JP2009205805A - Fuel cell device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience since continuous operation is enabled without stopping a fuel cell device by carrying out switching control so as to electrically connect the other cell stack in the case voltage of a cell stack becomes lower than a prescribe voltage value. <P>SOLUTION: In this fuel cell device, a plurality pieces of cell stacks 5 are juxtaposed, a current extraction parts 12 of the end part current collecting member 9 arranged on the same side of the cell stacks 5 are mutually coupled by a conductive coupling member 11, and when the current extraction part 12 and the coupling member 11 of one cell stack 5 are electrically connected, in the case the voltage of the cell stack 5 becomes lower than the prescribed voltage value, by carrying out the switching control so as to electrically connect the current extraction part 12 of the other one cell stack 5 and the coupling member 11, the number of times of maintenance and operation stoppages can be reduced, and the convenience can be improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell device having a cell stack configured by standing a plurality of fuel cells.

In recent years, as a next-generation energy, a cell stack formed by arranging a plurality of fuel cells that can obtain electric power using hydrogen-containing gas and air (oxygen-containing gas) and electrically connecting them in series, Various fuel cell modules that are fixed to a manifold that supplies gas to the cells and housed in a storage container, and further various fuel cell devices that house fuel cell modules have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .
JP 2007-59377 A

  In such a fuel cell device in which a plurality of cell stacks are connected, when the cell stacks are electrically connected in series, a failure or abnormality occurs in one of the cell stacks. The voltage may not be obtained.

  In such a case, although the other cell stacks can generate power normally, it is necessary to stop the fuel cell device to perform maintenance, and the frequency of maintenance increases and the frequency of stopping the fuel cell device is increased. There is a risk that it will increase and convenience will deteriorate.

  Therefore, in the fuel cell device of the present invention, in the fuel cell device having a plurality of cell stacks, there is provided a fuel cell device that can continue to operate even when an abnormality occurs in the cell stack. The purpose is to do.

  The fuel cell device according to the present invention is formed by electrically connecting a plurality of fuel cells having gas flow paths therein in series, and a plurality of the fuel cells from both ends in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. A plurality of cell stacks, which are arranged so as to sandwich the battery cells and include an end current collecting member having a current drawing part for drawing out current generated by power generation of the fuel battery cell, are juxtaposed. A fuel cell device comprising: a control device configured to connect the current drawing portions on the same side with a conductive connecting member, and to switch an electrical connection between the current drawing portion of the cell stack and the connecting member. The control device, when electrically connecting the current drawing portion and the connecting member of one cell stack, When the voltage of the stack becomes lower than a predetermined voltage value, control is performed to switch the current drawing part of the other one of the cell stacks and the connecting member to be electrically connected. .

  In such a fuel cell apparatus, when the voltage of the cell stack becomes lower than a predetermined voltage value when the control device is electrically connected to one cell stack, the other one Since the current drawing part of the cell stack and the connecting member are switched so as to be electrically connected (that is, the other one cell stack is electrically connected), the electrical connection is made. When the voltage of one cell stack becomes lower than a predetermined voltage value, it is possible to continue operation without stopping the fuel cell device by electrically connecting another cell stack. it can.

  Thereby, in addition to reducing the number of times the fuel cell device is stopped, the number of maintenance of the fuel cell device can be reduced, and the fuel cell device can be improved in convenience.

  In the fuel cell device of the present invention, the control device electrically connects the other cell stack when the voltage of one cell stack is lower than a predetermined voltage value for a predetermined time. It is preferable to perform control to switch the connection.

  In such a fuel cell device, the control device is configured to electrically connect another cell stack when a voltage of one cell stack is lower than a predetermined voltage value for a predetermined time. Since the switching control is performed, it is possible to prevent the electrical connection of the cell stack from being switched when the fuel cell device is started up or when the required load power is low.

  The fuel cell device according to the present invention is formed by electrically connecting a plurality of fuel cells having gas flow paths therein in series, and a plurality of the fuel cells from both ends in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. A plurality of cell stacks arranged adjacent to each other and having an end current collecting member having a current drawing portion for drawing current generated by power generation of the fuel cell, and arranged adjacent to each other. The current extraction part of the cell stack is electrically connected in series by being connected by a connecting member, and the current extraction part located at one end in the serial arrangement of the cell stack and the other end in the serial arrangement of the cell stack A fuel cell device comprising a control device that switches electrical connection between the current drawing portion and the connecting member. When the cell stacks are electrically connected, if the voltage of one or more of the cell stacks is lower than a predetermined voltage value, other than the cell stack lower than the predetermined voltage value The cell stack is controlled so as to be electrically connected in series.

  In such a fuel cell device, a plurality of cell stacks are electrically connected in series, a current drawing portion located at one end of the series arrangement, a connecting member that connects current drawing portions of adjacent cell stacks, When the control device that switches the electrical connection with the current drawing unit located at the other end of the series arrangement has a voltage of one or more cell stacks lower than a predetermined voltage value, Control is performed so that cell stacks other than the lowered cell stack are electrically connected in series.

  Thereby, in the fuel cell device in which a plurality of cell stacks are electrically connected in series, the control device is configured to electrically connect cell stacks other than the cell stack having a voltage value lower than a predetermined voltage value in series. Since switching control is performed, the voltage value (total of voltage values of a plurality of cell stacks) as the fuel cell device decreases, but the fuel cell device can be continuously operated without stopping the fuel cell device. it can.

  Thereby, in addition to reducing the number of times the fuel cell device is stopped, the number of maintenance of the fuel cell device can be reduced, and the fuel cell device can be improved in convenience.

  Further, in the fuel cell device of the present invention, the control device is lower than the predetermined voltage value when the voltage of one or a plurality of the cell stacks is lower than the predetermined voltage value for a predetermined time. It is preferable to perform control to electrically connect the cell stacks other than the cell stack in series.

  In such a fuel cell device, when the control device is in a state where the voltage of one or a plurality of cell stacks is lower than a predetermined voltage value for a predetermined time, other than the cell stack that has become lower than the predetermined voltage Since the cell stacks are controlled so as to be electrically connected in series, it is possible to avoid switching the electrical connection of the cell stacks when starting up the fuel cell device or when the required load power is low.

  In the fuel cell device of the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of cell stacks are respectively connected to manifolds for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cells.

  In such a fuel cell device, since the plurality of cell stacks are respectively (separately) fixed to the manifold that supplies fuel gas to the fuel cell, when the electrical connection of the cell stack is switched, It is only necessary to supply fuel gas to the electrically connected cell stacks.

  Thereby, it can suppress (prevent) that fuel gas is supplied to the cell stack which is not electrically connected, and it can be set as a fuel cell apparatus with sufficient electric power generation efficiency.

  In the fuel cell device according to the present invention, the control device performs control to switch the other cell stacks to be electrically connected when the voltage of the cell stack becomes lower than a predetermined voltage value. The apparatus can be continuously operated without stopping the apparatus, and convenience can be improved.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of a fuel cell module 1 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a module) in which a cell stack 5 constituting a fuel cell device of the present invention is housed. In the cell stack 5 shown in FIG. 1, a part of the end current collecting member is omitted. In the following drawings, the same members are assigned the same numbers.

  In the fuel cell device of the present invention, although not shown, the exterior case is partitioned vertically by a partition member provided in the exterior case, and the module 1 shown in FIG. In addition, it is preferable that an auxiliary machine (such as a control device 14 to be described later) for operating the module 1 is stored as an auxiliary machine storage chamber on the lower side.

  In the module 1 shown in FIG. 1, a columnar fuel cell 3 having a gas flow path through which gas flows is arranged inside the storage container 2 in an upright manner, and between adjacent fuel cells 3. Of the fuel cells 3 so as to sandwich the plurality of fuel cells 3 from both ends in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3. The cell stack 5 is configured by disposing an end current collecting member 9 (partially omitted in FIG. 1) having a current drawing portion for drawing a current generated by power generation. The lower ends of the fuel cells 3 and the end current collecting members 9 constituting the cell stack 5 are fixed to the manifold 4 with an insulating bonding material (not shown) such as a glass sealing material, and the inside of the storage container 2 Store in. The configuration of the cell stack 5 will be described in detail later.

  Further, in FIG. 1, the fuel battery cell 3 is a hollow flat plate type having a gas flow path through which a hydrogen-containing gas (fuel gas) flows in the longitudinal direction. A fuel-side electrode layer, a solid electrolyte is formed on the surface of the support. A solid oxide fuel cell 3 in which a layer and an oxygen-side electrode layer are sequentially provided is illustrated.

  In addition to the above, for example, a cylindrical or flat fuel cell can be used as the fuel cell 3, and an oxygen-side electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and a fuel-side electrode layer are sequentially provided on the surface of the support. A solid oxide fuel cell 3 can be obtained. In this case, the shape of the end current collecting member can be changed as appropriate.

  Further, in FIG. 1, in order to obtain fuel gas used for power generation of the fuel battery cell 3, a reformer 6 for reforming raw fuel such as natural gas or kerosene to generate fuel gas is provided with a cell stack 5. It is arranged above (fuel cell 3). The fuel gas generated by the reformer 6 is supplied to the manifold 4 through the gas flow pipe 7 and supplied to the gas flow path provided inside the fuel battery cell 3 via the manifold 4. With such a configuration, a cell stack device 8 including the manifold 4 and the reformer 6 is configured. The configuration of the cell stack device 8 can be changed as appropriate depending on the type and shape of the fuel cell 3.

  Further, FIG. 1 shows a state in which a part (front and rear surfaces) of the storage container 2 is removed and the fuel cell stack device 8 stored inside is taken out rearward. Here, in the module 1 shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell stack device 8 can be slid and stored in the storage container 2.

  FIG. 2 is a top view of the cell stack device 8 with the reformer 6 removed, and a schematic diagram showing that the voltage drawn from the cell stack 5 is electrically connected by the control device 14. It is.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a stack device 8 in which two cell stacks 5 are juxtaposed on one manifold 4. The cell stacks 5 are juxtaposed so that the arrangement directions of the fuel cells 3 are parallel to each other, and the current drawing portions 12 on the same side of the cell stack 5 are screwed together with the conductive connecting members 11 with screws 13. By connecting the two cell stacks 5, the two cell stacks 5 are connected. Similarly, when three or more cell stacks 5 are juxtaposed, the current drawing portions 12 on the same side of the cell stack 5 can be connected by a connecting member.

  A current collecting member 10 is disposed between each fuel cell 3 and between the end in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 and the end current collecting member 9 (the current collecting member 10 between the fuel cells 3 is illustrated in FIG. Thereby, each fuel cell 3 is electrically connected in series. The current (voltage) obtained by the power generation of the fuel battery cell 3 is connected by the end current collecting member 12 via the current collecting member 10 arranged at the end in the arrangement direction of the fuel battery cells 3.

  Here, when two of the cell stacks 5 shown in FIG. 2 are electrically connected in series, a predetermined voltage cannot be obtained when one of the cell stacks 5 is faulty or abnormal. In addition, when power generation in one cell stack 5 is stopped, it is difficult to draw a current (voltage) in the other cell stack 5.

  Therefore, when two of the cell stacks 5 are electrically connected in series, when a failure or abnormality occurs in the cell stack 5 (when a predetermined voltage cannot be obtained), a fuel cell device is provided each time. It is necessary to perform maintenance after stopping the operation, the frequency of maintenance increases, and the convenience of the fuel cell device may be deteriorated.

  Therefore, in the cell stack device 8 shown in FIG. 2, the current drawing portions 12 on the same side (one end side) of one cell stack 5 and the other cell stack 5 are connected by the connecting member 11, The control device 14 is electrically connected, and the current extraction unit 12 on the other end side of one cell stack 5 and the other cell stack 5 is electrically connected to the control device 14 separately.

  Thereby, the control device 14 normally controls the current drawing portion 12 of one cell stack 5 and the connecting member 11 to be electrically connected (in FIG. 2, the control device 14 is indicated by a black line). ) When the voltage of one cell stack 5 becomes lower than a predetermined voltage value (when a predetermined voltage cannot be obtained), the current drawing portion 12 and the connecting member 11 of the other cell stack 5 are electrically connected. It is possible to perform control so as to switch the connection, that is, control from one cell stack 5 to the other cell stack 5 (indicated by a chain line in the control device 14 in FIG. 2).

  The case where the control device 14 switches the connection of the cell stack 5 can be set as appropriate depending on the shape of the fuel cell 3 constituting the cell stack 5, for example, the fuel cell 3 constituting the cell stack 5. It is preferable to switch when the average voltage becomes 0.4 V or less.

  Thereby, even if a failure or abnormality occurs in one cell stack 5, power generation can be continuously performed by switching the other cell stack 5 to be electrically connected. It can continue to operate without stopping. In addition, since the number of maintenance can be reduced, convenience can be improved.

  In addition, in the fuel cell device in which two cell stacks 5 are juxtaposed as shown in FIG. 2 and the connection is appropriately switched, the cell stack 5 that can output a voltage necessary for a load by power generation of one cell stack 5 is used. Is preferred.

  By the way, when the voltage of one cell stack 5 becomes lower than a predetermined voltage value, it is preferable to switch the electrical connection to the other one cell stack 5. However, at the time of starting the fuel cell device or required load power There is a risk that the electrical connection of the cell stack 5 is frequently switched, for example, when the battery is low.

  In this case, if the electrical connection of the cell stack 5 is frequently switched, the durability of the cell stack 5 is lowered and the power generation efficiency may be lowered.

  Therefore, for example, when the state where the voltage of one cell stack 5 is lower than a predetermined voltage value continues for a predetermined time, the control device 14 performs control to switch the other cell stack 5 to be electrically connected. By performing the above, it is possible to prevent the durability of the cell stack 5 from being lowered, and it is possible to obtain a fuel cell device with good power generation efficiency.

  The state where the voltage of the cell stack 5 is lower than the predetermined voltage value continues for a predetermined time is, for example, that the voltage of the fuel cell 3 constituting the cell stack 5 is 0.4 V or less for 5 minutes or more. The case can be continued.

  FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing an example of a cell stack device 18 in which one cell stack 16 is fixed to one manifold 15, and FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a case where two cell stack devices 18 are juxtaposed. It is. 2 and FIG. 4 are compared, there is no difference except that two cell stack devices 18 are arranged.

  As described above, when the two cell stacks 5 are juxtaposed on one manifold 4 with the arrangement directions of the fuel cells 3 parallel to each other and only one cell stack 5 is electrically connected (one side When the current drawing portion 12 of the cell stack 5 and the connecting member 11 are electrically connected to each other), one cell stack 5 generates power and the other cell stack 5 does not generate power. In this case, since it is necessary to always supply the fuel gas to one cell stack 5 that generates power, the fuel gas is always supplied to the manifold 4. Therefore, when two cell stacks 5 are juxtaposed on one manifold, fuel gas is always supplied to the cell stack 5 that is not generating power, and the power generation efficiency of the cell stack device 8 may be reduced. There is.

  Here, in FIG. 4, two cell stack devices 18 each having one cell stack 16 fixed to one manifold 15 are juxtaposed, and the same side of one cell stack 16 and the other cell stack 16 ( The current drawing portions 12 on one end side) are connected to each other by the connecting member 11, the connecting member 11 and the control device 14 are connected, and the current drawing portion on the other end side of the one cell stack 16 and the other cell stack 16. 12 are connected to the control device 14 separately.

  Thereby, while one cell stack 16 is electrically connected, the supply of fuel gas to the other cell stack 16 can be stopped, and a fuel cell device with high power generation efficiency can be obtained. Can do.

  In the case where the electrical connection is switched from one cell stack 16 to the other cell stack 16, the other cell stack is previously switched so that the electrical connection can be immediately switched from one cell stack 16 to the other cell stack 16. It is preferable to define 16 start-up conditions. For example, the activation start condition of the other cell stack 16 is that the other cell stack 16 (manifold 15) is not more than a predetermined voltage value set to a voltage value higher than a predetermined voltage value for switching the cell stack 16. For example, control to supply fuel gas. Thereby, the electrical connection of the cell stack 16 can be switched immediately.

  The electrical connection of the fuel cell device in which two cell stacks capable of performing rated operation with one cell stack are juxtaposed has been described above. Depending on the fuel cell device, a plurality of cell stacks are electrically connected in series. The rated operation may be performed.

  FIG. 5 shows an example in which three cell stack devices 18 (cell stacks 16) are juxtaposed, and current drawing portions 12 of adjacent cell stacks 16 are connected by a connecting member 11 and are electrically connected in series. FIG. The cell stacks 16 are juxtaposed so that the arrangement directions of the fuel cells 3 are parallel to each other and the current polarities are opposite at the ends on the same side of the cell stack 16.

  Here, in a fuel cell device in which a plurality of cell stack devices 18 are electrically connected in series as shown in FIG. 5, a failure or abnormality occurs in one or a plurality of cell stacks 16 and a predetermined voltage value is obtained. When the voltage becomes lower, particularly when the cell stack 16 cannot generate power, it may be difficult to extract a voltage (current) from another cell stack 16.

  Therefore, in a fuel cell device in which a plurality of cell stacks 16 are electrically connected in series, the frequency of maintenance increases, the frequency of stopping the fuel cell device increases, and convenience may deteriorate.

  Therefore, in a fuel cell device in which a plurality of cell stacks are connected in series, the control device is configured so that when the voltage of one or more cell stacks is lower than a predetermined voltage value, It is preferable to perform control for switching the cell stacks that have become lower and switching so that the other cell stacks are electrically connected in series.

  As a result, in the fuel cell device in which the plurality of cell stacks 16 are electrically connected in series, the control device 14 electrically connects the cell stacks 16 other than the cell stack 16 that is lower than the predetermined voltage value in series. Since the voltage control as the fuel cell device (the sum of the voltages of the plurality of cell stacks 16) is reduced, the fuel cell device is continuously stopped without stopping the fuel cell device. Can be operated. Thereby, in addition to reducing the number of times the fuel cell device is stopped, the number of maintenance of the fuel cell device can be reduced, and the fuel cell device can be improved in convenience.

  Here, in FIG. 5, one end side and the other end side of the plurality of cell stacks 16 are respectively connected to the control device 14, and the connecting members 11 (two connecting members 11 in FIG. 5) are the control devices. 14. As a result, it is possible to control so that the cell stacks 16 that are lower than a predetermined voltage value are disconnected and the other cell stacks 16 are electrically connected in series.

  6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams showing a connection method of the three cell stacks 16 shown in FIG. In the description of FIGS. 6 and 7, the respective cell stacks 16 are referred to as stack 1, stack 2, and stack 3.

  In FIG. 6A, one end of the stack 1 and the stack 2 is connected by the connecting member 11, and the other end of the stack 2 and one end of the stack 3 are connected by the connecting member 11. Further, the other end of the stack 1, each connecting member 11, and the other end of the stack 3 are connected to the control device 14. The same applies to the other drawings.

  6A shows a normal state, and the control device 14 connects the other end of the stack 1 (+ side in the drawing) and the other end of the stack 3 (− side in the drawing). Thereby, the stack 1, the stack 2 and the stack 3 are electrically connected in series.

  FIG. 6B shows a state in which the stack 3 is disconnected, and the control device 14 connects the other end of the stack 1 (the + side in the drawing) and the stack 2 and the stack 3. And control to connect. Thereby, the stack 1 and the stack 2 can be electrically connected in series.

  FIG. 7C shows a state in which the stack 2 is disconnected, and the control device 14 has the other end of the stack 1 (+ side in the figure) and the other end of the stack 3 (− side in the figure). ) And a connecting member that connects the stack 1 and the stack 2 and a connecting member that connects the stack 2 and the stack 3 are controlled to be connected. Thereby, the stack 1 and the stack 3 can be electrically connected in series.

  FIG. 7D shows a state in which the stack 1 is disconnected, and the control device 14 includes a connecting member that connects the stack 1 and the stack 2, and the other end of the stack 3 (− side in the figure). And control to connect. Thereby, the stack 2 and the stack 3 can be electrically connected in series.

  FIGS. 6B, 7C, and 7D show examples in which one cell stack 16 that is lower than a predetermined voltage value is disconnected, but two cell stacks 16 are When the voltage becomes lower than the predetermined voltage, the switching can be performed in the same manner.

  Thus, in a cell stack device in which a plurality of cell stacks are electrically connected in series, when one or a plurality of cell stacks have a failure or abnormality and become lower than a predetermined voltage, a predetermined By performing control to switch the cell stacks other than the cell stack that is lower than the voltage to be electrically connected in series, the fuel cell device can be continuously operated without being stopped.

  In this case, since the number of cell stacks electrically connected in series decreases, the voltage as the fuel cell device (total of a plurality of cell stacks) decreases, but continues without stopping the fuel cell device. Therefore, the number of times of stopping the fuel cell device can be reduced, the number of maintenance of the fuel cell device can be reduced, and a fuel cell device with improved convenience can be obtained.

  In addition, when switching cell stacks that are electrically connected in series, in addition to detecting the voltage of each cell stack and switching the connection of the cell stack accordingly, the connection of the cell stacks is switched in order to obtain a predetermined voltage value. If cell stacks other than the lower cell stack can be electrically connected in series (when the cell stack is the sum of the predetermined voltages that can be output), the connection may be maintained. Good.

  By the way, among the plurality of cell stacks electrically connected in series, when the voltage of one or a plurality of cell stacks 16 is lower than a predetermined voltage value, the cell that is lower than the predetermined voltage value The stack 16 is disconnected and the electrical connection is switched so that the other cell stacks 16 are electrically connected in series. However, when the fuel cell device is started up or when the required load power is low, There is a possibility that the electrical connection of the cell stack 16 is frequently switched.

  In this case, if the electrical connection of the cell stack 16 is frequently switched, the durability of the cell stack 16 is lowered and the power generation efficiency may be lowered.

  Therefore, when the state in which the voltage of one or a plurality of cell stacks 16 is lower than a predetermined voltage value among a plurality of cell stacks electrically connected in series continues for a predetermined time, By disconnecting the cell stack 16 lower than the predetermined voltage and controlling the other cell stacks 16 to be electrically connected in series, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the durability of the cell stack 16, A fuel cell device with good power generation efficiency can be obtained.

  The case where the voltage of the cell stack 16 is lower than the predetermined voltage continues for a predetermined time can be set as appropriate depending on the shape of the fuel cell 3 constituting the cell stack 16. The average voltage of the fuel battery cells 3 constituting the above can be 0.4 V or less for 5 minutes.

  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, when the voltage of the cell stack is equal to or lower than a predetermined voltage value, the control device 14 performs control to switch the other cell stack to be electrically connected, but when the other cell stack is electrically connected. If a predetermined voltage cannot be obtained, the fuel cell device can be controlled to stop.

  In addition, the example in which the cell stack is switched when the state where the voltage of the cell stack is lower than the predetermined voltage value continues for a predetermined time has been shown, but considering that it takes time to start the fuel cell apparatus, It can also be controlled to switch the cell stack when the voltage of the cell stack is lower than the predetermined voltage continuously for a predetermined time after the start-up is completed.

It is an external appearance perspective view which shows an example of the fuel cell module which comprises the fuel cell apparatus of this invention. It is the schematic explaining the connection of a cell stack. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows an example of the cell stack apparatus with which one cell stack is being fixed to one manifold. It is the schematic explaining the connection of two cell stacks. It is the schematic which shows the example by which three cell stacks are electrically connected in series. It is explanatory drawing explaining the connection of three cell stacks. It is explanatory drawing explaining the connection of three cell stacks.

Explanation of symbols

1: Fuel cell module 2: Storage container 3: Fuel cell 4, 15: Manifold 5, 16: Cell stack 9: End current collecting member 11: Connecting member 12: Current drawing part 14: Control device

Claims (5)

  A plurality of fuel cells having gas flow paths therein are electrically connected in series, and arranged so as to sandwich the plurality of fuel cells from both ends in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. A plurality of cell stacks having end current collecting members having current drawing portions for drawing current generated by power generation of the fuel cells, and the current drawing portions on the same side of the cell stacks And a control device that switches electrical connection between the current drawing portion of the cell stack and the connection member, wherein the control device includes: When the current drawing portion of one cell stack and the connecting member are electrically connected, the voltage of one cell stack is a predetermined voltage. If it becomes lower than the pressure value, the fuel cell apparatus and performing switching control such that electrically connect the connecting member and the current draw of the other one of the cell stack.   The control device performs control to switch the other one of the cell stacks to be electrically connected when the voltage of one of the cell stacks is lower than a predetermined voltage value for a predetermined time. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein   A plurality of fuel cells having gas flow paths therein are electrically connected in series, and arranged so as to sandwich the plurality of fuel cells from both ends in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells, A plurality of cell stacks having end current collecting members having current drawing portions for drawing current generated by power generation of the fuel cells are juxtaposed, and the current drawing portions of adjacent cell stacks are connected to each other. And connected in series with each other, and the current extraction part located at one end in the series arrangement of the cell stack and the current extraction part located at the other end in the series arrangement of the cell stack and the connection A fuel cell device comprising a control device for switching electrical connection with a member, wherein the control device supplies a plurality of the cell stacks with electricity. When the voltage of one or a plurality of the cell stacks is lower than a predetermined voltage value during the connection, the cell stacks other than the cell stacks that are lower than the predetermined voltage value are electrically connected. The fuel cell device is characterized in that control is performed so as to connect in series.   When the state in which the voltage of one or a plurality of the cell stacks is lower than a predetermined voltage value continues for a predetermined time, the control device sets the cell stacks other than the cell stacks lower than the predetermined voltage value. 4. The fuel cell device according to claim 3, wherein control for electrical connection in series is performed.   5. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cell stacks are respectively connected to a manifold for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell.

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