MANIFOLD AND STACK OF ELECTROCHEMICAL REACTOR CELLS, AND ELECTROCHEMICAL REACTOR SYSTEM COMPOSED OF THESE COMPONENTS

Abstract

The present invention provides a smaller and more efficient tube-type electrochemical reactor cell stack, along with an electrochemical reactor system using this stack, and the invention provides an electrochemical reactor cell stack which is a structure comprising electrochemical reactor cells with a tube structure composed of an anode (fuel electrode), a dense ion conductor (electrolyte) and a cathode (air electrode) arranged in connecting holes on the side of a fuel gas pipe, wherein each tube-type cell is connected in parallel or series electrically by means of a conduction connector, along with a manifold for tube-type cells and an electrochemical reactor system using it, and the use of a manifold and stack structure with high industrial productivity allows the small tube-type cells to be highly integrated, so that a highly efficient solid oxide fuel cell or other electrochemical reactor system can be provided.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rough view of a tube-type electrochemical reactor cell of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a sample configuration of a tube-type electrochemical reactor cell stack (parallel type) of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a sample configuration of serially connected tube-type electrochemical reactor cell stacks (parallel type) of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a sample configuration of a tube-type electrochemical reactor cell stack (serial type) of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows an example of a tube-tube electrochemical reactor cell stack (serial type) used as a fuel cell;

FIG. 6 shows a manifold of the present invention in which the fuel gas introduction and exhaust parts and the structure holding the tube-type cells are formed as a unit. The gas passages are located at the sides of the manifold;

FIG. 7 shows a manifold of the present invention in which the fuel gas introduction and exhaust parts and the structure holding the tube-type cells are formed as a unit. The gas passages are located at the top and bottom of the manifold;

FIG. 8 shows an example of stacking using the manifold shown in FIG. 6 (ceramic or other material);

FIG. 9 shows an example of stacking using the manifold shown in FIG. 6 (stainless steel or other material);

FIG. 10 shows an example of stacking using the manifold shown in FIG. 7 (ceramic or other material);

FIG. 11 shows an examples of a method of manufacturing a tube-type electrochemical reactor cell;

FIG. 12 shows an example of preparing an electrochemical reactor cell stack (parallel type);

FIG. 13 shows an example of a serially connected electrochemical reactor cell stack (parallel type); and

FIG. 14 shows an example of preparing an electrochemical reactor cell stack (serial type).

Claims

1. An electrochemical reactor cell stack comprising a tube structure composed of an anode (fuel electrode), a dense ion conductor (electrolyte) and a cathode (air electrode), wherein (1) tube-type cells are arranged on a connecting part for connection located in the side of a fuel gas pipe, and (2) the respective tube-type cells are connected in parallel or series electrically.

2. The electrochemical reactor cell stack according to claim 1, wherein the tube-type cells are arranged on the connecting part of a manifold having a fuel gas introduction part, a fuel gas exhaust part and a connecting part for supporting the tube structure formed as a single unit.

3. The electrochemical reactor cell stack according to claim 2, wherein the manifold is made of a metal material.

4. The electrochemical reactor cell stack according to claim 2, wherein the manifold is made of a ceramic material.

5. The electrochemical reactor cell stack according to claim 2, wherein the respective tube-type cells are arranged so as to be connected in parallel or series electrically to the manifold.

6. The electrochemical reactor cell stack according to claim 2, wherein a gas conduit with an introduction part and exhaust part for the fuel gas is formed by stacking adjacent manifolds.

7. A manifold for an electrochemical reactor cell stack comprising a tube structure composed of an anode (fuel electrode), a dense ion conductor (electrolyte) and a cathode (air electrode), wherein a fuel gas introduction part, a fuel gas exhaust part and a connecting part for supporting the tube structure are formed as a single unit.

8. An electrochemical reactor cell stack module comprising the manifolds according to claim 3 stacked with insulating sheets therebetween, wherein each manifold is connected by means of a connector.

9. An electrochemical reactor stack module comprising the manifolds according to claim 4 stacked, wherein each manifold is connected by means of a connector.

10. An electrochemical reactor system for deriving current from an electrochemical reaction comprising the electrochemical reactor cell stack according to any one of claims 1 through 6, wherein the reactor system has an operating temperature of 650° C. or less.

11. The electrochemical reactor system according to claim 10, wherein the electrochemical reactor system is an electrochemical reactor for a solid oxide fuel cell or for waste gas purification, hydrogen production or synthetic gas production.