Cell stack device, module, and module housing device

A cell stack device according to the present disclosure includes: a cell stack comprising a plurality of cells; and a manifold configured to supply reaction gas to the plurality of cells, wherein each of the plurality of cells includes: an element part comprising: a fuel electrode layer that is located on the fuel electrode layer; a solid electrolyte layer that is located on the fuel electrode layer; a middle layer that is located on the solid electrolyte layer; and an air electrode layer that is located on the middle layer, the middle layer including: a first middle layer bonded to the solid electrolyte layer; and a second middle layer bonded to the air electrode layer; and a non-element part of the cell that comprises the entire cell excluding the air electrode layer, the non-element part located at least at a first of both ends of the plurality of cells in a longitudinal direction, and the plurality of cells is fixed to the manifold at least at the first end by a sealing material located between the manifold and either the solid electrolyte layer or the first middle layer.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cell stack device, a module, and a module housing device.

BACKGROUND

Recently, as the next generation energy, there has been proposed a fuel battery cell stack device in which a plurality of fuel battery cells, which is a kind of cell capable of obtaining electric power by using fuel gas (gas containing hydrogen) and gas containing oxygen (air), is arranged and fixed to a manifold (see Patent Literature 1, for example).

Moreover, there have been proposed various devices such as a fuel battery module in which the fuel battery cell stack device is housed in its storage container, and a fuel battery device in which the fuel battery module is housed in its external case (see Patent Literature 1, for example).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY

Solution to Problem

A cell stack device according to the present disclosure includes: a cell stack comprising a plurality of cells; and a manifold configured to supply reaction gas to the plurality of cells, wherein each of the plurality of cells includes: an element part comprising: a fuel electrode layer that is located on the fuel electrode layer; a solid electrolyte layer that is located on the fuel electrode layer; a middle layer that is located on the solid electrolyte layer; and an air electrode layer that is located on the middle layer, the middle layer including: a first middle layer-bonded to the solid electrolyte layer; and a second middle layer bonded to the air electrode layer; and a non-element part of the cell that comprises the entire cell excluding the air electrode layer, the non-element part located at least at a first of both ends of the plurality of cells in a longitudinal-direction, and the plurality of cells is fixed to the manifold at least at the first end by a sealing material located between the manifold and either the solid electrolyte layer or the first middle layer.

A module according to the present disclosure is configured such that the above-mentioned cell stack device is housed in a storage container.

A module housing device according to the present disclosure is configured such that the above-mentioned module and an auxiliary configured to drive the module are housed in an external case.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A cell, a cell stack device, a module, and a module housing device will be explained with reference toFIGS. 1 to 12.

Hereinafter, a solid-oxide fuel battery cell is exemplified as a cell constituting a cell stack.

FIG. 1Ais a lateral-cross-sectional view illustrating one example of a cell according to embodiments.FIG. 1Bis a side view illustrating one example of the cell according to the embodiments.FIG. 2is a longitudinal-cross-sectional view illustrating the cell illustrated inFIG. 1A. In both of the drawings, each of configurations of a cell1is indicated in an enlarged manner.

In the example illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B, the cell1is hollow plate-shaped, and further elongated plate-shaped. As illustrated inFIG. 1B, the whole cell1in its side view is rectangular-shaped in which a length of a side in a length direction L is 5 to 50 cm and a length of a side in a width direction W, which is perpendicular to the length direction, is 1 to 10 cm, for example. A thickness of the whole cell1is 1 to 5 mm.

As illustrated inFIG. 1A, the cell1includes, on a flat surface n1of a columnar (for example, hollow plate-shaped) conductivity support substrate (hereinafter, may be referred to as “support substrate2”) having a pair of opposing flat surfaces n1and n2, an element part a in which a fuel electrode layer3, a solid electrolyte layer4, and an air electrode layer5are laminated. Hereinafter, a portion of the cell1that includes the entire cell1excluding the air electrode layer5may be referred to as “non-element part”.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 1A, an inter-connector6is arranged on the other flat surface n2of the cell1.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the cell1according to the present disclosure includes a middle layer that includes a first middle layer21aand a second middle layer21b. The first middle layer21ais arranged between the solid electrolyte layer4and the air electrode layer5, and is bonded to the solid electrolyte layer4. The second middle layer21bhas a thickness larger than that of the first middle layer21a, and is bonded to the air electrode layer5. Hereinafter, the first middle layer21aand the second middle layer21bmay be collectively referred to as “middle layer21”.

Hereinafter, configuration members constituting the cell1will be explained.

Gas flow paths2ainside of which gas flows are provided in the support substrate2, and an example is illustrated inFIG. 1in which the six gas flow paths2aare provided.

The support substrate2has gas permeability for transmitting fuel gas to the fuel electrode layer3, and further has conductivity for performing current collection via the inter-connector6.

The support substrate2contains an iron-group metal component and an inorganic oxide, for example. The iron-group metal component is Ni and/or NiO, and the inorganic oxide is a specific rare earth oxide, for example. The specific rare earth oxide is used for bringing a thermal expansion coefficient of the support substrate2close to a thermal expansion coefficient of the solid electrolyte layer4, and a rare earth oxide is used, which includes at least one element selected from a group including Y, Lu, Yb, Tm, Er, Ho, Dy, Gd, Sm, and Pr, for example. As a specific example of such a rare earth oxide, there may be exemplified Y2O3, Lu2O3, Yb2O3, Tm2O3, Er2O3, Ho2O3, Dy2O3, Gd2O3, Sm2O3, and Pr2O3. In the embodiments, a volume ratio is prepared to Ni and/or NiO:rare earth oxide=35:65 to 65:35 in order to maintain a well electric conductivity of the support substrate2and further to bring a thermal expansion coefficient of the support substrate2close to that of the solid electrolyte layer4.

In the cell1illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B, the columnar (hollow plate-shaped) support substrate2is a plate-shaped body elongated in its standing direction, and has the flat surfaces n1and n2and semicircular-shaped side surfaces m.

In order to provide the gas permeability, an open porosity of the support substrate2may be within a range of equal to or more than 30%, particularly 35 to 50%. The electric conductivity of the support substrate2may be equal to or more than 300 S/cm, particularly equal to or more than 440 S/cm.

A generally well-known material may be employed for the fuel electrode layer3, and there may be used a porous conductive ceramic, such as ZrO2(may be referred to as stabilized zirconia including partially-stabilized ZrO2) into which a rare earth element oxide is solid-dissolved, and Ni and/or NiO. For the rare earth oxide, for example, Y2O3and the like may be employed.

The solid electrolyte layer4has a function as electrolyte that is a bridge for an electron between the fuel electrode layer3and the air electrode layer5and gas shut-off properties for preventing leakage of fuel gas and gas containing oxygen, and is formed of ZrO2into which 3 to 15 mol % of a rare earth element oxide is solid-dissolved, for example. As the rare earth oxide, for example, Y2O3and the like may be employed. Note that another material may be employed as long as the above-mentioned features are ensured.

The air electrode layer5is not particularly limited as long as it is generally used, and a conductive ceramic made of i.e. ABO3perovskite-type oxide may be employed, for example. Moreover, a composite oxide in which Sr and La are coexisting at A sites may be employed, for example. As an example, LaxSr1-xCoyFe1-yO3, LaxSr1-xMnO3, LaxSr1-xFeO3, LaxSr1-xCoO3, and the like may be exemplified. Note that x satisfies 0<x<1, and y satisfies 0<y<1. The air electrode layer5has gas permeability, and an open porosity thereof may be within a range of equal to or more than 20%, particularly 30 to 50%.

For the inter-connector6, for example, a lanthanum-chromite perovskite-type oxide (LaCrO3-type oxide) or a lanthanum-strontium-titanium perovskite-type oxide (LaSrTiO3-type oxide) may be employed. Each of the materials has conductivity, and is not reduced or oxidized even when being exposed to fuel gas (gas containing hydrogen) or gas containing oxygen (air and the like). The inter-connector6is dense so as to prevent leakage of fuel gas flowing through the gas flow paths2aformed in the support substrate2or gas containing oxygen flowing through an outside of the support substrate2, and has a relative density of equal to or more than 93%, particularly equal to or more than 95%.

The middle layer21is made of CeO2-type sintered body containing a rare earth element oxide other than Ce, and preferably has a composition indicated by (CeO2)1-x(REO1.5)x(in the formula, RE is at least one selected from among Sm, Y, Yb, and Gd, and x is number that satisfies 0<x≤0.3), for example. The middle layer21has a role as a reaction preventing layer that prevents a reaction of a component of the solid electrolyte layer4and a component of the air electrode layer5between the solid electrolyte layer4and the air electrode layer5that leads to generation of a reaction layer having a high electric resistance. For example, the role includes preventing a reaction between Sr contained in the air electrode layer5and Zr contained in the solid electrolyte layer4. Furthermore, in order to reduce an electric resistance, Sm or Gd may be employed as RE, for example, CeO2into which 10 to 20 mol % of SmO1.5or GdO1.5is solid-dissolved may be employed. Moreover, the middle layer21may have a two-layer structure.

Herein, the middle layer21includes the first middle layer21aand the second middle layer21b. A porosity of the first middle layer21amay be equal to or less than 25%, and a thickness thereof may be 0.5 to 10 μm, for example. Thus, it is possible to efficiently prevent diffusion of components of the solid electrolyte layer4. As described below, a porosity of a part of the first middle layer21a, to which a sealing material is provided, may be 10 to 30%. Thus, it is possible to improve bonding force to the sealing material.

A porosity of the second middle layer21bmay be higher than that of a part of the first middle layer21awhich is arranged between the solid electrolyte layer4and the air electrode layer5. Specifically, the porosity may be 10 to 30%, for example. A thickness of the second middle layer21bmay be larger than that of the first middle layer21a, and may be 1 to 20 μm, for example.

The above-mentioned porosity may be measured by using the following method. First, i.e. a “resin embedding” treatment is performed on the cell1so that resin enters into pores of the whole cell1. Mechanical polishing is performed on the flat surfaces n1and n2of the cell1on which the “resin embedding” treatment has been performed. Caused by the polishing, a cross section of the solid electrolyte layer4and the middle layer21is obtained. Microstructure of the cross section is observed by using a scanning electron microscope, and image processing is executed on the obtained image so as to calculate an area of pore part (part into which resin has entered) and an area of non-pore part (part into which resin has not entered). A ratio of “area of pore part” to “whole area (sum of area of pore part and area of non-pore part)” is defined as “porosity” of the middle layer21and the solid electrolyte layer4. Note that in the middle layer21, when calculating a porosity of a part into which a sealing material8has entered, a pore into which the sealing material8has entered is counted as the pore part similarly to a pore into which the resin has entered.

Cell Stack Device

Next, a cell stack device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, for which the above-mentioned cell is employed, will be explained with reference toFIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B.

FIG. 3is a perspective view illustrating one example of a cell stack device according to the embodiments.FIG. 4Ais a cross-sectional view illustrating one example of the cell stack device according to the embodiments.FIG. 4Bis an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the cross-sectional view illustrated inFIG. 4A.

A cell stack device10includes the plurality of aligned cells1and a manifold7.

One end of the plurality of cells1is fixed to the manifold7by using the sealing material8so as to supply reaction gas to the plurality of cells1.

In the examples illustrated inFIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, the manifold7includes a support7aand a gas tank7b. Fuel gas is stored in an internal space formed by the support7aand the gas tank7b. A gas flow tube12is provided to the gas tank7b, fuel gas that is generated by a reformer13to be mentioned later is supplied to the manifold7via the gas flow tube12, and then the fuel gas is supplied, from the manifold7, to the gas flow paths2ain the cells1.

Each of the cells1protrudes along a longitudinal direction of the cells1from the manifold7, and the plurality of cells1is aligned in such a manner that the flat surfaces n1and n2are oppositely overlapped with each other (namely, in stacked manner). One end of each of the cells1in its longitudinal direction is fixed to the support7aby using the sealing material8.

In the example illustrated inFIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, a lower end part of the support7ais bonded to the gas tank7b. The support7aincludes a single insertion hole17that is communicated with an internal space of the gas tank7b. One ends of the plurality of cells1that are aligned in a row are inserted into the insertion hole17.

In the example illustrated inFIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, the plurality of cells1is arranged in two rows, and each of the rows is individually fixed to the support7a. In this case, two through holes are arranged on an upper surface of the gas tank7b. The supports7aare provided to the respective through holes so as to coincide with the insertion holes17. As a result, an internal space is formed by the single gas tank7band the two supports7a.

The insertion hole17is oval-shaped in the top view, for example. It is sufficient that the insertion hole17is longer than a distance between two end-part conductive members9bin an alignment direction of the cells1, for example. Moreover, it is sufficient that a width of the insertion hole is longer than a length of the cell1in the width direction W, for example.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B, there present a gap between an inner wall of the insertion hole17and an outer surface of the cell1, and a gap between the cells1. As illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B, in a bonding part between the insertion hole17and one end of the cell1, the gap is filled with the solidified sealing material8. Thus, the insertion hole17and one ends of the plurality of cells1are bonded and fixed to each other. As illustrated inFIG. 4B, one end of the gas flow path2aof each of the cells1is communicated with an internal space of the manifold7.

As material of the sealing material8, amorphous glass, metal brazing material, or the like may be employed; moreover, crystallized glass may be employed. As the crystallized glass, for example, SiO2—B2O3type, SiO2—CaO type, or MgO—B2O3type may be employed; moreover, SiO2—MgO type is most preferable. In this specification, crystallized glass indicates glass (ceramic) in which a ratio (crystallinity) of “volume occupied by crystal phase” to the whole volume is equal to or more than 60% and a ratio of “volume occupied by amorphous phase and impurities” to the whole volume is less than 40%. Specifically, the crystallinity of crystallized glass is able to be obtained by, for example, “identifying a crystal phase by using XRD and the like, and then calculating a volume ratio of a crystal phase region based on observation result of structure and/or composition distribution of the crystallized glass using SEM and EDS, or SEM and EPMA, etc.”

As indicated by the example illustrated inFIG. 4A, a conductive member9afor electrically connecting the adjacent cells1(more specifically, fuel electrode layer3of one of adjacent cells1and air electrode layer5of the other of adjacent cells1) in serial is arranged between the adjacent cells1. Note that inFIGS. 3, 4B, and 5, illustration of the conductive member9ais omitted.

Furthermore, as indicated by the example illustrated inFIG. 4A, the end-part conductive members9bare connected with the cells1positioned on outermost sides in the alignment direction of the plurality of cells1. Each of the end-part conductive members9bincludes a conductive part11protruding toward the outside from the cell stack. The conductive part11has a function of performing current collection on electricity that is generated by power generation of the cells1and further leading the collected electricity to the outside.

Hereinafter, as illustrated inFIG. 4B, when the cell stack device10of the above-mentioned fuel battery is operating, fuel gas (hydrogen etc.) at a high temperature (for example, 600 to 800° C.) and “gas containing oxygen (air etc.)” flow therethrough. The fuel gas is led to the internal space of the manifold7, and then led, via the insertion hole17, to the gas flow path2aof each of the plurality of cells1. The fuel gas having passed through the gas flow paths2ais ejected to the outside from the other ends (free ends) of the gas flow paths2a. The air flows, in the longitudinal direction of the cells1, along a gap between the adjacent cells1.

FIG. 5is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a bonding part between an insertion hole and one end of the cell in the cell stack device according to the embodiments.

In the cell stack device according to the embodiments, a case is exemplified in which the sealing material8is not bonded to the second middle layer21b, and the sealing material8is bonded to the first middle layer21a.

For example, when the first middle layer21aand the second middle layer21bare made of CeO2(hereinafter, may be referred to as GDC) into which GdO1.5is solid-dissolved and the sealing material8is made of SiO2—MgO crystallized glass, there presents, however slightly, difference between a thermal expansion coefficient of the glass and that of the GDC. Thus, the sealing material8is bonded to the first middle layer21awhose thickness is small without bonding the sealing material8to the second middle layer21bwhose thickness is large, so that effects of a thermal expansion coefficient of GDC is able to be small. Hence, it is possible to prevent peeling between the GDC and the glass, and generation of a gap in a boundary therebetween. In other words, it is possible to prevent leakage of the fuel gas.

In this case, the middle layer21including the second middle layer21bmay be configured to extend closer to the one-end side (manifold7side) than the air electrode layer5. Thus, an area of the middle layer21is able to be large, so that it is possible to efficiently prevent a case where a component of the solid electrolyte layer4and that of the air electrode layer5react with each other to form a reaction layer having a high electric resistance.

Incidentally, for example, when difference in a thermal expansion coefficient between the middle layer21and the sealing material8is smaller than that between the solid electrolyte layer4and the sealing material8, the sealing material8may be bonded to the solid electrolyte layer4alone without bonding the sealing material8to the middle layer21.

FIG. 6is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the bonding part between the insertion hole and the one end of the cell in the cell stack device according to the embodiments.

In the cell1illustrated inFIG. 6, there is arranged, on the solid electrolyte layer4of the one end, a first layer22containing a component, as a main component, whose content of a rare earth element is different from that of a main component of the solid electrolyte layer4.

In the cell stack device according to the embodiments, the one ends of the cells1alone are bonded to the manifold7by using the sealing material8. Thus, this bonding part is stressed most during manufacturing process and/or power generation driving. Thus, it is preferable that the strength of the one ends is high.

In the cell1illustrated inFIG. 6, there is provided the first layer22containing a component, as a main component, whose content of a rare earth element is different from that of a main component of the solid electrolyte layer4. Note that in a state where a content of a rare earth element is different from that of a main component of the solid electrolyte layer4, when a main component of the solid electrolyte layer4is ZrO2into which a rare earth element oxide is solid-dissolved, a content of a rare earth element of the first layer22may be smaller than that of the solid electrolyte layer4, for example. When a main component of the solid electrolyte layer4is CeO2into which a rare earth element oxide is solid-dissolved, a content of a rare earth element of the first layer22may be larger than that of the solid electrolyte layer4. Thus, strength of the one ends of the cells1is able to be improved, so that it is possible to prevent breakage in the cell1.

With respect to measurement of the strength, for example, by using an ultra-micro-hardness tester, an indenter is pushed, with the same load, into portions in which the solid electrolyte layer4and the first layer22are exposed in the cell1that is fractured and mirror-finished, and the maximum indentation depths are measured to make a determination.

The first layer22and the first middle layer21aare bonded to each other. Thus, an area of the first middle layer21ais able to be large while increasing strength of the cell1, so that it is possible to efficiently prevent breakage in the cell1and generation of a reaction layer having a high electric resistance.

InFIG. 6, the example is illustrated in which the first layer22and the first middle layer21aare bonded to each other via surfaces thereof; however, not limited thereto. For example, when an area of the first middle layer21ais set to be large, first layer22may be arranged to overlap on the first middle layer21a. On the other hand, the first middle layer21amay be arranged to overlap on the first layer21.

In the cell stack device illustrated inFIG. 6, the sealing material8is bonded to the first middle layer21aand the first layer22so as to fix the cell1to the manifold7. Thus, the stress generated in the sealing material8is able to be dispersed, so that it is possible to prevent peeling between the middle layer21and the sealing material8glass, and generation of a gap in a boundary therebetween. In other words, it is possible to reliably prevent leakage of the fuel gas.

Manufacturing Method

One example of fabricating methods of the above-mentioned cell1and the cell stack device10according to the embodiments will be explained. Note that various conditions to be mentioned later may be appropriately changed, such as materials, particle diameters, temperatures, and coating methods. Hereinafter, “molded body” means one in a state before firing.

First, for example, Ni and/or NiO powder, rare earth oxide powder such as Y2O3, organic binder, and solvent are mixed to prepare a body paste, and extrusion molding is performed on the body paste to fabricate a support molded body, and the support molded body is dried. Note that a calcined body obtained by calcining for 2 to 6 hours at 900 to 1000° C. may be used as the support molded body.

Next, for example, in accordance with a predetermined formulation composition, raw materials of NiO and ZrO2(YSZ) into which Y2O3is solid-dissolved are weighed and mixed. Next, the mixed powder is mixed with organic binder and solvent to prepare slurry for a fuel electrode layer.

Slurry obtained by adding powder of ZrO2into which Y2O3is solid-dissolved to toluene, binder powder (hereinafter, higher molecular than binder powder adhering to ZrO2powder, for example, acrylic resin), commercially available dispersing agent, etc. is formed to fabricate a sheet-like solid electrolyte layer molded body by a method such as the doctor blade method.

The obtained sheet-like solid electrolyte layer molded body is coated with slurry for a fuel electrode layer and then dried so as to form a fuel electrode layer molded body, and then a sheet-like laminated molded body is formed. A surface of the sheet-like laminated molded body of the fuel electrode layer molded body and the solid electrolyte layer molded body, which is closer to the fuel electrode layer molded body, is laminated on the support molded body so as to form a molded body. The molded body is calcined for 2 to 6 hours at 800 to 1200° C.

Subsequently, material of an inter-connector layer (for example, LaCrMgO3-type oxide powder), organic binder, and solvent are mixed to fabricate slurry. Regarding the later processes, a fabricating method of a cell including an adhesion layer will be explained.

Next, a middle layer to be arranged between a solid electrolyte layer and an air electrode layer is formed. For example, a thermal treatment is performed on CeO2powder into which GdO1.5is solid-dissolved for 2 to 6 hours at 800 to 900° C. so as to prepare raw material powder for a middle layer molded body, toluene as solvent is added thereto so as to fabricate slurry for a middle layer, and this slurry is coated on the solid electrolyte layer molded body by a predetermined area so as to fabricate a first middle layer molded body. Next, slurry for an inter-connector layer is coated on an upper surface of a support molded body so that both end parts of a molded body for an inter-connector layer is laminated on both end parts of the solid electrolyte layer molded body, and thus a laminated molded body is fabricated.

Next, a debinding treatment is performed on the above-mentioned laminated molded body, and simultaneous sintering (simultaneous firing) is performed thereon for 2 to 6 hours at 1400 to 1450° C. under gas containing oxygen.

Next, the above-mentioned slurry for a middle layer is coated on a surface of the formed first middle layer sintered body so as to fabricate a molded body of the second middle layer21band then the molded body is sintered. Note that sintering of the molded body of the second middle layer21bis preferably performed at a temperature lower than that of the above-mentioned simultaneous sintering, and may be performed at 1100 to 1300° C., for example. A sintering time interval may be 2 to 6 hours.

Subsequently, for example, LaxSr1-xCoyFe1-yO3(hereinafter, simply referred to as LSCF) powder having a predetermined particle diameter, organic binder, pore forming material, and solvent are mixed to fabricate slurry for an air electrode layer. This slurry is coated on a solid electrolyte layer by screen printing so as to form a molded body for an air electrode layer.

Next, a laminated body in which the molded body for an air electrode layer is formed on the solid electrolyte layer is fired for 1 to 3 hours at 1100 to 1200° C. In this way, the cell1according to the embodiments having the structure illustrated inFIG. 2is manufactured.

Next, hydrogen gas is supplied to a gas flow path of the cell1to be able to perform a reduction treatment on the support substrate2and the fuel electrode layer3. In this case, the reduction treatment may be performed for 5 to 20 hours at 750 to 1000° C., for example.

When the first layer is provided, slurry for the first layer, whose content of a rare earth element oxide is different from that of slurry for a solid electrolyte layer molded body, is fabricated and the fabricated slurry may be coated on a calcined body obtained by calcining the solid electrolyte layer molded body and the fuel electrode layer molded body, and may be dried to fabricate a first layer molded body.

The above-mentioned cell stack device10is assembled by the following procedure, for example. First, a necessary number of the completed cells1and the support7aare prepared. Next, the plurality of cells1is aligned and fixed in a stacked manner by using a predetermined jig and the like. Next, one ends of the plurality of cells1are inserted into the insertion hole17of the support7aat once while maintaining the above-mentioned state. Next, a gap of a bonding part between the insertion hole17and one ends of the plurality of cells1is filled with paste for the sealing material8(typically, paste of amorphous material, e.g. amorphous glass).

Next, a thermal treatment (crystallization treatment) is performed on the paste for the sealing material8having filled as described above. When a temperature of the amorphous material reaches its crystallization temperature by the thermal treatment, a crystal phase is generated in the material under the crystallization temperature, and crystallization is advancing. As a result, the amorphous material is solidified and becomes ceramic to change into crystallized glass. Thus, one ends of the plurality of cells1are bonded and fixed to the insertion hole17via the sealing material8made of the crystallized glass. In other words, one end of each of the cells1is individually bonded to and supported by the support7aby using the sealing material8. Next, the above-mentioned predetermined jig is removed from the plurality of cells1.

Next, the support7ais bonded to the gas tank7bso as to complete the cell stack device10.

Module

Next, a module will be explained with reference toFIG. 7, for which the above-mentioned cell stack device of the embodiments according to the present disclosure is employed.FIG. 7is an exterior perspective view illustrating the module that includes one example of the cell stack device according to the embodiments.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, a module20houses the cell stack device10in a storage container14thereof. The reformer13is arranged on or above the cell stack device10, which generates fuel gas to be supplied to the cells1.

The reformer13illustrated inFIG. 7reforms raw fuel such as natural gas and kerosene, which is supplied via a raw-fuel supplying tube16, so as to generate fuel gas. It is preferable that the reformer13has a structure capable of steam reforming that is an efficient reforming reaction, and thus the reformer13includes a vaporization unit13athat vaporizes water and a reforming unit13bin which a reforming catalyst (not illustrated) for reforming raw fuel into fuel gas is arranged. Fuel gas generated by the reformer13is supplied to the manifold7via the gas flow tube12, and then is further supplied, from the manifold7, to the gas flow paths arranged in the cells1.

InFIG. 7, there is illustrated a state where a part (front and back surfaces) of the storage container14are removed, and the cell stack device10housed therein is moved therefrom in the back direction.

In the module20having the above-mentioned configuration, a temperature in the module20during normal power generation is 500 to 1000° C. in accordance with the above-mentioned firing or power generation of the cells1.

As described above, the module20is configured to house therein the cell stack device10whose long-term reliability is improved, so that it is possible to improve long-term reliability of the module20.

Module Housing Device

FIG. 8is an exploded perspective view illustrating one example of the module housing device according to the embodiments that houses, in its external case, the module20illustrated inFIG. 7and an auxiliary (not illustrated) that operates the module20. Note that inFIG. 8, a part of the configuration is omitted.

A module housing device40illustrated inFIG. 8is configured such that the inside of an external case constituted of pillars41and external plates42is vertically divided by a partition plate43, the upper part is a module housing chamber44that houses therein the above-mentioned module20, and the lower part is an auxiliary housing chamber45that houses therein an auxiliary for operating the module20. Note that illustration of the auxiliary housed in the auxiliary housing chamber45is omitted.

An air vent port46through which air in the auxiliary housing chamber45flows into the module housing chamber44is provided to the partition plate43, and an exhaust port47that exhausts air in the module housing chamber44is arranged on a part of the external plates42constituting the module housing chamber44.

As described above, the module housing device40is configured such that the module housing chamber44houses therein the module20whose long-term reliability is improved, and the auxiliary housing chamber45houses therein the auxiliary for operating the module20, so that it is possible to improve long-term reliability of the module housing device40.

As described above, the present disclosure is specifically explained; however, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

In the embodiments, i.e. “vertically-striped” configuration is employed in which the single element part a, constituted of an inner-side electrode (fuel electrode layer)3, the solid electrolyte layer4, and an outer-side electrode (air electrode layer)5, is arranged on a surface of the support substrate2; however, i.e. “horizontally-striped”cell may be employed in which the element parts a are arranged at a plurality of respective separated positions on the surface of the support substrate2, and the adjacent element parts a are electrically connected to each other.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the support substrate2has a plate-shaped body; however, the support substrate2may have a cylindrical-shaped body. In this case, an inner space of the cylindrical support substrate2functions as the gas flow path2a.

In the above-mentioned cell1according to the embodiments, the fuel electrode layer3and the air electrode layer5may be exchanged with each other, namely, an inner-side electrode may be the air electrode layer5and an outer-side electrode may be the fuel electrode layer3. In this case, flow of gas in which fuel gas and air are exchanged with each other is employed.

The cell1may be configured such that the support substrate2may serve as the fuel electrode layer3, and the solid electrolyte layer4and the air electrode layer5may be sequentially laminated on a surface of the support substrate2.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, as illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the support7ais cylindrically-shaped; however, as illustrated inFIG. 9, the support7amay be plate-shaped. In this case, the gas tank7bmay be bonded to a lower surface of the plate-shaped support7aso as to form an internal space.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, as illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4B, all of the one ends of the cells1aligned in one row are inserted into the only one insertion hole17, which is formed in the support7a; however, as illustrated inFIGS. 10A and 10B, the cells1may be inserted into the plurality of respective insertion holes17formed in the support7a. In this case, the middle layers21of all of the cells1are bonded to the support7aof the manifold7. Furthermore, the two or more cells1may be inserted into each of insertion holes formed in the support7a.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, the support is separated from the gas tank; however, the support and the gas tank may be integrated with each other as long as an internal space of the manifold is communicated with gas flow paths of the plurality of cells.

In the above-mentioned embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 2, in the cell stack device, the plurality of cells is aligned in two rows; however, as illustrated inFIG. 11, the plurality of cells may be aligned in single row in the cell stack device (cell stack device100).

In the above-mentioned embodiments, a fuel battery cell, a fuel battery cell stack device, a fuel battery module, and a fuel battery device are indicated as examples of “cell”, “cell stack device”, “module”, and “module housing device”; however, may be an electrolytic cell, an electrolytic cell device, an electrolytic module, and an electrolytic device as another example.

FIG. 12is a diagram illustrating one example (cell stack device110) of the electrolytic cell device. The other end parts (upper end parts) of the cells1are fixed to another manifold71by using the sealing material8, the manifold7is a supply unit that supplies high-temperature water vapor, and the other manifold71is a recovery unit that recovers generated hydrogen. In the example illustrated inFIG. 12, the gas flow tube12supplies water vapor, and a gas flow tube18recovers hydrogen.