JP2009266611A - Fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell system which can make easier a maintenance work of a first maintenance component and controls the first maintenance component from becoming excessively low in temperature and is advantageous in a smooth restarting of the fuel cell system. <P>SOLUTION: A case 50 is provided with a main housing chamber 51 for housing a reforming unit 2, a compartment 53 separated from the main housing chamber 51, and a dividing wall 55 which divides the main housing chamber 51 and the compartment 53. The dividing wall 55 has a maintenance open mouth 75 communicating the main housing chamber 51 and the compartment 53. The first maintenance component 28 gets a maintenance work through the maintenance open mouth 75 of the dividing wall 55 at least either regularly or irregularly or at a time of a breakdown. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell system having a maintenance component.

  The fuel cell system includes a housing having a main housing chamber, a fuel cell disposed in the main housing chamber of the housing, and is disposed in the main housing chamber of the housing and is regularly, irregularly, or maintained in the event of a failure. And maintenance parts.

Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a fuel cell device in which maintenance parts that require regular or irregular maintenance are disposed in the vicinity of a front detachable panel in a package as a housing.
JP 2006-140164 A

  According to the above-described literature technique, the maintenance component is disposed in the vicinity of the front detachable panel in the package, and is approaching the outside air. Therefore, there is an advantage that the maintenance work of the maintenance parts becomes easy.

  However, while maintenance work for maintenance parts becomes easy, in cold regions and winter, when the operation of the fuel cell system is stopped, there is a risk that the maintenance parts will be excessively cooled due to the influence of the temperature of the outside air. is there. In particular, if the maintenance component is excessively cooled due to the influence of the temperature of the outside air, the maintenance component may freeze. Examples of maintenance parts that are easily frozen include water-based maintenance parts. In this case, when restarting the fuel cell system, it is easy to affect smooth restart.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and facilitates the maintenance work of the first maintenance component, suppresses excessive low temperature of the first maintenance component, and smoothly restarts the fuel cell system. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell system advantageous to the above.

  The fuel cell system according to the present invention includes (i) a main storage chamber, a compartment separated from the main storage chamber, a partition for separating the main storage chamber and the compartment, and a communication between the main storage chamber and the compartment. A housing having a partition having an opening; and (ii) an anode that is disposed in a main housing chamber of the housing and is supplied with an anode fluid and a cathode that is supplied with a cathode fluid. (Iii) A fuel cell that generates electricity, and (iii) stored in the main storage chamber of the housing so as to be inserted into and removed from the maintenance opening of the partition wall, or to be maintained from the maintenance opening of the partition wall. And a first maintenance component that is maintained in at least one of a failure and a failure.

  The housing includes a main storage chamber, a partition separated from the main storage chamber, and a partition partitioning the main storage chamber and the partition. The partition has a maintenance opening that allows the main storage chamber and the compartment to communicate with each other. The fuel cell is disposed in the main housing chamber of the casing, and has an anode to which an anode fluid is supplied and a cathode to which a cathode fluid is supplied. The fuel cell generates electricity with an anode fluid and a cathode fluid. The first maintenance component is maintained at least one of regular, irregular, and failure. The first maintenance component is typically an aqueous maintenance component that may freeze, or an electrical device that is placed in the main storage chamber for reasons such as electrical wiring.

  The first maintenance component is not disposed in the main compartment of the casing, which is not easily cooled when the fuel cell system is stopped, but is less likely to be cooler than the compartment when the fuel cell system is stopped. Yes. Therefore, excessive low temperature such as freezing of the first maintenance part is suppressed. Therefore, it is advantageous to restart the fuel cell system using the first maintenance component.

  However, when the first maintenance part is disposed in the main storage chamber, although excessively low temperature such as freezing of the first maintenance part is suppressed, the ease of maintenance work is reduced when maintaining the first maintenance part. There is a risk. Therefore, according to the present invention, during maintenance, the first maintenance part can be taken into and out of the main storage chamber from the maintenance opening of the partition wall, or even if the first maintenance part is not taken out to the compartment side, The first maintenance component is housed in the main housing chamber of the housing so that maintenance is performed from the maintenance opening of the partition wall.

  According to the fuel cell system of the present invention, preferably, the following form can be adopted. It is preferable that a reformer for reforming the fuel material to generate an anode fluid is provided. The reformer is preferably disposed in the main housing chamber of the housing. The fuel material to be reformed may be a gas fuel or a liquid fuel. Specifically, city gas, LPG, kerosene, methanol, dimethyl ether, gasoline, biogas, and the like can be employed.

  Preferably, an opening / closing member capable of opening / closing at least a part of the maintenance opening provided in the partition wall is provided. In this case, it is preferable that the opening / closing member closes the maintenance opening to reduce the communication between the main storage chamber and the compartment during normal operation (during non-maintenance, during operation of the fuel cell system). In this case, the heat of the main housing chamber is suppressed from being transmitted to the compartment side through the maintenance opening, which is advantageous for keeping the compartment as low as possible. In this case, it is easier to maintain the compartment at a lower temperature than the main housing chamber that houses the fuel cell that functions as a heat radiation source. On the other hand, when the first maintenance component is taken in and out of the main storage chamber through the maintenance opening, it is preferable that the opening / closing member is detached from the partition and opens at least a part of the maintenance opening. In this case, since the opening amount of the maintenance opening increases, the first maintenance component can be easily put into and out of the main storage chamber from the maintenance opening. Preferably, the opening / closing member may be a dust reducing unit that purifies the cathode fluid supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell. An example of the dust reduction unit is a filter unit having a dust reduction capability.

  Preferably, the cathode fluid whose dust has been reduced by the dust reducing unit is supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell through the maintenance opening. In general, the cathode fluid is preferably an oxygen-containing gas such as air. In this case, the maintenance opening functions as a maintenance opening for taking out the maintenance parts accommodated in the main accommodating chamber to the compartment side, and can also function as a cathode fluid suction opening for sucking the cathode fluid. .

  -Preferably, a housing | casing is equipped with the detachable panel which can be attached or detached with respect to a housing | casing, and closes a compartment at the time of attachment. The detachable panel may have air permeability or may not have air permeability. If the detachable panel is detached from the housing and detached, the compartment is opened.

  -It is preferable that the 2nd maintenance component maintained in at least one of regular, irregular and failure time is arrange | positioned in the compartment. In the case where a reformer is provided, a desulfurizer is exemplified as the second maintenance part. The desulfurizer reduces sulfur components and / or sulfur compounds contained in the fuel material before being supplied to the reformer. If the desulfurizer is maintained at an excessively high temperature for a long time, a satisfactory desulfurization reaction may not be obtained. In addition, as a 2nd maintenance component accommodated in a compartment, the component which is hard to freeze or the component which does not have a trouble in particular even if it freezes is illustrated. The first maintenance part and the second maintenance part are not particularly clearly identified. According to the present invention, the maintenance component accommodated in the main accommodation chamber is the first maintenance component. Among the maintenance parts, the one accommodated in the compartment is the second maintenance part.

  -An ion exchanger that performs processing for reducing the impurities contained in the stack coolant that cools the stack and purifying it to increase the electrical insulation of the stack coolant is provided as a second maintenance component. It is preferable. The ion exchanger is preferably disposed in a compartment that can be maintained at a lower temperature than the main storage chamber. This is because the compartment does not contain a fuel cell or reformer serving as a heat radiation source, and therefore the compartment is more easily maintained at a lower temperature than the reforming unit accommodation chamber. For this reason, even if the use period of a fuel cell system is long-term, it is suppressed that the thermal deterioration of water purification materials, such as ion exchange resin accommodated in the ion exchanger, advances. As a result, it is advantageous for improving the durability and extending the life of the ion exchange resin accommodated in the ion exchanger. Therefore, it is advantageous to maintain the electrical insulation of the stack coolant over a long period of time.

  -Preferably, a partition has a heat insulation layer so that the heat transfer between a main storage chamber and a compartment may be suppressed. In this case, the heat of the main storage chamber that stores the stack or reformer serving as a heat radiation source is suppressed from being transmitted to the compartment. The partition preferably has a heat insulating layer. Examples of the heat insulating layer include a heat insulating layer of ceramic material, an air heat insulating layer, a porous layer, and the like.

  Preferably, a water purifier is provided that purifies reformed water (for example, condensed water or tap water) supplied to the reformer to purify it. Preferably, the water purifier is disposed in the main storage chamber, and is disposed close to the partition wall that partitions the compartment maintained at a lower temperature than the main storage chamber. The water purifier preferably contains a water purification material such as an ion exchange resin or activated carbon for purifying the reformed water. The water remaining in the water purifier is pure water or close to pure water, and generally does not contain antifreeze components. Therefore, when the outside air is at a low temperature around 0 ° C, the water is purified. There is a risk of freezing in the vessel. For this reason, while suppressing the freezing of the water purifier when the fuel cell system is stopped, the water purifying material such as the ion exchange resin of the water purifier is kept as low as possible during the operation of the fuel cell system. It is preferable to improve and extend the life. Therefore, it is preferable to place the water purifier close to the partition in the main storage chamber while disposing the water purifier in the main storage chamber that stores the stack or reformer that can be a heat radiation source.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the first maintenance component is not a compartment in the casing that tends to become low temperature when the fuel cell system is shut down, but from the compartment when the fuel cell system is shut down. Located in the main containment room, which is unlikely to be cold. Therefore, when the operation of the fuel cell system is stopped, excessively low temperature such as freezing of the first maintenance component is suppressed. Therefore, the influence on the start-up of the fuel cell system is reduced.

  However, if the first maintenance component is disposed in the main storage chamber, the operation of maintaining the first maintenance component tends to be difficult.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, even though the first maintenance component is housed in the main housing chamber of the housing, the maintenance person removes the first maintenance component from the main housing chamber through the maintenance opening of the partition wall. It can be taken out to the compartment side and further to the outside air side. Then, after maintaining the first maintenance component, the first maintenance component can be inserted back into the main storage chamber through the maintenance opening of the partition wall.

  Alternatively, even if the first maintenance part of the main storage chamber is not taken out from the maintenance opening to the compartment side, the maintenance person inserts a hand or an arm from the maintenance opening into the main storage chamber side from the maintenance chamber side. The first maintenance part can be maintained. The maintenance person includes a manufacturer worker, a repair person and an inspector after construction of the fuel cell system, a user, and the like.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is applied to a stationary fuel cell system. The drawings are merely conceptual diagrams, and do not define the details in detail. FIG. 1 schematically shows the concept of a fuel cell system. First, a schematic configuration of the fuel cell system will be described. The fuel cell system has a supply path 1 for reforming a fuel material as an anode gas and supplying it to the anode of the fuel cell, a reformer 2 that can function as an anode gas supply unit, and a fuel cell stack 3. In the supply path 1, from the upstream to the downstream, the fuel raw material source 4, the supply valve 5, the desulfurizer 6, the first pump 7 (fuel raw material transfer source), the valve 8, the reformer 2, the first condenser 9, the inlet The valve 10 and the fuel cell stack 3 are connected.

  The reformer 2 is formed by a reforming section 2a that generates an anode gas by steam reforming a fuel material, and a combustion section 2c that heats the reforming section 2a. A branch path 11 is branched from the upstream of the reforming section 2a of the supply path 1 toward the combustion section 2c.

  The fuel cell stack 3 includes an anode to which an anode gas is supplied, a cathode to which a cathode gas is supplied, and a polymer type ion conductive membrane sandwiched between the anode and the cathode (for example, fluorine-based or hydrocarbon-based). And have. The fuel cell may be a system in which a plurality of sheet-type cells are stacked in the thickness direction, or a system in which tube-type cells are assembled.

  A cathode gas passage 12 for supplying cathode gas to the cathode inlet of the stack 3 is provided. The cathode gas passage 12 is provided with a cathode gas pump 13 (cathode gas carrier source). A cathode offgas passage 14 is provided for discharging cathode offgas from the cathode outlet of the fuel cell. In the cathode gas passage 12, the stack 3 is arranged with the humidifier 15 adjacent thereto. The humidifier 15 humidifies the cathode gas supplied to the cathode of the stack 3 before supplying it to the cathode of the stack 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a bypass path 16 extends from the upstream side of the inlet valve 10 in the supply path 1. A bypass valve 17 is provided in the bypass path 16. An anode off-gas passage 19 is provided from the anode outlet of the stack 3. The anode off gas passage 19 has an outlet valve 20 and a second condenser 21. A first drainage channel 24 extending from the first condenser 9 is connected to a water purifier 28 via a first drainage valve 23. A second drainage channel 26 extending from the second condenser 21 is connected to a water purifier 28 via a second drainage valve 27. The water generated by the water purifier 28 is supplied to the water tank 25 by a pump (not shown) or gravity. A reforming water passage 40 extends from the water tank 25 toward the inlet 2i of the reforming section 2a. The reforming water passage 40 is provided with a water purifier 28, a reforming water pump 41, and a reforming water valve 42.

  The startup will be described. At startup, the first pump 7 (conveyance source) is driven to rotate with the supply valve 5 being open and the valve 8 being closed. Then, the gaseous fuel material of the fuel material source 4 flows into the supply path 1, is desulfurized by the desulfurizer 6, and is supplied to the combustion unit 2 c of the reformer 2.

  When the combustion air pump 33 is driven to rotate, the combustion air is supplied from the air passage 34 to the combustion unit 2c. As a result, the gaseous fuel material is burned in the combustion section 2 c by the air from the air passage 34. The reforming part 2a is gradually heated to a high temperature region by the combustion of the combustion part 2c. When the reforming unit 2a is heated to a high temperature region in this way, the control device opens the valve 8, and the fuel material of the fuel material source 4 is supplied to the reforming unit 2a. At this time, the reforming water pump 41 is driven to rotate and the reforming water valve 42 is opened by the control device. For this reason, the water of the water purifier 28 is supplied to the reforming unit 2a. As a result, the fuel material supplied to the reforming unit 2a is steam reformed by the reforming water. As a result, anode gas (hydrogen 20 mol% or more) containing hydrogen as a main component is generated. Thus, the anode gas produced by the reformer 2 is reduced in moisture by the first condenser 9.

  The fuel material to be reformed may be a gas fuel or a liquid fuel. Specifically, city gas, LPG, kerosene, methanol, dimethyl ether, gasoline, biogas, and the like can be employed.

  At the beginning of startup, the composition of the anode gas is not always stable. For this reason, at the beginning of startup, the control device closes the inlet valve 10 and the outlet valve 20 but opens the bypass valve 17. Therefore, at the beginning of startup, the anode gas is not supplied to the anode of the stack 3, but is supplied to the second condenser 21 via the bypass passage 16 and the bypass valve 17, and after the moisture is reduced by the second condenser 21, The fuel is supplied to the combustion unit 2c and burned. When a predetermined time elapses from the start and the composition of the anode gas is stabilized, the inlet valve 10 and the outlet valve 20 are opened, and the anode gas is supplied to the anode of the stack 3 through the inlet valve 10. A cathode gas is supplied from the cathode gas passage 12 to the cathode of the stack 3. As a result, a power generation reaction is performed in the stack 3 by the anode gas and the cathode gas, and electric energy is generated. Since the anode off-gas after the power generation reaction may have a combustible component, the anode off-gas is discharged from the anode outlet of the stack 3 and flows from the anode off-gas passage 19 to the second condenser 21 via the outlet valve 20 and the second condensation. After the moisture is condensed in the vessel 21, it is supplied to the combustion unit 2c, burned, and reused.

  Here, condensed water is stored in condensers such as the first condenser 9 and the second condenser 21. When the first drain valve 23 is opened, the condensed water accumulated in the first condenser 9 is supplied to the water purifier 28 via the first drain passage 24. When the second drain valve 27 is opened, the condensed water accumulated in the second condenser 21 is supplied to the water purifier 28 via the second drain passage 26. Condensed water collected in the water purifier 28 is generated by the water purifier 28 and purified. Here, when the reforming water pump 41 is driven to rotate and the reforming water valve 42 is opened, the water in the water purifier 28 is supplied to the reforming unit 2a. As a result, the fuel material supplied to the reforming unit 2a is steam reformed by the reforming water. The reforming water used for steam reforming preferably has a high purity.

  As described above, when the stack 3 performs the power generation operation, the stack 3 is heated. When the stack 3 becomes excessively high in temperature, the power generation performance of the stack 3 decreases. Therefore, a stack cooling passage 45 is provided for cooling the stack 3 by flowing a stack coolant through the stack 3 during operation of the fuel cell system. An ion exchanger 46 is provided in the stack cooling passage 45. The ion exchanger 46 purifies the stack coolant and improves the electrical insulation of the stack coolant. In addition, when the electrical insulation of the stack coolant decreases, the extraction efficiency of the electric energy extracted from the stack 3 decreases.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows a vertical section of the fuel cell system. FIG. 3 schematically shows a horizontal cross section of the fuel cell system. FIG. 4 schematically shows an end view of the fuel cell system with the detachable panel 56 removed for maintenance or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel cell system according to the present embodiment includes a casing 50, a reformer 2, a stack 3, and a desulfurizer 6. The housing 50 has a bottom 50b, an upper part 50u, and a side part 50t. The casing 50 includes a large-capacity main storage chamber 51, a compartment 53 that is maintained at a lower temperature than the main storage chamber 51 and has a smaller volume than the main storage chamber 51, and a partition that partitions the main storage chamber 51 and the partition chamber 53. 55. The compartment 53 functions as a maintenance chamber for accommodating the second maintenance component, and is located on the side of the main accommodation chamber 51. The wall forming the housing 50 functions as a partition wall, and includes a metal wall 50f and a heat insulating layer 50s formed of a heat insulating material provided on the inner surface of the wall 50f. The heat insulating layer 50s has a heat insulating and soundproofing action. In addition, although the housing | casing 50 has comprised square box shape, it is not limited to this.

  Here, the housing | casing 50 is installed so that the longitudinal direction of the housing | casing 50 may follow the wall of buildings, such as a house. The rear surface of the housing 50 is the wall side of the building. The distance between the back surface of the housing 50 and the wall of the building is narrow. The distance between the building wall and the building site boundary may be narrow.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the compartment 53 is modified to move away from the reformer 2 and the stack 3 in order to avoid the thermal effect from the reformer 2 that can be a heat radiation source together with the stack 3 in the casing 50. It is provided on the opposite end side to the mass device 2. Assuming that the center line extending along the vertical direction of the casing 50 is P1, the compartment 53 and the reformer 2 are provided at positions sandwiching the center line P1.

  The partition wall 55 includes a metal plate 55f made of metal (for example, carbon steel, alloy steel, aluminum alloy) and a heat insulating layer 55s formed of a heat insulating material provided on the inner surface (on the reformer housing chamber 51 side) of the metal plate 55f. And. The heat insulating layer 55s has a heat insulating and soundproofing action. Accordingly, the heat of the main storage chamber 51 that stores the heat radiation source is difficult to be transmitted to the compartment 53, which can contribute to suppressing the temperature rise of the compartment 53. The partition wall 55 may have a structure including an air heat insulating layer 55x.

  According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the partition wall 55 has an opening 75 having a cutout shape that allows the main storage chamber 51 and the compartment 53 to communicate with each other. The opening 75 functions as a maintenance opening, and extends along the direction of the vertical line. The opening 75 has a quadrangular shape and allows the main storage chamber 51 and the compartment 53 to communicate with each other. The opening 75 has an opening area that allows the water purifier 28 as the second maintenance part to be taken in and out. As shown in FIG. 4, the opening 75 has an upper side 75u, a lower side 75d, and a side 75s. As shown in FIG. 5, a seal member 76 having a base material made of a sealing material such as soft resin or rubber is provided around the opening 75.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a metal attachment / detachment panel 56 is attached to the side of the compartment 53 in the housing 50 by a fixture 56 x such as a bolt. If the fixture 56x is removed, the detachable panel 56 is detached from the housing 50 outward (in the direction of the arrow M1). The detachable panel 56 has air permeability, can be detached from and attached to the housing 50, and closes the compartment 53.

  The desorption panel 56 has a grill 58 that forms an outside air introduction port 57 for introducing outside air (air outside the housing 50) that functions as cathode gas. As shown in FIG. 3, the detachable panel 56 has a U-shape in cross section, and the first wall portion 56f and the second wall portion provided in a direction intersecting the first wall portion 56f. 56 s. If the detachable panel 56 is removed from the casing 50, the compartments 53 of the casing 50 are exposed in a plurality of directions, so that the maintenance workability for the maintenance components in the compartments 53 is improved.

  When the detachable panel 56 is removed from the housing 50 in the direction of the arrow M1, the compartment 53 containing a large number of second maintenance parts is opened in a plurality of directions. Therefore, the maintenance work of the second maintenance component housed in the compartment 53 is improved. The detachable panel 56 may be located on the front surface of the housing 50 or on the side surface. Although the desorption panel 56 does not have a heat insulation layer, you may have.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the stack 3 and the humidifier 15 are disposed on the upper side of the main storage chamber 51 of the housing 50, and are disposed above the intermediate position hm in the height direction of the main storage chamber 51. It is approaching the upper part 50u of the housing 50. The humidifier 15 is disposed closer to the partition wall 55 than the stack 3 so as to move away from the reformer 2 in the main storage chamber 51.

  An air filter portion 66 that functions as a dust reduction portion is provided in the compartment 53 of the housing 50 so as to face the partition wall 55. The air filter portion 66 is fixed to the inner surface 56i of the detachable panel 56 by welding or an unillustrated fixture. The air filter unit 66 has a filter function for reducing dust contained in the outside air as a cathode gas supplied to the cathode of the stack 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in a normal time such as when the fuel cell system is operated, the case 66 t functioning as an outer box of the air filter unit 66 is opened with the back plate 66 w held on the back surface of the case 66 t. 75 is closed. Therefore, the air filter part 66 can function as an opening / closing member or a lid member that closes the opening 75 in an openable / closable manner. In this case, the back plate 66w of the air filter portion 66 (a part of the air filter portion 66) is sealed by being pressed against the seal member 76 of the partition wall 55. In this state, the inside of the air filter portion 66 communicates with the opening 75 so that the outside air outside the housing 50 can be introduced to the duct 77 side as the cathode gas. Therefore, in the state where the air filter portion 66 is attached in the housing 50 as shown in FIG. 2, the outside air introduction port 57 of the detachable panel 56, the inside of the air filter portion 66, the opening 75, and the duct 77 draw outside air. It communicates with the duct 77 so that it can be sucked. Therefore, the opening 75 functions as a maintenance opening for taking out the maintenance parts accommodated in the main accommodating chamber 51 to the compartment 53 side, and also functions as a suction opening for sucking the cathode gas and the combustion air. Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 2, there is provided a duct 77 having a hollow cylindrical shape that forms an air passage 34 that can supply outside air as cathode gas to the cathode of the stack 3. The air passage 34 forms a part of the cathode gas passage. The duct 77 communicates the back surface 66r side, which is the outlet side of the air filter portion 66, and the part 68p of the electrical equipment box 68 (inverter box). The electric equipment box 68 includes a box chamber 68a that can be a passage through which air can pass, and an electric equipment 68c that can be a heat radiation source disposed in the box chamber 68a. The electric device 68c includes an inverter that converts the power generated by the fuel cell, a power supply board that is electrically connected to a power supply, and other electric components. The passage 34p of the air passage 34 connects the outlet 68m of the electric equipment box 68 and the combustion unit 2c.

  Therefore, when the air pump 33 (combustion air conveyance source) is driven to rotate, the outside air is introduced into the outside air introduction port 57, the air filter portion 66, the opening 75, the duct 77, the inside of the electric equipment box 68, the air passage of the desorption panel 56. 34 is supplied to the combustion section 2c of the reformer 2 and used for combustion in the combustion section 2c. In this case, since the electric device 68c that dissipates heat inside the electric device box 68 is cooled by air and overheating of the electric device 68c is suppressed, it is possible to contribute to improving the durability and extending the life of the electric device 68c. Furthermore, since the air supplied to the combustion part 2c of the reformer 2 can be preheated by heat radiation from the electric equipment 68c of the electric equipment box 68, it is advantageous for improving the combustion efficiency in the combustion part 2c.

  The cathode gas passage 12 is branched from a portion 77k of the duct 77 upstream of the electric equipment box 68. The cathode gas passage 12 communicates with a cathode gas inlet 15i of the humidifier 15 via a cathode gas pump 13 (cathode gas carrier source). Therefore, when the cathode gas pump 13 (cathode gas carrier source) is driven to rotate, the air in the duct 77 is supplied from the inlet 15i of the humidifier 15 via the cathode gas passage 12, and after being humidified by the humidifier 15, the cathode of the stack 3 To be used for power generation reaction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the reformer 2 is disposed in the main storage chamber 51 of the casing 50, and in particular, in the longitudinal direction (the arrow L direction shown in FIG. 2, the horizontal direction) of the casing 50. The main storage chamber 51 is disposed away from the compartment 53. That is, the reformer 2 is disposed on the side farther from the compartment 53 than the center line P <b> 1 in the main housing chamber 51 of the housing 50. In particular, the reformer 2 is disposed at a position away from the compartment 53 in the main storage chamber 51. The reason for this is to prevent the heat release from the reformer 2 having the combustion section 2 c that is at a high temperature from raising the temperature of the compartment 53. Therefore, the chamber space of the compartment 53 is maintained at a lower temperature than the main storage chamber 51. In addition, although the combustion part 2c is arrange | positioned at the upper part of the reforming part 2a, it is not restricted to this, You may arrange | position at the lower part of the reforming part 2a. Here, the longitudinal direction of the housing 50 means a direction in which the longest dimension of the housing 50 extends.

  The desulfurizer 6 (see FIG. 3) that functions as a second maintenance component is provided in the compartment 53 of the housing 50 so as to be separated from the air filter portion 66. In other words, the desulfurizer 6 is not disposed in the cathode gas flow path that supplies the cathode gas to the cathode of the stack 3. As a result, the outer wall surface of the desulfurizer 6 is prevented from touching the cathode gas. For this reason, it is suppressed that the outer wall surface of the desulfurizer 6 causes the cathode gas to be contaminated, which is advantageous for cleaning the cathode gas.

  The desulfurizer 6 (see FIG. 3) desulfurizes the fuel material before being supplied to the reformer 2, as can be understood from the above description. The desulfurizer 6 has a container and a desulfurization part accommodated in the container. The desulfurization part has a catalyst carrier formed of ceramics or the like and a desulfurization catalyst supported on the catalyst carrier. If the temperature of the desulfurization part is too high, the desulfurization efficiency of the desulfurization part may decrease.

  According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the desulfurizer 6 is provided in the compartment 53 that is more easily cooled by the outside air than the main storage chamber 51 and is likely to have a low temperature. For this reason, the cooling property and low temperature property of the desulfurizer 6 are ensured, and the desulfurization efficiency in the desulfurizer 6 is maintained. That is, the desulfurizer 6 that is a maintenance part is disposed in the easy-to-maintain compartment 53 and is separated from the main accommodating chamber 51 that accommodates the stack 3 and the reformer 2 serving as a heat radiation source. The cooling performance of 6 is ensured, and the high temperature of the desulfurizer 6 is suppressed. For this reason, the desulfurization reaction in the desulfurizer 6 is maintained well over a long period of time. Therefore, the power generation reaction of the fuel cell is well maintained over a long period.

  The desulfurizer 6 described above is provided not on the inside of the duct 77 serving as the cathode gas passage 12 but on the outside. Here, as described above, when the temperature of the desulfurizer 6 is increased, the desulfurization effect in the desulfurizer 6 may not be sufficiently obtained. Therefore, it is conceivable to install the desulfurizer 6 inside the duct 77 and positively cool the desulfurizer 6 with the cathode gas flowing toward the cathode of the fuel cell. However, in this case, even if the air filter portion 66 is provided, dust or the like adhering to the outer wall surface of the desulfurizer 6 may be mixed into the air flowing in the duct 77. In this case, the desulfurizer 6 easily contaminates the cathode gas supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell. In this case, dust or the like adhering to the desulfurizer 6 may be supplied to the cathode of the stack 3 together with the cathode gas. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the desulfurizer 6 is provided not on the inside of the duct 77 but on the outside of the duct 77. Therefore, the cathode gas supplied to the stack 3 and the desulfurizer 6 are not directly touched. As a result, the desulfurizer 6 is prevented from contaminating the cathode gas before being supplied to the cathode of the stack 3. Therefore, it is advantageous to maintain the cleanliness of the cathode gas.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the compartment 53 is arranged on the end side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 50, and the compartment 53 is opened when the detachable panel 56 is removed from the housing 50, so the compartment 53 Will be a maintenance room. For this reason, it is easy to maintain various second maintenance parts such as the desulfurizer 6 disposed in the compartment 53. Furthermore, since the opening 75 is opened, the maintenance person can visually recognize the inside of the main storage chamber 51 from the outside of the compartment 53 or the housing 50 through the opening 75.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an ion exchanger 46 that functions as a second maintenance component is provided inside the housing 50. The ion exchanger 46 performs a refining process for reducing the impurities contained in the stack cooling liquid that cools the stack 3 and purifying the purified water to improve the electrical insulation of the stack cooling liquid. When the ion exchange resin as the water purification material accommodated in the ion exchanger 46 is kept in a high temperature environment for a long period of time, there is a risk that thermal degradation will proceed. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, the ion exchanger 46 for purifying the stack coolant is disposed in the compartment 53 serving as a maintenance chamber. As described above, the stack 3, the reformer 2, and the electric equipment box 68 can serve as a heat radiation source. On the other hand, the compartment 53 does not contain the stack 3, the reformer 2, and the electrical equipment box 68 that can be a heat radiation source. Further, the compartment 53 is adjacent to the outside air via a desorption panel 56. Therefore, the compartment 53 is maintained at a lower temperature than the main storage chamber 51. For this reason, the ion exchange resin (stack coolant purification material) accommodated in the ion exchanger 46 is prevented from being thermally deteriorated. As a result, it is advantageous for improving the durability and extending the life of the ion exchange resin (stack coolant purification material) accommodated in the ion exchanger 46.

  As described above, the ion exchanger 46 functioning as the second maintenance component reduces impurities contained in the stack coolant that cools the stack 3. Even if the inside of the compartment 53 is excessively cooled by the outside air outside the housing 50, the stack coolant remaining in the ion exchanger 46 is free of antifreeze components (organic solvents such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and glycerin). Freezing resistance is ensured because it has a system antifreeze component.

  Now, according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the water purifier 28 which functions as a 1st maintenance component is provided in the inside of the main storage chamber 51 among the housing | casing 50. As shown in FIG. The water purifier 28 purifies the reformed water supplied to the reformer 2 and purifies it, and contains an ion exchange resin as a water purifier for purifying the reformed water. Since the water remaining in the water purifier 28 becomes reformed water used in the reforming reaction, it is generally pure water or close to pure water and generally does not contain an antifreeze component. . For this reason, there is a possibility that the water purifier 28 is frozen in a cold district or in winter when the outside air is excessively cold. For this reason, while suppressing the freezing of the water purifier 28 when the operation of the fuel cell system is stopped, etc., the ion exchange resin that is likely to undergo thermal degradation during the operation of the fuel cell system is made as low as possible. It is preferable to maintain and improve the durability of the ion exchange resin (water purification material) of the water purifier 28 and extend its life.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the water purifier 28 is disposed in the main housing chamber 51 that houses the reformer 2 that can be a heat radiation source, the stack 3 that can be a heat radiation source, and the electrical equipment box 68 that can be a heat radiation source. . However, in order to prevent the water purifier 28 from becoming excessively high during operation of the fuel cell system, the water purifier 28 is kept as far as possible from the reformer 2 that generates a high temperature. That is, the water purifier 28 is disposed in the main storage chamber 51 while being brought close to the partition wall 55. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, when the diameter (or width) of the water purifier 28 is D2, and the shortest distance between the water purifier 28 and the partition wall 55 is L2, as shown in FIG. It is preferable to set it smaller than D2 (L2 <D2). However, depending on the fuel cell system, L2 = D2, or L2> D2, or L2 <(D2 × 2), or L2 <(D2 × 3), or L2 <(D2 × 4). You can also.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the above-described water purifier 28 is disposed at a position close to the opening 75 of the partition wall 55. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, during the maintenance in which the detachable panel 56 is detached from the housing 50, the water purifier 28 disposed in the main storage chamber 51 is moved from the opening 75 of the partition wall 55 to the compartment 53 side. Is easily taken out to the outside air side. For this reason, the maintainability of the water purifier 28 is improved.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a first reservoir tank 81 and a second reservoir tank 82 that function as second maintenance components are arranged in parallel in the compartment 53 of the housing 50. The first reservoir tank 81 stores the stack coolant. Since the stack coolant has an antifreeze component as described above, it has high freezing resistance. For this reason, the first reservoir tank 81 is arranged in the compartment 53 that is easily affected by the temperature of the outside air but has high maintainability. The second reservoir tank 82 contains cooling refrigerant that flows through condensers such as the first condenser 9 and the second condenser 21. This refrigerant has an antifreeze component and has high freezing resistance. For this reason, the second reservoir tank 82 is arranged in the compartment 53 which is easily affected by the temperature of the outside air but has high maintainability.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the water purifier 28 functioning as the first maintenance component is not the compartment 53 in the housing 50, which tends to become low temperature when the operation of the fuel cell system is stopped. The battery system is disposed in the main storage chamber 51 which is less likely to be cooler than the compartment 53 when the battery system is stopped. Therefore, when the fuel cell system is stopped, freezing of the water purifier 28 is suppressed and the influence on the restart of the fuel cell system is reduced.

  However, if the water purifier 28 as the first maintenance component is disposed in the main storage chamber 51, the operation of maintaining the water purifier 28 tends to be difficult. Therefore, although the water purifier 28 is housed in the main housing chamber 51 of the housing 50, the water purifier 28 in the main housing chamber 51 is separated from the main housing chamber 51 through the opening 75 of the partition wall 55. It can be taken out to the chamber 53 side and further to the outside air side (see FIG. 5). Furthermore, after the water purifier 28 is maintained, the water purifier 28 can be easily returned to the main storage chamber 51 through the opening 75 of the partition wall 55.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the mounting bracket 66k (mounting portion) of the air filter portion 66 is fixed to the detachable panel 56 by welding or a fastener. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, if the detachable panel 56 is removed from the housing 50 during maintenance, the air filter 66 is also automatically removed together with the detachable panel 56, and the opening 75 is automatically opened.

  Further, when the maintenance is completed, the attachment / detachment panel 56 is attached to the housing 50 by means of an attachment 56x such as a bolt, and the air filter portion 66 is attached to the inside of the housing 50 together with the attachment / detachment panel 56 so as to close the opening 75. In this case, the opening 75 is closed by the case 66t of the air filter portion 66 while the inside of the air filter portion 66, the opening 75, the outside air, and the inside of the duct 77 are communicated. As a result, the communication between the main storage chamber 51 and the compartment 53 is reduced, and heat transfer from the main storage chamber 51 to the compartment 53 is difficult. That is, during operation of the fuel cell system, warm air in the main housing chamber 51 having a heat radiation source such as the reformer 2 or the stack 3 is suppressed from entering the compartment 53 side through the opening 75. Therefore, it can contribute to maintaining the compartment 53 which accommodates the desulfurizer 6 and the ion exchanger 46 etc. which need to be maintained at low temperature as low as possible.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment. The present embodiment has basically the same configuration and effect as the above-described embodiment. According to this embodiment, even if the water purifier 28 of the main storage chamber 51 is not taken out from the maintenance opening 75 to the compartment 53 side, the maintenance person can remove his / her hand or arm from the maintenance opening 75 from the compartment 53 side. The first maintenance component such as the water purifier 28 in the main storage chamber 51 can be maintained by inserting it into the main storage chamber 51. The maintenance person includes a manufacturer worker, a repair person after the installation of the fuel cell system, and a user.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment. The present embodiment basically has the same configuration and operational effects as the first embodiment. However, according to the present embodiment, the air filter portion 66 and the frame-like back plate 66w are separated. A back plate 66w is attached by pressure contact to the seal member 76 of the partition wall 55 from an unillustrated fastener. Thereafter, the back surface 66y of the air filter unit 66 is brought into pressure contact with a seal member (not shown) provided on the back plate 66w. Thereby, the air filter part 66 is attached to the partition wall 55. If the back plate 66w is detached from the partition wall 55, the maintenance parts can be easily taken out. However, it is possible to take out the maintenance parts without removing the back plate 66w from the partition wall 55.

(Other embodiments)
The fuel cell system is not limited to the piping shown in FIG. According to the first embodiment described above, the casing 50 has a square box shape, but may have a cylindrical shape. The pumps 7, 33, 13, and 41 described above may be conveyance sources such as fans and blowers. According to the first embodiment described above, the first maintenance component is the water purifier 28 that purifies the reformed water, but is not limited to this, and the reservoir tanks 81 and 82 and the ion exchange for purifying the stack coolant are used. By arranging the container 46 in the main storage chamber 51 so that it can be taken in and out from the opening 75, it may be a first maintenance part. The first maintenance component may be an electric device. The partition wall 55 has a single opening 75 having a cutout shape, but is not limited thereto, and may be a type having a plurality of openings 75. It is preferable that each of the plurality of openings 75 be closed by an opening / closing member.

  The seal member 76 is provided on the partition wall 55, but is not limited thereto, and may be provided on the back plate 66w (a part of the air filter unit 66) of the air filter unit 66. If the sealing performance is maintained, the sealing member 76 may be eliminated. The partition wall 55 includes the metal plate 55f and the heat insulating layer 55s. However, the partition wall 55 is not limited thereto, and may be only a metal plate or only a heat insulating plate formed of a heat insulating material.

  According to the first embodiment described above, the air filter portion 66 as the opening / closing member is detached from the partition wall 55 and opens all of the maintenance openings 75. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the air filter portion 66, the electric device, etc. It is also possible to have a structure in which a part of the maintenance opening 75 is opened when both of the maintenance openings 75 are closed and the air filter portion 66 is detached from the partition wall 55. Even in this case, the first maintenance component can be maintained using the maintenance opening 75.

  The compartment 53 and the reformer 2 are provided at positions sandwiching the center line P1 between them, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the reformer 2 may be disposed near the center line P1. The duct 77 supplies the combustion air to the combustion unit 2c via the electric equipment box 68. However, the duct 77 supplies the combustion air to the combustion part 2c without using the electric equipment box 68. May be. The compartment 53 is disposed on the end side in the longitudinal direction of the casing 50, but is not limited thereto, and may be on the end side in the width direction of the casing 50.

  According to the first embodiment described above, the water generated in the water purifier 28 is supplied to the water tank 25 and then supplied to the reformer 2, but is not limited thereto, and the water purifier 28 and the water tank are not limited thereto. The order of the 25 positions may be changed. In this case, the water stored in the water tank 25 may be purified by the water purifier 28 and then supplied to the reformer 2.

  According to the first embodiment described above, the reformer 2 and the stack 3 are arranged in the main storage chamber 51. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an anode gas such as hydrogen gas is stored instead of the reformer 2. A structure in which the storage tank is disposed in the main storage chamber 51 may be employed. The storage tank may be a system for storing anode gas such as hydrogen gas as it is, or a system for storing it in the form of a hydrogen storage alloy. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. The following technical idea can also be grasped from the above description.

  [Additional Item 1] (i) A main storage chamber, a compartment separated from the main storage chamber, an opening that partitions the main storage chamber and the compartment and communicates the main storage chamber and the compartment. A housing having a partition; and (ii) an anode that is disposed in the main housing chamber of the housing and is supplied with an anode fluid and a cathode that is fed with a cathode fluid, and the anode fluid and the cathode fluid And (iii) an open / close member capable of opening / closing at least a part of the opening of the partition wall. The opening of the partition wall can be closed with an opening / closing member. Therefore, the opening of the partition wall does not have to be a full-closed type, and the material for forming the partition wall can be saved. Since the partition partitions the main storage chamber and the compartment, the temperature rise of the compartment can be suppressed. The opening / closing member can be a dust reduction unit that purifies the cathode fluid supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell. When the opening / closing member is removed, the opening is opened, and the inside of the main storage chamber can be visually recognized from the outside of the partition wall or the casing through the opening.

  [Additional Item 2] The fuel cell system according to Additional Item 1, wherein an attachment / detachment panel for closing the compartment is detachably provided on the casing, and an opening / closing member is held by the attachment / detachment panel. When the detachable panel is attached to the housing, at least a part of the opening of the partition wall is closed by the opening / closing member. When the detachable panel is removed from the housing, the opening member is opened and the opening of the partition wall is opened.

  The present invention can be used for, for example, a fuel cell system for stationary use, vehicle use, electric equipment use, electronic equipment use, portable use, and portable use.

1 is a system diagram schematically showing the concept of a fuel cell system. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows typically the basic structure inside a housing | casing. It is a transverse cross section showing typically the basic composition inside a case. It is an end view which shows typically the end surface of a housing | casing. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which removed the detachable panel from the housing | casing. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows other embodiment and shows the state which made the removal | desorption panel remove | deviated from the housing | casing. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows other embodiment and shows the state which made the removal | desorption panel remove | deviated from the housing | casing.

Explanation of symbols

  1 is a supply path, 2 is a reformer, 2a is a reforming section, 2c is a combustion section, 3 is a stack, 4 is a fuel raw material source, 5 is a supply valve, 6 is a desulfurizer (second maintenance part), and 9 is 1st condenser, 10 is an inlet valve, 12 is a cathode gas passage, 13 is a cathode gas pump, 14 is a cathode offgas passage, 15 is a humidifier, 17 is a bypass valve, 19 is an anode offgas passage, 20 is an outlet valve, 21 is The second condenser, 25 is a water tank, 28 is a water purifier (first maintenance part) for reforming water, 30 is a stack cooling passage, 31 is an ion exchanger, 40 is a reforming water passage, and 41 is reforming. Water pump, 45 is a stack cooling passage, 46 is an ion exchanger for purifying the stack coolant, 50 is a casing, 51 is a main storage chamber, 53 is a compartment, 55 is a partition, 56 is a desorption panel, and 57 is external air introduction. Mouth, 58 is grill, 66 is air filter Dust reduction unit, opening and closing member), 67 duct, 68 electric equipment box 75 is opened (maintenance opening) 81 and 82 shows a reservoir tank (second maintenance component).

Claims (7)

A housing having a main storage chamber, a partition separated from the main storage chamber, and a partition having a maintenance opening that partitions the main storage chamber and the partition and communicates the main storage chamber and the partition When,
A fuel cell disposed in the main storage chamber of the housing, having an anode to which an anode fluid is supplied and a cathode to which a cathode fluid is supplied, and generating electricity with the anode fluid and the cathode fluid;
Periodically, irregularly, and malfunctioned in the main storage chamber of the housing so that it can be taken in and out of the maintenance opening of the partition wall or maintained from the maintenance opening of the partition wall A fuel cell system comprising: a first maintenance component that is maintained at least at one of the times. In Claim 1, the opening and closing member which can open and close at least a part of the opening for maintenance provided in the partition is provided,
When the first maintenance component is maintained, the fuel cell system is characterized in that the opening / closing member is detached from the partition and opens at least a part of the maintenance opening.   3. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein the opening / closing member is a dust reducing unit that reduces dust contained in the cathode fluid supplied to the cathode of the fuel cell.   The said housing | casing is equipped with the detachable panel which can be attached or detached with respect to the said housing | casing, The said detachable panel closes the said compartment at the time of attachment. Fuel cell system.   5. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein a second maintenance part to be maintained at least one of regular, irregular, and failure is disposed in the compartment. system.   6. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall has a heat insulating layer so as to suppress heat transfer between the main housing chamber and the compartment.   7. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein a reformer that reforms a fuel material to generate an anode fluid is disposed in the main housing chamber of the casing. 8.

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