JP2011096433A - Cell stack device, fuel battery module using the same, and fuel battery device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cell stack device capable of effectively supplying a fuel gas to a fuel battery cell, a fuel battery module using the cell stack device, and a fuel battery device. <P>SOLUTION: The cell stack device 1 includes a box-shaped heating chamber 6 for sending out a raw fuel gas from a raw fuel gas sending-out port 12 located at an upper part of a center section, fuel gas supply pipes 8 wherein respective one ends are connected with a fuel gas sending-in port 10 and the other ends are located above than an upper end of a fuel battery cell 2, and a passage member 11 having a reforming section arranged along an arrangement direction of fuel battery cells 2 at a lower part or a side part of the heating chamber 6, wherein the center section is connected with the raw fuel gas sending-out port 12 and both end sections are connected with the fuel gas supply pipes 8 and a reforming section is existed in a middle section. Thus, a connection section between the heating chamber 6 and the passage member 11 can restrain from directly heating-up with combustion heat generated by burning the fuel gas not used for power generation, and the connection section between the heating chamber 6 and the passage member 11 can be restrained from excessive temperature rise. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cell stack device including a reforming unit for generating fuel gas to be supplied to a fuel cell, a fuel cell module using the cell stack device, and a fuel cell device.

  In recent years, as a next generation energy, a fuel cell (hydrogen-containing gas) and air (oxygen-containing gas) are used, and a cell stack in which a plurality of fuel cells that can obtain electric power are arranged and supplied to the cell stack Various cell stack devices including a reformer for generating fuel gas to be produced and fuel cell modules in which the cell stack devices are housed in a housing container have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

  By the way, when generating fuel gas to be supplied to a fuel cell, for example, a steam reforming method or a partial oxidation reforming method in which a hydrocarbon gas such as natural gas is reacted with steam to generate a fuel gas is known. Various reformers for performing such reforming have been proposed.

  FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing a conventional fuel cell module 60, and shows a state in which the cell stack device 68 is pulled out rearward from the storage container 61.

  The cell stack device 68 has a cell stack 63 formed by arranging a plurality of fuel cells 62, and a U-shaped reformer 65 is disposed above the cell stack 63. In the reformer 65, the raw fuel supplied from the raw fuel supply pipe 67 is converted into a raw fuel gas whose temperature has risen in the vaporization unit 69, and then reformed such as steam reforming in the reforming unit 70. The reaction is performed to reform the fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas). The fuel gas generated by the reformer 65 including the vaporization unit 69 and the reforming unit 70 is supplied to the manifold 64 via the fuel gas supply pipe 66, and the fuel gas is supplied from the manifold 64 to each fuel cell 62. Is supplied. With this configuration, the cell stack device 68 is configured.

JP 2007-59377 A

  However, in the cell stack device 68, since the vaporization unit 69 and the connection part of the vaporization unit 69 and the reforming unit 70 are directly above the cell stack 63, as the temperature of the reforming unit inlet (connection unit) increases, There is a possibility that the raw fuel gas whose temperature has excessively increased is supplied to the reforming unit 70. As a result, the reforming catalyst provided in the reforming unit 70 may deteriorate due to excessive temperature rise, and the durability of the cell stack device 68 may be reduced.

  Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cell stack device, a fuel cell module using the same, and a fuel cell device using the same, in which deterioration in durability is suppressed and long-term reliability is improved.

  A cell stack device according to the present invention includes a fuel gas channel for flowing a fuel gas from a lower end portion to an upper end portion along a longitudinal direction therein, and a columnar fuel cell that generates electric power using the fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas. And a fuel cell stack configured to burn the fuel gas that has not been used for power generation on the upper end side of the fuel cell, and the fuel. A fixed lower end of the battery cell, a fuel gas inflow port provided at both ends in the arrangement direction of the fuel battery cell, a manifold for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel battery cell, and the above the cell stack The fuel cell is disposed in a state of being separated from the upper end of the fuel cell, and the raw fuel supplied from the outside is heated to become a raw fuel gas, and the raw fuel gas is arranged in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells. One end of each of the box-shaped heating chamber that is sent out from the raw fuel gas outlet located above the unit and the fuel gas inlet is connected to the fuel gas inlet, and the other end is connected to the fuel cell along the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell. A fuel gas supply pipe located above the upper end of the cell, and in the arrangement direction of the fuel cell in a state of being separated from the upper end of the fuel cell above the cell stack and below or on the side of the heating chamber. The fuel cell unit is connected to the raw fuel gas delivery port at the center side in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells, and both ends are connected to the fuel gas supply pipe. A flow path member having a reforming portion including a reforming catalyst for reforming into gas is provided.

  In such a cell stack device, the cell stack device sends a raw fuel gas from a raw fuel gas delivery port located above a central portion in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells, and a fuel gas A fuel gas supply pipe having one end connected to the inflow port and the other end positioned above the upper end of the fuel cell along the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell, and below or on the side of the heating chamber above the cell stack The fuel cell is arranged along the direction of arrangement of the fuel cells in a state of being separated from the upper end of the fuel cell, the central side in the direction of arrangement of the fuel cells is connected to the raw fuel gas delivery port, and both ends are respectively fuel gas Since it is connected to the supply pipe and includes a flow path member having a reforming portion including a reforming catalyst for reforming the raw fuel gas into fuel gas, the temperature rising chamber and the flow path member Connection In addition, it is possible to suppress direct heating by combustion heat generated by burning fuel gas that has not been used for power generation, and to suppress an excessive increase in the temperature of the connection portion between the temperature raising chamber and the flow path member Can do.

  As a result, it is possible to suppress the supply of the raw fuel gas whose temperature has risen excessively into the flow path member, so that the reforming catalyst provided in the flow path member (reforming section) is deteriorated due to excessive temperature rise. It is possible to suppress the deterioration of the durability of the cell stack device. Therefore, a cell stack device with improved long-term reliability can be obtained.

  In the cell stack device of the present invention, it is preferable that the reforming portion of the flow path member is extended to a connection portion with the temperature raising chamber.

  In such a cell stack apparatus, since the reforming portion of the flow path member is extended to the connection portion with the temperature raising chamber, the raw fuel gas having a raised temperature generated in the temperature raising chamber is immediately reformed. The raw fuel gas can be efficiently reformed into the fuel gas.

  In the cell stack device of the present invention, it is preferable that a part of the reforming portion of the flow path member is a meandering flow path.

  In such a cell stack apparatus, since the flow path member has a part of the reforming section that is a meandering flow path, the length of the reforming section can be increased and disposed in the reforming section. The amount of the reforming catalyst can be increased, and the raw fuel gas can be more efficiently reformed into the fuel gas.

  In the cell stack device of the present invention, a flow rate adjusting member for adjusting the flow rate of the raw fuel gas is provided between the raw fuel gas delivery port and the reforming unit or at the raw fuel gas delivery port. It is preferable.

  In such a cell stack apparatus, since a flow rate adjusting member for adjusting the flow rate of the raw fuel gas is provided between the raw fuel gas delivery port and the reforming unit or at the raw fuel gas delivery port, the reforming is performed. The raw fuel gas can be efficiently flowed into the section, and the raw fuel gas can be further efficiently reformed into the fuel gas.

  The fuel cell module of the present invention can be a fuel cell module with improved long-term reliability since the cell stack device is housed in a housing container.

  The fuel cell device according to the present invention includes the above-described fuel cell module and an auxiliary device for operating the cell stack device in an outer case, thereby suppressing a decrease in cell stack power generation efficiency. Thus, a fuel cell device with improved long-term reliability can be obtained.

  The cell stack device according to the present invention includes a box-shaped heating chamber for sending raw fuel gas from a raw fuel gas outlet located above a central portion in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells, and one end of each of the fuel gas inlet and the fuel gas inlet. A fuel gas supply pipe whose other end is located above the upper end of the fuel cell along the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell, and the fuel cell in the upper part of the cell stack and below or on the side of the heating chamber. Arranged along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells in a state where the upper end portion is separated, the central portion side in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells is connected to the raw fuel gas delivery port, and both ends are connected to the fuel gas supply pipes, respectively. And a flow path member having a reforming portion including a reforming catalyst for reforming the raw fuel gas into the fuel gas inside, the connecting portion between the heating chamber and the flow path member is used for power generation. Unused fuel A scan by burning can be suppressed to be warmed directly by the combustion heat generated, the temperature at the connection of the temperature raising chamber and the flow path member can be prevented from being excessively increased.

  In addition, the fuel cell module of the present invention can be a fuel cell module with improved long-term reliability since the cell stack device is housed in a housing container. Furthermore, the fuel cell device according to the present invention has the above-described fuel cell module and an auxiliary device for operating the cell stack device housed in an outer case, so that the fuel cell device has improved long-term reliability. It can be.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the cell stack apparatus of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ′ showing a part of the cell stack device shown in FIG. 1. It is a perspective view which shows another example of the cell stack apparatus of this invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B ′ showing a part of the cell stack device shown in FIG. 3. It is sectional drawing which extracts and shows a part of other example of the cell stack apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows another example of the cell stack apparatus of this invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C ′ showing a part of the cell stack device shown in FIG. 6. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows an example of the fuel cell module of this invention. It is D-D 'sectional view taken on the line of the fuel cell module shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the fuel cell apparatus of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows an example of the conventional cell stack apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of the cell stack device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a temperature raising chamber 6, a raw fuel supply pipe 7, a flow path member 11, and a cell stack device 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ showing a part of the fuel gas supply pipe 8. In the following drawings, the same numbers are assigned to the same members.

  A cell stack device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of fuel battery cells 2 each having a fuel gas flow path penetrating from a lower end portion to an upper end portion along a longitudinal direction, and a current collecting member therebetween. A cell stack 3 electrically connected in series via (not shown) insulates the lower end of the fuel cell 2 constituting the cell stack 3 from a manifold 4 that supplies fuel gas to the fuel cell 2. It is fixed by the adhesive material. Further, on the upper end portion side of the fuel cell 2, the raw fuel that is separated from the fuel cell 2 and is supplied from outside is used as a raw fuel gas whose temperature has been increased, and the raw fuel gas is sent out. A box-shaped heating chamber 6 having a gas delivery port 12 and a flow path member 11 having a reforming section having a reforming catalyst 13 inside and connected to the heating chamber 6 are arranged. Further, at both ends along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 2 (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as cell arrangement direction), the fuel cells 2 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the fuel cells 2, and one end is provided in the manifold 4. A fuel gas supply pipe 8 is connected to the fuel gas inlet 10 and the other end is located above the upper end of the fuel cell 2 and connected to the flow path member 11.

  Here, the end of the manifold 4 along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 2 refers to the space from the end of the cell stack 3 to the end of the manifold 4 and the arrangement of the fuel cells 2 in the side surface of the manifold 4. It means the side surface orthogonal to the direction. At both ends of the cell stack 3, conductive members 5 having current drawing portions 9 for collecting and drawing the current generated by the power generation of the fuel cell 2 to the outside are arranged.

  Here, the fuel battery cell 2 has a hollow flat plate shape having a fuel gas flow path in which fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas) flows along the longitudinal direction, and a fuel-side electrode layer, a solid electrolyte is formed on the surface of the support. A solid oxide fuel cell 2 in which a layer and an oxygen-side electrode layer are sequentially provided is illustrated.

  Further, the cell stack device 1 is configured such that fuel gas that has not been used for power generation of the fuel battery cell 2 is combusted on the upper end portion side of the fuel battery cell 2. Thereby, the temperature of the temperature rising chamber 6 and the flow path member 11 to be described later can be increased efficiently.

  In FIG. 2, the temperature raising chamber 6 disposed at the center in the cell arrangement direction above the cell stack 3 and spaced from the upper end of the fuel cell 2 has a box-like shape and is externally provided at the center on the upper surface. A raw fuel supply pipe 7 for supplying raw fuel is connected, and a raw fuel gas delivery port 12 is provided at each end of the bottom surface along the cell arrangement direction. The raw fuel supplied from the raw fuel supply pipe 7 is heated in the temperature raising chamber 6 to become a raw fuel gas whose temperature has risen, and is sent from the raw fuel gas delivery port 12 to the flow path member 11. In addition, since the temperature raising chamber 6 is disposed at the center in the cell arrangement direction above the cell stack 3, the raw fuel gas in which the temperature of the raw fuel is efficiently increased (the temperature of the temperature increasing chamber 6 is efficiently increased). can do.

  The flow path member 11 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 consists of two members each connected to the raw fuel gas delivery port 12, and the center side is connected to the bottom surface (raw fuel gas delivery port 12) of the temperature raising chamber 6, After extending toward the lower side of the temperature raising chamber 6 (fuel cell 2 side), the fuel cell 2 side (end side of the cell stack device 1) arranged at the end of the cell stack 3 along the cell arrangement direction The both ends are connected to the fuel gas supply pipe 8.

  1 and 2, one end of one member is connected to one raw fuel gas delivery port 12, the other end of one member is connected to one fuel gas supply pipe 8, and one end of the other member is The other raw fuel gas delivery port 12 is connected, and the other end of the other member is connected to the other fuel gas supply pipe 8.

  The flow path member 11 includes a reforming portion 17 having a reforming catalyst 13 in the entire area inside, and a fuel gas delivery port 14 on the end side (connecting portion with the fuel gas supply pipe 8) along the cell arrangement direction. It has. The raw fuel gas delivered from the raw fuel gas delivery port 12 flows downward while being reformed into the fuel gas by the reforming catalyst 13, and then flows toward the end along the cell arrangement direction. The generated fuel gas flows downward through the fuel gas supply pipe 8 connected to the fuel gas delivery port 14, and is supplied into the manifold 4 from the fuel gas inlets 10 provided at both ends of the manifold 4. It is supplied to each fuel cell 2 constituting the cell stack 3.

  Examples of the raw fuel include hydrocarbon gas such as city gas and liquid fuel such as kerosene. In addition, when gaseous fuels, such as hydrocarbon gas, are used as raw fuel, raw fuel gas means hydrocarbon gas.

  In the cell stack device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel gas generated in the reforming portion 17 of the flow path member 11 is supplied to each fuel cell 2 constituting the cell stack 3 from both ends of the manifold 4. Will be supplied. Thereby, a sufficient amount of fuel gas can be supplied to each fuel cell 2 constituting the cell stack 3, and the power generation efficiency of the cell stack 3 can be improved.

  Further, since the flow path member 11 and the temperature raising chamber 6 and the manifold 4 are connected by the two fuel gas supply pipes 8, the flow path member 11 and the temperature raising chamber 6 and the manifold 4 are firmly connected. Can do.

  In addition, in the cell stack apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable to provide the flow path member 11 (modification part 17) so that it may become symmetrical. As a result, the amount of fuel gas supplied from both ends of the manifold 4 can be made to be uniform, and a sufficient amount of fuel gas can be supplied to each fuel cell 2 constituting the cell stack 3, The power generation efficiency of the cell stack 3 can be improved. Further, if the volume of the flow path member 11 and the amount of the reforming catalyst 13 disposed inside are the same, it does not have to be symmetrical.

  As the reforming catalyst 13 provided inside the reforming section 17, it is preferable to use a reforming catalyst excellent in reforming efficiency and durability. For example, a porous carrier such as γ-alumina, α-alumina or cordierite. A reforming catalyst or the like in which a noble metal such as Ru or Pt or a base metal such as Ni or Fe is supported can be used.

  Here, when the raw fuel gas whose temperature has excessively increased is supplied into the flow path member 11 (reforming section 17), the reforming catalyst 13 provided in the flow path member 11 (reforming section 17) is excessive. There is a risk of deterioration due to temperature rise. As a result, the long-term reliability of the cell stack 3 may be reduced.

  In the cell stack device 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, since the central portion side of the flow path member 11 is connected to the temperature increase chamber 6 at the highest position in the flow path member 11, the temperature increase chamber 6 and the flow path member 11 can be prevented from being heated directly by the combustion heat generated by burning the fuel gas not used for power generation on the upper end side of the fuel battery cell 2. As a result, it is possible to suppress the supply of the raw fuel gas whose temperature has excessively increased into the flow path member 11 (the reforming unit 17), so that the reforming catalyst 13 is deteriorated due to excessive temperature rise. Thus, the long-term reliability of the cell stack 3 can be improved, and the cell stack device 1 with improved long-term reliability can be obtained.

  Moreover, since the reforming part 17 is extended to the connection part with the temperature raising chamber 6 (the reforming part 17 and the temperature raising chamber 6 are connected), the temperature generated in the temperature raising chamber 6 has increased. The raw fuel gas can be immediately reformed, and the raw fuel gas can be efficiently reformed into the fuel gas.

  Here, in the conventional fuel cell module 60 shown in FIG. 11, since the vaporization unit 69 is provided immediately above the fuel cell 62, the raw fuel gas whose temperature has excessively increased is supplied to the reforming unit 70. As a result, the reforming catalyst may deteriorate due to excessive temperature rise. As a result, the reforming efficiency is lowered, and the long-term reliability of the cell stack 63 may be lowered.

  On the other hand, in the cell stack device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the temperature raising chamber 6 is disposed above the flow path member 11 (the temperature raising chamber 6 is positioned higher than the vaporization section 69 in the conventional cell stack device 68. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the raw fuel gas whose temperature has excessively increased from being supplied to the reforming unit 17. As a result, the deterioration of the reforming catalyst 13 due to excessive temperature rise can be suppressed, and the long-term reliability of the cell stack 3 can be improved.

  Here, when steam reforming is performed in the flow path member 11 (the reforming unit 17), the raw fuel and water are supplied to the raw fuel supply pipe 7, and the raw fuel whose temperature has been increased in the temperature raising chamber 6. After the gas is vaporized and water is vaporized, the raw fuel gas and water vapor are supplied to the flow path member 11 through the raw fuel gas delivery port 12, and the water vapor is supplied by the predetermined reforming catalyst 13 in the reforming unit 17. Perform reforming. At that time, if the size (volume) of the temperature raising chamber 6 is insufficient, there is a possibility that vaporization failure may occur, and water that has not been vaporized is supplied to the reforming unit 17, and the pores of the reforming catalyst 13. There is a risk of water getting inside. In this case, as the temperature of the reforming unit 17 rises, the water in the reforming catalyst 13 is vaporized, so that the reforming catalyst 13 may be damaged and deteriorated.

  Since the cell stack apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided with the temperature raising chamber 6 above the flow path member 11, the temperature raising chamber 6 can be configured to have a sufficient size. It is possible to suppress the supply of water and suppress the deterioration of the reforming catalyst 13. Thereby, the long-term reliability of the cell stack device 1 can be improved.

  In addition, when supplying water to the temperature raising chamber 6, a water supply pipe can be provided separately from the raw fuel supply pipe 7. In this case, the raw fuel supply pipe 7 and the water supply pipe are preferably double pipes.

  Although not shown, the temperature raising chamber 6 preferably includes a ceramic ball or the like. Thereby, the surface area in the temperature raising chamber 6 can be increased, the raw fuel can be efficiently converted into the raw fuel gas whose temperature has been increased, and water can be efficiently vaporized into water vapor.

  In the cell stack device 1 shown in FIG. 2, the example in which the reforming catalyst 13 is provided in the entire area of the flow path member 11 and the entire area of the flow path member 11 becomes the reforming unit 17 is shown. Only a part of these may be used as the reforming unit 17. The amount of the reforming catalyst 13 may be appropriately set according to the amount of fuel gas required, and the reforming unit 17 may be provided in the flow path member 11.

  In the cell stack apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2, the reforming unit 17 extends to the connection part with the raw fuel gas delivery port 12. However, the reforming unit 17 is connected to the raw fuel gas delivery port 12. It does not have to be extended to the connection part.

  3 is an external perspective view showing another example of the cell stack device of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a temperature raising chamber 6, a raw fuel supply pipe 7, and a flow path member 16 constituting the cell stack device 15 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB ′ showing a part of the fuel gas supply pipe 8.

  The cell stack apparatus 15 shown in FIG. 3 has a flow path member 16 on the both sides of a box-shaped heating chamber 6 disposed at a central portion in the cell arrangement direction and spaced from the upper end of the fuel cell 2. The cell 2 is disposed apart from the upper end portion. Raw fuel gas delivery ports 12 are respectively provided at the upper end portions of both side surfaces orthogonal to the cell arrangement direction of the temperature raising chamber 6, and the central portion of the flow path member 16 in which the raw fuel gas delivery ports 12 are arranged on both sides. Connected with the side.

  The flow path member 16 flows the raw fuel sent from the raw fuel gas outlet 12 toward the fuel cell 2 side, and then toward the fuel gas outlet 14 provided on both side surfaces orthogonal to the cell arrangement direction. The raw fuel gas flows along the cell arrangement direction.

  In the cell stack device 15 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the raw fuel gas delivery port 12 is provided on the upper end side of the side surface orthogonal to the cell arrangement direction of the temperature raising chamber 6, and the connected flow path member 16 is provided. After the raw fuel gas flows toward the fuel cell 2 side, it flows toward both ends along the cell arrangement direction, so that the inlet (raw fuel gas outlet 12) of the flow path member 16 is used for power generation. It is possible to suppress direct heating by the combustion heat generated by burning the fuel gas that has not been burned, and the raw fuel gas whose temperature has excessively increased is supplied to the flow path member 16 (the reforming unit 17). Therefore, the deterioration of the reforming catalyst 13 due to excessive temperature rise can be suppressed, and the reduction in reforming efficiency can be suppressed. Thereby, the long-term reliability of the cell stack 3 can be improved, and the cell stack device 15 with improved long-term reliability can be obtained.

  The heating chamber 6 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is arranged above the cell stack 3 so as to be located at the center in the cell arrangement direction. Along with the power generation of the cell stack 3, there may be a temperature distribution in which the temperature on the center side in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 2 of the cell stack 3 is high and the temperature on the end side is low. 3 and 4 is disposed so as to be located at the center portion in the cell arrangement direction. Therefore, particularly when steam reforming is performed in the reforming unit 17, the heating chamber 6 is used. 6 can reduce the temperature on the center side of the cell stack 3 due to the heat of vaporization when water is vaporized, and can suppress the occurrence of temperature distribution in the cell arrangement direction of the cell stack 3. Thereby, current concentration occurring in the fuel cell 2 having a high temperature can be suppressed, and deterioration of the fuel cell 2 can be suppressed. Therefore, the cell stack device 15 with improved long-term reliability can be obtained.

  Here, the pressure loss of each member due to variations in the volume and shape of each member disposed on the left and right of the temperature raising chamber 6 constituting the flow path member 11 shown in FIGS. May differ from each other in the amount of raw fuel gas delivered from the temperature raising chamber 6 to each member, and thereby the amount of fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas inlet 10 provided in the manifold 4 respectively. However, the amount of fuel gas supplied to each fuel cell 2 varies, and the fuel cell 2 may be deteriorated.

  The cell stack apparatus 15 shown in FIG. 4 uses a thin tube as the flow rate adjusting member 23 at the raw fuel gas delivery port 12. Thereby, the raw fuel gas can be efficiently and uniformly distributed to each member, and the amount of fuel gas supplied to each fuel cell 2 constituting the cell stack device 15 can be made closer to the uniform, further improving the efficiency. Thus, the cell stack device 15 with improved power generation efficiency can be obtained.

  In addition, although the example which uses a thin tube was shown as the flow volume adjustment member 23, an orifice, a laminar flow element, a porous member, etc. can also be used. When a thin tube is used as the flow rate adjusting member 23, the amount of raw fuel gas delivered from the temperature raising chamber 6 to each member can be adjusted by appropriately setting the tube diameter, the number of holes or the length. it can. Preferably, in order to make the amount of raw fuel gas delivered to each member uniform, the flow rate adjusting members 23 (thin tubes) preferably have the same tube diameter and length.

  In the case where the reforming unit 17 is extended to the connection with the temperature raising chamber 6 as in the cell stack device 15 shown in FIG. 4, the flow rate adjusting member 23 may be provided at the raw fuel gas delivery port 12. When the reforming part 17 is not extended to the connection part with the temperature raising chamber 6, it may be provided between the raw fuel gas outlet 12 and the reforming part 17 or at the raw fuel gas outlet 12. In any case, the flow rate adjusting member 23 may be provided so that the amount of the fuel gas flowing into the respective reforming portions 17 approaches uniformly.

  FIG. 5 shows a part of the temperature raising chamber 6, the raw fuel supply pipe 7, the flow path member 19 and the fuel gas supply pipe 8 constituting the cell stack apparatus 18 of still another example of the cell stack apparatus of the present invention. It is sectional drawing shown.

  In the cell stack device 18 shown in FIG. 5, a flow path member 19 is disposed on both sides of the temperature raising chamber 6, and a central portion side of the flow path member 19 is connected to the raw fuel delivery port 12. The raw fuel gas delivery port 12 is provided on the upper end side of the side surface orthogonal to the cell arrangement direction of the temperature raising chamber 6, and the inside of the flow path member 19 (reforming part 17) meanders the raw fuel gas in the vertical direction. The raw fuel gas flows along the cell arrangement direction while meandering in the flow path member 19. Thereby, the length of the reforming unit 17 can be increased (the amount of the reforming catalyst 13 can be increased), and the reforming efficiency can be further improved.

  Also in such a flow path member 19, the raw fuel gas delivered from the raw fuel gas outlet 12 flows toward the fuel cell 2 side, and then provided at both ends of the flow path member 19 in the cell arrangement direction. It flows toward the fuel gas delivery port 14 that has been made. In the cell stack device 18 shown in FIG. 5, the portion of the flow path member 19 that flows along the cell arrangement direction is a meandering flow path.

  Here, the cell stack device 18 is configured to combust fuel gas that has not been used for power generation on the upper end side of the fuel cell 2, and the temperature rise chamber 6 and the flow path member 19 are efficiently used by the combustion heat. Thus, the raw fuel can be efficiently converted into a raw fuel gas having a raised temperature, and the reforming of the raw fuel gas can be performed efficiently.

  In the cell stack device 18 shown in FIG. 5, since the raw fuel gas flows in a meandering manner in the flow path member 19 (in the reforming unit 17), the amount of the reforming catalyst 13 provided in the reforming unit 17 ( The time during which the raw fuel gas and the reforming catalyst 13 are in contact with each other can be increased, and the reforming efficiency can be further improved. Thereby, the power generation efficiency of the cell stack 3 can be improved, and the cell stack device 18 with improved power generation efficiency can be obtained.

  5 shows the flow path member 19 provided with the meandering flow path for meandering the raw fuel gas in the vertical direction, the meandering flow path is along the cell arrangement direction or the width of the fuel cell 2. It can also be a meandering flow path that meanders along the direction. Even in this case, the length of the reforming unit 17 can be increased (the amount of the reforming catalyst 13 can be increased), and the reforming efficiency can be improved.

  Further, a partition member (not shown) may be provided in the temperature raising chamber 6 to provide a meandering channel for flowing the raw fuel gas so as to meander in the vertical direction. Even in this case, since the raw fuel gas flows in a meandering manner, the distance that the raw fuel flows through the temperature raising chamber 6 can be increased, and the combustion that occurs when the fuel gas that has not been used for power generation is burned. Since the temperature of the raw fuel gas can be efficiently increased by heat, the reforming efficiency can be further improved.

  In the cell stack device 18 shown in FIG. 5, the example in which the meandering flow path is provided in the entire reforming unit 17 is shown, but only a part of the reforming unit 17 may be the meandering flow path.

  Further, a portion of the flow path member 19 where the reforming catalyst 13 is not disposed (a portion that is not the reforming unit 17) may be a meandering flow path. Also in this case, the fuel gas can be caused to meander and flow, the temperature of the fuel gas can be increased efficiently, and the fuel gas having an increased temperature can be supplied to the fuel cell 2. Thereby, the power generation efficiency of the cell stack device 18 can be improved.

  6 is an external perspective view showing still another example of the cell stack device of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a temperature raising chamber 6, a raw fuel supply pipe 7, and a flow path member constituting the cell stack device 20 shown in FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC ′ showing a part of the fuel gas supply pipe 21 and a part of the fuel gas supply pipe 8.

  The cell stack apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 6 is provided with a raw fuel gas outlet 12 at the center of the bottom surface of the heating chamber 6 arranged at the center in the cell arrangement direction. A road member 21 is connected.

  The flow path member 21 is disposed below the temperature raising chamber 6 in a state of being separated from the fuel cell 2, and has a connecting portion 22 connected to the raw fuel gas delivery port 12 at the center portion. ) Is connected to the raw fuel delivery port 12. The flow path member 21 includes fuel gas delivery ports 14 at both ends, and the fuel gas delivery port 14 is connected to the fuel gas supply pipe 8. Therefore, the flow path member 21 causes the cell stack to flow after the raw fuel gas that has flowed toward the fuel cell 2 side through the connecting portion 22 flows toward the fuel gas outlets 14 provided at both ends in the cell arrangement direction. 3 are provided so as to flow through the respective fuel gas supply pipes 8 disposed on both ends. In the cell stack device 20, the flow path member 21 and the fuel gas supply pipe 8 are provided integrally.

  Thereby, after the flow path member 21 and the fuel gas supply pipe 8 are separately manufactured, the process of connecting them by welding or the like can be simplified, and the manufacturing process of the cell stack device 20 can be simplified.

  In the cell stack device 20 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the temperature raising chamber 6 and the reforming unit 17 are not directly connected. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the connection portion between the heating chamber 6 and the flow path member 21 from being directly heated by the combustion heat generated by burning the fuel gas that has not been used for power generation. It is possible to suppress an excessive increase in the temperature of the connecting portion between the flow path member 21 and the flow path member 21. Thereby, it can suppress that the fuel gas which temperature rose excessively to the reforming part 17 can be suppressed, and it can suppress that the reforming catalyst 13 deteriorates.

  FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing an example of the fuel cell module 27 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a module) of the present invention in which the above-described cell stack device 1 is stored in the storage container 28. In FIG. 8, the temperature raising chamber 6 and the flow path member 11 are connected to the inner surface of the upper wall of the storage container 28, and the cell stack device 1 is in a state where the temperature rising chamber 6 and the flow path member 11 are removed. Show.

  Further, in the module 27 shown in FIG. 8, a part (front and rear surfaces) of the storage container 28 is removed, and the cell stack apparatus 1 (in FIG. 8, the temperature raising chamber 6 and the flow path member 11 are removed and shown). Is taken out backward. Below, the storage container 28 which comprises the module 27 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross section taken along line D-D ′ of the module 27 shown in FIG. 8. In the storage container 28 constituting the module 27, an outer frame of the storage container 28 is formed by the outer wall 30, and a power generation chamber 42 for storing the fuel cell 2 (cell stack 3) is formed therein.

  In such a storage container 28, a flow path for flowing air or exhaust gas is provided between a side portion along the cell arrangement direction constituting the cell stack 3 and an outer wall of the storage container 28 facing the side portion. I have.

  Here, in the storage container 28, a first wall 31 is formed inside the outer wall 30 with a predetermined interval, and a second wall 32 is arranged inside the first wall 31 with a predetermined interval. Further, a third wall 33 is arranged inside the second wall 32 with a predetermined interval.

  Thereby, the space formed by the outer wall 30 and the first wall 31 becomes the first flow path 34, and the space formed by the second wall 32 and the third wall 33 becomes the second flow path 35. Thus, the space formed by the first wall 31 and the second wall 32 becomes the third flow path 36.

  In the storage container 28 shown in FIG. 9, the upper end of the first wall 31 is connected to the second wall 32, and the second wall 32 is connected to the upper wall (outer wall 30) of the storage container 28. The upper end of the third wall 33 is connected to the second wall 32.

  In addition, an air supply pipe 37 for supplying air (oxygen-containing gas) into the storage container 28 is connected to the bottom of the storage container 28, and the air supplied from the air supply pipe 37 is an air introduction part 38. Flowing into. Since the air introduction part 38 is connected to the first flow path 34 by the air introduction port 39, the air flowing through the air introduction part 38 flows to the first flow path 34 through the air introduction port 39. The air flowing upward in the first flow path 34 flows into the second flow path 35 through the air circulation port 40 provided in the second wall 32. The air flowing downward through the second flow path 35 is supplied into the power generation chamber 42 through the air outlet 41 provided in the third wall 33.

  On the other hand, the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 2 or the exhaust gas generated by burning the fuel gas not used for power generation on the upper end side of the fuel cell 2 is the exhaust gas circulation provided on the second wall 32. It flows into the third flow path 36 through the port 43. The exhaust gas flowing downward through the third flow path 36 flows through the exhaust gas collection port 44 to the exhaust gas collection unit 45, and then passes through the exhaust gas exhaust pipe 46 connected to the exhaust gas collection unit 45 to the outside of the storage container 28. Exhausted.

  Therefore, the air supplied from the air introduction pipe 37 is heat-exchanged with the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas collection unit 45 while flowing through the air introduction unit 38, and the third flow is passed through the first flow path 34. Heat exchange with the exhaust gas flowing through the passage 36 is performed, and heat exchange is performed with the heat in the power generation chamber 42 while flowing through the second flow passage 35.

  Although FIG. 9 shows an example in which the exhaust gas exhaust pipe 46 is located inside the air introduction pipe 37, the air introduction pipe 37 may be provided inside the exhaust gas exhaust pipe 46. Further, the air introduction pipe 37 and the exhaust gas exhaust pipe 46 can be provided with their positions shifted.

  Here, in the module 27 shown in FIG. 9, a heat insulating material 47 (the heat insulating material 47 is indicated by hatching in the drawing) is arranged on the second wall 27 side in the third flow path 36. Yes. Thereby, heat exchange between the air flowing through the second flow path 35 and the exhaust gas flowing through the third flow path 36 can be suppressed, and the temperature of the air flowing through the second flow path 35 is prevented from decreasing. it can.

  Thereby, it can suppress that the temperature of the air supplied to the fuel cell 2 falls, and since it can supply high temperature air to the fuel cell 2, it can be set as the module 27 with high electric power generation efficiency.

  The heat insulating material 47 arranged in the third flow path 36 is preferably larger than the outer shape of the side portion along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 2 constituting the cell stack 3. Thereby, heat exchange between the air flowing through the second flow path 35 and the exhaust gas flowing through the third flow path 36 can be efficiently suppressed.

  In addition to the third flow path 36, the heat insulating material 47 prevents the heat in the storage container 28 from being extremely dissipated so that the temperature of the fuel cell 2 (cell stack 3) decreases and the power generation amount does not decrease. In FIG. 9, in addition to the third flow path 36, in addition to the third flow path 36, the bottom of the manifold 4, both side surfaces of the fuel cell 2 (cell stack 3), and the upper wall (outer wall 48) of the storage container 28. ) And the temperature raising chamber 6.

  Here, in the heat insulating material 47 arranged on both side surfaces of the cell stack 3 (fuel cell 2), a hole for flowing air to the fuel cell 2 side is provided corresponding to the air outlet 41. It has been.

  Then, the air supplied from the air outlet 41 into the power generation chamber 42 flows from the lower end side to the upper end side of the fuel cell 2, so that the fuel cell 2 can efficiently generate power.

  By storing the cell stack device 1 with improved long-term reliability in the power generation chamber 42 of the storage container as described above, the module 27 with improved long-term reliability can be obtained.

  FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a fuel cell device in which the module 27 shown in FIG. 9 and an auxiliary machine (not shown) for operating the module 27 are housed in an outer case. In FIG. 10, a part of the configuration is omitted.

  A fuel cell device 50 shown in FIG. 10 divides the interior of the exterior case composed of the columns 51 and the exterior plate 52 into upper and lower portions by a partition plate 53, and the upper side thereof serves as a module housing chamber 54 that houses the above-described module 27. The lower side is configured as an auxiliary equipment storage chamber 55 for storing auxiliary equipment for operating the module 27. In addition, the auxiliary machine stored in the auxiliary machine storage chamber 55 is omitted. Thereby, the compact fuel cell device 50 can be obtained.

  In addition, the partition plate 53 is provided with an air circulation port 56 for flowing the air in the auxiliary machine storage chamber 55 to the module storage chamber 54 side, and a part of the exterior plate 52 constituting the module storage chamber 54 An exhaust port 57 for exhausting air in the module storage chamber 54 is provided.

  In such a fuel cell device 50, as described above, the module 27 with improved long-term reliability is stored in the module storage chamber 54, and an auxiliary machine for operating the module 27 is stored in the auxiliary machine storage chamber 55. Thus, the fuel cell device 50 with improved long-term reliability can be obtained.

  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, a flow direction adjusting member for flowing the raw fuel or water toward the flow path member 11 can be provided in the raw fuel supply pipe 7 of the temperature raising chamber 6.

  As the flow direction adjusting member, in addition to a member having a hole on the left and right of a cylindrical container having a bottom, a member that can appropriately flow raw fuel in the left and right directions, such as a pipe having a bifurcated tip, etc. Can do.

  In this case, it is preferable to provide the outlet of the flow adjustment direction member so as not to face the bottom surface of the temperature raising chamber 6. Thereby, the temperature of a part of the temperature rising chamber 6 is rapidly decreased, and it is possible to suppress the deterioration of water vaporization efficiency in the temperature rising chamber 6.

  Further, for example, a raw fuel inflow suppressing member that suppresses the raw fuel from flowing into the reforming unit 17 without being sufficiently vaporized may be provided at the raw fuel gas outlet 12.

  Examples of the raw fuel inflow suppressing member include a member having holes on the left and right sides of a cylindrical container having a lid. In particular, the raw fuel supply pipe 7 and the raw fuel gas outlet 12 are on the same line in plan view. It can be used particularly effectively in some cases.

  For example, in the storage container 28, the outer wall 30 and the first wall 31 form a first flow path 34, and the second wall 32 and the third wall 33 form a second flow path 35. As long as the first channel 31 and the second wall 32 form the third flow path 36, the positions of the air circulation port 41 and the exhaust gas circulation port 43 can be changed as appropriate.

  Further, for example, an air flow passage that connects the first flow path 34 and the second flow path 35 may be provided between the first wall 31 and the second wall 32, and the second wall 32 and the second wall 32 may be provided. An exhaust gas flow passage that connects the power generation chamber 42 and the third flow path 33 may be provided between the third wall 33 and the third wall 33.

1, 15, 18, 20, 68: Cell stack device 2, 62: Fuel cell 3, 63: Cell stack 4, 64: Manifold 6: Temperature raising chamber 7, 67: Raw fuel supply pipe 8, 66: Fuel gas supply Pipe 10: Fuel gas inlet 11, 16, 19, 21: Channel member 12: Raw fuel gas outlet 13: Reforming catalyst 14: Fuel gas outlet 17: Reforming unit 23: Flow rate adjusting members 27, 60: Fuel cell module 50: Fuel cell device

Claims (6)

A state in which a fuel gas flow path for flowing fuel gas from the lower end portion to the upper end portion along the longitudinal direction is provided inside, and a plurality of columnar fuel cells that generate power with the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas are erected. And a cell stack configured to burn the fuel gas not used for power generation on the upper end side of the fuel cell,
A manifold for fixing the lower end of the fuel cell, and having a fuel gas inlet at both ends in the arrangement direction of the fuel cell, and supplying the fuel gas to the fuel cell,
The fuel cell is disposed above the cell stack so as to be separated from the upper end of the fuel cell, and the raw fuel supplied from the outside is heated to be a raw fuel gas, and the raw fuel gas is arranged in the fuel cell. A box-shaped heating chamber that is sent out from the raw fuel gas outlet located above the center in the direction;
A fuel gas supply pipe having one end connected to the fuel gas inlet and the other end positioned above the upper end of the fuel cell along the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell;
Arranged in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells in the arrangement direction of the fuel cells in a state of being separated from the upper end portion of the fuel cells in the upper side of the temperature increasing chamber above the cell stack or on the side The reformer is connected to the raw fuel gas delivery port, both ends are respectively connected to the fuel gas supply pipe, and a reforming catalyst for reforming the raw fuel gas into the fuel gas is provided inside. A cell stack device comprising a flow path member having a mass part.   The cell stack device according to claim 1, wherein the reforming portion of the flow path member is extended to a connection portion with the raw fuel gas delivery port of the temperature raising chamber.   3. The cell stack device according to claim 1, wherein a part of the reforming portion of the flow path member is a meandering flow path.   2. A flow rate adjusting member for adjusting a flow rate of the raw fuel gas is provided between the raw fuel gas delivery port and the reforming unit or at the raw fuel gas delivery port. The cell stack device according to any one of 1 to 3.   5. A fuel cell module comprising the cell stack device according to claim 1 stored in a storage container. 6. A fuel cell device comprising: the fuel cell module according to claim 5; and an auxiliary device for operating the cell stack device, housed in an outer case.

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