for example, about 50 to 500 μm.

[Communication member]
As shown in FIG. 4, the communication member 3 is attached to the tip portion 44 of the support substrate 4. The communication member 3 has a communication flow passage 30 that connects the first gas flow passage 41 and the second gas flow passage 42. Specifically, the communication flow passage 30 connects the tip end portion 412 of each first gas flow passage 41 and the tip end portion 422 of each second gas flow passage 42. The communication flow passage 30 is configured by a space extending from each first gas flow passage 41 to each second gas flow passage 42. The communication member 3 is preferably bonded to the support substrate 4. Further, the communication member 3 is preferably formed integrally with the support substrate 4.

  The communication member 3 is, for example, porous. Further, the communication member 3 has a dense layer 31 forming the outer side surface thereof. The dense layer 31 is formed more densely than the main body of the communication member 3. For example, the porosity of the dense layer 31 is about 0 to 7%. The dense layer 31 can be formed of the same material as the communicating member 3, the material used for the electrolyte 7 described above, crystallized glass, or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cells 10 are arranged such that the main surfaces thereof face each other. The fuel cells 10 are arranged in the arrangement direction (z-axis direction). In the present embodiment, the fuel cells 10 are arranged at equal intervals along the arrangement direction, but they may not be arranged at equal intervals.

[Arrangement of fuel cells and through holes]
As shown in FIG. 4, the base end surface 103 of the fuel cell unit 10 faces the top plate 231. As shown in FIG. 5, the base end surface 103 of the fuel cell unit 10 covers the through hole 234. The first division hole 234a communicates with the plurality of first gas flow paths 41. In addition, the second divided hole 234b communicates with the plurality of second gas flow paths 42. The coupling reinforcing portion 236 faces the base end face 103 in the boundary region 403 of the fuel cell unit 10. In the present embodiment, the base end face 103 of the fuel cell unit 10 means the lower end face.

  The size of the through hole 234 in the arrangement direction (z-axis direction) is larger than the diameter of each gas flow channel 41, 42. Specifically, the dimension of the first division hole 234a in the arrangement direction is larger than the diameter of the first gas flow channel 41. The dimension of the second division hole 234b in the arrangement direction is larger than the diameter of the second gas passage 43. With this configuration, even if the position of the base end portion 101 of the fuel cell unit 10 deviates from the design value due to deformation of the fuel cell unit 10 or the like, the through hole 234 and each gas flow channel 41 are formed. , 42 can be maintained in communication with each other.

  The base end surface 103 of the fuel cell unit 10 has an outer peripheral edge portion and a central portion surrounded by the outer peripheral edge portion. The outer peripheral edge portion of the base end face 103 is in contact with the top plate 231. The central portion of the base end face 103 faces the through hole 234. That is, the base end surface 103 of the fuel cell unit 10 is slightly larger than the through hole 234 in plan view (view in the x-axis direction). The central portion of the base end face 103 is in contact with the coupling reinforcing portion 236 between the first division hole 234a and the second division hole 234b.

  The base end portion 101 of the fuel cell unit 10 is fixed to the top plate 231. For example, the base end portion 101 of the fuel cell unit 10 is fixed to the top plate 231 by the bonding material 104 or the like. More specifically, the base end portion 101 of the fuel cell 10 is fixed to the top plate 231 by a bonding material 104 or the like in a state where the base end surface 103 of the fuel cell 10 is arranged so as to cover the through hole 234. The bonding material 104 is formed in an annular shape along the base end portion 101 of the fuel cell unit 10. The fuel cell unit 10 is not inserted into the through hole 234.

[Power generation method]
In the cell stack device 100 configured as described above, the fuel gas such as hydrogen gas is supplied to the gas supply chamber 21 of the manifold 2, and the fuel cell unit 10 is exposed to a gas containing oxygen such as air. Then, a chemical reaction represented by the following formula (1) occurs at the air electrode 8, a chemical reaction represented by the following formula (2) occurs at the fuel electrode 6, and an electric current flows.
(1/2) · O ₂ + 2e ⁻ → O ^{2 −} (1)
^{_{H 2 + O 2- → H 2}} O + 2e - ... (2)

  Specifically, the fuel gas supplied to the gas supply chamber 21 flows in the first gas flow path 41 of each fuel cell 10 and is represented by the above formula (2) in the fuel electrode 6 of each power generation element section 5. A chemical reaction occurs. The unreacted fuel gas in each fuel electrode 6 exits the first gas passage 41 and is supplied to the second gas passage 42 through the communication passage 30. Then, the fuel gas supplied to the second gas flow path 42 undergoes the chemical reaction shown in the formula (2) again in the fuel electrode 6. The fuel gas that has not reacted in the fuel electrode 6 in the process of flowing through the second gas flow path 42 is recovered in the gas recovery chamber 22 of the manifold 2.

[Modification]
The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Modification 1
In the above-described embodiment, the coupling reinforcing portion 236 is formed in the central portion of the through hole 234 in the extending direction (y-axis direction), and the first division hole 234a and the second division hole 234b have substantially the same size. However, the position of the coupling reinforcing portion 236 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the coupling reinforcing portion 236 may be arranged on the second dividing hole 234b side (lower side in FIG. 9). That is, the first divided hole 234a may be larger than the second divided hole 234b. In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the number of the first gas passages 41 can be made larger than that of the second gas passages 42. The connection reinforcing portion 236 may be arranged on the first division hole 234a side, and the second division hole 234b may be larger than the first division hole 234a.

Modification 2
In the above-described embodiment, one through-hole 234 has one connecting reinforcing portion 236, but the number of connecting reinforcing portions 236 is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the top plate 231 may have two connecting reinforcing portions 236 for one through hole 234. That is, the through hole 234 may be divided into three divided holes.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, among the three divided holes, the divided holes at both ends are made to communicate with the gas supply chamber 21 as the first divided holes 234a, and the central divided hole is made as the second divided hole 234b. It may be communicated with the recovery chamber 22. The first division hole 234a communicates with the first gas flow channel 41, and the second division hole 234b communicates with the second gas flow channel 42.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, among the three divided holes, the divided holes at both ends are made to communicate with the gas recovery chamber 22 as the second divided holes 234b, and the central divided hole is made as the first divided hole 234a. You may communicate with. The first division hole 234a communicates with the first gas flow channel 41, and the second division hole 234b communicates with the second gas flow channel 42.

Modification 3
In the above-described embodiment, the coupling reinforcing portion 236 faces the base end face 103 in the boundary region 403 of the fuel cell unit 10, but the configuration is not limited to this. The coupling reinforcing portion 236 may be formed at a position facing the base end face 103 in the first region 401 or the second region 402.

Modification 4
In the above-described embodiment, the entire outer peripheral edge portion of the base end face 103 of the fuel cell 10 is in contact with the top plate 231, but at least a part of the outer peripheral edge portion of the base end face 103 is not in contact with the top plate 231. May be. That is, a gap may be formed between the base end face 103 and the top plate 231.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the distance between the base end face 103 of the fuel cell 10 and the top plate 231 of the manifold 2 is different in the width direction (y-axis direction) of the fuel cell 10. The distance d1 between the base end face 103 of the fuel battery cell 10 and the top plate 231 of the manifold 2 at the center in the width direction of the fuel battery cell 10 is determined by the base end face of the fuel battery cell 10 at the widthwise end of the fuel battery cell 10. It is larger than the distance d2 between 103 and the top plate 231 of the manifold 2.

  The distance between the base end surface 103 of the fuel cell unit 10 and the top plate 231 of the manifold 2 gradually increases from both ends in the width direction (y-axis direction) toward the center. The base end surface 103 of the fuel cell unit 10 is curved so that the center portion in the width direction (y-axis direction) is farther from the top plate 231 than both end portions in the width direction. For example, the base end surface 103 is formed in an arc shape when the fuel cell 10 is viewed from the front (viewed in the z-axis direction). Note that the crosspiece 235 of the top plate 231 may be curved so that the center portion in the width direction is farther from the base end face 103 of the fuel cell unit 10 than the both ends in the width direction. For example, when viewed from the front of the fuel cell 10 (viewed in the z-axis direction), the crosspiece 235 of the top plate 231 may be curved in an arc shape.

  The central portion in the width direction of the fuel cell 10 refers to a region near the center of the fuel cell 10 in the width direction. Specifically, the central portion of the fuel cell 10 in the width direction refers to the central portion of the fuel cell 10 divided into five equal parts in the width direction. In addition, the widthwise end of the fuel cell 10 refers to, for example, an end of the fuel cell 10 that is divided into five equal parts in the widthwise direction.

  The base end face 103 of the fuel cell unit 10 is in contact with the top plate 231 at both ends in the width direction. Specifically, the base end surface 103 of the fuel cell unit 10 is in contact with the top plate 231 at a part of both ends in the width direction.

  The distance d1 between the base end face 103 of the fuel cell 10 and the top plate 231 of the manifold 2 at the center of the fuel cell 10 in the width direction is, for example, about 0.02 to 1 mm. This distance d1 is obtained by measuring the distance between the base end face 103 at the center and the top plate 231 of the fuel cell 10 divided into five equal parts in the width direction at arbitrary three points and averaging them. .

  The distance d2 between the base end surface 103 of the fuel cell 10 and the top plate 231 of the manifold 2 at the widthwise end of the fuel cell 10 is, for example, about 0.01 to 0.3 mm. This distance d2 is, for example, obtained by measuring the distance between the base plate 103 at the end of the fuel cell 10 divided into five equal parts in the width direction and the top plate 231, and averaging them. .

  The bonding material 104 is filled in the gap between the base end face 103 of the fuel cell 10 and the top plate 231 of the manifold 2. As shown in FIG. 15, the bonding material 104 is filled between the outer peripheral edge of the base end face 103 and the top plate 231. Further, the bonding material 104 is not filled between the central portion of the base end face 103 and the top plate 231. That is, between the first gas flow channel 41 and the second gas flow channel 42 and the through hole 234 so that the first gas flow channel 41 and the second gas flow channel 42 communicate with the through hole 234. The bonding material 104 is not filled.

  Note that, as shown in FIG. 16, the bonding material 104 may protrude between the through hole 234 and the first or second gas flow channels 41, 42 so that a part thereof overlaps the through hole 234. Further, part of the bonding material 104 may cover the inner wall surfaces of the base end portions 411 and 421 of the first or second gas flow paths 41 and 42. With this bonding material 104, the strength of the base end portions 411, 421 of the first or second gas flow paths 41, 42 can be improved.

  Further, part of the bonding material 104 may cover at least part of the inner wall surface of the through hole 234. This can prevent the bonding material 104 from peeling off from the top plate 231.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the bonding material 104 is filled between the coupling reinforcing portion 236 and the base end surface 103 of the fuel cell unit 10. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fuel gas in the gas supply chamber 21 from flowing into the gas recovery chamber 22 through the gap between the coupling reinforcing portion 236 and the base end face 103 of the fuel cell unit 10.

The bonding material 104 is, for example, crystallized glass. As the crystallized glass, for example, SiO ₂ —B ₂ O ₃ system, SiO ₂ —CaO system, or SiO ₂ —MgO system can be adopted. In the present specification, the crystallized glass has a ratio (crystallinity) of “volume occupied by crystalline phase” to the total volume of 60% or more, and “volume occupied by amorphous phase and impurities relative to the total volume. Refers to glass having a ratio of less than 40%. As the material of the bonding material 104, amorphous glass, a brazing material, ceramics or the like may be adopted. Specifically, the bonding material 104 _is at least one selected from _{SiO 2 -MgO-B 2 O 5} -Al 2 O 3 system and _{SiO 2 -MgO-Al 2 O 3} -ZnO group consisting systems.

Modification 5
As shown in FIG. 18, the cell stack device 100 may not include the communication member 3. In this case, for example, the communication channel 30 may be formed in the support substrate 4. The communication channel 30 extends in the width direction (y-axis direction) at the tip portion 44 of the support substrate 4.

Modification 6
The fuel cell unit 10 of the above-described embodiment is a so-called horizontal stripe type fuel cell unit in which the power generation element units 5 are arranged in the length direction (x-axis direction) of the support substrate 4, The configuration is not limited to this. For example, the fuel cell unit 10 may be a so-called vertical stripe type fuel cell unit in which one power generating element unit 5 is supported on the first main surface 45 of the support substrate 4. In this case, one power generation element unit 5 may be supported on the second main surface 46 of the support substrate 4, or may not be supported.

Modification 7
In the above embodiment, the off gas from the fuel cell unit 10 is recovered by the gas recovery chamber 22 of the manifold 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, off-gas may be discharged from the tip of the fuel cell unit 10 and burned. In this case, the manifold 2 does not have the partition plate 24 and does not have to be divided into the gas supply chamber 21 and the gas recovery chamber 22.

2 Manifold 21 Gas Supply Chamber 22 Gas Recovery Chamber 231 Top Plate 232 Bottom Plate 233 Side Plate 234 Through Hole 234a First Divided Hole 234b Second Divided Hole 235 Cross Section 236 Connection Reinforcement Part 41 First Gas Flow Path 42 Second Gas Flow Path 10 Fuel cell 103 Base end face

Claims (6)

A plurality of fuel cells,
A manifold supplying gas to the plurality of fuel cells,
Equipped with
The manifold includes a bottom plate, a side plate, and a top plate,
The top plate is
A plurality of through holes that are arranged at intervals from each other and that extend in an extending direction that intersects the arrangement direction,
A plurality of cross sections extending in the extending direction between the through holes,
A cross-linking reinforcing portion that crosses the through-hole and connects the crosspieces adjacent to each other,
Have
The through hole is divided into a plurality of division holes by the connection reinforcing portion,
A plurality of the fuel cells extend from the top plate,
In the one fuel cell , gas is supplied and / or recovered through the plurality of division holes ,
Each of the divided holes has a long hole shape,
Cell stack device.
A plurality of fuel cells,
A manifold supplying gas to the plurality of fuel cells,
Equipped with
The manifold includes a bottom plate, a side plate, and a top plate,
The top plate is
A plurality of through holes that are arranged at intervals from each other and that extend in an extending direction that intersects the arrangement direction,
A plurality of cross sections extending in the extending direction between the through holes,
A cross-linking reinforcing portion that crosses the through-hole and connects the crosspieces adjacent to each other,
Have
The through hole is divided into a plurality of division holes by the connection reinforcing portion,
A plurality of the fuel cells extend from the top plate,
In the one fuel cell , gas is supplied and / or recovered through the plurality of division holes ,
Each of the division holes communicates with a plurality of gas flow paths formed in the fuel cell unit,
Cell stack device.
Each of the divided holes has a long hole shape,
The cell stack device according to claim 2 .
The fuel cell has a base end surface facing the top plate,
The outer peripheral edge portion of the base end face is in contact with the top plate,
A central portion of the base end face surrounded by the outer peripheral edge portion faces the through hole,
The cell stack device according to claim 1.
The manifold has a gas supply chamber and a gas recovery chamber,
The connection reinforcing portion is arranged at a boundary portion between the gas supply chamber and the gas recovery chamber,
The plurality of division holes include a first division hole that communicates with the gas supply chamber and a second division hole that communicates with the gas recovery chamber.
The cell stack device according to claim 1.
The fuel cell is
At least one first gas flow path that communicates with the gas supply chamber and extends from the base end portion to the tip end portion of the fuel cell;
At least one second gas flow path communicating with the gas recovery chamber, extending from the base end of the fuel cell to the tip, and communicating with the first gas flow path at the tip of the fuel cell;
Has,
The cell stack device according to claim 5.

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