Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B15/00—Operating or servicing cells
  • C25B15/08—Supplying or removing reactants or electrolytes; Regeneration of electrolytes
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
  • C25B9/60—Constructional parts of cells
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
  • C25B1/00—Electrolytic production of inorganic compounds or non-metals
  • C25B1/01—Products
  • C25B1/02—Hydrogen or oxygen
  • C25B1/04—Hydrogen or oxygen by electrolysis of water
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
  • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an electrochemical cell.
• Patent Document 1 discloses an electrochemical cell (electrolysis cell, fuel cell, etc.) that includes a cell main body placed on a gas container.
• the gas container has a metal support having multiple communication holes formed on its main surface, and a flow path member that forms an internal space between the metal support and the flow path member.
• the metal support is welded to the flow path member.
• Increasing the area of the main surface of the metal support and thereby increasing the weld length are effective ways to ensure smooth current flow within the gas container.
• increasing the area of the main surface of the metal support increases the distance between the cell body and the weld, resulting in current loss between them.
• the objective of the present invention is to provide an electrochemical cell that can suppress current loss in a gas container.
• the electrochemical cell according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a gas container and a cell main body.
• the gas container has a metal support having a plurality of communication holes, gas supply holes, and gas exhaust holes formed on its main surface, a flow path member that forms an internal space between the metal support and the cell main body, and a weld that seals the gap between the metal support and the flow path member.
• the cell main body is disposed on the main surface and covers the plurality of communication holes.
• the internal space has a gas supply chamber connected to the gas supply holes, a gas exhaust chamber connected to the gas exhaust holes, and a gas flow chamber that is connected to the plurality of communication holes and is disposed between the gas supply chamber and the gas exhaust chamber.
• the weld has a constriction that separates the gas flow chamber from the gas supply chamber or the gas exhaust chamber.
• the electrochemical cell according to a second aspect of the present invention is the electrochemical cell according to the first aspect, wherein, in a plan view of the main surface, the gas container has a recess formed along the constricted portion.
• the electrochemical cell according to a third aspect of the present invention is the electrochemical cell according to the first or second aspect, wherein, in a plan view of the main surface, the corners of the constricted portion are rounded.
• the electrochemical cell according to a fourth aspect of the present invention relates to any one of the first to third aspects, and when the constricted portion separates the gas flow chamber and the gas supply chamber in a plan view of the main surface, the corner of the first portion of the weld facing the gas supply chamber is rounded.
• the electrochemical cell according to a fifth aspect of the present invention relates to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and when the constricted portion separates the gas flow chamber and the gas exhaust chamber in a plan view of the main surface, the corner of the second portion of the weld facing the gas exhaust chamber is rounded.
• the electrochemical cell according to a sixth aspect of the present invention relates to any one of the first to fifth aspects, and in a plan view of the main surface, the corner of a third portion of the weld facing the gas flow chamber is rounded.
• the present invention provides an electrochemical cell that can suppress current loss in a gas container.
• FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electrolysis cell according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
• FIG. 3 is a plan view of an electrolysis cell according to the first modification.
• FIG. 4 is a plan view of an electrolysis cell according to the second modification.
• 5(a) to 5(h) are plan views of the electrolysis cell according to the second modification.
• FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electrolysis cell 1 according to an embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1.
• Electrolytic cell 1 is an example of an "electrochemical cell” according to the present invention. Electrolytic cell 1 is a so-called metal-supported type.
• the electrolytic cell 1 is formed in the shape of a plate extending in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.
• the electrolytic cell 1 is formed in the shape of a rectangle extending in the Y-axis direction when viewed in a plan view from the Z-axis direction, which is perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis directions.
• the planar shape of the electrolytic cell 1 is not particularly limited, and may be polygonal, elliptical, circular, or other shapes other than a rectangle.
• the electrolysis cell 1 comprises a cell main body 2 and a gas container 3.
• Cell body 2 The cell body 2 is supported by the gas container 3.
• the cell body 2 is disposed on a first main surface 12 of a metal support 10 (described later) of the gas container 3.
• the cell main body 2 has a hydrogen electrode layer 6 (cathode), electrolyte layer 7, reaction prevention layer 8, and oxygen electrode layer 9 (anode).
• the hydrogen electrode layer 6, electrolyte layer 7, reaction prevention layer 8, and oxygen electrode layer 9 are stacked in this order in the Z-axis direction from the gas container 3 side.
• the hydrogen electrode layer 6, electrolyte layer 7, and oxygen electrode layer 9 are required components, while the reaction prevention layer 8 is optional.
• the hydrogen electrode layer 6 is formed on the first main surface 12 of the metal support 10 .
• a source gas is supplied to the hydrogen electrode layer 6 through each of the communication holes 11 in the metal support 10.
• the source gas contains at least water vapor (H 2 O).
• the hydrogen electrode layer 6 When the source gas contains only H 2 O, the hydrogen electrode layer 6 generates H 2 from the source gas in accordance with the electrochemical reaction of water electrolysis shown in the following formula (1).
• Hydrogen electrode layer 6 H 2 O+2e ⁇ ⁇ H 2 +O 2 ⁇ (1)
• the hydrogen electrode layer 6 produces H 2 , CO, and O 2 ⁇ from the source gas in accordance with the co-electrolytic electrochemical reactions shown in the following formulas (2), (3), and (4).
• ⁇ Hydrogen electrode layer 6 CO 2 +H 2 O+4e - ⁇ CO+H 2 +2O 2 -...(2) Electrochemical reaction of H 2 O: H 2 O + 2e ⁇ ⁇ H 2 + O 2 ⁇ (3) Electrochemical reaction of CO 2 : CO 2 + 2e ⁇ ⁇ CO + O 2 ⁇ (4)
• the H 2 generated in the hydrogen electrode layer 6 flows out from each of the communication holes 11 of the metal support 10 into the internal space 3 a described below.
• the hydrogen electrode layer 6 is an electron-conductive porous material.
• the hydrogen electrode layer 6 contains nickel (Ni).
• Ni functions as an electron conductor and also as a thermal catalyst that promotes the thermal reaction between the generated H 2 and the CO 2 contained in the feed gas, thereby maintaining an appropriate gas composition for methanation, Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis, and the like.
• the Ni contained in the hydrogen electrode layer 6 is basically present in the form of metallic Ni, but may also be present in part in the form of nickel oxide (NiO).
• the hydrogen electrode layer 6 may contain an ion-conductive material such as yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), calcia-stabilized zirconia (CSZ), scandia-stabilized zirconia (ScSZ), gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC), samarium-doped ceria (SDC), (La,Sr)(Cr,Mn) O3 , (La,Sr) TiO3 , Sr2 (Fe,Mo) 2O6 , (La,Sr) VO3 , (La,Sr) FeO3 , or a mixture of two or more of these materials.
• YSZ yttria-stabilized zirconia
• CSZ calcia-stabilized zirconia
• ScSZ scandia-stabilized zirconia
• GDC gadolinium-doped ceria
• SDC samarium-doped ceria
• the porosity of the hydrogen electrode layer 6 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 5% or more and 70% or less.
• the thickness of the hydrogen electrode layer 6 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 1 ⁇ m or more and 100 ⁇ m or less.
• the method for forming the hydrogen electrode layer 6 is not particularly limited, and methods such as firing, spray coating (thermal spraying, aerosol deposition, aerosol gas deposition, powder jet deposition, particle jet deposition, cold spray, etc.), PVD (sputtering, pulsed laser deposition, etc.), and CVD can be used.
• the electrolyte layer 7 is formed on the hydrogen electrode layer 6.
• the electrolyte layer 7 is disposed between the hydrogen electrode layer 6 and the oxygen electrode layer 9.
• the electrolyte layer 7 is sandwiched between the hydrogen electrode layer 6 and the reaction prevention layer 8 and is connected to both of them.
• the electrolyte layer 7 covers the hydrogen electrode layer 6 and is connected to the first main surface 12 of the metal support 10.
• the electrolyte layer 7 is a dense body having oxide ion conductivity.
• the electrolyte layer 7 transfers O 2- generated in the hydrogen electrode layer 6 to the oxygen electrode layer 9.
• the electrolyte layer 7 is made of an oxide ion conductive material.
• the electrolyte layer 7 can be made of, for example, YSZ, GDC, ScSZ, SDC, LSGM (lanthanum gallate), or the like, with YSZ being particularly suitable.
• the porosity of the electrolyte layer 7 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 0.1% or more and 7% or less.
• the thickness of the electrolyte layer 7 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 1 ⁇ m or more and 100 ⁇ m or less.
• the method for forming the electrolyte layer 7 is not particularly limited, and methods such as firing, spray coating, PVD, and CVD can be used.
• reaction prevention layer 8 The reaction prevention layer 8 is disposed between the electrolyte layer 7 and the oxygen electrode layer 9. The reaction prevention layer 8 is disposed on the opposite side of the electrolyte layer 7 from the hydrogen electrode layer 6. The reaction prevention layer 8 prevents the constituent elements of the electrolyte layer 7 from reacting with the constituent elements of the oxygen electrode layer 9 to form a layer with high electrical resistance.
• the reaction prevention layer 8 is made of an oxide ion conductive material.
• the reaction prevention layer 8 can be made of GDC, SDC, etc.
• the porosity of the reaction prevention layer 8 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 0.1% to 50%.
• the thickness of the reaction prevention layer 8 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 1 ⁇ m to 50 ⁇ m.
• reaction prevention layer 8 There are no particular restrictions on the method for forming the reaction prevention layer 8, and methods such as baking, spray coating, PVD, and CVD can be used.
• the oxygen electrode layer 9 is disposed on the opposite side of the electrolyte layer 7 from the hydrogen electrode layer 6.
• the reaction prevention layer 8 is disposed between the electrolyte layer 7 and the oxygen electrode layer 9, and therefore the oxygen electrode layer 9 is connected to the reaction prevention layer 8. If the reaction prevention layer 8 is not disposed between the electrolyte layer 7 and the oxygen electrode layer 9, the oxygen electrode layer 9 is connected to the electrolyte layer 7.
• the oxygen electrode layer 9 generates O 2 from O 2 ⁇ transferred from the hydrogen electrode layer 6 via the electrolyte layer 7 in accordance with the chemical reaction of the following formula (5).
• Oxygen electrode layer 9 2O 2 ⁇ ⁇ O 2 + 4e ⁇ (5)
• the oxygen electrode layer 9 is a porous body having oxide ion conductivity and electron conductivity, and can be made of a composite material of one or more of (La,Sr)(Co,Fe) O3 , (La,Sr) FeO3 , La(Ni,Fe) O3 , (La,Sr) CoO3 , and (Sm,Sr) CoO3 and an oxide ion conductive material (such as GDC).
• the porosity of the oxygen electrode layer 9 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 20% or more and 60% or less.
• the thickness of the oxygen electrode layer 9 is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 1 ⁇ m or more and 100 ⁇ m or less.
• the method for forming the oxygen electrode layer 9 is not particularly limited, and methods such as firing, spray coating, PVD, and CVD can be used.
• the gas container 3 supports the cell main body 2.
• the gas container 3 is used for supplying and discharging gas.
• the gas container 3 supplies the source gas to the cell main body 2 (specifically, the hydrogen electrode layer 6).
• the gas container 3 discharges to the outside the product gas generated in the hydrogen electrode layer 6 and the remaining source gas not consumed in the cell main body 2 (specifically, the hydrogen electrode layer 6).
• the gas container 3 has a metal support 10, a flow path member 20, and a welded portion 30.
• the gas container 3 has an internal space 3a inside.
• the metal support 10 supports the cell main body 2.
• the metal support 10 is formed in a plate shape.
• the metal support 10 may be in a flat plate shape or a curved plate shape.
• the metal support 10 only needs to be able to support the cell main body 2, and its thickness is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, between 0.1 mm and 2.0 mm.
• the metal support 10 has a plurality of communicating holes 11, a first main surface 12, and a second main surface 13.
• Each communication hole 11 is formed in the first main surface 12.
• Each communication hole 11 penetrates the metal support 10 from the first main surface 12 to the second main surface 13.
• Each communication hole 11 opens to both the first main surface 12 and the second main surface 13.
• the opening of each communication hole 11 on the first main surface 12 side is covered by the cell main body 2 (specifically, the hydrogen electrode layer 6).
• the opening of each communication hole 11 on the second main surface 13 side is connected to a gas flow chamber a3 (described below) within the internal space 3a.
• Each communication hole 11 can be formed by mechanical processing (e.g., punching), laser processing, or chemical processing (e.g., etching).
• each communication hole 11 is formed linearly along the Z-axis direction.
• each communication hole 11 may be inclined with respect to the Z-axis direction, or may not be linear.
• the communication holes 11 may be connected to each other.
• the first main surface 12 is provided on the opposite side of the second main surface 13.
• the cell main body 2 is disposed on the first main surface 12.
• a flow path member 20 is bonded to the second main surface 13.
• the metal support 10 has gas supply holes 15 and gas exhaust holes 16.
• the gas supply holes 15 are formed in the first main surface 12.
• the gas supply holes 15 penetrate the metal support 10 from the first main surface 12 to the second main surface 13.
• the gas supply holes 15 open to both the first main surface 12 and the second main surface 13.
• the opening of the gas supply hole 15 on the first main surface 12 side connects to a gas supply hole 25 in a flow path member 20 of another electrolysis cell 1 (not shown).
• the opening of the gas supply hole 15 on the second main surface 13 side connects to a gas supply chamber a1 (described below) in the internal space 3a.
• the gas exhaust hole 16 is formed in the first main surface 12.
• the gas exhaust hole 16 penetrates the metal support 10 from the first main surface 12 to the second main surface 13.
• the gas exhaust hole 16 opens to both the first main surface 12 and the second main surface 13.
• the opening of the gas exhaust hole 16 on the first main surface 12 side connects to a gas exhaust hole 26 of a flow path member 20 of another electrolysis cell 1 (not shown).
• the opening of the gas exhaust hole 16 on the second main surface 13 side connects to a gas exhaust chamber a2 (described below) in the internal space 3a.
• the metal support 10 is made of a metal material.
• the metal support 10 can be made of an alloy material containing Cr (chromium).
• Examples of such metal materials include Fe-Cr alloy steel (stainless steel, etc.) and Ni-Cr alloy steel.
• Cr content in the metal support 10 can be between 4% and 30% by mass.
• the metal support 10 may contain Ti (titanium) or Zr (zirconium).
• the Ti content in the metal support 10 is not particularly limited, but may be 0.01 mol % or more and 1.0 mol % or less.
• the Zr content in the metal support 10 is not particularly limited, but may be 0.01 mol % or more and 0.4 mol % or less.
• the metal support 10 may contain Ti as TiO 2 (titania) or Zr as ZrO 2 (zirconia).
• the flow path member 20 is joined to the metal support 10.
• the flow path member 20 is joined to the metal support 10 by a weld 30. In other words, the flow path member 20 is welded to the metal support 10.
• the flow path member 20 is made of a metal material.
• the flow path member 20 can be made of the alloy material described above.
• the material composition of the flow path member 20 may be the same as or different from the material composition of the metal support 10.
• the flow path member 20 has a frame portion 21 and an interconnector 22.
• the frame portion 21 and the interconnector 22 are separate members.
• the frame portion 21 is joined to the interconnector 22 by a weld portion 30. In other words, the frame portion 21 is welded to the interconnector 22.
• the frame portion 21 is formed in a ring shape.
• the frame portion 21 is placed on the outer edge of the interconnector 22.
• the frame portion 21 functions as a spacer to form a gap between the metal support 10 and the interconnector 22.
• the interconnector 22 is positioned on the opposite side of the metal support 10 with respect to the frame portion 21.
• the interconnector 22 is an electrical connection member for electrically connecting the electrolytic cell 1 to other electrolytic cells or an external power source.
• the interconnector 22 is formed in a plate shape.
• the interconnector 22 may be in the shape of a flat plate or a curved plate. There are no particular restrictions on the thickness of the interconnector 22, but it can be, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 2.0 mm or less.
• the interconnector 22 has a first main surface 23 and a second main surface 24.
• the first main surface 23 faces the second main surface 13 of the metal support 10.
• the second main surface 24 is provided on the opposite side of the first main surface 23.
• the interconnector 22 has a gas supply hole 25 and a gas exhaust hole 26.
• the gas supply holes 25 are formed in the first main surface 23.
• the gas supply holes 25 penetrate the interconnector 22 from the first main surface 23 to the second main surface 24.
• the opening of the gas supply hole 25 on the first main surface 23 side connects to a gas supply chamber a1 (described below) in the internal space 3a.
• the opening of the gas supply hole 25 on the second main surface 24 side connects to a gas supply hole 15 in a metal support 10 of another electrolysis cell 1 (not shown).
• the gas exhaust hole 26 is formed in the first main surface 23.
• the gas exhaust hole 26 penetrates the interconnector 22 from the first main surface 23 to the second main surface 24.
• the gas exhaust hole 26 opens to both the first main surface 23 and the second main surface 24.
• the opening of the gas exhaust hole 26 on the first main surface 23 side connects to the gas exhaust chamber a2 (described below) in the internal space 3a.
• the opening of the gas exhaust hole 26 on the second main surface 24 side connects to the gas exhaust hole 16 of the metal support 10 of another electrolysis cell 1 (not shown).
• the internal space 3 a is a space between the metal support 10 and the flow path member 20.
• the outer periphery of the internal space 3 a in the surface direction is sealed by a welded portion 30.
• the internal space 3a has a gas supply chamber a1, a gas discharge chamber a2, and a gas flow chamber a3.
• Gas supply chamber a1 is connected to gas supply hole 15 in metal support 10. Gas supply chamber a1 is connected to gas supply hole 25 in flow path member 20. Gas supply chamber a1 is connected to gas flow chamber a3 in the gas flow direction.
• the gas flow direction refers to a direction parallel to the line L1 connecting the geometric center of the gas supply hole 15 and the geometric center of the gas exhaust hole 16 in a plan view of the first main surface 12 of the metal support 10.
• the direction perpendicular to the gas flow direction in a plan view of the first main surface 12 of the metal support 10 is referred to as the width direction.
• the gas exhaust chamber a2 is connected to the gas exhaust hole 16 of the metal support 10.
• the gas exhaust chamber a2 is connected to the gas exhaust hole 26 of the flow path member 20.
• the gas exhaust chamber a2 is connected to the gas flow chamber a3 in the gas flow direction.
• the gas exhaust chamber a2 is located on the opposite side of the gas supply chamber a1 in the gas flow direction, relative to the gas flow chamber a3.
• the gas flow chamber a3 is connected to each communication hole 11 of the metal support 10.
• the gas flow chamber a3 is positioned between the gas supply chamber a1 and the gas discharge chamber a2 in the gas flow direction.
• the raw material gas is supplied to the gas supply chamber a1 through the gas supply hole 15 in the metal support 10 or the gas supply hole 25 in the flow path member 20.
• the raw material gas that flows into the gas supply chamber a1 flows from the gas supply chamber a1 into the gas flow chamber a3.
• the raw material gas that flows into the gas flow chamber a3 flows from the gas flow chamber a3 into each of the communication holes 11 in the metal support 10.
• the product gas generated in the hydrogen electrode layer 6 flows into the gas flow chamber a3 through each of the communication holes 11 in the metal support 10.
• the product gas generated in the hydrogen electrode layer 6 and the remaining raw material gas not consumed in the hydrogen electrode layer 6 flow from the gas flow chamber a3 into the gas discharge chamber a2.
• the product gas and remaining raw material gas that flow into the gas discharge chamber a2 are discharged to the outside through the gas discharge hole 16 in the metal support 10 or the gas discharge hole 26 in the flow path member 20.
• the welded portion 30 has a first constricted portion 31 and a second constricted portion 32.
• Each of the first constricted portion 31 and the second constricted portion 32 is an example of a "constricted portion" according to the present invention.
• the first constricted portion 31 is formed between the gas supply hole 15 of the metal support 10 and the cell main body 2 in a plan view of the first main surface 12 of the metal support 10.
• the first constricted portion 31 is a recess formed in a convex shape toward the inside of the internal space 3a in the width direction.
• the first constricted portion 31 is a portion of the welded portion 30 that is narrow in the width direction.
• the first constricted portion 31 is narrower than the portion of the welded portion 30 upstream of the first constricted portion 31, and is also narrower than the portion of the welded portion 30 downstream of the first constricted portion 31. Therefore, the width of the welded portion 30 in the width direction is partially narrowed at the first constricted portion 31.
• the first constricted portion 31 separates the gas supply chamber a1 from the gas flow chamber a3.
• the space within the internal space 3a upstream of the first constricted portion 31 is the gas supply chamber a1
• the space within the internal space 3a downstream of the first constricted portion 31 is the gas flow chamber a3.
• the upstream side of a straight line L2 that passes through the innermost points P1 and P2 of the first constricted portion 31 and is parallel to the width direction is the gas supply chamber a1
• the downstream side of this straight line L2 is the gas flow chamber a3.
• the first constricted portion 31 By having the first constricted portion 31 in the welded portion 30, it is possible to provide a gas supply chamber a1 separated from the gas flow chamber a3 by the first constricted portion 31. This makes it possible to increase the area of the first main surface 12 of the metal support 10 and lengthen the welded portion 30 compared to when the gas supply chamber a1 does not exist. This allows for smoother current flow within the gas container 3.
• the welded portion 30 has the first constricted portion 31, a portion of the welded portion 30 can be extended in the width direction along the cell main body 2. This shortens the distance between the cell main body 2 and the first constricted portion 31 of the welded portion 30, thereby suppressing current loss between the cell main body 2 and the welded portion 30.
• the second constricted portion 32 is formed between the gas exhaust hole 16 of the metal support 10 and the cell main body 2 in a plan view of the first main surface 12 of the metal support 10.
• the second constricted portion 32 is a recess formed in a convex shape facing inward in the width direction of the internal space 3a.
• the second constricted portion 32 is a portion of the welded portion 30 that is narrow in the width direction.
• the second constricted portion 32 is narrower than the portion of the welded portion 30 upstream of the second constricted portion 32, and is also narrower than the portion of the welded portion 30 downstream of the second constricted portion 32. Therefore, the width of the welded portion 30 in the width direction is partially narrowed at the second constricted portion 32.
• the second constricted portion 32 separates the gas discharge chamber a2 from the gas flow chamber a3.
• the space within the internal space 3a upstream of the second constricted portion 32 is the gas flow chamber a3, and the space within the internal space 3a downstream of the second constricted portion 32 is the gas discharge chamber a2.
• the upstream side of a straight line L3 that passes through the innermost points P3 and P4 of the second constricted portion 32 and is parallel to the width direction is the gas flow chamber a3, and the downstream side of this straight line L3 is the gas discharge chamber a2.
• a gas exhaust chamber a2 can be provided that is separated from the gas flow chamber a3 by the second constricted portion 32. This allows the area of the first main surface 12 of the metal support 10 to be larger and the length of the welded portion 30 to be longer than in the case where the gas exhaust chamber a2 does not exist. This allows for smoother current flow within the gas container 3.
• the welded portion 30 has the second constricted portion 32, a portion of the welded portion 30 can be extended in the width direction along the cell main body 2. This shortens the distance between the cell main body 2 and the second constricted portion 32 of the welded portion 30, thereby suppressing current loss between the cell main body 2 and the welded portion 30.
• the welded portion 30 has a first portion 33, a second portion 34, and a third portion 35.
• the first portion 33 is the portion of the welded portion 30 that faces the gas supply chamber a1.
• the first portion 33 includes a portion of the first constricted portion 31.
• the first portion 33 includes the portion of the first constricted portion 31 that is upstream of the innermost points P1 and P2.
• the corners of the first portion 33 have a rounded shape in plan view. This allows the corners of the gas supply chamber a1 to be streamlined, preventing gas from accumulating in the corners of the gas supply chamber a1 and allowing for smooth gas flow within the gas supply chamber a1.
• a corner means the area where two straight lines connect in plan view.
• the second portion 34 is the portion of the welded portion 30 that faces the gas discharge chamber a2.
• the second portion 34 includes a portion of the second constricted portion 32.
• the second portion 34 includes the portion of the second constricted portion 32 downstream of the innermost points P3 and P4.
• the corners of the second portion 34 have an R-shape in plan view. This allows the corners of the gas discharge chamber a2 to be streamlined, preventing gas from accumulating in the corners of the gas discharge chamber a2 and allowing for a smoother gas flow within the gas discharge chamber a2.
• the third portion 35 is the portion of the welded portion 30 that faces the gas flow chamber a3.
• the third portion 35 includes a portion of the first constricted portion 31 and a portion of the second constricted portion 32.
• the third portion 35 includes a portion of the first constricted portion 31 downstream of the innermost point P1 and a portion of the second constricted portion 32 upstream of the innermost point P3, as well as a portion of the first constricted portion 31 downstream of the innermost point P2 and a portion of the second constricted portion 32 upstream of the innermost point P4.
• the corners of the third portion 35 have an R-shape in plan view. This allows the corners of the gas flow chamber a3 to be streamlined, preventing gas from accumulating at the corners of the gas flow chamber a3 and allowing for smooth gas flow within the gas flow chamber a3.
• the corner of the first constricted portion 31 has an R-shape in plan view. This allows the corner of the first constricted portion 31 to be streamlined, which allows for smooth gas flow from the gas supply chamber a1 to the gas distribution chamber a3 and prevents the first constricted portion 31 from interfering with the flow of current from the cell main body 2 to the first part 33 of the weld 30.
• the corners of the second constricted portion 32 have an R-shape in plan view. This allows the corners of the second constricted portion 32 to be streamlined, which allows for smooth gas flow from the gas flow chamber a3 to the gas discharge chamber a2 and prevents the second constricted portion 32 from interfering with the flow of current from the cell main body 2 to the second part 34 of the welded portion 30.
• the gas container 3 in a plan view of the first main surface 12 of the metal support 10, the gas container 3 preferably has a first recess 3b formed along the first constricted portion 31. This allows the gas container 3 to be flexible, thereby improving the durability of the gas container 3. From this perspective, it is more preferable that the corners of the first recess 3b have an R-shape in a plan view.
• the first recess 3b is formed between the gas supply hole 15 of the metal support 10 and the cell main body 2 in a plan view of the first main surface 12 of the metal support 10.
• the first recess 3b is formed in a convex shape facing inward in the width direction of the internal space 3a.
• the width of the gas container 3 in the width direction is partially narrowed at the first recess 3b.
• the gas container 3 in a plan view of the first main surface 12 of the metal support 10, the gas container 3 preferably has a second recess 3c formed along the second constricted portion 32. This allows the gas container 3 to be flexible, thereby improving the durability of the gas container 3. From this perspective, it is more preferable that the corners of the second recess 3c have an R-shape in a plan view.
• the second recess 3c is formed between the gas exhaust hole 16 of the metal support 10 and the cell main body 2 when viewed from above on the first main surface 12 of the metal support 10.
• the second recess 3c is formed in a convex shape facing inward in the width direction of the internal space 3a.
• the width of the gas container 3 in the width direction is partially narrowed at the second recess 3c.
• the corners of the first constricted portion 31, the second constricted portion 32, the first portion 33, the second portion 34, and the third portion 35 of the welded portion 30 are rounded, but this is not limited to this. As shown in Fig. 3 , at least one corner of the first constricted portion 31, the second constricted portion 32, the first portion 33, the second portion 34, and the third portion 35 of the welded portion 30 may be bent.
• the gas container 3 has the first recess 3 b and the second recess 3 c, but this is not limited thereto. As shown in Fig. 4, the gas container 3 does not necessarily have to have at least one of the first recess 3 b and the second recess 3 c.
• the welded portion 30 has a shape that is symmetrical in the width direction, but this is not limitative.
• the first constricted portion 31 does not need to be formed by being recessed on both sides in the width direction, but may be formed by being recessed on only one side in the width direction.
• the second constricted portion 32 does not need to be formed by being recessed on both sides in the width direction, but may be formed by being recessed on only one side in the width direction.
• the electrolysis cell 1 is formed into a rectangle extending in the Y-axis direction.
• the shape of the electrolysis cell 1 can be modified as appropriate.
• the depths of the first recess 3b and the second recess 3c of the gas container 3 can be modified as appropriate.
• FIG. 5( a) to 5( e) the depths of the first recess 3b and the second recess 3c of the gas container 3 can be modified as appropriate.
• the first recess 3b and the second recess 3c may be asymmetric in the width direction, the gas supply hole 15 and the gas exhaust hole 16 may be offset from the center in the width direction, and the widths of the gas supply chamber a1 and the gas exhaust chamber a2 may be narrower than the width of the gas flow chamber a3.
• the cell main body 2 may be a rectangle extending in the X-axis direction.
• the widths of the gas supply chamber a1 and the gas exhaust chamber a2 may be wider than the width of the gas flow chamber a3, as shown in FIG. 5( h).
• an electrolytic cell has been described as an example of an electrochemical cell, but the electrochemical cell is not limited to an electrolytic cell.
• An electrochemical cell is a general term for an element in which a pair of electrodes are arranged so that an electromotive force is generated from an overall oxidation-reduction reaction in order to convert electrical energy into chemical energy, and an element for converting chemical energy into electrical energy. Therefore, electrochemical cells include, for example, fuel cells that use oxide ions or protons as carriers.

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  • 2024-03-19 DE DE112024000022.3T patent/DE112024000022T5/de active Pending
  • 2024-03-19 JP JP2024547081A patent/JP7659706B1/ja active Active
  • 2024-03-19 WO PCT/JP2024/010765 patent/WO2025196946A1/ja active Pending
  • 2024-10-03 US US18/905,271 patent/US20250297391A1/en active Pending

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