JP2002216828A - Fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a safe operation without degrading reforming performance by preventing steam condensed water in exhaust gas from flowing back to a reforming device. SOLUTION: A burner exhaust gas outlet 23 of a reforming device 2 linked to one end of a burner exhaust gas pipe 24 is to be positioned higher than a burner exhaust gas inlet 25 of a heat recovery device 5 linked to the other end of the burner exhaust gas pipe 24. Also, the burner exhaust gas pipe 24 is made slanted downward to the side of the heat recovery device 5. Steam condensed water exhausted from the reforming device 2 is smoothly sent out down to the heat recovery device 5 without reversely flowing on the way in passing through the burner exhaust gas pipe 24.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fuel cell device for generating electric power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas.

[0002]

In recent years, as one of new power generation systems, an electrolyte which has advantages of easy small-capacity distributed power generation, no generation of harmful substances such as NO _X and SO _X , and low noise. A fuel cell device using a membrane and a catalyst has been considered. Such a fuel cell device includes a reforming device that generates hydrogen gas from natural gas or the like as a fuel gas, a fuel cell that generates power by an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen gas and oxygen (air) as an oxidant, An air supply device (air blower) that supplies oxygen (air) to the fuel cell, and a power conversion device (inverter) that converts electric energy generated by the fuel cell into commercial voltage and frequency
And a heat recovery device that recovers the heat generated by the fuel cell and reformer and supplies heat to other external devices that use waste heat, and a blower (ventilation fan) that ventilates the inside of the main unit (package)
And a radiator (cooling module) used for cooling when waste heat is not used. Further, in the above basic configuration, in order to operate each component smoothly, water (steam) is supplied to a blower for increasing the pressure of natural gas, a desulfurizer for removing sulfur content of natural gas, and a reformer. A pump for feeding water, a pump for sending water to the fuel cell to humidify the electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell, a purification device for removing impurities in the water, an ion exchange device for removing the electrolyte of the water, fuel gas and air Various auxiliary devices such as a controller as a controller for controlling the flow rate of water by a solenoid valve are arranged.

In the above configuration, in order to guide the exhaust gas (exhaust gas) generated from the fuel cell or the reforming device to the heat recovery device, a pipe connecting the fuel cell or the reforming device and the heat recovery device is provided. For example, SUS pipes are provided outside the main unit, but if this pipe is connected casually, steam condensed water in the exhaust gas will flow back to the fuel cell or reformer, and the inside of the pipe or the fuel cell And water accumulates at the exhaust gas outlet of the reformer. For this reason, the pipe pressure loss increases, the internal pressure of the fuel cell and the reformer rises, and the power generation performance and the reforming performance are significantly reduced, and the sealing performance of the water seal member is reduced. Problems also occur.

[0004] Further, as the operation time of the above fuel cell device increases, the performance of a desulfurizer, a purifying device, an ion exchange device and the like gradually decreases, so that the operation of the device cannot be maintained as it is. It is the current situation. Therefore, maintenance such as replacement or regeneration of the above-described desulfurizer, purification device and ion exchange device is required to continue the operation as the device. If the method of fixing the panel that forms the outer shell of the main body does not take into account that the panel can be easily attached and detached, it takes a very long time to perform maintenance, and in some cases, the maintenance cannot be performed.

Further, in the above-mentioned fuel cell device, if the air supply device, the air blower, and the heat-intake ports of the heat-dissipating fans in the heat-dissipation device are combined into one, the intake airs interfere with each other, and each of these devices is disturbed. In addition to lowering the performance, the temperature inside the main unit rises due to insufficient ventilation, and auxiliary equipment may not work properly. In the event that flammable gas leaks, flammable gas accumulates in the package due to insufficient ventilation, which may cause a problem in safety.

Therefore, while avoiding such problems,
In order to continue the operation of the fuel cell device safely and normally, it is necessary to separate the air inlets of the air supply device, the air blower, and the heat radiator. Not only complicates the operation and increases the number of lids, but also increases the cost.In addition, the window formed on the outer panel becomes smaller, making it difficult to take out the parts required for maintenance. Maintainability is significantly reduced, such as the need to remove the outer panel itself.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by preventing the vapor condensed water in the gas from flowing back to a fuel cell or a reformer, thereby lowering the power generation performance and the reforming performance. It is a first object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell device which enables safe and safe operation.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device capable of easily performing maintenance on components that need to be replaced or regenerated in order to continue operation.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a cost-competitive fuel cell device which can reduce the number of parts and the number of parts processing steps without interfering with each intake air.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems Claim 1 of the present invention
In the fuel cell device of the above, the steam condensed water discharged from the reformer smoothly goes down this tube without flowing back in the middle when passing through the tube between the reformer and the recovery device. It is sent to the collection device. Therefore, the backflow of the steam condensed water in the pipe can be prevented, and the operation can be performed safely without increasing the pipe pressure loss or the pressure inside the reformer.

In the fuel cell device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the steam condensed water discharged from the fuel cell does not flow backward when passing through the pipe between the fuel cell and the recovery device. The pipe is smoothly fed down to the collecting device. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the backflow of the steam condensed water in the pipe, and to safely operate the pipe without increasing the pipe pressure loss or the pressure inside the fuel cell.

In the fuel cell device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the heat exchanger in the recovery device can be connected to an external device, and the thermal energy held by the steam condensed water from the reforming device and the fuel cell is provided. Can be efficiently used by an external device via an exchange in the exchange device.

In the fuel cell device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the parts requiring maintenance are arranged not in the package but in the vicinity of the outer panel forming the outer periphery of the device main body. Maintenance can be easily performed on parts that need to be replaced or regenerated in order to continue the operation.

In the fuel cell device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in a general installation state in which the rear panel of the package is installed with the rear panel facing the house, maintenance is required near the front panel, the side panel or the top panel. Since the components are arranged, maintenance such as replacement and reproduction can be performed from a relatively easily accessible portion.

In the fuel cell device according to claim 6 of the present invention, since the outer panel near the part requiring maintenance can be attached and detached, maintenance such as replacement and regeneration can be easily performed therefrom.

In the fuel cell system according to the present invention, as the operating time of the fuel cell system increases, the desulfurizer gradually decreases its sulfur adsorption capacity, so that the sulfur concentration reaches a concentration at which the operation of the fuel cell system can be maintained. Although it becomes difficult to remove the components, maintenance of the desulfurizer can be easily performed, and the fuel cell device can be stably and continuously operated.

According to the fuel cell system of the present invention, as the operation time of the fuel cell system becomes longer, the water supply amount cannot satisfy the set value due to clogging or the like. Thus, the fuel cell device can be stably and continuously operated.

In the fuel cell device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, as the operation time of the fuel cell device increases, the electrolyte cannot be sufficiently removed, the performance of the fuel cell decreases, and the operation of the fuel cell device is continued. However, maintenance of the ion exchange device can be easily performed, and the fuel cell device can be stably and continuously operated.

In the fuel cell device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, maintenance such as replacement and regeneration can be easily performed through the through portion by removing the lid provided on the through portion without removing the outer panel itself. be able to.

In the fuel cell device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the air inside and outside the package can be circulated through the through hole, and the lid provided at the penetrating portion in consideration of maintainability is used to increase the temperature inside the package. It can be used for suppression and the like.

In the fuel cell device according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, dust in the air that tends to enter the package can be effectively removed, and if the filter itself can be attached and detached, maintenance of the filter becomes easy.

In the fuel cell device according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, while the cooling unit and the ventilation unit constituting the cooling device are made independent of each other, they are adjacent to each other so that the intake air does not interfere with each other. In addition, it is possible to avoid performance deterioration of the cooling device and the ventilation body.

In the fuel cell device according to the present invention, the dust in the air which tends to enter the package can be effectively removed, and the filter itself can be attached and detached, so that maintenance of the filter is facilitated.

In the fuel cell device according to the present invention, a common penetrating portion and a lid are provided in the adjacent intake bodies, so that processing of the outer panel is complicated in providing the penetrating portion, Can solve the problem that the number of
The number of parts and the number of parts processing steps can be reduced.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.
Is an air supply device that supplies oxygen (air) as an oxidant gas, and 2 is a reformer that generates hydrogen gas from a fuel gas (raw fuel) such as natural gas. Hydrogen gas from the reformer 2 causes an electrochemical reaction in the fuel cell 3 to generate power in the fuel cell 3. Reference numeral 4 denotes an inverter as a power converter for converting electric energy (DC power) generated by the fuel cell 3 into AC power having a commercial voltage and frequency. The heat (exhaust gas) generated in the reformer 2 and the fuel cell 3 is recovered by a recovery device, that is, a heat recovery device 5 that is a heat exchanger utilizing waste heat, and is connected to a heat exchanger 6 that is an external heat exchanger. The heat is supplied to a heat-using external device 7 such as a floor heating device or a water heater. In addition, auxiliary devices 8 such as a pump, a solenoid valve, and a controller as a controller for controlling the pump, the solenoid valve, and the like are provided to smoothly operate these components. The schematic configuration in FIG.
This is common to the second and third embodiments described later.

Next, a more detailed configuration of a main part of the present apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, the reformer 2 includes a pressurizing blower 11 for pressurizing a fuel gas, a desulfurizer 12 made of activated carbon or the like connected to a discharge port of the pressurizing blower 11, and an inlet of an outlet of the desulfurizer 12. A reformer 13 connected to a reforming section comprising a catalyst and a burner section for heating the reforming section, and a CO shift reactor comprising a catalyst having an inlet connected to an outlet of the reformer 13 14 and CO
The shift reactor 14 is configured by sequentially connecting an outlet of the shift reactor 14 and a CO selection reactor 15 made of a catalyst, the inlet of which is connected to the shift reactor 14. The outlet of the CO selective reactor 15 is connected to the anode 17 of the fuel cell 3.
The outlet of the anode 17 is connected to a burner section of the reformer 13.

In the fuel cell 3, an electrolyte membrane 19 made of a solid polymer is sandwiched between an anode 17 serving as an electrode carrying a catalyst and a cathode 18, and a fuel gas or a fuel gas is applied to each of the anode 17 and the cathode 18. It is provided with a separator (not shown) in which a flow path for feeding air is formed. Reference numeral 21 denotes an air blower constituting the air supply device 1. The outlet of the air blower 21 is branched in three directions, one to the cathode 18 of the fuel cell 3, and the other to the reformer 13 The other is a CO selective reactor 15
Respectively.

An exhaust gas outlet of a burner section constituting the reformer 13 is connected to an inlet of a steam generating heat exchanger 22. Exhaust gas from the burner section of the reformer 13 passes through a heat exchanger 22 for steam generation, passes through a burner exhaust gas outlet 23, which is a gas port of the reformer 2, and passes through a burner exhaust gas pipe 24 to recover heat. Burner exhaust gas inlet which is the gas port of device 5
It is sent to 25. Separately, the gas port or outlet of the cathode 18 (cathode exhaust gas outlet 26) constituting the fuel cell 3 is connected to the cathode exhaust gas pipe.
27 is connected to a cathode exhaust gas inlet 28 which is a gas port of the heat recovery device 5. Reference numeral 30 denotes a water pump connected to the liquid phase portion of the heat recovery device 5, the outlet of which is branched in two directions, one outlet is connected to the anode 17 of the fuel cell 3, and the other outlet is reformed. The steam generating heat exchanger 22 constituting the apparatus 2
And connected to the inlet of the reformer 13.

Numeral 32 denotes an electromagnetic valve for controlling the amount of inflow of city water, the outlet of which is connected to a hot water inlet 34 of a water heater 33 which is a heat utilizing external device 7 via a heat exchanger 6 of a heat recovery unit 5. Is done.
Reference numeral 35 denotes a hot water outlet of the water heater 33. A cold water outlet 36 of the water heater 33 is connected to the heat exchanger 6 of the heat recovery device 5 via a circulation pump 37. The circulation pump 37 sends the cold water from the water heater 33 to the heat recovery device 5. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 2, auxiliary devices 8 such as sensors, controllers, and switches (for example, solenoid valves) for controlling the flow and temperature of gas, air, and water, and the fuel cell 3 are provided. An inverter 4 that converts the generated DC power into AC power, a control device that controls the operation of the device, and the like are also arranged and connected in the device.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the main part of the fuel cell device. In the figure, reference numeral 41 denotes a box-shaped package which forms the outer shell of the fuel cell device main body. On a base 42 in this package 41, in addition to the reformer 2 having the above-mentioned burner ignition plug 43, , A fuel cell 3, a heat recovery device 5, and an inverter 4 as a power converter. Below the base 42, various sensors and auxiliary devices 8 such as a controller and a solenoid valve are provided. A water heater 33 is provided outside the package 41, and a hot water inlet 34 and a cold water outlet 36 of the water heater 33 are connected to a circulation pump.
It is connected to the heat recovery device 5 via 37. Further, an electromagnetic valve 32 is provided inside the package 41 together with the circulation pump 37.

The burner exhaust gas outlet 23 of the reformer 2 is provided at a position higher than the burner exhaust gas inlet 25 of the heat recovery device 5. Further, the cathode exhaust gas outlet 26 of the fuel cell 3
Are also provided at a position higher than the cathode exhaust gas inlet 28 of the heat recovery device 5. A burner exhaust gas pipe 24 connecting between the burner exhaust gas outlet 23 of the reformer 2 and the burner exhaust gas inlet 25 of the heat recovery device 5 is inclined so as to have a downward slope toward the heat recovery device 5, Cathode exhaust outlet 26 of fuel cell 3 and cathode exhaust outlet of heat recovery unit 5
The cathode exhaust gas pipe 27 connecting to the exhaust gas pipe 28 is also inclined so as to have a downward slope toward the heat recovery device 5 side.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the operation as the fuel cell device is started, the fuel gas enters the pressure increasing blower 11 of the reformer 2 and is pressurized, and the fuel gas is desulfurized.
Sent out to 12. Here, sulfur contained in the fuel gas is removed by the adsorption action of the desulfurizing agent. In this example, activated carbon was used as the desulfurizing agent. However, other catalysts may be used. In other words, it is sufficient that sulfur contained in the fuel gas can be removed. The purpose of removing sulfur by the desulfurizer 12 is
The purpose is to prevent the subsequent catalyst such as the reformer 14 from being deteriorated by the fuel sulfur content.

The fuel gas that has passed through the desulfurizer 12 is mixed with steam generated by the heat exchanger 22 for generating steam, and is mixed with the reformer 13.
Enter the reforming section. This reforming part is about 750 by the burner part.
The fuel gas is heated to about ° C, and the fuel gas is converted into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas (carbon dioxide) by the action of the catalyst. However, the gas generated here contains a small amount of carbon monoxide.
, Because its performance is significantly reduced by carbon monoxide,
It is necessary to keep the concentration of carbon monoxide below a certain value.

The fuel gas that has passed through the reformer 13 is
Entering the shift reactor 14, again by the action of the catalyst, the carbon monoxide reacts with the water vapor to change into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide, and the carbon monoxide concentration drops to a much lower level. The fuel gas that has passed through the CO shift reactor 14 further enters the CO selective reactor 15 and is mixed with air (oxygen) sent by the air blower 21, and carbon monoxide contained therein is oxidized by the action of a catalyst. Turns into carbon. At this time, the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the fuel gas can be reduced to a concentration that does not adversely affect the fuel cell 3 for the first time.

The fuel gas that has passed through the CO selective reactor 15 is
It is sent to the anode 17 which is one electrode of the fuel cell 3. Air (oxygen) is sent into the cathode 18, which is the other electrode, by an air blower 21. Hydrogen of the anode 17 is ionized by the action of a catalyst and passes through the electrolyte membrane 19 and is combined with oxygen on the cathode 18 side. This generates the same heat of reaction as water is generated. In addition, a negative electrode potential is generated at the anode 17 and a positive electrode potential is generated at the cathode 18 due to this electrochemical reaction, so that electric power can be extracted from the fuel cell 3.

Although most of the hydrogen gas has been consumed in the fuel gas that has passed through the anode 17, the fuel gas still contains a considerable concentration of hydrogen gas. It mixes with the air sent by the blower 21 and burns in the burner section. Thereby, the remaining hydrogen gas can be used for raising the temperature of the reforming section.

The air passing through the cathode 18 is supplied to the fuel cell 3
Water (steam) and heat generated in the fuel cell 3, and the heat is supplied from a cathode exhaust gas outlet 26 of the fuel cell 3 to a cathode exhaust gas pipe.
The water is returned to water by passing through the heat recovery device 5 through 27, and is sent to the anode 17 of the fuel cell 3 by the water pump 30 to be used for humidification of the solid polymer membrane (electrolyte membrane 19) and cooling of the fuel cell 3. I do. Similarly, the water fed into the steam generating heat exchanger 22 by the water pump 30 is heated by the burner exhaust gas discharged from the burner section of the reformer 13 to be turned into steam and reformed together with the fuel gas from the pressurizing blower 12. Enter the reforming section of the porcelain 13. At that time, the fuel cell 3
The cathode exhaust gas outlet 26 is provided at a position higher than the cathode exhaust gas inlet 28 of the heat recovery device 5, and the cathode exhaust gas pipe 27 is inclined so as to have a downward slope toward the heat recovery device 5. So the cathode exhaust pipe
The steam condensate passing through 27 is smoothly sent out to the heat recovery device 5 without flowing backward.

The burner exhaust gas passing through the steam generating heat exchanger 22 is discharged to the burner exhaust gas outlet 23 of the reformer 2.
The heat is sent to the heat recovery device 5 through the burner exhaust gas pipe 24, and the heat energy held there is released. Also in this case, the burner exhaust gas outlet 23 of the reformer 2 is provided at a position higher than the burner exhaust gas inlet 25 of the heat recovery device 5, and the burner exhaust gas pipe 24 has a downward slope toward the heat recovery device 5. Because it is inclined piping,
The steam condensed water passing through the burner exhaust gas pipe 24 is smoothly sent to the heat recovery device 5 without flowing backward in the middle.

Next, the operation of the heat utilizing external device 7 will be described. First, before operating the fuel cell device, the solenoid valve 32 is opened, and city water is filled in the water heater 33. Thereafter, when the operation of the fuel cell device is started, the circulation pump 37 is operated, and the circulating pump 37 sends the cold water of the water heater 33 from the cooling outlet 36 to the heat exchanger 6 of the heat recovery device 5, and the fuel cell 3
The heat energy of the exhaust gas from the cathode 18 and the burner section of the reformer 13 is obtained to generate hot water. This hot water is sent from the heat recovery device 5 to the hot water inlet 34 and returns to the water heater 33 again.
The inside of the water heater 33 is in a two-layer state due to the difference in water temperature, and the hot water is located in the upper layer of the water tank and the cold water is located in the lower layer of the water tank. Here the hot water outlet mounted on top of the water tank
By opening 35, it becomes possible to use the hot water obtained using the heat exchange device 5.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the fuel cell device which generates electric power by the electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas, a pipe is provided between the reformer 2 and the heat recovery device 5 as a recovery device. A burner exhaust gas outlet 24 serving as a gas port of the reformer 2 connected to one end of the burner exhaust gas pipe 24 and a heat recovery device 5 connected to the other end of the burner exhaust gas pipe 24. The burner exhaust gas pipe 24 is inclined while being positioned higher than the burner exhaust gas inlet 25 as a gas port.

In this way, the steam condensed water discharged from the reformer 2 does not flow backward on the way when passing through the burner exhaust gas pipe 24,
Is smoothly sent out to the heat recovery device 5. Therefore, the backflow of the steam condensed water in the burner exhaust gas pipe 24 is prevented, and the operation can be performed safely without increasing the pipe pressure loss or increasing the pressure inside the reformer 2.

In this embodiment, the fuel cell 3 and the heat recovery unit 5 are connected by a cathode exhaust pipe 27 as a tube.
The fuel cell 3 connected to one end of the cathode exhaust pipe 27
The cathode exhaust gas outlet 26 as a gas port of the heat recovery device 5 connected to the other end of the cathode exhaust gas pipe 27 is located higher than the cathode exhaust gas inlet 28 which is a gas port of the heat recovery device 5, and the cathode exhaust gas pipe 27 is inclined. ing.

In this manner, the steam condensed water discharged from the fuel cell 3 does not flow backward during the passage through the cathode exhaust gas pipe 27,
Is smoothly sent out to the heat recovery device 5. Therefore, the backflow of the steam condensed water in the cathode exhaust gas pipe 27 is prevented, and the operation can be performed safely without increasing the pipe pressure loss or increasing the pressure inside the fuel cell 3.

Further, the heat recovery apparatus 5 in this embodiment is provided with a heat exchanger 6, and this heat exchanger 6 can be connected to an external device 7 utilizing heat, which is an external device. In this way, the heat energy held by the steam condensed water from the reformer 2 and the fuel cell 3 is transferred to the heat exchanger 6 in the heat exchanger 5.
, It is possible to efficiently use the heat utilizing external device 7.

In this embodiment, the pipe connecting the reformer 2 and the heat recovery apparatus 5 and the pipe connecting the fuel cell 3 and the heat recovery apparatus 5 have been described, but the parts are not particularly limited. In short, it is only necessary to prevent an increase in pipe pressure loss and an increase in pressure inside components in the fuel cell device, and to achieve the purpose of safely operating without deteriorating performance. In the present embodiment, the water heater 33 is used for the heat-using external device 7 as well, but it may be used for heating a room, for example, and its application is not limited.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same portions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the common portions will be omitted because they are duplicated.

A more detailed configuration of the fuel cell device is as shown in FIG. 4, and is basically almost the same as that of the first embodiment. However, at the outlet of the cathode 18 constituting the fuel cell 3, a purification device 45 including a filter having a fine hole of about 1 μm or the like via a heat exchange device 5 as a heat exchanger using waste heat, An ion exchange device 12 made of an ion exchange resin and the like and a water pump 30 are sequentially connected. As a result, the water that has passed through the heat exchange device 5 is removed of impurities when passing through the purification device 45, and the electrolyte is removed by the ion exchange device 46. Is supplied to the steam generating heat exchanger 22.
Further, the burner exhaust gas outlet 23 of the reformer 2 is connected in the middle of a pipe from the cathode exhaust gas outlet 26 of the fuel cell 3 to the heat recovery device 5, but the substantial operation of this portion is the first operation.
This is the same as the embodiment.

The outlet of the solenoid valve 32 is connected via a heat exchanger 5 to a hot water inlet 34 of a water heater 33 which is a heat utilizing external device 7.
And the hot water inlet 48 of the radiator (cooling module) 47
Connected to each other. And the cold water outlet 36 of the water heater 33
The chilled water outlet 49 of the heat radiator 47 is connected to the inlet of the circulation pump 37 via the three-way valve 50. The radiator 47 is provided with a radiator fan 51, which cools the hot water introduced into the radiator 47 by forced convection of air taken in from the outside, and discharges it as cold water from a cold water outlet 49. Further, reference numeral 52 denotes a ventilation fan as a blower for discharging the air in the package 41 to the outside by forced convection.

FIG. 5 shows the structure of each part in the package 41.
7, the package 41 includes a front panel 61 on the front side of the apparatus, a rear panel 62 provided opposite to the front panel 61, and left side panels 63 on both left and right sides.
And the right side panel 64, and the bottom panel 65 on the bottom,
It is composed of a top panel 66 provided opposite thereto. Generally, when the fuel cell device is installed, it is installed with the rear panel 62 of the package 41 facing a house (not shown). On the front panel 61, a common small window 67 is formed so as to face the mounting position of the purifying device 45 and the ion exchanging device 46 which are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. A small window 68 is formed to face the opening. In this embodiment, the purification device 45 and the ion exchange device 46 are used.
Since the desulfurizer 12 is disposed near the front panel 61, small windows 67 and 68 are provided on the front panel 61. The parts requiring maintenance are replaced with the left side panel 63 and the right side panel 64. When placed near the side panel of
A small window shall be provided near the side panel. In the case where the entire panel can be detached from the package 41, it is not necessary to provide the small windows 67 and 58 as in the embodiment.

In the case of a fuel cell device, since the fuel cell 3 cannot be flooded, for example, the purifying device 45 and the ion exchange device 46
It is necessary to place the fuel cell 3 above the water treatment system components. Therefore, it is preferable to arrange the parts requiring maintenance near the front and side surfaces of the package 41,
Without such restrictions, replacement of the maintenance component piping is particularly difficult on the lower side, but components requiring maintenance may be placed near the top surface (top panel 66) of the package 41. Although not specifically illustrated in the package 41, many metal pipes are used for a gas path and a water path connecting the parts, and it takes a very long time to assemble or disassemble the product. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the maintenance component is arranged near the outer panel of the package 41 in consideration of the exchangeability of the maintenance component that does not reach the durable life of the product.

A cover 71 covers the small window 67.
Is provided with a slit-shaped through hole 72 through which air can flow, and is detachably attached by a fixture 73 such as a screw. 74 is a filter with air permeability,
This is sandwiched and attached between the lid 71 and the small window 67. Further, the package 41 is provided with an intake port 81 for intake of the package, facing the small window 67.

A cover 75 covers the small window 68.
Is provided with a slit-shaped through hole 76 through which air can flow, and is detachably attached by a fixture 77 such as a screw. 78 is a filter with air permeability,
This is sandwiched and attached between the lid 75 and the small window 68. Opposite to the small window 68, the package 41 is provided with another intake port 82 which also serves as package intake and cooling module intake.

The radiator 47 is provided near the left side panel 63 of the package 41. Although not specifically shown in the second embodiment, the radiator 47 and the air blower 21 are located inside the package 41. It is partitioned. And the heat dissipation device 47
In addition to the above-described intake port 82, an intake port 83 is provided in the package 41 for intake. The intake port 83 is used not only for the heat dissipation device 47 but also for intake of the entire package 41, and an intake port 84 for the air blower 21 is provided separately.

As shown in FIG. 6, the right side panel 64 of the package 41 is provided with an exhaust port 86 for exhausting the package. The connection port 87 of the water heater 33 is located below the exhaust port 86.
And city water connection ports 88 are respectively provided. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, an exhaust port 90 for exhausting the cooling module is provided in the left side panel 64 of the package 41. A connection port 91 for flowing nitrogen gas into the package 41 and a connection port for city gas serving as fuel gas are provided below the exhaust port 90.
92 are provided respectively. The nitrogen gas introduced from the connection port 91 is used to expel flammable gas, air or steam in each pipe when starting or stopping the fuel cell device.

The operation of each section in this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
It is almost common to the embodiment. However, after the air from the cathode 18 of the fuel cell 3 passes through the heat recovery device 5 and returns to water, impurities are removed from the water by the purification device 45. Further, in a state where the electrolyte in the water is removed by the next ion exchange device 46, the water is fed to the anode 17 of the fuel cell 3 by the water pump 30, and the solid polymer membrane (electrolyte membrane 19) is formed as in the first embodiment. It is used for humidification and cooling of the fuel cell 3.

If the hot water of the water heater 33 is not used, the cold water layer inside the water heater 33 gradually decreases, and finally the cold water outlet
Hot water is released from 36, and the heat energy sent to the heat exchange device 5 cannot be recovered. Therefore, in this embodiment, the three-way valve 50 is switched to guide the hot water to the heat radiating device 47 side. The hot water introduced into the heat radiating device 47 is cooled by forced convection of the heat radiating fan 50 and returns to the heat exchange device 5 as cold water. Thereby, the heat energy sent to the heat exchange device 5 can be effectively recovered. Further, the ventilation fan 52 guides outside air into the package 41 and suppresses a rise in the temperature inside the package 41.In addition, when the flammable gas leaks into the package 41, the ventilation fan 52 performs ventilation to reach an explosive concentration. Stop the fuel cell system safely before proceeding. Other operations are
This is common to the first embodiment.

When the operation of the fuel cell device is continued in the above state, as the operation time becomes longer, the desulfurizer 12 has a lower adsorption capacity for sulfur contained in the fuel gas, and has a concentration at which the operation of the fuel cell device can be maintained. It is difficult to remove the sulfur content. Purification device 45 is also equipped with a water pump due to clogging, etc.
The amount of water supply by 30 cannot satisfy the set value. further,
Similarly, the ion exchange device 46 cannot sufficiently remove the electrolyte in the water, thereby deteriorating the performance of the fuel cell 3.
Eventually, it becomes impossible to continue the operation of the fuel cell device.

Therefore, in order to operate the fuel cell device stably and continuously, the desulfurizer 12 and the purifier 45 described above are required.
In addition, maintenance such as periodic replacement and regeneration of the ion exchange device 46 is required. In the present embodiment, the components requiring such maintenance are package 41
Since it is arranged near the front panel 61 that forms the outer surface instead of the inside, maintenance such as replacement and regeneration can be easily performed. In addition, small windows 67 and 68 are formed in the front panel 61 so as to face the parts requiring maintenance. The mounting members 73 and 77 are removed, and the lid 71 and the cover 71 cover the small windows 67 and 68. By removing the filter 75 and the filters 74 and 78, such parts can be easily maintained through the small windows 67 and 68 without disassembling the package 41.

As described above, in this embodiment, in the fuel cell apparatus which generates electric power by the electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas, the parts requiring maintenance (the purifier 45, the ion exchanger 46, and the desulfurizer) 12) The package
It is arranged near the 41 outer panel (front panel 61).

In this case, the parts requiring maintenance are arranged not in the package 41 but in the vicinity of the outer panel forming the outer periphery of the main body of the apparatus, so that the parts need to be replaced or regenerated in order to continue the operation of the fuel cell apparatus. Maintenance can be easily performed for components that require the above.

At this time, in this embodiment, the parts requiring maintenance are provided on the front panel 61 of the package 41.
It may be arranged near the side panel (the right side panel 64 or the left side panel 63) or the top panel 66. In this way, in a general installation state in which the rear panel 62 of the package 41 is installed facing the house, parts requiring maintenance are arranged near the front panel 61, the side panel or the top panel 66. Maintenance such as replacement and regeneration can be performed from a relatively easy-to-reach site.

Further, without providing the small windows 67 and 68 as in the present embodiment, the outer panel of the package 41 is configured such that at least the panel itself facing the part requiring maintenance is detachably attached. You may. In this case, since the outer panel near the component requiring maintenance can be attached and detached, maintenance such as replacement and regeneration can be easily performed from the outer panel.

The parts requiring maintenance include:
Preferably, the desulfurizer 12 removes the sulfur content of the fuel gas. In this case, as the operation time of the fuel cell device becomes longer, the desulfurizer 12 has a gradually reduced sulfur adsorption capacity, and it becomes difficult to remove the sulfur content to a concentration that can maintain the operation of the fuel cell device. Since the maintenance of the desulfurizer 12 can be easily performed, the fuel cell device can be stably and continuously operated.

The parts requiring maintenance include a purification device for removing impurities from water from the heat recovery device 5.
It may be 45. In this case, as the operation time of the fuel cell device becomes longer, the water supply amount cannot satisfy the set value due to clogging or the like, but maintenance of the purification device 45 can be easily performed, so that the fuel cell device can be stably operated. It is possible to continue driving.

Another component requiring maintenance may be an ion exchange device 46 for removing water electrolyte from the heat recovery device 5. In this case, as the operating time of the fuel cell device becomes longer, the electrolyte cannot be sufficiently removed, and the performance of the fuel cell 3 is reduced. As a result, it becomes impossible to continue the operation of the fuel cell device. Since the maintenance of the device 46 can be easily performed, the fuel cell device can be stably and continuously operated.

In this embodiment, small windows 67 and 68 are formed as penetrations through which parts can be taken out and replaced, facing the parts requiring maintenance.
68 are provided with lids 71 and 75.

In this case, even if the outer panel itself is not removed, maintenance such as replacement and regeneration can be easily performed through the small windows 67 and 68 by removing the lids 71 and 75 covering the small windows 67 and 68. Can be.

Further, as in this embodiment, through holes 72, 76 through which air can flow may be formed in the lids 71, 75. In this way, the air inside and outside the package 41 can be circulated through the through-holes 72 and 76.
Lids 71 and 75 provided on 67 and 68 can be used for suppressing a temperature rise inside package 41 and the like.

In this case, the small windows 67 and 68 are preferably provided with filters 74 and 78 for removing dust. This makes it possible to effectively remove dust in the air that tends to enter the package 41, and also removes the filter 7 as in this embodiment.
If the 4,78 itself can be attached and detached, the maintenance of the filters 74,78 becomes easy.

In the second embodiment, the parts requiring maintenance include the desulfurizer 12, the purifier 45, and the ion exchanger 46. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In order to maintain the operation of the apparatus, it is only necessary to achieve the purpose of easily performing maintenance of parts requiring replacement, regeneration and maintenance. Further, the openings 71 and 82 for introducing air into the package 41 may be provided at different positions without providing the through holes 72 and 76 in the lids 71 and 75.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the common parts will be omitted because they are duplicated.

The more detailed configuration of the fuel cell device according to the present embodiment and the configuration in which a part of the package is cut out are common to FIGS. 4 and 5 described in the second embodiment.
Inside the package 41, two partition plates 95 and 96 are provided, and the partition plates 95 and 96 serve as air blowers.
The outer periphery of 21 is framed and partitioned, and the cooling device
The outer peripheries of the components 47 and other components in the package 41 are also framed and partitioned. In this way, the heat from the components around the air blower 21 is not picked up, and the air is blown into the air blower 21 only through the air inlet 84 formed in the rear panel 62 of the package 41. It is configured not to interfere with.

As described above, inside the package 41,
The air blower 21 and the heat radiating device 47 are partitioned by partition plates 95 and 96, and an intake port 84 and intake ports 82 and 83 are provided independently. A small window (not shown) is provided on the rear panel 62 so as to face the air inlet 84 of the air blower 21, and a heat dissipation fan 51 and a ventilation fan 52 in a heat dissipation device 47.
Are adjacent to each other, and an integrated small window 68 is provided at a position facing the intake port 82. Although the intake port 82 is provided on the front panel 61 side, another intake port adjacent to the heat dissipation fan 51 and the ventilation fan 52 is also provided on the rear panel 62 side.
83 are provided. Furthermore, although the desulfurizer 12 is arranged near the small window 68, the present invention is not limited to the desulfurizer 12, and the same device requiring maintenance may be installed together with the purifier 45 and the ion purifier 46. Good.

In this embodiment, the air intake ports 82 and 83 of the heat radiating fan 51 and the ventilation fan 52 in the heat radiating device 47 are connected to the front panel 61.
Since these components are arranged in the package 41 so as to be adjacent to each other on the rear panel 62, small windows or windows are provided on each of the front panel 61 and the rear panel 62. , 83 may be provided on the right side panel 64 and the left side panel 63 respectively. In addition, such integration of windows,
In addition to the air inlets of the heat dissipation fan 51 and the ventilation fan 52, the air inlets of the air blower 21 may be similarly adjacent to each other to integrate the windows.

The operation of this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment.
The air intake of the fan 51 for heat dissipation constituting 47 and the air intake of the fan 52 for ventilation as a blower are randomly arranged in the package, and one lid is provided facing these air intakes.
If the air intakes are integrated into one, the air blower 21 and the ventilation fan 52 cannot satisfy the set values. In addition, the heat radiating device 47 hinders heat exchange due to the temperature-raised air inside the package 41, and it becomes impossible to safely and stably operate the fuel cell device.

In this regard, in the present embodiment, the heat-dissipating fan 51 and the ventilating fan 52 constituting the heat-dissipating device 47 are made independent of each other, but adjacent to each other as the inlets 82 and 83, respectively.
The performance of the heat radiator 47 and the ventilation fan 52 can be prevented from deteriorating without interference between the intake airs. In addition, since a common window (small window 68) and lid 75 can be provided in the adjacent intake ports 82 and 83, processing of the outer panel becomes complicated in providing the window, and the number of lids 75 is reduced. The problem of increase can be solved, and the number of parts and the number of parts processing steps can be reduced. Furthermore, the enlargement of the window makes it possible to easily remove a part requiring maintenance, such as a desulfurizer 12, for example.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the fuel cell device that generates power by the electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas, the exhaust heat from the reformer 2 and the fuel cell 3 is used as the heat-using external device 7. When the fan is not used, the intake of the heat radiating fan 52 as a cooling body provided in the heat radiating device 47 as a cooling device for cooling the exhaust heat by forced convection, and the ventilation fan 52 as a ventilating body for ventilating the inside of the package 41 The portions, ie, the intake ports, are made independent, but are adjacent to each other as intake ports 82, 83.

In this way, while the suction ports of the heat dissipation fan 51 and the ventilation fan 52 constituting the heat dissipation device 47 are made independent, but they are adjacent to each other as the suction ports 82 and 83, the respective suction air interferes. Without heat dissipation device 47 or ventilation fan
52 performance degradation can be avoided.

In this case, a small window as a penetrating portion is formed on the outer panel of the package 41 so as to face the intake port 82 adjacent thereto.
It is preferable that a filter 78 which forms 68 and removes dust of air introduced through the air inlet 82 is detachably attached to the small window 68. In this way, dust in the air that tends to enter the package 41 can be effectively removed, and the filter 78 can be removed.
Since the filter itself can be attached and detached, maintenance of the filter 78 is also facilitated.

Further, facing the adjacent intake port 82,
A small window 68 which is a penetrating portion is formed in the outer panel of the package 41, and a lid 75 provided with a through hole 76 through which air can flow is attached to the small window.
It may be detachably attached to 68. In this case, a common penetrating portion (small window 68) and the cover 75 can be provided in the adjacent intake ports 82 and 83, so that when the small window 68 is provided, processing of the outer panel becomes complicated, The problem of an increase in the number of parts 75 can be solved, and the number of parts and the number of parts processing steps can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the air inlets of the heat radiating fan 51 and the ventilation fan 52 constituting the heat radiating device 47 have been particularly described. And may be adjacent to each other. In addition, as devices that require air intake, an air blower 21, a heat dissipation fan 51, and a ventilation fan 52 are given.
Parts requiring maintenance include desulfurizer 12, purifier
45 and the ion exchange device 46, but are not particularly limited thereto. In short, when operating and maintaining the fuel cell device, a window on the outer panel of the package 41 is provided while providing an independent intake unit. The aim is to provide a cost-competitive fuel cell system by reducing the number of parts and the number of parts processing steps, and to facilitate maintenance of parts that require replacement, regeneration and maintenance. I hope it can be achieved.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in each embodiment, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell device has been described, but other power generation systems such as a molten carbon type or a solid oxide type may be used. Further, although air is sent to the CO selective reactor 15 and the burner section of the reformer 13 by a single air blower 21, separate air blowers may be used. The same applies to the water pipe 30, and water may be supplied to the steam generating heat exchanger 22 and the anode 17 of the fuel cell 3 by separate water pipes.

[0083]

According to the fuel cell device of the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the steam condensed water in the exhaust gas from flowing back to the reformer, and to operate safely without lowering the reforming performance. It is possible to provide a fuel cell device that makes it possible.

According to the fuel cell system of the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the vapor condensed water in the exhaust gas from flowing back to the fuel cell, and to enable the safe operation without lowering the power generation performance. A battery device can be provided.

According to the fuel cell device of the third aspect of the present invention, the thermal energy held by the steam condensed water from the reformer and the fuel cell can be used efficiently.

According to the fuel cell device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, maintenance can be easily performed on parts that need to be replaced or regenerated in order to continue the operation of the fuel cell device.

According to the fuel cell device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, maintenance such as replacement and regeneration can be performed from a relatively easily accessible portion.

According to the fuel cell device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, by attaching and detaching the outer panel, maintenance such as replacement and regeneration can be easily performed therefrom.

According to the fuel cell device of the seventh aspect of the present invention, maintenance of the desulfurizer can be easily performed,
It is possible to stably and continuously operate the fuel cell device.

According to the fuel cell device of the eighth aspect of the present invention, maintenance of the purification device can be easily performed, and the fuel cell device can be stably and continuously operated.

According to the fuel cell device of the ninth aspect of the present invention, maintenance of the ion exchange device can be easily performed, and the fuel cell device can be operated stably and continuously.

According to the fuel cell device of the tenth aspect of the present invention, by removing the lid, maintenance such as replacement and regeneration can be easily performed through the through portion.

According to the fuel cell device of the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the lid originally provided in the penetrating portion in consideration of maintainability can be used for suppressing a rise in temperature inside the package.

According to the fuel cell device of the twelfth aspect of the present invention, dust in the air that tends to enter the package can be effectively removed.

According to the fuel cell device of the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to avoid a decrease in the performance of the cooling body and the ventilation body without interference between the respective intake airs of the radiating fan and the ventilation fan.

According to the fuel cell device of the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, dust in the air that tends to enter the package can be effectively removed.

According to the fuel cell device of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and the number of parts processing steps, and it is possible to provide a cost-competitive fuel cell device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a fuel cell device common to each embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed explanatory view of the fuel cell device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the fuel cell device.

FIG. 4 is a more detailed explanatory view of a fuel cell device common to a second embodiment and a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fuel cell device, in which a part of the package is cut away.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fuel cell device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the fuel cell device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fuel cell device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fuel cell device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Reformer 3 Fuel cell 5 Heat recovery unit (recovery unit) 6 Heat recovery unit (recovery unit) 7 External equipment utilizing heat (external equipment) 12 Desulfurizer (parts requiring maintenance) 23 Burner exhaust gas outlet (reformer Gas outlet of device) 24 Burner exhaust gas pipe (Tube) 25 Burner exhaust gas inlet (Gas inlet of recovery device) 26 Cathode exhaust gas outlet (Gas inlet of fuel cell) 27 Cathode exhaust gas pipe (Tube) 28 Cathode exhaust gas inlet (Recovery device) Gas inlet) 41 Package 45 Purifier (parts requiring maintenance) 46 Ion exchanger (parts requiring maintenance) 67, 68 Small window (penetration) 71, 75 Lid 74, 78 Filter 82, 83 Inlet (Intake unit)

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Minoru Shibazawa 2570-1 Gosuda, Kaji, Kamo-shi, Niigata Toshiba Home Techno Co., Ltd. F term in reference company (reference) 5H026 AA06 5H027 AA06 BA01 BA16 CC01

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A fuel cell device for generating electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas, wherein a reforming device and a recovery device are connected by a tube, and the reforming device is connected to the tube. A fuel cell device, wherein a gas port of the device is positioned higher than a gas port of the recovery device connected to the tube, and the tube is inclined. 2. A fuel cell system for generating electric power, wherein a fuel cell and a collecting device are connected by a tube, and a gas port of the fuel cell connected to the tube is connected to the collecting tube. A fuel cell device, wherein the fuel cell device is positioned higher than a gas port of the device and the tube is inclined. 3. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the recovery device includes an exchanger, and the exchanger can be connected to an external device. 4. A fuel cell device for generating electric power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas, wherein parts requiring maintenance are arranged near an outer panel of a package. 5. The fuel cell device according to claim 4, wherein the parts requiring maintenance are arranged near the front, side, or top panel of the package. 6. The fuel cell device according to claim 4, wherein an outer panel of the package has a panel facing at least the part requiring maintenance that is detachably mounted. 7. The component requiring maintenance is a desulfurizer for removing sulfur content.
The fuel cell device according to claim 1. 8. The cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein said component requiring maintenance is a purifying device for removing impurities.
7. The fuel cell device according to 6. 9. The fuel cell device according to claim 4, wherein the component requiring maintenance is an ion exchange device for removing an electrolyte. 10. The fuel according to claim 4, wherein a through-portion which can be taken out and replaced is formed opposite to the part requiring maintenance, and a lid is provided in the through-portion. Battery device. 11. The fuel cell device according to claim 10, wherein a through-hole through which air can flow is formed in said lid. 12. The fuel cell device according to claim 10, wherein a filter is provided in the through portion. 13. A fuel cell device for generating electric power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas, wherein a cooling unit provided in a cooling device and a ventilation unit for ventilating the inside of a package have respective intake portions adjacent to each other. A fuel cell device characterized by the above-mentioned. 14. The package according to claim 1, wherein a through portion is formed in the package so as to face the adjacent intake portion, and a filter for removing dust is attached to the through portion.
3. The fuel cell device according to 3. 15. The package according to claim 13, wherein a penetrating portion is formed in the package so as to face the adjacent suction portion, and a lid having a through hole is attached to the penetrating portion. Fuel cell device.