JP2000003715A - Solid oxide fuel cell - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A reaction gas supplied to both electrodes is evenly distributed in a plane, and high-performance operation can be performed. An anode electrode and a cathode are provided on both surfaces of a solid electrolyte.
Laser processing and milling of a disk-shaped thin plate in a structure in which an electrode / electrolyte assembly formed by disposing electrode electrodes and a separator are alternately laminated with a flow path constituting member interposed therebetween. Thus, the plurality of ribs 1 extending radially from the center to the outer periphery at equal angular intervals are integrally formed to constitute the above-mentioned flow path constituting member.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solid electrolyte fuel cell which converts Gibbs free energy into electric energy by an electrochemical reaction using a solid electrolyte.
In particular, the present invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell of a flat support membrane type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A fuel cell using an oxide solid electrolyte such as yttria-stabilized zirconia has an operating temperature of 800 ° C.
Since the temperature is as high as about 1000 ° C., the power generation efficiency is high, no catalyst is required, and the simplification of the reforming system can be expected. In addition, since the electrolyte is solid, it is easy to handle and has excellent long-term stability, and is expected to be used as a fuel cell for the next generation. Have been. Current,
Solid electrolyte fuel cells are roughly classified into a cylindrical type and a flat type, and the flat type is roughly classified into two types in terms of the cell structure.
One is a solid electrolyte fuel cell of the self-supporting membrane type in which an anode electrode and a cathode electrode are formed on both sides of a self-supporting electrolyte created by a sintering method or the like, and the other is a porous substrate. This is a support membrane type solid electrolyte fuel cell in which a cell is formed by forming an anode electrode, an electrolyte, and a cathode electrode thereon. The cylindrical type is
It does not require a complicated gas flow path, a separator with current collecting protrusions, or a gas seal, and is relatively easy to stack, so its development is progressing. It has been pointed out that the output density of the PDP becomes low. Therefore, in recent years, the development of a solid electrolyte fuel cell of a flat-plate-type support membrane system, which is expected to have a high output density and can increase the cell area, has been actively pursued.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view in the stacking direction of a main part showing a basic structure of a conventional solid electrolyte fuel cell of a flat plate type supporting membrane system. An anode electrode 22 made of nickel-zirconia cermet and an electrolyte 23 made of yttria-stabilized zirconia are formed on one main surface of a disc-shaped porous substrate 21 having strength, and further made of lanthanum manganite. The electrode / electrolyte assembly 20 is formed by forming the cathode electrode 24. Further, a flat plate-like separator 26 made of a nickel-chromium alloy in which ribs 25 </ b> A functioning as a current collector and forming a fuel gas flow path are joined to both main surfaces of the electrode / electrolyte assembly 20. A unit cell is formed by disposing a flat plate-shaped separator 26 made of a nickel-chromium alloy and joining a rib 25B constituting a flow path of the oxidizing gas while fulfilling the function of the body,
By stacking a plurality of these unit cells and sandwiching them under pressure, a solid oxide fuel cell is constituted.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the ribs 25A. A plurality of ribs 25A move from the center to the outer periphery.
They are arranged radially at equal angular intervals. Note that the rib 25B is also arranged similarly to the rib 25A.
In this configuration, the fuel gas is introduced from the central introduction hole 27a through the fuel gas introduction passage 27 of the separator 26, flows in the fuel gas flow path formed between the ribs 25A in the outer peripheral direction, and Is supplied to the anode electrode 22 through the gap. The oxidizing gas is introduced through the oxidizing gas introducing passage 28 of the separator 26 from the introduction hole 28a at the center, flows in the oxidizing gas flow path formed between the ribs 25B in the outer peripheral direction, and flows through the cathode electrode. 24.

[0005]

As described above, if a fuel gas is supplied to the anode electrode 22 and an oxidant gas is supplied to the cathode electrode 24, an electrochemical reaction occurs, and a voltage is generated between the two electrodes. Electric energy is taken out to the outside. In order to perform power generation efficiently, the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas are supplied to the anode electrode 22 or the cathode electrode 2.
4 and must be distributed uniformly.
It is required that the radially formed gas flow paths be uniformly dispersed and flow.

However, as shown in FIG. 20, in the conventional configuration, the strip-shaped ribs 25A or 25B are joined to the separator 26 by spot welding, and the ribs 25A or 25B are precisely placed on the separator 26. Since it is difficult to dispose them at intervals, the formed gas flow path is not necessarily uniform, and the flow of the fuel gas or the oxidizing gas flowing through this gas flow path is biased, and a predetermined characteristic is obtained. There was a problem that it disappeared.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and to provide a structure in which the reaction gas supplied to both electrodes is evenly distributed without causing in-plane deviation and flows. An object of the present invention is to provide a solid oxide fuel cell capable of high-performance operation.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, two main surfaces of a plate-shaped electrode / electrolyte assembly having an anode electrode and a cathode electrode disposed on both surfaces of a solid electrolyte are provided. A flow path constituent member having a current collecting function and a gas flow path forming function, and a unit cell formed by arranging a plate-shaped separator having a gas introduction portion in the center portion are laminated, and the anode electrode side is formed. The fuel gas flows through the gas flow path formed by the disposed flow path component members, and the oxidant gas flows through the gas flow path formed by the flow path component members disposed on the cathode electrode side. In a solid oxide fuel cell that obtains electric energy, (1) the flow path constituent members disposed on both main surfaces of an electrode and an electrolyte assembly are formed integrally with each other. ) Equal angle intervals A plurality of ribs of the same shape extending radially from the central portion arranged to the outer peripheral portion are integrally formed.

(1b) Alternatively, it is composed of a rib formed spirally from the center to the outer periphery. (1c) Alternatively, a plurality of convex portions radially arranged at equal angular intervals from the center portion are formed by a disk formed by press working. (1d) Alternatively, a plurality of ribs of the same shape extending in a meandering manner from the central portion to the outer peripheral portion provided at equal angular intervals are integrally formed.

In (1e) or (1a), a throttle mechanism for restricting gas flow is further provided on the outer peripheral portion. (2) Further, a gas restricting ring for restricting gas flow is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the flow path constituting member disposed on both main surfaces of the electrode / electrolyte assembly. A hollow disk provided with the gas flow grooves of the above.

(2b) Alternatively, a plurality of gas flow grooves are arranged at equal intervals and connected by curved members. Laser processing, milling,
If the flow path constituent members are formed integrally by press working or the like, the manufacturing accuracy of the shape and dimensions of the formed gas flow path is greatly improved as compared with the conventional joining method. Therefore, for example, as in (1a), (1c), and (1d), the reaction gas flows through a plurality of gas passages formed with high precision from the central portion to the outer peripheral direction evenly, and efficiently. It will generate electricity. In addition, if (1b) is satisfied, the spiral gas flow path in which the in-plane position and the flow path cross-sectional area are formed with high precision flows from the central part to the outer circumference, thereby efficiently generating power. Become. In the case of (1e), the throttle mechanism occupies the majority of the pressure loss in the gas passage and controls the gas flow rate in each of the divided flow paths. It is easy to make them flow.

Further, as described in (2) above, if an outer peripheral portion of the flow path constituting member is provided with a gas restricting ring for restricting gas flow as in (2a) or (2b), for example, The gas flow is constricted by the gas flow groove to cause a large pressure loss, which affects the flow rate of the distributed gas. Therefore, for example, if a gas throttle ring is provided on the outer peripheral portion in a configuration like a conventional example in which a gas flow path is formed by joining a rib to a separator, even if a displacement occurs in a joining position of the rib due to a restriction on manufacturing accuracy, Since the gas flow rate is determined by the pressure loss of the gas flow grooves, if a plurality of gas flow grooves are appropriately formed and arranged, the gas can be evenly distributed in the plane and can be flown efficiently. Power generation.

[0013]

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flow path constituting member used in a first embodiment of a solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention. The flow path constituting member of the present embodiment is formed by performing a laser processing and a milling processing on a disk-shaped thin plate of a nickel-chromium alloy which is a conductive, heat-resistant, and oxidation-resistant material. As can be seen from the figure, the present flow path constituting member is formed by connecting eight ribs 1 having a rectangular cross section radially arranged at equal angular intervals from the central portion to the outer periphery by grooves 2 at the central portion and the outer periphery. Structured.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the flow path constituent member and a separator arranged adjacent to the flow path constituent member. As can be seen from the drawing, the present flow path component is assembled with the lower surfaces of the rib 1 and the groove 2 in contact with the upper surface of the separator 3. In addition, an electrode / electrolyte assembly (not shown) is disposed on the upper surface of the flow path component, and the rib 1 is assembled with the upper surface of the rib in contact with the surface of the electrode / electrolyte assembly. Between them, eight identical fan-shaped spaces are formed at equal angular intervals. Accordingly, the separators 3 corresponding to these eight fan-shaped spaces are provided.
A reaction gas, that is, a fuel gas in the case of a fan-shaped space close to the anode electrode, and an oxidizing gas in the case of a fan-shaped space close to the cathode electrode through a gas introduction hole 4 provided in the vicinity of the center of the fuel cell. When introduced, these reactive gases flow evenly distributed in the eight fan-shaped spaces as shown in FIG. 2 and are supplied to the electrode / electrolyte assembly to contribute to the electrochemical reaction. The remaining gas not used for the electrochemical reaction flows through the fan-shaped space, and is then discharged to the outside through the groove 2 on the outer periphery.

The flow path constituting member of the present embodiment is formed into an integrated structure of ribs 1 radially arranged at equal angular intervals by laser machining and milling, so that the manufacturing accuracy and the relative positional accuracy at the time of assembly are improved. Since the gas flow passages formed as fan-shaped spaces between the ribs 1 are precisely and uniformly distributed, the reaction gas is more uniformly distributed and supplied, so that the power generation operation can be efficiently performed. Will be done.

In this embodiment, the flow path constituting member is constituted as having eight ribs 1. However, the number of ribs 1 is not limited to eight, and a smaller number or a larger number of ribs 1 may be used. A similar effect can be obtained even with a device. <Embodiment 2> FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a flow path constituting member used in a second embodiment of the solid oxide fuel cell device of the present invention. The flow path component of the present embodiment is formed by performing laser processing and milling on a disk-shaped thin plate of a nickel-chromium alloy in the same manner as the flow path component of the first embodiment, and can be seen in the figure. As described above, eight ribs 1A having a rectangular cross section radially arranged at equal angular intervals from the central portion to the outer periphery are connected at the central portion and the outer peripheral portion to form an integrated structure,
Corresponding to each gas flow passage formed between adjacent ribs 1A, a meandering groove 2A communicating between the inside and the outside is formed on the outer peripheral portion having the same height as the rib 1A. It is characteristic.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the flow path constituent member and a separator arranged adjacent to the flow path constituent member. Since the ribs 1A and the lower surface of the outer peripheral portion are in contact with the upper surface of the separator 3, and the upper surface of the rib 1A and the upper surface of the outer peripheral portion are in contact with the surface of an electrode / electrolyte assembly (not shown). Eight identical fan-shaped spaces are formed with the electrolyte assembly. After flowing through the fan-shaped space, the reaction gas introduced from the gas introduction hole 4 flows through the meandering groove 2A that functions as a throttle, and is discharged to the outside.

The flow path constituting member of this embodiment is manufactured with high precision in an integrated structure similarly to the flow path constituting member of the first embodiment, and the formed gas flow passages are precisely and evenly arranged.
Further, in the present configuration, since the meandering groove 2A that functions as a throttle provided on the outer peripheral portion flows, the majority of the pressure loss of each gas flow passage is occupied by the pressure loss of the meandering groove 2A. By uniformly forming the groove 2A of each gas flow passage, the reaction gas can be more reliably evenly distributed to each gas flow passage.

<Embodiment 3> FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a flow path constituting member used in a third embodiment of the solid oxide fuel cell device of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the main flow path constituent member and a separator arranged adjacent to the main flow path constituent member. Similarly to the flow path component of the first or second embodiment, the flow path component of the present embodiment is formed by performing laser processing and milling on a disk-shaped thin plate of a nickel-chromium alloy. Eight ribs 1B having a rectangular cross section radially arranged at equal angular intervals from the portion to the outer periphery are connected at the central portion and the outer peripheral portion to form an integrated structure, formed between adjacent ribs 1B and 1B. Corresponding to each gas flow path
A throttle hole 11 is provided in the outer peripheral portion at the same height as the rib 1B, so that the fan-shaped inside and the outside communicate with each other.

Therefore, in the configuration of this embodiment,
The throttle hole 11 performs a throttle function similarly to the groove portion 2A of the second embodiment, so that the reaction gas can be more reliably divided into the gas flow passages evenly. In the above-described second and third embodiments, the flow path constituting member is configured to have eight ribs. However, the number of ribs is not limited to eight. Similar effects can be obtained with a large number of devices.

<Embodiment 4> FIG. 7 is a plan view of a flow path constituting member used in a fourth embodiment of the solid oxide fuel cell device of the present invention. The flow path constituting member of the present embodiment is a conductive, heat-resistant, and integrally formed disk-shaped thin plate of a nickel-chromium alloy that is an oxidation-resistant material by laser processing.
As shown in the drawing, spiral ribs 5 of the same width are spirally arranged at the same interval from the center to the outer periphery.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an assembled state of the flow path member of this embodiment and a separator arranged adjacent to the flow path member. As can be seen from FIG. Is assembled with one surface of the separator in contact with the upper surface of the separator 3A.
An electrode / electrolyte assembly (not shown) is arranged on the other surface of the spiral rib 5 of the flow path component, and a spiral is formed between the separator 3A and the electrode / electrolyte assembly from the center to the outer periphery. A gas flow path leading to the shape is formed. Therefore, when the reaction gas is introduced through the gas introduction hole 4A provided in the center of the separator 3A, the reaction gas is supplied to the electrode / electrolyte assembly while flowing in the spiral gas flow path in the circumferential direction, and the reaction gas is subjected to the electrochemical reaction. Contribute and the remaining gas is discharged from the outer periphery to the outside.

Since the flow path constituting member of this embodiment is integrally processed by laser processing, it is possible to form a spiral shape with high precision, and to reduce the cross-sectional area of the gas flow path formed in the gap between the ribs. Since the reaction gas can be formed with a high degree of uniformity, the reaction gas is uniformly supplied in the plane, so that the power generation operation is performed efficiently. <Embodiment 5> FIGS. 9A and 9B are basic configuration diagrams of flow path components used in a solid oxide fuel cell according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 9A is a plan view, and FIG. It is sectional drawing of the AA plane of a). The flow path constituting member of the present embodiment is a conductive, heat-resistant, oxidation-resistant material is formed by pressing a disk-shaped thin plate of a nickel-chromium alloy, a plurality of circular protrusions are integrally formed, As shown in the figure, convex portions 7 arranged from the center to the outer periphery of the disk-shaped thin plate are distributed at an equal angle, and gas flow holes 8 are provided in the center. I have.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of the flow path constituent member of this embodiment and a separator arranged adjacent to the flow path constituent member.
As can be seen in the figure, the flow path component is assembled with the back surface of the flat portion 6 in contact with the upper surface of the separator 3B. Further, an electrode / electrolyte assembly (not shown) is disposed on the upper surface of the convex portion 7 of the present flow path component, and a gap between the plurality of convex portions 7 is provided between the separator 3B and the electrode / electrolyte assembly. A gas flow path extending in the circumferential direction is formed. Therefore, if the reaction gas guided from a gas introduction hole (not shown) of the separator 3B is guided to the upper surface of the flat portion 6 through the gas flow hole 8 at the center, the reaction gas is formed in the gap between the plurality of projections 7. Flows radially and circumferentially through the flow path,
It is supplied to the electrolyte assembly and contributes to the electrochemical reaction.

Also in this configuration, the convex portions 7 can be formed accurately and evenly by press working, so that the reactive gas is evenly distributed and supplied in the plane, and power generation can be performed efficiently. it can. <Embodiment 6> FIG. 11 is a plan view of a flow path constituting member used in a solid oxide fuel cell according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The flow path constituting member of this embodiment is also formed integrally by performing laser processing on a disk-shaped thin plate of a nickel-chromium alloy. This flow path constituent member is configured as an integrated structure by connecting eight meandering ribs 1C radially arranged from the central part to the outer peripheral direction at the central part, and as shown in the figure, the ribs 1C Is characterized in that it is configured as a connecting body of a radial straight portion and a circumferential arc portion. That is, the rib 1C has a straight portion A, an arc portion B, a straight portion C,
It has a structure in which an arc portion E, a straight line portion F, and an arc portion H are connected,
Further, the linear portion C and the linear portion F are provided with an arc portion D and an arc portion G, respectively.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an assembled state of the flow path constituting member of this embodiment and a separator arranged adjacent to the flow path constituting member.
As seen in the figure, the present flow path component is assembled with one surface in contact with the upper surface of the separator 3C. An electrode / electrolyte assembly (not shown) is arranged on the other surface of the flow path constituting member, and a gas meandering between the eight ribs 1C as shown in the figure between the separator 3C and the electrode / electrolyte assembly. A channel is formed. The reaction gas introduced from the eight gas introduction holes 4B provided at the center of the separator 3C flows through the formed eight meandering gas flow paths, and is discharged to the outside from the outer peripheral opening. .

Since the flow path constituting member of this embodiment is formed in an integrated structure of the ribs 1C formed by laser processing, it is excellent in manufacturing accuracy and relative positional accuracy at the time of assembling.
The gas flow passages formed between are precisely and evenly distributed,
The reaction gas is supplied evenly distributed in the plane. Further, in this configuration, since the gas flow path is formed in the meandering flow path, the flow path resistance is increased, and the uniform branching to the eight gas flow paths is performed more reliably.

The coefficient of thermal expansion of an electrode / electrolyte assembly having an anode electrode made of nickel / zirconia cermet and a cathode electrode made of lanthanum manganite on both main surfaces of an electrolyte made of yttria-stabilized zirconia, and a nickel chromium alloy Since there is a large difference between the thermal expansion coefficient of the flow path component and the temperature / temperature of the electrode / electrolyte assembly, there is a thermal expansion between the electrode / electrolyte assembly and the flow path component. A difference may occur, and thermal stress may be applied to each member to cause cracks in the electrode / electrolyte assembly having inferior strength.However, as in this embodiment, the connection between the linear portion in the radial direction and the arc portion in the circumferential direction is performed. If the flow path constituting member is constituted by the ribs 1C made of a body, the thermal stress applied to the electrode / electrolyte assembly by the deformation of the arc portion in the circumferential direction is alleviated. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of cracks.

In this embodiment, the flow path constituting member is constituted as having eight ribs 1C. However, the number of ribs 1C is not limited to eight. It may be. <Embodiment 7> FIG. 13 is a plan view of a flow path constituting member used in a solid oxide fuel cell according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The flow path constituting member of this embodiment is also formed integrally by performing laser processing on a disk-shaped thin plate of a nickel-chromium alloy. The rib 1 formed by the flow path component of the sixth embodiment as a connecting body of a radially straight portion and a circumferentially circular portion.
On the other hand, in this embodiment, the portion extending not only in the circumferential direction but also in the radial direction is formed in an arc shape, and the ribs 1D formed as a connected body of a plurality of arc portions are radially formed at equal angular intervals. It is characterized in that it is arranged to form a flow path component.

Therefore, in the present configuration, as in the sixth embodiment, since the gas flow passages are precisely and evenly arranged and formed in a meandering flow path, the reaction gas is evenly distributed to the eight gas flow paths. And power is efficiently generated. In particular, in this configuration, since the rib 1D forming the gas flow passage is formed as a connected body of a plurality of arc portions, the rib 1D between the electrode / electrolyte assembly and the flow path constituting member is increased as the temperature rises to the power generation operation temperature. Is absorbed by the deformation of the arc portion of the rib 1D, and the thermal stress applied to the electrode / electrolyte assembly is reduced, which is effective in preventing the generation of cracks in the electrode / electrolyte assembly.

In this embodiment, the eight ribs 1D
Although the flow path constituting member is configured as having, the number of ribs 1D is not limited to eight, and may be a smaller number or a larger number. <Embodiment 8> FIGS. 14A and 14B are configuration diagrams of a gas throttle ring arranged on the outer peripheral portion of a flow path constituting member in an eighth embodiment of the solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention. (B)
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane BB. As shown in the figure, the drawing ring 9 is formed by forming eight gas flow grooves 10 of the same shape extending in the radial direction at equal intervals in a thin-walled cylinder.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing an assembled state of the gas restricting ring of this embodiment, the flow path constituting member and the adjacently disposed separator. An integrally formed flow path constituting member composed of eight ribs 1E arranged at equal angular intervals is arranged in contact with the separator 3D, and further has a gas throttle ring 9 having an outer periphery substantially the same as the outer periphery of the separator 3D. Are arranged outside the flow path component. The rib 1E and the gas throttle ring 9 are formed to have the same height in the stacking direction, and the surface opposite to the surface in contact with the separator 3D is disposed in contact with an electrode / electrolyte assembly (not shown). -Eight fan-shaped gas flow paths are formed with the electrolyte assembly. That is, the reaction gas is led to the fan-shaped gas flow path from the gas introduction hole 4C provided near the center of the separator 3D and supplied to the electrode / electrolyte assembly, and the remaining gas is provided to the gas throttle ring 9. The gas is discharged to the outside through the gas flow groove 10.

In this configuration, the gas flow channel is narrowed by the gas flow channel 10, and most of the pressure loss in the gas flow channel is reduced by the gas flow channel 1.
Since a pressure loss of 0 is occupied, by arranging the gas flow grooves 10 of the same shape in each gas flow path, the reaction gas can be evenly divided and the power generation operation can be performed efficiently. <Embodiment 9> FIGS. 16A and 16B are configuration diagrams of a gas throttle ring disposed on the outer peripheral portion of a flow path constituting member in a ninth embodiment of a solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention. (B)
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC.

The feature of this configuration is that all eight gas flow grooves 10A provided in the gas throttle ring 9A are formed so as to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the radial direction. Therefore, the length of the gas flow groove 10A is the eighth
Gas flow groove 1 formed in the gas throttle ring 9 of the embodiment of FIG.
0, the gas flow grooves 1 are correspondingly longer.
Since the pressure loss of 0 A becomes large, the uniform split flow of the reaction gas is more reliably performed.

<Embodiment 10> FIGS. 17 (a) and 17 (b) are diagrams showing the construction of a gas throttle ring arranged on the outer periphery of a flow path constituting member in a solid oxide fuel cell according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.
Is a plan view, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along a CC plane. In this configuration, the gas throttle ring 9B is configured to connect eight gas flow grooves 10B of the same shape by flexible ribs having a curvature, and the gas flow grooves 10B are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference. are doing.

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing an assembled state of the gas throttle ring of this embodiment, the flow path constituting member, and the adjacently disposed separator. An integrally formed flow path component composed of eight ribs 1E disposed at equal angular intervals is disposed in contact with the separator 3E, and further, a gas throttle ring is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the separator 3E outside the flow path component. 9B are arranged. Also in this configuration, the rib 1E and the gas throttle ring 9B are formed to have the same height in the stacking direction.
The surface opposite to the surface in contact with the separator 3E is disposed in contact with an electrode / electrolyte assembly (not shown), and eight fan-shaped gas flow paths are formed between the separator 3E and the electrode / electrolyte assembly. . The reaction gas is led to a fan-shaped gas flow path from a gas introduction hole 4D provided near the center of the separator 3E and supplied to the electrode / electrolyte assembly, and the remaining gas is directed to the outside from the gas flow groove 10B. Is discharged.

In this configuration, the gas flow groove 10B allows the reaction gas to be evenly divided similarly to the eighth and ninth embodiments, so that the power generation operation can be performed efficiently, and Since the gas restricting ring 9B is connected by the flexible rib, the thermal stress caused by the temperature rise is effectively absorbed, so that the thermal stress generated in the electrode / electrolyte assembly is reduced and damage is prevented.

In the gas throttle rings shown in the eighth, ninth, and tenth embodiments, each is shown as having eight gas flow grooves. This is an example in which the gas flow path is divided into a flow path, and the gas throttle ring is provided with a gas flow groove corresponding to the number of gas flow paths formed by the flow path component. May be provided.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, a current collecting function and a gas flow path are provided on both main surfaces of a plate-shaped electrode / electrolyte assembly having an anode electrode and a cathode electrode disposed on both surfaces of a solid electrolyte. A flow path component having a configuration function, and a unit cell configured by arranging a plate-shaped separator having a gas introduction portion in the center portion are laminated, and the flow path component provided on the anode electrode side is used. A solid electrolyte type in which a fuel gas flows through the formed gas flow path, and an oxidizing gas flows through the gas flow path formed by the flow path constituent members arranged on the cathode electrode side to obtain electric energy by an electrochemical reaction. In the fuel cell, (1) As described in claim 1, the flow path constituent members arranged on both main surfaces of the electrode / electrolyte assembly are formed integrally with each other. Flow path as described in to 7 Since the constituent members are configured, the reaction gas is uniformly distributed without flowing in the plane and flows therethrough, and a solid oxide fuel cell capable of high-performance operation is obtained. Was.

(2) Further, a gas restricting ring for restricting gas flow is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the flow path constituting member disposed on both main surfaces of the electrode / electrolyte assembly. For example, according to the ninth or tenth aspect, the flow rate of the reaction gas is adjusted by the pressure loss of the gas flow groove, and the reaction gas is distributed evenly without causing unevenness in the plane. Therefore, it is suitable as a solid oxide fuel cell capable of high-performance operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flow path constituting member used in a first embodiment of a solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of a flow path component used in the first embodiment and a separator arranged adjacent to the flow path component.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a flow path constituting member used in a second embodiment of the solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of a flow path component used in the second embodiment and a separator arranged adjacent to the flow path component.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a flow path constituting member used in a third embodiment of the solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of a flow path component used in the third embodiment and a separator arranged adjacent to the flow path component.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a flow path constituting member used in a fourth embodiment of the solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an assembled state of a flow path component used in the fourth embodiment and a separator arranged adjacent to the flow path component.

FIG. 9 is a basic configuration diagram of a flow path component used in a fifth embodiment of the solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention, where (a) is a plan view,
(B) is a sectional view of the AA plane of (a).

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an assembled state of a flow path component used in the fifth embodiment and a separator arranged adjacent to the flow path component.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a flow path component used in a sixth embodiment of the solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an assembled state of a flow path component used in the sixth embodiment and a separator arranged adjacent to the flow path component.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a flow path constituting member used in a seventh embodiment of the solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a gas throttle ring used in an eighth embodiment of the solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention, where (a) is a plan view,
(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane BB of (a).

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing an assembled state of the gas throttle ring, the flow path constituent member, and the separator according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a gas throttle ring used in a ninth embodiment of the solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention, where (a) is a plan view,
(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane CC of (a).

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a gas throttle ring used in a solid oxide fuel cell according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a plan view,
(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the DD plane of (a).

FIG. 18 is a plan view showing an assembled state of a gas throttle ring, a flow path constituent member, and a separator according to a tenth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view in the stacking direction of a main part showing a basic configuration of a conventional solid electrolyte fuel cell of a flat plate type supporting membrane system.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of ribs in a conventional solid oxide fuel cell of a flat plate type supporting membrane type.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 rib 1A, 1B, 1C rib 1D, 1E rib 2, 2A groove 3 separator 3A, 3B, 3C, separator 3D, 3E separator 4 gas introduction hole 4A, 4B gas introduction hole 4C, 4D gas introduction hole 5 spiral rib 6 Flat part 7 Convex part 8 Gas flow hole 9 Gas throttle ring 9A, 9B Gas throttle ring 10 Gas flow groove 10A, 10B Gas flow groove 11 Throttle hole

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A plate-like electrode / electrolyte assembly having an anode electrode and a cathode electrode disposed on both surfaces of a solid electrolyte,
A flow path constituent member having a current collecting function and a gas flow path forming function, and a unit cell formed by arranging a plate-shaped separator having a gas introduction portion in the center portion are laminated, and the anode electrode side is formed. The fuel gas flows through the gas flow path formed by the disposed flow path component members, and the oxidant gas flows through the gas flow path formed by the flow path component members disposed on the cathode electrode side. A solid electrolyte fuel cell for obtaining electric energy, wherein the flow path components disposed on both main surfaces of the electrode and the electrolyte assembly are formed integrally with each other. 2. The flow path constituting member is formed by integrally forming a plurality of ribs of the same shape extending radially from a central portion to an outer peripheral portion arranged at equal angular intervals. The solid oxide fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The solid oxide fuel cell according to claim 2, wherein said flow path constituting member is provided with a throttle mechanism for restricting gas flow on an outer peripheral portion. 4. The solid electrolyte according to claim 3, wherein said throttle mechanism comprises a meandering groove formed in said member penetrating from an inner periphery to an outer periphery of said flow path constituting member. Type fuel cell. 5. The solid oxide fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein said flow path constituting member is constituted by a rib formed spirally from a central portion to an outer peripheral portion. 6. The flow path constituting member is constituted by a disk provided with a plurality of convex portions radially arranged at equal angular intervals from a central portion formed by press working. The solid oxide fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein 7. The flow path component is formed by integrally forming a plurality of ribs of the same shape meandering and extending from a central portion to an outer peripheral portion provided at equal angular intervals. The solid oxide fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein 8. A plate-like electrode / electrolyte assembly having an anode electrode and a cathode electrode arranged on both surfaces of a solid electrolyte,
A flow path constituent member having a current collecting function and a gas flow path forming function, and a unit cell formed by arranging a plate-shaped separator having a gas introduction portion in the center portion are laminated, and the anode electrode side is formed. The fuel gas flows through the gas flow path formed by the disposed flow path component members, and the oxidant gas flows through the gas flow path formed by the flow path component members disposed on the cathode electrode side. In a solid oxide fuel cell that obtains electric energy, a gas throttle ring for restricting gas flow is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the flow path component disposed on both main surfaces of the electrode / electrolyte assembly. Characteristic solid electrolyte fuel cell. 9. The gas restrictor ring according to claim 7, wherein said gas restrictor ring comprises a hollow disk provided with a plurality of gas flow grooves.
3. The solid oxide fuel cell according to item 1. 10. The solid according to claim 7, wherein said gas throttle ring is constituted by arranging a plurality of gas flow grooves at equal intervals and connecting them with a curved member. Electrolyte fuel cell.