JP2005032611A - Fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell system in which the fuel can be obtained even by a general household easily and the convenience of the user can be improved. <P>SOLUTION: This is a fuel cell system that comprises a power generation part which has a fuel cell for performing power generation by reacting fuel and oxygen, a connecting part to which the power generated by the power generation part is supplied and which has an interchangeability with a connecting terminal of a power supply adapter converting the power from an electric light line or the like, a liquid tank to store the liquid capable of generating hydrogen gas by electrolysis, an electrolysis device to take out hydrogen gas by electrolyzing the liquid stored in the liquid tank, and a hydrogen storage part which stores hydrogen gas taken out by electrolysis and supplies the hydrogen gas to the generating part. The electrolysis of water by the electrolysis device and power generation reaction by the power generation part are carried out independently. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell system that generates power using hydrogen as a fuel, and more particularly to a fuel cell system that supplies electric power to household electronic devices.

  A fuel cell is a power generation element that generates power by electrochemically reacting, for example, hydrogen gas (fuel gas) and oxygen (oxidant gas) contained in air. In recent years, fuel cells have attracted attention as power generation elements that do not pollute the environment because the product generated by power generation is water. For example, attempts have been made to use them as drive power sources for driving automobiles. Yes.

  Furthermore, not only the above-described driving power source for driving automobiles but also fuel cells are actively developed as driving power sources for portable electronic devices such as notebook computers, mobile phones, and PDAs. In such a fuel cell, it is important that the required power can be stably output and the size and weight are portable, and various technologies have been actively developed to meet such demands. Yes.

  Fuel cells are classified into various types depending on the difference in electrolytes and the like, and representatively, fuel cells using a solid polymer electrolyte as an electrolyte are known. A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell can be reduced in cost, can be easily reduced in size and weight, and has a high output density in terms of battery performance. In addition, a stack cell type fuel cell configured by alternately stacking a plurality of power generation cells and separators has also been proposed.

  In addition, hydrogen and methanol, which are fuels used for power generation in fuel cells, are sealed in fuel tanks and packaged, and the fuel tanks are sold at retail stores, etc. so that consumers can obtain the fuel and generate power in the fuel cell system. The concept to be used for this is also proposed.

  However, at present, electronic devices using fuel cell systems are not popular in general households, and the number of consumers who purchase fuel tanks is small. Then, because the number of consumers is small, retail stores do not sell fuel tanks, and because fuel tanks are not sold at retail stores, consumers are hesitant to introduce fuel cell systems and it is difficult to increase the number of consumers The convenience may be hindered.

  In addition, even if the fuel cell system has begun to spread to ordinary households and retailers can easily purchase fuel tanks, consumers will know how much fuel remains in the fuel tanks, If a shortage of fuel is anticipated, it is necessary to buy and store at a retail store in advance. However, for general consumers, such consumption prediction and inventory management are extremely inconvenient, and it is not possible to operate electronic devices that are indispensable for daily life when there is no inventory in retail stores. There was a problem of becoming possible.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system that can easily obtain fuel even in a general household and can improve the convenience for the user.

  In order to solve the above problems, a fuel cell system according to the present invention includes a power generation unit having a fuel cell that generates power by reacting fuel and oxygen, and the power generated by the power generation unit is supplied from a power line or the like. It has the connection part compatible with the connection terminal of the power supply adapter which converts electric power, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  In order to supply the power generated by the power generation reaction in the power generation unit to the power input terminal of the electronic device via the connection unit, it is possible to supply power for a long time by the fuel cell even if the fuel cell device is not mounted on the electronic device side. It is possible to increase the usage time of the electronic device.

  Furthermore, the fuel cell system of the present invention includes a liquid tank that stores a liquid capable of generating hydrogen gas by electrolysis, an electrolysis apparatus that electrolyzes the liquid stored in the liquid tank and extracts hydrogen gas, and the electrolysis A hydrogen storage unit that stores the hydrogen gas extracted by the apparatus and supplies the hydrogen gas to the power generation unit may be included.

  By extracting the hydrogen gas necessary for the power generation reaction using electrolysis of water and storing it in the hydrogen storage unit, the user can replenish the fuel gas at a desired time. This eliminates the need for the user to purchase a fuel tank at a retail store and to perform inventory management / consumption prediction of the fuel tank, thereby significantly improving the convenience for the user. Further, by using tap water or commercially available pure water as water stored in the liquid tank, it becomes easy to obtain raw materials necessary for storing hydrogen gas.

  Further, by collecting the water generated by the power generation reaction in the power generation unit in the liquid tank, it is possible to reduce the trouble of the user replenishing the liquid tank with water, and the convenience is further improved. In addition, by making the hydrogen storage unit replaceable, it is possible to store hydrogen gas for a plurality of hydrogen storage units, replace the hydrogen storage unit during use, and replenish hydrogen gas, It is possible to extend the power supply time by the fuel cell system.

  Further, by assuming that the connection portion satisfies the EIAJ standard, it is possible to supply power to various electronic devices and to improve versatility. In addition, by independently performing the electrolysis of water by the electrolyzer and the power generation reaction by the power generation unit, after hydrogen gas is stored in the hydrogen storage unit in the fuel filling mode, power is supplied to the electronic device in the power generation mode. Can be used at a location away from the household power supply. Thereby, the user can use it as a wireless power adapter that can be carried at the time of use, and the convenience of the user can be improved when using a transportable electronic device. Moreover, the portability of the fuel cell system can be improved by mounting the power generation unit, the liquid tank, the electrolyzer, and the hydrogen storage unit in a single casing.

  In order to supply the power generated by the power generation reaction in the power generation unit to the power input terminal of the electronic device via the connection unit, it is possible to supply power for a long time by the fuel cell even if the fuel cell device is not mounted on the electronic device side. It is possible to increase the usage time of the electronic device.

  Hereinafter, a fuel cell system to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following description, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram as an example of the fuel cell system of the present invention. The fuel cell system includes a liquid tank 1 that stores a liquid in which hydrogen gas is generated by electrolysis, an electrolyzer 2 that electrolyzes the liquid and extracts hydrogen gas, a hydrogen storage unit 3 that stores hydrogen gas, hydrogen The power generation unit 4 that generates power using gas as fuel is provided in the same housing. The power generation unit 4 is connected to the connection unit 5, and one end of the connection unit 5 is connected to the power input terminal of the electronic device 6, so that the power generated by the power generation unit 4 can be supplied to the electronic device 6. Yes. In addition, a power cord 7 is connected to the electrolyzer 2, one end of the power cord 7 can be connected to a household power source 8, and power can be supplied from the household power source 8 to the electrolyzer 2.

  The liquid tank 1 is a container that stores water by, for example, replenishing water from the outside of the fuel cell system, and supplies water to the electrolyzer 2. It is assumed that replenishment of water from the outside can be performed from domestic tap water or commercially pure water. In order to promote electrolysis of water in the electrolyzer 2, sodium hydroxide or the like may be added to the water stored in the liquid tank 1. In addition, the water generated by the power generation reaction of the power generation unit 4 may be collected in the liquid tank 1.

  The electrolysis apparatus 2 is an apparatus that generates hydrogen gas and oxygen gas by electrolyzing water stored in the liquid tank 1 with current supplied from a household power supply 8 via a power cord 7. In addition, the electrolysis apparatus 2 includes a current adjusting unit that adjusts the voltage value and current value of power supplied from the household power supply 8 via the power cord 7, and an orthogonal conversion unit that converts alternating current into direct current. It is possible to obtain a direct current suitable for electrolysis of water. Hydrogen gas generated by electrolysis is supplied to the hydrogen storage unit 3, and oxygen gas is released into the outside air. It is good also as a structure which can remove the power cord 7 connected to the electrolyzer 2 in the state which does not electrolyze water. Here, a configuration in which the liquid tank 1 and the electrolyzer 2 are separated is shown, but the liquid tank 1 and the electrolyzer 2 may be integrated to perform electrolysis inside the liquid tank 1. The power source for supplying power to the electrolyzer 2 is not limited to the household power supply 8, and may be power generated by a generator using gasoline or a solar cell.

  The hydrogen storage unit 3 stores hydrogen gas generated by electrolyzing water by the electrolyzer 2 and supplies the stored hydrogen gas to the power generation unit 4 as fuel gas in a power generation reaction. The gas pipe for flowing hydrogen gas between the electrolyzer 2 and the power generation unit 4 and the hydrogen storage unit 3 needs to have a material and a structure that do not allow hydrogen gas to leak. Alternatively, the hydrogen storage unit 3 may be detachable from the fuel cell system of the present invention by attaching a valve to a connection portion between the gas pipe and the hydrogen storage unit 3. By making the hydrogen storage unit 3 removable, the hydrogen storage unit 3 can be replaced with another empty hydrogen storage unit 3 after filling it with hydrogen gas, and the hydrogen storage unit 3 can be used as a fuel tank. It can be used.

  The power generation unit 4 includes a fuel cell that generates power by reacting hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, a measuring device that measures the power generation state of the fuel cell, adjustment of the amount of hydrogen gas flowing into the fuel cell, and power generation by the fuel cell. A control circuit for adjusting the current is provided. The temperature of the fuel cell changes depending on the heat generated by the power generation reaction and the external environment, and the power generation efficiency changes depending on the temperature. Therefore, the temperature, output current value, and output voltage value of the fuel cell are measured with a measuring device. The control circuit adjusts the flow rate of the hydrogen gas flowing in from the hydrogen storage unit 3 and adjusts the power supplied to the electronic device 6 through the connection unit 5.

  A configuration example of the fuel cell mounted on the power generation unit 4 is shown in FIG. In a fuel cell, a conductor film 11 made of a solid polymer electrolyte that conducts protons, and two fuel electrodes 12 and an oxidant electrode disposed on both surfaces of the conductor film 11 so as to sandwich the conductor film 11. 13 constitutes a joined body 14 (Mebrane Electrode Assembly: MEA). Here, for the conductor film 11, for example, a perfluorosulfonic acid solid polymer electrolyte film is used in consideration of demands for high energy density, low cost, light weight, and the like. Here, a fuel cell having only one layer of the joined body 14 is shown, but a fuel cell having a stack cell structure in which a plurality of joined bodies 14 are separated by a separator and stacked.

  The separator 15 is disposed so as to sandwich the joined body 14. On the surface of the separator 15 that is in contact with the fuel electrode 12 and the oxidant electrode 13, a fuel flow path 16 for flowing hydrogen, which is fuel, and air are flowed, respectively. An air flow path 17 is formed. By supplying hydrogen gas from the hydrogen storage unit 3 to the fuel flow path 16, hydrogen gas is supplied to almost the entire surface of the fuel electrode 12 of the joined body 14, and air containing oxygen is supplied to the air flow path 17. As a result, oxygen gas is supplied to the oxidant electrode 13 of the joined body 14. The fuel electrode 12 and the oxidant electrode 13 have a structure in which a diffusion layer 19 and a catalyst layer 20 are formed on a carbon paper 18 having electrical conductivity and air permeability, and the conductor layer 11 is on the catalyst layer 20 side. Is placed in contact with. The catalyst layer 20 is a material that promotes a power generation reaction at the interface in contact with the conductor film 11. For example, platinum is used.

  Hydrogen, which is fuel, is supplied to the fuel electrode 12 from the fuel flow path 16, and the supplied hydrogen is dissociated into protons and electrons, and the protons pass through the conductor film 11, and the electrons pass through an external circuit to generate power. And move to the oxidant electrode 13 respectively. Oxygen (air), which is an oxidant, is supplied from the air flow path 17 to the oxidant electrode 13, and oxygen in the supplied air reacts with protons and electrons to generate water. The generated water is collected in the liquid tank 1.

  It is desirable that the connection unit 5 has a terminal connected to the electronic device 6 that conforms to the EIAJ standard. When one end of the connection part 5 satisfies the EIAJ standard of the Japan Electronic Machinery Manufacturers Association, which is highly versatile, the power supply terminal of the electronic device 6 satisfies the EIAJ standard which is a general standard. The driving power can be supplied using the fuel cell system of the present invention. Furthermore, if the terminals of the connecting portion are exchangeable, when supplying power to different electronic devices 6, it is possible to easily supply power by selecting terminals having shapes and voltages suitable for the electronic devices 6. Can be done. The connection unit 5 may be removable from the power generation unit 4.

  There are two modes in which the fuel cell system of the present invention is used, one of which is the fuel filling mode and the other is the power generation mode.

  In the fuel filling mode, the water stored in the liquid tank 1 is supplied to the electrolyzer 2, and the electric power supplied from the household power supply 8 via the power cord 7 is consumed, and the electrolyzer 2 supplies the water. Decomposition takes place. As described above, the hydrogen gas generated by the electrolysis of water is stored in the hydrogen storage unit 3, and the oxygen gas is released into the outside air. In this mode, in the fuel cell system of the present invention, the power cord 7 needs to be connected to the electrolysis apparatus 2 and to the household power supply 8. However, the connection unit 5 does not need to be connected to the power generation unit 4 and the electronic device 6.

  In the power generation mode, the hydrogen gas stored in the hydrogen storage unit 3 is supplied to the fuel cell of the power generation unit 4, and the oxygen gas and the hydrogen gas react to generate current and moisture as described with reference to FIG. . In this mode, in the fuel cell system of the present invention, the connecting portion 5 needs to be connected to the power generating portion 4 and to the electronic device 6. However, the power cord 7 does not need to be connected to the electrolyzer 2 and the household power source 8.

  Thus, in the fuel cell system of the present invention, the operation is different between the fuel filling mode and the power generation mode, the connection portion 5 is not required in the fuel filling mode, and the power cord 7 is not required in the power generation mode. Thereby, after supplying hydrogen gas to the hydrogen storage unit 3 in the fuel filling mode, when supplying power to the electronic device 6 in the power generation mode, the fuel cell system of the present invention is separated from the household power source 8. Can be used on site. Thereby, the user can use it as a wireless power adapter that can be carried at the time of use, and the convenience of the user can be improved when using a transportable electronic device.

  In addition, since the electrolysis device 2 performs electrolysis of water and stores hydrogen gas by the electric power supplied from the household power supply 8 in the fuel filling mode, the fuel can be replenished at a timing desired by the user. . This eliminates the need for the user to purchase a fuel tank at a retail store and to perform inventory management / consumption prediction of the fuel tank, thereby significantly improving the convenience for the user. Further, by using tap water or commercially available pure water as water stored in the liquid tank, it becomes easy to obtain raw materials necessary for storing hydrogen gas.

  Here, the fuel cell system of the present invention switches between the fuel filling mode and the power generation mode, but both modes can be performed simultaneously in parallel. Further, the control circuit of the power generation unit 4 may detect whether or not the power cord 7 is connected to the electrolyzer 2, and the fuel filling mode may be executed when power is supplied through connection. Similarly, the control circuit of the power generation unit 4 may detect whether or not the connection unit 5 is connected to the power generation unit 4, and if it is connected, the power generation mode may be executed.

  In order to supply the power generated by the power generation reaction in the power generation unit to the power input terminal of the electronic device via the connection unit, it is possible to supply power for a long time by the fuel cell even if the fuel cell device is not mounted on the electronic device side. It is possible to increase the usage time of the electronic device.

  Furthermore, a liquid tank for storing moisture, an electrolysis device for electrolyzing the water stored in the liquid tank to extract hydrogen gas, and storing hydrogen gas extracted by the electrolysis device, By having a hydrogen storage unit that supplies gas, the hydrogen gas required for the power generation reaction is taken out using electrolysis of water and stored in the hydrogen storage unit, so that the user can replenish the fuel gas at the desired time can do. This eliminates the need for the user to purchase a fuel tank at a retail store and to perform inventory management / consumption prediction of the fuel tank, thereby significantly improving the convenience for the user. Further, by using tap water or commercially available pure water as water stored in the liquid tank, it becomes easy to obtain raw materials necessary for storing hydrogen gas.

  Further, by collecting the water generated by the power generation reaction in the power generation unit in the liquid tank, it is possible to reduce the trouble of the user replenishing the liquid tank with water, and the convenience is further improved. In addition, by making the hydrogen storage unit replaceable, it is possible to store hydrogen gas for a plurality of hydrogen storage units, replace the hydrogen storage unit during use, and replenish hydrogen gas, It is possible to extend the power supply time by the fuel cell system.

  Further, by assuming that the connection portion satisfies the EIAJ standard, it is possible to supply power to various electronic devices and to improve versatility. In addition, by independently performing the electrolysis of water by the electrolyzer and the power generation reaction by the power generation unit, after hydrogen gas is stored in the hydrogen storage unit in the fuel filling mode, power is supplied to the electronic device in the power generation mode. Can be used at a location away from the household power supply. Thereby, the user can use it as a wireless power adapter that can be carried at the time of use, and the convenience of the user can be improved when using a transportable electronic device. Moreover, the portability of the fuel cell system can be improved by housing the power generation unit, the liquid tank, the electrolyzer, and the hydrogen storage unit in a single casing.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the fuel cell system of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the fuel cell which produces electric power by reaction of oxygen gas and hydrogen gas with the fuel cell system of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid tank 2 Electrolysis apparatus 3 Hydrogen storage part 4 Electric power generation part 5 Connection part 6 Electronic device 7 Power cord 8 Household power supply 11 Conductor film 12 Fuel electrode 13 Oxidant electrode 14 Assembly 15 Separator 16 Fuel flow path 17 Air flow Path 18 Carbon paper 19 Diffusion layer 20 Catalyst layer

Claims (7)

A power generation unit having a fuel cell for generating power by reacting fuel and oxygen;
A fuel cell system comprising: a power supply unit that is supplied with power generated by the power generation unit and that is compatible with a connection terminal of a power adapter that converts power from a power line or the like. A liquid tank for storing a liquid capable of generating hydrogen gas by electrolysis;
An electrolysis device for electrolyzing the liquid stored in the liquid tank and extracting hydrogen gas;
The fuel cell system according to claim 1, further comprising: a hydrogen storage unit that stores hydrogen gas extracted by the electrolyzer and supplies hydrogen gas to the power generation unit.   The fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein moisture generated by a power generation reaction in the power generation unit is collected in the liquid tank.   The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen storage unit is replaceable.   2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion satisfies an EIAJ standard.   The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the electrolysis of the liquid by the electrolyzer and the power generation reaction by the power generation unit are performed independently. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein the power generation unit, the liquid tank, the electrolyzer, and the hydrogen storage unit are mounted in a single casing.

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