JP2015185288A - Fuel battery device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel battery device that is enhanced in operation efficiency.SOLUTION: In a fuel battery device, when a first cell stack device 5" of at least one power generation chamber 14 out of plural power generation chambers 14 generates power and a second cell stack device 5' of at least one power generation chamber 14 is started from the state that the second cell stack device 5' stops power generation, a control device 36 controls the operation of a fuel gas supply device 33 so that the amount of fuel gas to be supplied to the second cell stack device 5' to be started is larger than the amount of fuel gas to be supplied to the second cell stack device 5' under a stationary start operation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell device.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a cell stack device in which a plurality of fuel cells that can obtain electric power using a fuel gas (hydrogen-containing gas) and an oxygen-containing gas (air) is arranged as next-generation energy is known. Various fuel cell modules in which a cell stack device is housed in a storage container and fuel cell devices in which a fuel cell module is housed in an outer case have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Recently, an increase in the size of this fuel cell device has been promoted, and in such a fuel cell device, it is conceivable to arrange a plurality of cell stack devices in one storage container.

JP 2007-59377 A

  By the way, in the fuel cell device as described above, when an abnormality or the like occurs in the cell stack device, power generation of the cell stack device in which the abnormality has occurred is stopped, and maintenance such as replacement is necessary as necessary. When the operation of all the cell stack devices is stopped, the operation of the cell stack device that can continue the power generation is stopped, so that there is a problem that the operation efficiency is poor.

  Therefore, in a fuel cell device including a plurality of cell stack devices, it is conceivable to stop only the power generation of the cell stack device in which an abnormality has occurred. It was also necessary to consider the startup and the startup method after replacing the cell stack device.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell device having improved operation efficiency in a fuel cell device including a plurality of cell stack devices.

  The fuel cell device of the present invention includes a storage container provided with a plurality of power generation chambers, and a fuel cell that is housed in each of the power generation chambers and generates electric power supplied to an external load with an oxygen-containing gas and a fuel gas. A fuel cell stack device, a fuel gas supply device for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell, an oxygen-containing gas supply device for supplying oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell, and the fuel gas A control device that controls the operation of the supply device and the oxygen-containing gas supply device, and the control device controls the start and stop of the cell stack device housed in the power generation chamber for each power generation chamber. The first cell stack device of at least one of the power generation chambers is generating power among the plurality of power generation chambers, and the second cell stack of at least one of the power generation chambers When the second cell stack device is started from a state where the power generation of the device is stopped, the amount of fuel gas supplied to the second cell stack device to be started is The operation of the fuel gas supply device is controlled so as to supply a larger amount than the amount of fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas.

  The fuel cell device of the present invention can be a fuel cell device with improved operating efficiency.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the fuel cell module in the fuel cell apparatus of this embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows an example of the cell stack apparatus of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the fuel cell module shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of a fuel cell system provided with the fuel cell apparatus of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows another example of the fuel cell module of this embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows roughly an example of the fuel cell apparatus of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a part of example of operation control of the fuel cell apparatus of this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the fuel cell device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of a fuel cell module in the fuel cell device of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the cell stack device of the present embodiment, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the fuel cell module shown in FIG. In the following drawings, the same components are described using the same reference numerals.

  A fuel cell module 1 shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter may be abbreviated as a module) includes a cell stack device 5 shown in FIG. Here, the heat insulating material 4 is arranged on the outer surface of the module 1, and by covering the entire module 1 with the heat insulating material 4, heat radiation from the module 1 can be suppressed, and the temperature of the module 1 can be kept high. It becomes possible. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the heat insulating material 4 arranged on the front side of the module 1 is removed.

  Here, the module 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes four power generation chambers for storing the cell stack device 5, and the front cover 3 of the storage container 2 is divided into four corresponding to each power generation chamber. In addition, the front heat insulating material 4 is divided into four corresponding to each power generation chamber. Although not shown in the drawing, it is preferable that the rear cover and the heat insulating material of the storage container 2 are also divided corresponding to the respective power generation chambers.

  Thereby, for example, when the cell stack device 5 housed in one power generation chamber is replaced, the lid 3 and the heat insulating material 4 corresponding to the power generation chamber need only be removed, so that the work efficiency is improved.

Next, the cell stack device 5 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The cell stack device 5 of the present embodiment is arranged in a row in a state where fuel cells 6 that pass through the inside in the longitudinal direction and have gas flow paths (not shown) through which fuel gas flows are arranged upright. The fuel cells 6 to be connected are electrically connected in series via current collecting members (not shown), and the lower end of the fuel cells 6 is connected to an insulating bonding material (not shown) such as a glass sealant. Two cell stacks 7 fixed to the manifold 8 are provided, and a reformer 9 for generating fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell 6 is disposed above the cell stack 7. At both ends of the cell stack 7, conductive members having electrical lead portions for collecting and drawing the electricity generated by the power generation of the cell stack 7 (fuel cell 6) to the outside are disposed ( Not shown). 1 shows the case where the cell stack apparatus 5 includes two cell stacks 7, the number can be changed as appropriate. For example, even if only one cell stack 7 is provided. Good.

  In FIG. 2, the fuel cell 6 is a hollow flat plate type having a plurality of gas passages penetrating the inside in the longitudinal direction and through which fuel gas flows, and a fuel electrode is formed on the surface of the support having the gas passages. A solid oxide fuel cell 6 in which a layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and an oxygen electrode layer are sequentially laminated is illustrated. The fuel cell 6 is preferably a solid oxide fuel cell with high power generation efficiency, but the shape can be a flat plate type or a cylindrical type in addition to the hollow flat plate type described above. .

  Further, in the reformer 9 shown in FIG. 1, natural gas, methane gas, and kerosene supplied through a raw fuel supply pipe 13 that is a raw fuel introduction section for introducing raw fuel into the reformer 9. Steam reforming is performed with raw fuel such as water and water supplied via a water supply pipe (not shown) to generate fuel gas. Therefore, the reformer 9 has a structure capable of performing steam reforming, which is an efficient reforming reaction, and a vaporizer 10 for vaporizing water, and for reforming raw fuel into fuel gas. And a reforming section 11 in which a reforming catalyst (not shown) is arranged. The fuel gas generated by the reformer 9 is supplied to the manifold 8 via the fuel gas flow pipe 12 and is supplied from the manifold 8 to the fuel gas flow path provided inside the fuel cell 6.

  Such a cell stack apparatus 5 can be slid and stored in the storage container 2 simply by removing the lid 3 and the heat insulating material 4 corresponding to each power generation chamber in the module 1 shown in FIG. is there.

  Next, the structure of the module 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the storage container 2 constituting the module 1 has a double structure having an inner wall 15 and an outer wall 16, and an outer frame of the storage container 2 is formed by the outer wall 16. In addition, in the module 1 shown in FIG. 3, the example provided with four power generation chambers as shown in FIG. 3 is shown.

  In the storage container 2 shown in FIG. 3, an oxygen-containing gas flow path 17 through which the oxygen-containing gas introduced into the fuel cell 6 flows is provided between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 16.

  Here, the storage container 2 is provided with an oxygen-containing gas inlet (not shown) for allowing oxygen-containing gas to flow into the upper end side from the upper portion of the storage container 2 and a flange portion 21, and a fuel at the lower end portion. An oxygen-containing gas introduction member 20 having an oxygen-containing gas outlet 19 for introducing an oxygen-containing gas at the lower end of the battery cell 6 passes through the inner wall 15 and is juxtaposed to the manifold 8. It is inserted in between and fixed. As a result, the oxygen-containing gas flows laterally from the lower end portion toward the upper end portion of the fuel cell 6. A heat insulating material 21 is disposed between the flange portion 21 and the inner wall 15.

  In FIG. 3, the oxygen-containing gas introduction member 20 is disposed so as to be positioned between the two cell stacks 7, but the number of the cell stack devices 5 stored in the power generation chamber 14, the cell stack devices 5, and the like. Depending on the number of cell stacks 7 constituting the, it can be arranged appropriately.

  Further, in each power generation chamber 14, the temperature in the module 1 is kept high so that the heat in the module 1 is extremely dissipated and the temperature of the fuel cell 6 (cell stack 7) is lowered and the power generation amount is not reduced. A heat insulating material 21 for maintaining the temperature is appropriately provided.

The heat insulating material 21 is preferably disposed in the vicinity of the cell stack 7. In particular, the heat insulating material 21 is disposed on the side surface side of the cell stack 7 along the arrangement direction of the fuel cell 6, and the fuel cell unit on the side surface of the cell stack 7. It is preferable to arrange the heat insulating material 21 having a width equal to or greater than the width along the six arrangement directions. In addition, it is preferable to arrange the heat insulating material 21 on both side surfaces of the cell stack 7. Thereby, it can suppress effectively that the temperature of the cell stack 7 falls. Furthermore, the oxygen-containing gas introduced from the oxygen-containing gas introduction member 20 can be suppressed from being discharged from the side surface side of the cell stack 7, and the flow of the oxygen-containing gas between the fuel cells 6 constituting the cell stack 7. Can be promoted. In the heat insulating material 21 arranged on both side surfaces of the cell stack 7, the flow of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the fuel cell 6 is adjusted, and the longitudinal direction of the cell stack 7 and the stacking direction of the fuel cell 6 are adjusted. An opening 22 is provided to reduce the temperature distribution at.

  Here, an exhaust gas inner wall 23 is provided inside the inner wall 15 along the arrangement direction of the fuel cells 6, and the exhaust gas in the power generation chamber 14 is located between the inner wall 15 and the exhaust gas inner wall 23. The exhaust gas flow path 24 flows downward from the bottom.

  By the way, when a plurality of cell stack devices 5 are stored in the storage container 2, the distance from the fuel cell 6 in the cell stack device 5 located in the center portion side to the exhaust gas flow path 24 is particularly large. In some cases, the exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell 6 in the cell stack device 5 located on the center side is difficult to efficiently discharge to the outside.

  In particular, in the fuel cell device configured to burn the fuel gas not used for power generation on the upper end side of the fuel cell 6 and maintain the temperature of the fuel cell 6 at a high temperature by the combustion heat, If the exhaust gas stays on the upper end side, the fuel gas that has not been used for power generation cannot be burned well and there is a risk of misfire. In particular, when a misfire occurs, the temperature of the fuel cell 6 does not increase or cannot be maintained at a high temperature, and as a result, the power generation amount of the fuel cell 6 (cell stack device 5) decreases. There is a fear.

  Therefore, in the module 3 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the exhaust gas flow path 24, an exhaust gas flow for discharging exhaust gas that has not been used for power generation between adjacent cell stack devices 5. A path 25 is provided.

  The exhaust gas flow path 25 is formed of a cylindrical container, and an exhaust gas inlet 26 communicating with the power generation chamber 14 is provided on both sides at an upper end portion, and a discharge port 31 as a lower end is provided below the power generation chamber 14. It communicates with the exhaust gas storage chamber 27. In addition, in FIG. 3, although the example which formed the waste gas flow path 25 in the rectangular parallelepiped shape and the cylindrical container is shown, it is good also as a structure which arranged multiple cylindrical containers.

  That is, either the exhaust gas flow path 24 or the exhaust gas flow path 25 is arranged on the side of each cell stack device 5, and the exhaust gas that has not been used in power generation constitutes each cell stack device 5. It will flow efficiently to the exhaust gas flow paths 24, 25 on the side close to the cell stack 7.

  Thereby, it is possible to suppress the exhaust gas from staying at the upper end side of the fuel battery cell 6, exhaust the exhaust gas efficiently, and misfire in the cell stack device 5 configured to burn above the fuel battery cell 6. Therefore, the module 1 with improved power generation can be obtained.

  In addition, each power generation chamber 14 is formed by dividing the space in the inner wall 15 by the exhaust gas flow channel 25. Each power generation chamber 14 does not necessarily have to be completely separated, and a part thereof may be connected.

  The exhaust gas passages 24 and 25 communicate with an exhaust hole 32 provided at the bottom of the storage container 2 through an exhaust gas storage chamber 27.

  As a result, the exhaust gas generated during the operation of the module 1 (during start-up processing, power generation, and stop processing) flows through the exhaust gas passages 24 and 25 and is once collected in the exhaust gas storage chamber 27, and then from the exhaust hole 32. It is configured to be exhausted. The exhaust hole 32 may be formed by cutting out a part of the bottom of the storage container 2, or may be formed by providing a tubular member.

  The oxygen-containing gas supplied to the fuel cell 6 is supplied from an oxygen-containing gas introduction port (not shown) provided at the bottom of the storage container 2 below the exhaust gas storage chamber 27. 28. The oxygen-containing gas supplied to the oxygen-containing gas introduction chamber 28 then flowed through the oxygen-containing gas channel 17 positioned on the side of the exhaust gas channel 24 and into the oxygen-containing gas channel above the power generation chamber 14. Thereafter, the fuel cell 6 is supplied via each oxygen-containing gas introduction member 20.

  As a result, heat exchange is performed with the exhaust gas in the exhaust gas storage chamber 27 while flowing through the oxygen-containing gas introduction chamber 28, and heat exchange is performed with the exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust gas flow channel 24 while flowing through the oxygen-containing gas flow channel 17. While flowing through the upper oxygen-containing gas flow path and the oxygen-containing gas introduction member 20, heat is exchanged with the heat of the power generation chamber 14. Thereby, the oxygen-containing gas having a high temperature can be supplied to the fuel cell 6 and the power generation efficiency can be improved.

  Note that a thermocouple 29 for measuring the temperature in the vicinity of the cell stack 7 is provided inside the oxygen-containing gas introduction member 20, and the temperature measuring unit 30 is the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell 6 and the fuel cell. It arrange | positions so that it may be located in the center part in the arrangement direction of 6.

  In the module 1 having the above-described configuration, the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas that are not used for power generation discharged from the gas flow path in the fuel battery cell 6 are exchanged between the upper end of the fuel battery cell 6 and the reformer 9. The temperature of the fuel battery cell 6 can be raised and maintained by burning between them, and at the same time, the reformer 9 disposed above the fuel battery cell 6 (cell stack 7) can be warmed. The reformer 9 can efficiently perform the reforming reaction. During normal power generation, the temperature in the module 1 becomes about 500 to 800 ° C. with the combustion and power generation of the fuel cell 6.

  Next, the configuration of the fuel cell device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the description, each power generation chamber will be described together.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a fuel cell system including the fuel cell device of the present embodiment. The fuel cell system shown in FIG. 4 includes a power generation unit that is an example of the fuel cell device of the present embodiment, a hot water storage unit that stores hot water after heat exchange, and a circulation pipe that circulates water between these units. It is composed of It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which no hot water storage unit is provided.

  The power generation unit shown in FIG. 4 includes a fuel gas supply device 33 for supplying raw fuel such as city gas, an oxygen-containing gas supply device 34 for supplying oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cells, a cell stack 7 and a reformer 9. A module 1 having In the power generation unit shown in FIG. 4, the module 1 is surrounded by a two-dot chain line. Although not shown in FIG. 4, a purification device for purifying exhaust gas that has not been used for power generation discharged from the cell stack 7 and an ignition device for burning fuel gas that has not been used for power generation. Can be provided.

In the power generation unit shown in FIG. 4, a circulation pipe 44 that circulates water to a heat exchanger 37 that performs heat exchange between exhaust gas (exhaust heat) generated by power generation of the fuel cells constituting the cell stack 7 and water. A water treatment device 38 for treating the condensed water generated by the heat exchanger 37 into pure water, and a water tank 40 for storing water (pure water) treated by the water treatment device 38. The water tank 40 and the heat exchanger 37 are connected by a condensed water supply pipe 39. As the water treatment device 38, it is preferable to use an ion exchange resin device provided with an ion exchange resin.

  The water stored in the water tank 40 is supplied to the reformer 9 by a water pump 41 provided in a water supply pipe 42 that connects the water tank 40 and the reformer 9.

  The fuel gas supply device 33, the oxygen-containing gas supply device 34, and the water supply pipe 42 may be connected to each power generation chamber 14 or the cell stack device 5 disposed in the power generation chamber 14, and the fuel gas supply One or two main supply pipes are connected to the apparatus 33, the oxygen-containing gas supply apparatus 34, and the water supply pipe 42, and a branch portion branched from the original supply pipe is provided. You may connect to the cell stack apparatus 5 arrange | positioned in the chamber 14. FIG. In order to control the amount of fuel gas and the amount of oxygen-containing gas supplied to each power generation chamber 14 or the cell stack device 5 disposed in the power generation chamber 14, flow control means (valves or the like) are provided in each supply pipe or branch portion. ) Is preferably provided.

  Further, the power generation unit shown in FIG. 4 converts the DC power generated by the module 1 into AC power, and adjusts the supply amount of the converted electricity to the external load (power conditioner). 35. In addition to the outlet water temperature sensor 43 for measuring the water temperature of the water (circulated water flow) provided at the outlet of the heat exchanger 37 and flowing through the outlet of the heat exchanger 37, a control device 36 for controlling the operation of various devices is provided. The power generation unit is configured together with a circulation pump 46 that circulates water in the circulation pipe 44. And each apparatus which comprises these electric power generation units can be set as a fuel cell apparatus with easy installation, carrying, etc. by accommodating in an exterior case. The hot water storage unit includes a hot water storage tank 45 for storing hot water after heat exchange.

  Here, an operation method of the fuel cell system shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

  In generating fuel gas necessary for power generation of the cell stack 7, the control device 36 operates the raw fuel supply unit 1 and the water pump 41. As a result, raw fuel (natural gas, kerosene, etc.) and water are supplied to the reformer 9, and by performing steam reforming in the reformer 9, a fuel gas containing hydrogen is generated, and the fuel cell Supplied to the fuel electrode layer side.

  On the other hand, the control device 36 operates the oxygen-containing gas supply device 34 to supply oxygen-containing gas (air) to the oxygen electrode layer side of the fuel cell.

  The control device 36 activates an ignition device (not shown) in the module 1 to burn fuel gas that has not been used for power generation of the cell stack 7. Thereby, the temperature in the module (the temperature of the cell stack 7 and the reformer 9) rises, and efficient power generation can be performed.

The exhaust gas generated along with the power generation of the cell stack 7 is purified by the purification device, and then supplied to the heat exchanger 37 to exchange heat with water flowing through the circulation pipe 44. Hot water generated by heat exchange in the heat exchanger 37 flows through the circulation pipe 44 and is stored in the hot water storage tank 45. On the other hand, water contained in the exhaust gas discharged from the cell stack 7 by heat exchange in the heat exchanger 37 becomes condensed water and is supplied to the water treatment device 38 through the condensed water supply pipe 39. The condensed water is converted into pure water by the water treatment device 38 and supplied to the water tank 40. The water stored in the water tank 40 is supplied to the reformer 9 through the water supply pipe 42 by the water pump 41. Thus, water self-sustained operation can be performed by effectively using condensed water.

  In the above-described example, the fuel cell device configured to supply only the condensed water generated by the heat exchanger 37 to the reformer 9 has been described. Can also be used. In this case, as a water treatment device for treating impurities contained in tap water, for example, an activated carbon filter, a reverse osmosis membrane device, an ion exchange resin device, etc. are connected in this order to efficiently purify pure water. be able to. In addition, also when using tap water, each apparatus is connected so that the pure water produced | generated with the water treatment apparatus may be stored in the water tank 40. FIG.

  Moreover, in the structure which does not provide a hot water storage unit, you may produce | generate condensed water by providing cooling devices, such as a radiator, instead of the heat exchanger 37. FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the fuel cell module of the present embodiment.

  Compared with the module 1 shown in FIG. 3, the module 47 shown in FIG. 5 is provided with a temperature raising device 48 for raising the temperature of the cell stack 7 (power generation chamber 14) in each power generation chamber 14. Is different. Examples of the temperature raising device 48 include a heater and a burner.

  Thereby, when the temperature of the power generation chamber 14 and the cell stack 7 is low, the temperature of the power generation chamber 14 and the cell stack 7 can be increased by operating these temperature raising devices 48, and high power generation efficiency can be achieved. Can be maintained.

  FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the fuel cell device of the present embodiment in which the module 1 and an auxiliary machine (not shown) for operating the module 1 are housed in the outer case. In FIG. 6, a part of the configuration is omitted. The same applies when the module 47 is stored.

  The fuel cell device 52 shown in FIG. 6 divides the inside of an outer case made up of a column 53 and an outer plate 54 by a partition plate 55 into a module storage chamber 56 for storing the module 1 described above. The lower side is configured as an auxiliary machine storage chamber 57 for storing an auxiliary machine for operating the module 1. In addition, the auxiliary machine stored in the auxiliary machine storage chamber 57 is omitted.

  In addition, the partition plate 55 is provided with an air circulation port 58 for allowing the air in the auxiliary machine storage chamber 57 to flow toward the module storage chamber 56, and a part of the exterior plate 54 constituting the module storage chamber 56 is An exhaust port 59 for exhausting air in the module storage chamber 56 is provided.

  By the way, in a fuel cell device in which a plurality of cell stack devices 5 are accommodated in the storage container 2, when abnormality occurs in one cell stack device or when power generation of all the cell stack devices 5 is stopped, it is normal. In other words, the operation of the cell stack device 5 capable of generating electricity is stopped until the operation is stopped, which results in a problem of poor operating efficiency.

  Therefore, in a fuel cell device including a plurality of cell stack devices 5, it is conceivable to replace only the cell stack device 5 in which an abnormality has occurred, but after considering the operation efficiency, after replacing the cell stack device 5 It was necessary to study how to start up.

Therefore, in the fuel cell device of the present embodiment, first, the storage container 2 is the storage container 2 provided with a plurality of power generation chambers 14, and the lid 3 is divided corresponding to each power generation chamber 14. In addition, the heat insulating material 4 that covers the outer side of the storage container 2 is also divided into shapes corresponding to the lid 3. As a result, even if an abnormality occurs in the cell stack device 5 and the operation is stopped and needs to be replaced, the lid 3 corresponding to the power generation chamber 14 in which the cell stack device 5 in which the abnormality has occurred is stored. The cell stack device 5 can be easily replaced simply by removing the heat insulating material 4.

  In this embodiment, the control device 36 supplies the fuel gas supply device 33 and the oxygen-containing gas supply so as not to stop the power generation of the other cell stack devices 5 when stopping the power generation of the cell stack device 5 in which an abnormality has occurred. The device 34 is controlled. Thereby, since it is not necessary to stop the operation of all the cell stack devices 5, a fuel cell device with improved operation efficiency can be obtained. For example, in the above-described example, it is only necessary to control the flow rate control means provided in each of the power generation chambers 14 or the supply pipes connected to the cell stack devices 5 arranged in the power generation chambers 14 or branching portions.

  Then, the activation of the cell stack device 5 in which the abnormality has occurred and stopped the power generation, or the activation after replacing the cell stack device 5 in which the abnormality has occurred will be described with reference to a flowchart. In the following flowchart, a case where the cell stack device 5 is replaced will be described.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, first, in step S1, the control device checks whether the replacement of the cell stack device 5 is completed. For example, it is possible to determine that the replacement of the cell stack device has been completed by installing an activation start button or the like and determining whether or not this button has been pressed. At this time, the non-replaceable cell stack device 5 continues to generate power.

  Then, it progresses to step S2, and when each temperature generating chamber 14 is equipped with the temperature raising apparatus 48 as shown in FIG. 5, this temperature raising apparatus 48 is operated. In addition, when the temperature raising apparatus 48 is not provided in the power generation chamber 14, step S2 is omitted and it progresses to step S3.

  In step S3, the start-up process of the replaced cell stack device (second cell stack device, hereinafter may be referred to as a replacement cell stack device 5 ') is started. Here, the control device 36 controls the fuel gas supply device 33 so that the amount of fuel gas supplied to the replacement cell stack device 5 ′ is larger than that during steady startup. As a result, the amount of fuel gas that has not been used for power generation increases, so the combustion heat above the fuel cell 6 increases, and as a result, the temperature of the replacement cell stack device 5 'can be quickly increased. Note that the amount of fuel gas at the time of steady activation may be, for example, the amount of fuel gas at the time of activation when the fuel cell device is activated for the first time, and control is performed so as to supply an amount larger than the amount of fuel gas at this time.

  Then, it progresses to step S4, S7. Here, step S4 is control for the exchange cell stack device 5 ′, and step S7 performs normal power generation stored in the power generation chamber adjacent to the power generation chamber 14 in which the replacement cell stack device 5 ′ is stored. The cell stack apparatus 5 (the first cell stack apparatus, hereinafter sometimes referred to as a normal cell stack apparatus 5 ″) is controlled. Therefore, these steps can proceed in parallel.

  First, in step S4, the control device 36 determines whether or not the temperature of the exchange cell stack device 5 'measured by the thermocouple 29 is equal to or higher than a first set temperature set in advance. The first set temperature may be set to a temperature at which the exchange cell stack device 5 ′ can start power generation, and can be set as appropriate within a range of 500 to 650 ° C., for example.

When the temperature of the exchange cell stack device 5 ′ is lower than the first preset temperature set in advance, the fuel gas amount is continuously increased through step S5 until the temperature becomes equal to or higher than the first preset temperature. At the same time, the thermocouple 29 continues to measure the temperature of the exchange cell stack device 5 ′.

  On the other hand, when the temperature of the exchange cell stack device 5 'becomes equal to or higher than the first set temperature in step S4, the process proceeds to step S6 and shifts to the rated operation mode.

  In step S7, the temperature of the normal cell stack device 5 ″ stored in the power generation chamber 14 adjacent to the power generation chamber 14 in which the replacement cell stack device 5 ′ is stored is measured by the thermocouple 29. It is determined whether the temperature is lower than the set temperature.

  During the replacement of the replacement cell stack device 5 ′, the lid 3 and the like are removed, so that the temperature of the power generation chamber 14 in which the replacement cell stack device 5 ′ is accommodated decreases. In some cases, the temperature decreases, and the temperature of the normal cell stack device 5 ″ housed in the power generation chamber 14 may also decrease. In this case, the power generation performance of the normal cell stack device 5 ″ may decrease. . Therefore, it is preferable that the temperature of the normal cell stack device 5 ″ does not drop during the replacement of the replacement cell stack device 5 ′.

  Therefore, if the temperature of the normal cell stack device 5 ″ measured by the thermocouple 29 is equal to or higher than the second set temperature in step S7, the control device 36 determines whether the normal cell stack device 5 ″ is in step S8. Control is performed so that the temperature is maintained at or above the second set temperature. On the other hand, if the temperature of the normal cell stack device 5 ″ measured by the thermocouple 29 in step S7 is lower than the second set temperature, the power generation state of the normal cell stack device 5 ″ is controlled to be a steady state. .

  Here, the second set temperature is a lower limit temperature at which the normal cell stack device 5 ″ can perform the rated operation, and can be set to, for example, 550 ° C. According to the configuration of the cell stack device 5. May be set as appropriate.

  If the temperature of the normal cell stack device 5 ″ measured by the thermocouple 29 in step S7 is lower than the second set temperature, the process proceeds to step S9 to start the temperature increase mode of the normal cell stack device 5 ″. .

  The temperature rise mode of the normal cell stack device 5 ″ may be an operation in which the temperature of the normal cell stack device 5 ″ rises. For example, like the module 47 shown in FIG. Is provided with a temperature raising device 48 such as a heater, and the fuel utilization rate of the normal cell stack device 5 ″ is reduced when the temperature raising device 48 is not provided ( In other words, the amount of fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell 6 is increased), and the oxygen (air) utilization rate is reduced (in other words, the amount of oxygen (air) supplied to the power generation chamber 14 is reduced). be able to.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S10, in which the temperature of the normal cell stack device 5 ″ stored in the power generation chamber 14 adjacent to the power generation chamber 14 in which the replacement cell stack device 5 ′ is stored is equal to or higher than the second set temperature. It is determined whether or not.

  Here, when the temperature of the normal cell stack device 5 ″ is lower than the second set temperature, the temperature increasing mode is continued through step S11. On the other hand, the temperature of the normal cell stack device 5 ″ is When the temperature is equal to or higher than the set temperature of 2, the process proceeds to step S12, and the fuel gas supply device 33 and the oxygen-containing gas supply device 34 are set so that the temperature of the normal cell stack device 5 ″ continues to be equal to or higher than the second set temperature. Control the operation of

Then, when the flow of both the line of step S4 and the line of step S7 is completed, this flowchart is ended.

  By performing the above flow, it is possible to stop only the operation of the exchange cell stack device 5 ′ in which an abnormality has occurred while continuing the power generation of the normal cell stack device 5 ″ in which no abnormality has occurred, improving the operation efficiency. The fuel cell device can be obtained.

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

  In the description of the flowchart, the activation of the replacement cell stack device 5 ′ has been described. However, for example, the cell stack device 5 that has stopped power generation due to an abnormality may be applied to restart without particularly replacing the cell stack device 5 ′. it can.

1, 47: Module 2: Storage container 5: Cell stack device 6: Fuel cell 14: Power generation chamber 29: Temperature sensor (thermocouple)
33: Fuel gas supply device 34: Oxygen-containing gas supply device 36: Control device

Claims (5)

A storage container having a plurality of power generation chambers;
A fuel cell stack device including fuel cells that are housed in the respective power generation chambers and generate electric power to be supplied to an external load with an oxygen-containing gas and a fuel gas;
A fuel gas supply device for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell;
An oxygen-containing gas supply device for supplying an oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell;
A control device for controlling operations of the fuel gas supply device and the oxygen-containing gas supply device;
With
The control device controls the start / stop of the cell stack device housed in the power generation chamber for each power generation chamber, and the first cell stack device of at least one of the power generation chambers among the plurality of power generation chambers. The second cell stack that is activated when the second cell stack device is activated from the state where the power generation of the second cell stack device of at least one of the power generation chambers is stopped. The operation of the fuel gas supply device is controlled such that the amount of fuel gas supplied to the device is larger than the amount of fuel gas supplied to the second cell stack device during steady startup. Fuel cell device.   A temperature raising device for raising the temperature of the cell stack device is provided in the power generation chamber, and the control device increases the temperature before supplying fuel gas to the second cell stack device to be started. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the device is operated.   A temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the cell stack device is provided, and the control device is configured to control the temperature of the first cell stack device in the power generation chamber adjacent to the power generation chamber in which the second cell stack device is accommodated. 3. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein a temperature increase mode operation for increasing the temperature of the first cell stack device is started when the temperature is less than a first setting. 4.   When the temperature of the first cell stack device becomes equal to or higher than the first set temperature, the control device causes the fuel gas so that the first cell stack device maintains a temperature equal to or higher than the first set temperature. The fuel cell device according to claim 3, wherein operations of the supply device and the oxygen-containing gas supply device are controlled.   A temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the cell stack device is provided, and the control device is configured such that the temperature of the second cell stack device in the power generation chamber to be activated is set lower than the first set temperature. The fuel gas supply device and the fuel cell supply device so that the temperature of the second cell stack device is maintained at the first set temperature or higher when the temperature reaches the second set temperature or higher. 5. The fuel cell device according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the oxygen-containing gas supply device is controlled.