JP2011119185A - Fuel battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel battery module capable of surely spreading a little fuel gas throughout a plurality of fuel battery cells in a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: In the fuel battery module FC, each opening 31a formed on a first surface part 31 of a gas tank 3 is formed by separating the first surface part 31 with bar parts 34 each having a first regulating part 342 and a second regulating part 343 for regulating movement of a lower support board 168 of a fuel battery cell stack 114. The second regulating part 343 is provided in erection at the first regulating part 342 so as to extend toward outside of the gas tank 3, and further, the first regulating part 342 is provided formed with a reinforcement part 341 so as to extend to an opposite side from the second regulating part 343. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell module.

  In a fuel cell module including a solid oxide fuel cell, a plurality of fuel cells are provided, and gas is used to distribute and supply fuel gas or oxidant gas to the plurality of fuel cells. Some have a manifold. As an example of the gas manifold, there is one in which a gas manifold is configured by a container formed in a tank shape, and a plurality of fuel battery cells are erected on the container (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

  Patent Document 1 below discloses various configurations of gas manifolds and fuel cell units. The first aspect described in Patent Document 1 below includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks having a plurality of fuel cells, and a gas manifold is provided for each of the plurality of fuel cell stacks ( (See FIG. 3 and paragraph numbers 0034 to 0035 of Patent Document 1 below). In this first aspect, fuel gas is distributed and supplied to each gas manifold, and the distributed and supplied fuel gas is supplied from each gas manifold to the fuel cell stack mounted thereon.

  The second aspect described in the following Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of cell stacks having a plurality of fuel cells, and supplies fuel gas through one gas manifold (the following patents). 14 to 17 and paragraph numbers 0064 to 0086 of Document 1). In the second aspect, the fuel gas is supplied to one gas manifold, and the supplied fuel gas is distributed and supplied to each cell stack by the gas manifold.

JP 2008-66127 A

  In a fuel cell module having a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells, it is required to increase fuel consumption efficiency, and the amount of fuel gas supplied to each fuel cell during power generation tends to be small. . In this way, even if the amount of fuel gas is small, if fuel gas is not reliably supplied to each of the plurality of fuel cells, so-called fuel withering occurs in fuel cells that are not sufficiently supplied with fuel gas, thereby inducing problems. There is a fear.

  Examining the above prior art from the viewpoint of spreading a small amount of fuel gas to a plurality of fuel cells, in the first aspect described in Patent Document 1, a small amount of fuel gas is added to a plurality of gas manifolds. Therefore, there is a possibility that the fuel cell module may be complicated. On the other hand, in the second aspect described in Patent Document 1, since a plurality of cell stacks are mounted on a single gas manifold, fuel gas is supplied to the single gas manifold. It is considered that there is no fear like the first aspect.

  However, since the fuel cell module disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration efficient distribution of a small amount of fuel gas, even in the second embodiment, the small amount of fuel gas cannot be distributed well. There is a fear. Specifically, although the gas manifold is certainly configured as a single unit, as a matter of fact, a plurality of gas reservoirs are provided such that a cylindrical member having a substantially elliptical cross section is placed side by side. It is comprised as what the pool was connected with the thin flow path (refer the (c) of FIG. 15 of the said patent document 1, and FIGS. 16-17). The plurality of cell stacks are placed on each gas reservoir, and fuel gas is supplied via the gas reservoir.

  For this reason, when the supply of the fuel gas is made small, the fuel gas is unevenly distributed in one of the gas reservoirs, and there is a possibility that sufficient fuel gas is not supplied to the other gas reservoirs. In the second aspect described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, if the fuel gas is to be sufficiently distributed to each fuel cell, the supply amount of the fuel gas is increased or the fuel gas is individually added to each gas reservoir. It is necessary to provide a means for supplying, and a small amount of fuel gas cannot be distributed to each fuel cell with a simple configuration.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell module that can reliably distribute a small amount of fuel gas to a plurality of fuel cells with a simple configuration in order to solve the above problems.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a fuel cell module according to the present invention is arranged on the one end side with a plurality of fuel cells that operate when fuel gas and oxidant gas flow from one end side to the other end side. A gas manifold for distributing and supplying fuel gas to each of the plurality of fuel cells, and further dividing the plurality of fuel cells into a plurality of cell groups, A plate-like support member for supporting one end side of the fuel cells belonging to each of the plurality of divided cell groups on the surface side and forming a plurality of integrated cell stacks, each of the plurality of fuel cells A gas inlet for introducing fuel gas into the gas manifold is provided so as to protrude from the back surface side of the support member into the gas manifold, and the first surface portion of the gas manifold Has a plurality of openings for supplying fuel gas to each of the plurality of cell stacks, and each of the plurality of openings regulates the movement of the support member in the first direction in which the fuel cell extends. The first surface portion is formed by a first restricting portion and a crosspiece having a second restricting portion for restricting the movement of the support member in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The second restricting portion is erected on the first restricting portion so as to extend toward the outside of the gas manifold, and the first restricting portion further extends on a side opposite to the second restricting portion. The reinforcement part formed in this is formed, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the present invention, since the support member that supports the fuel cell in the cell stack has a plate shape, the first surface is arranged by closing the opening formed in the first surface portion. A substantially flat surface is formed by the portion and the support member. Therefore, without forming a portion that becomes a gas reservoir in the region where the cell stack is arranged, without forming unnecessary protrusions into the gas manifold between the regions where each cell stack is arranged, The cell stack can be held on the opening, and the fluidity can be secured even if a small amount of fuel gas flows into the gas manifold. As described above, the gas inlet for introducing the fuel gas into each of the plurality of fuel cells is projected from the back side of the support member into the gas manifold while ensuring the fluidity of the fuel gas in the gas manifold. Since it is provided, even a small amount of fuel gas can be reliably introduced into each fuel cell and contribute to the power generation reaction.

  On the other hand, the crosspiece that supports the supporting member formed in a plate shape has a first restricting portion that restricts the movement of the supporting member in the first direction, and the second restricting portion and the reinforcement are provided with respect to the first restricting portion. Because the part is extended in different directions, the bending of the first restriction part when the load of the cell stack is applied along the first direction is suppressed by the synergistic effect of the second restriction part and the reinforcement part can do. Therefore, even if the cell stack is formed with a plate-like support member, the support member can be supported in the first direction and the deformation suppressing effect can be exerted by placing the support member on the gas manifold. It is possible to reliably avoid the occurrence of a situation such as stagnation or cracking. Furthermore, since the direction in which the reinforcing portion extends from the first restricting portion is the same as the direction in which the gas introduction port protrudes into the gas manifold, even if the reinforcement portion is provided, the fluidity of the fuel gas introduced from the gas introduction port is adversely affected. Therefore, a small amount of fuel gas can be reliably led into the fuel cell.

  In the fuel cell module according to the present invention, it is also preferable that the tip of the gas introduction port is formed closer to the second surface portion facing the first surface portion than the tip of the reinforcing portion.

  In this preferred embodiment, since the tip of the gas introduction port is formed closer to the second surface portion facing the first surface portion than the tip of the reinforcement portion, the gas introduction port is located in the gas manifold more than the reinforcement portion. Thus, a small amount of fuel gas can be taken into the fuel cell more reliably without hindering the inflow of the fuel gas to the gas inlet.

  In order to solve the above problems, a fuel cell module according to the present invention includes a plurality of fuel cells that operate when fuel gas and oxidant gas flow from one end side to the other end side; And a gas manifold for distributing and supplying fuel gas to each of the plurality of fuel cells, and further dividing the plurality of fuel cells into a plurality of cell groups. A plurality of fuel cells, each having a plate-like support member for holding one end side of the fuel cell belonging to each of the plurality of divided cell groups on the surface side and forming a plurality of integrated cell stacks; A gas inlet for introducing fuel gas into each cell is provided so as to protrude into the gas manifold from the back side of the support member. A plurality of openings for supplying fuel gas to each of the plurality of cell stacks are connected to the surface portion, and each of the plurality of openings corresponds to the movement of the support member in the first direction in which the fuel cell extends. The first surface portion is partitioned by a crosspiece having a first restriction portion for restricting movement and a second restriction portion for restricting movement of the support member in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A reinforcing support portion for reinforcing and supporting at least one end of the crosspiece portion is formed on the side surface portion connecting the first surface portion and the second surface portion facing the first surface portion. It is characterized by being.

  According to the present invention, since the support member that supports the fuel cell in the cell stack has a plate shape, the first surface is arranged by closing the opening formed in the first surface portion. A substantially flat surface is formed by the portion and the support member. Therefore, without forming a portion that becomes a gas reservoir in the region where the cell stack is arranged, without forming unnecessary protrusions into the gas manifold between the regions where each cell stack is arranged, The cell stack can be held on the opening, and the fluidity can be secured even if a small amount of fuel gas flows into the gas manifold. As described above, the gas inlet for introducing the fuel gas into each of the plurality of fuel cells is projected from the back side of the support member into the gas manifold while ensuring the fluidity of the fuel gas in the gas manifold. Since it is provided, even a small amount of fuel gas can be reliably introduced into each fuel cell and contribute to the power generation reaction.

  On the other hand, the crosspiece that supports the support member formed in a plate shape has a first restricting portion that restricts the movement of the support member in the first direction, and the second restricting portion is the second restricting portion with respect to the first restricting portion. Since it is extended along the second direction orthogonal to one direction, the second restricting portion suppresses the bending of the first restricting portion when the load of the cell stack is applied along the first direction. Can do. Moreover, since the reinforcement support part for reinforcing and supporting at least one end of the crosspiece part is formed, the flexure of the crosspiece part can be suppressed by the synergistic effect of the reinforcement support part and the second restriction part. Therefore, even if the cell stack is formed with a plate-like support member, the support member can be supported in the first direction and the deformation suppressing effect can be exerted by placing the support member on the gas manifold. It is possible to reliably avoid the occurrence of a situation such as stagnation or cracking.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the fuel cell module which can distribute a small amount of fuel gas reliably with a simple structure with respect to several fuel cell can be provided.

It is a perspective view which shows the fuel cell module which is embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which looked at the fuel cell module which is embodiment of this invention from the A direction of FIG. It is sectional drawing which looked at the fuel cell module which is embodiment of this invention from the B direction of FIG. It is a front view which shows the fuel cell unit used for the fuel cell module shown in FIGS. It is a perspective view which shows the fuel cell stack used for the fuel cell module shown in FIGS. It is a perspective view which shows the gas tank used for the fuel cell module shown in FIGS. It is a perspective view which shows the crosspiece of the gas tank shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state where the fuel cell stack shown in FIG. 5 is placed on the gas tank shown in FIG. 6. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the crosspiece shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the crosspiece shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which carried out reinforcement support of the end of the crosspiece part shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In order to facilitate the understanding of the description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible in the drawings, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell module FC with a cover member of the fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention removed, and FIG. 2 is a fuel cell module of the fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FC as viewed from the direction A in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel cell module FC of the fuel cell device according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the direction B in FIG.

  The cover member (not explicitly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the outer shape of which is shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) includes a front side wall, a pair of longitudinal side walls, a back side wall, a ceiling, Is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A flange portion is formed at the lower end portion of each side wall, and a space sealed by the cover member and the base member 2 is formed by bringing the flange portion into contact with the base member 2. The cover member and the base member 2 are fixed by bolts (not shown), and the bolts pass through attachment holes provided in the cover member, and are fixed by passing through attachment holes 2a provided in the base member 2. ing.

  The internal space formed by the cover member and the base member 2 is separated into two spaces by the partition plate 15. Among the spaces separated by the partition plate 15, the space where the fuel cell stack 114 is disposed is the power generation chamber 16. Of the spaces separated by the partition plate 15, the other space is an exhaust gas chamber 17. The inner wall surface of the cover member and the partition plate 15 are in close contact with each other directly or indirectly through some kind of contact member (for example, a flexible thin plate member).

  The partition plate 15 is placed on a support member 15 a provided on the base member 2 and is held at a predetermined distance from the base member 2. A pair of support members 15a are provided so as to support the partition plate 15 at both ends in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, a gap 15b (inlet) is formed between the pair of support members 15a and 15a. Exhaust gas that has passed through an exhaust gas passage (not shown) provided on the wall surface of the cover member is introduced into the exhaust gas chamber 17 through the gap 15b. The exhaust gas introduced into the exhaust gas chamber 17 is discharged to the outside through an exhaust port (not shown).

  A gas tank 3 (gas manifold) is placed on the partition plate 15. Ten fuel cell stacks 114 are arranged side by side in the gas tank 3, and the fuel gas is supplied from the gas tank 3 to the fuel cell 184 constituting each fuel cell stack 114.

  Here, the fuel cell unit 116 including the fuel cell 184 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a fuel cell unit of a fuel cell device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the fuel cell unit 116 includes a fuel cell 184 and inner electrode terminals 186 (gas introduction ports) respectively connected to the vertical ends of the fuel cell 184.

  The fuel cell 184 is a tubular structure extending in the vertical direction, and includes a cylindrical inner electrode layer 190 that forms a fuel gas flow path 188 therein, a cylindrical outer electrode layer 192, an inner electrode layer 190, and an outer side. An electrolyte layer 194 is provided between the electrode layer 192 and the electrode layer 192. The inner electrode layer 190 is a fuel electrode through which fuel gas passes and becomes a (−) electrode, while the outer electrode layer 192 is an air electrode that comes into contact with air and becomes a (+) electrode.

  Since the inner electrode terminals 186 attached to the upper end side and the lower end side of the fuel cell unit 116 have the same structure, the inner electrode terminal 186 attached to the upper end side will be specifically described here. The upper portion 190 a of the inner electrode layer 190 includes an outer peripheral surface 190 b and an upper end surface 190 c that are exposed to the electrolyte layer 194 and the outer electrode layer 192. The inner electrode terminal 186 is connected to the outer peripheral surface 190b of the inner electrode layer 190 through a conductive sealing material 196, and is further in direct contact with the upper end surface 190c of the inner electrode layer 190. Electrically connected. A fuel gas channel 198 communicating with the fuel gas channel 188 of the inner electrode layer 190 is formed at the center of the inner electrode terminal 186.

  The inner electrode layer 190 includes, for example, a mixture of Ni and zirconia doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements such as Ca, Y, and Sc, and Ni and ceria doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements. The mixture is formed of at least one of Ni and a mixture of lanthanum garade doped with at least one selected from Sr, Mg, Co, Fe, and Cu.

  The electrolyte layer 194 includes, for example, zirconia doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements such as Y and Sc, ceria doped with at least one selected from rare earth elements, lanthanum gallate doped with at least one selected from Sr and Mg, Formed from at least one of the following.

  The outer electrode layer 192 includes, for example, lanthanum manganite doped with at least one selected from Sr and Ca, lanthanum ferrite doped with at least one selected from Sr, Co, Ni, and Cu, Sr, Fe, Ni, Cu It is formed from at least one of lanthanum cobaltite doped with at least one selected from the group consisting of silver and silver.

  Next, the fuel cell stack 114 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell device according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the fuel cell stack 114 includes 16 fuel cell units 116, and the lower end side and the upper end side of these fuel cell units 116 are respectively made of ceramic lower support plates 168 (supports). Member) and the upper support plate 200. The lower support plate 168 and the upper support plate 200 are formed with through holes 168a and 200a through which the inner electrode terminal 186 can pass. Therefore, the fuel cell 184 (fuel cell unit 114) accommodated in the fuel cell module FC is divided into a plurality of cell groups every 16 cells, and the fuel cells belonging to each of the divided cell groups. One end side of the cell 184 (fuel cell unit 114) is held on the surface 168s side of the lower support plate 168, and is configured as an integrated fuel cell stack 114. The inner electrode terminal 186 passing through the through-hole 168a formed in the lower support plate 168 is configured such that the tip thereof protrudes from the back surface 168r of the lower support plate 168.

  Further, a current collector 202 and an external terminal 204 are attached to the fuel cell unit 116. The current collector 202 includes a fuel electrode connection portion 202a that is electrically connected to an inner electrode terminal 186 attached to the inner electrode layer 190 that is a fuel electrode, and an entire outer peripheral surface of the outer electrode layer 192 that is an air electrode. And an air electrode connecting portion 202b electrically connected to each other. The air electrode connecting portion 202b is formed by a vertical portion 202c extending in the vertical direction on the surface of the outer electrode layer 192 and a large number of horizontal portions 202d extending in the horizontal direction along the surface of the outer electrode layer 192 from the vertical portion 202c. Has been. Further, the fuel electrode connecting portion 202a is linearly directed obliquely upward or obliquely downward from the vertical portion 202c of the air electrode connecting portion 202b toward the inner electrode terminal 186 positioned in the vertical direction of the fuel cell unit 116. It extends.

  Furthermore, the inner electrode terminals 186 at the upper and lower ends of the two fuel cell units 116 located at the ends of the fuel cell stack 114 (the back side and the near side in FIG. 5) are external terminals, respectively. 204 is connected. These external terminals 204 are connected to the external terminals 204 (not shown) of the fuel cell unit 116 at the end of the adjacent fuel cell stack 114, and as described above, the 160 fuel cell units 116 are connected to each other. Everything is connected in series.

  1 to 3, an opening (not shown) having substantially the same shape as the lower support plate 168 of the fuel cell stack 114 is provided on the upper surface of the gas tank 3, and the lower support plate 168 is provided in the opening. Are closely connected to each other, and the gas tank 3 and each fuel cell stack 114 are connected. Therefore, the fuel cell 184 constituting the fuel cell stack 114 is erected on the gas tank 3 with its tip end portion facing upward.

  Each fuel battery cell 184 has a tubular shape, and a gas flowing from one end of the fuel battery cell 184 to the other end inside the pipe of the fuel battery cell 184 and outside the pipe from the one end to the other end. It operates by the action of the gas flowing to the part. In the present embodiment, the gas flowing in the pipe of the fuel cell 184 is a fuel gas such as reformed gas obtained by reforming hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuel, and the gas flowing outside the pipe of the fuel cell 184 contains oxygen. An oxidant gas (air for power generation) such as air.

  The reformer 5 is disposed so as to be located above the fuel cell stack 114. A pipe 6C and a pipe 6D are connected to the reformer 5, and the reformer 5 is positioned above the fuel cell stack 114 with a predetermined interval by the pipe 6C and the pipe 6D. Is retained. The pipe 6 </ b> C is a pipe for supplying city gas, air (reforming air) and water vapor as reformed gas to the reformer 5, and is erected with respect to the partition plate 15. The pipe 6 </ b> D is a pipe for supplying the fuel gas reformed in the reformer 5 to the gas tank 3, and is erected with respect to the gas tank 3.

  The city gas and air supplied to the reformer 5 through the pipe 6C are introduced into the fuel cell module FC through the reformed gas supply pipe 6A. Further, the steam supplied to the reformer 5 through the pipe 6C is introduced into the fuel cell module FC through the steam supply pipe 6B. The reformed gas supply pipe 6A and the steam supply pipe 6B are connected to a mixing chamber (not shown). The city gas and air supplied from the reformed gas supply pipe 6A and the water vapor supplied from the water vapor supply pipe 6B are mixed in this mixing chamber and supplied to the pipe 6C.

  Although not explicitly shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in this embodiment, electromagnetic valves are attached to the reformed gas supply pipe 6 </ b> A and the steam supply pipe 6 </ b> B, respectively, and each electromagnetic valve is output from a CPU as a control unit. The ratio of the gas to be reformed, air, and water vapor supplied to the reformer 5 can be changed by opening and closing according to the instruction signal.

  The city gas (which may be mixed with steam) and air (which may be only the city gas as the gas to be reformed) introduced into the reformer 5 are the reformer 5 It is reformed by the reforming catalyst housed inside. The reformed fuel gas is supplied to the gas tank 3 through the pipe 6D. The portion where the pipe 6C is connected to the reformer 5 and the portion where the pipe 6D is connected to the reformer 5 are separated from each other in the vicinity of one end and the other end in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the fuel gas and air supplied to the reformer 5 can sufficiently touch the reforming catalyst.

  A reforming catalyst is enclosed in the reformer 5. As the reforming catalyst, a catalyst in which nickel is applied to the surface of the alumina sphere and a catalyst in which ruthenium is applied to the surface of the alumina sphere are appropriately used. These reforming catalysts are spheres.

  In the present embodiment, the flow path member 7 is provided so as to cover the reformer 5 and each fuel cell stack 114. The flow path member 7 includes air flow path outer walls 71 and 72, an air distribution chamber 73 (supply part), an air aggregation chamber 74, and air flow path pipes 76, 76, 76, 76, 77, 77, 77, 77. And outer walls 78 and 79. The flow path member 7 is formed such that the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 are arranged in the longitudinal direction and the outer walls 78 and 79 are arranged in the short direction, respectively, and are formed into a box shape by these members. The flow path member 7 is erected on the partition plate 15 so as to cover the reformer 5 and each fuel cell stack 114. In the following description, the side that contacts the partition plate 15 of the flow path member 7 is defined as the lower side, and the side opposite to the lower side is described as the upper side.

  The air distribution chamber 73 is attached above the outer wall 78. That is, the air distribution chamber 73 is attached to the inside of the box-like body formed by the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 and the outer walls 78 and 79 and on the short side. An air supply pipe 7A (supply pipe) is connected to the air distribution chamber 73, and air as an oxidant gas is supplied. Air flow pipes 76, 76, 76, 76, 77, 77, 77, 77 (heat exchangers) are also connected to the air distribution chamber 73. Air as the oxidant gas supplied from the air supply pipe 7A flows into the air distribution chamber 73 and is distributed to the air flow path pipes 76, 76, 76, 76, 77, 77, 77, 77, and is heated by the combustion gas. Is given and the air is heated. Therefore, the air supply pipe 7A, the air distribution chamber 73, and the air flow path pipes 76, 76, 76, 76, 77, 77, 77, 77 form a heat exchange section.

  The air flow path pipes 76, 76, 76, 76, 77, 77, 77, 77 are located on the inner side of the box-like body formed by the air flow path outer walls 71, 72 and the outer walls 78, 79 and above the longitudinal side. It arrange | positions so that the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 may be followed. The air flow path pipes 76, 76, 76, 76 are arranged in parallel to each other so as to be spaced from the air flow path outer wall 71 toward the inside. One end of each air flow pipe 76, 76, 76, 76 is connected to the air distribution chamber 73, and the other end is connected to the air collecting chamber 74. Therefore, the air flowing into the air distribution chamber 73 flows through the air flow path pipes 76, 76, 76, 76 and flows into the air collecting chamber 74 to rejoin.

  The air flow path pipes 77, 77, 77, 77 extend along the air flow path outer wall 72 on the inner side of the box-shaped body formed by the air flow path outer walls 71, 72 and the outer walls 78, 79 and above the longitudinal side. Is arranged. The air flow path pipes 77, 77, 77, 77 are arranged in parallel to each other so as to be spaced from the air flow path outer wall 72 toward the inside. One end of each air flow pipe 77, 77, 77, 77 is connected to the air distribution chamber 73, and the other end is connected to the air collecting chamber 74. Therefore, the air flowing into the air distribution chamber 73 flows through the air flow path pipes 77, 77, 77, 77 into the air collecting chamber 74 and rejoins.

  The air collecting chamber 74 is attached to the upper inside of the outer wall 79. That is, the air collecting chamber 74 is attached to the inside of the box-like body formed by the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 and the outer walls 78 and 79 and above the short side. The air collecting chamber 74 is disposed so as to be in close contact with the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72, and the air flowing into the air collecting chamber 74 is configured to flow out to the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72.

  In the present embodiment, the air flow path pipes 76, 76, 76, 76 are arranged so as to be close to each other at a predetermined interval so as to form the first heat exchange section. Crevice portions 76g, 76g, and 76g are formed between the air passage tubes 76, 76, 76, and 76, respectively. Each air flow channel pipe 76, 76, 76, 76 has a first side surface 76a and a second side surface 76b. The first side surface 76a forms the bottom surface of the air flow path pipe 76, is opposed to the fuel cell stack 114 side, and is arranged so as to cross the direction in which the combustion gas flows. The second side surface 76b is formed to extend along the direction in which the combustion gas flows longer than the first side surface 76a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the height of the second side surface 76b is longer than the width of the first side surface 76a, and the vertical side section is formed.

  Similarly, the air flow path pipes 77, 77, 77, 77 are arranged so as to be close to each other at a predetermined interval so as to form the second heat exchange section. Crevice portions 77g, 77g, and 77g are formed between the air flow passage tubes 77, 77, 77, and 77, respectively. Each air flow pipe 77, 77, 77, 77 has a first side surface 77a and a second side surface 77b. The first side surface 77a forms the bottom surface of the air passage tube 77, is opposed to the fuel cell stack 114 side, and is arranged so as to cross the direction in which the combustion gas flows. The second side surface 77b is formed to extend along the direction in which the combustion gas flows longer than the first side surface 77a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the height of the second side surface 77b is longer than the width of the first side surface 77a, and the vertical side section is formed.

  Between the air flow path pipes 76, 76, 76, and 76 that form the first heat exchange section and the air flow path pipes 77, 77, 77, and 77 that form the second heat exchange section, combustion occurs in that portion. An obstruction | occlusion part CP which inhibits gas flowing in is provided. More specifically, the air flow path pipe 76 that is disposed on the innermost side of the air flow path pipes 76, 76, 76, and 76 that form the first heat exchange section, and the air flow that forms the second heat exchange section. A blocking portion CP is provided between the air pipes 77, 77, 77, 77 and the air channel pipe 77 arranged on the innermost side.

  The blocking portion CP is an air flow channel tube 76, 76, 76, 76 that forms a first heat exchange unit and a second heat exchange unit that forms a first heat exchange unit in the direction in which combustion gas flows (vertical direction in FIG. 2). 77, 77, 77, 77 are provided between one end and the other end. More specifically, the blocking portion CP includes the air flow path pipes 76, 76, 76, and 76 that form the first heat exchange section and the air flow path pipes 77, 77, 77, and 77 that form the second heat exchange section. In the fuel cell stack 114 side. By arranging in this way, the air flow path pipes 76, 76, 76, 76 forming the first heat exchange section and the air flow path pipes 77, 77, 77, 77 forming the second heat exchange section. It is a plurality of heat exchangers that reliably inhibit the combustion gas that flows in between and guide them to the first heat exchange part side and the second heat exchange part side while maintaining a high temperature state, respectively. The gaps 76g, 76g, 76g between the air flow path pipes 76, 76, 76, 76 and the gaps 77g, 77g, 77g between the air flow path pipes 77, 77, 77, 77 are surely flowed. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the air flow path pipes 76, 76, 76, 76 that form the first heat exchange part and the second heat exchange part are formed so as to sandwich the reformer 5 when viewed from the direction in which the combustion gas flows. Air flow pipes 77, 77, 77, 77 are disposed, and the reformer 5 and the closed portion CP are disposed so as to overlap each other when viewed from the direction in which the fuel gas flows. By arranging in this way, the air flow pipes 76, 76, 76, which form the first heat exchange section with the combustion gas that has hit the bottom surface of the reformer 5 facing the other end of the fuel cell 184 76 and air flow path pipes 77, 77, 77, 77 forming the second heat exchanging portion, and air flow path pipes 76, 76, 76, 76, which are a plurality of heat exchangers constituting each, respectively. The gaps 76g, 76g, 76g between the two and the gaps 77g, 77g, 77g between the air flow pipes 77, 77, 77, 77 can be surely flown. In addition, the combustion gas that has flowed to the upper surface opposite to the bottom surface of the reformer 5 also forms an air flow path tube that forms a first heat exchanging portion by the closed portion CP disposed so as to overlap the reformer 5. 76, 76, 76, 76 and the air flow path pipes 77, 77, 77, 77 forming the second heat exchanging portion, and the gap portions 76g, 76g, 76g and the gap portion 77g can be surely obtained. , 77g, 77g.

  Each of the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 has a double wall structure, and is configured so that air can flow through each of them. More specifically, the air flow path outer wall 71 has a structure divided into three chambers from above, and is formed as a first chamber 91, a second chamber 92, and a third chamber 93 in this order from above. The air that flows from the air collecting chamber 74 flows into the first chamber 91, then flows into the second chamber 92, and then flows into the third chamber 93. Similarly, the air flow path outer wall 72 is also divided into three chambers from above, and is formed as a first chamber 94, a second chamber 95, and a third chamber 96 in order from the top. The air flowing from the air collecting chamber 74 flows into the first chamber 94, then flows into the second chamber 95, and then flows into the third chamber 96.

  In the third chambers 93 and 96, a plurality of air inflow holes 93a and 96a are formed at predetermined intervals, respectively. The air inflow holes 93a and 96a are located in the direction in which the fuel cell stacks 114 are connected to each other and toward the gap between the fuel cells 184, and the vertical positions with respect to the fuel cells 184 are substantially the same. A plurality of them are formed.

  The air flowing into the air flow path outer walls 71 and 72 is configured to flow into the vicinity of the fuel cell 184 in the power generation chamber 16 through the air inflow holes 93a and 96a. The air (power generation air) that has flowed through the air inflow holes 93 a and 96 a flows from the lower side to the upper side of each fuel cell 184 through the outside of the fuel cell 184. The air (air for power generation) reaching above each fuel cell 184 is burned together with the fuel gas that has passed through the pipe flow path of each fuel cell 184.

  Above each fuel cell stack 114 is a combustion section 18 in which air (power generation air) and fuel gas are mixed and burned. The fuel gas rises from the gas tank 3 through the pipe flow path 188 of the fuel cell unit 116 toward the combustion unit 18. Further, the air flowing outside the fuel cell 184 also rises toward the combustion unit 18. An ignition device insertion hole 97 is provided in a portion of the air flow path outer wall 72 corresponding to the combustion portion 18, and an ignition device (not shown) for starting combustion of combustion gas and air is provided from the ignition device insertion hole 97. Projecting to the combustion section 18. The ignition device mixes and burns fuel gas and air. The fuel cells 184 constituting the fuel cell stack 114 are heated from above by the combustion unit 18. In addition, the air flowing through the air inflow holes 93a and 96a is also heated by the combustion in the combustion section 18 while passing through the air passage pipes 76 and 77 and the air passage outer walls 71 and 72 as described above.

  In the fuel cell module FC according to the present embodiment, the flow of the fuel gas in the gas tank 3 is particularly considered. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the gas tank 3. As shown in FIG. 6, the gas tank 3 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape by a first surface portion 31, a second surface portion 32, and a side surface portion 33. The first surface portion 31 is a portion constituting a surface on which the fuel cell stack 114 shown in FIG. 5 is placed. The 2nd surface part 32 is a part which comprises the surface which opposes the 1st surface part 31 at predetermined intervals. The side surface portion 33 is a portion constituting a side surface connecting the periphery of the first surface portion 31 and the second surface portion 32. A pipe 6 </ b> D is inserted into the gas tank 3 formed by the first surface portion 31, the second surface portion 32, and the side surface portion 33. A hole (not shown) is formed in the pipe 6D, and fuel gas is supplied into the gas tank 3 from the hole.

  The first surface portion 31 is provided with a plurality of openings 31 a for supplying fuel gas to the plurality of fuel cell stacks 114. The opening 31 a is formed by dividing the first surface portion 31 by a plurality of crosspieces 34. Specifically, nine crosspieces 34 are provided, and the opening formed in the first surface portion 31 is divided by the nine crosspieces 34 to form ten openings 31a. Has been. In FIG. 6, the direction in which the openings 31a are continuous is the x direction (second direction), the direction from the second surface portion 32 toward the first surface portion 31, that is, the fuel cell stack 114 is disposed in Abe. The direction in which the cell 184 extends is the y direction (first direction), and the direction orthogonal to the x direction and the y direction is the z direction. The definitions of these directions are used in the same manner in the following description with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the crosspiece 34. As shown in FIG. 7, the crosspiece 34 includes a reinforcing portion 341, a first restricting portion 342, a second restricting portion 343, and a top surface portion 344. The first restricting portion 342 is a portion that restricts the movement of the lower support plate 168 in the y direction in which the fuel battery cell 184 extends. That is, the first restricting portion 342 restricts the movement of the lower support plate 168 in the vertical direction, and is a portion for preventing the fuel cell stack 114 from falling into the gas tank 3.

  The second restricting portion 343 is a portion that restricts the movement of the lower support plate 168 in the x direction orthogonal to the y direction. That is, the second restricting portion 343 is a portion that restricts the movement of the lower support plate 168 in the horizontal direction and prevents the fuel cell stack 114 from being laterally displaced. The second restricting portion 343 is erected on the first restricting portion 342 so as to face the outside of the gas tank 3.

  The reinforcing portion 341 is erected on the first restricting portion 342 so as to extend in a direction opposite to the direction in which the second restricting portion 343 extends, that is, toward the gas tank 3. Therefore, the first restricting portion 342 extends along the x direction, and the second restricting portion 343 and the reinforcing portion 341 extend along the y direction orthogonal to the x direction. Therefore, when the torsion around the x direction acts, the second restricting portion 343 and the reinforcing portion 341 act so as to resist the twisting force, so that the deformation resistance to the load along the y direction of the crosspiece portion 34 is obtained. .

  The top surface portion 344 is a portion that forms the same surface as the first surface portion 31 of the gas tank 3, and is the same surface as the surface 168a of the lower support plate 168 when the fuel cell stack 114 is disposed in the opening 31a. It is a part that forms. The crosspiece 34 is formed so that the reinforcing portion 341, the first restricting portion 342, and the second restricting portion 343 are symmetric with respect to the top surface portion 344.

  In the case of this embodiment, when punching out the portion corresponding to the opening 31a from the first surface portion 31, the top surface portion 344, the second restricting portions 343, 343, the first restricting portions 342, 342, and the reinforcing portions 341, 341 Cut out so that the corresponding part remains. Thereafter, a portion corresponding to the top surface portion 344 is connected to the first surface portion 31, and the other portions are bent to form second restriction portions 343, 343, first restriction portions 342, 342, and reinforcement portions 341, 341. is doing.

  FIG. 8 shows a state where the fuel cell stack 114 is placed on such a crosspiece 34. As shown in FIG. 8, one end side of the lower support plate 168 of each fuel cell stack 114 is held on the first regulating portion 342 of one crosspiece 34, and the other end side of the lower support plate 168 is the adjacent crosspiece. 34 is held on the first regulating portion 342. Since the lower support plate 168 is in contact with the second restricting portion 343 of the one crosspiece 34 and is also in contact with the second restricting portion 343 of the adjacent crosspiece 34, the movement that is shifted in the lateral direction is restricted. .

  The lower support plate 168 of the fuel cell stack 114 is held on the first restriction portion 342 of the crosspiece 34, and the inner electrode terminal 186 protrudes from the back surface 168r of the lower support plate 168. In the present embodiment, the tip of the inner electrode terminal 186 protrudes closer to the second surface portion 32 than the tip of the reinforcing portion 341 of the crosspiece 34.

  Thus, since the tip of the inner electrode terminal 186, which is a gas inlet, is formed closer to the second surface portion 32 facing the first surface portion 31 than the tip of the reinforcing portion 341, the inner electrode terminal 186 protrudes into the gas tank 3 from the reinforcing portion 341, and the flow of fuel gas into the inner electrode terminal 186 is not hindered, and a small amount of fuel gas can be taken into the fuel cell 184 more reliably.

  According to the present embodiment, since the lower support plate 168 that supports the fuel cell 184 in the fuel cell stack 114 has a plate shape, the opening 31 a formed in the first surface portion 31 is closed. By being arranged, a substantially flat surface is formed by the first surface portion 31 and the lower support plate 168. Accordingly, a portion that forms a gas reservoir is not formed in the region where the fuel cell stack 114 is disposed, and useless protrusions that enter the gas tank 3 between the regions where the fuel cell stacks 114 are disposed. Without being formed, the fuel cell stack 114 can be held on the opening 31a, and the fluidity can be ensured even if a small amount of fuel gas flows into the gas tank 3. In this way, the inner electrode terminal 186 that is a gas inlet for introducing the fuel gas into each of the plurality of fuel cells 184 is secured to the back surface 168r of the lower support plate 168 while ensuring the fluidity of the fuel gas in the gas tank 3. Since it is provided so as to protrude into the gas tank 3 from the side, even a small amount of fuel gas can be reliably introduced into each fuel cell 184 and contributed to the power generation reaction.

  The crosspiece 34 that supports the lower support plate 168 formed in a plate shape has a first restricting portion 342 that restricts the movement of the lower support plate 168 in the y direction, and the second restricting portion 342 has a second restricting portion. Since the restricting portion 343 and the reinforcing portion 341 are extended in different directions, the bending of the first restricting portion 342 when the load of the fuel cell stack 114 is applied along the y direction It can suppress by the synergistic effect of the part 343 and the reinforcement part 341. FIG. Therefore, even if the fuel cell stack 114 is formed by the plate-shaped lower support plate 168, the lower support plate 168 is supported on the y direction by placing the lower support plate 168 on the gas tank 3, and the deformation suppressing effect is also obtained. Therefore, it is possible to reliably avoid the occurrence of a situation in which the lower support plate 168 is bent or cracked. Furthermore, the direction in which the reinforcing portion 341 extends from the first restricting portion 342 is the same as the direction in which the inner electrode terminal 186 that is a gas introduction port protrudes into the gas tank 3, so even if the reinforcing portion 341 is provided, the inner electrode terminal 186 extends from the inner electrode terminal 186. A small amount of fuel gas can be reliably introduced into the fuel cell 184 without adversely affecting the fluidity of the fuel gas introduced into the fuel cell 184.

  A modification of the crosspiece 34 described above is shown in FIG. The crosspiece 35 shown in FIG. 9 includes a first member 351 formed by bending a plate-like member into a U shape, and a second member 352 bonded along the longitudinal direction of the first member 351. Has been. The first member 351 has a first restricting portion 351b that is a surface to which the second member is bonded, and a pair of reinforcing portions 351a extending downward from both ends of the first restricting portion 351b. The 2nd member 352 is attached so that it may protrude in the reverse direction to the direction where the reinforcement part 351a is extended with respect to the 1st control part 351b, and is functioning as a 2nd control part.

  Furthermore, the 2nd modification of the crosspiece 34 mentioned above is shown in FIG. The crosspiece 36 shown in FIG. 10 is formed to have first restricting portions 361, 361, a second restricting portion 362, and a top surface portion 363 by bending a plate-like member into a hat shape. A configuration in which the reinforcing portions 341 and 341 are omitted from the crosspiece portion 34 shown in FIG. Accordingly, a reinforcing means is required from the viewpoint of supporting the lower support plate 168 while preventing the lower support plate 168 from being bent. In FIG. 11, an example of the reinforcement means in the crosspiece 36 is shown. FIG. 11A is a diagram in which a crosspiece 36 is provided in the gas tank 3, and is a partial cross-sectional view in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the crosspiece 36 extends. FIG. 11B is a diagram in which a crosspiece 36 is provided in the gas tank 3, and is a partial cross-sectional view in a direction in which the crosspiece 36 extends.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a first reinforcement support portion 41 and a second reinforcement support portion 42 are provided between the crosspiece 36 and the gas tank 3. The crosspiece 36 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is formed on the top surface 363, the second restricting portions 362, 362, and the first restricting portions 361, 361 when the portion corresponding to the opening 31a is punched from the first surface portion 31. Cut out so that the corresponding part remains. Thereafter, a portion corresponding to the top surface portion 344 is connected to the first surface portion 31, and other portions are bent to form the top surface portion 363, the second restriction portions 362, 362, and the first restriction portions 361, 361. Yes. And the edge part by the side of the side part 33 of the 1st control part 361,361 is notched, and the 1st reinforcement support of a cross-section L-shape is followed from the notched part along the 1st surface part 31 and the side part 33. The part 41 is arranged. Accordingly, the first reinforcing support portion 41 supports the first surface portion 31 and the side surface portion 33 and the second restricting portions 362 and 362 of the crosspiece portion 36 in a reinforcing manner.

  Further, a second reinforcing support portion 42 having a triangular cross section is disposed along the first reinforcing support portion 41 from the first restricting portions 361 and 361. Therefore, the second reinforcement support portion 42 supports the first reinforcement support portion 41 and the first restriction portions 362 and 362 of the crosspiece 36 by connecting them. Thus, since the first reinforcement support portion 41 and the second reinforcement support portion 42 for reinforcing and supporting one end of the crosspiece 36 are formed, the first reinforcement support portion 41, the second reinforcement support portion 42, and the first reinforcement support portion 42 are formed. The bending of the crosspiece 36 can be suppressed by a synergistic effect with the two restricting portions 362 and 362. Therefore, even if the fuel cell stack 114 is formed by the plate-like lower support plate 168, the lower support plate 168 is supported on the gas tank 3 so that the lower support plate 168 can be supported and the deformation suppressing effect can be exhibited. The occurrence of a situation in which the lower support plate 168 is bent or cracked can be reliably avoided.

2: Base member 2a: Hole 3: Gas tank 5: Reformer 6A: Reformed gas supply pipe 6B: Steam supply pipe 6C: Pipe 6D: Pipe 7: Flow path member 7A: Air supply pipe 15: Partition plate 15a: Support member 15b: Clearance 16: Power generation chamber 17: Exhaust gas chamber 18: Combustion section 71, 72: Air flow channel outer wall 73: Air distribution chamber 74: Air collection chamber 76: Air flow channel 76a: First side surface 76b: First Two side surfaces 76g: gap portion 77: air flow path pipe 77a: first side surface 77b: second side surface 77g: gap portion 78, 79: outer wall 91: first chamber 92: second chamber 93: third chamber 93a, 96a: Air inflow hole 94: first chamber 95: second chamber 96: third chamber 97: ignition device insertion hole 114: fuel cell stack 116: fuel cell unit 168: lower support plate 168a: through hole 184: fuel cell 186: Inner electrode terminal 188: Gas gas channel 190: Inner electrode layer 190a: Upper part 190b: Outer peripheral surface 190c: Upper end surface 192: Outer electrode layer 194: Electrolyte layer 196: Seal material 198: Fuel gas channel 200: Upper support plate 202: Current collector 202a : Fuel electrode connection part 202b: Air electrode connection part 202c: Vertical part 202d; Horizontal part 204: External terminal CP: Blocking part FC: Fuel cell module

Claims (3)

A plurality of fuel cells that operate when fuel gas and oxidant gas flow from one end side to the other end side;
A gas manifold disposed on the one end side for distributing and supplying fuel gas to each of the plurality of fuel cells;
A fuel cell module comprising:
Further, the plurality of fuel cells are divided into a plurality of cell groups, one end side of the fuel cells belonging to each of the divided plurality of cell groups is supported on the surface side, and a plurality of integrated cell stacks A plate-like support member for forming,
A gas inlet for introducing fuel gas into each of the plurality of fuel cells is provided so as to protrude into the gas manifold from the back side of the support member,
A plurality of openings for supplying fuel gas to each of the plurality of cell stacks are continuously provided in the first surface portion of the gas manifold,
Each of the plurality of openings includes a first restricting portion for restricting movement of the support member in a first direction in which the fuel cell extends and a movement of the support member in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. It is formed by dividing the first surface portion by a crosspiece having a second restricting portion for restricting,
The second restricting portion is erected on the first restricting portion so as to extend toward the outside of the gas manifold, and further provided on the first restricting portion so as to extend on the side opposite to the second restricting portion. A fuel cell module, wherein a reinforcing portion is formed.   2. The fuel cell module according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the gas introduction port is formed so as to be closer to a second surface portion opposed to the first surface portion than a tip of the reinforcing portion. A plurality of fuel cells that operate when fuel gas and oxidant gas flow from one end side to the other end side;
A gas manifold disposed on the one end side for distributing and supplying fuel gas to each of the plurality of fuel cells;
A fuel cell module comprising:
Further, the plurality of fuel cells are divided into a plurality of cell groups, one end side of the fuel cells belonging to each of the divided plurality of cell groups is held on the surface side, and a plurality of integrated cell stacks A plate-like support member for forming,
A gas inlet for introducing fuel gas into each of the plurality of fuel cells is provided so as to protrude into the gas manifold from the back side of the support member,
A plurality of openings for supplying fuel gas to each of the plurality of cell stacks are continuously provided in the first surface portion of the gas manifold,
Each of the plurality of openings includes a first restricting portion for restricting movement of the support member in a first direction in which the fuel cell extends and a movement of the support member in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. It is formed by dividing the first surface portion by a crosspiece having a second restricting portion for restricting,
A reinforcing support portion for reinforcing and supporting at least one end of the crosspiece is formed on a side surface portion connecting the first surface portion and the second surface portion facing the first surface portion. Fuel cell module.

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