| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To lengthen the life of a cell by making a reforming catalyst face the oxidizing agent electrode of an adjacent unit fuel cell through a separator and arranging no oxidizing agent passage between the reforming catalyst and the oxidizing agent electrode. CONSTITUTION:When fuel containing hydrocarbon and steam are supplied to a fuel passage 13, fuel reforming reaction arises by a reforming catalyst 14 to produce hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. The amount of heat necessary for reforming reaction is supplied to the reforming catalyst 14 from an oxidizing agent electrode 12, in which exothermic reaction arises, through an electrolyte matrix 16 and a fuel electrode 11, and at the same time from the oxidizing agent electrode 12 of an adjacent unit fuel cell. Since an oxidizing agent passage 15 does not exist between the reforming catalyst 14 and the oxidizing agent electrode 12 of the adjacent unit fuel cell, the reforming catalyst 14 locates in the nearest place to the oxidizing agent electrode 12 of the adjacent unit fuel cell, and heat is effectively transferred to the reforming catalyst 14 from the oxidizing agent electrode 12. The temperature drop of the reforming catalyst caused by endothermic reforming reaction is prevented and the condensation of electrolyte vapor on the reforming catalyst is retarded. |
