JP2008300058A - Fuel cell device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell device with improved life condensed water treatment means for treating condensed water, in one utilizing condensed water produced by power generation of a fuel cell. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel cell device includes a condensed water tank 19 for storing condensed water produced by heat exchange at a heat exchanger 13, and a condensed water supply tube 21 for supplying condensed water produced at the heat exchanger 13 to the condensed water tank 19. A condensed water treatment means 22 for treating condensed water is provided in the condensed water tank 19, and a condensed water drain pipe 23 is provided in the middle of the condensed water supply tube 21 for draining the condensed water, with one end of the condensed water supply tube 21 connected to a lower end of the condensed water tank 19, and a connection site of the condensed water supply tube 21 and the condensed water drain pipe 23 arranged to be positioned above an upper-limit water level of the condensed water tank 19, so that a volume of condensed water more than necessary is not supplied to the condensed water tank 19, and life of the condensed water treatment means 22 can be improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell device that generates power using condensed water generated by heat exchange between exhaust gas and water generated by power generation of a fuel cell.

  In recent years, as a next-generation energy, a fuel cell capable of obtaining electric power using hydrogen gas and an oxygen-containing gas (usually air) and auxiliary equipment for operating the fuel cell are provided in an outer case. Various fuel cell devices that are housed and their operating methods have been proposed.

  Here, a steam reforming method is known as one of the methods for generating hydrogen necessary for power generation of a fuel cell, and a fuel cell device using this steam reforming generates fuel gas (hydrogen gas). Reformers, water treatment devices that produce pure water by processing water (such as tap water) supplied from outside, water tanks for temporarily storing the treated water (pure water), and water treatment It is known to include a water supply pipe or the like for connecting the apparatus, a water tank, and a reformer.

There is also known a fuel cell device that includes a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between exhaust gas generated by power generation of the fuel cell and water, and supplies condensed water generated by the heat exchange to the reformer (for example, , See Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-179386 A

  In the fuel cell device using steam reforming as described above, when supplying condensed water generated by heat exchange to the reformer, condensation is performed to suppress (prevent) the failure of the reformer and the deterioration of the reforming catalyst. Water is supplied to the reformer after being treated by condensed water treatment means (device) such as ion exchange resin (after being made pure water).

  By the way, the amount of condensed water generated by heat exchange may be larger than the amount of water required in the reformer. In this case, the amount of water more than the amount required in the reformer is The fuel cell device is drained.

  Here, the condensed water generated by heat exchange is stored in a water tank (condensed water tank), and the condensed water is supplied to the reformer in the fuel cell device that supplies the stored water (condensed water) to the condensed water treatment means. When the water is stored in the water tank (condensate tank) after being treated in step 3, the condensed water more than the amount required by the reformer is treated by the condensed water treatment means, resulting in the condensed water treatment means. There was a problem that the lifetime of the was shortened.

  On the other hand, in a fuel cell device that supplies water required by the reformer to the reformer by a water pump or the like after being processed by the condensed water treatment means according to the demand of the reformer, the reformer is required. Since the water to be used is treated by the condensed water treatment means each time and then supplied to the reformer by a water pump or the like, the timing when the reformer needs water and the water is supplied to the reformer. There was a risk of a time lag between the timing and the reformer failure.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device that can immediately supply water required by a reformer and can prolong the life of a condensed water treatment means for treating condensed water. To do.

  A fuel cell device according to the present invention comprises a fuel cell, a reformer that performs steam reforming to generate reformed gas to be supplied to the fuel cell, and exhaust gas and water generated by power generation of the fuel cell. A heat exchanger for exchanging, a condensed water tank for storing condensed water generated by heat exchange in the heat exchanger, and connecting the condensed water tank and the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger And a condensed water supply pipe for supplying the condensed water produced in step 1 to the condensed water tank, wherein the condensed water is used to make the condensed water pure water in the condensed water tank. A condensate drain pipe for draining the condensed water is connected to the middle of the condensed water supply pipe, and one end of the condensed water supply pipe is connected to a lower end portion of the condensed water tank. And the condensation of the condensed water supply pipe Connection portion between the drain pipe is characterized in that is arranged so as to be positioned above the upper level of the condensed water tank.

  In such a fuel cell device, a condensed water tank for storing condensed water is provided with condensed water treatment means for converting the condensed water into pure water, and condensed water generated by heat exchange in the heat exchanger. Since one end of the condensed water supply pipe for supplying water to the condensed water tank is connected to the lower end of the condensed water tank, the condensed water generated by the power generation of the fuel cell is stored from the lower side of the condensed water tank. As the amount of stored water increases, it is processed by the condensed water processing means, and the processed water (pure water) can be supplied to the reformer.

  In addition, a condensate drain pipe for draining the condensate is connected in the middle of the condensate supply pipe, and the connection part between the condensate supply pipe and the condensate drain pipe is higher than the upper limit water level of the condensate tank. Since it is arranged so as to be located at the upper side, it supplies a condensed water tank in an amount necessary for power generation of the fuel cell, and can drain more condensed water than necessary from the condensed water drain pipe. .

  Thereby, since it can suppress processing the condensed water more than the quantity which a reformer requires with a condensed water processing means, the lifetime of a condensed water processing means can be lengthened.

  In the fuel cell device of the present invention, it is preferable that the condensed water treatment means is an ion exchange resin.

  In such a fuel cell device, the condensed water can be treated into pure water by using the condensed water treatment means as an ion exchange resin. Thereby, the amount of condensed water required by the reformer can be treated into pure water.

  The fuel cell device of the present invention includes a water treatment device for treating water supplied from the outside, a water tank for storing water treated by the water treatment device, and the condensed water tank. One end is connected to the upper end of the condensed water tank so that the stored water is supplied to the water tank, and the other end is connected to the water tank at the same height as or lower than the one end. The upper limit level of the water stored in the water tank is equal to or higher than the height at which the condensate water supply pipe is connected to the condensate drain pipe. Is preferred.

  Such a fuel cell device includes a condensed water tank for storing condensed water generated by heat exchange, and a water tank for storing water supplied from the outside and treated by the water treatment device. Because the tank and water tank are connected by a tank connection pipe with one end connected to the upper end of the condensed water tank and the other end connected to the water tank at the same height as the one end or lower than that. The condensed water stored in the condensed water tank is supplied to the water tank, and the water stored in the water tank is supplied to the reformer.

  Here, when the supply amount (recovery amount) of the condensed water decreases with the power generation of the fuel cell, the water supplied from the outside can be supplied to the water tank. It can suppress depletion.

  In addition, when condensate is stored preferentially, the upper limit level of water stored in the water tank is the same as or higher than the height at which the condensate drain pipe is connected to the condensate drain pipe. The condensed water can be stored up to the upper limit water level of the condensed water tank. Thereby, the amount of water that can be supplied to the reformer (water tank) can be increased.

  Furthermore, when the amount of condensed water generated (supply amount) decreases and water supplied from the outside is supplied to the water tank, the upper limit level of water stored in the water tank is the condensed water drainage of the condensed water supply pipe. Since the connection part with the pipe is the same as or higher than the height at which the pipe is disposed, the amount of water that can be stored in the water tank can be increased.

  In addition, the fuel cell device of the present invention has a water tank drain pipe connected to the water tank at a position higher than a height at which a connection portion of the condensed water supply pipe with the condensed water drain pipe is disposed. preferable.

  In such a fuel cell device, the water tank drain pipe is connected to the water tank at a position higher than the height at which the connection portion of the condensate water supply pipe with the condensate drain pipe is disposed. The amount of water supplied to the tank can be suppressed. That is, condensate water is preferentially connected by connecting the water tank drain pipe to the water tank at a position higher than the height at which the connection part of the condensate water supply pipe is connected to the condensate drain pipe. In the case of use, the water flowing through the condensed water supply pipe is drained from the condensed water drain pipe when the water level of the condensed water tank or the water tank reaches a predetermined water storage amount.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the condensed water processing means from processing more condensed water than the amount required by the reformer, and thus it is possible to extend the life of the condensed water processing means.

  In addition, since the water tank has a water tank drain pipe, when the water supplied from the outside is stored in the water tank, the water level stored in the water tank is the condensed water drain pipe of the condensed water supply pipe. However, in this case, the water in the water tank can be drained by the water tank drain pipe connected to the water tank. Therefore, it is possible to suppress (prevent) overflow of water stored in the water tank.

  In addition, the fuel cell device of the present invention has a water supply pipe for supplying water supplied from the outside to the water treatment device and supplying water treated by the water treatment device to the water tank. A water supply valve for adjusting the amount of water supplied from outside is provided upstream of the water treatment device in the water supply pipe, and water stored in the water tank falls below a predetermined water level. In this case, it is preferable to include a control device that controls the water supply valve so that the water supplied from the outside is stored in the water tank.

  Such a fuel cell apparatus has a water supply pipe for supplying water supplied from the outside to the water tank after being treated by the water treatment apparatus, and is located upstream of the water treatment apparatus in the water supply pipe. A water supply valve is provided to adjust the amount of water supplied from the outside, and when the water level stored in the water tank drops and falls below the specified water level, the water supplied from the outside is supplied to the water tank. Since the control device that controls the water supply valve so as to store water is used, the condensed water generated by the power generation of the fuel cell is usually used, and when the condensed water is insufficient, the water supplied from the outside is reformed ( Water tank). Thereby, it can suppress that the water supplied to a reformer is exhausted.

  A fuel cell device according to the present invention includes a condensed water tank provided with condensed water treatment means for converting condensed water produced when heat is exchanged between exhaust gas generated by power generation of the fuel cell and water into pure water, and a condensed water tank. And a heat exchanger, and a condensed water supply pipe for supplying condensed water generated in the heat exchanger to the condensed water tank, and for draining the condensed water in the middle of the condensed water supply pipe A condensate drain pipe is connected, one end of the condensate water supply pipe is connected to the lower end of the condensate water tank, and the condensate water supply pipe connection part with the condensate drain pipe is lower than the upper limit water level of the condensate water tank. Since it is arranged so as to be located at the top, the condensate in the condensate tank is drained from the condensate drainage pipe along with the amount of water stored in the condensate tank, and the life of the condensate treatment means is extended. Can do.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of the fuel cell device of the present invention. The fuel cell device of the present invention includes a power generation unit that generates power, a hot water storage unit that stores hot water after heat exchange, and a circulation pipe that circulates water between these units.

  The fuel cell apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a fuel cell 1, a reformed gas supply means 2 that supplies a gas to be reformed such as natural gas and kerosene, and an oxygen-containing gas supply for supplying an oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell 1. Means 3 is provided with a reformer 4 for steam reforming with a gas to be reformed and steam.

  Further, in the fuel cell apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a heat exchanger 13 that performs heat exchange between exhaust gas (exhaust heat) generated by power generation of the fuel cell 1 and water, and a condensate that stores condensed water generated by the heat exchange. A condensed water supply pipe 21 for supplying the condensed water generated in the water tank 19 and the heat exchanger 13 to the condensed water tank 19 is provided, and the water (condensed water) stored in the condensed water tank 19 is modified. It is supplied to the mass device 4.

  On the other hand, when the amount of water stored in the condensed water tank 19 is small, it is preferable to treat the water (such as tap water) supplied from the outside into pure water and supply it to the reformer 4, as shown in FIG. Has a water treatment device X as means for treating the water supplied from the outside into pure water.

  Here, the water treatment device X includes an activated carbon filter device 7 for purifying water, a reverse osmosis membrane device 8 (hereinafter referred to as RO membrane device), and an ion exchange resin device for converting purified water into pure water. 9 devices are provided. And the pure water produced | generated by the ion exchange resin apparatus 9 is stored in the water tank 10, and the condensed water tank 19 and the water tank 10 are connected with the tank connection pipe 20. FIG.

  Further, in the fuel cell device shown in FIG. 1, a water supply pipe 5 that connects the activated carbon filter device 7, the RO membrane device 8, the ion exchange resin device 9, and the water tank 10 in this order is provided. 5 is provided with a water supply valve 6 for adjusting the amount of water supplied to the water supply pipe 5. In FIG. 1, the means for supplying water to the reformer 4 is shown surrounded by a one-dot chain line.

  Further, a power conditioner 12 for switching the DC power generated by the fuel cell 1 to AC power and supplying it to an external load, water provided at the outlet of the heat exchanger 13 (circulation water flow) flowing through the outlet of the heat exchanger 13 ) Includes an outlet water temperature sensor 15 for measuring the water temperature, a circulation pump 16 for circulating water, and a control device 14 for controlling the operation of the circulation pump 16 to constitute a power generation unit. The control device 14 will be described later.

  The hot water storage unit includes a hot water storage tank 18 for storing hot water after heat exchange.

  Furthermore, a circulation pipe 17 for circulating water between the heat exchanger 13 and the hot water storage tank 18 is provided, and the fuel cell device of the present invention is configured by combining the power generation unit, the hot water storage unit, and the circulation pipe 17. The

  The arrows in the figure indicate the flow directions of fuel, oxygen-containing gas, and water, and the broken lines indicate main signal paths transmitted to the control device 14 or main signals transmitted from the control device 14. Signal paths are shown. The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and so on. Although not shown, it is also possible to provide a reformed gas humidifier for humidifying the reformed gas between the reformed gas supply means 2 and the reformer 4.

  Various fuel cells are known as the fuel cell 1, but a solid oxide fuel cell can be used to reduce the size of the fuel cell. Thereby, in addition to the fuel cell, auxiliary machinery necessary for the operation of the fuel cell can be reduced in size, and the fuel cell device can be reduced in size. At the same time, it is possible to perform a load following operation that follows a fluctuating load required for a household fuel cell.

  As described above, the fuel cell device of the present invention is useful in a fuel cell device that performs steam reforming. In particular, a reformer 4 for performing steam reforming is disposed above the fuel cell 1, for example. This is optimal in a solid oxide fuel cell in which fuel that has not been used in the fuel cell 1 is burned to heat the reformer 4.

  Here, the operation method of the fuel cell apparatus of the present invention will be described using the fuel cell apparatus shown in FIG.

  The exhaust gas (exhaust heat) generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 1 is mainly used to increase or maintain the temperature of the fuel cell 1 and then supplied from the fuel cell 1 to the heat exchanger 13. In the heat exchanger 13, heat exchange is performed between the exhaust gas generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 1 and the water that flows (circulates) through the heat exchanger 13 (water that flows through the circulation pipe 17). The heat-exchanged water (hot water) is circulated through the circulation pipe 17 and stored in the hot water storage tank 18.

  On the other hand, the condensed water generated by heat exchange flows through the condensed water supply pipe 21 and is stored in the condensed water tank 19. The condensed water stored in the condensed water tank 19 is processed by condensed water treatment means (not shown in FIG. 1) provided in the condensed water tank 19 and then flows through the tank connecting pipe 20 to form the water tank. 10 is supplied. The water stored in the water tank 10 is supplied to the reformer 4 by the water pump 11 according to the amount of water required by the reformer 4.

  In the reformer 4, steam reforming is performed by the water supplied by the water pump 11 and the gas to be reformed supplied from the gas to be reformed supply means 2. The reformed gas (fuel gas) generated in the reformer 4 is supplied to the fuel cell 1 and reacts with the oxygen-containing gas supplied from the oxygen-containing gas supply means 3 to generate power in the fuel cell 1. It is. The electric power generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 1 is supplied to an external load through the power conditioner 12.

  On the other hand, when supplying water (tap water or the like) supplied from the outside to the reformer 4, the water supply valve 6 is opened, and the water supplied from the outside through the water supply pipe 5 is activated carbon filter device. 7 is supplied with water. The water treated by the activated carbon filter device 7 is subsequently supplied to the RO membrane device 8. The water treated by the RO membrane device 8 is subsequently supplied and treated to the ion exchange resin device 9 to produce pure water. The pure water produced in the ion exchange resin device 9 is supplied to the water tank 10 and the condensed water is supplied to the reformer 4 according to the amount of water required in the reformer 4. The water pump 11 supplies the reformer 4 with the water.

  By the way, by using condensed water preferentially as the water supplied to the reformer 4, the amount of water supplied from the outside such as tap water can be reduced, and the running cost of the fuel cell device can be reduced. Can be reduced.

  However, the amount of condensed water generated by heat exchange performed in the heat exchanger 13 may be larger than the amount of water required in the reformer 4. In this case, since the amount of water stored in the condensed water tank 19 and the water tank 10 increases, the condensed water tank 19 and the water tank 10 are provided with the purpose of suppressing (preventing) the overflow of water from the condensed water tank 19 and the water tank 10. A drainage means may be provided.

  In this case, for example, in a fuel cell device that stores condensed water in the condensed water tank 19 (water tank 10) after the condensed water is processed by the condensed water processing means, the water processed by the condensed water processing means is drained as it is. There is. Therefore, the condensed water treatment means treats more water than necessary for the reformer 4, and as a result, the life of the condensed water treatment means may be shortened.

  On the other hand, in the case where the water required by the reformer 4 is processed by the condensed water processing means according to the request of the reformer 4 and supplied to the reformer 4 by a water pump or the like after the processing is completed, Since the water required for the reformer 4 is treated by the condensed water treatment means each time and then supplied to the reformer 4 by a water pump or the like, the timing when the reformer 4 needs water There is a possibility that a time lag occurs between the timing when water is supplied to the reformer 4 and the reformer 4 fails.

  Therefore, the present invention can immediately supply the water required by the reformer 4 according to the demand of the reformer 4, and prolong the life of the condensed water treatment means for treating the condensed water. It aims at providing the fuel cell device which can do, and it explains in full detail below.

  FIG. 2 shows the condensed water tank 19, the water tank 10, and the water supply pipes connected to these in the fuel cell apparatus of the present invention.

  The condensed water generated when heat is exchanged by the heat exchanger 13 flows through the condensed water supply pipe 21 and is stored in the condensed water tank 19. Here, one end of the condensed water supply pipe 21 is connected to the lower end of the condensed water tank 19. Accordingly, the condensed water can be efficiently processed by the condensed water processing means 22 provided (filled) in the condensed water tank 19 described later. Note that one end of the condensed water supply pipe 21 can be connected to the bottom surface of the condensed water tank 19, and in this case, the condensed water can be processed efficiently. Here, in the present invention, the lower end portion of the condensed water tank 19 includes not only the lower end portion of the condensed water tank 19 but also the vicinity and the bottom thereof.

  In addition, it is preferable to provide a connection site | part with the heat exchanger 13 which is the other end of the condensed water supply pipe | tube 21 so that it may become a position higher than the condensed water tank 19. FIG. Thereby, the condensed water flows through the condensed water supply pipe 21 by natural fall and is supplied to the condensed water tank 19, and the water level at the other end of the condensed water supply pipe 21 becomes higher than the upper limit water level of the condensed water tank 19. Therefore, the condensed water can be stored until the condensed water tank 19 becomes full (upper limit water level).

  The condensate supply pipe 21 is preferably a straight condensate supply pipe 21 with as few bent portions as possible so that the condensate water can be easily stored in the condensate tank 19. Therefore, for example, the condensed water supply pipe 21 is provided in parallel with the height direction of the condensed water tank 19, and one end side of the condensed water supply pipe 21 is bent at the lower end side of the condensed water tank 19 to form the condensed water tank 19. It is preferable to be provided so as to be connected.

  In addition, a condensed water drain pipe 23 for draining condensed water flowing through the condensed water supply pipe 21 is disposed (connected) at a position located above the upper limit water level of the condensed water tank 19 of the condensed water supply pipe 21. Yes. The condensate drain pipe 23 protrudes laterally from the condensate supply pipe 21 provided in parallel with the height direction of the condensate tank 19 and then bends downward or obliquely below the condensate supply pipe 21. It is preferable to have a shape protruding in the direction.

  Here, the condensed water drain pipe 23 is connected to the condensed water supply pipe 21 at a position higher than the upper limit water level of the condensed water tank 19, whereby the condensed water tank 19 stores the condensed water until it reaches the upper limit water level. Can do. Therefore, water can be efficiently supplied to the reformer 4 (water tank 10).

  Further, when the condensed water flowing through the condensed water supply pipe 21 is stored until the condensed water tank 19 reaches the upper limit water level, the condensed water cannot be further supplied to the condensed water tank 19, and the condensed water drain pipe It will drain through 23. Accordingly, since it is possible to suppress the amount of condensed water that is more than necessary from being stored (inflowed) into the condensed water tank 19, it is possible to suppress the wasteful use of the condensed water treatment means 22 provided in the condensed water tank 19. The life of the condensed water treatment means 22 can be extended.

  The condensed water flowing through the condensed water supply pipe 21 is processed into pure water by the condensed water treatment means 22 provided in the condensed water tank 19 as the amount of water stored in the condensed water tank 19 increases. Here, the condensate treatment means 22 may be one that can be made pure water by treating the condensate, but may be provided (filled) in the condensate water tank 19 or the condensate treatment. Considering the ease of replacement of the means 22 and the efficiency of the treatment of the condensed water, the ion exchange resin (hereinafter, the condensed water treatment means will be described as an ion exchange resin and may be abbreviated as the ion exchange resin 22 in some cases. For example, a spherical ion exchange resin.

  Here, since the condensed water tank 19 is provided with the ion exchange resin 22 and the condensed water supply pipe 21 is connected to the lower end of the condensed water tank 19, the condensed water stored in the condensed water tank 19 is As the amount of water stored in the condensed water tank 19 increases, the water is treated by the ion exchange resin 22, so that the water at the upper end side of the water stored in the condensed water tank 19 becomes pure water. The ion exchange resin 22 provided in the condensed water tank 19 can be appropriately provided in the condensed water tank 19 depending on the purity of the condensed water, the size of the condensed water tank 19, the size of the ion exchange resin 22, and the like. .

  As described above, the condensate water tank 19, the condensate water supply pipe 21, the condensate water treatment means 22, and the condensate water drain pipe 23 are provided, thereby extending the life of the condensate water treatment means (ion exchange resin) 22. can do.

  In FIG. 2, the condensed water tank 19 is connected to the water tank 10 by a tank connecting pipe 20. Here, the water tank 10 stores water after water (tap water or the like) supplied from the outside is treated by the water treatment means X. Therefore, the tank connecting pipe 20 is preferably connected so that the water in the condensed water tank 19 flows into the water tank 10. The water tank 10 and the tank connection pipe 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, a water supply pipe for supplying water to the reformer 4 is connected to the lower end side of the water tank 10, but water in the water tank can be supplied to the reformer 4. There is no particular limitation on the arrangement of the connection portion of the water supply pipe.

  In FIG. 3, a condensed water tank 19 and a water tank 10 for storing water supplied from outside (water after being processed by the water treatment device X) are connected by a tank connecting pipe 20. The upper limit water level of the water stored in the water tank 10 shows a state where it is the same height as the height at which the connection part of the condensed water supply pipe 21 to the condensed water drain pipe 23 is arranged.

  The amount of condensed water generated by the heat exchanger 13 varies with the amount of power generated by the fuel cell 1 and the temperature of the water flowing through the circulation pump 17. Therefore, when the amount of condensed water generated by heat exchange decreases, it is preferable to supply water supplied from the outside to the reformer 4. Incidentally, when water supplied from the outside is supplied to the reformer 4, it can be mixed with condensed water (condensed water after being processed by the condensed water treatment means 22) and supplied to the reformer 4. .

  Here, since the water supplied from the outside can be made into pure water by the water treatment apparatus X described above, it is preferable that the water in the condensed water tank 19 is supplied to the water tank 10. Thereby, it can suppress (prevent) that the lifetime of the ion exchange resin 22 becomes short. In addition, when the supply of water from the condensed water tank 19 decreases, water from the outside can be supplied to the water tank 10, so that the water supplied to the reformer 4 is depleted. Can be suppressed.

  Further, the condensate water tank 19 and the water tank 10 are connected by a tank connecting pipe 20. One end of the tank connecting pipe 20 is a condensate water tank so that water flows from the condensate water tank 19 to the water tank 10. It is preferable that the other end is connected to the water tank 10 at the same height as the one end or lower than the other end. As a result, the water in the condensed water tank 19 easily flows into the water tank 10. In addition, since one end of the tank connection pipe 20 is connected to the upper end of the condensed water tank 19, the condensed water after being treated with the ion exchange resin 22 can be supplied to the water tank 10. The tank connecting pipe 20 preferably has a linear shape, and is preferably disposed so as to connect the side surface of the condensed water tank 19 and the side surface of the water tank 10.

  One end of the tank connection pipe 20 is connected to the upper end portion of the condensed water tank 19. The upper end portion in the present invention is the end portion in the height direction of the condensed water tank 19, that is, the side surface of the condensed water tank 19. And the upper end. One end of the tank connection pipe 20 may be connected to, for example, the side surface of the condensed water tank 19 and in the vicinity of the upper end portion, and the upper end portion referred to in the present invention is on the side surface of the condensed water tank 19 and in the vicinity of the upper end portion. Is also included.

  Further, when the other end connected to the water tank 10 is connected to be higher than one end connected to the condensate water tank 19, the water in the condensate water tank 19 is removed using a water pump or the like. Can also be flowed to.

  And it is preferable that the upper limit water level of the water stored in the water tank 10 is the same as or higher than the height at which the connection part of the condensed water supply pipe 21 to the condensed water drain pipe 23 is arranged.

  Thereby, when supplying condensed water to the reformer 4 preferentially, the condensed water can be stored up to the upper limit water level of the condensed water tank 19. Thereby, the amount of water that can be supplied to the reformer 4 (water tank 10) can be increased. Note that the upper limit water level of the condensed water tank 19 may be the maximum amount of the capacity of the condensed water tank 19.

  On the other hand, when the amount of condensed water generated (supply amount) decreases and water supplied from the outside is supplied to the water tank 10, the upper limit water level of the water stored in the water tank 10 is the condensed water supply pipe 21. The amount of water that can be stored in the water tank can be increased according to the amount of water supplied from the outside, because the connection site with the condensate drain pipe 23 is the same as or higher than the height at which the connection portion is disposed. it can. In this case, a backflow prevention member (for example, a backflow prevention valve) may be provided in the tank connection pipe 20 so that the water in the water tank 10 does not flow back to the condensed water tank 19.

  In FIG. 4, the water tank drain pipe 24 is provided in the water tank 10, and the water tank drain pipe 24 is located at a position higher than the connection portion of the condensed water supply pipe 21 to the condensed water drain pipe 23. It is shown that it is connected to.

  Here, since the water tank drain pipe 24 and the water tank 10 are connected at a position higher than the connection portion between the condensed water supply pipe 21 and the condensed water drain pipe 23, the condensed water is preferentially used. In this case, when the water level stored in the condensed water tank 19 or the water tank 10 reaches a predetermined level, the condensed water flowing through the condensed water supply pipe 21 is suppressed from flowing to the condensed water tank 19 and condensed. The water is drained from the water drain pipe 23.

  Therefore, it is possible to suppress the condensed water flowing through the condensed water supply pipe 21 from flowing to the condensed water tank 19, so that the amount of condensed water required by the reformer 4 is prevented from being treated with the ion exchange resin 22. The life of the ion exchange resin 22 can be extended.

  When water supplied from the outside is stored in the water tank 10, the level of the water stored in the water tank 10 is higher than the height at which the connection part of the condensed water supply pipe 21 to the condensed water drain pipe 23 is arranged. May be high.

  Here, by providing the water tank drain pipe 24 in the water tank 10, when water supplied from the outside is stored in the water tank 10, when the water level of the water tank 10 exceeds a predetermined level, It is possible to effectively suppress (prevent) the water stored in the tank 10 from flowing through the water tank drain pipe 24 and being discharged and overflowing the water tank 10.

  As described above, in the present invention, the condensed water generated during the heat exchange between the exhaust gas generated by the power generation of the fuel cell and water is recovered, and the recovered condensed water is preferentially supplied to the reformer 4. However, when the condensed water stored in the condensed water tank 19 decreases and the water level of the water tank 10 becomes a predetermined water level or less, the water supplied from the outside can be supplied to the reformer 4. preferable.

  Therefore, the water supplied from the outside is supplied to the water treatment device X, and the water supply pipe 5 for supplying the water treated by the water treatment device X to the water tank 10 is upstream of the water treatment device X. Is provided with a water supply valve 6 for adjusting the amount of water supplied from the outside, and when the water stored in the water tank 10 falls below a predetermined water level, the water supplied from the outside is stored in the water tank. It is preferable to provide the control apparatus 14 which controls the water supply valve 6 so that it may do (refer FIG. 1).

  Thereby, when the water level of the water tank 10 decreases and falls below a predetermined water level, water supplied from the outside can be stored in the water tank 10, so that the water supplied to the reformer 4 is depleted. Can be suppressed.

  Specifically, a water level sensor (float switch, conductivity sensor, etc.) is provided in the water tank 10. The water level information of the water tank 10 detected by the water level sensor is transmitted to the control device 14. The control device 14 transmits a signal for opening the water supply valve 6 to the water supply valve 6 when the water level of the water tank 10 falls below a predetermined water level. Thereby, the water supply valve 6 is opened, and water (tap water etc.) supplied from the outside is supplied. The water supplied from the outside is sequentially processed by the activated carbon filter device 7, the RO membrane device 8 and the ion exchange resin device 9 which are the water treatment means X, and the treated water is stored in the water tank 10. An electromagnetic valve or the like can be used as the water supply valve 6.

  On the other hand, when water from the outside is supplied to the water tank 10, when the water level in the water tank 10 exceeds a predetermined water level, information that exceeds the predetermined water level is transmitted to the control device 14, and control is performed. The device 14 transmits a signal for closing the water supply valve 6 to the water supply valve 6. Thereby, the water supplied from the outside can be stopped.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, the condensate tank 19 and the water tank 10 may be provided next to each other in FIG. 2 so that the tank connection pipe 20 is not provided. In this case, for example, the arrangement (height) of the condensed water tank 19 and the water tank 10 is preferably changed so that the water in the condensed water tank 19 flows into the water tank 10.

  Further, for example, when the water level in the water tank 10 falls below a predetermined water level (lower limit water level), the reforming reaction in the reformer 4 can be switched from steam reforming to partial oxidation reforming. In this case, even when the water level of the water tank 10 falls below the lower limit water level, the fuel cell 1 can continue to generate power.

  In addition, when water supplied from the outside is supplied to the water tank 10, a water flow sensor such as a conductivity sensor can be provided in the water tank drain pipe 24. In this case, for example, when the water level of the water tank 10 exceeds a predetermined water level and the control device 14 transmits a signal for closing the water supply valve 6 to the water supply valve 6 and a predetermined time has elapsed, the water flow sensor such as the conductivity sensor When the flow is detected, it can be determined that the water supply valve 6 has failed. In this case, an alarm device for notifying the failure of the water supply valve 6 may be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the fuel cell apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which extracts and shows a part of fuel cell apparatus of this invention which shows that a condensed water drainage pipe is connected to the condensed water supply pipe in the position higher than the upper limit water level of a condensed water tank. An example of still another configuration of the fuel cell device according to the present invention is shown in which the upper limit water level of the water tank is the same as the height at which the connection portion of the condensed water supply pipe and the condensed water drain pipe is disposed. It is explanatory drawing shown. An example of still another configuration of the fuel cell device of the present invention showing that the water tank drain pipe is connected to the water tank at a position higher than the connection portion of the condensed water supply pipe with the condensate drain pipe is extracted. It is explanatory drawing shown.

Explanation of symbols

1: Fuel cell 4: Reformer 5: Water supply pipe 6: Water supply valve 7: Activated carbon filter device 8: RO membrane device 9: Ion exchange resin device 10: Water tank 11: Water pump 13: Heat exchanger 14: Control Apparatus 19: Condensed water tank 20: Tank connecting pipe 21: Condensed water supply pipe 22: Condensed water treatment means 23: Condensed water drain pipe 24: Water tank drain pipe X: Water treatment apparatus

Claims (5)

A fuel cell, a reformer that performs steam reforming to generate reformed gas to be supplied to the fuel cell, a heat exchanger that performs heat exchange between the exhaust gas generated by the power generation of the fuel cell and water, A condensed water tank for storing condensed water generated by heat exchange in the heat exchanger, the condensed water tank and the heat exchanger are connected, and the condensed water generated in the heat exchanger is A condensate water supply pipe for supplying to the condensate water tank, comprising a condensate treatment means for making the condensate water pure water in the condensate water tank, and the condensation A condensed water drain pipe for draining the condensed water is connected in the middle of the water supply pipe, and one end of the condensed water supply pipe is connected to the lower end of the condensed water tank, and the condensed water supply The connecting part of the pipe with the condensed water drain pipe is the front Fuel cell apparatus characterized by than the upper limit water level of the condensed water tank is disposed so as to be positioned upward. The fuel cell apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the condensed water treatment means is an ion exchange resin. A water treatment device for treating water supplied from the outside, a water tank for storing water treated by the water treatment device, and water stored in the condensed water tank is supplied to the water tank A tank connecting pipe connected at one end to the upper end of the condensed water tank and connected at the other end to the water tank at the same height as or lower than the one end, The upper limit water level of water stored in the water tank is equal to or higher than a height at which a connection portion of the condensed water supply pipe to the condensed water drain pipe is disposed. 2. The fuel cell device according to 2. The fuel according to claim 3, further comprising a water tank drain pipe connected to the water tank at a position higher than a height at which a connection portion of the condensed water supply pipe with the condensed water drain pipe is disposed. Battery device. A water supply pipe for supplying water supplied from the outside to the water treatment apparatus and supplying water treated by the water treatment apparatus to the water tank, the water treatment apparatus of the water supply pipe A water supply valve for adjusting the amount of water supplied from the outside on the upstream side, and water supplied from the outside when the water stored in the water tank falls below a predetermined water level. The fuel cell device according to claim 3, further comprising a control device that controls the water supply valve so as to store water in the water tank.

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