A fuel cell system for enabling maintenance of a stack module without stopping operation thereof, and a method of replacing a stack module of the fuel cell system are provided. The fuel cell system includes a plurality of stack modules that are connected in parallel to a hydrogen line and an air line. Two or more of the stack modules are connected to form a group, and an inverter is connected to the group of the stack modules and is capable of being turned on and off.

A cell of the present disclosure may include a support body having a pillar shape, a first electrode layer located on the support body, a solid electrolyte layer located on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer located on the solid electrolyte layer. A gas-flow passage passing through the support body in a longitudinal direction thereof is provided in an interior of the support body. A diameter of the gas-flow passage at least at a first end portion of both end portions of the gas-flow passage in the longitudinal direction is greater than a diameter of the gas-flow passage at a central portion, and thus the cell can provide improved power generation efficiency.

A cell of the present disclosure may include a support body having a pillar shape, a first electrode layer located on the support body, a solid electrolyte layer located on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer located on the solid electrolyte layer. A gas-flow passage passing through the support body in a longitudinal direction thereof is provided in an interior of the support body. A diameter of the gas-flow passage at least at a first end portion of both end portions of the gas-flow passage in the longitudinal direction is greater than a diameter of the gas-flow passage at a central portion, and thus the cell can provide improved power generation efficiency.

Object: Provided are a cell, a cell stack device, a module, and a module-containing device capable of improving power generation efficiency.

Solution: A cell (10) includes: a support body (1) having a pillar shape; a first electrode layer (3) located on the support body (1); a solid electrolyte layer (4) located on the first electrode layer (3); and a second electrode layer (6) located on the solid electrolyte layer (4). A gas-flow passage (2) passing through the support body (1) in a longitudinal direction thereof is provided in an interior of the support body (1). A diameter of the gas-flow passage (2) at at least a first end portion of both end portions of the gas-flow passage (2) in the longitudinal direction is greater than a diameter of the gas-flow passage (2) at a central portion, and thus the cell (10) can provide improved power generation efficiency.

Object: Provided are a cell, a cell stack device, a module, and a module-containing device capable of improving power generation efficiency.

Solution: A cell (10) includes: a support body (1) having a pillar shape; a first electrode layer (3) located on the support body (1); a solid electrolyte layer (4) located on the first electrode layer (3); and a second electrode layer (6) located on the solid electrolyte layer (4). A gas-flow passage (2) passing through the support body (1) in a longitudinal direction thereof is provided in an interior of the support body (1). A diameter of the gas-flow passage (2) at at least a first end portion of both end portions of the gas-flow passage (2) in the longitudinal direction is greater than a diameter of the gas-flow passage (2) at a central portion, and thus the cell (10) can provide improved power generation efficiency.

An integrated fuel cell and engine combustor assembly includes an engine combustor having a combustion chamber fluidly coupled with a compressor and a turbine. The assembly also includes a fuel cell stack circumferentially extending around the combustion chamber of the combustor. The fuel cell stack includes fuel cells configured to generate electric current. The fuel cell stack is positioned to receive discharged air from the compressor and fuel from a fuel manifold. The fuel cells in the fuel cell stack generate electric current using the discharged air and at least some of the fuel. The fuel cell stack is positioned to radially direct partially oxidized fuel from the fuel cells into the combustion chamber of the combustor. The combustor combusts the partially oxidized fuel into one or more gaseous combustion products that are directed into and drive the downstream turbine.

A cell stack device includes a manifold, a fuel cell, and an oxygen-containing-gas ejection portion. The manifold includes a fuel gas supply chamber and a fuel gas collection chamber. The fuel cell extends upward from the manifold. The oxygen-containing-gas ejection portion is disposed upward of the center of the fuel cell. The oxygen-containing-gas ejection portion ejects oxygen-containing gas toward the fuel cell. A support substrate of the fuel cell includes a first gas channel and a second gas channel. The first gas channel is connected to a fuel gas supply chamber, and the second gas channel is connected to the fuel gas collection chamber. The first gas channel and the second gas channel are connected to each other in an upper end portion of the fuel cell.

A cell stack device includes a manifold, a fuel cell, and an oxygen-containing-gas ejection portion. The manifold includes a fuel gas supply chamber and a fuel gas collection chamber. The fuel cell extends upward from the manifold. The oxygen-containing-gas ejection portion is disposed upward of the center of the fuel cell. The oxygen-containing-gas ejection portion ejects oxygen-containing gas toward the fuel cell. A support substrate of the fuel cell includes a first gas channel and a second gas channel. The first gas channel is connected to a fuel gas supply chamber, and the second gas channel is connected to the fuel gas collection chamber. The first gas channel and the second gas channel are connected to each other in an upper end portion of the fuel cell.

A clamping chamber in a reactor or fuel cell architecture having a stack of elementary units is above the clamping fittings. The clamping chamber, in which a gas other than the reactive gases will flow, is substantially at the same pressure as the reactive gases in the stack. The pressure of the gas flowing in the clamping chamber above the stack of elementary units will then balance the pressure created by the reactive gases and the gases produced within the stack.

A clamping chamber in a reactor or fuel cell architecture having a stack of elementary units is above the clamping fittings. The clamping chamber, in which a gas other than the reactive gases will flow, is substantially at the same pressure as the reactive gases in the stack. The pressure of the gas flowing in the clamping chamber above the stack of elementary units will then balance the pressure created by the reactive gases and the gases produced within the stack.