JP2003229148A - Fuel cell device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect precisely the gas leaked in the package. <P>SOLUTION: In the fuel cell device that performs generation in the package 33 by electrochemical reaction by a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, a gas detecting sensor 34 for detecting the gas concentration in the package 33 is arranged in the upper part of the package 33. In particular, the inflammable or poisonous gas that has leaked in the package 33 of the fuel cell device is low is density and lighter than the air, therefore it stays in the upper part of package 33. Hence, if the gas detecting sensor 34 is arranged in the upper part of the package 33, the gas leaked in the package 33 can be precisely detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

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 that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas.

[0002]

In recent years, as one of new power generation systems, an electrolyte having a merit of easy generation of small-capacity dispersed power generation, generation of noxious 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 reformer that produces hydrogen gas from natural gas, which is a fuel gas, and a fuel cell that generates electricity by an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen gas and oxygen (air) as an oxidant. A power converter (inverter) that converts the electrical energy generated by the fuel cell into a commercial voltage and frequency, a hot water tank that stores the exhaust heat from power generation as hot water, and when the hot water in the hot water tank is full, Basically, it is composed of a heat radiation means for radiating heat to the outside.

Further, in the above basic structure, in order to smoothly operate each constituent element, an air supply device (air blower) for supplying oxygen (air) to the fuel cell, a blower for increasing the pressure of natural gas, and the like. , A desulfurizer that removes the sulfur content of natural gas, a pump that sends water (steam) to the reformer, a pump that sends water to the fuel cell to humidify the electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell, and impurities in the water. A purifying device that removes
An ion exchange device that removes water electrolyte, a controller that controls the flow rate of fuel gas, air, and water with solenoid valves, and various auxiliary devices such as solenoid valves are installed. And electrically connected. All the components of the device including the heat dissipation means are arranged in a common package, and only the hot water storage tank is provided separately from the package. Also, when the apparatus is in operation, the cathode exhaust gas generated from the cathode of the fuel cell and the combustion exhaust gas generated when the reformer burns are exposed to an open opening (package outlet section) provided on the outer surface of the package. ) Is to be discharged to the outside.

In the above structure, when the carbon monoxide gas generated at the stage of producing hydrogen gas in the fuel gas, hydrogen gas or reformer leaks out for some reason such as loose pipe connection, , Detect this immediately,
It is necessary to prevent gas leakage. In consideration of such a point, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-31436, a ventilation fan (ventilation device) provided in the package always discharges the atmosphere in the package to take in fresh air. A gas detector provided near the ventilation fan detects a flammable gas leaking into the package and increases the ventilation air volume of the ventilation fan to suppress an increase in gas concentration. .

In a gas detection sensor applied to such a gas detector, a detection element made of a combustion catalyst such as Pt (platinum) is incorporated in a bridge circuit to apply a voltage,
When the gas touches the detection element and causes an exothermic reaction, the voltage balance of the bridge circuit changes, and a signal corresponding to the gas concentration can be taken out as a voltage output. However, if the mounting structure of the gas detection sensor and the measures after detection are not appropriate, the gas detection capability will decrease and gas leaks cannot be detected, or the gas concentration cannot be quickly reduced to a safe range. Cause problems such as. In particular, in the fuel cell device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-31436 mentioned above, a gas detector is provided in the vicinity of the ventilation fan so that gas leakage from any place in the package can be detected. If the wind speed of the atmosphere is strong, the sensor will be cooled and accurate measurement will not be possible.

Another problem is that the heat radiation means must be provided inevitably in the device which is not conventionally combined with the hot water storage tank, and therefore the heat radiation means can be used as it is in other devices provided with the hot water storage tank. It remains located in a common package with its components. However, when the heat dissipating means is arranged inside the package, the heat dissipating means has a large volume, and there are many restrictions on the layout inside the package in consideration of the directions of intake and exhaust and securing of the air flow path. However, in the end, there has been a concern that the amount of wasted space is increased and the outer dimensions of the package are unnecessarily increased. In addition, the package has the above-mentioned air blower, cooling fan of the electric control circuit, ventilation fan, etc. There are problems that they interfere with each other and the set air volume cannot be secured, or that high temperature air is sucked in and a sufficient cooling effect cannot be obtained.

As another problem, when an earthquake or the like occurs during the operation of the apparatus, each constituent element in the apparatus vibrates, and the piping is loosened or damaged, resulting in fuel gas, hydrogen gas or Carbon monoxide gas may leak out.
Furthermore, if the device body falls due to an earthquake or other unexpected external force, the damage may be further expanded.

Further, such a fuel cell device is useful as an emergency power source when the system power is shut off in the event of a disaster because of the power generation by the door, but the fuel gas supply path is often shut off when the system power is shut off. Therefore, there is a complaint that the device cannot be operated.

As another problem, when the operation of the apparatus is stopped, the gas outlet from the package outlet which is left open stops the emission of gas from the package outlet, so that foreign matters such as insects and dust are easily discharged from this outlet. It enters and enters the inside of fuel cells and reformers. Therefore, there arises a problem that the performance of the fuel cell or the reformer is significantly deteriorated or the operation becomes difficult.

In order to prevent such foreign matter from entering, it is conceivable to provide a filter at the outlet, but it is necessary to install a fine filter of several microns in order to remove the foreign matter so as not to affect the performance of the device. is there. However, if such a filter is added, the pressure loss in the flow path of the exhaust gas reaching the outlet is increased, which in turn increases the power consumption of the auxiliary device and reduces the efficiency of the entire device. Further, when the filter is clogged, there is a problem that the pressure loss of the flow path further increases and normal operation cannot be maintained.

Further, since such exhaust gas contains water vapor in a state close to saturation, when it is discharged to the outside of the package, it comes into contact with cold outside air to condense the water vapor and appear as white smoke. As a result, the user feels uncomfortable, and water droplets adhere to the package near the outlet and cause corrosion.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to accurately detect the gas leaking into the package and to quickly reduce the gas concentration to a safe range. The first purpose is to provide.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device capable of forming a compact external dimension of the package by minimizing the wasted space in the package.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device capable of safely protecting the device even if vibration or external force is applied to the device.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device capable of preventing foreign matter from entering a fuel cell or a reformer without covering the outlet with a filter.

[0016]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Claim 1 in the present invention
In the fuel cell device, the combustible or toxic gas leaking into the package has a lower density and lighter weight than air, and therefore collects on the upper inner wall of the package. Therefore, by arranging the gas detecting means on the upper inner wall of the package, the gas leaked into the package can be detected accurately.

In the fuel cell device according to the second aspect, the gas reaching the upper surface in the package moves and gathers in the recess located at the top. Therefore, the gas leaking into the package can be more accurately detected by the gas detecting means arranged in the recess.

In the fuel cell device of the third aspect, the gas reaching the upper surface in the package moves along the inclined surface of the inner wall of the upper portion and collects. Therefore, by arranging the gas detection means above the inclined surface, the gas leaked into the package can be detected more accurately.

In the fuel cell device according to the fourth aspect, the gas detecting means is provided at a position facing the ventilation device and away from the ventilation device. Therefore, the gas detecting means is not cooled by the influence of the strong wind velocity of the ventilation device. It is possible to make correct measurements.

In the fuel cell device according to the fifth aspect, hydrogen, methane and carbon monoxide, which are the main components leaking into the package, can be accurately detected by the gas detecting means.

In the fuel cell device according to the sixth aspect, when the gas detecting means detects a gas having a concentration higher than the set concentration, the operation of the device is immediately stopped to prevent the gas from leaking further and the gas concentration becomes equal to or lower than the set concentration. Until, the ventilation system is operated to discharge the gas in the package to the outside. This makes it possible to quickly reduce the gas concentration to a safe range without accumulating the gas in the package.

In the fuel cell device according to the seventh aspect, when the gas detecting means detects a gas having a concentration higher than the preset concentration, the operation of the device is immediately stopped to prevent the gas from leaking any more and to close the ventilation port for ventilation. . This can prevent a large amount of gas from leaking to the outside of the package in a short time.

According to another aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, when the gas detecting means detects a gas having a concentration higher than the preset concentration, the operation of the device is immediately stopped to prevent the gas from leaking any more and to circulate the air in the package. The gas component is adsorbed by the adsorption means in the air circulation flow path. As a result, the gas concentration can be quickly reduced to a safe range.

In the fuel cell device according to the ninth aspect, when the gas detecting means detects a gas having a concentration higher than the set concentration, the operation of the device is immediately stopped to prevent the gas from leaking further, and to prevent light,
The user is informed immediately of an abnormal rise in gas concentration by giving a sound, a display, or a combination. As a result, the gas concentration can be quickly reduced to a safe range.

In the fuel cell device of the tenth aspect, the heat radiation means is arranged in the external liquid storage tank portion together with the liquid storage tank. In other words, there is no heat dissipation means in the package, and when arranging other components in the package, it is not necessary to worry about interference with the intake and exhaust of the heat dissipation means, and the useless space in the package is minimized. As a result, the outer dimensions of the package can be made compact and sufficient performance can be secured in the package.

In the fuel cell device of the eleventh aspect, the heat transmitted from the pipe through which the warm liquid passes to the heat radiating portion is cooled by the wind of the blower and returned as a cold liquid. By increasing the heat radiation area by the heat radiation portion, it is possible to efficiently cool the warm liquid.

In the fuel cell device of the twelfth aspect, since the heat radiating means is located below the liquid storage tank, even if the liquid storage tank is filled with warm liquid, it is not affected by convection or the like. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the heat radiation efficiency of the heat radiation means.

In the fuel cell device of the thirteenth aspect, since the switching means for switching the flow path of the warm liquid to the heat radiating means side is provided in the housing for accommodating the liquid storage tank and the heat radiating means, the valve in the housing is Piping can be performed, and two pipes for connecting the package and the liquid storage part are required, one for a warm liquid and one for a cold liquid. Therefore, the installation work can be easily performed.

In the fuel cell device according to the fourteenth aspect, the air inlet of the heat radiating means is provided in the housing, and by providing this on the rear surface facing the house side, there is an opportunity to suck foreign matter such as dust outside. It is also possible to prevent the heat radiation effect of the heat radiation means from being lowered due to the entry of foreign matter.

In the fuel cell device of the fifteenth aspect, since the acceleration applied to the device can be detected by the seismic sensing device, the device can be safely protected by the seismic sensing device even if vibration or external force is applied to the device.

In the fuel cell device according to the sixteenth aspect, when the acceleration applied to the device exceeds a set value, an abnormality can be detected and the device can be protected safely.

In the fuel cell device according to claim 17, it is possible to determine whether or not the seismic sensing device itself is abnormal based on the magnitude of the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensing means. It becomes possible to judge directly.

In the fuel cell device of the eighteenth aspect, since the change in the posture of the device can be detected by the state detecting device, the device can be safely protected by the state detecting device even if vibration or external force is applied to the device.

In the fuel cell device according to the nineteenth aspect, when the change in the posture of the device tilts by a predetermined value or more, an abnormality can be detected and the device can be protected safely.

According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not the state detecting device itself is abnormal based on the amount of change in posture detected by the state detecting device. It becomes possible to judge directly.

In the fuel cell device according to the twenty-first aspect, when the vibration sensing device or the state detection device detects an abnormality, the gas supply is shut off to prevent the gas from leaking, and the operation of the device is forcibly stopped, The safety of the device can be further enhanced.

In the fuel cell device according to the twenty-second aspect, when the seismic sensing device or the state detection device detects an abnormality, the user is notified by any one of light, sound, and display, or a combination thereof. Can be notified promptly.

In the fuel cell device of the twenty-third aspect, the acceleration applied to the device can be detected by the seismic sensing device and the change in the posture of the device can be detected by the state detecting device. Therefore, even if vibration or external force is applied to the device, the device can be safely protected by the seismic sensing device or the state detection device. Further, if at least one of the seismic sensing device and the state detecting device operates normally, the abnormality of the device can be detected, and thus the safety can be further enhanced.

In the fuel cell device of the twenty-fourth aspect, if the acceleration detected by the seismic sensing device is less than the set acceleration, the fuel gas is supplied from the gas cylinder to operate the device even if the fuel supply from the main fuel line is interrupted. continue. As a result, even when the system power supply is cut off and the main fuel line is cut off in the event of a disaster, the operation of the device can be continued and used as an emergency power supply. On the other hand, if the acceleration detected by the seismic sensing device is greater than or equal to the set acceleration, shut off the fuel supply and stop the operation of the device to protect the device safely when vibration or external force is large. can do.

In the fuel cell device of the twenty-fifth aspect, the interruption of the supply of the fuel gas from the main fuel line can be detected more directly and surely by the interruption detecting device.

In the fuel cell device according to the twenty-sixth aspect, the pressure detecting means or the flow rate detecting means which is widely used can be used as the interruption detecting device.

In the fuel cell device according to the twenty-seventh aspect, the cathode exhaust outlet from the fuel cell can be opened / closed by the opening / closing mechanism as needed, so that the outlet is not required to be covered with a conventional filter. It is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the fuel cell.

In the fuel cell device of the twenty-eighth aspect, the fuel exhaust outlet from the reformer can be opened / closed by the opening / closing mechanism as necessary, so that the outlet is not required to be covered with the conventional filter. Also, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the reformer.

In the fuel cell device according to the twenty-ninth aspect, the cathode exhaust outlet from the fuel cell and the fuel exhaust outlet from the reformer can be opened / closed by an opening / closing mechanism as required, so It is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the fuel cell and the reformer without having to purposely cover the outlet with such a filter.

In the fuel cell apparatus according to the thirtieth aspect, the outlet of the mixing section in which the cathode exhaust from the fuel cell and the fuel exhaust from the reformer are mixed can be opened and closed by an opening / closing mechanism as needed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the fuel cell and the reformer without the need to cover the outlet with a conventional filter.

In the fuel cell device of the thirty-first aspect, since the outlet portion is opened during the operation of the device, the pressure loss of the exhaust flow passage reaching the outlet portion does not increase. On the other hand, since the outlet portion is closed when the operation of the device is stopped, it is possible to reliably prevent foreign matter from entering.

In the fuel cell device according to the thirty-second aspect of the invention, the outlet can be easily opened or closed by moving the closing means from the drive device via the transmission device.

In the fuel cell device according to the thirty-third aspect, although the temperature of the exhaust gas from the fuel cell and / or the reformer is somewhat higher than the ambient temperature and the water vapor is close to the saturated state, When it reaches, there it is immediately diluted with the exhaust air from the ventilator exhaust and the water vapor diffuses into the atmosphere without condensing. This makes it possible to prevent the exhaust air from the outlet from appearing as white smoke and to prevent water droplets from adhering to the package near the outlet.

In the fuel cell device according to the thirty-fourth aspect, although the temperature of the exhaust gas from the fuel cell and / or the reformer is slightly higher than the ambient temperature and the water vapor is close to the saturated state, Once reached, it is immediately diluted by the exhaust passing through the exhaust flow path from the ventilator and the water vapor diffuses into the atmosphere without condensing. This makes it possible to prevent the exhaust air from the outlet from appearing as white smoke and to prevent water droplets from adhering to the package near the outlet.

[0050]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a fuel cell device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 3 show the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1 showing the configuration of the present device, reference numeral 1 is a booster blower for boosting fuel gas, and the discharge port of the booster blower 1 is activated carbon. A desulfurizer 2 composed of, for example, is connected. A fuel cutoff valve 3 for cutting off the supply of fuel gas is provided at the inlet of the booster blower 1. The outlet of the desulfurizer 2 is connected to the inlet of a reformer 4 constituted by a reforming section made of a catalyst and a burner section for heating the reforming section, and the outlet of the reformer 4 is connected to the catalyst. Is connected to the inlet of a CO shift reactor 5. Further, an outlet of the CO shift reactor 5 is connected to an inlet of a CO selective oxidizer 6 made of a catalyst. The outlet of the CO selective oxidizer 6 is the anode 8 of the fuel cell 7.
And the outlet of the anode 8 is connected to the burner section of the reformer 4.

In the fuel cell 7, an electrolyte membrane 10 made of a solid polymer is sandwiched between an anode 8 and a cathode 9 as electrodes supporting a catalyst, and fuel gas and air are supplied to the anode 8 and the cathode 9, respectively. Is provided with a separator (not shown) having a flow path for feeding. Further, 11 is an air blower as an air supply device, and the discharge port of this air blower 11 is branched in three directions, one to the cathode 9 of the fuel cell 7 and the other to the burner section of the reformer 4. , And the other one is connected to the CO selective oxidizer 6, respectively.

The gas port of the cathode 9 constituting the fuel cell 7, that is, the outlet of the cathode exhaust gas is connected to the gas port of the exhaust heat utilization heat exchanger 15 by the cathode exhaust gas pipe 14.
Further, the exhaust heat utilizing heat exchanger 15 is sequentially connected with a purifying device 16 including a filter (pore diameter 1 micron), an ion exchanging device 17 including an ion exchange resin, and a water pump 18. The discharge port of the water pump 18 is branched in two directions, one discharge port is connected to the anode 9 of the fuel cell 7, and the other discharge port is connected to the reformer 4 via the steam-generating heat exchanger 21. Connected to the entrance.

The outlet of the combustion exhaust gas of the burner portion constituting the reformer 4 is connected to the inlet of the steam generating heat exchanger 21. Then, the combustion exhaust gas from the burner portion of the reformer 4 passes through the steam generation heat exchanger 21 and the burner combustion exhaust gas pipe 22, and this pipe 22 serves as a gas port of the cathode 9 of the fuel cell 7. Is connected to the exhaust heat utilization heat exchanger 15 together with the cathode exhaust gas from the fuel cell 7.

Reference numeral 23 is a city water cutoff valve for controlling the inflow amount of city water from the city water intake port 24, the outlet of which is a heat exchanger 15 using exhaust heat.
Through the hot water outlet 25 to the hot water inlet 27 of the hot water storage tank 26, which is an external device utilizing heat. 28 is a hot water tank 26
This is the hot water outlet. Reference numeral 29 denotes a cold water outlet of the hot water storage tank 26, and the cold water outlet 29 is connected to the inlet of the exhaust heat utilization heat exchanger 15 via the circulation pump 30 and the cold water intake 31 in order. The circulation pump 30 feeds the cold water in the hot water storage tank 26 to the heat exchanger 15 using exhaust heat.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a package forming an outer shell of the fuel cell device body, which houses the fuel cell 7 and its peripheral components inside. At the top of package 33,
A gas detection sensor 34 for detecting the concentration of gas such as methane, hydrogen and carbon monoxide is provided. When the concentration of each gas cannot be measured by the single gas detection sensor 34, some gas detection sensors may be combined. Also
Reference numeral 35 is a ventilation fan attached to the package 33 as a ventilation device.

Besides, although not shown in FIG. 1,
Auxiliary equipment such as sensors, controllers and switches (for example, solenoid valves) for controlling the flow and temperature of gas, air and water, an inverter for converting the DC power generated by the fuel cell 7 to AC power, and a device. An electric control device (including a gas concentration determination device) for controlling the operation of is also arranged and connected in this device.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of the main part of the fuel cell device excluding the hot water storage tank 26. 33 is the above-mentioned box-shaped package, and on the bottom surface of the package 33, the fuel cutoff valve 3, the air blower 11, the purification device 16, the ion exchange device 1
7, an auxiliary device composed of a water pump 18, a city water shutoff valve 23, a circulation pump 30, etc., that is, an auxiliary device 41 is disposed and mounted. In addition, a fuel reforming device such as a reformer 4, a CO shift reactor 5, a CO selective oxidizer 6, a steam generating heat exchanger 15 and the like is provided above the auxiliary device 41 in a state of being partitioned by a partition plate 42.
43 is placed. The fuel cell 7 is located above the package 33, and an electric control device 44 penetrating the partition plate 42 is arranged between the fuel cell 7 and the auxiliary equipment 41. The electric control device 44 includes an inverter that converts generated power (DC power) of the fuel cell 7 into AC power of commercial voltage / frequency,
An operation control unit (including a gas concentration determination device) that controls the operation of each unit of the device. A fuel intake port 45 for taking in a fuel gas such as natural gas is provided on one side of the package 33 facing the auxiliary device 41, and a fuel intake port 45 for facing the auxiliary device 41 is provided on the other side of the package 33. A water inlet 24, a hot water outlet 25 connected to a hot water inlet 27 of the hot water storage tank 26, and a cold water inlet 31 connected to a cold water outlet 29 of the hot water storage tank 26 are provided.

In the above structure, the fuel reformer 43 is for producing hydrogen gas from the fuel gas as the raw fuel taken in from the fuel intake port 45, and oxygen in the air taken in from the air blower 11, that is, oxidation. The agent gas and the hydrogen gas from the fuel reformer 43 cause an electrochemical reaction in the fuel cell 7 to generate electricity in the fuel cell 7. In addition, the auxiliary equipment 41 includes the fuel cell 7 and the fuel reformer 43.
It is for smoothly operating each component such as.

The uppermost portion of the package 33 is entirely covered with a wall portion, but the upper surface inner wall 46 formed on this uppermost portion.
At the position where the gas detection sensor 34 is mounted, a recess 47 is formed which is recessed upward. The gas detection sensor 34 here is arranged on the upper surface of one side of the package 33, and on the other side of the package 33 facing the upper side, the package 33 is provided.
A ventilation fan 35 is provided for taking in fresh air. That is, the gas detection sensor 34 is provided at a position that is not affected by the outside air taken in from the ventilation fan 35.
Reference numeral 48 is an operation remote controller as an operation unit for remotely operating the device by exchanging signals with the electric control device 44 wirelessly or by wire. This operation remote control 48
In the case where the gas detection sensor 34 detects a gas having a concentration equal to or higher than a preset concentration, the abnormal signal from the electric control device 44 is received,
An abnormality notification device 49 is provided to notify abnormality by any one of light, sound, display, or a combination thereof.

Next, the operation of the above structure will be described. When the fuel cell device is set to the operating state by operating the operation remote controller 48, the fuel gas passes through the fuel cutoff valve 3 opened from the fuel intake port 45, enters the booster blower 1, is boosted in pressure, and is sent to the desulfurizer 2. Here, the sulfur content contained in the fuel gas is removed by the adsorbing action of the desulfurizing agent. Although activated carbon was used as the desulfurizing agent in the present embodiment, other catalysts may be used, in short, as long as the sulfur content contained in the fuel gas can be removed. The purpose of removing the sulfur content by the desulfurizer 2 is to prevent the subsequent catalyst such as the reformer 4 from being deteriorated by the fuel sulfur content. Although not described in detail in this embodiment, the reformer 4 is previously heated to a temperature required for reforming by an electric heating device or a gas burner.

The fuel gas that has passed through the desulfurizer 2 is mixed with the steam generated in the steam generating heat exchanger 15, and the reformer 4
Enter the reforming section of. This reforming section has about 750 burner sections.
The fuel gas is heated to around 0 ° C., and the fuel gas is converted into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide gas (carbon dioxide) by the action of the catalyst. However, although the gas generated here contains a small amount of carbon monoxide, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell 7 described later
Is because carbon monoxide significantly reduces its performance,
It is necessary to keep the concentration of carbon monoxide below a certain level.

The fuel gas that has passed through the reformer 4 has the following CO
After entering the shift reactor 5, the carbon monoxide reacts with water vapor by the action of the catalyst to be converted into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide, and the concentration of carbon monoxide drops to a considerably low level. The fuel gas that has passed through the CO shift reactor 14 further enters the CO selective oxidizer 6 and is mixed with the air (oxygen) sent by the air blower 11, and the carbon monoxide contained therein is oxidized by the action of the catalyst. Change to carbon. Only at this point can the concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the fuel gas be reduced to a concentration that does not adversely affect the fuel cell 7.

The fuel gas passing through the CO selective oxidizer 6 is
It is sent to the anode 8 which is one electrode of the fuel cell 7. Air (oxygen) is sent to the cathode 9 which is the other electrode by the air blower 11. Hydrogen in the anode 8 is ionized by the action of the catalyst, passes through the electrolytic membrane material 10, and is bonded to oxygen on the cathode 9 side. As a result, heat of reaction is generated in the same manner as water is generated. Further, by this electrochemical reaction, a negative electrode potential is produced at the anode 8 and a positive electrode potential is produced at the cathode 9, so that electric power can be taken out from the fuel cell 7.

Most of the hydrogen gas is consumed in the fuel gas that has passed through the anode 8. However, the fuel gas still contains hydrogen gas in a considerable concentration, and the hydrogen gas is returned to the burner section of the reforming section 4 to obtain air. It is mixed with the air sent by the blower 11 and burned in the burner section. Thereby, the residual hydrogen gas can be used to raise the temperature of the reforming section.

The air passing through the cathode 9 is used as the fuel cell 7
It has heat (water vapor) and heat generated in (1) and is returned to water by passing it from the cathode 9 of the fuel cell 7 to the heat exchanger 15 using exhaust heat through the cathode exhaust gas pipe 14 and by the water pump 30. By being sent to the anode 17 of the fuel cell 3, it is used for humidifying the solid polymer membrane (electrolyte membrane 10) and cooling the fuel cell 7. At that time, the cooled water passes through the purification device 16 to remove impurities, and then passes through the ion exchange device 17 to remove the electrolyte. Also,
Similarly, the water sent to the steam-generating heat exchanger 15 by the water pump 18 is heated by the burner exhaust gas (combustion exhaust gas) discharged from the burner portion of the reformer 4,
It becomes steam and enters the reforming section of the reformer 4 together with the fuel gas from the booster blower 1. The burner exhaust gas that has passed through the steam generating heat exchanger 22 is sent together with the exhaust gas from the cathode 9 to the exhaust heat utilization heat exchanger 15, and releases the thermal energy that it has.

Next, the operation of the heat utilizing external equipment including the hot water storage tank 26 will be described. First, before operating the fuel cell device, the city water shutoff valve 23 is opened and the hot water tank 26 is filled with city water. Then, when the operation of the fuel cell device is started, the circulation pump 30 operates, and the cold water in the hot water storage tank 26 is sent from the cooling outlet 29 to the exhaust heat utilization heat exchanger 15 by this circulation pump 30,
The thermal energy of the exhaust gas from the cathode 9 of the fuel cell 7 and the burner section of the reformer 4 is received to become hot water. The hot water is sent from the heat exchanger 15 using waste heat to the hot water inlet 27 of the hot water storage tank 26 and returns to the hot water storage tank 26 again. The inside of the hot water storage tank 26 is in a two-layer state due to the difference in water temperature. The hot water is located above the hot water storage tank 26 and the cold water is located below the hot water storage tank 26. Here, by opening the hot water outlet 28 attached to the upper part of the water storage tank 26, it becomes possible to use the hot water obtained by utilizing the waste heat utilization heat exchanger 15.

In such an operating state, the package 33 is temporarily
If flammable or toxic gas such as fuel gas, hydrogen gas, carbon monoxide gas leaks into the package 33 due to loosening of piping connecting the internal components, etc., the density of these gases is higher than that of air. Since it is low, it collects on the top of the package 33. The upper surface inner wall 46 of the package 33 forms a substantially horizontal surface, but at the location where the gas detection sensor 34 is attached, the recess 47 is formed further above the upper surface inner wall 46. The leaked gas will be concentrated and accumulated. Therefore, the gas detection sensor 34 can quickly detect a gas leak.

Next, a series of procedures relating to gas leak detection will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the figure, when the start switch of the device is turned on, first, in step S1, the gas detection sensor 34 measures the concentration of the fuel gas or the like in the package 33. Next, in step S2, the gas concentration determination device in the electric control device 44 determines that the gas concentration measured by the gas detection sensor 34 is the first set concentration, that is, the first set value (for example, 5.3% of the explosion range concentration for methane gas). Setting below) It is determined whether or not the following.
Then, if the gas concentration measured by the gas detection sensor 34 is equal to or lower than the first set value, the device is started in step S3 to start the operation.

Since the fuel reforming device 43 reforms the fuel gas during the operation of the device, the concentration of hydrogen gas or carbon monoxide gas is also measured by the gas detection sensor 34. Regarding hydrogen gas, the explosion range concentration is 4
If the content is 50% or less, the operation is continued, and if the carbon monoxide gas is 50 ppm or less of the health hazard prevention index, the operation is continued.

Here, fuel gas (methane), hydrogen gas,
If any of the carbon monoxide exceeds the first set value, the gas concentration determination device determines that there is an abnormality and stops the operation of the device (step S4), and at the same time, in step S5, a gas leakage abnormality signal. Is transmitted to the operation remote controller 48, and the abnormality notification device 49 of the operation remote controller 48 notifies the abnormal state by a warning sound, lighting of a warning light, or display. At the same time, the powerful operation for increasing the displacement of the ventilation fan 34 is continued (step S6). If the ventilation fan 34 has stopped until then, ventilation is started immediately, and if the ventilation fan 34 can sufficiently exhaust the leaked gas in the package 33 even with a normal ventilation volume, ventilation is performed as it is. The ventilation fan 34 may be operated continuously so long as the abnormal gas concentration in the package 33 can be rapidly reduced.

In the subsequent step S7, the gas detection sensor 34 measures the gas concentration in the package 33, and in the subsequent step S8, the measured gas concentration is the second set value which is the second set concentration (a sufficiently safe gas. When the concentration is set to be equal to or lower than the concentration (for example, 1/10 of the first set value), the process proceeds to step S9 and the operation of the ventilation fan 34 is stopped.
In this state, most of the gas leaked into the package 33 is discharged to the outside, and the inside of the package 33 has a safe gas concentration.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the fuel cell device for generating power in the package 33 by the electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidant gas, the gas detecting means for detecting the gas concentration in the package 33 is used. Gas detection sensor 34
Are arranged on the upper portion of the package 33, that is, on the upper inner wall 46.

In this case, since the flammable or toxic gas leaked into the package 33 of the fuel cell device, that is, the gas has a lower density and lighter weight than air,
Collect at the top of 33. Therefore, by disposing the gas detection sensor 34 on the upper portion of the package 33, the gas leaked into the package 33 can be accurately detected.

Further, in this embodiment, the gas detection sensor 34 is arranged in the recess 47 provided in the inner wall 46 of the upper surface of the package 33, and the gas reaching the upper surface in the package 33, that is, the gas, is located at the uppermost position. It moves to the recess 47 and gathers. Therefore, the gas detection sensor 34 arranged in the recess 47 can detect the gas leaked into the package 33 more accurately.

Further, in this embodiment, the gas detection sensor 34 is provided on the side facing the ventilation fan 35 as a ventilation device for ventilating the inside of the package 33. In this case, since the gas detection sensor 34 is provided in a position facing the ventilation fan 35 and away from the ventilation fan 35, the gas detection sensor 34 is not cooled by the influence of the strong wind speed of the ventilation fan 35, and the measurement is performed correctly. Will be possible.

Further, in this embodiment, the gas detection sensor 34 is constructed so as to detect hydrogen, methane and carbon monoxide.
This makes it possible for the gas detection sensor 34 to accurately detect the main gas components of hydrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide that leak into the package 33.

Further, in this embodiment, in the fuel cell device for generating power in the package 33 by the electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidant gas, the gas detection sensor 34 for detecting the gas concentration in the package 33 is the first When a gas having a concentration higher than the set concentration (first set value) is detected, the operation of the apparatus is stopped and the gas detection sensor 34 sets the second set concentration (second set value).
The ventilation fan 35, which is a ventilation device for ventilating the package 33, is operated until the value below the set value is detected.

By doing so, when the gas detection sensor 34 detects a gas having a concentration higher than the first set concentration, the operation of the apparatus is immediately stopped, the leakage of the gas further is prevented, and the gas concentration falls below the second set concentration. Until then, the ventilation fan 35 is operated to immediately discharge the gas in the package 33 to the outside. As a result, the gas concentration can be promptly reduced to a safe range without accumulating the gas in the package 33.

Further, in the present embodiment, the operation remote controller 48 as an operation unit for remotely controlling the operation of the apparatus, and the package 33.
And a gas detection sensor 34 for detecting the gas concentration in the package, which is packaged by an electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidant gas.
In the fuel cell device for generating power in 33, when the gas detection sensor detects a gas having a concentration equal to or higher than a preset concentration, the operation of the device is stopped, and the operation remote control 48 is operated by light, sound, or display, or a combination thereof. It is configured to report an abnormality.

In this case, when the gas detection sensor 34 detects a gas having a concentration higher than the preset concentration, the operation of the device is immediately stopped to prevent the gas from leaking any more, and the device can be operated by any one of light, sound and display or a combination thereof. The operation remote control 48 for remotely controlling the operation is notified of an abnormality, and the user is promptly notified of an abnormal increase in gas concentration. As a result, the gas concentration can be quickly lowered to a safe range.

Next, each modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
~ Each will be described with reference to FIG. In each of these modified examples, only the configuration of the upper portion of the package 33 is partly different, and the configuration and operation of the other parts are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

In the modification shown in FIG. 4, the gas detection sensor 34 is attached to the upper portion of the package 33 here, and the inner wall 46 of the upper surface of the package 33 is inclined upward toward the gas detection sensor 34 side. Has been formed. That is, the upper inner wall 46 here is not horizontal, but is inclined,
A gas detection sensor 34 is attached to the inclined uppermost portion. In this way, if the upper surface inner wall 46 of the package 33 is formed so as to rise toward the gas detection sensor 34 side, the gas reaching the upper surface in the package 33 moves further upward along the inclined upper surface inner wall 46. Move and get together. Therefore, the gas leaked into the package 33 can be detected more quickly and appropriately by the gas detection sensor 34 arranged above the inclined surface.

In another modification shown in FIG. 5, in addition to the configuration of FIG. 2, a closing plate 51 for opening and closing the ventilation port 50 is provided on the exhaust side of the ventilation fan 35. When a gas leakage abnormality occurs and the gas detection sensor 34 detects a gas having a concentration equal to or higher than the preset concentration, the ventilation port 50 is closed by the closing plate 51, and the package is closed.
A large amount of gas is prevented from leaking to the outside of 33 in a short time.

That is, in this modification, in the fuel cell device for generating power in the package 33 by the electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidant gas, the gas detection sensor 34 for detecting the gas concentration in the package 33 sets the set concentration. When the above gas is detected, the operation of the device is stopped and the ventilation port 50 for ventilation in the package 33 is closed.

In this case, when the gas detection sensor 34 detects a gas having a concentration higher than the preset concentration, the operation of the apparatus is immediately stopped to prevent the gas from leaking further and the ventilation port 50 for ventilation in the package 33 is closed. . This allows the package
It is possible to prevent a large amount of gas from leaking to the outside of 33 in a short time.

In a further modified example shown in FIG. 6, in addition to the configuration of FIG. 2, a circulation fan 52 for forcibly circulating the air in the package 33 and a gas adsorbent as an adsorbing means such as zeodolite for adsorbing gas components. It has 53 and. Then, when a gas leak abnormality occurs and the gas detection sensor 34 detects a gas having a concentration equal to or higher than the set concentration, the circulation fan 52 is activated and the air in the package 33 passes through the gas adsorbent 53, and the gas concentration is increased. To decrease rapidly.

That is, in this modification, when the gas detection sensor 34 detects a gas of a preset concentration or more in the fuel cell device that generates electricity in the package 33 by the electrochemical reaction of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas, The operation of the device is stopped, the air in the package 33 is circulated, and the gas is adsorbed by the gas adsorbent 53 provided in the air circulation passage.

In this case, when the gas detection sensor 34 detects a gas having a concentration higher than the preset concentration, the operation of the apparatus is immediately stopped to prevent the gas from leaking further, and the air in the package 33 is circulated to circulate the air. The gas is adsorbed by the gas adsorbent 53 in the flow path. As a result, the gas concentration can be quickly lowered to a safe range.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the common parts will be omitted to avoid duplication.

The detailed structure of the fuel cell device is as shown in FIG. 7, and is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, but the structure around the hot water storage tank 26 which is a liquid storage tank is different. There is. Specifically, 55 is a liquid storage tank portion, that is, a hot water storage tank portion provided separately from the package 33. In addition to the above-mentioned hot water storage tank 26, hot water (warm liquid) in the hot water storage tank 26 is full. Heat dissipation means to release the heat of hot water to the outside when
If necessary, the hot water flow path to the hot water storage tank
A hot water flow path switching valve 57 for switching to the side is housed inside a housing 58 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) which is an outer shell of the hot water storage tank portion 55.

The inlet of the heat receiving side flow path of the heat exchanger 15 utilizing exhaust heat is branched in two directions, one is connected to the outlet of the circulation pump 30, and the other is passed through the package city water inlet 59 to shut off the city water. Connected to valve 23. Further, the outlet of the heat receiving side flow path of the heat exchanger utilizing exhaust heat 15 is connected to the hot water inlet 27 of the hot water storage tank portion 55 via the package hot water outlet 60. The hot water inlet 27 here is branched in two directions, one is connected to the upper part of the hot water storage tank 26, and the other is connected to the inlet of the hot water circulation pipe 61 corresponding to the pipe body. Reference numeral 62 denotes a fin attached to the hot water circulation pipe 61, which is provided at a position facing a blower device 63 that sends air to the fin 62. These hot water circulation pipe 61, fins
A heat dissipation device that draws heat from hot water by means of 62 and blower 63
56 are composed.

The outlet of the hot water circulation pipe 61 is connected to one inlet of the hot water passage switching valve 57, and the other inlet of the hot water passage switching valve 57 is connected to the cold water outlet of the hot water tank 26. , One of the entrances is connected to the exit. The outlet of the hot water flow path switching valve 57 is a circulation pump from the cold water outlet 64 of the hot water storage tank 55 through the package cold water inlet 65.
Connected to 30 entrances. Further, a hot water temperature sensor 66 that detects the temperature of the water flowing through the cold water intake 31 is provided on the outlet side of the circulation pump 30. 67 is a heat exchanger utilizing waste heat
An exhaust gas outlet for guiding the exhaust gas from 15 to the ventilation fan 35.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show the arrangement of the apparatus in this embodiment. In each of these drawings, the internal structure of the package 33 is generally the same as that shown in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment except that a part of the auxiliary equipment 41 is arranged in a partial division on the upper portion of the fuel reformer 43. Match. The package city water inlet 59, the package cold water inlet 60, and the package hot water outlet 65 are all provided so as to project from the outer surface of the package 33, and the package cold water inlet 60 is connected to the cold water outlet 27 of the hot water storage tank portion 55, and The package hot water outlet 65 is connected to the hot water inlet 64 of the hot water tank portion 55. No other piping is provided between the package 33 and the hot water storage tank section 55. Also, at the bottom front of the package 33, the package 33
A package inlet 73 is provided for taking in air.

Inside the casing 58 which constitutes the hot water storage tank 55,
The hot water storage tank 26 attached to the hot water storage tank leg 69 is stored. Similarly, inside the housing 58, a heat radiating means 56 and a hot water flow path switching valve 57 are provided below the hot water storage tank 26. Further, a heat radiation exhaust port 70 as an exhaust port is provided on the front surface portion of the housing 58 at a position facing the heat radiation means 56, and a rear surface portion of the housing 58 also sucks air at a position facing the heat radiation means 56. A heat radiation intake port 71 is provided as a port.

Next, the operation of the above structure will be described, but the same operation as that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

Regarding the operation of the hot water storage tank section 55, the inside of the hot water storage tank 26 is in a two-layer state due to the difference in water temperature as described above. Hot water is in the upper layer of the hot water storage tank 26, and cold water is in the lower layer of the hot water storage tank 26. positioned. However, when the operation is continued without using the hot water, the hot water storage tank 26 is filled with the hot water, and the hot water comes out from the cold water outlet 29 of the hot water storage heat exchanger 26.
At 15, the cathode exhaust gas from the fuel cell 7 and the burner exhaust gas from the reformer 4 cannot be cooled, and as a result, condensed water cannot be obtained. In the present embodiment, the hot water tank 26 is filled with hot water, and is detected by a hot water temperature sensor 66 or a water level sensor (not shown) for detecting the water level of the condensed water in the heat exchanger utilizing exhaust heat 15. The hot water flow passage from the heat exchanger 15 utilizing waste heat to the hot water tank 26 is switched to the heat radiating means 56 side by the hot water flow passage switching valve 57.

When the hot water flow path is switched to the heat radiating means 56 side, the hot water passes through the hot water circulating pipe 61 of the heat radiating means 56, the heat of the hot water is transmitted to the fins 62, and the fins 62 are blown by the blower.
By being air-cooled by 63, the hot water circulation pipe 61 turns into cold water and is returned to the exhaust heat utilization heat exchanger 15 by the circulation pipe 30. As a result, the cathode exhaust gas from the fuel cell 7 and the burner exhaust gas from the reformer 4 can be cooled by the heat exchanger 15 using exhaust heat.

Next, the intake and exhaust of the package 33 and the hot water storage tank section 55 will be described. The package 33 and the hot water storage tank section
The 55s are installed with a space distance with the back facing the house. During operation of the device, air is taken in from the package intake port 73 at the lower front of the package 33 and is sent to the equipment for each application by the air blower 11 inside the package 33 for use. The air taken in from the intake port 73 is
The air in the package 33 is replaced, the inside of the package 33 is cooled, and the package 33 is exhausted to the outside through a ventilation port 50 as a package exhaust port.

Further, since the heat radiating means 56 is provided in the hot water storage tank portion 55 which is separate from the package 33, the package 33 does not require the air intake and exhaust ports of the blower device 63 which constitutes the heat radiating means 56. In addition to the air blower 11, the ventilation fan 35, etc., when disposing the package intake port 73 and the ventilation port 50, heat dissipation means 56
There is no need to worry about interference with the intake and exhaust ports. Therefore, the package 33 can be formed in a compact shape and
It is possible to obtain an optimal arrangement that can ensure the performance of the auxiliary machine 41.

Further, in the hot water tank portion 55, the outside air is taken in through the heat radiating air inlet 71 provided on the back surface of the housing 58, and the air blower 63 takes away the heat of the opposing fins 62. And
The warmed outside air is discharged to the outside through a heat radiation exhaust port 70 provided on the front surface of the housing 58. Since the heat radiating means 56 is located below the hot water storage tank 26, the heat radiation efficiency of the heat radiating means 56 does not decrease due to convection even when the hot water storage tank 26 is filled with hot water.

In the configuration of this embodiment, the hot water flow path switching means 57
Since the water is stored in the hot water storage tank portion 55, only two pipes are required to connect the package 33 and the hot water storage tank portion 55, which facilitates installation work of the device. Further, since the heat radiation intake port 71 is provided on the back surface of the housing 58 and faces the house side, it is difficult to suck in foreign matter such as dust, and it is also possible to prevent a decrease in heat radiation efficiency.

Furthermore, in the operating state of the apparatus, if flammable or toxic gas such as fuel gas, hydrogen gas, carbon monoxide gas, etc. is stored in the package 33 due to loosening of pipes connecting the constituent elements in the package 33. Even if it leaks to the package 33, if it is a small amount, it can be discharged to the outside of the package 33 before it becomes dangerous by the ventilation fan 35. Even when the gas concentration in the package 33 is not reduced by normal ventilation by the ventilation fan 35, since the density of these gases is lower than that of air, the gas is collected in the upper portion of the package 33 and further provided on the upper inner wall 47. It accumulates in the recess 47. Therefore, by the gas detection sensor 34 attached to the recess 47,
Gas leaks can be detected quickly and the device can be stopped safely.

As described above, in this embodiment, in the fuel cell device for generating power in the package 33 by the electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidant gas, the hot water storage tank 26 for storing the heat generated by the power generation as hot water, A heat radiating means 56 for radiating heat to the outside of the device when the warm water is full is arranged in a hot water storage tank portion 55 independently provided outside the package 33.

In this case, the heat radiating means 56 is arranged in the hot water tank portion 56 outside the package 33 together with the hot water tank 26. That is, the heat dissipation means 56 does not exist in the package 33, and
When arranging the other components in the package 33, it is not necessary to worry about the interference with the intake / exhaust of the heat dissipation means 56, the useless space in the package 33 is minimized, and the external dimensions of the package 33 are made compact. In addition to being formed, sufficient performance can be secured in the package 33.

Further, the heat radiating means 56 of the present embodiment sends a hot water circulating pipe 61 as a tubular body for circulating hot water, a fin 62 as a heat radiating portion attached to the hot water circulating pipe 61, and a wind to the fin 62. And a blower device 63.

In this case, a hot water circulation pipe through which hot water passes
The heat transmitted from 61 to the fins 62 is cooled by the wind of the blower device 63 and returned as cold water. By increasing the heat radiation area by the fins 62, hot water can be cooled efficiently.

Further, in this embodiment, the heat radiation means 56 is used as the hot water storage tank 26.
Since it is provided in the lower part of the above, even if the hot water storage tank 26 is filled with warm water, it is not affected by convection or the like. Therefore, the heat dissipation means
The heat radiation efficiency of 56 can be prevented from lowering.

Further, in this embodiment, the hot water storage tank 26 and the heat radiating means 56 are housed in the casing 58, and the flow path of the hot water is radiating means.
A switching means as a valve for switching to the 56 side, that is, a hot water flow path switching valve 57 is arranged inside the housing 58.

In this case, since the hot water passage switching valve 57 for switching the passage of the hot water to the heat radiating means 56 side is provided in the housing 58 outside the package 33 accommodating the hot water storage tank 26 and the heat radiating means 56, The piping of the hot water flow path switching valve 57 can be provided in the housing 58, and the piping for connecting the package 33 and the hot water tank portion 56 can be two for hot water and cold water. Therefore, the installation work can be easily performed.

Further, in this embodiment, the hot water storage tank 26 and the heat radiating means 56 are housed in the housing 58, and the heat radiating air inlet 70, which is the air inlet of the heat radiating means 56, is provided on the back side of the housing 58.
A heat radiation exhaust port 71, which is an exhaust port of, is provided on the front surface side of the housing 58.

In this case, since the heat dissipation inlet 70 of the heat dissipating means 56 is provided on the back surface of the housing 58 facing the house side, the chances of sucking foreign matter such as dust outside the room are reduced, and the foreign matter is prevented from entering. It is also possible to prevent deterioration of the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation means 56.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The first embodiment and the second embodiment
The same parts as those described in the embodiments will be designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the common parts will not be repeated.

In FIG. 10, which shows the detailed structure of the fuel cell device, the reference numeral 75 denotes a posture detection device attached to the package 33.
It is a seismic sensor that doubles as 76, and its output signal is an electrical control device
Sent to. Also, 77 is a seismic sensing device 75 or posture detection device.
When 76 detects an abnormality, it is an abnormality alarm device that informs the abnormality by any one of light, sound, display, or a combination, which is also mounted on the front side of the package 33. The seismic sensing device 75 may be configured by, for example, an acceleration sensor and an acceleration determination unit, and the attitude detection device 76 may be configured by, for example, a posture sensor such as a sphere and a posture determination unit such as a contactless switch.

Reference numeral 78 denotes an auxiliary fuel gas cylinder for enclosing a predetermined amount of fuel gas, and a fuel switching valve 79 provided in the middle of a pipe line from the fuel intake port 45 to the fuel cutoff valve 4 allows the fuel intake port 45 or the auxiliary fuel. Fuel gas is supplied from one of the gas cylinders 78. Reference numeral 80 denotes a main fuel line cutoff detection device that detects whether or not the supply of fuel gas (main fuel gas) from the fuel intake port 45 has been cut off. Other than that, the configuration is substantially the same as that of the second embodiment described above.

Next, the operation procedure of acceleration (vibration) detection and attitude detection will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In the figure, at the time of instructing to start the device and at the time of operation, first, at step S11, the attitude detecting device 76
Detects the attitude of the apparatus body, that is, the package 33. Here, the inclination of the package 33 is less than the set value (for example, when the inclination angle at which the apparatus body can be safely operated is 8 degrees,
If the set value is smaller than that, that is, about 5 degrees, the process shifts from step S12 to step S13, and the acceleration applied to the package 33 is detected by the vibration sensing device 75. Then, in the next step S14, if the acceleration applied to the package 33 is less than the set value (for example, if the acceleration at which the apparatus body can be safely driven is 200 gal, the set value is about 150 gal which is smaller than that). If so, step S
Moving to 15, the main fuel line cutoff detection device 80 detects whether or not the fuel gas is properly supplied from the main fuel line passing through the fuel intake port 45.

In step S12 or step S14, if the inclination of the package 33 is equal to or greater than the set value, or if the acceleration applied to the package 33 is equal to or greater than the set value, the process proceeds to step S16, and the electrical control in the package 33 is performed. Device 44 either inhibits device activation or shuts down device operation. It should be noted that, as described above, to allow a margin for these set values is due to a detection error of the seismic sensing device 75 or the attitude detection device 76, etc., despite the device body being in a dangerous state.
This is to prevent the device from starting or continuing operation. At the same time, the abnormality alarm 77 notifies the occurrence of an abnormality by light, sound, display, etc. (step S17).

On the other hand, in step S15, if the fuel gas is correctly supplied from the main fuel line, the process proceeds to step S18, in which the electric control unit 44 switches the fuel switching valve 79 to the main fuel line side, Fuel gas is supplied to the main body from the main fuel line. On the other hand, when the supply of the fuel gas from the main fuel line is not normal, the process proceeds to step S19, the fuel switching valve 79 is switched to the auxiliary fuel gas cylinder 78 side, and the fuel gas is supplied from the auxiliary fuel gas cylinder 78 to the main body of the apparatus. To supply. In any case, in the next step S20, the activation of the device is permitted or the operation is continued, and the process returns to the step S11.

The order in which the posture detection, the acceleration detection, and the main fuel line interruption detection are performed is not limited to this embodiment. Further, here, the seismic sensing device 75 and the posture detection device 76 are also used for detection, but they may be provided separately, or only one of them may be provided.
Further, the above set values are merely examples, and may be appropriately changed as long as the apparatus main body can be safely operated.

As described above, in this embodiment, the seismic sensing device 75 is provided in the fuel cell device for generating electricity by the electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidant gas, and the acceleration applied to the device is controlled by the seismic sensing device 75. Since it can be detected, even if vibration or external force is applied to the device, the device can be safely protected by the seismic sensing device 75.

Further, the seismic sensing device 75 of the present embodiment is configured to detect an acceleration of a predetermined value, for example, 150 gal or more, as an abnormality. Thus, the set acceleration applied to the apparatus for example 150gal (1gal = 1cm / s ² Since 150 cm / s ²⁾
In this case, the abnormality can be detected and the device can be protected safely.

Further, the seismic sensing device 75 of this embodiment is composed of an acceleration sensing means which is an acceleration sensor and a control part which is an acceleration judging part, and the seismic sensing device 75 is based on the magnitude of acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor. Since it is possible to determine whether or not the device itself is abnormal, it is possible to directly determine the device abnormality from the output of the seismic sensing device 75.

Further, in this embodiment, the fuel cell device for generating power by the electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidant gas is provided with the posture detection device 76 which is the state detection means, and the change in the posture of the device is detected. Since it can be detected by the posture detection device 76, the posture detection device 76 can safely protect the device even if vibration or external force is applied to the device.

Further, the posture detecting device 76 of this embodiment is constructed so as to detect an inclination of a predetermined value, for example, 5 degrees or more, as an abnormality. Accordingly, when the change in the posture of the device tilts by 5 degrees or more, for example, an abnormality can be detected and the device can be protected safely.

The posture detecting device 76 of this embodiment is composed of a state detecting means which is a posture sensor and a control part which is a posture determining part, and the posture detecting device 76 is based on the change amount of the posture detected by the posture sensor. Since it is possible to determine whether or not the device itself is abnormal, it is possible to directly determine the device abnormality from the output of the posture detection device 76.

Further, in this embodiment, when the seismic sensing device 75 or the attitude detecting device 76 detects an abnormality, the supply of fuel gas is shut off and the operation of the device is stopped. As a result, when the seismic sensitivity device 75 or the posture detection device 76 detects an abnormality, the supply of fuel gas is shut off to prevent gas leakage, and the operation of the device is forcibly stopped to improve the safety of the device. Can be increased.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the seismic sensing device 75 or the posture detection device 76 detects an abnormality, the abnormality is notified by any one of light, sound and display or a combination thereof. In this case, when the seismic sensing device 75 or the posture detection device 76 detects an abnormality, the abnormality is notified by any one of light, sound, and display, or a combination thereof, so that the user is promptly notified of the abnormality of the device due to vibration or external force. You can

Further, in this embodiment, in the fuel cell device for generating electricity by the electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidant gas, the vibration sensing device 75 and the posture detection device 76 are provided as one detection device. In this case, the acceleration applied to the device can be detected by the vibration sensing device 75, and the change in the posture of the device can be detected by the posture detection device 76. Therefore, even if vibration or external force is applied to the device, the device can be safely protected by the seismic sensing device 75 or the posture detection device 76. Further, if at least one of the seismic sensing device 75 and the posture detection device 76 operates normally, an abnormality of the device can be detected, and thus safety can be further enhanced.

Further, in this embodiment, in the fuel cell device for generating electricity by the electrochemical reaction of the fuel gas and the oxidant gas, the auxiliary fuel gas cylinder 78 which is a gas cylinder and the main fuel line interruption detecting device 80 which is an interruption detecting device. And a vibration-sensing device 75 are provided. When the acceleration detected by the vibration-sensing device 75 is less than the set acceleration and the fuel supply to the main fuel line detected by the main fuel line cutoff detection device 80 is stopped, the fuel gas Is switched to the auxiliary fuel gas cylinder 78 side to continue the operation of the device, and if the acceleration detected by the seismic sensing device 75 is equal to or higher than the set acceleration, the supply of fuel gas is cut off and the device operation is stopped. is doing.

If the acceleration detected by the seismic sensing device 75 is less than the set acceleration, even if the supply of fuel gas from the main fuel line is interrupted, fuel gas is supplied from the auxiliary fuel gas cylinder to continue the operation of the device. As a result, even when the system power supply is cut off and the main fuel line is cut off in the event of a disaster, the operation of the device can be continued and used as an emergency power supply. On the other hand, if the acceleration detected by the seismic sensing device 75 is greater than or equal to the set acceleration, shut off the operation of the device by shutting off the supply of all fuel gas, so that the device is Can be safely protected.

Further, in this embodiment, the main fuel line interruption detection device 80 provided in the main fuel line detects the stop of the fuel supply to the main fuel line. That is, since the main fuel line cutoff detection device 80 is provided in the main fuel line, it is possible to detect the supply stop of the fuel gas from the main fuel line more directly and reliably.

Main Fuel Line Cutoff Detection Device 80 of this Embodiment
May be constituted by a pressure sensor provided at the fuel inlet of the main fuel line or a flow rate sensor provided at the fuel flow path. A widely used pressure sensor or flow sensor can be used as the main fuel line cutoff detection device 80.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those of the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the common parts will be omitted to avoid duplication.

In FIG. 12 showing the configuration of the entire apparatus and FIG. 13 showing a perspective view of the package body 33, in the present embodiment, it is on the outlet side of the exhaust gas discharge port 67 connected to the heat exchanger utilizing exhaust heat 15. The structure of the package outlet 90 is different from that of the second embodiment. That is, the package outlet 90 of the exhaust gas outlet 67 has an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the exhaust gas outlet 67.
91 and an exhaust gas outlet filter 92 are provided respectively, and the exhaust gas in the exhaust gas outlet 67 sequentially passes through the opening / closing mechanism 91 and the exhaust gas outlet filter 92, opens on the side surface of the package 33, and is ventilated. The gas is discharged from the package 33 through a gas outlet 93 of an exhaust gas outlet 67 provided in the vicinity of the fan 35. The exhaust gas outlet filter 92 is composed of a relatively coarse mesh that does not allow large foreign matter to enter.

Reference numeral 89 is an exhaust gas that mixes the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the reformer 4 of the fuel reformer 43 and the cathode exhaust gas discharged from the cathode 9 of the fuel cell 7 and leads to the exhaust gas discharge port 67. It is a mixing section. In this case, a mixture of the combustion exhaust gas from the reformer 4 and the cathode exhaust gas from the fuel cell 7 (mixed gas) is discharged to the package outlet 90 of the exhaust gas outlet 67, Exhaust gas mixing unit 89 is not provided, exhaust gas discharge ports 67 are provided corresponding to combustion exhaust gas and cathode exhaust gas, respectively, and opening / closing mechanism 91 is provided at package outlet unit 90 of each exhaust gas discharge port 67.
May be provided.

Next, a more detailed structure of the opening / closing mechanism 91 will be described with reference to FIG. The opening / closing mechanism 91 is rotatably provided around a rotation shaft 94, and a closing plate 95 that opens and closes the package outlet 90, and a rotation shaft 94 of the closing plate 95.
Transmission mechanism 96, which is attached to the
And a drive device 97 for driving the transmission device 96. When the device starts operating, the closing plate 95 of the opening / closing mechanism 91 is rotated to a position parallel to the exhaust gas flow F to open the package outlet 90, while when the device stops operating, the closing plate 95 is opened. 95 is rotated to a position orthogonal to the flow F of the exhaust gas to close the package outlet 90.

Next, regarding the above-mentioned configuration, especially the opening / closing mechanism 91
When the operation of the fuel cell device is started, immediately before the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the reformer 4 and the cathode exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 7 are generated,
The operating force of the driving device 97 is transmitted from the rotating shaft 94 to the closing plate 95 by the transmission mechanism 96, and the opening / closing plate 95 rotates in the direction to open the package outlet 90. As a result, the exhaust gas mixing unit 89
The exhaust gas, which has been mixed with the exhaust heat and which has released steam and heat in the heat exchanger 15 utilizing exhaust heat, passes through the opening / closing mechanism 91 and the exhaust gas outlet filter 92, and is attached to the package 33.
It is released from 93 to the outside. At this time, the exhaust gas still has a temperature slightly higher than the outside air temperature, and the water vapor is also close to the saturated state, but the package exhaust port 50 of the ventilation device 35 is provided near the gas outlet 93, and the exhaust gas is exhausted. The gas is immediately diluted by the exhaust from the package exhaust port 50, and the water vapor is diffused into the atmosphere without being condensed. Therefore,
When exhaust gas is released into the atmosphere, white smoke is generated,
Problems such as corrosion of the package 33 due to condensed water drops can be prevented.

After that, when the operation of the apparatus is stopped, the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the reformer 4 and the cathode exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 7 are also stopped. Immediately after the generation of these exhaust gases (mixed gas) is stopped, the opening / closing plate 95 of the opening / closing mechanism 91 rotates in the direction of closing the package outlet 90. This can prevent entry of small insects that can pass through the exhaust gas outlet filter 92 and foreign matter such as dust.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the fuel cell device for generating power in the package 33 by the electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidant gas, the cathode exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 7 faces the package 33. An opening / closing mechanism 91 is provided at the outlet, that is, the package outlet 90.

In this case, the package outlet portion 90 of the cathode exhaust gas from the fuel cell 7 is connected to the opening / closing mechanism 91 if necessary.
Since it can be opened and closed by means of a filter, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the fuel cell 7 without the need to cover the outlet with a conventional filter.

Further, an opening / closing mechanism 91 may be provided at the outlet of the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the fuel reformer 43 which is the reformer, that is, the package outlet 90. Since the package outlet 90 of the fuel exhaust gas from the fuel reformer 43 can be opened / closed by the opening / closing mechanism 91 as necessary, the fuel reformer can be reformed without the need to cover the outlet with a conventional filter. It is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the device 43.

Further, an opening / closing mechanism 91 may be provided at each of the package outlet portions 90 of the cathode exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 7 and the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the fuel reformer 43. In this case, the package outlet 90 of the cathode exhaust gas from the fuel cell 7 and the package outlet 90 of the fuel exhaust gas from the fuel reformer 43 can be opened and closed by the opening / closing mechanism 91 as needed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the fuel cell 7 and the fuel reforming device 43 without the need to cover the outlet with a conventional filter.

Further, as in the present embodiment, the exhaust gas mixing section 89, which is a mixing section for mixing the cathode exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 7 and the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the fuel reformer 43, is provided at the package outlet. An opening / closing mechanism 91 may be provided in the flow path to the portion 90, and the mixed gas package outlet portion 90 may be provided. In this case, the package outlet 90 of the mixed gas obtained by mixing the cathode exhaust gas from the fuel cell 7 and the fuel exhaust gas from the fuel reformer 43 can be opened / closed by the opening / closing mechanism 91 as necessary. It is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the fuel cell 7 and the fuel reformer 43 without the need to cover the outlet with a conventional filter.

Particularly, in this embodiment, when the apparatus starts the operation, the opening / closing mechanism 91 opens the package outlet 90, and when the apparatus stops the operation, the opening / closing mechanism 91 opens the package outlet.
It is configured to close 90. In this case, since the package outlet 90 is opened during the operation of the device, the pressure loss of the exhaust gas flow path reaching the package outlet 90 does not increase. On the other hand, since the package outlet 90 is closed when the operation of the apparatus is stopped, foreign matter can be reliably prevented from entering.

Further, the opening / closing mechanism 91 of the present embodiment includes a rotatable closing plate 95 provided at the package outlet 90 and the closing plate 95.
Transmission mechanism 96 as a transmission device attached to the rotating shaft 94 of
And a drive device 97 that drives the transmission mechanism 96. In this way, by moving the closing plate 95 from the drive device 97 via the transmission mechanism 96, it becomes possible to easily open or close the package outlet 90.

Further, in the fuel cell device for generating electricity in the package by the electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidant gas, the cathode exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 7,
Both or one of the outlets of the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the fuel reformer 43, that is, the gas outlet 93, or the outlet of the gas in which the cathode exhaust gas and the combustion exhaust gas are mixed, that is, the gas outlet 93, is provided by the ventilation device. There is a ventilation fan 35
It may be provided in the vicinity of the exhaust port (package exhaust port 50).
The exhaust gas from the fuel cell 7 and / or the fuel reformer 43 has a temperature somewhat higher than the outside air temperature, and the water vapor is close to a saturated state, but when the exhaust gas reaches the gas outlet 93, Immediately diluted by the exhaust air from the exhaust port of the ventilation fan 35, water vapor diffuses into the atmosphere without condensing. This can prevent the exhaust gas from the gas outlet 93 from appearing as white smoke and water droplets from adhering to the package 33 near the gas outlet 93.

Further, since the package exhaust port 50 and the gas outlet 93 are independently provided, it is not necessary to consider the influence of back pressure or the like when forming these in the package 33, and design There is also an advantage that the above restrictions are reduced.

Furthermore, the cathode exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 7 and / or the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the fuel reformer 43, or one of the outlets, that is, the gas outlet 9
Alternatively, the gas outlet 93 for gas in which the cathode exhaust gas and the combustion exhaust gas are mixed may be provided in the exhaust passage of the ventilation fan 35. Also in this case, the exhaust gas from the fuel cell 7 and / or the fuel reformer 43 has a temperature somewhat higher than the outside air temperature, and the water vapor is also close to the saturated state, but the exhaust gas flows to the gas outlet 93. When it reaches, it is immediately diluted with the exhaust gas that passes through the exhaust flow path from the ventilation fan 35,
Water vapor diffuses into the atmosphere without condensing. This makes the exhaust gas from the gas outlet 93 look like white smoke,
It is possible to prevent water droplets from adhering to the package 33 near the gas outlet 93.

In this case, since the gas outlet 93 is provided in the middle of the exhaust passage of the ventilation fan 35, the exhaust port of the ventilation fan 35 and the exhaust port of the exhaust gas are commonly formed in the package 33. Therefore, as the number of holes is reduced, the appearance of the package 33 is improved. Moreover, there is an advantage that foreign matter such as dust can be prevented from entering at one place.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, although the polymer electrolyte fuel cell device has been described in each embodiment, other power generation methods such as a molten carbon type and a solid oxide type may be used. Further, although air is sent to the burner section of the CO selective oxidizer 6 and the reformer 4 and the cathode 9 of the fuel cell 7 by a single air blower 11, separate air blowers may be used. The same applies to the water pipe 18, and water may be supplied to the steam generating heat exchanger 21 and the anode 8 of the fuel cell 7 by separate water pipes. Further, regarding the use of exhaust heat, hot water is used in the above-mentioned embodiments, but it may be used for heating, and its use is not limited.

[0151]

According to the fuel cell device of the first aspect of the present invention, the gas leaking inside the package can be accurately detected by the gas detecting means arranged on the inner wall of the upper portion of the package.

According to the second aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, the gas leaking into the package can be more accurately detected by the gas detecting means arranged in the recess.

According to the third aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, if the gas detecting means is arranged above the inclined surface, the gas leaked into the package can be detected more accurately.

According to the fourth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, the gas detecting means is not affected by the ventilation device, and the gas measuring means can perform the correct measurement.

According to the fifth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, the main gas component leaking into the package can be accurately detected by the gas detecting means.

According to the fuel cell device of the sixth aspect of the present invention, the concentration of the gas can be promptly lowered to a safe range without accumulating the gas in the package.

According to the fuel cell device of the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a large amount of gas from leaking to the outside of the package in a short time.

According to the eighth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, the gas concentration can be promptly lowered to a safe range.

According to the ninth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, the gas concentration can be promptly lowered to a safe range.

According to the fuel cell device of the tenth aspect of the present invention, the useless space in the package can be reduced as much as possible, and the external dimensions of the package can be made compact, and
Sufficient performance can be secured in the package.

According to the eleventh aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, the warm liquid can be cooled efficiently.

According to the twelfth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, the heat radiating means is not affected by convection from the liquid storage tank,
It is possible to prevent a decrease in heat radiation efficiency of the heat radiation means.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, only two pipes are required to connect the package and the liquid storage tank.
Installation work can be done easily.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the heat radiation effect of the heat radiation means due to the intrusion of foreign matter.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, the device can be safely protected by the seismic sensing device.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, the abnormality can be detected with reference to the acceleration of the set value, and the device can be safely protected.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, the abnormality can be directly determined from the output of the seismic sensing device.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, the device can be safely protected by the state detection device.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, the abnormality can be detected with reference to the inclination of the set value, and the device can be protected safely.

According to the twentieth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, it becomes possible to directly determine the abnormality from the output of the state detection device.

According to the twenty-first aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, the safety of the device can be further enhanced.

According to the twenty-second aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, it is possible to promptly inform the user of abnormality of the device due to vibration or external force.

According to the fuel cell device of the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, the device can be safely protected by the seismic sensing device or the state detecting device, and both the seismic sensing device and the state detecting device are provided. , The safety of the device can be further enhanced.

According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, the device can be effectively used as an emergency power source when a disaster occurs. Further, the device can be safely protected when vibration or external force to the device is large.

According to the twenty-fifth aspect of the fuel cell apparatus of the present invention, the supply stop of the fuel gas from the main fuel line can be detected more directly and surely.

According to the twenty-sixth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, the pressure sensor and the flow rate sensor can be used as the interruption detecting device.

According to the twenty-seventh aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, foreign matter can be prevented from entering the fuel cell without covering the outlet portion with the filter.

According to the twenty-eighth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the reformer without covering the outlet with a filter.

According to the twenty-ninth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, foreign matter can be prevented from entering the fuel cell and the reforming device without covering the outlet portion with the filter.

According to the thirtieth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the fuel cell and the reforming device without covering the outlet portion with the filter.

According to the fuel cell device of the thirty-first aspect of the present invention, the efficiency of the entire device can be maintained as it is and stable operation can be continued without increasing the pressure loss of the exhaust flow path leading to the outlet portion. Moreover, it is possible to reliably prevent foreign matter from entering when the operation of the device is stopped.

According to the thirty-second aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, the outlet portion can be easily opened or closed.

According to the fuel cell device of the thirty-third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the exhaust air from the outlet from appearing as white smoke and to prevent water droplets from adhering to the package near the outlet.

According to the thirty-fourth aspect of the fuel cell device of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the exhaust air from the outlet from appearing as white smoke and to prevent water droplets from adhering to the package near the outlet.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a common fuel cell device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the above fuel cell device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a series of procedures relating to gas leak detection.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fuel cell device showing a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fuel cell device showing another modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a fuel cell device showing still another modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a common fuel cell device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the above fuel cell device.

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

FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a common fuel cell device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a series of procedures relating to acceleration detection and posture detection.

FIG. 12 is a schematic explanatory view of a common fuel cell device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the same package.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the same opening / closing mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

7 Fuel cell 26 Hot water storage tank (liquid storage tank) 33 packages 34 Gas detection sensor (gas detection means) 35 Ventilation fan (ventilator) 47 recess 50 Ventilation port (exhaust port) 53 Gas adsorbent (adsorption means) 55 Hot water tank part (liquid tank part) 56 Heat dissipation means 57 Hot water flow path switching valve (switching means) 58 housing 61 Hot water circulation pipe (tube) 62 fins (heat dissipation part) 63 blower 70 Radiant air intake (air intake) 71 Heat dissipation exhaust port (exhaust port) 75 Seismic device 76 Posture detector (state detector) 78 Auxiliary fuel gas cylinder (gas cylinder) 80 Main fuel line cutoff detection device (cutoff detection device) 89 Exhaust gas mixing section (mixing section) 90 Package outlet (outlet) 91 Open / close mechanism 93 Gas outlet (outlet) 95 Closure plate (closure means) 96 transmission mechanism (transmission device) 97 Drive

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Tomio Ogura             1570 2570 Gosuda, Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture Toshiba             Home Techno Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Minoru Shibazawa             1570 2570 Gosuda, Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture Toshiba             Home Techno Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tomoya Kumagai             1570 2570 Gosuda, Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture Toshiba             Home Techno Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Arai             1-1-1 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo Toshiba Inter             Within National Fuel Cells Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5H027 AA02 KK00 KK02 KK05 KK22                       KK25 KK31 MM01 MM03 MM08

Claims (34)

[Claims] 1. A fuel cell device for generating power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, wherein the gas detecting means is arranged on an inner wall of an upper portion of the package. 2. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the gas detection means is arranged in a recess provided in an upper inner wall of the package. 3. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein an upper inner wall of the package is formed to be inclined. 4. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the gas detection means is provided on a side facing a ventilation device for performing ventilation. 5. The gas detecting means detects hydrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide.
The fuel cell device described. 6. In a fuel cell device for generating power in a package by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, when the gas detecting means detects a concentration higher than a preset value, the operation of the device is stopped and A fuel cell device characterized in that a ventilation device for ventilating is operated until the gas detecting means detects a concentration below a set concentration. 7. In a fuel cell device for generating power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, when the gas detecting means detects a concentration higher than a preset concentration, the operation of the device is stopped and ventilation is performed. A fuel cell device characterized in that the ventilation port is closed. 8. In a fuel cell device for generating power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, when the gas detecting means detects a concentration higher than a preset value, the operation of the device is stopped and the air in the package is discharged. The fuel cell device is characterized in that the adsorbing means is provided in the flow path. 9. A fuel cell device comprising an operating section for remotely controlling the operation of the device and a gas detecting means, wherein the gas detecting means generates electric power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, and the gas detecting means has a set concentration. A fuel cell device, characterized in that, when the above is detected, the operation of the device is stopped and at the same time, notification is made by any one of light, sound and display. 10. In a fuel cell device for generating power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, a liquid storage tank for storing a warm liquid and a heat dissipation means for releasing heat are provided in an external liquid storage tank section. A fuel cell device characterized by being arranged. 11. The fuel cell according to claim 10, wherein the heat dissipating means is composed of a pipe for circulating a liquid, a heat dissipating part attached to the pipe, and a blower for sending air. apparatus. 12. The fuel cell device according to claim 10, wherein the heat dissipation means is provided in a lower portion of the liquid storage tank. 13. The fuel cell device according to claim 10, wherein the liquid storage tank and the heat dissipating means are housed in a housing, and flow path switching means is arranged in the housing. 14. The fuel cell device according to claim 10, wherein the hot water storage tank and the heat dissipation means are housed in a casing, and an intake port and an exhaust port are provided in the casing. 15. A fuel cell device for generating power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, wherein a seismic device is provided. 16. The fuel cell device according to claim 15, wherein the vibration-sensing device detects an acceleration of a predetermined value or more as an abnormality. 17. The fuel cell device according to claim 15, wherein the vibration-sensing device includes an acceleration detecting unit and a control unit. 18. A fuel cell device for generating power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, comprising a state detection device. 19. The fuel cell device according to claim 18, wherein the state detection device detects an inclination of a predetermined value or more as an abnormality. 20. The fuel cell device according to claim 18, wherein the state detection device includes a state detection means and a control unit. 21. The fuel according to claim 15, wherein when the seismic sensing device or the state detecting device detects an abnormality, the gas is shut off and the operation of the device is stopped. Battery device. 22. The method according to claim 15 or 18, wherein when the seismic sensing device or the state detecting device detects an abnormality, an alert is given by any one of light, sound, and display, or a combination thereof. The fuel cell device described. 23. A fuel cell device for generating electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, wherein the seismic sensing device and the state detection device are provided as one device. 24. A fuel cell device for generating power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, comprising a gas cylinder, a shutoff detection device and a seismic sensing device, wherein the seismic sensing device is less than a set acceleration. A fuel cell device configured to continue operation of the device when fuel supply is stopped, and to stop operation of the device when the seismic sensing device is at or above a set acceleration. 25. The stop of fuel supply is detected by the cutoff detection device.
The fuel cell device described. 26. The fuel cell device according to claim 24, wherein the cutoff detection device is constituted by a pressure detection means or a flow rate detection means. 27. A fuel cell device for generating power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, wherein the opening / closing mechanism is provided at the cathode exhaust outlet. 28. A fuel cell device for generating power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, wherein an opening / closing mechanism is provided at a combustion exhaust gas outlet part. 29. In a fuel cell device for generating electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, an opening / closing mechanism is provided at each outlet of cathode exhaust and combustion exhaust discharged from the fuel cell. And a fuel cell device. 30. In a fuel cell device for generating electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, a mixing section for mixing cathode exhaust and combustion exhaust discharged from the fuel cell is provided in the flow passage, and this mixing is performed. The fuel cell device is characterized in that an opening / closing mechanism is provided at the outlet of the section. 31. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the outlet is opened when the device starts operating, and the outlet is closed when the device stops operating. The fuel cell device described. 32. The opening / closing mechanism comprises a closing means provided at the outlet, a transmission device for the closing means, and a drive device for driving the transmission device. 2. The fuel cell device according to any one of 1. 33. In a fuel cell device for generating electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, an outlet portion of cathode exhaust gas and / or combustion exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell, or one or both of the cathode exhaust gas and combustion exhaust gas. A fuel cell device, characterized in that an outlet for gas mixed with exhaust gas is provided in the vicinity of a ventilation device. 34. In a fuel cell device for generating electricity by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, an outlet portion of cathode exhaust gas and / or combustion exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell, or an outlet portion of the exhaust gas, or cathode exhaust gas and combustion. A fuel cell device, characterized in that an outlet part of a gas mixed with exhaust gas is provided in an exhaust part of a ventilation device.