JP2016162630A - Fuel battery - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a "horizontal stripe type" fuel battery that can extract an output continuously and stably even when "abnormality such as disconnection" occurs.SOLUTION: A fuel cell includes a plate-shaped support substrate 10 having a longitudinal direction (x-axis direction). A plurality of power generation element portions A1 to A4 and power generation element portions A5 to A8 which are electrically connected to one another in series are provided along the longitudinal direction at the front side and back side of the supporting substrate 10, respectively. The fuel electrodes 20 of the power generation element portions A1 and A5 at the front and back sides of the first side (x-axis positive direction side) in the longitudinal direction (accurately, interconnectors 30 electrically-connected to the fuel electrode 20) are electrically connected to each other in parallel by a front-and-back connection member 80. The air poles 60 of the power generation element portions A4, A8 at the front and back sides at a second side (x-axis negative direction side) in the longitudinal direction (accurately, air electrode collector membranes 70 electrically-connected to the air electrode 60) are electrically connected to each other in parallel by the front-and-back connection member 80.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell.

  Conventionally, “a support substrate having a longitudinal direction and a gas flow path formed therein along the longitudinal direction” and “a predetermined number of the longitudinal directions of two or more in the first main surface of the support substrate” The predetermined number of first power generation element portions provided at different positions, respectively, and the predetermined number of different positions in the longitudinal direction on the second main surface opposite to the first main surface of the support substrate. The predetermined number of second power generation element units ”, the“ first series electrical connection unit electrically connecting the predetermined number of first power generation element units in series ”, and the“ predetermined number of second power generation unit units ”. There is known a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) provided with a “second series electrical connection part for electrically connecting element parts in series” (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a configuration is also called a “horizontal stripe type”.

Japanese Patent No. 5095877

  In order to extract a large output from the fuel cell as described above, in the fuel cell, “of the predetermined number of first power generation element portions, the second side end first power generation located closest to the second side in the longitudinal direction. A third series electric unit that electrically connects the element unit and the second power generation element unit located on the second side closest to the second side in the longitudinal direction among the predetermined number of second power generation element units. A configuration (hereinafter referred to as “first comparative example”) in which a “general connection portion” is further provided is conceivable.

  In the “first comparative example”, “twice the predetermined number” of power generation element portions are electrically connected in series (see FIG. 21 described later). Of the predetermined number of first power generation element portions with respect to the load, of the first side end first power generation element portion located closest to the first side in the longitudinal direction, and among the predetermined number of second power generation element portions By electrically connecting the first side end second power generation element portion located closest to the first side in the longitudinal direction, the current is generated on the first main surface side by the predetermined number of first power generations. The element portion flows from the first side to the second side in the longitudinal direction, and then flows from the second side end first power generation element portion to the second side end second power generation element portion, and then the second main surface side. The predetermined number of second power generation element portions can flow from the second side to the first side in the longitudinal direction. That is, in the “first comparative example”, a large voltage obtained by multiplying “a voltage (electromotive force) generated in one power generation element portion” by “twice the predetermined number” is obtained from one fuel cell. Due to the fact that such a large voltage is obtained, a large output (voltage × current) can be taken out.

  By the way, in the “first comparative example”, some sort of abnormality in which current cannot flow (for example, disconnection; hereinafter referred to as “abnormality such as disconnection”) occurs in a path through which current flows in the fuel cell. In this case, no current can flow as a whole of the fuel cell (see FIG. 22 described later). In other words, no output can be obtained even if a load is connected to the fuel cell. In this way, even when “abnormality such as disconnection” occurs somewhere in the fuel cell, the arrival of a fuel cell that can continuously and stably extract the output has been desired.

  The present invention is to cope with such a problem, and is a “horizontal stripe type” fuel cell, in which output is continuously and stably taken out even when “abnormality such as disconnection” occurs. It aims to provide what can be.

  The fuel cell according to the present invention includes the same “support substrate”, “predetermined number of first power generation element portions”, “predetermined number of second power generation element portions”, and “first series electrical connection portion”. And “second series electrical connection portion”.

  The feature of the fuel cell according to the invention is that it further includes a “parallel electrical connection portion”. "Parallel electrical connection part" electrically connects "the fuel electrode in the first side end first power generation element part" and "the fuel electrode in the first side end second power generation element part" in parallel; and The “air electrode in the second power generation element portion on the second side end” and the “air electrode in the second power generation element portion on the second side end” are electrically connected in parallel.

  According to the configuration of the present invention described above, a pair of “the predetermined number of power generating element portions electrically connected in series” are electrically connected in parallel (see FIG. 20 described later). “Fuel electrode” of “first side end first power generation element part or first side end second power generation element part” and “second side end first power generation element part or second side end second with respect to load” By electrically connecting the “air electrode” of the “power generation element portion”, the current flows from the first side in the longitudinal direction to the predetermined number of first power generation element portions on the first main surface side. The predetermined number of second power generation element portions can flow from the first side to the second side in the longitudinal direction on the second main surface side. Hereinafter, the passages through which current flows on the first and second main surface sides are referred to as “first passage” and “second passage”, respectively. In other words, the current flowing into the fuel cell is divided into “current flowing through the first passage” and “current flowing through the second passage”.

  Therefore, in the configuration of the present invention, for example, even when the “abnormality such as disconnection” occurs somewhere in the first (second) passage, the current flows through the second (first) passage. It can still flow. That is, unlike the “first comparative example”, the output can be continuously and stably taken out from the fuel cell (see FIG. 23 described later). It is considered rare that the above-mentioned “abnormality such as disconnection” occurs simultaneously in both the first and second passages.

  Hereinafter, in the configuration of the present invention, the “predetermined number of second power generation element portions” and the “second series electrical connection portion” are excluded (ie, the predetermined number of power generation elements only on the first main surface side). (Hereinafter referred to as “second comparative example”). In the “second comparative example”, a “predetermined number” of power generation element units are electrically connected in series (see FIG. 24 described later). By electrically connecting the “fuel electrode” of the “first side end first power generation element portion” and the “air electrode” of the “second side end first power generation element portion” to the load, The current can flow from the first side to the second side in the longitudinal direction through the predetermined number of first power generation element portions on the first main surface side.

  As described above, in the configuration of the present invention, the current flowing into the fuel cell is divided into “current flowing through the first passage” and “current flowing through the second passage”. On the other hand, in the “second comparative example”, the current flowing into the fuel cell flows through a single passage. Therefore, when the fuel cell according to the configuration of the present invention is connected to the load as described above, compared to the case where the fuel cell according to the “second comparative example” is connected to the same load as described above. The magnitude of the current flowing through each power generation element portion (current density in each power generation element portion) is substantially halved. The smaller the current density in the power generation element portion, the smaller the voltage drop in the power generation element portion. Therefore, in the configuration of the present invention, compared to the “second comparative example”, a voltage drop in each power generation element portion is reduced, so that a larger voltage can be obtained from the entire fuel cell.

  By the way, in the configuration of the present invention, “the fuel electrode of the first side end first power generation element portion”, “the fuel electrode of the first side end second power generation element portion”, and “the second side end first power generation”. In the configuration in which only the “air electrode of the element part” and “the air electrode of the second power generation element part of the second side end” are electrically connected in parallel, the “disconnection” is somewhere in the first (second) passage. In the case of occurrence of “abnormality etc.”, no current can flow through all of the predetermined number of first (second) power generation element portions. In addition, in this case, since the current flows only through the second (first) passage, it can be said that a configuration equivalent to the “second comparative example” is realized. Accordingly, the current density (and hence the voltage drop) in each power generating element part included in the second (first) passage is approximately doubled, and the voltage obtained from the entire fuel cell is also reduced.

  In this regard, in the configuration of the present invention described above, the air electrode in all the first power generation element portions other than the second side end first power generation element portion and all the portions other than the second side end second power generation element portion. The air electrode in the second power generation element portion may be configured to be electrically connected in parallel with respect to the power generation element portions located at the same number from the first side in the longitudinal direction. .

  In this configuration, even if the “abnormality such as disconnection” occurs somewhere in the first (second) passage, current is supplied to at least one of the predetermined number of first (second) power generation element portions. Can flow (this will be described later). As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the current density (and hence voltage drop) in the power generation element portion is approximately doubled for at least one of the predetermined number of power generation element portions included in the second (first) passage. The extent to which the voltage obtained from the entire fuel cell is reduced can be suppressed (this will also be described later).

  In the configuration of the present invention, the air electrode in a part of the first power generation element part other than the second side end first power generation element part and a part other than the second side end second power generation element part. It is also conceivable that the air electrode in the second power generation element portion is electrically connected in parallel with each other with respect to the power generation element portions located at the same number from the first side in the longitudinal direction. It is done. Also in this configuration, the same operations and effects as the above configuration can be achieved. In addition, as compared with the above configuration, since there are few portions that are electrically connected in parallel, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In the configuration of the present invention described above, the parallel electrical connection portion includes the fuel electrode in the first side end first power generation element portion and the fuel electrode in the first side end second power generation element portion. Electrically connected in parallel, and electrically connected in parallel the air electrode in the second side end first power generation element portion and the air electrode in the second side end second power generation element portion. On the other hand, electrical connection portions between all the adjacent first power generation element portions, and electrical connection portions between all the adjacent second power generation element portions, in the longitudinal direction, The electrical connection portions located at the same number from the first side may be configured not to be electrically connected in parallel. Also in this configuration, compared with the above configuration, the number of locations that are electrically connected in parallel is small, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

It is a perspective view which shows embodiment of the fuel cell of this invention. It is sectional drawing corresponding to the 2-2 line of FIG. It is sectional drawing to which a part of FIG. 2 was expanded. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line 4-4 of FIG. It is the top view which showed the state of the fuel electrode and interconnector which were embed | buried under the recessed part of the support substrate shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line 6-6 in FIG. It is sectional drawing corresponding to the 7-7 line | wire of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation state of embodiment shown in FIG. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 2 for demonstrating the flow of the electric current in the operation state of embodiment shown in FIG. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 3 for demonstrating the flow of the electric current in the operation state of embodiment shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the support substrate shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 in a first stage in the manufacturing process of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 3 in the 2nd step in the manufacture process of embodiment shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 3 in the 3rd step in the manufacture process of embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 in a fourth stage in the manufacturing process of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 3 in the 5th step in the manufacture process of embodiment shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 3 in the 6th step in the manufacture process of embodiment shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 3 in the 7th step in the manufacture process of embodiment shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 3 in the 8th step in the manufacture process of embodiment shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the equivalent electric circuit at the time of connecting embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to load. It is a figure which shows the equivalent electrical circuit at the time of connecting a 1st comparative example to load. FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a current flow when “abnormality such as disconnection” occurs in the first comparative example illustrated in FIG. 21; FIG. 21 is a diagram for describing a flow of current when an “abnormality such as disconnection” occurs in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20. It is a figure which shows the equivalent electric circuit at the time of connecting a 2nd comparative example to load. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 1 about the modification of embodiment shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the equivalent electric circuit at the time of connecting the modification shown in FIG. 25 to load. FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining a current flow when an “abnormality such as disconnection” occurs in the modification shown in FIG. 26. FIG. 26 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 for a modification equivalent to the modification shown in FIG. 25 and an electric circuit. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 2 about the modification shown in FIG. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 1 about the other modification of embodiment shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the equivalent electric circuit at the time of connecting to the load in the other modification shown in FIG. FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining the flow of current when “abnormality such as disconnection” occurs in another modification shown in FIG. 31. FIG. 31 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 for a modification equivalent to the modification shown in FIG. 30 and an electric circuit. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 2 about the modification shown in FIG.

(Constitution)
1 and 2 show an entire solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of the cross section shown in FIG. The SOFC 100 has a plurality (in this example) electrically connected in series to the upper and lower surfaces (main surfaces (planes) on both sides parallel to each other) of the flat support substrate 10 having a longitudinal direction (x-axis direction). The four power generating element portions A (A1 to A8) are arranged at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction and have a so-called “horizontal stripe type” configuration.

  The shape of the entire SOFC 100 viewed from above is, for example, a rectangle whose length in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) is 50 to 500 mm and whose length in the width direction (y-axis direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is 10 to 100 mm. It is. The total thickness (z-axis direction) of the SOFC 100 is 1 to 5 mm.

  The support substrate 10 is a flat plate-like fired body made of a porous material having no electronic conductivity. As shown in FIG. 11 to be described later, a plurality (six in this example) of fuel gas passages 11 (through holes) extending in the longitudinal direction are provided in the support substrate 10 at predetermined intervals in the width direction. Is formed. In addition, in each of the upper and lower surfaces (both main surfaces) of the support substrate 10, recesses 12 are formed at locations corresponding to the respective power generation element portions A. In this example, each recess 12 includes a bottom wall made of the material of the support substrate 10 and side walls closed in the circumferential direction made of the material of the support substrate 10 over the entire circumference (two side walls along the longitudinal direction and the width direction). A rectangular parallelepiped depression defined by two side walls).

The support substrate 10 can be made of, for example, CSZ (calcia stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, it may be composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia), NiO (nickel oxide) and Y ₂ O ₃ (yttria), or MgO. (Magnesium oxide) and MgAl ₂ O ₄ (magnesia alumina spinel) may be used.

  The support substrate 10 may be configured to include “transition metal oxide or transition metal” and insulating ceramics. As the “transition metal oxide or transition metal”, NiO (nickel oxide) or Ni (nickel) is suitable. The transition metal can function as a catalyst for promoting a reforming reaction of the fuel gas (hydrocarbon-based gas reforming catalyst).

Further, as the insulating ceramic, MgO (magnesium oxide) or “mixture of MgAl ₂ O ₄ (magnesia alumina spinel) and MgO (magnesium oxide)” is preferable. Further, CSZ (calcia stabilized zirconia), YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia), Y ₂ O ₃ (yttria) may be used as the insulating ceramic.

  As described above, since the support substrate 10 contains “transition metal oxide or transition metal”, the gas containing the residual gas component before the reforming is supplied to the fuel through the numerous pores inside the porous support substrate 10. In the process of being supplied from the gas flow path 11 to the fuel electrode, the catalytic action can promote the reforming of the residual gas component before the reforming. In addition, the insulating property of the support substrate 10 can be ensured by the support substrate 10 containing insulating ceramics. As a result, insulation between adjacent fuel electrodes can be ensured. The thickness of the support substrate 10 is 1 to 5 mm.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the entire fuel electrode current collector 21 is embedded (filled) in each recess 12 formed on the upper and lower surfaces (both main surfaces) of the support substrate 10. Therefore, each fuel electrode current collector 21 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIG. 5, a recess 21 a is formed on the upper surface (outer surface) of each fuel electrode current collector 21. Each recess 21a includes a bottom wall made of the material of the fuel electrode current collector 21 and a circumferentially closed side wall made of the material of the fuel electrode current collector 21 (two side walls and a width along the longitudinal direction). Two side walls extending in the direction), and a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped depression.

  The entire anode active portion 22 is embedded (filled) in each recess 21a. Accordingly, each fuel electrode active portion 22 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A fuel electrode 20 is configured by the fuel electrode current collector 21 and the fuel electrode active unit 22. The fuel electrode 20 (fuel electrode current collector 21 + fuel electrode active part 22) is a fired body made of a porous material having electron conductivity. The entire circumference and bottom surface of the “side wall closed in the circumferential direction” of each anode active portion 22 are in contact with the anode current collector 21 in the recess 21b.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a recess 21 b is formed on the upper surface (outer surface) of each fuel electrode current collector 21 except for the recess 21 a. Each recess 21b includes a bottom wall made of the material of the fuel electrode current collector 21 and a side wall made of the material of the fuel electrode current collector 21 over the entire circumference (two side walls and a width along the longitudinal direction). Two side walls extending in the direction), and a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped depression.

  The entire interconnector 30 is embedded (filled) in each recess 21b. Accordingly, each interconnector 30 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The interconnector 30 is a fired body made of a dense material having electronic conductivity. The entire circumference and bottom surface of the “circumferentially closed sidewall” of each interconnector 30 are in contact with the fuel electrode current collector 21 in the recess 21b.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface (outer surface) of the fuel electrode 20 (the fuel electrode current collector 21 and the fuel electrode active unit 22), the upper surface (outer surface) of the interconnector 30, and the main surface of the support substrate 10 Thus, one plane (the same plane as the main surface of the support substrate 10 when the recess 12 is not formed) is configured. That is, no step is formed between the upper surface of the fuel electrode 20, the upper surface of the interconnector 30, and the main surface of the support substrate 10.

The fuel electrode active part 22 may be composed of, for example, NiO (nickel oxide) and YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia). Or you may comprise from NiO (nickel oxide) and GDC (gadolinium dope ceria). The fuel electrode current collector 21 can be composed of, for example, NiO (nickel oxide) and YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia). Alternatively, it may be composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and Y ₂ O ₃ (yttria), or may be composed of NiO (nickel oxide) and CSZ (calcia stabilized zirconia). The thickness of the anode active portion 22 is 5 to 30 μm, and the thickness of the anode current collecting portion 21 (that is, the depth of the recess 12) is 50 to 500 μm.

  As described above, the fuel electrode current collector 21 includes a substance having electronic conductivity. The fuel electrode active part 22 includes a substance having electron conductivity and a substance having oxygen ion conductivity. The “volume ratio of the substance having oxygen ion conductivity with respect to the entire volume excluding the pore portion” in the anode active portion 22 is “having oxygen ion conductivity with respect to the entire volume excluding the pore portion” in the anode current collecting portion 21. It is larger than the “volume ratio of the substance”.

The interconnector 30 can be composed of, for example, LaCrO ₃ (lanthanum chromite). Alternatively, it may be composed of (Sr, La) TiO ₃ (strontium titanate). The thickness of the interconnector 30 is 10 to 100 μm.

  The entire surface excluding the central portion of each portion where the plurality of interconnectors 30 are formed on the outer peripheral surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate 10 in a state where the fuel electrode 20 and the interconnector 30 are embedded in the respective recesses 12, The solid electrolyte membrane 40 is covered. That is, the solid electrolyte membrane 40 extends from the inside of the power generation element portion A to the outside of the power generation element portion A so as to cover the surface of the support substrate 10. In other words, the solid electrolyte membrane 40 is a portion excluding the region where the power generating element part A is provided on each of the main surfaces on the front and back sides of the support substrate 10 and the side end surface (width direction (y-axis direction)) of the support substrate 10. Are provided so as to cover the both end faces of the head.

The solid electrolyte membrane 40 is a fired body made of a dense material having ion conductivity. The solid electrolyte membrane 40 can be made of, for example, YSZ (8YSZ) (yttria stabilized zirconia). That is, the solid electrolyte membrane 40 contains zirconia (ZrO ₂ ). The thickness of the solid electrolyte membrane 40 is 3 to 50 μm.

  In this way, the entire area of each main surface on the front and back sides of the support substrate 10 and the side end surfaces of the support substrate 10 are covered with the “film made of dense material” composed of the interconnector 30 and the solid electrolyte film 40. It has been broken. This “dense membrane” exhibits a gas sealing function that prevents mixing of the fuel gas flowing in the space inside the membrane and the air flowing in the space outside the membrane. In order to exhibit this gas sealing function, the porosity of this “membrane made of dense material” (interconnector 30 + solid electrolyte membrane 40) is 10% or less.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in this example, the solid electrolyte membrane 40 includes the upper surface of the fuel electrode 20 (current collector 21 + active portion 22), the central portion of the upper surface of the interconnector 30, and the main surface of the support substrate 10. Covering. Here, as described above, no step is formed between the upper surface of the fuel electrode 20, the upper surface of the interconnector 30, and the main surface of the support substrate 10. Therefore, the solid electrolyte membrane 40 is flattened. As a result, compared with the case where a step is formed in the solid electrolyte membrane 40, the generation of cracks in the solid electrolyte membrane 40 due to stress concentration can be suppressed, and the gas sealing function of the solid electrolyte membrane 40 is reduced. Can be suppressed.

  An air electrode 60 is formed on the upper surface of a portion in contact with each fuel electrode active part 22 in the solid electrolyte membrane 40 via a reaction preventing film 50. The reaction preventing film 50 is a fired body made of a dense material, and the air electrode 60 is a fired body made of a porous material having electron conductivity. The shape of the air electrode 60 viewed from above is substantially the same rectangle as the fuel electrode active part 22.

The reaction preventing film 50 is a dense material containing ceria containing rare earth elements such as GDC = (Ce, Gd) O ₂ (gadolinium doped ceria) and SDC = (Ce, Sm) O ₂ (samarium doped ceria). Composed of materials. The thickness of the reaction preventing film 50 is 3 to 50 μm. The porosity of the reaction preventing film 50 is 10% or less.

The air electrode 60 can be made of, for example, LSCF = (La, Sr) (Co, Fe) O ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite). Alternatively, from LSF = (La, Sr) FeO ₃ (lanthanum strontium ferrite), LNF = La (Ni, Fe) O ₃ (lanthanum nickel ferrite), LSC = (La, Sr) CoO ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobaltite), etc. It may be configured. Further, the air electrode 60 may be configured by two layers of a first layer (inner layer) made of LSCF and a second layer (outer layer) made of LSC. The thickness of the air electrode 60 is 10 to 100 μm.

The reaction preventing film 50 is interposed between the solid electrolyte membrane 40 and the air electrode 60 because the SFC in the solid electrolyte membrane 40 and the Sr in the air electrode 60 are in the SOFC 100 when the SOFC 100 is manufactured or in operation. This is to suppress the occurrence of a phenomenon in which a reaction layer (SrZrO ₃ ) having a large electric resistance is formed at the interface between the solid electrolyte membrane 40 and the air electrode 60 due to the reaction.

  Here, a laminated body in which the fuel electrode 20 (particularly, the fuel electrode active part 22), the solid electrolyte membrane 40, the reaction preventing film 50, and the air electrode 60 are laminated (more specifically, the laminated body). The region where the fuel electrode active part 22 and the air electrode 60 face each other) corresponds to the “power generation element part A” (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality (four in this example) of power generation element portions A (A1 to A8) are arranged at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction on each of the upper and lower surfaces of the support substrate 10. Is placed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, for the adjacent power generation element portions A and A, the air electrode 60, the solid state so as to straddle the air electrode 60 of one power generation element portion A and the interconnector 30 of the other power generation element portion A. An air electrode current collecting film 70 is formed on the upper surfaces of the electrolyte membrane 40 and the interconnector 30. The air electrode current collector film 70 is a fired body made of a porous material having electron conductivity. The shape of the air electrode current collector film 70 as viewed from above is a rectangle.

The air electrode current collector film 70 can be made of, for example, LSCF = (La, Sr) (Co, Fe) O ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite). Alternatively, LSC = (La, Sr) CoO ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobaltite) may be used. Or you may comprise from Ag (silver) and Ag-Pd (silver palladium alloy). Alternatively, it may be composed of La (Ni, Fe, Cu) O ₃ . That is, the air electrode current collector film 70 contains strontium (Sr) or lanthanum (La). The thickness of the air electrode current collector film 70 is 50 to 500 μm.

In this specification, La (Ni, Fe, Cu) O ₃ specifically refers to an oxide represented by a chemical formula of the following formula (1). However, in Formula (1), m and n are 0.95 or more and 1.05 or less, x is 0.03 or more and 0.3 or less, y is 0.05 or more and 0.5 or less, δ Is 0 or more and 0.8 or less.
_{La m (Ni 1-x-} y Fe x Cu y) n O 3-δ ... (1)

  By forming each air electrode current collecting film 70 in this manner, as shown in FIG. 2, the air electrode 60 of one power generation element part A and the other of the adjacent power generation element parts A and A, as shown in FIG. The fuel electrode 20 (particularly, the fuel electrode current collector 21) of the power generation element part A is electrically connected via the “air electrode current collector film 70 and the interconnector 30” having electronic conductivity. As a result, a plurality (four in this example) of power generation element portions A (A1 to A4 and A5 to A8) disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the support substrate 10 are electrically connected in series. The Here, the power generation element portions A1 to A4 correspond to the “first power generation element portion”, and the power generation element portions A5 to A8 correspond to the “second power generation element portion” (see FIG. 2). .

  Further, the “air electrode current collector film 70 and the interconnector 30” having electronic conductivity correspond to the “first series electrical connection portion” and the “second series electrical connection portion”. The interconnector 30 corresponds to the “first portion made of a dense material” in the “first and second series electrical connection portions”, and has a porosity of 10% or less. The air electrode current collecting film 70 corresponds to the “second portion made of a porous material” in the “first and second series electrical connection portions”, and has a porosity of 20 to 60%.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the reaction preventing film 50 extends from the inside of the power generating element part A (that is, the part between the solid electrolyte film 40 and the air electrode 60) to the outside of the power generating element part A in the solid electrolyte film 40. It extends to the outside of the power generation element part A so as to cover the surface of the “formed part” (in contact with the surface). The air electrode current collecting film 70 covers the surface of the reaction preventing film 50 (more specifically, the portion formed outside the power generating element part A in the reaction preventing film 50) (so as to be in contact with the surface). Is formed. In other words, the reaction preventing film 50 (more specifically, the part formed outside the power generation element part A in the reaction preventing film 50) in all the parts where the air electrode current collecting film 70 and the solid electrolyte film 40 face each other. Is intervening.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the “portions corresponding to the power generation element portions A4 and A8 on the front and back in the longitudinal direction” of the support substrate 10 are arranged between the air electrodes 60 of the power generation element portions A4 and A8 ( More precisely, a front-to-back connection member 80 is provided for electrically connecting the air electrode current collector films 70 electrically connected to the air electrode 60 in parallel. The power generation element portions A4 and A8 are power generation element portions located on the second side in the longitudinal direction (the x-axis negative direction side) on the front and back main surfaces of the support substrate 10. Accordingly, the power generation element portions A4 and A8 correspond to the “second side end first power generation element portion” and the “second side end second power generation element portion”, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting member 80 between the front and back surfaces of the solid electrolyte membrane 40 “on the front and back sides of the supporting substrate 10” in “the portions corresponding to the power generating element portions A4 and A8 on the front and back in the longitudinal direction” of the supporting substrate 10. Each main surface is provided so as to cover a portion excluding a region where the power generation element portion A is provided and a portion covering the side end surfaces (both end surfaces in the width direction (y-axis direction)) of the support substrate 10. . As a result, in the “portion corresponding to the front and back power generating element portions A4 and A8 in the longitudinal direction” of the support substrate 10, “the conductive member formed of the front and back air electrode current collector film 70 and the front and back connecting member 80” It circulates continuously.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, the “part corresponding to the first side (x-axis positive direction side) from the front and back power generation element parts A <b> 1 and A <b> 5 in the longitudinal direction” of the support substrate 10 The front and back connecting member 80 is provided for electrically connecting the fuel electrodes 20 of the power generation element portions A1 and A5 (more specifically, the interconnectors 30 electrically connected to the fuel electrode 20) in parallel. ing. The power generation element portions A1 and A5 are power generation element portions located on the most first side (x-axis positive direction side) in the longitudinal direction on the front and back main surfaces of the support substrate 10. Therefore, the power generation element portions A1 and A5 correspond to the “first side end first power generation element portion” and the “first side end second power generation element portion”, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the front-back connection member 80 covers the solid electrolyte membrane 40 in “the portion corresponding to the first side from the front and back power generation element portions A1 and A5 in the longitudinal direction” of the support substrate 10. Is provided. As a result, the front-back connection member 80 continuously circulates in “the portion corresponding to the first side from the front and back power generation element portions A1 and A5 in the longitudinal direction” of the support substrate 10. The two front-to-back connection members 80 described above correspond to the “parallel electrical connection portion”.

Each front-back connection member 80 is made of, for example, the same material as the air electrode current collector film 70, that is, LSCF = (La, Sr) (Co, Fe) O ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite), LSC = (La, Sr) It may be composed of CoO ₃ (lanthanum strontium cobaltite), La (Ni, Fe, Cu) O ₃ or the like. In this case, each front-back connection member 80 is a fired body made of a perovskite-type conductive ceramic containing strontium (Sr) or lanthanum (La). The porosity of each front-back connection member 80 may be the same as or different from the porosity of the air electrode current collector film 70.

As described above, as shown in FIG. 8, the fuel gas (hydrogen gas or the like) flows through the fuel gas flow path 11 of the support substrate 10 with respect to the “horizontal stripe type” SOFC 100 described above, and the upper and lower surfaces ( In particular, by exposing each air electrode current collector film 70) to "gas containing oxygen" (air or the like) (or flowing gas containing oxygen along the upper and lower surfaces of the support substrate 10), each power generating element portion A Thus, an electromotive force is generated due to the oxygen partial pressure difference generated between both side surfaces of the solid electrolyte membrane 40. Furthermore, when the two front-back connection members 80 in the SOFC 100 are electrically connected via an external load, a chemical reaction shown in the following formulas (2) and (3) occurs, and a current flows (power generation state).
(1/2) · O ₂ + 2e ⁻ → O ²⁻ (where: air electrode 60) (2)
H ₂ + O ²⁻ → H ₂ O + 2e ⁻ (in the fuel electrode 20) (3)

  In the power generation state, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, current flows from the first side to the second side in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate 10 (from the x-axis positive direction to x It flows in the direction of the negative axis). As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, electric power (voltage × current) is extracted from the entire SOFC 100.

(Production method)
Next, an example of a manufacturing method of the “horizontal stripe type” SOFC 100 shown in FIG. 1 will be briefly described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 19, “g” at the end of the reference numeral of each member represents that the member is “before firing”.

  First, a support substrate molded body 10g having the shape shown in FIG. 11 is produced. The molded body 10g of the support substrate is manufactured by using a method such as extrusion molding or cutting using a slurry obtained by adding a binder or the like to the material of the support substrate 10 (for example, CSZ). obtain. Hereinafter, description will be continued with reference to FIGS. 12 to 19 corresponding to FIG. 3 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the support substrate molded body 10g is manufactured, as shown in FIG. 13, next, as shown in FIG. Each of the molded parts 21g is embedded and formed. Next, as shown in FIG. 14, a molded body 22g of the fuel electrode active part is embedded and formed in each recess formed in the outer surface of the molded body 21g of each fuel electrode current collector. The molded body 21g of each fuel electrode current collector and each of the fuel electrode active parts 22g use, for example, a slurry obtained by adding a binder or the like to the powder of the material of the fuel electrode 20 (for example, Ni and YSZ), It is embedded and formed using printing methods.

Next, as shown in FIG. 15, in each concave portion formed in “the portion excluding the portion where the molded body 22 g of the fuel electrode active portion is embedded” on the outer surface of the molded body 21 g of each fuel electrode current collector. The interconnector molded bodies 30g are respectively embedded and formed. The molded body 30g of each interconnector is embedded and formed by using a slurry obtained by adding a binder or the like to the material of the interconnector 30 (for example, LaCrO ₃ ), using a printing method or the like. .

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the outer periphery extending in the longitudinal direction of the molded body 10g of the support substrate in a state where the molded bodies 30g of fuel electrodes (21g + 22g) and the molded body 30g of the plurality of interconnectors are respectively embedded and formed. A solid electrolyte membrane molding film 40g is formed on the entire surface excluding the central portion of each portion where the plurality of interconnector moldings 30g are formed on the surfaces (ie, the upper and lower main surfaces and the side end surfaces on both sides). Is done. The molded membrane 40g of the solid electrolyte membrane is formed using, for example, a printing method, a dipping method, etc., using a slurry obtained by adding a binder or the like to the powder of the material of the solid electrolyte membrane 40 (for example, YSZ). The

  Next, as shown in FIG. 17, a reaction preventing film forming film 50g is formed on the entire outer surface of the solid electrolyte film forming body 40g. The molded film 50g of each reaction preventing film is formed using a slurry obtained by adding a binder or the like to the powder of the material (for example, GDC) of the reaction preventing film 50, using a printing method or the like.

  Then, 10 g of the support substrate molded body in which various molded films are thus formed is fired in air at 1500 ° C. for 3 hours. As a result, a structure in which the air electrode 60, the air electrode current collector film 70, and the front-back connection member 80 are not formed in the SOFC 100 shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, an air electrode forming film 60 g is formed on the outer surface of each reaction preventing film 50. The molded film 60g of each air electrode is formed using a slurry obtained by adding a binder or the like to the powder of the material of the air electrode 60 (for example, LSCF), using a printing method or the like.

Next, as shown in FIG. 19, for each pair of adjacent power generation element portions, air is formed so as to straddle the air electrode molding film 60 g of one power generation element portion and the interconnector 30 of the other power generation element portion. On the outer surface of the electrode forming film 60 g, the solid electrolyte film 40, and the interconnector 30, the air electrode current collecting film forming film 70 g is formed. The molded film 70g of each air electrode current collector film is, for example, a slurry obtained by adding a binder or the like to the powder of the material of the air electrode current collector film 70 (for example, LSCF, La (Ni, Fe, Cu) O ₃ ). Is formed using a printing method or the like.

Further, in the “portion corresponding to the front and back power generation element portions A4 and A8” and “the portion corresponding to the first side from the front and back power generation element portions A1 and A5” in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate 10, respectively, the periphery thereof A molded film of the front-back connection member is formed so as to go around (see FIGS. 6 and 7). For example, the molded film of the front-back connection member is made of a slurry obtained by adding a binder or the like to the powder of the material of the air electrode current collector film 70 (for example, LSCF, La (Ni, Fe, Cu) O ₃ ). It is formed using a printing method or the like.

  And the support substrate 10 in the state in which the molded films 60g and 70g and the molded film of the front-back connection member are thus formed is baked in air at 1050 ° C. for 3 hours. Thereby, the SOFC 100 shown in FIG. 1 is obtained. At this point, the Ni component in the fuel electrode 20 (current collector 21 + active portion 22) is NiO due to firing in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. Therefore, in order to acquire the electron conductivity of the fuel electrode 20 (current collector 21 + active part 22), a reducing fuel gas is then flowed from the support substrate 10 side, and NiO is heated at 800 to 1000 ° C. for 1 to 10 hours. The reduction treatment is performed over a period of time. This reduction process may be performed during power generation. In the above, an example of the manufacturing method of SOFC100 shown in FIG. 1 was demonstrated.

(Action / Effect)
Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the SOFC 100 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 20 shows an equivalent electric circuit when an external load is electrically connected to the SOFC 100. As shown in FIG. 20, in the SOFC 100, “four power generation element portions A1 to A4 electrically connected in series” and “four power generation element portions A5 to A8 electrically connected in series” are provided. Are electrically connected in parallel.

  As shown in FIG. 20, with respect to the SOFC 100, with respect to the load, “a front-back connection member 80 corresponding to the power generation element portions A1 and A5” (accordingly, the fuel electrode 20 of the power generation element portion A1 or the power generation element portion A5), By electrically connecting the “front-rear connecting member 80 corresponding to the power generation element portions A4 and A8” (therefore, the power generation element portion A4 or the air electrode 60 of the power generation element portion A8), the current is supplied to the support substrate 10. On the front side, the four power generating element portions A1 to A4 flow from the first side to the second side in the longitudinal direction, and on the back side of the support substrate 10, the four power generating element portions A5 to A8 are moved in the longitudinal direction. Flow from the first side to the second side. Hereinafter, the passages through which current flows on the front side and the back side are referred to as “first passage” and “second passage”, respectively. In other words, the current flowing into the SOFC 100 is divided into “current flowing through the first passage” and “current flowing through the second passage”.

  Here, as a preparation for explaining the operation and effect of the SOFC 100, as shown in FIG. 21, four power generation element portions A1 to A4 provided on the front side of the support substrate are electrically connected in series, and the power generation element The air electrode 60 of the part A4 and the fuel electrode 20 of the power generation element part A5 are electrically connected in series, and the four power generation element parts A5 to A8 provided on the back side of the support substrate are electrically connected in series. Consider the configuration (hereinafter referred to as “first comparative example”). In the first comparative example, the eight power generation element portions A1 to A8 are electrically connected in series.

  As shown in FIG. 21, with respect to the first comparative example, by electrically connecting the fuel electrode of the power generation element part A1 and the air electrode of the power generation element part A8 to the load, the current is supported by the support substrate. On the front side, the four power generation element parts A1 to A4 flow from the first side to the second side in the longitudinal direction, and then flow from the power generation element part A4 to the power generation element part A5, and then on the back side of the support substrate Thus, the four power generating element portions A5 to A8 flow from the second side to the first side in the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 22, in the first comparative example, “some abnormality in which current cannot flow” (for example, disconnection. For example, “disconnection” below). When an abnormality such as “disconnection or the like” occurs, no current can flow as a whole of the fuel cell. In other words, no output can be obtained even if a load is connected to the fuel cell.

  In contrast, in the SOFC 100 of the present embodiment, as described above, the current flowing into the SOFC 100 is divided into “current flowing through the first passage” and “current flowing through the second passage”. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23, for example, even when the above “abnormality such as disconnection” occurs in the first (second) passage (for example, the power generation element portion A3), the current is The second (first) passage may still flow. That is, unlike the first comparative example, the output can be continuously and stably extracted from the SOFC 100. It is considered rare that the above-mentioned “abnormality such as disconnection” occurs simultaneously in both the first and second passages.

  Further, as a preparation for explaining further functions and effects of the SOFC 100, as shown in FIG. 24, a configuration in which the power generation element portions A5 to A8 on the back side of the support substrate 10 are removed from the SOFC 100 (that is, the support substrate 10). A configuration in which four power generation element portions A1 to A4 are provided only on the front side of the above (hereinafter referred to as “second comparative example”) will be considered. In the second comparative example, the four power generating element portions A1 to A4 are electrically connected in series.

  As shown in FIG. 24, with respect to the second comparative example, by electrically connecting the fuel electrode 20 of the power generation element unit A1 and the air electrode 60 of the power generation element unit A4 to the load, the current is Only on the front side of the support substrate 10, the four power generating element portions A1 to A4 flow from the first side to the second side in the longitudinal direction.

  As described above, in the SOFC 100 of the present embodiment, the current flowing into the SOFC 100 is divided into “current flowing through the first passage” and “current flowing through the second passage”. On the other hand, in the second comparative example, the current flowing into the fuel cell flows through a single passage. Therefore, when the SOFC 100 of the present embodiment is connected to the load as shown in FIG. 20, compared to the case where the fuel cell according to the second comparative example is connected to the same load as shown in FIG. The magnitude of the current flowing through each power generation element portion (current density in each power generation element portion) is substantially halved. The smaller the current density in the power generation element portion, the smaller the voltage drop in the power generation element portion. Therefore, in the SOFC 100 of the present embodiment, the voltage drop in each power generation element portion is smaller than that in the second comparative example, so that a larger voltage can be obtained from the entire fuel cell.

  The present invention is not limited to the present embodiment described above, and various modifications can be employed within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, “portions corresponding to the front and back power generation element portions A4 and A8” and “front and back power generation element portions A1” in the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction) of the support substrate 10. , The front-back connection member 80 is provided only in the portion corresponding to the first side from A5.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 25, in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate 10, the air electrodes 60 of the power generation element portions A 1, A 5 (to the portions corresponding to the front and back power generation element portions A 1, A 5, more accurately Is provided with a front-to-back connecting member 80 that electrically connects the air electrode current collector films 70 electrically connected to the air electrode 60 in parallel. The air electrodes 60 of the power generation element portions A2 and A6 (more precisely, the air electrode current collector films 70 electrically connected to the air electrode 60) are electrically connected in parallel to the portions corresponding to A2 and A6. The connecting member 80 between the front and back surfaces is provided, and the air electrodes 60 of the power generating element portions A3 and A7 are arranged in the portions corresponding to the power generating element portions A3 and A7 on the front and back sides in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate 10 (more precisely, Sky electrically connected to air electrode 60 Electrode current film 70 to each other) may be the front and back between the connecting member 80 for electrically connecting in parallel provided the.

  FIG. 26 shows an equivalent electric circuit when an external load is electrically connected to the SOFC 100 of the modification shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 26, also in the SOFC 100 of the modified example shown in FIG. 25, like the SOFC 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the current that normally flows into the SOFC 100 is “current flowing through the first passage”. It is divided into “current flowing through the second passage”.

  As described above, in the SOFC 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, when the “abnormality such as disconnection” occurs in somewhere in the first passage (for example, the power generation element unit A3), it is included in the first passage. Thus, no current can flow at all of the four power generating element portions A1 to A4 (see FIG. 23). In addition, in this case, since the current flows only through the second passage, it can be said that a configuration equivalent to the “second comparative example” is realized. Accordingly, the current density (and hence the voltage drop) in each of the power generating element portions A5 to A8 included in the second passage is approximately doubled, and the voltage obtained from the entire SOFC 1000 is also reduced.

  In this regard, in the SOFC 100 of the modified example shown in FIG. 25, as shown in FIG. 27, the “abnormality such as disconnection” occurs in somewhere in the first passage (for example, the power generation element part A3). Also, current can flow through the power generation element portions A1 and A2 among the four power generation element portions A1 to A4 included in the first passage. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the current density (and hence voltage drop) in the power generation element portion A of the power generation element portions A5 and A6 out of the four power generation element portions A5 to A8 included in the second passage is approximately doubled. . As a result, the extent to which the voltage obtained from the entire SOFC 100 is reduced can be suppressed.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 25 described above, the front-back connection member 80 that electrically connects the air electrodes 60 of the power generation element portions A1 and A5 in parallel and the air electrodes 60 of the power generation element portions A2 and A6 are electrically connected. A front-to-back connection member 80 that is connected in parallel to each other and a front-to-back connection member 80 that electrically connects the air electrodes 60 of the power generation element portions A3 and A7 in parallel to each other are provided. 29, the front-back connecting member 90 that electrically connects the fuel electrodes 20 of the power generating element portions A2 and A6 and the fuel electrodes 20 of the power generating element portions A3 and A7 are electrically connected in parallel. A configuration may be employed in which a front-to-back connection member 90 and a front-back connection member 90 that electrically connects the fuel electrodes 20 of the power generation element portions A4 and A8 in parallel are provided. Even with this configuration, the same electrical circuit as the electrical circuit shown in FIG. 26 can be obtained, so that the same operations and effects as those of the modified example shown in FIG. 25 described above can be achieved. In addition, as a material of the front-back connection member 90, the same material as the material of the fuel electrode 20 (especially the current collection part 21) can be used, for example.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 30, with respect to the SOFC 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in the longitudinal direction of the support substrate 10, “the power generation element is provided only in the portions corresponding to the front and back power generation element portions A2 and A6”. A front-to-back connecting member 80 is provided for electrically connecting the air electrodes 60 of the portions A2 and A6 (more precisely, the air electrode current collecting films 70 electrically connected to the air electrode 60) in parallel. Also good.

  FIG. 31 shows an equivalent electric circuit when an external load is electrically connected to the SOFC 100 of the modification shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 31, also in the SOFC 100 of the modified example shown in FIG. 30, like the SOFC 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the current that normally flows into the SOFC 100 is “current flowing through the first passage”. It is divided into “current flowing through the second passage”.

  Also in the SOFC 100 of the modified example shown in FIG. 30, as shown in FIG. 32, when the above “abnormality such as disconnection” occurs somewhere in the first passage (for example, the power generation element unit A <b> 3), the first passage Among the four power generation element portions A1 to A4 included in the current, current can flow through the power generation element portions A1 and A2. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the current density (and hence voltage drop) in the power generation element portion A of the power generation element portions A5 and A6 out of the four power generation element portions A5 to A8 included in the second passage is approximately doubled. . As a result, the extent to which the voltage obtained from the entire SOFC 100 is reduced can be suppressed.

  That is, the SOFC 100 of the modification shown in FIG. 30 can achieve the same operations and effects as the SOFC 100 of the modification shown in FIG. In addition, as compared with the SOFC 100 of the modified example shown in FIG.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 30 described above, the front-back connection member 80 that electrically connects the air electrodes 60 of the power generation element portions A2 and A6 in parallel is provided, as shown in FIGS. 33 and 34. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a front-back connection member 90 that electrically connects the fuel electrodes 20 of the power generation element portions A3 and A7 in parallel is provided. Even in this configuration, the same electric circuit as the electric circuit shown in FIG. 31 can be obtained, so that the same operations and effects as those of the modified example shown in FIG. 30 described above can be achieved. In addition, as a material of the front-back connection member 90, the same material as the material of the fuel electrode 20 (especially the current collection part 21) can be used, for example.

  Further, in the present embodiment and the modification, the fuel electrode 20 is composed of two layers of the fuel electrode current collector 21 and the fuel electrode active part 22, but the fuel electrode 20 is the fuel electrode active part 22. It may be composed of one layer corresponding to. In the present embodiment and the modification, the internal electrode and the external electrode in the power generation element unit correspond to the fuel electrode 20 and the air electrode 60, respectively. However, the internal electrode and the external electrode in the power generation element unit are respectively It may correspond to an air electrode and a fuel electrode.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Support substrate, 20 ... Fuel electrode, 30 ... Interconnector, 40 ... Solid electrolyte membrane, 60 ... Air electrode, 70 ... Air electrode current collection membrane, 80 ... Front-back connection member, A ... Power generation element part

Claims (4)

A flat support substrate having a longitudinal direction, wherein the gas flow path is formed inside along the longitudinal direction; and
Two or more predetermined numbers of different longitudinal positions are provided on the first main surface of the support substrate, and at least a fuel electrode as an inner electrode, a solid electrolyte membrane, and an air electrode as an outer electrode are stacked. The predetermined number of first power generation element portions;
Air that is at least a fuel electrode that is an inner electrode, a solid electrolyte membrane, and an outer electrode that are provided at the predetermined number of different positions in the longitudinal direction on a second main surface opposite to the first main surface of the support substrate. A predetermined number of second power generation element portions formed by stacking poles;
A first series electrical connection for electrically connecting the predetermined number of first power generation element portions in series from the first side to the second side in the longitudinal direction;
A second series electrical connection portion for electrically connecting the predetermined number of second power generation element portions in series from the first side to the second side in the longitudinal direction;
Of the predetermined number of first power generation element parts, the fuel electrode in the first side end first power generation element part located closest to the first side in the longitudinal direction, and of the predetermined number of second power generation element parts, The fuel electrode in the first side end second power generation element portion located closest to the first side in the longitudinal direction is electrically connected in parallel, and the longitudinal length of the predetermined number of first power generation element portions The air electrode in the second power generation element portion at the second side end located closest to the second side in the direction and the second electrode located closest to the second side in the longitudinal direction among the predetermined number of second power generation element portions. A parallel electrical connection part for electrically connecting the air electrode in the second power generation element part on the side end in parallel;
A fuel cell. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein
The parallel electrical connection is
The air electrode in all the first power generation element parts other than the second side end first power generation element part, and the air electrode in all the second power generation element parts other than the second side end second power generation element part Are electrically connected in parallel with respect to the power generation element portions located at the same number from the first side in the longitudinal direction. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein
The parallel electrical connection is
The air electrode in a part of the first power generation element part other than the second side end first power generation element part, and the part of the second power generation element part other than the second side end second power generation element part A fuel cell configured to electrically connect an air electrode in parallel with each other with respect to the power generation element portions located at the same number from the first side in the longitudinal direction. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein
The parallel electrical connection is
The first side in the longitudinal direction includes electrical connection portions between all the adjacent first power generation element portions and electrical connection portions between all the adjacent second power generation element portions. The fuel cells are configured so as not to be electrically connected in parallel with respect to the electrical connection portions located in the same number.

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