JP2011119095A - Fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel cell system in which a power supply circuit is cooled more stably than before without depending on a power generation amount of a fuel cell. <P>SOLUTION: The fuel cell system is equipped with: a package 51; a fuel cell 4 to generate electric power from fuel gas and oxidizer gas; and a power supply circuit 1. The package 51 is separated into a first chamber 61 in which the power supply circuits 1 is installed via a barrier rib 52, and a second chamber 62 in which the fuel cell is installed. At the package 51 (hereinafter, first outer wall 51a) to constitute the first chamber 61, a first suction port 54 in order to introduce the outdoor air into the first chamber 61, and a first exhaust port 55 to exhaust gas of the first chamber 61 to the outside of the first chamber 61 are installed. At the first suction port 54 of the first chamber 61, an air feeder 3 is installed which is constituted so that the outdoor air is fed into the first chamber 61. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell system, and more particularly to a structure of a fuel cell system in which a fuel cell is installed in a package.

  The fuel cell system generates electricity and heat simultaneously by reforming a raw material gas such as city gas and electrochemically reacting a fuel gas containing hydrogen and an oxidant gas containing oxygen such as air. This is a system for supplying electricity to an external power load (for example, an electric device used at home).

  When this fuel cell system is used as a mobile power source or a distributed (on-site) power source, a fuel cell system in which the entire fuel cell system is arranged in a package is known in order to facilitate transportation and installation work. (For example, see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  Here, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the fuel cell power generation system disclosed in Patent Document 1. In FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a stationary fuel cell power generation system disclosed in Patent Document 2. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the fuel cell power generation system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the inside of the package 201 is separated into a gas path chamber 203 and a non-gas chamber 204 by a partition wall 202, and a reformer is provided in the gas path chamber 203. 205, a fuel cell 206, a ventilation fan 207, and the like are disposed, while a control device 208, an air blower 209, a water supply device 210, and the like are disposed in the non-gas chamber 204. As a result, even if flammable gas leaks from the reformer 205 or the fuel cell 206 in the gas passage chamber 203, it is discharged out of the package 201 (gas passage chamber 203) by the ventilation fan 207 and leaked. Does not flow into the reformer 205 or the like and does not explode, and since the control device 208 is separated from the gas passage chamber 203 by the partition wall 202, it ignites and explodes due to a spark or the like generated by the control device 208. There is no fear.

  Further, in the stationary fuel cell power generation system disclosed in Patent Document 2, an electrical component housing 303 in which the electric control means 301 and the power conversion means 302 are housed, a reforming means 304, a power generation means 305, a heat The collecting unit 306 is accommodated in the main body housing 307. In addition, the electric control unit intake port 308 is provided in the main body housing 307 so as to communicate with the heat dissipation space 309 inside the electric component housing 303, and the electric control unit intake port 308 is provided with a fan 310. Yes. Furthermore, in this stationary fuel cell power generation system, the electrical housing 303 is provided with electrical control unit exhaust ports 311a and 311b, and a blower (not shown) is provided in the vicinity of the electrical control unit exhaust ports 311a and 311b. Are provided, respectively, and an air inlet 312a for power generation means and an air inlet 312b for reforming means. As a result, during operation of the stationary fuel cell power generation system, the fan 310 is rotated to make the interior of the electrical housing 303 higher than the other interior of the body housing 307, and should be combustible inside the body housing 307. Even if the property gas leaks, the gas does not enter the electrical component housing 303.

JP 2002-329515 A JP 2005-85642 A

  However, in the fuel cell power generation system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the amount of air sucked into the non-gas chamber 204 from the non-gas chamber inlet 211 provided in the non-gas chamber 204 is determined by the operation of the air blower 209. Influenced by quantity. For this reason, there is a possibility that a sufficient amount of air is not taken into the non-gas chamber 204, the temperature of the control device 208 becomes high, the efficiency thereof decreases, and power loss occurs. In the worst case, the guaranteed temperature of the control device 208 may be exceeded.

  Similarly, in the fuel cell power generation system disclosed in Patent Document 2, the amount of air sucked into the electrical component housing 303 from the electric control unit intake port 308 is the power generation unit air intake port 312a and the reforming unit. It is influenced by the operation amount of the blower incorporated in each of the air intake ports 312b. For this reason, there is a possibility that a sufficient amount of air is not sucked into the electric housing 303, the electric control means 301 and the power conversion means 302 are heated, the efficiency thereof is reduced, and power loss occurs. In the worst case, the guaranteed temperature of the electric control means 301 and the power conversion means 302 may be exceeded.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system capable of cooling a power supply circuit more stably than before without depending on the power generation amount of the fuel cell. And

  In order to solve the above problems, a fuel cell system according to the present invention includes a fuel cell that generates power from a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, a power circuit, and a package that houses the fuel cell and the power circuit. The package is separated into a first chamber in which the power supply circuit is provided and a second chamber in which the fuel cell is provided via a partition wall, and the package constituting the first chamber (hereinafter referred to as a first outer wall). ) Is provided with a first intake port for introducing outside air into the first chamber and a first exhaust port for exhausting the gas in the first chamber to the outside of the first chamber. The first intake port is provided with an air supply device configured to supply outside air into the first chamber.

  In the fuel cell system according to the present invention, the first intake port and the first exhaust port may be provided on the same surface of the first outer wall.

  In the fuel cell system according to the present invention, the first intake port and the first exhaust port may be formed in the same direction.

  In the fuel cell system according to the present invention, the package (hereinafter referred to as the second outer wall) constituting the second chamber has a second intake port for introducing outside air into the second chamber and the second chamber. A second exhaust port for exhausting the second gas to the outside of the second chamber is provided on the same surface of the second outer wall, and the second exhaust port allows the gas in the second chamber to enter the second chamber outside. An exhaust device for delivery may be provided.

  In the fuel cell system according to the present invention, the second intake port and the second exhaust port may be formed in the same direction.

  In the fuel cell system according to the present invention, the first chamber may be provided in an upper part of the package.

  Furthermore, in the fuel cell system according to the present invention, the first intake port, the first exhaust port, the second intake port for introducing outside air into the second chamber, and the gas in the second chamber are supplied to the outside of the second chamber. A second exhaust port for exhausting air may be provided on the same surface of the package, and the partition may be provided with a communication portion that connects the first chamber and the second chamber.

  According to the fuel cell system of the present invention, the first chamber provided with the power circuit is provided with an air supply different from the device that supplies the oxidant gas to the fuel cell, and the external air is operated by operating the air supply. Is supplied from the first intake port to the first chamber, and the gas in the first chamber is exhausted from the first exhaust port. Thereby, it becomes possible to cool the power supply circuit stably without depending on the power generation amount of the fuel cell.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a modification of the fuel cell system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the fuel cell power generation system disclosed in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a stationary fuel cell power generation system disclosed in Patent Document 2. As shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A fuel cell system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a fuel cell that generates electric power from a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, a power supply circuit, and a package that houses the fuel cell and the power supply circuit. Is separated into a first chamber provided with a power supply circuit and a second chamber provided with a fuel cell via a partition wall, and a package (hereinafter referred to as a first outer wall) constituting the first chamber is provided in the first chamber. A first intake port for introducing outside air and a first exhaust port for exhausting the gas in the first chamber to the outside of the first chamber are provided. The first intake port of the first chamber is provided in the first chamber. An air supply device configured to supply outside air is provided.

  Here, the “fuel cell” may be a fuel cell that generates power using fuel gas and oxidant gas. As such a “fuel cell”, for example, a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, a solid oxide fuel cell, a phosphoric acid fuel cell, a molten carbonate fuel cell and the like can be used. As the “fuel gas”, for example, pure hydrogen, a hydrogen-containing gas (reformed gas), or the like can be used. As the “oxidant gas”, for example, pure oxygen, air, or the like can be used.

  The “air supply device” only needs to be configured to supply (supply) outside air to the first chamber. For example, fans such as a blower and a sirocco fan can be used.

  As a result, the air supply device supplies outside air from the first intake port to the first chamber, and exhausts the gas in the first chamber from the first exhaust port, so that the power supply does not depend on the power generation amount of the fuel cell. It becomes possible to cool the circuit more stably than before, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of power loss due to the temperature rise of the power supply circuit. In addition, since the first chamber has a positive pressure with respect to the atmosphere due to the operation of the air supply device, even if a combustible gas (for example, source gas or hydrogen gas) leaks in the second chamber, Compared with the conventional fuel cell system in which the pressure is negative with respect to the atmospheric pressure, the inflow of combustible gas into the first chamber is suppressed, and the possibility that the combustible gas in the first chamber is ignited is reduced. .

  In the fuel cell system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the first intake port and the first exhaust port are provided on the same surface of the first outer wall.

  Here, “the first intake port and the first exhaust port are provided on the same surface of the first outer wall” means that the first intake port and the first exhaust port are provided on the same surface of the first outer wall. In addition, the first intake port and the first exhaust port are substantially within a range in which the intake / exhaust property necessary to keep the power supply circuit below the guaranteed temperature with respect to the wind pressure to the fuel cell system can be maintained. In particular, it also includes a form provided on the same surface of the first outer wall. As the “form in which the first intake port and the first exhaust port are provided substantially on the same surface of the first outer wall”, the extending direction of the first outer wall (the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first outer wall) ), The form in which the first exhaust port is provided on the surface in the vicinity of the inner side or the surface in the vicinity of the outer side of the surface on which the first intake port is provided is exemplified. In other words, the first outer wall does not necessarily have to be formed in a flat surface without irregularities, and is formed to have irregularities, and the first intake port and the second exhaust port are respectively the convex surface and the concave surface of the first outer wall. It means that it may be distributed.

  As a result, even if the wind pressure is applied to the fuel cell system by strong wind, the intake / exhaust performance is not significantly impaired, so that the power supply circuit can be cooled more stably than before by the operation of the air supply device.

  In the fuel cell system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, in the fuel cell system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the first air inlet and the first air outlet are directed in the same direction. Is formed.

  Here, “the first intake port and the first exhaust port are formed in the same direction” means a normal direction to the opening surface of the first intake port and a normal direction to the opening surface of the first exhaust port. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to maintain the intake / exhaust properties necessary to keep the power circuit below the guaranteed temperature against the wind pressure to the fuel cell system. In this range, the first intake port and the first exhaust port are included in substantially the same direction.

  As a result, when the wind pressure is applied to the fuel cell system due to strong wind, the first intake port and the first exhaust port are compared with the case where the first intake port and the first exhaust port are formed in different directions. Since the wind pressure applied to each of the power supply devices becomes closer, the power supply circuit can be more stably cooled by the operation of the air supply device.

  Further, in the fuel cell system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in the fuel cell system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the package constituting the second chamber (hereinafter referred to as the second outer wall) A second intake port for introducing outside air into the second chamber and a second exhaust port for exhausting the gas in the second chamber to the outside of the second chamber are provided on the same surface of the second outer wall; The exhaust port is provided with an exhaust device for sending the gas in the second chamber out of the second chamber.

  Here, “the second intake port and the second exhaust port are provided on the same surface of the second outer wall” means that the second intake port and the second exhaust port are on the same surface of the second outer wall. The second inlet and the second outlet are substantially the same on the second outer wall as long as the ventilation of the second chamber can be maintained with respect to the wind pressure to the fuel cell system as well as the case where it is provided. It also includes that the form is included in the surface. As the “form in which the second intake port and the second exhaust port are provided substantially on the same surface of the second outer wall”, the extending direction of the second outer wall (the direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the second outer wall) ), The form in which the second exhaust port is provided on the surface in the vicinity of the inner side or the surface in the vicinity of the outer side of the surface on which the second intake port is provided is exemplified. In other words, the second outer wall does not necessarily have to be formed in a flat surface without irregularities, and is formed to have irregularities, and the second intake port and the second exhaust port are respectively a convex surface and a concave surface of the second outer wall. It means that it may be distributed.

  Further, the “exhaust device” only needs to be configured so that the gas in the second chamber can be exhausted to the outside of the second chamber. For example, fans such as a blower and a sirocco fan can be used.

  As a result, even if the wind pressure is applied to the fuel cell system by strong wind, the intake / exhaust performance is not significantly impaired. Therefore, the ventilation performance of the second chamber can be improved by the operation of the exhaust device.

  Further, in the fuel cell system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the air intake device is provided at the first air intake port and the air exhaust device is provided at the second air exhaust port. During the operation, the first chamber has a positive pressure and the second chamber has a negative pressure. Therefore, the second chamber has a lower pressure than the first chamber, and even if combustible gas (for example, source gas or hydrogen gas) leaks in the second chamber, it is suppressed from flowing into the first chamber, It is discharged from the second exhaust port. For this reason, the possibility that the combustible gas leaked into the second chamber is ignited by a spark generated by a relay or the like provided in the power circuit in the first chamber is reduced.

  In the fuel cell system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, in the fuel cell system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the second air inlet and the second air outlet are formed in the same direction. Has been.

  Here, “the second intake port and the second exhaust port are formed in the same direction” means a normal direction to the opening surface of the second intake port and a normal direction to the opening surface of the second exhaust port. Are formed in the same direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the second air inlet and the second air inlet are within a range in which the ventilation of the second chamber can be maintained against the wind pressure to the fuel cell system. It includes that the two exhaust ports are provided in substantially the same direction.

  As a result, when the wind pressure is applied to the fuel cell system by strong wind, the second intake port and the second exhaust port are compared with the case where the second intake port and the second exhaust port are formed in different directions. Since the wind pressure applied to each of the two becomes closer, it is possible to improve the ventilation of the second chamber than before by the operation of the exhaust.

  In the fuel cell system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, in the fuel cell system according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, the first chamber is provided in an upper part of the package. Yes.

  Further, in the fuel cell system according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, in the fuel cell system according to any of the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention, the first intake port and the first exhaust port, The second intake port and the second exhaust port are respectively provided on the same surface of the package, and the partition wall is provided with a communication portion that connects the first chamber and the second chamber.

  Here, “the first intake port and the first exhaust port, and the second intake port and the second exhaust port are respectively provided on the same surface of the package” means that the wind pressure to the fuel cell system due to strong wind On the other hand, the first intake port and the first exhaust port, and the second intake port and the second exhaust port are substantially packaged within a range in which no gas flows from the second chamber to the first chamber through the communication port. The form provided on the same surface is also included. The “form in which the first air inlet and the first air outlet, and the second air inlet and the second air outlet are provided on substantially the same surface of the package” means the package extending direction (the thickness direction of the package). At least one of the first exhaust port, the first intake port, the second intake port, and the second exhaust port is near the inside of the surface on which the other intake port or exhaust port is provided. The form provided in the surface of this side or the surface near the outside is exemplified. In other words, the surface on which the first air inlet and the like of the package is provided does not necessarily have to be formed as a flat surface without unevenness, and the surface is formed with unevenness, and the first air inlet and the first exhaust air are formed. It means that the mouth, the second air inlet, and the second air outlet may be respectively provided on the convex surface and the concave surface of the surface.

  Thereby, even when wind pressure is applied to the fuel cell system due to strong wind, compared to the case where the first intake port and the first exhaust port and the second intake port and the second exhaust port are provided on different surfaces of the package, The internal pressure of the second chamber exceeds the internal pressure of the first chamber and the combustible gas in the second chamber is prevented from flowing into the first chamber, and the combustible gas leaked into the second chamber ignites in the first chamber. The possibility is further reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically exemplified. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiment 1 of the present invention shows an example in which an air supply device is provided in a first chamber in which a power supply circuit is arranged.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel cell system 100 according to Embodiment 1 has a package 51 formed of a housing. The package 51 is separated into a first chamber 61 and a second chamber 62 by a partition wall 52. In the first embodiment, the first chamber 61 is provided in the upper part of the package 51. Further, a through hole 53 that penetrates in the thickness direction of the partition wall 52 is provided at an appropriate position of the partition wall 52, and the through hole 53 has a communication portion 53 that communicates the first chamber 61 and the second chamber 62. Form. The communication portion 53 is provided with a wiring 44 that electrically connects the device arranged in the first chamber 61 and the device arranged in the second chamber 62 so as to pass through the internal space of the communication portion 53. And sealed by appropriate means. As a result, gas hardly flows between the first chamber 61 and the second chamber 62 via the communication portion 53. The wiring 44 will be described later.

  The power supply circuit 1 and the controller 2 are disposed in the first chamber 61, and the power supply circuit 1 and the controller 2 are electrically connected by a wiring 43. In addition, the power supply circuit 1 is connected to a commercial power supply 31 through a grid interconnection point 32 by a wiring 41. The grid connection point 32 is connected to an external power load via a wiring 42. The power supply circuit 1 constitutes a high voltage circuit 21 that handles a voltage of 100 V or higher.

  The power supply circuit 1 converts AC power supplied from the commercial power supply 31 into low-voltage DC power, and supplies the low-voltage DC power to the controller 2 via the wiring 43. Further, the power supply circuit 1 has a circuit such as a booster circuit and an inverter circuit, and a sensor such as a voltage sensor and a current sensor, and boosts the DC power generated by the fuel cell 4 to a high DC voltage, This is converted into AC power. The AC power converted by the power supply circuit 1 is supplied to an external power load (for example, a power device used at home) 33 connected to the grid connection point 32.

  The controller 2 is a direct current and operates at a low voltage. For example, the controller 2 includes a control board, is provided in the fuel cell system 100, and operates to make the fuel cell system perform a power generation operation. The amount of operation of the agent gas supply unit 5, the fuel gas supply unit 6, the off-fuel gas processing unit 7, etc.) is controlled. The controller 2 forms a low voltage circuit 22 that handles a voltage of less than 100V. In the first embodiment, the controller 2 is arranged in the first chamber 61. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the controller 2 may be arranged in the second chamber 62. Further, for example, the controller 2 may be configured by a plurality of control boards, and a part or all of the controller 2 may be disposed in the second chamber 62.

  Further, in the package 51 (hereinafter referred to as the first outer wall 51a) constituting the first chamber 61, the first intake port 54 and the first exhaust port 55 are provided on the same surface in the first embodiment. Yes. The first air inlet 54 is provided with the air supply device 3. Thereby, the air supply device 3 supplies outside air into the first chamber 61 from the first intake port 54, and the gas in the first chamber 61 is discharged from the first exhaust port 55 (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1). ). In the first embodiment, the first intake port 54 and the first exhaust port 55 are provided on the same surface of the first outer wall 51a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first intake port 54 and the first exhaust port 55 are provided. The exhaust ports 55 may be provided on different surfaces of the first outer wall 51a (for example, the side surfaces of the first outer wall 51a and the upper surface of the first outer wall 51a).

  On the other hand, in the second chamber 62, a fuel cell 4 for generating DC power, an oxidant gas supply device 5, a fuel gas supply device 6, an off-fuel gas processing device 7, and an exhaust device 8 are arranged. ing. An oxidant gas supply device 5 is connected to the fuel cell 4 through an oxidant gas supply passage 71, and a fuel gas supply device 6 is connected through a fuel gas supply passage 72.

  The oxidant gas supply unit 5 is configured to supply an oxidant gas (in this case, air) to the fuel cell 4. For example, a fan such as a blower or a sirocco fan can be used. In the first embodiment, the oxidant gas supply device 5 is constituted by a blower, and the intake port is opened inside the second chamber 62.

  Further, the fuel gas supply unit 6 is configured to supply a fuel gas. For example, a hydrogen generator that generates a fuel gas (hydrogen gas) from a raw material gas and water may be used. A hydrogen tank, a tank storing a hydrogen storage alloy, or the like may be used.

  In the fuel cell 4, the oxidant gas supplied from the oxidant gas supply unit 5 and the fuel gas supplied from the fuel gas supply unit 6 react electrochemically to generate electric power. The generated electric power is sent to the power supply circuit 1 through the wiring 44. The oxidant gas that has not been used in the fuel cell 4 is discharged out of the fuel cell system 100 (package 51) from the oxidant gas discharge path 73. On the other hand, the fuel gas that has not been used in the fuel cell 4 is supplied to the off-fuel gas processor 7 through the off-fuel gas path 74 as off-fuel gas.

  In the off-fuel gas processor 7, for example, the supplied off-fuel gas is combusted with the separately supplied combustion air, and the exhaust gas after combustion is discharged from the off-fuel gas discharge path 75 to the fuel cell system 100 (package 51). For example, the off fuel gas may be diluted with outside air, and the diluted off fuel gas may be discharged out of the fuel cell system 100 (package 51) from the off fuel gas discharge path 75. Good. In addition, when the fuel gas supply device 6 is comprised by the hydrogen generator, you may comprise the off fuel gas processor 7 as a combustor for heating this hydrogen generator.

  Further, in the package 51 (hereinafter referred to as the second outer wall 51b) constituting the second chamber 62, the second intake port 56 and the second exhaust port 57 are provided on the same surface in the first embodiment. Yes. The second exhaust port 57 is provided with an exhaust device 8. As a result, the exhaust device 8 discharges the gas (air or the like) in the second chamber 62 from the second exhaust port 57, and the outside air is sucked from the second intake port 56 (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 1). In the first embodiment, the second intake port 56 and the second exhaust port 57 are provided on the same surface of the second outer wall 51b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second intake port 56 and the second exhaust port 57 are provided. The exhaust ports 57 may be provided on different surfaces of the second outer wall 51b (for example, the side surface of the second outer wall 51b and the upper surface of the second outer wall 51b).

[Operation of fuel cell system]
Next, the operation of the fuel cell system 100 according to the first embodiment, particularly the gas flow, will be described with reference to FIG. The following operations are controlled by the controller 2.

  First, oxidant gas is supplied from the oxidant gas supply unit 5 to the fuel cell 4 through the oxidant gas supply path 71, and fuel gas is supplied from the fuel gas supply unit 6 through the fuel gas supply path 72. .

  In the fuel cell 4, the fuel gas and the oxidant gas react electrochemically to generate electric power. The generated electric power is sent to the power supply circuit 1 through the wiring 44. The oxidant gas that has not been used in the fuel cell 4 is discharged out of the fuel cell system 100 (package 51) from the oxidant gas discharge path 73. On the other hand, the fuel gas that has not been used in the fuel cell 4 is supplied as off-fuel gas to the off-fuel gas processor 7 via the off-fuel gas path 74, and the off-fuel gas is appropriately supplied to the off-fuel gas processor 7. Then, it is discharged from the off-fuel gas discharge path 75 to the outside of the fuel cell system 100 (package 51).

  At this time, in the first chamber 61, the air supply device 3 supplies outside air into the first chamber 61 from the first intake port 54, and the gas in the first chamber 61 is discharged from the first exhaust port 55. For this reason, it becomes possible to cool the power supply circuit 1 more stably than before without depending on the power generation amount of the fuel cell 4, and to suppress the occurrence of power loss due to the temperature rise of the power supply circuit 1. Can do.

  Further, due to the operation of the air supply device 3, the inside of the first chamber 61 becomes a positive pressure with respect to the atmosphere, so that a combustible gas (for example, source gas or hydrogen gas) leaks in the second chamber 62 by any chance. However, in comparison with the conventional fuel cell system in which the first chamber 61 has a negative pressure relative to the atmospheric pressure, the inflow of the combustible gas into the first chamber 61 is suppressed, and the combustible gas in the first chamber 61 is reduced. The possibility of gas igniting is reduced.

  In the first embodiment, the first intake port 54 and the first exhaust port 55 are provided on the same surface. For this reason, even if the wind pressure by strong wind is applied to the fuel cell system 100, the intake / exhaust performance is not significantly impaired. Therefore, the operation of the air supply device 3 can cool the power supply circuit 1 more stably than before. it can.

  In the first embodiment, the first intake port 54 and the first exhaust port 55 are not only provided on the same surface, but may further be formed in the same direction. . Thereby, when the wind pressure is applied to the fuel cell system 100, the first intake port 54 and the first exhaust port 55 are compared with the case where the first intake port 54 and the first exhaust port 55 are formed in different directions. Since the wind pressure applied to each of the exhaust ports 55 becomes closer, the power supply circuit 1 can be cooled more stably by the operation of the air supply device 3.

  Further, in the first embodiment, since the first chamber 61 is provided on the upper portion of the package 51, the inside of the first chamber 61 is not only the heat of the power supply circuit 1 etc. but also the heat in the second chamber 62. It becomes easy to accumulate. However, the air supply device 3 supplies outside air into the first chamber 61 from the first intake port 54, and exhausts gas (here, air) in the first chamber 61 from the first exhaust port 55. As described above, the power supply circuit 1 can be cooled more stably than in the past, and the occurrence of power loss due to the temperature rise of the power supply circuit 1 can be suppressed.

  On the other hand, in the second chamber 62, the exhaust device 8 discharges the gas in the second chamber 62 from the second exhaust port 57, and outside air is sucked from the second intake port 56. For this reason, the pressure in the first chamber 61 becomes higher than that in the second chamber 62, and even if combustible gas leaks into the second chamber 62 from the fuel cell 4, the fuel gas supply device 6, etc., the combustible gas Is reduced from flowing into the first chamber 61 and is quickly discharged from the second exhaust port 57.

  In the first embodiment, since the second intake port 56 and the second exhaust port 57 are provided on the same surface of the second outer wall 51b, even if the wind pressure due to strong wind is applied to the fuel cell system, the suction is performed. Since the exhaust performance is not significantly impaired, the ventilation performance of the second chamber 62 can be improved by the operation of the exhaust device 8 as compared with the prior art.

  Further, in the first embodiment, since the air intake device 3 is provided at the first intake port 54 and the exhaust device 8 is provided at the second exhaust port 57, the air supply device 3 and the exhaust device 8 are operating. The first chamber 61 has a positive pressure and the second chamber 62 has a negative pressure. Therefore, the pressure in the second chamber 62 is lower than that in the first chamber 61, and even if a combustible gas (for example, source gas or hydrogen gas) leaks in the second chamber 62, Is further suppressed, and discharge of combustible gas from the second exhaust port 57 is promoted. For this reason, the possibility that the combustible gas leaked into the second chamber 62 is ignited by a spark generated by the relay of the power supply circuit 1 in the first chamber 61 is reduced.

  In the first embodiment, the second intake port 56 and the second exhaust port 57 are not only provided on the same surface, but may be further formed in the same direction. . Thereby, when the wind pressure is applied to the fuel cell system 100, the second intake port 56 and the second exhaust port 57 are compared with the case where the second intake port 56 and the second exhaust port 57 are formed in different directions. Since the wind pressure applied to each of the exhaust ports 57 becomes closer, the ventilation performance of the second chamber 62 can be further improved by the operation of the exhaust device 8 as compared with the related art.

  It is preferable that the controller 2 controls the air supply device 3 so as to have a predetermined operation amount regardless of the power generation amount of the fuel cell 4. Here, the “predetermined operation amount” refers to the operation amount of the air supply device 3 that can maintain the temperature of the power supply circuit 1 below the guaranteed temperature when the power generation amount of the fuel cell 4 is maximum. . For example, when the operation amount of the air supply device 3 is controlled to follow the power generation amount of the fuel cell 4, the power generation amount of the fuel cell 4 rapidly increases and the temperature of the power supply circuit 1 rapidly increases. Then, the efficiency of the power supply circuit 1 may be reduced. However, if the controller 2 controls the air supply device 3 so that the predetermined operation amount is set regardless of the power generation amount of the fuel cell 4, even if the power generation amount of the fuel cell 4 suddenly increases, the power supply circuit 1 can be suppressed, and power loss due to the temperature increase of the power supply circuit 1 can be reduced.

[Modification]
Next, a modification of the fuel cell system 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a modification of the fuel cell system 100 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram when the outside of the fuel cell system 100 is in a windless state. FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram when the wind is blowing from a predetermined direction outside the fuel cell system 100. In FIG. 2, devices other than the air supply device 3 and the exhaust device 8 are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, when the outside of the fuel cell system 100 is in a windless state, the atmospheric pressure P0 is applied to the fuel cell system 100 (package 51). Here, when the air supply function of the air supply device 3 is ΔP1 and the exhaust function of the exhaust device 8 is ΔP2, the pressure in the first chamber 61 is P0 + ΔP1, and the pressure in the second chamber 62 is P0−. ΔP2. That is, the pressure in the first chamber 61 becomes higher than the pressure in the second chamber 62, and even if a combustible gas (for example, source gas or hydrogen gas) leaks in the second chamber 62. Further, the flow into the first chamber 61 is further suppressed, and the discharge of the combustible gas from the second exhaust port 57 is promoted.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), outside the fuel cell system 100, toward the second outer wall 51b provided with the second intake port 56 and the second exhaust port 57 (from the second outer wall 51b to the first outer wall). When the wind is blowing, the atmospheric pressure P0 and the pressure ΔP0 corresponding to the wind pressure are applied to the second outer wall 51b of the fuel cell system 100 (package 51). For this reason, the pressure in the second chamber 62 is increased by the amount of wind pressure of the wind entering the second chamber 62 from the second intake port 56. That is, the pressure in the second chamber 62 is P0−ΔP2 + ΔP0, but the controller 2 has the air supply device 3 and the exhaust device 8 so that the air supply function ΔP1 of the air supply device 3 becomes −ΔP2 + ΔP0 or more. By controlling the above, the pressure in the first chamber 61 becomes higher than the pressure in the second chamber 62. As a result, in the fuel cell system 100 according to the first embodiment, in the unlikely event that a higher wind pressure is applied to the second chamber 62 than to the first chamber 61 of the fuel cell system 100 due to external wind, Even if combustible gas (for example, source gas or hydrogen gas) leaks in the two chambers 62, the possibility of flowing into the first chamber 61 is further reduced.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fuel cell system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the fuel cell system 100 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention has the same basic configuration as the fuel cell system 100 according to Embodiment 1, but the first intake port 54 and the first The difference is that the exhaust port 55, the second intake port 56, and the second exhaust port 57 are provided on the same surface of the package 51. More specifically, the first intake port 54, the first exhaust port 55, the second intake port 56, and the second exhaust port 57 are formed in the same direction.

  Even the fuel cell system 100 according to the second embodiment configured as described above has the same effects as the fuel cell system 100 according to the first embodiment. In the fuel cell system 100 according to Embodiment 2, the first intake port 54 and the first exhaust port 55, and the second intake port 56 and the second exhaust port 57 are formed in different directions. As compared with the above, the pressure in the second chamber 62 can be reduced more stably than in the first chamber 61. For this reason, even if combustible gas leaks in the second chamber 62, the inflow of combustible gas into the first chamber 61 is further reduced, and the second exhaust port 57 discharges the combustible gas more quickly. Therefore, in the fuel cell system 100 according to the second embodiment, the possibility that the combustible gas leaked into the second chamber 62 is ignited in the first chamber 61 becomes smaller.

  By the way, in the fuel cell system 100 according to the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, when −ΔP2 + ΔP0 is equal to or larger than ΔP1 when the wind is blowing toward the second outer wall 51b, The pressure in the first chamber 61 is lower than the pressure in the second chamber 62. If the combustible gas leaks in the second chamber 62 in such a state, the combustible gas may flow through the communication portion 53 and leak into the first chamber 61.

  However, in the fuel cell system 100 according to Embodiment 2, the first intake port 54 and the first exhaust port 55, the second intake port 56 and the second exhaust port 57 are provided on the same surface of the package 51. . For this reason, the wind pressure applied to the second chamber 62 and the wind pressure applied to the first chamber 61 are substantially the same, the pressure in the first chamber 61 is P0 + ΔP1 + ΔP0, and the pressure in the second chamber 62 is P0. −ΔP2 + ΔP0. Therefore, in the fuel cell system 100 according to the second embodiment, the pressure in the first chamber 61 is higher than the pressure in the second chamber 62 even when wind pressure is applied to the fuel cell system 100 (package 51) by strong wind. Even if a combustible gas (for example, source gas or hydrogen gas) leaks in the second chamber 62, the fuel in the first embodiment may flow into the first chamber 61. Reduced compared to battery systems.

  According to the fuel cell system of the present invention, the power supply circuit can be cooled more stably than before without depending on the amount of power generated by the fuel cell, which is useful in the field of fuel cells.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Power supply circuit 2 Controller 3 Air supply device 4 Fuel cell 5 Oxidant gas supply device 6 Fuel gas supply device 7 Off fuel gas processing device 8 Exhaust device 10 Exhaust device 21 High voltage circuit 22 Low voltage circuit 31 Commercial power supply 32 System connection System point 33 Electric power equipment 41 Wiring 42 Wiring 43 Wiring 44 Wiring 51 Package 51a First outer wall 51b Second outer wall 52 Bulkhead 53 Communication portion (through hole)
54 1st intake port 55 1st exhaust port 56 2nd intake port 57 2nd exhaust port 61 1st chamber 62 2nd chamber 71 Oxidant gas supply path 72 Fuel gas supply path 73 Oxidant gas discharge path 74 Off fuel gas path 75 Off-fuel gas discharge path 100 Fuel cell system 201 Package 202 Partition wall 203 Gas path chamber 204 Non-gas chamber 205 Reformer 206 Fuel cell 207 Ventilation fan 208 Control device 209 Air blower 210 Water supply device 211 Non-gas chamber inlet 301 Electricity Control means 302 Power conversion means 303 Electrical housing 304 Reforming means 305 Power generation means 306 Heat recovery means 307 Main body housing 3077 Main body housing 308 Electrical control unit inlet 309 Heat radiation space 310 Fan 311a Electrical control unit exhaust 311b Electric control unit exhaust port 312a Air intake port for power generation means 12b reforming means for air intake port

Claims (7)

A fuel cell that generates power from fuel gas and oxidant gas;
A power circuit;
A package for housing the fuel cell and the power supply circuit;
The package is separated through a partition wall into a first chamber provided with the power supply circuit and a second chamber provided with the fuel cell,
The package constituting the first chamber (hereinafter referred to as the first outer wall) has a first intake port for introducing outside air into the first chamber, and exhausts the gas in the first chamber to the outside of the first chamber. A first exhaust port is provided for,
The fuel cell system, wherein an air supply device configured to supply outside air to the first chamber is provided at the first air inlet of the first chamber.   2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the first intake port and the first exhaust port are provided on the same surface of the first outer wall.   The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the first intake port and the first exhaust port are formed in the same direction. The package constituting the second chamber (hereinafter referred to as the second outer wall) has a second intake port for introducing outside air into the second chamber and exhausts the gas in the second chamber to the outside of the second chamber. The second exhaust port is provided on the same surface of the second outer wall,
2. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the second exhaust port is provided with an exhaust device that sends out the gas in the second chamber to the outside of the second chamber.   The fuel cell system according to claim 4, wherein the second intake port and the second exhaust port are formed in the same direction.   The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber is provided in an upper part of the package. The first intake port, the first exhaust port, a second intake port for introducing outside air into the second chamber, and a second exhaust port for exhausting the gas in the second chamber to the outside of the second chamber. Each provided on the same surface of the package;
The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the partition wall is provided with a communication portion that communicates the first chamber and the second chamber.

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