JP2013109988A - Fuel cell system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively prevent freezing in pipelines with small spaces at low cost for a heat medium supply pipeline 7 supplying a heat medium cooling a stack 4 of a fuel cell system to a heat medium tank 5 and a drain pipeline 11 discharging condensed water occurring through condensation of an exhaust gas in an exhaust port 10.SOLUTION: At least one of a heat medium supply pipeline 7 and a drain pipeline 11 is arranged along an overflow piping 6 of a heat medium tank 5 so as to be heated through heat exchange utilizing heat radiated from the overflow piping 6.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell system that generates electricity by reacting hydrogen and oxygen.

  A conventional fuel cell system generates power by an electrochemical reaction between a reformer that generates hydrogen gas from natural gas, which is a fuel gas, and oxygen (air) as an oxidant in a main body casing. Fuel cell (hereinafter referred to as stack) to be used, auxiliary equipment for smoothly operating the stack and reformer, and heating inside the housing to prevent freezing of water in the piping inside the body housing And a control device for controlling the entire fuel cell system. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

FIG. 5 shows a conventional fuel cell system described in Patent Document 1. In FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, it includes a casing 101, a reformer 102, a stack 103, an auxiliary device 104, a freeze prevention heater 105 that prevents freezing inside the casing 101, and a control device 106. . The control device 106 has a function of controlling the entire fuel cell system, a power conversion circuit that converts electric energy generated in the stack 103 into a commercial voltage / frequency, and a temperature inside the housing 101 to detect the freeze prevention heater 105. It has a temperature control function to control With this configuration, the ambient temperature of the stack 103 is detected by a temperature sensor (not shown), and based on the detection, the control device 106 controls the freeze prevention heater 105 to heat the internal space of the casing 101, The temperature in 101 is kept above the temperature at which there is no risk of freezing.

International Publication No. 2009/034997

  However, in the conventional configuration, the freeze prevention heater 105 is heated during the operation of the fuel cell system, and the entire internal space of the housing 101 is kept at a temperature that does not freeze. Consumption is necessary, and there is a problem that power generation efficiency as a fuel cell system is lowered. In addition, the freeze prevention heater 105 is provided at the lower part of the casing 101 and is connected to a piping (for example, a heat medium tank that collects heat of the stack 103) as an auxiliary device 104 disposed above the casing 101. It takes time to warm up to the surroundings of the piping that supplies the cooling water, and there is a possibility of freezing inside the piping. Further, in order to prevent freezing of the pipe disposed above the housing 101 and at a distance from the freezing prevention heater 105, the pipe may be covered with a heat insulating material to prevent freezing. The cost of adding the material is increased, and a space for piping is required as much as the heat insulating material, which hinders miniaturization of the housing 101.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and can efficiently prevent freezing of piping inside the casing during operation of the fuel cell system without consuming a lot of electric power. An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system that can be realized in a small space and at a low cost without adding parts such as a heat insulating material.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a fuel cell system according to the present invention includes a fuel cell module including a fuel cell that generates power using fuel gas and an oxidant gas, and a heat medium tank that recovers heat of the fuel cell. And an overflow path for draining the heat medium overflowing from the heat medium tank, a heat medium supply path for supplying the heat medium to the heat medium tank, and draining the condensed water condensed with moisture in the exhaust gas exhausted from the fuel cell module And a drain path. In particular, at least one of the heat medium supply path and the drain path and the overflow path are arranged to exchange heat.

  As a result, during the operation of the fuel cell module, pipes through which moisture flows, such as pipes that constitute the heat medium supply path and drain path, are warmed by heat dissipation from the pipes in the overflow path through which the heat medium that recovered the fuel cell heat flows. By exchanging, it is possible to effectively utilize the heat of the overflow path that has been exhausted heat, and efficiently prevent moisture from being frozen inside the pipe without adding parts.

  In the fuel cell system of the present invention, prevention of freezing of piping during operation of the fuel cell system can be realized efficiently and inexpensively in a small space by utilizing exhaust heat.

1 is a configuration diagram of a fuel cell system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Schematic which shows the state which tied the piping of the fuel cell system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Schematic which shows the state which covered the piping of the fuel cell system in Embodiment 1 of this invention with the heat insulating material. Schematic which shows the state which provided the heat generating apparatus in the heat medium tank of the fuel cell system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Configuration diagram of conventional fuel cell system

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell module including a fuel cell that generates power using fuel gas and oxidant gas, a heat medium tank that recovers heat of the fuel cell, and a heat medium that overflows from the heat medium tank are drained. An overflow path, a heat medium supply path for supplying a heat medium to the heat medium tank, and a drain path for draining condensed water condensed with moisture in the exhaust gas exhausted from the fuel cell module are provided. In particular, at least one of the heat medium supply path and the drain path and the overflow path are arranged to exchange heat. Thus, during operation of the fuel cell module, at least one of the heat medium supply path and the water flowing through the drain path constituting the drain path is an overflow path pipe through which the heat medium that recovered the heat of the fuel cell flows. By disposing at the position where the heat is exchanged by heat dissipation and heat exchange is performed, it is possible to suppress freezing of moisture inside at least one of the heat medium supply path and the drain path.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, particularly in the first aspect of the invention, the fuel cell module includes a reformer that reforms the fuel gas to generate a hydrogen-containing gas, and a combustor that burns the fuel gas and heats the reformer. And. In particular, the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell module is at least one of a fuel cell exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell and a combustion exhaust gas discharged from the combustor. As a result, even in a fuel cell system equipped with a reformer, a drain path through which condensed water condensed with moisture in the exhaust gas of the combustor that heats the reformer during operation drains the heat of the fuel cell. It is possible to prevent moisture from being frozen inside the drain path pipe by being arranged at a position where it is heated and heat-exchanged by the heat radiation of the overflow path pipe through which the heat medium flows.

According to a third aspect of the invention, particularly in the first or second aspect of the invention, at least one of the heat medium supply path and the drain path and the overflow path are arranged so as to contact at least partly. At least one of the heat medium supply path and the drain path pipe is more reliably and effectively heat-exchanged by heat dissipation from the overflow path, thereby improving the effect of preventing moisture freezing inside the pipe. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, particularly in the second or third aspect, at least one of the heat medium supply path and the drain path is disposed adjacent to the reformer, whereby the heat medium supply path And at least one of the pipes in the drain path is not only radiating heat from the overflow path, but also exchanging heat by radiating heat from the reformer, improving the effect of preventing freezing of moisture inside the pipe it can.

  In a fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the heat medium supply path and the drain path are arranged so as to cover at least a part of the overflow path. Insulation material is provided. In particular, since at least one of the heat medium supply path and the drain path and the overflow path are collectively covered with a heat insulating material, the heat medium supply path and the drain path are used by utilizing heat dissipation of the overflow path. At least one of them can be more reliably heated to exchange heat, and the effect of preventing freezing of moisture inside the pipe can be improved.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the heat medium tank is provided at the start of the fuel cell system by providing a heat generating device for heating the heat medium inside the heat medium tank. Even if the heat medium inside is not warmed, after heating the heat medium in the heat medium tank with the heat generating device, the heat medium is supplied to the heat medium tank through the heat medium supply path, and the heated heat medium is removed from the overflow path. By draining, heat exchange can be performed by heating at least one of the heat medium supply path and the drain path, and moisture freezing inside the pipe can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a fuel cell system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a housing 1 is a housing that forms the outer shell of the fuel cell system main body, and accommodates the reformer 2, the stack 4, and the peripheral components therein. The reformer 2 includes a reforming section made of a catalyst and a combustor 3 that heats the reforming section. The reformer 2 is arranged from the central part to the lower part of the housing 1.

  The stack 4 is configured by assembling cells. The cell is configured by sandwiching the catalyst layer with a separator in which a flow path for feeding hydrogen gas or air is formed. Here, the catalyst layer is formed by forming a fuel electrode and an air electrode carrying a catalyst on both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The stack 4 is disposed obliquely above the reformer 2.

  The heat medium tank 5 collects heat generated by a chemical reaction between hydrogen gas and oxygen during power generation of the stack 4 and stores cooling water as a heat medium for maintaining the stack 4 at a predetermined temperature. The heat medium tank 5 is provided with a water level sensor (not shown) for detecting the water level of the heat medium, and the water level sensor is controlled by a control device 12 described later. The heat medium tank 5 is disposed above the stack 4.

Although not shown, between the stack 4 and the heat medium tank 5, a heat medium circulation pipe for conveying a heat medium such as cooling water or a circulation pump for circulating the cooling water in the heat medium circulation pipe Etc. are provided. Further, the heat medium tank 5 and the reformer 2 are connected between the reformer 2 and the heat medium tank 5 in order to use the heat medium in the heat medium tank 5 as reforming water in the reformer 2. A reforming water supply pipe (not shown), a reforming water supply device (not shown), and the like are provided.

  The overflow pipe 6 is a pipe for draining the heat medium overflowing from the heat medium tank 5. One end of the overflow pipe 6 is connected to the upper side of the heat medium tank 5, and the other end is connected to a condensate water tank 8 to be described later, and the heat medium drained from the heat medium tank 5 flows into the condensate water tank 8. The heat medium drained from the heat medium tank 5 through the overflow pipe 6 has a high temperature of about 50 to 60 degrees. For example, a resin tube is used as the overflow pipe 6, and a part that prevents heat dissipation such as a heat insulating material is not attached to the overflow pipe 6.

  The heat medium supply pipe 7 is a pipe for supplying a heat medium such as cooling water to the heat medium tank 5. One end of the heat medium supply pipe 7 is connected to a heat medium supply device 9 which will be described later, and the other end is connected above the connection portion of the overflow pipe 6 of the heat medium tank 5. For the heat medium supply pipe 7, for example, a resin tube is used.

  The condensed water tank 8 accumulates condensed water obtained from the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the combustor 3, exhaust air and exhaust hydrogen gas discharged from the stack 4.

  The heat medium supply device 9 is a device (for example, an electric pump) for supplying the condensed water in the condensed water tank 8 to the heat medium tank 5 through the heat medium supply pipe 7 as a heat medium.

  Between the condensed water tank 8 and the heat medium tank 5, an ion exchange device provided with an ion exchange resin that converts the water in the condensed water tank 8 into pure water, which is a heat medium that does not affect the performance of the stack 4 ( (Not shown) is provided and connected by the heat medium supply pipe 7.

  The exhaust port 10 is a portion for discharging the combustion exhaust gas discharged from the combustor 3 and the exhaust air discharged from the stack 4 to the outside of the housing 1. The exhaust port 10 is disposed above the reformer 2 and the stack 4. Between the exhaust port 10 and the combustor 3 or the stack 4, although not shown, a pipe for guiding the exhaust gas from the combustor 3 or the stack 4 to the exhaust port 10 is provided.

  The drain pipe 11 is a pipe for draining condensed water generated by condensation of moisture in the exhaust gas when the exhaust gas comes into contact with outside air at the exhaust port 10. One end of the drain pipe 11 is connected to the lower part of the exhaust port 10, and the other end is connected to the lower part of the casing 1, so that condensed water is discharged to the outside of the casing 1. For the drain pipe 11, for example, a resin tube is used.

  The heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 are arranged along the overflow pipe 6 at a position where heat exchange can be performed by heat radiation of the overflow pipe 6. Further, the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 are arranged on the center side of the housing 1. By doing so, it is less affected by the temperature of the outside air than when it is arranged on the wall side of the housing 1, and the effect of preventing freezing of moisture in the piping is improved. Further, the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 may be disposed adjacent to the reformer 2. By disposing it adjacent to the reformer 2, the piping is warmed by the heat radiation of the reformer 2, and the effect of preventing freezing of moisture in the piping can be improved.

  Note that either one (or both) of the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 may be disposed along the overflow pipe 6 so that heat exchange can be performed by heat radiation of the overflow pipe 6. Further, either one (or both) of the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 may be arranged adjacent to the reformer 2.

  The control device 12 includes a low voltage circuit and a high voltage circuit that handles 100 V or higher. The high voltage circuit is connected to a commercial power supply outside the housing 1, converts the DC power generated by the stack 4 into AC power, and supplies it to a load connected to the commercial power supply. It consists of a power supply circuit that converts voltage. The low voltage circuit is a control means for controlling each device such as the reformer 2 and the stack 4 in the housing 1.

  In addition, an apparatus and piping (not shown) for smoothly operating the reformer 2 and the stack 4 are configured as auxiliary equipment inside the housing 1. Examples of the configuration of the auxiliary device include a hot water storage pipe connected to a hot water tank provided outside the casing 1, a source gas such as city gas supplied from the outside of the casing 1, and the source gas converted into the reformer 2. The raw material gas piping to be transported to the tank, the control valve for controlling the supply of the raw material gas, the gas booster pump that boosts the raw material gas and sends it to the reformer 2, and the hydrogen gas generated by the reformer 2 is transported to the stack 4 A hydrogen gas pipe for supplying air, an air blower for supplying air to the stack 4, an air pipe for conveying air supplied from the air blower to the stack 4, and water supplied from a hot water tank are circulated in the housing 1. The heat recovery pipe that recovers the exhaust heat from the reformer 2 and the stack 4 and transports the hot water to the hot water tank, the circulation pump that circulates the water in the heat recovery pipe, the exhaust gas from the reformer 2 and the stack 4 Heat exchange that recovers heat and transfers it to the water in the heat recovery piping An air purifier comprising a filter, a filter, etc., a reforming water pump for transporting water necessary for the reforming reaction of the raw material gas to the reformer 2, and the reformer 2 from the reforming water pump There are a control valve for controlling the amount of water, a drain pipe for draining water from each device in the fuel cell system and discharging it to the outside of the housing 1 during maintenance of the fuel cell system.

  Note that a freeze prevention heater for heating the inside of the housing may be provided inside the housing 1. In this case, it is possible to more reliably prevent freezing inside the housing.

  Next, other connections between the devices in the housing 1 will be described. The reformer 2 is connected to a source gas pipe which is an auxiliary device, and receives supply of source gas from the outside of the housing 1. The stack 4 is connected to the reformer 2 by a hydrogen gas pipe as auxiliary equipment, and receives supply of hydrogen gas from the reformer 2. Further, the stack 4 is connected to an air blower, which is an auxiliary device, by an air pipe and receives supply of air. The control device 12 is connected to the stack 4 with an electric cable, and controls DC power generated by the stack 4. The control device 12 and the reformer 2 are connected by an electric cable, and the operation is controlled by the control device 12. The controller 12 and auxiliary pumps and control valves are connected by an electric cable, and the operation is controlled by the controller 12.

  About the fuel cell system comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  First, a source gas (for example, methane) supplied from a source gas pipe connected to a city gas pipe outside the housing 1 is supplied to the reformer 2 while the amount of gas is controlled by a control valve. And after the reformer 2 is heated by the combustor 3, hydrogen gas is produced | generated from raw material gas by reforming reaction. The hydrogen gas generated in the reformer 2 is supplied to the stack 4 through a hydrogen gas pipe. On the other hand, air is supplied to the stack 4 through the air piping by the air blower controlled by the control device 12. In the stack 4, the supplied hydrogen gas and oxygen in the air are chemically reacted to generate DC power. The generated DC power is converted into AC power by the inverter of the control device 12 and supplied to the commercial power source.

  The combustion exhaust gas generated by the combustion in the combustor 3 is discharged from the combustor 3, condensed, and condensed water is taken out. The condensed water is sent to the condensed water tank 8. The combustion exhaust gas from which the condensed water has been taken out is discharged from the exhaust port 10 to the outside of the housing 1.

The exhaust hydrogen gas remaining from the power generation by the chemical reaction in the stack 4 is discharged from the stack 4 in a state containing water vapor generated during power generation, condensed, and condensed water is taken out. The condensed water is sent to the condensed water tank 8. The exhaust hydrogen gas from which the condensed water has been taken out is sent to the combustor 3 and used as a combustible fuel for the reforming reaction.

  The air used in the power generation by the chemical reaction in the stack 4 is discharged as exhaust air from the stack 4 in a state containing water vapor generated during power generation, and condensed to take out condensed water. The condensed water is sent to the condensed water tank 8. The exhaust air from which the condensed water has been taken out is discharged from the exhaust port 10 to the outside of the housing 1.

  Condensed water generated by condensing combustion exhaust gas and exhaust air at the exhaust port 10 is discharged to the outside of the housing 1 through the drain pipe 11.

  The water accumulated in the condensed water tank 8 is conveyed by the heat medium supply device 9 to the heat medium tank 5 through the heat medium supply pipe 7 and later to the heat medium tank 5 to cool the stack 4 as a heat medium. Used as water.

  During power generation of the stack 4, the heat medium is sent from the heat medium tank 5 to the stack 4 through the heat medium circulation pipe by the circulation pump, heat generated in the stack 4 is removed, and the stack 4 is maintained at a predetermined temperature. The heat medium that has recovered the heat of the stack 4 is sent to the heat medium tank 5 through the heat medium circulation pipe, and the heat medium in the heat medium tank 5 is warmed.

  The heat medium is also sent from the heat medium tank 5 to the reformer 2 through the reformed water supply pipe.

  When the amount of the heat medium in the heat medium tank 5 decreases and the water level sensor detects that the water level in the heat medium tank 5 is low, the control device 12 operates the heat medium supply device 9 and passes through the heat medium supply pipe 7. A heat medium is supplied from the condensed water tank 8 to the heat medium tank 5.

  Thereafter, when the water level sensor detects that the water level of the heat medium tank 5 has returned, supply of the heat medium in the heat medium supply device 9 is stopped.

  When the heat medium supplied to the heat medium tank 5 by the heat medium supply pipe 7 reaches the position of the overflow pipe 6 connected to the heat medium tank 5, the heat medium passes through the overflow pipe 6 and is discharged to the condensed water tank 8. . At this time, when the heat medium passes through the overflow pipe 6, the heat of the heat medium is radiated from the surface of the overflow pipe 6, and the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 are warmed, so that the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain are heated. The water inside the pipe 11 is warmed and freezing is prevented.

  The overflow pipe 6, the heat medium supply pipe 7, and the drain pipe 11 are formed by binding a certain section in the path with a binding component 13 (for example, a band) as shown in FIG. And the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 may be brought into contact with each other. In this case, heat dissipation in the overflow pipe 6 is effectively transmitted through the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11, and moisture in the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 can be more reliably prevented from freezing. Note that only one of the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 may be bundled with the overflow pipe 6. Further, when the overflow pipe 6, the heat medium supply pipe 7, and the drain pipe 11 are bundled, other pipes may be bundled together.

The overflow pipe 6, the heat medium supply pipe 7, and the drain pipe 11 may be configured to collectively cover a certain section in the path with a heat insulating material 14 as shown in FIG. 3. In this case, by being covered with the heat insulating material 14, the heat radiation of the overflow pipe 6 is more effectively transmitted to the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11, and moisture in the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 is removed. Freezing prevention can be performed more reliably. Only one of the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 may be combined with the overflow pipe 6 and covered with the heat insulating material 14. Further, when the overflow pipe 6, the heat medium supply pipe 7, and the drain pipe 11 are covered with the heat insulating material 14, other pipes may be collectively covered with the heat insulating material 14. Moreover, the heat insulating material 14 may use a cylindrical heat insulating material, and may wind it using a plate-shaped heat insulating material.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4, a configuration in which a heat generating device 15 such as a heater is provided inside the heat medium tank 5 will be described. In this case, even when the heat medium in the heat medium tank 5 is not warmed during the period when the stack 4 is not generating power, such as when the fuel cell system is activated, the heat medium in the heat medium tank 5 is heated by the heating device 15. After that, the heat medium supply pipe 7 supplies the heat medium to the heat medium tank 5, and the heated heat medium is drained from the overflow pipe 6, whereby the heat medium supply pipe 7 or the drain pipe 11 can be warmed. Freezing in the piping can be prevented.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the stack 4 is arranged by arranging at least one of the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 along a distance at which heat can be exchanged by heat radiation of the overflow pipe 6. During the power generation, water can be prevented from freezing in at least one of the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11, and the heat of the overflow pipe 6 that has been exhausted heat can be effectively used. Thus, it is possible to prevent freezing efficiently and inexpensively.

  In the present embodiment, the reformer 2 including the combustor 3 is provided, exhaust air is exhausted from the stack 4, and combustion exhaust gas is exhausted from the combustor 3. The drain pipe 11 where the condensed water in which the moisture in the combustion exhaust gas has been drained is drained is disposed at a position where the drain pipe 11 is heated and heat-exchanged by the heat radiation of the overflow pipe 6, so that the moisture freezes inside the drain pipe 11. Can be suppressed.

  In addition, at least one of the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 according to the present embodiment and the overflow pipe 6 are bound by the binding component 13, and the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 are connected. It is good also as a structure arrange | positioned so that at least one of them and the overflow piping 6 may contact at least one part. Thereby, at least one of the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 is more reliably and effectively heat-exchanged by the heat radiation of the overflow pipe 6, and the effect of preventing freezing of moisture inside the pipe can be improved. .

  In addition, at least one of the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 of the present embodiment may be arranged so as to be adjacent to the reformer 2. Accordingly, at least one of the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 performs heat exchange by heat radiation from the reformer 2 in addition to heat radiation from the overflow pipe 6. The effect of preventing freezing of moisture can be improved.

  In addition, at least one of the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 according to the present embodiment and at least a part of the overflow pipe 6 may be collectively covered with the heat insulating material 14. This makes it possible to more reliably heat and exchange heat by heating at least one of the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 by using the heat radiation of the overflow pipe 6. The effect of freezing prevention can be improved.

Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with the heat generating apparatus 15 for heating a heat medium in the inside of the heat medium tank 5 of this Embodiment. As a result, even when the heat medium in the heat medium tank 5 is not warmed, such as when the fuel cell system is started, the heat medium in the heat medium tank 5 is heated by the heating device 15 and then heated by the heat medium supply pipe 7. By supplying the medium to the heat medium tank 5 and draining the heated heat medium from the overflow pipe 6, at least one of the heat medium supply pipe 7 and the drain pipe 11 can be heated to exchange heat. It is possible to prevent moisture from being frozen inside the pipe.

  As described above, the fuel cell system according to the present invention can efficiently and inexpensively prevent the freezing of the piping of the fuel cell system in a small space. It can be applied to other uses.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing | casing 2 Reformer 3 Combustor 4 Stack 5 Heat medium tank 6 Overflow pipe 7 Heat medium supply pipe 8 Condensate water tank 9 Heat medium supply device 10 Exhaust port 11 Drain pipe 12 Controller 13 Bundling parts 14 Heat insulating material 15 Heat apparatus

Claims (6)

A fuel cell module comprising a fuel cell that generates power using fuel gas and oxidant gas;
A heat medium tank for recovering heat of the fuel cell;
An overflow path for draining the heat medium overflowing from the heat medium tank;
A heat medium supply path for supplying a heat medium to the heat medium tank;
A drain path for draining condensed water condensed with moisture in exhaust gas exhausted from the fuel cell module;
With
A fuel cell system, wherein at least one of the heat medium supply path and the drain path and the overflow path are arranged to exchange heat. The fuel cell module includes a reformer that reforms a fuel gas to generate a hydrogen-containing gas, and a combustor that burns the fuel gas and heats the reformer.
The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust gas exhausted from the fuel cell module is at least one of a fuel cell exhaust gas exhausted from the fuel cell and a combustion exhaust gas exhausted from the combustor.   3. The fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the heat medium supply path and the drain path and at least a part of the overflow path are arranged to contact each other.   4. The fuel cell system according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the heat medium supply path and the drain path is disposed adjacent to the reformer. 5.   In any one of Claims 1-4 provided with the heat insulating material arrange | positioned so that at least one of the said thermal-medium supply path | route and a drain path | route and at least one part of the said overflow path | route may be covered collectively. The fuel cell system described.   The fuel cell system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a heat generating device for heating the heat medium inside the heat medium tank.

Images