JP2007109598A - Fuel cell module and fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell module capable of improving system efficiency, including the fuel cell module, and capable of simplifying the structure. <P>SOLUTION: This has first partitioning members 37a, 37b to form a first space 41 and second spaces 43, 45, second partitioning members 39a, 39b to form third spaces 47, 49 between the first partitioning members 37a, 37b, and a nearly cylindrical fuel battery cell tube 35, in which the fuel battery cell 51 is formed on a surface, a fuel gas is introduced inside the fuel battery cell tube 35, a combustion gas of an oxidizer gas and a fuel gas for temperature elevation is introduced on the outside, and a catalyst 55 to make the oxidizer gas and the fuel gas for temperature elevation react is installed at the second partitioning members 39a, 39b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell module and a fuel cell system for a solid oxide fuel cell.

The fuel cell generates power by directly converting chemical energy of fuel into electric energy. This fuel cell is composed of a fuel electrode that is an electrode on the fuel side, an air electrode that is an electrode on the air side, and an electrolyte that passes only ions between them, and there are various types depending on the type of electrolyte. Has been developed.
Of these, solid oxide fuel cells (Solid
Oxide Fuel Cell (hereinafter referred to as “SOFC”) is a fuel cell that uses ceramics such as zirconia ceramics as an electrolyte and is operated using natural gas, petroleum, methanol, coal gasification gas, or the like as fuel. This SOFC is known as a high-efficiency high-temperature fuel cell with a wide range of uses, with an operating temperature as high as about 900 to 1000 ° C. in order to increase ionic conductivity.

The above-described SOFC can maintain the above operating temperature by its own heat generation during rated operation, and can continue the rated operation (thermal independence). However, when the SOFC is activated, it is necessary to heat from the outside with a high-temperature heat source, and various techniques relating to the heating method of the SOFC at the time of activation have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-119298 A

In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a technique is disclosed in which a combustion catalyst layer is disposed in an air introduction pipe that guides air into a bottomed cylindrical fuel cell, and a fuel gas for raising temperature is combusted in each fuel cell. ing.
However, since an air introduction tube is inserted and disposed in each fuel cell, and a catalyst layer is formed on the fuel cell air electrode, the configuration of the fuel cell is complicated and its manufacture becomes difficult. It was.
In addition, when combustion is performed in each fuel cell, it is difficult to uniformly control the combustion state and distribution in each fuel cell, and the rate of temperature rise in each part of each fuel cell is different. It was. Therefore, there is a big problem for the cell that the temperature distribution becomes non-uniform.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a fuel cell module and a fuel cell system capable of improving the temperature uniformity of the fuel cell module and simplifying the structure thereof. For the purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.
The fuel cell module according to the present invention partitions a container, a first partition member that forms a first space and a second space by hermetically partitioning the space in the container, and a fluid through which the first space can flow. A second partition member that forms a third space between the first partition member and a substantially cylindrical fuel cell tube having a fuel cell formed on a surface thereof, and the fuel cell Is located in the first space, an open end of the fuel cell tube is opened to the second space, and a fuel gas is disposed inside the fuel cell tube via the second space and the open end. And a combustion gas of an oxidant gas and a temperature raising fuel gas is introduced outside the fuel cell tube through at least the third space and the second partition member, and the second partition The member includes the oxidant gas and the temperature raising member. Wherein the catalyst reacting the material gas is provided.

According to the present invention, since the combustion gas reacted with the catalyst is introduced outside the fuel cell tube, the temperature of the fuel cell can be raised by the heat of the combustion gas.
For example, in a fuel cell module including a plurality of fuel cell tubes, each fuel cell cell tube is introduced in order to introduce combustion gas reacted with a catalyst provided in the second partition member to the outside of each fuel cell cell tube. The temperature rise of the fuel cell can be made uniform. Compared with the invention described in Patent Document 1, since the heat loss is small, the amount of fuel used for starting (heating) the fuel cell can be reduced. In addition, it is easy to maintain the soundness of the fuel cell (prevent damage).

Further, the oxidant gas and the temperature raising fuel gas supplied to the third space react with each other in the catalyst provided in the second partition member to become combustion gas. The generated combustion gas flows from the third space into the first space and is introduced to the outside of the fuel cell tube. Since the combustion gas is directly generated and then flows into the first space, it is introduced outside the fuel cell tube in a state where the temperature drop is minimized.
Therefore, the combustion gas can efficiently heat the fuel battery cell, and it is possible to reduce the fuel consumption at the time of starting the fuel cell module and shorten the time required for the start-up.
Since the first partition member does not come into contact with the combustion gas for a long time, the heat resistance of the first partition member or the like is higher than the method of increasing the temperature of the fuel cell by introducing a high temperature gas such as combustion gas from the outside of the fuel cell module. It is possible to give a margin to sex.

  Further, unlike the invention described in Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to provide a pipe for guiding the combustion gas to the inner peripheral surface side of the fuel cell tube, and the configuration of the fuel cell module can be further simplified.

Since the catalyst is used, the oxidant gas and the temperature raising fuel gas can be burned even if the mixing ratio of the oxidant gas and the temperature raising fuel gas is lower than the combustion limit.
Therefore, when a mixed gas having a mixing ratio lower than the combustion limit is reacted with a catalyst, even if the oxidant gas and the temperature-raising fuel are premixed outside the container, the premixed gas remains in the fuel cell module. There is no external combustion or self-ignition. Also, it is not necessary to consider the combustion of the premixed gas and self-ignition in the region other than the catalyst even inside the container. Furthermore, it is not necessary to consider the combustor structure inside the vessel.

On the other hand, by controlling the mixing ratio of the temperature rising fuel gas in the premixed gas, the temperature of the combustion gas generated by the combustion of the premixed gas can be controlled, and the temperature rising rate of the fuel cell is controlled. Can do.
As described above, since the range of the mixing ratio of the oxidant gas and the fuel gas for raising the temperature can be widened, the controllable range of the combustion gas temperature can be widened.

In the said invention, it is desirable that the said 2nd partition member is formed from the material which has fluid permeability.
According to this invention, since the 2nd partition member is formed from the material which has fluid permeability, the combustion gas produced | generated in the catalyst can be flowed into 1st space.
Examples of the material having fluid permeability include a porous body and a honeycomb structure.

In the above invention, it is desirable that the second partition member is formed of a material having a heat insulating property, and a gap having a predetermined interval is provided between the fuel cell tube and the second partition member. .
According to the present invention, since a gap having a predetermined interval is provided between the fuel cell tube and the second partition member, the combustion gas generated in the catalyst flows into the first space through the gap. can do.
Moreover, since the 2nd partition member is formed from the material which has heat insulation, it can prevent that the heat | fever in 1st space escapes outside. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the temperature increase rate of the fuel battery cell.

In the above-described invention, it is desirable that a supply unit for introducing the temperature raising fuel gas to the catalyst is provided.
In the above invention, since the temperature raising fuel gas is introduced into the catalyst by the supply unit, the temperature raising fuel gas and the oxidant gas are mixed in the region where the catalyst is provided. Therefore, in the region where the catalyst is not provided, there is no mixed gas of the temperature raising fuel gas and the oxidant gas, and combustion and self-ignition of the mixed gas in the region can be prevented.

  The fuel cell system of the present invention includes the fuel cell module of the present invention, a reformer that reforms the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell module, a preheating unit that heats the air supplied to the fuel cell module, And a supply unit for supplying a fuel gas for raising temperature to the fuel cell module.

In the above invention, by using the fuel cell module of the present invention, the combustion gas is introduced to the outside of the fuel cell tube, so that each fuel cell can be heated with the same combustion gas.
Since it is not necessary to provide piping for guiding the high temperature gas into the fuel cell as in Patent Document 1, the configuration of the fuel cell module can be further simplified.

According to the fuel cell module and the fuel cell system of the present invention, since the combustion gas is introduced to the outside of the fuel cell tube, each fuel cell can be heated with the same combustion gas. By suppressing variations in the temperature rise of each fuel cell, the temperature uniformity of the fuel cell module can be improved.
With this effect, there is an effect that it is possible to reduce the amount of fuel used for raising (starting up) the fuel cell module.
Moreover, since it is not necessary to provide a pipe for guiding the high temperature gas into the fuel cell as in Patent Document 1, the configuration of the fuel cell module can be further simplified.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an SOFC system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the SOFC system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the SOFC module in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the SOFC system (fuel cell system) 1 includes an SOFC module (fuel cell module) 31 for generating power and a reformer 3 for reforming fuel gas (for example, city gas or natural gas). And an air preheater 5 for preheating air (oxidant gas), and a combustor 21 for burning unburned fuel gas contained in the exhaust gas discharged from the SOFC module 31.

Further, the SOFC system 1 includes a temperature raising fuel supply unit (supply unit) 13 for supplying a temperature raising fuel gas (for example, methane) described later to the air supplied to the SOFC module 31 at the time of startup, And a preheating heater 15 that heats the air to a predetermined temperature at the time of startup.
The preheating heater 15 is a heater that generates heat upon receiving electric power, and heats the air to a predetermined temperature at which a reaction between air and the fuel for raising temperature occurs in a combustion catalyst described later.

The reformer 3 is configured such that high-temperature air discharged from an air discharge chamber 49, which will be described later, passes through the inside thereof, so that fuel gas supplied from the outside is heated. .
The combustor 21 is connected to the fuel discharge chamber 45 and is connected to the air discharge chamber 49 via the air preheater 5.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the SOFC module 31 includes a container 33, a plurality of cell tubes (fuel cell cylinders) 35 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and upper and lower tube plates (first plates) that support both ends of the cell tube 35. 1 partition member) 37a, 37b and upper and lower heat insulators (second partition members) 39a, 39b disposed between the upper and lower tube plates 37a, 37b.

  A power generation chamber (first space) 41 is formed between the container 33 and the upper and lower heat insulators 39a and 39b. A fuel supply chamber (second space) 43 is formed between the container 33 and the upper tube plate 37a. A fuel discharge chamber (second space) 45 is formed between the container 33 and the lower tube plate 37b. An air supply chamber (third space) 47 is formed between the tube plate 37b and the lower heat insulator 39b. An air discharge chamber (third space) 49 is formed between the upper tube plate 37a and the upper heat insulator 39a.

The upper tube plate 37a is a plate-like member disposed on the upper side in the longitudinal direction of the container 33 (upper side in FIG. 2), and the lower tube plate 37b is disposed on the lower side in the longitudinal direction of the container 33 (lower side in FIG. 2). It is the plate-shaped member made.
The cell tube 35 is a substantially cylindrical tube made of porous ceramics, and a fuel battery cell 51 for generating power is provided at the center in the longitudinal direction.
The cell tube 35 is supported by upper and lower tube plates 37 a and 37 b so that one open end opens into the fuel supply chamber 43 and the other open end opens into the fuel discharge chamber 45. Further, the cell tube 35 is disposed so that the fuel battery cell 51 is located only in the power generation chamber 41.

The upper heat insulator 39a is a member that is disposed on the upper side in the longitudinal direction of the container 33 (upper side in FIG. 2) and is formed into a blanket shape or a board shape using a heat insulating material. The lower heat insulating material 39b is a member that is disposed on the lower side in the longitudinal direction of the container 33 (lower side in FIG. 2) and is formed in a blanket shape or a board shape using a heat insulating material.
Each of the heat insulators 39 a and 39 b is formed with a hole 53 through which the cell tube 35 is inserted, and the diameter of the hole 53 is larger than the diameter of the cell tube 35.
In addition, the inner peripheral surface of the hole 53 may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, or may be formed with a spiral or linear concave portion (groove) or convex portion (a ridge-like projection), and is particularly limited. Not what you want. With this configuration, the heat of the lower heat insulator 39b is easily transferred to the air flowing between the cell tube 35 and the hole 53 and flowing into the power generation chamber 41, and the temperature of the power generation chamber 41 is kept high. It can be made easier.

A combustion catalyst (catalyst) 55 that reacts (combusts) air and the fuel gas for temperature rise is supported on the surface (the lower surface in FIG. 2) forming the air supply chamber 47 of the lower heat insulator 39b.
The combustion catalyst 55 is preferably one that promotes combustion of air and the fuel gas for temperature increase, and examples thereof include platinum and palladium.
As described above, the combustion catalyst 55 may be supported on the lower heat insulator 39b, or the combustion catalyst 55 having various shapes such as a granular shape, a ball shape, a cylindrical shape, and a pellet shape may be provided inside the heat insulator 39b or on the surface layer. You may arrange in.

  In the present embodiment, description will be made by applying to an example in which the temperature raising fuel supply unit 13 and the preheating heater 15 are arranged between the air preheater 5 and the start-up combustor 7.

Next, the operation at the time of starting the SOFC system 1 having the above configuration will be described.
When the SOFC system 1 is started, as shown in FIG. 1, the air supplied from the outside is supplied to the air supply chamber 47 of the SOFC module 31 through the air preheater 5.
At the time of start-up, since high-temperature air is not supplied from the SOFC module 31 to the air preheater 5, the air supplied from the outside in the air preheater 5 is not heated. The air that has passed through the air preheater 5 is heated from a preheating heater 15 to a predetermined temperature, for example, 200 ° C. to 500 ° C., and the temperature rising fuel supply unit 13 is mixed with the air. .

In the present embodiment, the mixed concentration of air and the temperature raising fuel gas is not particularly limited as long as the concentration is equal to or lower than the combustion limit concentration of the temperature raising fuel gas. By controlling the mixed concentration of air and the fuel gas for temperature increase, the temperature rise of the generated high temperature gas can be controlled.
For example, when methane is used as the temperature raising fuel gas, the combustion limit concentration is about 5%, so the mixture concentration of air and the temperature raising fuel gas is 5% or less.

In the air supply chamber 47 into which the mixed gas of air and the temperature raising fuel gas flows, a part of the air and the temperature raising fuel gas react and burn in the combustion catalyst 55 to generate a high-temperature combustion gas. The remaining air is heated by the combustion heat of the temperature raising fuel gas.
The hot gas flows into the power generation chamber 41 through the gap between the hole 53 and the cell tube 35. The hot gas heats the cell tube 35 and then flows into the air discharge chamber 49 through the gap between the hole 53 and the cell tube 35. The hot gas flows into the reformer 3 from the air discharge chamber 49 and heats the reformer 3. Thereafter, the hot gas flows into the air preheater 5 to heat the air preheater 5.

For example, when methane is used as the fuel gas for temperature increase and the air ratio is 4, the temperature of the high-temperature gas supplied from the air supply chamber 47 to the power generation chamber 41 is about 600 ° C.
The methane concentration in this case is about 4.5%, which is below the methane combustion limit concentration of 5% as described above. Therefore, it is possible to prevent methane from self-igniting and burning where the combustion catalyst 55 is not present.

Thereafter, when the fuel cell 51 is heated to a temperature (for example, 600 ° C.) at which self-power generation is possible with the high-temperature gas, the fuel gas is supplied to the fuel supply chamber 43 via the reformer 3, and the fuel cell 51 Power generation is started. The fuel cell 51 generates power and generates heat (self-generated heat), and the fuel cell 51 is heated by the heat of the high-temperature gas and self-heating.
The supply amount of the temperature raising fuel gas from the temperature raising fuel supply unit 13 is gradually reduced as the temperature of the fuel cell 51 rises, and the temperature of the fuel cell 51 becomes the rated operating temperature (for example, about 1000). Until the temperature reaches (° C.), the supply of the fuel gas for raising the temperature is stopped.

  The fuel gas supplied to the fuel supply chamber 43 after the start of power generation by the fuel cell 51 is converted into hydrogen and carbon monoxide by the heat of the high temperature gas or high temperature air discharged from the air discharge chamber 49 in the reformer 3. After being reformed, the fuel is supplied to the fuel supply chamber 43. The fuel gas supplied to the fuel supply chamber 43 flows into the cell tube 35 from the fuel supply chamber 43 through the open end, and is supplied to the fuel cell 51.

  Further, the air supplied to the air supply chamber 47 is heated in the air preheater 5 by the heat of the high temperature gas discharged from the air discharge chamber 49 or the high temperature discharged air. The heated air flows from the air supply chamber 47 into the power generation chamber 41 through the gap between the hole 53 and the cell tube 35 and is used for power generation in the fuel cell 51.

  In the fuel gas flowing into the fuel discharge chamber 45 from the power generation chamber 11 (hereinafter referred to as “exhaust fuel gas”), unburned fuel that has not been used for power generation is used together with the exhaust gas used for power generation in the fuel cell 51. Contains fuel gas. Therefore, the exhaust fuel gas is guided from the fuel discharge chamber 45 to the combustor 21 and is mixed with the high-temperature exhaust air preheated in the air preheater 5 and burned.

According to said structure, since the high temperature gas containing the combustion gas burned with the combustion catalyst 55 is introduce | transduced to the outer side of the cell tube 35, the fuel cell 51 can be heated up with the heat | fever of a high temperature gas.
Further, in order to introduce the combustion gas burned by the combustion catalyst 55 provided on the surface of the heat insulator 39b in contact with the air supply chamber 47 into the power generation chamber 41 in which each cell tube 35 is disposed, the fuel cell of each cell tube 35 The temperature increase of 51 can be made uniform, and since the heat loss is small as compared with the invention described in Patent Document 1, the amount of fuel used for starting (heating) the fuel cell 51 can be reduced. Moreover, it becomes easy to maintain the soundness of the fuel cell 51 (preventing breakage).

In the air supply chamber 47, the generated high-temperature gas directly flows into the power generation chamber 41 and is introduced to the outside of the cell tube 35. Therefore, the hot gas is introduced to the outside of the cell tube 35 with a minimum temperature drop. .
Therefore, the high-temperature gas can efficiently heat the fuel battery cell, and it is possible to reduce the fuel consumption at the time of starting the SOFC module 31 and shorten the time required for the starting.
Since the tube plates 37a, 37b, etc. do not come into contact with the high temperature gas for a long time, the heat resistance of the upper and lower tube plates 37a, 37b, etc. is higher than a method in which the high temperature gas is introduced from the outside of the fuel cell module to increase the temperature of the fuel cell. It is possible to give a margin to sex.

  Further, unlike the invention described in Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to provide a pipe for guiding the combustion gas to the inside of the cell tube 35, and the configuration of the SOFC module 31 can be further simplified.

Since the combustion catalyst 55 is used, even if the mixing ratio of air and the temperature raising fuel gas is lower than the combustion limit, the air and the temperature raising fuel gas can be burned.
Therefore, when a mixed gas having a lower mixing ratio than the combustion limit is caused to react with the combustion catalyst 55, the mixed gas remains in the SOFC module 31 even if the air and the temperature-raising fuel gas are premixed outside the container 33. There is no external combustion or self-ignition. In addition, it is not necessary to consider the combustion and self-ignition of the mixed gas in the region other than the combustion catalyst 55 even inside the container 33. Furthermore, it is not necessary to consider the combustor structure inside the container 33.

  By controlling the mixing ratio of the temperature rising fuel gas in the mixed gas, the temperature of the high temperature gas generated by the combustion of the mixed gas can be controlled, and the temperature rising rate of the fuel cell 51 can be controlled. .

  Since the heat insulators 39a and 39b are formed of a heat insulating material, the heat in the power generation chamber 41 can be prevented from escaping to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the temperature increase rate of the fuel battery cell 51 from being lowered, and to reduce the fuel consumption at the time of starting the SOFC module 31 and the time required for the starting.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The basic configuration of the SOFC system of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but is different from the first embodiment in the arrangement position of the temperature raising fuel supply unit. Therefore, in this embodiment, only arrangement | positioning of the temperature rising fuel supply part, etc. are demonstrated using FIG. 3, and description of another component is abbreviate | omitted.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the SOFC system according to the present embodiment.
In addition, about the component similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the SOFC system (fuel cell system) 101 includes an SOFC module 31 that generates power, a reformer 3 that reforms fuel gas (for example, city gas or natural gas), and air (oxidation). An air preheater 5 for preheating the agent gas) and a combustor 21 for burning unburned fuel gas contained in the exhaust gas discharged from the SOFC module 31 are provided.

Further, the SOFC system 101 is provided with a temperature raising fuel supply section (supply section) 113 that supplies a temperature raising fuel gas, and a preheating heater 15 that heats air at the time of startup.
The temperature raising fuel supply unit 113 directly supplies the temperature raising fuel gas to the air supply chamber 47 of the SOFC module 31.

Next, the operation at the time of starting the SOFC system 101 having the above configuration will be described.
Since the startup method of the SOFC system 101 is the same as that of the first embodiment, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described.

At startup, the air that has passed through the air preheater 5 is heated by the preheater 15 to a predetermined temperature, for example, 200 ° C. to 500 ° C., and then flows into the air supply chamber 47. On the other hand, the temperature raising fuel gas is supplied from the temperature raising fuel supply unit 113 to a region near the combustion catalyst 55 in the air supply chamber 47 or a region where the combustion catalyst 55 is disposed.
In the present embodiment, mixing of the air and the temperature raising fuel gas is performed in a region near the combustion catalyst 55 in the air supply chamber 47 or a region where the combustion catalyst 55 is disposed. In addition, the mixed concentration of air and the temperature raising fuel gas is not particularly limited regardless of the combustion limit concentration of the temperature raising fuel gas.

According to the above configuration, since the air and the temperature raising fuel gas are mixed in the air supply chamber 47, the mixing concentration of the temperature raising fuel gas can be made higher than the combustion limit concentration. By increasing the mixed concentration of the fuel gas for temperature increase, the temperature of the generated high temperature gas can be increased, and the temperature increase rate of the fuel cell 51 can be increased.
On the other hand, since air and the temperature raising fuel gas are mixed in the vicinity of the combustion catalyst 55 or the like, even if the mixed concentration of the temperature raising combustion gas is lower than the combustion limit concentration as in the first embodiment. In the combustion catalyst 55, the fuel gas for raising the temperature can be burned.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The basic configuration of the SOFC system of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the configuration in the container is different from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the present embodiment, only the configuration and the like in the container will be described using FIG. 4, and description of other components will be omitted.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the SOFC module in the SOFC system according to the present embodiment.
In addition, about the component similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The SOFC module (fuel cell module) 231 of the SOFC system (fuel cell system) 201 includes a container 33, a plurality of cell tubes 35, upper and lower tube plates 37a and 37b that support both ends of the cell tubes 35, and upper and lower tubes. The upper and lower radiation converters (second partition members) 239a and 239b are arranged between the tube plates 37a and 37b.

The upper radiation conversion body 239a is a member that is disposed on the upper side in the longitudinal direction of the container 33 (upper side in FIG. 2) and is formed in a plate shape using, for example, a porous body or a honeycomb structure. The lower radiation conversion body 239b is disposed on the lower side in the longitudinal direction of the container 33 (lower side in FIG. 2), and is, for example, a porous body or a honeycomb structure, and is a member formed in a plate shape using a porous body or a honeycomb structure. . The upper and lower radiation converters 239a and 239b are configured such that air permeates from the air supply chamber 47 to the power generation chamber 41 and from the power generation chamber 41 to the air discharge chamber 49.
A hole 253 is formed in the upper and lower radiation converters 239a and 239b, and the cell tube 35 is inserted into the hole 253. Therefore, the cell tube 35 is also supported by the upper and lower radiation converters 239a and 239b.

Next, the operation of the SOFC system 201 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
Since the activation method of the SOFC system 201 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

When the SOFC system 201 is rated, the temperature of the fuel cell 51 in the cell tube 35 is as high as about 1000 ° C., for example. Therefore, the fuel cell 51 glows and emits light.
Part of the light emitted from the fuel cell 51 into the power generation chamber 41 is incident on the upper and lower radiation converters 239a and 239b. Light incident on the upper and lower radiation converters 239a and 239b is converted into thermal energy, and the temperatures of the upper and lower radiation converters 239a and 239b rise.
Therefore, when the air flowing into the power generation chamber 41 from the air supply chamber 47 passes through the lower radiation conversion body 239b, the heat of the radiation conversion body 239b is given, and the temperature rises.

  According to said structure, a part of light emitted from the fuel cell 51 can be collect | recovered in the power generation chamber 47 as heat with the upper and lower radiation converters 239a and 239b. Therefore, fuel consumption during rated operation of the SOFC system 201 can be reduced.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiments, the present invention has been described as being applied to SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell), but the present invention is not limited to SOFC and can be applied to various other high-temperature fuel cells. Is.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been made by adapting to the SOFC combined power generation system to which fuel gas is directly supplied. However, the present invention is not limited to the SOFC combined power generation system to which fuel gas is directly supplied. The present invention can be applied to a combined power generation system using various other fuel cells such as gasified fuel cell combined power generation (IGFC).

It is a mimetic diagram explaining the composition of the SOFC system concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the SOFC module of FIG. It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the SOFC system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of the SOFC module in the SOFC system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1,101,201 SOFC system (fuel cell system)
3 Reformer 5 Air preheater 13 Temperature rising fuel supply section (supply section)
31,231 SOFC module (fuel cell module)
33 Container 35 Cell tube (fuel cell cylinder)
37a Upper tube sheet (first partition member)
37b Lower tube sheet (first partition member)
39a Upper insulator (second partition member)
39b Lower insulator (second partition member)
41 Power generation room (first space)
43 Fuel supply chamber (second space)
45 Fuel discharge chamber (second space)
47 Air supply chamber (third space)
49 Air exhaust chamber (third space)
51 Fuel cell 55 Combustion catalyst (catalyst)
113 Temperature rising fuel supply section (supply section)
239a Upper radiation converter (second partition member)
239b Lower radiation converter (second partition member)

Claims (5)

A container,
A first partition member that forms a first space and a second space by hermetically partitioning the space in the container;
A second partition member that forms a third space with the first partition member by partitioning the first space so that a fluid can flow therethrough;
A substantially cylindrical fuel cell tube with a fuel cell formed on the surface,
The fuel cell is located in the first space, and an open end of the fuel cell pipe is opened to the second space;
Inside the fuel cell tube, fuel gas is introduced through the second space and the open end,
A combustion gas of an oxidant gas and a fuel gas for raising temperature is introduced to the outside of the fuel cell pipe through at least the third space and the second partition member,
The fuel cell module, wherein the second partition member is provided with a catalyst for reacting the oxidant gas and the fuel gas for temperature increase.   2. The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein the second partition member is made of a material having fluid permeability. The second partition member is formed of a heat-insulating material;
2. The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein a gap having a predetermined interval is provided between the fuel cell tube and the second partition member.   The fuel cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a supply unit that introduces the temperature raising fuel gas into the catalyst. A fuel cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A reformer for reforming the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell module;
An air preheater for heating air supplied to the fuel cell module;
A supply unit for supplying a fuel gas for raising temperature to the fuel cell module;
A fuel cell system comprising:

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