A separator, subassembly for a separator, and method for heating a second outlet of a separator are disclosed. The separator has a housing with an inlet configured for introduction of a fluid stream into the housing, a first outlet configured for discharge of the fluid stream from the housing, and a second outlet configured for discharge from the housing of deposits which have been separated from the fluid stream. The separator also has, within the housing, a heat-conducting element within the housing and arranged in such a way that, an end of the heat-conducting element is arranged in or adjacent to the fluid stream and another end is arranged on the second outlet. The separator can also have a gas line in or on the housing that is connected fluidically to the second outlet so as to guide a heated gas to the second outlet.

A separator, subassembly for a separator, and method for heating a second outlet of a separator are disclosed. The separator has a housing with an inlet configured for introduction of a fluid stream into the housing, a first outlet configured for discharge of the fluid stream from the housing, and a second outlet configured for discharge from the housing of deposits which have been separated from the fluid stream. The separator also has, within the housing, a heat-conducting element within the housing and arranged in such a way that, an end of the heat-conducting element is arranged in or adjacent to the fluid stream and another end is arranged on the second outlet. The separator can also have a gas line in or on the housing that is connected fluidically to the second outlet so as to guide a heated gas to the second outlet.

A tubular solid oxide fuel cell assembly includes at least two tubular solid oxide fuel cell units, at least one shared current collector and a retainer for retaining a section of the fuel cell units and shared current collector in close fitting relationship therewith.

A tubular solid oxide fuel cell assembly includes at least two tubular solid oxide fuel cell units, at least one shared current collector and a retainer for retaining a section of the fuel cell units and shared current collector in close fitting relationship therewith.

A fuel cell system has a cell (1) that is capable of generating electric power. The cell (1) has a fuel electrode (1a), an air electrode (1b) and an electrolyte (1c). The fuel electrode (1a) is supplied with hydrogen obtained by reforming fuel gas. The air electrode (1b) is supplied with oxygen in the air. The electrolyte (1c) is interposed between the fuel electrode (1a) and the air electrode (1b) to enable oxygen ions to pass through to the fuel electrode (1a). A water vapor retaining mechanism (6) is disposed in a flow path of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel electrode (1a). The mechanism (6) retains water vapor generated in the fuel electrode (1a) during electric power generation by the cell (1). The mechanism (6) enables the water vapor to be mixed with the fuel gas.

A fuel cell system has a cell (1) that is capable of generating electric power. The cell (1) has a fuel electrode (1a), an air electrode (1b) and an electrolyte (1c). The fuel electrode (1a) is supplied with hydrogen obtained by reforming fuel gas. The air electrode (1b) is supplied with oxygen in the air. The electrolyte (1c) is interposed between the fuel electrode (1a) and the air electrode (1b) to enable oxygen ions to pass through to the fuel electrode (1a). A water vapor retaining mechanism (6) is disposed in a flow path of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel electrode (1a). The mechanism (6) retains water vapor generated in the fuel electrode (1a) during electric power generation by the cell (1). The mechanism (6) enables the water vapor to be mixed with the fuel gas.

A fuel cell system includes a gas-liquid separator and a fuel gas pump configured to return the fuel off-gas in the gas-liquid separator to the fuel cell stack. The gas-liquid separator has a first connecting portion extending upward. The fuel gas pump has an inner wall surface constituting a pump chamber, and a lower part of the inner wall surface is provided with an opening into which the first connecting portion is inserted. The lower part of the inner wall surface is inclined downward toward the opening. A tip end of the first connecting portion is disposed at a height equal to or lower than a height of an extension plane extending along the lower part of the inner wall surface. The tip end of the first connecting portion is provided with an inclined surface inclined downward toward the inner peripheral surface.

A fuel cell system includes a gas-liquid separator and a fuel gas pump configured to return the fuel off-gas in the gas-liquid separator to the fuel cell stack. The gas-liquid separator has a first connecting portion extending upward. The fuel gas pump has an inner wall surface constituting a pump chamber, and a lower part of the inner wall surface is provided with an opening into which the first connecting portion is inserted. The lower part of the inner wall surface is inclined downward toward the opening. A tip end of the first connecting portion is disposed at a height equal to or lower than a height of an extension plane extending along the lower part of the inner wall surface. The tip end of the first connecting portion is provided with an inclined surface inclined downward toward the inner peripheral surface.

An electrochemical reaction unit including a unit cell including an electrolyte layer, and a cathode and an anode that face each other in a first direction with the electrolyte layer intervening therebetween; and a felt member containing a ceramic material or a metal and a silica component. The felt member has an Si content of 0.9 mass % to 13.2 mass %. Also disclosed is an electrochemical reaction cell stack including a plurality of electrochemical reaction units, at least one of the units being the above-described electrochemical reaction unit.

An electrochemical reaction unit including a unit cell including an electrolyte layer, and a cathode and an anode that face each other in a first direction with the electrolyte layer intervening therebetween; and a felt member containing a ceramic material or a metal and a silica component. The felt member has an Si content of 0.9 mass % to 13.2 mass %. Also disclosed is an electrochemical reaction cell stack including a plurality of electrochemical reaction units, at least one of the units being the above-described electrochemical reaction unit.