JP2006210019A - Fuel cell system - Google Patents

Fuel cell system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
JP2006210019A
JP2006210019A JP2005017315A JP2005017315A JP2006210019A JP 2006210019 A JP2006210019 A JP 2006210019A JP 2005017315 A JP2005017315 A JP 2005017315A JP 2005017315 A JP2005017315 A JP 2005017315A JP 2006210019 A JP2006210019 A JP 2006210019A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
fuel cell
fuel
gas
pressure
sealed space
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
JP2005017315A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JP4831973B2 (en
Inventor
Katsuhiro Kajio
克宏 梶尾
Takeshi Masui
武 桝井
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Toyota Motor Corp
Aisin Corp
Original Assignee
Aisin Seiki Co Ltd
Toyota Motor Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Aisin Seiki Co Ltd, Toyota Motor Corp filed Critical Aisin Seiki Co Ltd
Priority to JP2005017315A priority Critical patent/JP4831973B2/en
Publication of JP2006210019A publication Critical patent/JP2006210019A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of JP4831973B2 publication Critical patent/JP4831973B2/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/50—Fuel cells

Landscapes

  • Fuel Cell (AREA)

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell system in which a means for storing an inert gas for purge is not required and which suppresses that the enclosed space including a fuel cell becomes lower than a prescribed pressure after the stop of the system. <P>SOLUTION: In the fuel cell system, the natural gas supplied from a fuel supply part 21 is reformed into a fuel gas rich in hydrogen by a reformer 20, and power is generated using the fuel gas. The system has a purge piping 42 which, by bypassing the reformer 20, can supply the natural gas from the fuel supply part 21 to a fuel cell stack 10. A check valve 51 which introduces the gas in the purge piping 42 to the enclosed space, when the enclosed space formed by closing the cut-off valves 52, 53 provided at the front and rear of the fuel cell stack 10 becomes lower than a prescribed pressure, is installed in this purge piping 42. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

本発明は、燃料電池システムに関し、特に、システム停止後の燃料ガスパージに関する。   The present invention relates to a fuel cell system, and more particularly to a fuel gas purge after the system is stopped.

燃料電池システムとして、燃料電池と、原料ガスを改質して燃料電池のアノードに供給される水素リッチな燃料ガスを発生させる改質器と、燃料電池のアノードに接続された窒素ボンベとを具備し、運転停止後に燃料電池のアノード側に残留している水素リッチガスの全部または一部を、窒素置換（不活性ガスでパージ)することのできる燃料電池システムが知られている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。   The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a reformer that reforms a raw material gas to generate a hydrogen-rich fuel gas supplied to the anode of the fuel cell, and a nitrogen cylinder connected to the anode of the fuel cell. In addition, a fuel cell system is known in which all or part of the hydrogen-rich gas remaining on the anode side of the fuel cell after the operation is stopped can be purged with nitrogen (purged with an inert gas) (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

特開２００４−１６５０３７号公報JP 2004-165037 A

しかしながら、特許文献１に記載の燃料電池システムでは、パージ用の不活性ガスを貯蔵・供給する装置（窒素ボンベ）を別途用意する必要があるため、システムが複雑になると共に設置スペースも増える。一方、システム停止後に、燃料電池アノードへの外気（酸素）混入を防止すべく、燃料電池の前後に設けた遮断弁を閉弁して密閉空間を形成しても、その後、燃料電池温度が低下したり、残存ガスが燃料電池内で反応して消費されると、この密閉空間がその下流側よりも低圧となり、下流側の遮断弁から不可避的に外気が混入してしまうことがある。   However, in the fuel cell system described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to separately prepare an apparatus (nitrogen cylinder) for storing and supplying an inert gas for purging, so that the system becomes complicated and the installation space increases. On the other hand, after shutting down the system, even if the shutoff valves provided before and after the fuel cell are closed to form a sealed space in order to prevent outside air (oxygen) from entering the anode of the fuel cell, the temperature of the fuel cell subsequently decreases. If the residual gas reacts and is consumed in the fuel cell, the sealed space becomes lower in pressure than the downstream side, and external air may be inevitably mixed in from the downstream shut-off valve.

そこで、本発明は、パージ用の不活性ガスを貯蔵しておく手段を不要にでき、また、システム停止後に燃料電池を含む密閉空間が所定圧よりも低くなることを抑制できる燃料電池システムの提供を目的とする。   Accordingly, the present invention provides a fuel cell system that can eliminate the need for storing an inert gas for purging, and can prevent the sealed space containing the fuel cell from becoming lower than a predetermined pressure after the system is stopped. With the goal.

本発明の燃料電池システムは、気体の炭化水素系燃料の燃料供給部から炭化水素系燃料を改質手段により水素リッチな燃料ガスに改質し、該燃料ガスを用いて発電を行う燃料電池を備えた燃料電池システムであって、前記改質手段をバイパスして前記気体の炭化水素系燃料を前記燃料電池へ供給可能なパージ通路を備え、前記パージ通路に、前記燃料電池を含んでその前後に形成される密閉空間が所定圧よりも低下した場合に当該パージ通路内のガスを前記密閉空間へ導入する弁装置を設けたものである。   The fuel cell system of the present invention includes a fuel cell that reforms a hydrocarbon fuel from a fuel supply unit of a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel into a hydrogen-rich fuel gas by reforming means, and generates power using the fuel gas. A purge passage capable of bypassing the reforming means and supplying the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel to the fuel cell, the purge passage including the fuel cell and before and after the purge passage. A valve device is provided that introduces the gas in the purge passage into the sealed space when the sealed space formed in is reduced below a predetermined pressure.

システム停止時に、気体炭化水素系燃料を使用してバイパス通路から燃料電池内をパージし、次いで、燃料電池を含む密閉空間を形成することにより、その後に温度低下や残存ガス消費等によって密閉空間内の圧力が低下しても、パージ通路内の気体炭化水素系燃料が密閉空間に導入され、所定圧よりも低くなることが回避される。この所定圧は、密閉空間の下流側の圧力であり、例えば大気圧である。   When the system is stopped, the fuel cell is purged from the bypass passage using gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, and then the sealed space including the fuel cell is formed. Even if the pressure decreases, the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel in the purge passage is introduced into the sealed space and is prevented from becoming lower than the predetermined pressure. This predetermined pressure is a pressure on the downstream side of the sealed space, for example, atmospheric pressure.

また、気体炭化水素系燃料は、燃料電池内の触媒に対しては不活性ガスであるので、この気体炭化水素系燃料を使用した燃料ガスパージが可能になることによって、発電用ガスとパージ用ガスとの共用化が図られ、発電とは無関係なパージ用不活性ガスを貯蔵する手段が不要になる。特に、燃料電池が定置型燃料電池である場合には、設置スペースの狭小化という点で有利である。   In addition, since the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is an inert gas for the catalyst in the fuel cell, the fuel gas purge using the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel can be performed. And means for storing an inert gas for purging that is not related to power generation become unnecessary. In particular, when the fuel cell is a stationary fuel cell, it is advantageous in that the installation space is reduced.

弁装置は、その下流側の圧力が上流側の圧力よりも低いときだけ開弁して上流側から下流側への流通を許容する逆止弁であってもよい。   The valve device may be a check valve that opens only when the pressure on the downstream side is lower than the pressure on the upstream side and allows the flow from the upstream side to the downstream side.

かかる構成においては、密閉空間内の圧力が低下して逆止弁の下流側の圧力が上流側の圧力よりも低くなると、その差圧によって逆止弁が機械的に開弁するので、密閉空間の圧力低下を検知するための手段を特に必要とすることなく、パージ通路内のガスを密閉空間に導入することが可能となる。   In such a configuration, when the pressure in the sealed space decreases and the pressure on the downstream side of the check valve becomes lower than the pressure on the upstream side, the check valve is mechanically opened by the differential pressure. It is possible to introduce the gas in the purge passage into the sealed space without requiring a means for detecting the pressure drop.

炭化水素系燃料として、天然ガス（都市ガス）を利用することもできる。   Natural gas (city gas) can also be used as the hydrocarbon fuel.

本発明の燃料電池システムによれば、システム停止時に、気体炭化水素系燃料を使用してバイパス通路から燃料電池内をパージした後、燃料電池を含む密閉空間を形成することにより、たとえその後に温度低下や残存ガス消費等によって密閉空間内の圧力が低下しても、パージ通路内の気体炭化水素系燃料が密閉空間に導入されるので、所定圧よりも低くなることは回避される。これにより、燃料電池を含む密閉空間への外気混入を有効に抑制することができる。   According to the fuel cell system of the present invention, when the system is stopped, the inside of the fuel cell is purged from the bypass passage using the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, and then the sealed space including the fuel cell is formed, so that the temperature is thereafter increased. Even if the pressure in the sealed space is reduced due to a decrease, residual gas consumption, or the like, the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel in the purge passage is introduced into the sealed space, so that it is avoided that the pressure becomes lower than the predetermined pressure. Thereby, external air mixing into the sealed space including the fuel cell can be effectively suppressed.

また、気体炭化水素系燃料は、燃料電池内の触媒に対しては不活性ガスであることから、この気体炭化水素系燃料を使用した燃料ガスパージが可能になることによって、発電用ガスとパージ用ガスとの共用化を図ることができる。これにより、発電とは無関係なパージ用不活性ガスを貯蔵する手段を不要にし得て、システム構成の簡素化と設置スペースの狭小化を図ることができる。   Further, since the gas hydrocarbon fuel is an inert gas for the catalyst in the fuel cell, the fuel gas purge using this gas hydrocarbon fuel becomes possible, so that the gas for power generation and the purge gas are used. It can be shared with gas. As a result, a means for storing the inert gas for purging unrelated to power generation can be made unnecessary, and the system configuration can be simplified and the installation space can be reduced.

（第１の実施形態）
図１は、本発明の燃料電池システムの一実施の形態を示す概略構成図である。この燃料電池システムは、燃料電池スタック（燃料電池＝ＦＣ）１０が建物（住宅、ビル等）用発電設備としてのいわゆる定置型燃料電池とされた定置用発電システムであるが、本発明はこれに限らず、燃料電池車両の車載発電システムへの適用や、可搬燃料電池への適用も可能である。 (First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a fuel cell system of the present invention. This fuel cell system is a stationary power generation system in which the fuel cell stack (fuel cell = FC) 10 is a so-called stationary fuel cell as a power generation facility for buildings (housing, buildings, etc.). Not limited to this, it can be applied to an on-vehicle power generation system of a fuel cell vehicle, or to a portable fuel cell.

燃料電池スタック１０は水素と酸素の電気化学反応によって発電するセルの積層体であり、各セルは電解質膜を挟んで水素極（以下、アノード）と酸素極（以下、カソード）とが配置された構成となっている。アノード及びカソードは、例えば白金などの触媒を担持した多孔質のカーボン素材等で構成されている。   The fuel cell stack 10 is a stack of cells that generate electricity by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, and each cell has a hydrogen electrode (hereinafter referred to as an anode) and an oxygen electrode (hereinafter referred to as a cathode) sandwiched between electrolyte membranes. It has a configuration. The anode and the cathode are made of, for example, a porous carbon material that supports a catalyst such as platinum.

アノードには改質器（改質手段）２０から水素リッチな燃料ガスが供給され、カソードには図示しないコンプレッサにより酸化剤ガスとしての空気が供給される。アノードからの排気（以下、アノードオフガス）の一部は、配管３１を通じて改質器２０に戻されて再利用され、残りは配管３２を通じて図示しない燃焼器に供給される又は希釈器で希釈される。一方、カソードからの排気（以下、カソードオフガス）は、図示せぬ配管を通じて外部に排出される。   Hydrogen-rich fuel gas is supplied from the reformer (reforming means) 20 to the anode, and air as oxidant gas is supplied to the cathode by a compressor (not shown). A part of the exhaust from the anode (hereinafter referred to as anode off-gas) is returned to the reformer 20 through the pipe 31 and reused, and the rest is supplied to the combustor (not shown) through the pipe 32 or diluted by a diluter. . On the other hand, exhaust from the cathode (hereinafter referred to as “cathode off-gas”) is discharged to the outside through a pipe (not shown).

改質器２０は、配管４１を通じて燃料供給部２１から供給される天然ガス、例えば住宅・ビル用であれば都市ガス（１３Ａ）によって供給される天然ガス、またはプロパンガス等の気体炭化水素系燃料を原燃料として、例えば水蒸気改質反応を主反応とする改質反応によって水素を主成分とする水素リッチな燃料ガスを生成する装置である。この改質器２０は、蒸発部、燃焼部、改質部、及びＣＯ低減部等を備えて構成されており、アノードからのアノードオフガスは配管３１を介して燃焼部に供給される。   The reformer 20 is a natural hydrocarbon supplied from the fuel supply unit 21 through the pipe 41, for example, a natural gas supplied by city gas (13A) for a house or building, or a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel such as propane gas. Is a device that generates hydrogen-rich fuel gas mainly composed of hydrogen by a reforming reaction using, for example, a steam reforming reaction as a main fuel. The reformer 20 includes an evaporation unit, a combustion unit, a reforming unit, a CO reduction unit, and the like, and anode offgas from the anode is supplied to the combustion unit via a pipe 31.

燃料供給部２１−改質器２０間の配管４１には、改質器２０をバイパスして燃料供給部２１からの原燃料を燃料電池スタック１０へ供給可能なパージ配管（パージ通路）４２が接続されている。このパージ配管４２には、その上流側から順に遮断弁５０及び逆止弁（弁装置）５１が設けられている。   Connected to the pipe 41 between the fuel supply unit 21 and the reformer 20 is a purge pipe (purge passage) 42 that bypasses the reformer 20 and can supply raw fuel from the fuel supply unit 21 to the fuel cell stack 10. Has been. The purge pipe 42 is provided with a shut-off valve 50 and a check valve (valve device) 51 in order from the upstream side.

遮断弁５０は、制御装置６０からの制御指令に応じて開閉が制御される電磁式の開閉弁である。一方、逆止弁５１は、その上流側と下流側の圧力差により機械的に作動する弁であり、下流側の圧力が上流側の圧力よりも低いときだけ開弁して上流側から下流側への流通を許容する。   The shut-off valve 50 is an electromagnetic on-off valve whose opening / closing is controlled in accordance with a control command from the control device 60. On the other hand, the check valve 51 is a valve that is mechanically operated by a pressure difference between the upstream side and the downstream side, and opens only when the downstream side pressure is lower than the upstream side pressure. Allow distribution to.

改質器２０−燃料電池スタック１０間の配管４３には遮断弁５２が設けられている。この遮断弁５２は、バイパス配管４２から配管４３への合流部Ａよりも上流側（改質器２０側）に配置されている。また、アノードオフガスが流通するＦＣ下流側配管３３にも遮断弁５３が設けられている。この遮断弁５３は、ＦＣ下流側配管３３から配管３１への分岐部Ｂよりも上流側（燃料電池スタック１０側）に配置されている。   A shutoff valve 52 is provided in the pipe 43 between the reformer 20 and the fuel cell stack 10. The shut-off valve 52 is arranged on the upstream side (the reformer 20 side) from the junction A from the bypass pipe 42 to the pipe 43. A shutoff valve 53 is also provided in the FC downstream pipe 33 through which the anode off gas flows. The shut-off valve 53 is arranged on the upstream side (fuel cell stack 10 side) from the branch B from the FC downstream side pipe 33 to the pipe 31.

これら遮断弁５２，５３は、制御装置６０からの制御指令に応じて開閉が制御される電磁式の開閉弁である。   These shut-off valves 52 and 53 are electromagnetic on-off valves whose opening and closing are controlled in accordance with a control command from the control device 60.

制御装置６０は、制御コンピュータシステムによって構成されていて、燃料電池システムの各部に設けられた図示しないセンサ（圧力センサ、温度センサ、流量センサ、電流計、電圧計等）や各機器（コンプレッサ、弁等）からの制御情報を受け取り、システム各部の弁類やモータ類の運転を制御する。   The control device 60 is constituted by a control computer system. Sensors (not shown) (pressure sensors, temperature sensors, flow sensors, ammeters, voltmeters, etc.) and devices (compressors, valves, etc.) provided in each part of the fuel cell system. Etc.) and control the operation of valves and motors in each part of the system.

次に、図２及び図３を参照しながら、システム停止時のパージ処理について説明する。   Next, the purge process when the system is stopped will be described with reference to FIGS.

このパージ処理は、制御装置６０がシステム停止指令を検知した際に実行されるものであり、まず、燃料電池スタック１０のアノード下流側に設けられた遮断弁５３を開弁したまま、アノード上流側に設けられた遮断弁５２を閉弁し、バイパス配管４２に設けられた遮断弁５０を開弁する。   This purge process is executed when the control device 60 detects a system stop command. First, while the shutoff valve 53 provided on the anode downstream side of the fuel cell stack 10 is opened, the anode upstream side The shut-off valve 52 provided in the valve is closed, and the shut-off valve 50 provided in the bypass pipe 42 is opened.

すると、図２の矢線で示すように、燃料供給部２１からパージガスとしての原燃料がバイパス配管４２を介して燃料電池スタック１０に供給され、遮断弁５２−燃料電池スタック１０間、燃料電池スタック１０内、及び燃料電池スタック１０のＦＣ下流側配管３３に残存する燃料ガスが外部にパージ（排出）されて、原燃料雰囲気となる。   Then, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, the raw fuel as the purge gas is supplied from the fuel supply unit 21 to the fuel cell stack 10 via the bypass pipe 42, and between the shutoff valve 52 and the fuel cell stack 10, the fuel cell stack. 10 and the fuel gas remaining in the FC downstream pipe 33 of the fuel cell stack 10 are purged (discharged) to the outside to become a raw fuel atmosphere.

しかる後、燃料電池スタック１０のＦＣ下流側配管３３に設けられた遮断弁５３を閉弁し、バイパス配管４２に設けられた遮断弁５０を閉弁する。すると、遮断弁５２−遮断弁５３間に、燃料電池スタック１０を含む密閉空間が形成され、外部から燃料電池スタック１０への外気混入は遮断される。   Thereafter, the shutoff valve 53 provided in the FC downstream pipe 33 of the fuel cell stack 10 is closed, and the shutoff valve 50 provided in the bypass pipe 42 is closed. Then, a sealed space including the fuel cell stack 10 is formed between the shut-off valve 52 and the shut-off valve 53, and external air mixing into the fuel cell stack 10 from the outside is shut off.

ところが、その後、スタック温度が低下したり、アノード及びカソードの残存ガスが燃料電池スタック１０内で反応して消費されると、燃料電池スタック１０を含む上記密閉空間内の圧力が低下する。そして、この密閉空間がその下流側の圧力（大気圧）よりも低くなると、外気が遮断弁５３を通過して密閉空間に混入する虞が生じる。   However, after that, when the stack temperature decreases or the remaining gas of the anode and cathode reacts and is consumed in the fuel cell stack 10, the pressure in the sealed space including the fuel cell stack 10 decreases. And when this sealed space becomes lower than the pressure (atmospheric pressure) on the downstream side, there is a risk that outside air may pass through the shutoff valve 53 and enter the sealed space.

しかしながら、本実施形態の燃料電池システムでは、上記密閉空間の圧力が低下して逆止弁５１の下流側の圧力が上流側の圧力よりも低くなると、その差圧によって逆止弁５１が機械的に駆動されて開弁し、図３の矢線で示すように、原燃料（パージガス）雰囲気になっているバイパス配管４２から上記密閉空間へと原燃料が導入される。これにより、上記密閉空間の圧力低下が回避され、燃料電池スタック１０を含む密閉空間への外気混入を有効に抑制することができる。   However, in the fuel cell system of the present embodiment, when the pressure in the sealed space decreases and the pressure on the downstream side of the check valve 51 becomes lower than the pressure on the upstream side, the check valve 51 is mechanically driven by the differential pressure. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 3, the raw fuel is introduced from the bypass pipe 42 in the raw fuel (purge gas) atmosphere into the sealed space. Thereby, the pressure drop of the said sealed space is avoided and external air mixing into the sealed space including the fuel cell stack 10 can be effectively suppressed.

しかも、この原燃料は、燃料電池スタック１０内の触媒に対しては不活性ガスであるから、本実施形態の燃料電池システムでは、原燃料を使用した燃料ガスパージを可能にしたことにより、発電用ガスとパージ用ガスとの共用化が図られている。これにより、発電と無関係なパージ用不活性ガスを貯蔵する手段が不要になり、システム構成の簡素化と設置スペースの狭小化を図ることができる。   Moreover, since this raw fuel is an inert gas with respect to the catalyst in the fuel cell stack 10, the fuel cell system according to the present embodiment enables the fuel gas purge using the raw fuel, thereby generating power. Gas and purge gas are shared. As a result, a means for storing the inert gas for purging unrelated to power generation becomes unnecessary, and the system configuration can be simplified and the installation space can be reduced.

以上、本発明の実施の形態を図面により詳述してきたが、具体的な構成はこの実施の形態に限られるものでなく、本発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲の設計変更等があっても本発明の範囲に含まれるものである。   The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and even if there is a design change or the like without departing from the gist of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. It is included in the scope of the invention.

例えば、上記実施の形態では、弁装置として逆止弁５１を例示したが、これに代えて電磁式開閉弁等の遮断弁を採用すると共に、密閉空間内の圧力を検知する手段（例えば、圧力センサ等）を適所に設け、密閉空間が所定圧よりも低くなったことを検知したら当該遮断弁を開弁する構成としてもよい。   For example, in the above-described embodiment, the check valve 51 is exemplified as the valve device. However, instead of this, a shut-off valve such as an electromagnetic on-off valve is employed, and means for detecting the pressure in the sealed space (for example, pressure A sensor or the like) may be provided at an appropriate location, and the shutoff valve may be opened when it is detected that the sealed space has become lower than a predetermined pressure.

また、上記実施の形態では、燃料電池スタック１０が原燃料によりパージされた後、遮断弁５３および遮断弁５０を閉弁しているが、遮断弁５３を閉弁し遮断弁５０は開弁状態のままとしてもよい。この場合、遮断弁５２、遮断弁５３およい逆止弁５１により燃料電池スタック１０を含む密閉空間が実質的に形成され、外部から燃料電池スタック１０への外気混入は遮断される。スタック温度が低下して燃料電池スタック１０を含む密閉空間の圧力が低下すると、上記実施の形態と同様に、逆止弁５１が機械的に駆動され開弁し、バイパス配管４２から上記密閉空間に原燃料が導入される。これにより、燃料電池スタック１０を含む密閉空間への外気導入を有効に抑制することができる。   In the above embodiment, after the fuel cell stack 10 is purged with the raw fuel, the shutoff valve 53 and the shutoff valve 50 are closed. However, the shutoff valve 53 is closed and the shutoff valve 50 is opened. It may be left as it is. In this case, the shut-off valve 52, the shut-off valve 53, and the check valve 51 substantially form a sealed space including the fuel cell stack 10, and external air mixing into the fuel cell stack 10 is shut off from the outside. When the stack temperature decreases and the pressure in the sealed space including the fuel cell stack 10 decreases, the check valve 51 is mechanically driven and opened as in the above embodiment, and the bypass pipe 42 enters the sealed space. Raw fuel is introduced. Thereby, introduction of outside air into the sealed space including the fuel cell stack 10 can be effectively suppressed.

また、上記実施の形態では、パージ配管４２に遮断弁５０、改質器２０−燃料電池スタック１０間に遮断弁５２を設けているが、図示しない適所に設けられた弁等により、燃料電池スタック１０を含んでその前後に密閉空間を形成することができれば、遮断弁５０，５２を省略可能である。   Further, in the above embodiment, the shutoff valve 50 is provided in the purge pipe 42 and the shutoff valve 52 is provided between the reformer 20 and the fuel cell stack 10, but the fuel cell stack is provided by a valve or the like provided at an appropriate place (not shown). As long as a sealed space can be formed before and after 10, the shutoff valves 50 and 52 can be omitted.

本発明に係る燃料電池システムの一実施の形態を示す概略構成図。1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a fuel cell system according to the present invention. 図１に示す燃料電池システムで実施するパージ処理を説明する図。The figure explaining the purge process implemented with the fuel cell system shown in FIG. 図１に示す燃料電池システムで実施するパージ処理を説明する図。The figure explaining the purge process implemented with the fuel cell system shown in FIG.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１０…燃料電池スタック（燃料電池）、２０…改質器（改質手段）、４２…パージ配管（パージ通路）、５１…逆止弁（弁装置）   DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Fuel cell stack (fuel cell), 20 ... Reformer (reforming means), 42 ... Purge piping (purge passage), 51 ... Check valve (valve device)

Claims (4)

気体の炭化水素系燃料の燃料供給部から炭化水素系燃料を改質手段により水素リッチな燃料ガスに改質し、該燃料ガスを用いて発電を行う燃料電池を備えた燃料電池システムであって、
前記改質手段をバイパスして前記気体の炭化水素系燃料を前記燃料電池へ供給可能なパージ通路を備え、
前記パージ通路に、前記燃料電池を含んでその前後に形成される密閉空間が所定圧よりも低下した場合に当該パージ通路内のガスを前記密閉空間へ導入する弁装置を設けた燃料電池システム。 A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell that reforms a hydrocarbon-based fuel from a fuel supply unit of a gaseous hydrocarbon-based fuel into a hydrogen-rich fuel gas by a reforming means, and generates power using the fuel gas. ,
A purge passage capable of bypassing the reforming means and supplying the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel to the fuel cell;
A fuel cell system in which a valve device is provided in the purge passage to introduce gas in the purge passage into the sealed space when the sealed space formed before and after the fuel cell includes a pressure lower than a predetermined pressure. 前記弁装置は、その下流側の圧力が上流側の圧力よりも低いときだけ開弁して上流側から下流側への流通を許容する逆止弁である請求項１記載の燃料電池システム。   2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the valve device is a check valve that opens only when the pressure on the downstream side is lower than the pressure on the upstream side and allows the flow from the upstream side to the downstream side. 前記燃料電池が定置型燃料電池である請求項１又は２記載の燃料電池システム。   The fuel cell system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fuel cell is a stationary fuel cell. 前記炭化水素系燃料が天然ガスである請求項１〜３のいずれかに記載の燃料電池システム。   The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon fuel is natural gas.
JP2005017315A 2005-01-25 2005-01-25 Fuel cell system Expired - Fee Related JP4831973B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2005017315A JP4831973B2 (en) 2005-01-25 2005-01-25 Fuel cell system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2005017315A JP4831973B2 (en) 2005-01-25 2005-01-25 Fuel cell system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2006210019A true JP2006210019A (en) 2006-08-10
JP4831973B2 JP4831973B2 (en) 2011-12-07

Family

ID=36966634

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP2005017315A Expired - Fee Related JP4831973B2 (en) 2005-01-25 2005-01-25 Fuel cell system

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP4831973B2 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011067923A1 (en) 2009-12-01 2011-06-09 パナソニック株式会社 Power generation system
US8227143B2 (en) 2007-04-18 2012-07-24 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Fuel cell system
JP2013165042A (en) * 2012-02-13 2013-08-22 Denso Corp Fuel cell device
WO2015177949A1 (en) * 2014-05-21 2015-11-26 パナソニック株式会社 Solid oxide fuel cell system and stopping method therefor
JP5926866B2 (en) * 2014-05-28 2016-05-25 パナソニック株式会社 Solid oxide fuel cell system and method for stopping the same
US9391335B2 (en) 2012-06-19 2016-07-12 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Solid oxide fuel cell system and method for controlling same

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS63259972A (en) * 1987-04-17 1988-10-27 Fuji Electric Co Ltd Fuel cell installation
JPH07169492A (en) * 1993-12-15 1995-07-04 Toshiba Corp Phosphoric acid type fuel cell power plant
JPH08315845A (en) * 1995-05-17 1996-11-29 Fuji Electric Co Ltd Phosphoric acid type fuel cell power generation device
JP2003229156A (en) * 2002-01-31 2003-08-15 Toyota Motor Corp Fuel cell generating system and purge method of fuel cell
JP2003229149A (en) * 2001-11-30 2003-08-15 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Fuel cell generating system and fuel cell generating method
JP2004134227A (en) * 2002-10-10 2004-04-30 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Co Ltd Fuel battery power generating facility and method for stopping its operation
JP2004185969A (en) * 2002-12-03 2004-07-02 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Fuel cell system
JP2005222707A (en) * 2004-02-03 2005-08-18 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Fuel cell system and operation method

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS63259972A (en) * 1987-04-17 1988-10-27 Fuji Electric Co Ltd Fuel cell installation
JPH07169492A (en) * 1993-12-15 1995-07-04 Toshiba Corp Phosphoric acid type fuel cell power plant
JPH08315845A (en) * 1995-05-17 1996-11-29 Fuji Electric Co Ltd Phosphoric acid type fuel cell power generation device
JP2003229149A (en) * 2001-11-30 2003-08-15 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Fuel cell generating system and fuel cell generating method
JP2003229156A (en) * 2002-01-31 2003-08-15 Toyota Motor Corp Fuel cell generating system and purge method of fuel cell
JP2004134227A (en) * 2002-10-10 2004-04-30 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Co Ltd Fuel battery power generating facility and method for stopping its operation
JP2004185969A (en) * 2002-12-03 2004-07-02 Nissan Motor Co Ltd Fuel cell system
JP2005222707A (en) * 2004-02-03 2005-08-18 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Fuel cell system and operation method

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8227143B2 (en) 2007-04-18 2012-07-24 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Fuel cell system
WO2011067923A1 (en) 2009-12-01 2011-06-09 パナソニック株式会社 Power generation system
JP2013165042A (en) * 2012-02-13 2013-08-22 Denso Corp Fuel cell device
US9391335B2 (en) 2012-06-19 2016-07-12 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Solid oxide fuel cell system and method for controlling same
WO2015177949A1 (en) * 2014-05-21 2015-11-26 パナソニック株式会社 Solid oxide fuel cell system and stopping method therefor
JP5886483B1 (en) * 2014-05-21 2016-03-16 パナソニック株式会社 Solid oxide fuel cell system and method for stopping the same
US10096851B2 (en) 2014-05-21 2018-10-09 Panasonic Corporation Solid oxide fuel cell system and method of stopping the same
JP5926866B2 (en) * 2014-05-28 2016-05-25 パナソニック株式会社 Solid oxide fuel cell system and method for stopping the same
US10079396B2 (en) 2014-05-28 2018-09-18 Panasonic Corporation Solid-oxide fuel cell system and method of stopping same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP4831973B2 (en) 2011-12-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20200161671A1 (en) Fuel cell system containing humidity sensor and method of operating thereof
US6645650B2 (en) Procedure for purging a fuel cell system with inert gas made from organic fuel
JP6472638B2 (en) Combined power generation system, control device and method thereof, and program
US7736815B2 (en) Method of operating a fuel cell system by detecting leakage of a combustible gas
JP5133165B2 (en) Fuel cell system
JP2005509261A (en) Stopping method for a fuel cell fuel processing system
JP4831973B2 (en) Fuel cell system
JP4745314B2 (en) Ion pump system and operation method thereof
US20150333348A1 (en) Method and apparatus for adjusting oxygen pressure of fuel cell system
JP2009123432A (en) Hydrogen-manufacturing power generation system
JP2009064784A (en) Fuel cell device
JP2009123431A (en) Hydrogen manufacturing power generation system and its stopping method
JP5082790B2 (en) Fuel cell system
EP1659653A1 (en) Fuel cell system and method for starting operation of fuel cell system
US20070154746A1 (en) Purging a fuel cell system
KR101447864B1 (en) Inert gas purging system for fuel cell system of a ship
JP2007194098A (en) Fuel cell power generation system
JP2005206414A (en) Hydrogen producing apparatus
JP4887561B2 (en) Fuel cell system
JP2001216990A (en) Method and device for operating generator for solid high polymer fuel cell
JP2000277138A (en) Fuel cell power generating system
JP2007141476A (en) Operation stopping method of fuel cell system
JP2007035359A (en) Fuel cell system
JP6770268B2 (en) Fuel cell protection device, fuel cell, fuel cell driving method
US11309562B2 (en) Method for operating a fuel cell device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
A621 Written request for application examination

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A621

Effective date: 20070718

A977 Report on retrieval

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A971007

Effective date: 20101019

A131 Notification of reasons for refusal

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A131

Effective date: 20110117

TRDD Decision of grant or rejection written
A01 Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01

Effective date: 20110902

A01 Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01

A61 First payment of annual fees (during grant procedure)

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A61

Effective date: 20110920

FPAY Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)

Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20140930

Year of fee payment: 3

R250 Receipt of annual fees

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250

R250 Receipt of annual fees

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250

R250 Receipt of annual fees

Free format text: JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250

LAPS Cancellation because of no payment of annual fees