JP2016129100A - Fuel battery cogeneration system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fuel battery cogeneration system that enables reduction of an installation area.SOLUTION: A fuel battery cogeneration system has a housing 13, a fuel battery module 10 having a fuel battery 10A for reacting hydrogen and oxygen to generate electric power, a heat energy recovery unit 12 for recovering heat energy generated in the fuel battery module 10, and a hot water storing tank 11 for storing hot water from which heat energy has been recovered in the heat energy recovery unit 12. The fuel battery module 10, the heat energy recovery unit 12 and the hot water storing tank 11 are provided in the housing 13, and the base portion of the housing 13 has a first face 213A for holding the hot water storing tank 11, and a second face 213B at the upper side of the first face 213A. One face 113 which is more proximate to the second face 213B than the first face 213A is an openable and closable maintenance face used for maintenance of components in the housing 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a fuel cell cogeneration system.

  In recent years, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) as well as solid polymer fuel cells (PEFC) have been developed as household fuel cells.

  In SOFC, oxide ions generated at the air electrode (cathode) permeate the electrolyte and react with hydrogen at the fuel electrode to generate electric energy. Therefore, not only hydrogen gas but also carbon monoxide gas can be used as fuel. This eliminates the need for pure hydrogen unlike PEFC, eliminates the need for a complicated and large-scale hydrogen generator that involves transformation, and reduces the number of parts.

  The power generation operation temperature of the PEFC is about 60 ° C. to 80 ° C., whereas the power generation operation temperature of the SOFC is as high as about 600 ° C. to 700 ° C. Therefore, when the thermal energy of SOFC is used, the SOFC cogeneration system can heat the water in the hot water storage tank more easily than the PEFC system. As a result, the SOFC cogeneration system can keep the hot water temperature in the hot water storage tank high, so that the capacity of the hot water storage hot water storage tank can be significantly reduced compared to the PEFC cogeneration system.

  As described above, the SOFC cogeneration system is attracting attention as a new system suitable for downsizing, high reliability, and low cost (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional fuel cell cogeneration system, which is described in Patent Document 1. In FIG. In this SOFC cogeneration system, since the volume of the hot water storage tank 1 is reduced and the weight can be reduced, the hot water storage tank 1 and the fuel cell module 3 are arranged in the height direction in one housing 2 as shown in FIG. Can be installed. Further, a thermal energy recovery device 4 that recovers thermal energy generated in the fuel cell module 3 can be disposed around the hot water storage tank 1. In this way, the SOFC cogeneration system of FIG. 5 is configured compactly.

JP 2013-254608 A

  However, in the conventional example, the reduction of the installation area of the fuel cell cogeneration system and the improvement of the maintenance workability have not been sufficiently studied. Details will be described in the following embodiments.

  An aspect of the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a fuel cell cogeneration system that can reduce the installation area as compared with the conventional one. One embodiment of the present invention also provides a fuel cell cogeneration system that can improve the compactness of the housing and the maintenance workability as compared with the conventional one while maintaining an appropriate volume of the hot water storage tank.

  A fuel cell cogeneration system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a fuel cell module including a fuel cell that generates electricity by reacting hydrogen and oxygen, and thermal energy that recovers thermal energy generated in the fuel cell module. And a hot water storage tank for storing hot water from which the thermal energy has been recovered in the thermal energy recovery device, and the fuel cell module, the thermal energy recovery device, and the hot water storage tank in the housing And the base portion of the housing includes a first surface that holds the hot water storage tank, and a second surface that is above the first surface. In addition, one surface of the housing close to the second surface is an openable / closable maintenance surface used for maintenance of components in the housing.

  According to the fuel cell cogeneration system of one aspect of the present invention, the installation area can be reduced as compared with the conventional case. Moreover, according to the fuel cell cogeneration system of one aspect of the present invention, the compactness of the housing and the maintenance workability can be improved as compared with the conventional one while maintaining the appropriate volume of the hot water storage tank.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a fuel cell cogeneration system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of an example of the fuel cell cogeneration system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of an example of a base portion of the fuel cell cogeneration system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view of an example of the periphery of the base portion of the fuel cell cogeneration system according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional fuel cell cogeneration system.

  In the fuel cell cogeneration system of Patent Document 1, the surface of the casing used for maintenance such as replacement of parts in the casing is not specified. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, components such as a thermal energy recovery device are arranged around the hot water storage tank 1, so that there can be a plurality of maintenance surfaces of the housing used for the maintenance of the components. Since such a maintenance surface needs to have a predetermined separation distance stipulated by law, the installation area of the fuel cell cogeneration system increases as the maintenance surface increases. In other words, it cannot be said that the conventional example can always minimize the installation area of the fuel cell cogeneration system.

  Further, Patent Document 1 does not specifically disclose the connection of piping from outside the fuel cell cogeneration system and the drainage of water from the fuel cell cogeneration system. Usually, such pipe connection parts, draining parts, and the like are often provided so as to protrude from the lower side of the casing or protrude downward from the bottom surface (base part) of the casing.

  The latter downward projecting structure is more advantageous than the former lateral projecting structure in terms of flexibility in routing the piping to the front and rear of the housing and further reducing the installation area. .

  However, in the latter case, in order to secure a space for maintenance work such as piping work and draining work, a predetermined dimension (for example, about 200 mm) from the floor placing member (floor contact part) of the housing. ), It is necessary to raise the base of the housing. For this reason, when making the volume in a housing | casing constant, the upper end position of a housing | casing becomes high for the bottom raising of the base part of a housing | casing. On the other hand, when the fuel cell cogeneration system is transported by a light freight vehicle or the like, the upper end position of the casing placed on the load carrier of the light freight vehicle has a predetermined limit value (for example, about 1885 mm or less from the cargo bed floor). Therefore, it is necessary to review the design of the fuel cell cogeneration system so that the capacity of the hot water storage tank can be as large as possible within the range of the height limit value of the housing.

  That is, it is considered that both the conventional side protruding structure and the conventional downward protruding structure have advantages and disadvantages.

  Accordingly, the inventors diligently studied about further reduction of the installation area of the fuel cell cogeneration system, improvement of the compactness of the casing and maintenance workability, and obtained the following knowledge.

  First, as described above, it is determined that the installation area of the fuel cell cogeneration system can be minimized if maintenance is performed on the components in the casing by opening the casing from a specific surface of the casing. In addition, by reviewing the space for maintenance work such as piping construction and drainage work, and the routing space for piping, etc., it is possible to secure an appropriate amount of hot water storage tank capacity even with the above downward projecting structure. Reached. Specifically, it has been found that the height of the space for maintenance work and the height of the routing space for piping and the like are not necessarily the same. In other words, it was determined that the height of the routing space for piping and the like may be lower than the height of the space for maintenance work.

  That is, the fuel cell cogeneration system according to the first aspect of the present invention recovers thermal energy generated in a fuel cell module including a casing, a fuel cell that generates electricity by reacting hydrogen and oxygen, and the fuel cell module. And a hot water storage tank for storing hot water from which thermal energy has been recovered in the thermal energy recovery device, and a fuel cell module, a thermal energy recovery device, and a hot water storage tank are provided in the housing. The base portion of the housing is provided with a first surface that holds the hot water storage tank and a second surface that is above the first surface, and is closer to the second surface than the first surface One surface of the housing to be used is a maintenance surface that can be opened and closed and used for maintenance of the components in the housing.

  According to such a configuration, the installation area can be reduced as compared with the conventional case. That is, it is possible to perform maintenance of the components in the housing without opening and closing the other surface of the housing simply by opening and closing this surface as one surface of the housing. Therefore, the only surface that needs to be separated from the legally required distance is the maintenance surface, so that the installation area of the fuel cell cogeneration system can be minimized. In this case, since the hot water storage tank is held by the first surface near the floor surface compared to the second surface, the volume of the hot water storage tank can be maintained at an appropriate amount within the range of the height limit value of the housing. it can.

  The fuel cell cogeneration system according to the second aspect of the present invention is the fuel cell cogeneration system according to the first aspect, wherein the housing includes a floor placing member provided below the base portion, and the base portion and the floor. A space is formed between the placing member.

  The fuel cell cogeneration system according to the third aspect of the present invention is the fuel cell cogeneration system according to the second aspect, in which the pipe passes through the space below the first surface.

  According to such a configuration, the installation area can be reduced as compared to the conventional case, and the compactness and maintenance workability of the housing can be improved as compared with the conventional case while maintaining the volume of the hot water storage tank at an appropriate amount.

  In other words, the first surface that holds the hot water storage tank can be brought close to the floor to the extent that the space through which the piping can be secured, so that the volume of the hot water storage tank is maintained at an appropriate amount within the range of the height limit value of the housing. However, the housing can be made compact.

  Further, the second surface can be sufficiently raised from the floor surface as compared with the first surface. Therefore, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which piping connection parts, draining water discharge parts, etc. are projected downward from the base part of the housing, so that the flexibility of routing of piping etc., and the above installation area are further increased. Reduction can be achieved. Moreover, the space for maintenance work, such as piping construction, can be appropriately secured below the second surface.

  A fuel cell cogeneration system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the fuel cell cogeneration system according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, wherein the water tank stores water to be supplied to the fuel cell module; A first water discharge portion used for discharging water from the hot water storage tank; and a second water discharge portion used for discharging water from the water tank. The base portion of the housing is in a direction perpendicular to the maintenance surface. And a step portion that forms a step between the first surface and the second surface, and either one or both of the first water discharge portion and the second water discharge portion are provided in the step portion. ing.

  Water is often drained from a hot water storage tank, a water tank, etc., for example, for reasons of preventing freezing in winter. Therefore, by providing either one or both of the first water discharge portion and the second water discharge portion in the stepped portion, the operator can easily access the water discharge portion for draining water. .

  The fuel cell cogeneration system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the fuel cell cogeneration system according to the fourth aspect, wherein the step portion is either one of the first water discharge portion and the second water discharge portion, or In addition, an inclined surface is provided so that both water flows under the base portion by the action of gravity.

  According to this configuration, in the first water discharge portion and the second water discharge portion provided on the inclined surface of the step portion, water flows to the space side below the base portion. Compared with the case where it comprises, the water discharge property in these water discharge parts improves.

  The fuel cell cogeneration system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the water flow path connection portion used for supplying water to the hot water storage tank in the fuel cell cogeneration system according to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect. The water flow path connecting portion is provided on the second surface.

  According to this structure, the space for piping construction to a water flow-path connection part can be ensured appropriately under the 2nd surface.

  The fuel cell cogeneration system according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is the fuel cell cogeneration system according to the sixth aspect, wherein a fuel cell module is provided above the hot water storage tank and the water flow path connecting portion.

  Hot air heated by the high-temperature fuel cell module tends to stay above the housing. Therefore, by providing the fuel cell module above the hot water storage tank, it is possible to suppress thermal damage to various components in the housing. Further, the water from the fuel cell module naturally falls due to the action of gravity. Therefore, by providing the fuel cell module above the water flow path connecting portion, it is possible to improve water circulation in the water self-sustaining operation of the fuel cell cogeneration system.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the fuel cell cogeneration system will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In addition, all the following description shows an example of the said aspect of this invention. For example, numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, installation positions and connecting forms of the constituent elements described below are examples, and do not limit the above aspect of the present invention. In addition, among the following constituent elements, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claim indicating the highest concept are arbitrary constituent elements. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are sometimes omitted. Further, the drawings schematically show the constituent elements, and there are cases where the shape and dimensional ratio are not accurately displayed.

[System overall configuration]
First, the overall configuration of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a fuel cell cogeneration system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of an example of the fuel cell cogeneration system according to the embodiment.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 of this embodiment includes a fuel cell module 10, a hot water storage tank 11, a thermal energy recovery device 12, a housing 13, and a water flow path connection portion 14. A first water discharge unit 15, a second water discharge unit 16, a water tank 20, a raw material channel connection unit 17, and an air channel connection unit 18. The housing 13 includes a floor placing member 313, a base portion 213, and a maintenance surface 113. The base portion 213 includes a first surface 213A, a second surface 213B, and a step portion 213C.

  The fuel cell module 10 includes a fuel cell 10A that generates electricity by reacting hydrogen and oxygen. An example of the fuel cell 10A is a solid oxide fuel cell. That is, as the fuel cell module 10, for example, a hot module of a solid oxide fuel cell can be exemplified.

  The fuel cell module 10 needs to be maintained at a predetermined temperature during operation of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100. For example, when the fuel cell 10A is a solid oxide fuel cell, the reforming reaction and the operating temperature of the fuel cell 10A are high (eg, 600 ° C.-800 ° C.). Therefore, it is necessary to cover the periphery of the fuel cell module 10 with a heat insulating material so as to suppress heat radiation to the outside.

  The fuel cell module 10 may include a reformer that generates a hydrogen-containing gas by a reforming reaction using raw materials. When the reformer is not provided, the hydrogen-containing gas may be supplied to the fuel cell module 10 from a hydrogen-containing gas supply source such as a hydrogen storage gas container or a hydrogen infrastructure. Alternatively, the hydrogen-containing gas may be generated by the reforming reaction in the fuel cell 10A. As this embodiment, for example, an internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell can be exemplified.

  In addition to the fuel cell 10A, the fuel cell module 10 may include an air heater that heats air for power generation using the high temperature inside the fuel cell module 10.

  The reforming reaction in the fuel cell module 10 may take any form. Examples of the reforming reaction include a steam reforming reaction, an autothermal reaction, a partial oxidation reaction, and the like. Although not shown in FIG. 1, equipment required for each reforming reaction is provided as appropriate. For example, if the reforming reaction is a steam reforming reaction, the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 is provided with a combustor that heats the reformer, an evaporator that generates steam from water supplied to the reformer, and the like. . If the reforming reaction is a partial oxidation reaction or an autothermal reaction, the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 is provided with an air supplier that supplies air to the reformer.

  In addition, the gas etc. which contain the organic compound comprised at least carbon and hydrogen, such as city gas and natural gas which have methane as a main component, LPG, can be used for a raw material, for example. When using city gas or natural gas as a raw material, the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 generally includes a desulfurizer (not shown) that removes sulfur compounds in these gases.

  In this manner, in the fuel cell 10A of the fuel cell module 10, electric power is generated by the reaction between hydrogen in the hydrogen-containing gas and oxygen in the air. The direct current output generated by the fuel cell module 10 is converted into alternating current by an inverter circuit and can be used for household power.

  The thermal energy recovery unit 12 recovers thermal energy generated in the fuel cell module 10. The thermal energy recovery device 12 may have any configuration as long as the thermal energy generated in the fuel cell module 10 can be recovered. Examples of the thermal energy recovery unit 12 include a fluid crossing type heat exchanger that uses exhaust gas from the fuel cell module 10 as a heating fluid and water from the hot water storage tank 11 as a heat receiving fluid. That is, the exhaust gas pipe through which the exhaust gas flows and the water circulation pipe used for water circulation in the hot water storage tank 11 pass through the thermal energy recovery unit 12, and the fluid in these pipes exchanges heat with the thermal energy recovery unit 12.

  The hot water storage tank 11 stores hot water from which thermal energy has been recovered by the thermal energy recovery unit 12. The hot water storage tank 11 may have any configuration as long as such hot water can be stored. As the hot water storage tank 11, for example, a stacked hot water storage tank configured in a cylindrical shape made of metal (SUS) and taking the hot water from the upper part of the hot water storage tank 11 to set the internal temperature of the tank in a stacked state can be exemplified. . In this case, the hot water stored in the upper part of the hot water storage tank 11 is discharged in accordance with the hot water supply demand. And cold water, such as city water, is supplied to the lower part of the hot water storage tank 11 from the water flow path connection part 14 by the amount of discharged hot water.

  The hot water storage tank 11 needs to maintain a heat storage state. Therefore, it is necessary to cover the periphery of the hot water storage tank 11 with a heat insulating material so as to suppress the heat radiation to the outside (heat loss).

  The water tank 20 stores water to be supplied to the fuel cell module 10. The water tank 20 may have any configuration as long as it can store water to be supplied to the fuel cell module 10. Examples of the water tank 20 include a condensed water tank that stores condensed water obtained by exhaust gas cooling by heat exchange in the thermal energy recovery unit 12, and a pure water tank that stores pure water purified from such condensed water. it can. In addition, by recovering the water vapor in the exhaust gas as condensed water, water self-sustained operation of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 can be performed without supplying reforming water from the outside of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100.

  Here, a fuel cell module 10, a thermal energy recovery device 12, a hot water storage tank 11, and a water tank 20 are arranged in a rectangular housing 13. Specifically, the fuel cell module 10 is provided above the hot water storage tank 11. The hot air heated by the high-temperature fuel cell module 10 tends to stay above the housing 13. Therefore, by providing the fuel cell module 10 above the hot water storage tank 11, it is possible to suppress thermal damage to various components in the housing 13.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the configuration of the hot water tank integrated fuel cell cogeneration system in which the fuel cell module 10 and the thermal energy recovery device 12 are housed in the single housing 13 in addition to the hot water storage tank 11. Is taking. The housing 13 is a member that isolates the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 from the external environment. Therefore, it is better that the housing 13 is made of a material having rigidity and corrosion resistance. In many cases, a heat insulating material is provided on the inner surface of the housing 13 to suppress heat radiation to the outside.

  In the present embodiment, the base portion 213 of the housing 13 includes a first surface 213A that holds the hot water storage tank 11, and a second surface 213B that is above the first surface 213A. That is, the first surface 213A is closer to the floor placing member 313 (floor surface) than the second surface 213B. One surface of the housing closer to the second surface 213B than the first surface 213A is an openable / closable maintenance surface 113 used for maintenance of components in the housing 13.

  That is, by arranging the hot water storage tank 11 on the first surface 213A that is remote from the maintenance surface 113, a sufficient space S is secured on the second surface 213B in the vicinity of the maintenance surface 113. Yes. As a result, an appropriate amount of hot water storage tank 11 can be secured, and various parts (not shown) that need to be inspected, repaired, or replaced in the maintenance of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 are accommodated in the space S. it can.

  In addition, as such parts that need to be inspected, repaired, or exchanged, for example, an inverter circuit that converts the generated power of the fuel cell 10A into commercial power so as to be grid-connected, and the operation of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 are controlled. Examples thereof include a controller for controlling the pressure, precision machine parts such as a pump used for water delivery, an air filter, and an ion exchange resin.

  As described above, the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 of the present embodiment can reduce the installation area as compared with the conventional case. That is, one surface of the housing 13 is used as the maintenance surface 113, and the maintenance of the components in the housing 13 can be performed by simply opening and closing this surface without opening and closing the other surface of the housing 13. Therefore, since only the maintenance surface 113 needs to have a legally defined separation distance, the installation area of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 can be minimized.

  In this case, since the hot water storage tank 11 is held by the first surface 213A closer to the floor than the second surface 213B, an appropriate volume of the hot water storage tank 11 is set within the range of the height limit value of the housing 13. Can be maintained.

[Peripheral configuration of base section]
Next, the configuration around the base portion 213 of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of an example of a base portion of the fuel cell cogeneration system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view of an example of the periphery of the base portion of the fuel cell cogeneration system according to the embodiment.

  The floor placing member 313 of the housing 13 is a member that comes into contact with the floor surface of the construction site, and is provided below the base portion 213. A space A, a space B, and a space C are formed between the base portion 213 and the floor placing member 313.

  Specifically, the space B below the second surface 213B is used during maintenance work such as piping construction of the water flow path connection portion 14, the raw material flow path connection portion 17, and the air flow path connection portion 18.

  The water flow path connection portion 14 is used to supply water to the hot water storage tank 11. For this reason, a water supply pipe extending from the lower end of the hot water storage tank 11 is connected to the water flow path connecting portion 14. The water flow path connection portion 14 may have any configuration as long as it is used for supplying water to the hot water storage tank 11. Examples of the water flow path connecting portion 14 include a water supply pipe joint.

  Further, the water flow path connecting portion 14 is provided on the second surface 213B, and the fuel cell module 10 is provided above the water flow path connecting portion 14. Water from the fuel cell module 10 naturally falls due to the action of gravity. Therefore, with the above configuration, the water circulation property in the water self-sustaining operation of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 can be improved.

  The raw material flow path connection portion 17 and the air flow path connection portion 18 are used for supplying the raw material and air to the fuel cell module 10 and are provided on the second surface 213B. The raw material flow path connection portion 17 and the air flow path connection portion 18 may have any configuration as long as they are used for supplying the raw material and air to the fuel cell module 10. Examples of the raw material flow path connecting portion 17 include a raw material supply pipe joint. Examples of the air flow path connecting portion 18 include an air supply pipe joint.

  The pipe P passes through the space A below the first surface 213A. Examples of the pipe P include a city water supply pipe connected to the water flow path connection section 14, a raw material supply pipe connected to the raw material flow path connection section 17, and an air supply pipe connected to the air flow path connection section 18. it can.

  The step portion 213C of the base portion 213 forms a step between the first surface 213A and the second surface 213B in the direction orthogonal to the maintenance surface 113. The space B below the second surface 213B and the space C below the stepped portion 213C are used during maintenance work such as drainage in the first water discharge portion 15 and the second water discharge portion 16.

  The first water discharge portion 15 is used for discharging water from the hot water storage tank 11 and is provided in the step portion 213C. The first water discharge unit 15 may have any configuration as long as it is used for discharging water from the hot water storage tank 11. As the 1st water discharge part 15, the on-off valve etc. which open and close the water discharge piping connected to the lower end part of the hot water storage tank 11 can be illustrated, for example. And the level | step-difference part 213C is equipped with an inclined surface so that the water of the 1st water discharge part 15 may flow below the base part 213 by the effect | action of gravity.

  That is, the 1st water discharge part 15 is a drain part which discharges the water in the hot water storage tank 11, and is used when performing the freeze prevention at the time of long-term non-use of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100, and various bacteria suppression.

  The second water discharge portion 16 is used for discharging water from the water tank 20 and is provided in the step portion 213C. The second water discharge unit 16 may have any configuration as long as it is used for discharging water from the water tank 20. Examples of the second water discharge unit 16 include an on-off valve that opens and closes a water discharge pipe connected to the lower end of the water tank 20. And the level | step-difference part 213C is equipped with an inclined surface so that the water of the 2nd water discharge part 16 may flow below the base part 213 by the effect | action of gravity.

  That is, the 2nd water discharge part 16 is a drain part which discharges the water in the water tank 20, and is used when performing freezing prevention at the time of long-term non-use of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100, and miscellaneous bacteria control.

  A holding member (not shown) for holding the hot water storage tank 11 is provided between the hot water storage tank 11 and the first surface 213A, and an appropriate space X is formed between them. This space X is used for passing a water supply pipe and a water discharge pipe connected to the hot water storage tank 11.

  As described above, the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 according to the present embodiment can reduce the installation area as compared with the conventional case, and can maintain the volume of the hot water storage tank 11 at an appropriate amount while maintaining the compactness and maintenance workability of the casing 13. This can be improved over the conventional method.

  That is, the first surface 213A that holds the hot water storage tank 11 can be brought close to the floor surface to such an extent that the space A through which the pipe P passes can be secured, so that it is within the range of the height limit value of the housing 13 (for example, about 1885 mm). In the following, the housing 13 can be made compact while maintaining the volume of the hot water storage tank 11 at an appropriate amount.

  In addition, the second surface 213B can be sufficiently raised from the floor surface compared to the first surface 213A (for example, raised about 200 mm from the floor surface). Therefore, a configuration in which the water flow path connection portion 14, the raw material flow path connection portion 17, the air flow path connection portion 18, the first water discharge portion 15, the second water discharge portion 16, and the like protrude downward from the base portion 213 of the housing 13. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the flexibility of the piping P and the like and the installation area. Moreover, the space B for maintenance work, such as piping construction, can be appropriately secured below the second surface 213B.

  In addition, drainage from the hot water storage tank 11, the water tank 20, and the like is often performed, for example, for the purpose of preventing freezing in winter. Therefore, by providing the first water discharge portion 15 and the second water discharge portion 16 in the step portion 213C, the operator can easily access the first water discharge portion 15 and the second water discharge portion 16 for draining water. Can be configured to obtain.

  Further, in the first water discharge portion 15 and the second water discharge portion 16 provided on the inclined surface of the step portion 213C, water flows to the space C side below the base portion 213. Compared with the case where it comprises by a surface, the water discharging property in the 1st water discharge part 15 and the 2nd water discharge part 16 improves.

[Example]
Next, specific examples of the hot water storage tank 11 of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 of the present embodiment will be described.

  When the fuel cell 10A is a solid oxide fuel cell, the operating temperature of the fuel cell 10A is as high as about 600-700 ° C. In this case, heat exchange with city water is higher than that of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. For this reason, the hot water temperature stored in the hot water storage tank 11 can be easily raised to a high temperature (about 70 to 75 ° C.). Therefore, the capacity of the hot water storage tank 11 can be significantly reduced as compared with the hot water storage tank of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell cogeneration system (hereinafter referred to as PEFC system).

  For example, the hot water storage tank 11 can be made as small as about 70 L, which is about 1/3 of the hot water storage tank of the PEFC system. Then, in combination with the downsizing of the hot water storage tank 11 and the need for a large hydrogen generator as in the PEFC system, the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 of this embodiment can be configured in a compact and compact manner. It becomes possible.

  Further, as described above, by reviewing the space B for maintenance work such as piping construction and drainage work, and the routing space A for piping and the like, the hot water storage tank 11 can also be used in the downward projecting structure such as the water flow path connecting portion 14. A configuration that can secure an appropriate amount of capacity has been reached. Specifically, the design of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 is reviewed so that the capacity of the hot water storage tank 11 can be secured as large as possible within the range of the height limit value of the casing 13 (for example, about 1885 mm or less). It was broken.

  As a result, the space B for maintenance work needs to have a height of about 200 mm from the floor surface, while the space A has a height of about 70 mm as a gap for passing the pipe P from the outside. And found a good thing.

  Therefore, by arranging the hot water storage tank 11 on the first surface 213A forming the space A, the lower end of the hot water storage tank 11 is as close as possible to the floor surface, and within the range of the height limit value of the housing 13. (For example, about 1885 mm or less), the capacity of the hot water storage tank 11 could be increased.

  In addition, installation of the above 1st water discharge part 15 and the 2nd water discharge part 16 is an illustration, Comprising: It is not limited to this example. For example, in this example, both the first water discharge portion 15 and the second water discharge portion 16 are provided on the inclined surface of the step portion 213C, but either the first water discharge portion 15 or the second water discharge portion 16 is provided. One may be provided on the inclined surface of the step portion 213C. Thereby, at least one of the 1st water discharge part 15 and the 2nd water discharge part 16 can be comprised so that an operator can access easily, and the drainage property of water improves.

  Further, the height limit value of the housing 13, the volume of the hot water storage tank 11, the dimensions of the space A and the space B are also examples, and are not limited to this example. These may be set to appropriate values according to the transportation method of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100, the maintenance work environment of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100, and the like.

[Operation]
Hereinafter, an example of operation | movement of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 of this embodiment is demonstrated using drawing.

  After the floor laying member 313 of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 is installed on the floor surface of the construction site, a plurality of pipes P are passed from the space A below the first surface 213A toward the maintenance surface 113 and connected to the water flow path. It connects to each of the part 14, the raw material flow path connection part 17, and the air flow path connection part 18.

  Next, when a start button or the like of an operating device (not shown) is pressed, an instruction to start operation of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 is issued to a controller (not shown). Then, the following operation is performed by the control program of the controller.

  First, the water in the water tank 20, the raw material from the raw material flow path connection portion 17 and the air from the air flow path connection portion 18 are respectively supplied to the fuel cell module 10. Next, in the fuel cell 10A of the fuel cell module 10, hydrogen obtained by the raw material reforming and oxygen in the air react electrochemically. Thereby, the power generation of the fuel cell module 10 is performed. The DC power obtained by the main power generation is supplied to the system power supply via an inverter circuit (not shown). Simultaneously with the power generation, hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 11 using the heat of the exhaust gas from the fuel cell module 10, and water vapor in the exhaust gas is condensed and recovered in the water tank 20 as reformed water. In this way, water self-sustained operation of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 is performed.

  On the other hand, in the maintenance work of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100, a stop button or the like of the operating device is pressed, and an instruction to stop the operation of the fuel cell cogeneration system 100 is issued to the controller.

  Thereafter, for example, the operator can perform maintenance work such as inspection, repair, or replacement of components in the housing 13 by opening the maintenance surface 113. In addition, the worker can perform maintenance work for draining the hot water storage tank 11 and the water tank 20 by accessing the first water discharge unit 15 and the second water discharge unit 16. In addition, when the operator accelerators the water flow path connection portion 14, the raw material flow path connection portion 17 and the air flow path connection portion 18, the construction of the city water supply pipe in the water flow path connection portion 14, the raw material flow path connection portion 17 is performed. The maintenance work such as the construction of the raw material supply pipe and the construction of the air supply pipe at the air flow path connecting portion 18 can be performed.

  From the above description, many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure are apparent to persons skilled in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description is to be construed as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the disclosure. The details of the structure and / or function may be substantially changed without departing from the disclosure.

  The fuel cell cogeneration system of one embodiment of the present invention can reduce the installation area as compared with the conventional case. In addition, the fuel cell cogeneration system according to one embodiment of the present invention can improve the compactness and maintenance workability of the casing as compared with the conventional one while maintaining an appropriate volume of the hot water storage tank. Therefore, one embodiment of the present invention can be used for, for example, a hot water tank integrated fuel cell cogeneration system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Fuel cell module 10A Fuel cell 11 Hot water storage tank 12 Thermal energy recovery device 13 Case 14 Water flow path connection part 15 1st water discharge part 16 2nd water discharge part 17 Raw material flow path connection part 18 Air flow path connection part 20 Water tank DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Fuel cell cogeneration system 113 Maintenance surface 213 Base part 213A 1st surface 213B 2nd surface 213C Step part 313 Floor placing member A Space B Space C Space P Piping S Space X Space

Claims (7)

A housing,
A fuel cell module including a fuel cell that generates electricity by reacting hydrogen and oxygen; and
A thermal energy recovery unit that recovers thermal energy generated in the fuel cell module;
A hot water storage tank for storing hot water from which the thermal energy has been recovered in the thermal energy recovery device;
With
In the housing, the fuel cell module, the thermal energy recovery device, and the hot water storage tank are provided,
The base portion of the housing includes a first surface for holding the hot water storage tank, and a second surface above the first surface,
The fuel cell cogeneration system, wherein one surface of the casing closer to the second surface than the first surface is an openable / closable maintenance surface used for maintenance of components in the casing. The housing includes a floor placing member provided below the base portion,
The fuel cell cogeneration system according to claim 1, wherein a space is formed between the base portion and the floor-standing member.   The fuel cell cogeneration system according to claim 2, wherein piping passes through the space below the first surface. A water tank for storing water to be supplied to the fuel cell module;
A first water discharge unit used to discharge water from the hot water storage tank;
A second water discharge part used for discharging water from the water tank,
The base portion of the housing includes a step portion that forms a step between the first surface and the second surface in a direction orthogonal to the maintenance surface,
4. The fuel cell cogeneration system according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the first water discharge portion and the second water discharge portion are provided in the stepped portion.   The step portion includes an inclined surface so that one or both of the first water discharge portion and the second water discharge portion or both of the water flows under the base portion by the action of gravity. 4. The fuel cell cogeneration system according to 4. A water flow path connecting portion used for supplying water to the hot water storage tank;
The fuel cell cogeneration system according to claim 1, wherein the water flow path connecting portion is provided on the second surface.   The fuel cell cogeneration system according to claim 6, wherein the fuel cell module is provided above the hot water storage tank and the water flow path connecting portion.

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