Electrochemical cell having gas flow channels surrounded by solid electrolyte and interconnector

Abstract

An electrochemical cell including at least one dense solid electrolyte body, at least two dense interconnectors for collecting current flowing the cell, cathodes and anodes, wherein the at least one dense solid electrolyte body and at least two dense interconnectors constitute a structural body, a plurality of first gas flow channels and a plurality of second gas flow channels both extend in a given direction, and are each defined and surrounded by a part of the at least one solid electrolyte body and a part of the at least two interconnectors, the anodes are formed on respective walls defined by a part of at least one solid electrolyte body and a part of at least two interconnectors and constituting the respective first gas flow channels, the cathodes are formed on respective walls defined by a part of at least one solid electrolyte body and a part of at least two interconnectors and constituting the respective second gas flow channels, every anode is opposed to an adjacent cathode or adjacent cathodes via a solid electrolyte body, and every cathode is opposed to an adjacent anode or adjacent anodes via a solid electrolyte body.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An electrochemical cell comprising at least one dense solid electrolyte body, at least two dense interconnectors for collecting current flowing the cell, cathodes and anodes, wherein said at least one dense solid electrolyte body and at least two dense interconnectors constitute a structural body, a plurality of first gas flow channels and a plurality of second gas flow channels both extend through the structure body in a given direction, and are each defined and surrounded by a part of said at least one solid electrolyte body and a part of said at least two interconnectors, the anodes are formed on respective walls defined by said part of at least one solid electrolyte body and said part of at least two interconnectors and constituting the respective first gas flow channels, the cathodes are formed on respective walls defined by said part of at least one solid electrolyte body and said part of at least two interconnectors and constituting the respective second gas flow channels, every anode is opposed to an adjacent cathode or adjacent cathodes via a solid electrolyte body and every cathode is opposed to an adjacent anode or adjacent anodes via a solid electrolyte body.  
     
     
         2 . The electrochemical cell set forth in  claim 1 , wherein as viewed in a direction orthogonal to the flow channels, every first gas flow channel excluding those in extremely opposite sides of the structural body is adjacent to four second gas flow channels, whereas every second gas flow channels excluding those in said extremely opposite sides is adjacent to four first gas flow channels.  
     
     
         3 . The electrochemical cell set forth in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the cross sectional view of each of the first and second gas flow channels is one selected from the group consisting of an isosceles triangular shape, an equilateral triangular shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape and an equilateral hexagonal shape.  
     
     
         4 . A process for producing the electrochemical cell set forth in  claim 1  or  2 , comprising the steps of forming a green molded body of said structural body by simultaneously extrusion molding a body for said at least one electrolyte body and a body for said at least two interconnectors, obtaining the structural body by firing said green molded body, and forming said anodes and cathodes on said respective walls defined by said part of at least two interconnectors and constituting the respective first and second gas flow channels, respectively.  
     
     
         5 . A process for producing the electrochemical cell set forth in  claim 3 , comprising the steps of forming a green molded body of said structural body by simultaneously extrusion molding a body for said at least one electrolyte body and a body for said at least two interconnectors, obtaining the structural body by firing said green molded body, and forming said anodes and cathodes on said respective walls defined by said part of at least one solid electrolyte body and said part of at least two interconnectors and constituting the respective first and second gas flow channels, respectively.  
     
     
         6 . A process for producing the electrochemical cell set forth in  claim 1  or  2 , comprising the steps of forming a green molded body of said structural body by simultaneously extrusion molding a body for said at least on electrolyte body and a body of said at least two interconnectors, applying respective materials for said anodes and cathodes on said respective walls defined by said part of at least one solid electrolyte body and said part of at least two interconnectors and constituting the respective first and second gas flow channels, respectively, and firing the green molded body together with the materials applied.  
     
     
         7 . A process for producing the electrochemical cell set forth in  claim 3 , comprising the steps of forming a green molded body of said structural body by simultaneously extrusion molding a body for said at least one electrolyte body and a body of said at least two interconnectors, applying respective materials for said anodes and cathodes on said respective walls defined by said part of at least one solid electrolyte body and said part of at least two interconnectors and constituting the respective first and second gas flow channels, respectively, and firing the green molded body together with the materials applied.  
     
     
         8 . An electrochemical device provided with the electrochemical cell or cells set forth in  claim 1  or  2 .