PURPOSE: To make uniform and effective refill of electrolyte quickly even in case the cell is large-sized by transporting the electrolyte between fuel cell and semi-cells with electrochemical drive force, and adjusting quantity and composition of the electrolyte in an electrolyte layer.
CONSTITUTION: When an electrochemical circuit 18 is operated, such reactions as O2/2+CO2+2e-→CO32-1 and CO32-→O2/2+CO2+2e- progress at the oxidated gas side electrode 1 and a single electrode 11, to retain electrical neutrality of electrolyte held in a fuel battery 4 and a semi-cell 14, so that pos. ions (K+, Li+) easier to move than carbonic acid ion move from the semi-cell 14 to fuel cell 4 via a coupling electrolyte layer 15. When the electrochemical circuit 18 is operated, therefore, the electrolyte is transported from the semi-cell 14 to the fuel cell 4, which refills the electrolyte to the semi-cell 14 through an electrolyte refill pipe 10. The electrolyte moving speed is proportional to the amount of current flowing through an ammeter 16 in the circuit 18, and the current is adjusted by a circuit driving power supply 17 of variable voltage type to adjust the amount of movement of the electrolyte.
URUSHIBATA HIROAKI
SATO KAZUNAO
TANAKA TOSHIHIDE
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