JP2010146783A - Fuel battery module and fuel battery device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel battery module and a fuel battery device with power generation efficiency improved. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel battery module 1 is provided with a reaction gas guide member 11 for guiding second reaction gas into a cell stack 5 in a housing vessel 2 of a double-wall structure with a space between an inner wall 13 and an outer wall 14 as a flow channel of the second reaction gas. The reaction gas guide member 11 is provided with a first guide flow channel 23 having a width narrower than that of the cell stack 5, for flowing the second reaction gas downward from above at a position facing the center part of fuel battery cells 3 of the cell stack 5 in an alignment direction, a second guide flow channel 24 connected to a lower end of the first guide flow channel 23 with a width corresponding to that of the cell stack 5 in an alignment direction of the fuel battery cells 3, and a reaction gas guide port 16 fitted to the second guide flow channel 24 for guiding the second reaction gas toward a lower end part of the fuel battery cells 3, so that power generation efficiency is improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell module in which a plurality of columnar fuel cells are accommodated in a storage container, and a fuel cell device including the fuel cell module.

  In recent years, as a next-generation energy, a cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells that can obtain electric power using hydrogen-containing gas and air (oxygen-containing gas) are electrically connected in series, and a cell A fuel cell module in which a fuel cell constituting a stack and a manifold for supplying a reaction gas to the fuel cell and a manifold for supplying a reaction gas are housed in a housing container and a fuel cell module are housed. Various fuel cell devices have been proposed.

As such a fuel cell module, for example, a cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells are arranged in parallel in a power generation chamber provided in a rectangular parallelepiped storage container and electrically connected in series and fixed to a manifold. A fuel cell module containing the device has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the fuel cell module described in Patent Document 1, a reaction gas introduction member for introducing a reaction gas (oxygen-containing gas or the like) into the fuel cell is provided, and the lower end side of the reaction gas introduction member In addition, a reaction gas inlet for introducing a reaction gas (oxygen-containing gas or the like) is provided on the lower end side of the fuel cell.
JP 2007-59377 A

  By the way, heat is generated in the cell stack (fuel cell) with the power generation of the fuel cell, and the heat generated by the power generation is dissipated from between adjacent fuel cells.

  However, particularly in a cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells are arranged in parallel and electrically connected in series, the fuel cells arranged on the end side in the arrangement direction of the cell stack tend to dissipate heat. The fuel cell arranged on the central side in the stacking direction of the stack is unlikely to dissipate heat, so the overall cell stack has a high temperature on the central side and a low temperature on the end side. This results in a non-uniform temperature distribution in the direction.

  When the temperature distribution of the cell stack is non-uniform in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells, the flow of the fuel gas supplied to each fuel cell constituting the cell stack varies, and the cell stack There is a risk that the amount of generated power will be reduced, or the deterioration of some of the fuel cells constituting the cell stack will be accelerated.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell module capable of making the temperature distribution in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells in the cell stack evenly close, and a fuel cell device including the fuel cell module.

  A fuel cell module of the present invention comprises a cell stack in which a plurality of columnar fuel cells each having a gas flow path for allowing a first reaction gas to flow therein are erected and electrically connected in series; A cell stack device comprising a manifold for fixing the lower end of the fuel cell constituting the cell stack and supplying the first reactive gas to the fuel cell is accommodated in a storage container, and the storage container Is a double-wall structure having an inner wall and an outer wall, and a second reaction gas flow path is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall, and the inner wall is connected to the flow path, and the arrangement of the fuel cells. A fuel cell module comprising a reaction gas introduction member for introducing the second reaction gas from a side surface along a direction to a lower end portion of the fuel cell, wherein the reaction gas introduction member is the fuel cell. The second reaction gas having a width narrower than the width of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cell and flowing through the flow path is located at a position facing the central portion of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. A first introduction channel for flowing downward from above, and a second introduction connected to the lower end of the first introduction channel and having a width corresponding to the width of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. A flow path, and a reaction gas introduction port that is provided in the second introduction flow path and introduces the second reaction gas that has flowed into the second introduction flow path into the lower end portion of the fuel cell. It is characterized by that.

  In such a fuel cell module, the reaction gas introduction member for supplying the second reaction gas having a low temperature to the lower end portion of the fuel cell is narrower than the width of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cell. The first introduction flow path for flowing the second reaction gas flowing through the flow path formed by the inner wall and the outer wall from the upper side toward the lower side at a position facing the central portion along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. Therefore, the temperature of the central part in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells can be lowered.

  In addition, after the second reaction gas flowing through the first introduction flow path flows through the second introduction flow path having a width corresponding to the width of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells, the reaction gas is introduced through the reaction gas introduction port. Therefore, a sufficient amount of the second reaction gas can be introduced into the fuel cell.

  As a result, the temperature distribution in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells, that is, the temperature distribution of the entire cell stack can be made close to uniform, so that the power generation amount of the cell stack can be suppressed from decreasing, and the power generation efficiency can be improved. it can. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of some fuel cells constituting the cell stack.

  In the fuel cell module of the present invention, when the first introduction channel is viewed from the side surface along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells of the cell stack, the outer shape of the first introduction channel is left and right. The first introduction channel is symmetrical and has a positional relationship such that a center line of the first introduction flow path and a center line obtained by vertically pulling the center of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells overlap. It is preferable that a flow path and the cell stack are arranged.

  In such a fuel cell module, the center portion of the symmetrical first introduction flow path and the center portion of the cell stack face each other. Thereby, the temperature of the center part of a cell stack can be reduced effectively. Thereby, it can suppress that the electric power generation amount of a cell stack falls, and can improve electric power generation efficiency.

  In the fuel cell module of the present invention, it is preferable that a width of a surface of the reaction gas introduction member facing the cell stack is equal to or greater than a width of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells from above to below. .

  In such a fuel cell module, the heat generated by the power generation of the fuel cell in the reaction gas introduction member in the arrangement direction of the fuel cell is radiant heat, and the end of the fuel cell in the cell stack in the arrangement direction. The temperature on the part side can be increased. As a result, the temperature distribution in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells can be made to be uniform, the power generation amount of the cell stack can be suppressed from decreasing, and the power generation efficiency can be improved.

  In the fuel cell module of the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of the reaction gas introduction ports are provided along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells on the surface of the reaction gas introduction member facing the cell stack. .

  In such a fuel cell module, since a plurality of reaction gas introduction ports are provided along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells on the surface of the reaction gas introduction member facing the cell stack, the lower end of the fuel cell The second reaction gas can be efficiently introduced into the section, and the power generation efficiency of the cell stack can be improved.

  In the fuel cell module of the present invention, the reactive gas introduction member has a width corresponding to the width of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells, and an upper end is connected to the inner wall, and a lower end is the first It is preferable that a third introduction flow path connected to one introduction flow path is provided, and the lower end of the third introduction flow path is located at a height higher than the upper end of the fuel cell.

  In such a fuel cell module, after the second reactive gas flowing between the inner wall and the outer wall of the storage container flows through the third introduction flow path having a width corresponding to the width of the cell stack, the first introduction gas is introduced. After flowing through the flow path and subsequently through the second introduction flow path, the fuel cell is supplied. Thereby, pressure loss can be reduced in the flow of the second reaction gas, and the power generation efficiency of the cell stack can be improved.

  In the fuel cell module of the present invention, it is preferable that the width of the first introduction channel is 10 to 90% of the width of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells.

  In such a fuel cell module, since the width of the first introduction flow path is 10 to 90% of the width of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells, the center in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells in the cell stack. The temperature on the part side can be reduced, and the temperature on the end part side in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells can be effectively suppressed from decreasing. Thereby, the temperature distribution in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells can be made closer to the uniform.

  In the fuel cell module of the present invention, the length from the reaction gas introduction port to the upper end of the second introduction flow path is 5 to 60 from the reaction gas introduction port to the upper end of the fuel cell. % Or less is preferable.

  In such a fuel cell module, the length from the reaction gas introduction port to the upper end of the second introduction flow path is 5 to 60% or less of the length from the reaction gas introduction port to the upper end of the fuel cell. Therefore, the second reaction gas that has flowed through the first introduction flow channel can be efficiently flowed to the end side along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells in the second introduction flow channel. Thereby, since a sufficient amount of the second reaction gas can be introduced into each fuel cell, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of power generated by the cell stack, and to improve power generation efficiency.

  In the fuel cell module of the present invention, it is preferable that the width of the first introduction channel is the same from the top to the bottom.

  In such a fuel cell module, since the width of the first introduction flow path is the same from the upper side to the lower side, the temperature of the central portion of the cell stack can be effectively reduced. Thereby, it can suppress that the electric power generation amount of a cell stack falls, and while being able to improve electric power generation efficiency, it can suppress that deterioration of the one part fuel cell which comprises a cell stack is accelerated.

  Further, the fuel cell device of the present invention has one of the above-described fuel cell modules and an auxiliary machine for operating the cell stack housed in an outer case, thereby improving power generation efficiency. A fuel cell device can be obtained.

  A fuel cell module of the present invention comprises a cell stack in which a plurality of columnar fuel cells each having a gas flow path for allowing a first reaction gas to flow therein are erected and electrically connected in series; A cell stack device comprising a manifold for fixing the lower end of the fuel cell constituting the cell stack and supplying the first reactive gas to the fuel cell is accommodated in a storage container, and the storage container Is a double-wall structure having an inner wall and an outer wall, and a second reaction gas flow path is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall, and the inner wall is connected to the flow path, and the arrangement of the fuel cells. A fuel cell module comprising a reaction gas introduction member for introducing the second reaction gas from a side surface along a direction to a lower end portion of the fuel cell, wherein the reaction gas introduction member is the fuel cell. The second reactive gas having a width narrower than the width of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cell and at the position facing the central portion of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells A first introduction flow channel for flowing downward from the first and a second introduction flow connected to the lower end of the first introduction flow channel and having a width corresponding to the width of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells And a reaction gas introduction port provided in the second introduction flow path for introducing the second reaction gas flowing in the second introduction flow path into the lower end portion of the fuel cell. Therefore, the temperature distribution in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells can be made to be uniform, the power generation amount of the cell stack can be suppressed from decreasing, and the power generation efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of some fuel cells constituting the cell stack.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of a fuel cell module 1 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a module) of the present invention. In the following drawings, the same numbers are assigned to the same members.

  In the module 1 shown in FIG. 1, a columnar fuel cell 3 having a gas flow path (not shown) through which the first reaction gas flows is arranged inside the storage container 2 in an upright state. In addition, the adjacent fuel cells 3 are electrically connected in series via current collecting members (not shown in FIG. 1), and the lower end of the fuel cells 3 is connected to an insulating bonding material such as a glass sealing material. A cell stack 5 (cell stack device 12) formed by being fixed to the manifold 4 (not shown) is accommodated. At both ends of the cell stack 5, conductive members having current drawing portions for collecting and drawing the current generated by the power generation of the cell stack 4 (fuel cell 3) to the outside are arranged ( Not shown).

  In FIG. 1, the fuel cell 3 is a hollow flat plate type having a gas flow path through which the first reaction gas (hydrogen-containing gas) flows in the longitudinal direction, and the surface of the support body having the gas flow path. A solid oxide fuel cell 3 in which a fuel side electrode layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and an oxygen side electrode layer are sequentially laminated is illustrated. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the first reaction gas is assumed to be a fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas), and the second reaction gas described later is assumed to be an oxygen-containing gas.

  Further, in FIG. 1, in order to obtain the fuel gas (first reaction gas) used for power generation of the fuel cell 3, the raw fuel such as natural gas and kerosene supplied through the raw fuel supply pipe 10 is modified. A reformer 6 for producing a fuel gas is disposed above the cell stack 5 (fuel cell 3). The reformer 6 preferably has a structure capable of performing steam reforming, which is an efficient reforming reaction. The reformer 6 reforms the raw fuel into fuel gas, and a vaporizer 7 for vaporizing water. And a reforming unit 8 in which a reforming catalyst (not shown) is disposed. The fuel gas generated by the reformer 6 is supplied to the manifold 4 through the fuel gas flow pipe 9 and is supplied from the manifold 4 to a gas flow path provided inside the fuel battery cell 3. The configuration of the cell stack device 12 can be changed as appropriate depending on the type and shape of the fuel cell 3. For example, the reformer 6 can be included in the cell stack device 12.

  FIG. 1 shows a state in which a part (front and rear surfaces) of the storage container 2 is removed and the cell stack device 12 stored inside is taken out rearward. Here, in the module 1 shown in FIG. 1, the cell stack device 12 can be slid and stored in the storage container 2.

  In addition, the storage container 2 is arranged between the cell stacks 5 juxtaposed on the manifold 4, and the second reaction gas (oxygen-containing gas) moves from the lower end to the upper end of the fuel cell 3. The reaction gas introduction member 11 is arranged so as to flow toward the surface. The reactive gas introduction member 11 will be described later.

  Here, it is possible to raise the temperature of the fuel cell 3 by burning excess fuel gas and oxygen-containing gas discharged from the gas flow path of the fuel cell 3 on the upper end side of the fuel cell 3. The activation of the cell stack device 12 can be accelerated. In addition, the reformer 6 disposed above the fuel cell 3 (cell stack 5) can be warmed, and the reformer 6 can efficiently perform the reforming reaction.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the module 1 shown in FIG. The storage container 2 constituting the module 1 has a double structure having an inner wall 13 and an outer wall 14, and an outer frame of the storage container 2 is formed by the outer wall 14, and the cell stack 5 (cell stack device 12) is formed by the inner wall 13. Is formed. Further, in the module 1 (storage container 2), a reaction gas flow path through which the oxygen-containing gas (second reaction gas) introduced into the fuel cell 3 flows is provided between the inner wall 13 and the outer wall 14.

  Here, an oxygen-containing gas is introduced into the inner wall 13 from the upper surface of the inner wall 13 to the side surface side of the cell stack 5 and through a reaction gas flow path formed by the inner wall 13 and the outer wall 14. For this purpose, a reactive gas introducing member 11 is provided. Further, a reaction gas introduction port 16 for introducing a second reaction gas to the lower end portion of the fuel cell 3 is provided at the lower end of the reaction gas introduction member 11. 2 shows the reaction gas introduction member 11 having an opening at the bottom and the opening serving as the reaction gas introduction port 16. The second reaction gas is the reaction gas introduction port 16 (opening). ) Is supplied to the bottom side of the power generation chamber 15 and then supplied to the lower end of the fuel cell 3.

  In FIG. 2, the reaction gas introduction member 11 is disposed so as to be positioned between two cell stacks 5 juxtaposed side by side inside the storage container 2, but depending on the number of cell stacks 5, for example, the reaction gas The introduction member 11 may be disposed so as to be sandwiched from both side surfaces of the cell stack 5. Specifically, when only one cell stack 5 (cell stack device 12) is accommodated, two reaction gas introduction members 11 can be provided and disposed so as to sandwich the cell stack 5 from both side surfaces. .

  Also, in the power generation chamber 15, the temperature in the module 1 is maintained at a high temperature so that the heat in the module 1 is extremely dissipated and the temperature of the fuel cell 3 (cell stack 5) decreases and the power generation amount does not decrease. A heat insulating material 17 is appropriately provided.

  The heat insulating material 17 is preferably disposed in the vicinity of the cell stack 5, and in particular, disposed on the side surface side of the cell stack 5 along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3, and is equivalent to the outer shape of the side surface of the cell stack 5. Or it is preferable to arrange | position the heat insulating material 17 which has a magnitude | size beyond it. In addition, it is preferable that the heat insulating material 17 is disposed on both side surfaces of the cell stack 5. Thereby, it can suppress effectively that the temperature of the cell stack 5 falls. Further, the second reaction gas (oxygen-containing gas) introduced from the reaction gas introduction member 11 can be suppressed from being discharged from the side surface side of the cell stack 5, and between the fuel cells 3 constituting the cell stack 5. The flow of oxygen-containing gas can be promoted.

  Further, an exhaust gas inner wall 18 is provided on the inner side of the inner wall 13 along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3, and the exhaust gas in the power generation chamber 15 extends from above between the inner wall 13 and the exhaust gas inner wall 18. It is an exhaust gas flow path that flows downward. The exhaust gas passage communicates with an exhaust hole 19 provided in the bottom of the storage container 2.

  As a result, the exhaust gas generated with the operation of the module 1 (during start-up processing, power generation, and stop processing) flows through the exhaust gas passage and is then exhausted from the exhaust hole 19. The exhaust hole 19 may be formed by cutting out a part of the bottom of the storage container 2 or may be formed by providing a tubular member.

  3 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the fuel cell module 1 shown in FIG. 2. In the fuel cell module 20 shown in FIG. 3, the fuel gas module 20 shown in FIG. The example in which the reactive gas inlet 22 is provided along the arrangement direction of the battery cell 3 is shown.

  In such a fuel cell module 20, the oxygen-containing gas (second reaction gas) flowing in the reaction gas introduction member 21 can be efficiently supplied to the lower end portion of the fuel cell 3.

  Here, in the cell stack 5, the fuel cells 3 arranged on the end side in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 constituting the cell stack 5 easily dissipate heat, and the arrangement of the fuel cells 3 constituting the cell stack 5. The fuel cells 3 arranged on the center side in the direction are unlikely to dissipate heat. Therefore, there may be a non-uniform temperature distribution in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 in which the cell stack 5 as a whole has a high temperature on the center side and a low temperature on the end side.

  Here, when the temperature distribution of the cell stack 5 is a non-uniform temperature distribution in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3, the fuel gas (from the manifold 4 to each fuel cell 3 constituting the cell stack 5 ( There is a possibility that the flow of the first reaction gas) varies, and the power generation amount of the cell stack 5 (fuel cell 3) is reduced, or the deterioration of some of the fuel cells 3 constituting the cell stack 5 is accelerated. is there.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the reaction gas introduction member 11 shown in FIGS. The reactive gas introduction member 11 shown in FIG. 3 has a width corresponding to the width of the cell stack 5 in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3. The reaction gas introduction member 11 has a width narrower than the width of the cell stack 5 in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3, and contains oxygen that has flowed through the reaction gas flow path formed by the inner wall 13 and the outer wall 14. A first introduction flow path 23 for flowing a gas (second reaction gas) from the upper side to the lower side at a position facing the central portion in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 of the cell stack 5; And a second introduction channel 24 having a width corresponding to the width of the cell stack 5 in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3, and the second introduction channel 23 via the first introduction channel 23. The oxygen-containing gas flowing through the flow path 24 is introduced into the lower end portion of the fuel cell 3 standing on the manifold 4 through the reaction gas introduction port 16 provided at the bottom of the reaction gas introduction member 11.

  As a result, in the reaction gas introduction member 11, the heat of the oxygen-containing gas having a temperature lower than that of the cell stack 5 first moves from the upper side to the lower side on the surface of the cell stack 5 facing the central portion in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3. Heat flows to the central portion of the cell stack 5 in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3, and the temperature on the central portion side in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 of the cell stack 5 can be lowered.

  Here, when the oxygen-containing gas flowing through the reaction gas flow path formed by the inner wall 13 and the outer wall 14 flows toward the second introduction flow path 24, the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 of the reaction gas introduction member 11. It will not flow through the end side.

  As a result, the oxygen-containing gas does not flow on the end side in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 of the cell stack 5 in the reaction gas introduction member 11. Can be suppressed (that is, the temperature on the end side can be increased).

  As a result, the temperature on the center side in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 of the cell stack 5 decreases and the temperature on the end side increases, so that the temperature distribution of the entire cell stack 5 can be made closer to uniform. It is possible to suppress the power generation amount of the cell stack 5 from being lowered, and the power generation efficiency can be improved. In addition, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of some of the fuel cells 3 constituting the cell stack 5 from being accelerated.

  By the way, the reactive gas introduction member 11 should just be a shape provided with the 1st introduction flow path 23 and the 2nd introduction flow path 24, for example, can also be made into the shape which turned the T-shaped member upside down. Thereby, the temperature of the center part side in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 can be lowered.

  Here, in the temperature distribution along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 in the cell stack 5, the temperature distribution is a mountain-shaped distribution from one end side to the other end side. There is a case.

  Therefore, the outer shape of the first introduction flow path 23 has a symmetrical shape when viewed from the side surface along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 of the cell stack 5. The first introduction flow path 23 and the cell stack 5 are arranged so that the center line overlaps the center line obtained by drawing the center in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 of the cell stack 5 in the vertical direction. Is preferred.

  As a result, the central portion of the symmetrical first introduction flow path 23 and the central portion of the cell stack 5 face each other, and the first introduction flow path 23 has a symmetrical shape. It is possible to effectively reduce the temperature of the central portion side, and in particular, it is possible to make the temperature distribution that is a peak close to uniform.

  Further, the outer shape of the reaction gas introduction member 11 has a shape in which the width of the surface of the reaction gas introduction member 11 facing the cell stack 5 is equal to or larger than the width of the cell stack 5 in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 from above to below. In the case (for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape as shown in FIG. 4), the heat generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 3 or the surplus fuel gas is removed from the end of the fuel cell 3 in the arrangement direction. Combustion heat generated when combustion is performed on the upper end side of the gas 3 is transferred to the reaction gas introduction member 11, and the transferred heat becomes radiant heat, and the end side in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 in the cell stack 5. The temperature can be increased. Therefore, the outer shape of the reaction gas introduction member 11 is set so that the width of the surface of the reaction gas introduction member 11 facing the cell stack 5 is greater than the width of the cell stack 5 in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 from above to below. It is preferable that the reactive gas introduction member shown in the following figures is shown in the above-described shape.

  In FIG. 4, when the first introduction flow path 23 is formed (that is, when the oxygen-containing gas does not flow on the end side in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3), the inside of the reaction gas introduction member 11 (the end) The reaction gas flow blocking member 22 is provided on the portion side. The reaction gas flow blocking member 22 only needs to have excellent heat resistance, and can be formed of, for example, a metal such as iron or stainless steel, a heat insulating material, or ceramics. Further, it is preferable to provide a fixing member for fixing the reaction gas flow blocking member 22 inside the reaction gas introduction member 11. Furthermore, when forming the 1st introduction flow path 23, it can also form by joining the inner walls of the reactive gas introduction member 11, for example.

  The first introduction channel 23 preferably has the same width from above to below, and FIG. 4 shows the first introduction channel 23 having the same width from above to below. Thereby, the temperature of the fuel cell 3 located on the center side in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 can be effectively lowered, and the temperature distribution in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 can be made closer to the uniform. .

  In addition, about the 2nd introduction flow path 24, it is preferable to make it the same width | variety from one end to the other end along the arrangement direction of the fuel battery cell 3, and in FIG. The 2nd introduction flow path 24 of the same width is shown from the other end.

  By making the 2nd introduction flow path 24 into the shape mentioned above, it can control that the nonuniformity in the flow of the oxygen content gas which flows into the 2nd introduction flow path 24 via the 1st introduction flow path 23 arises. For example, it can be suppressed that a large amount of oxygen-containing gas flows to one end side of the second introduction flow path 24. Thereby, since a sufficient amount of oxygen-containing gas can be introduced into each fuel cell 3 constituting the cell stack 5, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of power generated by the cell stack 5, and to improve power generation efficiency. Can do.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the reaction gas introduction member 21 shown in FIG. 3 as an excerpt, along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 on the surface facing the cell stack 5 (along the second introduction flow path 24). The reaction gas introduction member 11 is the same as that shown in FIG. 4 except that a plurality of reaction gas introduction ports 22 are provided.

  Here, in the reaction gas introduction member 21 shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of reaction gas introduction ports are provided on the surface facing the cell stack 5 along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 (along the second introduction flow path 24). 22 is provided, oxygen-containing gas can be efficiently supplied to the lower end portion of the fuel cell 3 standing on the manifold 4. Thereby, the power generation efficiency of the cell stack 5 can be improved.

  FIG. 5 shows an example in which a plurality of reaction gas inlets 22 are provided so that the interval on the center side in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 is narrow and the interval on the end side is wide. However, it can also arrange | position so that it may become equal intervals along the sequence direction of the fuel cell 3. FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of the reactive gas introduction member. The reactive gas introduction member 26 shown in FIG. 6 has a width corresponding to the width of the cell stack 5 in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3. In addition, a third introduction flow path 27 having an upper end connected to the inner wall 13 and a lower end connected to the first introduction flow path 23 is provided. That is, the flow path of the oxygen-containing gas in the reaction gas introduction member 26 has a shape in which H is rotated 90 degrees left and right.

  As a result, the oxygen-containing gas flowing between the inner wall 13 and the outer wall 14 flows to the first introduction flow path 23 via the third introduction flow path 27, and then flows to the second introduction flow path 24 before the reaction. The fuel cell 3 is introduced via the gas inlet 22. Thereby, pressure loss can be reduced in the flow of the oxygen-containing gas, and the power generation efficiency of the cell stack 5 can be improved.

  The temperature of the third introduction flow path 27 in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 is set by setting the lower end of the third introduction flow channel 27 to be higher than the upper end of the fuel cells 3. The distribution can be made close to uniformity efficiently.

  FIG. 7 is a side view (explanatory view) showing a part of the cell stack device 12 shown in FIG. 3 and the reactive gas introduction member 21 (see FIG. 5).

  The first introduction flow path 23 in the reaction gas introduction member 21 reduces the temperature on the center side in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 in the cell stack 5 and suppresses the temperature drop on the end side (on the end side). It is preferable that the temperature of the fuel battery cell 3 be increased).

  Therefore, the width (W2) along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 in the first introduction flow path 23 is 10 to 90% of the width (W2) in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 of the cell stack 5. It is preferable to set appropriately so that it may become 50% to 75%. Specifically, in the cell stack device 12 in which 70 fuel cells 3 having a width of 3 mm are erected at intervals, and the width (W2) along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 of the cell stack 5 is 300 mm. The width (W2) of the first introduction flow path 23 can be set to 30 mm to 270 mm, and is particularly preferably set to be 150 mm to 225 mm.

  Thereby, while the temperature of the center part side in the arrangement direction of the fuel cell 3 in the cell stack 5 can be reduced, the temperature of the end part side in the arrangement direction of the fuel battery cell 3 is efficiently suppressed. (That is, the temperature on the end portion side can be increased), and the temperature distribution in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 can be made closer to uniform.

  FIG. 8 is a side view (explanatory view) showing a part of the cell stack device 12 shown in FIG. 3 and the reactive gas introduction member 21 (see FIG. 5).

  The second introduction flow path 24 in the reaction gas introduction member 21 introduces a sufficient amount of oxygen-containing gas into each fuel cell 3 constituting the cell stack 5, and the size of the first introduction flow path 23 (fuel cell). It is preferable that the length of the cell 3 along the longitudinal direction) be as large as possible.

  Therefore, the length (h1) from the reaction gas introduction port 22 to the upper end of the second introduction flow channel 24 is the length from the reaction gas introduction port 22 to the upper end of the fuel cell 3. It is preferable to set appropriately so as to be 5 to 60% or less of (h2), and it is more preferable to set it to be 5 to 40%. In addition, the upper end of the fuel cell 3 means a portion at the same position as the upper end of the fuel cell 3 in the reaction gas inlet 22.

  The height from the reaction gas introduction port 22 means the height from the central portion of the reaction gas introduction port 22 in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell 3.

  Specifically, in the module 1 in which the length from the reaction gas introduction port 22 to the upper end of the fuel cell 3 is 150 mm, the length from the reaction gas introduction port 22 to the upper end of the second introduction flow path 24 is 7 It can be set to 0.5 mm to 90 mm, and is particularly preferably set to be 7.5 mm to 60 mm.

  As a result, the oxygen-containing gas that has flowed through the first introduction flow path 23 can efficiently flow to the end side along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 3 in the second introduction flow path 24. As a result, a sufficient amount of oxygen-containing gas can be introduced into each fuel cell 3, the power generation amount of the cell stack 5 (fuel cell 3) can be suppressed from decreasing, and the power generation efficiency can be improved. it can.

  FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the fuel cell device 28 of the present invention. In FIG. 9, a part of the configuration is omitted.

  The fuel cell device 28 shown in FIG. 9 divides the inside of an exterior case composed of a support column 29 and an exterior plate 30 by a partition plate 31, and a module storage chamber 32 for storing the above-described fuel cell module 1 on the upper side. The lower side is configured as an auxiliary equipment storage chamber 33 for storing auxiliary equipment for operating the fuel cell module 1. It should be noted that auxiliary equipment stored in the auxiliary equipment storage chamber 33 is omitted.

  In addition, the partition plate 31 is provided with an air circulation port 34 for allowing the air in the auxiliary machine storage chamber 33 to flow toward the module storage chamber 32, and a module is formed in a part of the exterior plate 30 constituting the module storage chamber 32. An exhaust port 35 for exhausting the air in the storage chamber 32 is provided.

  In such a fuel cell device 28, as described above, the fuel cell module 1 with improved power generation efficiency is configured by storing the fuel cell module 1 with improved power generation efficiency in the module storage chamber 32. can do.

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

  For example, the fuel battery cell 3 may be a hollow plate type having a gas flow path in which an oxygen-containing gas that is the second reaction gas flows in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the reaction gas flow path formed by the inner wall 13 and the outer wall 14 is a flow path through which the fuel gas that is the first reaction gas flows, and the fuel gas is supplied from the reaction gas introduction member 11 to each fuel cell 3. And the oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the manifold 4 (fuel cell 3). Also in this case, as described above, the temperature distribution of the entire cell stack 5 can be made uniform, and the power generation efficiency can be improved.

  In the above description, the cell stack device 13 in which two cell stacks 5 accommodated in the storage container 2 are juxtaposed is described. However, for example, a cell stack device in which only one cell stack 5 is arranged. Can also be stored. In this case, the reactive gas introduction member 11 can be provided so as to be located on both side surfaces of the cell stack 5.

It is an external appearance perspective view which shows an example of the fuel cell module of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the fuel cell module shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows another example of the fuel cell module of this invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a reaction gas introduction member shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a reaction gas introduction member shown in FIG. 3. It is a perspective view which shows another example of a reactive gas introduction member. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a part extracted from an example of the fuel cell module of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a part extracted from an example of the fuel cell module of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows an example of the fuel cell apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: fuel cell module 3: fuel cell 11, 21, 26: reaction gas introduction member 16, 22: reaction gas introduction port 20, 23: first introduction flow path 21, 24: second introduction flow path 27: third Introduction channel 28: fuel cell device

Claims (9)

  A cell stack in which a plurality of columnar fuel cells each having a gas flow path for allowing the first reaction gas to flow therein are erected and electrically connected in series, and the fuel cell constituting the cell stack A cell stack device having a lower end of the cell and a manifold for supplying the first reaction gas to the fuel cell is housed in a housing container, and the housing container has an inner wall and an outer wall. In the double wall structure, a second reaction gas flow path is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall, and the inner wall is connected to the flow path from the side surface side along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. A fuel cell module comprising a reaction gas introduction member for introducing the second reaction gas into a lower end portion of a fuel cell, wherein the reaction gas introduction member is the cell in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. The second reaction gas having a width narrower than the tack width and flowing through the flow path flows from above to below at a position facing the central portion of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. A first introduction flow path for connecting to the lower end of the first introduction flow path, the second introduction flow path having a width corresponding to the width of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells, and the second A fuel cell comprising: a reaction gas introduction port provided in the introduction flow channel for introducing the second reaction gas flowing through the second introduction flow channel into a lower end portion of the fuel cell. module.   The first introduction flow path has a symmetric outer shape of the first introduction flow path when viewed from the side of the cell stack along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. The first introduction flow path and the cell stack are arranged in a positional relationship such that the center line of the flow path and the center line of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells overlap the vertical line. The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein   3. The reactive gas introduction member according to claim 1, wherein a width of a surface facing the cell stack is equal to or larger than a width of the cell stack in an arrangement direction of the fuel cells from above to below. The fuel cell module described.   4. The reaction gas introduction port according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the reaction gas introduction ports are provided on a surface of the reaction gas introduction member facing the cell stack along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. The fuel cell module according to any one of the above.   The reactive gas introduction member has a width corresponding to the width of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells, and has a third upper end connected to the inner wall and a lower end connected to the first introduction flow path. 5. The fuel cell module according to claim 1, further comprising an introduction channel, wherein a lower end of the third introduction channel is positioned at a height higher than an upper end of the fuel cell. .   The fuel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the width of the first introduction flow path is 10 to 90% of the width of the cell stack in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. Battery module.   The length from the reaction gas introduction port to the upper end of the second introduction flow path is 5 to 60% or less of the length from the reaction gas introduction port to the upper end of the fuel cell. The fuel cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The fuel cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the width of the first introduction flow path is the same from the upper side to the lower side.   9. A fuel cell device comprising: the fuel cell module according to claim 1; and an auxiliary machine for operating the cell stack, which is housed in an outer case.

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